his Father from euerlasting to redeeme his elect people was when the fulnesse of time was come borne of a Virgin and became man of his mother without a father by whom we are saued Psalm 2.7 Hebr. 1.5 Iohn 1.14 18. Col. 1.16 17. Reuela 13.8 1. Peter 1.19 20. Galath 4.4 5. Luke 1.26 27 30 31. Luke 2.6 7. Question What is the Holie Ghost Answere The Holie Ghost is the essentiall power and vertue both of the Father and the Sonne eternall and consubstantiall with them in whome he resteth and abideth and from whom he proceedeth By him are we grafted into the bodie of Christ and sanctified and sealed vp to saluation Iohn 15.26 Luk. 11.20 Gen. 1.2 1. cor 12.13 14. Tit. 3.5 Question In that thou saiest there is God the Father God the Sonne and God the Holie Ghost what doost thou els but make three Gods Answere No not so for God is one in essence and simple in nature although thrée Persons distinguished out of the same Beeing of Beeings Deuter. 6.4 1. Corinth 8.6 Ephesians 4.5 6. 1. Iohn 5.7 Question How proue you this distinction of the three Persons in the one Godhead Answere This maye bee prooued most plainelie and firmlie by these places of Scripture Matthew 3.16 17. and 28.19 1. Iohn 5.7 Romanes 8.9 Question Are they three seuerall substances in that they are three distinct persons Answere No for I haue alreadie said that they are but one imcomprehensible infinite inuisible and vndeuidable substance and yet three Persons Question How are they three Persons Answere In respect of their properties and not in diuiding their nature but in distinguishing their properties Question What are their properties Answere We attribute to God the father our Creation to God the sonne our redemption and to God the holie Ghost our sanctification to the father the thing done to the Sonne the wisedome whereby it is done to the Holie Ghost the effects of the thing done Genes 2.7 Titus 2.14 1. Peter 1.2 Actes 14.15 Prouerbes 8.22 to 32. Question What things are proper to the Father alone that agree neither to the Sonne nor to the holie Ghost Answere This the begetting of the Sonne for which cause he is called the Father and fountaine of the Trinitie Iohn 3.16 1. Cor. 8.6 Iohn 16.28 and 15.26 Question What is giuen to the Sonne that is not likewise giuen to the Father nor to the Holie Ghost Answere To be begotten for which cause he is called the Sonne and seconde person in the Godhead as also that he is the Fathers word Hebrewes 2.5 1. Iohn 4.9 Matthew 28.19 Iohn 1.1 Question What is proper to the Holie Ghost that is not likewise giuen to the Father nor to the Sonne Answere To be proceeding from the Father and the Sonne and to be the third person in Trinitie Rom. 8.9 Matth. 28.19 Question Then Iesus Christ was not created in that he was the Sonne of God Answere No verelie but begotten from euerlasting and without beginning Also in that he is God he is the Creator and not a creature for by him all things were made Reuelat. 1.8 Mich. 5.2 Iohn 17.5 Iohn 1.1 2 3 4 5. Coloss 1.16 17. Question Was Iesus Christ created in that hee is man Answere Yea hee was created of God without the helpe of man onely by the worke and operation of the holie Ghost in the wombe of the virgin Marie Matth. 1.20 Luke 1.35 Galath 4.4 Question In that thou giuest Iesus Christ two Natures what dooest thou else but make two Christs Answere No Although we say that in Christ there be two natures as diuine and humane yet we make not two Christes nor two persons but one person and one Christ consisting of two natures Matth. 1.21 23. Rom. 1.3 4. Luke 1.43 Rom. 9.5 Question Is Iesus Christ as he is man the Sonne of God Answere No verelie not in that hee is man but in that he is God and he is the Sonne of man and so called in that he is man Luke 1.35 Matth. 26.64 Question Yet there is but one Sonne of God as there is but one Christ Answere It is most true There is not one eternall and naturall and another created and adopted but that onelie eternal Sonne of God who sustaineth vpholdeth the nature vnited to himselfe Yet must we note that we call the person of Christ the Sonne of God manifested in the flesh 2. Tim. 3.16 Question Then is it thy meaning that the humane nature of Christ is a person Answere No for Christes humane Nature was neuer extant or had beeing but in the Godhead wherefore the humane nature in Christ is not a Person but the humanitie subsisteth and hath his being in the person of the Word and therefore Christ is not either in imagination or in déede a double Person but one Person consisting of two Natures Iohn 1.14 Question What is the personall vnion Answere It is the taking of mans nature which is susteined and vpholden of the diuine nature that is to say such a taking or vniting that there procéedeth or commeth out of that vniting but one subsistence one beeing onely in which subsistence that diuine nature that is to saye the person of the Word beareth swaie and ruleth 1. Ioh. 1.1 2 3. Rom. 1.3 4. Question Yea but he is also called the Sonne of God in that he is God and man Answere It is true but not naturallie in respect of his manhood but by reason of the Personall vnion with his diuine nature Question Proceede vnto the Holie Ghost and tell me is he created or begotten Answere Neither but proceeding from the Father and the Sonne of the same substance and beeing with them equall with the Father and the Sonne in glorie and maiestie and from all eternities as in the definition it was shewed Question Yea but it shoulde seeme that the Father should be greater than the Sonne the Sonne greater than the holie Ghost because the one is placed before the other Answere Not so For although the Father is put before the Sonne in order and the Father and the Sonne before the Holie Ghost yet it is not because the one is greater than the other or more excellent than the other but because the Sonne was begotten of the Father and the Holie Ghost proceeding from the Father and the Sonne Otherwise we shall read first how the Sonne is put before the Father 2. Cor. 13. And also how the Spirit is put in the first place 1. Corinth 12. Whereby we may note that the order of names doth not make difference of dignities Secondlie they be one in essence and substance 1. Iohn 5.7 Thirdly that which is giuen to the one is giuen to the other in giftes and working Iohn 5.21.26.27 1. Cor. 12.4 to 12. Question Then there is but one nature of God Answere It is most true and that vncorrupt infinite vnbegotten neither diuided by place nor included in anie place nor secluded out of anie place nor defiled by person or
hee that beleeueth and is rooted and grounded in the same faith Col. 1.23 and 2.7 Iohn 3.16 Question Where shall we finde this our redeemer and redemption deliuered vnto vs more fullie Answere In the second parte of the articles of our faith which are sixe in number Question Into how many partes may they be diuided Answere Two that is First of the base estate of Christs birth and his humilitie in suffring which the three first articles sheweth Secondly of his exaltation and excellencie in all perfection and glorie in the other three articles The ende of the first parte of the Creede ¶ The second parte of the Creede Question REherse the first article of the second parte of Creede Answere And in Iesus Christ his onely Sonne our Lord which was conceiued by the holy Ghost Question Of how many partes dooth it consist Answere Of fourth That is First Iesus Secondly Christ Thirdly onely sonne Fourthly Lord. Question What dooth this word Iesus signifie Answere A Sauiour Math. 1.21 Question Whome dooth he saue Answere His people Matth. 1.21 Question How dooth he saue them Answere By the sacrifice of himself Heb. 10.10 29 20. Question What is the propiciatorie sacrifice Answere Iesus Christ is the propiciatorie sacrifice for he as the onely good high priest did once giue himselfe for his that repent and beleeue that the wrath of God his father might be appeased and that his people might be both sanctified and saued in him euermore Heb. 7.26 27. 1. Thes 1.10 2. Cor. 5.20 21. Question Who are his people Answere All those that haue his spirite and doo beleeue in him Iohn 1.12 13. Romans 8.9 Iohn 10.26.27 Question From what hath he saued them Answere From sinne sathan death and hell Titu 2.14 Heb. 2.14 1. Iohn 3.8 Question Why The very elect doo sinne continuallie Answere Yea but sinne shall not raigne ouer them much lesse damne them Roma 6.3 4 5 6 11 12 13 14. 1. Ioh. 3.5 6. Question Also wee see how sathan dooth afflict the godlie Answere Although sathan by the permission and will of God dooth afflict the godlie both to try their faith and exercise their patience yet he cannot hold them in captiuitie to deuoure them Ephe. 4.8 Heb. 2.14 15. Matth. 16.18 1. Ioh. 3.8 Question Also the godlie doo die continuallie Answere Although they die yet death is made to them the gate of immortallitie and they are deliuered from eternall death for which cause Christ especiallie died Heb. 9.27 28. Iohn 5.24 2. Cor. 5.1 to 12. 1 Thes 4.15 to the end Question The elect people are also troubled in conscience with the torments of hell oftentimes Answere But those torments are not their eternal portion for a time they suffer that therby they may know both Christ themselues Psa 34.18 20. Esa 54.7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14. 1. Cor. 10.13 Heb. 12.5 to 24. Reu. 3.19.20 Question Why is he called Christ Answere Because he was anoynted of his father Psal 49.6 7. Heb. 1.9 Question What was his annointment Answere The fulnes of his Godhead Col. 1.19 and 2.3.9 Iohn 3.34 Question What parte was anointed Answere Not his deuine but humaine nature Iohn 3 34. Heb. 1.9 Question Why was he anointed Answere To be our prophet priest king Re. 19.16 Psa 2.6 De. 18.15 Act. 37. Psa 110. He. 55. Question How is he our Prophet Answere First in that he spake by his spirit in the Prophets 1. Pet. 1.10 11 12. 2. Pet. 1.21 Secondly in that he hath fulfilled all Prophecies and promises that were foreshewed of him 2. Cor. 1.20 Matth. 5.17 Thirdly because he hath reuealed the wil of his father vnto vs. Iohn 18. Question How is he our priest Answere First in that he offered a sacrifice for vs his people Heb. 9.25 25 and 10.10.12 Secondly in that hee doth cōtinually teach vs his people by his word and spirit Ioh. 15.26 Iohn 14.26 Thirdly in that he maketh continuall intercessiō vnto his father for vs. ro 2.34 he 7.25 Question How a King Answere First in that he hath cōquered sin satan death hel 1. cor 15.54 to 57. he 2.14.15 1. Iho. 3.8 Secondly in that he maketh his subiects cōquerors ouer sinne sathan death and hell Col. 1.12 13. 1. Cor. 15.54 to 57. Thirdly in that hee ruleth and gouerneth his people by his lawes Psalm 2.10 11 12. Ioh. 10.27 28. Fourthly in that he will giue his people a spirituall and eternall kingdome 1. Pet. 5.10 11. Reuel 1.5 Reuel 22.1 2 3 4. Question How is he the onely sonne of God Answere By nature of the substance of his father from euerlasting Iohn 1. Question Why We are the sonnes of God also Answere It is true but it is by adoption thorough the grace of God in Christ Rom. 8.15 16. Ga. 4.4 5 6. Question What is adoption Answere This that God adopteth vnto himselfe his elect not for that he had not another sonne for he had his only begotten sonne Christ in whom he was well pleased but for that in all the nature of man he had yet no children for in Adam wee were all become the children of the diuell and the vessels of Gods wrath wherefore God sent his naturall and legittimate Sonne Christ into the World that thorough his rich grace hee might adopte vnto himselfe many children out of our kinde Matth. 3.17 Rom. 8.15 16. Gal. 4.4 5 6. Question What is grace Answere The free fauour of God not only pardoning the sinnes of his elect children but also in cladding them with innocencie and righteousnes of Christ to their euerlasting iustifications Rom. 3.24 1. Cor. 5.2 Titu 2.11.14 Question What gather you by this word Lord Answere First how Christ hath brought his people with a precious price that is with his death and bloud 1. Cor. 6.20 and 7.23 Secondly how he will deliuer and defende his people from the power of sinne sathan eternall death and hell Matth. 16.18 Thirdly how his people must yeeld obedience to him and his lawes Act. 3.23 1. pe 5.14 15. Fourthly how he is God and Lord of the whole world Iohn 1.1 2 3 4 5 c. Question What learne you in the third article which was conceaued by the holy Ghost borne of the Virgin Mary Answere First that hee is verie man of the flesh of the Virgin his mother Matth. 1.21 22. Luke 1.31 32. Rom. 4.3 4. Secondly that his birth was pure and frée from all infection of sinne and the corruption of nature in that he was not conceiued after the common manner of men but by the power and mightie operation of the holy Ghost Luke 1.35 Iohn 17.19 Thirdly that hee was conceiued in the wombe of the virgin by the holy Ghost onely because he might be First an vndefiled priest Heb. 7.26 27. Secondly a pure sacrifice for the redemption of his people Heb. 10.10 1. Pet. 1.19.20 Thirdly that he might sanctifie his people in all holines Iohn 17.19 1. Pet. 2.22 c. 1. Iohn 3.2 Fourthly
were renewed by the spirit vnto righteousnes Secondly we cannot reade in this chapter that Nicodemus was baptised the which if it had been of such a necessitie both he should and would haue béen presently baptised and the Euangelist would haue noted the same Thirdly admit that Christ did speake of Baptisme yet the worde must not bee so vrged that he includeth saluation in water but hee rather ioyneth water with the spirit because hee testifieth and sealeth vnto vs by that visible signe newnes of life which God alone doth work in vs by his holy spirit Question What gather you by this doctrine of the Papists Answere First they are most cruell against poore infants Secondly most wicked to tie God to externall meanes and denie his couenant Thirdly if all be damned that are not Baptised then all are saued if they be Baptised Fourthly by this doctrine although Baptised yet if children die before they eat the flesh and drinke the bloud of Christ they are damned Iohn 6.53 Question May priuate men and women minister the Sacrament of Baptisme Answere No surely for First the Lord hath tied the same vnto his lawfull ministers with the preaching of the word Matth. 28.19 20. 1. Cor. 14.34 35. Secondly if they may administer Baptisme they may as well administer the Sacrament of the Lordes supper and preach the word publiquelie which things are absurde and wicked Question God was pleased with Zipporah her acte in circumcising her sonne with a stone Answere First Almightie God did not approue her facte otherwise we might say that the worshipping which the Gentiles that were brought from Assiria raised vp did please God because the beasts did cease to afflict the people Exod. 4.24 25 26. 2. Reg. 17.41 Secondly that which is particuler ought not to be made a generall example Question Doo wee not sinne most heynouslie if wee walke not according to our promise made vnto God in Baptisme Answere Yes verelie for First we breake our promise with GOD and falsefie our faith with the holy Trinitie Matth. 28.19 Titu 3.4 5 6 7. Secondly wee crucifie a newe our sauiour Christ and tread the bloud of the holy couenant vnder foote Heb. 6.6 and 10.26 27 28 29. Thirdly wee grieue the holy Ghost by whome the elect are sealed vnto the euerlasting redemption Ephe. 4.29 30. Fourthly wee mock and grieue the holy Angels who reioyce at the repentance of a sinner and cause them to bee our enemies to destruction who are appointed of God to be the ministers of the elect vnto Saluation Matth. 18.10 Luke 15.10 Fiftly we giue offence vnto the Church but it had been better that a Milstone had been hanged about our necks and wee cast into the Sea Matth. 8.6 7. Sixtly wee doo not only bereaue our selues of all the spirituall gifts of Gods spirit but also we are murtherers of our owne soules in that we bereaue our selues of Christ who is the very life it selfe Iohn 14.6 Roma 8.9 10 c. Question The signe may not be neglected of Christians may it Answere No God forbid it should for if wee neglect and contemne the Sacrament it is an accursed and wicked kind of dealing in men as namelie the Anabaptists who deny the Sacrament of Baptisme to youg infants wherein they shew their ignorance For first they bee vnder the couenant Exod. 4.24 25 26. Gene. 17.9 10. Secondly the kingdome of God belongeth vnto them Matth. 18. Question Now let vs come vnto the Lords supper when did he institute the same Answere Presently after the eating of the passeouer and also a little before his death thereby First to shewe vnto vs that the Passeouer was ended in him 1. Cor. 5.7 Secondly to put vs alwaies in remembrance of his suffrings Matth. 26.26 27. Question What is the Lords supper Answere It is a holy banquet and a sacrament of publique eating and drinking of Bread and Wine to put in minde all beleeuing Christians which are of a good and a sound discretion how Christ was put to death and did shed his bloud for the remission of their sinnes and so is become their meate and drinke thorough faith to euerlasting life Mat. 29.26 27. 1. Cor. 10.16 1. Cor. 11.23 24 25. Question How many things are to bee considered of in this sacrament Answere Fouer as first Christ and his institution Math. 26.26 c. Secondly the externall signes Bread and Wine Math. 26. Thirdly the promise of redemption and remission of sinnes in Christ 1. Corinth 11.23 c. Fourthly faith in the promise to iustification and euerlasting life Iohn 66.54 c. Question How is our faith nourished and confirmed by the Lords supper Answere First in that our sauiour Christ giueth himselfe vnto vs therein assuring that his bodie was giuen vnto the death of the Crosse and his bloud shed for vs. Matth. 26.26 27 28. phil 2.8 1. pet 2.24 Secondly the bread and wine which wee take and eate and drinke according to his holy institution doo teach vs that by faith we doo eate and drinke the body and bloud of Iesus Christ as the onely comfort and nourishment of our soules Iohn 6.48 51. Question What is the Analogie betweene the signes and the things signified Answere It standeth in feeding nourishing comforting refreshing in vnion and in fellowship Question As how Shew me Answere First as the bread and wine doo feede nourish and refresh the naturall bodie of man euen so the bodie and bloud of our Lord and Sauior Christ with the merits of his passion doo spirituallie feede nourish comfort and refresh our poore famished and thirstie soules Ioh. 6.32 33.35 1. Cor. 11.24 25 26. Secondly as many cornes and grapes are vnited into one loafe and one wine euen so are wee vnited into one mysticall bodie and haue vnion and fellowship with Christ and bee as members one with another 1. Corin. 10.16 17. Question Then we do not reallie and verelie eat and drinke the naturall flesh and bloud of Christ in the holy supper Answere No for first it fighteth against the nature of a Sacrament for how can it be a signe and the thing it selfe Secondy if we be fed with the accidents of Bread and Wine It should followe that our bodies should be accidentall bodies bodies in shewe and not bodies in deede and of substance Thirdly it were to deny that Christ tooke flesh of the Virgin Marie if the substance of Bread and Wine doo become his flesh or els to say he had a mixte bodie either of which is blasphemie Matth. 1.23 Rom. 1.3 Fourthly it were to make Christ to haue a fantasticall bodie if his naturall bodie bée in euerie place after the words of consecration Fiftly it were to deny Christs Ascension and his sitting at Gods right hand and asmuch as to say the resurrection is past Act. 1.9 10. and 3.21 Sixthly it were to make him subiect to corruption as the Bread and Wine is Phil. 3. 20 21. 1. Timo. 1.17 18. Seauenthly it were to make