people 1 Pet. 2.9 Yes Are not believers a distinct Body or Society joyn'd to Christ by Faith Eph. 5.23 and to each other by love Col. 2.2 Yes Can this Church be built on any other Head or foundation than our Lord Jesus Christ 1 Cor. 3.11 No. Is not part of this Church Triumphant in Heaven Heb. 12.23 and part Militant on Earth Col. 1 24. Yes Is the Church known by external Splendour Pomp or Secular Grandeur Acts 2.42 No. § IS not this Church Holy 1 Cor. 3.17 the Saints above perfectly and the effectually called really so Yes Are not all the visible Members thereof called to Holiness and Holy by profession and obligation 1 Thes 4.7 Yes § IS not the Church Catholick or Universal consisting of all Believers Jews and Gentiles Bond and Free Gal. 3.28 Yes Is the Church confin'd to any one place or Nation Acts 1.8 No. Shall the Gates of Hell ever prevail against it Mat. 16.18 No. †May any of the particular Societys of which it doth consist Rev. 1.20 claim the name Authority and priviledges of the Catholick Church Rom. 11.22 No. § AMONGST the many priviledges of the Church Psal 87.3 is not this one that there is the Communion of Saints Yes * Have not Belâ—â—vers Union and Communion with Christ their Head from whence they are called Saints 1 Joh. 1.3 Yes Do they not Communicate by Faith their wants to him 1 Pet. 5.7 and He by his Spirit Communicate his Merits and Grace to them Isa 53.4 1 Joh. 5.12 Yes And will he refuse to such Communion with himself in Glory hereafter Joh. 17.24 No. * Have not the Saints also Communion one with another 1 Joh. 1.7 1 Cor. 12.26 Yes Can they Communicate Merits to each other Mat. 25.8 9. No. * Have not the Saints above Communion with each other in the same Vision Employment and Glory Mat. 8.11 Yes * Have not the Saints below Communion in the same Gifts and Graces Eph. 4.5 Heb. 3.13 in the same Sufferings Heb. 13.3 and if need be in their Worldly goods Heb. 13.16 Yes Qu. What is the Tenth Article Answ The forgiveness of Sins § ARE there any Sins Original or Actual of Omission or Commission of Thought Word or Deed that do not deserve eternal Death Rom. 6.23 No. Yet are there any that are not Pardonable the Sin against the Holy Ghost only excepted Mat. 12.31 No. * Doth not forgiveness of Sins consist in releasing the Sinner from Guilt and Condemnation Psal 32.1 2. Yes Can any but God who is the party offended forgive Sins to Men Psal 51.4 Mark 2.7 No. Yet must not all forgive injuries done to themselves Mat. 18.21 and Ministers Pronounce forgivenese in Christ's name to the Penitent Mat. 18.18 2 Cor. 2.7 10. Yes * Is there any forgiveness but only through Christ and on the account of his Satisfaction Col. 1.14 No. * Doth the Satisfaction of Christ make forgiveness of Sins to be less Free and Gracious Eph. 1.7 No * Have any the actual forgiveness of their Sins before they Repent and Believe Joh. 3.18 No. †Must you not then have a deep sense of your Sins Acts 2.38 Confess them to God Psal 32.5 with a sincere Resolution of forsaking them Pro. 28.13 Yes Must you not earnestly make Supplication for Pardon with a Fiducial trust in the mercy of God through the Merits and Righteousness of Christ alone Acts 10.43 Yes Qu. What is the Eleventh Article Answ The Resurrection of the Body § DID not death come in by Sin as the Sentence of the Law for the Transgression of it Rom. 5.12 Yes * Can any of our Members when turn'd to dust and scatter'd be hid from God's all-seeing Eye Psal 137.15 16. No. Is it above the Almighty power that made the Body at first of dust to raise it out of it again Mark 12.24 No. * And as He is able to raise the Dead so are we to believe that He will do it Joh. 5.28 29. Yes Though all shall be rais'd the just and the unjust Acts 24.15 yet is not the Resurrection the special Priviledge of Believers Luk. 14.14 Yes * Shall the Wicked rise by vertue of an Union with Christ by his Spirit as the Godly shall Rom. 8.11 No. * And will there not be a vast difference between them in the ends for which they arise Dan. 12.2 Yes Is it not agreeable to Divine Justice that the same Bodies for substance which we had here should be raised then 1 Cor. 15.38 2 Cor. 5.10 Yes But will they be raised to the same dying and mortal State they were in before 1 Cor. 15.53 No. Will not the Bodies of the Saints be exceeding Glorious of which the Resurrection of Christ is both an assurance and a Pattern 1 Cor. 15.20 43 44. Yes †And shall not they who are found alive at the coming of Christ be also chang'd 1 Cor. 15.51 52. Yes Qu. What is the Twelfth Article Answ The life Everlasting § SHALL not Believers have a Life of Glory and happiness in the World to come Psal 16.11 Yes * Do their Souls then sleep with their Bodies in the Grave or go to Purgatory Rev. 14.13 No. Are we able to express the Glory of that State which God has prepared 1 Cor. 2.9 and they enter into immediately after Death Phil. 1.23 No. Shall they not enjoy a Beatifical vision and enjoyment of God with Saints and Angels in the highest employment of Praise without Sin or Suffering Psal 17.15 Yes * and shall not their Bodies also partake of this Life of Glory at last 1 Cor. 15.43 Yes § IS it not an everlasting Life in opposition to this fading Life on Earth 1 Thes 4.17 Yes Will the Life above be Subject to decays and changes and interruptions in the happiness of it 1 Pet. 1.4 No. Will they be in danger of forfeiting this happiness or any Enemy be admitted to dispossess them of it Rev. 3.12 No. †Is there not an everlasting Death contrary to this everlasting Life Rom. 6.23 Yes Is this for the Wicked to have their beings taken away and to remain no more Rev. 21.8 No. Is it not to be banished from the presence of God and to undergo the Torments of Hell for ever 2 Thes 1.9 Mat. 25.46 Yes †Do we not say Amen to testifie our firm Belief of these Articles Rev. 22.20 21. Yes Question What dost thou chiefly learn in these Articles of thy Belief Answer First I learn to believe in God the Father who hath made me and all the World Secondly in God the Son who hath redeemed me and all mankind Thirdly in God the Holy Ghost who sanctifieth me and all the Elect people of God § IS there not manifested a Divine order in the Works of the Blessed Trinity towards Men Yes When Creation is ascribed to the Father doth it mean that it was not the Work of the Son and Holy Ghost Joh. 1.3 Gen. 1.2 No. Is it not that the Father did Create all things
means Acts 13.26 Yes Are all under this common call also called effectually and chosen Mat. 22.14 No. But can this outward call be refus'd without the woful hazard of the Soul Prov. 1.24 26. No. § IS not the Gospel-call a great priviledge and must you not Solemnly thank God our Heavenly Father through Christ for it Psal 147.19 20. Yes Is there not great danger of being drawn from the State to which you are called by damnable doctrines or practices Heb. 10.38 Yes Can you then continue therein and be kept from revolting from your profession without real grace Heb. 13.9 Phil. 2.12 13. No. And if God gives you the first grace is perseverance therein of your Selves Luk. 22.32 No. § WILL you then pray unto God for his Grace to prevent and assist you and consummate at last his work in you Jam. 1.5 Phil. 1.6 Yes And must you not to prayer add the diligent use of all the means that God has appointed Mat. 25.29 Yes Are you willing for your further help that I should teach you what you are to believe and to do according to your promise Heb. 5.12 Yes Catechist Rehearse the Articles of thy Belief Answer 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 Suffered under Pontius Pilate Was crucifyed dead and buried he descended into Hell The third day he rose again from the dead He ascended into Heaven And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty From thence he shall come to judge the Quick and the Dead I believe in the Holy Ghost The Holy Catholick Church the Communion of Saints The forgiveness of Sins The resurrection of the body And the life everlasting Amen § IS this Creed found in so many words any where in Scripture No. Yet is not the whole of it proved by Scripture as being according to the Doctrine of the Apostles and therefore called the Aposiles Creed Eph. 2.20 Yes Is it not agreeable to Scripture that there should be such a Form of sound Words 2 Tim. 1.13 Yes * May we receive any thing as an Article of Faith that is not found in Scripture Gal. 1.8 9. No. Are not all things revealed in the Scriptures to be believed by us Luk. 1.1 Yes But are all things therein alike necessary to be known Joh. 17.3 No. * Are not all things necessary and Fundamental plainly revealed Psal 119.105 Yes * Were not the Scriptures confirm'd by Miracles owned by the Church in all Ages and are they not known by their majesty purity and efficacy on the Hearts of Believers Psal 19.7 8 9. Yes †Will you not then search the Scriptures to prove the Articles of your Belief Joh. 5.39 Yes Qu. What is the first Article Answ I believe in God the Father Almighty Maker of Heaven and Earth § DOTH not Believing in God denote a practical trusting in and depending on Father Son and Holy Ghost as our Father Redeemer and Sanctifyer Yes Can this be without understanding what God hath revealed concerning himself as standing in these Relations to us Heb. 11.6 No. § DO you not believe that there is a God a most pure and supream Spirit Joh. 4.24 Yes Hath He a body or bodily parts or can He be seen with mortal eyes 1 Tim. 1.17 Deut. 4.15 No. Is He not infinite in his being and blessedness Exod. 3.13 Yes Is He confin'd to Time or place Psal 90.1 or doth He stand in need of any of his Creatures to make Him happy Acts 17.25 No. Is He subject to change or alteration Jam. 1.17 No. Can his attributes and glorious perfections be fully comprehended by us Job 11.7 8 9. No. Is He not most Holy Powerful Wise Good Just and true and this Originally and independently so as no Creature can be Mat. 19.17 Yes § ARE there more Gods than One Deut. 6.4 Is it agreeable to right reason that there should be more than one first Cause on which all things depend Acts 17.28 No. § ARE there not three Persons in the Godhead the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost 1 Joh. 5.7 Yes Is either of these Divine Persons before or after greater or less than the other Joh. 10.30 No. Have they not one and the same Divine nature and are they not distinguished by their Personal properties Yes Did not the Father from eternity beget the Son Psal 2.7 and is not the Son begotten of the Father before all worlds Joh. 1.14 Yes Doth not the Holy Ghost proceed from the Father and the Son Joh. 15.26 Yes § DID not the Almighty power of God appear in the works of his Creation Isa 45.12 13. Yes * Did He not make all things of nothing by the word of his power in the space of 6 days Heb. 11.3 Psal 33.6 Gen. 1.1 Yes Did He make any thing amiss Gen. 1.31 No. †And doth He not by his providence uphold and govern all that He hath made Heb. 1.3 Yes * Did He not in particular make man his body Form'd of the dust and his Soul immediately inspir'd Gen. 2.7 Yes Did not God create him after his own Image a knowing holy creature able also to sulfil the whole Law Gen. 1.26 Yes Did not God Covenant with man to confirm his life and happiness upon condition of his perfect obedience Rom. 10.5 Yes Was the particular command given to try his obedience viz. that He should not eat of the tree of Knowledge of good and evil a hard and impossible thing No. Did not God threaten death on his disobedience Gen. 2.17 Yes Should man have dy'd if he had not sinned Rom. 5.12 No. Did not man understand and agree to his Covenant Gen. 3.3 Yes Qu. What is the Second Article Answ And in Jesus Christ His only Son our Lord. § DO you not Believe in God the Son the Second Person of the Trinity equal with the Father and partaker of the same essence Phil. 2.6 Yes Though Believers are called Sons by Grace and adoption 1 Joh. 3.1 Yet is not our Lord His only Son by Nature and Eternal Generation Rom. 8.3 Yes § IS not the Son of God called Jesus because He saves his People from their Sins Mat. 1.21 Yes * Was man confirm'd in the holy estate in which He was created as the Elect Angels are now No. Did He not fall from that estate by Transgressing the Law and command which God gave him Eccl. 7.29 Yes Did He not Sin by the temptation of the Devil being left to the freedom of his own will Gen. 3 4 5 6. Yes Can so high an affront to the majesty of the Law-giver that contain'd so much Infidelity and such a total defection from God be reckoned a small Sin No. * Was not Adam our common Father a publick Person and our Representative in the Covenant of works 1 Cor. 15.22 Rom. 5.12 19. Yes Are there then any meer men that are
by the Son Heb. 1.2 and by the power of his Holy Spirit Job 26.13 Yes And should not we and all the World Worship and adore the Lord our maker Rev. 4.11 Yes § IS not the Work of Redemption peculiarly ascribed to God the Son 1 Tim. 2.5 6. Yes Were we not by Sin bound over to the Wrath of God and in slavery to Sin and Satan Gal. 3.10 2 Tim. 2.26 Yes * Could any meaner Price than his bloud satisfy Gods justice for our Redemption 1 Pet 1.18 No. * Could any less power than of his Spirit rescue our Souls from the bondage of the Devil Luk. 11.22 No. § DO you mean by his redeeming all mankind that all Men have equal benefit in the Price that He laid down Mat. 20.28 No. * Yet is not the Price sufficient for all as being the bloud of Him that was truly God Acts 20.28 Yes * Have not all Men indifferently a reprieve granted them and many Temporal favours by means of Christ's Death 1 Tim. 4.10 Yes * Is it a small matter that hereby there are offers of Pardon and Salvation to every Creature whereever the Gospel comes Mark 16.15 No. * Is He not indeed a ransom for all being for Jews and Gentiles into which two parts all mankind are divided Heb. 2.9 1 Joh. 2.2 Yes * And may not all mankind mean a great many out of every Nation and Language Joh. 12.32 Rev. 7.9 Yes †Should they then live as others do who are in especial manner the redeemed of the Lord 1 Cor. 6.20 No. § IS not the work of Sanctification peculiarly ascribed to the Holy Ghost 1 Pet. 1.2 Yes * Are not all that are Baptized Sanctify'd or set apart for a Holy use 1 Cor. 7.14 Yes And is not our Office and Ministry by which you were so dedicated from the Holy Spirit 1 Cor. 12.11 13. Yes †Dare you then forget your Baptismal Sanctification 2 Pet. 1.9 or tread under Foot the bloud of the Covenant by which you were Sanctify'd Heb. 10.29 No. * Is this dedication enough without an inward Sanctification by the gracious operation of the Holy Ghost in the renewing and converting the Soul 1 Cor. 6.11 No. § IS there not a certain number known to the Lord 2 Tim. 2.19 whom the Father hath chosen to Sanctification and Holyness 2 Thes 2.13 Yes Is there any way for us to know our Election but by Sanctification and effectual calling 1 Thes 1.4 5. No. Question You said that your Bodfathers and Godmothers did promise for you that you should keep God's Commandments Tell me how many they be Answer Ten. Question Which be they Answer The same which God spake in the Twentieth Chapter of Exodus saying I am the Lord thy God which brought thee out of the Land of Egypt out of the House of Bondage I. Thou shalt have none other Gods but me II. Thou shalt not make to thy self any graven Image nor the likeness of any thing that is in Heaven above or in the Earth beneath or in the mater under the Earth Thou shalt not bow down to them nor Worship them For I the Lord thy God am a jealous God and visit the Sins of the Fathers upon the Children unto the third and fourth Generation of them that hate me and shew mercy unto Thousands in them that love me and keep my Commandments III. Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vain for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain IV. Remember that thou keep Holy the Sabbath day Sir days shalt thou labour and do all that thou hast to do out the Seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God In it thou shalt do no manner of work Thou and thy Son and thy Daughter thy Man-servant and thy Maid-servant thy Cattle and the Stranger that is within thy states For in Six days the Lord made Heaven and Earth the Sea and all that in them is and rested the Seventh day wherefore the Lord blessed the ‖ Heb. Sabbath Seventh day and hallowed it V. Honour thy Father and thy Mother that thy days may be long in the Land which the Lord thy God giveth thee VI. Thou shalt do no Murther VII Thou shalt not commit Adultery VIII Thou shalt not Steal IX Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy Neighbour X. Thou shalt not covet thy Neighbours House thou shalt not covet thy Neighbours Wife nor his Servant nor his Maid nor his Oxe nor his Ass nor any thing that is his § IS not the Moral Law as distinct from the Judicial and Ceremonial Law sum'd up in these Ten Commandments Deut. 10.4 Yes Were they not spoken by the voice of God with much Terrour and Majesty on Mount Sinai and written on two Tables of Stone Deut. 5.4 22. Yes § ARE not Unbelievers under the Curse of the Law Gal. 3.10 Yes And when Believers are delivered from the Curse is the Law made void and of none effect to them Rom. 3.31 No. * Have they not by the Law the knowledge of Sin Rom. 7.7 and are they not driven thereby to Christ Gal. 3.24 Yes * Do they not delight in the Law and take it as a blessed Rule for them to walk by Rom. 7.22 Yes Gan He be a true Believer that doth not acknowledge all the Commandments to be Holy just and good Rom. 7.12 No. Are not the Commandments Spiritual reaching the Heart Rom. 7.14 and forbidding all degrees of Sin with the occasions of them Psal 119.96 Yes †Do you think it enough then that you have learnt these words without being taught the meaning of them No. Qu. What is the Preface to these Commandments Answ I am the Lord thy God c. § IS it not sufficient Reason to keep his Commandments that He is the Soveraign Lord Author of our beings and disposer of our Lives Acts 17.24 28. Levit. 22.31 Yes § IS not his special relation to his people as their God in Covenant a further Reason of Obedience Levit. 20.26 Yes Are believing Gentiles excluded from the Covenant Interest in Him that the Jews had of old Rom. 3.29 No. § DID not God wonderfully by the hand of Moses redeem the Children of Israel out of Egyptian bondage Exod. 12.41 Yes * And is it a less Mercy to be delivered from the bondage of Antichrist mistically called Egypt Rev. 11.8 No. * Is not God's redeeming us from the Spiritual bondage of Sin and Satan a further Obligation upon us to obey him Luk. 1.74 75. Yes Qu. Which is the First Commandment Answ Thou shalt have no other Gods ‖ but me ‖ Heb. before me § DOTH not this forbid the denying of the being of God or any of his Divine attributes Psal 14.1 and 10.11 Yes * Doth it not forbid having many Gods or any other save the Lord Gal. 4.8 1 Cor. 10 5 6. Yes May we use Divination or consult with those that do Deut. 18.10 11. No. * May we
Is it not evident that He had first descended thither Eph. 4.9 Yes * Is it any where certainly revealed that He went into the Hell of the damned amongst the Spirits there No. But did He not by his death vanquish the powers of Hell and darkness Col. 2.14 Yes * Is not the unseen State or condition of separation of Soul and Body call'd the Grave and Hell 1 Cor. 15.55 Yes And can it be deny'd that He so descended into Hell as to continue for a time under the dominion of Death in a separate State Rom. 6.9 No. Qu. What is the Fifth Article Answ The third day He arose again from the Dead § DID He always continue in that State of the dead or so long as to see corruption Psal 16.10 No. * Considering who He was and what was Prophecyed of Him was it possible for the bands of death to hold him Acts 2.24 No. Did He not rise again by his own power Joh. 10.17 18. to dye no more Rev. 1.18 Yes Did He not rise as an evidence of our discharge Rom. 4.25 and a pledge of our Resurrection 1 Cor. 15.20 Yes * Did He shew himself to all the people when risen or to his enemies that had so long dispised his miracles before Acts 10.41 No. Yet were they left altogether without convincing evidence of his Resurrection Mat. 28.2 3 c. No. * Was He not seen by a sufficient number of witnesses even 500 at once and that at divers places and times after He was risen from the Dead 1 Cor. 15.6 Yes * Could they be deceiv'd by a Phantasm or Apparition when they did both handle and see yea eat and drink with Him after his Resurrection Luk. 24.38 39. No. * Could so Miraculous a work as raising the Dead for a design so contrary to Satan's Kingdom be done by Magick or power of the Devil Eph. 1.19 20. Mat. 12.25 No. * Could the Disciples roll away the Stone from the Sepulchre Steal away his Body Strip it of the Grave-cloths and not awake the Watch or Guard of Souldiers No. * Is it likely that men noted for sincerity 1 Thes 2.10 would impose on the world in a matter of such consequence for which they expos'd themselves to all manner of persecutions and death it self Acts 5.41 No. * If there had been any deceit could it have been conceal'd from so many envious and watchful enemies in so publick a concern Acts 26.26 No. * Did not the witnesses of his Resurrection confirm their report by undoubted Miracles Heb. 2.4 Yes †Was not this Resurrection on the third day from his death and the first day of the Week which is our Christian Sabbath 1 Cor. 15.4 Joh. 20.1 Yes Qu. What is the Sixth Article Answ He ascended into Heaven And sitteth on the Right Hand of God the Father Almighty § WHEN our Lord was risen Did He continue always on Earth in his bodily presence Joh. 16.16 No. Did He not according to Prophecy Psal 64.18 Forty days after his Resurrection Acts 1.3 Ascend up into Heaven in the sight of his Disciples Acts 1.9 11. Yes Was He not pleased to shew himself to some of his Disciples after his ascention Acts 7.55 1 Cor. 15.8 Yes †Did He not Ascend to prepare mansions for his people Joh. 14.2 and to send his Spirit to prepare them for the enjoyment thereof Joh. 16.7 Yes Are we to expect his bodily presence any more on Earth before the day of judgment Acts 3.21 No. § BEING ascended doth He not sit at the Right Hand of God the Father Almighty Mark 16.19 Yes Doth the Right Hand denote any bodily parts in God or His sitting any one particular gesture there Acts 7.55 No. Doth not sitting down denote Rest and the Right Hand dignity and authority Psal 44.3 1 Kings 1.30 Yes * And did not Christ after all his sorrows on Earth rest in the unspeakable joy of his Father Heb. 4.10 Yes * Hath He not the highest dignity and authority Heb. 1.4 and 8.1 and shall He not have compleat victory over all his Enemies Psal 110.1 Yes Qu. What is the Seventh Article Answ From thence He shall come to judge the Quick and the Dead § BEING thus exalted Hath He for ever abandon'd this Earth and his people therein Joh. 14.3 No. Besides his Spiritual presence always with his Church will He not come again in the clouds as He was seen to go up Acts 1.11 Yes Is not this Second coming to judge the world in righteousness and is not the day set and appointed for it Acts 17.31 Yes Do we know the day and hour when this appointed judgment will be Mat. 24.36 No. § WILL He Judge them already Dead and those that are found Quick or alive at his coming Acts 10.42 Yes When all are gather'd before Him will He not Separate between the Godly and the wicked and give to every Man according to his Works Mat. 25.32 2 Cor. 5.10 Yes †Will it not be a day of refreshing to the people of God Acts. 3.19 and exceeding terrible to the wicked 2 Thes 1.7 8 9. Yes Shall any by power or policy be able to escape or hide themselves from the Judge Rev. 6.15 16. No. And must not all abide in that Condition to which they are adjudg'd for ever and ever Heb. 6.2 Yes Qu. What is the Eighth Article Answ I Believe in the Holy Ghost § IS not the Holy Ghost God Acts 5.3 4. Eternal before the World Gen. 1.2 Omnipresent Psal 139.7 and knowing all things 1 Cor. 2.10 Yes Is not He a person Acts 13.2 distinct from the Father and Son Joh. 14.26 Yes Is not He the Spirit of the Father Luk. 14.19 and of the Son Gal. 4.6 as proceeding from them both Yes Is He inferiour to the Father or Son in essence or nature or with respect to the worship and glory which is due to God alone Mat. 28.19 1 Cor. 6.19 No. § IS He not Holy in himself and also as the Authour of Holiness and Sanctification in us Rom. 1.4 Yes †Must we not then believe in Him as a sanctifier by whom we may have an interest in what Christ has done and suffer'd Yes Are any partakers of saving Benefits by Christ to whom they are not effectually apply'd or communicated Joh. 1.11 12. No. Can Parents or Ministers apply them to your Heart or any but the Holy Spirit Tit. 3.5 6. No. Doth not the Spirit do this by working Faith in the Heart by the Ministry of the word Joh. 6.44 45. Yes Doth He not by the Law convince the Sinner Joh. 16.8 and by the Gospel subdue the will and perswade it to yeild to our Lord Jesus Christ Ezek. 36.26 27. Yes Can we then be sav'd by Christ without effectual calling and Regeneration by the Holy Ghost Joh. 3.5 No. Qu. What is the Ninth Article Answ I believe the Holy Catholick Church the Communion of Saints § HATH not God a Church called out of the world to be his peculiar