Herein, notwithstanding the brevity thereof, all things necessary unto Life and Godliness are contained.

This brief Catechism was intended (as the Title speaks) for Children, whether in yeers , or in understanding, that they committing the same to Memory, or otherwise throughly aquainting themselves therewith, might receive true and solid information concerning the chief articles of the Christian Faith. Yea, perhaps it may (as well as the larger Catechism going before) give further light and instruction even to them who, seem to have attained a full stature in the knowledge of the Gospel, especially if they ponder the third, sixth, and tenth Chapters.

For though all the things whether of belief or practice, that are either necessary, or very profitable to the attainment of Eternal Life, be plainly delivered in the Scripture, yet considering in what Principles Christians are generally educated, it would perhaps have been impossible for them, having the eyes of their understanding so veiled with prejudicate opinions, to see what is clearly held forth in the Scriptures and accordingly with ease fetched out from thence by me, who have long since discarded prejudices, and am (through the special favour of Jesus Christ towards me) addicted to none of those many factions in Religion, whereinto the Christian world hath to its infinite hurt been divided, but rejoyce to be a meer Christian , admitting (as I have elsewhere declared) no other Rule of Faith, then the holy Scripture, (which all Christians, though otherwise at infinite variance amongst themselves in their opinions about Religion, unanimously acknowledge to be the Word of God) nor any other Interpreter, if a doubt arise about the meaning of the Scripture, then Reason, (which all sober men confess to be the only Principle that God hath implanted in us to judge between right and wrong, good and bad; and whereby we excel all other living creatures whatsoever).

The Lord Jesus grant that this and the foregoing larger Catechism may by the Readers be perused as profitably as I have willingly to that end communicated the same unto them.
 

Chap. 1. Of the Scriptures, or Word of God.

Chap. 2. Of God.

Chap. 3. Of Jesus Christ, and of his Lordship, 
              Godhead and Nature.

Chap. 4. Of the Holy Spirit, and of the Trinity.

Chap. 5. Of the Death, Resurrection, Ascension, 
               and Exaltation of Christ.

Chap. 6. Of Mortification and Holiness of Life.

Chap. 7. Of the Commandments, and so of Love 
               to God and Men.

Chap. 8. Of Faith.

Chap. 9. Of the Church.

Chap. 10. Of the Resurrection of the Dead, and of 
                 the last Judgement.
 

Qu. What saith the Scripture touching its own Authority, Usefulness, and Sufficiency?
A. The holy Scriptures are able to make wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness : That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. 2Tim.3.15,16,17.

Qu. What saith it touching its own plainness? Can the simple understand it?
A. The entrance of thy word giveth light, it giveth understanding to the simple. Psal.119.130.

Qu. Seeing the Scripture, given by inspiration of God, is both full and plain, as itself testifies, what answer would you make to such a one as should go about to persuade you, either that God hath not uttered his whole will, or uttered it so obscurely, and ambiguously, that we need Revelations , or the Expositions of an Infallible Church to understand it?
A. He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? Mic. 6 . 8.
 

Qu. How many Gods of Christians are there?
A. One God. Eph.4 . 6.

Qu. Who is this one God?
A. The Father, of whom are all things. 1 Cor.8 . 6.

Qu. Whose Father?
A. Even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Rom.15 . 6.

Qu. Is not the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ the same with the God of Abraham and of Isaac and of Jacob? What saith the Apostle Peter to the Jews?
A. The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, hath glorified his Son Jesus. Act.3 . 13.

Qu. Why then was not God called the Father in the Law, and in the Prophets, and this name put instead of God, and accordingly such expressions there used? Ye all worship the father; If ye call upon the Father; The Father seeketh such to worship him? Was it because the Son of God was not yet in being? and can you alledge any passage out of the old Testament, which being compared with another of the New, will clearly shew that the Son of God was afterwards to be? Cite the texts.
A. I will be his Father, and he shall be my Son. 2Sam.7.14.
Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.
For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again , I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son? Heb 1 . 4,5.

Qu. What is God?
A. A Spirit. John 4 . 24.

Qu. Doth this intimate he hath no shape, and so cannot be seen? or doth the Scripture on the contrary testify that the angels do see his face, and that the Saints shallsee him, yea see him as he is? What saith Christ?
A. Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, that in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.   Matt 18.10

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God . Mat. 5 . 8.

Qu. What saith the Apostle John?

A. Now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be : but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him: for we shall see him as he is . 1 John 3 . 3.

Qu. Doth this doctrine of seeing God as he is, tend to idolatry and profaneness, or rather unto holiness?
A. Every man that hath this hope in him, purifieth himself, even as he is pure. 1John3. 3.

Qu. Where is Gods place?
A. Our God is in the heavens. Psal. 115 . 3.

Qu. Did he not prepare a throne there?
A. The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens. Psal 103 . 19.
Qu. To what end?
A. He hath prepared his throne for judgement. Psal 9 . 7.

Qu. How speaketh the Psalmist unto God when he setteth forth his greatness and glory?
A. O Lord my God thou art very great, thou art clothed with honor and majesty : Who covereth thyself with light as with a garment. Psal.104 . 1,2.

Qu. That God glistereth with glory, and is resident in a certain place of the heavens, so that one may distinguish between is right hand and left hand, is not all this evinced by the very sights (the clearest demonstration of all) so that none can justly question whether these things be spoken properly? what is recorded of Stephen in the Scripture?
He, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. Acts7.55,56.

Qu. Forasmuch as God is a spirit, how ought we to worship him?
A. In spirit and in truth. John 4 . 24.

Qu. Who made the world and all things therein?
A. God. Acts 17 . 24

Qu. Why did God make mankind?
A. That they should seek the Lord. Acts 17 .

Qu. Shall one find God if he seek him?
A. If thou seek him he will be found of thee . 1Chron.2 8 .9.

Qu. What if one forsake him?
A. He will cast thee off for ever. 1 Chron. 28 . 9.

Qu. Ought not one to seek God in faith, and is not this faith to believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him? would one please him without such faith?
A. Without faith it is impossible to please him : for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Heb.11.6.
 

Qu. How many Lords of Christians are there, by way of distinction from that one God?
A. One Lord.Eph.4 . 5.

Qu. Who is that one Lord?
A. Jesus Christ, by whom are all things. 1Cor. 8 . 6.

Qu. How came he to be Lord?
A. God hath made Jesus both Lord and Christ. Acts 2. 36.

Qu. Is not Christ dignified, as with the title of Lord, so also with that of God? What said Thomas to him?

A. Thomas answered and said to him, My Lord and my God . John 20. 28.

Qu. Was he so the God of Thomas, as that he himself did not in the mean time acknowledge another to be his God? what saith he to Mary Magdalene after his resurrection?
A. Jesus saith unto her: Go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God , and your God. John 20 . 17.

Qu. W hat saith he to the Angel of the Church at Philadelphia, after his Ascension and Exaltation?
A. Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God , and he shall go no more out : and I will write upon him the name of my God , and the name of the city of my God , the new Jerusalem, which descendeth out of heaven from my God . Rev 3 . 12.

Qu. Is there not a passage of Scripture, where at the same time that Christ, even after the sitting on his throne, is called God, and himself is also said to have a God? Recite those words which the Divine Author to the Hebrews citeth out of the Psalms.
A. Unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God , is for ever and ever : a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God , hath anointed thee with the oyl of gladness above thy fellows. Heb. 1 . 8,9.

Qu. Who is this God of Jesus Christ? What saith Paul?
A. The God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory. Eph 1 . 17

Qu. The Divine Lordship of Christ being explained, I would fain hear you speak of his Nature. How therefore was he born?
A. the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise : When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Mat 1 . 18.

Qu. Was not this the reason why Jesus was called the Son of God? Recite the words of the Angel Gabriel to his Mother on this behalf.
A. The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Most high shall overshadow thee : therefore also that Holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. Luke 1 . 35

Qu. Was it not prophesied that the Christ should be thus born without the help of a man, and have God for his Father, who by his Spirit (called in the Scriptures the finger of God), as being the chief instrument whereby he doth wondrous works) supply the place of a Father in begetting him? what saith the Evangelist Matthew out of Isaiah?
A. All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Mat.1 . 22

Qu. Was Christ called Emmanuel, as being God himself that is with us, or as being him in whom God is with us, doth favor and bless us? as Moses, Exod 17 . 15. called the Altar which he had erected upon the defeat of the Amalekites, Jehovah-nissi, w hich being interpreted, is the Lord is my banner, though it were but a meer monument that the Lord had been his banner? What therefore doth the Scripture mainly intimate concerning Christs not being God himself, but a middle person interposed between God and us, in, by, and through whom all favors and blessings are conveyed to us from God? Cite me three or four passages amongst an infinite number to this purpose.
A. There is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. 1 Tim 2 . 5.
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ : By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoyce in hope of the glory of God. And not onely so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement. Rom 5 . 1,2,11.
The gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Rom 6 . 23.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ : According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love : Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved . Eph. 1 . 3,4,5,6.

Qu. Of what consequence is it to confess that Jesus is the Son of God?
A. Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. 1 John 4 . 15.

Qu. Is it not all one to say, that Jesus is the Christ, that is, the Lords anointed, or the king set over his people, or that he is the Son of God; and none being the Son of God, save he who is the Christ? How speaketh the Scripture?
A. Jesus is the Christ. 1John 5 . 1.
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Acts 8 . 7.
Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. John 20 . 31.

Qu. What proofs have you to evince, that though a man believe in God, yet is it not enough, unless he believe also in the Son of God? and that though he know the father the onely true God, yet he must also know Jesus Christ? How speaketh Christ to his Disciples?
A. Ye believe in God, believe also in me. John 14 . 1.

Qu. How speaketh Christ to the Father?
A. This is life eternal, that they might know thee the onely true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent. John17 . 3.

Qu. How will we know whether we know God and Jesus Christ or not?
A. Hereby we know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a lyar , and the truth is not in him. 1John 2 . 3,4.
 

Qu. How many holy Spirits of Christians are there?
A. One Spirit. Eph 4 . 4.

Qu. O f what concernment is this Spirit unto Christians?
A. By one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. 1 Cor. 12 . 13.
We have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Eph. 2 . 18.
The Spirit himself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.
Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities : for we know not what we should pray for as we ought : but the Spirit himself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. Rom 8.16,26,27.

Qu. Seeing Christians are so much beholding to the Holy Spirit, what advice doth the Apostle Paul give them thereupon?
A. Grieve not the holy Spirit of God. Eph 4 . 30.

Qu. I percieve by what you have alledged , out of Scripture, that the holy Trinity which Christians did at first believe and acknowledge, consisted of one God, one Lord, and one Spirit : yet inasmuch as Christians nowadayes commonly hold that all the three Persons of the holy Trinity are that one God, cite a passage or two more, that may assure them, who had rather hearken to the writings of the Apostles, then to the traditions and commandments of men in after Ages, that God is not the whole Trinity, but one Person thereof. What therefore saith the Scripture to this effect?
A. Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit .
And there are differences of administrations , but the same Lord .
And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. 1 Cor 12 . 4,5,6.
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ , and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit , be with you all. Amen. 2 Cor. 13 . 14.
 

Qu. Did not Christ suffer death for us?
A. Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures. I Cor 15 . 3.

Qu. Was he not buried and raised again?
A. He was buried and rose again the third day, according to the Scriptures. 1Cor15.4.

Qu. Was he raised by his own glory, and doth he live by his own power?
A. Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father. Rom. 6.4
He liveth by the power of God. 2 Cor. 13.4.

Qu. Of what moment was his Resurrection?
A. He rose for our justification Rom.4.25.

Qu. Of what consequence is it to believe that it was God, and not himself that raised Christ from the dead?
A. If thou shalt believe in thine heart that God raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. Rom.10.9.

Qu. As God raised Jesus from the dead, so did he not also exalt him?
A. Him hath god exalted to be Prince and Saviour. Acts 5.31.

Qu. To what end?
A. For to give repentance and remission of sins to Israel. Acts 5.31.

Qu. Did not God intend that the Gentiles aswel as the Jews should have remission of sins by Christ, if they believe in him?
A. To him give all the Prophets witness; that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. Act.10.43.

Qu. Is there not a passage in the Epistles of Peter where Christs Resurrection, Ascension, Sitting at the right hand of God, and inauguration in his kingdom are expressed together? Rehearse it.
A. The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience towards God) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities, and powers being made subject unto him. 1Pet.3,21,22.
 

Qu. Forasmuch as Christ, in that he died; died unto sin once; but in that he liveth, liveth unto God: what reckoning should we make with ourselves hereupon?

A. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin; but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Rom.6.11.

Qu. What must be done in pursuance of this reckoning?
A. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. Rom.6.12,13.

Qu. How is this needful, seeing we are not under the Law, but under Grace?
A. What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Rom.6.15.

Qu. What danger is there to us who are under Grace, if we give ourselves to the service of sin? can it deprive us of eternal life?
A. Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? Rom.6.16.

Qu. But though we should strive never so much against sin, will not sin still have dominion or mastery over us, so that every one of us will be forced to cry out , The good that I would, I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do?
A. Sin shall not have dominion over you. Rom.6.14.

Qu. Why not?
A. For ye are not under the Law, but under Grace. Rom.6.14.

Qu. Is the coming of Christ and his Grace of greater efficacy, then the Law, to extinguish sin, and make men perfect? How speaketh the Scripture to this purpose?
A. What the Law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Rom.8.3,4.
The law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did. Heb.7.16.

Qu. By this account when Paul saith I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me from this body of death? he must not be thought to speak these things of himself as being under Grace, but as personating a man under the law. What therefore have you to alledge out of the following discourse, to prove that Paul, after he had received the Gospel of Christ, was not any longer under this wretched bondage of sin and death? what saith he of himself immediately after that sad complaint, O wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me from the body of this death? whereby it may appear that being once a Christian, he was freed from death?
A. I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Rom.7.25.

Qu. What saith he a little after, whereby it may appear that being once a Christian, he was free from sin aswel as death?
A. The law of the spirit of life, in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. Rom. 8.2.
 

Qu. What good shall a man do that he may have eternal life?
A. If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. Mat.19.17.

Qu. Which?
A. Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Mat.19.18,19.

Qu. Which is the greatest commandment of the law?

A. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
This is the first and great commandment. Mat.22.37,38

Qu. Which is the second commandment that is like unto it?
A. Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Mat.22.39.

Qu. Are these two commandments the sum of all the rest?
A. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. Mat.22.40.

Qu. Hath not Christ added a new commandment unto those in the Gospel? what saith he to his Disciples touching this?
A. A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. John 13.34.

Qu. Belike then we ought to love the brethren above ourselves. Can you make this appear?
A. We ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 1 John 3.16.

Qu. This is indeed to love the brethren above ourselves, to cast away our own lives that we may save others. Did Christ love us in this maner ?
A. He laid down his life for us. 1 John 3.16.

Qu. Wherein consisteth the love of God?
A. This is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. 1 John 5.3.

Qu. But are they not insupportable and impossible to be kept?
A. His commandments are not grievous. 1 John 5.3.

Qu. Do we love God of our own accord? or because he did prevent us by his love?
A. We love him because he first loved us. 1 John 4.19.

Qu. Wherein did he manifest his love?
A. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his onely begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. 2 John 4.9.

Qu. May not a man love God, and yet be so far from laying down his life for a brother, as that he will not relieve him in his necessity, though though he hath wherewithal to do it?
A. But whoso hath this worlds good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? 1 John 3.17.

Qu. Is not brotherly love a signe to us ourselves that we are heirs of life?
A. We know that we are passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. 1 John 3.14.

Qu. Is it not a signe to all men that we are the Disciples of Christ, and so the infallible mark of the true Church given by Christ himself? how speaketh he?
A. By this shall all men know that ye are my Disciples, if ye have love one to another. John 13.25.
 

Qu. How many faiths are there common to all Christians, whereby they become children of God?
A. One faith. Eph.4.4.

Qu. What is that faith? how speaketh the apostle Paul to the Christians of his time concerning it?
A. Ye are all children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. Gal.3.26.

Qu. How speaketh the apostle John?
A. Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ, is born of God. 1 Joh.5.1.

Qu. When the Scripture giveth so honourable a testimony to faith, as that we are the children of God, and justified, and saved by it, what faith meaneth it?
A. Faith which worketh by love. Gal.5.6.

Qu. Do works give life and vigour to faith, making it able to justifie and save?
A. Faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. Jam.2.17,26.
 

Qu. In what relation standeth Christ towards the Church, and the Church towards him?
A. He is the head of the body the Church. Col.1.18.

Qu. How many such bodies hath Christ?
A. One body. Eph.4.4.

Qu. To whom doth the Scripture give the apellation of the Church?
A. To them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints. 1 Cor.1.2.

Qu. Whereon is the Church built?
A. Upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth into an holy temple in the Lord. Eph.2.20,21.
 

Qu. Who shall judge the secrets of men at the last day?
A. God. Rom.2.16.

Qu. By himself, or by some other?
A. By Jesus Christ. Rom.2.16.

Qu. Hereby it seemeth that Christ is not God himself, but one deputed by God to judge the world. What therefore saith Peter that he and his fellow-apostles were commanded by Christ to preach and testifie concerning this thing?
A. He commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testifie that it is he which was ordained of God to be the judge of quick and dead. Acts 10.42.

Qu. How shall Christ raise the dead, when he cometh to judge the world??
A. The hour is coming when all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth. Joh.5.28,29.

Qu. To what state and condition?
A. They that have done good, unto the resurrection of life, and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. Joh.5.29.

Qu. Do the righteous then enter into life for their own good works, amongst which the works of charity towards Christ in his poor distressed Saints, hold the chiefest rank? What will Christ say to them at the resurrection?
A. Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred , and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Matth.25.34,35,36.

Qu. Are the wicked on the contrary damned to hell-fire for their evil works, amongst which their uncharitableness towards Christ in his poor distressed Saints, is the chiefest? What will Christ say to them also at the resurrection?
A. Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the divel and his angels:
For I was an hungred , and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Mat.25.41,42,43.

Qu. What would you answer then to such a one, as should bear you in hand, that the wicked are cast into Hell-fire upon another more secret account, and not for their evil works, such as covetousness, fornication, uncleanness, and the like?
A. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the Children of disobedience. Eph.5.6.

Qu. Why did God ordain Christ to raise the dead, rather than raise them by himself?
A. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 1 Cor.15.21.

Qu. How are the dead in Christ raised, and with what body do they come? How speaketh Paul according to the truth of the Greek text?
A. That which thou sowest is not quickened, except it dye :
And what thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but a bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other.
But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body.
So also is the resurrection of the dead; it is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruptibility.
It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:
An animal body is sown, a spiritual body is raised. 1Cor.15.36,37,38,42,43,44.

Qu. Why must it be a spiritual body, and not one of flesh? Why not the same body that was before corrupted?
A. Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of heaven; neither doth corruption inherit incorruptibility. 1Cor.15.50.

Qu. Hath not Christ then, who inheriteth the kingdom of heavenand incorruptibility, now a spiritual body, although he rose with the same fleshly one he had before, that he might converse with the Disciples, and they not onely be able to endure the sight of him, but be infallibly assured it was he, and not another appearing in his stead? what saith Paul concerning this?
A. The last Adam is made a quickning Spirit. 1Cor.15.45

Qu. Is it inconsistent to be a spirit and have a body of flesh?
A. A spirit hath not flesh and bones. Luke 24.39.

Qu. If it be thus, that none but spirits, and so such as have spiritual bodies, can inherit the kigdom of heaven, how shall we that are alive at the last day, and clothed with flesh, be made capable of inheriting the kingdom?
A. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump (for the trumpet shall sound) we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruptibility and this mortal must put on immortality. 1Cor.15.52,53 .

Qu. What shall happen to us who are alive, and to the Saints that are found dead at the last day, after the one have been changed, and the others raised incorruptible?
A. We which remain alive shall be caught up together with them in clouds to meet the Lord in the ayr , and so shall ever be with the LORD. 1 Thess.4 . 17 .

Qu. In what place shall the Saints be with the Lord for ever?
A. He hath prepared for them a city. Heb.11 . 16.

Qu. What is the name of this city?
A. The new Jerusalem. Rev.3.12

Qu. Shall the New Jerusalem remain in the heaven for ever, or else descend from thence? and shall the erth towards which it must descend, be the same as that which now is, or a new earth which God shall make? What saith John the Divine concerning the descent and glory of this city, (shewed him in a vision after he had seen the maner of the last judgement,) and concerning the Saints dwelling with God therein?
A. I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more Sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. and I heard a great voice out of heaven, saying. Behold the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself will be with them, their God. Rev. 21 . 1,2,3.