Holy Ghost 2. A Unity of Essence or sameness of Nature the Father is God the Son is God and the Holy Ghost is God. 3. A difference of Offices or Operations The Father Creates the Son Redeems and the Holy Ghost Sanctifieth Q. What doth the first Branch of the Creed respect A. God the Father and his Work of Creation Q. What is God Article 1. I believe in God. A. God is an Infinite a Eternal b and Incomprehensible Being c having all Perfection in and of himself d a 1 King. 8.27 Behold the heaven the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee b Psal 90.2 From everlasting to everlasting thou art God. c Job 11.7 Canst thou by searching find out God Canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection d Exod. 3.14 I am that I am Q. How is God said to be a Father The Father A. 1. As he created all things 1 Cor. 8.6 God the Father of whom are all things 2. As he is the Father of Christ 2 Cor. 1.3 Blessed be God even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ Q. What do you understand by Almighty Almighty A. 1. That God hath all Power in himself without deriving it from any other a and that all Power is derived from him b a Psal 62.11 Power belongeth unto God. b 2 Chron. 20.12 O our God we have no might but our eyes are upon thee 2. That he hath the Power of doing all things Matth. 19.26 With God all things are possible Q. Are there not some things impossible to God A. Nothing but what either he could not be God if it was possible to him or else what in the Nature of it implies a Contradiction Q. What are those things which he could not be God if they are possible to him A. 1. Such things as are Evil Hab. 1.13 Thou canst not look on iniquity Tit. 1.2 God that cannot lie 2. Such as imply Infirmity as to be Ignorant or Mortal Heb. 4.13 Neither is there any Creature that is not manifest in his sight but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do Q. What are the things which in their Nature imply a Contradiction A. Such as these To be and not to be at the same time to be a Wafer and the Body of Christ That the Body of Christ should be in Heaven and yet at the same time be in the Earth To be one distinct Body and yet to be many Bodies as in the Host Q. What is meant by Heaven and Earth Maker of Heaven Earth A. The World and all things that are therein Gen. 1.1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth Acts 17.24 Q. Of what did God make the World A. Out of nothing Heb. 11.3 The things which are seen were not made of things which do appear Q. How is the World preserved A. By the same Divine Power that made it Nehem. 9. Thou hast made the heaven of heavens with all their bost the Earth and all things that are therein the Seas and all that is therein and thou preservest them all Q. What doth the second Branch of the Creed respect Article 2. And in Jesus Christ A. God the Son and his Work of Redemption Q. What is declared in this Branch A. 1. The Person of our Redeemer 2. His Humiliation And 3. Exaltation Q. How is he describ'd A. By his Names and Relations Q. By what Names is the Son of God call'd in Scripture A. The Word Jesus Christ Q. How doth the name Word belong to him A. It 's given to him as he was in being before he came into the World. John 1.1 In the beginning was the Word Col. 1.17 He is before all things Q. How doth the name Jesus belong to him A. It was his proper Name which was given him by Gods appointment a and by which he was known amongst Men b a Matth. 1.21 Thou shalt call his name Jesus b John 9.11 A man that is called Jesus Luke 2.21 Q. What doth the name Jesus signify A. It signifies a Saviour Q. Why was he called Jesus A. Because he was to save his people from their sins Matth. 1.21 1 Tim. 1.15 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation that Christ Jesus came into the World to save sinners Q. How doth the name Christ belong to him A. As he was the Messias or Christ prophesied of in the Old Testament Dan. 9.25 26. Messiah the Prince Messiah shall be cut off but not for himself John 20.31 These are written that ye may believe that Jesus is the Christ Q. What doth the word Christ signify A. It 's the same with Messiah and signifies Anointed John 1.41 The Messias which is being interpreted the Christ or the Anointed as it 's in the margin Q. Why was he called the Christ or Anointed A. Because he was in a Spiritual manner to perform the Offices belonging to God's Anointed a to Kings b Priests c and Prophets d a Psalm 105.15 b 1 Kings 1.34 c Exod. 40.13 d 1 King. 19.16 Q. How was he a King A. To govern his Church Ephes 1.22 He hath put all things under his feet and gave him to be the head over all things to the Church Q. How was he a Priest A. As he did make an atonement a intercedes for b and blesses c his Church a Rom. 5.11 We joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ by whom we have now received the atonement 1 Joh. 2.2 b Heb. 7.25 He ever liveth to make intercession for them c Acts 3.26 God having raised up his Son Jesus sent him to bless you in turning away every one of you from his iniquities Q. How was he a Prophet A. To teach his Church which he did a in his Person and by his Spirit b Word c and d Ministry a Isa 61.1 The Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek c. Luke 4.18 b John 14.26 The comforter which is the Holy Ghost whom the Father will send in my name he shall teach you all things c 1 Pet. 1.25 The word of the Lord endureth for ever And this is the word which by the Gospel is preached unto you 2 Cor. 5.19 20 21. d Matth. 28.19 20. Go ye therefore and teach Disciple all nations teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you Ephes 4.11 Gal. 6.6 Q. How was Christ anointed A. He was anointed with the Holy Ghost a which he received without measure b a Acts 10.38 God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost b John 3.34 God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him Col. 1.19 Q. How is Christ the only Son of God His only Son A. As he derived his Essence from the Father Heb. 1.4 5. Made so much better than the Angels as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent Name than they for unto which of the Angels said he at any time Thou art my Son this day
of our Saviour's Victory over Death Rom. 6 9. Christ being raised from the dead died no more death hath no more dominion over him Q. After what manner did our Saviour Ascend into Heaven Article 6. He ascended into Heaven A. He ascended Bodily Locally Visibly a and Triumphantly b a Acts 1.9 While they beheld he was taken up b Ephes 4.8 When he ascended up on high he led Captivity captive Q. Was Christ to abide Bodily in Heaven A. Yes till the end of the World Acts 3.21 Whom the Heavens must receive until the times of the Restitution of all things Q. How is this Phrase The right Hand of God And sitteth on the right band of God. to be understood A. Figuratively for God is a Spirit a and hath no Body nor parts of it b a Joh. 4.24 b Luke 24.39 A Spirit hath not Flesh and Bones Q. What doth the right Hand of God signify in a figurative Sence A. 1. It signifies Power Luke 22.69 Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God. 2. Dignity Heb. 1.3 4. He sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high being made so much better than the Angels c. 3. Dominion Acts 2.34 35. The Lord said unto my Lord Sit thou on my right hand until I make thy foes thy footstool Q. What doth sitting at the right Hand of God signify A. It signifies the full Possession of that Power Dignity and Dominion Heb. 10.12 This man after he had offered one Sacrifice for sins for ever sat down on the right hand of God. Q. What doth Christ do at the right hand of God A. He appears in the Presence of God for us a as our Mediator b Intercessor c and Advocate d a Heb. 9.24 Christ is entered into Heaven it self now to appear in the presence of God for us b 1 Tim. 2.5 c Rom. 8.34 d 1 John 2.1 Q. What is the ground of his Mediation A. 1. That he is God a Man b partaker of the nature of both a Heb. 4.14 A high Priest Jesus the Son of God. b 1 Tim. 2.5 There is one Mediator between God and Men the Man Christ Jesus 2. As he pleads for us in the Virtue and Merit of his own Blood. Heb. 9.12 By his own Blood he entred in once into the holy place having obtained eternal Redemption for us Q. Is Christ the alone Mediator A. There is one Mediator between God and Men the Man Christ Jesus 1 Tim. 2.5 Q. Why is Christ the alone Mediator A. 1. Because he alone is partaker of both Natures God-Man 2. Because he only can plead for us that made an Atonement by his Blood 1 Tim. 2.5 6. There is one Mediator between God and Men the Man Christ Jesus who gave himself a ransom for all Rom. 8.34 Q. Why is the Phrase Father Almighty Father Almighty added to this Article A. It 's to signify that Christ as our Mediator is invested by the Father with a fulness of Authority Power and Dominion in recompence of that Humiliation he submitted to Acts 5.30 31. Jesus whom ye slew and hanged on a tree him hath God exalted with to his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour Phil. 2.7 8 9. Q. What is the fourth Branch of Christ's Exaltation Article 7. From thence he shall come to judgthe Quick and the Dead A. His Coming to Judgement Acts 17.31 He will judge the World in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained c. Q. Whence shall he come A. From Heaven 1 Thes 4.16 The Lord himself shall descend from Heaven c. Matth. 25.31 Q. Whom shall he judge A. All Men the Quick who now are or hereafter shall be and the Dead Acts 10.42 It is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of Quick and Dead Q. For what shall he judge them A. For all things a whether Secret b or Open. a 2 Cor. 5.10 We must all appear before the judgment-seat of Christ that every one may receive the things done in his Body according to that he hath done whether it be good or bad b Eccles 12.14 God shall bring every work into Judgement with every secret thing Q. Article 8. I believe in the Holy Ghost What is the Holy Ghost A. The third Person in the sacred Trinity 1 Joh. 5.7 There are three that bear record in Heaven the Father the Word and the Holy Ghost Q. Why is he call'd the Holy Ghost A. Because of his Office which is in Christ's stead to gather sanctify and govern the Church Eph. 5.25 26. Christ loved the Church and gave himself for it that he might sanctifie and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word c. Tit. 3.4 5. The kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared according to his mercy he saved us by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost Q. Article 9. The Holy Catholick Church What doth the word Catholick signify A. It signifies Vniversal Q. What is the Catholick Church A. It 's the whole Society of Christians dispersed over all the World as they are gathered under one Head Christ Jesus Col. 1.18 He is the head of the Body the Church Q. Why is the term Catholick applied to the Christian Church A. To distinguish it from the Jewish Church which was confined to one Nation a whereas the Christian Church is extended to all Nations b. a Psal 147.19 20. He sheweth his word unto Jacob c. he hath not dealt so with any nation b Matth. 28.19 Go ye teach all nations 1 Cor. 12.13 Q. Can any particular Church as that of Rome be called the Catholick Church A. No no more than the City of Rome is the whole World. Q. How is the Church said to be holy A. As the Jews were said to be a holy Nation a by being taken into Covenant with God and as we are under the obligation of being holy b a Exod. 19.6 b 1 Thes 4.7 God hath called us unto holiness Q. What are the privileges belonging to the Catholick Church A. They are four 1. The Communion of Saints 2. The forgiveness of sins 3. The Resurrection of the body 4. Life everlasting Communion of Saints Q. How is the word Saints to be understood A. It 's to be understood of all those that are visible members of Christ's Church Rom. 1.7 To all that be at Rome called to be Saints that is Christians Q. What is the first privilege A. Communion of Saints 1 Joh. 1.3 7. Truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ V. 7. If we walk in the light as he is in the light we have fellowship one with another Q. In what doth this Communion consist A. It consists in a fellowship in the Ordinances of Divine Worship a and of charity one towards another b a Act. 2.42 They continued stedfastly in the Apostles Doctrine and Fellowship
Name Q. What is meant by Hallowing A. 1. Thereby is meant the setting apart any thing for an holy use and service Thus God is said to Hallow the seventh day Exod. 20.11 and to Hallow the Children of Israel Levit. 22.32 2. By Hallowing is meant the using of what is holy after an holy manner So Levit. 22.32 I will be hallowed among the children of Israel See Levit. 10.3 Q. What then do you pray for in this Petition A. I pray that God himself may be honour'd known esteemed worshipped and praised a his Providence may be celebrated his service respected And especially that I and all others may be the happy instruments of doing honour to him his service and Religion by a holy and useful conversation b a Psal 113.2 3. Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth and for evermore From the rising of the Sun to the going down of the same the Lords name is to be praised b 1 Cor. 10.31 Whether ye eat or drink or whatsoever ye do do all to the glory of God. Mat. 5.16 Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorifie your Father which is in Heaven Q. What is the second Petition Petit. 2. A. Thy Kingdom come Q. What is meant by the Kingdom of God A. That state which is begun by Grace in this world a and is perfected by Glory in the world to come b a Rom. 6.14 Ye are not under the Law but under Grace Mat. 21.43 The Kingdom of God or the Gospel shall be taken from you c. Mat. 24.14 b Mat. 13.43 The righteous shall shine forth as the Sun in the Kingdom of their Father 1 Cor. 15.24 Q. What is signified by the coming of that Kingdom A. We therein pray that this Kingdom may so come with power a that it may prevail where it is and be received where it is not that the Kingdom of Sin and Satan may be utterly destroy'd b and all the Kingdoms of this world may become the Kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ when he shall reign for ever and ever Revel 11.15 a Mark 9.1 b 1 Cor. 15.25 He must reign till he hath put all enemies under his feet Q. What is the third Petition Petit. 3. A. Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven Q. What do you understand by the will of God which you pray may be done on earth A. I therein pray that God will accomplish in his good time whatever he hath promised a that I and all others may readily obey whatever he requires b and patiently submit to whatever he inflicts c a Ezek. 36.36 37. I the Lord have spoken it and I will do it I will yet for this be enquired of by the house of Israel to do it for them b 1 Chron. 28.9 Serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind c Act. 21.14 We ceased saying The will of the Lord be done Q. Petit. 4. What is the fourth Petition A. Give us this day our daily bread Q. What 's meant by Bread A. All food for sustenance Gen. 43.31 34. He said unto them Set on Bread. Q. Is not this term Bread also used in a spiritual sense A. Yes as Joh. 6.32 And so it 's also applied in the Catechism when we are said to be taught from hence to pray unto God that he will send us all things that be needful both for our souls and bodies Q. What is meant by daily Bread A. That which is every day necessary for our subsistence and convenient for our comfort Prov. 30.8 Feed me with food convenient for me Q. Why do we every day pray Give us this day our daily bread A. Because we every day depend upon God for the supply of what we want and for the preserving continuing and blessing of what we have Deut. 8.3 Man doth not live by bread only but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live Mat. 4.4 1 Tim. 4.4 Q. What are you taught from hence A. 1. To be contented with my present portion in the world which God thinks fit to give me and I receive from him Heb. 13.5 Be content with such things as ye have 2. To depend continually upon God from whom all good doth proceed Jam. 1.17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above c. 3. To have recourse to him for whatever good I want and to praise him daily for whatever I have and receive Phil. 4.6 In every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. Q. What is the fifth Petition A. And forgive us our trespasses Petit. 5. as we forgive them that trespass against us Q. What is meant by Trespasses A. All sins of what sort or degree soever Col. 2.13 You being dead in your sins hath he quickned together with him having forgiven you all Tresposses Q. What is contained in that Branch As we forgive them that trespass against us A. Therein is set forth 1. The excellency of this grace of forgiving others as a qualification that where ever it is renders our prayers acceptable to God. Luk. 6.37 Forgive and ye shall be forgiven 2. The necessity of it as it 's a condition without which we shall not be forgiven Mat. 6.15 If ye forgive not men their trespasses neither will your Father forgive your trespasses 3. The importance of it as it 's an Argument for God to forgive us Luk. 11.4 Forgive us our sins for we also forgive every one that is indebted to has offended us Q. What is the sixth Petition A. Petit. 6. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil Q. What is meant by Temptation A. Thereby is meant such an occasion as may try a person's integrity and stedfastness of mind and in the event may be a means of our falling into sin Gen. 22.1 God did tempt Abraham 2 Chron. 32.31 Q. What do you then pray against in this clause Lead us not into Temptation A. I pray that God would not bring or suffer me to be brought into such circumstances as may through the lust of the flesh the love of the world or instigation of the Devil endanger my innocency here or salvation hereafter 1 Cor. 10.13 God is faithful who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able c. Q. What is the Evil you pray to be delivered from A. 1. The evil of sin Habac. 1.13 Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil and canst not look on iniquity 2. The evil of affliction and punishment Jer. 18.8 If that Nation turn from their evil I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them 3. The evil world a and all the allurements and terrors of it a Gal. 1.4 4. The Devil the Tempter to sin Mat. 4.3 5. Damnation which is the wages of it Rom. 6.23 The wages of
is the means and pledge of 1 John 3.2 Now are we the sons of God. Acts 2.38 39. Then Peter said 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 For the promise is unto you and to your Children and to all that are afar off even as many as the Lord our God shall call Q. Is Baptism alone sufficient to Salvation A. No not alone without the new birth thereby signified without we are dead unto sin and alive unto God through Jesus Christ Rom. 6.3 4 11. Q What is required of persons to be Baptized A. Repentance a whereby they forsake sin and Faith b whereby they stedfastly believe all that is revealed by Christ and particularly the Promises of God made to them in that Sacrament a Acts 2.38 41. Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins c. b Acts 8.37 If thou believest with all thine heart thou mayest be Baptized Q. Why then are Infants Baptized when by reason of their tender age they cannot perform them A. Because they promise them both Repentance and Faith by their Sureties which promise when they come to age themselves are bound to perform Q. Can Children be obliged where they do not actually consent A. Yes it was so under the Law a when Children were taken into Covenant and were circumcis'd at eight days old b and thenceforward were accounted God's Children c a Deut. 29.10 11 12. Ye stand this day all of you before the Lord your captains of your tribes your little ones That thou shouldst enter into covenant with the Lord. b Gen. 17.12 13 14. c Ezek. 16.20 21. Thou hast slain my children and deliver'd them to cause them to pass through the fire to Moloch Q. What warrant is there for the Baptism of Infants though born of Christian Parents A. The same that is for grown persons born of Christian Parents and that is because the Covenant belongs to them Acts 2.39 The promise is unto you and to your children 1 Cor. 7.14 Else were your children unclean but now as born of believing Parents are they holy Q. The Lord's Supper Why was the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper ordained A. For the continual remembrance of the Sacrifice of the death of Christ and of the benefits which we receive thereby Q. Why is this Sacrament called the Lord's Supper A. It 's called the Lord's Supper a as it was ordained by our Lord at Supper b immediately before his death a 1 Cor. 11.20 This is not to eat the Lord's Supper b Matt. 26.26 Q. For what end did our Lord ordain it A. 1. As a Sign and Representation of the Sacrifice of his Death and a means to keep up the remembrance of it a 2. As a means to conveigh and a pledge to assure us of the benefits we receive thereby b a 1 Cor. 11.24 Take eat this is my body c. this do in remembrance of me b Matt. 26.28 This Wine is my blood of the new testament which is shed for many for the remission of sins Q. Why is Christ's Death called a Sacrifice A. It 's call'd a Sacrifice a because he was a Sacrifice for sin b a Heb. 9.26 He put away sin by the sacrifice of himself b 2 Cor. 5.21 He hath made him to be sin a Sin-offering for us who knew no sin Q. How long is this Ordinance to continue A. It 's for the continual remembrance of his death till he come 1 Cor. 11.26 As often as ye eat this bread and drink this cup ye do shew the Lord's death till he come Acts 1.11 Q. What is the outward part or sign of the Lord's Supper A. Bread and Wine which the Lord hath commanded to be received Q. Are both the Elements Bread and Wine to be equally used A. Yes for the Lord commanded both to be received 1 Cor. 11.23 24. I received of the Lord That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread c. After the same manner also he took the Cup c. Q What is the inward part or thing signified A. The Body and Blood of Christ which are verily and indeed taken and received by the faithful in the Lord's Supper Q. Are the Bread and Wine changed after consecration A. Not otherwise than in their use for they remain the same in Nature and Substance as before So it 's thrice called Bread 1 Cor. 11.26 27 28. Q. What is the Body and blood of Christ which are said to be verily and indeed taken and received by the faithful A. 1. Negatively It 's not the natural Body and Blood of Christ 1. Because the Catechism saith the inward part or thing signified by the Bread and Wine in the Sacrament is the Body and Blood of Christ and so the Bread and Wine are the Signs of that Body and Blood and not the very natural Body and Blood. 2. Because it 's said the Body and Blood of Christ are verily and indeed taken and received therein by the faithful in opposition to Unbelievers who as our Article 29th saith Eat not the Body of Christ in the Lord's Supper 2. I answer positively That by the Body and Blood of Christ is meant Christ himself who suffer'd in his Body and shed his Blood for us John 6.53 54 55 56. Except ye eat the flesh of the son of man and drink his blood ye have no life in you c. His Flesh and Blood That is himself as it immediately follows v. 57. He that eateth me even he shall live by me Q. How is the Body and Blood of Christ verily and indeed taken and received by the faithful in the Lord's Supper A. The Faithful do receive Christ who thus suffered in his Body and shed his Blood by Faith. As the Flesh and Blood of Christ are Christ himself so Eating and Receiving are the same with Believing John 6.35 I am the bread of life he that cometh to me shall never hunger and he that believeth on me shall never thirst Ver. 51. If any man eat of this bread he shall live for ever Vers 54. Who so eateth my flesh c. ver 56 57. Q. Are the Benefits we receive by Christ another thing than his Flesh and Blood A. Yes They differ as much as Christ himself doth from the Benefits he hath purchased for us Q. What are the Benefits whereof we are partakers thereby A. The strengthning and refreshing of our Souls by the Body and Blood of Christ as our Bodies are by the Bread and Wine Q. How are our Souls strengthned and refreshed by the Body and Blood of Christ A. Our Souls are strengthned and refreshed in the Lord's Supper by our belief in Christ that suffered in his Body and shed his Blood for us a which is more especially exhibited and set forth in this Ordinance b a John 6.35 Jesus said I am the bread of life he that cometh to me shall never hunger and he that believeth on me shall never thirst Vers 51. I am the living bread which came down from heaven If any man eat of this bread he shall live for ever And the bread that I will give is my flesh which I will give for the life of the world b 1 Cor. 10.16 The cup of blessing which we bless is it not the Communion or participation of the blood of Christ The bread which we break is it not the communion of the body of Christ Q. What is required of them who come to the Lord's Supper A. 1. To examine themselves a whether they repent them truly of their former sins b stedfastly purposing to lead a new life c a 1 Cor. 11.28 Let a man examine himself and so let him eat of that bread c. b 1 Cor. 11.20 21. This is not to eat the Lord's Supper For in eating at their Love-Feasts before the Communion one is hungry and another is drunken Vers 31. If we would judge our selves we should not be judged c Isa 1.16 17 18. Wash ye make you clean put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes cease to do evil learn to do well c. Come now and let us reason together saith the Lord c. 2. To have a lively Faith in Gods mercy through Christ Act. 26.18 That they may receive forgiveness of sins by faith that is in me Act. 4.12 Neither is there Salvation in any other for there is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved 1 Cor. 11.29 He that eateth and drinketh unworthily eateth and drinketh damnation to himself not discerning the Lord's body 3. With a thankful remembrance of his Death 1 Cor. 11.26 For as often as ye eat this bread and drink this cup ye do shew forth the Lord's death till he come 1 Cor. 6.19 20. 4. And to be in Charity with all men 1 Cor. 10.17 We being many are one bread and one body for we are all partakers of that one bread Ephes 5.2 Walk in love as Christ also hath loved us and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God. Matt. 5.23 24. If thou bring thy gift to the altar and there remembrest that thy brother hath ought against thee Leave there thy gift before the altar and go thy way first be reconciled to thy brother whom thou hast wrong'd or offended and then come and offer thy gift FINIS The young Reader is to take notice that the Letters a b c d refer to the Scriptures that follow and which are to prove every point so marked