A Twofold CATECHISM The One simply called A Scripture-Catechism The Other A brief Scripture-Catechism for Children Wherein the chiefest points of the Christian Religion being Question-wise proposed resolve themselves by pertinent Answers taken word for word out of the Scripture without either Consequences or Comments Composed for their sakes that would fain be Meer Christians and not of this or that Sect inasmuch as all the Sects of Christians by what names soever distinguished have either more or less departed from the simplicity and truth of the Scripture By John Biddle Master of Arts of the University of Oxford Isai 8. 20. To the Law and to the Testimony if they speak not according to this word it is because there is no light in them LONDON Printed by J. Cottrel for Ri. Moone at the seven stars in Paul's Church-yard neer the great North-door 1654. The Preface I Have often wondered and complained that there was no Catechism yet extant that I could ever see or hear of from whence one might learn the true grounds of the Christian Religion as the same is delivered in the holy Scripture all Catechisms generally being so stuffed with the supposals and traditions of men that the least part of them is derived from the Word of God For when Councels Convocations Assemblies of Divines justling the Sacred Writers out of their place in the Church had once framed Articles Confessions of Faith according to their own fancies and interests and the Civil Magistrate had by his Authority ratified the same all Catechisms were afterwards fitted to those Articles Confessions the Scripture either wholly omitted or brought-in onely for a shew not one quotation amongst many being a whit to the purpose as will soon appear to any man of judgment who taking into his hand the said Catechisms shall examine the texts alleged in them for if he do this diligently impartially he will finde the Scripture and those Catechisms to be at so wide a distance one from another that he will begin to question whether the Catechists gave any heed at all to what they wrote and did not onely themselves refuse to make use of their Reason but presume that their Readers also would do the same In how miserable a condition then as to spiritual things must Christians generally needs be when thus trained up not as the Apostle adviseth in the nurture and admonition of the Lord but in the supposals traditions of men having little or no assurance touching the reality of their Religion Which some observing and not having the happiness to light upon the Truth have quite abandoned all Piety whatsoever thinking there is no firm ground whereon to build the same To prevent which mischief in time to come by bringing men to a certainty I mean such men as own the Divine Authority of the Scripture and withal to satisfie the just pious desires of many who would fain understand the truth of our religion to the end they might not onely be built-up themselvs but also instruct their children and families in the same I have here according to the understanding I have gotten by continual meditation on the word of God compiled a Scripture-Catechism wherein I bring the Reader to a sure and certain knowledg of the chiefest things pertaining both to belief and practice whilst I my self assert nothing as others have done before me but onely introduce the Scripture faithfully uttering its own assertions which all Christians confess to be of undoubted truth Take heed therefore whosoever thou art that lightest on this Book and there readest things quite contrary to the doctrines that pass currant amongst the generality of Christians for I confess most of the things here displayed have such a tendency that thou fall not foul upon them for thou canst not do so without falling foul upon the holy Scripture it self inasmuch as all the Answers throughout the whole Catechism are faithfully transcribed out of it and rightly applied to the Questions as thou thy self maist perceive if thou shalt make a diligent inspection into the several texts with all their circumstances Thou wilt perhaps here reply that the texts which I have cited do indeed in the letter hold forth such things as are contrary to the doctrines commonly received amongst Christians but they ought to have a mystical or figurative interpretation put upon them and then both the doctrines and the texts of Scripture will suit well enough To which I answer that if we once take this liberty to impose our mystical or figurative interpretations on the Scripture without express warrant of the Scripture it self we shall have no setled belief but be liable continually to be turned aside by any one that can invent a new mystical meaning of the Scripture there being no certain rule to judge of such meanings as there is of the literal ones nor is there any error how absurd and impious soever but may on such terms be accorded with the Scripture All the abominable Idolatries of the Papists all the superstitious Fopperies of the Turks all the licentious Opinions and Practices of the Ranters may by this means be not only palliated but defended by the Word of God Certainly might we of our own heads figuratively interpret the Scripture when the letter is neither repugnant to our senses nor to the scope of the respective texts nor to a greater number of plain texts to the contrary for in such cases we must of necessity admit figures in the sacred Volume as well as we do in profane ones otherwise both they and it will clash either with themselves or with our senses which the Scripture it self intimates to be of infallible certainty see 1 Joh. 1. 2 3. might we I say at our pleasure impose our Figures Allegories on the plain words of God the Scripture would in very deed be what some blasphemously affirm it to be a Nose of wax For instance it is frequently asserted in the Scripture that God hath a similitude or shape hath his place in the heavens hath also affections or passions as love hatred mercy anger and the like neither is any thing to the contrary delivered there unless seemingly in certain places which neither for number nor clearness are comparable unto those of the other side Why now should I depart from the letter of the Scripture in these particulars and boldly affirm with the generality of Christians or rather with the generality of such Christians only as being conversant with the false Philosophy that reigneth in the Schools have their understandings perverted with wrong notions that God is without a shape in no certain place and uncapable of affections Would not this be to use the Scripture like a nose of wax and when of it self it looketh any way to turn it aside at our pleasure And would not God be so far from speaking to our capacity in his Word which is the usual Refuge of the Adversaries when in these and the like
substituted in the stead thereof in like maner there was so much of the primitive truth worn away by the corruption that did by little and little overspread the generality of Christians and so many errors in stead thereof tacked to our Religion at several times that one might justly question whether it were the same Religion with that which Christ and his Apostles taught and not another since devised by men and put in the room thereof But thanks be to God through our Lord Jesus Christ who amidst the universal corruption of our Religion hath preserved his written Word entire for had men corrupted it they would have made it speak more favourably in behalf of their lusts and worldly interests then it doth which Word if we with diligence and sincerity pry into resolving to embrace the doctrine that is there plainly delivered though all the world should set it self against us for so doing we shall easily discern the Truth and so be enabled to reduce our Religion to its first principles For thus much I perceive by mine own experience who being otherwise of no great abilities yet setting my self with the aforesaid resolution for sundry yeers together upon an impartial search of the Scripture have not onely detected many errors but here presented the Readers with a body of Religion exactly transcribed out of the Word of God which body whosoever shall well ruminate and digest in his mind may by the same method wherein I have gond before him make a further enquiry into the Oracles of God and draw forth whatsoever yet lies hid and being brought to light will tend to the accomplishment of Godliness amongst us for at this only all the Scripture aimeth I say the Scripture which all men who have thorowly studied the same must of necessity be enamoured with as breathing-out the meer wisdom of God and being the exactest Rule of a holy life which all religions whatsoever confess to be the way unto Happiness that can be imagined and whose Divinity will never even to the worlds end be questioned by any but such as are unwilling to deny their worldly lusts and obey the pure and perfect precepts thereof Which obedience whosoever shall perform he shall not onely in the life to come but even in this life be equal unto Angels JOHN BIDDLE The Contents Chap. 1. OF the holy Scripture or Word of God Chap. 2. Of God Chap. 3. Of the Creation Chap. 4. Of Christ Jesus Chap. 5. Of the Holy Ghost Chap. 6. Of Salvation by Christ Chap. 7. Of Christs Mediation Chap. 8. Of Christs Prophetick Office Chap. 9. Of Remission of Sins by Christ Chap. 10. Of Christs Kingly Office Chap. 11. Of Christs Priestly Office Chap. 12. Of Christs death Chap. 13. Of the Universality of Gods love Chap. 14. Of Christs Resurection Chap. 15. Of Justification and Faith Chap. 16. Of keeping the Commandments and having an eye to the Reward of Perfection in vertue and godliness to be attained and of departing from righteousness and Faith Chap. 17. Of the duty of Subjects and Magistrates Wives and Husbands Children and Parents Servants and Masters Chap. 18. Of the behaviour of Men and Women in general and in special of Aged Men Aged Women Young Women and Young Men. Chap. 19. Of Prayer Chap. 20. Of the Church Chap. 21. Of the Government and Discipline of the Church Chap. 22. Of Baptism Chap. 23. Of the Lords Supper Chap. 24. Of the Resurrection of the dead and the last Judgement and what shall be the Final Condition of the Righteous and the Wicked thereupon A Scripture-Catechism CHAP. I. Of the holy Scripture or Word of God Question WHat doth the Scripture testifie concerning its own authority Answer All Scripture is given by inspiration of God 2 Tim. 3. 16. Qu. What concerning its own usefulness and excollencie A. All Scripture is profitable for doctrine for reproof for correction for instruction in righteousness That the man of God may be perfect throughly furnished unto all good works 2 Tim. 3. 16 17. The Law of the Lord is perfect converting the soul The Statutes of the Lord are right rejoycing the heart the commandment of the Lord is pure enlightning the eyes The judgements of the Lord are true and righteous altogether More to be desired are they then gold yea then much finde gold sweeter also then honey and the honey-comb Moreover by them is thy servant warned and in keeping of them there is great reward Psal 19. 7 8 9 10 11. The words of the Lord are pure words as silver tried in a furnace of earth purified seven times Psal 12. 6. Thy testimonies are wonderful therefore doth my soul keep them Psal 119. 129. Qu. What doth the Scripture testifie concerning its own sufficiencie A. The holy Scriptures are able to make wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus 2 Tim. 3. 15. These are written that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God and that believing ye might have life through his name Joh. 20. 31. Qu. How would you answer them who notwithstanding the testimony of the Scripture it self touching its own sufficiencie should bear you in hand that certain traditions and commandments of men are necessary to salvation A. Ye have made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition In vain do they worship me teaching for doctrines the commandments of men Matth. 15. 6 9. Qu. What would you say to a man introducing a new form of words unheard-of in the Scripture and such a doctrine as tendeth not to godliness A. Hold fast the form of sound words which thou hast heard in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus 2 Tim. 1. 13. If any man teach otherwise and consent not to wholesom words even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ and to the doctrine which is according to godliness He is proud knowing nothing but doting about questions and strifes of words 1 Tim. 6. 3 4. Let that abide in you which ye have heard from the beginning 1 Joh. 2. 24. Qu. What benefit shall redound unto us thereby A. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you ye also shall continue in the Son and in the Father 1 Joh. 2. 24. Qu. What would you say to such as should require you to follow the judgement of Fathers Councels and Learned Divines when you finde it not agreeable to the Scripture A. To the law and to the testimony if they speak not according to this word it is because there is no light in them Isa 8. 20. Qu. Is the Scripture plain enough to be understood even by the simple A. The testimony of the Lord is sure making wise the simple Psal 19. 7. The entrance of thy words giveth light it giveth understanding to the simple Psal 119. 130. Qu. Is the Word of God a dead letter of it self A. The word of God is quick and powerful and sharper then any two-edged sword piercing
even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit and of the joynts and marrow and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart Heb. 4. 12. The words that I speak unto you they are spirit and they are life Joh. 6. 63. Qu. But do the things recorded in the Word of God concern us A. Whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope Rom. 15. 4. Whosoever heareth these sayings of mine and doth them I will liken him to a wise man which built his house upon a rock Matth. 7. 24. Qu. Which are the most affectionate passages in all the Scripture flowing from the mouth of one enamoured on the Word of God A. I have rejoyced in the way of thy testimonies as much as in all riches My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgements at all times O how I love thy law it is my meditation all the day How sweet are thy words unto my taste yea sweeter then honey to my mouth I love thy commandments above gold yea above fine gold I rejoyce at thy word as one that findeth great spoil Psal 119. 14 20 97 103 127 162. CHAP. II. Of God Qu. HOw many Gods of Christians are there A. One God Eph. 4. 6. Qu. Who is this one God A. The Father of whom are all things 1 Cor. 8. 6. Qu. What is this one God A. A spirit Joh. 4. 24. Qu. Have you more ample descriptions of God in the Scripture A. He is the blessed and onely Potentate the King of kings and Lord of lords Who onely hath immortality dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto whom no man hath seen nor can see 1 Tim. 6. 15 16. The Lord is gracious and full of compassion flow to anger and of great mercy The Lord is good to all and his tender mercies are over all his works Psal 145. 8 9. Qu. Is not God according to the current of the Scripture in a certain place namely heaven A. Our God is in the heavens Psal 115. 3. The Lord looketh from heaven he beholdeth all the sons of men From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth Psal 33. 13 14. Be not rash with thy mouth and let not thine heart be hastie to utter any thing before God for God is in heaven and thou upon earth Eccles 5. 2. Look down from thy habitation from heaven and bless thy people Israel Deut. 26. 15. Look down from heaven and behold from the habitation of thy holiness and of thy glory Isa 63. 15. Hear thou from thy dwelling-place from heaven Hear thou from heaven Hear thou from the heavens Hear thou from heaven Hear thou from heaven thy dwelling-place Hear thou from the heavens even from thy dwelling-place Hear thou from the heavens Hear thou from the heavens even from thy dwelling-place 2 Chron. 6. 21 23 25 27 30 33 35 39. Your Father which is in heaven Your Father which is in heaven Your Father which is in heaven Mat. 5. 16 45 48. Your Father which is in heaven Our Father which art in heaven Mat. 6. 2 9. Your Father which is in heaven My Father which is in heaven Mat. 7. 11 21. In heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven Matth. 18. 10. These words spake Jesus and lift up his eyes to heaven and said Father the hour is come glorifie thy Son that thy Son also may glorifie thee I have glorified thee on the earth And now O Father glorifie thou me with thine own self Joh. 17. 1 4 5. I came forth from the Father and am come into the world again I leave the world and go to the Father Joh. 16. 28. Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world to the Father Joh. 13. 1. And he being full of the holy Ghost looked up stedfastly into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing on the right hand of God And said Behold I see the heavens opened and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God Act. 7. 55 56. Qu. Is God in the Scripture said to have any likeness image similitude person and shape A. God said Let us make man in our image after our likeness So God created man in his own image in the image of God created he him Gen. 1. 26 27. In the day that God created man in the likeness of God made he him Gen. 5. 1. Whoso sheddeth mans blood by man shall his blood be shed for in the image of God made he man Gen. 9. 6. My servant Moses is not so who is faithful in all my house With him will I speak mouth to mouth even apparently not in dark speeches and the similitude of the Lord shall he behold Num. 12. 7 8. Therewith bless we God even the Father and therewith curse we men which are made after the similitude of God Jam. 3. 9. Will ye speak wickedly for God and talk deceitfully for him Will ye accept his person Job 13. 7 8. The Father himself which hath sent me hath born witness of me Ye have neither heard his voice at any time nor seen his shape Joh. 5. 37. Qu. What passage of the Scripture intimates not onely that the Saints in the perfect state of the world to come shall see God face to face but also comprehend or fully know him A. When that which is perfect is come then that which is in part shall be done away For now we see through a glass darkly but then face to face now I know in part but then shall I know even as also I am known 1 Cor. 13. 10 12. Qu. Are there not according to the perpetual tenour of the Scripture affections or passions in God as anger fury zeal wrath love hatred mercy grace jealousie repentance grief joy fear A. Israel joyned himself to Baal-peor and the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel And the Lord said unto Moses Take all the heads of the people and hang them up before the Lord against the sun that the fierce anger of the Lord may be turned away Num. 25. 3 4. Thus shall mine anger be accomplished and I will cause my fury to rest upon them and I will be comforted and they shall know that I the Lord have spoken it in my zeal when I have accomplished my fury in them Ezek. 5. 13. Moses besought the Lord his God and said Lord why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people Turn from thy fierce wrath Exod. 32. 11 12. The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who hold the truth in unrighteousness Rom. 1. 18. The God of love and peace shall be with you 2 Cor. 13. 11. He that loveth not knoweth not God for God is love God is love and he that dwelleth
us or on the contrary to reconcile and bring us to God A. When we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son Rom. 5. 10. He is our peace who hath made both one That he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross having slain the enmity thereby Eph. 2. 14 16. God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself 2 Cor. 5. 19. Christ hath once suffered for sins the just for the unjust that he might bring us to God 1 Pet. 3. 18. Qu. For whom did Christ die A. We thus judge that if one died for all then were all dead And that he died for all that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves but unto him which died for them and rose again 2 Cor. 5. 14 15. There is one Mediator between God and men the man Christ Jesus Who gave himself a ransome for all to be testified in due time 1 Tim. 2. 5 6. We see Jesus who was made a little lower then the angels for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honour that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man Heb. 2. 9. I am the living bread which came down from heaven if any man eat of this bread he shall live for ever and the bread that I will give is my flesh which I will give for the life of the world Joh. 6. 51. Q. What was the procuring cause of Christs death A. He was delivered for our offences Rom. 4. 25. He was wounded for our transgressions he was bruised for our iniquities Isai 53. 5. Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures 1 Cor. 15. 3. Qu. What are the ends of Christs suffering and death intimated by the Scripture A. He learned obedience by the things which he suffered Heb. 5. 8. Christ suffered for you leaving us an example that ye should follow his steps 1 Pet. 2. 21. Christ hath once suffered for sins the just for the unjust that he might bring us to God 1 Pet. 3. 18. This is my blood of the New Testament or New Covenant that is shed for many for the remission of sins Mat. 26. 28. That through death he might destroy him that had the power of death that is the devil And deliver them who through fear of death were all their life-time subject unto bondage Heb. 2. 14 15. That he might sanctifie the people with his own blood Heb. 13. 12. That whether we wake or sleep we should live together with him 1 Thess 4. 10. That they which live should not henceforth live to themselves but to him which died for them and rose again 2 Cor. 5. 15. Who gave himself for our sins that he might deliver us from this present evil world Gal. 1. 4. Ye who were sometimes far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ For he is our peace who hath made both one and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us Having abolished in his flesh the law of commandments in ordinances for to make in himself of twain one new man so making peace And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross having slain the enmity thereby Eph. 2. 13 14 15 16. It pleased the Father that in him all fulness should dwell And having made peace through the blood of his cross by him to reconcile all things to himself or rather for him by him I say whether they be things in earth or things in heaven And you that were sometimes alienated and enemies in your minde by wicked works yet now hath he reconciled In the body of his flesh through death Col. 1. 20 21 22. CHAP. XIII Of the Universality of Gods love Qu. THose Scriptures which you have already alleadged when I enquired for whom Christ died intimate the universality of Gods love to men yet sorasmuch as this is a point of the greatest importance without the knowledge and belief whereof we cannot have any true and solid ground of coming unto God because if he from all eternity intended good onely to a few and those few are not set down in the Scriptures which were written that we through comfort of them might have hope Rom. 15. 4. no man can certainly yea probably infer that he is in the number of those few the contrary being ten thousand to one more likely what other clear tassages of Scripture have you which shew that God in sending Christ and proposing the Gospel aimed not at the salvation of a certain elect number but of men in general A. God so loved the world that he gave his onely-begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world but that the world through him might be saved Joh. 3. 16 17. The bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven and giveth life to the world Joh. 6. 33. Now we believe not because of thy saying for we have heard him our selves and know that this is indeed the Christ the Saviour of the world Joh. 4. 42. We have seen and do testifie that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world 1 Joh. 4. 14. I am come a light into the world that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness And if any man hear my words and believe not I judge him not for I came not to judge the world but to save the world Joh. 12. 46 47. Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved but he that believeth not shall be condemned Mark 16. 15 16. If ye continue in the faith grounded and setled and be not moved away from the hope of the Gospel which ye have heard and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven whereof I Paul am made a minister Col. 1. 22. We preach warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus Col. 1. 28. I exhort that supplications prayers intercessions and giving of thanks be made for all men For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour WHO WILL HAVE ALL MEN TO BE SAVED AND TO COME UNTO THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE TRUTH 1 Tim. 2. 1 3 4. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise as some men count slackness but is long-suffering to us-ward NOT WILLING THAT ANY SHOULD PERISH BUT THAT ALL SHOULD COME TO REPENTANCE 2 Pet. 3. 9. God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself not imputing their trespasses to them 2 Cor. 5. 19. We have an Advocate with the Father Jesus Christ the righteous And he is the propitiation for our sins and not for ours onely but also for the sins of the whole world 1 Joh. 2. 1 2. Qu. These texts which you have now cited are all taken out of the New Testament
is there not a like manifestation of the universality of Gods love in the Old How speaketh the prophet Ezekiel A. Say unto them As I live saith the Lord God I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked but that the wicked turn from his way and live turn ye turn ye from your evil ways for why will ye die O house of Israel Ezek. 33. 11. Cast away from you all your transgressions whereby ye have transgressed and make you a new heart and a new spirit for why will ye die O house of Israel For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth saith the Lord God wherefore turn your selves and live ye Ezek. 18. 31 32. Qu. What saith Jeremiah A. He doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men Lam. 3. 33. Qu. What saith David A. The Lord is gracious and full of compassion slow to anger and of great mercy The Lord is good to all and his tender mercies are over all his works Psal 145. 8 9. CHAP. XIV Of Christs Resurrection Qu. Ought Christ as to suffer so also to rise from the dead the third day A. Thus it is written and thus it behoved Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day Luke 24. 46. He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures 1 Cor. 15. 4. Qu. Was there so great power and consequence in Christs resurrection How speaketh Paul A. I count all things but loss for the excellencie of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord. That I may know him and the power of his resurrection Phil. 3. 8 10. If Christ be not risen your faith is vain ye are yet in your sins Then they also that are fallen asleep in Christ are perished 1 Cor. 15. 17 18. It is Christ that died yea rather that is risen again Rom. 8. 34. Qu. How speaketh Peter A. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead 1 Pet. 1. 3. Qu. Did Christ rise by his own power yea did he raise himself at all or was he raised by the power of another and did another raise him What is the perpetual tenour of the Scripture to this purpose A. Though he was crucified through weakness yet he liveth by the power of God 2 Cor. 13. 4. Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father Rom. 6. 4. By Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised him from the dead Gal. 1. 1. If the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus Christ from the dead dwell in you he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you Rom. 8. 11. He which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus 2 Cor. 4. 14. Ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God And to wait for his Son from heaven whom he raised from the dead even Jesus which delivereth us from the wrath to come 1 Thess 1. 9 10. Be it known unto you all and to all the people of Israel that by the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth whom ye crucified whom God raised from the dead even by him doth this man stand here before you whole Acts 4. 10. The God of peace that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus Heb. 13. 20. But God raised him from the dead God hath fulfilled the same unto us in that he hath raised up Jesus again And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead He whom God raised again saw no corruption Acts 13. 30 33 34 37. Him God raised up the third day Act. 10. 40. God hath both raised up the Lord and will also raise us up by his own power 1 Cor. 6. 14. Who by him believe in God that raised him up from the dead and gave him glory 1 Pet. 1. 21. Qu. Were the Apostles and the Holy Spirit himself sent to bear witness that Christ raised himself or that God raised him How speaketh the Scripture A. This Jesus hath God raised up whereof we are all witnesses Acts 2. 32. The God of Abraham and of Isaac and of Jacob the God of our fathers hath glorified his Son Jesus whom ye delivered up and denied him in the presence of Pilate And killed the Prince of life whom God hath raised from the dead whereof we are witnesses Acts 3. 13 15. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and Saviour And we are his witnesses of these things and so is also the Holy Spirit whom God hath given to all them that obey him Acts 5. 30 31 32. We have testified of God that he raised up Christ 1 Cor. 15. 15. Qu. Of what consequence is it to believe that Christ was thus raised A. If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead thou shalt be saved Rom. 10. 9. Abraham believed God and it was imputed to him for righteousness Now it was not written for his sake alone that it was impured to him But for us to whom it shall be imputed if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead Rom. 4. 3 23 24. Qu. What is the prayer of the Apostle Paul to this purpose How speaketh be to the Ephesians A. That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ the Father of glory may give unto you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him The eyes of your understanding being enlightened that ye may know What is the exceeding greatness of his power to â—s-ward who believe according to the working of his mighty power Which he wrought in Christ when he raised him from the dead Eph. 1. 17 18 19 20. CHAP. XV. Of Justification and Faith Qu. HOw many sorts of justification or righteousness are there A. The righteousness which is of the Law Rom. 10. 5. The righteousness which is of God by Faith Phil. 3. 9. Qu. How is the righteousness which is of the Law described A. Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the Law that the man which doth those things shall live by them Rom. 10. 5. Qu. How speaketh the righteousness which is of Faith A. The righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise Say not in thine heart Who shall ascend into heaven that is to bring Christ down from above Or who shall descend into the deep that is to bring up Christ again from the dead Rom. 10. 6 7. Qu. But what saith it Rom. 10. 8. A. That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead thou shalt be saved Rom. 10. 9. Qu. In the justification of a believer is the righteousness of
A. By faith Abraham when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance obeved and he went out not knowing whither he went By faith he sojourned in the land of promise as in a strange country dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob the heirs with him of the same promise For he looked for a city which hath foundations whose builder and maker is God Heb. 11. 8 9 10. By faith Moses when he was come to yeers refused to be called the son of Pharaohs daughter Chusing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God then to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches then the treasures in Egypt for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward Heb. 11. 24 25 26. Let us run with patience the race that is set before us Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross despising the shame and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God Heb. 12. 1 2. Paul a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ according to the faith of Gods elect and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness In hope of eternal life Tit. 1. 1 2. Qu. Do not the Scriptures intimate that Christians may attain to perfection of vertue and godliness and that it is the intention of God and Christ and his ministers to bring them unto this pitch Rehearse the texts to this effect A. According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world that we should be holy and unblameable before him in love Eph. 1. 4. Christ loved the Church and gave himself for it That he might sanctifie and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word That he might present it to himself a glorious Church not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing but that it should be holy and without blemish Eph. 5. 25 26 27. Having therefore these promises let us cleanse our selves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit perfecting holiness in the fear of God 2 Cor. 7. 1. Be ye perfect even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect Matth. 5. 48. Finally brethren farewel be ye perfect 2 Cor. 13. 11. We preach warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus Col. 1. 28. He gave some apostles some prophets some evangelists some pastors and teachers For the perfecting of the saints for the work of the ministry for the edifying of the body of Christ Till we all come in the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect man unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ Eph. 4. 11 12 13. Epaphras who is one of you a servant of Christ saluteth you always labouring fervently for you in prayers that ye may stand perfect and compleat in all the will of God Col. 4. 12. The very God of peace sanctifie you wholly and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ 1 Thes 5. 23. To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God even our Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints 1 Thess 3. 13. Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God even our Father which hath loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace Comfort your hearts and stablish you in every good word and work 2 Thess 2. 16 17. Qu. Have you any example of perfection before the Law A. Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations and Noah walked with God Gen. 6. 9. The Lord said unto Satan Hast thou considered my servant Job that there is none like him in the earth a perfect and an upright man one that feareth God and escheweth evil Job 1. 8. Qu. Have you any example of perfection under the Law A. There was in the days of Herod the king of Judea a certain priest named Zacharias of the course of Abia and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron and her name was Elizabeth And they were both righteous before God walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless Luk. 1. 1 2. Qu. Have you any examples under the Gospel A. Christ suffered for us leaving us an example that ye should follow his steps Who did no sin neither was guile found in his mouth 1 Pet. 2. 21 22. I looked and lo a Lamb stood on the mount Sion and with him an hundred fourty and four thousand having his Fathers name written on their foreheads These are they which were not defiled with women for they are virgins these are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth And in their mouth was found no guile for they are without fault before the throne of God Rev. 14. 1 4 5. Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments and they shall walk with me in white for they are worthy Rev. 3. 4. Ye are witnesses and God also how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved our selves among you that believe 1 Thess 2. 10. Qu. If works be so necessary to salvation as you have before shewn from the Scripture how cometh it to pass that Paul saith We are justified by faith without works Meant he to exclude all good works whatsoever or onely those of the Law How doth he explain himself A. We are justified by faith without the works of the Law Rom. 3. 28. Qu. Can you make it appear from elsewhere that Paul intended to exclude from justification onely the perfect works of the Law which leave no place for either grace or faith and not such works as include both and that by a justifying faith he meant a working faith and such a one as is accompanied with righteousness A. By grace are ye saved through faith and that not of your selves it is the gift of God Not of works lest any man should boast For we are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them Eph. 8. 9 10. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grase but of debt But to him that worketh not but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly his faith is counted for righteousness Rom. 3. 4 5. There is a remnant according to the election of grace And if by grace then it is no more of works otherwise grace is no more grace But if it be of works then it is no more grace otherwise work is no more work Rom. 11. 5 6. If they which are of the law be heirs faith is made void and the promise made of none effect Because the law worketh wrath for where no law is there is no