THE PRESBITERIAN CATECHISME,
What shall J render to the Lord for all his benifits towards mee?
I will take the Cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord.
LONDON, Printed for Richard Burton. 1647
THE PRESBYTERIAN CATECHISME:
WHat Religion do you profess to be the truest, and most grounded of the Holy Scriptures?
A. The Protestant and Christian Religion.
Q. What is that Christian Religion?
A. To know and acknowledg the only true God and Iesus Christ our Crucified Lord and Saviour, whom he hath sent to redeeme, miserable men, dust and ashes, wormes and no men, from Hell, Death and Damnation if we lay hold on him by speedy Faith and unfeigned repentance.
Q. How do'st thou know the Love of God to thee and other notorius, Sinners, as thy [...]elfe?
[Page 4]A. God hath promised, that whosoever beleeveth and repents of his sinnes from the bottom of his heart shal finde mercy through Christ Iesus.
Q. How knowest thou the love of God to thee?
A. In that he so dearely lou'd mankind, that he sent his only begotten Son, that whosoever beleeveth in him should not perish but have everlasting life. Iohn the 3. verse 16,
Q. How knowest thou that God had a son.
A. I know it because he was manifest to us
Q Prove that.
A. Without controversie, great is the mistery of godlinesse, God was manifest in the flesh, Iustified in the spirit, seen of Angells, preached unto the Gentiles beleeved on in the world, & received up to glory. Tim the 3. verse 16. And saith St. Iohn the word was made flesh and dwell amongst us.
Q. Tell me what is the office of Christ?
A. To be the alone mediator, Intercessor, and advocate betweene God and Man, to reconcile us to our God, and to worke our salvation, and likewise he is called Iesus, that is a Saviour because he came to save his people from their sins. And likewise he is called Christ, which is annointed, because he is [Page 5] the annointed of God, with all gifts and graces of the holy Spirit, to be a Prophet Priest and King, for his people. And likewise for me. 1. Timothy 2.5. Heb. 9.15. Iob. 14.6. Mathew: the 21. Esay: 61.1. Acts. 4.26: Luke the 4th. 18: Heb: the 1. 9th.
1. His Preisthood, was the first part of his mediation consisting of two parts.
2. By his satisfaction for sin.
3. By performing that obedience which we did owe.
4. By suffering that punishment which was due to our sinnes.
Q. What are the parts of Christs satisfaction by his obedience?
A. 1. His suffering. Phil. 25. Peter 1 [...].24 Iob. 6.33.34.
2. His perfect Righteousness.
By the first our Lord and Saviour Christ Iesus died for our sinnes. By the Second he purchased righteousnesse for true humble & penitent Sinners, both which are necessary for our Iustification.
Q. How did our Saviour satisfie by his suffering?
A. In two wayes.
1. in soule by drinking the full Cup of Gods wrath by which he felt unspeakeable vexation greifes, feares of mind, feeling as it were the pangs of hell.
[Page 6] 2. In body by Scourging, Spitting, Buffeting (as it is recorded in the Story of his passion) And lastly Death, that most reproachfull, and Ignominious death of The Crosse Phil 2, 8.
Q. Now tell me How many Sacraments there be?
A 1. Baptisme In the place of Circumcision.
2. The Supper of the Lord Answering to the passover. Rom. 4.1. Genesis 27.10.11. Cor 10. [...]1.12.13.
Baptisme is the first Sacrament which by the washing of water representeth to us the Powerfull washing of the blood and spirit of Christ sealing unto them which are within Gods covenant, their birth, in Christ, & entrance into Christianity. Mat 26.26:8:19. Baptisme Eph. 5.26 1 Cor 6.11. Heb 10. [...]2.
Q. To whom is Baptisme Effectual?
A 1 The Church not only Baptizeth those of riper yeares as pagans which are brought within the Church, and testifie their understanding in Christianity, professe their faith in Christ Iesus and in the pretious promises of remission of sins by his blood and their earnest de [...]ire to be sealed with Baptisme to strengthen their Soules in faith, and all this with sincerity. 2. Acts: 8th 37.
2. But Infants also borne of beleeving parents [Page 7] and are within the Covenant, whereby they have a right to the seale thereof & this effectuall to those Infants who belong to the Election of grace.
Q. How can Infants be capable of the grace of Baptisme?
A. Though they be not capable by that way the grown are: Yet it followeth not that they are not capable another way, we are to distinguish between the gift convighed, and the manner of conveighing it: Faith is not of absolute necessity to all Gods elect, but to those only to whom he affords meanes to beleeve, it's the application of Christs righteousness, not our apprehending it that Iustifies us God can supply the defect of Faith by his sanctifing Spirit, which can do all things on our part instead of that which faith should do, he hath said of Infants, to thē belongs the kingdome of God. God knowes to settle it upon them though he tyes us to meanes, yet he tyeth not himselfe.
Q. Are bread and wine Changed in the Sacrament into the body and blood of Christ?
A. They are not changed in nature but In use. Cor 1.10 By Eating and Drinking of it we have communion with our saviour Christ, of whom we are as verily pertakers by a livly Faith. as of the bread and of the wine by eating and drinking them, and thus wee say [Page 8] they are chang'd by use because Being separated from a common use they are consecrated to signe and seale to us our spirituall nourishment by the body and blood of Christ Iesus. Luke the 22.19.
Q What is the Sacrament of the Lords Supper?
A. It is the second Sacrament of the Gospell wherein the outward Elements of bread and wine sanctified and exhibited by the Minister and rightly received by the communicants, assurance is given to those that are ingrafted into Christ of their continuance in him and receiving nourishment by him unto eternall Life.
Q. Why is it called the Lords Supper?
A. Not that he appointed a supper to us, but because he sitting at his last supper ordeyned it in stead of the passover and gave charge for continuance of it till his second comming Cor 11.20.
Q. Are the bread and wine changed to the body and blood of Christ?
A. They are not changed in nature but in use, by the eating and drinking of it we have Communion with our Saviour Christ, of whom we are as verily pertakers by a lively Faith as of the bread and wine by eating and drinking them and thus we say they are changed in use because being separate [Page 9] from a common use, they are consecrated to signe and seale to us our spirituall nourishment and grouth by the body an blood of Christ Iesus, therefore the bread & wine are not the true body and blood of Christ, but the signes and tokens of them, as in Baptisme, water is only a signe of Christs blood. Not his blood 1 Cor: 10.19: Luke 22.19: 1 Cor 10.3.4.
Q, (The Use) What are the speciall ends and uses for which it was ordained?
A. 1. To call to mind the memorie and uer, tue of Christs death.
2. To confirme our Faith to encrease our love to God, our Ioy in the holy ghost peace of conscience hope of eternall life, and other Gods graces in us.
3. To quicken our hearts to all holy duties, our thankfullnesse to God for his mercies in Christ Iesus.
4. To keepe us in obedience to God and to unite us in communion with Christ.
Q. How are we to prepare our selves before we receive it.
A, By due tryall of our soules whether we be fit partakers of so great a mistery, and fitting our harts thereto.
2. By Examining our knowledge in it, and our need of it.
3. by examining our faith, and by true repentance, [Page 10] a true loue of God Zach: 12 10. 1. Cor. 10.25.12.28. Rom. 4.11. 1 Cor. 10.3.2. Cor: 23.5 Heb. 10.22.
4. By freeing our hearts from mallice 1. Cor. 16.14.
5. By Invocation for a blessing upon it.
Q. What is to be done in the present acttion?
A. 1. We must use a reverend gesture and attention.
2. We must receive it with hearts elevated to God,
3. We must use thanksgiving, offering up our hearts and soules to god. Rom 12.1.
Q. What after the action?
A. We must praise the Lord for so great benefits And pray for his grace to keepe us from new sinnes and that we return not to the old.
Q: What is censures?
A. The Iudgement of the Church ratifying the Threats of the gospell for abuse of the word and sacraments.
1. Admonition of those that sin openly Mat. 18.15. &c:
2. By suspension of them from some exercise of Religion, as sacraments.
3. If they amend not, to cut them off from the Church by excommunication and delivering them to Satan.
Q. What is meant by the last Iudgement?
[Page 11]A. The pronouncing and executing the Irrevocable sentence of absolution or condemnation.
1. Partly upon every man in particular at the houre of his death Heb: 9.21
2. Fully and generally upon all men at the second comming of Christ. Act 17.13.
Q. How are men Iudged at the houre of Death?
A 1. God at that instant pronounceth, and the conscience apprehendeth the sentence of blessing and cursing Heb 9 27.
2. The Soule is by the power of God and Ministerie of angels immediately conveyed into the state of happinesse or misery to remaine til the resurrection, & thenceforth both soule and body for ever. Luke, 16.22.23.26. Ecl, 11, 3.
Q What is the generall and finall Iudgemen.t?
A The generall Assise of the whole world wherein all mens lives that ever were, are, or shall be, being duely examin'd every one shal receive according to his workes.
1. The wicked shall be condemned for the merit of their workes Ro. 6.23,
2. The godly shall be pronounced Iust Because their workes though imperfect do prove their faith (by which they lay hold on Christ and his righteousnes) to be a true faith [Page 12] as working by love in all parts of Obedience Ia. 2.18. Gal: 5.6.
Q. What shall be the estate of the Reprobates in Hell?
1. Everlasting torments of Body, and anguish of soule.
2. Expulsion from the favourable presence of god, and the glorious fellowship of Christ & his Saints.
3. Vtter darknesse in that horrible Dungeon.
4. wéeping and gnashing of téeth.
5. with the worme that never dieth and the fire that never goeth out. Rom. 29. Mat. 8 22.31.4 1. Isay. 66.24.
Q. What shall be the estate of the Elect in Heaven?
A. 1. Everlasting blessednesse and glory in Soule and body.
2. Fréedome from all infirmities, and imperfections.
3. They shall be endued with perfect wisedom and holinesse.
4. Possessed with all pleasures at the right hand of God,
5. Seated in thrones of Maiestie.
6. Crowned with Crownes of glory.
7. Filled with the glorious presence of God & the Lamb Christ Iesus.
8. in the Company of inumerable angels and holy Saints. 1. Cor. 13.12. Psal. 16.11. Rev. 8.21.2. Tim 4.17 Heb 12 22
Q. What shall follow?
A. Christ shall deliver up that dispensatory Kingdome (which he receaved for the subduing of his enemies and accomplishing the salvation [Page 13] of his Church) unto God the Father, and God shall be all in all for Eternity. 2. Cor 24.28.
Séeing then al those things must be dissolved, what manner of persons ought we to be? let us give diligence, that we may [...] of him in peace without spot and blamelesse. 2. Pet: 3.11.14.
Blessed is he whom the Lord shall finde prepared for his comming, for he shall say to him well done thou good and faithfull servant, enter into Thy Masters Ioy. Luke 12.43. Mar 25.21.
A Prayer.
O Eternall God which dwellest in the highest Heavens, Looke downe upon us dust and ashes, who at this present desire thy most gracious blessing to descend down upon these distressed Churches, of England, Scotland, and miserable Ireland, Lord if it be thy gracious wil say now it is enough, suffer not the sword any longer to devoure one another, and Lord I beseech thee let us heare no more the sound of the Trumpets, the noyse of the Drum, nor the alarum of Warre, but that the voice of the Turtle may be heard in our streetes. Subdue all Scisme, Faction, and Antichrist that man of sin, and Compose all our unhappy differences both in Church and Common wealth, and make us to be all of one minde fearing God and hating wickednesse, & as thy Sons Coate was without rent or seame. So let thy Church be without Schisme and division, that wee may all be of one sheepefold under one sheepheard Christ Iesus, Lord heare our prayers, and make us all true servants [Page 15] to thee, Loyall subjects to our gracious King, & loving and Charitable one toward another, and bring us from one degree of grace to another, from one Sacrament to another, from one sabboth to another, til at length thou bring us to that Everlasting Sabbath in thine Everlasting Kingdome: Where Angels sing, Halelujah, honour and glory and praise to him that sits on the Throne, and to the Lambe Christ Iesus, to whom be all honnour glory and prayse and power, and strength and Salvation, by men and by Angels, In this world, and the world to Come.
Amen.