every part and faculty both of soul and body which deprivation and corruption received in and from them is called Original sin Gen. 2.17 Rom. 5.12 Psal 51.5 Rom. 7.18 Eph. 2.3 Q. Which are the temporal miseries A. Gods curse upon the creatures on mans body senses name friends whatsoeever he takes in hand and death it self Rom. 8.20 Deut. 28.15,16 c. Rom. 6.21 Qu. VVhat are the spiritual miseries A Blindness of mind the spirit of slumber and giddiness horror of Conscience hardness of heart a reprobate sense and strong delusions Isa 6.9 Rom. 11.8 Exod 7.2 Rom. 1.28 2 Thes 2.11 Qu. Was God so angry that he would curse man for eating an Apple or such like A. That was not the matter of Gods anger but his unthankfulness pride disobedience and crediting rather the Devil then God 2. Q. Who redeemed you that is delivered you from eternal death and reconciled you unto God A. Iesus Christ the Son of God Q. By what means did Christ redeem you A. By suffering death upon the Cross for my sins and the sins of the whole world 1 John 2.2 Q. How could he suffer death seeing he was the Son of God A. He took upon him the nature of man that is an humane body and soul and therein suffered death upon the Cross for our redemption Heb. 2.16 Heb. 10.5 1 Pet. 3.18 3. Q. Who sanctified you A. The Holy Hhost 1 Cor. 6.11 A. A work of the Holy Ghost by which such as are redeemed are made holy and become new creatures and enabled to do good and holy works 1 Thâ—s 4.3 John 15.3 Q. What be the parts of sanctification A. Two Mortification and Vivification Rom. 6.11 Q. What is Mortification A. The killing of our natural corruption and weakning of sin in us Rom. 6.6 Q. What is Vivification A. The quickning up of Grace and Holiness in our souls Rom. 6.4 Q. Wherefore did God create redeem and sanctifie you A. To glorifie and serve him Luke 1.74,75 Q. In what manner must we serve God A. As he hath prescribed in his Word and that must be done in spirit and truth * spiritually that is with our hearts and souls as well as our bodies and truly that is sincerely and heartily without hypocrisie John 4.24 Q. What is the word of God which doth prescribe the manner of Gods worship A. The word of God is contained in those Books which are called the Canonical Scriptures Q. Why are they called Canonical A. Because they are the Canons that is the rules of Gods worship according to the which men must frame their faith and manners Isa 8.20 Psal 119.9 Q. How do you know that every part of the Scripture was delivered by Divine Inspiration and so is indeed the Word of God A. By many firm arguments but especially six 1. By the express testimony of the Scripture 2 Pet. 1.19,20,21 2 By the inward testimony of the Holy Ghost in my heart 1 John 2.27 1 Cor. 2.15 3. By the wonderful majesty of the Scriptures delivered yet in great simplicity 1 Cor. 2.14 4. By the mighty power of it in converting souls Psal 19.7 2 Cor. 10.4 5 By the matter which altogether savoureth of headenly wisdom 6. By the continual consent of all the Scriptures being written by so many in time so different Q. To what purpose or use doth the Scripture or Word of God serve man A. To make him wise to salvation and perfect to all good works four manner of ways 1. By teaching the truth 2 By confuteing falshood 3. By correcting vice 4. By instructing in righteousness 2 Tim. 3.16 The Second Part of the CATECHISME expounding the CREED Qu. HOw many Articles are there of the Faith and which are they A. Twelve I believe in God the Father c. Qu. What is Faith A. Faith is a belief of the Gospel joyned with a resolute casting of ones self upon Christ alone for remission of sins and salvation 1 Cor. 15.11 Acts 16.31 Rom. 4.5 Q. What is the ground of Faith A. The frée promises of God made in Christ concerning the forgiveness of sins and eternal righteousness Rom. 4.18 Heb. 11.1 I. Arti. Q. why do you say I believe and not we believe A. Because another mans prayer may help me but it must be mine own and not another mans Faith that must save me Q. What is the meaning of this I believe in God A. I believe him to be my God and put my whole trust and confidence in him Rom. 10.11 Q. Why is God called the Father A. Because he is the Father of all by creation and of Christ by nature and eternal generation and in him my Father I being one of Christs members Q. What doth the Title Almighty import A. That he hath all sufficiency in himself and that he is able to do whatsoever he will Gen. 17.1 Psal 115.3 Q. How know you that God is Almighty A. 1. By creating all things 2. By upholding and governing all things created by his continual providence Q. Of how many sorts are the creatures that God made A. Of two sorts visible and invisible Q. Which are the invisible creatures A. Angels and Souls of men Q. Of how many sorts are the Angels A. Of two sorts as good and bad Q. What are the bad Angels called A. Devils Q. Did God make the Devils A. Yes he made the Devils but he did not make them Devils he made them Angels of light they made themselves Devils by sin Jude 6. Q. Whereof did God create the world A. Of nothing to shew his might and power by his Word Heb. 11.3 Q. In what time made he the world A. In six days that we might more particularly consider of the creatures Q. When made he man A. Last of all because he was made Lord of all and might find all things ready for him Gen. 1.26 II. Art Q. Why is Christ called Jesus A Because he saveth his people from their sins neither is there salvation in any other Mat. 1.21 Acts 4.1 Q. Why is the second person in the Trinity called Christ A. In regard of the offices whereunto he was ordained by God the Father and anointed by the Holy Ghost Acts 10.38 Q Which are the offices of Christ A. Thrée 1. His Prophetical office to teach us and instruct us in all things Mat. 17.5 2. His Priestly office to reconcile us * by offering up even himself a Sacrifice upon the Cross for our sins Heb 9.24,25,26 3. His Kingly office to reign over us by his Word and Spirit Luke 1.33 Q. VVhat benefits hast thou by the offices of Christ A. Both I and all the elect people of God are made spiritual Kings Priests and Prophets 1. Kings in bearing rule over our own hearts and mastering our rebellious thoughts wills and affections Rom. 6.12 2. Priests in offering up to God our spiritual Sacrifices of Prayer of Thanksgiving of Almes of a contrite heart of our own souls and bodies for the service of God Psal
of bondage A. Four 1. In that it is said God spake these words I learn that God is the Author of them 2. In that it is said I am the Lord I learn that he hath authority to command and power to punish the breakers of his Law Mat. 10.28 3. It that it is said Thy God I learn that we must obey in regard of the Covenant which we have made with him Ezek. 11.20 4. In that it is said Which brought thée out of Egypt learn that we must obey in regard of his mercy and goodness towards us Deut. 4.20 Luke 1.74 I. Command Q. What doth the first commandement require of us A. That we take the true God only for our God Q. How is this done A. Two ways 1. By knowing and acknowledging him in our Iudgments to be God alone 2. By entirely cleaving unto him in our affections Q. Which are those affections by which we are to cleave to God especially A. 1. Faith or affiance in him as our only stay out of which floweth prayer for what we want and thankfulness for what we have received Psal 62.1 Psal 51.14 2. Love unto him as our chiefest good Deut. 6.5 3. Fear of him as the greatest and most glorious object Isa 8.13 Q. What is for bidden in the first Commandement A. Either the not knowing or acknowledging any God at all which is Atheism or not knowing the true God aright which is gross ignorance or acknowledging any other to be God besides him that is not God by nature which is Idolatry Besides any failing to cleave unto the true God by Faith Love and Fear which are due unto him or leaning therein to any other II. Command Q. What doth the second Commandement concern A. The rule or manner according to which God will be worshiped Q. What is forbidden in this Second Commandement A. All carnal worshipping of God by Images either represented to the eye or conceived in the mind together with all inventions of men about the substance or manner of his worship Q. What is commanded in it A. A Spiritual worshiping of God and a careful following of his Word and Sucraments in the use of his worship John 4.24 1 Câ—r 11.23 c. III. Command Q. What is required of us in the third Commandement A. 1. We are forbidden to abuse the glorious Name of God any manner of way as in conjuring cursing perjury in idle and vain swearing Deut. 18.11 Rom. 12.14 Lev. 19.12 Mat. 5.34 2 We are commanded to use the Holy Name of God with reverence and honor as in giving honor and praise unto it and in religious swearing by it Deut. 28.58 Psal 118.28,29 Isa 45.23 Q. Tell me by whom we must swear A. By God for it is a part of his glory which he will give to none other Deu 6.13 Q. In what causes and where is it lawful to swear A. Where the glory of God is sought or the preservation of our brethren or before a Magistrate 2 Cor. 1.23 Jer. 4.2 Heb. 9.16 IV. Command Q. What is commanded in the fourth Commandement A. That the whole Sabbath or Lords Day be set apart from all common use as holy to the Lord both publickly and privately in the practice of the duties of Piety and works of Mercy and Necessity Q. What are the duties of Piety and Holiness A. Hearing the Word of God read and preached praying receiving of the Sacraments conferring and meditating of the Word and Works of God Acts 13.14,15 Acts 15.21 Acts 16.13 Acts 20.7 Psal 92.4,5 Q. What are the works of mercy which we are to perform on that day A. Visiting the sick comforting the afflicted collections for the poor and such like Mark 3.4 1 Cor. 16.2 Q. What be the works of necessity A. Such as end necessarily to the preservation of life health or goods which otherwise would perish or be in danger Mat. 12.1,7,11 Mat. 12.5 Or to the performance of Gods service which otherwise must be omitted Q. What is forbidden in this fourth Commandement A. All neglecting of the duties of the Sabbaâ—h prophaning of that day in whole or in part by needless works words or thoughts about our callings or recreations Mat. 26.6 Acts 20.9 Isa 58.13 Neh. 13.15,16,17 c. Exod. 34.21 Q. What reasons doth God use to disswade men from the works of the world on the Sabbath Day A. Four in number 1. Because he doth allow them six days in every wéek to do their own business in 2. Because the seventh day is the Lords day and not theirs 2. Because he himself rested the seventh day and did not work therein as he had done in the six days before 4. Because he hath sanctified the seventh day and appointed the same for a blessing unto men V. Command Q. What is meant by Honour A. It imports especially thrée things 1. to reverence their persons 2. To obey their lawful commands 3. When néed requireth to relieve them Q. What is meant by Father and Mother A. My Father and Mother who are my natural parents the Magistrates who are the Fathers of our Countrey the Ministers of Gods Word who are our Fathers in Christ our Masters and Governors the aged and all our betters Q. What is the Duty that Superiors are to return back again to their Infectors A. To carry themselves gravely méekly and in a séemly manner towards them Titus 2.2 Col. 3.21 Col. 4.1 Q. What is the duty of equals to each other A. To carry themselves modestly and lovingly towards one another with due respect to the worth and dignity of each other Eph. 5.21 Rom. 12.10 Q. Have all the children of God length of life A. They have two manner of ways 1. They have the blessing of long life in this world like as they have the blessing of health even in sickness and the blessing of wealth even in poverty so far forth as all estates and conditions work for their good Prov. 3.16 Eccles 8.12 Rom. 8.28 Psal 91.16 2. The sooner they dye here the sooner they enter upon life in the Kingdom of Heaven so that the shorter it is here the longer it is there Q. But have not the wicked long life sometimes A. Yes in this world but it is a cursed not a blessed life unto them which the Scripture accounteth death rather then life Isa 65.20 VI. Command Q. What is forbidden in the sixth Commandement Thou shalt not kill A. All neglect of our own or our neighbors preservation or desire of our own or their hurt conceived in heart or declared by word gesture or déed Q. What is commanded in it A. That by all means lawful we desire and study to preserve our own person and the person of our neighbor VII Command Q. What is forbidden in the Seventh Commandement Thou shalt not commit Adultery A. All uncleanness of heart spéech gesture or action together with all the causes occasions and signs thereof Q. What is commanded in it A. That we should kéep our selves
pure in soul and body both towards our selves and others VIII Command Q. How many things are forbidden in the either Commandement Thou shalt not steal A. Thrée 1. All desire of any mans goods wrongfully Eph. 5.5.2 All stealing robbing and unlawful getting Lev. 19.11 1 Thes 4.6 3. Vpholding of theft in others by letting them escape unpunished féeding and maintaining of théeves and idle persons Isa 1.23 2 Thes 3.10 Q. How many things are we commanded in it A. Thrée 1. To be content with that portion which the Lord hath sent us 1. Tim. 6.6 2. That we labour for our living in a lawful calling 2. Thes 3.12 3. To be helpful to them that need especially to the poor Saints both by hospitality and alms-déeds Gal. 6.10 Heb. 13.2,16 IX Command Q. What things are forbidden in the Ninth Commandement Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour A. 1. We are forbidden to speak falsely in witness bearing Prov. 19 5,2 2. To backbite or â—lander any Psal 15.3 3. To lye flatter or dissemble Eph. 4.25 Q. What are we commanded herein A. We are commanded in all things to speak and maintain truth as 1. in bearing witness 2. In plain reproving our brethren Lev. 19 12. 3. In defending his good name Phil. 10.11 c. X Command Q. What is required of you in the Tenth Câ—mmandement A. That I be truly contented with my own outward condition resting always thankful to God for my present estate and that I may not once have an unlawful lust or motion in my self or an inordinate desire to any thing that is my neighbours but for ever think good towards him rejoycing in anothers good as in our own Heb. 13.5 Phil. 4.11 1 Thes 5.18 1 Kings 21.2 Acts 26.29 Rom. 12.15 Q. Is any man able to keep the Commandements A. No 1. Because we sin the best of us in many things 2. Our best works do savour of the flesh and are defective Q. To what end serve they then A. 1. To humble us in regard of our miserable estate hereby discovered 2. To be a rule of good life into us 3. To set us awork daily to pray and cry to the Lord for mercy and for strength to live accordâ—… to his laws Q. As you have shewed me the profit of the Law so tell me why we should do good works since they cannot save us A. 1. To shew our love to God our Father in walking as becometh his children John 14.15 2. To shew our love to our selves making thereby our election certain to our selves 2 Pet. 1.10 3 To win our brethren to Christ by our godly life and conversation Mat. 5.6 1 Pet. 3.1 4 To stop the mouths of all blasphemous adversaries 1. Pet. 2.15 1 Pet. 3.16 Q. How â—ay things are principally to be considered in good works A. Thrée 1. that they be commanded in the Law of God Eph. 2.10 2 That they procéed from a heart purged by faith Heb. 11.6 Rom. 14.23 3 That they be done to Gods glory 1 Pet. 4.11 The Fourth Part of the CATECHISME concerning the LORDS PRAYER Qu. WHat is Prayer A. A calling upon God in name of Christ whereby we séek unto him to give the good things we stand in need of and to remove the evil things which our sins deserved and to give him thanks for blessings and mercies received Q. How many principal parts be there of the Lords Prayer A. Thrée 1 A Preface and Introduction to prayer in these words Our Father which art in Heaven 1. The matter of prayer contained in the six petitions 3. An assurance of that we pray for contained in the conclusion For thine is the kingdom the power and the glory for ever Amen Q. What learn you out of the Preface Our Father which art in Heaven A. Thrée things 1. He to whom we must pray is a father and no tyrant to be fled from 2. He is our Father and therefore loveth us 3. Heaven is his Throne and therefore he is able to â—elp Q. Why do you say Our Father and not my Father A 1. Because God is the Father of us all 2. To teach us to pray for others as well as for our selves Q. Why is God said to be in Henven A. Not that he is contained or included there for he fills Heaven and Earth but because his glory is most manifold as in Heaven so from Heaven * For from heaven especially the glory of his power providence and justice mercy and other attributes is declared I. Peti Q How is Gods Name said to to be Hallowed A. By acknowledging the holiness thereof and honouring it accordingly Q. What doth this word Name signifie A. Those things whereby God is made known unto us which are six especially his nature the distinction of the persons in the holy Trinity his Titles his Attributes his Word and his Works II. Peti Q What is meant by Gods Kingdoâ—… A. The peculiar Sovereignty which God hath over his Elect begun here in grace hereafter to be perfected in glory Q. How many things do you pray for in this petition Thy Kingdom come A. Four 1. That he may reign in as our hearts by the Sceptre of his Word 2 Cor. 10.5 2. That by his holy spirit he will govern us Rom. 14.17 3. That Satan and all our lusts may be overthrown Rom. 16.20 1 John 3.8 4. That he would finish these days of sin and receive us into his kingdom of glory Rev. 22.20 III. Peti Q. What do you pray for in the third Petition Thy will be done c A. That as the will of God is done in Heaven readily chéerfully and faithfully so we may faiâ—hfully believe obediently perform and patiently bear the known and revealed will of God here on earth and that in truth and sincerity of affection as it is in Heaven though we cannot in like measure and degree of persection Psal 103.20 Deut. 29.29 Heb. 10.36 2 Cor. 8.12 Q. Why must we pray to do Gods will as the Angels do it A Because one day we shall be like unto them in glory therefore we have cause to desire to be like unto them here in holiness IV. Peti Q. What is meant by this word Bread A. All manner of temporal blessings néedful for the sustentation and preservation of this life as meat drink cloth health peace and liberty c. Q. How is Bread said to be ours A. In regard of a just and true right we have thereunto which right is twofold 1. Spiritual proper to the Saints that believe in Christ 1 Cor. 3.22,23 2. Civil which is agréeable to Iustice and equity and that in the Courts of men Q. What is meant by this word daily A. Ordinary and usual bread whereof we do every day stand in néed being fittest for our nature to preserve soul and body together and to nourish and cherish us here in this life Prov. 30.8 Q. Why do you add this day A. To shew the moderation of our desire
Spirit and breath of God blowing freely where it listeth and working spiritually for manner means and matter where it pleaseth John 3.8 Acts 2.2,3,4 Q. Why is the third person called holy A. Not only because of his essential holiness as God but because he is the author and worker of holiness in men 1 Cor. 6.11 IX Art Q. Why do you say I believe the Church not in the Church A. We do believe that there is a Church but we do not believe in the Church but in God the Church here below at the best is but a company of men called justified sanctified in part and therefore may erre Q. What is it then to believe the Church A. 1. That there is and always shall be a Church 2. That I am one of the Church 3. To believe the doctrine of the Church wherein it followeth Christ the Prophets and Apostles the onely sure pillars and ground of truth Q. How many sorts of Churches are there A. Two sorts Triumphant and Militant Q. What is the Church Triumphant A. The company of Gods children in Heaven Heb. 12.23 Q. VVhy is it so called A. Because they are all out of danger and so do triumph Rev. 21.4 Q. VVhat is the Church Militant A. The company of Gods Children here on Earth Q. Why are they thus called A. Because they fight the Lords battles against the world the flesh and the Devil 2 Tim. 2.3 Eph. 6.12 Q. What Church is here meant A. The Church Militant Q. What do you learn hence A. That God hath a Church and will have to the end of the world Q. Is there but one Church A. No there is but one true Church of Christ though there may be many particular visible Churches which are parts thereof yet there is but one Catholick and Vniversal Church of which not one shall be lost and out of which not one shall be saved Eph. 5.23 John 17.12 Q. Why is it called Catholick or Universal A. It is called Catholick or Vniversal 1. In respect of time because it hath been and shall be in all ages Acts 2.39 2. In respect of persons it consists of all sorts of men high and low rich and poor Acts 2.10,34 3. In respect of place it hath been gathered from all parts of the earth Rev. 5.9 Rev. 7.9 Q. Why is the Church called Holy A. Because it is made holy by justification in Christ and Sanctification of the Spirit Rom. 3.24 Cant. 4.7 Q. What is the Communion of Saints A. That holy and sweet fellowship which all the members of Christs Church have one with another as they make all but one body in Christ so communicating of all good things unto one another whether spiritual or temporal as their mutual necessities do require 1 John 1.3 2 Cor. 8.14 Q. Why are all believers called Saints A. Because they are partakers of Christs holiness daily growing and increasing in the same And to let us know that none shall be Saints in Heaven but such as are first Saints on Earth Heb. 12.10 3 Cor. 7.1 Q. What duty doth this communion of Saints require of us A. To renounce all fellowship with sin and sinners to edifie one another in Faith and Love to delight in the society of the Saints and to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace X. Art Q. What is meant by the forgiveness of sins A. Forgiveness of sins is that great blessing of God which Iesus Christ by his death and passion procured for all that believe in him whereby God esteems of their sins as no sins or as never committed by them Q. What duties are required of us that find our sins pardoned A. To sin no more lest a worse thing come unto us to forgive others as God hath forgiven us to renew our assurance by prayer repentance and new obedience XI Art Q. What professest thou to believe in the eleventh Article The resurrection of the body A. That the bodies of the wicked shall be raised by the power of Christ as he is Iudge and joyned to their souls so to continue together without separation for evermore in the torments of Hell but the bodies of the faithful and so mine among others shall be raised by virtue of Christs resurrection to enjoy in body and soul together life everlasting 1 Cor. 15.20 1 Thes 4.14,16 John 5.28,29 XII Art Q. What is life everlasting A. That glorious estate of absolute holiness and happiness in the Heavens which all the elect shall for ever enjoy with Christ in the presence of God and his Angels 1 Thes 4.17 Q. What assurance have we of this estate A. It is prepared by the Father purchased by the Son confirmed by the Holy Ghost entred upon here and inherited hereafter Mat. 25.34 Eph. 1.13,14 Col. 1.5 1. Pet. 1.3,4,5 Q. What profit dost thou get by believing all these things A. 1. By this means I am justified before God even by faith alone in Christ Acts 13.39 Phil. 3.9 2. By faith I shall overcome the enemies of my Salvation 1 John 5.4 3. Being justified and overcomming I shall inherit eternal life Rom. 8.38 Tit. 3.7 Q. What is justification A. It is Gods accepting and accounting of a sinner as guiltless not for any righteousness of his own but upon the frée remission of his sins and the imputation of Christs righteousness and obedience Phil. 3.9 Rom. 3.24 Q. How is faith wrought and confirmed in our hearts A. 1. Inwardly by the Spirit the fountain of all Spiritual Graces Acts 16.14 1 Cor. 14.1,2 2. Outwardly by the Word of God which containeth the promises the ground of Faith Rom. 10.17 3. By the Sacraments which are seals of those promises Rom. 4.11 4. By prayer which addeth strength to Faith Luke 17.5 The Third Part of the CATECHISME concerning the COMMANDEMENTS Qu. HOw many Commandements are there A. Ten. Q. Into how many Tables are the commandements divided A. Into two * and no more because all righteousness is reduced to two Heads namely towards God or towards man Mat. 22.39,40 Q. What doth the first Table concern A. Our duty to God contained in the four first Commandments Q. What doth the second Table concern A. Our duty to our Neighbor contained in the six last Commandments Q. In this order of the Tables that the Duty to God is set before the duty to our neighbour how many Lessons do you learn A. 1. I learn to serve him before all thing and not to regard worldly things no nor life it self in respect of his glory Mat. 6.33 2. If I render my duty truly to God I must do my duty also to my Neighbour for if I neglect it to my neighbour whom I see daily it is evident that I do so to God 1 John 3.17 Q. How many Lessons learn you out of the Preface or Introduction to the commandements God spake these words and said I am the Lord thy God which brought thee out of the Land of Egypt out of the house