A SHORT CATECHISM, OR THE Examination of Communicants concerning their knowledge before they be admitted to the Sacrament of the LORDS Supper, being according to the Rules in the Ordinance of Parliament, (Octob. 20. 1645.) the heads whereof are these: viz.  

1. Concerning God.  
2. Concerning Man.  
3. Concerning the Mediator.  
4. Concerning the Applicacation of Christ and his benefits by Faith, and what Faith is.  
5. Concerning those who do truly repent.  
6. Concerning a godly life.  
7. Concerning the Sacraments, and more fully concerning the Lord's Supper.  
8. Concerning the sta●● of men and women after death.   
With an Appendix containing some Questions and Answers for the further unsolding the Doctrine of the Sacraments.  
It is desired that the Scripture-proofs be perfectly learned  
The third Edition corrected and much enlarged.  
march. 11th Printed for William Ley, and are to be sold at his shop at Paul's-chain. 1647. 1646   

A Short Catechism.  
1. Quest. WHat ought such as are to be admitted to the Sacrament of the Lords Supper, to know concerning God?  
Answ. 

1. That there is a God, Heb. 11.6.  
2. That there is but one true God, 1 Cor. 8.4, 6.  
3. That the true God is an everliving God. 

Living, Jer. 10.10.  
Everliving, 1 Tim. 1.17.    
4. The maker of heaven and earth, Exod. 20.11.  
5. And governor of all things, Ps. 67.4. & 135.5, 6. Prov. 16.33.  
6. That this only true God is the God whom we worship.  
7. That this one true God is three distinct Persons, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, Mat. 28.19.  
8. All these three persons are equally God: 

The Father is God, Ephes. 1.3.  
The Son is God, Rom. 9.5.  
The Holy Ghost is God, Acts 5.3, 4.      
2. Q. What ought such to know concerning Man?  
A. 

1. That God created Man, Gen. 1.27. Ps. 100.3.  
2. After his own Image, Gen. 1.27.  
3. 

In Knowledge,  
Righteousness,  
And true Holiness.   Col. 3.10. Ephes. 4.24.  
4. That by one man sin entered into the world,  
5. And death by sin,  
6. And so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned, Rom. 5.12.  
7. That thereby they are all dead in trespasses and sins, Ephes. 2.1, 5.  
8. And are by nature the children of wrath, Eph. 2.3. and so liable to eternal death, which is the wages of every sin, Rom. 6.23.    
3. Q. What ought such to know concerning the Mediator between God and Man?  
A. 

1. That there is a Mediator between God and and Man. 1 Tim. 2.5.  
2. There is but one Mediator. 1 Tim. 2.5.  
3. This Mediator is the man Christ Jesus. 1 Tim. 2.5.  
4. Who is also over all, God blessed for ever, Rom. 9.5.  
5. Neither is there salvation in any other, Act. 4.2.  
6. That he was conceived by the Holy Ghost, Mat. 1.18.20.  
7. And borne of the Virgin Mary, Luc. 1.27.31. and 2.6, 7.  
8. That he died upon the cross, Mat. 27.50.  
9 That he died to save his people from their sins, Rom. 4.25. 1 Cor. 15.3. 1 Pet. 3.18.  
10. That he risen again the third day from the dead, Acts 10.40. 1 Cor. 15.4.  
11. Ascended into heaven, Luc. 24.51.  
12. Sits at the right hand of God, Rom. 8.34.  
13. And makes continual intercession for us Rom. 8.34.  
14. Of whose fullness we receive all grace, joh. 1.16.    
4. Quest. What ought such to know concerning the application of Christ and his benesits, and what faith is?  
A. 

1. That Christ Jesus and his benefits are applied only by faith, Joh. 1.12. Rom. 3.25. Gal. 3.26.  
2. That faith is the gift of God, Eph. 2.8. Phil. 1.29. and that we have it not of ourselves, joh. 6.44. But it is wrought in us by the Word, Rom. 10.17. and Spirit of God, 1 Cor. 3.6.  
3. 
That faith is that grace whereby we believe and trust in Christ for remission of sins, and life everlasting, Acts 10.43. and 13.38, 39 and 15.11. Rom. 3.25.  
According to the promise of the Gospel, Joh. 3● 15. and 16.   
4. And whosoever believes not on the Son of God shall not see life, but shall perish eternally, Mar. 16.16. john 3.18, 36.    
5. Q. What ought such to know concerning those who do truly repent of their sins?  
A. That they who do truly repent of their sins, 

1. Do see them, Act. 26.18. Psal. 51.3, 4.  
2. Sorrow for them, Psal 38.18. 2 Cor. 7.9, 10, 11.  
3. And turn from them to the Lord, Esa. 55.7. Lam. 3.40.  
4. And that except men repent, they shall surely perish, Luc. 13.2, 5. Rom. 2.4, 5.    
6. Q. What ought such to know concerning a godly life?  
A. 

1. That a godly life is conscionably ordered according to the Word of God, Psal. 119.4, 5, 9, 133.  
2. In holiness and righteousness, Luc. 1.74, 75. Tit. 2.12.  
3. Without which no man shall see God, Heb. 12.14. 1 Cor. 6.9.    
7. Q. What ought such to know concerning the Sacraments, and more fully concerning the Lord's Supper?  
A. 

1. That the Sacraments are Seals of the Covenant of Grace in the blood of Christ, Rom. 4.11. Acts 2.38. 1 Cor. 10.16. and 11, 15.  
2. That the Sacraments of the New Testament are 

1. Baptism, Mat, 28.19,  
2. and the Lords Supper, Mat. 26.26, 27, 28.    
3. That the outward Elements in the Lord's Supper are Bread and Wine, Mat. 26.26, 27, 28, 29.  
4. That this Bread and Wine do signify the Body and Blood of Christ crucified, Mat. 26.26, 27, 28.  
5. Which the worthy receiver by faith doth partake of in this Sacrament, 1 Cor. 10, 16.  
6 That Christ likewise ordained this Bread and Wine for a remembrance of his death, 1 Cor● 11, 24, 25.  
7. That whosoever eats and drinks unworthily is guilty of the Body and Blood of the Lord, 1 Cor. 11.27.  
8. 
And therefore that every one is to examine himself, 1 Cor. 11.28.  
Lest he eat and drink judgement to himself, not discerning the Lords Body, 1 Cor. 11.29.     
8. Q. What ought such to know, concerning the state of men and women after death?  
A. 

1. That the souls of the faithful after death do immediately live with Christ in blessedness, Luk. 16.22. & 23.43. Phil. 1.23.  
2. And that the souls of the wicked do immediately go into hell-torments; Luk. 16.22, 23.  
3. That there shall be a Resurrection of the bodies both of the Just and Unjust at the last day, Joh. 5.28, 29.  
4 At which time all shall appear before the Judgement seat of Christ, Mat 25.32. Rom. 14.10. 2 Cor. 5.10.  
5. To receive according to what they have done in the body, whether it be good or evil, Joh. 5.28.29. 2 Cor. 5.10.  
6. And that the righteous shall go into life eternal, Mat. 25.46.  
7. And the wicked into everlasting punishment Joh. 5.29.    
FINIS.   

An Appendix containing some other Questions and Answers for the further unfolding of the Doctrine of both the Sacraments.  
Q. WHerein do the Sacraments of Baptism and the Lords Supper differ?  
A. Baptism is to be administered, 

1. Only once.  
2. In one Element of water, Mat. 3.11. Joh. 1.33. Act. 8.36. & 10.47.  
3. 
To unbelievers converted to the faith, Act. 8.12.13, 37, 38, & 2.41.  
And to infants of one or both Christian Parents, Mat. 28.19. 1 Cor. 7.14. Rom. 11.16. Act. 2.39. Mar. 10.14.   
4. Hereby they are visibly entered, and by the Church acknowledged to be of God's household, Act. 2.41. & 8.37, 38. Mat. 28.19.    
But the Lord's Supper is to be administered, 

1. Often, 1 Cor. 26.  
2. In two Elements of Bread and Wine, Mat. 26.26, 27, 28.  
3. Only to them that (being baptised) can examine themselves, 1 Cor. 11.28.  
4. For their further nourishing in the Church, 1 Cor. 11.24. & 10.16.    
Q. Are the Sacraments necessary to Salvation?  
A. They are necessary in a twofold respect, 

1. In respect of God's Commandment. Mat. 28.19. Mat. 26, 26, 27.  
2. As they are means for the strengthening of faith.    
But they are not of absolute necessity, so as whosoever partakes not of them must of necessity perish, Mar. 16.16. Luc. 23.43. Iosh. 5.5, 6. neither do they of themselves confer grace, Act. 8.13.23  
Q. To whom doth the administration of the Sacraments belong?  
A. Only to such as are guifted, and called to make known the Covenant, Mat. 28.19. Heb. 5.4. 2 Sam. 6, 7. 2 Chron. 26.16, 17, etc.  
Q. What is to be done by the Minister in and about the administration of Baptism?  
A. Three things; 

1. To declare the institution,  
2. To pray for a blessing,  
3. To baptise the party with water (by dipping or sprinkling) in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, Mat. 28.19.    
Q. For what use serves Baptism?  
A. 

1. To be an outward badge for distinction of those who are within the visible Church, from those that are without.  
2. To signify and to seal by such visible washing of the body. 

1. 
The washing away the guilt of all sins, Act. 2.38. & 22.16. by the bloodshed of Christ, Heb. 9.14. 1 Joh. 1.7.  
And the imputation of Christ's righteousness, Rom. 4.11.   
2. The washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost, Mat. 3.11. Luc. 3.16. 1 Pet. 3.21. Tit. 3.5.  
3. To oblige the party baptised, 

1. To believe in Christ, Act. 8.37.  
2. To die to sin, and to rise up to newness of life, Mat. 3.11. Rom. 6.3, 4.        
Q. When may a man be said to have saving benefit by his Baptism?  
A. When he putteth on Christ by faith, Mar. 16.16. Gal. 3.27. such only can plead it, though all the elect have right to be washed in time.  
Q. What is to be done by the Parent that would have his child baptised?  
A. 

1. Seasonably to present his child to the ordinance of Baptism.  
2. To be deeply affected with the sinful, and deservedly miserable condition of himself, and his child's by nature.  
3. To bless God for his Covenant of Grace, for Christ the Mediator, and for this Ordinance.  
4. To renew the acting of his faith in the Covenant.  
5. To make confession of that Faith (if by the Minister it be required) into the profession whereof he would have his child to be admitted.  
6. To lift up his heart in prayer to God for the Infant.  
7. To declare his resolution (the Lord assisting him) to train up his child in the true Religion.  
8. Accordingly, to pray for it; to instruct it as it shall be capable, to watch over it, to give it good example, etc.    
Q. What is the duty of the rest of the Members?  
A. 

1. To afford their presence at the Ordinance.  
2. To eye and attend the Administration.  
3. To renew their own Covenant.  
4. To join in prayer with the Minister for the Infant.  
5. To put to their best furtherance that it and theirs may answer their Baptism, if spared to live to years of discretion.    
Q. When and where is it fittest this Sacrament should be administered?  
A. Though by God's Word neither time nor place be particularly prescribed and limited, yet most fitting it is to be speedily and publicly performed in the Assembly and view of God's people.  
Q. When and by whom was the Sacrament of the Lords Supper ordained?  
A. By the Lord Jesus Christ, in the same night wherein he was betrayed, Mat 26.26. 1 Cor. 11.23, 24, 25, 26.  
Q. For what ends did Christ administer, and institute. Bread and Wine to be administered and received in this Sacrament?  
A. 

1. To put us in mind of himself and his sufferings to death itself for the redemption of his chosen, Luc. 22.19, 20. 1 Corin. 11.24, 25, 26.  
2. To be as seals to assure the consciences of true Believers of their part in Christ, and of all those good things contained in the Covenant of Mercy, 1 Cor. 10.16. Mat. 26.28. 1 Cor. 11.24, 25.  
3. To assure us that Christ is full and sufficient nourishment to our Souls, as Bread and Wine eating and drinking, are to our bodies, john 6.35. etc. Psa. 104.15.  
4. To declare our communion and agreement with our brethren, 1 Cor. 10.17.    
Q. What be the outward actions to be performed by the Minister in the administration of this Sacrament?  
A. 

1. He is to take and set the Bread and Wine apart from common use.  
2. He is to sanctfie them by declaring the World of Institution, with thanksgiving and prayer.  
3. He should visibly break the bread and power forth the wine.  
4. He is to give the same unto, or so to dispose of them, as they may be taken by the receivers.  
5. He is to require them to take and eat the Bread and drink the Wine.  
6. He is to declare unto them the ends of that their taking, eating, and drinking, according to the first Institution, Mat. 26.26, 27, 28, 1 Cor. 11.23, 24, 25, 26.    
Q. What are the outward actions that are to be performed by the receivers?  
A. 

1. They are to take the Bread and Wine. Mat. 26.26. etc. 1 Cor. 11.23. etc.  
2. They are to eat the Bread and drink the Wine. Mat. 26.26. etc. 1 Cor. 11.23. etc.    
Q. Is it fit for those who have charge of souls to try the fitness of such as they admit to the Table of the Lord?  
A. Yes, it is very fit it shoved be so, 2 Chron. 35. 6. compared with Chap. 30.17. jer. 15.9. Mat. 7. 6. Act. 20.28. 1 Tim. 5.22.  
And their flock should be ready and willing to submit thereunto, 1 Pet. 3.15.1 Thes. 5.12. Heb. 3.17.  
Q. Who may be admitted to partake of this Sacrament, and who may not?  
A. 

1. Such as having been baptised may be admitted.  
2. Having competent Knowledge, may be admitted.  
3. Perform religious duties, may be admitted.  
4. That stand not lawfully excommunicated may be admitted.  
5. And live without scandal. may be admitted.    
But 

1. Ignorant, aught to be debarred.  
2. Scandalous persons, aught to be debarred.  
3. And such as stand worthily excommunicated. aught to be debarred.    
Q. Should not every particular Communicant examine himself before he eat of this bread, and drink of this cup?  
A. Yes; 1 Cor. 11.28. and upon. examination he should be able to find that he comes thereunto 

1. Not of mere custom, or constraint, But  
2. For conscience sake, and willingly,  
3. To right ends,  
4. With knowledge,  
5. With faith in Christ,  
6. With repentance,  
7. With With love,  
8. With an earnest desire,  
9 With a thankful heart,  
10. And with earnest prayer to God for a blessing.    
What is required of true believers (besides their taking, eating and drinking) when they are come to the Table of the Lord?  
A. 

1. Reverend behaviour of the whole man Ps. 5.7. Heb. 12.28.  
2. Heedful observation of the 

Elements, Exod. 24.8.  
Words, Exod. 24.8.  
Actions. Exod. 24.8.    
3. Meditation according to the Sacramental Relation, 1 Cor. 11.24, 25.  
A Melting, Zach. 12.10. 

Thankful, Psal. 103.1, 2, 3, 4.  
And rejoicing heart, Dent. 16.15. Phil. 4.4.    
5. Sacramental Faith, applying that for themselves which God hath promised, and Christ hath purchased.    
Q. What is the duty of believers after they have received and when they are departed the Table of the Lord?  
A. 

1. Earnest suing to God for a blessing, 1 Thes. 5.17  
2. Examination how they have sped, Ps. 119.59. Hag. 1.7. Lam. 3.40.  
3. Thankfulness for Christ, and the Sacrament, Ps. 103.2, 3. Phil. 4.6.  
4. A firmer cleaving unto God for time to come, Deut. 30.20. Act. 11.23. 

1. By affiance, Rom. 4.11, 18, 19, 20, 21.  
2. Love, Ps. 18.1. & 116.1.1 John 4.19.  
3. And holy endeavour of more fruitful obedience, Deut. 10.12. Luc. 1.74, 75. Rom. 12.1.      
And fitting it were that something were laid apart for the relief of the poor and needy, 1 Cor. 16.2. Nehem. 8.10. Heb. 13.16.  
Q. How often are true believers to celebrate, and partake of the Lords Supper?  
A. Though the certain number of days be not strictly and particularly prescribed, yet fitting it is that it should be often administered and received, 1 Cor. 11.25, 26.  
Q. Do these outward Elements still remain Bread and Wine in the time of their administration and receiving, or are they not changed into the body and blood of Christ?  
A. They do remain Bread and Wine, and are not changed into his Body and blood, but are only Signs thereof, and Seals of the Covenant to true believers.  
Q. What difference is there then betwixt this Bread and Wine, and that we partake of at our ordinary tables?  
A. None in nature, only in use, these being set apart for holy use, 1 Cor. 11.26. & 10.16.  
Q. How long doth the Bread and Wine continue to be the signs of the body and blood of Christ?  
A. Only during the time of celebration and administration of the Sacrament, and no longer.  
Q. Doth one's coming fasting commend one any thing the more to God in approaching the Table of the Lord?  
A. No, in its self it is nothing available, neither for conscience sake is it to be observed, Mat. 26.26. 1 Cor. 11.34. Rom. 14.17. 1 Cor. 8.8. any further Than tends to edification, 1 Cor. 14.26. 1 Cor. 10.31.  
Q. How long is this Sacrament to be in use in the Church?  
A. Till Christ his coming again, 1 Cor. 11, 26.   

Imprimatur.  
John Downame.