THE ELEMENTS of the beginning of the Oracles of GOD.
Containing the whole Grounds of Christian Religion, in A Short Catechisme for yong Children, And A larger Method of Catechising.
AT LONDON Printed by Iohn Beale, 1619.
A Catechisme for little Children.
Question. WHo made Man?
Answ. God. Gen. 2. 7.
Q. In what estate made he him?
A. Perfectly holy in Gen. 1, 27 Ephe. 4. 24. Body and Soule.
Q. How fel he from that good estate?
A. By breaking the Commandement Gen. 3. 7. of God.
Q. What punishment followed thereupon?
A. Death and condemnation to him, Rom. 5. 18, 19. & 6. 23. and his posterite.
Q. How are wee deliuered from death and condemnation?
A. By the frée mercy of God in Iesus Christ. Ioh. 3. 16. Ephe. 2. 5.
Q. What kind of person is Iesus Christ?
A. He is very God, and very Man, in one person. Iho. 1. 14. Ioh. 3. 13.
Q. VVhy call yee him very God?
A. Because he is the eternall Sonne Heb. 1. 2. 3 Phil. 2. 6. 1 Ioh. 5. 7. of God, of one and the selfe same Godhead with the Father and holy Ghost.
Q. VVhy call yee him very man?
A. Because he is like vs in al things, Heb. 2. 17. Heb. 4. 15. sinne onely excepted.
Q. vvhy was he without sinne?
A. That hee might be an vnspotted Heb. 9. 14 Ephe. 5. 2. 2 Pet. 1. 18 19 1 Joh. 3. 5. 1 Pet. 3. 18. sacrifice for sinne.
Q. vvhat hath hee done for our deliuerance?
A. He died for our sinnes, and rose Rom. 4. 25. againe for our iustification.
Q. Are all men that perished in Adam, saued by Christ?
A. No, but onely they that haue Joh. 3. 16. 17 18. & 36. true faith in him.
Q. vvhat is true Faith?
A. It is the true knowledge of Iesus Joh. 6. 69. Joh. 17. 2. Rom. 4. 21. Christ, with assurance of saluation in him.
Q. Rehearse the Articles of your faith.
A. 1. I Beleeue in God, the Father Almighty maker of Heauen and Earth.
2. And in Jesus Christ his onely Sonne our Lord.
3. Who was conceiued by the the holy Ghost: borne of the Virgin Mary.
4. Suffered vnder Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried, he descended into hell.
5. The third day he rose againe from death,
6. He ascended into heauen, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.
7 From thence shall he come to iudge the quicke and the dead.
8. I beleeue in the Holy Ghost.
9. The holy Church Vniuersall.
10.The communion of Saints,
11. The forgiuenes of sinnes,
12, The resurrection of the body, and life euerlasting.
Q. By what meanes doth Gods spirit worke this faith in you?
A. By the word of God.
Q. vvhat call yee the word of God? Ephe. 2. 8. Gal. 2. 2 [...]. Rom. 10. 17.
A. The Holy Scripture of the old and new Testament. 2 Pet. 1. 21. 2 Pet. 3. 15. 16 1 Pet. 1. 25.
Q. By what meanes doth Gods spirit confirme this faith in you?
A. By the same Word, and by the Act. 15. 32. 1 Pet. 2. 2. Act. 20. 32. Rom. 4. 11. Sacraments.
Q. vvhat call yee the Sacraments?
A. They are visible signes & seales Rom 4. 11. ordained of God, for the confirmation of my Faith.
Q. How do they confirme your faith?
A. By receiuing them as pledges, 1 Cor. 11. 24. Mar. 16. 16. that Christ crucified (represented and offered in them) is giuen to me in particular to bee my Sauiour.
Q. How many Sacraments be there?
A. Two: Baptisme, and the Lords Supper. Mat. 28. 19. 1 Cor. 11. 23
Q. vvhy were yee Baptised being an Infant?
A. That therby I might be ingrafted Rom. 6. 3. 4. 5. in Christ, & entred in his Church, which Gal. 3. 27. 1 Cor. 12 13 Ephe. 1. 23. 1 Cor. 12. 12 is his mysticall body.
Q. vvhat profit haue you by your Baptisme now?
A. It seales vp the remission of my Act. 2. 28. Mar. 1. 4, 5. Eph. 5. 26. 27 Tit. 3. 5. sinnes in Christs blood, and furthers the renouation of my heart in his Spirit, which are my spirituall washing.
Q. vvhat call ye the Lords Supper?
A. It is the Sacrament of my spirituall Ioh. 6. 53. nourishment on the body and blood of Christ.
Q. How doe you eate his body, and drinke his blood?
A. By beléeuing assuredly that his body was broken, and his blood was Ioh. 6. 47 48 Joh. 6. 54. Joh. 5. 36. shed for mée.
Q. VVhat thankefulnesse owe you [Page] to God, for giuing his Sonne to shed his blood for you?
A. I am bound to deny my selfe, and Mat. 16. 24. 1 Cor. 5. 15. Luk. 2. 74, 75 1 Pet. 1. 17. 18. 19. Tit. 2. 14. liue to him, walking in his Commandements all the daies of my life.
Q Rehearse the Commandements?
A. HArken and take heed Israel, for I am the Lord Exod. 20. thy God which haue broght thee out of the land of Egipt, and out of the house of bondage.
1 Thou shalt haue no other Gods but me.
2 Thou shalt not make to thy selfe any grauen image, nor the likenesse of any thing that is in heauen aboue, nor in the earth beneath, nor in the water vnder the earth: Thou shalt not bow downe to them nor worship them, for I the Lord thy God am aiealous God, and visit the sinnes of the fathers vpon the children, vnto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me, and shew mercy vnto thousands of them that loue me and keepe my commandements.
3. Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vaine: for the Lord will not hold him guiltlesse that taketh his Name in vaine.
4. Remember that thou keepe holy the Sabboth day: sixe dayes shalt thou labour and doe all that thou hast to doe: but the seuenth day is the Sabboth of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt doe no manner worke, thou, nor thy sonne, nor thy daughter, thy man seruant, thy maid seruant, thy cattell, nor the stranger that is 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: wherfore the Lord blessed the seuenth day & halowed it.
[Page] 5. Honour thy Father and thy mother that thy dayes may bee long in the land, which the Lord thy God giueth thee.
6. Thou shalt doe no murther.
7. Thou shalt not commit Adulterie.
8. Thou shalt not steale.
9. Thou shalt not beare false witnesse against thy neighbour.
10. Thou shalt not couet thy Neighbours house, thou shalt not couet thy neighbors wife, nor his seruant, nor his maide, nor his oxe, nor his asse, nor any thing that is his.
Q. VVhat is the summe and effect of these Commandements?
A. Thou shalt loue the Lord thy Mat. 22. 37. God with all thy heart, minde, and strength; and thy neighbor as thy selfe.
Q Is any man able to doe these things perfectly in his life?
A. None at all. 2 Chr. 6. 36. Ecle. 7. 22.
Q vvhy so?
A. Because no man is perfectly sanctified Rom. 7. 14. 1 Ioh. 1. 8. Pro. 20. 9. Ro. 7. 23. 24. in this life.
Q. Yet must not wee striue to perfection in fulfilling of Gods Commandements?
A. Doubtlesse, for otherwise there 1 Thes. 4. 1, Pro. 4. 18. Act. 15. 9, 2 Tim. 2, 19. Job 1, 1, is neither faith nor feare of God in vs.
Q. vvhat must wee doe then, when we breake any of these cōmandements.
A. We must runne to God by repentance Act. 2, 37. [Page] and Prayer. Hos. 14. 2. 3.
Q. vvhat is Repentance?
A. It is the turning of my heart to Deu. 4. 29. 30 Joel 2. 13. 2 Cor. 7, 10. Ezek. 18. 27. 28. 31. 32. Psal. 39. 1. Iob 31. 1. God, with an vnfained sorrow for offending his Maiesty, and a constant resolution to amend my life.
Q. vvhat is Prayer?
A. It is calling on God, in the Psal. [...]0. 15 Ioh. 14. 14. Mat. 3, 33. name of Christ, for things belonging to Gods glorie, and our necessity.
Q. vvhy is it not lawfull to pray to Creatures, as to Angels, and Saints glorified?
A. Because God hath commanded Col. 2. 18. Reu 22. 9. Mat. 4, 10. vs to worship him alone.
Q vvhy must wee pray onely in Christs Name?
A. Because he is our onely Mediator 1 Tim. 1, 2, 5. Ioh. 14, 6. and intercessor.
Q How then should wee pray?
A. According to that patterne of prayer Luke 11. 2. which our Master hath set before vs, saying: When yée pray, say,
OVr Father which art in heauen:
1. Halowed be thy Name.
2. Thy Kingdome come.
3. Thy will be done in earth as it is in heauen.
4. Giue vs this day our dayly bread.
5. And forgiue vs our trespasses, as wee forgiue them that trespasse against vs.
[Page] 6. And lead vs not into temptation, but deliuer vs from euill, for thine is the kingdome, the power and the glory, for euer and euer, Amen.
Q How are you assured that God will heare your Prayers?
A. By Christs owne Word, promising Joh 16. 23. that whatsoeuer we aske the Father in his name, it shall be giuen vs.
Q. vvhat is the end of this your whole Religion?
A. Hereby God is glorified, and I Mat. 5. 16. 1 Pet. 1. 6. am saued, through Iesus Christ my Lord, to whom be euerlasting praise and glory. Amen.
¶ Prayers and Graces for Children.
Morning Prayer.
MY graceous God, I blesse thée with my whole heart forthy fatherly prouidence, watching ouer me this night. And I beséech thée to continue thy mercy with me both this day, and the whole course of my life, that being alwaies guided by thy grace, and garded by thy prouidence, I may spend this time of my pilgrimage in thy feare, & end it in thy fauor, throgh Iesus Christ my blessed Lord & Sauior, Amen.
Euening Prayer at going to bed.
IT is of thy vndeserued mercy (O God) that I haue passed this day in safty without some [Page] notable inconuenience, in those infinit dangers wherein I continually cast my self through my folly. Now I beséech thée (good Lord) let it please thée of thy gracious goodnes, protect me also this night; and grant me quiet rest in soule and body, that I may better serue thée in both, through Iesus Christ my gracious Lord and Sauiour. Amen.
¶ Grace before meate.
THe eyes of all things doe looke vp & wait on thée (O Lord) thou giuest them meate in due season: thou openest thy hand & satisfieth the desire of euery liuing thing: good Lord blesse vs, & those gifts which we receiue of thy large liberality, through Iesus Christ our Lord. So be it.
Another before meate.
PArdon our sinnes O God and giue vs thy blessing with thy benefits, that they may haue strength to nourish vs, and wee may haue grace to serue thée our gracious God, in Iesus Christ. Amen.
¶ Grace after meate.
THe God of glory and peace, who hath created vs, redéemed vs, and presently hath fed vs, be blessed both now and euer. So be it.
Another after meate.
MOst mighty Lord and most mercifull father, we yéeld thée hearty thankes for our bodily sustentatiō, requiring also most intirely thy gracious goodnes, so to féed vs with the food of thy heauenly grace, that we may worthily glorifie thy name in this life, and after bee partakers of thy euerlasting glorie, through Iesus Christ our Lord. So be it.
Another after meate. Matth. 4. 4.
LOrd thou hast said it, & we beléeue it, that man liues not by bread onely, but by euery word that procéedeth out of thy mouth: Therefore giue vs (we beséech thée) thy blessing with thy benefits, that in the strength of thy blessing this life being maintained, we may spend it in thy seruice, till we attaine to life euerlasting, through Iesus Christ our Lord and onely Sauiour. Amen.
¶ To any of these or the like graces that shall be said after meate, let these or the like prayers be added for the Church and for the King. &c.
GOd saue thy Church vniuersal, God comfort the cō fortlesse. Lord increase our faith. O Lord for Christ thy Sonnes sake, bee mercifull to the common wealths where thy Gospell is truely preached, and the afflicted members of Christs body relieued, and illuminate according to thy good pleasure, all Nations with the brightnes of thy word. God saue our most gracious King Iames, the hopefull Prince Charles: Prince Palatine, and his Lady Elizabeth, and their princely progeny, guide thou their harts, O God, by thy grace, that they may rule thy people aright, to the terror of euill doers, & the comfort of all those that feare thée, and loue thy truth. Amen.
A briefe of the ten Commandements.
- 1. HAue thou none other gods but mee,
- 2. Vnto no Image bow thy knee.
- 3. Take not the name of God in vaine.
- 4. Doe not the Sabboth day prophane.
- 5. Honour thy Father and Mother too,
- 6. And see that thou no Murther doe.
- 7. From Whordome keepe thy body cleane.
- 8. And steale not thogh thy state be meane.
- 9. Of false reporting shunne the blot,
- 10. What is thy Neighbours couet not.
A Method of Catechising.
Of Religion in generall.
Question. WHich is the onely way to true happinesse?
Answere. The true Acts 4. 12. Psal. [...], 12. Iohn 3, 36. christian Religion.
Q. What is the true Christian Religion?
A. That which is agréeable to the 2 Iohn 9, Doctrine of Christ.
Q. Where is that Doctrine to be learned?
A. Onely in the holy Scriptures, for they are able to make vs wise vnto saluation, John [...], 39. 2 Tim. 3, 15. 16 17. and perfect and méete for euery good worke.
Q. Wherein consists the true Christian Religion?
Joh. 3. 36. 1 Joh. 2. 3. Jam. 1. 27. Eccle. 12. 13 Tit. 3. 8. A. In true Faith, & good Workes.
Q. Are both Faith and good workes necessarie to saluation or true happinesse?
A. Both are necessary: for the Scripture saith of the first, Mar. 16. 16 Hee that beleeueth not, shall be condemned; and of the second, Mat. 3 10. Euery tree that bringeth not forth good fruit, shall be hewen downe and cast into the fier.
Q. May not true faith bee without good workes?
A. Impossible: For Faith without good workes, is dead in it selfe. Iam. 3. 17.
Q. May not good workes bee without true Faith?
A. Workes without faith may bée good in the eies of men, but not so before Gen. 4. 3, 4, 5 Heb. 11. 4. Heb. 11. 6. Rom. 14. 23. God: for without faith it is inpossible to please God: And all that is done without fath, is sinne.
The first Part, Of Faith.
Q. VVHat doe you call true Faith?
A. It is Ioh. 6. 69. Joh. 17. 2. the true knowledge of God in Christ, Rom. 4. 11. & 21. Heb. 11. 1. Heb. 10. 22. with assurance of Saluation in him
Q. Reherse the Articles of your Faith?
Ans: I beleeue in God the Father Almighty, maker of Heauen & Earth, &c.
Q. How diuide you this forme of confession?
A. In two parts: the first concernes Gods nature and workes; the second concernes Gods Church, and his gifts towards it.
Of Faith in God.
Q. What beleeue you concerning Gods Nature?
A. That he is one vndiuided Godhead, or diuine essence, distinct in thrée 1 Cor. 8. 6. 1 Ioh. 5. 7. Joh. 1. 14. Ioh. 15. 26. Persons; the Father, who from all eternitie hath begotten the Sonne; the Son, who from all Eternitie is begotten of the Father; and the Holy Ghost, who procéedeth from the Father & the Son.
Q. Must wee not worship this one Godhead in the three Persons, and the three persons in this one Godhead?
A. 2 Cor. 13. 13. Doubtlesse: and therefore I say in my Créede Ioh. 14. 1. I beleeue in God the Father, and in his Sonne, and in the holy Ghost; Heb. 11. 6. Ioh. 3. 33. Mat. 25. 8 9. The first & chiefe part of Gods worship, being this, to beléeue in God.
Q. Why say you, as for your selfe alone, I beleeue?
A. Because euery man must bee saued Heb. 2. 4. Ioh. 3. 36. Mat. 25. 8. 9. [Page] by his owne Faith.
Q. What is it to beleeue in God?
A. It is not onely to know and acknowledge him to be such a God, as hee Acts 19, 15. Heb, 10, 19, 22 Heb, 11, 1, Psal. 2, 12, hath reuealed himselfe in his word, but also to put my trust & confidence in him.
Q. VVhich are the props, and pillers of your confidence in God?
A. His Joh. 3. 16. 1 Ioh. 3. 1. Fatherly affection, whereby he is willing, and his Luk. 1. 37. Almighty Power, whereby he is able Ephe. 3. 20 to giue mée all good things and 2 Tim. 4. 18 auert from mee all euill, Rom. 8. 28. or turne them to my good.
Of the Creation and prouidence.
Q. Wherein doth he shew his fatherly affection, and almighty Power?
A. In his workes of Creation, and Act. 17. 24. 28 John 3. 16. Ro. 1. 19. 10. Heb. 1. 3. Rom. 1. 4. Eph. 1. 19. 20. Iob 12. 9. 10. Heb 1. 3. Rom. 11. 36. Acts, 17. 25. 27 28. redemption.
Q. And say you nothing of his wise & wonderful prouidēce, wherby he gouerns y e World?
A. I comprehend it vnder the Creation; because as the World once by Creation was made and set in order, so it hath euer since bin continued in being and order by the prouidence of God.
Q. Is the prouidence of God extended towards all things that hath being?
A. Yea, euen to the sparrowes, and Mat. 10. 29. 30 [Page] haires of our head?
Q. Hath his prouidence place also in things which bee euill?
A. Yea in the baddest actions of the Gen. 50. 20. 2 Sam. 16. 10 Iob. 1. 21. Acts. 2. 23. Acts 4. 27. wicked: for euen in those hee worketh well, and directeth them to his own glory, and to our comfort.
Q. Then it appeares that nothing in this world doth fall out by chance?
A. Nothing at all: for whatsoeuer Pro. 16. 30. Exod. 21. 30. Iob. 14. 5. Acts 17. 28. Act. 4 27. 28. falles out in this World, is directed, ruled, and moued by God, according to the determinate counsell of his good will, which was before all worlds.
Q. I see now, how God being called the maker of Heauen and Earth, must bee vnderstood to bee also the Gouernour of all things; therefore tell mee concerning the Creation of Man, in what estate God made him?
A. In the Gen. 1. 31 beginning God made all things very good, and Gen. 1. 26 27. aboue the rest hée made Man according to his own Image Eph. 4. 24. in righteousnesse and true holinesse.
Of the Fall of Man.
Q. How fell we from that good estate?
A. By the disobedience of our first Gen 6. 3. 6. 1 Tim. 2. 14. parents Adam and Eue.
Q. Whence came their disobedience?
A. From Sathan, and the abuse of Gen. 3. their owne frée-will.
Q. How so?
A. Sathan, when he had lost his originall, Jud. 6. John 8. 44. 1 Tim. 2. 14. 2 Cor. 11. 3. and fallen from the truth himselfe, became a murtherer of them by intising them, and they willingly giuing way to his temptation, made filthy apostasie from God.
Of Originall sinne.
Q. Are we guiltie of their sinne?
A. Doubtlesse, because we sinned in them being in their loynes, to stand or Ro. 5. 12. 18. Heb. 7. 9. fall with them.
Q. What punnishment haue we incurred by their transgression?
A. Thereby wee are made guilty of Ro. 5. 16. 18. Ro. 3. 10. &c. Gen. 6. 5. Psal. 51. 5. death and condemnation, wee haue lost the Image of God, and are polluted in all the powers of soule and body, euen from our conception.
Q. How far hath this corruption preuailed ouer vs?
A. So farre that we all by nature are Ioh. 8. 34. Rom. 6. 16. Rom. 3. 12. Rom. 8. 7. 1 Cor 2. 14. Gen. 6. 5. slaues to sinne, vnable for all good, and bent to all euil.
Q. What produces this corruption in vs?
A. All manner of actuall sinnes, in Rom. 7. 17. Jam. 1. 15. [Page] thought, word and déede.
Q. Is not God angry with vs, both for our originall and actuall sinnes?
A. Wonderfully: and punishes both Eph. 2. 3. Rom. 5. 14. Deut. 27. 28. Mat. 25. 41. with his fearefull curse, in all kinde of plagues in this world, and hell fier in the world to come.
Of Mans Deliuerance.
Q How are wee deliuered from this infinit miserie?
A. By the frée mercy of God in Iesus 2 Tim. 1. 91 Eph. 2. 5. 1 Cor. 1. 30. Christ, who is giuen of the Father to be our Wisdome, Righteousnesse, Sanctification, and Redemption.
Of Christs Person.
Q. What kinde of Person is Iesus Christ?
A. He is one Person, very God, equal Philip 2. 6. He. 2. 14. &c. Heb. 4. 15. Heb. 7. 16. 2 Cor. 5. 21 with the Father, and very Man, like vs in all things, sinne onely excepted.
Q. How confesse you him to be very God?
A. I confesse him to bee God, professing Ioh. 14. 1. Ier. 17. 5. that I beléeue in him; John 1. 18. that hee is the onely begotten or naturall Son of the Father; Rom. 1. 4. Io. 10. 17. 18 and that hee rose from death by his owne power.
Q. How confesse you him to be Man?
A. I confesse him to be Man when I [Page] say that he was borne of a Woman: and that he died by the sentence of a Iudge. Gal. 4. 4, Luk. 23. 24.
Q. How confesse you him to bee without sinne?
A. By ascribing his conception, not to the power of nature, but to the Luk. 1. 4, 5. Holy Ghost.
Q Why was it necessary that he should be without sinne?
A. Because euery sinner standes in Heb. 13. 14. Deut. 4 24. 1 Pet. 3. 18. néede of a Mediator for himselfe.
Q Why was it requisite that he should be both God and Man?
A. It behooued him Heb. 2. 14. 15. to be man, that he might die for man; Rom. 1. 4, and to bee God, that in dying he might ouercome death, Ioh. 5. 21. Joh. 17. 2. 22. & giue eternall life to euery true beléeuer.
Q. Why say you, he was both God and man in one person?
A. Because the eternall Son of God Heb. 2. 16. in his miraculous conception, assumed, not the person, but the nature of man in the vnitie of his owne person.
Q. How then must we consider the two natures in one person?
A. 1 Pet. 3. 18. Acts 20. 28. Gal. 4. 4, Joh. 3. 13. Without confusion of the Natures, Tim. 3. 16. or diuision of the person.
Q. Why say you without confusion of the Natures?
A. Because the diuine and humane Rom 1. 3, 4. 1 Pet. 3. 18. natures remaine distinct both in themselues, and in their properties.
Q. Why say you, without diuision of the Person?
A. Because the Lord Iesus is the Rom. 1. 3, 4. Iohn 1. 14. Sonne of God, and the Son of Man: and yet but one person; his man-head subsisting not in it self, but in the eternal word
Q. Doth not this personall vnion of the humane nature with the eternall word and Son of God, tend greatly to the glory of the humane nature of Iesus Christ?
A. Out of question: for hence it is that in both the natures (that is, as he is God-and-man ioyntly) 1 Tim. 2. 5 hee is the Mediator, Mat. 1. 21. the Sauiour, and Eph. 1. 22 head of his Church; Joh. 5. 23. Heb. 1. 6. Reu. 5. 12. 13. 14. to be adored, Ioh. 14. 1. 1 Tim. 1. 16. belieued in, and Act. 7. 59. called on.
Of Christs office.
Q. Hauing spoken of his Person, now shew mee concerning his office: and first why call you him Iesus, that is, a Sauiour?
A. So he is called, because he saues his people from Luk. 2. 11. sin, and Heb. 2. 14. 15. death, & giues vnto them 1 Cor. 1. 30 Ier. 23. 6. righteousnesse, and Ioh. 10. 18. life.
Q. Then is our whole Saluation in him, and from him?
A. Certainly, for the Scripture testifies [Page] that all fulnesse is in him; that in him we are compleat and that there is no Saluation Col. 1. 19. Col. 2. 3. 10. Acts 4. 12. in any other.
Q Why is he called Christ: that is Annointed?
A. Because John 6. 27. 1 Pet. 1 20. by the Father he was appointed Isa. 61. 1. Psal. 45. Iohn 3. 34. Col. 1. 19. Col. 2. 3. 9. Joh. 1. 14. 16. and endowed with gifts, to be vnto vs his people, a Prophet, a Priest, and a King.
Q. Why was he made a Prophet?
A. That he might reueale vnto vs the Deut. 18. 18 Iohn 1. 18. Iohn 15. 15. Joh. 16. 13. 14 Jsa. 61. 1. 1 Pet 3. 19. whole counsell and will of God, concerning our Saluation.
Q. Why was he made a Priest?
A. That by the Sacrifice of himselfe once offered, he might reconcile vs vnto Heb. [...]. 26. Heb. 7. 25. God, and continually make intercession for vs.
Q. Why was he made a King?
A. Iam. 2. 8. Jam. 4. 12. Rom. 3. 27. Mat. 28. 20. That he might giue vs a royall Law, whereby to beléeue, and liue; Heb. 10. 16 Heb. 12. 2. Acts 16. 14. Heb. 2. 11. that he might encline our hearts to the obedience of his Law, Deu. 33. 29 Psa. 119. 114 that he might powerfully defend, and 1 Cor. 15. 58. Heb. 6. 10. 2 Tim. 4 8. Iohn 10. 28 bountifully reward his faithfull Subiects, Psal. 110. 1 and make all his enimies his footstoole.
Q. Why call you him our Lord?
A Because he hath deliuered vs from the power of darknesse, to bee a peculiar Col. 1. 13. Tit. 2 14. [Page] people to himselfe.
Of the execution of his Office.
Q. How hath he accomplished this deliuerance?
A. By his humiliation, & axaltation. Eph. 4 9. Rom. 4. 25. Phil. 2. 7, 8,
Q. Wherein standes his Humiliation?
A. In his incarnation and suffering.
Q. What comprehends his incarnation? Phil. 2. 7. 8.
A. His Conception and Birth.
Q. Vnder whom suffered Christ?
A. Vnder Pontius Pilate, the Roman Gouernour.
Q. Why was he condemned by a mortall Man?
A. That we might be absolued by the Ro. 5. 18. 19. immortall God.
Q. In what nature suffered he?
A: Onely 1 Pe. 3. 18 in his humane nature: for Jam. 1. 17, the diuine nature is impassible, and not subiect to suffering.
Q. In what part of his humane nature suffered hee?
A. Both in his Body and Soule.
Q. What suffered he in his body?
A. He was crucified, in Gal. 3. 13. token that he bore the curse of the Law for vs: Heb. 2. 14. 1 Cor. 15. 55. 56. 57. he died to frée vs from death: and was Rom. 1. 4. buried for the greater certenty of his [Page] death, & the greter glory of his resurrectiō.
Q. Why say you he hath saued vs from death, since it is Heb. 9. 27 appointed for all men once to die?
A. Our death is Rom. 5. 1. no satisfaction for sinne, Rom. 6. 7. 1 Cor. 15. 26. but the abolishing of sinne in vs; Phil. 1. 23. and a passage to life euerlasting.
Q. What suffered he in his Soule?
A. Being, in a manner, Mat. 27. 46 left of God for a season, he Mat. 26. 37 38. 39. Gal. 3. 13. suffered extream anguish and horror, vnder the sense of the feareful wrath and curse of God, which héere is called his descending into hell.
Q What benifit haue we by his suffering?
A. All that hee suffered in Soule and Body was for mée; to frée my soule and 1 Pet. 3. 18. Heb 9. 28. 2 Cor. 5. 23. 1 Cor. 6. 20. 1 Thes. 5. 23. body from euerlasting torments, which I deserue for my sinnes.
Q. How could it stand with the Iustice of God to punish him for our sins, the righteous for the vnrighteous?
A. The Lord Iesus made our sinnes his owne, by his willing taking them on 1 Pet. 2 24. 2 Cor. 5. 23. 1 Ioh. 3. 5, 1 Tim. 2. 6. him, as our surety and pledge.
Q But how could his sufferings that were shortly ended, free vs from euerlasting punishment?
A. Albeit his sufferings were finite in tyme, yet in value they were infinite: [Page] because they were the sufferings of the eternall 1 Pet. 1. 18. 19. Acts 20. 28. Sonne of God.
Q. Hauing spoken of his Humiliation, tell me which are the degrees of his exaltation?
A. His Resurrection from Death; his Ascention into Heauen; and his sitting Luk. 24▪ Acts 1. Heb. 1. at the right hand of God.
Q. What benefit haue wee by his Resurrection from death?
A. Thereby Hos. 13. 14. Heb. 2. 14. Rom. 1. 4. he hath manifested his victorie ouer death, he Rom. 4. 25. makes vs partakers of the righteousnesse purchased by his death, Rom. 6. 4. he raises vs vp to newnes of lyfe, Rom. 8. 11. and assures vs of our resurrection.
Q. Why ascended he vp to heauen?
A. That there he might Joh. 14. 3. prepare a place for vs, and Rom. 8. 34 make intercession for vs; and that wee might follow him, Col. 3. 2 in our affections while we are here, Phil. 2. 23. Luk. 23 42. in our soules at the houre of death, 1 Thes. 4, 17 and in our bodies at the day of the Resurrection.
Q. What Imports his sitting at the right hand of God?
A. By this spéech, [...] Kin 2. 19 borrowed from the manner of men, is signified Mat. 28 18 Eph. 1. 22. that the Father hath set him ouer all things, to be the head of the Church; Joh. 5. 22. and the Iudge of the World.
Q. What profit haue we by this glorie of Christ, our head?
A. He imployes this glory and power to our vtility, Eph. 4. 8. 10 11. in powring out his gifts Eph. 4. 12. on vs his members Ioh. 14. 16. 26. 1 Cor. 6. 11. by his holy Spirit; Ioh 10. 28. Psal. 29. and in protecting vs against our enimies.
Q. When shall this glory of our Lord be manifested to all the world?
A. In the last day, when he shal come 1 Thes. 4. 15. 16. 17. 1 Pet. 4. 5. to iudge the quicke and the dead.
Q. What shall become of those that shall be liuing at his comming?
A. They shall all be changed, and this 1 Cor. 15. 52 change shall be in place of death to them.
Of the Holy Ghost.
Q. By whom is this redemption thus accomplished in the humiliation, and exaltation of our Sauiour, applyed vnto vs?
A. By the holy Spirit in our Sanctification. 1 Pet. 1. 22. Eph. 1. 13. Gal. 5. 5. [...] Cor. 2. 12. 2 Cor. 1. 21. 22.
Q. Why is the third Person of the Trinity peculiarly called the Spirit: John 4. 24 1 Cor. 3. 17 Seeing God the Father, and the Sonne also, is a Spirit? Rom. 8. 9.
A. He is so called from his Personal propertie; Joh. 15. 26. because he procéedes from the Father & the Son, Isa. 61. 1. Rom. 8. 9 11 Gal. 4. 6. as the Spirit of both.
Q. Why is he particularly called Holy, [Page] Jsa. 6. 3. Jos. 24. 19. seeing holinesse is an essentiall propertie of God, and so is common to al the three Persons
A He is called holy not from his essentiall property, but from his worke of Sanctification and holinesse wrought in vs; Rom. 8. 13. because he is the immediate worker thereof.
Of the Church.
Q To whom doth this Redemption, purchased by Christ, and applyed by the Spirit, belong?
A. To the whole Church vniuersall, Iohn 17. 20. 21. &c. Acts. 13. 48. and euery particular member thereof.
Q. What call you the Church vniuersal?
A. The whole company of the faithfull, Mat: 16. 18. Heb. 13. 23. Eph. 1. 4. Ro. 9. 23. 24 whom God hath chosen to life in Christ, before all Worldes.
Q. Why is this Church called Holy?
A. Because euery true member thereof, is 2 Tim. 1. 9. by an holy calling, Ioh. 17. 65 9. 14. seperated from the world, 1 Pet. 1. 15. 16 Deut. 14. 2. 1 Pet. 2. 9. to bee holy to the Lord; is Gal. 3. 27. Rom. 13. 14. cloathed with the perfect holinesse of Christ, Eph. 4. 24. Tit. 3. 5. and is endowed with the Image of God in true holinesse, Eph. 5. 25. 26. 27. 1 Cor. 1. 8▪ Phil. 1. 6. 1 Thes. 4 13. begun here, to be accomplished in the world to come.
Q Why is the Church called Ʋniuersal?
A. Because it comprehendeth the [Page] whole number of the elect and faithfull, Heb. 12. 23. Eph. 1. 10. Epc. 2. 16. of all times, places, and people.
Q. Which are the parts of this Church Vniuersall?
A. The Church militant on earth, and Eph. 6 12. 2 Tim. 4. 7. 8 the Church triumphant in Heauen.
Q. May not the Church militant vpon the earth, amongst all Nations, be called Vniuersall?
A. Yes, and so the Christian Church Deut. 4. 7. 8. Rom 9. 23. 24. 25. of old was called: to distinguish it from the Synagog of the Iewes; which was tyed to one people and place: but here the whole is called Vniuersall, and that more properly then any part of the whole can bée called.
Q Why say you not, I beleeue in the Church, as you said before; I beleeue in God?
A. Because we must beléeue in God Mat. 4. 10. Jer. 17. 5. Psal. 118. 8. Psal. 146. 3. 1 Tim. 6. 17 onely.
Q. And why say you; I beleeue there is a Church?
A. Because Faith is the euidence of Heb. 11. 1. Rom. 2. 29. 2 Tim. [...]. 19. Rom. 2. 29. things that are not séene: and this Church is inuisible to mortall eies, as being the company of Gods elect and secret ones, who are knowne to God alone.
Q What than call you a visible Church?
A. Any particular Congregation in [...] Tim. 1. 7. 8. Psal. 22 22. [Page] any place, making profession of the Faith Rom. 16, 5. Phile. 2. of Christ.
Q. Are al the Congregations that make profession of the Faith of Christ, true visible Churches?
A. No: but onely those Ioh. 10. 27 Rom. 10. 17. where Gods Word is Preached, Mat. 28. 19 20. Act. 2. 41. 42 the Sacraments are Ministred, and Ioh. 4. 22. Deut. 6. 13. God alone is worshipped, according to his Word.
Q. Are all such Churches alike pure?
A. No, but as the purity of Doctrine Gal. 3. 1, 2. 3. Gal. 4. 9. 10. 11. &c. Heb. 8. 5. 2 Tim. 1. 15. & worship hath degrées, so these Churches are purest, where the Doctrine and worship is most pure: that is, most agréeable to the word of God.
Q. Are all they that are of a visible Church, members also of that Holy Catholike Church which wee beleeue?
A. No: but of a visible Church, are Mat. 13. 47. 48. 49. Rom. 9. 27. Rom. 2. 27. 28. 29. Mat. 20. 16. both clect and reprobate, good and bad, which make outward profession of the faith, being externally called by the Ministrie of the Word and Sacraments.
Of the Ministrie.
Q. To whom belongs it to Minister the Word and Sacraments?
A. Onely to those that are called by Mat. 28. 19. 20. Rom. 10. 15. Eph 4. 8. 11. Jsa. 50. 4. Christ and his Tit. 1. 5. 1 Tim. 5. 22. Act. 6. 3. 5, 6, Church vnto that holy Function.
Q. What power hath Christ giuen vnto them that are thus called?
A. He hath giuen them the power of Binding and Loosing of sinnes. Mat 16. 19. Mat. 18. 18. Ioh. 20. 23.
Q. Wherein stands this Power?
A. In the Ministerie of the word, of the 1 Cor. 2. 15. 16. 1 Cor. 11. 27. 29. Mat. 16. 19. Luk. 11. 52. Reu. 3. 7. Sacraments, and of the censures; which therefore are called the Keyes of the Kingdome of Heauen.
Q. How doth the Ministers of Christ open, and shut with these Keyes?
A. They open by anouncing remission of sinnes to the penitent; and they shut, by Ioh. 3. 16. 35. 36. Act. 2. 36. Eph. 5. 5. Mar. 16. 16. Mat. 18. 15. 16. 17, 1 Cor. 5. 11. 12. 13. Ioh. 2. 10. denouncing Iudgement to the impenitent: & this they do more generally by the Ministery of the word, and more particularly, by the Ministery of the Sacramēts and Censures.
Q. What is the end of this Ministery in the Church?
A. The purging of the Church from offences, and the gathering of the Saints vnto Christ, that by him in time they 1 Cor. 5. 6 Eph. 4. 12, Eph. 1 4. 5, may enioy the benefits alotted to them before all VVorlds.
Q. Which be those benefits?
A. They bée two in this World, the communion of Saints, and the remission of sinnes: and two in the VVorld to [Page] come: The resurrection of the body, and life euerlasting.
Communion of Saints.
Q. What call you the Communion of Saints?
A. It is that fellowship which they 1 John 1. [...]. Col. 2. 12. Rom. 12. 5. 1 Cor. 10. 16. 17. that are sanctified haue with Christ their head by faith, and amongst themselues by loue. Eph. 4. 4, Eph. 3. 6, 17. Phile. 5 6. 7. 1 Cor 12. 13.
Q. Wherein consists our fellowship with Christ our head by Faith?
A. In this, that Christ is ours, and 1 Cor. 3. 23. Cant. 6. 2. Iohn 15 4. Col. 1. 14. Iohn 17. 19. 1 Cor. 1. 30. we are Christs; that his suffering is our satisfaction; and that all the benefits procured by his suffering are also ours.
Q. Wherin stands our fellowship amongst our selues by loue? 1 Cor. 12. 26. Rom. 12. 15. Eph 6. 18. 19. 1 Tim. 2. 1. Acts 4. 32. Rom, 12. 1 Cor, 12. Phil. 2. 4.
A. In our mourning and reioycing together, in our praying euery one for another; and in extending the gifts bestowed on any of vs, to the common benefit of the body.
Remission of Sinnes.
Q. What call you Remission of Sinnes?
A. Act. 26 18. Rom. 4. 5, 6, 7 8, 9. Otherwaies it is called Iustification, Rom 8. 33. Mat. 9. 8. & it is that action of God, Tit. 3. 4, 5, 6, 7. Rom. 3. 20. 24. 28. Phil 3 9. where by of his frée grace, without our deseruing, [Page] he 2 Cor. 5. 19 Rom. 4. 5, 6. 7, 8. Mich. 7. 19. Jsa. 38. 17. Ier 31. 34. reputes and pronounces vs to be righteous, as if we had neuer sinned: and that for the obedience and righteousnesse of 2 Cor. 5 21. Rom. 5. 19. Phil 2. 8. Jsa. 53. 5. Christ, applyed Ioh 1. 12. Gal. 3. 14. Act. 26. 18. to vs by Faith.
Q. Then your meaning is, that Ioh. 1. 12. Gal. 3. 14. Act. 16. 18, Rom. 3. 2. Rom. 5. 1. Phil 3. 9. Faith is the Instrument which taketh hold on Christs righteousnesse, whereby we are iustified, Rom. 5. 19. Rom. 3. 24. and that the whole merit and cause of our Iustification, is in the righteousnesse of Christ, Rom. 3▪ 28. and not in the apprehension of our Faith
A. So I doe thinke, and stedfastly beléeue.
Q. Why reckon you the Resurrection of of the body, amongst the gifts of God in Christ bestowed on his Church, seeing the wicked also shall rise in the last day?
A. The resurrection of the wicked is no benifit to them; but the resurrection of 2 Cor. 5. 10. Joh. 5. 28. 29 Ro. 20. 12. 13 Acts 24. 15. the iust, is an inestimable benefit to them.
Q. Why is the resurrection of the wicked no benefit to them?
A. Because they are not partakers of the first resurrection, which is from Reu. 20. 5. 6. sinne, in this life.
Q. What followeth thereupon?
A. Hence it is, that in the second resurrection Mat. 25. Dan. 12. 2. they rise in sin, in shame, & sorrow; by the power of Christ being forced to [Page] get vp, and present themselues before the angry Iudge of the world, to héere their sentence condemnatorie, and accordingly to be cast into hell, there to sustaine the iudgement of euerlasting fier.
Q Why is the resurrection of the godly an inestimable benefit to them?
A. Because in this life they are made Reu. 20. 6. partakers of the first resurrection; therefore in the world to come the second death shall haue no power ouer them.
Q. How then do they rise, and to what end?
A: They rise in righteousnesse, in Phil 3. 20. Mat. 13. 43. glory, and ioy, being quickned by the Spirit of Christ their head, to bee presented in the presence of their gracious Lord and Sauiour: that from his mouth they Mat. 25. 34. 2 Tim. 4. 8. may heare sentence of absolution pronounced vpon them, and accordingly may enter in full possession of life euerlasting.
Q What call you life euerlasting?
A. It is Ep. 4. 18. 22. Ioh. 17. 2. Iohn 5. 24. Col. 3. 10. 1 Cor. 1. 9. that life of God begun in my soule héere, & for euer 2 Tim. 4. 8. 1 Ioh. 3. 2. Col. 3. 3. 4, Psal. 16. 11. Jsa. 60. 18. 19 Phil. 3. 21. 1 Cor. 2. 9. Ioh. 17. 2 [...]. to be continued in perfect happinesse of soule and body hereafter, when God shall be 1 Cor. 1 [...] ▪ 28 all in all to me.
Of particular assurance.
Q Doe you beleeue that these foresaid benefits doe belong to you in particular?
A. Yea, by the grace of my God I doe [Page] so beléeue: the Lord helpe my vnbeliefe.
Q. How are you assured that they belong Mar. 9. 24. to you in particular?
A. I know by the Gospell, Ioh: 3. 16. that they belong to all that belieue, and 1 Cor. 4. 13 2 Cor. 2. 11. being priuie to my selfe that I am one of those that beléeue, according as I confesse in my Créede, 2 Tim. 4. 8. why should I doubt, but these benefits doe belong to mée?
Q. But is it of your selfe that you belieue these things?
A. Ephes. 2. 8. No, it is of the Holy Ghost; who therefore is called 2 Cor. 4. 13 the Spirit of Faith, Eph. 1. 13. Rom. 8. 15. Gal. 4. 6. the spirit of promise, the seale, and witnesse of God vnto vs, and the earnest of our inheritanes.
Of the Couenant.
Q. By what means doth he worke it in you?
A. By the Word of God.
Q. What call you the word of God?
A. The Doctrine of the Prophets and 2 Pet. 1. 21. 1 Pet. 1. 25. Eph. 2. 20. Apostles, contained in the bookes of the old and new Testament.
Q. Which is the cheife subiect or matter handled in the Word?
A. The Couenant. Heb. 8. 8. 9. 10. &c. Acts 3. 25.
Q. What Couenant?
A. Euen that Couenant of grace and [Page] peace, which the Lord God was graciously Gen. 3. 15. 2 Tim. 1. 9. 10 pleased to make with man, after man had broken that former Couenant made with him in his Creation.
Q. What doe you call that first Couenant which God made with man in the Creation?
A. I doe call it the Couenant of Gen. 2. 16. 17. workes, and of Nature.
Q. Why doe you call it so?
A. Because in it God promised that Gal. 3, 12. man should liue in happinesse for euer, vnder condition that hee should continue in the holy workes of Gods perfect obedience according to the purity of his nature.
Q. Is any man able to get life now by that first Couenant made with Adam?
A. None at all: for Adam by breaking Rom. 3. 20. Gal. 2. 16. Gal. 3. 11. 21. Rom. 8. 3. the condition of that couenant, not onely depriued himselfe, and vs, of life promised in the Couenant, but also made vs vnable to fullfill the condition thereof.
Q. Why then doth God in his Law vrge vs with no lesse paine than his curse, to fulfill that impossible condition of perfect obedience to the Law?
A. Rom. 7. 7, 13. That the wickednesse of sinne may appeare; Rom. 3. 19. that euery mouth may be stopped, all being declared to be guilty of the condemnation of God; Rom. 10. 4. Gal. 3. 22. 23 and that euery [Page] one of vs may be vrged to betake vs to Christ, and to the Couenant of grace Gal. 3. 22. 23. 24. made by him.
Q. What is promised to vs in the couenant of grace made in Christ?
A. Remission of sinnes, righteousnes, Heb. 8. 8, 9. 10. 11, 1 [...]. Heb. 9. 12. 15 Joh. 3. 16. and life euerlasting.
Q. Ʋnder what condition is this promise made?
A. Vnder condition of Faith, and new obedience. Ioh. 13. 34. Joh. 15. 10 Ioh. 13. 17. Gal. 6. 16. 1 Tim. 1 19.
Q. Why is it called the couenant of grace, seeing the promise in it is not made freely, but vnder a condition to be performed on our part?
A. Because God not Gen. 3. 15. Eph. 2. 7. 8, onely of his frée grace made this couenant with man after his fall, Tit. 2. 11. Isa 9. 6. 1 Iohn 4. 9, John 4. 10. but also of the same grace giueth vnto him Christ, Heb. 9. 15. Jsai. 42. 6. the Mediator of the Couenant, and Phil. 1. 29. Ephes. 2. 8. faith in him, to fulfill the condition thereof.
Q. Why is it called the Couenant of peace?
A. Because the end thereof, is peace Ephes. 2. 14. 2 Cor. 5. 18 19. and reconciliation with God.
Q. Were the Patriarches, and Prophets of old saued by this Couenant?
A. They were: For Iesus Christ Reu. 13. 8. was a Lambe slaine from the beginning of the world.
Q. Declare that more plainlie?
A. The death of Iesus was not onely Gal. 3. 8. Iohn 8. 26. decréed from all eternity; but also was promised, was shadowed, and was effectuall from the beginning of the world, to saue them that belieued the promise, and by faith did sée his day.
Q. Are we than the same way saued as they were?
A. Act 15. 11. 1 Cor. 10. 1, 2. 3, &c. Certenly, Heb. 13. 8. Mar. 16. 16. Ioh. 3 17. 18. for Iesus Christ, yesterday, to day, and for euer is the same: that is all men that euer were saued that now are saued, or hereafter shall be saued, had, haue, and shall haue saluation by Iesus Christ alone.
Q. Then it appeares there is no saluation vnto man, but by beleeuing the promise of this Couenant of grace, which is the Gospell?
A. Nothing more certaine. Acts 4. 12.
Q. And what if a man seeke saluation by the works of the law, and refuse to embrace the condition of this Couenant?
A. He is vnder the curse of the Law, Gal. 3. 10. Heb. 10. 26. Iohn 3. 36. neither is there any sacrifice for his sinne, but the wrath of God abides vpon him for euer.
Of the Sacraments in generall.
Q This Doctrine stirres me vp to seeke strengthning of my faith, therefore, as you [Page] taught me whence, and by what meanes wee attaine to faith; shew mee likewse, I pray you, by whom, and how it is confirmed?
A. The Lord, Heb. 12. 2. 1 Cor. 1. 8. who is the Author and finisher of our faith, Rom. 1. 17 1 Pet. 2 1, 2, Act. 20. 3 [...]. confirmes it by the same word of the couenant, whereby it is wrought, Rom. 4. 11. and by the Sacraments.
Q. What call you the Sacraments?
A. They are visible signes, and seales Gen. 17. 11. Rom. 4. 11. Mat. 28. 18. 1 Cor. 10. 16 of the Gospell, or Couenant of grace, ordained of God to confirme my faith in the promise thereof.
Q. How doe they confime your faith in the promise of the Gospell?
A. By receiuing them as sure pledges Mat. 26. 26. 27. from God, that Christ crucified is giuen to me in particular, to be my Sauior.
Q. How many Sacraments be there?
A. Two: Baptisme, and the Lords Mat. 28. 18. 1 Cor. 11. 23. 1 Cor. 10. 2, 3, 4, Supper.
Of Baptisme:
Q What is Baptisme?
A. It is the Sacrament of Rom. 6. 3. 4, 5. Col. 2. 12. my incorporation in Christ, Eph. 5. 26. Joh. 1. 33. Act. 9. 36. 38. by dipping, washing, or sprinkling with water, Act. 22. 16. sealing vp my spirituall washing from sinne, in his 1 Ioh. 1. 7. blood, and Ioh. 3. 5. Spirit.
Q. What vnderstand you by your washing [Page] the bloud of Christ?
A. The remission of my sinnes in the Rom. 5. 9: Rom. 6. 3. Gal. 3. 27. merit of his blood.
Q▪ What vnderstand you by your washing in the Spirit of Christ?
A. The renouation of my heart by Iohn 3. 5. Tit. 3. 5. Mat. 3. 11. the vertue of his Spirit.
Q. When you thinke your Baptisme Gods seale to you, whereby your faith is further confirmed in the remission of your sinnes, and your heart is more deeply marked with the print of Sanctification?
A. Albeit I could not know that Rom. 4. 11. Tit. 3. 5 1 Cor. 9. 2. when I was baptized, being an infant, yet now, through the grace of my God, I féele not onely my faith further confirmed, but my heart also further renued, in consideration of my Baptisme.
Q. And why are the children of Christians Baptized?
A. Because the promise of the Couenant Mat. 19. 14▪ 15 1 Cor. 7. 14. Col. 2. 11. 12. belongs to them, and their children.
Of the Lords Supper.
Q. What is the Lords Supper?
A. It is the Sacrament of my spiriall Joh. 6. 50 5 [...] Eph. 4. 13. 1 [...]. nourishment, and further growth in Christ.
Q How doth the Lords Supper confirme [Page] your faith in the promise of the Couenant?
A. Being thereby assured, that as my 1 Cor 10, 16 Joh. 6. 50. 51 53. Ioh. 6. 35 & 47 body liueth féedeth, and groweth by meat and drink, so my soule liueth, féedeth, & increaseth on, and by Iesus Christ, who died for me, that I might liue.
Q. Which are the externall signes in the Sacrament of the Supper?
A. The signes are; first, the elements 1 Cor. 11. 23. 24. &c. of bread and wine, nixt, the sacramentall rites and actions; which are, breaking, powring, giuing, taking, eating, drinking.
Q. What is represented, and sealed, by these elements, and actions.
A. Iesus Christ, his sufferings, and 1 Cor. 10. 16. 1 Cor. 11. 24 benefits, together with our communion with him, his sufferings, and benefits.
Q. What then are the bread and wine in the Sacrament?
A. They are the body and bloud of the Lord.
Q. Are the bread and wine changed in the Lords body and blood?
A. No; for the Sacrament changes 1 Cor. 11. 28 their vse, but not their substance.
Q. Yet they are verily his body and blood?
A. I beléeue them verily so to bee, because Joh. 14. 6. Christ, who is the veritie it selfe, hath said it.
Q. As you are surely perswaded that they are his body and blood, are you also resolued how they are his body and blood?
A. That is a mysterie, wherein I doe 1 Cor. 4. 6. not craue to bee wise aboue that which is written; but, so farre as I am taught by the word, I beléeue them so to bee called, because by them the Lords body and blood are not onely represented and offered, but Iohn 3. 36. also truely giuen to the true beléeuer.
Q. Hence it must follow, that we eate his body, and drinke his blood by beleeuing assuredly, that his body was broken, and his bloud was shed for vs?
A. Certenly: For this Sacrament is the communion of the body and blood of 1 Cor. 10. 16 Eph. 3. 16. 1 Cor. 6. 17. 1 Ioh. 3. 24. 1 Iohn 4. 13 Iohn 1. 12. Joh. 6. 61. 63. Gal. 3. 14. Act. 26. 18. Christ, & as our whole communion with Christ is spirituall, not carnall; so wee receiue him, we eate his body, and drinke his blood, not carnally, but spiritually, and by faith.
Q▪ You haue satisfied me concerning the elements, now shew me touching the sacramentall actions, and first, what is the breaking of the bread, and powring out of the wyne?
A. The breaking and powring represent 1 Cor. 11. 24 25. Mat. 26. 28. Js. 53. 5. 10. the sufferings of the Lord, and the benefits procured by his suffering; for those two cannot be separated.
Q. What imports the giuing, taking, eating, and drinking?
A. Those be signes, and seales whereby the holy Ghost represents and applyes Ioh. 3. 16. Gal. 2. 20. Iohn 1. 12. Gal. 3. 14. Act. 26. 18. Ioh. 6. 47. 48 Christ, his sufferings, and benefits to the beléeuing receiuer.
Q. Is it requisite that we distinctly consider all these mystical actions, when we receiue?
A. Yes verily, if we would haue our 1 Cor. 11. 29 Rom. 4. 11. knowledge made more cleare, & our confidence made more sure.
Q. How should wee be prepared when wee come to receiue?
A. We should come: first, with Mat. 3. 2. Zach. 12, 10. repentance, mourning for our sins that procured the Lords death: Secondly, with Act [...]. 36. 37. faith, beléeuing the remission of our sins in the Lords death: Thirdly, with loue Mat. 5. 24. being reconciled to them that wee haue offended, Eph. 4. 32. Col. 3. 13. and fréely forgiuing them that haue offended vs, euen as God for Christ sake hath fréely forgiuen vs.
Q What if a man communicate, being void of repentance, faith, and loue?
A. He eateth and drinketh vnworthily, to his owne damnation; and is guilty of 1 Cor. 11. 27. 30. the body and bloud of the Lord.
Q. Should those, who in their liues are manifestly wicked, bee admitted vnto the holy Communion?
A. Mat. 7. 6. Leu. 10. 10. Num. 5. 2, 3, 1 Cor. 10. 21 By no meanes: For so 1 Cor. 11. 27. Isa 66. 3. Psal. 50. 16. Mal. 1. 7, the Couenant of God is prophaned, & the 1 Cor. 11. 30. wrath of God is kindled against the whole congregation: Therefore Mat. 18. 17 the Church vsing the Keyes of the Kingdom of Heauen, according to the command of Christ and his Apostles, should hould such a man backe from the Sacrament, vnto 2 Cor. 2. 7, 8. the time he repent and amend his life.
Q. But, if after tryall, a man find in himselfe a very great measure of sinne, and a very small measure of grace, may hee come to the Lords Table without danger?
A. Yea, and Mat. 11. 28 Mat. 9. 12. Luk. 14. 21. with great profit, if hée be déeply displeased for his sinfull imperfections, and ardently Mat. 5. 6. thirst for a further measure of perfection in Iesus Christ.
The second Part, Of good Workes.
Q. IN the beginning you said; that true Religion consisted in Faith and good works; therefore, hauing spoken of Faith, shew me which be those you call Good workes?
A. These I call good workes, which Act. 15. 9. 1 Tim. 1 5. Heb. 11. 6. are done in faith, to the glory of Gods [Page] name, according to his command.
Q▪ Why must they bee done to the glorie of Gods name?
A. Because howsoeuer wee must doe good workes, Jam. 2. 18. 1 Joh. 1. 6▪ 7, to testifie our faith in God, Psa. 116. 12 13. to testifie our thankfulnesse to God, 2 Per. 1. 10 to make our election sure, 1 Pet. 3. 1. and to winue others by our good example; 1 Cor. 10. 31. Col. 3. 17: yet in al these our chiefe purpose should be, that we may glorifie God in all.
Q Why must they bee done according to Gods command?
A. Because God accepteth no seruice of vs, howsoeuer right in our eyes, but Deu 12. 8. 14 Deut. 4. 2 Mat. 15. 9. that which is warranted by his Law and Commandements.
Of the Morall Law.
Q Which is that Law of God, whereby our actions must be warranted and ruled?
A. The Morall Law, set down in the Exod. 20. 1. Deut. 5 6. 20. of Exodus. And God spake all these words, &c.
Q. How is this Law diuided?
A. In two Tables. Deu. 10. 2, 3.
Q. What containes the first Table?
A. In foure Commandements, it prescribs 2 Pet. 1. [...], 7. 1 Tim. 4 7. Mich. 6. 8. al the dutis we owe to God, which are properly called the workes of pietie.
Q. Which are these workes of pietie?
A. 1. That wee worship God alone: 2. According to his word, not our will: 3. That we thinke and speake reuerently of him, his titles, word, & workes: 4. And that wee separate our selues on the Sabbath for his publike worship.
Q. Which is the summe of these foure precepts, and duties of pietie?
A Thou shalt loue the Lord thy God Mat. 22. 37. 1 Tim. 1. 5. with all thy mind, with all thy heart, with all thy soule, and with thy whole strength.
Q. What containes the second Table?
A. In six Commandements it prescribes 2 Pet. 1. 3, 7. Rom. 13. 9. all the duties wee owe to men, which are vsually called the workes of charitie.
Q. Which be these?
A. That wee striue by all meanes to aduance our Neighbours 1. Estate, 2. Person, 3. Chastitie, 4. Goods, 5. Name, 6. And that we doe not so much as thinke an euill thought, albeit without consent of the will, against our Neighbour his estate, person, chastitie, goods, or name.
Q. Which is the summe of these six precepts, and duties of charitie?
A. Thou shalt loue thy Neighbour as thy selfe: or, doe to him as thou wouldst [Page] haue him doe to thee.
Of the spirituall power, and perfection of the Law.
Q: Which are the essentiall properties of this Law, necessarie to be knowne of vs?
A. Euen these whereby it excels all Rom. 7. 14. Psal. 19. 7. Psal. 119. 96. lawes of earthly Kings; to wit, that it is spirituall, and perfect.
Q. Why call you it Spirituall?
A. Because it reacheth to the soule and Heb. 4. 12. 2 Cor. 10. 4, 5 all the powers thereof.
Q How so?
A. It chargeth the Isa. 1. 3. Ier. 4. 22. vnderstanding to know euery duty: it chargeth the Rom. 2. 18. 19. 1 Cor. 10. 15 Heb. 5. 14. iudgment to discerne betwixt good and euill, the Exo. 20. 8. Eccl. 12. 1 memorie to retaine, the Deu 30. 19 Ios. 24. 15. 1 Thes. 5. 20. will to choose what is better, and leaue what is worse, Psal. 45. 7. and the affections to loue good, and hate euill.
Q Why call you it perfect.
A. Because it chargeth not onely the soule, Mat. 22. 37. 39. but the whole soule: not onely to know, discerne, retaine, will, and follow good, but also to doe the same Jam. 2. 10. perfectly: Phil 4. 8. and because as it commands all good, so it Rom. 7. 7. condemnes all euill.
Q. Yet all the Commandements, except [Page] the fourth, & fift, appeares only to forbid euill?
A. Euen these vnder the euill forbidden expresly, Mat. 5. 28. Iob. 31. 1. forbids not onely the occasions therof, but also Deut. 6. 13. Eph. 4. 25. 28. 1 Pet. 3. 9. 11. commands the good contrary thereto.
Of Mans inability to fulfill the Law.
Q Is any man able perfectly to keepe that so strict and perfect Law?
A. No, Gal. 3. 22. Prou. 24. 16. not one.
Q. Why so?
A. Because euen Rom. 7. 23 Gal. 5. 17. in those that haue attained greatest measure of Sanctification, the flesh fighteth against the spirit.
Q. How farre preuailes it by fighting?
A. So farre Rom. 7. 19. that it either hinders the good workes we would doe, or at least Iam. 4. 3. staines them with some sinfull imperfection.
Of the vse of the Law.
Q. Then it appeares we cannot be iustified, or liue by the Law?
A. That is most certen: for the Law is Rom. 3. 20. 18. Gal. 3. 10. 11 Act. 13. 39. sealed vp with this threatning; Cursed be euery man that abideth not in euery thing that is written in the Law, to doe it.
Q. Then apparently the Law is able to condemne vs?
A. As it cannot iustifie vs, Rom. 8. 3. because wée cannot fulfil it, so Rom. 8 1. neither can it condemne vs, because wee are in Christ, Gal. 4. 4, 5, Mat. 3. 15. Gal. 3. 13. who for vs hath fulfilled it.
Q To what vse serues the Law then?
A. It serues for two vses: First, it Gal. 3 22, 23 24. Act. 13. 39. Rom. 10. 4. Act. 4. 12. prepares vs for the Gospell, vrging vs to betake vs to Christ, & to seeke life in him, where onely it is to be found.
Q. How doth it that?
A. By humbling vs vnder the sense Gal. 3. 10. 11. Act. 2. 27. 2 [...]. of sinne, and the feare of Gods curse for sinne.
Q. What is the second vse of the Law?
A. When I haue found life in Christ 1 Tim. 1. 9. Tit. 2. 11. 1 [...]. 2. 24. Col. 1. 21. Ephes 1. 4. [...] Ioh. 3. 3, by the Gospell, the Law serues to be the rule of my conuersation in thankfulnesse towards my Lord, for his superaboundant mercies.
Q How can God accept of your workes, which you study to frame according to that rule, they being but imperfectly good?
A. My person and workes be acceptable Rom 12. 1. 1 Pet. 2. 5. 1 Joh. 2. 1. Psal. 32. 1. to God in Iesus Christ, by whose perfect obedience the imperfections both of my Person and workes are couered and pardoned.
Q. But when shall wee and our workes be altogether agreeable vnto the Law?
A. When our Sanctification shall be 2 Pet. 3. 13. Reu. 21. 4. 27. perfected, in the life to come.
Q What must we doe in the meane time, while we attaine to that blessed estate?
A. Wée must continually striue to 1 Thes. 4. [...] 10. Phil. 3. 12. 13 14. 15. 1 Tim. 4. 7. perfection, by exercising our selues in all manner of good workes; especially in Repentance, and Prayer.
Of Repentance.
Q. What is Repentance?
A. It is our turning from darknesse Act. 26. 18. Hos. 14. 2. to light, and from the power of Sathan vnto God.
Q. Are wee able to turne to God of our selues?
A. No, our conuersion is Gods work, Act. 5. 31. Act. 11. 18. and gift.
Q. Why then doe you reckon it amongst our good workes?
A. First, the Lord of his grace turnes Ier. 31. 18. 19▪ vs; then, we assisted by the same grace, as working with God, doe turne and repent.
Q. By what meanes doth the Lord worke our conuersion?
A. By the preaching of the Law, and Luk. 24. 47▪ Gospell.
Q. Which are the Parts of Repentance?
A. The mortification of the old man, Eph. 4. [...]2. 2 [...] 2 [...]. [Page] and the quickning of the new man.
Q. Wherein standes the mortification of the old man?
A. It standes in a godly sorrow for [...] Cor. 7. 10. Rom. 6. 6. Iud. 23. Col. 3. 8. 9. offending God, and in a detesting and flying of sinne.
Q. Wherein standes the quickning of the new man?
A. It standes in a ioy vnspeakable, arising Rom. 5. 1: Job 19. 23, 24. 25. Rom. 6. 4. of the sense of Gods mercy in Christ, and in an ardent studie of newnesse of life.
Q. By what speciall meane are wee kept in the way of Repentance?
A. By earnest, and continual Prayer. Mat. 26. 41. Iam. 5. 16. Luk. 18. 1.
Of Prayer.
Q. What is Prayer?
A. It is a calling Psa. 50. 15 vpon God, in the Ioh. 14. 6. 14. name of Christ, for Psal. 33. 1. 12. such things as concerne Gods glory, and our necessitie.
Q. Why is it not lawfull to pray to Creatures, as to Saints glorified, and Angels?
A. Because God hath commanded vs Mat. 4. 10. Rom. 10. 14. to worship himselfe alone.
Q. Why should we pray onely in the name of Christ?
A. Because he is our onely Mediator 1 Tim. 2. 5. Ioh. 14. 6. and intercessor, and none cometh to the [Page] Father but by him.
Q. How should wee Pray?
A. According to that perfect patterne of prayer, which our Lord himself taught Luk. 11. 2. his Disciples: saying, When you pray, say, Our Father which art in Heauen, &c.
Q In how many parts doe you diuide this Prayer?
A. In thrée parts: In a Preface, six petitions, and a conclusion.
Q Which is the Preface?
A. Our Father which art in heauen.
Q. What are we taught by this Preface?
A. Thereby wee are taught to come to God, both with boldnesse, because hée Heb. 4. 16. Eccle. 4. 17, is our Father; and reuerence, because his Maiesty filleth the heauens.
Q. What craue wee in the first three Petitions?
A. Wée craue things directly belonging to Gods glory: As namely 1. that his glory may bee aduanced, 2. by the comming of the Kingdome of Christ, 3. and by our ready obedience to our King.
Q. VVhat craue we in the last three Petitions?
A. Wée craue things belonging to our owne necessitie 4. both temperall, [Page] for this present life, as bread; and 5. spirituall for the life to come, as remission of sin alreadie committed: 6. & strength against tentations, that wee may stand fast in time to come.
Q. vvhat containes the conclusion?
A. A reason of our Petitions, taken from the Kingdome, Power, and Glory of God: and a seale of our desire and assurance to obtaine, in the word, Amen.
Q. vvhat imports the word, Amen?
A. It signifies either (So be it) as a note of desire, or (so it is) as a note of assurance, teaching vs to pray both with desire, and confidence to obtaine.
Q. How shall wee haue confidence to obtaine our desire?
A. By leaning to the promise of God, Mat. 7. 8. Joh. 14. 13. 14. certifying vs, that whatsoeuer wee aske of him in the name of Christ, it shall bée giuen vnto vs.
Q. Hauing spoken of Faith, and of good workes in generall, and in particular of repentance and prayer, now in the end shew me what is the fruit of this your Religion?
A. The fruit and end of this my Religion, 2 Thes. 1. 11. 12. is the glory of my God in the euerlasting saluation of my soule, through Iesus Christ my Lord, to whom bee glorie and praise for euer, Amen.
Instructions for worthy receiuing of the Lords Supper.
THe Lord commandeth his people Israel, (Exo. 12.) to eate the Paschall Lambe with bitter herbes, and vnleauened bread, hauing their shooes on their feete, their staues in their hands, and their loynes girded vp, as readie prepared, to take iourny out of Egypt to Canan. In the which institution, they were instructed, to consider the tyme bypast, their present dispositiō, & their resolution for the time to come. In respect of the time by-gone, they were to eate their Lambe with bitter herbes; to put them in remembrance of their bitter captiuity, & seruitude in Egypt. In respect of the time present, al they that did eate were circumcised, and all Leauen was remoued; to shew that all Gods sealed people, they must presently depart, not hauing space nor leasure to leauen their bread. And as for the time to come, they must bee resolued instantly to leaue Egypt, and take theit iourney to Canaan.
Now Christ our Passeouer is sacrificed for vs, and who would worthily eate this Passeouer, must of necessity consider these same things; His by-past life, his present disposition, and his resolution for the time to come. First, if thou wilt runne the backe, tread of thy life, and remember what thou hast bin, and what thou hast done; questionlesse thou shalt finde much occasion of bitter mourning. When thou seest thy many & great offences, what in thought, what in word, what in deed; what of omission, what of commission; what of ignorance, what of knowledge: in remembrance of this thy vile seruitude, in the Egyptian darknesse of sinne, and ignorance, vnder that spirituall Pharao, prepare to thy selfe the bitter herbes of remorse and sorrow; that therewith thou may eate thy Passeouer. For the better effectuating hereof, examine the by-past time of thy life, according [Page] to all the commandements, and finding thy sinnes to bee many and greiuous, and thy God to be very angry with thee, and all the curses of the Law iustly to belong vnto thee for them, with griefe of heart, and contrition of Spirit, Pray in this forme, or sense.
A Prayer.
O Lord, to fulfill the commandements of thy law is impossible, to sustaine the curse of thy law is intolerable. And I, alasse, miserable wretch, haue broaken all thy commandements, yea, and many of them wittingly, and willingly: therefore as a seruant knowing his Masters will, & not doing it, I deserue to be beaten with many stripes: if one transgression of one commandement deserues thy fearefull curse, O what a burden of wrath haue I drawne on my silly soule, by my infinit transgressions? But what shall I doe, Lord? shall I drowne my soule in the deepest gulfe of desperation? No good Lord, thy Word is my comfort; there thou calls them vnto thée that are weary and loaden, promising to ease them, to refresh them, to release them. Lift vp thy head, O my soule, and tast of the sweetnesse of this consolation; the Lord calles on thée, promises to relieue thée and to refresh thée; for thy Lord sées thée not onely burthened with thy sinnes, but also weary of thy burden. Thou bids me come, O Lord; behold here am I ready at thy gracious call: but how shall I come to thée, except thou draw mée? draw me, O Lord, and I shall follow thee: the burden of my sinnes, more heauy then a mountaine, so beares me down, that I cannot stirre one foot towards thée, till thou put vnder thy hand and frée mee of my loading. And if I might créepe to thée-ward vnder it, how durst I present my selfe before thée in my sinnes? should I not be consumed as stubble before the fire? Lord I do beléeue thy owne testimony, thou so louedst the world, [Page] that thou gaue thy only Sonne for the world, that whosoeuer belieueth in him should not perish, but haue eternall life: Lord I beleiue in him, kéepe thy promise to me, let me not perish as I deserue; but giue me life, that my poore soule may liue by thée, in thée, and with thée: through Iesus Christ my blessed Lord and Sauiour, Amen.
Secondly, wee must consider the time present, how wee are, and how we eate; we must take heede both to the disposition of our person, and to the manner of our eating; all they that did eate the Passouer, were circumcised, and did eate with vnleauened bread. So must we be, so must we doe; except we be circumcised in our hearts, wee can haue no fellowship with Iesus Christ: if any man bee in him, he must be a new Creature, for he that hath not the Spirit of Christ, the same is not his. Ahimelech would not giue of the shew bread to Dauid his seruants, till hee vnderstood that the yong man were sanctified; but here is a more holy bread then that: here is the Bread of Life, which was sent downe from Heauen, to giue life vnto the World: No man, sayes our Sauiour, putteth new wine in old vessels; this is new wine, this is the Lords blood of the new Couenant. See therefore that the vessell of thy soule be not geisned, for then it will runne out; see it be not foisted, for then it wil turne this wholsome medicine into poyson. Thus touching the disposition of thy person. Next, for the manner of thy eating, thou must eate thy Passouer with vnleauened bread. The Israelites did put all leauen out of their houses; thou must search the corners of thy heart, and cast forth all sorts of leauen. First, cast out the leauen of the Pharisies, that is, false opinions; next, cast forth the leauen of malice, that is, foule affections: a little leauen will leauen the whole masse. One false opinion in the grounds of Religion, as that of transsubstantiation; one soule affection, as hypocrisie or malice will make all thy seruice vnprofitable, yea, [Page] abominable. Therefore that thou mayest be holy both in thy person and carriage, as becometh one that bankets with the Lord at his Table; put vp thy humble suite vnto the Lord, in this manner, or sense.
O Lord, thou wilt bee sanctified in all them that approach vnto thée, yea, without sanctification none can sée thée: therefore, good Lord, sanctifie my heart, that I may draw neare vnto thee; sanctifie my minde, that I may see thee; circumcise the foreskin of my heart, remoue from me all leauen of ignorance, of malice, and hypocrisie; that I may eate my Passeouer, euen the Lambe of God that takes away the sinnes of the world, with the vnleauened bread of truth, of loue, and sincerity: that in the strength of that heauenly foode, my soule may grow in faith, in hope, in patience, and all spirituall graces; to the glory of thy great Name, and the saluation of my poore soule, through Iesus Christ, my blessed Lord and Sauiour, Amen.
In the third place, take good heede to thy Resolution, in respect of the time to come; in regard whereof, thy feete must be shodde with the shooes of the preparation of the Gospell of peace; the staffe of Gods promises must bee in thy hand, to sustaine thee in thy iourney; & thy loynes must be girded vp with the girdle of verity, to make thee expedite for thy iourney. Thus thou must be readie prepared and resolued, to take thy iourney out of Egypt, to thy promised Canaan. Thou must resolue to make no longer stay in Egypt, to serue Sathan that spirituall Pharao there: for it is toomuch, and more then toomuch, that thou hast misspent any part of thy by-past life, in that filthy and miserable seruitude. Now must thou make a couenant with thy eyes, that they behold no vanity; with thy hart, that it follow not the waies of thy eyes; and with thy feete, that they neither stand, nor walke in the way of the wicked. That thou may attaine hereto, pray as after followeth.
ALasse, Lord, I haue béen a great sinner in times past, and woe is mée that I haue so long continued in a sinfull course of life, to the great offence of thy Maiesty: Now am I resolued by thy grace to take vp a new course, to make no longer stay in Egypt, to serue sinne and Sathan no longer, but to goe from strength to strength, till I come to the Land of promise: only Lord, as thou hast giuen mée a heart to resolue, so grant mee grace and power to performe; for it is thou alone that workest both the will and the déede, through the effectuall power of the Spirit of Iesus Christ my Lord, to whom be glory for euer, Amen.
A Prayer to be said immediatly before the Receiuing.
MY heart is prepared, O God, my heart is prepared; my Lampe is dressed and trimmed, that I may méet my Sauiour, who is graciously pleased to call mée to the wedding. But alasse, neither is the preparation of my heart, nor the cléernesse of my lampe, nor the measure of my oyle answerable to that that thou requirest, or to that that I desire: Yet thou, O merciful God, that quenchest not the smoaking, flaxe, and breakest not the bruised réede; for Iesus Christs sake, accept, I humbly beséech thée, of these small beginnings of grace, as of the first fruits of thy owne Spirit: and when it shall please thy goodnesse to enlarge my heart, and to bestow vpon me a larger measure of grace, I vow to offer vp vnto thée a fatter Sacrifice. In the meane time according to thy gracious promise, accept of the will for the déede, and let me be acceptable, not for that that I haue not, but for that that I haue. I presently sacrifice my soule, my body, my affections, my words and actions, my goods and all to thée, promising and vowing henceforth to bestow my selfe and all that I haue on thée and thy glory, because thou hast [Page] bestowed thy onely and well beloued Son on mee and my saluation. Onely Lord, as thou hast giuen mee a heart to promise, so giue me also helpe for to performe, for Iesus Christ thy Sonnes sake. Amen.
Thanksgiuing, and Prayer after the Communion.
WHat shall I render vnto thée, O Lord, for all thy benefits towards mée? for giuing thy Sonne to die for mée? for couering my shamefull nakednesse with his glorious righteousnesse; for healing my wounded soule with his stripes; for giuing his flesh to mee for meate, for giuing his bloud to me for drinke? What can I render, O Lord, for thy vnspeakable loue toward mee? If Nathans poore man loued his shéepe well, that he fed with his owne bread and water. (2 Sam. 12. 3.) O what a loue hath my good shepheard borne to mee his silly lost shéepe, which he féedeth with his owne flesh and bloud? What then shall I render, O Lord? surely I shall loue thée, who hast loued mée, and washed me from my sinnes in the bloud of thy Sonne; surely I shall prayse thy goodnesse so long as I liue; surely I shall henceforth liue to thée, who hast giuen thy Sonne to die for mee. Here I renounce my selfe, my owne wit, my owne will, my owne affections. Here I consecrate and sacrifice my selfe, and all that is in me or belongs vnto me, to thée my God, and to the glory of thy Name. O Lord, in token of thy acceptation of my offering, kindle thou it with a coale from thy Altar, that it may smell swéetly in thy presence. Lord suffer not my soule againe to goe a whooring from thée, after any thing beside thée: let mee feare none but thée; loue none but thée; delight in none beside thée. Be thou alwayes at my right hand, that I fall not, and that I may rise when I fall. As I haue receaued Christ Iesus my Lord this day, so make mee walke in him from [Page] henceforth euen for euer. Lord make me alwaies féele the powerfull effects of his presence: I know my Lord is not idle in the heart where he dwelleth. If the bones of a dead Prophet could reuiue a dead carkase, (2 King. 13. 21.) shall not the liuely Spirit of Iesus, quicken the hart wherin he remaineth? O Lord thou blessedst the house of Obed-Edom, because of the presence of thy Arke; (2 Sam. 6. 11.) much more then shalt thou blesse my soule, because of the presence of thy Sonne. The poore Woman with the bloudy issue was cured, not by touching the hem of his Garment; but because shée touched him by faith, therfore she drew Vertue out of him, & was made whole: ( Mar. 5. 28.) Lord Iesus my blessed Sauiour, it is not the participation of these earthy elements, which are but as it were the hem of thy Garment, that will stanch the bloudy issue of sinne in my soule; if my soule hath touched thée by faith, it hath drawne vertue out of thée. Let mee know, Lord, by thy Vertue curing the bloudy issue of my soule, that by Faith I haue touched thée. My Lord, thou art the Bread of Life, let me féele thée liuing in my soule, that thereby I may know that I haue truely eaten of that bread: Lord let me féele the power of that Spirit of life, which is in thée, quickning my soule to eternall life, and mortifying sinne in my soule. As thou, O Lord, this day hast renewed thy Couenant with me, so here I vow vnto thée amendment and newnesse of life: Onely, Lord, as by a holy resolution, thou hast entred me this day in a good course, so giue mee grace to perseuere therein vnto the end, that I returne not as a dogge to my vomit; or, as a sowe that is washed, to wallow in the mire of my filthinesse. O Lord, make me at all times hereafter to bemoue, to distaste, and abhorre my former iniquities; knowing that the vncleane spirit, if euer he can get into my soule againe, after that it is swept and garnished, hee will enter with seauen other diuels worse then himselfe; [Page] and my end shall bee worse then my beginning. Onely thou, O Lord, the stronger man, who hast disarmed that strong armed man, and thrust him out of his possession, thou onely canst hold him out, and kéepe my soule, thy darling, to thy selfe. Thou therefore, my swéet Sauiour, who art the Author and finisher of my faith, who giuest not onely to will, but also to performe; accomplish thy good worke in me, which thou of thy goodnesse hast begunne, to the glory of thy blessed name, and the saluation of my poore soule, Amen.
Morning Prayer for a Family.
OH Lord our God, let our Prayers ascend into thy presence like swéet incense, and in the name of Christ let this our morning sacrifice of thanksgiuing, bee acceptable vnto thée. Great cause haue wee to praise thée, O God; for thy mercies towards vs in number passe our reckoning, and in greatnesse surmount our estunation; and wee poore Creatures are lesse then the least of them. We blesse thy holy Name, for making vs to thy Image, when we were noght, for redéeming vs with the precious blood of thy beloued Sonne, when wee were worse then nought; for reuealing vnto vs that great redemption in thy blessed Gospell, and for making vs partakers of the saluation of the Gospell by thy holy Spirit, Wee yéeld thée hearty thanks also for all thy temporall benefits, for giuing vnto vs foode, raiment, health, and peace. O Lord, the current of thy compassions doth neuer faile towards vs, but thy mercies are renewed euery morning; whereas this last night, thou mightest haue suddainely surprised vs by death, and brought vs to iudgement, because of our manifold offences against thy holy Maiesty: thou hast not onely mercifully spared vs, but hast also giuen vs quiet rest, and brought vs to the light of this [Page] day. O Lord, thou art a gracious God, slow to anger, and rich in mercy; and the more blessings thou bestowest vpon vs, the more bent are we to begge for further: therfore as thou hast raised our bodies from sleepe, so be thou graciously pleased, to raise our soules from sinne and security; and as thou hast made the light of the day to shine on our bodily eyes, so let the light of thy Word and Spirit illuminate the eies of our vnderstanding, that we as the children of Light, may walke in all thy holy commandements this day. O Lord let thy gracious presence accompany vs, that we this day may keepe faith and a good conscience towards thée, and towards all men, in all our thoughts, our words, and déeds. O Lord, blesse vs; blesse all our purposes and actions, which wee shall take in hand, that they may tend to thy glory, to the good of others, and to the comfort of our owne soules, in that day when wee shall make our finall accounts vnto thee for them. O Lord, thou knowest how many snares Satan laies for vs to entrap vs, when we resolue to walke in thy wayes: Therefore, O God, bee thou not farre from vs: let thy fauour compasse vs as a shield; giue thy Angels charge ouer vs, to guide vs in all our waies, that we may be saued from the malice and cruelty of that euill one. Into thy hand, O Lord, we doe cōmend our soules, our bodies, our affaires, and all that we haue, to bee guided by thy grace, and guarded by thy power. Lord, thou art a faithfull Creator, and wilt suffer nothing to take harme that is committed into thy tuition and custody. Therefore our very soules doe rest and repose in the assurance of thy mercifull protection. Good Lord, mortifie the old man more and more in vs; giue and increase in vs, faith, hope, loue, humility, patience, méekenesse, chastity and all other Christian vertues. Turne our hearts from the loue of earthly things, & set them on things that are aboue, where Christ is at thy right hand. Furnish vnto [Page] vs solid comfort in all our tribulations, and in thy strength at last let vs be victorious ouer all tentations whatsoeuer: make vs spend this life in purity, and end it in peace, that we in the last day may ryse in ioy to life euerlasting, through Iesus Christ our Lord.
Gracious God be mercifull to thy whole Church and chosen Children, wheresoeuer they bee vpon the face of the earth: defend them from the rage and tyranny of the Diuell, the world, and Antichrist: Giue thy Gospell frée passage through the World, for the gathering of thy Saints, and the conuersion of al those that belong to thy Election and Kingdome: Blesse the Churches & Kingdomes wherein wee liue, with continuance of Iustice, Peace, and true Religion. Defend the Kings M. from all his enemies; grant him a long life, in health, and happinesse to raigne ouer vs. Blesse the hopefull Prince Charles, Prince Palatine of the Rhene, the vertuous Lady Elizabeth, his wife, and their Progenie. Grant that all Magistrates and Subiects, husbands & wiues, fathers and children, masters and seruants, may faithfully doe their duty, and thy will. Lord continue the light of thy glorious Gospell, with vs and our posterity: increase the number of the faithfull Preachers of thy Word; and open thou the hearts of their hearers, that they may beléeue and obey the same vnto saluation. Lord wee commend vnto thée all our kinsmen and acquaintance, all our friends and benefactors: recompence abundantly vnto them all the good they haue done. Let our waies please thée, O Lord, that all our enemies may bee at peace with vs. Comfort the comfortlesse, bee néere all them that call vpon thy Name. Hasten thy comming, our blessed Sauiour, & make vs ready with the oyle of grace and faith in our lampes to méet thée our swéete Bridegroome at thy comming. These and all other things thou knowest to be néedfull, we begge at thy hands for our selues, and all thy [Page] Saints on earth, in the name of thy beloued Son, our blessed Sauiour Iesus Christ, according to that most perfect forme of prayer, which he hath taught vs: Our Father which art in heauen, &c.
Euening Prayer for a Family.
O Lord God, who art infinit both in might and mercy, in greatnesse and goodnesse: we thanke thée from the very bottome of our hearts, for mightily and mercifully protecting vs from our mothers wombe, to this present houre: And we beséech thee, howsoeuer this day we haue sinned against thée, by the deceit of the flesh, the euill example of the world, or the sleight of Satan; in thought, word, or deede; in omitting of good, or committing of euil; of ignorance, or knowledge; let it please thy Maiestie graciously to forgiue vs, in the bloud of Iesus Christ. Good Lord, let not our iniquities separate betwixt vs and thy fauour, or spoyle vs of thy fatherly protection: But vnder the couerture of the wings of thy mercifull safegard, let vs rest this night frée from all dangers of body and soule; that to morrow we may rise in safety to praise thy name, and may serue thée with ready mindes, with pure hearts, and chast bodies, in true ioy and hearty thanksgiuing: through Iesus Christ our Lord: in whose name we humbly beg these, and all other blessings thou knowest to bee expedient for vs, and all thy chosen children on the earth, in that perfect forme of Prayer, which hee hath taught vs: Our Father which art in heauen, &c.