ye not your own selves how that Jesus Christ is in you except ye be reprobates 2 Cor. 13.5 Q. 73 What evident mark can you instance in for a Christian to try himself by A. We know that we have passed from death to life because we love the brethren 1 John 3.14 Q. 74 Should we now have legall terrours prest A. Others save with fear pulling them out of the fire Jude 23. Q. 75 Are the threatnings usefull to the godly A. If I have lift up my hand against the fatherlesse when I saw my help in the gate then let my arme fall from my shoulder-blade and mine arme be broken from the bone for destruction from God was a terrour to me and by reason of his highnesse I could not endure Job 31.21 22 23. Q. 76 Is there any farther use of terrors to the godly besides for restraint from sin A. Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling Phil. 2.12 Q. 77 Doth fear of Gods threatnings arise from the weaknesse of the godly or from their faith A. By faith Noah being warned of God of things not seen as yet moved with fear prepared an Ark to the saving of his house Heb. 11.7 Q 78 Some would have the Sabbath to be kept but as other dayes of the week What say you to them A. Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy six dayes 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 c. Exod. 20.8 9 10. Q. 79 They say this is Jewish and Ceremoniall show them a Sabbath instituted before there were either Jewes as any of their ceremonies A. And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made and God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it c. Gen. 2.2 3. Q. 80 Should wicked men pray to God A. Pray God if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee for I perceive thou art in the gall of bitternesse and in the bond of iniquity Acts 8.22 23. Q. 81 Is the usuall discourse of hard controversies among weak Christians to be approved A. Him that is weak in the faith receive you but not to doubtfull disputations Rom. 14.1 Q. 82 If I have a true opinion which cannot be vented without offence may I vent it A. Hast thou faith have it to thy selfe before God happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth Rom. 14.22 Q. 83 Some presse very much for Uniformity is that according to the Scriptures A. Now I beseech you brethren by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ that yee all speak the same thing and that there be no divisions among you but that ye be perfectly joyned together in the same mind and in the same judgement 1 Cor. 1.10 Q. 84 By what arguments doth the Scripture urge this A. If there be any consolation in Christ if any comfort of love if any fellowship of the Spirit if any bowels and mercies fulfill ye my joy that yee be like minded being of one accord of one mind Phil. 2.1 2. Q. 85 What directions must we follow that we may attain this Unity A. Let nothing be done through strife or vain-glory but in lowlinesse of mind let each esteem other better then themselves Phil. 2.3 Q. 86 What respect ought the strong Christian to bear towards the weak A. Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not Rom. 14.3 Q. 87 What respect ought the weaker Christian to carry towards the stronger A. Let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth Rom. 14.3 Q. 88 Some question the lawfulnesse of keeping publike Fasts appointed by the Magistrate what have you in Scripture that might satisfie them A. Jehosaphat feared and set himself to seek the Lord and proclaimed a Fast throughout all Judah and Judah gathered themselves together to aske help of the Lord even out of all the Cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord. 2 Chron. 20.3.4 Q. 89 Hath the Magistrate power also to appoint a day to be kept yeerly to celebrate some nationall mercy A. Ester the Queen and Mordecai the Jew wrote with all authority to confirm these dayes of Purim in their times appointed according as Mordecai the Jew and Ester the Queen had enjoyned them and as they had decreed for themselves and for their seed the matters of the fastings and their cry Est. 9 29.31 Q. 90 I perceive you grant much to the civill powers what if they should take upon them to do that which belongs properly to Church officers should that also be yeelded to them A. They withstood Vzziah the King and said unto him It pertaineth not unto thee Vzziah to burn Incense unto the Lord but to the Priests the sonnes of Aaron that were consecrated to burn Incense go out of the Sanctuary for thou hast trespassed neither shall it be for thine honour from the Lord God 1 Chron. 26.18 Q. 91 In these dayes many private men that are brought up to worldly callings take upon them to preach is this practise to be justified or disapproved A. He shall say I am no prophet I am an husbandman for man taught me to keep cattle from my youth Zech. 13.5 Q. 92 Those Ministers that have spent their estates and times to fit themselves for that calling have their maintenance with-held by many and divers have petitioned to have it taken away how will God take this at their hands A. Will a man rob God yet ye have robbed me but ye say wherein have we robbed thee in Tythes and Offerings ye are cursed with a curse c. Mal. 3.8 9. Q. 93 You speak of Minister as separated from the ordinary ranke of Christians what is requisite for the making of a Minister besides gifts A. The holy Ghost said separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them and when they had fasted and prayed and layed their hands on them they sent them away Acts 13.2 3. Q 94 By whom ought the Ministers to be ordained A. Neglect not the gift that is in thee which was given thee by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the Presbytery 1 Tim. 4.14 Q. 95 Is the power of Church discipline in the people or in the Officers of the Church A. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us whether prophecy let us prophecy according to the proportion of faith or ministry let us wait on our ministring or he that teacheth on teaching or he that exhorteth on exhortation he that giveth let him do it with simplicity he that ruleth with diligence Rom. 12.6 7 8. Q. 96 Should the people attend upon the ministry of those whom God hath placed over them or may they go indifferently to any other profitable Minister A. 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 greif for that is unprofitable to you Heb. 13.17 Q. 97 Have Synods or Elders of Churches assembled together power to determine differences and make decrees A. As they went thorough the Cities they delivered them the decrees for to keep that were ordained of the Apostles and Elders which were at Jerusalem Acts 16.4 A. Q. 98 I have heard a book written to prove that the soule of man remains not after death how will you confute that A. He went and preached to the spirits in prison which sometimes were disobedient when once the long-suffering of God waited in the dayes of Noah 1 Pet. 3.19 20. Q. 99 They say there is another book out to prove that a man may put away his wife if she be not a meet helper how may I answer all the arguments there alledged A. It hath been said whosoever shall put away his wife let him give her a writing of a divorcement but I say unto you that whosoever shall put away his wife saving for the cause of fornication causeth her to commit adultery and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery Mat. 5.31 32. Q. 100 There are many other new opinions that men teach and write for with specious arguments I would fain be satisfied about them how shall I discern the truth A. If any of you lack wisdom let him ask of God that giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not and it shal be given him James 1.5 If any man will do his will he shall know of the doctrine whether it be of God c. John 7.17 To the Law and to the testimony if they speak not according to this word it is because there is no light in them Isa 8.20 The Priests lips should keep knowledge and they should seek the Law at his mouth for he is the messenger of the Lord of Hosts Mal. 2.7 If they be ashamed of all that they have done show them the form of the house and the fashion thereof c. Ezech. 43.11 Postscript to the judicious Reader IF thou hast read over this Catechisme thou mayest easily perceive that it was penned for Christians of the lowest form to whom the Authour intended with briefnesse clearnesse and Scripture-language to give generall notes for caution against all the dangerous Doctrines of the times and speciall hints for satisfaction concerning some of the most obvious mistakes and errors If the sight of this may occasion from thee a fuller and exacter Treatise of this nature none shall be more willing to study such a Catechisme then my self Thine and the truths I. K. FINIS
to lye to the holy Ghost Why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart thou hast not lyed unto men but unto God Acts 5.3 4 Q. 18 Are the Scriptures the word of God A. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God 2 Tim. 3.16 Q. 19 Shall the bodies of men rise after they he dead A. I worship the God of my fathers beleeving all things that are written in the Law and the Prophets and have hope towards God which they themselves also alow that there shall be a resurrection of the dead both of the just and unjust Acts 24.14 15. Q. 20 Is there a day of judgement after death A. I saw the dead small and great stand before God and the Books were opened and another Book was opened which is the Book of life and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the Books according to their works and the Sea gave up the dead which were in it and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them and they were judged euery man according to their works Rev. 20.12 13. Deut. 13.6 8 9. If thy brother the sonne of thy mother or thy sonne or thy daughter or the wife of thy bosome or thy friend which is as thine owne soule entise thee secretly saying let us go and serve other gods neither shalt thou spare neither shalt thou conceale him but thou shalt surely kill him thine hand shall be first upon him to put him to death and afterwards the hand of all the people 2 Chron. 15.12 13 15. They entred into a Covenant to seek the Lord God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soule that whosoever would not seek the Lord God of Israel should be put to death whether small or great whether man or woman And all Judah rejoyced at the Oath for they had sworne with all their heart and sought him with their whole desire and he was found of them and the Lord gave them rest round about Concerning Blasphemy and impugning the Word of God EXod 20.7 Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vaine for the Lord will not hold him guiltlesse that taketh his Name in vaine Levit. 24.11.12 13 14. The Israelitish womans sonne blasphemed the Name of the Lord and cursed and they brought him unto Moses and they put him in Ward that the minde of the Lord might be shewed them And the Lord spake unto Moses saying bring forth him that hath cursed without the campe and let all that heard him lay their hands upon his head and let all the Congregation stone him Dan. 3.29 Therefore I make a decree that every people Nation and Language which speak any thing amisse against the God of Shadrach Mishach and Abednego shall be cut in peeces and their houses shall be made a dunghill because there is no other God Job 2.9 Curse God and dye 1 Cor. 12.3 No man speaking by the spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed Acts 13.10 11. Thou enemy of all righteousnesse wilt thou not cease to pervert the right wayes of the Lord and now behold the hand of the Lord is upon thee and thou shalt be blind Heb. 10.28 29. He that despised Moses Law died without mercy under two or three witnesses Of how much sorer punishment suppose ye shall he be thought worthy who hath trodden under foot the Son of God c. Rev. 22.18 19. If any man shall adde unto these things God shal adde unto him the plagues that are written in this Book and if any man shall take away from the words of the Book of this Prophecy God shall take away his part out of the Book of life The second ranke of Doctrines Q. 1 SHall all men be saved A. Then one said unto him Lord are there few that shall be saved and he said unto them strive to enter in at the strait gate for many I say unto you will seek to enter in and shal not be able Luke 13.23 24. Q. 2 Hath a man by nature free will to turne to God A. The naturall man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God for they are folishnesse unto him neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned 1 Cor. 2.14 Q. 3 May God be worship'd by Pictures or Images A. Take ye good heed unto your selves for ye saw no manner of similitude on the day that the Lord spake unto you in Horeb out of the midst of the fire least ye corrupt your selves and make you a graven Image the similitude of any figure Deut. 4.15 16. Q. 4 Doth the soule of any man after death go to purgatory A. I heard a voyce from heaven saying unto me write blessed are the dead which dye in the Lord from henceforth yea saith the Spirit that they may rest from their labours and their works do follow them Rev. 14.13 Q. 5 Do the souls of good men dye or sleep when their bodies are dead A. Ye are come unto Mount Sion and unto the City of the living God the Heavenly Jerusalem and to an innumerable company of Angels to the generall assembly and Church of the first borne which are written in Heaven and to God the judge of all and to the spirits of just men made parfect Heb 12.22 23. Q. 6 Do the soules of bad men dye or sleep when their bodies are dead A. Their worme dyeth not Mark 9.44 Q. 7 Are there revelations or workings of the spirit as a rule for a Christians life though divers from or contrary to the written word of God A. This voyce which came from Heaven wee heard and we were with him in the holy Mount We have also a more sure word of prophecy whereunto yee do well that yee take heed as unto a light that shineth in a dark place untill the day dawne and the day-starre arise in your hearts Knowing this first that no prophecy of the Scripture is of any private inrerpretation for the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the holy Ghost 2. Pet. 1.18.19 20 21. Q. 8 Is a man bound to beleeve no more then by his reason he can comprehend A Bebold thou shalt be dumbe and not able to speak untill the day that these things shall bee performed because thou beleevest not my words which shall be fulfilled Luke 1.20 Q. 9 Is the morall Law contained in the ten Commandements a rule of a Christian life A. Owe no man any thing but to love one another for he that loveth an other hath fulfilled the law For this thou shalt not commit adultery thou shalt not kill thou shalt not steale thou shall not beare false witnesse thou shalt not covet and if there be any other Commandement it is breifly comprehended in this saying namely thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy self Rom. 13.8 9. Q. 10 Doth God see sinne in the justified A. Against thee
not the love of the truth that they might be saved for this cause God shall send them strong delusions that they should beleeve a lie that they all might be damned who beleeved not the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousnesse 2 Thes 2.10 11 12. Q. 27 What use must we make hereof A. Ye therefore beloved seeing ye know these things before beware lest ye also being led away with the errour of the wicked fall from your own stedfastnesse but grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ 2 Pet. 3.17 18. Q. 28 Is there any hope that the errors shall be crusht A. The God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly Rom. 16.20 Q. 29 How is that likely while they carry on their errors with such plausible pretences A But they shall proceed no further for their folly shall be manifest to all men 2 Tim. 3.9 Q. 30 In the meane while may not these men be connived at A. There are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers whose mouths must bee stopped who subvert whole houses teaching things which they ought not Tit. 1.10 11. Q. 31 May the civill Magistrate meddle with those that endeavour to seduce others into errors in matter of Religion A. If thou do that which is evil be afraid for he beareth not the sword in vain for he is the Minister of God a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doth evill Rom. 13.4 Q 32 But though seducing be an evill work may it not be good Christian policy for those in authority to refrain from these men and let them alone A. I have a few things against thee because thou sufferest that woman Jezabel which calleth her self a prophetesse to teach and to reduce my servants Rev. 2.20 Q 33 Some would have a Toleration of all Religions What Scripture have you which shewes that this ought not to be in time of the Gospel A. It shall come to passe in that day saith the Lord of Hosts that I will cut off the names of the Idols out of the land and they shall no more be remembred and also I will cause the Prophets and the unclean spirit to passe out of the Land Zech. 13.2 Q. 34 In case the false Prophets will neither depart nor desist what course may be taken with them by the civill power A. It shall come to passe that when any shall yet prophecy then his father and his mother that begat him shall say unto him thou shalt not live for thou speakest lies in the name of the Lord and his father and his mother that begat him shall thrust him through when he prophecyeth Zech. 13.3 Q. 35 Will not this way of suppressing false-teachers increase and harden them rather then remedy that evill A. And it shall come to passe in that day that the Prophets shall be ashamed every one of his vision when he hath prophesied neither shall they wear a rough garment to deceive Zech. 13.4 Q. 36 Is this restraining of false-teachers by civill punishment to be accounted persecution or friendship A. And one shall say unto him what are these wounds in thine hands then he shall answer those with which I was wounded in the house of my freinds Zech. 13.6 Q. 37 It seemes you would fain have some course taken to be rid of them what spirit doth that savour of A. I would they were even cut off which trouble you Gal. 5.12 Q. 38 Some will not be perswaded that the Magistrate may punish for sins against the first Table can you show that idolatrous practises are punishable by a civill power A. If I beheld the Sunne when it shined or the Moon walking in brightnesse and mine heart hath been secretly entised or my mouth hath kissed my hand this also were an iniquity to be punished by the Judge for I should have denied the God that is above Joh 31.26 27 28. Q. 39 What course is to be taken with blasphemers A. He that blasphemeth the name of the Lord he shall surely be put to death and all the congregation shall certainly stone him as well the stranger as he that is born in the Land when he blasphemeth the name of the Lord shall be put to death Lev. 24.16 Q. 40 In these times wherein errours are so rise what is the Ministers charge A. Holding fast the faithfull word as he hath beene taught that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and convince the gain-sayers Tit. 1.9 Q. 41 Do Ministers well to stir up the people to withstand the errours of the times A. It was needfull for me to write unto you and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the Saints Jude 3. Q. 42 Is it warrantable publikely to brand the names of Hereticks and Seducers that so men may be shye of tehm A. Their word will eat as doth a Canker of whom is Hymeneus and Philetus who concerning the truth have erred saying that the Resurrection is past already and overthrow the faith of some 2 Tim. 2.17 18. Q. 43 Till some course be taken for their suppression what course must I take to keep out of the way of errour A. Now I beseech you brethren mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned and avoid them Rom. 16.17 Q. 44 Besides shunning their company what else must we do A. Beloved beleeve not every spirit but try the spirits whether they are of God because many false prophets are gone out into the world 1 John 4.1 Q. 45 You would have us very suspicious in these times what generall ground have you whom to suspect as unsound A. They went out from us but they were not of us for if they had been of us they would no doubt have continued with us but they went out that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us 1 John 2.19 Q. 46 Many which separate cry down your ministery for Antichristian and speak much of the spirit what can you say about them A. Beloved remember ye the words which were spoken before of the Apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ how that they told you there should be mockers in the last time who should walk after their own ungodly lusts these be they who separate themselves sensuall having not the spirit Jude 17 18 19. Q. 47 They have been very earnest with me to forsake your ministers what is their designe in that A. They zealously affect you but not well yea they would exclude you that you might affect them Gal. 4.17 Q. 48 How can you justifie against them your ministery of the Church of England A. The seal of my Apostleship are ye in the Lord. 1 Cor. 9.2 Q. 49 Is then the ordinary conversion of souls a demonstrative argument of a right ministery A How shall they beleeve in him of whom they have not heard and how shall they hear without a preacher
and how shall they preach except they be sent Rom. 10.14 15. Q. 50 They deny your Church of England and say there is no Church visible in the New Testament but a particular congregation how prove you the contrary A. God hath set some in the Church first Apostles secondarily Prophets thirdly Teachers after that miracles then gifts of healings helps in governments diversities of tongues 1 Cor. 12.28 Q. 51 Have you any further warrant to judge that there may be Nationall Churches in Gospel times A. In the last dayes it shall come to passe that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established in the top of the mountains and it shall bee exalted above the hills and people shall flow unto it and many Nations shall come and say Come let us go up to the mountain of the Lord c. Mich 4.1 2. Q. 52 Some distast your assemblies because they are kept in those places which are set apart for publike worship What warrant have you for preaching in such parish meeting houses as are commonly called Churches A. Jesus answered him I spake openly to the world I ever taught in the Synagogue and in the Temple whither the Jewes alwayes resort and in secret have I said nothing John 18.20 Q 53 Others dislike your Ministers because they do not work for their livings as Paul did what say you to that A. Or I only and Barnabas have not we power to forbear working who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges who planteth a vineyard and eateth not of the fruit thereof or who feedeth a flock and eateth not of the milk of the flock say I these things as a man or saith not the Law the same also 1 Cor. 9.6 7 8. Q 54 But your Ministers are maintained by Tyths were not they proper to the Leviticall Priesthood and therefore to be abolished with it A. He whose descent is not counted from them received Tyths of Abraham and blessed him that had the promises Heb. 7.6 Q. 55 Others separate onely from the Communion because unworthy receivers are known to come to the Table how may their consciences be satisfied till discipline be restored more exactly A. Let a man examine himself and so let him eat of that bread and drink of that cup for he that eateth and drinketh unworthily eateth and drinketh damnation to himself 1 Cor. 11.28 29. Q. 56 Others take exception chiefly at your administring of baptisme can you shew them by Scripture the baptizing of infants and that without dipping A. Brethren I would not that ye should be ignorant how that our fathers were under the cloud and all passed thorow the Sea and were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud c. 1 Cor. 10.1 2. Q. 57 But you serve God according to a Directory where is your warrant for that A. One of his disciples said unto him Lord teach us to pray as John also taught his disciples and he said unto them When ye pray say Our Father which art in Heaven hallowed be thy Name c. Luke 11.1 2. Q. 58 But where is your warrant for singing of Psalms together at your meetings A. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another in Psalms and Hymnes and spirituall songs singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. Col. 3.16 Q. 59 Others dislike the matter of your preaching generally as too legall for these Gospel-times what generall answer will you give them A. Do we then make void the Law through faith God forbid yea we establish the Law Rom. 3.31 Q. 60 Is it our duty then to keep the Law A. If you fulfill the royall law according to the Scripture thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy self ye do well James 2.8 Q. 61 But what if we fail in any point of the Law A. Ye commit sin and are convinced of the Law as transgressours for whosoever shall keep the whole Law and yet offend in one point he is guilty of all James 2.9 10. Q. 62 Should then a child of God take notice of and lay to heart the guilt of his sins A. Deliver me from blood-guiltinesse O God Psalm 51.14 Q. 63 Some say David was under another dispensation then we are can you show them the like precedent before the covenant from mount Sinai which gendereth to bondage A. I have sinned what shall I do unto thee O thou preserver of men why hast thou set me as a mark against thee so that I am a burden unto my selfe and why dost thou not pardon my transgression and take away mine iniquity Job 7.20 21. Q. 64 What should a child of God do then to get his sins pardoned A. Forgive us our sins Luke 11.4 Q. 65 What must he do besides praying for pardon A. If we confesse our sinnes he is faithfull and just to forgive us our sins 1 John 1.9 Q. 66 What further condition is there required of a child of God for the obtaining of pardon A. If ye forgive men their trespasses your heavenly Father will also forgive you but if ye forgive not men their trespasses neither will your Father forgive your trespasses Mat. 6.14 15. Q. 67 Your doctrine implies that God observes the siâ—â— of his people can you prove that A. Neverthelesse I have somewhat against thee because thou hast left thy first love Rev. 2.4 Q. 68 Doth God also correct his children for their sins A. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you and many sleep for if we would judge our selves we should not be judged but when we are judged we are chastened of the Lord that we should not be condemned with the world 1 Corinth 11.30 31 32. Q. 69 May then a child of God when he is corrected look upon God as angry and upon sin as the procuring cause A. I will bear the indignation of the Lord because I have sinned against him untill he plead my cause and execute judgement for me he will bring me forth to the light and I shall behold his righteousnesse Mic. 7.9 Q. 70 Why must not a Christian look upon Gods love and not upon his dreadfulnesse A. We receiving a Kingdom which cannot be moved let us have grace whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear for our God is a consuming fire Heb. 12 28 29. Q 71 Would you have a child of God mourn for his sinnes A. I will pour upon the house of David and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem the spirit of grace and of supplications and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced and they shall mourn for him as one mourneth for his only son and shall be in bitternesse for him as one that is in bitternesse for his first born Zech. 12.10 Q. 72 Would you have Christians to try the goodnesse of their estates by the work of grace in them A. Examine your selves whether you be in the faith prove your own selves know