A cleare forme of Catechising before the giving of the Sacrament of the Lords Supper To this are subjoined two compends of the Catechisme fit for little Children JOHN XVII vers 3. This is life eternall to know thee the onely true GOD and Iesus Christ whom thou hast sent By M. Zacharie Boyd Preacher of Gods Word at Glasgow Printed at Glasgow by George Anderson 1639. AUGUST Quòd Lex operum minando imperat Lex Fidei credendo impetrat TO THE READER I Have studied to make all the answers short in these three Catechismes for the helpe of thy memorie First to know and then to doe is perfect Christianitie TO The most Religious and Noble Ladie the Countesse of Argyle c. MADAME THis world is full of people whose religion is compounded like the TURKISH in part CHRISTIAN in part IEVV in part WORLDLING in part ATHEIST in part as A grippa almost Christians Only these are happie who according to the Apostle his wish are altogether Christians A time of tryall will come which shall discerne almost from altogether Happie shall these professours bee to whom the Lord shall say Yee are these which have continued with me in my temptations and I appoint unto you a kingdome as my Father hath appointed unto me that yee may eate and drink at my table in my kingdome of all honours this shall be found the greatest GOD Madame hath highly honoured your La. both with grace and place As for grace yee may without flatterie with S. Iohns Lady be called the ELECT LADY As for place Yee both by birth and marriage are high but highest in this that your La. art humble I will not heere enter into a large discourse concerning the Noble and Potent Earle your La. Husband whose vertues have most Oriently shined in our generall Assembly which his Lordship did much honour with his presence and help with his counsell That which the Apostle did require for the house of Onesiphorus that I most heartily wish to his Lordship to your La. and to all your noble Line and Familie that the Lord grant that yee may finde mercy of the Lord in that day Let it please your La. graciously to accept of this little labour and to honour it with your favour it shall bee but an EARNEST of more if I live and if God permit From Glasgow the 14. of Ianuar 1639. Your Ladiships in all humble duety and observance M. ZACHARY BOYD The Summe of this Catechisme 1. Of GOD. 2. Of mans Creation 3. Of his Fall 4. Of his Redemption 5. Of the dueties which man owe to God for his Redemption 6. Of the Sacraments which are the seales of the Covenant betweene God and man I. OF GOD. 1. SUNDAY Question WHat is God Answere An infinite Essence that hath his being from himself and is the fountaine of all being Q What things are to bee considered in God A. The essence and the persons Q. What sayest thou of his Essence A. It is spirituall simple incomprensible unchangeable Q. What difference is betweene the essence of God and the person A. The essence is the Divine substance which is commoun to the three persons the person is a subsistence in the Divine nature Q. How many Gods be there A. Only one God Q. How many persons are they in the Godhead A. Three the Father Son and holy Ghost THE SECOND SUNDAY ARE not these three persons divided one from another so that it may be said here is the Father and there is the Son A. No not Q. How then A. The persons of the Trinitie are diverse one from another but not separate Q. How can that bee A. The Father in an unspeakable manner is in the Son and the Son in the Father and the holy Spirit in them both Q. How are the persons distinguished one from another A. By their inward properties order of their outward working Q. How are they distinguished by their inward properties A. By the works which they work within themselves Q. What sorts of workes are these which are wrought with in the Trinitie A. They are not commoun to all the three persons but every person hath his owne particular work proper to himself The third Sunday Q. WHat is that propertie of the Father that is not common to the Son and holy Ghost A. In that he hath begotten the Son from all eternitie of the same substance with himselfe Q. What is that speciall propertie of the Son A. That in the unitie of essence he hath from all eternitie beene begotten of the substance of the Father Q. What is the propertie of the Holy Ghost A. He inseparably proceeds from the Father and the Son Q. Is this a reall distinction which is betweene the Father Son and Holy Ghost A. It is but we can not be capable of the same Q. I have heard how the three persons are distinguished one from another in their inward properties now tell me how they are distinguished by their outward working A. In that the Father is the Creator of all things the Son the Redeemer the holy Ghost our Sanctifier The fourth Sunday Q. ARE not the outward works of all the persons common to every person of the Trinitie A. They are common indeed Q. How are they distinguished A. In respect of the order of their working Q. Let me heare of the distinct order of their working A. The Father hath created us the Son hath redeemed us the holy Ghost sanctifieth us Q. Wherefore is the Father particularly called our Creator A. Because our creation proceeds from the father first in order Q. Wherefore is the Sonne called our Redeemer A. Because our redemption was performed by the Son Q. Wherefore is the holy Ghost called our Sanctifier A. Because our sanctification is immediatly wrought by the holy Ghost Q. Thy meaning is that in every one of those outward workings all the three persons concurre together A. I understand so Q. Esteemest thou that the Father is greater then the Sonne and holy Ghost A. They are equall in dignitie power and Majestie Q. How then differ they A. They differ in number and in order Q. What sayest thou of the Father A. He is first not in dignitie but in order Q. What sayest thou of the Son A. Hee is second not in dignitie but in order Q. What sayest thou of the holy Ghost A. He is the third not in dignitie but in order Q. What sayest thou of the three persons of the Trinitie A. These three are the one eternall God blessed for ever 2. Of Mans Creation The fifth Sunday Q. WHat is it to create a thing A. To create properly is to make something of nothing Q. How hath God made all things of nothing A. By his infinite power Q. How governeth Hee all things that hee hath made A. By his infinite wisdome Q. Whereof was man made A. Of the dust of the earth Q. What learnest thou thereby A. I learne to be
exaltation How many degrees are they of his exaltation A. Three first his resurrection Secondly his ascension Thirdly his sitting at the right hand of God the Father Q. Wherefore did Christ rise againe from the dead A. For to show that he had overcome death Q. What other reason is there of his resurrection A. Hee being God and man in one person could not be holden of death Q. For what other cause arose He A. As He died for our sinnes so Hee arose for our righteousnesse Q. Wherefore was Christ said to arise for our righteousnesse A. Because by his resurrection he did evidently declare that he had by his death purchased righteousnesse to our Soules Q. What comfort hast thou of Christs resurrection A. That my dead body and all the dead bodies of the faithfull shall likewise arise at the last day Q. What ground hast thou of that comfort A. Because Christ who is risen is the head and wee who are the members must follow the head The twentie Sunday Q. WEE have heard of Christs resurrection the first degree of his exaltation what is the second A. His ascension into heaven Q. By what power was that done A. By the might and power of his Godhead Q. Is not his body on earth any more A. No not Q. But he hath said that he will be with his Church unto the end of the world A. That is to be understood of the presence of his Spirit Q. But how can his manhood be seperate from his Godhead A. They are no more seperate then the sun and his beames Q. Make that more cleare A. The body of the sun is only in the heavens but his beames do descend unto the Earth So Christ man is onely in the heavens but his Godhead filleth both heaven and Earth Q. What comfort hast thou of Christs ascension A. Hee is gone up for to prepare a roome for his Saints Q. How knowest thou that A. Hee hath said I goe to prepare a place for you and I will come againe and receive you unto my self that where I am there yee may bee also Iohn 14.3 The twentie one Sunday Q. WHAT is the third degree of his exaltation A. He sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Q. Hath God a right hand or a left A. No not for GOD is a Spirit Q. What then is that to sit at Gods right hand A. It is a forme of speach borrowed from Princes whose custome is to place at their right hand these whom they honour above others Q. What then is the meaning of these words that Christ sitteth at the right hand of God A. That hee is in unspeakable dignitie and authoritie having absolute power over all the creatures Q. What is the Lord now doeing for us at the right hand of his Father A. Hee is interceeding for us that is making request and intreatie in our behalf The twentie two Sunday Q. WHat is the manner of CHRISTS intercession while he is now in the Heavens A. He ascended up into heaven to appeare in the sight of God for us Hebr. 9.24 Q. How is that done A. By presenting his person and his passion before the face of God Q. Hovv then doth hee request for us A. By willing and desiring that his Father would accept his merits in our behalfe Q. Shall the Lords body for ever remaine in the heavens A. No not at the last day he shall come downe to judge the quicke and the dead Q. Hovv shall the judge come dovvne A. He shall descend with a shout with the voice of the Archangel and with the Trumpet of God in unspeakable glory Q. What honour shall the godly have that day A. They shall all sit downe upon Thrones at Christs right hand Q. What shall they doe upon these Thrones A. They shall judge the world 1 Cor. 6.2 Q. But shall not Christ himselfe that day be the onely judge A. Hee shall bee so but his Saints shall sit as assessours for to approve his judgement Q. Where shall the wicked then be A. At Christs left hand Q. What understand yee by his left hand A. As to bee at his right hand is understood to bee in dignitie so to bee at his left is understood to be in shame and ignominie Q. What shall the judge say unto the godly at his right hand A. Come yee blessed of my Father and receive a kingdome Q. What shall he say to the wicked at his left hand A. Depart from me to hell fire with the Divel and his angels The twentie third Sunday Q. WEE have heard of the first two parts of the Creede to wit of the Father and of the Sonne what is contained in the third part A. That which concerneth the holy Ghost the third person of the Trinitie Q. Wherefore callest thou him holy A. Both for his nature and his office Q. Wherefore is he called holy for his nature A. Because hee is holy in himself yea holinesse it self Q. Wherefore is he called holy for his office A. Because by his operation he maketh all the faithfull holy Q. What be the chiefe fruits of the holy Ghost A. Faith love joy gentlenesse meeknesse temperance peace and patience c. The twentie foure Sunday Q. WHat is contained in the fourth part of the Creed A. That which concerneth the Church Q. What is the Churche A. A companie of these whom GOD by his Spirit hath sanctified Q. What are the qualities of the Church A. It is holy and catholicke Q. Wherefore callest thou it holy A. Because Gods children on earth are holy in part and in heaven are perfectly holy Q. Wherefore callest thou it Catholicke Q. Because it is universall and reacheth unto all nations to all times sexe and age Q. How many parts hath the Catholicke Church A. Two the Church triumphant in heaven and the Church militant on earth Q. Whom callest thou the Church triumphant A. These who in the spirituall warfare have overcome the Devill the World and the flesh Q. Whom callest thou the Church militant A. These who are yet on earth fighting against the enemies of their salvation The twentie five Sunday Q. WHat are the chief prerogatives of the kirk A. These four the communion of Saints the forgivenesse of sins the resurrection of the body and life everlasting Q. What is that communion of Saints A. It is that love and fellowship which the children of God have with Christ and among themselves Q. Who are these Saints A. The Faithfull on the earth and the Souls of the Faithfull now in heaven Q. Wherefore are they called Saints A. Because they have beene sanctified by the holy Spirit Q. What is the second benefite belonging to the Church A. The remission of sins Q. What call ye the remission of sins A. A free pardon and forgivenesse of all our faults Q. Who hath procured this A. Christ Jesus by his death upon the crosse The twentie sixth Sunday Q. WHat is the third benefite belonging
The bread of the Sacrament is given for to be a seale of the food of the soule Other bread is but for the belly Q. Let me understand more clearely who is said to discerne the Lords body A. He is truely said to discerne the Lords body who trembling in all reverence cometh to the table and receaveth the bread not as common bread for the belly but as consecrate for to be a seale of the spirituall food of the soule Q. What is the punishment of these that communicate unworthily A. The punishment of the godly is sore sicknesse great sorrowes and sometimes death of body Q. What is the punishment of the wicked A. Death both of soule and body Q. Thinkest thou that the godly will whiles communicate unworthily A. Yea verily and for that the Lord will fearfully chastise them in this life The fourtie foure Sunday Q. IS it not good for the godly that they be so chastised for their negligence A. It is most certaine Q. How knowest thou that A. The Apostle sayeth when wee are judged wee are chastened of the Lord that wee should not bee condemned with the World 1 Cor. 11.32 Q. I see that there is great difference betweene the unworthie communicating of the godly and of the wicked A. Yea verily for God chasteneth the godly for their negligence but hee condemneth the wicked for their contempt Q. But will not this make many of the godly the more carelesse in their preparation seeing that though they communicate unworthily they shall not be condemned A. The chastisement of their negligence is to great that it should make the best of us to tremble divers calamities as sicknesse death losse of goods terrours of conscience are appointed for such The fourtie five Sunday Q. WHat should we thinke upon when we are come to the Lords table A. We should lift up our hearts to Christ in the heavens Qu. When thou seest the bread of the Sacrament broken what should thou remember A. That even so the body of Christ was broken upon the crosse with unspeakable dolours for my sinnes Q. When thou seest the wine povvred out vvhat shouldest thou remember A. That even so the blood of Christ was powred out upon the crosse for me Q. When thou eatest that bread of the Sacrament what sayeth thou in thy self A. I say Lord so feed my soule with Christs body the bread of life Q. When thou drinkest the wine what sayeth thou in thy selfe A. I say Lord quench the thirst of my soule with the vertue of Christs blood The fourtie sixth Sunday Q. DOE we eat with our teeth the flesh of Christs body at the Sacrament A. No not Qu How then eat we his body A. In a spirituall manner Q. How is that done A. While we believe that his body was broken for us we are said to eate his body Q. Wherefore is our believing called a eating and a drinking A. Because as our bodies live by eating and drinking so our souls live by believing that Christs body was broken and his blood powred out for our sins Q. What is the chiefest end of this Sacrament A. That the Lords death may thankfully be remembered Q. What is our duty after wee have received the Sacrament A. To give GOD most humble thankes Q. How should we thanke him A. We must declare the Lords death untill he come againe Q. What is that to declare the Lords death A It is to publish to solemnize to have in honour and estimation to spread abroad and make famous all the sufferings of the Lord. The fourtie seven Sunday Q. WHat more is required in our thankes then to declare the Lords death by publishing the same by word A. It is required that by a holy and reformed life wee glorifie God that others seeing our godly conversation may praise our heavenly Father Q. What wordes of thankes hast thou for God after thou hast received the Sacrament A. My soule praiseth God for his love which moved him to send his Son to the world to die for me I glorifie the Son of God for dying so willingly for the salvation of my lost soule Q. How concludest thou thy thanksgiving A. I say now unto the King eternall immortall invisible the only wise God be glory for ever and ever Amen 1 Tim. 1 vers 17. Q. What is thy exercise the rest of that day A. I with a thankfull heart meditate the mercies of my God who sent his Son to die for me and by his death to deliver me from hell fire Q. What doest thou more A. I call to memorie all the paines and dolours which Christ my Saviour suffered from his Cratch to the Crosse and praise him for the same To whom with the Father and the holy Spirit the Comforter be glory power and praise for evermore Amen TO THE NOBLE LADY D. Anne Campbell Daughter to the Noble and Potent Earle the Earle of Argyle c. MADAME I Heere humbly dedicate unto your Ladiship now of tender yeeres these two compends of the Catechisme Saint Iohn the Cusin and beloved Disciple of Iesus Christ who for his high doctrine was compared to an Eagle that mounteth very high disdained not to write unto Children In one chapter of a short Epistle hee hath I write unto you little children and againe in the same words I write unto you little children of that his writing hee giveth two reasons the one is in these words because your sins are forgiven you for his Names sake the other reason is in these words because yee have knowne the Father For this end Madame have I written unto you these two compends that yee may know the Father whom I most humbly intreat to increase his graces begun in your Ladyship in a good measure From Glasgow the 19. of Ianuar 1639. Your Ladiships most humble Servant M. ZACHARY BOYD. A short compend of the Catechisme needfull for little Children I. OF GOD. Question HOW many Gods be there Answer Onely one God Q. How many persones be there in the Godhead A. Three the Father the Son and the holy Ghost Q. What hath God the Father done for thee A. He hath created me Q. What hath God the Son done for thee A. He hath redeemed me Q. What hath the holy Ghost done for thee A. He hath sanctified me Of Mans Creation Q. WHereof was this world made A. Of nothing Q. Whereof was man made A. His body was made of the dust of the ground Q. How was his soule made A. The Lord breathed into his nosthrils the breath of life Q. How was man created at the first A. According to Gods own image Q. What is that image of God A. Holinesse and happinesse Of Mans Fall Q. DID man keepe that image A. No not Q. How lost he it A. By sinning against God Q. What was his sinne A. He did eate of the forbidden tree Q. What other sinnes did goe before that A. Pride unbeliefe a miscontentment with his own estate Q. What