others for their Sins Q. What are the Works of God A. Acts or Doings of his Power Chap. 5. 6. whereby He createth sustaineth and governeth all things Q. What is required from us towards Chap. 7. Almighty God A. Holy and spiritual obedience according to his Law given unto us Q. Are me able to do this of our Chap. 8. selves A. No in no wise being by nature unto every good Work reprobate Q. How came we into this Estate being at the first created in the image of God in righteousness and innocency A. By the fall of our first Parents breaking the Covenant of God losing his Grace and deserving his Curse Q. By what way may we be delivered Chap. 9. from this miserable Estate A. Onely by Jesus Christ. Q. What is Jesus Christ Chap. 10. A. God and Man united in one Person to be a Mediator between God and Man Q. What is He unto us A. A King a Priest a Prophet Q. Wherein doth he exercise his Chap. 11. Kingly Power towards us A. In converting us unto God by his Spirit subduing us unto his obedience and ruling in us by his Grace Q. In what doth the exercise of his Priestly Office for us chiefly consist Chap. 12. A. In offering up himself an acceptable sacrifice on the cross so satisfying the justice of God for our Sins removing his curse from our Persons and bringing us unto him Q. Wherein doth Christ exercise his prophetical Office towards us Chap. 13. A. In revealing to our Hearts from the bosome of his Father the way and truth whereby we must come unto him Q. For whose sake doth Christ perform all these Chap. 14. A. Onely for his Elect. Q. In what condition doth Jesus Chap. 15. Christ exercise these Offices A. He did in a low Estate of humiliation on Earth but now in a glorious Estate of exaltation in Heaven Q. What is the Church of Christ Chap. 16. A. The universal company of God's Elect called to the adoption of Children Q. How come we to be Members Chap. 17. of this Church A. By a lively Faith Q. What is a lively Faith A. An assured resting of the Soul upon God's promises of mercy in Jesus Christ for pardon of Sins here and Glory hereafter Q. How come we to have this faith Chap. 18. A. By the effectual working of the Spirit of God in our hearts freely calling us from the state of Nature to the state of Grace Q. Are we accounted Righteous for our Faith Chap. 19. A. No but only for the righteousness of Christ freely imputed unto us and laid hold of by Faith Q. 1. Is there no more required of us but Faith onely Chap. 20. A. Yes Repentance also and Holiness Q. 2. What is Repentance A. A forsaking of all Sin with Godly sorrow for what we have committed Q. 3. What is that Holiness which is required of us A. Universal obedience to the will of God revealed unto us Q. What are the privileges of believers Chap. 21. A. First Union with Christ secondly Adoption of Children thirdly Communion of Saints fourthly right to the Seals of the new Covenant fifthly Christan liberty sixthly Resurrection of the body to Life eternal Q. 1. VVhat are the Sacraments Chap. 22. or Seals of the new Covenant A. Visible Seals of God's spiritual Promises made unto us in the blood of Jesus Christ. Q. 2. VVhich be they A. Baptism and the Lords Supper Q. What is Baptisme Chap. 23 A. An holy Ordinance whereby being sprinkled with Water according to Christs institution we are by his Grace made Children of God and have the promises of the Covenant sealed unto us Q. What is the Lord's Supper Chap. 24. A. An holy Ordinance of Christ appointed to communicate unto Believers his Body and Blood spiritually being represented by Bread and Wine blessed broken powred out and received of them Q. 2. Who have a right unto this Sacrament A. They only who have an interest in Jesus Christ by Faith Q. What is the Communion of Chap. 25. Saints A. An holy Conjunction between all Gods People Partakers of the same Spirit and Members of the same mystical Body Q. What is the end of all this Dispensation A. The Glory of God in our Salvation Glory be to God on high THE Greater Catechisme CHAP. I. Of the Scripture Question 1. WHat is Christian Religion A. The only a way of 1 Every one out of this way everlastingly damned 2 The Life of Religion is in the Life knowing God aright and b living unto him a Joh. 14. 5. ch 17. 3. Act. 4. 12. b Col. 1. 10. 2. Cor. 5. 15. Gal. 2. 19 20. Q. 2. Whence is it to be learned A. From the holy 3 Popish traditions are false Lights leading from God Scripture onely Isa. 8. 20. Joh. 5. 39. Q. 3. What is the Scripture A. The books of the a Old b New 4 The Authority of the Scripture dependeth not on the Authority of the Church as the Papists blaspheme 5 All humane inventions unnecessary helps in the worship of God 6 The word thereof is the sole directory for Faith Worship and Life Testament c given by inspiration from God containing all things necessary to be believed and done that God may be worshipped and our Souls saved a Isa. 8. 20. Rom. 3. 2. b Rev. 22. 19 20. c 2 Tim. 2. 16 17. Psal. 19. 7 8. Jer. 7. 31. Joh. 20. 31. Q. 4. How know you them to be the word of God A. By the a testimony 7 This alone perswadeth inwardly convinceth the heart of the divine verity of the Scripture other Motives also there are from without and unanswerable Arguments to prove the Truth of them as 1. their antiquity 2 preservation from Fury 3 Prophecies in them 4 the Holiness and Majesty of their Doctrine agreeable to the Nature of God 5 Miracles 6 the Testimony of the Church of all Ages 7 the Blood of innumerable Martyrs c. of God's Spirit working Faith in my heart to close with that b heavenly Majesty and clear divine truth that shineth in them a Matth. 16 17. Joh. 16. 13. 1 Thess. 2. 13. 1 Joh. 2. 20. 1 Joh. 5 6. b Luk. 24. 32. 1 Cor. 2. 14. Heb. 4. 12. 2 Pet. 1. 19. CHAP. II. Of God Q. 1. What do the Scriptures teach concerning God A. First what he is or his Nature Secondly what he doth or his Works Exod. 3. 14. Isa. 45. 6. Heb. 1. 1 2 3. Heb. 11. 6. Q. 2. What is God in himself A. An a eternal b infinite c 1 The perfection of Gods Being is known of us chiefly by removing all imperfections 2 Hence the abominable vanity of Idolaters and of the Blasphemous Papists that picture God 3 Let us prostrate our selves in holy adoration of that which we cannot comprehend incomprehensible d spirit e giving
11. 51 52. 17. 19. Heb. 9. 13 14. b Heb. 9. 24. Q. 5. Whereby doth this oblation do good unto us A. Divers wayes first in that it satisfied the justice of God secondly it redeemed us from the power of Sin Death and Hell thirdly it ratified the new Covenant of Grace fourthly it procured for us Grace here and Glory hereafter by all which means the peace and reconciliation between God and us is wrought Ephes. 2. 14 15. Q. 6. How did the oblation of Christ satisfie God's justice for our sin A. In that for us he underwent the 2 Christs undergoing punishment for us was first typified by the old Sacrifices secondly foretold in the first Promise thirdly made lawful and valid in it self first by God's determination the supream Law-giver secondly his own voluntary undergoing it thirdly by a Relaxation of the Law in regard of the Subject punished fourthly beneficial to us because united to us as first our head secondly our elder Brother thirdly our Sponsor or Surety fourthly our Husband fifthly our God or Redeemer c. punishment due to our Sin Esa. 5. 3. 4 5 6. Joh. 10. 11. Rom. 3. 25 26. and 4. 25. 1 Cor. 15. 3. 2 Cor. 5. 21. Ephes. 5. 2. 1 Pet. 2. 24. Q. 7. What was that punishment A. The wrath of God the curse 3 No change in all these but what necessary follows the change of the Persons sustaining of the Law the paines of Hell due to Sinners in Body and Soul Gen. 2. 17. Deut. 27. 27. Esa. 59. 2. Rom. 5. 12. Ephes. 2. 3. Joh. 3. 36. Heb. 2. 14. Q. 8. Did Christ undergo all these A. Yes in respect of the greatness 4 The death that Christ underwent was eternal in its own Nature Tendance not so to him because of his holiness power and the unity of his Person and extremity not the eternity and continuance of those pains for it was impossible he should be holden of Death Matth. 26. 28 29. Mark 14. 33. and 15. 34. Gal. 3. 13. Ephes. 2. 16. Col. 1. 20. Heb. 5. 7. Psal. 18. 5. Q. 9. How could the punishment of one satisfie for the offence of all A. In that he was not a mere 5 He suffered not as God but he suffered who was God man onely but God also of infinite more value than all those who had offended Rom. 5. 9. Heb. 9. 26. 1 Pet. 3. 18. Q. 10. How did the oblation of Christ redeem us from Death and Hell A. First a by paying a ransome 6 We are freed from the anger of God by a perfect rendring to the full value of what he required from the power of Satan by absolute conquest on our behalf to God the Judge and Law-giver who had condemned us Secondly b by overcoming and spoyling Satan Death and the powers of Hell that detained us Captives a Matth. 20. 28. Joh. 6. 38. Mark 10. 4 5. Rom. 3. 25. 1 Cor. 6. 20. Gal. 3. 13. Ephes. 1. 7. 1 Tim. 2. 6. Heb. 10. 9. b Joh. 5. 24. Col. 2. 13 14 15. 1 Thess. 1. 10. Heb. 2. 14. 1 Pet. 1. 18 19. Q. 11. What was the ransome that Christ paid for us A. His own precious Blood Act. 20. 28. 1 Pet. 1. 19. Q. 12. How was the new Covenant ratified in his Blood A. By being accompanied with 7 The new Covenant is Christs legacy in his last Will unto his People the eternal inheritance of Glory being conveyed thereby his Death for that as all other Testaments was to be ratified by the death of the Testator Gen. 22. 18. Heb. 9. 16. 8. 10 11 12. Q. 13. What is this new Covenant A. The gracious free immutable promise of God made unto all his Elect fallen in Adam to b give them Jesus Christ and c in him Mercy Pardon Grace and Glory d with a restipulation of Faith from them unto this promise and new obedience a Gen. 3. 15. Jer. 31. 32 33 34. 32. 40. Heb. 8. 10 11 12. b Gal. 3. 8. 16. Gen. 12. 3. c Rom. 8. 32 Ephes. 1. 3 4. d Mar. 16. 16. Joh. 1. 12. 10. 27 28. Q. 14. How did Christ procure for us Grace Faith and Glory A. By the way of purchase 8 The death of Christ was satisfactory in respect of the strict justice of God meritorious in respect of the Covenant between him and his Father 9 All these holy truths are directly denied by the blasphemous Socinians of the Papists with their merits masses penance and purgatory by consequent overthrown and merit for the Death of Christ deservedly procured of God that he should Bless us with all spiritual Blessings needful for our coming unto him Esa. 53. 11 12. Joh. 17. 2. Act. 20. 28. Rom. 5. 17 18. Ephes. 2. 15. 16. 1. 4. Phil. 1. 29. Tit. 2. 14. Revel 1. 5 6. Q. 15. What is the intercession of Christ A His continual solliciting 10 To make Saints our intercessours is to renounce Jesus Christ from being a sufficient Saviour of God on our behalf begun here in fervent Prayers continued in Heaven by appearing as our advocate at the Throne of Grace Psal. 2. 8. Rom. 8. 34. Heb. 7. 25. 9. 24. 10. 19 20 21. 1 Joh. 2. 1 2. Joh. 17. CHAP. XIII Of Christ's Prophetical Office Q. 1. Wherein doth the prophetical Office of Christ consist A. In his Embassage 1 Christ differed from all other Prophets first in his sending which was immediately from the Bosome of his father secondly his assistance which was the fulness of the Spirit thirdly his manner of teaching with Authority from God to Man revealing from the bosome of his Father the whole Mystery of Godliness the way and Truth whereby we must come unto God Matth. 5. Joh. 1. 18. 3. 32. 10. 9. 14. 14. 5 6. 17. 8. 18. 37. Q. 3. How doth he exercise this Office towards us A. By making known 2 To accuse his word of imperfection in Doctrine or Discipline is to deny him a perfect Prophet or to have born witness unto all Truth the whole Doctrine of truth unto us in a saving and spiritual manner Deut. 18 18. Esa. 42. 6. Heb. 3. 1. Q. 3. By what means doth he perform all this A. Divers as first a internally and effectually by his Spirit writing his Law in our hearts secondly b outwardly and instrumentally by the Word preached a Jer. 31. 32 33. 2 Cor. 3. 3. 1 Thess. 4. 9. Heb. 8. 10. b Joh. 20. 31. 1 Cor. 12. 28. Ephes. 4. 8 9 10 11 12 13. 2 Pet. 1. 21. CHAP. XIV Of the two-fold Estate of Christ. Q. 1. In what estate or condition doth Christ exercise these Offices A. In a two-fold Estate first of humiliation 1 The humiliation of Christ shews us what we must here do and suffer his Exaltation what we may hope for 2 The first of these holds forth his
repent A. First Union with Christ secondly Adoption of Children thirdly Christian Liberty fourthly a Spiritual holy right to the Seals of the new Covenant fifthly communion with all Saints sixthly Resurrection of the Body unto Life Eternal Q. 2. What is our Union with Christ A. An a holy spiritual 1 By vertue of this Union Christ suffereth in our Afflictions and we fill up in our Bodies what remaineth as his 2 From Christ as head of the Church we have spiritual Life Sense and Motion or growth in Grace secondly as the Husband of the Church Love and Redemption thirdly as the Foundation thereof Stability and Perseverance Conjunction unto him as our b Head c Husband and d Foundation e whereby we are made Partakers of the same Spirit with him f and derive all good things from him a 1 Cor. 12. 12. Joh. 15 1 2. 5 6 7. 17. 23. b Ephes. 4. 15. 5. 23. Col. 1. 18. c 2 Cor. 11. 2. Ephes. 5. 25 26 27. Revel 21. 9. d Matth. 16. 18. Ephes. 2. 20 21 22. 1 Pet. 2. 4 5 6 7. e Rom. 8. 9. 11. Gal. 4. 6. Phil. 1. 19. f Joh. 1. 12. 16. Ephes. 1. 3. Q. 3. What is our adoption A. Our gracious Reception into the family of God as his Children and co heirs with Christ Joh. 1. 12. Rom. 8. 15. 17. Gal. 4. 5. Ephes. 1. 5. Q. 4. How came we to know this A. By the especial working of the holy 3 This is that great honour dignity of believers which exalts them to despising all earthly thrones Spirit in our hearts sealing unto us the promises of God and raising up our Souls to an assured expectation of the promised Inheritance Rom. 8. 15. 17. Ephes. 4. 30. 1 Joh. 3. 1. Rom. 8. 19. 23. Titus 2. 12. Q. 5. What is our Christian liberty A. An 4 Our liberty is our Inheritance here below which we ought to contend for against all opposers holy and spiritual a freedom from the b slavery of Sin the c bondage of Death and Hell the d curse of the Law e Jewish Ceremonies and f thraldom of Conscience purchased for us by Jesus Christ and g revealed to us by the holy Spirit a Gal. 5. 1. b Joh. 8. 32 34 36. Rom. 6. 17 18. Esa. 61. 1. 1 Joh. 1. 7. 2 Cor. 5. 21. c Rom. 8. 15. Heb. 2. 15. 1 Cor. 15. 55 57. d Gal. 3. 13. Ephes. 2. 15 16. Gal 4 5. Rom. 8. 1. e Act. 15. 10 11. Gal. 3. 4 5 Chapters f 2 Cor. 1. 24. 1 Cor. 7. 23. 1 Pet. 2. 16. g 1 Cor 2. 12. Q. 6. Are we then wholly freed from the Moral Law A. Yes as a a Covenant 5 Nothing makes men condemn the Law as a rule but hatred of that universal holiness which it doth require or as it hath any thing in it bringing into bondage as the curse power dominion and rigid exaction of obedience b but not as it is a rule of Life and Holiness a Jer. 31. 31 32 33. Rom. 7. 1 2 3. Rom. 6. 14. Gal. 3. 19. 24. Rom. 8. 2. Gal. 5. 18. b Mat. 5. 17. Rom. 3. 31. 7. 13. 22 25. Q. 7. Are we not freed by Christ from the Magistrates Power and humane Authority A. No being ordained of 6 Rule and Authority are as necessary for humane society as Fire and Water for our Lives God and commanding for him we owe them all lawful obedience Rom. 13. 1 2 3 4. 1 Tim. 2. 1 2. 1 Pet. 2. 13 14 15. CHAP. XXII Of the Sacraments of the new Covenant in particular a holy right whereunto is the fourth priviledge of Believers Q. 1. What are the Seals of the new Testament A. Sacraments instituted of Christ to be visible Seals and Pledges whereby God in him confirmeth the Promises of the Covenant to all Believers restipulating of them growth in Faith and Obedience Mark 16. 16. Joh. 3. 5. Act. 2. 38. 22. 16. Rom. 4. 11. 1 Cor. 10. 2 3 4. 1 Cor. 11. 26 27 28 29. Q. 2. How doth God by these Sacraments bestow Grace upon us A. Not by any 1 This is one of the greatest mysteries of the Roman Magick and jugling that corporal elements should have a power to forgive sins and confer spiritual Grace real essential conveying of spiritual Grace by corporeal means but by the way of Promise Obsignation and Covenant confirming the Grace wrought in us by the Word and Spirit Heb. 4. 2. 1. Cor. 10. Rom. 4. 11. 1. 17. Mark 16. 16. Ephes. 5. 26. Q. 3. How do our Sacraments differ from the Sacraments of the Jews A. Accidentally onely in things concerning the outward matter and form as their number quality clearness of signification and the like not essentially in the things signified or Grace confirmed 1 Cor. 10. 1 2 3. c. Joh. 6. 35. 1 Cor. 5. 7. Phil. 3. 3. Col. 2. 11. CHAP. XXIII Of Baptism Q. 1. Which are these Sacraments A. Baptism and the Lord's Supper Q. 2. What is Baptism A. An a holy action appointed 1 Not the want but the contempt of this Sacrament is damnable 2 It is hard to say whether the Errour of the Papists requiring Baptism of absolute indispensable necessity to the Salvation of every Infant or that of the Anabaptists debarring them from it altogether be the most uncharitable of Christ whereby being sprinkled with water in the Name of the whole Trinity by a lawful Minister of the Church b we are admitted into the Family of God c and have the benefits of the blood of Christ confirmed unto us a Matth. 28. 19. Mark 16. 15 16. b Act. 2. 41. 8. 37. c Act. 2. 38 39. Joh. 3. 5. Rom. 6. 3 4 5. 1 Cor. 12. 13. Q. 3. To whom doth this Sacrament belong A. Unto all to whom the promise of the Covenant is made that is to Believers and to their Seed Act. 2. 39. Gen. 17. 11 12. Act. 16. 15. Rom. 4. 10 11. 1 Cor. 7. 14. Q. 4. How can Baptisme seal the pardon of all Sins to us all our personal Sins following it A. In as much as it is a Seal of that promise which gives pardon of all to Believers Act. 2. 39. Rom. 4. 11 12. CHAP. XXIV Of the Lords Supper Q 1. What is the Lord Supper A. An a holy action instituted and 1 Baptisme is the Sacrament of our new Birth this of our further growth in Christ. appointed by Christ b to set forth his Death c and communicate unto us spiritually his Body and Blood by Faith being d represented by Bread and Wine e blessed by his Word and Prayer f broken 2 No part of Christian Religion was ever so vilely contaminated and abused by profane wretches as this pure holy plain action and institution of our Saviour witness the Popish horrid monster of transubstantiation and their Idolatrous Mass. powred out and received of Believers a Mat. 26.