our sins Q. Is it not the great Commendation of Gods love in that he gave his Son to dye for us while we were yet sinners A. Rom. 5.8 God commendeth his love towards us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us Q. Is not Prayer a means to obtain the favour of God and to gain the knowledge of his love A. Job 33.26 He shall pray unto God and he shall be favourable unto him and he shall see his face with joy Q. How should we express our love to God for giving his Son to die for our sins Should we not do it by our hatred of sin that was the cause of the death of his Son A. Psal 97.10 Ye that love the Lord hate evil he preserveth the souls of his Saints he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked Q. How else should we express our love to God for his great love to us A. John 14.15 If ye love me keep my Commandments Q. Ought not Gods love to us make us love him A. 1 John 4.19 We love him because he first loved us Q. Should not Gods love to us cause us to love one another A. 1 John 4.11 Beloved if God so loved us we ought also to love one another Q. Should not Gods love in giving Christ to die for us encourage us to trust in him that he will freely give us all things A. Rom. 8.32 He that spared not his own Son but delivered him up for us all how shall he not with him also freely give us all things Q. What is the whole duty of man A. Eccles 12.13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter Fear God and keep his Commandments for this is the whole duty of man Q. How many Commandments did God deliver to Moses written in two Tables of Stone A. Deut. 4.13 And he declared unto you his Covenant which he commanded you to perform even ten Commandments and he wrote them upon two Tables of Stone Q. What is the Preface to the Ten Commandments which God spake to the People when he gave them his Commandments A. Exod. 20.1 2. God spake all these words saying I am the Lord thy God which have brought thee out of the Land Egypt out of the House of Bondage Q. Which are the Ten Commandments Rehearse them in order as they are recorded in the 20th Chapter of Exodus from the 3d to the 18th verse A. 1. Thou shalt have no other Gods before me 2. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven Image nor any likeness of any thing that is in Heaven above or that is in the Earth beneath or that is in the Water under the Earth thou shalt not bow down thy self unto 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 cattle 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 ox nor his ass nor any that is thy neighbours Q. Hath God commanded nothing in his Law but what is holy just and good A. Rom. 7.12 The Law is holy and the Commandment holy and just and good Q. Is not the Law spiritual requiring spiritual duties and forbidding spiritual sins And may we not thereby discern our selves to be carnal A. Rom. 7.14 We know that the Law is spiritual but I am carnal sold under sin Q. Was the Law given us for this end that we might be justified by the deeds of it or Was it given to drive us to Christ that we might seek for justification in Christ through Faith A. Gal. 3.24 Wherefore the Law was our School-master to bring us unto Christ that we might be justified by faith Q. Would there have been no need of the death of Christ if we could have obtained such a righteousness as might have justified us in the sight of God by our observing the Law A. Gal. 2.21 I do not frustrate the grace of God for if righteousness came by the Law then Christ is dead in vain Q. Is not Jesus Christ the end of the Law for Righteousness to every one that believeth A. Rom. 10.4 Christ is the end of the Law for Righteousness to every one that believeth Q. Though we cannot obtain Righteousness by the Law yet must we not be very careful to keep the Commandments of God A. Psal 119.4 Thou hast commanded us to keep thy Precepts diligently Q. What Promise have you that God will enable you to keep his Commandments A. Ezek. 36.27 I will put my Spirit within you and cause you to walk in my Statutes and ye shall keep my Judgments and do them Q. Hath not God promised under the New Testament to write his Laws in our hearts which in the times of the Old Testament were written in Tables of Stone A. Heb. 10.16 This is the Covenant that I will make with them after those days saith the Lord I will put my Laws into their hearts and in their minds will I write them Q. Is there no man upon the face of the earth that keepeth all the Commandments of God at all times without breaking any of them A. Eccles 7.20 There is not a just man upon earth that doth good and sinneth not Q. If we have respect to all the Commandments of God and endeavour with sincere hearts to obey them Will not God accept us through Christ Jesus although we come short of what the Law requires A. Psal 119.6 Then shall I not be ashamed when I have respect unto all thy Commandments Q. Must we not obey the Commandments of God from a principle of faith and love and with a pure heart A. 1 Tim. 1.5 Now the end of the Commandment is charity out of a pure heart and of a good Conscience and of faith unfeigned Q. Are not Christians under the New-Testament freed from
Circumcision and so consequently from the Precepts of the Ceremonial Law A. Gal. 5.23 Behold I Paul say unto you that if you be circumcised Christ shall profit you nothing For I testifie again unto every man that is circumcised that he is a debtor to do the whole Law Q. Though Christians are freed from the Ceremonial Law yet are they not obliged to observe and keep the Moral Law A. James 2.8 If ye fulfil the Royal Law according to the Scripture thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy self ye do well Q. Why must we keep our hearts with all diligence A. Prov. 4.23 Keep thy heart with all diligence for out of it are the issues of life Q. Doth not God require us to give him our hearts A. Prov. 23.26 My son give me thine heart and let thine eyes observe my ways Q. Are not foolish thoughts sins A. Prov. 24.9 The thought of foolishness is sin and the scorner is an abomination to men Q. When vain thoughts come into our minds must we not cast them out and not suffer them to lodge within us A. Jer. 4.14 O Jerusalem wash thine heart from wickedness that thou maist be saved How long shall thy vain thoughts lodge within thee Q. What evil is there in being carnally minded and what benefit in being spiritually minded A. Rom. 8.6 To be carnally minded is death but to be spiritually minded is life and peace Q. Doth not God take such pleasure in our good thoughts and our good words as that he writes them down in a Book of remembrance A. Mal. 3.16 Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another and the Lord hearkned and heard it and a Book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord and thought upon his Name Q. Will not committing our ways unto the Lord be a means of establishing our thoughts A. Prov. 16.3 Commit thy works unto the Lord and thy thoughts shall be established Q. Is not that mans Religion vain that bridleth not his tongue A. James 1.26 If any man among you seem to be religious and bridleth not his tongue but deceiveth his own heart this mans Religion is vain Q. Must we not refrain from much speaking A. Prov. 10.19 In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin but he that refraineth his lips is wise Q. Must we not refrain from pride and arrogance in our speeches A. 1 Sam. 2.3 Talk no more so exceeding proudly let not arrogancy come out of your mouth for the Lord is a God of knowledge and by him actions are weighed Q. Must we not shun vain as well prophane bablings A. 2 Tim. 2.16 Shun profane and vain bablings for they will encrease unto more ungodliness Q. Is it not unbecoming a wise man to spend his time in unprofitable talk A. Job 15.2 3. Should a wise man utter vain knowledge and fill his belly with the East wind Should he reason with unprofitable talk or with speeches wherewith he can do no good Q. Is not a flattering tongue odious to God A. Job 32.22 I know not to give flattering titles in so doing my Maker would soon take me away Q. Must we not avoid all corrupt communication and see that our discourse be edifying and gracious A. Ephes 4.29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth but that which is good to the use of edifying that it may minister grace to the hearers Q. Must our discourse always be gracious and savoury A. Col. 4.6 Let your speech be always with grace seasoned with Salt that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man Q. Ought we not to speak lovingly and discreetly to all persons A. Prov. 31.26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom and in her tongue is the law of kindness Q. Ought not our Conversations to be such as become the Gospel A. Phil. 1.27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the Gospel of Christ Q. Is not the Word of God the rule by which we must order our lives and conversations A. Psal 119.105 Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my paths Q. What promises have you that God will guide and direct you when you are doubtful about your way and know not which way you ought to go A. Prov. 3.6 In all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths Psal 25.12 What man is he that feareth the Lord him shall he teach in the way that he shall chuse Psal 32.8 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go I will guide thee with mine eye Q. Must we not do all our works in the Name of Christ A. Col. 3.17 Whatsoever ye do in Word or deed do all in the Name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks unto God and the Father by him Q. What Promise have you that God will enable you to do all your works in his Name A. Zech. 10.12 I will strengthen them in the Lord and they shall walk up and down in his Name saith the Lord. Q. What judgements hang over the heads of wicked men A. Psal 11.6 Upon the wicked he shall rain snares fire and brimstone and an horrible tempest this shall be the portion of their cup. Q. Doth not God hate the workers of iniquity A. Psal 5.5 The foolish shall not stand in thy sight thou hatest all workers of iniquity Q. Shall no wicked men be received into Heaven though they be such as have been hearers of the Word and have received the Saeraments A. Luke 13.26 27. Then shall ye begin to say We have eaten and drunk in thy presence and thou hast taught in our streets but he shall say I tell you I know you not whence you are depart from me all ye workers of iniquity Q. If none of the wicked shall be admitted into the Kingdom of Heaven What will Jesus Christ do with them at the day of Judgement A. Matth. 13.41 42. The Son of Man shall send forth his Angels and they shall gather out of his Kingdom all things that offend and them which do iniquity and shall cast them into a furnace of fire there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth Q. Doth not God require that such as profess themselves to be his servants should serve him in truth and sincerity A. 1 Sam. 12.24 Only fear the Lord and serve him in truth with all your heart for consider how great things he hath done for you Q. Is not truth in the inward parts required by God from all such as make a profession of Religion A. Psal 51.6 Behold thou desirest truth in the inward parts and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom Q. Do such as are hypocrites in heart heap up wrath A. Job 36.13 The hypocrites in heart heap up wrath they cry not when he bindeth them Q. What will God do for that man that walketh uprightly A. Psal 84.11 The Lord God is a Sun and Shield the Lord will give
any man draw back my soul shall have no pleasure in him Q. Is it not a dreadful sin for a man to forsake God A. Jer. 2.12 13. Be astonished O ye Heavens at this and be horribly afraid be ye very desolate saith the Lord for my people have committed two evils they have forsaken me the Fountain of living Waters and hewed them out Cisterns broken Cisterns that can hold no water Q. What promise have you that God will cause you to persevere in his ways A. Job 17.9 The righteous also shall hold on his way and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger Q. Have we not great assurance from the Intercession of Christ that our faith shall not fail though we be assaulted with many temptations A. Luke 22.31 32. And the Lord said Simon Simon behold Satan hath desired to have you that he may sift you as wheat but I have prayed for thee that thy faith fail not and when thou art converted strengthen thy brethren Q. After God hath given us faith Will he not keep us by his Almighty Power till he hath brought us to salvation A. 1 Pet. 1.5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto Salvation Q. Is there not a warfare in Christians between the flesh and the spirit And are they not in this warfare sometimes led captive by their sins A. Rom. 7.23 I see another law in my members warring against the law of my mind and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members Q. Though good men may fall yet will not God so far uphold them that they shall not be utterly cast down A. Psal 37.23 24. The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord and he delighteth in his way though he fail he shall not be utterly cast down for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand Q. What shall that man inherit that overcomes his spiritual adversaries A. Rev. 21.7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things and I will be his God and he shall be my son Q. By what means do we get the victory over the world A. 1 John 5.4 Whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world and this is the victory that overcometh the world even our faith Q. How did the Saints in former times overcome Satan A. Rev. 12.11 They overcame him by the bloud of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony and they loved not their lives unto the death Q. Is it not appointed for all men that they shall die and after death go to be judged for what they did whilst they lived A. Heb. 9.27 It is appointed for men once to die but after this the judgment Q. Is not our life upon the earth very short and uncertain so that we have no assurance one day that we shall live unto another A. James 4.14 Ye know not what shall be on the morrow for what is your life It is even a vapour that appeareth for a little time and then vanisheth away Q. Seeing we know not how suddenly God may come and take us away by death ought we not every day yea every hour to be prepared to die A. Luke 12.40 Be ye therefore ready also for the Son of Man cometh at an hour when ye think not Q. Should we not live every day as though it were our last day and continue this course till our change come A. Job 14.14 All the days of my appointed time will I wait till my change come Q. Is not death gain to those that serve and glorifie Christ A. Phil. 1.21 To me to live is Christ and to die is gain Q. Is not the sting of death taken away by the death of Christ so that Christians may triumph over death and what is the sting of death A. 1 Cor. 15.55 56 57. O Death where is thy sting O Grave where is thy victory the sting of Death is Sin and the strength of Sin is the Law But thanks be to God which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ Q. Are not all they that die in the Lord in a blessed condition A. Rev. 14.13 I heard a voice from Heaven saying unto me Write Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth yea saith the Spirit that they may rest from their labours and their works do follow them Q. Will not Gods presence with us take away the fears of death A. Psal 23.4 Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil for thou art with me Q. Seeing we are going apace to our graves and there is no work to be done when we come there should not this make us do whatever our hand findeth to do with all our might A. Eccl. 9.10 Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do do it with all thy might for there is no work nor device nor knowledg nor wisdom in the grave whither thou goest Q. When we die do not our souls depart from our bodies A. Gen. 35.18 And it came to pass as her soul was in departing for she died Q. When a man dieth what becomes of his body and whither goeeth his soul A. Eccl. 12.7 Then shall the dust return unto the earth as it was and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it Q. Shall there not be a general Resurrection of the dead both of good and evil men A. John 5.28 29. Marvel not at this for the hour is coming in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice 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. Shall they that have lien in their graves till their reins are consumed and they are eaten up of the worms rise again with the same bodies that they had whilst they lived in this world A. Job 19.25 26 27. I know that my Redeemer liveth and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth and though after my skin worms destroy this body yet in my flesh shall I see God whom I shall see for my self and mine eyes shall behold and not another though my reins be consumed within me Q. Though our bodies shall be the same for substance at the Resurrection as they are now yet shall not their qualities be changed A. 1 Cor. 15.42 43 44. So also is the Resurrection of the dead it is sown in corruption it is raised in incorruption it is sown in dishonour it is raised in glory it is sown in weakness it is raised in power it is sown a natural body it is raised a spiritual body There is a natural body and there is a spiritual body Q. Shall our bodies that are now vile be made like unto the glorious body of Jesus Christ A. Phil. 3.21 Who shall 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. Shall not her world and all things that are therein be consumed with fire A. 2 Pet. 3.10 The day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night in the which the Heavens shall pass away with a great noise and the Elements shall melt with fervent heat the Earth also and the works that are therein shall be burnt up Q. What should this teach us that the world and all things that are therein shall be dissolved A. 2 Pet. 3.11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness Q. Hath not God appointed a day wherein he will judge the world by Jesus Christ A. Acts 17.31 He hath appointed a day in the which he will judg the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained whereof he hath given assurance unto all men in that he hath raised him from the dead Q. Can no man or any of the Angels tell when the day of Judgment will be A. Matth. 24.36 Of that day and hour knoweth no man no not the Angels of Heaven but my Father only Q. Seeing we know not the time of the Day of Judgement Should we not watch for the coming of Christ and pray that we may be prepared for it A. Mark 13.33 Take ye heed watch and pray for ye know not when the time is Q. When the Day of Judgment is come who are they must appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ and for what end must we appear there A. 2 Cor. 5.10 We must all appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ that every one may receive the things done in his body according to that he hath done whether it be good or bad Q. Shall all the dead be brought to Judgment as well as the living A. Rev. 20.12 And 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 Q. Many have died at Sea some have been burnt to ashes and their ashes have been cast into the waters Shall these and all others that have died in any places of the world and they that are in hell also come to Judgment A. Rev. 20.13 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 every man according to their works Q. Will God bring young as well as old men into Judgment for all that they have done in the time of their youth A. Eccl. 11.9 Rejoyce O young man in thy youth and let thy heart chear thee in the days of thy youth and walk in the ways of thy heart and in the sight of thine eyes but know thou that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment Q. Shall all our works both good and evil though done never so secretly be brought to judgment A. Eccl. 12 14. God shall bring every work into judgement with every secret thing whether it be good or whether it be evil Q. Must we give account for all our words even for our idle words at the Day of Judgement A. Matth. 12.36 37. I say unto you that every idle word that men shall speak they shall give an account thereof in the Day of Judgment For by thy words thou shalt be justified and by thy words thou shalt be condemned Q. Shall our thoughts and the secrets of our hearts be brought into judgement A. Rom. 2.16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my Gospel Q. What should this teach us that all our words and all our works must be brought into judgment A. James 2.12 So speak ye and so do as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty Q. What will Jesus Christ say to the righteous at the Day of Judgement whom he will place at his right hand A. Matth. 25.34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand Come ye blessed of my Father inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world Q. What will Jesus Christ say to the wicked at the Day of Judgment whom he will place on his left hand A. Matth. 25.41 Then shall he also say unto them on his left hand Depart from me ye cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the Devil and his Angels Q. What shall become of the righteous and the wicked after Jesus Christ hath pronounced the forementioned sentences upon them A. Matth. 25.46 These shall go away into everlasting punishment but the righteous into life eternal Q. Is it not such a dreadful thing to lie burning in Hell for ever that the very thoughts of it may cause the stoutest and hardest hearted sinners to fear and tremble A. Isa 33.14 The sinners in Zion are afraid fearfulness hath surprized the hypocrites Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire Who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings Q. What will be the aggravation of mens condemnation at the day of Judgment A. John 3.19 This is the condemnation that light is come into the world and men loved darkness rather then light because their deeds were evil Q. Should we not chuse to suffer the greatest pains and part with our greatest comforts in this world rather then do any thing which should cause God to cast us into Hell fire A. Mark 9.47 48. If thine eye offend thee pluck it out it is better for thee to enter into the Kingdom of God with one eye then having two eyes to be cast into Hell fire where their worm dieth nor and the fire is not quenched Q. Is it not a hard matter to get to Heaven A. Matth. 7.14 Strait is the gate and narrow is the way which leadeth unto life and few there be that find it Q. Seeing 't is an hard matter to get to Heaven must we not strive all that we can to get thither A. Luke 13.24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate for many I say unto you shall seek to enter in and shall not be able Q. Is it not our wisdom all our life long to make it our business to get to Heaven and to escape Hell A. Prov. 15.24 The way of life is above to the wise that he may depart from Hell beneath Q. Shall not such as have served the Lord faithfully whilst they lived enter into their Masters joy when they die A. Matth. 25.21 Well done thou good and faithful servant thou hast been faithful over a few things I will make thee ruler over many things enter thou into the joy of thy Lord. Q. Shall not the righteous when they come to Heaven shine like the Sun in the Firmament A. Matth. 13.43 Then shall the righteous shine forth as the Sun in the Kingdom of their Father Q. Shall we not be made perfect in holiness when we come to Heaven A. Psal 17.15 As for me I will behold thy face in righteousness I shall be satisfied when I awake with thy likeness Q. Shall not the Saints in Heaven be made equal to the Angels A. Luke 20.35 36. They which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world and the Resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage neither can they die any more for they are equal unto the Angels and are the children of God being the children of the Resurrection Q. May such as are poor in spirit hope that God will give them the Kingdom of Heaven A. Matth. 5.3 Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven Q. Shall such as are poor and have none of the worlds goods inherit the Kingdom of Heaven as well as the rich if they believe in Jesus Christ A. James 2.5 Hearken my beloved Brethren Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith and Heirs of the Kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him Q. What effects doth the hope of eternal life produce in those that have it A. 1 John 3.3 Every man that hath this hope in him purisieth himself even as he is pure Q. Should we not labour more to get Heaven then ever we did for any thing in this world A. John 6.27 Labour not for the meat which perisheth but for the meat which endureth to everlasting life which the Son of Man shall give unto you for him hath God the Father sealed Q. If we seek the Kingdom of God above all other things Will not God add to us all things necessary to this life A. Matth. 6.33 But seek ye first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you Q. 〈…〉 â—…eing it is no easie matter to find the way to Heaven What promise have you that God will shew you the path of life A. Psal 16.11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life in thy presence is fulness of joy at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermoreâ— Q. When you are afraid that you shall fall short of the Kingdom of Heaven either because of your unworthiness or the difficulties you meet with in the way to Heaven or on any other account What promise have you that may dispel your fears of missing Heaven A. Luke 12.32 Fear not little flock for it is your Fathers good pleasure to give you the Kingdom Q. When we come to Heaven Shall we not ever be with the Lord and should not this comfort us under all the troubles of the world A. 1 Thes 4.17 18. And so shall we ever be with the Lord wherefore comfort one another with these words FINIS
A SCRIPTURAL Catechism Useful for all Sorts of Persons Both such as desire to Teach their FAMILIES And such as desire to Learn the Principles of the Christian Religion Out of the HOLY SCRIPTURES By Owen Stockton Minister of the Gospel 2 Tim. 3.15 From a Child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures which are able to make thee wise unto Salvation through Faith which is in Christ Jesus LONDON Printed for H. Brome at the Gun at the West End of St. Pauls MDCLXXII TO THE READER ALl Scripture being given by Inspiration of God is profitable for Doctrine for Reproof for Correction and for Instruction in Righteousness And therefore the whole Word of God is to be read with diligence and to be embraced with the same faith love reverence and obedience with which we would receive it if we heard the Lord himself speak those things with an audible voice which we find written in the Scriptures Yet in regard there are some things in the Scriptures which are hard to be understood and the memories of children are not capable to retain all things that are written therein The most edifying way of teaching our children the Holy Scriptures is as I humbly conceive to select such portions of Scripture as may be useful to bring them to the knowledge of the Principles and to direct and perswade them to the practice of the duties of the Christian Religion which is designed in this ensuing Scriptural Catechism Which may be of great use to such as are young for the grounding them in the knowledge and belief of the Truth and teaching them to lead holy and godly lives whereby they may glorifie and enjoy God become serviceable in their generation and obtain the eternal Salvation of their Souls If any say There are many good Catechisms already extant and therefore there is no need of this I answer 1. There are not many of this nature which contain both the Articles of our Faith and directions for an holy life all the Answers to the Questions being nothing else but express words of Scripture 2. This is not intended as an hinderance to any other Catechism which any persons find useful for themselves or Families but it may be conjoined with or follow after the learning of any other Catechism provided it be such as contains nothing in it contrary to sound Doctrine 3. There is a singular advantage in learning a Scriptural Catechism above others because no Instructions are so powerful for enlightning the Understanding creating Faith awing the Conscience perswading to Holiness supporting the weak administring comfort and guiding those that are instructed in the way to Eternal Life as those which are drawn out of the holy Scriptures It may be some will say This Catechism is too large our Children and Servants will never be able to retain it all in their memories To such I answer 1. It contains nothing but the Scripture which is often preached to us and which we are commanded to read and meditate on night and day and to talk thereof when we lie down and when we rise up when we sit in our houses and when we walk abroad And therefore by reason of our frequent converse with the Scriptures this may be more easily attained and retained then Catechisms of another nature 2. These Scriptures are but a very small portion compared with the many choice Instructions heavenly Counsels divine Precepts and precious Promises which doe abound both in the Old and New Testament 3. Children and Servants of ordinary capacities committing but one or two of these Scriptures to their memory every day which is no hard task may in a competent time retain the whole which may be a great help to make and keep them sound in the Faith and direct them how to order their Conversations aright whereby they shall come to see the Salvation of God 4. It will be easie redressing this complaint For if it be judged needful I can soon contract this and frame one consisting of sewer and shorter Texts of Scripture for the use of such whose age or weakness of parts will not permit them to get or keep in memory so large a Catechism as this is Or Parents may chuse out of this the shortest Scriptures and such as suit best their childrens state and condition and teach them those shorter Scriptures omitting the others till they come to a greater maturity of age and understanding It may be some on the other hand will say This Catechism is too short That there are material things omitted which might have been inserted To such I answer 1. The main and Fundamental Articles of our Faith and the most weighty duties relating to practice such as Faith Repentance the love of God and our Neighbour glorifying God Self-denial forsaking all for Christ Contentment c. are briefly handled in this Catechism 2. I was the shorter in this because I had thoughts of composing a larger for persons of riper years which if I should not do it will be easie for such as are well versed in the Word of God to add any other portions of Scripture which they judge meet for instructing their Families besides what are contained in this Catechism either according to this method or what way else they shall see good I shall not need to shew here the great benefit of teaching our Children the holy Scriptures nor give any directions how this work may be managed with success because this is already done in the Treatise of Family Instruction whither I refer the Reader A Scriptural Catechism Q. WHat will it profit a man to know God and his Son Jesus Christ A. John 17.3 This is life eternal that they might know thee the only true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent Q. What is God and how will God be worshipped A. Joh. 4.24 God is a Spirit and they that worship him must worship him in Spirit and in truth Q. How many Gods are there and how many Mediators between God and men A. 1 Tim. 2.5 There is one God and one Mediator between God and men the Man Christ Jesus Q. How do you prove that there are three Persons in the Godhead and that these three Persons are one and the same God A. 1 John 5.7 There are three that bear record in heaven the Father the Word and the Holy Ghost and these three are one Q. Can no man please God without faith A. Heb. 11.6 Without faith it is impossible to please him Q. What must every one believe concerning God that cometh to him A. Heb. 11.6 He that cometh to God must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him Q. Will the Lord have no mercy upon such people as live and die without understanding A. Isa 27.11 It is a people of no understanding therefore he that made them will not have mercy on them and he that formed them will shew them no favor Q. What shall become of those that do
not know God at the day of judgment seeing the Lord will have no mercy on them A. 2 Thes 1.7 8 9. The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty Angels in flaming fire taking vegeance on them that know not God and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power Q. Seeing the case of ignorant persons is thus dangerous doth it not greatly concern us to get wisdom and understanding A. Prov. 4.7 Wisdom is the principal thing therefore get wisdom and with all thy gettings get understanding Q. What must we do to get wisdom A. Jam. 1.5 If any of you lack wisdom let him ask of God that giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not and it shall be given him Q. Will not the knowledge of the holy Scriptures make us wise to salvation And should not this cause us from our childhood to give our minds to learn the Scriptures A. 2 Tim. 3.15 From a child thou haste known the holy Scriptures which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus Q. Did God inspire all those things which are written in the holy Scriptures into their minds who wrote the Scriptures A. 2 Tim. 3.16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine for reproof for correction for instruction in righteousness Q. How do you prove the Lord to be an eternal God A. Psal 90.2 Before the Mountains were brought forth or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world even from everlasting to everlasting thou art God Q. Is not the Lord an unchangeable God A. Mal. 3.6 I am the Lord I charge not therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed Q. Is not the Lord an Almighty God A. Gen. 17.1 I am the Almighty God walk before me and be thou perfect Q. Is not Lord a faithful God A. 2 Thes 3.3 The Lord is faithful who shall stablish you and keep you from evil Q. Is not the Lord a merciful and gracious God A. Psal 103.8 The Lord is merciful and gracious slow to anger and plenteous in mercy Q. Is not the Lord an holy God A. Psal 145.17 The Lord is righteous in all his ways and holy in all his works Q. Are not the eyes of God upon all men in every place A. Prov. 15.3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place beholding the evil and the good Q. Doth God know all our thoughts and hear all our words and is he acquainted with all our ways A. Psal 139.2 3 4. Thou knowest my down-sitting and mine up-rising thou understandest my thought afar off Thou compassest my path and my lying down and art acquainted with all my ways For there is not a word in my tongue but lo o Lord thou knowest it altogether Q. Doth God see what we do in the dark as well as what we do in the ligt A. Psal 139.12 Yea the darkness hideth not from thee but the night shineth as the day the darkness and the light are both alike to the. Q. Doth not the Lord fill heaven and earth with his presence A. Jor. 23.24 Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him saith the Lord Do not I fill heaven and earth saith the Lord Q. Is not the Lord at all times round about his people A. Psal 125.2 As the Mountains are round about Jerusalem so the Lord is round about his people from henceforth even for ever Q. Seeing God is continually round about us ought we not to set the Lord always before us and walk as in his sight A. Psal 16.8 I have set the Lord always before me because he is at my right hand I shall not be moved Q. Is not the Lord a just God without iniquity A. Deut. 32.4 He is the rock for all his ways are judgment a God of truth and without iniquity just and right is he Q. Seeing the Lord is an holy God without iniquity do not they wrong God who say or think that he is the author of sin A. Jam. 1.13 Let no man say when he is tempted I am tempted of God for God cannot be tempted with evil neither tempteth he any man Q. Do not they conceive amiss of God who think the Godhead is like unto Gold or Silver or any other thing which is graven by the art of man A. Acts 17.29 For as much then as we are the off-spring of God we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto Gold or Silver or stone graven by art and mans device Q. Cannot we live or move or subsist in our being without God A. Acts 17.28 In him we live and move and have our being A. Whence cometh every good and perfect gift Q. Jam. 1.17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and cometh down from the Father of light with whom is no variableness neither shadow of turning Q. Will God give all good things to them that seek him A. Psal 34.10 The young Lions do lack and suffer hunger but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing Q. What shall be done for the man that serveth God and his Son Jesus Christ A. Job 12.26 If any man serve me let him follow me and where I am there shall also my servant be If any man serve me him will my Father honour Q. What must we do that we may serve God acceptably A. Heb. 12.28 Wherefore we receiving a Kingdom which cannot be moved let us have grace whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear Q. How do you prove that God made and preserveth Heaven and Earth and the Sea and all things that are therein A. Neh. 9.6 Thou even thou art Lord alone thou hast 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 thou preservest them all and the host of Heaven worshipeth thee Q. Is not Gods making Heaven and Eearth an evident proof that nothing is to hard for him A. Jer. 32.17 Ah Lord God behold thou hast made the Heaven and the Earth by thy great power and streched out arm and there is nothing too hard for thee Q. Why did the Lord make all things A. Prov. 16.7 The Lord hath made all things for himself yea even the wicked for the day of evil Q. Who created man and how was he created A. Gen. 1.27 God created man in his own image in the image of God created he him male and female created he them Q. Did not the Image of God in which man was created consist in knowledg A. Col. 3.10 And have put on the new Man which is renewed in knowledge after the Image of him that created him Q. Did not the Image of God in which man was created consist in Righteousness and
2 Cor. 5.17 If any man be in Christ he is a new creature Old things are past away behold all things are become new Q. Are they none of Christs that have not his Spirit A. Rom. 8.9 Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his Q. Must we not love Christ above our nearest and dearest relations A. Mat. 10.37 He that loveth Father or Mother more then me is not worthy of me and he that loveth Son or Daughter more then me is not worthy of me Q. Are they not under a curse and shall they not remain so till the Lord comes who do not love Jesus Christ A. 1 Cor 16.22 If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ let him be Anathemae Maranatha Q. Who is it that loveth Christ aed what shall we gain by loving him A. John 14.21 He that hath my Commandements and keepeth them he it is that loveth me and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father and I will love him and will manifest my self to him Q. Must not they that would be Christs Disciples deny themselves take up their cross and follow him A. Mark 8.34 When he had called the people unto him with his Disciples also he said unto them whosoever will come after me let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me Q. Must we not forsake all we have for Christs sake when God calls us to it A. Luke 14.33 Whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he bath he cannot be my Disciple Q. What shall be given to them that forsake any thing for Christ A. Mat. 19.29 Every one that hath forsaken houses or brethren or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands for my names sake shall receive an hundred fold and shall inherit everlasting life Q. What is the Covenant that God hath made with his people in the days of the Gospel A. Heb. 8.10 11 12. This is the Covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days saith the Lord I will put my Laws into their mind and write them in their hearts and I will be to them a God and they shall be to me a people And they shall not teach every man his neighbour and every man his brother saying know the Lord for all shall know me from the least to the greatest For I will be merciful to their unrighteosness and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more Q. Doth not this Covenant contain all that we can desire and all that is necessary for our Salvation A. 2 Sam. 23.5 Although my house be not so with God yet he hath made with me an everlasting Covenant ordered in all things and sure for this is all my salvation and all my desire although he make it not to grow Q. How do you prove that God will take those into this Covenant which come to close with Jesus Christ the Mediator of the covenant A. Isa 55.3 Encline your ear and come unto me hear and your souls shall live and I will make an everlasting Covenant with you even the sure mercies of David Q. When once God hath taken us into Covenant with himself shall his Covenant never be removed from us A. Isah 54.10 The Mountains shall depart and the Hills be removed but my kindness shall not depart from thee neither shall the Covenant of my peace be removed saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee Q. Who are they to whom God hath promised to reveal his Covenant A. Psalm 25.14 The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him and he will shew them his Covenant Q. What promise have you that God will bring you into the bond of his Covenant A. Ezek. 20.37 I will cause you to pass under the rod and I will bring you into the bond of the Covenant Q For what end hath God given us such great and precious promises as are contained in the Covenant of grace A. 2 Pet. 1.4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises that by these you might be partakers of the divine nature having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust Q. Do not the promises belong to all that are effectually called A. Acts 2.39 The promise is unto you and to your children and to all that are afar off even as many as the Lord our God shall call Q. What must we do that we may inherit the promises A. Heb. 6.12 That ye be not slothful but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises Q. Do we not need patience to wait for the promises when we have done what we can to obtain them A. Heb. 10.36 Ye have need of patience that after you have done the will of God ye might receive the promise Q. Are not the promises powerful arguments to excite us to cleanse our selves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit A. 2 Cor. 7.1 Having therefore these promises dearly beloved let us cleanse our selves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit perfecting holiness in the fear of God Q. Is it not the command of God that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ A. 1 John 3.23 This is his commandement that we should believe on the Name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another as he gave us commandement Q. Hath not God promised eternal life to every one that believeth in his Son Jesus Christ A. John 3.16 God so loved the world that he gave his onely begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life Q. Must not they that would be saved by Christ obey him as well as believe in him A. Heb. 5.9 And being made perfect he became the author of eternal Salvation unto all them that obey him Q. How shall we know that we believe in Christ Is not prizing Christ an evidence of faith A. 1 Pet. 2.7 Unto you which believe he is precious Q Must not they that believe in Christ be careful to maintain good works A. Tit. 3.8 This is a faithful saying and these things I will that thou affirm constantly that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works these things are good and profitable unto men Q. Shall not all unbelievers go to Hell A. Mark 16.16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved but he that believeth not shall be damned Q. Seeing such as believe not shall be damned doth it not concern every man to take heed of the sin of unbelief as well as other sins A. Heb. 3.12 Take heed brethren lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God Q. How shall a man come by faith must it not be by the gift of God A. Eph. 2.8 By grace are ye saved through faith and that not of your selves it is the gift of God Q. Which way doth God
father because the Lord would slay them Q. Did not God command under the Law that such as cursed either their father or mother should be put to death A. Lev. 20.9 Every one that curseth his father or his mother shall be surely put to death he hath cursed his father or his mother his bloud shall be upon him Q. Is it not a sin for children to steal from their Parents as well as from other persons A. Prov. 28.24 Whoso robbeth his father or his mother and saith it is no transgression the same is a companion of a destroyer Q. Is it not the duty of Parents to train up their children in the knowledge and fear of God A. Ephes 6.4 Ye Fathers provoke not your Children to wrath but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Q. How must Masters carry themselves towards their Servants A. Col. 4.1 Masters give unto your servants that which is just and equal knowing that ye also have a Master in Heaven Q. What duties must Servants be exhorted to A. Tit. 2.9 10. Exhort Servants to be obedient unto their own Masters and to please them well in all things not answering again not purloining but shewing all good fidelity that they may adorn the Doctrine of God our Saviour in all things Q. Must not Servants count their Masters worthy of all honour A. 1 Tim. 6.1 Let as many Servants as are under the yoke count their own Masters worthy of all honour that the Name of God and his Doctrine be not blasphemed Q. Must not Servants obey their Masters with fear and trembling and singleness of heart shunning eye-service and do their work with a good will as if they were serving the Lord A. Ephes 6.5 6 7. Servants be obedient to them that are your Masters according to the flesh with fear and trembling in singleness of your heart as unto Christ not with eye-service as men-pleasers but as the Servants of Christ doing the will of God from the heart with good will doing service as to the Lord and not to men Q. When Servants are sent abroad must they not return home without making any delay though they should be much importuned to stay a longer time A. Gen. 24.56 He said unto them Hinder me not seeing the Lord hath prospered my way send me away that I may go to my Master Q. When Jacob was servant to Laban did he not serve him with all his might though he were his near Kinsman A. Gen. 31.6 Ye know that with all my power I have served your father Q. Must not servants come when they are called go whither they are sent and do what they are hidden A. Matth. 8.9 I am a man under authority having Soldiers under me and I say to this man go and he goeth and to another come and he cometh and to my servant do this and he doth it Q. Must not servants do their work without murmuring either at the meanness or the difficulty of their work A. Phil. 2.14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings Q. What example have we of the frugality of Christ in commanding the broken pieces of Barley bread to be gathered up which may teach servants and all others to make no waste of any thing under their charge A. John 6.12 When they were filled he said unto his Disciples Gather up the fragments that remain that nothing be lost Q. How must we our children and servants sanctifie the Sabbath Must we not abstain from pleasures and recveations and from the works of our callings and from speaking our own words and maintain an honourable esteem of the Sabbath-day and spend it in holy and religious exercises and take delight therein and do all the duties of the day to the honour of God and what will God do for those that thus sanctifie the Sabbath-day A. Isa 58.13 14. If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath from doing thy pleasure on my holy day and call the Sabbath a delight the holy of the Lord honourable and shalt honour him not doing thine own ways nor finding thine own pleasure nor speaking thine own words Then shalt thou delight thy self in the Lord and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy Father for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it Q Is not the soul of a man of such great excellency that the gaining of the whole world will not countervail the loss of one soul A. Mark 8.36 What shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul Q. Seeing the Soul is of such great value ought we not to do all that in us lieth to save our Souls A. Phil. 2.12 Work out your own Salvation with fear and trembling Q Seeing our souls cannot be saved without the grace of God Doth it not concern us to look diligently that we fail not of grace A. Heb. 12.15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you and thereby many be defiled Q. Hath not God promised to give the Holy Spirit which is the Fountain of all grace to them that ask it A. Luke 11.13 If ye then being evil know how to give good gifts unto your children how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him Q. What are the fruits that the Spirit of Grace produceth when it is given to us A. Gal. 5.22 23. The fruit of the Spirit is love joy peace long-suffering gentleness goodness faith meekness temperance against such there is no law Q. After we have gotten grace must we not labour to grow in grace A. 2 Pet. 3.18 Grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ to him be glory both now and for ever Amen Q. Is growth in grace so necessary that besides our endeavours to get grace we must give diligence yea all diligence to grow in grace A. 2 Pet. 1.5 6 7. And besides this giving all diligence add to your faith vertue and to vertue knowledge and to knowledge temperance and to temperance patience and to patience godliness and to godliness brotherly kindness and to brotherly kindness charity Q. Will not a right use of the Word of God help us to grow in grace A. 1 Pet. 2.2 As new born babes desire the sincere milk of the Word that ye may grow thereby Q. What promise have you that God will enable you to grow in grace A. Hos 14.5 I will be as the dew unto Israel he shall grow as the Lilly and cast forth his roots as Lebanon Q. Must not they that would be saved persevere in the ways and grace of God A. Matth. 24.13 He that shall endure unto the end the same shall be saved Q. Hath God no pleasure in such as draw back from walking with him A. Heb. 10.38 Now the just shall live by faith but if