The Vanity of Childhood and Youth, Catechism
A Youths Catechism.
Quest. WHat art thou?
Answ. I am a Child endued with Reason, who must be in Heaven or in Hell for ever, Rom. 2. 9, 10.
Q. Who made thee?
A. God made me; by whose Power every Creature was made, Is. 45. 12.
Q. What is the God that made thee?
A. God is a Spirit perfectly good, great, wise, holy, present every where, and without beginning or ending.
Q. How many Gods be there?
A. There is but one true God, Father, Son, and Spirit, 1 Cor. 8. 6. 1 Ioh. 5. 7.
Q. What did God make thee for?
A. God made me to bring him Glory, and to be happy in him, Rom. 11. 3.
Q. Where may you know how to bring Glory to God, and to be happy in him!
A. In my Bible, where he declares his Nature, and his Will, 2 Tim. 3. 16, 17.
Q. What Condition was Mankind created in?
A. God made all of us holy and happy in Adam, our first Father, and common Head, Eccl. 7. 29. Gen. 1. 27.
Q. By what Rule did God govern all men in Adam?
A. God required sinless Obedience, as a Condition of Life, and denounced Death, if Man should in any thing break his Law, Gen. 2. 17. Gal. 3. 10.
Q. Did Mankind continue holy and happy, by a perfect Obedience to this Law of Innocency?
A. No: Adam sinned against God, and thereby he corrupted the Humane Nature, and became subject to all the Misery which the Law threatned against sin, Rom. 5. 12, 18, 19.
Q. What Condition wert thou born in?
A. I was born in a very miserable and sinful Condition, Eph. 2. 3. Ps. 51. 5.
Q. How camest thou to be born in this Condition?
A. I must be miserable, if sinful, and I could not but be born sinful, because my Nature was depraved in Adam, from whom it descends so to me by the Line of my Forefathers, Iob 14. 4. & 25. 4.
Q. Why must thou be sinful, because thy Nature was at first depraved?
A. God enacted this as the Law of Generation, that Adam should beget his Children in natural likeness, Gen. 5. 3.
Q. What if thou shouldst die in that Condition wherein thou wert born by nature?
A. I should be undone, and be with the Devils in Hell for ever, Ioh. 3. 5, 36.
Q. Doth the Law of Innocency provide no way for thy deliverance out of that misery?
A. The Law of Innocency provides no way for my Deliverance out of this Misery, as great and dreadful as it is, Rom. 3. 19, 20. Gal. 3. 21, 22.
Q. Why dost thou think so?
A. Because the Law of Innocency admits no pardon, but condemns for one sin; and I daily find that I have many sins, Rom. 3. 23. Iam. 3. 2.
Q. Is there no way then for to avoid that Sin and Misery thou wert born in?
A. Yes: there is, by the rich mercy of God, a way to save lost Sinners, 1 Tim. 1. 15. Act. 16, 17.
Q. What is the way which God hath contrived to save lost Sinners?
A. The way of Pardon and Reconciliation revealed in the Gospel, Rom. 4. 7. 2. Tim. 1. 10.
Q. How did God appoint a way of Pardon and Reconciliation?
A. The Father appointed his Son to be the Saviour of Sinners, and Christ accepted of that Work under certain terms agreed on between them both, Zech. 6. 13. Ioh. 17. 3, 20, 21, 25.
Q. What was appointed to, and undertaken by Christ as Saviour or Mediator?
A. Christ was to assume our Nature, and therein to fulfil all Righteousness, and die a Sacrifice for our Sins, and to save all the Elect committed to him, Is. 53. 5. Ioh. 10. 15, 16.
Q. What was promised to Christ, as the Reward of his Vndertaking?
A. There was promised to Christ, besides the Glory of his Person, as God-Man, that his Obedience and Sufferings should be accepted as an effectual Price for the Reconciliation of all such Sinners to whom it was applied, Is. 53. 10, 11, 12.
Q. Was there nothing else promised to Christ, with respect to the Elect?
A. All the absolute Promises of Grace in order to the Application of his Blood, were made to Christ, Gal. 3. 16. 2 Cor. 1. 20.
Q. Did our Lord Iesus fulfil all Righteousness, and make his Soul an Offering for sin?
A. He did, and thereby honoured the Law, and vindicated the Government of our Creator, notwithstanding his gracious dealings with Sinners, Matth. 3. 15. Ioh. 19. 30. Is. 42. 21. Heb. 9. 14, 28.
Q. When Christ had thus made atonement, was he sufficient to be a Saviour?
A. Yes: for 1. He hath the Spirit, and a fulness of Grace, with a right to give thereof to men. 2. All Judgment is committed to him, whereby he is the Lawgiver to a sinful World. 3. By the fulness of his Merits he hath Pardon, Peace, and eternal Life to dispose of, notwithstanding we had forfeited all into the hands of our Creator, Ioh. 16. 14. Ioh. 1. 15. Ioh. 5. 22. Heb. 5. 9. Heb. 7. 25.
Q. What more is necessary to restore the happiness of lost Man?
A. The Application of the Effects of Christs fulness to their Persons, that they may be regenerated, pardoned and saved, Rom. 5. 11. Act. 2. 38.
Q. What way doth Christ take to apply his merits for the Salvation of Sinners?
A. He enacteth and publisheth a Law of Grace, wherein he promiseth Pardon and Life to such sinners as will accept of him as a Saviour on the terms of the Gospel, Heb. 11. 6. Ioh. 3. 16, 17, 18. Rom. 3. 27.
Q. What are the terms of the Gospel?
A. True Repentance, Faith in Christ, and sincere Obedience, Act. 3. 19. Act. 16. 31. & Ch. 20. 21. Heb. 5. 9.
Q. What is Repentance?
A. A Sorrow for, and the separation of the Heart from sin, as the greatest evil, Ier. 31. 18.
Q. What is Faith in general?
A. Such a sight of things revealed in the Word, as powerfully affects the Heart sutably to the nature of them, Heb. 11. 1.
Q. What is Faith in Christ?
A. Such a sight of, and regard to Christ, as causeth the humbled Soul to accept of, and come to him as our Prophet, Priest, and King, Iohn 1. 12. Mat. 11. 28.
Q. What is it to come to Christ as a Prophet?
A. To yield up our selves to his teachings, believing him infallible, Ioh. 6. 68, 69.
Q. What is it to come to Christ as our Priest?
A. Under a Conviction of our guilt and the fulness of his Merits to rely on him, as the only atonement for Sin, and purchaser of all good for Sinners, Gal. 2. 16. Rom. 3. 25.
Q. What is it to come to Chrlst as King?
A. To acknowledge his sole authority, submit to all his Laws, unfeignedly resolving to obey him in every one of his appointments, Acts 9. 6. Luke 19. 14. 27. Isa. 50. 10.
Q What else doth the Gospel contain?
A. It contains a Prophetick Account of what God decreed, and a transcript of what was promised to Christ, with respect to the Elect, to say nothing of Doctrinal Mysteries, Rules of a Christians walk, conditional Promises, the danger of Sinners that reject Christ, &c.
Q. When did this Gospel Rule of Life begin?
A. In the first promise to Adam after his Fall, though the fullest discoveries of it were reserved till Christ came in the Flesh, Gen. 3. 15. Gal. 3. 8. 2 Pet. 2. 5.
Q. Did God ever since the Fall propose any way of Salvation, besides this Law of Grace?
A. No. And every saved Sinner was saved by this Rule, according to the measure of its discovery that obtained in every Age, 1 Cor. 10. 4.
Q. How far are all Sinners that live under this Gospel concerned in it?
A. Life through Christ is freely offered sincerely to every Sinner that will repent, and believe; if they do thus, the want of perfection shall not condemn them, Act. 3. 19. ch. 10. 43. Acts 16. 30. 31. Rom. 3. 22.
Q. What if thou dost not accept of Christ?
A. I shall be more miserable than if Christ had never dyed, 1 Pet. 2. 8. Mat. 11. 24.
Q. Is the meer enacting and publishing the Gospel all that Christ hath done towards the application of his Merits to Elect Sinners?
A. Besides that, he hath appointed his Spirit to encline, and effectually enable them to obey those terms which the Gospel requireth, 1 Thes. 1. 4, 5, 6. 1 Cor. 2. 10. Gal. 3. 14.
Q. And doth the Spirit thus concurr to apply Redemption, and enable them to obey the Gospel?
A. Yes, and not only strive with them, as he doth with others, 2 Cor. 3. 3. 1 Pet. 1. 2. 2 Thes. 2. 13.
Q. By what means doth this Spirit work upon Souls?
A. Principally and most usually he works by the Gospel it's self, putting forth his power thereby, as a seed of Life, Gal. 3. 2. Iam. 1. 18. Rom. 10. 14.
Q. By what part of the Gospel doth the Spirit usually work?
A. He is confined to no part; he works by the Precepts, by the account of Christs Death, by the Promises, Threats, or the great Rewards; yet which ever of these he works by, it is pursuant to, and in accomplishment of the absolute Promises of Grace which were made to Christ, Act. 16. 30, 31. Gal. 3. 29. Gal. 4. 28.
Q. How dost thou expect to be made willing and able to accept of Christ?
A. Not by any natural power of my own, who am dead in sin; but by the Grace of Christ expressing it self in the operations of the Spirit, Eph. 2. 1. Acts 5. 31. Tit. 3. 5.
Q. How doth the Spirit cause the Sinner to accept of Christ?
A. By enlightening the Mind, and changing the Heart in Regeneration; whence there is an Inclination, Will, and Ability to accept of Christ, Acts 26. 18. Tit. 3. 5.
Q. Doth the Spirit nothing in order to the making the Soul earnest and willing to this?
A. He awakens the Soul to a concern for Salvation, and a deep sence of its present misery without Christ, Acts 2. 37. Luke 15. 17.
Q. What oughtest thou to do on thy part in order to get this Grace?
A. I must not be idle, but I must, 1. Diligently hear the Word. 2. Pray fervently to Christ for the Spirit's Operations. 3. Consider and bewail my Condition. 4. Put a stop to all wayes of sin to my utmost. 5. Carefully entertain, and improve every motion of the Spirit. 6. Strive with my Heart, and urge it with all Gospel Arguments to obey the Call of Christ, Prov. 2. 3, 4, 5. Mat. 13. 19.
Q. What may a Sinner expect when he accepteth of Christ?
A. He may expect, 1. To be united to Christ in the nearest Relation. 2. To be admitted into a State of Pardon and Peace. 3. To be adopted, and made still more conformable to Christ in Grace and Holiness. 4. To be supported with strength for service, and Perseverance. 5. And when he dies to be Partaker of the Glory of Christ in the highest Heavens, Eph. 5. 30. Gal. 2. 16. Iohn 1. 12. Col. 1. 11. 1 Iohn 3. 2.
Q. What is the condition of every Sinner till he do accept of Christ?
A. He abides under the wrath of God, and hath no personal title to Pardon, Peace, or Glory, Ioh. 3. 36.
Q. Is this the condition of the Elect while they abide in Vnbelief?
A. Yes: For tho God hath decreed, and Christ hath purchased Faith and Life for them, yet God hath determined by the Law of Faith, that all are under condemnation untill they do believe, Mar. 16. 16. Luke 13. 3. hence Rom. 5. 1. c. 8. 30. c. 4. 24.
Q. Is not a Believer pardoned before he can put forth any other acts of Obedience?
A. Thô true Faith is a certain Principle of Obedience, yet as soon as we believe we are pardoned, even before there can be any time to put forth any other acts of obedience, Gal. 5. 6.
Q. Do Repentance or Faith any way make satisfaction to justice?
A. No. That is only Christs work; but God hath appointed that that Soul shall repent and believe, on whom pardon for Christs sake shall be bestowed; and he hath solemnly declared hee'll forgive no man till then, Mark 16. 16. Rom. 11. 20, 23. Heb. 4. 6. Ioh. 8. 24. Rom. 10. 13, 16. 1 Pet. 2. 7, 8. hence Gal. 2. 16.
Q. What assurance hast thou that God will forgive and save thee if thou believe?
A. I have Gods Testimony, and Promise; and the Seals of the Covenant, viz. Baptism and the Lords Supper, 1 Iohn 5. 9, 10. Acts 22. 16. Luke 22. 20. Rom. 4. 11.
Q. Art thou engaged to accept of, and submit to Christ according to the Gospel?
A. Yes, I am strongly engaged to submit to Christ, because he bought me with his blood, my Parents dedicated me to him in Baptism, and love to my own Soul requires it, Rom, 14. 9. Mal. 28. 19. Ezek. 33. 11.
Q. On what account wert thou baptized?
A. My believing Parents were allowed, and engaged to dedicate me to God as their Child, and God graciously admitting the Infant seed of Believers into Covenant, as part of themselves; he did seal to me those blessings which my Infant state needed, and was capable of, Deut. 29. 11, 12. Gen. 17. 7. Act. 2. 39. 1 Cor. 7. 14.
Q. What doth the Covenant bind thee to?
A. To be the Lords, in a sincere care to know, love, believe, obey, worship and serve him all my dayes, and to depend on God thrô Christ for all happiness, Ezek. 16. 8. Rom. 12. 1. Rom. 6. 4.
Q. What didst thou engage against?
A. I engaged against being governed by Satan, or the Flesh as my Rulers, and against taking up with the worlds Goods as my portion, and against the customes of the Men of this World as my guide, Rom. 6. 14, 15.
Q. When ought a Child to know, consider, and agree to this Covenant?
A. As soon as he is capable to use his Reason, and judge of good or evil, which many are fit to do about seven years old, 2 Tim. 3. 15. Psal. 34. 11.
Q. What if a Child through the love of sin, or vanity of mind, will not agree to this Covenant when he is capable?
A. He then rejecteth Christ our Saviour, and renounceth the blessings of the Gospel, 2 Pet. 2. 1.
Q. Is it a great sin to refuse to agree to the Covenant, to which thy Baptism engaged thee?
A. It's the damning Sin, and the heart of all sin; for, 1. It's rebellion continued against my Maker. 2. It's ingratitude and perjury to my Redeemer. 3. It's gross injustice to my Parents. 4. It's an affront to all the Godly. 5. It's self-killing Cruelty to my own Soul, Psal. 2. 3, &c.
Q. When wilt thou personally consent to this Covenant as the only way of life to Sinners?
A. I will truly with my whole Soul consent now, and live expressing my consent. And as soon as I understand how to improve the Lords Supper, I will by Christs help solemnly renew it there.
Q. Ought you upon every fault question your Interest in this Covenant?
A. Though I ought to bewail every sin, and seek pardon by Faith in Christs Blood; yet I should not doubt my Covenant Interest unless my fault be such as gives just cause to question whether my consent was ever sincere, Psal. 32. 5. Mat. 6. 12. Psal. 18. 21, 22, 23.
Q. What is the best joy and pleasure in this life?
A. The deep sence of Gods Love, and the lively hopes of Glory, 1 Pet. 1. 8.
Q. What shouldst thou be most afraid of in this world?
A. Of sin; because that provokes my God, and is the cause of all misery, Rom. 6. 23. Heb. 12. 15.
Q. What must thou do to keep from sin?
A. 1. I must believe every thing to be a sin, which is against the Word of God. 2. I must humbly look to Christ for strength. 3. I must avoid all occasions which lead to sin. 4. I must, when I am tempted, consider what a dangerous and evil thing sin is, and resolve against it, 1 Iohn. 3. 4. 2 Cor. 12. 6. Gen. 39. 9, 10.
Q. What is the sin that most hinders the good of Souls, except Vnbelief?
A. A carnal selfishness, which I ought to deny and mortifie, Matt. 16. 24.
Q. When is one carnally selfish?
A. 1. When one is governed by his fleshly Appetite, Humour, or Self-will. 2. When he inordinately pursues the things of a present Life. 3. When he loves carnal self above God, Deut. 29. 19. 2 Pet. 2. 10. 2 Tim. 3. 2, 4. Iam. 4. 4.
Q. What be the sins which professing Christians are most subject to?
A. Hypocrisie, Formality, Censoriousness, and Divisions, 2 Tim. 3. 5. Rev. 3. 1. Mat. 15. 8. Rom. 14. 3, 10. 1 Cor. 11. 18.
Q. Who are Hypocrites?
A. They whose Hearts are not truly changed by Grace, and allow themselves in any known sin, or are seemingly religious from some carnal end, Rev. 3. 1. Mat. 23. 25, 27. Mat. 6. 5.
Q. What is Formality?
A. To be satisfied with the bare outward doing of the duties of Religion, whiles the heart is not answerably affected, or employed, Hos. 7. 14. Mal. 1. 8, 13.
Q. Wherein lies the life and power of Religion?
A. 1. In mortifying sin. 2. Exercising Grace for more Communion with God. 3. In love to God, which is holiness. 4. And love to Men, which will keep from hurting them, and encline us to seek their good, Col. 3. 5. 1 Tim. 4. 7. 1 Cor. 13. 3, 6.
Q. Who are the happiest persons in the world?
A. They that have most grace, and do most good.
Q. Who are the hopefullest Children?
A. They that are most afraid of sinning, and are most industrious to know and love God, and become like to Christ.
Q. What Graces most adorn Children?
A. Humility, meekness, and teachableness.
Q. What must thou do when thou wantest any good?
A. I must in the Name of Christ pray earnestly to God, who is ready to give whatever good thing I need, Phil. 4. 6. Ioh. 14. 13. Mat. 7. 11.
Q. From whom dost thou receive all good things?
A. From God my Father who graciously bestows whatever I have for Soul or Body, Iam. 1. 17.
Q. What dost thou owe to God for his daily mercies?
A. 1. I must love him more. 2. Heartily praise him for his goodness. 3. I must be carefuller to please God. 4. And I must use his gifts to his Glory; that so I may be able to give a good account of my Talents, Luke 16. 2.
Q. By what signs mayst thou try the state of thy Soul, whether thou art a true Christian or no?
A. I must faithfully and oft examine my heart and wayes by these things:
1. Do I love God above all things, and delight in the thoughts of him? Mat. 10. 37. 1 Cor. 8. 3. Psal. 104. 34.
2. Do I unfeignedly accept of, and submit to the Lord Jesus, as my full and only Redeemer, Iohn 1. 12. Psal. 103. 3.
3. Is there no sin which I live under the dominion of, Rsm. 6. 18. Iam. 2. 10. 2 Sam. 22. 24.
4. Have I a sincere regard to every command of Christ? Luke 1. 8. Psal. 18. 22.
5. Are my affections more set on Heaven than on this World? Luke 12. 34.
6. Are the thoughts of Heaven sweet to me, as it is a state of perfect holiness, and Communion with God and Christ, Eph. 5. 27. 1 Cor. 13. 10. 1 Thes. 4. 17, 18.
7. Am I thankful for the worst affliction, if I find I am better, and liker to Christ by it, Psal. 119. 71. Heb. 12. 11.
8. Do I find Soul renewing power in the Truths and duties of Religion? Psal. 119. 50. 1 Pet. 2. 2. 1 Cor. 3. 18.
9. Is it the scope of my life and aims, to please and honour God, and be meet for Glory? Acts 24. 16. Luke 12. 43.
10. Do I love the Image of Christ wherever I see it, and do good Men please me best, when they most express the Life of Christ in their Speech and Carriage? 1 Iohn 3. 14. Psal. 69. 32. 3 Ep. of Iohn 2. 4.
11. Am I more thankful for an interest in Christ, than any temproal good; and am I most concerned to keep this Interest unquestionable? Col. 1. 12. 1 Cor. 9. 27. Heb. 4. 1. Psal. 139. 23.
12. Do I find every holy attainment makes me still hunger and press after more, longing to be perfect, Phil. 3. 12, 13, 14. Mat. 5. 6.
13. Do I carefully approve my self to God in what I am, and in what I do, despising the opinion of men in comparison therewith? 1 Cor. 4. 3, 4. 2 Cor. 10. 17, 18.
Q. When thy Conscience is helped by the Spirit to see these signs in thee, what mayest thou then do?
A. 1. I may safely rejoyce in all the Perfections of God, and in the fulness of Christ, as what do secure my happiness, 2 Tim. 1. 12. 1 Cor. 1. 30, 31.
2. I may comfortably apply to my self all the Promises made in the Gospel to Believers, 2 Cor. 7. 1. 2 Pet. 1. 4.
3. I may admit a Holy Joy, and expect Death without fear, Rom. 5. 2, 5. 1 Cor. 15. 55, 57.
FINIS.
Books lately printed for Iohn Dunton at the Raven in the Poultrey.
PRactical Discourses of Sickness and Recovery, in several Sermons, as they were lately Preached in a Congregation in London. By Timothy Rogers, M. A. after his Recovery from a Sickness of near two years continuance.
Mr. Shower's Sermon at Madam Ann Barnardiston's Funeral.
The Young Mans Claim unto the Holy Sacrament of the Lords Supper, entred by him into a Church of Christ, received and accepted by the Pastor, and its other Officers: By Iohn Quick, Minister of the Gospel.
Casuistical Morning Exercises, the Fourth Vollume: By several Ministers in and about London, Preached in October, 1689.
End of the text · Daniel Williams, The Vanity of Childhood and Youth (1691)