Selected quad for the lemma: truth_n
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A28310
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A soul-searching catechism wherein is opened and explained not onely the six fundamental points set down Heb. 6. I. but also many other questions of highest concernment in Christian religion : wherein is strong meat for them that are grown and milk for babes, in a very short catechism at the end, exceeding needful for all families in these ignorant and unsetled times / written by Christopher Blackwood.
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Blackwood, Christopher.
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1653
(1653)
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Wing B3101; ESTC R24658
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62,833
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92
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be applyed because we read Believers to have received the promise herein we say not of laying on of hands that it is a means through which the promise must be God being a free Agent but a means through which the promise may be and hath been conveyed into the soul as in Timothy his case appears Lest any man think this a new Doctrine let him consult the Fathers who oft mention laying on of hands after Baptisme Tertul de Baptismo Cap. 8. Cyprian Epist ad Inbaianum Also his Epistle ad Stephanum Tertul. lib. de resurrect Cap. 8. Aug. l. 3. Cont. Donatistas Cont. literas Petilliani Melchiades ad Episc Hispan Fabianus Epist 2. ad Episcop Orientis Ambros de his qui Myster initiantur cap. 7. lib. 3. de sacramento cap. 2. Vrbanus 2 Epist ad omnes Orthodox Clemens Constit Apostol l. 7. c. 16 17. Euseb Histor l. 6. c. 35. with others and Estius in Heb. 6.1 saith that all antiquity teacheth laying on of hands after Baptisme Q. But seeing the Apostles who laid on hands after Baptism were such Apostles as were immediately called of Christ as Peter and John Act. 8.17 and Paul Act. 19.5 6. how will it hold from them to the Apostles of the Churches A. Very well For first Apostles of the Churches though they have not an immediate call from Christ personally on earth yet they have a call from him vertually in that since his ascension into heaven He gave some to be Apostles Eph. 4.12 for the work of the Ministery that is to do what belonged to their office What difference betwixt persons called to an office by Christ immediately as the eleven were and persons called by him mediately by the Church when one and the same end is designed them which is the work of the Ministery the perfecting the Saints the edifying of the body of Christ and to witness Christ his resurrection Acts 1.22 Eph. 4.12 13. I would be gladly informed if any man could and would whether there be any essential difference betwixt the twelve Apostles and the Apostles of the Churches and wherein that difference doth consist If any man think it was because the eleven were inspired to be pen-men of Scripture I answer All of them were not nor the Apostles onely If any man think the doing of miracles I answer They alone did not do them but many believers also Mark 16.17 2. Matthias though chosen mediately of the Church had the same power in dispensations that the eleven had 3. If imposition after Baptisme were confined to Apostles onely that were immediately called it would have been in vain for the Apostle to have called it a foundation and to have conjoyn'd it with such necessary truths as Faith and the Resurrection was seeing the persons that had the power of administring them were all in a short time to be dead 4. Every Church of Christ have the same power that the first Church had both for Officers and Ordinances Mat. 18.17 18 19. the first Church therefore having Officers to dispense any office as Apostles Acts 1.26 Prophets Act. 15.27 32. Evangelists as Philip Acts 6.5 other Churches may chuse having fitting persons the like Officers and they being chosen may execute acts that belong to the respective Offices so that as the first Church continuing in the Apostles doctrine Act. 2.42 of which laying on of hands was part Heb. 6.1 did chuse an Apostle Acts 1.26 and the Church at Antioch sent out Paul and Barnabas who before the sending seem to have been of the number of the Prophets Act. 13.1 2 3. so may other Churches send out gratious and able men neither let any man say the Prophets at Antioch sent out Paul and Barnabas for the whole Church fasted and acted in the business Q. Who are this Church of Christ and what is the essential note of them A. They are a company of Saints 1 Cor. 1.2 1 Cor. 14.33 Gal. 1.22 Rev. 1.20 into which societies here on Earth though some Hypocrites creep yet till God discover them they are looked upon as Saints the Saintship of which company joyned together in bodies respectively leaving others to their light I take to be the essential note of the Church because holiness is the most special difference of the Church from the world Of the Lords Supper Q. WHat must a Christian do that he may receive worthily and preparedly A. As he must examine himself whether he be in Christ and the Spirit of God dwell in him 1 Cor. 11.28 2 Cor. 13.5 Also it is very expedient I will not say the not doing it is sinful that every time before a person receives the said person judge it self before the Lord for what it hath done amiss 1 Cor. 11.13 but in any wise before thou comest examine to finde good grounds of thy union with Christ without which neither presume to come to baptism nor the Supper lest they prove means of thy final hardness and impenitency Q. What was the end wherefore the Lords Supper was instituted A. For the continual remembrance of Christ his death which we desire to shew forth to all men out of conscience so his command 1 Cor. 11.25 26. and more particularly for the remembrance of the new Testament or Covenant which is established in his death wherein remission of sins is bequeathed to believers Mat. 26.28 1 Cor. 11.25 Which I take with submission to better judgement to be the prime end yea as to me seemeth the onely end of this institution Q. What mean you by calling the Lords Supper the new Testament in the blood of Christ A. I mean that whereas these was an old Covenant of works which all men transgressing are condemned Rom. 5.12 Gal. 3.10 Rom. 10.5 God was pleased to make a new Covenant with all the elect to accept the sacrifice of Christs death as a satisfaction to his justice for our breaches of the first Covenant Heb. 10.14 16 18. Heb. 9.15 Which Covenant is not onely presented to us by the Gospel in audible words but also visibly to our sense in the signs of the Covenant so that as the Rainbow was a witness or sign betwixt God and the Earth that he would no more drown it and if he did his bow should witness against him and as the blood of the passover sprinkled upon the Israelites posts Exod. 27.7 was a signe betiwxt God and the people that God would spare them vers 13. and if he did not that blood should witness against him and as in covenants among men they confirme them with some signs of memorial that when they forget the bargain it may be said unto them This is your hand or signe so as in Baptisme so in the Lords Supper for one and the same thing for number is signified in both God for the strengthning our belief appoints signs as witnesses against him if he go about to break his covenant and as witnesses against us if we forget our duty of faith repentance self-denial
preserved If An Argument from man were any thing material I might adde that the Iewish Bible who are the utterest enemies of Christianity their old Testament agrees with ours and for the truth of the Iewish Bible they have testimony from the Samaritans who were enemies to them and an irreconciliable rent made betwixt them yet in the Samaritan Bible as some of the learned affirme there is no difference at all to any purpose Also the consent of the godly Fathers and Christians from Christ his time who have from hand to hand delivered them to us and enlightned them with their commentaries whose commentaries we have to shew in every age well-nigh from the Apostles time some of whom confirmed the truth with their Lives and Liberty A short Catechisme FOR BABES Q. HOw doth it appear that there is a God A. From the creatiâ—n of heaven and earth Psal 19.1 Rom. 1.20 Q. What is God A. A Spirit John 4.23 immortal 1 Tim. 6.16 infinite 1 Kings 8.27 knowing all things Heb. 4.13 and present everywhere Psalme 139.7 8 9. Q. How doth this God subsist A. In the being of Father Son and Spirit who are all one God 1 Iohn 5.7 Q. Whether is the Father Son or Spirit greatest A. There is an equality of glory eternity and power in the Father Son and Spirit Rom. 9.5 Phil. 2.6 Matth. 28.19 1 Iohn 5.7 Q. How did God make man at first A. Pure and holy Gen. 1.26 Eccles 7.29 but we all fell in our first parents Rom. 5.12 13 14. Q What befell unto us by Adams fall A. The judgement came upon all to condemnation Rom. 5.15 16. Q. What is the condition of every man since the fall of Adam A. Dead in trespasses and sins and by nature children of wrath Eph. 2.1 3. Q What way is there to come out of this miserable condition A. Onely by Jesus Christ Acts 4.12 Q. What are we to consider especially in Christ A. 1. His natures 2. His offices Q. What are the natures of Christ A. They are two 1. His Godhead 2. His Manhood Q. Why was it needful that he should be God A. That he might make the sufferings of his Manhood of infinite worth and vertue Heb. 9.14 Act. 20.28 Q. Why was it needful that he should be man A. That he might dye and satisfie Gods justice in the same nature that had offended Matthew 20.28 1 Corinthians 15.21 22. Q. What are the offices of Christ A. They are three Q. Which are they A. His Kingly Priestly and Prophetical office Q Why was Christ a King A. That he may reign in the hearts of his people Luk. 19.27 and in the Churches Psal 2.6 Q. Why was he a Prophet A. To reveale his Fathers will so that are to hear him in all things Acts 3.22 Mat. 17.5 Q. Why was he a Priest A. To offer sacrifice for the sins of his people Heb. 8.3 Q. What sacrifice did Christ offer A. His own body on the cross Heb. 9.25 26. wherewith he appears in Gods presence for his people Heb. 9.24 his blood speaking good things Q. What is faith A. A taking of Christ as a Lord and a Saviour and resting upon his satisfaction Rom. 7.4 Joh. 1.12 Rom. 10.7.8 Q. What accompanies Justifying faith without which it is not in the soul A. An holy disposition or intention of heart to confess the truth of God though with the loss of all we have in the world Rom. 10.10 Mat. 10.32 Q. What is repentance A. A thorow change of the purposes of the heart whereby they are universally set against all sin with an hatred of it Rom. 12.2 Act. 2.38 Isa 30.22 Q. What measure of love must we love the Lord with A. With a sovergaine love better then father or mother son or daughter yea then our own lives Mat. 10.37 38 39. Q. What denial of Christ is that which shuts persons out of heaven A. Habitual denial or denial of Christ in the purporse of our hearts when we for the saving of our lands liberties country or lives will deny Christ or any part of his truth Mat. 10.33 2 Tim. 2.12 Q. What doth the Scripture reveal concerning spiritual Life A. That whereas we are all dead men by Adams sin and our own when God pardons we are alive Rom. 5.18 Q. What other life hath believers A. A life of holiness whereby believing souls are quickned up to all the wayes of God Rom. 6.13 Q. What ought to be the ground of a Christian mans obedience A. The command of Christ which is the bond of the conscience Rom. 1.14 Act. 20.22 Q. What other ground is there A. The love of God from whence our obedience ought to flow John 14.15 2 Cor. 5.15 Q. What doth the Scripture reveal of the combat of flesh and Spirit A. The flesh lusteth against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh so that we cannot do the good we would do Gal. 5.17 Q. What may comfort in this combat A. That we hate the evil that we do and love the good we do and hunger and third to do the good we do not Rom. 7.15 16 17 18 19. Q. What is the danger of sinning against conscience A. Such shall be punished with many stripes Luk. 12.48 Q. What is it to live by faith A. To rest on Gods promise for every good thing without using unlawful means Psal 84.11 12. Isa 28.16 Q. What is the new Covenant A. It is Gods work whereby he not onely pardons all the sins of all the Elect and gives them eternal life through the satisfaction of Christ but also promiseth to take away their stony hearts and writes his laws in their hearts and causes them to rellish and savour good things and vouchsafes to be their God and takes them to be his people Heb. 8.10 11 12. Q. What is prayer A. Pouring out of the soul before God 1 Sam. 1.15 Psal 62.2 Q. What are the parts of prayer A. They are sometimes divided in four parts 1 Tim. 2.1 yet may we reduce them to three parts first confession of sins Secondly petition for grace and favors Thirdly thanksgiving for benefits To which we may add intercessions to turn away judgement Q. What principal Properties ought there to be in an holy prayer A. It ought to be offered from a believing soul Mat. 21.22 in the name of Christ Joh. 16.23 24. from the Spirit assisting with sighs and groans Rom. 8.26 for things according to the will of God 1 Joh. 5.14 Q. What is baptisme A. It is a sign of a believers fellowship with Christ in his death burial and resurrection that as his body is buried in water so his sins are buried through the satisfaction of Christ and as he riseth out of the water so he is bound to walk with Christ in newness of life Rom. 6.3 4 5 6. Col. 2.12 Q. Who are the persons to be baptized A. Those who are made Disciples and make profession of their faith and repentance Mat. 28.19 Mark 16.15 16. Heb. 10.22 Act. 1.37 38. Q. What is the end why the Lords Supper was appointed A. For the continual remembrance of the sacrifice of Christs death and remission of sins which believers have therein 1 Cor. 11.25.26 Q. What must a Christian do that he may receive worthily or preparedly A. He must examine himself whether he be in Christ and whether the Spirit of God dwell in him 1 Cor. 11.28 Q. What is the danger of unworthy receiving A. Temporal judgement if they repent eternal if they repent not Q. Wherefore are hands laid upon believers after baptism A. That they may receive a further increase of the Spirit therein 2 Tim. 1.6 Q. What is revealed concerning the resurrection of the dead A. That all shall rise againe the godly to the resurrection of eternal life the wicked to the resurrection of eternal damnation Dan. 12.2 Joh. 5.28 Q. With what bodies shall the Saints arise A. with the same body in number but with more glorious qualities 1 Cor. 15.42 43 44 53. Phil. 3.21 Q. VVhat follows the resurrection A. The last judgement wherein all shall be judged of every thing done in the body whether it be good or evil Joh. 6.40 John 5.28 2 Cor. 5.10 Revel 20.12 13 14. FINIS