A CATECHISME Shorter then the short Cate­chisme compiled principally by M r Ball, out of which this (for the most part) was taken.

OR THE EPITOME and CONTRACTION of M r Balls short Catechisme.

ALSO A Spirituall Song for the Lords Supper or Com­munion, put into an ordinary tune, that it may be sung by com­mon people, for their spirituall quickning and edification in that Ordinance.

Together with two other Hymns or Psalms, the first concerning Sub­mission, the second the Lords Prayer.

By S.L. M.A. and F. C.C.Camb.

London, Printed by A.M. for Tho. Ʋnderhill at the Bible in Wood-street. 1649.

A CATECHISME, Shorte …

A CATECHISME, Shorter then the short Cate­chism composed principally by M r Ball, out of which this for the most part was taken.
Intended chiefly for the use of weaker memories, or such as cannot reade, being of the Congregation which meeteth ordinarily at Swet­tenham in Cheshire.

By S.L. M.A. and F. C.C.Camb.

THat which is endeavoured to be performed here, is 1. To re­duce the unquestionable and principall truths of Christia­nity into a lesse compasse, that weak memo­ries may better retain them. 2. To cut off many questions which are more difficult and lesse necessary, and therefore not fitly to be ranckt amongst principles of Religion. 3. To make every answer an entire propo­sition [Page]in it self, without dependance upon the question to make up the sense of it: the want of this in this Catechism of M r Bals, experience teacheth, hath hindered young, weak and lesse considerate learners from understanding the answers they have re­peated, as also from a certain fitting the right answer to a question propounded 4. To cull out the choisest and most evident texts of Scripture to confirm every part of each answer, which may easily be learned by a­ny; multitude of proofs before confounding, and the strength of many of them not easily appearing to such capacities as such a Ca­techism is intended for. 5. Yet to retain, for the most part in the questions and an­swers, the very words of M r Balls Cate­chism; be cause it hath been so much used (not without exceeding apparent profit) both in families and publike Congregati­ons, that other words might be a means to puzzel some in learning this, who have for­merly taken pains in that. The God of knowledge and grace give a blessing to this poor yet sincere endeavour, for his glory and his peoples good, of his most unworthy and meanest servant,

S. Langley.

A Short CATECHISME,

Section 1.

Q. WHat ought to be the chief and continuall care of every one in this life?

A. Every ones chief and continuall care in this life, should be 1 Corinth. 10.31. to glorifie God and Matth. 16.26. save his soul,

Q. Whence must we take direction to attain hereunto?

A. We must take direction for the glorifying God and saving our own souls out of the word of God, Joh. 20.31.

Q. What doth the word of God (called the Scripture) especially teach us?

A. The Scripture teacheth us the sa­ving knowledge of God through Jesus Christ, Joh. 17.3.

Section 2.

Q. What is God?

A. God is Joh. 4.24. a Spirit, having his Exod. 3.14. be­ing of himself,

Q. How many Gods be there?

A. There is only one God revealed, as 1 Corinth. 8.6. Father, Matth. 28.19. Son, and 1 Joh. 5.7. holy Ghost (called three persons)

Q. How may we conceive of God?

A. We may conceive of God Exod. 34.6, 7. by his properties and Psal. 19.1. by his works,

Section 3.

Q What are the manifest or visible works of God?

A. The visible works of God are Creation and Providence.

Q. What is Creation?

A. Creation is that whereby God made all things in six daies, Exod. 20.11.

Q. What is Providence?

A. Providence is that whereby God doth preserve and govern all things with all their actions, Psal. 36.6. Matth. 10.29.

Q. What are the special creatures made, preserved and governed by the Lord?

A. The special or principal creatures of God are Angels and Men, Col. 1.16.

Section 4.

Q. What was the estate of man by crea­tion?

A. The estate wherein man was first created, was holy and happy, Eccl 7.29. Gen. 1.27, 28, 29.

Q. What speciall commandment was given to man upon his creation?

A. The speciall commandment which God gave man upon his creation was this, Of the tree of knowledge of good and evil thou shalt not eat, for in the day thou eatest thereof thou shalt die the death, Gen. 2.17.

Q. Did man continue in his good estate?

A. Man did not continue in his good estate, but wilfully fell from God through the enticement of the serpent, Gen. 3.1, 4, 5.

Q. What was the sin he did commit?

A. Man sinned by eating the forbid­den fruit, Gen. 3.6.

Q. What is the state of all men by reason of Adams fall?

A. By this sin of Adam, all men (be­ing in his loins) are Ephes. 2.1, 2. dead in sinne, Rom. 6.23. bondslaves to Satan, and Gal. 3.10. Rom. 5.12. liable to all misery,

Section 5.

Q. By what means may we escape this misery and recover happinesse?

A. We may escape this misery and recover happinesse only by Jesus Christ, Act. 4.12.

Q. What is Jesus Christ?

A. Jesus Christ is the Isa. 9.6. eternall Son of God, who in Gal. 4.4, 5. time became man, to 1 Tim. 2.5. reconcile God and man,

Q. How did Christ reconcile God and man?

A. Christ became a Mediator to re­concile God and man, by his Matth. 3.15. fulfilling the law, and by his Heb. 9.15. Rom. 5.10, 18, 19. sufferings (or by his obedience unto death)

Section 6.

Q. Did Christ alwaies abide under the power and dominion of death?

A. Christ did not abide under the power of death; but the 1 Cor. 15.3, 4. third day he rose again, ascended into heaven, and Mar. 16.19. now fitteth at the right hand of his Father, Heb. 7.25. making intercession for his people,

Q. What are the speciall parts of Christs Mediatorship?

A. The speciall parts of Christs Me­diatorship are these three, to be a Act. 3.22. Prophet, Heb. 2.17. Priest, and Psal. 110.1. King,

Q. What benefit doe we receive by the death and resurrection of Christ?

A. By the death and resurrection of Christ, we are Gal. 3.13. Col. 1.14. Tit. 2.14. redeemed from the guilt, punishment and power of sin, and 1 Cor. 15.13. shall be raised up at the last day,

Section 7.

Q. How are we made partakers of Christ with all his benefits?

A. We are made partakers of Christ with all his benefits by faith alone, Joh. 3.16. Rom. 4.3, 4, 5. Rom. 5.1, 2.

Q. What is faith?

A. Faith is a resting upon Christ in his way for salvation, Joh. 1.12.

Q. How is faith ordinarily wrought and increased in us?

A. Faith is wrought and increased in the due use of the Rom. 10.14, 17. word, Luk 17.5. praier and Rom. 4.11. 1 Cor. 11.25. Sacraments, the Joh. 14.16, 17. Spirit of God working it in us thereby,

Q. How doth the word work faith in us?

A. The word is a means of working faith, by Rom. 7.7. shewing us our misery, and Gal. 4.4, 5. the true means of our recovery, Matth. 11.28. Isa. 61.1, 2, 3. Revel. 22.17. en­couraging us, being humbled, to receive the promises of the Gospel,

Section 8.

Q. To whom must we pray?

A. We must pray to God alone, in the Name of Christ, Joh. 16.23.

Q. What rule of direction is there ac­cording to which we ought to frame our praiers?

A. The 1 Joh. 5.14. generall direction for prai­er is the Word of God, the more Matth 6.9. spe­ciall is the Lords praier,

Q. Rehearse the Lords praier?

A. Our Father, &c. See Matth. 6.9, 10, 11, 12, 13.

Q. Who can and may pray with hope to speed?

A. They only can pray aright, with hope to speed, who depart from ini­quity, Psal. 66.18.

Section 9.

Q. What is a Sacrament?

A. A Sacrament (in the use of it) is a seal of the Covenant of grace, Rom. 4.11.

Q. How many Sacraments have we?

A. In the new Testament we have two Sacraments, Baptisme and the Lords Supper, 1 Joh. 5.8.

Q. What is Baptisme?

A. Baptisme is a Sacrament of our Gal. 3.37. ingraffing into Christ, communion [Page 8]with him, Matth. 28.19. and entrance into the Church,

Q. To what condition is the party baptized bound?

A. The party baptized, by baptisme is obliged to Act. 8.37. beleeve in Christ, and Mat. 3.8. forsake his sin,

Section 10.

Q. What is the Lords Supper?

A. The Lords Supper is a Sacrament of our continuance and growth in Christ, 1 Cor. 10.16.

Q. What doe the bread and wine beto­ken in this Sacrament?

A. In the Lords Supper, the bread betokens the body of Christ broken for us, and the wine betokens his bloud, 1 Cor. 10.16. 1 Cor. 11.24, 25.

Q. For what end and use ought we to receive this Sacrament?

A. We are to receive the Lords Sup­per for the 1 Cor. 11.34, 25. remembrance of Christs death, wherein we have 1 Cor. 10.16. communion with Christ and 1 Cor. 5.7, 8. 1 Cor. 10.16, 17. the Saints,

Q. What is the danger of unworthy re­ceiving?

A. Unworthy receivers of the Lords Supper are guilty of the body and bloud of the Lord, and doe eat and drink judgement to themselves, 1 Cor. 11.27, 29.

Q. What graces are required for a worthy receiving?

A. A worthy receiver must have, and exercise in receiving, these five graces, Exod. 12.26, 27. Knowledge, Matth. 11.28. Revel. 22.17. Desire, 1 Cor. 10.21, 22. Matth. 3.8, 11. Repentance, Heb. 4.2. 1 Cor. 11.24, 25. Faith and 1 Cor. 11.18, 22. Mark 11.25. Love,

Section 11.

Q. Can faith being wrought in us be fruitlesse and unprofitable?

A. Faith being wrought in us, can­not be fruitlesse, but will work Gal. 5.6. by love, making us Heb. 11. James 2.17. obedient to all Gods Commandments,

Q. Rehearse the ten Commandments.

A. I am the Lord, &c. See Exod. 20, from verse 1. to 18.

Section 12.

Q. What shall be the end of all men af­ter this life?

A. After this life, in Luke 23.43. part at death, and 2 Thess. 1.7, 8, 9, 10. fully at the generall resurrection and judgement, the Matthew 25.46. wicked shall goe into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternall life,

FINIS.
A SPIRITVALL SONG OR …

A SPIRITVALL SONG OR AN AFFECTIONAT HYMNE for the use of Christians in the Celebration of the COMMUNION OR Lords Supper.

By S.L. M.A. and F. C.C. Camb.

And when they had sung an hymne (viz. Christ with his Disciples at the Lords Supper, af­ter the Passeover) they went out,

Matth. 26.30. Mark. 14.26.

Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly, in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one ano­ther, in Psalmes and Hymnes and spirituall songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever you doe in word or deed, doe all in the Name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him,

Colos. 3.16, 17.

LONDON, Printed by A.M. for Tho. Ʋnderhill at the Bible in Woodstreet, 1649.

THe design aimed at in the composing o [...] this Song, is to affect the soul with mel­ting joies and thankfull mournings accord­ing to the nature of the Lords Supper. It is made publique to save the labour of often transcribing it for the benefit of these for whose use it was particularly at first inten­ded. Besides [...]t is hoped other sincere Chri­stians who may see it, if they make use there­of, may have cause to glorifie God in this weak, yet well-meant labour of the Compe­ser thereof,

S. LANGLEY,

AN HYMNE OR Spirituall Song for the Communion of Saints in the Lords Supper.

GReat God! who mad'st & saved'st the world,
Our souls doe blesse thy Name:
Thy goodnes fils our hearts & mouths
Therefore we praise the same.
When we in Adams fall were dead,
Then did thy Mercy speak,
[...]hose words of Life, The Womans seed
The Serpents Head shall break.
The lightsome Beams of freest grace,
To shine did now begin,
[...]n stubborn Man; who sought not thee,
But pleaded for his sin.
With bloud of Bulls and other Beasts
Thy people first did see
[...]rit in red Letters, darkly yet,
How they redeem'd should be.
5 But when the fulnesse of that Time
Which thou decreed'st was come;
This Mystery more plain was made
By sending of thy Son.
6 Thine only Son, Eternall God,
Vail'd in our Nature came
Into this world through Virgins womb
To take away our shame.
7 Dear JESUS, thou wast circumcis'de;
To circumcise our Hearts:
Baptized too; that thou might'st wash
And cleanse our inward parts.
8 Those golden Rules, high Heavens Laws
Great Master! thou did'st teach;
And secrets of the Gospel rare
In word and deeds did'st preach.
9 With humble hearts we thee adore,
And all thy Precepts take:
Begging thy strength, that so we may
None of thy statutes break.
10 Our thought-full souls, Lord! follow the
Unto thy Garden-sweat:
Thy scourgings, piercings, mocks we doe
With joyfull grief repeat.
11 Thy prec'ous Body on the Crosse,
Nail'd by our sins we see:
We hear thee cry, My God! My God!
Hast thou forsaken me?
2 Thy Bloud, sweet JESUS, thou hast shed
For us who guilty were
Of spilling it: At this thy Board
These things to us appear.
3 Our hearts are hard, yet doe they break
And mourn to see thee bleed:
As Peter said) Wee'l die with thee,
Our sins their bloud shall sheed.
4 Our souls are fill'd with thy rich grace,
Together with our shame:
[...]s our sins shew thy Love more great,
So doth thy Love our blame.
5 We look on CHRIST, and grieve that we,
Our LOVE have crucifi'de:
[...]et weeping joy, thankfull that he
Would Death for us abide.
6 This Testament which thou hast left
Here sealed with thy Bloud,
[...]ORD, we embrace, and like the Terms
On which thou'lt make it good.
7 We hate those cursed pins which pierct
Thy Feet with both thy Hands:
We sin abhorre, seeing that it
Of thy Death guilty stands.
18 Our Brethren we will love in thee
Who out of love didst die:
Nor Grudges 'gainst our Neighbour shall
Within our Bosoms lie.
19 But still, Dear LORD, in all we say,
We wholly doe depend,
Upon the fulnesse of that Grace,
Thou hast and wilt us send.
20 Oh! praise the LORD, ye Angels all
Who in Heav'ns Quier sing
All Creatures pay your homage thanks
To Ransomd Zions KING.
21 Our tongues and lives shall gladly speak
The praises of the LORD;
All flesh to praise his holy Name
For ever shall accord.

To fill up the remaining vacant pages, these t [...] following Hymns are added.

Submission.

VVHat mean'st thou wandring Heart to fly
From Heavens order pettishly?
[...]tay trembling soul, and pawse a while,
[...] Fathers frowns lies vail'd a smile.
[...]ast thou not often said, thy God
[...]uch wiser is then thou? his rod
[...]he ensign of his carefull grace?
Wrangle not then in any case.
[...] that thy wish were granted still,
[...]nd thou had'st ever had thy will;
[...]peak in experience: Do'st not know
[...]uine hath seaz'd thee long ago?
[...] this crosse-way, then hope, beleeve;
[...]hy God is plotting to relieve
[...]nd help thee though thou seest not how;
[...]dore the more, and to him bow.
[...] thy distemper thou dost trust
[...]hy Doctor, that he's skil'd and just,
[...]nd his prescribed loathsome draught
[...]inking sup'st off, though yet untaught
[...]nd ignorant what simples be
[...]gredients of it, or how he
[...]is hidden learned plot doth lay
[...]o take thy sickness's cause a way.
Oh! blush for shame then that thou hast
Thy makers Love and skill deba'st,
Beneath a mortall's. Silly soul
Learn these Repinings to controul.
Doe not forget, thou hast resign'd
Thy self unto thy Makers minde;
And dar'st such sacraledge commit
Thy deed surrendred now to quit?
Think whither save to him canst run,
And not for certain be undone?
Is not the world all sea? What land
Canst finde where one may safely stand?
To th' Ark again, fly with the Dove,
Where only is thy Rest, thy love.
Hope not the ship of thy self will
Undrown'd can save thee; if't fulfill
The same, thou run'st another way
Then God hath sent thee; he will lay
Thy moving grave and living Tomb
In Jonahs Whales vast roomy womb.
God may destroy thee: True; and so
Cannot he, if thou from him go?
Return, Return, poor soul, for he
Abounds in kindest courtesie;
Witnesse the wounds thy dearest dear
In glory, glories still to bear;
Where Didymus might feel his love,
His passions and compassions prove.
Sweet Lord, doe thou me wholly hide
In those holes of the Rock, thy side!
Where lying close I shall not fear
When all thy judgements do appear.
And still, my soul, consider if
Thy Sav'our was a man of grief;
Then grudge not that thy passage is
Chequr'd with sorrows like to his.

The Lords Prayer.

OUr Father, who in Heav'n dost sit,
Which Heaven is, 'cause thou in it:
Thy Name be hallow'd! let each voice
And raised heart in thee rejoice!
Thy Kindome come!
Thy will be done!
By us below
As Angels doe,
Who winged wait above, that they
Thy nod may watch, and so obey!
Give us this day the bread we need!
Thy blessing only can us feed.
Forgive our Trespasses as we
Forgive them who our Debtors be!
Lead us not on
Temptation!
But from all ill
Lord save us still!
For Kingdome, Power, Glory, all
Be thine now and for ever shall.

Amen.

FINIS.

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