gives hereof 1 Thes 2.3 That day of the Lord shall come as a thief in the night for when men shall say peace and safety then cometh sudden destruction upon them as travel upon a woman with child and they shall not escape Matth. 25.31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory with his Holy Angels then shall he sit in his Throne of Glory and before him shall be gathered all Nations and he shall separate them one from another as a Shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats And he shall set the sheep on his right hand but the goats on the left Then shall the King say to them on his right hand Come ye blessed of my Father c. But ver 41. To them on his left hand He will say Depart from me ye cursed c. And ver 46. These shall go into Everlasting punishment but the Righteous into Life Eternal Q. What use are we to make of these several parts of Christs Exaltation A. To rise again with Christ unto all newness of life to set our affections on things above where Christ is To serve him with fear because all power is given him and to judge ourselves daily and to watch over all our thoughts words and actions as they that must give account thereof at Christs tribunal Catechist All these the Scripture splainly teach us Rom. 6.4 We are buried with Christ by Baptism that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of his Father even so we also should walk in newness of life And this is the proper use to be made of Christs Resurrection for it follows there having been planted together in the likeness of his death we shall be also planted together in the likeness of his Resurrection Col. 3.1 If ye be risen with Christ seek those things which are above where Christ is set at the Right hand of God This is the use we are to make of Christs Ascension and sitting at the Right hand of God In short Psal 2.11 Serve the Lord with fear kiss the Son lest he be angry and so ye perish if his wrath be kindled yea but a little blessed are all they that put their trust in him And that is a Meditation very proper for that whole Exaltation of Christ that is past already and then let what is to come be always in our minds even his coming to judgment That judging ourselves we may not be judged of the Lord 1 Cor. 11.31 And seeing all these things shall be then dissolved let us seriously consider as St. Peter 2 Ep. 3.11 admonisheth us What manner of persons we ought to be in all manner of Conversation and Godliness Thus have you what the Creed teacheth you concerning the two first persons in the blessed Trinity The Father and the Son now Q. What dost thou believe concerning the Third Person A. I believe that he is God the Holy Ghost Proceeding from the Father and the Son One with them Holy in himself and the Author of all Holiness in us Catechist I shall further explain to you and prove the several parts of this Answer in the following Questions and their answers I ask you then Q. Is not the Father a Spirit and was not the Son also a pure Spirit before he took our nature upon him A. Yes But the Holy Ghost is the Spirit of the Father and of the Son inspired or proceeding from them both Catechist True and from hence he is called the spirit of the Father Matth. 10.20 And the spirit of the Son Gal. 4.6 And as the Father sent the spirit John 14.26 So the Son promised his Disciples to send the spirit when he left them to the wide world John 15.26 When the Comforter is come whom I will send unto you from the Father even the spirit of Truth which proceedeth from the Father He shall testifie of me Q. Is the Holy Ghost God A. Yes He is One with and Equal to the Father and the Son Catechist Being one with and equal to them he must necessarily be God very God For being three persons they are but one God 1 John 5.7 There are three that bear record in Heaven The Father the Word and the Spirit and these three are One. Besides which plain Text to prove the Divinity of the Holy Ghost There is one General Argument which is not hard to learn or remember for arming yourselves against all such Hereticks as deny the Holy Ghost to be God as well as our Saviour The name of God the Attributes of God the Works of God and the Honours which belong to God alone are ascribed to the Holy Ghost Therefore the Holy Ghost is God Particularly we are all Baptized as in the name of the Father and of the Son so in the name of the Holy Ghost And here in the Creed we profess to believe in the Holy Ghost as well as as in God the Father and in Jesus Christ the only Son of God And believing in is an honour peculiar to God We may not believe in any Creature in any but God For it implies Trust and Affiance and Jer. 17.5 Cursed is he that trusts in any Arm of flesh To name only one Text more Act. 5.3 When Ananias and Sapphira lied to the Holy Ghost concerning the price of their lands they are expressly said to lie to God and not to men Therefore the Holy Ghost is God Q Why is he called the Holy Spirit or the Holy Ghost A. Being Holy in himself he Sanctifies us and all our Holiness is his work he is the Author of all Holiness in us Catechist Holiness is his Essential Attribute and Sanctification or making us Holy is his proper Work And hence we read of the Sanctification of the Spirit 1 Thes 2.13 and of the renewing of the Holy Ghost Tit. 3.5 And hereby he seals us to the day of Redemption Ephes 4.30 Q. By what means doth the spirit Sanctifie us A. The Holy Scriptures were written by men inspired by the spirit and he daily enlightens converts sanctifies and comforts our souls by them in the Ministry of the Word Q. What must we then do that the spirit may Sanctifie us A. We must highly esteem and constantly attend Gods Holy Ordinances and obey all the Holy Spirit 's godly motions in our hearts Catechist The Spirit moves in these waters as in the Pool of Bethesda to heal the diseases of our Souls and we are therefore warned to take heed that we do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God Ephes 4.30 nor quench the spirit 1 Thes 5.19 Which is done as by any willful gross sin so by despising prophecying 1 Thes 1.20 by slighting neglecting or making light of any of Gods Holy Ordinances Thus have you what the Creed teaches you to believe concerning the Holy Ghost also and so concerning all the Persons in the Blessed Trinity Proceed we then to what it teacheth concerning the Church Q. Who are they that shall receive any benefit
Debauchery thereof is very great and therefore it is as needful now as ever That some Persons be engaged publickly to see that children that are baptized be brought up in the doctrine of Christ and in the fear of God Q. What just exception can be made against this Custome A. None but Godfathers and Godmothers neglecting their duties now this or the like Exceptions lye against the best and most wholesome Institutions both of God and man Catechist It is indeed a very sad thing that Godfathers and Godmothers so generally neglect their duties I say therefore O that All persons would be serious in undertaking this charge and fulfill it more Conscientiously than commonly men do And then The Benefit of this Custom would convince all mankind how convenient it is that it be retained to prevent any persons making Shipwrack of Faith and of a good Conscience when they come to years of discretion Q. Why do Christians give their Children names in Baptism A. Because the Jews gave names to their children in Circumcision and Baptism succeeds in the room of it Again it is intended That their names should always put them in mind of their Christianity which they received together with their names Catechist First That Baptism succeeds in the room of Circumcision As it is clear in matter of Fact so I take it to be manifest in that one Text of St. Paul Coloss 1.11 In whom also ye are Circumcised by the Circumcision made without Hands in putting off the Body of the Sins of the flesh by the Circumcision of Christ buried with him in Baptism 2. That the Jews gave their names when they Circumcised their Children is plain in divers instances To name but two Gen. 21.3 4. Abraham called the name of his Son which Sarah bare unto him Isaac and Abraham circumcised his son Isaac being Eight days old as God commanded him And so had John Baptist his name given to Him at his circumcision Luk. 1.59 and so had our Saviour Luk. 2.21 When 8 days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child his name was called Jesus which was so named of the Angel before he was conceived in the Womb. 3. As often as we mention or think of our names we should as much as possible call to mind our Baptismal Covenant viz. To be Christs faithful servants to our lives end and hereof St. Pauls text 2 Tim. 3.19 may serve for a good Paraphrase Let every one that nameth the name of Christ or upon whom the name of Christ is called in that he is called a Christian depart from iniquity Q. Seeing then you received both these in Baptism I ask you what is Baptism as it is in this place offered to your Consideration A. It is one of the Seals of the new Covenant Catechist Such was Circumcision and therefore such is Baptism that succeeds it Rom. 4.11 Abrahams circumcision was to Him a seal of the Righteousness of Faith which He had being Vncircumcised Q. What Covenant do you mean A. The same which God made with Adam after his fall in those words The seed of the woman shall break the Serpents head and which he afterwards renewed at several times to Gods people by the Patriarchs and Prophets and at last Ratified in Christs blood called the Covenant of Grace Catechist This Covenant as made with Adam as the common parent and Representative of all mankind you have in Gen 3.15 and as it was renewed to Abraham you have Gen. 12.3 and 22.18 In thee in thy Seed i. e. in Christ as St. Paul explains it Gal. 3.8 shall all Families of the earth be blessed Which Covenant was afterwards renewed or new revealed in other words to Jacob Gen. 49.10 The Scepter shall not depart from Judah till Shilo come by Moses Deut. 18.15 A Prophet shall the Lord God raise up unto you of your Brethren like unto me him shall ye hear by David by Isaiah Jeremy and the rest of the Prophets too many to recite particularly here and still in every age it was more clearly revealed then the former until the Seed came the Mediator of this covenant and ratified and established it by his Blood It will be of great Use to you Good Children if you can reach to understand thus much much more if you can attain a competent practical knowledge of the terms of this Covenant as your Catechism well understood may instruct you I ask you therefore Q. How many parts are there in this Covenant A. Two Gods part and ours Catechist For so it is in all Covenants which being between parties it obligeth them both to their respective parts and neither of them can expect the benefit of the Covenant without his own performance of what belongs to him Q. What then is Gods part or what doth God promise in the Covenant of Grace A. Forgiveness of Sins Sanctifying Grace and Eternal Life Q. How doth your Catechism express these A. It shews what Benefits we receive by Baptism to wit that of limbs of Satan we are therein made members of Christ Of Children of Wrath and of the Devil we are therein made Children of God and of heirs of Hell we become inheritors of the Kingdom of heaven Catechist These are great things Good Children for you to learn and having learnt them I beseech you do your best to consider them and see how all are grounded in the plain words of Holy Scripture Of Limbs of Satan as the Head and Father of all wicked ones we are by Baptisme made members of Christ Members you all know relate to a Body Now the Church is the Body whereof Christ is the Head and by Baptism we are made members of the Church which is the Mystical Body of Christ For Baptism is the Sacrament of Admission into the Church as the Lords Supper is the Sacrament of nourishment in the Church 1 Cor. 12.13 By one spirit we are all baptized into one body whether Jew or Gentile 2. Whereas we are all by nature Children of wrath one as well as other Ephes 2.3 By Baptism we are born anew of water and the spirit John 3.5 and so have the power and dignity or priviledge to be called the Children of God by Regeneration as well as by Adoption for John 1.12 To as many as received him to them gave be power to become the Sons of God even as many as believed in his name and professed that belief by being Baptized Gal. 3.26 27. Ye are all the children of God by Faith in Christ Jesus For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ And from hence they may call God Father saying Our Father which art in heaven witness what Christ said to his Disciples John 20.17 I ascend to my Father and your Father and from hence they are brethren to Christ for Heb. 2.11 He is not ashamed to call them Brethren And being thus children and sons of God they are 3. By Baptism made Heirs of his Kingdom
by Christs Redemption and the Spirit 's Sanctification A. Only the Holy Catholick Church that is such as in any age or place are called to Faith and Repentance and do evidence the truth of a lively Faith and true Repentance by constant Obedience to Gods Will revealed in his Word Q. What mean you by a Church A. The Company of the Faithful that is such as are called to Faith and Repentance Catechist Neither can the Pope nor any one particular Person upon Earth be truly called the Church For it is a Company a Body consisting of many members And hence Christ calls it a flock though it be a little flock in comparison of the whole world that lyes in wickedness Luk. 12.32 Fear not little flock for it is your Fathers good pleasure to give you the Kingdom And St. Peter 2 Ep. 2.9 useth these Plural and Collective words calling the Church a chosen generation a Royal Priesthood an Holy nation a peculiar people Caetus Vocatorum It is a Company of called ones such as are called out of the world to forsake its sinful ways and Customs to profess Repentance from dead works and Faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ Of which calling S. Paul saith 2 Tim. 1.9 They are called with an Holy calling Rom. 1.7 Called to be Saints In a word 2 Thes 2.13 They are called as well as chosen to salvation through sanctification of the spirit and belief of the Truth Q. What signifies this word Catholick A. It is a Greek word and is as much as Universal Q. What mean you by believing the Church to be Catholick or Vniversal Q. That Gods Church is not now confined to any one place or people as it was under the Old Testament but all that are called in any Age or Place are now of the Catholick Church being United into one Mystical body Catechist Under the Old Testament Psal 76.1 2. In Judah was God known His name was great in Israel Jerusalem was his Tabernacle and his dwelling place was in Sion Psal 147.19 10. He shewed his word unto Jacob his statutes and his judgments unto Israel He dealt not so with any Other nation neither had the Heathen knowledge of his Law But now under the Gospel or New Testament The partition wall between Jew and Gentile being by Christs Death broken down Both are become one sheepfold under one Shepherd And according to Gods promise to Christ Ps 2.8 The Heathen are given to him for an Inheritance and the utmost parts of the Earth for a possession So that now Act. 10.34 35. God is no Accepter of persons But in every nation He that feareth God and worketh righteousness is accepted with him And hence S. John saith Rev. 7.9 That he in his vision beheld and loe a great multitude which no man could number of all nations and kindreds and people and tongues stood before the throne and before the Lamb clothed with white robes Crying with a loud voice Salvation to our God that sitteth on the throne and to the Lamb for ever Q. Who is the Head of this Mystical Body the Catholick Church A. No man living but Christ only Catechist It is pride and presumption in the Pope to claim this Honour which belongs to Christ alone For Eph. 5.23 He alone is Head of the Church who is the Saviour of the Body Col. 1.18 He is the Head of the Body the Church Who is the beginning the first born from the dead that in all things he might have the preeminence For it pleaseth the Father that in him all fulness should dwell Q. Hath God always had a Church on Earth A. Yes and will have to the end of the world it can never be destroyed utterly Catechist It was Christs promise to his Disciples and in them to his Church All that through them should afterwards believe in his name To be with them alway to the end of the world Matth. 28.20 And he said Matth. 16.18 Vpon this Rock that is the Truth confessed by St. Peter there That he was the Christ the Son of the Living God upon this rock would he build his Church and the Gates of Hell should not prevail against it i. e. quite destroy or root it out of the world Q. Can any one Church as that of Rome call it self the Catholick Church in opposition to other Churches A. No no more than Rome can be called the whole world Catechist Rome is at the best but one Member of the Catholick Church of Christ and can no more properly be called the Catholick Church than either It or any one Particular place can be called the whole World Q. Is Christs Church always visible upon Earth A. That of sincere Christians is invisible That of all Christian professors is visible Catechist The Church Visible is the Light of the world and a City set upon an Hill which cannot be hid Mat. 5.14 It is alway visible at least to them that are of it and profess Christianity But sometimes it may be so persecuted as to flee like the woman into the Wilderness where she hath a place prepared for her for that time of persecution Rev. 12.6 and then it is not so visible as to be glorious and to prosper and flourish in the eyes of the world Q. Why is Christs Church said to be Holy an Holy Church A. Because of its better part sincere Christians in it and because of its Holy Ordinances and Gods commands and our profession of true Holiness Catechist 1 Pet. 2.9 It is an Holy Nation a peculiar people Rev. 21.2 It 's an Holy City the new Jerusalem Not but that there is a mixture of good and bad godly and prophane in the Church for our Saviour compares the Church which he calls the Kingdom of heaven Matth. 13.24 to a field wherein tares grow up with the wheat And ver 47. to a draw-net that incloseth both good fish and bad with divers others of the like Nature But the Church is Holy as for its Holy things so because all its members do or should profess Holiness it is a company or Congregation of men who are called with an holy calling or Vocation 2 Tim. 1.9 For every man that nameth the name of Christ or on whom the name of Christ is called being called Christian is bound to depart from Iniquity 2 Tim. 2.19 Q. But who then are they that are truly Holy A. Such as believe aright and live answerably such as evidence the truth of a lively Faith and Unfeigned Repentance by constant Obedience to Gods Will revealed in his Word Catechist So I have often told you for St. James 2.18 saith Shew me thy Faith by thy works And he there argues it at large that good Works of Obedience are the only things that can evidence a mans Faith to be true and alive and not dead or no better than that Faith of Devils who believe and tremble Q. What duties doth our believing the Holy Catholick Church oblige us all to