A Light from Christ Leading Unto Christ, To the reader – Colophon
TO THE READER.
A Briefe Table and Catalogue, of the chiefe Queſtions, Caſes of Conſcience, and Divine Truths handled in this light from Chriſt, or Jewell of Chriſtian Divinity. With a direction to make uſe both of the greater and leſſer Catechiſmes in private Families, or ſecret Cloſets or in publike Congregations if any pleaſe to make tryall of them. Theſe according to the ſeverall Claſſes, wherein they are primarily expreſſed or where more fully they are explained.
Claſſis 1.
WHether all be bound in conſcience to declare their knowledge and profeſseQu. 1. p. 1, 2 2. their faith in Chriſt? when, to whom, and for what end this ought to bee done?
Queſt. 2. page 3. 4.Whether the uſe of Catechizing bee ancient in the Church, with the neceſſity and benefit of it, and the lamentable ignorance in the Kingdom?
Qu. 3. p. 7 8, &c.Whether, all Baptized perſons bee true Chriſtians? and to be admitted to the Sacrament of the Lords Supper?
Qu. 4. p. 14. &c.Whether all who are to be admitted to the preaching of the word, may alſo be received to the Sacrament?
Qu. 5. p. 21. &c.Whether in mixt congregations the ſins of unworthy Receivers can hinder grace from the worthy? and how ſuch communion is lawfull, how not?
Qu. 6. p. 24, &c.What requiſite graces are in the wedding garment to meet Chriſt in the Sacracrament antecedent antepreſent, preſent acting and ſubſequent graces?
Qu. 7. p. 27, 28.What kinde of knowledge, faith, Repentance and Charity are to be enlivened in preparation?
Claſſis 2.
Qu. 1 p. 27 28, &c.WHether a fourefold knowledge of God, 2 of our ſelves, 3 of Chriſt, 4 of the Sacrament be requiſite in a Receiver, what theſe are and wherefore neceſſary.
What God is in his nature,Qu. 2. p. 29, &c. and in his attributes communicable and incommunicable to the creatures?
Whether there be three diſtinct perſons of the Divine Eſſence?Qu. 3. p. 33, 34, &c. and the properties evidencing the Divinity of the Son of God, of the Spirit as of God the Father and the Son?
Claſſis 3.
WHether there be any ſuch ſpirituall Eſſence,Qu. 1. p. 38, &c. and this proved by evidences of light from the Booke of nature, and of Scripture of grace, and of glory?
Claſſis 4.
WHether the holy Scriptures be the revealed will and infallible word of God, what is the antiquity,Qu. 1. p. 47, 48, &c. neceſſity and authority of them?
How to know the right ſence,Qu. 2. p. 50, 51, &c. and underſtanding of the Scriptures, and whether the authority of Scriptures depend upon the Church with the excellent uſe of them?
Caſsis 5.
Qu. 1. p. 58 &c.WHat are the foure great works of God revealed in Scripture? namely his eternall decree his worke of creation, his work of providence here, and worke of glory hereafter?
Qu. 2. p. 62, 63, &c.Whether the whole Trinity did create the world and how God made the body and ſoule of man?
Whether the ſoules of men or women be immortall with divers arguments to prove the immortality of the ſoule?
Claſsis 6.
Qu. 1. p. 70. 71, &c.VVHether God governeth the world by his providence, and in particular Angells and men, and of the nature of Angells good and evill and their ſervice to the glory of God, and benefit of his Church?
Claſsis 7.
VVHether a fourefold knowledge of a man or womans ſelfe be requiſite,Qu. 1. p. 76 77, &c. what hee or ſhee was by creation, what by the fall of Adam, what in and by Chriſt in grace, and what he or ſhe ſhall be in ſtate of glory?
Claſsis 8.
VVHether men or women have free will,Qu. 1. p. 84, &c. and what it was in the ſtate of creation 2 Of nature corrupted after the fall, 3 what it was in the ſtate of grace and, 4 what it ſhall be in the ſtate of glory.
Whether a naturall man or woman can deſire their own ſalvation, and how far,Qu. 2. p. 89. 90. and whether they be bound to waite upon God in the uſe of the means for ſalvation?
Claſsis 9.
VVHether the Lord did hold forth the Law or commanding part of Gods word in mount Sinai,Qu. 1. p. 91, &c. as a covenant of workes or to what end? and wherefore Chriſt and his Apoſtles doe interpret the mind of God in the commmanding part of his word, and what is the uſe of it in the Church of Chriſt in preaching of the Goſpell?
Qu. 2. p. 98, &c. Qu. 3. p. 100 101, &c.What is the covenant of grace and ſtate of Gods children under the Goſpel?
What ſhall be the condition and ſtate of Gods children and of the wicked in death, at the day of judgement, and for every afterwards?
Claſsis 10.
Qu. 1. p. 105 106, &c.WHat is to be knowne of Chriſt in reſpect of his natures divines and humane, and of his hypoſtaticall or perſonall union of both natures and the neceſſity of his being, both God and man for our ſalvation?
How there is a communication of the Jdioms or Phraſes and properties of both natures each to other,Qu. 2.114, 115, &c. with particular inſtances of the ſame?
Claſsis 11.
Qu. 1. p. 116 &c.WHat is the threefold office of Chriſt; in particular, of his Prieſtly office, and of the two chiefe parts of it, Firſt, ſatisfactitn to Gods Juſtices, Secondly interceſſion for us.
Whether the whole ſatisfaction and ſufferings for our ſinnes was fulfilled by Chriſt?Qu. 2. p. 118 &c. and for what end Gods is pleaſed to afflict and ſuffer his children to be afflicted in this life?
Claſsis 12.
WHat is the propheticall office of Chriſt,Qu. 1. p. 12, 122, &c. how and when he did and doth exerciſe it, and to what end and how by his Goſpell-miniſtrey and ſpirit he encourageth and draweth poore ſinners to come unto him Believe, Repent, and he ſaved?
What is the kingly office of Chriſt,Qu. 2. p. 139 130. when and how hee did, and doth manifeſt his conquering calling power with his ſpeciall calling and ordination of Miniſters for the benefit of his Church?
Whether every man may take upon him the office of Preaching with the manner of callings, neceſſity,Qu. 3. p. 130 131, &c. and excellency of the Miniſteriall office, and the ſad miſeries would follow in the Church, if it were aboliſhed?
Claſsis 13.
Qu. 1. p. 134 135, &c.VVHether Chriſt hath procured excellent graces and benefits for his Church and children, and what they are in particular, Election, Redemption, Vocation, and the excellent priviledge of Juſtification for comfort of Saints?
Claſsis 14.
Queſt. 1. p. 142. 143, &c.VVHat is the great bleſſing and benefit of adoption, the difference betweene a naturall and an adopted Sonne and Daughter, and how we may know we are the adopted children of God in Chriſt Jeſus, and heires with Chriſt of glory?
Qu. 2. p. 144 &c.What is the great benefit of the new creation, and how a man or woman may know they are now creatures?
Qu. 3 p, 146 147, &c.What is the benefit of the preſence of Chriſts Spirit, and what other particular graces Chriſt communicates to his Church?
Qu. 4.149, 150, &c.What a true Church of Chriſt is, who are the members, how manifold it is, what are the markes of it, and whether there bee ſo many Independent Churches as there are particular Congregations of Porfeſſors in the world?
Whether there may be a ſeparation from a true Church for ſome corruption in Doctrine or manners and how far?Qu. 5. p. 154 &c.
Whether the Church of Chriſt may erre in Fundamentalls totally and finally,P. 206, 297. Qu. 6. p. 157 158, &c. with the grounds of preſeverance, and whether this doctrine of aſſurance doth open a way to libertiniſme?
Claſſis 15.
VVHat knowledge of the Sacraments is neceſſary for a comfortable partaking of the Lords Supper,Qu. 1. p. 160 &c. what kinde of myſtery a Sacrament is, How it is a ſignifying and ſealing action, and the Covenant of Grace, which is ſealed?
How many Sacraments there are of Chriſts inſtitution,Qu. 2. p. 164, &c. what difference between thoſe before and ſince the comming of Chriſt, who may adminiſter, and what are the outward and inward matter and forme of the Sacraments in generall, with the union between the ſigne and the thing ſignifyed?
Claſsis 16.
Qu. 1. p. 170 &c, p. 290.VVHo are the ſubjects, or perſons to be Baptized according to the inſtitution of Chriſt, and whether Infant Children of believing Parents; and what evidence and light from Chriſt to prove this againſt the adverſaries of Poedobaptiſme?
Qu. 2. p. 194 &c.What meanes to difference the Church from the world without Rebaptization of men and women profeſſing their faith, with the profit of Baptiſme if Infants in the Church?
Claſsis 17.
Qu. 1. p. 210 &c.VVHat the Sacrament of the Lords Supper is, by whom inſtituted, and when, what are the outward things ſignified and ſealed, and what kind of body of Chriſt the receiver doth partake of, or hath communion and union with in the Ordinance, the naturall, or Sacramentall, or ſpiriticall or Myſticall Body of Chriſt, and how and in what manner each or any of theſe is in the Sacrament?
What are the outward and inward form in the Sacrament,Qu. 2. p. 217, &c. and what the Analogy and agreement betweene the ſignes and the things ſignified, and in particular betweene the Bread and the Body of Chriſt?
Claſsis 18.
VVHat is the Analogy and ſimilitude between the Wine in the Sacrament, and the bloud of Chriſt,Qu. 1. p. 221, 222, &c. and how the things ſignified are preſent with the outward ſignes to a faithfull communicant, if neither by transſubſtantiation, as Papiſts, nor by conſubſtantiation, as others, whether by a locall preſence, or Sacramentall or ſpirituall or virtuall, and what every of theſe kind of preſence are and how to he underſtood?
What are the ends, why the Lords Supper was ordained,Q. 2. p. 22… &c. and the ſweet union and communion, we have with Chriſt and the Saints for our ſtrengthening in th… ſacred Ordinance?
Claſsis 19.
Qu. 1. p. 229 230, &c.VVHat is fit to be knowne concerning the outward circumſtances of time, place, and geſtures, in giving or receiving the Sacrament, whether Chriſtian churches and particular members may not uſe liberty of conſcience in theſe, particularly in ſtanding, kneeling or ſitting and upon what grounds?
Qu. 2. p. 23… &c.VVhether it be neceſſary that the Miniſter deliver the Bread and Wine to every communicant in particular, and whether Chriſt did ſo, whether all ought not to endevour a uniformity with the Directory and practice of that church of which hee or ſhee is a member, and what hath beene the practice of antiquity in things indifferent as ſeeking Ʋnity and Peace in the Church?
Claſsis 20.
VVHat the grace of Faith is,Qu. 1. p. 241 &c. the ſeverall acceptations of faith in Scripture, what juſtifying faith is, and when a man or woman is rightly diſpoſed by Chriſt and his Spirit to believe and receive Chriſt for ſalvation?
Who is the principall worker of faith,Qu. 2 p. 244 &c. who the inſtrumentall, what is the matter and forme of faith, what are the lively effects of it, what the ends of it, namely the glory of God and ſalvaiion of our ſoules?
Claſsis 21.
VVHat the grace of Evangelicall Repentance,Qu. 1. pag. 249. and converſion to God is, with the author or meanes and manner of working, the ſubject, matter, the whole Man or Women, ſoule and body. The forme mortification of the old man and vivification of the new, and the end of it the glory of God, the edification of our Neighbour, and aſſurance of our eternall ſalvation?
Qu. 2. p. 255 &c.What the neceſſary grace of Chriſtian love and charity is, wherein, and with whom it is to be ex…rciſed in the Church, namely to every one that is our Neighbour, but eſpecially the houſehold of faith and our fellow Saints in the church of Chriſt?
Q. 3. p. 258, &c.How we may know who are of the houſehold of Faith, and rightly admitted to be fellow Saints, or Members of the church, and of the twofold entrance and admiſſion into the Church, the firſt inward and ſpirituall, the ſecond outward corporall and viſible; with the ſeverall degrees of ſpirituall entrance into church-fellowſhip, or chriſtianity, not almoſt but altogether, And how the church may be ſayd to be univerſall, nationall, provinciall, or congregationall?
Q. 4. p. 264 &c.How manifold the outward, corporall, on viſible entrance and admiſſion is into the viſible church, namely, but one in ſubſtance, yet diverſly acted in the church both in men and woemen of ripe yeares, and children before Chriſt, and of the Jnfant …dmiſſion of children into the Church, and Proſelytes in and after Abrahams time.
Q 5 p 273, &c.Whether circumciſion was unto Abraham a ſeale of the covenant of workes or of the covenant of grace, and how that place is to bee underſtood,Galat. 5. hee that is circumciſed is bound to keepe the whole Law?
What was the outward manner of admiſſion into the Church ſince Chriſts time for men of ripe yeares,Q. 6. p. 278 &c. and the deſcription of a viſible Church and whether Chriſt or his Apoſtles did unchurch a church for ſome failings, and whether it be lawfull for others to do ſo?
Whether children of Believers Baptized have an infant memberſhip in the church,Q 7 p. 290 &c p. 170. and of their more full admiſſion and entring into covenant, when they come to make profeſſion of faith and are admitted to the Lords Supper?
Whether any of our mixt congregations in England, and London in particular,Q. 8. p. 296, 297, &c. &c, 154. be true Churches for matter and forme, as the Churches of Corinth Galatia, Pergamus and others in the Primitive times, and whether all Separatiſts doe not ſinne in ſeparating from us, and unchurching of us contrary to the practice of Chriſt and his Apoſtles?
VVhether our Miniſters bee true Miniſters or Antichriſtian;Q. 9. p. 315, 316, &c. and whether their Ordination and calling bee lawfull to particular Congregations?
Qu. 10. p. 322.323, &c.Whether our Churches be rightly conſtituted in reſpect of a formall union of members, and rightly ordered for diſcipline, admiſſion unto or ſuſpending from the Lords Supper? and whether ſome failings in diſcipline can make our Churches to be no true churches of Chriſt, but Antichriſtian and to be ſeparated from, and whether our Church reforming be as a houſe pulled down and no church, untill it be builded up againe?
Claſsis 22.
Qu. 1, 332, &c.HOw all theſe graces of knowledge, Faith, Repentance and Love, are to bee enlivened, and particularly our knowledge of God with particular helpes and directions herein?
Claſsis 23.
Qu. 1. p. 341 &c.HOw a man or woman may waite on Chriſt to enliven this knowledge of themſelves of Chriſt, and of the Sacraments, and how they may waite on Chriſt to enliven their Faith, their Repentance, and their charity that they may come more comfortably to the Lords Table?
Claſsis 24, 25.
VVHat are the foure immediate preparatory graces to bee quickened,Qu. 1. p. 357 &c. and acted before we draw neer to the Sacrament, ſorowfull humbleneſſe, ſacred hunger, heavenly joyfulneſſe, and covenant renewing?
How men or women may know whether they have life of grace,Qu. 2. p. 363 364, &c. and be Gods children or not, with divers particular examples of the manner of converting of men and women to God, and ſpeciall comforts to doubting Chriſtians, with a direction how to live by faith?
Claſsis 26.
VVHerefore God ſuffers doubtings to be in his children,Qu. 1. p. 385, &c. with helps to keepe from diſpaire, comforts againſt decay in grace, and directions to live by faith untill Chriſt bring out of darkeneſſe, and bring light of comfort to a poor fearfull ſoule.
Claſsis 27, 28.
Qu. 1. p. 408 &c.VVHat are the preſent acting graces, Sacramentall actions, and operations or exerciſes both of bodily and ſpirituall ſenſes in the time of celebration of the Lords Supper, for refreſhing of our ſoules at the Lords Table?
Claſsis 29.
Qu. 1. p. 450 &c.VVHat graces are to be exerciſed imediately after receiving before wee depart, and how wee ſhould goe home rejoycing and feaſt with ſweete Meditations of Chriſt, and the Sacrament, every night when we go to bed, and Morning when we awake, with the rich graces and benefits are ſealed and wee may finde in a dayly communion with Chriſt in our ſoules?
Q. 2. p. 456, &cWhat thoſe ſubſequent graces are to be exerciſed and practized for, or in the manifeſtating of our thankefulneſſe in the whole courſe of our lives, particularly the Root Grace of Love, manifeſted in our obedience. Firſt, in believing what is to be believed according to the Word of God, and ancient Creeds agreeing to and with the Scriptures?
Claſsis 30.
THe manifeſtation of our love and our obedience in walking;Qu. 1. p. 472, &c. and the Ten Commandements held forth as a light from …hriſt to leade us unto Chriſt, and a directory for our comfortable walking with Chriſt in the whole courſe of our lives, in particular the explication of the firſt Commandement.
The 2 Section of the 30 Claſsis.
VVHat is the ſecond Commandement with the explication of it,Qu. 1. p. 493 &c. and in the uſe a light from Chriſt How to diſcover all falſe lights, and falſe worſhips in the world contrary to the light of Chriſt, that they may be avoyded, and the true light followed?
The 3 Section of the 30 Claſsis.
WHat the Third Commandement is with the duties required,Q. 1. p. 534 &c. and ſinne forbidden, and the uſe of it as a light from Chriſt to lead unto Chriſt, both as a juſtifyer and ſanctifyer that we may walke comfortably with Chriſt in our lives?
The 31 Claſsis.
Qu. 1. p. 545 &c.VVHat the fourth Commandement is with the explication of it, and how it is a light from Chriſt to lead us unto Chriſt as a juſtifyer and ſanctifyer, with the benefit and end of the Commandement for the comfort of Chriſts church?
The 32 Claſsis.
Q. 2. p. 575VVHat are the Commandements of the ſecond Table, and in particular the firſt Commandement, with the duties commanded and the ſinnes forbidden, as they concerne ſuperiours and inferiours in generall, both in reſpect of commutative and diſtributive juſtice?
The 33 Claſsis.
Q. 1. p. 597. &c.WHat are the particular duties of ſuperiours and inferiours, according to their ſeverall Relations; firſt in the oeconomicall or houſehold eſtate of Husbands and Wives, Parents and children, Maſters and ſervants, with directions how to get ſtrength to performe them. Secondly, in the ſtate Eccleſiaſticall Miniſters and People,page 634. &c. and in particular whether Miniſters have any maintenance due to them in the New Teſtament by Ordinance of Chriſt,Page 639. &c. or are to live onelyonly of almes and charity of the people? And what the office of Rulers and Elders is in the church.Page 632. Thirdly, in the State politicall the duties of Magiſtrates and people,Page 654, &c. with light from Chriſt to leade to Chriſt in the uſe and practice of them.
The 33 Claſſis 2 Section.
WHat are the ſixt laſt Commandemens in their Order with the ſinns forbidden and duties commanded,Q. 1. p. 657, &c. with light from Chriſt to direct the children of God, not to reſt in any duties or performances of duties, but on Chriſt for juſtification, and yet to glorifie God in and for, and by every grace given to us in Chriſt Jeſus?
Whether a bare forme or ſaying of prayer be ſufficient,Q. 2. p. 679 &c. in what manner we ought to pray and prai… God, with directions how to attaine the gift of Prayer … helpe of Chriſts Spirit;Page 681. &c. and an example of a man, who could not Read, yet learned to pray, for the comfort of himſelfe and encouragement of others?
Queſt. How may we make uſe of this the Catechiſmel, or the leſſer to beſt profit of private families or others?
Firſt, the Maſter, or ſome one in the Family may read the Queſtion; and then firſt every one in order declare their knowledge, or ſhew their ignorance and inability to anſwer.
Secondly, the Maſter or any other may Reade the Anſwer in the Booke, and let every one in order render the Anſwer again, not verbatim word by word, but as hee or ſhee underſtands the Queſtion.
Thirdly, let this be practized untill every one is able to give the ſence of the Anſwer, onelyonly upon Reading of the Queſtion, without Reading the Anſwer. The like a Chriſtian man or woman may do in their cloſets by Reading and Meditation, and queſtioning themſelves; And if young Scholars in the Ʋniverſities, or elſewhere, make uſe of it at times convenient, onelyonly Reading the Queſtions and Anſwers out of the Engliſh into Latine or Greek; I conceive it might be helpefull to receive ſome light from Chriſt, by which they may ſooner be prepared to hold forth the light of Chriſt for the good of Chriſts Church; Which for the benefit of the Ʋniverſities, Cities, and Kingdomes, is the dayly Prayers of Yours, Theirs, and the Churches Servant in Chriſt.
IMMANUEL BOURNE.
London, Printed for John Wright, in the Old Bayly at the ſigne of Kings Head, 1646.
FINIS.