No. Do not Believers in the Sacraments Seal their Covenant with God Psal 50.5 and receive the Benefits of the new Covenant Seal'd to them Rom. 15.8 Yes Question How many parts are there in a Sacrament Answer Two The outward visible sign and the inward Spiritual Grace § ARE these the only parts of it or doth a bare sign of Grace without a Promise and Institution make a Sacrament 1 Cor. 16.20 No. Do you not mention these two parts for the better Explication of each particular Sacrament following Yes Question What is the outward visible sign or Form in Baptism Answer Water wherein the Person is Baptised in the name of the Father of the Son and of the Holy Ghost § IS not water the Element in which Baptism is administred and was not Christ and his Disciples Baptized therein Mat. 3.17 Acts 8.36 and 10.44 Yes May any for the meaness of its outside or under pretence of a higher Baptism contemn this 2 Kings 5.12 No. Can any thing be more apt to signify the blood and Spirit of Christ than water for the necessity freeness pleâ—ty and the Cleansing Vertue thereof Isa 55.1 Joh. 1.16 No. § DOTH not Baptizing signify the application of water to a person or thing in greater or â—esser quantities Mark 7.4 1 Cor. 10.2 Yes Is it probable that when Thousands were Baptized in a day and some Baptized in private houses and by night that they were all plung'd under water No. Doth not the Sprinkling with or pouring on of water aptly express the bloud of sprinkling Heb. 10.22 and 12.24 and pouring out of the Spirit Acts 2.17 Yes § CAN any administer Baptism but they who are sent and Commissioned Joh. 1.33 or may they do it in their own names or the name of any Creature 1 Cor. 1.13 15 No. Must it not be in the name of the Trinity to shew by whose authority it is done and who alone can make it effectual Mat. 28 19. Yes †And is not the person so Baptized engag'd to the Profession and worship of Father Son and Holy Ghost Gal. 3.27 Yes Question What is the inward and Spiritual Grace Answer 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 § IS not the new Birth or Regeneration which is a Change of State and Heart signify'd and Sealed in our Baptism Tit. 3.5 Yes 1. Are there any that before the relative change by Regeneration are not by nature Children of Wrath Eph. 2.3 No. Is not Justification signify'd by Baptism whereby our Souls are sprinkled with Christs blood as our bodies are with water Acts 2.28 and 22.16 Yes And are not they who are thus justified accepted as the Children of Grace by adoption Yes 2. Can any have this Relative change without a real change of Heart and life accompanying it No. Are there any that are not by nature born in Sin and become defiled and unclean thereby Psal 51.5 No. Is not Sanctification Seal'd in Baptism whereby our Souls are cleansed by his Spirit as by the pouring on of Water Joh. 3.5 Ezek. 36.25 Yes * Is not mortification or a death unto Sin one part of Sanctification Rom. 6.2 3. Yes Can any improve their Baptism aright that do not dye unto sin and dayly mortify their Corruptions Rom. 6.11 and 8.13 No. And is not this aptly signifyed by pouring Water on the Person Baptized as we cast dust on a body that is buried Rom. 6.4 Yes * Is not vivification or a rising again unto righteousness the other part of Sanctification and signify'd by coming from under the water of Baptism Rom. 6.4 Yes †But though this be the inward Grace signify'd and Sealed by Baptism yet is this Change wrought meerly by the outward washing 1 Pet. 3.21 No. Question What is required of Persons to be Baptized Answer Repentance whereby they forsake Sin and Faith whereby they stedfastly believe the promises of God made to them in that Sacrament § IS Baptism to be administred to any Creatures save the Children of Men or to any of them that are out of the visible Church No. Is it not to be administred to all within the Church without distinction of Nation Sex or Condition Gal. 3.28 Yes May any Adult Person be admitted to Baptism without Profession of Faith and Repentance Mark 1.15 or can they receive any saving benefit without those Graces Acts 2.38 41. No. 1. Is there not in repentance a deep sense of Sin Confession of it to God with shame hatred and sorrow for it Luk. 18.13 Yes Yet is all this sufficient without forsaking or renouncing Sin in Heart and Life and turning from it to the Lord Isa 55.7 No. And is not such a repentance one thing that is required of Persons that are to be Baptized Mat. 3.6 Yes 2. Are we not to believe the promises of justifying and Sanctifying Grace made in the new Covenant and signifyed and Sealed in Baptism Ezek. 36.25 26. Heb. 11.13 Yes Are there any such promises without respect to Christ or can we stedfastly believe them without Faith in Jesus Christ in and through whom they are established 2 Cor. 1.20 No. And is not such a faith the other thing that is required of Persons that are to be Baptized Acts 8.37 Yes Question Why then are Infants Baptized when by reason of their tender Age they cannot perform them Answer Because they promise them both by their sureties which promise when they come to Age themselves are bound to perform § WERE you capable of performing these when you were Baptized in Infancy as you might have been if you had been Baptized at Age No. Is then the Baptism of Infants to be retained in the Church and was our Baptism in that tender Age Lawful Yes * If God extends his Covenant to the seed of Believers Acts 2.38 39. may any deny them a Right to the Seal of that Covenant Gen. 17 7-10 No. Is not the blessing of Abraham come upon the Gentiles Gal. 3.14 and are not we graffed into the same Church that the Jews were broken off from Rom. 11.17 Yes Hath God then repealed his Grant made to Infants or hath the Church fewer Priviledges since Christ came than it had before Heb. 8.6 No. Are not the Infants of Believers faederally Holy Rom. 11.16 1 Cor. 7.14 own'd as Covenant-servants Levit. 25.41 42. and received as Disciples Mat. 10.42 Mark 10.14 Yes * Was it not the Will of Christ who is King of Kings that whole Nations should be discipled and Baptized Mat. 28.19 Yes Are Infants deny'd to be a part of Nations or are they deny'd Birth-priviledges amongst Men Acts 22.28 No. * Doth not the Practice of the Universal Church in all Ages agree to this and Confirm it Acts 16.15 33. Yes § IF Infants they do not actually repent and believe yet are they â—â—capable of coming under a promise or engagement so to do Deut. 29 10-12
Is it not evident that He had first descended thither Eph. 4.9 Yes * Is it any where certainly revealed that He went into the Hell of the damned amongst the Spirits there No. But did He not by his death vanquish the powers of Hell and darkness Col. 2.14 Yes * Is not the unseen State or condition of separation of Soul and Body call'd the Grave and Hell 1 Cor. 15.55 Yes And can it be deny'd that He so descended into Hell as to continue for a time under the dominion of Death in a separate State Rom. 6.9 No. Qu. What is the Fifth Article Answ The third day He arose again from the Dead § DID He always continue in that State of the dead or so long as to see corruption Psal 16.10 No. * Considering who He was and what was Prophecyed of Him was it possible for the bands of death to hold him Acts 2.24 No. Did He not rise again by his own power Joh. 10.17 18. to dye no more Rev. 1.18 Yes Did He not rise as an evidence of our discharge Rom. 4.25 and a pledge of our Resurrection 1 Cor. 15.20 Yes * Did He shew himself to all the people when risen or to his enemies that had so long dispised his miracles before Acts 10.41 No. Yet were they left altogether without convincing evidence of his Resurrection Mat. 28.2 3 c. No. * Was He not seen by a sufficient number of witnesses even 500 at once and that at divers places and times after He was risen from the Dead 1 Cor. 15.6 Yes * Could they be deceiv'd by a Phantasm or Apparition when they did both handle and see yea eat and drink with Him after his Resurrection Luk. 24.38 39. No. * Could so Miraculous a work as raising the Dead for a design so contrary to Satan's Kingdom be done by Magick or power of the Devil Eph. 1.19 20. Mat. 12.25 No. * Could the Disciples roll away the Stone from the Sepulchre Steal away his Body Strip it of the Grave-cloths and not awake the Watch or Guard of Souldiers No. * Is it likely that men noted for sincerity 1 Thes 2.10 would impose on the world in a matter of such consequence for which they expos'd themselves to all manner of persecutions and death it self Acts 5.41 No. * If there had been any deceit could it have been conceal'd from so many envious and watchful enemies in so publick a concern Acts 26.26 No. * Did not the witnesses of his Resurrection confirm their report by undoubted Miracles Heb. 2.4 Yes †Was not this Resurrection on the third day from his death and the first day of the Week which is our Christian Sabbath 1 Cor. 15.4 Joh. 20.1 Yes Qu. What is the Sixth Article Answ He ascended into Heaven And sitteth on the Right Hand of God the Father Almighty § WHEN our Lord was risen Did He continue always on Earth in his bodily presence Joh. 16.16 No. Did He not according to Prophecy Psal 64.18 Forty days after his Resurrection Acts 1.3 Ascend up into Heaven in the sight of his Disciples Acts 1.9 11. Yes Was He not pleased to shew himself to some of his Disciples after his ascention Acts 7.55 1 Cor. 15.8 Yes †Did He not Ascend to prepare mansions for his people Joh. 14.2 and to send his Spirit to prepare them for the enjoyment thereof Joh. 16.7 Yes Are we to expect his bodily presence any more on Earth before the day of judgment Acts 3.21 No. § BEING ascended doth He not sit at the Right Hand of God the Father Almighty Mark 16.19 Yes Doth the Right Hand denote any bodily parts in God or His sitting any one particular gesture there Acts 7.55 No. Doth not sitting down denote Rest and the Right Hand dignity and authority Psal 44.3 1 Kings 1.30 Yes * And did not Christ after all his sorrows on Earth rest in the unspeakable joy of his Father Heb. 4.10 Yes * Hath He not the highest dignity and authority Heb. 1.4 and 8.1 and shall He not have compleat victory over all his Enemies Psal 110.1 Yes Qu. What is the Seventh Article Answ From thence He shall come to judge the Quick and the Dead § BEING thus exalted Hath He for ever abandon'd this Earth and his people therein Joh. 14.3 No. Besides his Spiritual presence always with his Church will He not come again in the clouds as He was seen to go up Acts 1.11 Yes Is not this Second coming to judge the world in righteousness and is not the day set and appointed for it Acts 17.31 Yes Do we know the day and hour when this appointed judgment will be Mat. 24.36 No. § WILL He Judge them already Dead and those that are found Quick or alive at his coming Acts 10.42 Yes When all are gather'd before Him will He not Separate between the Godly and the wicked and give to every Man according to his Works Mat. 25.32 2 Cor. 5.10 Yes †Will it not be a day of refreshing to the people of God Acts. 3.19 and exceeding terrible to the wicked 2 Thes 1.7 8 9. Yes Shall any by power or policy be able to escape or hide themselves from the Judge Rev. 6.15 16. No. And must not all abide in that Condition to which they are adjudg'd for ever and ever Heb. 6.2 Yes Qu. What is the Eighth Article Answ I Believe in the Holy Ghost § IS not the Holy Ghost God Acts 5.3 4. Eternal before the World Gen. 1.2 Omnipresent Psal 139.7 and knowing all things 1 Cor. 2.10 Yes Is not He a person Acts 13.2 distinct from the Father and Son Joh. 14.26 Yes Is not He the Spirit of the Father Luk. 14.19 and of the Son Gal. 4.6 as proceeding from them both Yes Is He inferiour to the Father or Son in essence or nature or with respect to the worship and glory which is due to God alone Mat. 28.19 1 Cor. 6.19 No. § IS He not Holy in himself and also as the Authour of Holiness and Sanctification in us Rom. 1.4 Yes †Must we not then believe in Him as a sanctifier by whom we may have an interest in what Christ has done and suffer'd Yes Are any partakers of saving Benefits by Christ to whom they are not effectually apply'd or communicated Joh. 1.11 12. No. Can Parents or Ministers apply them to your Heart or any but the Holy Spirit Tit. 3.5 6. No. Doth not the Spirit do this by working Faith in the Heart by the Ministry of the word Joh. 6.44 45. Yes Doth He not by the Law convince the Sinner Joh. 16.8 and by the Gospel subdue the will and perswade it to yeild to our Lord Jesus Christ Ezek. 36.26 27. Yes Can we then be sav'd by Christ without effectual calling and Regeneration by the Holy Ghost Joh. 3.5 No. Qu. What is the Ninth Article Answ I believe the Holy Catholick Church the Communion of Saints § HATH not God a Church called out of the world to be his peculiar
Love God aright if we Love him not for himself and this with a Superlative Love Luk. 14.26 No. Can Faith be true that works not by Love Gal. 5.6 or that Love real that shows not it Self in keeping his Commandments Joh. 15.10 14. No. And doth not Love to God make our obedience more willing chearful active and abiding 1 Joh. 5.3 Yes Seeing we cannot Love God without measure as He is good without measure ought we to Love him less then with all our Heart mind might and Strength Deut. 6.5 No. Question What is thy duty towards thy Neighbour Answer My duty towards my Neighbour is to love him as my Self and to do to all men as I mould they should do unto me To love honour and succour my Father and Mother To honour and obey the King and all that are put in Authority under Him To submit my Self to all my Governours Teachers Spirital Pasters and Masters To order my Self lowly and reverendly to all my Betters To hurt no body by Word or Deed. To be true and just in all my Dealing To bear no malice nor hatred in my Heart To keep my Hands from picking and stealing and my Tongue from evil speaking lying and standering To keep my Body in temperance soberness and charity not to covet nor desire other Mens Goods but to learn and labour truly to get mine own living and to do my duty in that State of Life unto which it shall please God to call me § DOTH not the Second Table contain the Six Last Commandments and is not Love to our Neighbour the Sum of them all Mat. 22.39 Yes Are not all those meant by our Neighbours with whom we have any Dealings or converse Luk. 10 29-36 Yes Must we not love our Neighbours with a pure hearty and unfeigned love as we love our selves 1 Joh. 3.18 Yes Yet must we love all equally with the same measure 〈◊〉 kind of love No. 〈◊〉 is not natural affection due to Relations 2 Tim. 3. â— â— love of Reverence to Superiours and of complacenâ—◠〈◊〉 delight to the Godly Psal 16.2 Yes * But must we deny a love of Compassion to all in misery and a love of Benevolence to our very Enemies Luk. 6.32 33. No. †And can we do our duty required in these Commâ—â—dments without this Grace of love and Charity 1 Cor. 13 1-7 No. § NOW you have heard these Commandments explained do you think that you are able perfectly to fulfil the Law of God Eccl. 7.20 Jam. 3.2 No. Must you not lament your sinfulness and weakness and depend on Christ for Righteousness and Strength Isa 45 2â— Yes And do you not stand to your promise that in desire and constant endeavour you will Practice sincere obedience to God's Commandments Psal 119.6 48. Yes Catechist My good Child know this that thou art not able to do these things of thy Self nor to walk in the Commandments of God and to serve him without his special Grace which thou must learn at all times to call for by diligent Prayer § IS not Prayer a necessary part of Worship in order to the obtaining Grace Rom 10 13. and availing much when perform'd aright Jam. 5 16. Yes * Is there any other object of Râ—â—â—giâ—â—â— Prayer but God who alone searcheth the Hearâ— 2 Chron 6.30 No. * Is Prayer a bare speaking the words with our Mouths without the pâ—â—â—â—ng out the dâ—â—iâ—es of our Hearts Psal 25.1 and 42.4 No. * May we omit any 〈◊〉 the kinds of Prayer Publick in the Church Acts 2.42 private in the Family Jer. 10.25 and secret in the Closet Mat. 6.6 No. Must we not often lift up our Hearts in Holy Ejaculations Psal 119.164 and sometimes use extraordinary Prayer with Fasting 1 Cor. 7.5 Yes * Must we not know the matter of our Prayers by our wants but chiefly by the Precepts and Promises of God Heb. 4.16 1 Joh. 5.14 Yes * Have we any other Mediatour whose name we can come in save our Lord Jesus Christ Joh. 14.13 14. No. * Can we perform this duty aright without the Holy Spirit to help our infirmities Rom. 8.26 and to stir up Holy affections and Graces in the Soul Zech. 12.10 No. †Must we joyn with our desires the Graces of Faith Humility and Self-denyal and are you desirous so to Pray Yes Let me hear therefore if thou canst say the Lords Prayer Answer Our Father which art in Heaven Hallowed by thy name Thy kingdom come Thy will be done in Earth as it is in Heaven Give us this day our dayly bread And forgive us our trespasses As we forgiven them that trespass against us And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil For thine is the Kingdom and the power and the Glory for ever and ever Amen § IS not this call'd the Lords Prayer because the Lord himself Composed it and taught it his Disciples Yes * May we refuse to use these words as a Form so excellent for the Author matter and method and as being part of Christ's own word and Prescription Luk. 11.1 2. No. Yet seeing it is so general and Comprehensive Is it unlawful to use other words in Prayer No. * Is not this then a perfect Pattern of Prayer to direct us in the matter and manner of our Supplications Mat. 6.9 Yes Qu. What is the Preface of the Lords Prayer Answ Our Father which art in Heaven § CAN there be a greater encouragement to come to God in Prayer than this that He is the Father of Believers by adoption Luk. 11.13 Psal 103.13 No. Is it not a fearful thing to come before God without a Special Interest in him Heb. 12.29 Yes Can we have access to him any way but by Christ Eph. 3.14 or have an evidence of our Interest but by the Spirit of adoption Gal. 4.6 No. Doth not this Relation require dutiful affections such as filial fear love and confidence when we draw near Him Mala. 1.6 Yes § MUST not they who say Our Father live as the Children of one Father Mat. 23.8 and Pray for and with one another Jam. 5.16 Acts 20.36 Yes § IS not the God to whom we Pray though present every where Psal 139.7 8. most gloriously present in the highest Heavens Isa 63.15 and 66.1 Yes * Is there any thing which a God in Heaven cannot give if it be good for us Psal 115.3 No. * Should not poor crawling worms come with a great awe and reverence before the God of Heaven Eccl. 5.1 2. Yes * Is it fit to have Earthly Hearts when we Worship a Heavenly Father Psal 123.1 Lam. 3.41 No. * Is not the God of Heaven equally near to all his Petitioners in whatsoever parts of the Earth Acts 17.27 Yes Qu. Which is the First Petition Answ Hallowed be thy Name § IS not the Hallowing Gods Name to Honour and Glorify Him in all things by which He makes himself known Yes Can the Name of God be ever impure in it Self or otherwise than