this Word it is because there is no light in them Isa. 8. 20. Q. Is the Scripture plain enough to be understood even by the simple A. Yes Psal. 19. 7. and 119. 130. Q. Is the Word of God a dead letter of it self A. No Heb. 4. 12. Joh. 6. 63. Q. But do the things recorded in the Word of God concern us all A. Yes Rom. 15. 1 5. Matth. 7. 24. Q. Is there any other Rule besides the holy Scriptures to direct us how we may glorifie God and enjoy him A. No. Q. How prove you that A. 1. Because God never gave any other Rev. 22. 18. For I testifie unto every man that heareth the words of the Prophecy of this Book if any man shall add unto these things God shall add unto him the Plagues that are written in this Book Q. What is the Form of speech here used to conclude this Book A. It is 1. A Symbolical and Prophetical Form of expressing the certainty and immutability of this Prophecie and secondly an expression of the Absoluteness and perfection of it is order to publick use that it should be the only Prophecie given to the Christian Church which should bring divine authority along with it sent with a Commission from Heaven and not only proceeding from a publick Spirit but sent out with a publick Charge Q. What is that publick Charge A. As for all those to whom this Prophecy shall come I adjure them all that they neither add nor diminish nor change a tittle of it upon pain of Gods bringing on them the Iudgements that are here denounâ—ed against Gods greatest enemies and withal that they look upon it as the last Authoritative Prophâ—cie that is likely to come from Heaven to be a Rule of Faith to the Church Q. What other reason have you to prove that the holy Scriptures are the only Rule to direct us how we may glorifie God and enjoy him A. Because they are only able perfectly and without errour to direct us how we ought so to do Q. 3. What do the Scriptures principally teach A. The Scriptures principally teach what man is to believe concerning God and what Duty God requires of man Explica Q. What are the principal Heads of the Doctrine of the holy Scriptures A. The Doctrines that the holy Scriptures teach may be ranked into two Heads Q. What is the first principal Doctrine taught therein A. What man is to believe concerning God Q What is it â—o belieâ—e A. To assent or give credit to truths upon Authority of another Q. What is the second A. What duty God requires of man Q. What is meant by the duty which God requireth of man A. That which is Gods due or that which we owe to God and are bound to do as we are his Creatures Subjects and Children Q Dâ— the Scriptures teach us all matters of Faith or all that we are bound to believe A. Yes Q. And all matters of practice or whatsoever we are bound to do A. Yes Q. Is not a Christian then bound to believe any thing as a point of Faith but what is taught in the holy Scriptures A. No Q Nor bound to do any thing as necessary to Salvation but what is taught in them A. No Q. 4. What is God A. God is a Spirit infinite eternal and unchangeable in his Being Wisdom Power holiness justice goodness and Truth Explic. Q What are we to believe concerning God A. We are to believe concerning his Being and nature that he is a Substance and a Spirit or that he is a spiritual Substance Q. Why is God called a Spirit A. 1. Negatively because he hath no bodily Substance 2. Affirmatively and positively because he is a pure active life intelligence and will Q. Are not Angels and the Souls of men Spirits A. Yes Q. How then is God distinguished from Angels and the souls of men A. God is an infinite eternal and unchangeable Spirit Angels and the Souls of men are finite Spirits buâ— of yesterday and changeable Q. But since Angels as well as the Souls of men are finite how are they to be distinguished A. Angels are pure Spirits and have no commerce or society with Bodies which the Souls of men have being in the most intimate conjunction with them And though in the separate state they do subsist and live without them yet because their happiness or misery is not compleat without them the souls of the Iust already made perfect in holiness will be carried out with strong inclinations unto and earnest expectation of re-union with their Bodies to be together made perfect in happiness in good measure pressed down and shaken together and running over And in the souls of the unjust there shall be a fearful expectation of reunion with their Bodies as of a certain approaching unavoidable and utterly undoing evil to fill up the measure of their misery suffering together the vengeance of eternal fire Or more briefly God Angels and the souls of men may be thus distinguished Angels are created Spirits compleat As Angels are created Spirits they are distinguished from God who is a Spirit uncreate or the Creator of all or the God of the Spirits of all flesh As Spirits compleat they are distinguished from the souls of men which in their compleat subsistence require Bodies which Angels do not and may therefore be called Persons or compleat subsistences Q. What else are we to believe concerning God A. We are to believe concerning his attributes that they are of two sorts 1. Incommunicable 2. Communicable Q. What and which are his Incommunicable attributes A. His Incommunicable attributes are such as are not partaken of by the Creatures or that cannot be communicated to them such are these his Infiniteness Eternity and Vnchangeableness Q. What is it to be Infinite A. To be without end bounds or limits Q. What is it to be Eternal A. To be without beginning or succession or end of time Q. What is it to be unchangeable A. To be alwaies the same without any alteration Q. What and which are the Communicable attributes of God A. His Communicable attributes are such as in a measure are partaken of by the creatures or may be communicated to them such are these his Wisdom Power Holiness Iustice Goodness and Truth Q. But are they in the same manner in the Creatures as in God A. No. Q. After what manner are they in the Creatures and how are they in God A. God is Inâ—inite Eternal and unchangeable in them and the Creatures are not Q. May then Gods Incommunicable Attributes be applied to and spoken of the Communicable A. Yes they may Q. How is God said to be Infinite Eternal and Unchangeable A. 1. In his Wisdom Q. What is the Wisdom of God A. The Wisdom of God is his Essential property whereby by one simple and eternal Act he knoweth both himself and whatsoever is
you that A. 1. Because the Will of God as secret is a peculiar Treasure which he hath put in his own power and will keep to himself 2. Because a man may sometimes sin in fulfilling the secret Will of God and be ashamed repenting in dust and ashes that he hath done it 3. Because all Creatures do this Will of God and none ever resisted it Q. Is the revealing of an event which God hath determined or those Actions whereby that event shall be brought to pass the Rule of Mans obedience A. No Q. But are not Gods own positive and ceremonial Laws this Rule of Mans obedience A. No. Q. How prove you that A. 1. Because they were so burdensome a yoke that neither we nor the Jews themselves were ever able to bear them 2. Because they were never pleasing to God irrespectively of themselves neither did he at all ever take delight in these Laws themselves simply considered 3. Because these positive Laws were such by which men should never obtain Eternal Life Q. What Law then is that which is the Rule of Mans obedience A. The Moral Law Q. Why is it so called A. Because it hath a perpetual binding power in all Ages unto the end of the world Q. When was this revealed A. At first Q. How understand you that A. Two waies 1. This Law was at first given to Adam in Innocency God having written it on his heart some small remainders whereof abide yet in mans nature 2. This Law was first revealed by Gods immediate voice after written in Tables of Stone and given to the Church as a perpetual Rule for their obedience Q. 41. Wherein is the Moral Law summarily comprehended A. The Moral Law is summarily comprehended in the ten Commandments Explic. Q What is it for the Moral Law to be summarily comprehended in the ten Commindments A. To have the summ and chief Heads of the Law contained in them Q. 42. What is the summ of the ten Commandments A. The summ of the ten Commandments is to Love the Lord our God with all our Heart and with all our Soul and with all our Mind and with all our Strength and our Neighbour as our selves Explic. Q In how many Tables were the teâ— Commandments at first written A. In two Tables of Stone Deut. 10. 1 2 4. Q. How many Commandments are comprized under the first Table or first great Commandment A. The soâ—r first Q How many under the second Table or second great Commandment A. Six Q. Do the Papists well in leaving out the second Commandment and in their dividing the tenth into two A. No Q. What is the comprehensive Duty of all the Commandments written in these two Tables A. Love Rom. 13. 9. For this Thou shalt not commit Adultery Thou shalt not Kill Thou shalt not Steal Thou shalt not bear false Witness Thou shalt not Covet And if there be any other Commandment it is briefly comprehended in this saying Namely Thou shalt Love thy Neighbour as thy self The like may be said of all the Commandments of the first Table Q What is the summ of the first Table of the Law A. To love the Lord our God with all our Heart and with all our Soul and with all our Mind and with all our Strength Q. What mean you by the word Summ A. A general or chief Head which comprehends other particulars in it Ibid. Rom. 13. 8. Q. What is it to love the Lord our God with all our Heart c A. It doth imply the supremacy ardency and activity of our Love whereby we chuse the Lord cleave to him and delight in him as our chief Good and employ all our faculties and powers in his service in obedience to him out of Love Q. What is the summ of the second Table of the Law A. To love our Neighbour as our selves Q Who is our Neighbour A. Every man Luk. 10. 29 38. Q. What is it to love our Neighbour as our selves A. To love him with the same truth and constancy of Love as we do our selves Q. But are we not bound to love our Neighbour with the same Degree of Love as we do our selves A. No. Q. 43. What is the Preface to the ten Commandments A. The Preface to the ten Commandments is in these words I am the Lord thy God which have brought thee out of the Land of Egypt out of the house of Bondage Q. 44. What doth the Preface to the ten Commandments teach us A. The Preface to the ten Commandments teacheth us that because God is the Lord and our God and Redeemer therefore we are bound to keep all his Commandments Explic. Q. How many reasons or arguments are there in the Preface to oblige and perswade us to keep all Gods Commandments A. Two 1. God is the Lord. I am the Lord. 2. God is our God and Redeemer I am the Lord thy God which have brought thee out of the Land of Egypt out of the house of Bondage Q. How are we bound and obliged to keep Gods Commandments as he is the Lord A. As he is the Lord he is our Creator and supream Soveraign and we owe him obedience as we are his Creatures and Subjects Q. You say you owe God obedience as you are his Creatures and Subjects what mean you thereby A. We mean that once we were not were made and are preserved by God or that we derived our Being from anâ— hold it of God and that we are undâ—â— the unlimited and absolute Dominioâ— and Soveraignty of God and thereforâ— ought to serve and glorifie God in 〈◊〉 Body and in our Spirit which 〈◊〉 Gods and to be in perfect subjection 〈◊〉 the Laws of Heaven Q. How are we bound and obliged 〈◊〉 keep Gods Commandments as he is our God and Redeemer A. As our God and Redeemer our Father and Benefactor he hath brought us into the special relation of Children to himself and hath entred into Covenanâ—â—â— with us to bring us out of spiritual Egypt and Bondage under sin as he brought his people of old out of the earthly Egypt and the Bondage of men These two Rules must be learn'd for the understanding of the Commandments Rule 1. That when any sin is forbidden the contrary Duty is required and when any Duty is required the contrary sin is forbidden Rule 2. That where any sin is forbidden all the Kinds and Degrees of it temptations and incentments to it are likewise forbidden and when any Duty is required all the kinds and the highest perfection of it together with all the means and helps to it are also required Q. 45. What is the first Commandment A. The first Commandment is Thou shalt have no other Gods before me Q. 46. What is required in the first Commandment A. The first Commandment requireth us to know and acknowledge God to be the only true God and our God and to worship and glorifie him accordingly Explic. Q Is
Spirit Rom. 6. 17. Ephes. 2. 5 6. 2. That without viz. in an open advancement of the true Religion and pure worship of God in the Church Q. What do we pray for in reference to the Kingdom of Glory A. That it may be hastened Q. What is the Kingdom of Glory A. It is that state of bliss and glory in Heaven wherein the people of God shall dwell with God and Christ hereafter for ever Q. Can our Prayers hasten this A. We cannot hasten it till Gods appointed time be fully come Q. How then are we said so to do A. We are said to hasten it 1. In our Expectations 2. In our Preparations 3. In our Longings 4. And in our Prayers for it Q. 103. What do we pray for in the third Petition A. In the third Petition which is Thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven we pray that God by his Grace would make us able and willing to know obey and submit to his will in all things as the Angels do in Heaven Explic. Q Which is the third Petition A. Thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven Q. What is prayed for in this Petition A. That God would make us able and willing to know obey and to submit to Gods Will Q. What is it that must make us able and willing to do all this A. The Grace of God enlightening and assisting us Q. How ought we to know obey and to submit to Gods Will A. In all things Q. What do you mean by Gods Will which we ought thus to know obey and submit to A. We are to know and obey the Will of Gods precept and that which he is pleased to require of us and to submit to the Will of Gods providence or that which he is pleased to do with us and unto us Q. After what manner ought we to do this A. As the Angels do in Heaven Q. And ought we as chearfully unanimously and impartially to execute Gods commands on Earth as the Angels do in Heaven A. Yes Q. 104. What do we pray for in the fourth Petition A. In the fourth Petition which is Give us this day our daily bread we pray that of Gods free gift we may receive a competent portion of the good things of this life and enjoy his blessing with them Explic. Q. Which is the fourth Petition A. Give us this day our daily bread Q. What do we pray for in this Petition A. We pray that we may receive a competent portion of the good things of this life Prov. 30. 8. Q. What is meant by a competent portion A. Such a portion as is sufficient and convenient for us or suitable to our places and conditions here in this life Q Are the things in this life then good in themselves A. Yes although not the only or principal good things Q. How ought we to pray to receive this portion A. Of Gods free gift Iam. 1. 17. Q. What else do we pray for to enjoy with them A. Gods blessing Q. Do not those then that trade and work for outward things without praying to God for them take a wrong course to get them and to have them with a blessing in a Covenant way A. Yes Q. And is it not sufficient that we have these outward things unless we have Gods blessing with them A. No. Q. Why do we say Give us this day our daily bread A. It is to teach us not to take care for to morrow and to instruct us that we must pray daily Q. And why do we pray for Bread A. It is to teach us to moderate our affections to and desires after earthly things and to be content if we have but necessaries Q In what Petition do we pray for temporal things A. In this fourth Petition Q. 105. What do we pray for in the fifth Petition A. In the fifth Petition which is And forgive us our Debts as we forgive our Debtors we pray that God for Christ's sake would freely pardon all our sins which we are the rather encouraged to ask because by his grace we are enabled from the heart to forgive others Explic. Q. Which is the fifth Petition A. Forgive us our Debts as we forgive our Debtors Q. What do we pray for in this Petition A. We pray that God would pardon all our sins Psal. 51. 1. Q. How do we pray that God would pardon them A. We pray that God would pardon them freely of his Grace for the sake and merits of Christ. Rom. 3. 24. Q. Why are our sins called Debts A. Because they make us Debtors liable to the wrath and offended Justice of God Q. Whence have we encouragement to ask of God the forgiveness of our Debts A. Because we that are infinitely short of his Goodness do yet forgive our debtors Mat. 6. 14. Q. How are we enabled to forgive others A. By the Grace of God only Q. After what manner must we forgive others A. From the heart Mat. 18. 35. Q. And must we from the heart forgive others their trespasses as ever we expect that God should forgive us A. Yes Q. 106. What do we pray for in the sâ—xth Petition A. In the sixth Petition which is And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil we pray that God would either keep us from being tempted to sin or support and deliver us when we are tempted Explic. Q. Which is the sixth Petition A. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil Q. What is prayed for in this Petition A. Divers things 1. That God if he sees good would keep us from being tempted to sin Q. How many kinds of temptations be there A. Two 1. Of affliction which have tendency towards sin if not sanctified 2. Of enticement unto sin directly we pray to be kept from both if God sees good Q. And what do we pray for in reference to both these temptations A. If it please God to suffer us to be tempted either way then that he would support us under the affliction and not suffer us to be taken Captives by Satan and led into temptation to be triumphed over by him at his Will Q. Is there any thing more prayed for A. We pray that God in his due time would deliver us when we are tempted That the affliction may be removed when it is a burden too great for us to bear and that he would lead Captivity captive and rescue us out of the hands of Satan Q. 107. What doth the Conclusion of the Lords Prayer teach us A. The Conclusion of the Lords Prayer which is For thine is the Kingdom the Power and the Glory for ever Amen teacheth to take our encouragement in Prayer from God only and in our Prayers to praise him ascribing Kingdom and Power and Glory to him And in testimony of our desire and assurance to be heard we say Amen Explic. Q. What is the