(xi) C: THE INTRODUCTION. From Dr COMBE R. having created our firft Parents after his own Image and Likenefs, did condefcend to enter into A COVENANT, or Agreement with them; wherein He promised LIFE to them and their Pofterity, upon Condition of perfect and perpetual Obedience : but they, thro' the Temptation of the Devil, wilfully tranfgreffed the Commandment of GoD, in eating of the Forbidden Fruit, whereby they brought not only themselves, but alfo their Pofterity, into a State of 'Sin and Mifery; for having followed the Apoftate Angels in their Rebellion against Go D, they did molt juftly 2 justly deserve to partake with them in their eternal Fate and Damnation, had not the infinite Wisdom and Goodness of GOD found out a Way to fave his loft Creatures by a new Covenant of GRACE and MERCY; wherein He freely offers Pardon and Salvation by his well-beloved Son, to all fuch as fhall truly repent, and believe in Him. And feeing this SECOND COVENANT is folemnly entred into in our Infancy by BAPTISM, which is the firft Benefit we are capable of receiving, it seemed good to the Compilers of this excellent CATECHISM, to begin it where we begin our Christianity; fince the being well inftructed in the Nature of this GOSPEL-COVENANT, lets us into the Knowledge of the Whole of our Religion. THE THE CHURCH CATECHISM EXPLAINED: QUESTION and ANSWER. PART I. The Chriftian Covenant. SECT. I. Of the Benefits of BAPTISM; or, the Mercies afforded on God's Part. QWhat do you call this Name which you anfwer by ? A. I call itmy Chriftian Name. Q. Why do you call it your Chriftian Name? A. Because it was given me when I was made a Chriftian. Q. Why are you here asked this Name? A. To put me in mind of the Faith I profeffed, and the Vows that I made at my Baptifm, when this Name was given me. Q. Who gave you this Name? A. My Godfathers and Godmothers in my Baptifm, wherein I was made a Member of Chrift, a Child of God, and an Inheritor of the Ringdom of heaven. Q. Why did your Godfathers and Godmothers give you your Chriftian Name? 4. Because they prefented me to my Baptism, and gave Security to the Church for my Chriftian Education. Q. What are the Privileges you receive by being baptized? A. I am thereby made a Member of Chrift, a Child of God, and an Inheritor of the kingdom of Heaven. Q. Why are you faid to be MADE a Member of Chrift, a Child of God, and an Inheritor of the Kingdom of Heaven? A. Because I was not fo born, but MADE fo by Baptifm. Q. How do you prove this by Scriptare? A. By Eph. ii. 3. And were by nature the children of wrath. John i. 12, 13. As many as received I him, to them gave he power [privilege] to at become the fons of God, which were born, e not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. John iii. 5, 6. Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh. Q. What is it to be a Member of Christ? A. It is to be a Member of Christ's Church, and thereby united to Chrift as 11 our Head. t Q. Why is a Member of Chrift's Church faid to be a Member of Chrift? A. Becaufe the Church is called the Body of Chrift, and Chrift is called the Head of that Body. Q. Where is the Church called the Body of Chrift, and Chrift the Head of the Church? A. In Eph.i. zz, 23. The church, which is his body. Eph. v. 23. Chrift is the head of the church. Q. How do you prove, that by Bap B 2 ..tism |