Eph. 5.14 17. That we being filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisedome and spirituall vnderstanding may walke worthie of the Lord and please him in all things beeing fruitful in all good works Col. 1.9 10. And that this knowledge faith and fruitfulnesse in all good workes may abound in vs as the elect deer childrē of God let vs diligētly read the book of god cōtinually meditate on the same for the Prophet saith Blessed is the man that doth not walke in the counsell of the wicked nor stand in the way of sinners nor sit in the seate of the scorneful but his delight is in the Lawe of the Lord and in his Lawe doth he meditate day night for he shall be like a tree planted by the riuers of waters that wil bring foorth her fruite in due season whose leafe shall not fade so whatsoeuer he shall do shall prosper Psal 1.1.2 3. Now for the common benefit and better instruction of Gods people and thy selfe christian reader J haue caused this little and short treatise of christian points of religion to be printed and published and although it bee but small in volume yet I doubt not but if it be well read and printed in minde it shall minister great good to further thy knowledge to confirm thy faith and to increase true holines in thee And this I dare promise thee that there are some things handled in this Catechisme both in matter and manner which other Catechismes dooth not as once meddle and intreate of and other things which are intreated of some in their bookes haue J drawne in a briefe method for the benifit of the reader And whereas many things are yet in doubt among the multitude and great controuersies doo rise by them I haue breefely yet soundly opened the trueth of them finally there is not that point which I haue intreated of but I haue first defined the same and haue set downe the definitions of all the hardest words which are commonly vsed by the preachers of the word and in the large and great volumes of the learned that the simple who is altogether ignorant of the true sense of them may vnderstand not onely the Preacher and bookes which they both heare and read but also the verie words as iustification sanctification grace redemption law and such like Therefore seeing my purpose is onely to doo good vnto Gods Church and my paine great herein yet godly I hope all faithfull people will accept the same and both praise God for this litle worke and pray vnto God for mee to increase his good gifts and graces in my soule vnto my liues end Amen Thus I take my leaue from my house at Kingswood the second of September Thine in the Lord Richard Saintbarb Preacher of Gods word Certaine points of Christian Religion Question INto what faith wert thou baptised Answere Into the faith of the holie Trinitie Matth. 28.19 Question What doost thou meane when thou saiest thou art baptised into the faith of the holie Trinitie Answere It is to enter and consecrate the baptised into the faith and religion of one God First that they might beleeue the Father the Sonne and the Holie ghost to bee one God to whom alone they must giue their faith and confidence Psal 37.5 Iere. 17.5 6 7 8. Iohn 14.1 Secondly that they beleeue that the sonne and the holie ghost are nothing els but the verie essence of God 1. Iohn 5.7 Thirdly that they confesse God the Father who hath adopted them God the sonne by whome they are redeemed and God the holie Ghost by whome they are sanctified confirmed Gala. 4.4 5 6. 1. Corinthians 6.10 11. Question Where shall wee finde the summe of this faith of the holie Trinitie Answere First generallie at large in the holie Scriptures which is called the Booke of God Secondly particularlie and briefely in the Articles of the Faith called the Apostles Creede Question Why is it so called Answere For two apt causes First Because it is a briefe collection of the Articles of the Faith which haue been alwaies in Christs Church Secondly because it was taken out of the pure doctrine of the Apostles Question Why must euerie christian say I beleeue not We beleeue as well as they generally do say Our Father which art c. Answere First because euerie Christian must be saued by his owne faith and not by an others Secondly wheras we say Our Father we must note that it is a prayer and the other the beleefe of euerie Christian and therefore a plaine and great difference Haba 2.4 Ga. 3.11 Heb. 10.38 39. Question Why must we beleeue that there is a Church not in the Church as in God the Father c Answere It were great idolatrie to put our trust in meere man for Faith onely belongeth to the holy Trinitie and although Iesus Christ who is saluation it selfe is no where to be found but in the Church yet Saluation is not of the Church and therefore Ieremie accurseth them that put anie confidence in the flesh of sinfull man Iohn 17.1 2 3. Matth. 28.19 Ierem. 17.5 6. Esay 30.1 2 3 4. and 31.1 2 3 4. Question Into how manie points shall we diuide this confession of our faith Answere Into 3. The first concerning God the Father in the first Article The second concerning God the Sonne in the sixe next Articles The third concerning God the holy Ghost in the fiue last Articles Question How manie things learn you in the first article I beleeue in God the father Almightie c. Answere First what God is Secondly how he created all things Thirdly how he preserueth all his workes Fourthlie how he ruleth and gouerneth all things Question What is God Answere God is a spirite infinite euerlasting vnchaungeable incorruptible immortall most simple in nature in power most mightie incomprehensible both in greatnesse and Maiestie by whom all things were made in the beginning of nothing also distinguished into thrée persons the Father the Sonne and the holie Ghost Iohn 4.24 Esay 66.1 2. Esay 40.28 Mal. 3.6 Iam. 1.17 Rom. 1.23 2. Tim. 1.17 Gen. 17.1 Rom. 11.33 34 35 36. Ier. 10.10 11 12 13. Matth. 28.19 Reuel 15.3 4. Question What is God the Father Answere Hee is the beginning and Authour of euerie thing both in heauen and in earth Who when it séemed good vnto his diuine Nature created all things of nothing in heauen and in earth both spirituall and corporall and ordered them by his eternall Sonne the which are now gouerned and mainteined by the infinite and consubstantiall power of the Holie Ghost proceeding from them both from all eternitie Gen. 1.1 2 c. Gene. 2.1 Prouerb 8.14 to the end Psalme 114.30 Gene. 1.2 Iohn 15.26 Roman 8.9 Question What is the Sonne Answere The Sonne of God is Iesus Christ who was begotten of his Father before all worlds and of his Father without a mother by whom all things were created who being appointed of
hee saieth that they are subdued vnder hope namelie of restoration to that excellent estate that they had by creation Question Proceede to your second place of proofe Answere Whome the Heauens must conteine vntill the time that all things bee restored which God had spoke by the mouth of all the holy Prophets since the world began Actes 3.21 Question What gather you by these words Answere That al things shal be restored to an excellent perfection and therfore S. Peter calleth the day of Iudgement the day of restoring of al things which could not be attributed vnto that day vnlesse that there should be a restoration of them Question To what end or what vses shall they serue after the day of Iudgement Answere That is a wicked curiositie to search after those things which God hath not reuealed vnto vs let vs therefore say with Moses The secret things belong vnto the Lord our GOD and the things reuealed vnto vs and our children for euer that we may doo all the words of this Lawe Deu. 29.29 and so auoide likewise such vaine questions as these whether they shall be perpetuall or not perpetuall for vses or not for vses for they breed but strife and meere babling 1. Tim. 1.4 5 6 7. Titus 3.9 Question What is the vse of this point Answere First how all things were created of God most perfect and good at the first and he therfore holy and iust in his works Psalm 145.10 11. Deut. 32.4 Secondly how our sinne was the ruine and confusion of the perfection and excellencie of the creatures in their first creation so that hereby we may see how horrible and filthie a thing sinne is and therefore so much the more to hate the same Gene. 4.11 12. Ephe. 2.2 3. Col. 3.1 2 3 4. Thirdly the iustice of GOD in punishing sin and therfore we ought to kil and flie from the same as the only enemy of our health and saluation Psal 5.4 5 6. Co. 3.5 6. Ro. 6.23 Fourthly how all things in Christ shall bee restored to health and the former excellencie but man to a greater excellencie and more perfect happines than at the first Rom. 8.14 to 26. Question As wee haue hetherto intreated generallie of the creation of the world with all things therein so now more particularlie let vs come to the making and creating of man the which is the second point and tell me what order thou wilt keepe herein Answere First who made man Secondly whereof he consisteth Thirdly of his excellencie in his first creation Fourthly of his fall Fiftly how wee come to the knowledge thereof and our sinnes Sixtly of the vses of the lawe and good workes Question Who made man Answere God Question What things may we consider in God in the creation of man Answere First his wisdome Psalm 104.24 Secondly his power Thirdly his goodnes Psalm 8. Question Let vs come to the second thing What is man and whereof dooth he consist Answere Man is an excellent and reasonable creature created after the image of God his creator consisting of two partes Gene. 1.26 27. First a soule Gene. 2.7 Second a bodie Eccle. 12.7 Question What is the bodie Answere A wonderfull Creature of the workemanship of God framed out of the dust of the earth and of a notable proportion in euerie parte made vpright to looke vpward alwaies to God his maker Gene. 3.19 Question Although the bodie bee of the dust of the earth is it not yet more excellent than all other creatures that were made of the earth Answere Yes verelie and that first in respect of the time of his creation Secondly of the forme of his creation Thirdly of the end of his creation Fourthly of the person of the Sonne Question 1 How in the time of his creation Answere When the Lorde made man hee first tooke counsell of his wisdome and power and deliberated on the matter but when he made all other creatures before hee made man hee saide let it be done and it was done presentlie not taking such deliberation on their Creation although his wisdome power and glorie may bée seene in them Gen. 1.26 Roma 1.20 21. and 11.36 Question 2 How informe of his creation Answere God made all other creatures to go groueling on the earth and to looke downeward but he made man a streight bodie to go vpright and alway to looke vp into Heauen and so to consider of his Creator also he hath planted a certaine Maiestie in the face of man to the terror of all other creatures Gene. 1.28 29. Question 3 How in the end of his creation Answere First in glorifying GOD in holy words and also in good workes Ephesians 4.29 30. Matth. 5.16 Secondly in respect of the redemption of the bodie thorough Christ to be the childe of God and heire of eternall life and saluation Ro. 18.7 Thirdly to bee the temple of the holy Ghost 1. Cor. 3.16 and 6.19 Question 4. How in the person of the Sonne Answere In that Christ the sonne of God hath onely communicated with man in taking to himselfe mans nature Heb. 2.16 Rom. 1.3 Question What hath man to consider in that his body is made of the earth and aduanced to such glorie Answere First it beateth downe all pride Iere. 22.29 Secondly his brittlenes is shewed therin Isay 40.6 7 8. Iob. 14.1 2. Thirdly it teacheth man to consider his excellencie in Christ and not to defile in sinne and vncleanenes of life his bodie 1. Cor. 6.15 to the end 2. Cor. 6.14 to the end Question What is the soule Answere It is an immortall and spirituall substance created of GOD and infused into the bodie which quickneth and giueth life thereunto and of it selfe neuer dieth Eccle. 12.7 Iob. 10.12 Matth. 10.28 Reue. 6.9 10 11. Question What are the powers of the soule Answere Principallie two First reason Esay 29.9 1. Thes 5.23 Secondly will Heb. 4.12 Question Are they perfect in vs Answere No but most imperfect Gen. 6.5 Ier. 17.9 Matth. 15.19 20. Rom. 8.7 1. Cor. 2.24 Question Were they so created in vs Answere No but we got corruption by the fall of our first parents Adam and Eue. Gen. 3.1 2 3 4 5 6 7. 2. Cor. 11.3 Question Thou saiest that the soule is a spirituall substance but there are some that doo affirme it is but a motion other some to bee a vanishing breath Answere The Scripture teacheth the contrarie for First God is called the father of the spirits Heb. 12.9 Secondly Christ is called the pastour of soules 1. Pet. 2.25 Now if these sentences shal be applied to motions and a vanishing breath thereby to make God a Father and Christ a Pastour of a thing of naught it were most wicked and absurde Thirdly the soule is subiect to torments and capable of ioy in this world and in the life to come which things cannot be applied to motions and a vanishing breath Luk. 16.24 25. Fourthly it shoulde than followe so many motions and breathes seeing
they haue no being so many soules Question In the definition it is said that it neuer dieth but alwaies liueth and is immortall but there are some that affirme that it sleepeth other some that it dieth with the bodie Answere That it neither sleepeth nor yet dieth but that it alwaies liueth and is immortall and that either it goeth vnto blisse or miserie presentlie after the seperation of the body proued Eccl. 12.7 Mat. 22.31 Luk. 16.24 25. Reu. 6.9 10 11. Question Also it is said in the definition that it is created of God and by him infused into the bodie but there are some that hold that the soule begetteth the soule Answere First these testimonies of holy Scripture do sufficiently prooue that they are created of God and powred by him into the bodie Eccles 22.7 Psal 33.15 Iob. 10.9 10 11 12. Secondly it is against the nature of a being to be deuided and parted Thirdly to say that a soule hath seed generation is a hard and strange kind of diuinity Question The Apostle Paule diuideth man into three parts the spirit the soule and the bodie so that hee seemeth to make the spirit one thing and the soule another how is it then that you diuide man into two partes the soule and bodie 1. Thes 5.23 Answere The Apostle diuideth the soule into two partes the first is reason and vnderstanding which he calleth the spirit the second is wil and affection which he calleth the soule so that the spirit is not a seuerall substance but the soule spirit are one euen as the bodie and flesh are one Question Now let vs come vnto the third point as thou hast shewed that God made man so tel me did he make him perfect and free from all sinne Answere Yea for it is said that God did make him in the image of God Gene. 1.27 Eccles 7.31 Question In that Moses bringeth foorth God speaking after this manner let vs make man in our image did he speak vnto Angels or the earth Answere No verely neither to the one nor to the other for First what fit counseller is the earth which is a dead Element Secondly to ascribe such a notable worke as the creation of man or the least part therof vnto Angels is blasphemie against God Thirdly it is not said that man was created after the image of earth or Angels but in the image of God Question What is the true meaning of the words Answere God in that place speaketh vnto his wisdome and power shewing thereby what a notable creature man should bee also it is a notable place to proue the Trinitie of the persons Question Doth Moses make any difference betweene Image and likenes in that hee rehearseth them both Answere No verely for by it Moses repeateth one thing with many words to make the same more plaine and driue the same more deeply into our hearts Also in the 27. verse he nameth only the word Image finally in the fift chapter the word similitude he onely vseth and maketh no mention of the word Image Question Was that the image of God in respect of mans fourme or substance either in soule or bodie Answere No for God hath no such forme nor substance for he is neither flesh blood nor bone and although a spiritual essence yet infinite vncreated and incomprehensible 1. Reg. 8.27 Iob. 11.7 8. and 26.6 to the ende Esay 40.12 13. Rom. 11.33 Question Yea but the Scriptures doo attribute head eyes eares mouth armes and such like thinges vnto God Psalme 34.15 16. Luke 1.51 Answere It is true but these things are spoken for our weaknes not that God hath such things as are attributed vnto him but by these things God dooth teach vs and instruct vs further in his holie and vnsearchable mysteries and because we are too earthlie minded therefore hee by these things doth lift vs vp to more excellent things otherwise God is a spirite inuisible infinit and incomprehensible Question Also the Scriptures doo say that he breathed into him the breath of life and so made of him a liuing soule This breath was of the substance of God so the soule is a part of God and therefore his image Answere It is blasphemie so to affirme for the soule was created of God as the words maketh manifest if it had been part of the Creator then it could not haue been created and what is this but to make God subiect to errors sinne blasphemies afflictions and terrors yea hell it selfe and the diuell for the soule of man hath been subiect to these things euer since the fall of Adam Eua. Gen. 6.5 Ier. 17.9 1. Sam. 15.29 Eph. 2.2 3. Question Is it said that man was created in the image of God because Christ should come who is the image of God Answere No for Moses speaketh of the present time when God made man Again what is this but to say that man is an image of his image and also that Christ should be an image of himselfe and of the holie spirite which thing is absurd a lying doctrine of diuels Gen. 1.26 27. Question How vnderstand you these words of the Apostle in Coloss 1.15 Who is the image of the inuisible God the first borne of euerie creature Answere Those words doo nothing belong to the prouing of the former absurdities but the Apostle telleth vs that God sheweth himselfe to be séene in his sonne Christ not in that he had flesh head armes eies c. but in his mercie wisedome goodnes and righteousnes for otherwise God in his naked Maiestie is inuisible incomprehensible and by these words is proued against Arms the coessence and consubstantialitie of the Sonne with the Father Question There are some that holde that the image of God was in man in respect of rule ouer the creatures Answere Their iudgement is not right for although the image of God did shine in some part yet this is not Moses meaning when he saith that man was created in the image of God if it were Adam should be created vnto one image and we restored into another Question There are others that doo affirme that the image of God is in the soule in respect of the immortalitie but as for true righteousnes holinesse wisedome c. they are but the properties of God and not his image and therefore man is not said to be the image of GOD herein Answere They herein are greatly deceiued for First if it be onely the immortalitie of the soule then Adam hath lost the same for he by his Apostacie lost the image of God Secondly if it be the onely image of God wherein Adam was created then is it not the same image wherein all true Christians are nowe created as the Apostle sheweth which is true righteousnesse and holinesse a thing too too absurd Eph. 4.24 Thirdly by this it should folow that God hath 2. images which wer great blasphemy Fourthly herein the lie is giuen to the holie Ghost for he plainly
and power of the word of God 2. Cor. 4.3.4 Secondly the necessitie of the word for where Prophesie wanteth there the people perish Pro. 29.18 Hosea 4.6 Thirdly the happines of them that haue the worde preached for saluation is both brought and offered vnto them Titu 2.11 2. Cor. 6.1 2. Fourthly as there must needes bee blindnes ignorance infidelitie and al corruption both of religion and manners so the miserie of them that haue not the word preached is here set downe Iere. 88. Rom. 1.21 c. Question Let vs come to Sacraments and tell mee what is a Sacrament Answere A Sacrament is a visible and earthly signe representing inuisible supernaturall graces not to bee seene by the carnall and outward eye of man but with the eye of faith Also a Seale to confirme our faith in the couenant of grace and finallie a badge and marke of Christianitie Gene. 17.11 Rom. 4.11 Marke 1.4 8. Gala. 3.27 Question How many Sacraments are there Answere Not seuen as the Papists haue dreamed but two that is Baptisme and the Lordes supper 1. cor 10.16 21. Question Who is the author of these two sacraments Answere Almightie God ordeined Baptisme frō heauen and Iesus Christ the holy Supper vppon earth Ioh. 1.32 33. Matth. 26.26 27 28. Question Hath man power to make sacraments Answere No For first they are part of Gods seruice Matt. 28.19 20. Secondly they witnesse the goodnesse of God vnto vs. Matth. 26.26 27 28. Thirdly they are seales to confirme our faith in the couenant of God in Christ Roman 4 11. Fourthly the word of saluation and reconciliation must go with the signes or els they are no sacraments Question What thinke you of them that take vppon them to make Sacraments Answere Their folly and presumption is great and herein they blaspheme God as though he knew not what was ncessarie for his Church without their rashnes and diuellish pride Besides neither Moses Salomon nor Paule euer durst to doo the same in any of Gods seruices Exo. 35 36 37 38. c. and 25.4 1. Reg. 6 7 8. 1. Cor. 11. Act. 7.44 Question What is Baptisme Answere It is a sacrament ordeined of God of publique washing with water once in the name of the Father the Sonne and the Holy ghost signifying thereby our remission of sinnes mortification and sanctification in the death and resurrection of Christ Iohn 1.33 Math. 28.19 Mark 1.4 8. Rom. 6.4 5 6. Question How many things haue we to consider of in this Sacrament Answere First the institution of God Ioh. 1.33 Secōdly the external thing water mar 1.8 Thirdly the promise to wit remission of sinnes in Christ Mark 1.4 Fourthly faith in the promised séed which is Christ Marke 16.16 Question What doo you gather by Baptisme Answere First that I am a vile sinner and the child of wrath by nature Psal 51.5 Gene. 6.5 Secondly a profession of my faith in the holie Trinitie and of my saluation and remission of sinnes in the bloud of Christ Mat. 28.19 Acts. 2.38 Thirdly the promise that God made to mee to bee my God and that I made vnto GOD to denie the world mortefie the olde man resist sathan and to delight in true righteousnes and holines as it becommeth his obedient child who is renewed Acts. 2.38 39. Fourthly it is the seale of righteousnes and saluation vnto me through the mercies of God in Christ Iesus Rom. 4.11 Fiftly the benefits which God offreth vnto mee by Baptisme as the instrument by which I am ingrafted into Christs bodie 1. Cor. 12. Gal. 3.27 Question What is the olde man Answere Al the corruption of our defiled nature which we got by the Apostacie of our first parents Adam and Eue and all the custome of sinning according to the conuersation of olde Ephe. 4.22 Question What is Apostacie Answere It is an vtter and whole intire falling away from the estate and perfection wherein we were first created or now from the faith of Christ Question What is mortification Answere A continuall killing and subduing of the olde man Col. 3.5 Gal. 5.27 Question What is renewing or regeneration Answere A begetting or newe birth in Christ which is called the new man Ephe. 4.23 Question What is the new man Answere A renewing in the spirit by the Holie ghost into true righteousnes and holinesse Eph. 4.24 Question What are the benefites receiued Answere First remission of sinnes Acts. 2.38 Secondly the power of sinne killed in me Rom. 6.3 4 c. Thirdly the Holy ghost giuen vnto mee Rom. 8.9 Tit 3.5 Fourthly Faith confirmed in me Rom. 4.11 Acts. 8.37 38. Question Can the outward signe that is water giue the inuisible graces which are remission of sinnes regeneration faith and the Holy ghost Answere No for First how can earthly things giue spirituall graces and how can the creature giue the things of the creator Heb. 9.14 Secondly remission of sins is only in the bloud of Christ through faith Ephe. 1.7 col 1.14 Thirdly it is the Holie ghost that must kill sinne and quicken vs vnto righteousnes Titu 3.5 Fourthly faith is the gift of God Ephe. 2.8 Fiftly the holy Ghost giueth himselfe to his children Rom. 8. Ephe. 1.13 Question If sinnes be not washed away by Baptisme Why did Ananias say to Paul Acts. 9 17. that he should wash away his sinne by Baptisme Answere The Apostle Paul is put in minde euen as all true and faithfull Christians are by the signe of Baptisme that his sinnes were forgiuen him Question Yea but the same Apostle saith Ephe. 5.26 that the water in Baptisme cleanseth the Church and sanctifieth her Answere The Apostle in the words going before and in the words following after sheweth that it is onely Christ that dooth by his death and word both cleanse and sanctifie his Church of which Baptisme is both a seale and figure Question Regeneration is attributed to the water in Baptisme by the Apostle in the third of Titus the fifth verse Answere The Apostle in that place sheweth that regeneration is onely the worke of the holy Ghost and of no other of which the sacrament of Baptisme is a sure figure Question What if children die without Baptisme are they damned Answere No for First saluation hangeth vppon election Ephe. 1.4 5 6. 2. Timo. 1.9 Secondly God hath promised hée will bee a God to the faithfull and their seede Gene. 17.7 Thirdly the kingdome of God belongeth to little children Matth. 18.10 Fourthly onely saluation is in Christ and without him no saluation Acts. 12.4 Iohn 3.16 17. Question Our Sauiour Christ saith Verelie verelie J say vnto thee except a man be borne of water and of the spirit he cannot enter into the Kingdome of God So that hee maketh it a necessitie to bee baptised to saluation Answere First this place dooth nothing belong to the Sacrament of Baptisme for onely in that place our Sauiour Christ sheweth that Nicodemus could not be a fit instrument to receiue the Gospell without he