hungry both to abound and to suffer need Phil. 4.12 saying the Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away blessed be the name of the Lord Iob. 1.21 Q. May we wilfully lay our selves open to Saâ—â—ans temptations A. No we must be sober and vigilant and resist the Devil stedfast in the Faith 1 Pet. 5.8 9. Eph. 4.27 for if we resist him he will flee from us Iames 4.7 Q. How may we be able to resist the Devil A. If we put on the whole Armour of God we shall be able to stand against the wiles of the Devil Eph. 6.11 Q What is that Armour of God A. We must have our Loyns girt about with Truth having on the breast-plate of Righteousness our feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of Peace above all taking the Shield of Faith and the Helmet of Salvation and the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God praying alwayes and watching thereunto with all perseverance Eph. 6.14 15 c. Q. Must we pray alwayes A. Men ought alwayes to pray and not to faint Luke 18.1 1 Thes. 5.17 Col. 4.2 Q. To whom must we pray A. We must ask the Father in Christ's Name Iohn 16.23 Q. For whom must we pray A. Supplications Prayers Intercessions and giving of thanks must be made for all men 1 Tim. 2.1 Q. How are we to pray A. We must ask seek and knock Mat. 7.7 continuing instant Rom. 12. 12. and watching Câ— 4.2 in â—ervent prayer Iames 5.16 with the Spirit â—â—d with the understanding â—lso 1 Cor. 14.15 asking according to Gods Will 1 Iohn 5.14 in Faith nothing wavering Iam. 1.6 lifting up holy hand without wrath or doubting 1 Tim. 2.8 Q. What must we especially avoid in Prayer A. We must not as Hypocrites pray to be seen of Men Mat. 6.5 nor as the Heathen use vain repetitions thinking we shall be heard for our much speaking v. 7. nor as the Pharisee trusting in our selves that we are Righteous and despising others Luke 18.9 nor as the Scribes devouring Widows Houses and for a shew making long Prayers Luke 10.47 neither asking amiss that we may consume it on our Lusts Iames 4.3 Q. Where must we pray A. We must pray every where 1 Tim. 2.8 Q. What is the most proper place for private Prayer A. When we pray let us enter into our Closets and shut the door and pray to Father which is in secret and our Father which seeth in secret will reward us openly Mat. 6.6 Q. What is the mâ—st proper place for publick Praâ—er A. God ' House is called the House of Prayer Mâ—t. 21.13 we must come togetâ—er in â—he Church 1 Cor. 11.18 not forsaking tâ—e Assembling of our selves together as the manner of some is Heb. 10.25 Q. How is God to be Honoured in his House A. We must keep our foot when we go into the House of God and be more read◠〈◊〉 hear than to give the Sacrifice of Fooâ—â— Eccl. 5.1 and not make God's House a Den of Thieves Mat. 21.13 or an House of Merchandize Iohn 2.16 God is gâ—eatly to be feared in the Assembly of his Saints and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him Psal. 89.7 Q. Hath God commanded any time to be set apart for his more solemn Worship A. God commanded to remember the Sabbath day to keep it Holy Exodus 20.8 Q. What mean you by a Sabbath day A. A Sabbath is a day of rest to the Lord Exod. 35 2.16.2â— Q. What day of the week was the Sabbath A. In the Seventh day is the Sabbath of rest Holy to the Lord Exod. 31.15 Q. Why did God command to rest the seventh day A. Because God rested on the seventh day from all his Work which he had made Gen. 2.2 3. Exod. 20.11 and because he brought Israel out when he was a Servant in the Land of Egypt Deut. 5.15 that it might be a sign betwixt God and the Children of Israel for ever that they might know that he was the Lord that did Sanctifie them Exod. 31.13.17 Ezek. 20.12 Q. Are Christians bound to keep Holy that seventh day A. Let no man judge us in respect of the Sabbath dayes which are a shadow of things to come but the body is of Christ Col. 2.16 17. Q. Of what was the Sabbath dayes rest a shadow A. Of the rest which remaineth to the People of God Heb. 4.9 Q. What is that rest A. He that is entred into his rest he also hath ceased from his own works even as God did from his Heb. 4.10 Q. What works were Lawful to be done on the Sabbath dayes A. It is lawful to do well on the Sabbath daâ—es Mat. 12.12 God will have Mercy and not Sacrifice v. 7. Q. What day do Christians keep Holy to the Lord A. Christians keep Holy the first day of the week Acts 20.7 1 Cor. 16.2 when Christ rose from the dead Mark 16.9 called the Lord's day Rev. 1.10 Q. What honour owe you to the Name of God A. Holy and Reverend is God's name Psal. 111.9 we must call upon his Name Psal. 105.1 fear it Psal. 86.11 glory in it Psal. 105.3 sing praises to it Psal. 135.3 sing forth the honour of his name and make his praise glorious Psal. 66.2 and swear by his name Deut. 6.13.10.20 Q. How do men dishonour God's name A. We dishonour God when we take the name of the Lord our God in vain Ex. 20.7 or prophane it Lev. 19.12 or when we give occasion to the Enemies of the Lord to blaspheme 2 Sam. 12.14 so that the Name or Doctrine or Word of God is blasphemed through us Rom. 2.24 1 Tim. 6.1 Tit. 2.5 Q. How must we not swear 1. A. We must not swear by things that are no gods Ier. 5. â— neither by Heaven nor by the Earth nor by Ierusalem nor by our Head nor by any other Oath Mat. 5.34 c. Iames 5.12.2 We must not swear falsly by God's Name Lev. 19.12 nor forswear our selves Mat. 5.33.3 Nor must we swear ordinarily or unnecessarily but our Communication must be yea yea nay nay for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil Mat. 5.37 Iames 5.12 Q. How then ought we to swear A. We must swear the Lord Liveth in Truth in Judgment and in Righteousness Ier. 4.2 when an Oath for confirmation may be to men an end of all strife Heb. 6.16 and we must perform to the Lord our Oaths Mat. 5.33 Q. What is it to swear A. To swear is to call God for a Record 2 Cor. 1.23 a Witness Gen. 31.50 and a Judge Gen. 31.53 Q. How must we honour God in his Word A. We must with an honest and good heart hear the Word keep it and bring forth fruit with patience Luke 8.15 receiving it with meekness Iames 2.21 not as the word of men but as it is in Truth the Word of God 1 Thes. 2.13 able to save our Soâ—ls Iames 2.21 Q. Is it not enough to hear the Word A.
word hear Sermons be frequent both in publick and private prayer and duâ—y receive the Sacrament of the Lords Supper but it is very conventent and uâ—eful to have ever in your hands some larger Catechism or expâ—sition of the Chief Heads of Christian Religion Many of this kind there â—â— already extant yet this one more I have thought fit to adde I shall not now give you thy other reason for my so doing though I have many then only this that I love you and study how I may most contribute to your eternul welfare 1. Thiâ— Catechiâ—m will I hope by it's length prove no burden to the memories of those who can already give an account of the Church Catechism and have been for some years exercised in reading the holy Scriptures out of which the answers are taken almost word for word and unto such I chiefly offer it 2. Though the answers are little else but the very words of Scripture and of such plain texts as are lest subject to dispute or cavil yet have I all along quoted the Chapter and verse whence the words are taken and iâ—clâ—â—ed the quotation between two crooked horns thus ... that in the reading you may pass them over and when you please consult the texts quoted for any clause of the answer without the trouble of having recourse to the margin first 3. The Learner is here at once taught to answer the question and give a proof of his answer whilst he answers in the very words of those texts which are his proofs He thus answers not in the words which mans wisdom but which the holy Ghost â—eacheth and is not put upon the more troublesome and somtimes impossible task of gathering the author's sense out of the texts quoted 4. In these days when strange doctrines abound and Seducers are busy and have learned the Devil's art of quoting Scripture for every wicked conceit it will be some advantage to the learner of this Catechism that he is hence furnished with one or more plain and pertinent texts for every point of his Religion to oppose against the tempter If in any particular I seem too short consider that in the beginning I had â—â—ed my self to the very text of Scripture and therefore could go no farther than that would go along with me The Creed the ten Commandments and the Lord's Prayer I suppose already learned together with those short and useful expositions in the Church-Catechism and what else may be yet required in a Catechism for the fuller understanding of them is not I hope wanting in this I shall only adde that thiâ— Scripture Catechism perfectly learn'd and well digested will be a great help to you in the profitable reading both of the Scriptures and other good books and will teach you to discover the Errors of many unsound Discourses which being industrously suited by a popular way of writing to the humours of such who being ignorantly zealous are aptest to be â—eceived are very likely to be thrust into your hands Now the God of peace that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus that great Shepheard of the Sheep through the bloud of the everlasting Covenant make you perfect in every good work to do his will working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight through Jesus Christ. That ye may be filled with the knowledge of God's will in all wisdome and Spiritual understanding walking worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing being fruitful in every good work and abounding in the knowledge of God that you may hold the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace and having your fruit unto holyness may have your â—nd everlasting life this is the dayly prayer of Your servant in all things wherein he may serve Christ. Q. IS there any such thing as Religion A. All Nations in all Ages of the World have ever professed some Religion Q What mean you by Religion A. By Religion I mean a belief that there is a God joyned with an endeavour to please and honor him a fear to offend him and a hope to bemade happy by him Q. What then is the Foundation of all Religion A. He that cometh to God must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him Heb. 11 6. Q How may a man know that there is a God A. The invisible things of God from the Creation of the world are clearly seen being understood by the things that are made even his eternal Power and Godhead Rom. 1.20 Q Of what Religion are you A. I am one of the Disciples of Christ called Christians Act. 11.26 Q. Why do you chuse to be a disciple or follower of Christ A. To whom should I go Christ hath the words of eternal Life Ioh. 6.68 in him are hid all the treasures of Wisdom and knowledge Col. 2.3 he that followeth him shall not walk in darkness but shall have the Light of Life Ioh 8 12. Q. How do you know that Christ hath the words of Life A. Christ is that Messias of whom Moses in the law and the prophets did write Ioh. 1.41 45. even the Son of God which should come into the world Ioh. 11.27 Q. Why do you believe Christ to be the Messias the Son of God A. In Christ all things are fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and in the Prophets and in the Psalms concerning him Luke 24.44 Hâ— was also approved of God by miracles and wonders and signs which God did by him Act. 2.22 Iob. 3.2.10.25 Q. Let me hear some of those wonders you speak of A. The blind did see the Lame did walk the Lepers were cleansed the Deaf did hear and the Dead were raised Luk. 7.22 hereby are we sure he is that Christ the Son of the Living God Iohn 6.69 for no mâ—â— could do these Miracles which he did except God were with him Iohn 3. â— Q. What kind of Religion did Christ teaâ—h A. The Râ—ligion which Christ hath taught us 〈◊〉 pure Religion and undefiled Iames â— 27 Q. Where may a man learn this Holy Religion A. Christian Religion is to be learnt in the Holy Scriptures 2 Tim. 3.15 especially in the Word of the Truth of the Gospel Col. 1.5 that glorious Gospel of the Blessed God 1 Tim. 1.11 Q. What reason have you to speak so highly of the Gospel A. I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ for it is the power of God unto Salvation to every one that bâ—lieveth Rom. 1.16 Q. How come you to the knowledge of the Gospel A. The Gospel began to be spoken by the Lord and was confirmed to us by them that heard him God also bearing them witness both with Signs and Wonders and divers Miracles and gifts of the Holy Ghost Heb. 2.3 4. Seeing that your Religion is to be learned in the Holy Scriptures Answer me out of them to those Questions which I shall ask you and first tell me Q. Who made the World A.
false way Psal. 119.104 and loath our selves for our Iniquities and be ashamed of our own ways Ezek. 36.31 32. Q. Must we not â—lso confess our sins A. He that covereth his sins shall not prosper but he that confesseth and forsaketh them shall have Mercy Prov. 28.13 1 Iohn 1.9 Q. Is there any thing more required in repentance besides sorrow for sin hatred of sin confessing and forsaking sin A. We must also bring forth Fruits meet for Repentance Mat. 3.8 Q. VVhat are Fruits meet for Repentance A. Good Works which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them Eph. 2.10 so yielding our Members Servants to Righteousness unto Holiness Rom. 6.13 Q. Give me the substance of this Duty of Repentance A. Cease to do evil learn to do well Isa. 1.16 17. eschew evil and â—o good 1 Pet. â— 11 Q. Can we altogether cease from sin in this Life A. Who can say I have made my Heart clean I am pure from my sin Prov. 20.9 Q. VVhat mean you then by ceasing from sin A. Let not sin Reign in our mortal bodies that we should obey it in the Lusts thereof Rom. 6.12 Q. To what end must we repent A. We must Repent and be Converted that our sins may be blotted out Acts 3.19 VVhat mean you by Faith toward our Lord Iesus Christ A. By Faith I mean a believing that Jesus is the Christ the Son of the Living God Iohn 6.69.11.27 1 Iohn 5.1 a coming unto him that we may have Life Iohn 5.40 a receiving him as he is come in his Fathers name Iohn 5.43.1.12 and abiding in him 1 Iohn 2.27 Q. VVhat is it to believe in Christ as a Prophet A. To believe in Christ as a Prophet is to come unto him for the words of Eternal life Iohn 6.68 and to hear him in all things that he saith unto us Acts 3.22 Q. VVhat is it to believe in Christ as a Priest A. To believe in Christ as a Priest is to believe that he by one Offering hath perfected for ever them that are Sanctified Heb. 10.14 and to look for Redemption through his Blood even the forgiveness of sins Eph. 1.7 Q. What is it to believe in Christ as King A. To believe in Christ as King is to take him for our Judge our Law-giver our King who will save us Isa. 33.22 and to observe all things whatsoever he hath commanded us Mat. 28.20 Q. What are the Properties of true Faith A. By Faith God purifieth our hearts Act. 15.9 Faith worketh by love Gal. 5.6 is made perfect by works Iam. 2.22 overcometh the world 1 Iohn 5.4 and quencheth all the fiery darts of the wicked Eph. 6.16 Q. What is the end of our Faith A. The end of our Faith is the Salvation of our Souls 1 Pet. 1.9 Heb. 10.39 Q. What hath God promised us in this New Covenant A. This is the Covenant saith the Lord I will put my Laws into their minds and write them in their hearts and I will be to them a God and they shall be to me a people and I will be merciful to their unrighteousness and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more Heb. 8.10 12.10.16 17. and this is the promise that he hath promised us even eternal life 1 Iohn 2.25 Q. Tell me now what is the substance of the New Covenant A. The Substance of the New Covenant is this 1. He that believeth on the Son hath eveverlasting life and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life Iohn 3.36 2. Repent and be converted and your sins shall be blotted out Act. 3.19 â—nd except ye repent ye shall perish Luk. 13.3 3. Christ is become the Author of Salvation to all them that obey him â— Heb. 5.9 and will take vengeance on them that obey not the Gospel 2 Thes. 1.8 Q What special benefits have they from Christ that keep this Covenant A. By Christ all that believe are justified from all things from which we could not be justified by the Law of Moses Acts 13.39 Q. Wâ—at mean you by Iustification A. There is no condemnation to those that are in Christ Jesus Rom. 8.1 but their iniquities are forgiven their sins are covered the Lord will not impute sin to them but righteousness Rom. 4.6 7 8. and make them accepted in the beloved Eph. 1.6 Q. Can we not be justified by the works of the Law A. By thee deedâ— of the Law shall no fâ—â—â—â— be juâ—tified in God's sight Rom. 3.20 Q By what then are we justified A. We are justified freely by God's 〈◊〉 through the Redemption that is in 〈…〉 Rom. 3.24 Q What is the fruit of our Iustification A. â—eâ—â—g justified by Faith we have pâ—â—â—â— wâ—th God through our Lord Jesus 〈◊〉 Rom. 5.1 and shall be saved from 〈…〉 â—im Rom. 5.10 Q What other special benefit receive we by this Covenant A. Christ is made unto us Sanctification 1 Cor. 1.30 Q. What mean you by Sanctification A. By Sanctification I mean a putting off the old man which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts and a being renewed in the spirit of our mind putting on the new man which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness Eph. 4.22 23 24. Q. By whom are we Sanctified A. We are Sanctified by the Holy Ghost Rom. 15.16 1 Cor. 6.11 Q. Are we perfectly Sanctified in this life A. We are but growing in grace and in the knowledg of our Lord Jesus Christ 2 Pet. 3.18 Q. Of what necessity is Sanctification A. This is the Will of God even our Sanctification 1 Thes. 4.3 and without holiness no man shall see the Lord Heb. 12.14 Q. What is the fruit of Sanctification A. Being made free from sin and become servants to God we have our fruit unto holiness and the end everlasting life Rom. 6.22 Q. Can we merit or deserve eternal life by our own righteousness or Faith A By Grace are we saved through Faith and that not of our selves it is the gift of God Eph. 2.8 for when we have done all those things that are commanded us we must say we are unprofitable servants Luke 17.10 Q. Can we of our selves only believe repent and obey A. Without Christ we can do nothing Iohn 15.5 Q. Whence then have we strength to do all this A. All our sufficiency is of God 2 Cor. 3.5 who worketh in us both to will and to do of his good pleasure Phil. 2.13 his grace is sufficient for us and his strength is made perfect in weakness 2 Cor. 12.9 and we can do all things through Christ that strengtheneth us Phil. 4.13 Q. By what doth God ordinarily beget Faith in us A. Faith is a fruit of the Spirit Gal. 5.22 and cometh by hearing and by the word of God Rom. 10.17 Q Is Preaching of the Word a means of begetting Faith A. How shall we hear without a Preacher and how shall men preach except they be sent Rom. 10.14 15. yea it pleaseth God by the
learn you from Gods infinite Knowledge A. We must walk before God and serve him in truth and with a perfect heart and a willing mind doing that which is good in his sight for the Lord searcheth all hearts and understandeth aâ— the imaginations of the thoughts 1 Chron. 28.9 Isa. 38.3 Acts 1.24 all things are naked and opened unto his eyes with whom we have to do Hâ—b 4.13 Prov. 5.21 all our ways are before him Psal. 119.168 Q What sin are you here especially to avoid A We must lay aside all guile and hypocrisies 1. Pet. 2. â— and not draw nigh unto God with our mouth and honour him with our â—â—ps having our hearts far from him Mat. 15.7 for the hypocrites hope shall perish Iob 8.13 Q. What duty owe you to God as an Almighty God A. We must stand in aw of God and not sin Psal 4.4 and fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell Mat. 10 28. by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil Prov. 16.6 Q. Doth not Gods Almightiness encourage you against other fears A. We must not fear what man can do unto us Heb. 13.6 if God be for us who can be against us Rom. 8.31 let us therefore be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might Eph 6.10 not staggering at the Promises of God through unbelief Rom. 4.20 seeing we are kept by the power of God through faith unto Salvation 1 Pet. 1.5 See Gen. 15 1. Psal. 56.40 Prov. 3.25 26. Isa. 49.4 Q. What duty owe you to God as he is aholy God A. It is our Duty to be holy as God is holy Lev. 11 44. 1 Ioh. 3.3 in all manner of Conversation 1 Pet 1.15 2 Cor. 7.1 abhorring that which is evil and cleaving to that which is good Rom. 12.9 abstaining from all appearance of evil 1 Thes. â— 22 and worshipping him in the beauty of holiness 1 Chron. 16.22 Psal 29.2.69.9 Q. What is our Duty to God as he is just A. Because God doth justly we must bear the indignation of the Lord Mic. 7.9 and not despise his chastening Iob 5.17 nor faint when we are rebuked of him Heb. 12.5 nor complain for the punishment of our sins Lam. 3.39 but confess that he doth right and we do wickedly Neh. 9.33 Dan. 9.14 Q What special kind of sins doth God's Iustice warn you to avoid A. We must pray that God would keep us back from presumptuous sins Psal. 19.13 for the soul that doth presemptuosly reproacheth the Lord Num. 15.30 let us therefore work out our Salvation with fear and trembling Phil. 2.12 Q. What doth the Goodness and Mercy of God chiefly teach you A. The goodness of God should lead us to Repentance Rom. 2.4 and to praise the Lord and give thanks unto him because his Mercy endureth for ever Ps. 106.1 and to love him who loved us first 1 Ioh. 14.19 Q. How ought you to love God A. We must love the Lord our God with all our heart and with all our soul and with all our mind and with all our strength Mat. 22.38 Mark 12.30 having none in heaven but him and desiring none upon earth besides him Psal. 73. â—â— Q. How ought you to express your love to God A. This is the love of God that we keâ—p 〈◊〉 Commandments 1 Ioh. 5.3 Q. What love is inconsâ—stent with the love of God A. If any man love the world the love of the Fâ—â—her is not in him 1 Iohn 2.15 Q. Can a man love God and not love his Brother A. If any man say I love God and hateth his Brother he is a liar 1 Ioh. 4.20 Q. What duty learn you from God's Truth and Faithfulness A. Because God is faithful let Patience have her perfect work Iam. 1.4 and let us hope to the end 1 Pet. 1.13 and rejoyce in hope of the glory of God Rom. 5.2 and of eternal life which God that cannot lie hath promised before the world began Tit. 1.2 Q. What is the proâ—er effect of this hope A. Every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself even as God is pure 1 Iohn 3.3 having therefore these promises let us cleanse our selves from all filthiness of Flesh and Spirit perfecting Holiness in the fear of God 2 Cor. 7.1 Q. What doth God's faithfulness teach us in time of affliction and temptation A. When we suffer according to the Will of God let us commit the keeping of our souls in well-doing to him as unto a Faithful Creator 1 Pet. 4.19 for God is faithful who will not suffer us to be tempted above that we are able but will with the Temptation make us a way to escape that we may be able to bear it 1 Cor. 10.13 2 Thes. 3.3 Q What special Duties owe you to God as Governour of the World A. Our duty to God as our Governor is to fear him and keep his Commandments Eccl 12.14 to walk humbly with him Micah 6.8 to submit our selves to him Iames 4.7 saying it is the Lord let him do what seemeth him good 1 Sam. 3.18 not our will but his be done Luke 22.42 assuring our selves that all things work together for good to them that love him Rom. 8.28 Q. What doth God's care and Providence teach you A. We must be careful for nothing but in every thing by prayer and supplication with Thanksgiving let our requests be made known unto God Phil. 4.6 casting all our care upon him who careth for us 1 Pet. 5.7 Prov. 16.3.3.6 Q. May we run upon needless dangers trusting to God's Providence A. No it is written thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God Mat. 4.7 Q. May we be idle neglecting the works of our Calling trusting in God's Providence A. If any man will not work neither let him eat 2 Thes. 3.10 we must not be slothful in business Rom. 12.11 but work with our own hands 1 Thes. 4.11 Q. Is all moderate care to provide for our selves and Families unlawful A. If any man provide not for his own especially for those of his own House he hath denyed the Faith and is worse than an Infidel 1 Tim. 1.8 Q. In what sense then must we be careful for nothing A. We must not take thought for the Morrow Mat. 6.34 saying what shall we eat or what shall we drink or wherewithal shall we be cloathed v. 31. neither be of doubtful mind Luke 12.29 but praying God to establish the work of our hands upon us Psal. 90.17 commit our wayes unto the Lord trusting also in him and he will bring it to pass Psal. 37.5 Q. Must we not be content with the Portion which God gives us A. Our Conversation must be without Covetousness and we must be content with such things as we have for God hath said I will never leave thee nor forsake thee Heb. 13.5 Q. What is it to be content A. To be content is to know every where and in all things both to be full and to be