Ministerie w ch coÌ„sisteth in the delivery of doctrine What is a Sacrament Ans. A Sacrament is a visible signe ordeined by God to bee a Seale for confirmation of the promises of the Gospell unto the true members in Christ. VVhat are the SacrameÌ„ts ordained by Christ in the New Testament Ans. Baptisme and the Lords Supper What is Baptisme Ans. The Sacrament of our admission into the Church sealing unto us our new birth by the communion which wee have with Christ Iesus What doth the elements of water in Baptisme represent unto us Ans. The bloud and merits of Iesus Christ our Lord. What doth the clensing of the body â—epresent Ans. The clensing of the Soule by the for givenesse of sinne and imputation of Christs righteousnesse What doth the being under the water aad the freeing from it againe represent Ans. Our dying unto sinne by the force of Christs death and living againe unto righteousnesse through His Resurrection What is the Lords Supper Ans. A Sacrament of our preservation in the Church sealing unto us our spirituall nourishment and continuall increase in CHRIST What doth the elements of Bread and Wine in the Lords supper represent unto us Ans. The Body and Bloud of Christ. What doth the breaking of the Bread and powring out of the Wine represent Ans. The sufferings whereby our Saviour was broken for our iniquities the shedding of His precious bloud and powring out of His Soule unto death VVhat doth the râ—ceiving of the Bread and VVine represent Ans The receiving of Chrâ—st by faith VVhat doth the nourishmrnt which our body receiveth by vertue of this outward meat seal uÌ„to us Ans. The perfect nourishment and continuall increase of strength w ch the inward man injoyeth by vertue of the Communion with Iesus Christ after the course of this life is ended VVhat shall bee the state of man in the world to come Ans. Every one to be rewarded according to the life which hee hath lead How many kindes bee there of this judgement Ans. Two the one particular the other generall VVhat call you the particular judgement Ans. That which is given upon the Soule of every man as soone as it is departed from the body What is the state of the Soule of man as soone as hee departeth out of this life Ans. The Soules of Gods Children bee presenâ—ly received into heaven there to injoy unspeakeable Comforts the soules of the wicked are sent into hel there to endure endles tormeÌ„nts VVhat call you the generall judgement Ans. That which Christ shall in a solemne manner give upon all men at once when hee shal come at the last day with the glory of his father and all men that ever have beâ—n from the beginning of the world untill that day shall â—ppeare â—ogether before him boâ—h in body and soule whether they bee quiâ—ke or dead How shâ—ll the dead appeare before the judgement seate of Christ Ans. The Bodyes which they had in their life time shâ—ll by the Almighty power of God be restored againe and quickned with their soules and so there shall bee a Resurrection from the dead How shall the quicke appeare Ans. Such aâ— then remaine alâ—ve shâ—ll bee changed in the twinkling of an eye which shall bee to them in stead of death What sentence shall Christ pronounce upon the righteous Ans. Come yee blessed of my Father inherit the Kingdome prepared for you from the foundations of the world What sentence shall hee pronounce upon the wicked Ans. Depart from me yee cursed into everlasting fire which is prepared for the Devill and his Angels VVhat shall follow this Ans. Christ shall deliver up the kingdome to His FATHER and GOD shall bee all in all A Briefe Method OF Christian Religion WITH A more particular Declaration of some perticular heads of Doctrine which for more plainesse sake were shortly touched in the former Summe Heb. 6.1 Therefore leaving the Doctrine of the bâ—ginning of Christ. c. By Iames Vsher Bish. of Armagh London Printed for Geo. Badger 1646. THE Method of the Doctrine OF Christian Religion Question WHat certaine rule have we left us for our direction in the knowledge of the true Religion whereby we must be saved Ans. The holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament which God delivered unto us by the Ministerie of his servants the Prophets and Apostles to informe us perfectly in all things that are needfull for us to know in matters of Religion What be the generall heads of Religion which in these holy writings are delivered unto us Ans. The knowledge of Gods nature and kingdome What are we to consider in Gods nature Ans. First his Essence or being which is but one and then the persons which are three in number What doe you consider in Gods Essence or being Ans. His Perfection and Life How are we to conceive of God in regard of his Perfection Ans. That he is a Spirit most single and infinite having his being from himself and having need of nothing which is without himselfe Why doe you call God a Spirit Ans. To declare his being to be such as hath no body and is not subject to our outward senses that we admit not any base conceit of his Majesty in thinking him to be like unto any thing which can be seen by the eye of man What understand you by this singlenesse or simplicity of Gods nature Ans. That he hath no parts nor qualities in him but whatsoever is in him is God and Gods whole Essence What gather you of this that God hath no parts nor qualities Ans. That he neither can bee divided nor changed but remaineth alwayes in the same state without any alteration at all In what respect doe you call Gods Essence infinite Ans. In that it is free from all measure both of time and place How is God free from all measure of time Ans. In that he is eternall without beginning and without ending never elder nor younger and hath all things present unto him neither former or later past or to come How is God infinite in regard of place Ans. In that he filleth all things and places both within and without the world present every where contained no where How is he present every where hath he one part of himselfe here and another there Ans. No for he hath no parts at all whereby he might be divided and therefore must be wholly wheresoever he is What doe you call the life of God Ans. That by which the divine nature is in perpetuall action most simply and infinitely moving it self in respect whereof the Scripture calleth him the Living GOD. What gather you of the comparing this infinitenes and simplicity or singlenesse of Gods nature with his life and motion Answ. That when strength justice and mercy are attributed unto God we must conceive that
How doth He rule His Subjects Ans. By making the Redemption which He hath wrought effectuall in the Elect calling those whom by His Prophetical office He hath taught to embrace the benefits offered unto them and governing them being called both by these outward Ordinances which He hath instituted in the Church and by the inward operation of His blessed Spirit Having thus declared the Natures and Office of Christ the Mediator of the New Covenant What are you now to consider in the condition of mankinde which hold by Him Ans. Two things the perticipation of the grace of Christ effectually communicated by the operation of Gods Spirit unto the Catholike Church which is the Body and Spouse of Christ out of which there is no salvation and the outward meanes ordained for the offering and effecting of the same vouchsafed unto the Visible Church How is the Grace of God effectually communicated to the Elect of whom the Catholike Church doth consist Ans. By that wonderfull Union whereby Christ and His Church are made one so that all the Elect being ingrafted into him grow together into one Misticall Body whereof He is the Head What is the bond of this union Ans. The communion of Gods Spirit which being derived from that Man Christ Jesus upon all the Elect as from the Head unto the Members giveth unto them Spirituall life and maketh them pertakers of Christ with all His benefits What are the benefits which arise to Gods children from hence Ans. Reconciliation and Sanctification What is Reconciliation A. That grace wherby we are freed from Gods curse and restored unto His Fatherly favour What are the branches of this Reconciliation Ans. Justification and Adoption What is Iustification Ans. That Grace whereby we are freed from the gilt of sinne and accounted righteous in Christ Jesus our Redeemer How then must sinfull man looke to be justified in the sight of God Ans. By the mercy of God alone whereby he freely bestoweth His Sonne upon him imputing mans sinnes unto Christ and Christs Righteousnes unto man whereby the sinner being possessed of Jesus Christ obtaineth of God remission of sinnes and imputation of Righteousnesse What is Adoption Ans. That grace wherby we are not only made friends with God but also His Sons and heires with Christ. What is Sanctificaâ—â—â—n A. That grace wherby we are freed from that bondage of sin remaining in us and restored unto the freedome of Righteousnesse What be parts of Sanctification Ans. Mortification whereby our naturall corruption is subdued and vivification or quickning whereby inherent holinesse is renewed in us Is there no distinction to be made among them that thus receive Christ Ans. Yes for some are not capable of knowledge as Infants and such as we terme Naturals Othersome are of discretion in the former sort we are not to proceed further then Gods election and the secret operation of the Holy-Ghost In the other there is further required a lively faith bringing forth fruit of true holines Is it in mans power to attaine this Faith and Holinesse Ans. No but God worketh them in his children according to that measure which he in his children seeth fit What doe you understand by Faith Ans. A gift of God whereby man being perswaded not only of the truth of Gods Word in generall but also of the promises of the Gospell in particular applieth Christ with all his benefits unto the comfort of his owne soule How are we said to be justified by Faith Ans. Not as though we were just for the worthinesse of this vertue for in such respect Christ alone is our righteousnesse but because faith and faith only is the instrument fit to apprehend and receive not to worke or procure our justification and so to knit us unto Christ that we may be made perâ—akers of all his benefits What is that holinesse which accompanieth this justifying faith Ans. A gift of God whereby the heart of the beleever is withdrawne from evill and converted unto newnes of life Wherein doth this vertue shew it selfe Ans. First in unfained repentance and then in cheerfull obedience springing from the same What are the parts of repentance Ans. Two a true griefe wrought in the heart of the beleever for offending so gracious a God by his former transgressions And a conversion unto God againe with full purpose of heart ever after to cleave unto him and to refraine from that which shall be displeasing in his sight What is the direction of that obedience which God requireth of man A. The morall Law whereof the ten Commandements are an abridgement What is the summe of the Law Ans. Love What bee the parts thereof Ans. The love which wee owe unto God coÌ„manded in the first and the love which we owe unto our Neighbours commanded in the second Table How do you distinguish the foure Commandements which belong unto the first Table Ans. They doe either respect the conforming of the inward powers of the soule to the acknowledgement of the true God as the first Commandement or the holy use of the outward meanes of Gods worship as in the three following What are the duties which concerne the outward means of Gods worship Ans. They are either such as are to be performed every day as occasion shall require or such as are appointed for a certaine day What Commandements do belong unto the first kinde Ans. The second concerning the solemne worship of Religion and the third concerning that respect which we are to have of Gods honour in the common carriage of our life What Commandement belongeth to the second kinde Ans. The fourth injoyning the speciall sanctification of the Sabbath day How doe you distinguish the six Commandements belonging to the second Table Ans. The first five doe ordaine such actions as are injoyned with consent of the mind at least The last respecteth the first motions that arise in the heart before any consent be given What are the duties â—ppertaining to the first kinde Ans. They are either due unto certaine persons in regard of some speciall bonds or to all men in generall by a certaine rite the first sort is set down in the first Commandement the other in the foure next What is the outward meanes whereby the Gospell is offered unto mankinde A. The Ministry of the Gospell which is exercised in the visible Church of Christ. Of whom doth the visible Church consâ—st Ans. Of publike Officers ordained to be Ministers of Christ and disposers of Heavenly things according to the Prescript of the Lord and the rest of the Saints who with obedience are to subject themselves to the Ordinance of God What are the parts of the outward Ministry Ans. The administration of the Word and of the Ordinances exercised thereunto which are especially Sacraments and Censures What is the Word Ans. That part of the outward Ministry which consisteth in the delivery
was to undeâ—goe and to raise us up from the death of sinne by sending his holy Spirit into our hearts VVhy must Christ bee man Ans. Because the God-head could not suffer and it was further requisite that the same nature which had offended should suffer for the offence and that our nature which was corrupted in the first ADAM should be restored to his integrity in the second Adam Christ Iesus our Lord. What is the Office of Christ Ans To be a Mediator betwixt God man What was required of Christ for making peace reconcilation betwixt God and man Ans. That he should satisfie the first covenant wherunto man was tyed Wherein was Christ to make satisfaction to the first couenant Ans. In performing that righteousnes which the Law of God did require of man in bearing the punishment which was due unto man for breakiÌ„g of the same law How did Christ perform that righteousnesse which Gods law requireth of maÌ„ Ans. In that he was conceived by the Holy Ghost without all spot of originall corruption and lived most holy all the days of his life without all actuall sin How did he beare the punishment which was due unto man for breaking Gods Law A. In that he willingly for maÌ„â— sake made himselfe subject to the curse of the Law both in body and soule and humbling himselfe even unto the death offered up unto his Father a perfect sacrifice for all the sinne of Gods children VVhat is required of man for obtaining the benefits of the Gospell Ans. That he receive Christ Iesus whom God doth freely offer unto hiÌ„ By what meanes are you to receive Christ Ans. By faith whereby I believe the gracious promises of the Gospell How doe you recâ—ive Christ by faith Ans. By laying hold of him and applying him with all his benefits to the comfort of my owne soule VVhat is the first maine benefit which we doe get by thus receiving Christ Ans. Iustification wherby in Christ wee are accounted righâ—eous and so are freed from condemnation and have assurance of everlasting life VVherein standeth this justification Ans. In the forgivenesse of our sinnes and imputing of Christs righteousnesse unto us Wherby then must weâ— looke to be justified in the sight of God Ans. Onely by the merrits of CHRIST IESVS received of us by faith What other maine benefit doe we get by receiving Christ Ans. Sanctification whereby wee are freed from the tyranny of sin and the image of God is renewed in us Wherein is this sanctification seene Ans. In Repentance and new Obedience springing from thence VVhat is Repentance Ans. Repentance is a gift of God wherby a godly sorrow is wraught in the heart of the faithfull for offending God their mercifull father by theit former transgressions together with a resolution for the time â—o come to forsake their former courses and to lead a new life VVhat call you new obedience Ans. A carefull endeavour which the faithfull have to give unfained Obedience to all GODs Commandements according to that measure of strength wherewith God doth enable them What rule have we for the direction of our obedience Ans. The Morall Law of God the summe whereof is contained in the ten CoÌ„mandements What are the cheâ—fe parts of this Law Ans. The duties which wee owe unto God set downe in the fiâ—st Table and that which wee owe unto man in the second What is the summe of the first Table Ans. That wee love the Lord our God with all our hearâ— with all our Soule and with all our minde How many Commâ—ndements belong to this Table Ans. Foure What duty is imployed in the firâ—t commandement Ans. That in all the inward powers and faculties of our soulâ—s the true eternall God be entertained and he only What dutie is injoyned in the Second Commandement Ans. That all outward meanes of Religion and solemne worship bee given unto the same God alone and not so much as the best degree therof even of the bowing of the body be communicated to any Image or representation either of God or any thing else whatsoever What is inioyned in the third commandement Ans. That in the ordinary course of our lives we use the Name of God that is his tythes word workes judgements and whatsoever he would have himselfe knowne by with reverence and all holy respect that in all things he may have his due glory given unto him What doth the fourth Commandement require Ans. That wee keepe holy the Sabboth day by resting from the ordinary busines of this life and bestowing that leisure upon the exercises of religion both publike and Private What is the summe of the second Table Ans. That wee love our Neighbours as our selves What Commandements belong to this Table Ans. The six last What kind of duties are prescribed in the fift Commandement which is the first of the second Table Ans. Such duties as are to be performed w th a speciall respect of superiours inferiours and equalls as namely reverence to all superiours obedience to such of them as are in authority and whaâ—soever speciall duties concerne the husband and Wife Parents and Children Masters and Servants Magistrate and people Pastors and Flocke and such like What doth the sixt Commandement injoyne Ans. The preservation of the safety of mens persons with all meanes tending to the same What is required in the seventh Commandement Ans. The preservation of the chastity of mens persons for the keeping whereof wedlocke is commanded unto them that stand in deed thereof What things are ordained in the eight Commandement A. Whatsoever concerneth the goods of this life in regaâ—d either of our selues or of our Neighbours Of our selves that we labour diligently in an honest and profitable calling contenting our sâ—lves with the goods well gotten and with liberalitie imploy them to good uses of our Neighbours that we use just dealings unto them in this respect and use all meanes that may tend to the furtherance of their estate What doth the ninth Commandement require Ans. The using of truth in our dealing one with another especially to the preseâ—vatioÌ„ of the good name of our neighbours What doth the tenth and last Commandement containe Ans. It condemneth all wandring thoughts that disagree from the love which wee owe to our Neighbours although wee never yeeld our consent thereunto What meanes doth God use to offer the benefits of the Gospel unto men and to worke and increase his graces in them Ans. The outward Ministery of the Gospel Where is this Ministerie executed Ans. In the visible Churches of Christ. What doe you call a visible Church Ans. A Company of men that live vnder the meanes of salvation What are the principall parts of this Ministerie Ans. The administration of the Word and Sacraments What is the word Ans. That part of the outward