our Addresses he knows our wants 6. To Conquer mans enemies in that nature which was Tempted for our enemies greater Terrour Homil. of Engl. on Nativ and our greater Comfort 7. To bring our human nature to Glory Q. How do you prove Christ to have been Man A. 1. He had the natural properties of Man He was born was a Child grew in Stature Mat. 1.2 Luk. 1.80 walked sate c. 2. He had the parts of a Man A Body in all parts like ours Eyes Ears Tongue and he had a Soul with Sense Reason Will Affections 3. He had the infirmities of man Hungred Thirsted Wept 4. He had the sufferings man was liable to wept groaned was crucified died Q. How is Christs human Nature proposed in the Creed A. By his Conception Birth Crucifixion Death and Burial Q. How is Christs Birth set down A. As conceived of the Holy Ghost born of the Virgin Mary whence appears his two Natures God and Man Q. Why is Christ said to be conceived by the Holy Ghost A. Mat. 1.18 1. To manifest his Deity he was not conceived after the ordinary way of Generation but from above 2. To manifest his purity who was to be without sin being to suffer for ours Q. Why was he born of the Virgin Mary A. 1. To manifest him to be of the Tribe the Messiah was to come of Mat. 1. Luke 3. 2. That he might be free from original as well as actual Sins of which all are guilty who are born after the ordinary way of Generation 3. B. Pearson on Creed p. 179. To give both Sexes hopes of Salvation thro him as being of one and from the other Q. Why doth the Creed pass immediately from Christs Birth to his Crucifixion A. 1. Christs Life was but as one continued act of suffering because our Life is as one continued act of sinning 2. His Life appears full of sufferings persecuted and put to flight by Herod as soon as born Mat. 2. 4. 26. 27. Tempted and accused by Satan Crucified and put to Death by his Instruments 3. The grand design of his Incarnation was to suffer for our sins Q. What was Pontius Pilate under whom Christ suffered A. A Governour sent by the Romans B. Pearson on Creed p. 194. and by them placed over the Jews who had then been sixty years subject to the Romans And his name in our Creed is mentioned that we might by History 10 find the truth and certainty of our Faith and the Reality of our Saviours sufferings Q. Why did Christ suffer under him A. 1. Gen. 49. That he might fulfil the Prophecy of the Messiahs coming when the Scepter was departed from Judah Gal. 3.10 B. Pearson on Creed p. 196. Their Governours being now Romans 2. That he might be crucified according to that curse mentioned to be on him for us Which was not a Death used among the Jews Q. What are the parts of Christs Sufferings A. His being Crucified Dead Buried his descending into Hell Q. Why was Christ Crucified A. Psal 22.16 Numb 21.8 John 3.15 16. 1. It was Prophecyed of the Messiah 2. Typified in the Brazen Serpent 3. To take away the curse due to us he became a curse for us 4. To represent by the extending his Arms on the Cross Christs readiness to receive all returning sinners Q. Why did Christ suffer Death A. Isa 53. Confes Saxon. art 3. Heb. 2.15 Leighs body of Divinity p. 583. 1. It was Prophecyed of the Messiah 2. Sin deserved Death Rom. 6.23 3. To manifest sins evil and his love John 15.12 4. For Satans greater Terrour to destroy him by that by which he thought to have destroyed man 5. For our greater comfort our Death is without a sting 1 Cor. 15.56 Q. Why was Christ Buried A. Isa 57.2 Leighs body c. p. 603. 1. To evidence the reality of his Death 2. To sweeten the Grave for us 3. To Conquer Death in his own Dominions Hos 14.14 1 Cor. 15.56 57. 4. To render his own and our Resurrection the more manifest Q. What is meant by Christs descent into Hell A. 1. It is interpreted by some to be a real Local descent B. Bilson on Articl as if Christ did really descend into Hell the place of the damned and there triumph over Satan in his own Territories to his greater Terror 2. Some assert that tho Christ did not Locally descend into Hell B. Nicholson on Cat. p. 49. yet he did virtually that is the powers of Hell felt the efficacy of his Death to their destruction and his eternal conquest and this may safely be believed Q. But did not Christ go down into Hell to deliver the Patriarchs who died before him A. That was not necessary because Calvin Institut l. 2. c. 16. sect 8. B. Ushers answer to Jesait p. 27â— Hom. of Engl. on Faith 1. Christs death was equally meritorious before his Incarnation as it is now after it 2. He was promised soon after the fall of Man so that they knew as well that Christ would come as we do that he is come 3. They had the same Christ Ordinances Spirit and Faith as we have 4. Several were in Heaven before Christs Ascension as Flias 2 Kings 12.11 Moses Luke 9.30 I azarus Luke 16.22 The Thief on the Cross c. Q. What other interpretations are there of Christs descent into Hell A. 1. His being Dead and Buried also Book 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Prayer Nicaean Aâ—han 〈…〉 For where the Burial of Christ is ment oned his descent into Hell is lest out as in the Nicaean Creed and where his de 〈◊〉 into Hell is mentioned his Burial is omitted as in the Athanasian Creed 2. Christs being in the state of the Dead B. Ushers answer to Jesuit p. 341.395.412.413 B. Pearson on Creed p. 250. That as his Soul and Body were really separated by the dissolution of their vital Union so Christs Body went to the place of dead mens Bodys and his Soul to the place of dead mens Souls As two very Reverend Prelates and Lights of our English Church have declared as their sense of the Article and as the Universal consent of Christians Q. Did Christ suffer in Soul and Body A. Mat. 26. Mat. 27. 1. Yes he suffered in his body Hunger Thirst Weariness Thorns on his Head Nails in his Hands and Feet Spear in his Side Buffettings and Spittings on his Face and at last a most cursed ignominious painful death 2. He suffered in his Soul sadness and anguish Mat. 26.36 sorrow and fear trouble and agony So great that he three times declares it and begs if it was his Fathers Will the Cup might pass from him Luke 22.44 so great that under it his blood was so rarified that his sweat was drops of blood Mat. 27.44 Yea so great that he felt the pains of Hell the pains of sense being so sharp that they made him
in the New Testament because it was so fully known in the Old that Children were within the Covenant and admitted to the Seal of it That Baptizing them is not a receiving them as Foreigners into the Church of Christ but a more Solemn manifesting them to be so and a witnessing they are Members of Christ who belonged to the Body of his Church before Ephes 2.12 13. Hâ—l 8.6 There needed no new Command to promote an old Practâ—â—e which unless contâ—â—ued I see no great inducement can be offered to perswade a Jew to become Christian Wills against Danvers Second Part p. 36. None of their Priviledges are infringed but ours enlarged the Covenant is unrepealed and Baptism larger than Circumcision as including Females as well as Males as capable Subjects of it 14. The Error of the Anabaptists hath these ill consequences 1. It throws all the World into Heathenism again 2. Makes a Church ever gathering never gathered 3. 1 Cor. 7.14 Makes Children of Turks and Jews equally happy as ours 4. States our Children in the visible Synagogue of Satan by excluding them the visible Church of Christ 5. Gives Parents small hopes of their Salvation by disowning them for Members of Christs Church Mark 16.16 Baxters Infant Church-memb and not esteeming them Believers 6. It may expose to the breach of the sixth and seventh Commandments Q. Why was the Sacrament of the Lords Supper Ordained A. For the continual Remembrance and the Sacrifice of the Death of Christ and the Benâ—sits we receive thereby Q. What things are Considerable in this Answer A. 1. That Christ Offered himself a Sacrifice to God for Mans sins Heb. 5. and 9 Chap. 2. By the Death and Sacrifice of Christ we receive great Benefits 1. Pardon of Sin 2. Peace with God 3. Adoption 4. Gift of Holy Ghost 5. Graces 6. Glory 3. That these Benefits and this Death of Christ ought to be remembred Mat. 26.1 Cor. 11 24. Q. How is the Sacrament a Commemoration of Christs Death A. 1. The Bread and Wine set apart for the Use of the Sacrament denotes Christs separation for the Work of our Redemption the Breads breaking Christs Crucifying its eating our receiving Christ and our Union with him 2. The Wine shews Christs Blood distinct from his Body as shed for us The pouring out the Wine shews the shedding his Blood and our drinking it our applying Christs Blood to cleanse us from sin Q. Why is Christs Death called a Sacrifice A. 1. It was Typified by all the Sacrifices under the Law 2. Christ Offered himself a Sacrifice for us Q. Why is it not yet counted a Sacrifice A. 1. Christ is not again Offered 2. Christ is not ours nor in our power to Offer 3. Heb. 9.25 26. His Offering himself once for all is sufficient Q. What are the outward parts of the Lords Supper A. Bread and Wine which the Lord hath Commanded to be Received Q. Is not the Bread in the Sacrament turned into Christs Body after the words of Consecration since Christ said This is my Body A. No. 1. Gen. 17.10 Exod. 12 Funeral of Mass Brevint against Mass p. 57. Sacraments are spoken in a Figurative sense Circumcision is called the Covenant and the Paschal Lamb the Passover which were but signs of the Covenant And so this is my Body signifieth this is the sign of my Body and our Adversaries grant a Figurative Speech in the use of the Cup where it is said This Cup is the New Testament in my Blood of which the Blood of Christ signified by the Wine was a Seal 2. Transubstantiation against all our Senses We see feel smell taste Bread 3. Then is there no Sacrament because the Sign is destroyed 4. It s Institution iâ— in Remembrance of Christ which implies his Absence 5. It destroys Christs Humanity which cannot be in many places at once 6. It exposeth Christs Body to Rude Accidents our eating him Mice destroying him its moulding and corrupting against Psal 16.10 7. Then the Infidels eating the Bread shall be saved for all eating Christ shall 8. Their Pleas from John 6. unsound Christ spoke there Spiritually nor indeed was the Sacrament then Instituted but some time after a little before his Death 9. Either Christ is in the Sacrament or he is not If in it they Act horrid things to tear Christs Body with their Teeth and if he be not there they Act gross Idolatry in Worshipping a piece of Bread it is a madness to eat our God or adore what we eat in the Heathens account 16 10. It was Confirmed but in the Year 1215. after Christ Q. May not the Cup of Wine be forbidden A. 1. No. This Error succeeded the former Ames Bell. Enervat Tom. 3. Lib. 4. Cap. 7. Fox Act. Vol. 2. pag. 460. A. Bishop Ushers Answer to Jesuit pag. 3. B. Taylors disswasive Cap. 1. Sect. 6. for if Christs Body be in the Bread his Blood is there also and therefore our Adversaries deny the distinct Administration of it But 2. Against the Command and Practice of Christ and his Apostles 1 Cor. 11.24 Mat. 26. 3. Pope Gelasius Decreed this Act to be Sacrilegious and he was as Infallible as his Successors if one be Infallible for them another is so against them 4. No Ancient Council Father or Example of Primitive Church was for it saith the same Gelasius 5. It was Decreed about 1415 after Christ in the Council of Constance Q. What is the inward part or thing signified A. The Body and Blood of Christ which are verisy and indeed taken and received of the Faithful in the Lords Supper Q What is here Observable A. 1. That the Body and Blood of Christ are Offered in the Sacrament to be received by the Communicants 2. That the true faithful Communicant doth receive them and their Benefits 3. His receiving them is by Faith Spiritually applying them to his Soul Q. What are the Benefits we are made Partakers of hereby A. The strengthening and refreshing of our Souls and Bodies by the Body and Blood of Christ as our Bodies are by the Bread and Wine Q. What is herein Considerable A. 1. That as Bread and Wine are great strengtheners and refreshers of our Bodies so doth Christs Body and Blood with the Benefits thence flowing to the Worthy Receiver Dr. Patricks Mensa Mystica p. 382. much strengthen and refresh our Souls in the sense of the Pardon of our sins of our Peace with God comforts of the Holy Ghost Grace against sin our sense of Gods Love Union with him and Right to Glory Q. What is required of Persons who come tâ— the Lords Supper A. To Eramine themselves whether they Repent them truly of their former sins steadfastly purposing to lead a new Life have a lively Faith in Gods Mercy through Christ with a Thankful Remembrance of Christ's Death and be in Charity with all Men. Q. What is Considerable in this Answer A. 1. The Duties of a
his Church a Body whereof he is the Head which is twofold Invisible and Visible Mat. 7.21 1 Cor. 7.19 1. The Invisible Church of Christ contains all glorified Saints in Heaven and all true Believers on Earth and of this Church all who are Baptized are not Members but those only who being Baptized live the life of Faith 2. B. Ushers Body of Divinity p. 187. The Visible Church contains all professors of Christianity and of this Church all who are Baptized are reputed as Members Q. What is meant by A Child of God A. Joh. 1.12 Gal. 4.5 Joh. 20.17 Heb. 2.11 Rom. 8.16 This priviledge necessarily follows the other for all true Members of Christ's Church receive the honour to be sons of God by Adoption and are admitted to have God their Father Christ their Brother the Holy Ghost their Comforter here and hereafter are co-heirs with Christ of an eternal glory Q. What is meant by an inheritor of the Kingdom of Heaven A. This Priviledge doth succeed both the other Luk. 12.32 Ja. 1.12 1 Pet. 1.4 5. Joh. 14.3 Col. 3.4 2 Cor. 5.1 for those who are Members of Christ and Sons of God have a Kingdom purchased for them and promised to them yea by Christ they now have taken possession of it and shall hereafter have the full enjoyment of it Q. What did your Godfathers and Godmothers then for you A. They did promise and vow three things in my name 1. That I should renounce the Devil and all his works the pomps and vanities of this wicked World and all the sinful lusts of the flesh 2. That I should believe all the Articles of the Chrstian Faith 3. That I should keep Gods holy will and Commandments and walk in the same all the daies of my life Q. What are the parts of this Baptismal vow and promise A. Its parts are suitable to the two parts of Sanctification a death to Sin World Flesh Devil and a life unto Righteousness in a true Faith and an obedience to the Will of God Q. What do we renounce in renouncing the Devil and all his works A. 1. Dr. Hammond pract Cat. l. 6. sect 3 Joh 8 44 Ja. 3.17 All belief in or worship of any Heathenish God or Idol 2. All heathenish and sinful practice as Lying Envy Pride sowing Discord and those sins which represent Satan 3. All Combination or Contracts with the Devil and all use of Conjurations 4. Ja. 1.14 Eph. 5.11 All Temptations and first motions to sin 5. All evil Exhortation or evil Example whereby we entice others to act sin and so act the Devil's part Q. How may the Devil and â—is Works be withstood A. Jam. 4.4 1 Pet. 5.5 8 9. By the use of 1. Prayer 2. Fasting 3. Faith 4. Watchfulness against them 5. Care to walk according to Gods Will. Q. What is meant by the pomps and vanities of this wicked world to be renounced A. Eph. 5.11 1 Cor. 6.10 20. 1. That we absent as much as may be from wicked company the ruin of many souls 2. That if in company we partake not of their sins chusing rather their anger than Gods 3. Not inordinately to pursue the worlds profits pleasures or honours nor to be too much delighted with 1 Joh. 2.15 16. Jam. 4.4 Mat. 16.26 or confident in them but so to sit loose to them that we may readily part with them if in competition with Christ and our Souls Q. How may the soul be armed against the Worlds enticements and discouragements A. Eccles 1.1 2. 1. By considering the vanity and uncertainty of all its enjoyments Its pleasures but skin-deep sensual and but for a moment Heb. Pro. 23.5 Ps 49.7 11.20 its Honours the breath of others no sign of God's love and leave us at Death Its Riches the dust of Earth cannot free from Death here nor Hell hereafter 2. By considering the smalness and shortness of our Troubles in the World They can but hurt the Body Mat. 10.28 Exod. 2.23 in whose greatest troubles the Soul is at Liberty its worst punishment is Death which sends the soul sooner to eternal life Isa 43.2 2 Cor. 4.17 18. They cannot hinder us from God's presence here and may prepare us for a greater glory hereafter 3. By considering we are here but Strangers and Souldiers in our Enemies Tents Joh. 15.20 John 16. last which may reasonably expose us to troubles as our Captain Christ Jesus and his Apostles all met with 4. Ro. 8.18 By considering our Glory in Heaven will recompence all our losses on Earth Q. What is meant by renouncing the Lusts of the Flesh A. 1. Dr Ham. prac Cat. 16. sec 3. Jer. 4.14 1 Cor. 6.19 All coveting of or indulging our selves in any lust or desire which is contrary to the Word of God and so sinful 2. All spiritual and heart Sins and all bodily uncleanness This Enemy is the more dangerous because daily with us and ready within us to betray us to Satans Temptations Q. How may these lusts of the Flesh be subdued A. By Sobriety Chastity Gal. 5.16 17 20. Watchfulness Praver and a care to walk answerable to the Word of God Q. What is that part of Sanctification included in your Baptismal Vow yet to be Considered A. â—oh 3.16 Tiâ— 3.8 A life of righteousness in these two great duties of the Gospel Faith and Obedience Q. What is the Faith here promised A. Bis Pearson on Creed p. 12. 1. An assent of our Hearts 2. A Confession or Profession with our lips And 3. A suitable Conversation in our lives Q. What do we promise thus to believe A. All the Articles of the Christian Faith Q. What is the Obedience promised in Baptism A. That which is the product of true Faith an Universal Obedience of our whole man to all the commands of God sincerely performed with constancy to our lives end Q. Can the Godfathers or Godmothers promise this for the Child and is the Child bound to perform it A. 1. Yes because Children are in the power of the Parents to be devoted to the Service of God Deut. 6.6 7.29.10 11 31.11 12 2 Tim. 2.19 Eph. 5.11 Heb. 11.6 Tit. 2.14 whom God also hath obliged to do it 2. There is nothing contained in this Baptismal Vow but what is lawful becomes Christianity and is our bounden Duty to perform 1 Pet. 2.11 1 John 5.4 1 Pet. 5.8 3. The Non-performance of the Vow by the Child may justly forfeit God's promises in Baptism made to the Child 4. Parents usually oblige their Children in civil contracts and bargains Hooker 's Volity l. 5 sect 64. who are by their Parents contracts bound to observe the Covenant or else must forfeit the advantages that might accrue to them by its observance Much more sure then may Parents engage their Children in what is the Child 's absolute duty on whose performance so great a mercy depends Q. Dost
thou not think that thou art bound to do and believe as they have promised for thee A. Yes verily and by Gods 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 Q. Why is this Question proposed A. 1. That the Child being now grown up might be made sensible of that Vow he was entred in by his Godfathers and Godmothers in Baptism 2. That before the Congregation he by making an open profession of it might evidence that he retained that Religion he was Baptized into and owned as firm and stedfast what was then done and promised for him 3. That he now being grown up and assenting to the obligation on him from that Vow entred by his Godfathers and Godmothers might henceforward look upon himself obliged to practise it And here how may we justly lament the neglect of Confirmation amongst us which would be a great expedient to oblige persons to be instructed in the principles of Religion and engage them by an assuming their Baptismal Vow on themselves to the practice of it Q. What is considerable in the Answer A. 1. An earnest assent and consent to the Obligation on us from our Baptismal Vow to perform it Yes Verily 2. 2 Cor. 3.5 Joh. 15.5 Phil. 2.13 An humble acknowledgment of our own inability to perform our Duties of Religion or to withstand Sin Satan and the World without God's help And therefore by God's help I will 3. The great joy and gladness the Baptized person looks on his Baptized state with Psal 147. last Acts 4.12 I heartily thank our heavenly Father who hath called me to this State of Salvation through Jesus Christ our Saviour It being a State of Grace of which the numerous Jews and Heathens are deprived of 4. Here is an holy means used to obtain God's help to perform this Vow I pray unto God to give me his Grace 5. Phil. 4.13 Here is an holy Resolution of perseverance through God's help 6. Phil. 1. That I may continue in the same to my lives end Q. Rehearse the Articles of thy Belief A. I believe in God the Father Almighty maker of Heaven and Earth And in Iesus Christ his only Son our Lord who was conceived by the Holy Ghost born of the Virgin Mary sutfered under Pontius Pilate Was crucified dead and buried He descended into Hell The third day he rose again from the dead and ascended into Heaven and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty From thence he shall come to judge hoth the quick and the dead I believe in the Holy Ghost The Holy Catholick Church The Communion of Saints The forgiveness of Sins The Resurrection of the Body and the life everlasting Amen Q. Why are the Articles of the Creed in the first person singular A. 1. Because though we may pray for each other yet every one must believe for himself 2. Because hereby every one makes an acknowledgment and confession of his own Faith Q. Why is it called the Belief A. From the first words I believe Q. Why is it called the Creed A. From the first word in Latin Credo Q. Why is it called the Apostles Creed A. 1. Because there is good reason to believe it was made by the Apostles Alsted Chronol p. 315. Calvin Instit l. 2. c. 16. sect 18. Dr. Sherlock on Cat. before they were dispersed abroad in the World at the Council of Jerusalem about the 49 year of Christ as a sum of sound Doctrin for the Churches use And some have supposed hence it was divided into Twelve Articles according to the number of the Apostles 2. It is called the Apostles Creed because its Articles agree with the doctrin of the Apostles delivered in their Writings Q. How are the Articles of the Creed divided A. Catec of Church of Engl. Some have made only three parts of it respecting the sacred Trinity the only Object of our Faith and thus doth our Church divide it into Articles 1. Concerning God the Father who made me and all the World 2. Concerning God the Son who Redeemed meand all Mankind 3. Concerning God the Holy Ghost who sanctifies me and Elect People of God Others have added a fourth part concerning the Church of God and its Priviledges here and hereafter Col. 1.18 Eph. 1.14 4 uke 14.7 Cor. 15.19 But because the Church is no object of Faith and our belief of Christ and the Holy Ghost will pre-suppose a People Redeemed and Sanctified and that State will infer pardon of Sins Resurrection and Eternity of Life Therefore I shall only consider three parts Q. Which is that part of the Creed which relates to God the Father A. I believe in God the Father Almighty maker of Heaven and Earth Q. What is here believed concerning God the Father A. Three things 1. His Being 2. His Attributes 3. His Works Q. What is meant by I believe in God A. That I believe 1. There is a God 2. There is but one God 3. That I believe in this one God Q. How do you prove there is a God A. Arguments to convince the Atheist are drawn from Reason for he who denies a God cannot credit Scripture which we say is the Word of God Therefore 1. Gror. de ver Chris Relig. l. 1. Morn de ver Relig c. 1. Cicero l. 1. Tusc Quest Val. Max. l. 1. c. 1. Extern The first cause of all things proves a God nothing could make its self and therefore every thing made had God a Creator and is an Argument for a God and may silence the Atheist 2. The 1. consent of all Nations who by the light of Nature saw it The Roman Orator accounts no Nation so barbarous as to deny the Being of a Deity And the Athenians banisht Diagoras for but saying he doubted it Their Polytheism or worship of many Gods tho sinful yet pleaded they were Theists worshippers of a Deity The several Creatures especially our selves may silence all doubts Dr. Arrowsmith Aphor. Exer. 2. sect 1 2. for tho which way soever we look we may find enough to convince us of his Being Yet our selves as what we are most conver sant with may silence Atheism 3. Our bodies and souls witness a Deity Our Parents could not make us Male or Female Leigh 's body of Divinity l. 2. c. 1. p. 151. however desirous they of either Sex We 2. excel all creatures in our structure and our Souls are above the Sphere of Earthly Beings being 3. spiritual and capable of an immortality remembring things past and foreseeing things to come all which plead for a God a Father of our Spirits and Creator of our Bodys 4. The testimony of every mans Conscience which at sometimes 4. checks him for evil and encourageth him to Good is
afraid after sin and bold after doing good And the greatest profest Atheist seems most afraid of a Supream Being to punish him Suet. in Caes Cal. c. 51. Suet. Tib. Ne. c. 69. So that it may be the Atheists wish there was no God but it cannot be his belief there is none for those checks for Evil and encouragements of Good premis'd imply there is a God who is just to punish sinners and to reward the wel-doer Whence a Reverend Prelate saith it may consist with the Atheists interest B. Pearson on Creed p. 22. to wish there was no God but it cannot consist with his Reason to believe there is none 5. Psal 14.1 Therefore we may justly blame those as Fools with the Psalmist who say in their Hearts There is no God Much more those who profess with their mouthes There is no God Indeed Atheism is but the Genuine product of Debauchery and profaneness Baxter 's Reas of Chr. Rel. part 2. c. 12. p. 444. for when men have so lived that they are afraid to dye and appear before God at Judgment They are inclinable to wish there was no God to call them to an account for their vice and what they so much desire they will easily perswade themselves to believe that they and their Companions may go on in their evil course Q. How do you prove there is but one God A. 1. There can be but one first cause Grot. de Ver. Rel. Christ l. 1 Mornaeus de Ver. Rel. c. 3. but one Infinite Almighty Independent Eternal Being For if there were two or more Beings equally mighty c. there could not be one Almighty and each might obstruct others proceedings 2. The Heathens have 5. granted This Truth in making their Jove as we own our Jehovah to be the most Glorious most Great Almighty Omnipresent Omniscient Deity the Father Author Governour of all things in Heaven and Earth It is credibly reported of Plato B. Paearson on Creed p. 23. that writing to his Friends he said The Name of God was prefixed before his most serious Works but the Name of Gods before his other Books And a Reverend and Learned Divine of our Church Dr. Cudworth 's Intellect System Gen. 3.5 hath proved lately the Heathens centring their plurality of Gods in the Unity of a Deity And indeed the first mention of Gods was from Satan Q. What is it to believe in this one God A. 1. To grant there is a God 2. To believe what is made known of him in his Word or by his Works that he is true just holy good eternal almighty c. 3. Tit. 3.8 Ja. 2.19 To believe his threats and promises 4. To repose our trust and confidence in him 5. To live answerable to this Faith For tho it is a grand folly to deny the Being of a God Dr. Stillings on Prov. 14.9 p. 36. Yet the Atheists themselves esteem them Fools who believe there is a God and yet by sin affront and trifle with him Q. What are the Attributes God hath in the Creed A. Two one relating to himself Almighty The other with Respect to Christ and us Father Q. What is meant by God's Attribute Almighty A. 1. His power to do all things as he pleaseth B. Pearson on Creed p. 42. consistent with his Glory 2. His Soveraignty or right to Rule and govern the works of his hands And both these the Heathens granted 6. Q. How prove you Gods Almighty Power A. 1. God is frequently called so in Scripture 2. Almightiness is deny'd to all things else 3. His Works of Creation Bish Nicholson on Cat. p. 34. Preservation Sanctification Resurrection c. prove it 4. His great Armys Lord of Hosts all things in the whole World obey him And by his order the least thing strong enough to destroy the greatest place or person Mornaeus de Ver. Rel. c. 11. Gen. 3. 6. 19. Dan. 3. 6. as Learned Mornaeus ingeniously manifests 5. His punishing his enemies singly and joyntly 6. His wonderful Deliverances of his People 7. His restraining all powers as he pleaseth Job 1 and 2 Chapter 8. All power and might is from him therefore he is Almighty 9. The Practice and expectation of the whole World who pray to God in all straits and wants B. Pearson on Creed p. 287. expecting from him all protection and supplies which certainly infers God's being Almighty to be impressed on man's Heart naturally Q. What should God's Almightiness considered influence us to A. 1. To believe he is so Almighty 2. To believe all the Articles of the Creed however dark or impossible They seem to a natural man's apprehension since our God Almighty can do them 3. To make us careful we offend not this Almighty God 4. To take care to please him by obeying him 5. Mat. 10.28 To be humble in our strength we had it from God and not of our selves 6. To ascribe all deliverances from dangers and supplies of our wants to God Almighty 7. Not to despair of God's help in any trouble if he please he can help us 8. Not to be afraid of any Enemies tho they be mighty God is Almighty Isa 41.11 43.2 3 Rom. 8.26 9. To encourage us in Prayer and all Duties our God is able to assist us in them and to grant to us and do for us above all that we are able to ask or think Q. How prove you God's Soveraignty or right to Rule all Creatures A. He is the only Lord of all the World to whom we and all his creatures do owe obedience by several Rights by which God may claim it 1. By our Creation He made us and not we ourselves he formed our bodies of the Dust Psal 95.6 7. and infused our souls so that every faculty of our souls and part of our bodies are several obligations to worship God 2. Our preservation God as the great Housholder of the World provides for all his Creatures Acts 17. 28. and in him we live move and have our being and as we daily live of his mercy ought to live to his glory 3. The price of our Redemption We are to God a purchased possession He gave his Son to die 1 Cor. 6.19 20. that he might by his Sons sufferings grant us life and purchase us to serve him Now what we buy and pay for we may expect to be served with much more then may God expect to be served by us Tit. 2.14 4. All Creatures pay him obedience Sun Moon Stats keep their state God first placed them in The Sea exceeds not its bounds the Earth remains habitable and Air convenient for us to breathe in unless the God of Nature please to alter their course to punish sin and then a flood shall drown the World Gen. 6. 19. Num. 16. and fire descend from Heaven the Earth shall open and the Air by infection destroy Q. How should God's Soveraignty affect
cry out as it were of the pains of Loss as if God had for saken him Q. What necessity was there for Christs suffering in Soul and Body A. 1. We had sinned in both Leighs body of Divinity p. 600. and so had exposed both to Gods Anger 2. Christ in order to our Redemption took on him Soul and Body and so was perfect Man as we are 3. Therefore to save both our Soul and Body he must suffer in both Heb. 12.25 Phil. 3.20 4. If Christ suffered not in both Soul and body to free both ours from sin and misery both ours shall not be glorified but both ours shall be glorified Q. What Influences ought the sufferings of Christ to have upon us A. 1. They may shew to us Sins Evil which caused Christs death 2. may manifest Christs love to us who dyed that we might live 3. John 15.13 Rom. 5.8 Homil. of Engl. on Good Friday May engage our dying to sin Christ shed tears of blood Let us repent of sin 4. It may oblige us to live an holy life Christ parted with his life for us let us lay down our lusts for him Q. What do the other Articles of the Creed concerning Christ relate to A. His Exaltation in his Resurrection Ascension Session and his coming to judgment 1. Cor. 15.6 7 8. Mat. 28. John 20.27 B. Pearson on Creed p. 255. Q. Did Christ rise again from the dead A. 1. Yes he appeared to one two Eleven and after to five hundred at once 2. It is witnessed by Angels Friends and Disciples Yea by the watch of Soldiers 3. It was the same Christ who was buried which rose again in the same wounded body and humane Soul evidencing it's sensitive part in eating John 21. 6. And drinking and his Rational in discoursing after his Resurrection Q. Why did Christ rise from the dead A. Psal 16.10 1. To fulfil the prophesies of the Messiah 2. To shew his conquest over Death Hell and the Grave 3. To compleat our Salvation 1 Cor. 15 19 55 56 57. Col. 3.1 had not Christ risen we had been miserable 4. To make us not afraid to dye 5. To raise our affection after him Q. Why did Christ rise again the third day A. Hos 6.2 Jonah 1.17 1. To fulfil the prophesies and Types of it 2. To evidence the truth of his death he lay in the grave till the third day Psalm 16.10 3. Least his body should see corruption he rose early on the third day A day being here taken figuratively for a part of a day Christ dyed as we compute on Friday about three of the Clock in the afternoon and lay all that day and night and all the next day and night which was the second day he lay in the grave and early on the third day he rose again Q. The Soldiers say he was stoln away how then did he rise A. Mat. 28. 1. This was not the first and free Testimony of the Soldiers for it is manifest that as Christ did arise and appear to many so the soldiers told the Chief Priests the things that were done But the speech of his being stollen was what they were hired to say 2. This Testimony argues the Soldiers guilty of a manifest Lie and they are entrapped in their own snare for if they were asleep how could they tell the things that were done or whether he arose or was stoln away and if stoln whether his Disciples did steal him or others And if they were not asleep they might easily see whether his Resurrection was miraculous or whether his Disciples took him away and might as easily have prevented his Disciples stealing him They being an armed Company and Christs Disciples a few naked men Q. How is Christs Ascension proved A. 1. By Testimony from Scripture 2. Lak 24.50 Acts. 1.9 10. 〈◊〉 Calviâ— Insâ—â— â— â— Cap. â—â— seâ—â— â—6 Heb. 7.25 John 16.7 Spectators who beheld him ascending Q. Why did Christ ascend A. 1. It was prophesied of the Messiah 2. Typified by the High-Priests entring into the Holy of Holys 3. To compleat his triumph over all Enemies 4. To open heaven for us which was shut against us by our sins 5. To assure our humane nature of glory 6. To intercede with his Father for us 7. To send the Holy Ghost to prepare us for Heaven Q. What is meant by Christs sitting at the right hand of God A. Psalm 110.1 B. Fearson on Creed p. 277. 1. Christs power given him by his Father to destroy all his and his Churches enemies 2. The Glory Christ with his Father is admitted to 3. His stay and dwelling in Heavens Glory 4. Our having possession of Heavens Glory by him and in him Q. What doth Christs coming to judgment import A. Three things 1. That there shall be a judgment 2. That Christ shall be judge 3. That he shall judg both quick and dead Q. Why must there be a judgment A. 1. To manifest Gods Truth mercy justice Baxters Reasons of Christian Religion part 2. Cap. 12. Glanvil on future judgment 1 Cor. 15.19 2. To duely punish Sinners and reward his people 3. To vindicate Gods Glory and providence 4. To amend all false judgments here 5. To discover all Hypocrisie and dissimulation 6. To clear all innocency 7. Each mans conscience chiding for sin and commending for duty teacheth a judgment to come 8. Our unsatisfiedness with what this world affords implies a future state 9. If there be no future state of mercy the beasts are better then we as meeting with fewer troubles and disappointments 10. Heathens granted it 11 Hence their feigned judges Q. Why is Christ Judge A. 1. Calvin Instit lib. 2. Cap. 16. sect 18. He is man as well as God and so as he knows the heart is a judge visible to our Eyes 2. For his Glory who on earth was so vilified 3. For the terror of his Enemies over whom he will triumph 4. For the comfort of his people who have their Saviour their judge God is judge in respect of authority of judging John 5.22 1 Cor. 6.3 Christ is judge as Executor of Gods judgment by Gods deputation and the Saints judge as approving of the judgment which God by Christ Executers Not much unlike our Assizes on earth The power of judging is in the King who deputes the Execution of his power to the judges and their judgment is approved of by the Justices who are Assessors Q. What is meant by quick and dead A. Those who are dead before Christs coming and those who shall be alive at his coming Q. Will any be alive at Christs coming to judgment A. 1. Scripture testifies it 2. 1. Cor. 15.5 1 Thes 4.16 Allusions of the old world and Gomorrah c. shew it Q. Shall not those who are then alive die before judgment A. 1 Cor. 15.52 They shall undergo a change like death and a Resurrection Q. What
Church least I throw my self out of visible hopes of Salvation Q. What is the next Article A. The Communion of Saints Q. What is meant by the Saints A. The People of God and members of Christs Holy Catholick Church because 1. They are in part Holy here 2. shall be perfect Saints hereafter Q. What Communion is here believed A. 1. Dr. Sherlock on Cat. Their Communion with the ever Blessed Trinity as Sons of God Members of Christ Sanctified by the Holy Ghost 2. Their Communion of Gifts for each others edifying 3. Their praying with and for each other 4. Their relieving of each others wants to their powers Q. What improvement do you make of this Article A. 1. B. Pearson on Creed p. 359. It shews the priviledges of Gods people who have an interest in Gods mercies and in each others gifts 2. It may ingage us to communicate our gifts and to pray for each other 3. It should disengage us from all fellowship with sin and sinners as much as may be Be not with them here whose company you desire not hereafter 4. It should engage our labours after holiness that we may be Saints Q. What is it to believe the Remission of sins A. 1. That we are all sinners and every one is obliged to ask pardon in the Lords Prayer B. Pearson on Creed 370. Isa 64.6 and to believe it obtainable in the Creed 2. That as we are sinners every one needs Gods pardon because as such we deserve his anger and cannot satisfie it by the world or our Righteousness Ephes 2.2 2 Cor. 5.18 Psal 49.6 7. 3. That thro Christs merits and mediation Gods justice is satisfied and mercy obtained so that we may returning have a pardon Luke 24.47 1 â—ohn 1.8 9 10. 4. I in this Article declare I am obliged to return from sin by a true Repentance and through Christs merits I may obtain from God the Remission of sins Q. What is it to believe the Resurrection of the body A. That this flesh or body of ours which is or may be buried and turned to dust shall be raised again and live Q. How do you prove the Resurrection of the Body A. 1. Mat. 22.32 Christ pleads it from Gods being God of Abraham after he was dead and that he is God of the living 2. God can as easily unite our dust into our bodies as he did at first make our bodies of nothing 3. God is the God of the whole man Leigh 's Body of Divinity p. 1150. and will raise our bodies that as they have been Co-workers of sin or holiness here they may be Co-sufferers of punishment or Co-partakers of Glory hereafter 4. Mat. 28.14 Mat. 27.53 1 Cor. 15.19 1 Cor. 15.36 Several instances of dead bodies which have been raised prove it 5. If we rise not Christ is no compleat Saviour because then death and the grave are yet unconquered and we most miserable 6. The Resurrection is dayly manifested to us the day dyeth into night and riseth again in the morning Corn dyeth in the earth and riseth again to bring forth fruit Q. How prove you this body shall rise again A. This very body as to its substance shall be raised again tho it shall then have other qualifications 1. Calvin Instit lib. 3. Cap. 25. Sect. 4.8 Else it is no Resurrection but a new Creation 2. The word Resurrection or reviviscence signifies that very body which was dead shall live and which was buried shall arise 3. Gods justice pleads for it the same and not another body must be punished or glorisyed for the Evil or good done here 4. Christ and others prove it to be so B. Pearson on Creed p. 382. They arose with their same bodies they had when alive Christs body when raised had the print of the Nails and Spear which it had at its Crucifixion Q. What improvement do you make of this Article A. 1. Cor 6.18 1. Not to slight our bodies which with our Souls shall enjoy an Eternity 2. 1 Cor. 15.42 43 44. Not to prostitute them to sin and Satan which we hope ere long shall be glorifyed 3. It may comfort us under all troubles and natural infirmities or deformities when our bodies are raised again they shall all be done away Rev. 21.4 4. It may arm us against all trouble Phil. 3.20 ere long all sorrow shall cease 5. It may make us not fear death our bodys which suffer most gain by it and shall arise in glory fashioned like Christs glorious body 1 Thes 4.17 6. It may make us not too much mourn for our dead Friends they are but gone before and we in due time must follow 13 Q. What is meant by the life Everlasting in the Creed A. Luk. 16. Mat. 2â— 34 41 46. I believe that there is an everlasting Life of bliss or misery to be expected by us and every of us hereafter shall be stated in one of them and this the Heathen apprehended 11 Q. Why is the state of the damned called a Life A. 1. B. Pearson on Creed p. 389. There shall be a vital union between Soul and body of them which shall never be dissolved 2. They shall live for ever in torment Q. Why then is this state called a death A. 1. Death is more eligible then it 2. they are deprived of Gods gracious and glorious presence which is the life of the Soul 1 Tim. 5.6 without which Souls in Scripture are said to be dead 3. They are ever in killing Torments Q. Is it just that eternal torments should be inflicted on sinners A. 1. Yes They sinned their Eternity on Earth yea will continue sinning for ever in Hell and while they sin God may justly punish 2. They sinned against an infinite God and therefore deserve an infinite punishment Crimes are much agravated from the object against whom they are as a word against the King may by the Law of the Land deserve death which probably might be no great offence against a private man and consequently sin against God may reasonably deserve Eternal death He being an Eternal King 3. They refused an Eternal life offered them on Earth and therefore it is but just they should be punished to Eternity Q. How is this Eternal life ours A. 1. By Gods free gift thro Christ Rom. 1 Pet. 1.9 6.23 2. By our Faith laying hold on Christ and living to him Q. Is it not given as a reward to our merits as well as Hell is a punishment of our sins A. 1. No for we owe our obedience to God as Creatures 1 Cor. 6.19 Rom. 6.23 Isa 64.6 Phil. 2.13 2. If we perform it not we are by his law condemned as sinners 3. We cannot perform duties so perfectly as we ought and if we did yet we should but do our duty and could not merit Luke 17.18 4. nothing is our own properly but sin which deserves
sins forbidden in this Commandment A. Col. 3.5 Phil. 3.19 1. Atheism the having no God 2. Polytheism the owning more Gods then one 3. The making any lust or creature as our God and adoring it with Honour due to God Q. What is here commanded A. 1. A belief in this one God with our heart Church Cat. Duty to God 2. A profession of him with our mouthes And. 3. An obedience suitable in our lives To believe in him to fear him and to love him with all my heart with all my soul with all my mind and with all my strength Q. What improvement do you hence infer A. 1. That it is my duty to love and serve God sincerely 2. That I ought to Love no Creature inordinately Q. What is the second Commandment A. Thou shalt not make to thy self any graven image nor the likeness of any thing that is in heaven above or in the earth beneath or in the waters under the carth Thou shalt not bowe down to them nor worship them for I the Lord thy God am a sealous God and visit the sins of the Fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me and shew mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my Commandments Q. What is the chief aim and design of this commandment A. 1. 1 Cor. 6.28 Church Cat. Duty to God To disswade from Idolatry and image-worship 2. To engage our outward service to God that our body as well as Soul may gloryfie him to worship him to give him thanks to call upon him to put my whole trust in him Q. What is Idolatry A. The worshipping any Idolor image with the worship which is due to God Q. Do any act Idolatry A. Yes 1. Exod. 32. 2 King 18.4 Sr. Christopher Wyer against Popery p. 65. Homil. of Eng. against Idolatry B. Taylors disswasive Cap. 1. sect 8. Cap. 2. sect 12. The Heathens were very prone to it For which some of their Authors blame them 15 2. The Jews were guilty of it in their Molten Calf and Brazen Serpent 3. The Papists at this day practise it as much as the Heathens or Jews ever did Q. How prove you the Papists to be Idolaters A. 1. Their Images are of the same matter the Heathens or Jews were wood stone c. 2. They have the same form and shape eyes feet hands 3. The service to them the same unbaring the head bowing the body 4. their Pleas alike that they worship not the Image but what is represented by it 5. In the Papists adoration of the Cross of Christ they are guilty of cross Idolatry For the sign of the Cross or a Cross where ever seen being adored by them can be but a remembrance of that Cross on which Christ was crucified and their worship then must terminate in that thing represented to wit the Cross of Christ which is not a thing adorable but its adoration argues its actors guilty of gross Idolatry Q. Why are we disswaded from Idolatry A. Mat. 22.37 Acts 10.25 Rev. 22.9 1. All worship is due to God withall our heart mind strength might Soul and body And then no part is left to adore a Creature or worship an Image with 2. Saints and Angels are but Creatures who have refused our worship and will not be rivals with God in Heaven for his Honour 3. The worshipping any Creature pleads it in our esteem to be God 4. Exod. 32.1 John 4.24 Deut. 4.15 to 28. Calvin Instit lib. 1. sect 8. B. Ushers a swer to Jesuit p. 501. The rise of Idolatry was an unbelief of Gods being omnipresent men make Images because unless they see God alone with them they disbelieve his presence with them 5. God cannot be represented by any Image because he is a Spirit 6. Christ as our Saviour cannot be represented because as he was so he was God as well as man but his Deity cannot be pictured and as man only he was not our Saviour yet as man which only can be represented by any Image or picture It is nothing but a strong fancy can make us believe this is like Christ more then that picture since Scripture leaves him undescribed Polydore Virgil. See Bish Taylors disswasive Cap. 1. sect 9. Homil. of Engl. against Idolatry Then which Tract can nothing be better against the rise and progress of Romes Idolatry and the pictures of him are so various 7. Images of the Trinity expose the whole Trinity to scorn and derision is derided by the Heathens and esteemed folly to the Papists themselves 8. God is more lively represented by any living Creature then by a dead Image An Image must be an Image or likeness of something and if the Image of this thing represents God much more must that thing its self whereof this is the Image And so all Creatures when ever we behold them put us in mind of a Deity their Creator And as others so especially and most of allour selves who were created in Gods Image may remind us of God and may supersede the use of Images where ever we are we having a lively Image in our selves of Gods spirituality and Eternity c. 9. This Commandment expresly forbids Idolatry in all its kinds and what hath tendency to it as 1. The making any Idol or Image of any thing in heaven earth sea c. And 2. The bowing down or worshipping any of them so made 10. Image worship was not received in the Church of Christ for above 500 years and then opposed by many Councels and some Popes and was not observed as it is now till about 800 years since as a * B Pearson on Creed p. 38. Officium Beatae Mariae Licensed by Pope Pius 5. 1512. Reverend Prelate observes 11. The Papists seem sensible of their breach of this Commandment by their Image-worship and therefore that there might be no command against it they rase out the second Commandment nor do they keep it in their Catechism Q. What is the Sanction of this Commandment A. Isa 42.8 1. God is a jealous God who will not give his Honour to another 2. He will visit this sin not only on the person but the posterity of the Idolaters 3. He reserves mercy for thousands of them and theirs who serve him Q. Why are the posterity of the Idolaters punished as well as the Idolaters themselves A. 1. God declares this for many reasons as to engage the Parents to abstain from sin least they see themselves and children smart for it 2. To disswade children from treading in their Fathers steps least they thereby contract a double punishment 3. God threatens but Temporal punishments that by vissiting or correcting them with these both parents and children might be kept from sin Dr. Arrow-smiths Aphorisms Exercit. 5. sect 2 4 5. which will deprive both of all spiritual and temporal mercys hereafter 4. God evidenceth more mercy to encourage to duty
To vindicate their Reputation 6. To discover what Conspiracies they know of 7. To Pray for them Q. What are the Duties of your Spiritual Relation of Ministers and People A. 1. The Duties of Ministers are 1. Study 2. Preaching to and 3. 1 Tim. 4.14 15 16. 2 Tim. 4.2 3. Heb. 13.17 Ephes 6.19 Praying for and with the People 4. Love 5. Reproof 6. Exhortation 7. Example of Good 8. Visiting Sick 2. Duties of People are 1. To attend Ordinances 2. To Obey what is directed 3. Love 4. Honour 5. Pay dues to him 6. Pray for him Q. What are the Duties of the Conjugal Relation A. 1. The Duties of the Husband are 1. Ephes 5.25 Col. 3.19 1 Pet. 3.7 Ephes 5.26 Col. 3.18 1 Pet. 3.1 2 3 4 5 6. Love to Soul and Body of Wife 2. A due esteem of her 3. Protection 4. Provision for her 5. Fidelity 6. Prayer with and for her 2. The Duties of the Wife are 1. An Honourable esteem of her Husband 2. Outward Respect 3. Love to Soul and Body 4. Obedience to his fit Requests 5. Fidelity to Body and Estate 6. Joynt endeavours for the good of their Family 7. Prayer for him 8. Meekness towards him Q. What are the Duties of Masters and Servants A. 1. The Duties of Masters are 1. To take care they serve God Ephes 6.9 Col. 4.1 2. James 5.4 Ephes 6.5 6. Col. 3.22 2. To provide convenient things for them 3. To Command nothing but what is Lawful to be performed by them 4. To pay their dues of Wages 5. Meekness to them 6. Prayer for and with them 2. The Duties of Servants to Masters are 1. Sincerity 2. Honour 3. Obedience to Lawful Commands 4. Fidelity 5. Submission to Punishments 6. Prayer for them Q. What are the Duties of the Aged and Youth A. 1. The Duties of the Aged are 1. Prov. 16.31 Steadfastness in the Faith 2. Instruction of Youth 3. To communicate Experiences 4. To be Exemplary 5. To prepare for Heaven 2. The Duties of Youth are 1. To Honour the Hoary Head Eccles 12.1 2. Obey their good Advice 3. Observe their good Example 4. To Devote themselves to God betimes Q. What are the Duties of the Rich and Poor A. The Duties of the Rich are 1. To be rich in good Works 2. Humility 1 Tim. 6.17 2. The Duties of the Poor are 1. Humility 2. Contentment And 3. To prepare for a better Estate in another World James 2.5 Q. What is the Sanction of this Commandment A. That thy days may be long in the Land that the Lord thy God giveth thee Q. What doth this import A. 1. That the not performing the Duties of this Commandment may cause God or his Magistrate to cut us off as Malefactors 2. That the performance of them tend to the continuance of our Lives by Gods blessing 3. May entitle us to Heaven of which the Land here meant was a Type Q. What improvement do you make of this Commandment A. That we can be in no Relation or Condition but God expects Duty from us and we ought to perform it Q. What is the Sixth Commandment A. Thou shalt do no Murther Q. What is here forbidden A. 1. All actual Murther of our selves or others 2. All with-holding due Relief from our selves or others whereby Life may be lost 3. Exposing our selves or others to manifest dangers 4. Malice and Envy 1 John 3 15. the Murther of the Heart 5. To hurt no body by word or deed Q. What is here Commanded A. 1. The preservation of our own and others Life and Health 2. Peace and Love amongst us Q. What is the Seventh Commandment A. Thou shalt not Commit Adultery Q. What is here forbidden A. 1. All unclean thoughts and desires 2. Ephes 4.29 All Corrupt and obscene Speeches 3. All lewd Acts as Fornication Adultery Incest Sodomy Buggery 4. All Luxurious Eating and Drinking which tend to it 5. All wanton gestures which may tempt to the sin Q. What is Commanded A. To keep our Bodies in Temperance Soberness Tit. 2.11 and Chastity Q. What is the Eighth Commandment A. Thou shalt not Steal Q. What is here forbidden A. 1. All close or open Theft 2. All Circumventing Cheating 1 Thes 4.6 and Oppression by reason of the want or Ignorance of those we deal with 3. All false Weights and Measures whereby is stollen what would make them just Q. What is here required A. 1. A just dealing in all things 2. Contentment 3. Labour in our Occupations 4. A care to preserve our own and our Neighbours good Q. What is the Ninth Commandment A. Thou shalt not bear false Witness against thy Neighbour Q. What is here forbidden A. 1. All rash Oaths and Perjury 2. Lying and Slandering 3. Tale-bearing and Tale-hearing whereof one hath the Devil in his Tongue the other in his Ear. 4. All Subornation of others to be false Witnesses Q. What is Commanded A. 1. A preserving our own and others Credit 2. Speaking and Witnessing Truth Q. What is the Tenth Commandment A. Thou shalt not Covet thy Neighbours House Thou shalt not Covet thy Neighbours Wife nor his Servant nor his Haid nor his Ox nor his Asse nor any thing that is his Q. Why is this Commandment set down since it is implyed in the other Nine A. 1. Lest being only implyed in them Men might through their Corruption suppose they might entertain evil Thoughts and be guiltless Q. What is here forbidden A. 1. All evil Concupiscence and Lust 2. All Envy at or Covetousness of any thing that is our Neighbours Q. What is here Commanded A. 1. Diligence in our Callings 2. Contentment with our Estate 3. A suppression of our desires after other Mens Possessions And now let us put a period to the Decalogue with our Churches Prayer Lord have Mercy upon us in the Pardon of our past sins And incline our Hearts for the future to keep thy Laws SECT IV. Q. IS Man able to fulfil the Law of God A. No not without Gods Grace assisting him Rom. 3. at large 1. Because since Adams Fall all Men have their Souls and Bodies depraved 2. They have an averseness from all good and a proneness to all evil 3. Have a corrupt Heart ready to betray them to the least Temptation 4. Have Enemies to Engage with too Powerful and Mighty therein 5. Phil. 2.13 14. The Nature of the Duties are Spiritual and require more than a Natural Power to perform them Q. By what means may Man gain assistance from God to do his Will A. By diligent Faithful Prayer which through Christ is prevalent 1. To protect from all Troubles Temporal Spiritual James 1.5 John 14.13 Eternal 2. To supply all wants of all good Q. What is the Rule for Prayer A. That which was made by our Lord and Saviour and by him recommended to his Disciples and us Q. Rehearse the Lords Prayer A. Our Father which art