that oneness in which GOD enjoys himself Q. Sect. 17 May there be a further discovery of this Mystery A. It s brought forth in them that y Col. 1 26. beleeve Q. How mean you A. In the z Eph 1 17. Revelation of it Q. And how to A. In the a Col 2 2 enjoyment of it Q. As how A. GOD b Joh 20 17. is their Father Q. How A. He hath begotten them c 1 Pet 1 3 again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Christ Q. How is the Son revealed A. He d Gal. i 16 is revealed in them Q. How mean you A. They e Joh. 3 3. are born and brought forth in his image Q. How doth that appear A. In that GOD loveth and delighteth in them as in his f Zeph. 3 17. own Son Q. How is the Holy Ghost made manifest A. Many ways Q. Name one only A. By the Holy Ghost they that believe are one with g Ioh. 17 22. and in the Lord Jesus one h 1 Cor. 6 17. 2 Cor. Spirit with the Father with Christ and i Eph. 4.4 with all Saints Q. Sect. 18 You in the opening of this Mystery seem shy of the ordinary expressions A. Essence Persons Trinity Those expressions were not from the beginning Q. How have we then received them A. By l Mat. 15 2 tradition Q. Who were the first authors of them A. Those whom we commonly cal the * Trelc Fathers Q. Are we not then bound to the use of them A. Not by the Scriptures Q. May we not make * Abhorremus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 use of them A. Yes Q. Is there foundation for them in the Scriptures A. Yes Q. Why do you then not open this mystery by them A. I have two reasons for it Q. Tell the first A. The m 2 Tim 3 5. Psa 50 16. commonnesse of the expression hath vail'd and clouded the truth and mystery it selfe Q. Tell the second A. The mystery n Eph 3 18 19. it self being a great deep one way of expressing it is too narrow Q. How doth this appear A. From o Ioh. 21 25. the Scriptures Q. How so A. They p Eph 3 10. are abundant and various in the expressing of it Q. To what end A. That q Rom. 15 4. if by any means we might apprehend it Q. What 's the evil of our not following this example A. As most are ignorant of r Mat. 22 29. so few receive comfort from this mystery Q. How appears that A. The ſ 1 Pet. 1.18 Mark 7 13. knowledge of most is but traditional Q. What doth that bring in A. A form t 2 Tim 3 5. of godliness without the power of it Q. And what 's that the root of A. All u 2 Tim 3 1 2 3 4. manner of sin schisme and prophanesse Q. How is it remedyed A. By w Ioh 6 63. understanding all things in the Spirit Q. How is that A. By beholding them in their x 2 Cor 3 18. own native naked and real glory Q. May that be on earth A. y Ibid. Yes Q. How A. In z 1 Cor 13 9. part Q. What follows the want of this A. Many a Ioh 11 9 10. stumble at the truth it self Q. And what too A. Men b Mat 11 18 19. take offence for not going in the common road Q. Is it safe to turn every stone and to examine every thing in Religion A. Every c 1 Ioh 4 1 one should do it for his own satisfaction Q. How A. Modestly d Rom 12 3. Q. How mean you A. Expecting to be taught of GOD e Ioh 6 45 in every thing of GOD. Q. What wil they then bee A. More f Ps 19 10 sweet then the hony Comb. Q. What caution then is to be given us hence A. That g Isa 2 22 we cease from man Q. What altogether A. No h 1 Cor 3 5. Q. What then A. So i 1 Cor. 14 25. far as we find not GOD appearing in him Q. Why so A. Lest k Mat. 10 17. he lead us out of the way Q. To what A. To l 1 Cor. 3 10 11. the knowledge and enjoyment of the very first foundation Q. What is that A. The Mystery m Col. 2.3 of GOD the Father revealed in Christ by the Spirit What 's the end of this divine Manifestation of God Sect. 19 A. That the third Commandment gives us to understand Q. What then doth the third Commandment teach A. That z Exod. 20 7. such honor be given to God as is due unto his Name Q. Doth this follow the two former A. Yes Naturally Q. How so A. When a Rev. 19.1 God is known he is glorified of them that know him Q. How is GOD glorified A. By b Ioh. 3 33 subscribing to whatsoever is revealed or spoken of him Q. Give us an instance A. We c Job 40 4 see it in Job submitting to his wisdome Q. Give another instance A. We see it in d Isa 6. Isaiah the Prophet and with him the Angels giving to GOD the glory of his holinesse Q. Name one instance more A. We see it in that e Revel 5 11 12. infinite number of Saints and Angels that are round about the Throne Q. How doth it appear in them A. In the New f Rev. 5 9 Song they sing Q. What is the song they sing A. Blessing g verse 13. honor glory and power be unto him that sitteth upon the Throne and unto the Lamb forevermore Q. How do they express this A. By h Rev 4.10 casting their Crownes before the Throne Q. Of what is that a signe A. That GOD is all and they before him in their own account nothing at all Q. Sect. 20 What will follow hereupon A. That which the fourth Commandment doth reveal Q. What is that A. The i Heb. 4 9. keeping of a Sabbath Q. Of what Sabbath A. Of an k Psa 23 6 everlasting Sabbath Q. Where is this Sabbath to be kept A. In l Heb. 4 9 Heaven and m Mat. 11 29. Earth Q. Can such a Sabbath be kept on earth A. Yes n 1 Cor. 13 12 in part Q. How so A. By o Heb. 11 1 faith Q. As how A. In p Heb. 6 20. Christ Q. Is there a Sabbath in Christ A. q Heb 4 10 Yes Q. What is the nature of it A. A r ib. resting from our works Q. How mean you A. A ſ Isa 58 13. living in another Q. In whom A. In t Col. 3 3 GOD and Christ Q. How long A. For u Ioh.
head and by his own work Q. What doth this lead men too A. Despair b verse 13 Q. What course doe men take that are in despair A. They c Rev. 6 16. fly from GOD as their Almighty enemy Q. What course do they naturally take to heal themselves of this distemper A. They either seek to destroy themselves as being weary of themselves or else to forget God the law and themselvs by plunging themselves in sin and the world Q. Give an instance of the former A. Judas did thus Q. How A. He d Acts 1 18. slew himself Q. Give an instance of the latter A. The Gentiles did the other Q. As How A. They delighted not to retain God in their minds but took pleasure in e Rom 1 28. unrighteousnesse Q. What 's the end of both A. Wrath f Rom 2 5 in the day of wrath Q. Is this the end of all'men A. g Heb 11 6 Yes without Christ Q. What brings men to this A. A h Mat 23 4. mis-understanding of the law Q. What is that misunderstanding A. That i Rom 9 32 it is to them a rule of life without Christ Q. How come men thus to think A. They are led to it two ways Q. What is the first A. False k Gal 3 1 teaching Q. What 's the latter A. By l Rom 9 31 a principle within them Q. Is it not then the mind of God that man of imselfe should keep the law A. That were m 2 Cor 3 5 impossible Q. Why is he then punished A. Because n Jer 31 18 he undertakes things of his own head and will go his own way Q. Is that such a sinne A. By it o Isa 7 13 he contemns God Q. What is the state of such a man A. He lives p Eph 2 12 without God Q. How mean you A. He prayes without out God he hears walks talks eats works dyes and all without God Q. If man be not of himself to keep the law what use then is there of the law A. It q Rom 7 9 serves to make man nothing in respect of power wisdom righteousness and God in that respect all in all Q. What then is the true knowledge of God by the law A. I have shewed that already Qu. Open it more clearly A. The r Exod 19 11 12 law sets up God and throws down man Q. How doth the law set up God A. By Å¿ ibid revealing God Q. How doth the law reveal God A. By t ib. revealing his will concerning man Q. Doth the law then reveal the wil of God concerning man A. Yes u Exod 20 3 Q. What is that law A. The w Exo. 20 sum of it in the letter is the ten Commandments Q. What is the will of God revealed in the ten Commandments concerning man A. That x Mat 5 45 we be the same in a sort one to another as he is to us Q. Is there set forth by the Commandements what a one God is to us A. Yes Q. Sect. 10 In which of the Commandments A. In the first table Q. How doth God set forth himself to us in the first table A. Very gloriously Q. Hint the manner how A. 'T is unspeakeable to declare Q. Declare but what is given you to know but first shew what part of the law you call the first table A. y Mat. 22.37 38. The foure first Commandments Q. What is shewn by the first Commandment Sect. 11 A. Three things Q. What 's the first A. That z Heb. 11.6 God is Q. What 's the second A. That he a 1 Tim. 2.4 is but one Q. What 's the third A. That b Heb. 8.10 he is ours Q. How shal we know this A. Sect. 12 It s shewn c Exo. 20.4 us in the second Commandment Q. How so A. The d Ibid. second Commandment sets forth the image of God Q. Is there any image of God to be seen A. None e ib. of mans framing Q. What 's forbid in this Commandment A. Mans f ibid. framing to himself such an image Q. What is the true image of God A. Jesus g Heb. 1.3 Christ Q. Who is Jesus Christ A. Immanuel h Math. 1.23 Q. What is that by interpretation A. God i Ibid. with us Q. Hath God set up such an image of himself in which alone hee 'l bee worshipped A. Yes k ib. Q. What is that image of himself A. It s the l Heb. 1.3 brightnesse of his own glory Q. What is the brightnesse of his glory A. The m 1 Tim. 3. ult Manifestation of himself Q. What is the Manifestation of God A. Christ n Joh. 14.9 Q. How is God then to be worshipped A. As o 1 Tim 3. manifested Q. How is God manifested A. In p Ioh. 14.10 his Son Q. Who then worship God aright A. They q Ioh. 1.18 that know him aright Q. Who have a right knowledg of God A. They r Ioh. 14.7 that know him in his Son Q. What then is the sum of the second Commandment A. That the Å¿ Ioh. 14 1. Son is to be worshipped as the Father and the Father by the Son Q. Why so A. Because the t Ioh. 17.22 Father and he are one Q. Are they not distinguished A. Yes but u Ioh. 17.21 not divided Q. How are they distinguished A. Many ways Q. Name one or two A. The Father is w Eph. 3.9 God in his hidden glory The Son is the same God in a glory revealed The Father is x Ier. 2.13 the fountain of living water but a fountaine sealed The Son is that y Zech. 13 1. fountain opened the river of life that makes glad the city of God Q. Sect. 13 How is the Son himself revealed A. In the a 1 Joh. 3.24 Spirit Q. What Spirit A. That b Joh. 15.26 which is of his own sending Q. From whom doth he send the Spirit A. b Ibid. From the Father Q. What is that Spirit A. God c Joh. 14.16 himself Q. How mean you A. The d Joh. 16.14 15. fulnesse of the God-head is in him Q. Open it farther as you can A. The same fulness that is in the Father is e Col. 3.9 Ioh 15.26 in Christ and the same fulnesse that is in Christ f Ioh. 16 14 15. is in the Spirit Q. Open it in other and ordinary expressions A. The God-head of GOD is in the Father the God-head of GOD is in the Son the Godhead of GOD is in the Holy Ghost Q. What is equivalent hereunto A. That which is written in all our books Q. What is that A. The Father is God The Son is God The holy Ghost is God not divided but distinguished and that not as God but as Father Son and holy Spirit Q. What then A. They are
g 1 Ioh. 5.7 one and yet three Q. What follows hereupon A. He that hath that Spirit h 2 Ioh. 9. hath both the Father and the Son Q. How mean you A. He i Eph. 3.19 hath all the fulnesse of either Q. Is this necessary to be beleeved A. It s k Ioh. 17.3 the foundation of faith and pure Religion Q. How come you to the knowledge of it A. Not l 1 Pet. 1.18 by tradition Q. How then A. By m Eph. 1.17 Revelation * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 opus est Grineus Q. How mean you A. The n 2 Cor 4 6. Lord opens himself to us Q. How A. In Christ n Ibid. by the Spirit Q. Is this distinction alone in our knowledge for our understanding or â—s the foundation of it in God himself A. It is o Prov. 8.22 23. in God himselfe Q. What from eternity A. Yes o Ibid Q. When did it first appear A. In p Gen 1.1 2 3 26 31. the Creation Q. When was it first revealed A. When Christ q Eph. 3 5 was revealed Q. When do we understand it A. It is made r Acts 26 18. out to us at our beleeving Q. Sect. 14 How may we conceive it was in God from eternity A. After this manner through grace it may be made out to our understanding Q. As how A. God s 1 Ioh. 4.16 was love from eternity Q. What then A. Then there t Pro 8 30 was one in whom his love did rest from eternity Q. What must such an one be A. Such a u Ibid. one as himself Q. What doth this discover A. He w Ioh. 3.16 that so loveth is the father Q. What is he said to be in common speech A. The first person in the Deity Q. What doth it shew forth besides A. He x Mat 3.17 that 's so loved must be the Son Q. What is he said to be in common speech A. The second person Q. How doth this reveal the Spirit the third person in common language A. He y Ioh 17.21 23 24. must needs be the bond of this eternal love Q. How mean you A. Him y ibid. in whom the Father loves the Son and in whom the Son enjoys the Father Q. How doth this declare them one A. GOD z 1 Tim. 2.5 can be but one Q. What then A. He that infinitely loveth must be God and so the Father is God And he that 's infinitely * The Saints are in the Son so a fit suitable object of infinite love loved must be God and so the Son is God And he that is the bond of that infinite love betwixt both must also needs be himselfe God and so the Holy Ghost is God Q. Open it more plainly as you conceive it A. Flesh a Mat. 16.17 and blood cannot receive it Q. Declare it as you beleeve it A. God considered as everlastingly * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 seeing is the Father God considered as everlastingly seen of himself is the Son GOD considered as everlastingly seeing himself in himselfe is the Holy Ghost Q. What 's this equivalent to A. To that which is written in our books Q. Name it in the usuall expressions A. GOD considered as everlastingly begetting is the Father GOD considered as everlastingly begotten is the Son The same GOD considered as everlasting proceeding and flowing from both is the Holy Ghost For the nature of God is common * Non ut res rebus sed ut res suis modis qui sunt in re Trelc to all three yet all three Father Son and holy Spirit in respect of that relation are distinguished among themselves Q. Sect. 15 How did this mystery appear in the Creation A. Very a Gen. 1.32 gloriously Q. Name how A. GOD in it is revealed as the Father b Ier. 51 19 and Former of all things Q. How was the Son revealed in the Creation of all things A. As him c Col. 1 16 17. in whom all things were made and by whom all things consist Q. How was this shadowed out in the Creation A. In that d Gen 1 31. all things that were made especially man had on them GODS image Q. Wherein did that image appear A. In two things Q. Name the first A. In that GOD e Gen. 1 31. saw every thing that he had made and behold it was very good Q. What is meant by that A. He saw his f ibid. own image in all Q. How mean you A. He saw g Prov. 8 27 31. Walker on the Sab. pag. 24. his Son in all Q. Name the second A. He h Gen. 2.2 3. rested the seventh day Q. What then A. He i Gen. 2.3 was wel pleased with all that he did Q. How mean you A. 'T was i ibid as a Sabboth unto him Q. How would GOD demonstrate this A. He i ib. sanctified the seventh day Q. To what end A. That it * Walker on Sab. ibid. might be to all succeeding generations a k Isa 56 2 perpetual memory of his sole rest and delight in Christ Q. How was the Holy Ghost revealed in the Creation of all things A. In that to him l Gen. 1.2 is applyed the sustentation of all things that were made Q. Is there a more glorious discovery of this Mystery Sect. 16 A. Yes m Mat. 3.16 17. Q. When was this discovery made A. At the m Ibid. appearing of Christ Q. How did this Mystery then appear A. GOD was expresly then revealed as m ib. the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ Q. What to A. The n 2 Pet. 1 17. Son also was then expresly revealed as him in whom the Father delights himself from eternity to eternity Q. How doth this differ from that appearing in the Creation A. That o Rom. 5 14. was but an image of this Q. How mean you A. That p Heb. 1 11 12. passeth away but this abideth for ever Q. What too A. That was but a dark resemblance q Exod 33 23. the back parts of GOD But this is the brightness of the Fathers r Heb. 1 3. 2 Cor. 4 6 glory and the expresse image of his person the face and countenance of GOD. Q. How was the Holy Ghost revealed at the appearing of Christ A. Evidently two wayes Q. Name the first A. He is revealed as proceeding from s Ioh. 15 26. the Father and the Son Q. Name the second A. He t Joh. 14.23 is revealed as him in whom the Father and the Son are one Q. Give the sum of this A. The Father is dwelling delighting u Joh. 14 10. in his Son as in his only rest The w Joh. 1 18 Son is in the bosome of the Father delighting himself as in his glorious rest The Holy Ghost is him in whom the Father and the Son are both one and in whom they enjoy each other everlastingly or which is all one The x Rom. 1 4 Eph. 4.4 5 1 Cor. 12 4 5 6. Spirit is
CHRIST Mighty in Himself Members revealed In some short Expressions by way of CATECHISME Wherein is demonstrated that according to the scripture sence phrase and the experience of them that do beleeve the saving and joyful knowledge of God Man and althings else that relate to either is alone in the Spirit by Jesus Christ. To which is added occasionally a hint of the Nature of the kingdome of God as it is even now to Faith By R. BACON a Companion with them that have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ with respect of persons LONDON Printed by J.M. for Giles Calvert at the sign of the black-spread Eagle at the West end of Pauls 1646. To The Right Honourable Lady ELIZABET Viscountesse Say and Seal MADAM GIve me leave as an acknowledgment of your constant respect unto me since I had an opportunity to serve you in the Lord as I had ability to put this little book into your Ladyships hands whiles God put it in your heart and enrich you heaven-ward with the glory and substance of it Right Honorable Lady God is witnes as elsewhere so in your family I sought to know nothing save Christ and him Crucified neither indeed is there left to me any other thing to glory in save the Crosse of our Lord Jesus which I judg no unhappinesse at all for I could wish it might be once agen as anciently it was the only Christian glory For without all controversie if ever the breach in Christendome and in particular that in this Land as touching Religion be effectually made up again as in the first times as is expected it must be by casting that * Lignum Jun. Exod. 15.25 comp with Rev. 8 11 Wood into these bitter and troubled waters for such a * Rev. 22.2 tree there is and it can be none but Christ that is only sufficient for the healing of these distempered Nations Oh therefore that they were once wise to forbear this clashing and dashing themselves in peeces one against another for matters external trivial and Circumstantiall in Religion would at length content themselves with that which is alone saving everlasting and account it honor and happinesse enough in matters appertaining to God to be a Christian which is scarce the alone glory of any this day on earth yet the condition of al other is but as the grasse of the field for he only the Christian lives reigns a King to GOD for evermore That such a one as such a one may be had in account again all the Kingdome all the world over Madam is the constant prayer endeavor of Yours most ready to serve you in the things of Christ R. Bacon A word to the Christian READER HAving made a promise of printing anothers Catechism in writing laying by me which upon consideration I found many ways inconvenient to perform I found my self inclined to communicate after this manner something of what GOD hath given me to know as touching the Mysteries of life in the composure of which in some sort I apprehended the height and glory of John's assertion that if all the things concerning Jesus should be written the world would not contain the books many are the preachers of this Mystery of GOD for it is the whole business of heaven and earth to make it out Yet alas how little of it is this day understood there is no question the smoak according to the prediction of the bottomless pit hath in these last times exceedingly darkned this sun the removal of which hath been the expectation of GODS little flock these divers hundred years 't is effecting now we hope more then ever and oh that it were quite over once that we might the same day as * Dr Stoughton in his latine Epistle to the Pr of Transylvania Doctor Stoughton in the light might of faith spake at one solemnize the Funerals of the Beast together with the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. May not we say it is begun GOD is pouring out of his Spirit now more then ever since the first times and the bride is hereupon making her self ready who that are the bridegroomes friends can forbear to joy for he that hath the bride is the bridegroome Notwithstanding I may truly say unless God build the house which we intend for his dwelling place in vain do we set upon the work And yet I fear it hath been and is welnigh the error of most builders for 't was theirs of old to endevor to build a house for GOD but yet without him for we see few of those buildings â—â—and which men have laboured in which argues â—hey were of mans making â—nd so had as it now appears like himself their foundation in the dust GOD give us therefore wisdom at length to build upon that foundation which himself hath layd and according to it that we may be no more ashamed as they are whosâ— works are at this day aâ— once revealed and consumed And that by the fiâ—â— of Gods own kindling 〈◊〉 is that which now troubleâ— torments almost al thâ— earth because it deteâ—â— the folly of those that dwâ—â—â—â— thereon whatever light 〈◊〉 truth there is in this liâ—â— piece it is a spark enkiâ—dled from that fire For chose rather through the grace of GOD as it was most meet I should to make it my guide then man which may serve as a reason why I have not gone over again either the same things or after the same method as almost all others have done but have sought to make the truth appear though in an unusuall yet for the most part in a Scripture dress if it offend such must know that the holy Spirit divides to every man severally as he will And blessed are they that are not offended with him Farewell The Contents of the several Parts and Sections of this Catechism Preface SEct. 1. Of the Christian Religion Page 1 2 3 4 5. S 2. Of the Ministry Pag. 6. S. 3. Of Ordination Pag. 7. S. 4. Of them that are alone able to judge of persons and thing divine Pag. 10 11 12. S. 5. Of the Christian Church order Pag. 13 14 15 16 Part. 1. OF Christ as he is the sum of the Ministry of both Testaments Pag. 17. S. 6 Of the knowledg of God in innocency Pag. 21 S. 7 Of the tree of life Pag. 23 S. 8. Of the tree of knowledg of good and evil Adams eating of it Pag. 24 25 26 27 28 S. 9. How God is known amissâ— and how aright by the law Pag. 30 31 32 33. 140. Sect. 10. Of the ten Commandments opened as they comprehend the Gospel Page 42. S. 11. 1 Commandment revealing God Page 43. S. 12. 2 Commandment revealing Christ Page 44. S. 13. Of the holy Trinity largly Page 48 49. S. 14. That such a distinction hath its foundation in God Page 52. S. 15. How it appeared in the Creation Page 57. Sect. 16. How more gloriously at