thus sit A He must raigne till the Father 1. Cor. 15. 15. hath put all his enemies vnder his feet Q. What is his speciall worke now at the right hand of his Father A. He euer liueth there to make Heb. 7. 25. 26. request for us Q. For whom maketh he request A. Not for the world but the elect Ioh 17 9. only Q. Doe not Angels and Saints make intercession for vs A. Abraham is ignorant of vs and Israell knoweth vs not Esa 63 16 Q. How long must the heauens receiue our Sauiour A. Vntill the time of the restitution of all things Act 3 21. Q. When shall that be A. At the day of iudgment Q. Shall their be such a day A. Yea God hath appointed a day in the which hee will judge the world Act 17 31 in righteousnesse Q. When shall this be A. Of that day and houre knoweth no man but it shall be in the end Mar 13 32 Mat 13 40 Ioh 6 44. Rev. 10 6. of the world at the last day in the last time when time shall be no more Q. Who shall be iudge A. Iesus Christ as he is the sonne of man whoÌ„ we shall see come in like Ioh 5 22. 27. Act 1 11. manner as the disciples saw him goe vp into Heauen Q. Who shall be iudged A. All both iust and vniust small 2 Tim 4 1 Reu 20. 12 13. Rome 14 12. and great quicke and dead euery one shall giue account of himselfe to God Q. Of what shall they be iudged A. Of all they haue done in their bodyes that is while they liued in 2 Cor 5. 10. Eccles 12 14 Mat 10. 36 their bodies euen euery secret thing euery idle word the hid things of darkenesse and the counsell of their harts Q. How shall men receiue their iudgment A. According to that they haue done whether good or bad 2 Cor. 5 10. Q. Well is it with them that are in Christ for to them is no condemnation who are in him A. They that haue the Spirit of Rom. 81. 9. Christ Q. What is this Spirit A. The Holy Ghost who proceedeth Ioh. 15. 26. Act. 5. 3 4. Mar. 3. 19. from the Father the Sonne and is God equall with the father and the Sonne Q. Where might wee pertake of this spirit A. In the word whereby he worketh still as once he spake by the Prophets Esa 59. 21. and Apostles Q. What is his speciall and peculiar worke in them that shall be saued A. The new birth for hee is the sanctifier of the Church Ioâ— 3. 5. Q. What else doth he A Hee preserueth vs in the estate of hoâ—ines for euer Q. How A. By leading vs into all trueth by Ioh. 14. 26. 1 Ioh. 2. 27 Rom 8. 14 Zâ—â— 12. 10. Ephe. 4. 30. bringing all things to our remembâ—ance by being in vs a spirit of adoption of prayer of counsell of truth sealing vs vp to the day of redemption Q. What is sanctâ—fication A. To die to â—in and to rise againe Rom 6. 4. 8. 10 1 per 2. 24. to newnâ—sse of life Q. Is this of absolute necessity A. Else we shall neuer see God Heb 12 14 Math. 5. 8. Q. Are any perfectly holy in this life A. Noe we know in part and beleeue 1 Cor 13. 9. 10. in part Q. May one then haue a good hart to God who is of an euill life A. Those that are sanctified are 1 Thes 5. 23. sanctified throughout both in soule and body and spirit Q. Can such sinne to death A. He that is borne of God cannot 1 Ioh. 3. 9. 5. 16. 17. 18. sinne because his seed abideth in him Q What is the chiefe grace of the spirit in our new birth A. Faith which purifieth the heart 2 Cor. 4. 13. Act 15. 9. Gal 5. 6. and worketh by loue Q. What is faith A. The beleife of the truth or the 2 The 2. 13 Iohn 1. 12. receiuing of Christ as he is offered in the promises of the gospell Q. How doth the Holy Ghost work this faith in vs A. By hearing the word preached Rom 10. 14 Q. In whom is this sanctification of the spirit and beleife of the truth wrought A. In those only whom God hath from the beginning chosen to saluation 2 The 2. 13 Act 13. 48. And praedestinated to the adoption of children by Iesus christ to himselfe Eph. 1. 4 5. Q. Is faith a common guift A. No all men hath not faith therfore it is called the faith of Gods elect 2 Thes â— 2. Tit. 1. 1. Q. What moued God to chuse some passe by others A. The good pleasure of his owne Ephe. 1. 5. 6. will to the praise of the glorie of his grace Q. How doth he bring his chosen to saluation A. Whome he foreknew them he predestinated to be conformed to the Rom. 8. 29 30. image of his sonne whom he predestinated them he calleth whom he calleth them he iustifieth and whom he iustifieth them he glorifieth Q. What are those his chosen called A. The Church because they are Ioh. 17. 14. a company called out of the world by the voyce of Gods cryers his ministers Q. Was there euer a church of God vpon earth and shall there bee so to the end A. Yes the foundation of Gods election remaineth sure and Christ 2 Tim. 2. 19. is the rocke on which it is builded so that the gates of hell shall not preuaile Mat. 16. 1â— against it Q. How is this Church noted out A. Shee is holy Ephe. 5. 2â— 27. Q. How else A. Shee is catholique for in euerie Act. 10. 34. 35. nation he that feareth God and worketh righteousnes is accepted of him Q. Who is the head of this Church A. Iesus Christ alone Ephe. 1. 22. 23. Col. 1. 18. Q. What is the condition of the Church in this life A. Shee is militant subiect to crosses Mat. 16. 24. 25. Ephe. 6. 12. afflictions temptations and persecutions of all sorts Q. Doth the benefit of Christ death resurrection belong to all A. No they belong onely to the Ephe. 5. 25. Church Q. Where is this Church to be found A. Where the word of God is sencerely preached and embraced and Ephe. 5. 26. Mat. 28. 19 20. the Sacraments according to Christs institution administred there the Lord hath his Church Q. What is the signe of a true visible Church A. That shee bee Apostolique that is built on the foundation of the Prophets Ephe. 2. 19 20 22. and Apostles doctrine Q. Is there not vnity in the Church A. There is but one body one spirit one hope of your calling one Ephe 4. 4. 5. 6. Lord one faith one Baptisme one God and Father of all who is aboue all through all and in them all Q. What ariseth hence A. The
communion and fellowship of all the Saints who are copartners 1 Cor. 12. 14. 25. 26. 27. in all good things Q. What speciall benefit is purchased by Christ and conferred on his Church in this life A. Forgiuenes of sinnes Ephe. 1. 7. Q. But the Church is holy A. True but by vertue of forgiunesse of sinnes for seeing in this life none is without sinne therefore the Psal 32. 1. Church cannot consist here without forgiuenes every day Q. Must every member of the Church know that he is a sinner A. Every one must feelingly know what neede he hath of forgiuenes in 1 Iohn 1. 8 10. Psal 32. 3. 4. 5. Psal 18. 23. respect both of his corruption of nature transgressions of heart and life and the personall sinnes to which he is more inclined Q. What is this forgiuenes A. It is when the Lord esteemeth Psal 32. 1 Mic. 7. 18. 19. our sinnes as if they had never beene comitted so that he will neither punish vs for them in this world nor the world to come Q. May these that haue their sinnes forgiuen liue as they list A. No indeed forgiuenes is granted Luke 13. 3 only to them that truely repent bring forth fruits worthy amendment of life Q. What is in man to moue God to forgiue A. It is only Gods free grace and Rom. 3. 24. nothing in man Q. Can this stand with his iustice to account a sinner righteous he being yet a sinner A. Christs righteousnes is given of 1 Cor. 1. 30 2 Cor. 5. 21. God to be ours and our sinnes are forgiven through the death and bloud shedding of Christ wherby the iustice of God is fully satisfied Q. How are we made partakers of this righteousnes of Christ A. By faith only Rom. 3. 25 28. Q. Doth not God iustifie vs for our works A. By the works of the Law no flesh can be iustified in the sight of God Rom. 3. 20. Q. What is the fruite of this iustification by faith A. Being iustified by faith we haue Rom. 5. 1. peace with God Q Who are appoynted of God to dispense this grace A. The Ministers of the gospell so that whose sinnes soever they remitt Ioh. 20. 23. Mat. 16. 18. according to this word they are remitted and whose sinnes they retaine according to the same gospell they are retayned Q. What benefite do we beleeue we shall receiue from Christ in another world A. The resurrection of our bodies now layd in the dust in which resurrection Iob. 19. 25 26 2â— Act. 24. 15. Ioh. 5. 28 29. both iust vniust shall be raised those that haue done evill to the Resurrection of condemnation and those that haue done well to the Resurrection of life Q. Is life eternall the wages of righteousnes as death is the wages of sinne A. Noe it is the end of an holy life but altogether the guift of God Rom. 6. 22. 23. through Iesus Christ our Lord. Q. How hath God confirmed to vs this mercy and redemption wrought by Iesus Christ for the strengthning of our faith A. By word by oath and by his Heb. 6. 17 18. seales Q. What are those Seales A. His two Sacraments Baptisme and the Lords supper Q. What is a Sacrament A. A signe giuen of God to bee a Rom. 4. 11. Seale of rhe righteousnesse of faith Q. What is this righteousnesse of faith A. The righteousnesse of Iesus Christ brought in by his obedience to the death which is made ours by faith onely Q. How are the Sacraments to be vsed by vs. A. As bonds and vowes and solemne professions of our desires and Rom. 6. 3. indeauors after the beginning and finishing of our faith and repentance Q. What is the outward signe in Baptisme A. The ministers washing or sprinkling Mat. 28. 19. the beleeuer with waâ—er in the name of the Father and of the Sonne and of the Holy Ghost Q. What is signifyed and sealed hereby to the beleeuing penitent A. The washing of the new birth Tit 3. 5. Heb. 9. 13. 1 Pet. 1. 2. by the spirit of Christ and the purging of the conscience from dead workes by the sprinkling of Christs blood thereupon by the same spirit of faith Q. What else doth baptisme assure vs of A. Of our adoption our ingrafting Gal. 3. 27. Col. 2. 11. 12. Rom. 6. 5. Math. 3. 7. 1 Pet. 3. 17 18. Gal. 3 27. 1 Cor. 12. 13. 15. 29. Rom. 6. 8. into Christ our deliuerâ—nce from Gods wrath the forgiuenesse of our sins the communion with the saints and the resurrection of our bodies to life eternall Q. What is the outward signe in the Lordes supper A. Bread and wine blessed broken Mat. 26. 26 27. powred out and giuen by the minister and receiued eaten and drunke by the faithfull Q. What is signifyed sealed hereby A. The body and blood of Christ crucifyed and shed on the Crosse for 1. Cor. 11. 24 25. the remission of our sinnes which is offered by Christ in the word of promise and verely and indeed receiued by the beleeuer in this sacrament Q. Is it enough to receiue the bread and wine A. No for we may eate and drinke 1. Cor. 11. 27. 29. our owne damnation if wee discerne not the Lords body Q. What is then to be done before we come A. We must examine our selues and iudge our selues for our sins and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Cor. 11. 28. 31. 1. Cor. 5. 7. must purge out the old leauen of hypocrisy false doctrine malice and wickednesse Q. And what are you to do in receiuing A. To keepe a solemne rememberance of Christs death for my sinnes and to eate this Lambe with the sower 1 Cor. 11. 25. 26. Exod 12. 8. hearbs of godly sorrow Q. How ought you to bee affected towards the godly A. With the affections of brotherly loue as being one bread and one body cleauing to their fellowship and forsaking all idolatrous and wicked societie 1 Cor. 10. 16. 17. 21. Psal 26. 4. 5 6. Q. What is to be done after you haue receiued A. To liue all our dayes in holy ioy keeping the feast in vnleauened bread of sincerity and truth and neuer to entertaine the leauen of our former 1. Cor. 5. â— sinnes Q. How must our thirst after this Sacrament bee raised in vs A. By weighing the multitude of our sinnes and the necessity of being 1 Tim. 1. 15. Ioh 6. 53. made partakers of Christs death that they might be forgiuen vs together with the force of this ordinance to make vs partakers thereof Q. What is the force of it A. In the right vse of it it is the communion of Christs body blood 1 Cor. 10. 16. Mat. 26. 26. 28. it is his body and blood crucified on the Crosse for vs. Q. What els might excite this thirstin vs A. The command of Christ who saith
Luc 17. 3. where to repent for Christ came to call sinners but to repentance therefore assureth vs that except we repent wee shall all perish Q. How is this worke to be done 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Psal 4 4. Lam. 2. 40 1 Ioh. 1. 9. Psal 38. 18. 1 Cor. 11. 31. pâ—al 51 17. Zac. 12. 10. 11. pro. 28. 13. hos 14. 2. In this worke the Lord requyreth a spirit without guiâ—e Rom. 10. 9. Ioh. 8. 24. A. Wee must commune with our owne hearts in secret try our wayes by the law to find out our sinnes and then we must confesse them to God and judge our selues for them till the Lord giue vs a broken and a contrite spirit so that we can mourne for our sins as much as for the losse of an only sonne and then we must forsake them for time to come Q. What is the second precept A. That we beleiue the glad tidings of our saluation by Iesus Christ and the forgiuenes of our sinnes through his most precious death Q. What is here to be done 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2 Cor. 13. 5. Iude 20. 21 Rom. 10. 14 A. To examine our selues whether we be in the faith or no to build vp our selues in our most holy faith daily Q. How may this faith and repentance be wrought in vs A. By the word preached Q. How may they be encreased 1 Cor. 1. 21 A. By the conscionable vse of the Luc. 8. 15. 1 Cor 11. 25 Col. 2. 12. Iude 20. 1. Cor. 14. 24. 26. meanes of his worship which he hath prescribed to vs as the hearing of the word with an honest and good heart the receiuing of the Sacraments and prayer in the holy Ghost * which is a third precept of the Gospell Q. How may wee know our encrease of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Esa 55. 1. â— 1 Pet. 2. 2. Iob. 23. 12. 27. 10. 1 The 2 13 faith and repentance A. By our holy thirst after and loue vnto these ordinances of Christ Q. Through whom must out prayers be offered vp to Gâ—d A. In the name of Christ onely Col 3. 17. Q. What is the rule of prayer A. That prayer which our Sauiour Mat 6. 9. Luc. 11 2. taught vs to say and to pray after this manner Q. Reheaâ—se it A. Our father which art in heauen Q. When must we pray A. Continually watching in the Col. 4. 2. Luc. 18. 12. same with thanksgiuing Q. Where A. Euery where so that wee lift vp pure hand without wrath doubting 1 Tim. 2. 8. Q. What is a fourth precept of the Gospell A. That we loue the Brotherhood 1 Pet. 2. 17 Ephes 3. 6. euen those who are partakers with vs of the same promise of the Gospell Q. How must this loue be manifested A. By choosing their fellowship as Psal 119. 63. 16. 3 1 Cor. 12. 7. Rom. 12. Phil. 1. 27. Heb. 13 2. 1 Pet. 4. 9. Gal. 6. 1 2. the onely excellent ones by employing our gifts for their good by being of like affection by being of one heart and one mind striuing together for the faith of the Gospell by being harberous and bearing one anothers burthens Q. What must be auoided that we may keepe and expresse this loue A. All schisme and diuisions judging 1. Cor. 1 10 12. Rom. 14. Phil. 2. 4. Iam. 2. 1. â— Ioh. 3. 18. 3 Ioh 5. one another about things indifferent vaine glory respect of persons dissimulation vntrustinesse inconstancy and suites in law Q. What is a Saint A. That we walke wisely towards Col. 4 5. Phil. 2. 15. Psal 112. Mat. 11. 29 Phil. 4. mat 5. 16. prov 24. 25. 28. 4. gal 4. 18. 1 Pet. 2. 13. 15. Dan. 6. 5. them that are without in harmelesnes discretion meekenes and lowlines patience vnder wrongs fruitfulnes in the workes of mercy zeale vndauntednes in a good cause and subjection to authority Q. What is the sixt precept A. That the first day of the weeke 1 Cor 16. 1. 2 is the Lords day Q. What is a seuenth A. That we quench not nor griue nor resist much lesse that we despight * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 The. 5. 19 Ephe. 4 30. Act. 7. 51. Heb. 10. 26. 29. not the Spirit of grace and the worke thereof in our owne harts or the liues of others which is the sinne against the Holy Ghost Q. What is the eight you may giue A. That being watchfull against temptations to sinne we put on the whole armor of God euery day building 1 Cor. 16. 13. Ephe. 6. 10. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Luc. 14. 26. all our desires vpon the foundation oâ— selfe-deniall * and ready to suffer for his sake Q. What is the ninth A. That we prepare for death Psal 39. â— 90. 12. Q. How A By learning that skill to dy daily 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Cor. 15. 31 Heb. 11. 13. 1 Cor. 7. 31. and by liuing as pilgrimes and strangers here vsing the world as if we vsed it not Q. What is the tenth A. The liuely hope of heauen and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Pet. 1. 3. 1 The. 1. 10 2 Pet. 3. 12. daily waiting for the comming of Christ to judgment Q. What direction is giuen to discharge this sincerely A. That we come euery day to the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ioh. 3. 22. light of Gods word to see whether our deeds be wrought in God or noe Q. What comfort haue we in this worke A. We haue the loue of God as a Hos 14. 4. a. Cor. 6. 18. Rom. 8. 32. 1 Cor. 6. 19 1. Pet. 1. 8. psa 65. 4. Esa 2â— 8. Maâ— 11. 24 Heb 1. 19. Psa 34. Ephe. 2. 19. Rom. 8. 28. Ioh. 10 28. 29. 6. 39. Rom. 4. 13. 1 Tim. 4. 8. 9. Psa 73. 24. Prarogatives of the Saints father Christ with all his benefits is ours we are the temples of the Holy Ghost who often comforteth vs with joyes vnspeakeable and full of glory we haue freedome to Gods House audience of our prayers the guard of Angells the communion with all Saints the sanctification of our afflictions preseruation from finall and totall Apostacie the inheritance of the earth while wâ— liue and heauen when we die FINIS Soli Deo trin vni Gloâ—ia
A CANDLE LIGHTED AT THE LAMPE OF SACRED SCRIPTVRES Or A Catechisme conteining all truths fundamentall and none but fundamentalls By Richard Bifield Minister of Gods word and Pastor in Long Ditton 2 Tim 3. 15. From a Châ—ld thou hast knowen the Holy Scriptureâ— which aâ—e able to mâ—kâ— thâ—e wâ—se to saluaâ—io◠〈…〉 is iâ— Christ Iesus 〈◊〉 noâ— Argumenâ—o Ambrose de Spirâ—â—u sancto l. 3. c. 11. I leaue to the simplicity of Scripture not the subâ—â—â—â—y of argument Imprinted at LONDON 1627. A Precept to Parents These words which I commande thee this day shall be in thine heart and thou shalt teach them diligently vnto thy childreÌ„ and shalt talke of them when thou sittest in thine house and when thou walkest by the way and wheÌ„ thou lyest downe and when thou risest vp Deut. 6. 6. 7. To children and seruants Sanctifie the Lord God in your hearts and bee readie alwayes to giue an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekneâ—â—e and feare 1 peter 3. 15. TO THE CHILDREN AND youth of Long-Ditton Kingston vpon Thames and East Molsey Grace be vnto you and peace from him which was and which is which is to come LIttle children and youth I am debter to you alsâ— and am taught by Iohn 1 Ioh 2 12 13. the Disciple whom our Saviour loved to pay this debt by writing I Dedicate therefore this little booke to you ioyntly where in you my little babes may see the mercies of God in forgiuing your sinnes for Christs name sake and may learne euen in the milke to know and knowing to call God Father Wherein likewise you young men may as out of the Lords armory haue weapons ready fitted to your hand vse wherewith ye shall overcome that wicked one And if ye receiue by faith this doctrine and let it abide in you to loue it to obey it you shall encrease your strength and the better with stand future assaults in all of them being more then Conquerours For in the first part yee haue orderly framed in words of Stripture the whole body of divinitie which we are to beleeue concernâ—g the Gospell of our Lord and Saviour Iesus Christ after a familiar way of Catâ—chising no one matter of opinion mixed therewith but onely fundamentall truthes layd downe so that all Heresies-now being or formerly rooted or that may hereafter spring vp as tares amongst the wheate are cut off not by humaine wiâ—t and Schoole distinctiâ—ns but by divine word holy writ here you haue much yea all in a little yet without obscurity Here ye have that faith which ever was held professed vniversally in the Church as will be manifest to the iudicious that are acquaintâ—d with Scripture with Councels with the authenâ—iqâ—e Creeds with the publike confessions of christian mâ—n Churches The truth I dare boldly â—ay the enemies themselues being iudges In a word yee haue here the heads of Doctrine which in euery particular in the audience of the Congregation of Kingston vpon Thames was with feare and trembling being part of full three years laboures their discoursed off at largâ— shewing in all and every point the Harmony of both Testaments the vntiyng of difficulties and knots in them by way of explication the wiles of Sathaâ— and the flesh beguiâ—ing vs of the fruite of such knowledge and beleife in deeds while our mouthes professed the same in words the conclusions profitable and famous which depend upon such prime truthes And lastly the Instrâ—ctions consolations and reproofes which these doctrines afford us for the reformation of heart and life In the second part I present you with the rules of holy life whereby you are taught as the truth is in Iesus to put off concerning the the former conversation the old man which is corrupt according to the deceitfull lusts and being renewed in the spirit of your minde to put on the new man which after God is created in righteovsnes and true holinesse Here I haue diuided the precepts of the Gospell from those of the Law to avoyd confusion that they are distinct is a thing not hitherto heeded yet as to them will appeare that consider it without preiudice most certaine The words of Christ haue as much force to bind as the words of the Decalogue or ten commandements Likewise the voyce of Repentance is no voyce of the Law and so of the rest That I haue cast them into ten is not out of any superstition of the number nor any conceit of mine that there are iust ten but onely to help memory they also fitly arising to that number and â—or ought I see the whole comprehended I haue in the margent set two different marks upon certaine answers or phrases in those answers by which I would haue you to take notice of your estate before God If those or any one of those graces or priviledges bee manifest vpon your hearts wrought by the word which are signed with this signe * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 being that Angelicall mark Ezek. 9. 4. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they proue you actually the children of God If the sinnes or kind of offending be yet found in you which is marked with that marke * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the first letter in the word Letzim Pâ—â—l 1. 1. signifying scorners 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 you are unregenerated and wicked sinners and remaine sâ—ch till you wash them away by true repentance and Faith in the Lord Iesus Take these digest them thoroughly yea eate them up as reached forth to you from God thoâ—gh by the unworthy hands of a meane Labourer in Gods Vâ—nyard whose prayâ—r is that you may increase in wisdome and stature and in favour with God and man Richard Bifield A CANDLE LIGHTed at the Lampe of Sacred Scriptures The first part conteining the grounds of Faith WHere may wee learne that knowledge which will make a man wise to his salvation Answer In the holy scripture 2. Tim. 3. 15 16. 17. Iohn 5. 37. Quest How was all Scripture of the old and new Testament given A. By inspiration of God for the 2 tim 3. 16 2 Pet. 1 20 21. holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost Q. Hath God revealed all things therein necessary to salvation A. Yes no man may adde thereto Deut. 12 32. Prou. 30. 6. or take there from Q. May a simple man learne so much by them Psal 119 130. 2. Cor. 4. 4. A. The entrance into Gods word giueth light it giueth vnderstanding vnto the simple Q. Seeing they are so plaine in all necessary truthes tell me what they teach you concerning God A. That there is but one God an Idol is nothing in the world 1 Cor. 8. 4. Q. What else A. That their are three that beare record in heaven the Father the word 1 Ioh. 5. 7. and the Holy Ghost and these three are one Q What is this one God who is three in persons A. He is a Spirit whose