eighth Commandment A. The eight Commandement requireth the lawfull procuring and furthering the wealth and outward estate of our selves and others k Gen. 33. 30. 1 Tim. 1. 8. Lev. 25. 35. Deut. 2. 1 2 3 4 5. Exod. 23. 4 5. Gen. 47. 14. 20. Q. What is forbidden in the eight Commandment A. The eight Commandment forbiddeth whatsoever doth or may unjustly hinder our own or our neighbours wealth or outward estate l Prov. 21. 17. and 23. 20. 21. and 28 19. Eph. 3. 28. Q. Which is the ninth Commandment A. The ninth Commandment is Thou shalt not bear false witnes against thy neighbor m Exod. 20. 16. Q. What is required in the ninth Commandment A. The ninth Commandment requireth the maintaining and promoting of truth between man and man n Zech. 8. 16 and of our own our neighbours good name o Joh. v 12. especially in witnesse bearing p Prov. 14. 5. 25. Q. What is forbidden in the ninth Commandment A. The ninth Commandment forbiddeth whatsoever is prejudicial to truth or injurious to our own or our neighbors good name q Sam. 17. 28. Lev. 19. 16. Ps 15. 3. Q Which is the tenth Commandment A. The tenth Commandment is Thou shalt not covet thy neighbors house thou shalt not covet thy neighbors wife nor his man-servant nor his maid-servsnt nor his or nor his ass nor any thing that is thy neigbors r Q. What is required in the tenth Commandment A. The tenth Commandment requireth ful contentment with our own condition with a right and charitable frame of spirit s Heb 13. 7. 1 Tim. 6. 6. toward our neighbor and all that is his t Job 31. 29 Rom. 12. 15. 1 Tim. 15. 1 Cor. 13. 5 67. Q What is forbidden in the tenth Commandment A. The tenth Commandment forbiddeth all discontentment with our own estate u 1 Kings â—1 4. Est 5. 13. 1 Cor 10 10 envying or grieving at the good of our neighbor w Gal. 5. 26 Jam. 3. 14 16. all inordinate motions affections to any thing that is his x Rom. 77. 8 and 13 9 Q. Is any man able perfectly to keep the Commandments of God A. No meer man since the fall is able in this life perfectly to keep the Commandments of God y but doth daily break them in thought word and deed z Gen. 6. 5. and 8. 11. Rom. 3. 6 to 21. Jam. 3 to 13 Q. Are all transgressions of the Law equally heinous A. Some sinnes in themselves and by reason of several aggravations are more heinous in the sight of God then others a Ezek 8 6 13. 15 1 John 16 Q. What doth every sinne deserve A Every sin deserveth Gods wrath and curse both in this life and that which is to come b Eph 56 Gal 3 10 Lam 3 39 Q What doth God require of us that we may escape his wrath and curse due to us for sin Mat 24 4â— A. To escape the wrath and curse of God due to us for sin God requireth of us faith in Jesus Christ Repentance unto life c Acts 20 21 with the dilligent use of all the outward means whereby Christ communicateth to us the g Heb 10 39 Acts 11 18. benefits of Redemption d Ps 21 10 6 and 8 30 to the end Isa 55 3 Q. What is Faith in Jesus Christ A. Faith in Jesus Christ is a saving grace whereby we receive rest upon him alone for Salvation as he is offered to us in the Gospell f. Q. What is Repentance unto life A. Repentance unto life is a saving grace g Act 11 18 whereby a sinner out of a true sence of his sin h Acts 2 37 38. apprehension of the mercy of God in Christ i Joel 2 12. doth with grief hatred of his sin turn from it unto God k Jer 31 18 19. Ezek. 36 31 with full purpose of endeavor after new obedience l 1 Cor 7 11 Isa 16 17 Q What are the outward meanes whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of redemption A. The outward and ordinary meanes whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of Redemption are his ordinances especially the Word Sacraments and Prayer all which are made effectuall to the Elect for Salvation m Mat 2 19 20 Acts 1 4â— 47. Q Is the Word made effectuall to salvation A. The Spirit of God maketh the Reading but especially the preaching of the word an effectual meanes of convincing converting sinners of building them up in holinies and comfort through faith unto salvation n Neh. 8. 8. â— Cor. 14. 24 24. 25. Act 26. 18. Ps 19. 8 Acts 20. â—2 Rom. 15. 14. Rom. 10. 13 14 15. 16 17 and 2 16. Q How is the Word to be read and heard A. That the Word may become effectual to salvation we must attend thereunto with dilligence o Prov 8. 34 preparation p 1 Pet. 21. and prayer q Ps 119. 18 receive it with faith and love r Heb 4 2. lay it upin our hearts s Ps 119. 11. and practise it in our lives Q. How do the Sacraments become effectual means of salvation A. The Sacraments become effectual means of salvation not from any vertue in them or in him that doth administer them but only by the blessing of Christ u and the working of his spirit in them that by faith t Luk. 8. 15. Jam. 1. 25. 1 Pet. 3. 21 1 Cor. 3 6 7 receive them w 1 Cor. 12. Q. What is a Sacrament A. A Sacrament is an holy Ordinance instituted by Christ wherein by sensible Signs Christ the benefits of the new Covenant are represented sealed and applied to Believers x Gen 17. 10. Exod. 12. 1 Cor. 11. 23 26 27 28. Q. What are the Sacraments of the New Testament A. The Sacraments of the New Testament are Baptism y the Lords Supper z. Q. What is baptism A. Baptism is a Sacrament wherein the Washing with Water in the Name of the Father and of the Son of the holy Ghost a Ma. 28. 19 doth signifie and seal our ingraftings into Christ and pertaking of the benefits of the Covenant of Grace and our engagement to be the Lord b Rom. 9. 4. Gal. 3. 27. Q. To whom is baptism to be administred A. Baptism is not to be administred to any that are out of the Visible Church till they professe their faith in Christ obedience to him c Acts 8. 26 27 23. 8. but the infants of such as are members of the Visible Church are to be baptized d Acts 2. 38 39. Gen. 15. 10. with Col. 2. 11 12. 1 Cor. 7. 14. Q. What is the Lords Supper A. The Lords Supper is a Sacrament wherin by giving and receiving Bread and Wine according to Christs appointment his death is shewed forth and the worthy
receivers are not after a corporal carnal manner but by faith made partakers of his Body Blood with all his benefits to their spiritual nourishment and growth in grace e 1 Cor. 11. 23 24 25 26. 10. 16 Q. What is required to the worthy receiving of the Lords Supper A. It is required of them that would worthily pertake of the Lords Supper that they examine themselves of their knowledge to discerne the Lords body f 1 Cor. 11. 28 29. of their faith to feed upon him g 2 Cor 13. 5 of their repentance h 1 Cor. 11. 31. love i 1 Cor. 10. 16 17. and new obedience k 1 Cor. 5. 7 8. lest coming unworthily they eat drink judgment to themselves l 1 Cor. 11. 28 19. Q. What is Prayer A. Prayer is an offering up of our desires to God m Ps 62. 8. for things agreeable to his will n 1 John 5. 14. in the name of Christ o Joh. 16. 23 with confession of our sins p Ps 32. ◠6. Dan. 9. 4 and thankful acknowledgment of his mercies q Phil. 4. 6. Q. What rule hath God given for our direction in Prayer A. The whole Word of God is of use to direct us in Prayer r 1 Joh. 5 14 but the speciall rule of direction is that form of Prayer which Christ taught his Disciples commonly called The Lords Prayer s Mat. 6. 9 10 11 12 13 with Luke 11. 2 3 4. Q. What doth the Preface of the Lords Prayer teach us A. The Preface of the Lords Prayer which is Our Father which art in Heaven t Mat. 6. 9. teacheth us to draw neer to God with all holy reverence and confidence as children to a father able to help us u Rom. 8. 15. Luke 11. 13 and that we should pray with and for others w Acts 12. 5 1 Tit. 2. 1 2 Q What do we pray for in the first Petition A. In the first Petition which is Hallowed be thy Name x Mat 6. 9. we pray that God would enable us and others to glorifie him in all that whereby he maketh himselfe known y Ps 67 2 3 and that he would dispose all things to his own glory z Psal 83. throughout Q What do we pray for in the second Petition A. In the second Petition which is Thy Kingdome come a Mat. 6. 10 we pray that Satans Kingdom may be destroyed b Ps 18 18 and that the Kingdome of grace may be advanced c Rev. 12 10 11 our Rom. 10. John 17. 1◠2. selves and others brought in to it kept in it d 2 Thes 3 11. and that the Kingdom of glory may be hastned e Rev. 22 20. Q. What do we pray for in the third Petition A. In the third Petition which is Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven f Mat. 6. 10 we pray that God by his grace would make us able and willing to know obey submit to his Will in all things g Psal 67 throughout Ps 119. 36 Mat. 26. 39 2 Sam. 15 25. Iob 1. 21 as the Angels do in heaven h Psal 103 20 21 Q What do we pray for in the fourth Petition A In the fourth Petition which is Give us this day our daily bread i Mat. 6. 11 we pray that of Gods free gift we may receive a competent portion of the good things of this life and enjoy his blessing with them k Prov. 30 8 9 Gen. 18. 2 1 Tim. 4. 4 5. Q. What do we pray for in the fifth Petition A In the fifth Petition which is And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debttors l Mat. 6. 12 we pray that God for Christs sake would freely pardon all our sins m Psal 51 1 2 7 9 Dan 9. 17 18 19 which we are the rather incouraged to ask because by his grace we are inabled from the heart to forgive others n Luk 11. 4 Mat 18. 35 Q What do we pray for in the sixth Petition A. In the sixth Petition which is And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil o Ma◠6. 13 we pray that God would either keep us from being tempted to sin p Cor 12 or support and deliver us when weare tempted q 2 〈◊〉 1 8 6. 13 Q What doth the conclusion of the Lords prayer teach A. The conclusion of the Lords Prayer which is For thine is the kingdom the Mat 26. 4 power and the glory for ever Amen r Mat. 4 Teacheth us to take our incouragement in prayer from God only s Dan. 9. 6 7 8 9 1◠17 18 19 and in our prayers to praise him ascribing kingdom power and glory to him t 1 Chr. 29. And in testimony of our desire and assurance to be heard we say Amen u. The Ten COMMANDMENTS Exodus 20. GOD spoke all these words saying I am the Word thy God which have brought thée out of the land of Egypt out of the house of bondage I. Thou shalt have no other Gods before me II. Thou shalt not make unto thée any graven image or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above or that is in ye earth beneath or that is in the water under the earth thou shalt not bow down thy self to them nor serve them for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and kéep my Commandements III. Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain IV. Remember the Sabath day to kéep it holy Six days shalt thou labor and do an thy work but the seventh day is the Sabath of thy Lord thy God in it thou shalt not doe any work thou nor thy sonne nor thy daughter nor thy man-servant nor thy maid servant nor thy cattell nor thy stranger that within thy gates for in six day the Lord made heaven and earth the sea and all that in them is and rested the seventh day and hallowed it V. Honor thy father and thy mother that thy dayes may be long in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thée VI. Thou shalt not kill VII Thou shalt not commit adultery VIII Thou shalt not steal IX Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor X. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbors house thou shalt not covet thy neighbors wife nor his man-servant nor his maid-servant nor his ox nor ass nor any thing that is thy neighbors The LORDS PRAYER Matth. 6. OUr Father which art in Heaven Hallowed be thy Name Thy Kingdome come Thy will be done in earth as it is in Heaven Give us this day our daily bread And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive them that trespass against us And lead us not in to temptation but deliver us from evill For thine is the Kingdome and the power and the glory for ever Amen The CREED I Believe in God the Father Almighty maker of Heaven and Earth And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord which was conceived by the Holy Ghost born of the Virgin Mary suffered under Pontious Pilate was crucified dead and buried he descended into * That is continued in the state of the dead and under the power of Death till the third day Hell the third day he rose againe from the dead he ascended into Heaven and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty from thence he shall come to judge 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 Life everlasting Amen SO many of every Question both in the larger and shorter Catechism is repeated in the Answer as maketh every Answer an intire Proposition or sentence in it self to the end the Learner may further improve it upon all occasions for his increase of knowledge
Die Lunae 25. September 1646. IT is this day Ordered by the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled That this Shorter Catechism be forthwith printed and published wherein Master Henry Roborough and Mr. Adoniram Byfield Scribes of the Assembly of Divines are required to use all possible care and diligence that it be from time to time faithfully and exactly done And for preventing of all abuse therein It is further Ordered that no person whatsoever do presume to print or reprint the same in any Volume but only such as shall be appointed and authorized thereunto by the said Scribes And that no person or persons shall presume to sell barter or any way to spread or convey any Book or Copies of the said Catechism printed without the appointment abovesaid upon pain of forfeiture of the whole Impression if any such be so printed and of all such Books or Copies thereof as shall be offered to sale bartering or be any otherways spread And all and every person offending in any of the premises to be lyable to such further punishment as the Contempt of an Ordinance of Parliament shall deserve Provided that this restriction of printing shall continue for one whol year and no longer Jo. Brown Cleric Parliamentorum H. Elsing Cler. Parl. Dom. Com THE GROVNDS AND PRINCIPLES OF RELIGION Contained in A Shorter Catechism According to the Advice of the Assembly of DIVINES sitting at Westminster to be used throughout the Kingdome of England and Dominion of Wales ORdered by the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament that this Catechism be forthwith Printed and published Jo. Brown Cler Parliamentorum Hen. Elsing Cler. Parl. D. Com. Anno Dom. 1646. THE GROUNDS and PRINCIPLES of RELIGION Contained in a shorter CATECHISM According to the Advice of the Assembly of Divines sitting at Westminister to be used throughout the Kingdome of England and Dominion of Wales QUESTION WHat is the chief and of Man A. Mans chief end is to glorifie God a 1 Cor. 10 31. Rom. 11 36. and to enjoy him for ever b Ps 73. 20 to the end Q. What rule hath God given to direct us how we may glorifie and enjoy him A. The word of God which is contained in the Scriptures of the old New Testament c 2 Tim. 3 16. Eph. 2. 20 is the onely rule to direct us how we may glorifie and enjoy him d 1 Joh 1 3 4 Q. What do the Scriptures principally teach A. The Scriptures principally teach what man is to believe concerning God and what duty God requires of man e 2 Tim 1. 13 and 3. 16. Q What is God A. God is a Spirit f Joh. 4. 24. infinite g Job 11. 7 8 9. eternal h Ps 90. 2. unchangeable i Jam 17. in his being k Exod. 3. 14. wisdom l Ps 145 7. power m Rev. 4. 8. holines n Rev. 14. 4 justice goodnes and truth o Exod. 34. 6. 7. Q. Are there more gods then one A. There is but one onely the living and true God p Deut. 6. 4 Jer 10. 10. Q How many persons are there in the Godhead A. There are three Persons in the Godhead the Father the Son the holy Ghost and these three are one God the same in substance equall in power and glory q 1 Joâ— 5 7. Mat. 28 19 Q What are the decrees of God A. The decrees of God are his eternall purpose according to the Councel of his Will whereby for his own glory he hath foreordained whatsoever comes to pass r Eph. 1. 4 11. Rom. 9. 22. 23. Gen. 1. Heb. 11. 3. Q. How doth God execute his decrees A. God executeth his decrees in the works of Creation and Providence Q What is the worke of Creation A. The worke of Creation is Gods making all things of nothing by the Word of his power in the space of six dayes and all very good Q. How did God create man A. God created man male and famale after his own Image in knowledge righteousnesse holinesse with dominion over the creatures t Gen. 1. 26 27 28. Q. What are Gods works of providence A. Gods works of providence are his Col. 3. 10. Joh. 4. 24. most holy u Ps 145. 17 wise w Ps 104. 24 Isa 28. 29. and powerfull preserving x Heb. 1. 3. and governing all his creatures and all their actions y Ps 103. 19 Mat. 10. 29 30 31 Q. What spirituall act of Providence did God exercise towards man in the state wherein he was created A. When God had created man he entered into a Covenant of life with him upon condition of perfect obedience for bidding him to eat of the tree of knowledg of good and evil upon pain of death z Gal. 3. 12 Gen. 2. 17 Q Did our first Parents continue in the estate wherein they were created A Our first Parents being left to the freedome of their own will fell from the estate wherein they were created by sinning against God a Gen. 3. 6 7 8 13. Eccles 7. 29 Q. What is sin A. Sin is any want of conformity unto or transgression of the Law of God b 1 Joh. 3. 4. Q What was the sin whereby our first Parents fell from the estate wherein they were created A. The sin whereby our first Parents fell from the state wherein they were created was their eating the forbidden fruite Q Did all mankind fall in Adams first transgression Gen. 3. 6 12. A. The Covenant being made with Adam not only for himself but for his posterity all mankind descending from him by ordinary generation sinned in him fell with him in his first transgression d Gen. 2. 16 17. Rom. 5. 12. 1 Cor. 15 21 22 Q. Into what estate did the fall bring mankind A. The fall brought mankind into an estate of sin and misery e Rom. 5. 12 Q Wherein consists the sinfulnesse of that estate whereinto man fell A. The sinfulnesse of that estate where into man fell consists in the guilt of Adams first sin the want of original righteousnes the corruption of his whol nature which is commonly called original sin together with all actuall transgressions which proceeded from it f Rom. 5. 12 19. Q. What is the misery of that estate whereinto man fell A. All mankind by their fall lost communion with God g Rom. 5. 10 to 20 are under his wrath and curse h Eph. 2. 1 2 3. Gal. 3 10. so made liable to all miseries in this life to death it self to the paines of hel for ever i Lam. 3. 39 Rom. 6. 23 Mat. 25 41 â—6 Q. Did God leave all mankind to perish in the estate of sin and misery A. God having out of his meer good pleasure from all eternity elected som to everlasting life k Eph. 1. 4 did enter into a Covenant of grace to deliver them out