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
of it to be true To perform the conditions upon which I hope to receive the Promises there made to me to obey sincerely the Commands of it and to get out of the way of the Threats of it And lastly so truly and conscionably to serve him here in this Life that I may live with him in a life Eternal hereafter Question What is thy Duty towards thy Neighbour Answer My Duty towards my Neighbour is to love him as c. THE meaning is So to love all Men as that we may in all things do unto others as we would they should do unto us were they in our condition and we in theirs For instance as we are willing to have no evil done to our own Souls so to do none to the Souls of others As we are willing to have no Evil done to our own Bodies so to do none to the Bodies of others As we are unwilling to have our own Goods or Possessions injured by others so to injure no Man's our selves As we are willing not to have our own good Name taken away by slander or evil-speaking so to do so to no other Man's As we are willing to have our own Needs and Distresses relieved so to be ready and willing according to our Ability to relieve the Needs of others To respect support pray for and honour our natural Parents who supported us when we were so unable to support our selves that we had perish'd every moment without them To honour pray for pay Tribute to and obey all the lawful Commands of my lawful King and of those Governours that receive Command and Authority from him To respect esteem pray for pay the dues and obey the Christian Doctrines of all my Spiritual Pastors that is all true Ministers of God's Word and Sacraments To obey and honour to be diligent and faithful in the Service of my Master or Mistress and not to be stubborn and irreverent to them To pay a due regard esteem and honour to all my Betters in Age Gifts or Estate To desire intend wish or speak or act the hurt of no Man To be plain and honest just and upright in all dealings with any other man To cherish or keep no grudges heart-burnings uncharitable intentions or desires of revenge in my breast against any man whatever but to be ready to do good to all men freinds and enemies To render to every Man his due to defraud steal from or be any way unjust to no man To keep my Tongue from all evil bitter virulent reproachful and railing language even towards them who revile and rail at me Alway to speak the truth or nothing And in my whole Conversation to hate a Lye which is so hateful to the God of Truth To be meek and humble sober and temperate chast and pure both in my Soul and Body And in what soever State or Calling God shall please to place me to manage it prudently and conscionably diligently and holily to the end of my life till he shall call me to lay aside my business here and enter upon a New World 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 canst say the Lord's Prayer THE meaning is That though these Commandments of God are to be kept and obeyed most sincerely by us yet of our selves we are not able to keep them without his Grace that is without the gracious Assistance of his Holy Spirit to enable us and give us strength to keep them Now God will deny his Grace and Aid to none who faithfully beg and faithfully use it We must therefore diligently employ and use what we already have in labouring to keep his Commands And we must daily beg more Grace of God by Prayer in which we should never leave out that Divine Prayer following which was taught us by the Saviour of the World SECT IV. Of the Lord's Prayer The PREFACE Our Father which art in Heaven THE meaning is O God thou art our Father as thou hast created us and thou art our Father as we are made thy Sons by Adoption In the first Sence that is by Creation all Mankind are thy Children In the other Sence we Christians were made thy Children by our Holy Baptism Thou hast O our Saviour taught us to call God Father that we may pray with the Affections of a Child and with the holy Fear and Love of a Child and rely upon the paternal Care and Bounty of our Father and be encouraged to run to our heavenly Father with all our Needs and our Complaints as Children do to a Father Thou hast taught us to say Our Father not my Father that we may learn to pray for others as well as our selves and with a brotherly Affection beg of our common Father the same Blessings for others which we do for our selves Thou art our Father and therefore willing to hear us and as willing to help us Thou art in Heaven and therefore able to help us Thou art our Father O let this endearing compellation move our Love and win our Obedience Thou art in Heaven and that 's our proper Country thither we thy Sons are travelling there our Inheritance and our Treasure is thither we direct our Prayers exalt and raise our Affections before we come thither I. PETITION Hallowed be thy Name THE meaning is Let thy Name be sanctified and adored praised and magnified honoured and glorified by me and all Mankind and that both in Private and in Publick in our Hearts Tongues and Actions So that in this Petition we pray that God would enable us and others to confess and glorifie him above all in thought word and deed That we may never dishonour or prophane his Name but as affectionate and obedient Sons have a reverential Love and Honour for the Name the Titles and Attributes and every thing that relates to our Father which is in Heaven Thy Kingdom come THE meaning is We pray that his Church may be inlarged his Gospel spread and propagated that his Kingdom of Grace may come to us here and his Kingdom of Glory may be enjoyed by us hereafter We beg too that God would destroy and pull down the Kingdom and Power of Sin and Satan in us and instead of that that he would set up his Spiritual Kingdom there That as King he would Rule in our Hearts and make us obedient to his Laws and subdue every rebellious Lust or Desire Thought or Imagination That all our Affections being Subject to his Laws and Rules his Grace may so Reign in us here that at last we may Reign with him in his Glory hereafter Thy will be done in Earth As it is in Heaven THE meaning is We pray that God would enable us and others to obey his Will or do
discourage us from the practice of it especially considering we are undone for all Ages if we are not forgiven a thousand times more by God than ever we can forgive our Brother And considering too that we have such glorious Rewards before us that it is a shameless Impudence to expect so great Glories at a less rate than the bearing Christ's easie Yoke and light Burthen at a lower rate than one short but holy Life here And lead us not into temptation THE meaning is We pray that the allurements of the World the Flesh and the Devil may be so restrained by God that if we should by any of them be tempted to sin against him he will not leave us to be overcome by the temptation and fall into sin by it Or if at any time we shall fall into a sin by their Temptations which God forbid we pray that we may not impenitently live in it Thus we pray in this Petition that seeing we are neither willing nor able of our selves to resist and overcome their temptations that God by his Grace would enable us to do it That seeing we have vile Inclinations and corrupt Affections of our own ready to betray us seeing we have a tempting World ready to deceive us and seeing there is a busie crafty watchful Devil that studies to undoe us and all of them constantly alluring us to Sin or discouraging us from our Christian Duties we pray that God would not withdraw his Grace from us so as to leave us to be overcome by them But by the assistance of that Grace by being always upon our guard by holy Resolutions and a watchful Spirit we may be enabled when we are in danger and are tempted to resist subdue and conquer the Temptation In short we pray in this Petition that whenever we are tempted God would please either to restrain the Temptation or give us Grace to withstand it But deliver us from evil THE meaning is We pray that God would please to deliver us from all the Evils of this Life and that to come Especially from the Evils to which we are tempted That he would deliver us from the Evil of Sin from the Evil One that is the Devil From the power of the Tempter From all Evils and Miseries of Soul and Mind and Body either temporal spiritual or eternal Evil Thoughts Evil Words and Evil Actions And if in his Wisdom and Mercy he see it fit for us to be our Lot and Portion to suffer some Evils or Afflictions here in this Life yet that he will reserve nothing of his Wrath in store for us in another but deliver us from an Evil Eternity the unknown Evils of the Kingdom of Darkness the intolerable Evil of Everlasting Burnings which he has prepared for the Devil and his Angels The CONCLUSION For thine is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory for ever and ever THE meaning is This is no Petition but a praising and glorifying of God that we may hence learn not only to pray for what we want but return him Love and Praise and Adoration for what we receive and the end of all may be his Glory So that as we begun this Prayer with Hallowed or Sanctified and Glorified be thy Name so when we have begged of God all necessaries for our Souls and Bodies we then conclude our Prayers with Praises as it is fit we should Thine is the Kingdom Thou art King the great King of Heaven and Earth and we are thy Subjects Vouchsafe us thy Subjects what we humbly petition for and beg Thou hast commanded us O our good and great King to come to thy Throne of Grace and ask and thou hast said Ask and ye shall have Be thou then intreated by us to hear and grant our Petitions For thine is the Kingdom thine is the Soveraignty and Dominion over all the World and therefore hast an infinite right to dispose of all things Thine is the Power That is thou art Omnipotent or able to do all things and therefore sure able to grant what we humbly ask and sue for It were to no purpose to come and ask a thing of him that were not able to bestow on us what we seek for Here therefore we acknowledge God's infinite Power In all Requests or Suits the two chief things to be considered in the Person we address to are these 1. That he be able to grant us And 2. That he be willing to grant what we beg for Now here in the end of this Prayer we acknowledge God to be able to grant when we say Thine is the Power In the beginning of it we acknowledge him to be willing when we call him by the endearing name of Our Father for what Father will not readily grant a Child what he sees necessary for him Lastly we not only praise God by ascribing to him the Kingdom and Dominion over all the World and by ascribing to him the Power of being able to do all things but by ascribing to him all Glory and Honour And this also is necessary in all our Petitions not only because God says Them that honour me I will honour 1 Sam. 2.30 but because the right end of our Prayers should be the Glory of God Thine is the Glory To thee we give Honour Praise and Adoration in these and all our Devotions and if thou please to answer our Petitions and grant what we beg to thee shall be returned the Praise and Glory for all Ages Amen By Amen we declare our firm Belief that he can grant us what we pray for and our earnest Hope and fervent Desire that he will do it for the sake of him in whom all the Promises are Yea and Amen even the Lord Jesus Question What desirest thou of God in this Prayer Answer I desire my Lord God our heavenly Father who c. THE meaning is I desire God who is my Heavenly and compassionate Father and from whom every good and perfect gift comes and from whom alone I have Grace and Strength to do my Duty that I may Worship him aright when I say Hallowed be thy Name I desire Grace to serve him sincerely and acceptably here and the favour to enjoy him for ever hereafter in Glory by Praying that his Kingdom of Grace may come to us here and we may come to his Kingdom of Glory hereafter This we do when we say Thy Kingdom come We desire that we may obey him as we ought to do and in acceptable degrees and measures as the Holy Angels do in Heaven when we say Thy Will be done in Earth as it is in Heaven We pray unto God to send us all things needful both for our Souls and Bodies when we say Give us this day our daily Bread We request him to be Merciful to us and forgive us our Sins when say And forgive us our Trespasses as we forgive them that trespass against us We pray that he will please to save and deliver us in all
sinful Lusts of the Flesh chiefly are Gal. 5.19 20 21. Now the Works of the Flesh are manifest which are these Adultery Fornication uncleanness Lasciviousness Idolatry Witchcraft Hatred Variance Emulations Wrath Strife Seditions Heresies Envyings Murthers Drunkenness Revellings and such like Of the which I tell you before as I have also told you in time past that they which do such things shall not inherit the Kingdom of God Prove that you are to believe all the Articles of the Christian Faith Mark 16.16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved but he that believeth not shall be damned Heb. 10.23 Let us hold fast the Profession of our Faith without wavering Prove that you are to keep God's Holy Will and Commandments Rom. 12.2 That ye may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect Will of God 1 Joh. 5.3 For this is the Love of God that we keep his Commandments Prove that you are to walk in the same all the days of your Life Eph. 2.10 For we are his Workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good Works which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them Rom. 6.4 Even so we also should walk in newness of Life Luke 1.75 In Holiness and Righteousness before him all the days of our Life Question Dost thou not think that thou art bound to believe and to do as they have promised for thee Answer Yes verily and by God's help so I will And I heartily thank our Heavenly Father that he hath called me to this State of Salvation through Iesus Christ our Saviour And I pray unto God to give me his Grace that I may continue in the same unto my Lives end Prove that you are bound to perform this Vow and Promise Psal 22.25 I will pay my Vows before them that fear him Deut. 23.21 When thou shalt vow a Vow unto the Lord thy God thou shalt not slack to pay it For the Lord thy God will surely require it of thee 1 Thes 2.12 That ye would walk worthy of God who hath called you unto his Kingdom and Glory Prove that we are bound heartily to thank God for calling us to this state of Salvation Col. 1.12 13. Giving thanks unto the Father which hath made us meet to be Partakers of the Inheritance of the Saints in Light Who hath delivered us from the power of Darkness and hath translated us into the Kingdom of his dear Son Prove that we are to pray unto God for his Grace to assist us to continue in the same Matth. 7.7 Ask and it shall be given you seek and ye shall find knock and it shall be opened unto you Heb. 4.16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the Throne of Grace that we may obtain Mercy and find Grace to help in time of need Psal 84.11 The Lord will give Grace and Glory no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly Prove that you are to continue in this Faith to your Life's end Matth. 24.13 He that endureth to the end the same shall be saved The Creed follows I believe c. Prove the first Article of your Creed that there is but one God Mark 12.29 Jesus answered him the first of all the Commandments is Hear O Israel the Lord our God is one Lord. Prove that he is our Father Joh. 8.41 We have one Father even God Matth. 6.9 Our Father which art in Heaven Prove that he is Almighty Gen. 17.1 I am the Almighty God Prove that he is the Maker of Heaven and Earth Acts 17.24 God that made the world and all things therein seeing that he is the Lord of Heaven and Earth Prove that you are to believe in Jesus Christ Acts 16.31 Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved and thy house Prove that he is the only Son of God St. Joh. 3.18 But he that believeth not is condemned already because he hath not believed on the name of the only-begotten Son of God Prove that he is our Lord. Acts 2.36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God hath made the same Jesus whom ye have crucified both Lord and Christ Prove that he was conceived by the Holy ghost St. Luke 1.35 And the Angel answered and said unto her The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God St. Matth. 1.20 That which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost Prove that he was born St. Luke 2.6 7. And so it was that while they were there the days were accomplished that she should be delivered And she brought forth her first-born Son Luke 2.11 Unto you is born this day in the City of David a Saviour which is Christ the Lord. Prove that he was born of a Virgin St. Matth. 1.22 23. Now all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the Prophet saying Behold a Virgin shall be with Child and shall bring forth a Son Prove that this blessed Virgin 's name was Mary St. Matth. 1.18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise whenas his Mother Mary was espoused to Joseph Prove that he suffered under Pontius Pilate St. Matth. 27.2 And when they had bound him they led him away and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the Governour Prove that he was crucified St. Matth. 27.35 And they crucified him Prove that he was dead St. Luke 23.46 And when Josus had cried with a loud voice he said Father into thy hands I commend my Spirit and having said thus he gave up the Ghost Prove that Jesus Christ was buried St. Matth. 27.59 And when Joseph had taken the body he wrapped it in a clean linen cloath and laid it in his own new Tomb. Prove that he descended into Hell Eph. 4.9 10. Now that he ascended what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the Earth He that descended is the same also that ascended Acts 2.31 He seeing this before spake of the Resurrection of Christ that his Soul was not left in Hell neither his Flesh did see corruption Prove that he rose again the third day from the dead 1 Cor. 15.4 He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures Acts 10.40 Him God raised up the third day Prove that he ascended into Heaven St. Luke 24.51 And it came to pass while he blessed them he was parted from them and carried up into Heaven Acts 1.9 And when he had spoken these things while they beheld he was taken up and a Cloud received him out of their Sight Prove that he sitteth at the Right-Hand of God that is that he is exalted to the greatest Power and Glory in Heaven Mark 16.19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them he was received up into Heaven and sat on the Right-Hand of God Eph. 1.20 21 22. Which he wrought in Christ
not this Pontius Pilate a Governour of the Country where Christ lived when he was on Earth Yes Was there any Sin or Fault in Christ No. Was he not accused by the Jews out of meer Malice Yes Was he not crucified that is nailed to a Cross till he was dead Yes That is were not his Hands and Feet nailed to a piece of Wood till he died Yes Was he content to suffer all this for our Salvation Yes Did not Christ by his Death satisfie God's Justice for our Sins if we repent of them and leave them Yes Shall any partake of the Benefits of Christ's Death but the true pernitent Sinner No. Before Christ was crucified was he not buffeted and spit on scourged and spightfully used Yes Did Christ give up the Ghost and really die upon the Cross Yes When he was dead was he not put into the grave and buried as other dead Men are Yes Did he not continue in the State of the dead for a time Yes When Christ descended into Hell did he suffer any Pains or Torments there No. Did he only descend to triumph over the Devil in his own Kingdom Yes Did he not suffer all this for our Sakes that we might be saved Yes And have we not infinite reason to love and obey him Yes ARTICLE V. The third day he rose again from the dead THough Christ were buried in the Grave does he continue in it to this Day No. Did not Christ come alive again the third day and rise out of the grave by his power Yes Did he not rise again out of it for our Justification Yes That is did he not by his coming out of the Prison of the grave shew that he had paid our debt that God's Justice was satisfied and he acquitted upon our Faith and Repentance Yes And can we ever cease to love and obey him No. ARTICLE VI. He ascended into Heaven And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty DID not Jesus Christ about forty days after he came alive again ascend up to Heaven Yes Was he not carried up to Heaven in a Cloud Yes Is not Jesus now at this present at God's right Hand making Intercession for us Yes You say at the right hand of God why Is not God a Spirit Yes Has a Spirit any hands as we have No. When we say that Christ sitteth at the right hand of God do we not mean that he is exalted to the greatest power and glory Yes Is he not there our Advocate to intercede and plead for us Yes And can we for this pay him less than Love and Obedience No. ARTICLE VII From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead DO you believe there shall be a Day of Judgment Yes Shall not Christ come in that day to judge the World and all Men Yes Shall any Man escape the Judgment of Christ No. Shall he not then turn the wicked into Hell Yes Shall he in that day of Judgment place all good Men in Heaven Yes And should we not prepare our selves for that Judgment Yes Must we not then give an account of what we have done here Yes Must we give an account of our Thoughts Words and Actions Yes Shall any Man be able to hide his Sins from this Judge No. Is there any thing that we do which this Judge sees not No. Is there any thing that we think which Judge hears not No. Is there any thing that we think which this Judge knows not No. What does he see and know our very Thoughts Yes But will he not be a merciful Judge to all truly reformed Penitents Yes And for that reason should you not love and obey him Yes ARTICLE VIII I believe in the holy Ghost DO you believe in the holy Ghost or Spirit Yes Is there any Difference between these words Holy Ghost and Holy Spirit No. Is not the Holy Ghost God Yes Doth not this good and Holy Spirit convert us sanctifie us and comfort us Yes Is not this good and Holy Spirit ready by his Grace to assist us in doing our Duties Yes Is he not said to be grieved when we do not make use of the Grace and Strength afforded us Yes And should we grieve this Holy Spirit by a careless and disobedient Life No. Is it not this holy Spirit that puts into your mind good Desires Yes And should we refuse or neglect to perform them No. ARTICLE IX The Holy Catholick Church The Communion of Saints DO you believe that the whole Company or general Family of true Believers professing the Gospel under Christ their head are the Catholick Church Yes Is not Catholick Church as much as to say Universal Church Yes Are not the preaching of the Word and the due Administration of the Sacraments under Bishops and Pastors lawfully called are not these the Marks of it Yes Is it not Catholick in respect of Persons and Place Time and Doctrine Yes Are all the Believers of this Catholick Church holy by their Calling and Profession Yes Should you ever cease to bless God for being a Member of this Catholick Church No. Were you received into this number of Believers when you were baptized Yes Do you firmly believe the particular Church of England to be a sound part of the Catholick Church Yes Of the Catholick Church is not part on Earth and part in Heaven Yes Is not that part of it which is on Earth called the Church Militant Yes And is not that part of it which is in Heaven called the Church Triumphant Yes Do you believe that there is and ought to be a Communion of Saints Yes Is not this Communion of Saints a Communion one with another in all holy things Yes That is to say are we not to keep a Communion one with another in Faith in Love in Charity in Prayer in hearing the Word and receiving the Sacraments Yes May we forsake or withdraw our selves from the Communion or Fellowship of Christians in holy things No. Do you believe that while the Saints or true Believers on Earth do keep up their Communion with each other in all holy things that they have a Fellowship or Communion with the Blessed Trinity the Angels and the Saints departed Yes ARTICLE X. The Forgiveness of Sins DO you believe there is Forgiveness of Sins to be had in the Church of Christ Yes Can this Forgiveness be had unless we believe in Jesus Christ and repent of them and reform them No. If we do believe in Christ and repent of our Sins and leave them and live a new and Christian life shall we be forgiven Yes Is not Repentance this A turning from Sin to God a lasting durable State of new Life and Reformation Yes If the Sinner then have chosen amiss should he not speedily turn to God and chuse better Yes Is he wise or safe if he neglect to do it one day No. ARTICLE XI The Resurrection of the Body DO you believe that the Bodies of them that
Kingdom of Glory hereafter No. And do we not pray that Satan's Kingdom may be destroyed in us Yes So that do we not pray that Christ as King may rule in our Hearts by his Grace here Yes And that the blessed time may hasten when all his Saints shall reign with him in Glory hereafter Yes III. PETITION Thy will be done in Earth As it is in Heaven WHen we say Thy will be done do we not pray that God would enable us to obey his will Yes Can we do God's will unless he enable us No. And do we not pray that God would enable us to suffer his will patiently in all Afflictions Yes So that do we not mean thy will be done by us and thy will be done in us Yes When we say in Earth as it is in Heaven do we not pray that we may do his will on Earth with the like sincerity and chearfulness as the Angels do in Heaven Yes IV. PETITION Give us this day our daily bread WHen we say Give us this day our daily bread do we not pray that God would give us all things needful for our Bodies Yes And do we not pray that God would bless our lawful endeavours in order to such Supplies Yes And do we not pray that God would give us the continual Supply of his Grace for our Souls Yes Is it reasonable to expect Grace for the Soul and Food and Raiment for the Body unless we pray for it No. By saying Bread are we not taught to pray for necessaries not superfluities Yes In saying our bread do we not mean that which is procured by direct and honest means Yes Our bread that is our own not another's is it not Yes Do we not mean by daily bread that which is convenient for our present condition and occasions Yes In short do we not here pray for all Blessings temporal and spiritual to our Souls aâ—â— Bodies Yes V. PETITION And forgive us our trespasses As we forgive them that trespass against us WHen we say Forgive us our trespasses do we not pray for pardon of Sins Yes Do we not pray that God would for Jesus sake acquit us from the Guilt and Punishment of our Sins Yes Can a Christian pray rightly to God with hatred malice or desires of revenge in his heart No. Can we expect forgiveness of God unless we forgive others their Offences against us No. But if a man have considerably trespassed us may we seek reasonable satisfaction Yes But may we seek it with any hatred or malice or revenge to the Person No. Must not a Christian then seek satisfaction for damages without rigour spight or bitterness Yes Is it not an unchristian thing to go to Law for trifles Yes Or to go to Law for revenge and stoutness of Humour Yes May I go to Law meerly because another has disquieted me by that means No. Must a Christian love his Enemies Yes Though this be hard yet is not Heaven a great reward for it Yes Must a Christian do good to them that hate him when it lies in his power Yes Though this be hard yet is not the promise of a Crown of Glory enough to make amends for it Yes Should we Christians then return these injuries to others which we receive from them No. When we pray Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive c. do we not pray that no man may fare the worse in the day of Judgment for any wrongs done to us Yes And do we not pray in this Petition that God would give us the Grace of Charity and Forgiveness Yes VI. PETITION And lead us not into temptation ARE not the World the Flesh and the Devil alway by their Temptations drawing us to Sin Yes Can we overcome their Temptations without God's help No. When we say Lead us not into Temptation do we not pray that God would not suffer us to be overcome by their Temptations Yes Do we not pray that God would not withdraw his Grace from us Yes Can we stand in Temptations without his Grace No. Well then do we not pray that we may not be grievously tempted to sin Yes Or if we are tempted do we not pray that we may not fall into it Yes And do we not pray that we may not live impenitently in sin if we should fall into it Yes Is it a sin to be tempted No. Does not the sin lie in yielding to the Temptation Yes Can the Devil tempt us without God's permission No. In short do we not pray that God would either restrain the Temptation or assist us in it Yes And is there not daily need of this Petition Yes VII PETITION But deliver us from evil WHen we say Deliver us from evil do we not pray that God would deliver us from all Evils of this life and that to come Yes Especially that he would deliver us from the Evils to which we are tempted Yes Can we deliver our selves out of any Evil without God's help No. And do we not pray that God would keep none of his wrath in store for us Yes Do we pray that God would deliver us from the evil One that is Satan Yes And from the evil of Sin Yes And from the evil of Punishment Yes And from the evil World Yes And from our own evil Heart Yes From evil Thoughts evil Words and evil Actions Yes The CONCLUSION For thine is the Kingdom the Power and the Glory for ever Amen WHen we pray to God should we ever omit to praise him too No. When we say For thine is the Kingdom the Power and the Glory do we not praise him Yes Do we not in these Words acknowledge God to be of infinite Power and Glory Yes Doth not this teach us that the right end of our Prayers should be the Glory of God Yes When we say Amen do we not express our Belief that God can and our desire that he will grant these Requests Yes Is not this therefore an excellent Form of Prayer Yes When a Christian prays to God should he ever leave out this Prayer No. Question What desirest thou of God in this Prayer Answer I desire my Lord God our heavenly Father to send c. DO we not solemnly own God in this Prayer to be our heavenly Father Yes Is not the word Father an endearing word Yes And should you not live in his sight with the reverential Affections the Love and Obedience of a Child Yes And seeing he is a tender Father should not this encourage us to pray to him Yes Would any Man methinks be excused from asking good Things of him who is the giver of all Goodness No. Is it not reasonable we should beg the Grace of God seeing we can do no good thing without it Yes Can we worship him serve him and obey him without the assistance of his Grace No. Is it not reasonable we should beg daily bread all things needful for our Souls and Bodies of our Father from whom alone
Lord Jesus Christ and through Christ of all the Faithful did make Heaven and Earth the World and all things in it seen and unseen out of nothing and by his Word only And thus I believe in God II. ARTICLE And in Iesus Christ his only Son our Lord. THE meaning is I do solemnly profess to believe firmly Jesus Christ my Lord to be the Son of God to be both God and Man That he is the Son of God by eternal Generation who did from Eternity derive his Godhead from the Father As Man he is the Son of God being conceived by the Spirit of God alone So that as he was God from all Ages so being born of a Woman he was made Man for me and my Salvation I believe there is no other Name under Heaven by which we must be saved but Jesus Christ Who though he be Lord of all things by right of the First Creation and constant preservation of them yet he is more peculiarly the Lord of us who by Faith are consecrated to his Service That as God by the work of Creation he is the Lord that made me That as God and Man by the work of Redemption he is the Lord that bought me That he came from Heaven to visit us in great Humility and died to satisfie God's Justice for our Sins I do believe this Holy Jesus who is both God and Man to be and do in all humility and thankfulness love and obedience take him for my Saviour my Advocate my Redeemer and my Lord. And thus I believe in Jesus Christ III. ARTICLE Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost born of the Virgin Mary THE meaning is I do declare that I stedfastly believe That this holy Jesus my Saviour when he was pleased to become Man for me was not conceived as other Men are but after a miraculous manner by the immediate and only Power of the Holy Ghost or Holy Spirit of God was conceived in the Womb of a vertuous and holy blessed and pure Virgin known by the name of Mary Who being espoused to Joseph of Nazareth was yet before and after her Espousals a pure and unspotted Virgin Who after the natural Time of other Women brought forth the holy Infant the only begotten Son of God who was still God as well as an Infant His holy Mother still a most pure and immaculate Virgin A Virgin who was of the House and Lineage of David he being therefore called the Son of David And I Adore the infinite Wisdom of God who caused him to be born without the least shadow of Original Corruption who was to deliver us from the guilt of Sin I Adore the infinite Wisdom of God who caused his Conception and Nativity to be perfectly Immaculate that so being without Sin himself he might be a fit Sacrifice to atone for us Sinners And I Adore the infinite Wisdom of God who was pleased to order that he should be both God and Man who was to be the Mediator between God and Man and to reconcile God and Man And thus I believe he was conceived by the Holy Ghost born of the Virgin Mary IV. ARTICLE Suffered under Pontius Pilate was crucified dead and buried He descended into Hell THE meaning is I do declare that I do assent to this as an undoubted Truth and firmly believe that Jesus Christ my Saviour who was both God and Man having published his Gospel among the Jews he was accused by them out of meer Malice and brought before a Man called Pontius Pilate who was the Roman Governor of the Country where Christ lived which was Judea With Grief and Love I profess to believe that they the Jews tumultuously prevailed with Pilate to sentence him to Death though he declared he found no fault in him The Death which he sentenced him to was that most shameful painful and accursed Death on the Cross Before that Sentence was executed the Jewish Rabble and the Roman Souldiers mocked spit upon buffetted scourged and most vilely abused him I declare with Grief and Love that I believe this my Saviour was Crucified for me that is that his Hands and Feet were nailed to a Cross till he died I believe firmly that he Died as other Men and the reason of it was that he might reconcile the World to his Father and become a Sacrifice for all our Sins or that he might reconcile the Divine Justice and Mercy together that as Man he was to die to suffer in our stead as God he was to merit and make Satisfaction for our Sins and thus he became an infinite Satisfaction to an infinite Justice I entirely believe that when he had given up the Ghost and was dead that his dead Body was by Joseph of Arimathea wrapped in fine Linen and buried in a new Tomb I believe that he being dead and his Soul separated from his Body that he continued in the State of Separation or in the State of the Dead for a time and though between the time that he died and the third Day on which he rose again he did descend into Hell 't was not to suffer any thing there but to triumph over the Devil in his own Kingdom and Quarters and to shew him the Victory he had got over him To break the Iron Bars of these lower Prisons that they might open and shut for ever after only at his Command And thus I believe That he suffered under Pontius Pilate was Crucified dead and buried and descended into Hell V. ARTICLE The third Day he rose again from the dead THE meaning is I do solemnly profess That I assent to this as an undoubted Truth that Jesus Christ our Saviour though he was crucified and died for our Sins and by his Death had overcome Death did not continue long in the State of Death for his Soul was separated from his Body and his Body lay in the Grave but till the Third Day Upon the Third Day after he was buried reckoning that very Day on which he was buried for the First he by his own infinite Power as he was God did revive and raise himself by uniting the same Soul to the same Body and opened his Grave and came out of it and openly shewed himself alive for he conversed with his Disciples for the space of Forty Days after he arose from the Grave till he went away to Heaven And thus I believe that the Third Day he rose again from the Dead VI. ARTICLE He ascended into Heaven and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty THE meaning is I do firmly believe that our dearest Lord after he rose out of the Grave stayed on Earth for the space of Forty Days In which time he ordered his Disciples how they should preach the Gospel and govern the Church and promised them the Holy Ghost At the End of the Forty Days he walks with them a Mile or Two out of the City of Jerusalem and when he had blessed them there comes down a Cloud and
in the sight of them all carried him through the Air into Heaven where he now sits to prepare a place for us and intercedes to God for all faithful penitent Sinners I believe he sits at God's right hand that is that he is there exalted to the greatest Power and Glory Not that God has Hands as we have for God is a Spirit and a Spirit has no Hands as we have But as with us the right Hand is a Place of Honour so I am fully perswaded that Jesus Christ is exalted in Heaven to the greatest Honour Power and Glory and there pleads and mediates with God for all those that believe in him repent of their Disobediences and live a New and Christian Life And thus I believe that he ascended in Heaven and sitteth at the right Hand of God VII ARTICLE From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead THE meaning is I do freely and fully assent to this as an undoubted Truth That Jesus Christ who is both God and Man at the End of the World shall certainly come again with Power and great Glory from the same Heaven into which he ascended attended by his Holy Angels to Judge all Mankind according as they have lived here That every Eye shall see him and they that pierced his Hands and Feet shall behold his Majesty his Terror and his Glory I believe that the World being dissolved and the Earth and all things thereon being burnt up the Lord Jesus shall sit in the Air in a Glorious Throne and shall judge the quick that is all those that shall be alive at his Coming and the dead that is all those that were dead before since the World began That the Records of their Conscience shall be laid open that is all that ever they thought or spake or did shall be brought to their Memory I believe firmly That he will judge them Righteously and them that have lived unholily irreligiously and died impenitently he shall sentence to eternal Darkness But them that have believed in him repented of and reformed their Sins and lived holy and good lives he shall adjudge to dwell with him in Heaven and Happiness for ever And thus I believe he shall come to judge the quick and the dead VIII ARTICLE I believe in the Holy Ghost THE meaning is I firmly believe That the Third Person in the adorable Trinity the Holy Ghost or Holy Spirit is God as well as the Father and the Son I believe him to be a Person distinct from both the Father and the Son eternally proceeding from both and equally sent by both and joint Author with both of our Salvation That though these are Three Persons yet are they but One God and though this cannot be fully understood in this World yet I believe it firmly I believe That as God the Father created me and God the Son redeemed me so this God the Holy Ghost or Holy Spirit sanctifies me offers me his Grace and Assistance to do the Will of God is my Comforter and always 't is he that puts into my Mind good Desires and pious Purposes So that I believe intirely that he is not only of perfect Holiness in himself but also that he is the immediate Cause of all Holiness in us that by him all the Servants of God are enabled to do all things necessary to Salvation which by the force of Nature they cannot do That 't is he who enlightens our Understandings sanctifies our Will orders and commands our Affections that 't is by his Assistances imparted to us that we speak or do any thing of our Duty Thus I believe God the Father God the Son and God the Holy Ghost not to be Three Gods but Three Persons and but One God And though I shall never in this Life fully comprehend this Mystery of the Trinity yet I firmly believe it And thus I believe in the Holy Ghost IX ARTICLE I believe in the Holy Catholick Church The Communion of Saints THE meaning is I do freely profess to believe That Jesus Christ did by the Preaching of the Apostles gather unto himself a Church consisting of Thousands of beliving Persons to which he daily added such as should be saved and will successively and daily add to the same to the End of the World That this Catholick that is Universal Church is the Corporation or general Family of all true Believers Or that Body or Society of Persons that profess Christ and his Gospel and is governed and continued under Bishops and Pastors lawfully called to that Office by whom the Word and Sacraments are duly Preached and administer'd under Christ their Head I firmly believe this Church of Christ to be One Holy and Catholick One in respect of our Faith One in respect of the Sacraments One in respect of being guided and directed by the same Spirit One in respect of One and the same Head Christ Jesus and One in respect of the same Hope of Glory and Immortality Holy in respect of its Head the Holy Jesus Holy by baptismal Dedication Holy in respect of its Design and End Holy in respect of the Holy Offices performed in it all which tend to produce Holiness and Holy in respect of its Calling Profession and Hope Catholick in respect of that Catholick Faith Truth and Doctrine which it teaches Catholick or Universal in respect of that Universal Obedience which it obligeth all Men to Catholick in respect of time that is it shall universally be continued to all Ages to the End of the World Catholick or Universal because 't is made up of all the particular Churches in the World Catholick in respect of that universal War which it always is to hold against all its Ghostly Enemies Catholick or Universal in this Sense that it is not limitted or confined to one Nation as the Church of the Jews was but by the Command and Appointment of Christ to be spread abroad and gathered from all Nations under Heaven I believe That of this Catholick Church part is on Earth and part in Heaven that is the Saints departed are the triumphant part of the Church and all true Believers Lovers and Obeyers of Jesus are the Church Militant And as I ever desire to be a Member of this Holy Catholick Church so I believe there is and ought to be a Communion of the Saints in it that is a Society or Fellowship one with another in all Holy Things As all Saints on Earth or all true Believers have in common One God One Christ One Holy Spirit One Lord One Faith One Baptism So I believe they ever did and ought to keep up a Holy Fellowship or Society with each other in all the common Christian offices and duties in Faith in professing the Gospel in hearing the Word in receiving the Sacraments in Charity and doing good to each other and in all common Christian offices of Piety and Devotion And I fully am perswaded that while the Saints or true Believers on Earth
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
declare and own our selves to be so The First of these the Sacrament by which we begin our journey for Heaven and Immortality the Second of them the Sacrament by which we continue it onward to the end of our days To conclude seeing the first Sacrament that of Baptism was administred to us in our Infancy before we knew it and we are now come to the knowledge of it far be it from us to withdraw our selves from the other Sacrament of our Lord's Supper lest we be found in any degrees to have renounced or dispised our Baptism or to have renounced or neglected the Communion of Saints But as we happily begun for Heaven and Immortality by the Waters of Regeneration so let us by our constant preparation to receive the blood of the Covenant and to attend on these holy Mysteries keep pace with our Lord to the end of this our Pilgrimage here till we come to meet him in his Kingdom And seeing in our Baptism when we were admitted into Covenant with God we promised on our part Faith Repentance and a sincere Obedience to him but by reason of our Infirmities in this imperfect State we have too frequently broken our Conditions of it Oh let us ever take all advantages and opportunities of renewing it with our God again in the Sacrament of our Lord's Supper still labouring to grow from Grace to Grace till all shall end in Glory And may we be so constant in our devout Attendances on this Ordinance so pant and sigh and languish after the divine Grace and Favour by our frequenting it that as the Sacrament of Baptism was one of the First Blessings we received in this World so the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper may be one of the Last Amen THE Church-Catechism Resolved into Scripture-Proofs PART III. Question WHat is your Name Answer N. or M. Question Who gave you this Name Answer My Godfathers and Godmothers in my Baptism wherein I was made a Member of Christ the Child of God and an Inheritor of the Kingdom of Heaven Prove that you were made a Member of Christ in your Baptism 1 Cor. 12.12 13. For as the Body is one and hath many Members and all the Members of that one Body being many are one Body So also is Christ For by one Spirit are we all baptized in to one Body Eph. 5.30 For we are Members of his Body Prove that every one that nameth the Name of Christ is to depart from Iniquity 2 Tim. 2.19 Let every one that nameth the Name of Christ depart from Iniquity Prove that we are not to introduce into the Church the custom of having no Godfathers and Godmothers or to be contentious about it 1 Cor. 11.16 If any Man seem to be contentious we have no such custom neither the Churches of God Prove that you were made a Child of God when you were baptized 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 Prove that you were made an Inheritor of the Kingdom of Heaven when you were baptized Rom. 8.17 And if Children then Heirs Heirs of God and joint Heirs with Christ Mark 10.14 Suffer the little Children to come unto me and forbid them not For of such is the Kingdom of God Question What did your Godfathers and Godmomothers then for you Answer They did promise and vow three things in my Name First that I should renounce the Devil and all his Works the Pomps and Vanity of this Wicked World and all the sinful Lusts of the Flesh Secondly that I should believe all the Articles of the Christian Faith And thirdly that I should keep God's Holy Will and Commandments and walk in the same all the days of my Life Prove that you are bound to renounce the Devil as they promised Jam. 4.7 Resist the Devil Eph. 4.27 Neither give place to the Devil Prove that you are to renounce the works of the Devil 1 Joh. 3.8 For this purpose the Son of God was manifested that he might destroy the works of the Devil Eph. 5.11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of Darkness Shew me what are the works of the Devil And first prove Lying to be a Work of the Devil John 8.44 He is a Lyar and the Father of it Prove slandering or false accusing to be a Work of the Devil Rev. 12.10 The accuser of our Brethren is cast down which accused them before our God day and night Prove Envying a Work of the Devil Jam. 3.14 15. But if ye have bitter Envying and Strife in your Hearts glory not and lye not against the Truth This Wisdom descendeth not from above but is Earthly Sensual Devilish Prove Pride to be a Work of the Devil Isa 14.12 13 14. How art thou fallen from Heaven O Lucifer Son of the Morning For thou hast said in thy Heart I will ascend into Heaven I will exalt my Throne above the Stars of God I will be like the most High Ver. 15. Yet thou shalt be brought down to Hell Prove tempting others to Sin to be a Work of the Devil Matth. 4 1-3 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit in the Wilderness to be tempted of the Devil Ver. 3. And when the Tempter came to him Prove Murther to be a Work of the Devil John 8.44 He was a Murtherer from the beginning Prove going to a Witch or Conjurer to be a Work of the Devil 1 Chron. 10.13 14. So Saul died for his Transgression And also for asking Counsel of one that had a familiar Spirit to enquire of it and enquired not of the Lord therefore he slew him Lev. 20.6 And the Soul that turneth after such as have familiar Spirits and after Wizards to go a Whoring after them I will even set my Face against that Soul Prove the committing any wilful known Sin to be a Work of the Devil 1 Joh. 3.8 He that committeth Sin is of the Devil Prove the word Pomps to be in Scripture Isa 5.14 Therefore Hell hath enlarged herself and opened her Mouth without measure And their Glory and their Multitude and their Pomp and he that rejoiceth shall descend into it Isa 14.11 Thy Pomp is brought down to the Grave Acts 25.23 Bernice came with great Pomp. Prove that you renounc'd the Pomps of the World that is all the Temptations of it all the vain and sinful customs of it Or all Pride Vain-glory and excess in Food and Raiment and in all things else of it Rom. 12.2 And be not conformed to this World 1 Joh. 2.15 Love not the World neither the things that are in the Word i. e. Set not your Heart upon it so as to get or keep any part of it by any unlawful means Prove that you are to renounce the sinful Lusts of the Flesh Gal. 5.24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the Flesh with the Affections and Lusts Prove or shew what these
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
If we now consider as we ought what 't is that is enjoined us in this Commandment and what 't is that is forbidden in it and then reflecting upon our own lives find any of the Duties of it neglected by us in Thought Word or Action how affectionately should we say with the Church Lord have Mercy upon us and incline our Hearts to keep this Law That is Lord pity and pardon all our past Breaches of this Commandment and so incline our Hearts to Love and Obedience for the future that by thy Grace we may very sincerely keep this Law of thine for the remainder of our Days But before we pass from this Fourth Commandment it may not be amiss to touch upon the Reasons of the Change of the Jewish Seventh Day into the Christian Lord's Day the First Day of the Week This Precept of keeping Holy the Seventh Day or Sabbath is partly Ceremonial and partly Moral Now the Ceremonial part of the Jewish Law is done away but the Moral part of it is confirmed perfected and compleated by the Gospel The Ceremonial part of this Commandment was that God be publickly worshipped precisely on the Jewish Sabbath or the Seventh Day The Moral part of it is That a certain and determined time be set out for the publick Worship of the Eternal God And divine Love and Gratitude in us Christians should engage us not to come behind the Jews in the return of our solemn Days of publick Worship Nay Equity requires we should set out One Day in the Week to the more immediate Glorification of God and our religious Duties So that the Jewish Sabbath being abolished as they kept the Seventh Day in memory of the Creation so the Apostles and the Primitive Church and all Ages of it since kept the First Day of the Week in memory of our Lord's Resurrection and our Redemption For as the Redemption of the World was a greater Mercy than the Creation of it and as God rested from his Labours of the Creation on the Seventh Day and our Saviour rested from his Laboure of the New Creation or his Labours of our Redemption on the First Day of the Week when he arose from the Dead so the Apostles and the Church in all Ages since have set apart the First Day of the Week as the Jews were to set apart the Seventh for the peculiar Worship and Service and Glorification of God That our Lord rose from the Dead upon the First Day of the Week we see St. John xx That the Disciples assembled together on the First Day of the Week we are told St. John xx 19. That St. Paul preached and the Disciples met to break Bread that is to receive the Sacrament on the First Day of the Week we read Acts xx 7. That the Holy Ghost descended on the Apostles on the First Day of the Week is certain Acts ij 1. And that Saint John expresly calls it the Lord's-day we read Rev. i. 10. So that as the Moral Equity of the Commandment as well as divine Love and Gratitude obliges us to set apart One Day in Seven for a holy Rest and for religious Purposes so by the Practice of the Apostles and all following Ages of the Church the First Day of the Week was substituted in the room of the Jewish Sabbath which compared with the Scriptures before-mentioned is sufficient to warrant our Practice So that to sum up the whole They the Jews celebrated the Seventh Day by divine Command we the First Day by Apostolical Practice They the Seventh Day or last Day of the Week under the Law of Moses we the First Day of the Week by divine Law under the Gospel Their Seventh Day or Sabbath was Blessed and Sanctified by the Lord's command our First Day was Blessed and Sanctified by our Lord's Resurrection Their Seventh Day was Hallowed by God's resting on it from the Works of the Creation our First Day was Hallowed by our Lord 's resting on it from the Works of the New-Creation when he arose from the Grave Their Seventh Day was kept by them in memory of the great Work of the Creation of the World our First Day kept by us in memory of the greater work of its Redemption Their Seventh Day called the Lord's Sabbath Lev. xxiij 38. and elsewhere in the Old Testament our First Day called the Lord's Day in the New Rev. i. 10. As for any distinct Text in the Gospel for Christ's Abrogating the Judaical Sabbath there is no more reason to expect it than the like for Sacrifices or Circumcision or the Judaical Priesthood Vid. Dr. Hammond in St. Matthew xij 8. a. V. COMMANDMENT Honour thy Father and thy Mother that thy days may be long c. THE meaning is Thou shalt pay a due Respect and Love Duties commanded and Reverence in Heart in outward Speech and Behaviour to all Superiors Thou shalt Reverence and Honour and Love and Pray for thy Natural Parents thy Father and Mother Thou shalt obey their lawful and just Commands and support them in their Needs if thou art able Thou shalt obey honour and love the King pray for him and pay him Tribute Thou shalt obey Magistrates If thou art a Servant thou shalt be faithful and obedient to thy Master and serve him with a conscionable care and diligence Thou shalt esteem respect and love and obey the Doctrines of thy Pastor which are faithfully tendred to thee from the Gospel and pay him his just Dues and Maintenance Thou shalt respect and honour the Aged thy Betters and those that are above thee in Learning Wisdom Goodness or any other Gifts and Graces It is here to be remembred too that all Superiors are to perform their Duties to their Inferiors Kings and those in Authority to protect defend and govern their Subjects Parents to nourish baptize provide for and instruct and bless their Children by their Example and their Prayers Husbands to be faithful to love to defend to protect the Wife as the Wife is to be obedient faithful and affectionate to the Husband Masters to be just to admonish to instruct to be examples to their Servants Ministers to feed the Flock faithfully and diligently by Life and Doctrine Sins forbidden These things are commanded in it and the contrary Vices are forbidden As Inferiors are forbidden to behave themselves proudly scornfully and rudely toward their Betters in Age Gifts or Estate Children forbidden to be undutiful stubborn disobedient and unkind to their Parents Subjects forbidden to rebel against dishonour disobey the King or those in Authority under him People forbidden to despise reject hate or defraud their lawful Pastor Servants forbidden to be stubborn negligent unfaithful or disobedient to their Masters And to encourage all to the Duties of this Commandment as well as to disswade them from the Sins forbidden in it here is added a Promise to the conscionable observers of it of a prosperous and peaceable living upon Earth a long and happy life
here as well as an eternally happy Life hereafter For what length of days in Canaan was to the Jews that to us is immortal Life in Heaven what being excluded thence was then that now is everlasting Death or Banishment into the Regions of Misery So that here again if we reflect on what is injoined us in this Commandment as we ought and what is forbidden in it and then reflecting upon our own Lives find any of the Duties of it neglected by us or any of the Sins against it adventured on in Thought Word or Action how earnestly and devoutly should we say with the Church Lord have Mercy upon us and incline our Hearts to keep this Law That is Lord pity and pardon all our past Breaches of this Commandment and so incline our Hearts to Love and Obedience for the future that by thy Grace we may most sincerely keep this Law of thine for the remainder of our Days VI. COMMANDMENT Thou shalt do no Murder Sins forbidden THE meaning is Thou shalt not commit either the murder of the Heart the murder of the Tongue or the murder of the Hand and Actions Thou shalt not be guilty of the murder of the Heart by Malice Envy Revenge Contention inward Cruelty or Hatred for he that hateth his Brother is a murderer Or by inward ill Wishes Curses or Desires of mischief to his Life or Health Thou shalt not be guilty of the murder of the Tongue by any virulent bitter intemperate and contumelious speaking railing or reviling by any rash causeless immoderate or implacable Anger that expresses it self in foul provoking and reproachful Language calling of names Fool Raca or the like Thou shalt not commit the murder of the Hand and Actions by beating maiming wounding killing any other or by doing hurt to the Body Life and Health of thy Neighbour Thou shalt by no means fight a Duel Thou shalt not procure Abortions or Miscarriages Thou shalt not be a quarreller or unpeaceable or contentious person or sow strifes and dissentions Here also is forbidden all unjust and unlawful War Thou shalt not willingly hasten thy own or any others Death Thou shalt not by oppression or violence so imbitter any Man's Spirit as to make his Life sad and miserable or his Death hasty Thou shalt not conceal the dangers of thy Neighbour which thou canst safely discover Thou shalt not willfully vex threaten keep in fear disquiet or grieve thy Neighbour Thou shalt not contrive with or imploy any other to harm him Much less shalt thou murder or injure the Souls of others by encouraging ensnaring tempting commanding or any way drawing them to sin Thou shalt not be guilty of unmercifulness cruelty inhumanity grudging repining and rancour and disdain against others Thou shalt not be a person given to irreconciliation frowardness implacableness mocking scoffing brawling clamour detraction or censoriousness Duties commanded So that these things being forbidden it follows that what we are here commanded is That we use all lawful endeavours and means to preserve our own and our Neighbour's Life and Health and Safety As much as in us lies to preserve and follow Peace with all Men. To prevent as far as possible and hinder all murther of the Tongue Heart or Hand To be merciful bountiful and charitable to all that are necessitous and in distress To be gentle long-suffering courteous affable and kind to all Men. To love one another forbear one another forgive one another to do all offices of Charity for one another to be easily pacified and reconciled to one another ready to return good for evil to repay injuries with kindness to compassionate succour and relieve one another in necessity misery or danger according to our abilities and opportunities to be compassionately zealous to save the Life the Eternal Life of Souls by endeavouring to reclaim the Wicked by friendly seasonable and affectionate advice reproof and exortation And now if we consider here as we ought what 't is that is enjoined us in this Commandment and what is forbidden in it and then reflecting upon our own lives find any of the Duties of it neglected by us or any of the Sins against it adventured on in Thought Word or Action how affectionately should we always say with the Church Lord have mercy upon us and incline our Hearts to keep this Law That is Lord pity and pardon all our past Breaches of this Commandment and so incline our Hearts to love and obey thee for the future that through thy Grace we may most sincerely keep this Law of thine for the remainder of our Days VII COMMANDMENT Thou shalt not commit Adultery THE meaning is Thou shalt watchfully preserve thy Soul and Body in the Purity and Chastity either of single Life Duties commanded or lawful Marriage Thou shalt keep all the Parts of thy Body which is the Temple of the Holy Ghost chast and undefiled Thou shalt be Chast in Heart in Tongue and in Behaviour Thou shalt have a Chast Hand and Eye and Ear. Thou shalt avoid all opportunities means occasions and instruments of defiling either thy Neighbour or thy self Thou shalt use that sobriety temperance and moderation in Meats and Drinks and that modesty in Behaviour and Apparel as may be most conducive to the preservation of Chastity and Purity Thou shalt by Watching Fasting and Prayer by keeping sober honest and chast Company by avoiding Idleness or by Lawful and Holy Marriage offer up to God that most acceptable Sacrifice of a pure Soul and a chast Body These things being here commanded us we are forbidden as follows Thou shalt not commit or be Sins forbidden guilty of any actions of uncleanness with thy self or any other Thou shalt not use any filthy or unchast words immodest or impure Communications or Gestures Thou shalt not violate thy Neighbour's Bed or break thy own Marriage Vow or cause others to break theirs by Adultery Thou shalt not commit Incest Beastiality Sodomy Polygamy or having more Wives than one Whoredom or Fornication Thou shalt not willingly admit or delight in unchast and unclean thoughts fancies desires and imaginations Thou shalt not commit the Adultery or Fornication or unchastity of the Eye Hand or Heart Thou shalt not be guilty of wanton dalliances with others or of pollution of thy own Body Thou shalt not tempt or betray thy self or others to the least degrees of Uncleanness by those things that provoke and feed Lust as Lascivious Company or Discourse Songs Books or Pictures by Luxurious Diet Idleness wantor Dresses and immodest Actions Here also if we seriously consider as we ought what 't is that is enjoined us in this Commandment and what is forbidden in it and then reflecting upon our own Lives find any of the duties of it neglected by us or any of the Sins against it sadly adventured on by us in Thought Word or Action how affectionately should we say with the Church Lord have Mercy upon us and incline our Hearts