A SCRIPTURE Catechism 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 A FORM OF Sound Words OR A Scripture-Catechism SHEWING What a Christian is to Believe and Practise in order to Salvation Very useful for Persons of all Ages and Capacities as well as Children Composed by the Pious and Learned JOHN WORTHINGTON D. D. Deceased LONDON Printed for R. Royston Bookseller to His most Sacred Majesty MDCLXXIII THE PREFACE THat the seasoning of Youth with Truth and the pure genuine Doctrine of Christianity is a business of mighty consequence cannot be in the least doubted by any that observe as who may not that the lamentable ignorance of the generality of those who are honoured with the name Christians and the gross Erroneousness and Misunderstanding of the Gospel that multitudes which yet make a great profession of it are manifestly guilty of are to be imputed to no one thing so much as to the neglect of that duty And that the want of pious education hath more than any other thing whatsoever rendred ineffectual the industrious endeavours of faithful Ministers for the good of Souls First this is apparently the grand and fundamental Cause of so many peoples gross Ignorance of that Religion which they are baptized into and have all their days lived under the preaching of and 't is not to be denied that those whose understandings gain none or but very inconsiderable improvement by hearing the Holy Scriptures read and the Doctrines they contain explained in the Church are almost universally such as whose Parents or those that had the charge of them took none or very little care to instruct at home And who doth not see also that the strange proneness of people to be misled and turned about with every wind of Doctrine is nothing so much to be attributed to their want of good Preaching as to their not being prepossessed and early anticipated with the wholesom words of our Lord Jesus Christ their not being timely antidoted with the Doctrine that is according to godliness against the poysonous Principles of the many Deceivers that are entred into the world and make such sad Havock of souls among our selves And as the constant experience of mankind assureth us that there is no such time for improving in other Sciences or Mysteries as Youth and that few become very considerable in any profession who have not studied it in their younger years so 't is rare to find any that have attained to but a competent proficiency in the great Mystery of Godliness in whom the grounds of it have not been laid in that age Therefore the wise man adviseth to remember our Creator in the days of our youth and to train up a Child in the way that he should go adding that when he is old he will not then depart from it And as S. Paul told Timothy who had a religious Mother and Grandmother that from a Child he had known the Scriptures which are able to make him wise to salvation so hath it always been the practice of truly pious Parents and Governours of Youth to take care that God and the good things of his Law may get the first possession of their Childrens hearts and not to neglect the well principling of them till they arrive at a mature and settledjudgment as well knowing that Young ones are ordinarily as much more docile and tractable than those of Ripe years as is a Twig more lithe and yielding than the body of a Grown Tree and that 't is far easier to prevent the fixing of evil habits in their Souls than to extirpate them being fixed Now in order to the better instructing of Youth the way of learning them Catechisms or Books containing and explaining the Substance of Religion by Questions and Answers is commended by the General and very Ancient practice of the Church of God but it must be acknowledged that through the too imprudent and unskilful composure of most Catechisms this way hath not proved so successful as it might with the blessing of God have been had due care and judgment been used about them 'T is easie to shew how much there is of mistake and men in them and that whereas God commanded the Jews to teach their Children his Laws and Statutes not any notions of their own they are generally too faulty in this particular And by this means have become greater propagators of some uncertain Speculations and even dangerous Errors than furtherances of useful and necessary knowledge and possessed the Learners of them both with a wrong notion of Christianity in general and such particular opinions as tend to enervate and make insignificant the wholsome Doctrine taught by them This great abuse hath very much been complained of by Wise and Good men and it was the affecting sense that the most pious and worthy Person our Authour had of it that prevail'd with him to compose this Catechism of whom by the way I cannot forbear notwithstanding the extremely narrow room I am here confin'd to to give this general and very short Account viz. That as he was highly valued by men capable of understanding the worth of that accomplishment for his excellent Learning so all Good men that had the happiness of knowing him could do no other than greatly love and honour him for the incomparably more noble endowment of a divine temper and most Christ-like spirit that appeared in him Among other there were no vertues he was more observed to be an Example of than a Dove-like innocence and simplicity a Lamb-like meekness humility and peaceableness the greatest benignity candor and ingenuity the most Christian that is unlimited and universal charity in which those that dissented from him in matters of Religion which is rare in these days had not only a real but great interest intire self-resignation to the will of God a very devout temper of mind towards him And those must needs conclude that he loved God and the souls of men in an eminent degree that observed how very publick spirited he was and wonderfully industrious in contriving and promoting designs for the bettering of the World and in exciting others to do the like To omit other lasting Monuments of his pious industry Mr. Mede's most elaborate Discourses by him collected and published in one great Volume will perpetuate his memory All that know what he hath there alone performed will pronounce him a most indefatigable pains taker for the publick good And I presume that those that shall consider the following Catechism will acknowledg it a no less laborious than judicious work and consequently that it is another very singular instance of his solicitous concern for their better part And as I said that the sense he had of the ill services that too many Catechisms do in the world was the occasion of his composing this so I verily believe that a more effectual course cannot well be taken for remedying of that mischief For first that so it may neither be too large nor yet defective he hath with
of Godliness but denying the power thereof from such I say we must turn away that so we henceforth be no more children tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine by the slight of men and cunning craftiness whereby they lie in wait to deceive Q. Having spoken of the three chief outward means for the begetting and encrease of grace and holiness what are those four last things as they are commonly called which being duly considered would excite and engage us to a serious minding of Holiness A. The four last things which being duly considered would excite and engage us to a serious minding of Holiness are Death and Judgment Heaven and Hell Q. What doth the Scripture tell us of Death A. The Scripture tells us that it is appointed unto men once to die and that our life is even as a vapour that appeareth for a little time and then vanisheth away Q. What should the shortness and uncertainty of our life here engage us to A. The shortness and uncertainty of our life here should engage us so to number our days that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom Q. What is that wisdom which we are to apply our hearts unto A. The fear of the Lord that is wisdom and to depart from evil is understanding Q. What doth the Scripture tell us of the Judgment to come A. The Scripture tells us that God hath appointed a day in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained even by Jesus Christ who is ordained of God to be the judge of quick and dead and we must all appear before the Judgment-seat of Christ that every one may receive the thing done in his body according to that he hath done whether it be good or bad Q. What shall immediately precede the general Judgment A. The hour is coming in the which all that are in the graves shall hear the voice of the Son of God and shall come forth they that have done good unto the resurrection of life and they that have done evil unto the resurrection of damnation Q. What should the serious consideration of the last judgment engage us to A. The serious consideration of the last Judgment should engage us to fear God and keep his commandments for God shall bring every work into judgment with every secret thing in the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ Q. Seeing then that God who knoweth the secrets of the heart will bring every work into judgment and judg the secrets of men by Jesus Christ what must we do that we may not be condemned with the world at the day of judgment Psal. 44. 21. 1 Cor. 11. 32. A. That we may not be condemned with the world at the day of judgment let us search and try our ways and turn again to the Lord and let every man prove his own work for every man shall bear his own burthen and shall give account of himself to God Q. But seeing the Heart is deceitful above all things is it not needful to pray unto God that we may not be deceived in searching our ways and proving our own works Jer. 17. 9. A. Surely it is meet for us to say unto God That which I see not teach thou me and if I have done iniquity I will do no more for who can understand his errors Cleanse thou me from my secret faults Search me O God and know my heart try me and know my thoughts and see if there be any wicked way in me and lead me in the way everlasting Q. Forasmuch as the Heavens and the Elements and the Earth shall be dissolved when the day of the Lord shall come what doth the consideration hereof engage us to A. Seeing that all these things shall be dissolved what manner of persons ought we to be in all holy conversation and godliness giving diligence that we may be found of God in peace without spot and blameless Q. Who are those that are secured from being condemned with the world and may have boldness in the day of Judgment A. There is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus who walk not aster the flesh but after the spirit and such may have boldness in the day of judgment because as Christ was so are they in this world for hereby know we that we are in him if we keep his word and walk even as he walked Q. What doth the Scripture tell us of Heaven A. The Scripture tells us of Heaven That it is a place of Rest and comfort and joy even of fulness of joy and pleasures for evermore and that there is reserved for the Saints an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that fadeth not away Q. Can you give me a particular description of the Heavenly state A. Now are we the sons of God but it doth not yet appear what we shall be but we know that when he shall appear we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is and then shall we ever be with the Lord who will also change our vile body that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself Q. Who are thosethat shall not inherit the kingdom of God or Heaven A. We know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God and particularly neither fornicators nor idolaters nor Adulterers nor effeminate nor abusers of themselves with mankind nor thieves nor covetous nor drunkards nor revilers nor extortioners nor such like shall inherit the kingdom of God Q. Then you are throughly convinced that it is necessary that we become new creatures that so we may enter into the kingdom of Heaven A. Verily except we be born again except we be converted and become as little children we cannot see nor in any wise enter into the kingdom of Heaven Q. How then should every one live and behave himself that hopes to see God and his kingdom A. Every one that hath this hope in him should purifie even as God is pure or endeavour to be as like him in holiness as he can and walk worthy of God who hath called him to his kingdom and glory Q. What are they further engaged to do who believe and look for the heavenly kingdom and inheritance A. They are further engaged to have their conversation in heaven and to set their affections on things above and not on things on the earth Q. What is the fruit of the consideration of the glorious Rewardin heaven as to active obedience and doing the will of God A. The consideration of the glorious reward in heaven encourageth us to be stedfast and unmoveable always to abound in the work of the
Lord forasmuch as we know that our labour is not in vain in the Lord and not to be weary in well doing seeing that in due season we shall reap if we faint not and whatsoever we do to do it heartily as to the Lord and not unto men knowing that of the Lord we shall receive the reward of the inheritance and that to those that by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory honour and immortality God will render eternal life Q. What is the fruit of the consideration of the glorious Rewardin heaven as to passive obedience and suffering the will of God A. The consideration of the glorious reward in Heaven encourageth us to run the race that is set before us with patience because we reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us Nay when men shall revile and persecute us and shall say all manner of evil against us falsly for Christ's sake we are to rejoice and to be exceeding glad and even leap for joy because that great is our reward in Heaven and our light affliction which is but for a moment worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory Q. What doth the Scripture tell us of Hell A. The Scripture tells us that Hell is a place of torment and everlasting punishment where shall be weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth Q. Who are those that shall be thus everlastingly punished A. They that know not God and obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus they shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power and shall be cast into Hell-fire where their worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched Q. Tell me once more what must we do to be saved from eternal misery and to escape the wrath to come A. That we may be saved from eternal misery and escape the wrath to come we must believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and bring forth fruits meet for repentance and turn from all our transgressions so iniquity shall not be our ruine Two Short PRAYERS For the Use of CHILDREN By the same Author Morning Prayer MOst Great and Gracious Lord God the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort Thou art worthy to receive all thanks and praise for all thy mercies and favours towards me Blessed be thy name for preserving me the night past from all danger and evil for refreshing me with comfortable sleep and raising me up to see the light of another day In thee I live and have my being Thy mercies are new every morning and thy compassions fail not Grant therefore O Lord that as I live by the mercy and goodness I may also live to thy service and glory that I may love thee with all my heart and with all my strength and that I may be careful as thy obedient child to please thee O merciful Father in all things O give me understanding that I may learn thy Commandments Teach me to know thy will and enable me to do it that I may not sin against thee at any time Keep me this day from all evil and preserve me from all danger O Lord preserve my going out and my coming in from this time forth and for evermore And give me grace I beseech thee to serve thee in holiness and righteousness all the days of my life and to do that which is well pleasing in thy sight through Jesus Christ to whom be glory for ever and ever Amen 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 and 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 and the Power and the Glory for ever and ever Amen Evening Prayer O Almighty God and most merciful Father I thy poor Creature desire to praise thy holy name and to give thee all humble and hearty thanks for thy fatherly care over me this day and for all the blessings and comforts which I have received of thee day after day O Lord in mercy forgive my unthankfulness and all my other sins Forgive I beseech thee every evil thought word and deed whereby I have sinned against thee this day or at any other time And grant O Lord that for the time to come I may serve thee better and obey thee in all things Heavenly Father watch over me this night keep me from all evil and danger refresh me with comfortable rest and sleep and raise me up in health and safety to behold the light of another day And grant that the longer I live the better I may live and as I grow in age that I may also grow in grace and in the knowledge of thee and of thy Son Jesus Christ. Bless O Lord all that I am bound to pray for all my friends and kindred Bless all in this house and give us all grace to live in thy fear that we may die in thy favour and be received into thy heavenly and everlasting Kingdom through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour to whom be glory both now and for ever Amen THE END Some new Books Printed for Richard Royston at the Sign of the Angel in St. Paul's Church-yard THe Christian Sacrifice a Treatise shewing the necessity and manner of receiving the Holy Communion together with suitable Prayers and Meditations for every Month in the Year and the Principal Festivals in memory of our blessed Saviour in 12. The Devout Christian instructed how to Pray and give Thanks to God or a Book of Devotions for Families and for particular Persons in most of the concerns of Humane Life By the Author of the Christian Sacrifice in 12. The Practical Christian a Treatise explaining the Duty of Self-examination together with Confessions Meditations and Prayers By R. Sherlock D. D. Rector of Winwick The Principles of holy Christian Religion or the Catechism of the Church of England paraphras'd by the same Author A manifest Discovery of the Gross Ignorance Erroneousness and most Unchristian and Wicked Spirit of one John Bunyan Lay-preacher in Bedford which he hath shewed in a vile Pamphlet publish'd by him against The Design of Christianity The End Eccles. 12. 13. a Jo. 4. 24. b 1 Sam. 2. 2. Revel 4. 8. 1 Jo. 3. 3. Job 4. 17. Isa. 5. 16. c Mat. 19. 17. Psal. 103. 8. 119 68. 145. 8 9. d Deut. 32. 4. Job 34. 10. Gen. 18. 25. Isa. 26. 7. e Deut. 7. 9. Psal. 31. 5. 146. 6. Lam. 3. 23. f Jo. 21. 17. 1 Tim. 1. 17. Isa. 40. 13 14. Prov. 15. 3. g Revel 4. 8. Luke 18. 27. Dan. 4. 33. Job 42. 2. h Gen. 21. 33. Rom. 16. 26.
whom none is able to withstand that with him nothing is impossible nothing is too hard for him and that he doth whatsoever he pleaseth in heaven and in earth and no thought of his can be hindered Q. What do you learn from Gods being Almighty A. From God's being Almighty I learn that we ought above all to fear him and to tremble at his presence as also to submit our selves unto him to humble our selves under his mighty hand and to walk before him and be perfect that is in all things obedient on the contrary to take heed how we provoke him to jealousie who is stronger than we and that we harden not our selves against him Q. What do you farther learn from God's being Almighty A. From God's being Almighty I farther learn that we ought to trust in him and not be afraid what man can do unto us for if God be for us who can be against us that we be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might and be fully perswaded that what God hath promised he is able also to perform Q What is meant by God's being Eternal A. By this that God is Eternal is meant that he is from everlasting to everlasting the beginning and the end which is and which was and which is to come that he is the same and his years have no end that he only hath immortality that is originally and from himself is uncorruptible unchangeable and liveth for ever and ever Q. What do you learn from God's being Eternal A. I learn from God's being Eternal that there is to be given unto him honour and glory for ever and ever that he is to be blessed from everlasting to everlasting and that we ought to trust in the Lord for ever for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength Q. You said that God is every where present what is meant thereby A. By this that God is every where present is meant that he fills heaven and earth yea the heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain him that his greatness is unsearchable so that there is no flying from his presence nor can any hide himself in secret places that God shall not see him Q. What do you learn from God's being every where present A. From God's being every where present I learn that we are to pray every where lifting up holy hands God being nigh unto all them that call upon him to all that call upon him in truth and if we pray to our Father which is in secret he which seeth in secret will reward us openly Q. What do you farther learn from God's being every where present A. I from thence farther learn that we ought to walk before him in truth and with a perfect heart and do that which is good in his sight that it concernsus to keep his precepts for that all our ways are before him and the eyes of the Lord are in every place beholding the evil and the good Q. Having seen what God is in his Nature and Attributes proceed we to the Works of God Tell me then who made the World and preserveth all things therein A. God the Lord alone made heaven the heaven of heavens with all their host the earth and all things that are therein the seas and all that is therein and he preserveth them all Q. What learn you from God's creating and preserving the World and all things therein A. I learn that God the Lord is worthy to receive glory and honour and power for that he hath created all things and through his pleasure they are and were created and because he preserveth man and beast and the whole earth is full of the goodness of the Lord our mouth should speak the praise of the Lord and all slesh bless his holy name for ever and ever Seeing that of him and through him are all things to him be glory for ever and ever Q Who governs the World and all things therein A. God that made the World and all things therein is Lord of heaven and earth he hath prepared his throne in the heavens and his Kingdom ruleth over all he doth whatsoever he pleaseth both in heaven and in earth and worketh all things according to the counsel of his own will Q. What learn you from God's governing the World and all things therein A. From God's governing the World and all things therein I learn that therefore the Earth should rejoice for justice and judgment are the habitation or establishment of his throne and mercy and truth shall go before his face and that from the rising of the Sun to the going down thereof God's name is to be praised for who is like unto the Lord our God who dwelleth on high and humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven and in earth Q. What do you farther learn from God's governing the world and all things therein A. I do farther learn from thence that we should say whatsoever befalleth us with Eli it is the Lord that is the Lord hath appointed or permitted it let him do what seemeth him good and with Christ not my will but thine be done and with Job whether the Lord giveth or taketh away blessed be the name of the Lord Q. What do you yet farther learn from God's governing the World and all things therein A. I do yet farther learn from thence that we should commit our way and work unto the Lord and in all our ways acknowledge him who then will direct our paths that we should trust in the living God who is the Saviour of all men especially of them that believe and cast all our care and burthen upon him who careth for us and will sustein us Q. How did God create man A. God made man upright and created him in his own image Q. Wherein doth God's image in man consist A. God's image in man doth consist in knowledge righteousness and true holiness and in the dominion which God made him to have over the works of his hands Q. Did our first parents Adam and Eve continue in that good estate wherein they were created A. No they fell from it by sinning against God in that they did eat of the tree whereof God commanded that they should not eat Q. What then followed upon Adam's Transgression A. By that one man sin entred into the world and death by sin and so death passed upon all men for that all have sinned for the wages of sin is death Q. Did God leave man to perish in this miserable condition or did he in love and pity to us provide a way and means for us to be saved from sin and death A. So God loved the
or respects avail us any thing to justification and salvation without this new and spiritual obedience A. Neither circumcision availeth any thing nor uncircumcifion but a new creature the keeping of the commandments of God and not every one that saith Lord Lord shall enter into the Kingdom of heaven but he that doth the will of his Father which is in heaven For why call ye me Lord Lord saith our Saviour and do not the things which I say The hearers of the Law are not just before God but the doers of the Law shall be justified Q. May it not suffice to keep some of the Commandments of God but must we obey all A. We must have respect unto all God's commandments and hate every false way for whosoever shall keep the whole law and yet wilfully offend in one point he is guilty of all or liable to the punishment due to the breach of all viz. Eternal death Q. Will God accept at our hands nothing short of absolutely perfect Obedience A. Like as a father pitieth his children so the Lord pitieth them that fear him for he knoweth our frame he remembreth that we are but dust and if there be a willing mind it is accepted according to that a man hath and not according to that he hath not That is it is accepted if we demonstrate that we are reallywilling by our acting in a good suitableness to the strength we have received Q. Do you think that you can deserve forgiveness of sin and eternal Salvation at God's hands by obeying his commandments A. No by no means but when we have done all those things that are commanded us we must say that we are unprofitable servants we have done but that which was our duty to do and not by works of righteousness which we have done that is not for the desert of them but according to his mercy he saveth us by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost and he maketh us accepted in the beloved by whom we have redemption through his blood the forgiveness of sin according to the riches of his grace Q. Seeing we cannot merit at God's hands by any thing we can do and that we are pardoned and saved purely by the free Grace of God in Christ how comes obedience to his commandments to be indispensably necessary to our being so A. Obedience to God's commandments is therefore indispensably necessary to our being pardoned and saved because that the righteous Lord loveth righteousness but hateth wickedness and all the workers of iniquity insomuch as he that justifieth the wicked is an abomination unto the Lord so that without holiness no man shall see the Lord for thereby we are made meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the Saints in light nor can we have fellowship with him and walk in darkness for God is light and in him is no darkness at all Wherefore God having raised up his Son Jesus sent him to bless us by turning every one of us from our iniquities and hath exalted him to be a prince a Saviour first to give repentance and then forgiveness of sins and he came not to destroy the Law but to fulfil it that is to perfect it or preach it fully So the same word is used Rom. 15. 19. and Col. 1. 25. Q. Then you will never be perswaded to believe that Faith in Christ freeth us from our obligation to the Moral Law or any one precept of it A. Do we make void the law through faith God sorbid yea we establish the law And to live soberly righteously and godlily in this present world is that even the sum of all that which the grace of God that brings salvation teacheth us Nay it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than one jot or tittle of the law to fail till all be fulfilled 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or till all things be done that is till the world be destroyed Q. Which are the ten Commandments into which the Moral Law as it was given by God to Moses is divided of which the four first contain our duty towards God and the other six our duty towards man A. God spake all these words saying I am the Lord thy God which hath brought thee out of the land of Egypt out of the house of Bondage 1. Thou shalt have no other Gods before or besides me 2. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image or the likeness of any thing that is in heaven above or that is in the earth beneath or that is in the water under the earth 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 Sabbath 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 neighbours House thou shalt not covet thy neighbours Wife nor his Man-servant nor his Maid-servant nor his Oxe nor his Ass nor any thing that is thy neighbours Q. How are these ten Commandments abridged by our Saviour Christ A. He hath reduced them all to these two Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart and with all thy soul and with all thy mind and with all thy strength This is the first Commandment or the first Table And the second is like namely this Thou shalt love thy Neighbour as thy self Q. How is the love of God expressed A. This is the love of God that we keep his Commandments Q. How is this second Commandment or Table farther explained by Christ A. He hath farther explain'd it thus As ye would that men should do to you do ye also to them likewise Q. Can a man love God and hate his brother or refuse to supply his necessities according to his ability