are dead shall alway lie in the grave No. Shall the Bodies of all Mankind be raised out of the grave again at the day of Judgment Yes Shall the Soul and Body come together again at the last day Yes Is not this risting of the Body from the grave and its coming alive again what we call the Resurrection Yes ARTICLE XII And the Life everlasting DO you believe there is another Life after this a Life everlasting Yes Though the Body dies does a Man's Soul ever die No. Shall not the Soul and Body of every Man after the Resurrection live together for ever in Happiness or Misery Yes Is he wise or prudent who will not provide for a Life everlasting No. Shall not all Men at the Resurrection and in the day of Judgment receive according to their Works here Yes Shall the good Christian and the righteous live with God for ever Yes Do you believe there is such a Place as Heaven Yes Do you believe there shall be any Troubles or Crosses Wants or Pains in that place No. Shall the wicked in the day of Judgment be shut up with the Devil and his Angels Yes Shall the wicked when they are placed in Hell be evermore freed out of it No. Should you not by one short Life of Faith and Repentance Love and Obedience labour to escape this dismal place Yes Did not your Godfathers and Godmothers when you were baptized promise in your Name that you should believe all these things Yes And do you firmly and heartily believe them Yes Do you disbelieve or doubt or question any one of them No. And will you endeavour to live according to this Belief Yes SECT III. Agenda Question YOV said that your Godfathers and Godmothers did promise for you that you should keep God's Commandments Tell me how many there be Answer Ten. Question Which be they Answer The same which God spake c. The Ten Commandments Of our Duty To God in the Four first Commandments To Man in the Six last Commandments DO you hope to escape the Torments of Hell when you die Yes Do you hope to be received to Heaven when you die and live with God for ever Yes Shall they that are once placed in Heaven or Hell be ever removed out of them No. Does God love you so well as to be willing you should be saved Yes Did not Christ die for you that you might go to Heaven when you die if you love and obey him Yes Well then should not a Christian love God and Christ and pray to him and keep his Commandments Yes Are you willing to know what these Commandments of God be that so you may keep them Yes I. COMMANDMENT Thou shalt have c. ARE we to take the true God for our only God Yes Are we to have any more Gods than one No. Is not the Father God Yes Is not Jesus Christ God Yes Is not the Holy Ghost God Yes Are not these three Gods No. Are not these three Persons and one God Yes So that though God the Father God the Son and God the Holy Ghost be three Persons are they any more than one God No. Is not this what we call the Mystery of the Trinity Yes Though we cannot fully understand this yet are we not bound to believe it Yes Must we not love God with all our Soul and Mind and Heart and Strength Yes That is must we not love him above all things Yes Are we not so to acknowledge him to be God as to fear him above all things Yes Can there be a greater Folly than to fear Man more than God No. Should we not comfortably hope for his Promises Yes But then should we neglect to perform the Conditions No. Should we not submit to his Will both in doing and patiently suffering it Yes Does it become a good Man to repine and murmur either at his Command or his Providence No. Should we not trust in God in all needs and dangers Yes Does he trust in God who seeks to deliver himself by any unjust and unlawful means from any need strait or danger No. Should we not alway honour God that is carry within us an awful Respect and profound Reverence to him Yes May we neglect to worship God No. Must not a Christian worship God by daily Prayer and Thanksgiving Yes Must a Christian worship God by frequent hearing reading and meditating on God's Word Yes Must a Christian worship God by a due use of the holy Sacraments Yes Should we not worship him both with the Soul and Body Yes If we acknowledge him to be God should we not repent of all our Offences against him Yes Can we deferr it with any manner of Prudence or Safety No. II. COMMANDMENT Thou shalt not make to thy self any graven Image c. MAY a Christian give God's Worship to an Image or Idol No. May a Man make or frame any Image or Picture of the Godhead No. May we worship any pretended Image of the true God or the Idols of false Gods No. Is it not Idolatry to worship an Image or Idol Yes Should we pray to Saints or Angels for any Aids or Benefits and so make them partners in the Worship due to God No. May a Christian when he has lost any thing go to a Witch or Conjurer to find it No. May he do it to recover his Health in Sickness No. Should we have a due regard and reverential Love for all Persons Places and things set apart for God's Worship Yes Will God punish them and their Children after them who are guilty of Idolatry and therefore haters of him Yes Will God punish any Man for his Father's sins in another World unless he continue in his Father's sins No. But doth he not sometime do it in this World Yes But if God do it in this World is it not chiefly in the case of Idolatry Yes So that if God do punish any for their Parents Idolatry or Prophaneness it is only in this World is it not Yes But is there any way to remove the Curse of their being visited upon us in this Life Yes If we would not have them visited upon us even in this Life should we not renounce these Crimes of theirs Yes And disavow them and disapprove them Yes And pray for pardon Yes And be humbled for them Yes And take care not to be led by the Example or to imitate them in the least Yes And to make satisfaction and Recompence for such Possessions as far as we may if the Case be plain as they got by Oppression and direct Injustice Yes If we do thus shall we be liable to any Curse even in this Life No. Does he not spare the Children that repent Yes III. COMMANDMENT Thou shalt not take the Name c. SHould a Christian that hopes to see God use God's Name irreverently or vainly No. May he blaspheme God or curse or swear No. May a Christian take a lawful Oath before a Magistrate
And what was our part of the Covenant was it not that we would believe in Jesus Christ repent of our Sins and sincerely obey him all our Days Yes The Vow of Baptism in renouncing the Devil Seeing we renounced the Devil in our Baptism may we any way deal with him as by Conjuration or Witcheraft No. When Men go to Conjurers and Witches for any help do they not in some degree forsake God Yes Are the Works of the Devil all Sin particularly Pride Lying Malice Envy Murder and tempting others to Sin Yes Must not a Christian forsake all the Pomps of the World the World Yes Are not the Pomps of the World all Excess in Diet Sports or Apparel or what 's above our Degree and Quality Yes Are we not to forsake all Temptations of the World Yes All the vain and sinful Customs of the World Yes All things of the World that may be an occasion of sin to us Yes All that friendship of the World that is enmity with God Yes All things of the World that may take off my heart from God Yes Should a Christian either covet or greedily and inordinately seek the Riches Honours and Pleasures of the World No. Must we so forsake the World as to get or keep no part of it by unlawful means nor set our heart on it Yes Must we forsake all wicked Companies and all wicked Customs of the World Yes Should a Christian be led by the sinful Lusts the Plesh or the unclean desires of the Flesh No. Are we not to forsake all those Lusts of the Flesh which St. Paul mentions Gal. 5.19 c. Yes Promise of Faith in Baptism and Obedience Do you believe all the Articles of the Christian Faith which your Godfathers and Godmothers promised you should believe Yes Will you labour to keep God's holy Will and Commands as they promised in your name Yes Are we not highly concerned to keep this Covenant with God which we made at our Baptism Yes Can we reasonably expect that God should make good his part of this Covenant if we do not sincerely make good our part No. ¶ Sunday III. ¶ Lord's Supper ARE not all Christians to receive the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper as often as conveniently they can Yes meaning of it Do we not come to the Sacrament thankfully to remember Christ's Death for us and to renew that Covenant with God which we made at our Baptism Yes Can any good Christian desire to be excused from doing this No. Renewing of the Covenant of Grace Does not the Covenant which we renew contain Mercies on God's part and Duties on ours Yes Are not the Mercies on God's part as was said before Pardon of Sin Grace here and Glory hereafter Yes And are not the Duties on our part Faith or a stedfast belief in Christ Repentance for all known sin and future sincere Obedience Yes Should we neglect to examine our seives before Examination wherein we have broken our Covenant by sinning against God No. Should we not examine how wilful how great how frequent our sins against God have been Yes Humiliation and Contrition Ought not this sight of them to bring us to Humiliation and Contrition Yes Is not the true Contrition a sorrow out of Love to God Yes That is should we not sorrow because we have offended so good a Father so tender a Saviour and grieved his Holy Spirit Yes Should we not privately in Prayer Confesion confess our Sins to God and mention in particular the chiefest of them Yes Must we not beg God to cleanse us from secret Sins those which we have forgot by saying with David Cleanse thou me from my secret faults Yes Resolutions of Obedience When we have sorrowed for them and confessed them may we still keep them and live in them No. Must we not renounce them and resolve to obey God better for the future Yes When we have examined our selves Faith and confessed our Sins to God and sorrowed for love of him and purposed sincerely to obey him for the future are we to believe that our sins shall be pardoned through Christ Yes Must we not bring with us to the Sacrament Charity Charity and Love to our Brethren Yes May we come with malice and hatred in our hearts No. Must we not labour to reconcile them to us whom we have injured and seek forgiveness and make our peace with them before we come Yes And must we not be ready to forgive them that have injured us Yes Must we not bring with us Devotion Devotion and put off all thoughts of the World Yes Vsefulness of a Spiritual Guide If we doubt of any thing before should we not do well to ask the advice of a Minister Yes Should we be ashamed or afraid to discover the griefs or doubts of our Soul to him No. Would a good Man like us much the better for so doing Yes Meditation when receiving When we are at the Lord's Table should we not humbly meditate on our own Unworthiness Yes And should we not thankfully meditate on Christ's sufferings for us Yes Was not Christ the Sacrifice which was offered up for our Sins Yes Could there be a greater instance of Love than for Christ to die for us and our Salvation No. For this Love of Christ's can we return him less than Love and Obedience No. Thankfulness afterward After the Sacrament should we not thank God for the benefits and mercies there received Yes Mindfulness of our good Purposes Should we forget any of our good Resolutions there made No. Is it not very dangerous willfully to break them Yes Should we not often renew our Covenant with God in the Sacrament Yes ¶ Sunday IV. ¶ Honouring God's name SHould we not honour God in his name Yes May a Christian dishonour it by swearing No. May we dishonour him by speaking any evil or thinking any evil of God No. Of Perjury and Oaths Is not Perjury or false-swearing a dreadful sin against God Yes Should not a Christian be very careful never to swear vainly rashly or falsly Yes Should he ever swear at all unless he be lawfully called to it No. Ought not every Christian to lay to heart the great sin and danger of swearing vainly rashly and falsly Yes ¶ Sunday V. ¶ MUST not a Christian Worship God in his Soul and Body Yes Worship Must not a Christian pray frequently and constantly Yes Prayer When we pray to God should we not confess our Sins to him and beg his Pardon Confession and his Grace to amend our lives Yes Should not a Christian pray in private as well as publick Yes Should not a Christian in Prayer beg of God for those Graces which he most wants Yes Should not the Lyar beg of God the Grace to speak Truth the Lustful Man for Chastity the Proud Man for Humility and the like
must she obey him then too Yes Can any thing warrant the Wife 's not obeying besides the unlawfulness of the Command No. Is the Wife to be faithful to the Husband's Bed Yes Fidelity And faithful and careful of his worldly affairs Yes May the Wife strive for Rule and Dominion over her Husband No. Is the Wife tenderly to love her Husbands Yes Love Can the faults of a Husband justifie the frowardness of a Wife No. Husbands Duty Love Faithfulness Does the Husband owe the Wife a tender Love Yes Is the Husband to be faithful to her Bed Yes Is not unfaithfulness to the Bed in either Perjury as well as Adultery Yes May the Husband deny the Wife maintenance No. Maintenance and Instruction Is the Husband to instruct the Wife according to his knowledge and ability Yes To pray for each other Should the Husband and the Wife pray for each other and advance one anothers good Yes Is it not a great sin to marry any that is promised to another Yes May those marry that are within the degrees of Kindred which are forbidden by God No. If a person marry one that is too near of Kin to his deceased Wife is not that as bad as if she were too near of kin to himself Yes Must not a Christian be faithful to his Friend Yes May he betray the Secrets committed to him by his Friend No. Friendship Its Duties Should he not assist his Friend in his needs and pray for him Yes Should he kindly admonish him of his Faults Yes Should we be constant to our Friend Yes Servants Duty Obedience Diligence Is a Servant to obey his Master in all lawful Commands Yes Ought not a Servant to be diligent in his labours as well in his Master's absence as when his Eye is over him Yes Ought a Servant to be faithful in those things which are committed to his trust Yes Faithfulness c. May a Servant waste or purlion his Master's Goods No. Or convert them to his own use No. Ought a Servant to be meek and patient under his Master's Reproofs Yes May a Servant give his Master or Mistress rude and surly Answers No. Ought not a Servant to be diligent in his Master's business Yes Should a Servant give himself to Idleness and Company-keeping No. Ought not Servants to be present at Family-Prayers Yes Masters Duty Ought not Masters to be Just to their Servants and to perform what they have promised Yes Is it not a great Oppression Justice and crying Sin to with-hold the Wages of the Hireling and the Servant Yes Ought not Masters to admonish and reprove their Servants Admonition when they sin against God Yes And should they not exhort and perswade them to Religion and Virtue Yes Instruction May Masters use Servants Cruelly and Tyrannically No. Should they not remember that they have a Master in Heaven Yes Should Masters be moderate and reasonable in their Commands Yes Should not Masters give them a good Example Good Example c. Yes Ought not Masters to provide them means of Instruction in Religion Yes Should they deny them time and opportunity for Prayer and the Worship of God No. Should Masters permit their Servants to live idly and neglect their Duty No. Should not Masters encourage them in well doing Yes Sunday XVI IS not Charity a great Christian Duty Charity Yes Are not all the parts of it to be seriously considered and conscientiously practised by all that will be true Christians Yes Is not Charity a sincere love of God and of our Brethren for God's sake Yes Does not Charity ingage us to desire and wish good to others In the Affections Yes Can a charitable Man wish any hurt either to the Soul or the Body or the Goods or the Credit of any Man No. To Mens Souls Is not a charitable Man first of all to wish all good to the Souls of all Men Yes Is it not a great uncharitableness to wish the damnation of any Man Yes Effects of this Charity If we love our Neighbour as our selves may we wish that evil to him which we would not have befal our selves No. Is not the charitable Man to be meek and peaceable with all Yes Is the charitable Man contentions or easily provoked No. Is not the charitable Man to be compassionate towards the miseries of others Yes Should not the charitable Man rejoice in the good and prosperity of others Yes Is it not the property of the charitable Man to pray for the good of others Yes Can a charitable Man be envious or grieve at the prosperity of another Man No. Will not true Charity cast Pride out of the Heart Yes Is the charitable Man apt rashly to judge or censure others No. Is not the charitable Man forward to believe the best and hope the best of all Men Yes Can a truly charitable Man be a Dissembler or pretend a false Love No. This Charity to be extend to Enemies Is that Charity where a Man loves another only because he may get by him No. Does not the true Christian Charity cast out of the Heart all malice and desires of revenge Yes May Christians desire to be revenged on their Enemies No. Can a malicious revengeful Man be charitable No. Must a Christian love and be ready to do good to his spitefullest Enemy Yes Should we make them any returns for their Injuries besides Blessings and Prayers No. Though this seem to be a hard Duty must not Christians chearfully obey it Yes Will not Heaven and Happiness make amends hereafter for our conscionable Practice of all such self-denying Duties Yes Should Enemies Persecutors slanderers Revilers or any that have wronged us conquer our Love toward them No. Should we endeavour to overcome the evil they do us by doing good to them Yes Should not Christians carefully practise such a Charity as this to Enemies though it be contrary to the customs and fashion of the World Yes Motives to it If any man should jeer you or despise you for such a Charity will not that liken you to your dear Saviour Yes And is it not a blessed thing to be likened to him Yes The command of Christ Seeing this Charity to and forgiveness of Enemies and returning kindnesses for affronts and injuries seems hard would you know how much you are ingaged to practise it Yes Well then is it not an express Command of Christ's Yes And should a Disciple desire to be excused from obeying so great a Command of his master's No. Example of God and Christ If the Command of our Saviour prevail not with us should not the Example of God and our Saviour prevail with us Yes When we were Enemies to God did he not send his Son to die for us Yes Did not Christ lay down his Life for his Enemies Yes And should we refuse to copy out his Example in
Heart Yes Should a Christian then follow the evil and corrupt Desires of his Heart No. Did they not promise in your Name that you should believe all the Parts of the Christian Religion Yes Shall you be saved if you do not believe them No. Did you not promise by your Sureties sincerely to obey God's Commandments Yes Seeing they promised these things for you when you were a little Child should you not labour to perform them now Yes Shall you ever go to God and Heaven unless you do sincerely perform them No. But can you do these things without God's Help No. Should you not pray to God for his Grace to keep you alway in this happy Covenant Yes Well then is it not your Duty to renounce the Temptations of the. World Flesh and Devil according to this Promise Yes Is it not your Duty to believe all the Articles of the Christian Faith according to this Promise Yes And do you firmly believe them Yes Can he be a true Christian that denies any one of them No. Is it not your Duty to keep God's Commandments as was promised for you Yes Can you without infinite danger live in the Breach of any one known Command of his No. Well then it seems this was promised for you that you should renounce the Temptations of the World Flesh and Devil believe the whole Christian Faith and keep God's Commandments was it not Yes And has not God promised upon these Conditions to give us pardon of Sin Grace and Glory Yes Suppose a Man after he is baptized should commit a Sin can he be saved unless he repent of it and sincerely forsake it No. Should we not then by this our Covenant of Baptism live a Godly and a Christian Life Yes If we do in Sincerity of Heart keep our Conditions of it shall we go to Heaven when we die Yes Will not Heaven and Happiness be a sufficient Reward for our renouncing of the Temptations of the World Flesh and Devil Yes Will not Heaven and Happiness be a sufficient Reward for our constant believing all the Articles of the Christian Faith Yes Will not Heaven and Happiness be a sufficient Reward for our keeping God's holy Will and Commandments here Yes Will not the Pleasure of Sin for a Season be a sufficient recompense for the Loss of Heaven and Happiness No. Well then was not this a Gracious Covenant which was made in your Name when you were baptized Yes Should we ever cease to be thankful to God for calling us to this State of Salvation No. When we were fallen was it not Jesus Christ that made this gracious Covenant between God and us Yes Did not God shew his great Hatred of Sin and his Willingness to have us save in sending his Son to die for us Yes Should you ever cease then to love God and Christ No. Should you cease to obey God and Christ No. Or to pray to God and Christ No. When we come to Years of Discretion should we not own all that our Godfathers and Godmothers promised in our Name Yes If we will not own it our selves do we not lose all our Title to Pardon Heaven and Glory Yes SECT II. Credendae Catechist REhearse the Articles of thy Believe Answer I believe in God the Father Almighty c. Question What dost thou chiefly learn in these Articles c. Answer First I learn to believe in God the Father c. Of the Creed and the practical Belief of it ARTICLE I. I believe in God the Father Almighty maker of Heaven and Earth DO you believe in God Yes Do you believe in Jesus Christ Yes Do you believe in the Holy Ghost Yes Are there any more Gods than one No. Is not God the Father God the Son and God the Holy Ghost three Persons and but one God Yes Though we cannot fully understand how three Persons can be but one God must we not firmly believe it Yes Is not this easie to God though it be hard to us Yes Shall we be saved without this Faith or Belief No. Do you love God Yes Do you hope to live with God when you die Yes Can any man be saved and go to Heaven without believing and trusting in Jesus Christ No. Do you love your Saviour Jesus Christ Yes Do you love the Holy Ghost or Holy Spirit Yes Is it not the Holy Ghost that puts into your mind good Desires Yes Is not this good Spirit grieved when you do an evil Action Yes Is not God a Spirit Yes Can we see God with our mortal Eyes No. Do you believe that God made Heaven and Earth and all things out of nothing Yes Is not God an infinite and glorious Spirit Yes Is not God a Merciful Righteous Holy and Good Spirit Yes Is there any thing that God doth not know No. Can we do any thing and God not see it No. When you think upon any thing does not God know what you think on Yes Is not God a just a wise and powerful God Yes Is there any thing which God cannot do No. Will this good and great God love you if you keep his Commandments Yes ARTICLE II. And in Iesus Christ his only Son our Lord IS not Jesus Christ the Son of God Yes Is not Jesus Christ our Saviour God and Man too Yes Had Jesus Christ any Father besides God No. Did not God by his Holy Spirit cause him to be born of a Virgin Yes Is not Jesus Christ that Lord of ours by whom we hope Salvation Yes If God hear our Prayers at any time doth he not do it for Jesus Christ's Sake Yes If God do pardon our Sins when we repent of them will it not be for Jesus Christ's Sake Yes If God save us will it not be for Jesus Christ's Sake Yes And have we not reason to love Jesus Christ Yes Should we ever cease to obey Christ No. ARTICLE III. Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost Born of the Virgin Mary WAS Jesus Christ begotten by Man No. Was he not conceived by the Holy Ghost after a wonderful manner Yes Was not Jesus Christ born of a holy and pure Virgin Yes Was not this Blessed Virgin 's Name Mary Yes Was he not born of this holy Virgin an Infant as other Men are Yes Because Man had sinned against God was it not necessary that Jesus Christ should die for our Sins Yes Could any thing satisfie an Infinite Justice but an Infinite Satisfaction No. Could any thing therefore satisfie God's Justice for our Sins but the Sufferings and Death of Christ No. Was it not fit that he should be both God and Man who was to reconcile God and Man Yes And have we not reason to love and obey him Yes ARTICLE IV. Suffered under Pontius Pilate Was crucified dead and buried He descended into Hell DID not a Man called Pontius Pilate cause our Saviour Jesus Christ to be put to death Yes Did not this Pontius Pilate sentence him to be crucified Yes Was
Yes Is not Perjury or forswearing ones self a dreadful Sin Yes Is it not a heinous Sin to break a lawful Oath Yes Is it not Perjury to swear to what is uncertain unknown and doubtful Yes Is it not Perjury to affirm it upon Oath though it should happen to be true Yes May we have irreverend thoughts of God No. Are not all voluntary Oaths or swearing to which we are not called by a Magistrate unlawful Yes Especially all voluntary and promissory Oaths Yes May we patiently endure to hear God dishonoured No. Should a Christian promise any thing unless he intend to perform it No. Should we not labour to glorifie and honour the Name of God by a Christian Conversation Yes IV. COMMANDMENT Remember that thou keep holy c. MUST a Christian that hopes for Heaven when he dies keep holy the Sabbath-day Lord's-day or Sunday Yes Should not a Christian worship God on that day both in publick and in private Yes May this day be spent in Sleep and Idleness Sports and Pastimes No. Should any work be done upon this day except Works of Necessity or Works of Charity No. Should this day be spent in Hearing Reading Prayer Thanksgiving and Meditation at home and in the Congregation Yes Is it enough to do it at home unless it be done in the Congregation too No. Would it not be piously and christianly done of us to observe the Fasts and Festivals of the Church Yes Should we not worship God every day as well as Sunday Yes V. COMMANDMENT Honour thy Father and thy Mother c. MUST we not give Respect and Honour to all that are above us Yes May a Christian be undutiful or unkind to his Father or Mother No. May a Christian in any case rebel against his King No. May a Christian disobey his King except the command be plainly unlawful No. May a Christian disesteem or despise or hate his Minister No. May a Servant be stubborn or unfaithful to his Master or Mistriss No. Should a Christian behave himself proudly or scornfully toward his Betters or Elders No. VI. COMMANDMENT Thou shalt do no Murther SHould a Christian labour to preserve his own and his Neighbour's Life and Health Yes Is not the taking away the Life of another by Murther a dreadful sin Yes Should a Christian follow Peace with all men Yes May he hurt his own or any other man's Life or Health No. May a Christian be a Quarreller or a contentious and brawling Person No. Should a Christian strike wound or maim any Man No. Should we abuse any Man by foul Language No. May a Christian that hopes to see God bear Malice or desires of Revenge in his Heart No. May a Christian use bitter or provoking Words or calling of Names No. May a Christian fight a Duel No. May a Christian willingly vex grieve disquiet or wish ill to another No. VII COMMANDMENT Thou shalt not commit Adultery OUght not a Christian to be chast in heart in tongue and in behaviour Yes Is not Chastity of Body and Purity of Soul a most acceptable Sacrifice to God Yes May a Christian commit Incest Adultery Fornication or any other Uncleanness No. Must a Christian that hopes to see God have a chast and pure Hand and Eye and Heart Yes May a Christian have lustful Desires and Imaginations and delight in them No. May a Christian use unchast Words or Language No. Should a Christian have a chast Ear Yes That is should he listen willingly to filthy Communication and unchast Discourses No. Can a Christian allow himself without sin in any Unchastity of the Hand Eye Tongue or Heart No. Should a Christian avoid all kinds of Uncleanness upon himself or with any other Yes Should a Christian avoid all things that provoke or excite Lust Yes Are not all Thoughts and Actions of that Sort utterly unlawful save only in lawful Marriage Yes VIII COMMANDMENT Thou shalt not steal MAY a Christian take or keep against his Neighbour's Knowledge or Will what belongs to him No. Are not Theft and Robbery great Iniquities Yes Should a Christian give every man his due Yes Should a Christian further his own and his Neighbour's outward Estate by all lawful means Yes May a Christian wrong any man by Deceit or Cozenage or Extortion or any Injustice No. Must a Christian be just and upright in buying and selling Yes May we raise Gain by any unlawful Arts and Practices No. May we advise or encourage consent to or share with those that do No. Can we detain necessary Relief from our poor Brethren without sin No. May a man use false Weights or Measures No. If we find any thing may we keep it from the Owner if we know or can learn who ' t is No. May a Christian steal small things because he is poor No. May a man refuse to pay his Debts if he be able No. May he refuse to pay what he is bound for if the Principal cannot or will not No. Should a Christian take Use of them who are poor No. May a Christian be guilty of Extortion from any man No. Should a man take advantage of the Ignorance or necessity of them he deals with No. May a Christian break his Trust or faithful Promise No. If a man have taken any thing wrongfully from any man should he not make Restitution of it if he be able Yes If he be ashamed or afraid to do it himself should he not do well to go to his Minister or some other good man to do it for him Yes IX COMMANDMENT Thou shalt not bear false Witness c. MAY a Christian bear false Witness against any man No. Should we not avoid all injurious prejudicing our Neighbour's Reputation Yes Should we not endeavour to preserve the good Name of our Neighbour Yes May a Christian stander or back-bite any man No. May a Christian causelesly raise Suspicions of any man No. May we tell a Lye No. May not a Christian tell a Lye to cover a Fault No. Should a Christian flatter any man No. May we defame or detract from our Neighbour No. May we spread ill Reports of him to breed in the minds of men an ill Opinion of him No. Doth not Charity oblige us to think the best of our Neighbour Yes Should we not be candid in our Opinions and Discourses concerning others Yes Should we not forbear all rash and hard Censures of others Yes May a Christian bragg and boast himself No. May a Christian be a Tale-bearer No. Should a Christian publish any man's faults without doing thereby Charity or Justice to some other No. May a Christian be a Whisperer or Evil-speaker No. Should a Christian avoid all things prejudicial or destructive to his Neighbour's good name Yes X. COMMANDMENT Thou shalt not covet c. MAY a Christian covet what 's another Mans No. That is to say should a Christian in the least desire to come by it unjustly No. Should a Christian be content with his
own State and Condition Yes May a Man envy or grieve at his Neighbour's Good or Prosperity No. Ought we not to be just towards others not only in our actions but in our very thoughts desires and intentions Yes Should we consent to any motions of the heart of contriving to get what 's our Neighbours by unjust or unlawful means No. Is discontentedness repining and murmuring forbidden to a Christian Yes Should a Christian with vexation or greediness or immoderately seek Riches Honours or Pleasures No. Did not your Godfathers and Godmothers promise for you that you should keep these Commandments Yes And will you labour to keep them that you may please God and be admitted to him when you die Yes Will you shew your Love by your Obedience Yes Question What dost thou chiefly learn by these Commandments Answer I learn two things my Duty towards God and my c. Question What is thy Duty towards God Answer My Duty towards God is to believe in him c. IS it not your Duty to believe in God Yes Do you believe him to be an infinitely wise just powerful holy and good Spirit Yes Is not a Christian to fear God so as to be afraid to offend him Yes May a Christian fear Man more than God No. May a Man commit a Fault to please Men though he displease God No. Should we not love him who is infinitely lovely Yes Should we not love him with all our Heart Soul Mind and Strength Yes Is it not reasonble to love a great and good and wise and merciful God Yes Should we ever cease to love that God that is willing we should be saved No. Can we cease to love him who sent his Son to die for us No. Is it not reasonable we should fall down and worship that God that made us and all the World Yes Is it not reasonable we should fall down and Worship that God that can send us to Hell in an instant Yes Is it not reasonable we should give him thanks who gives us Food and Raiment Yes Must not a Christian put his whole Trust in God in all his Needs and Dangers Yes May a Christian seek to deliver himself out of them by any unlawful means No. Is not this to distrust God Yes Must not a Christian call upon him in Prayer Yes Is it not reasonable we should call upon that God that is able to help us Yes And is he not willing and ready to help us in all needs and dangers if he see it fit for us Yes Is it not reasonable we should Honour his holy Name seeing to glorifie it was the great End of our Creation Yes Is it not reasonable we should honour and love that Word which is the Message of Divine Love to us Yes Is it unreasonable we should serve such a God and obey him truly all the days of our Life No. Has he not provided eternal Rewards in Heaven for our moment's obedience here Yes And can we expect more for doing less No. Question What is thy Duty towards thy Neighbour Answer My Duty towards my Neighbour is to love him as c. SHould we not do to all men as we should be content they should do to us if they were in our condition and we in theirs Yes Are we willing to have any Evil done to our own Souls No. Should we therefore do any Evil to any other Man's No. Are we willing to have our own Bodies maimed or wounded No. Are we willing to have our own Goods or Estates injured by any Man No. Should we therefore do so to any other Mans No. Are we willing to have our own good Name taken away and slandered No. Should we then do so to any other Man's No. Are we willing to have our own Needs and Wants relieved by them that are able to do it Yes Should we therefore according to our ability relieve the Needs of others Yes Would we not have all Men deal fairly honestly and justly with us in all Cases Yes And ought we not to deal so with others Yes Is not this to love our Neighbour as our selves Yes Should a Christian hurt any man by word or deed No. Should he be just and upright in all his Dealings Yes May he bear malice hatred or ill will to any in his Heart No. May a Christian be given to lying evil-speaking and backbiting No. Should a Christian be sober chast and temperate Yes Should a Christian that hopes to see God be a Whoremonger Glutton or Drunkard No. Should we wish or desire to deprive our Neighbour of any thing that belongs to him No. Should a Christian be diligent in his calling Yes And should he be content with his State and Condition Yes SECT IV. Postulanda Or Things to be prayed for Of the Lord's Prayer 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 Let me hear therefore if thou caust say the Lord's Prayer Answer Our Father c. CAN we keep God's Commandments without his help No. Should we not daily pray to God for his Grace and Strength to do his Will Yes Should any Christian pray less than twice every day No. Should not those who have leisure do well to do it oftner Yes Must our Heart go along with our Mouths when we pray Yes Should a Christian kneel upon his knees when he prays Yes In our Prayers should we ever leave out the Lord's Prayer No. PREFACE Our Father which art in Heaven I. PETITION Hallowed be thy Name IS not God who created us our Father Yes Are we not his Children by Adoption too Yes Is he not then our Father by Creation and our Father in Christ Jesus Yes Is this good Father of ours unwilling to hear us if we ask aright No. Is not this our Father in Heaven Yes When you say Father doth not this teach you to pray with the Affections of a Child and with reverential Love Yes When you say Our Father doth not this teach you to pray for others as well as your self Yes When we say hallowed be thy Name do we not mean Sanctified be thy Name Yes When we say hallowed be thy Name do we not desire God to enable us to Worship Glorifie and Honour him Yes Can we Reverence and Adore and Glorifie him aright unless he enable us No. Is it not fit therefore we should first desire him to strike an awe into our Hearts while we are praying to him Yes II. PETITION Thy Kingdom come WHen we say Thy Kingdom come do we not pray that God's Kingdom of Grace may come to us here Yes And do we not pray that his Kingdom of Glory may come to us hereafter Yes Can we pray for any thing better or more desirable than the Kingdom of Grace here and the
what he Commands with that Love that Zeal that Readiness that Chearfulness that Sincerity Universality and Constancy as may make our Obedience like the Holy Angels above in Heaven We pray also in this Petition That we may be enabled not only to do his Will but that we may submit to his holy Will and his Wisdom in all things That his Will may be done by us and his Will may be done in us That so instead of murmuring at his Providence we may humbly submit to and patiently acquiesce in his Will and instead of inclining to do the Will of the Flesh or the Devil we may ever chearfully readily and faithfully obey his Will here below as the Angels do above Give us this day our daily bread THE meaning is We pray that God would give us all the Necessaries of this Life Health Serength Food and Raiment and a competent Portion of the good Things of this World That he would bless our lawful Endeavours to this End and Purpose That seeing by our own Industry alone we cannot procure the outward Comforts of this Life he would so bless that Industry as to give us what may conveniently support and suffice us here and bear our Charges to Heaven That seeing these our Bodies are liable to hunger and thirst cold and nakedness inconveniencies and dangers weariness and want he would by his providential Care and fatherly Provision supply all our Needs and give us such a portion of Temporal Things as may enable us with Comfort to do our Duty Here then we are taught to beg but for Bread that is such a competency as our Father sees fittest for us not for Vanities Excesses and Superfluities Daily bread this Day that we may be content with our present Portion and not be anxiously distractedly and distrustfully careful for the Morrow That as we shall need it again to Morrow so we may be put in mind and invited too to beg it again to Morrow Our Bread that is that which is our own by lawful Labour or a lawful Title and not the Bread of others We pray also in this Petition not only for Bodily Bread but for the Bread or Food of the Soul that is the Food of continual Grace For as the Body cannot sustain it self without daily Food so neither can the Soul sustain its self in its daily Temptations without the constant supply of Grace We therefore beg in this Petition that God would give us day by day for the remainder of our Days all Things necessary for our Souls and Bodies And forgive us our trespasses As we forgive them that trespass against us BY Debts and Trespasses is meant Offences or Sins against God So that the meaning is We pray that through the Satisfaction of the Holy Jesus we may be acquitted from the Guilt and Punishment of all our Sins whether of Omission or Commission thought word or deed known or secret But in this Petition here is a caution or a qualification to be in us whereby we may be capable of receiving God's Pardon As we forgive them that trespass against us That is as we forgive them that have injured us so freely as not to desire to revenge our selves on them But on the contrary do endeavour sincerely to love Enemies and to do good upon all occasions to them that hate us whenever they need our relief or assistance Now although in weightier and considerable matters we may seek and sue for reasonable Satisfaction for Damages and Injuries yet if it be not done without rigour spite malice and desires of Revenge it cannot be lawful for a Christian If in this seeking satisfaction and legal reparation where the Loss and Damage is great and considerable we give way to revengeful Desires or do it only to satisfie our revengeful Humour it is still vnlawful As for the Prosecuting a Malefactor as Murtherer Thief Robber or the like this is not made utterly unlawful by Christ nor inconsistent with the safe and devout use of this Petition provided it be not done barely to satisfie our own revengeful Humour But in Obedience to the King and the Laws who command it for the good of the Common-wealth which is injured by the Impunity of Malefactors for an example to others and alway with Pity Compassion and Charity to the Person Prosecuted For although we may and ought to forgive Injuries done to our selves yet we may not dispose of the Rights of the Prince and the Community Besides in criminal Cases the Plea is in the behalf of the King and not the injured Person So that at least in greater Cases not to Prosecute is Disobedience to the King a plain Breach of the Laws and an Act of Injustice and Uncharitableness to the Community Further yet 't is a known Rule That the Receiver is as bad as the Thief and the Accessary in some proportion is punishable as the Principal and the Concealer is certainly an Accessary Though still when all is done we should have a very watchful Eye upon our selves that we neither desire nor design the gratifying our own revengeful Humour in such Prosecutions and to that end alway labour to subdue and mortifie all such vile Affections as incline us to Revenge So that we pray in this Petition that God would forgive us our Offences against him as we forgive our Brethren so as not to desire to revenge our selves on them here or that they may fare the worse for their wrongs toward us in the Day of Judgment We pray also in this Petition for the Grace of Charity and Forgiveness That God would vouchsafe us Hearts to forgive others their Offences against us according as we expect forgiveness from God That we may see and consider the easie condition of Pardon that is set us to forgive our Brother a few Pence in this Life to have Ten thousand Talents forgiven us in the next So that this Petition cannot piously and safely be used by us unless we lay aside all hatred malice and desires of Revenge towards our Brethren And if ever in Case of great and considerable Damages we do seek for legal Satisfaction it ought to be without such hatred spite and intentions of Revenge and managed with a charitable and friendly temper and disposition toward the Person or else it cannot be innocent Behold here the absolute necessity of Humility and Charity Meekness and Self-denial Forbearance and Forgiveness in a Christian or Disciple of the Holy Jesus who cannot so much as sue rightly for reparation or satisfaction for Losses and Damages done him by others unless it be without hatred of the Person and for considerable Matters not for trifles and without Malice Spite Rigour or intentions of Revenge And may the good God grant us the Knowledge and the Practice both of the true Christian Charity and Meekness that by this Character the Holy and Meek Jesus may discern us to be his Sons and Servants And that the difficulty of this Duty may never
when he raised him from the Dead and set him at his own Right-Hand in the Heavenly Places Far above all Principality and Power and Might and Dominion and every name that is named not only in this World but also in that which is to come And hath put all things under his Feet Prove that he shall come to judge the quick and the dead Acts 17.31 Because he hath appointed a Day in the which he will judge the World in Righteousness Acts 10.42 It is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of the quick and the dead Prove that you are to believe in the Holy-Ghost or Holy Spirit 1 Joh. 5.7 There are three that bear Record in Heaven the Father the Word and the Holy-Ghost and these three are one 1 Thes 4.8 God who hath also given unto us his Holy Spirit Matth. 12.32 Whosoever speaketh against the Holy-Ghost it shall not be forgiven him Prove that Christ hath a Church upon Earth Acts 2.47 And the Lord added to the Church daily such as should be Saved Prove that this Church of Christ is Holy Eph. 5.27 That he might present it to himself a glorious Church not having Spot or Wrinkle or any such thing but that it should be Holy Heb. 12.14 Follow Peace with all Men and Holiness without which none shall see the Lord. Prove that this Church is Catholick that is Vniversal or to consist of People of all Nations And not limited to one Nation as the Jewish Church was Matth. 28.19 Go ye therefore and teach all Nations baptizing them in the Name of the Father c. Rev. 5.9 For thou wast slain and hast redeemed us to God by thy Blood out of every Kindred and Tongue and People and Nation Prove that there is and ought to be a Communion of Saints or fellowship one with another in all holy things 1 Joh. 1.7 But if we walk in the Light as he is in the Light we have fellowship one with another Eph. 4.4 5. There is one Body and one Spirit even as ye are called in one hope of your calling one Lord one Faith one Baptism 2 Cor. 13.14 The Communion of the Holy-Ghost be with you all 1 Cor. 10.17 We being many are one Head and one Body for we are all partakers of one Bread Prove that we must not forsake the Communion of Saints in holy things Heb. 10.25 Not forsaking the assembling your selves together as the manner of some is Rom. 15.6 That ye may with one Mind and one Mouth glorifie God even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ Prove that there is forgiveness of Sins to be had upon Repentance in the Church Acts 3 19. Repent ye therefore and be converted that your Sins may be blotted out Acts 13.38 Be it known unto you therefore Men and Brethren that through this Man is preached unto you forgiveness of Sins 1 Joh. 1.1 2. If any Man sin we have an Advocate with the Father Jesus Christ the Righteous and he is the propitation for our Sins Prove that there shall be a Resurrection of the Body 1 Cor. 15.21 22. For since by Man came death by Man came also the Resurrection of the Dead For as is Adam all die even so in Christ shall all be made alive Acts 24.15 There shall be a Resurrection of the Dead both of the Just and Unjust Prove that there is an Everlasting Life after Death Matth. 25.46 And these shall go away into Everlasting Punishment but the Righteous into Life Eternal Joh. 5.28 29. The hour is coming in the which all that are in the Graves shall hear his Voice and shall come forth they that have done good unto the Resurrection of Life and they that have done evil unto the Resurrection of Damnation Question What dost thou chiefly learn in these Articles of thy Belief Answer First I learn to believe in God the Father who hath made me and all the World Secondly in God the Son who hath redeemed me and all Mankind Thirdly in God the Holy-Ghost who sanctifieth me and all the Elect People of God Prove that God made you and all the World Acts 17.24 God that made the World and all things therein seeing he is the Lord of Heaven and Earth Acts 17.28 In him we live move and have our being Prove that God the Son redeemed you Luke 1.68 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel for he hath visited and redeemed his People Gal. 3.13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the Law Prove that he did redeem you and all Mankind Heb. 2.9 But we see Jesus who was made a little lower than the Angels for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honour that he by the Grace of God should taste death for every Man Prove that God the Holy-Ghost or holy Spirit sanctifieth you and all the Elect People of God 2 Thes 2.13 But we are bound to give Thanks alway to God for you Brethren beloved of the Lord because God hath from the beginning chosen you to Salvation through Sanctification of the Spirit 1 Cor. 6.11 But ye are washed but ye are sanctified but ye are justified in the Name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God Prove or shew where you find the Ten Commandments Exod. 20.2 to the 18th I am the Lord c. Question What is thy Duty towards God Answer My Duty towards God is to believe in him to c. Question What is thy Duty towards thy Neighbour Answer My Duty towards my Neighbour is to love him as my self and to do c. Prove that you are to perform your Duty towards God and towards your Neighbour Matth. 22.37 38 39. Thou salt love the Lord thy God with all thy Heart and with all thy Soul and with all thy Mind This is the first and great Commandment And the second is like unto it Thou shalt love thy Neighbour as thy self Prove that you are to believe in God 2 Chron. 20.20 Believe in the Lord you God so shall you be established Prove that you are to fear God Eccl. 12.13 Fear God and keep his Commandments for this is the whole duty of Man Prove that you are to love him with all your Heart Soul Strength and Mind Luke 10.27 Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy Heart and with all thy Soul and with all thy Strength and with all thy Mind Prove that you are to worship God Matth. 4.10 Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and him only shalt thou serve Prove that you are to give him Thanks 1 Thes 5.18 In every thing give thanks for this is the Will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you Prove that you are to put your whole Trust in him Psal 62.8 Trust in him at all times ye People pour out your Heart before him God is a Refuge for us Prove that you are to call upon him Psal 50.15 Call upon me in the day of trouble I will deliver thee and thou shalt
28.19 Go ye therefore and teach all Nations baptizing them Prove it to be necessary to Salvation where it can be had Mark 16.16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved Joh. 3.5 Except a Man be born of Water and of the Spirit he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God Prove the Institution of the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper 1 Cor. 11.23 24 25. The Lord Jesus the same Night in which he was betrayed took Bread and when he had given thanks he brake it and said Take eat this is my Body which is broken for you This do in remembrance of me After the same manner also he took the Cup when he had supped saying This Cup is the New-Testament in my Blood This do as oft as ye drink it in remembrance of me Prove the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper necessary to Salvation up from the Dead by the glory of the Father even so we also should walk in newness of Life Tit. 3.5 According to his mercy he saved us by the washing of Regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost Prove that we were by Nature born in sin Psalm 51.5 Behold I was shapen in iniquity and in sin did my mother conceive me Prove that we are by nature Children of Wrath. Eph. 2.3 And were by nature Children of wrath even as others Prove that by Baptism we are made the Children of Grace Gal. 3.26 27. For ye are all the Children of God by Faith in Christ Jesus For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ 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 Prove that Repentance is required of persons to be baptized Acts 2.38 Then Peter said unto them Repent and be baptized every one of you in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and ye shall receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost Prove that Faith whereby they believe the Promises of God is required of Persons to be baptized Acts 8.36 37. And the Eunuch said See here is Water what doth hinder me to be baptized And Philip said if thou believest with all thy heart thou mayest Acts 18.8 And many of the Corinthians hearing believed and were baptized Question Why then are Infants baptized when by reason of their tender age they cannot perform them Answer Because they promise them both by by their Sureties which promise when they come to age themselves are bound to perform Prove that children of believing Parents are to be baptized Acts 2.38 39. And Peter said Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ For the promise is unto you and to your Children Mark 10.14 Suffer little Children to come unto me and forbid them not for of such is the Kingdom of God Matth. 28.19 Go teach all Nations baptizing them Acts 16.15 And she was baptized and her Houshold 1 Cor. 1.16 I baptized the Houshold of Stephanus not only them but their Houshold in which 't is very probable were Children 1 Cor. 7.14 For the unbelieving Husband is sanctified by the Wife and the unbelieving Wife is sanctified by the Husband else were your Children unclean but now are they holy Prove that though our Sureties promised Faith and Repentance in our name yet we our selves are to perform them when we come to age Heb. 10.23 Let us hold fast the profession of our Faith without wavering Mark 16.16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved but he that believeth not shall be damned 2 Tim. 2.19 Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity Question Why was the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper ordained Answer For the continual remembrance of the sacrifice of the death of Christ and of the Benefits which we receive thereby Prove that the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper was for a continual remembrance of the Sacrifice of the death of Christ 1 Cor. 11.24 This do in remembrance of me Verse 26. As often as ye eat this bread and drink this cup ye do shew the Lord's death till he come Question What is the outward part or sign of the Lord's Supper Answer Bread and Wine which the Lord hath commanded to be received Prove that the outward part of the Lord's Supper is to be Bread and Wine Matth. 26.26 27 28 29. Jesus took Bread and blessed it and brake it and gave it to the Disciples and said Take eat this is my Body And he took the Cup and gave thanks and gave it to them saying Drink ye all of it For this is my Blood of the New Testament But I say unto you I will not henceforth drink of this fruit of the Vine until the day when I drink it new with you c. Question What is the inward part or thing signified Answer The Body and Blood of Christ which are verily and indeed taken and received by the faithful in the Lord's Supper Prove that the inward part or thing signified is the Body and Blood of Christ 1 Cor. 10.16 The Cup of blessing which we bless is it not the Communion or Communication of the blood of Christ The Bread which we break is it not the Communion or Communication of the body of Christ Question What are the Benefits whereof we are made partakers thereby Answer The strengthening and refreshing of our Souls by the Body and Blood of Christ as our Bodies are by the Bread and Wine Prove that our Souls are strengthened and refreshed by the Body and Blood of Christ John 6.54 55 56. Whoso eateth my Flesh and drinketh my Blood hath eternal life and I will raise him up at the last day For my Flesh is meat indeed and my Blood is drink indeed He that eateth my Flesh and drinketh my Blood dwelleth in me and I in him Question What is required of them who come to the Lord's Supper Answer To examine themselves whether they repent them truly of their former sins stedfastly purposing to lead a new life have a lively Faith in God's mercy through Christ with a thankful remembrance of his death and be in Charity with all Men. Prove that they who come to the Lord's Supper are to examine themselves whether they truly repent 1 Cor. 11.28 Let a man examine himself and so let him eat of that Bread and drink of that Cup. Verse 31. For if we would judge our selves we should not be judged Prove that they who come to this Sacrament must stedfastly purpose to lead a new Life 1 Cor. 5.7 8. Purge out therefore the old leaven that ye may be a new lump as ye are unleavened For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us Therefore let us keep the Feast not with the old leaven neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth Prove that we are to come to this Sacrament
loving and forgiving Enemies No. Are not our offences against God much greater than the offences of our Brethren against us Yes Can this Charity to Enemies then be an unreasonable Duty No. Is it not a Godlike Vertue Yes Pleasantness of this Duty c. Do you not think it pleasanter to be of the peaceable and charitable Spirit than of the malicious and revengeful one Yes If we forgive not our Brethren will God forgive us No. Does not the malicious and revengeful Person forfeit his Pardon from God Yes Seeing God has shewn so much mercy to us should not we shew mercy to our Brethren Yes Is it not therefore an ungrateful thing to God to keep any Malice or grudge to any Person whatever Yes But what if my Neighbour has trespassed me considerably may I not seek satisfaction Yes But may I by any means carry an uncharitable malicious revengeful Heart toward him No. Should I still be kind and loving and charitable toward him Yes Are not all these parts of Christian Charity to be seriously considered and conscionably practised by us Yes Should we labour therefore to prevent and subdue all rising of rancour and revenge in our Breasts Yes Should not a Christian labour more to please God by passing by and forgiving Injuries than to please the Devil by revenging them Yes Charity in the Actions Must we not shew Charity in the Actions as well as shew it in our Affections Yes Is it not a Charity to comfort them that are in heaviness as we are able Yes To the Soul Should we not be charitable in doing good as much as in us lies to the Souls of others Yes May we be so uncharitable to the Souls of others as to draw them into Sin by any means No. Is it not a great Charity to Mens Souls to instruct them if they are ignorant Yes To reprove them sinning Yes And to encourage them in Vertue Yes If we can do no other good to the Souls of others should we not give them our good Example Yes To the Body May we refuse to shew Charity to the Bodies of others No. Are we not in Charity to ease and relieve them who are in Pains if we are able Yes Are not feeding the hungry cloathing the naked harbouring the stranger and visiting and comforting the Sick acts of Charity to the Bodies of others Yes If a Man be in danger to destroy his health by Intemperance is it not a Charity to prevent it Yes Sunday XVII Charity in respect of the Goods IS there not a Charity to be shewn to the Goods or Possessions of others Yes Should we not advance our Neighbour's thriving in them by all charitable and friendly Offices Yes Can a Man truly love God if he love not his Brother also No. Is not Alms-giving or Charity towards the Poor Alms-giving a great Christian Duty Yes Motives to it Is not this a Sacrifice acceptable and well-pleasing to God Yes Should we not perform this Duty out of Obedience and Thankfulness to God Yes Can he be truly thankful who will not part with something to God who gives him all No. Is not Alms-giving a giving back again to God Yes Manner of Alms-giving Should we not give with a tender fellow-feeling of his wants to whom we give Yes Is there not an eternal reward promised to this Duty Yes Should we not endeavour by this means to lay up a Treasure in heaven Yes Not to be seen of Men. Should we by any means give to be seen of men or to get their praise No. Should we not watch over our hearts narrowly lest this desire to be seen of men should steal in Yes Would it not be a foolish thing of us to miss of a glorious reward for a little vain praise Yes May we give grudgingly or with murmuring Yes Does not God love him who gives chearfully Chearfully Yes Is there not a great pleasure to be found think you in this Duty Yes Should a Christian be afraid of coming to want by his Alms-deeds and Charity No. Nay though he should come to want by it yet seeing 't is a command of God should we not chearfully obey it Yes But is there any Reason for such a Fear No. Has not God promised the contrary that such shall never come to want Yes Is not Charity in Alms-Deeds the putting our Wealth into God's Hands or lending to him Yes What we thus bestow in Alms is it not the putting it into a sure hand then Yes Can we think that the God of Truth will fail of his Promise to repay it No. Will not Alms-Deeds therefore make us rich returns here Seasonably or hereafter or both Yes Should we not give seasonably that is without unnecessary delays when our Brother is in great need Yes If we delay it would not the Devil be apt to disswade us from giving at all Yes Should we not give prudently Prudently that is most where there is most need Yes Are not those the best Objects of Charity who are not able to labour or have a greater Charge than their Labour can maintain as poor House-Keepers Yes Lending an Act of Charity Is not lending too to such an act of great Charity and Mercy Yes But must we not lend freely and without Use or Interest when we thus lend on Charity Yes May we be so uncharitable as to clap up poor Debtors in Prison when we know they have nothing to answer the Debt No. Should we not sometimes lend to these in need with a purpose that if the Borrower prove unable to pay we will forgive some or all as we see occasion Yes Should a Christian be niggardly in Alms-giving Liberally No. When our brothers Necessities require it should we not give whatsoever is above our need Yes Have we not great Reason for this Duty seeing Christ became poor for us Yes Can we deny therefore to relieve his poor Members that bear his Name No. Will not our reward hereafter be more or less according to the degree of our Alms Yes Is it not pity therefore to lose much of our future reward by being sparing in our Alms here according to our Ability Yes May not a poor Man that gives little be more liberal than a rich Man that gives more Yes Should we not do well upon our Fasting-days or those days which we set apart to consider the State of our Soul in and to humble it before God for sin to set apart something for the uses of Charity Yes May a Man give to the Poor what is none of his own or stollen No. Should not a good Christian abate from his unnecessary idle expences to give the more in Alms Yes Must we give Alms not out of Custom but out of a true Sense of our Brother 's needs and out of compassion Yes Should we Christians by any means neglect to relieve the needs of our Enemies No.
Is it not very fit that a good Christian should do his Alms by his own hand and not by another Person Yes Motives to Bounty If we are not able to give should we not pity and pray for them that need Yes Is there any Duty which our God so often and earnestly recommends to Christians as Charity and Alms No. Are there such great promises to any one Duty as to this No. Is not this the Duty by which God shall chiefly pronounce the Sentence at the day of Judgment Yes Will it not procure a Blessing here and hereafter Yes Is not reckoned as done to Christ whatever we do to our poor Brother Yes Is not Charity and Mercy one great sign of our Predestination to Life eternal Yes Does it not crown all other works of Religion and Piety Yes Should we neglect to perform a Duty which has so many advantages and promises Charity in respect of the Credit Yes Are not Christians to exercise Charity to the Credit of their Neighbour Yes Is it not an Unchristian thing causelesly to destroy the good name of another Yes If an innocent man be slandered should we not in Charity clear him if we know his Innocence Yes Should we not in Charity conceal the faults of our brethren unless it be necessary to discover them or unless they are so notorious as that they will be sure to betray themselves Yes But suppose we hear ill of our brother and know not whether it be true or false should we not be apt to judge and hope the best Yes Should we not endeavour to preserve the Credit of our Neighbour as far as we may Yes The great Rule of Charity Should we not ever labour to do to all men as we would have them do to us Yes Well then if we were in need would we not willingly have our Necessities relieved Yes Can we therefore refuse to do the like to others that are in need No. Are we not all willing to have our good name defended Yes Can we therefore in Charity by slanders or reproaches or evil speakings or rash Judgings destroy the good-name of others No. Are we not unwilling to have our own Bodies maimed or beaten or wounded Yes Ought we not therefore to forbear the doing the like to others Yes Ought we not to be willing of our own Souls Health Yes And if we love our Neighbours as our selves should we not desire their Souls good an Salvation Yes Is not Peace-making a great act of Christian Charity Peace-making Yes Should we not therefore as much as in us lies reconcile Enemies and end their grudges and quarels Yes Can those be Charitable that cause Strife and Contentions among any No. Ought not he that would be a Peace-maker to be a peaceable Man himself Yes Of going to Law May not a peaceable Man go to Law in some cases Yes But is he a peaceable Man who goes to Law for Trifles or inconsiderable matters No. Is he a charitable or peaceable Man who goes to Law out of stoutness of humor or contentiousness No. Is he charitable or peaceable who goes to Law out of Revenge No. That is should a peaceable Man go to Law merely because another sued him No. Rules for doing it Christianly Does not he deal most Christiantly who is content to part with somewhat of his right for Peace-sake Yes May a Christian then go to Law where the Damage is great and considerable if he can have satisfaction no other way Yes But must we not still carry a friendly and Christian temper towards the Party we go to Law with Yes Should we suffer our Hearts to be estranged from him No. Now we have seen all the parts of Charity in our Actions must we not shew them to our bitterest Enemies Charity of the Actions too must reach to enemies Yes Did I not say before that we are to forgive Enemies Yes And is not this the way to try the sincerity of our forgiveness by being ready to do them good and to relieve their needs as we have opportunity Yes Should not a Christian turn out of his Heart self-love Yes Is not self-love an immoderate love of our own Interests that causes us to be unjust or uncharitable towards others Yes Can we perform these Self-denial and many other Christian Duties without the Practice of self-denial or taking up the Cross No. Must we not deny our own corrupt inclinations in obedience to the Commands of God Yes And must we not take up the Cross and endure affliction shame or reproaches when we cannot otherwise perform a Christian Duty Yes Prayer a means for all Graces Can we hope to perform these or any other Duties without Prayer and begging God's Assistance No. If we suffer any thing for Christianity-sake have we not reason to rejoice in it Yes Have we any reason to faint or grow weary of our Christian Duties when there is a Crown of Glory at the end of them No. Shall we be losers by any thing we can do or suffer here for Righteousness sake No. Should we not therefore instantly set about the performing all known Duty Yes And should we not instantly endeavour to reform all known Sin Yes Should we put off the serious consideration of these things from day to day No. Danger of delaying our turning to God Should we put it off to our Death-bed No. Can we delay to turn to God without infinite hazard of our immortal Souls No. FINIS Books Sold by Henry Bonwicke at the Red Lion in St. Paul's Church-Yard THE General History of the Reformation of the Church Written in Latin by John Sleiden faithfully English'd To which is added a Continuation to the end of the Council of Trent by E. Bohun Esq in folio Two useful Cases resolved I. Whether a Certainty of being in a State of Salvation be attainable II. What is the Rule by which this Certainty is to be attained in 4o. Pia Desideria Or Divine Addresses In Three Books Illustrated with Forty-seven Copper Plates Written in Latin by Herm. Hugo Englished by Edw. Arwaker M. A. in 8o. A Discourse proving from Scripture and Reason That the Life of Man is not limitted by any absolute Decree of God By the Author of The Duty of Man c. In 8o. Liturgia Ecclesiae Anglicanae Lat. 12o. The Best Guide to Devotion Being short Prayers Meditations and Thanksgivings taken only out of the Scriptures and fitted to all Occasions In 24o. THE END