Holy Ghost 2. A Unity of Essence or sameness of Nature the Father is God the Son is God and the Holy Ghost is God. 3. A difference of Offices or Operations The Father Creates the Son Redeems and the Holy Ghost Sanctifieth Q. What doth the first Branch of the Creed respect A. God the Father and his Work of Creation Q. What is God Article 1. I believe in God. A. God is an Infinite a Eternal b and Incomprehensible Being c having all Perfection in and of himself d a 1 King. 8.27 Behold the heaven the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee b Psal 90.2 From everlasting to everlasting thou art God. c Job 11.7 Canst thou by searching find out God Canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection d Exod. 3.14 I am that I am Q. How is God said to be a Father The Father A. 1. As he created all things 1 Cor. 8.6 God the Father of whom are all things 2. As he is the Father of Christ 2 Cor. 1.3 Blessed be God even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ Q. What do you understand by Almighty Almighty A. 1. That God hath all Power in himself without deriving it from any other a and that all Power is derived from him b a Psal 62.11 Power belongeth unto God. b 2 Chron. 20.12 O our God we have no might but our eyes are upon thee 2. That he hath the Power of doing all things Matth. 19.26 With God all things are possible Q. Are there not some things impossible to God A. Nothing but what either he could not be God if it was possible to him or else what in the Nature of it implies a Contradiction Q. What are those things which he could not be God if they are possible to him A. 1. Such things as are Evil Hab. 1.13 Thou canst not look on iniquity Tit. 1.2 God that cannot lie 2. Such as imply Infirmity as to be Ignorant or Mortal Heb. 4.13 Neither is there any Creature that is not manifest in his sight but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do Q. What are the things which in their Nature imply a Contradiction A. Such as these To be and not to be at the same time to be a Wafer and the Body of Christ That the Body of Christ should be in Heaven and yet at the same time be in the Earth To be one distinct Body and yet to be many Bodies as in the Host Q. What is meant by Heaven and Earth Maker of Heaven Earth A. The World and all things that are therein Gen. 1.1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth Acts 17.24 Q. Of what did God make the World A. Out of nothing Heb. 11.3 The things which are seen were not made of things which do appear Q. How is the World preserved A. By the same Divine Power that made it Nehem. 9. Thou hast made the heaven of heavens with all their bost the Earth and all things that are therein the Seas and all that is therein and thou preservest them all Q. What doth the second Branch of the Creed respect Article 2. And in Jesus Christ A. God the Son and his Work of Redemption Q. What is declared in this Branch A. 1. The Person of our Redeemer 2. His Humiliation And 3. Exaltation Q. How is he describ'd A. By his Names and Relations Q. By what Names is the Son of God call'd in Scripture A. The Word Jesus Christ Q. How doth the name Word belong to him A. It 's given to him as he was in being before he came into the World. John 1.1 In the beginning was the Word Col. 1.17 He is before all things Q. How doth the name Jesus belong to him A. It was his proper Name which was given him by Gods appointment a and by which he was known amongst Men b a Matth. 1.21 Thou shalt call his name Jesus b John 9.11 A man that is called Jesus Luke 2.21 Q. What doth the name Jesus signify A. It signifies a Saviour Q. Why was he called Jesus A. Because he was to save his people from their sins Matth. 1.21 1 Tim. 1.15 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation that Christ Jesus came into the World to save sinners Q. How doth the name Christ belong to him A. As he was the Messias or Christ prophesied of in the Old Testament Dan. 9.25 26. Messiah the Prince Messiah shall be cut off but not for himself John 20.31 These are written that ye may believe that Jesus is the Christ Q. What doth the word Christ signify A. It 's the same with Messiah and signifies Anointed John 1.41 The Messias which is being interpreted the Christ or the Anointed as it 's in the margin Q. Why was he called the Christ or Anointed A. Because he was in a Spiritual manner to perform the Offices belonging to God's Anointed a to Kings b Priests c and Prophets d a Psalm 105.15 b 1 Kings 1.34 c Exod. 40.13 d 1 King. 19.16 Q. How was he a King A. To govern his Church Ephes 1.22 He hath put all things under his feet and gave him to be the head over all things to the Church Q. How was he a Priest A. As he did make an atonement a intercedes for b and blesses c his Church a Rom. 5.11 We joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ by whom we have now received the atonement 1 Joh. 2.2 b Heb. 7.25 He ever liveth to make intercession for them c Acts 3.26 God having raised up his Son Jesus sent him to bless you in turning away every one of you from his iniquities Q. How was he a Prophet A. To teach his Church which he did a in his Person and by his Spirit b Word c and d Ministry a Isa 61.1 The Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek c. Luke 4.18 b John 14.26 The comforter which is the Holy Ghost whom the Father will send in my name he shall teach you all things c 1 Pet. 1.25 The word of the Lord endureth for ever And this is the word which by the Gospel is preached unto you 2 Cor. 5.19 20 21. d Matth. 28.19 20. Go ye therefore and teach Disciple all nations teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you Ephes 4.11 Gal. 6.6 Q. How was Christ anointed A. He was anointed with the Holy Ghost a which he received without measure b a Acts 10.38 God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost b John 3.34 God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him Col. 1.19 Q. How is Christ the only Son of God His only Son A. As he derived his Essence from the Father Heb. 1.4 5. Made so much better than the Angels as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent Name than they for unto which of the Angels said he at any time Thou art my Son this day
from this present evil world Q. Why do you call it this wicked world A. Not from any evil in the world it self for it was made very good a but because of the evil it tempts to b and the evil use it 's put to by bad men a Gen. 1.31 God saw every thing that he had made and behold it was very good b 1 Joh. 2.15 Love not the world neither the things that are in the world If any man love the world the love of the Father is not in him Jam. 4.1 2 4. Q. What is meant by Pomps A. Honour and worldly Glory Act. 25.23 Agrippa came with great pomp Q. What is it to renounce the Pomps of this world A. It 's to refrain from all immoderate desires after the honour and glory of the world and from all pride and ostentation in what any one enjoys of it 1 Joh. 2.16 The pride of life is not of the Father but is of the world Phil. 2.3 Let nothing be done through vain glory but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves Q. What do you understand by the Vanity of this world which you are to renounce A. Covetousness a or the lust of the eye 1 Joh. 2.16 a Eccles 4.7 8. I saw vanity under the Sun there is one alone and there is not a second yea he hath neither child nor brother yet is there no end of all his labour neither is his eye satisfied with riches c. 1 Tim. 6.9 10. They that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare and into many foolish and burtful lusts c. Q. What is the third enemy you are to renounce A. The sinful lusts of the flesh 1 Joh. 2.16 Q. What do you understand by the sinful lusts of the flesh A. All unlawful pleasures to which we are provoked by our sensual inclinations such as uncleanness drunkenness c. Gal. 5.19 21. The works of the flesh are manifest which are these adultery fornication c. Q. What is the second Duty you were in your Baptism obliged to perform A. To believe all the Articles of the Christian Faith Of this see the Belief Q. What is the third Duty then required of you A. To keep God's holy Will and Commandments and to walk in the same all the days of my life Of this see the Decalogue Q. Dost thou not think that thou art bound to believe and to do as they have promised for thee A. Yes verily and by God's help so I will And I heartily thank our Heavenly father that he hath called me to this state of Salvation through Jesus Christ our Saviour And I pray to God to give me his grace that I may continue in the same unto my lives end Q. Why do you think your self bound thus to believe and do what they promised for thee A. Because what was then promised was in my name and by Proxies that acted in my stead Q. Are you resolved to do according to what they promised for you A. Yes by God's help or else I must expect to forfeit the blessings belonging to that state which I was then called and admitted into Heb. 2.3 How shall we escape if we neglect so great Salvation Q. What is that state A. A state of Salvation Q. Why do you call it a state of Salvation A. Because I have thereby all the means necessary to Salvation Rom. 1.16 The Gospel is the power of God unto Salvation to every one that believeth 2 Tim. 3.15 From a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures which are able to make thee wise unto Salvation Q. How came you into this state A. Our Heavenly Father called me to it through Jesus Christ and instated me into it by Baptism Tit. 3.5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done but according to his mercy he saved us by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost Q. How do you think to be enabled to do and to continue in the performance of what was then required A. I depend upon the Grace of God a to prevent b assist c and confirm d me in it a 2 Cor. 3.5 Not that we are sufficient of our selves to think any thing as of our selves but our sufficiency is of God. Phil. 2.13 It is God which worketh in you b to will c and to do d Phil. 1.6 Being confident of this very thing that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it Q. How do you think to obtain God's Grace A. I will pray unto God for it Luk. 11.9 10 13. Ask and it shall be given seek and ye shall find knock and it shall be opened unto you c. If ye being evil know how to give good gifts unto your children how much more will your heavenly Father give the holy Spirit to them that ask him PART II. Of the Creed or Belief Q. WHat was the second Duty undertaken in your name A. That I should believe all the Articles of the Christian Faith. Q. What do you mean by the Christian Faith A. The Doctrine revealed by Christ and contained in the Holy scripture Acts 24.24 Feâ—â—â— heard Paul concerning the Faith in Christ or the Christian Doctrine Q. What do you mean by the Articles of the Christian Faith A. I thereby mean such Points of Christian Doctrine as are most necessary to be believed Heb. 6.1 The Principles of the Doctrine of Christ Q. Where are those Articles briefly contain'd A. In the Apostles Creed Q. Why is it called the Apostles Creed A. Partly because of the Apostolical Doctrine contained in it and partly because it was in the main Branches of it composed in the Apostolical times as we read of a form of sound words 2 Tim. 1.13 Rehearse the Articles of thy Belief The Creed A. 1. I believe in God the father Almighty Maker of Deaven and Earth 2. And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord. 3. Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost Born of the Virgin Mary 4. Suffered under Pontius Pilate was crucified dead and buried He descended into Hell. 5. The third day he rose again from the Dead 6. He ascended into Heaven and sitteth on the right hand of God the father Almighty 7. from thence he shall come to judge the Duich and the Dead 8. I believe in the Holy Ghost 9. The Holy Catholick Church the Communion of Saints 10. The forgiveness of Sins 11. The Resurrection of the Body 12. And the Life everlasting Amen Q. What dost thou chiefly learn in these Articles of thy Belief A. First I learn to believe in God the father who hath made me and all the World. Secondly In God the Son who hath redeemed me and all mankind Thirdly In God the Holy Ghost who sanctifieth me and all the elect People of God. Q. What do you observe from these three parts into which the Creed is divided A. 1. I observe a distinction of Persons the Father the Son and the
one while put defraud not Mark 10.19 another while Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy self Mat. 19.19 Q. What is required in this Commandment A. A contentedness in my present state and condition a and to learn and labour truly to get my own living b in that state of life whereunto it shall please God to call me c a Heb. 13.5 Let your conversation be without covetousness and be content with such things as you have c. Phil. 4.11 b 1 Thes 4.11 12. Study to be quiet and to do your own business and to work with your own hands that ye may have lack of nothing c 1 Cor. 7.20 Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called PART IV. Of the Lords Prayer Q. MY good Child know this that thou art not able to do these things of thy self nor to walk in the Commandments of God and to serve him without his special grace which thou must learn at all times to call for by diligent prayer Let me hear therefore if thou canst say the Lords Prayer Q. What are the things contained in this Preface set before the Lord's Prayer in the Catechism A. Therein is contained 1. The reason of all prayer to God which is an insufficiency in our selves a and an allsufficiency in him b So it 's said a Know this that thou art not able to do these things of thy self without his special grace b 2 Cor. 3.5 Not that we are sufficient of our selves to think any thing as of our selves but our sufficiency is of God. 2. It shews us the use which prayer is of as a means for obtaining the special grace of God contained in these words which thou must learn to call for by prayer Luk. 11.9 10 11 12 13. Ask and it shall be given you seek and ye shall find knock and it shall be opened unto you c. 3. It teaches me what are the qualifications of a prevalent and effectual prayer viz. 1. That it be at all times without intermission and discouragement a 2. That it be diligent what is accompanied with a stedfast faith and attention b a Luk. 18.1 Christ spake a parable unto them to this end that men ought always to pray and not to faint b Rom. 12.12 Continuing instant in prayer Eph. 6.18 Q. The Lords Prayer Why is that Form of Prayer which begins with Our Father call'd the Lord's Prayer A. Because it was composed by our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ Mat. 6.9 Luk. 11.2 Q. For what end did our Saviour compose this Prayer A. 1. As a pattern for our better help and direction what to pray for and of the order we are to pray in that we may not be at a loss what to pray for a nor use vain repetitions b a Luk. 11.1 2. His Disciples said unto him Lord teach us to pray And he said unto them When ye pray say c. b Mat. 6.7 8 9. When ye pray use not vain repetitions After this manner therefore pray ye c. 2. As a Form that 's fit to be used when we pray Mat. 6.9 After this manner or so pray ye Luk. 11.2 When ye pray say Our Father c. Q. Say the Lords Prayer A. Our Father c. Q. What desirest thou of God in this Prayer A. I desire my Lord God our Heavenly Father who is the giver of all goodness to send his grace unto me and to all people that we may worship him serve him and obey him as we ought to do And I pray unto God that he will send us all things that be needful both for our souls and bodies and that he will be merciful unto us and forgive us our sins and that it will please him to save and defend us in all dangers ghostly and bodily and that he will keep us from all sin and wickedness and from our Ghostly enemy and from everlasting death And this I trust he will do of his mercy and goodness through our Lord Iesus Christ And therefore I say Amen So be it Q. What are the general parts which this Prayer doth consist of A. They are three viz. the Preface the Petitions and the Doxology or Conclusion Q. What is the Preface or Compellation A. Our father which art in Heaven Q. What are the things contained in this Preface A. It contains several Arguments to encourage us in the performance of this Duty Q. What are those Arguments A. 1. As God is a Father the giver of all goodness and so cannot but chuse and give and do what is best for us Luk. 11.11 12 13. If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a Father will he give him a stone c If ye then being evil know how to give good gifts unto your children how much more will your Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit good things Mat. 7.11 to them that ask him 2. As he is a Father in Heaven and so is able to understand and will and do what is best Psal 115.3 Our God is in the Heavens he hath done whatsoever he pleased 3. As he is a common Father and whom all may freely resort to 2 Thes 2.16 God even our Father who hath loved us Ephes 2.18 Through him we both Jews and Gentiles have an access by one spirit unto the Father Q. What do you learn from hence A. 1. That God alone is the proper object of our prayers Psal 123.1 Vnto thee lift I up mine eyes O thou that dwellest in the Heavens 2. That we ought to approach to him with fear and reverence Mal. 1.6 A son honoureth his father If then I be a father where is mine honour Eccles 5.2 Be not rash with thy mouth and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God for God is in heaven and thou upon earth 3. That we ought to come with a true affection to all mankind and with an hearty desire that they may be as well and happy as our selves which is implied when we say Our Father and therefore I desire that he will send his grace unto me and to all people Q. What doth the matter respect which is contained in the six Petitions of the Lord's Prayer A. The first three respect Gods glory and the three last our good Q. What is the first Petition A. Hallowed be thy Name Petition 1. Q. What is here meant by the Name of God A. 1. Thereby is signified not only the Name of God but God himself Psal 44.20 If we have forgotten the Name of our God or stretched out our hands to a strange god Psal 20.1 2. The Attributes and Perfections of his Nature Exod. 34.5 6. The Lord proclaimed the Name of the Lord The Lord God merciful and gracious c. 3. The things set apart for his honour and service as his Word and Day c. Psal 138.2 I will worship towards thy holy Temple and praise thy Name for thou hast magnified thy Word above all thy