thou not think that thou art bound to do and believe as they have promised for thee A. Yes verily and by Gods help so I will And I heartily thank our heavenly Father that he hath called me to this state of salvation through Iesus Christ our Saviour And I pray unto God to give me his grace that I may continue in the same unto my lives end Q. Why is this Question proposed A. 1. That the Child being now grown up might be made sensible of that Vow he was entred in by his Godfathers and Godmothers in Baptism 2. That before the Congregation he by making an open profession of it might evidence that he retained that Religion he was Baptized into and owned as firm and stedfast what was then done and promised for him 3. That he now being grown up and assenting to the obligation on him from that Vow entred by his Godfathers and Godmothers might henceforward look upon himself obliged to practise it And here how may we justly lament the neglect of Confirmation amongst us which would be a great expedient to oblige persons to be instructed in the principles of Religion and engage them by an assuming their Baptismal Vow on themselves to the practice of it Q. What is considerable in the Answer A. 1. An earnest assent and consent to the Obligation on us from our Baptismal Vow to perform it Yes Verily 2. 2 Cor. 3.5 Joh. 15.5 Phil. 2.13 An humble acknowledgment of our own inability to perform our Duties of Religion or to withstand Sin Satan and the World without God's help And therefore by God's help I will 3. The great joy and gladness the Baptized person looks on his Baptized state with Psal 147. last Acts 4.12 I heartily thank our heavenly Father who hath called me to this State of Salvation through Jesus Christ our Saviour It being a State of Grace of which the numerous Jews and Heathens are deprived of 4. Here is an holy means used to obtain God's help to perform this Vow I pray unto God to give me his Grace 5. Phil. 4.13 Here is an holy Resolution of perseverance through God's help 6. Phil. 1. That I may continue in the same to my lives end Q. Rehearse the Articles of thy Belief A. I believe in God the Father Almighty maker of Heaven and Earth And in Iesus Christ his only Son our Lord who was conceived by the Holy Ghost born of the Virgin Mary sutfered under Pontius Pilate Was crucified dead and buried He descended into Hell The third day he rose again from the dead and ascended into Heaven and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty From thence he shall come to judge hoth the quick and the dead I believe in the Holy Ghost The Holy Catholick Church The Communion of Saints The forgiveness of Sins The Resurrection of the Body and the life everlasting Amen Q. Why are the Articles of the Creed in the first person singular A. 1. Because though we may pray for each other yet every one must believe for himself 2. Because hereby every one makes an acknowledgment and confession of his own Faith Q. Why is it called the Belief A. From the first words I believe Q. Why is it called the Creed A. From the first word in Latin Credo Q. Why is it called the Apostles Creed A. 1. Because there is good reason to believe it was made by the Apostles Alsted Chronol p. 315. Calvin Instit l. 2. c. 16. sect 18. Dr. Sherlock on Cat. before they were dispersed abroad in the World at the Council of Jerusalem about the 49 year of Christ as a sum of sound Doctrin for the Churches use And some have supposed hence it was divided into Twelve Articles according to the number of the Apostles 2. It is called the Apostles Creed because its Articles agree with the doctrin of the Apostles delivered in their Writings Q. How are the Articles of the Creed divided A. Catec of Church of Engl. Some have made only three parts of it respecting the sacred Trinity the only Object of our Faith and thus doth our Church divide it into Articles 1. Concerning God the Father who made me and all the World 2. Concerning God the Son who Redeemed meand all Mankind 3. Concerning God the Holy Ghost who sanctifies me and Elect People of God Others have added a fourth part concerning the Church of God and its Priviledges here and hereafter Col. 1.18 Eph. 1.14 4 uke 14.7 Cor. 15.19 But because the Church is no object of Faith and our belief of Christ and the Holy Ghost will pre-suppose a People Redeemed and Sanctified and that State will infer pardon of Sins Resurrection and Eternity of Life Therefore I shall only consider three parts Q. Which is that part of the Creed which relates to God the Father A. I believe in God the Father Almighty maker of Heaven and Earth Q. What is here believed concerning God the Father A. Three things 1. His Being 2. His Attributes 3. His Works Q. What is meant by I believe in God A. That I believe 1. There is a God 2. There is but one God 3. That I believe in this one God Q. How do you prove there is a God A. Arguments to convince the Atheist are drawn from Reason for he who denies a God cannot credit Scripture which we say is the Word of God Therefore 1. Gror. de ver Chris Relig. l. 1. Morn de ver Relig c. 1. Cicero l. 1. Tusc Quest Val. Max. l. 1. c. 1. Extern The first cause of all things proves a God nothing could make its self and therefore every thing made had God a Creator and is an Argument for a God and may silence the Atheist 2. The 1. consent of all Nations who by the light of Nature saw it The Roman Orator accounts no Nation so barbarous as to deny the Being of a Deity And the Athenians banisht Diagoras for but saying he doubted it Their Polytheism or worship of many Gods tho sinful yet pleaded they were Theists worshippers of a Deity The several Creatures especially our selves may silence all doubts Dr. Arrowsmith Aphor. Exer. 2. sect 1 2. for tho which way soever we look we may find enough to convince us of his Being Yet our selves as what we are most conver sant with may silence Atheism 3. Our bodies and souls witness a Deity Our Parents could not make us Male or Female Leigh 's body of Divinity l. 2. c. 1. p. 151. however desirous they of either Sex We 2. excel all creatures in our structure and our Souls are above the Sphere of Earthly Beings being 3. spiritual and capable of an immortality remembring things past and foreseeing things to come all which plead for a God a Father of our Spirits and Creator of our Bodys 4. The testimony of every mans Conscience which at sometimes 4. checks him for evil and encourageth him to Good is
us A. It should make us consider 1. That we are not our own but Gods 2. That being his it is but reasonable we should serve him 3. It should shame us for our rebellious sins since all our fellow-creatures obey his pleasure 4. It should make us resolve on future obedience with out utmost sincerity and power to our lives end Q. Why is God set forth as a Father A. His Attribute of Almighty declares his power His Title of Father denotes his goodness the one evidenceth him able the other willing to do us good Q. How is God a Father to us A. 1. By Creation He made us and not we our selves 2. God as a Father takes care of us supplies our wants Gen. 1.26 protects our persons watcheth over us to do us good night and day 3. God is our Father thro Christ by Adoption 4. Joh. 1.12 God as our Father hath provided an inheritance for us as Sons whom he is pleased to account as co-heirs with Christ Q. What is it to believe God to be our Father Rom. 8.16 A. 1. To own him as such 2. To make our addresses to him for what we want 3. To receive comfort hence under all troubles they come from a Father 4. To engage our submission to God's corrections he is our Father John 14.13 14. Heb. 12.6 7. 5. To support us under sense of the Frailty of our duties we perform them not to a critical Judge but to a merciful Father 6. It may engage us to act as Children in love fear honour obedience to him and vindication of him and promoting his glory B. Pearson on Creed p. 29 30. Eph. 5.1 and an endeavour to imitate him 7. Not to murmur at any dispensation of his Providence but freely to rest contented in what God is pleased to order Q. What are these Works by which God is made known in the Creed A. His making Heaven and Earth Q. How is God proved to have made Heaven and Earth A. 1. They were not from Eternity but were made in time 2. Nothing could make it self every thing was made by another 3. B. Pearson on Creed p. 51 52. Leigh 's Body of Divinity p. 282. Scripture abundantly witnesseth they were made by God Gen. 1. 4. The Heathens also ascribe the Creation of all things to God 7. 5. Heaven and Earth with the creatures in them pay as creatures homage to God as their great Creator Q. What is meant by Heaven and Earth A. Not only themselves but all creatures in the Universe and as by them is meant the Universe so there is nothing in the whole World but God made it Q. Is nothing meant by Gods making the Heaven and Earth but only his Creating them A. Yes because his power is equally manifested in the preservation as in the Creation of things therefore his Providence may be here considered whereby God orders governs and disposeth of all things as he pleaseth Q. How do you prove there is a Providence A. 1. By the Regular motion of the Heavens 2. Mornaeus de Ver. Rel. c. 1. c. 11. The preservation of each Species of creatures in the midst of so many devouring Enemies 3. The alternate course of day and night for manslabour and rest 4. The preying of Beasts in the night when man rests and their being in their Dens in the day when man labours 5. The preservation of the Child in the Womb. B. Ushers Body of Divinity p. 107 108. 6. The Exalting some and Deposing others 1 Sam. 2.6 7. 7. The delivering of his Church from its many enemies Turk and Antichrist Pagan and Heretic 8. The Government of Nations by one man whenas every man is naturally desirous to govern 9. The discovering * 1588. 1605. 1678. the designs and defeating the Plots of persons against those Nations and Churches that serve him 10. Mornzus lib. praed c. 13. Whoever do acknowledge a Deity and denies Providence do much affront God supposing him to be only an idle Spectator of things 11. The duties of God's People yea of all the World to him prove it why should any pray if he hears and answers not or worship if he seeth and rewardeth not 12. The Heathens grant a 8 Providence ordering Life and Death Peace and War Riches and Poverty c. Q. If God orders all things by his Providence how should we improve it A. 1. We should in all our wants go to God 2. Count what we have or receive as received from God 3. It will plead it our necessary duty to serve him Homil. of Engl. on Rogat Week without whose blessing we cannot subsist 4. It will also engage our labour in our callings for God's Providence orders means to obtain mercies as well as mercies to be obtained which tho they cannot be succesful without God's blessings Harmony of Confessions Confes Belg. Art 3. Helv. 6. yet he will bless our endeavours to the obtaining what he seeth good for us 5. It will make us under all troubles to be content and in use of means to wait patiently for a release God is too great to be contented with and too good to be questioned be gives us more then we deserve if not what we desire The part of the Creed concerning God the Father being considered Q. What is that part concerning God the Son A. I believe in Iesus Christ his only Son our Lord c. Q. What is believed concerning Christ in the Creed A. Things respecting his Person and his Offices Q. What is in the Creed concerning his Person A. His twofold nature God and Man Q. Wherein is Christ's Divinity manifested A. In our believing him to be Gods only Son our Lord. Q. How prove you Christ to be God A. 1. He derived his being from the Father by a way above all creatures so that he is very God of very God Nicaean Creed Athanasian Creed and as really God of the substance of the Father begotten before the World as man of the substance of his Mother born in the World 2. Calvin Instit l. 2. c. 14. s 5. The Attributes and Works of God are attributed to him in Scripture 3. The Miracles he wrought were beyond any creatures power to effect done in his own name frequently in publick and by his own power 4. Mark 5.7 to 13. The obedience of all creatures to him yea of the very Devils 5. The Testimony of God Mat. 3.17 Angels Mat. 1.21 Devils Mark 5.7 6. The Heathens were not ignorant of the notion of the Son of God 9. becoming man Q. Why was it necessary our Saviour should be God A. 1. Bish Nicholson on Cat. p. 38. B. Ushers body Div. p. 93 162. Leigh 's body p. 257. Homily of Eng. on Nativ To bear the weight of God's anger which man could not do 2. To satisfie an infinite offended Justice 3. To conquer all our enemies 4. To procure Salvation for us most
ought to be the improvement of Christs Exaltation A. Col. 3.1.2 Heb. 4.16 Psal 2. last 2 Pet. 3.10 11. 1. To rise and ascend after him in affection and holiness of life 2. To pray with boldness to him who sits interceding for us 3. To close with and be at peace with him who shall judge us 4. To watch our thoughts words and actions 5. To judge our selves dayly 6. To be always ready to meet Christ at the judgment-seat Acts 24.15 since we know not how soon where how nor when he may call us who are alive as well as those who are dead to judgment The Creed being considered as to God the Father and Son Q. What is the third object of our faith A. The third person of the Trinity God the Holy Ghost Q. Why is he called Ghost A. Gen 1. 1. Because God is a Spirit 2. He is a Spirit Q. Why is he called Holy A. 1 John 5.7 1. Because he is Holy in himself 2. The author of all holiness in us Q. Acts 5.3 4. B. Pearson on Creed p. 220. 2 Pet. 〈◊〉 2 〈◊〉 How is the Holy Ghost proved to be God A. 1. By Scripture 2. The Attributes of God are given to him Psalm 139.3 The works of God as Creation Gen. 1. Sanctification John 16.4 He is the Author of the Scriptures but they were written by men inspired by God Q. What is it to believe in the Holy Ghost A. 1. To believe the Truth of the Article That there is an Holy Ghost or Holy Spirit of God Which also the heathens seem to speak of 12 2. To attend to and obey his motions 3. To prize and improve his ordinances Q. What do the remaining Articles of the Creed concern A. The Consequences of the former the priviledges of a state of grace and glory belonging to Gods Creatures redeemed by Christ and sanctified by the Holy Ghost Q. Which are they Answ Five 1. Church-membership 2. Communion of Saints 3. Remission of sins 4. Resurrection of body 5. Life everlasting Q. Why is it not said I believe in the Holy Catholick Church A. 1. God is the only object of our Faith 2. Implicite Faith or to believe as the Church believes may be amiss Every one ought to believe for himself Q. What then is meant by the Church A. Hookers Polity lib. 3. sect 1. The Church of Christ is invisible of all true Christians and visible of all Christian professors Q. Why is the Church called Holy and Catholick A. They are the two marks of the true Church of Christ without which no Church is true Q. Ames Bel. Enervat Tom. 2. Cap. 3. Why is Christs Church called Holy A. 1. From the better part of the Church the true Christians 2. From the desires after holyness it's members true Christians have Homil. of Engl. on Whit-Sunday 3. From the commands of their God obliging to holiness 4. From the Holiness of it's ordinances Q. Why is it called Catholick A. Leigh 's body p. 623. 627. 1. It 's Doctrine ought to be the Catholick or universal rule of all Churches through the world and so in it's first institution it was Catholick 2. It is a Church continuing it's Doctrin through all ages since Christ Fox Acts vol. 1. p. 10. 887. vol. 3. p. 489. 576. 3. It 's called Catholick because it includes the whole world of Christians every Christian is part of some particular Church and all the particular Churches of Christ make one Catholic Church 4. It is called Catholick because it includes both Sexes and all sorts and degrees of Men and Women high and low rich and poor 5. It must be holy as well as Catholick B. Pearson on Creed p. 335. or else it is Satans Synagogue not Christs Church it's Doctrines must be pure nor must it tolerate any vice in practise Q. What do you believe in this Article A. 1. 1 Co◠12.20 27. Eph. 4.5 That Christ hath a People dispersed through the whole world whom he owns and who serve him in holiness 2. That tho in many places yet it is but one Church having one God one Christ one Faith one Baptism 3. It Shews Romes folly in confineing the Catholick Church to it's self as if Rome was the whole world Q. Is not the Church of Rome the Holy Catholick Church here meant A. No The Church of Rome as now it is in principle and practice is neither Catholick nor Holy 1. It is not Holy Dr. Brevints Samuel and Saul at Endor Dr. Lloyd on funeral of Sir Edmundbury Godfrey all sins are here tolerated Murder and Rebellion in some causes accounted meritorious B. Lincolns Popish principles pernicious to Protestant Princes p. 34 57 60 61 62 63 95 96 97 102 105 111. But Romes sense of its own impiety makes it seldom plead for it's holiness tho it cry aloud for its being Catholick which cannot be granted 1. For its present Doctrines and practices are not agreeable to the Catholick rule of the Scriptures She commands worshipping of Images Scripture forbids it She raceth out the second Commandment the Scripture contains it c. 2. It is not Catholick its Doctrines have not been received ever since the Apostles time most of their opinions differing from Scripture and us are proved not owned for 600 years after Christ 3. Nor are they Catholick as to the places receiving them Many Nations have thrown off the Popish Yoke and Antichristian tyranny 4. That can be no holy Catholick Church of Christ which opposeth Christ in his person and all his offices as the Church of Rome in principle and practice doth Deut. 4. Their Images or pictures of Christ oppose his Deity which cannot be pictured Their Transubstantiation destroy his humanity whereby they make him to be in many places at one time Their Purgatory merits works of Supererrogation worship and Prayer to Saints and Angels destroy his Priesthood and make him but half a Saviour their contempt of Scriptures and equalling Traditions with it owning it no further the word of God then their Church or Pope allow it opposeth his prophetic office together with their prohibiting Gods word or service to be in the common tongue of a Nation their blasphemous Titles of the Pope his usurped power of Heaven and Hell and obliging persons on pain of damnation to the observance of his pleasure Dr. Brevint Sam. and Saul at Endor Cap. 1.2 oppose his Kingly office But all these would be laid aside if Rome was reduced to primitive and Catholic purity Q. What do you learn further by this Article of the Catholick Church A. 1. That I ought not to rest in a bare profession of Religion only but to labour after it's practice also the Church of Christ is Holy as well as Catholick 2. Calvin Instit l. Cap. 1. sect 10. That I ought to take heed of rash Sects and divisions whereby I may forsake this Holy Catholick
especially in their Adversity however God is slighted by them in Prosperity Q. What is yet remaining of the Catechism A. The Doctrine of Sacraments Q. Why is that considered in the Catechism A. 1. It is a great part of Religion 2. That we might not only be acquainted with our Duty to God but also of what we receive from God 3. That the Catechism might be a compleat Compendium of Divinity Q. How many Sacraments hath Christ Ordained in his Church A. Two only as generally necessary to Salvation that is to say Baptism and the Supper of the Lord. Q. Why is there but two Sacraments A. 1. To Correspond with the two under the Law Circumcision and the Passover 2. The other pretended Sacraments are not so properly nor as such are they appointed by Gods Word Q. How are these Sacraments said to be absolutely necessary to Salvation A. 1. Leighs body of Divinity p. 910. They are not so absolutely necessary as that Persons not receiving them where through Persecution they cannot or where they being not rightly administred they dare not receive them shall fail of Salvation God dispensed with the Israelites breach of Circumcision in the Wilderness Gen. 17. Josh 5.45 Hookers Polity lib. 5. sect 60 61. though it was strictly Commanded 2. They are necessary as means to be used being Seals of the Covenant of Grace applying Gods Grace to every one receiving them aright 3. They are thus far absolutely necessary in an Established Church that they who slight them of wilfully neglect their receiving them Gen. 17.14 may dread their being cut off from Gods People Q. What mean you by this word Sacrament A. I mean an outward and visible sign of an inward and Spiritual Grace given unto us Ordained by Christ himself as a means whereby we receive the same and as a Pledge to assure us thereof Q. What is included in this Answer A. Sir Chr. Wyvel's Triple Crown examined p. 43 44 45. Hâ—mil of Engl. on Sac. Calvin Instit lib. 4. Cap. 19. Sect. 34. Calvin Institut lib. 4. Cap. 19. Sect. 5 6 20. Homil. of Engl. on Sac. Ames Bel. Enerv. Tom. 3. Lib. 7. Cap. 1. 1. That in a Sacrament there must be an outward sign visible subject to our Senses and so Absolution and Confession must fall and be no Sacraments 2. This outward sign must be signifying of an inward and Spiritual Grace Thus Matrimony is no Sacrament it is common to Infidels and by our Adversaries is forbidden to their Priests which if a Sacrament is very absurd 3. To make a Sacrament there must be also a giving and ordaining the outward sign by Christ himself and thus extream Unction and Confirmation are no Sacraments 4. It must be a suitable means to convey the inward Grace and Pardon and so Sacraments must not only be signs of but means and instruments to convey And thus Orders no Sacrament for it hath no outward sign prescribed by Christ nor promise of Pardon made to it 5. It must be as a Seal and Pledge to assure us of that inward Grace Thus those Popish Sacraments which have no Authority of Christ Ordaining them no visible sign representing nor any promise of Grace made to them cannot be Seals of Grace and Pardon to us Sr. Christopher Wyvel's Triple Crown ex un ned p. 43.44 And so according to the definition of a Sacrament they must fall Nor can we suppose that Christ did Ordain one Sacrament only for the Lâ—aity as Matrimony A Second for the Clergy as Orders A Third for the Catechised only as Confirmation A Fourth only for the Sick as extream Vnction And a Fifth only for the Lapsed as Penance B. Bramhall cited in Leighs Body of Divinity p. 913 914. These are without ground from Scriptures Ancient Creed Council Fathers and were first devised by Peter Lombard first Decreed by Pope Eugenius the Fourth first Confirmed in the Provincial Council of Senes and after in the Council of Trent Q. Whence is the name of Sacrament borrowed A. 1. Some say it is brought into this Sacred use from an use among the Romans who called that Oath Sacramentum Dr. Arrowsmiths Tac. Sac. Lib. 1. Cap. 5. sect 1. Book of Common Prayer it Pub. Baptism which each Souldier took to be true to his General and to live and dye with him and it may well represent the Engagement we take on us in the Sacraments to be Christs Faithful and Constant Souldiers and Servants to our Lives end 2. Others say the word Sacrament is used to denote how the Ordinances should be received Sacra mente with an Holy mind Q. How many parts are there in a Sacrament A. Two Calvin Irstir liâ— 4. cor 1. sect 6 The outward and visible sign and the inward and visible Grace By the sign God condescends to make known to us by things we can understand what through our Ignorance we cannot apprehend Q. What is the outward visible sign or Form in Baptism A. Water wherein the Person is Baptized in the Name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost Q. What is here Observable A. 1. The Element and outward sign by which Baptism is Administred Book of Common Prayer Order for Baptism of Riper Years Water 2. The Subject of Baptism in the Word Person which denotes either those adult Persons who being newly Converted from Heathenism or Judaism or those who have been brought up by Parents of the Christian Profession unbaptized or else the Children of the Professors of Christianity with our selves 3. Here is the manner of performing it in the word Baptize which admits of either dipping or sprinkling and our Church allows either Nor can the Anabaptists who call for express Texts from us give us one for their dipping 4. Their Articles given to R. C. 2. 1660. And reprinted in Grantam's Works Here is the Form or Baptism in the Name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost according to Christs Commission Mat. 28.19 And here the Anabaptists are to blame in granting a permission to their Party to be Baptized in the Name of Christ alone Q. What is the inward and Spiritual Grace A. A Death unto Sin and a new Birth unto Righteousness for being by Nature Born in Sin and the Children of Wrath we are hereby made the Children of Grace Q. What is Considerable in this Answer A. 1. Rom. 6.3 4. Here is a Death unto Sin signified by our being Buried with Christ in Baptism Water being therein poured on us as Dust is on our Bodies when Buried and this teacheth us to put off the Old Man the Body of Sin 2. Here is in Baptism represented our filthiness by sin Ephes 2.2 3. 1 Pet. â— 21 2â— we need washing from its filth and a Pardon of its guilt being by Nature defiled Creatures and Children of wrath 3. Here are the Priviledges the Christian enjoys by Baptism Of a Sinner he is cleansed and of a Child of Wrath made
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