the experience of senses nor relyeth upon strength of reason but upon the power and authority of God who can neither deceive nor ever be deceived Q. Why is it called the Apostles Creed A. To distinguish it from the other two Creeds used in the Church Liturgie viz. St. Athanasius his Creed and the Nicene Creed as also from all other Confessions of Faith as that of Calcedon c. Q. Were the Apostles then the Composers of this Creed as St. Athanasius was of his and the Nicene Fathers were of theirs Or was it gathered out of their Writings only as agreeable to their Doctrine A. The Apostles themselves were the Composers of it Q. At what time did the Apostles compose their Creed A. When they were all together at Jerusalem filled with the Holy Ghost before they dispersed themselves abroad to preach the Gospel to several Nations then they agreed upon this as the common Subject and Rule of all their Preaching that there might be no difference in their Doctrines after their departures one from another Anno Domini Christi 44. Anno Imperatoris Claudij 2. July 15. Q. Was it composed by them all together and delivered as the common result of their joynt determination like the Decrees of a General Council or did every several Apostle deliver his own particular Dictate in it and so every one give in his Article A. It is an antient and received Tradition that every one of the Apostles composed his several Article and therefore they are twelve Articles according to the number of the twelve Apostles Q. Can you tell me which Article was made by each particular Apostle A. Yes according to the Tradition St. Peter gave in the first I believe in God the Father Almighty maker of Heaven and Earth St. Andrew the second And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord. St. John the Evangelist the third Which was conceived by the Holy Ghost born of the Virgin Mary St. James the Son of Zebedee the fourth Suffered under Pontius Pilate was Crucified Dead and Buried St. Thomas the fifth He descended into Hell the third day he rose again from the Dead St. James the Son of Alpheus the sixth He ascended into Heaven and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty St. Philip the seventh From thence shall he come to judge the quick and the dead St. Bartholomew the eighth I believe in the Holy Ghost St. Matthew the ninth The Holy Catholick Church the Communion of Saints St. Simon the tenth The Remission of Sins St. Judas Thaddeus the eleventh The Resurrection of the Body St. Matthias the twelfth The life everlasting Q. Is there any probability of truth in this Tradition A. There is first the like probability that is in other Ecclesiastical Traditions in that it hath been delivered to us by Godly men who of their piety were not willing and in policy could have no reason to deceive us with a false story Then again this is plainly intimated in that Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and from thence the Latin word Symbolum which signifieth a Shot a Collation or Contribution and implyeth that every particular Apostle conferred his several Article to the whole Sum and Reckoning of the Creed Q. But hath not the Word divers other significations A. Yes And very fitly answering to the Creed As when it is called an Agreement it signifieth that it was consented to by all Sometimes it is a watch word a signal or mark of distinction by which a man may know his fellow-souldier from his enemy And so it is the badge of our Profession by which you may know the difference between a Christian and an Infidel as a Souldier is known in the field as well by the Word as by his Coat and his Colors Yet the first sense as it is a Contribution or Share or Shot is as proper as any and seemeth most to be warranted by the Derivation and Etymologie of the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 à conjiciendo from casting together or adding one thing to another Q. Why is it called Creed A. Creed is of the first word in Latin Credo to believe So that to say our Creed is to say our Belief that is that which is to be believed Q. Is it sufficient for a Christian man to believe those things only that are contained in the Apostles Creed A. Those things especially are the first and immediate object of our Faith and are to be believed in express terms But also with those we must believe the Canonical Scriptures out of which they may be proved and the expositions and right consequences drawn by the Church from them both and also the other Orthodox and Catholick Confessions of Faith as the Creeds of St. Athanasius Nice and Chalcedon And also those Traditions which we have received by faithful hands from the Apostles As that these and none other are Canonical Scriptures That the Jews Sabbath which was on the last day of the week to wit on Saturday is changed into our Lords-day or Sunday That the power of Governing the Church and Imposition of hands belongs to the Bishops and such like that are agreeable to the Articles of our Creed Q. But is not this to make new Articles of Faith No. These are but explanations of and deductions from the Apostles Creed As the Nicene Athanasian and Chalcedon Creeds are not new ones or other Creeds but the expositions of the old one And concerning those aforenamed Traditions 1. When I know this Creed is agreable to and to be proved by the Canonical Scriptures then I must believe that to be the Scripture which the Church by Tradition commendeth unto us for the same 2. Again When I believe there is a God and that he is to be worshipped and so that some time is to be set a part for his service then I am easily induced to believe that This day that is the Lords-day is the fittest standing time which was first begun by our Saviours Resurrection and seconded by his appearing to his Disciples confirmed by the coming of the Holy Ghost and by the meetings of the Apostles and continued unto our time by the practice of the whole Church 3. Lastly When as I believe the Holy Catholick Church to be a Communion of Saints a company of faithful people then it easily followeth in my perswasion That our Saviour Christ who is the God of order left not this Society in confusion for every man to do and teach when and what he listeth as though all Christians upon their Baptism had presently power given them to Govern Teach and Ordain in the Church as they should see occasion But that our Saviour left this power to his Apostles and they left their Authority to set things in order that should be wanting in the Church upon emergent occasions and to Ordain Priests in every City not to all Christians nay nor to all Priests but to some particular men as to St. Timothy at
St. Pet. 3.9 Q. But why then are not all men effectually Redeemed but many become the sons of Perdition A. Because when as He hath given the sufficient price of their Redemption yet they like the Servant that would not go out free Exod. 21.6 chuse still to continue the servants of sin When He gathereth them as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings they will not St. Mat. 23.37 So like Israel they destroy themselves when as in Him is their help Hosea 13.9 They bar themselves of the benefit of His Redemption either they are not in Christ they enter not into Covenant with Him at all and then without Him there is no Redemption or else if they be in Him if they have entered the Covenant with Him in Baptism they break the conditions that they make with him And He Redeemed them not so absolutely as though He would save them whether they will or no but only upon condition of their Repentance and Faith and Obedience according to their promise in Baptism Q. What do these six Articles concerning Christ declare A. 1. His Person in the 2d Article 2. His Humiliation in the 3d and 4th Articles 3. His Exaltation in the 5th 6th and 7th Articles Q. What do you observe in the Person of Christ out of the second Article A. 1. His Name Jesus 2. His Office Christ 3. His Divinity or Godhead His Only Son 4. His Title Our Lord. Q. What do you call His Name A. Jesus Q. What is nhe meaning of that Name A. A Saviour for so the Angel bid Joseph call his Name Jesus because He shall save His people from their sins St. Mat. 1.21 Jesus of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 jashang to save Q. What is His Office A. To be a King a Priest and a Prophet Q. VVhere is that taught us A. In the Word Christ Q. How doth the VVord Christ import all these Offices A. Christ of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ungo according to the Greek As Messiah of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Mashach in Hebrew signifieth Anoynted Now we read in Scripture of three sorts that were Anoynted The first were Kings as Samuel Anoynted David 1. Sam. 16.13 The second were Priests as Aaron and his Sons Exod. 40.13 15. The third were Prophets as Elijah is sent to Anoynt Elisha the Prophet in his room 1 Kings 19.16 And therefore Christ is called a King Zach. 9.9 St. Mat. 21.5 St. John 18.37 And a Priest Psal 110.4 Heb 5.7 8. And also a Prophet Deat 18.18 Acts 7.37 Q. VVhat benefit comes to us by all these Offices of Christs A. 1. He Rules and Defends as a King 2. He cleanseth us from sin by the Sacrifice of himself as a Priest And thirdly He teacheth us as a Prophet Q. Out of what words do you learn to believe Christs Divinity or Godhead A. Out of these words His that is Gods only Son in that He is the only begotten Son of God as in the Nicene Creed not a Son by Creation as all Creatures Nor a Son by Adoption as Man but His only Son by an eternal and unsearchable Generation in respect of his Godhead which teacheth us that he is not only Coâ—eternal and Co-equal but also Con-substantial of one and the self same substance with God the Father For to be a Son is to be partaker of the very Nature Essence and Being of the Father Now Gods Essence and Nature is Infinite and Indivisible without bounds or parts and wheresoever that which is Infinite is there it is all compleat and whole so that God cannot beget a Son which is but part of and not all and wholly His Essence therefore since He is the Son of God in Him dwelleth the fulness of the Godhead bodily that is personally Col. 2.9 Q But is Christ in respect of His Manhood called the Son of God A. Yes As by an eternal and unsearchable Generation in respect of His Godhead He is the Son of God who hath begotten Him of His own Substance God of God very God of very God as in the Nicene Creed So by grace of Personal Union in respect of His Manhood Christ is the Son of God who hath sanctified the Humane Nature by the operation of the Holy Ghost in the Womb of the ever blessed Virgin St. Mary and inseparably united it to the Godhead in the Person of the Son so that the Holy Thing which was Conceived by the overshaddowing of the Holy Ghost and born of the Virgin Mary is called the Son of God St. Luke 1.35 Q. Hath God no other Son but Christ A. No other such as He Indeed we are the Sons of God by Grace of Adoption and other Creatures by power of Creation But by the external and unsearchable Generation and by communion of Nature and Substance Christ is Gods only Son as it is in the Evangelist the only begotten of the Father St. John 1.14 Q. What is Christs Title A. Lord. Q. How is Christ said to be our Lord A. 1. By right of Creation Gen. 1.1 St. John 1.3 2. By right of Preservation Heb. 1.3 3. By right of Dominion Psal 8.1 6. St. Mat. 28.18 4. By right of the Covenant Stipulation and Agreement that is between Him and us Deut. 26.16 17 18. Ezek. 16.8 5. By right of Redemption Act. 20.28 Eph. 1.7 Q. Wherein is Christs Humiliation A. In His Incarnation Art 3. Passion Art 4. Q. What do you observe in Christs Incarnation A. His Humanity or Manhood in that for us Men and for our Salvation He came down from Heaven and was Incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary and was made Man like unto us in all things sin only excepted Q. How doth it appear that Christs Humane Nature was without sin A. In that He was Conceived by the Holy Ghost and born of a pure Virgin one that never knew Man and so was not begotten after the manner of other men of the corrupted and sinful Seed of Adam Q. But could She being a Virgin have a Son How is that possible for Her that knew not a Man A. It is true it is impossible by the power of Nature and therefore it is called a Miracle Isa 7.14 done by the power of God St. Luke 1.35 And this as it sheweth Christs Humane Nature being made of a Woman born under the Law so it intimateth His Divine Nature in that He was born of such a Woman as never knew Man Q. But who was the Virgin Mary A. A Woman of the Nation of the Jews of the Tribe of Judah of the Linage or Family of David And so Christ was of the Seed of David according to flesh and therefore bone of Mans bone and flesh of Mans flesh Q. Then how many Natures are there in Christ A. Two The Godhead and the Manhood Q. Why was it necessary that Christ should be God A. 1. That He might overcome Death 2. That He might have power to prevail with His Father 3. That He might make
out many inventions Eccles 7.29 by which he defaced that image and made himself a sinner and for this had suffered eternal death had he not been Redeemed by the death of Christ Q Wherein is Christs Exaltation A. 1. In His Victory over Hell 2. In His Resurrection 3. In His Ascention 4. In His Session at the right hand of God 5. In His coming again to judge the quick and the dead Q. What do you think of Christs descent into Hell in the fifth Article A. I believe that after the death of His body His humane soul went down really and locally into Hell Q. In what sence do you take Hell here A. I take Hell here as I take Christs Death and Burial in the former Article that is in the litteral sense For as Christ died for us and was buried so also it is to be believed litterally that He went down into Hell Art 3. of the Church of England Q. What do you mean by these words He rose again the third day A. I mean that He was not raised by any other but rose again of Himself by His own power For as He gave up the Ghost when He died no man took away His life from Him but He layed it down of Himself so He took His life again of and by Himself Q. Why is it said He rose again the third day whenas it is evident by the story of His Passion as it is set down by the holy Evangelists that there were not forty hours between His Death and His Resurrection A. You must understand that the Jews reckoned their Natural day consisting of 24. hours from evening to evening And then you must by a Synechdoche which putteth part for the whole take two parts of two days for two whole days and reckon part of Good-Fryday being the day of the Jews preparation on which day He was Crucified from the ninth to the twelfth hour for one day Then the Sabbath day or Saturday from Sun-set to Sun-set was one entire whole day this was the second And then lastly the night following the Sabbath or Saturday to the dawning of the first day of the week that we call the Lords-day or Sunday must be taken for the third day He was Crucified Dead and Buried on Fryday towards the evening His body lay in the Grave all Saturday He rose again on the Sunday morning St. Luke 24.31 which was the third day after His death Q. Why are Christs Descent into Hell and His Resurrection put together into one Article A. Because in these two poynts is contained all whatsoever Christ hath merited for us by His Death For the Redemption of our Souls is compleated by His conquering the Devil in His descent into Hell by His Soul and the Redemption of our Bodies is compleated by His conquering Death in the glorious Resurrection of His Body Q. What is contained in the sixth Article A. Christs Ascention into Heaven and Session at the right hand of God In His Incarnation was the beginning in this is the end of His Pilgrimage here on Earth In that was His Humiliation in His Resurrection and this is His Exaltation Q. But was not Christ always in Heaven A. Yes According to His Godhead which is always every where but by way of special presence most eminently in Heaven and was then in Heaven when it was with His Soul in Hell and with His Body in the Grave But His Manhood in His Humane Body and Soul came not into Heaven till His Ascention which was forty days after His Resurrection Q. VVhat were the reasons of Christs Ascention into Heaven A. 1. Because there was no other place sutable to His glorious Body 2. Because it was but just and equal that His Manhood should take possession of that Kingdom of glory which He had purchased by His Passion 3. Than He might shew His Kingdom not to be of this world and so that He was not to be looked upon as Man but to be worshiped as God 4. That He might therefore prepare a place for us 5. That He might thereby draw our minds and affections after Him and cause our conversation to be in Heaven c. Phil. 3.20 Q. VVhat are the benefits that we have by His Ascention A. 1. Upon His Ascention we have the Comforter sent unto us St. Joh. 1.6.7 by whom He giveth His gifts to men Eph 4.8 1 Cor. 12. 2. He appeareth in the presence of God for us Heb. 9.24 So that If any man sin we have an Advocate with Father Jesus Christ the Righteous and He is the Propitiation for our sin and not for ours only but for the sins of the whole world 1. St. John 2.1 2. 3. Where He is there shall we be also St. John 14.3 17.24 Q. But why is the Session of Christ at the right hand of God added to this Article A. Because as His Ascention into Heaven setteth forth the glory and Majesty of His Person by the place where He is so this may shew the exercise of His power in that place Q. But is there any right hand or left with God A. No. For indeed God is a Spirit that hath neither flesh nor bones nor any part of a body Q. How then is it said that Christ is on the right hand of God A. This is a Trope or Metaphorical changing of the word as it is frequent to observe in holy Scriptures when we speak of God after the manner of men attributing to Him humane affections and members according to our capacities And yet indeed whenas He is a Spirit there can be nothing that hath any part of a body imagined to be in Man But because in our conversation with men we take Him to have the greatest honor which is placed on the right hand therefore transferring and comparing this to things in Heaven to express the glory of Christ which as Man He hath attained unto above all others Men and Angels we say that He is set on the right hand of the Father on the right hand of the Throne of Majesty in Heaven Heb. 8.1 And so accordingly we must take Sittting not for the site and posture of the body but for the firm and sure possession of that Royal Power and highest glory which He as Man hath received of the Father Who hath set Him on His own right hand in Heavenly places far above all Principalities and Powers c. Eph. 1.20 21 22 23. Q. What do you observe in the seventh Article concerning His coming again to Judge the quick and the dead A. The four last things viz. Death Judgment Hell and Heaven Q. How do you gather these three A. Because first it is appointed for all men once to die or else to be changed at the last day Then cometh the Judgment and by this they that are acquitted shall go into Heaven and they that are condemned shall go into Hell And this will be the last act of Christs Office Then He shall deliver up