Short Questions And Answers Containing The Sum Of Christian Religion, Part 2 – Part 3
Question.
WHo made you?
Answeare. God. Gen. 1.17. Iob. 31.15.
Q Who redeemed you?
A. Jesus Christ. Iohn. 1.29.
Q. Who sanctifieth and preserueth you?
A. The holie Ghost. Gen. 1.2. Rom. 8.9.10.
Q. What is the Father?
A. God. Deut 4.35.
Q. What is the Sonne?
A. God. Mat. 1.23. Iohn. 1.1.
Q. What is the holy Ghost?
A. God. Math. 28.19.
Q. How many persons are there?
A. Three persons, and one God. 1 Iohn. 5.7.
Q. Wherefore hath God made, sanctified, and preserued you?
A. To seeke his glorie. Rom. 11.36.
Q. In seeking to set foorth Gods glorie, howe manie thinges ought you principally to be carefull for?
A. 2. First howe to escape Gods iudgement. Matth. 16.26.
Secondly, how to serue him. Luke. 1.74.
Q. How will God be serued?
A. After his wil reueled in his word. De. 12.32.
Q. How manie things doth the worde teach vsus principally?
A. 4. Obedience to the commaundementes.
Faith in Christ.Heb. 6.12.
Sacramentes.
Praier.
Q. Into howe manie tables are the commaundementes deuided?
A. Into two. Exod. 31.18.34.1.
Q. What doth the firste table concerne?
A. Our duety to God conteined in the foure first commaundementes. Matth. 22.37.
Q. What doth the second table concerne?
A. Our dutie to our neighboures, contained in the sixe last cōmaundements. Matth. 22.39.
Q. In this order of the tables, that the duetie to God, is set before our duetie to our neighbour, how manie lessons doe you learne?
A. 2. First, I learne to serue him before all thinges, and not to regarde substance, no nor life it selfe, in respect of his glorie. Matth. 6.33. Exod. 32.32.
Secondly, if I render my dutie to God, I must doe my dutie to my neighbour, for if I neglect it to my neighbour, whō I see daily, it is euident, that I doe so to God. 1. Iohn. 3.14. and. 4.20.
Q. How many commaundementes are there?
A. Ten. God spake these wordes, and saide, &c.
Q. Is this a commaundement?
A. No, it is but a preface or introduction to the commaundementes.
Q. How many lessons learne you out of it?
A. 3. First, in that is sayed, God spake these woordes, and saide, I learne that God is the author of them.
Secondly, in that he saieth, I am the Lorde, I learne that he is of might, maiestie, and power to punish the offenders.
Thirdly, in that is said, Thy God which brought thee out of Aegypt and bondage, I learne his merciemercy to them, that louelove and seeke his will.
Q. What is the first commaundement and summe of it?
A. Thou shalt hauehave none other Gods but me. wherein I learne to worship God, and him alone.
Q. In howe manie poyntes standeth this worship?
A. 4. First, in louing God aboue al. Mar. 10.37
Secondly, in fearing God aboue all. Mal. 1.6.
Thirdly, in praying to God, and to none but him. Matth. 6.9.
Fourthly, in acknowledging God to be the guider of all thinges, and therefore to trust in him. Act. 17.25.26.
…. How manie thinges do you learne in the second commaundement? Thou shalt not mak to thy selfe any grauen image, &c?
A. First, that wee make no image of God. Iohn. 1.18.
Secondly, that we make no image of any other thing, either to worship the image, or any other thing by it. Exo. 34.13. Iere. 2.27.10.8
Thirdly, that we worshippe not God after our fansie, but as he commaundeth. Iohn. 4.24. Matth. 15.9.
Q. What is the thirde commaundement and the summe thereof?
A. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord, &c. which sūmarily teacheth me to vse the name of God with most high reuerence, both in tongue and thought.
Q. Howe many lessons learne you in this commaundement?
A. 3. First, it is sinne and blasphemie to applie the name of God, to enchauntment, sorcerie, cursing, or periurie. Deut. 18 10.
Secondly, to sweare by creatures is a setting of his name at naught, Psal. 16. Iere. 5.7.
Thirdly, in our ordinarie communication wee must neuer sweare. Matth. 5.34. Iam. 5.12.
Q. Tell me by whom we must sweare?
A. By God: for it is a part of his glorie, whiche he will giuegive to none other. Deut. 6.13. Psal. 63.11.
Q. In what causes, and where, is it lawfull to sweare?
A. Where the glorie of God is sought.
Or the saluation of our brethren. Iere. 4.2.
Or before a Magistrate. Heb. 6.16.
Q. Which is the fourth commaundement, and the summe thereof:
A. Remember that thou keepe holie the Sabboth day, &c. Wherein the Lord appointeth, that his creatures should hauehave a time to rest and serue him in.
Q. What must we do vponupon the Sabboth day?
A. Holy thinges.
Q. What are those holie thinges?
A. Hearing and learning the worde of GOD preached, praying, receiuing the Sacramentes, and meditating vponupon his creatures,
Q. What thinges must we not doe?
A. Those thinges that necessitie doth not compell, nor holinesse commaunde. Isa. 58.13. Matth. 12.3.5.11.
Q. Who must keepe holie the Sabboth?
A. Thou, thy Sonne, thy Daughter, thy man, thy maide, thy cattell, and the straunger.
Q. In the fift commaundement, Honour thy father and thy mother, &c. What is meant by this word Honour?
A. To honour, is to louelove, feare, obey, & releeue. Matth. 15.4. 1. Tim. 5.17.
Q. What is meant by father and mother?
A. Our naturall parentes, the fathers of our countrie, or of our houses, the aged, and our fathers in Christ.
Q. How is the blessing of long life geuen, when the disobedient liue long, and the obedient and good for the most part die speedily?
A. The wicked liue to their further vengeance, & the godlie enioy it so farre as it shall be well for them. Deu. 5.16. Isa. 57.1.
Q. How manie lessons learne you out of this commaundement? Thou shalt not kill.
A. 4. First I learne to tie my handes, tongue, and countenance to peace, from fighting, quarelling, and mocking. Matth. 5.22.
Secondly, it condemneth all anger in heart. Leui. 19.17.
Thirdly, he commaundeth to prese…ue life. Matth. 25, 35.
Fourthly, he commaundeth to louelove one another, euen our enimies. Matth. 5.44.
Q. Which is the seuenth commaundement, and the summe it?
A. Thou shalt not commit adultrie: wherein he taketh order that his institution of Matrimonie might be mainteined.
Q. How many lessons learne you out of it?
A. 4. First, God forbiddeth all adulterie and vncleannesse in our bodies. Leuit. 18.24,
Secondly, all vnpure thoughtes and lustes of the heart. Matth. 5.28.
Thirdly, all vnchast behauiour, talke, songes, apparell, and pastime, that might entice vsus to such vncleannesse. Ephe. 4.29. Ephe. 5.3. 1. Thessa. 5.22.
Fourthly, he commaundeth vsus to keepe our bodies chast, as the temples of the holie Ghost. 1. Cor. 6.15.
Q. Howe manie thinges are forbidden in the. 8. commaundement? Thou shalt not steale.
A. 3. First, all stealing & robbing. Leui. 19.11.
Secondly, all desire of any mannes goodes wrongfully. Ephe. 5.5.
Thirdlye, all vnlawfull getting. 1. Thessa. 46.
Q. Howe many thinges are we commaunded?
A. 3. First, to be cōtent with that portion which the Lorde hath lent vsus. 1. Tim. 6.6.
Secondly, that wee laboure for our liuing, 2. Thessa. 3.10.
Thirdly, to be helpefull to them that neede. 1. Tim. 6.18.
Q. How manie lessons learne you out of the. 9. commaundement? Thou shalt not beare false witnesse against thy neighbour.
A. 4. First, we are forbidden to speake falsely in witnesse bearing. Prou. 19.5.
Secondly, to lie, flatter, or dissemble. Ephe. 4.25,
Thirdly, that we neuer backebite anie man Psal. 15.3.
Fourthly, in priuate offences to say nothing of our brother, if by priuate admonition he may be wonne. Matth. 18.15.
Q. Whiche is the tenth commaundement, and what learne you out of it?
A. Thou shalt not couet thy neighboures house, Thou shalt not couet, &c. Whereby I learne that the motions of our heart separate from the louelove of God, or our neighbour, though we neuer yeld consent to it, is sinne. Rom. 7.7
Q. Is anie man able to keepe the commaundementes?
A. No. Rom. 3.10. Iob. 4.18. &. 15.15.
Q. What is the breach of the lawe?
A. Sinne. Rom. 7.7.
Q. What is the rewarde of sinne?
A. Eternall death. Rom. 6.23. Deut. 27.26. Gala. 3.10.
Q. Shall I escape this death by the workes of the law?
A. No. Luke. 17.10. For the lawe is the minister of death.
Q. Sith the law doth not iustifie but condemn what profite hath a Christian by it?
A. First, it is a way for Gods children to walke in. Psal. 1.2.
Secondly, it teacheth man not to trust to his owne innocencie. Rom. 3.4.
Thirdly, it pulleth downe the pride of man, and humbleth him before God. Rom. 3.19.
Fourthly, it is a scholemaister to Christ. Gal. 3.24.
Q. As you hauehave shewed me the profit of the law, so tell me why we should doe good woorkes, sith they doe not saue?
A. First, to shew our louelove to God our Father, in walking as becommeth his childrē. Iohn. 14.15.
Secondly, to shew our louelove to our selues, making thereby our election certaine to our selues. 2. Pet. 1.10.
Thirdly, to winne our brethren to Christ by our godlie life and conuersation. Matth. 5.16. 1. Pet. 3.1.
Q. Howe manie thinges are principally to bee considered in good woorkes?
A. First, that they be ruled by the line of Gods worde. Ephe. 2.10.
Secondly, that they proceede from a heart purged by faith. Rom 14.23.
Q. By what meanes shall I escape death?
A. By faith in Christ. Rom. 3.28.
Q. What is faith?
A. A full persuasion and stedfast assurance. Rom. 8.38.39.
Q. Where is it planted?
A. In the heart. Rom. 10.9.
Q. Upon what is it grounded?
A. Upon the promises of God. Rom. 4.3.12.
Q. By whome is faith wrought in man?
A. By the holie Ghost. Ephe. 3.16.17,
Q. Upon whom must faith be setled & stayed?
A. Upon Christ Jesu. Gal. 3.26.
Q. What profit hauehave we by this?
A. I am assured that all the benefits of Christes passion, and his righteousnesse, is as surely mine, as if I had wrought them my selfe. 2. Cor. 5.21.
Q. Howe manie articles are there of the faith, and which are they?
A. Twelue. I beleeue in God the Father. &c.
Q. How many things do the articles set down?
A. First, concerning God the Father, in the first article.
Secondly, concerning God the Sonne, in the sixe articles.
Thirdly, concerning God the holie Ghost in the eight article.
Fourthly, concerning Gods people called the Churche, in the foure last.
Q. Howe many thinges doe you learne in the first article? I beleeue in God the Father almightie, maker of heauen and earth.
A. First, that God is my Father, and I am his childe. Iohn. 1.12. Gal. 3.26.
Secondly, he being almightie, maker of heauen and earth, and I his childe, shall lacke nothing. Rom. 8.27.
Q. What learne you out of the seconde and third articles?
2. And in Iesus Christ his onelyonly Sonne our Lord,
3. Which was conceiued by the holy Ghost,
Borne of the virgin Marie
A. First, in these wordes, His onelyonly Sonne our Lord, which was conceiued by the holie Ghost, I learn that he is God, able to beare whatsoeuer is due for our sins. Luke. 1.35. Ioh. 3.16.
Secondly, in that he was Borne of the virgin Marie, I learne that he was readie to suffer whatsoeuer was due. Rom. 1.3. Heb. 2.14.
Q. What learne you out of the fourth article? He suffered vnderunder Pontius Pilate, was crucified dead, buried. He descended into Hell.
A. First, the passion that he suffered in bodie for the redemption of my bodie, namely that vnderunder Pontius Pilat, he was nailed to a crosse, died, and was buried. Matth. 27. Gal. 3, 14.
Secondly, the passion that he suffred in soule, for the deliuerance of my soule, namely that hee descended or humbled himselfe vntounto the tormentes of hell for our saluacion. Isa. 53.10.11.12. Luke. 22.44. Matth. 27.46.
Q. What learne you out of the fift article, The third day be rose againe from the dead.
A. First, that he is risen, and hath ouercome death and hell for my iustification. 1. Cor. 15.57. Rom. 4.25.
Secondly, I learne to rise frō sinne, & to delight in righteousnesse. Rom. 6.4. Col. 3.1.
Thirdly, by his rising, I am assured that my bodie shall rise againe. 1. Cor. 15.16.
Q. What learnest thou by the sixt article? He ascended into heauen, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father.
A. First his ascension is a pledge to me, that I likewise shall ascend after him. Iohn. 14.3.
Secondly, he being ascended, maketh prayer for me. Rom. 8.34.
Thirdly, by his sitting at the right hande: (which signifieth the power of God) I beleeue that all power is giuen him, Matth. 18 18. Ephe. 1.20.
Q. What learnest thou out of the seuenth article? From thence, &c.
A. First I learne to my comfort, that he that is my Sauiour, shalbe my Judge. Iob. 19.25. Matth. 19.28.
Secondly, to the terrour of the godlesse, that he shalbe their Judge, whom they hauehave refused & despised. Matth. 25.41. 2. Thes. 1.8. Leu. 1.7.
Q. What learne you out of the third part, being the eight article? I beleeue in the holy Ghost.
A. First, I beleue the holy Ghost to be God, who doth assure me, that I am Gods childe, and that all Christes benefites are mine. Rom. 8.16.
Secondly, he maketh sinne to die in me, and stirreth me vp to holines of life. Ephe. 4.23.
Q. What learne you out of the. 9. article, the first of the fourth parte? The holie Catholike Church, the Communion of Saintes.
A. First, that God hath an vniuersall Church in all places of the worlde, and at all times. Matth. 28.19. Act. 10.34. 1 King. 19.18.
Secondly, that in the same there is a felowship of Sainctes, of true faithful people, al which the Lorde knoweth, of which number I beleeue my selfe to be one. Ephe. 5.26.
Q. What learne you out of the tenth article? The forgiuenesse of sinnes.
A. First, I beleue that Christ hath suffered whatsoeuer was due for my sinnes. 1. Ioh. 22
Secondly, my sinnes being freely forgeuen, shal neuer be laide to my charge againe. Iere. 31.34. Luke. 5.18.
Q. What learne you out of the. 11. and. 12. articles? The Resurrection of, &c.
A. First, that my bodie shall rise from the earth 1. Thessa. 4.14.
Secondly, it shall rise a glorious bodie. 1. Cor. 15.42. Phi. 3.21.
Thirdly, my bodie being risen a glorious bodie, shall liue with Christ for euer in his kingdome. 1. Thessa. 4.17.
Q. By what meanes or wayes doe we attaine this faith?
A. First, by an ordinarie and plaine way, the hearing of the worde preached. Rom. 14.17. Gal. 3.2.
Secondly, by the wonderfull and secrete infusion of Gods spirit.
Q. By what meanes is this faith maintained and strengthened in vsus?
A. 4. First by the word preached.
Secondly, by the Sacramentes.
Thirdly, by discipline.
Fourthly, by Prayer.
Q. What is a Sacrament?
A. A signe that may be seene, of grace that can not be seene.
Q. How many sacramentes are there?
A. Two, Baptisme, and the Lordes Supper.
Q. In Baptisme, which is the signe that may be seene?
A. Water. Iohn. 1.26.
Q. Which is the grace that cannot be seene?
A. The washing away of sinnes by the bloud of Christ. 1. Iohn. 17.
Q. In the Lordes Supper, which is the signe that may be seene?
A. Bread and wine. Matth. 26.26.27.
Q. Which is the grace, that cannot be seene?
A. The bodie and bloud of Christ. 1. Cor. 10.16
Q. To the strengthening of our faith, how manie thinges doe you principally learne by Baptisme?
A. First, as water washeth away the filthinesse of the fleshe: so the bloud of Christ doth washe awaye sinne from my soule. Mark. 1.4.
Secondly, I am taught to rise to newnesse of life. Rom. 6.4.
Q. For the strengthening of your faith, howe many thinges doe you principally learne in the Lordes Supper?
A. First, as by the hand and mouth, my bodie receiueth bread and wine, so by fayth my soule feedeth of the bodie and bloude of Christ. Iohn. 6.35.
Secondly, al the benefites of Christes passion, and his righteousnesse, are as surely sealed by it to be mine, as if my selfe had wrought them. Rom. 4.25.
Q. Is the bread and wine turned into the body and bloud of Christ?
A. No. For if you turne or take away the signe that may bee seene, it is no Sacrament.
Q. Going to the Supper of the Lorde, what ought a man to doe principally?
A. Examine himselfe. 1. Cor. 11.28.
Q. Why ought a man to examine himselfe?
A. First, because the vnworthie receiuer is guiltie of the bodie and bloude of Christ. 1. Cor. 12.25.
Secondly, because he prouoketh the Lorde to wrath, and so eateth and drinketh his owne damnation. 1. Cor. 11.29.
Q. Whether may fooles, madd men, or children be admitted to the Supper of the Lorde?
A. No. For they cannot examine themselues 1. Cor. 11.28.
Q In how many thinges ought a man principally to examine himselfe?
A. First, whether he hath faith or no.
Secondly, whether he be sorie for his sinnes, & doth detest and abhorre them.
Thirdly, whether he hath sought reconciliation with them to whom he hath geuen offence.
Q God knoweth before wee aske what wee neede, so that he neede not to be put in mynd, he is not slouthfull that he neede to be stirred vp, he hath appointed in his prouidēce what he wil bestow, how, and when, therefore why should we pray?
A. First, to stirre vp our selues to seeke him.
Secondly, to exercise our selues in meditating vponupon his promises.
Thirdly, that we may discharge and vnloa…e our cares into the bosome of God.
Fourthly, that we may testifie our selues, and others, that wee hope and aske for all good from God alone.
Q. How manie thinges ought we to be carefull of in prayer?
A. 5. First that we pray to God through Christ. Iohn. 16.23.
Secondly, that we be inwardly touched with that we pray for. Rom. 8.26.
Thirdly, that they be grounded vponupon Gods promises. 1. Iohn. 5.14.
Fourthly, that wee bee not wearie of prayer, Luke. 18.1.
…ftly, that wee pray according to that rule, which God himselfe geueth. Matth. 6.9.
Q. What needes the riche man daily to pray for daily bredad, who hath enough in store for many yeares?
A. First, he is to pray for the poore as for himselfe.
Secondly, his substance and dainties shall doe him no good without Gods blessing.
Q. Howe manie things doe you pray for in this petition? Forgeue vsus our, &c.
A. First, that God woulde forgiue vsus our trespasses.
Secondly, that we may be directed by him to forgiue one another.
Q. How many lessons learne you out of it?
A. First, that all men are sinners.
2. Man must seeke for forgiuenes, for he cannot satisfie.
3. None can forgiue sinnes but God.
4. To the enuious man there is no forgiuenesse,
Q. In this sixt petition, Leade vsus not into temptation, but deliuer vsus from euil, What is ment by Led into temptation?
A. To be deliuered bodie and soule to Sathan.
Q. What is meant by euil?
A. The diuell and sinne.
Q. What pray you for in this petition?
A. We pray that we be no further tempted than … God geueth gs power to beare.
Q. What learne you in this
A. First, that all Ch…istians are in warres, … hauehave neede to watch.
Secondly, we are all weake, and hauehave neede of helpe.
Thirdly, that Sathan can doe nothing, vnlesse God giuegive leaue.
Fourthly, the Lorde is our deliuerer from all temptations.
Q. How many things learne you out of the conclusion? Thine is the kingdome, the power, and glorie, for euer and euer.
A. First, these wordes doe kindle our heartes, to desire the glorie of God.
Secondly, to ground vponupon none but God.
Thirdly, that his kingdome is mightie and euerlasting.
Q. What meaneth this worde Amen?
A. It signifieth, So be it, or, So it shalbe: first shewing a feruent desire to hauehave that I aske.
Secondly, it is an assurance to my conscience, that I shall hauehave that I aske.
Q. Where finde you the like examination of the people after they hauehave bene taught.
A. I finde that our Sauiour Christ, after he had taught, did againe examine them, howe they had profited, and in examination did teache them further, in Matt. 13.51. and the .16.13 14.15.17. and the .17.25. Iohn. 6.5.
FINIS
A Prayer vsed after Catechizing in the Euening.
WE heartily thanke thee, O mercifull father, for that thou hast bestowed the inestimable treasure of thy holy woorde vppon vsus most vile and sinfull wretches. And sith it is not in him that plāteth, nor in him that watereth, but in thy mercifull hand to mortifie our sinfull lustes, and to create new hearts in vsus, we beseech thee so to order and direct vsus, that we proue not like the greene figge tree flourishing without fruite, nor be of the number of those hypocrits, which with tongue can say Lorde Lorde, in thy name can prophesie, cast out diuelles, and do many great woorkes, and yet are condempned for wicked because their heartes are not right: nor like to them, which are swept and garnished, but emptie, wherevnto the vncleane spirit returnes with seuen worse than himselfe, and so our ende be worse than our beginning. But gouerne vsus with thy spirit, that in hart we may louelove & seeke thee, and in body and soule obey and serue thee in righteousnesse and holinesse all the dayes of our life. And here we offer vp vntounto thee our selues, our soules, our bodies, our liues, and all that we hauehave, in assurance, that that cannot perishe whiche is committed to thee. Take vsus into thy hande, and keepe vsus this night, that our bodies may sleep, & our soules may watche for the comming of thy sonne Christ, that so both our bodies and soules may be the more apt and the better able to serue thee, in that estate and calling, wherein it shall please thee to place vsus. As we pray for our selues, so we beseech thee to looke with fauoure vppon thy whole Churche, increase the number of thy children, graunt thy Gospell a free passage, comfort the comfortlesse, raise vp them that are fallen, and strengthen them that stande, that they fal not: hauehave merciemercy vppon this Realme, long continue thy blessinges of peace and quietnesse towardes vsus, and remoue farre from vsus al let…es and hinderances of the same. Gouerne the heartes and the swordes of all Magistrates, that they may not lift vp themselues in vaine glorie to please them selues, but that they may applie the authoritie which thou hast geuē them, to the aduancement of thy glorie, for the comforte of thy Children, and the terrour of thine enimies. And sith the continuance of our peace (in these our dayes) next vnderunder thee, consisteth in the preseruation of our Queene, blesse vsus with her, and blesse her with all giftes fitte for so high a calling, and whosoeuer shall attēp, deuise, or conspire ought against her maiesties person, crowne, dignitie, and royall estate, we beseeche thee in merciemercy to
End of the text · Robert Openshaw, Short Questions And Answers Containing The Sum Of Christian Religion (1579)