An EXPOSITION of the Aſſembly's SHORTER
[ 455 ] AN
ΕΧΡOSITION
OF THE
ASSEMBLY's CATECHISM,
With Practical Inferences from each Queſtion :
As it was carried on in the Lord's Days Exerciſes inDartmouth, in the first Year of Liberty, 1688.
THE PREFACE.
T HAT catechizing is an ordinance ofGod, few will doubt, when they confider the apostles did firſt lay the fundamentalsofreligion ; Heb. vi. 1. And" fed babes with "milk, teaching them the firſt principles of the oracles of " God," Heb. v. 12. and queſtionleſs taught them in that manner, which was moſtſuitable to the capacity ofthe learners, which may wellbe ſuppoſed to be by plain and ſhort queſtions, and ſuitable anſwers thereunto ; and therefore this has beena conſtant practice inthe church ofGod ; and theprimitive church had a particular perſon appropriated thereunto, whomthey called Catechist.
Andfo all well-governed, and wifely managed churches, have ſtill maintained and uſed it, as knowing the neceſſity and usefulneſs thereof; for the younger fort to inform them in the principles ofthat religionwhereinto they were baptized ; and for the eſtabliſhment of the adult and more aged therein.
Hence have iſſued thoſe little compoſures of all the fundamental doctrines of faith and practice ſo handled (which we call Catechiſms) in the churches ; and particularly in ours, whereof there are many and divers, whoſe authors have well deſervedfor their endeavours to inform and edify the people thereby.
But among them all, none excel this little catechiſm ofthe Affembly, for orthodoxy, fulness, and method.
Andbecauſe the answers therein are ſome of them pretty
An Epistle to the Reader. large, andtreatofthe most profound mysteries of our religi on; therefore ſeveral perſons have bestowed their good and laudable pains, ſome indeſcanting more largely, and proving byſcripturalreaſons theparticulars: onehasſhewn the harmony thereofwiththe articles andhomilies ofthe church of England(deſigned, Iſuppoſe, to removethe prejudice which fome have taken against it) : others have parted the queſtions and anſwers into ſeveral littleones, under each,to makethem more intelligible to younger ones, andmoreeasytoberemembred.
Amongwhom, worthy, orthodox, and excellent Mr. John Flavel may be ranked, who among other of his many moſt profitable labours, applied himself to the chewing of this bread of life, or crumbling it into ſmallerpieces, for the con venience of children, and, indeed, of all ; wherein(as inallhis other works) he hath ſhewn himselfa workman, that needs not to be ashamed.
There needs no other recommendation to this Posthumous piece, but the worthy author's name ; he was removed before he had completely finiſhed it; he had prepared his queſtions and anſwers upon the ſecond petition of the Lord'sPrayer; but lived not topropoſethem in the public congregation. God thentranſlatedhim into his kingdom ofglory above, while he was ſo induſtriouſly endeavouring topromote the kingdom of gracebelow.
The other five remaining questionsandanſwers(tocomplete the work) were done by a ruder hand; as maybe easily dif cernedby any obſervant reader, who will find himſelftransferred from a plain, clear, anddelightful ſtile, method and manner, intomore rough, diſorderlyand unpleaſfant ones ; for, who, indeed, could equal this divine labourer ? Not the compleater; who would account himself tohave made very great attainments indivinity and uſefulness, if he were left but a few furlongs behind him.
Let the reader uſe and peruſe this piece, and he will fee cauſe to bleſs God for the author.
ALE.
TO THE READER.
THE Divineprovidencehavingunexpectedlycaftmylot, for a fewdays, inDartmouth,wherethatbleſſedman of God, Mr. John Flavel,did formanyyears honour Chrift, and
An Epislle to the Reader.
was honouredbyhim ; I have been favoured with a fight of thatmoſt judicious explication of theAſſembly's Catechism, which is emitted herewith.
Being defired to teſtify my reſpect to the worthyauthor, by prefacing this excellent labour of his with a few lines ; I can truly ſay, (as ſometimes Beza of Calvin), Now Mr. Flavel is dead, life will be leſs ſweet, and death leſs bitter to me.
My heart bleeds to look on this deſolate place, and not to fee him, that, whilst living, was the glory of it.
But neitherthe author, nor his writings, ſtandin need of the commendation of others, much leſs ofmine.
His works, already publiſhed,have made his name precious inboth Englands; and it willbe ſo, as long as the earth ſhall endure.
There are ſome confiderations which may caufe the reader to expect (and he will not find himſelfdisappointed therein) that which is extraordinary in this little manual; for the author's heart was very much engaged indoing this ſervice for Chriſt, in thus feeding his lambs. And he did himſelſdeſign the publication of what is here committed tothe preſs ; and was very defirous (with an holy ſubmiſſion to the will ofGod) tohave perfectedthis work before his deceaſe ; buthad strange intimations that he ſhould finiſh his courſe before that could bedone.
Whenhedid, viva voce, deliverhis meditations, there were many enlargements, and lively paffages,which are nothere inferted : nevertheless,here is as much as hethoughtneedful for public view, not being willing that his book ſhould be voluminous.
Inhis laſt Catechetical exerciſe, concerning Hallowing the name of God, he was exceedingly enlarged; but he musthimfelfgo into thekingdom ofglory, whenhe intended to have difcourſed on that petition, Thy kingdom come.
He alſo began ſomemeditationson the Joys ofheaven ; but before he had an opportunity to expreſs what had been in his heart, the Lord Jeſus ſaid unto him, " Enter thou into the " joy ofthy Lord." And thus doth it happen manytimes to theeminentand holy ſervants ofGod.
Another confideration, recommending what comes herewith, is, that it was amongst Mr. Flavel's laſt works.
The (εξοδια ρημαία) laſt ſayings of wife and great men have been esteemed oraculous ; and the Scripture puts an emphasis on the last words of David, the ſweet finger of Ifrael, 2Sam.
VOL . VII.
Mmm
An Exposition of the Assembly's Catechism. xxiii. 1.
Not that thoſe were the laſt words that ever David ſpake, only theywerewritten not long before his death, when he was come near heaven .
So was what is nowput into the reader's hand, writtenby Mr. Flavel not longbeforehis tranflation to the world offouls, where the ſpirits ofjuſt men are made perfect.
There was a more than ordinary prefence ofGod with him tohis laft ; and in his last day, not the lastfermon that he preached (which was June 21, 1691.) he did more than once furprize his hearers with an intimation, that that might be the lasttime he ſhould ſpeak to them inthe name of the Lord.
And was notthen the ſecret of the Lord with him ?
Dartmouth willknow, and Devonshire willknow, thatthere has been a prophet among them.
Andnow my soul bleeds to look on the dear flock ofGod, which are as theep without a ſhepherd.
The Lord Jeſus, the greatShepherd ofthe sheep, have compaſſion on them, andgive them a fhepherd like to his bleſſed ſervant Flavel, whodid for manyyears feedthemwith knowledge,and with underſtanding.
Dartmouth, March 21st, 1692.
INCREASE MATHER.
EXPOSITION
OF THE
ASSEMBLY's SHORTER CATECHISM
W Question I.
Of Man's chief End.
HAT is the chief end of man ?
A. Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy himfor ever.
Q. 1. Seeing a chiefſuppoſeth an inferiorend; what is that inferior end for which man was made ?
A. It was prudently, ſoberly, and mercifully, to govern, uſe, and diſpoſe of other creatures in the earth, ſea, and air, over which God gave man the dominion ; Gen. i. 26. And God faid, letus make man inour image, after ourlikeneſs:
An Exposition of the Affembly's Catechism.
: 459 and lethim have dominion over the fiſh ofthe ſea, and over the fowl ofthe air, and overthe cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
So Pfal . viii. 6. Thou madeſt him to have dominion over theworks ofthyhands ; thou hast put allthings under his feet.
Q. 2. Whatthen is tobe thought of thoſe men,who being wholly intent upon inferior things, forget and neglect their principal end?
A. They are dead whilst theylive ; 1 Tim. v. 6.
But ſhe that liveth in pleaſure, is dead whilſt ſhe liveth : They have their portion in this life ; Pfal. xvii. 14. From men ofthe world, which have their portion in this life, and their end is deſtruction ; Phil. iii. 19. Whoſe end is deſtruction.
Q. 3.How can manglorify God,feeinghe is perfectly glorious in himself?
A. Man cannot glorifyGodby adding any new degree of glory to him ; Job xxxv. 7. If thou be righteous, what giveſt thou him, but by manifeſting his glorywith the lips ? Pfal. 1.
23. Whoſo offereth praise, glorifieth me ; or with the life; Matth. v. 16. Let your light ſo ſhine before men, thatthey may fee your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Q. 4. Wherein conſiſts the enjoymentofGod ?
A. It confifts, first, in the facial viſion of him in heaven.
Secondly, in full conformity to him ; 1 John iii. 2. But we know, that when he ſnall appear, we shall be like him, for we ſhall ſee him as he is.
Thirdly, in that full fatisfaction which refults from both the former ; Pfal. xvii. 15. Iſhallbe fatisfied when I awake with thy likeneſs .
Q. 5. Can none enjoy him inheaven,who do not glorify himon earth ?
A. No adult perſon can ſcripturally expect happineſs in heaven without holineſs on earth ; Heb. xii. 14. And holineſs, without which no man ſhall fee the Lord.
Rom. viii.
30. Whom he justified, them he alſo glorified.
Q.6. How comes the glory andenjoyment ofGod our chief end?
A. He is our Maſter, and rightful Owner and Benefactor ; we receiveourbeing and prefervation fromhim, ofhim, and through him, andtherefore to him be allthings, Rom. xi. 36.
Q.7. Do all inen make God their chiefend ?
A. No, they do not; ſome make their ſenſual pleaſure their chiefend: Phil. iii. 19. WhoſeGod is their belly : and Mmm 2
An Exposition of the Affembly's Catechism. ſome the world, Col. iii. 5. Mortify thereforeyour members which areupon the earth, and covetouſneſs, which is idolatry.
Q. 8. What are the ſigns of aman's making himself his chiefend?
A. Thoſe make themselves theirchiefend, who aſcribe the glory ofwhat they have, or do, to themſelves, andnot toGod;
Dan iv. 30. The king ſpake, andfaid, Is not this greatBabylonwhich Ihave built? Ifa. x. 18. For he faith,Bythe ftrength ofmy hand have I done it ; and by my wisdom, for I am prudent; therefore they facrifice totheirown net, and burn incenſeunto their drag, Hab. i. 16.
Q. 9. Why are theglorifying andenjoyingofGodput together, asmaking up our chief end ?
A. Becauſe nomancanglorifyGod, that takes him not for his God ; and none takes him for his God,thattakes him not for his fupremegood ; andboth theſe being effſentially included in this notion ofthe chief end, are therefore juftlyputtogether.
Q10. What is the firſttruth inferredhence?
A. ThatGodhath dignified inan above all other creatures on earth, in giving him a capacity of glorifying Godhere, and ofenjoying him hereafter .
Q. 11. What is the ſecond truth inferred hence ?
A. That the foul of manis not annihilated bydeath, but advancedby it ; Phil i. 21. To die is gain.
V. 23. Having a defire to depart, and tobe with Chrift, which is farbetter.
Q. 12. What is the third truth inferred hence ?
A. That itis the duty and wisdom of every Chriftian to renounce, deny, and forfake all inferior intereſts and enjoyments, whentheycome in competition with the glory ofGod, and our enjoyment ofhim: Luke xiv. 33. So likewife who. foeverhe be ofyou, that forſaketh not allthat he hath, he cannotbemydiſciple.
Q. 13. What is the fourth inferencehence?
A. That we are to abhor and renounce all thoſe doctrines and practices, that debaſe the glory ofGod, and exalt and magnify the creature.
Of the Scriptures as ourRule.
WHat ☑Hat rule hath Godgiven to direct us how Queft. 2. wemay glorify and enjoy him ?
A. The word of God, which is contained in the fcriptures ofthe OldandNew Testament, is the only rule to direct us botu wemayglorify and enjoyhim.
An Exposition of the Affembly's Catechism.
Q1. How can the ſcriptures be called the word ofGod, feeing the things containtedthere, were ſpoken andwritten bymen?
A. They are truly and properlycalledthe word of God, becauſethey came notby the will of man ; but holy men of God ſpake as they were moved by the holyGhost, 2 Pet. i.21 .
Q. 2. What are the principal arguments to perfuade us that the ſcriptures are ofdivine authority and infpiration ?
A. Three things eſpecially convince us : First, The holineſs of the doctrine therein contained.
Secondly, The awful efficacy thereof on the foul.
Thirdly, The uncontroulable miracles by which they are fealed, put it beyondall rational doubt that they are the very words ofGod.
Q. 3. What is theholiness ofthe ſcriptures? andhow doth thatprovethem to be God's word ?
A. The holiness ofthe ſcriptures doth appear intwo things:
First, In commanding and encouraging whatsoever is pure, and holy ; Phil. iv. 8. Whatſoever things are pure.
Secondly, In forbidding all unholineſs, under pain of damnation ; 1 Cor. vi. 9. Know ye not, that the unrighteous ſhall not inherit the kingdom ofGod, &c.
This ſhews that they came not from Satan, being croſs to his deſign ; nor from man, it being against his corrupt nature ; and therefore from God only.
Q. 4. What is their authorityand efficacyonthe foul ? and howdoth thatprove them divine ?
A. Their authority, and efficacyontheſoul,conſiſts in three things : First, In the power they have to ſearch and diſcover the fecrets of men; Heb. iv. 12. The word of God is quick and powerful, and ſharper than anytwo edgedſword, piercing eventothe dividing aſunder offoul and ſpirit, and ofthejoints andmarrow; and is a difcerner ofthe thoughts and intents of theheart.
Secondly, In their converting efficacy, changing and renewing the ſoul ; Pfalm xix. 7. The law ofthe Lord is perfect, converting the foul.
Thirdly, In their chearing and reftoring efficacy,when the ſoulis caſtdownunder any inward or outward trouble; Pfal. xix. 8. The ſtatutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart.
No human power can do ſuch things as theſe ; John xvii. 17. Sanctify them through thy truth ; thy word is truth.
Q. 5. How do miracles confirm it ?
A. Becauſe all proper miracles are wrought only by the band ofGod: John iii. 2. Andnomancandotheſe miracles