Godly Private Prayers for Christian Families, Catechism
A briefe and neceſſarie Catechiſme: Very meet to be knowne of eueryevery one, before they bee admitted vntounto the Supper of the Lord.
Queſtion.
WHat is the cheefeſt thing which eueryevery one ought to bee moſt carefull of, as long as they liue?
An. EueryEvery one ought to be moſt careful of theſe two points. Firſt and chiefely, …ow we can be ſaued in the day of iudgement, before Gods iudgement ſeate, and ſo come to life euerlaſting. Secondly, how to liue according to Gods holie will during our life. In which two points wholly ſtandeth the glory of God, ſo much as of man ought to bee ſought for.
Que. How can we know this how wee are diſcharged before Gods iudgement ſeate?
An. We can neuer know how we bee diſcharged before the iudgement ſeate of God, vntill ſuch time as we know our owne miſerable eſtate by reaſon of the greatneſſe of our ſinnes, and the horrible puniſhment, which we deſerue for them.
Que. How doeſt thou know the greatneſſe of thy ſinne, and the horrible puniſhment due to the ſame.
An. The greatnes of my ſinne, and the horrible punniſhment thereof, I knowe …y the Law of God, rightly vnderſtood, the ſum whereof is contained in the tenne Commandements.
Queſt. Rehearſe the tenne Commandements.
An. God ſpake all theſe wordes, and ſaide, I am the Lord thy God, wc brought …hee out of the Land of Egypt, out of the Houſe of …ondage.
1 THou ſhalt hauehave none other but Gods me.
2 Thou ſhalt not make to thy ſelfe any grauen Image, nor the likeneſſe of any thing that …s in Heauen aboue, nor in the …arth beneath, nor in the water vnderunder the earth: thou ſhalt not bowe downe to them, nor worſhip them: For I the Lord thy God, am a iealous God, and viſit the ſinnes of the Fathers vponupon the children, to the third and fourth generation of them that hate me, and ſhew merciemercy vntounto thouſands, in them that louelove mee, and keepe my Commandements.
3 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.
4 Remember thou keep holy the Sabbath day, ſix daies ſhalt thou labour, and doe all that thou haſt to do. But the ſeuenth day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God. In it, thou ſhalt do no manner of worke, thou, & thy ſonne, and thy daughter, thy manſeruant, and thy maidſeruant, try cattle, and the ſtranger that is within thy gates. For in ſixe dayes, the LORD made heauen and earth, the ſea and all that in them is, and reſted the ſeuenth day: wherfore the Lord bleſſed the ſeauenth day, and hallowed it.
5 Honor thy Father & thy Mother, that thy dayes may be long in the Land, which the Lord thy God giueth thee.
6 Thou ſhalt do no murder.
7 Thou ſhalt not committe Adultery.
8 Thou ſhalt not ſteale.
9 Thou ſhalt not beare falſe witneſſe againſt thy neighbor.
10 Thou ſhalt not couet thy Neighbours houſe: thou ſhalt not couet thy Neighbours wife, nor his manſeruant, nor his maide, nor his Oxe, nor his Aſſe, nor any thing that is his.
Qu. What is the firſt Commandement?
An. Thou ſhalt hauehave no other Gods but me.
Que. What is the meaning of this Commandement?
A. The Lord God ſtraitly chargeth vsus in this firſt commandement, that wee worſhip God alone, which worſhippe ſtandeth in three points. Firſt, that wee louelove God aboue all. Secōdly, that we make our praiers to none but to God. Thirdly, that we acknowledge God alone to be the guider and gouernour of all things, of whom wee receiue all the benefites we hauehave, and therefore that we truſt and ſtay vponupon him alone.
Que. What is the ſecond Commandement?
An. Thou ſhalt not make to thy ſelfe any grauen Image, or the likeneſſe of any thing that is in heauen aboue, &c.
Qu. What is the meaning of this Commandement?
An. In this ſecond Commandement bee contained three things. Firſt, that wee ſhould not think God to be like either man or woman, or any other thing, & therefore, that we make no image of God in any caſe.
Secondly, that we make no image of any other thing, either to worſhip the image it ſelfe, either God, Saint, or Angell by the image, neyther yet to this end, to bee the better put in minde of God by the Image.
Thirdly, that we worſhip not God in any other outward worſhip, according to our owne fantaſies, but as God commandeth vsus in his word.
Que. What is the 3. Commandement?
An. Thou ſhalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vaine.
Que. What is the meaning of this Commandement?
Anſ. God chargeth vsus in this third Commandement, theſe three things. Firſt, that we vſe with a moſt high reuerence the name of GOD, whenſoeuer we either ſpeak or thinke vponupon him.
Secondly, that wee neuer blaſpheme the name of God in our common talke, although the matter bee neuer ſo true: but only where the glory of God is ſought, or the ſaluation of our Bretheren, or elſe before a Magiſtrate in witneſſing the truth when we are thereunto lawfully called. In which cauſes we muſt onelyonly ſweare by the name of God. But as for Saints, Angels, Rood, Book, Croſſe, Maſſe, or any other thing, wee ought in no caſe by them to ſweare.
Que. What is the 4 Commandement?
An. Remember that thou keepe holy the Sabbath day.
Que. What is the meaning of this Commandement?
An. The hallowing of the Sabbath day, is to reſt from our labours in our Calling; and in one place to aſſemble our ſelues together, and with feare and reuerence, to hear, marke, and lay vppe in our hearts, the word of GOD preached vntounto vsus, to pray all together, that which we vnderſtand, with one conſent. And at the times appointed, to vſe the Sacraments in Faith and Repentance, and all our life long to reſt from wickedneſſe, that the Lord by his holy Spirit, may work in vsus his good worke, and ſo begin in this life the euerlaſting reſt.
Que. What is the fift Commandement?
An. Honor thy Father & thy Mother.
Que. What is the meaning of this Commandement?
An. The meaning of the fift Commandement is, that we ſhould honour, that is to ſay, louelove, feare, obey, and releeue our Parents, or any other that are vntounto vsus in their ſtead. As our Princes, Rulers, and Magiſtrates, our Paſtours and Teachers, our Maſters, and all other which are aboue vsus in any calling, placed by God: the Aged and …ray headed: and, that all Superiors do ſhew themſelues indeed Parents, in defending and guiding their Inferiours.
Qu. What is the ſixt Commandement?
Anſ. Thou ſhalt doe no murther.
Que. What is the meaning of this Commandement?
An. Firſt, the Lord God forbiddeth vsus in this Commandement, all killing, fighting, and quarrelling, all reproaches, mocks, and taunts. Secondly, he forbiddeth all killing in heart, that is, al anger and malice, all deſire of reuenge. Thirdly, on the other ſide, he commandeth vsus to preſerue life, by exerciſing the workes of merciemercy & compaſſion towardes our Brethren, yea, euen towards our Enemies. Fourthly, to louelove one another inwardly in heart, as our ſelues, yea euen our enemies, and them that hate vsus.
Que. What is the ſeauenth Commandement?
An. Thou ſhalt not commit Adultery.
Que. What is the meaning of this Commandement?
An. We are forbidden in this ſeauenth Commaundement, firſt, all Adultery, Fornication, and all other vncleanneſſe in our bodies.
Secondly, all vnpure thoughts, and luſtes of the heart.
Thirdly, all other things which might intice to ſuch vncleanneſſe; as all vnchaſt behauiour, filthy talke, and ſongs, wanton apparrel, leud and idle paſtimes, gluttony, drunkenneſſe, houſes of open whoredome, and whatſoeuer elſe may allure vsus to vncleanneſſe.
Fourthly, on the other ſide he commandeth vsus to keepe our bodies and ſoules chaſte and pure, as Temples of the holy Ghoſt. Or if the guift of Chaſtity be not giuen vsus, then to vſe the lawful remedy appointed by God, which is marriage.
Que. What is the 8. Commandement?
An Thou ſhalt not ſteal.
Que. What is the meaning of this Commandement?
An. In this eighth Commandement, the Lord God forbiddeth all ſtealing and robbing in ou…ward deeds. Secondly, he forbiddeth all ſtealing in heart; that is, all deſire of any mans Goodes wrongfully. Thirdly, hee forbiddeth all falſe and wrongfull dealing. Fourthly, on the other ſide, he chargeth vsus that we bee content with the portion of goodes which the Lord giueth vsus, to apply our ſelues in our vocation and calling, to get our owne liuing, and liue of that which is our owne, and alſo to be helpfull to others.
Que. What is the 9. Commandement?
An. Thou ſhalt not beare falſe witneſſe againſt thy Neighbour.
Qu. What is the meaning of this Commandement?
Anſ. The Lord God in this ninth Commandement doth command vsus: firſt, that we ſhould neuer ſpeak falſly in witneſſe-bearing. Secondly, that not onelyonly in witneſſe-bearing, but alſo in other matters, wee ſhould neuer lye, flatter, or diſſemble. Thirdly, that we ſhould neuer tell any falſe tales behinde our neighbors backe, or heare them of others: that we ſhold neuer beleeue any euill ſpoken of them behind their backes, vntill we fully know the certainty. Fourthly, in priuate offences, to ſpeake nothing, although it be true, to the hurting of our Brothers good name, if by priuate admonition hee may be wonne.
Que. What is the 10. Commandement?
Anſ. Thou ſhalt not couet thy neighbors houſe.
Que. What is the meaning of this Commandement?
An. Hee…e the Lord God in plaine words, doth forbid all inward deſire, whatſoeuer is vnlawfull to be done, although we neuer conſent vntounto it, as the rebellion of the fleſh, all corruption of the old man, all blot of originall ſinne, ſo that by this Commaundement, moſt clearely we may ſee the Image of that man that pleaſeth God, euen ſuch an one in whom nothing is impure, neither in will, nor nature.
Que. Canſt thou fulfill all theſe Commandements of God, without breaking any one of them?
An. Theſe are the Commandements of Almightie God, the perfect fulfilling whereof, no fleſh can attain vntounto: No, although I do all that I can, yet I breake them daily, both in thoght, word, and deede.
Que. What puniſhment doth God appoint for breaking any one of theſe?
An. The puniſhment for the breaking of the leaſt Commandement, euen in thought, yea, if it were but once broken in all my life, is the euerlaſting curſe of God, which containeth al the torments that can bee deuiſed both of ſoule and body, and in the Scripture is called by diuers names to expreſſe the paine, as hel fire, the worme that neuer dyeth, vtter darkneſſe, burning Lake, ſecond death, damnation, and ſuch like.
Qu Is there nothing which a man can do in the World, to ſerue as a ſufficient recompēce to God for one ſinne?
An. No, althogh I ſhould giuegive all my goodes vntounto the poore, or ſuffer my bodie to be whipped all my life long, or ſuffer any other punniſhment which might be deuiſed: it is not ſufficient for one of my leaſt ſinnes.
Que. Yea, but God is mercifull, will he therefore puniſh ſin ſo ſharply thinkeſt thou?
An. Our God indeede is mercifull, but he is alſo iuſt and true, and therefore muſt needes of iuſtice and trueth, puniſh mans ſinne, with the puniſhment which hee hath appointed.
Que. Seeing then this puniſhment muſt needs bee ſuffered, are we in our ſelues able to ſuffer and ouercome it?
An. None is able to ſuffer and ouercome this great puniſhment of ſinne, being onelyonly man.
Queſt. Is there then no meanes at all, whereby we may be ſaued from thoſe pains euerlaſting?
An. The pains which our ſinnes deſerue, muſt needes bee ſuffered by man, beecauſe that God of his iuſtice muſt needes bee ſuffered by man, becauſe God of his iuſtice muſt needes punniſh ſinne in man, which vvas committed by man: and therefore our Sauiour Chriſt being euerlaſting God, became alſo man, and hath fully ſuffered whatſoeuer was due for mans ſinne.
Que. Are not then all people diſcharged, ſeeing the punniſhment is paid?
An. None are diſcharged, ſauing thoſe that take holde vponupon Chriſt, and his merites with a true Faith.
Que. What calleſt thou this true Faith?
An. This true and liuely Faith, is a full perſwaſion & aſſurance of my hart, grounded vponupon the promiſe of God, and wrought in me by the holy Ghoſt, whereby I am fully aſſured, that whatſoeuer Chriſt hath wrought for mans ſaluation, pertayneth not onelyonly to others, but euen to me, and is whollie mine, as ſurely as if I performed the ſame in mine owne perſon.
Que. How can it be that thy ſinnes are forgiuen thee, & yet according to Gods trueth fullie puniſhed, with the puniſhment which God hath appointed for ſinnes?
An. By this my true faith, I ſee my ſinnes both to bee forgiuen, and yet fully puniſhed; for in Ieſus Chriſt, to ſatisfie Gods iuſtice, they be fully puniſhed, and yet to me they be forgiuē, becauſe in me they be not puniſhed, but in Chriſt for me, to ſet forth Gods mercy, and therfore ſhall neuer be laide to my charge. In this manner therefore, I ſee the Lord my God to be both mercifull & iuſt.
Que. Yea, but although the puniſhment of my ſins be paide in Chriſt, yet ſeeing there can no vnrighteouſneſſe dwel with God, how canſt thou ſtand before Gods iudgement ſeate, as righteous and iuſt, ſ ing thou haſt no righteouſneſſe; but ſuch as is ſtaind with ſo many ſins?
An. I ſtand as iuſt & righteous before the Throne of God, not clothed with mine owne righteouſneſſe, which I hauehave wrought in mine owne perſon, but with the righteouſnes of Ieſus Chriſt. Which righteouſnes being taken hold vppon by a true faith, is made mine: thus am I iuſt in the ſight of God, not in reſpect of mine owne workes which I hauehave done, but taking hold vponupon Chriſt his Workes, to be mine by Faith.
Queſt. Doth not this make men to runne into all ſinne & wickedneſſe?
An. No: for this true faith as ſoone as it hath wrought in vsus through the holy ghoſt doth frame our hear…s anew, and cauſeth vsus to deteſt, hate loathe, and abhorre ſinne in all men, but eſpecially in our ſelues, and maketh vsus to hauehave our whole delight and ioy in thoſe things which be agreeable vntounto Gods Will, and cauſeth vsus likewiſe, to ſhew and expreſſe the ſame in our life and conuerſation, or elſe it is no true Faith, but a dead Faith.
Que. Rehearſe the ſumme of this faith.
An. I beleeue in God the Father Almightie, maker of heauen and earth. And in Ieſus Chriſt his only Sonne our Lord, which was conceyued by the holy Ghoſt, borne of the Virgin Marie. He ſuffered vnderunder Pentius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried, he deſcended into hell, and the third day he roſe againe from death. He aſcended into Heauen, and ſitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almightie. From thence ſhall he come, to iudge both the quick and the dead. I beleeue in the holy Ghoſt. The holie Catholike Church. The Communion of Saints, the forgiueneſſe of ſinnes. The reſurrection of the bodie, and the life euerlaſting. So be it.
Que. What is the effect of this Creed?
An. This Creed contayneth foure eſpeciall pointes. Firſt, what we ought to beleeue concerning God the Father. Secondly, concerning God the Son. Thirdly, concerning God the holie Ghoſt. Fourthly, concerning Gods people, called the Church.
Que. What beleeueſt thou in the firſt part, concerning God the Father?
An. Firſt I beleeue, that God the Father thorough Chriſt, into whoſe bodie I am grafted by faith, is not only a Father of other faithfull, but euen my Father, & therefore loueth mee. Secondly, that hee is Almighty, that is, that hee hath all power in his hand, guiding and ruling all things, ſo that nothing can be done in heauen, earth, or hell, without his prouidence.
Que. What beleeueſt thou in the ſecond part concerning God the Sonne.
An. I beleeue that Ieſus Chriſt one God in ſubſtance with the Father and the holy Ghoſt, tooke fleſh of the Virgin, and is become perfect man as I am in al things ſinne onelyonly excepted, and in my Nature hath wrought for mee, whatſoeuer was needfull for my ſaluation.
Que. What meaneſt thou, when thou ſayeſt, Hee ſuffered vnderunder Pontius Pilate?
Anſ. Becauſe that manner of death which men do ſuffer by the ſentence of the Iudge, and vnderunder the Title of Iuſtice, is more ſhameful, ſlanderous and terrible, then if a man ſhould dye naturally in his bedde. Therefore Chriſt took on him our perſon, to ſhew himſelfe before an earthly Iudge, and to bee condemned by the mouth of Pilate, hee being then Iudge, that therby we might be cleared before the iudgement ſeat of God.
Que. What meaneſt thou, when thou ſayeſt, Chriſt was crucified, dead, and buried.
An. Firſt I meane, in that he was crucified, that he ſuffered the death of the croſſe, which was an abhominable and curſed death, to deliuer mee from the curſe vvhichwhich was due for my ſinnes.
Secondly, foraſmuch as death was a puniſhment due vntounto man for ſinne, therfore our Sauiour did ſuffer death and by ſuffering, ouercame death. For in his death doth lye the principall point of our ſaluation: for, if he had not beene truely dead, wee ſhould be yet ſubiect to eternall death and damnation.
Thirdly, he was buried, for the more greater confirmation of his death and Reſurrection. And in the intent to make it more certainely knowne vntounto vsus, it pleaſed him alſo to bee buried after the common maner of men, and that by two notable perſons, Nicodemus, and Ioſeph of Aramathia, which was done alſo by the wil & conſent of Pilate, who cauſed the body to be deliuered to them.
Que. What meanest thou concerning this, that Chriſt deſcended into hell?
An. Where it is ſaid, that Chriſt deſcended into Hell, therby I beleeue, that Chriſt did not onelyonly ſuffer in his body the puniſhment due to my body; but alſo in his ſoul the puniſhment due to my ſoule, which was, the Torments of hell, ſecond death, ſorrowes of death, and abiection from God, as it doeth appeare by the anguiſh of his ſoule in the garden, when drops of blood yſſued out of his body, and alſo vppon the Croſſe by his lamentable crie to his Father. For in miſerable caſe had we beene, if he had ſuffered onelyonly the puniſhment due to our bodies, and not to our ſoules.
Que. What fruite haſt thou by the death of Chriſt?
Anſ. Firſt I beleeue, that this death and puniſhment, which Chriſt ſuffered, is the appeaſing of Gods wrath, & a full ſatisfaction to God for all my ſinnes. Secondly, that as he is dead for ſinne, ſo he will cauſe ſinne to die in my mortall body.
Que. What profit haſt thou by the riſing againe of Chriſt?
An. Firſt, I am aſſured by his riſing from death, that he hath ouercome death, hel and ſinne, and hath finiſhed my iuſtification. Secondly, that as he is riſen from death ſo he cauſeth mee as a member of him, to riſe from ſin, and delight in righteouſnes. Thirdly, his riſing againe, is a ſure pledge to me, that my body ſhal in like manner riſe againe.
Que. What is the meaning of this, that Chriſt aſcended into heauen?
An. Chriſt as touching his manhead, is onelyonly in Heauen, but in his Godhead and comfort of his holy Spirite, hee is with vsus to the end of the world.
Que. What good getteſt thou by the aſcending of Chriſt into heauen.
An. Firſt, Chriſt his aſcending into heauen, is a ſure pledge vntounto mee, that I ſhal in like maner as a member of him, by his power, be receyued into heauen, in that ſame nature wherein he is aſcended.
Secondly, Chriſt hauing aſcended into Heauen, maketh continuall interceſſion for me.
Que. What is the meaning of this, that Chriſt ſitteth on the right hand of God the Father?
An. Chriſt ſitteth on the right hand of the father, that is, hath all power giuen him of the Father ouer all things whatſoeuer.
Que. What fruite doſt thou receiue by this, that Chriſt ſhal come to iudge the quicke, and the dead.
Anſ. To mee that am a member of Chriſt, it is a ſingular comfort, vvhen I know aſſuredly, that none ſhal be my Iudge but he that is my Sauiour. But terrible it will be to thoſe that flee from Chriſt, when they ſhall ſee him come to iudg them, whom they in their life time refuſed.
Que. What beleeueſt thou in the third part, concerning God the holy Ghoſt.
An. I beleeue that GOD the holy Ghoſt, ſealeth into my heart all Chriſtes benefites to be mine, and maketh ſinne to dye in me, and ſtirreth me vp to righteouſnes, and holineſſe of life.
Que. Seeing there is but one onelyonly God, why nameſt thou the Father, the Sonne, and the holy Ghoſt?
An. Becauſe God hath ſo opened himſelfe in his Word, that theſe three ſundry perſons are in ſubſtance but one true and euerlaſting God.
Que. Now let vsus come to the fourth part: What calleſt thou the Catholicke Church?
Anſwer. The Catholicke Church, is the whole company of faithful people, that euer were ſince the beginning of the world in all places, which alſo be now, and ſhall bee to the end of the world. Of the which number, I beleeue that I am one: I beleeue that God knoweth them all, and hath a moſt tender care ouer them.
Que. What calleſt thou the Communion of Saints?
An. The Communion of Saints, is the ſociety that all we which beleeue hauehave one with another, as members of one head Ieſus Chriſt: whereby wee are ready to communicate all Gods benefites, both Spirituall and Temporall, to the mutuall health and comfort one of another, according vntounto the meaſure which we hauehave receyued of God in this life.
Que. What is it to beleeue the forgiueneſſe of ſinnes?
An. I beleeue, that Ieſus Chriſt hath wholy appeaſed God for my ſinnes, & paide the full puniſhment due to them, and therfore that they be freely forgiuen mee, and ſhall neuer be laide vntounto my charge.
Que. What beleeueſt thou of the riſing againe of the body?
Anſ. I beleeue, that after this life ēnded, my ſoule ſhal go to God that gaue it, and my body ſhall reſt in the graue vntill the appoynted time: and then, I ſhall ſee God in my fleſh, and mine eyes ſhall looke vponupon him: and this my bodie, ſhall bee made like to the glorious body of Chriſt, without al corruption.
Que. What is it that thou ſayeſt of Life euerlaſting?
An. I beleeue, that when God ſhall raiſe againe this my body, and ioyn it againe together with my ſoule, that then I ſhall liue with Chriſt for euer, in his euerlaſting kingdome of glory.
Que. By what means do we attaine to this, which thou haſt heere confeſſed?
An. The holy Ghoſt hath appointed the preaching of the word to be the ordinary meanes, whereby hee worketh in our hearts this true and liuely faith, and without this preaching of the Word we can neuer hauehave faith.
Que. After that GOD by the meanes of his word, hath wrought in our hearts faith, by what meanes afterward doeth he ſtrengthen the ſame?
An. This faith doth God ſtrengthen in vsus by the ſelfe ſame preaching of the word and alſo, by the vſe of the Sacraments.
Que. What calleſt thou the Sacraments?
An. Sacraments bee outward ſignes ordaind of God, for the greater aſſurance and ſtrengthening of our Faith; beeing vntounto vsus, ſure pledges of theſe benefits of our Saluation, which we receiue in Chriſt to be ours, and are repreſented vntounto vsus by the outward ſignes of water in baptiſme, and Bread and Wine in the Supper of the Lord. They ſerue alſo for a marke of our profeſſion, whereby we differ from other people which be Heathen.
Qu. How many Sacraments be there?
An. There be two Sacraments, that is to ſay, Baptiſme, and the Supper of the Lord.
Qu. What ſtrength of faith haſt thou through Baptiſme?
Anſ. I am taught and aſſured by Baptiſme, that my ſinnes are forgiuen mee: for as the water waſheth away the filthineſſe of my bodie, euen ſo ſhould I through the holy Ghoſt, be thereby fully certified and perſwaded that the bloud of Chriſt, beeing ſprinkled vponupon my ſoule by the hand of Faith, hath waſhed away both the guiltineſſe of my ſinne, and the puniſhment due vntounto the ſame: the fruite and effect whereof appeareth heerein, that through the power of Chriſt his death and reſurrection, I am dead as touching ſin, and raiſed vp againe in newneſſe of life: vvhichwhich two things, in whomſoeuer they appeare not, they may well hauehave the name & title of Baptiſme, but indeed they are no Chriſtians.
Qu. What ſtrength of faith do wee finde in the vſe of the Lords Supper?
Anſ. The Supper of the Lord, thorough the holy-Ghoſt, doth ſtrengthen my Faith, that I ſhould not doubt, but as ſurely as I receiue the Bread and Wine into my body, to become wholly mine, ſo my ſoule receiueth withall Chriſt, with his paſſion and righteouſneſſe to be wholy mine, as ſurely as if I had wrought them mine owne ſelfe.
Que. Are not then the bread and wine in the ſupper of the Lord, turned into the body and bloud of Chriſt?
An. The bread and wine as touching their nature and ſubſtance are not turned: but as touching the vſe of them, they differ from common Bread and Wine, in that they are appointed of God, to ſerue vntounto vsus as Seales & …ledges of thoſe benefits which Chriſt in his body hath wrought for vsus.
Qu. In what maner oughteſt thou to prepare thy ſelfe to the receiuing theſe miſteries?
An. In preparing my ſelfe to receiue the ſupper of the Lord, I ought diligently to obſerue theſe three things.
Firſt, to examine my ſelfe whether I ſtand in faith or no, which I ſhall know, if I feele my hart aſſured by the Spirit of God, that the puniſhment of my ſins is fully diſcharged in Chriſt, and that whatſoeuer hee hath done, pertaineth not onelyonly to others, but euen to me.
Secondly, to examine my ſelfe whether I find my hart inwardly ſorry for my ſins, with inward hatred and lothing of ſin, and an earneſt deſire, and ſure purpoſe wholy to conforme my ſelfe to the will of Gods word.
Thirdly, if any offence be betwixt others and me, that I reconcile my ſelfe vntounto them. All theſe things, although they ought earneſtly to be conſidered in the whole courſe of our life, yet then eſpecially, when wee come to the ſupper of the Lord.
Que. Now ſeeing wee be ſaued, by Chriſtes Works, without our deſeruings, wherto then now ſerueth our wel doings, or what auaileth it to do good workes?
An. We muſt do good workes, not to deſerue our ſaluation by them, but by our works to glorifie God in walking as becommeth Gods Children, declaring thereby our thankfulnes to God for our redemption.
Secondly, by our works to make our election more certaine vntounto our ſelues.
Thirdly, to winne others vntounto Chriſt, by our holy life and conuerſation.
Queſt. What works calleſt thou good works.
An. Our works can neuer be accepable and good in the ſight of God, vnleſſe in doing them wee keepe theſe two things.
Firſt, that they be framed according to the rule of Gods lawes & Commandements, & not after our owne deuice.
Secondly, that they proceede from an heart purged by faith. If either of theſe two pointes be lacking, our workes are abhominable in the eyes of Almighty God, although they appeare neuer ſo glorious in the ſight of men.
Que. Becauſe prayer is one eſpeciall meanes which Gad will hauehave vsus vſe to increaſe our faith, tell me what belongeth to true prayer?
An. It is requiſite in true prayer, that we obſerue theſe fiue things.
Firſt, that we make our prayers onelyonly to God, thorough Chriſt, and not to Saints. Secondly, that we be inwardly touched with neede of the thing we aske, hauing our minde wholly bent therupon, and not caried away with by-thoghts. Thirdly, that our prayers be grounded vppon Gods promiſe, with full aſſurance that they ſhall be granted, ſo farre as the Lord doth know them to be meete and needfull for vsus. Fourthly, that we continue in prayer, although we hauehave not our requeſts at the firſt. Fiftly, that we aske not thoſe things which we thinke good in our owne fantaſie, but onelyonly that which God commandeth vsus to aske of him: All which things be contained in the Lords prayer.
Queſt. Rehearſe the Lords prayer.
Anſwere.
OVr Father, which art in heauen hallowed be thy name: thy kingdome come: thy will be done in earth as it is in heauen. GiueGive vsus this day our dayly bread. And forgiue vsus our treſpaſſes, as we forgiue them that treſpaſſe againſt vsus. And lead vsus not into temptation, but deliuer vsus from euill. For thine is the kingdome, the power, and the glory, for euer and euer, Amen.
Qu. What doſt thou deſire of God in this prayer?
An. Firſt, I deſire of our heauenly Father, that his name may be hallowed: Firſt, in his excellent works, which is, when we acknowledge his mercy, wiſedom, iuſtice, and prouidence, that he alone worketh ell things, and that only the Lord God be had in honour, all other ſet aſide. Secondly, that his name may bee glorifyed in our godly liuing, and conuerſation.
2 In the 2. petition, wee deſire that God his Kingdome may come, that is, that he will declare himſelf to be King ouer his Church, in guiding and defending it, in encreaſing the number of the faithfull, in thruſting forth Laborers into the harueſt, and bleſſing their Labours, and ſuppreſſing the rage of the wicked Tyrants. Secondly, that he will exerciſe his kingdome ſeuerally, in eueryevery one of his, killing ſinne in vsus, and all worldlie care, and renewing of vsus to righteouſneſſe of life.
3 In the third petition, wee deſire that Gods will may bee done, that is, that wee may willingly in euerie thing reſigne our ſelues vntounto Gods will, without murmuring or grudging.
4 In the fourth petition, we pray that he wil giuegive vntounto vsus, walking faithfully in our calling, our daily bread, that is, all things needful for our liuing in this preſent life.
5 In the fift petition, we pray that our ſinnes may bee forgiuen vsus, that he will not lay to our charge our ſinnes, nor the puniſhment due vntounto them, but that he will accept the death and paſſion of Chriſt, as the full ſatisfaction for our ſins, and that we may hereof hauehave iuſt aſſurance in our Conſcience, that the puniſhment of our ſinnes is fully diſcharged in Chriſt, and therefore freely forgiuen vntounto vsus, as ſurely as we do forgiue others: and that we may louelove one another from the bottom of our hearts, all deſire of reuenge ſet aſide.
6. In the ſixt and laſt petition, we doe pray God that he wil not lead vsus into temptation, but deliuer vsus, that is that he will not bring vsus further into that battell with our ſpirituall Enemies, then we by his holy ſpirit ſhall be able to preuaile and ouercome.
Que. And why is this added. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for euer and euer. Amen.
An. Not onelyonly to kindle in our hearts to deſire the glory of God, but alſo to teach vsus that this Prayer is grounded vponupon none other, then God onelyonly and that we ſhould not thinke the kingdome of God to bee weake and voyd of force & might. Alſo that he is not onelyonly to be honored, praiſed, and gloryfied, and that his power is infinite, perpetuall and euerlaſting. And in this word Amen, is expreſſed the feruent deſire to obtaine thoſe things which wee aske of God, and our hope is confirmed, that thoſe things which we aske bee granted vntounto vsus, by which our conſciences are pacified, and ſo we end our prayers.
Qu. Tell mee now briefely the effect of all thou haſt ſaid.
An. By the tenne Comdements, I ſee my miſerable eſtate, that I deſerue death, damnation, and the curſe of God, which muſt needs bee paid, becauſe God is iuſt: & whereas I my ſelfe am not able to pay it, the holy ghoſt through the preaching of the Goſpell, worketh in me Faith, which aſſureth mee, that the Sonne of God being made man for me, hath euen in my nature ſuffered whatſoeuer my ſinnes deſerued, and hath made me with him the childe of God, and heire of euerlaſting Life. Whereof, leaſt I ſhould doubt or wauer, he hath appointed two Sacraments, as outward ſignes and Tokens to be ſeene and felt of mee: that as ſurely as I ſee my ſelf made partaker of them outwardly: ſo the holie Ghoſt inwardly bee partaker of Chriſt himſelfe, with all his benefits, his ranſome, righteouſneſſe, and holineſſe to be mine, that in him, & through him I ſhall hauehave life euerlaſting. And thus being borne anew into this liuely hope, by the holy ghoſt, my waies ſhould be directed & guided by the ſame Spirit, to walke in holineſſe and righteouſnes all the daies of my life. So be it.
A prayer containing the effect of this Catechiſme.
O Mercifull and heauenly Father, for ſo much as at euerie light occaſion, I am withdrawn from thy holy lawes to the vanities of this life, vntounto all ſinne and wickedneſſe: I beſeech thee in mercy ſet before mine eyes alwaies the remembrance of thy iudgement ſeate and my laſt end, whereby I may be daily ſtirred to conſider in what great danger I ſtand, through the horrible puniſhment due for my ſinnes, that daily groaning vnderunder the burthen of them, I may flye for ſuccour to thy beloued Son Ieſus Chriſt, who hath fully paid, ſuffred and ouercome the puniſhment due to them, and through the working of thy holy Spirite in me, I may be fully aſſured in my ſoule and Conſcience, that the curſe, condemnation, and death, which theſe my ſinnes deſerue, is fully paid, ſuffered, and ouercome in Chriſt, that his righteouſneſſe, obedience, & holines is mine, and whatſoeuer he hath wrought for mans ſaluation, is wholly mine.
Strengthen this faith in mee dayly more and more, that I may inwardly feele comfort and conſolation in this, that I feele thy holye Spirit beare record vntounto my ſpirit, that I am thy Childe, grafted into the body of thy Sonne, and made with him fellow heire of thine euerlaſting kingdome. So worke in me by thy holy ſpirit, that daily more and more, I may feele ſinne die in mee, that I do not delight therein, but daily may groane vnderunder the burthen therof, vtterly hate, deteſt, and loath ſinne, ſet my ſelfe and all the powers of my ſoule and body againſt ſinne, and hauehave full delight, ioy, comfort, and pleaſure in thoſe things which be agreeable to thy will, that I may walke as becommeth the child of light, looking ſtill for that good time, when it ſhal pleaſe thee to call mee vntounto thine euerlaſting kingdome, for Ieſus Chriſt his ſake, Amen.
FINIS.
GODLY PRIVATE Prayers for Houſeholders to Meditate vponupon, and to ſay in their particular Families.
Made by Mr. Edw. Dering: ſometime Reader of the Diuinitie Lecture in Paules.
Marke 11.24. Whatſoeuer ye deſire when ye pray, beleeue that yee ſhall hauehave it, and it ſhall be done vntounto you.
LONDON Printed by Iſaac Iaggard, 1624.