being to all things and doing with them whatsoever he pleaseth a Deut. 33. 37. Isa. 57. 15. Revel 1. 8. b 1 King 8. 27. Psal. 139. 2 3 4 5. c. c Exod. 32. 20. 1 Tim. 6. 16. d Joh. 4 24. e Gen. 1. 1. Psal. 115. 3. 135. 6. Isa. 46. 10. Joh. 5. 17. Heb. 1. 2. Q. 3. Do we here know God as he is A. No his glorious being is not of us in this Life to be comprehended Exod. 33. 23. 1 Cor. 13. 12. Q. 4. Whereby is God chiefly made known unto us in the Word A. First by his f Names Secondly by his g Attributes or Properties f Exod. 3. 14. ch 6. 3. Psa. 83. 18. g Exo. 34. 6 7. Mat. 5. 48. Q. 5. What are the Names of God A. Glorious Titles whch he 4 The divers names of God signifie one and the same thing but under divers notions in respect of our Conception hath given himself to hold forth his excellencies unto us with some perfections whereby he will reveal himself Exod. 3 14 15. 6 3 34. 6 7. Gen. 17. 1. Q. 6. What are the Attributes of God A. His infinite perfections in being and working Revelat. 4. 8 9 10 11. Q. 7. What are the chief Attributes of his Being A. a Eternity b infiniteness c simplicity 1 Some of these attributes belong so unto God as that they are in no sort to be ascribed to any else as infiniteness Eternity c. Others are after a sort attributed to some of his Creatures in that he communicateth unto them some of the Effects of them in himself as Life Goodness c. 2 The first of these are Motives to humble Adoration Fear self-Abhorrency the other to Faith Hope Love and Confidence through Jesus Christ. or purity d all-sufficiency e perfectness f immutability g life h will and i understanding a Deut. 33. 37. Psal. 93. 2. Esa. 57. 15. Revel 1. 11. b 1 King 8. 27. Psal. 139. 1 2 3 4 8 9. c Exod. 3. 14. d Gen. 17. 1. Psal. 135. 4 5. e Joh. 11. 7 8 9. Rom. 11. 33 34 35 36. f Mal. 3. 6. Jam. 1. 17. g Judg. 8. 19. 1 Sam. 25. 34. 2 King 3. 14. Ezek. 14. 16. 16. 48. Matth. 16. 16. Act. 24. 15. 1 Thes. 1. 9. h Dan. 11. 3. Esa. 46. 10. Ephes. 1. 5. 11. Jam. 1. 18. i Psal. 7. 2 139. 2. 147. 4. Jer. 11. 20. Heb. 4. 13. Q. 8. What are the Attributes which usually are ascribed to him in his Works or the Acts of his Will A. k Goodness l Power m 3 Nothing is to be ascribed unto God nor imagined of him but what is exactly agreeable to those his glorious properties 4 These last are no less essential unto God than the former onely we thus distinguish them because these are chiefly seen in his Works Justice n Mercy o Holiness p Wisdom and the like which he delighteth to exercise towards his Creatures for the Praise of his Glory k Psal. 119. 68. Mat. 19. 17. l Exod. 15. 11. Psal. 62. 10. Revel 19. 1. m Zeph. 3. 5. Psal. 11. 7. Jerem. 12. 1. Rom. 1. 30. n Psal. 130. 7. Rom. 9. 15. Ephes. 2. 4. o Exod. 15. 11. Josh. 24. 19. Hab. 1. 13. Revel 4. 8. p Rom. 11. 33. 16. 17. CHAP. III. Of the Holy Trinity Q. 1. Is there but one God to whom these Properties do belong A. a One onely in respect of his Essence and Being but one b in three distinct Persons of Father Son and Holy Ghost a Deut. 6. 4. Matth. 19. 17. Ephes. 4 5 6. b Gen. 1. 7. 1 Joh. 5. 7. Matth. 28. 19. Q. 2. What mean you by Person A. A distinct manner of 1 This is that mysterious Ark that must not be pryed into nor the least tittle spoken about it wherein plain Scripture goeth not before 2 To deny the Deity of any one Person is in effect to deny the whole God-head for whosoever hath not the Son hath not the Father 3 This onely Doctrine remained undefiled in the Papacy Subsistence or Being distinguished from the other Persons by its own Properties Joh. 5. 17. Heb. 1. 3. Q 3. What is the distinguishing property of the Person of the Father A. To be of himself onely the fountain of the God-head Joh. 5. 26 27. Ephes. 1. 3. Q 4. What is the property of the Son A. To be begotten of his Father from eternity Psal. 2. 7. Joh. 1. 14. and 3. 16. Q. 5. What of the Holy Ghost A. To proceed from the Father and the Son Joh. 14. 17. 16. 14. and 15. 26. and 20. 22. Q. 6. Are these three one A. One a every way in Nature Will and Essential properties b distinguished onely in their personal manner of subsistence a Ioh. 10. 30. Rom. 3. 30. b Ioh. 15. 26. 1 Ioh. 5. 7. Q. 7. Can we conceive these things as they are in themselves A. Neither a we nor yet the b Angels 4 We must labour to make out comfort from the proper work of every Person towards us of Heaven are at all able to dive into these secrets as they are internally in God c but in respect of the outward dispensation of themselves to us by Creation Redemption and Sanctification a knowledge may be attained of these things saving and heavenly a 1 Tim. 6. 16. b Esa. 6. 2 3. c Col. 1. 11 12 13 14. CHAP. IV. Of the Works of God and First of those that are internal and immanent Q. 1. What do the Scriptures teach concerning the Works of God A. That they are of two sorts first internal 1 The purposes and decrees of God so far as by him revealed are objects of our saith and full of comfort in his Counsel Decrees and purposes towards his Creatures secondly external in his Works over and about them to the praise of his own glory Act. 15. 18. Prov. 16. 4. Q 2. VVhat are the decrees of God A. a Eternal b unchangeable purposes 2 Further reasons of God's decrees than his own will not to be enquired after 3 The changes in the Scripture ascribed unto God are onely in the outward dispensations and works variously tending to one infallible event by him proposed 4 The Arminians blasphemy in saying God sometimes fails of his purposes of his will concerning the being and well-being of his Creatures a Mich. 5. 2. Ephes. 3. 9. Act. 15. 18. b Esa. 14. 24. Esa. 46. 10. Rom. 9. 12. 2 Tim. 2. 19. Q. 3. Concerning which of his Creatures chiefly are his decrees to be considered A. Angels and Men for whom other things were ordained 1 Tim. 5. 21. Jud. 6. Q. 4. VVhat are the decrees of God concerning men A. Election and Reprobation Rom. 9. 11 12. Q. 5. What is the decree of election A. The a eternal b free c immutable 5 The decree of Election is the fountain of all spiritual
Dr. John Owen's TWO SHORT CATECHISMS Wherein the PRINCIPLES OF THE Doctrine of Christ Are Unfolded and Explained Proper for all Persons to Learn before they be admitted to the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper and Compos'd by Him for the use of all Congregations in General The Second Edition Come ye Children hearken unto me I will teach you the Fear of the Lord Psalm 34. 11. LONDON Printed for and Sold by Will. Marshal at the Bible in Newgate-street Where you may be supplied with most of Dr. Owen's Works Likewise the true Effigies of Dr. Owen Also other Effigies as Mr. Caryl Mr. Mead Mr. Baxter Mr. Clark c. At the Bible in Newgate-street over against the Blue-Coat Hospital Gate LIveth William and Joseph Marshall Bookseller and Stationer Where is a Warehouse and is sold all sorts of Paper-Hangings by Wholesale or Retale very delightful for Rooms or Closets of the newest invention of Figures as Irish and Diamond-stitch Carpit or Turky and Forest-work c. 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TO My loving Neighbours and Christian Friends Brethren MY hearts desire and request unto God for you is that ye may be saved I say the Truth in Christ also I lye not my conscience bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost that I have great Heaviness and continual Sorrow in my Heart for them amongst you who as yet walk disorderly and not as beseemeth the Gospel little labouring to acquaint themselves with the Mystery of Godliness for many walk of whom I have told you often weeping and now tell you again with Sorrow that they are the Enemies of the Cross of Christ whose end is destruction whose God is their Belly who mind earthly things You know Brethren how I have been amongst you and in what manner for these few years past and how I have kept back nothing to the utmost of the dispensation to me committed that was profitable unto you but have shewed you and taught you publickly and from House to House testifying to all Repentance towards God and Faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ. Now with what Sincerity this hath been by me performed with what Issue and Success by you received God the righteous Judge will one Day declare for before him must both you and I appear to give an account of the dispensation of the glorious Gospel amongst us in the mean while the desire of my Heart is to be Servant to the least of you in the Work of the Lord. And that in any way which I can conceive profitable unto you either in your Persons or your Families Now amongst my Indeavours in this kind after the Ordinance of Publick Preaching the Word there is not I conceive any more needful as all will grant that know the Estate of this Place how taught of late days how full of grosly ignorant Persons then Catechising which hath caused me to set aside some Hours for the compiling of these following which also I have procured to be printed meerly because the least part of the Parish are able to read it in Writing my Intention in them being principally to hold out those necessary Truths wherein you have been in my Preaching more fully instructed as they are the use of them I shall briefly present unto you 1. The lesser Catechism may be so learned of the younger sort that they may be ready to answer to every Question thereof 2. The greater will call to mind much of what hath been taught you in publick especially concerning the Person and Offices of Jesus Christ. 3. Out of that you may have help to instruct your Families in the lesser being so framed for the most part that a Chapter of the one is spent in unfolding a Question of the other 4. The texts of Scripture quoted are diligently to be sought out and pondered that you may know indeed whether these things are so 5. In reading the Word you may have light into the meaning of many places by considering what they are produced to Confirm 6. I have been sparing in the Doctrine of the Sacraments because I have already been so frequent in examinations about them 7. The handling of moral Duties I have wholly omitted because by God's assistance I intend for you a brief Explication of the Lord's Prayer and the Ten Commandments with some Articles of the Creed not unfolded in these by themselves by the way of Question and Answer Now in all this as the pains hath been mine so I pray that the Benefit may be yours and the Praise his to whom alone any good that is in this or any thing else is to be ascribed Now the God of Heaven continue that Peace Love and Amity amongst our selves which hit herto hath been unshaken in these divided Times and grant that the Scepter and Kingdom of his Son may be gloriously advanced in your hearts that the things which concern your Peace may not be hidden from your eyes in this your day which is the daily Prayer of Your Servant in the work of the Lord J. O. From my Study Septem the last THE Lesser Catechism Question WHence is all Truth concerning God and our Chap. 1. Of the Greater selves to be learned Answer From the Holy Scripture the Word of God Q. What do the Scriptures teach Chap. 2. that God is A. An eternal infinite most holy Spirit giving Being to all things and doing with them whatsoever He pleaseth Q. Is there but one God A. One onely in respect of his Chap. 3. Essence and Being but one in three distinct Persons of Father Son and Holy Ghost Q. What else is held forth in the Chap. 4. Word concerning God that we ought to know A. His Decrees and his Works Q What are the Decrees of God concerning us A. His eternal purposes of saving some by Jesus Christ for the Praise of his Glory and of condemning
mighty love to us the other his mighty power in himself 3 The onely way to Heaven is by the Cross. or abasement secondly of exaltation or glory Phil. 2. 8 9 10. Q. 2. Wherein consisteth the state of Christ's humiliation A. In three things first a in his Incarnation or being born of Woman secondly b his Obedience or fulfilling the whole Law Moral and Ceremonial thirdly in his c Passion or induring all sorts of miseries even death it self a Luk. 1. 35. Joh. 1. 14. Rom. 1. 3. Gal. 4. 4. Heb. 2. 9 14. b Matth. 3. 15. 5. 17. Luk. 2. 21. Joh. 8. 46. 2 Cor. 5. 21. 1 Pet. 1. 19. 1 Joh. 3. 5. c Psal. 53. 4 5 6. Heb. 2. 9. 1 Pet. 2. 21. Q. 3. Wherein consists his exaltation A. In first his Resurrection secondly Ascension thirdly sitting at the right hand of God by all which he was declared to be the Son of God with Power Mat. 28. 18. Rom. 1. 4. 4. 4. Ephes. 4. 9. Phil. 2. 9 10. 1 Tim. 3. 16. CHAP. XV. Of the Persons to whom the Benefits of Christs Offices do belong Q. 1. Unto whom do the saving Benefits of what Christ performeth in the Execution of his Offices belong A. Onely to his Elect 1 Christ giveth Life to all that world for whom he gave his Life 2 None that he dyed for shall ever dye 3 To say that Christ died for every man universally is to affirm that he did no more for the Elect then the reprobates for them that are saved then for them that are damned which is the Arminian Blasphemy Joh. 17. 9. Esa. 63. 9. Heb. 3. 6. 10. 21. Q. 2. Dyed he for no other A. None in respect of his Fathers eternal purpose and his own intention of removing wrath from them procuring Grace and Glory for them Act. 20. 28. Matth. 20. 28. 26. 28. Heb. 9. 28. Joh. 11. 51 52. Esa. 53. 12. Joh. 3. 16. 10 11 12 13. 15. Ephes. 5. 25. Rom. 8. 32. 34. Gal. 3. 13. Joh. 6. 37. 39. Rom. 4. 25. 2 Cor. 5. 19 20. Q. 3. What shall become of them for whom Christ dyed not A. Everlasting Torments for their Sins their portion in their own place Mark 16. 16. Joh. 3. 36. Matth. 25. 41. Act. 1. 25. Q. 4. For whom doth he make Intercession A. Onely for those who from Eternity were given him by his Father Joh. 17. Heb. 7. 24 25. CHAP. XVI Of the Church Q. 1. How are the Elect called in respect of their Obedience unto Christ and Union with him A. His Church Act. 20. 28. Ephes. 5. 32. Q. 2. What is the Church of Christ A. The whole company of Gods 1 The Elect Angels belong to this Church 2 No distance of time or place breaks the Unity of this Church Heaven and Earth from the begining of the world unto the End are comprized in it 3 No mention in Scripture of any Church in purgatory 4 This is the Catholick Church though that term be not to be found in the Word in this Sense the thing it self is obvious 5 The Pope challenging unto himself the title of the head of the Catholick Church is blasphemously rebellious against Jesus Christ. Elect a called b of God c by the Word and Spirit d out of their natural condition to the dignity of his Children and e united unto Christ their Head by Faith in the bond of the Spirit a Act. 2. 47. 1 Tim. 5. 21. Heb. 12. 22 23 24. b Rom. 1. 5 6. Rom. 9. 11. 24. 1 Cor. 4. 15. 2 Tim. 1. 9. c Act. 16. 14. Joh. 3. 8. 1 Cor. 4. 15. 1 Pet. 1. 23. Heb. 8. 10. d Ephes. 2. 11 12 13. Col. 1. 13. Heb. 2. 14 15. 1 Pet. 2. 9. e Joh. 17. 21. Ephes. 2. 18 19 20 21 22. Q. 3. Is this whole Church always in the same state A. No one part of it is Militant the other Triumphant Q. 4. What is the Church Militant A. That portion of Gods Elect which in their generation cleaveth unto Christ by Faith and fighteth against the World Flesh and Devil Ephes. 6. 11 12. Heb. 11. 13 14. 12. 1. 4. Q. 5. What is the Church Triumphant A. That portion of Gods People who having fought their fight and kept the Faith are now in Heaven resting from their Labours Ephes. 5. 27. Revel 3. 21. ch 14. 13. Q. 6. Are not the Church of the 6 This is that Ark out of which whosoever is shall surely perish Jews before the Birth of Christ and the Church of the Christians since two Churches A. No essentially they are but one differing only in some outward administrations Ephes. 2. 12. 13 14 15 16. 1 Cor. 10. 3. Gal. 4. 26. 27. Heb. 11. 15. 26. 40. Q. 7. Can this Church be wholly overthrown on the Earth A. No unless the Decree of God may be changed and the promise of Christ fail Matth. 16. 18. 28. 20. Joh. 14. 16. Joh. 17. 1 Tim. 3. 15. 2 Tim. 2. 19. CHAP. XVII Of Faith Q. 1. By what means do we become actual Members of this Church of God A. By a lively justifying Faith 1 Of this faith the holy Spirit is the efficient cause the Word the instrumental the Law indirectly by discovering our misery the Gospel immediately by holding forth a Saviour whereby we are united unto Christ the head thereof Act. 2. 47. 13. 48. Heb. 11. 6. 12. 22 23. 4. 2. Rom. 5. 1 2. Ephes. 2. 13 14. Q. 2. What is a justifying Faith A. A a gracious resting upon 2 Faith is in the understanding in respect of its being subsistence in the will and heart in respect of its effectual working the free promises of God in Jesus Christ for mercy b with a firm perswasion of Heart that God is a reconciled Father unto us in the Son of his Love a 1 Tim. 1. 16. Joh. 13. 15. 19. 25. Rom. 4. 5. b Heb. 4. 16. Rom. 8. 38 39. Gal. 2. 20. 2 Cor. 5. 20 21. Q. 3. Have all this Faith A. None but the Elect of God Tit. 1. 1. Joh. 10. 26. Matth. 13. 11. Act. 13. 48. Rom. 8. 30. Q. 4. Do not then others believe that make profession A. Yes with first historical Faith or a perswasion that the things written in the word are true James 2. 9. secondly temporary Faith which hath some joy of the affections upon unspiritual grounds in the things believed Matth. 13. 20. Mark 6. 20. Joh. 2. 23 24. Act. 8. 13. CHAP. XVIII Of our Vocation or Gods calling us Q. 1. How come we to have this saving Faith A. It is freely bestowed upon us and wrought in us by the Spirit of God in our vocation or calling Joh. 6. 29. 44. Ephes. 2. 8 9. Phil. 1. 29. 2 Thes. 1. 11. Q. 2. What is our Vocation or this calling of God A. The free gracious 1 Our effectual