Abridgment of Institutes of the Christian Religion, Outline
A GENERALL TABLE OF THE VVHOLE INSTITVTION OF CHRISTIAN RELIGION, COMprehending brieflie the principall poincts.
VVe hauehave added to the notes of the bookes and chapters for the more eaſie finding out of euerie part.
True wiſedome is placed in the knowing of God
1. The Creatour, out of the firſt booke
That when we ſhall ſee that all things are created for our ſakes.
That the giftes wherein we excell are not of our ſelues.
That the good thinges which we vſe dayly do come downe from the heauen vntounto vsus.
And that we hauehave our being in God.
We may be brought as it were from the ſtreames vntounto the fountaine.
2. The Redeemer, by the Sonne, wherein we muſt conſider 2. Booke.
1. The fall of man
1. From that excellencie wherin he was created that he might be like to God.
2. VntoUnto that moſt miſerable eſtate, that he may be like the deuill.
2. The reſtoring of man: the materiall cauſe whereof is Chriſt: wherin we muſt conſider three thinges
1. How it is giuen vntounto men
1 In the Lawe.
2. In the Goſpel.
2. Howe it is receaued. 3 Booke.
1. By the power of the holy Spirit.
2. By faith, as by an hand.
3. How God doth kepe vsus in the ſocietie of Chriſt, namely by gouernement which is double 4. Booke.
1. Eccleſiaſticall.
2. Ciuill.
The knowledge of God the Creator is
Ingendred in vsus naturallie Chap. 1.
1. The end whereof ought to be Chap. 2.
The worſhip of God rightly ordered.
The reuerence of his name with Chap 3.
Feare
& LoueLove.
2. But ſuch ſeede is corrupted Chap. 4.
Through ignorance whence cometh ſuperſtitious worſhip.
Through wickedneſſe whence commeth
Seruile feare.
Hatred of the godhead.
Gotten by ſome other meanes, namely by
1. The whole frame of the world: which teacheth Chap. 6.
1. Of what ſort the
1. Goodneſſe
2 Power
3. Iuſtice
4. Wiſdom of God are
1. In creating
1. Heauenlie things.
2. Earthly things
2 in preſeruing the ſame by his admininiſtratiō which is
1. Ordinarie.
2. Extraordinary: wherein gods prouidence doeth more plainely appeare.
2. What our neede is: that we may learne
1. To repoſe our confidence in his
Goodnes
Power.
Prouidence.
2. To obey his cōmandements
Willinglie, as ſonnes.
Not reſiſting, as ſeruants.
3. To runne vntounto him in our neceſſitie as vntounto the fountaine of all good things.
4. To acknowledge that we hauehave receaued all thoſe giftes which we hauehave at Gods hands, and to thanke him for them.
2. By the Scriptures. Chap. 6.
Reade the next Table vnderunder the letter A.
A God the Creator is alſo known by the Scriptures, wherin we muſt conſider. Chap 6.
1. Of what ſort they are, to wit.
True as proceeding from the holie ſpirit of God which is proued. Chap. 78.
1. By the teſtimonie of the holie Ghoſte.
2. By the efficacie thereof.
3. By their antiquitie.
4. By the truth of the propheſies.
5. By the marueilous preſeruation of the law.
6. By the calling and writtings of the Apoſtles.
7. By the conſent of the Church.
8. By the blood of manie Martyrs ſhed in teſtimonie thereof.
Whereby it doth eaſilie appeare that thoſe brainſick fellowes do ouerthrow all the principles of godlineſſe who caſting the Scripture behind them do flie to reuelation. Chap. 9.10.11.12.
2. What they teach, to wit, of what ſort the nature of God is Chap. 13.
In it ſelfe
Infinite. Wherupon we conclude that. They erre who doe attribute vntounto God a viſible ſhape as do the idolaters.
Inuiſible. Wherupon we conclude that. They erre who doe attribute vntounto God a viſible ſhape as do the idolaters.
Eternall. Wherupon we conclude that. They erre who doe attribute vntounto God a viſible ſhape as do the idolaters.
Omnipotent. Wherupon we conclude that. They erre who doe attribute vntounto God a viſible ſhape as do the idolaters.
Of one eſſēce which containeth in it ſelfe three perſons, of Chap. 13.
1. The Father.
2. The Sonne.
3. The holy Ghoſt.
In the Creatiō of
1 Heauenlie things, as of Angels. Chap. 14.
Good: to the defence of the godlie.
Euill: of Diuels, and they are ſuche, not by creation, but by corruption. Chap. 14.
2. Of earthly thinges as of man, whoſe Cha. 14.15
1. Perfectiō is taught in his
Soule
Body.
2. His fall is ſet down concerning which looke the table of the ſecond booke.
In the Adminiſtration, reade the table following A.
A Gods adminiſtratiō or gouernment is, C. 16.
Vniuerſall
Whereby God doeth gouerne all creatures according to that propertie which he hath geuen to euerie one of them, when he created them.
Particular, which is conſidered in reſpect
1. Of things
Hauing life
So that if anie man fall into the handes of robbers.
Or among wild beaſts.
Or wandring through a wilderneſſe do find remedie for his thirſt.
Or being toſſed with waues do come into ſome hauen.
We muſt aſcribe all theſe euents to God being
Proſperous.
Vnproſperous.
Without life
Which though they hauehave their property geuen them naturally: yet do they not ſhewe forth their force ſaue only ſo farre forth as they are directed by the preſent hād of god
2. Of time
Paſt: that we may know that all thinges come to paſſe through
Gods appointment by working
1. By meanes.
2. Without means
3. Againſt meanes.
The frutes; all thinges turne
1. To the faithfull to good.
2. To the vnfaithfull to euill.
To come
Whereunto appertaine mens deliberations.
Which teacheth vsus that wee muſt vſe lawfull meanes, (for that prouidence whereto we leane hath his meanes.)
The frutes, that wee may knowe aſſuredly Chap 17
1. That god careth for
1. All mankind.
2. His Church chieflie.
2. God doth
1. Containe by his power All thinges.
2. Gouerne by his becke All thinges.
3. Moderate by his wiſedome All thinges.
3 That he hath power enough to do good becauſe
He hath in his power
Heauen
& Earth.
All creatures do obey his becke.
4. That nothing cometh to paſſe by chaunce: but by the will of God which is double Chap. 17.
Hidden
Which we can not ſearch out but wee adore the ſame reuerently.
Expreſſed in the
Lawe.
Goſpell.
The knowledge of God the redeemer appeareth. Ch. 1.
1. The fall of man wherein we muſt cōſider.
1. What he oweth, and to the ende we may do this, let vsus ſee. Chap 1.
1. What he hath receaued.
1. He was created after the image of God, beeing partaker of
Wiſedome.
Iuſtice.
Innocencie.
Power.
2. Therefore he did owe vntounto God the perfect keeping of his cōmandemēts, bicauſe he was perfect in
Soule.
Body.
2. How hee loſt it. The cauſes are
1. Nigh
1. Sathan.
2. The Serpent.
3. The woman.
4. The apple.
2. Farre of
1. Infidelitie.
2. Ambition.
3. Vnthankfulneſſe.
4. Stubbornneſſe.
3. The effects.
The image of God was blotted out & man became
1. Vnfaithfull.
2. Vnrighteous.
3. Subiect to death
2. What he is able to doe. Chap. 2.
1. In ſoule Ch 3
1. In vnderſtanding
1. In diuine thīgs
1. In godlines
1. In the knowledge of God. Hee is blinder then moals.
2. In the true worſhip of God. Hee is blinder then moals.
In good works as in
1. Inuenting them.
2. In doing them.
2. In humane thīgs as in the Arts.
1. Liberall. Nothing.
2 Manuall. Nothing.
2. In will. Chap. 4.5.
1. In heauenlie things. He willeth that onelie which is euill
2. In earthlie things. He willeth that onelie which is euill
2. In bodie
That foloweth the corrupt appetites of the ſoule
Through manie infirmities it is at length ſubiect to death.
Wherupon it foloweth that mā being loſt muſt ſeeke redemptiō in Chriſt the Mediator bicauſe
1. The firſt adoption of the elect people Did depend vponupon the grace of the Mediator alwaies.
2. The preſeruation of the Church. Did depend vponupon the grace of the Mediator alwaies.
3. The deliuerance of it in daunger. Did depend vponupon the grace of the Mediator alwaies.
4. Reſtoring after ſcattering abroad Did depend vponupon the grace of the Mediator alwaies.
3. The hope of the godlie. The Lawe was giuen for that cauſe, that it might cauſe the mindes of men to wait vntill the comming of Chriſt which appeareth by Chap. 7.
1. The remembrance of the free couenant often repeated.
2. The ceremonies.
3. The ſacrifices.
4. Waſhings.
5. The end of adoption.
6. The right of the prieſthood.
2 The materiall cauſe of redemption, concerning which, reade the next table.
Chriſt is the materiall cauſe of our redemption in whom we muſt conſider three thinges Chap. 7.
1. Howe he is offered vntounto men Lib. 2.
In the Law Chap 8.
1. Ceremoniall
1. The vſe whereof was abrogated.
2. The effect is perpetuall.
2 Iudiciall, whereof there are two parts
1. The firſt which appertaineth vntounto godlineſſe, & belongeth to all men
2. The other was proper to the Iewes, and is aboliſhed.
3. Morall whoſe vſe is 3. fold:
The firſt ſheweth our
1. Weakeneſſe Not that we may diſpaire. But hauehave recourſe vntounto Chriſt.
2. Iniquitie Not that we may diſpaire. But hauehave recourſe vntounto Chriſt.
3. Damnation Not that we may diſpaire. But hauehave recourſe vntounto Chriſt.
The ſecond
1. That thoſe who are not moued with promiſes:
2 May be kept backe with feare of threateninges.
The thirde
1. That we may knowe what the wil of God is.
2. That we may thinke vponupon it to obey it.
3. That our minds may be confirmed thereunto.
4. That wee may bee brought backe fr…m that which is ſlipperie.
The ſumme is comprehended in a
Proheme wherein is noted
1. The power of God, that he may bind the people with neceſſitie to obey.
2 The promiſe of grace wherein he profeſſeth that hee is the God of his Church.
3. The benefit, wherin hee accuſeth the Iewes of vnthankfulneſſe vnleſſe they be anſwerable to his goodneſſe.
In two Tables looke A.
In the Goſpell Looke B.
2. Howe he is receaued of men concerninge which reade C. out of the thirde booke.
3. Howe God doeth retaine vsus in the ſocietie of Chriſt. Looke D. out of the fourth booke.
Ther be 2. Tables of the Lawe Ch. 8.
The former, which appertayneth vntounto the worſhip of God, is contained in fower commandements
In the firſt commandement
God will excell alone amongſt his people.
Therefore we owe vntounto God alone
1. Adoration.
2. Hope.
3. Inuocation.
4. Thankeſgiuing.
Of the ſecond commaudemēt the
Ende is, that God will not hauehave his worſhip profaned with ſuperſtitious rites and ceremonies.
Partes 2.
1. The firſt bridleth our libertie leſt
We make God ſubiect to our ſenſes.
Or repreſent him by anie ſhape
2. The ſecod forbiddeth vsus to worſhip anie images for religiōs ſake therefore he bringeth forth
1. His power which he wil not ſuffer to be diminiſhed
2. His emulation: becauſe he can abide no partner.
3. His vengeance, vponupon the fourth generation.
4. His merciemercy to the true worſhippers.
The thirde commandeth three thinges
1. That that ſmell of his excellencie whatſoeuer
Our mind conceiueth.
Our tong ſpeaketh.
2. That we do not raſhly abuſe
His holy word By
Ambition.
Couetouſneſſe.
His reuerent myſteries By
Ambition.
Couetouſneſſe.
3. That we do not
Speake againſt His works but ſpeak of them with the titles of
Wiſedome
Power.
Iuſtice.
Goodneſſe.
Slaunder His works but ſpeak of them with the titles of
Wiſedome
Power.
Iuſtice.
Goodneſſe.
The name of God is profaned 3 manner of wayes
1. By periarie.
2. By ſuperfluous oathes though true.
3 If we put in Gods place Saincts or other creatures
Liuing.
Without life.
Of the 4. commandemēt the
Ende is, that being deade to our owne affections and workes we may thinke vponupon the kingdome of God.
In it wee muſt conſider three thinges
1. The Spirituall reſt
1. Whereby the faithfull may kepe holy day from their own works.
2. That God may work in them.
2. That there may be a certaine day to
1. Call vponupon God.
2. Heare the Lawe.
3. To do the ceremonies.
3. That ſeruants may hauehave reſt from their labour.
The latter is declared in the Table following.
In the later table of the Law which contayneth the duties of louelove, there are five commandemēts Chap. 8.
Of the fifth commaundement
The ende is
Becauſe the obſeruing of the order which God hath appointed doth pleaſe him.
The degrees of honour which he hath appointed are not to be broken.
Therefore wee are forbidden to diminiſh any which of the dignitie of ſuperiours by
Contempt.
Contumacie.
Vnthankfulneſſe.
And the partes of honour are
Reuerence.
Obedience.
Thankfulneſſe.
Of the ſixt the
Ende is
Becauſe God hath knit together mankinde by a certaine vnitie.
The ſafety of all men is committed to eueryevery man.
Violence is forbidden.
Good will is commaunded.
Of the ſeuenth the
Ende is
Becauſe Godloueth cleanneſſe, let vsus auoid all vncleanneſſe.
Therefore he forbiddeth vsus to commit fornication
In minde.
In worde.
In worke.
Of the viij. the
Ende is
Becauſe vnrighteouſneſſe is an abhomination vntounto God.
He will hauehave vsus to geue eueryevery man his owne.
Theft is committed either by
Violence.
Wicked deceipt.
Craftineſſe.
Flattering &c.
Of the ix. the
Ende is
Becauſe God who is truth hateth lying.
He commaundeth vsus to ſpeake truth without deceipt.
Therefore he forbiddeth that
We do not defame anie man with ſlaunders and falſe crimes.
Or to hinder anie man in his goods by lyes.
But in defending the truth let vsus defende the integritie of the
Name Of euerie man
& Goods Of euerie man
Of the tēth the
Ende is this
Becauſe God wil hauehave the whole ſoule to be poſſeſſed with the affection of integritie.
He will hauehave vsus to baniſh out of our mindes all deſire that is contrarie to louelove.
Therefore all deſire which turneth to all other mans hinderance is forbidden.
B Chriſt is alſo offred vntounto men in the Goſpell concerning which is declared Chap 9.
How with the old teſtament
1. It agreeth which is in three thinges Chap. 10.
1. Becauſe there was the ſame hope of immortalitie.
2. The ſame couenant placed
Not in mens workes.
But in Gods merciemercy.
3. The ſame Mediatour of God and men Chriſt.
It diſagreeth in fiue thinges Chap. 10.
1.
Becauſe the heauenly inheritaunce was ſhewed vnderunder earthly things.
Nowe our mindes are ſtraight way directed vntounto it.
2.
It did onelyonly ſhewe a ſhape in figure of the truth being abſent.
This ſheweth the truth being preſent.
3.
That by reaſon of the Law was the miniſterie of damnation and death.
This of righteouſneſſe and life.
4.
That of bondage, which may cauſe feare in the mindes.
This of libertie, which may lift them vp vntounto hope.
5.
The word was only aſſigned vntounto the nation of the Iewes.
It is now preached to all nations.
The ſum of doctrine which is to teach
1. What Chriſt is Chap. 12.
God: that he may geue vntounto his
Righteouſneſſe.
Sanctification.
Redemption.
& Man: becauſe he was about to pay mans debt.
2. To what end he was ſent to wit that hee might execute the office of a Chap. 15.
1. prophet
1 In foretelling things to come.
2. In fulfilling the prophecies.
3. In
Doing The will of his Father.
Teaching The will of his Father.
2. King
1. In gouerning
The Church.
EueryEvery member therof.
In defending his from euerie iniury of the aduerſaries.
3. Prieſt
1. In offering his bodie for ſinnes.
2. In reconciling God vntounto vsus by his obedience.
2. In making prayers continuallie for his.
3 Howe he hath fulfilled all the parts of our redemptiō Cha. 16.17.
1. In dying for our ſinnes.
2. In riſing for our iuſtification.
3 In openinge vntounto vsus the heauens by his aſcention
4. By ſitting at the right hande of the Father
5. Thence he ſhall come to iudge the
Liuing
& Dead.
Howe Chriſt is receiued
1. By the power of the holy Ghoſt who ioyneth vsus vntounto Chriſt: Therfore is he called the ſpirit of
Sanctification
Adoption.
The earneſt and ſeale of our ſaluation.
Water.
Oyle
A fountaine.
Fire.
2. By faith as by an hande receauing ſaluation: whoſe Cha. 2.
Office which is
1. Common is to ſubſcribe vntounto the truth of God
Howe often It ſpeaketh.
Whatſoeuer It ſpeaketh.
How ſoeuer It ſpeaketh.
2. Proper to reſpect in Chriſt, Gods
Will Into the certaintie wherof the holie Ghoſt doth Illuminate our minds. Confirme our harts.
MercieMercy Into the certaintie wherof the holie Ghoſt doth Illuminate our minds. Confirme our harts.
Promiſes of grace Into the certaintie wherof the holie Ghoſt doth Illuminate our minds. Confirme our harts.
Thence is ſet the definition, that ſaith is a firme and certaine knowledge of Gods good will toward vsus, which being grounded in the trueth of the free promiſe in Chriſt, is both reuealed to our mindes by the holie Ghoſt and ſealed in our harts by him.
Effects are theſe
1. Repentaunce which is double
1. True, which conſiſteth vpō two partes
1. Mortificatiō which proceedeth from
1. Knowledge of ſinne.
2. The true feelinge of the iudgement of God.
2 Viuification whoſe frutes are
1. Godlineſſe toward God.
2. LoueLove toward our neighbour
3. Hope of eternall life.
4. Holineſſe of life.
2. Falſe and Papiſticall whoſe parts are
1. Contrition of heart for the acknowledging of ſinne.
2. Confeſſion of the mouth
Priuate which is made
1. To God alone.
2. To the miniſter
3 To a faithfull friend.
Publike
1. Of the whole Church.
2. Of one.
3 Of many Before the Church
Theſe two parts may be referred to true repentance.
3. Satisfaction of the workes the fulfillinges whereof are
1. Indulgēces in this world.
2. Purgatory after death.
Theſe are ſet againſt the free forgeueneſſe of ſinnes:
2. Chriſtian life. Looke A.
3. Iuſtification. Looke B.
4. Prayer. Looke C.
A 2 Chriſtian life wherof there are two partes
1. LoueLove of righteouſneſſe, that we may be holy Chap. 6.
Becauſe God is holie
Becauſe we are ioyned vntounto him, and are reckened among his people.
2. That there be a rule appoynted vsus, which may not ſuffer vsus to erre in the ſtudie of righteouſneſſe that we may bee made like to Chriſt
There is a patterne thereof ſet before vsus, the forme wherof we muſt expreſſe in our life in
Word.
and Deede.
Here unto are added the benefites of God, whereunto if we do not anſwer it ſhal be a point of great vnthankfulneſſe.
The ſumme of a Chriſtiā life is the deniall of our ſelues, whereof there are fower endes
1. That wee may conſecrate our ſelues to God to be a liuely ſacrifice.
2. That we may ſeeke not the thinges that be our owne, but thoſe which are
Gods.
Our Neighbours
3. That we may bear the croſſe paciently the frutes whereof are that Chap. 8.
1. Our weakeneſſe may the better appeare.
2. That our patience may be tried.
3. Our faultes may be corrected.
4. That being humbled we may the m…re earneſtly call vppon God.
5. We may the more earneſtly meditate vponupon eternall life.
4. That wee may knowe how to vſe this life and the helpes thereof Chap. 10.
1. For neceſſitie, wherein we muſt obſerue fower things
1 That we poſſeſſe all thīgs as poſſeſſing nothing.
2 That we ſuffer
Penury patiētly
Abundance moderatly.
2. That we know to
HaueHave enough.
To be hungry.
To want, paciently.
3
That we hauehave reſpect of our neighbour.
Becauſe we muſt giuegive an accompt of our ſtewardſhip.
4. That all thinges be anſwerable to our calling.
2. For delectation, that
We may hauehave the greater cauſe to prayſe God his goodneſſe.
3. Effect of faith is iuſtification: here conſider Chap. 11.
What it is to be iuſtified
Hee is iuſtified who by the iudgmēt of God is
Iudged luſt.
& Accompted luſt.
He is iuſtified by workes
Whoſe life is pure and free from reprehenſion.
There was neuer any ſuch.
He is iuſtified by faith
Who being excluded from the righteouſneſſe of works layeth hold vponupon the righteouſneſſe of faith.
Such are the faithfull.
What followeth thereupon Ch. 13.14.
Great conſolation
Becauſe in ſteed of a cruell iudge we hauehave a moſt gentle Father.
That being ſanctified we may thinke vpō holineſſe.
Chriſtiā libertie: which conſiſteth in three thinges Chap. 19.
1. That the conſciences of the faithfull may lift vp them ſelues aboue the Law, and forget the righteouſneſſe of the Lawe.
2. That their conſciences being free from the yoke of the Lawe, they may willingly obey the will of God.
3. That they may not be holden with any religion of indifferent things before God.
Yet we muſt take heede of two inconueniences
That we do not abuſe the giftes of God to our luſt
That we auoyde offence which is double
Giuen.
Taken.
C Prayer is the fourth effect wherin we muſt conſider & marke the Chap. 20.
Fine fruits
The firſt
Whileſt that we accuſtom our ſelues to flie vntounto God our hart is enflamed with a more earneſt deſire to
Seeke Him.
LoueLove Him.
and Worſhip Him.
Seconde
No euill concupiſcence or deſire maye come into our heart, whereof we are aſhamed to make God a witneſſe.
Thirde
That we may receaue Gods gifts with thankeſgiuing.
Fourth
That hauing gotten a gift wee may the more earneſtly thinke vponupon his goodneſſe.
Fifte
That the vſe may confirme vntounto vsus the
Goodneſſe Of God.
Prouidence Of God.
Trueth Of God.
4. Lawes
The firſt
That wee be ſo framed as thoſe who enter in to ſpeak vntounto God: therefore let
1. Our hands be be lift vp.
2 Our hart be moued.
3 Let vsus perſeuere.
The ſecond is that
We feele our neceſſitie.
The thirde
That wee diſpoyle our ſelues of all thinking vppon our owne glorie, giuing God the glorie wholy.
The fourth
Lyinge proſtrate let vsus encorage our ſelues with a ſure hope to obtaine, hauing
1. The commandement.
2. The Promiſe.
They erre who call vpō Saincts:
1. Bicauſe the Scripture teacheth that we muſt call vponupon God alone
1. Who alone knoweth what things we need.
2. He will be preſent: becauſe he hath promiſed.
3. He is able: becauſe he is omnipotent.
2. Becauſe he will be called vppon by faith which leaneth to the word alone.
3. Becauſe faith is corrupt if it depart from the word: in calling vponupon Sainctes
No word therefore no faith.
No promiſe.
They can neither
Heare
nor Help.
The ſumme is contained in two tables. Concerning which looke the next Table vnderunder C.
C The ſumme of praier, is cō prehended. Cha. 20.
In a Proheme wherin appereth
1. The goodnes of god, bicauſe he is our father wherupon followeth.
1. Therefore we are his children to ſeeke help of anie other were to caſt God in the teeth.
Pouertie:
or Crueltie.
2. Our ſins ſhall not hinder vsus from crauing merciemercy of God humbly.
3. Wee muſt one louelove an other like deare brethren.
2. The power of God: becauſe he is in heauē whence we gather.
1. That God is ſpread abroad through all thinges. Therefore when wee ſeeke him: let vsus be lifted vp aboue the ſenſe of our bodie and ſoule.
2. That he is free from all.
Corruption.
Alteration.
3. That hee comprehendeth and gouerneth the whole world by his power.
In two tables.
The former is appointed wholie for the glorie of God and it containeth three petitions
The firſt requireth that the
Name of God that is his.
Power.
Goodneſſe.
Wiſedome.
Righteouſneſſe.
Truth.
May be ſanctified, that is, that
Men may not without great reuerence neither
Speake Of God.
nor Think Of God.
Of the ſecond petition.
The end is that God.
1. May amende with the power of his ſpirite all the wicked luſts of the fleſh.
2. May frame all our ſenſes vntounto the obedience of his gouernment.
3. May defend his childrē & bring to nought the endeuours of the wicked.
The vſe
1. It draweth vsus from the corruptions of the world
2. It kindleth a deſire to mortifie the fleſh.
3. It teacheth vsus to beare the croſſe.
The third entreateth.
Not of the ſecrete will of god: But of that which is reuealed in the ſcriptures: whereunto anſwereth willing obedience.
The latter concerning which, looke the table following vnderunder the letter A.
A The latter Table of praier contayneth 3 petitions whiche reſpect vsus & our neighbour. Chap. 20.
The firſt petition.
Craueth all things which the vſe of the bodie, needeth vnderunder the elements of this world.
We commit our ſelues vntounto God and commend our ſelues to his prouidence, that he may
Feede vsus.
Cheriſh vsus.
Keepe vsus.
In the ſecond.
Wee aske (as in that which followeth) thoſe things which ſerue for the ſpirituall life.
Remiſsion taketh away ſatisfaction.
Let vsus forgiue being hurt in
Worde.
in Deed.
In the third.
We craue that wee may be furniſhed with weapons, and defended, that we may get the victorie.
Temptations differ. in
Cauſe. For
God. Doe Tempt.
Satan. Doe Tempt.
the world. Doe Tempt.
The fleſh. Doe Tempt.
Matter.
Vppon the right hande, in reſpect of
Riches.
Honour.
Beautie, &c.
On the left in reſpecte of
Pouertie.
Contempt.
Affliction.
In the end.
For GOD tempteth his for their good.
Sathan, the fleſhe, the worlde vntounto euill.
Theſe effectes of faith doe lead vsus vntounto the certaintie.
1 Of electiō: whoſe Chap. 21.
2. Of riſing againe.
Cauſe.
Efficient, is the meere liberalitie of God, that we may
GiueGive thankes.
Be humbled.
Finall: that beeing ſure of ſaluation, becauſe wee are in the hande of God wee may glorifie him.
Effects are ſome times of Ch. 22.23.
An whole.
Countrie. and that
In louing ſome.
In reiecting others.
Houſe. and that
In louing ſome.
In reiecting others.
Of one: becauſe whom Chap 24.
1 He knew before.
2. Called.
3. Iuſtified.
4 That hee may at length glorifie them.
1. By the preachinge of the word
2. By the lightning of the holie ghoſt.
1. Becauſe wee can by no other meanes be glorified
2. Becauſe Chriſt roſe in our fleſh.
3. Becauſe God is almightie.
D God doeth hold vsus in the ſociety of Chriſte, namelie by adminiſtration or gouernmente Chap. 1.
1. Eccleſiaſticall wherein are conſidered.
2. Ciuill concerning which look ** Chap. 20.
1. Which is the church. Chap. 12.
1. Inuiſible and Catholike, which is a Communion of Saints.
2. Viſible and particular, wherein is ſaluation.
Which is knowen.
1. By the pure preaching of the word.
2 By the lawefull adminiſtration of the Sacraments, concerning which looke B. Chap 14.
2. How it is gouerned, where conſider. Chap 3.4.
1. Who beare rule.
Not Angels,
But men wherein
1. God ſheweth vntounto vsus his great f…uour
2. We hauehave a verie good exerciſe vntounto
1. Humility.
2 Obedience.
3. A verie good bond to louelove one another.
2. Of what ſort they be
1. Prophets.
2 Apoſtles.
3. Euangeliſts.
4. Paſtors.
5. Doctors.
3. What their calling is
1. Internall when he that is called doth only ſeeke.
The glorie of God.
The edifiyng of the Church.
2. Externall wherin mark foure thīgs
1. What maner perſons are to be choſen
1. Of good behauiour.
2. Of ſounde doctrine.
2. How they ar to be choſen, to wit
1. Faſting.
2. Praier.
3 By whom they be choſen.
1. Immediat: by God.
Proph.
Apoſt.
2 Mediat the word being our guide by the
1. Biſhop.
2. Elders.
3. People
4. by what rite.
1. By laying on of hāds
the vſes are 3.
1. That the dignitie of the miniſter may bee comended.
2 That he may know that he is cōſecra. to god.
3 That hee may beleeue that hee ſh…ll not want the holie ghoſte.
3. What power it hath Looke. A.
4. Their office.
1 To preach the word
2. To miniſter the ſacramēts.
3. To execute Diſcipline.
The ſtate of the olde church was diuid. into Chap. 5.
1 Biſhops.
2. Elders.
3. Deacons who diuided the goods.
1. To the Biſhop.
2 To the Cleargie.
3. To the Poore.
4. To repaire the Churches.
The power of the Church is conſidered in reſpect.
1. Of Doctrine Ch. 9
1. Touching the deliuerie of the opinions of faith.
1. That none bee deliuered without the worde of God.
2. That all be referred vntounto the
Glorie of God
The edifiyng of the churche.
2. Touching the expounding of them.
2. Of making of lawes C. 10.
1. In commandements which ought neceſſarilie to bee kept.
Diuine. That they bee agreeable to the word.
Humane. That they bee agreeable to the word.
2. In precepts indifferent wherein marke
1. What things are to be followed.
HaueHave reſpect of circumſtance.-
Places.
Perſons
Times.
Let
Order be kept.
Comelines be kept.
2. What things be to bee fled: leaſt in ſteed of the true worſhip of God they be exhibited, ſuch are popiſh conſtitutions.
1. Are accounted for the true worſhip of God.
2. Doe bind the conſcience with preciſe neceſsitie.
3. Do make the word of God to be of none effect.
4. Are vnprofitable and fooliſhe.
5. Doe oppreſſe the conſciences with multitude.
6. Doe beare a ſhewe of the boaſting of Stage plaiers.
7. Are accounted as propitiatorie ſacrifices.
8. Are turned to gaine.
3. Of the Iuriſdiction. C. 11.
1. Proper to the cleargie of which it was intreated in the Synodes. Chap. 12.
Prouinciall.
Generall.
2. Common to the cleargie and the people whoſe.
End is double.
1. That offences may be preuented.
2. That an offence begun may bee aboliſhed.
The practice conſiſteth in
Admonitions.
1. Priuate
2. Publike.
Excōmunication: whoſe ends are three
1. That the name of the Church be not euill ſpoken of.
2. That the good be not corrupt through the cōpanie of the euill
3. That through ſhame they may begin to repent.
Furthermore facts are commended in reſpect of the time, Looke. A.
A Furthermore in reſpect of the times.
Facts are commanded wherein we muſt conſider. Chap. 12.
1. The ende thereof.
1. Thar the fleſh may be tamed.
2. That we may be the more apt to pray.
3. That it may be a teſtimonie of humilitie and obedience.
2. Wherein it cōſiſteth namelie, in
1. Time. Of meates.
2. Qualitie. Of meates.
3. Quantitie. Of meates.
3. What things are to be auoided.
1. That wee do not rent our garments, and not our heartes as hypocrites.
2. That we doe not thinke it to be done for a meritorious worke.
3. That it be not more ſtreightlie required as neceſſarie to ſaluation.
Vowes are made wherin muſt bee conſidered Chap. 13.
1. To whom the vow is made, namelie, to God, whereupon foloweth that wee muſt aſſay nothing without the worde, whereby wee are taught what,
Pleaſeth. God.
Diſpleaſeth. God.
2. Who voweth, namelie, mā. Therfore we muſt take heed
1. That we neglect not our libertie.
2. That wee promiſe not that which
Paſſeth our ſtrength.
Is contraie to calling.
3. What vowe wee muſt hauehave reſpect of the time.
1. Paſt: as is the vow of
1. Thankſgiuing.
2. Repentance.
2. To come.
1. That wee may bee more warie hereafter.
2. That we with pricks be pricked forward to our dutie.
Heereby appeareth what maner vowes the vowes of the Papiſts bee.
B In expoſition of the Sacramets wee muſt conſider Chap 14.
1. What a Sacrament is.
1. To wit, an outward ſigne, whereby God doth ſeale vntounto our conſciences, the promiſes of his good will towarde vsus, to vphold the imbecilitie of our faith.
2. On the other ſide, wee doe teſtifie our godlineſſe towardes him.
2. What thinges bee neceſſarie in a Sacrament.
1. The ſigne.
2. The thing ſignified.
3. The promiſe.
4. The generall participation.
Therefore laying on of hands is not reckoned amongſt the Sacraments.
3. Howe manie ther be.
1. Baptiſm whoſe. Chap. 13.
1. Signe is water.
2. Thing ſignified, is the blood of Chriſt.
Promiſe is eternall life.
4 Partakers are
1. Men growen, after confeſsion of faith.
2. Infants. Cha. 16
1. Becauſe baptiſme did ſucceed Circumciſion for the
1. Myſterie. are all one.
2. Promiſes. are all one.
3. Vſe, are all one.
4 Efficacie. are all one.
2. Remiſsion of ſinns pertaineth vntounto them: therfore the ſigne alſo.
5 End is double.
The firſt that it may ſerue for our faith toward God.
1. Becauſe it is a ſign of our waſhing by the blood of Chriſt.
2 Of the
Mortificatiō Of our fleſh in Chriſt.
Regeneratiō Of our fleſh in Chriſt.
3. Being ioyned to Chriſte wee beleue that we ſhall be.
1. Partakers of all his good things
2. There ſhall be no condemnation to vsus.
The ſecond that it may ſerue for confeſſion towarde oure neighbour: becauſe
1 It is a token that we would bee reckoned amongeſt the people of God.
2. Wee teſtifie that wee confeſſe Chriſte his religion togeather wyth all Chriſtians.
3. That all our thinges may ſhewe foorth the praiſe of God.
A The Supper. Chap. 17.
1. What.
It is a ſpirituall banquet, whereby wee are preſerued in that life, whereinto God hath begotten vsus by his word.
2. The end that
1. It may ſerue to confirme our faith toward God
2. For our confeſſion before men.
3. For exhortation vntounto louelove.
3. We muſt beware.
1. Leaſt in extenuating the ſignes, wee put them too much from their myſteries, whereunto after a ſort they are knit.
2. Leaſt that in exhorting the ſame immoderatelie, wee ſeeme to darken the myſteries themſelues.
4. The parts thereof.
1. The ſpirituall truth wherin we muſt conſider.
1. The ſignification in the promiſes.
2. The matter, Chriſt by his
1. Death.
2. Reſurrection.
3. The effectes.
1. Redemption.
2. Iuſtification.
2. The viſible ſignes.
1. Bread.
2. Wine.
The Maſſe is contrary to the ſupper. Chap. 18.
1. Becauſe it blaſphemeth Chriſt.
2. It burieth the croſſe.
3. It cauſeth his death to be forgotten.
4. It taketh away the frutes thereof.
5. It weakeneth the Sacramentes, wherein the memoriall of his death is left.
And theſe are falſlie counnted Sacramēts. Chap. 17.
1. Confirmation.
2, Repentāce
3. Extreame vnction.
4. Orders.
5. Matrimonie.
1. Leſſer of
1. Clarkes.
2. Dorekeepers.
3. Readers.
4. Acoluthes.
5. Exorciſts.
2. Greater, of
1. Priſtees.
2. Deacons.
3. Subdeacons.
Ciuill adminiſtration doth appertaine to the externall iuſtice of manners wherein are to be conſidered Chap. 20.
1. The magiſtrate in whom wee muſt obſerue.
1. Who he is
The Vicegerēt of God: Therfore he is ſo called.
The father of the countrie: Therfore he is ſo called.
The keeper of the lawe: Therfore he is ſo called.
The miniſter of iuſtice: Therfore he is ſo called.
The foſter father of the church: Therfore he is ſo called.
1. That hee might be ſtirred vp to his duty, and that he may ſhewe before men.
Integritie.
Wiſedome.
Continencie.
Innocencie.
Prudence.
2. That with ſingular comfort of his office he might eaſe the difficulties of the ſame.
2. How manie kindes.
1. Monarchicall.
2. Ariſtocraticall.
3. Democraticall.
3. What is his office.
1. That he may heale and not wound.
2. That he keepe humanitie
3. That he may repreſent the image of God.
2. The lawes wherein thou ſhalt obſerue.
1. The conſtitution in reſpect
Of God.
Of men
2. Equitie in reſpect of circumſtances.
Of times.
Of places.
Of nations.
3. The people, who oweth to the Magiſtrate.
1. Reuerence, as to the meſſenger of God, and that with a minde.
Sincere.
Not compelled.
2. Obedience.
Whether wee muſt obey his word.
Pay tribute.
Or ſuſtaine the publike.
Offices.
Puniſhments.
3. LoueLove whereby he may commend their proſperitie to God by Praier.