A Soul-searching CATECHISM Wherein is opened and explained Not onely the Six Fundamental Points set down Heb. 6.1 But also many other Questions of highest concernment in Christian Religion Wherein is strong meat for those 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 a servant of CHRIST The second Edition with Addition 1 Thess 5.21 Prove all things hold fast that which is good 2 Tim. 1.12 Hold fast the form of sound words which thou hast heard Luke 1.3 4. It seemed good to me to write that thou mightst know the certainty of those things wherein thou hast been instructed LONDON Printed by J.C. for Giles Calvert at the black Spread-Eagle at the West-end of Pauls 1653. The Epistle to the READER TO preach unto people and not to catechize them I take to be a building without laying a foundation Hence the Apostle first laid the foundation of the six Principles Heb. 6.1 2. Not laying again the foundation of Repentance from dead works of Faith towards God of the doctrine of Baptisms and Laying on of hands of the Resurrection of the dead and of the eternal Judgment After which Pattern I have proposed unto thee the Reader a form I trust of sound words wherein thou mayst instruct thy Family That thou mayst do it the better to thine own comfort and their edification take these Directions First Cause thy children and servants to commit to memory the short Catechism which is at the end of the Book Secondly Every time thou dost catechize in thy Family which I would have thee to do once every week at least read and explain to them one or two of the larger questions and do them and me that favour as to turn to the places of Scripture which for brevity sake I could not write down and read them unto them and shew them how the alleadged Scriptures prove the point in hand Thirdly If thy servants and children be more towardly or more ingeniously bred or more quick witted let them learn without book the larger Catechism but if they be more slow and uncapable let them onely learn the second and oft read and expound to them the former remembring that narrow-mouth'd vessels can receive liquors poured into them onely by degrees Fourthly Pray for a blessing upon the Instruction without which thy pains will not be effectual If thou art different in judgement from me in some one Point proposed yet let not that hinder thee from informing others in the rest of the Points wherein we are agreed If upon pretence of errour in some one Point thou shalt conceal the whole from thy Family for fear they should be drawn away with error take heed that the things herein contained which thou acknowledgest sound be not a witness against thy mis-guided Zeal mingled with Cruelty in the day of the Lord. And forasmuch as thou livest in times wherein many for want of sound Principles laid at first go a whoring from God after sundry dangerous and destructive Errours let it be thy care to train up thine in their youth in the way of Truth that they may not depart from it when they are old So heartily desiring that the Spirit of Grace would make these Instructions home to thy heart which I present to thy eye and ear I take my leave and rest Thine affectionate friend in the bowels of Jesus Christ Christopher Blackwood A Short Catechism As at all times useful so especially in these unsetled times Quest WHat grounds have you to prove there is a God Answ 1. By his Creation of Heaven and Earth Psal 19 1. 2. By the confession of all Nations Rom. 1.20 no people so barbarous that are without a God though most men are ignorant of the true God Psal 19.3 3. By the order of causes of every effect there must needs be a cause till we come to the first universal cause 1 Cor. 8.6 4. By the Consciences of wicked men who having sinned are afraid of being punish'd by some supream Judg Rom. 2.15 John 8.9 5. By the Providence of God seen 1. in dispensing punishments to the ungodly Psal 9.16 and rewards to the righteous Psal 58.11 2. In making provision for all Creatures Psal 10 4. throughout 3. In the fitting one thing for another as the eye and colour and light and the air a thin body through which colours are sent to the eye 4 The actions of unreasonable creatures above their ability as the Ant Spider c. the ordering of contraries to unity 6. There is a Devil that suggests evil therefore there is a God that suggests good motions and though he be not seen no more is the winde or soul of man Qu. What are we to consider in God Ans 1. His nature 2. his kingdom 3. his worke Qu. What are we to consider concerning his nature Answ The Unity of the Essence together with the Trinity of Subsistence how that the Godhead subsisteth in the being of Father Son and Holy Ghost yet they are not three Gods but one 1 John 5.7 Matth. 28.19 Qu. Can we understand God in his essence as he is Answ No further then he hath revealed himself yet we know him by considering all the perfections that are in any creature as wisdom justice bounty holiness mercy strength and ascribing them all to him 2. By removing all the imperfections that are in any creature from him so we say God cannot die nor suffer nor sin Qu. How prove you the Father to be God Answ 1 Cor. 8.6 There is to us but one God the Father Gal. 1.1 God the Father who raised him from the dead 1 Pet. 1.2 Through the foreknowledg of God the Father Jude 1. Qu. How prove you the Son to be God Answ Because the Scripture calls him God over all blessed for ever Rom. 9.5 Phil. 2.6 He thought it no robbery to be equal with God Besides none but God could make the world now Christ made the world 1 Joh. 1.3 10. Col. 1.15 16. Heb. 1.2 Also the Saints have pray'd unto him as well as unto the Father Acts 7.59 Steven cry'd Lord Jesus receive my spirit Heb. 1.6 When he bringeth his first begotten into the world he saith Let all the Angels of God worship him Qu. How prove you the Holy Ghost to be God Answ Because we are baptized into his name and received into Covenant by him as well as by the Father and Son and he promises pardon of sin and eternal life Matth. 28.19 Again the Scripture calls him God Act. 5.3 4. Why hath Satan filled thy heart to lye to the Holy Ghost thou hast not lyed unto men but unto God 1 Cor. 3.16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God compared with 1 Cor. 6.19 Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost he that in one place is called the Holy Ghost in the other is called
an increase of the Spirit on baptized persons 2 Tim. 1.6 Q. Whether is laying on of hands after baptism an ordinance of force obliging Christians in these times A. Reserving others of Gods servants to their light who think otherwise and acknowledging a dark revelation of this in comparison of other Fundamentals and professing ingenuously I could not suffer so much in the witness of this point as I could in plainer points and Articles as of those concerning the fall of man redemption by Christ the resurrection and the last judgement c. and declaring that though Teachers may not teach nor people believe any thing which hath not some footing in the word of God yet may they speak of things which they know but weakly These things being premised I shall acknowledge laying on of hands on baptized persons after baptisme to be an Apostolical institution or an Ordinance of Jesus Christ Q. What grounds have you to prove laying on of hands after Baptisme to be an Apostolical institution A. These First because the Apostle makes it one of the six principles Heb. 6.1 or word of the beginning of Christ as in the Greek nay he makes it a foundation-point as well as Repentance Faith Baptisme Resurrection and last Judgement Now these being Fundamentals wherein all converted persons are to be practical in the belief how can imposition of hands be excluded from being so received It is absurd to think that one of these six principles should cease in a short time and the other five to remaine till the end of the world and yet the Apostle calls them all by the name of a Foundation and places it betwixt Faith and Repentance the Resurrection and the last Judgement so that there is no coming to slight it it being fenced on every side Q. But seeing we acknowledge a laying on of hands in Ordination do we not acknowledge these six principles A. No reason can be brought why laying on of hands in ordination should be from this Text acknowledged and the other after Baptisme on baptized persons excluded Nay it seemeth that laying on of hands on baptized persons should be primarily meant because the Apostle seemeth to couple these foundation-Principles so that as faith and Repentance go together and the Resurrection and last Judgement so Baptism and Imposition of go together Q. But whether is there my command for laying on of hands A. There is as much commandment for laying on of hands on baptized persons after Baptisme as on persons ordained to Office for both of them we finde Apostolical practice Secondly the Apostle calling it a foundation that was first laid as appears in these words Not laying again the Foundation hath a virtual command in it Q. What other ground have you for laying on of hands A. We have the practice of the Apostles Acts 8.14 15 16 17. The Apostles Peter and John laid their hands on those Samaritans whom Philip had baptized as verse 17. Then laid they their hands on them The Antecedent to this Pronoune Relative Them could be no other then the baptized Samaritans See also Acts 19.6 Obj. But in these examples there were visible gifts given but there is not so in yours in these times therefore your laying on of hands is not the same with theirs A. Those visible gifts given were no parts of the Ordinance much less essentialities but onely the crowns and ornaments of it God hereby confirming the truth of that doctrine and powerfulness of that person into whose name they were baptized Secondly it is a mistake to think that alwayes when the Apostles laid on hands visible gifts were given for Paul laid his hands on Timothy and God conveyed nothing therein save inward gifts and graces 2 Tim. 1.6 Stir up the gift which was given thee by the laying on of the hands of me So in the Greek If any man say these gifts were conveyed on Timothy by Paul in ordination and not after Baptism A. The contrary appears because the gift given Timothy in ordination was by the hands of all the Eldership 1 Tim. 14.14 but this gift was given in laying on of hands by Paul alone Therefore the laying on of hands after Baptisme is meant in this place Q. But if laying on of hands after Baptisme be an ordinance of Christ what is conveyed in it A. An increase of the Spirit so that as the Spirit is conveyed in the use of prayer and preaching Luke 11.13 Acts 10.44 and Baptisme Gal. 3.28 and the Lords Supper 1 Cor. 10.16 so also is an increase of the Spirit conveyed in laying no of hands 2 Tim. 1.6 Stir up the gift which is in thee which was given thee by the laying on of my hands See he had the gift or grace of God in him before and now in laying on of Pauls hands it was increased yet is not laying on of hands the onely or principal part of this Ordinance but praise is the principal part in the use whereof the other being adjoyned these fore-named Gifts and Graces of the Spirit are conveyed I take it to be vehiculum spiritus or a channel to convey the increases of the spirit to believing hearts Q. But what promise is there that there shall be an increase of the Spirit given in laying on of hands A. 1. A Command is enough to receive an Ordinance though there were no promise annexed concerning any benefit and we have proved a virtual Command out of Heb. 6.2 2. What promise there is of laying on of hands by the Elders the same is here yet is it acknowledged by all that the Spirit is conveyed in the increases in the Elders laying on of hands 3. Example of the conveyance of the Spirit into the Samaritans and into Timothy his heart in the laying on of hands is an encouraging ground for baptized persons to submit thereto and expect the like benefit 4. There is a promise of the increase of the Spirit to the prayer of Faith whenever poured out Luk. 11.13 and why not to the prayer of Faith when now poured out now the promise of the Holy Ghost being made to all baptized ones Acts 2.38 39. such may well pray in faith for the same Q. But whether are these promises bound to the laying on of hands so that then when hands are laid on and by that means the Gifts and Graces of the Spirit are conveyed when the Churches Apostle or Apostles lay on their hands we must not invent a meanes through which promises must be applyed A. 1. The promise is bound to the prayer of faith 2. That not onely in but by laying on of hands the Spirit is conveyed appears 2 Tim. 1.6 3. No man can say that either Baptisme Supper or imposition of hands apply the promise it is the Spirit and Faith alone that apply the promise yet is laying on of hands such a means as the Apostle calls a foundation and a means through which both on Gods behalf and our behalf the promise may
confession of Christ c. wherein we have in those signes by all deep engagement obliged our selves Q. What is the danger of unworthy receiving A. In stead of receiving to comfort Satan hath a greater posession of such persons as in Judas if he were at the Supper as many learned men think who Luke 22.3 had Satan entring into him before his going to the High-Priests and receiving the sop but after the receiving the sop the Devil entred further into him John 13.27 and v. 30. having received the sop he went out immediately and came to a thorow resolution to betray Christ besides good men receiving in part unworthily receive temporal judgements as sickness weakness death 1 Cor. 11.30 and wicked men having a total unworthiness receive eternal damnation Q. What is the manner of Christ his presence in the Lords Supper A. He is present spiritually to the Faith of the receiver to increase by his Spirit the Union Communion of the soul with Christ Ephes 3.19 1 Cor. 10.16 Ephes 4.15 16 1 Cor. 12.13 he is also present by grace and operation of feeling in the hearts of his as the Sun is present with us by his light and influence though in Heaven he is also present in the promise Mat. 26.26 Take eat this is my body and my blood as if he should say I promise you in the use of this Ordinance you shall receive the vertue of my quickening death and merit thereof as verily as you receive bread and wine Q. What think you of that opinion that the body of Christ is present in with or under the bread after an unperceivable manner A. It is an erroneous opinion It is against the Article of Christ his ascension into heaven Act. 3.21 2. Hereby they destroy the nature and truth of a humane body which is both finite and visible making it infinite and invisible Q. Whether is the body of Christ really and substantially contained under the kindes of bread and wine in the same space where bread and wine were contained before A. No for 1. Bread in the Supper is six times after consecration called bread still 1 Cor. 10.15 16. 1 Cor. 11.23 24 25. 2. The truth of Christs flesh is proved by sight and touching Luk. 24.39 but in the Supper it cannot he touched therefore it is not substantially or fleshlily present 3. It s a contradiction that one whole body should be whole together in divers places Mat. 28.6 he is risen he is not here the consequence had proved nothing if a whole body might be whole in divers places Q. How oft are we to receive the Supper A. Often our own decayes of grace requires often receiving the Apostles indeterminate Command Do this as often admits of no other limitation then want of occasion and opportunity Q. But there are some that are not in charity with me may I receive A. Yes supposing the uncharitableness on their parts their sin cannot debar us of the priviledges and benefits Christ hath purchased for us if the sin be on our part we must lay aside our wrath lest we double our sin by absenting from Ordinances and retaining wrath Q. Who are the persons to be received to the Supper A. Onely Church-Members 1 Cor. 10.13 1 Cor. 11.20 holy things are not to be given to Dogs Mat. 7.6 in exposing the signs of the Covenant to those concerning whom we have no ground to believe God promises any thing we prophane them they are not to be acknowledged for Covenanters with God who are his enemies Q. How are wicked men partaking guilty of the body and blood of the Lord A. 1. They are guilty of rejecting it 2. Because they prophane the signes that represent Christs body as they that despise Christs Servants despise himself Luk. 10.16 1 Thes 4.8 or as a reproach done to the Ambassadors redounds to the Prince or as he that commits Treason against a Princes Seal commits it against himself Concerning Prayer Q. WHat is prayer A. A pouring forth of the Soul to God 1 Sam. 1. Psalm 62.8 Q. What are the parts of prayer A. They are three 1. Confession of sins so Daniel c. 9.6 7 8 c. and Nehemiah c. 1 6.7 2. Petition for grace Mat. 6.9 3. Thanksgiving for benefits 1 Tim. 2.1 Phil. 4.6 Q. What qualifications are requisite that we may pray comfortably A. 1. We being bankrupt in Heaven must come in the name of Christ Iohn 16.23 24. 2. For things according to Gods will 1 Iohn 5.14 3. With a heart purposing against all sin Psal 66.18 Iohn 9 41. Iob. 11.13 4. With a fervent heart Iam. 5.16 crying mightily to God Jon. 3. as a Malefactor doth for life before a Judge 5. In Faith Jam. 1.6 7. believing we shall have from God so far as his promise reacheth as a begger never goes from a door so long as he believes he shall have an Almes Mat. 7.7 21.22 to persons praying in faith the thing desired is done or else it s better for them not to be done 6. With an humble and broken heart Psal 34.17 content not your selves with prayers void of humiliation and melting of heart so Abraham Gen. 18.27 the Prodigal Luk. 15.18 If Satan fright thee from prayer because thou art unworthy say then Nay but I will pray because I am unworthy 7. With watchfulness against distractions both those that come from Satan Zach. 3. and those which come from spiritual fluggishness especially Col. 4.2 and watchfulness against drouziness Luk. 21.36 as a begger is all awake when he begs so must we be when we beg of God 8. With sighes and groanes though words answer very barely Rom. 8.26 Gal. 4.6 God answers not that which is in the froth of wolds alone but that which is in the sigh or groan Psalme 145.19 9. Pray with the Spirit Jude 20. Ephes 6.18 which is not onely to have the gift of Prayer which artificial Christians may have and not without some show of spiritual life being full of fit expressions from abundance of notions but also to have the grace of prayer whereby the soul hath many sighes against the sproutings of lusts and wrastlings for the removals of corruptions and secret springings of heart upon the receipt of spiritual blessings Psal 103.1 that such Prayers come from the Spirit appears because when the Spirit intermits or forbears working the souls of the best become dull Rom. 8.15 10. Let thy Person be holy Psal 86. 2 John 15.7 no natural man can pray acceptably John 9.13 yet may there be passions in a soul and yet that soul holy and that Prayer accepted as in Elia's Case Jam. 5.16 Q. How shall a poor soul know whether God hears his Prayers A. He shall know it by these signs 1. When he hath the thing granted he prayed for the Church prayed for Peter and had him given when they were praying Act. 12.5 Hanna prayed for a son and had one 1 Sam. 1.27 see for this Gen. 20.17 Jud.
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