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.
A CATECHISM WHEREIN THE LEARNER Is at once Taught to Rehearse and prove all the main Points of CHRISTIAN RELIGION By answering to every queston in The very words of Holy Scripture Together With a short and plain Discourse Useful to confirm the weak and unlearned in his Belief OF THE BEING of a GOD AND THE TRUTH of SCRIPTURE Be ready always to give an Answer to every Man that asketh you a Reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear 1 Pet. 3.15 Hold fast the form of sound Works 2 Tim. 1.13 By Clement Ellis Author of the Gentile Sinner London Printed for Sam. Richards Bookseller in Nottingam 1674. TO MY PARISHIONERS My dear Friends and Brethren THis little Catechism with the short Discourse joyned with it are chiefly intended for your use and therefore to you in the first place are they offered I pray God the giver of every good gift to make this and all other poor endeavors of his most unworthy servant effâ—ctuall to establish you in the faith of Christ and the constant practice of all Christian virtues Ever since I came amongst you it hath been my dayly study how I might most profitably instruct you in the truth which is according to Godliness I have not followed cunningly devised fables neither used flattering words as ye know my business hath not been to amuse and confound you with a â—oise of words empty notions and the â—dle dreams of phanciful men nor to cozen your Souls by picasing the itching ear or prejudiced palate but to make necessary truths plain and intelligible 〈◊〉 to dress the sincere miâ—â—k of the word for you in that simple and wholesome way as I am perswaded was most conducive to your nourishment and gâ—outh thereby in Faith and Holiness If the success of my honest endeavours answer not my hopes of you and prayers for you I have cause indeed to mourn over your sins but I must not be discouraged from going on the same way still or praying unto God for his blessing upon it One evident cause of all that gross ignorance and error ethat wretched prophaneness and licenciousness that wild Fanaticisme as well in practice as opinion which is now every where too visible is the want of good and seasonable instruction in the first principles of our Religion Where youth is suffered to grow up in ignorance no better can be expected but that it run into dotage at last If the Foundation be either unlaid or fals-laid it can be no wonder to see the Superstructure shaken or blown down The truth is it is but too easy to shew that all those unhappy divisions and miscarriages which have ben of late and yet are amongst us in matters of Religion have Sprung if not only yet in great part from the neglect or abuse of that prime duty of Catachizing But I am not willing to draw out this Epistle into an unreasonable length by inlarging upon this subject Insteed of that leâ— me earnestly exhort you as you value the glory of Christ the peace of the Church and the eternal happiness of your own Souls 1. Be not wise in your own conceits take heed of that Spiritual pride whereby men are so apt to swell and grow great in their own eyes and much above these low ways of learning If any man despise these little helps it is but reasonable he should make it appear that he needs them not and when he shall do so I will promise him I will not trouble him any longer with them 2. Let not your children or servants perish for want of that instruction whereof you presume your selves to have no need It is not your fulness can keep them from starving Suffer them to be led by the hand till they get more strength If you have any love for them expose them not through want of instruction to be made a prey to Satan and every crafty Seducer whilst you phancy your selves such strong Saints as that you need not fear either the stoutest tempttaion or the loss of Heaven it self 3. Take heed how you run a whoring aftâ—r every new conceit in Religion which flatters your humour Think it not impossible that you may be led into the ditch by those who call them â—ives New Lâ—ghts â—ry the Spirits whether they be of God And thâ—s you can never do if you be not first well instructed in the Châ—eâ— principle of Religion which the holy Spirit of God hath already taught in his word 4. Suffer not a blind Zeal about trifles to transport you beyonâ— all care of the more weighty and substantial parts of Religion Think not that it is the commendation of your Religion that you scruple at a few Cerimonies or quarrel with the commands of your Superiors but believe and do as Christ hath taught and commanded certainly to live Godly and Rightuously and Soberly in this present world is a better sign of a Religious heart than all Sacrificings of the peace of Church and tate to a man 's own humour or groundless phancy A sound knowledge of the principles of Christian Religion would banish these shadows and bring back agaâ—n the truth and substance of Godliness 5. Yâ—â—ld therefore your selves with all meekness to instruction that ye may grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ that ye may no longer be Children tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine by the sleight of men and cunning craftiness whereby they lie in wait to deceive that ye may continue in the faith grounded and settled and may be ready to give answer to every one that asketh you a reason of the the faith that is in you He that can do so will not be ashamea to do it and he that cannot should be ashamed not to learn to do it 6. Remember that when you were baptised you promised and vowed by others to forsake all sin to believe all the Articles of the Christian Faith and to obey God's holy will and commandments is it not therefore necessary that so soon as you are capable you should apply your selves with all diligence to learn what those Sins those Articles and those Commandment are That you may do so the Churh hath provided for you a short and easy Catechism and excellentlâ— fitted 〈◊〉 first years to prepare yâ—u for Coâ—â—iâ—maâ—â—on that is to make you understand your vow of Baptism so far as you may be able in your owâ— persons openly in the face of the Church to profess anâ—â—â—clare 〈…〉 to keep it and thereupon 〈◊〉 both the approbation and prayers of 〈◊〉 â—piritâ—al Fathers and â—â— tâ—◠〈…〉 for Grace to enable you 〈◊〉 And seeing those 〈…〉 there solemnly made to God for â—ouâ— growth and increase in knowledge and grâ—â—shâ—uld it not be your constant endeavour by a diligent use of all the mâ—aâ—s to be dayly more confirmed and improve in both now for this â—nâ— it is not only necessary to read the