The Badges of Christianity, Catechism – Errata
The Principles of Christian religion, set downe in Questions and answers, shortly for the remembrance, and plainely for the vnderstanding of all persons, requisite to be learned and knowne before they be admitted to the Lords Supper.
Q. What is true religion?
A. It is the knowledge of gods wil, to the end we may serue him in holinesse and righteousnesse, Ioh, 17, 3, Eph 4, 23, 24.
Q. How many parts are there of religion?
A. Two: repentance, and faith. Mar, 1, 15, Act. 20, 20, 21
Q. What is repentance?
A Repentance is a turning from al sin vntounto righteousnes, act, 3, 19, Ezek. 18, 21
Q How many things hauehave we to consider in repentance?
A Two thinges: the parts of it, and the meanes whereby to attaine it, Esa 1, 16, xvii, xx.
Q What are the parts of repentance?
A Two partes: first, a for faking of sin, with an hatred and sorrow for it, Secondly, a betaking of ourselues vntounto righteousnes, with a louelove and liking of it, 2, Cor. 7, x, xi.
Q What are the meanes to come to repentance?
A Two meanes: first the knowledge of our sins by the law: Secondly, the consideration of the punishments due to sin, Reuel, 2, 5
Q How many commaundements are there in the law?
A Ten: Exod. 34, 28, Deut. 4. xiii, & x, 4
Q … how many tables are the … deuided?
A Into two tables, Mar, xii, 30, xxxi, Exod, xxxi, xviii, 34, 1
Q What … the first table concerne?
A Our duties toward God, contained in the 4, first commaundements, Math xxii, 36, 37. 38
Q what is the … commaundemant?
A Thou shalt have none other Gods but me, Deut, 5, 7 Exod, 20, 3
Q what is the summe of this law?
A We must not account that as God, which by nature is no God: but hauehave and chuse the true God onelyonly for our god, Mar. 12, 29
Q What is the second commaundement?
A Thou shalt not make to thy selfe any grauen image, Exod, 20, 4
Q What is forbidden and commaunded in this law?
A We must not worship the true god falsely: but worship god, as he hath appointed in his word, Ioh. 4, 24, Iosh, 24, 15, Esa. 29, 13
Q What is the third commaundement?
A Thou shalt not take the name of the lord thy God in vaine, Exod. xx. 7
Q What is forbidden and commaunded in this law?
A We must not bereaue god of the honor due to him: but vse his titles, word and works with al reuerence, Math. 5, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37
Q What is the fourth commaundement?
A Remember the Sabbath day to keepe it holy, Exod, xx, 8
Q What is commaunded and forbidden in this law?
A We must … the sabbath with the works of the sabbath: and not … it with our owne works, Esa. 58, 13, Neh, 13, xv, xvi, &c.
Q What are the workes of the …?
A … as are holy, and of present necessity. Luk, 14, 3, 4, 5, Act. xx, 7
Q … must keepe the Sabbath?
A …, thy son, thy daughter, thy man, thy maid, and thy stranger, Exod xx, x
Q … of the first table: what doth the second table concerne?
A … duties toward our neighbors, in the sixe last commaundementes, Rom. 13, 8, 9
Q Who is our neighbour?
A Our neighbor is eueryevery one of our owne flesh, yea our enemies, Esa, 58, 7, Luk. x, 35, 36, 37, Math, 5, 44
Q What is the first commaundement?
A Honor thy father and thy mother, Exod, xx, 12
Q who is our father and mother?
A Al superiors set ouer vsus of god for our good, Rom, 13, 1, 2, Eph. 6, 1, 2. 3
Q what doth the word honor …?
A It … reuerence, obedience, and maintenance, whether they be worthy or vnworthy, that are our superiors, Math xxii, xxi
Q what is the first commaundement?
A Thou shalt not kil. Exod. xx, 13
Q what is forbidden and commaunded in this law?
A We are charged not to hurt our owne life, or our neighbors: but to preserue and tender it as our owne, 1 Ioh. 3, 15, Math, 5, xxii, xxiii. 24
Q what is the seuenth commaundement?
A Thou shalt not commit a dultery. Exod 20, 14
Q what is required in this law?
A we must kepe our bodies and soules chast from consenting to vnclean lustes, Math, 5, 8, 29 …. Col. 3, 5
Q what is the eight commaundement?
A Thou shalt not steale, Exod, 20, 15
Q what is forbidden and commaunded in this law?
A we must not … or hurt our neighbors goods: but maintaine and preserue them, Eph, 4, 28, 1 Thess. 4. 6
Q what is the ninth commaundement?
A Thou shalt not beare false witnesse against thy neighbor, Exod, 20. 16
Q what is forbidden and commaunded in this law?
A we must not diminish or hurt the good name of our neighbor: but … his credit and estimation Exod, 23, 1, Psal, 15, 3
Q what is the tenth commaundement?
A Thou shalt not couet.
Q what is forbidden and commaunded in this law?
A The first motions and lustes to sin before consent are forbidden: and louelove out of a pure heart and a good conscience is required Rom. 7, 7
Q … any man able to … these commaundementes?
A No man is able to … them, Rom, iii. xxiii, i Ioh, i, 8, Galath, iii
Q In what estate stand we by meanes of the breach of the law?
A We are the children of wrath and euerlasting damnation, Gal, 3, x
Q What is the second part of religion?
A Faith, to beleeue whatsoeuer God hath set down in his word, the sum whereof is contained in the apostles creed, consisting of twelu articles
Q what is the first Article?
A I beleeue in God, the father almighty, maker of heauen and earth.
Q what is the second Article?
A And in Iesus Christ, his onelyonly sonne our Lord.
Q what is the third Article?
A which was conceiued by the holy ghost, borne of the Virgin Marȳ.
Q what is the fourth Article?
A Suffered vnderunder Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried, he descended into hell.
Q what is the … Article?
A He rose a gaiue the third day from the dead.
Q What is the … article?
A He ascended into heauen, and sitteth on the right hand of god the father almighty.
Q What is the seuenth article?
A From thence he shall come to iudge the quicke and the dead.
Q What is the eight article?
A I beleeue in the Holi-ghost.
Q What is the ninth article?
A I beleeue the holy Catholick church, the communion of Saints.
Q What is the tenth article?
A I beleeue the forgiuenes of sinnes.
Q what is the eleuenth article?
A I beleeue the resurrection of the body.
Q what is the twelfth article?
A I beleeue the life euerlasting.
Q what are the … points of this Creed?
A Two: concerning God, or concerning the church.
Q what consider you in God?
A The vnity and the trinity. 1, Iohn, 5, 7.
Q what beleeue you of the vnity?
A I beleeue, that in substance, there is one only true and almighty God. 1 cor, 8. 4, Deut. 6, 4
Q what beleeue you of the Trinity?
A I beleeue that in one God, there are three distinct persons, the father, the sonne, and the Holyghost, Math. 28, 19. and 3, 16. 17
Q what beleeue you of God the father?
A I beleeue that he is almightie, and therefore hath made all creatures good, and gouerneth all things wel. Gen. 1, 1, Nehem. 9. 6, act, 4. 24,
Q what beleeue you of the …?
A I beleeue that we being borne dead in finnes, he came into the world to be a mediatour betweene God and man. 1 Tim, 2, 5
Q what meane you by a mediator?
A I beleeue, that he was sent to reconcile vsus to his father, and his father vntounto vsus: and so to make peace between God and man. Esa: 9. 6, Eph, 2 16
Q What is required of a mediatour?
A Two natures. Iohn 1, 14, Heb. 5. 6
Q what are they?
A The diuine nature, and the human nature. Heb, 2, 16
Q what beleeue you of … diuine nature?
A I beleeue, that he onelyonly is the naturall sonne of God, and therefore God, and our Lord, Heb. 1, 3
Q what beleeue you of his humane nature?
A I beleeue two things: his entrance into the world, and the things that followed the same, Luke, xxiiii, xxv. xxvi.
Q what hauehave we to consider in his entrance into the world?
A Two things: his conception, and his birth.
Q what … you of his conception?
A I beleeue he was begotten by the myraculous power and working of the Holi-ghost. Luke i, 35 Math i. xviii,
Q what … you of his birth?
A I beleeue that he tooke flesh and was borne of a virgine whose name was Mary, Math. 1; xx. Esa, 7, xiiii
Q what be the things that followed his entrance and comming into the world.
A two: his fufferings and his glorie. Luke xxiii. xxv. xxvi. 46,
Q what were his sufferings?
A Of two sorts: in bodie or soule,
Q what were his sufferings in body?
A I beleeue, that Pontius Pilate the iudge giuing sentence, his hands and feet were nailed to a crosse, and thereby dying, his body was buried in manner as others were, and lay for a time vnderunder the dominion of death, Iohn xix. xviii. 1 cor xv. 3, 4, Actes xiii. xxviii, 29, Psal. xxii, xvi
Q what … you of his sufferings in soule?
A I beleeue, that he suffered in his soule, the fierce wrath of his father, kindled for our sinnes, to deliuer vsus from the curse of the law, Luke, xxii, 44, Gal, 3, xiii.
Q what things are to be considered touching his glory?
A Three things: eyther his glory which is past, or present, or to come, 1 Pet 3. xxi, xxii, act i. xi
Q what beleeue you touching his glorie past?
A His resurrection, and his assention, act, 1, 2, 3
Q what beleeue you touching his resurrection?
A I beleeue, that although for a space his bodie laie dead in graue, yet after three dayes he raised it vp, and gaue it life againe, Math, 28, 6, 2 cor, 13, 4, Ioh, x, 17. xviii
Q what beleeue you of his ascending into heauen?
A I beleeue, that his body being vnited againe to his soule, he was personallie taken vp into the heauens, after that he had bene conuersant vponupon the earth 40, dayes, acts. 1, 9
Q what is his glory present?
A He sitteth at the right hand of the father, Marke. 16, 19
Q what meane you thereby?
A I beleeue, that his father hath aduanced him into the highest honour, and hath committed vntounto him the gouernement of all things in heauen and earth, Heb. 1, 3, Psal. 110. 1
Q what is his glory to come?
A He shal come from heauen to iudge the quick and the dead. Math. 25 31, Act, 1, xi,
Q what meane you thereby?
A I beleeue, that in the end of the worlde, all flesh shall appeare before him, both of those that hauehave bene deade from the beginning of the world, and of those also that then shall be liuing: and that then as an vpright iudge he shall throw the wicked into perpetuall cursednesse, and aduance the righteous to euerlasting blessednes. Math, 25, 32 33 1 Thes. 4. 16. 17. Reuel, 20. 12, xiii. x iii.
Q what beleeue you of the Holy-ghost?
A I beleeue that he is God, proceeding from the father and the sonne: and … all the children of God. Rom, 8, xi.
Q what beleeue you of the Church?
A Two things: first, that there is one holy Catholicke church, Secondly, that there are … giuen vntounto it, Math, xvi, 18,
Q what meane'you by a chruch?
A The whole company of the faithfull seruants of God, which euer wer from the beginning, which also be now, and shalbe to the end of the …, of which number I beleeue that I am one, Iohn, 10. 16,
Q why do you call it holy?
A because none can be … to God, vnlesse he be holy and seperated from the prophane of the world, 2 cor, 6, xvi, xvii,
Q what meane you by calling it catholicke?
A I beleeue that the church is not tyed to one time or place: but spreadeth it selfe throughall nations vnderunder heauen, whomesoeuer God shall cal. act. x, xxxiiii. Reuel. 5. 9
Q what are the gifts giuen to the church?
A Two fold: first in this …: secondly, after this life, Act, 2, 46, 47,
Q what be the gifts in this life?
A Two: the communion of saints: and forgiuenes of sins, 1 Iohn 1, 7
Q what means you by communion of Saints?
A I beleeue, that howsoeuer the faithfull by distance of place are far seperated one from another; yet there is such a mutual compassion and fellow-feeling each of others condition, that they are a like both greeued and ioyfull at each others aduersity and prosperity, Act. 4, 32 1 cor. x. i. 25, 26. Rom. xii, xv. xvi,
Q what meane you by forgiuenes of sinnes?
A I beleeue that Iesus christ hath already suffred for my sins, and therefore they shall be freely pardoned, and the punishment of them forgiuen vntounto me, i. Iohn. 2. i. 2, Psal. xxxii, 5
Q what be the gifts bestowed on the church after this life?
A Two: the resurrection of the body, and life euerlasting. i. cor. xv. 42. i. Thess. 4, xvi. xvii.
Q what beleeue you of the resurrection of the flesh?
A I beleeue that the dead bodies of al such as hauehave dyed from the beginning of the world, shall in the end be raised again, and be vnited to their soules. i, cor. xv, xxii. Li,
Q what beleeue you of euerlasting life?
A I beleeue that after the body and soule bee ioyned together againe in one person, the godly shal go into euerlasting ioy and felicity, and the vngodly shalbe cast into endles … and misery. Dan, xii, ii.
Q Is it sufficient to hauehave that Faith, which beleeueth these Articles to be true?
A No: we must hauehave a iustifieng faith to apply them to our selues, Phil. 3, 8: 9
Q what is that faith?
A Faith is a gift of God, whereby we apply to our selues particularly the promises made to vsus in christ. Gal, 2, xx, act, xv, x, xi
Q what be the meanes whereby this faith is attained?
A They are two: the be getting, and the continual nourishing of it, Eph 4, xi. xii, xiii,
Q what are the meanes, whereby faith is first begun and hegotten, in vsus?
A The word …, Rom. x, xiiii
Q How is this faith nourished in vsus and increased?
A By the same preaching of the word, by praier, and by the sacraments, act, 242
Q what is prayer?
A Prayer is a calling vponupon God alone, in the name of his son Iesus christ Ioh, …, 23
Q How many kinds of praier be there?
A Two: petition, and thanks-giuing. Psal, 50, 15, 1 Tim, 2, 1, 2
Q HaueHave we no rule prescribed, to direct our praiers by it?
A Yes: we hauehave a forme of praier, which christ taught his disciples commonly called the Lords prayer. Math, 6, 9 Luk, xi, 1, 2
Q What hauehave we to consider in this prayer?
A Three things: the entrance, the petitions, and the conclusion of the prayer.
Q What is the entrance of the praier?
A Our father which art in heauen.
Q What meane you when you say, our father?
A Heereby I beleeue, he tendreth vsus, as a louing father doth tender his owne children: and therefore is most ready and willing to heare and to help vsus, Math, 7, xi, Esa. 49, xv
Q What meane you by this, that he is said to be in heauen?
A I learne, that because he is in heauen, his power is almighty, and therfore he is fully able to do vsus all good. Luk, 1, 37, Rom, 4, 21 Dan, 3, xvii.
Q What consider you in the petitions?
A Two things. First, they are set downe Secondly, they are considered by reason.
Q How many petitions are there set downe?
A Sixe
Q How are these petitions divided?
A The three first concerne gods glory: the three last petitions concerne our owne selues.
Q What is the first petition?
A Hallowed be thy name. Psal, 111, 1, Dan, 9, 7
Q What do we desire in this first petition?
A We pray, that the name of God may continually be vsed of vsus, in thought, word, and deed, with all reuerence, Psal, 48, xi
Q What is the second petition?
A Thy kingdome come.
Q What do we desire in this second petition?
A We pray, that God throwing downe the kingdome of sin and Satan, would raigne in vsus by his word and spirit, and hasten vntounto perfection his kingdome of glory. Reuel, xxii, 20
Q What is the third petition?
A Thy will be done in earth as it is in heauen? Psal. 40. 7. 8, Mar. 26, 42
Q What do we desire in this third petition?
A We pray, that the reueiled wil of God may be done willingly, sincerely, and readily by vsus men on earth, as the Angels and saints in heauen do it, Deut. 29. 29, Psal, 103, 20.
Q What is the fourth petition?
A GiueGive vsus this day our daily bread. Gen, 28. xx. 30. 8
Q What do we desire in this fourth petition?
A We pray, not onelyonly for a competent measure of all commodities seruing both for necessity and christian delight: but also thar God wold blesse them to our seuerall vses, Psal. 127, 1 Leuit, xxvi, xxvi
Q What is the fift petition?
A Forgiue vsus our trespasses, Dan. 9: 5, 8. 9. x, xi
Q What do we desire God in this petition?
A we pray, that God would freely pardon our sinues committed against him, and the punishments due vntounto them, giuing vsus peace of conscience, and iustifieng vsus in his Son. Psal, 51, 1, 7, 8
Q Why are these wordes added, as we forgiue them that trespasse against vsus?
A For two causes. First, as a reason to perswade God to forgiue vsus, seeing euen we, which hauehave not a drop of his infinite mercy in vsus, are ready to forgiue such offences as are committed against vsus. Luke, xi, 4
Secondly, to assure our owne harts of forgiuenes at the handes of god, if we from our harts forgiue our brethren. Math 5 7, I am, 2. xiii, mat. xviii. 32. 33. 35
Q What is the sirt and last petition?
A Lead vsus not into tentation, but deliuer vsus from euil. 2, Cor, 12. 7, 8, 9, Math 26. 41
Q What do we desire in this last petition?
A we pray, not onelyonly to be deliuerd from the power of Satan, sinne, and the world: but also to be directed by the spirit of god in the wayes of true obedience. i. cor. x, xiii
Q How are these petitions strengthned and confirmed by reason?
A For thine is the king dome, and the power, and glory for euer.
Q What is the meaning of this strength of the reason?
A It containeth a thanksgiuing: wherin the gouernment and ordering of al things to gither with the power and glory of the same is ascribd wholly and onelyonly vntounto the Lord, 1, chron, 29, xi,
Q what signifieth this word, Amen, in the conclusion of the prayer?
A It signifieth, So be it, Deut, 27, xv, xvi
Q what vse is there of it?
A It sheweth both our feruent desire to obtaine: and an assuraunce to our hearts that we shall obtaine that which wee aske, 2. Cor. 1. 20.
Q what is a Sacrament?
A It is a visible signe and seale that Christ and all his benefits are giuen vntounto vsus. Rom, 4, xi
Q what is to be considered in a Sacrament?
A Two things: his parts, and his vses, Math. 3, xi
Q what are the parts of a Sacrament?
A Two: the outward parts and the inward, Rom. 4. xi. xii. Gen, 17, xi, 1 cor, x, 1, 2, 3
Q How many are the outward parts?
A Foure: the Minister, the word, the signe, and the receiuer. Math. 26, 26, 27.
Q How many are the inward parts?
A Foure: God the father, the spirit, Christ, and the faithfull, Math. 3s15 16
Q what proportion is there betweene these parts?
A Euen as the Minister by the worde, offereth and applyeth visibly the element vntounto the body of the receiuer: so the father by the spirit, offereth and applyeth Iesus Christ, inuisibly vntounto the faithfull receiuer. Act. 1, 36. 37
Q What be the vses of a Sacrament?
A Three: first, to norish faith, Rom. 49. x, xi Secondly, to be a seale of the couenant between god, and vsus, Gen, 17 Thirdly, to be a badge of our christian profession. Eph: ii. xi. xii, xiii,
A How many Sacraments are there?
A Two: Baptisme, and the Lords Supper, 1 cor. xii: xiii, and chap, x, 1, 2, 3. 4
Q what is baptisme?
A Baptisme is the first sacrament, wherein by the outwarde Washing of the body with water once, in the name of the father, of the sonne, andof the holy-ghost, the inward clensing of the soule, by the blood of Christ, is represented, Math, 28, 29
Q What is to be cosidered in Baptisme?
A Two things: his parts and his vses.
Q What are the parts of baptisme?
A Outward and inward parts. Act, 2, 38
Q How many are the outward parts of baptisme?
A Foure: the Minister, the word of institution, the element of water, and the body washed, Math. 28, 19
Q How many are the inward parts?
A Foure: God the father, the holy spirit, Christ, and the soule clensed, Math, 3. 15, 16, Mar, 16, 16
Q What is the proportion betweene these parts?
A Euen as the minister, by the word of institution, applyeth the water to the washing of the bodye: so the …, through the working of the spirit, applyeth the blood of Christ to the clensing of the soule, Luk, 3, 16, Ioh, 1, 33
Q What are the vses of baptisme?
A Three: first to seale vp the remission and forgiuenesse of sinnes, act, xxii, 16
Secondly, to shew our setting and engrafting into the body of christ. Gal. 3, 27
Thirdly, to teach vsus to dy to sin, and rise againe to righte ousnes. Rom. 6. 1, 2, 3, 4
Q What is the Lords Supper?
A The Lords supper is the second sacrament, wherein by visible receiuing of the bread and Wine, is represented our spirituall communion with the body and bloode of Christ, 1, Cor. 10. 16, 17
Q What things are to be be considered in the Lords Supper?
A Two things: his parts and his vses. Math, 26. xxvi. xxvii, xxviii
Q What are the parts of the lords Supper?
A Two: outward and inward, 1 Cor, x, xvi
Q How many are the outward parts?
A Foure: the minister, the word of institution, bread and wine, and the communicant, Luk, xxii, 19, xx
Q How many are the inward parts?
A Foure: the father, the spirit, the body and blood of christ, and the saithfull. i cor, xii, xiii, Ioh. 6 xxvii
Q What is the proportion betweene these parts?
A Euen as the minister, by the word of institution, offereth bread and wine vntounto the communicants, to feede thereupou bodily and corporally: so the father, by the spirit offereth & giueth the body and blood of christ vntounto the soule of the faithfull to feede vponupon them spiritually i cor, xi, xxiii, xxiiii, xxv, xxvi, &c.
Q What be the vses of the Lords supper?
A three: first to shew forth the death, and sufferinges of christ with all thanks giuing. i cor, xi, xxvi, Luk. xxii, xix
Secondly, to teach vsus our communion and groweth in Christ, 1 Cor, x, 16
Thirdly, to declare our communion and agreement with our bretheren, 1 cor, x. 17, &c. ch, xii. 13.
Q How may wee come aright to the lords table?
A By preparing and examining ourselues, i cor, xi, 28
Q What is the right manner of preparing our selues?
A First, we must hauehave a knowledge of God, of mans fall, and his restoring againe into the couenant by Christ. Ioh, xvii, iii. Secondly, true faith in christ, ii cor. xiii 5. Thirdly, repentance from al dead workes daily renued for our daily sinnes. Psal. xxvi, 6. Lastly, reconciliation to our brethren yea euen our enemies, Math, 5, 23, xxiiii.
Now to him that is able to keepe you that ye fall not, and to present you faultlesse, before the presence of his glory with you: to God, onelie wise, our sauior, be glorie, and Maiestie, and Dominion and power, both now and for euer, Amen. Iude verse 24, 25,
Gentle Reader, I am to desire thee to amende these escapes with thy pen, either altering the sence or hindering the vnderstanding. The rest I remit to thy fauourable construction and correction.
page 6. line 13. read is heere full. P. 18. l, 17. and not make. p. 19, l. xxi, vnfitly, p: 37. l, 3. that they are no. p. 83. l. 36. a connterfect word is fit enough for a counterfect sacrament. p, 88, l, 7. and not accepted, p. …, l, 33, dele which is good, p: 136. l, xv, and euil workers speed, p, 148 l, 6, by the practise and xiijj but reach eth not, p, 155, l, 32, to baptisme, P, 163, lin, …, they were admitted. P, 165. l. 1 accesse, p, 170, l, xxi, are not able, p, 179. l, 22, an assurance. P, 201, l, 1, escape vnpunished, and xxii, as an, and 13, thus much. P, 209l, 4, naming the, P, 238, l, 29: and 31, change. P, 240, l, 29, yet was he. 250: l. iii, inhumane, P, 253, l, 4. all the. P. 228, l, 24, in the cup. P, 285, l. 22. out of the holy vse. p: 290 l. 4. consecration.
End of the text · William Attersoll, The Badges of Christianity (1606)