us 2 Our High Priest to dye and to pay for us 3 Our Heavenly King to rule us by his word and spirit Apoc. 1.5 Q 9. What believest thou concerning the Holy Ghost A. I believe that the Holy Ghost is God and that he is sent to mee and to all Gods Children to guide us to teach us to make us Holy and to comfort us in all our afflictions Ioh 14.26 Q 10. How may we get God to be our God and Father A. By Faith in Jesus Christ alone Ioh 3.16 Q 11. What is Faith A. A precious gift of God whereby I perswade and assure my selfe that God for Christs sake hath justified mee and will accept of mee imputing Christs righteousto mee and imputing my sinnes to him 2 Cor 5.21 Q 12. How may we get and increase Faith A. 1. By the hearing of Gods word of true and faithfull Preachers Rom 10.17 2. By Prayer asking of God in the name of Jesus Christ things lawfull and needfull for soule and body according to the Lords prayer 3. By the Sacraments Q 13. What is a Sacrament A. An outward signe and seale of the Covenant of Grace Rom 4.11 What the Covenant of Grace is see Heb â—0 16 17. Q 14. How many Sacraments have we Christians A. Two only Baptisme and the Lords Supper 1 Cor 10.2,3 To these Sacraments all those have right to whom the promises are made upon this ground wee Baptize the Infants of Christian Parents and when afterwards they come to the years of discretion and can examine themselves wee also admit them to the Lords Supper Act. â—… 39 1 Cor 11.28 Q 15. What is required of one that will receive the Communion A. He that will receive the Communion must not be utterly ignorant nor scandalous in his life but must carefully examine and try aforehand 1. His knowledge of Christ 2. Faith 3. Repentance which is a change from worse to better upon true sorrow for sinne 4. Love and Charity 5. His obedience and thankfulnesse Q 16. What is it to eate the flesh and drink the bloud of Christ in the Sacrament A. To believe and to assure my selfe that what the Lord Jesus hath done or suffered he hath done it also for my soule and that I am really spiritually united unto him Joh 6.54 63. Q 17. What is expected of us after we have received the Lords Supper A. 1. To try what spirituall strength and comfort we have gotten by it 2. To pay our vowes 3. To increase daily in Grace 4. To praise God that we have a place in Gods Church among his people Psal 116.12 13. Q 18. What dost thou meane by the Church A. The company of all Gods Elect that have been are or shall be called out of the World to be Saints Acts 2.47 Q 19. What are the true Christians constant exercises A. 1. To keep a good Conscience Act 24.16 2. To be much in Prayer and Fasting 3. To read and heare Gods word 4. To keep the Lords day 5. To doe good to all but specially to Godly Christians 6. To doe as I would be done by according to the Morall Law the Ten Commandements which are the Rule of mans life 7. To repent daily of our daily failings and in all these duties to believe that God will accept of me for Christs sake alone without whom our best performances are sinfull and abominable Rom. 14.23 Heb 11.6 Q 20. What are the Christians priviledges A. 1. T is a great priviledge to be a Member of the true Church 2 To have Union Communion with Christ and his Church 3 To have the forgivenesse of my sinnes sealed to me in the bloud of Christ 4 To dye in the Faith of Christ 5 To be raised up at the last day to eternall Glory 6 To stand at Christs Right hand and to judge the World and Angells 7 That when the wicked shall goe away with the Divells to Hell Fire for ever I shall with all Gods Elect follow Christ into Heavenly Glory to see God Face to Face singing Hallelujah to him that sits upon the Throne and to the Lamb for ever more Math 25.46 Ioh 5.28 Glory be to the Lord. AMEN The History of the Bible in Questions and Answers GENESIS The 1. Question WHAT is contained in this first Book of Scripture The Answere A. In Genesis is contained the History of the three first Patriarks Of Adam before the floud Of Noah in the floud Of Abraham after the floud And the History also of the other Three great Patriarks Isaak Iacob and Ioseph Q 2. What was done before the Floud 1 A. God created Heaven and Earth Adam and Eve and all things in Six daies out of nothing and rested the seaventh day 2 God prepared Paradise for our first Parents and put them therein and for sin turned them out againe 3 Adam in the state of Innocency according to the Wisdome bestowed upon him gave fit names to all Creatures 4 Cain killed his brother Abel 5 Henoch walked with God and was taken up into Heaven 6 The rest of those lesser Patriarks invented diverse Arts cap 5. Q 3. What was done in the daies of Noah 1 A. The whole World was drowned by a floud 2 The cause was man's sinne and want of Repentance upon warning given by Noah 3 Noah and his Family with some Beasts of all kinds were preserved in the Ark. 4 The Raine-bow was given for a Token that God would never destroy the World by Water any more 5 The building of the Tower of Babel iâ— undertaken by some and punished Q. 4. What canst thou say of Abraham 1 A. Abraham was called by God out of his owne Country to sojourne in the Land of Canaan which God afterwards gave to him and to his posterity for an Inheritance 2 He entertained Angells unawares and prayd for Sodom and Gomorah and hath a Sonne by Sarah 3 He met with many afflictions in his Travells to and fro with his Wife Sarai his maid Hagar and his kinsman Lot 4 He fought a great Battell with the assistance of his own Servants against the heathen Kings wherein he obtained the victory and recovered his kinsman Lot that had been taken captive and at his returne Melchisedeck blesseth him to whom Abraham paid Tithes of the spoyles taken in that war 5 Abraham built many Altars to God is carefull to teach his Family the knowledge of God and is willing to sacrifice his sonne Isaak 6 He had many troubles about Ismaell Hagars sonne 7 He purchased a piece of land to be a burying place for his family and there Sarah was buried 8 He took great care to have his sonne Isaak married in a Godly way 9 After the death of Sarah he Married againe and had divers children 10 He dyed and was honourably buried Q. 5. What canst thou say of Isaak 1 A. Isaak feared God as Abraham his father had done 2 He loved Rebecca his Wife 3 He was a great man among the Philistims rich
THE PRINCIPLES OF CHRISTIAN RELIGION In Twenty Questions and Answers Whereunto is Added A Compendious History of the most Memorable passages of HOLY SCRIPTURE by way of Questions and Answers for the use and benefit of the Inhabitants of the Parish of WOTTON in Oxford shire By JOHN HOFFMAN B. D. Minister of Gods word 1 TIM 4.8 Godlinesse is Profitable to all things OXFORD Printed by L. Lichfield 1653. TO My Beloved Neighbours and Parishioners the Inhabitants of the Towne and Parish of WOTTON In Oxford-shire Beloved in the Lord 1. IT hath been my greatest care and constant endeavour ever since by Gods providence I was called to be your Pastour how I might withstand and hinder the growth of sinnes Prov. 14.34 Ioh. 17.3 which are a reproach to any People and how to build you up in the saving knowledge of Iesus Christ which is eternall life To which purpose in the ordinary course of my Ministry as you know I have gone over the principles of Religion by way of Catechizing more then once that so I might with the Lords assistance and blessing upon my labours lay a sure and a sound foundation in the tender hearts of the yonger sort of people who are so sweetly exhorted by Solomon â—ccles 12. to know and to remember their Creator now in the daies of their youth 2. It hath of late much troubled my spirit what good course I might take in these evill and unsetled times to settle and establish you in the Truth of the Gospell â—evel 3.1 to hold fast that which you have received that no man may take your Crowne and how to Preach the Word unto you that all may profit and upon my seeking of God in private to direct mee and after much selfe-disputing I resolved at last to look beyond all discouragements and frivolous exceptions of persons disaffected to Truth and Holinesse and in the integrity and simplicity of my heart to adventure upon this plaine and easy way First to Compose and Print a short Catechise containing the fundamentalls of our Christian Religion which being known and understood will enable you to give an account to every man 1 Pet. 3.15 that shall aske you a reason of the hope that is in you with meeknes and feare Sermons without the knowledge and understanding of fundamentall Truths are as if you should set a Browne Loafe and a Cheese Heb. 5.13.14 before Infants that call for Milke Secondly for as much as it is a sad thing to consider how many heare Gods word it may be every Lords day yet understand little and remember lesse having never been acquainted with the Historicall part of the Scripture to any purpose I have therefore very briefely contracted and set downe the most memorable Historicall passages thereof the knowledge whereof will I am confident be very helpfull unto you to understand Gods mind delivered in those comfortable Doctrines which upon the explication of any Text are by worthy Ministers of Christ commended unto you Thirdly because without the Lords blessing nothing can doe us good I have therefore in the latter end of this little Manuall set downe a short direction for younger Christians to pray by There are Foure holy duties which I heartily commend unto you and intreat you to practice 1. To read Gods word much in private and to pray with your Families the blessing of God is upon such Families 2. To take heed of prophaning the Lords Day and instead of unnecessary worldly works or sinfull recreations to call your Children and Servants after Dinner together before the second Sermon to give you an account of some part of the Catechise and of the History of the Bible which will put yours and their hearts into a holy posture for the publique exercises of the Church 3. I would intreat you to examine all your Doctrines you heare by the Word of God it is a way very pleasing to God as we see in the Example of the Noble Bereans 4. I would desire you to search after and to be well setled in the Doctrine of justification and of the Sacraments Other duties there are I should speake of but I would willingly be as short as I could Now the Lord Jesus blesse you and yours and so appeare upon you and my labours amongst you that in the day of judgement we may not be ashamed but stand with comfort before the Tribunall seat of Christ and receive an Fuge well done good and faithfull servants enter into your Masters joy Which shall be the daily prayer of Your most affectionate Friend and Pastour to serve you in Christ. JOHN HOFFMAN From my study at Wotton Feb. 16. 1653. A Short Catechisme OR Twenty Questions and Answers Containing the first Elements or Principles of our CHRISTIAN RELIGION The 1. Question WHAT is every one by Nature The Answer Every one by Nature is a poore miserable sinner not able of himselfe to doe any thing pleasing to God Rom. 7.24 Q. 2. How came wee to be so wretched A. 1. By the guilt of the first sinne commited by Adam and Eve in Paradise 2. By originall sinne which is not only a want of Gods image consisting in holinesse and righteousnesse but also a pronenesse and inclination to all sinnes 3. By our daily Actuall transgressions in thought word and deed Psal 51.5 Rem 5.12 Q. 3. What is sinne A. Sinne is a breach of Gods Law making us guilty of Gods curse and heavy judgements temporally and eternally 1 Ioh 3.4 Gal 3.10 Q. 4. How may wee be freed from this miserable condition A. Only by Jesus Christ the alone Mediator 'twixt God and Man 1 Tim 2.5 Q. 5. What is God A. God is a spirit infinite in power justice and mercy distinguished into three Persons God the Father God the Sonne and God the Holy Ghost and these three are one 1 Ioh 5.7 Q. 6. What believest thou concerning God the Father A. I believe that he created me and all the World out of nothing and that by his Almighty providence he upholds and most wisely disposes of all things to his own glory and the good of his Church Heb 11.3 Math 10.29 Prov 16.33 Q 7. What believest thou concerning Iesus Christs A. I believe that he being God from everlasting took mans Nature upon him in the fulnesse of time being conceived by the Holy Ghost borne of the Virgin Mary That he fulfilled the Law of God for mee and suffered much misery the death of the Crosse and Hells Torments That he was buried and rose againe the third day That he ascended up into Heaven to the highest glory and that he shall ere long come in great glory to judge the quick and the dead Phil 2.7 8 9. Q. 8. How many Natures hath Christ and how many Offices did he undertake for us A. Christ hath two Natures the humane and the Divine Nature Ioh 1.14 1 Tim 3 16. And he undertook three Offices for us 1 To be our Prophet to teach
appeared to Joshuah as an armed man 5. The storming and taking of the Citty Jericho and the saving of Rahab the harlot 6. The trouble about the Citty Ai and Achan who was the cause of it 7. At Joshuas prayer the sunne stood still a whole day that Israell might have time to destroy the Kings of the Amorites in number 31. God throwing downe hailestons out of Heaven to destroy them 8. The land of Canaan is divided by Joshuah among Gods people 9. The two Tribes and halfe returne to their inheritance and the mistake about an Altar 10. Joshuahs farewell Oration or charge unto Israell to serve God according to his word and to beware of Idolatry 11. Ioshuas death and buriall JUDGES Q 1. WHy is this booke so called A Because it containeth the valiant Acts of the Judges of Israel whom God raised up after the death of Ioshuah to fight the Lords battells against the enemies of the Church Q 2. What are the names of those Iudges A 1 Othniel 2 Ehud 3 Shamgar 4 Doborah Barack 5 Gideon 6 Abimilech 7 Tola 8 Iair 9 Iephtha 10 Ibsan 11 Elon 12 Abdon 13 Sampson 14 Eli 15 Samuel Q 3. Which are the chiefe histories of this booke A 1 The history of Abdonibezek 2 Israels sad Apostasy from God to Idols 3 The memorable battle fought by Deborah and Barak against Sisera a heathen Generall who was slaine by Iael inher tent 4 The great deliverance given to Israel by Gideen 5 The wickednesse of Abimelech a Bastard 6 The history of Ieththa and his vow 7 Of Sampsons valour of his sinne and of his death 8 The sad history of the Benjamites about the Levites businesse RUTH WHAT is the summe and substance of this Booke 1 A. How Elimelech and his Wife Naomi with their two sonnes Malon and Chilion in a time of Famine left their own Country Canaan and sojourned in the land of Moab 2 Their two sonnes Married two Moabitish women Orpha and Ruth 3 Elimelech and his two sonnes dye in that Country 4 Naomi returnes to her own Country and Ruth will needs goe with her and did 5 They come to Bethlehem and Naomi so ordereth all things that Ruth is married to Boaz according to Moses Laws 6 Boaz hath a sonne by Ruth named Obed who was Grandfather to King David The First Book of SAMUEL The 1. Question VVHY are these Books called the Books of Samuel A. Not because Samuel wrote them but because it containeth the History of Samuels Life and Death who being an eminent Prophet and the last judge of Israel had done great service to Gods Church he by Gods appointment elected and Annointed the two first Kings of Israel These Books were written by some holy man who lived in those times Q. 2. What dost thou Read of Samuel 1 A. I read of his Birth and Education and of the care his good Mother Hannah took for him 2 Of his coming to the High-Priest Eli to serve under him 3 Of a sad Message Samuel brings to Eli from God for winking at his sonnes wickednesses 4 Of Samuels wisdome and care to judge Israel in his daies 5 Of his power with God in Prayer 6 Of his uncorrupt life death and buriall Q 3. What canst thou say of Eli the High Priest 1 A. How God punished him and his sonnes in one day 2 How in his daies the Arke of God was taken by the Philistins 3 The Philistins and others are terribly plagued for their curiosity in looking into the Ark. 4 God causes the very Enemies of the Church to restore the Arke with an Offering Q 4. What canst thou say of Saul 1 A. He was the first King over all Israell 2 He fought against the Ammonites and the Amalekites and had good successe but because he did not obey Gods command fully he was rejected 3 Israel in Sauls daies was much oppressed by the Philistins against whom God gave Jonathan a great victory 4 He takes David into his Court and giveeth him his Daughter Michall to Wife for killing Goliah 5 Saul wearieth himselfe in persecuting David 6 Saul being forsaken of God seeketh to a Wirch and presently upon that he and his sonnes are slaine in Battell by the Philistins upon Mount Gilboa The Second Book of SAMUEL Q. 1. WHat is chiefely set downe in this Book 1 A. That David was the Second King over Israel 2 His valiant Acts and household troubles 3 He endured much affliction which made him compose many sweet Psalmes 4 He lived among the Philistins in Ziglaik till the death of Saul 5 He is not pleased with the messengers oâ— Sauls death and the sad death of Isbboâ—…shet but makes a lamentation for Saâ—… and Ionathan 6 He is first made King in Hebron over Iudah and afterwards over all Israell and carried himselfe wisely in the busiesse of Abner and Ioah Q. 2. What canst thou farther say of David 1 A. How he took Jerusalem from the Jâ—…busites and brought the Arke of God thether intending to build a Temple for Gods worship 2 He sinned grievosly against Vria for which he suffered much afterward of his own children Amon Thamar Absolom 3 He had many troubles besides with Sheâ—…ba Shimei and Ioab 4 His kindnesse to the Gibeonites in a fâ—râ—… famine as also to Mephiboshet and Hanâ—… King of Ammon 5 He is victorious every where all his enemies are subdued round about 6 He numbred the People and all Israel is plagued for it The First and Second Bookes of KINGS The 1. Question HOW many Kings raigned over all Israell A. Only three Saul David Solomon Q. 2. What is said in this Book of David 1 A. He commands his sonne Solomon to be made King and not Adoniah 2 He groweth weake in his old age giveeth his sonne Solomon most heavenly admonitions and directions dyeth and is royally buried Q 3. What is mentioned of Solomon 1 A. His behaviour towards Adoniah Ioab Abiathar and Shimei 2 His marriage with the Princesse of Egypt 3 His Prayer for Wisdome and the signes of his Wisdome Q 4. Wherein did Solomons Wisdome eminently appeare 1 A. In the judgement he gave 'twixt the dead and the living Child 2 In his Songs and Proverbs and Naturall Philosophy knowing the nature of most Creatures 3 In the government of his Court and Kingdome 4 In the building of Gods Temple in Jerusalem 5 By his prayer at the Dedication of the the Temple 6 By his entertainment of the Queene of Sheba Q 5. What evill dost thou read of Solomon 1 A. He had seaven hundred Wives and three hundred Concubines 2 He committed Idolatry by the inticement of his Idolatrous outlandish Wives 3 I read of Gods anger against Solomon testified by raising up Adversaries against him namely 1 Jeroboam his own servant 2 Hadad the King of Edom. 3 Rezon the King of Syria Q 6. What was done after Solomons death A. After that Solomon died and was buried the Kingdome was divided Ten Tribes adhered to
Pharoah and dyed in prison in Egypt Q 26. What is said of Jehoiakim A 1 He was very wicked and became Tributary to Egypt and oppressed his subjects 2 The caldeans and other Nations invaded Juda and distressed him every way and he dyed Q 27. What do we read of Jehoiachin Nebucadnezar King of Babylon tooke him his Wife and Children and many of the Nobles of Juda captives into Babylon there he lived and dyed a prisoner yet in his latter dayes he had some inlargement granted to him in Babylon Q 28. What is said of Mattaniah alias Zedekiah A He was wicked and rebelled against the King of Babylon whereupon the Caldeans besieged the Citty Jerusalem and tooke it and brnt the Citty and Temple carryed away the King and all Juda captive into Babylon for 70 yeares according to Jeremys Prophecy Thus far goeth the History of the Kings of Juda. Here followeth the History of the Kings of Israel after the Death of SOLOMON The 1. Question WHat is said of Jeroboam the first King of Israel 1 A. Jeroboam for Solomons sinnes is made King of the ten Tribes of Israel 2 He setts up Idolls in his dominions for feare his Subjects should goe up to worship in Jerusalem and so fall off from him againe For which sinfull policy this marke of infamy is set on his name Jeroboam the Sonne of Nebat who made Israell to sinne 3 When one of Gods Prophets came to reprove and to reclaime him from his sins he stretched out his hand against that Prophet whereupon his hand withered but was againe restored 4 The same Prophet seduced by a lying Prophet is slaine by a Lyon at his returne 5 Jereboams sonne dyed young because God saw some good in him 6 He had perpetuall warres with the Kings of Juda and dyed Q 2. What is said of Nadab his sonne A. He being wicked and Idolatrous like his Father was slaine by Baasha one of his own Subjects in the second yeare of his Reigne Q. 3. What read we of Baasha A 1 He executed Gods wrath upon Jeroboams posterity and was a great warriour 2 For his wickednesse he is told by the Prophet Jehu that God would deale with him as he dealt with Jeroboam Q 4. What is said of Elah Zimri and Omri the 3 following Kings A 1 Elah being drunck at a feast is slaine by his servant Zimri 2 Zimri having destroyed all Baashae's posterity is pursued by Omri he fleeth to his Pallace and burnes himselfe and Pallace 3 Omri is made King by the Souldiers and prevaileth against Tibny his competitour he built the City Samaria and dyed Q 5. What is said of Ahab Omrie's sonne 1 A. Ahab was worse then any of the Kings of Israel before him for he brought with his wife Iezabel the Idol Baal into the land 2 In his dayes Jerico was built And for 3 yeares 6 months there was no raine in the land which caused a great famine 3 He caused innocent Naboth to be stoned by his wives instigation to get his Vinyard 4 Upon the Prophet Elia's message from God for a heavy judgment he humbled himselfe for the present whereupon the judgment is put off for a time 5 He was victorious in two great battells which he fought with Benhadad King of Syria 6 He goeth against Ramoth Gilead to battell contrary to the Prophet Micha's counsell and is slaine in the field Iehosaphat King of Juda being with him 7 In his dayes the Prophet Elia was famous Q 6. What read we of Elia the Prophet A 1. He foretells a famine upon the land 2 He is fed by ravens 3 He increaseth the Widdowes oile and meale raised a dead child to life 4 Obadia a good Courtier bringeth him to Ahab Elia calls Baalls Priests to a Sacrifice and puts them to death 5 At Elia's prayer God sent raine 6 For feare of Queene Jezebel he fled into a Wildernesse where he is fed by an Angell God appeareth to him and commandeth him to annoint Elisha to be a Prophet in his roome 7 Elia being sent for by King Ahaziah Ahabs sonne caused fire to come downe from heaven to consume the first and second Captaines and their fifties he spareth the third Captaine and goeth with him to the King 8 He was taken up into heaven in a fiery Charet Elisha being by and beholding it Q 7. What is said of Ahazia Ahabs sonne the eight King of Israel A. 1 He was wicked like his Father Jehosaphat refuseth his friendship 2 He dyed of a fall through a lettesse according to the word of Elia. Q 8. What read we of Jehoram A. 1 He was Ahazia's yonger brother 2. For Jehoshaphats sake he obtained a great victory against the Moabites 3 He is slaine by Jehu one of his Captaines 4 In his daies Elisha prophecied Q 9. What doe we read of Elisha the Prophet 1 A. He being with Elia going up to heaven got his Mantle and therewith divided the waters of Jordan as Elia had done before 2 A. He healed the bitter waters of Jericho 3 He caused two Beares to destroy forty two Schoole-boyes for nicknaming and calling him Bald-head 4 He multiplied the Widdowes oyle and raised the Shunamites dead child to life 5 He healed the pottage Caused the Iron to swimme He fed an hundred men with a few loaves He cured Naamans leprosy He punished his servant Gehazy for lying and for taking a reward He told the secrets of the King of Syria to the King of Israel He smote the Syrians who came to apprehend him with blindnesse He foretold suddaine plenty in Samaria in a time of a grievous famine 6 He entertained Hazael with teares and told him of his future greatnesse and cruelty 7 Upon his death-bed he promised the King who came to see him three victories against the Syrians 8 He dyed and in his grave a dead souldier is raised to life by touching his bones Q 10. What is said of Jehu 1 A. Of a Captaine he is made King over Israel he destroyed all Ahabs posterity he killed both the Kings of Juda and Israel he caused Queene Iezebel to be thrown out of a Window and he killed all the worshippers of Baal 2 For his zeale against Baal and Ahabs house God promised him that foure of his posterity should be Kings 3 He was a great Warrior but wicked dyed Q. 11. What read we of his sonne Jehoahaz 1 A. He walked in the wayes of Jeroboam 2 When the Syrians invaded his land he cryed to God and he delivered him and he dyed peaceably Q. 12. What is said of Jehoash 1 He lived in his Fathers sinne 2 He fought with Amaziah King of Juda and overcame him he was a great Warrior and dyed Q 13. What is said of Jeroboam and Zachariah 1 A. Jeroboam was a great warrior and had good successe and died 2 Zacharia succeeded him and reigned but halfe a yeare and was slaine by Shallum one of his own Subjects Q 14. What doe we