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I SPECIMEN I
Q OF ^
I Divine Truths, \
g FITTED FOR |
e The Ufe of thofe, of various Capacities, f
who defire to prepare themfelves for 2
A D U E
CONFESSION OF THEIR FAITH.
By the Rev. Mr. ^. HELLENBROECK,
Late Alinifter of the Gofpel at Rotterdam.
g| TRANSLATED FROM THE DUTCH, FOR THE USE ^
§OF THE REFORMED PROTESTANT DUTCH Q
CHURCH IN THE CITY OF NEW- YORK. O
B N E W'T 0 R K: §
^ PRINTED BY W. DURELL, NO. I985 QUEEN-STREET. |f
G M3DCC5XCI. ^
TPHIS Translation of /^. HellenbroecJi%
-*• Specimen of Divine Truths, &u
having firft been examined, compared and
approved of by the Confiftory of the Re-
formed Proteftant Dutch Church of the
City of New-Tor ky is by them recom-
mended for the Ufe of their Congregation,
and printed by their Orden
JOANNES RITZEMA.
V. D. M. P. T. Proef.
""Sepemher 165 1765.
yg>co^m.t^^ Q-yJ^^^^ (ytXh^
THE
PREFACE
Of the AVtHOR.
Dearly Beloved,
I.
FOrafmuGh as your whole Devotion ought to be
fpiritual, fo muft like wife this falu tar y Work of
Catechizing 3 and becaufc this is done by many
with fo little, yea, without any Spirituality, we de-
fire to give you fome brief Diredlions how you are
to behave in a becoming Manner, as in the fight of
God, before, at, and after catechizing j praying
that the Lord will enable you to apprehend, defire,
and prad:ife the fame.
II.
In the firft place, your Velws ought to be pure \ to
learn to know, to obey and glorify God, to edify one
another, and to further your own Salvation, (which
we hope you may have good Grounds to exped) let
the Frame of your Hearts be humble, andfeektobe
convinced of your natural Ignorance, and inability in
Spiritual Things.
Let this fill you with an holy Shame, and excite
in you a true Defire to be delivered from thefe things, 4
and to be conformable to the Image of God in true
Wifdom, be ye therefore fubjed to this Way of In-
rtruclion, and to the Difcretion of your Minifier in
Rcfpcct to his Orders and Diredions, for thofe who
learn, ought by all Means to be obedient herein, ac^
cording to Heb. 13. 17. " Obey them that have the -
I
#
( iv )
Rule over you, and fubniit yourfelvesj^' And that
our Lord would have done, in refpeft even to the
Pharifees and Scribes, Matt. ag. 3. " All therefore
whatever they bid you, that obferve and do/' A.
III.
Furthermore, you are feveral ways to prepare
ourfelves 3 above all Things draw nigh to God in
rayer, and therein let your Defiresbe in the follow-
ing Orders That befidesthe Things before-mention-
ed, the Lord may give you a clear Underllanding to
comprehend Matters 3 a fanclified Judgement to value
them> a ilrong Memory, to remember them, and an
unwe-rU led Dein-e and Diligence, to improve therein j
a fettled Attention, to underiland -the Qiieftions arid
Anfv/ers > a ready Utterance, with ether Qualifica-
tions, in order to exprefs Matters aacording to the
Truth and Worth thereof 3 aslikev/ife, the Guidance
of the Holy Spirit, to apprehend the Excellence and
Glory of thofe Things 5 and finally that the Lord
may incline and move your Hearts, agreeable to the
SuDJe6t treated eh. Endeavour to learn fome fliort
and comprehenfive Book of Inftruction by Heart,
which may afterwards ferve as a Foundation for far-
ther InHru&on.
Learn alfo to get perfectly by Heart, the moft ne-
cefiary PafTagcs of Scripture 5 in your Preparations,
ufe yourfelf to get a dillin^b Apprehenfion in your
Unaerfl::inding and memory, of the Things you are
to anfwer :. and to that End ftudy a little upon each
Matter : Make it your Practice to meditate upon them,
fo that when vou come to catechize, you may know
\vhat you undcrlland, and what not, and to what you
are more particularly to give zteention 3 hence it
will appear, that you have not learned to repeat it j
Without Underftanding.
Let him that hath made fome Progrefs, read ano-
ther Book onthe fame Subjedj but in reading other
( V )
•Books keep this rule, that you read not many Books,
but read one Book often > being thus prepared, go
out with a dependent Heart, trulting in the Lord j and
to this End, maintain continually on your Mind, a
lively Senfe of this, viz. That without the Divine
Alliftance, you will net be fit for any Word or Duty 5
but that with his Affifiance, youihall enjoy all thofc
required Qualifications^ and their EfFe&s.
IV.
Expecting thus the Favour of the Lord, go to the
Place of Catechizing, with a Mind ready and defir-
ous to make Profeflion •, and give Account as in the
Prefence of God, of the Knowledge the Lord hath
given you 5 yea, with a Defign by thefe Mgans, to
advance in Knowledge andSanftification.
Being there, let Gravity be fo confpicuous in your
whole Deportment, that others may obferve that the
Prefence of God, and the Weight of his Divine Truths,
imprefs your Soul.
And offer both Soul md Body to the Lord, folenin-
ly defiring, that the Lord may fo difpofe and govern
th€e, as may be moft to his Glory and thy Salvation,
V.
Beware of interrupting, contradicting, or crofs-
queflioning thy Minifler > lefl thou fhould feem to
pretend to be his Mafter, or through thy Self-Con-
ceit, endeavour to bring his Perfon and Service into
Difrefpeft.
[ vi ]
But endeavour carefully to attend to his Queflions,
to underlknd them, and when he hath propounded the
Queftion, then anfwer> but when the Miniiler be-
gins to fpeak again, youmufl: be iilent, and not conti-
nue fpeaking with hini.
In Regard to the Manner of thy Expreffion, take
Heed of AflFedation, of fpeaking inarticulately or
heedlefsly 5 but on the contrary, take Care to Ipeak
with a Voice fufliciently loud and clear, fo that not
only the Miniiler and the Perfon fpeaking, but all
prefent, may underfland y every one fpeakmg in his
natural Tone 'of Voice, though with Reverence, flow
and grave, according to the Nature and Weight of
the Matter.
VI.
This being fo in general, wc are further to notice
how you are to behave in feveral Circumftances j and
firfl, v/hen you are queftioned, and God enables you
to anfwcrj acknowledge that it is from him, and in
Humility render him Thanks for the fame 5 but if you
have not anfwered well, be not difcouraged. and
don't refolvc to ceafc catechizing -, but remember,
that you come to that Duty not as one who knoweth
every Thing, but as a Learner, who defires to know
thefe Things -y be not altogether filent, that waftes
Time, makes the minifter concerned, and feems to re-
flect upon the Importance of the Qiieftion; but fiiy,
cither that you know it not, or what you apprehend
to be the meaning ; and fhcw your Defire of receiv-
ing Information from the Miniftcr ; in refped to God,
acknowledge your Ignorance, and your Obligation to
know thofe Things j Pray for the forgivenefs of the
Sins of lo-nor.'incc, and for Incrcafe of true Wif-»
rfom.
C vii 3
Endeavour to quicken your Heart in the UiP^of
Means for further Inftru£tion, endeavour to under-
ftand what the Miniiler fays in explaining the Subjecb,
thank God for his Goodnefs in fending you fuch a mi-
niiler or Minifters, by whofe Means the Lord is pleaf-
ed to teach you that which you know not, and yet
neceffiirily mull know j and endeavour for the Future,
better to prepare thyfelf.
VIL
When others are queftioned, think not then what
youfhall be afked, but rather what would I have an-
iwcred thereon, and endeavour to underftand what is
faid in Explication thereof j if others know that, do
not envy them, but thank God for the Gifts and Wif-
doiii beftowed on them, and defire to be equal to
them.
If they know it not, do not defpife or TidlcuW
them 3 don't boail nor exalt thyfelf, lead the Lord
alfo put thee to Silence or Confufion, when thou an-
fwergflj but pray for them, that God may grant
them more Light, Defire, Memory, Boldnefs, and
Ability j and animate and encourage them hereto, as
much as in you lies,
VIIL
Finally, Catechizing being finillied, here alfo the
End muft crown the Work.
Let Pride and Vanity be fxv from thee, it is very
unbecoming that young People fliould come from
fuch Exercife as from a vain idle Place, entertaining
themfelves with laughing, and in this laughing it
and fporting, exalting themfelves and defpifing
( ^^ J
©ther?3 repeating what they themfelve^ knew or did
not know, fpeaking thereof in a dilrefpedful Manner^
fo that fiich People Ihew their own Folly, and prevent
tlie Freedom pf, others. j
• But on the Contrary, let Sobriety and Gravity. biJ)
your Ornaments > go alone or with one another to*
your Houfes, ponder on the Subject you have heard,
fearch as in the Divine Prefence, how you have be^
haved at Catechizing. Be not content that your Ears
only have heard, but endeavour after an hearty Ex-
perience of thof^ Things.
Thank God for what y.QJLi haye h'4d an Opportiinity
of heariiig, and fpeaking > endeavour to preferve it
intl\y Heart and Memory,; iyea even on Paper,. \r\ Oi*-
der/taniake Ufe thereof occalionally y to that- end,
pray God for the Grace of his Holy Spirit, tp pre-
ferve and bring thofe Things to your Remem-
brance.
IX.
And above all, it is thy Duty to {hew, that thofe
Truths you have made profefllon of, do not confilHn
Words but in Po>ver ^ . and that, in an Holy Converr
fation, forafmuch as it is a Doctrine leading to God-
linefs. Speak not of thefe Things only in the Cate-
chize, but let Heart and Mouth be filled therewith,
in Order alfo to fpeak thereof at every Opportunity 5
feek to be an Example to others in Do6lrine, Rebu-
king, Directing, Comforting and Sandification.
Thus beloved Learner, we have fct before you
{ome of thofe Matters, which you are to prattife in
regard to Catechizing 5 may God enable you to
praclife this Duty to his Glory, to the Ornament of
his Church, Edification of others, and to thine
own Salvation.
SPECIMEN
O F
Divine Truths,
CHAP. L
Of the knowledge of GOD.
I Queft. TT7 HENCE do we know that there is
VV a God ?
Anfwer From Nature and the Scriptures.
a Of how many forts J is the knowledge of God from
Nature ?
Anf. Of two forts; i An internal or innate, a An
external or acquired knowledge.
3 (^ueft. What is the internal or innate Knowledge ?
A. That which is natural in the hearts of all Men.
Rom. I. 19. Becaufe that which may he known of God
is manifefi in them^ far God hathjhewed it unto them.
4 Q. How can there be fuch an innate Knowledge,
fince there are Fools who fay in their Hearts there is no
'God ? Pf. 14. I.
A. It is wiihin^ rather than believing; that there is no
God. ^
5 Q, What is the external or acquired Knowledge ?
A. It is that we learn from the Creatures without us,
Pf. 19. 1 5 a. The Heavens declare the Glory of God^
and the Firmament Jheweth his Handy-Work . Day unto
Day uttereth Speech^ and Night unto Night fJoewetk
Knowledge .
6 Q. How can wc conclude from the Creatures, that
there muft be a God ?
( lo )
A. Becaufe they cannot be, nor eiillof themfelves,
butmuftnecelTarily be created, and continually upheld
by God. Job la. 9. JV/io^ knowet knot in all thefej that
the Hand of the Lord hath wrought this.
7 Q. Is this natural Knowledge fufficient to Salvation?
A. No.
8 Q. Why not?
j1. Becaufe we thereby cannot know Chrift.
9 Q. Is the knowledge of Chrift foneceflary to Sal-
vation ?
A. Yes, John 17. 3. This is eternal Life that they
might know thee the only true God, and Jefus Chrtfi whom
thou haft fent.
10 Q. Whence muft we attain this faving Knowledge?
A. From the fcriptures. a. Pet. i. 19. PFe have
alfo a more fur e Word of Prophecy; w hereunto ye do well
that ye take Heed^ as unto a Light flyining in a dark Place ^
until the Day dawn^ and the Day Star arife ijfyour Hearts.
CHAP. 11.
Of the SCRIPTURES,
f Queft. TXTHAT do you underftandby the Scrip-
▼ V tures ?
yL The written word of God. John 5. 39. Search
the Scriptures^ for in them ye think ye have eternal Life ^
and they are they which teftify of me. Tim. 3. 15. And
that from a Child thou haft known the Holy Scriptures^
^vhich are able to make thee wife to Salvation^ through
Faith^ which is in Chrtft Jefus.
a Q. Has there always been a written Word ?
A. No : Before the Time of Mofes the Word was
not written.
3 . Q. How did God then make known his Word ?
A. By Speech and revelation to the Fathers. Gen.
18. I. And the Lord appeared unto Abraham in the
Plains ofMamre^ and He fat in the. Tent Door in the Heat of
"the Day.
( " )
Chap. a8. il. And he dreamed and beheld a Ladder fet
iiponthe Earth and the Top of it reached unto Heaven : And
behold the angels of God ajcending and dejcending on it.
4 Q. How did they then prefer ve that among them-
fblves '?
A. By tradition of tlie Fathers to theChildren. Gen,
1 8. 19. For I know him., that he v/ill command his Chil-
dren and his Houjloold after him^ and they Jh all keep the
JVay of the Lord to dojufiice and Judgment ; that the Lord
may bring upon Abraham that which he hathfpoken of him.
5 Q. Howcouldthatbedoncthen^betterthannow?
A' Becaufe then Men lived longer, were few erin
Number, God revealed himfelf more frequently, and
the Wiles of Satan were fewer.
6 Q. Who hath caufed the fcriptures to be written ?
A. God. a Tim. 3. 16. All [cripture is given by
Infpiration of God ^ and is profitable for Reproofs for Cor-
rection^ for Inflru^ion in Righteoufnefs.
7 Q. By whom hath he caufed them to be written ?
A. The Old Teftament by the Prophets, and the
New Teftament by the evangelifts and Apoftles. Exod.
17. 14. And the Lord faid unto Mofes^ write this for a
Memorial in a Book^ end rehearfe it in the Ears ofjofjjua^
Rev. I. 19. JVrite the Things which thouhaflfeen., and
the Things which are^ and the Things which fhall be here-
(ifter.
8 Q. By whom were they infpired, in writing this?
A. By theHolyGhoft: a Pet. i. ai. Forth ePro-
phecy came not in old Time by the Will of Man : But Holy
Men of Godfpake as they were moved by the Holy Ghofi.
9 Q. Could they not err in writing the Scriptures?
A. No: The Holy Spirit hath led them in all Truth,
John 16. 13. Howbeit when he^ the Spirit of Truth^ It
come^ he will guide you into all Truth., for he fhall not fpeak
of himfelf ^butwhatfoevcr he fhall hear that fhall he fpeak .^
and he will f jew yon Things to come.
xo Q. How many Taftaments are there in the Scrip-
tures ?
A. Two;theoldandNewTeft:iment. a Cor. 3. 14.
Buttheir Minds were blinded ; for until this Day remaineth
( 12 J
the fame Vail untaken away^ in the reading of the Old Tef^
tament which Veil is done away in Chrift. Heb.-p. 15.
And for this Caufe^ he is the Mediator of the New Teftament^
that hy Means ofDeath^forthe redemption of the Tra?ifgref-
/tons that were under the firft Tejiament^ they which ars
sailed might receive the promife of eternal inherit ance .
II Q. In what language is the Old Telkment written?
A. In the Hebrew, and a fmall part of the Chaldean
Language.
la Q. In what Language is the New Teilament writ-
ten ?
A. In the Greek.
13 Q. Is the whole Scripture a Divine Book ?
A. Yes: Becaufe fuch Things are therein contain-
-ed which can only be of God.
14 Q. What Things are thefe ?
A. Myfteries^ fuch as the Holy Trinity 5 the Creation
of allThings out of nothing iniixDaysj that Jefus God-
Man, the Mediator, &c and prophecies of Things to
come duly fulfilled, both as to Time andPlace.
15 Q. Are not the Apocryphal books the Word of
God ?
A. No : Becaufe they contain things which are fabu-
lous, and repugnant to the Word of God: For which
Reafon they were never acknowledged as divine, by
the Jewifh Church unto whom the Oracles of God wers
committed^R.om. 3. a.
1 6 Q. Are the Scriptures perfed or imperfedt ?
A. They are perfect, Pf 19. 7. The IjAW of the Lord
is PERFECT converting the Soul, the Testimony of the
Lord is sure making wife the fimple,
17 Q. Is no Part of the Scriptures loft or falcified?
A. No : They are a^ entire as ever they have been.
Matt. 5. 18. For Verily I fay untoyou till Heaven and
Earthpafs^ one Jot or one Tittle Jh all in no wife pafsfrom th$
Law^ till all he fulfilled .
18 Q. Need we to have Traditions of Men, belides
the Scriptures?
A. No: The Scriptures alone are fufficient. Matt.
15. 9. But in vain do they worfhipme^ teaching for Doc*
trlnes the Commandments of Men.
( IS )
l^ Q. Arc the Scriptures clear or obfcure ?
yf. They are clear in thofe Things that are necefTary
to Salvation. Pf. 119. 105. T/^y word is a light for my
Feet^ and a Lamp for my Path.
ao Q. Why then doth the Apoflle Peter fay, that in
the EpilHes of Paul are fome things hard to be underjiood'%
1 Pet. 3. 16.
A. The Truth of a Thing although in itfelf clearly
revealed may be hard to be underftood, thus it is with
all myfleries, as the Holy Trinity, &c.
ai Q. May and muft we read the Scriptures'?
A. Certainly yes. John 5. 39. Search the Scriptures^
for in them ye think ye have eternal Life^ and they are
they which teftify of me,
aa Q. How muft we read and fearch the Scriptures?
A. Firft in the Fear of God, Pf iii. 10. The Fear
of the Lord is the beginning of IVifdom : A good Under-
fianding have all they that do his Commandments ; his
Praife endureth for ever. idly. With a praying heart,
Pf. 119. 18. Open thou mine Eyes that I may behold won^
drous Things out of thy Law. sdly. With Reverence,
Ifaiah 66. a and 5, But to this man will I look^ evert t9
him that is poor and of a contrite Spirit^ and tremhleth at
my Word. Hear ye the Word of the Lord ye that tremble
at his Word^ your Brethren that hated you^ that caft yoic
out for my Name's Sake^ faid let the Lord be glorified :
But he Jhall appear to your Joy ^ and they fhallbe ajhamed.
4thly. With Attention and Spiritual Judgment, i Cor,
a. 13. Which Things alfo we fpeak^ not in the Words
which Man's IVifdom teacheth^ but which the Holy Ghojl
teachethj comparing fpiritual Things with Spiritual,
( H )
CHAP. in.
Of G O D.
rft. In General.
t Quejl, WTHAT is God?
VV ^. A perfed, and an infinite Spirit,
John 4. '24. God is a Sprite and they that worJJnp him,
mufi worjhip him in Spirit and in truth. Matt. 5. 48.
Be ye therefore perfcU^ even as your Father 'which is in
Heaven is perfeU.
a b. How can that be, as the Scriptures afcribe to
him Eyes, Ears, Hands, and other bodily Members ?
A. All this muft be underftood improperly, as mean-
ing fuch Perfedions in God as have fome Analogy with
the Ufe of thofe human Members.
3 Q. Wherein mull God be known ?
A, I. In his Being, a. In his Names. 3. In his
Attributes. 4. In his Perfon.
4 Q. May we afcribe Being or Eflence to God ?
A, Yes : Though not in a corporal Senfe. Prov. 8.
14. Council is mine and found TVi[do7n (or as it may be
rendered, EJfence) I am Underftanding^ I have Strength,
5 Q. How many Gods are there ?
A. But one God. i Tim. a. 5. For there is one God
and one Mediator between God and Man^ the Man Chrift
Jefus.
6 Q. Neverthelefs God fpeaks, in the firfi Command,
of other Gods > Exod. ao. 3.
A. Not that there are other Gods in reality > but fuch
as are made and held for fuch by Men, i Cor. 8. S'> ^'
For though there be that are Gods^ whether in Heaven or /«
Earth {as there be Gods ?nany and Lords many) But to us
there is but one God, the Father^ of whom are all Things^
And we in him ; and one Lord Jefus Chrift^ by whom are
aU THngSj '^nd we by him.
( 15 )
ad. Of God's Names.
I Queft. Hath God need of Names, in the Manner
Men have?
A. Noi For there is none like unto him. Gen. 3a.
2.9. And Jacob ajked him^ and Jaid^ tell me I pray thee
thy Name: And he [aid wherefore is it that thoudoft ajk
after my Najne ? and he hlejfed him there. Judges 13 18.
And the Angel of the Lord faid unto him^ why afkeji thou
thus after my name^ feeing it is fecret?
1 ,Q; To what End have Men Names ?
A. To diftinguiih them from other Men, who are
their Equals.
3 Qr Why then are Names afcribed to God ?
A, Firftj To diflinguifh him from Idols 5 adiy, Alfo
thereby to mak^ known fomething of himfelf to us.
4 Q. Are then all the Names afcribed to God figni-
,ficant?
A. Yes.
5 Q. Which are the two Names mod: commonly
^iven him?
A The name of God^ and the name of Lord.
6 Q. Is not the Name God^ only the Name of a cer-
tain Office ?
A. No 'y But the Name of the Divine Eflence itfelf >
He is by nature God, in Oppofition to the Idols. Gal.
4. B. When ye knew not God, ye did Service unto
them which by Nature are no Gods.
7 Q. Is not the Name of God given to Angels and
Magiftrates? Pf 8a. 6. I have faid ye are Gods^ and ye
Are all Children of the Moft High.
A. When thefe Names are thus ufed, they mud be
underftood in an improper Scnfe.
^ Q. Which is God's chiefeft or grcatefl Name ?
A. The Name of Jehovah or Lord.
9 Q. Can this Name be given to a Creature ?
^. N03 Ifaiah4a. 8. lamthf Lord^thatismyName
( i6 ;
and my Glory will I not give unto another^ neither my
Praife to graven Images.
10 Q. Doth this name imply fomething fo great,
that it camiot be given to a Creature ?
A. Yes> It fignifies the Being orExillence. the un-
changeablenefs and Faithfulnefs of God. Exod. 3.
14. And Go df aid unto Mofes\y I am that I am j and
he [aid ^ thus jlo alt thou [ay unto the children of Ifrael^ I
am hath fent me unto you. Chap 6, 3, And I appeared
unto Abraham^ unto Ifaac^ and unto Jacob ^ by the Name
of God Almighty,, but by my Name Jehovah w'^j /
7ioi known unto them
11 Q, May Chrift be called Jehovah?
. A. Yes> Becaufe he alfo is true God. Jer, a3, 6,
th his days Judah floall be faved^ and Ifraet JJmtl dwell
Jafely; and this is his Name whereby he Jhall be called^
THE LORD OUR RIGHOUESNESS.
3d. Of God's Attributes.
I Quell:. Are God's Attributes di{l:in6t from himfelf?
A. No: They are God himfelfj therefore he is cal-
led the Light, i John 1.5. This then is the Mejfage which
we have heard of him^ and declare unto you^ that God is
Light^ and in hiyn is no Darknefsat all^ Life, Truth, and
Love, I John 4. 8. Hethatlovethnot^ hioweth not God,
for God is love^ Even Holinefs itfelfj To fwear by hi j
Holinefs, and fwearing by himfelf is one and the fame.
Amos 4. a. 7'he Lord God hath fworn by his Holinefs,, that
lo the Day floall come uponyou^ that he will take you away
with Hooks ,^ and your pofierity with fifh hooks. Compared
withHeb. 6. 13. For when God made Promife to Abra-
ham,, becaufe he could fwear by no greater he fwear' hyi
HIMSELF.
a Qiiefl. Are God's Attributes different and diftin£t
from each other?
A. Not in God > for in him all is infinite Perfoftioni
But they are diftinguifhed only according to our Manner
of Comprehenfion, and according to the feveralExer-
eifes of God',s Pcrfe6lian> coucernins: the Creatures.
( 17 )
3 Q. How are God's Attributes, or Properties thus^
generally diilinguiihed ?
A, Into incommunicable and communicable Pro-
perties. Gen. I. a6. And Godfaid^ let us make Man
in our linage^ after our likenefs : '^^^'^X.. i. \ PVhereby
are given unto us exceeding great and precious Promifes:
That by the fe you might he made Partakers of the divine
Nature, i John 3. a. Beloved now are we the Sons of
God^ and it doth not yet appear what we Jhall be : But
we know that when he Jhall appear^ we Jljall he like him;
for we Jhall fee him as he is.
4 d Which are the incommunicable ?
A. The Independency, Simplicity, Eternity, Om-
niprefence and Unchangeablenefs of God.
5 Q: Why do you call them incommunicable ?
A. Becaule there is not the leall Refemblance of
them in any Creature.
6 Q. What is God's Independency ?
A. That he is Self exillent. Gen. 17. \. I am the
the Almighty God. walk before me^ and be thou Perfect,
7 Q. What is God's Simplicity ?
A, That all in God is one without Compofitionof
different Sorts, Duet. 6. 4. Hear^ Of Ifrael thd
Lord our God is one Lord.
8 Q. What is God's Eternity?
A. That he is, i. Without Beginning, a. Without
Succeffion or Diffqrence ofTime. 3. Without End.
Pf. 90. a. Before the Mountains were brought forth^ or ever
thou hadjl formed Earth and the world^ from everlajiingto
everlajling thou art God.
9 Q. Doth it belong to God's Eternity, that there
is no Succeflion ofTime with him ?
A. Yes : For one Day is with the Lord as a thoufand
Years and a thoufand Years as one Day. a Pet. 3 . 8.
10 Q. Where is God ?
A. Every where prefent. Jer. 12 . 13, 2.4. Am I
a God at Hand^ faith the Lord^ and not a God afar off?
(18)
Can any hide himfelf in fecret Places^, that I fialUmfee
him^ jaith the Lord : Bo I ?tot fill Heaven and Earth?
. faith the Lord. *" ^
11 Q. Muit thi? be iindcrfuood only ofhisOperati-
cvn > 5 or o r h i s' Ell e ii c e ?
A. It mufc be undQrilooci both as to his EITence and
Operation^, which cannot be feperated, becaufe he
w<orketh by Virtue of his Efience'or Being. A6I5 17.
^7. Thsit they fijotild feek the Lord^ if haply they might
feel a^ter hiin^ and find him ^ though he be not far from
every one of us.
12 Q. Why is God uid to be particularly in Heaven ?
A. Becaufe he there llieweth forth his Glory m^rc
than any where eife. Ifaiah66. i. Thus faith the Lord ^\
the Heaven is my Throne^ and the Earth is my Footftool ;
where is the Houfe that ye build me^ and where is the
Place of my Reft?
13 Q^. Is God changeable or unchangeable ?
A. Unchangeable. Malachi3.6. For I am the Lord j
I change not : Therefore ye Sons of J acob are not confumed.
14 Q. Neverthelefs, Repentance is afcribed unto .^
God? Gen. 6. 6. It repented the Lord that he'hadmade ^
Man on the Earthy and it grieved him at his Heart.
A. This Repentance in God is only a change~in his
Work: Not in his will and being/Nunib. 23. 19.
God is ffot a Man that he fljoiild lie^ neither the Son of Man
that he fiould repent : Hath he faid 'and fi all he net do it ?
or hath he fpoken and ftoall he not make it good?
15 Q. Change of Place is alfo afcribed unto him^f as
that he defccnded, came to^ and went from certain
Places ? (iyQ.i\. II. 5. The Lord came down to fee the
City and the Tov/er which the Children of Men builded ?
A. This is only a change in*a more or lefs Manifef-
tation of- his divine prefcnce5rhoughnot in his eflentvai.
Preience itfelf.
i<5Q. WTiich arc the communicable Attributes of
God?
A. The following are generally accounted fuch, to
wit, GodVs Knowledge,"Will and power, hi^Good
?i-efs, Grace. Mercy and Patience.
^? Qj- Whv are thefe called comnvanicablel
( 19 )
A. Becaufe there is fome faint Refemblance of thcnl
in the Creatures 5 although as they are in God they are
intiaite, and io incommunicable.
- 18 Q. What is God's Knowledge?
A. It is that divine Perfcdion, whereby he knoweth
all Things in himiclf from Eternity, in the moil per-
fed Manner. Ach 15. 18. Known unto God are all his
Works from the Beginning of the World,
19 Q, What is the Objed of God's Knowledge?
A. Ail Things : He is therefore Omnifcient, i John
3. aD. F9r if our Hearts condemn us^ God is more than
oar Hearts^ and knoweth allThirigs. Pf. I47-4- He tel-
letli the Number of the Stars : He.calleth them by alltheir
Names.
aD Q. Doth God know all future and pofiible
Things?
A. Y"es : Pi^, 139. a. Thouknoweft my down-fitting^
and miM up-rifiag^ thouunderflandeftmyThoughts afar off,
a I Q^. Doth he know them by Virtue of a preceed-
ing Decree, or by way of a mediate Knowledge, as it is
called?
A. He knoweth them by Virtue of his Decrees -, and
with an abfolute Certainty that they fliall take place.
aa Q_. How is the Will of God didinguiilied?
A. Into his Will in his Decree, and his Vv^ill in his
Precept j or in other Words > into his fecret and reveal-
ed Will.
a3 Q^ Whatdo you mcanbyGodVsWill in his Decree?
^. God's etcrnalPurpofe, according to which he doth
all Things m Time. Eph. i . \i. In whom alfo we havcob-
tained an Inheritance^ beingpred' fit nated according to the
Purpofe of hi7n who worketh aliTnings after the Council cj
his own WiU.
24 d. Whit is God's perceptive or revealed Will ?
A. It is that which he h ath prefcribcd in h ; s Word as a
Rule for us, and which it is his V/ili we ihould obey,
Rom. I a. a. Be not conformed tot hi sJVorld^but be ye tranf-
formed by the renewing of your Mlnd^ that you may prove
what is that good ^ and acceptable^ and pcrie^tWillofGcd.
•25 Q^. By which of thefe twomuu we be regulated ?
( ao )
A. According to his perceptive Will : for the Will
ofGodinhis Decree is unknown to us. Deut. 29. ap.
The fecret Things belorig unto the Lord our God: But thofe
things which are revealed belong unto us and to our Children
for ever J that we may do all the TVords of this Law.
16 Q. What is the Juilice of God ?
A. it is that divine Perfe6i:ion by which he doth hate
and punilli all Sin. Pf. 5. 4. 5. 6. For thou art not a God
that hath Pleafure inPFickedncfs: Neither fh all Evil dwell
with thee. The foolifi flmll not fi and in thy Sight^ thou
hateji all Workers of Iniquity . Thou flo alt deftroy them
that fpeak leafing : The Lord will abhor the bloody and
deceitful Man.
27 Q^. Mult God ofNecefTity punifh all Sin?
A. Yes^Rom. 1 ^a. fVho knowing the Judgment of God
that they which commit fuch Things are worthy ofDeath^
not ori^y do the fame^ but have Pleafure in them that do
thern.
18 Q. Is God under any Conflraint?
A. No, But when Vv^e fay God muit, we mean he wills
with the moii perfect Freedom. Hab. i 13. Thou art of
;pnrer Eyes than to behold Evil^ and canft not look on Iniqui-
ty : Wherefore lookeft thou upon them that deal treache-
roufly^ and hcldeft thy Tongue when the Wicked devour etk
the Man that is more righteous than he.
29 O^v But cannot God difpenfe with hisjuftice, at
leaft in f :me meafure ?
A. N03 for then he would deny himfelfj forhisjuf-
rice isGod himfelf. Exod.345657. and the Lord pajfed
hy before kim^ aud froclaimed^ the Lord^ the Lord God
iierciful and gracioiPs^ long-fuffering and abundant in
Goodnefs and Truth. Keeping Mercy for Thoufands^ for-
giving Iniquity and Tranfgreffion and Sin^ and that will by
NO MEANS CLEAR THE GUILTY ^ vifiting the Iniquity of the
Fathers upon the Children^ and upon the Children's Chil-
dren unto the third and fourth Generation.
30 Q. But God however forgiveth Believers the
Guilt and Puniilimentof Sins ?
A. Then God's Juftice is already fatiified inChrift,
who hath borne the Punifhment of Sins for them. Eph.
( ai )
1 . 7. /;/ whm we have Redemption through his Bloal^ the
Forgivenefs of Sins^ according to the Riches of his Grace.
31 Q. Of what Kind is God's Power.
A. Itisan Almighty Power, Matt. i^.'iS.ButJefus
beheld them^ and faid unto them^ with Men this is impojfihle^
hut with God all Things are pojffible >
3a Q: Can Goddiejiin, &c.
J. No : For that would be no Power, but an Inabi-
lity.
33 Q: What is God's Goodnefs?
A. IngeneralhisBenevolence towards his Creatures,
Pf. 4. 6,7. There may ^be many that fay ^ who willfloewus
any Good : Lord lift thou up the Light of thy Countenance
upon us. Thou haft put Gladnefs in my Hearty more than in
the Time that their Corn and their PFine increafed. More
particularly the Exercifes of his Beneficence and Love
towards his Creatures, towards Man, and more efpeci-
ally towards his Saints, Pf 36.6.0 Lord^ thouprejervejl
Man and Beafl. John 3.16. For God fo loved the World ^
that he gave his only be gotten Son^ that whofoever believeth
in him^fhould notperifl)^ but have everlafting Life,
34. Q. Whatis God'sGrace?
^. It is that divine Goodnefs whereby he doethGrood
to his Creatures, withoutany Regard to their Merits.
35 Q. How many Kinds of Grace are there?
u4. There are two Sorts, general towards all. Matt.
5. 45. For hemaketh his Sun to rife on the Evil and on the
Good^ and fendeth Rain on the Juft and Unjuft^ or fpecial
andfaving, towards the Ele£bonly. Rom. 3. 24. Being
jiifli fled freely by his Grace^ through the Redemption^ that
is inJefusChrift : Matt. 1 1 . 15. Atthattime J efusanfwer^
edand faid^ I thank thee O Father^ Lord of Heav-en and
Earth) becaufe thou hafl hid thefe Things from the IVife
and Prudent^ and haft revealed them unto Bahes^ Gq.\\. 6.
8. But NoahfoundGraceintheEyesof the Lord; andLuke
I. 30. Andthe Jngel faid unto her^fear not Mary^ for thou
haft found Favour with God.AwA this Grace is preventing^
operating, and following.
36 Q. What is God's Mercy ?
A, It is that divine Goodnefs toward the miferabk
( aa )
ciecl Sinner, by which he actually reftores him to a State
Oi Grace, through the Mediator jciusChnii. Exod. 34.
6. Arid the Lord pa£^ed by before kim^ and proclaimed ihe
LoRD^ //^^ Lord God, merciful and gracious: long Juffer-
ing^ and abundant in Goodnefs and Truth. Eph. a. 4 But
God who 2s rich in Mercy ^ for his great Love wherewith he
loved us.
37 C^ What is God's Patience, or Long-fufFering ?
A. It is that divine Goodneis, whereby he deters the
juft Punifhment of Sin^-in order to the Converlion ol the
Elect, and the Conviction of the Reprobate. Rom. a 4.
Or dcfpifcft thou the Riches of his Goodnefs, and For-
bearance and Long-Suffering > not knowing that the
(Joodnefs of God leadeth thee to Repentance.
38 Q. What is God's Sovereignty '?
vf. It is God's fupremeiluthority above all Creatures.
jcr. ID. 6,7. For aj much as there is none like unto thee^ O
i aOrd, thou art great^ and thy Name is great in Might.
fVho would not fear thee^ O King of Nations ? for to thee
doth it appertain : Forafmuch as among all the Wife-Men
of the Nations^ And in all their Kingdoms there is none
like unto thee. Chap. 18. 6 O Houfe of Ifrael^ cannot I
do with you as this Potter? faith the Lord. Behold as the
(llayls in the Potter's Hand^fo are ye in mine Hand^ O
Houfe cf if' ael. Rom. 9. 18 and ao. Therefore hath he
Mercy on whom he will have Mercy ^ and whom he will he
hardcneth. ,Nay but O Man^ who art thou that repUeft a-
i-alnft God? ffallthe Thiy^g formed fay unto him that form-
ed /■/, Why haft thou made me thu> ?
IV^ Of the trinity.
I . Queft.Ho vv manyPerfons are there intheGodhead?
y'L Threes The Father, the Son^and the Holy Ghoft.
ci Q^ May \ve ufe the Word Trinity.
J. Yes ', For it isScriptural, i John 5.7. For there are
h-eethat hear Record in Heaven^the Father^ the Son^and
' '.c Holy Ghcfi'^ and thefe three are one.
3 Q- M^v Vv^e here alfo ufe the Word Perfon ?
\L Yes, for we alfo find it in Scripture, Heb. i. 13.
'17:0 being the Br i^htnefs of his Glory ^ and the exprefs I-
'■:■: a <?.€ 0 ^ /^/j" Person .
( n J
4 Q. Cm the Dodrine of the Holy Tihuty be prov-
ed fromNiitmeV
J. No : Bur only from Scripture, for it is a Myilcry
above the Reach of, tho' not cone rary to Nature/
5 Q: How do we prove the Holy Trinity from
Scripture?
J. I. Out of the Old. a. Out of theNev-Tef-
tan enr.
6 Q_. t?o w is it proved out of the Old Teitament ?
'J. I From fuch Scriptures where God ipeaks of
himfiU'" in the plural Number. Gqii. i.^6.God jciid let
ns mike Mari^ in our Image ^ after oi:k Likenefs.
a. From fuchScriptures where Diiiindion, is made
betv/een God and Godj Lord and Lord, Pf, 45, 7. T/iou
lovefi Rigkteoufncfs and kateft Wickednefs^ there fere God
thy God hath anointed thcc^ with the OyUfGladnefs above
thy Fellows. VL no. i. The Lord hath f aid unto my Lord^
Jit thou at my Right Hand^ tint ill make thine Enemies thv
Fojtfool. ' ^
3. From fuch Scriptures vfherc the three Perfons
are exprei'slv named and diflinguillied. Pf. 33. 6. By
the Word of the Lord the Heavens were ntacie^ and by
///5 Breath, (or Spirit) of his Mouth, all the Hoil
of them.
7 Q. How do you prove the Holy Trinity irom the
New Teila mcnt ?
A, From 1 J-^hn 5. 7. For there are three that hear
Record iyi Heaven^ the Father^ the Son^ and the Ho-
ly Ghofi^ and thefe Three are One. Aifo from the In-
ilitution of Baptifm, Matt. i^. 19. Go ye therefore
and teach all Nations^ baptizing them in the Name of
the Father^ and of the Son^ and of the Holy Gkoft :
teaching them to ohferve all Things^ v/hatfoevcr I have
commanded you.
Alfo from the Baptifm of our Lord, Matt. 3. the Son
was baptifcd, the Father fpake from Heaven, and the
Spirit of God deu:ended like a Dove.
8 Q^ Wherein are the three Perfous one ?
J, InEflence.
( a4 )
9 Q. Wherein are they three T
u^. InPerfons.
10 Q. Arc they thcnperfonally diftin^t?
^. Yes > By perfonal Properties or Manner of fiib-
filling.
11 Q. Which is the Perfonal Property '^of the Fa-
ther?
^. That he as Father, fubfifls of himfelf.
I a Q^. Which is the Perfonal Property of the Son ?
yi. That he is generated of the Father > Pf a. 7. /
will declare the Decree^ that thou art my Son^ this Day
have 1 be gotten thee .
13 O. Which is the Perfonal Property of the Holy
Gholl?
ui. That he proceeds from the Father and the Son,
John 15. 2.6. But when the Comforter is come ^ who7n I will
Jhtd unto you from the Father^ even the Spirit of Truth^
%'hith proceedeth from the Father^ he fJmllteflify of me.
14 Q. Why do you call thefe perfonal, and riot ef-
f jn ci al Prop e rti e s ?
A. Becaufe they are not proper to the whole Ef-
fcnce, but only each to one Perfon.
1 5 Q. When is the Son generated of the Father ?
ji. From Eternity, Prov. 8. a4. When there were no
Depths I w ashr ought forth; When there were no Fountains
abounding with Water.
\6 Q. Why is it then faid, Pf a. 7. This Day have I
legottenThee%
yL In God is nothing elfe but one eternal and un-
changeable Z)^?j.
17 Q.. Is then the Son the proper and natural Son of
God ']
A. Yes: John i. 18. No Man hath fe en God at any
Tlnie^ the only begotten Son^ which is in the Bofom of the
father, hath declared him.
18 Q. Why is the fccond Perfon properly called
the Son of God?
yl. Becaufe from Eternity to Eternity, the Father
comniuicatcs to the Son, the fime divine EfTcnce,
]^m6. 6. For as the Father hath Life in himfelf^ fo
( ^5 )
hath he given to to the Son to have Life in himfelf. Col.
I. 15. Who is the Image of the invifihle God^ the firft
horn of every Creature. Col. a, 9. For in him dwell eth
allthe Fidlnefs of the God- he ad bodily . Heb. 1.3. rrho
being the brightnefs of his Glory ^ and the exprejs image
of hts Per/on^ and upholding ail Things by the Word of
his Power ^ when he had by himfelf purged our Sins^
fat down on the Right- Hand of the Majefly on high.
19 Q. Did not he then become the Son of God
by his Birth of the Virgin Mary, or by hi s Media-
torihip?
' A. No : For he was the Son of God before. Gal.
4. 4. But when the Fulnefs of the Time was come^ God
fent forth his Son^ made of a M'^oman^ made under the
Law.
10 Q.. Doth the Holy Ghoft proceed only from the
Father '\
A, No : But alfo from the Son, he is therefore cal-
led the Spirit of Chrifi. Rom. 8. 9. But ye arc not in
the FlefJo^ but in the Spirit^ if fo be that the Spirit of
God dwell in you. Now if any Man have not the Spirit
of Chrifi^ he is none of his. And the Spirit of the
Son. Gal. 4. 6. And becaufe ye are Sons^ God hath
fent forth the Spirit of his Son into your He art s-^ crying^
Abba^ Father.
ai ^. Is not the Holy Ghoft, only a Power, or At-
tribute of God ?
A. No : But an acSbual Perfon^ having Underftanding
and Will, i Cor. a. 10. For the Spirit fear cheth all
Things^ yea the deep Things of God. Chap. 11. 11.
But all thefe worketh that one and the felf -fame Spirit^
dividing to every Man fever ally as he will. He alfo ap-
peared at the Baptifm of Chrift, Matt. 3. 16. And
Jefus when he was baptized^ went upjlraightway out of the
Water: andlo^ the Heavens were opened unto hi 'm^ and he
fawthe Spirit of God defcending like a Dove^ and light-
ing upon him . -
aa Q. Is he alfo a diftinft Perfon?
A. Yes J heisexprefsly called another,John 14. 1(5,
17. And I will pray the Fatherland hefJjall give you another
( ^fj )
Comfort er^ that he may abide with you for evtr\ cvehthe
Sprit of Truth .
13 Q. Whence do you prove, that the Son and the
Holy Ghoil are God as weii as the Father '?
j4. 111. From their divineNames. ad. Their divine
Attributes. 3. Their divine Works, and 4thly. From
their divine Honour.
^4 Q. Pi'ove that divine Names are given to the
Son'^
ji. Firftj The Name of Lord or Tehovah Jer a3.
6 Inhli days J udahfj.xll be faved^ and Ifrielfh all dwell
fafely^ and this Ishts Name whereby keJJjaU be called^ the
Lord our Righteousness.
adly. Tie Name of God, i John 5. ao. u4nd we
knuw that the Son of God is corne^ and ha thgive t % J v
Underftandl.ng^ that we may. know him that is true; And
we are in him that is truc^ even In h'-s Sonjefus Chrlfi.
This Is the TRUE Goo, and e rEaN4.L Life.
15 Q^. Prove that the Name of God is given to the
Holy Ghofl ?
A. A6ts 5 3,4. But Peter f aid ^ Ananias^ IVhy hath
Satan filled thine Heart to He to the Holy Ghoft^ and to
keep back Part of the Price of the Land? fVhlle it re-
mained^ was It not thine own? and after it was fold ^ was it
not in thine own Power? Why ha ji thou conr e I ved this Thing
in thy Heart ? Thou hast not lied unto Men, but
UNTO God.
15 Q. Prove that a divine Attribute is afcribed to
the Son'?
A. Eternity. Micah 5 1. But thou Bethlehem Ephra-
tah^t hough thou be little among the thoufandsof Judah^ yet
out of T he e flo^ll come forth unto me^ that Is to be a
Ruler In Ifrael ; whofe goings forth have been from of
cLf from everladlrg.
a;/ Q. Prove that a divine Attribute is afcribed to
the HolyGhod?
yl. Omniprefence. Pf. 139. 7. Whither flo all Igo
from thy Spifjt? Or whither Jhall I flee front thy Pre-
SiiU
!ri
( ^7 )
18 a What divine Works arc afcribcd to the Son
i The Works of Creation and Ireiervation. Pf.
0 3 5 By the Word of the Lord were the Heavens
inade': and all the tkflofihem by the Breath (or bpi-
irit) of hii Mouth. . j 1 1 •
ap (). What divine Honor is commanucd to be gi-
,ven them? , . ^t u r
\ A To be baptized in their Name, to believe in
them, and to worlliip them, a Cor 13- H, ^^^
firacloftheLordJejusChrift, and the Love of God, and
the Conmumonof the Holy Ghoft, be with you all. Arncn.
00 O. Is this Doarine neccflary to Salvation ^
A \'es : Becaufe we thereby learn to know God
.iiohtly, and feek Reconciliation with the Father as
;Tu^i-e; in the Satisfaftion of the Son, through the Op-
eration of the Holy Spirit. John 6. 44- ^0 Man can
\come to me, except the Father which hath fent ^ne draw
him ■ Andlwillraife him up at the UfiDay. I jolin i
•0 That which we have feen and heard, declare we unto
\you, that ye alfo may have Fellowfitp with us_: andtru-
'ly lur Tellowfh:f is with the Fa, her, and wit a his Son
\Jefus Chrifi.
C H A P. IV.
OF GOD'S DECREES.
I Q;,cft. A 5?^E God's Decrees any tumg dilancc
xIl from GodT .
A No : They are ihe decreeing o! Goahmnelt,
fo that his Undemanding and WiA arc exetcied m
determininj' Things without him.
a Q. When hSh Gcd formed his Decrees?
( ^^ )
A. From Eternity. A6ts 15. 18. Known unto God
are all hts Works from the Beginning of the World (or
from Eternity).
3 Q. AretheDecreesof God free ?
A, Yes: Matt. 11. a6. Evenfo Fat her ^forfeit fe em-
ed good in thy Sight.
4 Q_. Are they wife Decrees?
A. Yes: Rom. 11.33- O the Depth of the RicheSy
both of the Wifdom and Knowledge of God I How un-
fearc'hahle are his Judgments: and his Ways -p a fl finding
^out ! , ^
5 Q. Are they changeable?
A. No they are unchangeable. Ifaiah 46. 10 Declar-
ing the End from the Beginning^ and from ant ient Times
the Things that are not yet done ^faying my Counsel shall
STAND, AND I WILL DO ALL MY PLEASURE.
6 Q: To what do the Decreesof God extend?
A. They extend to all Things. Eph. i. 11. In whom
alfowe have obtained an Inheritance^ being predefiinated
according to the Purpofe of him who worketh all Things,
AFTER THE Counsel gf his own Will.
7 Q; Are there conditional Decrees, which depend
on the free Will of xMan ?
A. No 5 But there are fuch as depend on a Conditi-
on, wherein God hath aifo decreed, and which he
himfelf infallibly brings about 5 Thus (for Inftance)
Ood had decreed to five Peter on Condition of Faith
/ind Repentance, but at the fame Time God had de-
.creed in dwQ Time to workj and a6lualiy wrought
F a i th and Re p c nt an c e i n h i m .
OF PREDESTINATION.
I Q. Hath God decreed who iliall be faved, and who
not?
A. Yvs.
a Q. Hov/ is that Decree called?
A. Predcflination or I'ore-ordaining. Rom. 8. 30.
Moreover whom he did prcdsfiinate^ them he alfo called;
( ^9 )
and ^vhom he^ called he alfojuftifiedj and whom hejuftified^
them he alfo glorified. , . i
I 3 Q. How many A6ts of God muft we therein take
aotice of? ^ rr^, r
' J, Two, Elcaion and Reprobation. iThel. 5. 9.
" God hath not appointed us to Wrath, but to obtain
iSalvation through Jefus Chriit our Lord."
4 Q. When did God make this Eleftion?
A, From Eternity. Eph. i. 4. ^' According as he
" hath chofen us in him before the Foundation of the
" World, that we fhould be Holy and without blame
" before him in Love."
5 O. Is this general, are all Men ekaed?
A. No> the fmalleft Number, Matt. ao. 16. -^^ Ma-
<• ny are called but few are chofen." j . x ,
, 6 Q. Is this Eledion concerning certam Individual
IPerfons, known to God by Name?
A. Yesi Rom. 9. 13. " Jacob have I loved, and
^' Efiu have I hated.
7 Q. Whatisthereafon of God's choofingtheonc
and not the other.
A. Only God's free and fovereignPleafure. Rom.
9. 13. " Therefore he hath Mercy on whom he
" will have Mercy, and whom he will he hara-
" eneth." ^ ^ ^ . ,
8 Q. Is itnot then on Account of forefeen Faith or
woodworks? .,^ , ^
A No " It is not of him that willeth, nor oi
■« him that runneth, but of God that fheweth Mer-
'« cy." Rom. 9. 16. .
9 Q. Is there no Severity or Injuilicein this ^
A. No 5 For God could very juftly have let all Man-
kind perilh.
10 Q: IsthisEledion changeable?
A. No i It is unchangeable. Rom. 9. 11. " l;or
« the Children being not yet born, neither having
« done any Good or Evil, that thePurpofc of Godac-
« cording to Eledion might fland, not of Works but
" ofhimthatcalleth.
( 30 )
li Q^ Doth it riot follow from thence that it is all one
liow we live ?
J. No: For God hath Decreed the Means, as well
as the End. Rom. 8. 19./ 3-:)-. For whcm he did foreknow
he aljo did predeftinate to be conformed to the Image of his
So7i^ that he might be thefirft born among many Bretliren.
Moreover whom he did -predeftinate^ them he alfo called^
and whom he called^ them he alfo juftified : And whom he^"^
juftified^ them he alfo glorified,' i
la Q. What if an Elect Perfon fliould refiife to iife
the Means?
A. God gives them an hearty Defire to will theUfc
of Means, Phil. a. 13. For it is Godthat worketh tnyou^
both to will and to do of his good Fie a fur e.
13 Q. What are the Signs of Eiedion?
A. Faith, Hope, and Love, i Thef. r. 3, 4.
Remembering withont ceafing^ your Work of Faith and
Labour of Love^ and Patience of Hope in our Lord
Jefus Chrifl^ in the Sight of God^ and our Father :
Knowing Brethren^ Beloved^ your Election of God.
14 Q. To what End doth thisDoftrine of Predefli-
nation ferve ?
A. It fervesto theGlory ofGod, in his fupreme So-
vereignty, Independency, Wifdom, Grace, Righte-
oufnefs and Truth. Rom. 11. 33. O the Depth of the
Riches^ both of the JVifdova and Knowledge of God !
How iinfe arch able are his judgments^ and his IVayspafi -|
finding out. And for humbling of Man, Rom. 9. ao,
a I. Nay but^ O Man who art thou that repiieft a-
gainft God? fhall the Thing formed fay unto him that
forincd itj why haft thou made me thusl: Flath not the
Potter Power over the Clay of the fame Lump to
make one Veffel unto Honour and another unto Difjo-
siour ? I Cor. 4. 7. For who makcth thee to differ
from another ? And What haft thouj thou didft not re-
ceive ? Now if thou didft receive it: why doft thou glory
fi'S if thou hadH not received it?
( 31 )
CHAP. V.
Of the counsel of PEACE.
I Qiieft, TTOW could God forc-ordain Tome of
iJ- the fallen Race oi Man to Salvati-
on, feeing he can have no Communion with the
Sinner ?
^. To do this conliilently with his Holinefs and
Juflice, Chriiltrom Eternity inteip^^fed as Surety be-
tween God and the Sinner j which Treaty (rr Con-
tract) is improperly called the Covenant otRedempti-
on, or Counfei of peace ?
a Q. What do you underftand by the Counfei of
Peace ?
J. The Will of the Father from Eternity to redeem
the Eleci: through the Sufferings of Chrill, and the Will
oftheSon, givinghimfelfas a liirety for the Elect.
3 Q. Has there been fuch a Contrad from Eternity
between the Father and tl^c Son ?
^. Yes j To that Purpofe Divines cite. Pf. a. 7.8.
" I will declare the Decree : The Lord hath faid unto
" me, thou art my Son, this Day have I begotten thee.
^^ Aflv of me, and I iliall give thee the Heathen for thine
^' Inheritance, and the iirmoft Parts of the Earth for
^^ thy PofTcffion. Luke m. ap. I appoint unto you a
'> Kingdom, as my Father hath appointed imto me.
4 Q. How many Things are to be obferved in this
Counfei of Peace ?
vf. Two Things 3 Firft, the contracting Parties >
and adly The V/ork oFeach Party.
5 Q. In what Character dotli the Father there appear?
^/. In the Character of an abfr^liite Lord,, who treats
with his Son concernini^ Suretyiliip in behalf of the E-
lect, which he was not obliged to accept.
6 Q. In what Chara6ter did .the Son appear?
-r^. Of Surety and Mediator, who ^a| abputto bring
himfelf under anObliP-atf 6n td (ht^sfv ^t the Sins ofthe
Elect. ■ b . .-
( 3^ )
7 Q: What did the Father do in the Counfel of
Peace >
A The Father demanded of his Son all that was ne-
ceilary tor the Redemption of the Elect 5 which de-
mand is the Father's eternal Will. John 6. 39. '^ And
" this is the Father's Will which hath lent me, that of
^' all which he hath given me, I fhouid lofe nothing,
'^ butraouldraiieit upag jinat thelallDay."
8 Q. Did the Father make any Promifes to the Son ?
A. Yes J He allotted the Son a certain Seed, over
whomhe ihouid be King and Head. John 17. 9. " I
'' pray tor them j I prayliot for the World, but for
'^ them which thou hall: given me, for they were
" thine."
9 Q. Is there any thing more done by the Father?
A. Yes : God the Father hath confirmed this Pro-
mifeto the Son by an Oath. Pf 110. 4. " The Lord
^' hath fworn, and will not repent, thou art a Prieft
^^ for ever after the Order of Meichizedech."
10 What was done by the Son in this Contrad ?
A. Chrill on his Part ailented to his Father's De-
mand, and undercook to fitisfy fully for the Elect. Pf.
40. 7, 8. " Then faid I, lo I come : In the Volume of
'' the Book is written of me : I delight to do thy Will,,
^' O my God : Yea thy Law is written within my
" Heart.''
1 1 Q. What hath the Son of God done befide this ?
A. Hemadeaifo a Demand, towit^ Thathefhould
have the Elea for his Heritage. Pf. a. 8. " Afkofme^
" and I fhallgive thee the Heathen for thine Inheri-
" tance, and the utmoil Parts of the Earth for thy Po-
" feffion."
CHAP. VL
Of the Creation,
I Qiiefl. "pV OTH God alfo execute his Decrees?
^ A. Yes J From the Beginning of
Timeinhis V/orks.
( 33 )
a Q. Of how many Sorts arc his Works in Time 7
J. Of two Sorts 5 His Works of Nature, and hk
Works of Grace.
3 Q: Of ^^"^ many Sorts are his Works of Nature ?
A. Alfo of two Sorts : The Work of Creation^ and
the Work of Providence.
4 Q. What is it to create ?
A. To produce fomething by an Almighty Aft of
the fimple Will. Rev. 4. ii. " Thou art worthy, O
'^ Lord, to receive Glory, and Honour, and Power:
<' For thou haft created all Things, and for thy Plea-
'' fure they are, and were created."
5 Q: Who is the Creator of all Things ?
A. The one only God, the Father, the Son, and
the HolyGhoft. Gen. i. i, a. " In the Beginning God
'^ created the Heaven and the Earth, and the earth was
^^ without Form and void, and Darknefs was upon
'^ the Face of the Deep, and the Spirit of God moved
'* upon the Face of the Waters." Pf. 33. 6,
6 Q. When did God create all Things ?
A. In the Beginning of Time.
7 Qr Of what are all Things created ?
A. Of nothing. Rom. 4. 17. " And calleth thofe
^' Things which be not, as though they were.*'
8 Q.. Where do we read the Hiftory of the Creation ?
A. In the firil Chapter of Genefis.
9 Q: In what Space of Time did God create all Things ?
A. In an Inftant as to the Matter, and in fix Days as
to the difpofing of them in Order.
10 Q. Are Angels alfo created?
A. Yes : Pf. 104. 4. " Who maketh his Angeh
^^ Spirits, his Minifters a flaming Fire."
1 1 Qj What are Angels ?
A. " Miniftering Spirits fent forth to Minifter for
'^ them who fhall be Heirs of Salvation." Heb. i. 14.
i'^ Q. When were they created?
A. Probably on the firft Day 5 « For when the Earth
( 34 )
" was founded, then the Morning Stars fang together5
'' and all the Sons of God fhouted. Job 38". 6,7."
^3 Q- ^^w^ di^ God create Angels^ Good or Evil ?
A Good> For, /'God faw all that he had made,
'^ and behold it was very good. Gen. 1.31."
14 Q. Did they all continue good?
A. N05 Some of them apoilatized, and became De-
vils in Hell. Jude ver. 6. " And the Angels which kept
'^ not their firft Eftate, but left their own Habitation,
'^ he hath referved in everlafting Chains under Park-
'^ nefs, unto the Judgment of the great Day.
15 Q. Who were i he fir ft of the Human Bjice ?
A. Adam and Eve.
1 6 Q. iVhence did God create Adam ?
A. From the Earth. Gen. a. 7.
170^. Whence did he create Eve ?
A, FromaRibof Adam. Ver. ai,aa.
1 8 Q. Of how many Parts doth Man confift ?
A. OftwoParts^ SoulandBody.
19 Q. Were their Souls alfo created in the Manner juft
r/ientioned^
A. No^ Their Souls proceeded immediately from
God i '^ Who breathed in them the Breath of Life,
'^' and thus man became alivingSoul. Gen. 2,. 7.''
ao Q. What is the Soul ?
J. An immortal Spirits By which we enjoy Life,
and exercife Reafon,
'2- 1 Q. What did God do on thefeventh Day ?
A. ^^ He reded thereon, and fandified it. Q^n,
aa Q. TFas God weary with creating?
A. Noi " The Creator of the Ends of the Earth
'' faintcth not, neither is weary. Ifaiah 40.28."
'2-3 Q.. What then is the meaning of thefe Words^
/>^^/ he relied ?
A. That he ceafed to create.
-4 Q- To what End hath God created the World ?
A. -^-Tbe Lord hath made all things for himfelh"
^'^ that is to his oY/n Glory. Prov. 16. 4.
( 35 )
CHAP. VI L
OF PROVIDENCE,
I Qucft, D O TH God ceafe from all f Fork coricerning
the Creation?
A. No : There is flill a Continued Operation of Di-
vine Providence. John 5. 17. "My Father worketh
^^ hitherto^andl work.''
a Q; In how many A6ts cloth GocVs Providence confift ?
A. In three. In Upholding, Co-operating, and Go-
verning.
3 Q. JVhat is Upholding ?
A. It is the Almighty Power of God, whereby he
caiifeth all Things to continue in Exillencc. Heb. 1.3.
" Who upholdeth all Things by the Word of his Po w-
" cr."
4 Q. JVhat is divine Co-operation?
A. The Almighty Power of God, whereby he influ-
ences all the Motions and Operations of his Creatures.
1 1 Cor. la. 6. ^^"^ And there are Di verities of Operations,
j '^ but it is the fame God that worketh all in all."
5 Q. What is the divine Government?
A, It is the Almighty Power of God, whereby he
doth direct every Thing to a certain determined End.
Pf. 93 . I . <^'The Lord reigneth, he is cloathed with Ma-
"" jelly, the Lord is cloathed with Strength, where v/ith
" he hath girded himfeir, The WorkUlfoiscllablif]l-
" ed that it cannotbc moved."
6 Q. Doth the Providence of God extend over allThings?
A. Yq%: Eph. I. II. '^^ Being prcdcilinated accord-
"^ ingto thePiirpofe of him who worketh all 1 hings
^ after the Council of his ov/n Will."
7 Q. Doth it est end even to [mall Things ?
( Z^ )
A. Yes: " The hairs of your head are all nurfi-
" bered.'' M^itt. lo. 30.
8 Q. /j /■/ not to the Dijhonour of God to care for fuch
mean Things ?
yl. No: I. Becaiifc it isno Diihonour toGod that
he hath created them : a. Becaufe he thereby neglecls
nothing of greater Moment : 3dly. Becaule he often
thereby executes Matters of the greateft importance.
9 Q. Doth the divine Providence extend to thofc
Things -which happen accidentally^ as we fay '?
A. Yes : '-'• The Lot is call into the Lap^ but the
" whole diipoiing thereof is from the Lord/' Prov.
I^- 33-
10 Q^ T)oth any Thing happen by Chance ?
A. Not as to God, butonly in our apprchcnfionof j
Things. 1
ii^Ql Doth God's Providence alfo concern Life and
Death ? ^ .J
A. Yes: The Time thereof is alfo determined by f
him. Tot). 14. 5. ^' Seeing his Days are determined,
t^ the Number of his Months are with thee, thouhall:
't appointed his Bounds that he cannot pal's."
I a ^O • Can a Man lengthen orfiorten his Time of Life ? ||
A. Not inRefpedtoGodjbutonly in refpedtoMan. '
I :^ Q . Is it not then in vain to ufe Means toprejerve Life?
A. No : God hath alfo decreed thofe Means to that
End, and he alfo giveth Man a willing mind to ufe them.
14 Q. Doth God's Providence alfo direct the moft
voluntary Things? \
A. Yes: It even directs the very Thoughts. Prov.^
11. I. " The King's Heart is inthe hand of the Lord,
«^ as Rivers of Water, he turneth it whitherfoeverhe
'^ -will."
15 Q. But dof-rt that take away the Freedomof Man's
yL No: Forthis governing or dircctmgis no Force
upon, butthe inclining theWlU which ads freely.
16 Q. Doth the Providence of God concern itfelf alf^
ah out fin ?
A. Yes : He permits It, limits and directs it to a cer-
t.^.lnEud. Gen. ^':^. a^. -^"But asfor youyethoughtEv:!
( 37 )
c' againfl me, but God meant it unto good to bring t*
" pafs, as it is this Day, to fave much People alive."
17 Q. Is God the Author of Sin%
A. No: A holy God cannot be the Author of any
Thing that is linfiil, he hates andpuniflics lin.
1 8 Q. Doth God work that which is good ?
A, Yes, a Cor. 3. 5. '' Not thatweare fiiflicicntof
^^ ourfelves, to think any thing as of ourfclves, but
^' our Sufficiency is of God.''
19 Q. Doth God once for all give Power to do Good J or
fnuft we be influenced in each particular AUion ?
A, We muft receive his Influence in each particular
A6tion, exciting us, and co-operating with us, to that
End. Phil. a. 13. " For it is God which worketh in
^' you, both to will and to do of his good Pleafure.'*
10 Q. In what RefpeUs is the DoUrinc of Providence
profitable ?
A, It teacheth the People of God Patience in Advcr-
fity, and Thankfulnefs in Profperity, and to truit in
God in Refped to future Things. Job i. ai. aa.
^' naked came I out of my Mother's Womb, and naked
'^ fhall 1 return thither j The Lord gave and the Lord
^^ taketh away, blefled be the Name of the Lord. In
'^ all this Job finned not, nor charged God fooliflily.
'' Gen. 3a. 10. I am not worthy of the lead of all the
'^ Mercies and of the Truth, which thou haft fhewed
'' unto thy Servants > for with my Staff I paiTed over
^' this Jordan, and now I am become two bands : Job
" 13.15. Though he flay me, yetwill Itruftinhim,
'^ but I will maintain mine ownWays before him."
CHAP. VIII.
Of the Covenant of WORKS.
I Queft. DOTH Gcdufe any particular Way in
verning Man ?
( ^B )
A. Yes > For God governs him by Way of a Cove-
nant.
a. Q: How many Covenants are there 7
A, Two 3 a Covenant of Worksj and a Covenant of
Grace.
3 Q. JVhemvas the Covenant of JVorks made ?
A. Before the Fall.
4 Q^. JVithwJioni did God rnakc this Covenant '%
A. J^ith Adam, and in him as the Head, with all ;
his Poilerity. |
5 Q.' ^^hat was God's Demand inthe Covenant of Works?
A. Perfcd- Obedience to the Law.
6 Q^ What is this Law ? \
A^ The Law of Love, that we love God v/ith all I
our Might, and our Neighbours as ourfclves. |
7 (y How came Ad am to the Knowledge of this Law?
A. It was implanted in his Heart by God. ,
8 Q. IVhat did God pro7nifi in the Covenant of Works? \
A. Eternal Life.
9 (J.' JFas this Promife confirmed by a?iy Sacrament ?
A. Yes, Bythe Tree of Life.
10 Q. What did God threaten inthat Covena^zt?
A. Death .^
11 Q. Did God alfo add a Command to prove Alan ?
A. Yes • Not to cat of tlie Tree of Knowledge of
Good and Evil. Gen. a. 17. "But of the l^ree of Knov/-
"- ledgeof Good and Evil, thou flialt not eat of it for
" in the Day thau eateft thcrcof5thou llialt furely die.*'
C H A p. IX.
Of the Image of GOD,
I Qucfl. COULD Man keep that Covenant?
A. Yes 5 For God had created Man capable of
KeepiniT^.
•( i9 )
a Q. How did God create Man ?
A. Good and upright.
3 Q. Was he not created in a mere natural St ate ^ or in
a Medium betweenGood and Evil^
A. No 5 but in a6luai and moral Reditude. Eel. 7.
^9. ^^ Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made
'' Man upright, but they have fought out many In ven-
'^ tionSj^
4 Q. After what Image did God create Man ?
A. '^ After his own image. Gen. i.a7."
5 Q. Wherein did that Image confift %
A. In Knowledge, Righteoufnefs, ai,ld Holinefs.
6 Q. Not in the outward Form of the Body ?
A. No J ForGod is a Spirit.
7 Q, Not in the Dominion over the Creatures 7
A. No y That is only a Confequence of God's Image,
and fhall have no Place in Heaven, where nevertheiefs
God's Image in his People iball be perfectly complete.
8 O. Prove that the Image of God confified in Know-
^ge%
A C0I.3.10." And having put on the new Man, which
^^ is renewed in Knowledge, after the Image of him
^' that created him.''
9 Q. Prove that the Image of God confifted in Righte-
oufnefsand Holinefs?
A. Eph. 4. 14. ^^ And that ye put on the new
" Man, which after God is created in Rightcoufnefs
^' and true Holinefs.
10 Q. W as Adam with that Image mortal ?
A. No, but immortal ^ For Death was only threat-
ened in Cafe of Sin. Gen. a. 17. ''In the Day thou
eateft thereof thou fhalt furely die.
ledge
£C
( 40 )
CHAP. X.
O F S I N.
I. O F A D A M ' s F A L L.
Ik
I Queft. HATH Man ftill that Image?
A, No 'y He hath loft it through Sin ?
a Q. What was thefirft Sin of Man ?
A L atingofthe Tree of Knowledge of Good and
Evil.
3 Q. JVhere did that Tree ft and ?
A. InParadife.
4 Q: ^hat Fruit grew thereon?
A, That is unknown.
5 Q. TF ho cUt thereof fir ft ^ Adam or Eve ?
A. Eve.
6 Q. By whom wasfhe deceived?
A, By the Devil, through the Means of a Serpent,
Gen. 3. I to 7. '' Now the Serpent was more fubtle
than anyBeaft of the Field, which the Lord God
had mftde : And he faidunto the Woman, yea hath
'^ God faid ye fhall not eat of every Tree of the Gar-
den? And the Woman faid unto the Serpent, we
may eat of the Fruit of the Trees of the Garden :
But of the Fruit of the Tree, which is in the Midft
of the Garden, God hath faid, ye fhall not eat of it,
neither fhall ye touch it, left ye die. And the Ser-
pent faid unto the Woman, ye ftiall not furely die,
for God doth know, that in the Day ye eat thereof,
then your Eyes fhall be opened 5 And ye fhall be as
Gods, knowing Good and Evil. And when the
Woman faw that the Tree was good for Food, and
^^ that itwiupleafant toj:he Eyes, and a Tree to be
( 41 )
\ *' defired to make one wife ^ ihe took of the Fruit
y « thereof and did eat, and gave alfountoherHufband
^' with her, and he did eat. And the Eyes of them both
^' were opened, and they knew that they were naked:
" And they fewedFig leaves together, and made
^' themfelves Aprons.'' Rev. la. 9. '^ And the great
'' Dragon was cafl out, that old Serpent called the
*^ Devil and Satan, which deceiveth the whole
'' World." John 8. 44. '^ Ye are of your Fathers tho
^' Devil, and the Lufts of your Father ye will do : He
'' was a Murderer from the beginning, and abode not
'^ in the Truth, becaufe there is no Truth in him.
'^ When hefpeaketh a Lie, he fpeaketh of his ov/n:
*' For he is a Lyar, and the Father of it.''
7 Q. What did he make them believe ?
A. That they fhould not die, but be as Gods, know-
ing Good and Evil.
8 Q. j5y whom was Adayn deluded ?
A. By Eve, who gave to him and he did eat.
p Q: TVhere do we read the Hiflory of the Fall?
A. In Genefis Chap. 3.
10 Q. What were the Confe queue es of this Sin^ t$
Adam and Eve?
A. ift. The Lofsof the Divine Image, adly. The
Feeling that they were naked, sdly. Horror of Con-
fcience. 4thly. Expulfion from Paradife : and ^thly,
Death.
II. OF ORIGINAL SIN.
I Quefl. Both Adam's Sin alfo extend to us?
A. Yes 5 It is imputed to us.
a Q. Why?
A. Becaufe Adam was the Head of the Covenant,
and therein confidered as reprefentative of all his Pof-
terity. Rom. 5. la. "Wherefore, as by one Man
Sin entered into the world, and Death by Sin, and fo
Death pafTedupon all Men, for that all have finned.
3 Q. What Sin do we derive from Adam ?
a
( 4^ )
^. Original Sin. Pf. 51.5. <^' Behold I was fliapen in
' Iniquity, and in Sin did my Mother conceive me."
4 CL, J/jw -many Sorts of Sin are there ?
j1. i\vo Sores 3 Orignial and Actual Sins.
5 Q: How doth Original SinhecGme ours?
^. By Imputation and by Entailment.
6 Q^. By w/iora is Adayyi" s Sm irdputed to us ?
^. By God.
7 Qj What doth he impute to us ?
A. The Guilt of Sin. Rom. 5. 19. '^■' For as by one
Man's Diibbedience many were made Sinners : So
'^ by the Obedience of one, ihall many be made righ-
" teous. I Cor, 15. aa. For as in Adam all die, even
'' fo in Chriil fhall all be made alive."
8 Q. IVhat is entailed on us ?
A. The Pollution of Sin. Job 14. 4. '-^ Who can
" bring a clean I'hing out of an unclean? Notonc.
9 CL From whom?
A. From our Parents. ,
10 Q. JVhat is the Guilt of Sin ?
A. The Obligation to Puniihment for the Sin of A-
dam, Rom. 5.1a. and 18. ^'^ Wherefore as by one Man
" Sin entered into the World, and Death by Sin, and fo
'^ Death pafled upon ailMcn, for that all have finned.
'^ Therefore, asby theOfPence of onc.Judgmentcame
^' upon all Men to Condemnation: Even fo by the
'^ Righteoufiefs of one, the free Gift came upon all
^' Men, unto Juflification of Life. "
11 Q. IVhat is the Pollution of Sin'l
A. It is that Inherent Corruption, which fpreadsit-
itfelfthrougli the whole Man. Gen. ^. ai. "For the
'' Imagination of Man's Heart is Evil from his Youth.
'^ Rom. 6. 11, 13. Let not Sin therefore reign in your
'^ mortal Body, that ye fhould obey it in the Lufts
'^ thereof. Neither yield ye your Members as Inftru-
'^ ments ofUnrighteoufnefs unto Sin 5 But yield your-
^' felves unto G')d,as thofe that are alive from the Dead j
'^ And your Members as Indruments of Righteoufnefs
<« unto' God."
I a Q. Have all Men Original Sin?
( 43 )
A. Alh Except Qirif]:. Johns. 6. <^' That which is
" bornof FlcfhisFlefh/'
1 3 Q. Why had Chrift no original Sin ?
A, Becaufe he was conceived by the Holy Ghoft,
Luke I. 35. " And the Angel anfwered and laid unto
" her J The Holy Ghofl fhall come upon thee, andthe
",, Powercf the highcil fhall cveiiliadcwthee.tbc rc-
" fore ihatHoly Thine that ihallbcborn of thee, fhall
^' be called the Son orOod.'*
III. Of Actual SIN, and the Punishment of SIN.
I Qiieft. Have all Men alfo Actual Sins ?
ji. Yes3 T^n^Gs 3. a. "^^InmanyThings we offend all."
n Q. How do we connnit them %
A. In Thoughts^Words, and Deeds. Prov. 6.18.
' An Heart that devifeth wicked Imaginations, Feet
' thatbe iwift running to Mifchicf. Matt. la. 36. But
^ I fay unto you, that every idle Word that Men fhall
' fpeak, they fliall give Account thereof in the Day of
^ Judgment. Chap. 15. 19. Out of the Heart proceed
^ evil Thoughts, Murders, Adulteries, Fornications,
^ Thefts, FalleWitnefs,Blafpheniies.''
3 Q. Are aU Menhy Nature ina State of Miferylr
A. Yes.
4 Q. Wherein doth the Mifery of Man confift^ ?
A. In three Things 3 In Sin, in his inability to help
himfelf, and inPunilhment.
5 Qj Is Man then while under Sin^ alfo Spiritually with-
eut Strensathl:
A. Yes, with Refped to Spiritual Good. Rom. 8. 7.
" The carnal Mind IS Enmity againilGod : Foritisnot
^' fubjed to the Law of God, neither indeed can be.
6 Q. But hath not Man a Freedom ofWill^ or a natural
power inhimfelfto fpiritual Good.
A. No: Eph. a. i. "And you hath he quickened,
'^ who were dead inTrcfpafies and Sins.
7 Q^ Are not then all Commands., Threatening^', and
( 44 )
Promifes of God^ in vain ?
A. No 3 They are Means, whereby God will excite
Man as arationalCreature, to his Duty.
8 Q. IVkdt isthe Punifiment of Sin?
y/. Death. Rom. 6. 23. <=' The Wages of Sin is
^» Death.
9 Q; How many kinds of Death are there?
A, ThrecKinds;Temporal5 Spiritual, andEteriial.
10 Q. PFhat is Temporal Death?
A. A Separation of Soul and Body.
1 1 Q. M^hat is fpiritual Death ?
A. I. A Separation from God's Favour, a. An Im-
potency under Sin. Ifaiah 59. a. "Your Iniquities have
^^ feparated between you and your God, and your Sins
*^ have hid his Face from you, that he will not hear.
^' Eph. a. II. Andyouhe hath quickned, who were
«' deadinTrefpafTes and Sins."
12 Q. What is eternal Death ?
A. An Eternal PuniihmentinHell. Rev. 14. 11. "The
'^ Smoke of their Torment afcendeth up for ever and
« ever."
1 3 Q. i)(? all Sinners merit fuck Puniflrment ?
A. Yes J Even the lead of them. Gal. 3. 10. "For
^' as many as are of the Works of the Law, are under
'^ theCurfe: For it is written, curfed is every one that
*^ continueth not in all Things, which are written in
*' the Book ofthe Law to do them."
14 Q. Are there thenno pardonable Sins ?
A. Alone inChri{l5 (the Si n againft the HolyGhoft only
excepted) but none are pardonable confidered in them-
felvcs. Jamesa. io."Forwhofoeverfliallkeepthewhole
" Law^ and yet offend in one Point, he is guilty of all.
*^ Deut. ay. a6. Curfed be he that confirmeth not all
" the Words of thisLawtodo them: And allthePeople
" fhall fay. Amen."
15 Q, Is the Covenant of Works aholijhed thro' Sin?
A. Yes,inRcfpecttoitsPowerto juftifv^
16 Q. What do you infer from the Fall of Man ?
A- The next to S.itan there is no Creature more un-
happy than a natural Man.
( 45 }
CHAP. XI.
,Of the Covenant of G R A CE
I QueJ}. IS there another Covenant eJlahUfied in fhe
Room of the Covenant of Works '1:
A. Yes: The Covenant of Grace.
a Q. When was it eflablifhed ^\
A. Immediately after the Fall. Gen. 3. 15. ^'I will
^^ put Enmity between thee and the Woman, and be-
" tween thy Seed and her Seed, andit fhall bruifethy
*^ Head, and thou fhaltbruife his Heel.*'
3 (J. PFhat is the Covenant of Grace,
A. The Covenant of Grace is, that Method by
which God in Chrift becomes the Sinner's Property,
and the Sinner the Property of God. Jer. 13. 33. "But
'' this fhall be the Covenant that I will make with the
" Houfeof Ifraci, after thofe Days, faith the Lord, I
" willputmy Law into their inward Parts, and write
" it in their Hearts, and I will be their God, and the3f
^"^ fhallbc my People,'*
4 (^, W;>// whom is it eflablifhed I
A. Only with the Ele6b Sinner. Ezek. 16. 6. ^^ And
" when I paiTed by thee, and faw thee polluted iiT
" thine own Blood, I faid unto thee, wh cntho u wall
" in thy Bloody Live, yea, I faid unto thee wherv
^^ thou waft in thy Blood, live."
5 Q. What doth God require in this Covenantl:
A. That which God requires in, is alfo apromifeof
the Covenant: Namely, Faith in Chrift. Hof. a. ao.
*' I will even betroth thee unto me in Faithfulnefs, and
'' thou llialt know the Lord.*' Hab a. 4. "But the
'^ Juft ihall liveby his Faith. Pf. ay. a8. " When thou
'* faidft, feek ye my Face, my Heart faid unto thee, thy
'' FaceLord, wiUIfeek."
6 Q. What doth God promt fe therein^
A. Gr.^.se here, and eternal Life hereafter. Acts i (5
( 4^ )
31. "Believe on the Lord Jefus Chrifl:, and thou ilialt
'^ be fiived, thvouandthy Houfe.''
7 Q,. Is this Covenant in all j^ges ejfentially the fame ?
A. Yes.
8 Q. TVere then Believers undei- the Old Teflament
Partakers of all the real Benefits of the Covenant of Grace?
A. Yes y '^'^ForChriilJefiis is the fame Yefterday and
'^ to Day and for ever.'' Heb. 13. 8.
9 Q. How doth the Sinner enter into this Covenant ?
A. God doth firil draw near the Sinner, v/hen he in-
vites andbefccchcs with Love, a Cor. 5. ao. "Now we
'^ are Ambafladors for Chriil:, as though God^ did be-
^^ feech you by us : "VVepray you in ChrilVs ftead, be ye
^^ reconciled to God." With the greatefl Earneftnefs
and Uprightnefs. Ezck. 33. 11. " Say unto them, as I
^' live faith the Lord God, I have no pleafure in the
'^ Death of the Wicked, but that the Wicked timi from
'^ his Way and live, turn ye, turn ye from your Evil
'^ Ways: For why willyedieOHoufe oflfrael." And
folving all their Difficulties. Ifiiah ^^. a. "Wherefore
^^ do ye fpend Money for that which is not Bread, and
^^ your Labour for that \Viiich fatisfieth not? Hearken
'^ diligently imto me, and eat that which is Good, and
'' let your Soul delight itfelf in Fatncfs."
10 Q. JFhat follows fuch an Invitation?
A. Hereby God " draweth the Sinner v/ith Cords of
^^ aMan, and Bands of Love.'" Hof.11.4.
11 Q. IVhat doth the called Sinner oi his Part '?
A. He receives the Lord as his God, and wholly
fi-riTcndcrs himfelf to him as his Property. Cant. a.
16. <^'^ My Beloved is mine and I am his, he feedeth
*' among theLillies."
12 Q. IVhat are the Properties of this Confent '?
A. The Sinncrpcrforms thisSolemnly, Freely, Hum-
bly, Faithfully, Uprightly, with a fullConfent as well
t-;) the Demands as to thePromifes of the Covenant. Pf.
5 1 i6, " Behold thou dclirefr Truth in the inward Parts :
*^ And in the h?d Icn Part thou fhnlt make me to know
■<^ Wi(do.m/^
C 47 )
1 3 Q. TJ^hat arc the Efe6fsoftkis Confent ?
J. God remcmbercth his Covenant for ever. Pf. 105.
o. <•'' He hath remembered his Covenant for ever, the
'' ¥/ord which he commanded to a Thoufand Genera-
'^ rions." And thcfe in Covenant have a right to afk for
all Th.ingv, that are neceflary to Lifeand Salvation. Pf.
74. 19, ao, -21. ^' O deliver not the Soul oi thy Turtle
^' dove unto theMultitude of the Wicked, forget not
^' theCongregation of the Poor for ever. Have Refpect
'^ unto the Covenant : For the dark Places of the Earth
'' are full of the Habitations of Cruelty. O let not the
'^ Oppreflcd return afhamed : Let the Poor and Needy
■" praife thy Name."
C H A P. XIL
Of the mediator of the COVENANT.
I Qiieil:. WHO is the Mediator of this Covenant ?
A. The Lordjefus Chrill. iTim. a. 5. '•'- For there
^^ is one Mediator between God and Man, the Man
^^ Chrifljefus."
1 Q.. Is ke only a Mediator of Inter cejjlon^ or alfo of Re-
conciliation'^
A. Alfo of Reconciliation, for thus it follows in the
T€xt> ^'Who gave himfelf a Ranfom for all. i Tim.
'' 2. 6r
3 Q: ^^ J^f^^ ^^^^ ^^^^^ Mediator or Mefjiah who was to
come ?
A, Yes> For in him was fulfilled all that was fore-
told oftheMeiTiah.
Q. jpid he appear in due Time ?
( 48 )
A. Yes 5 Before the Sceptre was departed fromju-
^ah, andthe Law giver from between his Feet, Gen.
49. 10. adly. While the fecond Temple flood, accord-
ing to Hag. a. a. and gdly. When the Seventy Weeks
were about expired. Dan. 9.
5 Q. JVhere'm is ths Mediator to he known ?
A. Firft in his Names, adly. In his Offices. 3dly. In
hisNatures. 4thly. In his States j and sthly. In his Be- ,
nefits.
I. Of the Name JESUS.
I Quefl. TVhich are his mofi peculiar Names.
A, They are two, to wit. Jefus and Chrift 3 thefirft
an Hebrew, the other a Greek Name.
a Q. What doth the Name of Jefus fignify^
A. A Saviour, Matt. i.ai. "Thou fhalt call his Name
^'' Jesus : For he fhall save his People from their Sins."
3 Qj What is ittofavel:
A. To redeem from the greateflEvil, and to reflore
to the fupreme Good.
4 Q. By what Means doth Chrifi dothis^
A. By Merit and a6tual Application.
5 Q. Hath Chrift merited Saivationl:
A. Yesj Heb. 5. 9. "AndbeingmadePerfedhebe-
^' came an Author of Salvation, unto all them that obey
'- him."
6 Q. Doth he a5iuaUy apply this Saivationl-
A. Yes 5 John 10, a8. " I give unto them eternal
^' Life, and they iliall never perilh, neither fhall any
*^ pluckthemoutof my Hand.'*
7 Q. Can Merit and' Application be feparatcd in this
TVork of Salvation ?
K. No j He furely applies this Salvation to all thofe
for whom he h ath merited it. Ifaiah 53 . 11. "He fhall
" fee the Travail of his Soul, and fhall be fatisfied:
"' By his Knowledge fliallmy righteous Servants jufti-'<
fy many > for he fhall bear their Iniquities."
cc
( 49 )•
8 C^. t>oth this Application depend on Ourfilves ? •
J. Noj But on the powerful Operation of the Di-
vine Grace,
n. Of the Nam£ CHRIST.
I Qiieft . PFkat doth the Nafhe Chriftftgnify ?
A. Anointed.
a Q. How isthatName inHehre^v?
A. Mefias, John 1.41. ^' We have found the Mfisr-
^^ as which is, being interpreted, Christ.
3 Q. In how many Things doth this anointing confift "? ^
A, In two Things > In his Appointment, and in his
Qiialiiication to his Mediatoriliip.
4 Q^ Who hath appointed and qualified him ?
A. God the Father.
5 Q: Jfhen was he appointed ?
A. From Eternity. Prov. 8. 23. <^^ I was fet up (of
" anointed) from everlafting, from the Beginnings or
'' everthe Earth was.''
6 Q^. According to what Nature was he Appointed ?
A. Both according to hi? divine and human Nature.
'7 Qj When was he qualified ?
A. In the fulnefs of Time. Gal. 4. 4.
S Q. In what Nature' was he qualified^
A. In his Human Natura, for as to his divine Na-
ture he cannot be laid to be made fit.
9 Q. Why is hisheing appotnted^called an anointing'%
A, Becaufe under the OldTeftament, men were or-
dained to certain Offices by anointing.
10 Q. IFhy Vshis being fitted or qualified^ called an
anointing ?
A. Becaufe God by that anointing fpmetimes render-
ed fuchPerfons fit for their feveralOfnces.
I I Q. Wherewith is Chrifi anointed or qualified ?
D
( 50 )
A. With the Holy Ghoil. A6ts lo. 38. ^<^ How God
'' anointed Jefiis ot Nazareth with the Holy Ghoit,
'' and with Power 5 who v/ent about doing good^
^' and healing all that were opprelTed of the Devil:
^^ For God was with him."
la (^ fVhat peculiar Gifts of the Holy G ho ft are com-
municated to him "?
A. Wifdom, Power, and Holinefs.
13 Q. Wherein did he manifeft hisWifdom ?
A. In his Doctrine. Matt. 7. a8, ap " When JefiH
'• had ended thefe fayings, the People were ailonifned
'^ at his Dodrincj for he taught them as one having
" Authority, and not as the Scribes."
140^. W herein did his Power appear ?
A. In his Miracles. Luke 24. 19. " Concerning Je-
" fus of Nazareth, which was a Prophet, mighty in
" T>^(id. and Word, before God and all the People. "
1 5 Q. TVherein confifted his Holinefs ?
A, In that he had no Sin.
16 Q. Had he no original Sin ?
A, No: Luke i. 35. "And the Angel anfwered
^^ and faid unto her, the Holy Ghoil fhall come upon
^* thee, and the Power of the High eft fhall overiha-
"• doY/ thee : Therefore alfo that Holy Thing which
'^ fliall be born of thee, faall be called the Son of
" God."
17 Q^. Had he no actual Sins?
A. No •, John 8. 46. '^ Which of you convinceth
" rac of Sin?
1 8 Q^ JVas it neccffary that he ftootild he without Sin ?
A Certainly •, For one who himfelf was a Sinner
could not {^itisfv for another. Heb. 7. a6. " For fuch
^« rui hi^^h Pricft became us, vvho is holy, harmlefs,
^^ undefiled, feparate From Sinners, and made hiq;her
^ * th an th e H e a v e r. "^
( 51 5
ill. Of his OFFICEJ5
I Queft. To how many Offices is Chrifl anointed ?
A. To three 5 To wit, the Office of aProphet, oi a
Prieft, and of a King.
a Q. IVas he prefigured m thefe Offices in the Old Tef-
t anient ?
A. Yes 'y By anointed Prophets, Priefls and Kings.
§ Q. Were all thefe three Offices neceffary in him V
A. Yes.
4 Q. Why miift he he a Prophetl:
A. To enlighten our Ignorance.
5 CL Why a Prieft ?
A. To reconcile our Guiit.
6 Why our King ?
A. To redeem us from the Slavery of Sin and Satan .
A, Of his PROPHETICAL Office.
t Queft. Was hepromifed as a Prophet ?
A. Yes 5 Deut. i8. 15. ^-^ The Lord thy God will
^' raife up unto thee a Prophet from the Midil of thee,
^' of thy Brethren, like unto me-^ unto him fhall ye
" hearken."
a d- What doth he as a Prophet?
A. He teaches US.
3 Q. What doth he teach us?
A. He teaches US the Way of Salvation. lfaiah^6i. i»
a, 3, ^' The Spirit oFthe Lord God is upon me, becau-fe
" the Lord hath anointed me to preach good Tidings
' ^' unto the Meek, he hath fcnt me to bind up the bro-
'^ ken-hearted, to proclaim Liberty to the Captivcsy
■■,ft^ and the opening of the Prifon to them that are bound:
;,^f,; To proclaim the acceptable Year o^ the Lord, and
•,-^^; &^Q: Day oi: Vengeance of our God, to comfort all
•S^ that mourn: To appoint unto tliem that mourn
^'.in Zioii, to give unto them beauty for Ailies, th :
^-^ Oil of Joy for MourHing, the Garment ofpraife k^-
( 5^ )
" the Spirit of Heavinefs J that they may be called
<-<- Trees of Righteoufnefs, the pi^nting of the Lord
" that he might be gloriiied.'*
4 Q_. thereby dotli he teach us?
A, Externally by his Word, and internally by his
Spirit. Ads i6. 14. " And a certain Woman named
^^ Lydia, a Seller of Purple, of the City of Thyatira,
'^ Yv'hich worihipped God, heard us . Whofe Heart
^' the Lord opened, that Hie attended on the Words
'^ whichwerefpoken by Paul/'
5 Q. Was Chrift a Prophet under the Old Tefiament?
A. Yes > The Prophets of thofe Times have alfo
fpoken by the Spirit of Chrift which was in them, i Pet.
1 . 1 1 . ^' Searching what, or what Manner of Time the
'' the Spirit of Chrift which was in them did fignify,
*^ when it teftiiied beforehand the Sufferings of Chrift,
'^ and thcGlory that ihould follow."
6 Q. Hath he ever taught in his own Perfon ?
A. Yes : When he was in the Flelh on Earth. John 17.
6. "I have manifefted thy Name unto the Men which
" thou gaveft me out of the World. Thine they were,
'^ and thou gaveft them me, and they have kept' thy
'' Word. Ads I. 3. To whom alfo he Ihc wed himfelfa-
^^ live after his Paftion, by many inf^illible Proofs, be-
" ing feen of them forty Days, and fpeaking of the
" Things pertaining to the Kingdom of God."
7 Q. Ishenow^ after his Afenjion^fiilla Prophetlr
A. Yes j He doth now teach by m.eans of Paftors an
Teachers, whom he hath appointed. Eph.4. 11. ''An
'' he i^ave fome Apoftles, and fome Prophets, and fomej
'^ Evangelifts, and fome Paftors and Teachers.'*
8 Q. Doth he hlmfelf then ccafe toteachl:
A. He himfclf and he alone always hath, and ftill
doth tcachby his Spirit. Ifaiah 59. ai . ^' As for me this-
*^ is mv Covenant with them, faith the Lord, my Spirit
^^ thai is upon thee, and my Words which I have put
«' in thy Mouth, ftiall not depart out of thy Mouth, noa;;
^' out of the Mouth of thv Seed, nor out of the Mouth
«^ ofthy Seed's Seed, faith the Lord, henceforth and
^^ forever."
%
( 53 )
B. Of his priestly OFFICE.
1 Quefl. JV uiS he alfopromlfed as a Prieft ?
^ A, YeSjPf. no. 4. ^'TheLordhathfworn, tind will
5* not repent, thou art a Prieft forever after the Order
'<^ of Meichifedek/*
- a Q. What is the meaning of this Scripture ?
. J. Firft, That he alone is Prieft. a. An eternal Prieft.
3 Q. How doth he execute the office of a Priefi ?
A, By offering Sacrifice j and making Interceftion.
. 4 Q. What hath he offered ?
A, Himfelf.Heb. 9. 14. ^' How much more ftiall the
" Blood of Chrift, who through the eternal Spirit, of-
*' Fered himself without Spot to God, purge your
^f Confcienccs from dead Works to ferve the livine
"«^ God.''
5 Q. When was this Offering made ?
A. During his whole fufferings, but efpecially on the
Crofs. I Pet. a. 14. '' Who his own felf bare our Sins in
'^ his own Body on the Tree, thatwe being dead to Sin,
^^ ihould live unto Righteoufnefs * By whofe Stripes ve"
" were healed."
6 Q. To whom hath he offered hirtifclf?
A. To his Father.
7 Q. For whom hath he offered himfelf?
A, Foralltheelea:.
8 Q. Was his Sacrifice a true Sacrifice of Reconci-
liation ?
A, Yes : Heb. 10. 14. " For by one offeringhe hath
" perl:e6i:ed for ever them that are landified.''
9 Q: What is his Inter ceffion ?
A. That he continually prefenteth his Merits iwito his
Father,and thereon demands the Salvation of hisPeople.
John 17.14." Father I will that they alfo whomthou haft
*' given me be with me where I am, that they may behold
'^ my Glory, which thou haft given me j for thou
" lovedft me before the Foundation of the World."
( 54 )
£0 Q. IVhere dothhe thus interceed?
A. In Heaven. Rom. 8. 34. -^^Chrifl— whoisat the
" RightHandof God, who alfo maketh IntercefTion
" for us. ^'
II Q; For whom ?
A. OiilyfortheEle6t. John 17.9. "I pray for them:
"•' [pray riot for the World, but for thofe which thou
^' had given me, for they were thine.*'
Ti Q. Is there more thcin one Mediator of InterceJfj.on%
A. No: I John a. i. "My little Children, thefe
^^ Things write I unto you, that ye fm not, and if any
-' Man lin, wehaveari Advocate with the Father, Jc-
;• flisChrift, the righteous, and he is the Propitiation
'^^ for our Sins.
11, Q. Are not the Angels or Sorints otir Inter cejfors in
Heaven ?
A. No J Firll:,They knownot ourNeceffitiesj Se-
condly, Cannot hear our Prayers 5 nor. Thirdly, Have
diey made Satisfadion for us, for the Sake of which
they miglit make a Demand .
C. Of his kingly Office.
I Q.UC1I:. Was Chrift alfo promifed as King ?
A. Yes : PC a. 6. '-^ Yet have I fet my King; upon
■^' my Holy Hill of Zion.'*
- Q. What doth he perform as King ?
i. He doth rule and defend his People.
3 Q^ Whereby doth he rule them ?
A. ^2^\f his Word and Spirit. Pf 43. 3. " Ofend out
'- thy Light and thy Truth v let them lead me, leti
' ^ them bring me unto thy holy Hill, and to thy Ta- '
^'. bernacles."
V ^- Againft whom doth' he protect them ?
A. AgainlUhcir fpiritual and carnal Enemies. John
to.. 18, 19. "I give unto them eternal Life, and they
^^ fliiU never periili, neither ihall any pluck them out
-'^'■.of my Hand. My Father which gave them me is
^' greater than all 3 And none is able to pluck them out
( 55^ )
5 Q. Is /^e an earthly King ?
A, )>^o ;bi]ta{piritual and heavenly King. John i8.
365 "Jefiis aniwered, my Kingdom'isnotof this World:
^' If my Kingdom wcrcofthis World, then would my
^^ Servants fight, thatl fhould not be delivered to the
" Jews > But nov/ is my Kingdom not from hence."
6 Q. Was he alfo a- King under the Old Teftamcnt '?
A. Yes \ For he hath even then as King defended and
given Laws to his Church. iraiah33. la. "•'•For the Lord
'^ is our Judge, the Lord is our Law-giver^ the Lord
^^ is our King, he will faveus/'
7 Q. How long is he King?
A, For ever. Luke i. 33. "He fhall reign over the
^' Houfe of Jacob for ever, and of his Kingdom there
" fliallbenoend."
7 Q JVhy are Believers called Chriftians ?
A. Becaufethey are partakers of Chrifl's anointing.
I John a. ao. and 17. " But ye have an Undion from the
'' Holy One, and ye know all Things. F^r. a7. Butthe
'^ anointing which ye have feceived of him, abidethin
'^ you : And ye need not that any Man teach you : But
'^ as the fame anointing teacheth you of allThings, and
" is truth, and is no lie : And even as it hath taught you
'^ ye fliall abide in him. i Pet. a. 9. But ye are a chofen
" Generation, a Royal Priefthood, an Holy Nation, a
" peculiarPeople, thatye fliouldlliew forth the Praifes
" of him, who hath called you out of Darknefs to his
" marvellous Light."
IV. Of his natures.
I Quefl. Hoiv many Natures hat k Chrift?
A, Two : A divine and human Nature, i Tim. a. 16.
^'' And without Controverfy, great is the Myflery oi'
^^ Godlinefs : God was manifeitin the Flefli."
a Q. fFas that foretMd ?
A. Yes 5 Ifaiah 9. 6. ^' For unto us a Child
" is born, unto us a Son is given, and the Go-
" vernment iTiall be upon his Shoulders : And his
^^ Name fhall be called wonderful, Counfellor>
( 56 )
<« the mighty God, the everlafting Father, the Prince
" oi Peace :
3 Q. Is /fe very God 1-
ui. Yes i John 5. %o. " And we know that thq Son of
" God is come, and hath given us an undcrftanding,
*' that we may know hitn that is true, and we
'^ are in him that is true, even in his Son Jelus
^^ Chrifl, this is the true God and eternal jLjfe."
4 Q. Which of the three Perfons is he according to his
Godhead f
J, Th^ fecond Perfon or the Son. Gal. 4. 4. <-' But
'^ when thelulnefs of the Time was come, God fent
^' forth his Son, made of a Woman, made under the
*' Law.'^
5 Q. Ishe alfo very Manl:
j1. Yes > I Tim. a. 5. "- For there is one God and one
>^MediatorbetweenGodandMen,theManChrifl:Jefus/'
6 Q. Of how many Parts doth his human Nature confifi%
j1. Of two j Soul and Body.
7 Q. Did not his Godhead J apply the Place of a human
Soul ?
^. No> For he hath fuffered in his Soul. Matf. a6.
38. "Then faith he mito them, my Soul is exceeding
'^ forrowful, even unto Death : Tarry y^ here, an4
*' watch with me."
8 Q. JVhy rauft he be God ?
A. To fupport the human Nature in bearing the infi-
nite Wrath of Godj And to add an infinite Value to
hisMerits. Ifaiah63. 1,^,3. " Who is he thatcometh
'^ from Edom, with died Garments from Bozrah ?
'' This that is glorious in his Apparel, travelling in
^' the Greatnels of his Strength ? Ithat fpeakinRigh-
'^ teoufnefs mighty to fave. Wherefore art thou red
^' in thine Apparel, and thy Garments like him
^' that treadeth the Wine-fat? I have trodden the
^^ Wine-prefs alone, and of the People there was none
^^ with me : For I will trea^ them in mine Anger > and
^' trample them in my Fury, and their Blood fhall be
^' fprinkled upon my Garments, and I will ftaiil all
^^ my Raiment,"
( 57 )
p Q. PFhy mufl lie he Man ?
A, In order to be in a Capacity to {iiffcr and die,
JO. Q. Are the two Natures in Clirift united ?
A. Yes : (o as to make but one Perfon.
1 1 -Q. How is this Union brought about^
A. By the divine Pcrlbn taking upon him the humaii
Nature, Phii.^.y. ^'^Butmade himieli* ofno Reputati-
'^^ on, and took upon him the ibrm of a Servant, and was
" made in the Likenefs of Men."
ja Q. Isnotthqn the Godhead changed into the human
Nature^
A. No^ He remained God.
J3 Q. But yet it is written^ John 1.14. ^^The Word was
^' made Fiejh?''
A. The Word made^ (or being made) don't import
an eflential Change, Gal. 3. 13. <^^Chrif]: being made a
" Curfc for us,'* which cannot fignify he was changed
into a Cur fe.
1 4 Q. Are not the two Nature^ intermixed in one ?
A, No i They remain two Natures even after their
Union.
1 5 Q: Are then the two Natures alfo two Perfons ?
At No: But one Perfon.
i 6 Q. Are mtfome of the divine Properties transferred
to the human Nature.
A, No y Each Nature retains its diftinft Properties.
V. Of his S T /I T E S.
I Qiieft . How many States w'ufiwe difiinguifh in Ckrifi?
A. Two : A State of Humiliation, and a State of Ex-
altation, Pf. 110.7. " He fhall drink of the Brook in the
" Way: Thereforeihall hclift uphisHead." : ..^
a Q^. Were they hoi hue ccffary?
A\ Yes5 Inthe State of Humiliation it was necefHiry
he ihould purchafe Salvation : And apply it in the ^ate
of Exaltation.
( 58 )
3 Qj Which are the Degrees of his Humiliation?
A. Firft, His humble Birth. Secondly, His Suffer-
ings. Thirdly, His Death. Fourthly, His Burial. Fifth-
ly, Defcending into Hell.
4 Q^. IVhich are the Degrees of his Exaltation ?
A. Firfl, His Refurrection. Secondly, His Afcenlion
into Heaven, Thirdly his fitting at the Right Hand of
God. Fourthly, His coming again to Judgment.
Of the Degrees of his Humiliation.
A. Of his humble BIRTH.
I Qiieft . Of whom was he horn ?
u^. OftheVirginMif^;}/, Ifaiahy. 14. ^'Behold a Vir-
'^ gin lliall conceive and bear a Son, and fhall call his
'^ Name Lmmanuel."
a Q. By whom was he conceived ?
A. By the Power of the Holy Ghofl. Luke r. 35.
^' And the Angel anfweredand faid unto her, the Holy
" Ghoftfhall come upon thee, and the Power of the
" Higheft iliall overihadow thee : Therefore thatHo-
" ly Thing which ihall be born of thee, ihall be called
" the Son of God."
3 Q Was he bornofthe Flejh and Blood of the Firftin
Ma-^yl: ^
A, Yes 3 Gal. 4. 4. "But when the FuUnefs of the
^^ Time was come, God fent forth his Son made of a
" Woman, made under the Law."
4 Q. Hath he not brought his Sub fiance^ or his Fief,)
and Blood from Heaven ?
A. No : He received it of the Virgin Mary, and
jiiot before.
5 Q. But it is '^ritten^ He that afcended is the fime
.that defcended. Eph. 4. 9, 10.
A. The fame Perfon though not according to the
iame Nature 3 for according to his human Nature he
C 59 )
hath afcended, but according to his Divinity he de-
fcended, manileltinghimfelf inthe Flefli.
6 Q. Wfiere was he horn ? ' ' '
A. In Bethlehem, Mica 5. a. "But thou Bethlehem
'' Ephratah, though thou be little among the Tribes of
" Judah, yet out of thee fhall come forth unto me, that
" is to be a Ruler in Ifrael: V/hofe going forth have
" been of old from everlafling."
The accompli Jhment whereof we read in the Hijiory of his
Birth in the %d of Luke,
B. His SUFFER.INGS.
I Q. H^ere the Sufferings of Chrift necejfary ?
A, Yes i for they were foretold. Pf. 12,. Ifaiah 53 . Pf.
8. and Dan. 9.
a Q. How long did his Sufferings continue ?
A. From the beginning of hisLife even tohisDeath.
a Cor. 8.9. <^'For ye know the Grace of our Lord Jefus
" Chrift, that though he was rich, yet, for your Sakes
'' he became poor, that ye, through his Poverty might
" might be rich. Phil. 1. 8. Andbein^ found in Fafhion
^' asa Man, he humbleth himfelf andbcciune obedient
^^ unto death, even the Death of the Crofs."
3 Q. In what did hefuffer ?
A. InSoul and Body, Matt. a6.--- 1 Pet. a. 14. "Who
" his ownfelfbare qur Sins in his o wnBody on theTree,
" that webeing dead to Sin, fhould live unto Righte-
" oufnefs, by vvhofe Stripes ye were healed."
4 Q. Did hefuffer immediately after his Birth ?
A, Yes > He fuffered painful Circumcifion on the
eighth Day.
5 Q, fFhy was Chrift circumcifedl:
A. Among other Reafonsi, becaufe he fhould have
the Sign of Abraham's Seed.
6 Q. Hath he fuffered more ?
-/f. Yes3 He was brought up in a poor defpifed Condi-
( 6o )
tion, and alfo his whole Life Time he endured the Ha-
tred, Malice, andPerfecutions of his Enemies.
7 Q; ^^en were his Sufferings moft fever e ?
J At the End of his Life 5 Read the Circumftances^
thereof. Matt. a6th and a7th Chapters.
8 Q. Underwhat Judges did he fnffcr?
A. Under Pontius Piiate..^ — ^- ^
C. His D E A T H.
1 Q. What Death did he die"^,
A, The Death of the Crofs. Phil. a. 8. <^' He became
'' obedient unto Death, even the Death of the Crofs."
a Q. JVas his Crucijixion alfo foretold?
A. Yesi Pf la. i6 ^^ForDogs havecompafledme,
" the Aflembly of the Wicked have inclofed me > They
••' pierced my Hands and Feet.""
3 Q: Had not that Death any aggravating Circum-
fiances ?
A. Yes j ift. It was a fcandalous. adly . A painful, and
3dly, An accurfed Death.
4 Q. JVhy did he die fuch an accurfed Death '?
A. To redeem us from the Curfe, Gal. 3. 13. " Chrift
^^ hath redeemed us from the Curfe of the Law^ being
••' made a Curfe lor us 5 For it is written, curfed is eve-
"■^ .iDFi^e thathangeth on aTree."
5 Or Inhere was Chri ft crucified?
A. On the Mount Golgotha; between two Thieves.
6 Q. Was his Death alfo a neceffary part of his Suffer-
pigs ?
Yes 3 Becaufe Death was threatened as a Punishment
«f Sin, and Chriil was to take away all Puniihment.
D. Of HIS B U R I A L.
I Queft. Who buried Chrift?
A. Jofeph of Arimathea, and Nicodemus.
■2 Q. Where was he buried?
A. In a new Grave hewn out of ^ Rock.
3 Q. Why was he buried?
( 6i )
A. To affiire us that he was really dead.
4 Q. Was his Burial alfo for etold%
A. Yes j Ifaiah 13 . 9. " And he made his Grave with
" the wicked, and with the Rich in his Death.
E. His decending into HELL.
I Quefi. What is meant hy his defcending into Hell ?
A. That he fuffered heliiili Torments in his Soul,
a Q. When did he fuj/er them?
A. Efpecially in the Garden of Gethfemana, and on
the Crois.
3 Q. How did he complain in Get hfemanal:
A. " My Soul is exceeding forrowful, even unto
" Death. ^' Matt. a6. a8.
4 Q. And what onthe Crofs?
A. ELI, ELI, LAMA, SABACTHANI, that is, "My
" God, my God, why haft thou forlaken me." Matt.
27. 46.
5 ^. Did he not per finally defcend into Hell?
A. Notatalh For while he was dead, his body was
in the Tomb, and his- Soul in Heaven. Luke 13. 43.
" And fclus faid unto him, verily I fay unto thee, To-
'^ dav ihalt thou be with me in Paradife."
6 Q. Was then his Defcent into Hell accomplijhed be-
fore his Death ?
A. Yes^ Diu'ing the Time of his Bodily Sufferings.
7 Q. Were the Sufferings of his Soul alfo necejfary ?
A. Yes J Becauie we have alfo fmned in our Souls.
F. Of the End of his HUMILIATION.
His S A T I S F A C T I O N.
I Quefl. Hat hCkriJlin his State of Hnmiliation^ fatis-
fied the Divine J ufiice ?
( ^^ )
A. Yes J Ifaiali 53.4. " Surely he hath borne out
^' Griefs, and carried our Sorrows, yet wedideiieem
*' himilricken, Imitten of God, and afflicted."
a Q. J^Fherein doth this Satisfadion confifi ?
u4. In two parts, ift. In obeying theLaw, and adly.
In fufFeringthe Puniihment?
3 Q. Is the doing or obeying the Law part of his Satis-
f ah ion ?
A. Yes 5 Rom. 5. 19. " For asby oneMan'sDi^obe-
'' dience many were made Sinners : So by the Obedi-
^^ ence of one many fhall be made righteous."
4 Q^. Is his Suffering the Punifiment due to Sin^ alfo
fart of this Satisfaction ?
A. Yes5. Ifaiah 53. 5. " But he was wounded for our
^' Tranfgreflions, he was bruifed for our Iniquities :
•' The Chaftifement of our Peace was upon him, and
'^ with his Stripes we are healed."
5 Qj JVasnot the fufering the PuniJJrment alone fuffi -
$ient to merit or fatisfy for us ?
Ax No 5 Suffering the Punilliment could only free
from Punifhment^ but could give no Right to eternal
Life y that was only promifed upon obeying the Law.
'^ Do this and thou fiiak live . ' '
6 <J. JFas a Satisfaction nee effvry ?
^. Yes, lil. Fromthe Nature of divine Juftice, which
could not forgive Sins unpunifhed or unfatisfied. idly.
By V^irtue of his Truth, which exprefly hath declared
this.
7 Q. Is there in this Satisfaction an ahfolute Reconcili-
ation made^ or did Chrift only merit a poffihility of being
faved?
A. An Actual, abfolute, and perfonal Reconciliation
is made, ci Cor. 5. 19. ^"^ God was inChrifl, reconciling
^^ the World unto himfelf, net imputing their Trefpaf-
'' fes untothem, and hath committed unto us the Word
^^ of Reconciliation."
8 Q. For who?n- hath Chrififatisficd'^.-
A, Fcrthe Ekct onh^
( 63 )
9 Q. Did he not die for all Men ?
A. No > But only for his People^ Matt, i.ii, " And
^^ ihc fhall briug forth a Son, and thou fhalt call his
" Name Jesus, for he fhallfave his People from their
" Sins. !For/^/V6'//^^/>5john 10. II. I am thegoodShep'^
" herd, the good Shepherd giveth his Life for thq
" Sheep. For his Churchy A6ts ao. a8. Take heed there-
" fore unto yourfelves, and to all the Flock, over the
^' which the Holy Gholl: hath made you Overfeers, to
'^ feed the Church of God, which he hath purcha-
'^ SED WITH HIS own Blood.'*
10 Q. How then are we tounderftand what we often find
in Scripture that Chrift died for the World and for all
Men ?
A. We are to underftand by fuch Expreffions, all the
Ele6l: in the World, or the Gentile World, together
with thejewsunder theNewTcftamenti or Menofall
Ranks and Degrees.
11 Q. What are the Effects of this Reconciliation?
A. ill. God is now reconciled with the Ele6t Sinner,
a Cor. 5.9. <^' God was inChrift,Teconciling the World
unto himfelf, not imputing their TrefpaiTes unco
them, and hath committed unto us the Word of Re-
conciliation, and adly . He receives aRight to eternal
Life. Gal. 4. 4, 5. When the Fulnefsofthe Time was
come,Godfentforth his Son made of a Woman, made
under the Law, to redeem them that were under the
Law, thatwemightreceivethe Adoption of Sons."
I a O. Hath every one a Right to believe that Jefiis
Chrift hath fatisfied for him ?
A. No y But only thofe who receive him as the merit-
ing, operating, moving, and exemplary Caufe of their
fpiritual Life. Titus a. 14 <^'Who gave himfelfforus,
^' that he might redeem us from all Iniquity, and purify
^' unto himfelf,apeculiarPeople,zealous of good Works
'^John la 14. Verily, Verily I fay unto you, except a
^'Cornof Wheat fall into the Ground and and die, it
^^al^ideth alone 5 But if it die it brin^eth forth much
( H )
'' Fruit- a. Cor. 5. 14, 15. For the love of Chrift (S^n
'< llraineth us, becaute we thus" judge, that if one dicj
" for Jill, then were all dead : And that he died for alt
'' thatthey which live, fhould not henceforth live un-
*' to therafelves, but unto him which died for thenij
^* and rofe again. Rom. 6. 5. For if we have been *
^^ planted together in the likenefs of Death, we fhall
<« be alfo in the Likcnef> of his Resurrection.''
i
Of the State and Degrees of Christ's Ex^
altation. 1
A. His R E S U R R E C T I O N.
1 Queft, Was it neccjfary that Chrifijhould rife from
the Deadl:
A. Yesj Pf. 16. ID. <^-Thou ihalt not leave my Soul
" in Hell5nor fuflfer thine HolyOne to fee Corruption."
a Q). W hat certainty have we of his Refurre5iion ?
A. ill. The Tellimony of Angels, and the Watch-
men, adly . The many Appearances of the Lord Jefus to
the Women and Difciples, prove the certainty of his
Re fur red- ion?
2 Q. Is his Rcfurreclion of any Advantage to us ?
A. Yesj An AiTurance of our Spiritual and bodilyRe-
furre6i:ion,and of his having in all Things fullvfiitisfied.
Rom, 4. 15. '^ Who ^vas delivered for our offences, and
" raifed again for our Juftification.''
4 Q' By whofe Power did he arife?
A. By his Father's and his own divine Power, being
raifedby"his Father, and having arofebyhimfelf. Ads.
I. a4. '^'' Whom God hath raifedup^ having loofed the
« Pains of Death: Becaufe it was not poflible that he
" ihouldbehcldcnofit.Johna. 19. Jefus anfwercd a;id
^^ -aid unto them, deftroy this Temple, and in three
« Days I will rajfe it up.*'
( ^5 )
5 Q. On what Day did he artfe ?
A. On the third Day after his. Death.
6 Q. By whom was that -prefigured?
A. By Jonas, "Who was thieeDays and three Nights
" in the Whale's Belly, fo ihould likcwife the Son oF
<^ Man be three Days, and three Nights in theMidfl of
'' theEarth." Matt. la. 40.
7 Q. On what Day was he buried ^ and on what Day
did he arife.
A. He was buried on Friday Evening, and rofe again
on Sunday Morning .
8 Q. But thefe are not three whole Days and Nights '?
A. The Parts of thefe Days muft be accounted for the
whole of them.
9 Q. PVho are Partakers of ChrijV s Re furreclioul:
A. Thofe who know the Power of Chrifl'sRefurrcc-
tion . Phil .3.10. *^" That 1 may know- him, and the Po w-
" er of his Refurreclion and the Fellov/fhip of his Suf-
ferings, being made conformable unto his Death."
cc
B. His ASCENSION.
I Queft, How many Days did Chrift remain on Earth af-
ter his Refurreciion ?
A. FortyDays. A6ts I- 3. '^'To whom alfohe fhew-
" edhimfelf alive after his Paffion, by many infallible
'^ Proofs, being feen of them forty Days, and fpeaking
^' of the Things pertaining to the Kingdom, of God."
a Q. To what End?
A. 111. The more fully to prove the Certainty of his
Refurre6lion. adly. And further to inllrudhis Difciples
in certain Matters,
3 Q. fFhat Degree of Exaltation did then follow'^
A. His Afcenfion into Heaven.
4 Q. Was that alfo foretold?
A. YesjPf. 68. 18.' "Thou haft afcended on hieh,
( 66 )
'^ thou hafl: led Captive Captivity : Thou haft received
^' Gifts for Men : Yea, for the Rebellious, alfo 5 that
*' the Lord God might dwell among them."
5 Q. j^re there Witneffes for his Afcenfion ?
A^ YesjThe Angels and Difciples ofour Lord, Afts i;
6 Q. IVas his Ajcenjion into Heaven necejffary ?
A. Yes> ift. There to rule as King. adly. To in-
tercede for his People, sdly. At laft there to receive
them unto himfelf.
7 Q. From what Place did Chrift afcend?
A, From the Mount of Olives without Jerufalem.
8 Q. JVhitherisChrifi afcendedl: ^
A. To the third Heavens, Eph. 4. 10. <^' He that de- a
" fcended is the famealfo thatafcended up far above all
'^ Heavens, thathe might fill all Things."
9 Q. In what Manner did he afcend ?
A. Truly, vifibly, and locally. John 1(5. a8. "Icame
^' forth from the Father, and am come into the World:
'' Again I leave the World and go to the Father. A6bs
^^ 3. "i^i. Whom the Heavens muft receive until the
'' Times of the Reftitution of all Things, which God
'' hath fpoken by the Mouth of all his Holy Prophets,
" fince the World began."
10 Q. Is not his human Nature at his Afcenfion become
emniprcfent ?
A. No^ Matt. a6. 11. "ThePoor you have always
" with you, but me youhave not always.
11 Q. Who can comfort themfelveswithChrifi^s Afcen-
fion into Heaven ?
A. Thofe who are rifen with Chrift unto New-
nefs of Life. Col. 3. i. " If ye then be rifen with
'i Chrift, feek thofe Things which are above, where
« Chrift fitteth on theRight-Handof God.''
( 67 )
D. His sitting at the Right-Hand of GOD.
I Quefl. Was it alfo foretold that Chrift Jhould fit at
the Right 'Hand of God ?
A. Yesj Pr. no. I. "TheLordliiiduntomyLoid,
" fit thou at my Right Hand until I make thine Enemies
" thyFootllool."
a Q. Is that fulfilled in J efusl:
A, Yes> Stephen fliwhim " (landing at the Right-
" HandofGod/'Aasy. a6.
3 Q. PVhat is intimated to us hy his fitting at the R^ight-
Hand of God ?
A. His Exaltation to fupreme Power and Gloiy . Heb.
1.3. " Who being the Brightnefs of his Glory and the
^' exprefs Image of his Perfon, and upholding all
^^ Things by the Word of his Power, when he had by
'^ himfelf purged our Sins, f^it down at the Right-
'' Handof theMajefly onhigh."
4 Q: Is this Exprefiion to he under ft cod literally ?
A. No j For God being a Spirit hath properly no
Right-Hand.
5 Q.. fFhat Benefit is this Glorious Exaltation to us ?
A. Pf. 68. 18. "^'He hath led Captive Captivity, he
^^ hath received Gifts for Men, yea for the rebelliou^
^^ alfo, that the Lord God mightdwell among them."
CHAP. XIIL
Of vocation.
1 Qiiefl. 7^0 what End is Chrift thus exalted ?
A. To apply his Benefits to us.
2 Q. How may Chrift' s Benefitsbe diftinBly cenfidered ?
( 68 )
A. ChriiVs Benefits may be confidered as of two Kinds
III. Such as are beftowed in this Life j adly. Such as
ihall be conferred in the Life to come.
3 Q. Which are the Benefits beftcwed in this Life ?
A, The principal or chief are thefe : Vocation, Jufti-
fication, and Sanclification.
/\Q. What Benefits jloallhe conferred in the Life to come?
A. Tha Refurredion, final Judgment, and eternal
Life.
5 Q. Ls there more than one Sort of calling^
A. Yes there is an external, and an internal, or ef-
fe dual calling.
6 Q. How are Sinners externally called ?
A. By the Word of God, Pro V. 9. 3 to 6. <^'She hath
'' fent Forth her Maidens, flic crieth upon the highefl
" Places of the City : V/hofo is fimple let him turn in
'^ hither: As for him that wanteth Underflanding fhe
^^ faith to him, come eat of my Bread, and drink of the
^' Wine which I have mingled. Forfakc theFooliili'and
^^ live, and go in the Way of Underflanding."
7 Q. LIow ar 8 they eff equally called?
A. By theSpirit of God,Jer. 31. 33. <^' But this ihall
'^ b« the Covenant that I will make with the Houfe of
^^ Ifrael, after thofeDays faith the Lord, 1 wnll put my
'^ Law in their inward Parts, and write it \\\ their
*•' Hearts, and will be their God, and they fhall be my
" People."
o Q. Who are externally or outwardly called ?
A. All Sorts of Men even thofe who are not eleded.
Matt. ao. 16. ''For many are called but few are
«' chofen."
9 Q: Is then the external call general ?
A. Among Chriftians indeed it is, but not through-
out the whole World.
ID Q. But is not thjs call now ?nore general than it was
under the Old Teflament ?
A. Yes^ For then it was confined to the Jews, but
liow extends alfo to the Gentile Nations.
11 Q. Is th cr e no fa ving Ca U in Natur e ?
( ^9 )
A. No : For Nature is ignorant of Chrifl:, and with
out him there is no Salvation.
11 Q. /$• not external calling Jufficient to Converfion ?
A. Noj '^'Itis in vainthough Paul plant and xA.pollo§
'' water, it isGodthatgiveththelncreafe.i Cor. 3.7."
13 Q. JVhatmuft ftillhe added to the external Call?
A. The internal, or efFedual Call as is exemplified in
Lydia^Ads 16. 14. "Whofe Heart the Lord opened,
''' thatlhe attended unto the Things that were fpoken
" ofPaul/'
1 4 Q. JVho are they that are internally called ?
A. Only the EledjRom.S. 30. "Moreover whom
" he did predeftinate, them he alfo called j And whom
" he called, them he alfo juflified j And whomhejufli-
^' fied them he alfo glorified/'
15 Q. TV hat is internal calling 1
A. It is a powerful Change in the whole Man ?
16Q. Is there then any Thing to he changed in Man ?
A, Yes 5 theUnderftanding, Will, Affedions^ and
Converfation.
17 Q. How are they by Nature ?
A. The Underftanding is darkened, the Will is per-
verfe, the Affections irregular, and the Converfation
finful.Eph.4. i8- "Having the Underflandingdarken-
'^ ened being alienated from the Life of God, through
^^ Ignorance that is in them, becaufeof the Blindnefs
of their Hearts. Rom. 8. 7. Becaufe the carnal mind
is Enmity againft God, for it is not fubje61: to the Law
of God, neither indeed can be. Jude ver. la. 13.
Thefe are Spots in your Feafts of Charity, when they
'^ feaft with you, feeding themfelves without Fear :
^^ Clouds they are without Water, carried about oi
^' Winds > Trees whofe Fruit withereth, without
'^ Fruit, twice dead plucked up by the Roots, raging
*' Waves of the Sea, foaming out their own Shame >
*^ Wandering Stars, to whom is referved theBlacknefs
*' of Darknefs forever. Titus 3.3. For we ourfelves al-
'^ fov/crc fometimes fooliili, difobcdient, deceived,
^' ferving divers Lufts and Pieafures, living in Malice
'^^ and Envv, hateful and hating one another/'
( 70 )
1 8 Qj ^/^''yf is then the Effe^ofthis internal calltng ?
A. The Underilandingis enlightened to knov/ God in
his Work of Salvation, Jefus in his precious Excellen-
cies^ScthemfeivesintheirDepravity^beingjulllyexpored
to the Curie, i Cor. a. i a, 13. ^^ Now we have received,
^^ not the Spirit of the World, but the Spiritwhichisof
'^ God, that we might know the Things which are
'^ freely given us of God. Which Things alfo we
^' fpeak,not in Words, which Man'sWifdom teacheth,
'^ but which the Holv GhoU: teacheth, comparing fpi-
'• ritual Things with fpiritual.'' The Willis inclined
to ferve and glorify God. Rom. 7. 15. ^' For that which
" I do I allow not: For what I would that do I not,but
" what I hate that do I."
The Affe6lions are cleanfed to hate Sin, and on the
contrary to love God as the [upreme Good, to have a
Delire after Holinefs, &c. Rom. 6. 19.--- <"^For as you
'- have yielded your Members Servants to Unclean-
" nefs and to Iniquity, unto Iniquity: Even fo now
^^ yieldyour Members Servants to R^ghteoufnefs unto
^'^ Holinefs . "And the wholeConverfation is fandified . ' '
1 9 Q. Is this internal I ca Uing powerful ?
-/f. Yes 5 It hath an irreliitable Power. Eph. i. 19. ao.
'^ And what is the exceeding Greatnefs of his Power to
'^ us ward, who believe, according to the working of-
'^ his Power 3 which he wrought in Chrill:, when he
<•- raifed him from the dead, and fet him in Heaven at
'^ his ownRightHand in heavenly Places."
ao Q. Is any Thing more done herein thanaperfuading |
the Man by moral Arguments '?
A. Yes, there is an inward inclining of the Will.
Phil. a. 13. " For it; is God which worketh in you, both
" to will and to do of his gocdPleafure."
a I O . Doth God then compel Men ?
A. N^^-^j But he makes them willing. Cant. i. 4.
^^ Draw mc, we will run after thee : The King hath
'^ broiK^htmc into his Chamibers : We v/illbe glad and ;
'- i;eioice in thee, v/e will remember thy Love more j
the liprightlove thee.''
C 71 )
la Q.. How is this powerful Effe5l of the internal eat-
ing expreffed in Scripture ?
A. It is called a Creation; " Weareliis Workman-
" fhip CREATED in Chriltjefus to good Works, Eph.
" a 10. alfo a Drawing, no Man can come to me ex-
" cepttheFatherwhofentme draw him.*' John 6. 4.
CHAP. XIV.
Of THE CHURCH.
I Queft. DOTH Chriji alfo by Means of this calling
gather a Church ?
A. Yes.
a Q. Where is that Church ?
A. Here on Earth and in Heaven.
3 Q. How is the Church on Earth called ?
A. The Church militant; Becaufe ithath acontlnu-
alWarfare.Rom. 7. 0.3. "Butlfee another Law in my
*' Members, warring againft the Law of my Mind, and
' ' bringing me into Captivity to the Law of Sin, which
*^ is in my Members."
4 Q. With whom ?
A. With the World, the Devil, and our own Fleih.
5 Q. How is the Church in Heaven called ?
A. TheChurch triumphant J Becaufe it hath com-
pletely conquered. Rev. 7. 14 — 17.
6 Q. Are there then two different Churches ?
A. No y They are only two diftin6t Parts of one and
the fame Church. Eph. I 10. ^--^ That in theDifpenfati-
" onoftheFulnefs of Time, he might gather together
" in one, allThings in Chrift, both which are in Hea-
'' ven, and which are on Earth."
7 Q. Is there more than one Church ?
A. No •, Cant. 6. 9. " My Dove, my undefiled is but
^t ONE, ilie is the only one of her Mother, fhe is
C 7^ )
'^^ tlie choice one of her that bare her. - TheChurch in
ill Ages and m all Places is one and the fame Church
8 Q_. Is there ahvdys a Church ?
A. Yes , Matt. i6;i8. ^^ And I fay unto thee thatthou
^^ art Peter, and upon this Rock I will build my Church-
^^ And the Gates of Hell iliall not prevail ao-ainll it."
9 Q_. Is the Church always equally viftble V
^:"'' ^"IX '^,h^ Church can be outwardly invifible in
1 imes of Perlecution.
I o Q. /$• the Church then neverthelefs in being ?
A Yes, as in the Times of Elijah, v/hen he fuppofed
tnat he alone was left, though there were feven Thou-
{lind who had not bowed theiiKneesto Baal, i Kinasin
II Q. l>Fho is the Head of the Church? ^
A Jeflis ChriiL Eph. 5. 23. ^^ For the Hufband is
^^ the Head of the Wife, even as Chrifl is the Head of
<-t the Church ^ and he is the Saviour of the Body "
\%Q^Is not the Pope of Rome the Head of the Church ?
A. No : But he is the Antichrill.
130^. How do you prove that ?
A, Bccaufcin him is fulfilled that which was fore-
told of Antichrid. aThef. a. i. to the 11 ver. "Now we
"•^ befecch you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord
'' Jefus Chrifl, and by our gathering together unto him,
^^ that ye be not foon fnaken in Mind, or be troubled,
" neither by Spirit: nor by Word, nor by Letter, as
"-^ from u>, as that the Day of Chriil: is at Hand, let no
'^ Man deceive youby any Means: For that Day fhall
not come, except there come a falling away firil,and
that Man of Sin be revealed, the Son of Perdition :
Who oppofeth and exalteth him.felf above all that is
called God, or that is worfhipped > fo that he as God
^^ fitteth in the Teir.ple of God, fhewing himfelf that he
'' is G'::>^, Remember ye not, that when I was yet
^' with you, I told you thefe Things ? and now ye
^' know what withholdeth, thathe mi^ht be revealed
*' inhisTime. FortheMiftery of Iniquity doth al-
^' ready works only he who nowlettctk will let, un-
( 73 )
^^ til he betaken out of the Way. And then fhall that
'^ wicked be revealed, whom the Lord fhall confume
" with the Spirit of his Mouth, and fhall deilroy with
^^ the Brightnefs of his coming : Even him whofe com-
" ing is after the working of Satan, with all Power
'^ and Signs, and lying Wonders, and with all De-
'^ ceivablenefsof Unrighteoufnefs, in them thatperifh,
'' becaufe they received not the Love oftheTruth, that
^^ they might befaved. And for this CaufeGod fhailfend
'^ them flrongDelufions that they fhould believe aLie/'
14 Q. What are the marks of the True Church ?
A. The pure preaching of the Word of God, and the
right Adminiftration of the Sacraments. John 8. 31.
^' Thenjefus faid to thofe Jews which believed onhim,
*' if ye continue in my Word, then ye are myDifciples
'^ indeed. A<5]:sa. 4a. And they continued ftedfaftly in
'^ the Apo{lle'sDo6trineand Fellowfhip, and inbreak-
'^ ing of Bread, and inPrayers."
15 Q, Is not Antiquity a Mark of the Church ?
A. No 5 For the Kingdom of Satan is alfo antient.
16 Q: Is the Multitude of People a Mark?
A. Noj For Chrift's Church is but a/;;?^//i7^r/^. Luke
12. 3a.
17 Q. Is not worldly Profperity a Mark ?
A. No > John 16. 33. "In the World ye fhall have
^' Tribulation, but be of good Cheer, I have overcome
^^ the World."
1 8 Q. Wherein doth the Power of the Church confift ?
A, In the Exercife of the Keys of the Kingdom of
Heaven?
19 Q. How many Keys are there ?
A. Two : The preaching of the Gofpel, and Chriflian
Difcipline,Matt. 28.19,20. '•^Go ye therefore and teach
'' all Nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Fa-
ther, and of the Son, and of the HolyGhoft: Teach-
ing them to cbferve all Things whatfoever I have
commanded you. Chap. 18. 18. Verily I fay mi to
you, whatfoever ye fhall bind on Earth, fliall be
bound in Heaven : And v/hatfoeverye fhall loofe on
Earth, fhall be loofed in Heaven.'*
cc
CC
iC
iC
( 74 )
10 Q; Is it fuficient to he a vifihle Member of the
Church ?
A, No^ We mud examine ourfelves whether we
be living Members thereof.
CHAP. XV.
Of justification.
I Qiiell:. ARE thofe who are internally called^ alffi
juftified ?
A. Yes -y Rom. 8.30. ^'^ Whom he did predeftinate,
'^ themhealfo called 5 and whom he called, them he
^^ alfo juilified 5 and whom he juftified, them he alfo
« glorified/'
a Q. IVhat isjttftification ?
A. The being abfolved from Guilt and Punifhment^
and the having a Right to eternal Life, freely given.
Rom. 4.7. ^' Bleffed are they whofc Iniquities are for-
'' given, and whofe Sins are covered. Chap. 5. 19. For
'' as by one Man's Difobedience many were made Sin-
'^ ners, fo by the Obedience of one fhall many be made
'^ righteous.''
3 Q^. Is there a Diftin5lion between J 11 ft i fie at ion and
SanUification ?
A, I, JuftificationisanAdwithoutus : butSan6bifi-
cation is a Work within us. a. Juftification takethaway
the Guilt, and San6i:ification the filth of Sin. 3. Juftifi-
cationis perfect at once, butSandification in this Life
is only in Part,
4Q. Are wenothy ] lift i ft. cation inwardly changed?
4. No ; That is efFe6ted in Sanclification.
5 Q. Zf notjuftification the Infufion of Right eoufnefs ?
1
( 75 )
A. No J It is only a Sentence or Abfolution in Behalf
of or concerning a Pcrfon, as is done by Judges in
Courts of Julticc among Men.
6 Q. Is it taken in this Senfe in Scripture ?
A. Yes 'y Thus it is oppofed to Condemnation. Prov.
17. 15. *•' He that julliiieth the wicked, and he that
*^ condemneth the jult, even they both are Abominati-
'^ onto the Lord.''
7 Q. Is it ufed in this Senfe ^ when the Juftification of a
Sinner before God isfpokcnof?
A.Yes> Rom. 8.33, 34. " WhofhalllayanyThingto
'<- the Charge of God's Elea? It is God that juftifieth,
*' who is he that condemneth? It is Chrift that died,
" yea rather that is rifen again, who is even at the
" Right Hand of God, who alfo maketh interceflion
" for us."
8 Q. M^ho ts it then that ahfolves orjuftifies us ?
A. Godthe Father, who herein fuflains the Character
ofajudge, Ifuah43. ^5. " I even I am he that blotteth^
'^ out thy Tranfgreffions, for mine own Sake, and will
'^ not remeniber thy Sins.
9 Q. fVhat Chamber does the Son fuftain in this
Matter?
A. That of Advocate and Mediator ; for whofe Sake
we are juftified
10 Q. Jnd what CharaSler doth the Holy Gh oft fuf-
tain ?
A. That ofone v/ho fealeth, making known and feal-
ing to us our Juilification.
1 1 Q. Can we then he affured of our Jujlification ?
A.Yes^Rom.S. 16. " The Spirit itfelfbeareth Wit-
'^ nefs with our Spirit, that we are the Children of
" God/'
la Q. From what are we juftified ?
A. From all Sins withoutDiftindion.
1 3 Q. For whofe Sake are we Juftified ?
A. Only for the Sake of Chriil, Rom. 3.^4. <^^ Being
" juftified freely by his Grace, through the Redempti-
*^ onthatisin TefusChrid.
( 76 }
14 Qj ^y^ we UGt juftified on Account of our own JVorks ?
A. No i Rom. 3. a8. <^'' Therefore we coucluae that
«' a Man isjuflified by Faith, without the Deeds of the
"Law.''
15 Q, U^hy can we 7iot bejuftifiedfor our own Works ?
A. Becaufe thebeft of them are imperfecb, and there-
fore cannot fatisfy thejuftice of God. James 3.2. ''• For
" in many Things we offend ail, if any Man offend not
'^ in Word, the iame is a perfe6t Man, and able alfo to
'^ bridle the whole Body Iiliiah 64. 6, But we are alias
" an unclean Thing, and all our Righteoufnefles areas
" filthy Rags, and v/e do all fade as aLeaf, and our Ini-
^' quities like the Wind, have taken us away."
16 Q^ But in Order to our being juftified by the Merits
ef Clirlft^ mufi they not becoyn e ours '\
A. Moilcertainlythey muil Jer. 13. 6. "InhisDays
" Judah lliali be faved, and Ifrael fhail dwell fafely y
/^ And this is his Name whereby he fliall be called, the
^^ Lord our Righteousness. iCor. i. 30. But of him
'^ are ye in Chrill Jefas, who of God is made unto us
'^ Wifdom, and Rightcoufnefs, andSandification, and
«' Redemption."
17 Q. H'jw do they become ours ?
A. By being imputed, and received by us.
1 8 Q. Who doth impute the m to us ?
A, God, by a gracious Gift. Rom. 3.a4. «' Being
-'•^ jufliiied freely, by his Grace, through the Redemp-
•^^ tionthat is inChriftJefus."
19 Q. How do we receive thoARtghtecufnefsl:
A, By Faith. Phil. 3.9. ^' x\nd be found in him not
-« having mine ownRightcouihefs which is of the Law,
-^^ but that which is through the Faith in Chrift, the
-^ Righteoufnefs which is of God byFaith."
10 Q. Are we juHifiedftr our Faith ?
A. No s The ScVipture faith that we arc juftified by
Faith, and througJi Faith, but never for Faith.
11 Q . In wh.zt Light is Faith here to be confidcred ?
A. As a Hand or Inftrument whereby we receive the
Merits ofChriil. John i .. la. ^^ But as many as received
( 77 )
'^ him, to them gave he Power to become the Sons of
" God, even to them that believe on his Name.'*
CHAP. XVL
Of faith.
I Quefl, HO TV many Kinds of Faith are there?
A. Four Kinds J An hiflorical Faith, a temporary
Faith, a Faith of Miracles, and a Saving Faith.
ct Q. What is anhiftorical Faith ?
A. It is a bare AfTent to a known Truth.
3 Q: /^ this a good Faith ?
A. It is necelTary, though not fufficient. James a. 19.
^' Thoubelieveil: that there is one God, thou doeil well:
^^ The Devils alfo believe and tremble."
4 Q: What is a Temporary Faith ?
A. It is an Aflent and Profeffion of the Truth for a
Time, with feme Degree of outward Satisfa6tion. Matt.
13. ao, ai "But he that received the Seed into ftony
^' Places, the fame is he that heareth the Word, and
^' anon with Joy receiveth it: Yet hath not any Root
'^ in himlelf, but dureth for a while ; For whenTribu-
'- lation orPerfecution arifeth bccaufe of the Word,
" by and by he is offended . ' '
5 Q: What is the Faiih of Miracles ?
A, It is a ftrong Perfualion, that a Miracle fhali be
performed, eithefbv U5-, or in us, i Cor. 13. a. *^^^nd
*^ though I have all Faith, fo that I could remove
'^ Mountains, and have no Charity, I am nothing. Matt.
^' 8. 10, Jefus fliid verily I fay unto you, I have not
'^ found fo great Faith, no not in Ifrael."
( 78 )
6 Q. When did that Faith take Place ?
A. In that Age of the Church, when the working of
Miracles were common.
7 Q. Is this Faith of Miracles faving ?
A. No > As appears from i Cor. 13.2,. " And though
'^ I have all Faith, fo that I could remove Mountains,
^' and have no Charity, I am nothing."
8 Q. Fn> how many Things doth faving Faith con(ifl ?
A. In three Things > In Knowledge, AfTent, and
Trull:. Ilaiah53. 11.--- ^' By his Knowledge fhall my
" righteous Servant juftify manyj For he fhall bear
*' their Iniquities. John 3. 33. Hethat hath received his
" Teilimony, hath fet to his Seal that God is true.
" Ifaiah ^7. 5. Or let him take hold of my Strength that
'^ he may make Peace with me, and he fhall make Peace
'^ with me.''
9 Q. Is not an implicit or blind Faith without Knowledge
fufficient ?
A. No > John 17. 3. "And this is Life eternal, that
*^ they might know thee the only true God, and Jefus
'^ Chrifl whom thou haft fent."
10 Q. Which is the principal and properly juji if y in g
A^of Faithl:
A. It is an Ad of the Soul, whereby it doth heartily
will and defire, that not only the Promifes of the Gofpel
may be true inthemfelves j but alfo fuch an Acl, where-
by it doth defire anda6tually receive the Lord Jefus with
themoft cordial Affection, as the only Caufe of Salva-
tion, with Denial of Self, and all other Creatures. John
I. la. "But as many as received him, to them gave he
" Pov/er to become theSonsofGod, evento them that
'' believe onhis Name."
1 1 Q. What are the Effects of the juftifying AEi of
Faith ?
A. The particular and certain Application of the
Promifes ofthe Gofpel, and the Lord Jefus, to the very
Perfon of every Believer. Gal. a. 10. "lam crucified
«' with Chrift and I live j Yet not 1 but Chrifl li vcih in
«' me- And the Life which I now live in the Flefh,
'' I live by the Faith ofthe Son of God, v/Ko loved mc
( 79 )
<f and gave himfelf for me." A comfortable Senfe of
this, every Believer doth not enjoy at all Times, by
Reafon of the Temptations of Satan, the Accufations of
the Law, and Delufions of the Fiefh, But to attain
this, every one ought to endeavour, who truly receive
Jefus Chrift.
la Q. Can and muft Believers he ajfured of the Reali^
ty of their Faith ?
A. They canbeafTurcd. aTim. i. la. "Fori know
'^ whom I have believed, and am perfuaded that he is
" able to keep that which I have committed unto him
'^ againft that Day." And they ought to endeavour af-
" ter it. a Cor. 13.5. *^' Examine yourfelves whether
'* you be in the Faith, prove your ownfelves, know ve
'^ not your ownfelves, how that Chrill Jefus is in you,
*^ exceptye be Reprobates."
13 Q. Who worketh this Faith in us?
A. The Holy Ghoft. Gal. 5. a. " But the Fruit of
" the Spirit is---Faith."
14 Q. By what Me ami:
A. Bythe Word. Rom. 10. 17. So then Faith cometh
by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.
1 5 Q.- Cannot we helieve of our f elves ?
A . No 3 Eph . a . 8 . " For byGrace ye are faved through
'^ Faith, and that not of yourfelvesj It is the Gift of
<•' God."
CHAP. XVII.
OfSANCTIFICATION,
I Qued. ARE thofewho are juflifled alfo fan5iified ?
A. Yes J Forthefe are infeparable, as i Ccr. i. 30.
'' But of him are ye in Chrifl Jefus, who of God is made
'« unto usWifdom,andRighteoufnefs, and Sandifica-
tion, and Redemption/'
C 80 )
a Q. What is SanUification ?
A. A Renovation of the whole Man.
3 Q: Zf it not only a Change of the outward Anions ?
A. No: But alf'o of the Inward Man. Rom. la. a.
'^ Be not conformed to this World . But be ye trans-
" formed by the renewing of your Mind, that ye
" may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and
" perfea Will of God." ^
4 Q. Doth not an external Change fln^v from this?
A. Yes 5 In the whole Converfation, i Thef 5 13.
'^ The very God of Peace fanftify you wholly : And
" I pray God your whole Spirit and Soul, and Body
*' be preferved blamclefs unto the coming of our
" Lord."
5 Q. IVho worketh San6lification in us?
A. God through his Spirit. Lev. ao. 8. ^- And he
*^ fhaii keep my Statutes^ and do them, I am the
" Lord which fandify you. i Cor. 6. 11. And fuch
" were fome of you ) but ye arc wafhed, but ye are
'^ fan6ttified, but ye are juftified in the Name of the
^^ Lord Jefus, and by the Spirit of our God.
6 Q. Is SanSlification necejfary ?
A, Yes 3 Heb. la. 14. " Follow Peace with all
^^ Men and Holinefs, without which no Man ihall
^« fee the Lord."
7 Qj Is San^ification perfect in this Life ?
A. No > It is only in part, and.imperfe6l. Phil. 3.
I a. " Not as though I had already attained, either
*^ were already perfed, But I follow after, if that
^' I may apprehend that for which alfo I am appre-
'« hended of Chriil Jefus."
8 Q. Is San^lification equally great in all Believers ?
A. No 3 It hath its feveral degrees, in the one
greater, in the other lefs. Eph. 4 13. "Till we all
" come in the unity of faith, and of the Knowledge
'^ of the Son of God, unto a perfect Man, unto the
" Meafure of the ftature of the Fullnefs of Chrifl."
9 Q. Is it alfo changeable ?
A. Yes 3 Sanclification is fubjed to Increafe and
Decreafe in one and the fame Perfon.
10 Q^ Can we totally loofe it ?
C 8t )
A. No s Where the Grace of God is orice begun,
there it doth continue,
II Q. Is there then no Jpoftacy of Saints ?
A, No y They may fall, but cannot fall away, i Pet*
1.5. " Who are kept by the Power of God, through
^' Faith, unto Salvadon, ready to be revealed in the
" laftTime/'
la Q. Flow do the People of God make Progrefs in
Sancfification ?
A. When by the Grace of the Holy Spirit, they put
away every inward and outward Hindrance, and de-
pending on the Power of Chrilf, diligently ufe ail the
appointed Means to perfed: their Sandification.
Of Good WORKS,
I Qvi^^JFhat are the Fruits of Faith andSanElification%
A. GoodWorks; James a. 18. <^' A Man may fay thou
^^ haft Faith, and I have Works : Shew me thy Faith
'' without thy Works, and I willfliew thee my Faith
'' by my Works. Gal. 5. 6. For in Chrift Jefus neither
'^ Circumciiion, nor Uncircumcifion availeth any
'' Thing, but Faith which worketh by Love.**
a Q. What are good Works ?
A. ifl. Thofe that are done of Faith •, adly . Accord-
ing to the Law of God j and gdly. To his Glory.
3 Qj Prove that they muji be done of Faith ?
-^. Heb. 1 1. 6. " But without Faith it is impoffible to
'^ pleafe him : For he that cometh to God mud believe
^' that he is, and that he is a Rewarder of them that
*' diligently feek him.'*
4 Q. Prove that they mujl he done according to the Law
of God?
A. Matt. 15. 9. ^'^Invaintheydo worlhipme,teach-
** ing for Dodrines the Commandments ofMen.**
5 Q. Prove that they muJi be done to the Her^ur and
Glory of God?
( 8a )
A. I Cor. 10. 31. ^' Therefore whether ye eat or
^^ drink, or whatfocvcr ye do, do all to the glory of
'-' Qo^r
6 Q. Afufi we do good Works ?
A. Yes 5 " Let your light fo fhiiie before Men, that
'^ they may fee your good Works, and glorify your
Father which is'in Heaven. '' Matt. 5. 16.
7 Q. Can fuch good JVorks merit Heavenl:
A. No > Chrift alone hath merited that for us.
8. Q, PFhynot?
A. Bccaule they ars imperfect. Ifaiah 64. 6. '-^ But
" v/e are all as an'unclean Thing, and all our Righte-
' oufneiTes are as filthy Rags, and we all fade as a-
^ Leaf, and our Iniquities, like the Wind have taken
' us away " Luke 17. i^. " AVhcn you have done
' all thofe Things which are commanded you, fiiy we
' are unprofitable Servants : We have done that
« which was our duty to do.'*
9 Q. Why mufi we then de good Works ?
A. ifl. To glorify God by them. adly. To edify
our Neighbours : and 3dly. That we may be afTured.
of our Faith.
CHAP, xvrii.
Of the LAW qe GOD.
r Qiiefl. HOW many Kinds of Laws did God give
unto Ifraell- i- • 1
A.'ThYQQy ift. The Moral, adly. The Political
or Civil, and sdly. The ceremonial Law. Lev. 18. 5.
'' Ye fhall therefore keep my Statutes and my Judg'-
<^^ ments -, Which if a Man do he iliall live in them :
^•^ I am the Lord."
a Q. Which of theje three are ftill in force ?
A. The morarLav/ which is eternal. Matt. 5- ^Tj ^9-
( % )
^^ Think not that I am come to dcflroy the Law or the
^' Prophets 5 I am not come to dcllroy, but to fiiliily
^' for verily I fay unto you till Heaven and Earth fliall
^^ pafs, one Jot or one Tittle fhall in no wife pafs from
" the Law till all be fulfilled. Whofoever therefore
'' fliall break one of the leallof thcfe Commandments
^' and fhall teach Men fo, fhall be called the leaft in
^' the Kingdom of Heaven : But v/hofoever fliall do
^' and teach them, the fame fhall be called great in the
^' Kingdom of Heaven."
3 Q: ^^^^^ were the others abrogatedl:
A, At the beginning of the New Teflament. Afts
15. 10. " Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a
'' Yoke upon the neck of the Difciples, which neither
'' our Fathers nor we were able to bear " Gal. 5. a, 3.
'^ Behold I Paul fay unto you, that if ye be circumcilcd,
'^ Chrifl fhall profit you nothing. For 1 tcflify again,
^^ to every Man that is circumcifed, that he is a Debtor
'^ to the whole Law.'*
4 Q. How many Commands are contained in the moral
Law ?
A. Ten Commands.
5 Qj How many Tables ?
A. Two Tables.
6 Q. IVhat doth the fir ft Table require ?
A. Supreme love to God.
7 Q. TVhat doth the fecond Table require ?
A, To love our Neighbours asourfelves. Matt. la.
40. ^^ On thefc two Commands hang all the Law and
'' the Prophets."
8 Q. How many Commands are there in each Table ?
A. There are four Commands in the firll, and fix in
the fecond Table.
9 Q.- Whers was that Jaw given'^
A. On Mount Sinai. Gal. 4 i^. " For this Agar is
" Mount Sinai in Arabia, and anfwcrcth to Jerufilcm
^^ which now is, and is in Bondage vrith her Chil-
" dren."
10 Q. /'Fhen was tf given ?
( 84 )
A. Soon after the Departure of the Children of If-
rael out of Egypt.
1 1 Q: /i"»^^ tf^i^ L^^v enlarged by Chriji under the New
Teftament ?
A, No \ This Law is fo perfed that nothing can be
added thereunto.
la Q. Can we perfectly keep this Law ? .
A. No : James 3 . a. ^- For in many Things we offend
*« all. If any Man offend not in Word, the ilime is a
«^ Perfed Manjand able alfo to bridle thewhole Body . ' *
13 Q. Repeat that Law^
A, I^m the Lord thy God which have brought thee
out of the Land of Egypt, &c.
14 Q. When we fee our IFcaknefs and Inability by
this Law^ to what miift it excite us ?
A. To Prayer. Pf. 119 4, 5. " Lord thou haft
« commanded us to keep thy Precepts diligently, O
«' that my Ways were directed to keep thy Statutes.'*
CHAP. XIX.
Of prayer.
t Queft. IS Prayer necej/ary ? , . , ^ .
A Yes: It is a Means to obtam that which God
hai-b commanded. Pi. 5^- ^5- " <^-'^^^ ^T^^ ^^^ i^ ^^e
« Day of Trouble : I will deliver thee, and thou Ihalt
^' glorify me."
9. Q. Towhf>?nmufiwepray% ^. , r j
A To God only *, " Thou fhalt worlJiip the Lord
'^ thyGod.andhimonlvfhakthouferve.'' Matt. 4. 10,
Q 0 ^^^^f ^^ ^^^ wo/Ct^ip Saints or Angels ?
A Noi that Honoui belongs not unto them, neither
( 85 )
do they know US'. Ifaiah 4a. 8. " I am the Lord, that
^' is my Name, and my Glory will I not give to ano-
<^ ther, neither my Praife to graven Images. Ccl. a. 18.
'' Let no Man beguile you of your Reward, in a vo-
'' luntary Humility, and worshiping of Angels, in-
" truding in thofe Things which he hath not fecn,
" vainly puft up by his flelMy Mind."
4 Q^, Hoiv muft we pray ?
A. With a holy Frame of Mind, and a grave and
reverend Pofture of Body.
5 Q. For what "mufl we pray ?
A. For fpiritul and temporal Neceflarics. Matt. 6.
9, 13. Prov. 30. 8, 9,
6 Q. Hath Chrift given an example ?
A. Yes: In the Lord's Prayer, Matt. 6. 9, 13.
7 Q^. IFhtch is that Prayer ?
A. Our Father which art in Heaven, &c.
CHAP XX,
Of the SACRAMENTS.
I Quefl. J^FH AT Means hatk God appointed for pro-
moting SanUification in his people ?
A.. The Word and Sacraments.
a Q. What are Sacraments ?
A. They are Signs and Seals of God's Grace, Rom.
4. II. " And he received the Sign of Circumcifion, a
^' Seal of the Righteouincfs of the Faith, vv^hich he
'^ had yet being uncircumcifed> that he might be the
'' Father of all them that believe, chough they be not
'^ circumcifed > that liightcouiiicfs might be iiuputed
" unto them alfo-"
( 86 )
3 Q.. Which were the principle Sacraments of thi
Old Teftament ?
A. Circumcilion rind the Paflbver.
4 Q_. On what Day were the Children circumcifed ?
ui, Ovi the eighth Day.
5 Q: ^'f^henwas circmncifioninftituted?
A. Ill the Days of Abraham. Gen. 17,
6 Ci: JVhen wasthe pajfover inftituted '^
A. In the Days of Mofes : ^' In the Night when
^* Ifrael went out of Egypt," Exod. la.
7 Qj What did they eat at the Paffover ?
yl. A Lamb.
Z Q. To whom did this allude ?
A. ToChrill i Cor. 5. 7. " For even Chriil: our
•^^ p;ifibvcr is facrificed for us."
9 Q. How long did thefe Sacraments continue ?
A. To the Times of the New Teftament.
I o Q. How ?n.any Sacraments are there under the New
Tcjlament ?
A. Two ; Floly Baptifm, and the Holy Supper.
I I Q^ Who hath inftituted them ?
A. Chriil, Matt. ^6 and Chap. a8-
I. Or Holy BaptiSxM.
J Quefl:. Wherewith do ^ve Baptife?
A* With Water.
a CL. Muft the Water he mixed with any Thing elfe ?
A. No: It muft be only fimple Water.
3 Q. What doththe Water fignify^
A. The Blood and Spirit of Chrift. Heb. la. 14.
^' To jefus the Mediator of the New Covenant, and
*^ to the Blood of Sprinkling that fpeaketh better
^^ Things than that of Abel, ""i Pet. i. a. Eled ac-
•^^ cording to the Fore-Knowlcdc of God the Father,
^'' through the Sanctification of the Spirit unto Obe-
*'^ .diencc,andSprinkling of theBIood of Jefus Chrift/'
( 87 )
3 Q^ JVhat life is made of the IVater?
A. The Perfon to be baptized is immeried therein,©!"
fprinkled therewith.
5 CL- U^hat doth Immcrfion or Sprinkling with IVaier
fignify ?
A. The walliing away of Sin, through the Blood
-and Spirit of Chrill. Ezeck. 36. 25. "-^ Then will I
" fprinkle clean Water upon you, and ye fliall be
'^ clean; From all your Filthinefs, and from all your
'^ Idols will I cleanfe you/*
6 Q. How many Benefits are there fealed in Baptifm ?
A. Two J Jultiiication through the Blood of Chrifi,
and San61:iiication by his Spirit.
7 Q. Can Water it [elf w a fi azvay Sin^
A. No 5 " The Blood ofJefusChriil his Son clean-
" feth us from all Sins'" i John i. 7.
8 Q. In whofe na^ne are we Baptized ?
A. " In the Name of the Father, and of the Son
" andof the Holy Ghoft^' Matt. a8. 19.
9 Q. May any one Baptife in Time of Need ?
A. No 5 Butonly thofewhoarefent to teach Matt.
aS. 19. " Go ye therefore and teach all Nations, bap-
" tizingthemin the Name of the Father, and of the
^' Son, and of the Holy Gh o il: . Teaching them to
" obferve all Things v/hatfoever I have commanded
^' you."
10 Q. Are Children alfo to he bapized?
A, Yes, thePromife'is to you and your Children^
Ads a. 39.
1 1 Q. /j- Baptifm neceffary ?
A, Yes^ By Virtue of the Command of Chrift.
la Q. Dotii Salvation ahfolutely depend thereon ?
A, No 5 God never binds his Grace to Sacraments.
13 Q. How often ynuflwe he baptized?
A. Bnt once : Even as we can be born but once >
For Baptifm is a Sacrament of Birth and Admiilion in-
to the Church, which can be done but once.
14 Q^. JVhat is the Duty of baptized Performs?
A. They muftexaminethcmfelves whether they have
( B8 )
wholly dedicated themfelves (agreeable to their bap-
tifmal Vows) to God the Father Son and Holy GholL*
ii. Of the Holy Supper.
I Quctl JVhy do we go often to the Lord's Supper^
A. Becaufe it is a Sacrament of a continual Nour-
ifliment in the Faith.
a d. IVhy is it called a Supper ?
A. Becaufe Chrill inilituted it in the Night.
3 (J. When hath he mjiituted it ?
A. Iv^ that Night when he was betrayed. Mart. 16
4 Q. What are the vifible Signs in the 'Lord" s Supper 'I
A. Bread and Wine.
5 Q. What Sort of Bread'}
A. Common noiirifhing Bread.
6 Q. May we Jiot ufe Wafers in this Supper 1: .
A. No 5 For thy don't fufficiently denote the Spi-
ritual Nourilliment.
7 Q: t-^'h^^^ d^^^'i f^^ Bread in this Supper fignify ?
A. The body of Chrill. i Cor. 11. -24. '^^ And when
he h:id given Thanks, he brake it, and fiid, take
*' eat 5 this is my Body, which is broken for you:
'' Do this in Remembrance of me.
8 Q. Mufi the Bread be aljo broken ?
A. Yes 3 to fignify that the body of Chrid is broken
for us.
9. Q. What Sort of Wine is to he ufcd in the Lord's
Supper ?
A. That is indifferent.
10 Q. Ahft it he mixed with Water ?
A. No > That is no where commanded.
I I Q. What doth the Wine fignify ?
A. The blood of Chrill. i Cor. 11.25. " After the
" fiime Manner alfo he took the Cup, when he had
" fupped, fliying : This Cup is the NewTellament in
^' my Blood j This do ye as oft as ye drink it, in re-
*' membrancQ of me.
cc
( Sp )
la Q. PVhat doth the pouring forth of the Wine ftgnlfy'?
A. That the blood of Chriil is ilicd for us.
13 Q. Is not bread alone fufficient in the Holy Supper ?
A. Noj For Chrifl alio " took the Cup, and gave
'' thanks, and gave it to them, faying, drink ye all
" of it." Matt. a6. ^''/^
1 4 Q. Is that to he under flood of all Believers in common 1
A. Yes : " Let a man examine himfeU, and 'io eat
" of this Bread and drink of this Cup.'' iCor. 11.18.
15 Q, Is Chrifl bodily prefent in the elements of this
Supper '\
A. No J His human Nature is only in Heaven. A6ls
3. ai. '•'^ Whom the Heavens mud receive until the
" Times of Rcilitution of all Things which God hath
^' fpoken bv the mouth of all his Holy Prophets fmce
" the World began."
16 Q. Are not Bread and TVine chciged into his Fleflj
and Blood ?
A. No : They remain Bread and Wine even after
the Blelling or Confecration.
17 Q. How then canChrifl fay ^ " This is my Body ?"
A. The meaning is, This doth iignify my Body.
18 (). Doth the Scripture often fp?ak thusl:
A. Yesj Frequently, i Cor. 10. 4. <-'* The Rock
" wa? Chrifl." That is to fay, it did fignify Chrift.
19 Q. Cannot we then eat and drink Chrift himfelf'l
A. Not Corporally j but Spiritually.
ao Q. What is to eat Chrift fpir it uallyl:
A. To receive him by Faith.
21 (J. For whom is this Holy Supper inftituted%
A. Only for Believers.
aa Q. 'Not for Children'^
A. No 'y Becaufe they cannot examine themfelves.
13 Q. Concerning what particulars mufl we examine
our J elves ?
A. I ft. Whether we fmcerely repent of our Sins.
ad. Whether we believe in Chrift. 3d. Whether we
cxprefs this Faith in an Holy Converfation.
( 90 )
CHAP. XXL
Of MAN'S latter END.
% QiiclL SHALL Man always live?
A. No 5 <^' It is appointed for Man once to die, and
''' then the Judgment." Heb. 9. 2.7.
a Q. Doth then the whole of Man die ?
A. No j For the Soul is immortal, Matt 10. a, 8.
^^ Fear not them which kill the Body, but are not able
'^ to kill the Soul 5 But rather fear him which is able
"•' to dedroy both Soul and Body in Hell."
3 Q. How many Places are there for the Soul after
Death ?
\. Only two ^ Hell or Heaven. Matt. 7. 13. 14.
Enter ye in at the Straight Gate > for wide is the
^- Gate, and broad is the Way, that leadeth to De-
^^ ilruction, and many there be that go in thereat:
^'^ Becaufc flraight is the Gate and narrow is the Way
'^ which leadeth unto Life, and few there be that find
cc
It.
4 Q^, Do the Souls go there immediately after Death I
k. Yes 3 As appears in the Cafes of Lazarus and the
Rich man j " The rich Man immediately lifted up
^^ his Eyes in Hell y and Lazarus was carried in Abra-
" ham's Bofom." Luke 16. aa. 13.
5 Q. Is there no Purgatory ?
A. Noj Rev. 14. 13. « And I heard a Voice from
^^ Heaven, faying unto me, write, blefled are the
^' dead that die in the Lord, from henceforth : Yea,
^^ faith the Spirit that they may red from their Labours,
^^ and their Works do follow them." The penitent
Thief Y/ent immediately to Heaven without Purga-
tory. Luke 13. 43. <^« And Jefii^ faid unto him, verily
^^ \ fiy unto thee, this Day ih'ilt thou be with me in
^' Paradiic.''
( 91 )
* 1. Of the Resurrection.
I QiicH:. Shall there he a Refurre^ion?
A. Yes y Both of the Juft and Unjiift. Acls 14. 15.
a Q. When?
A, At the lad Day.
3 Q. H^ho pall raife them ?
A. God.
4 Q. Shall the Wicked alfo arife ?
A. Yes > " The hour is coming in which all that
^^ arc in the Grave ihall hear his Voice, and lliall come
^^ forth, they that have done good unto the Refur-
" re^tion of Life, and they that have done Evil unto
" the Refurredion of Damnation." John 5. 18, ap.
5 Q. With what Bodies JJ) all they rife ?
A. With the fame Bodies -, otherwife it would be
no Refurre(5lion, but a new Creation > This was th/3
Expectation of Job > " I know that my Redeemer liv-
'^ eth, and that he fhall Hand at the latter Day upon
'^ the Earth, and though after my Skin, Worms dellroy
" this Body, yet in my Flefli flvall I fee God : Whom
" I fhall fee for myfclf, and mine Eyes fhall behold^
^^ and not another \ though my Reins be confumed
" within me." Job. 19. 15, 16, 11,
6 Q. But is tilts pojjihle?
A, Yes: " With God all Things are poilible." It
would feem ftill more impoffible to create the World of
no thin 2:.
7 Q. Shall not thefe Bodies he changed ?
A, Not in their Eflence, but only in theirqualities.
x^ Q. /// what Qualities will they he changed?
A, " This Corruption muft put on Incorruption^
^^ and this Mortal mufl put on Immortality." 1 Cor..
15. 53.
ii. Of the final Judgment.
I Qiicil:. What Jhall follow tho Refmreolloji?
A. The final Judgment.
( 9-^ )
a Q. Shall there he a final Judgment %
A. Ves J Ads 17. 31. " He hath appointed a Day,
*' in the which he will judge the World in Righteouf-
'^ ncis by that Man whom lie hath ordained : Whereof
'^ he hath given alTurance unto all men, in that he hath
^' railed him from the dead.
£ Q. fVhofiall be the Jiidge'l
A. Chrid our Saviour, who fliall vifibly appear in
his human Nature.
4 y. Where pall that Judgment be 1:
A. In the Clouds of Heaven. Matt. 16. 64. '' Nc-
" verthelefs I fay unto you, hereafter lliall ye fee the
'' Son of Man, fitting on the Right hand of Power,
" and coming in the Clouds of Heaven.'*
5 Q. JVhen'l
A. " Of that Day andHour knowethno Man, nor
^' the Angels in Heaven, nor the Son, but the Fa-
" theronly." Mark 13. 3^.
6 Q). TVhojloall he Judged''^
A All Men, a Cor. 5. 10. ^^ We mufl all appear
'' before the Judgment Scat ofChrill, that every one
'' may receive the Things done in his Body, accor-
*^ ding to that he hath done,whetheritbe good or bad."
7 Q, How Jhall mankind he divided V
A. Into two multitudes y the Wicked and the
Righteous.
8 Q, Where f jail Chrijl place them ?
A. The wicLcd on his left and the righteous on his
right Hand.
9 Q. What pall he fay unto the wicked "? J
A. " Depart from me yc curfed into everlalling Fire, 1
'' prepared for the Devi'l and his Angels, Matt. 2,5. 41. I
10 Q. What foall he fay unto the RlgUteGiis'l
A. " Come ye blefled of my Father, inherit the
c^ Kingdom prepared for you, from the foundation of
(,"• the World. Matt. ^2.5. '34.
III. Of Eternal Life.
1 Qiieit. IVk at JJj all folkw this Judgment?
( 93 )
A. Eternal Life or etcraiil Damnation.
a Q. Where pocill the wicked fuffcr this Damnation ?
J. InHcii, Luke 16.23. *^- And the Rich Man alfo
'* died, and was bnricd, and" in Heii he lift up his
*' Eyes being in T'ornients."
3 Q. How loiig JJo all this Torment endure ?
A. EoR Ever. '•- And theie fhall go into everlafting
*' PunifhiTicnt. Matt. 25. 46.
4 Q^. But fljall not Damnation he an Annihilation of
the whole Man^ or end in Time ?
A' No 5 It will be a felt Punifhment without End,
Mark 9. 44. " Where their Wormdieth not, and the
Fire is not quenched.
5 Q. M' here Jloall eternal Life be enjoyed?
A. In Heaven, Luke 6. 13. '' Rejoice in that Day
'^ and leap for Joy > for behold your Reward is great
in Fleaven.
6 Q. How long fi all it he enjoyed ?
A. Alfo forever, " The Righteous go into evfr-
LASTiNG Life. Matt. 1^. 46.
7 Q_. fFherciu Jhall it conjtft?
A. In an eternal Enjoyment of God with pcrfcffc
Satisfadion and Delight. Pf. i6. \\,^' Thou fhak
*' fhcw me the Path of Life-, Fulnefs of Joy is in thy
*' Prefence, vit thy Right-Hand there are PicafureS'
^* for evermore/*
FINIS.
\^
T H E
CONTENTS.
Chap, Page.
J. f^^ ^^^ knowledge of God - - 9
XI. ^-^ Of the Scriptures •• - 10
III. Of God 14
i. In General - - - - - —
ii. Of his Names - - - - 15
iii. Of his Attributes - . - i5
iv. Of the Trinity - - - - aa
IV. 01 God's Decrees - - - , 0,7
Of Predeilination - - - - a8
V. Of the Council of Peace - - - 31
VI. Of Creation - - - - 3a
VII. Of Providence 53
Vill- Of the Covenant Works - - " 37
IX. Of the Image of God - - - - 38
X. Of Sin - . - - - 4^
i. Of Adam's Fall -
ii. Of original Sin - • - 41
iii. Of AttualSin and the Punifhmentof Sin 43
XI. Of the Covenant of Grace - . - 45
XII. Of the Mediator of the Covenant - - 47
i. Of the Namc/£'///j- - - - 48
ii. Of the Name C/;r//? . - - ^p
iii. Of his offices - - - - 51
A. Of his Prophtical office - - . 51
B. Of his PrlelHy office '. - . 53
C. Of his Kingly office - . , - 54
( 95 )
Chap. Page;
IV. Of his Names - - - - 55
V. Of his States - - - - ^^
A. Of his Humble Birth - - . ^3
B. His Sufferings - - - - c^^
C. His Death 60
D. Of his Burial ...
E. His Defccnding into Hell - - - 61
F. End of his Humiliation - - . —
A. His Refurredion - - . . ^^
B. His Afcenfion - . . . 5^
C. His fitting at the Right Hand of God - 67
XIII. Of Vocation ....
XIV. Of the Church ..... ^i
XV. Of Juftification - - « 74
XVI. Of Faith. . - , - ~
XVII. Of Sandification . . - . ^g^
Of Good Works ... 81
XVIII. Of the Law of God. - - - 8^
XIX. Of Prayer .... 8^
XX. Of the Sacraments ... 8^
i. Of Holy Baptifm - - - 86
ii. Of the Holy Scripture - - - 88
XXI. Of Mans latter End . , . ^3
ii. Of the final Judgment - - - 91
iii. Of Eternal Life' ... - p2
}
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