Eph. 5.14 17. That we being filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisedome and spirituall vnderstanding may walke worthie of the Lord and please him in all things beeing fruitful in all good works Col. 1.9 10. And that this knowledge faith and fruitfulnesse in all good workes may abound in vs as the elect deer childrē of God let vs diligētly read the book of god cōtinually meditate on the same for the Prophet saith Blessed is the man that doth not walke in the counsell of the wicked nor stand in the way of sinners nor sit in the seate of the scorneful but his delight is in the Lawe of the Lord and in his Lawe doth he meditate day night for he shall be like a tree planted by the riuers of waters that wil bring foorth her fruite in due season whose leafe shall not fade so whatsoeuer he shall do shall prosper Psal 1.1.2 3. Now for the common benefit and better instruction of Gods people and thy selfe christian reader J haue caused this little and short treatise of christian points of religion to be printed and published and although it bee but small in volume yet I doubt not but if it be well read and printed in minde it shall minister great good to further thy knowledge to confirm thy faith and to increase true holines in thee And this I dare promise thee that there are some things handled in this Catechisme both in matter and manner which other Catechismes dooth not as once meddle and intreate of and other things which are intreated of some in their bookes haue J drawne in a briefe method for the benifit of the reader And whereas many things are yet in doubt among the multitude and great controuersies doo rise by them I haue breefely yet soundly opened the trueth of them finally there is not that point which I haue intreated of but I haue first defined the same and haue set downe the definitions of all the hardest words which are commonly vsed by the preachers of the word and in the large and great volumes of the learned that the simple who is altogether ignorant of the true sense of them may vnderstand not onely the Preacher and bookes which they both heare and read but also the verie words as iustification sanctification grace redemption law and such like Therefore seeing my purpose is onely to doo good vnto Gods Church and my paine great herein yet godly I hope all faithfull people will accept the same and both praise God for this litle worke and pray vnto God for mee to increase his good gifts and graces in my soule vnto my liues end Amen Thus I take my leaue from my house at Kingswood the second of September Thine in the Lord Richard Saintbarb Preacher of Gods word Certaine points of Christian Religion Question INto what faith wert thou baptised Answere Into the faith of the holie Trinitie Matth. 28.19 Question What doost thou meane when thou saiest thou art baptised into the faith of the holie Trinitie Answere It is to enter and consecrate the baptised into the faith and religion of one God First that they might beleeue the Father the Sonne and the Holie ghost to bee one God to whom alone they must giue their faith and confidence Psal 37.5 Iere. 17.5 6 7 8. Iohn 14.1 Secondly that they beleeue that the sonne and the holie ghost are nothing els but the verie essence of God 1. Iohn 5.7 Thirdly that they confesse God the Father who hath adopted them God the sonne by whome they are redeemed and God the holie Ghost by whome they are sanctified confirmed Gala. 4.4 5 6. 1. Corinthians 6.10 11. Question Where shall wee finde the summe of this faith of the holie Trinitie Answere First generallie at large in the holie Scriptures which is called the Booke of God Secondly particularlie and briefely in the Articles of the Faith called the Apostles Creede Question Why is it so called Answere For two apt causes First Because it is a briefe collection of the Articles of the Faith which haue been alwaies in Christs Church Secondly because it was taken out of the pure doctrine of the Apostles Question Why must euerie christian say I beleeue not We beleeue as well as they generally do say Our Father which art c. Answere First because euerie Christian must be saued by his owne faith and not by an others Secondly wheras we say Our Father we must note that it is a prayer and the other the beleefe of euerie Christian and therefore a plaine and great difference Haba 2.4 Ga. 3.11 Heb. 10.38 39. Question Why must we beleeue that there is a Church not in the Church as in God the Father c Answere It were great idolatrie to put our trust in meere man for Faith onely belongeth to the holy Trinitie and although Iesus Christ who is saluation it selfe is no where to be found but in the Church yet Saluation is not of the Church and therefore Ieremie accurseth them that put anie confidence in the flesh of sinfull man Iohn 17.1 2 3. Matth. 28.19 Ierem. 17.5 6. Esay 30.1 2 3 4. and 31.1 2 3 4. Question Into how manie points shall we diuide this confession of our faith Answere Into 3. The first concerning God the Father in the first Article The second concerning God the Sonne in the sixe next Articles The third concerning God the holy Ghost in the fiue last Articles Question How manie things learn you in the first article I beleeue in God the father Almightie c. Answere First what God is Secondly how he created all things Thirdly how he preserueth all his workes Fourthlie how he ruleth and gouerneth all things Question What is God Answere God is a spirite infinite euerlasting vnchaungeable incorruptible immortall most simple in nature in power most mightie incomprehensible both in greatnesse and Maiestie by whom all things were made in the beginning of nothing also distinguished into thrée persons the Father the Sonne and the holie Ghost Iohn 4.24 Esay 66.1 2. Esay 40.28 Mal. 3.6 Iam. 1.17 Rom. 1.23 2. Tim. 1.17 Gen. 17.1 Rom. 11.33 34 35 36. Ier. 10.10 11 12 13. Matth. 28.19 Reuel 15.3 4. Question What is God the Father Answere Hee is the beginning and Authour of euerie thing both in heauen and in earth Who when it séemed good vnto his diuine Nature created all things of nothing in heauen and in earth both spirituall and corporall and ordered them by his eternall Sonne the which are now gouerned and mainteined by the infinite and consubstantiall power of the Holie Ghost proceeding from them both from all eternitie Gen. 1.1 2 c. Gene. 2.1 Prouerb 8.14 to the end Psalme 114.30 Gene. 1.2 Iohn 15.26 Roman 8.9 Question What is the Sonne Answere The Sonne of God is Iesus Christ who was begotten of his Father before all worlds and of his Father without a mother by whom all things were created who being appointed of
the veritie of Gods Prophesies is thereby to be seene First in respect of the persons of Marie and Christe Isay 7.14 Matth. 1.23 Secondly of the time when the scepter should departe from Iuda Gene. 49.10 Mat. 2.1 Thirdly of the place in Bethelem Micah 5.2 Math. 2.6 Question What learne you out of the fourth article he suffred vnder Pontius Pilate was crucified dead and buried he descended into hell Answere First vnder whome he was iudged to death vz. vnder that feareful and false iudge Pontius Pilate to deliuer vs from that feareful iust and eternall iudgement of God his father Mat. 26. and 27. Secondly the great sufferings that Christ suffred both in body soule namely in body he was crucified killed dead and buried and in his soule and bodie in the garden and vppon the crosse he suffred the torments of hel Matth. 26.46 Heb 9.25.26 1. Pet. 3.18 Thirdly the endes why hee suffered these things That was to make a sufficient sacrifice and a ful satisfaction for al our sinnes thereby to auoide the horrible punishment due vnto vs. 1. Pet. 3.18 Gal. 3.13 14. Fourthly to fulfill all prophesies and promises sacrifices and figures of his death and our saluation Gen. 3.15 Esay 33. the whole Iohn 19.30 Question Now let vs come vnto the second point of Christs exhaltation in glorie and excellencie in perfection What learne you in the sixt article the third day he rose againe from the dead Answere First that Christ did rise out of the graue with the same body on the third day according to his owne Prophesies and the figure of Ionas Matth. 12.39 and 16.21 Secondly by the power of his resurrection he sheweth vnto vs that hee hath ouercome the power of the diuell sinne death and hell Mat. 18.4 5. 1. Pet. 3.21 22. Heb. 2.14 15. Thirdly that hee hath purchased for vs righteousnes vnto iustification to eternall life Rom. 4.25 1. Pet. 1.3 Fourthly by the vertue of his death he causeth sinne to die in vs and by the vertue of his resurrection hee causeth vs to rise vnto newnes of life Rom. 6.4 5. 1. Pet. 4.1 2. Fifthly his rising is an assured pledge that our bodies shall rise againe to immortalitie 1. Cor. 15.12 16. Question What is the imputation of righteousnes Answere It is an accounting of Christs righteousenes to bee our owne thorough faith whereby we are presented both iust and blameles before God both his and our father Phil. 3.9 10. 2. Cor. 5.27 Question What learne you in the sixth article he ascended into Heauen and sitteth at the right hand of God Answere First that he is ascended into Heauen from out of this earth in his manhoode according to the Prophesies of his assention Psalm 65.19 Acts. 1.9 10 11. Ephe. 4.8 Secondly his ascension is a pledge that we shall likewise ascende after him for he assended to prepare a place of glorie for his people Iohn 14.3 Ephe. 2.6 Thirdly he is ascended to make intercession for vs to God his father Rom. 8.38 He. 7.24 25 26 27. Fourthly that all power is giuen vnto him and how he is of equall authoritie with God his father Matth. 8.18 Ephe. 1.20 First to enrich his Church and to defende her against the gates of hell Ephe. 4.7 8. Secondly to punish the wicked to destruction 1. Cor. 15.24 to 29. Question What learne you in the seauenth article from thence hee shall come to iudge the quicke and the dead Answere First that there is a day appointed for the iudgement of the quicke and dead according to the Prophecies of the worde of God but when this ioyfull and fearefull day shall be the verie Angels doo not knowe neither yet the sonne of man Actes 17.31 Marke 13.32 Iohn 5.27 28 29. Secondly who is the iudge that must iustifie the godly and iudge the wicked namely Iesus Christ Actes 10.42 2. Corinth 5.10 Thirdly it ministreth to the godlie First this comfort that their sauiour and elder brother is their iudge to iustifie them and at that day shall deliuer them from all sinne feare of death hell and diuell and all other miseries Rom. a8 33.34 Luke 21.28 Secondly that to the great terror of the godlesse who feare not God nor loue either Christ or his Gospell he shall bee their iudge to their fearefull and iust destruction 2. Thes 1.6 7 8 9. Reuel 6.12 to 17. The end of the second part ¶ The third parte of the Catechisme Question NOw let vs come vnto the third parte of our Catechisme and shewe mee what is the same Answere Our sanctification Question What is sanctification Answere It is a setting free at libertie from the power of sinne vnto the freedome of righteousenes that therein his people might walke continuallie receiuing from Christ their daily strength Iohn 8. Rom. 6. Phil. 3. Question Where shall wee finde the same deliuered at large vnto vs Answere In the third parte of the articles of our faith Question Into how many partes shall wee diuide this point Answere Into three as First who sanctifieth that is the Holie Ghost as in the 8. article appeareth Secondly whom he sanctifieth vz. his Church and the meanes whereby he sanctifieth it as in the 9. article Thirdly of the spiritual benefites and graces that belongeth to the Church onely in the 10 11 and 12 articles Question Which is the first Article of the 3. part of the Articles of our faith Answere This I beleeue in the holy Ghost Question What learne you out of the same Answere First that the holie Ghost is God proceeding from the Father and the Sonne the thirde person in Trinitie and nothing inferiour to the Father nor the Sonne either in substaunce or glorie but of the same substance and glory with them Matth. 28.19 Acts. 5.3 4. Secondly it is he that instructeth sanctifieth comforteth and confirmeth the elect in the trueth of the promises of the Gospell of Christ vnto saluation and euerlasting life Eph. 1.13 Tit. 3.4 5 6. 2. cor 1.21 22. Thirdly the holy Ghost executeth the great prouidence of God ouer all his creatures whereby they continue in their estate ordereth the euent and successe of things that nothing commeth to passe by chance or any way els but by his disposition apointmēt Gene. 1.2 Psal 145.7 to 11. Fourthly that the sinne against the holie Ghost shal not be forgiuen in this life nor in the life to come Matth. 12.31 32. Heb. 6.4 5 6 7 8. Question Whom doth the holie Ghost sanctifie comfort and confirme Answere All the people of God in Christ who are called the Church of God spouse of Christ Ephe. 5.26 27. 1. cor 1.2 Question Rehearse the Article Answere I beleeue that there is a catholique Church a communion of Saints Question What is the Church of God Answere It is all the elect of what sexe and estate soeuer which haue been are and shall be vnto the endes of the world which are called by the onely working of the holie
hee saieth that they are subdued vnder hope namelie of restoration to that excellent estate that they had by creation Question Proceede to your second place of proofe Answere Whome the Heauens must conteine vntill the time that all things bee restored which God had spoke by the mouth of all the holy Prophets since the world began Actes 3.21 Question What gather you by these words Answere That al things shal be restored to an excellent perfection and therfore S. Peter calleth the day of Iudgement the day of restoring of al things which could not be attributed vnto that day vnlesse that there should be a restoration of them Question To what end or what vses shall they serue after the day of Iudgement Answere That is a wicked curiositie to search after those things which God hath not reuealed vnto vs let vs therefore say with Moses The secret things belong vnto the Lord our GOD and the things reuealed vnto vs and our children for euer that we may doo all the words of this Lawe Deu. 29.29 and so auoide likewise such vaine questions as these whether they shall be perpetuall or not perpetuall for vses or not for vses for they breed but strife and meere babling 1. Tim. 1.4 5 6 7. Titus 3.9 Question What is the vse of this point Answere First how all things were created of God most perfect and good at the first and he therfore holy and iust in his works Psalm 145.10 11. Deut. 32.4 Secondly how our sinne was the ruine and confusion of the perfection and excellencie of the creatures in their first creation so that hereby we may see how horrible and filthie a thing sinne is and therefore so much the more to hate the same Gene. 4.11 12. Ephe. 2.2 3. Col. 3.1 2 3 4. Thirdly the iustice of GOD in punishing sin and therfore we ought to kil and flie from the same as the only enemy of our health and saluation Psal 5.4 5 6. Co. 3.5 6. Ro. 6.23 Fourthly how all things in Christ shall bee restored to health and the former excellencie but man to a greater excellencie and more perfect happines than at the first Rom. 8.14 to 26. Question As wee haue hetherto intreated generallie of the creation of the world with all things therein so now more particularlie let vs come to the making and creating of man the which is the second point and tell me what order thou wilt keepe herein Answere First who made man Secondly whereof he consisteth Thirdly of his excellencie in his first creation Fourthly of his fall Fiftly how wee come to the knowledge thereof and our sinnes Sixtly of the vses of the lawe and good workes Question Who made man Answere God Question What things may we consider in God in the creation of man Answere First his wisdome Psalm 104.24 Secondly his power Thirdly his goodnes Psalm 8. Question Let vs come to the second thing What is man and whereof dooth he consist Answere Man is an excellent and reasonable creature created after the image of God his creator consisting of two partes Gene. 1.26 27. First a soule Gene. 2.7 Second a bodie Eccle. 12.7 Question What is the bodie Answere A wonderfull Creature of the workemanship of God framed out of the dust of the earth and of a notable proportion in euerie parte made vpright to looke vpward alwaies to God his maker Gene. 3.19 Question Although the bodie bee of the dust of the earth is it not yet more excellent than all other creatures that were made of the earth Answere Yes verelie and that first in respect of the time of his creation Secondly of the forme of his creation Thirdly of the end of his creation Fourthly of the person of the Sonne Question 1 How in the time of his creation Answere When the Lorde made man hee first tooke counsell of his wisdome and power and deliberated on the matter but when he made all other creatures before hee made man hee saide let it be done and it was done presentlie not taking such deliberation on their Creation although his wisdome power and glorie may bée seene in them Gen. 1.26 Roma 1.20 21. and 11.36 Question 2 How informe of his creation Answere God made all other creatures to go groueling on the earth and to looke downeward but he made man a streight bodie to go vpright and alway to looke vp into Heauen and so to consider of his Creator also he hath planted a certaine Maiestie in the face of man to the terror of all other creatures Gene. 1.28 29. Question 3 How in the end of his creation Answere First in glorifying GOD in holy words and also in good workes Ephesians 4.29 30. Matth. 5.16 Secondly in respect of the redemption of the bodie thorough Christ to be the childe of God and heire of eternall life and saluation Ro. 18.7 Thirdly to bee the temple of the holy Ghost 1. Cor. 3.16 and 6.19 Question 4. How in the person of the Sonne Answere In that Christ the sonne of God hath onely communicated with man in taking to himselfe mans nature Heb. 2.16 Rom. 1.3 Question What hath man to consider in that his body is made of the earth and aduanced to such glorie Answere First it beateth downe all pride Iere. 22.29 Secondly his brittlenes is shewed therin Isay 40.6 7 8. Iob. 14.1 2. Thirdly it teacheth man to consider his excellencie in Christ and not to defile in sinne and vncleanenes of life his bodie 1. Cor. 6.15 to the end 2. Cor. 6.14 to the end Question What is the soule Answere It is an immortall and spirituall substance created of GOD and infused into the bodie which quickneth and giueth life thereunto and of it selfe neuer dieth Eccle. 12.7 Iob. 10.12 Matth. 10.28 Reue. 6.9 10 11. Question What are the powers of the soule Answere Principallie two First reason Esay 29.9 1. Thes 5.23 Secondly will Heb. 4.12 Question Are they perfect in vs Answere No but most imperfect Gen. 6.5 Ier. 17.9 Matth. 15.19 20. Rom. 8.7 1. Cor. 2.24 Question Were they so created in vs Answere No but we got corruption by the fall of our first parents Adam and Eue. Gen. 3.1 2 3 4 5 6 7. 2. Cor. 11.3 Question Thou saiest that the soule is a spirituall substance but there are some that doo affirme it is but a motion other some to bee a vanishing breath Answere The Scripture teacheth the contrarie for First God is called the father of the spirits Heb. 12.9 Secondly Christ is called the pastour of soules 1. Pet. 2.25 Now if these sentences shal be applied to motions and a vanishing breath thereby to make God a Father and Christ a Pastour of a thing of naught it were most wicked and absurde Thirdly the soule is subiect to torments and capable of ioy in this world and in the life to come which things cannot be applied to motions and a vanishing breath Luk. 16.24 25. Fourthly it shoulde than followe so many motions and breathes seeing