father because the Lord would slay them Q. Did not God command under the Law that such as cursed either their father or mother should be put to death A. Lev. 20.9 Every one that curseth his father or his mother shall be surely put to death he hath cursed his father or his mother his bloud shall be upon him Q. Is it not a sin for children to steal from their Parents as well as from other persons A. Prov. 28.24 Whoso robbeth his father or his mother and saith it is no transgression the same is a companion of a destroyer Q. Is it not the duty of Parents to train up their children in the knowledge and fear of God A. Ephes 6.4 Ye Fathers provoke not your Children to wrath but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Q. How must Masters carry themselves towards their Servants A. Col. 4.1 Masters give unto your servants that which is just and equal knowing that ye also have a Master in Heaven Q. What duties must Servants be exhorted to A. Tit. 2.9 10. Exhort Servants to be obedient unto their own Masters and to please them well in all things not answering again not purloining but shewing all good fidelity that they may adorn the Doctrine of God our Saviour in all things Q. Must not Servants count their Masters worthy of all honour A. 1 Tim. 6.1 Let as many Servants as are under the yoke count their own Masters worthy of all honour that the Name of God and his Doctrine be not blasphemed Q. Must not Servants obey their Masters with fear and trembling and singleness of heart shunning eye-service and do their work with a good will as if they were serving the Lord A. Ephes 6.5 6 7. Servants be obedient to them that are your Masters according to the flesh with fear and trembling in singleness of your heart as unto Christ not with eye-service as men-pleasers but as the Servants of Christ doing the will of God from the heart with good will doing service as to the Lord and not to men Q. When Servants are sent abroad must they not return home without making any delay though they should be much importuned to stay a longer time A. Gen. 24.56 He said unto them Hinder me not seeing the Lord hath prospered my way send me away that I may go to my Master Q. When Jacob was servant to Laban did he not serve him with all his might though he were his near Kinsman A. Gen. 31.6 Ye know that with all my power I have served your father Q. Must not servants come when they are called go whither they are sent and do what they are hidden A. Matth. 8.9 I am a man under authority having Soldiers under me and I say to this man go and he goeth and to another come and he cometh and to my servant do this and he doth it Q. Must not servants do their work without murmuring either at the meanness or the difficulty of their work A. Phil. 2.14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings Q. What example have we of the frugality of Christ in commanding the broken pieces of Barley bread to be gathered up which may teach servants and all others to make no waste of any thing under their charge A. John 6.12 When they were filled he said unto his Disciples Gather up the fragments that remain that nothing be lost Q. How must we our children and servants sanctifie the Sabbath Must we not abstain from pleasures and recveations and from the works of our callings and from speaking our own words and maintain an honourable esteem of the Sabbath-day and spend it in holy and religious exercises and take delight therein and do all the duties of the day to the honour of God and what will God do for those that thus sanctifie the Sabbath-day A. Isa 58.13 14. If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath from doing thy pleasure on my holy day and call the Sabbath a delight the holy of the Lord honourable and shalt honour him not doing thine own ways nor finding thine own pleasure nor speaking thine own words Then shalt thou delight thy self in the Lord and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy Father for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it Q Is not the soul of a man of such great excellency that the gaining of the whole world will not countervail the loss of one soul A. Mark 8.36 What shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul Q. Seeing the Soul is of such great value ought we not to do all that in us lieth to save our Souls A. Phil. 2.12 Work out your own Salvation with fear and trembling Q Seeing our souls cannot be saved without the grace of God Doth it not concern us to look diligently that we fail not of grace A. Heb. 12.15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you and thereby many be defiled Q. Hath not God promised to give the Holy Spirit which is the Fountain of all grace to them that ask it A. Luke 11.13 If ye then being evil know how to give good gifts unto your children how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him Q. What are the fruits that the Spirit of Grace produceth when it is given to us A. Gal. 5.22 23. The fruit of the Spirit is love joy peace long-suffering gentleness goodness faith meekness temperance against such there is no law Q. After we have gotten grace must we not labour to grow in grace A. 2 Pet. 3.18 Grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ to him be glory both now and for ever Amen Q. Is growth in grace so necessary that besides our endeavours to get grace we must give diligence yea all diligence to grow in grace A. 2 Pet. 1.5 6 7. And besides this giving all diligence add to your faith vertue and to vertue knowledge and to knowledge temperance and to temperance patience and to patience godliness and to godliness brotherly kindness and to brotherly kindness charity Q. Will not a right use of the Word of God help us to grow in grace A. 1 Pet. 2.2 As new born babes desire the sincere milk of the Word that ye may grow thereby Q. What promise have you that God will enable you to grow in grace A. Hos 14.5 I will be as the dew unto Israel he shall grow as the Lilly and cast forth his roots as Lebanon Q. Must not they that would be saved persevere in the ways and grace of God A. Matth. 24.13 He that shall endure unto the end the same shall be saved Q. Hath God no pleasure in such as draw back from walking with him A. Heb. 10.38 Now the just shall live by faith but if
follow after the Lord will he certainly come to us A. Hosea 6.3 Then shall we know if we follow on to know the Lord his going forth is prepared as the morning and he shall come unto us as the rain as the latter and former rain unto the earth Q. What is it which causeth God to withdraw himself from us A. Isa 59.2 Your iniquities have separated between you and your God and your sins have hid his face from you that he will not hear Q. When God is gone from us If we return unto him will not he return unto us A. Zech. 1.3 Turn ye unto me saith the Lord of Hosts and I will turn unto you saith the Lord of Hosts 2 Chron. 30.9 The Lord your God is gracious and merciful and will not turn away his face from you if ye return unto him Q. Is there hope for such as have gone away from God along time that if they return unto God God will return unto them A. Mal. 3.7 Even from the days of your Fathers ye have gone away from mine Ordinances and have not kept them Return unto me and I will return unto you saith the Lord of Hosts Q. Is not the love of God to his people beyond the love of the most tender-hearted Mother towards her child even at such times as they think he hath forsaken and forgotten them A. Isa 49.14 15. Zion said The Lord hath forsaken me and my Lord hath forgotten me Can a woman forget her sucking child that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb yea they may forget yet will I not forget thee Q. What will God give to him that is athirst A. Revel 21.6 I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely Q. When God suffers such as are athirst to seek him a long time and they can get nothing in so much that their tongue faileth for thirst must they not look on themselves as forsaken of God but hope that God will hear them and give them an abundant supply of all their wants A. Isa 41.17 18. When the poor and needy seek water and there is none and their tongue faileth for thirst I the Lord will hear them I the God of Israel will not forsake them I will open Rivers in high places and Fountains in the midst of the Valleys I will make the Wilderness a Pool of water and the dry Land springs of water Q. What must we do that we may live comfortable lives and see good days A. 1 Pet. 3.10 11. He that will love life and see good days let him refrain his tongue from evil and his lips that they speak no guile let him eschew evil and do good let him seek peace and ensue it Q. What courses will undo men and bring them to poverty and beggery A. Prov. 23.21 The drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags Prov. 28.19 He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough Prov. 6.26 By means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread and the adulteress will hunt for the precious life Q. Are not many undone by being surety for others and should not this make us hate suretiship A. Prov. 11.15 He that is surety for a ftranger shall smart for it and he that hateth suretiship is sure Q. Is it not an argument of folly to be surety for others seeing many are undone by suretiship A. Prov. 17.18 A man void of understanding striketh hands and becometh surety in the presence of his friend Q. Must we not take heed of overcharging our selves at any time with drunkenness surfeiting or the cares of this life lest we be surprized at unawares by death or judgement A. Luke 21.34 Take heed to your selves lest at any time your hearts be over charged with surfeiting and drunkenness and cares of this life and so that day come upon you unawares Q. Is it not lawful to eat of any of Gods creatures and when we do receive any of them must we not do it with thanksgiving A. 1 Tim. 4.4 Every creature of God is good and nothing to be refused if it be received with thanksgiving Q. When Jesus Christ did eat bread was he not wont to give Gods thanks A. John 6.11 Jesus took the loaves and when he had given thanks he distributed to the Disciples Q. Did not the Apostles also use to give thanks when they did eat bread A. Acts 27.35 He took bread and gave thanks to God in the presence of them all and when he had broken it he began to eat Q. What promise have you that God will cause you to eat in plenty and give you satisfaction with your food and make you thankful for what he gives you A. Joel 2.26 Ye shall eat in plenty and be satisfied and praise the Name of the Lord your God that hath dealt wondrously with you and my people shall never be ashamed Q. Must not Children obey and honor their Parents and hath not God promised to bless those children that do so with a long life and good days A. Ephes 6.1 2 3. Children obey your Parents in the Lord for this is right Honour thy Father and Mother which is the first commandment with promise That it may be well with thee and thou mayst live long on the earth Q. Is not God well-pleased when Children obey all the lawful Commands of their Parents A. Col. 3.20 Children obey your Parents in all things for this is well-pleasing unto the Lord. Q. Is it not the duty of Children to fear and stand in aw of their Parents A. Lev. 19.3 Ye shall fear every man his mother and his father and keep my Sabbaths I am the Lord your God Q. Is it not a sin to despise our Parents though they have the infirmities of old age upon them A. Prov. 23.22 Hearken unto thy father that begat thee and despise not thy mother when she is old Q. Are not such Children as set light by their Father or Mother under the curse of God A. Deut. 27.16 Cursed be he that setteth light by his father or his mother and all the people shall say Amen Q. What shall become of those Children that mock despise or refuse to obey their Parents A. Prov. 30.17 The eye that mocketh at his father and despiseth to obey his mother the Ravens of the Valleys shall pick it out and the young Eagles shall eat it Q. Was not Jesus Christ while he was a Child subject to his Parents A. Luke 2.51 He went down with them and came to Nazareth and was subject unto them Q. Is it not a sign that God intends to destroy those Children to whom he doth not give an heart to follow the good counsel that is given them by their Parents A. 1 Sam. 2.25 Notwithstanding they hear kened not unto the voice of their
A SCRIPTURAL Catechism Useful for all Sorts of Persons Both such as desire to Teach their FAMILIES And such as desire to Learn the Principles of the Christian Religion Out of the HOLY SCRIPTURES By Owen Stockton Minister of the Gospel 2 Tim. 3.15 From a Child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures which are able to make thee wise unto Salvation through Faith which is in Christ Jesus LONDON Printed for H. Brome at the Gun at the West End of St. Pauls MDCLXXII TO THE READER ALl Scripture being given by Inspiration of God is profitable for Doctrine for Reproof for Correction and for Instruction in Righteousness And therefore the whole Word of God is to be read with diligence and to be embraced with the same faith love reverence and obedience with which we would receive it if we heard the Lord himself speak those things with an audible voice which we find written in the Scriptures Yet in regard there are some things in the Scriptures which are hard to be understood and the memories of children are not capable to retain all things that are written therein The most edifying way of teaching our children the Holy Scriptures is as I humbly conceive to select such portions of Scripture as may be useful to bring them to the knowledge of the Principles and to direct and perswade them to the practice of the duties of the Christian Religion which is designed in this ensuing Scriptural Catechism Which may be of great use to such as are young for the grounding them in the knowledge and belief of the Truth and teaching them to lead holy and godly lives whereby they may glorifie and enjoy God become serviceable in their generation and obtain the eternal Salvation of their Souls If any say There are many good Catechisms already extant and therefore there is no need of this I answer 1. There are not many of this nature which contain both the Articles of our Faith and directions for an holy life all the Answers to the Questions being nothing else but express words of Scripture 2. This is not intended as an hinderance to any other Catechism which any persons find useful for themselves or Families but it may be conjoined with or follow after the learning of any other Catechism provided it be such as contains nothing in it contrary to sound Doctrine 3. There is a singular advantage in learning a Scriptural Catechism above others because no Instructions are so powerful for enlightning the Understanding creating Faith awing the Conscience perswading to Holiness supporting the weak administring comfort and guiding those that are instructed in the way to Eternal Life as those which are drawn out of the holy Scriptures It may be some will say This Catechism is too large our Children and Servants will never be able to retain it all in their memories To such I answer 1. It contains nothing but the Scripture which is often preached to us and which we are commanded to read and meditate on night and day and to talk thereof when we lie down and when we rise up when we sit in our houses and when we walk abroad And therefore by reason of our frequent converse with the Scriptures this may be more easily attained and retained then Catechisms of another nature 2. These Scriptures are but a very small portion compared with the many choice Instructions heavenly Counsels divine Precepts and precious Promises which doe abound both in the Old and New Testament 3. Children and Servants of ordinary capacities committing but one or two of these Scriptures to their memory every day which is no hard task may in a competent time retain the whole which may be a great help to make and keep them sound in the Faith and direct them how to order their Conversations aright whereby they shall come to see the Salvation of God 4. It will be easie redressing this complaint For if it be judged needful I can soon contract this and frame one consisting of sewer and shorter Texts of Scripture for the use of such whose age or weakness of parts will not permit them to get or keep in memory so large a Catechism as this is Or Parents may chuse out of this the shortest Scriptures and such as suit best their childrens state and condition and teach them those shorter Scriptures omitting the others till they come to a greater maturity of age and understanding It may be some on the other hand will say This Catechism is too short That there are material things omitted which might have been inserted To such I answer 1. The main and Fundamental Articles of our Faith and the most weighty duties relating to practice such as Faith Repentance the love of God and our Neighbour glorifying God Self-denial forsaking all for Christ Contentment c. are briefly handled in this Catechism 2. I was the shorter in this because I had thoughts of composing a larger for persons of riper years which if I should not do it will be easie for such as are well versed in the Word of God to add any other portions of Scripture which they judge meet for instructing their Families besides what are contained in this Catechism either according to this method or what way else they shall see good I shall not need to shew here the great benefit of teaching our Children the holy Scriptures nor give any directions how this work may be managed with success because this is already done in the Treatise of Family Instruction whither I refer the Reader A Scriptural Catechism Q. WHat will it profit a man to know God and his Son Jesus Christ A. John 17.3 This is life eternal that they might know thee the only true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent Q. What is God and how will God be worshipped A. Joh. 4.24 God is a Spirit and they that worship him must worship him in Spirit and in truth Q. How many Gods are there and how many Mediators between God and men A. 1 Tim. 2.5 There is one God and one Mediator between God and men the Man Christ Jesus Q. How do you prove that there are three Persons in the Godhead and that these three Persons are one and the same God A. 1 John 5.7 There are three that bear record in heaven the Father the Word and the Holy Ghost and these three are one Q. Can no man please God without faith A. Heb. 11.6 Without faith it is impossible to please him Q. What must every one believe concerning God that cometh to him A. Heb. 11.6 He that cometh to God must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him Q. Will the Lord have no mercy upon such people as live and die without understanding A. Isa 27.11 It is a people of no understanding therefore he that made them will not have mercy on them and he that formed them will shew them no favor Q. What shall become of those that do
But let a man examine himself and so let him eat of that Bread and drink of that Cup. Q. Is not the Church of Christ so firmly built and established that all the power and policy of all the Devils in Hell shall never be able to destroy it A. Matth. 16.18 Upon this Rock I will build my Church and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it Q. Is not Christ the Head of the Church and the Church the Body of Christ A. Ephes 1.22 23. And hath put all things under his feet and gave him to be the Head over all things to the Church which is his Body the fulness of him that filleth all in all Q. Is not the true Church which is the Houshold of God known by imbrasing and professing the Doctrine of the Prophets and Apostles and being built upon Jesus Christ A. Ephes 2.19 20. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and forreiners but fellow Citizens with the Saints and of the houshold of God and are built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone Q. Why must we follow holiness A. Heb. 12.14 Follow peace with all men and holiness without which no man shall see the Lord. Q. Doth not the Lord require that we should be holy in all manner of conversation A. 1 Pet. 1.15 As he that hath called you is holy so be ye holy in all manner of conversation Q. How doth the grace of God teach us to live in this present world A. Tit. 2.11 12. The grace of God that bringeth Salvation hath appeared to all men teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts we should live soberly righteously and godly in this present world Q. Is it not the duty and care of godly men to labour to have always a Conscience void of offence both towards God and men A. Acts 24.16 Herein do I exercise my self to have always a Conscience void of offence towards God and toward Men. Q. What profit is there in godliness A. 1 Tim. 4.8 Bodily exercise profiteth little but godliness is profitable unto all things having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come Q. Are not the ways of God full of peace and pleasantness A. Prov. 3.17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness and all her paths are peace Q. Must not such as would live godly in Christ Jesus expect to meet with Persecution A. 2 Tim. 3.12 Yea and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer Persecution Q. Are not they blessed that are persecuted for righteousness sake and shall they not enjoy the Kingdom of Heaven A. Matth. 5.10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven Q. Are not righteous men more excellent then any other men that are in the whole world A. Prov. 12.26 The righteous is more excellent then his neighbour but the way of the wicked seduceth him Q. Are not they blessed that hunger and thirst after Righteousness as well as they that have obtained Righteousness A. Matth. 5.6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness for they shall be filled Q. Who is a godly mans portion A. Lam. 3.24 The Lord is my portion saith my soul therefore will I hope in him Q. Is there no portion in Heaven or Earth like to this to have God for our portion A. Psal 73.25 26. Whom have I in Heaven but thee and there is none upon Earth that I desire besides thee My flesh and my heart faileth but God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever Q. Are not they the most happy men in the whole world that have the Lord for their God A. Psal 144.15 Happy is that people that is in such a case yea happy is that people whose God is the Lord. Q. When once the Lord is become our God will he not be our God for ever and ever A. Psal 48.14 This God is our God for ever and ever he will be our guide even unto death Q. Why will not the Lord forsake us after it hath pleased the Lord to make us his people A. 1 Sam. 12.22 The Lord will not forsake his people for his great Names sake because it hath pleased the Lord to make you his people Q. If we give up our selves unto the Lord to be his servants and obey his voice will he not become our God and own us for his people A. Jer. 7.23 Obey my voice and I will be your God and ye shall be my people and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you that it may be well unto you Q. Is it not wonderful and amazing love that the great and holy God should own such poor and sinful creatures as we are for his children A. 1 John 3.1 Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us that we should be called the Sons of God therefore the world knoweth us not because it knew him not Q. Who are they upon whom God bestoweth this great favour and priviledge to be his sons A. Joh. 1.12 As many as received him to them gave he power to become the sons of God even to them that believe on his Name Q. Are all that have faith in Christ the Children of God A. Gal. 3.26 Ye are all the Children of God by Faith in Christ Jesus Q. Are not all Gods Children heirs of God and coheirs with Jesus Christ A. Rom. 8.17 And if Children then heirs heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ if so be that we suffer with him that we may be also-glorified together Q. Is it not the duty of Gods Children to imitate and follow their Father A. Ephes 5.1 Be ye therefore followers of God as dear Children Q. Doth not the Lord love righteous men A. Psal 146.8 The Lord openeth the eyes of the blind the Lord raiseth them that are bowed down the Lord loveth the righteous Q. What kind of love is it which Jesus Christ beareth to us A. John 15.9 As the Father hath loved me so have I loved you continue ye in my love Q. Shall no creature be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus A. Rom. 8.38 39. I am perswaded that neither death nor life nor Angels nor Principalities nor Powers nor things present nor things to come nor height nor depth nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Q. How hath God manifested his great love to us A. 1 John 4.9 In this was manifested the love of God towards us because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world that we might live through him Q. Was not this love of God expressed towards us before we had any love for him A. 1 John 4.10 Herein is love not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the Propitiation for