Question 1.

WHO is the First and Chiefest Being?

Answer. God is the First and Chiefest Being Isa. 44.6. & 48.12.

Q. 2. Ought every One to believe there is a God?

A. Every One ought to believe there is a God Heb. 11.6.; and it is their great Sin and Folly who do not Psal. 14.1..

Q. 3. How may we know there is a God?

A. The Light of Nature in Man, and the Works of God plainly declare there is a God Rom. 1.19, 20. Psal. 19.1, 2, 3. Acts 17.24.; but his Word and Spirit only, do it fully and effectually, for the Salvation of Sinners 1 Cor. 2.10 2 Tim. 3.15, 16..

Q. 4. What is the Word of God?

A. The Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament are the Word of God, and the only certain Rule of Faith and Obedi­ence 2 Tim. 3.16. Ephes. 2.20..

Q. 5. May all Men make use of the Holy Scriptures?

A. All Men are not only permitted, but commanded and exhorted, to read, hear, and understand the Holy Scriptures John 5.39. Deut. 17.18, 19 Rev. 1.3. Acts 8.30..

Q. 6. What things are chiefly contained in the Holy Scriptures?

A. The Holy Scriptures chiefly contain, [Page 4]what Man ought to believe concerning God, and what Duty God requireth of Man 2 Tim. 1.13. & 3.15, 16..

Q. 7. What is God?

A. God is a Spirit, John 4.24. Infinite Job 11.7, 8, 9., Eternal Psal. 90.2., and Unchangeable Jam. 1.17., in his Being Exod. 3.14., Wisdom Psal. 147.5., Power Rev. 4.8., Holiness Rev. 15.4., Justice, Goodness and Truth Exod. 34.6, 7..

Q. 8. Are there more Gods than One?

A. There is but One only, the Living and True God Deut. 6.4. Jer. 10.10..

Q. 9. How many Persons are there in the God­head?

A. There are Three Persons in the God­head, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; and these Three are One God, the same in Essence, equal in Power and Glo­ry 1 John 5.7. Mat. 28.19..

Q. 10. What are the Decrees of God?

A. The Decrees of God are, his Eternal Purpose according to the Counsel of his Will, whereby, for his own Glory, he hath fore­ordained whatsoever comes to pass Eph. 1.4, 11. Rom. 9.22, 23..

Q. 11. How doth God execute his Decrees?

A. God executeth his Deerees in the Works of Creation and Providence.

Q. 12. What is the Work of Creation?

A. The Work of Creation, is God's ma­king all Things of Nothing, by the Word of his Power, in the space of six Days, and all very Good Gen. 1. throughout. Heb. 11.3..

Q. 13. How did God create Man?

A. God created Man, Male and Female, after his own Image, in Knowledg, Righte­ousness and Holiness, with Dominion over the Creatures Gen. 1.26, 27, 28. Col. 3.10. Ephes. 4.24..

Q. 14. What are God's Works of Providence's A. God's Works of Providence, are his [Page 5]most Holy Psal. 145.17., Wise Psal. 104.24. Isa. 28.29., and Powerful preser­ving Heb. 1.3., and governing all his Creatures, and all their Actions Psal. 103.19. Mat. 10.29, 30, 31..

Q. 15. What special Act of Providence did God exercise towards Man in the Estate wherein he was created?

A. When God had created Man, he en­tred into a Covenant of Life with him, upon Condition of perfect Obedience: forbidding him to eat of the Tree of the Knowledg of Good and Evil, upon pain of Death Gal. 3.12. Gen. 2.17..

Q. 16. Did our first Parents continue in the Estate wherein they were created?

A. Our first Parents being left to the free­dom 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. 17. What is Sin?

A. Sin is any want of Conformity unto, or Transgression of the Law of God 1 Joh. 3.4..

Q. 18. 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 Estate wherein they were created, was their eating the forbidden Fruit Gen. 3.6, 12..

Q. 19. Did all Mankind fall in Adam's first Transgression?

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, and fell with him in his first Transgression Gen 2.16, 17. Rom. 5.12. 1 Cor. 15.21, 22..

Q. 20. Into what Estate did the Fall bring Mankind?

A. The Fall brought Mankind into an E­state of Sin and Misery Rom. 5.12..

Q. 21. Wherein consists the sinfulness of that Estate whereinto Man fell?

A. The sinfulness of that Estate whereinto Man fell, consists in the Guilt of Adam's first Sin, the want of Original Righteousness, and the Corruption of his whole Nature, which is commonly called Original Sin; together with all actual Transgressions which proceed from it Rom. 5.12, to the end. Eph. 2.1, 2, 3. Jam. 1.14, 15. Mat. 15.19..

Q. 22. What is the Misery of that Estate whereinto Man fell?

A. All Mankind by their Fall lost Commu­nion with God Gen. 3.8, 10, 24., are under his Wrath and Curse Eph. 2.2, 3. Gal. 3.10.; and so made liable to all Miseries in this Life, to Death it self, and to the Pains of Hell for ever Lam. 3.39. Rom. 6.23. Mat. 25.41, 46..

Q. 23. Did God leave all Mankind to perish is the Estate of Sin and Misery?

A. God, having out of his meer good plea­sure, from all Eternity, elected some to Ever­lasting Life Eph. 1.4, 5., 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, 22..

Q. 24. Who is the Redeemer of God's Elect?

A. The only Redeemer of God's Elect, is the Lord Jesus Christ 1 Tim. 2.5, 6.; who being the E­ternal Son of God, became Man John 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. 25. 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. 2.14, 16. & 10.5., and a reasonable Soul Mat. 26.38.; being conceived by the Power of the Holy Spirit in the Womb of [Page 7]the Virgin Mary, and born of her Luke 1.27, 31, 34, 35, 42. Gal. 4.4., yet with­out Sin Heb. 4.15. & 7.26..

Q. 26. 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 and Exaltation Acts 3.22. Heb. 12.25. with 2 Cor. 13.3. Heb. 5.5, 6, 7. & 7.25. Psal. 2.6. Isa. 9.6, 7. Mat. 21.5. Ps. 2.8, 9, 10, 11.

Q. 27. How doth Christ execute the Office of a Prophet?

A. Christ executeth the Office of a Pro­phet, in revealing to us, by his Word and Spirit, the Will of God for our Salvation John 1.18. 1 Pet. 1.10, 11, 12 John 15.15. & 20.31..

Q. 28. 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 satisfy Divine Justice Heb. 9.14, 28, and reconcile us to God Heb. 2.17., and in making continual Intercession for us Heb. 7.24, 25..

Q. 29. How doth Christ execute the Office of a King?

A. Christ executeth the Office of a King, in subduing us to himself Acts 15.14, 15, 16. in ruling Isa. 33.22., and defending us Isa. 32.1, 2., and in restraining and con­quering all his and our Enemies 1 Cor. 15.25. Psal. 110. throughout..

Q. 30. Wherein did Christ's Humiliation con­sist?

A. Christ's Humiliation consisted in his being born, and that in a low Condition Luke 2.7.; made under the Law Gal. 4.4., undergoing the Mi­series of this Life Heb. 12.2, 3. Isa. 53.2, 3., the Wrath of God Luke 22.44. Mat. 27.46., and the cursed Death of the Cross Phil. 2.8.; in being bu­ried 1 Cor. 15.4., and continuing under the Power of Death for a time Act. 2.24, 25, 26, 27, 31.. Mat. 12.40.

Q. 31. Wherein consisteth Christ's Exalta­tion?

A. Christ's Exaltation consisteth in his rising again from the Dead on the third Day 1 Cor. 15.4., in ascending up into Heaven Mark 16.19. in sit­ting at the right Hand of God the Father Ephes. 1.20., and in coming to judg the World at the last Day Acts 1.11. & 17.31..

Q. 32. 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 John 1.11, 12. by his Holy Spirit Tit. 3.5, 6..

Q. 33. How doth the Spirit apply to us the Redemption purchased by Christ?

A. The Spirit applieth to us the Redemp­tion purchased by Christ, by working Faith in us Eph. 1.13, 14. John 6.37, 39. Ephes. 2.8., and thereby uniting us to Christ, in our effectual Calling Ephes. 3.17. 1 Cor. 1.9..

Q. 34. What is effectual Calling?

A. Effectual Calling, is the Work of God's Spirit 2 Tim. 1.9. 2 Thes. 2.13, 14, whereby, convincing us of our Sin and Misery Acts 2.37., enlightning our Minds in the knowledg of Christ Acts 26.18., and renewing our Wills Ezek. 36.26, 27., he doth perswade and enable us to imbrace Jesus Christ freely offered to us in the Gospel Joh. 6.44, 45. Phil. 2.13..

Q. 35. What Benefits 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 Ephes. 1.5., Sanctification, and the several Bene­fits which in this Life do either accompany or flow from them 1 Cor. 1.30..

Q. 36. What is Justification?

A. Justification is an Act of God's free Grace, wherein he pardoneth all our Sins Rom. 3.24, 25 & 4.6, 7, 8., and accepteth us as Righteous in his sight 2 Cor. 5.19, 21., [Page 9]only for the Righteousness of Christ imputed to us Rom. 5.17, 18, 19., and received by Faith alone Gal. 2.16. Phil. 3.9..

Q. 37. What is Adoption?

A. Adoption is an Act of God's free Grace 1 John 3.1., whereby we are received into the Number, and have a Right to all the Privi­leges of the Sons of God John 1.12. Rom. 8.14..

Q. 38. What is Sanctification?

A. Sanctification is the Work of God's free Grace, 2 Thess. 2.13. whereby we are renewed in the whole Man after the Image of God Eph. 4.23, 24., and are ena­bled more and more to die unto Sin, and live unto Righteousness Rom. 6.4, 6..

Q. 39. 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 God's Love, Peace of Conscience Rom. 5.1, 2, 5., Joy in the Holy Spirit Rom. 14.17., Increase of Grace Prov. 4.18., and Per­severance therein to the End 1 Joh. 5.13. 1 Pet. 1.5..

Q. 40. What Benefits do Believers receive from Christ at their Death?

A. The Souls of Believers are at their Death made perfect in Holiness Heb. 12.23., and do immediately pass into Glory 2 Cor 5.1, 6, 8. Phil. 1.23. Luke 23.43.: And their Bodies being still united to Christ 1 Thess. 4.14., do rest in their Graves Isa. 57.2. till the Resurrection Job 19.26, 27..

Q. 41. What Benefits 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 Judg­ment Mat. 25.23. Mat. 10.32., and made perfectly blessed, both in Soul and Body, in the full enjoyment of God 1 John 3.2. 1 Cor. 13.12., to all Eternity 1 Thess. 4.17, 18..

Q. 42. But what shall be done to the Wicked at their Death?

A. The Souls of the Wicked shall at their death be cast into the Torments of Hell, and their Bodies lie in their Graves, till the Re­surrection and Judgment of the Great Day Luke 16.23, 24. Acts 1.25. Jude v. 7. 1 Pet. 3.19. Psal. 49.14.

Q. 43. What shall be done to the Wicked at the Day of Judgment?

A. At the Day of Judgment the Bodies of the Wicked being raised out of their Graves, shall be sentenced together with their Souls, to unspeakable Torments, with the Devil and his Angels for ever Joh. 5.28, 29. Mat. 25.41, 46. 2 Thess. 1.8, 9.

Q. 44. What is the Duty which God requireth of Man?

A. The Duty which God requireth of Man, is Obedience to his Revealed Will Mich. 6.8. 1 Sam. 15.22..

Q. 45. What did God at first reveal to Man for the Rule of his Obedience?

A. The Rule which God at first revealed to Man for his Obedience, was the Moral Law Rom. 2.14, 15. & 10.5..

Q. 46. Where is the Moral Law summarily comprehended?

A. The Moral Law is summarily compre­hended in the Ten Commandments Deut. 10.4. Mat. 19.17..

Q. 47. What is the Sum of the Ten Command­ments?

A. 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 Neighbour as our Selves Mat. 22.37, 38, 39, 40..

Q. 48. What is the Preface to the Ten Com­mandments?

A. The Preface to the Ten Command­ments, is in these words, [I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the [Page 11]Land of Egypt, out of the House of Bondage] Exod. 20.2.

Q. 49. 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 Pet. 1.15, 16, 17, 18, 19.

Q. 50. Which is the first Commandment?

A. The first Commandment is, [Thou shalt have no other Gods before me] Exod. 20.3.

Q. 51. What is required in the first Command­ment?

A. The first Commandment requireth us, to know and acknowledg God to be the only true God, and our God 1 Chron. 28.9. Deut. 26.17.; and to worship and glorify him accordingly Mat. 4.10. Psal. 29.2..

Q. 52. What is forbidden in the first Com­mandment?

A. The first Commandment forbiddeth the denying Psal. 14.1., or not worshipping and glo­rifying the true God, as God Rom. 1.21., and our God Psal. 81.10, 11. and the giving that Worship and Glory to any other, which is due unto him alone Rom. 1.25, 26..

Q. 53. 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 God Ezek. 8.5, to the end.

Q. 54. Which is the second Commandment?

A. The second Commandment is, [Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven Image, or any Likeness of any thing that is in Heaven a­bove, or that is in the Earth beneath, or that is in [Page 12]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; and shewing Mercy unto Thousands of them that love me and keep my Command­ments] Exod. 20.4, 5, 6..

Q. 55. What is required 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. 56. What is forbidden in the second Com­mandment?

A. The second Commandment forbiddeth the worshipping of God by Images Deut. 4.15, 16, 17, 18, 19. Exod. 32.5, 8., or any other Way not appointed in his Word Deut. 12.31, 32..

Q. 57. What are the Reasons annexed to the second Commandment?

A. The Reasons annexed to the second Commandment are, God's Soveraignty over us Ps. 95.2, 3, 6., his Propriety in us Psal. 45.11., and the Zeal he hath to his own Worship Exod. 34.13, 14..

Q. 58. Which is the third Commandment?

A. The third Commandment is, [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] Exod. 20.7..

Q. 59. What is required in the third Command­ment?

A. The third Commandment requireth, the Holy and Reverent Use of God's Names Mat. 6.9. Deut. 28.58., Titles Psal. 68.4., Attributes Rev. 15.3, 4. Ordinances Mal. 1.11, 14. Word Psal. 138.1, 2., and Works Job 36.24..

Q. 60. What is forbidden in the third Com­mandment?

A. The third Commandment forbiddeth all profaning and abusing of any thing, whereby God makes himself known Mal. 1.6, 7, 12. & 2.2. & 3.14..

Q. 61. What is the Reason annexed to the third Commandment?

A. The Reason annexed to the third Com­mandment, is, that however the breakers of this Commandment may escape Punish­ment from Men, yet the Lord our God will not suffer them to escape his Righteous Judg­ment 1 Sam. 2.12, 17, 22, 24, 29. 1 Sam. 3.13. Deut. 28.58, 59..

Q. 62. Which is the fourth Commandment?

A. The fourth Commandment is, [Remem­ber the Sabbath Day to keep it holy: Six Days shalt thou labour and do all thy Work; but the Seventh Day is the Sabbath of the LORD thy God, in it thou shalt not do any Work, thou, nor thy Son, nor thy Daughter, thy Man-servant, nor thy Maid-servant, nor thy Cattel, nor thy Stran­ger that is within thy Gates: For in six Days the LORD made Heaven and Earth, the Sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh Day; wherefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath Day, and hallowed it] Exod. 20.8, 9, 10, 11..

Q. 63. What is required in the fourth Com­mandment?

A. The fourth Commandment requireth the keeping Holy to God one whole Day in Seven, to be a Sabbath to himself Exod. 20.8, 9, 10, 11. Deut. 5.12, 13, 14..

Q. 64. Which Day of the Seven hath God ap­pointed to be the Weekly Sabbath?

A. Before the Resurrection of Christ, God appointed the Seventh Day of the Week to be the Weekly Sabbath Exod. 20.8, 9, 10, 11. Deut. 5.12, 13, 14., and the First Day [Page 14]of the Week ever since, to continue to the End of the World, which is the Christian Sabbath Psal. 118.24. Mat. 28.1. Mat. 2.27, 28. & 16.2. Luk. 24.1, 30, to 36. Joh. 20.1, 19, 20, 21, 26. Acts 1.3. & 2.1, 2. & 20.7. 1 Cor. 16.1, 2. Rev. 1.10..

Q. 65. How is the Sabbath to be sanctified?

A. The Sabbath is to be sanctified by a ho­ly Resting all that Day Ex. 20.8, 10., even from such worldly Employments and Recreations as are lawful on other Days Exod. 16.25, 26, 27, 28. Nehem. 13.15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22.; and spending the whole Time in the Publick and Private Ex­ercises of God's Worship Luke 4.16. Acts 20.7. Psal. 92. title. Isa. 66.23., except so much as is to be taken up in the Works of Neces­sity and Mercy Mat. 12.1, to 13.

Q. 66. What is forbidden in the fourth Com­mandment?

A. The fourth Commandment forbiddeth the Omission or careless Performance of the Duties required Ezek. 22.26. Amos 8.5. Mal. 1.13., and the profaning the Day by Idleness Act. 20.7, 9. or doing that which is in it self sinful Ezek. 23.38.; or by unnecessary Thoughts, Words, or Works about worldly Employments or Recreations Jer. 17.24, 25, 26, 27. Isa. 58.13..

Q 67. What are the Reasons annexed to the fourth Commandment?

A. The Reasons annexed to the fourth Commandment, are God's allowing us six Days of the Week for our own lawful Em­ployments Exod. 20.9., his challenging a special Pro­priety in a Seventh, his own Example, and his blessing the Sabbath Day Exod. 20.11.

Q. 68. Which is the fifth Commandment?

A. The fifth Commandment is, [Honour thy Father and thy Mother; that thy Days may be long upon the Land which the LORD thy God giveth thee] Exod. 20.12.

Q. 69. What is required in the fifth Command­ment?

A. The fifth Commandment requireth the preserving the Honour, and performing the Duties belonging to every one in their seve­ral Places and Relations, as Superiours Eph. 5.21., In­seriours 1 Pet. 2.17., or Equals Rom. 12.10..

Q. 70. What is forbidden in the fifth Com­mandment?

A. The fifth Commandment forbiddeth the neglecting of, or doing any thing against the Honour 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. 71. 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 God's Glory, and their own Good) to all such as keep this Commandment Deut. 5.16. Ephes. 6.2, 3..

Q. 72. What is the sixth Commandment?

A. The sixth Commandment is, [Thou shalt not kill] Exod. 20.13..

Q. 73. What is required in the sixth Com­mandment?

A. The sixth Commandment requireth all lawful Endeavours to preserve our own Life Eph. 5.28, 29., and the Life of others 1 King. 18.4..

Q. 74. What is forbidden in the sixth Com­mandment?

A. The sixth Commandment absolute­ly forbiddeth the taking away of our own Life; or the Life of our Neighbour unjustly, or whatsoever tendeth thereun­to Acts 16.28. Gen. 9.6..

Q. 75. Which is the seventh Commandment?

A. The seventh Commandment is, [Thou shalt not commit Adultery] Exod. 20.14..

Q. 76. What is required in the seventh Com­mandment?

A. The seventh Commandment requi­reth the Preservation of our own, and our Neighbour's Chastity, in Heart, Speech, and Behaviour 1 Cor. 7.2, 3, 5, 34, 36. Col. 4.6. 1 Pet 3.2..

Q. 77. What is forbidden in the seventh Com­mandment?

A. The seventh Commandment forbiddeth all unchast Thoughts, Words and Actions Mat. 15.19. & 5.28. Eph. 5.3, 4..

Q. 78. Which is the eighth Commandment?

A. The eighth Commandment is, [Thou shalt not steal] Exod. 20.15..

Q. 79. What is required in the eighth Com­mandment?

A. The eighth Commandment requireth the lawful procuring, and furthering the Wealth and outward Estate of our selves, and others Gen. 30.30. 1 Tim. 5.8. Levit. 25.35. Deut. 22.1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Exod. 23.4, 5. Gen. 47.14, 20..

Q. 80. What is forbidden in the eighth Com­mandment?

A. The eighth Commandment forbiddeth whatsoever doth, or may, unjustly hinder our own, or our Neighbour's Wealth, or out­ward Estate Prov. 21.17. & 23.20, 21. & 28.19. Eph. 4.28..

Q. 81. Which is the ninth Commandment?

A. The ninth Commandment is, [Thou shalt not bear false Witness against thy Neigh­bour] Exod. 20.16..

Q. 82. 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 and our Neighbour's good Name 3 Joh. v. 12., especially in Witness-bearing Pro. 14.5, 25..

Q. 83. What is forbidden in the ninth Com­mandment?

A. The ninth Commandment forbiddeth whatsoever is prejudicial to Truth, or inju­rious to our own or our Neighbour's good Name 1 Sam. 17, 28. Levit. 19.16. Psal. 15.3..

Q. 84. Which is the tenth Commandment?

A. The tenth Commandment is, [Thou shalt not covet thy Neighbour's House, thou shalt not co­vet thy Neighbour's Wife, nor his Man-servant, nor his Maid-servant, nor his Ox, nor his Ass, nor any thing that is thy Neighbour's] Exod. 20.17..

Q. 85. What is required in the tenth Com­mandment?

A. The tenth Commandment requireth full Contentment with our own Condition Heb. 13.5. 1 Tim. 6.6., with a right and charitable frame of Spirit to­ward our Neighbour, and all that is his Job 31.29. Rom. 12.15. 1 Tim. 1.5. 1 Cor. 13.4-7..

Q. 86. What is forbidden in the tenth Com­mandment?

A. The tenth Commandment forbiddeth all Discontentment with our own Estate 1 King. 21.4. Esth. 5.13. 1 Cor. 10.10.; envying or grieving at the Good of our Neighbour Gal. 5.26. Jam. 3.14, 16., and all inordinate Motions and Affections to any thing that is his Rom. 7.7, 8. & 13.9. Deut. 5.21..

Q. 87. 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 Eccles. 7.20. 1 Joh. 1.8, 10. Gal. 5.17, but doth daily break them, in Thought, Word, or Deed Gen. 6.5. & 8.21. Rom. 3.9, to 21. Jam. 3.2, to 13..

Q. 88. Are all Transgressions of the Law equal­ly heinous?

A. Some Sins in themselves, and by reason of several Aggravations, are more heinous in the sight of God than others Ezek. 8.6, 13, 15. 1 John 5.16. Psal. 78.17, 32, 56..

Q. 89. What doth every Sin deserve?

A. Every Sin deserveth God's Wrath and Curse, both in this Life, and that which is to come Ephes. 5.6. Gal. 3.10. Lam. 3.39. Mat. 25.41. Rom. 6.23..

Q. 90. What doth God require of us, that we may escape his Wrath and Curse, due to us for Sin?

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 diligent use of all the outward Means, whereby Christ communicateth to us the Be­nefits of Redemption Prov. 2.1, to 6. & 8.33, to the end. Isa. 55.2, 3..

Q. 91. What is Faith in Jesus Christ?

A. Faith in Jesus Christ is a saving Grace Heb. 10.39., whereby we receive, and rest upon him alone for Salvation, as he is offered to us in the Gospel John 1.12. Isa. 26.3, 4. Phil. 3.9. Gal. 2.16..

Q. 92. What is Repentance unto Life?

A. Repentance unto Life is a saving Grace Acts 11.28., whereby a Sinner, out of a true Sense of his Sin Act. 2.37, 38., and Apprehension of the Mercy of God in Christ Joel 2.12. Jer. 3.22., doth, with grief and hatred of his Sin, turn from it unto God Jer. 31.18, 19 Ezek. 36.31., with full Purpose of, and Endeavour after, new Obedience 2 Cor. 7.11. Isa. 1.16, 17..

Q. 93. What are the outward Means, whereby Christ communicateth to us the Benefits of Re­demption?

A. The outward and ordinary Means, whereby Christ communicateth to us the Be­nefits of Redemption, are his Ordinances, especially the Word, Baptism, the Lord's Supper, and Prayer; all which Means are made effectual to the Elect for Salvation Mat. 28.19, 20. Acts 2.42, 46, 47..

Q. 94. How is the Word made effectual to Sal­vation?

A. The Spirit of God maketh the Reading, but especially the Preaching of the Word, an effectual Means of convincing and conver­ting Sinners; and of building them up in Ho­liness and Comfort through Faith unto Salva­tion Nehem. 8.8. 1 Cor. 14.24, 25. Acts 26.18. Psal. 19.8. Acts 20.32. Rom. 15.4. 1 Tim. 3.15, 16, 17. Rom. 10.13, 14, 15, 16, 17. & 1.16..

Q. 95. How is the Word to be read and heard, that it may become effectual to Salvation?

A. That the Word may become effectual to Salvation, we must attend thereunto with Diligence Prov. 8.34., Preparation 1 Pet. 2.1, 2., and Prayer Psal. 119.18.; receive it with Faith and Love Heb. 4.2. 2 Thess. 2.10., lay it up in our Hearts Psal. 119.11., and practise it in our Lives Luke 8.15. James 1.25..

Q. 96. How do Baptism and the Lord's Sup­per, become effectual Means of Salvation?

A. Baptism and the Lord's Supper become effectual Means of Salvation, not for any Virtue in them, or in him that doth admini­ster them, but only by the Blessing of Christ 1 Pet. 3.21. Mat. 3.11. 1 Cor. 3.6, 7., and the working of the Spirit in those that by Faith receive them 1 Cor. 12.13..

Q. 97. What is Baprism?

A. Baptism is an Ordinance of the New Testament instituted by Jesus Christ Mat. 28.19., to be unto the Party baptized, a Sign of his Fel­lowship with him, in his Death, Burial, and Resurrection; of his being ingrafted into him Rom. 6.3, 4, 5. Col. 2.12. Gal. 3.27.; of Remission of Sins Mark 1.4. Acts 2.38. & 22.16.; and of his giving up himself unto God thrô Jesus Christ, to live and walk in newness of Life Rom. 6.3, 4..

Q. 98. To whom is Baptism to be admini­stred?

A. Baptism is to be administred to all those, who actually profess Repentance to­ward God, Faith in, and Obedience to our Lord Jesus Christ, and to none other Mat. 3.6. & 28.19. Mark 16.16. Acts 2.37, 38 & 8.36, 37, 38..

Q. 99. Are the Infants of such as are Pro­fessing Believers to be baptized?

A. The Infants of such as are professing Believers are not to be baptized, because there is neither Command, or Example in the Holy Scriptures, or certain Consequence from them to baptize such.

Q. 100. How is Baptism rightly administred?

A. Baptism is rightly administred, by Im­mersion, or dipping the whole Body of the Party in Water, into the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, ac­cording to Christ's Institution, and the Pra­ctice of the Apostles Mat. 3.16. John 3.23. Mat. 28.19, 20. Acts 8.38. & 10.48. Rom. 6.4. Col. 2.12.; and not by sprink­ling or pouring of Water, or dipping some Part of the Body, after the Tradition of Men.

Q. 101. What is the Duty of such who are right­ly baptized?

A. It is the Duty of such who are rightly baptized, to give up themselves to some par­ticular and orderly Church of Jesus Christ, that they may walk in all the Command­ments and Ordinances of the Lord blame­less Act. 2.41, 42. & 5.13, 14. & 9.26. 1 Pet. 2.5. Luke 1.6..

Q. 102. What is the Lord's Supper?

A. The Lord's Supper is an Ordinance of the New Testament instituted by Jesus Christ; wherein by giving and receiving Bread and Wine, according to his Appoint­ment, his Death is shewed forth; and the worthy Receivers are, not after a Corporal and Carnal manner, but by Faith, made Par­takers of his Body and Blood, with all his Benefits, to their spiritual Nourishment, and growth in Grace Mat. 26.26, 27, 28. 1 Cor. 11.23, 24, 25, 26. & 10.16..

Q. 103. Who are the proper Subjects of this Ordinance?

A. They who have been baptized upon a personal Profession of their Faith in Jesus Christ, and Repentance from dead Works Act. 2.41, 42..

Q. 104. What is required to the worthy re­ceiving of the Lord's Supper?

A. It is required of them that would wor­thily partake of the Lord's Supper, that they examine themselves, of their Knowledg to discern the Lord's 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 and drink Judgment to themselves 1 Cor. 11.28, 29..

Q. 105. What is Prayer?

A. Prayer is an offering up our Desires to God Psal. 62.8., by the Assistance of the Holy Spi­rit Rom. 6.26., for things agreeable to his Will 1 John 5.14., in the Name of Christ John 16.23. believing Mat. 21.22. James 1.6.; with Confession of our Sins Psal. 32.5, 6. Dan. 9.4., and thankful Ac­knowledgment of his Mercies Phil. 4.6..

Q. 106. 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 special Rule of Direction is, that Prayer which Christ taught his Disciples, commonly called, The Lord's Prayer Mar. 6.9, 10, 11, 12, 13. with Luk. 11.2, 3, 4..

Q. 107. What doth the Preface of the Lord's Prayer teach us?

A. The Preface of the Lord's Prayer, which is, [Our Father which art in Heaven Mat. 6.9.,] teacheth us to draw near to God with all ho­ly Reverence and Confidence, as Children to a Father, able and ready to help us Rom. 8.15. Luke 11.13.; and that we should pray with and for others Acts 12.5. 1 Tim. 2.1, 2..

Q. 108. 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 glorify him in all that, whereby he maketh himself known Psal. 67.2, 3.; and that he would dispose all things to his own Glory Psal. 83. throughout..

Q. 109. What do we pray for in the second Petition?

A. In the second Petition, which is, [Thy Kingdom come Mat. 6.10.,] we pray that Satan's King­dom may be destroyed Psal. 68.1, 18., and that the King­dom of Grace may be advanced Rev. 12.10, 11., our selves and others brought into it and kept in it 2 Thess. 3.1. Rom. 10. 1. Joh. 17.19, 20., and that the Kingdom of Glory may be ha­stened Rev. 22.20..

Q. 110. 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, and submit to his Will in all things Psal. 67. throughout. Psal. 119. 36. Mat. 26.39. 2 Sam. 15.25. Job 1.21., as the Angels do in Heaven Psal. 103.20, 21..

Q. 111. 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 God's 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. 28.20. 1 Tim. 4.4, 5..

Q. 112. 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 Debtors Mat. 6.12.,] we pray, that God for Christ's sake would [Page 23]freely pardon all our Sins Psal. 51. 1, 2, 7, 9. Dan. 9.17, 18, 19.; which we are the rather encouraged to ask, because by his Grace we are enabled from the Heart to for­give others Luke 11.4. Mat. 18.35..

Q. 113. 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 Mat. 6.13.,] we pray that God would either keep us from being tempted to Sin Mat. 26.41., or support and deliver us when we are temp­ted 2 Cor. 12.8..

Q. 114. What doth the Conclusion of the Lord's Prayer teach?

A. The Conclusion of the Lord's Prayer, which is, [For thine is the Kingdom, and the Power, and the Glory, for ever, Amen Mat. 6.13.,] teach­eth us to take our Encouragement in Prayer from God only Dan. 9.4, 7, 8, 9, 16, 17, 18, 19., and in our Prayers to praise him, ascribing Kingdom, Power and Glory to him 1 Chron. 29. 10, 11, 12, 13.: And in testimony of our Desire, and Assurance to be heard, we say, Amen 1 Cor. 14.16. Rev. 22.20, 21..