possible endeavours for his dâ—liverance A. Yes if thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death and those that are ready to be slain if thou sayest behold we know it not doth not he that pondereth the heart consider and he that keepeth thy soul doth not he know it shall not he render to every man according to his deeds Prov. 24.11 12. Q. Is not the duty of Alms-giving perfectly necessary for the approving of our love to God A. Yes whoso hath this world's good and seeth his brother hath need and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him how dwelleth the love of God in him 1 Joh. 3.17 Q. And is not the performance of this duty very acceptable unto God A. Yes but to do good and communicate forget not for with such sacrifices God is well pleased Heb. 13.16 Q. Must not men beware that they prâ—pâ—se nâ—t tâ— themselves the praise of men as the motive of their charity A. Yes when thou doest thine alms do not sound a trumpet before thee as the hypocrites do in the Synagogues and in the streets that they may have glory of men otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven Mat. 6.2 1. Q. And is it not a vain thing to give alms where love to God and men is not the motive A. Yes though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor and though I give my body to be burned and have not charity it profiteth me nothing 1 Cor. 13.3 Q. But must not men give cheerfully and without grudging A. Yes every man as he purposeth in his heart so let him give not grudgingly or of necessity for God loveth a chearful giver 1 Cor. 9.7 Q. Is it not vain and impious to think that the parting with any thing for Christ will impoverish men A. Yes every one that hath forsaken houses or brethren or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands for my names sake shall receive an hundred fold and shall inherit everlasting life Mat. 19.29 Q. And hath not God particularly promised that the charitable shall not want but shall have a recompense of reward A. Yes the Liberal soul shall be made far and he that watereth shall be watered also himself he that giveth to the poor shall not lack but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse Prov. 11.25 and 28.27 Q. Is not this a putting our wealth in his hands who hath made solemn promise of repayment A. Yes he that hath pity on the poor lendeth to the Lord and that which he hath given will he pay him again Prov. 19.17 Q. And will not the reward be more or less according to to the degrees of our alms A. Yes he that soweth sparingly shall reap sparingly and he that soweth bountifully shall reap bountifully 2 Cor. 9.6 Q. Sh uld we not be very tender of the credit of our neighbour A. Y s a good name is better than precious ointment and rather to be chosen then great riches Eccel 7.1 Prov. 22.1 Q. Will not mens unmercifull judging of others be paid home to them in the strict and severe judgment of God A. Y s judg not that ye be not judged for with what judgment ye judge ye shall be judged and with what measure you mete it shall be measured to you again Mat. 7.1 2. Q. Is it not a christian duty to study to reconcile and make peace among brethren A. Yes blessed are the peace-makers for they shall be called the children of God Mat. 5.9 Q. If Christians will observe all those duties which they owe to God to themselves and to their neighbour may they not expect the reward of eternal life Q. Yes this do and thou shalt live Luke 10.28 Q. Are not Christian duties both profitable and pleasant even when they expose us to outward sufferings A. Yes Christ's yoke is easie and his burden is light and his commandements are not grievous therefore rejoyce that ye are counted worthy to suffer shame for the name of Christ Mat 11.30 1 John 5.3 Act. 5.41 Q. Since the danger of delaying our turning to God is so evident and certain should we not betimes set about it A. Yes whatsoever thy hand findeth to do do it with thy might for there is no work nor device nor knowledg nor wisdom in the grave whither thou goest Ecc. 9.10 The Ten Commandments 1. THou shalt have no other Gods before me 2. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image or any likeness of any thing that is in Heaven above or that is in the Earth beneath or that is in the water under the Eâ—rth Thou shalt not bow down thy self to them nor serve them for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God visiting the iniquity of the Fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me and shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my Commandments 3. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain 4. Remember the Sabbath-day to keep it holy Six days shalt thou labour and do all thy work but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God in it thou shalt not do any work thou nor thy son nor thy daughter thy man-servant nor thy maid-servant nor thy cattel nor thy stranger that is within thy gates For in six days the Lord made Heaven and Earth the Sea and all that in them is and rested the seventh day wherefore the Lord blessed the seventh day and hallowed it 5. Honour thy father and thy mother that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee 6. Thou shalt not kill 7. Thou shalt not commit Adultery 8. Thou shalt not steal 9. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour 10. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife nor his man-servant nor his maid-servant nor his ox nor his ass nor any thing that is thy neighbour's The Lord's Prayer OUr Father which art in Heaven hallowed be thy Name Thy Kingdom come Thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven Give us this day our daily bread Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive them that trespass against us And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil for thine is the Kingdom the Power and the Glory for ever and ever Amen The Belief I Believe in God the Father Almighty maker of Heaven and Earth and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord which was conceived by the Holy Ghost born of the Virgin Mary suffered under Pontius Pilat was crucified dead and buried he descended into Hell and rose again from the dead and ascended up into Heaven and fitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty from thence he shall come to judg the quick and the dead I believe in
and teach me for thou art the God of my salvation Order my steps in thy word and teach me thy statutes Thy hands have made me and fashioned me give me understanding that I may learn thy Commandments Thou art good and doest good teach me thy statutes encline mine heart unto thy testimonies and not to covetousness Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity I am a stranger in the earth hide not thy commandments from me Create in me a clean heart O God and renew a right spirit within me Take away the stony-heart and give me an heart of flesh that I may be renewed in the spirit of my mind and strengthned with might by thy spirit in the inward man O let the blood of Christ purge my conscience from dead works that I may serve the Living God Teach me thy way O Lord and I shall walk in thy truth unite my heart to fear thy name So teach me to number my days that I may apply my heart unto wisdom O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes Head VI. In times of Affliction I Know O Lord that thy judgments are right and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me thou art just in all that is brought upon me for thou hast done right but I have done wickedly But O contend not for ever be not always wroth lest the spirit should fail before thee and the soul which thou hast made Let I pray thee thy merciful kindness be for my comfort Turn thee unto me and have mercy upon me for I am desolate and afflicted the troubles of my heart are enlarged O bring thou me out of my distresses Look upon mine affliction and my pain and forgive all my sins with-hold not thou thy tender mercies from me O Lord let thy loving-kindness and thy truth continually preserve me for innumerable evils have compassed me about Be pleased O Lord to deliver me O Lord make hast to help me Behold O Lord for I am in distress my bowels are troubled mine heart is turned within me I weep mine eye mine eye runneth down with water because the comforter that should relieve my soul is far from me O Lord behold my affliction thou hast said thou dost not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men Remember I beseech thee that thou hast made me as the clay and wilt thou bring me unto dust again Are not my days few cease then and let me alone that I may take comfort a little before I go whence I shall not return even to the land of darkness and the shadow of death Head VII In the time of Sickness HAve mercy upon me O Lord for I am in trouble mine eye is consumed with grief my life is spent with sighing I am weary with my groaning all the night make I my bed to swim I water my couch with my tears my days are consumed like smoke and my bones are burnt as an hearth mine age is departed and is removed from me as a Shepherd's tent with pining sickness from day even to night wilt thou make an end of me O Lord I am oppressed undertake for me O my God take me not away in the midst of my days thy years are throughout all generations have mercy upon me O Lord for I am weak O Lord heal me Return O Lord deliver my soul O save me for thy mercies sake for in death there is no remembrance of thee in the grave who shall give thee thanks The grave cannot praise thee death cannot celebrate thee they that go down into the pit cannot hope for thy truth what shall I say my times are in thy hand O save me for thy mercies sake Remove thy stroke away from me I am consumed by the blow of thine hand When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity thou makest his beauty to consume away like a moth surely every man is vanity Hear my prayer O Lord and give ear unto my cry hold not thy peace at my tears for I am a stranger with thee and a sojourner as all my Fathers were O spare me that I may recover strength before I go hence and be no more Head VIII A Thanksgiving for Recovery I will extol thee O Lord for thou hast lifted me up O Lord my God I cried unto thee and thou hast healed me O Lord thou hast brought up my soul from the grave thou hast kept me alive that I should not go down to the pit Bless the Lord O my soul and all that is within me bless his holy name Bless the Lord O my soul and forget not all his benefits who forgiveth all thine iniquities who healeth all thy diseases who redeemeth thy life from destruction who crowneth thee with loving kindness and tender mercies O Lord what shall I say thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption the living the living he shall praise thee as I do this day Return unto thy rest O my soul for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee I love the Lord because he hath heard my voice and my supplications because he hath enclined his ear unto me therefore will I call upon him as long as I live The sorrows of death compassed me and the pains of hell gat hold upon me I found trouble and sorrow I said in the cutting off of my days I shall go to the gates of the grave I am deprived of the residue of my years I said I shall not see the Lord even the Lord in the Land of the living I shall behold man no more with the inhabitants of the earth But thou hast delivered my soul from death mine eyes from tears and my feet from falling thou hast loosed my bonds O Lord truly I am thy servant I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight O Lord my Strength and my Redeemer FINIS
ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the Temple and they which wait at the Altar are partakers with the Altar even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel 1 Cor. 9.13 14. Q. Is it not our duty to honour God in keeping holy his Sabbaths A. Yes keep the Sabbath-day to sanctifie it as the Lord thy God hath commanded thee Deut. 5.12 Q. But must we abstain from all unnecessary works on the Sabbath-day A. Yes in it thou shalt not do any work thou nor thy son nor thy daughter thy man-servant nor thy maid-servant nor thy cattel nor thy stranger that is within thy gates Exod. 20.10 Q. Is it not a sin to be weary of the Sabbath A. Yes hear this ye who say when shall the Sabbath be gone that we may set forth wheat shall not the land tremble for this Amos 8.5 8. Q. Are there not special blessings promised to those that sanctifie the Sabbath A. Yes blessed is the man that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it and keepeth his hand from doing any evil even unto him will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters Isa 56.2 5. Q. But are we Christians obliged to keep one day of the seventh as well as the Jews were A. Yes think not that I am come to destroy the Law or the Prophets I am not come to destroy but to fulfil Mat. 5.17 Q. And have we any reason for the change of the Sabbath from the seventh day to the first A. Yes and upon the first day of the week when the Disciples came together to break bread Paul preached unto them Acts 20.7 Q. Is it not our duty to express our reverence to God by honouring his word A. Yes in God I will praise his word in the Lord will I praise his word Psal 56.10 Q. Is preaching of the Word necessary A. Yes for Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God Rom. 10.17 Q. Should we not then be desirous to hear the Word preached A. Yes as new-born babes desire the sincere milk of the Word that ye may grow thereby 1 Pet. 2.2 Q. Will the hearing of the Word do us any good if we be not doers of it A. No be ye doers of the Word not hearers only deceiving your own souls Jam. 1.22 Q. May any man preach the Gospel at his own pleasure A. No how can they preach except they be sent no man taketh this honour unto himself but he that is called of God as was Aaron Rom. 10.15 Heb. 5.4 Q. Must we believe what every one that pretends to be a Preacher saith A. No believe not every spirit but try the spirits whether they are of God because many false Prophets are gone out into the World 1 Joh. 4.1 Q. Is not the Scripture the rule by which their doctrine is to be tried A. Yes and the Bereans were more noble than those in Thessalonica in that they received the word with all readiness of mind and searched the Scriptures daily whether those things were so Acts 17.11 Q. But should not obedience be given to those that have a lawful calling to the Office and who preach sound doctrine A. Yes obey them that have the rule over you and submit your selves for they watch for your souls as they that must give account that they may do it with joy and not with grief for that is unprofitable for you Heb. 13.17 Q. Should not such be also honoured and had in respect A. Yes let the Elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour especially they who labour in the word and doctrine How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the Gospel of peace and bring glad tidings of good things 1 Tim. 5.17 Rom. 10.15 Sect. 3. Of the Sacraments of Baptisme and of the Lord's Supper Q. IS it not the duty of all that would be saved and have the remission of their sins to be baptized A. Yes then Peter said unto them repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins Acts 2.38 Q. What is Baptism A. A washing with water in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost Mat. 28.19 Q. Are we not by vertue of our Baptism engaged against sin and to walk in newness of life A. Yes know ye not that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death therefore we are buried with him by Baptism into death that as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father even so we also should walk in newness of life What shall we say then shall we continue in sin Rom. 6.3 4.1 Q. Can any thing hinder those who believe in Christ to be baptized A. No and Philip said if thou believest with all thine heart thou mayest and he answered and said I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and they went both into the water both Philip and the Eunuch and he baptized him Acts 8.36 37 38. Q. Should the infants of Parents professing Faith in Christ be baptized A. Yes for the promise is to you and your children Acts 2.39 Q. Is it not the duty of every one that is baptized into Christ to walk as new creatures A. Yes for as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ and they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts Gal. 3.27 5.24 Q. Do not these men who walk in the lusts of the flesh and who walk not soberly righteously and godly blaspheme that holy name by which they are called A. Yes Do they not blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called Jam. 2.7 Q. Is it not the duty of every Christian to take the Sacrament of the Lords Supper A. Yes for I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you that the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread and when he had given thanks he brake it and said Take eat this is my body which is broken for you this do in remembrance of me After the same manner also he took the Cup when he had supped saying this Cup is the new Testament in my blood this do ye as oft as ye drink it in remembrance of me 1 Cor. 11.23 24 25. Q. Have not believers a communion with Christ in the Sacrament A. Yes the cup of blessing which we bless is it not the communion of the body of Christ 2 Cor. 10.26 Q. Are all those who eat the bread which signifieth the body of Christ as well obliged to take the cup which signifieth and represents the blood of Christ A. Yes and he took the cup and gave thanks and gave it unto them saying drink ye all of it Mat. 26.27
neighbour A. Yes he that speaketh the truth in his heart that backbiteth not with his tongue nor doth evil to his neighbour nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour shall never be moved Psal 15.2 3. Q. May not a false witness certainly expect punishment A. Yes a false witness shall not be unpunished and he that speaketh lies shall not escape Prov. 19.5 Q. Should we not then be very careful that we raise no false report upon our neighbour A. Yes thou shalt not raise a false report put not thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness Exod. 22.1 Q. Hath not God testified his hatred against this sin A. Yes these things doth the Lord hate a false witness that speaketh lies and he that soweth discord among brethren Prov. 6.16 19. Q. Are not tale-bearers forbidden by God A. Yes thou shalt not go up and down as a tale-bearer among thy people Lev. 19.16 Q. Doth not the whisperer who in a private way spreadeth false reports occasion much mischief and confusion A. Yes a froward man soweth strife and a whisperer separateth chief friends Prov. 16.28 Q. And are not the words of a tale-bearer very hateful A. Yes the words of a tale-bearer are as wounds and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly Prov. 18.8 Q. Are not all men concerned to speak the truth and only the truth in matters of Judgment and Justice A. Yes ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment thou shalt not respect the person of the poor nor honour the person of the mighty but in righteousness shalt thou judg thy neighbour Lev. 19.15 Q. Is not an unjust sentence an abomination to the Lord A. Yes he that justifieth the wicked and he that condemneth the just even they both are abomination to the Lord Prov. 17.15 Q. Should not men shew their anger against tale-bearers and slanderers A. Yes the north-wind driveth away rain so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue Prov. 22.23 Q. Should they not refrain from the company of slanderers also A. Yes whoso privily slandereth his neighbour him will I cut off he that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight Psal 201.5 7. Q. Is it not a great injustice to wrong persons because of their infirmities A. Yes thou shalt not curse the deaf nor put a stumbling-block before the blind but shalt fear thy God Lev. 19.14 Q. Is it not a very barbarous cruelty to reproach and revile any that are in affliction A. Yes let their habitation be desolate for they persecute him whom thou hast smitten and they talk to the grief of those whom thou hast wounded Psal 69.25 26. Q. Is not such scoffing enough to sadden and make heavy the heart of the afflicted A. Yes reproach hath broken my heart and I am full of heaviness Psal 69.20 Q. Is it not a great rashness in men to condemn persons as notorious sinners only because God is pleased to punish them with some extraordinary judgment A. Yes suppose ye that these Galileans were sinners above all the Galileans because they suffered such things I say unto you nay Luke 13.2 3. Q. Is not speaking the truth a duty we own to all men A. Yes wherefore putting away lying speak every man truth with his neighbour for he that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness but a false witness deceit Eph. 4.25 Prov. 12.17 Q. And are their not severe judgments to be poured out upon liars A. Yes all Liars shall have their portion in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone Rev. 21.8 Q. Is not humanity and Courtesie in behavior a debt we owe to all men A. Yes be kindly affectionate one to another with brotherly love in honour preferring one another and in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves Look not every man on his own things but every man also on the things of others Rom. 12.10 Phil. 2.3 4. Q. Is not meekness a debt we owe to all men A. Yes be patient towards all men see that none render evil for evil unto any man 1 Thes 5.14 15. Q. is not Brawling a very insufferable evil A. Yes it is better to dwell in a corner of the house-top then with a brawling woman in a wide house Prov. 21.9 Q. Should we not beware of entring into friendship with persons of such an humour A. Yes make no friendship with an angry man and with a furious man thou shall not go Prov. 22.24 Q. Should we not then endeavour that we our selves be guilty of none of these faults A. Yes let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamour and evil speaking be put away from you with all malice Eph. 4.31 Q. Is it not injustice in us to envy and grudg that others have those gifts which we lack A. Yes is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own is thine eye evil because I am good Mat. 20.15 Q. And should we not give unto men that respect that is due to them in respect of their ranks and qualities A. Yes honour all men love the brotherhood honour the King rise up before the hoary head and honour the face of the old man 1 Pet. 2.17 Lev. 19.32 Q. Is it not the duty of every man to supply those that are in any sort of want if it be in their power A. Yes withhold not good from him to whom it is due when it is in the power of thy hand to do it say not unto thy neighbour go and come again and to morrow I will give when thou hast it by thee Prov. 3.27 28. Q. Is it not a duty we owe to our neighbour to reprove them discreetly and seasonably if they be in any course of sin A. Yes Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thy heart thou shalt in any wise reprove him and not suffer sin upon him Lev. 19.17 Q. Is it not a strange madness in men not to harken to a faithfull reprof A. Yes whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledg but he that hateth reprof is brutish Prov. 12.1 Q. And is not destruction threatned to such sort of persons A. Yes he that being often reproved hardneth his neck shall suddenly be destroyed and that without remedy Prov. 29.1 Q. Is not ingratitude to benefactors a very barbarous crime A. Yes if you do good to those that do good to you what thank have you for sinners also do even the same Luk. 6.33 Sect. 4. Of Duty to Magistrates pastors of the duty of Parents to Children and Childrens duty unto Parents Q. IS it not the duty of children to honour their Parents whether Civil Spiritual or Natural A. Yes honour thy father and thy mother that thy days may be long upon the Land which the Lord thy God giveth thee Exod. 20.12 Q. Is not the supream Magistrate a Civil Parent A. Yes and kings shall be thy nursing fathers and queens thy nursing mothers