receive these books as the Word of God and a great part of the world doth receive them as such Now that such men once were in the world and that these books were indeed written by them I have as much reason to believe as the matter will bear that is as much as I can have to believe any thing that was done before I was born and no man can expect more I find that the Histories which are generally received throughout the world do make mention of them and do record the many oppositions and persecutions which they met with in the world because of what they preached and writ And of these that witness of them some indeed are Friends such as believe what they write and build their Salvation upon it and therefore would certainly take what pains they could to be well informed of the truth of it and cannot be supposed being many of them the learnedst men in the world to have taken meerly on trust a thing which they thought of such everlasting concernment to all the world that they feared not â—he most barbarous Torments and Deaths but chearfully suffered all in defence of it Others are Enemies such as believe not what is written but yet witness that there were such men and that thus they writ and themselves write against the things here written Seeing then that we have the concurrâ—nt Testimâ—nies of Friends and Enemies in all ages since these men lived and wrote and that now their Writings have been received and to the death defended by a great and that the most civilized learned and wisest part of the world for neer upon seventeen hundred years if I do not believe that such men there were and that such things they wrote I can believe no History nor any thing which was or was done before I was or that I have not seen and this certainly were most absurd 2. I find that these men who writ these Books do tell us in them that there was one then in the world called Jesus Christ and he was the Son of God and came forth from God to teach men the true knowledge of God and that they were his Disciples Scholars and Followers and were taught by him and by the Spirit of God and were sent forth by him with command to preach what he had taught them to the world and that this is God's Word which they have left us in these Books If then these men speak the truth then is this God's Word All then that I am now to be satisfied in is what reason I have to believe that these men spake the truth 3. That these men spake truth and writ the truth and nothing else I shall have reason to believe If I can find that they had all opportunities of knowing the truth of what they writ and that they have given sufficient testimony of their integrity and fidelity in writing only what they knew 1. That they had all the opportunities of knowing the truth of what they writ I cannot doubt when I consider that most of them were constantly with Jesus Christ and instructed by him and that all they write is either a relation of the deeds of Christ whereof they were eye-witnesses or of such deeds whereof themselves were actors or else such Doctrines as Christ taught them and they received from his mouth 2. That they have given sufficient evidence of their fidelity and honesty in delivering unto us nothing but the truth which they knew I cannot but believe when I consider these things 1. In some of the chief matters of fact which they relate which seem of all others most incredible and which if once believed will certainly give credit to all they say as the Death and Burial and Resurreâ—tion of Jeâ—â—s Christ from the dead on the third day they appeal to the Testimonies of a multitude of witnesses then living and this is not the custome of men not confident of the truth of what they say 2. It cannot be conceived what advantage they could propose unto themselves in delivering such an untruth to the world for they could not but foresee that they were to preach a Doctrine which the reputed Wise-men of the world would scorn and deride as a thing incredible to their reason and contrary to the Principles which their admired Philosopy was built upon a Doctrine contrary to the Religions then professed by the men of the world and for which they were most zealous and all the powers of the world did own and countenance and in all probability would with the Sword endeavour to uphold Yea they found themselves indeed derided and persecuted exposed to hunger and thirst and watchings and stripes and bonds and death and constantly endured all sufferings and shame for the Doctrine's sake which they preached they could not then propose to themselves worldly wealth or honors or pleasures in what they did Nor is it reasonable to think they did it meerly to get themselves an empty name hereby for besides that they were made a laughing-stock both to Iews and Gentiles and wholly disreguarded it it is not usual for men of their breeding and mean way of living to be so ambitiously greedy of a bare name as to forgo their whole livelyhoods endure all miseries and lay down their lives to purchase it yea both their Conversatitions and Doctrines did all along condemn and shew they were not tainted either with falsehood or ambition Did they then believe themselves what they spake and writ or did they not If they did not believe it then did they for the sake of an known and unprofitable lie forsake all that was good and profitable to them in this world whilst they had no hopes of another world and so must needs be perfectly mad but they were no mad men their own writings do abundantly witness for them If they did believe what they writ to be true and had all opportunities of knowing the truth and â—un the hazard of all they had in professing it and making it known unto the world and sought no temporal advantage to themselves bâ— it then sure we have all reason to believe them honest and plain-dealing men and to embrane the Truth which they have left us I consider once more that they were men so unblameable in their Lives that the very worst their enemies could say of them was that they were a company of plain simple and unlearned men If so then is it still more unlikely that they should of their own brains invent such a Religion as so great and learned a part of mankind hath now so long a time embraced as the wisest and the best and which all must grant did require more than a Fools head to invent it Again if these men had an ambition onely to be the Founders of a new Religion then either they had real hopes that the world would accept of it or they had none It cannot be thought they had no such hope for who would suffer what
A CATECHISM WHEREIN THE LEARNER Is at once Taught to Rehearse and prove all the main Points of CHRISTIAN RELIGION By answering to every queston in The very words of Holy Scripture Together With a short and plain Discourse Useful to confirm the weak and unlearned in his Belief OF THE BEING of a GOD AND THE TRUTH of SCRIPTURE Be ready always to give an Answer to every Man that asketh you a Reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear 1 Pet. 3.15 Hold fast the form of sound Works 2 Tim. 1.13 By Clement Ellis Author of the Gentile Sinner London Printed for Sam. Richards Bookseller in Nottingam 1674. TO MY PARISHIONERS My dear Friends and Brethren THis little Catechism with the short Discourse joyned with it are chiefly intended for your use and therefore to you in the first place are they offered I pray God the giver of every good gift to make this and all other poor endeavors of his most unworthy servant effâ—ctuall to establish you in the faith of Christ and the constant practice of all Christian virtues Ever since I came amongst you it hath been my dayly study how I might most profitably instruct you in the truth which is according to Godliness I have not followed cunningly devised fables neither used flattering words as ye know my business hath not been to amuse and confound you with a â—oise of words empty notions and the â—dle dreams of phanciful men nor to cozen your Souls by picasing the itching ear or prejudiced palate but to make necessary truths plain and intelligible 〈◊〉 to dress the sincere miâ—â—k of the word for you in that simple and wholesome way as I am perswaded was most conducive to your nourishment and gâ—outh thereby in Faith and Holiness If the success of my honest endeavours answer not my hopes of you and prayers for you I have cause indeed to mourn over your sins but I must not be discouraged from going on the same way still or praying unto God for his blessing upon it One evident cause of all that gross ignorance and error ethat wretched prophaneness and licenciousness that wild Fanaticisme as well in practice as opinion which is now every where too visible is the want of good and seasonable instruction in the first principles of our Religion Where youth is suffered to grow up in ignorance no better can be expected but that it run into dotage at last If the Foundation be either unlaid or fals-laid it can be no wonder to see the Superstructure shaken or blown down The truth is it is but too easy to shew that all those unhappy divisions and miscarriages which have ben of late and yet are amongst us in matters of Religion have Sprung if not only yet in great part from the neglect or abuse of that prime duty of Catachizing But I am not willing to draw out this Epistle into an unreasonable length by inlarging upon this subject Insteed of that leâ— me earnestly exhort you as you value the glory of Christ the peace of the Church and the eternal happiness of your own Souls 1. Be not wise in your own conceits take heed of that Spiritual pride whereby men are so apt to swell and grow great in their own eyes and much above these low ways of learning If any man despise these little helps it is but reasonable he should make it appear that he needs them not and when he shall do so I will promise him I will not trouble him any longer with them 2. Let not your children or servants perish for want of that instruction whereof you presume your selves to have no need It is not your fulness can keep them from starving Suffer them to be led by the hand till they get more strength If you have any love for them expose them not through want of instruction to be made a prey to Satan and every crafty Seducer whilst you phancy your selves such strong Saints as that you need not fear either the stoutest tempttaion or the loss of Heaven it self 3. Take heed how you run a whoring aftâ—r every new conceit in Religion which flatters your humour Think it not impossible that you may be led into the ditch by those who call them â—ives New Lâ—ghts â—ry the Spirits whether they be of God And thâ—s you can never do if you be not first well instructed in the Châ—eâ— principle of Religion which the holy Spirit of God hath already taught in his word 4. Suffer not a blind Zeal about trifles to transport you beyonâ— all care of the more weighty and substantial parts of Religion Think not that it is the commendation of your Religion that you scruple at a few Cerimonies or quarrel with the commands of your Superiors but believe and do as Christ hath taught and commanded certainly to live Godly and Rightuously and Soberly in this present world is a better sign of a Religious heart than all Sacrificings of the peace of Church and tate to a man 's own humour or groundless phancy A sound knowledge of the principles of Christian Religion would banish these shadows and bring back agaâ—n the truth and substance of Godliness 5. Yâ—â—ld therefore your selves with all meekness to instruction that ye may grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ that ye may no longer be Children tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine by the sleight of men and cunning craftiness whereby they lie in wait to deceive that ye may continue in the faith grounded and settled and may be ready to give answer to every one that asketh you a reason of the the faith that is in you He that can do so will not be ashamea to do it and he that cannot should be ashamed not to learn to do it 6. Remember that when you were baptised you promised and vowed by others to forsake all sin to believe all the Articles of the Christian Faith and to obey God's holy will and commandments is it not therefore necessary that so soon as you are capable you should apply your selves with all diligence to learn what those Sins those Articles and those Commandment are That you may do so the Churh hath provided for you a short and easy Catechism and excellentlâ— fitted 〈◊〉 first years to prepare yâ—u for Coâ—â—iâ—maâ—â—on that is to make you understand your vow of Baptism so far as you may be able in your owâ— persons openly in the face of the Church to profess anâ—â—â—clare 〈…〉 to keep it and thereupon 〈◊〉 both the approbation and prayers of 〈◊〉 â—piritâ—al Fathers and â—â— tâ—◠〈…〉 for Grace to enable you 〈◊〉 And seeing those 〈…〉 there solemnly made to God for â—ouâ— growth and increase in knowledge and grâ—â—shâ—uld it not be your constant endeavour by a diligent use of all the mâ—aâ—s to be dayly more confirmed and improve in both now for this â—nâ— it is not only necessary to read the
word hear Sermons be frequent both in publick and private prayer and duâ—y receive the Sacrament of the Lords Supper but it is very conventent and uâ—eful to have ever in your hands some larger Catechism or expâ—sition of the Chief Heads of Christian Religion Many of this kind there â—â— already extant yet this one more I have thought fit to adde I shall not now give you thy other reason for my so doing though I have many then only this that I love you and study how I may most contribute to your eternul welfare 1. Thiâ— Catechiâ—m will I hope by it's length prove no burden to the memories of those who can already give an account of the Church Catechism and have been for some years exercised in reading the holy Scriptures out of which the answers are taken almost word for word and unto such I chiefly offer it 2. Though the answers are little else but the very words of Scripture and of such plain texts as are lest subject to dispute or cavil yet have I all along quoted the Chapter and verse whence the words are taken and iâ—clâ—â—ed the quotation between two crooked horns thus ... that in the reading you may pass them over and when you please consult the texts quoted for any clause of the answer without the trouble of having recourse to the margin first 3. The Learner is here at once taught to answer the question and give a proof of his answer whilst he answers in the very words of those texts which are his proofs He thus answers not in the words which mans wisdom but which the holy Ghost â—eacheth and is not put upon the more troublesome and somtimes impossible task of gathering the author's sense out of the texts quoted 4. In these days when strange doctrines abound and Seducers are busy and have learned the Devil's art of quoting Scripture for every wicked conceit it will be some advantage to the learner of this Catechism that he is hence furnished with one or more plain and pertinent texts for every point of his Religion to oppose against the tempter If in any particular I seem too short consider that in the beginning I had â—â—ed my self to the very text of Scripture and therefore could go no farther than that would go along with me The Creed the ten Commandments and the Lord's Prayer I suppose already learned together with those short and useful expositions in the Church-Catechism and what else may be yet required in a Catechism for the fuller understanding of them is not I hope wanting in this I shall only adde that thiâ— Scripture Catechism perfectly learn'd and well digested will be a great help to you in the profitable reading both of the Scriptures and other good books and will teach you to discover the Errors of many unsound Discourses which being industrously suited by a popular way of writing to the humours of such who being ignorantly zealous are aptest to be â—eceived are very likely to be thrust into your hands Now the God of peace that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus that great Shepheard of the Sheep through the bloud of the everlasting Covenant make you perfect in every good work to do his will working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight through Jesus Christ. That ye may be filled with the knowledge of God's will in all wisdome and Spiritual understanding walking worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing being fruitful in every good work and abounding in the knowledge of God that you may hold the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace and having your fruit unto holyness may have your â—nd everlasting life this is the dayly prayer of Your servant in all things wherein he may serve Christ. Q. IS there any such thing as Religion A. All Nations in all Ages of the World have ever professed some Religion Q What mean you by Religion A. By Religion I mean a belief that there is a God joyned with an endeavour to please and honor him a fear to offend him and a hope to bemade happy by him Q. What then is the Foundation of all Religion A. He that cometh to God must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him Heb. 11 6. Q How may a man know that there is a God A. The invisible things of God from the Creation of the world are clearly seen being understood by the things that are made even his eternal Power and Godhead Rom. 1.20 Q Of what Religion are you A. I am one of the Disciples of Christ called Christians Act. 11.26 Q. Why do you chuse to be a disciple or follower of Christ A. To whom should I go Christ hath the words of eternal Life Ioh. 6.68 in him are hid all the treasures of Wisdom and knowledge Col. 2.3 he that followeth him shall not walk in darkness but shall have the Light of Life Ioh 8 12. Q. How do you know that Christ hath the words of Life A. Christ is that Messias of whom Moses in the law and the prophets did write Ioh. 1.41 45. even the Son of God which should come into the world Ioh. 11.27 Q. Why do you believe Christ to be the Messias the Son of God A. In Christ all things are fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and in the Prophets and in the Psalms concerning him Luke 24.44 Hâ— was also approved of God by miracles and wonders and signs which God did by him Act. 2.22 Iob. 3.2.10.25 Q. Let me hear some of those wonders you speak of A. The blind did see the Lame did walk the Lepers were cleansed the Deaf did hear and the Dead were raised Luk. 7.22 hereby are we sure he is that Christ the Son of the Living God Iohn 6.69 for no mâ—â— could do these Miracles which he did except God were with him Iohn 3. â— Q. What kind of Religion did Christ teaâ—h A. The Râ—ligion which Christ hath taught us 〈◊〉 pure Religion and undefiled Iames â— 27 Q. Where may a man learn this Holy Religion A. Christian Religion is to be learnt in the Holy Scriptures 2 Tim. 3.15 especially in the Word of the Truth of the Gospel Col. 1.5 that glorious Gospel of the Blessed God 1 Tim. 1.11 Q. What reason have you to speak so highly of the Gospel A. I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ for it is the power of God unto Salvation to every one that bâ—lieveth Rom. 1.16 Q. How come you to the knowledge of the Gospel A. The Gospel began to be spoken by the Lord and was confirmed to us by them that heard him God also bearing them witness both with Signs and Wonders and divers Miracles and gifts of the Holy Ghost Heb. 2.3 4. Seeing that your Religion is to be learned in the Holy Scriptures Answer me out of them to those Questions which I shall ask you and first tell me Q. Who made the World A.
gave also to her Husband with her and he did eat Gen. 3.6 So by one man sin entred into the world Rom. 5.12 Q. What mean you by Sin A. Sin is the transgression of the Law 1 Iohn 3.4 Q. What doth every sin deserve A. The wages of sin is Death Rom. 6.23 Gen. 2.17 Q. Should not man have dyed if he had not sinned A. Death entred into the World by sin Rom. 5.12 Q. Did Adam's sin do us any hurt A. By one mans disobedience many were made sinners Rom. 5.19 Q How could we become sinners by Adam's disobedience A. Adam begat Children after his own likeness Gen. 5.3 and who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean Iob 14.4 that which is born of the Flesh is Flesh Iohn 3.6 we are shapen in Iniâ—uity and in sin do our Mothers conceive us Psal. 51.5 Q. What evils of Body came upon us by Adam's sin A. Man that is born of a Woman is of few dayes and full of trouble Iob 14.1 in sorrows and in the sweat of our face must we eat our bread till we return to our dust Gen. 3.17 18. Q. Did Adam's sin bring death upon us all A. In Adam all dye 1 Cor. 15.22 by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation Rom. 5.18 and death passed upon all men for that all have sinned v. 12. Q. What evils of Soul became we subject to by Adam's sin A. The Natural Man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God 1 Cor. 2.14 our carnal mind is enmity to God not subject to the Law of God nor indeed can be Rom. 8.7 we are in Captivity to the Law of sin in our Members Rom. 7.23 we cannot please God Rom. 8.8 but walk according to the Spirit that worketh in the Children of disobedience Eph. 2.2 Q. What are we then by Nature A. Wâ— are by Nature the Children of Wrath Eph. 2.3 Q. VVhat can we expect from God as we are by Nature A. As we are by Nature we can expect nothing but to be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord 2 Thes. 1.9 Q. VVhat hope then can we have to be saved A. Where sin abounded Grace did much more abound that as sin hath reigned unto Death even so Grace might reign through Righteousness unto Eternal Life by Jesus Christ our Lord Rom. 5.20.21 Q. VVhen did this grace first appear to Man A. When God said to the Serpent The Womans Seed shall bruise thy Head Gen. 3.15 And afterwards when he said to Abraham in thy Seed shall all the Nations of the Earth be blessed Gen. 22.18 Q. VVho is this promised seed A. This seed is Christ Gal. 3.16 Q. Is Dhrist the seed of a woman A. When the fulness of time was come God sent forth his Son made of a woman Gal. 4 4. Q. How was Christ the Son of God made of a Woman A. The Holy Ghost came upon a Virgin called Mary Luke 1.35 and she was found with Child of the Holy Ghost Mat. 1.18 and she brought forth her First born Son Luke 2.7 and his Name was called Jesus Luke 2.21 Q. Why was he called â—esus or Saviour A. He was so named of the Angâ—l before he was conceived in the Womb Luke 2.21 because he was to â—ave his People from their sins Mat. 1.21.18 11. and deliver us from the wrath to come 1 Thes. 1.10 Q. Can we be saved no other way but by Iesus onely A. Jesus is the way the Truth and the Life no man cometh unto the Father but by him Iohn 14.6 neither is there Salvation in any other for there is none other name under Heaven given among men whereby we must be saved Acts 4.12 Q. How is Iesus our Saviour A. Jesus is the Mediator of the New Covenant Heb. 12.24 between God and Men 1 Tim. 2.5 Q. How came Iesus to be the Mediator of a New Covenant A. Jesus was fore ordained 1 Pâ—t â— 20. and tâ—is grace was given us 〈◊〉 2 Tim. 1.9 and Eternal Life Proâ—â— by God that cannot lye before the world began Tit. 1.2 Q. VVhat could move God to take this course to save us A. God the Father according to his foreknowledge 1 Pet. 1.2 and Eternal purpose in Christ Jesus our Lord Eph. 3.11 chose us in him before the foundation of the World that we should be Holy and without blame before him in Love having predestinated us unto the Adoption of Children by Jesus Christ to himself according to the good pleasure of his will to the praise of the glory of his grace Eph. 1.4 5 6. Q. Vnto what did God chusâ— us A. Unto Obedienâ—â— and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 1.2 and to Salvation through sanctifâ—cation of the Spirit and belief of the Truth 2 Thes. 2.13 Q. VVhat was Christ first to do as Mediatâ—r A. Forasmuch as the Children are partakeâ—s of Flesh and Blood he also himself took part of the same Heb. 2.14 so â—ecame he the man Christ Jesus 1 Tim. 2.5 God manifested in the Flâ—â—h 1 Tim. 3.16 and the Word made Flesh dwelt among us full of grace and Truth Iohn 1.14 Q. Why must Iesus be made man A. Jesus was made Man that he might be made under the Law Gal. 4.4 and fulfill all Righteousness Mat. 3.15 and through Death destroy him that had the power of Death that is the Devil Heb. 2.14 Q. Why was Iesus called Christ or anointed A. God anointed Jesus with the Holy Ghost and with Power Acts 10.38 Q. To what Office in the first place was Iesus anointed A. Jesus was a Prophet mighty in deed and word Luke 24.19 Q. How did Christ Exercise the Office of a Prophet A. God anointed Christ to Preach the Gospel to the Poor Luke 4.18 he came to call Sinners to Repentance Mat. 9.13 all things that he had heard of the Father he made known unto us Iohn 15.5.8.26 and brought Life and Immortality to Light through the Gospel 2 Tim. 1.10 Q. Which is the second Office to which Christ was anointed A. Christ was called of God an High-Priest Heb. 5.10 for ever after the Order of Melchisedec Heb. 6.10 Q. Did Christ as High-Priest Offer any Sacrifice for Sins A. This he did once when he Offered up himself Heb. 7.27 without spot to God Heb 9.14 an Offering and a Sacrifice for a sweet smelling savour Eph. 5.2 to put away sin Heb. 9.26 Q. Did Christ Offer Sacrifice for his own sins A. Christ did no sin neither was guile found in his mouth 1 Pet. 2.22 he was in all points tempted as we are yet without sin Heb. 4.15 for such an High-Priest became us who is Holy harmless undefiled separate from Sinners Heb. 7.26 Q. For what sins then did Christ Offer himself A. Christ was delivered for our Offences Rom. 4.25 the just for the unjust 1 Pet. 3.18 God making him to be sin for us who knew no sin 2 Cor. 5.21 and laying on him the Iniquities of
hungry both to abound and to suffer need Phil. 4.12 saying the Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away blessed be the name of the Lord Iob. 1.21 Q. May we wilfully lay our selves open to Saâ—â—ans temptations A. No we must be sober and vigilant and resist the Devil stedfast in the Faith 1 Pet. 5.8 9. Eph. 4.27 for if we resist him he will flee from us Iames 4.7 Q. How may we be able to resist the Devil A. If we put on the whole Armour of God we shall be able to stand against the wiles of the Devil Eph. 6.11 Q What is that Armour of God A. We must have our Loyns girt about with Truth having on the breast-plate of Righteousness our feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of Peace above all taking the Shield of Faith and the Helmet of Salvation and the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God praying alwayes and watching thereunto with all perseverance Eph. 6.14 15 c. Q. Must we pray alwayes A. Men ought alwayes to pray and not to faint Luke 18.1 1 Thes. 5.17 Col. 4.2 Q. To whom must we pray A. We must ask the Father in Christ's Name Iohn 16.23 Q. For whom must we pray A. Supplications Prayers Intercessions and giving of thanks must be made for all men 1 Tim. 2.1 Q. How are we to pray A. We must ask seek and knock Mat. 7.7 continuing instant Rom. 12. 12. and watching Câ— 4.2 in â—ervent prayer Iames 5.16 with the Spirit â—â—d with the understanding â—lso 1 Cor. 14.15 asking according to Gods Will 1 Iohn 5.14 in Faith nothing wavering Iam. 1.6 lifting up holy hand without wrath or doubting 1 Tim. 2.8 Q. What must we especially avoid in Prayer A. We must not as Hypocrites pray to be seen of Men Mat. 6.5 nor as the Heathen use vain repetitions thinking we shall be heard for our much speaking v. 7. nor as the Pharisee trusting in our selves that we are Righteous and despising others Luke 18.9 nor as the Scribes devouring Widows Houses and for a shew making long Prayers Luke 10.47 neither asking amiss that we may consume it on our Lusts Iames 4.3 Q. Where must we pray A. We must pray every where 1 Tim. 2.8 Q. What is the most proper place for private Prayer A. When we pray let us enter into our Closets and shut the door and pray to Father which is in secret and our Father which seeth in secret will reward us openly Mat. 6.6 Q. What is the mâ—st proper place for publick Praâ—er A. God ' House is called the House of Prayer Mâ—t. 21.13 we must come togetâ—er in â—he Church 1 Cor. 11.18 not forsaking tâ—e Assembling of our selves together as the manner of some is Heb. 10.25 Q. How is God to be Honoured in his House A. We must keep our foot when we go into the House of God and be more read◠〈◊〉 hear than to give the Sacrifice of Fooâ—â— Eccl. 5.1 and not make God's House a Den of Thieves Mat. 21.13 or an House of Merchandize Iohn 2.16 God is gâ—eatly to be feared in the Assembly of his Saints and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him Psal. 89.7 Q. Hath God commanded any time to be set apart for his more solemn Worship A. God commanded to remember the Sabbath day to keep it Holy Exodus 20.8 Q. What mean you by a Sabbath day A. A Sabbath is a day of rest to the Lord Exod. 35 2.16.2â— Q. What day of the week was the Sabbath A. In the Seventh day is the Sabbath of rest Holy to the Lord Exod. 31.15 Q. Why did God command to rest the seventh day A. Because God rested on the seventh day from all his Work which he had made Gen. 2.2 3. Exod. 20.11 and because he brought Israel out when he was a Servant in the Land of Egypt Deut. 5.15 that it might be a sign betwixt God and the Children of Israel for ever that they might know that he was the Lord that did Sanctifie them Exod. 31.13.17 Ezek. 20.12 Q. Are Christians bound to keep Holy that seventh day A. Let no man judge us in respect of the Sabbath dayes which are a shadow of things to come but the body is of Christ Col. 2.16 17. Q. Of what was the Sabbath dayes rest a shadow A. Of the rest which remaineth to the People of God Heb. 4.9 Q. What is that rest A. He that is entred into his rest he also hath ceased from his own works even as God did from his Heb. 4.10 Q. What works were Lawful to be done on the Sabbath dayes A. It is lawful to do well on the Sabbath daâ—es Mat. 12.12 God will have Mercy and not Sacrifice v. 7. Q. What day do Christians keep Holy to the Lord A. Christians keep Holy the first day of the week Acts 20.7 1 Cor. 16.2 when Christ rose from the dead Mark 16.9 called the Lord's day Rev. 1.10 Q. What honour owe you to the Name of God A. Holy and Reverend is God's name Psal. 111.9 we must call upon his Name Psal. 105.1 fear it Psal. 86.11 glory in it Psal. 105.3 sing praises to it Psal. 135.3 sing forth the honour of his name and make his praise glorious Psal. 66.2 and swear by his name Deut. 6.13.10.20 Q. How do men dishonour God's name A. We dishonour God when we take the name of the Lord our God in vain Ex. 20.7 or prophane it Lev. 19.12 or when we give occasion to the Enemies of the Lord to blaspheme 2 Sam. 12.14 so that the Name or Doctrine or Word of God is blasphemed through us Rom. 2.24 1 Tim. 6.1 Tit. 2.5 Q. How must we not swear 1. A. We must not swear by things that are no gods Ier. 5. â— neither by Heaven nor by the Earth nor by Ierusalem nor by our Head nor by any other Oath Mat. 5.34 c. Iames 5.12.2 We must not swear falsly by God's Name Lev. 19.12 nor forswear our selves Mat. 5.33.3 Nor must we swear ordinarily or unnecessarily but our Communication must be yea yea nay nay for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil Mat. 5.37 Iames 5.12 Q. How then ought we to swear A. We must swear the Lord Liveth in Truth in Judgment and in Righteousness Ier. 4.2 when an Oath for confirmation may be to men an end of all strife Heb. 6.16 and we must perform to the Lord our Oaths Mat. 5.33 Q. What is it to swear A. To swear is to call God for a Record 2 Cor. 1.23 a Witness Gen. 31.50 and a Judge Gen. 31.53 Q. How must we honour God in his Word A. We must with an honest and good heart hear the Word keep it and bring forth fruit with patience Luke 8.15 receiving it with meekness Iames 2.21 not as the word of men but as it is in Truth the Word of God 1 Thes. 2.13 able to save our Soâ—ls Iames 2.21 Q. Is it not enough to hear the Word A.
We must not be forgetful hearers but doers of the work Iam. 2.5 letting the word of Christ dwell in us richly in all wisdom Col 3.16 Q. What is it that chiefly hinders the effect of the Word A. Cares and Riches and pleasures of this Life choak the Word that it brings no Fruit to perfection Luke 8.14 Q. Where have you the Word of God A. We have the Word of God in the Holy Scriptures which are given by inspiration of God 2 Tim. 3.15 10. for Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost 2 Pet. 1.21 Eph. 3.5 Q. Do the Scriptures contain all things necessary to Salvation A. The Holy Scriptures are able to make us wise unto Salvation through Faith which is Christ Jesus being profitable for Doctrine for reproof for Correction for Instruction in Righteousness that the man of God may be perfect throughly â—â—â—nished unto all good works 2 Tim. 3. â—â— 16 18. Q. What then is your Duty A. We must search the Scriptures Iohn 5.39 and take heed lest any man spoil us through Philosophy and vain deceit after the tradition of men after the rudiments of the World and not after Christ Col. 2.8 Q What doth Christ in the first place require of all that will follow him A. If any man will come after Christ let him deny himself and take up his Cross and follow him Mat. 16.24 Q. What mean you by denying our selves A. We must count those things which are gain to us but loss for Christ Phil. 3.7 forsake all that we have Luke 14.33 hate Father and Mother and Wife and Children and Brethren and Sisters yea and our own Life also to be his Disciples Luke 14.26 Q. How are you to honour God with your Estates A. We must honour the Lord with our Substance and with the First Fruits of our Increase Prov. 3.9 Q. How must we honour God in our Bodies A. We must present our Bodies a Living Sacrifice Holy acceptable to God which is our reasonable Service Rom. 12.1 Q. What Virtues must we especially practice in oâ—r Bodies A. We must be temperate in all things 1 Cor. 9.25 Gal. 5.23 2 Pet. 1.6 Q. Which is the first part of temperance A. Every one of us must know how to posses his Vessel in Sanctification and honour not in the lust of Concupiscence as the Gentiles which know not God 1 Thes. 4.4 5. abstaining from Fornication v. 3. 1 Cor. 6.18 and all uncleanness filthiness Eph. 5.3 4. and lasciviousness Gal. 5.20 Q. What is the other part of temperance A. We must not walk in rioting and drunkenness Rom. 13.13 revellings Gal. 5.21 surfeitings and the cares of this Life Luke 21.34 nor make any provision for the Flesh to fulfill the lusts thereof Rom. 13.14 Q. How must we honour God in ordinary Discourse A. Our speech must be alwayes with Grace Col. 4.6 that no corrupt communication proceed out of our Mouth but that which is good to the use of edifying that it may minister grace to the hearers Eph. 4.29 Q. What thoughts are we to have of our selves A. We must not think of our selves more highly than we ought to think but to think soberly according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of Faith Rom. 12.3 neither be wise in our own conceits v. â—6 Q. What is the danger of Pride A. God resisteth the proud and giveth grace to the humble 1 Pet. 5.5 Q. How are you to carry your selves in reference to the Fashions and Customs of this World A. We must not be conformed to this World but be transformed by the renewing of our minds that we may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of Gâ—â— Rom 12.2 Q. Where ought a Christians affections and treasure to be A. We must set our affections on things above not on things on the Earth Col 3.2 neither must we lay up for our selves Treasures upon Earth but in Heaven for where our Treasure is there will our Hearts be also Mat. 6.19 c. Q. What is your Duty to your Neighbour A. We must love our Neighbours as our selves Mark 12.31 Mat. 22.39 Q. What is the general rule of Iustice to our Neighbours A. Whatsoever we would that Men should do unto us we must do even so unto them Luke 6.31 Mat. 7.12 rendring unto all their dues Rom. 13.7 So loving not in word neither in Tongue but in deed and in Truth 1 Iohn 3.18 Q. How must you express your love to your Neighbours Soul A. We must exhort one another Heb. 10.25 daily lest any be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin Heb. 3.13 teaching and admonishing one another Col. 3.16 provoking to love and to good works Heb 10.24 rebuking and not suffering sin upon our Neighbours Lev. 19.17 restoring those that are overtaken in a fault in the spirit of meekness Gal. 6.5 and putting no stumbling block or occasion to fall in our brothers way Rom. 14.13 Q. How must you shew your love to the body of your neighbour A. He that hath two coats let him impart to him that has none and he that hath meat let him do likewise Luke 3.11 giving him those things which be needful for the body Iam. 2.16 Mat 5.42 1 Iohn 3.17 Q. How must we behave our selves towards our neighbour in reference to his goods A. Let no man seek his own but every man anothers wealth 1 Cor. 10.34 coveting no mans Silver or Gold Acts 20.23 nor any thing that is our neighbours Ex. 20.17 Q. What sins of the heart are contrary to the love of our Neighbour A. Sins of the heart contrary to brotherly love are envy malice despite hatred wrath anger implacableness unmercifulness evil surmizings emulation covetousness Q. What sins of the tongue are contrary to brotherly love A. Sins of the tongue contrary to brotherly love are brawling railing whispering back-biting false-witness false-accusing reviling tale bearing tatling business in other mens matters dissimulation cursing slandering provoking clamour and evil-speaking Q. What are the sins in deed contrary to brotherly love A. Sins of deed against Brotherly love are Murders Warrs Fightings biting and devouring one another theft deceit doing wrong and defrauding Covenant breaking truce breaking extortion strife variance the scant measure wicked balances and bag of deceitful weights For all these sins see these following Texts Rom. 1.29.30 31.3.14.12.9.1 Tim. 3.3 11.5 13.6 4. Tit. 3.2 3. Gal. 5.19 26. 15. Col. 3.8 Mark 7.22.10.19 Mat. 15.19.2 Tim. 3.3 1 Cor. 6.8 10. Lev. 19.16 Prov. 11.13 1 Pet. 4.15 Iames 3.14 Eph. 4.31 1 Thes. 4.6 Mic. 6.10 11. Q. What is your duty when men trespass against you A. If our Brother trespass against us we must rebuke him and if he repent forgive him and if he trespass against us seven times in a day and seven times in a day turn again to us saying I repent we must forgive him Luke 17.3 4. Q What is your duty to your Enemies A.
God Why did that eternal Man leave Children so unlike himself of so short a Life Or what is now become of him If he was eternally he had eternally a power to be and live and did chuse to dye and be no more and not leave the least notice to the World that ever he was Did that first man begin to be He gave not his beginning to himself for before he began to be he was not he had it from no other man for he was the first man did he spring out of the Earth Shew what power the Earth had to prodcue so noble a Creature and if it had that power did it spend it all at once that it should never before or since bring forth another man or any thing like him I know men may dream of strange â—hings and tell their dreams so often that they may forget they were dreams and begin to think them Truths and because wicked man is afraid of God he is willing to set hiâ— phansie aâ— work to hatch pretty conceits which he may play and sport with and divert himself from hearkning to his Conscience and fom all thoughts of God which disturb his quiet and imbitter his delights with fears of Judgment but he shall never be able by reason to satisfie himself that there is no God 3. The content of the whole World perswades me that it is at least a very great unadvisedness and arrogance hastily to dis-believe a God the whole frame and order of Nature convince me that it is very reasonable and highly satisfactory to the mind of man to believe there is a God but far greater satisfaction yet a man may receive from those clearer evidences which God hath given to the World of himself in Prophesies and Miracles Let a Man therefore thus reason with himself First Things have been fore-told many hundred years before they came to pass and these things have come to pass exactly in all circumstances of time place and manner as they were fore-told For my own part I know that I cannot tell what shall be to Morrow or the very next hour and others who have ventured to fore-tell such things have miserably befool'd both themselves and all that gave credit to them onely those few who pretended that they came from God and gave sufficient evidence to the world that they spake by God's Command have been so happy as to gain credit to the God from whom they came as the true God and to themselves as his true Prophets by a timely and evident fulfilling of those things which they did foretel Now seeing that there have been men who have foretold the the things which afterwards came to pass in all circumstances as they were fore-told and such things as did not depend upon the constant course of Nature and such as no man else could foresee and seeing that these men did profess they knew not these things by their own Art or Study nor by any natural means but only by the revelation which they had from God and seeing it is unconceivable how any should know such things but he alone who governs and orders all things I cannot but believe there is a God who sent these men and spake by them 2. Works have been done which not only exceed the power of man to do but are clearly above the power and against the course of nature these are truly called Miracles wonderful works The Fire hath refused to burn them that were cast into it the Waters have stood up like Walls on each hand whilst men have passed dry-foot through the midst of them the Sun hath been made to stand still for a time and the dead have been raised to life with a word these and the like things I am sure man hath of himself no power to do nor can any man imagin by whom they could be done but by him alone who hath the command of nature These things were done by men onely who said they came from God and to witness to the world that they said truly and all to perswade the world to acknowledge God to fear worship and obey him and therefore I cannot but believe that there is a God who sent these men and wrought by them If any man now ask how we know there have been such things as these he will receive a fuller answer in that which now follows to shew what reason we have to believe the Scriptures to be true wherein these things are recorded It is very reasonable to believe that if there be a God he expects some homage and duty from us and because we can of our selves but guess at most what duties they be which we are to pay unto him and so may be mistaken it is farther yet very reasonable to believe that God hath given us some notice of his will and pleasure and some rule to direct us how we may acceptably serve and honour him and that he should therein make known unto us so much of himself as may beget in us an honuorable esteem and reverend thoughts of his Majesty and so much of his works as to convince us that we came from him and do depend upon him and so much of his goodness and bounty as may encourage us to serve him cheerfully and lastly such demonstrations of his truth as may satisfie us that all this is real and no guile or deceit in it The reasonableness of believing this upon supposition onely that there is a God will make it still more reasonable to believe there is a God when we see that there is something which men do receive and own as a rule sent from God to teach us how we are to honour him and that it hath all those things in it which we suppose it reasonable that such a Rule should have Now we have in our hands a book called the Bible or book and the Scripture or Writing by way of excellency and it is believed that in this Book we have the Word of God whereby he hath revealed himself and his will unto us to teach us both what we are to believe and what we are to do and what we are to hope for That then which we are now to be satisfied in is how it appears that this Book doth indeed contain the Word of God Now this Book being made up of two parts the Old and the New Testament and the Writers of the New Testament bearing witness to the Writers of the Old Testament that they came from God it will certainly follow that if the Writings of the New Testament be true and from God the Writings of the Old are so too Therefore a man need do no more but satisfie himself in the truth and Divine Authority of the New Testament And here let a man thus reason with himself 1. I see that we have these Books and I see whose names they bear I see that the men who writ these Books pretend that they spake from God and that we ought to