and Saviour Gen. 3.15 12.3 Isa 9.7 John 3.16 Gal. 4.4 Q. 166. VVhat should we know concerning the second Person in the Holy Trinity A. These four things especially 1. That he freely undertook this great Work of Man's Redemption engaged himself by Covenant to God the Father for the faithful performance of it Isa 49.1 2 3 6 7 8. c. and 42.6 7. Ps 40.7.8 Q. 167. VVhat else A. 2. That in order to the performing of this Work he took our Nature into Union with his Divine Nature so was and is both God and Man in one Person John 1.14 Rom. 9.5 1 Tim. 2.5 Q. 168. VVas it needful that the Redeemer should be Man A Yes because Man had sinned so it was just that the Nature which had sinn'd should suffer satisfie for Sin Heb. 2.14 Q. 169. VVas it needful that the Redeemer should be God also A. Yes Because he could not else have been able to undergo the Wrath of God due to us for sin nor would his Sufferings have been of sufficient value and virtue to procure Salvation for us Q 170. VVhat else should we know of this second Person A. 3. That he as our Redeemer performs the Offices of a Prophet Priest King to deliver sinful Men from their Ignorances Sin and Slavery to bring them to compleat and eternal Salvation Acts. 3.22 Heb. 5 6. Psal 2.6 Q. 171. What else A. 4. That he procureth by his Blood and Merit many precious Benefits for his Redeemed ones to be enjoyed some in this World and others in the World to come Eph. 1.3 Q. 172. What are those Benefits or Blessings A. The Principal Benefits procured by Christ for his Redeemed Ones are Justification Adoption and Sanctification with many others that do either accompany or flow from them or certainly follow them sufficient Grace on Earth and eternal Glory in Heaven 1. Cor. 1.30 John 1.12 Rom. 5.1 2 5. Mat. 10.32 1 John 3.2 1 Thes 4.17 Q. 173. What should we know concerning the third Person in the Holy Trinity A. These four things especially 1. That he inspired all the holy Prophets and Apostles revealed God's Mind and Will to them and by them to the Church and assisted all the Penmen of the Holy Scriptures in Writing them both as to Matter and Words 2 Tim. 3.16 2 Pet. 1.21 Q. 174. VVhat else A. 2. That he was first promised by Christ and after his Ascension sent both by the Father and the Son to supply the Churches spiritual Wants in Christ's bodily Absence from it John 14.16 17. and 16.7 Acts 2.1 2 3 4. 175. VVhat else A. 3. That he doth bless the Word Ordinances of Christ and make them effectual Means of Grace to the Elect working Faith in them thereby uniting 'em to Christ in their effectual Calling so applies to them the Redemption purchased by Christ with all the Saving Benefits of his Mediatorship 1 Cor. 3.7 Psal 19.7 Rom. 1.16 Eph. 2.8 Tit. 3.5 Rom. 8.30 Q 176. VVhat else A. 4. That he doth dwell in all that are effectually called drawn to Jesus Christ leading quickning comforting them and carrying on the Work of Grace and Sanctification unto Perfection to prepare them for Glory Rom. 8.9.11 13 14 15 16 John 14.16 Q. 177. What should we know concerning the VVill of God A. We should know that God hath fully revealed his Holy Mind and Will to us in the Scriptures of the Old New Testament to be the only perfect perpetual Rule of our Faith and Obedience which therefore we ought to know believe and obey in order to the pleasing and glorifying of God and the saving of our own Souls Mich. 6.8 Gal. 6 16. Deut. â—2 46 Matth. 28.20 Deut. 12.32 Q. 178. VVhat should we know concerning the VVorship of God A. We should know that this one God is to be worshipped and served by us both publickly in the Church privately in our Families secretly in our Closets And that his Worship is to be performed from a right Principle Grace in our Hearts by a right Rule the written Word of God to a right End the Glory of God in our Salvation and through the Mediator Jesus Christ Matth. 4.10 6.6 Jer. 26.2 Josh 24.14 15. John 4.24 Heb. 12.28 Col. 3.17 Heb. 13.15 Q. 179. VVhat should we know concerning Man A. His four-fold Estate viz. 1. His good Estate by Creation 2. His evil Estate by Transgression 3. His Holy Estate by Regeneration 4. His happy Estate by Glorification Q. 180. VVhat was Man's Estate by Creation A. Man was created after the Image of God in Knowledge Righteousness and Holiness had Dominion over all the Creatures in this lower World and enjoyed many other Priviledges and Blessings which made his Condition truely happy Gen. 1.26 Col. 3.10 Eph. 4.24 Psal 139.15 8.4 6 7 8. Eccl. 7.21 Gen. 2.9 c. Q. 181. VVere all Mankind concerned in the state of Adam A. Yes Adam being a publick Person the general Parent or Root of all Mankind the Blessings bestowed on him were also bestowed on them as being his Children and then in his Loins Heb. 7.9 10. Q. 182. VVhat is Man's Estate by Transgression A. Man by transgressing the Command of God in Eating the forbidden Fruit lost the Image of God all the Priviledges and Blessings of the state of Innocency brought himself into a guilty filthy and accursed state Rom. 3.9 10 c. Psal 5.3 Rom. 3.19 Eph. 2.3 Gal. 3.10 Q. 183. Are all Mankind concerned in this state of Adam A. Yes All Mankind being in Adam's Loins and under the same Covenant with him sinned against God in him and so fell with him in his first Transgression Rom. 5.12 18 19. Q 184 VVhat is Man's Estate by Regeneration A. Man by Regeneration is recovered out of his sinful and miserable state into a state of Grace and Mercy hath the Image of God renewed upon him is brought under the Covenant of Grace hath thereby a right to all the Priviledges and Blessings of the Children of God Acts 26.17 18. Col. 3.10 Eph. 4.24 Heb. 8.8 c. Eph. 1.2 Q 185. Are all Mankind brought into this state of Regeneration A. No. Only those are brought into this estate that are chosen of God from all Eternity given to Jesus Christ as to their Redeemer and Saviour Eph. 1.4 5. 1 Tim. 1.9 John 6.37 Q. 186. VVhat shall Man's Estate by Glorification be A. Man shall be made perfectly Holy and Happy both in Soul and Body in the full Enjoyment of God in Heaven that to all Eternity Heb. 12.23 Phil. 3.21 1 John 3.2 1 Thes 4.17 Q. 187. Shall all Mankind be brought into this state of Glorification A. No. Only those that are made truly gracious here shall be made glorious hereafter Matth. 25.46 Heb. 12.14 Rom. 8.30 Q. 188. What should we know concerning the Covenants between God and Man the Sacraments or Seals of the Covenants
The Communicants Instructor OR A SACRAMENTAL Catechism IN WHICH The Nature of the Covenant of Grace and the visible Seals thereof viz. Baptism and the Lord's Supper with the Gospel Qualifications of worthy Receivers are opened with all plainness and clearness by way of Question and Answer Recommended to the Use of the Younger and more Ignorant sort especially to such as desire Admission to and would worthily Partake of the Lord's Supper with a Request to the Charitable That they would make it a Piece of their Spiritual Alms to the Poor By George Day Minister of the Gospel Heb. 5.12 For when for the time ye ought to be Teachers ye have need that one teach you again which be the first Principles of the Oracles of God and are become such as have need of Milk and not of strong Meat LONDON Printed for Tho. Parkhurst at the Bible and Three Crowns in Cheapside near Mercers-Chappel 1700. The EPISTLE to the READER Christian Reader THO' Baptism and the Supper of the Lord be sacred Ordinances and Christ's own Institutions yet such is the sin and shame of this degenerate Age That Multitudes under the Christian Profession live in a careless Omission of them and not a few in a prophane Conâ—â—mpt and Opposition against them The Fault of the former sort proceeds from gross Ignorance of the spiritual Nature Vse and Ends of these Ordinances That of the latter from a Spirit prepossessed and prejudiced with Error Now tho' I have little hopes of doing any good upon the Erronious by this brief and slender Piece seeing their Malignity against the Truths which they disown will probably encline them to reject it with disdain on the first sight of the Title Page without vouchsafing it a sober perusal yet the hopes of being somewhat serviceable to the Ignorant especially to such as are desirous of spiritual Knowledge and are willing to be instructed have at length prevailed with me to comply with the Request of Christian Friends in exposing this mean Essay to publick View I know there are many excellent Helps of this kind already extant and therefore this may well be thought needless and I confess this very Consideration hath suppressed these Meditations for many years by me but observing divers Tracts that speak much of the Lord's Supper say little or nothing of Baptism tho' this being the initiating Ordinance and first seal of the Gospel Covenant ought first to be considered and well understood I have therefore endeavoured to open both these holy Ordinances distinctly together with the Nature of the Covenant of Grace to which they are annexed as its visible signs and seals I have made it my Business to gather the most material and soul-concerning Truths that I find scattered in many excellent Authors that have written on this Subject and contracted them that I might give thee much in a little and croud as much precious Matter into these few Pages as I well could without prejudice to the sense and with due regard to weaker Memories that a little Pains and Patience may make much Truth thine own I have also endeavoured to express my sense of things with the greatest plainness and clearness I could using words and phrases that may easily be understood by persons of mean Capacity and studiously declining others having observed in Teaching both Young and Old that the want of understanding the true meaning tho' but of one word in a Sentence hath made the whole unintelligible and so unprofitable to them Thou wilt find to most of the Answers scripture Proofs subjoined tho' only referr'd to for brevities sake therefore pray turn to them and see with thine own eyes how clearly and fully these Truths are confirmed by the holy Scriptures and so the reason why thou should'st believe them for we ought to make no Position or Assertion an Article of our Christian Faith but what is founded on a Divine Attestation and bottomed on the written Word of God which is the only perfect and perpetual Rule of our Christian Faith and Practice I have purposely chosen to give thee this Help in a Catechistical method by way of Question and Answer for these Reasons 1. Because it is the most easie plain familiar way of instructing the Ignorant and therefore like to he the more profitable 2. Because it is of great Antiquity having been used not only in the Christian but also in the Jewish Church yea some of the Learned trace its Foot steps back to the beginning of time concluding that it was practised by Adam himself who catechised or instructed his Sons in the Doctrine of Man's Fall of the Seed of the Woman and of worshipping of God by offering sacrifices c. Read Willet Downham Greenham Pemble and others on this Subject 3. Because the neglect of Catechising for 20 or 〈◊〉 years last past which we should reflect on with â—ame and grief hath been one great cause of the â—ecay of Knowledge in our days there being maâ—y thousands of adult and grown Persons and maâ—y of them Parents and Governours of Families â—osly ignorant of the very Fundamentals of the â—hristian Faith which they profess and that tho' me of them have sate under the preaching of the â—ord a long time Indeed 't is an Observation I â—â—ve often made and am confirmed in it by daily exerience That uncatechised Heads understand but â—ittle of the most excellent Sermons they bear and therefore it is not to be thought strange that they grow little the wiser by them O that this were duly considered and might prove a cogent Argument to Ministers and Governours of Families for the Revival of this useful Exercise among us And because my words may have little weight let me here take leave humbly to mind my Reverend Brethren of a serious and weighty Passage of a great Divine now in Glory Prouble Vind. Grat. Praef. p. 13 14. I could heartily wish said he that those Ministers among us whom either Ease or Pride have made careless in this Office of Caâ—â—chising would be pleas'd to look abroad into such Congregations where this course is held and to compare them with their own and others where 't is neglected they should soon perceive how fair and open a passage is made for preaching to follow after where diligent Catechising hath gone before and on the other side how hopeless their Endeavours is who labour to imprint in the Heads of their People the Knowledge of Conclusions before they have learned the Principles of Divinity If these Men complain and say We have spent our strength in vain and our Labour without profit preaching long and seeing little Reformation I will not pity them who are likâ— unwise Nurses that when their Children thrive not lay the Blame upon their sickly Bodies when the Fault is in their own indiscretion who feed them not with Childrens Bread but forcâ— upon them stronger Meat which they cannoâ— digest but vomit up again Thus he To this hearty wish of his
I subjoyn another Thâ—â— all the Pastors of Churches may fully and faithfully obey that Precept of the Chief Shepherd John 21.15 16. requiring them to feed his Lambs as well as his Sheep I shall close with a word or two of Counsel Reader if thou art yet weak in spiritual Knowledge and willing to be instructed that thou mayst be made wise to Salvation let me beseech thee to follow this faithful Advice 1. Labour for a distinct and methodical Knowledge of the great Foundation-Truths of the Christian Religion those first Principles of the Oracles of God drawn up to thine hand in many more general Catechisms especially I recommend to thy use that excellent Catechism of the Assembly of Divines both shorter and larger a little Labour will commit the lesser to thy memory and read the other with diligence to explain that with Mr. Lyes Mr. Doolittles and Mr. Vincents Explanations The Knowledge of these Truths will prepare thee to read the holy Scriptures and hear Sermons with Vnderstanding and Profit Next I offer thee the serious perusal of this Sacramental Catechism in the composure of which I have purposely left out several Questions very proper to have been inserted because they are already answered in the Assemblies Catechism Say not thou art too old to learn a Catechism if ignorant unless thou thinkest thy self also too old to go to Heaven and so too old to learn the way thither Be not ashamed of using the means to get Knowledge but be â—shamed of thy Ignorance and blush to bear a Child of Seven years old that hath been well catechised give a better account of the Christian Faith than many of 30 40 or of 50 years of Age can do 2. Pray earnestly and daily for the inward teachings of God's holy Spirit in and with the outward teachings of the Word without this tho thoâ— may'st fill thy Head with the Notions of Truth ye thou wilt never feel the saving Impressions of theâ— on thy heart but remain a stranger to the life anâ— power of Godliness Read those precious promises and humbly plead them in prayer Prov. 1.23 Isaâ— 59.21 Luk. 11.13 3. And lastly Believe the Truths which thou haâ—â—â—earnt and live according to the Rule of them Le Knowledge and Practice as an holy Taine gâ—â—â—nd in hand and stilt keep pace each with other â—â—â—h of them are required as necessary qualification to entitle thee to true happiness John 13 17. O dâ— not aim at any thing short of that The Experimental and Practical Christian will be found to be the wisest and best in the great discriminating Day Thaâ— thou may'st be such an one and that thy Meditation may contribute somewhat thereto is the sincere anâ— fervent Prayer of Decemb. 19. 1691. Thine and the Churche in Christ George Day A SACRAMENTAL Catechism Quest 1. WHat is a Sacarment in general Answ A Sacrament is an holy Ordinance of Divine Institution annexed to the Covenants which God hath made with Men wherein by outward and sensible signs the Promises of the Covenant are represented sealed and applied to God's Covenant-people and they are bound to obey him Gen. 17.10 Rom. 4.11 Q. 2. Are these Ordinances call'd by the name of Sacraments in the holy Scriptures A. No. Yet seeing it is a word very fit to signifie the thing to which it is applied it may lawfully be used Q. 3. What is the original and proper signification of the word Sacrament A. As it was used of old in a civil sense it signified an Oath taken in War by Souldiers to their General whereby they were bound to perform the Duties of that Relation Q. 4. Why are the Seals of God's Covenants called Sacraments A. Because by our receiving them we are bound as it were by an Oath to perform the Duties of God's Covenant-people Rom. 6.3 4 5. Q. 5. What are the parts of a Sacrament A. Two The one is an outward visible sign or thing signifying which may be seen by the Eye of the Body as Water in Baptism and Bread and Wine in the Lord's Supper The other is the inward and spiritual grace or thing signified which can only be seen by the Eye of the Soul or by Faith and that is Christ with all his saving Benefits Matth. 3.11 1 Pet. 3.21 Rom. 2.28 29. Q. 6. Do all those who receive the outward signs receive the inward grace also A. No. For wicked and graceless persons may receive the outward signs but not the inward grace with them none but true believers receive them both Q. 7. What is a Covenant in the general A. A Covenant is a solemn Contract or Agreement between several persons two at the least wherein they do mutually bind themselves each to other in certain Articles to both their Contents and usually confirmed by signs and seals Gen. 21.27 1 Sam. 18 3. Q 8. Hath God ever made a Covenant with Man A. Yes Tho God be infinitely above Man yet he hath been pleased through condescending grace to deal with Man in this familiar way of Covenanting as a Man with his Friend Gen. 15.18 Q. 9. VVhat Covenants hath God made with Man A. Two especially The first called the Covenant of Works The second The Covenant of Grace Gal. 4.23 24. Q. 10. What is the Covenant of Works A. That Covenant which God made with our first Parents Adam and Eve in the estate of Innocence and in them with all their Children wherein God promised perfect happiness to them upon Condition of their perfect Obedience to him and threatned them with Death on their Disobedience Gen. 2.16 17. Gal. 3.12 Q. 11. Why is this called the Covenant of Works A. Because it required the Works of Man's Obedience to the whole Law of God as the Condition of his Life and Happiness Lev. 18.5 Q. 12. Had our first Parents sufficient strength to perform that Condition and keep that Covenant with God A. Yes Our first Parents being created upright and perfect had sufficient power to perform perfect Obedience to the Law of God and so to keep his Covenant Eccl. 7.29 Q. 13. Did our first Parents keep their Covenant with God A. No. Our first Parents brake their Covenant with God by complying with the Temptation of Satan in eating the forbidden Fruit and thereby brought themselves and all the Children descending from them by ordinary Generation into an estate of sin and misery Gen. 3. begin Rom. 5.12 Q. 14. Doth God suffer Adam and all his Children to perish in their sinful and miserable state A. No. God did of his own free grace from all Eternity elect some of fall'n Mankind to everlasting life and gave them to Jesus Christ that they might be recoveted and saved by him Eph. 1.4 Q. 15. Did the Lord Jesus Christ then undertake to be a Saviour to them A. Yes There was an Eternal Compact or Agreement between God the Father and God the Son which is commonly called the Covenant of Redemption wherein God the Father gave the
do believe in Christ with their hearts and obey him in their lives Q. 107. Who are Heart-covenanters with God A. Those who truly repent of their sins against God Renounce the World the Flesh and the Devil and take God the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost for their only God and chief Good their Father Redeemer and Sanctifier and give up themselves to fear love and obey him according to his Word and this unto the Death Isa 44.5 and 56.4 Q. 108. How may we know that we are in Covenant with God A. We may know it by these three things 1. By our sincere consenting to the Covenant or choosing the living and true God to be our God and giving up our selves to be his People Q. 109. How else A. 2. By our holy care to keep Covenant with God and to perform the Duties which he requireth of us therein Q. 110. How else A. 3. By God's gracious performance of the Promises of his Covenant to our Souls in giving us the Saving Blessings promised to his Covenant-People Q. 111. What are the Blessings which God hath promised in the Covenant of Grace A. God hath promised grace and glory all that is needful and good both temporal spiritual and eternal Blessings Psal 84.11 1 Tim. 4.8 Q. 112. What he the Spiritual Blessings that God hath promised to them in this life A. These especially God hath promised to give them 1. His Holy Spirit to teach sanctifie assist guide and comfort them Ezek. 36.27 John 14.16 17 26. Q. 113. What else A. The enlightning of their Minds with Saving Knowledge Isa 54.13 Heb. 8.11 Q. 114. What else A. The renewing of their Wills or Hearts Ezek. 36.26 and 11.19 20. Q. 115. What else A. The putting of his Law in their inward Parts and writing it in their hearts Heb. 8.10 Q. 116. What else A. The putting his Fear in their hearts to keep them from departing from him Jer. 32.40 Q. 117. What else A. The Justification of their Persons pardoning their Sins and Accepting them as Righteous in Christ Isa 53.11 Jer. 31.34 Rom. 3.24 25 26. Q. 118. What else A. The Sanctification of their Natures Ezek. 36.25 Q. 119. What else A. Adoption to be the Children of God 2 Cor. 6.18 Q. 120. How may we know whether we have the Spirit of God or no A. We may know it by the Operations Fruits or Effects of the Spirit in us which are such as these Light Life Love Liberty Joy Peace Long-suffering Gentleness Goodness Faith Repentance Hope Meekness and Temperance 2 Cor. 4.6 2 Cor. 3.6 Gal. 2.20 and 5.22 23. Q. 121. How may we know whether we have a new Heart A. 1. By the uprightness singleness and sensibleness or tenderness of our hearts Psal 7.10 Ezek. 11.19 2. By the Conformity of our Hearts to the Law of God when it is the bent desire delight of our Hearts to do the Will of God and please him in every thing Psal 119.6 8 16. Acts 13.22 Psal 40.8 Q. 122. Who must judge of this inward invisible Right to the Lord's Supper A. Every particular Christian ought to examine and judge of his own inward and invisible Right by the help of God's Spirit and the Rule of his Word 1 Cor. 11.28 1 Cor. 2.11 12. Q 123. Wâ—at is a Gospel-fitness or preparedness for this Ordinance A. There is a twofold Gospel fitness for it 1. A fitness of our State or Condition 2. A fitness of our Frame or Disposition Both these must be had to make us worthy Guess at this Holy Table of the Lord. Q. 124. Who are in a fit State or Condition for this Ordinance A. All such and only such as are in a state of Saving Grace or the Childern of God by Regeneration and so qualified with those Graces that are needful and useful for a right receiving of this Ordinance and a spiritual profiting by it 2 Cor. 13.5 Q. 125. What is Saving-Grace A. Saving Grace is a Principle of Spiritual Life wrought in the Hearts of God's Elect by the Holy Spirit and usually by the Ministry of the Word whereby they are effectually inclined and enabled and do sincerely endeavour to obey the whole revealed Will of God in Heart Lip and Life 2 Pet. 1.4 Eph. 4.18 Col. 3.16 Heb. 12.28 John 17.17 Rom. 15.16 1 Cor. 4.15 Heb. 13.12 Q. 126. How may we know that we have Saving-Grace A. We may know it by the good Fruits and Effects of it which are especially these two 1. Saving Grace turns the Heart from all sin and sets it against sin so that such a Man doth not only forbear sin but hates it and seeks the utter destruction of it in his Heart and Life by all good means Ezek. 18.30 Psal 119.104 Matth. 26.41 Col. 3.5 2. Saving Grace turns the Heart unto God and Godliness strongly and constantly inclines it to that which is good and makes us fit and ready to and active in good Works enables us cheerfully to obey the Will of God's Precept and patiently to submit to the Will of his Providence Eph. 2.10 Isa 55.7 Psal 119 112. Tit. 3.1 Acts 21.13 Tit. 2.14 Q. 127. What are the particular Graces or gracious Qualifications that fits us for a worthy partaking of the Lord's Supper A. They are especially these seven Knowledge Faith Repentance Love New Obedience Thankfulness Holy Desire or a Spiritual Appetite to this Ordinance 128. What Knowledge should we have A. A competent measure of Knowledge of the Fundamental or Principal Truths of the Christian Religion or of such things as are revealed in the holy Scriptures necessary to make us wise unto Salvation Prov. 19.2 Eph. 1.17 Col. 1.9 3.10 Q. 129. What are the Truths that we should especially know A. Some Truths concerning God some concerning Man some concerning the Covenant between God and Man and some concerning the Sacraments or Seals of the Covenant Q 130. What should we know concerning God A. We should know something concerning his Essence or Nature something concerning his Will and something concerning his Worship Q. 131. What should we know concerning the Essence or Nature of God A. These four things 1. That God is or that there is a God Heb. 11.6 Q. 132. What else A. 2. That God is One or that there is only One true God and no more Deut. 6.4 Jer. 10.10 Q. 133. What else A. That this One God subsisteth in three distinct Persons called by distinct Names in Scripture The Father the Son and the Holy Ghost or Spirit Matth. 28.19 1 Joh. 5.7 Q. 134. What else A. 4. That this One God is a most pure invisible Spirit or a Being that cannot be seen by our Eyes John 4.24 1 Tim. 1.17 and 6.16 Q. 135. By What hath God made himself known to us A. God hath made himself known to us two ways 1. By his written Word 2. By his Works Q. 136. What doth the Word make known to us concerning the Nature of God A. The Word