A Catechism, Catechism
A CATECHISME CONTAINING THE CHIEF HEADS OF Christian Religion. Published, at the desire, and for the use of the Church of Christ at NEW-HAVEN. By John Davenport, Pastor. And William Hooke, Teacher.
LONDON: Printed by JOHN BRUDENELL, and are to be sold by JOHN ALLEN at the Sign of the Sun-Rising in St. Pauls Church-yard, 1659.
1656
Post Tenebras Splendet
Ipswiche
Iohn Allen at the Rising sunn in Paules Church yard
Bookes Printed for John Allen at the Sun-rising in Paules Church Yard.
A Declaration of the Faith and Order owned and practised in the Congregationall Churches in England; Agreed upon and consented unto By their Elders and Messengers in their meeting at the Savoy, October 12. 1658
Cotton on the Covenant.
Beza Novia Testamentum.
Baxters call to the unconverted.
Pareus on the Revelation.
A CATECHISME FOR NEW-HAVEN.
Qu. WHat is true Religion?Jam. 3.17. Titus. 1.1. Rom. 6.10.11. 1 Pet. 4.2, 6.
Answ. A wisdom from above, whereby we live unto God.
Qu. How may a man live unto God?
Answ. By faith in God,Tit. 3.8. 1 Tim. 1.19. Act. 24.14, 15, 16. and obedience towards God.
Qu. What is faith in God?
Answ. It is the first act and meanes of spirituall life, whereby the soul,Heb 10.38. Jer. 17.7. 1 Tim. 4.10 believing God, resteth in God, as in the only Author and principle of life.
Qu. How may we know God, that we may have faith in him?
Answ. None knoweth God,1 Tim. 6.16 Deut. 20.29. Exod. 33.19 20, 23. as he is in himselfe, but himselfe. But, so farr as God hath revealed himselfe, we may know him sufficiently unto life, by his back parts.
Q…. What are Gods back parts?
Heb. 11.6.Ans. His Sufficiency, or Being, and Efficiency, or working so far as he hath revealed them.
Qu. What is Gods sufficiency?
Gen. 17.1.Ans. His Infinite perfection, wherby he is in himselfe Alsufficient to himselfe and to all his creatures.
Qu. Wherein consisteth the Allsufficiency of God?
1 Joh. 5.7.Ans. In his Essence, and subsistences, wherby he is one God, and three persons.
Concerning Gods Essence.
Isa. 44.6. Rev. 1.8. Deut. 6.4. 1 Cor. 8.5, 6.Q. WHat is Gods Essence?
A It is that, wherby he is absolutely the first Being, and therefore Essentially one.
Q. Seeing that this one pure Essence cannot be conceived of us sufficiently by one act; how hath God made it known to us?
Exod. 34:6, 7.Ans. This one Essence is explicated, and declared to us, in the Scripture, by divers attributes.
10 Q. What are Gods Attributes?
Deut. 10.17. 1 John 4.16.Ans. Gods Attributes are that one most pure and simple Essence, or act in God diversly made known unto us, and apprehended by us.
Q. How many kindes of these attributes are there?
Ans. Gods Attributes are of two sorts.
1 Those, which shew, what God is.
2 Those which shew, who God is.1 Tim. 1.17.
Both these are necessary, that we may know God, to believe in him.
Qu. What are the Attributes, whereby you understand, what God is?
Ans. These, God is a Spirit,Joh. 4.24. & 5.26. 1 Thes. 1.9. living of himselfe, and in himselfe.
Qu. What are the attributes, whereby you understand, who God is?
Ans. His Essentiall propertie, which shew,
1 How great a God he is.Ps. 145.3.8.
2 What manner of God he is.
Q. What attributes, shew his greatnesse?
Ans. To shew his greatness, he is declared to be.
1 One as in Essence, so also in number, or individually and most perfectly one.Mark. 12.32. Jer. 23, 23, 24.
2 Infinite, without all limits of Essence.
3 Eternall, without b…ginning,Psa. 90.2. 1 Tim. 1.17. succession, and end.
15 Q. What attributes shew us, what manner of God be is?
Ans. Those properties, whereby he is said to work.Psal. 71.19. And unto these all properties of his Essence, and greatness must be attributed, viz. his Simplicity, Unchangeableness, Infiniteness,Exod. 3.14. Psa. 145.7, and Eternity.
Qu. What are those properties, whereby he is said to work?
Ans. For our understanding, …hey may be called the divine powrs, wherby God is able to act,Num. 11.23. Isai. 59.1. and the Virtues, wherwith the powrs are adorned, wherby God is ready to act.
Qu. What are Gods powrs, or abilities?
A. 1 Gods understanding, wherby he understandeth all things together and at once.
Heb. 4.13. Exod. 33.19. Psal. 135.6.2 Gods will, wherby he willeth most freely and purely what is good.
Qu. What are the Virtues of those powers of God?
Ans. In general; Gods absolutely perfect goodness.Ma…. 19.17. In particular; the Virtues of his understanding are his wisedome and knowledge.Rom. 16.27. The virtues of his will are his holiness,Deut. 32.4. love, righteousness, &c. In the acting of both which,1 Tim. 1.11. c. 6.15. consisteth Gods Blessedness and Alsufficiency.
Hitherto of Gods Essence; now Of his Subsistence.
Q. WHat is Gods Subsistence.
That one most pure Essence, with the Relative properties,Hebr. 1.3. Joh. 17.3. called Person.
20. Q. What are those Relative properties?
A. They are three.
1 To beget.
2 To be begotten.
3 To proceed.
Qu. How many persons then are there in the Godhead?
A. There are three persons in one Godhead.
1 The Father, the first person,1 Joh. 5.7. in order, not in ti…e, begeting the Son.Psal. 2.7.
2 The Son, the second person Begotten of the Father.Joh. 1.18.
3 The holy Spirit,Jo. 15.26. the third person, proceeding from them both.
Qu. Are these three persons three distinct Gods?
Ans. No,Joh. 1.1. Acts. 5.3, 4. for they are but one pure Essence, and therefore but one God.
Qu. If every person be God; how can they be distinct persons, and yet not distinct Gods?
A. Because one, and the same thing, may have many Relative properties and respects of being, which in the Godhead make distinct persons. As one and the same man may be a father in one respect, a master in another respect, a scholar in another respect. Yet this comparison doth not fully express the thing, but imperfectly illustrate it, to our weak apprehensions, which cannot fully comprehend this glorious mystery.
Q…. What followeth from hence, that these three persons are but one God?
Joh. 10.38. c. 16.13.14, 15. Pro. 8.30. Joh. 13.31.32. 2 Cor. 13.13.Ans. That all the three persons are Coessential, Coaequal, Coaeternal, one in anothes, and one with another, mutually delighting, and glorifying each other: and that God, as the object or our faith, is every way sufficient to communicate life and blessednesse to us.
Hitherto of Gods sufficiency: now Of Gods Efficiency, or working.
1 Cor: 12.6. Rom. 11.36.Q WHat is Gods Efficiency, or working?
A. It is that, wherby he worketh all things, and in all things.
Que. What of God appeareth in his working?
Psal. 115.3.A. The Allsufficiency, 1 Of his Essence, in his actuall or exercised Omnipotence, whereby he doth whatsoever he will doe.
2 His subsistences, in the joynt and distinct working of the three persons.
Q…. What is the joynt working of the three persons?
Joh. 5.17, 19. cap. 16.15.A. It is that whereby the three persons work the same thing inseparably, each person of himself, and without preheminence of dignity, one above another.
Q. What is their distinct manner of working?
A. Wherby every person worketh according to his distinct manner of subsisting.
Qu. What is the Fathers distinct manner working?
An. To work from himselfe, by the Son, and by the Holy-Ghost. Hence the beginning of things, and so creation,1 Cor. 8.6. Matt. 10.22 is properly attributed unto the First person, though the Son, and holy Ghost do create also.
30 Qu. What is God the Sons manner of working?
A. He worketh from the Father by the Holy-Ghost.Joh. 5.19. cap. 16.15. And hence the dispensation of things, and so Redemption, is properly attributed to him.
Qu. What is the Holy-Ghosts manner of working?
An. To work both from the Father and the Son. Hence the consummation of things,John 10.13, 14, 15. & so applicatiō, is properly attributed to him.
Qu. In Gods Efficiency we are First to consider his Decree. What is Gods Decree?
An. It is his definitive sentence concerning the effecting of all things by his mighty powr, according to the councell of his will.Eph. 1.11.
Qu. What is his Councell?
Pro. 8.12.14. Ps. 104.24. Act. 4.28.Ans. It is the wise determination of h… will touching his working all things in the best manner for his own glory.
Qu. What is the pleasure of his will?
Pro. 16.4. Mat. 11.25An. It is the free act of Gods will, wherby he willeth himself directly, as the greatest good, and all other things for himselfe, according to his good pleasure.
Q…. What learn we hence?
Ans. That Gods good pleasure is the first and best cause of all things.Psal. 115.3.
Qu. What attributes of God appear in his Decree?
Pro. 19.21.Ans. First his Constancy, whereby his D…cree remaineth unchangeable.
2. His truth, whereby he declareth only that which he hath decreed.Jer. 10.10.
3. His faithfullness, whereby he effecteth what he hath decreed,Isa. 46.10. and as he hath decreed.
Qu. So much of Gods Efficiency in generall. Wherein doth it appear to us?
Isa. 37.16. Neh. 9.6. Psal. 1…4.Ans. In two things. 1 In his Creation of the World. 2 In his Providence.
Quest. What is Creation?
Psal. 3….9. Gen. 1.31.A. Creation is Gods Efficiency or working, whereby he made the world, from the beginning of nothing, very good.
Qu. Did God make the World in one instant?
Ans. No: But by parts,Gen. 8. in the space of six dayes.
40 Qu. When did God make the third heaven and the Angels?
Ans. In the beginning of the first day.Gen. 1.1. Jo…. 38.6, 7.
Qu. What is the Creation of the third Heaven?
Ans. Whereby he made it to be a most glorious place, replenished with all things,Heb. 11.10. Psal. 16.11. 1 King. 8.27. 2 Cor. 12.2.4 Joh. 14.2. which belong to eternal blessedness, wherein the Majesty of God is seen as it were face to face, called the Heaven of heavens, the third heavens, the habitation of God, our Fathers house.
Qu. What is the Creation of Angels?
An. Whereby he created an innumerable multitude of heavenly Spirits,Coll. 1.16. Heb. 12.22. cap. 1.14. 2 Sam. 24.12.20. Psal. 103.20 2 Pet. 2.11. Ezek. 1.6. Psal. 34.8. indued with perspicuity of understanding, freedom of will, perfection of strength, admirable swiftness, and perfect in holiness and righteousnesse, to glorify God, and to execute his commands, especially about those that shall be heires of salvation.
Qu. When and how did God create man?
Ans. The sixt day, he made him a reasonable creature, consisting of a body made of the dust,Gen. 1.26.27. c. 1.7. and of an immortal soule, in the Image of God.
Qu. What is the Image of God, wherein man was made?
A. The conformity of man, in his measure to God,Gen. 1.26. Eccl. 7.29. both in his nature, and in his government of the creatures.
45 Q. What became of man being thus made?
A. He was placed in the garden of Eden to live unto God, together with the woman whom God made;Gen. 1.26. & 2.18.21.22, 23. 1 Cor. 11.8, 9. in respect of her body, of Adams ribb her immortal soule as mans, being immediately created and infused of God, and gave her to the man for a meet helper, that nothing might be wanting to him for his wel-being.
Q. What is Gods providence?
Psal. 145.15, 16. Pro. 16.9. & 33.Ans. Providence is that, wherby God provideth for his creatures being made even unto the least circumstance, according to the councell of his will.
Q. How is Gods providence distinguished?
A. It is either, 1 Ordinary and m…diate,Hos. 2.21. whereby he provideth for his creatures by ordinary and usuall meanes.
Or 2 Extraordinary and immediate,Mat. 14.14.20. …sa. 37.30. whereby he provideth for his creatures by miracles, or immediately by himselfe.
Q. Wherein is Gods providence seen?
A. 1 In conserving;Neh. 9.6. Act. 17.28. Heb. 1.3. whereby he upholdeth all things in their being, and powr of working.
2 In governing;Psal. 29.10. & 104.19. Ro. 11.36. whereby he guideth and directeth, and bringeth all creatures to their ends.
Qu. Doth God govern all creatures alike?
A. No, some he governeth by a common providence;Deu. 30.13 16.17. Rom. 9.18. others by a special providence, namely Angels and men, to an eternal state of happiness, in pleasing him, or of misery in displeasing him.
50 Qu. What of Gods providence appeareth in his special government of men.
A. Two things.
1 Mans apostacy or fall.Rom. 5.19. 1 Cor. 15.21.
2 His Recovery.
Concerning the fall of man.
Q. WHat are you to observe in Mans fall?
A. Two things. 1 His transgression in eating the forbidden fruit.
2 The propagation of it.Gen. 2.17. Rom 5.12.
Qu. How may the greatnesse of this Sin appeare?
Ans. Three wayes. 1 By the nature of the sin, as it was contrary unto the love of God, and a breach of the whole Law, and a professed contempt of the covenant, in violating the Seale of it, and all this, when he was able to obey God perfectly.
2 By the evils contained in it, namely, unbeliefe, horrible pride, unthankfullness, intemperance, and profanesse, in selling his birthright for the fruit of a tree.
3 By the consequent of it, foretold him, namely, death: and so it was, murthering himselfe, and all his posterity, in body and soul eternally, as much as in him lay.
Qu. What were the causes of this sin?
Ans. 1 The unblamable cause is the Law of God.Rom. 5.13. Rom. 7.10.12. And as the law did it, so God did it, holily, justly, blamelesly.
Eccl. 7.29.2 The blamable causes, were principally, man himselfe, abusing his own free will.
Lesse principally, the Divel, abusing the Serpent,Gen. 3. to deceive the woman, and she entyced the man.
Qu. What is the Divell?
Luk. 11.18. 1 Joh. 3.12. 1 Tim. 3.6. 1 Joh. 8.44.Ans. That multitude of apostate Angels, which, by pride, & blasphemy against God, and malice against man, became Lyars, and murtherers, by tempting him to that sin.
Qu. What are the effects of this first sin of man?
Ans. 1 Guilt;Gen. 2.17. Rom. 3.9.19. wherby they are bound to undergoe due punishment for their fault.
2 Punishment which is the just wrath of God,Rom. 1.18. with the effects of it upon them for the filth of sin.
Qu. What attributes of God shine forth in punishing this sin?
Ans. 1 The Holiness and purity of God.Heb. 1.15. Esa. 6.3.
2 His revenging j…stice.
3 His Mercy towards the creature offending.Rom. 2.6.10.11. viz.
…is
1 Clemency
Moderating punishment.Iam. 3.18.
Inviting sinners to repentance.Ezek. 18.23.
And forbearing them in his patience and long suff…ring.2 Pet. 3.9.
2 Bounty Powring his good gifts upon sinfull creatures.Mat. 5.45.
Qu. What are the particular punishiments upon the causes of this sin.
Ans. Besides the fearfull punishment of the Divell and of the Serpent.Jude 6. Gen. 3.16. Gen. 2.17. The punishment of man was death. viz.
1 Of body.
2 Of soule.
3 Of both eternally.
Qu. What is meant by mans bodily death?
Ans. 1 A deprivation and loss of the good things of this bodily life,Deu. 28.21, 22.29, 30. Job. 5.7. & 14.16. Gen. 3.19. Eccl. 12.7. with subjection to outward miseries and calamities, and in the end, the separation from the body, and the resolving of the body into the earth and other elements, whence it was taken.
Q…. What is meant by mans spiritual death?
Ans. 1 A deprivation and loss of Gods Image, with subjection to spiritual miseries. viz. 1 Bondage under Satan, the world, and Sin, both original (which is, the contrariety of the whole nature of man to the Law of God so as it is averse from all good and bent unto all evil,Ro. 3.23. Eph. 22. 1 Joh. 2.15, 16. Rom. 6.16, 17, …9, 20. Joh. 3.6. Rom. 7.8.17, 20, 21. Jer. 2.13. 1 Joh. 3.4. Eph. 4.19. Heb. 10.26, 27. and only to evil) and actuall sin (which is the continuall swervi…g of mans actions from the Law of God, by reason of originall sin, so that man hath no free will to any spiritual good.
2 A deprivation and want of the sense of sin and misery, sinfull security, stupidity, hardness of heart.
3 Terrors of conscience and despaire.
60 Q. What is meant by eternal Death?
Ans. The consummation and perfection of the death,Mat. 25.41. Rev. 21.8. Mark. 9.43.44. both of soule and body, in their eternal separation from Gods delivery up to the powr of the Divel, and casting into hell, there to be tormented for ever.
Q…. Is this sin and punishment propagated to all Adams posterity?
Ans. Yea: all that descend from Adam,Joh. 3.3. Eph. 2.5. Job. 14.3. by way of natural generation, are partakers of the same condition with him.
Q…. How is it propagated?
Ans. 1 By imputation,Rom. 5.12.19. Adams disobedience in that first sin is made ours.
2 By real communication,Joh. 3.3. Psal. 51.7. a sinfull nature is from him derived unto us.
Q. How shall it appeare to be just that sin is thus propagated from Adam to his posterity?
Ans. 1 Because we are in him, as children in his loines, as members in the head, as branches in the root, as debters in their surety, or common undertaker.
2 Because we had all stood in him by imputation and communication of his righteousness, if he had stood: It is therfore equall that he falling we should fall in him. Concerning Mans Recovery. And First of
REDEMPTION.
Q WHat is Mans Recovery?
Ans. It is the Lifting up of man from the state of sin and death,Eph. 2.12.13. Rom. 5.8. to the state of grace and life, meerly out of the grace and free favour of God.
65 Q. What are the parts or wayes of this Recovery?
2 Cor. 5.19, 20.Ans. They are Two.
1 Redemption.
2 Application.
Qu. What is Redemption?
Ans. Redemption is the purchase of our liberty by giving a Ransom satisfying to the justice of God for the life and deliverance of man,Luk. 1.74. 1 Cor. 6.20. Esa. 53.10, 11. from the captivity of sin, Satan and death, according to the covenant made between Christ and the Father.
Qu. Who is the Redeemer?
1 Tim. 2.5, 6. Rev. 13.8. Act. 4.12.Ans. Jesus Christ, God and Man.
Qu. Why must the Redeemer be God and Man?
Ans. That so he might be a fit Mediatour between God and man in the execution of his three offices,Act. 3.22. Isa. 42.1. wherunto he was Anointed.
Qu. What are those three offices of Christ?
Act. 3.23. 1 Cor. 1.24.Ans. 1 His Prophe…icall office, whereby he revealeth the will of the Father by his word and Spirit.
2 His Priestly office, whereby he maketh full atonement with the Father for us, by his death and intercession at the right hand of the Father.Rom. 5.10.
Psal. 2.6. Dan. 2.44. Mat. 28.18. Rom. 8.28.3 His Kingly office, whereby with authority and power, he dispenceth and administreth all things, and causeth them to work together for the good of his Church.
70 Qu. What are the parts of Redemption?
Ans. Two, 1 The Humiliation of Christ, as our Mediatour.
2 The Exaltation of Christ.
Qu. What is the Humiliation of Christ?
Ans. Wherby he emptied himselfe, was made of a woman, took on him the forme of a servant, was made under the Law, both to perform it, & to suffer the punishment of our not performance of it,Phil. 2, 7, 8. Gall. 4.4. Rom. 3.25. Heb. 7.22. and suffered (as being made sin and a curse for us,) Death both in his body on the cross and in the grave, and in his soule, in the garden and on the cross, so far as was suitable to his person and necessary for our Redemption.
Qu. What is the Exaltation of Christ?
Ans. Wherby he gloriously overcame and triumphed over all his and our enemies.Eph. 4.8.
Q…. What was the fi…st degree of his exaltation?
Ans. His Resurrection, the third day, wherby his soule and body were brought together again by the powr of the Godhead,Joh. 2.19. Act. 1.3. and so he rose from death, and appeared to his disciples, for the space of forty dayes.
Qu. What was the second degree of his Exaltation?
Ans. His Ascention into Heaven, which was the going up of the Manhood of Christ into the third heaven,Act. 1.11, 12. by the power of the Godhead, from mount Olivet, in the sight of his disciples.
75 Qu. What is the third degree of his exaltation?
Ans. His sitting at the right hand of God, wherby he being advanced to the fullness of all glory in both natures,Psal. 119.1. Eph. 1.20, 21.22. governeth and ruleth all things for the good of his people.
Q What is the last degree of his exaltation?
2 Tim. 4.1. Mat. 19.28. 2 Thes. 1.7, 8, 9.Ans. His glorious returne from Heaven to judge the quick and the dead to the unspeakable confusion of his enemies, and good of his people.
Concerning APPLICATION
Q. WHat is Application, which is the second part, or way of our Recovery?
Ans. Wherby the Holy-Ghost, by the word and ministry thereof,Joh. 10.16. & 16.14. Rom. 10.14, 17. Tit. 3.5, 6. maketh all that which Christ, as Mediator hath done for the elect, efficatious to them, and to become their own.
Q. Seeing this grace is effectually applied only to the elect. What is Election?
A. Election is Gods predestination of some certian persons that in them he might manifest the glory of his grace according to the good pleasure of his will.Eph. 1.4, 5, 6.
Q What is Reprobation?
A. Reprobation is Gods P…edestination of some certain persons,Rom. 9 22. Jude. 4. that in them the glory of Gods justice may be manifested.
Q. Seeing Predestination is noted as the generall act, which includeth both election and reprobation. What is Predestination?
A Predestination is the Decree of God concerning the manifestatiō of his special glory in the eternal estate of mē,Rom. 9.22.23. 1 Thes. 5.5. by a certain determination of the order of means to that end.
80 Q When did God Predestinate men?
A. From Eternity.Eph. 1.4, 5. 2 Tim. 1.9. Before the foundations of the world were laid.
Q. How doth the spirit make application of what Christ hath done for the Elect, in time?
A. Two wayes.Phil. 3.9.10. 1 By union of the so…le to Christ. 2 By communion of the benefits of Christ to the soule.
Q. What is this union: and when is it wrought?1 Cor. 6.17. 1 Joh. 5.12. Joh. 17.21. Rom 8.28.30, 32. Act. 26.18.
A. Wherby the Lord so joyneth the so…le to Christ, that he is made one spirit with Christ, And by having Christ, he hath right unto all blessings, which are prepared in Christ. This is wrought in effectual calling.
Qu. What is effectuall calling?
Ans. It is the powrfull call of God, wherby he draweth the elect being humbled and lost sinners,2 Pet. 1.1.10. Joh. 6.44. 1 Pet. 2.4. 1 Thes. 1.1. unto Christ, that they may be united with him, and with God the father in him.
Qu. Why doe you say being humbled and lost sinners?
Ans. Because, As Christ is come to seek and to save that which is lost, Luk. 19.10. So the Holy Spirit doth prepare men for union with Christ by powrfull convincing them of sin, in the ministry of the word, and so humbling them to a lost estate,Joh. 16.9, 10. before he apply the promise of grace in Christ to the working of faith in them.
85 Qu. Why doth the Spirit proceed in this order?
Joh. 5.40. Mat. 13.19. Rom. 4.5.15, 16.Ans. Because, till men be humbled to a lost estate they will not come to Christ as they ought, nor continue with him, nor glorifie the alsufficiency of the freeness and powr of the grace of Christ.
Qu. Have all that are prepared for Christ the same measure of humiliation?
Ans. The Spirit of God worketh freely, holding some under a greater, others under a lesser degree therof: and some a longer, others a shorter time. But all are so far humbled as is necessary, to the exalting of the grace of God in Christ,Eph. 2.4, 5. Mat. 11.28. and to the preparing of them to come unto Christ, according to the termes of the Gospell.
Qu. What acts doth Effectuall calling imply?
Ans. Two:Act. 28.28. Joh. 6.44. 1 The effectuall offer of Christ, or drawing us unto him.
2 Our coming unto Christ,Joh. 6.44, 45. & 1.18. and receiving of him.
Qu. What is the effectuall offer of Christ drawing us to him?
Ans. It is the propounding of Christ,1 Cor. 1.23, 24. Heb. 7.25. Act. 4.12. Joh. 6.44, 45. Eph. 1.17. 2 Cor. 4.13. 1 Cor. 6.17. as the only sufficient, and necessary meanes to salvation, with an invitation and perswasion of men to believe on him, made, outwardly by the preaching of the Gospell, inwardly, in the hearts of men by the Spirit of God shed abroad in our hearts, drawing unto him, by working Faith in us unto Union with him.
Qu. What is our coming to Christ, or Receiving of him?
Ans. Wherby an humbled and enlightned sinner,Joh. 6.37.44, 45. & 10.16. Phil. 3.12. being effectually perswaded and drawn and united to Christ, cometh out of himselfe, and the creature, to Christ for Christ, receiving him in all his Offices, and yeilding himselfe up unto him,Luk. 1.38. Isa. 35.5. Jer. 3.22. Isa. 27.5. Gal. 2.20. and to his dispose in all things, by vertue of the Spirits effectuall operation in this call, carrying forth our Faith to lay hold on Christ, and to live in him.
90 Qu. Can a man of himself receive Christ?
Joh. 6.45.Ans. No man can come unto Christ except the Father draw him.Joh. 3.27. Nor receive Christ except it be given him. Christ is received first passively,Gal. 4.9. then actively. We are known of him before we know him. And are apprehended of him before we can apprehend him.
Qu. What is the passive receiving of Chri t?
Eph. 2.5. Phil. 2.13.Ans. That wherby a spiritual principle of grace is ingenerated in mans will.
Qu. What is our active receiving Chri…t?
1 Cor. 4.13. Joh. 3.16. 1 Pet. 1.21.Ans. It is that, wherby Faith, infused into the heart by the Spirit, acteth upon Christ, believing in him, & by him in God.
Qu. What is the communion of Chri…ts benefits?
Ans. Wherby the soule being possessed with Christ and right unto him,Joh. 4.10, 24. hath, by the same Spirit, fruition of him and all his benefits.
Qu. How are the benefits of Christ conveyed to Believers?
A. Two waies.
1 By way of Imputation.
2 By way of Infusion.
95 Qu. What is Imputation?
Ans. When that which another hath and doth, is accounted mine,Philem. 18. 2 Cor. 5.19.21. as though I had it and did it. As when a debter is acquitted for the payment, which his surety hath made on his behalfe.
Qu. What is Infusion?
Ans. When certain gracious qualities,1 Pet. 1.3. Jam. 2.20. 2 Cor. 5.17. or indwelling spirituall gifts of grace are wrought in a man, which he had not before whereby he liveth unto God.
Qu. What benefits of Christ are conveyed to Believers by Imputation?
Ans. 1. Adoption,Joh. 1.12. Gal. 3.26. & 4.5. which is the gracious sentence of God the Father, whereby he doth for Christs sake, accept believers into the dignity of his children.
2 Justification,Rom. 3.24.28. & 8.33. 2 Cor. 5.21. Phil. ….9. Rom. 5.10.18, 19. which is the gracious sentence of God, whereby he doth, for Christs sake, acquit a believer from sin, and death, and account him righteous unto life.
Qu. What benefits of Christ are conveyed to Believers by Infusion?2 Cor. 7.1. 1 Thes. 5.2…. Eph. 4.20.25. Phil. 3.10. Heb. 9.14.
Ans. 1. Sanctification, which is a powerfull change of a man from the filthiness of sin, to the purity of Gods Image, through the Efficacy Christ in him.
Rom. 8.30. Ier. 1.30. John 3.36.2 Glorification, which is the blessed change of a man, from the misery and punnishment of sin, into eternall happiness.
Concerning the Subject of this APPLICATION.
Q. TO whom is Christ applied?
Ephe. 5.25, 26, 27 John …7.9, 10, 11.Ans. To the Church which is the proper subject of Redemption, and of all the priviledges that flow from thence.
100 Qu. How is the Church said to be the subject of this application; are men members of the church, before Christ be Applied to them?
Ans. Not so. Men are not first actually of the church, and afterwards made partakers of union and communion with Jesus Christ; But Christ is first effectually applied to the calling of men unto union and communion with him,Eph. 4.16. 1 cor. 1.14. Ephe. 1.1. 1 Thes. 1.1. 1 John 1.3. and then they become the church of God. For the church hath its name and definition from calling. Namely, The church is a company of called ones, or of believers, or of such as are in Christ, and have communion with him, and with the Father in him.
Qu. Hath every member of the church the same degrees and measures of communion with Christ?
Ans. No. There are different degrees of communion with Christ:1 Cor. 13.9.12. Eph. 6.12, 13. & 4.13. whence ariseth the destinction of the church, into Militant and Triumphant.
Qu. There is a distinction of the militant church, into visible and invisible: what doth that hold forth unto us?
Ans. Not two several kinds of churches nor two several parts of the same church; but two different manners, or respects of the church, which is invisible and spiritual, in respect of its essential forme, or internal faith; but, in respect of its accidental form, or external profession of faith, is visible.
Qu. The church Militant is not visible altogether at once, How then is it visible?
Ans. Principally,Rev. 1.4. 2 Cor. 8.1.19. in the joynt profession of believers joyned together in distinct congregations which are so many churches.
Qu. What is an instituted church?
Ans. It is a company of believers,1 Cor. 7.14. Ephe. 1.1. 1 Cor. 1 2. 2 Cor. 1.1. 1 Cor. 12.27. 1 Cor. 14.23. & 11.17.18.20. Mat. 28.19.20. Rev. 4.9, 10, 11. or saints by calling, together with their seed, joyned together in fellowship with the Lord Jesus, and one with another as a spiritual political body, in the congregation, by a publick covenant to use constantly all, the meanes appointed of God for his glory in their mutual edification and salvation in the visible communion of Saints.Eph. 4.12, 13.
105 Qu. How prove you, that the Church must consist of believers, or Saints by calling?
Lev 20.26. Psal. 93.5. Rom. 1.7.8.Ans. 1 Because the Scriptures every where, teach so.
2 Because the Church is the body of Christ. Therefore all the members should be, in some measure, conformed to him, receiving from him as an head of influence,Eph. 1.22, 23. Coll. 1.18. some gracious ability to exalt and serve him as an head of preheminence, and speciall government of the Church.
Joh. 4.23. Pro. 15.8. Heb. 8.8, 10.3 Because, only such worshippers are acceptable to God, and have right to the covenant of grace, and to the Seals therof.
Psal. 50.5.4 Because, none but such are fit to confederate, for the carrying on of church powr and order, and ordinances to Christs ends.
Qu. Are all the members of a visible church true believers?
Ans. None have a true right to Church-priviledges, nor can duely expect a blessing from God, in the ordinances but such: nor may the church receive any known hypocrites into their fellowship.1 Joh. 2.19. Jude. 2. Mat. 22.21, 13. Yet because churches judge as men, by what appeareth to them to be faith and holinesse, according to rule, in externall profession; hypocrites have crept into the purest Primitive Churches, and still do,Ezek. 44.7. 1 Sam. 16.7. and will joyne in visible communion with the saints.
Quest. Is every believer a member of the visible Church?
Ans. Not, till,Acts. 8.37. & 19.18. 1 Cor. 15.1. 2 Cor. 8.5. Act. 2.41.47 by his personal and publick profession, he approve himselfe to the Church, and be by them orderly accepted into the fellowship of the covenant, in an instituted church.
Qu. How do you prove that Church-covenanting is necessary to Church-fellowship?
Ans. Sundry wayes,Psal. 50.16. Isai. 56.4, 8. & 62.4, 5. 1 By the prophesies concerning the churches under the new Testament, that they should be so combined.
2 By the parity between the National church of the Jewes and the congregational churches of Christians,Isa. 4.5. & 44.5. Deut. 26.19.18. in things of common and moral equity.
3 By the names and titles given to christian Churches, which are called,2 Cor. 11.2. 1 The spouse of Christ, and conjugall union is made by a conjugall covenant.Pro. 2.17. Mal. 2.14. 2 The body of Christ, and the members are joyned together in the body natural by certain ligaments,1 Cor. 12.27. Eph. 4.16. Coll. 2.19. wherunto the voluntary church covenant answereth, & the political joyning together of the members of Citties, which are bodyes corporat,Rev. 3.12. Eph. 2.19. is by confoederacy.
3 The house of God: and houses are made by orderly and firmly joyning,1 Tim. 3.1. 1 Pet. 2.5. Mat. 16.19. cementing, mortising, and brasing the partes together.
4 By the nature of church-fellowship. For a church is a spiritual political corporation, wherin sundry are joyned together, as members or parts to make up one whole, or intire body, distinct from other congregations, with a mutual power to accept, order or reject, according to the Rule, and with a right unto common priviledges and advantages of that society. Hence, mutual covenanting is necessary, as being the foundation. 1 Of their relation of membership in the body naturally.
1 Cor. 8.5. 1 Cor. 5.12. Math. 16.18, 19.2 Of that interest of power, which some have over others, and the whole hath over every member. 3 Of their immediate right unto the outward priviledges of a visible church.
Qu. What is the mutuall covenanting of the saints?
Ans. It is that solemn publick action or engagement wherby they stand voluntarily bound one to another, & all, & every one of them to Jesus Christ, the head of the church, to submit to all the rules prescribed by him,Mich. 4.5. & 6.1.2. for the ordering of his people in the use of all instituted meanes for the attainment of the ends of church fellowship.
110 Qu. How prove you that the seed of church-members, are of the chu…ch with them, by vertue of the covenant?
Ans. 1 By the covenant, which God made with Abraham and his seed,Gen. 17.7. Gal. 3.8.16, 17. Rom. 4.11. which was the covenant of the Gospell, and confi…med in Christ, Circumcision the seal therof being the seal of the righteousness of Faith Into the place and stead wherof Baptism is now come.Coll. 2.11.12.
2. Because the Apostle saith that the children of the members of christian churches are holy,1 Cor. 7.14. Psal. 93.1. to distinguish them from other children, which can be meant of no other holyness but foe…eral. Therfore they are of the church.
Qu. Are such Infants so compleat members of the church, that, without any other right, they may exercise all acts of church communion, and partake of all church priviledges when they are grown up?
A. The state which Infants have in the church, and so their right unto Baptism is only in their next and immediate parents covenant (one of them,Gen. 17.7. 1 Cor. 7.14. Eph. 6.4. at least, being a member of the Church.) By vertue wherof they are under the watch and care of the church,1 Cor. 11.28, 29. Esa. 56.6, 7. 2 Cor. 8.5. 2 John 4. to see that they may be brought up in the knowledge and obedience of the Lord: till they be grown up; and then they are to be admitted to full fellowship of all Church priviledges, in their own personal right, if upon due tryall, their personal faith appeareth, & their good conversation, unto the satisfaction of the Church, and they voluntarily take hold of the covenant of the Church. O…herwise, if they hold not forth their personal faith, and their own desire of the same communion with the Church, which their parents had:Luke 7.30. they are to be accounted and declared to be non-members, and to have no right to Church-priviledges.
Qu. Why do you limit the right that Infants have to Baptism unto their next and immediate parents, as if they were foederally holy only?
Ans. 1. Because the Apostle doth so limit it, when he saith to such (one of the parents being actually and visibly of the Church) your children are holy:1 Cor. 7.14. He speaketh not to Grandfathers, in Church-state, your grandchildren are holy; though their next parents joyn not with the Church: which he would have said, if it had been so.
2 Because it is in the power of the next parents to give their children right to Baptism, though their predecessours should oppose it, and to deny & deprive their children of that right; though their Ancestors should desire it. The Apostacy of the next parents takes off the federal holinesse of their …eed. As we see in the posterity of Ismael, and Esau, &c.
3 Because, if Infants should have this right in their Grand-fathers, &c. where shall we stop or stay? shall it be extended to a thousand generations? as some missapply the promise in the second Commandement: which cannot be true. For then the children of the Jews, Turks, and Heathen must be baptized by their right in some Ancestors, within that time.Rom. 11.17. Contrary to what is said of the Jewes.
Qu. Are all bound to seek to joyn themselves to an instituted, rightly ordered Church?
Ans. All that have opportunity so to do, and yet neglect it, sin greatly.Math. 28.19, 20. Heb. 3.3, 6. 1 Against the second commandement, in not worshiping God according to his own institutions.
2 Against their own soules, depriving them of those blessings,Exod. 20.24. Song. 1.7.8. which, by vertue of the promises, are joyned with these institutions.
3 If they obstinatly persist in that neglect, what ever they profess,Act. 2.47. Psal. 24.6. they can hardly be accounted such as truely believe, and seek the Kingdom of God.
Qu. What be the outward meanes, wherby the Spirit applyeth Christ with his benefits unto Instituted Churches?
1 Cor. 12.3, 4, 5, 6.A. They are three
1 The gifts of the Spirit of Christ.
2 The Offices of the ministry.
3 The works done in and by those gifts and Offices.
115 Qu. What is required concerning the exercise of gifts?
A. That as every man hath received the gift (though he be not in office) he minister the same,1 Pet. 4.10. one to another as good stewards of the manifold graces of God.
Qu. What is the office of ministry?
A. It is an ecclesiastical function, wherby persons orderly chosen, do, by special right,Heb. 5.14. dispence holy things unto the church.
Qu. Why doe you call it a ministry?
Ans. Because, that powr, which is committed to such persons,1 Cor. 4.1. 2. Mat. 28.20. 2 Cor. 4.5. is of acting o…ly by the command of Ch…ist, in obedience to him, and to his ends.
Q…. What is the calling of ministers?
Ans. It is an action, wherby an office is committed to fi… persons, with Authority of ministring.
Q…. How many sorts of ministers, doth the new Testament hold forth?
A. Two, 1 Ex…raordinary, which hath an higher and more perfect direction, then that which can be had by ordinary meanes, as that of Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists.Ephe. 4.11. Hence the Apostles were to plant the fi…st Churches,1 Cor. 2.10, 11, 12. and to l…ave perfect rules and pat…ernes to after times.
120 Q…. W at is the second sort of ministry held forth in the new Testament, viz. ordinary?
A. That which hath its direction from Scripture, and from those meanes which God hath appoin ed,Ephe 4.11.1…, 13. in his church for its perpetual edification. O… this sort there are Four officers. 1 The Pastor, to whom is given a gift of wisdom, for exhortation.
2 The Teacher, to whom is given a gift of knowledge for doctrine. 3 The Ruling Elder,Rev. ….6, , 8. Cor. 12.8. Rom. 12.6, 7. 1 Tim. 5.17. Act. 6.2, 3. 1 Tim. 3.8.10. & 5.9, 10. Rom. 16.1. who is to Rule with diligence.
4 The D…acon, who is …o administer the Churches treasure with simplicity: under whom is included, the widdow or Deaconess, who is to attend the sick and impo…ent with compassion and chearfulness.
Qu. What is the orderly calling of ordinary ministers?
Ans. It is an action of God and of the Church. 1 Of God, fitting them for the ministry, by bestowing upon them competent gifts for their office, & inclining them willingly to accept the ministry.Heb. 5.4. 2 Of the Church, designing them thereunto, upon due trial of their fitness,Acts 1.15.2…. & 6.1.10.6. & 14.22. 1 Tim. 3.2. to 6. Tim. 1.5: choosing them to their office, and solemnly investing them with the power of office, in ordination, according to Scripture rules.
Qu. What if the Officer be found unfaithfull in his place?
An. He is to be warned by the Church, to take heed of his ministry, that he hath received in the Lord, to fulfill it: which if he refuse to do, by the same power that set him up,Coll: 4:17: proceeding orderly, and with good advise, he is to be deposed.
Qu. What are the outward workes done in and by these gifts and offices?
A. These Six.
1 Prayer.
2 Singing Psalmes.
3 Reading, opening, & applying of the word.
4 the Sacraments.
5 the Censures.
6 Contributions.
Qu. How are the solemn publick prayers to be performed by the Officers?
A. Not by Liturgies, or stinted formes invented and imposed by men; but as the Spirit of Christ helpeth them, in the exercise of their own gift, to suit their supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks for all men, and for those that are in Authority, according to the necessities of of the Church, and to the nature of the ordinances,Jude v. 2…. Rom. 8.5 16. 1 Tim. 2.1, 2. & 4, 5. Acts 6.4. which are to be sanctified thereby. For it is their duty to give themselves, as well to prayer, as to the ministry of the word.
125 Quest. What is required concerning singing of Psalmes in the Church?
Ans. Singing of Psalms in the Church is an ordinance to be performed, not only by the ministe…s, but also by the whole assembly; The Psalms thus sung must be such parts of Scripture, as the Holy-Ghost hath formed into verse, to be sung, exhorting and admonishing themselves,Esa 5….8.…. Coll. 3.16. Eph. 5.19. mutualy, with grace in their hearts, making melody in their hearts to the Lord.
Q…. What is required concerning Reading the word in the Church?
A. The word to be read in the Church, are not Apochrypha bookes, nor Homilies, but the Canonical Scriptures penned by the Prophets,Rom. 3.2. 2 Tim 3.15. 1 Pet. 1.20. and Apostles, which contain in them all things necessary to salvation, and therfore is to be attended with due reverence and attention, in the publick assemblies as becometh the word of God,Neh. 8.5 8. Luk. 4.17.20. 2 Tim. 3.16, 17. and with the reading of the word must be joyned the opening and applying of it, for doctrine, reproofe, correction, instruction, and comfort.
Qu. Who are to read, open, and apply the Scriptures in the Church?
Act. 20.28.A. Principally, and by office, the Teaching officers.Act. 11.19.22. & 13.14.10.17. & 18.24.28. 1 Cor. 14.3, 4, 24. Secondly, others competently gifted, though not in …ffice, being approved and called by the Church therunto, and orderly exercising their gifts unto edification in prophecying.
Qu. The next work to be done is the Sacraments. What is a Sacrament?
A. A Sacrament is an outward and visible Signe and Seal of the covenant of grace. Or thus. A Sacrament is a Divine Institution, wherin outward sensible things are separated from common use, by the appointment of Christ to signifie, represent,Rom. 4.11. and seale unto the faithfull the covenant of grace.
Qu. How many Sacraments be there? and which be they?
Ans. Two. Baptism and the Supper of the Lord: which are, either for our grafting into Christ, or for our growing up in him: Hence Baptism may be called the Symbole, or seale our entrance, or initiation in Christs church: and the Lords Supper is the Sacrament of our spirituall nourishment, and continuance therin.
Q. What is Baptism?
A. It is the first Sacrament of the New-Testament, wherin,Mat. 28.19. 1 Cor. 10.2. & 12.13. Rom. 6.3.4, 5. Coll. 2.12. Gen. 17.7. Acts. 2.39. under the visible signe of washing with water, into the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy-Ghost, is signified and sealed to believers, and their seed, the covenant of grace, and their ingrafting into Christ. And it is to be but once administred.
Q. How is Baptism to be administred?
Ans. By a minister of the word, unto a believer orderly joyned to the Church, and to his seed orderly presented to the Lord & his Church: the minister joyning the word with the seale,Mat: 28:19: 1 Cor: 12.13. & 7:14: & sanctifying the ordinance by solemn publick prayer, and calling the child by that name, which the parents have given it,1 Tim: 4:5: Luke 1:59, 60:63: & 2:21: for their own and the childes edification, and so washing it with water, or Baptising it into the name of the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost.
Qu. How do you prove that the Infants of Church-members are to be Baptised?
A. Both by Scripture, and by Reasons, 1 The Scriptures that prove it are these and such like. Col. 3.11, 12. Acts 2.38, 39. 1 Cor. 7.14. whence we may see that Mat. 28.19. is to be expounded so as including the seed in & with the paren…s, and that when a whole houshold was Baptised Infant were not excluded.Acts 16:15:32: 1 Cor: 1.16:
2 The Reasons which may be drawn from Scripture to prove it, are many. As
1 If Infan…s are partakers of any grace, it is by the covenant of grace.Mat: 19:13, 14, 15: Therfore both the covenant and the first seale of it belong to such.
2 The covenant, wherin believers are now contained, is the same which God made with Abraham,Rom. 4.11. Gal. 3.7, 8, 9. Gen. 17.7. which was expresly extended unto Infants. Therfore it is so now.
3 The covenant, as it is now administred, doth bring more ample consolation to believers, now then formerly,Esa. 61.8, 9. before the comming of Christ. Therfore Infants must not now be excluded frō it, nor the seale therof.
4 Baptism succeedeth in the place of circumcision. Coll. 2.11, 12.Act. 2.39. 1 Cor. 7.14. Therefore it as justly belongs unto the Infants of confederates as circumcision did.
5 Infants are as duely capable of Baptism as they were of circumcision. For, as in the beginning of regeneration, we are meerly passive; so to Baptism now, as to circumcision then, the outward seals of regeneration, is required only a passive reception. Therfore Infants are as capable of it as others.
6 Infants of confederates are as visibly in the covenant of their parents, in their way, by the the express termes and tenour of the covenant, I will be thy God, and the God of thy seed. As elder people are by their visible profession.Esa. 61.8, 9: Therfore they have the same right unto Baptism, which is the outward seale of the covenant.
Q. What is the Sacrament of the Lords supper?
Ans. It is thee second Sacrament of the New-Testament, wherin, under the visible signes of bread blessed, broken, given, take, and eaten: and of wine bl ss…d, powr…d ou, given,Mat. 26.26.27.28. 1 Cor. 10.3.4. & 11 26. received, and drunk, is signified, and sealed the covenant of grace, and our spirittual nourishment and growing up in Christ, after we are once in him. And therfore it is often to be used by us.
Q…. How is the Lords Supper to be administred?
Ans. By a minister of the word, unto the faithfull in church-fellowship, having examined and judged themselves, and sitting down with him at the Lords table;2 Chron. 35.5, 6. 1 Cor. 10.17. & 12.13, 14. Rom. 16.1.2. 1 Cor. 11.23. & 31. Mat. 26.20. Luke. 22.27. & 30. Mat. 26.26. to 29. Luke. 22.19, 20. 1 Cor. 11.23. to 26. Mat. 26.30. Mark 14.26. B…fore whom the minister must take the Bread, and blesse it, and break it, and give it to them, with this commandement, once for all, to take and eat it, as the body of Christ broken for them, and this to do in remembrance of him. In like manner he must take the Cup, and, having given thanks, pour it forth, and give it to them, with a commandement to take and drink it, as the blood of Christ shed for them, and this also to do in remembrance of him. Afterward all is to be ended with thanksgiving, and singing a Psalm.
135 Q. How prove you that the Sacraments b…long to none but members of the Church?
A. 1 Because, to administer the Sacrament is an act of Church powr and priviledge,Mat. 28.18, 19. Act. 20.28. 1 Pet. 5.3. which powr ordinary Teaching Officers have not out of their own congregations. Therfore they may not administer the Seals out of their own church.
2 Because,1 Cor. 12.15. Acts 2.42. one end and use of the Sacraments is to Seale Church communion unto the members of churches.
3 Because, there is the same reason of right unto church Censures and church priviledges; and therfore, as they,1 Cor. 5.12: who are not members, are uncapable of church-censures.Rom. 9.4. So are they uncapable of the Sacraments, which are church priviledges.
Q…. After the ministry of the word and the Seals, how is the Freewill-offering, or Collection for the Saints, to be administred?
A. 1 For the time,Deu. 16.15. 1 Cor. 16.2. it is to be made every Lords day, which is the first day of the week. 2 For the measure,1 Cor. 16.2. 2 Cor. 8.3. as God hath prospered every man. 3 For the meanner; not of constraint, but freely,2 Cor. 9.5:7. Act. 4.34, 35. Marke 12.42. 1 Chron. 29.17. Acts 6.23. 1 Cor. 16.2. Galla. 6.6. and to be presented, as an Offering to the Lord, and laid down, as at first before the Apostles, so afterward, by their appointment, before the Deacons of church, as into a common treasury.
4 For the end of it; It is by them to be distributed to the supply of the ministry,1 Tim. 5.17, 18. Gal. 6.6. Act. 5.3, 5. & 6.1, 2, 3. Rom. 15.26. and of the poor saints, according to their need, and of all the outward service of the Church.
Q How are the Censures of the church to be administred?
A The Censures are ordained of God for the removal of scandals o…t of the Church; which if they be private, one brother offending another, the offender is to goe, and hold forth his Repentance to his brother, who is then to forgive him.Mat. 18.6, 10, 15. Luke 17.1, 2, …, 4. Mat 5.23, 24. But if the offender neglect thus to doe, the brother offended is to go and admonish him convictingly therof, between themselves privately. If therupon the offender repent of his offenc…, the admonisher hath gained his brother. But if the offender hear not his brother, the brother offended is to take with him one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established, whether the word be admonition, if the offender receive it or the word of complaint to the church, if he refuse it. For, if he refuse it, the offended brother is then to tell the church, immediately, if it have no officers, or by the Elders, who are to see that matters be brought orderly and according to Rule, to the Church,Act. 21.18, 21, 22. Rev. 4.6, 7. Mat. 8.15, 16, 17. if it have such officers. And if he refuse to hear the church, then is he to be accounted as … heathen and publican.
Q. If Scandals or offences be publick; How are they to be removed?
Ans. By publick Reproofe.1 Tim. 5.10. Gal. 2.14. And if the offence be, not only publick but Haynous; then the Church is to remove the offence by exc…mmunicating the offender out of the Church.1 Cor. 5.1, 5, 11. 1 Tim. 1.20.
Q…. How is Excommunication to be administred?
Ans. When the off…nce of any member is publick or haynous, or being private, is by th… obstinacy of the offender, become publickly scandalous, the church being met toget…er is, in the name and powr of the Lord Jesus, and with his Spirit,1 Cor. 5.1, 4, 5, 11, 12. Mat. 18.17. to deliver such an one to Satan, for the destruction of the flesh, that his soul may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
Q. Hath every particular Church this power within it selfe?
A. Yea, without dependance on other Churches, Elders, or Synods. For these reasons.Mat. 16.19. 1 Because Christ hath given this power to every particular Church.
2 Because the primitive Chruches had this power,Rev. 2.20. 1 Cor. 5.2, 4, 22. within themselves, without any such dependance, and are reproved for neglect of it, and commanded to exerc…e it.
3 Because every particular Church hath right to the word, Sacraments and prayer within it self, which are greater. Therfore it hath right to this, that is lesser then they.
140 Q What use then is there of the Consociation of Churches and Synods?
Act 15.6.A. Much, by way of Brotherly helpfulness with light held forth from Scripture in difficult cases. But, not by way of Authority and powr, as having Ecclesiastical jurisdiction over particular Churches, that nothing may be concluded and executed by them, in elections & depositions of ministers and excommunications, &c: without the consent and allowance of the Classis or Synods, under which they stand: or as having a powr of binding the churches to obey their decrees,Gal 5.1. 1 Cor. 7.23. Act. 4.19. whether politically, or formally. These are usurpations not warranted by the word: and therfore not to be submitted unto by particular Churches.
Q. How are the Church and members of it to walk towards an excommunicate?
Ans. So as may make him ashamed, by withdrawing from him in all spiritual communion, and civil familiarity also,1 Cor 5.11. 2 Thes. 3.1…. so far as may be, without the violation of any natural or civil bond.
Qu. After all other parts if Gods publick worship have been admini tred; What duty of Gods worship is to be performed in dismissing the Assembly?
A. The Minister is to dismiss the assembly with a word of blessing,Num. 6.23. 2 Cor. 13.14 offering blessing unto the Lord, and putting a blessing upon the people in the name of the Lord.
Q…. So much of the application of Chri t to the elect in this world: How is it to be perfected in the World to come?
Ans. In their immediate communion of all blessedness with God, in the state of perfection,Eph. 4.14. Acts. 1.11. & 10.42. Ma…. ….30. 2 Thes. 1.7.8, 9, 10. when instituted Chu…ches and ordinances shall cease, at the appearing of Christ with power and great glory, to the utter confusion of the wicked, & the endless joy and perfect bl…ssedness of the Godly.
Qu. What do you believe concerning the Resurrection?
Ans. That the same body that lay in the Earth or Sea, shall be raised again and the same soul reunited with it, that, by their union, the same person may live againe, by the mighty power of Christ:1 Cor. 15.20, 21. Phil. 3.21. Coll. 3.4. 1 Thes. 4.14 Joh. 5.28, 29. the bodyes of the saints by Christ, as their head, are raysed unto eternal life: the bodyes of the wicked by Christ, as a judge, are raised to eternal condemnation.
Qu. What doe you believe concerning the last Judgement?
Ans. That Christ the Mediatour shall, as King over all, come in the clouds, and appeare Visibly in the ayre,Acts 1.11. & 17.31. 2 Tim. 4.1. 2 Cor. 5.10. Mat. 24:31. 1 Thes. 4.16 1 Cor 6.3. Mat 25.32, 33, & 13.41. Eccl. 12.14. wi… an innumerable company of Angels, and gather, by their ministry, before his Throne, and judg all Men, and Devils, according to their workes, pronouncing the sentence of life and blessedness to the saints on his right hand, and of death and cursedness against the reprobates; both Angels and men; which accordingly shall be executed upon the blessed in Heaven, upon the cursed in Hell, to eternity.
So much concerning Faith, the first meanes of our living to God. 2 Concerning our OBEDIENCE.
Q. WHat is our Obedience towards God?
Answ. Whereby we perform the revealed Will of God, with due subjection and conformity to it, from faith in Christ,Psal. 40.9. Deut. 29.29. 1 Pet. 1.14, 15. Rom. 1.5 Joh. 15.4, 5. Eph. 4.21, 24 2 Pet. 1.5, 8. by the power of his holy Spirit dwelling and working in us.
Q. Wherin consisteth this Obedience?
A. In Virtue, and the Action thereof.
Q. What is Virtue?
Ans. It is a gift of grace,Jam. 1.17. Gall. 5.22. Rom. 7.17.20. a fruit of the Spirit, wherby the will is inclined to welldoing.
Q. What is the Action of Virtue?
Ans. It is that inward and outward operation,2 Cor. 8.10, 11. James 2.22. Mat. 12.35. which floweth from the will rightly inclined.
150 Qu. How is this Obedience distributed?Luk. 1.75. Mat. 22.37. Rom. 1.18. Tit. 2.12.
Ans. According to the distribution of the Law (which is the Rule of our Obedience) into Holyness and Righteousness.Rom. 1.21. Mat. 22.37.
Qu. What is Holyness?
Ans. It is the first part of our obedience, wherby we perform those things, which tend directly to the glory of God, in our worshipping him.
Qu. What things doth the Law of God, in the first Table of it require, that God may be gloryfied in our worshipping him?
Ans. Some things concerning the
Natural Instituted worship of God as in the
Adjuncts Of God worship as its Manner. Most solemne me.
as in the
1 Commandement.
2 Commandement.
3 Commandement.
4 Commandement.
Q. What is the NATƲRAL worship of God, which is injoyned in the fir…t Commandment, and wherein doth it consist?
Ans. The Natural worship of God is that, which so dependeth upon the Nature of God, that from the nature of God, in himselfe rightly known, through the grace of God helping us, we may perceive all things that belong to our duty therin, though no written Law were given us.Joh. 17.3. Psal. 4.6. Jo…. 3.3…. A…ts 2….1. H…b. ….1. And it consisteth in our knowing of God, and in our acknowledging him, both as our chiefe good, for the present believing in him, according to his word,Rom. 8.25. 1 Pet. 1.21. 2 Cor. 1.1…. and for the future, h…ping in him, and expecting from him the good things promised:Psal. 106.1. Luk. 14.26 Deut. 6.5. and in our acknowledging him, as the chief good in himself by loving him acc…rdingly.
Qu. What are the acts that flow from these virtues, Faith, Hope, and Love?
Ans. 1 O…dinarily, we must Honour God, as is due to him. 1 By Receiving, with due subjection, whatsoever he propoundeth to us,Act. 10.33. & 16.14. Ps. 119.106. Rom. 6.7. & 10.14. in our religious hearing his word, read and preached, with a right attention of our minds to know his revealed wil, and with a right attention of our wil, to obey whatsoever he commandeth.Psal. 10.17. Phil. 4.6. 1 Joh. 5.14. 2 By presenting unto him, with due subjection, our holy desires in prayer, with giving thanks, according to his reveal…d will.
155 Q…. What are the Extraordinary acts of Religi…n that flow from those virtu…s?
Ans. They are principally two, which are never to be used but when great necessity requireth, o…her ordinary means being not suffi ient, and in just & weighty causes.
1. An Oath, which is an holy desire of Gods Testimony and as the Author of truth,Heb. 6.13.16. D ut. 6.13. Neh. 10.30. 2 Cor. 1.28. and the witnesse and Avenger of all Falshood, for the confirmation of our Testimony 2. A Lot, which is an holy desire of Gods Testimony, by determining the event, in a meer contingency,Pro. 16.33. & 18.18. for the ending of a controversie.
Q…. What is the INSTITƲTED worship of God, required in the second Commandment? and wherein doth it consist?
Ans. The instituted worship of God is a mean ordained and appointed of GodExod. 23.13. himself,Deut. 4.2. & 12.32. Mat. 15.9. for the exercise and furtherance of his Natural worship. And it consisteth in our exact observing Gods Institutions, both about such things as make properly and immediatly for the exercise, and promoving of our Faith, Hope, and Love, (as the solemn publick preaching, the celebration of Baptism, and the Lords Supper, solemn prayer) And about suc… things as make for the right and orderly performance of those (as the combination of Believers into particular churches election and ordination of such officers as God hath appointed, the ministrations of those officers, and the order, and government of the church, in the use of those in all and every one of which Gods own Institutions are only and wholly to be observed,Deut. 12.25, 28, 32. without adding any thing therto, or taking ought therfrom, or changing and altering any thing.
Q. What is required in the Third Commandement, concerning the Manner of Gods worship?
Ans. The right use of all things, wherby God maketh himselfe known unto us, and which appertain to his Natural or Instituted worship, in such manner as befitteth the Majesty of God, and the holyness and dignity of holy things, and our spiritual good, in respect of the outward and inward circumstances.
1 Outward circumstances are such as belong to order and comliness,2 Cor. 14.40, with 26. in respect of place, time, behaviour and the like.
2 Inward circumstances to be attended in every worship of God are.
1 Due preparation before the duty.Eccl. 5.1, 2.
2 Reverence and devotion in the duty.Isai. 58.13. Heb. 12.28.
3 Some spiritual fruit, suiting the use and end of the dutyes retained in our soules afterward.
Q…. What is required concerning the most solemn TIME of Gods worship, in the fourth Commandement?
Ans. That the seventh day, which God himselfe appointeth, for that end, should be sanctified for a day of holy Rest,Exod. 20.8. & 34.21. Gen. 1.5. Liv. 23.32. Num. 28.25. Neh. 13.17. & 23. Acts 13.14. & 15.23. & 16.13. Num. 28.9, 10. from those businesses and workes, which are properly called ours; and of applying our selves to the solemn worship of God; as in the publick assemblies morning and evening, so in private dutys, required of God to be done on this day, all the day long, that is, from evening to evening. The christian Sabbath now, under the Kingdome of Christ, in the New Testament, it is every first day of the Week.
Qu. How do you prove that the seventh day Sabbath of the Jews was not to continue, but to be changed unto another day, after the comming of Christ?
Ans. 1 The change of Gods solemn worship by the comming of Christ, proveth the change of the day. For the Jewish Sabbath and the Rest, and the solemn worships tyed unto it, were instituted for types and figures of Christ promised to break the Serpents head by his death, and of his Rest in the grave, and of the Rest, which his death (whereby he destroyed him, that had the power of death the Divel) giveth unto all believers, from the guilt and pain of sin, and from all legall rites. All which Christ hath now performed: and therfore hath instituted another day for holy rest, fitter for the time and state of the New-Testament, to be kept with better service and solemnity, offering …p spiritual sacrifices of prayers and prayses, and workes of piety and mercy, in stead of the dark shadowes of the Law, the bright shining of the Gospel light, in the preaching of Christ crucified,Heb. 7.12. Acts. 1.3. dead, buryed, risen again and exalted above every name,
2 Those words in Matthew 12.8. and Marke 2.17. [the Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath. Therefore the Son of man, even as he is the Son of man or God made man, is Lord of the Sabbath] Teach us that the use of the Sabbath was sounded on Christ, promised to be the Lord of the Sabbath, and was in and under him, made necessary for the benefit of man fallen. Therefore Christ hath the true proper Right or propriety in it, to make the Sabbath serve for his use, being Lord and possessor of it: and he hath authority and power over it, to command it to be or not to be in use, either the seventh day, or upon some other day of the week. Hence he brought the Sabbath into the world by undertaking to be the seed of the woman promised, and so it was settled on the seventh day, and so to continue, till that promise was fulfilled, and then Christ having perfected our Redemption, did consecrate the first day of the week to be the Sabbath of the New-Testament.
160 Q…. How do you prove that Christ hath Instituted the first day of the week to be the Christian Sabbath?
Ans. 1 Because he hath given unto this day a more honourable name then to any day of the week.Esa. 58.13. Calling it the Lords day. As being,Rev. 1.10. 1. The day wherin our Lord arose from the grave, having perfected our Redemption, according to the prophecy in Psal. 118.24. 2 The day appointed by Christ, the Lord of the Sabbath, to be the Christian Sabbath,1 Cor. 11.28. and so it is called the Lords day in the same sense as the Eucharist is called the Lords Supper.
11. Because he hath sanctified this day more fully and excellently then he did the seventh day, in the first institution of the Sabbath. For, 1 In this day he more abundantly revealed his holiness to the world, in that he declared Christ our Redeemer to be the Son of God, according to the spirit of holiness,Rom. 1.3. by the resurrection from the dead.
2 In this day, God poured forth more abundantly, through Christ, the holy Spirit upon all flesh, and upon the Apostles to sanctifie them, to preach the Gospell to all Nations, which they presently did, and converted three thousand soules the same day,Acts. 2. being the first day of the week.
3 In this day, our Lord Christ did commonly appear to his Disciples,Luke. 24.13. & 36. after his resurrection, and came among them, when they were assembled together and taught them and breathed on them.Luke: 24.13.36. Joh. 20.19.22. Act. 1.3.
111. Because the Apostles both practised and taught the Churches of Christian Gentiles to observe this day, holily,Joh. 20.19.26. Act. 2.1, 2. & 20.8. 1 Cor. 16.1, 2. and solemnly. Wheras they were limited to teach the Churches to observe & do only what Christ had commanded them. Mat. 28.20.
Qu. Doth the Law of the Sabbath bind us now perpetually to observe the first day of the week, as unalterable?
Ans. Yea; No man may alter the Sabbath, now from the first day, to the end of the world. For 1 This day hath Christ, as he is become the Son of man, Lord of it. Therefore it must continue, under Christ.Mark. 2.26 That is in the time of the Gospel.
2 Whatsoever ordinance God hath given to his people, to be a token of and pledg of some future good promised, that they must keep and hold, till they possess that good. Therfore as the Jewish Sabbath and typical worships, did continue till the comming of Christ, wherof they were tokens & pledges; So the Christian Sabbath, as it is now setled on the first day of the week, in which Christ rose again from death, and perfected mans Redemption, must continue till the day of the general resurrection or the Saints unto glory,Heb. 4.9. wherof it is a token and pledge.
Q…. So much of holiness. Wh…t is Righteousness, required in the second Table of the Law?
Tit. 2.12. Luk. 10.36.37. Mark. 12.31 Jam. 1.27. 1 Joh. 4.20.21.A. It is a Virtue flowing from Holiness, wherby we are inclined to perform our duty to our neighbour, with respect and affection to his good, whence it is called Love.
Q…. How doth Righteousness act for the good of our neigbour?
Ans. Sundry wayes. 1 with respect to his Degree and Rank wherin he standeth: and it is called Honour, required in the fits Commandement.
2 Wi…h respect to his Life: and it is called Humanity required in the sixth commandement.
3 With respect to his Purity: and it is called Chastity, req…ired in the seventh Commandement.
4 With respect to his outward Estate or goods: and it is called Commutative justice, required in the eight Commandement.
5 With respect unto Truth in speeches: and it is called Veracity, in the ninth Commandement.
6 With respect to any thing he injoye…h: and it is called Contentation, required in the tenth Commandement.
Q…. What is the HONOƲR which the fift Commandement requireth?
Ans. It is the Acknowledgment of that Digni…y and excellency, which is in another, in respect of his age, or place, or gifts, &c: with a due testification therof, whether h… be our superiour, or equall, or inferiour, in the family, or common wealth, or church; with a due care that it be not diminished, nor blemished, by our selves or others,Phil. 2.3. wherunto H…m…lity is neceass…y.
165 Q. What is the HƲMANITY which the sixt Commandement requireth?
Ans. It is a virtue, wherby we are inclin…d to preserve the spiritual, or natural Life of our neighbour and his comfort and peace, and our own, by lawfull meanes.
Q What is the CHASTITY required in the seventh Commandement?Jude. v. 7. Lev. 20.13:15. Rom. 1.24, 26, 27. 1 Thes. 4.3, 4, 5. 1 Cor. 6.9, 10, 15, 18. Coll. 3.5. Heb. 13.4.
Ans. It is a vi…t…e, wherby the Purity of anothers person, and of our own person, is preserved free from all defilement by unclean lusts; whether those that are unnatural. Or natural, in reference to the things that concern generation.
Qu. What is commutative JƲSTICE required in the eight Commandment?
Ans. It is a virtue, wherby we are inclined to give every one, that which is their own,2 Thess. 3.10, 11, 12. in outward commodities, in all ways of contract: and to get and use lawfully, whatsoever we claime to be our own.
Qu. What is that VERACITY, which is required in the ninth Commandment?
Mat. 23.22. Ephe. 4.25. Psal. 5.6.Ans. It is a virtue, wherby we are inclined to observe truth in witnes-bearing.
Qu. What is that CONTENTATION which is required in the tenth Commandment?
1 Tim. 6.6. Heb. 13.5. Phil. 4.11. Rom. 12.15.A. It is a virtue, wherby a man is inclined to rest satisfied with the condition, wherin God setteth him, and the things which God giveth him; rejoycing in the good of his neighbour, as if it were his own.
170. Qu. What Rules are to be observed in expounding every Commandment, that we may find out what duties are required, and what sinnes are forbidden in them?
Isai. 1.16.17. Rom. 7.19.Ans. Five Rules. 1 Where any thing is commanded the contrary is forbidden: and where any thing is forbidden, the contrary is commanded.
2 Where any thing is commanded or forbidden, all of the same kind, and all degrees therof are commanded or forbidden. For the Law of God is perfect,Mat. 5.21. to 29. & 22.37.18. 1 Joh. 3.15. and must be performed inwardly, as well as outwardly.
3 Where any thing is commanded or forbidden,Pro. 13.20. 1 Cor. 5.6. all the subordinate means and provocations, that in their own nature, do tend therunto are commanded or forbidden.
4 Where any thing is commanded or forbidden, the signes,2 Cor. 8.21. 1 Thess. 5.22 Prov. 6.17. Zeph. 1.8. shews and appearances therof are also commanded or forbidden.
5 We are to procure,Mat. 5.16. 1 Pet. 2.12. Mat. 18.15. Dan. 12.3. Heb. 3.13. & 10.24. what in us lieth that others do the duties commanded, and avoyd the sinnes forbidden, as well as our selves: and to keep our selves free from other mens sinnes.
Q…. How many wayes may men be accessary to other mens sinnes?
A. Sundry ways. Wherof some are common to all, some are proper to Superiours.
Qu. What are the common wayes?
Ans. They are of two sorts.
1 Such as go before the sin committed.Gal. 5.26. 1 Kin. 21.25. Pro. 1.10. & 7.18.21. 1 Cor. 1.15.33. 2 Sam. 13.5. & 16.29. Rom. 1.32. Act. 7.58. Psal. 50.18.
1 Provoking or incensing others to sin.
2 Alluring and intising them.
3 Corrupt and infecting speeches.
4 Giving evill councell.
5 Consent and approbation, whether by word or deed.
Lev. 19.17.6 Not admonishing them seasonably.
Rom. 14.13.20.22. 1 Cor. …, …, 10. Isa. 5.20. Pro. 24.24.7 Evill example and sandal.
2 Such as follow the off…nce committed, or accompany it. As excusing, defending, commending it.
Q…. What are the proper wayes, which are peculiar to Superiours?
Is…. 10.1. Dan. 3.4, 5, 6. Hos. 5.11.Ans. Three. 1 When they command that which is unlawfull and evill, whether publickly by Lawes and edicts, or privately.1 Sam. 22.18, 19. 2 Sam 11.15, 17, & 12.9.
2 When they connive and winck at evill, which by their Authority, they might redress.2 King. 12.3
1 Sam. 2.22.26 & 3.13. Pro. 13.24. & 25.15. Psal. 10….7.8.3 When they put not forth their powerfully to remove evil, according to the Rule, though they shew some dislike of it.
Soli Deo Gloria.
FINIS
Christian Reader pag. 16. line 4. after separation supply of the soul. pag. 31. to the end of the question add in them; we can find no other faults material but three or four litteral easily discerned and amended, and those not in all bookes.
End of the text · John Davenport, A Catechism (1659)