A Preparation to the Receiving of the Lords Supper, Catechism 1 – To the reader 2
A Briefe forme of Examination. Containing occaſionally the maine Principles of Religion.
I.
Queſtion.
WHat is a Sacramēt?
A. A myſticall ſigne ordained of God, to repreſent and ſeale to the worthy receiuer, ſaluation by Chriſt Ieſus, Mat. 28.19, 1 Cor. 11, 23. Gen. 17, 7. Ro. 4, 11.
Q. Who is Chriſt Ieſus?
A. The eternall and onelyonly begotten Sonne of God; & our only Sauior, Matt. 3, 17. Rom. 1, 3. Iohn 1, 14. 1 Tim. 2.5. Heb. 2, 17.
The Queſtions thus marked with a ſtar, may in thy Examination bee vſed or omitted, as time or ability of the Perſon requireth.* Q. What is God?
A. An infinite and eternall Maieſty; the Creator and Gouernor of the world, Pſa. 139, 7 1 Kings 8, 27. Eſa. 44, 6 Pſal. 90.2. Gen. 1.1. Pſalm. 19. Zach. 9, 10. Prou. 15.3.
* Q. How many Gods are there?
A. OnelyOnly one in three Perſons, Ioh. 17 3. Ex. 20, 2. 1 Cor. 8, 32. 1 Iohn 5.7.
* Q. Which bee thoſe three Perſons?
A. God the Father, God the Sonne, & God the holy Ghoſt, Matth. 28, 19.
II.
Q. How is Chriſt our Sauiour?
A. By redeeming vsus from hell, & purchaſing heauen for vsus, Mat. 20.28. Iohn 3, 14, 15.
Q. What is heauen?
A. A place of euerlaſting ioy & glory, Mat. 25, 34. Luk. 16, 22. 1 Cor. 2, 9. Reu. 21, 23 & 22.1.2.
Q. What is hell?
A. A place of euerlaſting torment, Luk. 16 23. Reu. 20.10. Matth. 25.46. Eſa. 30, 33.
III.
Q. How came wee in danger of hell?
A. By ſinne, Rom. 5.10. Gen. 2, 17. Ro. 5, 12.
Q. What is ſinne?
A. A breach of Gods Commandements, 1 Ioh. 3, 4. Rom. 7, 7. Gal. 3, 10.
Q. What are thoſe Commandements?
A. God ſpake, &c.
Q. HaueHave all men broken theſe Cōmandements?
A. Yea all without exception, Rom. 3, 9, 10. Rom. 3.23. Gal. 3.22.
Q. Doth eueryevery breach of theſe Commandements deſerue euerlaſting torment in hell?
A. Yea verily, Rom. 6.23. Gal. 3, 10. Deut. 27, 26.
IIII.
* Q. How many ſorts of ſinne are there?
A. Two: Originall and Actuall.
* Q. What is Originall ſinne?
A. A corruption of nature, whereby we are inclined to the breach of all GODs Commandements, Pſal. 51.5. Rom. 7, 18. & 8, 7. & 7, 14.
* Q. Is this corruption in all?
A. Yea: Gen. 8, 21. Rom. 5, 12.
* Q. How came we to the ſame?
A. By the fall of Adam, our firſt father. Rom. 5, 12. 1 Cor. 15, 22.
* Q. How did he fall?
A. By eating of the fruit of a tree, that God had forbidden vponupon pain of death, Gen. 3, 6.
* Q. What is Actuall ſinne?
A. A particular breach of Gods Commaundements, in thought, word, and deed, ariſing from Original corruption, Ge. 6, 5. Gal. 5, 19. Eph. 2, 3. Rom. 3, 13.
V
Q. By what meanes hath Chriſt redeemed vsus from hell, and purchaſed heauen for vsus?
A. By fulfilling the Law, and dying for vsus, Phil. 2, 8. Mat. 5, 17. v. 3.15. Reuel. 5, 9, 1. Heb, 9, 15.
* Q. How could the Sonne of God, being God, performe this?
A. Hee tooke vponupon him our nature, & ſo became God and man in one Perſon. Ioh. 1, 14. Rom. 9, 5.
* Q. How did hee take our nature vponupon him?
A. Hee was miraculouſly conceiued by the holy Ghoſt in the wombe of a Virgin. Eſa. 7, 14. Matt. 1, 20. Luk. 1, 35. Iohn 1.14.
Q. What death did hee die for vsus?
A. An accurſed death vponupon the Croſſe, Matt. 27, 35. Gal. 3, 13.
Q. Was there no other meanes to ſaue vsus?
A. No verily, Acts 4.12. Rom. 7.23, 24.
* Q. Doth our Sauiour Chriſt then continue ſtill vnderunder death?
A. No: but hee roſe againe the third day, and aſcended into heauen, & there ſitteth in all glory, at the right hand of his Father, making interceſſion for vsus, Ioh. 20 Mat. 28. Acts 1. Acts 2, 31. 1 Cor. 15. Mark. 16.19.
VI.
Q. Shall all men bee ſaued by Chriſt?
A. No: but ſuch only (if they be of yeeres) as by Faith and Repentance become new men. Eph. 3, 17. Col. 2, 12. Ioh. 3, 16. & 1, 12. Act. 13, 39. Mar. 1, 4, 15. Acts 20.21. Ioh. 6, 35.
Q. What is Faith?
A. A confidence in the merits of Chriſt onelyonly for ſaluation, Act. 16, 31. Iohn 1, 12.
Q. What is Repentance?
A. An vnfained hatred of all ſin for Chriſts ſake, Acts 3, 19. 2 Cor. 7, 10, 11. Mat. 3, 7, 8, 10.
VII.
Q. By what meanes do we attaine vntounto Faith and Repentance ordinarily?
A. By the preaching of Gods Word, Epheſ. 1.31. Rom. 10.17.
Q. What is Gods Word?
Anſw. His reuealed will contained in the writings of the Prophets and Apoſtles, 2 Tim. 3.15, 16. 2 Pet. 1.20. Luk. 24.27. 2 Pet. 3.2.
Q. What were thoſe Prophets and Apoſtles?
A. Men that writ by diuine inſpiration, 2 Ti. 3.16. 2 Pet. 1.21.
* Q. What be the parts of Gods Word?
A. The Law and the Goſpell.
* Q. What is the Law?
A. That part of Gods word, which ſheweth the curſed eſtate that all men are in by reaſon of ſinne, Galath. 3.19. Rom. 3.20.
* Q. What is the Goſpell?
A. That part of Gods word which ſheweth, how wee are freed from that curſe by Ieſus Chriſt Act. 16.30. Iohn 3.16. Mar. 1.1.
VIII.
* Q. Where is Gods Word ordinarily preached?
A. In the Churches of Chriſt.
* Q. What are the Churches of Chriſt?
A. Holy Aſſemblies, ioining, ordinarily, and orderly together in the worſhip of God, 1. Cor. 1.2, and 2. 2 Cor. 1.1. Tit. 1.5.
* Q. Wherein conſiſts the worſhip of God?
A. In hearing the Word, receiuing the Sacraments, and Prayer, Mat. 28.18. 9. Act. 15.21. 1 Tim. 2.1. 1 Corin. 11.23.
IX.
* Q. By whom is the Word of God preached?
A. By the Miniſters of Chriſt. Eph. 4.11, 12.
* Q. Who are the Miniſters of Chriſt?
A. Such as hauing gifts giuen them of God, are ſet a part by the Church, to preach the Word, admininiſter the Sacraments, and to bee the mouth of the people vntounto God in prayer: Heb. 5.4. Rom. 10.15. Rom. 1.20.
X
* Q. Doe all attaine vntounto Faith & Repentance vntounto whom the Word is preached?
A. No: but thoſe onelyonly in whom God of his ſpeciall grace, works the ſame by his owne Spirit, Act. 16, 14. Eph. 2.8. Rom. 10.17.
* Q. Who are thoſe?
A. His Elect. Acts, 13, 48.
* Q. What are they?
A. Such as from all eternitie he hath purpoſed to ſaue by Ieſus Chriſt. Rom. 9, 22.23. 1 Theſ. 5, 9.
* Q. Is there any thing in them aboue others that moueth God hereunto?
A. Nothing in the world, but his owne meere good will & pleaſure, Eph. 1.4, 5, 11. Rom. 9.18-22.
* Q. Why doth hee vouchſafe this grace to ſome?
A. For the praiſe of his glorious Mercy, Ro. 9, 23.
* Q. Why doth he deny this grace to other ſome?
A. For the praiſe of his glorious Iuſtice, Rom. 9.22.
XI.
* Q. What ſhall be the eſtate of thoſe, that attaine vntounto Faith & Repentance?
A. They ſhall in this life daily grow and increaſe therein. Pſa. 1, 3.
* Q. by what ſpeciall means ſhall they grow and increaſe therein?
A. By the due vſe of the Word, Sacraments, and Prayer.
* Q. But what ſhall their eſtate bee after this life?
A. There ſonles ſhall goe to heauen, and there remaine till the laſt day, and then both body and ſoule ſhall bee vnited againe, and both ſhal continue with Chriſt in all glory in heauen for euer and euer.
* Q. What is the laſt day?
A. A day of generall Iudgement, wherein all fleſh ſhall be raiſed from death, and receiue finall ſentence from God, for that which they hauehave done in this life, Matth. 25, 31, &c.
* Q. Ʋ Ʋhat ſentence ſhall paſſe vponupon thoſe that repent and beleeue in Chriſt?
A. They ſhall bee acquit from all their ſins, and receiued into euerlaſting glory, Mat. 25, 24.
* Q. What ſentence ſhall paſſe vponupon the rest?
A. All their ſinnes ſhall bee diſcouered and laid to their charges, and they ſhall bee caſt body and ſoule into hell fire, Mat. 25.41, &c.
XII.
Q. How many Sacraments are there?
A. Two: Baptiſme, and the Lords Supper, Mat. 28, 19. 1 Cor. 11, 23, &c.
* Q. What is Baptiſme?
A. A myſticall waſhing with water, in the name of the Father Sonne, and holy Ghoſt. Tit. 3, 5. Mat. 28, 1….
* Q. What doth water ſpecially ſignifie?
A. The bloud of Chriſt, Eph. 5.25.
* Q. What doth the waſhing ſignifie?
A. That we are freed from the guilt of ſinne, and ſanctified by the merits of Chriſt; eſpecially by his death and bloud-ſhedding, Epheſ. 5.26. Mar. 1.4. Act. 2.38. Tit. 3.5. 1 Cor. 6.11.
* Q. Who are to be admitted to Baptiſme?
A. All that truely profeſſe Faith and Repentance: and their Infants: Act. 2.38, 39. Act. 8.37. Gen. 17.7. 1. Cor. 7, 14.
* Q. VVho are thoſe?
A. Such as doe nothing that is manifeſtly contrary therunto in the knowledge of men, or if they hauehave done any thing, giuegive good ſignes of ſpecial repentance for the ſame.
* Q. How oft are they to be baptiſed?
A. OnelyOnly once.
* Q. When are they to be Baptiſed?
A. Aſſoon as they can be admitted thereto by the Church where they are called to liue, Act. 2.41, &. 8, 36. &. 10.7.
XIII.
Q. VVhat is the Supper of the Lord?
A. A myſticall communion in breaking and eating of bread, and drinking of wine in ſpeciall remembrance of Chriſt, Matth. 26.26. 1 Cor. 10.16.
Q. What doth the bread and wine ſignifie?
A. The Body & bloud of Chriſt, 1 Cor. 10.16.
Q. What doth the breaking of the bread ſignifie?
A. Thoſe paines hee indured in ſoule and body for our ſaluation, eſpecially vponupon the Croſſe, 1 Cor. 11, 24.
Q. What doth the eating of the bread, and drinking of the wine ſignifie?
A. That by the vertue of his merits (eſpecially of his death and bloud-ſhedding) applied to vsus by Faith, we are not only freed from eternall death in hell, but ſhall liue with him in heauen for euer and euer.
Q. Who are to bee admitted to the receiuing of this Sacrament?
A. All, that hauing beene baptiſed, continue in the true profeſſion of Faith and Repentance, 1 Cor. 11.27, 28, 29.
Q. How oft are they to receiue the ſame?
A. As oft as it may conueniently bee adminiſtred in that Church, in which they hauehave calling to liue, Act. 2.42. & 20.7
XIIII.
Q. VVho are woorthy Receiuers of this Sacrament?
A. Such as bring a holy appetite therevnto, Mat. 5.6.
Q. What is that appetite?
A. A ſpiritual hungring and thirſting after Chriſt Ieſus and his merits.
Q. Whence doth this appetite ariſe?
A. From a ſence of the weakeneſſe of our Faith & Repentance, and a deſire to hauehave them ſtrengthned, Act. 2, 37, &c.
XV.
Q. How may vvee come to this true ſence?
A. By preparing our ſelues before hand therevnto.
Q. How are wee to prepare our ſelues?
A. By examining the ſincerity of our Faith and Repentance, by the ſpeciall fruites thereof: 1 Cor. 11, 28.
Q. What are they?
A. A conſtant and conſcionable care to vſe all meanes for the getting and increaſing of them, and a reſolute purpoſe & indeuour to obey God in all things for Chriſts ſake.
XVI.
Q. What if we be vnworthy receiuers of this Sacrament?
A. Wee ſhall then eat and drinke our owne Iudgement, 1 Corin. 11.27, 29.
Q. What if wee contemne or neglect to receiue this Sacrament?
A. We therein declare that wee contemne or neglect that which is ſignified thereby and offered therein, 1 Corinth. 11.29.
Q. What if we receiue the ſame worthily?
A. Wee ſhall receiue thereby Chriſt himſelfe, and in him more & more aſſurance of our ſaluation, 1 Cor. 10.16.
Q. VVhat if wee ſhall bee vniuſtly put from this Communion?
A. God in this caſe will accept our will for the deed.
FINIS.
The Doctrine of Communicating worthily in the Lords SVPPER. Deliuered by way of Queſtion and Anſwer, for the more familiar inſtruction of the ſimple. By A. H. The fifth Edition, reviewed, and corrected by the Author.
LONDON Printed by Iohn Beale for Ioyce Macham Widow. 1617.
To the Reader.
GOod Reader, after I had yeelded to the publiſhing of mine owne poore meditations vponupon 1 Cor. 11.23. there came to my hands in writing, this enſuing Treatiſe, written ſome yeeres ſince by a godly and faithfull Paſtor, for the direction of his owne people, in the worthy receiuing of the Sacrament of the Lords Supper, at what time hee was firſt called vntounto them.
In the peruſall whereof, I being in my ſelfe well perſwaded of the fulneſſe and perſpicuity of that doctrine of preparation, which it propoundeth to intreat of, the orderly method of eueryevery part thereof, the plaine and familiar handling of the matter, & that it did ſupply many needfull points of inſtruction that are wanting in mine owne Treatiſe; I was earneſt with the Author to giuegive me leaue to publiſh the ſame, and to adioyne it as an ornament and helpe vntounto mine: which with much impportunitie at length I hauehave obtained.
For the ſpirituall good that thou ſhalt receiue thereby, bleſſe the Lord; and pray for the Author, that God would reſtore him again, to that former libertie in his Church, which heeretofore to the glory of God, and the comfort of many a Chriſtian ſoule, he hath enioyed.
Thine in the Lord, W. B.