thou not think that thou art bound to do and believe as they have promised for thee A. Yes verily and by Gods help so I will And I heartily thank our heavenly Father that he hath called me to this state of salvation through Iesus Christ our Saviour And I pray unto God to give me his grace that I may continue in the same unto my lives end Q. Why is this Question proposed A. 1. That the Child being now grown up might be made sensible of that Vow he was entred in by his Godfathers and Godmothers in Baptism 2. That before the Congregation he by making an open profession of it might evidence that he retained that Religion he was Baptized into and owned as firm and stedfast what was then done and promised for him 3. That he now being grown up and assenting to the obligation on him from that Vow entred by his Godfathers and Godmothers might henceforward look upon himself obliged to practise it And here how may we justly lament the neglect of Confirmation amongst us which would be a great expedient to oblige persons to be instructed in the principles of Religion and engage them by an assuming their Baptismal Vow on themselves to the practice of it Q. What is considerable in the Answer A. 1. An earnest assent and consent to the Obligation on us from our Baptismal Vow to perform it Yes Verily 2. 2 Cor. 3.5 Joh. 15.5 Phil. 2.13 An humble acknowledgment of our own inability to perform our Duties of Religion or to withstand Sin Satan and the World without God's help And therefore by God's help I will 3. The great joy and gladness the Baptized person looks on his Baptized state with Psal 147. last Acts 4.12 I heartily thank our heavenly Father who hath called me to this State of Salvation through Jesus Christ our Saviour It being a State of Grace of which the numerous Jews and Heathens are deprived of 4. Here is an holy means used to obtain God's help to perform this Vow I pray unto God to give me his Grace 5. Phil. 4.13 Here is an holy Resolution of perseverance through God's help 6. Phil. 1. That I may continue in the same to my lives end Q. Rehearse the Articles of thy Belief A. I believe in God the Father Almighty maker of Heaven and Earth And in Iesus Christ his only Son our Lord who was conceived by the Holy Ghost born of the Virgin Mary sutfered under Pontius Pilate Was crucified dead and buried He descended into Hell The third day he rose again from the dead and ascended into Heaven and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty From thence he shall come to judge hoth 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 the life everlasting Amen Q. Why are the Articles of the Creed in the first person singular A. 1. Because though we may pray for each other yet every one must believe for himself 2. Because hereby every one makes an acknowledgment and confession of his own Faith Q. Why is it called the Belief A. From the first words I believe Q. Why is it called the Creed A. From the first word in Latin Credo Q. Why is it called the Apostles Creed A. 1. Because there is good reason to believe it was made by the Apostles Alsted Chronol p. 315. Calvin Instit l. 2. c. 16. sect 18. Dr. Sherlock on Cat. before they were dispersed abroad in the World at the Council of Jerusalem about the 49 year of Christ as a sum of sound Doctrin for the Churches use And some have supposed hence it was divided into Twelve Articles according to the number of the Apostles 2. It is called the Apostles Creed because its Articles agree with the doctrin of the Apostles delivered in their Writings Q. How are the Articles of the Creed divided A. Catec of Church of Engl. Some have made only three parts of it respecting the sacred Trinity the only Object of our Faith and thus doth our Church divide it into Articles 1. Concerning God the Father who made me and all the World 2. Concerning God the Son who Redeemed meand all Mankind 3. Concerning God the Holy Ghost who sanctifies me and Elect People of God Others have added a fourth part concerning the Church of God and its Priviledges here and hereafter Col. 1.18 Eph. 1.14 4 uke 14.7 Cor. 15.19 But because the Church is no object of Faith and our belief of Christ and the Holy Ghost will pre-suppose a People Redeemed and Sanctified and that State will infer pardon of Sins Resurrection and Eternity of Life Therefore I shall only consider three parts Q. Which is that part of the Creed which relates to God the Father A. I believe in God the Father Almighty maker of Heaven and Earth Q. What is here believed concerning God the Father A. Three things 1. His Being 2. His Attributes 3. His Works Q. What is meant by I believe in God A. That I believe 1. There is a God 2. There is but one God 3. That I believe in this one God Q. How do you prove there is a God A. Arguments to convince the Atheist are drawn from Reason for he who denies a God cannot credit Scripture which we say is the Word of God Therefore 1. Gror. de ver Chris Relig. l. 1. Morn de ver Relig c. 1. Cicero l. 1. Tusc Quest Val. Max. l. 1. c. 1. Extern The first cause of all things proves a God nothing could make its self and therefore every thing made had God a Creator and is an Argument for a God and may silence the Atheist 2. The 1. consent of all Nations who by the light of Nature saw it The Roman Orator accounts no Nation so barbarous as to deny the Being of a Deity And the Athenians banisht Diagoras for but saying he doubted it Their Polytheism or worship of many Gods tho sinful yet pleaded they were Theists worshippers of a Deity The several Creatures especially our selves may silence all doubts Dr. Arrowsmith Aphor. Exer. 2. sect 1 2. for tho which way soever we look we may find enough to convince us of his Being Yet our selves as what we are most conver sant with may silence Atheism 3. Our bodies and souls witness a Deity Our Parents could not make us Male or Female Leigh 's body of Divinity l. 2. c. 1. p. 151. however desirous they of either Sex We 2. excel all creatures in our structure and our Souls are above the Sphere of Earthly Beings being 3. spiritual and capable of an immortality remembring things past and foreseeing things to come all which plead for a God a Father of our Spirits and Creator of our Bodys 4. The testimony of every mans Conscience which at sometimes 4. checks him for evil and encourageth him to Good is
us A. It should make us consider 1. That we are not our own but Gods 2. That being his it is but reasonable we should serve him 3. It should shame us for our rebellious sins since all our fellow-creatures obey his pleasure 4. It should make us resolve on future obedience with out utmost sincerity and power to our lives end Q. Why is God set forth as a Father A. His Attribute of Almighty declares his power His Title of Father denotes his goodness the one evidenceth him able the other willing to do us good Q. How is God a Father to us A. 1. By Creation He made us and not we our selves 2. God as a Father takes care of us supplies our wants Gen. 1.26 protects our persons watcheth over us to do us good night and day 3. God is our Father thro Christ by Adoption 4. Joh. 1.12 God as our Father hath provided an inheritance for us as Sons whom he is pleased to account as co-heirs with Christ Q. What is it to believe God to be our Father Rom. 8.16 A. 1. To own him as such 2. To make our addresses to him for what we want 3. To receive comfort hence under all troubles they come from a Father 4. To engage our submission to God's corrections he is our Father John 14.13 14. Heb. 12.6 7. 5. To support us under sense of the Frailty of our duties we perform them not to a critical Judge but to a merciful Father 6. It may engage us to act as Children in love fear honour obedience to him and vindication of him and promoting his glory B. Pearson on Creed p. 29 30. Eph. 5.1 and an endeavour to imitate him 7. Not to murmur at any dispensation of his Providence but freely to rest contented in what God is pleased to order Q. What are these Works by which God is made known in the Creed A. His making Heaven and Earth Q. How is God proved to have made Heaven and Earth A. 1. They were not from Eternity but were made in time 2. Nothing could make it self every thing was made by another 3. B. Pearson on Creed p. 51 52. Leigh 's Body of Divinity p. 282. Scripture abundantly witnesseth they were made by God Gen. 1. 4. The Heathens also ascribe the Creation of all things to God 7. 5. Heaven and Earth with the creatures in them pay as creatures homage to God as their great Creator Q. What is meant by Heaven and Earth A. Not only themselves but all creatures in the Universe and as by them is meant the Universe so there is nothing in the whole World but God made it Q. Is nothing meant by Gods making the Heaven and Earth but only his Creating them A. Yes because his power is equally manifested in the preservation as in the Creation of things therefore his Providence may be here considered whereby God orders governs and disposeth of all things as he pleaseth Q. How do you prove there is a Providence A. 1. By the Regular motion of the Heavens 2. Mornaeus de Ver. Rel. c. 1. c. 11. The preservation of each Species of creatures in the midst of so many devouring Enemies 3. The alternate course of day and night for manslabour and rest 4. The preying of Beasts in the night when man rests and their being in their Dens in the day when man labours 5. The preservation of the Child in the Womb. B. Ushers Body of Divinity p. 107 108. 6. The Exalting some and Deposing others 1 Sam. 2.6 7. 7. The delivering of his Church from its many enemies Turk and Antichrist Pagan and Heretic 8. The Government of Nations by one man whenas every man is naturally desirous to govern 9. The discovering * 1588. 1605. 1678. the designs and defeating the Plots of persons against those Nations and Churches that serve him 10. Mornzus lib. praed c. 13. Whoever do acknowledge a Deity and denies Providence do much affront God supposing him to be only an idle Spectator of things 11. The duties of God's People yea of all the World to him prove it why should any pray if he hears and answers not or worship if he seeth and rewardeth not 12. The Heathens grant a 8 Providence ordering Life and Death Peace and War Riches and Poverty c. Q. If God orders all things by his Providence how should we improve it A. 1. We should in all our wants go to God 2. Count what we have or receive as received from God 3. It will plead it our necessary duty to serve him Homil. of Engl. on Rogat Week without whose blessing we cannot subsist 4. It will also engage our labour in our callings for God's Providence orders means to obtain mercies as well as mercies to be obtained which tho they cannot be succesful without God's blessings Harmony of Confessions Confes Belg. Art 3. Helv. 6. yet he will bless our endeavours to the obtaining what he seeth good for us 5. It will make us under all troubles to be content and in use of means to wait patiently for a release God is too great to be contented with and too good to be questioned be gives us more then we deserve if not what we desire The part of the Creed concerning God the Father being considered Q. What is that part concerning God the Son A. I believe in Iesus Christ his only Son our Lord c. Q. What is believed concerning Christ in the Creed A. Things respecting his Person and his Offices Q. What is in the Creed concerning his Person A. His twofold nature God and Man Q. Wherein is Christ's Divinity manifested A. In our believing him to be Gods only Son our Lord. Q. How prove you Christ to be God A. 1. He derived his being from the Father by a way above all creatures so that he is very God of very God Nicaean Creed Athanasian Creed and as really God of the substance of the Father begotten before the World as man of the substance of his Mother born in the World 2. Calvin Instit l. 2. c. 14. s 5. The Attributes and Works of God are attributed to him in Scripture 3. The Miracles he wrought were beyond any creatures power to effect done in his own name frequently in publick and by his own power 4. Mark 5.7 to 13. The obedience of all creatures to him yea of the very Devils 5. The Testimony of God Mat. 3.17 Angels Mat. 1.21 Devils Mark 5.7 6. The Heathens were not ignorant of the notion of the Son of God 9. becoming man Q. Why was it necessary our Saviour should be God A. 1. Bish Nicholson on Cat. p. 38. B. Ushers body Div. p. 93 162. Leigh 's body p. 257. Homily of Eng. on Nativ To bear the weight of God's anger which man could not do 2. To satisfie an infinite offended Justice 3. To conquer all our enemies 4. To procure Salvation for us most
consistent with his Fathers Glory 5. To render his sufferings of infinite value to save all his in all Ages 6. For the comfort of fallen man who might believe the glad Tidings of his peace with God when it was brought to him by one who being God as well as man evidenced the peace by the Union of the Natures Q. Why is the Son of God called Christ A. Christ signifieth anointed and is the same with Messiah to evidence Christ to be the true Messiah Q. How prove you Christ to be the true Messiah A. 1. Homil. Eng. on Nativ Mat. 1.18 20.1 2. Mark 5.9 The Prophecies concerning the Messiah were fulfilled in him as to his Tribe Parent Birth-place Name manner of Life and Death Resurrection and Ascension and their Effects as to the Conversion of the Gentiles 2. God the Holy Ghost Angels Devils testifie it Mat. 3.17 1.18 Luke 2.10 3. The Jews themselves believed it John 12.44 4. Mornaeâ—s de Ver. Rel. c. 29. All times of expecting the Messiah centred in and about that time Christ was born and many false Christs then arose 5. Christ did what the Messiah was to do B. Pearson on Creed p. 83 84. and suffered what the Messiah was to suffer therefore he was the true Messiah The mistake of the Jews as to Christs coming in Glory was Their confounding his second coming with the first And if he had come in Glory how then should the Prophecies concerning his Sufferings Death Burial c. Isa 53. be fulfilled we grant his coming in Glory but we premise his suffering for sin here in the flesh and his coming in Glory we refer to his coming to Judge the World see at large this in Bishop Pearson on the Creed pag. 83 84 85 c. Q. Why is Christ called our Lord A. B. Pearson on Creed p. 153. 1. Because he is the Lord that made us and bought us 1 Cor. 6.20 2. He hath chosen us to be his People out of all the World Jewish and Heathen 3. We have by our Baptism chosen him for our Lord and Master and have resigned up our selves to him as his faithful Servants Q. What Office of Christ doth this Title of Lord import A. His Office of King Q. How is Christ a King A. Christ is a King of Grace and Glory Here he rules in his People Gal. 6.16 and they hereafter Reign with him And as a King 1. He hath a Church or People subject to him 1 John 2.6 John 16.78 14.26 1 Cor. 15 55 56 57 2 Thes 1.8 9 10. 2. To them he gives Laws to walk by 3. They obey him 4. He governs them by his Spirit and Ordinances 5. He as King protects them from enemies and defends them in peace 6. He as King rewards his People with blessings here and hereafter Q. How is Christ a Prophet A. 1. He instructs us by his Word Spirit and Ministers in our Duties 2. He continues a supply of Ordinances for the Service of his Church to the Worlds end Mat. 28.20 Rom. 8.16 26. 3. He enables his People to discharge their duties and to perform what he expects from them Q. Why is Christ called Jesus A. An Angel hath given us the Reason Mat. 1.21 Because he should save his People from their Sins Q. How opth Christ save us A. 1. 2 Cor. 5.21 Christ underwent the whole wrath of God due to us and so satisfied Gods offended Justice Mat. 26. and c. 27. 2. He performed actively what the Law required and so was without sin 3. Hence God is Mat. 3.17 5.17 through him reconciled to us 2 Cor. 5.18 20 21. 4. Luke 34. â—â— Joh. 3. â—â— Christ hath made known to us the terms of Salvation that we on our Repentance for sin and closing with him by Faith and living in obedience to him in the life of Faith may be saved 5. He by his Word Ordinances Ministers Jam. 1.28 Phil. 1.6 Spirit and Graces instructs us in his Will and enables us to perform what he requires 6. Heb. 7.25 Rev. 8.2 He intercedes with God his Father for the pardon of those sins attending our persons and performances and pleads for the acceptance of us and them on the account of his Merits and Mediation Q. What may be learned from Christs Deity and threefold Office A. 1. From his being God I learn 1. God and Christ's great Love to sinful man in Christ's Death Rom. 5.8 10. 2. I see sins evil in causing Christ to come from Heaven to save us 3. I learn mercy for sinners Christ as God is able to save all that return 2. I learn from Christ's being the true Messiah 1. God's veracity who will fulfil his promise in due time 2. The Jews stupidity in denying and Crucifying of him 3. Mat. 27.25 The Justice of God in punishing them according to their own imprecation His blood be on us and our Children 4. I see the verity of our Christian Religion of which we have no reason to be ashamed 5. I learn to trust God in all my affairs Rom. 8.28 32 c. who hath been so faithful to give his Son according to his promise to die for my sins 3. I learn from the Offices of Christ 1. That as Christ is my Lord and King so I ought to obey him and as he loved me so as to dye for me I ought to love him so as to live to him 2 Cor. 5.15 and to my power promote his Kingdom and Glory 2. As Christ is Prophet I ought to reverence God's Word Ordinances and Ministers and to obey what Christ by them and his Spirit doth teach me to be my duty it becoming me to have an ear to hear where the Almighty God condescends to speak Prov. 1.24 26 28 3. As Christ is my High Priest and Saviour to expiate my sin and save my Soul by his merits and mediation I learn to disown all merits and works of Righteousness of my own Isa 64.6 Luke 17.19 and not to relie on any Creatures Righteousness for Justification but wholly by a Faith and Obedience close with and live to him expecting from him my Salvation on the account of his own Merits and free Grace I learn also to disown all Co-mediators as Saints and Angels and to account him as the sole procurer of my happiness to whom my complaints of wants and Prayers for supplies ought to be offered up and made known Q. Why was our Saviour Man A. 1. Man had sinned B. Ushers body of Divinity p. 164. Harmony of Confes Confes Belg. art 20. and the nature sinning ought to suffer and satisfie 2. Christ as God could not suffer and became Man that he might suffer 3. To reconcile the human Nature to God by the Union of the Deity and Humanity in his own Person 4. That he being sensible of our infirmitys might have compassion on us 5. To encourage us in
ought to be the improvement of Christs Exaltation A. Col. 3.1.2 Heb. 4.16 Psal 2. last 2 Pet. 3.10 11. 1. To rise and ascend after him in affection and holiness of life 2. To pray with boldness to him who sits interceding for us 3. To close with and be at peace with him who shall judge us 4. To watch our thoughts words and actions 5. To judge our selves dayly 6. To be always ready to meet Christ at the judgment-seat Acts 24.15 since we know not how soon where how nor when he may call us who are alive as well as those who are dead to judgment The Creed being considered as to God the Father and Son Q. What is the third object of our faith A. The third person of the Trinity God the Holy Ghost Q. Why is he called Ghost A. Gen 1. 1. Because God is a Spirit 2. He is a Spirit Q. Why is he called Holy A. 1 John 5.7 1. Because he is Holy in himself 2. The author of all holiness in us Q. Acts 5.3 4. B. Pearson on Creed p. 220. 2 Pet. 〈◊〉 2 〈◊〉 How is the Holy Ghost proved to be God A. 1. By Scripture 2. The Attributes of God are given to him Psalm 139.3 The works of God as Creation Gen. 1. Sanctification John 16.4 He is the Author of the Scriptures but they were written by men inspired by God Q. What is it to believe in the Holy Ghost A. 1. To believe the Truth of the Article That there is an Holy Ghost or Holy Spirit of God Which also the heathens seem to speak of 12 2. To attend to and obey his motions 3. To prize and improve his ordinances Q. What do the remaining Articles of the Creed concern A. The Consequences of the former the priviledges of a state of grace and glory belonging to Gods Creatures redeemed by Christ and sanctified by the Holy Ghost Q. Which are they Answ Five 1. Church-membership 2. Communion of Saints 3. Remission of sins 4. Resurrection of body 5. Life everlasting Q. Why is it not said I believe in the Holy Catholick Church A. 1. God is the only object of our Faith 2. Implicite Faith or to believe as the Church believes may be amiss Every one ought to believe for himself Q. What then is meant by the Church A. Hookers Polity lib. 3. sect 1. The Church of Christ is invisible of all true Christians and visible of all Christian professors Q. Why is the Church called Holy and Catholick A. They are the two marks of the true Church of Christ without which no Church is true Q. Ames Bel. Enervat Tom. 2. Cap. 3. Why is Christs Church called Holy A. 1. From the better part of the Church the true Christians 2. From the desires after holyness it's members true Christians have Homil. of Engl. on Whit-Sunday 3. From the commands of their God obliging to holiness 4. From the Holiness of it's ordinances Q. Why is it called Catholick A. Leigh 's body p. 623. 627. 1. It 's Doctrine ought to be the Catholick or universal rule of all Churches through the world and so in it's first institution it was Catholick 2. It is a Church continuing it's Doctrin through all ages since Christ Fox Acts vol. 1. p. 10. 887. vol. 3. p. 489. 576. 3. It 's called Catholick because it includes the whole world of Christians every Christian is part of some particular Church and all the particular Churches of Christ make one Catholic Church 4. It is called Catholick because it includes both Sexes and all sorts and degrees of Men and Women high and low rich and poor 5. It must be holy as well as Catholick B. Pearson on Creed p. 335. or else it is Satans Synagogue not Christs Church it's Doctrines must be pure nor must it tolerate any vice in practise Q. What do you believe in this Article A. 1. 1 Co◠12.20 27. Eph. 4.5 That Christ hath a People dispersed through the whole world whom he owns and who serve him in holiness 2. That tho in many places yet it is but one Church having one God one Christ one Faith one Baptism 3. It Shews Romes folly in confineing the Catholick Church to it's self as if Rome was the whole world Q. Is not the Church of Rome the Holy Catholick Church here meant A. No The Church of Rome as now it is in principle and practice is neither Catholick nor Holy 1. It is not Holy Dr. Brevints Samuel and Saul at Endor Dr. Lloyd on funeral of Sir Edmundbury Godfrey all sins are here tolerated Murder and Rebellion in some causes accounted meritorious B. Lincolns Popish principles pernicious to Protestant Princes p. 34 57 60 61 62 63 95 96 97 102 105 111. But Romes sense of its own impiety makes it seldom plead for it's holiness tho it cry aloud for its being Catholick which cannot be granted 1. For its present Doctrines and practices are not agreeable to the Catholick rule of the Scriptures She commands worshipping of Images Scripture forbids it She raceth out the second Commandment the Scripture contains it c. 2. It is not Catholick its Doctrines have not been received ever since the Apostles time most of their opinions differing from Scripture and us are proved not owned for 600 years after Christ 3. Nor are they Catholick as to the places receiving them Many Nations have thrown off the Popish Yoke and Antichristian tyranny 4. That can be no holy Catholick Church of Christ which opposeth Christ in his person and all his offices as the Church of Rome in principle and practice doth Deut. 4. Their Images or pictures of Christ oppose his Deity which cannot be pictured Their Transubstantiation destroy his humanity whereby they make him to be in many places at one time Their Purgatory merits works of Supererrogation worship and Prayer to Saints and Angels destroy his Priesthood and make him but half a Saviour their contempt of Scriptures and equalling Traditions with it owning it no further the word of God then their Church or Pope allow it opposeth his prophetic office together with their prohibiting Gods word or service to be in the common tongue of a Nation their blasphemous Titles of the Pope his usurped power of Heaven and Hell and obliging persons on pain of damnation to the observance of his pleasure Dr. Brevint Sam. and Saul at Endor Cap. 1.2 oppose his Kingly office But all these would be laid aside if Rome was reduced to primitive and Catholic purity Q. What do you learn further by this Article of the Catholick Church A. 1. That I ought not to rest in a bare profession of Religion only but to labour after it's practice also the Church of Christ is Holy as well as Catholick 2. Calvin Instit l. Cap. 1. sect 10. That I ought to take heed of rash Sects and divisions whereby I may forsake this Holy Catholick
a Child of Grace 4. Here is that effect Baptism should have on us it should make us not to sin but to dye to it and as Children of Grace to live to Christ the Life of Righteousness Q. What is required of Persons to be Bâ—ptized A. Repentance whereby they forsake Sin and Faith whereby they Believe the Promises of God made to them in that Sacrament Q. What is Considerable in this Answer A. 1. That in the first Planting of the Gospel and Practice of Baptism when the World waâ— either Jews or Gentiles without Faith in Christ it was necessary Repentance should be acted for their past sins and a Faith in Christ professed by the Converts before they were by Baptism received as visible Members of Christs Church Order for â—aptism of those of Riper sears And so it is our Churches Practice towards any Converted from Judaism or Gentilism or brought up by their Parents unbaptized That such should give an Account of their Faith before they be Baptized 2. That the Children of Pagans and Jews Converted and the Children of Professing Christians may be Baptized as well as the Child with the Proselyted Parent under the Law was Circumcised Yea the Children of Pagans or Jews brought by Câ—ristians who as Spiritual Parents to them will engage their Endeavours to bring up those Children in the Fear of God and Practice of Christianity may doubtless be Baptized and received into Christs Church Q. Why are Infants Baptized when by Reason of their tender Age they cannot perform them that is cannot act Faith and Repentance A. They Promise them both by their Sureties which when they come to Age themselves they are hound to perform Q. What Reasons are there given for Infant Baptism A. 1. See about God-fathers They have in and by their Sureties or God-fathers and God-mothers promised the performance of them both and that Lawfully 2. They are Obliged to perform that promise when they grow up Q. What other Reasons have you for Infant Baptism A. 1. See Dr. Hammond's 6 Principles and his Cat. p. 388. B. Ushers body of Divinity p. 518. Harmony of Confes Confes Helvetia Belgia Bohem. Saxony In the first Ordaining of Circumcision Old Abraham the Youth Ishmael and Child Isaac were Circumcised and after that all the Children of the Proselytes together with their Parents And so in the Institution of Baptism the Aged and adult Converts were Baptized and then their Children and the Children of all who are Converted to the Christian Faith have the same Right to Baptism Gen. 17. Acts 2.39 1 Cor. 7.14 2. Our Priviledges since Christ are as great as the Jews had before Christ 3. Their Children were Circumcised and ours are as capable of Baptism as theirs were of Circumcision 4. That Covenant of which Circumcision was a Seal was a Covenant of Grace through Christ not yet repealed And in that Covenant Children had a Right to be engaged Deut. 29.10 11. Dr. Patricks Aqua Genitalu and God calls them to enter into Covenant with him Nor is there any Syllable against their being in Covenant with God through Christ in all the New Testament They then are still in it and have Right to the Seal of it which now is Baptism 5. They have an express Right to the Promises of this Covenant Acts 2.39 6. They are Members of Christ Leigh 's body p. 922. Mat. 19.13 Mar. 10.13 Disciples of Christ and Heirs of the Kingdom of Heaven through Christ and so have Right to the Blessings of the Covenant and therefore cannot reasonably be denyed the Seal of it And if it be said that the words of such refer to Persons who are like them in Innocency c. It may be Answered That 1. Of such must respect the Persons of Children B. Towers in locum who are by our Adversaries generally granted to be Heirs of Eternal Glory 2. If God will give a Kingdom to them who are like Children much more to Children whom they are like Craggs against Tombs 7. They are iucluded in the Commission of Christ for Baptism Mat. 28.19 They are part of all Nations And as the Jews taught the Gentiles and on their Confession of their Faith received them by Circumcision So Christ the Messias to the Jews as well as Light to the Gentiles Orders his Disciples to Disciple all Nations by Preaching the Gospel to them Mark 16.16 and by Baptizing them who were Converted to manitest their receiving to be Christs Disciples And as the Jews taught the Circumcised Proâ—clvies father in their Law so Christ orders the Discipled and Baptized Convert to be further taught in his Gospel The Jews first taught the Gentile Parent and then Circumcised him and his Children but then the Children were first Circumcised and then taught and thus the Apostles taught the Aged and then Baptized them and their Housholds forthwith Acts 16.15 31. where is no mention of any ones confessing that Faith the Apostles taught or of their Teaching any but the Jaylor Lydia and the Master or Mistress of that Family 8. Walkers Modest Plea Cap. 4. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Christ calls Children to come unto him which word is as it were to become Christs Proselyte Now no way can Children come to Christ visibly but by Baptism 9. It is more safe to admit a Child to Baptism whom God accounts capable of engaging in Covenant with him and whom Christ owns as his Disciple and which cannot deceive us than to Baptize an adult Person who for sinister ends may make a great Profession and yet deceive us And if the judgment of Charity must be allowed then we have no Reason to think hardly on Children to whom God and Christ makes such Promises 10. They may have Faith in Seed and Habit as they have Reason Mat. 18.6 And Christ accounts them as Believers several have been Sanctified from the Womb and those whom they deny Baptism to may have received the Holy Ghost and how dare Man make himself Judge of these things Jer. 1.4 5. Luke 1.15 And for those Children which Christ calls Believers they in that place and in its parallel places are expressed in all Tongues to be such Children little Children Infants as could not come but were brought to Christ and such as Christ took up in his Arms. 11. Confirmation and Laying on of Hands in the Order of Ordinances presupposeth Baptism Mat. 19.13 and by our Adversaries is Practised after it And yet Christ laid his Hands on Children and Blessed them and was very angry with those who would have hindred their coming It seems to be between Christ and his Apostles as between greater and inferiour Ministers John 4.2 Christ Baptized none but his Apostles Baptized and he Consirmed 12. It was the constant Practice of the Church of Christ in all Ages Mr. Walkers Modest Plea Cap. 26 27 28. Calvin Instâ—â—ut lib. 4. 〈◊〉 15. 〈◊〉 22. 13. Christ mentions it not
in the New Testament because it was so fully known in the Old that Children were within the Covenant and admitted to the Seal of it That Baptizing them is not a receiving them as Foreigners into the Church of Christ but a more Solemn manifesting them to be so and a witnessing they are Members of Christ who belonged to the Body of his Church before Ephes 2.12 13. Hâ—l 8.6 There needed no new Command to promote an old Practâ—â—e which unless contâ—â—ued I see no great inducement can be offered to perswade a Jew to become Christian Wills against Danvers Second Part p. 36. None of their Priviledges are infringed but ours enlarged the Covenant is unrepealed and Baptism larger than Circumcision as including Females as well as Males as capable Subjects of it 14. The Error of the Anabaptists hath these ill consequences 1. It throws all the World into Heathenism again 2. Makes a Church ever gathering never gathered 3. 1 Cor. 7.14 Makes Children of Turks and Jews equally happy as ours 4. States our Children in the visible Synagogue of Satan by excluding them the visible Church of Christ 5. Gives Parents small hopes of their Salvation by disowning them for Members of Christs Church Mark 16.16 Baxters Infant Church-memb and not esteeming them Believers 6. It may expose to the breach of the sixth and seventh Commandments Q. Why was the Sacrament of the Lords Supper Ordained A. For the continual Remembrance and the Sacrifice of the Death of Christ and the Benâ—sits we receive thereby Q. What things are Considerable in this Answer A. 1. That Christ Offered himself a Sacrifice to God for Mans sins Heb. 5. and 9 Chap. 2. By the Death and Sacrifice of Christ we receive great Benefits 1. Pardon of Sin 2. Peace with God 3. Adoption 4. Gift of Holy Ghost 5. Graces 6. Glory 3. That these Benefits and this Death of Christ ought to be remembred Mat. 26.1 Cor. 11 24. Q. How is the Sacrament a Commemoration of Christs Death A. 1. The Bread and Wine set apart for the Use of the Sacrament denotes Christs separation for the Work of our Redemption the Breads breaking Christs Crucifying its eating our receiving Christ and our Union with him 2. The Wine shews Christs Blood distinct from his Body as shed for us The pouring out the Wine shews the shedding his Blood and our drinking it our applying Christs Blood to cleanse us from sin Q. Why is Christs Death called a Sacrifice A. 1. It was Typified by all the Sacrifices under the Law 2. Christ Offered himself a Sacrifice for us Q. Why is it not yet counted a Sacrifice A. 1. Christ is not again Offered 2. Christ is not ours nor in our power to Offer 3. Heb. 9.25 26. His Offering himself once for all is sufficient Q. What are the outward parts of the Lords Supper A. Bread and Wine which the Lord hath Commanded to be Received Q. Is not the Bread in the Sacrament turned into Christs Body after the words of Consecration since Christ said This is my Body A. No. 1. Gen. 17.10 Exod. 12 Funeral of Mass Brevint against Mass p. 57. Sacraments are spoken in a Figurative sense Circumcision is called the Covenant and the Paschal Lamb the Passover which were but signs of the Covenant And so this is my Body signifieth this is the sign of my Body and our Adversaries grant a Figurative Speech in the use of the Cup where it is said This Cup is the New Testament in my Blood of which the Blood of Christ signified by the Wine was a Seal 2. Transubstantiation against all our Senses We see feel smell taste Bread 3. Then is there no Sacrament because the Sign is destroyed 4. It s Institution iâ— in Remembrance of Christ which implies his Absence 5. It destroys Christs Humanity which cannot be in many places at once 6. It exposeth Christs Body to Rude Accidents our eating him Mice destroying him its moulding and corrupting against Psal 16.10 7. Then the Infidels eating the Bread shall be saved for all eating Christ shall 8. Their Pleas from John 6. unsound Christ spoke there Spiritually nor indeed was the Sacrament then Instituted but some time after a little before his Death 9. Either Christ is in the Sacrament or he is not If in it they Act horrid things to tear Christs Body with their Teeth and if he be not there they Act gross Idolatry in Worshipping a piece of Bread it is a madness to eat our God or adore what we eat in the Heathens account 16 10. It was Confirmed but in the Year 1215. after Christ Q. May not the Cup of Wine be forbidden A. 1. No. This Error succeeded the former Ames Bell. Enervat Tom. 3. Lib. 4. Cap. 7. Fox Act. Vol. 2. pag. 460. A. Bishop Ushers Answer to Jesuit pag. 3. B. Taylors disswasive Cap. 1. Sect. 6. for if Christs Body be in the Bread his Blood is there also and therefore our Adversaries deny the distinct Administration of it But 2. Against the Command and Practice of Christ and his Apostles 1 Cor. 11.24 Mat. 26. 3. Pope Gelasius Decreed this Act to be Sacrilegious and he was as Infallible as his Successors if one be Infallible for them another is so against them 4. No Ancient Council Father or Example of Primitive Church was for it saith the same Gelasius 5. It was Decreed about 1415 after Christ in the Council of Constance Q. What is the inward part or thing signified A. The Body and Blood of Christ which are verisy and indeed taken and received of the Faithful in the Lords Supper Q What is here Observable A. 1. That the Body and Blood of Christ are Offered in the Sacrament to be received by the Communicants 2. That the true faithful Communicant doth receive them and their Benefits 3. His receiving them is by Faith Spiritually applying them to his Soul Q. What are the Benefits we are made Partakers of hereby A. The strengthening and refreshing of our Souls and Bodies by the Body and Blood of Christ as our Bodies are by the Bread and Wine Q. What is herein Considerable A. 1. That as Bread and Wine are great strengtheners and refreshers of our Bodies so doth Christs Body and Blood with the Benefits thence flowing to the Worthy Receiver Dr. Patricks Mensa Mystica p. 382. much strengthen and refresh our Souls in the sense of the Pardon of our sins of our Peace with God comforts of the Holy Ghost Grace against sin our sense of Gods Love Union with him and Right to Glory Q. What is required of Persons who come tâ— the Lords Supper A. To Eramine themselves whether they Repent them truly of their former sins steadfastly purposing to lead a new Life have a lively Faith in Gods Mercy through Christ with a Thankful Remembrance of Christ's Death and be in Charity with all Men. Q. What is Considerable in this Answer A. 1. The Duties of a