ought to be the improvement of Christs Exaltation A. Col. 3.1.2 Heb. 4.16 Psal 2. last 2 Pet. 3.10 11. 1. To rise and ascend after him in affection and holiness of life 2. To pray with boldness to him who sits interceding for us 3. To close with and be at peace with him who shall judge us 4. To watch our thoughts words and actions 5. To judge our selves dayly 6. To be always ready to meet Christ at the judgment-seat Acts 24.15 since we know not how soon where how nor when he may call us who are alive as well as those who are dead to judgment The Creed being considered as to God the Father and Son Q. What is the third object of our faith A. The third person of the Trinity God the Holy Ghost Q. Why is he called Ghost A. Gen 1. 1. Because God is a Spirit 2. He is a Spirit Q. Why is he called Holy A. 1 John 5.7 1. Because he is Holy in himself 2. The author of all holiness in us Q. Acts 5.3 4. B. Pearson on Creed p. 220. 2 Pet. 〈◊〉 2 〈◊〉 How is the Holy Ghost proved to be God A. 1. By Scripture 2. The Attributes of God are given to him Psalm 139.3 The works of God as Creation Gen. 1. Sanctification John 16.4 He is the Author of the Scriptures but they were written by men inspired by God Q. What is it to believe in the Holy Ghost A. 1. To believe the Truth of the Article That there is an Holy Ghost or Holy Spirit of God Which also the heathens seem to speak of 12 2. To attend to and obey his motions 3. To prize and improve his ordinances Q. What do the remaining Articles of the Creed concern A. The Consequences of the former the priviledges of a state of grace and glory belonging to Gods Creatures redeemed by Christ and sanctified by the Holy Ghost Q. Which are they Answ Five 1. Church-membership 2. Communion of Saints 3. Remission of sins 4. Resurrection of body 5. Life everlasting Q. Why is it not said I believe in the Holy Catholick Church A. 1. God is the only object of our Faith 2. Implicite Faith or to believe as the Church believes may be amiss Every one ought to believe for himself Q. What then is meant by the Church A. Hookers Polity lib. 3. sect 1. The Church of Christ is invisible of all true Christians and visible of all Christian professors Q. Why is the Church called Holy and Catholick A. They are the two marks of the true Church of Christ without which no Church is true Q. Ames Bel. Enervat Tom. 2. Cap. 3. Why is Christs Church called Holy A. 1. From the better part of the Church the true Christians 2. From the desires after holyness it's members true Christians have Homil. of Engl. on Whit-Sunday 3. From the commands of their God obliging to holiness 4. From the Holiness of it's ordinances Q. Why is it called Catholick A. Leigh 's body p. 623. 627. 1. It 's Doctrine ought to be the Catholick or universal rule of all Churches through the world and so in it's first institution it was Catholick 2. It is a Church continuing it's Doctrin through all ages since Christ Fox Acts vol. 1. p. 10. 887. vol. 3. p. 489. 576. 3. It 's called Catholick because it includes the whole world of Christians every Christian is part of some particular Church and all the particular Churches of Christ make one Catholic Church 4. It is called Catholick because it includes both Sexes and all sorts and degrees of Men and Women high and low rich and poor 5. It must be holy as well as Catholick B. Pearson on Creed p. 335. or else it is Satans Synagogue not Christs Church it's Doctrines must be pure nor must it tolerate any vice in practise Q. What do you believe in this Article A. 1. 1 Co◠12.20 27. Eph. 4.5 That Christ hath a People dispersed through the whole world whom he owns and who serve him in holiness 2. That tho in many places yet it is but one Church having one God one Christ one Faith one Baptism 3. It Shews Romes folly in confineing the Catholick Church to it's self as if Rome was the whole world Q. Is not the Church of Rome the Holy Catholick Church here meant A. No The Church of Rome as now it is in principle and practice is neither Catholick nor Holy 1. It is not Holy Dr. Brevints Samuel and Saul at Endor Dr. Lloyd on funeral of Sir Edmundbury Godfrey all sins are here tolerated Murder and Rebellion in some causes accounted meritorious B. Lincolns Popish principles pernicious to Protestant Princes p. 34 57 60 61 62 63 95 96 97 102 105 111. But Romes sense of its own impiety makes it seldom plead for it's holiness tho it cry aloud for its being Catholick which cannot be granted 1. For its present Doctrines and practices are not agreeable to the Catholick rule of the Scriptures She commands worshipping of Images Scripture forbids it She raceth out the second Commandment the Scripture contains it c. 2. It is not Catholick its Doctrines have not been received ever since the Apostles time most of their opinions differing from Scripture and us are proved not owned for 600 years after Christ 3. Nor are they Catholick as to the places receiving them Many Nations have thrown off the Popish Yoke and Antichristian tyranny 4. That can be no holy Catholick Church of Christ which opposeth Christ in his person and all his offices as the Church of Rome in principle and practice doth Deut. 4. Their Images or pictures of Christ oppose his Deity which cannot be pictured Their Transubstantiation destroy his humanity whereby they make him to be in many places at one time Their Purgatory merits works of Supererrogation worship and Prayer to Saints and Angels destroy his Priesthood and make him but half a Saviour their contempt of Scriptures and equalling Traditions with it owning it no further the word of God then their Church or Pope allow it opposeth his prophetic office together with their prohibiting Gods word or service to be in the common tongue of a Nation their blasphemous Titles of the Pope his usurped power of Heaven and Hell and obliging persons on pain of damnation to the observance of his pleasure Dr. Brevint Sam. and Saul at Endor Cap. 1.2 oppose his Kingly office But all these would be laid aside if Rome was reduced to primitive and Catholic purity Q. What do you learn further by this Article of the Catholick Church A. 1. That I ought not to rest in a bare profession of Religion only but to labour after it's practice also the Church of Christ is Holy as well as Catholick 2. Calvin Instit l. Cap. 1. sect 10. That I ought to take heed of rash Sects and divisions whereby I may forsake this Holy Catholick
thou not think that thou art bound to do and believe as they have promised for thee A. Yes verily and by Gods help so I will And I heartily thank our heavenly Father that he hath called me to this state of salvation through Iesus Christ our Saviour And I pray unto God to give me his grace that I may continue in the same unto my lives end Q. Why is this Question proposed A. 1. That the Child being now grown up might be made sensible of that Vow he was entred in by his Godfathers and Godmothers in Baptism 2. That before the Congregation he by making an open profession of it might evidence that he retained that Religion he was Baptized into and owned as firm and stedfast what was then done and promised for him 3. That he now being grown up and assenting to the obligation on him from that Vow entred by his Godfathers and Godmothers might henceforward look upon himself obliged to practise it And here how may we justly lament the neglect of Confirmation amongst us which would be a great expedient to oblige persons to be instructed in the principles of Religion and engage them by an assuming their Baptismal Vow on themselves to the practice of it Q. What is considerable in the Answer A. 1. An earnest assent and consent to the Obligation on us from our Baptismal Vow to perform it Yes Verily 2. 2 Cor. 3.5 Joh. 15.5 Phil. 2.13 An humble acknowledgment of our own inability to perform our Duties of Religion or to withstand Sin Satan and the World without God's help And therefore by God's help I will 3. The great joy and gladness the Baptized person looks on his Baptized state with Psal 147. last Acts 4.12 I heartily thank our heavenly Father who hath called me to this State of Salvation through Jesus Christ our Saviour It being a State of Grace of which the numerous Jews and Heathens are deprived of 4. Here is an holy means used to obtain God's help to perform this Vow I pray unto God to give me his Grace 5. Phil. 4.13 Here is an holy Resolution of perseverance through God's help 6. Phil. 1. That I may continue in the same to my lives end Q. Rehearse the Articles of thy Belief A. I believe in God the Father Almighty maker of Heaven and Earth And in Iesus Christ his only Son our Lord who was conceived by the Holy Ghost born of the Virgin Mary sutfered under Pontius Pilate Was crucified dead and buried He descended into Hell The third day he rose again from the dead and ascended into Heaven and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty From thence he shall come to judge hoth the quick and the dead I believe in the Holy Ghost The Holy Catholick Church The Communion of Saints The forgiveness of Sins The Resurrection of the Body and the life everlasting Amen Q. Why are the Articles of the Creed in the first person singular A. 1. Because though we may pray for each other yet every one must believe for himself 2. Because hereby every one makes an acknowledgment and confession of his own Faith Q. Why is it called the Belief A. From the first words I believe Q. Why is it called the Creed A. From the first word in Latin Credo Q. Why is it called the Apostles Creed A. 1. Because there is good reason to believe it was made by the Apostles Alsted Chronol p. 315. Calvin Instit l. 2. c. 16. sect 18. Dr. Sherlock on Cat. before they were dispersed abroad in the World at the Council of Jerusalem about the 49 year of Christ as a sum of sound Doctrin for the Churches use And some have supposed hence it was divided into Twelve Articles according to the number of the Apostles 2. It is called the Apostles Creed because its Articles agree with the doctrin of the Apostles delivered in their Writings Q. How are the Articles of the Creed divided A. Catec of Church of Engl. Some have made only three parts of it respecting the sacred Trinity the only Object of our Faith and thus doth our Church divide it into Articles 1. Concerning God the Father who made me and all the World 2. Concerning God the Son who Redeemed meand all Mankind 3. Concerning God the Holy Ghost who sanctifies me and Elect People of God Others have added a fourth part concerning the Church of God and its Priviledges here and hereafter Col. 1.18 Eph. 1.14 4 uke 14.7 Cor. 15.19 But because the Church is no object of Faith and our belief of Christ and the Holy Ghost will pre-suppose a People Redeemed and Sanctified and that State will infer pardon of Sins Resurrection and Eternity of Life Therefore I shall only consider three parts Q. Which is that part of the Creed which relates to God the Father A. I believe in God the Father Almighty maker of Heaven and Earth Q. What is here believed concerning God the Father A. Three things 1. His Being 2. His Attributes 3. His Works Q. What is meant by I believe in God A. That I believe 1. There is a God 2. There is but one God 3. That I believe in this one God Q. How do you prove there is a God A. Arguments to convince the Atheist are drawn from Reason for he who denies a God cannot credit Scripture which we say is the Word of God Therefore 1. Gror. de ver Chris Relig. l. 1. Morn de ver Relig c. 1. Cicero l. 1. Tusc Quest Val. Max. l. 1. c. 1. Extern The first cause of all things proves a God nothing could make its self and therefore every thing made had God a Creator and is an Argument for a God and may silence the Atheist 2. The 1. consent of all Nations who by the light of Nature saw it The Roman Orator accounts no Nation so barbarous as to deny the Being of a Deity And the Athenians banisht Diagoras for but saying he doubted it Their Polytheism or worship of many Gods tho sinful yet pleaded they were Theists worshippers of a Deity The several Creatures especially our selves may silence all doubts Dr. Arrowsmith Aphor. Exer. 2. sect 1 2. for tho which way soever we look we may find enough to convince us of his Being Yet our selves as what we are most conver sant with may silence Atheism 3. Our bodies and souls witness a Deity Our Parents could not make us Male or Female Leigh 's body of Divinity l. 2. c. 1. p. 151. however desirous they of either Sex We 2. excel all creatures in our structure and our Souls are above the Sphere of Earthly Beings being 3. spiritual and capable of an immortality remembring things past and foreseeing things to come all which plead for a God a Father of our Spirits and Creator of our Bodys 4. The testimony of every mans Conscience which at sometimes 4. checks him for evil and encourageth him to Good is
consistent with his Fathers Glory 5. To render his sufferings of infinite value to save all his in all Ages 6. For the comfort of fallen man who might believe the glad Tidings of his peace with God when it was brought to him by one who being God as well as man evidenced the peace by the Union of the Natures Q. Why is the Son of God called Christ A. Christ signifieth anointed and is the same with Messiah to evidence Christ to be the true Messiah Q. How prove you Christ to be the true Messiah A. 1. Homil. Eng. on Nativ Mat. 1.18 20.1 2. Mark 5.9 The Prophecies concerning the Messiah were fulfilled in him as to his Tribe Parent Birth-place Name manner of Life and Death Resurrection and Ascension and their Effects as to the Conversion of the Gentiles 2. God the Holy Ghost Angels Devils testifie it Mat. 3.17 1.18 Luke 2.10 3. The Jews themselves believed it John 12.44 4. Mornaeâ—s de Ver. Rel. c. 29. All times of expecting the Messiah centred in and about that time Christ was born and many false Christs then arose 5. Christ did what the Messiah was to do B. Pearson on Creed p. 83 84. and suffered what the Messiah was to suffer therefore he was the true Messiah The mistake of the Jews as to Christs coming in Glory was Their confounding his second coming with the first And if he had come in Glory how then should the Prophecies concerning his Sufferings Death Burial c. Isa 53. be fulfilled we grant his coming in Glory but we premise his suffering for sin here in the flesh and his coming in Glory we refer to his coming to Judge the World see at large this in Bishop Pearson on the Creed pag. 83 84 85 c. Q. Why is Christ called our Lord A. B. Pearson on Creed p. 153. 1. Because he is the Lord that made us and bought us 1 Cor. 6.20 2. He hath chosen us to be his People out of all the World Jewish and Heathen 3. We have by our Baptism chosen him for our Lord and Master and have resigned up our selves to him as his faithful Servants Q. What Office of Christ doth this Title of Lord import A. His Office of King Q. How is Christ a King A. Christ is a King of Grace and Glory Here he rules in his People Gal. 6.16 and they hereafter Reign with him And as a King 1. He hath a Church or People subject to him 1 John 2.6 John 16.78 14.26 1 Cor. 15 55 56 57 2 Thes 1.8 9 10. 2. To them he gives Laws to walk by 3. They obey him 4. He governs them by his Spirit and Ordinances 5. He as King protects them from enemies and defends them in peace 6. He as King rewards his People with blessings here and hereafter Q. How is Christ a Prophet A. 1. He instructs us by his Word Spirit and Ministers in our Duties 2. He continues a supply of Ordinances for the Service of his Church to the Worlds end Mat. 28.20 Rom. 8.16 26. 3. He enables his People to discharge their duties and to perform what he expects from them Q. Why is Christ called Jesus A. An Angel hath given us the Reason Mat. 1.21 Because he should save his People from their Sins Q. How opth Christ save us A. 1. 2 Cor. 5.21 Christ underwent the whole wrath of God due to us and so satisfied Gods offended Justice Mat. 26. and c. 27. 2. He performed actively what the Law required and so was without sin 3. Hence God is Mat. 3.17 5.17 through him reconciled to us 2 Cor. 5.18 20 21. 4. Luke 34. â—â— Joh. 3. â—â— Christ hath made known to us the terms of Salvation that we on our Repentance for sin and closing with him by Faith and living in obedience to him in the life of Faith may be saved 5. He by his Word Ordinances Ministers Jam. 1.28 Phil. 1.6 Spirit and Graces instructs us in his Will and enables us to perform what he requires 6. Heb. 7.25 Rev. 8.2 He intercedes with God his Father for the pardon of those sins attending our persons and performances and pleads for the acceptance of us and them on the account of his Merits and Mediation Q. What may be learned from Christs Deity and threefold Office A. 1. From his being God I learn 1. God and Christ's great Love to sinful man in Christ's Death Rom. 5.8 10. 2. I see sins evil in causing Christ to come from Heaven to save us 3. I learn mercy for sinners Christ as God is able to save all that return 2. I learn from Christ's being the true Messiah 1. God's veracity who will fulfil his promise in due time 2. The Jews stupidity in denying and Crucifying of him 3. Mat. 27.25 The Justice of God in punishing them according to their own imprecation His blood be on us and our Children 4. I see the verity of our Christian Religion of which we have no reason to be ashamed 5. I learn to trust God in all my affairs Rom. 8.28 32 c. who hath been so faithful to give his Son according to his promise to die for my sins 3. I learn from the Offices of Christ 1. That as Christ is my Lord and King so I ought to obey him and as he loved me so as to dye for me I ought to love him so as to live to him 2 Cor. 5.15 and to my power promote his Kingdom and Glory 2. As Christ is Prophet I ought to reverence God's Word Ordinances and Ministers and to obey what Christ by them and his Spirit doth teach me to be my duty it becoming me to have an ear to hear where the Almighty God condescends to speak Prov. 1.24 26 28 3. As Christ is my High Priest and Saviour to expiate my sin and save my Soul by his merits and mediation I learn to disown all merits and works of Righteousness of my own Isa 64.6 Luke 17.19 and not to relie on any Creatures Righteousness for Justification but wholly by a Faith and Obedience close with and live to him expecting from him my Salvation on the account of his own Merits and free Grace I learn also to disown all Co-mediators as Saints and Angels and to account him as the sole procurer of my happiness to whom my complaints of wants and Prayers for supplies ought to be offered up and made known Q. Why was our Saviour Man A. 1. Man had sinned B. Ushers body of Divinity p. 164. Harmony of Confes Confes Belg. art 20. and the nature sinning ought to suffer and satisfie 2. Christ as God could not suffer and became Man that he might suffer 3. To reconcile the human Nature to God by the Union of the Deity and Humanity in his own Person 4. That he being sensible of our infirmitys might have compassion on us 5. To encourage us in
Kingdom of Grace in this and Glory in another World may hasten as to us Psal 2.8 and it implies these requests 1. That God would be pleased in order to the bringing Jew and Gentile Med. lib. 4. p. 766 767. all the World to his Kingdom of Grace to make known the Gospel and means of Grace in all Parts and to make them Efficacious or else by some other dispensation to bring them to the true and saving knowledge of himself and his Christ 2. I here Pray that I and all who enjoy Gods Ordinances may by Gods Spirit be Converted and Translated into his Kingdom 3. That I and all his People may willingly Obey and Serve him as our King 4. That his Kingdom of Glory may hasten Rev. 7. when all his and our Enemies shall be destroyed our Sins and Troubles have a Period and our Souls and Bodies be Glorified Q. What then is the Sum of this Petition A. 1. I Pray that the God of all Grace would by his Spirit and Word or by other means Convert me and all his People and as our King would subdue in us all his and our Souls Enemies our sinful Lusts and enable us to pay him all due Obedience and so prepare us all to meet him as King of Glory which Kingdom of Glory I desire may hasten to end Gods dishonour sinners impiety the Godly's Troubles and that God may be for ever Glorified in the Eternal Hallelujahs of his People Q. What is the Third Petition A. Thy will be done in Earth as it is in Heaven Q. What is herein Considerable A. The Matter and Manner of the Petition Q. What is the Matter or Thing Prayed for A. 1. An Obedience to Gods will that we may Serve and Obey him as we ought 2. A submissive Contentedness under all Corrections and Dispensations of Poverty Affliction Persecution We Pray his Will may be done and ought not to murmure when it is done though it please us not as in Troubles Afflictions and Persecutions Q. What is the manner after which we Pray Gods Will may be done A. That it may be done on Earth as i◠is in Heaven Q. What doth that teach us A. 1. We Pray it may be Obeyed by all All in Heaven serve him 2. That we might serve God not only so Universally but as sincerely though it cannot be with that Perfection Q. What then is here Prayed for A. That the God our Father King of Grace and Glory would so guide the Thoughts Words Actions of me and all others through the whole Earth that we may all without Hypocrisie serve him in Soul and Body and quietly rest contented in that state the All-wise God our Father hath placed us in Q. What is the First Petition concerning our selves especially which is the Fourth in the Prayer A. Give us this Day our daily Bread Q. What is meant by Bread A. 1. Christ Jesus the Bread of Life 2. Gods Word and Ordinances the Food of our Souls 3. All Necessaries for our Comfortable Subsistence respecting our outward State Life Health Food and Raiment convenient for us Q. Why do we Pray for Daily Bread A. 1. Acts 17.28 To teach us we cannot subsist one day without Gods Blessings 2. To re-mind us of our daily dependance on God so that we should not account what we enjoy (*) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hesiod opera l. 1. v. 313. our gettings but Gods Blessings 3. To Oblige us to Pray daily if Blessings be worth having they are worth our asking for 4. Mat. 6.25 to the end To disswade from an Anxious Carefulness for many days or a long time we know not what a day may bring forth and God is every day ready to grant what we every day want and pray for Q. Why are our Enjoyments asked as an Alms from God A. 1. To Humble us who are apt to be Proud by shewing us to be Beggars 2. To teach us we deserve nothing at Gods hand what we have God gives 3. To engage our importunity in Prayer as Beggars who knowing their wants will scarce receive a denial where they know their wants may be supplyed Q. What then is the Sum of this Petition A. I Pray that God would be pleased to send to me and to all People those things which be necessary both for their Souls and Bodies And we and all his People owning our dependance on him may daily seek our Relief from him Q. Which is the Fifth Petition The Second concerning our selves A. Forgive us our Trespasses as we forgive them that Trespass against us Q. Why are Sins in some places called Debts A. 1. Because our Obedience is due to God and not being paid we are Debtors to God 2. We Sinners as Debtors are exposed to the Censure of Gods Law Q. What is the importance of this Petition A. 1. An acknowledgment that we sin daily and daily need ask Gods Pardon 2. A begging of God to Pardon us 3. A desiring God to Pardon our Offenders 4. A desire to be forgiven by God as we forgive those who Offend us Q. Doth not this lay a great Engagement on Christians to forgive each other A. Yes 1. Mat. 6.14 15. Mat. 18. latter end None can Offend us so much as our sins have Offended God 2. If we forgive our Brothers small Offences God will forgive our greater 3. Unless we forgive our Brothers faults God will not Pardon our Crimes 4. He who Prays and forgives not his Brother calls for a Curse on himself and desires he might not be forgiven his sins Q. Are we bound to Pray for Pardon of sins daily A. 1. Yes Scriptures witness none are without sin 2. It is confessed by all our Mouths that we are sinners Hooker on Halak 1.4 Mornaeus de Relig. cap. 16. 1 John 8 9 10. And have gone astray like lost Sheep 3. Our very Prayers are sinful we are too cold in our greatest heat and our thoughts wander in our nearest Addresses to God 4. Sin if not Pardoned is Damning 5. We cannot expect a Pardon unless we Pray for it Q. What is the Sum of this Petition A. That the God of all Mercies would through the Merits and Mediation of Jesus Christ through whom he is my Father forgive me my sins when ever Acted and however aggravated and that he would encline my Heart to a free pardoning and forgiveness of those who Offend me Q. What is the Sixth Petition the last and third concerning us A. Lead us not into Temptation but deliver us from Evil. Q. What is meant by Temptation A. 1. Temptation by Satan to any sin 2. James 1.5 Temptation from God as Tryals of our Graces Q. What is meant by Gods leading us into Temptation A. 1. By permitting what he may be pleased to hinder Satans tempting 2. To leave us in the Temptation so as to sin or under Affliction so that we sin against him Q. What then is Prayed for here
afraid after sin and bold after doing good And the greatest profest Atheist seems most afraid of a Supream Being to punish him Suet. in Caes Cal. c. 51. Suet. Tib. Ne. c. 69. So that it may be the Atheists wish there was no God but it cannot be his belief there is none for those checks for Evil and encouragements of Good premis'd imply there is a God who is just to punish sinners and to reward the wel-doer Whence a Reverend Prelate saith it may consist with the Atheists interest B. Pearson on Creed p. 22. to wish there was no God but it cannot consist with his Reason to believe there is none 5. Psal 14.1 Therefore we may justly blame those as Fools with the Psalmist who say in their Hearts There is no God Much more those who profess with their mouthes There is no God Indeed Atheism is but the Genuine product of Debauchery and profaneness Baxter 's Reas of Chr. Rel. part 2. c. 12. p. 444. for when men have so lived that they are afraid to dye and appear before God at Judgment They are inclinable to wish there was no God to call them to an account for their vice and what they so much desire they will easily perswade themselves to believe that they and their Companions may go on in their evil course Q. How do you prove there is but one God A. 1. There can be but one first cause Grot. de Ver. Rel. Christ l. 1 Mornaeus de Ver. Rel. c. 3. but one Infinite Almighty Independent Eternal Being For if there were two or more Beings equally mighty c. there could not be one Almighty and each might obstruct others proceedings 2. The Heathens have 5. granted This Truth in making their Jove as we own our Jehovah to be the most Glorious most Great Almighty Omnipresent Omniscient Deity the Father Author Governour of all things in Heaven and Earth It is credibly reported of Plato B. Paearson on Creed p. 23. that writing to his Friends he said The Name of God was prefixed before his most serious Works but the Name of Gods before his other Books And a Reverend and Learned Divine of our Church Dr. Cudworth 's Intellect System Gen. 3.5 hath proved lately the Heathens centring their plurality of Gods in the Unity of a Deity And indeed the first mention of Gods was from Satan Q. What is it to believe in this one God A. 1. To grant there is a God 2. To believe what is made known of him in his Word or by his Works that he is true just holy good eternal almighty c. 3. Tit. 3.8 Ja. 2.19 To believe his threats and promises 4. To repose our trust and confidence in him 5. To live answerable to this Faith For tho it is a grand folly to deny the Being of a God Dr. Stillings on Prov. 14.9 p. 36. Yet the Atheists themselves esteem them Fools who believe there is a God and yet by sin affront and trifle with him Q. What are the Attributes God hath in the Creed A. Two one relating to himself Almighty The other with Respect to Christ and us Father Q. What is meant by God's Attribute Almighty A. 1. His power to do all things as he pleaseth B. Pearson on Creed p. 42. consistent with his Glory 2. His Soveraignty or right to Rule and govern the works of his hands And both these the Heathens granted 6. Q. How prove you Gods Almighty Power A. 1. God is frequently called so in Scripture 2. Almightiness is deny'd to all things else 3. His Works of Creation Bish Nicholson on Cat. p. 34. Preservation Sanctification Resurrection c. prove it 4. His great Armys Lord of Hosts all things in the whole World obey him And by his order the least thing strong enough to destroy the greatest place or person Mornaeus de Ver. Rel. c. 11. Gen. 3. 6. 19. Dan. 3. 6. as Learned Mornaeus ingeniously manifests 5. His punishing his enemies singly and joyntly 6. His wonderful Deliverances of his People 7. His restraining all powers as he pleaseth Job 1 and 2 Chapter 8. All power and might is from him therefore he is Almighty 9. The Practice and expectation of the whole World who pray to God in all straits and wants B. Pearson on Creed p. 287. expecting from him all protection and supplies which certainly infers God's being Almighty to be impressed on man's Heart naturally Q. What should God's Almightiness considered influence us to A. 1. To believe he is so Almighty 2. To believe all the Articles of the Creed however dark or impossible They seem to a natural man's apprehension since our God Almighty can do them 3. To make us careful we offend not this Almighty God 4. To take care to please him by obeying him 5. Mat. 10.28 To be humble in our strength we had it from God and not of our selves 6. To ascribe all deliverances from dangers and supplies of our wants to God Almighty 7. Not to despair of God's help in any trouble if he please he can help us 8. Not to be afraid of any Enemies tho they be mighty God is Almighty Isa 41.11 43.2 3 Rom. 8.26 9. To encourage us in Prayer and all Duties our God is able to assist us in them and to grant to us and do for us above all that we are able to ask or think Q. How prove you God's Soveraignty or right to Rule all Creatures A. He is the only Lord of all the World to whom we and all his creatures do owe obedience by several Rights by which God may claim it 1. By our Creation He made us and not we ourselves he formed our bodies of the Dust Psal 95.6 7. and infused our souls so that every faculty of our souls and part of our bodies are several obligations to worship God 2. Our preservation God as the great Housholder of the World provides for all his Creatures Acts 17. 28. and in him we live move and have our being and as we daily live of his mercy ought to live to his glory 3. The price of our Redemption We are to God a purchased possession He gave his Son to die 1 Cor. 6.19 20. that he might by his Sons sufferings grant us life and purchase us to serve him Now what we buy and pay for we may expect to be served with much more then may God expect to be served by us Tit. 2.14 4. All Creatures pay him obedience Sun Moon Stats keep their state God first placed them in The Sea exceeds not its bounds the Earth remains habitable and Air convenient for us to breathe in unless the God of Nature please to alter their course to punish sin and then a flood shall drown the World Gen. 6. 19. Num. 16. and fire descend from Heaven the Earth shall open and the Air by infection destroy Q. How should God's Soveraignty affect