Ephesus and to St. Titus in Creet c. And therefore they only that is the Bishops are to be acknowledged to have this Authority of Jurisdiction and Ordination who can derive it from the Apostles and prove themselves in these very things to be the Apostles Successors Q. VVhat do you chiefly learn out of the Articles of the Christian Faith 1. I learn to believe in God the Father who hath made me and all the world 2. In God the Son who hath redeemed me and all mankind 3. In God the Holy Ghost who sanctifieth me and all the elect people of God Q. VVhat Do you believe there be three Gods A. No There be three Persons and but one God The Father the Son and the Holy-ghost are onely one Con-substantial Co-eternal and Co-equal Essence but three persons Q. VVhat do you mean by a Person A. A Person is one who hath his own subsistence which no other besides hath proper to himself Q. How is it possible that there should be three Persons in one Essence A. With men it is impossible but not with God Indeed this is such an high and and dreadful Mystery that it is not safe to say any more of it but that I do believe it that there is three in one The Father is made of none as it is in St. Athanasius his Creed The Son is of the Father alone and the Holy-ghost is of both And by these several properties they are really distinguished each from other For the substance of God with this property to be of none maketh the Person of the Father The very self-same substance with this property to be of the father maketh the Person of the Son The same substance having added to it the property of proceeding from the other two maketh the person of the Holy Ghost So that in every Person there is implyed both the Substance of God which is one and also that property which causeth the same Perrson really and truly to differ from the other two This is the truth But how cometh it to pass I cannot say you need not nay you must not search only believe Q. Out of what words in the Creed do you learn to believe in God the Father who hath made you and all the world A. Out of the words of the first Article I believe in God the Father Almighty maker of Heaven and Earth Q. What do you observe in this Article A. 1. That there is a God 2. That there is but one God 3. That there are divers Persons in the Godhead implyed in Father 4. That God expresseth himself to us 1. By the Unity of his Essence God 2. By Trinity of Persons Father 3. By his Attributes as Almightiness Infiniteness c. 4. By his Works expresly of Creation and consequently of Preservation of Heaven and Earth and all things that are therein visible and invisible Q. Do you not believe that the Son and the Holy Ghost is also Almighty and Maker of Heaven and Earth A. Yes For as we say the Father is God the Son is God and the Holy Ghost is God and yet they are not three Gods but one God So we say the Father is Almighty the Son is Almghty and the Holy Ghost is Almighty and yet there are not three Almighties but one Almighty And so we say the Father is the Maker of Heaven and Earth and the Son is Maker of Heaven and Earth and the Holy Ghost is Maker of Heaven and Earth and yet they are not three Makers but one Maker of Heaven and Earth For although by a peculiar manner of speaking according to our capacity in respect of the Persons we call the Father Almighty Maker of Heaven and Earth because he is the first of the Persons in the Godhead And we attribute Wisdom to the Son because he is the eternal Word of the Father And Goodness to the Holy Ghost because he is the Love of them both Yet indeed these and all other outward Actions and Attributes of God are common to all the Persons of the Godhead Q. In what Articles do you learn to beleive in God the Son who hath Redeemed you and all Mankind A. In the 2 3 4 5 6 7 Articles Q. What is the reason that the work of Mans Redemption done by the second Person in the Trinity is more largly and in more Articles set down than the work of the Worlds Creation A. 1. Because it cost more to Redeem the Soul than to make the World The work of Redemption is greater than the work of Creation and consisteth of more circumstances 2. To teach us that as we ought to respect other Doctrine so this in a more special manner as that we determin to know and rejoyce in nothing more than in Jesus Christ and him Crucified Q. Could not God have Redeemed Mankind by a word as easily as have made the World A. Yes For with God all things are and ever were possible God had other means in his power to save us than by the death of his Son but a better and more convenient way to demonstrate his Love and Mercy towards us and to manifest his Wisdom Power and Justice against Sin Death and Satan He had not for God chose the best When He first decreed this way to save Man it was in His Power to have appointed another way if it had pleased Him So that God was not tyed to determin this way upon any necessity as if the choice of other means failed Him But this in the Wisdom of God common to all the three Persons in the Holy Trinity was allowed as the most honorable and acceptable way to God and the most favourable and comfortable way to Man Q. Did Christ Redeem none but Mankind A. No. God spared not the Angels that sinned but cast them down to Hell and delivered them into chains of darkness to be reserved unto Judgment 2 St. Pet. 2.4 St. Jude 6. Q. Did Christ Redeem all Mankind A. Yes The words of the Church-Catechism are express and plain who Redeemed me and all Mankind And so it is written that He dyed for all 1 Cor. 5.14 15. and that He is the Saviour of all men 1 Tim. 4.10 As by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation so by the Righteousness of one the free gift came came upon all men to justification of life Rom. 5.18 Q. Is the price of Christs Death sufficient for the Redeeming of all Mankind A. Yes doubtless For He gave himself a Ransom for all 1 Tim. 2.6 by which He is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him Heb. 7.25 For He is the Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world St. John 1.29 Q. But was it Christs intention and purpose that all Mankind should be Redeemed and Saved by His death A. Yes surely For He will have all men to be saved 1 Tim. 2.4 that is He is not willing that any should perish 2
His Sufferings for sin to be of infinite value and merit satisfactory and sufficient for the Redemption of Man Q. VVhy is it necessary that Christ should be Man A. 1. That He might dye 2. That Satisfaction might be made in the same that is Mans Nature that offended 3. That He might be a Merciful High-Priest touched with Mans Infirmity Q. Why was it necessary that he should be both God and Man in one Person A. That He might be a fit Mediator between God and Man having an interest in both Q. How is Christs Passion set down in the fourth Article A. 1. Generally that He suffered 2. Particularly that He suffered at such a time by such a death and in such a manner Q. Did Christ suffer any thing before His Death A. Yes His whole Life was a suffering Q. What was the time of Christs suffering A. In the days of Pontius Pilate Q. Who was Pontius Pilate A. Roman Deputy Governor of the Land of Jury under Teberius the Emperor of Rome Q. What was the End or Consummation of Christs suffering A. Death Q. What was the manner of Christs Death A. He was Crucified that is to say He was put to death upon a Cross which was amongst the Romans the most shameful ignominious and worst kind of death and cursed by the Law of God Deut. 21.23 Q. Was not this a great Scandal to the Christian Profession that our Saviour Christ should suffer this Death upon the Cross A. Yes To them that perish it is foolishness but to us that are saved it is the power of God 1 Cor. 1.18 At the first both the Jews and the Ethnicks derided both the Apostles and Christians for Preaching and Believing in Him that was Crucified upon the Cross Yet both Apostles and Christians were so far from being discouraged from their Profession by the ignominie of the Cross as that they rather rejoyced and triumphed in it insomuch as that they used the sign of it in all their actions thereby making an outward shew and profession even to the astonishment of the Jews that they were not ashamed to acknowledge Him for their Lord and Saviour who died for them upon the Cross And they did not only use the sign of the Cross themselves in a kind of glorying when they met with any Jews but also they signed therewith their children when they were Christened to dedicate them by that badge to His service whose benefits bestowed upon them in Baptism the name of the Cross did represent And this use of the sign of the Cross in Baptism was held in the Primitive Church as well by the Greeks as Latins with one consent and great applause at what time if any had opposed themselves against it they would certainly have been censured as enemies of the name of the Cross and consequently of Christs Merits the sign whereof they could no better endure This continual and general use of the sign of the Cross is evident in many ancient Fathers And doubtless the name figure sign and memory of the Cross must needs be held in reverend esteem of all them that rightly consider the benefits of Christs Death Q. Why was Christ put to so ill a Death A. That He submitting Himself unto the worst kind of death that could be inflicted upon him Him might deliver us from the worst kind of death that should have been executed upon us Q. How do you prove that Christ was dead upon the Cross A. Because He was buried which was not done to any but to dead men Q. Was this the only reason why this word buried was put into the Creed to prove His Death A. Perhaps it might be added to shew the greater Miracle of His Resurrection For if He had died only and not been buried they might have thought that He recovered life as many have done but being buried sheweth both the certainty of His death and also the wonder of His Resurrection Q. What was the cause of Death A. Sin Q. If there had been no Sin should there have been no Death A. No. But all men at their several times should have been translated from Earth to Heaven had they not sinned as the Scriptures say Enoch and Elias were Q. What Death was caused by Sin A. 1. The Natural death of the Body 2. The Spiritual death of the Soul 3. The Eternal death both of Body and Soul Q. What is Natural death A. A separation of the Soul from the Body Q. What is Spiritual death A. A separation of the Soul from God in this world Q. What is Eternal death A. A separation of both Body and Soul from God in the world to come Q. In what doth Eternal death consist A. In the Absence Privation Loss and Wanting of all good things as the Beatifical Vision and full fruition of God the company of Saints and blessed Angels the joys and happiness of Heaven Secondly In the Presence Sence Feeling and Enduring all evil things even the Everlasting Fire prepared for the Devil and his Angels Q. Did Christ suffer all these Deaths A. No. He suffered only the Natural death of the Body Q. Did He not suffer in his Soul too A. Yes The suffering of the death of the body could not be without suffering in the Soul But we must in no wise say that Christ suffered the death of the Soul Q. But was not Man condemned to all those Deaths for Sin A. Yes Q. And is not Man delivered from all these deaths by the Death of Christ A. Yes Q. Then how doth Christs bodily death alone deliver Man not only from this but also from the other kinds of death too A. This cometh to pass by reason of the worthiness and innocency of Christs Person The death of His Humane body being united in one person with the Godhead being pure without sin is of such infinite value and merit that it is worthy and able to purchase Redemption for Man both from the bodily deaths and the other deaths that he otherwise should or could have suffered Q. But could Sin then be the cause of Christs Death A. Yes Q. But is not Christ said to be without sin A. Yes He in Himself was holy harmless undefiled separate from sinners Heb. 7.26 1 St. Pet. 2.22 St. Mat. 27.4 19 24. St Luke 23.4 Q. How came He to suffer for sin who committed none A. Because He was a sinner by imputation being numbred with Transgressors and bearing the sins of many Isa 53.12 For surely He hath born our griefes and carryed our sorrows c. v. 4 5 6. Q. Do you mean then that Man was the sinner and that Christ was the sufferer A. Yes Q. But how came Man to be a sinner was he so from the beginning A. No. In the beginning God created Man in His own likeness after His own image of an understanding mind able to know what he was to do and of a conformable will ready to do what he knew But Man found
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
Are you able now to do all those things that are necessarily required and to walk in the Commandments of God and to observe them as you ought to do A. No. Not of my self in all points and at all times as in strictness I ought to do yet I may being assisted by Gods help perform and keep them so far as that God may graciously accept of it Q. Did ever any man keep all these Commandments in all points at any time or any of them perfectly at all times A. No. No man ever kept all of them at any time perfectly according to the parts nor any one of them at all times according to the degree of obedience that is required except our Saviour Christ who alone did all things well who did no sin neither was guile found in his mouth 1. St. Pet. 2.22 Q. How do you mean then that it is any way possible to keep Gods Commandments A. In a word For the possibility of keeping Gods Commandments to us that are in Christ for without Him we can do nothing there must necessarily concurre with our true endeavours the grace of Gods assistance helping our infirmities and so we may be able to do something and the grace of Gods acceptation not weighing our merits but pardoning our offences and so we may be able to do what is sufficient Q. How may a man come by this grace of assistance and acceptation A. He must call to God for it by continual Prayer Q. What is the most absolute and best form of Prayer A. That which is taught us by our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ called The Lords Prayer THE LORDS PRAYER Our Father c. Q. VVHat do you chiefly observe in the Lords Prayer A. 1. A Proeme or Preface 2. The Petitions 3. The Conclusion Q. What is contained in the Preface A. The Person to whom we Pray to wit God in whom we believe and whom we are to obey described 1. By His relation to us that He is a Father and in this we have Faith that He Will 2. By His Habitation that He is in Heaven and by this we have hope He is able to help us And 3. By the Common interest that we all have in Him in that He is Ours and by this we have Charity and pray with others and for others as well as for our selves Q. How is God said to be our Father here A. By Adoption in and through Christ and so He is Ours that is all ours who are Christians who all in the judgment and exercise of Charity are to be taken and used as the children of God Q. But is not God in all places A. Yes Q. Why then do you call upon Him as limited and circumscribed in Heaven A. God is said to be in Heaven not because He is there limited or confined by the bounds of that place but because Heaven is the Throne of His Majesty the place of His most glorious Residence in which He is by a more special and eminent presence than in any other Q. May we pray to none but God A. No. To none but God as the chief Author and Giver of what we pray for Q. But may we not pray to one another A. Yes We may pray to them with whom we live and converse for any thing thing wherein they can assist us as subordinate means and instruments in and under God Q. But may we not pray to the Saints departed A. No. Q. But are not they more able and ready to help us in their Prayers to God for us being of the Church Triumphant than any of the Church Militant A. Yes no doubt Q. Why then may we not pray to them to pray for us as we do for one another here on earth A. 1. Because we have no warrant in Gods Word for our so doing 2. Because we are not assured that they hear us as we do one another to whom we speak face to face Q. How many Petitions are there in the Lords Prayer A. Seven To some of which all Manners and Forms of Prayers ought to be referred Q. What do you desire in the first Petition Hollowed be thy Name A. That Gods Honor and Glory may be preferred and advanced above all things That the Confession and Practice of Faith Hope and Charity and holy Conversation of Christian Life may so shew forth their power and force in us that others beholding the same may take occasion to praise God in our behalfe when we make our light so shine before men that they may see our good works and glorifie our Father that is in Heaven Q. What do you ask of God in the second Petition Thy Kingdom come A. 1. That Gods Kingdom of Power and Grace may come that Christ may reign in the Church and that the Church may be propagated over the whole world 2. That also His Kingdom of Glory may come that in this the Church may reign with Christ for ever That it may please God of His gracious goodness shortly to accomplish the Number of His Elect and to hasten His Kingdom that we and all they who are departed in the true Faith of His Holy Name may have one perfect consummation and bliss both in body and soul in His Eternal and everlasting Glory Q. What is the substance of the third Petition Thy Will be done A. That we upon Earth though weak and but of small power may exhibit and yeild unto Almighty God exact and perfect Obedience according to all the parts and degrees that are required in our duties such as the Angels and Saints do in Heaven desiring nothing so much as that we may chearfully submit our selves to His good pleasure both in Prosperity and Adversity and renouncing our own wills which are prone to evil we may rest and settle our minds in the Will of God Q What is the meaning of the fourth Petition Give us this day our Daily Bread A. That God may send us all things which be needful both for the body and soul in giving us bread that is corporal the food of the body that we may have bread to eat and clothes to put on and all outward things that belong to this life and also Spiritual bread too that there be not the Famine of the Word and Sacraments which are to nourish our souls to life everlasting Q What do you pray for in the fifth Petition And forgive us c. A. Pardon and Forgiveness of our sins and offences against our Father which is in Heaven upon Condition that we forgive all them that offend against us And it is to be observed that this request to God is but upon this Condition which if we perform not on our part God is desired to do nothing for us neither will He on His. See St. Mat. 6.14 15. 18.35 Q. What do you pray for in the sixth Petition Lead us not into Temptation A. Because this life is a Warfare in which we wrestle with the World the