An exposition of the tvvo first verses of the sixt chapter to the Hebrewes in forme of a dialogue. Wherein you have a commendation of catechising, also a declaration of the sixe fundamentall principles wherein the Christians of the Primitiue Apostolicall church were catechised. By T.W. minister of the word.

A BRIEFE SVMME OF the whole Catechisme: for the helpe of the yonger sort.

The first Principle: Repentance from dead works.

Abraham.

MY Sonne, what doe yee call dead workes?

Isaac.

All sinnes, whatsoeuer they be.

Abra.

How many sorts of sinnes be there?

Isaac.

Two: first, birth-sinne, which is the roote of all the rest: Secondly, all euill thoughts, words, and deeds, as bad fruits of a bad tree.

Abra.

How many things doe yee consider in originall or birth-sinne?

Isaac.

These foure things: first, the want of that righte∣ousnesse wherein Adam was created: Secondly, the guilt of his disobedience imputed to vs: Thirdly, desert of pu∣nishment thereby: Lastly, corruption of nature being prone to all euill.

Abra.

Why are these things called dead workes?

Isaac.

Because they come from men dead in sinnes and trespasses: also because they doe in iustice deserue eternall death and destruction, euen the least sinfull thought.

Abra.

How so?

Isaac.

Because an infinite and eternall God is offended by euery sinne.

Abra.

But seeing we were all created in righteousnesse in Adam, how did sinne and death enter into the world?

Isaac.

First, by the temptation of Sathan, deceiuing our

first parents: secondly, by their willing obedience yeelded to the temptation.

Abra.

Let mee now heare you tell me what it is to repent from dead workes?* 1.1

Isaac.

To renounce and vtterly to depart from our sins, with griefe and hatred of them: and to returne vnto God to doe his workes commanded in his law, with loue and de∣light in them.

Abra.

How is this repentance wrought?

Isaac.

The word of the law prepareth vs to it by engen∣dring [ 1] feare of punishment. But the word of the Gospell [ 2] perswading vs of Gods mercy in forgiuenesse of sinne, wor∣keth through the holy Ghost an hatred of sinne it selfe.

The second Principle: Of faith towards God.

Of God.

Abra.

SEeing we are all dead and miserable through the guilt of Adams sinne, and our owne, where is the remedie for vs?

Isaac.

By beleeuing and looking vp to the merciful good∣nesse of God through Christ.

Abra.

What are wee to know concerning this God?* 1.2

Isaac.

First, that hee is, and that he is but one: Secondly, that there be three persons in the God-head; the Father, the Sonne, and the Spirit. Thirdly, what God is, euen a most perfect spirituall substance, infinite in mercy, iustice, truth, wisedome, goodnesse and power. Fourthly, that hee pur∣posed in himselfe from euerlasting what things hee would doe, and what things hee would not doe; in that purpose freely choosing some Angels and men to life, and not o∣thers. Lastly, that according to this eternall purpose, God created the world in sixe dayes out of nothing, by his word, and continually vpholdeth and gouerneth the same; and euery particular in it▪ most wisely to the glory of his name.

Abra.

But are ye not bound to know some thing else concer∣ning God?

Isaac.

Yes, namely this, that in the person of his Sonne hee was incarnate and made man, and so became God our Redeemer.

Abra.

* 1.3What are we to learne touching God our Redeemer?

Isaac.

First, his person, that he is God & man in one per∣son:* 1.4 Secondly, his office, which is three-folds first, our Pro∣phet to teach vs Gods will, both for our dutie and saluation: secondly, our High-priest, once to offer himselfe in earth a sacrifice of attonement for our sins; and then to make con∣tinuall intercession for vs in heauen:* 1.5 thirdly, our King, first, to rule: secondly, to protect: thirdly, to enrich vs with his gifts and spirituall blessings.

Abra.

* 1.6What is the last thing to be knowne of our redeemer?

Isaac.

His benefits, all which are signified by that one word of saluation; and more particularly in those two words of Iustification and sanctification: the one remouing from vs the guilt and curse of our sinnes, the other destroying the power and rule of it.

Of Faith.

Abrah.

BY what means are we made partakers of Christ our Redemer?

Isaac.

By the meanes of a true and a liuely faith.

Abra.

What is a liuely Faith?

Isaac.

It is that gift of God, whereby wee receiue Christ with all his merits to be our owne.

Abra.

How is this faith made known to our selues & others?

Isaac.

By loue, and practise of good workes.

Abra.

Of these workes which doe yee hold chiefe?

Isaac.

Feruent prayer vnto God the Father in the name of Iesus Christ.

Abra.

How doe we attaine to this faith ordinarily?

Isaac.

By the word of the Gospell soundly opened, and wisely applyed to the conscience of a sinner.

Abra.

Is this faith perfect in vs in this life?

Isaac.

No surely: but very weake and little, needing dai∣ly increase and strengthening.

Abra.

By what meanes may it be increased?

Isaac.

First, by reading and preaching: secondly, by pray∣er: thirdly, by Sacraments.

The third Principle: Doctrine of Baptismes.

Abra.

WHat is a Sacrament?* 1.7

Isaac.

A Sacrament is an outward signe and seale of the couenant of Grace.

Abra.

What doe yee call the Couenant of Grace?

Isaac.

An agreement which God hath made with elect sinners, freely to giue them his Sonne, and with him righte∣ousnesse and life eternall, so they beleeue.

Abra.

How many be the Sacraments of the new testament?

Isaac.

Two onely: Baptisme and the Lords Supper.

Abra.

What is the chiefe vse of these two Sacraments?

Isaac.

To confirme and assure our mindes of our fellow∣ship which we haue with Christ, and all his merits vnto sal∣uation.

Abra.

How many things are required in each Sacrament?

Isaac.

Three: first, an outward signe: secondly, an inward thing: thirdly, an agreement or likenesse betweene the signe and the thing.

Abra.

Shew these three things in Baptisme.

Isaac.

In Baptisme the outward signe is water and wash∣ing: secondly, the thing signified and sealed is Christ, for our iustification and sanctification by his word and spirit: thirdly, the likenes is this, that as water washeth, to the out∣ward cleansing of the body: so the bloud and spirit of Christ washeth to the inward purging of the conscience from dead workes.

Abra.

Shew vs also these three things in the Lords Supper?

Isaac.

First, the signes here are bread and wine, and all acti∣ons about them both in Minister and people: secondly, the thing signified and sealed is Christ, for our further grouth by him in our iustification and sanctification: thirdly, the likenesse betweene signe and thing is, that as bread and wine nourisheth vp our bodyes vnto a naturall life: so the

body and bloud of Christ being receiued by faith nourish∣eth vp our soule to a spirituall life.

Abra.

When are we said to be nourished vp to a spirituall life by the Lords Supper?

Isaac.

When the soule is thereby more and more assured of remission of sinnes by the death of Christ, and of per∣fect iustice by his obedience to the Law, together with a greater mortification of sinne, vnto the quieting of the con∣science, and the greater hope of eternall life.

Abra.

Whence haue Sacraments power to signifie and as∣sure Grace?

Isaac.

First, from the words of Christs ordinance and promise: and secondly, from his holy Spirit which work∣eth by them as hee will.

Abra.

VVho are to be Baptised?

Isaac.

First, Infants of Christian parents: secondly, men of yeares, which first be infidels, and afterwards are conuer∣ted to Christianitie.

Abra.

Who are to approach to the Lords Supper with comfort?

Isaac.

* 1.8Such as are able and doe endeauour to examine themselues.

Abra.

Of what things must they examine themselues?

Isaac.

Of the truth and measure of sauing graces; faith, hope, and loue: whether we haue these, and with what im∣perfections we haue them.

Abra.

When may one know himselfe to be fit for the Lords Supper.

Isaac.

First, when hee hath some vnderstanding of the principles of Religion and a desire to know more. Second∣ly, when the doctrine of the Lords Supper is in some mea∣sure knowne to him. Thirdly, when one begins somewhat to know his particular sins, and to mourne for the offence of God in them, being sorry hee is so little sorry. Fourthly, when vpon sight & feeling of them, & of his want of Christs bloud and euery drop of it; and of his spirit & all the graces thereof, he can hunger and thirst after these things.

The fourth principle: Imposition of hands.

Abra.

DOe not the Sacraments require a Ministery to dispense and minister them?* 1.9

Isaac.

They doe so: for being publike tokens of our re∣ligion, they are to be ministred in a publike place, and by publike persons appointed thereunto.

Abra.

May not so much be signified here by imposition of hands?

Isaac.

Yes, by this ceremonie is noted persons set apart for the publike ministry of the Church, to minister the holy things thereof.

Abra.

What doe yee call the Church?

Isaac.

The inuisible Church is the whole number of the elect: but the visible Church is a company of persons called out of the rest of the world, to know and worship the true God, according to his word.

Abra.

Wherefore hath GOD ordained a ministry in his Church?

Isaac.

First, for the gathering of the elect to the faith and profession of Christ. Secondly, for the building them vp vnto saluation in heauen. Lastly, for the wicked which liue in the Church and are not of it, to take from them all ex∣cuse, and to make their condemnation more iust and heauy.

Abra.

Who are to be thought meet for the ministrie?

Isaac.

Onely such as be endewed with a good measure of knowledge and wisedome, to be able to interpret and apply the Scriptures, to the seuerall vses of the Church, by doctrine and exhortation.

Abra.

What dutie doe the people owe to the true Ministers of Christ?

Isaac.

First, a loue and reuerence to their person and cal∣ling: secondly, obedience to their doctrine: thirdly, main∣tenance of their charge and estate.

Abra.

How long lasteth the Ministry?

Isaac.

Euen vntill the second comming of the Lord Iesus.

The fift Principle: The resurrection from the dead.

Abra.

* 1.10MVst men once dye?

Isaac.

Yea they must so, because all men haue sinne, therefore they are mortall by gods appointment.

Abra.

Shall the dead be raysed againe to life?

Isaac.

* 1.11The dead shall be quickned at the end of the world by the power of Christ.

The sixt principle: Of eternall Iudgement.

Abra.

WHat shall follow the Resurrection?

Isaac.

The great and generall iudgement, wherein all men and all their workes shall be iudged.

Abra.

* 1.12What be the parts of this iudgement?

Isaac.

Two: first, the laying open of all persons and things as they are. Secondly, the giuing of an vpright sen∣tence vpon them.

Abra.

By whom shall this iudgement be held?

Isaac.

It shall be held by the authoritie of God the Fa∣ther; but the sentence shall be pronounced and executed by Christ the Mediatour.

Abra.

What shall be the end of this iudgement?

Isaac.

The manifestation of Gods glory, both in his mer∣cy toward the elect, and in his Iustice towards the reprobate.

The estate of men after Iudgement.

Abra.

* 1.13WHat shall be the estate of the godly after the Iudgement.

Isaac.

Most blessed: first, presence of all good: Second∣ly, absence of all euill, and that euerlastingly.

Abra.

What shall be the estate of the wicked and impenitent?

Isaac.

Most accursed: first, the presence of all euill: Se∣condly, the absence of all good, & that for euermore; here∣of called eternall iudgement.

To the God eternall be prayse for euer in the Church.

Amen.

FINIS.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Repentance.
• * 1.2

  Of God the Creatour.
• * 1.3

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• * 1.4

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• * 1.5

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• * 1.6

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• * 1.7

  Sacraments.
• * 1.8

  ••••••gination.
• * 1.9

  Ministery.
• * 1.10

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• * 1.11

  Resurrection.
• * 1.12

  〈1 paragraph〉〈1 paragraph〉
• * 1.13

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 of men 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Iudge∣••••••••.