whereof is murder l fighting and quarrelling m rash anger n malice hatred o and envy p and such like Q. VVhat is the summe of the seventh commandement A. Due care of chastity and purity from all the lusts of uncleannesse Q. Instance in some of the sinnes here forbidden A. Here is forbidden all unchast thoughts and lust of the heart q filthy dreames r lookes s speeches t and apparrell u gestures of dalliance w actions of Sodomie x bestiality y selfe polution z adultery a fornication b and wantonnesse c Q. VVhat is the summe of the Eight commandement A. Due care of our neighbours outward estate whether it be lands houses cattell corne or ought else Q. Name some of the sins forbidden in this commandement A. Here is forbidden all neglect or hindrance of our neighbours outward estate whether it be by idlenesse d covetousnesse e non payment of debts f oppression g by excessive prices or wages Robbery h Theevery i or deceit k Q VVhat is the summe of the ninth commandement A. Truth in speeches promises and our dealings amongst men and the contrary forbidden is all lying and false speaking Eph. 4. 25. Col. 3. 9 10 Psal. 15 2. Micah 6. 12. Psa. 12. 2. Q What is the summe of the tenth commandement A. Contentment with out owne outward estate l and not to covet that which is our neighbours m but hartily to desire and rejoyce in his good as well as in our own n CHAP 33. Of the Death and Resurrection of the body and the last judgement Q WHat is to be believed concerning death A. It is now appointed of God that Adam and all his children must die a except Enoch b and Elias c and such as shall be found alive at the comming of Christ to judgement d Q Why hath God so appointed A. Because of sinne e for if sinne had not entered into the world there had never been death Q. But why should believers die seeing Christ hath suffered death for them and so hath taken away all punishment of sinne A. They die not now in way of punishment for their sinne properly but for other ends and repects Q. For what ends doe they die A. That they may be freed from all the evils of this life f and be brought to rest and glory with Christ g Q. What is the state of the godly immediately upon their death A. Their bodies doe sleep in the grave as in the bed of spices h and their soules which are immortall are made glorious in the presence of God in Heaven i Q And what is the state of the wicked upon their death A. Their bodies lie rotting in the grave through the heavy curse of God k and their soules are tormented in hell in unspeakable woe and misery l Q. Shall the bodies of men lie for ever in the grave and never be united to their soules again A. Not so for there will be a resurrection of the just and unjust m and all that are in the graves shall come forth n Q. In what manner shall the bodies of the Saints arise A. For substance the same bodies that they were at death o but for quality greatly changed p insomuch that they shall be raised incorruptible glorious powerfull and spirituall q Q. VVhat great matter is it for godly men to rise again seeing wicked men shall rise also A. They shall not rise by vertue of any union with Christ as their head as the godly shall r but onely by the power of Christ as their Judge s Q. VVherein else doth the resurrection of the godly and wicked differ A. The wicked shall not rise in such a glorious and excellent manner nor unto the same end with the godly but to the resurrection of damnation Iohn 5. 29. Q. What followeth after the Resurrection A. The eternall judgement Heb. 6. 2. 9. 27. Q. When will the day of judgement be A. It is certainly appointed and decreed of God when it shall be t but it is not known to us that we might alwaies live in watchfulnesse u Q. Who must be judge at that day A. Jesus Christ is appointed of God to be the Judge of quick and dead Acts 10. 42. 17. 31. Iohn 5. 22 27. 2 Tim. 4. 1. 2 Cor. 5. 10. Q. Who must be judged A. All the world both living and dead and this of all things done in this life whether they be good or evil Acts 17 31. 2 Cor. 5. 10. 2 Tim. 4. 1. 1 Pet. 4. 5. Q. In what manner will be come A. He will come suddenly w visibly x and in wonderfull Majesty and glory y in flaming fire z with the voyce of the Archangell a and thousand thousands of Angels b Q. What sentence will he give A. To them upon his right hand he will say come ye blessed of my Father inherit the Kingdome prepared for you from the foundation of the would Matth. 25. 34. Q. And what will be his sentence upon the wicked at his left hand A. To them upon his left hand he will say Goe ye cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the Divel and his Angels Matth. 25. 41. Q. What shall follow the pronouncing of the sentence A. The sentence pronounced shall presently be put in execution so that every man shall receive according to his works Matth. 25. 46. 2 Cor. 5. 10. Mat. 16. 27. Q. What shall the wicked receive A. They shall be punished with everlasting perdition from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power c with the divell and his Angels d in the lake that burneth with Fire and Brimstone which is the second death e Q. And what shall the godly receive A. They shall have redemption and deliverance from all kind of evil f Q. And what good shall they enjoy A. Wonderfull g unspeakable and unconceivable h and everlasting i happinesse and glory in the highest heavens k in the presence of God l in whose presence is fulnesse of joy and at whose right hand are pleasures for evermore m The CONTENTs of the severall CHAPTERS CHAP. page 1. OF Catechizing as an introduction to that which followeth 1 2. Of the Holy Scriptures 4 3. Of God 8 4. Of Gods decree 13 5. Of Creation 17 6. Of Gods providence 21 7. Of Angels 27 8. Of the estate of man in innocency by creation 28 9. Of the fall of our first Parents 31 10. Of Sinne the definition of it and the distribution into Originall and actuall 35 11. Of the punishment of Sinne 39 12. Of mans deliverance 42 13. Of the person of Christ his Godhead and his manhood 45 14. Of the Office of Christ as mediator between God and man 48 15. Of the
are some of those evils comprehended in this sinne A. There was great umbeliefe to doubt of the truth of Gods threatning there was great Idolatry in preferring the counsell of Satan afore the commandment of God and great blasphemy in yeelding to Satan when he said God forbade them that tree because he did envy their happinesse Q. What evill else was there in that offence A. There was discontent with their estate though it was exceeding good abominable pride that would be like unto God and horrible unthankfulnesse to sinne against God that had so highly advanced them Q. What further evil was in it A. There was curiosity in desiring to know more then God would have them to know also also they sinned needlesly and wilfully that commandement being so equall and easie to have beene kept Q. How may that appeare A. Because man then had no inward Concupiscence or corruption of nature as we now have that could move him to breake the commandement nor was he any necessitated thereto through any want having such variety and abundance of other fruits whereof he might freely eat Q. What may be a last particular to shew the hainousnesse of this first offence A. Man shewed himselfe herein to be wretchedly carelesse of the good of his posterity to whom in this act he was both unkind and Cruell Q. How may that appeare A. In that by this meanes he brought sinne and misery upon them all Rom. 5. 12 18 19. 1 Cor. 15. 22. Q. Why should this sinne of Adam bring the guilt of sinne and misery upon all his posterity A. Because he stood at this time as a publike person in the roome of all mankind we being all considered in him as members in the head as children in his loines as debtors in our surety and as branches in our roote Q. VVhat was the cause of this great and lamentable offence A. It was not any weaknesse or want of power in man to stand for being made in Gods Image he might have stood if he would Q. You thinke then he was not compelled and forced to sinne and breake the commandment A. God was so farre from forcing him to sin that he gave him power to have obeyed and threatned him with death in case of disobedience Q. But might not Satan compell him to it A. Satan could doe nothing against him by compulsion or constraint and therefore doth onely assault him by Crafty and subtill perswasions Q. VVhat then was the cause of this their sinne A. The principall cause was man himselfe in abusing his owne freewill to receive the temptation which he might have resisted if he would Eccles. 7. 29. Q How farre was Satan a cause of that first offence A. Though he could not constraine man to sinne without his own consent yet he was justly to be blamed for that sinne of man in that it was through his entisements that man was drawen unto it Q. How did he entise man to it A. By abusing the serpent to seduce the woman and the helpe of the woman to seduce the man Gen. 3. 1 6. Q. VVhat are the effects and fruits of his Fall A. By means of this Fall both the Serpent and Satan became accursed and Adam and Eve and their posterity plunged into a depth of sin and misery Gen. 3. CHAP. 10. Of Sinne the definition of it and the distribution into Original and actual Q. WHat is sinne A. Transgression of the moral Law of God by a Creature that is bound to keepe it Q. Why is sin said to be a transgression of the Law A. Because the Apostle Iohn doth expresly so call it a and elsewhere it is said where there is no law b there is no transgression Q. Why say you that sinne is a Transgression of the law of God onely for are not Transgressions of the Lawfull commandements of parents and other Superiors sins also A. Yes so farre as they tend to the dishonour of Superiors such Transgressions are also sins but the reason of that is because obedience to the lawfull commands of Superiors is enjoyned in the fifth commandement of the law of God in which respect God is said to be the onely Law-giver Iam. 4. 12. Q. But why doe you make sinne a Transgression onely of the morall law sith unbeliefe and Impenitency though they be against the gospel are also sinnes and so were violations of the Ceremoniall law that was given to Israel by Moses A. Violation of the Ceremonies by the people of Israel was a sinne because the observation of them was enjoyned to that people in the second commandement of the moral law like aâ—… the observation of baptisme and the Lords Supper are now enjoyned to Christians by the same Commandement Q And why are unbeliefe and Impenitenciâ—… sinnes A. Though these be directly against the Gospel yet they are also sinnes when they are found in them to whom the Gospels comes as being against the first commandement of the law which enioynes obedience to God in whatsoever he hath shewed or shall shew to be his wil Q. Why do you make sinne a Transgression of the law by a creature A. Because God the Creator may do things forbidden in the Law and yet not sinne as to kill and destroy because the law is not a rule to him but to us his owne will being his rule Eph. 1. 11. Ps. 115. 3. Q. Why is it added by a Creature bound unto it A. Because though Angels may sinne yet many things in the law specially in the fifth and seventh commandement are not applyable to Angels and as for other Creatures the Law is no rule to them at all Q. Who among men are tainted with sinne A. All that are meere men none excepted Eccles. 7. 20. Rom. 3. 23. and 5. 12. Q. How many sorts of sinne are there A. Besides that first offence of eating the forbidden fruit there is the corruption of nature which is usually called originall sinne and the sinnes of life which are usually called actuall Q. What is the nature of originall sinne wherein doth it consist A. It consists in the losse of Gods Image wherein man was created at the first c and in a contrary vitiousnesse instead thereof d Q. What is the measure or greatnesse of this sinne A. It contaynes not onely some one or few particular evils but a masse of all iniquities even the most abominable that can be named or Imagined Rom. 3. 12. 13. c. Q. How farre doth this sinne extend A. It overspreads the whole race of mankind as a contagious leprosie and epidemical disease e and infects all the powers and parts both of soule and body f Q. How is this sinne propagated A. It is conveyed from parents to children not by imitation but by generation Gen 5. 3. Psal. 51. 5. Iob 14. 4. Ioh. 3. 6. Q. What do you understand by actuall sinnes A. All omissions of good g and failing in the maner of doing it h
is Christ a King A. Over all creatures in Generall h over the visible Church in speciall i and over the elect in a most speciall manner above all other k Q How is he King over all creatures A. In sustaining and disposing of them all by his providence as may be for his glory and the good of the elect Heb. 1. 3. Col. 1. 16. Pro. 8. 15 16. Isa. 43. 14 15. Q. And how is he King of the visible Church A. In that he gathereth men into it l appoints Ordinances and Officers unto it m and prescribeth laws n for the manner of carrying on all things therein Q How doth Christ all these things in the Church A. He doth them all by his word which is therefore called the word of the Kingdome Mat. 13. 19. Q. And how is Christ King of the Elect A. Not onely by his providence as over all creatures nor only by his Word and Ordinances as to the visible Church but also by the speciall working of the grace of his holy Spirit in their hearts Ezek. 36 26. Eph. 1 22. Col. 1 18. Q. Hath not the Kingly office of Christ some that are enemies unto it A. Yes sin and the world the divel and death Q. VVhat are the acts of Christs Kingly office in respect of those his enemies and the enemies of his Church and elect people A. To bridle o and subdue p them all Q. VVhat are the properties of Christs Kingdom A. It is lawfull q spirituall r powerfull s righteous t large u and everlasting w CHAP. 19. Of Christ his humiliation Q. HAving spoken of the person Offices of Christ how are we in the next place to consider of his actions A. In a twofold estate his state of humiliation and his state of exaltation Q VVhat are the generall acts of his humiliation A. Laying aside the full manifestation of his divine Majesty for a time a and assuming unto him the nature of man b Q. VVhat else A. It was a great act of his humiliation that he became subject to the law c and not onely a man but in the meanest condition of men d Q. VVhat may be evidences that he was a man of a very mean condition and state A. His poore birth his afflicted and poore life his shamefull and accursed death with the things that follow afterward do evidently shew the same Q. What was his poor birth A. He was born of a poor Virgin for his mother who was espoused to a Carpenter for her husband and when he was born was wrapped in swadling clothes and layd in a manger because there was no room for his poor mother in the Inne Luke 2. 7. Q. What else was the testimony of his poore birth A. When he was presented to the Lord in the temple with an offering the offering was but a paire of turtle doves or two yong pigeons which was an offering appointed at the birth of children of the poorest sort of people Luk. 2. 24. Levit. 12. 8. Q. What was his poore and afflicted life A. His fleeing into Aegypt from the rage of Herod e his poverty in outward estate f and his subjection to his parents g as any other child Q. VVhat else were testimonies of his afflicted life A. His temptations from the divell h his wearysome journeys from place to place i and his manifold persecutions from the hands and tongues k of wicked men Q. What was his shamefull painefull and accursed death A. It was his crucifying or death upon the Crosse l which was a death accursed by the Law m Q. Wherein was the shame of that death A. It was shamefull in that he was Crucified in the midst betwixt two theeves n and Barabbas a Murtherer counted more worthy then he o Q. What else was the shame and paine of that death A. He was Crowned with thornes and otherwayes derided by the people and priests his hands and feete were nailed to the Crosse and his side was pierced with a Speare to the effusion of water and blood Math. 27. 29. 30. 31. Iohn 19. 34. Q. What else was there in his death A That which was the greatest of all was that he endured a grievous agony with his fathers wrath Mat. 26 37. 38. and 27. 46. Q What followed after his death A. He was buried in the grave p and continued under the power and dominion of death for a time q Q. What was the end of all this Humilation of Christ Q. That he might make satisfaction to the justice and honour of God which had been wronged by our sinnes r and to procure for us reconciliation with God and eternall life s Q. How came Christ to be liable to make satisfaction for our sinnes A. Because he voluntarily became our Surety and so was to pay the debt that we were in unto God Heb. 7. 22. Psal 40. 7. CHAP. 20. Of the exaltation of Christ and his Resurrection from the dead Q. HAving considered of Christs Humiliation how are wee in the next place to consider of his exaltation A. The exaltation of Christ is to be considered both in respect of his Godhead and his manhood and in the severall degrees thereof Q. What is his exaltation in respect of his Godhead A. It is nothing else but the manifestation of that divine power and glory of his which had beene so much concealed in all the time of his humiliation Iohn 175. Rom. 1. 4 Q And what is his exaltation in respect of his Manhood A. It consists partly in laying aside all those infirmities which it had beene subject unto in the time of Humiliation by hunger thirst wearinesse and the like which are all of them removed and done away 1 Cor. 15. 43. Q. Wherein else doth this exaltation consist A. In that the humane nature of Christ was filled with all the glorious excellencies that a creature is capable of and this both in respect of his soule a and in respect of his body b Q. Doth the bodie of Christ by meanes of his exultation or Glorification become infinite or Omnipresent or in many places at once A. As the soule of Christ being Glorified doth still retaine the nature of a soule so his bodie doth still retaine the essentiall properties of a bodie c and therefore is not infinite nor omnipresent for that were to destroy its essentiall properties Q. VVhat are the degrees of Christs exaltation A. His resurrection from the dead his ascention into heaven and his sitting at the right hand of God Q. VVhat meane you by his resurrection from the dead A. I meane that his body which was dead was quickned againe d by the uniting together of his soule and body againe which in death had been separated and also that being quickned he came forth again out of the grave e Q. VVhat certainty is
there of this resurrection of Christ A. The scripture saith that Christ is risen indeed f and his resurrection hath beene witnessed by many cleare and pregnant Testimonies Q. VVhat are those testimonies A. The blessed Angels did witnesse that Christ was risen from the dead g so also did the watchmen which were set to have kept him from rising h and likewise certaine godly women i to whom he shewed himselfe alive after his Resurrection Q. What further Testmonies was there of Christs resurrection A. The Apostles who were witnesses appoined of God for this end k doe frequently testifie the same l Q. Did not Christ also declare his owne Resurrection by shewing himselfe upon earth after he was risen from the dead afore he ascended into Heaven A. He shewed himselfe alive by appearing to many within the space of those forty dayes betweene his Resurrection and ascention Acts 1. 3. Q. What are some of those apparitions of Christ in those dayes A. He appeared to Mary Magdalen m and to other Godly Women n to two disciples as they were going to Emmaus o and to all the disciples together except Thomas p Q. To whom else A. To the disciples at another time and to Thomas being with them q to seven of them at the sea of Tiberias r to the Eleven a in Mountain of Galilee s and upon the mount of Olives t and to above five hundred brethren at once u Q. You have sufficiently shewed the certainty of Christs resurrection tell likewise the time of it when it was that he arose A. Hee rose againe the third day after he was put to death 1 Cor 15. 4. Q. By what power did he rise againe A. By the power of the father w and his owne almighty power x Q. What were the ends of his Resurrection A. He rose againe to shew the dignity of his person y to fulfill the scriptures z and to shew that there was sufficiencie of merit and satisfaction in his death a Q. Open this last a little more plainely A. When a suretie apprehended and laid in prison hath fully discharged the debt it is meete that then he should be released and when he is released it appeareth thereby that the debt is fully paid so when Christ had fully satisfied for our sinnes it was meete he should be released from death and being so released it appeareth thereby that satisfaction for our sinnes was fully made Q. What other ends were there of the Resurrection of Christ A. He rose that he might have Lordship and Dominion over quicke and dead b which he had duely purchased by his suffering Q. Could Christ have performed the office whereto he was appointed if he had not risen from the dead A. That may be another end of his Resurrection namely that he might performe the office of an eternall Priest and Prophet and King unto his People which he could not have done if he had still remained under the power and Dominion of Death Q. What are the benefits of Christs Resurrection Hereby believers may be assured of their Iustification from all their sinnes c of their spirituall rising to newnesse of life d and of their Resurrection to glorie at their last day e CHAP. 21. Of Christs Ascention into Heaven Q WHen Christ was risen from the dead did he still continue upon earth A. No but after a time he left this world and ascended into heaven Iohn 16 28. Q What was the place from whence he did ascend A. In generall from this world and in speciall from the mount of Olives neere unto Ierusalem Acts 1. 12. Q What was the place to which he did ascend A. The third heaven farre above this earth and all these inferior and visible heavens Mark 16. 19. Luk. 24. 51. Act. 1. 11. Ioh. 14. 1. 2. Eph. 4. 10. Q. Was this ascention of Christ a true and reall mutation and change of place or onely a change of his Estate A. Though Christ in respect of his Godhead be everywhere present a and in respect of the power and comfort of his spirit be present with all his saints upon earth b yet his ascention into heaven was such a true and reall change of place that in respect of his bodily presence he is now no more upon earth but in heaven c Q. What was the efficient cause of Christ ascention A. The power of the father in respect whereof he is said to be received or taken up d and his owne Almighty power in respect of which he is said to ascend or goe up e Q. When was the time of this ascention A. Forty dayes after his Resurrection from the dead Act. 1. 3. Q. Why did he ascend no sooner A. Because he would first sufficiently confirme the faith of the disciples concerning his resurrection and fully instruct them in the things pertayning to the kingdom of God Acts 1. 3. Q. Why did he stay upon earth no Longer A. To shew that it was not an earthly life which he now affected or minded Q. Who were witnesses of his Ascention A. The disciples who were with him at that time upon the mount of Olives and certaine Angel which then appeared Acts 1. 9. 10. 11. Q. For what end did Christ ascend into heaven A. That he might fulfill the scripture f and fully performe his office g and take possession of the glory that was due unto him h Q. What else were the ends and fruits of his ascention A. The leading of Captivity Captive i the giving of gifts unto men k the pouring out of his spirit upon his people l and preparing a place for them m CHAP. 22. Of Christs sitting at the right hand of God and his returne to the last judgement Q BEsides the Resurrection and ascention of Christ what further degree is there of his exaltation A. His sitting at the right hand of God Psal. 110. 1. Mark 16. 19. Eph. 1. 20. Col. 3. 1. Heb. 1. 3 13. and 8 1. and 10. 12 13. Q. VVhat are we to understand by Christs sitting at the right hand of God A. That fulnesse of excellent majestie and glorious Dominion whereto he is now advanced farre above the most glorious Angels and every other creature Eph 1. 20 21 22. Heb. 1. 13. Q. But divine dominion and soveraignty over all Creatures belonging to the father and to the holy Ghost why is this peculiarly ascribed unto Christ A. Not in respect of right but the actuall and immediate exercise thereof for the former belonging to all the divine persons this latter is now peculiarly committed unto Christ Ioh. 5. 22. 27. Act 10. 42. and 17. 31. Q. VVho gave Christ this great authority thus to sit at the right hand of God A. He did not come unto it by any unjust usurpation but it was given unto him by God Eph. 1. 20. Phil.