Catechism Abridged, Catechism
MAYERS CATECHISME ABRIDGED, OR The A. B. C. Inlarged.
Queſtion.
WHat is your name?
Anſwer.
F. or E.
Q. Why doth the Catechiſme begin with this queſtion touching your name?
A. Becauſe the name doth ſerue to put vsus in minde of our Chriſtian profeſsion, to which we betake our ſelues in Baptiſme.
Q. Who gaue you this name?
A. My godfathers, and my godmothers in my Baptiſme, wherein I was made a member of Chriſt a child of God, and an inheritor of the Kingdome of Heauen.
Q. Is Baptiſme of that vertue, that by the outward waſhing thereof, eueryone is made a member of Chriſt, the child of God and inheritor of the Kingdome of Heauen?
A. Ioh. 3.5.No, for vnleſſe a man bee borne againe of water, and the holy Ghoſt, he cannot enter into the Kingdome of Heauen.
Q. Why then ſayſt thou, that by Baptiſme thou art made a member of Chriſt?
A. Becauſe baptiſme is the Sacrament of regeneration, and therefore we may rightly ſay, that wee are thereby Sacramentally made the members of Chriſt, and the children of God, and in the iudgement of Charity hold the ſame touching all others, that are baptized
Q. What did your godfathers and godmothers then for you?
A. They did promiſe and vow, thrée things in my name. Firſt, that I ſhould forſake the Deuill, and all his workes, and pomps, the vanities of this wicked world, and all the ſinfull luſts of the fleſh. Secondly, that I ſhould beléeue all the articles of the Chriſtian faith: And thirdly, that I ſhould kéepe gods holy Will and Commandements, and walke in the ſame all the dayes of my life.
Q. VVhat need is there, that any ſhould ſtand thus to promiſe for children in their Baptiſme?
A. There is great need for the more aſſurance of the Church, into which the childe is by baptiſme admitted.
Q. How is the Church the more aſſured thus?
A. Becauſe hee is not onelyonly bound in duty now, but alſo by vow ſolemnly made before all the congregation.
Q. Doſt thou thinke then, that thou art bound to doe, as thy godfathers and godmothers promiſed for thée?
A. Yes verily: and by Gods helpe ſo I will. And I heartily thanke our heauenly Father, that he hath called me to this ſtate of ſaluation, through Ieſus Chriſt our Sauiour. And I pray God to giuegive me his grace, that I may continue in the ſame vntounto my liues end.
Q. Thou ſaydſt that thou were bound by vow in baptiſme to beléeue all the Articles of the Chriſtian faith, let me therefore heare thée rehearſe theſe Articles?
A. I beléeue in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heauen and earth. And in Ieſus Chriſt his only Sonne our Lord, which was conceiued by the holy Ghoſt, borne of the Virgin Mary, ſuffered vnderunder Ponce Pilate: was crucified, dead, and buried: he deſcended into hell: The third day he roſe againe from the dead: He aſcended into heauen, and ſitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty: From thence hée ſhall come to iudge the quicke and the dead. I beléeue in the holy Ghoſt: The holy Catholike Church: The communion of Saints: the forgiueneſſe of ſinnes: The reſurrection of the body: And the life euerlaſting, Amen.
Q. What doſt thou chiefly learne in theſe Articles of thy beliefe?
A. Firſt, I learne to beléeue in God the Father, who hath made me and all the world. Secondly, in God the Sonne who hath redéemed mée and all mankind. Thirdly, in God the holy Ghoſt, who ſanctifieth mée, and all the elect people of God.
Q. How knoweſt thou that there is a God?
A. Many waies: Rom. 2.15. 1. Cor. 2.11.but chiefly by mine owne conſcience, accuſing me for ſecret ſinnes.
Q. How doth this proue that there is a God?
A. It proueth an infinite wiſdome, that knowes the moſt ſecret thoughts of the heart, ſuch as is neither man, deuill, nor Angell, but God alone.
Q. How many Gods be there?1. Cor. 8.6. Deut. 4.39.
A. But one onelyonly true God, the reſt are Idols ſet vp by man.
Q. What is God?
A. God is a Spirit, Exod. 3.14. Ioh. 2.24. Ier. 2.24. Pſal. 139.8.infinite, moſt holy, onelyonly wiſe, moſt merciful, iuſt, and Almighty, of whoſe dayes there is no beginning nor end.
Q. Into how many Perſons is the God-head deſtinguiſhed?
A. Into thrée, the Father, Son, and holy Ghoſt.
Q. If in the God-head there bée thrée perſons, and eueryevery one be God, how ſay you then that there is but one God?
A. 1. Ioh. 5.7.There is but one onelyonly Eſſence, one Infinite power and one Eternity.
Q. In which words learne you to beléeue in God the Father?
A. In theſe words; I beléeue in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heauen and earth.
Q. Declare more fully the faith comprehended in this Article.
A. Iam. 1.18. 1. Ioh. 3.9. Gen. 17.1. Reu. 1.8. Pſal. 104. Iob 39. c. 40I learne to beléeue, that God is my Father, able to doe al things; the Creator of the whole world, and the Lord and Gouernour of the ſame.
Q. Thou ſaidſt that thou didſt learne to beléeue in God the Sonne, which redéemed thée & all mankind, what did God the Sonne for the redemption of mankind?
A. Two things: firſt, hee was humbled: ſecondly, he was exalted.
Q. wherein ſtandeth his humiliation?
A. In thrée degrées.
Q. Which is the firſt degrée?
A. Firſt, he was made man, Math. 1. Luke 1.2. Eſa. 7.14.for he was conceiued by the holy Ghoſt, and borne of the Virgin Mary.
Q. How can this be, that God ſhould be made man?
A. Not by turning the Godhead into the nature of man, but by taking mans nature vntounto the Godhead, that ſo one perſon might bee both God and Man.
Q. Which is the ſecond degree?
A. He ſuffered the death of the Croſſe for my ſinnes: for he ſuffered vnderunder Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried.
Q. What neede was there, that the Sonne of God ſhould thus abaſe himſelfe for vsus?
A. Great need on our part, who could not be deliuered by Angels, 1 Iohn 1.7. 1 Pet. 1.8.or by earthly Treaſures, but onelyonly by his blood.
Q. Doth ſinne deſerue ſo ill, that we could not by other meanes be deliuered here from, but by the death of the Sonne of God?
A. Yes, it deſerues the infinite curſe of the Law, Deu. 27.28 Rom. 6.23.that is, all iudgements in this world, and euerlaſting damnation in the world to come.
Q. If hee muſt néeds be made fit to beare the curſe, why did hee not take ſome other nature more excellent vntounto him?
A. Man onelyonly had ſinned, and it was moſt agréeable to the Iuſtice of God to receiue the payment of the debt of ſin in the ſame nature which committed it.
Q. How came it to be thus with vsus men? were we made ſinners?
A. Gen. 1.27. Eccleſ. 7.31. Geneſ. 3. Rom. 5.No, God at the firſt made man righteous, but by yéelding to the deuils temptation, hee made himſelfe a ſinner.
Q. Wherein did man yéeld to the temptation of the deuill?
A. In eating of the forbidden fruit, and not contenting himſelfe with all other fruits, of which the Lord had allowed him to eate.
Q. Was God ſo angry that hée would curſe man for eating an apple, or figge, or ſuch like?
A. That was not the matter of Gods anger, but his vnthankfulneſſe, pride, diſobedience, and crediting rather the deuill, then God.
Q. But though one man did thus, yet all did not, are we all then ſinners, and vnderunder the curſe?
A. We were all in his loynes, and ſo whatſoeuer he did, and what eſtate he fell into, it is Common to vsus all.
Q. It ſéemes then, that we are ſinners ſo ſoone as we are borne, before that we hauehave actually done either good or euill?
A. Yes verily, the child that is but new borne, yea, but conceiued, Pſal. 51.5. Rom. 5.12.and liuing in his Mothers wombe, is a ſinner, and néedeth Gods grace.
Q. But as we are all ſinners, are we all againe deliuered without exception, becauſe thou ſayſt, that hee hath redeemed all mankinde?
A. He hath payde a price ſufficient to redeeme all, neither doth hee exclude any from the benefit thereof, but onelyonly ſuch as exclude themſelues.
Q. Who are they?
A. All vnbeleeuers, or ſuch, as though they beare themſelues vponupon their faith, liue according to the fleſh, and not according the Spirit.
Q. Which is the third degrée of his humiliation?
A. Eph. 4.9. 1. Pet. 3.19. Pſal. 16 30.He deſcended into hell that I might be deliuered from hell, and euerlaſting death.
Q. Js this all the humiliation of the Sonne of God for our redemption, did hee no way elſe abaſe himſelfe for vsus?
A. Yes, he became obedient to the Law alſo, Gal. 4.4. 1. Cor. 1 30. Rom. 8.3.that by his obedience and righteouſneſſe wee might ſtand perfectly righteous in the ſight of God.
Q. Wherein ſtandeth his exaltation?
Anſ. In foure degrées.
Queſtion Which is the firſt degrée?
A. Firſt, the third day he roſe againe from the dead.
Q. Which is the ſecond?
A. Secondly, he aſcended vp into heauen.
Q. Which is the third?
Anſ. Thirdly, hée ſitteth on the right hand of God the Father Allmighty.
Q. What is meant by this?
A. That hée hath all honour, power, and authority in heauen and in earth together with God the Father.
Queſt. Which is the fourth degrée?
Anſw. Fourthly, from thence he ſhall come to Iudge the quicke and the dead.
Q. Thou ſaydſt, that thou didſt chiefly learne in the Articles of thy faith, to beléeue in God the Father, ſo that it ſeemeth there is ſomewhat more, yet to hée learned by theſe Articles, what is that?
A. I beléeue the holy Catholike Church, the communion of Saints, the forgiueneſſe of ſinner, the reſurrection of the body, and the life euerlaſting.
Q. What is this Church?
A. The whole company of the faithfull, called out from the reſt of the world by the preaching of the Goſpell.
Q. Why is this Church called Holy?
A. Rom. 1.7. 1. Pet. 3.9. Eph. 2.19. 1. Ioh. 3.3. Phil. 3.14, 15Becauſe it is ſanctified, and waſhed by water and the holy Ghoſt; ſtriueth againſt all ſinne, and to be holy, as God is holy.
Q. Why is it called Catholike?
A. Pro. 7. Acts 2.5. 1. Tim. 2.1.Becauſe it conſiſteth of perſons of all ſorts, ſcattered all ouer the world and of al times and ages.
Qu. How may a man certainely know, where this Church of God is?
A. Acts 2.41.47. Eſay 8.20.By theſe two ſpeciall marks, holineſſe taught and profeſſed, and antiquity, when they goe together.
Q. Is not the Church of Rome then the true Church of God, ſeeing it exceeds in holineſſe, and is moſt ancient?
A. No: it was a true Church indeed in the Apoſtles times, and many yeares after; but now it is neither holy, for great vncleanneſſe is there maintained; nor ancient, for the ancient Religion is defaced with groſſe errours, and ſuperſtitions.
Q. Where then may we finde the true Church?
A. In England, and in all other places where theſe corruptions are done away, and Religion is reſtored to the firſt purity.
Q. How can this be, ſeeing the Religion here profeſſed is but as it were of yeſterday, and neuer heard of before Luther and Caluin?
A. This is a meere ſlander; for there was neuer any age ſince the Apoſtles, wherein there hauehave not beene ſome ſtanding to the maintenance hereof, againſt Romiſh corruptions.
Q. How happened it then, that the Church of Rome ſtill preuailed, and was generally accounted for Chriſts true Church, and thoſe oppugners were neuer of any eſteeme?
A. By the greatneſſe and tyranny of the Roman Biſhops, whoſe chiefe care it hath been almoſt, euer ſince Conſtantines time, to magnifie their owne Church, and themſelues, and to ſuppreſſe their aduerſaries.
Q. But is it poſsible, that the Roman Church being once a true Church ſhould fall, ſeeing God hath promiſed his Spirit to his Church to be alwaies preſent, leading it into all truth?
A. The Lord tyeth not his Spirit to any place, for then the famous Churches in Aſia ſhould ſtill hauehave beene true Churches; but the Spirit is alwaies preſent to the faithfull in all places of the world.
Q. Hauing found out the true Church, are wee to beleeue in it, as in God.
A. No, for then we ſhould ſometime beleeue errours, ſeeing the beſt men, which are the Church, may erre.
Q. What is it then to beleeue the Church?
A. To beleeue the doctrine of the Church, wherin it followeth Chriſt, the Prophets, and Apoſtles, the only ſure pillars and ground of truth.
Q. What is that which followeth in theſe Articles, viz. The communion of Saints, the forgiueneſſe of ſinnes, &c.
A. They be certaine ſpeciall beneſits belonging to the Church, and to eueryevery member thereof.
Q. What is the Communion of Saints?
A. Epheſ. 4. Iohn 15. Gal. 3.28. Reuel. 6.11. Heb. 10.24.That holy and ſwéet followſhip which all the mēbers of Chriſts Church hauehave one with another, in forrowing, reioycing, praying, and praiſing God, for, and with one another.
Q. What is the forgiueneſſe of ſinnes?
A. That wonderful grace of God in Ieſus Chriſt, whereby hee paſſeth ouer our tranſgreſſions, as if they had neuer béen committed, and releaſeth the puniſhment due to them.
Q What is the Reſurrection of the body?
A. The raiſing of the body againe at the laſt day by Gods power, Math. 22.31. Dan. 12.2. Iob 19.25. 1 Cor. 15.that being ioyned to the ſoule, it may ſtand before Gods iudgement Seat, to giuegive account of all that it hath done, whether good or euill, and bee rewarded accordingly.
Q. What manner of bodies ſhall we hauehave in the Reſurrection?
A. The very ſame which now we hauehave, only whereas they be now naturall, 1 Cor. 15. & 35 43. Iob 19.25.they ſhall riſe againe ſpirituall, not ſubiect to death any more, nor ſuſtained by naturall meanes, of meates and drinkes, and ſleepe, and the like.
Q. Among thoſe that die, ſome are crooked through age, ſome tender infants, ſome blind, and ſome lame, ſhall their bodies at the reſurrection then bee the ſame?
A. No, for all theſe are weakeneſſes, which ſhall be done away to the faithfull; and ſtrength, perfection, and comelineſſe ſhall be to eueryevery one of them
Q. What is the Life euerlaſting?
A. Pſal. 16.11 Eſay 6.1. Reuel. 21. Eſay 66.23. 1 Cor. 2.9.All that euer enduring happines, & all thoſe ioyes which the Lord imparteth to al his elect in the world to come, which are ſo great, as that the eye hath not ſéene, nor the eare heard, neither can the heart conceiue throughly.
Q. Thou ſaydſt that thou wert bound by vow in thy Baptiſme to kéepe Gods holy will and Commandements: tell me therefore how many Commandements are there?
A. Ten. God ſpake theſe words, and ſaid, I am the Lord thy God, which hauehave brought thée out of the …and of Egypt, out of the houſe of bondage. Thou ſhalt hauehave none other Gods but me.
Thou ſhalt not make to thy ſelfe any grauen Image, nor the likeneſſe of any thing that is in heauen aboue, or in the earth beneath, or in the water vnderunder the earth: Thou ſhalt not vow downe to them, nor worſhip them: for I the Lord thy God am a iealous God, and viſite the ſinnes of the Fathers vponupon the Children vntounto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me, and ſhew mercy vntounto thouſands in them that louelove me and kéepe my Commandements.
Thou ſhalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vaine: for the Lord will not hold him guiltles that taketh his name in vaine.
Remember that thou kéepe holy the Sabbath day: Sixe dayes thou ſhalt labour, and doe all that thou haſt to doe: but the ſeauenth day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God. In it thou ſhalt doe no manner of worke, thou, and thy ſonne, and thy daughter, thy manſeruant, and thy maidſernant, thy cattell, & the ſtranger that is within thy gates. For in ſix dayes the Lord made heauen and earth the ſea, and all that in them is, and reſted the ſeauenth day: wherefore the Lord bleſſed the ſeauenth, day, and hallowed it.
Honour thy Father and Mother, that thy dayes may bee long in the land, which the Lord thy God giueth thee.
Thou ſhalt doe no murther.
Thou ſhalt not commit adultery.
Thou ſhalt not ſteale.
Thou ſhalt not beare falſe witeſſe againſt thy neighbour.
Thou ſhalt not couet thy neigh…ours houſe, thou ſhalt not couet thy …eighbors wife, nor his ſeruant, nor …s mayd, nor his oxe, nor his aſſe, or any thing that is his.
Q. What doeſt thou learne out … theſe commandements?
A. Two things, my dutie to…ards God, and my dutie towards …y neighbour.
Q. What is thy dutie towards …od?
A. My dutie towards God is, to …léeue in him, to feare him, and to …ue him with all my heart, with all …y mind, with all my ſoule, and with … my ſtrength: to worſhip him: to …ue him thanks: to put my whole …uſt in him: to call vponupon him: to …nour his holy name, and his word, …d to ſerue him truely all the dayes … my life.
Q. What is thy dutie towards thy neighbour?
A. My dutie towards my neighbour is, to louelove him as my ſelfe, an… to doe to all men, as I would the ſhould do to me: to louelove, honour, an… ſuccour my father and mother: … honour and obey the King and hi… Miniſters: to ſubmit my ſelfe to a… my Gouernours, Teachers, ſpirit… all Paſtors, and Maſters: to orde… my ſelfe lowly, and reuerently to a… my betters: To hurt no body b… word nor déed: to be true and iuſt i… all my dealings: to beare no malic… nor hatred in my heart: to kéepe m… hands from picking and ſtealing, an… my tongue from euill ſpeaking, l… ing, and flaundering: to kéepe m… body in temperance, ſoberneſſe, an… chaſtitie: not to couet nor deſire … ther mens goods, but learne and l… bour truly to get mine owne liuin… and to doe my dutie in that ſtate … life, vntounto the which is ſhall plea… God to call me.
Q. How were theſe Commau… dements giuen?
A. Written with Gods own hand in two Tables of ſtone.
Q. In which Table do you learne …our dutie towards God?
A. In the firſt, containing the foure …rmer Commandements.
Q. How many bee the parts of …ery of theſe Commandements?
A. Two, the Commandement it …ife, and the reaſon of it.
Q. Rehearſe the firſt Commandement.
A. I am the Lord thy God, &c.
Q. In which words is the Comandement contained?
A. The Commaundement is, …hou ſhalt hauehave none other Gods …ut me.
Q. What are wee heere comanded?
A. To hauehave the Lord for our God, that is, to louelove him aboue all, Deut. 6.45. Mal. 1.6. Math. 10.26 Pſal. 20.8. Pſal. 125.… feare him aboue all, to put our …hole truſt in him, and to make our …ayees to him alone.
Q. What is here forbidden?
A. Foure contrary moſt groſſe …nnes.
Q. What is the firſt?
A. Pſal. 14.1 Iob 22.12.Atheiſme, which is the acknowledgement of no God.
Q. What is the ſecond?
A. Zeph. 1.12 Luk. 12.48Ignorance, which is a neglec… of the knowledge of God, and of his word.
Q. What is the third?
A. Rom. 1.20. Iohn 3.19.Prophaneneſſe, which is a regardleſneſſe of God, and of his worſhip.
Q. What is the fourth?
A. Eſay 3.9. Col 3.5. Phil. 3 18.Inward Idolatry, which is the giuing of Gods worſhip vntounto creatures, by praying vntounto them truſting in them, or by ſetting th… heart vponupon them.
Q. What is the reaſon of this Commandement?
A. I am the Lord thy God which brought thee out of the Lan… of Egypt, out of the houſe of bondage.
Q. How doth this reaſon concerne vsus, who were neuer in Egypt?
A. Our Egypt is the ſtate o… corruption, and our bondage i… thraldom to Satan, from which th… Lord our God onelyonly hath deliuered vsus.
Q. Rehearſe the ſecond Commandement?
A. Thou ſhalt not make to thy ſelfe any grauen Image, or the likeneſſe of any thing, that is in heauen aboue, or in the earth beneath, or in the water vnderunder the earth: Thou ſhalt not how downe to them, nor worſhip them. For I the Lord thy God, am a iealous God, and viſite the ſinnes of the Fathers vponupon the Children, vntounto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me, and ſhew merey vntounto theuſands in them that louelove me and kéepe my Commandements.
Q. In which words is the Commandement?
A. The Commandement is; Thouſhalt not make to thy ſelfe any grauen Image, nor the likeneſſe of any thing, that is in heauen aboue, or in the earth beneath, or in the water vnderunder the earth: Thou ſhalt not how downe to them, nor worſhip them.
Q. What is heere forbidden?
A. All outward Idolatry.
Q. What is outward Idolatry?
A. Outward Idolatry is committed thrée wayes.
Q. Which is the firſt?
A. Firſt, Acts 17.29. Deut. 4.15. Eſ. 40.25.by making the Image of God, or of any creature, to bée worſhipped.
Q. Which is the ſecond?
A Secondly, Exod. 32. Iudg. 8.27.by falling downe before any Image.
Q. Which is the third?
A Thirdly, 2. Kin. 18.4. Iohn 4.20.by ſeruing God according to our owne phantaſies.
Q. What are we here commanded?
A. 1. Co. 11.20. Eſay 1.12. Pſal. 50.16. Mat. 6.9.To performe all outward duries of Gods ſeruice according to his will, reuealed in his Word.
Q. What is the reaſon of this Commandement?
A. For I the Lord thy God, am a iealous God, and viſite the ſinnes of the fathers vponupon the children, vntounto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me, and ſhew merciemercy vntounto thonſands in them that louelove me and kéepe my Commandements.
Q. Shall children be puniſhed for their Parents ſinnes?
A. Yes, if they follow them in ſinning, they ſhall beare both the puniſhment of their owne, and of their Parents ſinnes alſo.
Q. Rehearſe the third Commandement?
A. 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.
Q. In which words is the Commandement?
A. The Commandement is, Thou ſhalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vaine.
Q. What is here forbidden?
A. All abuſing of the name of God.Exod. 3. 2. King. 19.
Q. How many wayes is the name of God abuſed?
A. Six manner of wayes.
Q. Which is the firſt?
A. By blaſpheming, Rom. 3.24. Mat. 5.33.34or giuing occaſion to others to blaſpheme.
Q. Which is the ſecond?
A. By ſwearing falſly, deceitfully, raſhly, commonly, or by creatures.
Q. Which is the third?
A. By curſing and banning.
Q. Which is fourth?
A. By vowing things vnpoſſible, or vnlawfull, or by neglecting o… our lawfull vowes.
Q. Which is fifth?
A. By lightly vſing the holy name of God, or his word.
Q. Which is the ſixth?
A. By vaine proteſtations and aſſeuerations.
Q. What are we here cōmanded▪
A. 1. Cor. 10.39 Ephel. 4.29. Phil. 2.10. 2. Cor. 8.19. Mat. 5.16.To glorifie the name of God in all that wée doe, thinke, ſpeake and deſire, and to labour, that others may be wonne by our meanes to do the ſame.
Q. What is the reaſon of this Commandement?
A. The Lord will not hold him guitleſſe that taketh his name in vaine.
Q. If there bee ſuch daunger in ſwearing, may a man lawfully ſweare in any caſe whatſoeuer?
A. Without doubt a man may ſometimes and in ſome caſes lawfully ſweare.
Q When, and in what caſe may a man ſweare lawfully?
A. In three caſes.
Q. Which is the firſt?
A. Firſt, for the confirming of a ruth, which cannot otherwiſe bee knowne, and yet neceſſary.
Q. Which is the ſecond?
A. For the ſtrengthening of oneſt leagues made betwixt men.
Q. Which is the laſt?
A. Laſtly, being called to weare before a lawfull Magiſtrate.
Q. What elſe is required, that our wearing may be lawfull?
A. Theſe foure things.
Q. Which is the firſt?
A. Firſt, we muſt ſweare onelyonly …o ſuch a truth as we know to be ſo.
Q. Which is the ſecond?
A. Secondly, according to the …owne intent of him, vntounto whom, or before whom we ſweare.
Q. Which is the third?
A. Thirdly, we muſt ſweare only things poſsible and lawfull.
Q. Which is the fourth?
A. Fourthly, this being a part of Gods worſhip, Ier. 4.2, 3.wee muſt doe it with great reuerence.
Q. What if a man ſhall ſweare to an vnlawfull thing, is hee not bound notwithſtanding to performe his eath?
A. In no wiſe; for ſo he ſhould adde vntounto his ſinne of ſwearing vnlawfully, Acts 23.a further ſinne of doing vnlawfully.
Q. Rehearſe the fourth Commandement?
A. Remember that thou kéep… holy the Sabbath day: Sixe daye ſhalt thou labour, and doe all tha… thou haſt to doe: But the ſeuent… day is the Sabbath of the Lord th… God. In it thou ſhalt doe no ma… ner of worke, thou, and thy Sonn… and thy daughter, thy Manſeruan… and thy Maidſeruant, thy Cattel… and the Stranger that is within th… gates. For in ſixe daies the Lor… made heauen and earth, the ſea, and all that in them is, and reſted the ſeauenth day. Wherefore the Lord bleſſed the ſeauenth day, and hallowed it.
Q Which words is the Commandement?
A. The Commandement is. Remember that thou keepe holy the Sabbath day, ſixe dayes ſhalt thou labour and doe all that thou haſt to doe, but the ſeauenth is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God, in it thou ſhalt doe no manner of worke.
Q What is the duty here commanded?
A. To kéepe holy the Sabbath day, and to be mindfull of it.
Q. How may this be done?
A. By aſſembling together to pray vntounto God, and to praiſe him, to heare his holy Word, and receiue the bleſſed Sacraments.
Q. Is this all that is required to the right keeping of the Sabbath day?
A. No, but wee muſt prepare our ſelues by prayer, and emptying our hearts of ſinne, and meditate vponupon Gods Word, ſuffering it to worke in vsus, ſo as that we may bee furthred in all holineſſe of life.
Q. Is there no duty to be done towards our neighbour for the hallowing of this day?
A. Yes, it is a ſpeciall time of exerciſing mercy by helping againſt ſudden dangers, Mark. 3.4. Mat. 12.12. 1. Cor. 16.2.by collecting and diſtributing to the poore, by viſiting the ſick, and reconciling diſſentions amongſt neighbours.
Q. Is there any ſet day vnderunder the new Teſtament thus to be kept holy?
A. Yes, the day which is commonly called Sunday, but in the Scripture the Lords day, Mat. 5.20. Acts 20 7. 1. Cor. 16.1. Reuel. 1.10.or the firſt day in the weeke, is thus to be kept without alteration to the end of the world.
Q. When doth the Lords day begin and end?
A. It beginneth in the morning at the dawning of the day, and endeth next morning likewiſe.
Q. Are we bound to doe the holy duties of Gods worſhip all this time without ceaſing?
A. No, for wee may refreſh our ſelues with eating and drinking, Neh. 8, 9, 10 Hoſh. 2.11.ſinging, and muſick, and with any honeſt delight whatſoeuer, whereby the minde is cheared vp, and ioy and gladneſſe befitting the Lords holy day expreſſed.
Q. What auaileth it then, whether …he Sabbath beginne in the morning or euening?
A. Yes, it auaileth much to know the beginning of the Sabbath rightly that wee be not entangled with any wordly buſineſſe vponupon it.
Q. Is this all that wee are bound vntounto, to keepe the Sabbath our ſelues, …n ceaſing from labour, and doing the …uties thereof?
A. No, but who ſo hath ſonne or laughter, man-ſeruant, or maid, Exo. 12.21. Ioſh. 24.15. 1. Tim. 3.15. Epheſ. 6.5.cat…ell or ſtranger within his gates, is …like bound to prouide as much as …n him lieth, that they all obſerue …his day in their kinde, both man …nd beaſt.
Q. Doth the Lord only take care for he right ſpending of this day, & leaue …s to our ſelues vponupon the ſixe dayes?
A. No doubtleſſe, but it is his will and commandement alſo, Epheſ. 3.28. 2. Theſ. 3.10.12.that we ſhould vponupon the ſixe dayes abſtaine from idleneſſe, and diligently labour in the works of our callings.
Q Is it not lawfull then to forbeare working, to attend vponupon God and his worſhip, vponupon the ſixe dayes?
A. 1 Theſ. 5.17 2 Tim. 1. Deut. 6 7. Dan. 6.Yes. It is not onelyonly lawfull, but neceſſary for eueryevery one to doe the duties of Gods worſhip eueryevery day of the weeke, in priuate and in publike, when iuſt occaſion is offered.
Q. How can this ſtand with the command of working vponupon the ſixe dayes?
A. Yes, very well; becauſe that howſoeuer God is to be ſerued vponupon the ſixe dayes, yet they are for the moſt part to bee ſpent in the workes of our callings.
Q What more ſpeciall rules are we to follow in our weekely deuotion?
A. Theſe fiue?
Q. Which is the firſt?
A Wee muſt pray eueryevery day, morning and euening.
Q. Which is the ſecond?
A. Before and after the vſe of Gods creatures.
Q Which is the third?
A. The more our neceſsities vrge vsus, pray the oftner, and more inſtantly.
Q. Which is the fourth?
A Let no day paſſe without ſome reading, and Diuine meditation.
Q. Which is the fift?
A. Iam. 5.13. Heb. 3.13. 1. Tim. 4.13 Amos 12.Neglect not the publike preaching in the weeke-dayes, where opportunity is offered to come vntounto it.
Q. What is to be thought of whole dayes ſet apart to publike duties in the weeke, as Saints dayes, and dayes of thankeſgiuing?
A. Eſter 9.21. Mal. 4.59. Iohn 10.22.23. Leuit. 23.All this may lawfully bee done, and is commendable by Gods word, and therefore wee are reuerently to conforme our ſelues to the ordinance of authority herein.
Q. What is the ſinne by this Commandement forbidden?
Anſw, All prophaning of the Sabbath day.
Q. How is the Sabbath prophaned?
A. Thrée manner of wayes.
Q Which is the firſt?
A. By doing worldly workes, which are not of preſent neceſſity, by iournying about worldly, affaires, idle reſting, or abſenting our ſelues from the publique duties o… Gods worſhip.
Q. Which is the ſecond?
Anſ. By forgetfulneſſe of the Sabbath vponupon the ſixe dayes, by which wee often bring vponupon our ſelues a neceſſitie of prophauing the ſame.
Q. Which is the third?
A. When being Parents or Gouernours, wée leaue our Children, Pupils, or Sernants to their owne liberties vponupon this day.
Q. What be the reaſons of this Commandement?
A. They are partly infolded in the Commandement, and partly expreſſed in theſe words: For in ſix… dayes the Lord made heauen and earth, the, ſea, and all that therein is, and reſted the ſenenth day, wherefore the Lord bleſſed the ſeuenth day and hollowed it.
Q. What, and how many are the reaſons infolded in this Commandement?
A. Thrée.
Q. Which is the firſt?
A. Becauſe the Law of the Sabbath is ancient, and was in force in Paradiſe, before mans fall.
Q. Which is the ſecond?
A. Becauſe it is moſt equall, the Lord allowing vsus ſixe dayes for our worldly affaires, and requiring but one of ſeuen for the worke of his worſhip.
Q. Which is the third?
A. Becauſe the ſeuenth is the Lords peculiar day, ſo that without ſacriledge we cannot any way prophane it.
Q. What are the reaſons expreſſed?
A. Two.
Q Which is the firſt?
A. From the Lords owne example, who reſted vponupon the ſeuenth day from all his works of creation.
Q. Which is the ſecond?
A. From his bleſſing inſeperably linked to the hallowing of this day, ſo that he which kéepeth it holy, ſhall finde it to his comfort vntounto him a bleſſed day.
Q. In which Table do you learne your dutie toward your neighbour?
A. In the ſecond Table, contayning the ſix latter commandements.
Q. Reherſe the firſt of theſe, which is the fift Commandement.
A. Honour thy father & mother, that thy dayes may bee long in the land, which the Lord thy God giueth thee.
Q. What are we here commanded?
A. To honour father & mother?
Q. Who are meant by father and mother?
A. 2 Kings 5.13 Gen. 45.8. 1 Cor. 4.15 2 King 6.21 Iob 31.18. 1 Tim. 5.1.Our naturall Parents, the Magiſtrates, who are the parents of our Country; the Miniſters of Gods Word, who are our Fathers in Chriſt; our Maſters and Gouernors, the Ancient, and all our betters.
Q. What is meant by this word, Honour?
A. To honour, is to louelove, reuerence, cheriſh and obey.
Q. Are all Superiours then to be obeyed and reuerenced?
A. Epheſ. 6.1. Col. 2.20. Rom. 13.1. 1 Per. 2.13. 1 Tim. 5.17 1 Theſ. 5.12They are all to be reuerenced and obeied in the Lord, whoſe image in a ſpeciall manner they beare, Parents, Magiſtrates, Miniſters, and Gouernors for their authoritie, the Ancient, and other Superiours for their wiſedome, experience, and dignitie.
Q. Is it our dutie alſo to cheriſh and maintaine them?
A. It is our dutie to giuegive maintenance to the Magiſtrate and Miniſter, Rom. 13.6 1 Cor. 9. Gal. 6.5. Math. 15.3who ſpend their whole time in doing publike Seruice, and to Parents, & aged perſons being in want.
Q. Is there no dutie required of Superiours?
A. Ephe. 6.4. Col. 4.1.It is the dutie of Superiours to walke worthy the honour due vntounto them, and to vſe all gentleneſſe towards their Inferiours.
Q. What is here then forbidden?
A. Exod. 21.17. Deut. 17.10. Ephe. 6.9. Col. 4.1.All irrenerence, diſobedience, and neglect toward thoſe that his in place and authoritie aboue vsus, and churliſh behauiour in ſuch toward thoſe that be of a low degrée.
Q. Whence is the reaſon of this Commandement taken?
A. From the promiſe of long life, if God pleaſe not to preuent vsus with the bleſſing of eternall life.
Q. Rehearſe the firth Commandement.
A. Thou ſhalt do no murther.
Q. What is here forbidden?
A. 1 Sam. 31.4. Math. 27.5All vnlawfull killing of our ſelues, or of other men, and all the degrées hereof.
Q. What are theſe degrées?
A. The degrées of vnlawfull killing are ſixe.
Q. Which is the firſt?
A. 1 Kin. 21 19 Acts 8.1. Deut. 21.7.The approbation of murther either by command, counſell, conſent, or concealement.
Q. Which is the ſecond?
A. Exod. 21.24. Eſay 1.15.All injurious actions, tending to the preiudice of our neighbors life
Q. Which is the third?
A. Math. 5.22. Iam. 3.6.All rayling and reuiling ſpéeches.
Q. Which is the fourth?
A. Math. ….22All murdrous deſires and affections of the heart, as of anger, malice, hatred, and enuy.
Q. Which is the fifth?
A. 1 Iohn 3.15All cruelty towards the creature, which ſheweth a murtherous mind.
Q. Which is the firth?
A. All impatience, and diſcontent with our eſtate, Deut. 22.7.the very high way to moſt horrible murthers.
Q. What are we here commanded?
A. Out of the louelove which wee beare to our neighbour, Iob 31.19. 1 Kin. 1….13 Hebr. 10.25 Gal. 6.1.as much as in vsus lyeth, to preſerue his life and health, and ſpecially the life of his ſoule, by good counſell, exhortation, and admonition.
Q. Rehearſe the ſeuenth Commandement.
A. Thou ſhalt not commit Adul…erie.
Q. What is here forbidden?
A. All …eſhly uncleanneſſe both in outward act, and inward conception of the minde, and all occaſions thereof.
Q. What are the uncleanneſſes in outward act?
A. Gal. 5.17. 1 C…. 1.6. Rom. 1. Ephe. 5.12Adultery, Fornication, Buggery, Sodometry, &c. which are ſo ſouſe, that it is a ſhame to name them.
Q. What is vncleanneſſe in the inward conception of the mind?
A. To looke vponupon a woman to luſt after her: for this is adultery in heart.
Q. What are the occaſions forbidden?Ephe. 4.29. Rom. 13.13. Deut. 22.5. Mark. 6.22. Gat. 5.19. Ezec. 16.19. Gen. 19. 2 Sam. 11.
A. Filthy ſongs and talke, chambering and want anneſſe, being preſent at filthy Stage playes, putting on apparell of another ſex, mixt laſcfuious dauncing, ſurferting, drunkenneſſe, idleneſſe, &c.
Q. What are wee heere commanded?
A. To liue in temperance, chaſtitie, 2 Cor. 6.16.and ſoberneſſe, and ſo to keepe my body holy and pure, as a Temple of the Holy Ghoſt.
Q. Rehearſe the eight Commandement?
A. Thou ſhalt not ſteale.
Q. What is heere forbidden?
A. All theft and ſtealing, Deut. 22.29. Exod. 22.1.which is committed many wayes.
Q. Which is the firſt?
A. By violence, 1 King. 21.or ſecret taking away any thing which is our neighbours.
Q. Which is the ſecond?
A. Hoſ 5.10. Luk. 2.13.By oppreſſion and tyranny of the rich towards the poore.
Q. Which is the third?
A. Leu. 25.14By deceit in buying and ſelling.
Q. Which is the fourth?
A. By vſing any vnlawfull trade, Pro. 11.26.or way of gaine, or gaming, fortunetelling, or ſelling drinke vntounto drunkenneſſe.
Q. Which is the fifth?
A. By prodigalitie, Iam. 4.for thus doe men rob their children and poſteritie.
Q. What more is here forbidden?
A. All couetouſneſſe and vnmercifulneſſe, Mat. 6.25. 1 Tim. 6.10the robbing of God in things dedicate, Leuit. 27.30.tithes and offrings.
Q. What are wee here commanded?
A. Math. 7.12.To doe to all men as I would they ſhould doe vntounto me, and by diligent paines taking to get mine own liuing in that eſtate of life, to which it ſhall pleaſe God to call me.
Q. Rehearſe the ninth Commandement.
A. Thou ſhalt not beare falſe witneſſe againſt thy neighbour.
Q. What is here forbidden?
A. All falſe witneſſe bearing, to the abuſe and hurt of our neighbour, and all maintaining of ſuch as goe about with tales againſt him.
Q. How many wayes is this ſin committed?
A. Foure.
Q. Which is the firſt?
A. Deut. 19.16. 1 Kings 22.By falſly accuſing, and witneſſing againſt our neighbour before a Iudge.
Q. Which is the ſecond?
A. Leu. 19.16.By flaundering and backbiting.
Q. Which is the third?
A. Prou. 27.14. c. 26.22.By flattering or ſoothing any for aduantage againſt the truth.
Q. Which is the fourth?
A. By lying, Pſal. 12.2. Iohn 8.45.or telling an vntruth againſt our conſciences.
Q. What are we here commanded?
A. As much as in vsus lieth, to preſerue the good name of our neighbor, Prou. 10.22 Gal. 6.2. Pſal. 15.3. Ioſh. 7.19.and our owne good name, ſtopping our eares againſt falſe reports, and ſuppreſſing them, and alwayes what ſoeuer comes of it, ſpeaking the truth.
Q. Rehearſe the tenth Commandement.
A. Thou ſhalt not couet thy neighbours houſe, thou ſhalt not couet thy neighbours wife, nor his ſeruant, nor his maid, nor his oxe, nor his aſſe, nor any thing that is his.
Q. What is here forbidden?
A. Rom 7.7. 2 Cor. 12.7 Mark. 7.22.All firſt motions of the mind vntounto ſin, though no conſent be yéelded vntounto it.
Q. What are wée commaunded heere?
A. To kéepe our very hearts and minds frée from euill thoughts againſt any of the Commandements of God.1 Th. 5.23. Epheſ. 4.2.
Q. What is the breach of the Law, and the puniſhment of it?
A. 1. Ioh. 3.4. Rom 7.7. Rom. 5.18. Iam. 2.10.It is ſinne, which if it be but once committed onelyonly, and that but in thought, it makes a man ſubiect to Gods eternall curſe.
Q. Is it not iuiuſtice to appoint ſo great a puniſhment for euerie ſinne? yea euen for the leaſt?
A. It is very iuſt and right for the Lord to adiudge the leaſt ſinne to hell fire.
Q. Why ſo?
A. Becauſe his marke which is perfect holineſſe ſet vponupon man in his creation, Iohn 8.34. Rom 6.16. 1 Iohn 3.8.is hereby remooued, and a marke with the deuils brand, is made vponupon the ſoule of the ſinner, for which it is iuſt, that the deuill, and not GOD, ſhould now hauehave ſuch a wicked ſoule.
Q. Is any man able to liue without breaking theſe Commandements?
A. No, not the beſt that euer was, except Chriſt onelyonly, and Adam in the ſtate of innocency.
Q. If no man can perfectly kéepe the Law, wherefore then ſerueth it?
A. Firſt, to humble vsus, Rom. 7.9.24 Ro. 7.12.22. Mat. 19.17. Rom. 13.8.in regard of our miſerable eſtate hereby diſcouered: Secondly, to bée a rule of good life vntounto vsus. Thirdly, to ſet vsus a worke dayly, to pray and cry to the Lord for mercy, and for ſtrength, to liue according to his Lawes.
Q. What is prayer?
A. It is a lifting vp of the heart to God, onelyonly in the name of Ieſus Chriſt according to his will, in full aſſurance to be heard and accepted at his gracious hands.
Q. What néed is there that the faithfull pray, ſéeing God of his owne goodneſſe, and not for their prayers will doe whatſoeuer is néedfull for them?
A. There is great néed, that all faithfull people ſhould pray vntounto God for thrée ſpeciall reaſons.
Q. Which is the firſt?
A. Becauſe it is a duty that wée owe vntounto God.
Q. Which is the ſecond?
A. To renew our aſſurance of the pardon of ſinne daily renewed through our great weakeneſſe, and to increaſe our louelove, patience and humility.
Q. Which is the third?
A. That we may be fit to receiue the gifts and bleſſings of the Lord.
Q. What times are ſpecially to be ſpent in prayer?
A. The ſpeciall times of prayer are ſixe.
Q. Which is the firſt?
A. The preſent time without deferring till ſickneſſe, or old age.
Q. Which is the ſecond?
A. The time of publike meeting to the worſhip of God.
Q. Which is the third?
A. Exod. 29.39EueryEvery morning and euening.
Q. Which is the fourth?
A. 1. Tim. 4.5. 1. Sam. 9.13Sitting downe and riſing vp from our meat.
Q. Which is the fift?
A. Pſal. 50.14. Iam. 5.13.The time of trouble and aduerſity, when we ought more often and inſtantly to pray.
Q. Which is the ſixt?
A. All the dayes of our Life, through which we muſt hold out in diligent prayer, according to that of the Apoſtle, Pray continually.1 Theſ. 5.17
Q. If we obſerue theſe times of prayer, ſhall we be ſaued from all our ſinnes?
A. Yes vndoubtedly, Acts 2.21.for whoſoeuer calleth vponupon the name of the Lord, ſhall be ſaued.
Q. Is there nothing elſe required then vntounto ſaluation, but to pray?
A. Yes, for wee muſt be indued with theſe properties which the Lord requireth in thoſe that pray, or elſe we ſhall pray in vaine
Q. How many are thoſe properties?
A. Three.
Q. Which is the firſt?
A. Obedience: for not eueryevery one that ſaith, Lord, Lord, Math. 7.21.ſhall enter into heauen, but he that doth the wil of my Father which is in heauen.
Q. Which is the ſecond?
A. Humilitie: Iam. 4.6.for God reſiſteth the proud, and giueth grace to the humble.
Q. Which is the third?
A. Iam. 5 16.Feruency, for the prayer of the righteous preuay leth much if it be feruent.
Q. What more particular direction is there to be folowed in praying?
A. That moſt excellent prayer, which Chriſt himſelfe framed for vsus, rightly therfore called the Lords Prayer.
Q. Rehearſe the Lords Prayer.
A. Our Father which art in heauen, hallowed bee thy Name: Thy kingdome come: Thy will be done in earth as it is in heauen: GiueGive vsus this day our daily bread: And forgiue vsus our treſpaſſes, as we forgiue them that treſpaſſe againſt vsus: And leade vsus not into temptation: But deliuer vsus from euill. Amen.
Q. Is this the onelyonly Prayer which we are to vſe in calling vponupon God?
A. No, but we muſt bee guided by it, as by a rule, both for manner and matter in all our prayers.
Q. May wee not vſe it then as a Prayer?
A. Yes doubtleſſe, we may, and ought to vſe it moſt often, as the chiefe of all prayers, but with great deliberation, not placing confidence in the words, but in the ſenſe vnderſtood, and affected in the ſaying thereof.
Q. It ſeemeth then that a ſet prayer is lawfull.
A. It is not onelyonly lawfull, Num. 10.36 Pſal. 92but moſt expedient, that there ſhould be a ſet forme of praying in the Congregation, and to helpe the deuotion of the ignorant in priuate.
Q. What is to be thought of conceiued prayer? may any man vſe that?
A. The Spirit of God is not tyed to wordes and phraſes, but doth at times ſuddenly miniſter matter to the ſeruants of God, ſo that they can and doe pray effectually without a ſet forme, both publikely and priuately.
Q. In what manner ought wee to pray, according to this rule of the Lords prayer?
A. Firſt, Math. 67.to pray in this manner is, briefely and pithily.
Q. What ſecondly?
A. Propounding Gods glory, as the marke whereat wée ayme, in all our praying, Mat. 6.5.and not our owne vaine glory.
Q. What thirdly?
A. Firſt, and chiefly ſéeking after heauenly things, Mat. 6.33.then after earthly.
Q. What fourthly?
A. In all things ſubmitting our wils, Mat. 26.39.and deſires to the will of God.
Q. What be the parts of this prayer?
A. Thrée: the Preface; Our Father which are in heauen: the Petitions; Hollowed be thy name, &c. and the Concluſion; For thine is the Kingdome, &c.
Q. In the Preface, why call you God, Father?
A. Luk. 11.11. Heb. 4.16. Gen. 3….26.Becauſe he is ready as a louing Father to heare mée, calling vponupon his name; wherefore I learne with boldneſſe, and confidence to come vntounto him in prayer.
Q. But may eueryevery man come before God, as his Father?
A. No wicked man that goeth on impenitently in ſinne can call God Father, Ioh. 8.44. Rom. 6.16.becauſe he is the deuils childe, and not Gods.
Q. Cannot a wicked man pray then?
A. No, Prou. 15.8. Eſa. 1.12.he cannot pray with any comfort, for the prayer of the wicked is abomination to the Lord.
Q. Why doe you ſay, Our Father, and not my Father?
A. 1 Tim 2.2. Matth. 5.44.Becauſe I ought to pray for all other the children of God, aſwell as for my ſelfe.
Q. Why adde you in the preface, Which art in heauen?
A. Not for that I beléeue God to be in heauen only, for he is eueryevery where.
Q Why then?
A. 1 Kin. 8.27, Pſal. 19.1. Luke 18. Luke 1.53. Eſay 66.2.Becauſe to bée in heauen is an Argument of great glory: therefore I learne with reuerence to pray vntounto him, béeing my Father moſt glorious.
Q. What doſt thou aske of God in this prayer?
A. I deſire my Lord God our heauenly Father, who is the giuer of all goodneſſe, to ſend his grace vntounto me and to all people, that we may worſhip him, ſerue him, and obey him, as wee ought to doe. And I pray vntounto God, that hee will ſend vsus all things that hée néedfull both for our ſoules and bodies: and that hee will be mercifull vntounto vsus, and forgiue vsus our ſinnes: And that it will pleaſe him to ſaue and defend vsus from all dangers, ghoſtly and bodily: and that hée will kéepe vsus from all ſinne and wickedneſſe, and from our ghoſtly enemy, and from euerlaſting death. And this I truſt hée will doe of his mercy and goodneſſe, through our Lord Ieſus Chriſt. And therefore I ſay, Amen. So be it.
Q. Tell me more particularly, how many be the Petitions of this prayer?
A. Six, whereof the thrée former concerne Gods glory, the thrée latter concerne our ſelues.
Q. Which he thoſe thrée concer-Gods glory?
A. Firſt, Hallowed by thy name: ſecondly, thy Kingdome come: thirdly, thy will be done on earth, as it is in heauen.
Q. In the firſt of theſe what deſire you?
A. Prou. 16.1. 1. Cor. 10.31 Rom. 11.36That the name of God may be glorified in the vſe of his titles, word, and all his workes.
Q. In the ſecond petition, what deſire you?
A. Pſal. 48.2 Pſal. 93.1. Mat. 13.…. Mat. 9.38. Eph. 6.19.That the number of true beléeuers may be daily increaſed, that Gods Kingdome of Grace being inlarged, his Kingdome of glory may be haſtened.
Q. What pray you for in the third petition?
A. Pſ. 119.34. 1. Theſ. 4.3. Epheſ. 4.24. Eph. 1.16, 17That I and all the people of God vponupon earth may as readily obey Gods will, as the Angels and Saints in heauen.
Q. Which be the thrée petitions concerning our ſelues?
A. The firſt; GiueGive vsus this day, our daily bread: ſecondly, forgiue vsus our treſpaſſes, as wee forgiue them that treſpaſſe againſt vsus; thirdly, Lead vsus not into tēptation, but deliuer vsus from euill.
Q What pray you for in the firſt of theſe Petitions?
A. For all things neceſſary for this preſent life, Prou. 20.8. Gen. 28.20. Mat. 6.34.and therefore wee aske but for bread, and but for this day.
Q. What pray you for in the ſecond of theſe Petitions?
A. That God would forgiue vsus all our ſinnes, Mat 18.26. Luke 18.10 Pſal. 39.8. Mat 5.23.as wée doe from our hearts forgiue the offences of men againſt vsus.
Q. What pray you for in the third of theſe Petitions?
A. That the Lord would not ſuffer vsus to be carried away by the temptations of the world, fleſh, or deuill, 2. Cor. 12.8. Eph. 6.18. Mat. 26.21.to the committing of ſin, but that he would deliuer vsus from the euill of all temptation, both ſinne and damnation.
Q. Wherefore ſerueth the concluſion, For thine is the Kingdome, &c.
A. It is added as a reaſon of all the Petitions, to ſtrengthen our faith.
Q. What is this reaſon?
A. Math 6.8. Mark. 9.23. Pſal. 19.1 Epheſ. 1.6.That God being both able and willing, doth certainly yéeld to thoſe our requeſts, therefore wee adde a note of confidence, and ſay, Amen.
Q. Hath the Lord made any certaine promiſe to heare vsus, that wee may with ſo great confidence expect a graunt of our petitions?
A. Hee hath both promiſed, Pſal. 50.14. Math. 7.7, 9and brgeth vsus to beléeue from the example of an earthly Father.
Q. But God is in heauen, and inuiſible, neither can we ſée or heare him ſpeaking vntounto vsus: what viſible and ſenſible meanes therefore hath he giuen vsus, whereby we may be aſſured of his promiſe?
A. Iohn 20.31. Mar. 16.16 1 Cor. 10.16.He hath giuen vsus his written word, wherein his promiſes are ſet foorth, and the holy Sacraments as ſeales for our further aſſurance.
Q. What is the word of God?
A. 2 Tim. 3.16 Gal. 1.8.All the Bookes of the Old and New Teſtament, and not any other bookes or Writings whatſoeuer.
Q. How many, and which are theſe Bookes?
A. The Books of the Old Teſtament are ſeuen and twentie; Geneſis, Exodus, Leuiticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Ioſhua, Iudges, Ruth, the firſt & ſecond of Samuel, the firſt and ſecond of Kings, the firſt and ſecond of the Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Eſter, Iob, Pſalmes, Prouerbes, Eccleſiaſtes, Canticles, Eſay, Ieremiah, Ezechiel, Daniel, and the 12. ſmall Prophets. The Bookes of the new Teſtament are ſeuen and twentie; Matthew, Marke, Luke, Iohn, the Actes of the Apoſtles, the Epiſtle to the Romans, firſt and ſecond to the Corinthians, Galatians, Epheſians, Philippians, Coloſsians, two to the Theſſalonians, and two to Timothy, to Titus, to Philemon, to the Hebrews, the Epiſtle of Iames, and two of Peter, three of Iohn, of Iude, and the Reuelation of Iohn.
Q. Are not the Apocryphall Books part of the word of God?
A. They are not, neither hauehave bin euer ſo accounted in the Church of God, but are annexed, as being ful of good Inſtructions, and Hiſtories declaring Gods wonderfull prouidence ouer his people Iſrael.
Q. How is it proued, that theſe Teſtaments are the word of God?
A. It is prooued by their Antiquity, ſome of them being before all other bookes, 2 Tim. 3.16. 2 Pet. 1.20. 1 Theſ. 2.13.ſundry times oppugned and ſought to bee burnt vp by perſecutors, and yet wonderfully preſerued, and by myracle from heauen confirmed, which ſhewes, that they came from heauen, and are not of mans inuention.
Q. Are the Bookes of the Old and New Teſtament ſufficient to ſaluation without any other?
A. Yes doubtleſſe, and it is dangerous to adde any other as neceſſary to bee likewiſe receiued: Reu. 22.18 Deut. 4.2.for to doe thus, is to incurre the danger of Gods curſe.
Q. Hauing this Word written, is it not ſufficient for our ſaluation, without any helpe by preaching?
A. It is not ſufficient, 1 Cor. 1.18.but it muſt alſo be ſet foorth by preaching, that the hard places may be rightly vnderſtood, Rom. 10.14 2 Tim. 4.2 Actes 8.31wee may be kept from errors, and hauehave our dull hearts ſtirred vp to embrace it.
Q. How many bee the Sacraments of the New Teſtament?
A. Two onelyonly, as generally neceſſary to ſaluation: that is to ſay, Baptiſme, and the Supper of the Lord.
Q. What meaneſt thou by this word Sacrament?
A. I meane an outward and viſible ſigne, of an inward and ſprituall grace giuen vntounto vsus, ordained by Chriſt himſelfe as a meanes, whereby we receiue the ſame, & as a pledge to aſſure vsus thereof.
Q. How many parts be there in a Sacrament?
A. Two: the outward viſible ſigne, & the inward ſpirituall grace.
Q. What is the outward viſible ſigne, or forme in Baptiſme?
A. Water, wherein the perſon baptized is dipped, or ſprinkled with it, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy ghoſt.
Q. What is the inward and ſpirituall grace?
A. A death vntounto ſinne, and a new birth vntounto righteouſnes: for, being by nature borne in ſin, and the children of wrath, wee are hereby made the children of Grace.
Q. What is required of perſons to be baptized?
A. Repentance, wherby they forſake ſinne: and Faith, whereby they ſtedfaſtly beleeue the promiſes of God made to them in that Sacrament.
Q. Why then are Infants baptized, when by reaſon of their tender age they cannot performe them.
A. Yes: they doe performe them by their ſureties, who promiſe and vow thē both in their names: which when they come to age, themſelues are bound to performe.
Q. Why was the Sacrament of the Lords Supper ordained?
A. For the continuall remembrance of the Sacrifice of the death of Chriſt, and the benefits which we receiue thereby.
Q. What is the outward part, or ſigne of the Lords Supper?
A. Bread and Wine, which the Lord hath commanded to be receiued.
Q. What is the inward part or thing ſignified?
A. The Body & Blood of Chriſt, which are verely and indeed taken and receiued of the faithfull in the Lords Supper.
Q. What are the benefits, wherof we are partakers thereby?
A. The ſtrengthening and refreſhing of our ſoules by the Body and Blood of Chriſt, as our bodies are by the Bread and Wine.
Q. What is required of them which come to the Lords Supper?
A. To examine themſelues whether they repent them truely of their former ſinnes, ſtedfaſtly purpoſing to leade a new life, hauehave a liuely faith in Gods mercy through Chriſt, with a thankefull remembrance of his death, and bee in charitie with all men.
Q. Wherein ſtandeth true Repentance?
A. In three things; Firſt, in knowledge and acknowledgement of our ſinnes paſt: Secondly, Prou. 28.19 Iere. 3.25. Luke 13. Pſal. 51.17 Math. 5.4. 2 Cor. 7.11.in godly ſorrow and griefe of heart for them: Thirdly, in a godly purpoſe to forſake all ſinne, and to leade a new life for all time to come.
Q. What is faith?
A. Hebr. 11.1. Rom. 8.30. Iohn 6.47. Rom. 16.14 Acts 16.14.It is a certaine perſwaſion of the heart, wrought by the ſpirit of God, grounded vponupon his promiſes, that all my ſinnes are forgiuen mee in Chriſt Ieſus.
Q. Wherein ſtandeth true Chriſtian louelove?
A. In affection, when it is the ſame towards our neighbour, Math. 19.19 1 Iohn 3 17. Iam. 2.15, 16that it is towards our ſelues voyde of malice, hatred, and enuy, and deſirous of his good, as of our owne. And in action, when wee are ready to doe good vntounto others, as vntounto our ſelues, and to kéepe away hurt as from our ſelues.
Q. What ſhall he doe, that after examination findes not theſe things in himſelfe.
A. He may not kéepe away from the Lords Supper, for this were a pronoking of God to wrath, neither can hee come vntounto it, Mat. 22.without offending in a higher degrée.
Q. What may a man doe then in this caſe?
A. Hee muſt humbly ſue vntounto God for the pardon of his ſinnes, Mat. 5.24.to ſtrike his hard heart, that hee may melt into teares for them, and conſtantly cleaue to his Commaundements; and if there be any diſſention, he muſt goe and be reconciled to his brother.
Q. What ought a man to doe at the Lords Supper?
A. 1 Cor. 11.23He ought thankefully to remember the inward graces of God towards him, by ſéeing the outward ſignes.
Q. What are theſe graces?
A. They are three.
Q. Which is the firſt?
A. The Lords giuing of his Son Ieſus Chriſt to death for vsus, ſet forth by the Miniſters taking of the Bread and Wine, Ioh 3.16.breaking and powring out, and offering them to vsus all.
Q. Which is the ſecond?
A. Eph. 5.30.Our neere vnion vntounto Chriſt, and how we hauehave all our ſpirituall food from him, ſet forth by our taking, eating, and inward digeſting the Bread and Wine that become nouriſhment vntounto vsus, and are vnited to the ſubſtance of our bodies.
Q. Which is the third?
A. The neare vnion that God hath made by Chriſt betwixt all the faithfull, ſet forth by the ſame Bread, Rom. 12.5. Gal. 3.28.being made of many graines of corne, and by the ſame Wine made of many grapes.
Q. What is to bee done after the receiuing?
A. We muſt meditate of the couenant of new obedience, renewed by this Sacrament, that we may more carefully performe it, and flie ſinne and vice all the dayes of our life.