A Catechism, Chapter 26
CHAP. 26. Of the necessity of faith, its imperfection at the first, and the means whereby it may be increased: Of hearing the word, and of Baptisme and the Lords Supper.
Q. YOu have shewed many excellent benefits that come by faith; but whether is faith of such necessity that these things cannot be without it?
A. Such is the necessity of this grace of faith, that in respect of the usuall way of Gods dispensation, there is no hope nor possibility that a man should escape wrath or attaine happinesse in this or in another world without faith, Iohn 3. 18 36. Mark 16. 16. Heb. 11. 6.
Q. Faith then is very profitable and necessary; but whether is it perfect at the first, or groweth by degrees?
A. The best faith is imperfect in this life a1 Cor. 13. 9, 12. 2 Thes. 1. 3. with 1 Thes. 3. 10., and is usually little at the first bMat. 8. 26. & 12. 20., increasing and growing by degrees unto more perfection cRom. 1. 17. 2 Thes. 1. 3. Iob 17. 9..
Q. VVhat are the ordinary and usuall means for increasing of faith?
A. Hearing the word d1 Pet. 2. 2. Eph. 4 12. Pro. 1. 5. & 9. 9., Communion of Saints ePsa. 92. 13 & 65. 4. 1 Thes. 5. 11., receiving of Sacraments fRom. 4. 11. 1 Cor. 10 16., prayer gMark 9. 24. Luke 17. 5., reading hActs 17. 11, 12., meditation iPsa. 119. 99.and conference.
Q. When must we heare the word?
A. The usuall and ordinary time is on the Lords day kActs 13. 14, 15, 16, 44. & 20. 7. & Acts 15. 21. & Luke 4. 16., and other times also l2 Tim 4. 2. Pre. 8. 34. Luke 10. 39, 40, 41, 42.are not to be neglected, when God gives such opportunity.
Q VVhat rules must be observed before we come to heare the word that we may get profit thereby?
A. We must lay aside our sinnes m1 Pet. 2. 1, 2. Iam. 1. 21., seriously consider the weightinesse of the work we goe about nEccl. 5. 1, 2., resolve to obey whatsoever shall be shewed to be the will of God oDeut. 5. 27, 28, 29. Ier. 42. 5, 6., and pray to him that he would teach us to profit pIsay 48. 17. Acts 16. 14..
Q. VVhat rules must be observed in hearing?
A. Reverent attention qNehem. 8. 3. Luke 4. 20. Acts 10. 33., with spirituall affections rMat. 13. 20. Luke 24. 32., giving credit to the truth sHeb. 4. 2. 1 Thes. 1. 5., and applying the word unto our selves t2 Cor. 7. 1. Heb. 13. 5, 6. Psal. 40. 7..
Q VVhat must we observe after we hauehave heard?
A. We must meditate of the same afterward uDeut. 11. 18. Luke 2. 19. 51. Psalm 119. 97., confer of it with others wDeut. 6. 7. Luke 2. 15. & 24. 32., pray to God for a blessing x1 Chro. 29. 18. 1 Cor. 3. 6, 7., and set upon the practice of what is required yIam. 1. 22, 23, 24, 25. Mat. 7. 24, 26. Ezek. 33. 31, 32..
Q. VVhat is the generall nature of Sacraments?
A. They are divine instructions annexed to the word, for the teaching of Spirituall things, Gen. 17. Exod. 12. Mat. 26.
Q. Who is the Author of Sacraments?
A. OnelyOnly God zExod. 20. 4 Mat. 17. 5. & 23. 8., who is the Author of those Spirituall blessings and duties that are taught thereby.
Q VVhat are the parts of a Sacrament?
A. Two: an outward and visible signe, and an inward and Spirituall blessing, which is the thing signified.
Q. Who are to receive the Sacraments?
A. The faithfull members of some visible Church, and their seed, Gen. 17. 10, 11. Acts 2. 39.
Q. VVhat is the proper effect and use of a Sacrament?
A. To be a signe and seale of the covenant between God and his people, and of those spirituall blessings which are promised therein, Gen. 17. 10, 11. Rom. 4. 11. Exod. 12. Mat. 26.
Q. How many Sacraments are there?
A. In the New Testament onelyonly two: Baptisme and the Lords Supper, Mat. 28. 19. & 26. 26, &c.
Q. VVhat is the outward signe or part in Baptisme?
A. Water aActs 8. 36. & 10. 47., and washing therewith bEph. 5. 26, in the name of the Father, Sonne, and Holy Ghost cMat. 28 19..
Q. What is the thing signified?
A. Union with Christ dRom 6 3. Gal. 3. 27. 1 Cor. 12. 13., and forgivenesse of sinnes eActs 2. 38. Mark 1. 4., with sanctification in the mortifying of corruption, and quickning the soule to newnesse▪ of life fTit. 3. 5. Eph. 5. 26. Rom. 3. 4..
Q. Who ought to be baptized?
A. Men of yeeres when once they are converted to the faith, and joyned to the Churchg gActs 8. 37. & 16. 15, 36. & 8. 12.; and such infants whose parents, both or one of them are to be converted and joyned hActs 2. 39 Gen. 17. 12. 1 Cor. 7. 14..
Q. Who is the author of the Lords Supper?
A. The Lord Jesus in the same night in which he was betrayed when he was about to lay down his life, which was the greatest act of love that ever was, 1 Cor. 11. 23, 24.
Q. VVhat is the outward signe in the Lords Supper?
A. Bread and Wine with the actions pertaining to them, which are breaking and pouring out, giving and receiving, eating and drinking, Mat. 26. 26. 1 Cor. 11. 24, 25, &c.
Q VVhat is the spirituall blessing, or thing signified?
A. The generall sum thereof is Christ himselfe, and our communion with him, and withall the benefits of his passion, Mat. 26. 26, &c. 1 Cor. 10 16.
Q. What are the things signified more particularly?
A. The passion of Christ, and his sacrifice upon the Crosse, consisting in the crucifying of his body, and shedding of his blood, 1 Cor. 11. 26.
Q. What else?
A. The action of God the father giving kIohn 3. 16. Rom. 8. 32.Christ for and to the elect, with the action of Christ giving himselfe lEph. 5. 2. Iohn 17. 19.to death, and likewise giving himselfe to the soules of the faithfull.
Q. What is the third thing signified in the Lords Supper?
A. The act of faith, receiving Christ and feeding on him spiritually mIohn 1. 12. and Eph. 3. 17. Iohn 6. 35., so as to grow unto more communion with his n1 Cor. 10. 16.body and blood, and spirituall strength of grace thereby
Q. Who ought to receive the Lords Supper?
A. Such members of the Church as are endewed with knowledge oExod. 12. 26, 27. & 1 Cor. 11. 28, 29.spirituall affections pZac. 12. 10. Isai 55. 1. Rev. 22. 17. Iohn 7. 37., faith qHeb. 11. 6. Iohn 6. 35.repentance rPsal. 26. 6. Hag. 2. 12, 13., love sMat. 5. 23, 24. 1 Cor. 10. 17., and thankfulnesse t1 Cor. 11. 25, 26..