The Principal Grounds of the Christian Religion, Title page – Summary of text
THE PRINCIPALL GROVNDS OF CHRISTIAN RELIGION.
Briefely and plainly propounded by way of Question and Answere for the instructing of the younger sort.
By that late and Worthy Diuine Mr. N. Byfeild.
LONDON.
Printed by I. L. for Ralph Rounthwaite, and are to be solde at his shop, at the signe of the Golden Lyon in Paules Church-yard. 1625.
Christian Reader.
I Shall not neede to vse many words either of commendation of this small Treatise, seeing the bare name of him that was the cheife Author therof, I suppose may be enough to obtaine sufficient esteeme for it, with those that hauehave knowne him, either by his learned writings, or powerfull Ministery. Nor of Apologie for my selfe in aduenturing to cast this little mite into the Lords Treasury from him that hath beene able to giuegive such abundance in greater Volumes, seeing it pleased him to commit vntounto my care both this and other of his labours, earnestly desiring that if there were any thing found among his writings, that might bee thought profitable for the publike good, I should vse my best endeauour to hauehave it published; I hauehave therefore thought it my duty to the liuing if not to the dead, that the end aymed at by him might not be frustrated: Some of his workes hauehave beene published since his death, and more hauehave beene long since ready for the Presse; which I hope shall ere long come forth. I know it was the Authors purpose to hauehave made a more compleate and exact Catechisme if the Lord had prolonged his life; but he hauing finished his allotted taske, God tooke him home to rest from all his labours; howeuer it was his desire in the meane time to publish these short grounds, for the benefit of the younger sort, which are very briefely propounded for the helpe of memory, and most easie and plaine for vnderstanding of the most simple; and yet if wee marke them, wee may perceiue very much matter comprehended in a few words. It comes vntounto thine hands entire for the most part as it was left by him, very little being added or altered; the whole frame I hauehave cast into a short Table at the beginning, to the end the learner may first see and learne the whole methode and substance in a few words; as also I hauehave set downe the substance (at least) of those speciall proofes that confirme these Principles; to the end thou mayest saue thy labour for searching the places of Scripture quoted, as also that such as learne the Answeres, they may by degrees learne also, and know the words of the chiefe proofes; for by this meanes they may profit more soundly, when their faith shall bee grounded not vponupon the weake foundation of humane Authoritie; but vponupon the most perfect and sure words of God; learne them therefore diligently, and the Lord giuegive thee vnderstanding in all things.
Farewell: thine in the Lord, W. C.
These grounds respect either
1. The Originall or Fountaine of all Diuine Knowledge, Viz: the holy Scriptures: where is considered,
1. Their Authority.
2. Their sufficiency.
2. The obiect of Diuine K…owledge▪ viz: God. Where is considered
1. His Nature.
2. His works either of
1. Cre…tion.
2. Prouidence considered,
1. In Generall,
2. In speciall, as it respects mans fourefold estate, viz:
1, Of Innocencie.
2. Of misery in respect,
1. Of Sinne,
2. Of Punishment.
3. Of Grace where note,
1. The meanes of grace. viz.
1. Election i… God.
2. Redemption by Christ.
2. The subiect of Grace▪ viz. the Church.
3. The degrees of grace. viz.
1. Iustification.
2. Sanctification.
4. The speciall helpes of grace. viz
1. The Word read & preached.
2. Prayer.
3. The Sacraments.
4. Of glory where
1. Of the Resurrection of the dead.
2. Of the last Iudgement.
3. Of the glory of Heauen.