his Church a Body whereof he is the Head which is twofold Invisible and Visible Mat. 7.21 1 Cor. 7.19 1. The Invisible Church of Christ contains all glorified Saints in Heaven and all true Believers on Earth and of this Church all who are Baptized are not Members but those only who being Baptized live the life of Faith 2. B. Ushers Body of Divinity p. 187. The Visible Church contains all professors of Christianity and of this Church all who are Baptized are reputed as Members Q. What is meant by A Child of God A. Joh. 1.12 Gal. 4.5 Joh. 20.17 Heb. 2.11 Rom. 8.16 This priviledge necessarily follows the other for all true Members of Christ's Church receive the honour to be sons of God by Adoption and are admitted to have God their Father Christ their Brother the Holy Ghost their Comforter here and hereafter are co-heirs with Christ of an eternal glory Q. What is meant by an inheritor of the Kingdom of Heaven A. This Priviledge doth succeed both the other Luk. 12.32 Ja. 1.12 1 Pet. 1.4 5. Joh. 14.3 Col. 3.4 2 Cor. 5.1 for those who are Members of Christ and Sons of God have a Kingdom purchased for them and promised to them yea by Christ they now have taken possession of it and shall hereafter have the full enjoyment of it Q. What did your Godfathers and Godmothers then for you A. They did promise and vow three things in my name 1. That I should renounce the Devil and all his works the pomps and vanities of this wicked World and all the sinful lusts of the flesh 2. That I should believe all the Articles of the Chrstian Faith 3. That I should keep Gods holy will and Commandments and walk in the same all the daies of my life Q. What are the parts of this Baptismal vow and promise A. Its parts are suitable to the two parts of Sanctification a death to Sin World Flesh Devil and a life unto Righteousness in a true Faith and an obedience to the Will of God Q. What do we renounce in renouncing the Devil and all his works A. 1. Dr. Hammond pract Cat. l. 6. sect 3 Joh 8 44 Ja. 3.17 All belief in or worship of any Heathenish God or Idol 2. All heathenish and sinful practice as Lying Envy Pride sowing Discord and those sins which represent Satan 3. All Combination or Contracts with the Devil and all use of Conjurations 4. Ja. 1.14 Eph. 5.11 All Temptations and first motions to sin 5. All evil Exhortation or evil Example whereby we entice others to act sin and so act the Devil's part Q. How may the Devil and â—is Works be withstood A. Jam. 4.4 1 Pet. 5.5 8 9. By the use of 1. Prayer 2. Fasting 3. Faith 4. Watchfulness against them 5. Care to walk according to Gods Will. Q. What is meant by the pomps and vanities of this wicked world to be renounced A. Eph. 5.11 1 Cor. 6.10 20. 1. That we absent as much as may be from wicked company the ruin of many souls 2. That if in company we partake not of their sins chusing rather their anger than Gods 3. Not inordinately to pursue the worlds profits pleasures or honours nor to be too much delighted with 1 Joh. 2.15 16. Jam. 4.4 Mat. 16.26 or confident in them but so to sit loose to them that we may readily part with them if in competition with Christ and our Souls Q. How may the soul be armed against the Worlds enticements and discouragements A. Eccles 1.1 2. 1. By considering the vanity and uncertainty of all its enjoyments Its pleasures but skin-deep sensual and but for a moment Heb. Pro. 23.5 Ps 49.7 11.20 its Honours the breath of others no sign of God's love and leave us at Death Its Riches the dust of Earth cannot free from Death here nor Hell hereafter 2. By considering the smalness and shortness of our Troubles in the World They can but hurt the Body Mat. 10.28 Exod. 2.23 in whose greatest troubles the Soul is at Liberty its worst punishment is Death which sends the soul sooner to eternal life Isa 43.2 2 Cor. 4.17 18. They cannot hinder us from God's presence here and may prepare us for a greater glory hereafter 3. By considering we are here but Strangers and Souldiers in our Enemies Tents Joh. 15.20 John 16. last which may reasonably expose us to troubles as our Captain Christ Jesus and his Apostles all met with 4. Ro. 8.18 By considering our Glory in Heaven will recompence all our losses on Earth Q. What is meant by renouncing the Lusts of the Flesh A. 1. Dr Ham. prac Cat. 16. sec 3. Jer. 4.14 1 Cor. 6.19 All coveting of or indulging our selves in any lust or desire which is contrary to the Word of God and so sinful 2. All spiritual and heart Sins and all bodily uncleanness This Enemy is the more dangerous because daily with us and ready within us to betray us to Satans Temptations Q. How may these lusts of the Flesh be subdued A. By Sobriety Chastity Gal. 5.16 17 20. Watchfulness Praver and a care to walk answerable to the Word of God Q. What is that part of Sanctification included in your Baptismal Vow yet to be Considered A. â—oh 3.16 Tiâ— 3.8 A life of righteousness in these two great duties of the Gospel Faith and Obedience Q. What is the Faith here promised A. Bis Pearson on Creed p. 12. 1. An assent of our Hearts 2. A Confession or Profession with our lips And 3. A suitable Conversation in our lives Q. What do we promise thus to believe A. All the Articles of the Christian Faith Q. What is the Obedience promised in Baptism A. That which is the product of true Faith an Universal Obedience of our whole man to all the commands of God sincerely performed with constancy to our lives end Q. Can the Godfathers or Godmothers promise this for the Child and is the Child bound to perform it A. 1. Yes because Children are in the power of the Parents to be devoted to the Service of God Deut. 6.6 7.29.10 11 31.11 12 2 Tim. 2.19 Eph. 5.11 Heb. 11.6 Tit. 2.14 whom God also hath obliged to do it 2. There is nothing contained in this Baptismal Vow but what is lawful becomes Christianity and is our bounden Duty to perform 1 Pet. 2.11 1 John 5.4 1 Pet. 5.8 3. The Non-performance of the Vow by the Child may justly forfeit God's promises in Baptism made to the Child 4. Parents usually oblige their Children in civil contracts and bargains Hooker 's Volity l. 5 sect 64. who are by their Parents contracts bound to observe the Covenant or else must forfeit the advantages that might accrue to them by its observance Much more sure then may Parents engage their Children in what is the Child 's absolute duty on whose performance so great a mercy depends Q. Dost
sins forbidden in this Commandment A. Col. 3.5 Phil. 3.19 1. Atheism the having no God 2. Polytheism the owning more Gods then one 3. The making any lust or creature as our God and adoring it with Honour due to God Q. What is here commanded A. 1. A belief in this one God with our heart Church Cat. Duty to God 2. A profession of him with our mouthes And. 3. An obedience suitable in our lives To believe in him to fear him and to love him with all my heart with all my soul with all my mind and with all my strength Q. What improvement do you hence infer A. 1. That it is my duty to love and serve God sincerely 2. That I ought to Love no Creature inordinately Q. What is the second Commandment A. 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 waters under the carth Thou shalt not bowe down to them nor worship them for I the Lord thy God am a sealous 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 of them that love me and keep my Commandments Q. What is the chief aim and design of this commandment A. 1. 1 Cor. 6.28 Church Cat. Duty to God To disswade from Idolatry and image-worship 2. To engage our outward service to God that our body as well as Soul may gloryfie him to worship him to give him thanks to call upon him to put my whole trust in him Q. What is Idolatry A. The worshipping any Idolor image with the worship which is due to God Q. Do any act Idolatry A. Yes 1. Exod. 32. 2 King 18.4 Sr. Christopher Wyer against Popery p. 65. Homil. of Eng. against Idolatry B. Taylors disswasive Cap. 1. sect 8. Cap. 2. sect 12. The Heathens were very prone to it For which some of their Authors blame them 15 2. The Jews were guilty of it in their Molten Calf and Brazen Serpent 3. The Papists at this day practise it as much as the Heathens or Jews ever did Q. How prove you the Papists to be Idolaters A. 1. Their Images are of the same matter the Heathens or Jews were wood stone c. 2. They have the same form and shape eyes feet hands 3. The service to them the same unbaring the head bowing the body 4. their Pleas alike that they worship not the Image but what is represented by it 5. In the Papists adoration of the Cross of Christ they are guilty of cross Idolatry For the sign of the Cross or a Cross where ever seen being adored by them can be but a remembrance of that Cross on which Christ was crucified and their worship then must terminate in that thing represented to wit the Cross of Christ which is not a thing adorable but its adoration argues its actors guilty of gross Idolatry Q. Why are we disswaded from Idolatry A. Mat. 22.37 Acts 10.25 Rev. 22.9 1. All worship is due to God withall our heart mind strength might Soul and body And then no part is left to adore a Creature or worship an Image with 2. Saints and Angels are but Creatures who have refused our worship and will not be rivals with God in Heaven for his Honour 3. The worshipping any Creature pleads it in our esteem to be God 4. Exod. 32.1 John 4.24 Deut. 4.15 to 28. Calvin Instit lib. 1. sect 8. B. Ushers a swer to Jesuit p. 501. The rise of Idolatry was an unbelief of Gods being omnipresent men make Images because unless they see God alone with them they disbelieve his presence with them 5. God cannot be represented by any Image because he is a Spirit 6. Christ as our Saviour cannot be represented because as he was so he was God as well as man but his Deity cannot be pictured and as man only he was not our Saviour yet as man which only can be represented by any Image or picture It is nothing but a strong fancy can make us believe this is like Christ more then that picture since Scripture leaves him undescribed Polydore Virgil. See Bish Taylors disswasive Cap. 1. sect 9. Homil. of Engl. against Idolatry Then which Tract can nothing be better against the rise and progress of Romes Idolatry and the pictures of him are so various 7. Images of the Trinity expose the whole Trinity to scorn and derision is derided by the Heathens and esteemed folly to the Papists themselves 8. God is more lively represented by any living Creature then by a dead Image An Image must be an Image or likeness of something and if the Image of this thing represents God much more must that thing its self whereof this is the Image And so all Creatures when ever we behold them put us in mind of a Deity their Creator And as others so especially and most of allour selves who were created in Gods Image may remind us of God and may supersede the use of Images where ever we are we having a lively Image in our selves of Gods spirituality and Eternity c. 9. This Commandment expresly forbids Idolatry in all its kinds and what hath tendency to it as 1. The making any Idol or Image of any thing in heaven earth sea c. And 2. The bowing down or worshipping any of them so made 10. Image worship was not received in the Church of Christ for above 500 years and then opposed by many Councels and some Popes and was not observed as it is now till about 800 years since as a * B Pearson on Creed p. 38. Officium Beatae Mariae Licensed by Pope Pius 5. 1512. Reverend Prelate observes 11. The Papists seem sensible of their breach of this Commandment by their Image-worship and therefore that there might be no command against it they rase out the second Commandment nor do they keep it in their Catechism Q. What is the Sanction of this Commandment A. Isa 42.8 1. God is a jealous God who will not give his Honour to another 2. He will visit this sin not only on the person but the posterity of the Idolaters 3. He reserves mercy for thousands of them and theirs who serve him Q. Why are the posterity of the Idolaters punished as well as the Idolaters themselves A. 1. God declares this for many reasons as to engage the Parents to abstain from sin least they see themselves and children smart for it 2. To disswade children from treading in their Fathers steps least they thereby contract a double punishment 3. God threatens but Temporal punishments that by vissiting or correcting them with these both parents and children might be kept from sin Dr. Arrow-smiths Aphorisms Exercit. 5. sect 2 4 5. which will deprive both of all spiritual and temporal mercys hereafter 4. God evidenceth more mercy to encourage to duty
day be changed to the first for the foregoing Reasons yet is a seventh day kept still The first day is observed because of Christs Resurrection for our Redemption and every first day which is every seventh day after Christs Resurrection is observed in memory of our Creation our Gracious Redeemer being also our Great Creator 7. Our Churches Service pleads its Divine Authority Communion Service in Command in that after the rehearsing this Fourth Commandment as well as after the other it puts us in mind to beg of God to incline our hearts to keep this Law which implies that our Church thinks our Christian Sabbath kept on our first day of the Week to be of Divine Authority and that in our due keeping of that we observe this Commandment Q. Is the Commandment Moral and Obliging us A. 1. Yes it had the same Author the other had Gen. 2.2 the Eternal God 2. It s Observation was Instituted before any Ceremony was before Christ was promised or any Type of him manifested 3. It was enjoyned to the stranger as well as the Jew 4. Ezek. 31 13.14 15 Num. 13.32 God usually accounts it as a sign between him and his People for ever 5. Examples of Gods Judgments on its Profaners Exod. 35.2 Jerem. 17.27 6. It is still a Command in force else there are but Nine Commandments and the Authority of the Law-maker God himself is opposed Q. What is in this Commandment disswaded from A. 1. All want of due Preparation for the Observance of our Sabbath 2. All Worldly Employs that might be done before Isa 58.13 Neh. 13.15.19 20. or safely may be omitted till the day after 3. All sins and sinful Pleasures and Pastimes 4. All neglect of Gods Ordinances in Publick and of Family Duties in Private Q. What is here Commanded A. 1. To rest from all unnecessary works of our Calling 2. To Dedicate that Rest to God and to spend every day as a rest from sin 3. To Sanctifie the Sabbaths rest 1 by publick and private Acts of Religion 2. By works of Mercy and Charity towards our Neighbours Q. What are the Motives to enforce the Observance of this Precept A. 1. It is introduced more Solemnly than the rest with a Remember 2. It is placed between both Tables as if both depended on its Observance or if as the last of the first Table its Observance perfects our Duty towards God 3. It is highly reasonable God might have Commanded Six days for his own Service and have left us but one day for our Employs but he requires but one and leaveth us six 4. We have no reason to expect a Blessing on our days of Labour if we neglect our Duties to God in his day of Worship 5. It is delivered both Negatively and Affirmatively that we might no ways avoid its Obligation Gen. 2. John 20. Ezek. 20 6. God himself Christ himself and the Men of God in all Ages have been exemplary in its Observance 7. It is a great Priviledge to any People to be admitted to speak to God in making known their wants and to have God speaking to them in making known their Duties in the Ordinances of the Day Amos 8.11 A Famine of the Word is the worst of Punishments 8. Amos 8.5.8 11. Sabbath-breaking hath generally been a sin pulling down Vengeance on Nations And indeed God may justly remove means of Grace from those who so neglect and slight them and it may be feared Judgments may hang over us when mens Tongues cry buder to damn themselves than to obtain Mercy from God Q. What improvement ought to be made of this Commandment A. 1. Rev. 2. 3 Chap. To lament the slight and abuse Gods Ordinances have met with among us which may justly provoke God to remove his Gospel from us 2. Phil. 1.27 It may teach us for the future to prize and improve them better 3. Josh 24.15 To take care not only our selves but our Families also serve God our Children have God for their Father and our Servants have him for their Master both ought to serve him Q. What is the sum of the Commandments of the Second Table A. Church Cat. Duty to Neighbour That I love my Neighbour as my self and do to all Men as I would they should do to me Q. What do the Commandments of the Second Table respect A. The Duty to be performed to our selves and Neighbours in Relation to Soul and Body Life Estate and Reputation Q. What is the Fifth Commandment which is the first of this Second Table A. Honour thy Father and thy Mother that thy days may be long in the Land which the Lord thy God giveth thee Q What doth this Commandment engage A. 1. A laying aside all undue Thoughts unbecoming Speeches or unsuitable Actions in any of our Relations 2. A performing of all due Honour Love Fear Care Obedience and other Duties to all our Relations Q. What Relations may man herein be considered A. 1. Some more especially implyed As 1. The Relation of Nature as Parent and Child whereby we have Duty to pay to Natural Parents 2. That of Magistrate and Subject where our Civil Parent is considered 3. That of Minister and People where our Spiritual Parent is Observable 2. Some more remote Relations may yet be hence inferred as 1. Conjugal of Husband and Wife 2. That of Masters and Servants 3. Of Age and Youth 4. Of Rich and Poor In all these Relations and Conditions Man may be considered and every one of them commands Duty from him Q. What are the Duties of the Natural Relation of Parents and Children A. 1. The Parents Duties are 1. To Instruct their Children in the Fear of God Ephes 6.1 4. Colos 3.21 2. To provide for them 3. To Correct them for evil 4. To dispose of them to Callings and in Marriage 5. To be a good Example to them 6. To Pray for and Pray with them Ephes 6.2 3. Colos 3.20 2. Childrens Duty to their Parents are 1. Love 2. Honour to their Persons 3. Obedience to their Lawful Commands 4. Vindication of their Reputation 5. Relieving their wants to their Powers 6. Praying for them Q. What are the Duties of your Civil Relation of Magistrates and Subjects Rom. 13.3 Rom. 13.4 A. 1. The Duties of Magistrates are 1. To establish the True Religion 2. To Protect their People 3. To preserve Peace if it may be 4. To Punish Sin 5. To be a good Example in the Observance of the Laws 6. To promote the good of the Nation 7. To Pray for his People 2. The Duty of Subjects are 1. Honour Calvin Instit l. 1. Cap. 4. Homil. of Eng. on Obed. Rom. 13.1.2 5 6. 2. Obedience active to all Lawful Commands and passive to others suffering the Punishment of the Law not Rebelling against the Law-maker 3. To pay Tribute and Taxes 4. To Defend with Lives and Estates their Person and Kingdom 5.
A Practical and Short EXPOSITION OF THE CATECHISM OF THE Church of England By way of QUESTION and ANSWER WHEREIN The Divine Authority and Reasonableness of every Question and Answer every Doctrin and Practice in it Recommended are Evidenced and Improved against most Contemners of it and Dissenters from it With that Moderation and Plainness that it 〈◊〉 engage all to adhere to and especially may Inâ—â—â—â— Children in the true Protestant Religion of the Church of England Humbly offered for the good of Schools and Youth By Nathanael Taylor M. A. Quod munus Reipublicae afferre majus meliusve possumus quam si docemus atque erudimus juventutem His praesertim moribus atque temporibus quibus ira prolapsa est ut omnium apibus refrananda atque coercenda sit Cic. li. 2. de divinatione 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Th. v. 1002.3 London Printed by Fr. Clark for Richard Butler next door to the Lamb and Three Bowls in Barbican 1683. To the Right Reverend Father in God Thomas Lord Bishop of Lincoln All Blessings Temporal Spiritual Eternal My Lord THat I presume to Prostrate these Pages at your Lordships Feet is neither the Product of my Confidence nor my sense of their Merits But my Experience of your Lordships Goodness encourageth my Address and my sense of the Duty of the Ministry engageth my Endeavours to serve God and my Countrey to my Power And I being now concerned chiefly in the Education of Youth account my self obliged to Instruct them in Religion as well as Learning And though I frequently do Catechise and Expound the Catechism of our Church amongst them yet my Lord the desire to promote the good of others together with those committed to my Care is the sole Design of these Endeavours I supposing nothing more necessary to stop the Torrents of Divisions and Impieties in our Days than the right Instructing Youth And may your Lordship think this small Treatise may be but in the least instrumental for the Reclaiming this Profligate Age or for the causing the succeeding Generation to serve our God in the Unity of Faith and Righteousness of Life I Humbly beg your Lordships Honouring it and me with bearing your Lordships Name which will render it more acceptable and may make it more useful But I submit all to your Lordships Pleasure presuming to beg your Lordships Pardon for this boldness and desiring to Subscribe my self My Lord Your Lordships Obedient Son and Obliged Servant Nathanael Taylor Glamford-Brigg Octob. 16. 1680. TO THE CHRISTIAN READER WHen we seriously Consider the grand Injury the Church of Christ suffers from the Dissensions amongst us on one hand and the Impieties acted by us on the other how both must needs hinder the Conversion of Jew and Gentile while they know not with whom to close every one crying up Christ in their own Party and few or none practising suitably to their Principles so that a Jew or Heathen can scarce think we truly believe our Principles of Christianity whose Practices are so contrary to it that a sober Heathen would blush to see and be ashamed to do those things as the Learned Hammond Laments Pract. Cat. pag. 117. It highly concerns every one to prevent these Enormities for the future and to endeavour to stop them for the present being assured none can be good Subjects who are bad Christians nor can they be Loyal to the King who are Rebels against God A Vicious Man according to the Heathens Observations can be no good Citizen Val. Max. Lib. 2. c. 6. Num. 6. but oft pulls Vengeance on it Hesiod opera lib. 1. v. 236 to 242. To prevent then the Mischiefs of Atheism which our Divisions and Profaness tend to the great Duty of Catechizing must certainly be necessary and expedient whereby Persons being Instructed in the true Principles of Christianity will not be when Men in Years so much Children as to be tossed to and fro with every Wind of Doctrine And being Educated in the Duties of Religion will not willingly be Debauched and make Ship-wrack of Faith and a good Conscience The Benefit and Necessity of Catechising are so great that most Dissenters Practice it and our great defect is its neglect to occur which I humbly propose a plain yet full Exposition of the Catechism of the Church of England Vindicated from all Objections I have met with and Practically disposed of into Question and Answer so as may most Edifie the Learner who need not trouble his mind with what Sentences are marked And lest the Citation of the words af any Author might render it burdensom to the Memory I have Transcribed the substance of what they say placing the Author in the Margent that they who please may consult at large what I concisely write And as for the Heathens Citations I chiefly aim at Sueton. in Aug. c. 89. what Suetonius Records to have been the Practice of Augustus Caesar who observed in all he did read what was of Duties and imparted them to others whom he conversed with so my Design is thereby to manifest that Morality the Heathen Practised to shame our Impieties and to oblige us as Men and Christians to Live answerably to our Reason and Religion to which may these Pages any ways serve thy Self or Child I have my aim who am Thine to my Power N. T. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Theog v. 799. AN EXPOSITION OF THE Church-Catechism SECT I. Quest WHat is your Name Answ N. or M. Q. What Name is here enquired of A. Each Person is considerable as a man and as a Christian and with us hath two Names one of his Family as man called his Sirname and another of his Religion as Christian called his Christian Name which is here enquired of Q. Why is our Christian Name enquired of us when as every Child 's knowing his Christian Name seems to render the Question impertinent A. It is a very pertinent Question and is asked for these Reasons Rom. 3.23 Ep. 2.2 3 Gal. 3.27 B. Nicholson on Cat. p. 16 187. Dr. Patr. Aqua Genital p. 8. 76. D. Arrowsmith Tact. sac l. 1. c. 5. sect 1. Fâ—x Acts vol. 1. p. 102. 181 182. 2 Tim 2.19 1 John 2.6 Dr. Ham. prac Cat. l. 2. sect 2. Dr. Rawleigh in Mat. 6.33 Baxter's Reas of Chr. Rel. par 2 c. 3. p. 206. Ro. 2.24 1. To Teach the Child that since his Christian Name was not received at his Birth but at his Baptism he was not born but made a Christian and derived his Christian Name not from his Natural Parents by Birth but from the Church of Christ by Baptism 2. To remind him so often as he thinks of or mentions his Christian Name of the engagement and Covenant then entred with God by Baptism to believe in and serve God to his Lives end as a constant and faithful Souldier and Servant 3. This puts him in mind
afraid after sin and bold after doing good And the greatest profest Atheist seems most afraid of a Supream Being to punish him Suet. in Caes Cal. c. 51. Suet. Tib. Ne. c. 69. So that it may be the Atheists wish there was no God but it cannot be his belief there is none for those checks for Evil and encouragements of Good premis'd imply there is a God who is just to punish sinners and to reward the wel-doer Whence a Reverend Prelate saith it may consist with the Atheists interest B. Pearson on Creed p. 22. to wish there was no God but it cannot consist with his Reason to believe there is none 5. Psal 14.1 Therefore we may justly blame those as Fools with the Psalmist who say in their Hearts There is no God Much more those who profess with their mouthes There is no God Indeed Atheism is but the Genuine product of Debauchery and profaneness Baxter 's Reas of Chr. Rel. part 2. c. 12. p. 444. for when men have so lived that they are afraid to dye and appear before God at Judgment They are inclinable to wish there was no God to call them to an account for their vice and what they so much desire they will easily perswade themselves to believe that they and their Companions may go on in their evil course Q. How do you prove there is but one God A. 1. There can be but one first cause Grot. de Ver. Rel. Christ l. 1 Mornaeus de Ver. Rel. c. 3. but one Infinite Almighty Independent Eternal Being For if there were two or more Beings equally mighty c. there could not be one Almighty and each might obstruct others proceedings 2. The Heathens have 5. granted This Truth in making their Jove as we own our Jehovah to be the most Glorious most Great Almighty Omnipresent Omniscient Deity the Father Author Governour of all things in Heaven and Earth It is credibly reported of Plato B. Paearson on Creed p. 23. that writing to his Friends he said The Name of God was prefixed before his most serious Works but the Name of Gods before his other Books And a Reverend and Learned Divine of our Church Dr. Cudworth 's Intellect System Gen. 3.5 hath proved lately the Heathens centring their plurality of Gods in the Unity of a Deity And indeed the first mention of Gods was from Satan Q. What is it to believe in this one God A. 1. To grant there is a God 2. To believe what is made known of him in his Word or by his Works that he is true just holy good eternal almighty c. 3. Tit. 3.8 Ja. 2.19 To believe his threats and promises 4. To repose our trust and confidence in him 5. To live answerable to this Faith For tho it is a grand folly to deny the Being of a God Dr. Stillings on Prov. 14.9 p. 36. Yet the Atheists themselves esteem them Fools who believe there is a God and yet by sin affront and trifle with him Q. What are the Attributes God hath in the Creed A. Two one relating to himself Almighty The other with Respect to Christ and us Father Q. What is meant by God's Attribute Almighty A. 1. His power to do all things as he pleaseth B. Pearson on Creed p. 42. consistent with his Glory 2. His Soveraignty or right to Rule and govern the works of his hands And both these the Heathens granted 6. Q. How prove you Gods Almighty Power A. 1. God is frequently called so in Scripture 2. Almightiness is deny'd to all things else 3. His Works of Creation Bish Nicholson on Cat. p. 34. Preservation Sanctification Resurrection c. prove it 4. His great Armys Lord of Hosts all things in the whole World obey him And by his order the least thing strong enough to destroy the greatest place or person Mornaeus de Ver. Rel. c. 11. Gen. 3. 6. 19. Dan. 3. 6. as Learned Mornaeus ingeniously manifests 5. His punishing his enemies singly and joyntly 6. His wonderful Deliverances of his People 7. His restraining all powers as he pleaseth Job 1 and 2 Chapter 8. All power and might is from him therefore he is Almighty 9. The Practice and expectation of the whole World who pray to God in all straits and wants B. Pearson on Creed p. 287. expecting from him all protection and supplies which certainly infers God's being Almighty to be impressed on man's Heart naturally Q. What should God's Almightiness considered influence us to A. 1. To believe he is so Almighty 2. To believe all the Articles of the Creed however dark or impossible They seem to a natural man's apprehension since our God Almighty can do them 3. To make us careful we offend not this Almighty God 4. To take care to please him by obeying him 5. Mat. 10.28 To be humble in our strength we had it from God and not of our selves 6. To ascribe all deliverances from dangers and supplies of our wants to God Almighty 7. Not to despair of God's help in any trouble if he please he can help us 8. Not to be afraid of any Enemies tho they be mighty God is Almighty Isa 41.11 43.2 3 Rom. 8.26 9. To encourage us in Prayer and all Duties our God is able to assist us in them and to grant to us and do for us above all that we are able to ask or think Q. How prove you God's Soveraignty or right to Rule all Creatures A. He is the only Lord of all the World to whom we and all his creatures do owe obedience by several Rights by which God may claim it 1. By our Creation He made us and not we ourselves he formed our bodies of the Dust Psal 95.6 7. and infused our souls so that every faculty of our souls and part of our bodies are several obligations to worship God 2. Our preservation God as the great Housholder of the World provides for all his Creatures Acts 17. 28. and in him we live move and have our being and as we daily live of his mercy ought to live to his glory 3. The price of our Redemption We are to God a purchased possession He gave his Son to die 1 Cor. 6.19 20. that he might by his Sons sufferings grant us life and purchase us to serve him Now what we buy and pay for we may expect to be served with much more then may God expect to be served by us Tit. 2.14 4. All Creatures pay him obedience Sun Moon Stats keep their state God first placed them in The Sea exceeds not its bounds the Earth remains habitable and Air convenient for us to breathe in unless the God of Nature please to alter their course to punish sin and then a flood shall drown the World Gen. 6. 19. Num. 16. and fire descend from Heaven the Earth shall open and the Air by infection destroy Q. How should God's Soveraignty affect
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
in Heaven Hallowed be thy Name Mat. 6.9 to 13. Thy Kingdom come Thy Will be done in Earth as it is in Heaven Give us this day our daily Bread and forgive us our Trespaises as we forgive them that Trespass against us And lead us not into Temptation but deliver us from Evil. For thine is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory for ever and ever Amen Q. Is this a prescribed Form A. 1. We may use it so Christs words being Luke 11.22 When ye Pray say Our Father c. 2. We ought to Conform all our Prayers to it When ye Pray say after this manner Q. Are Forms of Prayer Lawful A. Yes 1. Christ gives a Plea for it in the Lords Prayer 2. Unity of Petitions in a Congregation pleads for it 3. If every one was left to his particular Addresses it would tend to Confusion in a Congregation 4. It is a great help to weak Christians who hereby are instructed what to Pray 5. It may be better accompanied with Zeal than other Prayers because its Petitions are known by the Praying Person and may be suited with Affection 6. Men are more confined to the conceived Prayer or extempore Prayer of any Person than to a Form of Prayer because in a Form they know what will be Prayed for and what Petitions will be used and so know how to suit them and what to say Amen to when as in a conceived or extempore Prayer the hearer knows not what to say Amen to till the Petition be expressed which probably may then be so erroneous or Blasphemous as it ought not to be joyned with Q. What are the parts of this Prayer A. Three 1. A Preface 2. Its Petitions 3. It s Conclusion Q. Which is its Preface A. Our Father which art in Heaven Q. What is here Observable A. 1. That God alone is the Object of our Prayer who is here set out to us by what may encourage our Address as a Father who is willing and as one Almighty in Heaven able to help us 2. That the Persons Praying should be Publick Spirited not Praying solely for themselves but also for others It is not My but Our Father Q. Why is God only to be Prayed to A. 1. He only hears our Prayers 2. Is only to be believed in 3. He is only Omnipresent where ever we Pray 4. Ames Bell. Enervaâ— Tâ—m 2. Cap. 3. He is only Omniscient to know our wants and our sincerity 5. He is only Omnipotent to grant all our desires 6. Prayer is part of a Divine Worship not to be given to any Creature 7. S. Taylors disswasive l. 2. sect 9. Hom. of Engl. on Prayer To Pray to any Saint or Angel supposeth them to be Omnipresent Omniscient and Omnipotent and so makes them Gods 8. God is ever ready to hear us and our Saviour ever ready to intercede for us Heb. 7.25 9. We know not who are Saints and what their State and Condition is 10. We need not Mediators to God as we do here to Princes A. Bish Usher against Jesuit p. 42. God and Christ invite us to come 11. Prayer to Saints was an Error of Celsus and derided by Heathens Q. What Encouragements doth Gods being our Father give us to Pray A. 1. It assures us that God is willing to help and supply us 2. That as Children we may safely go to God our Father for Supplies Rom. 8.32 3. It is a great Comfort against the Infirmities attending our best Duties that we Pray not to a Critical Observer of our Words who may mark what is done amiss but to a Merciful Father who kindly accepts of his Childrens Endeavours Q. What doth Gods being in Heaven denote A. 1. His Power 2. His Majesty Q. Why is Gods Power considerable in our Prayers A. 1. Because we cannot ask more than God can give us Natural Parents may be willing but cannot often help their Children But our Father both will and can James 4.3 Prov. 1.16 2. To teach us if we have not what we desire it is not for want of Power in God but either 1. Because we sinned in asking what was sinful Or 2. What was not convenient Or 3. We desired it for bad ends Or 4. To try our Affections in Prayer Or 5. To re-mind us of our often denying Gods calls to Holiness Q. What doth Gods Majesty in Heaven teach us A. 1. The Glory of our Father A God in Heaven 2. His Condescension in admitting us on Earth to have a Communion with him 3. The great Priviledges Prayer admits us to which is to speak to the great God and is the greatest Honour Creatures can enjoy 4. Dr. Saywell Orig. Plots pag. 427. The great Honour of Christians who are Children of such a Father 5. To have a due Reverence for God and to be Humble in Prayer 6. To come with suitable Affections Love to God and desire for what we pray 7. Mat. 15. Rev. 3.20 Earnestness in Prayer God loves Importunity and useth much to us Q. What learn you from the Persons Praying expressed in the Plural Number Our Father A. 1. That there is a Communion of Saints one Praying for another 2. That we as of that Number ought to Pray for others as well as our selves Q. Are we Obliged to Pray one for another A. 1. Precepts to it enforce it 2. The Practice of Christ and his Apostles invite to it 3. Others Pray for you 4. Sin equally damning to all 5. All want Pardon and Grace 6. All have the same Enemies without and the same Corruptions within 7. All have the same God to hear the same Christ to intercede for them and the same Holy Ghost to assist them and the same Promises to encourage them 8. This is an Act of Love which the poorest may shew each other in Q. How many Petitions are there in the Lords Prayer A. Six The three first respecting chiefly Gods Glory The three last our Good especially Q. What is the first Petition A. Hallowed be thy Name Q. What is meant by Name here A. Gods Name Titles Attributes and Ordinances any thing whereby he is pleased to make known himself to us Q. What is meant by its being Hallowed A. 1. Our having a suitable Esteem and Reverence for them 2. A speaking Honourably and Reverently of them 3. A Vindicating them and an endeavouring they may be Hallowed by others also Q. What then do we Pray for in this Petition A. Cat. of Ch. on Lords Prayer That our Lord God our Heavenly Father would send his Grace unto me and unto all People that we may duly esteem of speak of and Act suitably to those ways whereby God is pleased to make known himself to us by And thus what God Commands in the Third Command we Pray we may be enabled to perform in this Petition Q. What is the Second Petition A. Thy Kingdom come Q. What is desired herein A. That Gods two-fold