doth not command us to imitate as the effects of his Omnipotency but hoâ— will have us imitate his vertues and his perfections that we learn of him that he is meek that we be merciful as he is merciful and that we be holy as he is holy Lastly he will that we imitate his labour and his rest Q. Why was God six days in making Heaven and Earth A He could create them in a moment but he was six days about it that we may meditate distinctly and in order upon the works of the Creation and that we may learn to do nothing with precipitation and confusion Q. What is the rest of God A. It is not that God had need to recover his strength for he acts always without pain and without weariness but the meaning is that the seventh day he left off working in the Creation of the Universe Q. How did God sanctifie that day A. In dedicating and consecrating it to his worship and himself contemplating the admirable beauties of the works of his hands Q What do you say of those who spend their lives in doing nothing A. What St Paul saith 2. Thess cap. 3. he that will not work neither shall he eat he that will not imitate God in his work shall have no share in his rest Q. What do you think of the Church of Rome 's Holy-days A. That it is a yoke which our Lord Jesus Christ hath not imposed and that they are directly against the permission that God gives us here to work six days in the week and against what the Apostle saith let no man judge you n meat or in drink or in respect of an Holyiday Colos 2. Q. What will become of those who instead oâ— keeping the Lord's day holy and of consecrating iâ— to the service of God spend it in games in debaucheries and insolences A. God will punish them as profane and breakers of his Sabbath Q. And what ought we to hope for those who observe religiously the day of rest and who as the Prophet speaks of it calls the Sabbath their delight Isaiah 5.8 A. They shall go from Sabbath to Sabbath till they go to prostrate themselves before the face of God and enter into eternal joy and rest prepared for them from the foundation of the world Isa 66. Of the fifth Commandment Q. WHAT do you mean by the Father and the Mother that God commands us to honour A. Not only those who have begotten and brought us into the World but also our Kings and Princes our Governours and our Magistrates our Guardians our Pastors our Masters our Tutors and generally all our Superiors Q. How must they be honoured A. We ought not only to have for them a singular esteem but also show our respect to them by our words our gestures and our actions to love them cordially fear to offend them obeâ— their commands and if they be in want to â—elieve them with all our power Q. But mâ—st that honour be paid to all superiours without any exception A. Yeâ— â—o â—ll not only to the good and gentle but also to the froward 1 Pet. 2. we must be subject not only for fâ—ar of wrath but also for conscience sake Rom 13. Q. Must they be obeâ—ed in all things A. Yes in every thing wherein God is not offended as the Apostle St Paul teacheth us in Ephes the 6. and Colos the 3d. Children obey your Parents in all things in the Lord for this is right Q. But if our superiours command us things against the Law of God against the rules of his worship as to embrace a false Religion or to commit some act of Idolatry to murder or steal and other like things in this case must we obey them A. By no means but in imitation of the Apostles of the Lord Jesus we must answer them in all humility whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God judge ye we ought to obey God rather than man Act. 4.5 Q. But if in not obeying them we are persecuted A. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven Matth. 5. Q. Why is it that God adds that thy days may be long in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee A. Because Parents bear his Image in a particular manner God will that we honour them above every body in the World and to incite us to that duty he makes us that promise Q. What signifies may be long when God saith that thy days may be long in the land A. The meaning is not that our days shall be longer than they are to be for they are determined God hath prescribed our limits and we shall not go beyond Job 14 But the meaning is that we shall prosper and that we shall live long on the Earth as St Paul shews it Ephes 16. Q Of what land doth God speak heâ—e A. It is especially of the land of Canaan that God gave the Children of Israel in heritage Q. Doth this promise of living long on the â—arth concern particularly the Jews or doth it belong in general to all the Faithful A. It concerns particularly the Jews because the land of Canaan was the figure of the heavenly inheritance and that a long and happy life in that land was the Image of the Eternal felicity we shall enjoy in Paradice but it belongs also to all the faithful for the Earth is the Lords and the fulness thereof and every where the hoary head is a Crown of glory if it be found in the way of righteousness 1 Cor. 10. Prov. 16. Q. Doth God give long life to all the Children that honour their Parents A. There are several to whom God accomplishes this promise literally and that he blesses with his most precious blessings but there are also Children most obedient to their Parents and in which one may see the seeds of a great Piety the daâ—s whereof God shortens Q How is it that God accomplishes his promise to the Children that â—e taketh so soon out of the World A. All temporal promises ought to be understood conditionally as much as God judgeth it expedient for his glory and our salvation God in taking those Children out of the World receiveth them into his glory for Jesus Christ teacheth us that the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to them Matth. 19. Of the sixth Commandment Q. WHAT doth God forbid in the sixth Commandment A. Not only deliberate Murder but all means of shedding blood as beating striking quarrelling abusing our Neighbour he forbids also hatreds and animosities for whosoever hateth his Brother is a Murderer 1 John 3. Q. The Prince and the Magistrate who causes Criminals to be put to death ought he to be put in the rank of Murderers A. By no means for he bears not the Sword in vain he is the Minister of God a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doth Evil. Rom. 13. Q Those who bear Arms
this Faith it is said that Simon the Magician believed Acts 8. Q. What is the Faith of Miracles A. It is an infallible assurance grounded upon some particular Revelation that God will shew his Omnipotency to work by us or in our favour some work beyond all the Forces of Nature It is of this Faith that the Apostle speaks in the first of the Corinthians cap. 13. Q. What is Temporal Faith A. It is that which receives the VVord o◠God with joy but presently forsakes the profession thereof because of the afflictions which attend it our Lord Jesus Christ speaks of it in St. Matthews Gospel cap. 13. Q. What is Justifying Faith A. It is that which embraces to Salvation Christ Crucified and assures us that if we are truly penitent of our faults God will be merciful unto us and will receive us in his heavenly Kingdom It is of this Faith St Pau◠speaks of in the 2d to Timothy cap. 11. 〈◊〉 know whom I have believed and am perswaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day Q. Of what Faith is it here spoken A. Of the Justifying Faith for it is not said I believe God or believe to God but I believe in God Q. What difference do you put between Believe God believe to God and believe in God A. Believe God is to believe that there is a God as St. James saith That the Devils believe there is a God and tremble Believe to God is to believe all what God saith is true Believe in God is to trust in him whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed Rom. 10. Q. What is God A. An Essence Eternal Infinite Incomprehensible Immortal Invisible Omnipotent all Good and all Just and all Merciful and all VVise and who created Heaven and Earth Q. How many Gods are there A. There is but one and there cannot be several Q. Why A. Because there cannot be several Infinites nor several Omnipotents for one cannot imagine any thing beyond Infinite And if there were several Omnipotents the omnipotency of the one would destroy the omnipotency of the other Q. But besides these Reasons that are clear and evident what doth the Scripture teach us on this subject A. It teaches us every where that there is but one only God specially Deut. 6. Hear O Israel the Lord our God is one Lord. And Eph. 4. Is one Lord one Father one Baptism one God and Father of all who is above all and through all and in us all Q. How many ways doth God reveal himself A. Three First By his VVorks as is spoken thereof Rom. 1. 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 Secondly By his VVord as the Apostles speaks of it Heb. 1. God who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the Fathers by the Prophets hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son Thirdly By his Spirit For things that eye hath not seen nor ear heard and that have not entred into the heart of man God hath revealed them unto us by his spirit 1 Cor. 2. Q How many Persons are that Divinity that we worship A. There are three The Father who i◠the source and first original of every thing 〈◊〉 The Son who is begotten of the Father before all Ages And the Holy Ghost who from all Eternity proceeds from the Fathe◠and the Son Q. Where do we learn that A. 'T is proved by several Reasons that there is but one only God who hath made all things and was made of none and who moves all things without moving himself but the Revelations alone teaches us that in that Unity of Essence there is a Trinity of Persons Q. In what passage of the Scripture is it spoken of A. In the 28th Chapter of our Lord Jesus Christ's Gospel according to St. Matthew Teach all Nations baptizing them in the Name of the Father of the Son and the Holy Ghost And in the 5th Chapter of the first Epistle of St. John There are three that bear Record in Heaven the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost and these three are one Q. Why do you give to God the quality of Father A. Because he did beget Jesus Christ of his proper Substance so that the Father and the Son are one John 10. Q. Have we any comfort that God is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ A. Yes a very great one for from thence it follows that he is also our Father He hath predestinated us to be conformed to the Image of his Son that he may be the first born among many brethren Rom. 8. Q. Why do you say that God is Almighty A. Because he doth all he pleases in Heaven in Earth and in the Deep and that there is nothing able to resist his Will Q. In what did he shew his Omnipotency A. In making the light to shine from darkness and in creating Heaven and Earth Q How many sorts of Creations are there A. Two The one is properly said that God created something out of nothing as when he created the first matter whereof he formed all Corporal things The other that is so called by comparison when God doth something of a matter that hath no disposition to receive the form he imprinted thereto as when God created the first man of Dust and Eve of Adam's Rib. Q. By whom did God create the World A. It was by his Son that he made the Worlds and without him was not any thing made that was made Heb. 1. and John 1. Q. What do you mean by Heaven and Earth A. Not only that weighty mass which is the center of the world and the lightsome Globes which turn round about it but generally all Creatures Celestial and Terrestrial Q. What is to be considered in all these Creatures A. There are principally five things to be considered their multitude which is almost Infinite their diversity of Beauty their Admirable order their virtues and effects and above all there is not one of them that doth not tend to the end it pleased God to create it for Q. Did God create the Angels A. He created all things visible and invisible the Thrones the Dominions and Principalities Coll. 1. Wherefore the Angels are calle◠Sons of God in the first of Job Q. Did God create also the Devils A. He created their substance but he is no◠the Father of their Malice They are Apostat Angels that have not kept their first Estate a◠St Jude speaks of it Q. How did God create man A. He created him in his image and likeness he enlightened him with his Light and cloathed with Justice and Sanctity Q. Whence comes then the depravation an◠perverseness that is naturally in all the men in th◠world A. It comes from our first Parents who suffered themselves to be corrupted by Satan
Political and Military Vertues but there are others which are proper to the Elect and Faithful as the Inward Sanctification and the certainty of our Adoption for because we are Sons God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into our Hearts bearing witness with our Spirit that we are the Children of God and whereby we cry Abba Father Gall 4. Rom. 8. Q. Hath the Holy Ghost no other particular office towards the Faithful A. He comforts them in their afflictions and fills their Souls with a Joy ineffable and glorious and with a peace of God which passeth all understanding wherefore he is called eminently the Comforter St John 14 Q. Hath every faithful man a Spirit in particular A. By no means for though every one hath his proper gift of God and that there be divers diversities of gifts there is the same Spirit 1 Cor. 12. So that as it is the same God who created us and the same Saviour that redeemed us it is also the same Spirit that sanctifies us and who is the earnest of our Inheritance Eph. 1.4 Of the fourth part of the Apostles Creed Quest WHy do you say I believe the Church and not I believe in the Church as you â—ave said I believe in God and in Jesus Christ â—nd in the Holy Ghost A. Because we do not put our trust in the Church but only believe there is a Church â—nd that we have the happiness to be of her â—ommunion Q. What is the Church A. The word Church in general signifies an assembly convoked by living voice insomuch â—hat Acts 19. a seditious Assembly is called a Church but in its most excellent signification it is taken for the company of those that God hath elected to life everlasting whose names before the foundation of the world he hath written in the Book of Life It is thus that the Apostle takes it Heb. 12. Ye are come to the Assembly and Church of the first-born the Names whereof are written in Heaven Q. How many parts are there in this Church A. There are three the Triumphant Church the Militant Church and the Elect which are not yet called or are not yet born Q. What do you mean by the Triumphant Church A. The assembly of all the Saints that God hath taken up in his glory and who triumph in Heaven with the Angels of Light Q. And what do you mean by the Militant Church A. The Company of the faithful who fight on Earth under the banner of our Lord Jesus Christ and who make open profession of his Truth Q. Of what Church is it spoken of in the Creed A. It is principally spoken of the Church of the Elect against whom the gates of Hell shalâ— not prevail Mat. 16. but in some manner iâ— may be understood of the Church Militant oâ— Earth wherein is found not only those that Goâ— hath sanctified by his Spirit but also Hypocrites Q. But how can we say that we believe in thaâ— Church since we do not see it A. We see indeed the men that compose theiâ— Assemblies and their Sacraments but we don'â— see neither their Faith nor their Charity noâ— their interiour Sanctifiation and it is thaâ— which makes them to be true Members of the Church there is but God alone who knows those who are his and who can discern them from Hypocrites 2 Tim. 2. Q. Ought that Church to be called Catholick or Vniversal A. Yes because it reaches to all sorts of People and it is in that it differs from the Church of the Jews which was composed of one Nation only Q. Hath the word Church no other signification in the Scripture A. Sometimes it is taken for the Pastors and the Readers of the Church as when our Lord Jesus Christ says Mat. 18. tell it unto the Church sometimes for the Faithful which are committed to them as in Acts the 20. where St Paul saith unto the Bishops of Ephesus Feed the Church whom God hath purchased with his own Blood and sometimes for particular Assemblies made up as well of those who teach as of those who are taught it is in that sense it is spoken of the Church of Corinth of the Galathian Churches and of the Church of the Thessalonians Q. Who is the head of the Vniversal Church A. It is our Lord Jesus Christ himself for God hath given him to be the head over all things to the Church which is his Body the fulness of him that filleth all in all Eph. 1. Q Did not Jesus Christ establish on earth any â—ody to be in his stead A. When he left the World he sent his Spirit to abide with us for ever John 14. But he gave no Commission to any man to be his Vicar Universal and there is none that can be it Q. But did he order no body to be the leader of his Church A. For the Spiritual conduct of his Church he did order neither King nor Monarch nor any body that governs in their own way contrarily he said to his Apostles The Kings of the Gentiles exercise Lordships over them and they that exercise Authority upon them are called Benefactors but it shall not be so but he that is greatest among you let him be as the younger and he that is chief as he that doth serve Luke 22. Q. But did he give none to be Ministers A. St Paul teaches us Ephesians 4. that he being ascended above all Heavens he gave some to be Apostles and some Prophets and some Evangelists and some Pastors and Teachers for the perfecting of the Saints for the work of the Ministry for the edifying the body of Christ till we all come into the Unity of the Faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect Man unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ Q. May particular Churches stile themselves Catholick or Vniversal Churches A. They may in some sort be called Catholicks because they make profession of the Christian Faith that ought to be spread throughout the Universe and that by reason of that profession they make part of the Catholick Church but there is not one of them that may usurp that name exclusively to the others for properly speaking universal and particular cannot become the same subject Q. Is there any one of their particular Churches which may pretend to domineer over the other A. By no means for they all alike and immediately depend on Jesus Christ the great Pastor and Bishop of our Souls Q. May one be saved out of the Church's Communion A. There is no Salvation out of the Universal Church but there is no particular Church out of which one may not be saved and there is such particular Church the Communion whereof must one renounce then to be saved Q. What difference is there between the particular Churches A. Some are pure and true in their Doctrine and others are impure and untrue Q. How can one know them A. In examining by the Word of God
the Devotions they profess for the Sheep of our Lord Jesus Christ hear his Voice and follow him but they hear not the Voice of Strangers contrarily they fly from him John 10. and those honour God in vain who teach for Doctrine the Commandment of Man Matthew 15. Q. Do you believe that the Church wherein you have been educated and bred up to be a true and pure Church A. Yes by the grace of God for the word of God is preached therein in all purity the Sacraments are administered in it according to the Institutions of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Divine Service established therein in the same simplicity as it was in the Apostles time Q. Why is the Church called â—oly A. Because God hath separated it from the rest of the World and hath consecrated it to his Service and because Jesus Christ gave himself for us that he might Sanctifie and present it to himself a glorious Church not having Spot or Wrinkle or any such thing Ephes 5. Q. What is the sanctity of the Church A. The Sanctity of the Triumphant Church is perfect and accomplished but that of the Militant Church hath many Faults and Imperfections wherefore she is taught to say every day to God forgive us our Trespasses Q. How is it then that she is called Holy A. Because it gives and applies it self to sanctity that hath the beginning of it that it arrives to perfection and that one day it shall obtain it in the Kingdom of Heaven Of the Conmunion of Saints Quest IS it lawful to Trust in the Merit and in the satisfaction of Saints A. By no means for every one shall bear his own burthen Gal. 6. It belongs to Jesus Christ alone to bear our Iniquities and satisfie for us to the Justice of God 1 Pet. 2. There is no other name under Heaven given amongst men whereby we must be saved Acts 4. Q. Of what Saints do you believe the Communion A. Of the Saints Triumphant in Heaven of the Faithful fighting on Earth and of the one with the other Q. In what consists the Communion of the Faithful on earth A. In that they have all the same God for Father the same Jesus Christ for a Saviour and the same Spirit for Comforter they obey the same Gospel and participate of the same Sacraments they have the same Faith and the same Hope they long for the same Inheritance and do communicate to one another the goods which God imparted them they feel the afflictions of one another and work together for their mutual Salvation Q In what consists the Communion of the glorified Saints A. In that they enjoy the same glory and felicity that they contemplate the fear of the same God and agree together to celebrate his praises Q. In what consists the Communion of the Militant Church with the Triumphant A. In that we have all the same God and the same Saviour that we are all moved by the same Spirit and inflamed with the same Charity and that we have the same desire to see Jesus Christ upon his Throne and the whole Church carried up in Body and Soul in the fulness of Glory which is prepared her from the foundation of the World Of the Remission of Sins Quest WHat signifies the article of Remission of sins A. We believe that God of his free Will for Jesus Christs sake forgave all poor repenting sinners their offences Q. Is there none but God that forgives sins A. There is none but God alone that forgives them with Authority and with absolute power Matt. 2. Q. And how is it that Pastors forgive sins A. As Ministers and Ambassadors of Jesus Christ Of the Resurrection of the Body Quest WHat do you mean by the Resurrection of the Body A. That in the last day God will command the Earth the Sea and the Sepulchre to deliver up the dead and then the just and the unjust shall rise again from the dead the one in Resurrection of Life and the other in Resurrection of Condemnation Rev. 20. Dan. 12. and John 5. Q. Do you believe that this same flesh which shall have been eaten up by the worms and reduced into dust may and shall rise again A. Yes for nothing is impossible to God and he is true in his promises wherefore we may say with Job I know that my Redeemer liveth and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the Earth and though after my skin worms devour this Body yet in my flesh shall I see God and my Eye shall behold him Job 19. Q. How shall our Bodies rise again A. They shall invest in corruption immortality light and glory 1 Cor. 15. And shall be rendred conform unto the glorious body of our Saviour according to the Apostles saying Phil. 3. we look for the Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ from Heaven who shall change our vile body that it may be fashioned like unto his glorio us body Q. What shall become of those who at the Resurrection day shall be living on earth A. They shall be changed in a moment in the twinkling of an eye at the last Trump and we shall be caught up together in the Clouds to meet the Lord in the Air and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 1 Cor. 15. 1 Thess 4. Of Life Everlasting Quest WHAT is the life everlasting that you believe A It is the spiritual and heavenly life which we shall for ever live in Paradice with Jesus Christ and his Triumphing Angels Q. How many different degrees hath that Life A. Three one in this life what it pleases God to give us the first fruit of his Spirit and the foretaste of the delight of Paradice The â—econd when our Soul leaves this Corporal Taâ—ernacle to put on the eternal dwelling which is â—n Heaven and the third after the Resurrection when in bodâ— and in soul we shall enjoy the good things which the eye did not see that ear did not hear and that entred not into the heart of Man Q What are the principal benefits we shall enjoy â—n that glorious life A. To know God perfectly and to contemâ—late him face to face to love him intirely â—nd to love nothing but in him and for the â—ove of him to have an accomplished sanctity â—ee from all defects to enjoy permanent joy â—hich may be felt through all the faculties of â—or souls and bodies and lastly to be rendred â—ike unto God himself for when we shall see â—im as he is we shall be like him 1 John 3. The End of the First Part. Of good WORKS PART II Quest BY what means do we hope to be saved A. Through the death and passioâ— of our Lord Jesus Christ Q. Since Jesus Christ redeemed us by his deaâ— and passion is it necessary to do good Works A. Yes for that he hath redeemed us from the hands of our Enemies it is to the end that we may serve him without fear in holineâ— and righteousness all the