receive him as such is effectually and powerfully to believe that God his Father hath put all things under him that he is the head of all principality and power and crowned with glory and honour that he hath all power given him in heaven and in earth that he must reign till he hath put all enemies under his feet that he is the one Law-giver who is able to save and to destroy and therefore to observe all things whatsoever he hath commanded Q. Seeing that Christ is our Lord and King what learn you from thence A. I learn from Christ's being our King that therefore Sin should not reign in our mortal body that we should obey it in the lusts thereof for what communion hath light with darkness and what concord hath Christ with Belial Q. What are the enemies that Christ our King is to subdue and destroy A. The enemies that he is to subdue and destroy are Satan and wicked men and sin and death which is the last enemy that shall be destroyed Q. What will this King Jesus Christ do for the Righteous who sincerely obey him A. When he shall come with all his holy Angels and sit upon the throne of his glory he shall say unto the Righteous Come ye blessed of my Father inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world and to those that overcome their spiritual enemies he will grant to sit with him on his throne even as he overcame and is set down with his Father on his throne and to those that shall be faithful to the death he will give a Crown of life Q. Having seen what it is to believe in Christ tell me what are the properties and notes of true Faith set down in Scripture A The properties and notes of true Faith set down in Scripture are these five 1. It purifies the heart 2. It worketh by love 3. It is made perfect by works 4. It overcomes the world 5. It quencheth all the fiery darts of the wicked one that is the Devil Q. Having seen what is meant by Faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ let us see what is meant by Repentance which is also necessary to qualifie and fit us to receive pardon of sin and salvation by Jesus Christ What is it therefore truly and savingly to Repent A. Truly and savingly to Repent is with a godly sorrow and shame for sin to turn from all sin unto God Q. It is not sufficient then only to confess our si is to God A. It is not but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy Q. Is not sorrow for sin saving Repentance A. No but godly sorrow worketh Repentance to salvation not to be repented of Q. You cannot think that good purposes and resolutions of amendment are sufficient to Salvation A. No by no means but we must throughly amend our ways and doings we must do works meet for Repentance and bring forth fruits answerable to amendment of life for every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewen down and cast into the fire Q. Having seen the nature of Faith and Repentance tell me what is meant by New and Spiritual Obedience which is also absolutely necessary to Salvation A. By new and Spiritual Obedience is meant that we must make us a new spirit that is do our best endeavour for it and walk in newness of life that we must put off as to the former conversation the old man which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts and be renewed in the spirit of our mind and put on the new man which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness Q. How is this new and spiritual Obedience farther explained in Scripture A. It is thus farther explained namely That we should not walk nor live after the flesh but after the spirit or according to the spiritual Precepts of the Gospel that we should not any longer live to the lusts of men but to the will of God that we should yield our selves unto God and that as we have yielded our members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity even so now we should yield our members servants to righteousness unto holiness Q. By what arguments and motives doth the Scripture inforoe and press us to this new and spiritual Obedience A. One ground and argument in Scripture for spiritual obedience is this That if any man be in Christ or a true Christian he is a new creature and if we are new Creatures and God's workmanship we are created in Christ Jesus unto good works to the which God hath before prepared us that we should walk in them and therefore they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts Q. What other argument or motive do you remember in Scripture for spiritual Obedience A. A second argument is this That Christ his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree to the end that we being dead unto sin should live unto righteousness and he gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purifie to himself a peculiar people zealous of good works Q. What other argument or motive in Scripture can you rehearse for spiritual Obedience A. A third argument is this That Christ hath said if we love him and keep his commandments he will love us and manifest himself unto us and also that his Father will love us they both will make their abode with us Q. What other argument or motive in Scripture can youthink on for spiritual Obedience A. A fourth argument is this That if we live after the flesh we shall die but if we through the Spirit do mortifie the deeds of the body we shall live If we sow to the flesh we shall of the flesh reap corruption but if we sow to the spirit we shall of the spirit reap life everlasting That being become the servants of God we shall have our fruit unto holiness and the end everlasting life That great peace have they that love God's law and in Keeping thereof there is great reward And therefore blessed are they that do his commandments Q. What are the works of the flesh which every Christian is to crucifie A. The works of the flesh are manifest which are these Adultery sornication uncleanness lasciviousness idolatry witchcraft hatred variance emulations wrath strife seditions heresies envyings murthers drunkenness revellings and such like and they that do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God Q. What are the fruits of the Spirit that every Christian is to bring forth A. The fruits of the Spirit are Love joy peace long-suffering gentleness goodness faith meekness temperance against such there is no law Q. Will not outward privileges
excellent judgment made it to consist of all the most necessary and important points of Religion and of none other 2. That so all Christians of what denomination soever may have no temptation to suspect the truth of it he hath composed it of Texis of Scripture and not taken liberty to express any one Doctrine whether relating to Faith or Manners in words of his own invention nor hath he any where made use of such Scriptural Phrases as to men of competent understandings are obscure or ambiguous or so much as seemingly misapplied any but all he useth are very pertinent to his purpose according to the apparent sence of them as I promise my self all persons not grosly silly or prejudic'd will bear me witness And whereas several phrases are briefly explained in other words it is done only for the sake of the most ignorant and to render them at first sight intelligible to the very lowest capacities Nor are any of those explications such as I can see may be called in question with any shadow of reason But besides that no man may think his judgment imposed upon by them taking notice that they are not to be esteemed as a part of the Catechism and that so it may readily be read without them they are all markt to be printed in a distinct Character and moreover inclosed with two stroaks as Parentheses In short the Reader may reap these following advantages by the careful perusal of this Catechism 1. He may be instructed thereby in the main body and substance of simple pure Christianity without the adulterations and spurious mixtures to borrow a phrase from a very excellent Doctor of Man-made Divinity 2. He may here at once and with the self-same labour be both taught the main points of his Religion and how to prove them 3. He here hath them expressed in the mâ—st affecting manner and with greatest authority because in the words of the holy Scriptures which are certainly more commanding strike with greater awe and a quicker and more pungent sense more powerfully influence our minds and sweetly insinuate their sence into our souls than can any of our own devising And I may hereto apply the well known Verse Dulciùs ex ipso fonte bibuntur aquae Pipe-waters vapid taste and dead To those drunk at the Fountain-head 4. He will hence evidently perceive that the Christian Religion is no Speculative but a purely Practical Science and that the design and business thereof is though those that would not have it so will not see it to make men inwardly and really Righteous to purify our souls from all fleshly and spiritual pollutions and endue us with a God-like and divine nature I shall now make two humble and earnest requests and then conclude my already too long Preface First That Parents and others that have the charge of Youth will be pleased to instruct them thoroughly in this Catechism I mean after they have well learnt and digested that which the Church hath set forth for them concerning which I must needs say that as it is very well adapted to the capacities of young ones so whatsoever too many do think of it it is an excellently good foundation to superstruct upon Secondly That those that are more than Children either in age or understanding will not disdain because this is a Catechism frequently to read it and consideratively to weigh and ponder it I have said enough to perswade my Readers not to deny me these requests Now the God of peace that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus that great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the everlasting Covenant make us perfect in every good work to do his will working in us that which is well-pleasing in his sight by blessing to us this and all those many other excellent helps he hath graciously afforded us for that purpose to whom be glory for ever and ever Amen Edward Fowler IMPRIMATUR Sam. Parker Ex Aed Lambethanis Novemb. 8. 1672. A Scripture-Catechism OR A FORM OF Sound Words Shewing What a Christian is to Believe and Practise in order to Salvation Quest. WHat is the main Duty and Concernment of Man Answ. To Fear God and keep his Commandements is the whole Duty of Man Q. What is God A. God is a Spirit most pure and holy most good merciful and gracious most just and rightcous most true and faithful All-knowing Almighty Eternal and every where present Q. How may it be known that there is a God A The Invisible things of God from the Creation of the World are clearly seen being understood by the things that are made even his Eternal power and Godhead Q. How many Gods are there A. There is none other God but one for though there be that are called Gods whether in Heaven or in earth as there'be Gods many and Lords many yet to us there is but oneGod the Father of whom are all things c. Q. What doth the Scripture affirm of the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost A The Scripture saith that there are three that hear Record in Heaven the Father the Word or the Son and the Holy Ghost and these three are one Q. What is meant by God's being a Spirit A. By God's being a Spirit is meant that he hath not flesh and bones that he cannot be handled or seen so that there is nothing to which we can liken him nor any likeness which we may compare unto him Q. What do you ' earn from this that God is a Spirit A. From this that God is a Spirit I learn that they that worship him must worship him in Spirit and in Truth Q. What is meant by God's being most pure and holy A. By God's being most pu e and holy is meant that he is not a God thatrhath pleasure in wickedness that he is of purer eyes than to behold evil that is with a liking of it and that he cannot be tempted with evil neither doth he tempt any man Q. What do you learn from the Consideration of God's purity and holiness A. From the Consideration of God's purity and holiness I learn that I ought to abhorr that which is evil and cleave to that which is good to purifie my self even as he is pure and to be holy in all manner of Conversation as God is holy Q. What is meant by God's being most good merciful and gracious A. By this that God is most good merciful and gracious is meant that his tender mercies are over all his works that he doth good and giveth good things unto them that ask him that he is full of compassion and long-suffering ready to pardon slow to anger and of great kindness and that he hath no pleasure in the death of the wicked but that the wicked turn from his way and live and is not willing that any
A. If a man say I love God and hateth his brother he is a liar for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen how can he love God whom he hath not seen and whoso hath this world's goods and seeth his brother have need and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him how dwelleth the love of God in him Q. Hath not Christ given a new commandment concerning the loving of our brethren A. A new commandment he hath given to us That we love one another as he hath loved us that we also love one another And as hereby perceive we the love of God because he laid down his life for us so we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren Q. Are the commandments of Christ impossible or difficult to be obeyed A. His commandments are not grievous but his yoke is easie and his burthen is light Nor hath God in any thing wearied us that we should testifie against him Q. Are we able of our selves to believe and repent and keep all the commandments of God A. We are not sufficient of our selves to think any thing as of our selves but our sufficiency is of God whose grace is sufficient for us It is God that worketh in us both to will and to do of his good pleasure but as without Christ we can do nothing so we can do all things through Christ which strengthneth us Q. Are we therefore to lie idle and only to live in expectation of power from above to work in us both to will and to do what is required of us A. No verily but we are to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling because it is God which worketh in us both to will and to do that is because we are enabl ed by the concurrence of God's grace with our endeavours both to resolve firmly to do well and to perform accordingly Q. Seeing we are unable without the supply of God's grace and Spirit to keep his commandments and therefore it cannot but be absolutely necessary for us to pray to him that we may be strengthned with might by his Spirit in the inward man what encouragement have we to hope for spiritual strength upon our praying for it A. We are encouraged from those words of Christ Ask and it shall be given you 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 shall your heavenly Father give the holy Spirit to them that ask him Q. What further encouragement have we to expect spiritual strength A. We are further encouraged from the tenure of the new Covenant which is this I will put saith God my Laws into their mind and write them in their hearts I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh and I will give you an heart of flesh and I will put my Spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes and ye shall keep my commandments and do them Which Promises suppose that we must not be wilfully or carelesly wanting to our selves in the use of means as is manifest by comparing these texts with Ezek. 18. 31. and James 4. 8. and many such like Q. What are the chief ordinary means which God hath appointed for the working and furtherance of Faith Repentance and all graces in us A. They are these three 1. Prayer 2. The holy Scriptures or Word of God 3. The Sacraments Q. What is Prayer A. Prayer'is the making known our requests to God and the pouring out our hearts before him that so we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need Q. How must we pray to God that we may be heard and accepted by him A. That we may be heard and accepted by God we must ask in the name of Christ and such things only must we ask as are according to his will Q. What else is necessary to make our prayers acceptable A. 'T is farther necessary to the making of our prayers acceptable that we call upon God in truth and sincerity and not with feigned lips that we pray with humility and submission saying Not my will but thine be done that we ask in faith that is believing in the wisdom power and goodness of God that we lift up holy hands without wrath or forgiving all that have trespassed against us and lastly whatsoever we ask we shall receive if we keep his commandments and do those things that are pleasing in his sight but if we regard iniquity in our hearts the Lord will not hear us Q. But must we not with prayers to God join also praise and thanksgiving A. Yes in every thing must our requests be made known to God by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus that in every thing we give thanks in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ by whom we are to offer the sacrifice of praise continually unto God Q. How did Christ our Lord teach his Disciples to pray A. He taught them to pray after this manner Our Father which art in heaven hallowed be thy name thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive them that trespass against us and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil for thine is the kingdom and the power and the Glory sor ever and ever Amen Q. What is the second means for begetting and increase of Faith and all other Vertues A. It is the word of God or the holy Scriptures which are able to make us wise unto salvation for all the Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine for reproof for correction for instruction in rightcousness that the man of God and every faithful Christian may be perfect throughly furnished for every good work Q. How must we receive the word of God that it may become an effectual means of grace unto us A. We must receive the word with meekness and all readiness of mind with an honest and good heart and laying aside all malice and all guile and hypocrisies and envies and evil speakings as new born babes we must desire the sincere milk of the word that we may grow thereby Q. It is not enough then merely to hear or read God's word A. By no means but we must meditate n the law of the Lord day and night we must lay it up and hide it in our hearts and having with an honest and good heart heard the word we must keep it and bring forth fruit with patience or perseverance for if we be hearers only of the word and not doers we deceive
of Godliness but denying the power thereof from such I say we must turn away that so we henceforth be no more children tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine by the slight of men and cunning craftiness whereby they lie in wait to deceive Q. Having spoken of the three chief outward means for the begetting and encrease of grace and holiness what are those four last things as they are commonly called which being duly considered would excite and engage us to a serious minding of Holiness A. The four last things which being duly considered would excite and engage us to a serious minding of Holiness are Death and Judgment Heaven and Hell Q. What doth the Scripture tell us of Death A. The Scripture tells us that it is appointed unto men once to die and that our life is even as a vapour that appeareth for a little time and then vanisheth away Q. What should the shortness and uncertainty of our life here engage us to A. The shortness and uncertainty of our life here should engage us so to number our days that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom Q. What is that wisdom which we are to apply our hearts unto A. The fear of the Lord that is wisdom and to depart from evil is understanding Q. What doth the Scripture tell us of the Judgment to come A. The Scripture tells us that God hath appointed a day in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained even by Jesus Christ who is ordained of God to be the judge of quick and dead and we must all appear before the Judgment-seat of Christ that every one may receive the thing done in his body according to that he hath done whether it be good or bad Q. What shall immediately precede the general Judgment A. The hour is coming in the which all that are in the graves shall hear the voice of the Son of God and shall come forth they that have done good unto the resurrection of life and they that have done evil unto the resurrection of damnation Q. What should the serious consideration of the last judgment engage us to A. The serious consideration of the last Judgment should engage us to fear God and keep his commandments for God shall bring every work into judgment with every secret thing in the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ Q. Seeing then that God who knoweth the secrets of the heart will bring every work into judgment and judg the secrets of men by Jesus Christ what must we do that we may not be condemned with the world at the day of judgment Psal. 44. 21. 1 Cor. 11. 32. A. That we may not be condemned with the world at the day of judgment let us search and try our ways and turn again to the Lord and let every man prove his own work for every man shall bear his own burthen and shall give account of himself to God Q. But seeing the Heart is deceitful above all things is it not needful to pray unto God that we may not be deceived in searching our ways and proving our own works Jer. 17. 9. A. Surely it is meet for us to say unto God That which I see not teach thou me and if I have done iniquity I will do no more for who can understand his errors Cleanse thou me from my secret faults Search me O God and know my heart try me and know my thoughts and see if there be any wicked way in me and lead me in the way everlasting Q. Forasmuch as the Heavens and the Elements and the Earth shall be dissolved when the day of the Lord shall come what doth the consideration hereof engage us to A. Seeing that all these things shall be dissolved what manner of persons ought we to be in all holy conversation and godliness giving diligence that we may be found of God in peace without spot and blameless Q. Who are those that are secured from being condemned with the world and may have boldness in the day of Judgment A. There is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus who walk not aster the flesh but after the spirit and such may have boldness in the day of judgment because as Christ was so are they in this world for hereby know we that we are in him if we keep his word and walk even as he walked Q. What doth the Scripture tell us of Heaven A. The Scripture tells us of Heaven That it is a place of Rest and comfort and joy even of fulness of joy and pleasures for evermore and that there is reserved for the Saints an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that fadeth not away Q. Can you give me a particular description of the Heavenly state A. Now are we the sons of God but it doth not yet appear what we shall be but we know that when he shall appear we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is and then shall we ever be with the Lord who will also change our vile body that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself Q. Who are thosethat shall not inherit the kingdom of God or Heaven A. We know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God and particularly neither fornicators nor idolaters nor Adulterers nor effeminate nor abusers of themselves with mankind nor thieves nor covetous nor drunkards nor revilers nor extortioners nor such like shall inherit the kingdom of God Q. Then you are throughly convinced that it is necessary that we become new creatures that so we may enter into the kingdom of Heaven A. Verily except we be born again except we be converted and become as little children we cannot see nor in any wise enter into the kingdom of Heaven Q. How then should every one live and behave himself that hopes to see God and his kingdom A. Every one that hath this hope in him should purifie even as God is pure or endeavour to be as like him in holiness as he can and walk worthy of God who hath called him to his kingdom and glory Q. What are they further engaged to do who believe and look for the heavenly kingdom and inheritance A. They are further engaged to have their conversation in heaven and to set their affections on things above and not on things on the earth Q. What is the fruit of the consideration of the glorious Rewardin heaven as to active obedience and doing the will of God A. The consideration of the glorious reward in heaven encourageth us to be stedfast and unmoveable always to abound in the work of the