THE PRINCIPLES OF Christian Religion. Proved by Scripture, propounded by Questions and Answers: short for memory, plain for the meanest capacity, and profitable for all. DEUT. 6.6, 7. These words which I command thee this day, shall be in thy heart, and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thy house, etc. Imprimatur, CHARLES HERLE. LONDON, Printed by R. L. for SAMUEL MAN, at the Swan in PAUL'S Church yard 1645. To the READER. THe Orthodox, pious, and learned Author of these few ensuing catechetical Principles of Religion, did, it seemeth, at first in●●●● and commend them only to his own Parishioners, to be directions for all such godly householders', that desire to instruct and to train up their children and servants in the information, fear, and nurture of the Lord: But because every Question and Answer is so fully proved by many pregnant and apposite testimonies of God's Word, to inform and satisfy young beginners in Religious ways; It hath been the hearty wish, and godly desire of many good Christians to have them Printed, that among other good means to build us up in our most holy faith, and to remove fond and wicked opinions, that run against, and labour to overthrow the very first elements and principles of Christianity, Heb. 5.12 these few directions might be public and extant also. The method, the Author useth in them, is such, and the Questions and Answers are so wisely digested, that young beginners in piety may easily refer, what they hear in the public Assemblies, or read in godly books privately, to some of these heads, whereby they may be enabled, by God's blessing, is give account to every man, that shall ask them a reason of the hope, that is in them with meekness and fear. 1 Pet. 3.15. The Lord of heaven establish and settle us in the truth, and by the faithful Ministry of his word weed out, and free us from all those nasty weeds of heresy and truth-overthrowing Schisms! That we the people of this Island, being quite delivered from the Prelatical popish yoke of former oppressions, and superstitions on the one side, and from old and new Heresies on the other side, may at length become a well resined Church, a people truly zealous of good works, that foreign Nations, seeing GOD'S blessing upon England's Reformation, may begin also in good earnest, to hate the Whore of Babylon, and help to burn her with fire: That so away may be opened for the poor blind Jews to come in, and look on him, whom they have pierced: Which the Lord grant for Jesus Christ his sake. AMEN. J. H. The Principles of Christian Religion, proved by Scriptures. Quest. WHat is true happiness? Answ. To know God and myself. Proofs. 1 That it is true happiness to know God, see Joh. 17.3. where Christ saith. This is life eternal that they know thee the only true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent. Jer. 9.24. 2 That it is true happiness to know ourselves Matth. 5.3. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of God. Q. What is God? A. God is a spirit every way infinite, goodness itself, Creator, preserver and governor of all things, distinguished into three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Proofs. 1 That God is a Spirit. John 4.24. God is a Spirit, and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. 2 That God is every way infinite 1 King. 8.27. Solomon saith unto God, behold the heavens, and the heavens of heavens, are not able to contain thee: how much more unable is this house which I have built: Psal. 90 2. Moses saith to God, Before the mountains were made and brought forth, ere ever thou hadst framed the eared, and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting thou art God. 3 That God is goodness itself, Ezod. 4.6, 7. The Lord proclaims himself thus: The Lord, the Lord, strong gracious, and merciful, slow to anger, abundant in goodness and truth, reserving mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty. 4 That God is Creator of all things, Exod. 20.11. Tun in six days the Lord made the heaven, and the earth the see and all that in them is: Prov. 16.4. 5 That God is preserver of all things Heb. 1.3. he beareth up all things by his mighty word. 6 That God is governor of all things, Mat. 10. 〈…〉 where Christ saith, Are not two sparows sold for a farthing, yet one of them shall not fall on the ground without your father, the hairs of your head are all numbered. 7 That this God is distinguished into the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, 1 John 8.7. There are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost, and these three are one. Q. What are you by creation in Adam? A. I am a reasonable creature endued with the image of God, which standeth in wisdom and true holiness. Proofs 1 That a man is a creature, endued with a reasonable soul, Gen. 2.7. The Lord God form the man, of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, so man became a living soul. 1 Cor. 15.45. 2 That man was created in the image of God, Gen. 1.27. Thus God created man in his image, in the image of God created he him, he created them male and female. 3 That wisdom is a part of God's image, Col. 3.10. and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him. 4 That holiness is another part of God's image, Ephes. 4.24. Put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness, and true holiness. Q. What are you by Adam's fall? A. I am wholly corrupted with sin, and continually subject to the curse and wrath of God. Proofs. 1 That man's nature is wholly corrupted with sin, Gen. 6.5. God saw that every imagination of the thoughts of man's heart was only evil continually Rom. 5.12, 14. 2 That every natural man is subject to God's curse, Gal. 3.10. Cursed is every one, that continueth not in all things, which are written in the book of the Law to do them. Q. What are your sins? A. A guiltiness in Adam's first offence, and a disposition of my heart to every thing that is against the Law of God, with innumerable fruits thereof in thought, speech, and action. Proofs. 1 That we are guilty of and in Adam's first offence, Rom. 5.12. By the offence of one judgement came upon all man to condemnation. 2 That our hearts are inclined to go against God's Law, Rom. 7.23. I see another Law in my members, rebelling and warring against the Law of my mind, and leading me captive to the Law of sin, etc. 3 That we are thus corrupted from the beginning of our nature, Psal. 51.5. David saith, Behold, I was shapen in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me, Job 14.4. 4 That our actual sins are innumerable. Psal. 40.12. & Ezra. 9, 6. Our iniquities are increased over our heads, and our trespasses are grown up to heaven. Q. What, is Gods curse due for sins? A. It containeth all the miseries of this life, with the death of both body and soul, which is endless damnation in hell. Proofs. 1 That all miseries of this life are punishments for sin, Deut. 28.20. The Lord shall send upon thee cursing, vexation, and rebuke, in all that which thou shalt set thy hand to do, until thou be destroyed quickly, because of the wickedness of thy do. 2 That death of body and soul comes by sin, Rom. 6.23. The wages of sin is death. Rom. 5.12. & James 1.15, when lust hath conceived it bringeth forth sin, and sin when it is finished bringeth forth death. 3 That damnation in hell is the reward of sin, Mat. 25.41. & 2 Thes. 1.8, 9 They that know not God and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of God, and from the glory of his power. Q What remedy or redemption is there against sin and death? A. Jesus Christ the eternal Son of God, who in man's nature suffered the death of the cross and perfectly fulfilled that Law for all them that do receive him. Proofs. 1 That Jesus Christ is the Son of God, John 20.31. These things are written that ye might believe, that Jesus is that Christ that son of God, and that in believing ye might have life through his name, Mat. 1.21. & 1 John 3.23. 2 That the Son of God Jesus Christ became man, John 1 14. That word was made flesh and dwelled among us, etc. Heb. 2.14. For as much as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same, that through death he might destroy him, that had the power of death, that is the devil. 3 That Christ suffered death for us, Phil, 2.8. he humbled himself and became obedient to the death, even to the death of the cross. 4 That Christ fulfilled the Law for us, Met. 3.15. & 5.17. Where Christ professeth it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness and he also saith, think not that I am come to destroy the Law and the Prophets, I am not come to destroy them but to fulfil them Rom. 10 4. That the benefits of Christ do belong to all them that do receive him John 1.12. But as many as received him to them he gave prerogative to be the sons of God even to them that believe in his name see John 6.64 56. where Christ saith who so eaveth my flesh and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life, and he dwelleth in me and I in him Q. What is the instrument whereby Christ is received and appeared. A It is faith whereby I do unfeignedly believe that Christ is made unto me in particular wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption. 1 Cor. 12.30. Proofs. 1 That by faith we are made partakers of Christ, Ephes. 3.17. Saint Paul saith, that Christ may dwell in our hearts by faith. 2 That this faith must be sound and not feigned. 1 Tim. 1.5. the end of the commandment is love out of a pure heart, and a good conscience, and faith unfeigned. 3 That faith must apply Christ particularly. Gal. 2.20, Paul faith, the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. 1 Tim. 1.15, 16. Q. When doth this faith begin to breed and take place in thy heart? A. When by God's grace I begin to be touched in conscience for my sins, and to hunger and thirst after Christ and his merits above all thing: in the world, and against all doubting to endeavour myself to believe. Proofs. 1 That there is sound faith where the soul is humbled for sin: Isa. 57.15. The Lord saith, I dwell in a high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to give life to them that are of a contrite heart, Heb. 11.6. Without faith it is impossible to please God: Phil. 16. & Psal. 51.17. 2 That faith is begun where there is a servant desire of grace, Mat. 5.6. Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Psal 143.6. 3 Where there is a striving against distrust, that their faith is begun, Psal. 42.11. Why art thou cast down o my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God, for I shall yet praise him. Q What is true lively faith? A. It is to be fully without doubting, resolved of God's mercy towards me in Christ Jesus. Proofs. That some have attained to such a lively faith, Rom. 4.20, 21. Abraham did not doubt of the promise of God through unbelief, but was strenghened in the faith, and gave glory to God being fully assured that he which had promised was able to do it, Rom. 8 38, & 39 Saint Paul saith, I am persuaded that neither death nor life, etc. shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Jesus Christ our Lord. Q. By what means is faith wrought and strengthened in us? A. It is begun by the preaching of the word, and is continued by the same means, as also by the diligent reading of the same word, and in and by the reverend using of prayer, and the holy Sacrrments. Proofs. 1 That faith is begun by the preaching of the word, Rom. 10.14, 17. How shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a Preacher? and how shall they preach except they be sent? then faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God. That faith is strengthened by the same means, 1 Pet. 2.2. As new borne babes desire the sincere milk of the word, that yea may grow thereby. 3 That our faith may be confirmed by reading of the word of God, Acts 17.11, & 12. The Bereans received the word of God with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so, therefore many of them believed. 4 That our faith is increased by prayer, Mar. 9.24. & Luk. 11.13. If then you being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give the holy Spirit to them that ask him, Luke 22.32. & Psal. 9.10. 6 That the Sacraments are means to strengthen our faith, Rom 4.11. Where circumcision is called the seal of the righteousness of faith. Q In what manner is God's Word to be heard and read, that it may be profitable? A. With prayer and resolution to practise it, before it; with trembling and thirsting hearts in using of it, and with meditation and conference after it. Proofs. 1 That by prayer we must be prepared to hear God's Word, see Psal. 119.33, 34. where David saith Teach me, o Lord, the way of thy statutes, and I shall keep it to the end, give me understanding and I shall keep thy Law, yea, I shall keep it with my whole heart. 2 That we must resolve to obey God's Words, Exod. 24.7. Moses took the book of the Covenant, and read it in the hearing of the people, and they said, all that the Lord hath said we will do and be obedient. Psal. 119.57. 3 That we must hear it with trembling hearts, Es. 66.2. the Lord saith, To this man will I look even to him that is poor, and of a contrite heart and spirit and that trembleth at my words. 4 That we must hear it with thirsting fools Psal. 119.131. I opened my mouth and panted for I loved thy Commandments. 1 Pet. 2.2. 5 That we must meditate on God's word. Psal. 119.97 99 Oh how love I thy Law, it is my meditation continually I have more understanding than all my teachers, for thy Testimonies are my meditations. 6 That we must confer on God's Word Deut. 6, 6 7. The words which I command thee this day shall be in thy heart, and thou shalt teach them to thy children diligently and thou shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thy house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. Q. What is Prayer? A. It is a speech to God in the name of Christ, wherein with a contrite and faithful heart, I ask graces wanting, and give thanks for benefits received. Proofs. 1 That prayer must be made unto God Mat. 4.10. Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Psal. 50.15. Call on me saith God, in the day of trouble, and I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me. Gen. 18.17. 2 That prayer must be made in the name of Christ John 16.23. Christ saith, whatsoever you shall ask the Father in my name he will give it you. John 14.14. 3 That prayer must be made with our hearts Lam. 3.41. Let us lift up our hearts with our hands unto God in the heavens. 9 That prayer must proceed from a contrite heart Psal. 34.18. & Psal. 51.17. the sacrifices of God are a contrite spirit, a broken and contrite heart o Lord thou wilt not despise. 5 That Prayer must be made in faith Mark, 11.24. What things so ever you desire when you pray, believe that you shall receive them and you shall have them. 6 That Prayer consisted of Petition and thanksgiving Phil. 4.6. Take thought for nothing, but in every thing by prayer and complication with giving of thanks, let your requests be made known to God. Q. What is a Sacrament? A. It is a sign to represent to mine eye and a seal to consume, and convey to mine heart Christ with all his benefits. Proofs 1 That Sacraments are signs Gen. 17.11. Yea shall circumcise the foreskin of your flesh and it shall be a sign of the Covenant between me and you. 2 That they are seals, Rom. 4.11. Abraham received the sign 〈…〉, as a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had being circumcised. 3 That the Sacraments convey unto us Christ and all his benefits 1 Cor. 10. The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the Communion of the blood of Christ? the bread which we break is it not the communion of the body of Christ? Rom. 4.1 Q. How many Sacraments are there? A. Two. Baptism whereby, as by the door I entered, and the Supper of the Lord, whereby as by meat I am fed, in the house of the Lord. Proofs, 1 That there are only these two Sacraments, see 1 Cor. 10.1, 3 4. where Saint Paul srith, that the old Israellites were all baptised, and did all eat the same spiritual meat, and drink the same spiritual drink. 2 That by baptism we are entered into God's Church, Acts 2.41. Then they that gladly received his word, were all baptised and the same day there were added to the Church about three thousand souls Rom. 6.3. 3 That we are spiritually fed in the Lord's supper 1 Cor 10.3.4. They did all eat the same spiritual meat, and drink the same spiritual drink. Q. How must you come prepared to the Lords Supper? A. By a due examination of my knowledge, faith, and repentance and by a careful renewing of them. Proofs. 1 That we must examine ourselves, etc. 2 Cor. 13.5. prove yourselves whether you are in the faith, 1 Cor. 11.28. therefore let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of this bread and drink of this cup. 2 That we must renew our faith and repentance see Psal. 26.6. in David I will wash my hands in innocence, o Lord, and 〈◊〉 thine Altar. 2 Tim. 1.6. & 1 Cor. 5.7. Q. What own you to God for your Redemption? A. All thankfulness. Proofs. Psal. 119.22, 23. What shall I render to the Lord, for all his 〈◊〉 towards me; I will take the cup of salvation, and call on the name of the Lord. Q. Wherein standeth thankfulness? A. In new obedience, which is to carry in my heart a consort purpose never to sin any more, and withal to endeavour in my life to please God in all his Commandments, within the compass of my particular calling. Proofs. 1 That thankfulness for our redemption standeth in new obedience see 2 Cor. 5.15 17. Christ died for all, that they which live should not live henceforth unto themselves, but unto him which died for them all, and rose again; therefore, if any man be in Christ let him be a new creature. 2 That there must be a constant purpose not to sin any more, 1 Pet. 4, 1, 2. Seeing Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, stir up yourselves also with the same mind; that he which hath suffered in the flesh, hath ceased from sin; that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh, to the lusts of men, but to the will of God Rom. 4.24. 3 That there must be an endeavour to please God in all things, in all his Comandements, see Psal. 119.5, 6.106.102. in David I have sworn, and will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgements; I have inclined my heart to perform thy statutes always, even to the end, Acts 24.16. the like in Saint Paul. 4 That every one must walk in their calling, 1 Cor. 7.17. As God hath distributed to every one, as the Lord hath called every one so let him walk. Q. What is your comfort herein? A. I am assured, that I shall want nothing that is good for me in this life present, and that I shall enjoy everlasting blessedness in the world to come. Proofs. 1 That serving God in our callings, we are assured of all necessaries for this life, Matth. 6.33. Psal. 84.11. The Lord is the Sun and Shield unto us, the Lord will give grace and glory, and no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. 2 That we shall be blessed for ever in the world to come, Rom. 2.10. Glory, honour, and peace shall be to every one that doth good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile, Matth. 19.29. 1 Tim. 4.8. Q. What is everlasting blessedness in the world to come? A. That at my death, my body for a short time shall remain in the grave, as in a sweet bed of rest, but my soul shall go immediately into heaven; and at the day of judgement, my body shall be raised from the dead, and joined to my soul again, and then both my body and soul shall have fellowship with Christ in incomprehensible joy, and everlasting glory. Proofs. 1 That our graves shall be as sweet beds of rest unto us; Isaiah 57.2. They shall enter into peace they shall rest in their beds, every one that walketh in his uprightness. 2 That at death the soul goes to heaven see Luk. 16.22. The beggar also died, and was carried by the Angels into Abraham's bosom; Luke 23.43. Where our Saviour Christ said to the penitent thief; verily, I say unto thee, this day shalt thou be with me in Paradise. 3 That our bodies shall be raised from the dead. John 5.28, 29. Christ saith, the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice and come forth they that have done good to the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil to the resurrection or condemnation: 1 Cor. 15. 4 That bodies and souls shall have fellowship with God see Psal. 17.15. where David saith to the Lord; as for me. I shall behold thy face in righteousness, and when I awake I shall be satisfied with thine image, and likewise Job 19.6 27. 5 That our happiness in heaven shall be incomprehensible, and everlasting 1 Cor. 2.9. Psal. 16.11. Thou will show me the path of use, in thy presence is fullness of joy, and at thy right hand there are pleasures for ever more. 1 Thes. 4.17. The end of the Principles. FINIS.