Dr. John Owen's TWO SHORT CATECHISMS Wherein the PRINCIPLES OF THE Doctrine of Christ Are Unfolded and Explained Proper for all Persons to Learn before they be admitted to the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper and Compos'd by Him for the use of all Congregations in General The Second Edition Come ye Children hearken unto me I will teach you the Fear of the Lord Psalm 34. 11. LONDON Printed for and Sold by Will. Marshal at the Bible in Newgate-street Where you may be supplied with most of Dr. Owen's Works Likewise the true Effigies of Dr. Owen Also other Effigies as Mr. Caryl Mr. Mead Mr. Baxter Mr. Clark c. At the Bible in Newgate-street over against the Blue-Coat Hospital Gate LIveth William and Joseph Marshall Bookseller and Stationer Where is a Warehouse and is sold all sorts of Paper-Hangings by Wholesale or Retale very delightful for Rooms or Closets of the newest invention of Figures as Irish and Diamond-stitch Carpit or Turky and Forest-work c. 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TO My loving Neighbours and Christian Friends Brethren MY hearts desire and request unto God for you is that ye may be saved I say the Truth in Christ also I lye not my conscience bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost that I have great Heaviness and continual Sorrow in my Heart for them amongst you who as yet walk disorderly and not as beseemeth the Gospel little labouring to acquaint themselves with the Mystery of Godliness for many walk of whom I have told you often weeping and now tell you again with Sorrow that they are the Enemies of the Cross of Christ whose end is destruction whose God is their Belly who mind earthly things You know Brethren how I have been amongst you and in what manner for these few years past and how I have kept back nothing to the utmost of the dispensation to me committed that was profitable unto you but have shewed you and taught you publickly and from House to House testifying to all Repentance towards God and Faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ. Now with what Sincerity this hath been by me performed with what Issue and Success by you received God the righteous Judge will one Day declare for before him must both you and I appear to give an account of the dispensation of the glorious Gospel amongst us in the mean while the desire of my Heart is to be Servant to the least of you in the Work of the Lord. And that in any way which I can conceive profitable unto you either in your Persons or your Families Now amongst my Indeavours in this kind after the Ordinance of Publick Preaching the Word there is not I conceive any more needful as all will grant that know the Estate of this Place how taught of late days how full of grosly ignorant Persons then Catechising which hath caused me to set aside some Hours for the compiling of these following which also I have procured to be printed meerly because the least part of the Parish are able to read it in Writing my Intention in them being principally to hold out those necessary Truths wherein you have been in my Preaching more fully instructed as they are the use of them I shall briefly present unto you 1. The lesser Catechism may be so learned of the younger sort that they may be ready to answer to every Question thereof 2. The greater will call to mind much of what hath been taught you in publick especially concerning the Person and Offices of Jesus Christ. 3. Out of that you may have help to instruct your Families in the lesser being so framed for the most part that a Chapter of the one is spent in unfolding a Question of the other 4. The texts of Scripture quoted are diligently to be sought out and pondered that you may know indeed whether these things are so 5. In reading the Word you may have light into the meaning of many places by considering what they are produced to Confirm 6. I have been sparing in the Doctrine of the Sacraments because I have already been so frequent in examinations about them 7. The handling of moral Duties I have wholly omitted because by God's assistance I intend for you a brief Explication of the Lord's Prayer and the Ten Commandments with some Articles of the Creed not unfolded in these by themselves by the way of Question and Answer Now in all this as the pains hath been mine so I pray that the Benefit may be yours and the Praise his to whom alone any good that is in this or any thing else is to be ascribed Now the God of Heaven continue that Peace Love and Amity amongst our selves which hit herto hath been unshaken in these divided Times and grant that the Scepter and Kingdom of his Son may be gloriously advanced in your hearts that the things which concern your Peace may not be hidden from your eyes in this your day which is the daily Prayer of Your Servant in the work of the Lord J. O. From my Study Septem the last THE Lesser Catechism Question WHence is all Truth concerning God and our Chap. 1. Of the Greater selves to be learned Answer From the Holy Scripture the Word of God Q. What do the Scriptures teach Chap. 2. that God is A. An eternal infinite most holy Spirit giving Being to all things and doing with them whatsoever He pleaseth Q. Is there but one God A. One onely in respect of his Chap. 3. Essence and Being but one in three distinct Persons of Father Son and Holy Ghost Q. What else is held forth in the Chap. 4. Word concerning God that we ought to know A. His Decrees and his Works Q What are the Decrees of God concerning us A. His eternal purposes of saving some by Jesus Christ for the Praise of his Glory and of condemning
others for their Sins Q. What are the Works of God A. Acts or Doings of his Power Chap. 5. 6. whereby He createth sustaineth and governeth all things Q. What is required from us towards Chap. 7. Almighty God A. Holy and spiritual obedience according to his Law given unto us Q. Are me able to do this of our Chap. 8. selves A. No in no wise being by nature unto every good Work reprobate Q. How came we into this Estate being at the first created in the image of God in righteousness and innocency A. By the fall of our first Parents breaking the Covenant of God losing his Grace and deserving his Curse Q. By what way may we be delivered Chap. 9. from this miserable Estate A. Onely by Jesus Christ. Q. What is Jesus Christ Chap. 10. A. God and Man united in one Person to be a Mediator between God and Man Q. What is He unto us A. A King a Priest a Prophet Q. Wherein doth he exercise his Chap. 11. Kingly Power towards us A. In converting us unto God by his Spirit subduing us unto his obedience and ruling in us by his Grace Q. In what doth the exercise of his Priestly Office for us chiefly consist Chap. 12. A. In offering up himself an acceptable sacrifice on the cross so satisfying the justice of God for our Sins removing his curse from our Persons and bringing us unto him Q. Wherein doth Christ exercise his prophetical Office towards us Chap. 13. A. In revealing to our Hearts from the bosome of his Father the way and truth whereby we must come unto him Q. For whose sake doth Christ perform all these Chap. 14. A. Onely for his Elect. Q. In what condition doth Jesus Chap. 15. Christ exercise these Offices A. He did in a low Estate of humiliation on Earth but now in a glorious Estate of exaltation in Heaven Q. What is the Church of Christ Chap. 16. A. The universal company of God's Elect called to the adoption of Children Q. How come we to be Members Chap. 17. of this Church A. By a lively Faith Q. What is a lively Faith A. An assured resting of the Soul upon God's promises of mercy in Jesus Christ for pardon of Sins here and Glory hereafter Q. How come we to have this faith Chap. 18. A. By the effectual working of the Spirit of God in our hearts freely calling us from the state of Nature to the state of Grace Q. Are we accounted Righteous for our Faith Chap. 19. A. No but only for the righteousness of Christ freely imputed unto us and laid hold of by Faith Q. 1. Is there no more required of us but Faith onely Chap. 20. A. Yes Repentance also and Holiness Q. 2. What is Repentance A. A forsaking of all Sin with Godly sorrow for what we have committed Q. 3. What is that Holiness which is required of us A. Universal obedience to the will of God revealed unto us Q. What are the privileges of believers Chap. 21. A. First Union with Christ secondly Adoption of Children thirdly Communion of Saints fourthly right to the Seals of the new Covenant fifthly Christan liberty sixthly Resurrection of the body to Life eternal Q. 1. VVhat are the Sacraments Chap. 22. or Seals of the new Covenant A. Visible Seals of God's spiritual Promises made unto us in the blood of Jesus Christ. Q. 2. VVhich be they A. Baptism and the Lords Supper Q. What is Baptisme Chap. 23 A. An holy Ordinance whereby being sprinkled with Water according to Christs institution we are by his Grace made Children of God and have the promises of the Covenant sealed unto us Q. What is the Lord's Supper Chap. 24. A. An holy Ordinance of Christ appointed to communicate unto Believers his Body and Blood spiritually being represented by Bread and Wine blessed broken powred out and received of them Q. 2. Who have a right unto this Sacrament A. They only who have an interest in Jesus Christ by Faith Q. What is the Communion of Chap. 25. Saints A. An holy Conjunction between all Gods People Partakers of the same Spirit and Members of the same mystical Body Q. What is the end of all this Dispensation A. The Glory of God in our Salvation Glory be to God on high THE Greater Catechisme CHAP. I. Of the Scripture Question 1. WHat is Christian Religion A. The only a way of 1 Every one out of this way everlastingly damned 2 The Life of Religion is in the Life knowing God aright and b living unto him a Joh. 14. 5. ch 17. 3. Act. 4. 12. b Col. 1. 10. 2. Cor. 5. 15. Gal. 2. 19 20. Q. 2. Whence is it to be learned A. From the holy 3 Popish traditions are false Lights leading from God Scripture onely Isa. 8. 20. Joh. 5. 39. Q. 3. What is the Scripture A. The books of the a Old b New 4 The Authority of the Scripture dependeth not on the Authority of the Church as the Papists blaspheme 5 All humane inventions unnecessary helps in the worship of God 6 The word thereof is the sole directory for Faith Worship and Life Testament c given by inspiration from God containing all things necessary to be believed and done that God may be worshipped and our Souls saved a Isa. 8. 20. Rom. 3. 2. b Rev. 22. 19 20. c 2 Tim. 2. 16 17. Psal. 19. 7 8. Jer. 7. 31. Joh. 20. 31. Q. 4. How know you them to be the word of God A. By the a testimony 7 This alone perswadeth inwardly convinceth the heart of the divine verity of the Scripture other Motives also there are from without and unanswerable Arguments to prove the Truth of them as 1. their antiquity 2 preservation from Fury 3 Prophecies in them 4 the Holiness and Majesty of their Doctrine agreeable to the Nature of God 5 Miracles 6 the Testimony of the Church of all Ages 7 the Blood of innumerable Martyrs c. of God's Spirit working Faith in my heart to close with that b heavenly Majesty and clear divine truth that shineth in them a Matth. 16 17. Joh. 16. 13. 1 Thess. 2. 13. 1 Joh. 2. 20. 1 Joh. 5 6. b Luk. 24. 32. 1 Cor. 2. 14. Heb. 4. 12. 2 Pet. 1. 19. CHAP. II. Of God Q. 1. What do the Scriptures teach concerning God A. First what he is or his Nature Secondly what he doth or his Works Exod. 3. 14. Isa. 45. 6. Heb. 1. 1 2 3. Heb. 11. 6. Q. 2. What is God in himself A. An a eternal b infinite c 1 The perfection of Gods Being is known of us chiefly by removing all imperfections 2 Hence the abominable vanity of Idolaters and of the Blasphemous Papists that picture God 3 Let us prostrate our selves in holy adoration of that which we cannot comprehend incomprehensible d spirit e giving
11. 51 52. 17. 19. Heb. 9. 13 14. b Heb. 9. 24. Q. 5. Whereby doth this oblation do good unto us A. Divers wayes first in that it satisfied the justice of God secondly it redeemed us from the power of Sin Death and Hell thirdly it ratified the new Covenant of Grace fourthly it procured for us Grace here and Glory hereafter by all which means the peace and reconciliation between God and us is wrought Ephes. 2. 14 15. Q. 6. How did the oblation of Christ satisfie God's justice for our sin A. In that for us he underwent the 2 Christs undergoing punishment for us was first typified by the old Sacrifices secondly foretold in the first Promise thirdly made lawful and valid in it self first by God's determination the supream Law-giver secondly his own voluntary undergoing it thirdly by a Relaxation of the Law in regard of the Subject punished fourthly beneficial to us because united to us as first our head secondly our elder Brother thirdly our Sponsor or Surety fourthly our Husband fifthly our God or Redeemer c. punishment due to our Sin Esa. 5. 3. 4 5 6. Joh. 10. 11. Rom. 3. 25 26. and 4. 25. 1 Cor. 15. 3. 2 Cor. 5. 21. Ephes. 5. 2. 1 Pet. 2. 24. Q. 7. What was that punishment A. The wrath of God the curse 3 No change in all these but what necessary follows the change of the Persons sustaining of the Law the paines of Hell due to Sinners in Body and Soul Gen. 2. 17. Deut. 27. 27. Esa. 59. 2. Rom. 5. 12. Ephes. 2. 3. Joh. 3. 36. Heb. 2. 14. Q. 8. Did Christ undergo all these A. Yes in respect of the greatness 4 The death that Christ underwent was eternal in its own Nature Tendance not so to him because of his holiness power and the unity of his Person and extremity not the eternity and continuance of those pains for it was impossible he should be holden of Death Matth. 26. 28 29. Mark 14. 33. and 15. 34. Gal. 3. 13. Ephes. 2. 16. Col. 1. 20. Heb. 5. 7. Psal. 18. 5. Q. 9. How could the punishment of one satisfie for the offence of all A. In that he was not a mere 5 He suffered not as God but he suffered who was God man onely but God also of infinite more value than all those who had offended Rom. 5. 9. Heb. 9. 26. 1 Pet. 3. 18. Q. 10. How did the oblation of Christ redeem us from Death and Hell A. First a by paying a ransome 6 We are freed from the anger of God by a perfect rendring to the full value of what he required from the power of Satan by absolute conquest on our behalf to God the Judge and Law-giver who had condemned us Secondly b by overcoming and spoyling Satan Death and the powers of Hell that detained us Captives a Matth. 20. 28. Joh. 6. 38. Mark 10. 4 5. Rom. 3. 25. 1 Cor. 6. 20. Gal. 3. 13. Ephes. 1. 7. 1 Tim. 2. 6. Heb. 10. 9. b Joh. 5. 24. Col. 2. 13 14 15. 1 Thess. 1. 10. Heb. 2. 14. 1 Pet. 1. 18 19. Q. 11. What was the ransome that Christ paid for us A. His own precious Blood Act. 20. 28. 1 Pet. 1. 19. Q. 12. How was the new Covenant ratified in his Blood A. By being accompanied with 7 The new Covenant is Christs legacy in his last Will unto his People the eternal inheritance of Glory being conveyed thereby his Death for that as all other Testaments was to be ratified by the death of the Testator Gen. 22. 18. Heb. 9. 16. 8. 10 11 12. Q. 13. What is this new Covenant A. The gracious free immutable promise of God made unto all his Elect fallen in Adam to b give them Jesus Christ and c in him Mercy Pardon Grace and Glory d with a restipulation of Faith from them unto this promise and new obedience a Gen. 3. 15. Jer. 31. 32 33 34. 32. 40. Heb. 8. 10 11 12. b Gal. 3. 8. 16. Gen. 12. 3. c Rom. 8. 32 Ephes. 1. 3 4. d Mar. 16. 16. Joh. 1. 12. 10. 27 28. Q. 14. How did Christ procure for us Grace Faith and Glory A. By the way of purchase 8 The death of Christ was satisfactory in respect of the strict justice of God meritorious in respect of the Covenant between him and his Father 9 All these holy truths are directly denied by the blasphemous Socinians of the Papists with their merits masses penance and purgatory by consequent overthrown and merit for the Death of Christ deservedly procured of God that he should Bless us with all spiritual Blessings needful for our coming unto him Esa. 53. 11 12. Joh. 17. 2. Act. 20. 28. Rom. 5. 17 18. Ephes. 2. 15. 16. 1. 4. Phil. 1. 29. Tit. 2. 14. Revel 1. 5 6. Q. 15. What is the intercession of Christ A His continual solliciting 10 To make Saints our intercessours is to renounce Jesus Christ from being a sufficient Saviour of God on our behalf begun here in fervent Prayers continued in Heaven by appearing as our advocate at the Throne of Grace Psal. 2. 8. Rom. 8. 34. Heb. 7. 25. 9. 24. 10. 19 20 21. 1 Joh. 2. 1 2. Joh. 17. CHAP. XIII Of Christ's Prophetical Office Q. 1. Wherein doth the prophetical Office of Christ consist A. In his Embassage 1 Christ differed from all other Prophets first in his sending which was immediately from the Bosome of his father secondly his assistance which was the fulness of the Spirit thirdly his manner of teaching with Authority from God to Man revealing from the bosome of his Father the whole Mystery of Godliness the way and Truth whereby we must come unto God Matth. 5. Joh. 1. 18. 3. 32. 10. 9. 14. 14. 5 6. 17. 8. 18. 37. Q. 3. How doth he exercise this Office towards us A. By making known 2 To accuse his word of imperfection in Doctrine or Discipline is to deny him a perfect Prophet or to have born witness unto all Truth the whole Doctrine of truth unto us in a saving and spiritual manner Deut. 18 18. Esa. 42. 6. Heb. 3. 1. Q. 3. By what means doth he perform all this A. Divers as first a internally and effectually by his Spirit writing his Law in our hearts secondly b outwardly and instrumentally by the Word preached a Jer. 31. 32 33. 2 Cor. 3. 3. 1 Thess. 4. 9. Heb. 8. 10. b Joh. 20. 31. 1 Cor. 12. 28. Ephes. 4. 8 9 10 11 12 13. 2 Pet. 1. 21. CHAP. XIV Of the two-fold Estate of Christ. Q. 1. In what estate or condition doth Christ exercise these Offices A. In a two-fold Estate first of humiliation 1 The humiliation of Christ shews us what we must here do and suffer his Exaltation what we may hope for 2 The first of these holds forth his