people 1 Pet. 2.9 Yes Are not believers a distinct Body or Society joyn'd to Christ by Faith Eph. 5.23 and to each other by love Col. 2.2 Yes Can this Church be built on any other Head or foundation than our Lord Jesus Christ 1 Cor. 3.11 No. Is not part of this Church Triumphant in Heaven Heb. 12.23 and part Militant on Earth Col. 1 24. Yes Is the Church known by external Splendour Pomp or Secular Grandeur Acts 2.42 No. § IS not this Church Holy 1 Cor. 3.17 the Saints above perfectly and the effectually called really so Yes Are not all the visible Members thereof called to Holiness and Holy by profession and obligation 1 Thes 4.7 Yes § IS not the Church Catholick or Universal consisting of all Believers Jews and Gentiles Bond and Free Gal. 3.28 Yes Is the Church confin'd to any one place or Nation Acts 1.8 No. Shall the Gates of Hell ever prevail against it Mat. 16.18 No. †May any of the particular Societys of which it doth consist Rev. 1.20 claim the name Authority and priviledges of the Catholick Church Rom. 11.22 No. § AMONGST the many priviledges of the Church Psal 87.3 is not this one that there is the Communion of Saints Yes * Have not Belâ—â—vers Union and Communion with Christ their Head from whence they are called Saints 1 Joh. 1.3 Yes Do they not Communicate by Faith their wants to him 1 Pet. 5.7 and He by his Spirit Communicate his Merits and Grace to them Isa 53.4 1 Joh. 5.12 Yes And will he refuse to such Communion with himself in Glory hereafter Joh. 17.24 No. * Have not the Saints also Communion one with another 1 Joh. 1.7 1 Cor. 12.26 Yes Can they Communicate Merits to each other Mat. 25.8 9. No. * Have not the Saints above Communion with each other in the same Vision Employment and Glory Mat. 8.11 Yes * Have not the Saints below Communion in the same Gifts and Graces Eph. 4.5 Heb. 3.13 in the same Sufferings Heb. 13.3 and if need be in their Worldly goods Heb. 13.16 Yes Qu. What is the Tenth Article Answ The forgiveness of Sins § ARE there any Sins Original or Actual of Omission or Commission of Thought Word or Deed that do not deserve eternal Death Rom. 6.23 No. Yet are there any that are not Pardonable the Sin against the Holy Ghost only excepted Mat. 12.31 No. * Doth not forgiveness of Sins consist in releasing the Sinner from Guilt and Condemnation Psal 32.1 2. Yes Can any but God who is the party offended forgive Sins to Men Psal 51.4 Mark 2.7 No. Yet must not all forgive injuries done to themselves Mat. 18.21 and Ministers Pronounce forgivenese in Christ's name to the Penitent Mat. 18.18 2 Cor. 2.7 10. Yes * Is there any forgiveness but only through Christ and on the account of his Satisfaction Col. 1.14 No. * Doth the Satisfaction of Christ make forgiveness of Sins to be less Free and Gracious Eph. 1.7 No * Have any the actual forgiveness of their Sins before they Repent and Believe Joh. 3.18 No. †Must you not then have a deep sense of your Sins Acts 2.38 Confess them to God Psal 32.5 with a sincere Resolution of forsaking them Pro. 28.13 Yes Must you not earnestly make Supplication for Pardon with a Fiducial trust in the mercy of God through the Merits and Righteousness of Christ alone Acts 10.43 Yes Qu. What is the Eleventh Article Answ The Resurrection of the Body § DID not death come in by Sin as the Sentence of the Law for the Transgression of it Rom. 5.12 Yes * Can any of our Members when turn'd to dust and scatter'd be hid from God's all-seeing Eye Psal 137.15 16. No. Is it above the Almighty power that made the Body at first of dust to raise it out of it again Mark 12.24 No. * And as He is able to raise the Dead so are we to believe that He will do it Joh. 5.28 29. Yes Though all shall be rais'd the just and the unjust Acts 24.15 yet is not the Resurrection the special Priviledge of Believers Luk. 14.14 Yes * Shall the Wicked rise by vertue of an Union with Christ by his Spirit as the Godly shall Rom. 8.11 No. * And will there not be a vast difference between them in the ends for which they arise Dan. 12.2 Yes Is it not agreeable to Divine Justice that the same Bodies for substance which we had here should be raised then 1 Cor. 15.38 2 Cor. 5.10 Yes But will they be raised to the same dying and mortal State they were in before 1 Cor. 15.53 No. Will not the Bodies of the Saints be exceeding Glorious of which the Resurrection of Christ is both an assurance and a Pattern 1 Cor. 15.20 43 44. Yes †And shall not they who are found alive at the coming of Christ be also chang'd 1 Cor. 15.51 52. Yes Qu. What is the Twelfth Article Answ The life Everlasting § SHALL not Believers have a Life of Glory and happiness in the World to come Psal 16.11 Yes * Do their Souls then sleep with their Bodies in the Grave or go to Purgatory Rev. 14.13 No. Are we able to express the Glory of that State which God has prepared 1 Cor. 2.9 and they enter into immediately after Death Phil. 1.23 No. Shall they not enjoy a Beatifical vision and enjoyment of God with Saints and Angels in the highest employment of Praise without Sin or Suffering Psal 17.15 Yes * and shall not their Bodies also partake of this Life of Glory at last 1 Cor. 15.43 Yes § IS it not an everlasting Life in opposition to this fading Life on Earth 1 Thes 4.17 Yes Will the Life above be Subject to decays and changes and interruptions in the happiness of it 1 Pet. 1.4 No. Will they be in danger of forfeiting this happiness or any Enemy be admitted to dispossess them of it Rev. 3.12 No. †Is there not an everlasting Death contrary to this everlasting Life Rom. 6.23 Yes Is this for the Wicked to have their beings taken away and to remain no more Rev. 21.8 No. Is it not to be banished from the presence of God and to undergo the Torments of Hell for ever 2 Thes 1.9 Mat. 25.46 Yes †Do we not say Amen to testifie our firm Belief of these Articles Rev. 22.20 21. Yes Question What dost thou chiefly learn in these Articles of thy Belief Answer First I learn to believe in God the Father who hath made me and all the World Secondly in God the Son who hath redeemed me and all mankind Thirdly in God the Holy Ghost who sanctifieth me and all the Elect people of God § IS there not manifested a Divine order in the Works of the Blessed Trinity towards Men Yes When Creation is ascribed to the Father doth it mean that it was not the Work of the Son and Holy Ghost Joh. 1.3 Gen. 1.2 No. Is it not that the Father did Create all things
means Acts 13.26 Yes Are all under this common call also called effectually and chosen Mat. 22.14 No. But can this outward call be refus'd without the woful hazard of the Soul Prov. 1.24 26. No. § IS not the Gospel-call a great priviledge and must you not Solemnly thank God our Heavenly Father through Christ for it Psal 147.19 20. Yes Is there not great danger of being drawn from the State to which you are called by damnable doctrines or practices Heb. 10.38 Yes Can you then continue therein and be kept from revolting from your profession without real grace Heb. 13.9 Phil. 2.12 13. No. And if God gives you the first grace is perseverance therein of your Selves Luk. 22.32 No. § WILL you then pray unto God for his Grace to prevent and assist you and consummate at last his work in you Jam. 1.5 Phil. 1.6 Yes And must you not to prayer add the diligent use of all the means that God has appointed Mat. 25.29 Yes Are you willing for your further help that I should teach you what you are to believe and to do according to your promise Heb. 5.12 Yes Catechist Rehearse the Articles of thy Belief Answer I Believe in God the Father Almighty maker of Heaven and Earth And in Iesus Christ his only Son our Lord Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost Born of the Virgin Mary Suffered under Pontius Pilate Was crucifyed dead and buried he descended into Hell The third day he rose again from the dead He ascended into Heaven And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty From thence he shall come to judge the Quick and the Dead I believe in the Holy Ghost The Holy Catholick Church the Communion of Saints The forgiveness of Sins The resurrection of the body And the life everlasting Amen § IS this Creed found in so many words any where in Scripture No. Yet is not the whole of it proved by Scripture as being according to the Doctrine of the Apostles and therefore called the Aposiles Creed Eph. 2.20 Yes Is it not agreeable to Scripture that there should be such a Form of sound Words 2 Tim. 1.13 Yes * May we receive any thing as an Article of Faith that is not found in Scripture Gal. 1.8 9. No. Are not all things revealed in the Scriptures to be believed by us Luk. 1.1 Yes But are all things therein alike necessary to be known Joh. 17.3 No. * Are not all things necessary and Fundamental plainly revealed Psal 119.105 Yes * Were not the Scriptures confirm'd by Miracles owned by the Church in all Ages and are they not known by their majesty purity and efficacy on the Hearts of Believers Psal 19.7 8 9. Yes †Will you not then search the Scriptures to prove the Articles of your Belief Joh. 5.39 Yes Qu. What is the first Article Answ I believe in God the Father Almighty Maker of Heaven and Earth § DOTH not Believing in God denote a practical trusting in and depending on Father Son and Holy Ghost as our Father Redeemer and Sanctifyer Yes Can this be without understanding what God hath revealed concerning himself as standing in these Relations to us Heb. 11.6 No. § DO you not believe that there is a God a most pure and supream Spirit Joh. 4.24 Yes Hath He a body or bodily parts or can He be seen with mortal eyes 1 Tim. 1.17 Deut. 4.15 No. Is He not infinite in his being and blessedness Exod. 3.13 Yes Is He confin'd to Time or place Psal 90.1 or doth He stand in need of any of his Creatures to make Him happy Acts 17.25 No. Is He subject to change or alteration Jam. 1.17 No. Can his attributes and glorious perfections be fully comprehended by us Job 11.7 8 9. No. Is He not most Holy Powerful Wise Good Just and true and this Originally and independently so as no Creature can be Mat. 19.17 Yes § ARE there more Gods than One Deut. 6.4 Is it agreeable to right reason that there should be more than one first Cause on which all things depend Acts 17.28 No. § ARE there not three Persons in the Godhead the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost 1 Joh. 5.7 Yes Is either of these Divine Persons before or after greater or less than the other Joh. 10.30 No. Have they not one and the same Divine nature and are they not distinguished by their Personal properties Yes Did not the Father from eternity beget the Son Psal 2.7 and is not the Son begotten of the Father before all worlds Joh. 1.14 Yes Doth not the Holy Ghost proceed from the Father and the Son Joh. 15.26 Yes § DID not the Almighty power of God appear in the works of his Creation Isa 45.12 13. Yes * Did He not make all things of nothing by the word of his power in the space of 6 days Heb. 11.3 Psal 33.6 Gen. 1.1 Yes Did He make any thing amiss Gen. 1.31 No. †And doth He not by his providence uphold and govern all that He hath made Heb. 1.3 Yes * Did He not in particular make man his body Form'd of the dust and his Soul immediately inspir'd Gen. 2.7 Yes Did not God create him after his own Image a knowing holy creature able also to sulfil the whole Law Gen. 1.26 Yes Did not God Covenant with man to confirm his life and happiness upon condition of his perfect obedience Rom. 10.5 Yes Was the particular command given to try his obedience viz. that He should not eat of the tree of Knowledge of good and evil a hard and impossible thing No. Did not God threaten death on his disobedience Gen. 2.17 Yes Should man have dy'd if he had not sinned Rom. 5.12 No. Did not man understand and agree to his Covenant Gen. 3.3 Yes Qu. What is the Second Article Answ And in Jesus Christ His only Son our Lord. § DO you not Believe in God the Son the Second Person of the Trinity equal with the Father and partaker of the same essence Phil. 2.6 Yes Though Believers are called Sons by Grace and adoption 1 Joh. 3.1 Yet is not our Lord His only Son by Nature and Eternal Generation Rom. 8.3 Yes § IS not the Son of God called Jesus because He saves his People from their Sins Mat. 1.21 Yes * Was man confirm'd in the holy estate in which He was created as the Elect Angels are now No. Did He not fall from that estate by Transgressing the Law and command which God gave him Eccl. 7.29 Yes Did He not Sin by the temptation of the Devil being left to the freedom of his own will Gen. 3 4 5 6. Yes Can so high an affront to the majesty of the Law-giver that contain'd so much Infidelity and such a total defection from God be reckoned a small Sin No. * Was not Adam our common Father a publick Person and our Representative in the Covenant of works 1 Cor. 15.22 Rom. 5.12 19. Yes Are there then any meer men that are
Is it not evident that He had first descended thither Eph. 4.9 Yes * Is it any where certainly revealed that He went into the Hell of the damned amongst the Spirits there No. But did He not by his death vanquish the powers of Hell and darkness Col. 2.14 Yes * Is not the unseen State or condition of separation of Soul and Body call'd the Grave and Hell 1 Cor. 15.55 Yes And can it be deny'd that He so descended into Hell as to continue for a time under the dominion of Death in a separate State Rom. 6.9 No. Qu. What is the Fifth Article Answ The third day He arose again from the Dead § DID He always continue in that State of the dead or so long as to see corruption Psal 16.10 No. * Considering who He was and what was Prophecyed of Him was it possible for the bands of death to hold him Acts 2.24 No. Did He not rise again by his own power Joh. 10.17 18. to dye no more Rev. 1.18 Yes Did He not rise as an evidence of our discharge Rom. 4.25 and a pledge of our Resurrection 1 Cor. 15.20 Yes * Did He shew himself to all the people when risen or to his enemies that had so long dispised his miracles before Acts 10.41 No. Yet were they left altogether without convincing evidence of his Resurrection Mat. 28.2 3 c. No. * Was He not seen by a sufficient number of witnesses even 500 at once and that at divers places and times after He was risen from the Dead 1 Cor. 15.6 Yes * Could they be deceiv'd by a Phantasm or Apparition when they did both handle and see yea eat and drink with Him after his Resurrection Luk. 24.38 39. No. * Could so Miraculous a work as raising the Dead for a design so contrary to Satan's Kingdom be done by Magick or power of the Devil Eph. 1.19 20. Mat. 12.25 No. * Could the Disciples roll away the Stone from the Sepulchre Steal away his Body Strip it of the Grave-cloths and not awake the Watch or Guard of Souldiers No. * Is it likely that men noted for sincerity 1 Thes 2.10 would impose on the world in a matter of such consequence for which they expos'd themselves to all manner of persecutions and death it self Acts 5.41 No. * If there had been any deceit could it have been conceal'd from so many envious and watchful enemies in so publick a concern Acts 26.26 No. * Did not the witnesses of his Resurrection confirm their report by undoubted Miracles Heb. 2.4 Yes †Was not this Resurrection on the third day from his death and the first day of the Week which is our Christian Sabbath 1 Cor. 15.4 Joh. 20.1 Yes Qu. What is the Sixth Article Answ He ascended into Heaven And sitteth on the Right Hand of God the Father Almighty § WHEN our Lord was risen Did He continue always on Earth in his bodily presence Joh. 16.16 No. Did He not according to Prophecy Psal 64.18 Forty days after his Resurrection Acts 1.3 Ascend up into Heaven in the sight of his Disciples Acts 1.9 11. Yes Was He not pleased to shew himself to some of his Disciples after his ascention Acts 7.55 1 Cor. 15.8 Yes †Did He not Ascend to prepare mansions for his people Joh. 14.2 and to send his Spirit to prepare them for the enjoyment thereof Joh. 16.7 Yes Are we to expect his bodily presence any more on Earth before the day of judgment Acts 3.21 No. § BEING ascended doth He not sit at the Right Hand of God the Father Almighty Mark 16.19 Yes Doth the Right Hand denote any bodily parts in God or His sitting any one particular gesture there Acts 7.55 No. Doth not sitting down denote Rest and the Right Hand dignity and authority Psal 44.3 1 Kings 1.30 Yes * And did not Christ after all his sorrows on Earth rest in the unspeakable joy of his Father Heb. 4.10 Yes * Hath He not the highest dignity and authority Heb. 1.4 and 8.1 and shall He not have compleat victory over all his Enemies Psal 110.1 Yes Qu. What is the Seventh Article Answ From thence He shall come to judge the Quick and the Dead § BEING thus exalted Hath He for ever abandon'd this Earth and his people therein Joh. 14.3 No. Besides his Spiritual presence always with his Church will He not come again in the clouds as He was seen to go up Acts 1.11 Yes Is not this Second coming to judge the world in righteousness and is not the day set and appointed for it Acts 17.31 Yes Do we know the day and hour when this appointed judgment will be Mat. 24.36 No. § WILL He Judge them already Dead and those that are found Quick or alive at his coming Acts 10.42 Yes When all are gather'd before Him will He not Separate between the Godly and the wicked and give to every Man according to his Works Mat. 25.32 2 Cor. 5.10 Yes †Will it not be a day of refreshing to the people of God Acts. 3.19 and exceeding terrible to the wicked 2 Thes 1.7 8 9. Yes Shall any by power or policy be able to escape or hide themselves from the Judge Rev. 6.15 16. No. And must not all abide in that Condition to which they are adjudg'd for ever and ever Heb. 6.2 Yes Qu. What is the Eighth Article Answ I Believe in the Holy Ghost § IS not the Holy Ghost God Acts 5.3 4. Eternal before the World Gen. 1.2 Omnipresent Psal 139.7 and knowing all things 1 Cor. 2.10 Yes Is not He a person Acts 13.2 distinct from the Father and Son Joh. 14.26 Yes Is not He the Spirit of the Father Luk. 14.19 and of the Son Gal. 4.6 as proceeding from them both Yes Is He inferiour to the Father or Son in essence or nature or with respect to the worship and glory which is due to God alone Mat. 28.19 1 Cor. 6.19 No. § IS He not Holy in himself and also as the Authour of Holiness and Sanctification in us Rom. 1.4 Yes †Must we not then believe in Him as a sanctifier by whom we may have an interest in what Christ has done and suffer'd Yes Are any partakers of saving Benefits by Christ to whom they are not effectually apply'd or communicated Joh. 1.11 12. No. Can Parents or Ministers apply them to your Heart or any but the Holy Spirit Tit. 3.5 6. No. Doth not the Spirit do this by working Faith in the Heart by the Ministry of the word Joh. 6.44 45. Yes Doth He not by the Law convince the Sinner Joh. 16.8 and by the Gospel subdue the will and perswade it to yeild to our Lord Jesus Christ Ezek. 36.26 27. Yes Can we then be sav'd by Christ without effectual calling and Regeneration by the Holy Ghost Joh. 3.5 No. Qu. What is the Ninth Article Answ I believe the Holy Catholick Church the Communion of Saints § HATH not God a Church called out of the world to be his peculiar
Holy and glorious Psal 8.1 9. No. Yet is not his Name dishonoured by sin Rom. 3.23 and reproach'd and blasphem'd by Sinners Psal 74.10 Yes * Must we not beg Grace to Hallow his Name in our Hearts by acknowledging and honouring it as Infinitely Holy Isa 5.16 Yes Can we thus Sanctify his Name unless he first Sanctify our Hearts and make them Holy 1 Thes 5.23 No. * Must we not desire Grace to Honour him with our mouths Josh 7 19. Psal 69.30 and in our lives by worshipping and obeying Him Jer. 13.16 Mat. 5.16 Yes * Can we honour his name aright without desiring that others also might Glorifie and hallow his name Psal 145.21 No. * Must we not beg that He would glorifie his own name in the World Psal 67.1 2 3. and pull down what is Contrary to his Glory therein Psal 83.16 c. Psal 57.5 Yes Qu. Which is the Second Petition Answ Thy Kingdom come § HATH not God a general Kingdom over all and must we not desire that His Soveraign Authority may be every where acknowledged Psal 103.19 Dan. 4.32 Yes Is it enough to be under his Providential Dominion as are all creatures unless we be made the Subjects of his Kingdom of Grace 1 Thes 2.12 Mark 1.15 No. * Do you not beg then to be delivered from the Kingdom of Satan under which you were by Nature that Christ may Reign in you by his Grace and Spirit Col. 1.13 Rom. 14.17 Yes And that He would make you fit for and give you an abundant entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven 2 Tim. 4.18 Yes * Are you to neglect others in your Prayers so as not to desire the spreading of the word of his Kingdom 2 Thes 3.1 No. * Is it not highly desirable that the Kingdoms of the world should be all the Kingdoms of Christ and Jews and Gentiles given him for his possession Rev. 11.15 Yes Can we pray for this without desiring the pulling down of Antichrist and all the implacable enemies of the Church Psal 68.1 No. * Must we not desire the hastning of his Kingdom of Glory in which all the Saints shall have with him their perfect Consummation and bliss Rev. 22.20 Yes Qu. Which is the Third Petition Answ Thy will be done in Earth c. § IS it fit for us curiously to enquire into the secret will of God Acts 1.7 or can we know it but by the event and course of his Providence Isa 40.28 No. * Must we not desire that we may submit to his Providential Will when discovered according to our Lords Pattern Mat. 26.42 without murmuring or repining Acts 21.13 14. Yes * But must we not desire to know his revealed will Acts 9.6 and renounce our own Wills so far as they stand in Competition with his Joh. 5.30 Yes * Is it sufficient to know his Will without desiring that He would enable us to perform it Psal 143.10 No. § CAN we do the Will of God here on Earth with that perfection that Saints and Angels do above Rev. 4.8 9. No. But must we not aim at perfection Phil. 3.13 14. and desire to do His Will as they do speedily Isa 6.2 faithfully Psal 103.20 21. and constantly Mat. 18.10 Yes Qu. Which is the Fourth Petition Answ Give us this day our dayly Bread § DO we deserve the least crumb of Bread Gen. 32.10 or can we procure it by our Industry and Labour without the gift of God Psal 127.1 2. No. If all be of free gift may we murmur that others have more than we or that God takes away any outward blessing from us Job 1.21 No. * Yet must we not pray for such a Competency of Health and Peace 3 Joh. v. 2. Sleep and Safety Psal 4.8 Food and Raiment as He sees fit Gen. 28.20 Yes Must we not desire that He would give fruitful Seasons and a Blessing on the Fruits of the Earth 1 Kings 8.35 36. Yes †Must we ask these things chiefly or in the first place before the Spiritual Bread for our Souls Mat. 6.33 No. * May we when we have daily bread long for Riches delicacies and abundance Luk. 12.15 Prov. 30.8 No. * Can we live by this bread alone without desiring his word of blessing upon it Deut. 8.3 No. * Is it our dayly Bread or can we pray for a blessing on it if it be the Bread of Idleness violence or Injustice 2 Thes 3.12 Psal 128.2 No. * Must we not come day by day like Beggers for what we need and depend on God for fresh supplies Psal 104 27-29 Yes * And when we ask for Bread this day may we be anxiously careful about to morrow Mat. 6.34 No. †And when He bestowes upon us our dayly Bread must we not receive it with Thanksgiving 1 Tim. 4.4 5. Yes Qu. Which is the Fifth Petition Answ Forgive us our Trespasses c. Gr. Debts § IF we have our daily Bread and never so much of the world can we be happy without the Pardon of sin Job 21 7-15 No. Are not our sins called Trespasses and Debts as making us obnoxious to the punishment threatned Mat. 18.32 35. Yes * Must we not pray that God for his mercy sake through Christ would not exact the penalty of us but deliver us from the guilt of all our sins Psal 130.2 3. Yes * Must we not therefore beg repentance unto Life and Faith in Jesus Christ who bore the penalty Acts 5.31 Yes * May they who have been pardon'd already neglect to pray for the continuances of that Grace and the Pardon of their dayly Infirmities Psal 25.11 and 51.1 No. * Must they not pray for the manifestation of forgiveness to their Souls Psa 51.8 and to be openly absolv'd at the great day Acts 3.19 Yes § MAY any think or hope that God hath forgiven him that doth not find in his Heart a readiness to forgive others Mat. 6.15 and 18.32 34. No. Though we may seek help peaceably of the Magistrate when we are injured Acts 23.11 yet may we bear a grudge for injuries done or privately revenge them Rom. 12.19 No. * Must we not profess our readiness to forgive others when we desire God to forgive us Mark 11.25 Yes And must we not do it heartily fully and freely Mat. 18.21 22 35. as God for Christ's sake forgives us Col. 3.13 Eph. 4.32 Yes * Is it not an encouragement to our Faith that God upon our repentance will forgive us when such as we are enabled by his Grace to forgive others Luk. 11.4 Yes Qu. Which is the Sixth Petition Answ And lead us not into Temptation c. § IS it enough to beg pardon for what is past if we are not careful to be kept from sin for the time to come Joh. 5.14 No. Is temptation an excuse for sin or doth God tempt any one by enticing them to iniquity Jam. 1.13 No. Are not men tempted by their own Lusts Jam. 1.14 and by the Devils stirring up the corruptions of their