where present Can any hide himself in secret places Jer. 23. 24. that I shall not see him saith the Lord Do not I fill heaven and earth whereby he doth as it were with his Hand uphold and govern Heaven and Earth with all the Creatures therein Heb. 1. 3. So that those things which in the Earth grow as likewise Rain and Drought Fruitfulness and Barrenness Meat and Drink Health and Sickness Riches and Poverty In a word all Things come not rashly or by Chance but by his Fatherly Counsel and Will as is manifest Viz. Let us now fear the Lord our God that Jer. 5. 24. giveth rain both early and late in due season He gave us rain from heaven and Act. 14. 17. fruitful seasons filling our hearts with food and gladness The rich and the poor meet together the Prov. 22. 2. Lord is the Maker of them all Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing Mat. 10. 29. and one of them shall not fall to the ground without your Father The lot is cast into the lap but the whole Prov. 16. 13. disposition thereof is of the Lord. Q. How know you that God ordereth and governeth all things by his most wise and mighty Power and by his special Providence A. By Experiece we see that Meat and Drink being void of Life yet preserve the Life of Man Cloathing being void of Heat yet it keeps the Body warm which could not be but by the special Providence of God Q. What doth the Knowledge of the Creation and Providence of God teach us A. That in Adversity we may be Patient and Thankful in Prosperity and have herefter our chiefest Hope reposed in God our most faithful Father being sure that there is nothing which may withdraw us from his Love forasmuch as all Creatures are so in his Power that without his Will they are not able not only to do any thing but not so much a once to move Q. What are we further to Believe and Conceive concerning God A. That in One Spiritual and infinitely Perfect Essence there be Three Divine Persons the Father the Son and Holy Ghost as is proved Furthermore God said Let us make Gen. 1. 26. man Hereby shewing that in the Unity of the Godhead there is a Plurality which is not Accidental nor Effential but Personal Go therefore and teach all notions baptizing Mat. 28. 19. them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost These Three Persons are not Three several Substances but Three distinct Subsistences or Three divers Manner of Beings of One and the Same Substance and Divine Essence Q. Why is the first Person named Father A. 1st In respect of his Natural Son Christ This is my beloved Son in whom I am Mat. 3. 17. well pleased 2ly In respect of the Elect his adopted Sons Doubtless thou art our Father though Isa 63. 16. Abraham be ignorant of us and Israel know us not yet thou O Lord art our Father and our Redeemer Q. Why is the Second Person named the Son A. Because he is begotten of his Father's Substance or Nature Thou art my Son this day I have begotten thee Q. Why is he called the Word A. 1st Because the Conception of a Prov. 8. 12. Word in Man's Mind is the nearest thing that in some sort can shadow unto us the Manner how he is eternally begotten of his Fathers Substance and in this respect he is also called the Wisdom of his Father 2dly Because that by him the Father Joh. 1. 18. hath from the Beginning declared his Will for our Salvation 3dly Because he is the chief Argument Heb. 1. 1. of all the Word of God or that Word whereof God spake when he promised the Blessed Seed to the Fathers under the Old Testament Q. Why is the Third Person called the Holy Ghost A. 1st Because he is Spiritual without Joh. 4. 24. a Body 2dly Because he is Inspired and as it were Breathed from the Father and the Son that is proceeding from them Both. And he breathed on them and said Chap. 20. 22. Receive the Holy Ghost And he is called Holy both because he is Holy in his own Nature and also the immediate Sanctifier of all God's Elect. As he that hath called you is holy so 1 Pet. 1. 15. be ye holy Elect according to the fore-knowledge Ver. 2. of God the Father unto sanctification of the spirit Q. What is the Father A. The First Person of the glorious Trinity having neither his Being nor Beginning of any other but of himself begetting his Son and together with his Son sending forth the Holy Ghost from Everlasting Q. What is the Son A. The Second Person of the Trinity and the only begotten Son of his Father not by Grace but by Nature having his Being from the Father alone and the whole Being of his Father by an Eternal and Incomprehensible Generation and with the Father sendeth forth the Holy Ghost Q. What is the Holy Ghost A. The Third Person of the Trinity proceeding and sent forth equally from both the Father and the Son by an Eternal and Incomprehensible Inspiration For as the Son receiveth the whole Divine Essence by Generation so the Holy Ghost receiveth it wholly by Inspiration Q. How doth this Order between the Three Persons appear A. In that the Father Begetting must in Order be before the Son Begotten and the Father and the Son before the Holy Ghost proceeding from them both Q. Are not these Three Persons in Degree one before or after another A. This Divine Order excepted there is neither First nor Last neither Superiority nor Inferiority among the Three Persons but for Nature they are Co-essential for Dignity Coequal for Time Co-eternal the Divine Essence being in every one of the Three Persons Q. Are these Three Persons Three several Gods as three Persons amongst Men are three several Men A. No The Three Persons are but One God There be three which bear record in heaven 1 Joh. 5. 7. the Father the Word and the Spirit and these three are one In that he saith Three he noteth the Distinction of the Persons and in saying One he sheweth the Unity of the Essence Because the Divine Essence is Infinite and admits n Division and the whole Divine Essence is in every one of the Three Persons which are not severed but only distinguished one from another Q. How are we to coneive the Three Persons in the Godhead distinct one from another A. Two ways 1st In the Manner of Personal Being which each Person hath proper to himself As The Father is the Person which Begets The Son the Person who is Begotten of the Father The Holy Ghost the Person who proceeds from the Father and the Son 2ly In the Manner of Working in the Creatures For the Scripture ascribes To the Father the Beginning of Working To the Son Wisdom and Counsel and
Christ's coming to Iudgment A. I believe hereby That they shall then receive their own Bodies again which so long time had lain in the Earth and that in a far more excellent Estate than when they left them God giveth even to every seed his own 1 Cor. 15. 38 body The body is sown in dishonour and is 43. raised in glory And that they shall then receive Honour as in Rev. 3. 5 21. And that blessed Sentence of the Judge Come Mat. 25. 34. ye blessed of my Father inherit the kingdom prepared for you And also all the Benefits that Christ hath purchased for them Then lift up your heads for your redemption Luk. 21. 28. draweth nearer And they shall be freed from all the Powers of Death they shall die no more Death is swallowed up in victory Yea they shall be freed from all Sorrow and Want from all Hunger and Thirst and they shall weep no more They shall neither hunger nor thirst any Rev. 7. 16. more God shall wipe away all tears from Rev. 7. 17. their eyes Q. Wherein consisteth the Third Part of the Creed A. Of Faith in God the Holy Ghost Q. Which then is the Eighth Article of the Creed A. I Believe in the Holy Ghost Q. Wherefore is the third Person in the Trinity called a Ghost or a Spirit A. 1st Because he is a Spiritual Nature God is a Spirit Joh. 4. 24. 2dly Because he is breathed or inspired into the Hearts of the Elect by the Father and the Son He breathed on them and said unto Joh. 20. 22. them Receive the Holy Ghost 3dly Because it is his Office to inspire our Hearts with good Motions Holy men of God spake as they were 2 Pet. 1. 21. moved by the Holy Ghost Q. Wherefore is he called Holy A. It is not to deny either the Holiness of the Father or the Son but because he is the Means of the Sanctification of others and therefore he is called the Spirit of Sanctification Rom. 1. 4. Q. What is the Holy Ghost or how is he described A. The Holy Ghost is the Third Person of the Trinity There are three which bear record in 1 Joh. 5. 7. heaven the Father the Word and the Holy Ghost and these three are one proceeding from the Father and the Son But when the Comforter shall come Joh. 15. 26. whom I will send unto you from the Father even the Spirit of Truth which proceedeth from the Father being also very God with the Father and the Son There are three which bear record in 1 Joh. 5. 7. heaven the Father the Word and the Spirit and these three are one Co-eternal and Because he created the Heaven and the Earth and was from the very Beginning The Spirit of the Lord moved upon the Gen. 1. 2. waters Co-equal with the Father and the Son And that is manifest by his Divine Attributes as Omnipotency Psal 33. 6. Omnisciency 1 Cor. 2. 10. Infinite Goodness and Holiness 1 Cor. 6. 11. Unchangeableness Act. 1. 16. Truth Infallible Joh. 15. 26. Mercy Unspeakable Rom. 5. 5. 8. 26. Q. What is the Office of the Holy Ghost A. The chief Parts of his Office are 1st To Teach us The Holy Ghost whom the Father will Joh. 14. 26. send in my name he will teach you all things 2dly To Regenerate us Except a man be born of water and of Joh. 3. 5. the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God 3dly To Unite us with Christ Hereby we may know that Christ dwelleth 1 Joh. 3. 24. in us even by the Spirit that he hath given us 4thly To Rule and Govern us As many as are led by the Spirit of Rom. 8. 14. God they are the sons of God Q. By what means may the Holy Ghost be given or received A. He is given either Visibly as unto the Apostles There appeared unto them eleven tongues Act. 2. 3. like fire or Invisibly as unto the Church from the Beginning to the End of the World He which hath not the Spirit of Christ Rom. 8. 9. is none of his For without the Spirit there neither was nor should have any Church Also he is given after an ordinary way By the Ministry of the Word and by the Use of the Sacraments While Peter yet spake the Holy Ghost Act. 10. 44. fell on them which heard the word Q. To whom is the Holy Ghost given A. He is said to be given to all to whom he comunicateth his Gifts to the whole Church that are called both to the Elect and to Hypocrites To the Elect he is given not only as concerning his Common Gifts but also as concerning his Proper and Saving Graces Knowledge of God's Word Regeneration Faith and Conversion To the Hypocrite he is also given only as touching the Knowledge and Doctrine and other his Common and General Gifts The world cannot receive him because Joh. 14. 17. it seeth him not neither knoweth him Q. How is the Holy Ghost kept or retained A. 1st By diligent Use of the Ecclesiastical Ministry He gave some to be Apostles some to Eph. 4. 11. be Prophets for the edification of the body of Christ 2dly By Meditation in the Doctrine of the Gospel and by studying to Profit therein Let the word of God dwell in you plenteously Col. 3. 16. in all wisdom 3dly By Encrease and Continuance and Amendment of Life Unto him that hath shall be given Mat. 13. 12. He that is righteous let him be righteous Rev. 22. 11. still 4thly By daily earnest Prayer and Invocation How much more shall your heavenly Luk. 11. 13. Father give the Holy Ghost to him that desire him Q. How shall a Man know whether he hath the Spirit or no A. It may be known by the Effects 1st If Sin be weakned in him If Christ be in you the body is dead Rom. 8. 10. because of sin 2dly If he be freed from the Bondage and Dominion of Sin Where the Spirit of the Lord is there 2 Cor. 3. 17. is liberty 3dly If he can love his Enemies This must needs be of God's Spirit because it is above Nature Love your enemies Mat. 5. 44. 4thly If he have the Spirit of Supplication and can Pray with the Heart from a feeling and from a fervent and holy Desire The Spirit helpeth our infirmities for Rom. 8. 26. we know not what to pray for as we ought but the Spirit it self maketh request for us 5thly If he can find in himself any of the Fruits of the Spirit as Love Gal. 5. 2. joy peace long-suffering gentleness goodness faith c. Q. May the Holy Ghost once received be afterwards totally and finally lost A. In the Reprobate he may be lost totally and finally The Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul and an evil spirit of the Lord vexed him But in the Elect
A CATECHISM Containing the PRINCIPLES OF Christian Religion Together with A Preparation Sermon Before the Receiving of the Holy Sacrament OF THE Lord's-Supper As it was Preach'd in Serjeants-Inn-Chappel in Fleet-street London By JAMES CLIFFORD M. A. late of Magdalen-College Oxon And Chaplain to the Honourable SOCIETY of Serjeants-Inn LONDON Priâ—â—â—â—â—or J. Deacon at the Angel in Gilt 〈◊〉 â—â—reet without Newgate 1694. And 〈…〉 be Sold by the Booksellers of â—â—â—â—don and Westminster THE PREFACE Ephes 6. 4. Fathers bring up your Gen. 18. 1â— 2 Tim. 1. 5. 3. 15. Children in the nurture and admontion of the Lord. A Catâ—chism is a Word now used in a Church-sence signifying a little Book containing the Brief Summ or Chief Principles of Christian Relgion He who Teacheth is called a Catechist and he who is Taught Catechumenus a Disciple Scholar one taught instucted or edified All which words are derived from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Sound from whence comes the English word Eccho which is but a Repetition of the Voice or a Return or Report of what is uttered And therefore not without Reason did the Spirit of God chuse and the Church retain those Notions Because the Chief Principles of Christianity were at first instilled by the Ear which is called Wisdom's Gate the Sound of the Apostles Words going out into all Lands They are but Eccho's or Sounds whose Property is to report what is heard This is to be observed by all Catechists who are not to teach for Fundamental Doctrine their own Imaginations and Conceits but to sound into the Ears of others what they have heard and nothing but what they have heard viz. the certain Words of Christ and his Apostles first sounded in the Gospel we are to teach you nothing but what we have been taught by Christ and his Apostles The Catechist called by St. Paul 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he that Teacheth In the Gal. 6. 6. Primitive Church 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Catechist An Office which the greatest Doctors of the Church have not disdained or thought beneath them as Pantenus Clem. Alexand. Origen Cyrill Greg. Nyss and Nazianz. The Catechumeni or Catechised in the Primitive Times were commonly of Two sorts and truly so may well be in our Times 1. Adulti Men grown whether Jews or Gentiles who were perswaded to receive the Gospel but were not yet baptized and consequently not to be admitted to the Ordinance of the Lord's Supper till they had given an Account of their Faith and promised to lead and holy Life consonant to the Rules of the Gospel 2. Children of Christian Parents born in the Pale of the Church who because born whithin the Covenant and by Baptism admitted solemnly into the Congregation of Christ's Flock when grown to a Capacity of Learning were taught the Principles of Christianity Of which when they could give a competent Account were brough to the Bishop to be Confirmed Matter of Catechism only of such things as necessarily or very profitably to be known by every Chirstian Questions Short Answers Ful and Pertinent that might be easilier learned and remembred given and taught in fewest plainest Words that might 'T is not reason that Rules should be long and loaden with unnecessary Words Our saviour reduced the whole Law to two Heads Love to God and Mat. 22. 37. Love to our Neighbour St. Paul to one Syllable viz. Love Love Rom. 13. 9 10. is the fulfilling of the Law Repentance towards God and Faith towards Act. 20. 21. our Lord Jesus Christ set Heb. 6. 1. down as the Summ of the Gospel These then are the principal Matters of any Catechism and the briefer the Rules are about them the better 'T is the Commendation of the Church-Catechism 't is Short 't is Plain No cause of this Complaint Brevis esse laboro obscurus sio Tho' brief yet not dark and obscure This to be learned of every Child With us Persons to be instructed in these Principles Children not excluding Elder Persons in case of Ignorance Our Church supposing the Aged to be well grounded in these Principles they should be so indeed but Experience shews the contrary fits and enjoyns these Lessons to the Younger sort And indeed this is according to the Command of God Words Deut. 6. 6 which I command thee this day shall be in thy heart And thou shalt teach 7. them diligently unto thy children Forget not things thine eyes have Chap. 4. 9. seen teach them thy sons and thy sons sons Fathers bring up your children in the nurture and admonition Eph. 6. 4. of the Lord. Treading in the Gen. 18. 17. steps of Abraham that taught his Houshold Covenant And the Mother 2 Tim. 3. 15. of Tomothy who instructed her Son in the Scriptures from a Child This is one way to have good Children and good Servants However I shall have Comfort in performing my Duty But I say by means of Catechising Children reason'd with Religious Principles before Malice Pride Self-love by-Ends lustful Inclinations or corrupt Examples have depraved their Minds and Actions a good Foundation would be laid betimes for the ordering of their Conversation aright and the Seed of the Word would be preserved in them whole and sound Men would be better Livers and sounder Believers Horrid Vices nor Hellish Heretical Opinions would not so much prevail For doubtless were the Younger sort but well seasoned with Orthodox Truths and the undeniable Principles of Christian Religion they could not be as Children tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine nor so easily hurried down the stream of prevailing Wickedness The Jesuite would not gain so many Proselytes nor the Sectary so many light-headed Followers A CATECHISM Containing the PRINCIPLES OF Christian Religion c. Quest What ought to be the Chief and Continual Care of every Man in this Life Answ To glorifie God and save his Soul as St. Paul saith Whatsoever ye do do all to the glory 1 Cor. 10. 31. of God Q. Whence must we take Direction to attain hereunto A. Out of the Word of God alone Q. What call you the Word of God A. The Holy Scripture immediately inspired which is contained in the Old and New Testament as St. Paul saith All scripture is given by inspiration 2 Tim. 2. of God Q. What is your Opinion concerning the Bible or that Book which we call the Scripture A. I stedfastly believe it to be the true Word of God written by holy Men as they were taught and moved by the Holy Ghost When ye received the word of God 1 Thes 2. 13. which ye heard of us ye received not the word of men but as it was indeed the Word of God For it is not ye that speak but the Spirit Mat. 10. 20. of my Father which is in you The Spirit of the Lord spake by me and 2 Sam. 22. his word was in my tongue For the prophecy came not in old time 1 Pet. 1.
Q. And who is that Mediator which is both very God and perfectly Iust Man A. Even our Lord Jesus Christ who is made to us of God Wisdom Righteousness Sanctification and Redemption There is one Mediator between God and 1 Tim. 2. 5. Man which is the man Jesus Christ Ye are of him in Jesus Christ who is 1 Cor. 1. 30. made of God unto us wisdom righteteousness sanctification and redemption Q. But what are we to Know and Believe touching the Distinction of the two Natures in Christ his Godhead and his Manhood A. That there is a real Distinction of Mat. 26. 39. Joh. 10. 17 18. Act. 3. 21. those two Natures without any Mixture the one with the other and without any Conversion or turning of the one into the other and that the Essential Properties and Actions of both Natures remain distinct one from the other Q. What are we to Believe and Know touching the Union of Christ's two Natures his Godhead and his Manhood A. That they are united by Personal Union that the Godhead and Manhood in Christ make but One Person Q. What is that Personal Union A. It is the assuming of the Humane Nature into the Person of the Son of God so as the Manhood being not a Person in it self is received into Unity of Person with the Second Person in Trinity and doth usually and only subsist in the same This is a Mystery of Godliness And the word was made flesh and Joh. 1. 14. dwelt among us full of grace and truth Great is the mystery of Godliness which 1 Tim. 3. 16. is God is manifested in the flesh justified in the spirit c. Q. What is the Office of Iesus Christ being God and Man in One Person A. It is his Mediatorship to be the only Mediator and Advocate between God and Man There is one mediator between God and 1 Tim. 2. 5. man Q. What is meant by a Mediator or Advocate A. A Mediator or Advocate is a third Person that takes upon him to agree and reconcile two that be at variance As Christ being both God and Man did set at one God and Man who before were separated by Sin I the Lord have called thee in righteousness Isa 42. 6. and will hold thine hand and I will keep thee and give thee for a covenant of the people and for a light of the Gentiles Q. How did he that A. By the Satisfying of God's Justice by his Death By Praying and Intreating for the Guilty And By applying forcibly and effectually his Merit through Faith on them that Believe and regenerating them by his holy Spirit effecting that they cease from sinning And lastly Hearing their Groans and Petitions when they call upon him For thus it becometh him who was our Mat. 3. 15. faithful high priest to fulfil all righteousness Q. What be the several Functions and Offices of Christ as he is Mediator A. They are Three namely his Prophetical Office Priestly Kingly Christ was anointed of his Father to be the Prophet King and Priest of his Church For Moses truly said unto the fathers A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of our brethren like unto me him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you Wherefore in all things it behoved him Heb. 2. 17. to be made like unto his brethren that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God to make reconciliation for the sins of the people The Lord said unto my Lord Sit thou Psal 110. 1. at my right hand until I make thine enemies thy footstool Q. What is the Prophetical Office of Christ A. It is the Office of Revealing the Will of God and the Means of Salvation to his Church in all Ages As No man hath seen God at any time Joh. 1. 18. the only begotten Son which is in the bosom of the Father he hath declared him Which Office Christ performs Two ways 1st Outwardly By the Ministry of his Word Christ was put to death concerning the 1 Pet. 3. 18. flesh but was quickened in the spirit By which spirit he went and preached Ver. 19. unto the spirits that were in prison 2dly Inwardly By the Operation and Teaching of his holy Spirit As by the Example of Lydia Whose heart the Lord opened that she Act. 16. 14. attended unto the things which Paul spake Q. VVhat is the Priestly Office of Christ A. It is that whereby Christ hath and doth reconcile God to his Elect He performing all those things to God for them whereby they may come to Eternal Life But this man because he endureth for Heb. 7. 24. ever hath an everlasting priesthood Wherefore he is able also perfectly to Ver. 25. save them that come unto God by him seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them Which Priestly Office Christ performs Three ways for God chosen First In fulfilling the Law of God and performing perfect Righteousness for them Which Perfection He is made unto us of God wisdom 1 Cor. 1. 30. righteousness sanctification and redemption standeth in Two things 1st In the Purity of his Humane Nature he being conceived and born Pure and Holy void of all Sin 2dly In the Obedience of his whole Life he doing all that the Law required of him for God's Chosen Who did no sin neither was there any 1 Pet. 2. 22. Isa 53. 9. guile found in his mouth Secondly As he was Man consisting of Body and Soul Yet the Lord would break him and Isa 53 10. make him subject to infirmities when he shall make his soul an offering for sin Offering of himself unto God his Father a sacrifice without spot thereby appeasing his Wrath for all their Sins How much more shall the blood of Heb. 9. 14. Christ which through the eternal spirit offered himself without spot to God But now in the end of the world hath Ver. 26. he appeared once to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself Thirdly His entring into Heaven and there appearing before his Father continually making Intercession for all the Faithful Who shall condemn It is Christ who Rom. 8. 34. also is at the right hand of God and maketh request for us Q. After what manner doth Christ make Intercession in Heaven for the Faithful A. Not by Prostrating himself and uttering Words to his Father or by putting up a Prayer or Supplication to him But by presenting himself and the Sacrifice of himself once offered upon the Cross and the infinite and unvaluable Merit of that Sacrifice before the Eyes of his Father willing as he is God and Man and desiring as he is Man that his Father would accept of his perfect Satisfaction for all that are given unto him For Christ is not enter'd into the holy Heb. 9. 24. places that are made with hands which are similitudes of the true sanctuary but
it cannot be lost though for a time it may in some part as concerning some Gifts or some measure of it so that in the Elect it cannot be utterly lost For a little while have I forsaken thee Isa 54. 8. but with great compassion will I gather thee Q. What Benefits are received by the Holy Ghost A. They are such as concern the Reprobate As by virtue of the Holy Ghost they may be enabled to preach the Historical Faith As in the Example of Balaam who Numb 24. 17. Foretold of Christ To Interpret the Scriptures aright in some places As the Scribes and the Chief-Priests Mat. 2. 5 6. They may receive some measure of Illumination They may be restrained for a time from this or that Sin As in the Example of Abimilech Gen. 20. 6. They may obtain some measure of Worldly Joy or some Counterfeit Joy As in the Example of Herod and Mark 6. 20. Luk. 8. 13. the Parable of the Seed Or such as concern the Elect By the Holy Ghost they are Regenerated Joh. 3. 5. By it the Fruits of the Spirit are Gal. 5. 22. wrought in the Hearts of the Elect By it is wrought the Assurance of Rom. 8. 15. Salvation in the Elect. By virtue of the Holy Ghost the Elect Chap. 14. 4. are preserved in the State of Grace Q. What is it to Believe in the Holy Ghost A. I do not only Believe That there is a Holy Ghost but also That I by virtue of thâ—s Holy Ghost am truly Regenerate Comforted Preserved Settled in Faith and made Partaker of all other necessary Benefits of the Spirit Concerning the Church the Fourth Part of the Creed Q. Which is the Ninth Article of the Creed A. I Believe the Holy Catholick Church the Communion of Saints Q. Why is it not as well said I believe in as I believe the Holy Catholick Church A. It is warrantable to believe the Church but not warrantable to believe in the Church or to rest our Judgments upon the Authority of the Church without any Warrant from the Word Believe not every Spirit but try whether they are of God And the Reasons wherefore we are to Believe in the Church are 1st Because it is an Honour peculiar to God to be depended upon or to be believed in Ye believe in God believe also in Joh. 14. 1. me 2dly Because the Word is the Foundation of the Church and not the Church of the Word Ye are built upon the foundation of the Eph. 2. 20. Apostles and Prophets Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone 3dly Because the Church may err as did the Church of Corinth err about 1 Cor. 20. the Sacrament Q. What is the True Church A. The True Church is nothing but a peculiar Company of Men Elected and Called But ye are a chosen generation a 1 Pet. 2. 9. royal priesthood an holy nation a peculiar people that you should shew forth the vertues of him that hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light Q. Is there but One Church of God or be there Many Churches of Christ A. There is but One True Catholick or Universal Church There is one body and one spirit even Eph. 4. 4. as ye are called in one hope of your vocation This True Church is either Triumphant with the blessed Angels in Heaven Therefore are they in the presence of the Rev. 7. 15. throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple and he that sitteth on the throne will dwell amongst them Or Militant on Earth fighting under Christ's Banner against the World the Flesh and the Devil And there was a battel in heaven Michael Rev. 12. 7. and his angels fought against the dragon and the dragon fought and his angels This Militant Church is either Visible as a Company amongst Men professing the True and Uncorrupt Doctrine of the Law and Gospel in which Company are many dead and unregenerate Members and Hypocrites Not every one that saith unto me Lord Lord shall enter into the kingdom of heaven Or Invisible that is a Company of those that are elected to Eternal Life in whom a New Life is begun here by the Holy Ghost and is perfected in the Life to come This Church as long as it sojourneth on Earth always lieth hid in the Visible Church Those that are in this Invisible Church never perish neither are there any Hypocrites therein but the Elect only of whom it is said No man shall pluck my sheep out of my Joh. 10. 28. hands The Lord knoweth who are his 2 Tim. 2. 19. Q. Who is the Head of this Mystical Body the Church A. Only Christ himself as may appear The husband is the wife's head even Eph. 5. 23. as Christ is the head of the Church and the same is the Saviour of the body And that 1st Because he only is able to perform the Office of an Head unto his Church as to Quicken to Preserve to Nourish to Direct and Govern it 2dly Because he only is able to prescribe Laws to bind the Consciences There is one Law-giver which is able Jam. 4. 12. to save and to destroy Q. What are the Notes or Signs of the True Church A. They are either Internal Signs 1st The Spirit of God dwelling in the Heart Grieve not the holy Spirit of God by Eph. 4. 30. whom ye are sealed to the day of redemption 2dly Is True Regeneration For that which is born of flesh is flesh Joh. 3. 6. and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit 3dly True Faith is a Sign for the Church is called by the Name of the Faithful Mine eyes shall be unto the faithful of Psal 101. 6. the land that they may dwell with me Or External Signs As 1st The pure Preaching of the Word of God If ye continue in my word ye are verily Joh. 8. 31. my disciples 2dly The right Administration of the Sacraments namely Baptism and the Lord's Supper Go and teach all nations baptizing Mat. 28. 19 them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost Teaching them to observe all things 20. whatsoever I have commanded you 3dly The Third Sign is A sincere Profession of Justification by Christ alone Neither is there salvation in any other Act. 4. 12. name for among men there is given no other name under heaven whereby we must be saved Q. Wherefore is the Church called Holy A. 1st Because the Holiness of Christ is imputed to it Ye are of him in Christ Jesus who of 1 Cor. 1 30. God is made unto us wisdom righteteousness sanctification and redemption 2dly Because Holiness is begun in every Soul that is regenerate in this Life Surely they work none iniquity that Psal 119. 3. walk in his ways 3dly It is Holy in respect of Prophane Persons Aaron and his Sons are
not to drink Lev. 10. 10. strong drink that they may put difference between the holy and unholy Q. If the Church be Holy what are we to esteem of Swearers Lyers Whoremongers and such like wretched Persons that live in the Church Are they Members of the Church or no A. They are not so long as they live under the dominion of any notorious Sin but are as Chaff among Wheat whose end is to be burned Christ will come with his fan in his Mat. 3. 12. hand and will gather his wheat into his garner but will burn up the chaff with fire Q. May the Church of God obtain a Perfection of Holiness in this World A. No verily For howsoever the Triumphant Church is perfectly Holy at least in Soul These are they which are not defiled with Rev. 14. 4. women for they are virgins yet the Militant Church is but Holy only in part If we say we have no sin we deceive 1 Joh. 1. 8. our selves Q. By what means may Holiness be encreased A. By the diligent and frequent Use of God's Ordinance Sanctifie them with thy truth thy Joh. 17. 17. word is truth Q. Wherefore is the Church called Catholick A. The word Catholick signifieth Universal and the Church is so called for these Causes 1st In respect of Time because the Church hath been in all Ages is at this Present and shall continue by Successionâ— unto the World's End For the gates of hell shall not prevail Mat. 16. 18. against it 2dly In respect of the Members of the Church for they are universally gathered out of all Nations and People 3dly In respect of Place for the Church is dispersed in all Nations I beheld and lo a great multitude Rev. 7. 9. which no man could number of all nations and kindreds and people and tongues stood before the throne and before the Lamb cloathed with white robes and palms in their hands Q. Whether may any one be saded out of the Church A. No Man can be Saved out of the Church 1st Because without the Church there is no Saviour Without me ye can do nothing Joh. 15. 5. 2dly Because whomsoever God hath chosen to the End which is Eternal Life he hath chosen to the Means which is the Inward and Outward Calling The Elect therefore though they be not at all times Members of the Visible Church yet they are made such before they die Q. Whether is there any such Counsel of God which hath severed some to be Saved and some to be Damned A. I do believe and am perswaded That there is Predestination which consisteth of these Two Parts Election and Reprobation Q. What is Election A. Election is the Eternal Unchangeable Free and most Just Decree of God whereby he hath decreed to convert some to Christ to preserve and keep them in Faith and Repentance and by them to give them Eternal Life Q. What is Reprobation A. Reprobation is such a Decree of God as whereby he hath decreed to leave some according to his most just Judgment in their Sins to punish them with Blindness and Damnation being not made Partakers of Christ everlastingly Both being God's Decree I know whom I have chosen Joh. 13. 18. He hath mercy on whom he will 2 Tim. 1. 9. His grace was given before the world Rom. 9. 18. was Q. How do you prove That there is Election in God A. It is proved by Testimony of Scripture He chose us in him before the foundation Joh. 15. 16. of the world Ye have not chosen me but I have chosen you As many as were ordained to eternal life believed He predestinated us to be adopted through Jesus Christ unto himself according to the good pleasure of his will Q. How do you prove That there is Reprobation in God A. It is proved also by Scripture God doth shew his justice on the vessels Rom. 9. 22. of wrath Who were before of old ordained to Jud. 4. this condemnation It is given unto you to know the secrets Mat. 13. 11. of the kingdom of heaven but to them it is not Q. What are the Causes of Predestination A. The Efficient and Motive Cause of our Election is the good Pleasure of God who hath not fore-seen any thing in us for which he should chuse us for there can be no good thing in us as of our selves seeing we are by Nature the Children of Wrath as well as others So likewise the Efficient Cause of Reprobation is the most free good Pleasure of God for we being all by Nature the Children of Wrath had all perished if Sin were the Cause of Reprobation wherefore the Cause of Reprobation is not in Men themselves but that is in God's Will in shewing forth his Justice Therefore of particular Men why this Man is elected and he reprobated there can be no other Reason given but the good Pleasure of God only But the Cause of Damnation is altogether in Men which is Sin He hath mercy on whom he will and Rom. 9. 12. whom he will he hardneth Q. Is Predestination Vnchangeable or no A. Predestination is Firm and Unchangeable which may appear by this Reason Because God is Unchangeable and doth not depend on the Interchangeable Course of Things but the same rather dependeth on his Decree What therefore he hath from Everlasting decreed of Saving the Elect and Condemning the Reprobate that hath he unchangeably decreed And therefore both Election and Reprobation is Firm and Unchangeable This is the Father's will That of all Joh. 6. 36. which he hath given me I should lose nothing My counsel shall stand and I will do Isa 46. 10. whatever I will I am the Lord I change not Mal. 3. 6. None shall pluck my sheep out of my Joh. 10. 28. hand Q. Whether are the Elect always Members of the Church A. The Elect are not always Members of the Church but then first when they are converted and regenerated by the Holy Ghost If any man have not the Spirit of Christ Rom. 8. 9. the same is not his Q. Whether may the Elect fall from the Church or not and the Reprobate always continue A. The Elect cannot fall wholly and finally from the Church as hath been proved by the Unchangeableness of God's Predestination though sometimes they may fall from it but wholly and finally to forsake it they can never None shall pluck my sheep out of my Joh. 10. 23. hands But the Reprobate and Hypocrite do at length finally depart from the Church and fall away from Gospel-Gifts and Graces which they seemed to have They went out from us but they 1 Joh. 2. 19. were not of us for if they had been of us they would have continued with us Q. What is meant by Communion of Saints A. The Communion of Saints is the Society that all they that believe have one with another as Members of one Head Jesus
Meditation upon Christ's Death and the Benefits thereof The Bread and Wine separated by Consecration to this holy Use should re-mind us of Christ's being fore-ordained and set a-part by God from all Eternity to the work of Man's Redemption The Breaking of the Bread and the Pouring forth of the Wine should bring to our remembrance how Christ was torn in his Body with Wounds and Stripes and toâ—tur'd in his Soul with the sense of his Father's Wrath and Indignation and that for our Sins and Transgressions When the Minister offers to thee the Bread and Wine think of Christ given to thee of God freely and freely giving himself to thee if thou wilt receive him When thou receivest and eatest those Elements think on Christ the living Bread that gives Life to thy Soul and by his Merits preserve it from Eternal Death Let thy Heart cleave unto him by Faith throw thy self into his Arms wash thy Soul in his Blood hide thy self in the Holes and Clefts of this Rock from the stormy Tempest of God's Wrath. This is the Life of this holy Sacrament without which Spiritual Applications all is but a dead and empty Ceremony Now of the Affections that must be excited and stirred up in thiâ— Ordinance 1. Our Hearts must be drawn to a firm relying and dependance upon Christ as an All-sufficient Saviour having paid the utmost Farthing and trod the Wine-press defeated all the Powers of Darkness and purchased for us a Kingdom that cannot be shaken Let not greatness and difficulty of the Work of Redemption terrifie us Christ hath finished 2. The sight of Christ Crucified should beget in us a godly Sorrow for our Sins that were the Judasses Pilates Zech. 12. 10. Jews Mourn over him 3. Thankfulness Because by Christ's Death is purchased for us the greatest Blessing that ever was Pardon Reconciliation Grace Glory 2. On our part the greatest Undesert that might be 3. Infinite Disproportion betwixt Christ and us the Just for the Unjust the Prince of Glory for Vassals of Baseness 4. Love unto Christ How should we love Christ that loved us and gave himself for us 1. A Man must Examine himself after he is come from the Sacrament to consider what Comfort and Encrease of Grace he hath received what quickning Vertue and Refreshment he hath found to flow out of Christ into his Soul Now upon such Examination a Man shall find that it hath â—een well with him at the Sacrament oâ— that it hath not and so accordingly he is to proceed First then If a Man hath found no Joy Comfort or Enlargement but upon Examination finds that he hath been unfruitful dead and dull then two things are to be done 1. Suspect thy self that thou hast been â—ailing either in thy Preparation to or Performance of the Duty Labour therefore to find out what it was that hinder'd the Efficacy of the Sacrament and be seriously humbled for it Yea if we can but be sensible of our Senselessness of Heart that holy Duty and truly mourn for it we need noâ—â—e much disheaâ—tned because this is one Fruit of the â—ife of Christ which was undoubtedly received in the Sacrament 2. Endeavour by after Pains and Humiliation to quicken and awaken tâ—e Efficacy of the Sacrament For we must know Sacraments do not always work for the present but the Efficacy may come afterwards The first Sacrament of the Supper the Disciples receiv'd it 's like they found not the Efficacy of it for the present for then they understood nothing of Christ's Death neither could it sink into their Heads that He should die but yet afterwards when they came more clearly to understand the Mysteries of Redemption and the whole â—octrine of Christ â—o question but they reaped the Benefit of that Ordinance which then they fully understood not 'T is with the Sacrament as with the Word Many a Man hears the Word and in some measure minds it but for the present it hath no Effect at all It 's possible it may work many Years after A Sermon preach'd seven Years before may prove the Means of a Man's Conversion seven Years after We have an Example in that kind All thingâ— that John spake Joh. 10. 41 42. of this man were true And many believed on him there This is written of some of John's Hearers John had preach'd Christ before They did not thereupon believe in Christ when he preach'd John was dead and gone but now when Christ comes among them they upon John's former Sermons preach'd a great while before do now believe John was dead but not his Word that works while he lies in his Grave Thus also may it be with the Sacrament it doth not always presently work it may and doth work with some a long time afterwards when a Communicant humbled for his Unprofitableness in the Duty endeavours by after-Diligence and Humility to quicken and put Life into it Though we have miscarried in our Preparations to the Sacrament and Disposition in the Sacrament yet may the Vertue Efficacy and Comfort of it be recovered by after-Diligence and after-Humiliation But if when the business is once over Men shall never look back nor reflect upon it more so as to be humbled for their Deadness Hardness and Indisposition in the Duty and have no care to make up that by after-Diligence which was wanting in the present Performance no marvel though they receive no Benefit or Advantage by it But Secondly If upon after-Examination and a Review of the Business we find that we were refreshed our Hearts comforted and enlarged that we had Vertue from and Communion with Christ 1. Let us bless God with our whole Soul for his Mercy and Goodness to us and with all thankfulness acknowledge his gracious dealing with us 2. Let us be careful to keep up and maintain that graciouâ— and holy frame of Spirit which we brought from the Sacrament Pray we as David did for the People when he saw them in a good frame of Spirit and that they offered willingly and freely towards the Building of God an House O Lord 1 Chron. 29. 18. keep this for ever in the imagination of the thoughts of the heart of thy people So when we find a good frame of Heart wrought in us at the Sacrament we should pray and endeavour that this frame of Heart might be still upheld and continued in us We should endeavour to keep alive as long as may be that holy fire that was kindled in our Hearts in the Use of the Sacrament It 's a great fault in us when we come from the Sacrament that we have no care to keep our Hearts in good frame by Prayer Meditation or good Conference but presently fall a discoursing about secular Business or foolish idle and unprofitable Matters This is a dangerous quenching of the Spirit and tends to the hardening of the Heart as thrusting red-hot Iron into Water makes it harder Such sudden coolings and dampings of spiritual heats got in
and Salvation and a Resignation of our selves up unto Him To whom c. A PRAYER After Sermon ALmighty God our Glory and our Hope our Lord and Master the Father of Mercy and God of all Comfort we present to thee the Sacrifice of a thankful Spirit in humble and joyful Acknowledgment of those infinite Favours by which thou hast supported our State enriched our Spirits comforted our Sorrows relieved our Necessities blessed and defended our Persons instructed our Ignorances and promoted our Eternal Interests Amen We praise thy Name for that Portion of thy holy Word of which thou hast made us Partakers this Day Grant that it may bring forth Fruit unto thee and unto Holiness in our whole Life to the Glory of thy Holy Name to the Edification of our Brethren and the eternal Comfort of our Souls in the Day of our Lord Jesus Amen Have Mercy on all that desire and all that need our Prayers Visit them with thy Mercy and Salvation Ease the Pains of the Sick Support the Spirits of the Disconsolate Restore all that are Oppressed to their Rights Remember them that are appointed to die give them Comfort perfect and accept their Repentance give them Pardon for Jesus Christ's sake that in the Glories of Eternity they may magnifie thy Mercy for ever and ever Amen Hear the Cryes of the Orphans and Widows in their Calamity Let all their Sorrow be sanctified and end in Peace and Holiness in the Glorification of thy Name and the Salvation of their Souls Amen Lord pity and pardon direct and bless sanctifie and save us all Give Repentance to all that live in Sin and Perseverance to all thy Sâ—ns and Servants for his sake who is thy Beloved and the Foundation of all our Hopes our Blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus To whom with the Father and the Holy Spirit be all H 〈…〉 r and Glory Praise and Adoration now and for evermore Amen The Peace of God which passeth all Understanding keep your Hearts and Minds in the Knowledge and Love of God and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord and the Blessing of God Almighty the Father Son and Holy Ghost be amongst you and remain with you always Amen FINIS Books Sold by J. Deacon at the Angel in Gilt-spur-street without Newgate DR Horneck's Fire from the Altar Dr. Jeremiah Taylor 's Rules of Holy Living and Dying A Weeks Preparation to the Receiving the Sacrament Two Discourses The First A Christian Exhortation against the Fear of Death The Second A Brief Declaration of the Resurrection of the Dead Dent's Plain-mans Path-way to Heaven Dr. Horneck's Great Law of Consideration Dr. Sherlock's Preparation for Death His Discourse of Judgment The Doctrine of the Bible Smith's David's Repentance Garden of Spiritual Flowers Ecclesiastical History Epitomised Dr. Hammond's Practical Catechism The Countess of Morton's Daily Devotions Dr. Taylor 's Golden Grove being A Choice Manual of Prayers Kempis's Christian Pattern Gerhard's Meditations Smith's Great Assize Books Printed for and Sold by J. Deacon at the Angel in Gilt-spur-street without Newgate where any Gentlemen or Countrey Chapmen may be furnish'd with Bibles Common-Prayer Books and School Books And all sorts of Books in Divinity History Astrology and Navigation c. THE Pious Christian's Devotion and most excellent Family Companion c. The Grounds of Reading Writing and Pronouncing of the English Tongue Laid down in a New and Easie Method By T. Osborn Minister of the Gospel and Teacher of a Private School in Hatton-Garden A Short Catechism containing the Principles of Christian Religion compos'd for the Instruction of Youth together with Prayers for every Day in the Week and Graces Before and After Meat By James Clifford M. A. late of Magdalen College Oxon. The most Excellent and Famous History of the most Renowned Knight Amadis of Greece sirnamed Knight of the Burning Sword The English Fortune-Tellers Quarto