Selected quad for the lemma: scripture_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
scripture_n	article_n	church_n	tradition_n	2,712	5	8.9857	5	false

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A76705	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.	Biddle, John, 1615-1662.	1654 (1654)	Wing B2882; Thomason E1473_2; ESTC R209511	54,377	175

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