excellent judgment made it to consist of all the most necessary and important points of Religion and of none other 2. That so all Christians of what denomination soever may have no temptation to suspect the truth of it he hath composed it of Texis of Scripture and not taken liberty to express any one Doctrine whether relating to Faith or Manners in words of his own invention nor hath he any where made use of such Scriptural Phrases as to men of competent understandings are obscure or ambiguous or so much as seemingly misapplied any but all he useth are very pertinent to his purpose according to the apparent sence of them as I promise my self all persons not grosly silly or prejudic'd will bear me witness And whereas several phrases are briefly explained in other words it is done only for the sake of the most ignorant and to render them at first sight intelligible to the very lowest capacities Nor are any of those explications such as I can see may be called in question with any shadow of reason But besides that no man may think his judgment imposed upon by them taking notice that they are not to be esteemed as a part of the Catechism and that so it may readily be read without them they are all markt to be printed in a distinct Character and moreover inclosed with two stroaks as Parentheses In short the Reader may reap these following advantages by the careful perusal of this Catechism 1. He may be instructed thereby in the main body and substance of simple pure Christianity without the adulterations and spurious mixtures to borrow a phrase from a very excellent Doctor of Man-made Divinity 2. He may here at once and with the self-same labour be both taught the main points of his Religion and how to prove them 3. He here hath them expressed in the mâ—st affecting manner and with greatest authority because in the words of the holy Scriptures which are certainly more commanding strike with greater awe and a quicker and more pungent sense more powerfully influence our minds and sweetly insinuate their sence into our souls than can any of our own devising And I may hereto apply the well known Verse Dulciùs ex ipso fonte bibuntur aquae Pipe-waters vapid taste and dead To those drunk at the Fountain-head 4. He will hence evidently perceive that the Christian Religion is no Speculative but a purely Practical Science and that the design and business thereof is though those that would not have it so will not see it to make men inwardly and really Righteous to purify our souls from all fleshly and spiritual pollutions and endue us with a God-like and divine nature I shall now make two humble and earnest requests and then conclude my already too long Preface First That Parents and others that have the charge of Youth will be pleased to instruct them thoroughly in this Catechism I mean after they have well learnt and digested that which the Church hath set forth for them concerning which I must needs say that as it is very well adapted to the capacities of young ones so whatsoever too many do think of it it is an excellently good foundation to superstruct upon Secondly That those that are more than Children either in age or understanding will not disdain because this is a Catechism frequently to read it and consideratively to weigh and ponder it I have said enough to perswade my Readers not to deny me these requests Now the God of peace that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus that great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the everlasting Covenant make us perfect in every good work to do his will working in us that which is well-pleasing in his sight by blessing to us this and all those many other excellent helps he hath graciously afforded us for that purpose to whom be glory for ever and ever Amen Edward Fowler IMPRIMATUR Sam. Parker Ex Aed Lambethanis Novemb. 8. 1672. A Scripture-Catechism OR A FORM OF Sound Words Shewing What a Christian is to Believe and Practise in order to Salvation Quest. WHat is the main Duty and Concernment of Man Answ. To Fear God and keep his Commandements is the whole Duty of Man Q. What is God A. God is a Spirit most pure and holy most good merciful and gracious most just and rightcous most true and faithful All-knowing Almighty Eternal and every where present Q. How may it be known that there is a God A The Invisible things of God from the Creation of the World are clearly seen being understood by the things that are made even his Eternal power and Godhead Q. How many Gods are there A. There is none other God but one for though there be that are called Gods whether in Heaven or in earth as there'be Gods many and Lords many yet to us there is but oneGod the Father of whom are all things c. Q. What doth the Scripture affirm of the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost A The Scripture saith that there are three that hear Record in Heaven the Father the Word or the Son and the Holy Ghost and these three are one Q. What is meant by God's being a Spirit A. By God's being a Spirit is meant that he hath not flesh and bones that he cannot be handled or seen so that there is nothing to which we can liken him nor any likeness which we may compare unto him Q. What do you ' earn from this that God is a Spirit A. From this that God is a Spirit I learn that they that worship him must worship him in Spirit and in Truth Q. What is meant by God's being most pure and holy A. By God's being most pu e and holy is meant that he is not a God thatrhath pleasure in wickedness that he is of purer eyes than to behold evil that is with a liking of it and that he cannot be tempted with evil neither doth he tempt any man Q. What do you learn from the Consideration of God's purity and holiness A. From the Consideration of God's purity and holiness I learn that I ought to abhorr that which is evil and cleave to that which is good to purifie my self even as he is pure and to be holy in all manner of Conversation as God is holy Q. What is meant by God's being most good merciful and gracious A. By this that God is most good merciful and gracious is meant that his tender mercies are over all his works that he doth good and giveth good things unto them that ask him that he is full of compassion and long-suffering ready to pardon slow to anger and of great kindness and that he hath no pleasure in the death of the wicked but that the wicked turn from his way and live and is not willing that any
our own selves Q. What is meant in Scripture by those thorns which choak the good seed of the word A. The cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches and the pleasures of this life and the lusts of other things these are the thorns which choak the word so that it becometh unfruitful Q. The third and last means you mentioned was the Sacraments How many Sacraments are there under the New Testament A. There are only two namely Baptism and the Lords Supper Q. What is Baptism A. Baptism is washing with water in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost Q. What doth this Baptism or washing with water signifie A. This Baptism or washing with water signifies the washing away of sins or the washing of Regeneration and renewing of the holy Ghost Q. What are they engaged to in reference to God the Father and the Son and Holy Ghost who are baptized in or into the name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost A. They are engaged so to live as that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed by them but that the name of Christ may be glorified in them they are obliged to put onChrist and as they name the name of Christ or profess his Religion so to depart likewise from all iniquity and seeing that they who are baptized into Jesus Christ are baptized into his death they are to reckon themselves to be dead indeed unto sin but alive unto God unto whom they are to yield themselves as those that are alive from the dead And lastly they are engaged not to grieve the holy Spirit of God whereby they are sealed unto the day of Redemption Q. What are they engaged to in reference to men who are baptized into Christ A. They are engaged to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace for there is one Baptism and by one Spirit we are all baptized into one body Q. What is the Sacrament of the Lord's supper A. The Lord's Supper is a Sacrament wherein after the giving of thanks and blessing bread is broken and eaten and wine is poured out and drank in remembrance or for a commemoration of Christ. Q. What doth the Bread broken fignifie and teach us to remember A. The Bread broken signifieth and teacheth us to remember the Body of Christ which was given and broken for us for he was wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquities he gave himself a ransom for all and by his stripes we are healed Q. What doth the Wine poured out into the Cup signifie and teach us to remember A. The Wine poured out into the Cup signifieth and teacheth us to remember the Blood of Christ which was shed for many for the remission of sins for he poured out his soul or life unto death and by his blood he hath redeemed us unto God Q. How may we worthily receive the Lord's Supper A. Let a man examine or approve himself and so let him eat of that bread and drink of that Cup. Q. Of what benefit and advantage is the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper to those that worthily receive it A. The Cup of blessing which we bless it is the communion or communication of the Blood of Christ and the bread which we break it is the communion or communication of the body of Christ. Q. What is the danger of receiving the Lord's Supper unworthily A. Whosoever shall eat this bread and drink this cup of the Lord unworthily shall be guilty of the Body and Blood of the Lord and he eateth and drinketh damnation or judgment to himself not discerning the Lord's body That is not eating it in a holy manner or making no difference between it and ordinary food Q. How do the sufferings and death of Christ represented in this Sacrament shew unto us the evil and heynousness of sin and by that means engage us to godly sorrow and repentance A. The sufferings and death of Christ represented in this Sacrament shew unto us the evil and heynousness of sin in that we are not redeemed from it but with the precious Blood of Christ his soul was exceeding sorrowful even unto death it pleased the Lord to bruise him and to put him to grief and to lay upon him the iniquities of us all That is he would not admit sinners to terms of reconciliation with himself without such a Sacrifice for sin as that of his own dear Son Q. How doth the love of Christ in dying for us engage us to live a new life A. The love of Christ constraineth us because we thus judge that if one died for all then were all dead and that he died for all that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves that is to their lusts and carnal affections but unto him which died for them Q. How doth the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper engage Christians to love each other A. The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper engageth us to love each other in that we being many are one bread and one body for we are all partakers of that one bread and are all made to drink into one Spirit That is our drinking all of the same Cup signifieth our being animated by the same spirit Q. How farther doth the Lord's Supper engage us to Christian love A. It farther engageth us to Christian love in that we are commanded to walk in love as Christ also hath loved us and hath given himself for us an offering and a Sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour and in this Sacrament this Sacrifice is commemorated Q. Seeing Jesus Christ hath set Bishops and spiritual Governours and Teachers over his Church who by their prayers preaching the Word and administration of the Sacraments and Ecclesiastical Discipline are for the perfecting of the Saints for the work of the Ministry and edifying of his body and hath promised to be with them to the end of the world How are we to behave our selves towards them 1 Cor. 12. 28. Eph. 4. 11 12. 1 Tim. 3. 1. Mat. 28. 19 20. A. We are commanded to obey them that have the rule over us and submit our selves to them for they watch for our souls as they that must give account that they may do it with joy and not with grief and to esteem those that are over us in the Lord and admonish us very highly in love for their works sake and to account them worthy of double honour But as for those false Apostles and deceitful workers which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which we have learned we must avoid them for they serve not our Lord Jesus Christ but their own belly and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple having a form
whom none is able to withstand that with him nothing is impossible nothing is too hard for him and that he doth whatsoever he pleaseth in heaven and in earth and no thought of his can be hindered Q. What do you learn from Gods being Almighty A. From God's being Almighty I learn that we ought above all to fear him and to tremble at his presence as also to submit our selves unto him to humble our selves under his mighty hand and to walk before him and be perfect that is in all things obedient on the contrary to take heed how we provoke him to jealousie who is stronger than we and that we harden not our selves against him Q. What do you farther learn from God's being Almighty A. From God's being Almighty I farther learn that we ought to trust in him and not be afraid what man can do unto us for if God be for us who can be against us that we be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might and be fully perswaded that what God hath promised he is able also to perform Q What is meant by God's being Eternal A. By this that God is Eternal is meant that he is from everlasting to everlasting the beginning and the end which is and which was and which is to come that he is the same and his years have no end that he only hath immortality that is originally and from himself is uncorruptible unchangeable and liveth for ever and ever Q. What do you learn from God's being Eternal A. I learn from God's being Eternal that there is to be given unto him honour and glory for ever and ever that he is to be blessed from everlasting to everlasting and that we ought to trust in the Lord for ever for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength Q. You said that God is every where present what is meant thereby A. By this that God is every where present is meant that he fills heaven and earth yea the heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain him that his greatness is unsearchable so that there is no flying from his presence nor can any hide himself in secret places that God shall not see him Q. What do you learn from God's being every where present A. From God's being every where present I learn that we are to pray every where lifting up holy hands God being nigh unto all them that call upon him to all that call upon him in truth and if we pray to our Father which is in secret he which seeth in secret will reward us openly Q. What do you farther learn from God's being every where present A. I from thence farther learn that we ought to walk before him in truth and with a perfect heart and do that which is good in his sight that it concernsus to keep his precepts for that all our ways are before him and the eyes of the Lord are in every place beholding the evil and the good Q. Having seen what God is in his Nature and Attributes proceed we to the Works of God Tell me then who made the World and preserveth all things therein A. God the Lord alone made heaven the heaven of heavens with all their host the earth and all things that are therein the seas and all that is therein and he preserveth them all Q. What learn you from God's creating and preserving the World and all things therein A. I learn that God the Lord is worthy to receive glory and honour and power for that he hath created all things and through his pleasure they are and were created and because he preserveth man and beast and the whole earth is full of the goodness of the Lord our mouth should speak the praise of the Lord and all slesh bless his holy name for ever and ever Seeing that of him and through him are all things to him be glory for ever and ever Q Who governs the World and all things therein A. God that made the World and all things therein is Lord of heaven and earth he hath prepared his throne in the heavens and his Kingdom ruleth over all he doth whatsoever he pleaseth both in heaven and in earth and worketh all things according to the counsel of his own will Q. What learn you from God's governing the World and all things therein A. From God's governing the World and all things therein I learn that therefore the Earth should rejoice for justice and judgment are the habitation or establishment of his throne and mercy and truth shall go before his face and that from the rising of the Sun to the going down thereof God's name is to be praised for who is like unto the Lord our God who dwelleth on high and humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven and in earth Q. What do you farther learn from God's governing the world and all things therein A. I do farther learn from thence that we should say whatsoever befalleth us with Eli it is the Lord that is the Lord hath appointed or permitted it let him do what seemeth him good and with Christ not my will but thine be done and with Job whether the Lord giveth or taketh away blessed be the name of the Lord Q. What do you yet farther learn from God's governing the World and all things therein A. I do yet farther learn from thence that we should commit our way and work unto the Lord and in all our ways acknowledge him who then will direct our paths that we should trust in the living God who is the Saviour of all men especially of them that believe and cast all our care and burthen upon him who careth for us and will sustein us Q. How did God create man A. God made man upright and created him in his own image Q. Wherein doth God's image in man consist A. God's image in man doth consist in knowledge righteousness and true holiness and in the dominion which God made him to have over the works of his hands Q. Did our first parents Adam and Eve continue in that good estate wherein they were created A. No they fell from it by sinning against God in that they did eat of the tree whereof God commanded that they should not eat Q. What then followed upon Adam's Transgression A. By that one man sin entred into the world and death by sin and so death passed upon all men for that all have sinned for the wages of sin is death Q. Did God leave man to perish in this miserable condition or did he in love and pity to us provide a way and means for us to be saved from sin and death A. So God loved the