THE GROUNDS and PRINCIPLES of RELIGION Contained in a shorter CATECHISM, According to the Advice of the Assembly of Divines, sitting at Westminister, to be used throughout the Kingdome of England, and Dominion of Wales.
QUESTION. WHat is the chief and of Man?
A. Mans chief end is to glorifie God 1 Cor. 10 31. Rom. 11 36., and to enjoy him for ever Ps. 73. 20 to the end..
Q. What rule hath God given to direct us how we may glorifie and enjoy him?
A. The word of God (which is contained in the Scriptures of the old & New Testament 2 Tim. 3 16. Eph. 2. 20) is the onely rule to direct us how we may glorifie and enjoy him 1 Joh 1, 3, 4.
Q. What do the Scriptures principally teach?
A. The Scriptures principally teach what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man 2 Tim 1. 13 and 3. 16..
Q What is God?
A. God is a Spirit Joh. 4. 24.. infinite Job. 11. 7 8, 9., eternal Ps 90. 2., & unchangeable Jam 17., in his being Exod. 3. 14., wisdom Ps. 145 7. power Rev. 4. 8., holines Rev. 14. 4, justice, goodnes, and truth Exod. 34. 6. 7..
Q. Are there more gods then one?
A. There is but one onely, the living and true God Deut. 6. 4 Jer 10. 10..
Q How many persons are there in the Godhead?
A. There are three Persons in the Godhead, the Father, the Son, & the holy Ghost; and these three are one God, the same in substance, equall in power and glory 1 Jo [...] 5 7. Mat. 28 19
Q What are the decrees of God?
A. The decrees of God are, his eternall purpose, according to the Councel of his Will, whereby, for his own glory, he hath foreordained whatsoever comes to pass Eph. 1. 4 11. Rom. 9. 22. 23. Gen. 1. Heb. 11. 3..
Q. How doth God execute his decrees?
A. God executeth his decrees in the works of Creation and Providence.
Q What is the worke of Creation?
A. The worke of Creation is Gods making all things of nothing, by the Word of his power in the space of six dayes and all very good.
Q. How did God create man?
A. God created man, male and famale; after his own Image, in knowledge, righteousnesse, holinesse with dominion over the creatures Gen. 1. 26 27, 28..
Q. What are Gods works of providence?
A. Gods works of providence are his Col. 3. 10. Joh. 4. 24. most holy Ps. 145. 17, wise Ps. 104. 24 Isa. 28. 29., and powerfull preserving Heb. 1. 3., and governing all his creatures, and all their actions Ps. 103. 19 Mat. 10. 29 30, 31.
Q. What spirituall act of Providence did God exercise towards man, in the state wherein he was created?
A. When God had created man, he entered into a Covenant of life with him, upon condition of perfect obedience: for bidding him to eat of the tree of knowledg of good and evil, upon pain of death Gal. 3. 12 Gen. 2. 17.
Q Did our first Parents continue in the estate wherein they were created?
A Our first Parents, being left to the freedome of their own will, fell from the estate wherein they were created, by sinning against God Gen. 3. 6, 7, 8, 13. Eccles. 7. 29.
Q. What is sin?
A. Sin is any want of conformity unto, or transgression of the Law of God 1 Joh. 3. 4..
Q What was the sin whereby our first Parents fell from the estate wherein they were created?
A. The sin whereby our first Parents fell from the state wherein they were created, was their eating the forbidden fruite.
Q Did all mankind fall in Adams first transgression? Gen. 3. 6, 12.
A. The Covenant being made with Adam not only for himself, but for his posterity, all mankind descending from him by ordinary generation, sinned in him, & fell with him in his first transgression Gen. 2. 16, 17. Rom. 5. 12. 1 Cor. 15 21, 22
Q. Into what estate did the fall bring mankind?
A. The fall brought mankind into an estate of sin and misery Rom. 5. 12.
Q Wherein consists the sinfulnesse of that estate whereinto man fell.
A. The sinfulnesse of that estate where into man fell, consists in the guilt of Adams first sin, the want of original righteousnes, & the corruption of his whol nature, which is commonly called original sin, together with all actuall transgressions which proceeded from it Rom. 5. 12 19..
Q. What is the misery of that estate whereinto man fell?
A. All mankind by their fall lost communion with God Rom. 5. 10, to 20, are under his wrath and curse Eph. 2. 1, 2, 3. Gal. 3 10., & so made liable to all miseries in this life, to death it self, & to the paines of hel for ever Lam. 3. 39 Rom. 6. 23 Mat. 25 41, [...]6.
Q. Did God leave all mankind to perish in the estate of sin and misery?
A. God having out of his meer good pleasure from all eternity, elected som to everlasting life Eph. 1. 4, 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 Rom. 3. 20. 21. 22. Gal. 3. 21..
Q. Who is the Redeemer of Gods Elect?
A. The onely Redeemer of Gods Elect, is the Lord Jesus Christ 1 Tim. 2. 5. 6., who being the eternal Son of God, became man Iohn 1. 14 Gal. 4, 4, and so was and continueth to be God and man, in two distinct Natures, and one Person, for ever Rom. 9. 5. Luke 1. 35. Col. 2. 9. Heb. 7. 24. 25..
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 Heb. 2. 4, 16. & 10. 5., and a reasonable soul Mat. 26. 38., being conceived by the power of the holy Ghost, in the womb of the Virgin Mary, and born of her Luke 1. 27 21, 35. 42. Gai. 4. 4., yet without sin Heb. 4. 15 and 7. 26..
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 his estate of Humiliation, & Exaltation Act. 3. 21, 22. Heb. 12. 25 with 2 Cor. 13. 3. [...] 5. 5, 6, [...] and 7. 2 [...]. 2. 6. [...] Isa. 9. 6, [...].
Q. How doth Christ execute the Office of a Prophet. Mat. 2 15. Ps. 2. 8, 9, 10, 11.
A. Christ executeth the Office of a Prophet, in revealing to us by his Word and Spirit, the will of God for our Salvation Joh. 1. 18. 1 Pet. 1. 10, 11, 12. Ioh. 15. 15 31..
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 Heb. 19. 14. 28., & reconcile us to God Heb. 2. 17 7. Heb. 24. 25, and in making continual intercession for us y.
Q. How doth Christ execute the Office of a King?
A. Christ executeth the Office of a King, in subduing us to himself Act. 19. 14 15, 16., in ruling Isa, 33. 22, and defending us Isa. 32. [...], 2, and in restraining and conquering all his and our enemies 1 Cor. 15. 25. Psal. 110. throughout.
Q. Wherein did Christs Humiliation consist?
A. Christs Humiliation consisted in his being born, and that in a low condition Luke 2. 7 Gal. 4. 4., made under the Law e, undergoing the miseries of this life Heb. 12. [...]. 3., the wrath of God Luk 22. 44, and the cursed death of the Crosse Phil. 2. 8., in being buried 1 Cor. 15 3, and continuing under the power of death for a time Acts 2. 14 25, 26, 27, 31..
Q. Wherein consisteth Christs Exaltation?
A. Christs Exaltation consisteth in his rising again from the dead on the third day 1 Cor. 15. 4 in ascending up into heaven Mar. 16. 19., in sitting [Page 11] at the right hand of God the Father Eph. 1. 20, and in coming to judg the world at the last day Act. 1. 11..
Q. How are we made partakers of the Redemption purchased by Christ?
A. We are made partakers of the Redemption purchased by Christ, by the effectual application of it to us Ioh. 1. 11, 12, by his holy Spirit Tit 3, 5. 6.
Q. How doth the Spirit apply to us the Redemption purchased by Christ?
A. The Spirit applyeth to us the Redemption purchased by Christ, by working faith in us Eph. 1. 13. 14., and thereby uniting us to Christ in our effectual Calling Eph. 3. 17. 1 Cor. 1. 9.
Q What is effectuall Calling?
A. Effectuall calling is the work of Gods Spirit t, where by convincing us of our sin and misery Acts 2. 37, in lightning our minds of the knowledge of Christ Acts 8 26 1 8., and renewing our wills Ezek. 36 26. 7., he doth perswade and enable us to embrace Jesus Christ freely offered to us in the Gospel Ioh. 6. 44. 45..
Q. What benefit do they that are Effectually called partake of in this life?
A. They that are Effectually called do in this life, partake of Justification Rom. 8. 30., Adoption a, Sanctification, and the several benefits which in this life do either accompany [Page 10] [...] [Page 11] [...] [Page 12] or flow from them 1 Cor. 1 26 30..
Q. What is justification?
A. Justification is an act of Gods free grace, wherein he pardoneth all our sinns Rom. 3. 24 25 & 4. 6, 7, 8., and accepteth us as righteous in his sight 2 Cor. 5 19. 21., only for the righteousnesse of Christ imputed to us Rom. 5. 7, 18, 19., and received by faith alone Col. 2. 16..
Q What is adoption?
A. Adoption is an act of Gods free grace whereby we are received into the number 1 John 3. 1 Rom. 8 14., and have a right to all the privileges of the Sons of God Joh. 1. 12..
Q. What is Sanctification?
A. Sanctification is the work of Gods free grace Thes. 2. 13, whereby we are renewed in the whol man after the Image of God Eph. 4. 24, and are inabled more and more to dye unto sinne, and live unto righteousnesse Rom 6. 4, 6.
Q. What are the benefits which in this life do accompany or 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 Rom. 5. 1 2. 5,, joy in the holy Ghost Rom 14. 17, increase of grace Prov, 4. 18, & perseverance therein to the end 1 Joh. 5. 13 1 Pet. 1. 5..
Q. What benefits do Believers receive from Christ at death?
A. The souls of Belivers are at their death made perfect in holinesse Heb. 12, 23, and do immediately passe into glory 2 Cor. 5. 1 6, 8., and their bodies being still united to Christ 1 Thes. 4 14, do rest in their graves Isa: 57. 2, till the resurrection Job 19. 26, 27.
Q. What benefit do Believers receive from Christ at the resurrection?
A. At the resurrection, Believers being raised up in glory 1 Cor. 15 43, shall be openly acknowledged, and acquitted in the day of Judgement Mat. 25. 23 and 10. 32., and made perfectly blessed in full enjoying of God 1 Joh. 3. 2. 1 Cor. 13. 12, to all eternity 1 Thes. 4 17. 18.
Q What is the duty which God requireth of man
A. The duty which God requireth of man, is obedience to his [...]. 6. 8 1 Sam. 15 22 revealed with.
Q. What did God at first reveal to man for the rule of his obedience?
A. The rule which God as first revealed to man for his obedience, was the Moral Law Rom. 14. 15. & 10. 5..
Q. Where is the Moral Law summarily comprehended?
A. The Moral Law is summarily comprehended in the Ten Commandements Deut. 10. 4.
Q. What is the summe of the Ten Commandments?
A. The sum of the Ten Commandements is, to love the Lord our God, with all our heart, withal our soul; withal our strength and withall our mind; and our neighbour as our selves. Mat. [...], 38, 39, 40.
Q. What is the Preface to the Ten commandment?
A. The preface to the Tene Commandments is in these words Exo. 20. 2. [I am the LORD thy God, which have brought the out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.]
Q What doth the Preface to the Ten Commandments teach us?
A. The preface to the Ten Commandments teacheth us, that because God is the LORD, and our God, and Redeemer; therefore we are bound to keep all his Commandments Luk 1 74 75. 1 [...] 16, 17, 18 19. g Exod. 20. 3
Q Which is the first Commandment?
A. The first Commandment is [Thou shalt have no other Gods before me
Q What is required in the first Commandment?
A. The first commandment requireth us to know and acknowledge God to be the only true God, and our God 1 Chron. 28. 9. Deut. 26. 17: and to worship and glorifie him accordingly Mark. 4. 10 Ps 29 2..
Q What is forbidden in the first Commandment?
A. The first commandment forbideth the denying Ps. 14 1 [...], or not worshipping and glorifying the true God, as God Ro. 11. 21., and our God Ps. 81. 10. 15. and the giving that worship and glory to [Page 15] any other, which is due to him alone Rom. 1. 25, 26.
Q. What are we specially taught by these words. [Before me.] in the first Commandment?
A. These words [Before me.] in the first Commandment, teach us, that God who seeth all things, taketh notice of, and is much displeased with the sin of having any other Ezek. 8. 5. to the eud..
Which is the second Commandment?
A. The second Commandment is [Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven imag 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 serue them: For I the Lord thy God am a jealious God, visiting iniquity of the fathers upon the children, unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate [...] shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and kéep my Commandments.
Q What is required in the second Commandment? Exod. [...]. 4, 5, 6.
A. The second Commandment requireth, the receiving, observing, and keeping pure, and entire all such religious worship and Ordinances, as God hath appointed in his Word q,
Q. What is forbiden in the second Commandment?
A. The second Commandment requireth, the receiving, observing, and keeping pure and entire all such religious worship and Ordinances, as God hath appointed in his Word. Deut. 32. 46. Mat. 28. 20. Acts 2. 42.
Q What is forbiden in the second Commandment?
A. The second Commandment forbideth the worshipping of God by Images Deut. 4. 15 16, 17, 18, 19., or any other way not appointed in his Word. Exod. 32. 5, 8.
Q. What are the Reasons annexed to the second Commandment?
A. The Reasons annexed to the second Commandment are, Gods Sovereignty over us Ps. 95. 2, 3, 6., his Propriety in us Ps. 4, 5. 11, and his zeal he hath to his own Worship Exod. 34 13, 14..
Q. What is the third commandment?
A The third Cōmandment is [Thou shalt x Exod. 20 7. not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain: For the Lord will not hold him guiltnesse that taketh his name in vain.]
Q. What is there required in the third Commandment?
A. The third Commandment requireth the holy and reverent fear of Gods Name Mat. 6. 9. Deut 28 58. Titles Ps. 68. 4., Attributes Rev. 15. 3, 4., Ordinances Mal. 1. 11 14., Word Ps. 138. 1, 2., and works, Job 36. 24.
Q. What is forbidden in the third Commandment?
Commandment are, Gods allowing us six days of the week for our own imploiments Isa. 58. 13. Exod. 20. 11., his challenging a special propriety in the seventh, his own example, and his blessing the Sabbath day t.
Q Which is the fifth Commandment?
A The fifth Commandment is, [Honor thy Father and thy Mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee Exod. 20. 21.
Q What is required in the fifth Cōmandment?
A. The fifth Commandment requireth the preserving the honor, and performing the duties, belonging to every one in their several places & relations, as superiours Eph. 5. 2, Inferiours 1 Pet. 2. 17., or Equals Rom. 12. 20.
Q What is forbidden in the fifth Cōmandment?
A. The fifth commandment forbiddeth the neglecting of, or doing any thing against, the honor and duty which belongeth to every one in their several places and relations Mat. 15. 4, 5, 6. Ezek. 34. 2. 3. 4. Rom. 13. 8..
Q. What is the reason annexed to the fifth Commandment?
A. The Reason annexed to the fifth Commandment 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 Commandment Deut. [...]5. 16. Eph. 6. 2. [...] Exod. 20. 17..
Q. Which is the sixth Commandment?
A. The sixth Commandment is [Thou shalt not kill. Exod. 20. 13.]
Q What is required in the sixth Commandment?
A The sixth Commandment requireth all lawfull endeavors to preserve our own life Eph. 5. 28 29., and the life of others 1 Kings 18. [...]..
Q What is forbidden in the sixth Commandment?
A. The sixth Commandment forbiddeth the taking away of our own life, or the life of our neighbour unjustly: or whatsoever tendeth thereunto Act 16. 28. Gen. 9. 6..
Q Which is the seventh Commandment?
A The seventh Commandment is [Thou shalt not commit adultry Exod. 20. 14.
Q What is required in the seventh Commandment?
A. The seventh commandment requireth the preservation of our own & our neighbors chastity, in heart, speech, and behaviour 1 Co. 7, 2, 3 5. 34, 36. Col. 4. 6. 1 Pet. 3. 2.
Q What is forbidden in the seventh Commandment?
A The seventh commandment forbiddeth all unchaste thoughts, words, and actions Ma [...]. 15. 19 & 5. 28. Eph. 5. 3, 4
Q. Which is the eighth commandment?
A. The eighth Commandment is [Thou shalt not steal Exo. 20. 1 [...]]
Q What is required in the eighth Commandment?
A. The eight Commandement requireth the lawfull procuring, and furthering the wealth and outward estate of our selves, and others Gen. 33. 30. 1 Tim. 1. 8. Lev. 25. 35. Deut. 2. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Exod. 23. 4 5. Gen. 47. 14. 20..
Q. What is forbidden in the eight Commandment?
A. The eight Commandment forbiddeth whatsoever doth, or may unjustly hinder our own, or our neighbours wealth, or outward estate Prov. 21. 17. and 23. 20. 21. and 28, 19. Eph. 3. 28..
Q. Which is the ninth Commandment?
A. The ninth Commandment is [Thou shalt not bear false witnes against thy neighbor Exod. 20. 16..]
Q. What is required in the ninth Commandment?
A. The ninth Commandment requireth the maintaining and promoting of truth between man and man Zech. 8. 16, and of our own & our neighbours good name Joh. v 12., especially in witnesse bearing Prov. 14. 5. 25..
Q. What is forbidden in the ninth Commandment
A.? The ninth Commandment forbiddeth whatsoever is prejudicial to truth, or injurious to our own, or our neighbors good name Sam. 17. 28. Lev. 19. 16. Ps. 15. 3..
Q Which is the tenth Commandment?
A. The tenth Commandment is [Thou shalt not covet thy neighbors house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbors wife, nor his [Page 22] man-servant, nor his maid-servsnt, nor his or, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neigbors r].
Q. What is required in the tenth Commandment?
A. The tenth Commandment requireth ful contentment with our own condition with a right and charitable frame of spirit Heb 13. 7. 1 Tim. 6. 6. toward our neighbor, and all that is his. Job. 31. 29 Rom. 12. 15. 1 Tim. 15. 1 Cor. 13. 5 67.
Q What is forbidden in the tenth Commandment?
A. The tenth Commandment forbiddeth all discontentment with our own estate 1 Kings [...]1 4. Est. 5. 13. 1 Cor 10 10 envying or grieving at the good of our neighbor Gal. 5. 26 Jam. 3. 14 16., & all inordinate motions & affections to any thing that is his Rom. 77. 8 and 13 9.
Q. Is any man able perfectly to keep the Commandments of God?
A. No meer man since the fall, is able in this life, perfectly to keep the Commandments of God y, but doth daily break them in thought, word, and deed Gen. 6. 5. and 8. 11. Rom. 3. 6 to 21. Jam. 3 to 13.
Q. Are all transgressions of the Law equally heinous?
A. Some sinnes in themselves, and by reason, of several aggravations, are more heinous in the sight of God then others Ezek, 8 6 13. 15 1 John 16.
Q. What doth every sinne deserve?
A, Every sin deserveth Gods wrath and curse, both in this life, and that which is to come Eph 56 Gal 3 10 Lam 3 39.
Q What doth God require of us that we may escape his wrath and curse, due to us for sin. Mat 24 4 [...]
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 Acts 20 21, with the dilligent use of all the outward means whereby Christ communicateth to us the g Heb 10 39 Acts 11 18. benefits of Redemption Ps 21 10, 6, and 8 30 to the end Isa 55 3.
Q. What is Faith in Jesus Christ?
A. Faith in Jesus Christ is a saving grace whereby we receive, & rest upon him alone for Salvation, as he is offered to us in the Gospell f.
Q. What is Repentance unto life?
A. Repentance unto life is a saving grace Act 11 18, whereby a sinner out of a true sence of his sin Acts 2 37, 38., & apprehension of the mercy of God in Christ Joel 2, 12., doth, with grief & hatred of his sin, turn from it unto God Jer 31 18 19. Ezek. 36 31,, with full purpose of, & endeavor after, new obedience 1 Cor 7 11 Isa 16, 17,.
Q What are the outward meanes, whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of redemption?
A. The outward and ordinary meanes, 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 Mat 2 19, 20 Acts 1 4 [...], 47..
Q Is the Word made effectuall to salvation?
A. The Spirit of God maketh the Reading, but especially the preaching, of the [Page 24] word, an effectual meanes of convincing & converting sinners, & of building them up in holinies and comfort through faith unto salvation Neh. 8. 8. [...] Cor. 14. 24, 24. 25. Act, 26. 18. Ps. 19. 8, Acts 20. [...]2 Rom. 15. 14. Rom. 10. 13, 14, 15. 16, 17 and 2, 16..
Q How is the Word to be read and heard?
A. That the Word may become effectual to salvation, we must attend thereunto with dilligence Prov 8. 34, preparation 1 Pet. 21., and prayer Ps. 119. 18, receive it with faith and love Heb, 4 2., lay it upin our hearts Ps 119. 11.; and practise it in our lives
Q. How do the Sacraments become effectual means of salvation?
A. The Sacraments become effectual means of salvation, not from any vertue in them, or in him that doth administer them but only by the blessing of Christ u, and the working of his spirit, in them that by faith t Luk. 8. 15. Jam. 1. 25. 1 Pet. 3. 21 1 Cor. 3, 6, 7 receive them 1 Cor. 12..
Q. What is a Sacrament?
A. A Sacrament is an holy Ordinance instituted by Christ, wherein by sensible Signs Christ & the benefits of the new Covenant are represented, sealed, and applied to Believers Gen 17. 10. Exod. 12. 1 Cor. 11. 23, 26, 27, 28..
Q. What are the Sacraments of the New Testament?
A. The Sacraments of the New Testament, are Baptism y, & the Lords Supper z.
Q. What is baptism?
A. Baptism is a Sacrament, wherein the Washing with Water, in the Name of the [Page 25] Father, and of the Son, & of the holy Ghost Ma. 28. 19 doth signifie and seal our ingraftings into Christ, and pertaking of the benefits of the Covenant of Grace, and our engagement to be the Lord Rom. 9. 4. Gal. 3. 27..
Q. To whom is baptism to be administred.
A. Baptism is not to be administred to any that are out of the Visible Church, till they professe their faith in Christ, & obedience to him Acts 8. 26, 27, & 23. 8., but the infants of such as are members of the Visible Church are to be baptized Acts 2. 38, 39. Gen. 15. 10. with Col. 2. 11, 12. 1 Cor. 7. 14..
Q. What is the Lords Supper?
A. The Lords Supper is a Sacrament wherin, by giving and receiving Bread and Wine, according to Christs appointment, his death is shewed forth; and the worthy receivers are, not after a corporal & carnal manner, but by faith, made partakers of his Body & Blood, with all his benefits, to their spiritual nourishment, and growth in grace 1 Cor. 11. 23, 24, 25, 26. & 10. 16.
Q. What is required to the worthy receiving of the Lords Supper?
A. It is required of them that would worthily pertake of the Lords Supper, that they examine themselves, of their knowledge to discerne the Lords body 1 Cor. 11. 28, 29., of their faith to feed upon him 2 Cor, 13. 5, of their repentance 1 Cor. 11. 31., love 1 Cor. 10. 16, 17., and new obedience 1 Cor. 5. 7, 8., lest, coming unworthily, they eat & drink judgment to themselves 1 Cor. 11. 28, 19..
Q. What is Prayer?
A. Prayer is an offering up of our desires to God Ps. 62. 8., for things agreeable to his will 1 John 5. 14. in the name of Christ Joh. 16. 23, with confession of our sins Ps. 32. [...], 6. Dan. 9. 4, and thankful acknowledgment of his mercies Phil. 4. 6..
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 1 Joh. 5 14, but the speciall rule of direction is, that form of Prayer, which Christ taught his Disciples, commonly called, The Lords Prayer Mat. 6. 9, 10, 11 12, 13, with Luke 11. 2, 3, 4..
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 Mat. 6. 9.] teacheth us to draw neer to God with all holy reverence, and confidence, as children to a father, able to help us Rom. 8. 15. Luke 11. 13 and that we should pray with and for others Acts 12. 5 1 Tit. 2. 1, 2.
Q What do we pray for in the first Petition?
A. In the first Petition, which is, [Hallowed be thy Name Mat 6. 9.] we pray that God would enable us and others, to glorifie him in all that whereby he maketh himselfe known Ps. 67 2, 3, and that he would dispose all things to his own glory Psal. 83. throughout.
Q What do we pray for in the second Petition?
A. In the second Petition, which is [Thy Kingdome come Mat. 6. 10,] we pray that Satans Kingdom may be destroyed Ps. 18, 18, and that the [Page 27] Kingdome of grace may be advanced Rev. 12 10, 11, our Rom. 10. John 17. 1 [...] 2. selves and others brought in to it, & kept in it 2 Thes. 3 11., and that the Kingdom of glory may be hastned Rev. 22 20..
Q. What do 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 Mat. 6. 10] we pray that God by his grace would make us able and willing to know, obey, & submit to his Will in all things Psal. 67 throughout. Ps. 119. 36 Mat. 26. 39 2 Sam. 15, 25. Iob 1. 21, as the Angels do in heaven Psal. 103 20, 21.
Q What do we pray for in the fourth Petition?
A In the fourth Petition, which is, [Give us this day our daily bread Mat. 6. 11] we pray that of Gods free gift, we may receive a competent portion of the good things of this life, and enjoy his blessing with them Prov. 30 8, 9 Gen. 18. 2 1 Tim. 4. 4 5..
Q. What do we pray for in the fifth Petition?
A In the fifth Petition which is [And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debttors Mat. 6. 12,] we pray, that God for Christs sake would freely pardon all our sins Psal. 51 1, 2, 7, 9 Dan 9. 17, 18, 19, which we are the rather incouraged to ask, because by his grace we are inabled from the heart to forgive others Luk 11. 4 Mat 18. 35.
Q What do 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 Ma [...] 6. 13,] we pray, that God would either keep us from being tempted to sin Cor 12, or support and deliver us when weare tempted 2 [...] 1, 8 6. 13.
Q What doth the conclusion of the Lords prayer teach?
A. The conclusion of the Lords Prayer, which is] For thine is the kingdom, & the Mat 26. 4 power and the glory for ever. Amen. Mat. 4] Teacheth us to take our incouragement in prayer from God only Dan. 9. 6, 7, 8, 9, 1 [...]. 17, 18, 19, and in our prayers to praise him, ascribing kingdom, power, and glory to him 1 Chr. 29.: And in testimony of our desire and assurance to be heard, we say, Amen, u.
The Ten COMMANDMENTS. Exodus 20.
GOD spoke all these words saying, I am the Word thy God, which have brought thée out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
I. Thou shalt have no other Gods before me.
II. Thou shalt not make unto thée any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in ye 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; & shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and kéep my Commandements.
[Page 29]III. Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain: for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
IV. Remember the Sabath day to kéep it holy: Six days shalt thou labor and do an thy work; but the seventh day is the Sabath of thy Lord thy God, in it thou shalt not doe any work thou nor thy sonne, nor thy daughter, nor thy man-servant, nor thy maid servant, nor thy cattell nor thy stranger, that within thy gates: for in six day the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day, and hallowed it.
V. Honor thy father and thy mother that thy dayes may be long in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thée.
VI. Thou shalt not kill.
VII. Thou shalt not commit adultery.
VIII. Thou shalt not steal.
IX. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.
X. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbors house thou shalt not covet thy neighbors wife, nor his man-servant, nor his maidservant nor his ox, nor ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbors.
The LORDS PRAYER. Matth. 6.
OUr Father which art in Heaven Hallowed be thy Name. Thy Kingdome come. Thy will be done in earth as it is in [Page 30] 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 in to temptation, but deliver us from evill: For thine is the Kingdome, and the power, and the glory, for ever, Amen.
The CREED.
I Believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of Heaven and Earth: And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord, which was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontious Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried, he descended into That is, continued in the state of the dead and under the power of Death, till the third day. Hell, the third day he rose againe 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 believe in the Holy Ghost: the holy Catholick Church, the Communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the Resurrection of the body, and Life everlasting, Amen.