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Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
truth_n	church_n	scripture_n	testimony_n	4,093	5	8.2532	4	true

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A41788	St. Paul's catechism, or, A brief and plain explication of the six principles of the Christian religion, as recorded Heb. 6., 1,2 with some considerations of the principles of natural and universal religion, as previous, and yet subservient to the rules of revealed and positive relgion: containing also, the duties of children to their superiors, written chiefly for the instruction of young Christians, children and servants in all Christian families / by Tho. Grantham.	Grantham, Thomas, 1634-1692.	1687 (1687)	Wing G1545; ESTC R39432	35,919	64

Affection in the search of the Holy Scriptures the most infallible Records of God and his Church But yet I desire a little help How I may best satisfy my self or others that the Holy Scriptures are the undoubted Oracles of God F. To satisfy thy Soul in this enquiry thou hast God's own Testimony who every-where speaks to thee in them by Doctrine and by Miracles If any deny the truth of those Records they only deprive themselves of the Authority of all Records that are extant in the World of former Ages for the truth of the Divine Scripture has the highest Testimony of all other and if these fall all must fall with them 2. Thou hast the Testimony of all the Prophets and of the Apostles and above all the Testimony of Christ and his Angels that the Old Testament is the Scriptures of truth 3. Lay aside the New Testament and then no Man can preach any thing of the Gospel respecting the Birth Life Doctrine Miracles Death Resurrection Assension or second coming of Christ 4. We have the Testimony of the first Churches that these Books are the undoubted Oracles of God and if their Testimony be not of credit the Testimony of the present Church will signifie nothing 5. These Scriptures must either be of God or of the Devil But who dare say they are of Satan They are the most destructive of his Kingdom and Designs of any Books whatsoever S. These Considerations must needs be satisfactory to all that pretend to be of the Christian Faith. I desire therefore to be instructed in the true Christian Religion especially in such parts of it as are necessary to our walking with God in a Church-way that I may have fellowship with God and his People in the orderly profession of the Christian Religion F. In the Name of God then let us begin there where our Lord Christ began to preach and let us follow him whom our Heavenly Father hath given to be a Witness to the People for a Leader and for a Commander to the People Isa 50. 4. Of the First Principle of St. Paul's CATECHISM Or Repentance from dead Works Son. I Desire to know what were the first Things preached by Christ and his Apostles and to be learned by their Followers Father The first Things which Christ preached were Repentance and Faith as it is written Matth. 4. 17. Mark 1. 14. Whose Heavenly Doctrine is more fully set down and gathered into six Principles by St. Paul. Heb. 6. 1 2. and thus declared Repentance from dead Works and of Faith towards God of the Doctrine of Baptisms and of laying on of Hands and of the Resurrection of the Dead and of eternal Judgment S. Seeing these are the Foundation-Principles how must I understand the Apostle when he saith learning the Principles F. They are words respecting the order of Discourse and bear this sence that St. Paul would leave at that time to speak further of these Principles and go on to more perfect or higher Mysteries and so he ●roceeds to discourse of the excellency of Christ's Priesthood above the Aaronical Priesthood Chap. 7 c. S. I confess if we should otherwise leave these Principles we should leave God himself for without Faith and Humiliation we cannot please God. But does not Faith go before Repentance F. We must distinguish of Faith. There is the Faith of Mankind who generally do believe there is a God that will punish the Wicked and reward the Just This Faith must go before Repentance Heb. 11. 6. But the Faith here spoken of is the Faith of actual Justification and this Faith must needs follow Repentance Rom. 3. 25. and 5. 1. thus God is the justifier of him that believeth in Jesus Impenitent Sinners are so far from Justification that Christ tells them Except they repent they shall all perish Luke 13. 2 3 4 5. S. I thank you for this distinction I see the necessity of Repentance Pray shew me the true Nature of Repentance and how I may obtain Repentance unto Life And whether it be the Gift of God F. That Repentance unto Life is the Gift God is very clear Acts 5. 31. 11. 18. It is a special Mercy flowing from the goodness of God to all Sinners Rom. 2. 3. for he might in justice have denied the Riches of his Grace to the Rebellious which yet he hath not Psalm 68. 18. Acts 17. 30. Thus God gives Repentance both graciously and preceptively S. But does not God also give Power with his gracious Precept to repent F. That God gives Repentance potentially is true Jer. 31. 18 19. Turn thou me and I shall be turned surely when I was turned I repented Yet this Power is not irresistible but it is sufficient either to effect Repentance or to leave the Sinner without excuse Ezek. 24. 13. Rom. 1. 32. compared with Rom. 2. 1. Christ was sent to turn every one of the Jews from their Iniquities and there was a sufficiency of Power in the means which he used to do it But yet they resisted the Holy Ghost and the Holy Jesus and were destroyed in their Iniquities Acts 3. 26. 7. 51. see Mat. 12. 41. S. I see plainly we may not look for in irresistibl● Power to convert us to God. F. The Gospel as it is the ministration of the Spirit is to us the Power of God to Salvation as well as it was to the Jews Rom. 1. 16 17. S. I desire to know what are the Parts of Repentance unto Life F. The Parts of Repentance unto Life were principally three 1. A thorow or due sense of Sin in the sinful Nature of it 2. A godly sorrow for our Sins chiefly because we have committed them against the Will and Commandment of that gracious God by whose Mercy and Goodness we live and enjoy all good Things 3. It consists in a holy resolution and endeavour to forsake all sinful ways S. Pray explain the first part of Repentance by shewing me what Sin is that I may have a due sense of it F. The Scripture tells us That St. Paul had not known Sin but by the Law Rom. 7. 7. And that by the Law is the knowledg of Sin Rom. 3. 20. and that Sin is the Transgression of the Law John 3. 4. And where no Law is there is no Transgression And that the substance and work of this Law is so far revealed to all the World that all the World is under it and that by the breach of God's Law every Mouth shall be stopped and all the World be found guilty before God Rom. 3. 19 20 23. S. I confess if all the World be not under some Law of God they could not be guilty of Sin against God. But my desire is to know what Law we are under who have the Holy Scriptures amongst us F. We are under the Law of God as it is given to Mankind universally being of the Gentile Race that is the Principles of Right Reason and the Instructions

Lord 1 Cor. 11. 23. The Church is commended for keeping the Ordinances as they were delivered to them 1 Cor. 11. 2. There was a Curse followed them that changed God's Ordinance Isa 24. 5. S. I see it a Duty incumbent upon all that will have due admission into the Church of Christ-Militant to be baptised with the Baptism of Repentance for remission of Sins I now desire to know the truth concerning the Baptism of the Spirit so much claimed in these days tho some deny that there is any such Baptism now to be expected F. That the Gift of the Holy Ghost which is the Baptism of the Spirit is a right which pertains to the Church or to Baptis'd Believers in their successive Generations is evident Act. 2. 38 39. It belongs to all that the Lord our God shall Call. If any Man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his Rom. 8. 9. Because ye are Sons God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts crying Abba Father Gal. 4. 6. There is one Body and one Spirit even as ye are called in one hope of your Calling Ephes 4. 4. The Love of God is shed abroad in our Hearts by the Holy Ghost Rom. 5. 5. Now we have received not the Spirit of the World but the Spirit which is of God that we might know the things which are freely given to us of God. S. Are these things meant of the Baptism of the Spirit or of some lower receivings of it F. These are the best part of the Promise of the Spirit which whoso receive are sealed thereby to the day of Redemption and are the Earnest of our Inheritance and are therefore most fitly called the Baptism of the Spirit because the Spirit receives in the nine Fruits of it Gal. 5. 22 23. transcends it's being received in the nine Gifts of it 1 Cor. 12. 8 9 10. The first are called the more excellent way of receiving the Spirit 1 Cor. 12. ult I had rather have that one Fruit of the Spirit called Love then all the nine Gifts of the Spirit S. But are not the Gifts of the Spirit ceas'd F. No such matter unless our unworthiness deprive us of them Are not these Exhortations yet of force Covet earnestly the best Gifts Follow after Charity and desire spiritual Gifts and rather that ye may prophesy Covet to prophesy and forbid not to speak with Tongues Sure these Exhortations inform us that as the Church hath need she may lawfully ask these best Gifts But let her remember there is a better part of the Promise of the Spirit than the best of these Gifts S. I am satisfied the whole Promise of the Spirit pertains to the Church and that therefore the Baptism of the Spirit remains I would know what ordinary way God hath assigned to wait upon him for so great a Blessing F. Indeed our receiving the Promise of the Spirit through Faith Gal. 3. 14. in the sanctifying operations of it is the next great Blessing of the Gospel to our being justified by Faith in the Blood of Christ And for a more full answer to your enquiry I refer you to what shall be said upon the Fourth Principle of the Doctrine of Christ The Fourth Principle of St. Paul's CATECHISM Or The Laying on of Hands Son. SEeing this principle is express'd in the singular Number Laying on of Hands not Layings on of Hands I desire to know what Laying on of Hands is here meant Father 1. It cannot be a violent laying on of Hands as some prophanely imagine our Saviour taught none to lay violent Hands upon his People and yet the very act of Laying on of Hands here is called a Principle of the Doctrine of Christ 2. The Greek is Epitheseos te Chiron which signifies a gentle putting on of Hands The word which signifies a violent handling is another word as in Luk. 21. 12. Epibalousin But such is the great blindness of some that they will not see a difference between a Prophecy as that is in Luk. 21. 12. and a Doctrine as this is Heb. 6. 2. S. I am satisfied thus far that it can be no violent Act. I desire to hear the Truth F. It must be a Service which concerns all Christians equally as they are Babes in Christ because it is called Milk for Babes Heb. 5. 12 13. a beginning Principle Heb. 6. 1. and placed among those other five Principles which do equally concern all Christians to know as you are Babes in Christ And for these reasons it cannot be Laying on of Hands for Ordination nor upon the Sick. It must therefore be that religious Service performed by the Apostles Acts 8. 14. and 19. 6. 2 Tim. 1. 6. for the promised Spirit both Gifts and Fruits as God pleas●d S. But did not the Apostles give the Holy Ghost by putting on of their Hands F. No in no wise God gave the Spirit to those who did obey him Act. 5. 32. The Apostles only prayed for this Blessing which they knew belonged to Baptised Believers as such Act. 2. 38. and 19. 2. And faithful Pastors ought to teach Babes in Christ this Principle as it respects the Promise of the Spirit and to pray for it on behalf of the Disciples both Men and Women after the Example of the Apostles Act. 8. 14. else they cannot lay the whole of that Foundation Heb. 6. 1 2. nor teach Babes in Christ all their Principles S. Was this practice of Prayer with laying on of Hands continued in the Church of Christ in the Ages next after the Apostles F. Yes it was religiously observed Eusebius mentions it as the ancient manner viz. Prayer and Laying on of Hands Lib. 7. c. 2. And so does Tertullian long before him Lib. de Bapt. his words are After we are come out of the Laver of Baptism the Hand is laid on by Blessing calling upon and inviting the Holy Ghost S. These things are very plain to such as are willing to be informed I desire now to be informed what is the reason why so very few do receive these Principles in the native purity and simplicity of them and especially these two practical ones Baptism and Laying on of Hands F. 1. One great reason is because a false Baptism without Repentance and Faith and dispensed in a Man-pleasing way and likewise an outwardly Glorious and Ceremonious Bishoping has obtruded upon very many by which they are blinded that they cannot or prejudiced that they will not see these Truths than which scarce any are more plain and easy to be seen 2. Another may be this The Wisdom of God knowing the Great pride of Man's Heart ordained these Ordinances to try them whether they would be obedient to his Commands how low so ever or whether they would contemn the very foot-steps of Christ himself the only Son of God. The Pharisees and Lawyers led the way in this Rebellion against God's Counsel Luke 7. 29. and many follow them rejecting the

any Examples of this kind in the New Testament F. 1. Our Saviour raised a young Man as he was carried upon the Bier to be buried Luk. 7. 13 14 15. 2. He raised also the Daughter of Jairus Mark 5. 40 41 42. 3. Christ raised Lazarus when he had been dead and buried commanding the Dead to come forth and though he was bound hand and foot yet he came forth by the Power of God John 11. 43 44. 4. St. Peter raised Tabitha to Life by the strength of Christ Act. 9. 40 41. 5. But the greatest Instance of all is the Resurrection of Christ himself by which God hath given assurance to all Men that all Men shall rise again both the Just and Unjust Act. 17. 31. S. Was this Article of Faith received by the Prophets before the coming of Christ F. The Prophet David spake of the Resurrection of the Body of Christ Psal 16. 8. and of the hope of his own Resurrection also This was the hope of Israel Act. 23. 21. 24. 15. 2. The Prophet Isa hath these words Thy dead Men shall live together with my dead Body shall they arise awake and sing ye that dwell in the Dust Isa 26. 19. Augustine refers this to the Resurrection 3. Daniel tells us That many that sleep in the Dust of the Earth shall awake some to everlasting Life and some to everlasting shame and contempt Dan. 12. 2. 4. Hosea 13. 14. as interpreted by the Apostle 1 Cor. 15. is very plain I will ransom them from the Power of the Grave I will redeem them from Death O Death I will be thy Plagues O Grave I will be thy destruction S. These Testimonies are very clear I desire some further confirmation of this Truth from the New Testament F. 1. For this I refer you to the serious reading of 1 Cor. 15. throughout where the Apostle by divers Arguments confirms this Truth and especially by the Resurrection of Christ and the importance of the thing it self making all Religion insignificant unless there be a Resurrection from the Dead 2. I will here insert this excellent Testimony to the Thessalonians I would not have you ignorant Brethren concerning them which are asleep that ye sorrow not even as others which have no hope For if we believe that Jesus died and rose a●ain then they also which sleep in Jesus shall God bring with 〈◊〉 For this we say unto you by the Word of the Lord 〈◊〉 we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent or hinder the Resurrection of them that are asleep For the Lord himself shall descend from Heaven with a shout with the Voice of the Arch-angel and with the Trump of God and the dead in Christ shall rise first Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the Clouds to meet the Lord in the Air and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 1 Thess 4. S. I bless God for these clear Testimonies I desire now to be instructed concerning the Eternal Judgment The Sixth Principle of St. Paul's CATECHISM Or The Eternal Judgment Father THE manner of Christ's coming to Judgment is thus described Then shall appear the Sign of the Son of Man in Heaven And then shall all the Tribes of the Earth mourn and they shall see the Son of Man coming in the Clouds of Heaven with great Glory And he shall send his Angels with a great sound of a Trumpet and they shall gather together his Elect from the four Winds from one end of Heaven to another Mat. 24. 30 31. S. This will be a terrible day Who is this Son of Man F. This Son of Man is Christ Jesus For God 〈◊〉 se●d Jesus who before was preached unto you Act. 3. 20 The same Jesus which you have seen go up into Heaven sha●● so come in like manner as you have seen him go into Heaven Acts 1. 11. Behold he cometh with Clouds and every Eye shall see him and they also who pierced him and all Nations shall wail because of him Rev. 1. 7. S. Why shall the Nations wail because of him F. Because when the Son of Man shall come in his Glory and all the Holy Angels with him then shall he sit upon the Throne of his Glory And before him shall be gathered all Nations and he shall separate them one from another as a Shepherd divideth his Sheep from the Goats Mat. 25. 31 32. S. To what end shall Christ thus divide the Nations F. To give to every Man according as his Work shall be For he shall set the Sheep on his right Hand and the Goats on the left Then shall the King say to them on his right Hand Come ye Blessed of my Father inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the World for I was hungry and ye sed me c. Then shall he say also unto them on his left hand Depart from me ye Cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the Devil and his Angels For I was an hungry and ye gave me no Meat Mat. 25. 34 35 41 42. S. This is a glorious and terrible description of the Judgment of the World. I pray by what Records will Christ judg the Nations F. He shall especially proceed in Judgment with all Men according to the Gospel that is according to the means of Grace which he gave them Rom. 2. 15 16. For this is the condemnation That Light is come into the World and Men love Darkness rather than Light John 3. 17 18. And yet more particularly they that have sinned without Law shall perish without Law and they that have sinned in the Law shall be judged by the Law. And those that have the Gospel the Word which Christ hath spoken shall judg them at the last day S. There are several Books spoken of in Rev. 20. 10. What are these Books F. The Books are Metaphorical and signify 1. God's Omniscience for he shall bring every Work to Judgment with every secret Thing whether it be Good or Evil Eccles 12. ult 2. The Consciences of Men which then shall be awakened to condemn them or acquit them Rom. 2. 15 16. may here be called Books S. I desire to know what is meant by the Book of Life and whether any that were once written in it may be blotted out of it F. The time when this Book shall be opened will best resolve the first Question But thus much we know That the Promise and Covenant of Life made with Adam renewed with Noah and with Abraham and confirmed by Christ is to us the Book of Life out of which Men may blot themselves or render themselves unworthy of Eternal Life by Sin and especially by Unbelief Mark 16. 16. He that believeth not shall be damned Act. 13. 46. See and consider Exod. 32. 32. Psal 69. 28. Rev. 3. 5. 21. 17. S. Shall the punishment of ungodly Men be perpetual shall it never end F. The