God or any Creature or by the Blood Death or Wounds of Jesus or any other Oath whatever Thou shalt not take any Oath of thy self or swear unless called to it by Authority no promissory Oath especially or Oath by which thou dost promise any thing shall be taken by thee of thy own accord For the Communication of a Christian should be Yea yea and Nay nay Thou shalt not contentedly and patiently endure to hear the Name of God dishonoured by Oaths Blasphemies or otherwise Thou shalt by no means entertain any murmuring unkind or irreverent Thoughts of God Thou shalt not mention the name of thy God and Saviour irreverently wantonly vainly and for every trifle Thou shalt not mention it without just and solemn Occasion much less in telling Fortunes in Lots Jests and Charms Thou shalt not Blaspheme or Curse God or Repine and Murmur against him or Curse any Creature by him Thou shalt not prophane any thing dedicated to the Honour of his Name As holy Churches holy Utensils of the Church holy Customs holy Sacraments Thou shalt make no unlawful rash Vows neither shalt thou break a lawful Vow As these things are forbidden in this Commandment so are we commanded in it To magnifie exalt Duties commanded and glorifie the Holy Name of God 1. In Thought by thinking reverently of him 2. In Word by speaking reverently of him and his Attributes by Praises and Thanksgivings 3. In our Actions by a holy Conversation To perform all our faithful Promises and Vows To use the Name of God with a religious Reverence and Awe whenever we are called to a lawful Oath To have a due regard for all Things Persons and Places that have his Name and Stamp upon them To perform carefully and conscionably all our lawful Oaths And among our Vows faithfully to perform our Baptismal Vow and all our repeated Vows of amendment that so we may not name the Name of Christ in vain So that if we consider as we ought what 't is that is enjoined us in this Commandment and what is forbidden in it and then reflecting upon our own lives find any of the Duties of it neglected by us or any â—f the Sins against it sadly adventured on in Thought Word or Action how affectionately should we say with the Church Lord have Mercy upon us and incline our Hearts to keep this Law That is Lord pity and pardon all our past Breaches of this Commandment and so incline our Hearts to Love and Obedience for the future that by the Grace we may very sincerely keep this Law of thine for the remainder of our Days IV. COMMANDMENT Remember that thou keep holy the Sabbath day Sir days shalt thou labour and do all that thou hast to do c. THE meaning is Thou shalt set apart some Portions of thy time for the publick Offices of Religion Duties commanded and the Glorification of God That if God or his holy Church have appointed One Day in Seven for religious Purposes we are carefully to employ it to these Uses That as the Jews kept the Seventh Day by divine Command in memory of the Creation so we Christians are to keep Holy the First Day of the Week or Lord's Day from Apostolical Practice in memory of our Lord's Resurrection and our Redemption That this Day be spent in holy Offices religious Duties in publick and private Worship in all Actions 1. Of Piety 2. Of Charity I. Of Piety As 1. in frequenting the Assemblies of the Saints 2. In Attendance on the Word in reading or hearing it read preach'd or expounded to us That we may have leisure and ease and freedom from the distractions of the World with Tranquillity of Mind to hear our Lord speak to us from thence and acquaint us with his Will and upon what Conditions we may be admitted to him 3. In attendance on the Sacraments in having leisure for the receiving those Tokens and Pledges of the divine Love to us 4. In Catechising or Instructing those under our Charge 5. In pious Conferences and devout Meditations 6. In Praises and Thanksgivings to the sacred Name of God Beginning that bless'd Imployment here below which shall be continued perfected and compleated in the Mansions of Eternity above 7. In stating Doubts and Scruples to the Guides of Souls and desiring Peace and Satisfaction 8. To reflect on and consider the great Works of the eternal God The great Work of the Creation of the World and the greater Work of the Redemption of it and the Resurrection of our Saviour II. In Actions of Mercy and Charity according to our Abilities and Opportunities As 1. To reconcile Differences 2. To provide for the Necessities of the Poor and Needy 3. To visit the Sick 4. To give ease and rest to our Servants and refreshment from their ordinary Labours Nay to give ease to our very Cattle is a Mercy to them 5. To provoke one another to good Works 6. To reprove exhort and edifie one another in Love To do these or any other instances of Mercy and Charity is a proper Work of the Lord's-Day That the Fasts and Festivals of the Church should in some measure be attended to and observed by us as she prescribes has always been esteemed fit to be reduced to this Commandment That we on the Lord's Day rest from all Desires Lusts Words Works and Pleasures which are our own I mean proceeding from our corrupt Nature and which are not seasoned with Grace that so we may on the Lord's Day keep a truly Spiritual Sabbath And lastly Devoutly then to remember this our Christian Sabbath is but a Type that is a Figure or shadowing out of that eternal Rest and Sabbath which we expect in Heaven This being commanded what we are forbidden in it is Sins forbidden To do or compel or cause others to do any servile Works on this Day except Works of Necessity or Charity Decency or Mercy To put no difference between this and the common Days of the Week All Judaizing Severity is to be laid aside by us Christians that is we being delivered from the Rigour though not the Piety of the Jewish Sabbath are not so to observe it as if Works of Necessity Mercy Decency and Charity were not to be done by us on it We are forbidden to spend it in Idleness and Wantonness in Sleep and Recreations or any part of it in unlawful Recreations in Vanity and Folly Gluttony or Drunkenness Drowsiness and Inconsideration Worldly-mindedness and Lust Sin and Iniquity To refuse to come to the publick Assemblies or neglect the Duties of the Day Publick or Private To Buy or Sell or Travel to manage Business or any worldly Undertaking and Imployment without Necessity It has ever been accounted by the Church unfit if not unlawful to Fast upon the Lord's-Day Superiors are not to suffer those under their Authority to be absent from and neglect holy Duties nor to refuse to allow them liberty time and leisure for them
not this Pontius Pilate a Governour of the Country where Christ lived when he was on Earth Yes Was there any Sin or Fault in Christ No. Was he not accused by the Jews out of meer Malice Yes Was he not crucified that is nailed to a Cross till he was dead Yes That is were not his Hands and Feet nailed to a piece of Wood till he died Yes Was he content to suffer all this for our Salvation Yes Did not Christ by his Death satisfie God's Justice for our Sins if we repent of them and leave them Yes Shall any partake of the Benefits of Christ's Death but the true pernitent Sinner No. Before Christ was crucified was he not buffeted and spit on scourged and spightfully used Yes Did Christ give up the Ghost and really die upon the Cross Yes When he was dead was he not put into the grave and buried as other dead Men are Yes Did he not continue in the State of the dead for a time Yes When Christ descended into Hell did he suffer any Pains or Torments there No. Did he only descend to triumph over the Devil in his own Kingdom Yes Did he not suffer all this for our Sakes that we might be saved Yes And have we not infinite reason to love and obey him Yes ARTICLE V. The third day he rose again from the dead THough Christ were buried in the Grave does he continue in it to this Day No. Did not Christ come alive again the third day and rise out of the grave by his power Yes Did he not rise again out of it for our Justification Yes That is did he not by his coming out of the Prison of the grave shew that he had paid our debt that God's Justice was satisfied and he acquitted upon our Faith and Repentance Yes And can we ever cease to love and obey him No. ARTICLE VI. He ascended into Heaven And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty DID not Jesus Christ about forty days after he came alive again ascend up to Heaven Yes Was he not carried up to Heaven in a Cloud Yes Is not Jesus now at this present at God's right Hand making Intercession for us Yes You say at the right hand of God why Is not God a Spirit Yes Has a Spirit any hands as we have No. When we say that Christ sitteth at the right hand of God do we not mean that he is exalted to the greatest power and glory Yes Is he not there our Advocate to intercede and plead for us Yes And can we for this pay him less than Love and Obedience No. ARTICLE VII From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead DO you believe there shall be a Day of Judgment Yes Shall not Christ come in that day to judge the World and all Men Yes Shall any Man escape the Judgment of Christ No. Shall he not then turn the wicked into Hell Yes Shall he in that day of Judgment place all good Men in Heaven Yes And should we not prepare our selves for that Judgment Yes Must we not then give an account of what we have done here Yes Must we give an account of our Thoughts Words and Actions Yes Shall any Man be able to hide his Sins from this Judge No. Is there any thing that we do which this Judge sees not No. Is there any thing that we think which Judge hears not No. Is there any thing that we think which this Judge knows not No. What does he see and know our very Thoughts Yes But will he not be a merciful Judge to all truly reformed Penitents Yes And for that reason should you not love and obey him Yes ARTICLE VIII I believe in the holy Ghost DO you believe in the holy Ghost or Spirit Yes Is there any Difference between these words Holy Ghost and Holy Spirit No. Is not the Holy Ghost God Yes Doth not this good and Holy Spirit convert us sanctifie us and comfort us Yes Is not this good and Holy Spirit ready by his Grace to assist us in doing our Duties Yes Is he not said to be grieved when we do not make use of the Grace and Strength afforded us Yes And should we grieve this Holy Spirit by a careless and disobedient Life No. Is it not this holy Spirit that puts into your mind good Desires Yes And should we refuse or neglect to perform them No. ARTICLE IX The Holy Catholick Church The Communion of Saints DO you believe that the whole Company or general Family of true Believers professing the Gospel under Christ their head are the Catholick Church Yes Is not Catholick Church as much as to say Universal Church Yes Are not the preaching of the Word and the due Administration of the Sacraments under Bishops and Pastors lawfully called are not these the Marks of it Yes Is it not Catholick in respect of Persons and Place Time and Doctrine Yes Are all the Believers of this Catholick Church holy by their Calling and Profession Yes Should you ever cease to bless God for being a Member of this Catholick Church No. Were you received into this number of Believers when you were baptized Yes Do you firmly believe the particular Church of England to be a sound part of the Catholick Church Yes Of the Catholick Church is not part on Earth and part in Heaven Yes Is not that part of it which is on Earth called the Church Militant Yes And is not that part of it which is in Heaven called the Church Triumphant Yes Do you believe that there is and ought to be a Communion of Saints Yes Is not this Communion of Saints a Communion one with another in all holy things Yes That is to say are we not to keep a Communion one with another in Faith in Love in Charity in Prayer in hearing the Word and receiving the Sacraments Yes May we forsake or withdraw our selves from the Communion or Fellowship of Christians in holy things No. Do you believe that while the Saints or true Believers on Earth do keep up their Communion with each other in all holy things that they have a Fellowship or Communion with the Blessed Trinity the Angels and the Saints departed Yes ARTICLE X. The Forgiveness of Sins DO you believe there is Forgiveness of Sins to be had in the Church of Christ Yes Can this Forgiveness be had unless we believe in Jesus Christ and repent of them and reform them No. If we do believe in Christ and repent of our Sins and leave them and live a new and Christian life shall we be forgiven Yes Is not Repentance this A turning from Sin to God a lasting durable State of new Life and Reformation Yes If the Sinner then have chosen amiss should he not speedily turn to God and chuse better Yes Is he wise or safe if he neglect to do it one day No. ARTICLE XI The Resurrection of the Body DO you believe that the Bodies of them that
are dead shall alway lie in the grave No. Shall the Bodies of all Mankind be raised out of the grave again at the day of Judgment Yes Shall the Soul and Body come together again at the last day Yes Is not this risting of the Body from the grave and its coming alive again what we call the Resurrection Yes ARTICLE XII And the Life everlasting DO you believe there is another Life after this a Life everlasting Yes Though the Body dies does a Man's Soul ever die No. Shall not the Soul and Body of every Man after the Resurrection live together for ever in Happiness or Misery Yes Is he wise or prudent who will not provide for a Life everlasting No. Shall not all Men at the Resurrection and in the day of Judgment receive according to their Works here Yes Shall the good Christian and the righteous live with God for ever Yes Do you believe there is such a Place as Heaven Yes Do you believe there shall be any Troubles or Crosses Wants or Pains in that place No. Shall the wicked in the day of Judgment be shut up with the Devil and his Angels Yes Shall the wicked when they are placed in Hell be evermore freed out of it No. Should you not by one short Life of Faith and Repentance Love and Obedience labour to escape this dismal place Yes Did not your Godfathers and Godmothers when you were baptized promise in your Name that you should believe all these things Yes And do you firmly and heartily believe them Yes Do you disbelieve or doubt or question any one of them No. And will you endeavour to live according to this Belief Yes SECT III. Agenda Question YOV said that your Godfathers and Godmothers did promise for you that you should keep God's Commandments Tell me how many there be Answer Ten. Question Which be they Answer The same which God spake c. The Ten Commandments Of our Duty To God in the Four first Commandments To Man in the Six last Commandments DO you hope to escape the Torments of Hell when you die Yes Do you hope to be received to Heaven when you die and live with God for ever Yes Shall they that are once placed in Heaven or Hell be ever removed out of them No. Does God love you so well as to be willing you should be saved Yes Did not Christ die for you that you might go to Heaven when you die if you love and obey him Yes Well then should not a Christian love God and Christ and pray to him and keep his Commandments Yes Are you willing to know what these Commandments of God be that so you may keep them Yes I. COMMANDMENT Thou shalt have c. ARE we to take the true God for our only God Yes Are we to have any more Gods than one No. Is not the Father God Yes Is not Jesus Christ God Yes Is not the Holy Ghost God Yes Are not these three Gods No. Are not these three Persons and one God Yes So that though God the Father God the Son and God the Holy Ghost be three Persons are they any more than one God No. Is not this what we call the Mystery of the Trinity Yes Though we cannot fully understand this yet are we not bound to believe it Yes Must we not love God with all our Soul and Mind and Heart and Strength Yes That is must we not love him above all things Yes Are we not so to acknowledge him to be God as to fear him above all things Yes Can there be a greater Folly than to fear Man more than God No. Should we not comfortably hope for his Promises Yes But then should we neglect to perform the Conditions No. Should we not submit to his Will both in doing and patiently suffering it Yes Does it become a good Man to repine and murmur either at his Command or his Providence No. Should we not trust in God in all needs and dangers Yes Does he trust in God who seeks to deliver himself by any unjust and unlawful means from any need strait or danger No. Should we not alway honour God that is carry within us an awful Respect and profound Reverence to him Yes May we neglect to worship God No. Must not a Christian worship God by daily Prayer and Thanksgiving Yes Must a Christian worship God by frequent hearing reading and meditating on God's Word Yes Must a Christian worship God by a due use of the holy Sacraments Yes Should we not worship him both with the Soul and Body Yes If we acknowledge him to be God should we not repent of all our Offences against him Yes Can we deferr it with any manner of Prudence or Safety No. II. COMMANDMENT Thou shalt not make to thy self any graven Image c. MAY a Christian give God's Worship to an Image or Idol No. May a Man make or frame any Image or Picture of the Godhead No. May we worship any pretended Image of the true God or the Idols of false Gods No. Is it not Idolatry to worship an Image or Idol Yes Should we pray to Saints or Angels for any Aids or Benefits and so make them partners in the Worship due to God No. May a Christian when he has lost any thing go to a Witch or Conjurer to find it No. May he do it to recover his Health in Sickness No. Should we have a due regard and reverential Love for all Persons Places and things set apart for God's Worship Yes Will God punish them and their Children after them who are guilty of Idolatry and therefore haters of him Yes Will God punish any Man for his Father's sins in another World unless he continue in his Father's sins No. But doth he not sometime do it in this World Yes But if God do it in this World is it not chiefly in the case of Idolatry Yes So that if God do punish any for their Parents Idolatry or Prophaneness it is only in this World is it not Yes But is there any way to remove the Curse of their being visited upon us in this Life Yes If we would not have them visited upon us even in this Life should we not renounce these Crimes of theirs Yes And disavow them and disapprove them Yes And pray for pardon Yes And be humbled for them Yes And take care not to be led by the Example or to imitate them in the least Yes And to make satisfaction and Recompence for such Possessions as far as we may if the Case be plain as they got by Oppression and direct Injustice Yes If we do thus shall we be liable to any Curse even in this Life No. Does he not spare the Children that repent Yes III. COMMANDMENT Thou shalt not take the Name c. SHould a Christian that hopes to see God use God's Name irreverently or vainly No. May he blaspheme God or curse or swear No. May a Christian take a lawful Oath before a Magistrate
own State and Condition Yes May a Man envy or grieve at his Neighbour's Good or Prosperity No. Ought we not to be just towards others not only in our actions but in our very thoughts desires and intentions Yes Should we consent to any motions of the heart of contriving to get what 's our Neighbours by unjust or unlawful means No. Is discontentedness repining and murmuring forbidden to a Christian Yes Should a Christian with vexation or greediness or immoderately seek Riches Honours or Pleasures No. Did not your Godfathers and Godmothers promise for you that you should keep these Commandments Yes And will you labour to keep them that you may please God and be admitted to him when you die Yes Will you shew your Love by your Obedience Yes Question What dost thou chiefly learn by these Commandments Answer I learn two things my Duty towards God and my c. Question What is thy Duty towards God Answer My Duty towards God is to believe in him c. IS it not your Duty to believe in God Yes Do you believe him to be an infinitely wise just powerful holy and good Spirit Yes Is not a Christian to fear God so as to be afraid to offend him Yes May a Christian fear Man more than God No. May a Man commit a Fault to please Men though he displease God No. Should we not love him who is infinitely lovely Yes Should we not love him with all our Heart Soul Mind and Strength Yes Is it not reasonble to love a great and good and wise and merciful God Yes Should we ever cease to love that God that is willing we should be saved No. Can we cease to love him who sent his Son to die for us No. Is it not reasonable we should fall down and worship that God that made us and all the World Yes Is it not reasonable we should fall down and Worship that God that can send us to Hell in an instant Yes Is it not reasonable we should give him thanks who gives us Food and Raiment Yes Must not a Christian put his whole Trust in God in all his Needs and Dangers Yes May a Christian seek to deliver himself out of them by any unlawful means No. Is not this to distrust God Yes Must not a Christian call upon him in Prayer Yes Is it not reasonable we should call upon that God that is able to help us Yes And is he not willing and ready to help us in all needs and dangers if he see it fit for us Yes Is it not reasonable we should Honour his holy Name seeing to glorifie it was the great End of our Creation Yes Is it not reasonable we should honour and love that Word which is the Message of Divine Love to us Yes Is it unreasonable we should serve such a God and obey him truly all the days of our Life No. Has he not provided eternal Rewards in Heaven for our moment's obedience here Yes And can we expect more for doing less No. Question What is thy Duty towards thy Neighbour Answer My Duty towards my Neighbour is to love him as c. SHould we not do to all men as we should be content they should do to us if they were in our condition and we in theirs Yes Are we willing to have any Evil done to our own Souls No. Should we therefore do any Evil to any other Man's No. Are we willing to have our own Bodies maimed or wounded No. Are we willing to have our own Goods or Estates injured by any Man No. Should we therefore do so to any other Mans No. Are we willing to have our own good Name taken away and slandered No. Should we then do so to any other Man's No. Are we willing to have our own Needs and Wants relieved by them that are able to do it Yes Should we therefore according to our ability relieve the Needs of others Yes Would we not have all Men deal fairly honestly and justly with us in all Cases Yes And ought we not to deal so with others Yes Is not this to love our Neighbour as our selves Yes Should a Christian hurt any man by word or deed No. Should he be just and upright in all his Dealings Yes May he bear malice hatred or ill will to any in his Heart No. May a Christian be given to lying evil-speaking and backbiting No. Should a Christian be sober chast and temperate Yes Should a Christian that hopes to see God be a Whoremonger Glutton or Drunkard No. Should we wish or desire to deprive our Neighbour of any thing that belongs to him No. Should a Christian be diligent in his calling Yes And should he be content with his State and Condition Yes SECT IV. Postulanda Or Things to be prayed for Of the Lord's Prayer Catechist MY good Child know this that thou art not able to do these things of thy self nor to walk in the commandments of God and to serve him without his special Grace which thou must learn at all times to call for by diligent Prayer Let me hear therefore if thou caust say the Lord's Prayer Answer Our Father c. CAN we keep God's Commandments without his help No. Should we not daily pray to God for his Grace and Strength to do his Will Yes Should any Christian pray less than twice every day No. Should not those who have leisure do well to do it oftner Yes Must our Heart go along with our Mouths when we pray Yes Should a Christian kneel upon his knees when he prays Yes In our Prayers should we ever leave out the Lord's Prayer No. PREFACE Our Father which art in Heaven I. PETITION Hallowed be thy Name IS not God who created us our Father Yes Are we not his Children by Adoption too Yes Is he not then our Father by Creation and our Father in Christ Jesus Yes Is this good Father of ours unwilling to hear us if we ask aright No. Is not this our Father in Heaven Yes When you say Father doth not this teach you to pray with the Affections of a Child and with reverential Love Yes When you say Our Father doth not this teach you to pray for others as well as your self Yes When we say hallowed be thy Name do we not mean Sanctified be thy Name Yes When we say hallowed be thy Name do we not desire God to enable us to Worship Glorifie and Honour him Yes Can we Reverence and Adore and Glorifie him aright unless he enable us No. Is it not fit therefore we should first desire him to strike an awe into our Hearts while we are praying to him Yes II. PETITION Thy Kingdom come WHen we say Thy Kingdom come do we not pray that God's Kingdom of Grace may come to us here Yes And do we not pray that his Kingdom of Glory may come to us hereafter Yes Can we pray for any thing better or more desirable than the Kingdom of Grace here and the
Lord Jesus Christ and through Christ of all the Faithful did make Heaven and Earth the World and all things in it seen and unseen out of nothing and by his Word only And thus I believe in God II. ARTICLE And in Iesus Christ his only Son our Lord. THE meaning is I do solemnly profess to believe firmly Jesus Christ my Lord to be the Son of God to be both God and Man That he is the Son of God by eternal Generation who did from Eternity derive his Godhead from the Father As Man he is the Son of God being conceived by the Spirit of God alone So that as he was God from all Ages so being born of a Woman he was made Man for me and my Salvation I believe there is no other Name under Heaven by which we must be saved but Jesus Christ Who though he be Lord of all things by right of the First Creation and constant preservation of them yet he is more peculiarly the Lord of us who by Faith are consecrated to his Service That as God by the work of Creation he is the Lord that made me That as God and Man by the work of Redemption he is the Lord that bought me That he came from Heaven to visit us in great Humility and died to satisfie God's Justice for our Sins I do believe this Holy Jesus who is both God and Man to be and do in all humility and thankfulness love and obedience take him for my Saviour my Advocate my Redeemer and my Lord. And thus I believe in Jesus Christ III. ARTICLE Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost born of the Virgin Mary THE meaning is I do declare that I stedfastly believe That this holy Jesus my Saviour when he was pleased to become Man for me was not conceived as other Men are but after a miraculous manner by the immediate and only Power of the Holy Ghost or Holy Spirit of God was conceived in the Womb of a vertuous and holy blessed and pure Virgin known by the name of Mary Who being espoused to Joseph of Nazareth was yet before and after her Espousals a pure and unspotted Virgin Who after the natural Time of other Women brought forth the holy Infant the only begotten Son of God who was still God as well as an Infant His holy Mother still a most pure and immaculate Virgin A Virgin who was of the House and Lineage of David he being therefore called the Son of David And I Adore the infinite Wisdom of God who caused him to be born without the least shadow of Original Corruption who was to deliver us from the guilt of Sin I Adore the infinite Wisdom of God who caused his Conception and Nativity to be perfectly Immaculate that so being without Sin himself he might be a fit Sacrifice to atone for us Sinners And I Adore the infinite Wisdom of God who was pleased to order that he should be both God and Man who was to be the Mediator between God and Man and to reconcile God and Man And thus I believe he was conceived by the Holy Ghost born of the Virgin Mary IV. ARTICLE Suffered under Pontius Pilate was crucified dead and buried He descended into Hell THE meaning is I do declare that I do assent to this as an undoubted Truth and firmly believe that Jesus Christ my Saviour who was both God and Man having published his Gospel among the Jews he was accused by them out of meer Malice and brought before a Man called Pontius Pilate who was the Roman Governor of the Country where Christ lived which was Judea With Grief and Love I profess to believe that they the Jews tumultuously prevailed with Pilate to sentence him to Death though he declared he found no fault in him The Death which he sentenced him to was that most shameful painful and accursed Death on the Cross Before that Sentence was executed the Jewish Rabble and the Roman Souldiers mocked spit upon buffetted scourged and most vilely abused him I declare with Grief and Love that I believe this my Saviour was Crucified for me that is that his Hands and Feet were nailed to a Cross till he died I believe firmly that he Died as other Men and the reason of it was that he might reconcile the World to his Father and become a Sacrifice for all our Sins or that he might reconcile the Divine Justice and Mercy together that as Man he was to die to suffer in our stead as God he was to merit and make Satisfaction for our Sins and thus he became an infinite Satisfaction to an infinite Justice I entirely believe that when he had given up the Ghost and was dead that his dead Body was by Joseph of Arimathea wrapped in fine Linen and buried in a new Tomb I believe that he being dead and his Soul separated from his Body that he continued in the State of Separation or in the State of the Dead for a time and though between the time that he died and the third Day on which he rose again he did descend into Hell 't was not to suffer any thing there but to triumph over the Devil in his own Kingdom and Quarters and to shew him the Victory he had got over him To break the Iron Bars of these lower Prisons that they might open and shut for ever after only at his Command And thus I believe That he suffered under Pontius Pilate was Crucified dead and buried and descended into Hell V. ARTICLE The third Day he rose again from the dead THE meaning is I do solemnly profess That I assent to this as an undoubted Truth that Jesus Christ our Saviour though he was crucified and died for our Sins and by his Death had overcome Death did not continue long in the State of Death for his Soul was separated from his Body and his Body lay in the Grave but till the Third Day Upon the Third Day after he was buried reckoning that very Day on which he was buried for the First he by his own infinite Power as he was God did revive and raise himself by uniting the same Soul to the same Body and opened his Grave and came out of it and openly shewed himself alive for he conversed with his Disciples for the space of Forty Days after he arose from the Grave till he went away to Heaven And thus I believe that the Third Day he rose again from the Dead VI. ARTICLE He ascended into Heaven and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty THE meaning is I do firmly believe that our dearest Lord after he rose out of the Grave stayed on Earth for the space of Forty Days In which time he ordered his Disciples how they should preach the Gospel and govern the Church and promised them the Holy Ghost At the End of the Forty Days he walks with them a Mile or Two out of the City of Jerusalem and when he had blessed them there comes down a Cloud and
here as well as an eternally happy Life hereafter For what length of days in Canaan was to the Jews that to us is immortal Life in Heaven what being excluded thence was then that now is everlasting Death or Banishment into the Regions of Misery So that here again if we reflect on what is injoined us in this Commandment as we ought and what is forbidden in it and then reflecting upon our own Lives find any of the Duties of it neglected by us or any of the Sins against it adventured on in Thought Word or Action how earnestly and devoutly should we say with the Church Lord have Mercy upon us and incline our Hearts to keep this Law That is Lord pity and pardon all our past Breaches of this Commandment and so incline our Hearts to Love and Obedience for the future that by thy Grace we may most sincerely keep this Law of thine for the remainder of our Days VI. COMMANDMENT Thou shalt do no Murder Sins forbidden THE meaning is Thou shalt not commit either the murder of the Heart the murder of the Tongue or the murder of the Hand and Actions Thou shalt not be guilty of the murder of the Heart by Malice Envy Revenge Contention inward Cruelty or Hatred for he that hateth his Brother is a murderer Or by inward ill Wishes Curses or Desires of mischief to his Life or Health Thou shalt not be guilty of the murder of the Tongue by any virulent bitter intemperate and contumelious speaking railing or reviling by any rash causeless immoderate or implacable Anger that expresses it self in foul provoking and reproachful Language calling of names Fool Raca or the like Thou shalt not commit the murder of the Hand and Actions by beating maiming wounding killing any other or by doing hurt to the Body Life and Health of thy Neighbour Thou shalt by no means fight a Duel Thou shalt not procure Abortions or Miscarriages Thou shalt not be a quarreller or unpeaceable or contentious person or sow strifes and dissentions Here also is forbidden all unjust and unlawful War Thou shalt not willingly hasten thy own or any others Death Thou shalt not by oppression or violence so imbitter any Man's Spirit as to make his Life sad and miserable or his Death hasty Thou shalt not conceal the dangers of thy Neighbour which thou canst safely discover Thou shalt not willfully vex threaten keep in fear disquiet or grieve thy Neighbour Thou shalt not contrive with or imploy any other to harm him Much less shalt thou murder or injure the Souls of others by encouraging ensnaring tempting commanding or any way drawing them to sin Thou shalt not be guilty of unmercifulness cruelty inhumanity grudging repining and rancour and disdain against others Thou shalt not be a person given to irreconciliation frowardness implacableness mocking scoffing brawling clamour detraction or censoriousness Duties commanded So that these things being forbidden it follows that what we are here commanded is That we use all lawful endeavours and means to preserve our own and our Neighbour's Life and Health and Safety As much as in us lies to preserve and follow Peace with all Men. To prevent as far as possible and hinder all murther of the Tongue Heart or Hand To be merciful bountiful and charitable to all that are necessitous and in distress To be gentle long-suffering courteous affable and kind to all Men. To love one another forbear one another forgive one another to do all offices of Charity for one another to be easily pacified and reconciled to one another ready to return good for evil to repay injuries with kindness to compassionate succour and relieve one another in necessity misery or danger according to our abilities and opportunities to be compassionately zealous to save the Life the Eternal Life of Souls by endeavouring to reclaim the Wicked by friendly seasonable and affectionate advice reproof and exortation And now if we consider here as we ought what 't is that is enjoined us in this Commandment and what is forbidden in it and then reflecting upon our own lives find any of the Duties of it neglected by us or any of the Sins against it adventured on in Thought Word or Action how affectionately should we always say with the Church Lord have mercy upon us and incline our Hearts to keep this Law That is Lord pity and pardon all our past Breaches of this Commandment and so incline our Hearts to love and obey thee for the future that through thy Grace we may most sincerely keep this Law of thine for the remainder of our Days VII COMMANDMENT Thou shalt not commit Adultery THE meaning is Thou shalt watchfully preserve thy Soul and Body in the Purity and Chastity either of single Life Duties commanded or lawful Marriage Thou shalt keep all the Parts of thy Body which is the Temple of the Holy Ghost chast and undefiled Thou shalt be Chast in Heart in Tongue and in Behaviour Thou shalt have a Chast Hand and Eye and Ear. Thou shalt avoid all opportunities means occasions and instruments of defiling either thy Neighbour or thy self Thou shalt use that sobriety temperance and moderation in Meats and Drinks and that modesty in Behaviour and Apparel as may be most conducive to the preservation of Chastity and Purity Thou shalt by Watching Fasting and Prayer by keeping sober honest and chast Company by avoiding Idleness or by Lawful and Holy Marriage offer up to God that most acceptable Sacrifice of a pure Soul and a chast Body These things being here commanded us we are forbidden as follows Thou shalt not commit or be Sins forbidden guilty of any actions of uncleanness with thy self or any other Thou shalt not use any filthy or unchast words immodest or impure Communications or Gestures Thou shalt not violate thy Neighbour's Bed or break thy own Marriage Vow or cause others to break theirs by Adultery Thou shalt not commit Incest Beastiality Sodomy Polygamy or having more Wives than one Whoredom or Fornication Thou shalt not willingly admit or delight in unchast and unclean thoughts fancies desires and imaginations Thou shalt not commit the Adultery or Fornication or unchastity of the Eye Hand or Heart Thou shalt not be guilty of wanton dalliances with others or of pollution of thy own Body Thou shalt not tempt or betray thy self or others to the least degrees of Uncleanness by those things that provoke and feed Lust as Lascivious Company or Discourse Songs Books or Pictures by Luxurious Diet Idleness wantor Dresses and immodest Actions Here also if we seriously consider as we ought what 't is that is enjoined us in this Commandment and what is forbidden in it and then reflecting upon our own Lives find any of the duties of it neglected by us or any of the Sins against it sadly adventured on by us in Thought Word or Action how affectionately should we say with the Church Lord have Mercy upon us and incline our Hearts
sinful Lusts of the Flesh chiefly are Gal. 5.19 20 21. Now the Works of the Flesh are manifest which are these Adultery Fornication uncleanness Lasciviousness Idolatry Witchcraft Hatred Variance Emulations Wrath Strife Seditions Heresies Envyings Murthers Drunkenness Revellings and such like Of the which I tell you before as I have also told you in time past that they which do such things shall not inherit the Kingdom of God Prove that you are to believe all the Articles of the Christian Faith Mark 16.16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved but he that believeth not shall be damned Heb. 10.23 Let us hold fast the Profession of our Faith without wavering Prove that you are to keep God's Holy Will and Commandments Rom. 12.2 That ye may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect Will of God 1 Joh. 5.3 For this is the Love of God that we keep his Commandments Prove that you are to walk in the same all the days of your Life Eph. 2.10 For we are his Workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good Works which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them Rom. 6.4 Even so we also should walk in newness of Life Luke 1.75 In Holiness and Righteousness before him all the days of our Life Question Dost thou not think that thou art bound to believe and to do as they have promised for thee Answer Yes verily and by God's help so I will And I heartily thank our Heavenly Father that he hath called me to this State of Salvation through Iesus Christ our Saviour And I pray unto God to give me his Grace that I may continue in the same unto my Lives end Prove that you are bound to perform this Vow and Promise Psal 22.25 I will pay my Vows before them that fear him Deut. 23.21 When thou shalt vow a Vow unto the Lord thy God thou shalt not slack to pay it For the Lord thy God will surely require it of thee 1 Thes 2.12 That ye would walk worthy of God who hath called you unto his Kingdom and Glory Prove that we are bound heartily to thank God for calling us to this state of Salvation Col. 1.12 13. Giving thanks unto the Father which hath made us meet to be Partakers of the Inheritance of the Saints in Light Who hath delivered us from the power of Darkness and hath translated us into the Kingdom of his dear Son Prove that we are to pray unto God for his Grace to assist us to continue in the same Matth. 7.7 Ask and it shall be given you seek and ye shall find knock and it shall be opened unto you Heb. 4.16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the Throne of Grace that we may obtain Mercy and find Grace to help in time of need Psal 84.11 The Lord will give Grace and Glory no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly Prove that you are to continue in this Faith to your Life's end Matth. 24.13 He that endureth to the end the same shall be saved The Creed follows I believe c. Prove the first Article of your Creed that there is but one God Mark 12.29 Jesus answered him the first of all the Commandments is Hear O Israel the Lord our God is one Lord. Prove that he is our Father Joh. 8.41 We have one Father even God Matth. 6.9 Our Father which art in Heaven Prove that he is Almighty Gen. 17.1 I am the Almighty God Prove that he is the Maker of Heaven and Earth Acts 17.24 God that made the world and all things therein seeing that he is the Lord of Heaven and Earth Prove that you are to believe in Jesus Christ Acts 16.31 Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved and thy house Prove that he is the only Son of God St. Joh. 3.18 But he that believeth not is condemned already because he hath not believed on the name of the only-begotten Son of God Prove that he is our Lord. Acts 2.36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God hath made the same Jesus whom ye have crucified both Lord and Christ Prove that he was conceived by the Holy ghost St. Luke 1.35 And the Angel answered and said unto her The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God St. Matth. 1.20 That which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost Prove that he was born St. Luke 2.6 7. And so it was that while they were there the days were accomplished that she should be delivered And she brought forth her first-born Son Luke 2.11 Unto you is born this day in the City of David a Saviour which is Christ the Lord. Prove that he was born of a Virgin St. Matth. 1.22 23. Now all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the Prophet saying Behold a Virgin shall be with Child and shall bring forth a Son Prove that this blessed Virgin 's name was Mary St. Matth. 1.18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise whenas his Mother Mary was espoused to Joseph Prove that he suffered under Pontius Pilate St. Matth. 27.2 And when they had bound him they led him away and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the Governour Prove that he was crucified St. Matth. 27.35 And they crucified him Prove that he was dead St. Luke 23.46 And when Josus had cried with a loud voice he said Father into thy hands I commend my Spirit and having said thus he gave up the Ghost Prove that Jesus Christ was buried St. Matth. 27.59 And when Joseph had taken the body he wrapped it in a clean linen cloath and laid it in his own new Tomb. Prove that he descended into Hell Eph. 4.9 10. Now that he ascended what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the Earth He that descended is the same also that ascended Acts 2.31 He seeing this before spake of the Resurrection of Christ that his Soul was not left in Hell neither his Flesh did see corruption Prove that he rose again the third day from the dead 1 Cor. 15.4 He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures Acts 10.40 Him God raised up the third day Prove that he ascended into Heaven St. Luke 24.51 And it came to pass while he blessed them he was parted from them and carried up into Heaven Acts 1.9 And when he had spoken these things while they beheld he was taken up and a Cloud received him out of their Sight Prove that he sitteth at the Right-Hand of God that is that he is exalted to the greatest Power and Glory in Heaven Mark 16.19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them he was received up into Heaven and sat on the Right-Hand of God Eph. 1.20 21 22. Which he wrought in Christ
in the sight of them all carried him through the Air into Heaven where he now sits to prepare a place for us and intercedes to God for all faithful penitent Sinners I believe he sits at God's right hand that is that he is there exalted to the greatest Power and Glory Not that God has Hands as we have for God is a Spirit and a Spirit has no Hands as we have But as with us the right Hand is a Place of Honour so I am fully perswaded that Jesus Christ is exalted in Heaven to the greatest Honour Power and Glory and there pleads and mediates with God for all those that believe in him repent of their Disobediences and live a New and Christian Life And thus I believe that he ascended in Heaven and sitteth at the right Hand of God VII ARTICLE From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead THE meaning is I do freely and fully assent to this as an undoubted Truth That Jesus Christ who is both God and Man at the End of the World shall certainly come again with Power and great Glory from the same Heaven into which he ascended attended by his Holy Angels to Judge all Mankind according as they have lived here That every Eye shall see him and they that pierced his Hands and Feet shall behold his Majesty his Terror and his Glory I believe that the World being dissolved and the Earth and all things thereon being burnt up the Lord Jesus shall sit in the Air in a Glorious Throne and shall judge the quick that is all those that shall be alive at his Coming and the dead that is all those that were dead before since the World began That the Records of their Conscience shall be laid open that is all that ever they thought or spake or did shall be brought to their Memory I believe firmly That he will judge them Righteously and them that have lived unholily irreligiously and died impenitently he shall sentence to eternal Darkness But them that have believed in him repented of and reformed their Sins and lived holy and good lives he shall adjudge to dwell with him in Heaven and Happiness for ever And thus I believe he shall come to judge the quick and the dead VIII ARTICLE I believe in the Holy Ghost THE meaning is I firmly believe That the Third Person in the adorable Trinity the Holy Ghost or Holy Spirit is God as well as the Father and the Son I believe him to be a Person distinct from both the Father and the Son eternally proceeding from both and equally sent by both and joint Author with both of our Salvation That though these are Three Persons yet are they but One God and though this cannot be fully understood in this World yet I believe it firmly I believe That as God the Father created me and God the Son redeemed me so this God the Holy Ghost or Holy Spirit sanctifies me offers me his Grace and Assistance to do the Will of God is my Comforter and always 't is he that puts into my Mind good Desires and pious Purposes So that I believe intirely that he is not only of perfect Holiness in himself but also that he is the immediate Cause of all Holiness in us that by him all the Servants of God are enabled to do all things necessary to Salvation which by the force of Nature they cannot do That 't is he who enlightens our Understandings sanctifies our Will orders and commands our Affections that 't is by his Assistances imparted to us that we speak or do any thing of our Duty Thus I believe God the Father God the Son and God the Holy Ghost not to be Three Gods but Three Persons and but One God And though I shall never in this Life fully comprehend this Mystery of the Trinity yet I firmly believe it And thus I believe in the Holy Ghost IX ARTICLE I believe in the Holy Catholick Church The Communion of Saints THE meaning is I do freely profess to believe That Jesus Christ did by the Preaching of the Apostles gather unto himself a Church consisting of Thousands of beliving Persons to which he daily added such as should be saved and will successively and daily add to the same to the End of the World That this Catholick that is Universal Church is the Corporation or general Family of all true Believers Or that Body or Society of Persons that profess Christ and his Gospel and is governed and continued under Bishops and Pastors lawfully called to that Office by whom the Word and Sacraments are duly Preached and administer'd under Christ their Head I firmly believe this Church of Christ to be One Holy and Catholick One in respect of our Faith One in respect of the Sacraments One in respect of being guided and directed by the same Spirit One in respect of One and the same Head Christ Jesus and One in respect of the same Hope of Glory and Immortality Holy in respect of its Head the Holy Jesus Holy by baptismal Dedication Holy in respect of its Design and End Holy in respect of the Holy Offices performed in it all which tend to produce Holiness and Holy in respect of its Calling Profession and Hope Catholick in respect of that Catholick Faith Truth and Doctrine which it teaches Catholick or Universal in respect of that Universal Obedience which it obligeth all Men to Catholick in respect of time that is it shall universally be continued to all Ages to the End of the World Catholick or Universal because 't is made up of all the particular Churches in the World Catholick in respect of that universal War which it always is to hold against all its Ghostly Enemies Catholick or Universal in this Sense that it is not limitted or confined to one Nation as the Church of the Jews was but by the Command and Appointment of Christ to be spread abroad and gathered from all Nations under Heaven I believe That of this Catholick Church part is on Earth and part in Heaven that is the Saints departed are the triumphant part of the Church and all true Believers Lovers and Obeyers of Jesus are the Church Militant And as I ever desire to be a Member of this Holy Catholick Church so I believe there is and ought to be a Communion of the Saints in it that is a Society or Fellowship one with another in all Holy Things As all Saints on Earth or all true Believers have in common One God One Christ One Holy Spirit One Lord One Faith One Baptism So I believe they ever did and ought to keep up a Holy Fellowship or Society with each other in all the common Christian offices and duties in Faith in professing the Gospel in hearing the Word in receiving the Sacraments in Charity and doing good to each other and in all common Christian offices of Piety and Devotion And I fully am perswaded that while the Saints or true Believers on Earth