Milk for Babes, Catechism
Milke for Babes. OR, A ſhort Countrie Catechiſme.
CHAP. 1.
What Man is.
Queſtion. VVHat art thou?
Anſwer. A Chriſtian man.
Q. Who made thee a man?
A. God by his power and wiſdome aPſal. 100, 3..
Q. Who made thee a Chriſtian?
A. God in his louelove and mercy bEpheſ. 1, 17. …d 24, 5..
Q. What ought a Chriſtian man to know?
A. Two things, God and himſelfe cPhil. 3..
Q. Tell me then, what is man?
Anſ. A principall Creature of God, conſiſting of a reaſonable ſoule, and humane body dEccleſ. 12, 7..
Q. What is the ſoule?
A. A ſpirituall, inuiſible, and immortall creature, created in Gods Image, giuing life, breath, and being to the body eGen. 1, 26 27, and 2, 7..
Q. What is the body?
A. A corporall, viſible and corruptible creature, the houſe and inſtrument of the, ſoule f2 Cor. 5, 1..
CHAP. 2.
What GOD is.
Q. VVHat is GOD?
A. What GOD is in himſelfe, cannot be knowne gIoh. 1, 18.
Q. Why can we not know what GOD is?
A. Becauſe he is inuiſible and infinite h1 Tim. 1 16,.
Q. How then is GOD to bee knowne?
A. OnelyOnly ſo farre foorth, as hee hath vouchſafed to reueale of himſelfe iExod. 33, 23..
Q. What benefit is it to man to know God?
A. Excéeding great, for it is tho onelyonly ſure way to attaine eternall life and happineſſe.
Q. How hath God reuealed himſelfe?
A. In his wordes and in his workes lPſal. 19, 1.
CHAP. 3.
Of Gods Word.
Q. VVHat is Gods Word?
A. Gods Word is contained in that bleſſed Booke that is called the Holy Bible mDeut. 4, 2 Prou. 30, 5, 6 Reu. 22, 18, 19.
Q. Why is that Booke called Gods Word?
A. Becauſe GOD made it, and it containes Gods will, as a mans words declare his minde nPſal. 147, 19 20 Rom. 3, 2.
Q. But why is it called the Holy Bible, or holy Scripture?
A. Moſt worthily, for 1. The moſt holy God made it oPſal. 68, 114.. 2. Holy men wrote it p2 Pet. 1, 20.. 3. The matter it handles is holy qPſal. 119. 140.. 4. It makes them holy, that louelove to reade it rIoh. 17, 27..
Q. How did God make it?
Anſ. He inſpired holy men, and made them write it ſ1 Tim. 3, 16.
Q. But why would God hauehave his Word written?
Anſ. Firſt that all men might the more eaſily know it tRom 15, 4 Ioh. 20, 31. Againe that it might endure to all ages uDeut. 29, 29.
Q. To whom, and for whom did they write it?
Anſ. Not to the preſent times or perſons onelyonly, but for the perpetuall vſe, inſtruction, and direction of the Church for euer xRom. 15, 4 Deut. 29, 29.
CHAP. 4.
Of the knowledge of God out of his Word.
Q. VVHat is reuealed of God in the Scriptures?
Anſ. Two things, the one touching God himſelfe, the other touching his ſeruice and worſhip.
Q. What is then reuealed to vsus, touching God himſelfe?
Anſw. Theſe points. 1. That there is but one true God yDeut. 6, 4 1 Cor. 8, 5, 6. 2 That there be thrée perſons in Trinitie, yet but one God z1 Iohn 5, 7. 3. That this God is Infinite, Inuiſible, Omnipotent, moſt Wiſe, Iuſt, Mercifull, and Holy aExod. 34, 50 1 Sam. 2, 2. 1 Tim. 1, 17 Rom. 16, 26, 27.
Q. What be theſe three perſons called in the Scriptures?
Anſ. The Father, the Word, or Sonne, and the holy Ghoſt b1 Ioh. 5, 7.
Q. How can there be three Perſons, and yet but one God?
Anſ. We cannot comprehend it by reaſon, but we muſt beléeue it by Faith, ſéeing Gods Word ſaith ſo c1 Tim. 3, 16.
Q. How is the Trinity of perſons reuealed in the Scriptures?
Anſ. It was intimated, and ſhadowed in the Old Teſtament dGen. 1, 26 & 19 24 Pſal. 110, 1 Prou. 30, 4, but is plainely taught and affirmed in the New e1 Ioh. 5, 7 2 Cor. 13, 14 1 Pet. 1, 2.
Q. Why was it not made plaine, till then?
Anſ. Becauſe then God was manifeſted in the fleſh fIoh. 1, 14.
CHAP. 5.
Of Gods worſhip, and the kindes of it.
Q. VVHat is reuealed in the Scriptures, touching Gods worſhip?
Anſ. The matter and the manner of it.
Q. What is there taught vsus touching the matter of Gods worſhip?
A. Thrée things, the kindes, the degrées and the duties of it.
Q. What be the kindes of Gods worſhip?
A. Two, Internall and Externall g1 Cor. 6, 20.
Q. What is the Internall worſhip of God?
A. That which is performed by the Inner man: the ſoule, ſpirit and affections hProu. 2, 26.
Q. And what is …?
A. That worſhip … which is performed with the … parts of it iRom. 12, 1▪ 1 Cor. 6, 13, being the outward man.
Q. What be the degrees of Gods worſhip?
A. Thrée: publike, priuate and perſonall.
Q. What is the publike worſhip of God?
A. That which is performed, in, and by the publike congregation kPſal. 26, 22, & 40, 9, 10, and 122, 1..
Q. What is the priuate?
Anſ. That which is performed in our houſes and families lGen. 18, 19. Ioſh. 24, 15.
Q. And what is the perſonall?
A. That which eueryevery Chriſtian man performeth by himſelfe mMath. 6, 5, 6..
CHAP. 6.
Of the paerts and duties of Gods worſhip.
Q. VVHat be the parts or duties of Gods publike worſhip?
Anſ. To meete together duely with …ation, in time and place … ▪ And there, Firſt n Pſal. 122, 1and chiefly to call on God by prayer and thankſgiuing oNehem. 8, 1. to the 8.. Secondly, to heare Gods words read and preached pActs 20, 7Thirdly, to partake in the Holy Sacraments q.Ezra 9, 1, 4 pſal. 95, 1
Q. And what bee the duties of Gods priuate worſhip in the family?
A. For the family daily to méete together rIoſh. 24, 15. And firſt to call on God by prayer and thankeſgiuing ſ1 Tim. 2, 8. Secondly, to read Gods word tDeut. 6, 6, 7. Thirdly, to inſtruct one another in Religion uGen. 18, 19 Deut. 6, 7. Fourthly, to call to minde what was taught in the Church, and apply it to themſelues xActs 17, 11.
Q. To whom belongs this duty?
A. To the chiefe in the family, or elſe he is to appoint one fit to doe it yDeut. 6, 6 Gen. 18 19.
Q. And what is the perſonall worſhip that eueryevery one is to performe by himſelfe?
A. To retire himſelfe eueryevery day into ſecret, and there betwixt God and himſelfe zMath. 6, 6. Firſt, to lay open his heart, and confeſſe his ſinnes Secondly, to call on God, and giuegive him thankes for his mercies bPſal. 50, 14, 15. Thirdly, to reade Gods Word cPſal. 119, 11, 24, 24. Fourthly, to call to minde what was preached, and make vſe of it to himſelfe dDeut. 6, 5, & 10, 12, 20 2 Chron. 13, 18, & 20, 20..
Q. But what is the internall worſhip of God?
Anſ. To honour him with all our hearts; to louelove, feare and truſt in him aboue all, and to beléeue his Word eIoh. 4, 24..
Q. In what manner is God to bee worſhipped?
A. In ſpirit and truth: ſpiritually, that is, with our hearts and ſoules, as well as our bodies, and truly, that is, ſincerely, and heartily, without hypocriſie fPſal. 32, 2..
CHAP. 7.
Of Gods workes, and the Creation.
Q, VVHat bee the workes of God, by which hee hath eſpecially made knowne himſelfe?
A. Foure: Creation, Gubernation, Redemption, and Sanctification.
Q. How are theſe the workes of God?
A. Thus. God created all things by his power, Gouernes them all by his wiſedome and prouidence, Redéemes mankinde in his louelove and merciemercy, and ſanctifies them hee redéemes, by his grace and holineſſe.
Q. What is the worke of Creation?
A. A worke of Gods power, by which he made the world, and all things in it, viſible, and inuiſible aGen. 1. Coloſſ. 1, 16.
Q. When did he create it?
A. In the beginning, when hee knew it good bGen. 1, 1.
Q. Whereof did he create it?
Anſ. Of nothing, to ſhew his might and power cHeb. 11, 3.
Q. With what inſtruments made he it?
A. With none, but onelyonly by his Will and Word dGen. 1, often Pſal. 24 8, 5.
Q. In what time made hee the world?
A. In ſixe dayes, that we might more particularly conſider of the creatures eGen. 1, & 2.
Q. In what order made he them?
A. The meaneſt firſt, and better and better eueryevery day fGen. 1, all ouer..
Q. When made he man?
Anſ. Laſt of all, becauſe hee was Lord of all, and might find all things ready for him gCen. 1, 26.
CHAP. 8.
Of the worke of Gubernation.
Q. VVHat is the worke of Gubernation?
A. A worke of Gods prouidence, by which he maintains and gouerns all things created aPſal. 104, 29, 30 Nehem. 9, 6..
Q. What neede is there of the worke of Gubernation?
A. Becauſe as the world had neuer bin, if God had not made it, ſo it would not continue, if he did not vphold it bPſal. 104, 29 Acts 17, 28 Pſal. 119, 90, 91..
Q. But if God gouerne all things, how then came ſinne and miſchiefe into the world?
A. Through the diuels malice, and mans weakeneſſe cEccleſ. 7, 29.
Q. But why then ſuffers hee it in the world?
A. Becauſe hee knowes how to make good vſe of it, as a good Phyſicion can make of the vildeſt poyſan dExod. 9, 16. Pſal. 76. 10..
Q. Againe, if God gouerne the world, how comes it to paſſe, that euill men proſper, that be Gods enemies?
A. Becauſe they be men of this world, and chuſe to hauehave their portion in this life ePſal. 17, 14.
Q. And why are good men vexed and afflicted?
A. For thrée cauſes. Firſt, becauſe they bee Gods deare children, and néede chaſtiſement fHeb. 12, 5, 6, 7, &c.. Secondly, they hauehave many ill humours in them, that are to be purged and corrected gPſal. 139, 23. 24.. Thirdly, Againe, their portions are reſerued for a better life hLuke 16, 15.
CHAP. 9.
Of ſin, and the neceſsity of the worke of Redemption.
Q. VVHat is the worke of Redemption?
A. A worke of Gods merciemercy, by which he recouers and ſaues a portion of mankinde aLam. 3, 22.
Q. What need had mankinde to be redeemed?
A. Becauſe man by ſin had loſt himſelfe bHoſ. 13, 9.
Q. What is ſinne?
A. Sinne is the breach of Gods Law c1 Ioh. 3, 4.
Q. What are the kindes of ſinne?
A. Two, Originall and Actuall.
Q. How doe theſe differ?
A. Originall ſinne, is the ſinne of our nature, Actuall, the ſinne of our liues.
Q. What is Originall ſinne?
A. A depriuation our nature in all the parts and faculties, whereby we are prone to all euill, and vnfit for all good dPſal. 51, 5 Gen. 6, 5..
Q. What is actuall ſinne?
A. The breach of Gods Law in our thoughts, words and déeds ePſal. 19, 12.
Q. What be the kindes of actuall ſinne?
Anſ. Two: Commiſſions, and Omiſſions.
Q. What is the ſinne of Commiſſion?
A. By which we doe in thought, word, or déed, that we ought not.
Q. And what is the ſin of Omiſſion?
A. By which we faile in thought, word, or déed, that we ought not to doe.
Q. What is the reward of ſinne?
A. The wrath of God, and all the curſes of the Law fDeut. 27, 26 Rom. 6, 23.
CHAP. 10.
Of the Law of God.
Q. HOw know we ſin to be ſin?
Anſ. By the Law comes the knowledge of ſinne aRom. 3, 20 and 7, 7..
Q. What is the Law?
A. The couenant of workes betwixt God and man bIerom. 31, 32.
Q. How be Gods Lawes diſtinguiſhed?
A. Gods Lawes are either Ceremoniall, Iudiciall, or Morall.
Q. How differ theſe Lawes?
A. Thus. Ceremoniall and Iudiciall belonged to the Iewes alone, the Morall to them and vsus, and all mankinde.
Q. How did they belong to the Iewes?
A. Thus. The Ceremoniall belonged to the ordering of their Church, the Iudiciall, to the gouerning of their common wealth cRom. 9, 4.
Q. What is the Morall Law?
A. The declaration of Gods perfect Iuſtice, as the Goſpell is the Reuelation of his merciemercy.
Q. What doth the Morall Law containe?
A. Perfect righteouſneſſe, that is, a commanding of all goodneſſe, and a prohibition of all euill.
CHAP. 11.
Of the firſt Table, and firſt Commandement.
Q. HOw is the Law diuided?
A. Into two tables, the one contayning foure Commandements, the other ſixe.
Q. Why into two, and no more?
A. Becauſe all righteouſneſſe is reduced to two heads, namely towards God, or towards man aMath. 22, 39, 40..
Q. What doth the firſt Table containe?
A. Perfect righteouſneſſe, and all holy duties, touching God and his worſhip.
Q. Which is the firſt Commandement?
A. This, thou ſhalt hauehave no other Gods before me bExod. 10, 3..
Q. What is the ſubſtance of the firſt Commandement?
A. The choice and inward worſhip of the true God.
Q. What is the affirmatiue part of the firſt Commandement?
A. Chuſe and worſhip the true God for thy God.
Q. What is the negatiue part of this Commandement?
A. Account not that to be God, which by nature is not God.
CHAP. 12.
Of the ſecond, third, and fourth Commandements.
Q. VVHat is the ſecond Commandement?
A. Thou ſhalt not make vntounto thée any grauen image aExod. 20, 4.
Q. What is the ſubſtance of this Commandement?
A. The ſacred and ſolemne worſhip of the true God.
Q. What is the affirmatiue part of it?
A. Thou ſhalt worſhip the true God as he hath commanded.
Q. What is the negatiue part of this Commandement?
A. Thou ſhalt neither worſhip a falſe god, nor the true God falſly.
Q. What is the third Commandement?
A. Thou ſhalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vaine, &c bExod. 20, 7.
Q. What is the ſubſtance of this third Commandement?
A. The magnifying and glorifying of the true God in all things.
Q. What is the negatiue part of this Commandement?
A. Thou ſhalt not bereaue God of his honour due vntounto him.
Q. What is the affirmatiue part of it?
A. In all things giuegive God his glory c1 Cor, 10, 31..
Q. What is the fourth Commandement?
A. Remember that thou kéepe holy the Sabbath day dExod. 20, 8, 9, &c..
Q. What is the ſubſtance of this Commandement?
A. It ſets downe the time allotted, and conſecrated to the worſhip and glorifying of God.
Q. What is the affirmatiue part of this Commandement?
A. Keepe holy the Sabbath day of the Lord.
Q. What is the negatiue part of it?
A. Pollute not the Sabbath of the Lord.
CHAP. 13.
Of the ſecond Table.
Q. VVHat doth the ſecond Table containe?
A. True louelove, and perfect righteouſneſſe towards our neighbour.
Q. How is it diuided?
A. Into ſixe Commandements, which containe all duties of man to man.
Q. What is the firſt Commandement?
A. Honour thy father and mother, &c aExod. 20, 12.
Q. What is the ſubſtance of the fift Commandement?
Anſ. The preſeruation of our neighbours honour and excellencie with our owne.
Q. What is the affirmatiue part of it?
A. Preſerue by all meanes the dignity of thy neighbours perſons.
Q. But who is our neighbour in this caſe?
A. All men, whether Superiors, Equals, or Inferiors bLuke 10, 29 30.
Q. What is the negatiue part of this Commandement?
A. Debaſe not thy neighbour.
Q. What is the ſixt Commandement?
A. Thou ſhalt not kill cExod. 20 13.
Q. What is the ſubſtance of this Commandement?
Anſ. The preſeruation of our owne, and our neighbours life and health.
Q. What is the negatiue part of this negatiue Commandement?
Anſw. Doe not hurt, nor hinder thine owne, nor thy neighbours life nor health.
Q. What is the affirmatiue part of it?
A. Preſerue thy owne and thy neighbours life and health.
CHAP. 14.
Of the ſeuenth, eight, and ninth Commandements.
Q. VVHat is the ſeuenth Commandement?
Anſ. Thou ſhalt not commit Adultrie aExod. 20, 14..
Q. What is the ſubſtance of this Commandement?
Anſ. The preſeruation of our neighbours chaſtitie and our owne.
Q. What is the negatiue part of this negatiue Commandement?
Anſ. Thou ſhalt not hurt, nor hinder thy neighbours chaſtity nor thy owne.
Queſt. What is the affirmatiue part of it?
Anſ. Preſerue thy neighbours chaſtitie and thine owne.
Q. What is the eighth Commandement?
A. Thou ſhalt not ſteale bExod. 20, 15.
Q. What is the ſubſtance of this Commandement?
Anſ. The preſeruation of our neighbours eſtate and our owne, and the maintenance of Iuſtice in all dealing.
Q. What is the negatiue part of this negatiue Commandement?
A. Thou ſhalt not hurt nor hinder thy neighbours goods.
Q. What is the affirmatiue part of it?
Anſ. Thou ſhalt preſerue and helpe to increaſe thy neighbours goods.
Q. What is the ninth Commandement?
Anſ. Thou ſhalt not beare falſe witneſſe, &c cExod. 20, 16..
Q. What is the ſubſtance of this Commandement?
Anſ. The preſeruation of our Neighbours good name, and our owne.
Q. What is the negatiue part of this Commandement?
A. Hurt not thy neighbours good name, nor thy owne.
Q. What is the affirmatiue part of it?
A. Preſerue thy neighbours good name, and thy owne.
CHAP. 15.
Of the laſt Commandement, and the vſe of the whole Law.
Q. VVHat is the laſt Commandement?
A. Thou ſhalt not couet thy neighbours houſe, &c aExod. 20, 17.
Q. What is the ſubſtance of this Commandement?
Anſw. The rectifying of our thoughts, as the other were for ordering our conſents, wordes and déeds.
Q. What is the negatiue part of this negatiue Commandement?
Anſw. Thou ſhalt not hurt thy neighbour, no not in thought.
Q. What is the affirmatiue part of it?
Anſ. Wiſh and deſire thy neighbours good in all things.
Q. In which of the Commandements is originall ſinne forbidden?
A. In the whole Law, but moſt properly in the tenth bRom, 7, 7..
Q▪ What doth the Law beſtow on the keepers of it?
A. Iuſtification, life eternall, and all happineſſe cLeuit. 18, 5 Ezek. 20, 11. Kom. 2, 13.
Queſt. How is the Law to bee kept?
Anſ. Perfectly in thought, word and déed, with all our heart, and all our ſoule d Rom. 7, 14. Luke 10, 27.
Q. Who was euer able to keepe the Law thus?
Anſ. Adam in his innocencie before he fell eEccleſ. 7, 29..
CHAP. 16.
How the Law doth driue vsus to Chriſt.
Q. VVHat doth the Law lay vponupon the breakers of it?
A. Eternall death aRom. 6, 23, and as Harbongers to it, all infirmities, ſickneſſes, plagues, and curſes on body, goods, name, ſtate and ſoule, that Gods Iuſtice can inflict bDeut. 28, 15 16, &c..
Q. Who hath broke the Law in this manner?
A. All men that came of Adam cRom. 3, 23 and 5, 19..
Q. What ſhall then become of all mankinde?
A. The Law findes them vnderunder ſinne, and therefore leaues them ſubiect to damnation dRom. 3, 20, & 23.
Q. Is there then no hope of the ſaluation of mankinde?
Anſ. None at all in the Iuſtice of GOD, but in his mercy there is hope eLam. 3, 22.
Q. Where hath God manifeſted that merciemercy?
A. In the Goſpell fRom. 1, 15, 16 1 Ioh. 4, 9..
Q. What is the Goſpell?
A. It is the couenant of Grace, betwixt God and man gRom, 1, 16.
Q. How hath God reuealed his MercieMercy in the Goſpell, or Couenant of Grace?
Anſ. By allowing mankinde a Suretie and Sauiour, euen Ieſus Chriſt, to whom we muſt flie to eſcape the curſe of the Law, and thus the Law is a School-maſter, to driue vsus to Chriſt hGal. 3, 24..
And thus wee ſee the neceſſitie of our Redemption, cauſed by our ſinnes and the Law: Let vsus now be inſtructed touching the Author and the meanes of our Redemption.
CHAP. 17.
Of Chriſt Ieſus the Redeemer.
Q. VVHo is the Redeemer of mankinde?
A. The ſecond perſon in Trinity, now called by God his Father, Ieſus Chriſt a1 Ioh. 2, 1, 2 1 Tim. 1, 15.
Q. To whom is he a Redeemer?
A. OnelyOnly to mankinde, and to as many of them, as God elected to ſaluation bHeb. 2, 19.
Q. Who was this Ieſus Chriſt?
A. The Sonne of God, and the Sonne of man cRom. 1, 3..
Q. Why muſt the Redeemer bee Man?
Anſ. Becauſe elſe he could not ſuffer d1 Pet. 3, 18.
Q. And why muſt he needes bee GOD?
Anſ. Becauſe elſe he could not ſatiſfie e2 Cor. 5, 19.
Q. But why ſhould Gods Sonne be the Redeemer, might there not hauehave beene ſome other?
Anſ. No, for no man could ſaue himſelfe, much-leſſe could he ſaue another, and no creature elſe could, becauſe none but Chriſt could both ſuffer and ſatiſfie fActs 4, 12.
CHAP. 18.
Of Faith, and of the Creede.
Q. HOw doe we know all this to be true?
A. By the Goſpell, which brings the good newes of this Redéemer aLuke 2, 10..
Q. How doe we know the Goſpell to be true?
A. By Faith bRom. 1, 17..
Q. What is Faith?
Anſ. A guift of God by which a man beleeues Gods word to bée true cHeb. 11, 1.
Q. What are the things a Chriſtian man ought by his Faith to beleeue for ſaluation?
Anſ. They bée contained in the Créede.
Q. Which is the Creede?
Anſ. I beléeue in God the Father Almighty, &c.
Q. What are the principle points contained in the Creede?
Anſ. Foure.
The
1. Touching God the Father our Creator.
2. God the Sonne, our Redéemer.
3. The holy Ghoſt our Sanctifier.
4. Concerning Gods Church.
Q. What is laide downe concerning God the Father?
A. That hee is God Almighty who made & maintaines all things dActs 17. 24.
Q. What is to bee beleeued touching the ſecond perſon?
Anſ. Two things, one that he wrought out our ſaluation: the other ye he wil giuegive vsus poſſeſſion of it.
Queſt. How did Chriſt worke out our ſaluation?
A. By this order, & theſe degrées.
1. He was incarnate for vsus (1)Ioh. 1, 14 Rom. 1, 3..
2. He ſuffred, died, and was buried (2)1 Cor. 15, 3.
3. He roſe againe from death(3.)Rom. 4, 25 1 Cor. 15, 4.
4. He aſcended into heauen (4)1 Pet. 3, 22. Acts 2, 9.
5. He ſits at Gods right hand and makes interceſſion for vsus (5)Heb, 11, 12 & 9, 2, 3. and 7, 25..
Q. And when will he giuegive vsus poſſeſſion of glory and ſaluation?
Anſ. When he comes againe to Iudgement (6)Acts 10, 42.
Q. What is to bee beleeued touching the Holy-Ghoſt?
Anſ. That he is true God, and the ſanctifier of all holy men (7)Acts 28, 29 with Eſay 6, 9. 1 Ioh. 5, 7 Rom. 1, 4..
Q. What is to be beleeued touching the Church of God?
A. That it is holy (8)1 Cor. 1, 2. Epheſ. 5, 27and Catholicke, (9)Mat. 28, 19 Rom. 3, 29.that it is vniuerſall ouer all the world, and that great priuiledges belong to it.
Q. What be theſe priuiledges?
A. Theſe foure.
Firſt, Communion of Saints (10)Heb. 10, 25.
Secondly, Forgiueneſſe of ſinnes (11)Act. 26, 16.
Thirdly, Reſurrection of our bodies (12)Acts 26, 8. Rom. 6, 8. and 8 11 1 Cor. 15..
Fourthly, Life euerlaſting (13)Math. 25, 46.
CHAP. 19.
Of particular, and ſauing faith, and how it is wrought.
Q. IS this faith ſufficient for ſaluation?
Anſ. No, but we muſt apply all this to our ſelues aGal. 2, 20.
Q. How may we doe that?
Anſ. By a ſpeciall ſauing and iuſtifying faith bRom. 5, 2..
Q. What is that Faith more then the former?
Anſ. A ſpeciall grace of God in the ſoule, by which a man beléeues his owne reconciliation with God, and ſaluation by Chriſt cIob 19, 25. 2 Tim. 1, 12.
Q. How doth God worke this Faith in men?
Anſ. By preaching the Word, and by his holy Sacraments, which are his owne Ordinances dRom. 10, 14, Acts 13, 46..
Q. How differ theſe two?
A. Thus, the Word containes the couenant of God: and the Sacraments are ſeales, confirming the couenant eRom. 5, 11.
Queſt. Who are to preach the Word, and to adminiſter the Sacrament?
A. Our Paſtors and Teachers, who are therefore called Gods Miniſters and ours f2 Cor. 5, 18, 19.
Q. And what muſt wee doe our ſelues?
Anſ. Firſt, diligently frequent the Congregations. Secondly, pray for a bleſſing on Gods Ordinances gActs 13, 44. Rom. 15, 30 Epheſ. 6, 18, 19 Theſ. 5, 25.
CHAP. 20.
Of the Sacraments, and of Baptiſme.
Q. VVHat be the Sacraments?
A. Outward viſible ſignes, euidences, and aſſurances of inward and inuiſible bleſſings aRom. 4, 11..
Q. Who ordained the Sacraments?
A. OnelyOnly God: for they be parts of his worſhip, and ſeales of his Couenants bGen. 17 Exod. 11..
Q. How many Sacraments bee there in the New Teſtament?
Anſ. Two, Baptiſme, and the Lords Supper, which ſuccéed Circumciſion, and the Paſſeouer in the Old Teſtament cMath. 28. 1 Cor. 12..
Q. What are the eſſentiall parts of eueryevery Sacrament?
Anſ. Two, the one outward and viſible, the other inward and inuiſible repreſented thereby d1 Pet. 3, 21.
Q. What is the Sacrament of Baptiſme?
Anſ. The Sacrament of our admiſſion & entrance into the Church and houſhold of God eGen. 27. Acts 2, 38..
Q. What is the outward thing in it?
A. Water, and the waſhing of the body in water fMath. 3, 16.
Q. And what is the inward and ſpirituall bleſſing?
A. The waſhing of the ſoule, in the blood of Ieſus Chriſt g1 Pet. 3, 21, Ioh. 1, 33..
Q. Who are capable of this Sacrament?
A. Beleeuers and the children of beleeuers hActs 8, 36 37..
Q. Is this Sacrament neceſſarie to ſaluation?
A. Yes, to all that can aske and take it iIohn 1, 5.
CHAP. 21.
Of the Sacrament of the Lords Supper.
Q. VVHat is the Sacrament of the Lords Supper?
A. The Sacrament of our communion and fellowſhip with Chriſt, and with God by Chriſt a1 Cor. 10, 16. 1 Iohn 1, 3.
Q. Why is it called the Lords Supper?
A. Becauſe Chriſt ordained it at his laſt Supper bMath. 26, 26..
Q. Why is this Sacrament often adminiſtred, and Baptiſme but once?
A. Becauſe it ſufficeth to bee once borne, but we muſt often bee fed cIoh. 1, 3 Ioh. 6, 36 Iohn 4, 15.
Q. When is one old enough to receiue?
A. When they hauehave knowledge and deuotion d1 Cor. 11, 28.
Q. What is the outward thing in this Sacrament?
A. To eate and drink Bread and Wine, ſet apart for that vſe e1 Cor. 11, 23.
Q. What is the inward and ſpirituall?
A. To féed on Chriſt by Faith and LoueLove f1 Cor. 11, 24 Iohn 6, 35, 36 &c..
Q. What muſt we doe before we receiue?
A. Bee reconciled to God by repentance, and to our neighbours by charity g1 Cor. 11, 28.
Q. What geſture is fitteſt to receiue in?
A. That which is moſt humble, becauſe then wee ſhew the Lords death h1 Cor. 11, 26 Math. 5, 23..
Q. What muſt we doe when we hauehave receiued?
A. Not drinke and play, but as at all times, ſo that day eſpetially we ought to practiſe holineſſe and ſanctification iLeuit. 11, 44 Exod. 12, 8, & 13, 6, 7. 1 Pet. 1, 14, 15..
Q. What needs that, ſeeing wee are iuſtified by Chriſt?
Anſ. Wée cannot be ſaued vnleſſe we bee ſanctified as well as iuſtified k2 Cor. 7, 1. 1 Ioh. 3, 3. 1 Cor. 6, 11..
CHAP. 22.
Of the worke of ſanctification.
Q. WHat is the worke of ſanctification?
Anſw. A worke of the Holy Ghoſt, by which ſuch as are redéemed, are made new creatures, and enabled to doe good and Holy workes a1 Theſſ. 4, 3..
Q. How doth the Holy Ghoſt ſanctifie vsus?
Anſ. By his owne worke and bleſſing on the word of God and Sacraments bIoh. 15, 3. Pſal. 119, 9..
Q. What be the parts of ſanctification?
A. Two: Mortification and Vinification cRom. 6, 11.
Queſtion. What is Mortification?
Anſ. The killing of our corruption, and weakening of ſinne in vsus dRom. 6, 6.
Queſtion. And what is Vinification?
A. The quickening vp of grace and holineſſe in our ſoules eRom. 6, 4. Pſal. 119, 37..
Queſt. How are theſe wrought in vsus?
Anſ. By the vertue of Chriſt his death, and reſurrection applyed vntounto vsus in the Word and Sacraments fRom. 6, 4, 5. Pſal. 119, 50..
CHAP. 23.
Of Repentance, and good workes, the fruites of Sanctification.
Q. VVHat be the fruites of Sanctification?
A. Two, Repentance and good workes aMath. 3, 8. Acts 26, 20..
Q. What is Repentance?
Anſ. A heartie ſorrow for our ſinnes, ioyned with amendement of life b2 Cor. 7, 9 10 Acts 2, 38, 26 20.
Q. When is it good to repent?
Anſ. Repentance is neuer too late, but that is beſt that is betimes cEccleſ. 12, 1 1 Kings 18, 12..
Q. Where is Repentance commanded?
Anſ. Not in the Law, but in the Goſpel dDeut. 27, 26, Math. 3, 2, and 4, 17.
Q. What be good workes?
Anſ. Such as God hath commanded vsus to doe, or promiſed a bleſſing if we doe them eEſay 1, 12 Micah 6, 8 Eſay 56, 1, 2..
Q. How muſt a good Worke be done?
Anſ. With two conditions.
Firſt, with Faith in Chriſt fRom. 14, 23.
Secondly, in obedience to Gods will gEpheſ. 6, 5, 6, 7..
CHAP. 24.
Of the workes of Piety, and of Prayer.
Q. WHat be the kindes of good workes?
A. Thrée.
Workes
of Piety towards God.
of Charity towards the poore.
of Iuſtice towardes all men.
Q. What be the workes of Pietie?
Anſ. The duties of Gods worſhip, which are commanded in the firſt Table, a chiefe whereof is prayer.
Q. Why doe you call Prayer, a chiefe worke of Pietie?
A. For two cauſes. Firſt, Prayer ſanctifies all the reſt aTim. 4, 45.: againe, the reſt are but ſometimes to bee done, but prayer continually b1 Theſſ. 5, 17.
Q. How can wee alwayes pray, ſeeing wee muſt worke in our callings?
Anſ. Wee may alwayes lift vp our hearts to God, and that is the chiefe thing in prayer cExod. 14, 15 Rom. 8, 26 Pſal. 119, 58..
Q. What be the parts of Prayer?
A. Two: Petition and thankſgiuing dPſal. 50, 15..
Q. What is Petition?
A. When we aſke of God any good thing, or the remouing of any euill eEſay 26, 16 Math. 7, 7.
Q. What is thankſgiuing?
A. When we giuegive God thankes for receiuing of any good, or remoouing any euill fPſal. 30, 11 12, and 116▪ 12 and 116, 12, 13..
CHAP. 25.
Of the Circumſtances of Prayer.
Q. VVHo is bound to pray?
Anſ. EueryEvery one, for eueryevery one hath néede a1 Tim. 2, 8 Rom. 3, 23.
Queſt. To whom are wee to pray?
Anſ. OnelyOnly to God: for he can onelyonly helpe bPſal. 50, 15 Rom. 10, 14..
Queſt. In whoſe name are wee to pray?
Anſ. OnelyOnly in the name and mediation of Ieſus Chriſt the Son of God cIoh▪ 14, 13, 14 1 Tim. 2, 5.
Q. Where are wee to pray?
Anſ. In eueryevery place, for God is preſent eueryevery where d1 Tim. 2, 8.
Q. When are we to pray?
A. In publike when the congregation méetes, in priuate on all occaſions, eſpetially at morning, at euening and at meate eLam. 3, 41. Pſal. 119, 164. Pſal. 55, 17.
Queſt. In what tongue may wee pray?
Anſ. In any we vnderſtand, elſe in none f1 Cor. 14, 15 &c..
Queſt. In what ieſture are we to pray?
Anſ. In the humbleſt, becauſe we are petitioners gMicah 6, 8 1 Kings 8, 22 54.
Q. For whom are we to pray?
Anſ. For our ſelues and all men, euen our enemies h1 Tim. 2, 1 Eſay 53, 12 Math 5, 44.
Q. With whom may we pray?
Anſ. With any, who pray to the true God in the name of Ieſus Chriſt i1 Cor. 1, 2.
CHAP. 26.
Of the Lords Prayer.
Q. HAueHave we any direction or patterne for our prayers?
A. Yes, the beſt that can be, one of Chriſts owne making, called therefore the Lords prayer, Our Father, &c aMath 6, 9. Luke 11, 2..
Q. What is contained in the Lords Prayer?
A. Thrée things.
A
Preamble.
Prayer.
Confirmation of all.
Q. Which is the Preamble?
Anſ. This. Our Father which art in Heauen.
Queſt. What containes the Preamble?
Anſ. A deſcription of God our Father, to whom we ought to pray.
Q. And how is hee there deſcribed?
Anſ. By two things, the firſt ſhewes his willingneſſe to heare vsus, for he is Our Father: the latter, his ability to helpe vsus, for He is in Heauen, and hath it at his command bEſay 49, 15 Pſal 115, 3.
Q. But if God be eueryevery-where, how is he ſaid to be in Heauen?
A. Not that hee is contained or included there: for He fils Heauen and earth. But that his Maieſtie, Power and Glory, ſhines and appeares there eſpecially c1 Kings 8, 27 Eſay 66, 1.
CHAP. 27.
Of the Petitions in the Lords Prayer.
Q. VVHat is contained in the prayer?
A. Two things, Petitions and Thankeſgiuing.
Q. What be the Petitions?
A. Sixe in all, and they bee of two ſorts.
Some concerning God.
The reſt our ſelues.
Q. Which be they that concerne God?
A. Thrée. The firſt wiſheth that his Name may be hallowed, that is, honoured and vſed reuerently aDeut. 28. 58.
The ſecond, that his Kingdome and Goſpell may be aduanced bPſal. 67, 2, 3.
The third, that his will may be fulfilled of vsus and all creatures cMath. 26, 39..
Q. And what are they that concerne our ſelues?
A. Thrée more. The firſt aſkes all things needfull for this life, vnderunder one moſt principall, namely Bread dPſal. 104. 15. Ezek. 4, 16 Leuit. 26, 26..
The ſecond prayes for forgiueneſſe of our ſins, conditionally, as we forgiue others eDan. 9, 18, 19 Math. 6, 14 Marke 11, 25.
The third prayes for Deliuerance from the diuell, and the daunger of temptation fPſal. 91, 14 Reuel. 3, 10, 15.
Q. And what is the Thankeſgiuing?
Anſ. In theſe words, where wee acknowledge the Kingdome, Power and Glory, belong to God for euer and euer g1 Chron. 29 10, 11, 12, &c. Neh. 9, 5, 6, &c.
Q. And what is the ſeale or confirmation of this prayer?
A. The word AMEN, whereby our Faith ſubſcribes and ſaith, So be it Lord, or it ſhall be ſo h1 Cor. 14, 16.
Queſt. Is it lawfull to ſay this prayer?
A. Yes, for ſo ſaith Saint Luke, when you pray, ſay, Our Father, &c iLuke 11, 2..
Q. And is it lawfull to make other prayers like to it?
A. Yes, for ſo ſaith Saint Matthew, after this manner therefore pray you kMath. 6, 9..
CHAP. 28.
Of workes of MercieMercy, or Charitie.
Q. ARe the workes of Piety ſufficient for ſaluation?
Anſ. No, Chriſtians muſt alſo performe workes of MercieMercy and Iuſtice aEpheſ. 2, 10 Math. 25, 35, 35.
Queſt. Where be they commaunded?
Anſ. In the ſecond Table of the Morall Law.
Queſt. What be workes of MercieMercy or Charity?
Anſ. Such as we ought to doe to them that be poore, or in ſome diſtreſſe bMath. 25, 35. Deut. 15, 7. Pſal. 41, 1..
Queſt. How many be the workes of MercieMercy?
Anſ. Of two ſorts, either to the ſoules or bodies of our brethren.
Q. What be the workes of MercieMercy to the ſoules of our brethren?
A. Theſe. 1. To informe and inſtruct the Ignorant cRom. 2 20..
2. To bring home him that is out of the way dIames 5. 20. Exod. 23. 4..
3. To admoniſh him that is faulty e1. Theſſ. 5. 14..
4. To encourage and confirme him that doth well fAct. 14. 21. 22..
5. To comfort them that are in diſtreſſe g1. Theſſ. 5. 14..
Q. What be the workes of MercieMercy towards the bodies of our brethren?
Anſ. Theſe. 1. To féede the hungry hMath. 25. 35..
2. To cloathe the naked iMath. 25. 36..
3. To viſit the ſicke, or the priſoners kMat. 25. 55..
4. To reléeue the oppreſſed lExod. 23 5 Pſal. 82. 4. Deut. 27. 19..
5. To bring the blind into the way mDeut. 27. 18..
6. To giuegive and lend where néede is nMath. 5. 42. Deut. 15. 7. 8. Pſal. 37. 21. 26. Ioh. 3. 17..
7. To lodge poore ſtrangers oMath. 25. 35 36. Heb. 13. 2..
CHAP. 29.
Of workes of Iuſtice, or Righteouſneſſe.
Q. VVHat bee the workes of Iuſtice?
A. Such workes of honeſty and faire dealing, as wee are bound to performe to eueryevery man aRom. 13, 7.
Q. When are workes of Iuſtice to be performed?
A. In the works of our callings, and in all our bargaines and dealings with men b1 Theſſ. 4, 6 Exod. 12, 49, and 23, 9..
Q. With whom muſt wee deale iuſtly?
Anſ. With eueryevery man, friend or foe, ſuperiour, or inferiour, good or bad, or of what religion ſoeuer he be cMath. 5, 43, 44.
Q. What be the parts of Iuſtice?
Anſ. Two. Firſt to doe right to all, wrong to none dRom. 13, 7..
Secondly, if we hauehave don wrong, to make reſtitution eLuke 19, 8. Exod. 21, 28, & 22, 1, &c..
Q. What rules doth the Holy Ghoſt giuegive vsus for our direction in Iuſtice, and in doing right to all men?
Anſ. Theſe in the Old Teſtament.
Firſt, Thou ſhalt not ſteale, nor deale falſly, nor lie one to another fLeuit. 19, 11.
Secondly, Thou ſhalt not defraud thy Neighbour, nor rob him, nor keepe his due from him gLeuit. 19, 13.
Thirdly, Thou ſhalt louelove thy Neighbour as thy ſelfe hLeuit. 19, 18.
Q And what rules or directions hauehave we in the New Teſtament?
A. Theſe. Firſt, Owe nothing to any man but louelove iRom. 13, 8.
Secondly, GiueGive to eueryevery one his due kRom. 13, 7..
Thirdly, Let no man defraud or goe beyond his brother in any matter l1 Theſſ. 4, 6.
Fourthly, Whatſoeuer you would that men ſhould doe to you, doe you the ſame to them mMath. 7, 12.
CHAP. 30.
Of the reward of good Workes.
Q. VVHy ſhould Chriſtians do good workes?
Anſ. For theſe cauſes.
Firſt, to obey Gods commandement, and doe his will aPſal. 119, 4.
Secondly, to honour God and his holy Religion bMath 5. 1 Pet. 2, 9, 12.
Thirdly, to make ſure their own election c2 Pet. 1, 10 1 Tim. 6, 18, 19.
Q. Is there any reward for good Workes?
Anſw. Yes, the leaſt good worke ſhall be rewarded d1 Cor. 15, 58 Math. 14, 42.
Q. May we then merite by our good workes?
Anſw. No, but the reward is giuen in Gods merciemercy, through Chriſts merits eRom. 6, 23. Luke 17, 10..
Queſt. What reward doth God giuegive vsus by his mercifull Couenant in Chriſt?
A. Some in this life, but more in the life to come f1 Tim. 4, 8.
Q. What reward hauehave we in this life?
Anſ. Thrée, Firſt, his louelove and fauour g1 Ioh. 4, 10.
Secondly, the peace and comfort of a good conſcience hRom. 14, 17.
Thirdly, all bleſſings néedfull for this life iPſal. 34, 9, and 84, 11 Math. 6, 32, 33.
Q. And what reward in the life to come?
A. Eternall life, or euerlaſting ſaluation kMath. 25, 46.
Q. What ſhall we enioy there?
A. Perfect happineſſe, conſiſting in two things.
Firſt, a fréedome from all euill and ſinne lEſay 11, 9 Reu. 22, 9 and 21, 4..
Secondly, the fruition and enioying of all good to ſoule and body for euermore mReu. 7, 17 & 21, 22, 23..
Q. And what is the portion of the wicked that want Faith, and feare of God, and doe no good workes?
A. A double portion, part in this life, and part in that to come.
Q. What hauehave they in this life?
A. Gods curſe without, and an ill conſcience within nDeut. 28, 15, 20, &c. and 65..
Q. And what in the life to come?
Anſw. Euerlaſting ſeparation from God, and eternall damnation in hell with the diuell and his angels oMath. 25, 41. 2 Theſſ. 1, 8, 9..