Some Helps for Young Scholars in Christianity, Part 9 – Part 15
THE FOVRT PARTE OF our familiar Examination, before the Communion.
NOw béeing made truly and really partakers of Chriſt, and his righteouſnes by Faith only, and ſo iuſtified, ſaued, and counted truely righteous in the ſight of God, to whome we are reconciled: We are to ſée, what God craueth of vsus in our awin part, to witnes our thankfulneſſe for ſo great and vnſpeakable a benefite. We may not think that we are redéemed from ſinne, to liue ſtill in ſinne, and take our pleaſure therin as wée did before wée were called or beléeued: or that faith deſtroyeth gude works, and taketh away the vſe of charity: No, no: for that were but to deceaue our ſelues, with that deade faith, whereof Iames ſpeaketh chap. …. and not to hauehave that affectual faith whereby the iuſt man liueth, Abac. 2.4. and whilk purifieth the heartes Acts 15.9. and that worketh by louelove Galath. 5.6. For béeing bought for ſo great a price, we are Gods, and ſo muſt glorifie him in body and ſpirite. 1. Corinth. 6.20. And as he is God al-ſufficient to vsus: ſo muſt we walke before him, and be vpright. Gen. 17.1 that is, we muſt ſerue him in holines and righteouſneſſe all the dayes of our life. Luke 1.74.75. according to the ten commandements contained in the firſt and ſecond Table, whilks euerye Chriſtian aught to hauehave by hart perfitely: Firſt, to let him ſe his awin iniquity and condemnation in himſelf: & next, to lead him to Chriſt who is the end of the Law for righteouſneſſe, vntounto eueryevery ane that beleeueth, Rom. 10.4. And thirdly, to bée as a rule whereby to leade his life, Iames 1.25. To bée ſhort, being in Chriſt, we muſt be newe creatures, not in ſubſtance, but in qualities and diſpoſition of our minds, and change of the actions of our liues: ſo that we muſt hate and flée that whilk before we loued & embraced: and wee muſt louelove and followe that whilk before we hated and abhorred: that is, wée muſt deny vngodlineſſe, and warldly luſtes, and muſt liue ſoberly & righteouſly, & godly in this preſent warld, Tit. 2.12. Al whilk, is impoſſible to them that hauehave no Faith, and hauehave but a dead faith, and are enemies to the iuſtifying faith that is in Chriſt Ieſus, brag fooliſhly vtherwayes of gude workes as meikle as they liſt. For as it is impoſſible to pleaſe God without faith, Heb. 11.6. ſo it is impoſſible to pleaſe him by any vther meanes then by faith onelyonly, becauſe that in none other is he euer pleaſed, but in his only Sonne, who is made ours by faith only, as before is clearly proued. And ſo the perſon of the worker, muſt be in the fauour of God, and acceptabill vntounto him, before euer his workes can be accepted and pleaſe him: whilk cannot be but by Faith onelyonly, whilk makes vsus one with Chriſt his Sonne, in whome hée is well pleaſed, Matth. 15.5. and ſa béeing in the fauor of God, by vertue of our vnion with Chriſt, and iuſtification in him before we worke, our workes cannot bée a preceiding cauſe of our reconciliation to God, nor the procurers of Gods fauour to vsus: na mair then breathing, féeling, ſéeing, hearing, and the haill actions of our naturall life, are cauſes thereof, but the effects only: So gude warkes follow as effects of Chriſt in vsus, poſſeſſed by faith, who by the hid and ſecrete power of the haly Spreit, beginneth to work in vsus regeneration, and a renewing of the haill parts & powers of ſaule and bodie. Whilk begun ſanctification and holineſſe, he neuer ceaſeth to accompliſh vntounto the day of the Lord Ieſus Chriſt, at what time béeing growne to the fulneſſe of our age in Chriſt, he wil preſent vsus faultleſſe to his heauenly Father, as méet to be partakers of the inheritance of the Saints in light, in that life euerlaſting, when God fall bée all in all things, bliſſed for euer, Amen.
Now this begun regeneration or new birth in vsus, ſtands in the mortifying of our aulde corrupted & ſinfull nature, whilk is called the auld man: and in quickning and renewing the Image of God, whilk we loſte in Adam: of righteouſneſſe and true, holineſſe, called the new man: whairby thair growes an hatred, lothing, and lawing of ſinne in vsus: and a louelove, following, and embracing of godlines, and a gode life, whilk is commonlye called repentance, or a turning and change of the mind and déed, from ſathan and ſinne, to God and godlines, whilk indures all the dayes of this lyfe, with a great ſtrife and battel betwene the fleſhe and the ſpirite: that is, the auld man and the new: that eueryevery Chriſtian ſa becomming twa, (as it were in ane) the ane whairof is euer contrary to the vther, is euer occupyed in a continuall warrefare, though ſome in a greater, and ſome in a leſſer meaſure: of whilke battell and ſtrife, the vnregenerate & vnfaithfull, hauehave neither knowledge nor any feiling, becauſe they remaine on after the auld maner, in Sathans bondage: altogidder walking after their luſtes, in fornication, vncleanneſſe, wrath, anger, maliciouſneſſe, curſed ſpeaking, léeing, and ſo foorth. Coloſ. 3.5.8. Whilk, as the Apoſtle ſaith, béeing paſt féeling, hauehave giuen themſelues vntounto wātonnes, to work all vncleannes, euen with gréedines. Epheſ. 4.19. Yea, they make a paſtime of ſinne, Prouerb. 10.23. and hauehave their delite ſo therein, that to twin and part them and ſinne, it is to part them, as it were, and their life. But in the perſon that is borne again of God, this auld corruption of nature called the aulde man, howheit it ſtriue mightily, and by all meanes, through the working of Sathan that workes in the children of vnbelief, to recouer his kingdome of ſinne: yet by the power of the Spirit of Chriſt, renewing the ſpirite of our mynde: hee gets ſik a deads wound, that althogh he make vsus meikle cumber, yet is he neuer able to ouercome, but in Ieſus Chriſt we are mair nor victors. The aſſurance whairof is our ſingular cō fort in this fearefull battell betwéene the Fleſh and the Spirite: and therfore the grace of God is ſufficient for vsus, who will hauehave his power perfited in infirmitie. And ſo with the ſcripture we ſay, that as the warld is altogidder ſet vponupon ſinne, and can doe nathing but ſinne: ſo they that are borne of God ſinne not: not that their ſinnes of themſelues are not deadly, but becauſe their perſons are ſo liuely in Chriſt, that the deadlineſſe of ſin cannot preuaile againſt them: for it is our faith that ouercommes the warld, becauſe Chriſt poſſeſſed by faith hath ouercome the warld. And ſo howheit the condemnation of ſin be remooued from the faithfull altogidder: yet the battell with ſinne remaineth during this life. To this domeſtick inward battel, for the farther tryall of our faith, as our God ſéeth it néedfall, is the croce of perſecution external added: for the better bearing out of al without deſperate fainting, we hauehave néede of that worthy gift of pacience, Philip. 1.29. whilk is a conſtancie giuen of God, to ſuſtaine & beare out all kinde of afflictions for the name of Chriſt, and therefore is called the pacience of God, and not our awin. Rom. 15.5. Reuel. 3.10. for the better fighting aſweill of this domeſtique battell, as pacient ſuſtayning afflictions for Chriſt, both in our ſelfes, and the reſt of Chriſts mē bers, and haill Kirk of God in this earth, continuall and harty prayer to God is commanded to all Chriſtians, as the chief frute and exerciſe of faith and hope, Epheſ. 6.18. Iames 1 3.4.5. Whilk prayer is a confident and a familiar begging and crauing of God, onelyonly at his cōmandement, publikely, and priuately, in the name of his Sonne onelyonly, and in the name of no Saint, nor Angel, ſik things as be néedfull & requiſite for Gods glory and the comfort of our ſelues, and our neighbours: the ſumme whereof, is ſet downe by Chriſt himſelfe in the Lords Prayer. Wherein are ſex patitions, touching the glory of God, & our awin weilfare and our neighbors (anſwering to the twa Tables of the Lawe) The firſt thrée concernes the glorie of God directlye, whilk of all things ſuld be moſt dear, and ſo moſt néedfull vntounto vsus: and the other thrée the well of our ſelues and our neighbours, in ſaule and body heir, and alwayes to the end, and in the end, Amen. In the whilk Prayer, as wée are taught to be moſte humble in our ſelues, in reſpect of our manifold and vnſpeakable wants: ſa we are taught to bee moſte conſident in our God throgh chriſt, by whom al our wants are repaired and ſupplied in ſaules & bodies. Amen. And ſo whether wée looke to our iuſtification or ſanctification, they are wholly wrought and perfited by Chriſt, in whome we are compleit, howheit after a diuers ſort: For our iuſtification is only wroght by him in himſelfe, without vsus, ſa that how ſoone we truely beléeue, we are iuſtified, counted righteous, and gets the right of lyfe euerlaſting, through the death and reſurrection of Chriſt. And as for our ſanctificatiō, he worketh it in our ſelues by little and little, ſo that in this life it is neuer perfite in our ſelues, howbeit before the enioying of life euerlaſting he preſēts vsus faultles before his heauenly Father, to poſſeſſe that kingdome prepared for vsus before the beginning of the warld. Whairby the difference clearely appeareth betwixt the ane and the other, faith and works, iuſtification and ſanctification: the ane as the cauſe giues the right of ſaluation: the vther as effect truely declares our meitneſſe for poſſeſſion of our right.
THE FORME OF DEmanding and anſwering, touching the fourth parte of this familier inſtruction.
Q. VVHen I ſall aske you then, What is craued of vsus after that wee are ioyned to Chriſt by Faith, and made truelye righteous in him? Ye ſall anſwere,
A. Wee muſt repent and becum newe perſons, that we may ſhewe foorth the vertues of him that hath called vsus out of darkeneſſe into his meruellous light.…. Pet. 2.9
Q. When I ſall aske, What is Repentance? Ye ſall anſwere,
A. It is ane ſorrow and diſpleaſure for ſinne, and hatred thereof, and a louelove to righteouſnes, precéeding of the knawlodge of the truth: whilk by the working of the haly Spirit of regeneration, changeth and renueth the minde of man and woman.
Q. When I ſall aske, Whairin chiefly ſtands Repentance? Ye ſall anſwere,
A. In departing from euill, and doing good, as outward frutes before men of our inward regeneration before God, whilk euer accompanieth true faith in Chriſt.
Q. When it ſall be demanded, Are we whollie & throughly made new by our new birth, ſo that there remaines no more ſin in vsus? Ye ſall ſay,
A. Though the condemnation of ſinne be taken away, yet the battell with ſinne remaines ſa lang as wée liue in this life.
Q. When the queſtion ſalbe moued, wha are the parties in this battell? Ye ſall ſay,
A. The auld man, and the newe man.
Q. What is the auld man, and what is the newe man? Ye ſall anſwere,
A. The remanent of ſinne according to our cōuerſation in time paſt, after our corruption through the deceiuable luſtes, is the auld man: and the renewing of the ſpirite of the minde, wha after God is created in righteouſneſſe and true halineſſe, is the new man. Or ſhortly ye may ſay, the vnregenerate part is the auld mā and the regenerate part the new mā
Q. When I ſall demand, Hath eueryevery Chriſtian theſe twa parts, or twa men in him, and conſequently this battell? Ye ſall anſwere,
A. Yes in ſome ſort, though al not in like meaſure of féeling & fighting.
Q. Gif I ſal aske any of you touching your awin feeling and experience in this caiſe? Ye ſall anſwere as ye finde the truth in your ſelues, but certaine it is, ye may truely anſwere,
A. As our knawledge is ſmall, our féeling is leſſe: and namely, touching the true hatred of ſinne in our ſelues and vthers, and the trew louelove of righteouſneſſe eueryevery way: but yet in Chriſt who is our true holineſſe, wée are mair then victors.
Q. When I ſall ſay, What is the chief armour of a Chriſtian in this battell, beſide faith & repentance? Ye ſall ſay,
A. Hearty and continuall Prayer vntounto God onelyonly, in the name of his Sonne onelyonly, for all things neidful to our ſaule and body: as ſummarly is contained in the Lords Prayer.
Q. The laſt queſtion wil be this, Howe manye petitions are in the Lords prayer? Ye ſall anſwere,
A. Sex: of the whilk the firſt thrée concernes the glory of God directlye: and the other thrée, his glory in our ſelues, and our neighbours weilfare: whilk Prayer, no man can make without Faith. For howe ſall they call vponupon him in whome they hauehave not beléeued. Rom. 10.14. Amen.
After the Doctrine deliuered in effect foreſaid, and a ſhort & ſummar repetition made thereof againe, we proceede to the Examination accordinglie.
The ordinary Catechiſme, as it is taught in the newe erected Kirk of Salt-Preſton eueryevery Saboth day.
IEſus ſaide to her (to wit,Ioh. 11.25.26.27. to Martha) I am the Reſurrection, and the life, hee that beleeueth in mee, though he were dead, yet ſall he liue, &c. Beleeues thou this? Sche ſaide vntounto him, yea Lord, I beleeue that thou art that Chriſt the ſon of God, whilk ſuld cum into the warld.
He that beleeueth in the Sonne hath euerlaſting lyſe, and he that obeyeth not the Sonne, ſall not ſe life, but the wrath of God abydeth on him.
For other foundation can no man lay, i. Cor. 3.11.then that whilk is laide, whilk is Ieſus Chriſt.
And ye are compleit in him, &c. Coloſ. 2.10. wha is Alpha & Omega, the beginning & the ending Reuel. 1.8. the authour and finiſher of our Faith, Heb. 12.2. and obtained eternall redemption for vsus, Heb. 9.12. who in the ende of the world hath appeared once to put away ſin by the ſacrifice of himſelfe, Heb. 9.26. For with one offering hath hee conſecrate for euer, them that are ſanctified. So there is no more offering for ſinne. Heb. 10.14.18.
For amongst men there is giuen nane vther name vnderunder heauen whereby we muſt be ſaued, Act. 4.12neyther is there ſaluation in any other.
FOllowes our ordinarye Catechiſme according to the former grounds, whilk we teach before the people on the Sabboth daies, taking eueryevery Sabboth a part thereof: & ſo euerye MonethMonth once wee goe through the principles of Religion, as they are contained therein: the children of the ſchole, as by turne they are appointed, by cuples, demanding and anſwering ane another before the people, as by the Catechiſme they are led, after that I hauehave read and opened a fit and conuenient place of Scripture, according to the part for the day. After al whilk, I ſometimes demand the children, and ſometimes as it ſeemeth meete for edification, any man of the Congregatiō, how he can anſwere to ſome principall things, after ſik eaſie manner as I thinke his capacity is able to vnderſtand: whairof (praiſed be God) baith I, and the party anſwering, many times receaues comfort, and the Kirk edification.
This is not to prejudge the labours of anye godly learned brethren, nor to make any preſcriptiō vntounto them who followe the learned Catechiſmes made either by them ſelues, or any vther godly learned man: but onelyonly for the edification of our own people, whomewe hauehave trained vp after this manner, as maiſt meit in our iudgement for their capacity, according to the approbation of our Prouinciall aſſē bly of Lowthiane, by their act made thairanent. The tenour whereof is heirafter ſetdowne. And as wee in the meane time are to vſe the godlie Catechiſmes of vthers, as wee may profite thereby, and to reiect and contemne none: ſo gif anye Chriſtian can reape any profite by this, we offer it to their diſcretion: Beſeiking Gods haly Majeſty, to bleſſe the godlye labours of all his ſeruands, to his awin glory, the edification of his Kirk, & comfort of the labourers, through Ieſus Chriſt our Lord and only Sauiour. Amen.
At Edinburgh the 7. of Nouember. 1599.
THe Prouincial aſſembly of Lothiane and Tweddale, hauing red and conſidered the forme of Examination, and Catechiſme, written by our brother Maiſter Iohn Dauidſon, approues the ſame, and aggrees that it ſall bee imprented. Extract furth of the books of the provinciall aſſemblie of Lothiane & Tweddale, by mee Richarde Thomeſone Clerk thereto.
Richard Thomeſone.
The firſte parte of the Catechiſme, touching the ſinfull and damnable eſtate of man by nature.
Teacher.
VVHat does thou chieflye heare and learne at the hearing of Gods word?
Diſciple.
That my ſaluation is in Ieſus Chriſt, the Sonne of God only, Rom, 11.3 & 3.24, 25. &c. Acts 4.12 1. Cor. 15 3.4. &c.and in nane vther.
Teacher.
How art thou vnderunder condemnation, that thou haſt need of ſaluation by Chriſt?
Diſciple.
By ſinne, whilk is the breaking of Gods Law, Rom. 5.12 16.18. 1. Iohn. 3.4.or ten Commandements.
Teacher.
Rehearſe the ten Commandements, as they are ſet downe in the firſt and ſecond Table?
Diſciple.
Hearken and take héed Iſrael, I am the Lord thy God, Exod. 19.and ſa forth.
Teacher.
What is ſummarly contained in theſe ten Commandements?
Diſciple.
That I ſulde louelove God intirely, with all my heart, Matth. 22with all my ſaul, and with my haill minde, and my neighbour as myſelf.
Teacher.
Can thou not doe ſa by nature, bot contrariwiſe hate both God & thy neighbour?
Diſciple.
Al the imaginations of the thoghts of my heart, Gen. 6.5, Rom. 7.14 15.are onelyonly euill continually, and ſo are bent to all actual ſin.
Teacher.
Whereof commeth this thy bentneſſe to actuall ſinne, & breaking of Gods Commandements?
Diſciple.
Of the corruption of nature, from my firſt Parentes Adam and Eua,Iob. 15.14 15.16. Rom, 5, 1… called originall ſinne.
Teacher.
Howe were they corrupted, ſeing they were made gude at the beginning?
Diſciple.
By the deceit of Sathan in the Serpent, Geneſ. 3.2. Cor. … 3.making them breake Gods commandement.
Teacher.
What was the Commandemēt they brake?
Diſciple.
They ate of the frute of the trée in Paradiſe, Gen. 3.6.13.17 1. Tim. 2.14.whairof God forbad them to cate.
Teacher.
Brought this their fault condē nation on them and thair hail poſteritie?
Diſciple.
Yes: for in them wee all ſinned, Rom. ….12.19. Iob. 14.4. Rom. 5.16.18. & 6.2….and who can bring ane cleane thing out of filthineſſe: ſa hauing ſin from them, we hauehave alſo death and damnation, the reward of ſin, throgh thē.
Teacher.
Then all being ſinners by nature, we are all by nature the children of wrath and condemnation?…pheſ, 2, 2
Diſciple.
It is ſo: for as by ane man ſinne entered into the warld, Rom. 5.12and death by ſinne: ſa death went ouer all men, becauſe all men hauehave ſinned.
THE SECONDE PARTE touching our ſaluation by the death and paſsion of Chriſt.
Teacher.
SEing then we are juſtlie condē ned by Gods Law,…. Cor. 3.9 aſwell for originall as actuall ſinne, whilk is the doctrine of the Lawe: whairof commeth our ſaluation?
Diſciple.
Of the tender mercye and louelove of our God in Ieſus Chriſt his Sonne, Lue. 1.78 Eph. 2.4. & 1.13. Act. 14.3. … 20.32.and ſecond perſon of the Trinitie, whilk is the doctrine of the Goſpell, or word of grace.
Teacher.
Why ſay ye in Ieſus Chriſt his Sonne?
Diſciple.
Becauſe he only is made vntounto vsus of God, redemption, Rom. 3.24.25. 1. Cor. 1.30 A…t, 4, 1…and righteouſneſſe, neither is there ſaluation in any other.
Teacher.
Seing then all our felicity ſtands in the true knawledge & acknawledging of Ieſus Chriſt to bee our onlie Sauiour, declare vvhat he is in perſon and office?
Diſciple.
In perſon he is God and man: Eſa. 7.14. Heb. 2.1… 1. Tim 2.… Tit. 2.14. Act. 10.3….& in office hee is Mediatour betwixt God and man, and our onelyonly Redéemer.
Teàcher.
Was it neidfull to our ſaluation that he ſhoulde bee both God and man in one perſon?
Diſciple.
Yes: Prov. 30.14. Eſai. 7, 14. Ihon 3▪ 13. Rom. 1.3.….for none coulde duely ſu…fer for man, 2. Cor. 13 4. 1. Pet. 3.18. Reuel. 19.1….12.13 15.16.but man with God: and none coulde ouercome for man, but God with man in one perſon.
Teacher.
Why is he called Ieſus, that is to ſay, that Sauiour?
Diſciple.
Becauſe he ſaueth his people from their ſinnes.Mat. 1.21
Teacher.
Why is he called Chriſt, that is to ſay, he that is annointed?
Diſciple.
Becauſe he onelyonly is annointed, Mat. 1.26 Pſal. 40.7 Heb. 10.5. &c. Reu. 5.9. Eſa. 61.1. & 63.1. Act. 10.38that is, indued of God with all giftes meit for a perfite Sauiour: as he that is our King, Prieſt, and Prophet.
Teacher.
How ſaued he vsus?
Diſciple.
By ſuffering all our deſerued puniſhments in ſaule and body, Pſal. 22.1. Matth, 27.26. Luc. 22.24. Rom. 4 35.1. Pet. 2.24.in ſhedding his blude on the Croce: and ſa dying for our ſinnes, & ryſing againe for our righteouſneſſe.
Teacher.
Why died he that curſed kinde of death on the Croce, rather then ony vther?
Diſciple.
That thereby taking our curſe in ſaule and body plainly vponupon himſelf, Deut. 21.23. Gal. 3.13. Mat. 3.7.1. Theſſ. 1.10.he might fully deliuer vsus from the wrath to come.
Teacher.
Doth Chriſt his blude clenge vsus from all ſinne, and his righteouſneſſe imputed vntounto vsus, truelie iuſtifie vsus in Gods ſight?
Diſciple.
Yes: for as our ſinnes imputed vntounto him, 2. Cor, ….21. Iſa. 5… 9.11. 1. Ioh. 1.7.made him truely gilty of death and condemnation: ſa his righteouſnes imputed vntounto vsus, makes vsus truely righteous in Gods ſight.
Teacher.
Whereof commeth this Communion and mutual fellowſhip betweene Chriſt crucified and vsus?
Diſciple.
Of the vnion and ſtrait coniunctiō betwéene vsus: …. Cor. 6.15.17. Epheſ. 1.21 23. Coloſ. 1.18. Ioh. 17.21. The ſong of S…l 2.16as of the head with the body. For we are one with him, and he is ours, and wée are his.
THE THIRD PART OF the Catcchiſme.
Teacher.
VVHereby is this vnion and ſtraite coniunction made betweene Chriſt crucified and vsus?
Diſciple.
By Faith onelyonly: Aſa. 28.16 Act. 16.31 Ioh. 17.8.25. and 6.69. and 1.11, 12. &c 5.38.43. & 3.36. Rom. 3.28 2. Cor. 5.…3. Gal. 2 18. Col. 2.6.7. Heb. 3 …4. 1. Ioh. ….12.as the onelyonly inſtrument whereby we receaue him to dwell in our heartes. And ſa by Faith only wée are ſaid to be ſaued, becauſe Faith onelyonly receaueth our onelyonly Sauiour.
Teacher.
Then there is no parte of our righteouſneſſe left, without the apprehenſion or grip of Faith, ſeeing it is all vvhollie in the perſon of Chriſt apprehended by Faith?
Diſciple.
It is ſo: …ſa. 63.3.5. Epheſ. 2 ….9.10. Phil. 2.9. Tit. 3.5. Heb. 9.9.12.26.1. Pet. 2.24.25. & 3.18. Heir is the maine point and ground of o…r diſagrement with the Papiſtsand ſa we are perfitely ſaued by the warkes whilk Chriſt did for vsus in his awin perſon, and na wayes by the gude warkes whilk he works in vsus with, and after Faith.
Teacher.
What is this Faith that is the only inſtrument of this ſtrait coniunction betvvene Chriſt crucified and vsus?
Diſciple.
It is the ſure perſwaſion of the heart, Rom. 4.24.25. & 5.12. & 8 38. & 10.10.2. Cor 5.3.4.7.18.29.that Chriſt by his death and reſurrection hath taken away our ſinnes, and cloathing vsus with his awin righteouſneſſe, hes throughlye reſtored vsus to the fauour of God.
Teacher.
Hovv is this ſure perſvvaſion ordinarilie vvrought and kept in the heart?
Diſciple.
By the haly Spirit working with the hearing of Gods word preached, and the right miniſtry of the Sacraments, according to the due adminiſtration of Chriſts kingdome in the diſcipline of the kirk, eſtabliſhed by him in his word.
Teacher.
Does euerie ane that heares the vvorde preached beleeue, and get this ſure perſvvaſion?
Diſciple.
No: Mat. 13.58.2. theſ. ….2. Act. …3.48,for all men hauehave not Faith▪ and they only beléeue that are ordayned to lyfe euerlaſting, and hauehave eares to heare, wha onelyonly are the true Kirk of Chriſt, and his ſhéepe, becauſe they heare his voice.
Teacher.
Hes thou gotten this ſure perſvvaſion of forgiueneſſe of thy ſins, and full redemption in Chriſt?
Diſciple.
Yes prayſed be God: Acts 8.38. Ioh. 1 26.27. hab…c. 2.4. Rom. 5.1for I liue by my awin Faith, and thereby hauehave peace towards God, through Chriſt.
Teacher.
Rehearſe the ſovvme of thy Beliefe?
Diſciple.
I beléeue in God the Father almightie, Geneſ. 1. &c. & 17. …. Eſa. 45.…2.18. Ie… …0.11.12 Dan. 4.32 & 5.18.19,and ſo forth.
Teacher
Thou beleeues then that there is ane God, and three perſons in the Godhead, the Father, the Sonne,Gen. 1.16 Exod. 20.23. Eſa. 45 21.22. & the halie Gaiſt?
Diſciple.
Yes: the Father the maker of all creatures: the Sonne made man, Matth. 3.16, 17. & 28.19. Luc, 1, 35. Act, 4, 24.27. 1. Tim 2, 5.1, Pet, 1, 2,redéemer of his people: and the halye Gaiſt the ſanctifyer.
Teacher.
What helpes beſide the vvorde preached, hes God ordained for the confirmation of thy Faith?
Diſciple.
The ſignes or two ſeales, Mat, 16, 16 Luc. 22.19.20. Act, 2, 38, Rom, 4, 1… 1, Cor, 11 24.25.26. Eph, 5, 26called the Sacramentes of Baptiſme and the Lords Supper.
Teacher.
What does the Sacraments ſignifie and ſeale vp to thee, that beleeues in Chriſt?
Diſciple.
Remiſſion of my ſinnes in the paſſion of Chriſt, Mat, 26, 26.27.28 Act. 2, 38, Epheſ, 5, 26, 27 Matth. 28.whilk is exhibited by water in Baptiſme, and bread and wine in the Supper. For the mair ſinceare adminiſtration and obſeruation of all, is ordayned by Chriſt the diſcipline of the Kirk.