sincere endeavour to live according to God's commands for the time to come: And both these made perfect, by a lively faith in God's mercies towards us, through Jesus Christ. John, iii. 16, 18. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 1 John, i. 7. If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. ii. 2. And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. PROOFS SUBJOINED.-2 Cor. vii. 10. Godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. Tit. ii. 12. For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us, that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world. James, v. 20. Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way, shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins. e 1 John, i. 6, 7. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. ii. 3, 4, 5, 6. And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his com mandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself so to walk, even as he walked. 7. Q. What are the means ordained of God, whereby to convey his grace to us? A. They are chiefly two: constant prayer to God for it, Luke, xi. 13. If ye, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the holy spirit to them that ask him? And a worthy use of the holy sacraments, Mark, xvi. 16. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not, shall be damned. Acts, ii. 38. Then Peter said unto them, repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 1 Cor. x. 16. 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? xi. 23, &c. For I have received of the Lord, that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: and when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the New Testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. 1 Peter, iii. 21. The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience towards God) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels, and authorities, and powers, being made subject unto him. 8. Q. Are there not, besides these, some other means ordained by God, and necessary to be made use of by us, in order to our salvation? A. Yes, there are; particularly the hearing, reading, and meditating upon his word: the substance of which, though it be sufficiently gathered together, and represented to us in our Catechism, yet should not that hinder us from diligently reading of the Holy Scriptures, nor make us neglect any other means of Christian instruction; but rather we should use our Catechism as a help, whereby to render both the reading and hearing of God's word more plain and profitable to us. Psalm i. 2. Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the Lord: and in his law doth he meditate day and night. John, v. 39. Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. Rom. xv. 4. For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. 2 Tim. iii. 16. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. 9. 2. Does your church catechism sufficiently instruct you in all these? A. It does: for therein both the nature of the Christian covenant is declared to us, and the conditions are set forth, on which we may become par takers of its promises. And we are particularly instructed, both how we ought to pray to God; and what those sacraments are which are necessary to be administered unto, and received by all of us. SECT. II. Of the Benefits of the Gospel-Covenant. 1. Q. What is your name ? A. . or M. 2. Q. Who gave you this name ? A. My Godfathers and Godmothers, &c. 3. Q. What is that name which is here demanded of you? A. It is my Christian name; therefore so called, because it was given to me by my Godfathers and Godmothers, in my baptism. For as from my natural parents I derive the name of my family; so from those who were my spiritual parents, I take that name, which properly belongs to me as a member of Christ's church. Gen. xvii, 5. Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham: for a father of many nations have I made thee. Gen. xxi. 3, 4. And Abraham called the name of his son that was born unto him, whom Sarah bare to him, Isaac. And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac, being eight years old, as God had commanded him. Luke, i. 59, 60. And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child: and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father. And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John. Luke, ii. 21. And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called Jesus, which was so named of the angel, before he was conceived in the womb. 4. Q. Whom do you mean by your Godfathers and Godmothers? * A. I mean those persons who became sureties for me at my Baptism: and upon whose promise, there made in my name, I was baptized, and so fœderally admitted into the communion of Christ's church. 5. Q. Does the church require every one who is to be baptized to have such sureties? A. It does; aud, as far as we can learn, has done so from the very times of the apostles. 6. Q. For what end has it required them? A. For several ends: at first to be witnesses to the church that the person was baptized, and thereby had a right to be admitted into the communion of it. Afterwards, when children began to be chiefly baptized, who could not answer for themselves, to promise and covenant for them: And take care that when they came to years of discretion, they should not only be taught what they had done on their behalf, but should be so bred up as to be ready, by God's grace, to make good themselves, what their Godfa thers and Godmothers had before promised in their names. 7. Q. Is it the duty of every Godfather and Godmother to take such a care of those whom they answer for? A. Yes, certainly; and our church does accordingly, in a very solemn manner, charge them with it. And the sum of what she requires of them is this: 1st. To put those for whom they have answered in * See below, sect. xiv. |