me truly of all my sins which were the cause of my Saviours sufferings That I obey his Doctrine and follow his example as the way to heaven That I seek those things which are above where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God and by perseverance in all good works wait for the coming of my Lord to Judgement Quest What does the third general part of your Creed concern Answ God the Holy Ghost Artic. 8. Rom. 15.16 2 Thess 2.13 1 Cor. 12.4 7 c. Gal. 5.22 c and his sanctification of me and of all Gods people by his Gifts and Graces to the sacred service of God and of our Saviour Jesus Christ Quest In whom is this work of sanctification wrought Answ In all the faithful and elect people of God Artic. 9. 1 Tim. 3.15 Heb. 2.12 Ephes 5.27 Psal 2.8 Mat. 28. ult cal'd the Holy Catholique Church Holy because sanctified by the Holy Ghost and Catholique that is universal diffused and spread over the face of the whole earth Quest How is this Sanctification wrought by the Holy Ghost upon the Church or people of Christ Answ It is begun in this life by the communion of Saints and remission of sins and it shall be perfected hereafter at the Resurrection of the Body in life everlasting Quest What do you mean by the communion of Saints Joh. 17.21 Ephes 4.13 6.18 Phil. 1.27 2.4 Rom. 16.16 17 1 Joh. 1.3 1 Pet. 1.22 Answ I do profess to believe that all true members of Christs holy Catholick Church by the secret impressions of the Holy Ghost have both union and communion with Christ who is our head by faith and also one with another the members of Christ by charity Quest What do you mean by Remission of sins Answ I do believe that there is both for me and for all other good Christians Artic. 10. Act. 2.38 13.38 Joh. 20.23 Mark 16.16 Joh. 3.16 2 Cor. 5.21 1 Joh. 1.7 c. pardon and forgiveness of all our sins to be obtained by the mercies of God through the merits of Christ our Saviour we sincerely performing the conditions of a lively faith and true Repentance thereunto required Quest What do you mean by the Resurrection of the body Answ I do believe that this body of mine Artic. 11. 1 Cor. 15.29 c. Joh. 5.29 6.39 11.24 25. Mat. 25.16 c and the bodies of all men though they be dissolved by death into dust and ashes yet shall be again raised out of the dust of death and rejoyned to our immortal souls that so we may receive according to our deeds done in the body whether they be good of whether they be evil Quest What do you mean by life everlasting Answ I do believe that when we shall be raised up at the last day Artic. 12. we shall never die any more 1 Thess 4.17 Rev. 21.4 Joh. 5.29 but live for ever either in endlesse joyes if we have done well or in endlesse torments if our deeds have been evill Quest What use are you to make of this part of your Creed Answ That I do not grieve Gods holy Spirit by my sins Ephes 4.3 1 Thess 5.19 Heb. 10.24 25 Gal. 5.6 1 Cor. 13.13 1 Joh. 3.23 1.7 2.1 2. Col. 3.3 4 c. nor hinder his work of Sanctification upon my soul by resisting his good motions and incitements to holinesse of life That I continue a faithfull and true Member of Christs Mystical Body the Church both by a true and lively faith in Christ and an universall unfeigned charity towards all Christians That I trust not in my own righteousness but relie on the merits of Christ only for the pardon of my sins truly repenting of all my misdoings and for ever abjuring and forsaking the same Denying ungodlinesse Tit. 2.11 c. and worldly lusts and living soberly righteously and godly in this present world Phil. 3.20 as looking for the Resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come Quest Why doe you conclude with Amen Answ I do hereby acknowledge and ratifie with my stedfast belief the undoubted Truth and certainty of this Creed in general and of every Article thereof in particular secretly wishing and humbly praying that through the stedfastnesse of this faith I may evermore be defended from all adversity and be preserved in the way of eternal salvation even from God the Father through God the Son and by God the Holy Ghost to whom be glory for ever Amen I Believe Lord help my unbelief and evermore preserve thy servant in the unity of the true faith Grant me with the heart to believe unto righteousness of life that I may in the end obtain the end of my faith which is the salvation of my soul through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen CHAP. II. Of the Commandements Quest WHat is the third part of your vow in Baptism Answ To keep Gods holy will and Commandements Luk. 1.75 Levit. 18.5 Ezek. 20.11 and to walk in the same all the daies of my life and it is but just and reasonable that I should do what God hath commanded me in this life Mat. 19.17 Luk. 10.25 26. Rev. 22.24 if I will obtain what he hath promised me in the life to come If thou wilt enter into life keep the Commandements Quest What are these Commandements God hath enjoyned and you have promised to observe and keep Answ The same which God spake in the 20. chapter of Exodus saying I am the Lord thy God which brought thee out of the land of Egypt out of the house of bondage which is the Preface shewing Gods right to command Lev. 18.5 Ps 105. 95. Isa 42.8 Deut. 27.9 10. 30.20 Joh. 14.15 1 Joh. 2.4 5. and our obligation to obey Quest Are the Commandements of God under the Gospel the same they were under the Law Answ They are the same for substance Mat. 5.17 18 19 Mal. 3.6 Jam. 1.17 Luk. 16.17 Jam. 2.8 for God is the same God for ever and changeth not they differ only in ceremonies and the manner of dispensation Quest In what particular respects do they differ Answ Under the Law the commands of God were more clog'd with ceremonies Col. 2.16 17. Exod. 34.33 2 Cor. 3.13 14 15 16. more dark and obscure and not so fully understood as to the spirituall sense and meaning of them But as Christ under the Gospel hath delivered them 1. Mat. 11.19 23.4 Act. 15.10 Gal. 4.3 4 5. Heb. 9.10 They are freed from the burden of manifold ceremonial rites which were figurative and typical 2. They are more clear perspicuous and intelligible Mat. 5.21 22 27 28. Ioh. 6.63 and this not so much in the letter as in the spirit and life of the Law Rom. 7.6 Heb. 4.12 as it reacheth to the very heart and the thoughts and desires thereof 3. 2 Cor. 1.20 6.18 7.1 Heb. 11.40
Doctrines of Christ because I must forsake the service of sin and all temptations leading thereunto before I can truly serve God or receive any benefit by the means of Grace O God which art the author of peace and lover of concord in knowledge of whom standeth our eternal life whose service is perfect freedome defend me thy humble servant in all assaults of my ghostly enemies the world the flesh and the Devil that I surely trusting in thy defence may not fear the power of any such adversaries through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. CHAP. I. Of the Creed Quest WHat is the second part of that promise you made when you were baptiz'd Answ To believe all the Articles of the Christian faith that is Act. 1.1 all those chief heads of Doctrine which Christ commanded and taught as also what himself did for our example and suffered for our salvation Quest What is the sum of them Answ The Apostles Creed Quest What mean you by a Creed Answ A Creed is as much as Belief And it is a brief Summary of all the chief heads of Religion which we are bound to believe as necessary to everlasting salvation Quest Why do you call it the Apostles Creed Answ Because 1. it contains the sum of that Doctrine which the Apostles preached 2. It was compiled either by the Apostles themselves or Apostolical men and it consists also of 12. Articles according the number of the 12. Apostles Quest Rehearse the Articles of your Belief distinctly Answ 1. I believe in God the Father Almighty maker of heaven and earth 2. And in Iesus Christ his onely Son our Lord 3. Which was conceived by the holy Ghost born of the Virgin Mary 4. Suffered under Pontius Pilate was crucified dead and buried 5. He descended into hell the third day he rose again from the dead 6. He ascended into heaven and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty 7. From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead 8. I believe in the holy Ghost 9. The holy Catholick Church the Communion of Saints 10. The forgiveness of sins 11. The Resurrection of the body 12. And the life everlasting Amen Quest What do you chiefly learn to believe in these Articles Answ Hence I learn to believe in that only true God who being one in essence Deut 6.4 Mar. 12.29 1 Joh. 5.7 is three in subsistence 1. God the Father Mal. 2.10 1 Cor. 8.6 who hath made me and all the world 2. God the Son 1 Tim. 2.5 Rev. 5.9 who hath redeemed me and all mankinde 3. God the Holy Ghost Ephes 4.30 Rom. 15.16 who hath sanctified me and all the elect people of God which divides this Creed into three general parts according to the number of these three Persons of the Godhead Quest What does the first general part of of your Creed concern Answ God the Father Artic. 1. Gen. 1.1 Col. 1.16 Heb. 11.3 Psal 36.5 6. Mat. 6.26 10.29 30. who by his Almightiness of nothing hath made all things both the Heavens and the Earth and all that is contained therein and by the same his power does still sustain and govern all things which is the sum and meaning of the first Article Quest What use are you to make of this Answ That I am therefore bound to serve Mal. 1.6 Dan. 5.23 Rev. 4 11. 5.12 13. Deut. 32.18 Act. 17.24 25 26 27 28. Deut. 10.12 13 14 and worship him and obey his Lawes as being the great Lord and Father of all from whom I have received all that I am and all that I have in the world Quest What do's the second general part of your Creed concern Answ God the Son Gal. 3.13 Luk. 1.68 69 74. and the Redemption of mankinde by him from sin and death Quest By what means and titles is he known Answ He is first called Jesus which signifies Salvation 2. Christ Artic. 2. Mat. 1.21 Act 10.38 Rev. 1.5 Heb. 6.20 12.24 Act. 3.22 23. Luk. 1.32 Joh. 8.56 57 58. 1 Cor. 6.20 Act. 2.3 Mat. 28.18 1 Cor. 8.6 which signifies Anointed and denotes his threefold office of King Priest and Prophet 3. The only Son of God viz. by eternal generation 4. Our Lord in that he hath bought and redeemed us and hath the sole power over us Quest What do you beleeve that he did and suffered to redeem you Answ I do believe that he came down from heaven Artic. 3. Joh. 16.28 Luk. 1.35 31. Gal. 4.4 Luk. 2.7 Joh. 8.46 Tit. 2.11 12. and was by the power of the Holy Ghost after a wonderful manner conceived and made man in the sanctified Womb of the blessed Virgin Mary That he was born of her that he lived a most holy life and by his doctrine and example guided and directed us in the way to heaven That he suffered for our sins many grievous and bitter things under Pontius Pilate the Governor of Judea Artic. 4. 1 Pet. 2.21 3.18 4.1 Mat. 27.26 that he was by his command crucified or the several parts of his body were stretched out upon the crosse as upon a rack and nailed thereunto to his unspeakable torment untill through the violence of his pangs he gave up the ghost Mat. 27.50 60 Phil. 2.8 1 Cor. 15.3 4. and being dead was also buried to manifest the reality and truth of his death That he descended into hell Artic. 5. Ephes 4.10 Col. 2.15 Heb. 2.14 Rev. 1.18 20.14 Psal 16.16 Act. 10.40 5.30 Rom. 14.9 Col. 1.18 vanquishing both the first and second death and him who had the power of death that is the Devil and all the spirits and powers of darkness That he rose again the third day thereby declaring his victory over death and over all our ghostly enemies That having accomplished the great work of our Redemption Artic. 6. Luk. 24.51 Act. 1.9 Eph. 4.8 c. Heb. 6.20 Mark 16.19 Col 3.1 Phil. 2.9 c. Rom. 8.34 7 27. he again ascended into heaven from whence he came down That he sitteth at the right hand of God reigneth as King over all and intercedes for all them that call upon God in his name And that he shall come again at the last day to judge the quick and the dead Artic. 7. Mat. 25.31 c. 1 Thess 4.16 17. 2 Tim. 4.1 Rev. 1.7 Psal 62.12 Mat. 16.27 Rom. 2.6 Rev. 22 22. and render to all men according to their works Quest What use are you to make of this second part of your Creed Answ That I therefore put my trust only in the mercies of God through the merits of Christ Ps 2.12 34.8 44.6 Rom. 8.32 Act. 2.38 3.19.27.30 Mat. 9.13 Tit. 2.14 1 Cor. 15.3 Mat. 11.29 Joh. 15.10 1 Pet. 2.21 Col. 3.1 Luk 21.34 c. Tit. 2.11 12 13. Mat. 24.42 c. for whatever concerns the good either of body or soul That I repent
The Apostles Creed and that 's the object of our faith and a little breviary or sum of the Gospel 2. All that we are bound to practise and obey is commanded in the 10. Commandements and that 's the Rule of our Life and the Epitome of the Law And these are the two parts of holy Religion Faith and Obedience Faith which the Gospel requires and Obedience which the Law exacts which Obedience is also called Charity or Love For Love is the fulfilling of the Law Rom. 12.10 therefore S. Paul reduceth all Religion to Faith and Love Gal. 5.6 2 Tim. 1.13 But because we can neither believe nor do any thing as we ought Phil. 2.13 without the Divine Grace assisting us thereunto therefore God hath ordained and commanded unto us the use of Prayer and of the Sacraments as the means and conveyances of his Graces into our souls to enable us both to believe in him and also to love and obey him in a manner holy and acceptable unto him 3. Therefore the next general head of Catechism is the Lords Prayer as the sum pattern and perfection of all Prayer and Devotion 4. And the fourth and last head is the Doctrine and use of the Sacraments the ground and reason whereof is briefly this All those things which concern the good of our souls are according to the nature of the soul spiritual divine and invisible and so are not easily conceived by our frail understandings which apprehend not but by organs of sense therefore God hath been pleased mercifully to ordain certain outward visible elements to signifie and seal his inward invisible graces unto our souls and to be pledges to assure us thereof and these are Baptism and the Lords Supper And upon these four generall heads all the severall questions in the Catechism besides do depend either 1. By way of introduction to put us in minde of our obligation hereunto by solemn vow and promise when we were Baptized Or 2. for the connecting and joyning of these generals together by a fit method for memories sake Or 3. for the more clear and full understanding of each of them as will further appear in the several Questions and Answers ensuing Open mine eyes O Lord and enlighten my minde that I may both see and rightly understand the wondrous things of thy Law and carefully frame my heart and all the actions of my life thereafter through Jesus Christ our Lord Amen THE PRINCIPLES OF Holy Christian Religion OR The Catechism of the Church of England paraphrased The Introduction 1. Question BEcause your Name is the badge and cognizance of that holy Christian Religion you profess therefore 't is first demanded of you What is your name Answer R. T. W. 2. Question And since together with your Name you received Christianity 't is therefore secondly askt Who gave you this name Answer * Such as scruple at the name and use of Godfathers may remember 1. That it is the universal practise of the Church against which no modest man will presume to argue since Church Customes are of sufficient authority with S. Paul 1 Cor. 11.6 That 2. it is not without example in holy Scripture Isa 8.2 3. Luk. 1. from vers 57. to 64. 3. That Infants cannot come themselves to Baptism nor therein answer for themselves 4. That their parents may die before they come to years or else may be seduc'd into Heresie or Schism 5. That hereby a spiritual kindred amongst Christian neighbours is contracted and Charity which is the life of Christianity is maintained and increased And for the name of Godfathers 't is more proper then that of Witnesses or Sureties if we consider either 1. Their office which is both to offer up unto God the party baptized and devote him to his service and also to profess Repentance Faith and Obedience unto God in their names Or 2. The benefit they receive by Baptism which is to be made the children of God in which respect chiefly their sureties are called Godfathers My Godfathers and Godmothers in my Baptism wherein I was made a Christian and therefore it is called my Christian name 3. Question What happiness or benefit is it unto you to be baptiz'd and become Christian Answer I am thereby made 1. A member of Christ 2. A childe of God 3. An heir of the Kingdome of heaven or more fully thus Whereas I was born in sin Psal 51.5 Ephes 2.3 Rom. 5.12 Joh. 3.5 1 Cor. 12.3 Rom. 8.7 Gal. 4.7 Act. 22.16 and am by nature the childe of wrath and heir of Death and Hell by being born again of water and of the Holy Ghost in Baptism I am not only 1. ingraffed into Christ's Mystical body the Church but am also 2. reconciled unto God through Christ and made his childe by Adoption and Grace and not only a childe but also 3. an Heir even an Heir of God and joynt-heir with Christ of the Kingdome of heaven 4. Quest Are these great Blessings confer'd upon you through Baptism absolutely or upon condition only Answ Upon condition Mark 16.16 Act. 8.37 2.38 that I do observe and keep that promise and vow which was made in my name being baptized 5. Quest What did your Godfathers and Godmothers then promise and vow for you Answ They did promise and how three things in my name 1 That I should forsake the Devil and all his works Luk. 1.74 75. the pomps and banities of this wicked world and all the sinfull lusts of the flesh 2 That I should believe all the Articles of the Christian faith 3 That I should keep Gods holy will and commandements and walk in the same all the days of my life 6. Quest Doest not thou think that thou art bound both to believe and do what they have promised for thee Answ Yes verily I do beleeve it to be my bounden duty and by Gods help I will perform the same And I heartily thank our heavenly Father Act. 3.19 who through Baptism hath called me to this state of salvation through Iesus Christ our Saviour And I pray God to give me his grace that I may continue in the same to my lives end carefully observing this vow of my Baptism which is the general duty of every Christian 7. Quest What is the meaning of the first part of your Christian duty or vow in Baptism Answ By promising to forsake the Devil and all c. I do oblige my self to resist Eph. 6.10 c. 1 Tim. 1.18 19. 6.12 Joh. 8.34 and manfully to fight under the banner of Christ against all temptations whether arising from the Devil the world or the flesh and not suffer my self to be vanquished by them and be led captive to the service of sin And this is that which is also call'd Repentance from dead works Heb. 6.1 Act. 26.18 Eph. 4.22 c. 1 Pet. 2.1 c. Heb. 12.1 2. where 't is remembred as the first of the principles of the
8 6. 1 Tim. 4.8 Heb. 4.8 9. The promises under the Gospel to those that shall be obedient to Gods commands are greater and more full or at least more clear then under the Law 4. Ier. 31.31 Heb. 8. Ioel 2.28 Act. 2. Ioh. 1.16 17. Iam. 4.6 More grace is communicated to us Christians under the Gospel for the observation of Gods commands then was given to the Jewes under the Law Quest How many Commandements are there Answ The words God himself delivered on Mount Sinai consist of ten Commandements Deut. 5.22 Mat. 22.40 Rom. 13.9 10. and the text saith he added no more Because all that is through the whole Word of God enjoyned besides may in some respects or other be reduced to one of these ten words of command Quest What general rules are to be observed to understand the full meaning of each Commandement Answ Two most especially 1. That where any duty is commanded the contrary thereunto is forbidden and where any sin is forbidden the contrary duty is commanded 2. That in all duties commanded and sins forbidden the means conducing thereunto are commanded and forbidden also Quest What is the first of these ten Commandements Answ Thou shalt have none other Gods before me Quest What is herein commanded and what forbidden you Answ 1. Prov. 3.6 1 Chr. 28.9 Deut. 6.13 14. 10.12 20. Mat. 4.10 Deut. 6.4 5. Joh. 14 15. Rom. 10.14 Psal 32.6 50.15 ult I am herein commanded to acknowledge the God of Israel for the only true God and accordingly to serve and worship him as God viz. To believe in him to put my whole trust in him to fear him and to love him above all and to express my inward faith hope and love towards him by the reverent performance of all external acts of divine worship commanded by him and most especially by my daily prayers unto him and praises of him 2. Exod. 24.14 Deut. 6.14 Isa 42.8 48.11 Mat. 6.24 Rom. 1.25 Rev. 22.9 I am forbidden to acknowledge any other god besides him or to pay any such divine worship to any other neither yet to prefer the love and service of any creature before the love and service of my Creator who is God blessed for ever Quest What is the second Commandement Answ Thou shalt not make to thy self any graven Image nor the likeness of any thing that is in the heaven above or in the earth beneath or in the water under the earth Thou shalt not bow down to them nor worship them For I the Lord thy God am a jealous God and visit the sins of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me and shew mery unto thousands of them that love me and keep my Commandements Quest What is herein commanded and what forbidden you Answ 1. Exod. 34.11 Deut. 4.2 12.32 Mat. 28 20. Ioh. 4.24 Psal 95.6 132.7 Rom. 12.1 1 Cor. 6.20 I am herein commanded to worship this only true God after an holy and true manner that is after such a manner as himself hath prescribed in his holy Word And that I do it not only internally in spirit and in truth but also externally with all lowly humble and reverent prostration of body before him 2. Lev. 19.4 26.1 1 Cor. 10.14 Ezek. 14.4 6. 2 Cor. 10.5 Rom 2.22 I am forbidden to worship the true God after a false manner not to worship him by an Idoll nor by an Image neither yet according to the fond imaginations of my own heart And that as I must avoid Idolatry and all false worship on the one hand so I must also take heed of sacriledge which is to rob God of the maintenance of his true worship on the other side And the reason of this Law is given Deut. 4.24 5.9 6.15 2 Cor. 11.2 Deut. 23.2 Rev. 2.6 because God is so jealous of his worship and glory lest we should give it to any other or to our selves that he will severely punish all such as deprave his worship Exod. 34.7 Deut. 5.10 Dan. 9.4 Ioh. 15.14 15. even to the third and fourth generation accounting of them as his enemies but he will mercifully reward them that obey and serve him according to his will as being his friends and promoters of his interest Quest What is the third Commandement Answ Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vain for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his Name in vain Quest What is herein commanded and forbidden you Answ 1. 1 Cor. 10.31 Psal 93.5 Ezek. 22.8 Psal 105.15 Luk. 10.16 Ezek. 44.23 I am herein commanded to propose to my self the honour of Gods holy Name in all my actions both divine and moral And to have a separate and distinct respect for all such such things and persons as have the name of God called upon them and more immediately relate to his service 2. Lev. 18.21 19.12 21.6 22.2 15 32. Mat. 23.16 20 22. Hos 10.4 Lev. 24.14 Jam. 3.9 Prov. 30.9 2 Tim. 2.19 2 Sam. 12.14 Rom. 2.24 Psal 5.7 Heb. 12 28. Prov. 13.13 Isa 62.2 1 Cor. 11.22 c. I am herein forbidden all rash unadvised wilful profanations of Gods ever blessed Name by oathes perjuries execrations cursings of the creatures of my neighbors or of my self not to use the name of God slightly idly foolishly and vainly much less to cover any deceits falshoods or what is in any respect unlawful or sinful not unadvisedly or irreverently to entermeddle with Gods holy Word Sacraments or any parts of his holy worship neither yet to slight undervalue or despise either things or persons wherein and whereby God is honoured and whereupon his holy Name is called And the reason is given Zach. 5.3 4. Deu. 28.58 59 Heb. 12.28 29. because God will never excuse such irreligious profanations of his Majesty but will assuredly punish all offenders in this kinde 7. Quest What is the fourth Commandement Answ Remember that thou keep holy the Sabbath day fix daies shalt thou labour and do all that thou hast to do but the sebenth day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God In it thou shalt do no manner of work thou and thy son and thy daughter thy man-serbant and thy maid-serbant thy cattell and the stranger that is within thy gates for in six daies the Lord made beaven and earth the sea and all that in them is and rested the sebenth day wherefore the Lord blessed the sebenth day and hallowed it Quest What is herein commanded and what forbidden Answ 1. Col. 2.16 17. 1 Pet. 2.5 Heb. 4.10 Exod. 31.15 35.2 Luk. 23.56 Heb. 10.25 I am commanded in general to dedicate every day of my life a spiritual Sabbath unto God that is a rest from sin and vacancy to his service And in particular that I devote every seventh day or one day in seven to the publick
This is alway to be annext to my prayers Mat. 6.9 c. Luk. 11.3 either before or after for 't is both the Pattern according to which I am to pray Mat. 6.9 And the form also I am to use when I pray commanded Luk. 11.3 O Holy Jesu who hast taught me to pray unto God aright give me the heart with all religious carefulness and devotion of soul to observe thy directions and commands herein and daily to powre forth my soul unto God in that divine and heavenly inspired prayer which thou hast taught me And let my prayers be ever acceptable unto God through thy blessed mediation and intercession for me who art my only Advocate and Mediator blessed for ever Amen CHAP. IV. Of the Sacraments Quest WHat other means hath God ordained for the conveyance of his graces into our hearts Answ The use of Sacraments Quest How many Sacramente hath Christ ordained in his Church Answ Two only as generally necessary to salvation Exo. 31.13 15. Ephes 5.31 32. Act. 13.3 Mat. 28 19. 26.26 27 28. Rom. 6.3 Gal. 3.27 Col. 2.7 Joh. 6.53 54 55 56. There are other external representations of Gods mercies and rites of conveying the same but there are only two commanded as absolutely necessary to salvation that is to say 1. Baptism 2. And the Supper of the Lord By Baptism we are admitted members of Christs Church by the Lords Supper we are confirmed and grow up to be perfect men in Christ therefore children are admitted to the Sacrament of Baptism but not to the Lords Supper till they be grown up to ripeness of years Quest What meanest thou by this word Sacrament Answ I mean an outward and visible sign of an inward spiritual grace given and ordained by Christ himself as a means whereby we receive the same and a pledge to assure us thereof Or thus Because the graces and mercies of God in Christ are inward and invisible 1 Pet. 3.21 1 Cor. 11.26 therefore Christ complying with the weakness of our souls which understand not but by bodily organs hath ordained in his Church certain Rites called Sacraments which are not only visible and apparent signs of his invisible and hidden Graces but also the means whereby we are made partakers of his Graces and pledges to assure us of them Quest How many parts be there in a Sacrament Answ Two 1. The outward visible sign or thing signifying 2. The inward invisible Grace or thing signified Quest What is the outward visible sign or form in Baptism Answ That which we see with our eyes in Baptism is Water Act. 10.47 wherein the person baptized is dipped or sprinkled with it And the form of words to be used when the person is so washed is In the Name of the Father Mat. 28.19 of the Son and of the Holy Ghost Quest What is the inward or spiritual Grace thereby represented Answ The washing of the soul from sin 1 Cor. 6.11 Ephes 5.26 Act. 22.16 Rom. 6.3 4. Phil. 3.10 1 Joh. 3.14 Joh. 3.5 Psal 51.5 Ephes 2.3 Joh. 1.12 and sanctification to the sacred service of God which is called in holy Scripture A death unto sin and a new virth unto righteousness for being by nature born in sin and the children of wrath we are hereby made the children of grace Quest What is required of persons to be baptized Answ Two things Act. 2.38 8.36 37. 1. Repentance whereby they forsake sin and consequently the service of the world the flesh and the Devil tempting unto sin 2. Faith whereby they stedfastly believe the promises of God made to them in that Sacrament Quest Why then are children baptized when by reason of their tender age they can neither believe nor repent Answer They have Faith and Repentance in the possibility Mar. 10.14 though not in the actuall being thereof and they do perform these duties though not by themselves yet by their sureties who promise and vow both Faith and Repentance in their names 2 Pet. 2.20 which when they come to age themselves are bound to perform otherwise they forfeit the benefits of their Baptism Quest Why was the Sacrament of the Lords Supper ordained Answ For two reasons chiefly 1. For a Sign 2. For a Seal 1. For a Sign to signifie and represent unto us the sacrifice of Christs death for the sins of the world Luk. 22.19 Joh. 6.56 whereof we ought to have the continual remembrance 2. For a Seal to convey or pledge to assure us of the great benefits we receive by the death of Christ Quest Since in every Sacrament you say there are two parts the outward sign and the inward grace what is the outward part or sign of the Lords Supper Answ The outward elements in this Sacrament are Bread and Wine 1 Cor. 11.23 Luk. 22.19 which the Lord hath commanded to be administred and received saying Take eat drink ye all of this do this in remembrance of me Quest What is the inward part or thing signified by the Sacramental Bread and Wine Answ The body of Christ Joh. 6.51 broken upon the Crosse by the Bread and his bloud powred out by the Wine and as the Bread and Wine are truly taken and received corporally so verily and indeed is the body and bloud of Christ taken and received spiritually of every true faithful soul in the Lords Supper Joh. 6.56 63. 1 Cor. 10.16 if rightly administred Quest What are the benefits whereof we are made partakers by the right receiving of the Lords Supper Answ Our souls are thereby strengthned with divine grace Mat. 11.28 Rom. 8.32 Phil. 4.13 Ephes 1.7 8. 1 Pet. 2.3 Ephes 5.30 Joh. 6.55 56. Psal 104.15 and refreshed with the sense of Gods mercy by the vertue of Christs body and bloud spiritually received even as our bodies are strengthened and refreshed in the use of common and material bread and wine Quest What is required of them that come to the Lords Supper that they may be made partakers of the benefits thereof Answ To examine themselves 1. 1 Cor. 11.28 2 Cor. 6.14 Psal 24.4 26.6 Whether they repent them truly of their former sins stedfastly purposing to lead a new life 2. Whether they have a lively faith in the mercies of God through Christ 2 Cor. 7.1 Heb. 6.4 5 6. Joh. 3.15 16. 6.25 7.38 Jam. 2.14 17 20 24 26. 1 Cor. 11.24 25. 2 Pet. 1.15 Psal 53.2 3. Mat. 5.23 24. 1 Tim. 6.18 Heb. 13.16 Mat. 6.14 15. Ephes 4.32 Col. 3.13 now the life of faith is obedience or good-works for faith without works is dead 3. That they have a thankful and devout remembrance of Christs death 4. That they be in charity with all men which charity is exercised in giving and forgiving 1. Giving unto others what their necessities require and our abilities afford 2. Forgiving others in what they have any way provok'd or injur'd us O Holy Jesus who hast vouchsafed not only to redeem me unto God in thy bloud but also to ordain Sacraments whereby I may not only be engraffed into thee but also nourished by thy most precious body and bloud O fill my heart with true thankfulness unto thee for such unspeakable mercies and grant that in the wise and pious use hereof I may grow up into thee in all grace and godliness to the hopes of a full and immediate enjoyment of thee face to face in glory blessed Jesus Saviour and Redeemer Amen THE END Lately printed for R. Royston a Book in 4º Entituled A Discourse 1. Of the Holy Spirit of God his Impressions and workings on the Souls of Men. 2. Of Divine Revelation Mediate and Immediate 3. Of Error Heresie and Schism the Nature Kindes Causes Reasons and Dangers thereof with Directions for avoiding the same By R. Sherlook B.D. at Borwick-Hall in Lancashire
THE PRINCIPLES OF Holy Christian Religion OR The Catechism of the Church of England paraphrazed For the use of Borwick-Hall Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering Heb. 10.23 LONDON Printed by E. Cotes and are to be sold by R. Royston at the Angel in Ivie-lane 1656. The Preface Touching the necessity of Catechizing the authority usefulness and general Heads of our Church Catechism AS all tender conscienc't men do sadly lament the manifold Sects and divisions and various opinions in Religion amongst us so all wise and prudent persons do withal consider and observe the causes thereof that such disorders and confusions may be remedied and prevented And the greatest cause of so much Jam. 1.6 giddiness in the mindes of men why so many waver like a wave of the sea Jam. 1.6 driven to and fro with every winde of Doctrine and tossed is for want of a good bottome or sure foundation to stand upon which consists in being well Catechized or throughly instructed in the principles of the holy and true Religion There is no want of Preaching or Hearing Sermons nor can this be the source and original of so much inconstancy in Religion it may be the cause of ignorance but not of error since we see by experience that the most fickle and giddy people are commonly the most eager hearers of many Sermons and several Preachers and what 's the reason but that such Sermons as men ordinarily hear being not first well Catechized render their mindes like a ship without ballast which cannot keep a steady course but tosses rolls and tumbles and is by every gust of winde overthrown For Preaching without Catechizing first is as if a man should go about to build a house without a foundation which can prove no other but some Castle in the air or as if we should think to be perfect men and never passe through the state of infancy and youth or as if sucking Infants in stead of milk should feed upon strong flesh and this too often raw 1 Cor. 3.2 Heb. 5.12 13. and indigested also Hence it comes to passe that there are so many 1. Upon whom that Prophesie of Isaiah is fulfilled Mat. 13.14 By hearing ye shall hear and not understand and by seeing ye shall see and not perceive and that of S. Paul also Ever learning 2 Tim. â— 7 and never able to come to the knowledge of the Truth Hence 2. Prov. 26.12 so many become wise in their own conceits Prov. 26.12 who really are but fools in the knowledg of saving truth Rom. 1.21 22. who wax vain in their imaginations their foolish hearts are darkned through the glimmerings of conceited knowledge who will take upon them to talk of this and that point in Religion argue against such and such doctrines practises of the Church and yet understand nothing of what they say or whereof they affirm Hence 3. it is That the holy Word of God which is in it self rightly understood the pure fountain of truth is made by many uncatechized unprincipled men now a daies the very sink of errors being misinterpreted and misapplyed to the maintenance of false opinions and even doctrines of Devils Whereas undoubtedly were there a sure foundation laid in the true and thorough understanding of the principles of Christianity there could not be possibly either so much ignorance and blindness besotting the mindes of men so much giddiness and wavering in Religion or so much abuse and wresting of holy Scriptures to the ruine of souls for holding fast the foundation the minde of man like a house built upon a rock Mat. 7.24 stands firm against the shock of every temptation and is not tossed to and fro with every winde of doctrine by the sleight of men Eph. 4.14 and cunning craftiness whereby they lie in wait to deceive For the practise therefore of this duty of Catechizing we have many both commands and examples in holy Scriptures see amongst many others Gen. 18.19 Deut. 6.6 7. Psal 34.11 Psal 78. from the 1. to the 8. vers Prov. 22.6 2 Tim. 3.14 15. Sect. 2 The great necessity and usefulness of being well Catechized being thus apparent and by all wise and knowing men considered hath occasioned the penning and printing of several Catechisms many of which though they may be good in themselves and usefull in their kinde yet none of them are to be ranked with or to be esteemed of equall authority and usefulness with our Church Catechism because 1. 'T is not of private but publick authority and consequently to be preferred before all others as much as the Lawes and Statutes of a national Councel before the conceptions and dictates of private persons 2. Ephes 4.13 For the maintenance of unity in the Faith 't is necessary that there should be one common form of sound words 2 Tim. 1.13 which all should hold fast and stick close unto that as we are all members of one Church or should be so at leastwise so we should all stand upon one ground be built upon one foundation and steer our course towards the land of Promise in one and the same bottome 3. There is no other Catechism can be more exact and compleat more beneficial and useful then this of our Church which will appear by considering the order and general heads thereof Sect. 3 And first to prevent the general objection which is made both against this and all other Catechisms 't is confessed That the holy Word of God or the inspired writings of the Prophets and Apostles are the ground and foundation all holy and true Religion is built upon Ephes 2.20 We are built upon the foundation of the Prophets and Apostles c. But because the holy Scriptures are both spacious and difficult containing many things some more some less necessary to salvation and these both intermixedly and diversly delivered here and there respersed in several books and chapters and expressed both by way of command and counsel of exhortation and admonition of promise and threatning of history and example under many Metaphors Types and Allegories which render them both hard to be understood aright and as hard to be rightly distinguished and reduc't to their several heads for the more clear understanding and firm memory thereof therefore it seemed good to the wisdome of the ancient Fathers of the Church to reduce the pith sum and marrow of all saving Doctrine contained in the Scriptures under so many several waies of expression to four several heads viz. 1. The Apostles Creed 2. The 10. Commandements 3. The Lords Prayer 4. The Doctrine of the Sacraments To one of which 4. general heads all that the whole book of God contains absolutely necessary to salvation is reducible For 1. All that we are bound to believe in general and in the gross is sum'd up in twelve Articles by the Apostles or Apostolical men and is commonly known by the name of