openly acknowledg'd by Christ shall be for ever with the Lord 1 Thess 4.17 The Sixth Lesson About the Law and the Gospel Question 1. HOW shall we know the whole Will of God that we may do it Answer Hos 8.12 Isa 8.20 Eph. 2.20 1 Tim. 4.7 Tit. 1.14 Gal. 6.16 2 Tim. 3.15.17 The whole Will of God is reveal'd in his written Word containing all the Books of the Old and New Testament the Apocrypha being to be rejected as profane Old Wives Fables which turn from the Truth This Word is the perfect Rule or Canon which is able to make even a Child wise unto Salvation through Faith which is in Jesus Christ Question 2. Why are the Scriptures call'd the Old and the New Testament Answer The Scriptures are call'd the Old and New Testament Isa 8.20 as they testifie of the whole Will of God both under the first Testament Heb. 8.6 to 13. or Church-Covenant before Christ came in the Flesh and since under the Second Testament or Church-Covenant enlarg'd and renew'd by Christ wherein 1st Col. 2.14 All the outward Levitical Ceremonies in the first Church-Covenant are taken away 2dly Rom. 15.8 Yet all their Spiritual Priviledges in that Covenant are confirm'd to us and our Seed 3dly 2 Cor. 3.7 11. And glorious Additions are made of Gospel-Grace to the Church Question 3. How shall we know the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be the Word of God Answer Mat. 16.17 John 16.3 1 John 2.20 ch 5.6 Luke 24.32 1 Cor. 2.14 2 Pet. 1.19.21 The Scriptures of the Old and New Testament are only known aright to be the Word of God by the witnessing of the Spirit of God in the Heart to the Testimony which they give of their heavenly Majesty and undoubted Divinity Question 4. How shall we come to understand the Mind of God in his Word Answer 1 Tim. 4.13.15 Acts 37.11 John 5.39 Ps 119.9 18. Eph. 1.17 18. 1 Cor. 2.12 13. We shall come to a right Understanding of the Mind of God in his Word by diligent reading hearing searching and meditating therein with constant Prayer to God for Wisdom comparing Scripture with Scripture by the help of the Holy Spirit Question 5. But will not the Learning of Men help to understand the Word of God Answer A knowledge of the Hebrew and the Greek Tongues in which the Scriptures were first written may be of use to understand the Letter of them Col. 2.8 1 Cor. 8.1 2. ch 1.19 21. ch 2.4 10 11. Luke 24.45 but Philosophy and other Learning puffs up and leads from a dependance on the Spirit who only can open our Understanding in the Scriptures Question 6. What are the chief Parts of the Word of God Answer Isa 8.20 with 1 Cor. 2.1 Luke 24.27 with Act. 10.43 Gal. 3.8 10. Psal 119.96 The whole Word of God may be divided into Law and Gospel both which are to be found both in the Old Testament and in the New the Historical and every other part of the Word referring and having a respect some way or other either to Law or Gospel Question 7. What is the Law Answer Psal 119.96 1 Tim. 1.8 9 10. Gal. 3.10 Exod. 20. all Mat. 5 6 and 7 chap. The Law consists of all the Commands and Threatnings in all the Bible not only in the Old Testament but in the New also all which are briefly summ'd up in the Ten Commandments given by Moses and explained by Christ his Apostles and Prophets Question 8. What is the Summ of the Ten Commandments Answer Eccles 12.13 Deut. 10.12 13. with Mat. 22.37 38 39 40. Rom. 13.10 The Ten Commandments briefly summ up our Duty to God and Man all which are contained in these Words of our Saviour Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy Heart and with all thy Soul and with all thy Mind and with all thy Strength and thou shalt love thy Neighbour as thy self for Love is the fulfilling of the Law Question 9. How shall we aright understand the Ten Commandments Answer By knowing these three Things we may come to a good Understanding of the Commands 1st Psal 119.128 Deut. 6.13 with Lev. 26.1 That every Command for Duty forbids the contrary Sin and every Command which forbids Sin obliges to the contrary Duty 2. Rom. 7.5 7 8 14. Mat. 5.21 22 27 28. Prov. 24.9 Gen. 6.5 2 Cor. 10.5 By knowing that every Command reacheth the very Heart not only forbidding the outward Sin and commanding outward Obedience but even the Thoughts and Motions of Sin within us are forbidden and the Obedience of the Heart is required therein 3. 1 John 3.4 James 2.10 Mat. 23.23 By considering that any Transgression of the Law or the least want of whatsoever the Law requires is Sin Question 10. Can any Man obey the Commandments perfectly Answer Mat. 19 20. Rom. 7.9 10 11. Those that think the Law forbids only outward Sins and know not the Spirituality of it they think that they can perform all Jer. 4.14 Prov. 23.16 Rom. 3.10 20. Eccl. 7.20 but such as feel that the Command reacheth the very Heart forbidding every sinful Thought and commanding us even in our Spirit to fear God they know and are sure that no meer Man can perfectly keep the Law Question 11. Why then were the Commands given by Moses if no Man can perfectly obey them Answer Moses did not give the Law as a Covenant of Works that we should obey it for Life Gal. 3.24 but as a Schoolmaster for Three Ends 1st To shew us our miserable State by Nature Rom. 3.9 19. chap. 7.8 that we are all Sinners against the holy Law of God 2. To make us despair of Salvation in our selves Rom. 3.19 20. chap. 5.20 and to fly to Christ for help 3. The Law was given as a Rule of Life Psal 119.45 1â—5 133. to order all our Conversation by at all times And this is the only right Use of the Law 1 Tim. 1.8 Question 12. What is the Gospel Answer Luke 2.10 11. Acts 20.24 Rom. 10.15 with Isa 52.7 Acts 13.23 39. chap. 3.18 The Gospel is the Glad Tidings of Salvation by Jesus Christ containing all the free Promises and Invitations of Grace whether in the Old Testament or in the New Question 13. But are not Faith Repentance and Love the Commands of the Gospel Answer Acts 20.24 1 Tim. 1.5 10. Psal 19.7 8 9. Mat. 22.37 40. Mark 1.15 Gal. 3.24 The Gospel strictly taken for Glad Tidings of Salvation by Jesus Christ hath no Commands Faith Repentance Love and all Duties whatsoever being commanded by the Law yet in preaching the Gospel these Commands must be urg'd to lead to Christ Question 14. But is not the Gospel a new Law offering Salvation on the easier Terms of our sincere Obedience Answer Mat. 5.17 18 19 20. Luke 16.17 Phil. 3.9 Gal. 2.16 21. It
Duty of glorifying God in his Churches which hereafter if God will may be more fully Explain'd This great Duty all Christians should covet to understand since in the Church only can they give most Glory to Christ and partake most of his Glory in this Life And thro' these Gates of Heaven upright Souls have an abundant Entrance administred to them into the Eternal Joy of their Lord and Master with a brief Account whereof the Catechism concludes The Former Part of the Catechism contains those Truths that are more generally receiv'd which are given in shorter Lessons and shorter Answers as Milk for Babes By the good Digestion of which the Capacity will be enlarg'd to receive the Truths that follow which are contain'd in larger Lessons and longer Answers that the Truth might be kept in an intire Proposition and not mangled by many Questions and for this there was a more special Necessity in the instruction about glorifying God in his Churches Which is the strong meat belonging to them that are of more full age who by reason of Use have their Sences exercis'd to discern both good and evil Upon this strong meat the spiritual man will heartily feed for only Babes and carnal feed altogether upon Milk The First Lesson Of GOD. Question 1. WHAT are You Answer By Nature I am a poor lost Sinner against God Rom. 3.9 10 20. Eph. 2.1.3.12 Question 2. What is God Answer GOD is the Eternal John 4.24 Rom. 1.20 Isa 44.24 Dan. 4.35 1 Tim. 6.16 Almighty Spirit who made All things by His Power and orders All things by his Providence whom no Man hath seen or can see Question 3. How then shall we know God Answer Rom. 1.19 20. Psal 19. all Psal 138.2 GOD is known partly by Conscience within us and by his Works without us But more fully by his Written Word Question 4. How shall we know God by Conscience within us Answer GOD hath shown all Men somewhat of Himself by Natural Reason Rom. 2.14 15. Prov. 20.27 Rom. 1.21 and Conscience within them witnessing tho' darkly that there is a Just and Holy God Question 5. How do the Works of God make him known Answer Psalm 8. all Jer. 10.12 Acts 14.17 Rom. 1.20 The Heavens the Earth the Seas and all things therein shew forth the Power Wisdom and Goodness of GOD the Maker of all so that All are without Excuse Question 6. How doth the Written Word reveal God more clearly Answer 1 John 5.7 Isa 43.10 11. 1 Thess 1.9 Psal 83.18 Psal 96.5 1 Cor. 8.4.6 The Written Word of God reveals That there are Three in Heaven the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit and these Three are One Living and True GOD whose Name alone is JEHOVAH and all other Gods are Idols Question 7. How can it be that there are Three Persons in the Godhead and yet but ONE God Answer Joh 11.7 8.9.36.26.37.19 23 24. Prov. 30.4 5. 'T is impossible for any Man to comprehend the unsearchable Mystery of the Trinity in Unity or Three Persons in the Godhead We should therefore readily believe whatsoever GOD reveals of Himself in His Word since none in all his Creation can find him out to Perfection 2 Chro. 20.20 The Second Lesson About the Decrees and Creation Question 1. WHY did God create all things Answer GOD the Father Son Isa 57.15 1 Tim. 6.16 Col. 1.16 Rev. 4.11 and Holy Spirit Blessed and Happy in the Enjoyment of Himself from all Eternity Decreed to Create all things to show forth his Glory in Christ Jesus Question 2. What are God's Eternal Decrees Answer Acts 15.18.17.26 Isa 14.24.46.10 GOD's Eternal Decrees are his Purpose and his Counsel in himself before any thing was fore-ordaining all Persons and Things that ever should be Question 3. When did Ged make all things Answer Gen. 1.1.9 10 31. In 〈◊〉 beginning God created the Heaven the Earth the Seas and all things therein in Six Days Question 4. Of what did God make all things Answer Job 26.7 Heb. 11.3 GOD made things of Nothing so that the things which are seen were not made of things which do appear Question 5. How did God create all things Answer John 1.3 Heb. 1.2 10. Col. 1.16 GOD created all things by his Son Jesus Christ whom he appointed Lord and Heir of all Question 6. In what State did God make all things Answer Gen. 1.27.31 Eccl. 7.29 GOD made Angels and Man and all things very good Question 7. What are Angels Answer Heb. 1.7.14 Psal 103.20.104.4 Angles are Ministring Spirits mighty in Strength to wait about the Throne of GOD and to do all his Commands Question 8. What Creature is Man Answer GOD form'd Man of the Dust of the ground Gen. 2.7 Matth. 10.28 Gen. 1.27 Eccl. 7.29 Gen. 3.20 and gave him an immortal Soul so God created Man in his own Image upright Male and Female Created he them and they were call'd Adam and Eve Question 9. What did God do with Man when he made him Answer The Lord God took Man and put him into the Garden of Eden Gen. 2.8.16 17 and gave him a Law * Note 'T was a Law given to Man not a Covenant of Works made with Man forbidding him to eat of the Tree of Knowledge for in the day he eat thereof he should surely die The Third Lesson About the Fall and the Fruits of it Question 1. HOW long did Man continue Upright Answer Man that was in Honour Ps 49.12 Heb. Gen. 3.6 Eccl. 7.29 abode not for a Night but by sinning against God fell from his Innocency and Uprightness Question 2 How came Man to fall by Sin Answer Man being left to the Freedom of his own Will Ge. 3.6 7 8 13 fell into Sin thro' the Temptation of that old Serpent John 8.44 the Devil in transgressing the Law giv'n him by God Question 3. What Creature is the Devil Answer Job 4.18 2 Pet. 2.4 Jude 6. 1 Tim. 3.6 1 Pet. 5.8 The Devil was once an Angel of Light but rebelling against GOD and drawing other Angels with him they were all condemn'd into Hell for their Pride and now these Devils go about as roaring Lions seeking whom they may devour Question 4. What was that Sin by which the Devil tempted Man to fall from God Answer The Devil in the Serpent tempted the Woman to eat of the forbidden fruit Gen. 3.1 to 7. 1 Tim. 2.14 2 Cor. 11.3 and She being first deceiv'd tempted her Husband to eat with her by which they both fell from God Question 5. What follow'd Man's falling from God Answer Gen. 2.17.3.16.19 Rom. 5.12.8.22 Adam and Eve falling from GOD receiv'd the Sentence of Death that is dreadful Misery to themselves to their Posterity and to all the Creation subjected to them Question 6. What special Misery came on Adam and Eve by the Pall Answer Assoon as Adam and Eve fell they
to be buried with their own People 2dly As a Body of Christ we will with one Shoulder stand together to uphold his Truth Zeph. 3.9 Margent Phil. 1.27 Gal. 2.5 and that the Gospel may continue with us and our Seed like David serving our Generation we profess to strive together for all Truth Act. 20.20 27. Psal 119.128 Deut. 12.32 Mat. 5.19 Gal. 4.18 Rev. 2.13 3.10 2 Cor. 10.4 7. Col. 1.18 counting nothing indifferent being always zealously affected for those Truths of Christ that are most oppos'd in our day resisting stedfastly by his Word and Spirit all Doctrines undermining the Dignity of our Lord Jesus Christ as King Prophet and Priest of his Church that in all things he might have the Preheminence More particularly First Isa 24.5 Matth. 2.14 Matth. 15.9 Gal. 5.1 1 Kin. 12.28 to the End Isa 33.22 Psal 45.11 We shall oppose ALL Doctrines leading to the Neglect of Christ's Ordinances or to the sinful imposing any Traditions Ceremonies Orders or Officers in the Church not instituted by Christ our only King Judge and Lawgiver who is our Lord and we will worship him Secondly Acts 13.45 46 with 3.22 We shall continue heartily to abhor ALL Doctrine contradicting and Blaspheming the Revelation of this our Prophet in his Written Word 1 Tim. 4.1 Chiefly those Doctrines of Devils which deny oppose or prevaricate about the Eternal Godhead of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit Joh. 10.30 38 Acts 5.3 4. 1 John 5.7 so blaspheming the ever blessed Trinity in Unity Or that Oppose Isa 9.6 7. Matth. 1.23 1 Tim. 3.16 or Equivocate about the Mysterious Union of the Divine and Humane Nature in the One Person of our glorious Mediator Jesus Christ Or that exalt the Light within Jer. 10.23 Matth. 6.23 John 1.4 9. with 8.12.9.5 6.27.40 or any other Creature above besides or with Jesus of Nazareth that was Born of the Virgin Mary in Bethlehem in Judea The Only True Light of the World and Seal'd Sent Saviour of Sinners Or that Eclipse the Sovereignty Rom. 9.11 end 11.5 7. Eph. 2. thro' out John 1.13 2 Tim. 1.9 Titus 3.5 7. Freeness and Efficacy of Divine Grace in Election Vocation and Justification all being only of Grace without any regard had to Good foreseen in or done or will'd by the Creature Or that make void the good old righteous Law of God Hosea 8.12 Mat. 5.17 19. Isa 42.21 Rom. 3.19 21. Gal. 6.16 1 Tim. 1.5 10. Psal 19.7 9. Rom. 7.12 22 as a Law under which all Men are born and as a Rule of Life to all the Called of God The Law given to Adam in Paradice and afterwards held forth summarily in the Ten Commandments explain'd by Christ his Apostles and Prophets containing all Duties whatsoever Faith and Repentance not excepted and forbidding all manner of sin Or that transform the Gospel of God's Grace into a new Remedial Law Acts 20.24 Luke 2.10 11. Acts 13.38 39 commanding Faith Repentance and sincere Obedience as the Terms and Conditions of our Justification the true Gospel being a Ministration of Grace Rom. 3.22 28. 5.1 2.10.4 freely tendring to poor sinners the Suretiship Righteousness of Christ to be relied upon by Faith and imputed to them for their full and free Justification before God Or that affirm Justification is only by the Death of Christ and consists only in Remission of Sin Rom. 5.10 19. 10.4 The Word assuring us that Justification is as well by Christ's perfect Obedience to the Law Heb. 5.8 9. Cant. 4.7 2 Cor. 5.21 Eph. 5.27 1 Joh. 3.7 as by his Death under its Curse and therein the Sinner is not only forgiven but accounted perfectly righteous Or that render the Elect less children of Wrath by Nature than others Ephes 2.3 12. Rom. 3.9 19. Mark 2.17 Gal. 3.22 23. 1 Thes 1.8 10. by asserting their actual Justification from Eternity or at any time before Faith the whole tenour of Scripture discovering that all are alike under sin shut up under the Law till Faith comes Gal. 2.16 Psal 86.13 by which Christ is apprehended to justifie and save even from the lowest Hell Or that give the least encouragement to sin Either by affirming Psal 89.31 33 Jer. 46.28 Amos 3.2 that the Iniquities of God's Children are not visited by Stripes consisting with the Father's loving-kindness Or By refusing to pray for the Pardon of Sin Luke 11.4 Psal 25.7 11 18. 2 Cor. 7.10 11 Jam. 2.14 ult Jude 4 v. Phil. 3.18 19. which our Lord in his Summary of Prayer hath made our daily Duty And by denying Repentance and Good Works to be the genuine Fruits of Faith so turning the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ into Lasciviousness and causing his Cross to be evil-spoken of These Doctrines shall we detest Pro. 2.6 to 15. Psal 17.4.19.7 2 Tim. 3.15.17 Together with all that question the Validity of any part or the sufficiency of the whole written Word for perfecting the Man of God in all things whatsoever so reproaching our faithful Prophet who hath seal'd the Vision Mal. 2.9 Heb. 3.5 6. Dan. 9.24 Jer. 8.8 9. and given us a Rule in every thing compleat Thirdly Continually shall we reject all Doctrines establishing Priesthoods Heb. 2.17.9.26.10.4 to 23. Masses Conditions or any Creature Qualifications and Confidences for Satisfaction Heb. 3.1 1 John 2.1 2. 1 Tim. 2.5 Mediation or Intercession with God Christ alone being our High-Priest Propitiation and Mediatour Therefore we will not give place by subjection Gal. 2.5 5.1 2 Tim. 2.1 Rev. 14.1 Gal. 2.11 Rev. 2.10.3.15 16. 1 King 18.21 Zech. 11.8 Psal 69.9.119.139 1 Cor. 4.3 Psal 69.7 Heb. 12.3 Psal 69.8 Gal. 4.16 Micah 7.1 7. Luke 14.26 to 33. no not for an hour to any that would bring us into Bondage but being strong in the Grace which is in Christ Jesus and shewing the Father's Mark in the Forehead we shall withstand them to the Face stedfastly resisting even to the Death Protesting against all coldness lukewarmness halting or indifferency in the Cause of Christ which things his Soul hates The Zeal of Christ's House having eaten us up for his sake therefore shall we gladly bear the unrighteous Judgments Reproaches and Contradictions of all sorts of sinners whether open Enemies false Brethren lukewarm Churches or Kindred according to the flesh professing to have counted the Cost and willingly to deny and forsake all Friends Relations Enjoyments and whatsoever is dear to us in this World Rev. 14.4 1 Cor. 4.9 13. Heb. 11.24 27 that we may follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth laying our Reputation Estate Liberty yea Life it self at the Feet of Jesus Christ Matth. 16.24 27. our Lord and Saviour 3dly As a Body of Christ Ephes 4.3 with Eze. 20.37 Gal. 5.1 we will keep the unity of the Spirit in the Bond or Covenant of peace Maintaining the Priviledges of