A Catechism, Catechism
A CATECHISME or briefe inſtruction by way of Queſtion and Anſwer, in the principles and grounds of the true Chriſtian Religion.
Queſtion. WHat is thine onelyonly comfort in life and death?
Anſwer. Mine onelyonly comfort in life & death is this, that both in ſoule and body whether I liue or die, I am not mine owne, but Ieſus Chriſts my moſt faithfull Lord and Sauiour aRom. 14. 8. 9, who hath both liued, and died, and riſen againe for my iuſtification bRom. 4. 25., and maketh me partaker of his ſpirit cMatth. 3. 11., whereby I may liue the life of God and godlineſſe d2. Pet 1. 3., by which alſo hée aſcertaineth mée of a raiſing vp to eternall glory eEph 4. 30..
Q. How many things are neceſſary to be knowne of thee, that thou maiſt enioy this comfort, and conſequently maiſt both liue and die bleſſedly?
A. Thrée things: firſt, what is the greatneſſe of my ſinne and miſerie fMat. 9. 12. 13: ſecondly, by what meanes I may hauehave deliuerance from that ſinne and miſerie gIohn 8. 21.: thirdly, what the thankfulneſſe is which I owe vntounto God for the ſame hRom. 12. 1..
The firſt part of the Catechiſme, which is of mans ſinne and miſerie.
Q. How doeſt thou know thy miſerie?
A. By the Law of God i…. 3. 20..
Q. What doth the Law of God require of vsus?
A. This is briefly taught by our Lord in the 22. of Matthew: Thou ſhalt louelove the Lord thy God with all thine heart, with all thy ſoule, and with all thy minde; and thou ſhalt louelove thy neighbour as thy ſelfe kMatth. 22. 37. 38. 39..
Q. Art thou able perfectly to keepe this?
A. Nothing leſſe: for by nature I am prone to the hatred of God and of my neighbour lTit. 3. 3..
Q. What? Did God create man thus peruerſe and corrupt in the beginning?
A. Not ſo: yea contrariwiſe, God made man good, and after his owne image, that is, endued him with knowledge and true holineſſe mGen. 1. 27..
Q. How then came this corruption into mans nature?
A. This corruption of our nature came by the fall and diſobedience of our firſt Parents Adam and Eue in Paradiſe nGen. 3. 7..
Q. What? is our corruption ſuch, that wee are altogether vnmeet to doe what is good, and onelyonly prone to that which is euill?
A. Yea certainly, except we be new borne by the Holy Ghoſt o1. Cor. 2. 14..
Q. Doth not God then iniurie vntounto man, in requiring of him in the Law, what he is not able to performe?
A. No truly: for God created man able to performe it; but man through abuſe of his frée will, and the Deuils inſtigation, did depriue himſelfe and all his progenie of theſe diuine gifts pGen. 3. 6. 7..
Q. Is it ſo then that God will leaue vnpuniſhed this diſobedience and ſinne in man?
A. Nothing ſo; but contrariwiſe, God is moſt angry, both for the ſinne wherein we were conceiued and borne, and alſo for theſe which wée actually commit qIob 15. 16..
Q. But is not God alſo mercifull?
A. God indéed is mercifull, yet is he alſo iuſt rExod. 34 7.: wherefore his iuſtice requireth, that as his infinite Maieſtie is offended by ſinne, ſo the puniſhment of it be according.
The ſecond part of the Catechiſme, which is of mans freedome and deliuerance.
Q. Sithence then through the iuſt iudgement of God, wee are liable vnderunder temporall and eternall puniſhment, is there any meanes whereby wee may bee deliuered from it, and get reconcilement with God?
A. God will hauehave his iuſtice ſatiſfied ſGen. 2. 17., and therefore it muſt néeds be, that either by our ſelues, or by ſome other, this ſatiſfaction be made.
Q. Are wee able to ſatisfie Gods iuſtice by our ſelues?
A. In no reſpect tEſa. 59. 16.: yea rather wée increaſe the debt day by day.
Q. Can any of the creatures in heauen, or in earth, which is only a creature, make ſatisfaction for vsus?
A. Not any at all uHeb. 12. 29.: for firſt, God will not puniſh mans offence in any other creature: ſecondly, not any thing being but a creature, is able to ſuſtaine Gods wrath againſt ſinne, and frée other from the ſame.
Q. What kinde of Mediator and Redeemer is then to be ſought for vsus?
A. Such a one who is indéed very man xGen. 3. 15., but perfectly iuſt yExod 12. 5., and withall more mighty then all creatures, that is alſo very God zEſay 9. 7..
Q. Why is it neceſſary that this Mediator muſt be very man, and that alſo perfectly iuſt?
A. Becauſe Gods iuſtice doth require, that as in mans nature the ſinne was committed, ſo in the ſame the puniſhment ſhould be ſuffered a1. Cor. 15. 21: now hée who is himſelfe a ſinner, cannot vndergoe the ſame for other.
Q. Why is it neceſſary that he be alſo very God?
A. Becauſe hée might thereby ſuſtaine in his fleſh the burden of Gods wrath, and alſo recouer vntounto vsus the righteouſneſſe and life which wée had loſt b1. Pet. 3. 18..
Q. But who is that Mediator, who is both very God, and very man, and withall perfectly iuſt?
A. That onelyonly, is Ieſus Chriſt c1. Tim. 2. 5., who is made vntounto vsus of God wiſdome, righteouſneſſe, ſanctification, and redemption d1. Cor. 1. 30..
Q. How doeſt thou know this?
A. I know this by the Goſpell eCol. 3. 16., which God did firſt preach in Paradiſe fGen. 3. 15., and afterward by the Patriarkes gGen 18. 18., and Prophets hEſay 53. Iohn 6. 35., and laſt of all by his only begotten Sonne.
Q. Is it ſo then, that ſaluation by Chriſt is granted vntounto all that hauehave periſhed in Adam?
A. Not ſo, but vntounto thoſe only, who are ingraffed into Chriſt by true faith, and doe beléeue in him.Iohn 3. 16. and 18.
Q. What is this true faith?
A. True faith is a perſwaſion in my heart iIob 19. 25., grounded on the word of God kEph. 2. 2., & wrought by the holy Ghoſt lGal. 5. 22., through the preaching of that word mRom. 10. 14, whereby I beléeue, that Ieſus Chriſt is not only a Sauiour for other, but euen my Sauiour alſo nGal. 2. 20., and thereupon doe put all my truſt in him.
Q. What is that which eueryevery one muſt neceſſarily beleeue, that would bee accounted to hauehave true faith in him?
A. True faith, although it be a firme aſſenting to all things reuealed in Gods word oAct. 26. 27., yet properly it reſteth on the promiſes of the Goſpell pRom. 4. 16., the ſumme whereof is the Apoſtles Créed.
Q. What is that Creed?
A. I beléeue in God the Father Almighty, maker of heauen and earth, and in Ieſus Chriſt his onelyonly Sonne our Lord, who was conceiued by the holy Ghoſt, borne of the Virgin Mary, who ſuffered vnderunder Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried: he deſcended into hell: the third day hée aroſe againe from the dead: he aſcended into heauen, and ſitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty: from thence ſhall he come to iudge the quicke and the dead: I beléeue in the holy Ghoſt, the holy Catholique Church, the Communion of Saints, the forgiueneſſe of ſinnes, the reſurrection of the body, and the life euerlaſting.
Q. Into how many parts is this Creed diuided?
A. Into foure: The firſt is, of God the Father, and our Creation: The ſecond is, of God the Sonne, and our Redemption: The third is, of God the holy Ghoſt, and our Sanctification: The fourth is, of the Catholique Church, and its benefits of eternall Saluation.
Of the Father.
Q. What beleeueſt thou when thou ſayeſt, I beleeue in God the Father Almighty, maker of heauen and earth?
A. I beléeue, that God the Father of our Lord Ieſus Chriſt, who hath made of nothing heauen and earth, with all therein qGen. 1. 1., who likewiſe vpholdeth, and by his prouidence gouerneth the ſame, to be my God, and my Father rIoh. 20. 17., and therefore I doe put my whole truſt and confidence in him.
Q. What is the prouidence of God?
A. The almighty power of God, whereby he maintaineth and gouerneth all things, ſo that nothing commeth to paſſe by fortune, but only according to the counſell of his good will ſMatt. 10. 29. 30..
Q. What doth the knowledge of Gods creation and prouidence profit vsus?
A. That in aduerſitie we be patient, and in proſperitie thankfull to our God, and that in him we hauehave moſt firme hope for the time to come tIob 1. 21..
Of the Sonne.
Q Why is the Sonne of God called Ieſus?
A. Becauſe he is the only Sauiour, that can ſaue vsus from all our ſinnes uMatt. 1. 21., neither can ſaluation in any other whatſoeuer be found xAct. 4. 12..
Q. Why is he called Chriſt?
A. The meaning thereof is Anointed: and this is to ſignifie, that hée is ordained by the Father, to be vntounto vsus a Prophet yMatth. 17. 5, Prieſt zHeb 5. 5., and King aPſal. 2. 6..
Q. What is meant by theſe his offices, of being Prophet, Prieſt, and King?
A. A Prophet hée is, in that hée teacheth vsus by his word and ſpirit whatſoeuer is néedfull to eternall ſaluation bHeb. 1. 2..
A Prieſt, becauſe hée offered vp that expiatorie ſacrifice of himſelfe, and doth make continuall interceſſion for vsus cHeb. 9. 28..
Q. And what is meant by his office of Kingdome?
A. A King hée is, in that hée gathereth vntounto himſelfe a Church by his word and ſpirit, doth alſo gouerne and defend it, that the gates of hell cannot preuaile againſt it dMat. 16. 18..
Q. How art thou called a Chriſtian?
A. Becauſe through faith I am a member of Chriſt, and partaker of the ointment of his ſpirit eIohn 1. 16:, alſo of his offices, Prophecie fAct 2. 18., Prieſthood, and Kingdome gReuel. 1. 6..
Q. How art thou a Prophet, Prieſt, and King?
A. A Prophet I am, that I may confeſſe Gods name iMatt. 10. 32..
A Prieſt, that I may preſent my ſelfe vntounto him a liuely ſacrifice and thanke offering kRom. 12. 1..
A King, that here I may fight againſt ſinne and Sathan, and afterward may raigne with Chriſt in eternall glory lRom. 8. 17..
Q. Wherefore is Chriſt called the only begotten Sonne, when as wee alſo are the ſonnes of God?
A. Becauſe he is the onelyonly naturall Sonne of the Father, begotten from all eternitie mIoh. 1. 18., and wée are ſonnes only by adoption and grace nGal. 4. 5..
Q. Why calleſt thou him our Lord?
A. Becauſe hée hath redéemed our ſoules and bodies from ſinne by his precious bloud o1. Pet. 1. 19., and deliuering vsus out of the Deuils power, hath ſet vsus frée to ſerue him pTit. 2. 14..
Q. What beleeueſt thou when thou ſayeſt, Hee was conceiued by the holy Ghoſt, and borne of the Virgin Mary?
A. That the Sonne of God, who is euermore very God q1. Tim. 3. 16, tooke mans nature of the ſubſtance of the Virgin Mary rLuke 1. 35., by the working of the holy Ghoſt ſHeb. 5 17., and ſo is become like to his brethren tHeb 4 15.in all things, ſinne except.
Q. What profit reapeſt thou by Chriſts holy conception and birth?
A. That hée is our Mediator u1. Tim. 2. 5., and doth couer with his perfect holineſſe my ſinne, in which I was conceiued, that it may not come into the ſight of God xIohn 17. 19..
Q. What beleeueſt thou when thou ſayeſt he ſuffered?
A. That all the time of his life, but eſpecially at the end thereof, he ſuſtained yEſa. 53 8.for our ſinnes the wrath of God, both in his body and ſoule, that hée might deliuer vsus from euerlaſting death zMatt. 26. 38, and purchaſe to vsus the fauour of God, and life eternall aIohn 3. 16..
Q. Why was he to ſuffer vnderunder Pilate as his Iudge?
A. That being innocent, and yet condemned by a ciuill Iudge, he might deliuer vsus from the ſeuere iudgement of God bRom. 8. 1..
Q. But is there any more in it that he was faſtned to the Croſſe, then if hee had ſuffered any other kinde of death?
A. Yea: for by this I am aſſured that hée tooke on himſelfe cGal. 3. 13.the curſe which lay on mée, becauſe the death of the Croſſe was accurſed of God dDeut. 21. 23.
Q. Why was it neceſſary that Chriſt ſhould humble himſelfe vntounto the death?
A. Becauſe the iuſtice and truth of God might not otherwiſe hauehave béene ſatiſfied for our ſinnes eHeb. 5. 8. 9..
Q. To what end was he alſo buried?
A. To manifeſt thereby the truth of his death fMatt. 27. 64. 65..
Q. Since Chriſt hath died for vsus, why muſt wee alſo die?
A. Our death is not a ſatiſfaction for our ſinnes, but an aboliſhing of ſinne gRom▪ 6. 7., and paſſage into life eternall hIoh. 11. 25..
Q. What is meant by this, Hee deſcended into hell?
A. That he ſuffred the loweſt abaſement, to wit, the ignominious captiuitie vnderunder death, ſo that he was for a time deaths priſoner in the graue iAct. 2. 24., whereby euen I might neuer deſpaire, how low ſoeuer I be brought.
Q. What doth the reſurrection of Chriſt profit vsus?
A. Firſt, it ſerueth for our iuſtification kRom. 4. 25.: ſecondly, as by his obedience to death, he is our Sauiour in merit, ſo by this hée is our Sauiour in efficacie l1. Cor. 15. 45. Thirdly, it is a pledge of our owne reſurrection to glory m1. Cor. 15. 20. 21..
Q. How vnderſtand you this, Hee aſcended into heauen?
A. That Chriſt in the ſight of his Diſciples was taken vp into heauen nAct. 1. 9., and yet is there for our ſakes, and will be vntill his comming againe to iudgement oAct. 3. 21..
Q. What fruit doth Chriſts aſcenſion into heauen bring vsus?
A. Firſt, he doth there make interceſſion for vsus pHeb: 9. 24..
Secondlie, he ſendeth from thence the holie ghoſt on vsus qEpheſ. 4 10..
Thirdlie, his aſcenſion is a pledge of our aſcenſion in our very bodies rIoh: 14: 2: 3..
Q. What is meant by Chriſts ſitting at the right hand of God?
A. That hee hath all power giuen him, by the Father, and all things ſPhil: 2. 9., and doth gloriouſlie execute the office of Prieſt and King for vsus tMath: 28. 10..
Q. What ſpeciall benefits hauehave wee by this glorious eſtate of our Lord in heauen, and by his office of Mediatorſhip there performed for vsus?
A. Firſt we hauehave hereby a bringing out of vnbeliefe wherein by nature we were ſhut uRom: 11: 32., vntounto true ſauing faith x… Pet: 2. 9..
Secondlie, a continuall pardon of our ſinnes y1 Ioh: 2: 12..
Thirdlie, the ſending downe of the holie ghoſt on vsus, with all needefull graces zEpheſ: 4: 8..
Fourthlie, defence againſt all our enemies whatſoeuer aEpheſ: 1: 12. 13..
Q. What comfort haſt thou by Chriſts comming againe to iudge, the quicke and the dead?
A. I am hereby frée from all feare of condemnation, ſithence he ſhall bee my Iudge, who ſuffred himſelfe to be condemned for me aRom: 8. 34..
Alſo, I am certaine that his comming ſhall be to lift mee vp to the fruition of eternall glory with him b1 Theſ: 4. 16. 17..
Of the holy Ghoſt.
Q. What beleeueſt thou concerning the holy Ghoſt?
A. Firſt, that hee is very God, coeternall with the Father, and the Son cAct: 5. 3. 4..
Secondly, that hee is giuen mee to make mee through faith, partaker of Chriſt and all his benefits dRom. 1: 9.. Alſo, to comfort me, and to abide with mee for euer eIoh: 14. 16..
Of the Holy Catholique Church.
Q. What beleeueſt thou concerning the Holy Catholique Church?
A. I beléeue, that the Son of God, doth in all ages f1 King. 19. 18.by his Word and Spirit, gather, gouerne, and defend a company choſen to eternall life g2 Tim: 2. 19., and that I am a very member of the ſame, and ſo ſhall remaine for euer.
Q. What meaneth the communion of Saints?
A. Firſt, that all true beléeuers, are partakers in common of Chriſt, and all his benefits hGal: 3. 27. 28..
Alſo, that eueryevery one might cheerefully beſtow their gifts, to the mutuall good of each other iAct: 4. 32..
Q. What beleeueſt thou concerning forgiueneſſe of ſinnes?
A. That God for the ſatisfaction of Chriſt, hath put out of his remembrance, all my ſinnes, originall and actuall kEpheſ: 4. 32..
Alſo, that hee counteth me fully iuſt in the righteouſneſſe of his Son imputed to me lRom: 4. 5..
Q. What comfort haſt thou by the reſurrection of the body?
A. That not only my ſoule, preſently on the departure out mLuk: 23: 45.of my body, ſhall be taken vp into Paradiſe, but that this my body, ſhall by the power of Chriſt, be reunited to my ſoule, and made like the glorious body of Chriſt n2 Cor: 15. 42. 43..
Q. What comfort haſt thou by the article of life euerlaſting?
A. That whereas at this preſent I beginne the enioying of life eternall oIoh: 6. 47., I ſhall at length hauehave the ſame perfected, with all fulneſſe of felicitie p1 Cor: 2 9..
Q. What benefit haſt thou by thy beliefe of the Goſpell?
A. I am thereby righteous before God qRom: 8: 1., and heire of life eternall rHeb: 11. 7..
Q. How art thou righteous before God?
A. Only by faith in Chriſt ſPhil: 3: 9., whereby his perfect ſatisfaction, righteouſneſſe, and holineſſe are made mine: as if I had performed the ſame in mine owne perſon tRom: 8. 3: 4..
Q. How ſaiſt thou that thou art righteous by faith onelyonly?
A. Not, that I pleaſe God, through the worthineſſe of my faith uMark: 9: 24., but becauſe the only ſatisfaction, righteouſneſſe, and holineſſe of Chriſt, is my righteouſnes before God xCant: 2: 16..
And for that I cannot take hold of it, and applie it to my ſelfe, any other way then by faith alone yRom: 4: 16..
Q Why cannot our good workes go for righteouſneſſe, or ſome part of it, before God?
A. Becauſe that righteouſneſſe, which muſt ſtand before the iudgement of God, muſt be perfect and in all points agreeable with the law of God zGal: 3. 15.: now our workes euen the beſt of them, are imperfect and defiled with ſinne aEſ: 64: 6..
Q. How doe our workes merit nothing, ſithence God promiſeth a reward for them, both in this life, and that to come?
A. That reward is giuen, not out of merit, but of grace and frée fauour bColoſſ: 3: 24..
Q. Doth not this doctrine make men ſecure, and prophane?
A. No: becauſe thoſe who are incorporate into Chriſt by faith, cannot but yéelde forth the fruits of thankefulneſſe c2 Cor: 5: 14..
Of the Sacraments.
Q. Sithence then, that Faith onelyonly maketh vsus partakers of Chriſt, and his benefits, from whence doth this faith proceede?
A. From the Holy Ghoſt dGal: 5. 22., who begetteth it in vsus, by the preaching of the goſpell eRom: 10. 14., and confirmeth it by the ſame f1 Theſ: 3. 2., and by vſe of the Sacraments gAct: 2. 42..
Q. What are Sacraments?
A. They are viſible ſignes, and ſeales from God hRom: 4: 11., to declare and ſeale vntounto vsus, the promiſe of his goſpell iMath: 28. 19., that not onlie to beléeuers in generall, but to euerie ſuch one in particular kRom: 4. 11., hée giueth free remiſſion of ſinnes, and life eternall, for that onelyonly ſacrifice of Chriſt, which he offered on the croſſe lLuke: 22. 19..
Q. Doth not then both the word and the Sacraments tend to this end to lead our faith vntounto the ſacrifice of Chriſt finiſhed on the croſſe, as to the onelyonly ground of our ſaluation?
A. Yea: for the holy ghoſt teacheth vsus by the goſpell m1 Cor: 2. 1., and aſſureth vsus by the Sacraments, that all ſaluation is grounded on the only ſacrifice of Chriſt offered for vsus on the croſſe n1 Cor: 11. 24. 25. 26..
Q. How many Sacraments hath Chriſt ordained in the new Teſtament?
A. Two: Baptiſme oMath: 1. 18. 19., and the holie Supper pLuk: 22. 19..
Of Baptiſme.
Q. How art thou admoniſhed and aſſured by baptiſme, that thou art partaker of Chriſt and his righteouſnes?
A. Becauſe, Chriſt hath commanded the outward waſhing with water qMath: 28. 19., with this promiſe, that I am ſo certainly waſhed by his bloud and ſpirit, from all vncleaneneſſe of ſinne r1 Cor: 12. 13, as I am outwardly waſhed with water, by which the filthineſſe bodily is clenſed.
Q. What is it to be waſhed with the blood and ſpirit of Chriſt?
A. To be waſhed with Chriſts bloud, is to receiue of God forgiuenes of ſinnes, fréely for the blood of Chriſt, ſhed for vsus ſEpheſ: 1: 7..
To be waſhed with his Spirit, is to be ſanctified by the holy ghoſt, whereby I am made a member of Chriſt, and receiued vntounto holines.
Q. Where doth Chrriſt promiſe that hee will waſh vsus, as certainely with his bloud, and ſpirit, as wee are waſhed with the water of baptiſme?
A. In the inſtitution of it, Math. 28. 19. and in Marke 16. hee that ſhall beléeue and be baptized, ſhall be ſaued: alſo where the Scripture calleth Baptiſme, the waſhing away of ſins tAct: 2: 38., and the waſhing of the new birth uTit: 3: 5..
Q. Is then the outward Baptiſme of water, the very waſhing away of ſins?
A. It is not: for the bloud of Chriſt alone, cleanſeth vsus from all ſinne xIoh: 2. 7..
Q. Why then doth the holy Ghoſt call Baptiſme, the waſhing away of ſins, and the waſhing of the new-birth?
A. God ſpeaketh this not onelyonly to teach vsus, that as the filth bodily is cleanſed by water, ſo our ſoules are by the bloud and Spirit of Chriſt, but alſo to aſſure vsus, by this diuine pledge, that we are as verilie waſhed, from our ſins inwardlie, as wee are outwardly by water y1 Pet: 3: 21..
Q. Are infants alſo to be baptiſed?
A. Yea: for fithence they belong to the couenant of grace zGen. 17. 7., and church of God aPhil: 2.; and ſith remiſſion of ſinnes is promiſed alſo to them bGen: 17: 7., they are to hauehave the ſeale thereof cRom: 4: 11., and to be diſtinguiſhed from the children of Infidels d1 Cor: 7. 14., as in the old Teſtament was done by circumciſion eCol: 2: 11: 12, to which Baptiſme hath ſuccéeded fCol: 2. 11. 12.
Of the holy Supper.
Q. How art thou in the holy Supper admoniſhed and warranted, that thou art partaker of Chriſt crucified with all his benefits?
A. Becauſe Chriſt hath commaunded me to eate of this bread broken, and to drinke of this cupp gLuk: 22: 19., with promiſe, that ſo certainely as I behold this with my eies, ſo was his body broken, and bloud ſhed for me h1 Cor: 11. 24. 25..
Alſo, that I am fréed by the ſame to life eternall, ſo ſurelie, as I receiue into me theſe ſignes thereof i1 Cor: 12. 13..
Q. What is it, to eate the body of Chriſt crucified, and to drinke his bloud that was ſhed?
A. It is not onlie to embrace with ſure confidence, the whole paſſion of k Gal: 3. 27.Chriſt, but alſo by the holie ghoſt, who l 1 Cor: 6. 17.dwelleth both in Chriſt and vsus, to bee more and more vnited to him, that wee be quickned and guided, by one and the ſame Spirit.
Q. Where hath Chriſt promiſed, that he will as certainely giuegive his body and bloud to be eaten and drunke, as we eate this bread broken, and drinke this cuppe?
A. In the inſtitution where it is ſaid, Chriſt tooke bread and brake it, and gaue to them ſaying, this is my bodie which is giuen for you, likewiſe he tooke the cuppe, ſaying, this cuppe is the new Teſtament in my bloud which is ſhed for you mMath: 26. 26: 27. 28..
Q. Are then the bread & wine made the very body and bloud of Chriſt?
A. No verilie: but as the water of Baptiſme, is not turned into the bloud 1 Cor: 11. 26. 27. 28.of Chriſt, ſo the bread and wine of the holy Supper, are not the naturall ſubſtance of Chriſts bodie and bloud, but the ſignes and pledges onlie kRom: 4. 11..
Q. Why doth Chriſt then call the bread his body and the cuppe his bloud, and Paul calleth the bread and wine the Communion of the body and bloud of Chriſt?
A. Chriſt ſpeaketh this to aſſure vsus, that through the holie ghoſt, wee do as verilie pertake his bodie and bloud, as we bodiliwiſe receiue into vsus, the ſignes thereof l1 Cor: 10: 3. 4.: And that his obedience and paſſion, are ſo certainly our owne, as if that had béene done in our owne perſons mRom. 5: 19..
Q. Who are to come to the Lords Table?
A. Thoſe onelyonly, who doe truely ſorrow for their ſinnes nMath: 11. 38, yet truſt in Chriſts ſatisfaction oIoh: 6. 35.; who alſo deſire encreaſe in faith, and holineſſe pHeb: 12: 14:.
But the other ſort eate and drink to themſelues iudgement a1 Cor: 11. 19.
Q. Are they to bee admitted to this Supper, who in confeſſion, and life declare themſelues to be Infidells and vngodly?
A. No bMath: 7. 6.: for Gods couenant is thereby prophaned cPſal: 50. 16., and his wrath kindled againſt the whole congregation d1 Cor. 11. 30? wherefore the Church vſing the keyes of the kingdome of heauen receiued from Chriſt, ought to kéep ſuch from this Supper, till they repent eMath. 18. 18..
Q. What are the keyes of the kingdome of heauen?
A. The preaching of the goſpell fMath: 16. 19., and Eccleſiaſticall diſcipline gMath: 18. 19, by which heauen is opened to beléeuers, and penitent ones hMath: 16: 19., and ſhut to the contrarie iMath. 18. 18..
Q. How is the kingdome of heauen opened, and ſhall be by the preaching of the Goſpell?
A. When in Chriſts name, it is publiquely taught, that all their ſinnes are pardoned, who truely beléeue the goſpell kIoh: 20. 23.: and vntounto the vnbeléeuers, and impenitent there is denounced condemnation; the which teſtimonie is ratified in heauen.
Q. How is the kingdome of heauen opened and ſhut by Eccleſiaſticall Diſcipline?
A. When according to the rule of Chriſt, they that ſhew themſelues aliens from him in doctrine lTit: 3. 10., or life m1 Cor: 5. 4. 5., are by the Church after refuſall of admonition, ſuſpended from the Sacrament, or barred from the holy aſſemblies. Alſo when vponupon due profeſſion of amendment they are receiued in againe n2 Cor: 2. 7..
The third part of the Catechiſme, which is of gratitude or thankfulneſſe.
Q Sithence we are deliuered from all our ſinnes and miſeries by the only merciemercy of God, for Chriſts ſake, why are wee to doe good workes?
A. There is a thréefold cauſe, why being thus deliuered, wée ſhould doe good workes: One is, that wée may declare our thankfulneſſe to God aMatt: 3. 16.: a ſecond, that we may hauehave aſſurance of the truneſſe of our faith bGal: 5. 6.: a third is, that by our good conuerſation wée may winne other vntounto Chriſt c1. Pet: 3. 1. 2.
Q Cannot they then be ſaued who are vnthankfull, and remaine ſtill in their ſinnes and iniquities?
A. By no meanes: for as the Scripture witneſſeth, neither fornicators, nor Idolaters, nor extortioners, nor theeues nor drunkards, ſhall inherit the kingdome of God d1 Cor: 6. 9. 10..
Q. Wherein conſiſteth the conuerſion of man vntounto God? and whence alſo floweth it?
A. It doth ariſe of a godly ſorrow, through our fooliſhneſſe in offending God e2 Cor: 7. 10., and hath with it an after wiſedome, in leauing our former follie, and turning vntounto God fPſal: 2. 10. 11. 12..
Q. What are the kindes of this conuerſion?
A. Two: one is in ſéeking vntounto God for pardon of our ſinnes; this may be tearmed the conuerſion of humiliation gEſay 5. 6. 7.: the other is vponupon the obtaining of that pardon; this may be tearmed the conuerſion of thankfulneſſe hRom: 12. 1. 2.
Q. Sithence this latter appertaineth to this place, we ſhal more ſpecially conſider of it: ſhew mee therefore wherein this conuerſion, which is of thankfulneſſe, doth conſiſt.
A. It conſiſteth in the mortifying of the old man, and liuing according to the new iRom: 6. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8..
Q. What is the mortifying of the old man?
A. This is, when acknowledging our ſinnes, whereby we hauehave offended Gods Maieſtie, we are heartily ſorry for them, and daily more and more doe hate and eſchew them k1 Pet: 3. 11..
Q. What is the liuing according to the new man?
A. This is, when vponupon the knowledge of Gods mercy, which is promiſed to all that ſorrow for their ſinnes, and beléeue in Chriſt lIoh: 6. 47., we hauehave in vsus an earneſt deſire of liuing after Gods will m1 Pet: 4. 1. …, with a ſerious endeuour of doing good workes nTit: 2. 14..
Q. What are good workes?
A. Only theſe, which through true faith oRom: 14 23, are done according to the word and Law of God pPſ: 117. 105., and are referred to the glory of him alone q1 Cor: 10. 31..
Q. What is the Law of God?
A God ſpake all theſe words, ſaying: Exod: 20.I am the Lord thy God, who brought thée out of the land of Egypt, out of the houſe of bondage.
I. Thou ſhalt hauehave none other Gods before mee.
II. Thou ſhalt make thee no grauen Image, neither any ſimilitude of things that are in heauen aboue, neither that are in the earth beneath, nor that are in the waters vnderunder the earth: Thou ſhalt not bow downe to them, nor ſerue them; for I am the Lord thy God, a iealous God, viſiting the iniquitie of the Fathers vponupon the children vntounto the third generation, and vntounto the fourth of them that hate mee; and ſhewing mercy vntounto thouſands, to them that louelove mee, and keepe my Commandements.
III. Thou ſhalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vaine, for the Lord will not hold him guiltleſſe that taketh his name in vaine.
IV. Remember the Sabboth day, to keepe it holy: ſix dayes ſhalt thou labour and doe all thy worke, but the ſeuenth day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God; in it thou ſhalt not doe any worke, thou, nor thy ſonne, nor thy daughter, thy man-ſeruant, nor thy maid-ſeruant, nor thy beaſt▪ nor thy ſtranger, that is within thy gates: for in ſix dayes the Lord made the heauen, and the earth, the ſea, and all that in them is, and reſted the ſeuenth day, therefore the Lord bleſſed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it.
V. Honour thy father and thy mother, that thy dayes may be prolonged vponupon the Land which the Lord thy God giueth thee.
VI. Thou ſhalt not kill.
VII. Thou ſhalt not commit adulterie.
VIII. Thou ſhalt not ſteale.
IX. Thou ſhalt not beare falſe witneſſe againſt thy neighbour.
X. Thou ſhalt not couet thy neighbours houſe, neither ſhalt thou couet thy neighbours wife, nor his man-ſeruant, nor his maid, nor his oxe, nor his aſſe, neither any thing that is thy neighbours.
Q. How are the Commandements diuided?
A. Into two Tables rExod: 32. 15 16: the former whereof deliuereth in foure Commandements, how we ought to behaue our ſelues towards God: the latter in ſix, what duties wée owe to our neighbour ſMatt: 32. 37. 38. 39..
Q. What doth God require in the firſt Commandement?
A. That I abandon all idolatrie t1 Cor: 6. 9. 10., inchantments uDeut: 18. 11, ſorcerie xIerem: 17. 7, and the like: and that acknowledging the true God, as he hath reuealed himſelfe in his word, I doe onelyonly truſt in him, pray vntounto him yPſal: 50. 15., and worſhip him zMatt: 4. 10.: alſo that I louelove and feare him aboue all aMatt: 10. 28., and in eueryevery thing ſubmit my ſelfe vntounto him with all humilitie bIames 4. 7..
Q. What doth the ſecond Commandement require?
A. That wée ſhould not repreſent God by any image cIoh: 4. 24., much leſſe that we worſhip any image, or God thereby dDeut: 4. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19., but only that we hold our ſelues to that forme of worſhip, which himſelfe hath preſcribed in his word eEſay 18. 20..
Q But may not Images be tolerated in Churches, to ſerue for the peoples vſe?
A. No: for it is not ſéemely that we ſhould be wiſer then God, who will hauehave his Church to be taught by the Act: 10. 28. Habac: 2. 18. 19.liuely preaching of his word, and not by dumbe Images.
Q. What doth God require in the third Commandement?
A. That not onelyonly we abondon the abuſing of Gods glorious name, by curſing fLeuit: 24 11. 12. 13 …4., or forſwearing gLeuit: 19. 12, but alſo by raſh ſwearing hIer: 4. 2., though the matter be true: neither ſhould by ſilence, or conniuence, partake with other therein iEpheſ: 5. 12.. Alſo that euermore his ſacred name be vſed by vsus with all due reuerence kMatt: 6 9..
Q. Is it lawfull to ſweare by Saints, or other creatures?
A. No lDeut: 6. 13.: for a lawfull oath is an inuocating of God, as the only ſearcher of the heart mIer: 17. 10., to witneſſe the truth, and puniſh the ſwearer if wittingly hée ſweare falſly: now this honour agréeth to no creature nIam: 5. 12..
Q. What doth God require in the fourth Commandement?
A. That I carefully on the Sabbaths frequent the ſolemne aſſemblies oMatt: 18 19., and there diligently heare his word read pAct 15 21., and preached qRom: 10▪ 14 15, vſe the Sacraments with due preparation r1 Cor: 11. 28, aſſiſt to the praiers, and contribute after mine abilitie to the collections ſ1 Cor: 16. 1. 2.: alſo that then eſpecially I be diligent in priuate exerciſes tending to edification in faith and pietie tEſay 58. 15..
Q. What doth God require in the fift Commandement?
A. That we yéeld due honour to our parents uEph: 6. 1. 2. 3, and to all who hauehave authoritie ouer vsus xEph: 6. 5., that we duly ſubmit our ſelues to them, and reuerence all our ſuperiours as is méet y1 Pet: 5. 5..
Alſo that ſuperiours behaue themſelues as worthy of the ſame zEph: 6. 5. 9..
Q. What doth God require in the ſixt Commandement?
A. Not onelyonly I am here forbidden the actuall killing of my brother aGen: 9. 6., and the doing him any bodily harme bGen: 5. 39., but alſo all enuie cGal. 5. 21., hatred dGal: 5 20., and deſire of reuenge eRom 12. 9.. Further I am commanded to ſhew him kindneſſe, though mine enemie, and as néed requires to tender his life and ſafetie fRom: 12. 20.
Q. What is the meaning of the ſeuenth Commandement?
A. That not only I flie all bodily vncleanneſſe, but whatſoeuer may draw thereto, as filthy ſongs g1 Cor: 15. 33., ribald talke hEpheſ: 5. 4., drunkenneſſe iGen: 19. 32., and the like. Alſo, that whether in wedlocke, or ſingle life, my behauiour be in all pureneſſe and chaſtitie k1 Theſſ: 4. 3. 4. 5..
Q. What doth God require in the eighth Commandement?
A. That not onelyonly I abandon all thefts and robberies, commonly ſo called, but alſo all crafts and deuices, whereby the goods of other are vnlawfully procured l1 Theſſ: 4. 6., as falſe weights and meaſures mLeu: 19. 35., deceitfull wares, vſurie nEzec: 18. 13, and the like.
Alſo that I labour faithfully in ſome honeſt calling, to get mine owne maintenance o1 Tim: 5., and to bée helpfull vntounto other pEpheſ: 4. 28..
Q. What is required in the ninth Commandement?
A. That I beare not falſe witneſſe againſt any, neither empaire any ones name, by broching forth, or receiuing ſlanders qPſal. 15 3..
That I abandon lying rEpheſ: 4 25., and follow the truth in all things ſEpheſ: 4. 15., and what lieth in me, defend the good name of other tMatt. 7. 12..
Q. What doth the tenth Commandement require of vsus?
A. That our hearts be not moued by the leaſt thought or deſire uRom. 7. 7againſt any Commandement of God, but that continually from our heart we deteſt all ſinne, and delight in all righteouſneſſe xIam: 2. 10.
Q Can they that are conuerted vntounto God, perfectly keepe all theſe Commandements?
A. No: but euen the holieſt, ſo long as they liue, hauehave onelyonly ſmall beginnings of this obedience yIam▪ 3. 2; yet ſo that there is in them an vnfained deſire to liue euen according to all the Commandements of God zPſ: 119. 5 6.
Q. Why will God hauehave his Law to be ſo exactly preached, ſithence no man in this life is able to keepe it?
A. Firſt, that wée acknowledging our ſinne, and great proneneſſe thereto, might the more earneſtly hunger after Chriſts righteouſneſſe aMat: …. 3. 4. 5.
Secondly, that our praying might be the more feruent for the holy Ghoſt, whereby Gods image may be more and more renued in vsus bLuk: 11. 11. …. 13.
Of Praier.
Q. Why is praier neceſſary for Chriſtians?
A. Becauſe it is a chiefe part of that thankfulneſſe which is required of vsus cPſ: 50. 14. 15. Alſo, God maketh promiſe of his ſpirit and diuine graces, vponupon condition of earneſt praying & hearty thankſgiuing for the ſame dLuke 11. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13.
Q. What is required vntounto that praier which may pleaſe God, and be heard of him?
A. That our praiers be made onelyonly to God ePſal: 50. 15, and that for ſuch things as his word doth warrant fLuk: 11. 2: alſo of an inward féeling of our néeds gIam: 5. 16., being aſcertained, that though vnworthy of our ſelues, yet for his promiſe ſake, and the merits of Chriſt hIoh: 16. 23. 24., we ſhall be heard.
Q. What are theſe things which God commandeth vsus to aske of him?
A. All things neceſſary both for Ioh: 14 13. 14.ſoule and body, which are compriſed in that praier which our Lord hath taught vsus.
Q. What praier is that?
A. Our Father which art in heaen, Matth: 6. Luke 11. 2.hallowed be thy name, thy kingdome come, thy will be done in earth as it is in heauen, giuegive vsus this day our daily bread, and forgiue vsus our debts, as we forgiue them that are debters vntounto vsus; and leade vsus not into temptation, but deliuer vsus from euill; for thine is the kingdome, the power and the glory, for euer and euer. Amen.
Q. Why doth Chriſt teach vsus to call God our Father?
A. That in the very entrance of our praier he might ſtirre vp in vsus confidence in God, that ſithence earthly Fathers doe not denie earthly things, much leſſe will our heauenly Father denie vsus what in true faith we craue of him iLuke 11. 11. 12. 13..
Q. Why is it added, which art in heauen?
A. That we conceiue not baſely of Gods heauenly Maieſtie kIer. 23. 24.: alſo that we expect from his omnipotencie whatſoeuer is neceſſary for our ſoule and body lPſal: 115. 3..
Q. What is the firſt petition?
A. Hallowed be thy name: that is, Grant vsus to know thée aright mExod. 33. 13. 18., and to magnifie thy vertues ſhining in thy workes n1 Pet: 2. 9.: alſo ſo to direct our life, that thy name may receiue honour and renowne by vsus oMatt: 5. 16..
Q. What is the ſecond petition?
A Let thy kingdome come: that is, rule vsus ſo by thy word and ſpirit pCant. 1. 3., that more and more we may ſubmit our ſelues to thée: preſerue thy Church qPſal: 122. 6▪ 7, deſtroy the works of the deuill, and all aduerſe power rRom. 16. 20., till at length thou raigne fully being all in all.
Q. What is the third petition?
A. Thy will be done in earth as it is in heauen: that is, Grant that we renouncing our owne wils, may in all readineſſe obey thy will ſPſal: 119. 5., and that with ſuch cheerefulneſſe we may performe the duties of our callings, as the Angels doe in heauen tPſal: 103. 20 21. 22..
Q. What is the fourth petition?
A. GiueGive vsus this day our daily bread: that is, Since thou art the only fountaine of all true good uIam: 1. 17., grant vsus whatſoeuer is néedfull for this life xGen: 28. …; and hereunto vouchſafe thy bleſſing in our labors, which otherwiſe will proue moſt vaine yPſal: 1….
Q. What is the fift petition?
A. Forgiue vsus our treſpaſſes, as we forgiue them that treſpaſſe againſt vsus: that is, Grant vsus for the merits of thy deare Sonne, a gratious pardon of all our ſinnes zEph. 1. 7., and giuegive thereof ſuch aſſurance in our hearts, as we are there certaine, that through thy grace euen our ſelues doe forgiue all thoſe that hauehave offended vsus aMat. 6. 14. 15.
Q. What is the ſixt petition?
A. Leade vsus not into temptation, but deliuer vsus from euill: that is, Becauſe our ſpirituall enemies doe continually aſſaile vsus b1 Pet: 5. 8., and we of our ſelues cannot hold out againſt them euen one moment cIohn 15. 5., vouchſafe to ſtrengthen vsus by the power of thy ſpirit dEſay 11. 2., that wée may both withſtand them, and alſo at length get full victorie againſt them eIohn 5. 4. 5..
Q. How concludeſt thou thy praier?
A. For thine is the kingdome, the Pſal. 84. 11.power and the glory, for euer and euer: that is, We craue all theſe things of thée, becauſe thou being our King, and Almighty, art both willing and able to giuegive them to vsus, and our end in aſking them is, that not vntounto vsus, but vntounto thy name all glory may redound fPſal. 115. 1..
Q. What meaneth this particle, Amen?
A. That the thing is ſure and out of 2 Cor: 1. 20.doubt, for my praier is more certainly heard of God, then I féele in my heart an vnfained deſire of it gLuk: 11. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13..
Q. Tell mee now briefly, what is the ſumme and ſubſtance of thy knowledge in the heauenly doctrine, whereon all thy comfort dependeth?
A. Firſt I know thereby, that by nature I am moſt miſerable, as being vnderunder the guilt of ſinne hRom: 3. 9., and the bondage thereof: ſecondly, I know and beléeue, that God hath giuen mée his Sonne, by whom I hauehave righteouſneſſe i2 Tim: 2. 26., and ſanctification k1 Cor: 1. 30.: thirdly, I know that God requireth of me thankfulneſſe lRom: 12. 1. 2. 1. Cor. 13. 9. Iam. 1. 19. 1 Cor 11. 25. 1 Theſſ: 5. 1 Theſſ: 4. 1., and therefore I muſt diligently obey his reuealed will: and ſith my imperfections are great, I ought carefully attend the holy ordinances, as the miniſterie of the word and Sacraments, praier, and the like, whereby I may grow in godlineſſe, which hath promiſe of bleſſedneſſe in this life, and that to come m1 Tim: 4. 8▪.
FINIS.
End of the text · Caspar Olevian, A Catechism (1617)