A31334:103
Catechistical guide to sinners, and to such converts that are babes in Christ wherein…
Catechistical guide to sinners, and to such converts that are babes in Christ wherein all the necessary points of religion are methodically proposed in Scripture-language, abundantly confirmed by the Holy Scriptures, and in some places concisely expounded : in the whole, all controversies are warily shunned, so that all true Christians, of what persuasion soever, may (if they need the help of others) use this catechism for their children, or others that are under their power and card / written upon request, by a lover of truth and peace.Catechistical guide to sinners, and to such converts that are babes in Christ wherein all the necessary points of religion are methodically proposed in Scripture-language, abundantly confirmed by the Holy Scriptures, and in some places concisely expounded : in the whole, all controversies are warily shunn'd, so that all true Christians, of what persuassion soever, may (if they need the help of others) use this catechism for their children, or others that are under their power and card / written upon request, by a lover of truth and peace.
London: printed by J.D., 1680
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
[1 Cor. 8.4, 5, 6. We know that an Idol is nothing in the World, and that there is none other God but one. For though there be that are called Gods, whether in Heaven or in Earth, (as there be Gods many, and Lords many) but to us there is but [one God] the Father, of whom are all things, and we in [for] him, and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.]
Q. But who are they that in a good sense may be called Gods?
A. They in a good sense may be called Gods, first, who in some Employment are instead of God: Secondly, They who in Government are the Sons of God.
A. They in a good sense may be called Gods, first, who in some Imployment are instead of God: Secondly, They who in Government are the Sons of God.
[Such, both Men and Angels, who in some Employment from God, are to others ⟨p. 26⟩instead of God, may be called by the very Name of the most high God. As for instance; in Exod. 7.1. The Lord saith to Moses, See I have made thee a God [Elohim] to Pharaoh; that is, instead of God, as it is expressed in Exod. 4.16. The Angel of the Lord appeared unto Moses in the flame of a Fire out of the midst of a Bush; Exod. 3.2. This Angel is called, in vers. 4. Jehovah, and Elohim; or, as we english it, The Lord and God. Also they who in Government over others are the Sons of the most High, are called Gods. See Psal. 82.1, 6. God standeth in the Congregation of the Mighty: he judgeth among the Gods.—I have said, Ye are Gods; and [even] all of you are Children [Sons] of the most High. John 10.32, &c. Jesus answered them, Many good Works have I showed you from my Father; for which of these Works do ye stone me? The Jews answered him, saying, For a good Work we stone thee not, but for Blasphemy, because that thou being a Man, makest thy self God. Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your Law, I said, Ye are Gods? If he called them Gods, unto whom the Word of God came, and the Scripture cannot be broken: Say ye of him whom the Father hath sanctified and sent into the World, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God? In Psal. 8.5. we read ⟨p. 27⟩thus; Thou hast made him a little lower than the Angels: In the Hebr. 'tis, than the Gods. Here, and in the like places, a single Person is not Elohim, but Eloah, which is sometimes used of the most High; as in Psalm. 18.32. Job 12.4.
[Such, both Men and Angels, who in some Imployment from God, are to others ⟨p. 26⟩instead of God, may be called by the very Name of the most high God. As for instance; in Exod. 7.1. The Lord saith to Moses, See I have made thee a God [Elohim] to Pharaoh; that is, instead of God, as it is exprest in Exod. 4.16. The Angel of the Lord appeared unto Moses in the flame of a Fire out of the midst of a Bush; Exod. 3.2. This Angel is called, in vers. 4. Jehovah, and Elohim; or, as we english it, The Lord and God. Also they who in Government over others are the Sons of the most High, are called Gods. See Psal. 82.1, 6. God standeth in the Congregation of the Mighty: he judgeth among the Gods.—I have said, Ye are Gods; and [even] all of you are Children [Sons] of the most High. John 10.32, &c. Jesus answered them, Many good Works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of these Works do ye stone me? The Jews answered him, saying, For a good Work we stone thee not, but for Blasphemy, because that thou being a Man, makest thy self God. Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your Law, I said, Ye are Gods? If he called them Gods, unto whom the Word of God came, and the Scripture cannot be broken: Say ye of him whom the Father hath sanctified and sent into the World, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God? In Psal. 8.5. we read ⟨p. 27⟩thus; Thou hast made him a little lower than the Angels: In the Hebr. 'tis, than the Gods. Here, and in the like places, a single Person is not Elohim, but Eloah, which is sometimes used of the most High; as in Psalm. 18.32. Job 12.4.
Now the great God is in distinction from these, sometimes called, The God of Gods, and Lord of Lords, Deut. 10.17. Josh. 22.22. Psal. 136.2. Dan. 11.36. (Chap. 2.42.) And he is said to be greater than all Gods, and above all Gods, Psal. 135.5. He is also said to be high above all the Earth, and exalted far above all Gods, Psalm. 97.9. He is called, The high God, Psalm. 78.35, 56. The most High, Numb. 24.16. Deut. 32.8. 2 Sam. 22.14. Dan. 4 17. and elsewhere often; and in Acts 7.48. The most High God, Gen. 14.18. Heb. 7.1. and elsewhere often. The Lord the most high God, Gen. 14.22. The Lord most High, Psal. 47.2. In Psal. 83.18. That Men may know, that thou whose Name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most High over all the Earth. See Dan. 5.21. In the place now quoted, the same word is rendered, High, and most High.]
Now the great God is in distinction from these, sometimes called, The God of Gods, and Lord of Lords, Deut. 10.17. Josh. 22.22. Psal. 136.2. Dan. 11.36. (Chap. 2.42.) And he is said to be greater than all Gods, and above all Gods, Psal. 135.5. He is also said to be high above all the Earth, and exalted far above all Gods, Psalm. 97.9. He is called, The high God, Psalm. 78.35, 56. The most High, Numb. 24.16. Deut. 32.8. 2 Sam. 22.14. Dan. 4 17. and elsewhere often; and in Acts 7.48. The most High God, Gen. 14.18. Heb. 7.1. and elsewhere often. The Lord the most high God, Gen. 14.22. The Lord most High, Psal. 47.2. In Psal. 83.18. That Men may know, that thou whose Name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most High over all the Earth. See Dan. 5.21. In the place now quoted, the same word is rendred, High, and most High.]
Q. You said, That God is a Spirit; How prove you that?
A. Jesus Christ himself hath ⟨p. 28⟩taught us, That God is a Spirit, Joh. 4.24.
[Jesus saith unto the Woman of Samaria, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this Mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father; ye worship ye know not what. We know what we worship; for Salvation is of the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true Worshippers shall worship the Father in Spirit, and in Truth; for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit, and they that worship him, must worship him in Spirit and in Truth, John 4.21, 22, 23, 24.]
Q. What must we understand by this, That God is a Spirit?
A. By this, That God is a Spirit, we must understand two things in the general: First, That God is more excellent than all things. Secondly, That the Spirit of Man may be unto us in some manner, a Shadow of God.
[Although Method challengeth this place for the confirmation of this, That God is said to be a Spirit, in way of allusion to the Spirit of Man; yet the proof of it shall be reserved for the close of this Discourse concerning God, as considered in ⟨p. 29⟩himself, where it may be done more easily, and in fewer words.
[Although Method challengeth this place for the confirmation of this, That God is said to be a Spirit, in way of allusion to the Spirit of Man; yet the proof of it shall be reserved for the close of this Discourse concerning God, as consider'd in ⟨p. 29⟩himself, where it may be done more easily, and in fewer words.
The Excellency of God is diversly expressed in the Holy Scriptures. In 2 Pet. 1.17. He is called, The Excellent Glory. In the Scripture there is ascribed to God, Excellency, Deut. 33.26. Job 13.11. Ch. 37.4. Psal. 68.34. Isa. 35.2. Greatness of Excellency, Exod. 15.7. He is said to be excellent in Power, Job 37.23. More excellent than the Mountains of Prey, Psal. 76.4. O Lord our God, how excellent is thy Name in all the Earth! who hast set thy Glory above the Heavens, Psal. 8.1. Let them praise the Name of the Lord, for his Name alone is excellent. His Glory is above the Earth and Heaven, Psal. 148.13. In the same sense he is called, the great God, Tit. 2.13. Rev. 19.17. Dan. 2.45. Jer. 32.19. Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable, Psal. 145.3. There is none like to the God of Jesurun, Deut. 33.26. And Solomon said, Lord God of Israel, there is no God like thee, in Heaven above, or on Earth beneath, 1 King. 8.23. All Nations before the Lord are as nothing, and they are counted to him less than nothing and vanity. To whom then will ye liken God? or, what likeness will ye compare unto him?—To whom then will ye liken me? Or shall I be equal, saith the ⟨p. 30⟩Holy One? Isa. 40.17, 18, 25. To whom will ye liken me, and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be like? Isa. 46.5. Who in the Heaven can be compared unto the Lord? Who among the Sons of the Mighty can be likened unto the Lord? Psal. 89.6. As the Heavens are higher than the Earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts, Isa. 55.9. But will God indeed dwell on the Earth? Behold, the Heaven, and the Heaven of Heavens cannot contain thee, how much less this House that I have builded? 1 King. 8.27. See Jer. 23.23, 24. Acts 7.49.
The Excellency of God is diversly expressed in the Holy Scriptures. In 2 Pet. 1.17. He is called, The Excellent Glory. In the Scripture there is ascribed to God, Excellency, Deut. 33.26. Job 13.11. Ch. 37.4. Psal. 68.34. Isa. 35.2. Greatness of Excellency, Exod. 15.7. He is said to be excellent in Power, Job 37.23. More excellent than the Mountains of Prey, Psal. 76.4. O Lord our God, how excellent is thy Name in all the Earth! who hast set thy Glory above the Heavens, Psal. 8.1. Let them praise the Name of the Lord, for his Name alone is excellent. His Glory is above the Earth and Heaven, Psal. 148.13. In the same sence he is called, the great God, Tit. 2.13. Rev. 19.17. Dan. 2.45. Jer. 32.19. Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable, Psal. 145.3. There is none like to the God of Jesurun, Deut. 33.26. And Solomon said, Lord God of Israel, there is no God like thee, in Heaven above, or on Earth beneath, 1 King. 8.23. All Nations before the Lord are as nothing, and they are counted to him less than nothing and vanity. To whom then will ye liken God? or, what likeness will ye compare unto him?—To whom then will ye liken me? Or shall I be equal, saith the ⟨p. 30⟩Holy One? Isa. 40.17, 18, 25. To whom will ye liken me, and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be like? Isa. 46.5. Who in the Heaven can be compared unto the Lord? Who among the Sons of the Mighty can be likened unto the Lord? Psal. 89.6. As the Heavens are higher than the Earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts, Isa. 55.9. But will God indeed dwell on the Earth? Behold, the Heaven, and the Heaven of Heavens cannot contain thee, how much less this House that I have builded? 1 King. 8.27. See Jer. 23.23, 24. Acts 7.49.
But how may we gather that God is thus excellent from his being called a Spirit? Thus; Jesus Christ here discovers the Divine Nature, by the most excellent thing that is vulgarly known, to wit, the Spirit of Man: Hereby he plainly signifies the Excellency of God. And in that he discovers this Excellency, not as it is in it self, but by a Shadow, he clearly intimates, that this Excellency of God is such, and so exceeding great, that we now cannot perceive the same, as it is in it self, being far above the present strength of our Understanding, and way of Knowledge.
But how may we gather that God is thus excellent from his being called a Spirit? Thus; Jesus Christ here discovers the Divine Nature, by the most excellent thing that is vulgarly known, to wit, the Spirit of Man: Hereby he plainly signifies the Excellency of God. And in that he discovers this Excellency, not as it is in it self, but by a Shadow, he clearly intimates, that this Excellency of God is such, and so exceeding great, that we now cannot perceive the same, as it is in it self, being far above the present strength of our Understanding, and way of Knowledg.
The like we are to observe in many other scriptural forms of Speech, concerning some ⟨p. 31⟩things that are Spiritual, and those things that pertain to another World. See John 3.10, 11, 12. It was said, That the Spirit of Man may be unto us in some manner, a Shadow of God. It is necessary thus to conceive, for otherwise, the term Spirit would here signify nothing at all: for it cannot be taken in its proper signification here, and can in no other be accepted, but in that we call Metaphorical.]
The like we are to observe in many other scriptural forms of Speech, concerning some ⟨p. 31⟩things that are Spiritual, and those things that pertain to another World. See John 3.10, 11, 12. It was said, That the Spirit of Man may be unto us in some manner, a Shadow of God. It is necessary thus to conceive, for otherwise, the term Spirit would here signifie nothing at all: for it cannot be taken in its proper signification here, and can in no other be accepted, but in that we call Metaphorical.]
Q. Whence does it appear that God is more excellent than all things?
A. It appears that God is more excellent than all things: First, From his Almightiness. Secondly, From his Eternity. Thirdly, From his Happiness or Blessedness. For the Scriptures declare him to be Almighty, and to be Eternal, and to be Happy or Blessed.