A SCRIPTURAL Catechism Useful for all Sorts of Persons Both such as desire to Teach their FAMILIES And such as desire to Learn the Principles of the Christian Religion Out of the HOLY SCRIPTURES By Owen Stockton Minister of the Gospel 2 Tim. 3.15 From a Child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures which are able to make thee wise unto Salvation through Faith which is in Christ Jesus LONDON Printed for H. Brome at the Gun at the West End of St. Pauls MDCLXXII TO THE READER ALl Scripture being given by Inspiration of God is profitable for Doctrine for Reproof for Correction and for Instruction in Righteousness And therefore the whole Word of God is to be read with diligence and to be embraced with the same faith love reverence and obedience with which we would receive it if we heard the Lord himself speak those things with an audible voice which we find written in the Scriptures Yet in regard there are some things in the Scriptures which are hard to be understood and the memories of children are not capable to retain all things that are written therein The most edifying way of teaching our children the Holy Scriptures is as I humbly conceive to select such portions of Scripture as may be useful to bring them to the knowledge of the Principles and to direct and perswade them to the practice of the duties of the Christian Religion which is designed in this ensuing Scriptural Catechism Which may be of great use to such as are young for the grounding them in the knowledge and belief of the Truth and teaching them to lead holy and godly lives whereby they may glorifie and enjoy God become serviceable in their generation and obtain the eternal Salvation of their Souls If any say There are many good Catechisms already extant and therefore there is no need of this I answer 1. There are not many of this nature which contain both the Articles of our Faith and directions for an holy life all the Answers to the Questions being nothing else but express words of Scripture 2. This is not intended as an hinderance to any other Catechism which any persons find useful for themselves or Families but it may be conjoined with or follow after the learning of any other Catechism provided it be such as contains nothing in it contrary to sound Doctrine 3. There is a singular advantage in learning a Scriptural Catechism above others because no Instructions are so powerful for enlightning the Understanding creating Faith awing the Conscience perswading to Holiness supporting the weak administring comfort and guiding those that are instructed in the way to Eternal Life as those which are drawn out of the holy Scriptures It may be some will say This Catechism is too large our Children and Servants will never be able to retain it all in their memories To such I answer 1. It contains nothing but the Scripture which is often preached to us and which we are commanded to read and meditate on night and day and to talk thereof when we lie down and when we rise up when we sit in our houses and when we walk abroad And therefore by reason of our frequent converse with the Scriptures this may be more easily attained and retained then Catechisms of another nature 2. These Scriptures are but a very small portion compared with the many choice Instructions heavenly Counsels divine Precepts and precious Promises which doe abound both in the Old and New Testament 3. Children and Servants of ordinary capacities committing but one or two of these Scriptures to their memory every day which is no hard task may in a competent time retain the whole which may be a great help to make and keep them sound in the Faith and direct them how to order their Conversations aright whereby they shall come to see the Salvation of God 4. It will be easie redressing this complaint For if it be judged needful I can soon contract this and frame one consisting of sewer and shorter Texts of Scripture for the use of such whose age or weakness of parts will not permit them to get or keep in memory so large a Catechism as this is Or Parents may chuse out of this the shortest Scriptures and such as suit best their childrens state and condition and teach them those shorter Scriptures omitting the others till they come to a greater maturity of age and understanding It may be some on the other hand will say This Catechism is too short That there are material things omitted which might have been inserted To such I answer 1. The main and Fundamental Articles of our Faith and the most weighty duties relating to practice such as Faith Repentance the love of God and our Neighbour glorifying God Self-denial forsaking all for Christ Contentment c. are briefly handled in this Catechism 2. I was the shorter in this because I had thoughts of composing a larger for persons of riper years which if I should not do it will be easie for such as are well versed in the Word of God to add any other portions of Scripture which they judge meet for instructing their Families besides what are contained in this Catechism either according to this method or what way else they shall see good I shall not need to shew here the great benefit of teaching our Children the holy Scriptures nor give any directions how this work may be managed with success because this is already done in the Treatise of Family Instruction whither I refer the Reader A Scriptural Catechism Q. WHat will it profit a man to know God and his Son Jesus Christ A. John 17.3 This is life eternal that they might know thee the only true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent Q. What is God and how will God be worshipped A. Joh. 4.24 God is a Spirit and they that worship him must worship him in Spirit and in truth Q. How many Gods are there and how many Mediators between God and men A. 1 Tim. 2.5 There is one God and one Mediator between God and men the Man Christ Jesus Q. How do you prove that there are three Persons in the Godhead and that these three Persons are one and the same God A. 1 John 5.7 There are three that bear record in heaven the Father the Word and the Holy Ghost and these three are one Q. Can no man please God without faith A. Heb. 11.6 Without faith it is impossible to please him Q. What must every one believe concerning God that cometh to him A. Heb. 11.6 He that cometh to God must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him Q. Will the Lord have no mercy upon such people as live and die without understanding A. Isa 27.11 It is a people of no understanding therefore he that made them will not have mercy on them and he that formed them will shew them no favor Q. What shall become of those that do
father because the Lord would slay them Q. Did not God command under the Law that such as cursed either their father or mother should be put to death A. Lev. 20.9 Every one that curseth his father or his mother shall be surely put to death he hath cursed his father or his mother his bloud shall be upon him Q. Is it not a sin for children to steal from their Parents as well as from other persons A. Prov. 28.24 Whoso robbeth his father or his mother and saith it is no transgression the same is a companion of a destroyer Q. Is it not the duty of Parents to train up their children in the knowledge and fear of God A. Ephes 6.4 Ye Fathers provoke not your Children to wrath but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Q. How must Masters carry themselves towards their Servants A. Col. 4.1 Masters give unto your servants that which is just and equal knowing that ye also have a Master in Heaven Q. What duties must Servants be exhorted to A. Tit. 2.9 10. Exhort Servants to be obedient unto their own Masters and to please them well in all things not answering again not purloining but shewing all good fidelity that they may adorn the Doctrine of God our Saviour in all things Q. Must not Servants count their Masters worthy of all honour A. 1 Tim. 6.1 Let as many Servants as are under the yoke count their own Masters worthy of all honour that the Name of God and his Doctrine be not blasphemed Q. Must not Servants obey their Masters with fear and trembling and singleness of heart shunning eye-service and do their work with a good will as if they were serving the Lord A. Ephes 6.5 6 7. Servants be obedient to them that are your Masters according to the flesh with fear and trembling in singleness of your heart as unto Christ not with eye-service as men-pleasers but as the Servants of Christ doing the will of God from the heart with good will doing service as to the Lord and not to men Q. When Servants are sent abroad must they not return home without making any delay though they should be much importuned to stay a longer time A. Gen. 24.56 He said unto them Hinder me not seeing the Lord hath prospered my way send me away that I may go to my Master Q. When Jacob was servant to Laban did he not serve him with all his might though he were his near Kinsman A. Gen. 31.6 Ye know that with all my power I have served your father Q. Must not servants come when they are called go whither they are sent and do what they are hidden A. Matth. 8.9 I am a man under authority having Soldiers under me and I say to this man go and he goeth and to another come and he cometh and to my servant do this and he doth it Q. Must not servants do their work without murmuring either at the meanness or the difficulty of their work A. Phil. 2.14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings Q. What example have we of the frugality of Christ in commanding the broken pieces of Barley bread to be gathered up which may teach servants and all others to make no waste of any thing under their charge A. John 6.12 When they were filled he said unto his Disciples Gather up the fragments that remain that nothing be lost Q. How must we our children and servants sanctifie the Sabbath Must we not abstain from pleasures and recveations and from the works of our callings and from speaking our own words and maintain an honourable esteem of the Sabbath-day and spend it in holy and religious exercises and take delight therein and do all the duties of the day to the honour of God and what will God do for those that thus sanctifie the Sabbath-day A. Isa 58.13 14. If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath from doing thy pleasure on my holy day and call the Sabbath a delight the holy of the Lord honourable and shalt honour him not doing thine own ways nor finding thine own pleasure nor speaking thine own words Then shalt thou delight thy self in the Lord and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy Father for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it Q Is not the soul of a man of such great excellency that the gaining of the whole world will not countervail the loss of one soul A. Mark 8.36 What shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul Q. Seeing the Soul is of such great value ought we not to do all that in us lieth to save our Souls A. Phil. 2.12 Work out your own Salvation with fear and trembling Q Seeing our souls cannot be saved without the grace of God Doth it not concern us to look diligently that we fail not of grace A. Heb. 12.15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you and thereby many be defiled Q. Hath not God promised to give the Holy Spirit which is the Fountain of all grace to them that ask it A. Luke 11.13 If ye then being evil know how to give good gifts unto your children how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him Q. What are the fruits that the Spirit of Grace produceth when it is given to us A. Gal. 5.22 23. The fruit of the Spirit is love joy peace long-suffering gentleness goodness faith meekness temperance against such there is no law Q. After we have gotten grace must we not labour to grow in grace A. 2 Pet. 3.18 Grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ to him be glory both now and for ever Amen Q. Is growth in grace so necessary that besides our endeavours to get grace we must give diligence yea all diligence to grow in grace A. 2 Pet. 1.5 6 7. And besides this giving all diligence add to your faith vertue and to vertue knowledge and to knowledge temperance and to temperance patience and to patience godliness and to godliness brotherly kindness and to brotherly kindness charity Q. Will not a right use of the Word of God help us to grow in grace A. 1 Pet. 2.2 As new born babes desire the sincere milk of the Word that ye may grow thereby Q. What promise have you that God will enable you to grow in grace A. Hos 14.5 I will be as the dew unto Israel he shall grow as the Lilly and cast forth his roots as Lebanon Q. Must not they that would be saved persevere in the ways and grace of God A. Matth. 24.13 He that shall endure unto the end the same shall be saved Q. Hath God no pleasure in such as draw back from walking with him A. Heb. 10.38 Now the just shall live by faith but if
is thus wicked must not they that would escape eternal death get new hearts and new spirits A. Ezek. 18.31 Cast away from you all your transgressions whereby ye have transgressed and make you a new heart and a new spirit for why will you die O house of Israel Q. What promise have you that God will give you a new heart and a new spirit A. Ezek. 36.26 A new heart also will I give you and a new spirit will I put within you and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh and I will give you an heart of flesh Q. What are we by nature A. Eph. 2.3 We were by nature the children of wrath as well as others Q. Do we not abide under the wrath of God as long as we abide in unbelief A. John 3.36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life but the wrath of God abideth on him Q. What course shall we take to make our peace with God must not it be by taking hold on Christ who is the power and strength of God 1 Cor. 1.24 A. Isah 27.5 Or let him take hold of my strength that he may make peace with me and he shall make peace with me Q. Hath not God passed the judgment of condemnation upon all men for Adam 's sin A. Rom. 5.18 By the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation Q. What must we do to escape this condemnation A. John 5.24 Verily verily I say unto you he that heareth my word and beliveth on him that sent me hath everlasting life and shall not come into condemnation but is passed from death unto life Q. Is there no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus And what manner of persons are they that are in Christ Jesus A. Rom. 8.1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the flesh but after the spirit Q. Can we do nothing towards the helping of our selves out of our sinful and miserable condition without the assistance of Gods grace A. John 15.5 Without me ye can do nothing Q. Is there not help in God for such as have destroyed and undone themselves A. Hos 13.9 O Israel thou hast destroyed thy self but in me is thine help Q. For what end did Jesus Christ come into the world A. 1 Tim. 1.15 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners of whom I am chief Q. Were not those sinners whom Jesus Christ came to save in a lost undone condition A. Luk 19.10 The Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was lost Q. Did not Jesus Christ testifie of himself that he was the promised Messias that was to come into the world A. John 4.25 26. The woman saith unto him I know that Messias cometh which is called Christ when he is come he will tell us all things Jesus saith unto her I that speak unto thee am he Q. What other proof have you that Jesus of Nazareth is the promised Messias besides his own testimony Do not all things that are written of the Messias by Moses and the Porphets agree to Jesus of Nazareth A. John 1.41 45. We have found the Messias which is being interpreted the Christ we have found him of whom Moses in the Law and the Prophets did write Jesus of Nazareth the son of Joseph Q. What other proof have you that Jesus of Nazareth is the promised Messias besides Moses and the Prophets Did not the works which he did in his Fathers name bear witness of him that he was the Christ A. John 10.24 25. Then came the Jews round about him and said unto him how long dost thou make us to doubt If thou be the Christ tell us plainly Jesus answered them I told you and ye believed not the works that I do in my Fathers name they bear witness of me Q. What other proof have you that Jesus of Nazareth is the promised Messias besides his works Did not God the Father bear witness by a voice from Heaven that he was his beloved Son A. Matth. 3.17 Lo a voice from Heaven saying this is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased Q. Is it not enough to believe that there is a Messias but is it necessary to salvation to believe that Jesus of Nazareth is the Christ that was to come into world Q. John 8.24 If ye believe not that I am he ye shall die in your sins Q. How do you prove that Jesus Christ is God A. John 1.1 In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God Q. How do you prove that Jesus Christ being God became man and dwelt amongst the sons of men A. John 1.14 The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld his glory the glory as of the only begotten of the Father ful of grace and truth Q. Was the body of Christ of the same nature with ours consisting of flesh and bloud as our bodies do A. Heb. 2.14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and bloud he also himself likewise took part of the same that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death that is the Devil Q. How do you prove that Jesus Christ was born of a Virgin A. Matth. 1.23 Behold a Virgin shall be with child and shall bring forth a Son and they shall call his name Emmannuel which being interpreted is God with us Q. What was the Virgins name that conceived and brought forth Jesus Christ A. Luk 1.27 The Virgins name was Mary 30.31 The Angel said unto her Fear not Mary for thou hast found favour with God and behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb and bring forth a Son and shalt call his name Jesus Q. When the Virgin Mary asked the Angel how it could be that she which had not known a man should have a Son what did he say to her A. Luk 1.35 The Angel answered and said unto her the Holy Ghost shall come upon thee and the power of the highest shall over shadow thee therefore also that holy thing that shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God Q. How do you prove that there was neither original nor actual sin in Christ A. 1 John 3.5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins and in him there is no sin Q. Why did Jesus Christ undergo such great sufferings when he was in the world seeing he never sinned against God A. Isah 53.5 He was wounded for our transgressions he was bruised for our iniquitis the chastisement of our peace was upon him and with his stripes we are healed Q. How do you prove that Jesus Christ died for our sins and was buried and rose again the third day A. 1 Cor. 15.3 4. I delivered unto you first of
own sake and will not remember thy sins Q. If a man backslide from God after he hath obtained mercy is there hope that God will pardon his backslidings if he return again to the Lord A. Jer. 3.22 Return ye backsliding children and I will heal your backslidings behold we come unto thee for thou art the Lord our God Q. Must not such as believe in Christ be careful that they do not sin against God And when they do fall into sin is not Christ their advocate to plead with his father that their sins may not be imputed to them A. 1 John 2.1 2. My little children these things write I unto you that ye sin not and if any man sin we have an advocate with the father Jesus Christ the righteous and he is the propitiation for our sins and not for ours onely but also for the sins of the whole world Q How are we justified By faith or by the works of the law A. Rom. 3.28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law Q. Should not Gods mercy in forgiving our sins cause us to forgive one another A. Eph. 4.32 Be ye kind one to another tender hearted forgiving one another even as God for Christs sake hath forgiven you Q. Hath not God promised to subdue our sins as well as to pardon them A. Mic. 7.18 19. Who is a God like unto thee that pardoneth iniquity and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage he retaineth not his anger for ever because he delighteth in mercy He will turn again he will have compassion upon us he will subdue our iniquities and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the Sea Q. Seeing God hath promised to pardon and subdue our sins ought we not to hope in God that he will purge away our transgressions even at such times as we feel iniquity prevailing against us A. Psalm 65.3 Iniquities prevail against me as for our transgressions thou shalt purge them away Q. Must we not trust in the Lord at all times A. Psalm 62.8 Trust in him at all times ye people pour out your heart before him God is a refuge for us Q Why must we trust in the Lord for ever A. Isa 26.4 Trust ye in the Lord for ever for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength Q. Will not the Lord keep that man in perfect peace that trusteth in him A. Isa 26.3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee because he trusteth in thee Q. May such as walk in darkness and see no light trust in the Lord A. Isa 50.10 Who it among you that feareth the Lord that obeyeth the voice of his Servant that walketh in darkness and hath no light let him trust in the name of the Lord and stay upon his God Q. Suppose a man be brought so low that he almost despaireth of ever seeing God ought such an one to trust in the Lord A. Job 35.14 Although thou sayest thou shalt not see him yet judgement is before him therefore trust thou in him Q. Must we trust in God when he killeth us A. Job 13.15 Though he slay me yet will I trust in him Q. What promise have you that God will enable you to trust in Christ A. Rom. 15.12 There shall be a root of Jesse and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles in him shall the Gentiles trust Q. What promise have you that God will help you to trust in him in your greatest afflictions A. Zeph. 3.12 I will leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people and they shall trust in the name of the Lord. Q. What promise have you that God will cause you to trust in him in truth A. Isa 10.20 And it shall come to pass in that day that the remnant of Israel and such as are escaped of the house of Jacob shall no more again stay upon him that smote them but shall stay upon the Lord the holy one of Israel in truth Q. How must we love God A. Deut. 6.5 Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart and with all thy soul and with all thy might Q. What promise have you that God will help you thus to love him A. Deut. 30.6 The Lord thy God will circumcise thine heart and the heart of thy seed to love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul that thou mayest live Q. What hath God prepared in Heaven for those that love him A. 1 Cor. 2.9 Eye hath not seen nor ear heard neither have entred into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them that love him Q. Shall not all things work together for good to them that love God A. Rom. 8.28 We know that all things work together for good to them that love God to them who are the called according to his purpose Q. How may we know whether we love God A. 1 John 5.3 This is the love of God that we keep his commandements and his commandements are not grievous Q. Must not he that loveth God love his brother also A. 1 John 4.21 This commandment have we from him that he who loveth God love his brother also Q. How must we love our neighbour A. Mat. 22.39 Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy self Q. Must we not love one another as Christ hath loved us A. John 15.12 This is my Commandment that ye love one another as I have loved you Q. Do not they dwell in God and God dwell in them who dwell in love A. 1 John 4.16 God is love and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God and God in him Q. Is it not an evident token that we are the Disciples of Christ when we love one another A. John 13.35 By this shall all men know that ye are my Disciples if ye have love one to another Q. Will not love keep us from doing any kind of evil to any man A. Rom. 13.10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour therefore love is the fulfilling of the law Q. Ought we not from a principle of love to be as ready to do all the good we can for every man as we would be if we were his servant A. Gal. 5.13 By love serve one another Q. What is the sum and substance of all the direction that Moses in the Law and the Prophets have given us to direct us how to carry our selves towards our neighbour A. Mat. 7.12 All things whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you do ye even so to them for this is the Law and the Prophets Q. Must not we love and do good to our worst enemies that we have in the world even to such as hate persecute and use us despitefully A. Mat. 5.44 But I say unto you love your enemies bless them that curse you do good to them that hate you and pray for them which despitefully use you and