for our Sins and rose again for our Justification The Fifth Lesson About the Application of Redemption Question 1. WILL Jesus Christ save all Men Answer Jesus Christ so saves all the World from present destruction Psal 36.6 with 1 Tim. 4.10 Heb. 2.9 10. Rom. 9.27 1 Tim. 4 10. that all men have some outward Benefits by his Ransom but he doth only save a certain number from Eternal Death whence he is said specially to save them that believe Question 2. Who are those that Jesus Christ will save from Eternal Death Answer Jesus Christ saves none from Enternal Death but the Elect Joh. 17.2 9 12 19. Rom. 11.5 7. 2 Thess 2.11 14 those that were chosen to Salvation before the foundation of the World the rest die in their Sins and are damn'd notwithstanding all the good things they enjoy in this life by Christ Luke 16.25 Question 3. How comes it that only some are elected Answer It pleas'd God of his own Will Ephes 4.5 11. Rom. 9.11 to 24. Prov. 16.4 1 Pet. 2.8 9. for the manifestation of his glory to chuse some to everlasting life and to appoint others to Condemnation nor doth he give any other account of his doings Jude 4. Job 33.13 but his own Sovereign Will and Pleasure Question 4. But did not God chuse the Elect for some good he saw in them more than in the rest Answer 2 Tim. 1.9 There could be no more good foreseen in the Creature than what God did fore-ordain therefore God chose not any for foreseen good in them Rom. 9.18 Matth. 20.15 Job 9.12 40.2 but he had Mercy on whom he would have Mercy and whom he would he harden'd and who may say to him what doest thou Question 5. What difference then is there between the Elect and others that we may know them Answer There is no difference between the Elect and others by Nature Rom. 3.9 Gal. 3.10 22 23 24. all are alike the Children of Wrath under Sin shut up under the Law till Faith comes Rom. 11.5 6. 1 Cor. 4.7 Gal. 1.15 2.16.3.24 the difference is made only by Grace which causeth the Elect in the time appointed to believe in Christ that they may be justified by Faith in him Question 6. But if I am Elect may I not live as I will and yet be saved Answer All that are elected to Salvation are elected also to the Means of Salvation 2 Thess 2.13 1 Pet. 1.2 being chose to be sav'd thro' Faith in Christ and Sanctification of the Spirit unto Obedience Rom. 6.17 18. Acts 15.9 11. Rom. 8.1.14 which Faith all the Elect shall have to purifie their hearts so that they cannot live after the flesh Question 7 Are the Elect then sav'd for their Faith and Obedience Answer The Elect are not sav'd for their Faith and Obedience Titus 3.5 Eph. 2.8.9.10 Rom. 8.6 14. Joh. 3.18.36 10.3.26 but they are sav'd thro' Faith in Christ in a way of Obedience unto him and whosoever live all their life as they list and do never come to Christ by Faith nor obey him they are not elected and can never be sav'd Question 8. But are none sav'd without Faith in Christ Answer GOD hath appointed only one way of Salvation John 3.18.36 Eph. 2.5.8 Gal. 3.22.24 Acts 13.39 48 2 Sam. 12.23 Psal 22.9 10. 71.5 6. Luke 1.37.44 18.16.17 Rom. 4.16 Heb. 11.6 and that is by Grace thro' faith in Jesus Christ so that without or before Faith none are justified even the Elect that die in their infancy have Faith wro't in them by the Spirit of GOD by which they trust in Christ and all that do not thus come to Christ by true Faith being already condemn'd the Wrath of God abideth on them Question 9. How did the Elect of Old come to Christ before he was born in the World Answer The Elect of Old came to Christ Heb. 13.8 Acts 15.9 11. and were sav'd by faith in him even as we are now Rom. 3.22 25.4.22.24 Heb. 11.13.7.25 only they believ'd in Christ as to come and we believe in Christ as already come and now in Heaven at the Right Hand of God where he ever liveth to make Intercession Question 10. What is that Faith by which we come to Christ Answer 2 Cor. 4.17 Rom. 10.10 17 1 Thes 1.5 9. Phil. 3.3 8. Eph. 1.13.3.17 Joh. 17.20 21. 1 John 5.12 Faith is a Grace wro't by the Spirit of GOD thro' his Word in the heart of a poor Sinner by which the Sinner is made to renounce all Sin and other Confidence and to trust to and rest upon Christ alone for Salvation whereby he is united to Christ and so having the Son hath Life Question 11. What accompanies the Souls believing in Christ Answer 1 Cor. 1.9 2 Tim. 1.9 John 1.12 Gal. 3.26 Rom. 8.2.15.30 Every one that believes in Christ with the heart is effectually call'd by the Spirit of Christ and so is by Faith a Child of God justified adopted sanctify'd and shall be glorify'd Question 12. How is a Sinner justify'd what 's Justification Answer In Justification the Righteousness of Christ is by the Free Grace of God imputed to the believing Sinner Rom. 3.21 to 27 4.23 24. Gal. 2.16 3.22 23. Acts 13.38 39 2 Cor. 5.21 Isa 60.21 Rom 5.1.19 and only to him that believes for which Suretiship-Righteousness all his Sins are pardon'd and he is accounted perfeclly righteous in the sight of God and so being justified by faith hath Peace with GOD. Question 13. How are we Adopted what is Adoption Answer Acts 26.18 Rom. 8.15.17 Gal. 4.7 John 1.12 1 John 3.1 2. Matth. 3.17 1 Cor. 3.21 23 In Adoption GOD by his free Grace takes the poor Sinner out of the sinful Family of the First Adam and makes him a Child of God and Joint-heir with Christ the Second Adam his well-beloved Son in whom he hath a right to all the Priviledges of the Sons of GOD. Question 14. How are Believers sanctified what is Sanctification Answer Rom. 8.29 Eph. 4.23 24. 2 Cor. 5.17 1 Joh 4.19 2 Cor. 7.11 Ezek. 36.31 Rom. 6.17 21 22. In Sanctification the Holy Spirit restores the Image of GOD in the heart of a poor Sinner making him a New Creature renewing the Spirit of his Mind in all Holiness and true Righteousness to love God to repent of all Sin by loathing it and turning from it and with the heart to obey the Law of God Question 15. When are Believers glorify'd what 's Glorification Answer Glorification is the enjoyment of God for ever in Heaven John 17.5 24. Acts 13.36 2 Cor. 5.1 2 4. Heb. 2.10 1 Cor. 15 chap. Phil. 3.21 Matth. 25.34 c. by them who have in this life done his holy will whose Souls at death are made perfect in Holiness and their bodies being rais'd in Glory at the great day both Soul and Body shall be united and they being
4.14 15 3 John 9 10. Psal 101.5 and to abide by him waiting upon his Ministry in Season and out of Season not wilfully wandring from or forsaking it to attend upon any other esteeming him very highly in Love for his Works sake as a Steward of the Mysteries of God to us We shall not suffer any privily to backbite whisper or prate against our Pastour with malicious words for such are to be cut off We shall Honour and Obey our own Elders in the Lord not rebuking 1 Tim. 5.1.17.19 but intreating them as Fathers counting them worthy of double Honour who rule well especially those who labour in the Word and Doctrine Respecting also our Deacons and being ready for every good work to which they shall call Neh. 13.13 1 Tim. 6.18 IIdly We Covenant to discharge our Duty to our Infant Seed Gen. 18.19 Jude 3. Gen. 17.7 12. Deut. 10.15.14.1 2. contending earnestly for the Faith once delivered to the Saints of their right to a relation unto God in his Church with us and to Baptism the Seal thereof We being a Spouse of Christ our Royal Husband Mal. 2.15 1 Cor. 7.14 10.2 Eze. 16.20 21. 46.16 18. Jer. 30.20 Acts 2.39 Ephes 2.13 Psal 147.13 All our Children therefore are his born to him who hath promis'd to us Gentiles that were afar off that he will not thrust our children out of their possession but that even our children shall inherit and be continu'd a holy Seed as afore-time that our Congregation should be establisht and the Bars of our Gates strength'ned Isa 65.23 66.22 Josh 24.16 Joel 2.16 17. Psal 90.16 Esther 10.3 Nehem. 2.10 Psal 101.1 Ephes 6.4 Prov. 22.6 1 Chr. 28.9 2 Chr. 29.11 30.6 Isa 44.3 5. Gen. 21.9 12. by the Lord's blessing our children within us therefore will we and our House serve the Lord seeking as well in the Congregation as in Secret for the Blessing of the Lord and his Peace upon our children walking before them in a perfect way training them up in the Nurture and Admonition of the Lord and calling upon them as they grow up to avouch the Lord for their God and to take on themselves the Bond of the Covenant casting out such of them as prove Scoffers and despisers of their Birthright IIIdly We Covenant to discharge our Duty to each other as members in particular 1 Cor. 12.27 1 Pet. 1.22 Gal. 6.2 Ephes 4.2 Rom. 12.10 Mark 13.37 to Love one another with a pure heart fervently to bear each others burthens forbearing one another and in Honour esteeming each better than our selves to watch over each other not hating our Brother by suffering sin to rest upon him Levit. 19.17 but in any wise to rebuke him We shall not consent hearken to Deut. 13.6 11. Prov. 29.24 pity spare nor conceal any tho' dear as our own soul that would secretly intice us to depart from the true Faith of God in which we stand 1 Pet. 5.12 Heb. 3.12 13. Acts 11.23 James 5.16 Luke 22.32 1 Thess 4.18 but daily will we exhort each other with full purpose of heart to cleave unto the Lord praying for strengthning and comforting one another in the ways of Christ no Brother wronging nor defrauding a Brother 1 Cor. 6.1 8. nor going to Law with him before unbelievers the Saints being to judge all matters relating to the Brethren And consecrating our substance to the Lord Mic. 4.13 Esther 10.3 Rom. 12.13 Acts 4.32 we shall seek the welfare of each other distributing to the necessities of the Saints according to the Example of the People of God in the Apostles times 1 Cor. 7.26 27. as far as the present distress doth permit not refusing to lay down even our lives for the Brethren 1 John 3.16 Psal 137.6 as preferring this Sion to our chiefest Joy Nor shall we neglect our several relative Duties whether within the Church Col. 4.5 or without Husbands loving their Wives Ephe. 5.25.33 Col. 3.19 Eph. 5.22 24. Col. 3.18 not being bitter against them Wives being obedient to their own Husbands in the Lord Parents bringing up their Children in the Fear of God Ephes 6.4 Children obeying their Parents in the Lord Ephes 6.1 2. Masters being just and merciful to their Servants Ephes 6.9 Servants and Subjects obeying their Superiors in the Lord 1 Pet. 2.13 25. 1 Thess 4.11 2 Thess 3 10 12 All studying to be quiet to work with their own hands and to mind their own business rendering to Caesar the things that are Caesars Mat. 22.21 and to God the things that are Gods that so we may adorn the Gospel of God our Saviour Titus 2.10 IV. We all Covenant to discharge our Duty to the whole Church jointly 1 Cor. 12.25.12 as a Body of Christ To be holy to the Lord in all manner of Conversation To stand together for the Defence of the Truth To keep the Unity of the Spirit in the Bond of Peace To press forward in our Heavenly Course 1st 1 Pet. 1.15 2 Tim. 2.4 As a Body of Christ we shall be holy to the Lord in all manner of Conversation not intangling our selves with the Affairs of this Life Zeph. 3.9 Ephes 5.4 in Language seeking Purity avoiding all foolish Talking or Jesting which is not convenient having our Speech season'd with Salt Col. 4.6 that it may administer Grace to the Hearers And we being redeem'd from a vain Conversation 1 Pet. 1.14 18. shall not fashion our selves according to the former Lusts in our Ignorance but adorning our selves with modest Apparel becoming People professing Godliness 1 Tim. 2.9 Deut. 22.5 with 1 Cor. 11.1.16 Ezek. 44.20 Rev. 9.7 8. Zeph. 1.8 Isa 3.24 Jude 23. No Woman shall wear that which pertains to a Man nor any Man put on a Woman's Garment or Covering all that do so being an Abomination to the Lord who will punish all such who are cloath'd with strange Apparel strange to Nature or strange to Scripture therefore shall we hate even the Garment spotted with the Flesh Gen. 35.2 2 Cor. 6.14 Josh 23.12 13. Judg. 2.1.4 2 Chron. 19.2.20.35 37. Deut. 7.3 5. Ezra 9.14 10.3 5. Neb. 13.23 27 Mal. 2.11.15 Heb. 6.10 Levit. 18.30 Prov. 2.17 Mal. 2.14 Gen. 23. all Ruth 1.17 1 King 13.31 we will not unequally Yoke our selves with Unbelievers nor join in Affinity or make Leagues with such as are not in a visible relation to Christ in his Church nor yet shall we give our Daughters to their Sons nor take their Daughters to our Sons lest our Children learn their ways and we so mingle the Holy Seed that there be no Remnant of us or escaping Desiring also to be married as God's People were of old and not according to vain Customs all which are forbidden avoiding as much as in us lies being interr'd with Strangers so following the Example of the Saints who coveted
this Church every true Church consisting of so many and no more 1 Cor. 14.23 as can conveniently meet together in one place 1 Pet. 5.3 1 Cor. 12.28 Ephes 4.16 Isa 66.21 Jer. 3.14 15. 30.21 Deut. 1.13 Acts. 1.21 26. 14.23 1 Cor. 12.7 14.26 Rev. 2 3 cha Ephes 4.16 with 1 Cor. 12.12 27. Gal. 5.1 2 Thess 2.3 10. Rev. 2.2.12.11 Acts 15. c. being Christ's Clergy or Heritage to whom he hath given a power of sending forth his Ministers and to chuse from among themselves and to ordain their own Officers with Fasting and Prayer without laying on of Hands the glorious Gifts attending which being long since ceas'd that Ceremony is no more to be us'd than washing of Feet or anointing with Oil This Priviledge therefore with the Liberty of determining all Matters relating to this Body we will carefully uphold Renouncing all Encroachments made on Faith and Order by Popes Councils or any other whatsoever Yet shall we not refuse Communion with true Sister Churches in giving and receiving Advice Supplies or Members And that we may speak the same things 1 Cor. 1.10 and have no Division among us No one of us will go up and down as a Tattler Levit. 19.16 Prov. 20.19 1 Tim. 5.13 Rom. 16.17 Psal 101. Tale-bearer or Buisie-Body speaking things which they ought not but we shall mark and avoid all Persons and Things tending to Division Especially shall we refuse to receive into our House 2 John 9 10. Dan. 11.30 1 Cor. 5.11 1 Kin. 13.8.9 Psal 15.4 Hosea 4.15.17 2 Cor. 6.17 18 Col. 2.20 23. to have any Intelligence or eat with Apostates or them that forsake the holy Covenant contemning all such vile persons Nor will we come near to touch taste or handle any Worship after the Commandments and Doctrines of Men whatsoever shew of Wisdom and Humility it may have 1 Cor. 1.10 10.17 Ephes 4.4 6. Thus being perfectly join'd in the same Mind and in the same Judgment we shall be as one Bread and one Body in one Spirit call'd in one Hope having one Lord one Faith one Baptism one God the Father of all who is above all Ezek. 44.6 9. Jer. 51.10 Psa 66.16 40.9 10. 1 Pet. 3.15 Phil. 2.1 2. 2 Chr. 23.19 and thro' all and in us all Therefore shall we take none into Fellowship with us but such as shall declare what the Lord hath done for their Souls and openly profess their Oneness with us in Faith and Order rejecting all that are visibly unclean in any thing so shall we stand fast in the Liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free Gal. 5.1 Mat. 11.29 Psal 19.13 esteeming this Yoke of Christ easie and his Burthen light And dreading any wilful Breach of this Covenant Levit. 26.25 the quarrel of which God will avenge Finally AS a Body of CHRIST in this Oneness Phil. 3.12 15. 2 Cor. 6.17 Rev. 18.4 We Covenant to press forward after such a Separation from the Men of the World as we are call'd to by God in his Word that as Brethren we might dwell even together in Unity Isa 52.11 12. Psalm 133. to seek and to intermeddle with all Wisdom and to be kept from touching The Unclean Thing Prov. 18.1 Ps 106.47 48. So giving Thanks to the Holy Name of God our Saviour and triumphing in his Praise We shall look for and hasten unto the New Heavens 2 Pet. 3.12 13. and the New Earth wherein dwells Righteousness the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ 2 Tim. 4.1 to be reveal'd at his Appearance who will come shortly and will not tarry Rev. 22.17 20 21. The Spirit and the Bride say come and let him that heareth say come even so come Lord Jesus come quickly Amen! AND now blessing our God for establishing us a Church of Christ by Covenant Psal 105.8 10 2 Cor. 1.21 Ephes 2.22 1 Tim. 3.15 Rev. 2.7 Matth. 5.14 Psal 46.5 Matth. 16.18 2 Cor. 13.14 a House for himself to dwell in a Pillar and Ground of Truth a Golden Candlestick to hold forth his Light to the World Trusting that the Lord is in the midst of us and that the Gates of Hell shall not prevail against us We commend our selves to the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ the Love of God and the Communion of the Holy Spirit Psal 78.37 Col. 2.5 Isa 45.24 2 Cor. 12.9 whereby our hearts shall be stedfast in this Covenant Expecting from Christ our Mediatour All Righteousness and Strength Strength to supply us with all Grace to do Heb. 9.14 15. and Righteousness to pardon all our failings in this our Covenant Gal. 2.16 not looking to be justify'd by our Obedience hereto Heb. 13.20 21 all our Salvation being in the Blood of the Everlasting Covenant of Grace made with Christ for us Isa 55.3 and given to us as a Free Testament 2 Chr. 23.16 34.30 32. This Covenant being the Holy Bond of our Souls to be the Lord's People to walk fully after the Lord and to keep his Commandments In Testimony of OVR unfeigned Sincerity herein We make it Sure by Writing it Neh. 9.38 with chap. 10.16 28 Ezek. 43.11 Isa 44.5 And We our Elders and Deacons Subscribe it with the Hand This Thirtieth Day of the Eleventh Month MDCXCIX THE Catechism OR BRIEF INSTRUCTION In the Faith AND Order Of the Gospel For the CHURCH of CHRIST Meeting at Horsly-Down in Southwark 1 JOHN II. I have written unto you Fathers because ye have known him that is from the beginning I have written unto you Young Men because ye are strong and the Word of God abideth in you and ye have overcome the wicked one I have written unto you Little Children because your sins are forgiven you for his Name sake and ye have known the Father LONDON Printed for the Use of the Church 1700. THE CONTENTS OF THE Catechism THIS Catechism contains Seven Lessons which by degrees lead into the Knowledge of the Truth as it is in JESUS The First Lesson opens with a Discovery of God that his Awe may be upon the Heart The Second Lesson speaks of the Decrees of God and his Creation that in some measure they may be understood Afterwards The Third Lesson makes known the Fall of Man with the Bitter Fruits of it to humble and abase the heart before God And then in The Fourth Lesson Comfort is administred from the Glad Tidings of Redemption by the Person of Christ And that this Salvation may not only be heard of but felt The Fifth Lesson explains the Manner of the Application of this Redemption by Faith to the Soul which savingly experienc'd will draw forth Desires to understand The Sixth Lesson In which the good Old Law and Gospel of God are briefly cleared up and distinguisht the good knowledge whereof will lead down to The Seventh and last Lesson containing some Light about The great