THE CAVALIERS CATECHISM, AND Confession of his Faith, Consisting in four principal Heads, viz. 1. His duty towards God, [and confession of the holy Trinity] 2. His duty towards his KING, [and Superiors, Spiritual and Temporal.] 3. His duty to his Neighbour in general. 4. His duty to [and opinion of] the Sacraments. All familiarly explained (by way of question and Answer) between A Zealous Minister of the Gospel, and a Gentleman who had served his Majesty in the late unhappy War, being very useful for all sorts of people to Practise. Ezra 7. verse 26. And whosoever will not do the Law of thy God and the law of the King, Let Judgement be Executed speedily upon him, whether it be unto death, or to banishment, or to consiscation of goods, or to Jmprisonment. 27. blessed be the Lord God of our forefathers which hath put such a thing as this into the King's bear't to butifie the house of the Lord which is in Ie●usalem. LONDON, Printed for Richard Burton, 1647. March 15th THE CAVALIERS CATECHISM. Mini. WHat is your Name? Sold. Cavalier. Mini. Who gave you that name? Sold. They who understood not what they did when they gave it; For it was intended to my infamy, but it proves to my dignity, a Cavalier signifying a Gentleman, who serves [or hath served] his King on Horseback. Mini. Then it seems you have been for the King? Sold. I Sir, and am still, withal my heart to wish his honour and safety, and I hold it my duty to do so. Mini. Well let that pass till anon, but [in the interim] I pray you tell me what Religion you are of, for it is generally reported of you Cavaliers that you are all most infamous Livers, Atheists Epicures, Swearers, Blasphemars, Drunkards, Murderers, and Ravishers, and (at the least) dapists. Sold. To these and the like scandalous aspersions, I will only say thus, (in brief Sir) that as I cannot excuse all of our Party (no more than you can all of yours) so I cannot but in Conscience (according to my ability) be bound to defend & vindicate the Major part of us from such malicious, and fraudulent Calumniations, therefore give me leave, Psal. 118.22: Mat. 21.42: Act 4.11. Ephes: 2.20. Sir, to quench your first (and greatest brand Athiesmy, in Answer of your question of my Religion, which I dare avouch to be the true Religion builded upon Christ and his Apostles, whereof he himself is the head cornerstone as was both Prophesied and testified by himself and his Servants. Mini. What is God? Sold. God is a spiritual substance, intelligent, eternal, all seeing, everliving Creator, and conservor of all things, infinitely good, wise, just, and merciful. Mini. How many Gods are there? Deut. 6.4. Isa 44: 6. Isa. 45.5. 1 Cor: 8.4. Ephes. 4.6. 1 Tim 2.5 Sold. There are three Persons but only one God. Mini. How prove you the unity of the Godhead? Sold. Hear O Israel the Lord thy God is one Lord. I am the first and the last, and besides me there is no God. I am the Lord thy God, and there is none else, there is no God besides me. For an Idol is nothing, and there is none other God, but one God and Father of all who is above all, and through all, and in you all. For there is one God, and one Mediator between God and men: the man (as man) jesus Christ. Mini. How many Divine Persons are there? Sold. There is only one divine essence which is distinguished into three Persons, viz. the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Mini. What is signified by this word Person, in the Godhead? Sold. A Person (in the Trinity) is a substance individual and intelligent. Mini. How prove you that there is three Persons? Sold. By Christ's own Mission given to his Apostles, saying, go teach all Nations, Baptising them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; Math. 28.19 Math. 16.15 Math: 3, 16 1617. thus these three Consubstantial persons. Also when john Baptised our Saviour, the Holy Ghost descending in the form of a Dove, alighted on him, when immediately a voice from Heaven said this is my beloved Son etc. Lo here the Father testifies of the Son to the Holy Ghost who came to confirm the Sacrament of Baptism begun in (and by) our Lord jesus, moreover, as it were by way of interchange, our Saviour promised his Disciples to send the Holy Ghost the comforter to remain with them for ever, john 14. and to teach them all truth. Lastly there are three which bear record in Heaven (saith St. john) the Father, the word, 1 joh. 5.1. and the spirit, and those three are one; here the second person is called word. joh. 1.1. etc. Mini. What signifies (the same) St. John, when he saith: In the beginning was the Word, and the word was with God, and God was the Word. Sold. The Evangelist by calling it the word, means the Son of God, the second person in Trinity; So that this Sentence, In the beginning was the word is as much as to say, the Son of God, (even God himself) was in the beginning, being from (and to) all eternity. Mini. You have sufficiently cleared the Divinity of the Father in our first discourse, and also given such examples of the Son and the Holy Ghost, that may satisfy any Sober Christian, yet seeing (the more's the pity) that there are such a hellish sort of young Aliens Aerians, and Antistrinitarians risen up in this pestifferous age: 2 Tim. 3. whereof Saint Paul forewarned Timothy. I pray you let me somewhat more hear you. Illustrate the Godhead of the Son and the Holy Ghost and first of the Son. Sold. Who ever unless, his eyes be shut against all truth, shall but read the very last cited place, which is john 1. and scan it all over may see as clear as the Sun in his Meridian on a Summer's day, v. 3. v. 10. Heb. 11.3 ibid. the Divinity of Christ, as all things were made by him, and without him was nothing made that was made: he was in the world and the world was made by him; and the world knew him not. Also Saint Paul saith, by him were all things created that are in Heaven, Colos. 1.16, 17. or that are in the Earth, visible and invisible, whether they be Thrones, Dominations, Principalities or Powers, all things were created by him, and for him: and he is before all things, Colos. 2. 1● and by him all things consist; if Creator of the World, surely God also, for in him dwelleth all the fullness of the godhead bodily: Saint Paul saith to the Hebr speaking of the Father. And the Son; by him (the Son) the world was made. john 17.5. I have glorified thee on earth, I have finished the work which thou settest me to do. And now O Father glorify me with thyself, with the Glory which I had with thee before the world was. Saint Thomas when (by feeling he had found his error cried, out my Lord and my God, john 20.28. Rom. 9.5 thus much of Christ who is eternal, God blessed for ever, Amen. I hope, Sir, you are satisfied in this point. Mini. Very well I protest, now I pray, Mivi. prove the deity of the holy Ghost. Sold. The testimonies before mentioned, Sold. Math. 28.19. Mark 16.15. Mat. 3.17 as where our Saviour bids Baptism in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, etc. here is unity in Trinity, and Trinity in unity, For they were not to Baptism in the name of the Father or of the Son, etc. but and of; making of three Persons one God. Also in the Baptism of Christ, the Son was apparent in humane shape, the Holy Ghost in the figure of a Dove, and the Father only distinguished by a voice from heaven, saith, this is my beloved Son; now this voice of the Father was of his Son Christ; there is two distinct persons, the Holy Ghost, the apearing in the Species of a Dove was neither the Father nor the Son; therefore was it and ever shall be the third person of the holy and individual Trinity; all three in one Coessential, Coequal, john 14.6. and coeternal. I will pray to my Father (saith our Lord) and he shall send you another comforter (meaning the Holy Ghost) note here, etc. I pray you: The Holy Ghost must be sent from the Father through the means of the Son, therefore from both proceeding is consubstantial, and a like equivalent with both, Pet. 1.10.11. of which salvation the Prophets have enquired and diligently searched: who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you searching what, or what manner of time the spirit of Christ which was in them did signify when it (beforehand) testified the Passion of Christ, john 5.7 and the glory that should follow. But I'll conclude this point, and I hope sufficiently, with what hath been spoken before out of Saint john, there are three which bear record in heaven, the Father, the word, and the holy Ghost, and these three are one, that is to say, the the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost are three distinct persons and one eternal and everliving God to whom be all honour, glory, dominion and power now and for ever Amen. Mini. Are Kings and other Magistrates of divine institution? Sold. Yea questionless as 'tis apparent by many and sundry places. Sold. Rom. 13. ● Prov. 8.15. Prov. 21.1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers, for there is no power but of God, etc. By me Kings Reign and Princes execute Justice, saith God. The King's heart is in the hands of the Lord; as the Rivers of water he turneth it whither soever he will. Mini. May this honour and service extend only to good Kings or to all both good and bad? Sold. Even to the bad as well as the good, for in St. Paul's time there were no Christian Princes to obey the Apostle imposing this obedience even to the heathen Tyrant Nero who then persecuted him and afterwards cut off his head, exhorting also his disciple Timothy in these words even for Nero and this life. I exhort therefore first of all, that supplications Prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, 1. Tim: 1.2 be made for all men: for Kings and for all that are in authority, etc. So Saint Peter; 1 Pet: 2: 13.14 submit yourselves to every Ordinance of man for the Lords sake whether it be to the King as supreme: or unto Governors as to them that are sent by him, etc. Wherefore ye must needs be subject not only for wrath but for Conscience sake. Rom. 13.5 Mini. Is it not lawful then to resist a King that rules according to his Lusts, turning the Ordinance of God into Tyranny? Sold. That which [hath been and shall be] spoken hereafter proves plainly the contrary. David resisted not Saul though a wicked King, a Tyrant and his persecutor, but on the contrary spare him twice when it was in his power to have slain him. First in the Cave at Engedi where he came so near him that he cut of his skirt, 1 Sam. 24: 31.4, 5, 6, his men beginning to exult, saying this is the day wherein the Lord hath delivered thine enemy into thy hand to do with him what thou wilt, but what answer made loyal David to all these? God forbidden that I should do this thing unto my Master the Lords anointed: to stretch forth my hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the Lord, etc. The whole Chapter is worth reading. Another time David found Saul sleeping with his Spear pitched on the ground, 1 Sam. 26. p. 9 etc. 2. Sam. 23.18. 1 Chro. ●●●0. and a Pitcher of water at his bolster, Abishay (one of David's worthies) said, God hath delivered thine enemy into thine hand, now therefore I pray thee let me smite him with the Spear to the earth at once I will not smite him twice, and David said unto Abishay, destroy him not: For who can stretch forth his hand against the Lords anointed and be guiltless, etc. Mat. 2.14 15. Also our blessed Saviour [whose holy humanity we should all strive to imitate] though by his divine power (as being King of Heaven and Earth) he could have destroyed Herod, and all his wicked confederates, jer. 27.6.7 8. yet for (exemplary) obedience he flies into Egypt till the storm of persecution is over. was not Nebuchadnezer a wicked King, a Tyrant, a Pagan, and Idolater, and yet he by whom King's Reign, Prov. 21: 1 (as he was King) vouchsafeth to call him his Servant that Nation or Kingdom [saith the Lord) that will not put their necks under the yoke of Nebuchadnezer (King of Babylon) my Servant, that Nation will I visit with the sword, jer. 29.7. Pestilence, and Famine, until I have destroyed it by him; the same Nebuchadnezer having carried Captive into Babylon, jechoniah King of judah with his Queen, eunuches and Princes of judah, the Prophet jeremiah writes a letter to his Countrymen in Captivity exhorting them to obedience, bidding them to seek the peace of the City Babylon, wherein they lived, and not to stir rebellious insurrections, and to pray unto the Lord for it, for in the Peace thereof [saith he] you shall have Peace, the Prophet Daniel told the same, Nebuchadnezer thus, thou O King art a King of Kings: Daniel 2.7. for the God of Heaven hath given thee a Kingdom, Power, and strength and glory, by what clearer testimonies than these can any truth be ratified? here 'tis plain, that not only the best but even the worst of Kings, as they were ordained of God, So were they obeyed by men, that Kings (in general with out exception, are not to be resisted, no not so much as thought, mucklesse) spoken evil of, is manifoldly proved by the word of God. where the word of a King is, there is power, who may say unto him what dost thou, Eccl. 8.4. ●nd 20. saith Solomon? and in the last verse of the same Chapter he saith, curse not the King, no not in thy thought. These directions of God's holy spirit are slowly followed in this too hasty age of wickedness where not an evil but a good not a Pagan but a pious Christian King: not a Saul, a Nebuchadnezer, nor a Herod, but rather, a David, a Hezekiah, or a josiah, is most villainously traduced, scandalized, and traitorously calumniated, not only in private Bedchambers, but in open and public Assemblies, too shamefully for any loyal Subject to hear patiently. Reg. 21.3. It appears by the story of Ahab, jezabel; and Naboath, that they who could be proved to have spoken Blasphemy against God or the King, or both, were to be stoned to death, but if that Law [at this time] were put in execution in England, I think that the Streets of London and other Cities and Towns in the Kingdom must be feign to deliver their Pavements into the executioners hands. So soon as ever the young Prophet had executed his Commission in anointing jehu King over Israel, 2 Reg: 9.13. the rest of the Captains [from whom he was called aside] understanding [but only by his own bare word] that he was anointed King, they made hast [though before they were so rude to tell him he spoke false] to lay their Garments under him on the top of the stairs, blowing with their Trumpets, and proclaiming him King. Lord how much was an anointed King then esteemed, and how much is the same Ordinance of God contemned now? Is it fit to say to a King thou art wicked, job ●2 4: 1 Acts 23. Exod. 28 Prov: 1● 14: 15. or to Princes ye are ungodly, said Elihu to job, mark this all you my Countrymen who count it nothing to question your Kings small imperfections. I witted not (said Saint Paul) that it was the Lords high Priest, for it is written thou shalt not speak evil against the Rulers of thy people. The wrath of a King is as Messengers of death, but a wise man will pacify it. In the Light of the King's countenance is life and his favour is as a cloud of the latter Rain. Not many years since these sentences did sound well in Egland, but now a days too many, who think themselves wiser than Solomon, count them but little better than Chaucer's Cant. tales, or nonsense Mini. You have said very well in all the Premises, now in conclusion what is a Sacrament? Sold. It is a sign of the divine promises, instituted by God, consisting in words and Elements, that set forth unto us a memory of the promises. Mini. How many Sacraments are there? Sold. Two, Baptism and the Lords Supper, having in them the promises of the Gospel, of remission of sins; Mini. What is Baptism? Math. 28, 19 Sold. It is a sign or Ceremony, instituted by Christ, that is to say, washing or ablution by water, to which is ordained words which testify our receiving and reconciliation to God. Mini. Where do you find the institution of Baptism? Sold. In the Gospel of Saint Matthew and Saint Mark. Mini. What think you of the Baptism of Infants, denied by the Anabaptists? Sold. Christ saith, Sold. ●ohn 3.5. except a man be borne again of water, and of the Holy Ghost, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God. This sentence is universal belonging to all that will be saved, that it behoves all that are borne into the world to be borne again by water, etc. that is by Baptism, therefore there is a necessity for Infants to be Baptised, unless we exclude them from salvation; also the command is general, baptise all Nations, and are not Children comprehended in the Nations, therefore Children ought to be Baptised that they may be saved. Mini. Well answered, What is the Lords Supper for we will be brief? Sold. It is a Sacrament and seal of grace to our souls, Math. 26.26. Mark 19.22. Luc. 22.19. when under the external elements of bread and Wine, using our Saviour's words at the institution, the true body and blood of Christ is exhibited for (and by us) to this end that having faith in the words and promise of Christ (who dying gave himself for us) we may live through grace in him, being nourished by this holy Sacrament, (whereof the jewish Manna was a figure) unto eternal life as himself saith: Your Fathers did eat Manna in the Wilderness and are dead: john: 6.49 50. this is the bread that came down from Heaven of which he that eateth shall not die, etc. All the chapter. Mini. Sith this Sacrament of Sacraments promiseth so much grace to the worthy receiver, how ought you to deport and behave yourself when you receive it. Sold. If fifty thousand, 1 Sam. 6.19. 2 Sam. 6.6 7 1 Chron: 13.10 three score and ten men of Bethshemesh were smitten with death by the Lord for their curiosity in looking into the Ark; if Vzah through ignorance touching the Ark, (as he thought to keep it from falling) provoked the Lord in anger to kill him, what may many people of this present wicked age expect, that presume without any reverence, devotion, or examination of themselves to participate of this divine Sacrament, going to it in the same posture, (as they do to a Tavern, banquet, some standing, some sitting, none of them if they can be suffered) kneeling, 1 Cor. 11, 28, 29 1 Cor. 10 ●6; eating, and drinking to themselves Condemnation, as not discerning the body of our Lord. The Cupof blessing which we bless saith the Apostle, 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? who then can or dare (if all grace have not left him) come towards these holy mysteries, but with grace, reverence, and examination of conscience, that he may worthily receive the fruit thereof to salvation, and not to eternal damnation? Which God the Father that created us, God the Son that redeemed us, and God the Holy Ghost that sanctified us, three persons and one incomprehensible, and everliving God, grant unto us all, that by the dolorous and bitter passion of our Saviour (from whence the Sacraments take their effects and virtue) we being many may be one bread, and one body: being all partakers of that one bread, who is the bread, that descended from Heaven; whether I beseech him to bring us who bought us with his own blood, Amen. FINIS.