Meat for Men, Title page – Table of contents
MEATE FOR MEN.
OR, A Principall Seruice of the SACRAMENTS.
Wherein (amongſt many) theſe Two Points are ſpecially handled—
1. Of the Baptizing of Infants.
2. Of Kneeling in the act of Breaking and receiuing the Lords Supper.
For the vſe of all Religious Families and monethly Communicants in the Kingdome when they come to the Lords Table.
Written by way of briefe Queſtions and Anſwers, for the eaſe and benefit of the Simple.
By W. Craſhaw B. of Divinitie, and ſometimes Paſtor at White-Chappell.
HEB. 5. 14.
Strong Meat belongeth to them that are of age.
LONDON, Printed for G. Fayer-beard at the North doore of the Royall Exchange, 1629.
To the many thouſands of Profeſſors of CHRISTS Religion in all places in this Kingdome.
Brethren, bee not Children in vnderſtanding, howbeit in Malice bee yee Children, but in Vnderſtanding bee Men.
So teacheth you the holy Apoſtle, ſo aduiſeth, exhorteth, and prayeth for you all. A helper of your Faith, and a Seruant of your ſoules in CHRIST IESVS.
W. Craſhaw.
To the right Honourable, the Counteſſe of Deuonſhire, Grace and Peace.
Right Honourable:
HAuing knowne you ſo ancient a Hearer, and which makes a true Diſciple of Chriſt, ſo carefull a practiſer of Religion, I preſumed therefore this Principall diſh of Spirituall meate, would not bee vnwelcome to you, as I know it will bee more welcome to the World, after ſo great and good a taſter as your ſelfe: And though I may ſafely ſay (as one long before mee) All Gods diſhes are dainties; yet doubtleſſe this of the Sacraments carieth with it a peculiar Excellencie: And I bring it in firſt, not that there are not others to come in before it, but for the generall vſe and preſent neceſſitie of it euen at this time: That this may ſerue firſt to ſtay and comfort many weake and then if it may bee, to ſatisfie certaine curious and ſqueaſie ſtomackes amongſt vsus: Who ſome of them about the Sacrament of Baptiſme, others in ſome circumſtantiall matters concerning the Lords Supper, hauehave kindled ſuch a fire of contention in the Church, as now diuers of them would bee glad with many teares to quench if they knew how. It hath pleaſed God who workes euen by weake meanes, by my words in publike and priuate to ſatiſfie many, if by writing alſo I may doe good to them that cannot heare mee, let the glory bee His, the comfort theirs, and the ſeruice acceptable to the Church; So the labour ſhall willingly bee mine: and I ſhall take joy and comfort in ſuch courſes, in Pulpit and by Penne, Preaching, writing, and conferring to ſpend and end the few dayes I hauehave remaining, and ſo to make ready for a better life. And wherein (Madame) any of my labours may be ſeruiceable to you or yours. Commaund mee,
Your ſeruant in Chriſt, W. CRASHAVV.
The points here handled are theſe.
| OF true ſauing Faith. | Chap. 1 |
| How Faith is wrought. | Chap. 2 |
| How Faith is encreaſed. | Chap. 3 |
| Of the Nature of a Sacrament. | Chap. 4 |
| Of the Sacraments of the Old Teſtament, and who hath power to ordaine a Sacrament. | Chap. 5 |
| Of the Sacraments of the New Teſtament, and the Relation betwixt them and thoſe of the Old. | Chap. 6 |
| What be the eſſentiall parts of a Sacrament. | Chap. 7 |
| Of the nature and vſe of Baptiſme. | Chap. 8 |
| Of the outward and inward things in Baptiſme. | Chap. 9 |
| Of the difference betwixt Baptiſme and the Lords Supper, | Chap. 10 |
| Who may be Baptized. | Chap. 11 |
| That Children may and ought to bee Baptized. | Chap. 12 |
| Of the Names and Nature of the Lords Supper, | Chap. 13 |
| Of the outward Elements in the Lords Supper. | Chap. 14 |
| Of Bread and the excellent reſemblance, betwixt it and the Body of Chriſt. | Chap 15 |
| Of Wine and the notable correſpondencie, betwixt it and the Bloud of Christ, | Chap▪ 16 |
| Of the outward actions to bee performed in the Miniſtration of the Lords Supper, | Chap▪ 17 |
| Of the inward actions Spirituall, which are performed in this Sacrament, betwixt God and the Soule of the worthy Receiuer, | Chap 18 |
| What preparation is neceſſarie in regard of God, to make a man a worthy Receiuer, | Chap. 19 |
| What preparation is requiſite in regard of our Brethren, | Chap 20 |
| Of the Circumſtances obſeruable in this Sacrament, | Chap▪ 21 |
| That kneeling in the very act of Breaking, giuing and Receiuing, is not onelyonly lawfull but conuenient & commendable, | Chap. 22 |
| What a Chriſtian man is to doe, when hee hath Receiued. | Chap. 23 |
MEATE FOR MEN.
CHAP. 1.
Of Faith.
Queſtion. WHat is the end of a Chriſtian mans life?
Anſwer. The ſaluation of his 1. Pet. 1. 9.Soule.
Q. How can a man bee ſaued? Seing he is a Sinner?
A. By true Faith in CHRIST.Rom. 3. 22, &c. 1. Ioh. 5 4. 1. Sam 8. 3, 4, 5.
Q. How come wee by this Faith?
A. It neither comes by Nature from our Parents, nor by humaine inſtruction from any Teachers, nor by imitation of them that hauehave it.
Q. How then muſt wee get it?
A. It is the guift of God.Heb. 12. 2.
Q. Doth God giuegive it to all men?
A. No, all men hauehave not Faith: no 2. Theſ. 3. 8not all that bee in the Church.
Q. To whom then belongs it?
A. To thoſe that are the Elect of God.Tit. 1, 1.
Q. How doth God giuegive it them?
A. By meanes of his owne appointing 1. Cor. 1. 21he doth begin and encreaſeth it.
Q. Is it not then perfect at the firſt?
A. No: it is true, but not perfect, for Tim. 1, 5. Rom. 4. 19. 20. Mat. 14. 31.Faith is firſt weake, and afterward becomes a ſtrong Faith.
Chap. 2.
How Faith is wrought.
Queſtion. BY what meanes doth God begin or beget Faith in his Children?
A. Ordinarily, by hearing the Word Rom 10, 12. 1. Cor. 1. 21preached.
Q. By what parts of his word, the Law or Goſpell?
A. By both: for the law begins, and Gal. 3, 23, 24. Rom. 7. 24, 25.the Goſpell finiſheth that worke.
Q. How is that done?
A. The Law prepares the hart by humbling it, and making it a contrite heart.
Q. How doth the Law humble the heart?
A. By ſhewing a Man Gods Iuſtice, Rom. 7, 9, 10 11.and his owne ſinnes.
Q. And how doth the Goſpell finiſh the worke of faith?
A. It purifies the heart of man, and Acts. 15. 9. 1. Ioh. 3, 3makes it a new heart.
Q. How doth the Goſpell purge the heart?
A. By letting vsus ſee the great louelove of 2. Cor. 2. 14 15 1. Pet. 1. 22God in Ieſus Chriſt.
Q. Can then the Preachers of the Word giuegive this Faith?
A. No. they preach the Word, but it's 1. Cor. 3, 5, 6, 7.onelyonly God that inſpires Faith.
Q. How may a man know that hee hath true Faith?
A His Soule muſt bee inflamed with Ioh, 7. 37 38a holy deſire to pleaſe God, and to doe all good workes.
Chap. 3.
How Faith is maintained and encreaſed.
Queſtion. HOw doth God maintaine and encreaſe Faith in his Children.
A. By diuers meanes, whereof ſome are principall, and ſome inferiour.
Q. What bee the principall meanes?
A. Two: the continuall Preaching of Mat. 28. 19. Acts. 2, 41 1. Theſ. 3. 11 12, 13the ſame Word: and the holy vſe of the Sacraments.
Q. And what be the Inferiour meanes?
A. Three: 1. The reading of Gods Ioh. 5.Word.
2. Holy conferences with holy men.Heb. 10. 24 25 Lam. 3. 22, 23. 24. Zeph. 3, 5 Pſal. 107.
3. Daily obſeruation of Gods Mercies and Iudgements, and meditation vponupon the ſame.
Q. How differ theſe?
A. The principall are publicke, and performed by Gods Miniſters: the other are dayly to bee practiſed by our ſelues in priuate.
Q. How differ the Word and Sacraments?
A. Thus: the word containes the Heb 13. 20 Rom. 4, 11.Couenants of God: and the Sacraments are ſeales confirming that Couenant of our ſoules.
Againe, the Word is the holy and internall Iam. 1. 18. Ioh. 1. 13 1. Pet. 1, 23.ſeed of our Regeneration, and by Sacraments we are borne anew, and fed vp for Heauen.
Chap. 4.
Of the Nature of a Sacrament in Generall.
Queſtion. IS not the Preaching of the Word ſufficient for Faith?
A. No▪ the Sacraments muſt alſo bee Rom, 3, 1, 10 14receiued as Couenants after they be made muſt be ſealed.
Q. What are the Sacraments in their generall nature?
A. Outward viſible ſignes of inward, Gen. 17. Exod, 12.and inuiſible graces.
Q. What be they in regard of God?
A. Tokens of his louelove, pledges of his fauour▪ and ſeales of his Couenant.
Q. What be they in regard of Chriſt?
A. Commemorations of his death, and 1. Cor. 11. 24 25, 26applications of the vertue thereof vntounto our ſelues.
Q And what be they in regard of vsus?
A. Seales of his Couenants betwixt Rom. 4, ….God and vsus: and effectuall meanes to ſtrengthen our Faith, and all other holy graces in vsus.
Chap. 5.
Of the Sacraments of the old Teſtament, and to whom it belongs to ordaine a Sacrament.
Queſtion. MAy the Church ordaine Sacraments?
A. No, it belongs to God, as a Exod. 14. Gen. 17.part of his Prerogatiue.
Q. Why may God alone ordaine Sacraments?
A. Becauſe they bee Seales of his Couenants, tokens of his louelove, and parts of his worſhip.
Q. How many bee the Sacraments of the new Teſtament?
A. As many as were the ordinary Sacrament of the old; namely two,
Q. Which were the ordinary Sacraments of the old Teſtament?
A. Circumciſion, and the Paſſeouer.
Q. Why do you call them extraordinary.Gen. 17 Exod. 12.
A. Becauſe there were extraordinary?
Q. How did they differ?
A. Thus: the extraordinary were ſuch as God ordained vponupon ſome ſpeciall occaſion, & were to laſt but for that time Exod.as the Manna, the Rocke, the Cloud, &c.
Q▪ And what then were the ordinary?
A. Such as were alwayes in force, from the time of their ordination till Chriſts comming.
Chap. 6.
Of the Sacraments of the new Teſtament, and a compariſon with them of the Old.
Queſtion. VVHat be the Sacraments of the new Teſtament?
A. Theſe two: Baptiſme, and the Lords Supper.
Q. What ſay you then to Confirmation and marriage, and the reſt of the fiue Sacraments of the Romane Church?
A. They are ſome of them Gods holy ordinances, and ſome of them may be holy ſignes, but they were neuer ordained by Chriſt for Sacraments, nor euer ſo vſed in the ancient Church.
Q. How doe theſe anſwere to thoſe of the old Teſtament?
A. Thus our Baptiſme anſweres to 1, Pet. 3, 21Circumciſion, and the Lords Supper ſucceeds in the roome of the Paſſe ouer.
Q How differ theſe from thoſe?
A. Nothing at all in matters of efficacy or power, but onelyonly in manner and 1, Cor. 10, 3 4circumſtance, for thoſe did point at Chriſt to come, ours at Chriſt come already.
Q. What need then was there, to hauehave any other in the new Teſtament?
A. Becauſe the Sacraments are Seales of Gods Couenant, and its fit that the Heb. 7, 8, 9.Couenant being renewed, the Seales alſo ſhould be new.
Chap. 7.
Of the eſſentiall parts of a Sacrament.
Queſtion. VVHat bee the eſſentiall parts of eueryevery Sacrament?
A. Two: one outward and viſible, the other inward and inuiſible repreſented thereby.
Q. What outward things bee there in eueryevery Sacrament?
A. Theſe, 1. A viſible Miniſter, a Man called therunto of God.
2. Some viſible Elements ordained of God.
3. Some outward actions appointed by God.
Q And what ſpirituall and inuiſible?
A Theſe: 1. The inuiſible God repreſented by the Miniſter.
2. Some holy grace or bleſſing repreſented by the Element.
3. Some gracious workes of God repreſented by the externall actions of the Miniſter.
Q What circumſtances or Ceremonies are required in the Sacraments?
A. Such as the Church ſhall appoint by lawfull authoritie.
Chap. 8.
Of the Nature and vſe of Baptiſme.
Queſtion. VVHat is Baptiſme?
A. The word ſignifieth a waſhing Heb. 9. 10with water.
Q. What is the Sacrament of Baptiſme?
A. In it owne generall nature, it is Acts. 2. 38a waſhing of the body in the name of the Lord.
Q. And what is it in regard of God?
A. A badge or cognizance which God ſets vponupon ſuch as hee takes to bee his ſeruants.
Q. And what is it in regard of Chriſt?
A. An application of the vertue of his 1. Cor. 5. 7.bloud-ſhedding, to cleanſe the Soule from the guilt of Originall ſinne.
Q. And what is Baptiſme in reſpect of our ſelues?
A. The Sacrament of our entrance, or Admiſſion into the Couenant and Church of God.
Q. When may Baptiſme bee adminiſtred?
A. At any time if there bee cauſe: but ordinarily when the Congregation is aſſembled to worſhip God.
Chap. 9.
Of the outward and inward things in Baptiſme.
Queſtion. VVHat is the outward and viſible Element in Baptiſme?
A. Water: and nothing but water.
Q What is the outward action?
A. To waſh the Body in water.1. Pet. 3. 21▪
Q. Why is not better liquor to bee vſed, as milke or bloud?
A. Becauſe waſhing is the effect of 1. Cor. 5. 7.this Sacrament, and thoſe may be better for feeding, but not for waſhing.
Q. What is the inward and inviſible things?
A. The bloud of Chriſt.Reu. 1. 5. 1. Pet. 3. 21:
Q. What is the ſpirituall action in Baptiſme?
A. The cleanſing or purging of the 1. Ioh. 1, 7 19.Soule by the bloud of Chriſt.
Q Who is the outward Miniſter of this Sacrament?
A. He that is alſo a Miniſter of the Acts. 2. 41. Mat. 28. 19.Word, for theſe 2 muſt both goe together.
Q. Who is the Miniſter of the inward Baptiſme?
A. The Lord Ieſus, who hath waſhed vsus from our ſinnes in his bloud.
Q Where is the Inſtitution of Baptiſme ſet downe in the Scripture.
A. In the Goſpell, where Chriſt after his Reſurrection commands his Apoſtles. Mat. 28. 18, 19, 20.Go teach all Nations, Baptizing them in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the holy Ghoſt.
Chap. 10.
Of the difference betwixt Baptiſme, and the Lords Supper.
Queſtion. VVHat difference is there betwixt Baptiſme and the Lords Supper?
A. 1. Baptiſme is the Sacrament of our new birth: and the Lords Supper of our ſpirituall growth.
2. Baptiſme is the Sacrament of our Admiſſion, the Lords Supper of our Confirmation in the ſtate of Grace.
Q. What other difference is there?
A. This: Baptiſme muſt euer be firſt, and the Lords Supper muſt come after.
Q. What reaſon is there for that?
A. It is neceſſary that one bee firſt borne, afore he be fed.
Q. Is there any other difference?
A. Yes: Baptiſme ſufficeth to bee once adminiſtred. But the Lords Supper is often requiſite.
Q. What reaſon may be thereof?
A. Becauſe, it ſufficeth to bee once borne, but being borne, it is neceſſary to be often fed.
Q. Is there no other difference?
A. Yes, Children may bee Baptized, but may not Communicate: as a Child may be borne, but is not fit for all food.
Chap. 11.
Who are to bee Baptized.
Queſtion. WHo are to be Baptized?
A. All that are capable of it?Acts. 2. 41. and 8. 36.
Q. Who are capable of it?
A. All that beleeue in Chriſt, and deſire Acts, 8. 36. Mark. 16. 16 Acts. 10, 47 Acts. 8. 36 & 2. 41.Baptiſme.
Q. How is Baptiſme to be deſired?
A. They that bee of yeares muſt profeſſe their owne faith, and deſire it themſelues. Infants of Beleeuers doe it by Mark. 10, 13their Parents, or witneſſes & vndertakers.
Q. May all challenge Baptiſme that be thus made capable?
A. Yes, aſſuredly, for it is the ſpirituall Acts, 8. 36. Mark. 10 14 15,birth-right to all Beleeuers.
Q. May not Turkes nor Iewes nor Heathen be Baptized?
A. No, becauſe they beleeue not in Mark. 16, 16Chriſt. but when they doe they may.
Q But may the Children of Papiſts bee Baptized?
A. Yes▪ becauſe they profeſſe Chriſt Acts. 8. 37.Ieſus according to the Apoſtles Creed, though they doe by other doctrine and practiſes adulterate and corrupt it.
Q. Is Baptiſme neceſſary to Saluation?
A Not ſimplie neceſſary to Children, Gen. 17. 12 2. Sam. 12. 18. and. 23.no more then Circumciſion was in the old Teſtament.
Q. How then is it neceſſary?
A. To all them that can aske it, and Mark. 16. 16may hauehave it, it is abſolutely neceſſary, ſo as without it there is no Saluation.
Chap. 12.
That Children may be Baptized.
Queſtion. BƲt may Infants be Baptized?
A. Yes, the Infants of beleeuing Parents.
Q. How may that bee ſeeing they hauehave no Faith.
A. That is more then we know, for God may worke Faith in their Soules immediately.Iohn. 3, 8.
Q. But if they hauehave Faith, yet they cannot profeſſe it.
A. Their Parents and witneſſes profeſſe it for them.Gen. 17
Q But how can Children enter into a Couenant with God?
A. Very well: for a man may couenant Heb. 7. 9, 10for himſelfe and his Children, and that act of the Parents is ye Childrens act.
Q. But how is it proued that the Infant of the beleeuing Parents may be Baptized?
A. By many Arguments:
1 By Gods owne practiſe, who commanded Gen. 17. 9 to 13.children to bee Circumciſed at eight dayes old, in the Old Teſtament.
2 By the tenor of his Couenant Gen. 17. 7which runnes thus; I will be thy God, and the God of thy ſeed.
3 By the practiſe of Chriſt, who tooke Mark. 10, 13them vp in his armes and bleſſed them; now if they bee capable of Chriſts bleſſings, they are capable of Baptiſme.
4 By the practiſe of Gods Church, in the pureſt and beſt times.
Chap. 13.
Of the Names and Nature of the Lords Supper.
Queſtion. VVHat is the ſecond Sacrament of the new Teſtament?
A. The Euchariſt, or Communion, of the Lords Supper.
Q. What is that?
A. The Sacrament of our Confirmation or Celebration in Gods Church, by which our Soules are dayly fed vp in the hope of Heauen, and aſſurance of Gods louelove to vsus in Chriſt.
Q. Why is it called the Lords Supper?
A. Becauſe Chriſt ordained it, and began Mat. 26. 26.it at his laſt Supper.
Q. And why is it called the Communion?
A. Becauſe not one alone receiues it, as in Baptiſme, but alwayes many together 1. Cor. 10. 16. 17.doe Communicate.
Q. But why is it called the Euchariſt, or Thanks-giuing?
A. Becauſe, as alwayes, ſo now eſpecially wee hauehave cauſe to offer vp our beſt thanks to God for our Redemption by Chriſt,
Q. To whom belongs this Sacrament?
A. To all, that being baptized can and 1. Cor. 11. 28doe prepare themſelues for it.
Q. May all ſuch challenge it?
A. Yes, as all Iewes had their part in Exod, 12. 3. 4. 6.the Paſſeouer; and therefore in old time, it was not vnworthily called by the people their Writings, for indeed it doth of Right belong vntounto them.
Chap. 14.
Of the outward Elements in the Lords Supper.
Queſtion. VVHat be the outward viſible Elements in the Lords Supper?
A. Bread and Wine.Math. 26. 26 1. Cor. 11. 23
Q. Are there no other?
A. Chriſt ordained neither more nor fewer, whatſoeuer the Romane Church ſaith.
Q. Where is the Inſtitution of this Sacrament?
A. In three of the Goſpels, and it is Math. 26. Mar. 14 Luk. 22 2. Cor. 11.repeated by Saint Paul, after Chriſts aſcention.
Q. What is the inward, inuiſible and ſpirituall bleſſing?
A. Chriſt Ieſus his Body and Bloud, 1. Cor. 10. 16with all the merits of the ſame.
Q. What Bread is fitteſt in the Sacrament?
A. The beſt and pureſt feeding bread.
Q. And what Wine?
A. That which is moſt cheriſhing and comfortable, and doth moſt neerely reſemble bloud.
Q Are wee tyed to any faſhion or kind of Bread?
A. Such as the Church ſhall appoint.
Q. Ought there to bee Water mingled with the Wine?
A. No: Chriſt appointed no ſuch thing.
Q. But may it be done at all?
A. Yes, in caſe of neceſſitie, as:
1. When there is want of wine.
2. When ſome be ſo weake, they cannot endure Wine.