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<strong>An</strong><br />
ORTHODOX CATECHISM<br />
Being the Sum of<br />
Christian Religion<br />
Contained in the Law and Gospel.<br />
With NKJV Proof Texts and<br />
Scripture Index<br />
By: Hercules Collins<br />
(1646/7-1702)<br />
PARTICULAR BAPTIST<br />
HERITAGE BOOKS<br />
Knightstown, Indiana
<strong>An</strong> <strong>Orthodox</strong> <strong>Catechism</strong><br />
Originally Published: <strong>1680</strong><br />
PBHB edition: 2022<br />
Particular Baptist Heritage Books<br />
7346 S. Grant City Rd.<br />
Knightstown, IN 46148<br />
email: info@particularbaptistbooks.com<br />
website: www.ParticularBaptistBooks.com<br />
General Editor: D.W. Barger<br />
Copy Editors: A.J. Hammaker & T.R. McCann-<br />
Barnes<br />
ISBN: 978-1-64127-021-2<br />
Book cloth – Hardcover - NKJV<br />
Scripture taken from the New King James<br />
Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson.<br />
Used by permission. All rights reserved.<br />
Cataloging data:<br />
1. Baptists – Great Britain – History<br />
2. Particular Baptists – England<br />
Printed and bound in the U.S.A by<br />
MissionBookmakers.com
CONTENTS<br />
Publisher’s Note ................................................. v<br />
Original Preface ................................................ vii<br />
Q. 1-11. Of Man’s Misery .............................. 1<br />
Q. 12-24. Of Man’s Redemption................ 13<br />
Q. 25-27. God the Father ............................ 28<br />
Q. 28-51. God the Son ................................ 34<br />
Q. 52-63. God the Holy Spirit .................... 60<br />
Q. 64-67. The Sacraments ........................... 74<br />
Q. 68-78. Baptism ......................................... 78<br />
Q. 79-82. Laying on of Hands .................... 95<br />
Q. 83-94. The Lord’s Supper .................... 105<br />
Q. 95-100. Of Man’s Thankfulness ......... 127<br />
Q. 101-137. The Law of God ................... 134<br />
Q. 138-152. Prayer ...................................... 173<br />
<strong>An</strong> Appendix Concerning the<br />
Ordinance of Singing ................................. 195<br />
The Apostles’ Creed ...................................... 217<br />
The Nicene Creed .......................................... 219<br />
The Athanasian Creed ................................... 221<br />
Scripture Index ............................................... 225<br />
iii
PUBLISHER’S NOTE:<br />
It is hoped that our books will serve to reintroduce<br />
many of today’s Baptists to the<br />
literary heritage of their notable and largely<br />
forgotten forefathers, the Particular Baptists.<br />
Particular Baptists were individuals who<br />
embraced the historic Calvinistic doctrine of<br />
salvation (the term “Particular” denoting their<br />
commitment to particular redemption); that is,<br />
Christ’s sacrificial death upon the cross atoned<br />
for the sins of His church alone and no others.<br />
Their written works were both theologically<br />
driven and spiritually rooted. Such works not<br />
only offered the reader penetrating insights<br />
into God’s word but also a deep sense of<br />
devotion to Christ.<br />
As a publishing guideline, our editors strive<br />
to provide the reader with an unabridged,<br />
accurate word-for-word republication of the<br />
original. This includes original spellings,<br />
punctuations, sentence structure, etc. We<br />
believe this approach allows the original<br />
author(s) to speak for themselves while<br />
v
<strong>An</strong> <strong>Orthodox</strong> <strong>Catechism</strong><br />
providing the reader with a faithful<br />
representation of their work.<br />
For clarity, we wish to inform our readers<br />
that our publishing of an author does not entail<br />
a complete endorsement by Particular Baptist<br />
Heritage Books of every doctrinal point held<br />
by any specific author.<br />
Among our goals with such republications is<br />
to provide modern readers convenient access<br />
to Baptist primary sources for the purpose of<br />
(a) building up Christ’s church in spirit and<br />
truth and (b) continuing the work of Baptist<br />
historiography.<br />
It is our humble opinion that among the<br />
many pressing needs of Baptist churches today<br />
is the need to recover and preserve their literary<br />
heritage.<br />
As a small publisher, we heavily depend upon<br />
your generosity to help cover the costs<br />
associated with placing these historic and<br />
valuable works into a lasting format.<br />
Would you then, please prayerfully consider<br />
becoming a printing partner?<br />
To do so, visit our website at<br />
www.ParticularBaptistBooks.com<br />
vi
ORIGINAL PREFACE<br />
Unto the Church of Christ, who upon<br />
confession of faith have been baptized,<br />
meeting in Old-Gravel-Lane London, grace,<br />
mercy, and peace be multiplied unto you, and<br />
the good will of him which dwelt in the bush<br />
be with your spirits, Amen.<br />
Dearly Beloved,<br />
Forasmuch as there is but a small time<br />
allotted unto any of us in this world, and not<br />
knowing but my staff standeth next the door<br />
ready to depart, I am desirous in this respect so<br />
to bestow my precious and present time in my<br />
Lord’s business, as I may not return to Him<br />
with my talent wrapped up in a napkin, but may<br />
leave behind me some poor token and<br />
testimony of my love and duty towards Him,<br />
and His blessed spouse, the church.<br />
<strong>An</strong>d forasmuch as the day we live in is very<br />
gloomy and dark; full of error and heresy,<br />
which spreads more and more (through the<br />
indefatigable endeavors of the maintainers of<br />
vii
<strong>An</strong> <strong>Orthodox</strong> <strong>Catechism</strong><br />
it) like an overflowing leprosy, and eateth as<br />
doth a canker.<br />
Also considering it is a day of great<br />
declension in love to God and one to another<br />
also from those gospel truths, the least of<br />
which is more worth than our lives: all which<br />
may give God just cause to say to England’s<br />
professors, as once to Israel, “What iniquity<br />
have your fathers found in Me that they are<br />
gone away far from Me?” As if God should say,<br />
“Am I not the same as ever in power,<br />
goodness, faithfulness? Is not my Word and<br />
Ordinances the same, yea my promises and<br />
heaven the same now as ever?”<br />
Now that you may not be shaken, shattered,<br />
and carried away with every wind and blast,<br />
every puff and breath of error and heresy; also<br />
that you may be the better established,<br />
strengthened, and settled on that sure Rock<br />
and Foundation of salvation, Christ’s merits, in<br />
opposition to the poor imperfect works of an<br />
impotent creature; also settled on the<br />
foundation of Church constitution, on which<br />
you are already built, through the grace of God<br />
viii
Original Preface<br />
which stirred you up to search the divine<br />
Oracle, and Rule of divine service, as Ezra and<br />
Nehemiah searched into the particular parts of<br />
God’s worship, by which means they came to<br />
the practice of that almost lost ordinance of<br />
God, the Feast of Tabernacles, which for many<br />
years was not practiced after the due order,<br />
though a general notion was retained about it.<br />
I say, under these considerations, I have in<br />
charitable regard to your souls, presented you<br />
with this small (but I am bold to say) sound<br />
piece of divinity, which may not unfitly be<br />
styled an abridgement, or epitome of law and<br />
gospel, suited to everyone’s capacity in God’s<br />
house: here is milk for babes, and meat for<br />
strong men. It may not unfitly be compared to<br />
the waters of the sanctuary, where some may<br />
go up to the ankles, others to the knees, others<br />
to the loins, and they are deep enough for<br />
others to swim in. Here you are not only taught<br />
to be good Christians, but good moralists; the<br />
lack of which among them that have the leaves<br />
and lamps of profession (as ‘tis to be feared<br />
such have little more) is of a heart-breaking<br />
ix
<strong>An</strong> <strong>Orthodox</strong> <strong>Catechism</strong><br />
consideration to many that desire to walk with<br />
God.<br />
Now albeit here may be many things which<br />
some of you may know already, yet unto such<br />
those things I hope will be as acceptable as St.<br />
Peter’s epistles were to the scattered saints,<br />
though they knew much of the matter before;<br />
yet I dare say here is something which may be<br />
for information as well as establishment to the<br />
most knowing among you.<br />
I have not undertaken to present you with<br />
new notions or principles, hoping an Athenian<br />
spirit is in none of you, but do believe that an<br />
old Gospel (to you that have tasted the<br />
sweetness of it) will be more acceptable than a<br />
new, though published by an angel from<br />
heaven.<br />
In what I have written you will see I agree<br />
with the most orthodox divines in the<br />
fundamental principles and articles of the<br />
Christian faith, and also have industriously<br />
expressed them in the same words, which have<br />
on the like occasion been spoken, only<br />
differing in some things about Church<br />
x
Original Preface<br />
constitution, wherein I have taken a little pains<br />
to shew you the true form of God’s house, with<br />
the coming in thereof, and the going out<br />
thereof: but I hope my zeal in this will not be<br />
misinterpreted by any that truly fear God. That<br />
God whom we serve is very jealous of his<br />
worship; and forasmuch as by his Providence<br />
the law of His house hath been preserved and<br />
continued to us, we look upon it as our duty in<br />
our generation to be searching out the mind of<br />
God in His holy oracle, as Ezra and Nehemiah<br />
did the Feast of Tabernacles, and to reform<br />
what is amiss, as Hezekiah, who took a great<br />
deal of pains to cleanse the house of God, and<br />
set all things in order, that were out of order,<br />
particularly caused the people to keep the<br />
Passover according to the institution: for it had<br />
not, saith the text, been of a long time kept in<br />
such sort as it was written; and albeit the pure<br />
institutions of Christ were not for some<br />
hundreds of years practiced according to the<br />
due order, or very little through the<br />
innovations of <strong>An</strong>tichrist; and as circumcision<br />
for about forty years was unpracticed in the<br />
wilderness, yet as Joshua puts this duty in<br />
xi
<strong>An</strong> <strong>Orthodox</strong> <strong>Catechism</strong><br />
practice as soon as God signified his mind in<br />
that particular, so we having our judgements<br />
informed about the true way of worship, do<br />
not dare to stifle the light God hath given us.<br />
Now albeit there are some differences<br />
between many godly divines and us in Church<br />
constitution, yet inasmuch as those things are<br />
not the essence of Christianity, but that we do<br />
agree in the fundamental doctrine thereof,<br />
there is sufficient ground to lay aside all<br />
bitterness and prejudice, and labor to maintain<br />
a spirit of love each to other, knowing we shall<br />
never see all alike here. We find in the primitive<br />
times that the Baptism of Christ was not<br />
universally known, witness the ignorance of<br />
Apollos that eminent disciple and minister,<br />
which knew only the Baptism of John. <strong>An</strong>d if<br />
God shall enlighten any into any truth, which<br />
they shall stifle for base and unwarrantable<br />
ends, know that ‘tis God must judge, and not<br />
man. <strong>An</strong>d wherein we cannot concur, let us<br />
leave that to the coming of Christ Jesus, as they<br />
did their difficult cases in the Church of old<br />
until there did arise a priest with Urim and<br />
xii
Original Preface<br />
Thummim, that might certainly inform them of<br />
the mind of God thereabout.<br />
I have proposed three Creeds to your<br />
consideration, which ought thoroughly to be<br />
believed and embraced by all those that would<br />
be accounted Christians, viz. the Nicene Creed,<br />
Athanasius his Creed, and the Creed<br />
commonly called the Apostles’. The last of<br />
which contains the sum of the gospel; which is<br />
industriously opened and explained; and I<br />
beseech you do not slight it because of its form,<br />
nor antiquity, nor because supposed to be<br />
composed by men; neither because some that<br />
hold it, maintain some errors, or whose<br />
conversation may not be correspondent to<br />
such fundamental principles of salvation; but<br />
take this for a perpetual rule, that whatever is<br />
good in any, owned by any, whatever error or<br />
vice it may be mixed withal, the good must not<br />
be rejected for the error or evil’s sake, but<br />
owned, commended, and accepted. Here is<br />
also in the close of the book a brief, but full<br />
exposition of that prayer Christ taught His<br />
disciples. Also the Decalogue, or Ten<br />
Commandments, unfolded.<br />
xiii
<strong>An</strong> <strong>Orthodox</strong> <strong>Catechism</strong><br />
Now forasmuch as I have taken a great deal<br />
of pains in gathering these broken fragments<br />
together for your utility and profit, I hope you<br />
will take a little pains to read it, and more to<br />
live it; and I pray do it seriously and<br />
observingly. Read it humbly and frequently,<br />
read it with prayer and meditation, then am I<br />
sure thou art a true Christian wilt love it more<br />
and more. <strong>An</strong>d as you love your own souls,<br />
love your children’s, and declare it in praying<br />
for them, as Job did for his, and instructing<br />
them as Abraham did his; also winning them to<br />
good by good example. <strong>An</strong>d that this book may<br />
be advantage to youth as well as others, it is<br />
catechistically handled for their more easy<br />
learning the principles of Christian religion,<br />
that so they being seasoned with the true<br />
Articles of Christian faith, may not so easily be<br />
tainted with the sentiments of men of corrupt<br />
minds in time of temptation. <strong>An</strong>d it is heartily<br />
desired that parents, especially professing ones,<br />
were more concerned for the everlasting<br />
welfare of their children, as David was for<br />
Solomon, when he charged him near his death<br />
to keep the Commandments and Judgements<br />
xiv
Original Preface<br />
of God above all. <strong>An</strong>d if parents would but<br />
conscientiously read those divine Oracles<br />
which hold forth their duty to their children, it<br />
would doubtless be to them of great advantage.<br />
As for this that I have presented to public<br />
view, I beg the reader’s kind indulgence as to<br />
the faults escaped therein. <strong>An</strong>d for those whom<br />
the Lord hath committed to my charge, that<br />
the eternal God may be your Refuge, and<br />
underneath you everlasting Arms; that grace<br />
may be opened to your hearts, and your hearts<br />
to grace; that the blessing of the God of<br />
Abraham, Isaac and Jacob may be upon you,<br />
and the eternal Spirit may be with you, shall be<br />
the prayer of your unworthy brother, but more<br />
unworthy pastor,<br />
H.C.<br />
xv
A N<br />
<strong>Orthodox</strong> <strong>Catechism</strong>:<br />
Being the Sum of<br />
Christian Religion,<br />
Contained in the Law and Gospel<br />
Published<br />
For preventing the Canker and<br />
Poison of Heresy and Error.<br />
By H. Collins.<br />
Search the Scriptures. John 14:39<br />
The Words that I have spoken, the same<br />
shall judge you in the last day. John 12:48.<br />
LONDON,<br />
Printed in the Year, <strong>1680</strong>.
Q. 1-11. Of Man’s Misery<br />
Q. 1: What is thy only comfort in life and death?<br />
A. That both in soul and body, 1 whether I live<br />
or die, 2 I am not mine own, but belong wholly<br />
unto my most faithful Lord and Savior Jesus<br />
Christ: 3 who by His most precious blood fully<br />
satisfying for all my sins, 4 hath delivered me<br />
from all the power of the Devil, 5 and so<br />
preserveth me, 6 that without the will of my<br />
heavenly Father, not so much as an hair may<br />
fall from my head; 7 yea all things must serve for<br />
my safety: 8 wherefore by His Spirit also he<br />
assureth me of everlasting life, 9 and maketh me<br />
ready and prepared, 10 that henceforth I may<br />
live to Him.<br />
1 1 Cor. 6:19. Or do you not know that your body is<br />
the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you<br />
have from God, and you are not your own?<br />
1 Thess. 5:10. Who died for us, that whether we wake<br />
or sleep, we should live together with Him.<br />
2 Rom. 14:8. For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if<br />
we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live<br />
or die, we are the Lord's.<br />
3 1 Cor. 3:23. <strong>An</strong>d you are Christ's, and Christ is God's.<br />
4 1 Pet. 1:18-19. Knowing that you were not redeemed<br />
with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your<br />
21
<strong>An</strong> <strong>Orthodox</strong> <strong>Catechism</strong><br />
aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers,<br />
but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb<br />
without blemish and without spot. 1 John. 1:7. But if we<br />
walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship<br />
with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son<br />
cleanses us from all sin. 2:2. <strong>An</strong>d He Himself is the<br />
propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also<br />
for the whole world.<br />
5 1 John. 3:8. He who sins is of the devil, for the devil<br />
has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son<br />
of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works<br />
of the devil. Heb. 2:14-15. Inasmuch then as the<br />
children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself<br />
likewise shared in the same, that through death He might<br />
destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the<br />
devil, and release those who through fear of death were<br />
all their lifetime subject to bondage.<br />
6 John 6:39. This is the will of the Father who sent<br />
Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing,<br />
but should raise it up at the last day.<br />
7 Matt. 10:30. But the very hairs of your head are all<br />
numbered. Luke 21:18. But not a hair of your head shall<br />
be lost.<br />
8 Rom. 8:28. <strong>An</strong>d we know that all things work<br />
together for good to those who love God, to those who<br />
are the called according to His purpose.<br />
9 2 Cor. 1:12. For our boasting is this: the testimony<br />
of our conscience that we conducted ourselves in the<br />
world in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly<br />
wisdom but by the grace of God, and more abundantly<br />
22
<strong>An</strong> Appendix Concerning the Ordinance of Singing<br />
toward you. 5:5. Now He who has prepared us for this<br />
very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a<br />
guarantee. Eph. 1:13-14. In Him you also trusted, after<br />
you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation;<br />
in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the<br />
Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our<br />
inheritance until the redemption of the purchased<br />
possession, to the praise of His glory.<br />
10 Rom. 8:24-25. For we were saved in this hope, but<br />
hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope<br />
for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see,<br />
we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.<br />
Q. 2: How many things are necessary for thee to know,<br />
that thou enjoying this comfort may live and die<br />
happily?<br />
A. Three. 1 The first, what is the greatness of my<br />
sin and misery. 2 The second, how I am<br />
delivered from all sin and misery. 3 The third,<br />
what thanks I owe unto God for this delivery. 4<br />
1 Luke 24:47. <strong>An</strong>d that repentance and remission of<br />
sins should be preached in His name to all nations,<br />
beginning at Jerusalem. 1 Cor. 6:11. <strong>An</strong>d such were some<br />
of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified,<br />
but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and<br />
by the Spirit of our God. Rom. 8:15. For you did not<br />
receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you<br />
received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out,<br />
23
<strong>An</strong> <strong>Orthodox</strong> <strong>Catechism</strong><br />
"Abba, Father." Tit. 3:3-8. For we ourselves were also<br />
once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts<br />
and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and<br />
hating one another. But when the kindness and the love<br />
of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works<br />
of righteousness which we have done, but according to<br />
His mercy He saved us, through the washing of<br />
regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He<br />
poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our<br />
Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should<br />
become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This<br />
is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm<br />
constantly, that those who have believed in God should<br />
be careful to maintain good works. These things are<br />
good and profitable to men.<br />
2 John 4:41. <strong>An</strong>d many more believed because of His<br />
own word. Rom. 3:22-26. Even the righteousness of<br />
God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who<br />
believe. For there is no difference; for all have sinned<br />
and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely<br />
by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ<br />
Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His<br />
blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness,<br />
because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins<br />
that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the<br />
present time His righteousness, that He might be just<br />
and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.<br />
3 John 17:3. <strong>An</strong>d this is eternal life, that they may<br />
know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom<br />
You have sent.<br />
24
<strong>An</strong> Appendix Concerning the Ordinance of Singing<br />
4 Eph. 5:10. Finding out what is acceptable to the<br />
Lord. 1 Pet. 2:9. But you are a chosen generation, a royal<br />
priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that<br />
you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out<br />
of darkness into His marvelous light. 3:10-12. For "He<br />
who would love life <strong>An</strong>d see good days, Let him refrain<br />
his tongue from evil, <strong>An</strong>d his lips from speaking deceit.<br />
Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek<br />
peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the<br />
righteous, <strong>An</strong>d His ears are open to their prayers; But the<br />
face of the Lord is against those who do evil."<br />
Rom. 6:11-13. Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to<br />
be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus<br />
our Lord. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal<br />
body, that you should obey it in its lusts. <strong>An</strong>d do not<br />
present your members as instruments of<br />
unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as<br />
being alive from the dead, and your members as<br />
instruments of righteousness to God. Matt. 5:16. Let<br />
your light so shine before men, that they may see your<br />
good works and glorify your Father in heaven.<br />
Tit. 2:11-12. For the grace of God that brings salvation<br />
has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying<br />
ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly,<br />
righteously, and godly in the present age.<br />
Q. 3: Whence knowest thou thy misery?<br />
A. Out of the law of God. 1<br />
25
<strong>An</strong> <strong>Orthodox</strong> <strong>Catechism</strong><br />
1 Rom. 3:20. Therefore by the deeds of the law no<br />
flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the<br />
knowledge of sin. 7:5. For when we were in the flesh,<br />
the sinful passions which were aroused by the law were<br />
at work in our members to bear fruit to death. 13. Has<br />
then what is good become death to me? Certainly not!<br />
But sin, that it might appear sin, was producing death in<br />
me through what is good, so that sin through the<br />
commandment might become exceedingly sinful. 5:20.<br />
Moreover the law entered that the offense might<br />
abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much<br />
more.<br />
Q. 4: What doth the law of God require of us?<br />
A. That which doth Christ summarily teach us,<br />
Matt. 22:37-40. Thou shalt love the Lord thy<br />
God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul,<br />
and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength. 1<br />
This is the first and the great commandment,<br />
and the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love<br />
thy neighbor as thyself. On these two<br />
commandments hang the whole Law and the<br />
prophets.<br />
1 Luke 10:27. So he answered and said, " 'You shall<br />
love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your<br />
soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,' and<br />
'your neighbor as yourself.' "<br />
26
<strong>An</strong> Appendix Concerning the Ordinance of Singing<br />
Q. 5: Art thou able to keep all these things perfectly?<br />
A. No truly: 1 for by nature I am prone to the<br />
hatred of God, and of my neighbors. 2<br />
1 Rom. 3:10. As it is written: "There is none righteous,<br />
no, not one. 23. For all have sinned and fall short of the<br />
glory of God. 1 John 1:8. If we say that we have no sin,<br />
we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.<br />
2 Rom. 8:7. Because the carnal mind is enmity against<br />
God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed<br />
can be. Eph. 2:3. Among whom also we all once<br />
conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling<br />
the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by<br />
nature children of wrath, just as the others. Tit. 3:3. For<br />
we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient,<br />
deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in<br />
malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.<br />
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<strong>An</strong> <strong>Orthodox</strong> <strong>Catechism</strong><br />
Q. 6: Did God then make man so wicked and<br />
perverse?<br />
A. Not so, 1 but rather He made him good, and<br />
to His own image, 2 that is, endued with true<br />
righteousness and holiness, that he might<br />
rightly know God his Creator, and heartily love<br />
Him, and live with Him blessed forever, and<br />
that to praise and magnify Him. 3<br />
1 Gen. 1:31. Then God saw everything that He had<br />
made, and indeed it was very good. So the evening and<br />
the morning were the sixth day.<br />
2 Gen. 1:26-27. Then God said, "Let Us make man in<br />
Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have<br />
dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the<br />
air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every<br />
creeping thing that creeps on the earth." So God created<br />
man in His own image; in the image of God He created<br />
him; male and female He created them.<br />
3 2 Cor. 3:18. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding<br />
as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being<br />
transformed into the same image from glory to glory,<br />
just as by the Spirit of the Lord. Col. 3:10. <strong>An</strong>d have put<br />
on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according<br />
to the image of Him who created him. Eph. 4:24. <strong>An</strong>d<br />
that you put on the new man which was created<br />
according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.<br />
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<strong>An</strong> Appendix Concerning the Ordinance of Singing<br />
Q. 7: Whence then ariseth the wickedness of man’s<br />
nature?<br />
A. From the fall and disobedience of our first<br />
parents, Adam and Eve: 1 hence is our nature so<br />
corrupt, that we are all conceived and born in<br />
sin. 2<br />
1 Rom. 5:12. Therefore, just as through one man sin<br />
entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death<br />
spread to all men, because all sinned. 18-19. Therefore,<br />
as through one man's offense judgment came to all men,<br />
resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man's<br />
righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in<br />
justification of life. For as by one man's disobedience<br />
many were made sinners, so also by one Man's<br />
obedience many will be made righteous.<br />
2 Ps. 51:5. Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,<br />
<strong>An</strong>d in sin my mother conceived me. Gen. 5:3. <strong>An</strong>d<br />
Adam lived one hundred and thirty years, and begot a<br />
son in his own likeness, after his image, and named him<br />
Seth.<br />
Q. 8: Are we so corrupt that we are not at all apt to do<br />
well, and are prone to all evil?<br />
A. Indeed we are, except we are regenerated by<br />
the Holy Ghost. 1<br />
1 John 3:5. Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to<br />
you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot<br />
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<strong>An</strong> <strong>Orthodox</strong> <strong>Catechism</strong><br />
enter the kingdom of God." Gen. 6:5. Then the LORD<br />
saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth,<br />
and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only<br />
evil continually. Job 14:4. Who can bring a clean thing<br />
out of an unclean? No one! 15:16. How much less man,<br />
who is abominable and filthy, Who drinks iniquity like<br />
water! Isa. 53:6. All we like sheep have gone astray; We<br />
have turned, every one, to his own way; <strong>An</strong>d the LORD<br />
has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.<br />
FINIS.<br />
30
THE APOSTLES’ CREED<br />
I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker<br />
of heaven and earth;<br />
<strong>An</strong>d in Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son,<br />
our Lord;<br />
Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born<br />
of the Virgin Mary;<br />
Suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified,<br />
dead and buried;<br />
He descended into hell;<br />
The third day He rose again from the dead;<br />
He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right<br />
hand of God the Father Almighty;<br />
From thence He shall come to judge the<br />
quick and the dead;<br />
I believe in the Holy Ghost;<br />
I believe an holy catholic church; the<br />
communion of saints;<br />
The forgiveness of sins;<br />
The resurrection of the body;<br />
<strong>An</strong>d the life everlasting. Amen.<br />
32
THE NICENE CREED<br />
I believe in one God, the Father Almighty,<br />
Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things<br />
visible and invisible.<br />
<strong>An</strong>d in one Lord Jesus Christ, the onlybegotten<br />
Son of God, begotten of the Father<br />
before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light,<br />
very God of very God; begotten, not made,<br />
being of one substance with the Father, by<br />
whom all things were made.<br />
Who, for us men and for our salvation, came<br />
down from heaven, and was incarnate by the<br />
Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made<br />
man; and was crucified also for us under<br />
Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried; and<br />
the third day He rose again, according to the<br />
Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and sits<br />
on the right hand of the Father; and He shall<br />
come again, with glory, to judge both the quick<br />
and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no<br />
end.<br />
34
<strong>An</strong> <strong>Orthodox</strong> <strong>Catechism</strong><br />
<strong>An</strong>d I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord<br />
and Giver of Life; who proceeds from the<br />
Father and the Son; who with the Father and<br />
the Son together is worshipped and glorified;<br />
who spoke by the prophets.<br />
<strong>An</strong>d I believe one holy catholic and apostolic<br />
Church. I acknowledge one baptism for the<br />
remission of sins; and I look for the<br />
resurrection of the dead, and the life of the<br />
world to come. Amen.<br />
35
THE ATHANASIAN CREED<br />
Whosoever will be saved, before all things it<br />
is necessary that he hold the catholic faith;<br />
Which faith except everyone do keep whole<br />
and undefiled, without doubt he shall perish<br />
everlastingly.<br />
<strong>An</strong>d the catholic faith is this: that we worship<br />
one God in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity;<br />
Neither confounding the Persons nor dividing<br />
the substance.<br />
For there is one Person of the Father,<br />
another of the Son, and another of the Holy<br />
Spirit.<br />
But the Godhead of the Father, of the Son,<br />
and of the Holy Spirit is all one, the glory equal,<br />
the majesty coeternal.<br />
Such as the Father is, such is the Son, and<br />
such is the Holy Spirit.<br />
The Father uncreated, the Son uncreated,<br />
and the Holy Spirit uncreated. The Father<br />
incomprehensible, the Son incomprehensible,<br />
and the Holy Spirit incomprehensible. The<br />
36
<strong>An</strong> <strong>Orthodox</strong> <strong>Catechism</strong><br />
Father eternal, the Son eternal, and the Holy<br />
Spirit eternal.<br />
<strong>An</strong>d yet they are not three eternals, but one<br />
eternal. As also there are not three uncreated<br />
nor three incomprehensibles, but one<br />
uncreated and one incomprehensible.<br />
So likewise, the Father is almighty, the Son is<br />
almighty, and the Holy Spirit is almighty. <strong>An</strong>d<br />
yet they are not three almighties, but one<br />
almighty.<br />
So the Father is God, the Son is God, and the<br />
Holy Spirit is God; <strong>An</strong>d yet they are not three<br />
Gods, but one God.<br />
So likewise, the Father is Lord, the Son Lord,<br />
and the Holy Spirit Lord; <strong>An</strong>d yet they are not<br />
three Lords, but one Lord. For like as we are<br />
compelled by the Christian verity to<br />
acknowledge every Person by himself to be<br />
God and Lord; So are we forbidden by the<br />
catholic religion to say, there are three Gods or<br />
three Lords.<br />
The Father is made of none, neither created<br />
nor begotten. The Son is of the Father alone;<br />
not made nor created, but begotten. The Holy<br />
37
<strong>An</strong> <strong>Orthodox</strong> <strong>Catechism</strong><br />
Spirit is of the Father and of the Son; neither<br />
made, nor, created, nor begotten, but<br />
proceeding.<br />
So, there is one Father, not three Fathers;<br />
one Son, not three Sons; one Holy Spirit, not<br />
three Holy Spirits.<br />
<strong>An</strong>d in this Trinity none is afore or after<br />
another; none is greater or less than another.<br />
But the whole three Persons are coeternal,<br />
and coequal. So that in all things, as aforesaid,<br />
the Unity in Trinity and the Trinity in Unity is<br />
to be worshipped. He therefore that will be<br />
saved, must thus think of the Trinity.<br />
Furthermore, it is necessary to everlasting<br />
salvation, that we also believe rightly the<br />
incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ.<br />
For the right faith is that we believe and<br />
confess that our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of<br />
God, is God and man.<br />
God of the substance of the Father, begotten<br />
before the worlds; and man of substance of His<br />
mother, born in the world.<br />
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<strong>An</strong> <strong>Orthodox</strong> <strong>Catechism</strong><br />
Perfect God and perfect man, of a reasonable<br />
soul and human flesh subsisting. Equal to the<br />
Father as touching His Godhead, and inferior<br />
to the Father as touching His manhood.<br />
Who, although He is God and man, yet He is<br />
not two, but one Christ. One, not by<br />
conversion of the Godhead into flesh, but by<br />
taking of that manhood into God. One<br />
altogether, not by confusion of substance, but<br />
by unity of Person.<br />
For as the reasonable soul and flesh is one<br />
man, so God and man is one Christ; Who<br />
suffered for our salvation, descended into hell,<br />
rose again the third day from the dead; He<br />
ascended into heaven, He sits on the right hand<br />
of the Father, God, Almighty; From thence He<br />
shall come to judge the quick and the dead.<br />
At whose coming all men shall rise again with<br />
their bodies; and shall give an account of their<br />
own works. <strong>An</strong>d they that have done good<br />
shall go into life everlasting and they that have<br />
done evil into everlasting fire.<br />
This is the catholic faith, which except a man<br />
believe faithfully he cannot be saved.<br />
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SCRIPTURE INDEX<br />
Genesis<br />
1:1-2 ....................... 25.1<br />
1:2 ........................... 52.1<br />
1:26-27 ..................... 6.2<br />
1:31 ........................... 6.1<br />
2:17 ......................... 39.1<br />
3:15 ......................... 19.1<br />
5:3 ............................. 7.2<br />
6:5 ............................. 8.1<br />
9:6 ..............123.1, 123.4<br />
9:25 ....................... 121.2<br />
12:6-7 ..................... 73.9<br />
13:15-17 ................. 73.9<br />
15:16, 18 ................ 73.9<br />
17:8-11 ................... 73.9<br />
17:9-12 ................... 72.1<br />
17:10 ....................... 86.3<br />
17:11 ....................... 65.1<br />
17:19, 21 ................ 73.5<br />
21:10 ....................... 73.5<br />
21:24, 31 .............. 116.2<br />
22:18 ....................... 19.2<br />
49:10-11 ................. 19.2<br />
Exodus<br />
12:26-27, 43, 48 .... 86.3<br />
13:9 ............... 85.3, 86.3<br />
15 ..... APPX. 25, 28, 32<br />
15:1 ............... APPX. 10<br />
15:21 ............. APPX. 15<br />
20:2 ....................... 104.1<br />
20:3-17 ................. 101.1<br />
20:5 ............... 11.2, 12.1<br />
20:7 ......................... 12.1<br />
20:17 ..................... 134.1<br />
21:14 ..................... 123.4<br />
21:17 ..................... 121.1<br />
22:18 ....................... 19.2<br />
23:5 ....................... 125.4<br />
23:7 ......................... 12.1<br />
23:24 ..................... 111.1<br />
24:8 ............... 85.2, 86.3<br />
34:5-7 ................... 145.2<br />
34:6 ......................... 11.1<br />
34:13-14, 17 ......... 111.1<br />
34:28 ..................... 102.1<br />
Leviticus<br />
5:1 ......................... 115.1<br />
6:25 ......................... 65.1<br />
9:24 ......................... 71.2<br />
10:16 ....................... 71.2<br />
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<strong>An</strong> <strong>Orthodox</strong> <strong>Catechism</strong><br />
41