119. l. 1. r. offers ibid. l. 5. r. many p. 122. l. 11. r. Gratulatory A CATECHISM AGAINST POPERY SECT I. Of the Scripture Quest WHat Religion are you of Answ Of the Reformed Christian Religion Q. Why call you your Religion the Christian Religion A. To distinguish it from the Religion of the Jews Turks and Pagans Q. Why call you it the Reformed Religion A. To distinguish it from the Religion of the Church of Rome Q. Why are you not of the Romish Religion A. Because in and by that Religion none can be Saved Q. Why so A. Because the Roman Church hath perverted the Doctrine of the Gospel and established Idolatry and hath taken Antichrist for her head Q. Vpon what is the true Christian Religion Founded A. Upon the Word of God Q. What mean you by the Word of God A. The Holy Scripture contained in the Old and new Testament written by the Prophets Evangelists and Apostles which St. Paul calls Scripture divinely inspired 2 Tim. 3.16 And St. Peter 2d Epist 1.21 speaking of the Scripture says Prophesies came not by the will of men but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost Q. Why call you the Scripture the Bible that is the Book or Writing A. Because it is the Book and Writing which ought to be most highly esteemed by us and wherein we may be instructed of the Will of God for our Salvation Q. How divide you the Scripture A. Into two Parts the Old and New Testament Q. What doth the Old Testament contain A. The five Books of Moses the Prophets and the Psalms Luke 24.44 Q. Why take you not in Tobit Susanna Judith and others which we call Apocripha A. Because the Jews to whom the Oracles of God were committed Rom. 3.2 never acknowledged these Books Jesus Christ nor his Apostles never cited them neither were they read in the Synagogue it is not reasonable then that these Books which were not received as Sacred and Canonical by the Jewish Church which then only was the Church of God should be received as such by the Christian Church Besides in these Books are found many Fables which are not agreeable to the Spirit of God who is Truth and Wisdom Q. What doth the New Testament contain A. The four Evangelists the Acts the Epistles of St. Paul of James of Peter of John of Jude the Epistle to the Hebrews and the Revelations Q. Why hath it pleased God that his Word should be put in Writing A. That men might not alter or change it and make their own imagination and inventions pass for Divine Inspirations and the Word of God Q. But why do you found your Religion on the Word of God A. That we may have solid and firm Comfort in Life and Death Rom. 15.4 Q. Wherein consists your Comfort in Life and Death A. In that Jesus Christ hath redeemed us from the power of the Devil so that living and dying we are his SECT II. How the Scripture may be known to be Divine Q. HOw know you the Scripture to be the word of God A. Three ways 1. By the Testimony of Believers under the Old and New Testament 2. By the Scripture it self for as the Sun makes it self to be seen by its own Light and the Fire makes it self to be felt by its Heat so the Scripture makes it self known to be Divine by the Majesty of its Stile and fullfilling of its Prophesies the excellency of its Doctrine and its efficacie to persuade and comfort Consciences as David Psalm 19.7 The Law of the Lord is perfect converting the soul the testimony of the Lord is sure making wise the simple 3. By the Testimony of the Spirit of God such as Jesus Christ gave to the Consciences of the Disciples going to Emaus Did not our heart burn within us said they one to another while he talked with us by the way and opened to us the Scripture Luke 24.32 Q. How doth the Sprrit testifie the Scripture to be the Word of God A. Not by extraordinary Revelations as Prophesies were formerly made known to the Prophets which themselves often understood not but by Hearing and Meditating upon the Scripture instructing comforting and sanctifying the Heart he maketh known by these Divine effects to them that read and hearken thereunto with Humility Attention and Reverence that the Doctrine which is contained therein is truly Divine Q. Doth the Testimony of the Church give Authority to the Scripture A. No for seeing it is God that speaketh in the Scriptures its evident he cannot take his Authority from men John 5.34 I receive not testimony from man Q. Is then the Testimony that the Church gives to the Scripture unprofitable A. No for by it men are first brought to inquire after the Scripture and to read it and the Universal consent of the Church obliges them to an advantagious opinion of the Divinity of the Scripture which makes it be read with more Fear and Reverence Q. What is the difference between the testimony of the Church and that of the Scripture it self accompanied with the testimony of the Spirit of God A. The Testimony of the Church being only a Testimony from men can produce only an human Faith or an Opinion but the Testimony of the Scripture it self being the Testimony of God produces a Divine Faith The Testimony of the Church is like that which John Baptist gave to Jesus Christ John 5.33 and that of the Samaritan John 4. for as that woman brought those of Sychar to Jesus Christ so the Church brings us to the Word of God but the Scriptures Testimony of it self is like that of Christ himself by his Works which testifyed of him that the Father had sent him John 5.36 so that Believers knowing the Divinity of the Scripture by the reading of it may say as these of Sychar to the woman Now we believe not because of thy saying for we have heard him our selves The Testimony of the Church is only a simple Testimony but that of the Scripture is with Authority and from the Soveraign Judg. SECT III. Of the Authority of the Scripture Q. HAth God established in the Church a Soveraign Judg with full power to decide matters of Faith without Appeal A. None but the Word contained in the Holy Scriptures and it is by this Jesus Christ hath told us that men shall be judged at the last day John 12.48 He that rejecteth me hath one that judgeth him the word that I have spoken the same shall judg him at the last day And St. Paul Rom. 2.16 says That God will judg the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to his Gospel and Believers never acknowledged any other judg of their Controversies about matters of Faith but the Word of God by it the Priests determined about things difficult Deut. 17.9.11 By it Ezechias and Josaphat reformed the Church and re-established the pure service of God 2 Chron. 31. and 17.7.9 By the Scriptures Jesus Christ
follow thom And Eccles 12.7 Then shall the Dust return to the Earth as it was and the Spirit shall return unto God who gave it And 2 Cor. 5.1 that If our earthly House of this Tabernacle were dissolved we have a Building of God an House not made with hands eternal in the Heavens Likewise Jesus Christ by the Parable Luke 16. of Dives and Lazarus teacheth us that Believers after Death are carried into Abraham's Bosome where they are comforted and at his Death he says to the Converted Thief This day thou shalt be with me in Paradise Luk. 23.43 and St. Paul 2 Tim. 4.7 8. Promises to himself That having kept the Faith and fought the good Fight he should receive the Crown of Righteousness and the Spirit of Christ says to Believers Rev. 2.10 Be Faithful unto Death and I will give thee a Crown of Life In a word Jesus Christ John 5.24 saith That he that believeth on him shall never enter into condemnntion but is passed from death unto Life And St. Paul Rom. 8.1 says There is no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus then certainly neither in this Life nor in that which is to come is there any condemnation to them it must then be much rashness to condemn those whom God hath justified and to think that God takes pleasure to punish his Children many thousands of years for Sins already pardoned and for which he hath had full satisfaction by the death of his Son our Saviour Q. But since the Scripture tells us Rev. 21.17 That no unclean thing shall enter into the Holy City is it not necessary that Souls so much infected with Sin should be purged with fire that they might be presented pure and holy unto God A. In this passage of the Revelations God speaketh of wicked persons and not of Believers such as Traitors and Adulterers who committed abomination and falsehood and who entered not into the City of God Revel 22.15 And it is not material fire that cleanses the soul but the blood of Jesus Christ that cleanseth us from all sin 1 John 1.7 for by vertue of his blood our sins are blotted out we are also cleansed by the Holy Ghost in Regeneration and Sanctification Such were some of you but ye are washed but ye are sanctified but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the spirit of our God 1 Cor. 6.11 Q. Have Believers no need then to be purged after death A. No For God hath in this life freely forgiven all our sins Col. 2.13 Neither is there any place for Repentance and Amendment after this life and where the Tree faleth there it shall be Eccles 11.3 Q. What do you understand then by the fire St. Paul speaks of 1 Cor. 3.15 That the fire shall try every mans work of what sort it is A. I understand the Word of God by which all Doctrines are to be tryed for the Apostle in that place speaks of the Doctrine of the Gospel as of a Building whose Foundation is in Jesus Christ and upon which Pastors builded some Gold Silver and Precious Stones that is good and solid Doctrines and others Wood Hay and stubble that is light and curious Doctrine which will perish and vanish away when they are examined by the Word of God as Wood Hay and Stubble in the fire is burned and turned to Smoak Q. Doth not that saying of St. Paul 1 Cor. 15.29 What shall they do which are Baptised for the dead if the dead rise not imply a Purgatory A. This passage cannot prove Purgatory for it is only the Resurrection that the Apostle considers Many Learned men in the Church have thought that St. Paul speaks of certain Hereticks who denyed the Resurrection of Jesus Christ and yet when any of them dyed without Baptism Baptised some others for the dead and in their name fearing that they should be punished for dying without Baptism Q. But Jesus Christ says in Matth. 12.32 That the sin against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven either in this world or in the world to come there must then be a world to come in which sins are forgiven and punished A. These words shall not be forgiven signifie only that it shall be punished in this World and in that which is to come as St. Mark explains it Chapter 3.29 He that Blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost hath never Forgiveness but is in Danger of Eternal Damnation Also by the World to come may be understood the day of Judgment in which the Scriptures tell us Sins shall be forgiven and punished because then shall be publickly pronounced the Sentence of Condemnation or of Absolution according as St. Paul prayed for Onesyphorus That he might find mercy of the Lord in that day 2 Tim. 1.18 because then mercy or Punishment would be manifested SECT XVI Of Human Satisfactions Quest CAn men satisfie the Justice of God for their Sins by Works of Penitence as Fasting Alms Stripes and such like A. No for they are imperfect and to think that any Suffering and Pains but those of Jesus Christ can Reconcile us to God is to esteem the Blood of Jesus Christ and his Sufferings superfluous and unprofitable for God takes not two payments for one debt and the Scripture tells us Col. 2.13.14 That God hath freely forgiven all our Trespasses in blotting out the hand-writinng of Ordinances that was against us Nailing it to his Cross and this Word freely excludes all Satisfaction on our part for as St. Paul Rom. 11.6 says If by Grace then it is not by Works Q. But they will tell you that they hold those penitential works Satisfactory only by vertue of the death of Christ A. These things are contradictory for Jesus Christ dyed that we should not be obliged to make satisfaction our selves and to pay that debt which it was impossible for us to pay and the Apostle Hebr. 1.3 tells us That he had by himself purged our sins and not by our making Satisfaction Q. God hath indeed freed us from the guilt of our sins for Jesus Christ's sake but not from all the punishment of them A. This is an absurd evasion for the forgiving of Sin is nothing else but the not punishing of it and when we desire That God would forgive our Sins as we forgive them that trespass against us we pray That God would not inflict the punishment that we deserve for our sins no more than we seek to Revenge the Wrongs done unto us Q. Yet God often inflicts punishments after he hath pardoned Sins as he did upon David after having signified to him that his Adultery and Murder were pardoned 2 Sam. 12.10 14. A. Such punishments God inflicts for to humble and correct his Children but not to satisfie his Justice and are rather Effects of Love and Mercy than of Justice therefore Eliphas says to Job Happy is the man whom God Correcteth therefore despise not thou the chastning of the Almighty Job 5.17 Q.
of their Salvation but it follows not that other Believers must have such Assurance A. It doth follow since that these Saints had not this Assurance by an extraordinary Revelation of their Salvation but that it was built upon the goodness of God the stability of his Promises and upon the efficacy of the death and intercession of Jesus Christ which are Motives and Considerations common to all Believers Q. Have Believers always this Assurance A. No For Faith hath its weaknesses and distempers and according as Sin and the Flesh predominates Faith and Assurance diminishes but at last Faith becomes victorious Q. But may not one be deceived in this Assurance and take carnal Security for true Faith and Assurance A. I grant some may deceive themselves but from thence it follows not but that true Believers may know they have a true Faith otherwise S. Paul's Exhortation was in vain 2 Cor. 13.5 Examine your selves whether you be in the faith if it cannot be known by Examination Q. By what marks do you certainly know true Faith A. By its effects as a Tree by its Fruits Matth. 7.16 If it worketh by love Gal. 5.6 If it produces in us the love of God and disesteem of the World Ardour and pleasure in praying to God and Zeal for his Glory And besides these Testimonies a Believer hath The spirit of God which beareth witness with our spirit that we are the children of God Rom. 8.16 Which sealeth us unto the day of Redemption Ephes 4.30 and Who is the Earnest of our Inheritance until the Redemption of the purchased Possession unto the praise of his Glory Ephes 1.14 Q. This Doctrine seems to incline men to be licentious for every one may say If I have assurance of Salvation what need I employ my self in good works A. This is the thought of a prophane person and not of a child of God for none can promise themselves Salvation without good works We know not our Election by Election but by the examination of our Consciences therefore S. Peter 2 Epist 1.10 compared with vers 5 6 7 8. would have us give diligence to make our Calling and Election sure by good works And the Holy Ghost who is the Spirit of Adoption in the hearts of Believers is also the spirit of Holiness And in witnessing to them that they are the children of God he giveth to them also such holy Motions and Affections Q. Yet in the Scripture we are often exhorted to fear and trembling Psal 2.11 Serve the Lord with fear and rejoyce with trembling And Phil. 2.12 S. Paul would have us to work out our Salvation with fear and trembling And 1 Cor. 10.12 Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall A. By these words we are not exhorted to distrust but to a reverend fear and to walk before God with an holy care and fear lest we should offend him And this fear of God is so far from being prejudicial to the Confidence we ought to have in the goodness of God and to the assurance of Salvation that on the contrary it is an effect of Faith and a most assured indication that our Assurance is not a carnal Security but sincere and right and in this fear Believers walk on to the Salvation that they wait for Jer. 32.40 Acts 9.31 SECT XXXIII Of Sin and if all Men are Sinners Quest WHat is Sin A. Whatsoever is contrary to the Law 1 Joh. 3.4 Q. Are all Men defiled therewith A. Yes except only Jesus Christ who is the Lamb without blemish 1 Pet. 1.19 For if we say we have no sin we are Lyers and the truth is not in us 1 Joh. 1.8 In many things we offend all James 3.2 Q. Yet the Scripture gives testimony to many Believers that they have walked without reproach in the Commandments of God that they have been holy and righteous and have loved God with all their heart as David Job Zacharia and Elizabeth A. These things are not said of them because they were without sin for the Scripture it self gives us an account of great sins committed by them as of David's Adultery Zacharia's Distrust Job's Murmuring but because they walked in the integrity of Conscience and gave themselves with all their heart and power to serve God Q. In what sense then are Believers called just and holy A. They are called just and righteous because the Righteousness of Jesus Christ is imputed to them Rom. 1.17 and they are accepted of God as righteous themselves Secondly They are called righteous in opposition to the wicked which the Word of God calls Workers of iniquity Thirdly They are particularly called holy because God sanctifies them by his Spirit and consecrates them to his Service and calls them to be Saints Rom. 5.17 and 6.17 Q. Why doth David say then Psal 18.24 that God hath recompensed him according to his Righteousness and according to the cleanness of his hands A. He speaks so to maintain the innocence of his Carriage in respect of Saul and his other Enemies which persecuted him without cause but when he speaks of his Righteousness before God he prays that He would not enter into Judgment with his Servant for in thy sight says he shall no man living be justified Psal 143.2 and Psal 130.3 4. If thou Lord shouldst mark iniquity O Lord who shall stand But there is forgiveness with thee that thou maist be feared Q. Notwithstanding S. Paul speaks of perfect men Phil. 3.15 Let us therefore as many as be perfect be thus minded A. S. Paul calls not them perfect in respect of their fulfilling of the Law but in respect of the perfection of their growth and Advancement in the knowledge of God and therefore he opposed 1 Cor. 14.20 perfect men to children Be not childrin in understanding but be ye children in malice but in understanding be ye men in the Original be ye perfect And the Apostle Heb. 5.14 says that Strong meat that is to say Solid Doctrine belongeth to them that are of full age even those who by reason of their use have their Senses exercised to discern both good and bad SECT XXXIV Of Venial and Mortal Sins Quest WHat doth Sin deserve A. Death The soul that sinneth shall die Ezek. 18.4 Q. Yes indeed for mortal sins but there are venial sins which are of so small importance that it would seem that they merited not to be punished with death A. The Word of God makes no such distinction it shews us indeed that some Sins are more grievous than others and that he who knoweth his Masters will and doth it not shall be beaten with many stripes but it shews us likewise that all Sins without exception are by nature worthy of death Rom. 6.23 The wages of Sin is death And our Saviour tells us Matth. 12.36 That for every idle word that men shall speak they shall give account thereof in the day of judgement and Matth. 5.22 That he who call'd his Brother Fool is