6. HOW many Persons are there in the Godhead A. There are three Persons in the Godhead the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost and these three are one God the same in substance equal in Power and Glory Q. 1. VVhat mean you by the word Godhead A. It is the Nature Essence or Being of God as the Apostle speaks Acts 17.29 Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold or silver or stone graven by art and mans device Q. 2. VVhat is a Person in the Godhead A. It is the Godhead distinguished by personal Properties each person having his distinct personal Properties Heb. 1.3 VVho being the brightness of his glory and the express image of his person upholding all things by the word of his power Q. 3. How doth it appear there are three persons and no more A. First From Christ's Baptism Matt. 3.16 17. And Iesus when he was baptized went up straitway out of the water and Io the heavens were opened unto him and he saw the spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting upon him and lo a voice from heaven saying This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased Q. 4. How else in the second place doth it appear A. From the Institution of our Baptism Mat. 28.19 Go ye therefore teach all nations baptizing them in the name of the father of the son and of the holy ghost Q. 5. VVhat is the third Proof from Scripture A. From the Apostolical Benediction 2 Cor. 13.14 The grace of our Lord Iesus Christ and the love of God and the communion of the Holy Ghost be with you all Amen Where three distinct blessings are wisht from the three divine persons in the Godhead Grace from Christ Love from the Father and Communion with the Spirit Q. 7. What farther evidence is there of it in the Scripture A. From plain positive assertions of the Scripture asserting First A Trinity of Persons Secondly A Unity of Essence 1 Ioh. 5.7 For there are three that bear record in heaven the father the word and the holy Ghost and these three are one Q. 7. VVhat is the first Instruction from the Trinity A. That the Doctrine of the Gospel concerning Christ is fully confirmed and ratified by three witnesses from Heaven who are above all exceptions 1 Ioh. 5.7 For there are three that bear record in heaven the father the word and the Holy Ghost Q. 8. What is the second Instruction from the Trinity A. Hence we learn the true order and manner of worshipping God in the Son Ioh. 16.23 Whatsoever ye shall ask the father in my name he will give it you And by the Spirit Eph. 6.18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the spirit Q. 9. What is the third Instruction from the Trinity A. That the Covenant of Grace conveys a rich portion to Believers in making over all three persons to them Ier. 31.33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days saith the Lord I will put my law in their inward parts and write it in their hearts and I will be their God and they shall be my people Q. 10. What is the fourth Instruction from the Trinity A. That as it is the duty of all the Saints to give distinct glory to the three persons in the Godhead so it will be a special part of their blessedness in Heaven to contemplate the distinct benefits received from them all Rev. 1.5 And from Iesus Christ who is the faithful witness and the first begotten of the dead and the Prince of the Kings of the Earth unto him that loved us and washed us from our sins in his own blood Of God's Decrees Quest. 7. WHat are the Decrees of God A. The Decrees of God are his eternal purpose according to the counsel of his will whereby for his own glory he hath fore-ordained whatsoever comes to pass Q. 1. What things are Decreed of God A. All things whatsoever come to pass even the smallest Eph. 1.11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all thing after the counsel of his own will Q. 2. What is the End of God's Decrees A. The Glory of his own Name Eph. 1.11 12. Who worketh all things according to the counsel of his own will that we should be to the praise of his glory who first trusted in Christ. Q. 3. But there are some evil things done in the World do they fall under God's Decree A. Though God doth neither approve them nor necessitate men to commit them yet he doth permit and suffer them to be done and will turn them to his own Glory Acts 4.27 28. For of a truth against thy holy child Iesus whom thou hast anointed both Herod and Pontius Pilate with the Gentiles and the people of Israel are gathered together for to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done Q. 4. Who are the Objects of God's Special Decrees A. Angels and Men are the Objects of God's Special Decrees 1 Tim. 5.21 I charge thee before God and the Lord Iesus Christ and the elect angels that thou observe these things c. Rom. 8.33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect Q. 5. What is the First Property of God's Decrees A. That they are most wise Acts of God laid in the depth of Wisdom and Counsel Rom. 11.33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments and his ways past finding out Q. 6. What is the Second Property of God's Decrees A. The Decrees of God are most free all flowing from the meer pleasure of his Will Rom. 9.18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy and whom he will he hardeneth Q 7. What is the Third Property of God's Decrees A. They are most firm and stable 2 Tim. 2.19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure having this seal the Lord knoweth them that are his Zech. 6.1 Q. 8. What is the fourth Property of God's Decrees A. They are eternal and before all time Acts 15.18 Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world Q. 9. VVhat is th Fifth Property of God's Decrees A. They are most pure and altogether unspotted of sin 1 John 1.5 This is the message which we have heard of him and declare unto you That God ie light and in him is no darkness at all Q. 10. VVhat is the First Instruction from God's Decrees A. That we ought to ascribe nothing to Chance but to the appointment or providence of God Prov. 16.33 The lot is cast into the lap but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Q. 11. VVhat is the Second Instruction from God's Decrees A. That God's hand is to be acknowledged in the greatest Afflictions that befalls us 2 Sam. 16.11
the Old-Testament believers died yet the virtue of Christ's Death extends to them as well as us Heb. 11.39 40. And these all having obtained a good report through faith received not the promise God having provided some better thing for us that they without us should not be made perfect Q. 6. Why would not God deliver us without such a Redeemer A Because it was not so much for the honour of his Justice Rom. ◠25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past through the forbearance of God To declare I say at this time his righteousness that he might be just and the justifier of him that believeth in Iesus Q. 7. What is the first Instruction hence A. That all that are out of Christ are in a miserable Bondage and Captivity Iohn 8.36 If the son therefore shall make you free ye shall be free indeed Q. 8. What is the second Instruction A. Hence see the heinous nature of Sin which required such a price to satisfy for it 1 Pet. 1.18 19. VVe were not redeemed with corruptible things as silver and gold but with the precious blood of Christ as of a lamb without blemish and without spot Q. 9. VVhat is the third Iustruction hence A. The wonderful love of Christ in redeeming us at such a rate Rev. 1.5 Who loved us and washed us from our sins in his own blood Q. 10. What is the last Instruction A. This strongly obligeth us to an universal holiness 1 Cor. 6.20 For ye are bought with a price therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit which are Gods Of Christ's Incarnation Quest. 22. HOw did Christ being the Son of God become man A. Christ the Son of God became man by taking to himself a true Body and a reasonable Soul being conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost in the womb of the Uirgin Mary and born of her yet without Sin Q. 1 Who is the only Redeemer of God's Elect A. The Lord Jesus Christ is their only Redeemer and there is no other Redeemer besides him Acts 4.12 Neither is there salvation in any other for there is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved Q. 2. How is he the Son of God or can be as no other is so A. He is the Son of God by Nature from all Eternity and so no Angel or Saint is Heb. 1.5 For unto which of the Angels said he at any time Thou art my son this day have I begotten thee Q. 3 VVhy was it necessary he should become man A. That he might be capable to suffer Death in our room Heb. 2.15 16 17. For verily he took not on him the nature of angels but he took on him the seed of Abraham wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God to make reconciliation for the sins of the people Q. 4. Why must the Redeemer be God as well as Man A. Because the blood of a meer man could not satisfy and redeem us Acts 20.28 Feed the church of God which he hath purchased with his own blood Q. 5. Do these two Natures make two Persons A. No The Humane Nature is united to the second Person and subsists in union with it Iohn 1.14 And the word was made flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld his glory the glory as of the only begotten of the father full of grace and truth Q 6. VVas the Union only for a time A. No It continues and abides for ever Heb. 7.24 But this man because he continueth ever hath an unchangeable 〈…〉 Q. 7. What is the first Instruction hence A Hence we learn the transcendent love of God to poor Sinners Iohn 3.16 God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth on him should not perish but have everlasting life Q 8. What is the second Instruction A. Hence we learn the matchless love of Christ that he should stoop to such a condition for us 2 Cor. 8.9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Iesus Christ that though he was rich yet for your sakes he became poor that ye through his poverty might be made rich Q. 9 What is the third Instruction A. That the greatest Sins are capable of remission to Believers Iohn 1.29 Behold the lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the world Q 10. What is the fourth Instruction A. That those that be in Christ need not fear the denial or want of an◠other mercy Rom 8.32 He that spared not his own son but delivered him up for us all how shall he not with him also freely give us all things Q. 11. What is the fifth Instruction A. Hence we learn how impious it is to ascribe any part of the glory of redemption to any other besides Christ Q. 12. What is the sixth Instruction A. This teaches us the miserable condition of all that are out of Christ and the necessity of their damnation he being the only Redeemer Of the Manner of Christ's Incarnation Quest. 1. WAS Christ's Incarnation a voluntary act in him A. Yes it was for though he had a command to die for us Iohn 10.18 No man taketh it from me but I lay it down of my self I have power to lay it down and I have power to take it again Yet he came willingly Psal 40.6 7. Sacrifice and offerings thou didst not desire mine ears hast thou opened burnt offerrings and sin offerings hast thou not required lo I come in the volume of thy book it is written of me V. 8. I delight to do thy 〈…〉 Q. 2. Was the Body of Christ a real and true Humane Body A. Yes it was a true and real Body not the appearance and shape of a Body only Luke 24.38 And he said unto them Why are ye troubled and why do thoughts arise in your hearts Ver. 29. Behold my hands and my feet that it is I my self handle me and see for a spirit hath not flesh and bones as ye see me have Q. 3. Had he a true Humane Soul as well as a Body A. Yes he had a real Humane Soul also and all the natural faculties and powers thereof Mat. 26.38 Then saith he unto them My soul is exceeding sorrowful even unto death Q. 4. Was he then in all respects like to other men A. No his conception was not like others Isa. 7.14 Behold a virgin shall conceive and bear a son and shall call his name Emanuel And he had no sin in him as others have Heb. 7.26 For such an high priest became us who is holy harmless undefiled separate from sinners Q. 5. Did Christ put off the Humane Nature at his Ascention A. No he did not but carried it up to glory and now is in our Nature in Heaven 1 Tim.
Author of Sanctification A. God only Iude ver 1. To them that are sanctified by God the Father Q. 3. What is the instrument of it A. The Word of God Iohn 17.17 Sanctify them througâ— thy truth thy word is truth Q. 4 What part of man is sanctified A. Every part both of the Soul and Body 1 Thes. 5.23 And the very God of peace sanctâ—â—y you wâ—olly and I pray God your whole spirit soul and body be prâ—served blameless unto the coming of our Lord Iesus Christ Q. 5. Is Sanctification perfected at once A. No but by degrees 2 Pet. 3.18 But grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Iesus Christ. Q. 6. VVhen will it be made perfect A. When we come to Heaven and not before 1 Cor. 13.10 11. But when that which is perfect is come then that which is in part shall be done away Q. 7. What are the signs of true Sanctification A. When it runs into all parts of our Conversation 1 Pet. 1.15 But as he which hath called you is holy so be ye holy in all manner of conversation Secondly And continues to the end Rev. 22.11 Let him that is holy be holy still Q. 8. What is the inseparable companion of Sanctification A. Righteousness towards men Luke 1.74 75. That he would grant unto us that we being delivered out of the hands of our enemies might serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all the days of our life Q. 9. What is opposite to Sanctification A. All filthiness of Flesh and Spirit 2 Cor. 7.1 Having therefore these promises dearly beloved let us cleanse our selves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit Q. 10. What is the priviledge of the sanctified A. They are all elected and shall be glorified 1 Pet. 1. 2 4 Elect according to the fore-knowledge of God the father through sanctification of the spirit to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that fadeth not away reserved in heaven for you Q. 11. What is the case of them who live and die unsanctified A. They shall never see God Heb. 12.14 Follow peace with all men and boliness without which no man shall see the Lord. Q. 12. What differenceth true from pretended Sanctification A. True Sanctification purgeth the heart from the love of sin Rom. 7.15 For that which I do I allow not And the life from the dominion of sin â—om â—â— 19. As ye have yielded your members servants to 〈◊〉 and to iniquity unto iniquity even so now yield youâ— members servants to righteousness unto holiness Q. 13. May great sinners be sanctâ—fied A. Yes the Spirit of God can sanctify the vilest heart 1 Cor. 6.11 And such were some of you but ye are washed but ye are sanctified Of Assurance the fruit of Iustification Quest. 36. WHAT are the benefits which in this life do either accompany or â—low from Iustification Adoption and Sanctification A. The benefits which in this life do either accompany or flow from Iustification Adoption and Sanctification are assurance of God's love peace of Conscience joy in the Holy Ghost increase of Grace and perseverance therein to the end Q. 1. Is Assurance possible to be attained in this Life A. Yes for fome have had it Cant. 6.3 I am my beloveds and my beloved is mine And all Christians are commanded to strive for it 2 Pet. 1.10 Wherefore the rather â—rethren give diligence to make your calling and election sure Q. 2. How many sorts of assurance are there A. There is an objective Assurance 2 Tim. 2.19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure having this seal The Lord knoweth them that are his And a subjective or personal Assurance Gal. 2.20 Who loved me and gave himself for me Q. 3. Is personal Assurance perfect in this Life A. No it admits of doubts and fears which interrupts it and it is not always at one height 1 Cor. 13.10 When that which is psrfect is come then that which is in part shall be done away Q. 4. On what Testimony is personal Assurance built A. Upon the Testimony of God's Spirit witnessing with ours Rom. â— 16 The spirit it self beareth witness with our spirit that we are the children of God Q. 5. Doth the Spirit make use of signs in us to 〈◊〉 us A. Yes Ordinarily he doth 1 Iohn 3.14 We know thâ—â— we are passed from death to life because we love the brethren Aâ— ver 24. Hereby we know that he abideth in us by the spirit whicâ— he hath given us Q. 6. How is true assurance discerned from presumption A. True assurance humbles the Soul Gal. 2.20 I 〈◊〉 crucified with Christ nevertheless I live yet not I but Chriâ—â— liveth in me And makes the Soul afraid of Sin 2 Cor. 7.1 Having therefore these promises dearly beloved let us cleanse 〈◊〉 selves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit perfecting holiness iâ— the fear of God Q. 7. What is the usual season of Assurance A. The time of greatest sufferings for Christ. 1 Pet. 4.14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ happy 〈◊〉 ye for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you Q. 8. Is personal Assurance absolutely necessary to Salvation A. No a man may be saved and in Christ without it Isa. 50.10 Who is among you that feareth the Lord that obeyeth the voice of his servant that walketh in darkness and hath no light Let him trust in the name of the Lord and stay upâ—â— his God Q. 9. What is the fruit of Assurance A. Joy unspeakable amidst outward Troubles Rom. 5.11 And not only so but we also joy in God through our Lord Iesus Christ by whom we have now received the atonement Q. 10. What sins usually eclipse our Assurance A. Negligence in duty starves it 2 Pet. 1.10 Give diligence to make your calling and election sure For if ye do these things ye shall never fall And sinning against light stabs it Psal. 51.8 Make me to hear joy and gladness that the bonâ— which thou hast broken may rejoyce Q. 11. What is the first Inference from this Doctrine A. That no unregenerate Person can have any Assurance for it is the fruit of Justification Adoption and Sanctification Q. 12. What is the second inference A. That all the Joys of Heaven are not to come buâ— â—ome communicated in this life 1 Pet. 1.8 Whom having not seen ye love in whom though now ye see him not yet believing ye rejoyce with joy unspeakable and full of glory Q. 13. What is the third inference A. That assured Believers need to be circumspect persons that they grieve not the Spirit Eph. 4.30 And grieve not the holy spirit of God whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption Of Peace of Conscience Quest. 1. WHat doth the word Peace signify in Scripture A. In the Language of the Old Testament it signifies all temporal good 1 Sam. 25.6 Peace be both to thee and peace be to thine house and peace be unto
A. Hence we learn the tender care and love of Christ over the Church in instituting such useful and comfortable Ordinances for us Of the number of Sacraments Quest. 93. WHich are the Sacraments of the New Testament A. The Sacraments of the New Testament are Baptism and the Lords Supper Q. 1. How many Sacraments hath Christ appointed in the New Testament A. Christ hath appointed two and no more these being sufficient for our initiation and confirmation Q. 2. How many have the Papists added to them A. They have added five more viz. Confirmation Penance Ordination Marriage and Extream Vnction Q. 3. What is their Sacrament of Confirmation A. It is the anointing of the Baptized with Chrism in the Forehead with this Form of Words I sign thee with the sign of the Cross and confirm thee with the Chrism of Salvation in the Name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost Q. 4. What 's their ground for this practice A. The abuse of that Scripture Heb. 6.2 Of the doctrine of baptisms and laying on of hands c. which by a figurative speech expresseth the whole standing Ministry in the Church by laying on of Hands Q. 5. What 's their Sacrament of Penance A. It is Repentance manifested by outward signs to which the word of Absolution coming makes it a Sacrament misgrounded on Iohn 20.23 Whosesoever sins ye remit they are remitted unto them and whosesoever sins ye retain they are retained Q. 6. What is their Sacrament of Orders or Ordination A. It is the laying on of Hands in Ordination of Ministers by which they conceive Spiritual Grace is given by mistake of 2 Tim. 1.6 Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God which is in thee by the putting on of my hands Q. 7. What 's their fourth superadded Sacrament A. It is Marriage grounded upon those words of the Apostle Eph. 5.32 This is a great mystery but I speak concerning Christ and the church Which only shews a similitude of our union with Christ not an instituted sign to that end Q. 8. What is their fifth superadded Sacrament A. Extream Unction or anointing the Sick near Death with consecrated Oyl grounded on Mark 6.13 And anointed with oyl many that were sick and healed them And Iam. 5.14 Is any sick among you let him call for the elders of the church and let them pray over him anointing him with oyl in the name of the Lord. Which are neither Sacramental-Rites nor of ordinary standing use in the Church but extraordinary and temporary for that Age. Q. 9. What learn we hence A. Hence we learn how apt men are to corrupt Gods Ordinances by their superstitious additions Matth. 15.9 Teaching for doctrines the commandments of men Q. 10. What 's the second Instruction hence A. How just and necessary our separation from Rome is who have grosly corrupted Gods Ordinances and left men no other remedy Rev. 13.6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God to blaspheme his name and his tabernacle and them that dwelt in heaven Q. 11. What 's the third Instruction A. That the reformation of Religion is an invaluable Mercy a great deliverance from Spiritual Bondage Rev. 11.19 And the temple of God was opened in heaven and there was seen in his temple the ark of this testament and there were lightnings and voices and thunderings and an earthquake and great hail Q. 12. What 's the fourth Instruction A. That Rome shall certainly fall and all her Adherents for the horrid injury done by them to Christ and the Souls of men Rev. 18.20 21. Rejoyce over her thou heaven and ye holy apostles and prophets for God hath avenged you on her And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great milstone and cast it into the Sea saying thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down and shall be found no more at all What is Baptism Quest. 94. WHat is Baptism A. Baptism is a Sacrament wherein the washing of Water in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost doth signifie and seal our ingrafting into Christ and partaking of the benefits of the Covenant of Grace and our engagement to be the Lords Q. 1. What is the external part of Baptism A. It is pure unmixed Water Heb. 10.22 And our bodies washed with pure water And therefore it 's a vile practice of Papists to add Oyl Salt and Spittle to Water in Baptism Q. 2. What doth Water in Baptism signifie A. It signifies the Blood of Christ Rev. 1.5 Vnto him that loved us and washed us from our sins in his own blood Q. 3. What 's the first resemblance it hath to Christs Blood A. In the freeness of it to all it represents the unpurchased Blood of Christ Isa. 55.1 Ho every one that thirsteth come ye to the waters and he that hath no money come ye buy and eat yea come buy wine and milk without money and without price Q. 4. What 's the second resemblance to Christs Blood A. It resembles it in its refreshing quality Water refresheth the thirsty so doth Christs Blood Iohn 6.35 He that believeth on me shall never thirst Q. What 's the third resemblance it hath to Christs Blood A. The cleansing property of Water shews the purifying vertue of Christs Blood Heb. â— 14 How much more shall the blood of Christ who through the eternal spirit offered himself without spot to God purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God Q 6. What 's the fourth resemblance it hath to Christs Blood A. It resembles it in the necessity of it for as the Body cannot live without Water so neither can the Soul without Christs Blood Heb. 9.23 It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these but the heavenly things themselves with bitter sacrifices than these Q. 7. What 's the fifth resemblance of Water to the Blood of Christ A. As Water neither refreshes nor purifies the Body without application so neither doth Christs Blood refresh or purifie the Soul till applyed 1 Cor. 1.30 But of him are ye in Christ Iesus who of God is made unto us wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and redemption Q. 8. Is it necessary to plunge the whole body under water in Baptizing every person A. The word Baptize signifying as well to wash as to plunge A person may be truly Baptized that is not plunged And we cannot think by the circumstances of time and place that the Iaylor in the night was carryed to a River out of the City Acts 16.33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes and was baptized he and all his straightway Q. 9. But is it not said John 3.23 That John was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim because there was much water there and they came and were baptized A. The word signifies many waters that is springs of waters there