receivers are not after a corporal carnal manner but by faith made partakers of his Body Blood with all his benefits to their spiritual nourishment and growth in grace e 1 Cor. 11. 23 24 25 26. 10. 16 Q. What is required to the worthy receiving of the Lords Supper A. It is required of them that would worthily pertake of the Lords Supper that they examine themselves of their knowledge to discerne the Lords body f 1 Cor. 11. 28 29. of their faith to feed upon him g 2 Cor 13. 5 of their repentance h 1 Cor. 11. 31. love i 1 Cor. 10. 16 17. and new obedience k 1 Cor. 5. 7 8. lest coming unworthily they eat drink judgment to themselves l 1 Cor. 11. 28 19. Q. What is Prayer A. Prayer is an offering up of our desires to God m Ps 62. 8. for things agreeable to his will n 1 John 5. 14. in the name of Christ o Joh. 16. 23 with confession of our sins p Ps 32. ◠6. Dan. 9. 4 and thankful acknowledgment of his mercies q Phil. 4. 6. Q. What rule hath God given for our direction in Prayer A. The whole Word of God is of use to direct us in Prayer r 1 Joh. 5 14 but the speciall rule of direction is that form of Prayer which Christ taught his Disciples commonly called The Lords Prayer s Mat. 6. 9 10 11 12 13 with Luke 11. 2 3 4. Q. What doth the Preface of the Lords Prayer teach us A. The Preface of the Lords Prayer which is Our Father which art in Heaven t Mat. 6. 9. teacheth us to draw neer to God with all holy reverence and confidence as children to a father able to help us u Rom. 8. 15. Luke 11. 13 and that we should pray with and for others w Acts 12. 5 1 Tit. 2. 1 2 Q What do we pray for in the first Petition A. In the first Petition which is Hallowed be thy Name x Mat 6. 9. we pray that God would enable us and others to glorifie him in all that whereby he maketh himselfe known y Ps 67 2 3 and that he would dispose all things to his own glory z Psal 83. throughout Q What do we pray for in the second Petition A. In the second Petition which is Thy Kingdome come a Mat. 6. 10 we pray that Satans Kingdom may be destroyed b Ps 18 18 and that the Kingdome of grace may be advanced c Rev. 12 10 11 our Rom. 10. John 17. 1◠2. selves and others brought in to it kept in it d 2 Thes 3 11. and that the Kingdom of glory may be hastned e Rev. 22 20. Q. What do we pray for in the third Petition A. In the third Petition which is Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven f Mat. 6. 10 we pray that God by his grace would make us able and willing to know obey submit to his Will in all things g Psal 67 throughout Ps 119. 36 Mat. 26. 39 2 Sam. 15 25. Iob 1. 21 as the Angels do in heaven h Psal 103 20 21 Q What do we pray for in the fourth Petition A In the fourth Petition which is Give us this day our daily bread i Mat. 6. 11 we pray that of Gods free gift we may receive a competent portion of the good things of this life and enjoy his blessing with them k Prov. 30 8 9 Gen. 18. 2 1 Tim. 4. 4 5. Q. What do we pray for in the fifth Petition A In the fifth Petition which is And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debttors l Mat. 6. 12 we pray that God for Christs sake would freely pardon all our sins m Psal 51 1 2 7 9 Dan 9. 17 18 19 which we are the rather incouraged to ask because by his grace we are inabled from the heart to forgive others n Luk 11. 4 Mat 18. 35 Q What do we pray for in the sixth Petition A. In the sixth Petition which is And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil o Ma◠6. 13 we pray that God would either keep us from being tempted to sin p Cor 12 or support and deliver us when weare tempted q 2 〈◊〉 1 8 6. 13 Q What doth the conclusion of the Lords prayer teach A. The conclusion of the Lords Prayer which is For thine is the kingdom the Mat 26. 4 power and the glory for ever Amen r Mat. 4 Teacheth us to take our incouragement in prayer from God only s Dan. 9. 6 7 8 9 1◠17 18 19 and in our prayers to praise him ascribing kingdom power and glory to him t 1 Chr. 29. And in testimony of our desire and assurance to be heard we say Amen u. The Ten COMMANDMENTS Exodus 20. GOD spoke all these words saying I am the Word thy God which have brought thée out of the land of Egypt out of the house of bondage I. Thou shalt have no other Gods before me II. Thou shalt not make unto thée any graven image or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above or that is in ye earth beneath or that is in the water under the earth thou shalt not bow down thy self to them nor serve them for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and kéep my Commandements III. Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain IV. Remember the Sabath day to kéep it holy Six days shalt thou labor and do an thy work but the seventh day is the Sabath of thy Lord thy God in it thou shalt not doe any work thou nor thy sonne nor thy daughter nor thy man-servant nor thy maid servant nor thy cattell nor thy stranger that within thy gates for in six day the Lord made heaven and earth the sea and all that in them is and rested the seventh day and hallowed it V. Honor thy father and thy mother that thy dayes may be long in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thée VI. Thou shalt not kill VII Thou shalt not commit adultery VIII Thou shalt not steal IX Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor X. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbors house thou shalt not covet thy neighbors wife nor his man-servant nor his maid-servant nor his ox nor ass nor any thing that is thy neighbors The LORDS PRAYER Matth. 6. OUr Father which art in Heaven Hallowed be thy Name Thy Kingdome come Thy will be done in earth as it is in Heaven Give us this day our daily bread And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive them that trespass against us And lead us not in to temptation but deliver us from evill For thine is the Kingdome and the power and the glory for ever Amen The CREED I Believe in God the Father Almighty maker of Heaven and Earth And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord which was conceived by the Holy Ghost born of the Virgin Mary suffered under Pontious Pilate was crucified dead and buried he descended into * That is continued in the state of the dead and under the power of Death till the third day Hell the third day he rose againe from the dead he ascended into Heaven and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead I believe in the Holy Ghost the holy Catholick Church the Communion of Saints the forgiveness of sins the Resurrection of the body and Life everlasting Amen SO many of every Question both in the larger and shorter Catechism is repeated in the Answer as maketh every Answer an intire Proposition or sentence in it self to the end the Learner may further improve it upon all occasions for his increase of knowledge
Die Lunae 25. September 1646. IT is this day Ordered by the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled That this Shorter Catechism be forthwith printed and published wherein Master Henry Roborough and Mr. Adoniram Byfield Scribes of the Assembly of Divines are required to use all possible care and diligence that it be from time to time faithfully and exactly done And for preventing of all abuse therein It is further Ordered that no person whatsoever do presume to print or reprint the same in any Volume but only such as shall be appointed and authorized thereunto by the said Scribes And that no person or persons shall presume to sell barter or any way to spread or convey any Book or Copies of the said Catechism printed without the appointment abovesaid upon pain of forfeiture of the whole Impression if any such be so printed and of all such Books or Copies thereof as shall be offered to sale bartering or be any otherways spread And all and every person offending in any of the premises to be lyable to such further punishment as the Contempt of an Ordinance of Parliament shall deserve Provided that this restriction of printing shall continue for one whol year and no longer Jo. Brown Cleric Parliamentorum H. Elsing Cler. Parl. Dom. Com THE GROVNDS AND PRINCIPLES OF RELIGION Contained in A Shorter Catechism According to the Advice of the Assembly of DIVINES sitting at Westminster to be used throughout the Kingdome of England and Dominion of Wales ORdered by the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament that this Catechism be forthwith Printed and published Jo. Brown Cler Parliamentorum Hen. Elsing Cler. Parl. D. Com. Anno Dom. 1646. THE GROUNDS and PRINCIPLES of RELIGION Contained in a shorter CATECHISM According to the Advice of the Assembly of Divines sitting at Westminister to be used throughout the Kingdome of England and Dominion of Wales QUESTION WHat is the chief and of Man A. Mans chief end is to glorifie God a 1 Cor. 10 31. Rom. 11 36. and to enjoy him for ever b Ps 73. 20 to the end Q. What rule hath God given to direct us how we may glorifie and enjoy him A. The word of God which is contained in the Scriptures of the old New Testament c 2 Tim. 3 16. Eph. 2. 20 is the onely rule to direct us how we may glorifie and enjoy him d 1 Joh 1 3 4 Q. What do the Scriptures principally teach A. The Scriptures principally teach what man is to believe concerning God and what duty God requires of man e 2 Tim 1. 13 and 3. 16. Q What is God A. God is a Spirit f Joh. 4. 24. infinite g Job 11. 7 8 9. eternal h Ps 90. 2. unchangeable i Jam 17. in his being k Exod. 3. 14. wisdom l Ps 145 7. power m Rev. 4. 8. holines n Rev. 14. 4 justice goodnes and truth o Exod. 34. 6. 7. Q. Are there more gods then one A. There is but one onely the living and true God p Deut. 6. 4 Jer 10. 10. Q How many persons are there in the Godhead A. There are three Persons in the Godhead the Father the Son the holy Ghost and these three are one God the same in substance equall in power and glory q 1 Joâ— 5 7. Mat. 28 19 Q What are the decrees of God A. The decrees of God are his eternall purpose according to the Councel of his Will whereby for his own glory he hath foreordained whatsoever comes to pass r Eph. 1. 4 11. Rom. 9. 22. 23. Gen. 1. Heb. 11. 3. Q. How doth God execute his decrees A. God executeth his decrees in the works of Creation and Providence Q What is the worke of Creation A. The worke of Creation is Gods making all things of nothing by the Word of his power in the space of six dayes and all very good Q. How did God create man A. God created man male and famale after his own Image in knowledge righteousnesse holinesse with dominion over the creatures t Gen. 1. 26 27 28. Q. What are Gods works of providence A. Gods works of providence are his Col. 3. 10. Joh. 4. 24. most holy u Ps 145. 17 wise w Ps 104. 24 Isa 28. 29. and powerfull preserving x Heb. 1. 3. and governing all his creatures and all their actions y Ps 103. 19 Mat. 10. 29 30 31 Q. What spirituall act of Providence did God exercise towards man in the state wherein he was created A. When God had created man he entered into a Covenant of life with him upon condition of perfect obedience for bidding him to eat of the tree of knowledg of good and evil upon pain of death z Gal. 3. 12 Gen. 2. 17 Q Did our first Parents continue in the estate wherein they were created A Our first Parents being left to the freedome of their own will fell from the estate wherein they were created by sinning against God a Gen. 3. 6 7 8 13. Eccles 7. 29 Q. What is sin A. Sin is any want of conformity unto or transgression of the Law of God b 1 Joh. 3. 4. Q What was the sin whereby our first Parents fell from the estate wherein they were created A. The sin whereby our first Parents fell from the state wherein they were created was their eating the forbidden fruite Q Did all mankind fall in Adams first transgression Gen. 3. 6 12. A. The Covenant being made with Adam not only for himself but for his posterity all mankind descending from him by ordinary generation sinned in him fell with him in his first transgression d Gen. 2. 16 17. Rom. 5. 12. 1 Cor. 15 21 22 Q. Into what estate did the fall bring mankind A. The fall brought mankind into an estate of sin and misery e Rom. 5. 12 Q Wherein consists the sinfulnesse of that estate whereinto man fell A. The sinfulnesse of that estate where into man fell consists in the guilt of Adams first sin the want of original righteousnes the corruption of his whol nature which is commonly called original sin together with all actuall transgressions which proceeded from it f Rom. 5. 12 19. Q. What is the misery of that estate whereinto man fell A. All mankind by their fall lost communion with God g Rom. 5. 10 to 20 are under his wrath and curse h Eph. 2. 1 2 3. Gal. 3 10. so made liable to all miseries in this life to death it self to the paines of hel for ever i Lam. 3. 39 Rom. 6. 23 Mat. 25 41 â—6 Q. Did God leave all mankind to perish in the estate of sin and misery A. God having out of his meer good pleasure from all eternity elected som to everlasting life k Eph. 1. 4 did enter into a Covenant of grace to deliver them out
for the rule of his obedience A. The rule which God as first revealed to man for his obedience was the Moral Law b Rom. 14. 15. 10. 5. Q. Where is the Moral Law summarily comprehended A. The Moral Law is summarily comprehended in the Ten Commandements c Deut. 10. 4 Q. What is the summe of the Ten Commandments A. The sum of the Ten Commandements is to love the Lord our God with all our heart withal our soul withal our strength and withall our mind and our neighbour as our selves d Mat. 〈…〉 38 39 40. Q. What is the Preface to the Ten commandment A. The preface to the Tene Commandments is in these words e Exo. 20. 2. I am the LORD thy God which have brought the out of the land of Egypt out of the house of bondage Q What doth the Preface to the Ten Commandments teach us A. The preface to the Ten Commandments teacheth us that because God is the LORD and our God and Redeemer therefore we are bound to keep all his Commandments f Luk 1 74 75. 1 〈◊〉 16 17 18 19. g Exod. 20. 3 Q Which is the first Commandment A. The first Commandment is Thou shalt have no other Gods before me Q What is required in the first Commandment A. The first commandment requireth us to know and acknowledge God to be the only true God and our God h 1 Chron. 28. 9. Deut. 26. 17 and to worship and glorifie him accordingly i Mark 4. 10 Ps 29 2. Q What is forbidden in the first Commandment A. The first commandment forbideth the denying k Ps 14 1â— or not worshipping and glorifying the true God as God l Ro. 11. 21. and our God m Ps 81. 10. 15. and the giving that worship and glory to any other which is due to him alone n Rom. 1. 25 26. Q. What are we specially taught by these words Before me in the first Commandment A. These words Before me in the first Commandment teach us that God who seeth all things taketh notice of and is much displeased with the sin of having any other o Ezek. 8. 5. to the eud Which is the second Commandment A. The second Commandment is Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven imag or any likenesse of any thing that is in heaven above or that is in the earth beneath or that is in the water under the earth thou shalt not bow down thy self to them nor serue them For I the Lord thy God am a jealious God visiting iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate 〈◊〉 shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and kéep my Commandments Q What is required in the second Commandment p Exod. 〈◊〉 4 5 6. A. The second Commandment requireth the receiving observing and keeping pure and entire all such religious worship and Ordinances as God hath appointed in his Word q Q. What is forbiden in the second Commandment A. The second Commandment requireth the receiving observing and keeping pure and entire all such religious worship and Ordinances as God hath appointed in his Word q Deut. 32. 46. Mat. 28. 20. Acts 2. 42. Q What is forbiden in the second Commandment A. The second Commandment forbideth the worshipping of God by Images r Deut. 4. 15 16 17 18 19. or any other way not appointed in his Word s Exod. 32. 5 8. Q. What are the Reasons annexed to the second Commandment A. The Reasons annexed to the second Commandment are Gods Sovereignty over us t Ps 95. 2 3 6. his Propriety in us u Ps 4 5. 11 and his zeal he hath to his own Worship w Exod. 34 13 14. Q. What is the third commandment A The third CoÌ„mandment is Thou shalt x Exod. 20 7. not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain For the Lord will not hold him guiltnesse that taketh his name in vain Q. What is there required in the third Commandment A. The third Commandment requireth the holy and reverent fear of Gods Name y Mat. 6. 9. Deut 28 58. Titles z Ps 68. 4. Attributes a Rev. 15. 3 4. Ordinances b Mal. 1. 11 14. Word c Ps 138. 1 2. and works d Job 36. 24 Q. What is forbidden in the third Commandment Commandment are Gods allowing us six days of the week for our own imploiments Isa 58. 13. s Exod. 20. 11. his challenging a special propriety in the seventh his own example and his blessing the Sabbath day t. Q Which is the fifth Commandment A The fifth Commandment is Honor thy Father and thy Mother that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee u Exod. 20. 21. Q What is required in the fifth CoÌ„mandment A. The fifth Commandment requireth the preserving the honor and performing the duties belonging to every one in their several places relations as superiours w Eph. 5. 2 Inferiours x 1 Pet. 2. 17. or Equals y Rom. 12. 20. Q What is forbidden in the fifth CoÌ„mandment A. The fifth commandment forbiddeth the neglecting of or doing any thing against the honor and duty which belongeth to every one in their several places and relations z Mat. 15. 4 5 6. Ezek. 34. 2. 3. 4. Rom. 13. 8. Q. What is the reason annexed to the fifth Commandment A. The Reason annexed to the fifth Commandment is a promise of long life and prosperity as far as it shall serve for Gods glory and their own good to all such as keep this Commandment a Deut. â—5 16. Eph. 6. 2. 〈◊〉 Exod. 20. 17. Q. Which is the sixth Commandment A. The sixth Commandment is Thou shalt not kill b Exod. 20. 13. Q What is required in the sixth Commandment A The sixth Commandment requireth all lawfull endeavors to preserve our own life c Eph. 5. 28 29. and the life of others d 1 Kings 18. 〈◊〉 Q What is forbidden in the sixth Commandment A. The sixth Commandment forbiddeth the taking away of our own life or the life of our neighbour unjustly or whatsoever tendeth thereunto e Act 16. 28. Gen. 9. 6. Q Which is the seventh Commandment A The seventh Commandment is Thou shalt not commit adultry f Exod. 20. 14. Q What is required in the seventh Commandment A. The seventh commandment requireth the preservation of our own our neighbors chastity in heart speech and behaviour g 1 Co. 7 2 3 5. 34 36. Col. 4. 6. 1 Pet. 3. 2. Q What is forbidden in the seventh Commandment A The seventh commandment forbiddeth all unchaste thoughts words and actions h Maâ— 15. 19 5. 28. Eph. 5. 3 4 Q. Which is the eighth commandment A. The eighth Commandment is Thou shalt not steal i Exo. 20. 1â— Q What is required in the