VVhat doe you consider in the cretion of man Concerning the Creation of man in speciall An. Three things 1. His Parts 2. His Sexes 3. His Dignity Qu. Concerning the parts of man How many parts be there of man A. Two 1. Body (t) 1. Thes 5.23 And I pray God that your whole spirit soule body may be kept blamelesse 2. Soule (t) 1. Thes 5.23 And I pray God that your whole spirit soule body may be kept blamelesse Qu. VVhereof was the body made An. Of the dust of the ground and therefore mortall (u) Gen. 2.7 The Lord made man of the dust of the ground Qu. VVhat is the Soule An. A spirituall substance therefore immortall (x) Gen. 1.27 And the Lord breathed in his face the breath of life and man was made a liuing soule Qu. VVhy is not the soule mortall An. Because it was not made of any of the Elements it being then free from composition it is also free from decay and perishing Qu. VVhat are the diuers sexes A. Two 1. Male (y) Gen. 1.27 Gen. 2.22 Then God created man in his Image hee created them Male Female 2. Female (y) Gen. 1.27 Gen. 2.22 Then God created man in his Image hee created them Male Female Qu. VVhat are the dignities Concerning the dignities of man in his Creation A. Two 1. To be made after Gods owne Image 2. To haue power and dominion ouer the creatures (z) Gen. 1.26 And God said Let vs make man in out Image according to our likenesse and let them rule ouer the fish of the sea ouer the fowles of the heauen ouer the beasts and ouer the earth and euery thing that creepeth and moueth on the earth Qu. VVhat vnderstand you by the Image of God An. Perfection in knowledge and purity of nature whereby man perfectly knew the will of his Creatour and had power and ability perfectly to performe the same whereby hee had fellowship and communion with God his Creatour sof arre forth as was possible for the creature with the Creator (a) Colo. 3.10 And haue put on the new man which is renewed in knowledge after the Image of him that created him (b) Ephe. 4.24 Put on the new man which after God is created in righteousnesse and true holinesse Qu. VVere all men created in this estate of perfection in knowledge and righteousnesse An. Yes because Adam was not made as a particular priuate person but as a publike person contayning the stocke and roote of all mankind in whose loynes all hÃs posterity was contained (c) Eccles 7.31 Onely this I found that God hath made man righteous Qu. VVhat are the Inuisible creatures An. Concerning the Creatition of the Angels in generall The Angels Qu. Of what did God make the Angells An. Of nothing Qu. VVhat consider you of these Creatures An. Foure things 1. Their Nature 2. Their Knowledge 3. Their Power 4. Their Office Qu. What is their nature An. It is not of any corporall matter but meerely spirituall and incorruptible (d) Heb. 1.14 Are they not all ministering spirits Qu. VVhat is their knowledge An. Threefold 1. Naturall for they be inteligent spirits in a farre higher degree then the spirit of man 2. Experientall Concerning the nature of the Angels 3. By reuelation Qu. What is their power An. It is very great Concerning their power and Office yet it is limited to doe onely what God will (e) 2. Thes 1.7 Mighty Angels Qu. VVhat is their Office An. Twofold 1. To defend protect and deliuer the righteous 2. To destroy the wicked (f) Acts 12.7.8.11.15 The Lord sent his Angel to deliuer Peter out of prison from the hand of Herod (g) 2. Kings 19.35 The Angell of the Lord went out the same night and smote in the Campe of Ashur and Hundreth Fourescore and Fiue Thousand Qu. How many sorts of Angels bee there An. Good and Bad. Qu. How were they created An. They were all made Angels of light Qu. How came some of them to bee bad An. Not by creation but by transgression (h) Iude. 6. The Angels which kept not their first Estate but left their owne habitation hee hath reserued in euerlasting chaines vnder darkenesse vnto the iudgement of the great day Qu. Wherby did God make all things An. By his Word onely (i) Hob. 11.3 By Faith wee vnderstand that the World was made by the Word of God Qu. In what Estate were thâ— rest of the Creatures made and placed An. They were all made good and perfect in their kinde (k) Gen. 1.31 And God saw all that hee made and loe it was very good Qu. What was the end of all the workes that God made An. His owne glory (l) 1 Rom. 11.36 For of him through him and for him are all things to him be all glory Qu. Did all the three persons create An. Yes because all the works of the Trinity that are adextra from without are common to them all so that the Father did create the Sonne did create and the Holy Ghost did create (m) Gen. 1.26 Let vs make man in our Image (n) Heb. 1.2 In these last dayes he hath spoken vnto vs by his Sonne by whom also he made the world (o) Gen. 1.2 The spirit of God or the Holy Ghost moued vpon the waters Hitherto of the Creation Qu. What is prouidence An. Concerning the prouidence and â—â—w far it doth extend A most wise disposing of all things to their proper and appoynted ends Qu. How far doth this prouidence extend it selfe An. First to all thinges both small and great (p) Mat. 10.29 Are not two sparrowes sould for a farthing and not â—ne of them falleth to the ground without the prouidence of your Father Secondly to matters of chance or accident (q) Pruo 16.33 The lot is cast into the lap but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Thirdly vnto actions of euill though not as they are euill (r) Amâ—â— 3. Shall there be euill in a Citie and the Lord hath not done it (Å¿) 1 Kâ—â—â—s 21.25 Now therefore behold the Lord hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these Prophets and the Lord hath appointed euill against thee (t) Gen. 45.8 And Ioseph sayd to his Brethren You sent me not hither but the Lord sent me hither Qu. Is not God then the author of sinne An. Noe for he that is goodnes it selfe cannot bee the author of any thing but of that which is most perfectly good and therefore doeth that well and iustly which the instrument doth ill and vnlawfully Qu. Is it not better to say these things are done by Gods permission then by his prouidence and appointment An. God permits nothing but that he willeth to be done other permission there is none in God Qu. How doth Gods prouidence bring things
And hath by himselfe purged our sinnes (n) 〈◊〉 5.26.27 And gaue himselfe for his Church that hee might sanctifie it and cleanse it by the washing of water through the word that hee might make it vnto himselfe a glorious Church not hauing spot or wrinckle or any such thing but that it should be holy and without blame (o) Col. 1.22 In the body of his flesh through death to make you holy and vnblameable and without fault in his sight that is in Gods sight or before God Qu. What is imputation An. It is the reckoning accepting or pronouncing of al beleeuers perfectly righteous in the righteousnesse of Christ (p) Rom. 4 4. But to him that worketh not but beleeueth in him that iustifieth the vngodly his faith is counted for righteousnesse that is Christ or the righteousnesse of Christ which is the obiect of faith and is counted or reckoned for righteousnesse (q) Rom. 4.11 That righteousnesse might bee imputed to them also Qu. Is a beleeuer made thus perfectly righteous now in his Iustification A. Yes for this righteousnes of Iustification is one indiuiduall act wrought at one and the same time (r) Heb. 9.24 But is entred into very heauen now to appeare in the sight of God for vs (Å¿) Heb. 10.14 for with one offering hath he perfected for euer them that are sanctified (t) 1 Joh. 4.7 As he is so are we in this present world (u) Col. 2.10 And ye are compleate in him Qu. Concerning Sanctificaon the second part of Redemption What is Sanctification An. It is the worke of the Spirit of Christ in a beleeuer whereby the body of sinne is dayly weakened and whereby by they dayly grow like vnto Christ their head by imitation in shewing forth the truth of their faith by good workes (x) 2. Thes 2.13 God hath from the beginning chosen you to saluatioÌ„ through sanctification of the Spirit 1. Pet. 1.2 And therfore called the spirit of sanctification Rom. 1.4 (y) Rom. 8.10 And if Christ bee in you the body is dead because of sinne but the spirit is life for righteousnesse sake (z) Mat. 5.16 Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good workes glorifie your father which is in heauen (a) Jam 2.18 Shew mee thy faith out of thy workes and I will shew thee my faith by my workes Qu. What are the parts of Sanctification An. They are two First Mortification Secondly Quickning (b) Col. 3.5 Mortifie therefore your members which are on the earth (c) Rom. 8.11 But if the Spirit of him that raised vp Iesus from the dead dwell in you he that raised vp Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortall bodies because that his Spirit dwelleth in you Qu. What is Mortification An. A subduing of the power of sin (d) Mica 7.19 The Lord by his spirit will subdue our iniquities and our sinnes Qu. What is Quickning An. A renewing of the beleeuer to newnesse of life (e) Rom. 6.4 Wee are buried with him by baptisme into his death that like as Christ was raised vp from the dead by the glory of the Father so wee also should walke in newnesse of life (f) Rom. 6.5 For if we be grafted with him to the similitude of his death euen so shall we be likewise of his resurrection Qu. Is this sanctification perfected at once in a Christian in this life An. No it is perfected by degrees and neuer fully perfected till the end of this life (g) 2. Cor. 7.1 Seeing then we haue these promises dearely beloued let vs clense our selues from all filthinesse of the flesh and spirit and grow vp vnto full holinesse in the feare of God or perfecting holinesse Qu. Why is not this sanctification perfect in this life An. Because the Lord will haue a Christian liue by faith and not by sence and feeling (h) 2. Cor. 5.7 For we walke by faith and not by sight Qu. What is that other part of Christs priesthood which you called intercession An. Concerning the intercession of Christ. It is that whereby Christ doth continually present before God the vertue of his death sufferings by which the pollution of a beleeuers works are taken away before God (i) 1. Ioh. 2.1 My babes these things write I vnto you that ye sinne not and if any man sinne we haue an aduocate or intercessor with the father Iesus Christ the Iust For the office of intercession and redemption are ioyned together Qu. What is the other part of Christs mediatorship An. His Kingdome whereby all the workes of his Priesthood are made profitable to all the Elect. Qu. What is to bee considered in the Kingdome of Christ vnto the Elect A. Two things 1. The kingdome it selfe 2. The administration of it Qu. What is to bee considered in the Kingdome it selfe Concerning the Kingdome of Christ An. Two things 1. That it is a kingdome of grace 2. That it is a Kingdome of glory (k) Zech. 12.10 And I will poure vpon the house of Dauid and vpon the inhabitants of Ierusalem the spirit of grace (l) Ioh. 17 5.22 And now glorifie me O Father with thine owne selfe or owne glory and The glory that thou gauest me I haue giuen them Qu. What else consider you in this Kingdome An. Two things 1. The greatnesse of it 2. The nature of it Qu. Wherein doth the greatnesse of it consist Concerning the greatnesse of Châ—â—â—â—s Kingdome An. In Two things 1. In the extent which is vniuersall 2. In the power of it which is absolute (m) Psal 1.8 Aske of mee and I will giue thee the heathen for thine inheritance and the ends of the earth for thy possession (n) 〈◊〉 3.7 Which hath the Key of Dauid who openeth no man shutteth shutteth and no man openeth Qu. Of what nature is this Kingdome An. Concerning the nature of it First it is spirituall (o) Ioh. 18.36 My Kingdome is not of this world Secondly it is eternall (p) Dan. 7.27 And the Kingdome and dominion the greatnesse of the Kingdom vnder the whole heauen shall be giuen to the holy people of the most High whose kingdom is an euerlasting kingdome and all powers shall serue and obey him (q) Luk. 1.33 And he shall raigne ouer the house of Iacob for euer and of his kingdome shall be none end Qu. Are all beleeuers partakers of this Priesthood and Kingdome An. Yes they are all made Priests and Kings (r) 1. Pet. 2.9 But yee are a chosen generation aroyall Priesthood (Å¿) Reue. 1.6 And made vs Kings and Priests vnto God euen his Father to him bee glory and dominion for euermore Amen Qu. Wherein doth the administration of this Kingdome consist An. In things and persons Concerning the administration of Christs Kingdome Qu. What be the things An. They be of two
regard of that publike Catechising inioyned by authority that by reading in priuate they may bee the better able to vnderstand the Minister in publike and so shall the Minister profit the people with lesse labour in teaching in regard of often repeating of the same grounds and indeed to speake truly it is the duty of euery Maister or Gouernour of a Family to teach and instruct their owne Family in the grounds of Religion in their owne priuate Houses and not leaue all for the Minister to doe in publike and because all are not able in regard of knowledge to instruct their Families of themselues it is necessary that they get such Catechismes as are printed in which the grounds of Religion are most plainely preoued and set forth And among many other Chatechismes as I conceiue you shall find this to bee one by which you may benefit both your selues and your family especially if you in reading marke and obserue what dependencie one thing hath vpon another But it may be some will obiect and say that this Chatechisine is too large concerning too many things for one thing is necessary to be knowne which is God in Christ and therefore what neede people trouble their heads to know so many things To which I answer That I freely confesse that according to the words of Christ Iohn 17.3 This is life eternall to know thee to bee the very God and whom thou hast sent Iesus Christ the which are the maine things contained in this Chatechisme for to know God aright is to know him in his nature in his Attributes in the Trinity of persons and in his workes And to know Christ aright is to know him in his Person in his Natures and in his Offices And whosoeuer doth not in some measure thus know God and Christ knowes neither God nor Christ but meerely a fantacy of their owne braines Neither could I well tell how to contract those grounds into a shorter volume for sure I am that the gleanings which are left behind are more then the whole Croppe heere gathered together Againe I did so neere as possibly I could make Christ the maine subiect of this Treatise and that those that reade with vnderstanding may plainely see by the drift and scope of the same for all those things which go before the couenant of grace concerning the fall of man his miserie by reason of sinne and the puninshment thereof serues to make man see how miser able he is without Christ. And all those things concerning the law are to serue vnto Christ as the ministery of Iohn Baptist going before to make way for Christ Mat. 3.3 and all the rest following are either concerning the person of Christ the two natures of Christ the offices of Christ or the Kingdome of Christ so that Christ and his Kingdome are the mayne things contained in this Cathechisme Wherefore I desire not to write much in commendation of the same but rather desire that the worke may prayse it selfe wishing that the reader may finde as much benefit in reading as I found in writing howsoeuer I desire that it may bee accepted as a testimony of my loue vnto the truth and the Church and people in which I liue for whose sakes I haue improued that small talent which the Lord hath lent me desiring that it may be to Gods glory and his Churches good which that it may so bee I commend and commit both you and it vnto the blessing of almighty God and rest yours in the Lord I G. ¶ A Table containing the chiefe heads and Principall matters in this Treatise COncerning the Scriptures and the Attributes of them pag. 1. Concerning God pag. 5. Concerning the Attributes of God ibid. Concerning the Trinity of Persons pag. 6. Concerning the Workes of God pag. 9. Concerning the Decree of God in generall ibid. Concerning Predestination in speciall pag 10. Concerning Election with the cause and end thereof ibid. Concerning Reprobation and the end thereof ibid. Concerning the Execution of Gods Decree pag 12. Concerning the Creation in generall ibid. Concerning the Creation of Man in speciall pag. 14 Concerning the parts of Man ibid. Concerning the Dignities of man in his Creation pag. 15. Concerning the Creation of the Angels in generall pag. 16. Concerning the Nature of the Angels pag. 17. Concerning their knowledge ibid. Concerning their Power and Office ibid. Concerning Gods Prouidence how farre it doth extend pag. 19. Concerning the Prouidence of God in the fall of Men and Angels pag. 21. Concerning the Fall of Man pag. 22. Concerning Originall Sinne. ibid. Concerning the guilt and punishment of Sin p. 23. Concerning the Extent thereof vnto vs the posteritie of Adam with the cause pag. 24. Concerning Mans vnability to helpe himselfe out of that Condition pag. 26. Concerning the Restoring of Man and the meanes thereof ibid. Concerning the outward meanes in which God doth reueale the three-fold estate of Man pag. 28. Concerning the Law and couenant of Workes ibid. Concerning the vse of the Law to the Reprobate pag. 30. Concerning the vse of the Law to the Elect. ibid. Concerning the vse of it before calling pag. 31. Concerning the vse thereof to them after calling pag. 34. Concerning the giuing of the Law to Adam in Innocencie with the cause pag. 36. Concerning the giuing of the Law to the Israelites in Mount Sinai ibid. Concerning the Establishing of the Law by Christ. pag. 39. Concerning the manner of the Preaching of the Law pag. 40. Also what Rules are to be obserued for the vnderstanding of the Law pag. 42. Concer the summe of the First and Second Table of the Law pag. 43. Concer the Gospell or Couenant of grace ibid. Concer Christ the substance of the same p. 46. Concer the Person of Christ. ibid. Concer the Office of Christ. pag. 48. Concer the Mediator ship of Christ and the parts thereof ibid. Concer the Priesthood of Christ and the parts thereof pag. 49. Concer our Redemption and the parts therof p. 51. Concer Iustification the first part of Redemption ibid. Concer the parts of Iustification pag. 52. Concer Sanctification the second part of Redemption pag. 54. Concer the parts of Sanctification pag. 55. Concerning the Intercession of Christ. pag. 57. Concerning the Kingdome of Christ ibid. Concer the greatnesse of Christs Kingdome with the Nature of it pag. 59. Concer Faith with the Definition of it ibid. Concer the Spirit with it's diuers workes p. 62. Concer the outward things in the Kingdome of Christ. pag. 63. Concerning the Ministerie of the Word ibid. Concerning the Sacraments in generall ibid. Concerning Baptisme pag. 65. Concer the Lords Supper pag. 67. Concer the censures of the Church pag. 69. Concerning Prayer pag. 73. Concer the Lords Prayer ibid. Concer Fasting with the kinds thereof pag. 84. Concerning the Author of a Fast pag. 85. Concer the causes of a Fast pag. 86. Concer the parts of a Fast ibid. Concer the ends of
a Fast pag. 88. Concer a holy Feast ibid. Concer the exercises for the day pag. 89. Concer the Persons belonging to the Administration of the Kingdome of Christ pag. 90 Concerning the death of the Righteous and the wicked pag. 91. Concerning what is common to both and proper to each ibid. Concerning the last Resurrection pag. 92. Concerning the last Iudgement pag. 93. Concerning the signes going before pag. 95. Conce the end of Christs comming to Iudgement pag. 96. Concer the Glorification of the Saints ibid. Concer Christs deliuering vp his Kingdome to his Father ibid. Concer God being All in All. pag. 97. The Christians Profession Question WHereupon ought Faith and true Religion to bee grounded Answer Vpon the written Word of God contained in the holy Scriptures of the old new Testamen (a) Ephe. 2.20 Concerning the Scriptures and the Attributes of them And are built vpon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Iesus Christ himselfe being the chiefe corner stone Qu. Who is the author of these â—oly Scriptures An. God himselfe (b) Heb. 1.1 Who at sundry times and in diuers manners spake in times past vnto the Fathers by the Prophets Qu. How came these Scriptures first to the Church from God An. By diuine inspiration (c) 2. Tim. 3.16 All Scriptures is giuen by inspiration of God (d) 2. Pet. 1.20 Knowing this first that no pro phecy of the Scripture is of any priuate interpretation for the Prophesie came not in the old time by the will of man but holy men of God spake as they were moued by the holy Ghost Qu. To what end were they giuen An. Perfectly to teach vs what to beleeue to saluation how to liue well (e) 2. Tim. 3.16 All Scripture is profitable for Doctrine for reproofe for correction for instruction in righteousnesse Qu. Of what authority be these holy Scriptures A. Of the highest authority aboue al men or Angels therfore the authority of the Church Councels Fathers is far inferior therunto (f) Gal. 1.8 But though we or an Angell from heauen preach any other Gospell vnto you then that which we haue preached vnto you let him be accursed Qu. What is the reason of this An. First because they are of God Secondly because they only not the Church nor any humane authority do bind the conscience (g) Isa 33.22 For the Lord is our Iudge the Lord is our Lawgiuer the Lord is our King he will saue vs. Qu. Which be those bookes of the holy Scriptures An. the Old and New Testament Qu. Which be those of the Old Teastament An. The Law and the Prophets Q. Which be those of the Law A. The fiue booke of Moses called Genesis Exodus Leuiticus Numbers Deuterono Q. Which be those of the Prophets An. Some are Historicall Some Doctrinall and some Propheticall greater and lesser Histo Ioshua Iudges Ruth 1.2 Samuel 1.2 Kings 1.2 Chron. Ezra Nehemia Hester Doct. Iob. Psalmes Prouerbs Ecclesiastes Canticles Lamentati Propheti greater Isaiah Ieremiah Ezekiel Daniel Lesser Hosea Ioel. Amos. Obadia Ionah Micha Nahum Habakkâ—k Zephania Haggai Zacharia Malachi Qu. What be the Bookes of the new Testament An. Some are Historicall some Doctrinall and some Propheticall Histo of Christ and the Apostles Mathew Marke Luke Iohn Acts. Doct. The Epistles of Paul to the Churches Romans 1.2 Cor. Galathi Ephesia 1.2 Thes The Author to the Hebrewes Doct. Pauls Epistles to particular Persons 1.2 Tim. Titus Philemon The small Epistles writen by seueralmen Iames. 1.2 Peter 1.2.3 Iohn Iude. The Reuelations which is Prophticall Qu. How is it proued that these Scriptures are the word of God An. First by the perfect concord and agreement betweene all the writings notwithstanding the diuersity of persons by whom place where times when and matters whereof they were written Secondly the admirable force and maiesty that is in them (h) Mebr. 4.12 For the word of God is liuely and mighty in operation and sharper then any two edged sword and entreth through euen vnto the diuiding asunder of the soule and the spirit and of the ioynts and the marrow and is a discerner of the thoughts the intens of the heart Thirdly by the Spirits accompanying the same in the minestery thereof Hitherto of the Scriptures Qu. What doe you consider of concerning God An. Foure things 1. His Nature 2. His Attributes 3. The Trinity of persons 4. His workes Qu. What is God Concerning God An. An eternall Essence that hath being of himselfe (i) Exâ— 3.14 And God answered Moses I AM that I AM. Qu. Of how many sorts be his Atributs An. Of two sorts 1. Incommunicable Concerning the Attributes of God 2. Communicable Qu. What be the Attributes of God incommunicable An. Two 1. Simplenes of Nature 2. Infinitenesse Qu. What is that you call simplenesse of Nature An. It is an essenticall property in God whereby euery thing in God is God himselfe (k) 1. Iohn 4.16 God is Loue. Qu. What doe you consider of his infinitnesse An. That is either in greatnesse or eternity Qu. What is his greatnesse An. It is an essentiall property in God whereby he containeth al things and is contained of nothing Qu. What is his infinitenesse in eternity An. It is an essentiall property in God whereby (l) Reue. 1.8 He is the first and the last Qu. What are the Attributes in God which are communicable An. Those which he doth communicate to others Exod. 34.6 as power wisedome mercy and such like Qu. Are these in men or Angels as they are in God An. No in God they bee essentiall in vs by participation in him absolutely perfect 1. Cor. 13.9 in vs imperfect in him without measure in all fulnesse in vs by measure (m) Ioh. 1.16 of his fulnesse we receiue Qu. What is further to be considered of concerning God An. Concerning the Trinity of personâ— Ioh. 14.16 The Trinitie of persons Qu. What is a person in Trinity An. A distinct substance hauing in it the whole Godhead (n) Colos 2.9 In him dwelleth all the fulnesse of the godhead bodily Qu. What is the Father An. The first person in the Trinity who hath of himselfe begotten his son (o) Psal 2.7 Thou art my sonne this day haue I begotten thee Qu. What is the Sonne An. The second person in Trinity eternally begotten of the substance of the Father (p) Iohn 1.18 no man hath seene God at any time the onely begotten sonne which is in the bosom of the Father he hath declared him Qu. What is the holy Ghost An. The third person in Trinity proceeding eternally from the Father and the Son (q) Ioh. 15.26 But when the comforter shal come whom I wil send vnto our fró the Father euen the spirit of truth which proceedeth of the Father Qu. Is euery one of the three persons the eternall God An. Yes the Father is God
(r) Rom. 1.7 Iohn 17.3 Grace and peace be with you from God the Father The Sonne is God (Å¿) Isa 9.6 For vnto vs a child is borne and vnto vs a son is giuen and the gouernment is vpon his shoulder and he shall call his name wonderfull counseller the mighty God (t) Ioh. 1.1 1. Ioh. 5.20 In the beginning was the word the word was God The holy Ghost is God (u) Act. 5.3 then said Peter Ananias why hath Sathan filled thine heart that thou shouldest lie vnto the holy Ghost Thou hast not lyed vnto men but vnto God Qu. How are these three said to bee one An. They are one in beeing and Essence but three persons and substances Qu. Euery one of these being true Gods are there more Gods then one An. No there is but one God onely (x) 1. Cor. 8.5.6 Deut. 6.4 For though there be that are called Gods yet vnto vs there is but one God Qu. What is the reason that these three are but one God An. Because the godhead is communicable to all the persons but the persons are not communicable (y) Ioh. 14.10 Beleeuest thou not that I am in the Father and the Father is in me Qu. What are the personall properties An. In the Father to beget in the Sonne to bee begotten in the holy Ghost to proceed from the Father and the Son (z) Ioh. 1.18 No man hath seene God at any time the onely begotten sonne of the father he hath declared him (a) Ioh. 15.26 but when the comforter the holy Ghost shall come whom I will send vnto you fróthe Father euen the spirit of truth which proceedeth from the Father Hitherto of the Trinity Qu. What doe you consider concerning the workes of God An. Two things 1. The decree of God Concerning the Decree of God in generall 2. The execution of the decree Qu. What is God decree An. It is the most perfect will of God whereby he appointeth all things (b) Ephe. 1.11 In whom also we wre chosen when we were predestinate according to the purpose of him which worketh all things after the counsell of his owne will Qu. What doe you consider of his decree An. Two things 1. That it is generall 2. That it is speciall Qu. What is his generall decree An. It is that which is vniuersall of all things from the beginning of the world vnto the end of the same (c) Act. 15.18 From the beginning of the world God knoweth all his workes Qu. What is his speciall decree An. It is that which is speciall and particular of some things as men and Angels called predestination (d) Rom. 8.30 Whom he predestinated Qu. What is Predestination An. Concerning Predestination in speciall It is the decree of God concerning the eternall estate of men and Angels Qu. What are the parts of Predestination An. Two 1. Election 2. Reprobation Qu. What is Election An. Concerning Election with the cause and end thereof Gods eternall chusing or appoynting of certaine men and Angels to eternall life (e) Ephe. 1.4 He hath chosen vs in him before the foundatió of the world (f) Rom. 9.23 And that hee might declare the riches of his glory vpon the vessels of mercy which he hath appoynted vnto glory Qu. Concerning reprobation and the end thereof What is Reprobation An. Gods eternall appoynting of some men and Angells to destruction (g) Rom. 9.22 What if God would to shew his wrath to make his power knowne suffer with long patience the vessels of wrath appoynted to destruction (h) 1. Pet. 2.8 And a stone to stumble and a rocke of offence euen to them which stumble at the word being disobedient vnto the which thing they were euer ordeined (i) Iude 4. For there are certaine men crept in which were of old ordained to this condemnation Qu. What is the cause of this decree An. The will of God onely (k) Rom. 9.18 Therfore he hath mercy on whom hee will and whom he will he hardeneth Qu. When did this decree beginne An. It was before the foundation of the world was layd therefore eternall (l) Ephe. 1.4 He hath chosen vs in time before the foundation of the world Qu. VVhat is the end of his Election An. The prayse of his glorious grace (m) Ephe. 1.5 6. Who hath predestinated vs in him to the praise of the glory of his grace Qu. VVhat is the end of his reprobation An. The prayse of his glorious Iustice (n) Pro. 16.4 God made all things for his owne glory euen the wicked for the day of wrath Qu. Can this decree be altered An. No but remaineth vnchangeable the same for euer (o) Iames 1.17 Euery good and perfect gift is from aboue and commeth downe from the Father of lights with whom is no variablenes neither shaddow of turning Hitherto of the Decree Qu. Concerning the execution of Gods Decree What is the execution of the decree An. The fulfilling of that which is decreed (p) Ephe. 1.11 Daniel 4.21 Who worketh all things after the counsell of his owne will Qu. What are the parts of execution An. Two 1. Creation 2. Prouidence Qu. Concerning the Creation â—ngenerall VVhat is Creation An. The giuing of the first being forme and quality to euery creature Qu. VVhat are the parts of Creation An. Two 1. The rude Masse of the world wherein all things were confounded one with another 2. The beautifull frame and fashion of the world Qu. VVhereof was this rude Masse made An. Of nothing (q) Heb. 11.3 Through faith we vnderstand that the world was ordained by the word of God so that the things which wee see are not made of things that did appeare Qu. How was it kept and preserued An. By the holy Ghost (r) Gen. 1.2 And the earth was without forme and voyd darkenesse was vpon the deepe and the Spirit of God moued vpon the waters Qu. VVhat doe you consider in the frame and fashion of the world An. Two things 1. The Elemens which are most simple substances 2. The bodies which are compounded of the Elements Qu. What are those Elements An. They are foure First Fire Secondly Ayre Thirdly Earth Fourthly Water Qu. VVhat vnderstand you by the bodies compounded An. The rest of the creatures made of the vneuen mixture of the Elements Qu. How many sorts of creatures be there created An. Two 1. Visible (Å¿) Col. 1.16 For by him were all things made which are in heauen and which are in earth things visible things inuisible 2. Inuisible (Å¿) Col. 1.16 For by him were all things made which are in heauen and which are in earth things visible things inuisible Qu. How many sorts of visible creatures be there An. Two 1. Sensible Sensible man Insensible al the rest of the creatures 2. Insensible Sensible man Insensible al the rest of the creatures Qu.
Angels (q) Heb. 2.16 For he in no sort tooke the nature of Angels but hee tooke the seede of Abraham Qu. What are the outward meanes in which God doth ordinarily reueale and make knowne effectually vnto man this three-fold Estate and condition which we haue before set forth An. The Word of God Qu. Concerning the outward meanes in which God doth reucal the three-fold estate of man What are the parts of the Word of God An. Generally they be two Qu. Which be they An. First the Law called the Couenant of workes Secondly the Gospell commonly called the Couenant of grace or new Testament Qu. Which is that you call the Law or Couenant of workes An. The decalog or Ten Commaundements commonly called the Morall Law Qu. What doth the Law or Couenant of workes require An. Perfectly to keepe and performe all thinges which it requireth both for matter and manner vppon paine of the curse and wrath of God for the least breach of the same either in thought word or deed (r) Gal. 3.10 Cursed is euery one that continueth not in all things which are written in the booke of the Law to doe them Qu. Is any man now able thus perfectly to keepe the Law An. No man is now able perfectly to keep the Law but continually break the same both in thought word and deed (Å¿) 1 Ioh. 1.8 In many thinges wee sinne (t) Gen. 6.5 And all the thoughts and imaginations of mans heart were onely euill continually Qu. Is not God vniust in giuing such a Law to man as hee is no wayes able to keepe An. No because God did giue man power and ability to keepe it in his first Creation and in that hee is not now able to keepe it the fault is from himselfe and God is iust in that hee requireth but his owne (u) Eccle. 7.31 Onely this haue I found that GOD made man righteous but they haue sought many inuentions Qu. Seeing man is not now able to keepe the Law nor cannot bee iustified by it is there then no more vse of the Law An. Yes the Law is still of great vse in the Church of God (x) 1 Tim. 1.7 And wee know that the Law is good if a man vse it lawfully Qu. Of what vse is the Law An. The Law is of great vse both to the reprobate and to the Elect. Qu. Of what vse is the Law to the Reprobate An. Concerning the vse of the Law to the Reprobate First that they may iustifie God in their owne consciences in his pronouncing of the sentence of death and condemnation against them (y) Rom. 2.15.16 VVhich shew the effect of the Law written in their hearts their consciences also bearing witnesse and their thoughts accusing one another at the day when God shall iudge the secrets of men Secondly to bee as a hooke or bridle to keepe in curb or restraine their violent corruptions from breaking forth that so bloud may not touch bloud (z) 1 Tim. 1.9.10 Knowing this that the law is not giuen vnto a righteous man but vnto the lawlesse disobedient to the vngodly and to sinners to the vnholy and to the prophane to murtherers of Fathers and Mothers to man-slayers to whoremongers to buggerers to to lyars to periured Qu. Of what vse is the Law to the Elect An. Concerning the vse of the Law to the Elect. It is two-fold first before their calling Secondly after their calling Qu. Of what vse is the Law to the Elect before their calling An. First to discouer vnto them their lost miserable estate by nature Concerning the vse of it to them before calling by reason of sinne as well as others (a) Rom. 3.19 Now wee know that whatsoeuer the Law faith it sayeth to them that are vnder the Law that euery mouth may bee stopped and all the World guilty before God Secondly to aggrauate their sinnes (b) Rom. 7.11 But sin took occasion by the Commandement (c) Rom. 3.20 For by the law cometh the knowledge of sinne (d) Rom. 7.8 And I had not knowne sinne except the law had sayed thou shalt not lust Thirdly to kill them and slay them that so they may receiue the sentence of death in themselues But sinne that it might appeare sinne working death in mee (e) Rom. 7.13 by that which is good that sin might bee out of measure sinfull by the Commandement (f) Rom. 7.9 I was once aliue without the Law but when the Law came sinne reviued and I dyed Fourthly to bee a Schoole-maister to driue them to Christ (g) Cal. 3.24 Wherfore the Law was our Schoole-maister to bring vs vnto Christ Qu. Hath the Law this power in it selfe to worke these effects An. No the Law in it selfe is a dead letter but the Law is a meanes or an instrument which God vseth his spirit being the efficient accompanying the same working these effects (h) Ioh. 16.8 The spirit shall convince the World of sinne that is the Spirit of GOD without man the Law being the ordinary instrument Qu. Are all the Children of God conuinced alike by the Law of their lost condition An. All those that liue vnder the meanes being capable are convinced alike for quality that is they all see themselues and feele themselues all lost in Adam and borne Children of wrath but not alike in quantity measure or degree as doth appeare by the example of Zacheus and Lydia whom for ought wee finde were nothing so deepely convinced by the law as others of whome we reade as the three thousand that were convinced at Peters Sermon and the Iaylor the like and yet no doubt but they were truly convinced Qu. What may bee the reason of this difference An. I conceiue chiefely because the Lord by his Spirit will not be tyed vnto any ordinary course or meanes But worketh where when and after what maner he will because the Lord will not alwaies haue man to render a reason of all his works (i) Joh. 3.8 The wind bloweth where it listeth Againe it may bee in regard of those secret seeds of grace which God bestoweth vpon his Children euen in their infancie ordinarily in Baptisme Now in some these seedes doe begin to spread forth and to bee expressed euen in their very child-hood so that they begin to haue some measure of apprehending of Gods free grace bestowed vpon them in their Baptisme before they goe on in a customed course of sinne but contrariwise the seed of grace which many receaued in their Baptisme lyeth hid a long time before it breake forth and manifest it selfe and they goe on a long time in a customed course of sinning by reason whereof when they come to bee convinced they are ordinarily stroken with amore deeper apprehension of their misery by reason of sinne questioning whether God euer did or euer will bestow any mercy vppon such miserable sinners as they are Qu. Of what vse
Holy Ghost Qu. What consider you of his Manhood An. (o) Heb. 2.6 That the diuine nature took to himselfe a reasonable soule and bodie Qu. Was there no change of these two natures one into another nor any mixture of them An. There was no change of the natures themselues nor of their essentiall properties but these two natures were vnited in one person yet distinguished in substance and properties actions Qu. Why must Christ be man An. First because hee might bee fit to die Secondly because by man the sinne was committed and therfore by man the recompence must be made the Iustice of God so requiring Qu. Why must Christ be God An. That he might bee able to ouercome the in finite sufferings which he suffered for man Qu. When were these two natures vnited An. From the first moment of Christs conception in the wombe of the Virgin Marie Qu. What is the vse of the coniunction of these two natures An. That the Manhood of our Sauiour Christ being personally vnited to the Godhead the obedience of Christ might be of in finite merit as being the obedience of God So much of the Person of Christ Qu. What is his Office An. Mediatour Qu. What Name is giuen vnto him in regard of his Office An. Christ Qu. What doth this Name signifie An. Annointed Qu. How many Mediatours bee there An. Onely one Christ Iesus (p) 1 Tim. 2.5 There is one Mediatour between God and man which is the Man Christ Iesus Qu. Why must Christ alone be Mediatour An. Because Christ alone did partake both of the nature of God man which is of absolute necessity for him that should be a Mediatour betweene both Qu. What be the parts of his Mediatourship An. Two 1. His Priesthood 2. His Kingdome Qu. What be the workes of his Priesthood An. Two 1. Teaching 2. Meriting Qu. How did Christ teach the will of his Father An. First by himselfe in his owne personall ministery (q) Mat. 7.19 For he taught them as one hauing authority and not as the Scribes Secondly by his seruants both before and after him (r) 1. Pet. 3.16 By the which hee also went and preached vnto the spirits that are in prison (Å¿) Luk. 10.16 He that heareth you heareth me Qu. What is the other worke of his Priesthood An. The meriting of the redemption of the Elect (t) Heb. 9.11.12 But Christ being become an high Priest of good things to come botained eternall redemption Qu. How did Christ performe this redemption An. First by the actions hee did in his humiliation Secondly by the actions hee did in his exaltation Qu. What are the actions he did in his humiliation An. They are two 1. Sufferings 2. Fulfilling Qu. What was his sufferings An. That in body and soule he suffered the vttermost of Gods wrath which was due vnto man for sinne as it is largely set forth in the 26. of Mathew from the first verse to the end of the chapter (u) Isa 5.3.5 But hee was wounded for our transgressions he was broken for our iniquities Qu. What doe you vnderstand by fulfilling An. That Christ perfectly kept the whole Law of all the Elect (x) Mat. 3.15 Then Iesus answered and sayd vnto him suffer it now for thus it behoueth mee to fulfill and righteousnesse Qu. What are the actions he did in his exaltation An. They were three 1. His resurrectioÌ„ 2. His Ascention 3. His sitting at Gods right hand (y) Rom. 1.4 And declared mightily to be the Sonne of God by the resurrection from the dead Who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods Elect seeing Christ is dead or rather is risen againe for our Iustification Rom. 8.34 and ascended into heauen and sitteth at the right hand of God his Father Qu. What fruit and benefit haue the Elect by these workes of his Priesthood An. They are specially Two 1. Redemption 2. Intercession Qu. What is Redemption An. To bee deliuered from vnder the Kingdome of sinne and Sathan Concerning our Redemtion and the parts thereof to bee restored into the Kingdome of Christ (a) Col. 1.13 Who hath deliuered vs from the power of darkenesse and hath translated vs into the Kingdome of his deare Sonne Qu. What are the parts of Redemption An. They are chiefly two 1. Iustification 2. Sanctification (b) Tit. 2.14 Who gaue himselfe for vs that he might redeeme vs from all iniquity and purge vs or make vs pure to bee a peculiar people vnto himselfe zealous of good workes Qu. What is Iustification An. Concerning Iustification the first part of Redemption To bee made cleane or cleared from all sinne guilt and punishment before God and to be made and presented perfectly righteous before God in and through the righteousnesse of Christ (c) Act. 13.38.39 Be it knowne vnto you therefore men and bretheren that through this man is preached vnto you the forgiuenesse of sinnes and from all things from which yee could not bee iustified by the Law of Moses euery one that beleeueth is iustified (d) Rom. 8.24 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods Elect seeing it is Christ that dyed for our sinnes or rather which is riser againe for our IustificatioÌ„ By the death and resurrection of Christ the Elect are so iustified that nothing can bee layed to their charge and they who can haue no fault layed to their charge are freed from guilt punishment for faultlesse persons are neither guilty nor punishable (e) 2. Cor. 5.21 And hee hath made him sinne for vs which knew no sinne that we should bee made the righteousnesse of God in him (f) Col. 1.28 And that wee may present euery man perfect in Christ Iesus that is before God in that righteousnesse of Christ they are presented perfect Qu. What are the parts of Iustification Concerning the parts of IustificatioÌ„ A. They are two 1. Remission of sinnes 2. Imputation of righteousnesse Act. 10.13 (g) Heb. 10.17.18 Col. 2.13 Their sinnes and iniquities will I remember no more now where remission of these things are there is no more offering for sinne that is where remission of these sinnes are (h) Rom. 4.23.24 Now it is not written for him onely that it was imputed to him for righteousnes but also for vs to whom it shall be imputed for righteousnesse Qu. What is Remission An. The vtter abolishing of all sin by the blood death 1. Iohn 3.5 and sufferings of Christ from before God for euer (i) Heb. 9.20.28 But now in the end of the world hath hee appeared once to put away take or abolish away sinnes by the sacrifice of himselfe so Christ was once offered to take away the sinnes of many (k) 1. Ioh. 1.7 And the blood of Iesus Christ his sonne clenseth vs from all sinne (l) Reâ—e 1.5 And washed vs from our sins in his bloud (m) Heb. 1.3
sorts First inward Secondly outward Qu. What be the inward An. The spirit peace ioy righteousnesse faith (t) Rom. 14.17 For the Kingdome of God is not meate nor drinke but righteousnesse and peace and ioy in the holy Ghost Concerning Faith with the definition of it Qu. What is Faith An. A receiuing or an applying of Christ and al his benefits vnto my selfe in particular that hee is mine and I am him (u) Iohn 1.12 But as many as receiued him to them he gaue power to bee the sonnes of God euen to them that beleeue in his name (x) Ioh. 20.28 Then Thomas answered said vnto him Thou art my Lord and my God (y) Cant. 2.16 My beloued is mine I am his Qu. What consider you in Faith An. First it is not of our selues (z) Mat. 16.17 And Iesus answered and sayd to him Blessed art thou Simon the sonne of Ionas for flesh and blood hath not reuealed it vnto thee but my Father which is in heauen (a) Ephe. 2.8 For by grace are ye saued through faith and that not of your selues it is the gift of God Secondly that it is not in all but in the Elect (b) 2. Thes 3. For all men haue not faith (c) Act. 13.48 And as many as were ordeined vnto eternall life beleeued Thirdly that it is manifested to menward by the fruits thereof which are good workes (d) Iam. 2.18.20 And I will shew thee my faith by my workes But wilt thou vnderstand O thou vaine man that the faith which is without workes is dead Forthly that it is common to all the faithfull and yet in a different measure (e) 2. Pet. 1.1 Simon Peter a seruant and an Apostle of Iesus Christ to you which haue obtained the like precious faith with vs. (f) 1. Cor. 12.11 And all these things worketh euen the selfesame spirit distributing to euery man seuerally as he will Fiftly that it is not here perfect in any but increaseth and groweth dayly (g) Rom. 1.17 For by it the righteousnesse of God is reuealed from faith to faith Sixtly that the least measure of faith receiueth Christ for saluation (h) Mat. 17.20 For verily I say vnto you if yee haue faith as much as is a graine of mustard seede ye shall say vnto this mountaine Remoue hence to yonder place and it shall remoue and nothing shall be vnpossible vnto you Seuenthly that it can neuer bee vtterly lost in any where it is wrought in truth (i) Rom. 11.29 For the gifts and callings of God are withont repentance Qu. What doe you vnderstand by the spirit you sayd was in the Kingdome An. That power of God which worketh in the hearts of men those things which by nature they cannot attaine vnto Concerning the Spirit with its diuers workes Qu. What are the diuers workings of the Spirit in the Church or Kingdome of Christ An. It is first in things common to the Elect and reprobate Secondly in things proper to the Elect. Qu. What is common to both An. Illumination knowledge gifts of preaching praying hearing with ioy and doing of many things (k) Mat. 7.22 Many will say to mee in that day Lord Lord haue we not by the name prophecied and cast out Diuells and done many great workes (l) Mat. 13.20 And hee that receiued the seede in the stony ground is hee which heareth the word with ioy receiueth it Qu. What is the worke of the Spirit proper to the Elect An. To worke a particular Iustifying faith and sanctification of the spirit Qu. What bee those outward things which you sayd were in the Kingdome of Christ An. Concerning the outward things in the Kingdome of Christ First such ordinances as God hath giuen his Church Secondly such as the Church giueth vnto God for seruice according to his word Qu. What bee those ordinances which God hath giuen vnto his Church An. They are three 1. The Ministery of the word 2. The Sacraments 3. The Censures of the Church Qu. What is the Ministery of the word An. Concerning the ministeriâ— of the Word It is an ordinance of God in the Church which he hath appoynted for the opening and applying of the scriptures thereby to call men to a sight of their lost miserable estate by nature and to call them to the knowledge of saluation by Iesus Christ Qu. What is a Sacrament A. It is a work of the whole Church Concerning the Sacraments in generall wherin by outward things done according to Gods appoyntment inward things are offered to all and exhibited onely to the faithfull to strengthen their faith in the eternall couenant Q. What do you consider in a Sacrament A. First some things that are outward Secondly some things that are inward Qu. What are the outward things in a Sacrament An. First the persons that doe administer and receiue Secondly that which they doe minister and receiue Qu. What be the persons An. The Minister and the persons that doe receiue Qu. What belongs to the Minister An. Chiefely to consecrate and deliuer the outward Elements Qu. Wherein stands that consecration A. First in the declaring opening the ministration of the Sacrament Secondly in prayer thanksgiuing to God the Church ioyning with him Q. Is not the nature and substance of the Elements changed by this consecration An. There is no change of the substance of the Elements for then there were no Sacrament Qu. Is there no difference then betweene these Elements and others of that kind in common vse An. None at all in substance but onely in their vse during the time of the present action Qu. Why then are the outward Elements called by the name of the thing signified as the Bread the body of Christ the Wine the blood of Christ An. First (m) 1 Cor. 10.16 To shew the vnseparable coniunction of the thing signified with the outward signe to the worthy receiuer Secondly the more fully to assure the worthy receiuer that hee doth as verily receiue the thing signified as he doth the outward signes Qu. How many Sacraments be there An. Onely two Qu. Why were there no more ordained An. Because by these two the faith of the beleeuer is sufficiently strengthned in the assurances of the free grace and fauour of God heere and eternall glory for euer heereafter Qu. Which is the first Sacrament An. Baptisme Qu. What is Baptisme An. It is a Sacrament of the new Testament whereby all that are baptised are entred and made members of the outward visible Church and all the Elect ordinarily are entred into and made members of the inuisible Church the mysticall body Qu. What is the outward signe in the Sacrament of Baptisme An. Water Qu. What doth that signifie An. Washing Qu. What agreement is there betweene the signe and the thing signified An. As water washeth away all the filth of the body so doth the blood of Christ