whom none is able to withstand that with him nothing is impossible nothing is too hard for him and that he doth whatsoever he pleaseth in heaven and in earth and no thought of his can be hindered Q. What do you learn from Gods being Almighty A. From God's being Almighty I learn that we ought above all to fear him and to tremble at his presence as also to submit our selves unto him to humble our selves under his mighty hand and to walk before him and be perfect that is in all things obedient on the contrary to take heed how we provoke him to jealousie who is stronger than we and that we harden not our selves against him Q. What do you farther learn from God's being Almighty A. From God's being Almighty I farther learn that we ought to trust in him and not be afraid what man can do unto us for if God be for us who can be against us that we be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might and be fully perswaded that what God hath promised he is able also to perform Q What is meant by God's being Eternal A. By this that God is Eternal is meant that he is from everlasting to everlasting the beginning and the end which is and which was and which is to come that he is the same and his years have no end that he only hath immortality that is originally and from himself is uncorruptible unchangeable and liveth for ever and ever Q. What do you learn from God's being Eternal A. I learn from God's being Eternal that there is to be given unto him honour and glory for ever and ever that he is to be blessed from everlasting to everlasting and that we ought to trust in the Lord for ever for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength Q. You said that God is every where present what is meant thereby A. By this that God is every where present is meant that he fills heaven and earth yea the heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain him that his greatness is unsearchable so that there is no flying from his presence nor can any hide himself in secret places that God shall not see him Q. What do you learn from God's being every where present A. From God's being every where present I learn that we are to pray every where lifting up holy hands God being nigh unto all them that call upon him to all that call upon him in truth and if we pray to our Father which is in secret he which seeth in secret will reward us openly Q. What do you farther learn from God's being every where present A. I from thence farther learn that we ought to walk before him in truth and with a perfect heart and do that which is good in his sight that it concernsus to keep his precepts for that all our ways are before him and the eyes of the Lord are in every place beholding the evil and the good Q. Having seen what God is in his Nature and Attributes proceed we to the Works of God Tell me then who made the World and preserveth all things therein A. God the Lord alone made heaven the heaven of heavens with all their host the earth and all things that are therein the seas and all that is therein and he preserveth them all Q. What learn you from God's creating and preserving the World and all things therein A. I learn that God the Lord is worthy to receive glory and honour and power for that he hath created all things and through his pleasure they are and were created and because he preserveth man and beast and the whole earth is full of the goodness of the Lord our mouth should speak the praise of the Lord and all slesh bless his holy name for ever and ever Seeing that of him and through him are all things to him be glory for ever and ever Q Who governs the World and all things therein A. God that made the World and all things therein is Lord of heaven and earth he hath prepared his throne in the heavens and his Kingdom ruleth over all he doth whatsoever he pleaseth both in heaven and in earth and worketh all things according to the counsel of his own will Q. What learn you from God's governing the World and all things therein A. From God's governing the World and all things therein I learn that therefore the Earth should rejoice for justice and judgment are the habitation or establishment of his throne and mercy and truth shall go before his face and that from the rising of the Sun to the going down thereof God's name is to be praised for who is like unto the Lord our God who dwelleth on high and humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven and in earth Q. What do you farther learn from God's governing the world and all things therein A. I do farther learn from thence that we should say whatsoever befalleth us with Eli it is the Lord that is the Lord hath appointed or permitted it let him do what seemeth him good and with Christ not my will but thine be done and with Job whether the Lord giveth or taketh away blessed be the name of the Lord Q. What do you yet farther learn from God's governing the World and all things therein A. I do yet farther learn from thence that we should commit our way and work unto the Lord and in all our ways acknowledge him who then will direct our paths that we should trust in the living God who is the Saviour of all men especially of them that believe and cast all our care and burthen upon him who careth for us and will sustein us Q. How did God create man A. God made man upright and created him in his own image Q. Wherein doth God's image in man consist A. God's image in man doth consist in knowledge righteousness and true holiness and in the dominion which God made him to have over the works of his hands Q. Did our first parents Adam and Eve continue in that good estate wherein they were created A. No they fell from it by sinning against God in that they did eat of the tree whereof God commanded that they should not eat Q. What then followed upon Adam's Transgression A. By that one man sin entred into the world and death by sin and so death passed upon all men for that all have sinned for the wages of sin is death Q. Did God leave man to perish in this miserable condition or did he in love and pity to us provide a way and means for us to be saved from sin and death A. So God loved the
excellent judgment made it to consist of all the most necessary and important points of Religion and of none other 2. That so all Christians of what denomination soever may have no temptation to suspect the truth of it he hath composed it of Texis of Scripture and not taken liberty to express any one Doctrine whether relating to Faith or Manners in words of his own invention nor hath he any where made use of such Scriptural Phrases as to men of competent understandings are obscure or ambiguous or so much as seemingly misapplied any but all he useth are very pertinent to his purpose according to the apparent sence of them as I promise my self all persons not grosly silly or prejudic'd will bear me witness And whereas several phrases are briefly explained in other words it is done only for the sake of the most ignorant and to render them at first sight intelligible to the very lowest capacities Nor are any of those explications such as I can see may be called in question with any shadow of reason But besides that no man may think his judgment imposed upon by them taking notice that they are not to be esteemed as a part of the Catechism and that so it may readily be read without them they are all markt to be printed in a distinct Character and moreover inclosed with two stroaks as Parentheses In short the Reader may reap these following advantages by the careful perusal of this Catechism 1. He may be instructed thereby in the main body and substance of simple pure Christianity without the adulterations and spurious mixtures to borrow a phrase from a very excellent Doctor of Man-made Divinity 2. He may here at once and with the self-same labour be both taught the main points of his Religion and how to prove them 3. He here hath them expressed in the mâ—st affecting manner and with greatest authority because in the words of the holy Scriptures which are certainly more commanding strike with greater awe and a quicker and more pungent sense more powerfully influence our minds and sweetly insinuate their sence into our souls than can any of our own devising And I may hereto apply the well known Verse Dulciùs ex ipso fonte bibuntur aquae Pipe-waters vapid taste and dead To those drunk at the Fountain-head 4. He will hence evidently perceive that the Christian Religion is no Speculative but a purely Practical Science and that the design and business thereof is though those that would not have it so will not see it to make men inwardly and really Righteous to purify our souls from all fleshly and spiritual pollutions and endue us with a God-like and divine nature I shall now make two humble and earnest requests and then conclude my already too long Preface First That Parents and others that have the charge of Youth will be pleased to instruct them thoroughly in this Catechism I mean after they have well learnt and digested that which the Church hath set forth for them concerning which I must needs say that as it is very well adapted to the capacities of young ones so whatsoever too many do think of it it is an excellently good foundation to superstruct upon Secondly That those that are more than Children either in age or understanding will not disdain because this is a Catechism frequently to read it and consideratively to weigh and ponder it I have said enough to perswade my Readers not to deny me these requests Now the God of peace that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus that great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the everlasting Covenant make us perfect in every good work to do his will working in us that which is well-pleasing in his sight by blessing to us this and all those many other excellent helps he hath graciously afforded us for that purpose to whom be glory for ever and ever Amen Edward Fowler IMPRIMATUR Sam. Parker Ex Aed Lambethanis Novemb. 8. 1672. A Scripture-Catechism OR A FORM OF Sound Words Shewing What a Christian is to Believe and Practise in order to Salvation Quest. WHat is the main Duty and Concernment of Man Answ. To Fear God and keep his Commandements is the whole Duty of Man Q. What is God A. God is a Spirit most pure and holy most good merciful and gracious most just and rightcous most true and faithful All-knowing Almighty Eternal and every where present Q. How may it be known 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 Q. How many Gods are there A. There is none other God but one for though there be that are called Gods whether in Heaven or in earth as there'be Gods many and Lords many yet to us there is but oneGod the Father of whom are all things c. Q. What doth the Scripture affirm of the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost A The Scripture saith that there are three that hear Record in Heaven the Father the Word or the Son and the Holy Ghost and these three are one Q. What is meant by God's being a Spirit A. By God's being a Spirit is meant that he hath not flesh and bones that he cannot be handled or seen so that there is nothing to which we can liken him nor any likeness which we may compare unto him Q. What do you ' earn from this that God is a Spirit A. From this that God is a Spirit I learn that they that worship him must worship him in Spirit and in Truth Q. What is meant by God's being most pure and holy A. By God's being most pu e and holy is meant that he is not a God thatrhath pleasure in wickedness that he is of purer eyes than to behold evil that is with a liking of it and that he cannot be tempted with evil neither doth he tempt any man Q. What do you learn from the Consideration of God's purity and holiness A. From the Consideration of God's purity and holiness I learn that I ought to abhorr that which is evil and cleave to that which is good to purifie my self even as he is pure and to be holy in all manner of Conversation as God is holy Q. What is meant by God's being most good merciful and gracious A. By this that God is most good merciful and gracious is meant that his tender mercies are over all his works that he doth good and giveth good things unto them that ask him that he is full of compassion and long-suffering ready to pardon slow to anger and of great kindness and that he hath no pleasure in the death of the wicked but that the wicked turn from his way and live and is not willing that any
receive him as such is effectually and powerfully to believe that God his Father hath put all things under him that he is the head of all principality and power and crowned with glory and honour that he hath all power given him in heaven and in earth that he must reign till he hath put all enemies under his feet that he is the one Law-giver who is able to save and to destroy and therefore to observe all things whatsoever he hath commanded Q. Seeing that Christ is our Lord and King what learn you from thence A. I learn from Christ's being our King that therefore Sin should not reign in our mortal body that we should obey it in the lusts thereof for what communion hath light with darkness and what concord hath Christ with Belial Q. What are the enemies that Christ our King is to subdue and destroy A. The enemies that he is to subdue and destroy are Satan and wicked men and sin and death which is the last enemy that shall be destroyed Q. What will this King Jesus Christ do for the Righteous who sincerely obey him A. When he shall come with all his holy Angels and sit upon the throne of his glory he shall say unto the Righteous Come ye blessed of my Father inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world and to those that overcome their spiritual enemies he will grant to sit with him on his throne even as he overcame and is set down with his Father on his throne and to those that shall be faithful to the death he will give a Crown of life Q. Having seen what it is to believe in Christ tell me what are the properties and notes of true Faith set down in Scripture A The properties and notes of true Faith set down in Scripture are these five 1. It purifies the heart 2. It worketh by love 3. It is made perfect by works 4. It overcomes the world 5. It quencheth all the fiery darts of the wicked one that is the Devil Q. Having seen what is meant by Faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ let us see what is meant by Repentance which is also necessary to qualifie and fit us to receive pardon of sin and salvation by Jesus Christ What is it therefore truly and savingly to Repent A. Truly and savingly to Repent is with a godly sorrow and shame for sin to turn from all sin unto God Q. It is not sufficient then only to confess our si is to God A. It is not but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy Q. Is not sorrow for sin saving Repentance A. No but godly sorrow worketh Repentance to salvation not to be repented of Q. You cannot think that good purposes and resolutions of amendment are sufficient to Salvation A. No by no means but we must throughly amend our ways and doings we must do works meet for Repentance and bring forth fruits answerable to amendment of life for every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewen down and cast into the fire Q. Having seen the nature of Faith and Repentance tell me what is meant by New and Spiritual Obedience which is also absolutely necessary to Salvation A. By new and Spiritual Obedience is meant that we must make us a new spirit that is do our best endeavour for it and walk in newness of life that we must put off as to the former conversation the old man which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts and be renewed in the spirit of our mind and put on the new man which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness Q. How is this new and spiritual Obedience farther explained in Scripture A. It is thus farther explained namely That we should not walk nor live after the flesh but after the spirit or according to the spiritual Precepts of the Gospel that we should not any longer live to the lusts of men but to the will of God that we should yield our selves unto God and that as we have yielded our members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity even so now we should yield our members servants to righteousness unto holiness Q. By what arguments and motives doth the Scripture inforoe and press us to this new and spiritual Obedience A. One ground and argument in Scripture for spiritual obedience is this That if any man be in Christ or a true Christian he is a new creature and if we are new Creatures and God's workmanship we are created in Christ Jesus unto good works to the which God hath before prepared us that we should walk in them and therefore they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts Q. What other argument or motive do you remember in Scripture for spiritual Obedience A. A second argument is this That Christ his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree to the end that we being dead unto sin should live unto righteousness and he gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purifie to himself a peculiar people zealous of good works Q. What other argument or motive in Scripture can you rehearse for spiritual Obedience A. A third argument is this That Christ hath said if we love him and keep his commandments he will love us and manifest himself unto us and also that his Father will love us they both will make their abode with us Q. What other argument or motive in Scripture can youthink on for spiritual Obedience A. A fourth argument is this That if we live after the flesh we shall die but if we through the Spirit do mortifie the deeds of the body we shall live If we sow to the flesh we shall of the flesh reap corruption but if we sow to the spirit we shall of the spirit reap life everlasting That being become the servants of God we shall have our fruit unto holiness and the end everlasting life That great peace have they that love God's law and in Keeping thereof there is great reward And therefore blessed are they that do his commandments Q. What are the works of the flesh which every Christian is to crucifie A. The works of the flesh are manifest which are these Adultery sornication uncleanness lasciviousness idolatry witchcraft hatred variance emulations wrath strife seditions heresies envyings murthers drunkenness revellings and such like and they that do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God Q. What are the fruits of the Spirit that every Christian is to bring forth A. The fruits of the Spirit are Love joy peace long-suffering gentleness goodness faith meekness temperance against such there is no law Q. Will not outward privileges
of Godliness but denying the power thereof from such I say we must turn away that so we henceforth be no more children tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine by the slight of men and cunning craftiness whereby they lie in wait to deceive Q. Having spoken of the three chief outward means for the begetting and encrease of grace and holiness what are those four last things as they are commonly called which being duly considered would excite and engage us to a serious minding of Holiness A. The four last things which being duly considered would excite and engage us to a serious minding of Holiness are Death and Judgment Heaven and Hell Q. What doth the Scripture tell us of Death A. The Scripture tells us that it is appointed unto men once to die and that our life is even as a vapour that appeareth for a little time and then vanisheth away Q. What should the shortness and uncertainty of our life here engage us to A. The shortness and uncertainty of our life here should engage us so to number our days that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom Q. What is that wisdom which we are to apply our hearts unto A. The fear of the Lord that is wisdom and to depart from evil is understanding Q. What doth the Scripture tell us of the Judgment to come A. The Scripture tells us that God hath appointed a day in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained even by Jesus Christ who is ordained of God to be the judge of quick and dead and we must all appear before the Judgment-seat of Christ that every one may receive the thing done in his body according to that he hath done whether it be good or bad Q. What shall immediately precede the general Judgment A. The hour is coming in the which all that are in the graves shall hear the voice of the Son of God and shall come forth they that have done good unto the resurrection of life and they that have done evil unto the resurrection of damnation Q. What should the serious consideration of the last judgment engage us to A. The serious consideration of the last Judgment should engage us to fear God and keep his commandments for God shall bring every work into judgment with every secret thing in the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ Q. Seeing then that God who knoweth the secrets of the heart will bring every work into judgment and judg the secrets of men by Jesus Christ what must we do that we may not be condemned with the world at the day of judgment Psal. 44. 21. 1 Cor. 11. 32. A. That we may not be condemned with the world at the day of judgment let us search and try our ways and turn again to the Lord and let every man prove his own work for every man shall bear his own burthen and shall give account of himself to God Q. But seeing the Heart is deceitful above all things is it not needful to pray unto God that we may not be deceived in searching our ways and proving our own works Jer. 17. 9. A. Surely it is meet for us to say unto God That which I see not teach thou me and if I have done iniquity I will do no more for who can understand his errors Cleanse thou me from my secret faults Search me O God and know my heart try me and know my thoughts and see if there be any wicked way in me and lead me in the way everlasting Q. Forasmuch as the Heavens and the Elements and the Earth shall be dissolved when the day of the Lord shall come what doth the consideration hereof engage us to A. Seeing that all these things shall be dissolved what manner of persons ought we to be in all holy conversation and godliness giving diligence that we may be found of God in peace without spot and blameless Q. Who are those that are secured from being condemned with the world and may have boldness in the day of Judgment A. There is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus who walk not aster the flesh but after the spirit and such may have boldness in the day of judgment because as Christ was so are they in this world for hereby know we that we are in him if we keep his word and walk even as he walked Q. What doth the Scripture tell us of Heaven A. The Scripture tells us of Heaven That it is a place of Rest and comfort and joy even of fulness of joy and pleasures for evermore and that there is reserved for the Saints an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that fadeth not away Q. Can you give me a particular description of the Heavenly state A. Now are we the sons of God but it doth not yet appear what we shall be but we know that when he shall appear we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is and then shall we ever be with the Lord who will also change our vile body that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself Q. Who are thosethat shall not inherit the kingdom of God or Heaven A. We know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God and particularly neither fornicators nor idolaters nor Adulterers nor effeminate nor abusers of themselves with mankind nor thieves nor covetous nor drunkards nor revilers nor extortioners nor such like shall inherit the kingdom of God Q. Then you are throughly convinced that it is necessary that we become new creatures that so we may enter into the kingdom of Heaven A. Verily except we be born again except we be converted and become as little children we cannot see nor in any wise enter into the kingdom of Heaven Q. How then should every one live and behave himself that hopes to see God and his kingdom A. Every one that hath this hope in him should purifie even as God is pure or endeavour to be as like him in holiness as he can and walk worthy of God who hath called him to his kingdom and glory Q. What are they further engaged to do who believe and look for the heavenly kingdom and inheritance A. They are further engaged to have their conversation in heaven and to set their affections on things above and not on things on the earth Q. What is the fruit of the consideration of the glorious Rewardin heaven as to active obedience and doing the will of God A. The consideration of the glorious reward in heaven encourageth us to be stedfast and unmoveable always to abound in the work of the