Question I.

WHat is God?

Answ. God the (a) Father, Son, and Holy Ghost is a (b) Spirit, (c) Almighty, of perfect (d) goodness, holiness, (e) mercy, and (f) justice a Mat. 28.19. Go ye therefore and teach all Nations baptizing them in the name of the Fa­ther, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost

1 John 5.7. For there are three that bear re­cord in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Ho­ly Ghost; and these three are one.

[Page 2]b Joh. 4.24. God is a Spirit, and they that wor­ship him must worship him in spirit and truth.

c Rev. 4.8. And the four beasts rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty.

d Mat. 19.17. Jesus said, There is none good but One, that is God.

e Exod. 34.6. The Lord proclaimed, The Lord, the Lord God, merciful, and gracious, long suffering, Ver. 7. Keeping mercy for thou­sands; forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin.

f Exod. 34.7. The Lord, that will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the Children.

Q. 2. In what estate did God create or make man?

Ans. God created man after his own (g) Image, in (h) knowledge, (i) righteousness and holiness, entering into a (k) Covenant of life with him, upon condition of perfect obedience.

g Gen. 1.27. So God created man in his own Image, in the Image of God created he him, Male and Female created he them.

h Col. 3.10. And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge, after the image of him that created him.

i Ephes. 4.24. And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

k Gen. 2.16, 17. The Lord God commanded the man, saying, of every tree of the Garden thou [Page 3]mayst freely eat, Ver. 17. But of the tree of know­ledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it, for in the day that thou eatest thereof, thou shalt surely die.

Gal. 3.12. The Law is not of faith, but the Man that doth them shall live in them.

Quest. 3. Did Man continue in that estate wherein he was created?

Answ. Man fell (l) from that estate by sin, and so brought himself, and all mankind under the (m) wrath, and (n) curse of God.

l Gen. 3.6. When the Woman saw, that the tree was good for food, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat; and gave also unto her husband with her, and he did eat.

m Ephes. 2.3. Among whom also we all had our conversation in time past, in the lusts of our flesh, and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

n Gal. 3.10. As many as are of the works of the Law are under the curse: For it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the Book of the Law to do them

Quest. 4. What is sin?

Answ. Sin is the (o) transgression of the Law of God.

o 1 John 3.4. Whosoever committeth sin, trans­gresseth also the Law: for sin is the transgression of the Law.

[Page 4]Quest. 5. By what means may man escape the wrath and curse of God?

Answ. Man may escape the wrath and curse of God by (p Jesus Christ, the only (q) begotten Son of God, who became (r) man, being (s) conceived by the Holy Ghost, and born of the (t) Virgin Mary.

(p) 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.

q John 3.16. God gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

John 1.14. The word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory of the only begotten of the Father.

s Luke 1.35. The Angel said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the highest shall over-shaddow thee; therefore also that holy thing, which shall be born of thee, shall be called the Son of God.

t Mat. 1.25. Joseph knew her not, till she had brought forth her first-born Son, and he called his name Jesus.

Quest. What hath Jesus Christ done for man?

Answ. Jesus Christ underwent the (u) wrath & (w) curse of God for man, being (x) crucified, (y) dead and (y) buried, He (y) arose again, (z) ascended into Heaven, and sitteth at the [Page 5] (z) right hand of God the Father.

u Isa. 53.5. He was wounded for our trans­gressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and with his stripes we are healed.

w Gal. 3.13. Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the Law, being made a curse for us; for it is written, cursed is every one that hangeth on a Tree.

x Mat. 27.35. And they crucified him, and parted his Garments, casting lots.

y 1 Cor. 15.3, 4. Christ dyed for our sins according to the Scriptures, v. 4. And was buri­ed, and rose again the third day, according to the Scriptures.

z Mark 16.19. So then, after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into Hea­ven; and sate on the right hand of God.

Quest. 7. How came we to be partakers of what Jesus Christ hath done for man?

Answ. We come to be partakers of what Jesus Christ hath done for man by the (a) Holy Ghost.

a Tit. 3.5, 6. According to his mercy he saved us by the washing of Regeneration & renewing of the Holy Ghost, v. 6. Which he shed on us abun­dantly; through Jesus Christ our Saviour.

Quest. 8. After what manner doth the Holy Ghost make us partakers of what Christ hath done?

Answ. The Holy Ghost makes us partakers of [Page 6]what Christ hath done, by working in us (b) faith in Christ, and (c) repentance unto life.

b 1 Cor. 12.3. No man can say, that Jesus is the Lord but by the Holy Ghost.

c Rom. 8.13. If ye by the spirit do mortifie the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

Quest. 9. What is faith in Christ?

Answ. Faith in Christ, is a firm (d) believing that Christ is the only Lord and Saviour, and an hearty (e) acceptance of him accordingly.

d Rom. 10.9. If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

c John 1.12. As many as received him, to them gave he power to become the Sons of God, even to them that believe in his name.

Quest. 10. What is Repentance unto life?

Answ. Repentance unto life is an hearty (f) sorrow for, and turning (g) from all sins un­to God, with a full purpose of, and (h) endea­vour after new obedience.

f Joel. 2.12. Therefore also now saith the Lord, Turn ye even to me with all your heart, & with fasting, and with weeping, & with mourning.

g Isa. 1.16, 17. Wash ye, make you clean, put away the evil of your doings before mine eyes, cease to do evil, v. 17. Learn to do well, seek judge­ment, relieve the oppressed, judge the Fatherless, plead for the widdow.

[Page 7]Quest. 11. What is the rule of obedience?

Answ. The Rule of obedience is the (h) Mora [...] Law contained in the Ten Commandments.

h Deut. 10.4, 13. He wrote on the Table according to the first writing, the ten comman­dements, which the Lord spake unto you in th [...] Mount out of the midst of the fire, in the day o [...] the assembly, & the Lord gave them unto me.— Ver. 13. To keepe the Commandments of the Lord and his statutes, which I Command thee this day for thy good.

Quest. 12. Rehearse the ten commandments?

Answ. God speak all these words, saying, I am the Lord thy God, &c. Exod. 20.1, to 18.

Quest. 13. What is the sum of the ten com­mandments?

Answ. The sum of the Ten Commandments, is, to love the Lord our God, with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our strength, and with all our mind, and our neighbours as our selves, Luke 10.27. Mark 12.30, 31.

Quest. 14. How doth the Holy Ghost work in us Faith in Christ, and repentance unto life?

Answ. The Holy Ghost doth work in us Faith in Christ, and repentance unto life ordinarily, by the (i) preaching & hearing (k) of the word of God.

Psal. 19.7. The Law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; the Testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.

[Page 8]k Rom. 10.17. Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.

Quest. 15. How are Faith and Repentance strengthened?

Answ. Faith and Repentance are strengthened by the (l) same Word of God, by the (m) Sa­craments, and (n) by Prayer.

I Acts 20.23. I commend you to God and the word of his Grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among them which are sanctified.

m Rom. 6.4. We are buried with him by Bap­tisme into death, that like as Christ was raised from the dead by the Glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

1 Cor. 11.24. When he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat, this is my body which is broken for you, this do in remembrance of me.

n 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?

Quest. 16. What is the word of God?

Answ. The word of God is the (o) Scriptures of (p) the Old, and New Testament.

o 2 Tim 3.16. All Scripture is given by in­spiration of God, and is profitable, &c.

p Ephes. 2 20. And are built upon the foun­dation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ [Page 9]himself being the chief Corner-stone.

Quest. 17. What is a Sacrament?

Answ. A Sacrament is an (q) outward sign and seal of the New Covenant.

q Rom. 4.11. He received the sign of Cir­cumcision, a seal of the Righteousness of faith, which he had yet being uncircumcised.

Quest. 18. What is the new Covenant?

Answ. The new Covenant is that wherein God freely offereth unto sinners (r) life, and (s) sal­vation by Christ, requiring of them (t) faith in him that they may be saved.

r 1 John 5.11. This is the record that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

s Acts 3.25, 26. Yea are the Children of the Promise and of the Covenant which God made with our Fathers, saying unto Abraham, and in thy seed shall all the Kindreds of the Earth be bles­sed, v. 26. Unto you first God having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.

Rom. 11.26, 27. And so all Israel shall be sa­ved as it is written, There shall come out of Si­on the deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob ver. 27. — For this is my Covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.

1 John 3.16. God so loved the World, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever be­lieveth on him, should not perish, but have ever­lasting life.

[Page 10]Quest. 19. Which are the Sacraments, that signifie and seal the new Covenant?

Answ. The Sacraments, that signifie and seal the New Covenant, are (u) Baptisme, and the (w) Lords Supper.

u Mat. 28.19. Go ye therefore, and teach all Nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

w Mat. 26.26, 27, 28. And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the Disciples, and said, Take, eat, this is my body, ver. 27. And he took the Cup, and gave thanks, and gave it them, saying, drink ye all of it, ver. 28. For this is my bloud of the New Testa­ment, which is shed for many, for the remission of sins.

Quest. 20. What is Baptisme?

Answ. Baptisme is the (x) washing with water in the name of the Father, and of the son, and of the Holy Ghost.

x Mat. 28.19. See before Quest. 19. u.

Quest. 21. What doth baptisme signifie and seal unto us?

Answ. Baptisme doth signifie and seal unto us the (y) washing away of our sins by the (z) blood of Christ.

y Acts 22.16. Arise and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

z Rev. 1.5. Unto him that loved us, and wash­ed us from our sins in his own blood.

[Page 11]Quest. 22. To whom is Baptisme to be admini­stred?

Answ. Baptisme is to be administred (only) to (a) believers and their (b) seed.

a Acts 8.37, 38. Philip said, if thou believest with all thy heart, thou mayest: And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, v. 38. And he baptised him.

b Acts 2.39. The Promise is unto you, and to your Children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

1 Cor. 7.14. The unbelieving husband is sanctified by his wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband; else were your chil­dren unclean, but now they are holy.

Quest. 23. What is the Lord's Supper?

Answ. The Lord's Supper is the (c) giving and receiving of Bread & Wine according to Christ's appointment, in Remembrance of his death.

c 1 Cor. 11.23, 24, 25. I have received of the Lord, that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus the same night in which be was betrayed took Bread, v. 24. And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat, this is my body which is broken for you, this do in re­membrance of me, v. 25. After the same manner also be took the Cup, when he had supped, saying, this Cup is the New Testament in my blood; this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. [Page 12]Quest. 24. What doth the Lords Supper signifie and seal unto us?

An. The Lords Supper signifieth and sealeth unto the worthy receivers the (d) feeding & nourish­ing their souls, by the body & blood of Christ.

d Mat. 26.26. See before Quest. 19. w.

Quest. 25. Who are the worthy Receivers of the Lords Supper?

Answ. They are worthy Receivers of the Lords Supper, that examine themselves of their (e) Knowledge, (f) Faith, (g) Repentance, (h) Love, and (i) new Obedience.

e 1 Cor. 11.28, 29. Let a man examine him­self, and so let him eat of that Bread, and drink of that Cup, v. 29. For he that eateth and drink­eth unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lords Body.

f 2 Cor. 13.5. Examine your selves whether ye be in the Faith, prove your own selves. Know ye not your selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be Reprobates?

g 1 Cor. 11.31. If we would judge our selves we should not be judged.

h Cor. 10.16, 17. The Cup of blessing, which we bless, is it not the Communion of the bloud of Christ? The Bread which we brake, is it not the Communion of the bodie of Chrst? v. 27. For we being many are one bread and one body, for we are all partakers of that one bread.

[Page 13]i Lam. 3.40. Let us search and try our wayes, and turn again unto the Lord.

Quest. 26. What if persons neglect self-exami­nation, before they receive the Lords Supper?

Answ. Those that neglect self-examination, before they receive the Lords Supper, are in danger to (k) eat and drink judgment to themselves, being (l) guilty of the body and bloud of our Lord.

k 1 Cor. 11.29. See before Quest. 25. e.

l 1 Cor. 11.27. Whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this Cup of the Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and bloud of the Lord.

Quest. 27. What is Prayer?

Answ. Prayer is the offering up of our (m) de­sires to God, in the (n) name of Christ, with (o) confession of our sins and (p) thanksgiving.

m Phil. 4.6. Be careful for nothing, but in eve­ry thing by prayer, and supplication, with thanks­giving, let your requests be made known unto God.

n John 16.23. Verily, verily, I say unto you, whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.

o Dan. 9.4. I Prayed unto the Lord my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, &c.

p Phil 4.6. See before, Quest. 27. m.

Quest. 28. What Rule hath God given for our direction in Prayer?

An. The whole (q) word of God, is of use to di­rect us in prayer, but especially the Lords Prayer.

[Page 14]q 1 John 5.14. This is the confidence that we have in him, that if we ask any thing accord­ing to his will, he heareth us.

Quest. 29. Rehearse the Lord's Prayer?

Answ. Our Father, which art in Heaven, hallow­ed be thy name. Thy Kingdome come. Thy will be done on Earth, as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the Kingdome, the power and the Glory, for ever, and ever, Amen. Mat. 6.9, 10, &c. Luke 11.1, 3, 4.

Quest. 30. What benefits have we in Christ upon uor Faith and Repentance in this life?

Answ. We have in Christ upon our Faith and Repentance in this life (r) pardon of sin, (s) power to become the Sons of God, and a (t) renew­ing of the Image of God in us.

r Ro. 8.30. Whom he did predestinate, them he also call'd; & whom he called, them he also justified.

s John 1.12. As many as received him, to them gave he power to beeome the Sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.

t Col. 3.9, 10. Ye have put off the Old man with his deeds. ver. 10. And have put on the new man, which is renewed in Knowledge after the image of him that created him.

Quest. 31. What benefits have we in Christ at death?

[Page 15]Answ. At death, our (u) souls shall imme­diately pass into glory.

u Luke 23.43. Jesus said unto him, verily I say unto thee, to day thou shalt be with me in Baradise.

Quest. 32. What benefits have we in Christ at the Resurrection?

Answ. At the Resurrection, our (w) bodies al­so being raised up in glory, we shall be (x) ac­quitted by Christ in judgement, and made perfectly (y) blessed in the full enjoyment of God (z) for ever.

w 1 Cor. 15.43. It is sown in Dishonour, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is rai­sed in power.

x Mat. 25.33, 34. And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left, v. 3, 4. Then shall the King say to them on his right hand, Come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdome pre­pared for you, from the foundation of the world.

y 1 John 3.2. Now are we the Sons of God, and it doth not yet appear, what we shall be: but we know, that when he shall appear, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.

z 1 Thes. 4.17. Then we which are alive and remain, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so shall we be ever with the Lord.

Quest. 33. What shall become of those that never repent and believe?

[Page 16]Answ. Those that never repent and believe besides the (a) wrath and (b) curse of God upo [...] them in this life, shall (c) die in their sins, and be (d) punished with everlasting torments i [...] Hell Fire.

a John 3.36. He that believeth not the Son, shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him [...]

b Gal. 3.10. See before Quest. 3. n.

c John 8.24. I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins; for if ye believe not tha [...] I am he, ye shall die in your sins.

d 2 Thes. 1.8.9. In flaming Fire, taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that o­bey not the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, v. 9. Who shall be punisht with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.

Luke 13.3. Except ye repent, ye shall all like­wise perish.