was ever a necessary instruction and belief of certain points had by word of mouth and Tradition before men came to the Scriptures which could not treat of things so particularly in any one place as was requisite for the teaching of all necessary grounds And the points instanced in there are The foundation of Repentance from dead works this was the Doctrine of Penance before Baptism and of Faith towards God which was the twelve Articles contained in the Apostles Creed The Doctrine of Baptismes that is the manner and necessity of Baptism Imposition of hands after Baptism called Confirmation The Articles of the Resurrection Judgment and such like without which things first laid if one should be sent to pick his Faith out of the Scriptures he must Read much to do it and perhaps he would be at last very far to seek So then the Church Catechism is to be taken of us as the sum of Christian Religion gathered ready to our hands out of the Holy Scriptures by the Church that contains all things necessary for us to know and consists of Propositions in number but few yet in substance of such moment that they are sufficient to make a man wise unto Salvation in which howsoever Learned Men may go beyond common Christians and exceed one another by many degrees yet if we respect the Radical Truths that are the necessary and common instruction of all the Children of the Church there is not an Vnity only but such a kind of equality also brought in among all sorts of Christians as was heretofore among the Israelites in their collection of Manna where he that gathered much had nothing over and he that gathered little had no lack Exodus 16.51 18. 2 Cor. 18. Now the Catechism begins with our Matriculation our initiation or entrance into the Church when we give up our Name to Christ and take a new Name from Him So the first Question that is used is What is your Name Catechetical QUESTIONS CONFORMED To the DOCTRINE of the CHURCH of ENGLAND Of Names Q WHat is your Name A. N. or M. Q. What is the use of Names A. To distinguish or note the difference between one thing and another Q. By how many Names are you usually called A. By my Christian-name and my Sir-name Q. Why is it called your Christian-name A. Christian is of Christ because it sheweth my entrance into Christ which giveth me my Being in Grace Q. Why is the other called your Sir-name A. Sir-name is of Sire a Father because it signifieth my descent and succession from my Father which under God gave me my Being in Nature Q. Whenas Nature is before Grace and we have our Sir-names from our Fathers before we have our Christian-names from Christ why then is the Christian-name set before the Sir-name A. To shew the dignity and excellency of the state of Grace above the condition of Nature Q Why doth the Catechism begin with asking of your Name A. Because my Christian-name sheweth the difference between me and an Infidel and is the remembrance of my initiation or entrance into the Church and it is the badge of my Christian profession by which it is fit that I shew unto the Catechist who I am and that I am a member of the Church before he deal with me in the nstruction of Religion Q. Who gave you your Name A. My Godfathers and my Godmothers Q. Why are they called Godfathers and Godmothers A. Because they present me to God in Baptism which is the Sacrament of Regeneration whereby I was born again unto God Q. What is the special use of Godfathers and Godmothers in Baptism A. Godfathers and Godmothers in Baptism 1. Are Witnesses of that which is done 2. They are Sureties for performance of that which is to be done Q. Of what did they bear witness that is done A. They did bear witness first and especially that I was born within the Church of believing Parents that are Christs and Abrahams seed according to promise Gal. 2.29 and so partakers of the Covenant that God made with Abraham to be a God unto him and to his seed Gen. 17.7 Not to that only which is of the Law but to that also which is of the Faith of Abraham who is the Father of us all Rom. 4.15 And therefore that I had a right to be admitted to the Sacrament of Baptism Q. But is not the Parents affirming of the same and their profession of their Faith a better evidence of this than the witness of Godfathers and Godmothers A. I answer That Children are brought to Baptism not as the children of this or that particular man but as children of the Church that is as the children of Christian men or Believers And to prove this the testimony of three or four Christian men of known Faith and Credit when in the mouth of so many Witnesses every word is established is better evidence than the bare report or profession of the Parents being interessed in that report as parties especially there being many men that are not able to give an explicit account of their Faith though nevertheless they be true members of the Church and believe rightly those things that are necessary to Salvation Q. Of what else are your Godfathers and Godmothers Witnesses A. They are Witnesses also of the publick act of the Priest and of my being received into the Church Q. But may not the whole Congregation be witness of this also A. They may Yet they that are called on purpose and are paritcularly concerned in it would likely be surer and properer Witnesses if there should be any question of it Q. Of what are Godfathers and Godmothers Sureties A. They are Sureties but as my Proxies for I did engage by them as Sureties for my doing of those duties which I am bound to perform Q. But why are not the Parents rather to give in this Security than the Godfathers and Godmothers A. The Parents are not enjoyned by the Church at Baptism to look to their childrens education because they are bound to do the same otherwise namely by the Law of God and Nature Q. If the Parents are bound to do it what need the Godfathers and Godmothers be Sureties for it A. Yes there is need of them for the greater Security As in a Bond at the Common Law the Principal is bound in duty to pay the debt yet the Sureties are brought in to engage themselves for the same by contract and promise to secure the payment in case the Principal should be negligent of his duty or be hindred by some casualty or be prevented by death Q. When did your Godfathers and Godmothers give you your Name A. In Baptism Q. What is Baptism A. Baptism is the Sacrament of Regeneration wherein I was made the member of Christ the child of God and an inheritor of the Kingdom of Heaven Q. Were you not the child of God the member of Christ and an inheritor of the Kingdom of Heaven before
Catechetical QUESTIONS VERY Necessary for the understanding of the PRINCIPLES of RELIGION CONFORMED To the DOCTRINE of the CHURCH of ENGLAND By SIMON LOWTH Vicar of Tylerhurst in the Deanery of Reding in the Diocess of Sarum LONDON Printed for Chr. Wilkinson at the Black-Boy in Fleet-street and Tho. Burrel at the Golden-Ball under St. Dunstans Church 1673. To my Native Country-men and Antient Neighbours the Parishioners of Thurcaston in the County of Leicester Dearly Beloved THese Catechetical Questions were at first intended only for the private instruction of mine own Children and since they are come to be made Publick I cannot wish the use of them more or sooner to any others than to your selves And indeed ye have the greatest right to them For if our Country or our Friends can challenge any share in us then it is but fit that ye among whom I drew my first breath should have the benefit of my Labours and my daily Prayer to God is that they may prove serviceable to you and all Christs Church I have aimed at no higher but to be an Instructor of Babes to inform the Ignorant that the Catechumeni the Competentes the Neophytes and such as are unskilful in the Word may come to know and believe those things that are necessary for their Souls health And so I have not only fitted the Subject of my Discourse to the Persons for whom the Business is designed but I have also used such a Stile as will be both answerable to the Argument and suitable to mine own way of expression which I have always Studiously affected in imitation of him who was the glory of that place a man famous in his Generation and that was indeed a Burning and a Shining Light yet memorable for his Plainess Father Hugh Latimer Bishop and Martyr whose immediate Successor I conceive my self to be in School-education and Holy Orders among the Natives of Thurcaston I know there have been since him my Seniors in the Parish as my honored Friends Mr. Anthony Huxeley of Cropston and Mr. Samuel Marshall of Ansty but in Thurcaston I have not found any man made a Priest who was born there between the Martyr and my self And this hath been the ground in me of a constant inclination and ambition to be his Disciple I thought once I should have succeeded him in his Martyrdom also when I was brought by a Party of Armed Men with much Fury and Violence out of my House at Dingley in Northamptonshire to be Hanged at mine own door upon several accusations of Malignancy and especially because they were informed that I usually then Prayed for the Kings Majesty the Queen the Prince and the Royal Progeny in a silent pause as I came to the Prayers for them in any part of the Liturgy as I officiated in the open Church which was forbidden to be done publickly and audibly upon pain of death But though I suffered Sequestration and the spoyling of my goods there for my Zeal to the Church and Loyalty to the King yet I had not the honor like him to resist unto blood And since I have not attained to the full height of his sufferings I have often wished that I could have acted so high as by like motions to have walked in his steps and to have followed his great example in the exercise of all the Theological and Moral Virtues and of all the Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Ghost and in the practice of all good works and of the Offices of Christian Justice which I have heard to be very conspicuous in him But in these he was as far beyond what I can reach as he was before me in time and above me in Dignity in the Chuch and in his Eminency in the World There is nothing then wherein I may more neerly and lively represent him or which in it self may be more conducible to my purpose than with much plainness of speech to deliver to them that will vouchsafe to look so low these my poor and true endeavours in my service of the Church And if this their slenderness be no hindrance to them in their entertainment among the gentle and Courteous Readers but that they mean and plain as they are prove useful and acceptable to Gods People it is enough in it self and there is no more in the desires of Dear Countrymen Your most devoted Servant Simon Lowth In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost Amen SEarch the Scriptures c. St. John 5.39 Give attendance to Reading to Exhortation and to Doctrine 1 Tim. 4.13 And continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of knowing of whom thou hast learned them And that from a Child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures which are able to make thee wise unto Salvation through Faith that is in Jesus Christ. All Scripture is given by Inspiration of God and is profitable for Doctrine for Reproof for Correction for Instruction in Righteousness That the Man of God may be perfect throughly furnished with all good works But whereas those things that have been taught us by the Holy Prophets and Apostles of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and which are most surely believed among us are many in number and of divers considerations and are not so exactly delivered in order as that they can either all at once be comprehended in our minds or being comprehended can be so kept in memory that the explication of them may be obvious and ready at hand upon all occasion of teaching Therefore our Antient Fathers have very wisely digested the whole substance and form of all the saving Doctrine into these four heads Viz. 1. The Apostles Creed 2. The Decalogue or Ten Commmandments 3. The Lords Prayer 4. The Sacraments For that all things which are to be held as Points of Chistian Faith whether they belong to the knowledge of God and the Creation and Preservation of the World and Redemption of Mankind or whether they appertain to the Rewards laid up for the Righteous and to the Punishment of evil doers are contained in the Doctrine of the Creed Those things that are referred to the Law whose End is Charity are set down in the Decalogue Whatsoever can be hoped for wished or desired in order to Salvation is comprehended in the Lords Prayer And lastly all that God hath appointed as means and instruments for the obtaining of Grace are comprised in the name of Sacraments Whereupon it followeth that when as these four as it were Heads or Common places of the Holy Scriptures are well explained there can almost nothing be wanting for the understanding of those things which a Christian man ought to know and believe to his souls health And we may plainly perceive out of the sixth Chapter of the Epistle of St. Paul to the Hebrews verse 1 2. that such as these were the first grounds of Christian Institution or Catechism in the Primitive Church and that there
Ephesus and to St. Titus in Creet c. And therefore they only that is the Bishops are to be acknowledged to have this Authority of Jurisdiction and Ordination who can derive it from the Apostles and prove themselves in these very things to be the Apostles Successors Q. VVhat do you chiefly learn out of the Articles of the Christian Faith 1. I learn to believe in God the Father who hath made me and all the world 2. In God the Son who hath redeemed me and all mankind 3. In God the Holy Ghost who sanctifieth me and all the elect people of God Q. VVhat Do you believe there be three Gods A. No There be three Persons and but one God The Father the Son and the Holy-ghost are onely one Con-substantial Co-eternal and Co-equal Essence but three persons Q. VVhat do you mean by a Person A. A Person is one who hath his own subsistence which no other besides hath proper to himself Q. How is it possible that there should be three Persons in one Essence A. With men it is impossible but not with God Indeed this is such an high and and dreadful Mystery that it is not safe to say any more of it but that I do believe it that there is three in one The Father is made of none as it is in St. Athanasius his Creed The Son is of the Father alone and the Holy-ghost is of both And by these several properties they are really distinguished each from other For the substance of God with this property to be of none maketh the Person of the Father The very self-same substance with this property to be of the father maketh the Person of the Son The same substance having added to it the property of proceeding from the other two maketh the person of the Holy Ghost So that in every Person there is implyed both the Substance of God which is one and also that property which causeth the same Perrson really and truly to differ from the other two This is the truth But how cometh it to pass I cannot say you need not nay you must not search only believe Q. Out of what words in the Creed do you learn to believe in God the Father who hath made you and all the world A. Out of the words of the first Article I believe in God the Father Almighty maker of Heaven and Earth Q. What do you observe in this Article A. 1. That there is a God 2. That there is but one God 3. That there are divers Persons in the Godhead implyed in Father 4. That God expresseth himself to us 1. By the Unity of his Essence God 2. By Trinity of Persons Father 3. By his Attributes as Almightiness Infiniteness c. 4. By his Works expresly of Creation and consequently of Preservation of Heaven and Earth and all things that are therein visible and invisible Q. Do you not believe that the Son and the Holy Ghost is also Almighty and Maker of Heaven and Earth A. Yes For as we say the Father is God the Son is God and the Holy Ghost is God and yet they are not three Gods but one God So we say the Father is Almighty the Son is Almghty and the Holy Ghost is Almighty and yet there are not three Almighties but one Almighty And so we say the Father is the Maker of Heaven and Earth and the Son is Maker of Heaven and Earth and the Holy Ghost is Maker of Heaven and Earth and yet they are not three Makers but one Maker of Heaven and Earth For although by a peculiar manner of speaking according to our capacity in respect of the Persons we call the Father Almighty Maker of Heaven and Earth because he is the first of the Persons in the Godhead And we attribute Wisdom to the Son because he is the eternal Word of the Father And Goodness to the Holy Ghost because he is the Love of them both Yet indeed these and all other outward Actions and Attributes of God are common to all the Persons of the Godhead Q. In what Articles do you learn to beleive in God the Son who hath Redeemed you and all Mankind A. In the 2 3 4 5 6 7 Articles Q. What is the reason that the work of Mans Redemption done by the second Person in the Trinity is more largly and in more Articles set down than the work of the Worlds Creation A. 1. Because it cost more to Redeem the Soul than to make the World The work of Redemption is greater than the work of Creation and consisteth of more circumstances 2. To teach us that as we ought to respect other Doctrine so this in a more special manner as that we determin to know and rejoyce in nothing more than in Jesus Christ and him Crucified Q. Could not God have Redeemed Mankind by a word as easily as have made the World A. Yes For with God all things are and ever were possible God had other means in his power to save us than by the death of his Son but a better and more convenient way to demonstrate his Love and Mercy towards us and to manifest his Wisdom Power and Justice against Sin Death and Satan He had not for God chose the best When He first decreed this way to save Man it was in His Power to have appointed another way if it had pleased Him So that God was not tyed to determin this way upon any necessity as if the choice of other means failed Him But this in the Wisdom of God common to all the three Persons in the Holy Trinity was allowed as the most honorable and acceptable way to God and the most favourable and comfortable way to Man Q. Did Christ Redeem none but Mankind A. No. God spared not the Angels that sinned but cast them down to Hell and delivered them into chains of darkness to be reserved unto Judgment 2 St. Pet. 2.4 St. Jude 6. Q. Did Christ Redeem all Mankind A. Yes The words of the Church-Catechism are express and plain who Redeemed me and all Mankind And so it is written that He dyed for all 1 Cor. 5.14 15. and that He is the Saviour of all men 1 Tim. 4.10 As by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation so by the Righteousness of one the free gift came came upon all men to justification of life Rom. 5.18 Q. Is the price of Christs Death sufficient for the Redeeming of all Mankind A. Yes doubtless For He gave himself a Ransom for all 1 Tim. 2.6 by which He is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him Heb. 7.25 For He is the Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world St. John 1.29 Q. But was it Christs intention and purpose that all Mankind should be Redeemed and Saved by His death A. Yes surely For He will have all men to be saved 1 Tim. 2.4 that is He is not willing that any should perish 2
St. Pet. 3.9 Q. But why then are not all men effectually Redeemed but many become the sons of Perdition A. Because when as He hath given the sufficient price of their Redemption yet they like the Servant that would not go out free Exod. 21.6 chuse still to continue the servants of sin When He gathereth them as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings they will not St. Mat. 23.37 So like Israel they destroy themselves when as in Him is their help Hosea 13.9 They bar themselves of the benefit of His Redemption either they are not in Christ they enter not into Covenant with Him at all and then without Him there is no Redemption or else if they be in Him if they have entered the Covenant with Him in Baptism they break the conditions that they make with him And He Redeemed them not so absolutely as though He would save them whether they will or no but only upon condition of their Repentance and Faith and Obedience according to their promise in Baptism Q. What do these six Articles concerning Christ declare A. 1. His Person in the 2d Article 2. His Humiliation in the 3d and 4th Articles 3. His Exaltation in the 5th 6th and 7th Articles Q. What do you observe in the Person of Christ out of the second Article A. 1. His Name Jesus 2. His Office Christ 3. His Divinity or Godhead His Only Son 4. His Title Our Lord. Q. What do you call His Name A. Jesus Q. What is nhe meaning of that Name A. A Saviour for so the Angel bid Joseph call his Name Jesus because He shall save His people from their sins St. Mat. 1.21 Jesus of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 jashang to save Q. What is His Office A. To be a King a Priest and a Prophet Q. VVhere is that taught us A. In the Word Christ Q. How doth the VVord Christ import all these Offices A. Christ of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ungo according to the Greek As Messiah of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Mashach in Hebrew signifieth Anoynted Now we read in Scripture of three sorts that were Anoynted The first were Kings as Samuel Anoynted David 1. Sam. 16.13 The second were Priests as Aaron and his Sons Exod. 40.13 15. The third were Prophets as Elijah is sent to Anoynt Elisha the Prophet in his room 1 Kings 19.16 And therefore Christ is called a King Zach. 9.9 St. Mat. 21.5 St. John 18.37 And a Priest Psal 110.4 Heb 5.7 8. And also a Prophet Deat 18.18 Acts 7.37 Q. VVhat benefit comes to us by all these Offices of Christs A. 1. He Rules and Defends as a King 2. He cleanseth us from sin by the Sacrifice of himself as a Priest And thirdly He teacheth us as a Prophet Q. Out of what words do you learn to believe Christs Divinity or Godhead A. Out of these words His that is Gods only Son in that He is the only begotten Son of God as in the Nicene Creed not a Son by Creation as all Creatures Nor a Son by Adoption as Man but His only Son by an eternal and unsearchable Generation in respect of his Godhead which teacheth us that he is not only Coâ—eternal and Co-equal but also Con-substantial of one and the self same substance with God the Father For to be a Son is to be partaker of the very Nature Essence and Being of the Father Now Gods Essence and Nature is Infinite and Indivisible without bounds or parts and wheresoever that which is Infinite is there it is all compleat and whole so that God cannot beget a Son which is but part of and not all and wholly His Essence therefore since He is the Son of God in Him dwelleth the fulness of the Godhead bodily that is personally Col. 2.9 Q But is Christ in respect of His Manhood called the Son of God A. Yes As by an eternal and unsearchable Generation in respect of His Godhead He is the Son of God who hath begotten Him of His own Substance God of God very God of very God as in the Nicene Creed So by grace of Personal Union in respect of His Manhood Christ is the Son of God who hath sanctified the Humane Nature by the operation of the Holy Ghost in the Womb of the ever blessed Virgin St. Mary and inseparably united it to the Godhead in the Person of the Son so that the Holy Thing which was Conceived by the overshaddowing of the Holy Ghost and born of the Virgin Mary is called the Son of God St. Luke 1.35 Q. Hath God no other Son but Christ A. No other such as He Indeed we are the Sons of God by Grace of Adoption and other Creatures by power of Creation But by the external and unsearchable Generation and by communion of Nature and Substance Christ is Gods only Son as it is in the Evangelist the only begotten of the Father St. John 1.14 Q. What is Christs Title A. Lord. Q. How is Christ said to be our Lord A. 1. By right of Creation Gen. 1.1 St. John 1.3 2. By right of Preservation Heb. 1.3 3. By right of Dominion Psal 8.1 6. St. Mat. 28.18 4. By right of the Covenant Stipulation and Agreement that is between Him and us Deut. 26.16 17 18. Ezek. 16.8 5. By right of Redemption Act. 20.28 Eph. 1.7 Q. Wherein is Christs Humiliation A. In His Incarnation Art 3. Passion Art 4. Q. What do you observe in Christs Incarnation A. His Humanity or Manhood in that for us Men and for our Salvation He came down from Heaven and was Incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary and was made Man like unto us in all things sin only excepted Q. How doth it appear that Christs Humane Nature was without sin A. In that He was Conceived by the Holy Ghost and born of a pure Virgin one that never knew Man and so was not begotten after the manner of other men of the corrupted and sinful Seed of Adam Q. But could She being a Virgin have a Son How is that possible for Her that knew not a Man A. It is true it is impossible by the power of Nature and therefore it is called a Miracle Isa 7.14 done by the power of God St. Luke 1.35 And this as it sheweth Christs Humane Nature being made of a Woman born under the Law so it intimateth His Divine Nature in that He was born of such a Woman as never knew Man Q. But who was the Virgin Mary A. A Woman of the Nation of the Jews of the Tribe of Judah of the Linage or Family of David And so Christ was of the Seed of David according to flesh and therefore bone of Mans bone and flesh of Mans flesh Q. Then how many Natures are there in Christ A. Two The Godhead and the Manhood Q. Why was it necessary that Christ should be God A. 1. That He might overcome Death 2. That He might have power to prevail with His Father 3. That He might make
out many inventions Eccles 7.29 by which he defaced that image and made himself a sinner and for this had suffered eternal death had he not been Redeemed by the death of Christ Q Wherein is Christs Exaltation A. 1. In His Victory over Hell 2. In His Resurrection 3. In His Ascention 4. In His Session at the right hand of God 5. In His coming again to judge the quick and the dead Q. What do you think of Christs descent into Hell in the fifth Article A. I believe that after the death of His body His humane soul went down really and locally into Hell Q. In what sence do you take Hell here A. I take Hell here as I take Christs Death and Burial in the former Article that is in the litteral sense For as Christ died for us and was buried so also it is to be believed litterally that He went down into Hell Art 3. of the Church of England Q. What do you mean by these words He rose again the third day A. I mean that He was not raised by any other but rose again of Himself by His own power For as He gave up the Ghost when He died no man took away His life from Him but He layed it down of Himself so He took His life again of and by Himself Q. Why is it said He rose again the third day whenas it is evident by the story of His Passion as it is set down by the holy Evangelists that there were not forty hours between His Death and His Resurrection A. You must understand that the Jews reckoned their Natural day consisting of 24. hours from evening to evening And then you must by a Synechdoche which putteth part for the whole take two parts of two days for two whole days and reckon part of Good-Fryday being the day of the Jews preparation on which day He was Crucified from the ninth to the twelfth hour for one day Then the Sabbath day or Saturday from Sun-set to Sun-set was one entire whole day this was the second And then lastly the night following the Sabbath or Saturday to the dawning of the first day of the week that we call the Lords-day or Sunday must be taken for the third day He was Crucified Dead and Buried on Fryday towards the evening His body lay in the Grave all Saturday He rose again on the Sunday morning St. Luke 24.31 which was the third day after His death Q. Why are Christs Descent into Hell and His Resurrection put together into one Article A. Because in these two poynts is contained all whatsoever Christ hath merited for us by His Death For the Redemption of our Souls is compleated by His conquering the Devil in His descent into Hell by His Soul and the Redemption of our Bodies is compleated by His conquering Death in the glorious Resurrection of His Body Q. What is contained in the sixth Article A. Christs Ascention into Heaven and Session at the right hand of God In His Incarnation was the beginning in this is the end of His Pilgrimage here on Earth In that was His Humiliation in His Resurrection and this is His Exaltation Q. But was not Christ always in Heaven A. Yes According to His Godhead which is always every where but by way of special presence most eminently in Heaven and was then in Heaven when it was with His Soul in Hell and with His Body in the Grave But His Manhood in His Humane Body and Soul came not into Heaven till His Ascention which was forty days after His Resurrection Q. VVhat were the reasons of Christs Ascention into Heaven A. 1. Because there was no other place sutable to His glorious Body 2. Because it was but just and equal that His Manhood should take possession of that Kingdom of glory which He had purchased by His Passion 3. Than He might shew His Kingdom not to be of this world and so that He was not to be looked upon as Man but to be worshiped as God 4. That He might therefore prepare a place for us 5. That He might thereby draw our minds and affections after Him and cause our conversation to be in Heaven c. Phil. 3.20 Q. VVhat are the benefits that we have by His Ascention A. 1. Upon His Ascention we have the Comforter sent unto us St. Joh. 1.6.7 by whom He giveth His gifts to men Eph 4.8 1 Cor. 12. 2. He appeareth in the presence of God for us Heb. 9.24 So that If any man sin we have an Advocate with Father Jesus Christ the Righteous and He is the Propitiation for our sin and not for ours only but for the sins of the whole world 1. St. John 2.1 2. 3. Where He is there shall we be also St. John 14.3 17.24 Q. But why is the Session of Christ at the right hand of God added to this Article A. Because as His Ascention into Heaven setteth forth the glory and Majesty of His Person by the place where He is so this may shew the exercise of His power in that place Q. But is there any right hand or left with God A. No. For indeed God is a Spirit that hath neither flesh nor bones nor any part of a body Q. How then is it said that Christ is on the right hand of God A. This is a Trope or Metaphorical changing of the word as it is frequent to observe in holy Scriptures when we speak of God after the manner of men attributing to Him humane affections and members according to our capacities And yet indeed whenas He is a Spirit there can be nothing that hath any part of a body imagined to be in Man But because in our conversation with men we take Him to have the greatest honor which is placed on the right hand therefore transferring and comparing this to things in Heaven to express the glory of Christ which as Man He hath attained unto above all others Men and Angels we say that He is set on the right hand of the Father on the right hand of the Throne of Majesty in Heaven Heb. 8.1 And so accordingly we must take Sittting not for the site and posture of the body but for the firm and sure possession of that Royal Power and highest glory which He as Man hath received of the Father Who hath set Him on His own right hand in Heavenly places far above all Principalities and Powers c. Eph. 1.20 21 22 23. Q. What do you observe in the seventh Article concerning His coming again to Judge the quick and the dead A. The four last things viz. Death Judgment Hell and Heaven Q. How do you gather these three A. Because first it is appointed for all men once to die or else to be changed at the last day Then cometh the Judgment and by this they that are acquitted shall go into Heaven and they that are condemned shall go into Hell And this will be the last act of Christs Office Then He shall deliver up
eternal happiness of the eight Beatitudes Q. Which be the five Senses A. 1. Seeing 2. Hearing 3. Touching 4. Tasting 5. Smelling Q. Which are the four Cardinal Moraâ— Virtues A 1. Prudence 2. Justice 3. Fortitude 4. Temperance Q. Which be the three Theological Virtues A. 1 Faith 2. Hope 3. Charity Q. What be the seven guifts of the Holy Ghost A. 1. Wisdom 2. Understanding 3. Counsel 4. Fortitude 5. Knowledge 6. Godliness 7. The Fear of the Lord. Q. Which be the twelve Fruits of the Holy Ghost A. 1. Love 2. Joy 3. Peace 4. Patience 5. Benignity 6. Goodness 7. Longanimity 8. Mildness 9. Faith 10. Modesty 11. Continence 12. Chastity Q. Which be the three kinds of Good Works A. 1. Alms. 2. Prayer 3. Fasting Q. What be the seven works of Corporal Mercy A. 1. To feed the hungry 2. To give drink to the thirsty 3. To cloath the naked 4. To visit and redeem the Captives 5. To harbour the harbourless 6. To visit the sick 7. To bury the dead Q. What be the seven works of Spirituaâ— Mercy A. 1. To correct the sinner 2. To instruct the ignorant 3. To counsel the doubtful 4. To comfort the sorrowful 5. To take wrongs patiently 6. To forgive wrongs willingly 7. To pray for all men Q. What be the Offices of Christian Justice A. 1. To decline all evil 2. To do all good Q. VVhich be the eight Beatitudes A. 1. Blessed are the poor in spirit For theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven St. Mat. 5. 2. Blessed are the meek For they shall possess the earth 3. Blessed are they that mourn For they shall be comforted 4. Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness For they shall be filled 5. Blessed are the merciful For they shall find mercy 6. Blessed are the clean in heart For they shall see God 7. Blessed are the Peace-makers For they shall be called the Sons of God 8. Blessed are they that suffer persecution for righteousness sake For theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven Q. VVho are the persons sanctified by the Holy Ghost A. In one word they are the Church Q. VVhat is the Church A. The Church is a visible company of Christs faithful people for whom He the Son of God taking upon Him the Nature of Man did and suffered all things necessary to their Salvation Q. VVhat do you observe in your Creed concerning the Church A. 1. Her Being that there is a Church 2. Her Proprieties 3. Her Priviledges Q. What are the Prproieties of the Church A. 1. One 2. Holy 3. Catholick 4. Apostolick 5. A Communion of Saints Q. VVhat are the Priviledges of the Church A. 1. Concerning the Soul Forgiveness of Sins 2. Concerning the body Resurrection of the Body 3. Concerning both Body and Soul Life Everlasting Q. What needs this be an Article of your Christian Faith that the Church hath a being For do not all Jews Turks and Infidels c. believe that there is a Church A. They believe that there is such a Sect of Christians in the world as we call the Church But they believe it not to have such means of Salvation such saving truth in the Word such efficacy in the Sacraments such power of binding and loosing such proprieties and priviledges as I believe to be in the Church Q. VVhat is the first propriety of the Church A. To be one Q. How do you say the Church is but One A. The whole multitude of Believers dispersed far and wide over the whole world is but One Collective Mystical Body of our Lord Jesus Christ Therefore I say I believe the Church Not Churches in the plural number but in the singular number One Church as it is intimated in the Apostles Creed and expressed in the Nicene Creed And so it is written There is One Body and One Spirit even as you are called in One hope of your calling One Lord One Faith One Baptism One God and Father of all who is above all and through all and in us all Eph. 4.4 5 6. As it is but One Body so it hath but One Head One Supream invisible Rector or Governor even Christ Jesus our Lord whom the Father hath given to be Head of the Church which is His Body Eph. 1.22 23. Thus the Church is but One because She teacheth in all places and at all times one and the same Doctrine of Faith Administreth the same Sacraments is guided by the same Spirit and hath the same invisible Head And so the particular Members though they cannot be all together in one place ought to be of one mind and endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of Peace Q. What is the second Propriety of the Church A. She is Holy Q. How is the Church said to be Holy A. First As all things consecrated and set a part for Religious uses are said to be holy so all the Faithful are holy that have dedicated themselves and given up their names in Baptism unto Christ And so then again In Him the Church is holy as a Body that is joyned to an holy Head from Whom as from the Fountain of all holiness the Graces of the Holy Ghost and the Riches of the goodness of the Father are diffused and derived Lastly She is Holy because of the Holy Word that is Preached the Holy Sacraments that are Administred the Holy Service that is performed and the Holy Lives that are practised in the Church Q. VVhy is She called Catholick A. Catholick is as much as General and Universal and then therefore She is called Catholick because being dispersed throughout the whole world She doth in Her Motherly bosome receive embrace and safe-keep all persons of all times places and Nations so that they be of one mind and consent in the Faith and Doctrine of Christ Q VVhy is the Church called Apostolick A. This was added by the Fathers of Nice and Constantinople to prove the Church truly Catholick in that the Doctrine thereof which all men of former ages in all Nations had received and all for the present and hereafter are bound to stand to as received from the very Apostles themselves and from their writings Q. VVhy is the Church called the Communion of Saints A. 1. In respect of Christ the Head in whose benefits every Member hath a common interest in that He took upon Him the Nature of Man not of this or that particular but of all in general and so for all men that believe in Him He effectually suffered all things necessary for their Salvation 2. In regard of the society of all the Elect people of God all the faithful Members of the Church both Militant and Triumphant that have been are or shall be in all times and in all places who hold an inseparable Communion and Unity among themselves as Members of one and the self same body and do help and assist one another with mutual acts of mercy and all good works among whom there is