4.14 15 3 John 9 10. Psal 101.5 and to abide by him waiting upon his Ministry in Season and out of Season not wilfully wandring from or forsaking it to attend upon any other esteeming him very highly in Love for his Works sake as a Steward of the Mysteries of God to us We shall not suffer any privily to backbite whisper or prate against our Pastour with malicious words for such are to be cut off We shall Honour and Obey our own Elders in the Lord not rebuking 1 Tim. 5.1.17.19 but intreating them as Fathers counting them worthy of double Honour who rule well especially those who labour in the Word and Doctrine Respecting also our Deacons and being ready for every good work to which they shall call Neh. 13.13 1 Tim. 6.18 IIdly We Covenant to discharge our Duty to our Infant Seed Gen. 18.19 Jude 3. Gen. 17.7 12. Deut. 10.15.14.1 2. contending earnestly for the Faith once delivered to the Saints of their right to a relation unto God in his Church with us and to Baptism the Seal thereof We being a Spouse of Christ our Royal Husband Mal. 2.15 1 Cor. 7.14 10.2 Eze. 16.20 21. 46.16 18. Jer. 30.20 Acts 2.39 Ephes 2.13 Psal 147.13 All our Children therefore are his born to him who hath promis'd to us Gentiles that were afar off that he will not thrust our children out of their possession but that even our children shall inherit and be continu'd a holy Seed as afore-time that our Congregation should be establisht and the Bars of our Gates strength'ned Isa 65.23 66.22 Josh 24.16 Joel 2.16 17. Psal 90.16 Esther 10.3 Nehem. 2.10 Psal 101.1 Ephes 6.4 Prov. 22.6 1 Chr. 28.9 2 Chr. 29.11 30.6 Isa 44.3 5. Gen. 21.9 12. by the Lord's blessing our children within us therefore will we and our House serve the Lord seeking as well in the Congregation as in Secret for the Blessing of the Lord and his Peace upon our children walking before them in a perfect way training them up in the Nurture and Admonition of the Lord and calling upon them as they grow up to avouch the Lord for their God and to take on themselves the Bond of the Covenant casting out such of them as prove Scoffers and despisers of their Birthright IIIdly We Covenant to discharge our Duty to each other as members in particular 1 Cor. 12.27 1 Pet. 1.22 Gal. 6.2 Ephes 4.2 Rom. 12.10 Mark 13.37 to Love one another with a pure heart fervently to bear each others burthens forbearing one another and in Honour esteeming each better than our selves to watch over each other not hating our Brother by suffering sin to rest upon him Levit. 19.17 but in any wise to rebuke him We shall not consent hearken to Deut. 13.6 11. Prov. 29.24 pity spare nor conceal any tho' dear as our own soul that would secretly intice us to depart from the true Faith of God in which we stand 1 Pet. 5.12 Heb. 3.12 13. Acts 11.23 James 5.16 Luke 22.32 1 Thess 4.18 but daily will we exhort each other with full purpose of heart to cleave unto the Lord praying for strengthning and comforting one another in the ways of Christ no Brother wronging nor defrauding a Brother 1 Cor. 6.1 8. nor going to Law with him before unbelievers the Saints being to judge all matters relating to the Brethren And consecrating our substance to the Lord Mic. 4.13 Esther 10.3 Rom. 12.13 Acts 4.32 we shall seek the welfare of each other distributing to the necessities of the Saints according to the Example of the People of God in the Apostles times 1 Cor. 7.26 27. as far as the present distress doth permit not refusing to lay down even our lives for the Brethren 1 John 3.16 Psal 137.6 as preferring this Sion to our chiefest Joy Nor shall we neglect our several relative Duties whether within the Church Col. 4.5 or without Husbands loving their Wives Ephe. 5.25.33 Col. 3.19 Eph. 5.22 24. Col. 3.18 not being bitter against them Wives being obedient to their own Husbands in the Lord Parents bringing up their Children in the Fear of God Ephes 6.4 Children obeying their Parents in the Lord Ephes 6.1 2. Masters being just and merciful to their Servants Ephes 6.9 Servants and Subjects obeying their Superiors in the Lord 1 Pet. 2.13 25. 1 Thess 4.11 2 Thess 3 10 12 All studying to be quiet to work with their own hands and to mind their own business rendering to Caesar the things that are Caesars Mat. 22.21 and to God the things that are Gods that so we may adorn the Gospel of God our Saviour Titus 2.10 IV. We all Covenant to discharge our Duty to the whole Church jointly 1 Cor. 12.25.12 as a Body of Christ To be holy to the Lord in all manner of Conversation To stand together for the Defence of the Truth To keep the Unity of the Spirit in the Bond of Peace To press forward in our Heavenly Course 1st 1 Pet. 1.15 2 Tim. 2.4 As a Body of Christ we shall be holy to the Lord in all manner of Conversation not intangling our selves with the Affairs of this Life Zeph. 3.9 Ephes 5.4 in Language seeking Purity avoiding all foolish Talking or Jesting which is not convenient having our Speech season'd with Salt Col. 4.6 that it may administer Grace to the Hearers And we being redeem'd from a vain Conversation 1 Pet. 1.14 18. shall not fashion our selves according to the former Lusts in our Ignorance but adorning our selves with modest Apparel becoming People professing Godliness 1 Tim. 2.9 Deut. 22.5 with 1 Cor. 11.1.16 Ezek. 44.20 Rev. 9.7 8. Zeph. 1.8 Isa 3.24 Jude 23. No Woman shall wear that which pertains to a Man nor any Man put on a Woman's Garment or Covering all that do so being an Abomination to the Lord who will punish all such who are cloath'd with strange Apparel strange to Nature or strange to Scripture therefore shall we hate even the Garment spotted with the Flesh Gen. 35.2 2 Cor. 6.14 Josh 23.12 13. Judg. 2.1.4 2 Chron. 19.2.20.35 37. Deut. 7.3 5. Ezra 9.14 10.3 5. Neb. 13.23 27 Mal. 2.11.15 Heb. 6.10 Levit. 18.30 Prov. 2.17 Mal. 2.14 Gen. 23. all Ruth 1.17 1 King 13.31 we will not unequally Yoke our selves with Unbelievers nor join in Affinity or make Leagues with such as are not in a visible relation to Christ in his Church nor yet shall we give our Daughters to their Sons nor take their Daughters to our Sons lest our Children learn their ways and we so mingle the Holy Seed that there be no Remnant of us or escaping Desiring also to be married as God's People were of old and not according to vain Customs all which are forbidden avoiding as much as in us lies being interr'd with Strangers so following the Example of the Saints who coveted
this Church every true Church consisting of so many and no more 1 Cor. 14.23 as can conveniently meet together in one place 1 Pet. 5.3 1 Cor. 12.28 Ephes 4.16 Isa 66.21 Jer. 3.14 15. 30.21 Deut. 1.13 Acts. 1.21 26. 14.23 1 Cor. 12.7 14.26 Rev. 2 3 cha Ephes 4.16 with 1 Cor. 12.12 27. Gal. 5.1 2 Thess 2.3 10. Rev. 2.2.12.11 Acts 15. c. being Christ's Clergy or Heritage to whom he hath given a power of sending forth his Ministers and to chuse from among themselves and to ordain their own Officers with Fasting and Prayer without laying on of Hands the glorious Gifts attending which being long since ceas'd that Ceremony is no more to be us'd than washing of Feet or anointing with Oil This Priviledge therefore with the Liberty of determining all Matters relating to this Body we will carefully uphold Renouncing all Encroachments made on Faith and Order by Popes Councils or any other whatsoever Yet shall we not refuse Communion with true Sister Churches in giving and receiving Advice Supplies or Members And that we may speak the same things 1 Cor. 1.10 and have no Division among us No one of us will go up and down as a Tattler Levit. 19.16 Prov. 20.19 1 Tim. 5.13 Rom. 16.17 Psal 101. Tale-bearer or Buisie-Body speaking things which they ought not but we shall mark and avoid all Persons and Things tending to Division Especially shall we refuse to receive into our House 2 John 9 10. Dan. 11.30 1 Cor. 5.11 1 Kin. 13.8.9 Psal 15.4 Hosea 4.15.17 2 Cor. 6.17 18 Col. 2.20 23. to have any Intelligence or eat with Apostates or them that forsake the holy Covenant contemning all such vile persons Nor will we come near to touch taste or handle any Worship after the Commandments and Doctrines of Men whatsoever shew of Wisdom and Humility it may have 1 Cor. 1.10 10.17 Ephes 4.4 6. Thus being perfectly join'd in the same Mind and in the same Judgment we shall be as one Bread and one Body in one Spirit call'd in one Hope having one Lord one Faith one Baptism one God the Father of all who is above all Ezek. 44.6 9. Jer. 51.10 Psa 66.16 40.9 10. 1 Pet. 3.15 Phil. 2.1 2. 2 Chr. 23.19 and thro' all and in us all Therefore shall we take none into Fellowship with us but such as shall declare what the Lord hath done for their Souls and openly profess their Oneness with us in Faith and Order rejecting all that are visibly unclean in any thing so shall we stand fast in the Liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free Gal. 5.1 Mat. 11.29 Psal 19.13 esteeming this Yoke of Christ easie and his Burthen light And dreading any wilful Breach of this Covenant Levit. 26.25 the quarrel of which God will avenge Finally AS a Body of CHRIST in this Oneness Phil. 3.12 15. 2 Cor. 6.17 Rev. 18.4 We Covenant to press forward after such a Separation from the Men of the World as we are call'd to by God in his Word that as Brethren we might dwell even together in Unity Isa 52.11 12. Psalm 133. to seek and to intermeddle with all Wisdom and to be kept from touching The Unclean Thing Prov. 18.1 Ps 106.47 48. So giving Thanks to the Holy Name of God our Saviour and triumphing in his Praise We shall look for and hasten unto the New Heavens 2 Pet. 3.12 13. and the New Earth wherein dwells Righteousness the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ 2 Tim. 4.1 to be reveal'd at his Appearance who will come shortly and will not tarry Rev. 22.17 20 21. The Spirit and the Bride say come and let him that heareth say come even so come Lord Jesus come quickly Amen! AND now blessing our God for establishing us a Church of Christ by Covenant Psal 105.8 10 2 Cor. 1.21 Ephes 2.22 1 Tim. 3.15 Rev. 2.7 Matth. 5.14 Psal 46.5 Matth. 16.18 2 Cor. 13.14 a House for himself to dwell in a Pillar and Ground of Truth a Golden Candlestick to hold forth his Light to the World Trusting that the Lord is in the midst of us and that the Gates of Hell shall not prevail against us We commend our selves to the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ the Love of God and the Communion of the Holy Spirit Psal 78.37 Col. 2.5 Isa 45.24 2 Cor. 12.9 whereby our hearts shall be stedfast in this Covenant Expecting from Christ our Mediatour All Righteousness and Strength Strength to supply us with all Grace to do Heb. 9.14 15. and Righteousness to pardon all our failings in this our Covenant Gal. 2.16 not looking to be justify'd by our Obedience hereto Heb. 13.20 21 all our Salvation being in the Blood of the Everlasting Covenant of Grace made with Christ for us Isa 55.3 and given to us as a Free Testament 2 Chr. 23.16 34.30 32. This Covenant being the Holy Bond of our Souls to be the Lord's People to walk fully after the Lord and to keep his Commandments In Testimony of OVR unfeigned Sincerity herein We make it Sure by Writing it Neh. 9.38 with chap. 10.16 28 Ezek. 43.11 Isa 44.5 And We our Elders and Deacons Subscribe it with the Hand This Thirtieth Day of the Eleventh Month MDCXCIX THE Catechism OR BRIEF INSTRUCTION In the Faith AND Order Of the Gospel For the CHURCH of CHRIST Meeting at Horsly-Down in Southwark 1 JOHN II. I have written unto you Fathers because ye have known him that is from the beginning I have written unto you Young Men because ye are strong and the Word of God abideth in you and ye have overcome the wicked one I have written unto you Little Children because your sins are forgiven you for his Name sake and ye have known the Father LONDON Printed for the Use of the Church 1700. THE CONTENTS OF THE Catechism THIS Catechism contains Seven Lessons which by degrees lead into the Knowledge of the Truth as it is in JESUS The First Lesson opens with a Discovery of God that his Awe may be upon the Heart The Second Lesson speaks of the Decrees of God and his Creation that in some measure they may be understood Afterwards The Third Lesson makes known the Fall of Man with the Bitter Fruits of it to humble and abase the heart before God And then in The Fourth Lesson Comfort is administred from the Glad Tidings of Redemption by the Person of Christ And that this Salvation may not only be heard of but felt The Fifth Lesson explains the Manner of the Application of this Redemption by Faith to the Soul which savingly experienc'd will draw forth Desires to understand The Sixth Lesson In which the good Old Law and Gospel of God are briefly cleared up and distinguisht the good knowledge whereof will lead down to The Seventh and last Lesson containing some Light about The great
to be buried with their own People 2dly As a Body of Christ we will with one Shoulder stand together to uphold his Truth Zeph. 3.9 Margent Phil. 1.27 Gal. 2.5 and that the Gospel may continue with us and our Seed like David serving our Generation we profess to strive together for all Truth Act. 20.20 27. Psal 119.128 Deut. 12.32 Mat. 5.19 Gal. 4.18 Rev. 2.13 3.10 2 Cor. 10.4 7. Col. 1.18 counting nothing indifferent being always zealously affected for those Truths of Christ that are most oppos'd in our day resisting stedfastly by his Word and Spirit all Doctrines undermining the Dignity of our Lord Jesus Christ as King Prophet and Priest of his Church that in all things he might have the Preheminence More particularly First Isa 24.5 Matth. 2.14 Matth. 15.9 Gal. 5.1 1 Kin. 12.28 to the End Isa 33.22 Psal 45.11 We shall oppose ALL Doctrines leading to the Neglect of Christ's Ordinances or to the sinful imposing any Traditions Ceremonies Orders or Officers in the Church not instituted by Christ our only King Judge and Lawgiver who is our Lord and we will worship him Secondly Acts 13.45 46 with 3.22 We shall continue heartily to abhor ALL Doctrine contradicting and Blaspheming the Revelation of this our Prophet in his Written Word 1 Tim. 4.1 Chiefly those Doctrines of Devils which deny oppose or prevaricate about the Eternal Godhead of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit Joh. 10.30 38 Acts 5.3 4. 1 John 5.7 so blaspheming the ever blessed Trinity in Unity Or that Oppose Isa 9.6 7. Matth. 1.23 1 Tim. 3.16 or Equivocate about the Mysterious Union of the Divine and Humane Nature in the One Person of our glorious Mediator Jesus Christ Or that exalt the Light within Jer. 10.23 Matth. 6.23 John 1.4 9. with 8.12.9.5 6.27.40 or any other Creature above besides or with Jesus of Nazareth that was Born of the Virgin Mary in Bethlehem in Judea The Only True Light of the World and Seal'd Sent Saviour of Sinners Or that Eclipse the Sovereignty Rom. 9.11 end 11.5 7. Eph. 2. thro' out John 1.13 2 Tim. 1.9 Titus 3.5 7. Freeness and Efficacy of Divine Grace in Election Vocation and Justification all being only of Grace without any regard had to Good foreseen in or done or will'd by the Creature Or that make void the good old righteous Law of God Hosea 8.12 Mat. 5.17 19. Isa 42.21 Rom. 3.19 21. Gal. 6.16 1 Tim. 1.5 10. Psal 19.7 9. Rom. 7.12 22 as a Law under which all Men are born and as a Rule of Life to all the Called of God The Law given to Adam in Paradice and afterwards held forth summarily in the Ten Commandments explain'd by Christ his Apostles and Prophets containing all Duties whatsoever Faith and Repentance not excepted and forbidding all manner of sin Or that transform the Gospel of God's Grace into a new Remedial Law Acts 20.24 Luke 2.10 11. Acts 13.38 39 commanding Faith Repentance and sincere Obedience as the Terms and Conditions of our Justification the true Gospel being a Ministration of Grace Rom. 3.22 28. 5.1 2.10.4 freely tendring to poor sinners the Suretiship Righteousness of Christ to be relied upon by Faith and imputed to them for their full and free Justification before God Or that affirm Justification is only by the Death of Christ and consists only in Remission of Sin Rom. 5.10 19. 10.4 The Word assuring us that Justification is as well by Christ's perfect Obedience to the Law Heb. 5.8 9. Cant. 4.7 2 Cor. 5.21 Eph. 5.27 1 Joh. 3.7 as by his Death under its Curse and therein the Sinner is not only forgiven but accounted perfectly righteous Or that render the Elect less children of Wrath by Nature than others Ephes 2.3 12. Rom. 3.9 19. Mark 2.17 Gal. 3.22 23. 1 Thes 1.8 10. by asserting their actual Justification from Eternity or at any time before Faith the whole tenour of Scripture discovering that all are alike under sin shut up under the Law till Faith comes Gal. 2.16 Psal 86.13 by which Christ is apprehended to justifie and save even from the lowest Hell Or that give the least encouragement to sin Either by affirming Psal 89.31 33 Jer. 46.28 Amos 3.2 that the Iniquities of God's Children are not visited by Stripes consisting with the Father's loving-kindness Or By refusing to pray for the Pardon of Sin Luke 11.4 Psal 25.7 11 18. 2 Cor. 7.10 11 Jam. 2.14 ult Jude 4 v. Phil. 3.18 19. which our Lord in his Summary of Prayer hath made our daily Duty And by denying Repentance and Good Works to be the genuine Fruits of Faith so turning the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ into Lasciviousness and causing his Cross to be evil-spoken of These Doctrines shall we detest Pro. 2.6 to 15. Psal 17.4.19.7 2 Tim. 3.15.17 Together with all that question the Validity of any part or the sufficiency of the whole written Word for perfecting the Man of God in all things whatsoever so reproaching our faithful Prophet who hath seal'd the Vision Mal. 2.9 Heb. 3.5 6. Dan. 9.24 Jer. 8.8 9. and given us a Rule in every thing compleat Thirdly Continually shall we reject all Doctrines establishing Priesthoods Heb. 2.17.9.26.10.4 to 23. Masses Conditions or any Creature Qualifications and Confidences for Satisfaction Heb. 3.1 1 John 2.1 2. 1 Tim. 2.5 Mediation or Intercession with God Christ alone being our High-Priest Propitiation and Mediatour Therefore we will not give place by subjection Gal. 2.5 5.1 2 Tim. 2.1 Rev. 14.1 Gal. 2.11 Rev. 2.10.3.15 16. 1 King 18.21 Zech. 11.8 Psal 69.9.119.139 1 Cor. 4.3 Psal 69.7 Heb. 12.3 Psal 69.8 Gal. 4.16 Micah 7.1 7. Luke 14.26 to 33. no not for an hour to any that would bring us into Bondage but being strong in the Grace which is in Christ Jesus and shewing the Father's Mark in the Forehead we shall withstand them to the Face stedfastly resisting even to the Death Protesting against all coldness lukewarmness halting or indifferency in the Cause of Christ which things his Soul hates The Zeal of Christ's House having eaten us up for his sake therefore shall we gladly bear the unrighteous Judgments Reproaches and Contradictions of all sorts of sinners whether open Enemies false Brethren lukewarm Churches or Kindred according to the flesh professing to have counted the Cost and willingly to deny and forsake all Friends Relations Enjoyments and whatsoever is dear to us in this World Rev. 14.4 1 Cor. 4.9 13. Heb. 11.24 27 that we may follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth laying our Reputation Estate Liberty yea Life it self at the Feet of Jesus Christ Matth. 16.24 27. our Lord and Saviour 3dly As a Body of Christ Ephes 4.3 with Eze. 20.37 Gal. 5.1 we will keep the unity of the Spirit in the Bond or Covenant of peace Maintaining the Priviledges of