God A. (a) Rom. 2.4 The Goodness of God leadeth me to Repentance (b) Mark 12.30 and to love the Lord my God with all my Heart and Soul and (c) Luke 6.36 I learn that I ought to be merciful as my Heavenly Father is merciful Q. What learn you from God's Justice and Righteousness A. I learn from God's Justice and Righteousness four things Q. What are they A. First (a) 1 Pet. 5.6 Lev. 26.41 That I should humble my self under the mighty Hand of God and accept of the Punishment of mine Iniquity Secondly (b) 1 Pet. 1.17 That I should pass the time of my sojourning here in the fear of God who without respect of Persons judgeth according to every Man's Work Thirdly (c) 1 Thess 4.6 That I should not go beyond or defraud my Brother in any matter the Lord being the Avenger of all such Fourthly (d) Rom. 12.19 1 Pet. 2.23 That I should not avenge my self but commit my self to him that judgeth righteously Q. What doth God's Truth and Faithfulness teach you A. God's Truth and Faithfulness teach me three Things Q. Which are they A. (a) Ps 15.2 Prov. 12.22 First To speak the Truth in my Heart lying Lips being an Abomination to the Lord. Secondly (b) Ps 37.3 To trust in the Lord and do good Thirdly (c) Heb. 10.22 To hold fast the Profession of my Faith without wavering he being faithful that hath promised and (d) 1 Pet. 4.19 to commit the keeping of my Soul to him in well-doing as to a faithful Creator when I suffer according to the Will of God Q. What doth God's infinite Wisdom teach you A. God's infinite Wisdom teacheth me First (a) Rom. 12.16 Prov. 3.5 1 Cor. 3.19 That I ought not to be wise in my own Conceit nor lean to my own Understanding knowing that the Wisdom of this World is Foolishness with God Secondly (b) Col. 3.23 1 Chron. 28.9 It teacheth me whatsoever I do to do it heartily as to the Lord and not unto Men because the Lord searcheth all Hearts Q. What learn you from God's infinite Power A. I learn from God's infinite Power First (a) Mat. 10.28 Jer. 5.22 That I ought to fera him and tremble at his Prefence Secondly (b) Ps 56.4 Rom. 4.21 That I ought to trust in him being fully perswaded that what he hath promised he is able also to perform Q. Having given me an Account of your Knowledg concerning God the Father I next ask you what you think of the Knowledg of Jesus Christ Is this also necessary A. Yes verily For this is Life eternal to know the only true God and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent Joh. 17.3 Q. What moved God the Father to send Jesus Christ A. God who is rich in Mercy for his great Love wherewith he loved us did shew the Riches of his Grace in his Kindness towards us through Jesus Christ Eph. 2.4 7. Q. For what purpose did God send his Son Jesus into the World A. (a) 1 Joh. 3.5 We know that he was manifested to take away our Sins (b) Joh. 3.17 And God sent not his Son into the World to condemn the World but that the World through him might be saved (c) Chap. 3. 16. and have everlasting Life Q. Have all Men then sinned and by Sin deserved Death tA (a) Rom. 3.23 All have sinned and come short of the Glory of God (b) Rom. 6.23 And the Wages of Sin is Death Q. What is Sin A. Sin is the Transgression of the Law 1 Joh. 3.4 Q. Did not God make Man upright A. God hath made Man upright but he hath sought out many Inventions Eccl. 7.29 Q. Who of Mankind committed the first Sin A. Our first Parents Adam and Eve Q. What Sin did they commit A. They did eat of the Tree whereof God commanded that they should not eat Gen. 3.6 11 12. Q. Who tempted them to this Sin A. The Serpent that is the Devil beguiled Eve and she did eat and she gave to Adam of the Tree and he did eat Gen. 3.13 12. Q. By what Temptation did the Serpent prevail with Eve A. The Serpent said unto the Woman You shall not surely die For God knows that in the Day ye eat thereof then your Eyes shall be opened and ye shall be as Gods knowing Good and Evil. And when the Woman saw that the Tree was good for Food and that it was pleasant to the Eyes and a Tree to be desired to make one wise she took of the Fruit thereof and did eat and gave also to her Husband with heer and he did eat Gen. 3.4 5 6. Q. What did follow upon Adam 's Sin A. By that one Man Sin entred into the World and Death by Sin and so Death passed upon all Men for that all have sinned Rom. 5.12 Q. What did Christ when he was upon Earth to save us from Sin and the Punishment due to it A. (a) Joh. 15.15 Christ first made known to us all things that he had heard from his Father Secondly (b) 1 Pet. 2.21 He left us an Example that we should follow his Steps Thirdly (c) Gal. 3.13 He was made a Curse or Died on the Cross for us and (d) Eph. 5.2 gave himself for us an Offering and a Sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling Savour Q. What do the Apostles of Christ declare concerning him A. They declare that (a) Joh. 1.14 he is the only begotten Son of the Father (b) Rom. 9.5 and God blessed for ever (c) Euke 1.31 35. that he was conceived of the Virgin Mary by the Holy Ghost (d) Acts 10.38 that he went up and down doing Good (e) Acts 2.22 that he was approved of God by Miracles Wonders and Signs (f) Hebr. 4.15 that he was in all Points tempted like as we are yet without Sin (g) 1 Cor. 15.3 4. that he died for our Sins and was buried and rose again the third Day (h) Mark 16.19 and was received up into Heaven and sate at the Right-hand of God (i) Acts 1.11 and that from thence he shall come again (k) Ch. 10.42 to judge the Quick and Dead (l) Mat. 13.40 at the end of the World Q. What doth Christ now he is in Heaven to save us from Sin and Misery A. (a) Heb. 7.25 He is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them And (b) 1 Joh. 2.1 we have an Advocate with the Father Jesus Christ the Righteous Q. For whom of Mankind did Christ die A. (a) 1 Tim. 2.6 He gave himself a Ransom for all (b) 1 Joh. 2.2 He is the Propitiation for our Sins and not for ours only but also for the Sins of the whole World (c) Heb. 2.9 He tasted Death for every Man (d) Rom. 5.18 And as
suffer a merciful and good Man to fall into Afflictions notwithstanding the fore-mentioned Promises A. Yes (a) Rom. 8.28 For we know all things work together for good unto them that love God (b) 2 Cor. 4.17 And these light Afflictions which are but for a moment work for them a far more exceeding and eternal Weight of Glory Q. You have well told me your Duty towards the Poor and Needy God grant that you practise it Tell me next your Duty towards your Brother that hath offended you A. We ought to forbear one another and forgive one another even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven us Col. 3.12 Eph. 4.32 Q. How often shall thy Brother sin against thee and thou forgive him till seven times A. Yes Until seventy times seven Mat. 18.22 Q. What if you do not forgive your Brother his Trespasses A. Neither will my heavenly Father forgive me my Trespasses Mat. 6.15 Q. What is your Duty towards your Brother that hath offended God A. I must not hate my Brother in my Heart but in any wise rebuke my Neighbour and not suffer Sin upon him Lev. 19.17 Q. What Encouragement have you so to do A. If any Man err from the Truth and one convert him let him know that he which converteth a Sinner from the Error of his Way shall save a Soul from Death and shall hide a multitude of Sins Jam. 5.20 Q. How should we reprove our sinning Brother A. If any Man be overtaken in a Fault they that be Spiritual should restore such a one with a Spirit of Meekness considering themselves lest they also be tempted Gal. 6.1 Q. Is it not your Duty to be as savourable as may be in judging your Brother A. Our Lord hath said (a) Mat. 7.1 2. Judg not that ye be not judged For with what Judgment ye judg ye shall be judged And (b) Rom. 14.4 who art thou that judgest another Man's Servant to his own Master he standeth or falleth Q. How ought those that are strong and knowing to behave themselves towards the weak and ignorant A. They that are strong ought to bear the Infirmities of the Weak and not to please themselves Rom. 15.1 Q. What is your Duty towards your Enemies A. 'T is my Duty to love mine Enemies Mat. 5.44 Q. How should you shew your Love to your Enemies A. By (a) 1 Pet. 3.9 not rendring Evil for Evil or Railing for Railing but contrariwise blessing (b) Rom. 12.21 And by overcoming Evil with Good Q. What Arguments have we to love and do good to our Enemies A. (a) Rom. 5.8 God commendeth his Love towards us in that while we were yet Sinners Christ died for us And (b) Mat. 5.45 so shall we be the Children of our Father which is in Heaven For he makes his Sun to rise on the Evil and on the Good and sendeth Rain on the Just and on the Unjust (c) Luke 6.35 And is kind to the Unthankful and to the Evil. Q. By the Answers you have given I perceive you are far from imagining that the Grace of the Gospel doth excuse us from good Works A. We are created in Christ Jesus unto good Works which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them Eph. 2.10 Q. Is it sufficient to do good Works with our outward Man A. No but if any Man be in Christ or a true Christian he is a new Creature 2 Cor. 5.17 Q. What is it to be a new Creature A. To be a new Creature is to be (a) Eph. 4.23 renewed in the Spirit of our Mind (b) Rom. 6.17 and to obey from the Heart Q. Why is it necessary to be renewed in the Spirit of our Mind A. It is necessary to be renewed in the Spirit of our Mind because (a) Mat. 7.18 a corrupt Tree cannot bring forth good Fruit nor a good Tree bring forth evil Fruit. (b) Chap. 12.34 And out of the abundance of the Heart the Mouth speaketh Q. For what other Reason is it necessary that we should be renewell in the Spirit of our Mind and pure in Heart A. It is also necessary because Christ gave himself for us to redeem us from all INiquity and purify to himself a peculiar People zealous of good Works Tit. 2.14 Q. Is there any other Reason why it should be necessary to be renewed in the Spirit of our Mind and be pure in Heart A. It is also necessary because hereby (a) Col. 1.12 we are made meet to be Partakers of the Inheritance of the Saints in light (b) Joh. 3.3 And except we be born again we cannot see the Kingdom of God Q. Why can we not A. Because God is Light and in him is no Darkness at all and therefore we cannot have Fellowship with him and walk in Darkness 1 Joh. 1. 5 6. Q. Are you able of your self to believe and repent and make you a lcean Heart and obey God's Laws A. (a) Phil. 4.13 I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me (b) Joh. 15.5 but without him I can do nothing Q. Is Christ ready to enable you with his Grace and Spirit A. He hath promised that (a) Mat. 13.12 to him that hath shall be given that is that useth the Strength he hath already received and he shall have abundance (b) Luke 11.13 And that if we who are evil know how to give good Gifts unto your Children how much more shall our heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit unto them that ask him Q. What were those Operations of the Holy Ghost which were proper and peculiar to the first Ages of the Church A. First the Holy Ghost whom the Father did send in Christ's Name did teach the Apostles all things and brought all things to their Remembrance whatsoever he had said unto them Joh. 14.26 Secondly (a) Acts 2.1 4. when the Day of Pentecost was fully come they were all with one accord in one place and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak with other Tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance (b) Mat. 3.11 And they were baptized with the Holy Ghost and with Fire (c) Acts 2.3 when there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of Fire which sate upon all of them Thirdly When (a) Mark 13.11 they were led before Rulers (b) Luke 12.12 the Holy Ghost did teach them in the same hour what they ought to say Fourthly To one was given by the Spirit the Word of Wisdom to another the Word of Knowledg by the same Spirit to another the working of Miracles to another Prophecy to another discerning of Spirits to another divers kinds of Tongues to another the Interpretation of Tongues 1 Cor. 12.8 9 10. Q. For what End were these extraordinary Gifts and Operations of the Holy Ghost A. By these the Holy Ghost was a Witness that God hath exalted his Son Jesus with his Right-hand
to be a Prince and a Saviour for to give Repentance unto Israel and Forgiveness of Sins Acts 5.32 Q. What Operations and Gifts of the Holy Ghost have and shall continue in all Ages of the Church A. The fruit of the Spirit is Love Joy Peace Long-suffering Gentleness Goodness Faith Meekness Temperance Gal. 5.22 23. Q. Will God accept nothing less than absolutely Perfect and Sinless Obedience A. If any Man sin we have an Advocate with the Father Jesus Christ the Righteous 1 Joh. 2.1 Q. What are the special Means in the use of which we may expect the conveyance of God's Grace A. They are the Word Sacraments and Prayer Q. What read you of the Word or Holy Scriptures A. I read that they are able to make us wise to Salvation 2 Tim. 3.15 Q. Is it not sufficient to believe as the Church believes as the Papists say A. No but I must (a) Joh. 5.39 search the Scriptures (b) 1 Thess 5.21 And prove all things and hold fast that which is good Q. May the Scriptures be understood by simple People in all things necessary to Salvation A. Yes (a) Ps 19.7 Ps 119.130 God's Word giveth Light and Understanding to the Simple (b) 2 Cor. 4.3 And if our Gospel be hid it is hid to them that are lost Q. Are the Scriptures able to make wise to Salvation without the Addition of unwritten Traditions which the Papists do make necessary A. Yes certainly For all Scripture is given by Inspiration of god and is profitable for Doctrine for Reproof for Correction for Instruction in Righteousness That the Man of God may be perfect throughly furnished to all good Works 2 Tim. 3.16 17. Q. How must we read and hear the Word A. (a) Jam. 1.21 We must lay apart all Filthiness and Superfluity of Naughtiness and receive with Meekness the ingrasted Word which is able to save our Souls (b) 1 Pet. 2.2 And as new-born Babes desire the sincere Milk of the Word that we may grow thereby Q. Then meer bearing or reading the Word is not sufficient A. We must be Doers of the Word and not Hearers only deceiving our own selves Jam. 1.22 Q. What must we do besides reading and hearing God's Word that we may yield Obedience to it A. We must (a) Ps 119.11 hide it in our Hearts (b) Ver. 15. and meditate therein Q. Must we not also pray to God for his Blessing to make his Word effectual A. Yes We must pray unto God to (a) Ps 119.33 teach us the way of his Statutes (b) Ver. 36. And to incline our Hearts unto his Testimonies Q. How many Sacraments are there A. Two Baptism and the Supper of the Lord. Q. What is Baptism A. Baptism is (a) Acts 10.47 washing with Water (b) Mat. 28.19 in the Name of the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost Q. What is the inward spiritual Grace of Baptism A. It is the (a) Tit. 3.5 washing of Regeneration (b) Acts 22.6 or the washing away of Sins Q. What doth your Baptism oblige you to A. My Baptism obligeth me to put on Christ Gal. 3.27 Q. What is it to put on Christ A. To put on Christ is to name the Name of Christ or to profess Christianity and depart from all Iniquity 2 Tim. 2.19 Q. HOw doth your Baptism oblige you to depart from all Iniquity A. So many of us as are baptized into Christ were baptized into his Death therefore we are buried with him by Baptism into Death that like as Christ was raised up from the Dead by the Glory of the Father even so we also should walk in Newness of Life Rom. 6.3 4. Q. Doth not our Baptism oblige us to love one another and to keep the Vnity of the Spirit in the Bond of Peace A. Yes For by one Spirit we are all baptized into one Body 1 Cor. 12.13 Q. What is the Lord's-Supper A. The Lord's-Supper is (a) Mat. 26.26 c. Luke 22.19 Bread broken and caten and Wine poured forth and drunk in remembrance of Christ (b) Esay 53.5 who was wounded for our Transgressions and bruised for our Sins (c) Mat. 26.28 And whose Blood was shed for the Remission of our Sins Q. How long is the Death of Christ to be remembred in the Lord's-Supper A. As often as we eat this Bread and drink this Cup. we do shew the Lord's Death till he come or till he comes to Judgment 1 Cor. 11.26 Q. May the Cup be denied to any that receive the Bread as the Papists do to all the Laity A. No certainly For Christ took the Cup and gave thanks and gave it to them saying Drink ye all of it Mat. 26.27 Q. Is the Lord's-Supper a proper Sacrifice or is the Body of Christ again offered up therein for the Quick and Dead as the Papists say A. No by no means But (a) 1 Cor. 11.26 his Death is therein shewed forth (b) Heb. 9.26 For otherwise must he often have suffered but now once hath he appeared to put away Sin by the Sacrifice of himself Q. What is the Meaning of those words Take eat this is my Body A. Christ hath told us his Meaning in saying Do this in remembrance of me Luke 22.19 Q. Is Christ's Body confined always to Heaven A. The Heavens must receive or retain him until the times of restitution of all things or till the last Day Acts 3.21 Q. How may we worthily receive the Lord's-Supper A. Let a Man examine himself and so let him eat of that Bread and drink of that Cup. 1 Cor. 11.28 Q. What if you should receive the Lord's-Supper unworthily that is in the allowance of known Sins A. He that eateth and drinketh unworthily eateth and drinketh Damnation to himself not discerning the Lord's Body or not making a difference between the Lord's Supper and his ordinary Meals 1 Cor. 11.29 Q. What is the Advantage that accrues to those who worthily receive it that is that receive it with firm Resolutions against all Sin and with a thankful Sense of the Love of Christ A. To such the Cup of Blessing which we bless it is the Communication of the Blood of Christ and the Bread which we break it is the Communication of the Body of Christ 1 Cor. 10.16 Q. How doth the Receiving the Lord'-Supper farther engage unto Holiness A. the Receiving thereof doth farther engage us to Holiness as it is a shewing forth of Christ's Death whose Love in dying for us constraineth us to all holy Obedience because we thus judg that if one died for all then were all dead and that he died for all that they which live should not henceforth live to themselves but unto him which died for them and rose again 2 Cor. 5.14 15. Q. Doth it not for the same reason in a special manner engage us to love each other A. Yes For we are commanded to walk in love as Christ