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Humble advice of the Assembly of Divines
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Genre
Catechism
Date
1647
Full Title
The Humble advice of the Assembly of Divines, Now by Authority of Parliament sitting at Westminster, Concerning A Larger Catechisme, Presented by them lately to both Houses of Parliament, With the Proofs thereof at large out of the Scriptures.
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TO THE RIGHT HONOVRABLE THE LORDS and COMMONS assembled in PARLIAMENT: The humble Advise of the Assembly of Divines sitting at Westminster, Concerning A shorter Catechisme.
QUESTION.
WHat is the chief end of man?
WHat is the chief end of man?
A. Mans chief end is to glorifie God, and
to enjoy him for ever.
to enjoy him for ever.
Q. What rule hath God given to direct us how
we may glorifie and enjoy him?
we may glorifie and enjoy him?
A. The Word of God which is contained in the Scriptures
of the Old and New Testament is the only rule to
direct us how we may glorifie and enjoy him.
of the Old and New Testament is the only rule to
direct us how we may glorifie and enjoy him.
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Q. What do the Scriptures principally teach?
A. The Scriptures principally teach, What man is to
beleeve concerning God, and what duty God requires of
man.
beleeve concerning God, and what duty God requires of
man.
Q. What is God?
A. God is a Spirit, infinite, eternall, and unchangeable,
in his being, wisdome, power, holinesse, justice,
goodnesse, and truth.
in his being, wisdome, power, holinesse, justice,
goodnesse, and truth.
Q. Are there more Gods then one?
A. There is but one only, the living and true God.
Q. How many Persons are there in the God head?
A. There are three Persons in the God-head, the Father,
the Sonne, and the Holy Ghost; and these three are
one God, the same in substance, equall in power and glory.
the Sonne, and the Holy Ghost; and these three are
one God, the same in substance, equall in power and glory.
Q. What are the Decrees of God?
A. The Decrees of God are, his eternall purpose according
to the counsell of his Will, whereby for his own
glory, he hath fore-ordained whatsoever comes to passe.
to the counsell of his Will, whereby for his own
glory, he hath fore-ordained whatsoever comes to passe.
Q. How doth God execute his Decrees?
A. God executeth his Decrees in the Works of Creation
and Providence.
and Providence.
Q. What is the Work of Creation?
A. The Work of Creation is Gods making all things
of nothing, by the Word of his Power, in the space of
six daies, and all very good.
of nothing, by the Word of his Power, in the space of
six daies, and all very good.
Q. How did God create man?
A. God created man, male and female, after his
own image, in knowledge, righteousnesse, and holinesse,
with dominion over the creatures.
own image, in knowledge, righteousnesse, and holinesse,
with dominion over the creatures.
Q. What are Gods Works of Providence?
A. Gods Works of Providence are his most holy,
wise, and powerfull preserving, and governing all his
wise, and powerfull preserving, and governing all his
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creatures, and all their actions.
Q. What speciall act of Providence did God exercise toward
Man in the estate wherein he was created?
Man in the estate wherein he was created?
A. When God had created Man, he entered into a Covenant
of life with him, upon condition of perfect Obedience:
forbidding him to eat of the tree of the knowledge
of good and evil, upon pain of death.
of life with him, upon condition of perfect Obedience:
forbidding him to eat of the tree of the knowledge
of good and evil, upon pain of death.
Q. Did our first Parents continue in the estate wherein they
were created?
were created?
A. Our first Parents, being left to the freedom of their
own will, fell from the estate wherein they were created,
by sinning against God.
own will, fell from the estate wherein they were created,
by sinning against God.
Q. What is sinne?
A. Sin is any want of conformity unto, or transgression
of the Law of God.
of the Law of God.
Q. What was the sin whereby our first Parents fell from the
estate wherein they were created?
estate wherein they were created?
A. The sin whereby our first Parents fell from the
estate wherein they were created, was their eating the
forbidden fruit.
estate wherein they were created, was their eating the
forbidden fruit.
Q. Did all mankinde fall in Adams first transgression?
A. The Covenant being made with Adam, not only
for himself, but for his posterity, all mankinde descending
from him by ordinary generation sinned in him, and
fell with him in his first transgression.
for himself, but for his posterity, all mankinde descending
from him by ordinary generation sinned in him, and
fell with him in his first transgression.
Q. Into what estate did the fall bring mankinde?
A. The fall brought mankinde into an estate of sin and
misery.
misery.
Q. Wherein consists the sinfulnesse of that estate whereinto
man fell?
man fell?
A. The sinfulnesse of that estate whereinto man fell,
consists in the guilt of Adams first sin, the want of Originall
nature, which is commonly called Originall sin, together
with all actuall transgressions which proceed from it.
consists in the guilt of Adams first sin, the want of Originall
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righteousnesse, and the corruption of his wholenature, which is commonly called Originall sin, together
with all actuall transgressions which proceed from it.
Q. What is the misery of that estate whereinto man fell?
A. All mankinde by their fall lost communion with
God, are under his wrath and curse, and so, made liable
to all miseries in this life, to death it self, and to the pains
of hell for ever.
God, are under his wrath and curse, and so, made liable
to all miseries in this life, to death it self, and to the pains
of hell for ever.
Q. Did God leave all mankinde to perish in the estate of
sin and misery?
sin and misery?
A. God, having out of his meer good pleasure from
all eternity elected some to everlasting life, did enter into
a Covenant of grace to deliver them out of the estate of
sin and misery, and to bring them into an estate of Salvation
by a Redeemer.
all eternity elected some to everlasting life, did enter into
a Covenant of grace to deliver them out of the estate of
sin and misery, and to bring them into an estate of Salvation
by a Redeemer.
Q. Who is the Redeemer of Gods elect?
A. The only Redeemer of Gods elect is the Lord Jesus
Christ, who being the eternall son of God, became
man, and so, was and continueth to be God and man,
in two distinct Natures, and one Person, for ever.
Christ, who being the eternall son of God, became
man, and so, was and continueth to be God and man,
in two distinct Natures, and one Person, for ever.
Q. How did Christ being the Son of God become man?
A. Christ the Son of God became man by taking to
himself a true body and a reasonable soul, being conceived
by the power of the Holy Ghost in the womb of the virgin
Mary, and born of her, yet without sin.
himself a true body and a reasonable soul, being conceived
by the power of the Holy Ghost in the womb of the virgin
Mary, and born of her, yet without sin.
Q. What Offices doth Christ execute as our Redeemer?
A. Christ as our Redeemer executeth the Offices of a
Prophet, of a Priest, and of a King, both in this estate of
Humiliation, and Exaltation.
Prophet, of a Priest, and of a King, both in this estate of
Humiliation, and Exaltation.
Q. How doth Christ execute the Office of a Prophet?
A. Christ executeth the Office of a Prophet, in revealing
to us, by his Word and Spirit, the will of God for
our Salvation.
to us, by his Word and Spirit, the will of God for
our Salvation.
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Q. How doth Christ execute the Office of a Priest?
A. Christ executeth the Office of a Priest, in his once
offering up of himself a sacrifice to satisfie divine justice,
and reconcile us to God: and in making continuall intercession
for us.
offering up of himself a sacrifice to satisfie divine justice,
and reconcile us to God: and in making continuall intercession
for us.
Q. How doth Christ execute the Office of a King?
A. Christ executeth the Office of a King, in subduing
us to himself, in ruling and defending us, and in restraining
and conquering all his and our enemies.
us to himself, in ruling and defending us, and in restraining
and conquering all his and our enemies.
Q. Wherein did Christs Humiliation consist?
A Christs Humiliation consisted in his being borne,
and that in a low condition, made under the law, undergoing
the miseries of this life, the wrath of God, and the
cursed death of the crosse, in being buried, and continuing
under the power of death for a time.
and that in a low condition, made under the law, undergoing
the miseries of this life, the wrath of God, and the
cursed death of the crosse, in being buried, and continuing
under the power of death for a time.
Q. Wherein consisteth Christs Exaltation?
A. Christs Exaltation consisteth in his rising again
from the dead on the third day, in ascending up into Heaven,
in sitting at the right hand of God the Father, and
in coming to judge the world at the last day.
from the dead on the third day, in ascending up into Heaven,
in sitting at the right hand of God the Father, and
in coming to judge the world at the last day.
Q. How are we made partakers of the Redemption purchased
by Christ?
by Christ?
A. We are made partakers of the Redemption purchased
by Christ, by the effectuall Application of it to
us by his holy Spirit.
by Christ, by the effectuall Application of it to
us by his holy Spirit.
Q. How doth the Spirit apply to us the Redemption purchased
by Christ?
by Christ?
A. The Spirit applieth to us the Redemption purchased
by Christ, by working Faith in us, and thereby uniting
us to Christ, in our Effectuall Calling.
by Christ, by working Faith in us, and thereby uniting
us to Christ, in our Effectuall Calling.
Q. What is Effectuall Calling?
A. Effectuall Calling is the work of Gods Spirit,
our minds in the knowledge of Christ, and renewing
our wills, he doth perswade and inable us to
imbrace Jesus Christ freely offered to us in the Gospel.
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whereby, convincing us of our sin and misery, inlighteningour minds in the knowledge of Christ, and renewing
our wills, he doth perswade and inable us to
imbrace Jesus Christ freely offered to us in the Gospel.
Q. What benefits do they that are Effectually Called, partake
of in this life?
of in this life?
A. They that are Effectually Called, do in this life
partake of Justification, Adoption, Sanctification, and
the severall benefits which in this life do either accompany
or flow from them.
partake of Justification, Adoption, Sanctification, and
the severall benefits which in this life do either accompany
or flow from them.
Q. What is Justification?
A. Justification is an act Gods free grace, wherein he
pardoneth all our sins, and accepteth us as righteous in
his sight, onely for the righteousnesse of Christ imputed
to us, and received by Faith alone.
pardoneth all our sins, and accepteth us as righteous in
his sight, onely for the righteousnesse of Christ imputed
to us, and received by Faith alone.
Q. What is Adoption?
A. Adoption is an act of Gods free grace, whereby we
are received into the number, and have a right to all the
priviledges, of the Sons of God.
are received into the number, and have a right to all the
priviledges, of the Sons of God.
Q. What is Sanctification?
A. Sanctification is the work of Gods free grace, whereby
we are renewed in the whole man after the image of
God, and are inabled more and more to dy unto sin and
live unto righteousnesse.
we are renewed in the whole man after the image of
God, and are inabled more and more to dy unto sin and
live unto righteousnesse.
Q. What are the benefits which in this life do accompany or
flow from Justification, Adoption, and Sanctification?
flow from Justification, Adoption, and Sanctification?
A. The benefits which in this life do accompany or
flow from Justification, Adoption, and Sanctification,
are, assurance of Gods love, peace of Conscience, joy in
the Holy Ghost, increase of grace, and perseverance therein
to the end.
flow from Justification, Adoption, and Sanctification,
are, assurance of Gods love, peace of Conscience, joy in
the Holy Ghost, increase of grace, and perseverance therein
to the end.
Q. What benefits do Beleevers receive from Christ at death?
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A. The souls of Beleevers are at their death made
perfect in holinesse, and do immediatly passe into glory;
and their bodies, being still united to Christ, do rest in
their graves till the Resurrection.
perfect in holinesse, and do immediatly passe into glory;
and their bodies, being still united to Christ, do rest in
their graves till the Resurrection.
Q. What benefits do Beleevers receive from Christ at the Resurrection?
A. At the Resurrection, Beleevers being raised up in
glory, shall be openly acknowledged and acquitted in
the day of Judgement, and made perfectly blessed in full
injoying of God to all eternity.
glory, shall be openly acknowledged and acquitted in
the day of Judgement, and made perfectly blessed in full
injoying of God to all eternity.
Q. What is the Duty which God requireth of man?
A. The Duty which God requireth of man, is Obedience
to his revealed will.
to his revealed will.
Q. What did God at first reveal to man for the rule of his
Obedience?
Obedience?
A. The rule which God at first revealed to man for
his Obedience, was, the Moral Law.
his Obedience, was, the Moral Law.
Q. Where is the Moral Law summarily comprehended?
A. The Moral Law is summarily comprehended in the
Ten Commandements.
Ten Commandements.
Q. What is the summe of the ten Commandements?
A. The summe of the ten Commandements is, to love
the Lord our God, with all our heart, with all our soul,
with all our strength, and with all our minde: and our
Neighbour as our selves.
the Lord our God, with all our heart, with all our soul,
with all our strength, and with all our minde: and our
Neighbour as our selves.
Q. What is the Preface to the ten Commandements?
A. The Preface to the ten Commandements is in these
words I am the LORD thy God, which have
brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house
of bondage.
words I am the LORD thy God, which have
brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house
of bondage.
Q. What doth the preface to the ten Commandements teach
us?
us?
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A. The Preface to the ten Commandements teacheth
us, that because God is the LORD, and our God, and Redeemer,
therefore we are bound to keep all his Commandements.
us, that because God is the LORD, and our God, and Redeemer,
therefore we are bound to keep all his Commandements.
Q. Which is the first Commandement?
A. The first Commandement is Thou shalt have no
other Gods before mee
other Gods before mee
Q. What is required in the first Commandement?
A. The first Commandement requireth us to know
and acknowledge God to be the onely true God, and our
God; and to worship and glorifie him accordingly.
and acknowledge God to be the onely true God, and our
God; and to worship and glorifie him accordingly.
Q. What is forbidden in the first Commandement?
A. The first Commandement forbiddeth the denying,
or not worshipping and glorifying the true God, as God,
and our God: and the giving that worship and glory to
any other, which is due to him alone.
or not worshipping and glorifying the true God, as God,
and our God: and the giving that worship and glory to
any other, which is due to him alone.
Q. What are we specially taught by these words Before
me in the first Commandement?
me in the first Commandement?
A. These word Before me in the first Commandement,
teach us, that God who seeth all things, taketh
notice of, and is much displeased with the sin of having
any other God.
teach us, that God who seeth all things, taketh
notice of, and is much displeased with the sin of having
any other God.
Q. Which is the second Commandement?
A. The second Commandement is Thou shalt not
make unto thee any graven image, or any likenesse of
any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the
earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth;
thou shalt not bow down thy self to them, nor serve
them: For I the LORD thy God am a jealous
God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children,
unto the third and fourth generation of them that
hate me: and shewing mercy unto thousands of them
make unto thee any graven image, or any likenesse of
any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the
earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth;
thou shalt not bow down thy self to them, nor serve
them: For I the LORD thy God am a jealous
God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children,
unto the third and fourth generation of them that
hate me: and shewing mercy unto thousands of them
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that love me and keep my Commandements.
Q. What is required in the second Commandement?
A. The second Commandement requireth, the receiving,
observing, and keeping pure and intire all such
religious Worship and Ordinances, as God hath appointed
in his word.
observing, and keeping pure and intire all such
religious Worship and Ordinances, as God hath appointed
in his word.
Q. What is forbidden in the second Commandement?
A. The second Commandement forbiddeth the worshipping
of God by Images, or any other way, not appointed
in his word.
of God by Images, or any other way, not appointed
in his word.
Q. What are the Reasons annexed to the second Commandement?
A. The Reasons annexed to the second Commandement
are, Gods Soveraignty over us, his propriety in
us, and the zeal he hath to his own Worship.
are, Gods Soveraignty over us, his propriety in
us, and the zeal he hath to his own Worship.
Q. Which is the third Commandement?
A. The third Commandement is Thou shalt not
take the name of the Lord thy God in vain. For the
Lord will not hold him guiltlesse that taketh his
name in vain.
take the name of the Lord thy God in vain. For the
Lord will not hold him guiltlesse that taketh his
name in vain.
Q. What is required in the third Commandement?
A. The third Commandement requireth, the holy
and reverent use of Gods Names, Titles, Attributes,
Ordinances, Word, and Works.
and reverent use of Gods Names, Titles, Attributes,
Ordinances, Word, and Works.
Q. What is forbidden in the third Commandement?
A. The third Commandement forbiddeth all profaning
or abusing of any thing whereby God makes himself
known.
or abusing of any thing whereby God makes himself
known.
Q. What is the Reason annexed to the third Commandement?
A. The Reason annexed to the third Commandement, is,
that however the breakers of this Commandement may
will not suffer them to escape his righteous judgement.
that however the breakers of this Commandement may
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escape punishment from men, yet the LORD our Godwill not suffer them to escape his righteous judgement.
Q. Which is the fourth Commandement.
A. The fourth Commandement is Remember the
Sabbath day to keep it holy: Six daies shalt thou
labour and do all thy work; but the seventh day is
the Sabbath of the LORD thy God, in it thou
shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy
daughter, thy man-servant, nor thy maid-servant, nor
thy cattell, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:
For in six daies the LORD made heaven and earth,
the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh
day, wherfore the LORD blessed the Sabbath
day, and hallowed it.
Sabbath day to keep it holy: Six daies shalt thou
labour and do all thy work; but the seventh day is
the Sabbath of the LORD thy God, in it thou
shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy
daughter, thy man-servant, nor thy maid-servant, nor
thy cattell, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:
For in six daies the LORD made heaven and earth,
the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh
day, wherfore the LORD blessed the Sabbath
day, and hallowed it.
Q. What is required in the fourth Commandement?
A. The fourth Commandement requireth the keeping
holy to God such set time as he hath appointed in his
word, expressely one whole day in seven, to be a holy
Sabbath to himself.
holy to God such set time as he hath appointed in his
word, expressely one whole day in seven, to be a holy
Sabbath to himself.
Q. Which day of the seven hath God appointed to be the
weekly Sabbath?
weekly Sabbath?
A. From the beginning of the World to the Resurrection
of Christ, God appointed the seventh day of the
week to be the weekly Sabbath: and the first day of the
week ever since, to continue to the end of the world,
which is the Christian Sabbath.
of Christ, God appointed the seventh day of the
week to be the weekly Sabbath: and the first day of the
week ever since, to continue to the end of the world,
which is the Christian Sabbath.
Q. How is the Sabbath to be Sanctified?
A. The Sabbath is to be sanctified by a holy resting
all that day, even from such worldly imploiments and recreations
as are lawfull on other daies, and spending
the whole time in the publike and private exercises of
Gods worship, except so much as is to be taken up in
the works of necessity and mercy.
all that day, even from such worldly imploiments and recreations
as are lawfull on other daies, and spending
the whole time in the publike and private exercises of
Gods worship, except so much as is to be taken up in
the works of necessity and mercy.
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Q. What is forbidden in the fourth Commandement?
A. The fourth Commandement forbiddeth the omission
or carelesse performance of the duties required, and
the profaning the day by idlenesse, or doing that which
is in it self sinfull, or by unnecessary thoughts, words, or
works about worldly imploiments or recreations.
or carelesse performance of the duties required, and
the profaning the day by idlenesse, or doing that which
is in it self sinfull, or by unnecessary thoughts, words, or
works about worldly imploiments or recreations.
Q. What are the Reasons annexed to the fourth Commandement?
A. The Reasons annexed to the fourth Commandement
are, Gods allowing us six daies of the week for our
own imploiments, his challenging a speciall propriety in
the seventh, his own example, and his blessing the Sabbath
day.
are, Gods allowing us six daies of the week for our
own imploiments, his challenging a speciall propriety in
the seventh, his own example, and his blessing the Sabbath
day.
Q. Which is the fifth Commandement?
A. The fifth Commandement is Honour thy father
and thy mother: that thy daies may be long upon
the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
and thy mother: that thy daies may be long upon
the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
Q. What is required in the fift Commandement?
A. The fifth Commandement requireth the preserving
the honour, and performing the duties, belonging to
every one in their severall places and relations, as Superiours,
Inferiours, or Equals.
the honour, and performing the duties, belonging to
every one in their severall places and relations, as Superiours,
Inferiours, or Equals.
Q. What is forbidden in the fifth Commandement?
A. The fifth Commandement forbiddeth the neglecting
of, or doing anything against the honour and duty
which belongeth to every one in their severall places
and relations.
of, or doing anything against the honour and duty
which belongeth to every one in their severall places
and relations.
Q. What is the Reason annexed to the fifth Commandement?
A. The Reason annexed to the fifth Commandement
is a promise of long life and prosperity as far as
it shall serve for Gods glory, and their own good to all
such as keep this Commandement.
is a promise of long life and prosperity as far as
it shall serve for Gods glory, and their own good to all
such as keep this Commandement.
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Q. Which is the sixth Commandement?
A. The sixth Commandement is Thou shalt not
kill.
kill.
Q. What is required in the sixth Commandement?
A. The sixth Commandement requireth all lawfull
endeavours to preserve our own life, and the life of others.
endeavours to preserve our own life, and the life of others.
Q. What is forbidden in the sixth Commandement?
A. The sixth Commandement forbiddeth the takeing
away of our own life, or the life of our neighbour
unjustly: and whatsoever tendeth thereunto.
away of our own life, or the life of our neighbour
unjustly: and whatsoever tendeth thereunto.
Q. Which is the seventh Commandement?
A. The seventh Commandement is Thou shalt
not commit adultery.
not commit adultery.
Q. What is required in the seventh Commandement?
A. The seventh Commandement requireth the preservation
of our own and our neighbours chastity, in
heart, speech, and behaviour.
of our own and our neighbours chastity, in
heart, speech, and behaviour.
Q. What is forbidden in the seventh Commandement?
A. The seventh Commandement forbiddeth all unchast
thoughts, words, and actions.
thoughts, words, and actions.
Q. Which is the eight Commandement?
A. The eight Commandement is Thou shalt not
steal.
steal.
Q. What is required in the eight Commandement?
A. The eight Commandement requireth the lawfull
procuring, and furthering the wealth and outward estate
of our selves, and others.
procuring, and furthering the wealth and outward estate
of our selves, and others.
Q. What is forbidden in the eight Commandement?
A. The eight Commandement forbiddeth whatsoever
doth, or may unjustly hinder our own, or our neighbours
wealth, or outward estate.
doth, or may unjustly hinder our own, or our neighbours
wealth, or outward estate.
Q. Which is the ninth Commandement?
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A. The ninth Commandement is, Thou shalt not
bear false witnesse against thy neighbour.
bear false witnesse against thy neighbour.
Q. What is required in the ninth Commandement?
A. The ninth Commandement requireth the maintaining
and promoting of truth between man and man,
and of our own and our neighbours good name, especially
in witnesse bearing.
and promoting of truth between man and man,
and of our own and our neighbours good name, especially
in witnesse bearing.
Q. What is forbidden in the ninth Commandement?
A. The ninth Commandement forbiddeth whatsoever
is prejudiciall to truth, or injurious to our own, or our
neighbours good name.
is prejudiciall to truth, or injurious to our own, or our
neighbours good name.
Q. Which is the tenth Commandement?
A. The tenth Commandement is, Thou shalt not
covet thy neighbours house, thou shalt not covet thy
neighbours wife, nor his man-servant, nor his maid-servant,
nor his oxe, nor his asse, nor any thing that is
thy neighbours.
covet thy neighbours house, thou shalt not covet thy
neighbours wife, nor his man-servant, nor his maid-servant,
nor his oxe, nor his asse, nor any thing that is
thy neighbours.
Q. What is required in the tenth Commandement?
A. The tenth Commandement requireth full contentment
with our own condition, with a right and charitable
frame of spirit toward our neighbour, and all that is his.
with our own condition, with a right and charitable
frame of spirit toward our neighbour, and all that is his.
Q. What is forbidden in the tenth Commandement?
A. The tenth Commandement forbiddeth all discontentment
with our own estate, envying or greeving at the
good of our neighbour, and all inordinate motions and
affections to any thing that is his.
with our own estate, envying or greeving at the
good of our neighbour, and all inordinate motions and
affections to any thing that is his.
Q. Is any man able perfectly to keep the Commandements
of God?
of God?
A. No meer man since the fall, is able in this life, perfectly
to keep the Commandements of God, but doth
daily break them in thought, word, and deed.
to keep the Commandements of God, but doth
daily break them in thought, word, and deed.
Q. Are all transgressions of the Law equally heinous?
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A. Some sins in themselves, and by reason of severall
aggravations, are more heinous in the sight of God then
others.
aggravations, are more heinous in the sight of God then
others.
Q. What doth every sin deserve?
A. Every sin deserveth Gods wrath, and curse, both in
this life, and that which is to come.
this life, and that which is to come.
Q. What doth God require of us, that we may escape his
wrath and curse, due to us for sin?
wrath and curse, due to us for sin?
A. To escape the wrath and curse of God due to us
for sin, God requireth of us Faith in Jesus Christ, Repentance
unto life, with the diligent use of all the outward
meanes, whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits
of Redemption.
for sin, God requireth of us Faith in Jesus Christ, Repentance
unto life, with the diligent use of all the outward
meanes, whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits
of Redemption.
Q. What is Faith in Jesus Christ?
A. Faith in Jesus Christ is a saving grace, whereby we
receive, and rest upon him alone for Salvation, as he is offered
to us in the Gospel.
receive, and rest upon him alone for Salvation, as he is offered
to us in the Gospel.
Q. What is Repentance unto life?
A. Repentance unto life is a saving grace, whereby a
sinner out of a true sense of his sin, and apprehension of the
mercy of God in Christ, doth, with grief and hatred of his
sin, turn from it unto God, with full purpose of, and endeavour
after new obedience.
sinner out of a true sense of his sin, and apprehension of the
mercy of God in Christ, doth, with grief and hatred of his
sin, turn from it unto God, with full purpose of, and endeavour
after new obedience.
Q. What are the outward means, whereby Christ communicateth
to us the benefits of Redemption?
to us the benefits of Redemption?
A. The outward and ordinary means, whereby Christ
communicateth to us the benefits of Redemption, are, his
Ordinances, especially the Word, Sacraments, and Prayer;
all which are made effectuall to the Elect for Salvation.
communicateth to us the benefits of Redemption, are, his
Ordinances, especially the Word, Sacraments, and Prayer;
all which are made effectuall to the Elect for Salvation.
Q. How is the Word made effectuall to salvation?
A. The Spirit of God maketh the Reading, but especially
the Preaching of the Word, an effectuall means of
up in holinesse and comfort through faith unto salvation.
the Preaching of the Word, an effectuall means of
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convincing and converting sinners, and of building themup in holinesse and comfort through faith unto salvation.
Q. How is the Word to be read, and heard, that it may become
effectuall to Salvation?
effectuall to Salvation?
A. That the Word may become effectuall to Salvation,
we must attend thereunto with diligence, preparation,
and prayer, receive it with faith and love, lay it up in our
hearts, and practise it in our lives.
we must attend thereunto with diligence, preparation,
and prayer, receive it with faith and love, lay it up in our
hearts, and practise it in our lives.
Q. How doe the Sacraments become effectuall means of
Salvation?
Salvation?
A. The Sacraments become effectuall means of Salvation,
not from any vertue in them, or in him that doth
administer them; but onely by the blessing of Christ, and
the working of his spirit, in them that by faith receive
them.
not from any vertue in them, or in him that doth
administer them; but onely by the blessing of Christ, and
the working of his spirit, in them that by faith receive
them.
Q. What is a Sacrament?
A. A Sacrament is an holy Ordinance instituted by
Christ, wherein, by sensible Signes, Christ and the benefits
of the New Covenant are represented, sealed, and
applied to Beleevers.
Christ, wherein, by sensible Signes, Christ and the benefits
of the New Covenant are represented, sealed, and
applied to Beleevers.
Q. Which are the Sacraments of the New Testament?
A. The Sacraments of the New Testament are, Baptisme,
and the Lords Supper.
and the Lords Supper.
Q. What is Baptisme?
A. Baptisme is a Sacrament, wherein the Washing
with Water, in the name of the Father, and of the Son,
and of the Holy Ghost, doth signifie and seal our ingrafting
into Christ, and partaking of the benefits of the Covenant
of Grace, and our ingagement to be the Lords.
with Water, in the name of the Father, and of the Son,
and of the Holy Ghost, doth signifie and seal our ingrafting
into Christ, and partaking of the benefits of the Covenant
of Grace, and our ingagement to be the Lords.
Q. To whom is Baptisme to be administred?
A. Baptisme is not to be administred to any that are out
of the Visible Church, till they professe their faith in
are members of the Visible Church are to be baptised.
of the Visible Church, till they professe their faith in
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Christ and obedience to him; but the infants of such asare members of the Visible Church are to be baptised.
Q. What is the Lords Supper?
A. The Lords Supper is a Sacrament, wherein, by
giving and receiving Bread and Wine according to Christs
appointment, his death is shewed forth; and the worthy
receivers are, not after a corporall and carnall manner, but
by faith made partakers of his Body and bloud, with all
his benefits to their spirituall nourishment, and growth
in grace.
giving and receiving Bread and Wine according to Christs
appointment, his death is shewed forth; and the worthy
receivers are, not after a corporall and carnall manner, but
by faith made partakers of his Body and bloud, with all
his benefits to their spirituall nourishment, and growth
in grace.
Q. What is required to the worthy receiving of the Lords
Supper?
Supper?
A. It is required of them that would worthily partake
of the Lords Supper, that they examine themselves, of
their Knowledge to discern the Lords body, of their Faith
to feed upon him, of their Repentance, love, and new obedience;
least, coming unworthily, they eat and drink
judgement to themselves.
of the Lords Supper, that they examine themselves, of
their Knowledge to discern the Lords body, of their Faith
to feed upon him, of their Repentance, love, and new obedience;
least, coming unworthily, they eat and drink
judgement to themselves.
Q. What is Prayer?
A. Prayer is an offering up of our desires to God, for
things agreeable to his will, in the Name of Christ, with
confession of our sins, and thankfull acknowledgement of
his mercies.
things agreeable to his will, in the Name of Christ, with
confession of our sins, and thankfull acknowledgement of
his mercies.
Q. What rule hath God given for our direction in Prayer?
A. The whole Word of God is of use to direct us in
Prayer, but the speciall rule of direction, is, that form of
Prayer which Christ taught his Disciples, commonly
called, The Lords Prayer.
Prayer, but the speciall rule of direction, is, that form of
Prayer which Christ taught his Disciples, commonly
called, The Lords Prayer.
Q. What doth the Preface of the Lords Prayer teach us?
A. The Preface of the Lords Prayer, which is, Our
Father which art in Heaven, teacheth us to draw near
to God with all holy reverence, and confidence, as children
should pray with and for others.
Father which art in Heaven, teacheth us to draw near
to God with all holy reverence, and confidence, as children
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to a father, able and ready to help us; and that weshould pray with and for others.
Q. What doe we pray for in the first Petition?
A. In the first Petition, which is Hallowed be thy
name. we pray, that God would enable us and others to
glorifie him in all that whereby he maketh himself known,
and that he would dispose all things to his own glory.
name. we pray, that God would enable us and others to
glorifie him in all that whereby he maketh himself known,
and that he would dispose all things to his own glory.
Q. What doe we pray for in the second Petition?
A. In the second Petition, which is, Thy Kingdom
come, we pray that Satans Kingdom may be destroyed,
and that the Kingdom of Grace may be advanced, our
selves and others brought into it, and kept in it, and that
the Kingdom of Glory may be hastened.
come, we pray that Satans Kingdom may be destroyed,
and that the Kingdom of Grace may be advanced, our
selves and others brought into it, and kept in it, and that
the Kingdom of Glory may be hastened.
Q. What doe we pray for in the third Petition?
A. In the third Petition, which is, Thy will be done
on earth, as it is in heaven, we pray, that God by his
grace would make us able and willing to know, obey, and
submit to his will in all things, as the Angels do in heaven.
on earth, as it is in heaven, we pray, that God by his
grace would make us able and willing to know, obey, and
submit to his will in all things, as the Angels do in heaven.
Q. What doe we pray for in the fourth Petition?
A. In the fourth Petition, which is, Give us this day
our daily bread, we pray, that of Gods free guift we
may receive a competent portion of the good things of
this life, and enjoy his blessing with them.
our daily bread, we pray, that of Gods free guift we
may receive a competent portion of the good things of
this life, and enjoy his blessing with them.
Q. What doe we pray for in the fifth Petition?
A. In the fifth Petition, which is, And forgive us
our debts, as we forgive our debters, we pray, that
God for Christs sake would freely pardon all our sins:
which we are the rather incouraged to ask, because by his
grace we are inabled from the heart to forgive others.
our debts, as we forgive our debters, we pray, that
God for Christs sake would freely pardon all our sins:
which we are the rather incouraged to ask, because by his
grace we are inabled from the heart to forgive others.
Q. What doe we pray for in the sixth Petition?
A. In the sixth Petition, which is, And lead us not
into temptation, but deliver us from evil, we pray, that
support and deliver us when we are tempted.
into temptation, but deliver us from evil, we pray, that
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God would either keep us from being tempted to sin, orsupport and deliver us when we are tempted.
Q. What doth the Conclusion of the Lords Prayer teach us?
A. The Conclusion of the Lords Prayer, which is,
For thine is the Kingdom, and the power, and the
glory, for ever. Amen. teacheth us to take our incouragement
in prayer from God only, and in our prayers to praise
him, asscribing Kingdom, power, and glory to him: and in
testimony of our desire and assurance to be heard, we say,
Amen.
For thine is the Kingdom, and the power, and the
glory, for ever. Amen. teacheth us to take our incouragement
in prayer from God only, and in our prayers to praise
him, asscribing Kingdom, power, and glory to him: and in
testimony of our desire and assurance to be heard, we say,
Amen.
The ten COMMANDEMENTS. Exodus 20.
GOD spake all these words, saying, I am theLORD thy God, which have brought thee out of
the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
I. Thou shalt have no other gods before mee.
II. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven
image, or any likenesse of any thing that is in heaven
above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in
the water under the earth; thou shalt not bow down
thy self to them, nor serve them: For I the LORD
thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of
the fathers upon the children, unto the third and fourth
generation of them that hate me: and shewing mercy
unto thousands of them that love me and keep my
Commandements.
III. Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD
thy God in vain: For the LORD will not hold him
guiltlesse that taketh his name in vain.
IV. Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy:
Six daies shalt thou labour & do all thy work; but the
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seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD thy God,in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor
thy daughter, thy man-servant, nor thy maid-servant,
nor thy cattell, nor thy stranger that is within thy
gates: For in six daies the LORD made heaven and
earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh
day, wherefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath
day, and hallowed it.
V. Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy
daies may be long upon the land which the LORD
thy God giveth thee.
VI. Thou shalt not kill.
VII. Thou shalt not commit adultery.
VIII. Thou shalt not steal.
IX. Thou shalt not bear false witnesse against thy
neighbour.
X. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbours house,
thou shalt not covet thy neighbours wife, nor his
man-servant, nor his maid-servant, nor his oxe, nor his
asse, nor any thing that is thy neighbours.
The Lords Prayer. Matth. 6.
OUr Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thyName, Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done
on earth, as it is in heaven, Give us this day our daily
bread, And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our
debters, And lead us not into temptation, but deliver
us from evil: For thine is the Kingdom, and the power,
and the glory, for ever. Amen.
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The CREED.
I Beleeve in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven andearth: And in Iesus Christ his onely Son our Lord, which
was conceived by the holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried,
he descended into hell, the third day he rose again from the
dead, he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of
God the Father Almighty, from thence he shall come to judge
the quick and the dead: I beleeve in the holy Ghost: the holy
Catholike Church, the communion of Saints, the forgivenesse
of sinnes, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.
Amen.
SO much of every Question, both in the larger and
shorter Catechisme, is repeated in the Answer, as maketh
every Answer an entire Proposition, or sentence, in it self:
to the end the Learner may further improve it upon all occasions,
for his increase in knowledge and piety, even out
of the course of catechising, as well as in it.
And albeit the substance of the doctrine comprised in
that abridgement commonly called, The Apostles Creed, be
fully set forth in each of the Catechismes, so as there is no
necessity of inserting the Creed it self, yet it is here annexed,
not as though it were composed by the Apostles,
or ought to be esteemed Canonicall Scripture, as the ten
Commandements, and the Lords Prayer, much lesse a
Prayer, as ignorant people have been apt to make both it
and the Decalogue, but because it is a brief summe of the
Christian faith, agreeable to the Word of God, and anciently
received in the Churches of Christ.
CORNELIUS BURGES Prolocutor pro tempore.
HENRY ROBOROUGH Scriba.
ADONIRAM BYFIELD Scriba.