the experience of senses nor relyeth upon strength of reason but upon the power and authority of God who can neither deceive nor ever be deceived Q. Why is it called the Apostles Creed A. To distinguish it from the other two Creeds used in the Church Liturgie viz. St. Athanasius his Creed and the Nicene Creed as also from all other Confessions of Faith as that of Calcedon c. Q. Were the Apostles then the Composers of this Creed as St. Athanasius was of his and the Nicene Fathers were of theirs Or was it gathered out of their Writings only as agreeable to their Doctrine A. The Apostles themselves were the Composers of it Q. At what time did the Apostles compose their Creed A. When they were all together at Jerusalem filled with the Holy Ghost before they dispersed themselves abroad to preach the Gospel to several Nations then they agreed upon this as the common Subject and Rule of all their Preaching that there might be no difference in their Doctrines after their departures one from another Anno Domini Christi 44. Anno Imperatoris Claudij 2. July 15. Q. Was it composed by them all together and delivered as the common result of their joynt determination like the Decrees of a General Council or did every several Apostle deliver his own particular Dictate in it and so every one give in his Article A. It is an antient and received Tradition that every one of the Apostles composed his several Article and therefore they are twelve Articles according to the number of the twelve Apostles Q. Can you tell me which Article was made by each particular Apostle A. Yes according to the Tradition St. Peter gave in the first I believe in God the Father Almighty maker of Heaven and Earth St. Andrew the second And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord. St. John the Evangelist the third Which was conceived by the Holy Ghost born of the Virgin Mary St. James the Son of Zebedee the fourth Suffered under Pontius Pilate was Crucified Dead and Buried St. Thomas the fifth He descended into Hell the third day he rose again from the Dead St. James the Son of Alpheus the sixth He ascended into Heaven and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty St. Philip the seventh From thence shall he come to judge the quick and the dead St. Bartholomew the eighth I believe in the Holy Ghost St. Matthew the ninth The Holy Catholick Church the Communion of Saints St. Simon the tenth The Remission of Sins St. Judas Thaddeus the eleventh The Resurrection of the Body St. Matthias the twelfth The life everlasting Q. Is there any probability of truth in this Tradition A. There is first the like probability that is in other Ecclesiastical Traditions in that it hath been delivered to us by Godly men who of their piety were not willing and in policy could have no reason to deceive us with a false story Then again this is plainly intimated in that Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and from thence the Latin word Symbolum which signifieth a Shot a Collation or Contribution and implyeth that every particular Apostle conferred his several Article to the whole Sum and Reckoning of the Creed Q. But hath not the Word divers other significations A. Yes And very fitly answering to the Creed As when it is called an Agreement it signifieth that it was consented to by all Sometimes it is a watch word a signal or mark of distinction by which a man may know his fellow-souldier from his enemy And so it is the badge of our Profession by which you may know the difference between a Christian and an Infidel as a Souldier is known in the field as well by the Word as by his Coat and his Colors Yet the first sense as it is a Contribution or Share or Shot is as proper as any and seemeth most to be warranted by the Derivation and Etymologie of the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 à conjiciendo from casting together or adding one thing to another Q. Why is it called Creed A. Creed is of the first word in Latin Credo to believe So that to say our Creed is to say our Belief that is that which is to be believed Q. Is it sufficient for a Christian man to believe those things only that are contained in the Apostles Creed A. Those things especially are the first and immediate object of our Faith and are to be believed in express terms But also with those we must believe the Canonical Scriptures out of which they may be proved and the expositions and right consequences drawn by the Church from them both and also the other Orthodox and Catholick Confessions of Faith as the Creeds of St. Athanasius Nice and Chalcedon And also those Traditions which we have received by faithful hands from the Apostles As that these and none other are Canonical Scriptures That the Jews Sabbath which was on the last day of the week to wit on Saturday is changed into our Lords-day or Sunday That the power of Governing the Church and Imposition of hands belongs to the Bishops and such like that are agreeable to the Articles of our Creed Q. But is not this to make new Articles of Faith No. These are but explanations of and deductions from the Apostles Creed As the Nicene Athanasian and Chalcedon Creeds are not new ones or other Creeds but the expositions of the old one And concerning those aforenamed Traditions 1. When I know this Creed is agreable to and to be proved by the Canonical Scriptures then I must believe that to be the Scripture which the Church by Tradition commendeth unto us for the same 2. Again When I believe there is a God and that he is to be worshipped and so that some time is to be set a part for his service then I am easily induced to believe that This day that is the Lords-day is the fittest standing time which was first begun by our Saviours Resurrection and seconded by his appearing to his Disciples confirmed by the coming of the Holy Ghost and by the meetings of the Apostles and continued unto our time by the practice of the whole Church 3. Lastly When as I believe the Holy Catholick Church to be a Communion of Saints a company of faithful people then it easily followeth in my perswasion That our Saviour Christ who is the God of order left not this Society in confusion for every man to do and teach when and what he listeth as though all Christians upon their Baptism had presently power given them to Govern Teach and Ordain in the Church as they should see occasion But that our Saviour left this power to his Apostles and they left their Authority to set things in order that should be wanting in the Church upon emergent occasions and to Ordain Priests in every City not to all Christians nay nor to all Priests but to some particular men as to St. Timothy at
Ephesus and to St. Titus in Creet c. And therefore they only that is the Bishops are to be acknowledged to have this Authority of Jurisdiction and Ordination who can derive it from the Apostles and prove themselves in these very things to be the Apostles Successors Q. VVhat do you chiefly learn out of the Articles of the Christian Faith 1. I learn to believe in God the Father who hath made me and all the world 2. In God the Son who hath redeemed me and all mankind 3. In God the Holy Ghost who sanctifieth me and all the elect people of God Q. VVhat Do you believe there be three Gods A. No There be three Persons and but one God The Father the Son and the Holy-ghost are onely one Con-substantial Co-eternal and Co-equal Essence but three persons Q. VVhat do you mean by a Person A. A Person is one who hath his own subsistence which no other besides hath proper to himself Q. How is it possible that there should be three Persons in one Essence A. With men it is impossible but not with God Indeed this is such an high and and dreadful Mystery that it is not safe to say any more of it but that I do believe it that there is three in one The Father is made of none as it is in St. Athanasius his Creed The Son is of the Father alone and the Holy-ghost is of both And by these several properties they are really distinguished each from other For the substance of God with this property to be of none maketh the Person of the Father The very self-same substance with this property to be of the father maketh the Person of the Son The same substance having added to it the property of proceeding from the other two maketh the person of the Holy Ghost So that in every Person there is implyed both the Substance of God which is one and also that property which causeth the same Perrson really and truly to differ from the other two This is the truth But how cometh it to pass I cannot say you need not nay you must not search only believe Q. Out of what words in the Creed do you learn to believe in God the Father who hath made you and all the world A. Out of the words of the first Article I believe in God the Father Almighty maker of Heaven and Earth Q. What do you observe in this Article A. 1. That there is a God 2. That there is but one God 3. That there are divers Persons in the Godhead implyed in Father 4. That God expresseth himself to us 1. By the Unity of his Essence God 2. By Trinity of Persons Father 3. By his Attributes as Almightiness Infiniteness c. 4. By his Works expresly of Creation and consequently of Preservation of Heaven and Earth and all things that are therein visible and invisible Q. Do you not believe that the Son and the Holy Ghost is also Almighty and Maker of Heaven and Earth A. Yes For as we say the Father is God the Son is God and the Holy Ghost is God and yet they are not three Gods but one God So we say the Father is Almighty the Son is Almghty and the Holy Ghost is Almighty and yet there are not three Almighties but one Almighty And so we say the Father is the Maker of Heaven and Earth and the Son is Maker of Heaven and Earth and the Holy Ghost is Maker of Heaven and Earth and yet they are not three Makers but one Maker of Heaven and Earth For although by a peculiar manner of speaking according to our capacity in respect of the Persons we call the Father Almighty Maker of Heaven and Earth because he is the first of the Persons in the Godhead And we attribute Wisdom to the Son because he is the eternal Word of the Father And Goodness to the Holy Ghost because he is the Love of them both Yet indeed these and all other outward Actions and Attributes of God are common to all the Persons of the Godhead Q. In what Articles do you learn to beleive in God the Son who hath Redeemed you and all Mankind A. In the 2 3 4 5 6 7 Articles Q. What is the reason that the work of Mans Redemption done by the second Person in the Trinity is more largly and in more Articles set down than the work of the Worlds Creation A. 1. Because it cost more to Redeem the Soul than to make the World The work of Redemption is greater than the work of Creation and consisteth of more circumstances 2. To teach us that as we ought to respect other Doctrine so this in a more special manner as that we determin to know and rejoyce in nothing more than in Jesus Christ and him Crucified Q. Could not God have Redeemed Mankind by a word as easily as have made the World A. Yes For with God all things are and ever were possible God had other means in his power to save us than by the death of his Son but a better and more convenient way to demonstrate his Love and Mercy towards us and to manifest his Wisdom Power and Justice against Sin Death and Satan He had not for God chose the best When He first decreed this way to save Man it was in His Power to have appointed another way if it had pleased Him So that God was not tyed to determin this way upon any necessity as if the choice of other means failed Him But this in the Wisdom of God common to all the three Persons in the Holy Trinity was allowed as the most honorable and acceptable way to God and the most favourable and comfortable way to Man Q. Did Christ Redeem none but Mankind A. No. God spared not the Angels that sinned but cast them down to Hell and delivered them into chains of darkness to be reserved unto Judgment 2 St. Pet. 2.4 St. Jude 6. Q. Did Christ Redeem all Mankind A. Yes The words of the Church-Catechism are express and plain who Redeemed me and all Mankind And so it is written that He dyed for all 1 Cor. 5.14 15. and that He is the Saviour of all men 1 Tim. 4.10 As by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation so by the Righteousness of one the free gift came came upon all men to justification of life Rom. 5.18 Q. Is the price of Christs Death sufficient for the Redeeming of all Mankind A. Yes doubtless For He gave himself a Ransom for all 1 Tim. 2.6 by which He is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him Heb. 7.25 For He is the Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world St. John 1.29 Q. But was it Christs intention and purpose that all Mankind should be Redeemed and Saved by His death A. Yes surely For He will have all men to be saved 1 Tim. 2.4 that is He is not willing that any should perish 2
the Kingdom to God the Father Q. Why is it said that Christ shall come again Did He ever come before to Judgment A. No. But this word again relateth to Christs first coming by His Incarnation for our Redemption and teacheth us that as He came then in the fulness of time to visit us in great humility so He shall come again at the end of the world in His glorious Majesty to Judge both the quick and the dead Q. Why are quick and dead mentioned in this Article A. To shew that all shall not die before the last day of Judgment but some shall be then found alive and these shall only be changed from corruption to incorruption and shall be caught up together with the dead into the clouds to meet the Lord in the ayr and so without separation of the body and soul by death they shall be ever with the Lord 1 Thes 4.15 16 17. 1 Cor. 15.51 c. Q. In what Article of your Creed do you learn to believe in the Third Person of the Trinity the Holy Ghost who hath sanctified you and all the Elect People of God A. In the 8 9 10 11 12th Articles Q. What do you observe in this part of the Creed A. 1. The Person sanctifying 2. The Persons sanctified Q. VVho is the Person sanctifying A. The Holy Ghost called the Paraclete or Comforter Q. VVhat do you mean by the Holy Ghost A. A Ghost is the same that a Spirit which is pure a incorporeal immaterial substance So by the Holy Ghost I mean the Holy Spirit that is the Third Person in the Sacred Trinity Q. But are there not other Spirits besides the Third Person in the Trinity A. Yes The Angels are Spirits Heb. 1.14 And there are the Spirits of just men made perfect Heb. 12.23 which are the souls of the Elected after they be delivered from the burden of the flesh And these are holy too And in general any thin substance in Nature wanting solidity and grossness of matter by way of resemblance and similitude may be called a Spirit But these are created Spirits and to distinguish the Third Person in the glorious Trinity from these we must call Him Uncreated And to make this distinction plain and evident the Fathers in the Councils of Nice and Constantinople have expounded this Article thus I believe in the Holy Ghost the Lord and giver of life VVho proceedeth from the Father and the Son VVho with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified VVho spake by the Prophets Now here Being Lord distinguisheth Him from Ministring spirits Heb. 1.14 and being giver of life proceeding from the Father and the Son being worshiped and glorified together with the Father and the Son communicating with them in their Substance Nature Power Majesty Glory and Eternity and speaking by the Prophets distinguisheth Him from all creatures whatsoever Q. But is not the Holy Spirit said equally of the Father and of the Son too A. It is true both the Father and the Son are a Spirit and both holy also And therefore indeed this Third Person is not distinguished from the other two by His proper name but is called by a name common to the other two And this comes to pass because of our want of words For we can conceive God under no other Names but such as we borrow from created things so far as we can resemble Him to something that is in Nature and no farther And therefore we can call the First and Second Persons by their proper names because the First Person his communicating of His Substance to the Second is like to Generation that is the Act of Generating or begetting in Nature and so the Substance Generating is one Person of the Father and the Substance Generated is another Person of the Son But the Coming or Proceeding of the Third Person from both the other is like to nothing in Nature and therefore we can call the Act of this communicating of the Substance of the other two Persons to the Third by no other but by the general Name of Comeing or Proceeding and therefore the Person Proceeding in such manner as cannot be expressed no nor conceived by any thing that resembleth it must of necessity to us want His proper name and be called by the name proper to the other two Yet whensoever the Holy Spirit though it be the common name of all Three is joyned with the First and Second Person in the Trinity or with either of them by way of distinction then this particularly signifieth the Third Person in the Deity who ineffably inconceivably and eternally proceedeth from the Father and the Son and is Very God Co-eternal Co-equal and Con-substantial to both and to be worshipped with the same Faith and with equal Honor and Adoration Q. But why is the Third Person called Holy as it were in distinction to the other two A. We must not speak of any Person of the Godhead without holiness and all other Attributes of Perfection either expressed or understood And so the Third Person as the First and the Second is Holy ab intra by nature from all Eternity and Co-equal with them in this as in all other Nominal and Real Relative and Absolute Attributes But He is said to be Holy in distinction to Them by an Holyness of His Office ab extra begun in time as He is the Author and Maker of Holiness in us the Giver of Holy and Spiritual life the Sanctifier of all the Elect People of God Q. How doth the Holy Ghost Sanctifie and make Holy the Elect people of God A. 1. He dedicateth us early to Christs service in our Baptism 2. He alienateth us from the allurements of the world by a religious education 3. He acquainteth us with the holy Scriptures and with the Principles of Religion drawn from the same which â—re able to make us wise unto Salvation â—hrough faith that is in Jesus Christ 4. He exerciseth us therein that is 〈◊〉 the Scriptures and those Principles â—hrough the assistance of grace to have â—lways a Conscience void of offence â—oth towards God and towards men Q. How doth the Holy Ghost exercise 〈◊〉 to have a Conscience thus void of sence A. Many ways 1. By moving us to keep and restrain â—â—r five outward Senses that sin by â—â—em as by open windows enter not inâ—â— our hearts 2. By enabling us to practise the four â—â—rdinal moral Virtues 3. By infusing into our hearts the three Theological Virtues 4. By endowing us with the seven guifts of the Holy Ghost 5. By working in us the twelve Effects or Fruits of the Holy Ghost 6. By giving us a heart and power to do the three kinds of good works as also to perform the seven works of Corporal mercy the seven works of Spiritual mercy and the Offices of Christian Justice 7. By propounding unto us as the excitements of holy duties and the reward of our labours all the external internal and
Catechetical QUESTIONS VERY Necessary for the understanding of the PRINCIPLES of RELIGION CONFORMED To the DOCTRINE of the CHURCH of ENGLAND By SIMON LOWTH Vicar of Tylerhurst in the Deanery of Reding in the Diocess of Sarum LONDON Printed for Chr. Wilkinson at the Black-Boy in Fleet-street and Tho. Burrel at the Golden-Ball under St. Dunstans Church 1673. To my Native Country-men and Antient Neighbours the Parishioners of Thurcaston in the County of Leicester Dearly Beloved THese Catechetical Questions were at first intended only for the private instruction of mine own Children and since they are come to be made Publick I cannot wish the use of them more or sooner to any others than to your selves And indeed ye have the greatest right to them For if our Country or our Friends can challenge any share in us then it is but fit that ye among whom I drew my first breath should have the benefit of my Labours and my daily Prayer to God is that they may prove serviceable to you and all Christs Church I have aimed at no higher but to be an Instructor of Babes to inform the Ignorant that the Catechumeni the Competentes the Neophytes and such as are unskilful in the Word may come to know and believe those things that are necessary for their Souls health And so I have not only fitted the Subject of my Discourse to the Persons for whom the Business is designed but I have also used such a Stile as will be both answerable to the Argument and suitable to mine own way of expression which I have always Studiously affected in imitation of him who was the glory of that place a man famous in his Generation and that was indeed a Burning and a Shining Light yet memorable for his Plainess Father Hugh Latimer Bishop and Martyr whose immediate Successor I conceive my self to be in School-education and Holy Orders among the Natives of Thurcaston I know there have been since him my Seniors in the Parish as my honored Friends Mr. Anthony Huxeley of Cropston and Mr. Samuel Marshall of Ansty but in Thurcaston I have not found any man made a Priest who was born there between the Martyr and my self And this hath been the ground in me of a constant inclination and ambition to be his Disciple I thought once I should have succeeded him in his Martyrdom also when I was brought by a Party of Armed Men with much Fury and Violence out of my House at Dingley in Northamptonshire to be Hanged at mine own door upon several accusations of Malignancy and especially because they were informed that I usually then Prayed for the Kings Majesty the Queen the Prince and the Royal Progeny in a silent pause as I came to the Prayers for them in any part of the Liturgy as I officiated in the open Church which was forbidden to be done publickly and audibly upon pain of death But though I suffered Sequestration and the spoyling of my goods there for my Zeal to the Church and Loyalty to the King yet I had not the honor like him to resist unto blood And since I have not attained to the full height of his sufferings I have often wished that I could have acted so high as by like motions to have walked in his steps and to have followed his great example in the exercise of all the Theological and Moral Virtues and of all the Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Ghost and in the practice of all good works and of the Offices of Christian Justice which I have heard to be very conspicuous in him But in these he was as far beyond what I can reach as he was before me in time and above me in Dignity in the Chuch and in his Eminency in the World There is nothing then wherein I may more neerly and lively represent him or which in it self may be more conducible to my purpose than with much plainness of speech to deliver to them that will vouchsafe to look so low these my poor and true endeavours in my service of the Church And if this their slenderness be no hindrance to them in their entertainment among the gentle and Courteous Readers but that they mean and plain as they are prove useful and acceptable to Gods People it is enough in it self and there is no more in the desires of Dear Countrymen Your most devoted Servant Simon Lowth In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost Amen SEarch the Scriptures c. St. John 5.39 Give attendance to Reading to Exhortation and to Doctrine 1 Tim. 4.13 And continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of knowing of whom thou hast learned them And that from a Child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures which are able to make thee wise unto Salvation through Faith that is in Jesus Christ. All Scripture is given by Inspiration of God and is profitable for Doctrine for Reproof for Correction for Instruction in Righteousness That the Man of God may be perfect throughly furnished with all good works But whereas those things that have been taught us by the Holy Prophets and Apostles of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and which are most surely believed among us are many in number and of divers considerations and are not so exactly delivered in order as that they can either all at once be comprehended in our minds or being comprehended can be so kept in memory that the explication of them may be obvious and ready at hand upon all occasion of teaching Therefore our Antient Fathers have very wisely digested the whole substance and form of all the saving Doctrine into these four heads Viz. 1. The Apostles Creed 2. The Decalogue or Ten Commmandments 3. The Lords Prayer 4. The Sacraments For that all things which are to be held as Points of Chistian Faith whether they belong to the knowledge of God and the Creation and Preservation of the World and Redemption of Mankind or whether they appertain to the Rewards laid up for the Righteous and to the Punishment of evil doers are contained in the Doctrine of the Creed Those things that are referred to the Law whose End is Charity are set down in the Decalogue Whatsoever can be hoped for wished or desired in order to Salvation is comprehended in the Lords Prayer And lastly all that God hath appointed as means and instruments for the obtaining of Grace are comprised in the name of Sacraments Whereupon it followeth that when as these four as it were Heads or Common places of the Holy Scriptures are well explained there can almost nothing be wanting for the understanding of those things which a Christian man ought to know and believe to his souls health And we may plainly perceive out of the sixth Chapter of the Epistle of St. Paul to the Hebrews verse 1 2. that such as these were the first grounds of Christian Institution or Catechism in the Primitive Church and that there
and effectual receiving of the other two and therefore is not excluded but implyed in the necessity of those Q. Are not Orders and Matrimony necessary also A. Orders indeed are necessary for the Publick Ministry and Government of the whole Church yet are not necessary to be entred into or received generally by all Christians but only by those who are willing to dedicate themselves to tthat holy service and find themselves inwardly called thereunto And Matrimony is necessary also for the conservation of Mankind and so for the continuance of the Church by legitimate procreation and Religious Education of Children in the fear and nurture of the Lord and to the praise of God Yet it is not necessary to be entred into or taken in hand of any but at the liberty of every mans choice and discretion only by such as have not the guift of Continency and judge the same to serve and help them better unto Godliness Q. What think you of the other two Sacraments to wit Confirmation and Extreme Vnction A. Confirmation commonly called Bishoping because it is to be Administred only by the Bishop is of great use 1. Here the Persons Baptised being at years of discretion are tyed with their own mouth and their own consent to ratifie and confirm the promise made for them by their Godfathers and Godmothers in their Baptism and so to take the charge upon themselves and to discharge their Sureties 2. They have the benefit of the Prayers of the Church applyed particularly by imposition of hands for their increase of grace and for their strength defence against all temptations of the Flesh and all assaults of the World and the Devil very seasonably at that time when they begin to be in danger to yeild unto the same and to fall into sundry kinds of sins Anoynting with Oyl at or before the hour of death which they call Extreme Unction might have in the Apostles time a Physical use and virtue But that it had a Mysterious signification and was applyed by St. James or any other Apostle after a Sacramental manner it doth not appear clearly in holy Scripture And if it be admitted into the number of these five supernumeraries which are commonly called Sacraments but have not like nature of Sacraments with Baptism and the Lords Supper yet we may say the same both of this and Confirmation viz. that they are not of any absolute necessity unto Salvation as to the simple being of a Christian because if they that are baptised die without Confirmation and they that are sick be visited and die without Extreme Unction yet both may be saved Q. Are Baptism and the Lords Supper absolutely necessary unto Salvation A. Not so absolutely necessary neither as though God cannot save some particulars without them but generally necessary as being the ordinary way and means for all men to be saved by They are means that God tyeth us unto though he tye not himself Q. May we not dispence without receiving of the Sacraments A. Yes But only in the case of absolute necessity or otherwise the willful neglect and contempt of them is dangerous It is in effect to tread under foot the Son of God and to count the bloud of the Covenant wherewith we are sanctifyed an unholy thing Q. What is a Sacrament A. An outward visible thing or Element Ordained by Christ Himself to be a sign of grace given unto us and a means to convey the same grace unto us and a Seal and Pledge to confirm the same and to assure us thereof Q. Who is the Author of the Sacraments A. Jesus Christ our Lord. He appointed the outward visible sign and He ordained it to be such a means Seal and Pledge and He gives the inward spiritual grace Q. How many parts be there in a Sacrament A. Two The outward visible Sign and the inward Spiritual Grace Q. Do the Sacraments then bring Grace with them A. Yes Being duly Administred and rightly Received For Grace is an essential and the chiefest part of the Sacrament Q. How come some then to receive the Sacrament to their own Damnation A. Because they bar themselves of the Grace in that they receive the Sacrament unworthily Q. You do not say then that the receiving of the outward Element bringeth Grace A. No. But it is the Receiving the Sacrament that bringeth Grace of which the Element is but one part that is given by the Priest in the Church and Grace is the other part that is reached down by God himself from Heaven And now to receive all the Sacrament consisting of these parts is to receive Grace Q. What is the difference between Baptism and the Lords Supper A. Baptism is as it were our Initiation or entrance into the Church which is the house of the Living God in and by which we being by nature born in sin and children of wrath are made the children of Grace members of Christ heirs and inheritors of the Kingdom of Heaven But the Lords Supper is as it were our Education our Food Maintenance or means of Subsistance by which we are preserved and kept in the same House unto the purchased Inheritance And therefore Baptism as our Admission is to be Administred but once but the Lords Supper as our Food and maintenance is to be often Administred unto us Q. What is the outward Sign in Baptism A. Water wherein the Person is Baptised in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost Q. Why is Water used for the outward Sign in Baptism A. Because it is instituted by Christ Himself St. Mat. 28.19 in these words Baptising them in the Name c. Q. Why did our Saviour Christ Ordain the Sacrament of Baptism to be done by Water A. Because He is Lord of all Act. 10.36 And whatsoever the Lord pleased that did He in Heaven and Earth Psal 135.6 Q. But is there no reason why our Lord appointed this Action in the Sacrament to be done by this Element A. One reason may be to imitate the Ceremony of washing then used among the Jews 2. In this was fulfilled the Type of Noah's Flood which was a Figure of Baptism wherein Souls are saved by Water 1 St. Pet. 3.20 3. To shew the resemblance between Dipping or Washing in Water and the Spiritual Grace which is the thing that He would have to be signified in the Sacrament Q. What is the Grace or Spiritual thing that is signified in the Sacrament of Baptism A. A death unto sin and a new birth unto righteousness Q. What do you mean by a death unto sin A. I mean the getting out of the power of sin by Gods gracious pardon and forgiveness and by His acceptance of my imperfect righteousness As to live unto sin is to be the slave of sin to be subject both to the tasks and blows to do the works of sin and to suffer the punishment of the same So to die to sin is to be free and
Loaf and Wine is made of many Grapes pressed together into one Vessel So again the Members of Christ as they have a Mystical they ought to have also an affectionate Communion one with another And Lastly He used Bread and Wine apart to shew that His Body and Blood were parted His Blood being let out of His Body by a Spear upon the Cross when He died for our sins Q. VVhat do the Bread and VVine signifie in the Sacrament A. They signifie Christs Body and Blood two things in number as they themselves also are but one in use namely Whole Christ Q. In what State or Condition of Christ do these signs represent His Body and Blood A. Dying upon the Cross as His Body was Crucified and His Blood Shed for our sins Q. But then hath this Sacrament of the Lords Supper respect only to Christs death A. By consequence we cannot but consider all the passages of His Incarnation even to the very last act of His coming to Judgment when we receive this Sacrament but directly and immediately it is Christs Death only that we must remember here then our Redemption was finished when He made Himself a Sacrifice for our sins And therefore it is called the Commemorative Sacrifice because it representeth both unto God and us the real Sacrifice of the Death of Christ we our selves being kept in remembrance of the same by this service and in the very action of this Sacrament offering and presenting unto God by way of Commemoration the Sacrificed Body and Blood of His own Son as the only Propitiation and Satisfaction for our sins Q. But might not this Death of Christ be otherwise well enough remembred without the use of this Sacrament A. If it might yet we must think this Sacrament to be neither useless nor superfluous since it is our Masters and only Saviours Care of us thus to help our infirmities by instituting and ordaining these holy Mysteries as pledges of His Love and continual remembrances of His Death that we should never forget but always remember the exceeding great Love of our Master and only Saviour Jesus Christ thus dying for us and the innumerable benefits which by His precious blood-shedding He hath obtained to us But that is not all for whereas the whole confidence of our Salvation consists in this that the satisfaction which Christ gave to the Justice of His Father is as verily ours as if it had been made and done by us our selves It is necessary that we have Christ in our own possession and that we present Him to His Father as a real satisfaction for all our offences otherwise He communicates or imparts not Himself to us but as He is made ours and we have Him in readiness to be offered unto God So it is not enough for us to remember His death only unless also we receive Him dying into our hearts and can assure our souls that He is accepted for our Redemption and that the efficacy power and fruit of His death comes home unto our selves Q. And may not Christ be received by Faith in the VVord and be presented to God in prayer and supplication without the Sacrament A. I grant that too yet not so effectually as in the Sacrament Q. Do the outward signs then do any more in the Sacrament but signifie the Body and Blood of Christ by way of remembrance and representation A. Yes Or else we should have nothing there to offer unto God the Father as the price of our Redemption But they are such signs as are also seals and pledges to assure us of nay they are means to convey unto us the things which they signifie The Sacramental Bread and Wine are not bare signifying signs but such as wherewith our Lord doth indeed exhibit and give to every worthy Receiver not only His Divine virtue and efficacy but also His very Body and Blood as verily as He gave to His Disciples the Holy Ghost by the sign of His Sacred Breath or health to the diseased by the word of His mouth or by the touch of His hand or garment For Christ who is the Truth doth not give us promises without performance nor shew us signs without substance therefore the Body and Blood of Christ are verily and indeed taken and received of the faithful in the Lords Supper and so the Sacrament is called the Communion of the Body and Blood of Christ 1 Cor. 10.16 and this Communion is not of things absent but present and therefore it is called the Lords Supper because our Lord is there To conclude there is a Communion as in the other Sacrament so in this between the outward visible signs and the inward spiritual grace and without both it is no Sacrament And here if you look to the things United the Union is Essential if to the truth of this Union it is real if to the manner how it is wrought it is Spiritual That Christs Body and Blood are there it is a Truth but how they are there it is a Mystery Q. VVhat are the Benefits that come to us by this Sacrament A. 1. Here is Justification in remission of sins and imputation of Righteousness For the Sacrament is a Communion between Christ and us whereby all our sins are charged upon Him He suffereth and satisfieth for them and all His Justice is imputed unto us and we are Crowned for that 2. Here is Sanctification in that we are all made hereby to drink into one Spirit 1 Cor. 12.13 there flowing from Christs Nature into our Nature united unto Him by the Communion of this Sacrament the lively spirit and breath of grace which reneweth us to a Spiritual life and so sanctifieth our minds wills and affections that we daily grow more and more conformable to the image of Christ 3. Here is assured hope of Glorification because this Sacrament is the Pledg of our Salvation the Seal of our Adoption by which we are made the Sons of God in Communion with Christ and if Sons then Heirs Co-heirs with Him of an Eternal Inheritance of the future fruition whereof by this we have assureance not only to our souls but to our bodies also which being made instruments of Righteousness Rom. 6.13 Temples of the Holy Ghost 1 Cor. 6.19 Members of Christ in this Holy Communion shall be raised again at the last day and have Eternal life St. John 6.54 in which we shall live for ever v. 58. Now the consideration of this is a greater comforting and refreshing of our souls by the Body and Blood of Christ the cause of all than our bodies can receive from Bread and Wine or any outward thing whatsoever Q. What is required of them that come to our Lords Supper A. Five things Q. What is the first A. To examin themselves whether they truly repent them of their former sins Q. How shall a man know whether he truly repent him of his sins or no A. By trying himself truly whether he perform all the parts of Repentance Q. Which be the parts of Repentance A. 1. Contrition sorrow of heart for sin 2. Confession 3. Satisfaction Q. VVhat is the second thing required of a Receiver A. Stedfast purpose and resolution to sin no more but to lead a new life Q. VVhat is the third A. Not to despair for sins past nor if through frailty you commit sins again but to have a lively faith in Gods mercy through Christ Q. VVhat is the fourth A. A thankful remembrance as of all others of Gods Mercies so especially of Christs Death and consequently of His Incarnation Nativity Circumcision Baptism Fasting Temptation Agony Bloody Sweat Cross c. as foregoing His Death and of His Resurrection Ascention Sending of the Holy Ghost Session at the right hand of God and coming again to judge the quick and the dead as following His Death Q. VVhat is the fifth thing required in a Communicant A. To be in Charity with all men If you have offended any man you must be sorry for your fault confess your self guilty and resolve and endeavour to make him satisfaction and if any man hath offended you let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamour and evil speaking be put away from you with all malice and be kind one to another tender hearted forgiving one another even as God for Christs sake hath forgiven you Eph. 4.31 32. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost As it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be world without End Amen FINIS ERRATA PAge 6. line 22. them are read them that are p. 8. l. 18. mine since r. my sense p. 28. l. 3. Defends as r. Defend us as p. 30. l. 1. external r eternal p. 33. l. 18. Roman r. A Roman p. 35. l. â—â— him Him r. Him p. 38. l. 20. deaths r. death p. 43. lâ—â—5 therefore 2. there p. 45. l. 11. Man r. Him p. â—6 l. â—2 these three 2. these there p. 48. l. 7 pure a. r. a pure 〈…〉 l. 5. as received r. was received p. 72. 〈…〉 〈◊〉 as r. as necessary to l. 22. discent r. 〈◊〉 p. â—0 l. 5. thing thing r. thing p. 104. l. 13. without r. with p. 118. l. 7. the Sacrament r. this Sacrament
St. Pet. 3.9 Q. But why then are not all men effectually Redeemed but many become the sons of Perdition A. Because when as He hath given the sufficient price of their Redemption yet they like the Servant that would not go out free Exod. 21.6 chuse still to continue the servants of sin When He gathereth them as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings they will not St. Mat. 23.37 So like Israel they destroy themselves when as in Him is their help Hosea 13.9 They bar themselves of the benefit of His Redemption either they are not in Christ they enter not into Covenant with Him at all and then without Him there is no Redemption or else if they be in Him if they have entered the Covenant with Him in Baptism they break the conditions that they make with him And He Redeemed them not so absolutely as though He would save them whether they will or no but only upon condition of their Repentance and Faith and Obedience according to their promise in Baptism Q. What do these six Articles concerning Christ declare A. 1. His Person in the 2d Article 2. His Humiliation in the 3d and 4th Articles 3. His Exaltation in the 5th 6th and 7th Articles Q. What do you observe in the Person of Christ out of the second Article A. 1. His Name Jesus 2. His Office Christ 3. His Divinity or Godhead His Only Son 4. His Title Our Lord. Q. What do you call His Name A. Jesus Q. What is nhe meaning of that Name A. A Saviour for so the Angel bid Joseph call his Name Jesus because He shall save His people from their sins St. Mat. 1.21 Jesus of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 jashang to save Q. What is His Office A. To be a King a Priest and a Prophet Q. VVhere is that taught us A. In the Word Christ Q. How doth the VVord Christ import all these Offices A. Christ of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ungo according to the Greek As Messiah of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Mashach in Hebrew signifieth Anoynted Now we read in Scripture of three sorts that were Anoynted The first were Kings as Samuel Anoynted David 1. Sam. 16.13 The second were Priests as Aaron and his Sons Exod. 40.13 15. The third were Prophets as Elijah is sent to Anoynt Elisha the Prophet in his room 1 Kings 19.16 And therefore Christ is called a King Zach. 9.9 St. Mat. 21.5 St. John 18.37 And a Priest Psal 110.4 Heb 5.7 8. And also a Prophet Deat 18.18 Acts 7.37 Q. VVhat benefit comes to us by all these Offices of Christs A. 1. He Rules and Defends as a King 2. He cleanseth us from sin by the Sacrifice of himself as a Priest And thirdly He teacheth us as a Prophet Q. Out of what words do you learn to believe Christs Divinity or Godhead A. Out of these words His that is Gods only Son in that He is the only begotten Son of God as in the Nicene Creed not a Son by Creation as all Creatures Nor a Son by Adoption as Man but His only Son by an eternal and unsearchable Generation in respect of his Godhead which teacheth us that he is not only Coâ—eternal and Co-equal but also Con-substantial of one and the self same substance with God the Father For to be a Son is to be partaker of the very Nature Essence and Being of the Father Now Gods Essence and Nature is Infinite and Indivisible without bounds or parts and wheresoever that which is Infinite is there it is all compleat and whole so that God cannot beget a Son which is but part of and not all and wholly His Essence therefore since He is the Son of God in Him dwelleth the fulness of the Godhead bodily that is personally Col. 2.9 Q But is Christ in respect of His Manhood called the Son of God A. Yes As by an eternal and unsearchable Generation in respect of His Godhead He is the Son of God who hath begotten Him of His own Substance God of God very God of very God as in the Nicene Creed So by grace of Personal Union in respect of His Manhood Christ is the Son of God who hath sanctified the Humane Nature by the operation of the Holy Ghost in the Womb of the ever blessed Virgin St. Mary and inseparably united it to the Godhead in the Person of the Son so that the Holy Thing which was Conceived by the overshaddowing of the Holy Ghost and born of the Virgin Mary is called the Son of God St. Luke 1.35 Q. Hath God no other Son but Christ A. No other such as He Indeed we are the Sons of God by Grace of Adoption and other Creatures by power of Creation But by the external and unsearchable Generation and by communion of Nature and Substance Christ is Gods only Son as it is in the Evangelist the only begotten of the Father St. John 1.14 Q. What is Christs Title A. Lord. Q. How is Christ said to be our Lord A. 1. By right of Creation Gen. 1.1 St. John 1.3 2. By right of Preservation Heb. 1.3 3. By right of Dominion Psal 8.1 6. St. Mat. 28.18 4. By right of the Covenant Stipulation and Agreement that is between Him and us Deut. 26.16 17 18. Ezek. 16.8 5. By right of Redemption Act. 20.28 Eph. 1.7 Q. Wherein is Christs Humiliation A. In His Incarnation Art 3. Passion Art 4. Q. What do you observe in Christs Incarnation A. His Humanity or Manhood in that for us Men and for our Salvation He came down from Heaven and was Incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary and was made Man like unto us in all things sin only excepted Q. How doth it appear that Christs Humane Nature was without sin A. In that He was Conceived by the Holy Ghost and born of a pure Virgin one that never knew Man and so was not begotten after the manner of other men of the corrupted and sinful Seed of Adam Q. But could She being a Virgin have a Son How is that possible for Her that knew not a Man A. It is true it is impossible by the power of Nature and therefore it is called a Miracle Isa 7.14 done by the power of God St. Luke 1.35 And this as it sheweth Christs Humane Nature being made of a Woman born under the Law so it intimateth His Divine Nature in that He was born of such a Woman as never knew Man Q. But who was the Virgin Mary A. A Woman of the Nation of the Jews of the Tribe of Judah of the Linage or Family of David And so Christ was of the Seed of David according to flesh and therefore bone of Mans bone and flesh of Mans flesh Q. Then how many Natures are there in Christ A. Two The Godhead and the Manhood Q. Why was it necessary that Christ should be God A. 1. That He might overcome Death 2. That He might have power to prevail with His Father 3. That He might make
Are you able now to do all those things that are necessarily required and to walk in the Commandments of God and to observe them as you ought to do A. No. Not of my self in all points and at all times as in strictness I ought to do yet I may being assisted by Gods help perform and keep them so far as that God may graciously accept of it Q. Did ever any man keep all these Commandments in all points at any time or any of them perfectly at all times A. No. No man ever kept all of them at any time perfectly according to the parts nor any one of them at all times according to the degree of obedience that is required except our Saviour Christ who alone did all things well who did no sin neither was guile found in his mouth 1. St. Pet. 2.22 Q. How do you mean then that it is any way possible to keep Gods Commandments A. In a word For the possibility of keeping Gods Commandments to us that are in Christ for without Him we can do nothing there must necessarily concurre with our true endeavours the grace of Gods assistance helping our infirmities and so we may be able to do something and the grace of Gods acceptation not weighing our merits but pardoning our offences and so we may be able to do what is sufficient Q. How may a man come by this grace of assistance and acceptation A. He must call to God for it by continual Prayer Q. What is the most absolute and best form of Prayer A. That which is taught us by our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ called The Lords Prayer THE LORDS PRAYER Our Father c. Q. VVHat do you chiefly observe in the Lords Prayer A. 1. A Proeme or Preface 2. The Petitions 3. The Conclusion Q. What is contained in the Preface A. The Person to whom we Pray to wit God in whom we believe and whom we are to obey described 1. By His relation to us that He is a Father and in this we have Faith that He Will 2. By His Habitation that He is in Heaven and by this we have hope He is able to help us And 3. By the Common interest that we all have in Him in that He is Ours and by this we have Charity and pray with others and for others as well as for our selves Q. How is God said to be our Father here A. By Adoption in and through Christ and so He is Ours that is all ours who are Christians who all in the judgment and exercise of Charity are to be taken and used as the children of God Q. But is not God in all places A. Yes Q. Why then do you call upon Him as limited and circumscribed in Heaven A. God is said to be in Heaven not because He is there limited or confined by the bounds of that place but because Heaven is the Throne of His Majesty the place of His most glorious Residence in which He is by a more special and eminent presence than in any other Q. May we pray to none but God A. No. To none but God as the chief Author and Giver of what we pray for Q. But may we not pray to one another A. Yes We may pray to them with whom we live and converse for any thing thing wherein they can assist us as subordinate means and instruments in and under God Q. But may we not pray to the Saints departed A. No. Q. But are not they more able and ready to help us in their Prayers to God for us being of the Church Triumphant than any of the Church Militant A. Yes no doubt Q. Why then may we not pray to them to pray for us as we do for one another here on earth A. 1. Because we have no warrant in Gods Word for our so doing 2. Because we are not assured that they hear us as we do one another to whom we speak face to face Q. How many Petitions are there in the Lords Prayer A. Seven To some of which all Manners and Forms of Prayers ought to be referred Q. What do you desire in the first Petition Hollowed be thy Name A. That Gods Honor and Glory may be preferred and advanced above all things That the Confession and Practice of Faith Hope and Charity and holy Conversation of Christian Life may so shew forth their power and force in us that others beholding the same may take occasion to praise God in our behalfe when we make our light so shine before men that they may see our good works and glorifie our Father that is in Heaven Q. What do you ask of God in the second Petition Thy Kingdom come A. 1. That Gods Kingdom of Power and Grace may come that Christ may reign in the Church and that the Church may be propagated over the whole world 2. That also His Kingdom of Glory may come that in this the Church may reign with Christ for ever That it may please God of His gracious goodness shortly to accomplish the Number of His Elect and to hasten His Kingdom that we and all they who are departed in the true Faith of His Holy Name may have one perfect consummation and bliss both in body and soul in His Eternal and everlasting Glory Q. What is the substance of the third Petition Thy Will be done A. That we upon Earth though weak and but of small power may exhibit and yeild unto Almighty God exact and perfect Obedience according to all the parts and degrees that are required in our duties such as the Angels and Saints do in Heaven desiring nothing so much as that we may chearfully submit our selves to His good pleasure both in Prosperity and Adversity and renouncing our own wills which are prone to evil we may rest and settle our minds in the Will of God Q What is the meaning of the fourth Petition Give us this day our Daily Bread A. That God may send us all things which be needful both for the body and soul in giving us bread that is corporal the food of the body that we may have bread to eat and clothes to put on and all outward things that belong to this life and also Spiritual bread too that there be not the Famine of the Word and Sacraments which are to nourish our souls to life everlasting Q What do you pray for in the fifth Petition And forgive us c. A. Pardon and Forgiveness of our sins and offences against our Father which is in Heaven upon Condition that we forgive all them that offend against us And it is to be observed that this request to God is but upon this Condition which if we perform not on our part God is desired to do nothing for us neither will He on His. See St. Mat. 6.14 15. 18.35 Q. What do you pray for in the sixth Petition Lead us not into Temptation A. Because this life is a Warfare in which we wrestle with the World the