the Kingdom to God the Father Q. Why is it said that Christ shall come again Did He ever come before to Judgment A. No. But this word again relateth to Christs first coming by His Incarnation for our Redemption and teacheth us that as He came then in the fulness of time to visit us in great humility so He shall come again at the end of the world in His glorious Majesty to Judge both the quick and the dead Q. Why are quick and dead mentioned in this Article A. To shew that all shall not die before the last day of Judgment but some shall be then found alive and these shall only be changed from corruption to incorruption and shall be caught up together with the dead into the clouds to meet the Lord in the ayr and so without separation of the body and soul by death they shall be ever with the Lord 1 Thes 4.15 16 17. 1 Cor. 15.51 c. Q. In what Article of your Creed do you learn to believe in the Third Person of the Trinity the Holy Ghost who hath sanctified you and all the Elect People of God A. In the 8 9 10 11 12th Articles Q. What do you observe in this part of the Creed A. 1. The Person sanctifying 2. The Persons sanctified Q. VVho is the Person sanctifying A. The Holy Ghost called the Paraclete or Comforter Q. VVhat do you mean by the Holy Ghost A. A Ghost is the same that a Spirit which is pure a incorporeal immaterial substance So by the Holy Ghost I mean the Holy Spirit that is the Third Person in the Sacred Trinity Q. But are there not other Spirits besides the Third Person in the Trinity A. Yes The Angels are Spirits Heb. 1.14 And there are the Spirits of just men made perfect Heb. 12.23 which are the souls of the Elected after they be delivered from the burden of the flesh And these are holy too And in general any thin substance in Nature wanting solidity and grossness of matter by way of resemblance and similitude may be called a Spirit But these are created Spirits and to distinguish the Third Person in the glorious Trinity from these we must call Him Uncreated And to make this distinction plain and evident the Fathers in the Councils of Nice and Constantinople have expounded this Article thus I believe in the Holy Ghost the Lord and giver of life VVho proceedeth from the Father and the Son VVho with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified VVho spake by the Prophets Now here Being Lord distinguisheth Him from Ministring spirits Heb. 1.14 and being giver of life proceeding from the Father and the Son being worshiped and glorified together with the Father and the Son communicating with them in their Substance Nature Power Majesty Glory and Eternity and speaking by the Prophets distinguisheth Him from all creatures whatsoever Q. But is not the Holy Spirit said equally of the Father and of the Son too A. It is true both the Father and the Son are a Spirit and both holy also And therefore indeed this Third Person is not distinguished from the other two by His proper name but is called by a name common to the other two And this comes to pass because of our want of words For we can conceive God under no other Names but such as we borrow from created things so far as we can resemble Him to something that is in Nature and no farther And therefore we can call the First and Second Persons by their proper names because the First Person his communicating of His Substance to the Second is like to Generation that is the Act of Generating or begetting in Nature and so the Substance Generating is one Person of the Father and the Substance Generated is another Person of the Son But the Coming or Proceeding of the Third Person from both the other is like to nothing in Nature and therefore we can call the Act of this communicating of the Substance of the other two Persons to the Third by no other but by the general Name of Comeing or Proceeding and therefore the Person Proceeding in such manner as cannot be expressed no nor conceived by any thing that resembleth it must of necessity to us want His proper name and be called by the name proper to the other two Yet whensoever the Holy Spirit though it be the common name of all Three is joyned with the First and Second Person in the Trinity or with either of them by way of distinction then this particularly signifieth the Third Person in the Deity who ineffably inconceivably and eternally proceedeth from the Father and the Son and is Very God Co-eternal Co-equal and Con-substantial to both and to be worshipped with the same Faith and with equal Honor and Adoration Q. But why is the Third Person called Holy as it were in distinction to the other two A. We must not speak of any Person of the Godhead without holiness and all other Attributes of Perfection either expressed or understood And so the Third Person as the First and the Second is Holy ab intra by nature from all Eternity and Co-equal with them in this as in all other Nominal and Real Relative and Absolute Attributes But He is said to be Holy in distinction to Them by an Holyness of His Office ab extra begun in time as He is the Author and Maker of Holiness in us the Giver of Holy and Spiritual life the Sanctifier of all the Elect People of God Q. How doth the Holy Ghost Sanctifie and make Holy the Elect people of God A. 1. He dedicateth us early to Christs service in our Baptism 2. He alienateth us from the allurements of the world by a religious education 3. He acquainteth us with the holy Scriptures and with the Principles of Religion drawn from the same which â—re able to make us wise unto Salvation â—hrough faith that is in Jesus Christ 4. He exerciseth us therein that is 〈◊〉 the Scriptures and those Principles â—hrough the assistance of grace to have â—lways a Conscience void of offence â—oth towards God and towards men Q. How doth the Holy Ghost exercise 〈◊〉 to have a Conscience thus void of sence A. Many ways 1. By moving us to keep and restrain â—â—r five outward Senses that sin by â—â—em as by open windows enter not inâ—â— our hearts 2. By enabling us to practise the four â—â—rdinal moral Virtues 3. By infusing into our hearts the three Theological Virtues 4. By endowing us with the seven guifts of the Holy Ghost 5. By working in us the twelve Effects or Fruits of the Holy Ghost 6. By giving us a heart and power to do the three kinds of good works as also to perform the seven works of Corporal mercy the seven works of Spiritual mercy and the Offices of Christian Justice 7. By propounding unto us as the excitements of holy duties and the reward of our labours all the external internal and
out many inventions Eccles 7.29 by which he defaced that image and made himself a sinner and for this had suffered eternal death had he not been Redeemed by the death of Christ Q Wherein is Christs Exaltation A. 1. In His Victory over Hell 2. In His Resurrection 3. In His Ascention 4. In His Session at the right hand of God 5. In His coming again to judge the quick and the dead Q. What do you think of Christs descent into Hell in the fifth Article A. I believe that after the death of His body His humane soul went down really and locally into Hell Q. In what sence do you take Hell here A. I take Hell here as I take Christs Death and Burial in the former Article that is in the litteral sense For as Christ died for us and was buried so also it is to be believed litterally that He went down into Hell Art 3. of the Church of England Q. What do you mean by these words He rose again the third day A. I mean that He was not raised by any other but rose again of Himself by His own power For as He gave up the Ghost when He died no man took away His life from Him but He layed it down of Himself so He took His life again of and by Himself Q. Why is it said He rose again the third day whenas it is evident by the story of His Passion as it is set down by the holy Evangelists that there were not forty hours between His Death and His Resurrection A. You must understand that the Jews reckoned their Natural day consisting of 24. hours from evening to evening And then you must by a Synechdoche which putteth part for the whole take two parts of two days for two whole days and reckon part of Good-Fryday being the day of the Jews preparation on which day He was Crucified from the ninth to the twelfth hour for one day Then the Sabbath day or Saturday from Sun-set to Sun-set was one entire whole day this was the second And then lastly the night following the Sabbath or Saturday to the dawning of the first day of the week that we call the Lords-day or Sunday must be taken for the third day He was Crucified Dead and Buried on Fryday towards the evening His body lay in the Grave all Saturday He rose again on the Sunday morning St. Luke 24.31 which was the third day after His death Q. Why are Christs Descent into Hell and His Resurrection put together into one Article A. Because in these two poynts is contained all whatsoever Christ hath merited for us by His Death For the Redemption of our Souls is compleated by His conquering the Devil in His descent into Hell by His Soul and the Redemption of our Bodies is compleated by His conquering Death in the glorious Resurrection of His Body Q. What is contained in the sixth Article A. Christs Ascention into Heaven and Session at the right hand of God In His Incarnation was the beginning in this is the end of His Pilgrimage here on Earth In that was His Humiliation in His Resurrection and this is His Exaltation Q. But was not Christ always in Heaven A. Yes According to His Godhead which is always every where but by way of special presence most eminently in Heaven and was then in Heaven when it was with His Soul in Hell and with His Body in the Grave But His Manhood in His Humane Body and Soul came not into Heaven till His Ascention which was forty days after His Resurrection Q. VVhat were the reasons of Christs Ascention into Heaven A. 1. Because there was no other place sutable to His glorious Body 2. Because it was but just and equal that His Manhood should take possession of that Kingdom of glory which He had purchased by His Passion 3. Than He might shew His Kingdom not to be of this world and so that He was not to be looked upon as Man but to be worshiped as God 4. That He might therefore prepare a place for us 5. That He might thereby draw our minds and affections after Him and cause our conversation to be in Heaven c. Phil. 3.20 Q. VVhat are the benefits that we have by His Ascention A. 1. Upon His Ascention we have the Comforter sent unto us St. Joh. 1.6.7 by whom He giveth His gifts to men Eph 4.8 1 Cor. 12. 2. He appeareth in the presence of God for us Heb. 9.24 So that If any man sin we have an Advocate with Father Jesus Christ the Righteous and He is the Propitiation for our sin and not for ours only but for the sins of the whole world 1. St. John 2.1 2. 3. Where He is there shall we be also St. John 14.3 17.24 Q. But why is the Session of Christ at the right hand of God added to this Article A. Because as His Ascention into Heaven setteth forth the glory and Majesty of His Person by the place where He is so this may shew the exercise of His power in that place Q. But is there any right hand or left with God A. No. For indeed God is a Spirit that hath neither flesh nor bones nor any part of a body Q. How then is it said that Christ is on the right hand of God A. This is a Trope or Metaphorical changing of the word as it is frequent to observe in holy Scriptures when we speak of God after the manner of men attributing to Him humane affections and members according to our capacities And yet indeed whenas He is a Spirit there can be nothing that hath any part of a body imagined to be in Man But because in our conversation with men we take Him to have the greatest honor which is placed on the right hand therefore transferring and comparing this to things in Heaven to express the glory of Christ which as Man He hath attained unto above all others Men and Angels we say that He is set on the right hand of the Father on the right hand of the Throne of Majesty in Heaven Heb. 8.1 And so accordingly we must take Sittting not for the site and posture of the body but for the firm and sure possession of that Royal Power and highest glory which He as Man hath received of the Father Who hath set Him on His own right hand in Heavenly places far above all Principalities and Powers c. Eph. 1.20 21 22 23. Q. What do you observe in the seventh Article concerning His coming again to Judge the quick and the dead A. The four last things viz. Death Judgment Hell and Heaven Q. How do you gather these three A. Because first it is appointed for all men once to die or else to be changed at the last day Then cometh the Judgment and by this they that are acquitted shall go into Heaven and they that are condemned shall go into Hell And this will be the last act of Christs Office Then He shall deliver up
eternal happiness of the eight Beatitudes Q. Which be the five Senses A. 1. Seeing 2. Hearing 3. Touching 4. Tasting 5. Smelling Q. Which are the four Cardinal Moraâ— Virtues A 1. Prudence 2. Justice 3. Fortitude 4. Temperance Q. Which be the three Theological Virtues A. 1 Faith 2. Hope 3. Charity Q. What be the seven guifts of the Holy Ghost A. 1. Wisdom 2. Understanding 3. Counsel 4. Fortitude 5. Knowledge 6. Godliness 7. The Fear of the Lord. Q. Which be the twelve Fruits of the Holy Ghost A. 1. Love 2. Joy 3. Peace 4. Patience 5. Benignity 6. Goodness 7. Longanimity 8. Mildness 9. Faith 10. Modesty 11. Continence 12. Chastity Q. Which be the three kinds of Good Works A. 1. Alms. 2. Prayer 3. Fasting Q. What be the seven works of Corporal Mercy A. 1. To feed the hungry 2. To give drink to the thirsty 3. To cloath the naked 4. To visit and redeem the Captives 5. To harbour the harbourless 6. To visit the sick 7. To bury the dead Q. What be the seven works of Spirituaâ— Mercy A. 1. To correct the sinner 2. To instruct the ignorant 3. To counsel the doubtful 4. To comfort the sorrowful 5. To take wrongs patiently 6. To forgive wrongs willingly 7. To pray for all men Q. What be the Offices of Christian Justice A. 1. To decline all evil 2. To do all good Q. VVhich be the eight Beatitudes A. 1. Blessed are the poor in spirit For theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven St. Mat. 5. 2. Blessed are the meek For they shall possess the earth 3. Blessed are they that mourn For they shall be comforted 4. Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness For they shall be filled 5. Blessed are the merciful For they shall find mercy 6. Blessed are the clean in heart For they shall see God 7. Blessed are the Peace-makers For they shall be called the Sons of God 8. Blessed are they that suffer persecution for righteousness sake For theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven Q. VVho are the persons sanctified by the Holy Ghost A. In one word they are the Church Q. VVhat is the Church A. The Church is a visible company of Christs faithful people for whom He the Son of God taking upon Him the Nature of Man did and suffered all things necessary to their Salvation Q. VVhat do you observe in your Creed concerning the Church A. 1. Her Being that there is a Church 2. Her Proprieties 3. Her Priviledges Q. What are the Prproieties of the Church A. 1. One 2. Holy 3. Catholick 4. Apostolick 5. A Communion of Saints Q. VVhat are the Priviledges of the Church A. 1. Concerning the Soul Forgiveness of Sins 2. Concerning the body Resurrection of the Body 3. Concerning both Body and Soul Life Everlasting Q. What needs this be an Article of your Christian Faith that the Church hath a being For do not all Jews Turks and Infidels c. believe that there is a Church A. They believe that there is such a Sect of Christians in the world as we call the Church But they believe it not to have such means of Salvation such saving truth in the Word such efficacy in the Sacraments such power of binding and loosing such proprieties and priviledges as I believe to be in the Church Q. VVhat is the first propriety of the Church A. To be one Q. How do you say the Church is but One A. The whole multitude of Believers dispersed far and wide over the whole world is but One Collective Mystical Body of our Lord Jesus Christ Therefore I say I believe the Church Not Churches in the plural number but in the singular number One Church as it is intimated in the Apostles Creed and expressed in the Nicene Creed And so it is written There is One Body and One Spirit even as you are called in One hope of your calling One Lord One Faith One Baptism One God and Father of all who is above all and through all and in us all Eph. 4.4 5 6. As it is but One Body so it hath but One Head One Supream invisible Rector or Governor even Christ Jesus our Lord whom the Father hath given to be Head of the Church which is His Body Eph. 1.22 23. Thus the Church is but One because She teacheth in all places and at all times one and the same Doctrine of Faith Administreth the same Sacraments is guided by the same Spirit and hath the same invisible Head And so the particular Members though they cannot be all together in one place ought to be of one mind and endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of Peace Q. What is the second Propriety of the Church A. She is Holy Q. How is the Church said to be Holy A. First As all things consecrated and set a part for Religious uses are said to be holy so all the Faithful are holy that have dedicated themselves and given up their names in Baptism unto Christ And so then again In Him the Church is holy as a Body that is joyned to an holy Head from Whom as from the Fountain of all holiness the Graces of the Holy Ghost and the Riches of the goodness of the Father are diffused and derived Lastly She is Holy because of the Holy Word that is Preached the Holy Sacraments that are Administred the Holy Service that is performed and the Holy Lives that are practised in the Church Q. VVhy is She called Catholick A. Catholick is as much as General and Universal and then therefore She is called Catholick because being dispersed throughout the whole world She doth in Her Motherly bosome receive embrace and safe-keep all persons of all times places and Nations so that they be of one mind and consent in the Faith and Doctrine of Christ Q VVhy is the Church called Apostolick A. This was added by the Fathers of Nice and Constantinople to prove the Church truly Catholick in that the Doctrine thereof which all men of former ages in all Nations had received and all for the present and hereafter are bound to stand to as received from the very Apostles themselves and from their writings Q. VVhy is the Church called the Communion of Saints A. 1. In respect of Christ the Head in whose benefits every Member hath a common interest in that He took upon Him the Nature of Man not of this or that particular but of all in general and so for all men that believe in Him He effectually suffered all things necessary for their Salvation 2. In regard of the society of all the Elect people of God all the faithful Members of the Church both Militant and Triumphant that have been are or shall be in all times and in all places who hold an inseparable Communion and Unity among themselves as Members of one and the self same body and do help and assist one another with mutual acts of mercy and all good works among whom there is