owne power A. No. It is the gift of God vnto his children Ephes 2. 8. Q. What is the summe of our Christian beleefe A. That which is expressed in the Creed of the Apostles I beleeue in God the Father almightie c. Q. How doth God giue this gift of faith A. It is the worke of his spirit in our harts somtimes Gal. 1. 16. Rom. 10. 14. immediatly by instinct but ordinarily by the preaching of the word Q. What is the word of God A. Generally the holy Scriptures contained in the canonicall bookes of the olde and new Testament written by the Prophets Apostles but here Ephes 2. 20. particularly the doctrine of the grace of God vnto saluation by faith in Christ Iesus 1. Pâ—t 1. 25. Q. What is the authoritie and vse of the holie Scriptures in Gods Church A. They are saith the Apostle inspired from God profitable to teach to confute to reproue 2. Tim. 3. 16 to instruct finally to make the man of God perfect vnto euery good worke Qu. How is it then that some say the word of God is vnperfect doubtfull and obscure A. These are in deede the blasphemies of Antichrist Psal 19. 7. Psal 119. 105. Prou. 8. 9. but God him selfe witnesseth of his word that it is perfâ—ct plaine and lightsome Qu. But you say the holy Ghost worketh faith by the preaching of the Gospell A. So it is for God who commaunded light to shine out of darknes is he that shineth in the harts 2. Cor. 4. 6. of his seruaÌ„ts that they might giue fotth the light of the glorie of God in the face of Iesus Christ Qu. What is this ministerie of preaching A. That ordinance of Christ wherby he is propounded and offered vnto saluation committed Ioh. 3. 14. 2. Cor. 5. 18. vnto those whom he hath called Qu. What is the vse and frute of this ministery A. Being the power and wisdome of God vnto saluation first the word is thereby made the incorruptible seed of a new birth to beget vs again vnto 1. Pet. 1. 23 God Qu. What else A. It is afterwards that sincere milke whereby as new borne babes we do grow vp vnto the Lord. 1. Tet. 2. 2. Q. Proceede A. It is finally that strong meate wherby we are fed continually vnto euerlasting life and that preseruatiue whereby we are kept from euerie blast of 1. Cor. 3 2. Ephes 4. 14. vaine doctrine Q. What is that of the keys of the kingdome of Mat. 16. 19 heauen and the power of binding and loosing A. It is that authoritie that Christ hath giuen vnto his ministers exercised publikly both in preaching Mat. 18. 18 the promises and iudgements of God and in the administration of the censures of the Church 1. Cor. 5. 5. Q Is there any priuate vse hereof A. Verie great and necessarie in comforting of Luc. 7. 48. Act. 8. 20. 13. 10. afflicted consciences and in terrifying the obstinate offenders Q. What other meanes hath God giuen vnto his Church for confirmation and increase of faith A. He hath for releefe of our infirmities added vnto the preaching of the word the administration Act. 2. 38. of his holy Sacraments Qu. What is a Sacrament A. A Sacrament is an holy signe and seale ordained of God to continue confirme and increase Rom. 4. 11. our faith in Christ We do also thereby professe and vow to be his seruants Q. How is it a signe A. In that it visibly representeth and expresseth vnto vs that of Christ and our saluation by him Luc. 22. 19. 1. Cor. 11. 26 which we are taught by the word preached and therfore is not vnfitly called a visible word Q. How is a Sacrament a seale A. In that it is annexed of God as a seale vnto his couenant of grace to assure vs of the truth and Rom. 4. 11. effect thereof Q. How manie Sacrameets be there A. Two Baptisme and the Supper of the Lord. Mat. 28. Mat. 26. Q. What is Baptisme A. A Sacrament wherein we are baptized with water into the name of the Father the Sonne and 1. Ioh. 1. 7. 1. Pet. 1. 2. the holy Ghost to teach assure vs that our sins are washed away by the blood of Christ that we are iustified by his obedience that we are ingrafted into the bodie of Christ and adopted to be the children of God Q. Is there anie other frute of this Sacrament A. It is also a Sacrament of our mortification vnto sinne by the death of Christ of our sanctification Rom. 6. 3. 4. Ephes 2. 12. 1. Cor. 15. 29 by his rising from the dead also of our own resurrection in the last day and of our communion with the Saints of God Qu. Why are infants baptized A. Because being borne in the couenant and communion of the Church they are holy vnto the Lord as was Isaac who was circuÌ„cised the eight day 1. Cor. 7. 14 Qu. What is the Supper of the Lord A. A Sacrament in bread and wine visibly representing vnto vs the death sacrifice of Christ Mat. 26. 28 1. Cor. 11. 24 and assuring vs of the benefit thereof Q. What else A. A pledge of our spirituall communion with Christ the bread of life food of our soules wherby 1. Cor. 10. 16 Ioh. 6. 51. he dwelleth in vs and we in him and are made bone of his bone and flesh of his flesh It is also a pledge of our loue towards all men Ephes 5. 30. Q. Who are fit to be admitted vnto this sacrament A. Such only as can and do examine theÌ„selues 1. â—or 11. 28 that they may be worthie receiuers thereof Q. Wherein standeth this examination A. We must examine our knowledge and profiting in the principles of religion our faith in applying that we know vnto our selues our repentaunce and purpose of amendement of life finally our reconciliation with others and loue towards all men euen Mat. 5. 24. our enemies V. Qu. Our saluation then being in Christ not in our selues enioyed by faith in him may we not Rom. 6. 1. now liue as we lust A. God forbid Nay who so is in Christ is a new 2. Cor. 5. 17. Ephes 2. 10. 2. Tim. 2. 19 creature and who so nameth the name of Christ must depart from iniquitie Qu. Why so A. Because that grace of God which bringeth saluation vnto all men teacheth vs to denie all vngodlinesse and worldly lustes and to liue soberly Tit. 2. 11. righteously and godly in this present world Q. Must we then be a people studious of good workes Tit. 2. 14. A. Christ therfore died for vs and rose againe that we who liue by him should not liue vnto our 2. Cor. 5. 15. Ephes 2. 10. selues but vnto him exercising those good workes which he hath appointed vs to walke in Q. Are not then
THE SVMME OF CHRISTIANITIE SET DOWNE IN FAMIliar questions and answers Question THere haue bene alwayes are will be in the world such as denie the Lord that made theÌ„ tell me therefore first of all are you perswaded 2. Pet. 3. 3. there is a God Answer I am vndoubtedly assured hereof first by that inward light of vnderstanding whereby he raiseth testimonie vnto him selfe in the hearts of Rom. 1. 19. men Secondly by his works of creation wherein Rom. 1. 20. he hath made his power godhead visible Thirdly by the works of his prouidence whereby he euidently sustaineth gouerneth all things Fourthly Act. 14. 17. 17. 24. by his word wherein he hath most clearely manifested him selfe vnto vs. And therefore I detest from my heart all atheisme and atheists Q. What is God A. God is a spirit eternall infinite almightie Ioh. 4. 24. only wise most iust and most mercifull Q. Is there anie moe but one onely God A. There is one onely true and liuing God but in the vnitie of this one godhead there are three distinct persons the Father the Sonne and the holy Mat. 28. 19 Ghost Q. What is the Father A. The first person in the Deitie of whom are the Sonne and the holy Ghost Mat. 3. 17. Q. What is the Sonne A. The second person in the deitie begotten of Ioâ— 1. 18. Heb. 1. 3. the Father Q. What is the holy Ghost A. The third person in the Deitie proceeding from the Father and the Sonne Q. Did not God create man perfect in nature and happie in state Ge. 1. 26. 28 A. Most perfect most happie But by Satans persuasion man fell from that perfection by his Gen. 3. 2. fall both lost his first happinesse and threw himself and his into extreme miserie Q. Are we then all miserable A. All not one excepted and that by sinne Q. What is sinne A. Sinne is offence against God Q. Are all men sinners A. All haue sinned and haue failed of the glorie Rom. 3. â—3 of God Q. How may we be conuicted of sinne A. First by the testimonie of our owne consciences and then by the testimonie of God himselfe who is greater then our consciences 1. Ioh. 5. 20. Q. What is the testimonie of conscience A. That light of nature wherby euery one discerning betweene good and euill is accused of offence against God Rom. 2. 15. Q. How doth God testifie that we be sinners A. By his iudgements aswell generall as partiticular and by his word Q. What are his generall iudgements A His curse vpon all creatures for sinne and Gen. 3. 17. Gen. 6. the destruction of the world by the flood Q. What are his particular iudgements A. Such as the punishment of Cain and the destruction Gen. 4. 11. Gen. 19. 24 of Sodome and Gomorrha Q. What doth God testifie against vs in his word A. That we be sinners three maner of wayes First by the sinne of Adam in whom all haue sinned Rom. 5. 12. Qu. How secondly A. In that we are all borne in sinne conceiued in iniquitie thereby the children of wrath Psal 51. 7. Ephes 2. 3. Qu. How thirdly A. By our own personall transgressions in leauing vndone that which is good and committing that which is euill in thought word deed which we may best discerne by the Lawe of God giuen to Rom. 3. â—0 that end Q. How may we affect pierce our selues herewith Act. 2. 37. A. If we consider the greatnesse lothsomnesse and multitude of our sinnes with the punishments due vnto them Qu. How may this be done A. The greatnes of our sinnes we may esteeme by the greatnes of him against whom they are coÌ„mitted 1. Sam. 2. 25 and the lothsomnesse by that most perfect holinesse which is in God expressed in his Law Qu. What is the multitude of our sinnes A. Dauid said his sinnes were moe then the haires of his head and who knoweth how often he Psal 4. 13. Psal 19. 13 offendeth Qu. What are the punishments of sinne A. The temporall punishments of sinne are all the calamities afflictions of this life all diseases of the bodie and griefs of mind and finally death Rom. 5. 12. it selfe Qu. Are there also eternall punishments A. Yea. The losse of euerlasting happinesse and euerlasting destruction both of bodie and soule Rom. 6. 29. Qu. Is not then our miserie exceeding great A. Greater then either tong can speake or can enter into the heart of man 1. Cor. 2. 9. II. Qu. Is there anie helpe against this miserie â— None in our selues nor in anie creature but 1. Ioh. 2. 2. only in Christ Iesus who is made vnto vs froÌ„ God wâ—sdom righteousnesse sanctification redeÌ„ption that who so glorieth might glorie in him 1. Cor. 1. 30. Q. How is he made our wisedome A. In that being from before all eternitie the sonne of God in the fulnesse of time he became Ioh. 1. 13. man and both out of the bosome of the Father reuealed Ioh. 1. 18. vnto vs all things necessarie for vs to know vnto saluation and is he in whom all the promises of God are yea and Amen 2. Cor. 1. 20. Q. How is he made our righteousnesse A. In that knowing no sin he became sinne for vs that we by him might be made the righteousnes 2. Cor. 5. 21. of God Qu. Declare this yet more fully A. He bare the curse of the Law punishment of our sinnes to satisfie the iustice of God and fulfilled Gal. 3. 13. Esa 53. 5. Ro. 5. 18. 19 the righteousnesse of the Law to obtaine for vs the blessing thereof which is eternall life Q. How is he made our sanctification A. In that he sanctified him selfe for vs doth Ioh. 17. 19. 17. also sanctifie vs in our selues by his spirit Q. How is he yet our redemption A. To deliuer vs finally from all our enemies Phil. 3. 20. 1. Cor. 15. 25 bring vs into the kingdome of heaueÌ„ In the meane time he sitteth at the right hand of God an aduocate and intercessor for vs to make both vs our Rom. 8. 34. seruices acceptable vnto God III. Qu. Saluation then being wholly and onely in Christ how may we attaine thereunto A. If we beleeue in him Ioh. 3 16. Qu. What is it to beleeue in Christ A. Not only to know that saluation is by him alone but also our selues to put our whole trust and Ioh. 3. 36. confidence in him and to assure our selues of the forgiuenesse of our sinnes by his death sacrifice and of euerlasting life by his obedience Rom. 5. 18. Qu. Doth this faith only iustifie vs before God A. Onely Yet not for the worthinesse of it selfe but for the worthinesse of him in whom we beleeue Rom. 3. 28. Q. Is this faith in our
good workes necessarie vnto saluation A. They are necessarie in those that are saued Heb. 12. 14. Ephes 2. 9. but not necessarie vnto saluation Qu. How so A Because we are first saued by faith in Christ before we can do anie good worke for whatsoeuer Rom. 14. 23. is not of faith is sinne Q. May we not satisfie Gods iustice nor merite saluation by weldoing A. Our satisfaction and merite is onely in the death and righteousnesse of Christ Iesus besides Act. 4. 12. which there is none other As for our workes as they follow our saluation and go not before it so Rom. 7. 21. Luc. 17. 10. in this life they are alwayes vnperfect Also they are due vnto God therefore cannot indebt him vnto vs. Q. Why should we then do good workes A. For many causes That God may be glorified Mat. 5. 16. for vs and of vs that our liues may be agreeable to our profession that we may win others vnto the faith that we may be profitable vnto our brethren 1. Pet. 2. 12 1. Pet. 3. 1. both in example and dutie and that by the frutes of our faith we may assure our selues of our 2. Pet. 1. 10 calling and election VI. Q. These are great motiues vnto weldoing tell me now what is the rule of good workes A. Not our own will or intents nor the examples customes or inuentions of men but the onely Law of God contained briefly in the two tables of Esa 8. 20. Exod. 34. the ten commandements Qu. Why were they written in two tables A. To distinguish the worship of God expressed in foure commandements from our duties toward men declared in six other commandements Q. What is the first commandement A. I the Lord am thy God c. Thou shalt haue none other Gods before me Exod. 20. 2. Q. What is the meaning of this commandemeÌ„t A. That Iehouah the Lord be onely our God Heb. 11. 6. Psal 50. 15 that we honor loue feare and obey him beleeue in him and call vpon him alone Q. What is the second commandement A. Thou shalt not make to thy selfe any grauen image nor the likenesse of any thing c. Deut. 4. 12. Qu. What meaneth this commandement A. That in the outward worship of God we attempt nothing of our selues nor admit anie thing Deut. 4. 2. deuised by others but exercise our selues in that onely which God him selfe hath prescribed vnto Deut. 12. 32 vs in his word Q. What is the third commandement A. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vaine c. Q. What is the meaning of this commaÌ„dement A. That we vse the name of God both in oath otherwise with all high reuerence also his word works that we flie all hypocrisie and colouring in religion that we abuse not the name of God directly Iam 5. 12. Mat. 5. 34. or indirectly in vaine or false swearing cursing coniuring or the like Q. What is the fourth commandement A. RemeÌ„ber thou keep holy the Saboth day c. Q. What meaneth this Law A. That resting euen from our lawfull labours Esa 58. 13. Act. 2. 42. Act. 20. 7. Heb. 4. 10. Apoc. 14. 13. for this life we exercise our selues in the labours of euerlasting life as the word sacraments prayer thanksgiuing c. and that we meditate that eternall rest which abideth for vs in the kingdome of heauen Q. Is not the Iewes Saboth abolished vnto vs A. Yes but in place therof succeedeth the christian 1. Cor. 16. 1. Apoc. 1. 10. Saboth called the Lords day Q. Now follow the commandements of the second table concerning our duties towardes men what is the fift commandement A. Honour thy father and thy mother that thy Ephes 6. 2. dayes may be long c. Q What is the sence of this commandement A. That we loue honour obey and releeue all those whom God hath made superiors vnto vs either Rom. 13. 4. Coloss 2. 22. in nature or in pollicie as parents magistrats ministers maisters and elders Who also are Heb. 3. 17. Iosu 24. 15. Gen. 18. 19. bound to performe vnto vs the duties of their callings Q. What is the sixt commandement A. Thou shalt do no murder Leuit. 19. 18 Q. Tell me the meaning thereof A. That we offend not against the life or person of our neighbour and therefore flie all those things that tend vnto bloud That we guard releeue Gen 9. 5. Ephes 4. 26. Rom. 12. 19 them with all the meanes and mercie we are able Q. What meaneth the seuenth commandemeÌ„t Thou shalt not commit adulterie A. That keeping our bodies holy and vndefiled vnto God by vsing all good meanes making thereto 1. Thes 4. 4. 1. Cor. 6. 15. 19. 20. 1. Cor. 7. 2. 39. we neither assault nor betray the chastitie of others and that not hauing the gift of continency we marrie onely in the Lord. Q. The eight commandement Thou shalt not steale what requireth it A. That for outward things we remoue not the bounds which God him selfe hath set neither by violence nor by fraud but contenting our selues Phâ—l 4. 11. with our present estate commend the same vnto God in the diligence of our callings and that as Ephes 4. 28 good stewards we faithfully dispense that we haue receiued 1. Pet. 4. 10 Q. What meaneth the ninth commandement Thou shalt not beare false witnesse against thy neighbour Deut. 19. 16 A. That neither publikely nor priuatly we hurt the cause credit or name of our neighbour especially Prou. 10. 12 Eccles 7. Rom. 16. 18 our superiours but assist and defend them therein that we lye not flatter slander or the like and that we maintaine not others in the same Q. The tenth commandement Thou shalt not couet thy neighbours house nor his wise nor c. Rom. 7. 7. what doth it meane A. That we keepe euen our hearts and desires Prou. 4. 23. 1. Ioh. 2. 15. Rom. 12. 2. from affecting that which belongeth vnto others that we stop vp the verie fountaine of sinne in the corruption of nature and being renued in the spirit of our minds dedecate our selues wholly vnto God VII Q. Are we able to do all that which is here required at our hands A. We are not able of our selues so much as to 2. Cor. 3. 5. Rom. 7. 23. Gal. 5. 17. think a good thought besides euen in the children of God the flesh euermore fighteth against the spirit Q. Whence then is our abilitie A. It is God that giueth both the will and the Phil. 2. 13. deed in that being made members of the body of Christ we receiue from him a measure of knowledge Ephes 4. 16. desire power to do the will of God which graces he daily increaseth in vs by hearing reading and meditation of his word c. and by calling vpon his name