Question.

IT is the duetie of a true Chri­stian alwayes to be readye 1. Pet. 3.15 to render an account of his fayth, to the ende it may appeare, that he is not Mat. 10.32 Rom. 10.10 ashamed of Christ & his Doctrine. Let me therefore heare what thou canst saye of the principall poynts of Christian Religion.

Answeare.

There be three speciall parts therof. the first is Iohn. 17.3 2. Cor. 13.5 to know God and my selfe: the second is, Iohn. 5.24 the meanes wherby my saluation is wrought: the third, Matth. 6.9 and. 26.26 what helpes God doth further mee withall vnto lyfe euerlasting.

Question.

What sayst thou of the knowledge of God?

Answeare.

The same is of two sortes: the one is vniuer­sall, and knowen Rom. 1.19 Psalm. 19.1 by the creation of heauen and earth, wherin God offereth him selfe to be seene and knowen of me, as the onely fountayne of all goodnesse, who alone Deut. 6.13 ought to be worshipped. For his Genes. 1.1 Act. 17.24 eternitie appereth in the making of the world, his Psalm. 36 goodnes in preseruing the same, his Psalm. 107 Act. 17.28 Psal. 115.3 prouidence in the tokens whiche are seene [Page] and felt, Psal. 115.3. wherby what pleaseth his godly will commeth to passe, and not by blynd fortune: his Psal. 104.24 wisedome in ordering of the things created: hys Rom. 2.7.8.9.10. ryghtuousnesse in deliuering the godly, & punishing the wicked: hys Ezec. 18.32 mercy in paciently forbearing synners, and calling them to repen­tance. So that what may be knowen of God, is manyfest in the things created, which vniuer­sall knowledge taketh away Rom. 1.20. al excuse from the vngodly, whiche worshyp not God aryght: but to me it is a Psal. 19.1. ready way to bring me to the true worship of God.

The other knowledge is special, & onely proper Iohn. 17.3 Iere. 31.34 to the elect, wherby, through faith poured in­to my hart by the holy ghost, I am assured that my saluation is wrought by Christ the Sonne of God, by whome Ro. 8.16 I am made the childe of God thorow grace, and heyre with Christ of his kingdome, which knowledge onely commeth of Luk. 10.21 grace, and so is giuē to me, but it is restray­ned from the wicked, because of their Mat. 13.14 sinne and hardnes of hart.

Question.

What sayst thou of the knowledge of thy selfe?

Answeare.

By creation I was made in Adam, accor­ding to the Genes. 2.27 Ephes. 4.24 Image of God (I meane not any bodily shape, for God is a Iohn. 4.24 spirit, and without [Page] body (in true rightuousnes & holynes, that is to say, in al perfectiō and happines of nature, both in ryght iudgement, reason, wyll, & strength. In which happy state, if Adam had continued, both I and al his posteritie had bene blessed for euer.

Question.

How diddest thou fall from this grace?

Answeare.

My fall appeareth, in that Gene. 3. toto Rom. 5.12.13 Adam who had thys blessing for me, thorow the intisement of the serpent brake the commaundement of God, in eating of the forbidden fruite, and by the same depriued him selfe of his former happynes, and brought synne, death, hel, the wrath of God, and all kynde of miseries into the world, as iust pu­nishmēts for his deserts. In which his sinful act, his pride, disobedience, lacke of fayth, vnthank­fulnesse to his creatour, lyght credit to the De­uyll appeared. In which offence, both I and all his ofspring are wrapped, in as much as in hym we all haue synned, for he had the blessing geuen, to keepe or loose, for hym and his. Wher­fore I, and al others descending of hym, by him, and in hym, haue fallen from grace, and are in­fected wyth hys corruptions, Psal. 51.5 conceyued in sin, borne in eniquitie, and Ephes. 2.3 Rom. 3.2 by nature the children of wrath, and vtterly vndone, without the grace and mercy of God.

Question.

How art thou restored to grace agayne?

Answeare.

My restauration commeth thorow Titus. 3.10 Ephes. 2.4 the free mercy and fauour of God, who after this my fall in Adam, raysed both hym and me vp again with the comfortable Genes. 3.15 &. 12.2. & 22.18 promise of a Saueour, who by his Rom. 3.25 Colos. 1.22 2. Cor. 5.21 death shoulde pacifie the wrath of God, and bring me into his fauour agayne: Rom. 5.19 by whose obedience I am made ryghtuous: which my regeneration commeth thus to me, whylest Matth. 3.2 Luk. 24.47 by the preaching of the Lawe I am brought to the feeling of my syns, and raysed vp with the comfortable promises of the Gospell, receyued by fayth. Act. 15.9 1. Cor. 3.16 My hart is lightned, purifyed, and gouerned by the holy Ghost: Ephes. 4.24 my wil and mind reformed, and the image of God renued agayne in me.

Question.

Shewe me what be the meanes wherby thy saluation is wrought.

Answeare.

The ordinary meanes commonly are two, that is to say, Luk. 24.47 Rom. 10.17 the word of God, and fayth.

Question.

What is the word of God?

Answeare.

It is those Canonicall scriptures 2. Tim. 3.16 written [Page] by the spirit of God, 2. Pet. 1.2 [...] and commended to man both in the olde and in the new Testament, wherin are conteyned Deut. 4.2 & 12.32 Galat. 1.8 Luk. 16.2 [...] all things necessary to saluation, according to the which, the Lord will haue all his religion measured, without eyther addyng or dimishing.

Question.

How canst thou know the true Religion, in so many opinions of the same, as be in the world?

Answeare.

Fyrst, I trye the religion taught me Act. 17.11 Iohn. 5.39 by the word of God, and by his spirit geuen me to vn­derstand the same. Secondly, 1. Iohn. 4.1. [...] I know thys spirit to be a ryght spirit, because it confesseth Christ to be come in the fleshe, that is to say, as­cribeth the whole worke of my saluation to him, and to no other thing. Thyrdly, Rom. 3.31 I expound one place of Scripture, as it is not contrarye to another. And thus I trye the truth, Ioh. 12.48 ma­king the worde of God to iudge and determine what I ought to folowe.

Question.

How is the worde of God deuided?

Answeare.

Into the Matth. 3.2 Luk. 24.47 Law and Gospell.

Question.

What is the Lawe?

Answeare.

It is the ten commaundementes of God, re­quiring of euery one Deut. 27.26 most pure, perfect, and perpetuall obedience, Leuit. 18.5 Rom. 10.5 Math. 19.17 promisyng saluation to them which fulfill the same, threatning death and damnation to the transgessours thereof.

Question.

Rehearse the same to me.

Answeare.

1 Exod. 20 Thou shalt haue none other Gods but me.

2 Thou shalt not make to thy selfe any gra­uen Image, nor the likenes of any thing that is in heauen aboue, or in the earth beneath, or in the waters vnder he earth: thou shalt not bowe down to them nor worship them, for I the Lord thy God am a ielous god, visiting the iniquities of the fathers vpon the children vnto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me, and shewe mercy to thousandes, in them that loue me and keepe my commaundements.

3 Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vayne, for the Lord will not holde him giltles that taketh his name in vayne.

4 Remember that thou keepe holy the Sab­both daye, sixe dayes shalt thou labour and do all that thou hast to doo, but the seuenth day is the Sabboth of the Lord thy God, in it thou shalt doo no manner of worke, thou, nor thy sonne, nor thy daughter, thy man seruaunt, and thy mayde [Page] seruaunt, thy cattel, and straunger within thy gates: for in sixe dayes the Lord made heauen and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seuenth day, wherefore the Lord bles­sed the seuenth day, and hallowed it.

5 Honour thy father and thy mother, that thy dayes may bee long in the land which the Lord thy God geueth thee.

6 Thou shalt not kill.

7 Thou shalt not commit adultry.

8 Thou shalt not steale.

9 Thou shalt not beare false witnes against thy neighbour.

10 Thou shalt not couet thy neyghbours house, thou shalt not couet thy neighbours wife, nor his seruaunt, nor his maid, nor his oxe, nor his asse, nor any thing that is his.

Question.

What sayst thou of the first commaundement?

Answeare.

The Lord therin requireth 1. Sa. 15.22 Deut. 10.12 true obediēce to his word, the feare & loue of his name, Ioh. 3.15.16 a sure faith & trust in his promises, Psal. 50.15 and. 23 the right inuocatiō vpon his name, with thankes geuing for his be­nefites, whereby his true worship may be knowē aryght: which things as he dooth commaund, so doth he forbid Deut. 4.15 all maner of superstition and I­dolatry, 2. Thes. 1.8 2. Tim. 4.4 the contempt & denial of his word, Rom. 3.18 the [Page] lacke of feare, Iacob. 2.14 1. Iohn. 3.10 faith, and loue towards him, Apoc. 13.6 & 19.10. & 22.9 cal­ling vpon other creatures, & finally what soeuer polluteth his seruice, or our consciences, in whose presence all our doings do appeare.

Question.

What sayest thou of the second: Thou shalt not make? &c.

Answeare.

God doth therein declare how he will be wor­shipped, for seeing that his true worship Deut. 6.13 Rom. 14.23 Matth. 5.16 is a worke or seruice commaunded in his woord, pro­ceeding of fayth, & tending to his glory: as he is a Iohn. 4.24 spirit, so wil he be worshipped in spirit & truth, without Leuit. 18.3 any myxture of Idolatry or superstiti­on. Deut. 7.25 & 12.2. & 14.3 And therfore he forbiddeth Deut. 4.23 Esay. 40.18 the making of Images, to expresse hym by Exod. 34.14 Psalm. 97.7 all maner deuo­tion or reuerence giuing to thē, either in looking at them, or in bowing the knee before them in prayer: for he is the Lord our God, and wyl not haue his power to be contemned: Exod. 34.14 1. Cor. 11.2 he is ielous ouer vs, & wyl not suffer eyther our soules or bo­dyes to be defiled with any filthines of Idolatry, which if we doo, he wyll reuenge the same to the third & fourth generation. Briefly, he forbiddeth hereby Deut. 12.2 all representations & tokens of Idola­trie, Esay. 29.13 al straunge worship deuised by man, Apoc. 13.15 and .14.9 and .18.4 all Antichristian Decrees, and whatsoeuer corrup­teth the true seruice, & spiritual worship of God.

Question.

What is cōmaunded in the third: Thou shalt not take? &c.

Answeare.

Herein the Lord commaūdeth a reuerend vse of his Name, Deut. 6.13 truely to sweare and testifie the truth, not Iere. 4.1.2 only in truth, iudgment, & rightuous­nes, but also Iosua. 2.12 2. Cor. 1.23 for necessities sake, especially whē the glory of God, & the saluation of our brethren is sought: requiring also herein a faithfull zeale and Deut. 6.5 Actes. 2.42 loue towardes his word & Sacraments, and what soeuer 1. Cor. 10. [...]1 may set forth his glory, forbid­ding Deut. 28.58 the indiscret & vnreuerend vse of his name in vaine & friuolous things, al rash othes, al Psal. 15.4 o­thes made for fauor, lucre, and feare, rather than for trial of truth, al Leui. 19.12 periurie, al othes made Deut. 10.21 Ierem. 5.17 Amos. 8.14 by Saints, Idols, Meate, or other creatures, Deut. 18.10 all Coniurations, Sorceries, Charmyngs, Sooth­sayings, witchcraft, Ephes. 4.31 cursing & bannyng, Ro. 16.17 Apoc. 14.9 all false doctrines, and corruptions of true Religi­on, and what soeuer Rom. 2.24 causeth the name of God to be euyll spoken of.

Question.

Shewe the meanyng of the fourth: Remem­ber that thou keepe holy the Sabboth day.

Answeare.

The Lord cōmaundeth herein Exod. 31.13 Hebr. 4.11 the ceassyng from bodyly labors & sinnes, & Mat. 18.20 Psalm. 95. Mark. 8.35 to meete toge­ther in his true feare and loue, to heare, learne, & confesse his woord, and Colos. 3.16 to instruct one another [Page] in the same, Act. 20.7 to communicate at his Sacra­mentes, to Philip. 4.6 render thankes for his benefites, to 1. Cor. 16.1 distriubute vnto the necessitie of the poore, Hebr. 3.13 & to meditate our spiritual rest which shal be after this lyfe: forbidding likewise 2. Chro. 36.16. the contempt of Ecclesiastical meetings, his woord, and Sacra­ments, the Galat. 4.10 Colos. 2.16 superstitious obseruance of dayes & tymes, the folowing of Rom. 3.13 Psal. 119.37 pastymes, gamyng, daunsing, banquetting, and other outward plea­sures, without meditation of heauenly things.

Question.

What is the meanyng of the fift Commaun­dement, Honour thy father and thy moother?

Answeare.

Herein the Lorde requireth Leuit. 20.9 Ephes. 6.1 Exod. 22.28 Hebr. 13.17 humble reue­rence & loue, not only towardes our natural pa­rents, but also towards our Magistrates, Mini­sters, and maisters, whom he placeth ouer vs, Rom. 13.4 1. Pet. 2.14 for the benefite of them which doo well, and for the punishment of the euyl, requiring our obedi­ence towardes them, Ro. 13.1.14 so long as they obey his word, from whence whē they decline, Daniel. 3.18 Actes. 4.19 they are no longer to be obeyed, forbidding also Leuit. 20.9 al diso­bedience & ingratitude of chyldrē towards their parents, Num. 16. toto 2. Sa. 15. &. 17 al contempt and rebellion of subiects against their magistrates, also Exod. 22.28 to blaspheme them, and to 1. Reg. 14.16 obey them in matters contarry to the truth.

Question.

What canst thou say of the sixt, Thou shalt not kyll?

Answeare.

God in this cōmaundeth Math. 5.23 Iohn. 13.34 Rom. 13.8. Ephe. 4.2.31 faithful loue, mer­cy, kindnesse, compassion, reconciliation, & mu­tual embracyng one another in peace, as wel of our enemyes, as of those which loue vs, forbyd­ding Gala. 5.20 Ephes. 4.31 1. Cor. 3.1 and .10.10 Rom. 13.8.9 1. Iohn. 3.10 al vnlawfull murder and quarelling out­wardly, al fayned loue, vnmercyfulnesse, hatred, malice, anger, reproches, tauntes, slaundering, murmuring, contentions, desire of vengeance, & whatsoeuer is repugnant to Christian loue.

Question.

Proceede to the seuenth, Thou shalt not com­mit adultry.

Answeare.

The Lord commaundeth not only 1. Cor. 6.15 1. Thes. 4.4 perfecte chastitie both in soule and body, whether it be in mariage or in single life, that all our partes may be sanctified vnto him: but also he forbiddeth Galat. 5.20 Apoc. 21.8 al maner of adultry & fornication, 1. Tim. 4. [...] Eccles. 5.5 the restraining of lawfull mariage in any calling, and the rashe vowing of single life, Math. 5.26 Rom. 6.12 and .7.7 vnlawfull lustes, Esay. 3.16 1. Tim. 2.9 1. Pet. 3.5 lyght behauiour, and vnseemely adorning of the body, Ephes. 4.29 and .5.4 Colos 4.6.7 Gal. 5.20.21 filthy talke and idle pastimes, drunkennes min­strelsie, daunsing, & what besides tendeth to im­purity and lecherous lust.

Question.

Declare the eyght, Thou shalt not steale.

Answeare.

Herein God commaundeth Psal. 15.2 Tit. 2.12 Rom. 13.8 rightuousnes & true dealing in euery calling, & that euery man be content with his owne state, geuing to euery one what of right he ought to haue: forbidding also Ephes. 4.28 1. Thes. 4.6 all robbing & fashood, Luk. 12.15 Psalm. 15.5 Prou. 11.1 couetousnes, vsu­ry, oppression, bying and selling with false mea­sures, 2. Thes. 3.10 idle liuing, Luk. 15.13 vnhonest wasting of goods or substance, & what els doth sauour of deceyt, the same is stealing.

Question.

Shewe the sense and meanyng of the Ninth, Thou shalt not beare false witnesse. &c.

Answeare.

God cōmaundeth herein Ephes. 4.25 1. Sam. 33 15 in court & iudgmēt & in al our wordes & couenaunts, that truth may florish, to saue our neighbors harmles, Deut. 1.16 1. Sam. 10.1 forbid­ding wrong iudgment, or any respect of persons therin, the making of wicked Lawes & decrees, also Deut. 19.16 Ephes. 4.25 1. Cor. 13. toto false witnes, and lying tales, flattery, sus­pitions, false accusations, and what so euer em­payreth the good name of our brethren.

Question.

What sayst thou of the last, Thou shalt not couet?

Answeare.

In this the Lord commaundeth Deut. 6.5 Math. 22.37 Luk. 10.27 the whole [Page] harte to be possessed with loue, that what soeuer man doth wish or desyre, it may be free from lust & corrupt affection, & serue to the glory of God, and profit of his neighbours, forbidding hereby Genes. 6. [...] Math. 5.28 Rom. 6.12 al wicked thoughts & vnlawful desires both of soule & body, although our cōsent be not therto, Ephes. 4.22 al corruptiō of original sinne by Adam, al lack of grace, and what soeuer wanteth of the integritie & perfectiō wherin man was made. By al which precepts, it may appere, that Iob. 15.14 Deut. 27.26 Leuit. 18.5 Luk. 17.10 nothing but true rightuousnes and innocencie can please God.

Question.

By this I vnderstād, that thou art not able of thy self, Rom. 8.3 because of thy sins, to fulfil these lawes, why therfore did God commaund that, which thou canst not do?

Answeare.

First, hereby he declareth how that his I­mage in me, Ephes. 4.23 24. is corrupted with sin, for nothing is here required, which I could not haue done before my fal in Adam. Secondly Deut. 27.26 here is no­thing commaūded which I am not bound to do. Thirdly, Deut. 6.25 he doth not respect what I of my self cand do, but what his iustice doth require. Last of al it setteth forth the Rom. 4.15 and .7.7 wrath of God, & bryn­geth me to the feelyng of my sinnes.

Question.

Why God is mercyful to thousands, & wil not [Page] surely punish sinne so sharply as thou thinkest.

Answeare.

Exo. 20.6God in deede is mercyfull to them that loue hym, & truly repent, but he is a Psal. 7.69 and .11.7. Deut. 32.35. iust Iudge, & a God of vēgeance to punish the wickednes of the vngodly, which breake his commaundementes.

Question.

By this I gather, that many are in a woful case.

Answeare.

Concernyng the wicked, which be voyde of fayth, & of the mercy of God, 1. Ti. 1.9. Deut. 27.26. the curse of the law hangeth vpon them. But touching the elect, of which company I am perswaded that I am one: Iohn. 3.16. 2. Cor. 5.21. Rom. 3.25 Iesus Christ the sonne of God, in myne own nature hath suffred to deliuer me from sinne & the punishments therof, & hath brought me in­to the fauor of God againe, of which benefite I lay holde Rom. 1.16. Act. 15.11 with a true fayth, Rom. 10.17 which commeth by the preaching of the Gospell.

Question.

What is the Gospell?

Answeare.

It is the Rom. 10.8. doctrine of faith, Mat. 11.28 Iohn. 5.24 conteynyng the promises of God vnto saluation, Luk. 24.47 Iohn. 3.15 and 6.47 to all whiche truely repent, and lay hold of Christes merites by a sure trust in the same.

Question.

What do the promises of the Gospel meane?

Answeare.

First they teach me that the law of God is ful­filled for me, by Christ, Rom. 5.19 Ephe. 2.15 Galat. 3.13 by whom I haue my sins forgiuen, & with 1. Cor. 1.30. 2. Cor. 5.21 whose ryghtuousnes I am clo­thed, & may now boldly stand before the iudgmēt seat of God. Secondly, that my saluatiō Rom. 3.24 & 4.5.16 com­meth onely of the free mercy of God, without my merites or good deedes. Thirdly Mat. 22.14 2. Cor. 4.6 although they be offred to all, yet they take effect in none to saluation, but onely in the electe, whose harts God lighteneth with fayth.

Question.

Shew me what fayth is.

Answeare.

There is a kind of faith, called Iames. 2.14 Actes. 8.13 a dead faith, beleuing the word of God to be true, & al things therein conteyned, and goeth no further: but the true faith is Iohn. 17.3 the faire knowledge of the father­ly good will and mercy of God shewed towards man in Christ, & Ephes. 3.17 a sure trust in the same, which Rom. 6. toto in due time bringeth forth the fruites of good liuing.

Question.

What doest thou learne hereby?

Answeare.

First I learne to know God, who is made Rom. 8.16 my father by Christ, thorow adoption and grace.

2 Secōdly, Galat. 2.20 I apply to my selfe by this my fayth, al the merits of Christ as fully as if I had [Page] done the same my selfe.

3 Thirdly, Rom. 4.19 Hebr. 4.16 and. 10.22 I haue a sure trust in his merits and mercy, & boldnes to offer vp my prayers to God the father by him.

4 Last of all I knowe his promises to Hebr. 11.1 be faithfull & true, and that he will performe them, when it pleaseth his godly wisdome.

Question.

Whence commeth fayth?

Answeare,

It is the gifte Math. 11.25 27. &. 13.11 Actes. 16.14 Rom. 12.6 Galat. 5.22 Ephes. 2.8 of God, wrought in my hart by the preaching of the Gospel, and by the holy Ghost.

Question.

What is the summe of the fayth?

Answeare.

I beleeue in God the father almighty, maker of heauen and earth, and in Iesus Christ his on­ly sonne our Lord, which was conceiued by the holy Ghost, borne of the virgin Mary, suffred vn­der Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, & buri­ed, he descended into hel, and rose again the third day frō the dead, he ascended into heauē, & sitteth on the ryght hand of God the father almighty, frō thence shall he come to iudge the quicke and the dead. I beleeue in the holy Ghost, the holy catholike church, the communion of saintes, the forgeuenes of sins, the resurrection of the body, & the life euerlasting.

Question.

What art thou taught hereby?

Answeare.

1 First, what to beleeue of God my father & creatour.

2 Secondly, of Christ my redeemer. Third­ly, of the holy ghost my sanctifier. Last of all, concerning the church of God.

Question.

What canst thou say of God?

Answeare.

God is Iohn. 4.24 a spiritual nature Rom. 16.26 euerlasting 1. Sam. 45 5.6.7 al­mighty, Psalm. 139 7.8.9 infinite, Psal. 119.137 true, Math. 19.17 good, Psal. 11.7 righteous, and Exod. 34.6 mercifull, Genes. 1.1 who hath made the world, & Iohn. 1.1 hath begotten the sonne of him selfe frō euerlasting.

The sonne is Prou. 8.23 Hebr. 1.3 Apocal. 1.8 wisedome & image of the father, begotten of the father, very God of very God, Iohn. 1.14 Galat. 4.4 who in his tyme appoynted, became man.

The holy Ghost is Ioh. 14.16.26 the power & vertue pro­ceeding from them both: which three, although they be Mat. 3.16.17 distinct in persons, yet are they Deut. 6.4 Iohn. 1.1. and 5.18.21 1. Iohn. 5.7 equall and al one in Godhead, eternitie, dignitie, and power.

Question.

What saist thou of the first part of this faith?

Answeare.

I beleeue that God is not only the Math. 3.17 Rom. 8.16 natural father of his sonne Christ, but also that he is by grace my father, by whose wisedome as heauen [Page] and earth and all things therin conteyned, were made, so the same by his Psal. 145.15 Hebr. 1.3 Mat. 10.29 power is gouerned & preserued.

Question.

What thinkest thou of the second?

Answeare.

I beleue that Hebr. 4.15 the sonne of God became man, in al things lyke vnto me, onely syn excepted, & in my nature wrought what was needfull to my saluatiō, Math. 1.21 Actes. 4.12 wherefore he is named Iesus, that is, a saueour.

Question.

How is thy saluation wrought?

Answeare.

This word Christ, doth teach the same, for first it signifieth him to be a king, & to haue pur­chased to him selfe Act. 20.28 Luk. 1.33 by his blood, the spirituall kingdome of his church, Iohn. 8.36 1. Iohn. 3.5 1. Ios. 13.14 1. Cor. 15.55 all the enemies therof cōquered. Which kingdome now he gouerneth Ephes. 1.13 1. Cor. 6.19 by his word, and by his spirit, wherby he raig­neth in my hart, and in the harts of his elect.

Secondly, it teacheth that he was a Hebr. 5.56.7 priest to offer vp him self once for al a sweet sacrifice, to take away my sins, & to be a Iohn. 14.13 Rom. 8.34 mediator, by whō, & in whose name I maye offer vp my prayers to God my heauēly father, & through him be heard.

Thirdly, it putteth me in minde that he was Act. 3.21 a Prophet, sent to preach the wil of his heauē ­ly father, whom Math. 17.5 alone I must heare and obey, as my Lord, who being thus appoynted of his [Page] father, Mark. 14.10 & 15.15.24 Ioh. 19.38 was betraied of Iudas, condemned by Pilat, crucified by the Iewes, buried by Ioseph of Aromathia, and Nicodemus, suffred Esay. 53.4 Colos. 1.22 in his body, not onely the punishmēts due to my body, but also Mat. 27.46 in his soule the punishments due to my soule, that was, the very torments of hel, & death, and separation from God, Rom. 5.19 Colos. 2.14 1. Iohn. 3.8 Apoc. 20.14 by whose death my obedience is wrought, the malediction of Gods law cancelled, the diuel, & al his power subdued, the wrath of God appeased, and I set in his fa­uor agayne. And thus is the death of Christ, the onely and full raunsome for my sins, by vertue whereof, sin also dyeth, and is killed in me.

Question.

What sayst thou of his resurrection?

Answeare.

Rom. 4.25 As he dyed for my sins, so he rose agayne for my iustification, 1. Iohn. 3.8 hauing gotten the victo­rye ouer sin, death, hel, and damnatiō, & geueth me power through his spirit Rom. 8.10.11 to rise vnto newe­nes of lyfe, assuring me, that my bodily death shalbe no destruction, but I shall ryse againe at the last day, to lyfe euerlasting.

Question.

Shew thy mynd of his ascension.

Answeare.

He ascended Actes. 1. [...]. and. 3.21 Math. 28 18.20 with his body into heauē, where he remayneth, hauing al power giuen him of his [Page] father, but with his spirit he is present with his people: Iohn. 14.2 Titus. 2.5 Colos. 3.1.2 by which his ascensiō, he hath takē pos­session for me in heauē, where he also continueth a mediator to make intercession for me to his fa­ther, & finally teacheth me to set myne affection vppon heauenly things.

Question.

What meanest thou by his cōming to iudge­ment?

Answeare.

I beleeue that he which is my saueour Mat. 24.31 2. Thes. 1.8.10 Luk. 21.35 shall come to cleare me and al his elect in iudgemēt, & to condemne the wicked, which in their lyfe tyme refused him, to folow their pleasures.

Question.

What saiest thou of the holy Ghost?

Answeare.

I beleeue that 1. Cor. 6.11 he is the spirit of sanctification, 2. Cor. 4.6 geuen to lighten my mynde, Iohn. 16.13 & to lead me into all truth, he is 2. Cor. 1.22 the earnest of myne inheritance in heauen, Ephes. 1.13 the seale to imprinte Gods promises in my hart Iohn. 7.36 Esay. 55.1 the fountayne of grace, and the wa­ter which purgeth mee from myne vncleannes, and Ro. 8.10.11 maketh me to dye to sin, & to be holy vnto God.

Question.

Shew thy mynde concerning the church.

Answeare.

The church is Rom. 8.29 Ephes. 1.4 10.11 the societie of al faithful peo­ple whom God in Christ hath chosen to saluation [Page] before the world was made, of 1. Ioh. 3.21 which number I beleeue that I am one.

Question.

What be the markes thereof?

Answeare.

Iohn. 8.47 and. 10.27The sincere word of God, Mat. 28.19 the right admi­nistration of the sacraments, Math. 18.17. 1. Cor. 5.1. & ecclesiasticall discipline.

Question.

Why is the church called holy?

Answeare.

Because God wil haue his people to liue Titus. 2.12 holy­ly, soberly, & rightuously in this world, & not Ephe. 4.30 to greue the holy ghost by any vncleannes, by whō they be sanctified, & by whom whilest they suffer themselues to be led, they Iohn. 16.13 cānot erre in matters of fayth and saluation.

Question.

What meaneth the Communion of Saintes?

Answeare.

It signifieth Rom. 12.5 1. Cor. 12.1 [...] the felowship which al the elect haue one with another, 1. Pet. 4.10 Galat. 6.2 communicating accor­ding to the measure of fayth, al spiritual graces amongest themselues, Ephes. 4.3 studying to keepe the v­nitie of the spirit in the bonde of peace.

Question.

What beleeuest thou of the forgiuenes of sins?

Answeare.

First, I beleeue that before my sins be forge­uen [Page] me, Rom. 5.8.10 Ephes. 2.1.2 1. Cor. 6.11 there is nothing in me but mere wic­kednes. Secondly I beleeue that al my sins, & the punishmēt therof be takē away 1. Pet. 2.4 Esay. 53.5 1. Cor. 1.30 2. Cor. 5.21 by Christs death, and I made partaker of his rightuousnes. Thirdly, I beleeue Rom. 3.25 that fayth alone, without a­ny worthines of my self, doth make me partaker of these graces.

Question.

What sayst thou of the rest, the resurrection of the body, and life euerlasting?

Answeare.

I beleeue when this lyfe is ended, that Eccle. 12.7 Apoc. 14.13 Luk. 16.22 Philip. 1.23 my soule shall go to God, & my body rest in the earth to the last day, whē they shall both ioyne togither againe 1. Cor. 15.53 incorruptible, and remayne with God for euer in the kingdome of heauen.

Question.

Can such a faith as this be fruitlesse, & without good workes?

Answeare.

No, but good workes do folow fayth, as the Math. 7.17 Iames. 2.24 1. Pet. 1.12 testimonies and fruites of my thankfulnesse to God, wherby my fayth is known, and approued by men: Galat. 5.6 wherfore it is called a fayth which worketh by loue.

Question.

What workes must thou do?

Answeare.

Such as be cōmaunded me in the Matth. 19 17.18 law of God, [Page] 1. Cor. 1.8 Ephes. 2.10 which as they come of grace geuen me, & not of mine owne power, so must they needs be done: for first 1. Pet. 1.16 God hath so commaunded. Secondly, his Rom. 6. toto Titus. 2.14 benefits bynde me thereto. Thirdly, Colos. 2.12 my baptisme doth teach me to dye vnto sin, and liue vnto rightuousnes. Fourthly, Mat. 5.36 1. Pet. 2.12 I must gloryfy god by my wel doing. Last of all, 2. Pet. 1.10 I must make strong my faith and election, & learne to auoyde the wrath of God.

Question.

What rewarde shalt thou haue for thy good deedes?

Answeare.

The workes which I do before I be iustified before God by Christ, Rom. 14.23 Hebr. 11.6 Iohn. 3.26 cannot please him, be­cause they be done without faith. The workes which folow my regeneration, Apoc. 7.14 Math. 25.40 Luk. 17.10 1. Cor. 15.58 do please God, not because of any worthines of mine in them, but God accepteth them, because of my fayth in Christ, through whom they are not don in vaine, so that the reward which is giuen vnto them, cō ­meth onely of Apocal. 22 the free mercy & fauour of God, whilest he rewardeth not my deserts, but crow­neth his giftes of grace in me.

Question.

With what helpes doth God further thee to saluation?

Answeare.

Besides that the word of God 2. Thes. 3.3 doth help to [Page] vphold my fayth, Mat. 28.19 1. Cor. 11.23 Gene. 11.11 the sacraments & prayer are also helpes to me, for by them the Lord helpeth myne infirmitie, by outward signes represen­ting to mee spirituall graces.

Question.

Do the sacraments serue thee to any other pur­pose?

Answeare.

They serue not onely to Exod. 12.11 12.13 Math. 26.26 and .27.19 1. Cor. 11.26 1. Cor. 11.17 Exod. 42.43 1. Sam. 7.26 teach me heauenly thyngs, but also to kyndle a desyre of Gods pro­mises in my hart, to styrre me vp to thankes ge­uing for my redemption, to knyt me in loue with the godly, and as markes of Religion to testifie how I differ from the Heathen & wicked: wher­fore, such as refuse to vse the same, Mark. 8.38 Luk. 14.18 24 do not only deny God, but are also arrogant and proud.

Question.

What is a Sacrament?

Answeare.

It is an holy signe, instituted of Math. 21.25 Iohn. 3.5 Actes. 2.38 Rom. 4.11 God, to cō ­firme my fayth, and to seale in my hart the pro­mises of Gods mercy towardes me for the for­giuenes of my sins and saluation in Christ.

Question.

Whether do the sacraments giue grace to the receiuer or no?

Answeare.

They Actes. 2.38 neither of themselues nor in thēselues [Page] includ or giue grace, for that is the gift of the ho­ly ghost, but they be holy signes, whereby, as by an instrument, God dooth worke and seale grace in my hart by fayth receyued, and yet they be not bare or naked signes, but grace is truely present to my fayth, when I receyue the same aryght.

Question.

How many Sacraments be there?

Answeare.

Two, the one is Baptisme, wherwith I am re­ceyued into Christes church. The other is the Supper of the Lord, wherwith I am nourished in the same.

Question.

What is Baptisme?

Answeare.

It is a sacramēt wherin as water washeth away the filthines of my body, so 1. Pet. 3.21 the blood of Christ sprinkled vpon my soule, by the hand of fayth, washeth away my sins, and the punishmēt ther­of, wherby Rom. 6.5 I am incorporate into his body, & made partaker of his benefits, to dye vnto sin, & to liue vnto rightuousnes.

Question.

Why are children to be baptised?

Answeare.

Because by Ephes. 2.3 Rom. 5.12 Actes. 2.39 Genes. 17.7 nature they be the children of wrath by Adams sin, to whom also the promise [Page] of Gods free mercy and fauour reacheth.

Question.

What is the Lords supper?

Answeare.

Mat. 26.26It is the sacrament of my redemptiō by the death of Christ, wherin by the misticall recey­uing of bread and wyne, through a true fayth, I am made 1. Cor. 10.16 Luk. 22.19 Iohn. 6.51 partaker of al the benefits of Christs passion, for as bread broken doth feede & nourish my body, & wine refresh my hart, so the Luk. 22.19 Iohn. 6.51 body of Christ was torne vpō the crosse, & his blud shed, to wash away my sins, and to feed & refresh my soule to lyfe euerlasting.

Question.

Whether is the bread chaunged into the natu­rall body of Christ, or no?

Answeare.

The Sacraments of bread and wyne Math. 26.29 Iohn. 6.51 53.5. 1. Cor. 10.16.17. and 11.24 re­maine still in their former nature and substance, neuerthelesse there is a great chaunge, for those things which before were but as cōmon meats, are now made the Sacraments or holy signes of Christes body and blood.

Question.

How dost thou eat Christs body, or drinke his blood?

Answeare.

Iohn. 6.35Spiritually, and by grace, whilest I beleeue [Page] that he dyed for my sins, Rom. 4.24 and rose agayne for my iustification, for it is fayth that maketh me par­taker of his benefits & goodnes which are sealed to me by his Sacraments.

Question.

Do all men which receyue this sacrament, re­ceyue the spirituall grace alyke?

Answeare.

As in Baptisme none 1. Pet. 3.21 Actes. 2.38 and .8.18. Mark. 16.16 but the faithfull re­ceiue remissiō 1. Cor. 11 28.29 of their sins, so in the Lords sup­per, none but such are partakers of the grace, and benefits of Christes death. The wicked in deed receyue the outward elements of bread and wine, but because they lacke true fayth, they are not partakers of the spiritual grace.

Question.

How must thou frame thy selfe to receyue this sacrament worthily?

Answeare.

First I must Math. 26.75 Ierem. 24.7 Ioel. 2.12.13 Rom. 6. toto consider the greeuousnes of my sins, & from my hart vnfaynedly hate and detest the same, & euer after giue my selfe to godlines & vertue. Secondly, 1. Cor. 11.28. &. 2. Cor. 13.5 I must try and examin my selfe whether I haue a true fayth in the promises of Christ. Thirdly Matth. 5.24 and. 22.39 I must reconcile my selfe to all men, and continue in Christian loue.

Question.

Now remayneth the other helpe giuen thee of God, that is to say, prayer: tel me what it is.

Answeare.

Prayer is the Math. 6.6 Iohn. 16.23 1. Tim. 2.8 lifting vp of my hart to God, and the asking in Christs name, of things need­full to me and the whole church, Philip. 4.6 Colos. 4.2 with thankes geuing for his benefits, and goodnes.

Question.

To whom must thou pray?

Answeare.

To Psal. 50.15 Iohn. 16.33 God alone, first, because I Rom. 10.14 beleeue in him alone. Secondly, he alone 1. Reg. 8.39 knoweth my hart: thirdly Esay. 40.8 he wil not giue his glory to any o­ther, & therfore I am forbidden to pray to saints.

Question.

How canst thou which art a sinner, pray to God which hateth sinne?

Iohn. 14.13.14 and. 16.23 Actes. 4.12 1. Ti. 2.5.6 1. Iohn. 2.2 Answeare.

I pray not in trust of myne own rightuousnes, but in the name of Christ, who is the Iohn. 14.6 way for me to come to the father, who Rom. 8.34 1. Tim. 2.5.6 1. Iohn. 13 Iohn. 13.24 continueth my mediatour at the right hand of the father, d who loueth, & hath Colos. 1.22 reconciled me to the father, Math. 3.17 & in whom the father is wel pleased.

Question.

For whom must thou pray?

Answeare.

For all men liuing, for 1. Ti. 2.1.2 Matth. 5.44 Luk. 6.27 kings, magistrates, [Page] ministers, yea, and for my enemies: but for the dead I haue no commaundement to pray, ney­ther can I help them after they be gon hence, for as they be found at the day of their death, so shal they ryse agayne, onely this I can doo, to giue God thankes for their deliuerance out of this world.

Question.

How must thou prepare thy selfe to pray?

Answeare.

First, I must Rom. 8.26 1. Iohn. 5.14 be touched with the necessity of those whome I pray for, Matth. 6.7 my mynd must be de­uout, and not caried to & fro with vayn thoughts. I must appere before God Psal. 51.17 Iacob. 1.6 in true repentance and fayth, Math. 5.23 being at loue with al men, Esay. 1.18 and. 59.2 framing my life ryghtuously, 1. Iohn. 5.14 1. Cor. 14. toto asking in such a tongue as I vnderstand, according to the will of God.

Question.

How must thou pray?

Answeare.

According to the forme prescribed of our sauior Christ, in these wordes, Our father which art in heauē, halowed be thy name. Thi kingdom come. Thy wil be done in earth as it is in heauē. Geue vs this day our dayly bread. And forgiue vs our trespasses, as we forgiue them that tres­passe agaynst vs. And leade vs not into tempta­tion, but deliuer vs from euill. For thyne is the [Page] kingdome, the power, and the glory, for euer. So be it.

Question.

What is the meaning of this prayer?

Answeare.

We pray to God in the first petition, that Psal. 89.5.6 1. Cor. 10.31 Iosua. 24.14 15 his glory may appeare, and that Rom. 2.24 our liues & con­uersation may set forth the same. In the second, we pray that God would Iohn. 16.13 Ro. 8.10.11 gouerne the kingdom of his church, killing sin, and the lusts thereof in the same, and to renue it to rightuousnes of lyfe. That he would also Rom. 16.20 1. Iohn. 3.8 tread downe Satan and al his power, and that he would shortly Apo. 22.20 accom­plish the number of his elect, & hasten the com­ming of Christ to iudgement. In the third we pray, Luk. 22.42 that al our doings may be agreable to his will, without contradiction or murmuring. In the fourth, we desire him Psalm. 14.1 15 to grant vs whatsoe­uer is needful to the sustenance and preseruation of our life, and that all our doings may be to his glory, and the profit af our neyghbours. In the fift we pray Psal. 51.9 1. Iohn. 2.12 and. 18.35 Math. 5.45 for the forgiuenes of our sins & the punishment thereof, for his mercyes sake, euen as we shal pardone others their offences done to vs, without bearing malice or hatred towardes them.

In the last we pray that God Ephes. 6.10 Rom. 16.20 would guyde vs with his spirit, that we may get the victory o­uer Sathan, sin, and hel, & be defended from all [Page] euyll. After we conclude with these wordes: For thyne is the kingdome. &c. to set forth our desire to his glory, his honour, & prayse, whose power is also infinit, and therfore he can graunt our re­questes. Rom. 11.36 Act. 4.9.11 Psal. 114.7 1. Chro. 29 10. We end with this word, Amen, both desiring that what we haue asked, maye be ful­filled, and also assuring our selues, that our re­questes shall be fulfilled accordingly as they be agreeyng to the wil of God.

Question.

Is there any helpe for thee, to praye more de­uoutly?

Answeare.

Yea truely, 1. Pet. 5.11 Actes. 13.3 fasting is a special preparatiue to the same▪

Question.

What is a Christian fast?

Answeare.

It is not onely an Esay. 58.3 Ioel. 2.12. Psal. 35.13 Zachar. 7.5 abstinence from meats, and drynkes, to chastice my body, but also from sin and the delights thereof, which hurt the soule, to the end through true repentance, fayth, Godly prayer, and renouncing of euill, the Spirit may haue dominion in me.

Question.

What is the right vse of fasting?

Answeare.

1. Cor. 9.27First to chastice my body, and to bring it in­to [Page] subiection to the spirit.

Ioel. 2.12Secondly, to be a witnes of my true repen­tance and submission to the will of God.

Math. 26.41Thirdly, that my spirit may be more ready to prayer.

Question.

Is there any abuse in the exercise of fasting?

Answeare.

Yea, many, Esay. 58.3 Zachar. 7.5 first to fast longer then the body may indure, and after to fare deliciously. Se­condly, Colos. 2.16 Galat. 4.10 1. Tim. 4.3 to put holines in fasting one day more than another, or in absteyning from one meate more than from an other. Thirdly, Esay. 58.3 Rom. 3.24 to thinke by fasting to purchase forgiuenes of sins, wheras the same commeth only of the free mercy of God in Christ, without any mans worthines or deser­uing. Last of all, in absteyning from meates, not to Galat. 5.24 Titus. 2.12 abstayne from sins, and all things which cause or nourish the same: for since the lyfe of man ought to be a meditation of godlynes, this ought to be the indeuour of the faythfull, to lyue godly, soberly, and ryghtuously in this world, wayting for the blessed appearance of Iesus Christ their only sauiour and redeemer. To whom with the father, and the holy Ghost, three distinct persons, and one eternall God, be al laud and prayse, for euer. Amen.