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Isham, Zacheus Author Profile

Author Isham, Zacheus

Denomination Anglican

Catechism of the Church Text Profile

Genre Catechism

Date 1695

Full Title The catechism of the Church: with proofs from the New Testament: And some Additional Questions and Answers. Divided into XII sections, for the Use of a Parish in London.

Source Wing I1067

Sampling Sample 1

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The original format is octavo.

The original contains contains elements such as change of font,italics,

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THE CATECHISM, WITH Proofs from the New Testament, and some Additional QUESTIONS and ANSWERS.

SECT. I. Of the Benefits of BAPTISM.

Quest. WHat is your Name?

Answ. N. or M.

Quest. Why dost thou
tell me the Name receiv'd in thy Baptism,
rather than that of thy Family?

Answ. Because the Name I receiv'd at my
Baptism, puts me in mind of the Duties
and Priviledges of the Christian Religion.

Quest. Who gave you this Name?

Answ. My God-fathers and God-mothers in
my Baptism; wherein I was made a Member
of Christ, the Child of God, and an Inheritor
of the Kingdom of Heaven.

Quest. Why did your God-fathers and
God-mothers give you your Christian
Name?

Answ. Because they presented me to
my Baptism, by which I was made a
Christian; and did answer, and engage
for me; and gave security to the Church
for my Christian Education: And therefore
I regard them as my Spiritual Parents.

Quest. How wast thou made in Baptism
a Member of Christ?

Answ. In being then made a Member
of his Spiritual Body, the Church; and
thereby united to him as our Head, and
deriving from him all my Strength, and
Power to live as a Christian.

Quest. How is this prov'd from Scripture?

Answ. From Rom. 12.5. We being
many, are one Body in Christ.
1 Cor. 12.12, 13. As the Body is one,
and hath many Members, so also is Christ:
For by one Spirit are we all Baptized into
one Body.
Eph. 1.22, 23 He gave him to be the
head over all things to the Church, Which
is his Body.

Quest. How wast thou made in Baptism
the Child of God?

Answ. In being then by the Grace,
and favour of God adopted for one of
his Children; through Christ, and our
regeneration in him.

Quest. How is this prov'd from Scripture?

Answ. From Joh. 1.12. As many as
received him, to them gave he power to become
the Sons of God, even to them that
believe on his Name.
Rom. 8.15. Ye have received the Spirit
of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba,
Father.
Gal. 3.26, 27. Ye are all the Children
of God by faith in Christ Jesus: For as
many of you as have been baptized into
Christ, have put on Christ.

Quest. How wast thou made in Baptism
an Inheritor of the Kingdom of
Heaven?

Answ. In having the promise of this
Eternal Inheritance; so that I may surely
attain to it, by leading a Christian life.

Quest. How is this prov'd from Scripture?

Answ. From Luke 12.32. Fear not,

little Flock; for it is your Father's good
pleasure to give you the Kingdom.
Rom. 8.16, 17. We are the Children of
God; And if Children, then Heirs, Heirs
of God, and Joynt-heirs with Christ.
Tit. 3.5, 7. According to his mercy he
saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and
renewing of the Holy Ghost: That being
justified by his Grace, we should be made
Heirs according to the hope of eternal Life.
1 John 2.25. This is the promise that
he hath promis'd us, even eternal Life.

SECT. II. Of the Vow of Baptism.

Quest. YOu have told me what you
were made in Baptism: but
cannot you forfeit these great advantages?

Answ. I cannot fail of them, if I keep
the Promises made for me, when I was
baptiz'd.

Quest. What did your God-fathers and
God-mothers then for you?

Answ. They did promise, and vow three things
in my Name: First, that I should renounce
the Devil, and all his works; the pomps, and
vanity of this wicked World; and all the sinful
lusts of the Flesh. Secondly, that I should
believe all the Articles of the Christian Faith.

And thirdly, that I should keep God's holy Will,
and Commandments; and walk in the same all
the days of my life.

Quest. Dost thou not think, that thou art
bound to believe, and to do, as they have promised
for thee?

Answ. Yes verily; and by God's help so I
will. And I heartily thank our heavenly Father,
that he hath called me to this state of salvation,
through Iesus Christ our Saviour. And
I pray unto God, to give me his Grace, that I
may continue in the same unto my lives end.

Quest. Thou dost well in praying to
God for his Grace, and in owning the
necessity of his help: But what Proof
hast thou from Scripture, for the doing so?

Answ. From John 15.5. Without me ye
can do nothing.
2 Cor. 12.9. He said unto me, My
Grace is sufficient for thee; for my strength
is made perfect in weakness.
Phil. 2.13. It is God which worketh in
you, both to will, and to do, of his good
pleasure.
Phil. 4.13. I can do all things through
Christ, which strengthneth me.

Quest. Where didst thou learn to pray
to God for his Grace?

Answ. From Luke 11.13. If ye being

evil, know how to give good gifts unto your
Children; how much more shall your heavenly
Father, give the holy Spirit to them
that ask him?
Heb. 4.16. Let us come boldly unto the
Throne of Grace; that we may obtain mercy,
and find Grace to help in time of need.

Quest. What dost thou bind thy self to,
in renouncing the Devil, and all his works?

Answ. I bind my self to the abhorrence of
Satan, and all his temptations; and to the
avoiding of all wickedness, either prompted
by him, or done in imitation of him.

Quest. What Proof hast thou of this
Obligation?

Answ. From 1 John 3.8. He that committeth
Sin is of the Devil; for the Devil
sinneth from the beginning: For this purpose
the Son of God was manifested, that he
might destroy the works of the Devil.
1 John 5.18. We know that whosoever
is born of God, sinneth not: But he that is
begotten of God, keepeth himself; and that
wicked one toucheth him not.
Ephes. 4.27. Neither give place to the
Devil.

Quest. What dost thou bind thy self
to, in renouncing the pomps and vanity
of this wicked World?

Answ. I bind my self not to seek greedily,
or by unlawful means, after Honour,
and Glory, and Riches; nor to use any of
God's Creatures to excess; but to refrain
from Pride, and Ambition, and Covetousness;
and from ungodly and vain Customs,
and all the outward allurements to Sin.

Quest. What Proof hast thou of this
Obligation?

Answ. From 1 John 2.15. Love not the
World, neither the things that are in the
World. If any Man love the World, the love
of the Father is not in him.
Rom. 12.2. Be not conformed to this
World.
Jam. 4.4. Know ye not, that the friendship
of the World is enmity with God?
Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the
World, is the enemy of God.

Quest. What dost thou bind thy self to,
in renouncing the sinful lusts of the Flesh?

Answ. I bind my self to abstain from
those sensual Pleasures, which God hath
forbidden; and to resist all impure desires;
and to tame, and regulate my disorderly
Inclinations, and corrupt Nature,
inwardly delighting in what is evil.

Quest. What Proof hast thou of this
Obligation?

Answ. From Gal. 5.24. They that are
Christ's have crucified the Flesh, with the
affections, and lusts.
Rom. 8.13. If ye live after the Flesh, ye
shall die: but if ye through the spirit do mortifie
the deeds of the Body, ye shall live.
1 Pet. 2.11. I beseech you as Strangers,
and Pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts,
which war against the Soul.

Quest. What Proof hast thou of being
bound to believe all the Articles of the
Christian Faith?

Answ. From John 3.36. He that believeth
on the Son, hath everlasting life: and
he that believeth not the Son, shall not see
life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
John 17.3. This is life eternal, that
they might know thee the only true God, and
Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent.
Mar. 16.16. He that believeth, and is
baptized, shall be saved: but he that believeth
not, shall be damned.
1 John 3.23. This is his commandment,
that we should believe on the Name of his
Son Jesus Christ.

Quest. What Proof hast thou of being
bound to keep all the Commandments of
God?

Answ. From John 14.15. If ye love
me, keep my Commandments.
Mat. 28.20. Teaching them to observe
all things, whatsoever I have commanded you.
1 John 2.3.4. Hereby we do know that
we know him, if we keep his Commandments.
He that saith, I know him, and keepeth
not his Commandments, is a liar, and the
truth is not in him.
Eph. 2.10. We are his Workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus unto good works,
which God hath before ordained, that we
should walk in them.

SECT. III. Of the Creed: and more particularly of God the Father.

Catechist. Rehearse the Articles of thy Belief.

Answ. 1. I Believe in God the Father Almighty,
Maker of Heaven, and
Earth: 2. And in Iesus Christ, his only Son,
our Lord: 3. Who was Conceived by the Holy
Ghost, Born of the Uirgin Mary: 4. Suffered
under Pontius Pilate; was Crucified, Dead,
and Buried; He descended into Hell: 5. The
third day he rose again from the dead: 6. He
ascended into Heaven, and sitteth at the right-hand
of God the Father Almighty. 7. From
thence he shall come to judge the Quick, and the

Dead. 8. I believe in the Holy Ghost: 9. The
Holy Catholick Church, the Communion of
Saints: 10. The forgiveness of Sins: 11. The
Resurrection of the Body: 12. And the Life
Everlasting. Amen.

Quest. Thou hast well repeated this
Apostolical Summary of the Principles of
the Christian Religion: But why dost
thou say Amen, after the rehearsing of it?

Answ. To testifie my stedfast belief of
it; and my desire to live, as one that
heartily believes it.

Quest. What dost thou chiefly learn in
these Articles of thy Belief?

Answ. First, I learn to believe in God the
Father, who hath made me, and all the World.
Secondly, In God the Son, who hath redeemed
me, and all Mankind.
Thirdly, In God the Holy Ghost; who
sanctifieth me, and all the Elect
People of God.

Quest. What is it to believe in God?

Answ. To believe that God is, and that
he is faithful, and true in all his words:
and to trust in him, and depend upon him.

Quest. Let us go over the Articles of
the Creed more distinctly: What believest
thou concerning the first Article,
I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker
of Heaven, and Earth?

Answ. I believe that there is one living,

and true God; an Infinite, Eternal,
and Incomprehensible Spirit; having all
Perfections in, and of himself: and that
God was from all Eternity the Father of
our Lord Christ; and that he hath an
unlimited Power, and Right to do whatsoever
he pleaseth; and that he did exert
this Power in making out of nothing, by
his Word alone, the Heavens, and the
Earth, and all things therein; which he
still preserves, and disposeth of most
wisely, according to his own Will.

Quest. What Proof hast thou of God's
being an Eternal Spirit?

Answ. From John 4.24. God is a Spirit.
1 Tim. 1.17. Vnto the King eternal,
immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be
honour and glory, for ever and ever.
1 Tim 6.16. Who only hath Immortality,
dwelling in the light which no Man
can approach unto; whom no Man hath
seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and
power everlasting.

Quest. What Proof hast thou, that
there is but One God?

Answ. From 1 Cor. 8.4. There is none
other God but One.
Eph. 4.6. One God, and Father of all

who is above all, and through all, and in
you all.
1 Tim. 2.5. There is one God, and one
Mediator between God and Men, the Man
Christ Jesus.

Quest. What Proof hast thou of Three
Persons in the Unity of this Godhead?

Answ. From 1 John 5.7. There are
Three that bear record in Heaven, the Father,
the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and
these Three are One.
Mat. 28.19. Teach all Nations baptizing
them in the Name of the Father, and
of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
2 Cor. 13.14. The Grace of the Lord
Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the
communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all.

Quest. What Proof hast thou of God's
being Almighty?

Answ. From Mat. 19.26. With God
all things are possible.
Mar. 14.36. Abba, Father, All things
are possible unto thee.
Rom. 4.21. Being fully perswaded, that
what he had promised, he was able also to
perform.

Quest. What Proof hast thou of God's
Creating the World?

Answ. Besides the History of the Creation,
from Acts 4.24. Lord, thou art
God, which hast made Heaven, and Earth,
and the Sea, and all that in them is.
1 Cor. 8.6. To us there is but one God
the Father, of whom are all things, and we
in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom
are all things, and we by him.
Heb. 11.3. Through Faith we understand,
that the Worlds were framed by the Word of
God; so that things which are seen, were
not made of things which do appear.
Rev. 4.11. O Lord, thou hast created
all things; and for thy pleasure they are,
and were created.

SECT. IV. Of Christ in his Divine Nature, and Incarnation.

Quest. WHat believest thou concerning
the second Article
of the Creed, And in Jesus Christ,
his only Son, our Lord?

Answ. I believe in Jesus, as the Saviour
of Mankind; and that he is truly the
Christ, who was promised to come for our
Redemption: and that he is the only Son
of God by Nature, begotten from everlasting

of the Father: and that he is our
Lord, and Master, and God.

Quest. What is imply'd by owning
Jesus to be Christ, or the Messias?

Answ. That he was the promised Redeemer
of his People; and was anointed
with the Spirit of God, to be their
King, and Priest, and Prophet.

Quest. How is Christ our King, and
Priest, and Prophet?

Answ. He is our King, in governing,
and protecting his Church: He is our
Priest, in offering one Sacrifice, and always
interceding for us: and he is our
Prophet, in teaching us most perfectly
the Will of God.

Quest. What Proof hast thou of being
bound to believe in Christ?

Answ. From John 3.18. He that believeth
on him, is not condemned: but he
that believeth not, is condemned already;
because he hath not believed in the Name of
the only begotten Son of God.
John 14.1. Ye believe in God; believe
also in me.
Acts 16.31. Believe on the Lord Jesus
Christ, and thou shalt be saved.

Quest. How dost thou prove, that
Christ is the Saviour of Mankind?

Answ. From Mat. 1.21. Thou shalt call
his Name Jesus: for he shall save his People
from their Sins.
1 Tim. 1.15. This a faithful saying,
and worthy of all acceptation; That Christ
Jesus came into the World to save Sinners.
Heb. 5.9. He became the Author of eternal
Salvation, unto all them that obey him.
1 John 4.14. We have seen, and do
testifie, that the Father sent the Son to be
the Saviour of the World.

Quest. How dost thou prove, that Salvation
can be obtain'd by no other way,
but by Christ alone?

Answ. From John 14.6. I am the Way,
and the Truth, and the Life: no Man
cometh unto the Father, but by me.
John 15.6. If a Man abide not in me,
he is cast forth as a Branch, and is wither'd;
and Men gather them, and cast them into
the Fire, and they are burned.
Acts 4.12. Neither is there Salvation
in any other: for there is none other Name
under Heaven given among Men, whereby
we must be saved.
1 John 5.12. He that hath the Son,

hath Life: and he that hath not the Son,
hath not Life. 1 Jn 5.12

Quest. How dost thou prove, that
Jesus is the Christ?

Answ. From Mat. 16.16. Thou art
Christ, the Son of the living God.
John 6.69. We believe, and are sure
that thou art that Christ, the Son of the
living God.
Acts 2.36.Let all the House of Israel
know assuredly, that God hath made that
same Jesus, whom ye have Crucified, both
Lord, and Christ.
1 John 5.1. Whosoever believeth that
Jesus is the Christ, is born of God.

Quest. How dost thou prove, that
Christ is the Only Son of God?

Answ. From John 1.18. No Man hath
seen God at any time: the only-begotten
Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he
hath declared him.
1 John 4.9. In this was manifested the
love of God towards us, because that God
sent his only-begotten Son into the World,
that we might live through him.

Quest. How dost thou prove our Saviour
to be God?

Answ. From John 1.1. In the beginning

was the Word, and the Word was with
God, and the Word was God.
Rom. 9.5. Christ came, who is over all,
God blessed for ever.
Phil. 2.6. Who being in the form of God,
thought it not Robbery to be equal with God.
Col 2.9. In him dwelleth all the fulness
of the Godhead bodily.

Quest. What believest thou concerning
the third Article of the Creed,
Who was Conceived by the Holy Ghost,
Born of the Virgin Mary?

Answ. I believe that Christ was Conceived
without any Sin, by the miraculous
Power of the Holy Ghost over-shadowing
a pure Virgin, whose Name
was Mary: and that he perfectly took
our Nature, and was born of her, appearing
hereby to be the Son of David.

Quest. What Proof hast thou of our
Lord's Conception by the Holy Ghost?

Answ. From Mat. 1.20. Fear not to take
unto thee Mary thy Wife; for that which is
conceived in her, is of the Holy Ghost.
Luke 1.35. The holy Ghost shall come
upon thee: and the power of the Highest
shall overshadow thee: therefore also that

Holy thing which shall be born of thee, shall
be called the Son of God.

Quest. What Proof hast thou, that our
Lord did really take the Nature of Man?

Answ. From John 1.14. The Word was
made Flesh, and dwelt among us.
Gal. 4.4. God sent forth his Son made
of a Woman.
Heb. 2.16. Verily he took not upon him
the Nature of Angels; but he took on him
the Seed of Abraham.
1 Tim. 3.16 God was manifest in the
Flesh.

Quest. How dost thou prove, that
Christ descended from David?

Answ. From his Genealogy in the
Gospel; and from
Mat. 21.9. Hosanna to the Son of David.
Luke 1.32. The Lord God shall give
unto him the Throne of his Father David.
Acts 13.23. Of this Man's Seed hath
God, according to his Promise, raised unto
Israel a Saviour, Jesus.
Rom. 1.3. Jesus Christ our Lord, who was
made of the Seed of David, according to
the Flesh.

Quest. How dost thou prove, that
Christ was born of a Virgin?

Answ. From Mat. 1.22, 23. Now all
this was done, that it might be fulfilled
which was spoken of the Lord by the Prophet,
saying. Behold, a Virgin shall be with
Child, and shall bring forth a Son.

SECT. V. Of Christ in his Sufferings, and Exaltation.

Quest. WHat believest thou concerning
the fourth Article
of the Creed, Suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was Crucified, Dead, and
Buried; He descended into
Hell?

Answ. I believe that the
Son of God having taken
our Flesh, did therein, for
our benefit, undergo the accursed
death of the Cross; to which
he was condemned by Pontius Pilate,
the Roman Governour of Judea: and
that his Soul was really separated from
his Body; which lying for some time in
the Grave, his Soul removed to the Spirits
of Men departed; and having conquer'd
the Powers of Darkness by his
Cross, he went down into Hell.

Quest. Why did our Lord submit to
the death of the Cross?

Answ. To deliver Mankind, by the infinite
price of his Blood, from the Punishment,
and Curse that was due for
our Sins; and to reconcile his Father to
us, by satisfying his Justice, and making
himself a Sacrifice for us.

Quest. How is this end of our Saviour's
death prov'd from the Scripture?

Answ. From Gal. 3.13. Christ hath
redeemed us from the Curse of the Law, being
made a Curse for us.
Rom 5 10. When we were Enemies, we
were reconciled to God by the death of his Son.
1 Pet. 2.24. Who his own self bare our
sins in his own Body on the Tree, that we being
dead to Sins, should live unto Righteousness:
by whose Stripes ye were healed.
1 John 2.2. He is the propitiation for
our Sins: and not for ours only, but also for
the Sins of the whole World.

Quest. What Proof is there of Christ's
descending into Hell?

Answ. From Acts 2.25, 27. David
speaketh concerning him, Thou wilt not
leave my Soul in Hell.

Quest. What believest thou concerning

the fifth Article of the Creed, The
third day he rose again from the dead?

Answ. I believe that on the Morning
of the third day after his Passion, the
Soul of Christ was united again to his
crucify'd Body; and he arose from the
Grave, to an Immortal Life, by the
Power of God.

Quest. How dost thou prove the Resurrection
of Christ in this manner?

Answ. From the History of the Gospel:
and from
Acts 2.24. Whom God hath raised up,
having loosed the pains of Death; because it
was not possible, that he should be holden of it.
Acts 13.37. He whom God raised again,
saw no corruption.
Rom. 6.9. Christ being raised from the
dead, dieth no more; Death hath no more
dominion over him.
Rev. 1.18. I am he that liveth, and
was dead: and behold, I am alive for evermore,
Amen; and have the Keys of Hell,
and of Death.

Quest. What believest thou concerning
the sixth Article of the Creed, He
ascended into Heaven; and sitteth at the
right hand of God the Father Almighty?

Answ. I believe that Christ, having
finish'd by his death the work of our
Redemption, was in his glorify'd Body
taken up to Heaven, in the sight of his
Disciples, forty days after his Resurrection:
and that from his entrance into
Heaven, he hath been exalted to the
honour of sitting at the right hand of
God the Father; and of appearing for us
in his Presence, with full Power, and
Dominion.

Quest. Thou didst tell me truly, that
God is a Spirit; and how then can Christ
sit at his right hand?

Answ. This Expression is borrow'd
from the manner of Men, in counting
it the most honourable place, to be set
on the right hand of a Prince: and so
it signifies, that Christ is advanc'd in
Heaven to the highest Dignity, and
Authority under God.

Quest. What Proof hast thou of the
truth of this Article?

Answ. From the History of our Lord's
Ascension: and from
1 Pet. 3.22. Who is gone into Heaven,
and is on the right hand of God;
Angels, and Authorities, and Powers being
made subject unto him.

Eph. 1.20, 21. He raised him from the
dead, and set him at his own right hand in
the heavenly places; Far above all Principality,
and Power, and Might, and Dominion;
and every name that is named, not only in this
World, but also in that which is to come.
Heb. 10.12. This Man after he had
offered one sacrifice for sins, for ever sat
down on the right hand of God.
Acts 7.56. Behold, I see the Heavens
opened, and the Son of Man standing on the
right hand of God.

Quest. What believest thou concerning
the seventh Article of the Creed,
From thence he shall come to judge the
Quick, and the Dead?

Answ. I believe that Christ shall come
down again from Heaven with great Majesty,
to judge all Men according to their
works done in this Life; both the Righteous,
and the Wicked; both such as shall
be found alive at his second coming, and
such as have died, and shall die before it,
in all Ages of the World.

Quest. How is this prov'd from Scripture?

Answ. From Mat. 16.27. The Son of
Man shall come in the glory of his Father,

with his Angels; and then he shall reward
every Man according to his works.
Acts 10.42. He commanded us to preach
unto the People, and to testifie; that it is he
which was ordained of God, to be the Judge
of quick, and Dead.
Acts 17.31. He hath appointed a day, in
the which he will judge the World in righteousness,
by that Man whom he hath ordained;
whereof he hath given assurance unto all Men,
in that he hath raised him from the dead.
2 Cor. 5.10. We must all appear before
the Judgment-seat of Christ; that every one
may receive the things done in his body, according
to that he hath done, whether it be
good, or bad.

SECT. VI. Of the Holy Ghost: and the following Articles of the Creed.

Quest. WHat believest thou concerning
the eighth Article
of the Creed, I believe in the Holy Ghost?

Answ. I believe in the Holy Spirit, as
God, together with the Father, and the
Son: and that as the Scriptures come
from his Inspiration; so by his working
upon the Soul, all good Christians are

led, and converted, and sanctify'd, and
made acceptable to God.

Quest. What Proof hast thou of these
operations of the Divine Spirit?

Answ. From Rom. 8.14. As many as
are led by the Spirit of God, they are the
Sons of God.
1 Cor. 3.16. Know ye not that ye are
the Temple of God; and that the Spirit of
God dwelleth in you?
1 Cor. 6.11. But ye are washed, but
ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the
name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit
of our God.
1 John 4.13. Hereby know we that we
dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath
given us of his Spirit.

Quest. What Proof hast thou, that
the Scriptures come from the Inspiration
of the Holy Ghost?

Answ. From 2 Tim. 3.16. All Scripture
is given by inspiration of God?
2 Pet. 1.21. The Prophecy came not in
old time by the Will of Man: but holy Men
of God spake, as they were moved by the
Holy Ghost.
Acts 3.21. God hath spoken by the
mouth of all his holy Prophets, since the
World began.

Joh. 16.13. When he the Spirit of Truth
is come, he will guide you into all truth.

Quest. What believest thou concerning
the ninth Article of the Creed, The Holy
Catholick Church, the Communion of Saints?

Answ. I believe that the Servants of
God in all ages, and places, have made
up one Body under Christ their Head;
and that there is, and always will be a
company of true Believers, appointed to
Salvation, and joyning in the Word, and
Sacraments under Pastors lawfully ordain'd:
and that the Members of this
Church are called to be Saints; and
ought to maintain communion with
Christ, and fellowship with one another
in all the Offices of Piety, and Charity.

Quest. Why is the Church called Holy,
and Catholick?

Answ. The Church is called Holy,
because 'tis joyned to God in Covenant;
and the true Members of it are sanctify'd
by the Spirit of Holiness: and 'tis called
Catholick, or Universal because 'tis spread
over all the World, and all Nations are
equally admitted to it.

Q. What Proof hast thou of this Holy,
Catholick Church?

Answ. From Mat. 16.18. Vpon this
Rock I will build my Church; and the Gates
of Hell shall not prevail against it.
Acts 20.28. The Holy Ghost hath made
you Overseers, to feed the Church of God,
which he hath purchased with his own blood.
Mar. 16.15. Go ye into all the World,
and preach the Gospel to every creature.
Eph. 5.27. That he might present it to
himself a glorious Church, not having spot,
or wrinkle: but that it should be holy, and
without blemish.

Quest. What Proof hast thou of the
Communion of Saints?

Answ. From Acts 2.42. They continued
stedfastly in the Apostles doctrine, and fellowship;
and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
Eph. 4.3. Endeavouring to keep the
unity of the spirit, in the bond of peace.
1 Cor. 1.10. I beseech you, brethren, by
the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye
all speak the same thing, and that there be no
divisions among you: but that ye be perfectly
joyned together in the same mind, and in the
same judgment.
1 John 1.7. If we walk in the light, as
he is in the light, we have fellowship one
with another.

Quest. What believest thou concerning
the tenth Article of the Creed,
The forgiveness of Sins?

Answ. I believe that in the Christian
Church, pardon is offer'd by God to all
penitent Sinners, and sealed in Baptism,
through the Merits of our Saviour's
Death, and Satisfaction: and that he
hath authoriz'd the Ministers of his
Church, to declare, and apply this release
from the guilt of Sin, to all such as
sincerely believe, and repent.

Quest. How is this prov'd from Scripture?

Answ. From Luke 24.47. That repentance,
and remission of sins should be
preached in his name among all Nations.
2 Cor. 5.19. God was in Christ, reconciling
the World unto himself, not imputing
their trespasses unto them; and hath
committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
Eph. 1.7. In whom we have redemption
through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,
according to the riches of his Grace.
John 20.23. Whose soever sins ye remit,
they are remitted unto them.

Quest. What believest thou concerning
the eleventh Article of the Creed,
The Resurrection of the Body?

Answ. I believe that the dead Bodies
of all Men shall hereafter be rais'd out of
the Grave, and restor'd for ever to their
Souls; that they may be judged in the
very same flesh, which they had in this
life; and that the Saints may be freed
from Corruption, and clothed with Immortality.

Quest. How is this prov'd from Scripture?

Answ. From John 5.28, 29. The hour
is coming, in the which all that are in the
Graves shall hear his voice, And shall come
forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection
of Life; and they that have done
evil, unto the resurrection of Damnation.
Acts 24.15. I have hope towards God,
which they themselves also allow, that there
shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the
just, and unjust.
2 Cor. 4.14. Knowing that he which
raised up the Lord Jesus, shall raise up us also
by Jesus.
1 Thes. 4.14. If we believe that Jesus
died, and rose again; even so them also which
sleep in Jesus, will God bring with him.

Quest. What believest thou concerning
the twelfth Article of the Creed,
And the Life everlasting?

Answ. I believe that after the Resurrection,
all the Righteous shall enjoy
eternal, and unspeakable happiness, both
in Body, and Soul; and dwell for ever
with Christ in the highest Heavens.

Quest. How is this prov'd from Scripture?

Answ. From John 6.47. Verily, verily
I say unto you; He that believeth on me,
hath everlasting life.
John 10.28. I give unto them eternal
life; and they shall never perish, neither
shall any pluck them out of my hand.
1 Pet. 5.4. When the chief Shepherd
shall appear, ye shall receive a Crown of glory
that fadeth not away.
1 John 5.11. This is the record, that
God hath given to us eternal life: and this
life is in his Son.

Quest. How are the Wicked to be dispos'd
of hereafter?

Answ. They are to be banish'd from
the presence of God; and tormented
eternally in Hell, with the Devil, and
his Angels.

Quest. How is this prov'd from Scripture?

Answ. From Mat. 25.41. Depart from

me ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared
for the Devil, and his Angels.
Luke 3.17. He will gather the Wheat
into his Garner; but the Chaff he will burn
with fire unquenchable.
1 Cor. 6.9. Know ye not, that the unrighteous
shall not inherit the Kingdom of
God?
2 Thes. 1.7, 8, 9. The Lord Jesus shall
be revealed from Heaven, with his mighty
Angels; In flaming fire, taking vengeance
on them that know not God, and that obey
not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction,
from the presence of the Lord,
and from the glory of his Power.