nothing Elements and Elementaryes 1. Elements made out of the first matter but the first matter having no form could give no substantial form to the Elements 2. Hence their Forms were immediately out of nothing 3. Hence in respect of their special natures not subject to corruption but eternal and though they shall change accidentally but not substantitially in respect of their forms and special natures for the heat of the fire shall not be extinguished but remain for ever 2. Pet. 3. 10. Isai 66. ult Elements are either the higher or lower The higher as fire Air. The Fire is the highest and hottest Element and being condensated it burneth and shineth hence is light and from light a constitution of day and night 1. The day is when the light turneth downward and overspreads our Hemisphere 2. The night is when the light turneth upward and overspreads our Hemisphere hence followeth a division of day and night and this division is by Morning and Evening properly taken 1. Morning is the end of darkness and beginning of light and Evening is the contrary And night and day considered together do make up one night-day called a natural day consisting of twenty four hours the other called a Civil or artificial day And the third Heavens the Angels the first matter and the Element of fire from which proceeded Light was the work of the first day Gen. 1. from the 1. to the 5. 2. The Air which is a higher Element and most moist and as it were the matter of every sound 1. It slides into the most intimate passages where matter cannot 2. It is easily assimilated to the figure of another thing and therefore is most moist called the Firmament or Expanse because it was spread as a Curtain and was the work of the second day Gen. 1. 8. The lower Elements are water and Earth the water most cold the Earth most dry and both make one Globe but the water being next to the Air by order of Creation and therefore inclineth to stand above the Earth Psal 104. 6. The Elementaries imperfectly mixed or perfectly mixed Imperfectly mixed whose parts are not so closely united as the meteors which arise from the fumes of the Elements 2. Elementaries perfectly mixed which have either a body only or not only a body but a quickning Spirit a body only in the Minerals and a body and a quickning Spirit and have either a single life or compound A single life one kind of life only either springing or moving A springing life as the Plants and the lower Elements the Meteors the Minerals and Plants were the work of the third day Gen. 1. 13. 2. A moving life as the Lights the greater or lesser 1. The greater as the Sun and Moon 2. The lesser the other Stars the work of the fourth day Gen. 1. 19. Those which lead a compound life more lives then one and either less compound or more compound Less compound as Bruits who are either remote from man or more nigh to man remote from man as Fishes and Fowls the work of the fifth day Gen. 1. 23. or more nigh to man as the Beasts made the sixth day with man Gen. 1. 26 31. The most compound life as the life of man Quest How did God make man Answ God did make man to consist of a body and a reasonable and immortal Soul according to the Image of God and gave him dominion over the Creatures and he was perfectly fitted to please God In the Creation of man we may consider his constitution and perfection 1. His constitution or parts as he consists of body and Soul 1. His body which is a part of man made out of the Elements especially out of the Earth and fitted with Organs for the Soul 1. A part of man with the Soul hence not his matter only 2. Made of the Elements for it is nourish'd by them 3. Especially of the Earth therefore beareth that Name Gen. 2. 7. 4. Fitted with Organs for the Soul to be its house or Tabernacle 2. The Soul is a quickning Spirit or spiritual substance immortal having understanding and will and fitted for union to the body 1. A quickning Spirit or spiritual substance a Spirit therefore invisible 2. A substance therefore matter and form 1. Matter else it could not suffer for to the matter belongs passive principles 2. Form otherwise deformed or boundless for the Form limits the thing 2. Immortal for it was made immediately out of nothing and hence returns to him that gave it Eccl. 12. 7. 3. Vnderstanding and will hence a reasonable Creature a cause by counsel 4. Fitted for union to the body 1. The Soul is at first united to the body 2. Hath a fitness for it 3. When seperated doth affect this union Rev. 6. 10. 2. The perfection of man at first a fitness to please God in which we may consider the image of God in man and his dominion 1. The image of God imprinted on man Gen. 1. 26. 1. In his understanding he was able to see all the Rules which would lead to God Prov. 30. 2. 2. In his will to choose them Eccl. 7. 29. 3. In his affections and body with all the members thereof fitted to obey the commands of sanctified Reason and will Rom. 6. 19. 2. Dominion which was that Royalty of man whereby he had power to use the Creatures for his end Gen. 1. 26. And the woman was joyned with him as a Co-partner with him in this perfection and his Companion Gen. 2. 22. Thus of Creation in which these wonders appear 1. God made something out of nothing his power being infinite 2. The act of Creation in respect of God Eternal otherwise he should change which cannot be but passive Creation had a beginning that is in respect of the World made 3. Time and place began with the World having no absolute being but relative respecting the Creatures hence no time nor place before the World 4. Man the Microcosmos 1. A being as the Elements 2. A body as the Minerals 3 A moving life as stars a springing life as Plants 4. A sensitive life as Beasts and 5. A rational life as Angels and ought to lead a God-like life as God acting his Image in imitation of him and for him Quest What is Providence Answ It is that whereby God looketh to his Creatures either in an ordinary or extraordinary manner and therefore preserveth and governeth them either by his common government and thus he overruleth all his Creatures or by his special government and thus he ruleth Angels and men 1. Providence is the Efficiency of God whereby he looketh to his Creatures watcheth over them Psal 145. 15 16. 2. This is either an ordinary or extraordinary manner 1. In an ordinary manner that is according to the order set at first Hos 2. 22. 2. Or in an extraordinary manner not attending to that order then the change is not in respect of the Rule but in respect of the means
extant which of these is most elegible I shall leave unto others to determine I suppose there is no particular Catechism of v. Mr. Philip Nye Beams of former Light which it may be said it is the best for every Family or for every Congregation Nevertheless it must needs be acknowledged that those Models of Divinity whether Catechistically composed or otherwise wherein Scriptural Definitions and Distributions expressing the Sum of the only true Christian Religion are methodically disposed according to the golden Rules of Art have a peculiar excellency and usefulness attending them In this way that great and famous Martyr of France Peter Ramus held forth the light to others After him succeeded the profoundly learned and godly Alexander Richardson of whom Mr. Hooker was wont to say that the Lord would not suffer Richardson to live unto old age or to finish what was in his heart head to doe for the same reason that he would not permit more then three hundred Souldiers to goe with Gideon even lest the English Nation should glory too much in their own strength because such a mighty man was once theirs Mr. Yates his Model of Divinity Catechistically composed a very profitable Book is as to the method definitions distributions wholly Richardsons and a great part of his explications also so far as they are solid and demonstrative A judicious Reader may easily perceive which are Richardsons and which Yates his Notions though in the Book it is not mentioned About the same time the Lord raised up that great Champion Dr. Ames of whom one too truly complaineth that there might be written over his Grave as once over Scipio's Ingrata Patria ne ossa mea quidem habes Mr. Jeanes He in his Medulla Theologiae hath improved Richardsons method and Principles to great advantage And truly I concur with that worthy Divine who said that next to the Bible he esteemed Dr. Ames his Marrow of Divinity as D. Thom. Goodwin the best Book in the world These things considered the Reader may expect and will undoubtedly find that which will be well worth his serious perusal in the following Catechism As for the worthy Author although the Lord hath seen meet to fix his present station not only in a wilderness but in one of the obscurest places therein yet is his praise in the Gospel throughout all the Churches And by what is here presented as well as by other things formerly published it doth appear that the Author is a Workman that needeth not to be ashamed For here is not only Milk for Babes in respect of Principles with much solid dexterity asserted but strong Meat in respect of rational explications and Demonstrations of those Principles that the ablest men who have their senses exercised in discerning things of this nature may be edified Luther did profess himself to be Discipulus Catechismi a Learner of his Catechism all his dayes The work then of a Catechist is not unbecoming or unsuitable to the ablest Teachers And if endeavours of this sort were more diligently attended it would be one good means to prevent Degeneracy in the succeeding Generation Now the Lord bless this faithfull undertaking for that end and grant that the earth may be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the Sea Boston 4. m. 23. d. 1679. INCREASE MATHER Q. WHat is Religion A. Religion is a Doctrine of living unto God and consists of two parts Faith and Observance The thing defined is Religion it may be called Divinity as it cometh from God and leadeth to God and to a divine life and some have thought it is called Religion by occasion of mans fall man at first was bound to God but he by his sin loosened himself and by the Rule of Religion he is bound again Religion is a word compounded of re and ligo to bind again Jam. 1. 26. Religion is for if there were no Religion none could be irreligious if no Law then no transgression many seem to be Religious few are indeed Religious Jam. 1. 26 27. Definition it self 1. The general nature and Doctrine Religion may be called an Art as it consists of Precepts breathing the first and truest knowledge by which man is guided to his end but it 's called a Doctrine because none can learn it but those who are taught of God 1. None can learn it by the book of nature for there are some lessons in Religion which are not to be found in the book of Creation namely mans Apostacy and Anastasie how man at first did fall and how he is recovered by Christ and the book of nature is blurred by mans sin the curse is fallen upon the works of Creation and thus this book is darkened 2. This can not be learnt only by humane industry for man by nature is void of spiritual eye-sight Re. 3. 18. hence Religion is called a Doctrine as it is taught of God 1. By giving the Rule from Heaven Deut. 32. 2. 2. By the illumination of the Spirit of God 1 Cor. 2 13 14. The special nature of Religion appears in the end and proper object of it Of living unto God to live unto God is the most excellent kind of life hence it is an act of the most noble faculty upon the most excellent object in the most excellent manner and therefore hath religion which is the most excellent Rule to lead to this life It is not Reason nor speech nor quantity nor nature can be the proper object of Religion all these have their proper acts and Rules to guide them but it 's goodness it self which is the proper Object and end of Divinity 1. Man was made for God 2. Hence he ought to live unto God 3. Hence he ought to be fitted for this end 4. This is his goodness and to this Religion leads him 1. Tim. 6. 3. 1. Pet. 4. 6. The parts of Religion are Faith and Observance 1. They are parts for they have a common affection to the whole and are distinct one from another he that is Religious hath both these and yet Faith is not observance 2. They are integral parts give being to the whole as Soul and body make up the man so Faith and Observance do make a man truly and sufficiently Religious for to live unto God is the end of Religion and to this is necessary first a principle of life and this is Faith 2. The acting of that Principle in observance towards God 3. Hence Faith and Observance differ in their natures otherwise they could not be parts and in their precepts otherwise they could not differ in their natures and hence the Rule of Faith is not the Rule of observance and hence this Faith is not required in the Law Psal 37. 3. 2 Tim. 1. 13. but concerning this more fully in that which followeth Q. What is Faith A. Faith is the first part of Religion and is a trusting in God for life proceeding from a grounded knowledge
due to them equal to thy self and not contemning thy inferiors 1 Pet. 2. 17. 1 Tim. 5. 1 2. Eph. 6. 1 2. Isai 3. 5. Phil. 2. 3. Luke 18. 9. Quest What doth the sixth Command require Answ The sixth Command requireth to preserve the life of thy Neighbour and therefore to behave thy self meekly patiently peaceably and merciful towards him Numb 12. 3. Luke 21. 19. Col. 3. 13. Rom. 15. 2. Rom. 12. 18 20 21. Quest What doth the seventh Command require Answ The seventh Command requireth Chastity that is purity in all things respecting the generating of mankind and therefore to behave thy self modestly and gravely observing all things becoming purity Eph. 5. 3 4. 1 Tim. 2. 9. 1 Tim. 3. 11. Rom. 13. 13. Quest What doth the eighth Command require Answ The eighth Command requireth to preserve the goods of thy Neighbour and therefore to behave thy self justly and equally in seeking after keeping and using worldly goods Eph. 4. 28. Gol. 4. 1. Jer. 17. 11. Prov. 3. 27. 1 Cor. 7. 31. Quest What doth the ninth Command require Answ The ninth Command requireth to preserve the Name of thy Neighbour and therefore to have in your Assertions and Promises a respect truly and faithfully to the Truth Psal 15. 2 3 4. Quest What doth the tenth Command require Answ The tenth Command requireth to preserve the prosperity of thy Neighbour and therefore a contentation with thine own things and not envying another 3 Epist Joh. 2. Heb. 13. 5. Gal. 5. ult Hitherto of Obedience next concerning helps to Obedience Quest What are special helps to Obedience Answ Prayer and the Sacraments of the New-Testament Quest What is Prayer Answ Prayer is a Religious presenting of our desires before God by Confession Petition and Thanksgiving according to the will of God sometimes with others and sometimes alone as in secret and to Prayer belongeth Religious singing 1. Prayer is a religious presenting our desires before God called the pouring out of the heart before God Psal 62. 8. the shewing him our trouble Psal 142. 2. nextly and directly presented to God therefore a religious presenting our desires Psal 57. 1 2. 2. The parts of Prayer 1. Confession of our sinful unworthiness Dan. 9. 4. 2. Petitioning for mercy and grace in the Name of Christ Dan. 9. 3. Joh. 16. 24. 3. Thanksgiving for mercy received or that we hope to receive Phil. 4. 6. 3. The Rule of Prayer it is an asking according to the will of God revealed in his Word 1 Joh. 5. 14. 1. According to his commanding will 2. According to his promising will 2 Sam. 7. 27. And Prayer ought to be 1. Sometimes with others in publick 1 Cor. 14. 16. 2. In the Family Jer. 10. 25. and sometimes alone in secret Math. 6. 6. Zach. 12. 13 14. and to Prayer belongs religious singing of Psalms Col. 3. 16. Eph. 5. 19. Quest What are the Sacraments of the New-Testament Answ The Sacraments of the New-Testament are Baptisme and the Lords Supper Baptisme a Sacrament of entrance into Covenant with Christ and his Church and the Lords Supper a Sacrament of our continuance in Covenant and Communion with Christ and his Church The one cometh in the place of Circumcision and is a Gospel Circumcision Col. 2. 11 12. The other cometh in the place of the Passover and is our Gospel Passover Math. 26. 17 18 24 27. 1 Cor. 5. 7 8. Rom. 6. 3. 1 Cor. 12 13. 1 Cor. 20. 16 17. 1 Cor. 11. 26 27. Quest What followeth hence that Baptisme is a signe and Seal of entrance into Covenant with Christ and his Church Answ That all Church members ought to be baptized and therefore the Infants of Parents in Church state ought to be baptized for they are in Covenant with Christ and members of his body and therefore called his Disciples and a holy Seed 1. All Church members ought to be baptized because they are of the body therefore to be baptized 1 Cor. 12. 13. if Church members then the promises visibly belong to them and therefore the visible Seal of them Acts 2. 38. 39. the Covenant and the Seal are so closely conjoyned by God that the Seal is called the Covenant Gen. 17. 10. 2. The Infants of Parents in Church state are in Covenant with Christ for God hath promised to circumcise their hearts and the hearts of their Seed Deut. 30. 6. and the promises belong to them and to their Children Acts 2. 39. and an Infant whose Parents either both of them or one of them being in Church state that Infant is a Church member called therefore a Disciple of Christ Acts 15. 10. those are called Disciples upon whom the false Teachers would have imposed the yoke of Circumcision according to the Law of Moses but these were Infants and these are called a holy Seed 1 Cor. 7. 14. Quest What followeth hence in the second place Answ That Baptisme ought to be administred by pouring of water and so washing and not by dipping the body in the water because it is a Sacrament of entrance into Covenant in which Christ by his Spirit doth apply himself to us 1. That the Sacrament of Baptisme is a signe and Seal of entrance into Covenant is plain from the former Scriptures in the description of Baptisme 2. That Christ doth in the Covenant of grace first apply himself to the Soul is clear Phil. 3. 12. he is first in loving us and cometh to us before we can come to him 3. Hence that means of administring of Baptisme as iâ— most suitable to the thing signified ought to be attended but the applying of water to the baptized this signifieth Christ by his Spirit applying himself Acts 1. 5. baptized with water and baptized with the holy Ghost that is baptized by water and the holy Ghost poured out upon them Acts 2. 33. 4. Hence the body ought not to be dipped into the water for that would signifie that the baptized is first applyed to Christ and not Christ to him firstly Rom. 6. 3. buried with Christ in Baptisme In burying the body there is not a thrusting the body into the dust or earth but a casting of earth upon the body Quest What followeth hence that the Lords Supper is a Sacrament of continuance in covenant and communion with Christ Answ That those only ought to be admitted to partake of the Lords Supper who doe hold forth Repentance and Faith with an ability to examine themselves and discern the Lords body for he that partaketh before he doth partake of the Lords Supper he ought to examine himself and discern the Lords body 1 Cor. 15. 28. 29. Hence it followeth 1. He ought to have Faith and Repentance before he doth partake for the Lords Supper is instituted not for Regenaration but for nourishment and confirmation 2. Repentance and Faith are the matter concerning which the communicant ought to examine himself with a discerning into the Gospel sense and mistery of the Lords Supper 2. Hence he that partaketh must have this ability thus to examine himself otherwise he cannot perform these preparatory dutyes 2. He ought to hold these forth 1. To his own conscience that his own conscience may not condemn him for presumptuous partaking 1 Cor. 11. 29. Rom. 14. 23. 2. To hold these forth to the judgment of the charity 1. Of the Church Officers that so the Minister in the judgment of charity may say Take eat this is the Body of our Lord Jesus given for you 2. To the judgment of the charity of the Church for communicants do profess to have communion with Christ and one with another as one body in him 1 Cor. 10. 15 16 17. And it 's the duty of the Church and Officers to put the difference between the clean and the unclean the holy and the profane according to their respective capacityes Ezek. 44. 7 8 23. And although Faith be weak and obedience imperfect and prayers and preparations far short of the perfection of Sanctuary Institutions yet the Lord will pardon and confirm his favour by the Lords Supper to the humble believing Soul FINIS YOU doe take God the only true God to be your God the Lord Jesus to be your Saviour your Prophet Priest and King and the holy Spirit to be your Sanctifyer and Comforter Promising in his name and strength to cleave to him as your chiefest and only good and by the help of his Spirit and Grace to walk before him in a faithfull discharge of Covenant duties and in a regular subjection to and observation of all the holy Ordinances and Institutions of Christ of which at present you are capable as they shall be duly administred within this Church and Congregation and to refrain and what in you lyeth to reform all sin that is contrary hereto especially the provoking and growing sins of this time ERRATA The Authors absence from the Press and his Copy being difficult to read hath occasioned many mistakes which thâ— Reader is desired thus to correct P. 1 l. 16 r. a Doctrine P 2. l. 14. r. arts l. 30. r. by Faith p. 3. l 12 r. by Faith l. 22 r. unknown good p. 4 l. 17 r. Truths p. 5 l. 2 r. for us l. 13 r. manners p. 8 l. 2 r. Psal 99. l. 19 r. these are one l. 22 r. Psa 90. p. 12 l. 8 r. 2. Individual l. 16 r. spirants p. 14 l. 10 r. for his p. 15 l. 8 r. rational p. 19 l. 22 r. water p. 23. l. 33. r man p. 24 l. 22 r. 3. l. 25 r. 4. p 29 l. 32 r. act under p. 30 l. 27 r. to man p. 34 l. 16 r. John 3. 34. p. 45 l. 29 r. Act. 2. p. 4â— l. 4 r. 2 Cor. p. 51 l. 9 r. 2. p. 54. l. 25 r. as an Individual p. 54 l. 32 r. Keyes p. 55. l. 15 r. Act. 6. p. 56. l. 6 r. Psa 74 p. 57 l. 13 r. Eph. 4. p. 60 l. 5 r. Psal 119. 152. p. 61 l. 3 r. Soul being p. 62 l. 10 r. 2. Abomination p. 69 l. 12 â— seventh day l. 21 r. seventh day p. 70 l. 28 r. otheâ— means p. 73. l. 32 r. 1 Cor. 10. p. 75 l. 1. r. that manner l. 22 r. 1 Cor. 11. l. 34. r. 3. He ought