what could be more worthy of God to reveal or necessary for man to know than the things contained in these books Seeing now that the World hath ever believed that there is a God and that the very Being Order Beauty variety use and working of all things make it highly reasonable so to believe Seeing there have been Prophesies and Miracles such as cannot be conceived possible without a God Seeing that we have Books which pretend to make known God and his Will unto us and that it is most reasonable if there be a God to believe he should some way make this known unto us and seeing that the men whose names these books do bear cannot reasonably be denyed oncâ— to have been and to have written them neither can be suspected either of Ignorance or falshood Seeing they write of one Jesus Christ their Master and Teacher and it cannot be denyed that such an one there was and that he said he came from God and confirmed what he said by many wonderful Works and Miracles which none can imagine that any power less than Gods could do And seeing that the Doctrine which he taught was spread over a great part of the World in a very short time by men of vulgar Rank mean Occupations and little Learning and less Authority without all outward force or compulsion without all pomp of seculiar Learning but with all plainness and simplicity of speech and that against the Religion then in possession and highly magnified against the Learning then in great esteem against all the beloved Lusts and worldly Interests of men and the violent endeavours of powerful and Learned Adversaries And seeing these men had nothing to bear them out against all this but the Miracles which they wrought and the purity of their Lives and Doctrines Seeing the Doctrines of these Books are so evidently much for the glory of God so full of all Holiness so much conducing to the good of mankind so satisfactory to the minds of men in things not otherwise to be known by man and finally such as being once received makes the professors thereof a most comfortable and chearful being here by giving them hopes of an eternal happy being hereafter I cannot chuse but be fully perswaded both that there is a God and that the Scriptures are the Word of God and a standing Rule of believing and honouring and serving God in such a way as he will graciously accept and eternally reward The chief Heads of the Christian Faith expressed in an Homely and familiar Verse for the easier committing them to memory THere is a God the world did always own it Nature declares it and God's Word hath shewn it The Scriptures giv'n of God by inspiration Are the great Rule of Faith and Conversation There 's but one God in Persons three The Father the eternal Son And Holy Ghost and all these be In Person three in Essence one God is a Spirit infinite In Wisdome Pow'r and Purity Most just most good and to whose sight Our very thoughts all open lie God made the World and every thing God preserves all things is their Lord And Rules all as the Sov'raign King All things obey his Mighty Word God in 's own Image Man did frame With knowledge and a pow'r to do God's Will without both sin and shame And made him Lord of all below To Adam God a Law did give Which if he kept not he should die But if he kept it he should live And so should his Posterity Man brake God's Law and all Mankind By that first breach are much the worse All born in sin and sin doth bind All under a most heavy Curse All are by Nature ignorant A verse from good inclin'd to evil Title to happiness all want And all made subject to the Devil God's wrath upon us all doth lie No strength to help our selves we have We perish all eternally Except God's mercy do us save God did on us compassion take When by our selves we were undone God meerly for his mercy's sake Resolv'd to save us by his Son The Son did down from Heaven come To save us who by sin were lost Was conceiv'd in a Virgin 's Womb By vertue of the Holy Ghost Thus God the Son the eternal Word Man's Nature took and Man became Even Jesus Christ our onely Lord We have Salvation in his Name Jesus in whom no sin was seen Did thus become the Mediator Of a new Covenant between Us Sinners and our just Creator God did Anoint his Christ to be A Priest a Prophet and a King And by these Offices all thâ—â—e He doth to us Salvation bring Christ as a Prophet hath made known His Father's will to men that they In him might find Salvation If they his Gospel would obey As Priest Christ offen'd Sacrifice Himself upon the Cross did die His blood was of our souls the price Which did God's Justice satisfie Christ bury'd was and rose again The third day and to Heav'n is gone He doth at God's right hand remain For us makes intercession As King Christ gives us Laws and all His Enemies he shall subdue Sin Sathan Death destroy and shall Judge all men and give all their due A Crown of Glory he will give To them that serve him faithfully And in his Kingdom they shall live Triumphing after victory Upon the day of Pentecost Th' Apostles met with one accord Christ sent on them the Holy Ghost T' enable them to Preach his Word Th' Apostles did to all men Preach Pardon of Sins through Christ alone Who did receive what they did teach Them they Baptized every one Baptism's the Sacrament whereby Men own the Covenant of Grace And God doth Seal who cannot lie Pardon to them who Christ embrace Baptismal washing signifies Our cleansing by the Holy Spirit And whom the Spirit Sanctifies They are God's Sons and shall inherit Believers and none else but they In this new Covenant have part They who believe learn to obey For Faith doth purifie the heart Faith works by Love and Love constrains To hate all sin to bear Christ's Cross To keep Christ's Laws t' endure all pains And count all things for Christ but loss Christ's Spirit doth by his Word beget This saving Faith and woen 't is bred It by the same word farther yet To strength and growth is nourished To strengthen Faith yet more the Lord Hath giv'n unto us Heav'nly Food He hath commanded in his Word To eat his Body drink his Blood By Bread and Wine blest and recived With true Repentance Faith and Pray'r God Seals all Benefits believed Which by Christ's death once purchas'd werâ— We by this Feast and joynt Communion Our selves one Body testifie Members knit in a sacred Union By the blest Spirit of Unitie Believers all one Church do make One Faith one Baptism and one Bread One God one Spirit one Lord we take Christ of this Body th' only Head Whoso in this Communion die For ever happy are and blest Their Souls return to God on high In Earth their Bodies sleep and rest At the last day Christ shall appear In Glory to be Judge of all All who are dead or then live here He to his Judgment-Seat shall call Then shall all Bodies rise again And with their Souls receive their doom Well-doers shall in joy remain Who have done ill to Woe shall come The Righteous with God shall rest From Labors Sins all Evils free With everlasting Glories blest Such as cannot expressed be The Wicked shall be sent to Hell From God and Comfort banished With Devils in Flames unquenchable There roaring in a Firy Bed Thou who to fear an Hell would'st have no cause Fear God hate Sin Love Christ keep his Laws FINIS
In the beginning Gen. 1.1 God made the World and all things Acts 17.24 in six dayes Exod. 20.11 by his Word Heb. 11.3 and every thing which God made was very good Gen. 1.31 Q. Who preserveth all things A. God upholdeth all things by the word of his power Heb. 1.3 in him we live and move and have our Being Acts 17.28 Q. Who Ruleth and Governeth all things A. God hath prepared his Throne in the Heavens and his Kingdom Ruleth over all Psal. 103.19 Q. Doth God take Care of the smalest things of the World A. God preserveth Man and Beast Psal. 36.6 He feedeth the Fowls of the Air and cloatheth the Grass of the Field Mat. 6.26 30. Not one Sparrow falleth to the ground without him and the very hairs of our heads are numbred Mat. 10.29 30. Q. Where is God A. Heaven is God's Throne and Earth is his Foot-stool Acts 7.49 he filleth Heaven and Earth Ier. 23.24 we cannot flee from his Presence Psal. 139.7 Q. Hath God any Body or Parts as we see the Creatures have A. God is a Spirit Iohn 4.24 which hath not Flesh and Bones Luke 24.39 but is invisible Col. 1.15 whom no man hath seen nor can see 1 Tim. 6.16 Q. Hath God beginning or ending A. God is Eternal 1 Tim. 1.17 from Everlasting to Everlasting Psal. 90.2 he Liveth for ever and ever Rev. 4.10 Q. What Power hath God what is he able to do A. He is the Lord God Almighty Rev. 4.8 he can do every thing Iob. 42.2 nothing is too hard for him Ier. 32.17 Q. What is Gods Knowledge and Wisdom A. He is the only wise God 1 Tim. 1. 17. his understanding is infinite Psal. 147.5 he knoweth all things Iohn 21.17 his Eyes are in every place beholding the evil and the good Prov. 15.3 Q. Is he a Holy God A. God is pure 1 Iohn 3.3 and Holy Isa. 5 16. he hath no pleasure in wickedness Psal. 5.4 cannot be tempted with evil neither tempteth he any man Iames 1.13 Q. Is there any injustice in God A. God is most upright Isa. 26.7 without Iniquity just and right is he Deut. 32.4 and will render to every man according to his deeds Rom. 2.6 Q. Is he not also good A. God is good and doth good Psal. 119.68 good to all and his tender mercies are over all his works Psal. 145.8 Q. Is there any untruth or changing with God A. Our God is a God of Truth Psal. 32.5 a faithful God 2 Thes. 3.3 he cannot lye Tit. 1.2 he changeth not Mal. 3.6 Iames 1.17 all his promises are yea and Amen 2 Cor. 1.20 Q. Is there any more but one God A. There is none other but one 1 Cor. 8.4 onely true 1 Thes. 1.9 and Living God Acts 14.15 Q. Who is this one onely true and Living God A. The Lord he is God there is none else besides him Deut. 4.35 even God that made the World Acts 17.24 the Father the Soâ— and the Holy Ghost Mat. 28.19 2 Cor. 13 14. Ephes. 2.18 Q. Who is the Father A. The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ 2 Cor. 1.3 who having life in himself hath also given to the Son to have life in himself Iohn 5.26 Q. Who is the Son A. The Word Iohn 1. â— Jesus Christ Iohn 20.31 God's own Rom. 8.32 onely begotten Iohn 3.16 and beloved Son Mat. 3.17 the onely begotten of the Father Iohn 1.14 Q. Is the Son true God A. He is the Lord of Hosts Isa. 6.3 with Iohn 12.4 Numb 21.6 with 1 Cor. 10.9 the true God 1 Iohn 5.20 the great God Tit. 2.13 over all God Blessed for ever Rom. 9.5 Q. Who is the Holy Ghost A. The Holy Ghost is the Eternal Heb. 9.14 Spirit of the Father Mat. 10.20 and of the Son Gal. 4.6 Q. Is the Holy Ghost God A. The Spirit of God is Godâ— 1 Cor. 3.16 17. the Lord 2 Cor. 3.17 Acts 5.3 4. Q. The Father is God the Son is God and the Holy Ghost is God are not these three Gods A. There be three in Heaven the Father the Word and the Holy Ghost and these three are One 1 Iohn 5.7 Q. What know you of the Angels A. Angels are either Holy Angels Mat. 25.31 or evil Angels Psal 78.49 Q. Which call you Holy Angels A. Holy Angels are an innumerable Company Heb. 12.22 of Elect 1 Tim. 5.21 and mighty 2 Thes. 1.7 Angels of Heaven Mat. 24.36 excelling in strength doing God's Commandments and hearkning to the voice of his Word Psal. 103.20 Q. Vnder whose Command are Holy Angels A. Angels and Authorities and Powers are made subject to Christ 1 Pet. 3.22 Q. What special Office have Holy Angels A. Holy Angels are ministring Spirits sent fortâ—â— to Ministâ—â— for them who shall be heirs of Salvation Heb. 1.14 Q. Whicâ—â—all you eâ—â—l Angels A. The evil Angels are the Angels that sinned and kept not their first estate but left their own Habitation whom God cast down to Hell 2 Pet. 2.4 Iude 6. Q. Who is chief of evil Angels A. Beâ—lzebub is Prince of Devils Mat. 12.24 that Old Serpent called the Devil and Sathan Rev. 12 9. Q. What is the Devil 's main business A. Our Adversary the Devil as a roaring Lyon walketh about seeking whom he may devour 1 Pet. 5.8 Q. What hath God prepared for the Evil Angels A. Everlasting Fire is prepared for the Devil and his Angels Mat. 25.41 Q. Who was the first Man A. The first Man was Adam Gen. 2.5 Luke 3.38 1 Cor. 15.45 Q. Of what did God make Adam A. The Lord God formed Man of the Dust of the ground and breathed into his Nostrils the breath of Life and man became a Living Soul Gen. 2.7 Q. Who was the first Woman A. The first Woman was Eve the Mother of all Living Gen. 3.20 Q Of what did God make Eve A. The Lord caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam and he took one of his Ribs and mâ—de it a Woman and brought her unto the man Gen. 2.21 22. Q. What are the chief parts of Man A Man hath a Soul or Spirit and a Body Mat. 10.28 Eccl. 12.7 Q In what state or Condition did God mâ—ke Man A. God made man upright Eccl. 7.29 in the Image of God made he him Gen. 1.27 Q What mâ—an you by God's Image A. Man was created after God in righteousness and true Holiness Eph. 4.24 and â—n knowledge Col. 3.10 and God made him have Dominion over the works of his hands Psal. 8.6 Gen. 1.16.2.20 Q Where did God place Adam A. God put the Man into the Garden of Eden Gen. 2.15 Q. What Command did God give Man there A. Goâ— Commanded the Man saying Oâ— the Tree of the Knowledge of good and evil thou shalt not eat of it for in the day thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely dye Gen. 2.16 17. Q. Did Adam keep this Command A. The Serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty 2 Cor. 11.3 Gen. 3.13 and she did eat and
foolishness of preaching to save them that believe 1 Cor. 1.21 Q. Can men by Preaching beget Faith and other Graces A. Neither is he that Planteth any thing nor he that Watereth but God that giveth the increase 1 Cor. 3.7 and worketh effectually in them Gal. 2.8 opening our hearts to attend to the things that are spoken Acts 16.14 and giving us the spirit of Wisdome in the knowledge of Christ Eph. 1.17 18. Q What must we farther do to obtain that Spirit A. Our heavenly Father will give the holy Spirit to them that ask him Luke 11.13 Q. How did Christ command his Apostles to admit men into his Church A. Christ commanded his Apostles to go teach all Nations baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost Mat. 28.19 Q. Did they thus admit Men Members of the Church by Baptism A. They that gladly received the word were baptized and so were added to the Church Acts 2.41 47.8.12 Q. With what matter did they Baptize Men A. They Baptized by washing with water Acts 8.36 38.10.47 Q. Can the washing with water in the Name of the Trinity make Men Living Members of Christ or Heirs of Salvation A. Baptism saveth us not the putting away the filth of the Flesh but the answer of a good Conscience toward God by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 3.21 and by one Spirit are we all Baptized into one Body 1 Cor. 12.13 Q. What doth the washing of Water in Baptism signifie A. The washing of water in Baptism signifies the washing of Regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost Tit. 3.5 for except a man be born again of water and of the Holy Spirit he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God Iohn 3.5 Q. In what doth Regeneration or new-birth consist A. Regeneration is a dying unto sin and a living unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord Rom. 6.11 Q. Of whom are we new-born A. We are born not of blood nor of the will of the Flesh nor of the will of Man but of God Iohn 1.13 the Holy Ghost Iohn 3.5 Q. What is the seed of this New-Birth A. We are born not of corruptible Seed but of incorruptible by the Word of God which Liveth and abideth for ever 1 Pet. 1.23 Q. What are the Marks of this New-Birth A. He that is born of God believeth that Jesus is the Christ 1 Iohn 5.1 doth not commit sin 1 Iohn 3.9 loveth his Brethren 1 Iohn 4.7 and overcometh the World 1 Iohn 5.4 Q. Is Baptism the Sacrament of our Regeneration or New-Birth A. We are buried with Christ in Baptism wherein also we are risen with him the Faith of the Operation of God who hath raised him from the dead Col. 2.12 as many as have been Baptized into Christ have put on Christ Gal. 3.27 â—nd if any Man be in Christ he is a New Creature 2 Cor. 5.17 quickned together with him Col. 2.13 Eph. 2.1 5. Q. What did the Apostles call for in those whom they Baptized A. The Apostles commanded those whom they Baptized to Repent Acts 2.38 and believe Acts 8.37 Q. What is the benefit of Baptism rightly received A. We are Baptized for the Remission of sins Acts 2.38.22.16 and he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved Mark 16.16 Q. What doth our baptism bind us to A. We are baptized into Christ's death Rom. 6.4 that the body of sin may be destroyed that henceforth we should not serve sin v. 6. but Crucifie the Flesh with the affections and Lusts Gal. 5.24 and mortifie the deeds of the Body Rom. 8.13 Col. 3.5 Q. What else doth our Baptism teach and bind us to A. That we should walk in newness of Life Rom. 6.4 yielding our selves unto God as those that are alive from the dead and our Members as Instruments of Righteousness unto God v. 13. Q. Seeing you are Baptized into the body of Christ by the Spirit of Christ what is your duty A. We are engaged to keep the Unity of the Spirit in the bond of Peace Eph. 4.3 and not to grieve the Holy Spirit of God whereby we are sealed unto the day of Redemption Eph. 4.30 Q. Seeing you are baptized in the Name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost what is your duty A. It is our duty earnestly to contend for the Faith which was once delivered unto the Saints Iude 3. holding fast the form of sound words 2 Tim. 1.13 and obeying from the Heart that form of Doctrine which was delivered us Rom. 6.17 Q. Seeing you that are baptized are by the Name of Christ called Christians what learn you thence A. Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from Iniquity 2 Tim. 2.19 that the name of God and his Doctrine be not blasphemed 1 Tim. 6.1 but that the name of the Lord Jesus may be glorified in us 2 Thes. 1.12 Q. What Spiritual Food hath Christ provided for those that are New-Born A. As new-born Babes we must desire the sincere Milk of the Word that we may grow thereby 1 Pet. 2.2 Q. What other Food hath Christ provided for those of riper growth A. Christ giveth us Meat which indureth to everlasting Life Iohn 6.27 even the Bread of God which giveth Life unto the Worlâ— v. 33. Q. What is this Bread of Life A. Christ is that Bread of Life Iohn 6.48 even his Flesh which he gave for the Life of the World v. 51. Q. Is it necessary that we eat the Flesh of Christ A. Except we eat the Flesh of the Son oâ— Man and drink his Blood we have no Life in us Iohn 6.53 Q. How can we eat the Flesh and drink the Blood of Christ A. We eat and drink Christ by coming to him and believing on him Iohn 6.35.40.47.64 Q. What benefit have we by eating and drinking Christ A. Whoâ—o eateth Christ's Flesh and drinketh his Blood hath Eternal Life and he will raise him up at the last day Iohn 6.54 Q. What Sacrament hath Christ ordained for our more solemn feeding on him A. The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper 1 Cor. 11.20 the Cup of Blessing and the Bread broken 1 Cor. 10.6 Q. When did Christ institute the Sacrament of his Supper A. The Lord Jesus the same Night that he was betrayed took bread and when he had given thanks he brake it and said take eat this is my Body which is broken for you this do in remembrance of me After the same manner also he took the Cup saying this Cup is the New Testament in my Blood this do ye as often as ye drink it in remembrance of me 1 Cor. 11.23 24 25. Mat. 26.26 c. Q. What do the Bread and the Wine signifie A. The Body and Blood of Christ 1 Cor. 11.24 25. Q. What do the Bread broken and Wine poured out signifies A. The â—read broken signifies that the Body of Christ was given Luke 22. â—9 and broken 1 Cor. 11.24 wounded and bruised for us Isa.
power of Satan unto God that we may receive forgiveness of sins and Inheritance among them that are Sanctified by the Faith that is in Christ Acts 26.18 Q. What is the danger of not receiving the Gospel of Christ A. How shall we escape if we neglect so great Salvation Heb. 2.13 if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the Truth there remaineth no more Sacrifice for sins but a certain fearful looking for of Judgment and fiery indignation which shall devour the Adversaries Heb. 10.26 27. Q. Ouce more tell me the happiness of Christians A. They that hold the Doctrine and Truth which is according to Godliness 1 Tim. 6.3 Tit. 1.1 and by patient continuance in well-doing seek for Glory and Honour and Immortality to them Christ will render Eternal Life Rom. 2.7 He that despised Moses Law â—yed without mercy under two or three Witnesses Of how much sorâ—r punishment suppose ye shall he be thought worthy who hath trodden under foot the Son of God and hath counted the Blood of the Covenant wherewith he was Sanctified an unholy thing and hath done despite unto the Spirit of Grace Heb. 10.28 29. Some of the most Easie and Obvious Considerations which may help to Confirm the Weak and Vnlearned Christian in his Belief OF THE BEING of a GOD AND THE TRUTH of SCRIPTURE THE Foundation of all Religion lieth in the belief of a God for if there were not a God to be Worshipped by us then all our Religion were in vain and though there be a God yet if a man do not believe that He is he can be of no Religion all Religion consisting in a firm Belief that there is a God join'd with an hearty endeavour to please and honor him a fear to offend him and a hope to be made happy by him Now that the most unlearned may see how reasoâ—able a thing it is to believe there is a God whom he â—s boâ—nd to Obey and Worship let him conâ—idâ—r â—hese following things 1. It hath ever been the general bâ—dâ—e of the whole world that there is a God Hence let a man thus reason with himself 1. I see that in most things which are not plain to sense it is a very rare thing to find many men of one opinion but even all they who differ most from one another and that in very weighty matters of Religion do unanimously agree in this that there is a God 2. The best men that is they who do most good in the world have ever been most forward and zealous in God's cause 3. The most Learned who have spent their strength and time and have the best means to learn the Truth have satisfied themselves and laboured to confirm others in the belief of God 4. The wicked and worst who are also the most of men could never find any reason to believe there is no God but though they could heartily wish there were none because the very thoughts of him are troublesome disturbing their pleasures and their wicked designs with fear of him yet do they feel him in their consciences whether they will or no 5. They who have denyed a God are but a very few and so wicked that the world hath been weary of them and they could hardly perswade the world they were in earnest but rather that their wicked lives did perswade them to wish there were no God than that any reason did convince them to believe so Yea all they can say shews only that at most they are in doubt and phancy for a time to still their troublesome consciences some possibility that there may be no God whilst they can neither make it certain to themselves nor so much as probable to others who would fainest have it so that there is none Seeing then that the generality of mankind even the most the wisest and the best believe it and a very few only of the very worst do rather wish than say or only say but cannot prove that there is no God I have no reason yet to think all men in the world either fools in believing or knaves in making a lie but only these very few whom no man hath cause to account much better If any man shall now say that this universal belief is only grounded on some blind Tradition which some crafty Politician firâ—t set on foâ—â— that he might keep the silly world in awe I ask who made him so wise as to know that which for so many thousand years now past no man hath been able to discover When began this Tradition When was it not Who set it first on foot was it never discovered to be so till now How doth it now appear that it is so Did all men before believe there is no God And is it then a likely thing that all men even the wisest should beat first tamely caught and ever after blindly led by a bare hear-say and that in a matter of such universal and eternal concernment to all mankind By what means did he bring all men to believe him Did he by force compel them to it What mighty man was he that could thus over awe the world How sewed up their lips that no man could tell this lamentable story How came it to pass that when this force abated men returned not to their old unbelief Or did he move men by reason to believe him They must needs be very weighty reasons that could perswade all men to come off from their old unbelief and to embrace a belief that they saw would fill their minds with fear and awe and put a â—â—rb upon their carnal wills and restrain their beloved Lusts and set a bar to their worldly Interests and stop up the current of their natural inclinations and abridge them at once of all their wonted liberties If they were not strong and powerful reasons that could do all this which certainly must be very hard to do then why hath not the Atheist all this while out of love to his supposed truth with his better reasons perswaded the world to that which must needs seem far easier considering mens corruptions generally to cast off the belief of God But if they were good reasons as they must needs be which makes so proud a thing as man to own a God above him then is it reasonable to believe a God But what design had this politick man in all this Did he pretend he had his Laws from God and by that device perswade men to submit to them If he himself believed no God 't is hard to think what hopes he should conceive that those reasons which could not perswade himself might prevail with all others besides if this was his design it doth not seem to savor much of policy to perswade men in love with liberty to put their necks into his yoak fâ—r the sake â—f a God whom they knew not or of Religion which they loved not Again the wiser sort might well be supposed as politick as