A. Thus much I beg of him in the two first Petitions hallowed be thy Name thy Kingdom come wherein I desire that Satans Kingdom may be abolished and the kingdom of grace daily increased and therefore I pray unto God to send his grace unto me and to all people that so the Devil may lose ground and there may daily be added unto the Church such as shall be saved that so all may both in word and deed serve and worship the true God and reverently sanctifie and hollow his glorious Name Q. In which petition dost thou beg that we may obey him as we ought to do A. This I ask in the third petition Thy will be done in Earth as it is in Heaven wherein I desire that both my self and all people may know what is that good that acceptable will of God and then make it the rule of our actions that his heavenly will maybe performed by us as it is by the blessed Angels in Heaven that is chearfully without grudging or murmuring readily without delay or procrastination sincerely without guile or hypocrisie constantly without intermission and universally without picking chusing Q. In which Petition do you pray unto God that he will send us all things that be needful both for our Souls and Bodâ—â—s A. This I beg in the fourth petition Give us this day our daily bread wherein I entreat God to take us into his fatherly care and tuition to provide for our subsistence to give us daily or day by day our bread that is all manner of food and sustenance that is requisite for us and withall to fend along with it his heavenly blessing that so it may nourish our bodies and make them fit for their several employments Q. Herein indeed you desire God to give you necessaries for your bodies but wherein do you desire him to give you necessaries for your soules A. The Holy Scripture besides this ordinary bread enformes us of bread that came down from Heaven that is Christ and his benefits represented in the holy Sacrament of the Lords Supper and this is that bread wherewith we desire God to feed out Soules which most certainly will nourish them to life eternal Q. In which Petition do you desire God to be mercifull unto us and forgive us our sins A. This I beg of him in the fifth Petition Forgive us our Trespasses wherein I beseech God to pardon unto me and all his servants all those crimes offences and trespasses what ever we are guilty of Q. But wherefore is that clause adjoyned to this Petition as we forgive them that trespass against us A. For very good reason to teach us how we must be qualified before we can be capable of Gods pardon we must be in charity with our brethren otherwise God will not be in charity with us for if we forgive not men their trespasses neither will our heavenly father forgive us our trespasses Q. In which petition do you desire God to save and defend us from all dangers ghostly and bodily and that he will keep us from all sin and wickedness and from our ghostly enemy and from everlacting death A. This I beg of him in the sixth petition And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil Q. Doth God then lead his servants into temptation A. There are temptations of trial or probation and God doth lead his servants into these temptations either to exercise their graces or to chastize them for some miscarriage or to prevent them from some gross fall but besides these there are temptations of seduction and ruine which the Devil offers and God by withdrawing his grace suffers us to fall into them and therefore in this Petition I beg of God that he will continually defend us with his grace as with a sheild that so temptations may make no impression upon and that he will deliver us from all those spiritual evils and dangers that our soules are lyable unto howsoever occasioned whether by the treachery of Satan by the enticements of this world or by the provocation of our own lusts as also from the horrid danger that followes our complyance with these the evill of eternal death Q. Wherefore is it that you have so great confidence and trust that God will grant all these things that you have here prayed for A. First because his is the kingdom he is the King of all the earth a loving tender King willing to hear and relieve the wants of his subjects Secondly because his is the power he is a powerful King and thereby able to give plentiful and suitable returns to the requests of his humble suppliants Thirdly because his is the glory he is a glorious King and it is a clear manifestation of his glory and goodness to hear from Heaven a company of miserable wretches that deserve nothing of kindness at his hand and thereupon I say Amen so be it resting fully satisfied that God both hears me and will answer my requests as my necessities require Q. How many Sacraments hath Christ ordained in his Chrurch A. Two onely as generally necessary to Salvation that is to say Baptism and the Supper of the Lord. Q. When did Christ ordain these Sacraments A. The first of them namely Baptism he hallowed in his own person by passing through the Waters of it and also immediately before his ascension he enjoyned his Disciples to Baptize all Nations And the other Sacrament he celebrated with his Disciples presently before his Passion and withal charged his Disciples and in them his whole Church to do it in remembrance of him Q. What is meant by Baptism A. It is derived from a Greek word which signifies to wash dip dive or sprinkle Q. Why is the other Sacrament called the Lords Supper A. Because it was instituted by the Lord of Glory at or after supper Q. How or in what sense are these Sacraments generally necessary to Salvation A. They are the Instruments or the means whereby the merits of Christ are conveyed and made over to us and by which God hath commanded us to receive them and therefore those that wilfully refuse and neglect them when they may be had do neglect the ordinary means of Salvation Q. What do you mean by this word Sacrament A. I mean an outward visible sign of an inward spiritual grace given unto us ordained by Christ himself as a means whereby we receive the same and a pledge to assure us thereof Q. What is the end or final cause why Christ ordained Sacraments A. He ordained them as a means whereby great blessings and graces are conveyed to us and as a pledge to assure us of his favour and loving kindness Q. What is that grace which by Sacraments is conveyed unto us A. The whole obedience merit death and passion of our Saviour and the benefits that flow from thence Q. Is Christ alone the ordainer of Sacraments A. He onely hath right to institute a Sacrament in regard he is
the Cross as a Sacrifice to make explation and satisfaction for the sins of the World Q. How is this Sacrament a remembrance of this Sacrifice A. In regard in this Sacrament we have as it were Christ crucified before our eyes represented lively before us on the Cross when the bread is broken it calls to mind how his sacred body was broken with the Crown of Thorns the scourges the nails the spear and when the wine is poured out it remembers us how his precious blood issued forth out of his hands feet head and side Q. What other end was thereof Christs instituting this holy Sacrament A. For the remembrance of those benefits we receive by the sacrifice of his death and passion that is that we should continually that is frequently remember and commemorate with joy and thanksgiving before God and man those benefits purchased by his death Q. What is the outward part or sign of the Lords Supper A. Bread and Wine which the Lord hath commanded to be received Q. Why are these two Elements rather than any other used in this Sacrament A. Because these do very fitly represent the inward spiritual grace which is the body and blood of Christ As Bread and Wine is the cheif nourishment of our Bodies the great preservatives of life and health so the Body and Blood of Christ is the onely food of our Soules which must hourish them to life eternal Q. Where hath the Lord commanded these elements to be received A. At his first institution of it he gave this command to his holy Apostles and in them to his whole Church when he had broke the bread he gave it unto them and said take eat this is my body and when he had blessed the cup he gave it them saying drink ye all of this Q. What is the inward part or thing signified in this Sacrament A. The Body and Blood of Christ which are verily and indeed taken and received by the Faithful in the Lords Supper Q. How can it possibly be that the very body and blood of Christ can be received in the Lord Supper A. In this Sacrament there is a true and real participation of Christ for as verily as every worthy communicant eats the Bread and drinks the Wine so verily God in heaven bestows on him and communicates unto him the body and blood of his Saviour and also makes over unto him all the benefits and advantages that proceed from the sufferings of his body and the effusion of his Blood Q. By whom is it that the body and blood of Christ are verily and indeed received in this holy Sacrament A. It is onely by the faithful that is such as worthily prepare themselves before they adventure to present themselves that behave themselves devoutly and reverently in the time of the administration of it and also after the receiving of it walk as becometh such who are united to Christ by so near a tye Q. Do not all then that come receive his body and blood A. This holy Sacrament is offered to all that judge themselves worthy of it but those onely receive benefit from it who are worthy in deed and in truth Q. But suppose others do adventure to come who are unworthy what do they receive A. They receive their own destruction being guilty of the body and blood of Christ Q. Certainly then it is far better to abstain from this sacred banquet A. There is a necessity lyes upon all Christians to come as also to come prepared in regard this is the food of our soules without which nourishment they will starve and perish and also by neglecting this weighty concern we shall disobey the command of our dear Saviour who hath solemnly enjoyned us to keep this feast in remembrance of him Q. What are the benefits whereof we partake by receiving the Lords Supper A. The strengthning and refreshing of our souls by the body and blood of Christ as our bodies are by the Bread and Wine Q. How many are these benefits in number A. They are two first to strengthen and secondly to refresh our Soules Q. In what measure are soules hereby strengthned A. In the very same degree as out bodies are by bread for as bread is the staffe of life without which the body is not able to subsist but grows feeble and weak and at length drops into the grave even so the body of Christ doth nourish and strengthen our soules enable them to the performance of good works without which they have no power to decline the ways of sin and death Q. In what measure are our soules refreshed in this Sacrament A. In the same degree as our bodies are refreshed by Wine for as Wine refreshes the body not only when it is thirstly but also when it is faint and feeble so doth the blood of Christ refresh our Souls wash them from the guilt of Sin which exposed them to the wrath of God which is the greatest refreshment the most powerfull cordial that can be administred to them Q. But how is it possible for so small a piece of Bread or one spoonful of Wine to produce such rare effects A. These proceed not from these outward elemens but from the will and power of Christ who was pleased to ordain these Elements as means and instruments to conveigh these graces unto us Q. What is required of those that come to the Lords Supper A. To examine themselves whether they repent them truly of their former fins stedfastly purposing to lead a new life to have a lively faith in Gods mercy through Christ with a thenkfull remembrance of his death and to be in charity with all men Q. What is the general duty here required A. Examination which is not only enjoyned by the Catechism but the very same duty St. Paul requires of every one that come to this Table let a man examine himself and so let him eat of that bread and drink of that Cup. Q. What are those matters about which every Christian is not enquioe or examine himself before this Feast A. They are principally four Repentance Faith Thankfulness Charity Q. What is the first thing his examination must spend it self upon A. The first matter must be Repentance Q. What kind of repentance must a man find in himself before he partakes of these Viands A. It must consist of these two parts First there must be an entire renouncing and forsaking of sin of every evil way and Secondly a stedfast purpose and resolution by Gods grace and assistance for the time to come to lead a new and innocent life Q. What is the second matter he must bring under examination A. His Faith Q. How must this Faith be qualified A. It must be a lively Faith which life it must show forth by well doing and it must also be a Faith in Gods mercy through Christ that is stedfastly believing that it is God alone who through the merits and sufferings of his Son hath given to mankind
belief of this Rule of Faith be qualified A. It must be intire and universal I must neither add to not diminish from this Confession of Faith but I am obliged by my Baptismal vow to believe all and every Article of this Christian Faith Q. The last thing which your Sureties promised for you was to keep Gods Holy will and Commandments and to walk in the same all the days of your life How or by what means come you to know the will of God A. He hath revealed it in his Holy Word wherein he hath at large manifested how and in what manner he will be worshipped and served Q. For what end and purpose hath God made known his mind unto us A. That we might make it the Rule of our lives and walk according to that Rule all the days of our lives Q. Dost thou think that thou art bound to believe and do as they promised for thee A. Yes verily and by Gods help so I will and I heartily thank our Heavenly Father that he hath called me to this state of Salvation through Jesus Christ our Saviour And I pray unto God to give me his Grace that I may continue in the same unto my lives end Q. How comes it to pass that thou art bound to perform that promise which others made A. Because they only made it in my behalf when by reason of my tender Years I was uncapable of making of it in my own person which promise I am bound actually to perform when I come to years of discretion Q. Are you then able to perform that promise which was made on your behalf A. I am not by my own strength but by the grace of God I am which he hath faithfully promised to give to all those that heartily beg it Q. What think you of this Estate which by your Baptism you are placed in A. I think it is an excellent and blessed Estate as far excelling my natural condition as light doth darkness the one being a state of death and the other a state of life Q. How come you to have a right to this excellent condition A. By vertue of Christs sufferings who hath purchased this condition for me by his Death and Blood-shedding in which by the help and grace of God I do resolve to continue unto my lives end Q. Rehearse the Articles of thy belief A. I believe in God the Father Allmighty maker of Heaven and Earth and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord who was conceived by the Holy Ghost born of the Virgin Mary suffered under Pontius Pilate was crucified dead and buried he descended into Hell the third day he arose again from the dead he ascended into Heaven and there be sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead I believe in the Holy Ghost the Holy Catholick Church the Communion of Saints the forgiveness of Sins the Resurrection of the Body and the Life everlasting Amen Q. What dost thou chiefly learn in these Articles of thy belief A. First I learn to believe in God the Father who hath made me and all the World Secondly in God the Son who hath redéemed me and all mankind Thirdly in God the Holy Ghost who sanctifieth me and all the Elect people of God Q. In which Article do you learn to believe in God the Father A. This I learn in the first Article I believe in God the Father Almighty maker of Heaven and Earth Q. How many Gods are there A. There is but one only the true everliving and eternal God Q. How can that be when you profess that you believe in God the Father God the Son God the Holy Ghost How sayest thou then that there is but one God A. In the God-head indeed there are three Persons the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost but these three are but one God and this great truth St. John thus expresseth There be three that bare record in Heaven the Father the VVord that is Jesus Christ the Son of God the VVord incarnate and the Holy Ghost and these three are one Q. What is God A. God is a Spirit Infinite in all his Attributes and Perfections Q. How knowest thou that there is such a being as God A. Several ways by his wonderful work of Creation the Heavens declare the Glory of God and the Firmament sheweth his handy work but especially by my own Conscience which this Infinite Being hath placed within me to accuse me of all those Crimes I commit against his Divine Majesty Q. Vpon what grounds do you call God Father A. He is my Father by Creation giving me at the first my Being he is also my Father by Adoption having through the Gate of Baptism received me into the number of his Servants and Members Q. How did God at the first create you A. By his Almighty and Infinite Power by vertue whereof he can do whatsoever pleaseth him both in Heaven and in Earth Q. And did he finish the Heavens and the Earth and all the rest of his Creation by his Power and Word alone A. Yes he spake and it was done he commanded and they were brought forth Q. In what time did God finish his Creation A. In the space of Six days and rested the Seventh day Q. Why did God at the first give you a Being A. To advance his Honour and to perform his sacred Will Q. Of what did God make Man A. He made his Body of the dust of the ground and breathed into his Nostrils the breath of Life and so he became a living Soul Q. In which Article do you learn is believe in God the Son who redeemed you and all mankind A. In these And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord who was conceived by the Holy Ghost born of the Virgin Mary suffered under Pontius Pilate was Crucified dead and buried he descended into Hell the third day he rose again from the dead he ascended into Heaven and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty from thence he shall come to judge both the quick and the dead Q. What is this Jesus Christ in whom you believe A. He is perfect God and perfect Man equal to the Father as touching his God-head but inferiour to the Father as touching his Man-hood Q. What Relation stands this Person in to God A. He is his only Son begotten of the Father before the world his first born from all Eternity Q. Why did this Eternal God take upon him our nature and so become Man A. That he might Redeem me and all mankind Q. But how can this be that God should be made Man A. He became Man not by turning the God-head into the nature of Man but by taking Mans nature into the God-head that so one person might be both God and Man Q. What need was there that so excellent a Person as the Son of God should thus abase himself A. Because there
when they know that we are not of their foot-marks but have publickly disowned their ungodly practises and principles You complain of lewd society of friends and acquaintance that draw you into many inconveniences do but let them know that you intend to be religious and they will let you alone The Philosophers openly professed a severe and unusual life that all men might let them live Philosophically and not be a disturbance unto them Let but us do so and be professedly religious and they will have the less boldness for to trouble us Our work is half done when we are heartily resolved and more than half done when we publickly profess these our good resolutions Thirdly This open renewing of our Baptismal engagements wil very much lead to the bringing of Religion into fashion and to make it a thing very creditable and honorable When men openly appear for it and are not ashamed publiquely to confess and acknowledge it then the perverse sons of Belial will be discouraged from scoffing and reproaching of it it will stop the mouths of all gainsayers when they behold the greatest and soberest part of mankind to countenance it by professing seriously to practise it And this certainly will mightily prevail with all those as have any kindness or honour for Religion openly to renew their vows especially in this careless age wherein Atheism and prophaneness have joyned forces to discountenance yea utterly to banish all Religion from amongst us Fourthly The open owning of our Baptismal vow wil be a great preparatory in order to the receiving the holy Sacrament of Christs most precious body and blood neither is it meet that any should be admitted to so neer a communion with Christ who will not openly acknowledge and promise fealty and obedience to his Sacred commands And therefore what our Church enjoyns in this case is very reasonable viz. that none should be admitted to the holy Communion untill such time as he be confirmed or be ready and desirous to be confirmed and therefore if we intend to receive Christ in the Sacrament to feed upon his body and blood which is such excellent food as most certainly will nourish our souls to life eternal it is but very meet and convenient that we should first openly profess our selves his members and servants and that we resolve so to continue this will reduce us into a fit capacity to feed at the Lords Table whereby we may encrease in strength enjoy a more intimate communion with the Father Son and Holy Ghost And indeed until this is done I may justly say men are but imperfect members babes and infants in Christ and not to be admitted in the judgment of all ages to tast of the meat of men until they shew themselves to be men by speaking for themselves And to all this I shall only add the misery that in the end shall attend those that will not make an open profession of Christ as also the priviledge that they shall enjoy who are free to perform this so reasonable a duty and this I shall give you in our Saviours own words Mat. 10.72 Whosoever shall confess me before men him will I confess before my Father which is in Heaven That is will confess him to be one of my flock my true disciple and member and accordingly will reward him but whosoever shall deny me before men and certainly he that is ashamed openly to profess Christ will not be afraid to deny him if moved thereto either by fear or advantage him will I also deny before my Father which is in Heaven And it is not within the power of any man to imagine how dreadful and insupportable their doom will be who are denyed and disowned by the great Judg of Heaven and Earth So that now I cannot see what there is to deter men from submitting to this wholsome discipline it being not only necessary but also highly reasonable that we should openly promise to be his faithful servants who both created us and redeemed us Why should we not as freely and readily promise in the face of the congregation obedience to Gods sacred pleasure and commands as we do allegiance and loyalty to our Prince before a Court of Justice If it is reasonable that we should be obedient to the laws of our Maker which no Christian will deny what harm is their in making an open profession that we will be so and therefore it would be very happy and cannot but be earnestly desired by all good Christians that all animosities and vain janglings might be quite layed aside and that we may all joyn together in practising whatsoever may advance us forward towards the end of our hopes the Salvation of our Souls FINIS