holy vse by Christ prescribed 10. 10 The first disagreement with others The fiue forged Sacraments of the Church of Rome cannot bee reckoned with these because they are not pertaining to the couenant nor commaunded by God with outward signes to the vses here described but either haue no outward signes as Penance or els other significations and vses As Matrimonie hath no signe ordained of God to this vse but sometime is made an * Hoseah 2.19 Eph. 5.23 allegorie or metaphor and sometime is taught by comparison from Christ and his Church Orders haue imposition of hands but not commanded by God for the grace of this couenant or to bee badges of our profession but for the * 1. Tim. 4.14 grace of the office of the Ministrie So the annoynting of the sicke in the Gospell is not taught as the Papists vse it but only to bee an * Iam. 5.14 outward signe in healing the bodie but a SacrameÌ„t is for the comfort of the soule The like may be sayd of the other 11. 11 The second difference in themselues The differences betweene these two Sacraments of the couenant in themselues are these 1. In the signe Baptisme hath water and washing the Lords Supper hath bread and wine eating and drinking c. 2. In the manner of signifying because they apply the couenant to vs in diuers sorts Baptisme applieth it as our first entring into couenant and there it signifieth our new birth and renewing c. and therefore all that are * Act. 10.47 with the places before quoted first receiued into the Church are admitted by Baptisme and a man is but once baptized because hee is but once to bee borne againe The Lords Supper applieth the couenant in regard of the euerlasting continuance of fauour betweene God and vs in Christ therefore wee eate bread and drinke wine as liuely signes of our growing increasing in Christ in faith and good life and in all assurednes of eternall life And therefore it is often vsed that wee may continually bee strengthened and confirmed in his grace from faith to faith 12. 12 The third difference from others In all this declaration agreeing to holie Scripture and so in all the Bible beside you shall neuer sinde that the Sacraments by the outward worke wrought doe giue grace or that the signe leeseth his nature to be turned into the thing signified or that there is a reall locall and corporall presence of the thing in the outward signe or that in Baptisme exorcisme creame spettle salt or any other thing is to be mingled or vsed but onely water or that in the Lords Supper there should bee an vnbloudie sacrifice the bread adored reserued or carried about or the wine should bee kept from the common people Therefore all these and whatsoeuer other additaments and abuses of the holy Sacraments are altogether to be reiected and condemned by the rule Apostolicall because they are not receiued of the Lord. Here the master of the familie may applie the substance of the former Catechisme to his folke by this place 1. Cor. 12. vers 13. By one spirit wee are all baptized into one bodie whether we bee Iewes or Grecians whether we bee bond or free and haue been all made to drinke into one spirit 1. One bodie one spirit Where one bodie and one spirit to Iew and Gentill c. shew the couenant in grace and communion of God with all nations and sorts of people thorow Christ by his spirit in one bodie 2. Both Sacraments teach Baptised into Drinke into there is one holie communion betweene GOD and his Church 3. Baptisme our regeneration and incorporation into the same communion the Lords Supper our daily nourishment from our head Christ growing together in the same couenant CAP. 10. The fourth order of Catechisme NOw for the masters further helpe To the householder I will commend vnto him these foure places namely Ephes 2.8.9.10 2. Thess 2.13.14 Tit. 2.11.12.13.14 Iam. 1.18 whereof hee shall see euery one fit to bring into his remeÌ„brance the doctrines of the former Catechismes And I hope both he and his familie may easily gather the same of themselues being made ripe thereunto by their former practise reioycing in the plentifull and sweete consent of so many places of Gods word and admiring the goodnes of God that so abundantly and liberally bestoweth vpon vs his rich treasures of wisedom and vnderstanding And if in them he finde something not easie let the master repayre to his pastor and seeke the lawe at his mouth For a Malac. 2.7 his lippes should preserue knowledge being the messenger of the Lorde of hostes and b 〈◊〉 4.1 steward of the secrets of GOD. Howbeit in so waightie and needfull prouision I woulde haue this housholder to bee well stored that hee maye feede his familie with more ioy and plentie to make them strong well liking in the house of our God children that boldly will answer the enemie in the gates and sight valiantly the battels of the Lord. Therefore I will here adde two Catechismes more for his helpe where the first will shew him in a notable order Iacobs Ladder namely by what steppes God bringeth all his children into the euerlasting kingdome of our Lord Iesus Christ and the heauenly mansions of his diuine palace And this is in one scripture most orderly compact together by the heauenly spirit The other is * Therefore I make it a book by itselfe and â—â—uide it into chapters a more perfect bodie of Christirn doctrine of many and diuers places of scripture as a shining light vnto the feete of all Gods children in the dayes of their pilgrimage till they shal come into the land of their celestiall inheritance The eyght Catechisme for helpe of the housholder The text Ephes 1.3 Blessed bee God euen the father of our Lorde Iesus Christ which hath blessed vs with all spirituall blessings in heauenly things in Christ. 4. As hee hath chosen vs in him before the foundation of the world that wee should bee holie and without blame before him in loue 5. Who hath predestinated vs to bee adopted thorow Iesus Christ vnto himselfe according to the good pleasure of his will 6. To the praise of the glorie of his grace wherewith hee hath made vs accepted in his beloued 7. By whom we haue redemption through his blood euen the forgiuenes of sinnes according to his rich grace 8. Whereby hee hath been aboundant toward vs in all wisdome and vnderstanding 9. And opened vnto vs the mysterie of his will according to the good pleasure which he had purposed in him 10. That in the dispensation of the fulnes of times he might gather together in one all thinges both which are in heauen and which are in earth In shewing the Catechisme out of this text I will follow this order In the middle by interpretation I will poynte out the golden steppes of this heauenly
truth iustice and mercie For it is written as a thing that faith not m Galat. 6.7 Whatsoeuer a man soweth that shall he reape Hoping therefore that such as bee wise in heart will earnestly follow my counsaile and carefully stirre vp others to the same I will hasten to the matter it selfe by which euery one may bee as I hope greatly guided in the performance of the same I beseech almightie God of his infinit mercie in Iesus Christ to prosper this our godly purpose to his glorie and comfort of his people His glorious name be praised for euer Amen Your faithfull seruant in Christ Iesus Iosias Nichols The Booke to the Householder COme buy me but passe not by me for by me thou shalt winne To light thy people by my light to trauell light from sinne The word with words of trueth and ioy doth shew his word by me A way which if thou way it waies thee to felicitie Two houres each weeke sixe monthes to stay with thee no more I begge To stay thy people on that stay which hell gates cannot wagge Then trie how trie my triall is if God doe helpe with grace Both man and child as wit doth grow shall see the heauenly place Yet know that knowledge and no more by thee to thine I giue The spirit of Christ pray thou therefore workes faith that thou maist liue And as by proofe thou proues me true to proue the thing I say So double time for double gaine and grant me longer stay An order of houshold instruction by which euery master of a familie may easilie and in short space make his whole houshold vnderstand the principall and chiefe poyntes of Christian religion without the knowledge whereof no man can be saued The first booke CAP. 1. The first order of instruction IN this order some things are for the young tender yeres and some for yeres of greater capacitie for confirmation and helpes till they may bee grounded in the principles with good vnderstanding to giue a reckoning of their faith by the holy Scriptures First from the time that children speake it is good to drop in this good licour of heauenly doctrine For as Salomon saith a Prou. 22.6 Teach a childe the trade of his waye and when hee is olde hee shall not depart from it The first order from the time that children can speake Therefore from that time it shall bee good to teach them as the manner of all christians is to say without book distinctly The Lords prayer the Creede and the ten Commaundements And as hee perceiueth their capacitie to growe to droppe into them by familiar wordes the name of God how hee made vs the name of Christ how hee shed his blood for vs the name of the holy Ghost who sanctifieth vs and that there is but one God and three persons c. Also the name of death that for sinne all men die and the name of the resurrection that through Christ we shall liue againe in heauen alwaies applying himselfe with tearmes to their capacitie and alluring the childe to the feeling and loue of God of Christ and of eternall life and to the hatred of sinne as by saying and causing the childe to say God loueth vs for he made vs and giueth vs all things as our meate drinke apparell c. God loueth vs for he gaue Christ to die for our soules God loueth vs for he giueth vs life after we he dead in heauen We must not doe sinne and Wickednes for it bringeth paine sicknes death c. Then the capacitie encreasing make them pronounce how many petitions in the Lords praier and which they be how many cōmandements which they be til they can tell you euery one being asked sodainely out of order as the tenth the fourth the seuenth c. After that they haue been thus trayned a while and can answer as children readily to these then let them learne that short Catechisme without booke which beginneth after this sorte Who made thee God What is God he is almightie c. Wherefore did he make thee to serue him c. Which may be bought for the valew of a pennie in the bookesellers shops After all this teach them some short stories and sentences of holy Scripture stories such as these Gen. 4. vers 2. the trade sacrifice and death of Abel Gen. 11.1 the building and ouerthrow of Babel Mark 10.13 Christ receiueth children and blesseth them Now some stories may bee taught them worde for worde as in the text such is that of Elisha 2. King 2. vers 23.24 onely adding the Prophets name which is verse 22. and in the end of this storie teach them the vse Children may not mocke Some stories must be gathered more short then the text as that of Dinah Gen. 34. Dinah the daughter of Iacob went out to see the maides of the countrie and one Shechem sonne of Hamor Lord of that countrie saw her and defiled her and for this cause Simeon and Leui slew Shechem and all the towne with the edge of the sworde The vse Maides must not wander or goe a gadding The sentences may be such as these are Prouerbs 29.15 The rod and correction giue wisdome but a childe set at libertie maketh his mother ashamed Mark 8.36 What shall it profit a man though hee should win the whole world if he loose his owne soule Luk. 9.10 The sonne of man is come to seeke and to saue that which is lost Then teach them an ensample of euerie commaundement to the sence of this following The first commaundement brake Ahab taking Baal for his God 1. King 18.21 or 1. King 16.31 The second Ieroboam that worshipped golden calues 1. King 12.28 The third an Israelitish womans sonne striuing with a man of Israel blasphemed the name of the Lord and cursed Leuit. 24.10.11 The fourth one that gathered sticks on the Sabbath day Numb 15.32 The fift Absalom who rebelled against his father 2. Sam. 15. The sixt Cain who slew Abel Gen. 4.8 The seuenth a Leuites Concubine who played the whore Iudg. 19.1.2 The eyght the Shabeans tooke away Iobs oxen and asses Iob. 1.14.15 Ninth Potiphars wife falsely accused Ioseph Gen. 39.17 Tenth Ahab lusteth for Naboths vineyard 1. King 21.2 And in all these it will not bee amisse to cause the learner to repeate without booke the places where all the stories and sentences are written and herein the teacher may vse his discretion to teach them more or lesse of like sort and easines so that hee ouercharge them not at any one time but let them as it were creepe vpon them by often repeating and he shall finde that a little childe will beare very much more then a man that hath not tried would beleeue And if he cause them to learne without booke the 1.15.112.127 and 128. Psalmes or some of them they will no doubt worke very godly impressions in the tender minds And it is a good recreation to quicken them to
therefore is called by excelleÌ„cie the fulnes of times Gal. 4.4 and when all shall be gathered then the times shall be full Rom. 11.25.26 c There is but one Christ to saue all of all times and nations Secondly by a distribution of the things to bee gathered which are the elect some in d If out of heauen and earth then there is no Limbus patrum nor Purgatorie heauen some still founde on the earth till the whole summe be called and gathered Now e The Catholike Church is the companie of beleeuers in Christ in heanenand eaâ—th all these some at one time and some at another being gathered shall bee vnited vnto Christ and then being perfect they shall all be partakers of his glorie and he shall giue vp his kingdome to his father 2. Thess 2.14 1. Cor. 15.24 Now here the master may learne to set all these causes in their right order of place out of Rom. 8.30 Whom he predestinated them also he called and whom he called them also he iustified and whom he iustified them also he glorified Where vnder predestinated be contained his purpose the good pleasure of his will election before the foundation of the world All the rest is the performance of that predestination As first the calling by which is not meant the outward calling onely but also the inward calling which Christ sheweth in this posie * Matth. 22.14 Many are called but few are chosen For there is a generall calling by preaching to many and an effectuall calling accompanying preaching by the spirit in a few Vnder this calling are contained the sending of Christ the preaching of Christs Gospel the worke of the spirit making vs to beleeue in him sent and preached the new birth and renewing of the holy Ghost For none are truly called but they in whom all these meet The second worke of performance is in this word instified vnder which is contained our redemption forginenes of sinnes and imputation of righteousnes which is the accepting of vs in Christ the peace with God adoption the companion of iustification which is sanctification and his daughters ioy in the holie Ghost standing in grace c. Lastly is glorified by which is meant the finall gathering into one of all the elect vnto saluation with Christ when it shall be no small part of happines to bee holie and without blame before God hauing no neede of earthly garments to couer our shame and to praise God for the glory of his grace raigning with him in fulnes of ioy for euer euer 1. Thess 3 13 Reuel 22.1.2.3.4.7 and 22.1.2 c. and 20.6 Euen so Lord Iesus come quickly Amen The second booke containing the last order of instruction COncerning this last and largest Catechisme An obsernation to the housholder I am to admonish the master of the familie First that I set downe in seuerall places and chapters seuerall and particular places of Scripture for the teaching of the seuerall parts of doctrine The text is alway set before the doctrine not in the words as in the former Catechismes but onely the name of the booke chapter verse or verses where the words are written which he is to peruse and to compare with the parts of doctrine which I set downe and then to reade it to his familie and out of it being read to shew them so much as I set downe out of it Secondly hee shall finde in some poynts that they are not so direct or expressed in the text but are gathered by circumstaÌ„ce or consequence Such as Christ * Matth. 22.31 vsed to prooue the resurrection if God call himselfe the God of Abraham c. and that he bee God of the liuing and not of the dead then verily there is a resurrection appoynted for the dead Againe wee finde that God hath * Ephes 1.4.11 elected some vnto saluation before the foundation of the world and that he doth thorowly bring to passe whatsoeuer he hath purposed And againe we finde that * Luke 13.23 24 25. 26. some shall not bee saued then it followeth that God neuer purposed their saluation and by consequent he purposed the contrarie except wee will make God as a a Luke 14.28 foolish builder that doth not forecast what hee will doe with euery part of that hee buildeth or els imagine some b Eccles 7.15.16 other power to take order in his ouerslippes or els c Esay 40.12 13 14 15. giue him some counsellers or helpers which is as the foolish hath sayd in his heart Psal 14.1 Now because he should not stumble at a thing that seemes so bare I will adde in euery such place some one or two plaine places of holy scripture to proue the matter of such a collection agreeing to faith and these shall be alwayes in the end or behind euery such poynt Also some one poynt by reason of the order of his place may not bee contained in the text by any collection and some may be directly in the text but not so cleere and plaine Here I will also helpe the master with some other place direct and plaine and by some one word guide him to discerne when any thing is not in the text Lastly in teaching this Catechisme hee may sometimes giue them some one chapter sometimes two for their easines sometimes but a part of one for length or hardnes and in all things to vse good discretion Al which rules being obserued hee shall finde I hope good vse of this Catechisme The last Catechisme containing the summe of the doctrine of Christ by many places of Scripture CAP. 1. Of the doctrine of Christ What. Titus 1.1.2 The doctrine of Christ is the knowledge of the trueth according to godlines vnder the hope of eternall life teaching the nature and actions of God CAP. 2. Of the nature of God Ioh. 4.24 Exod. 3.14 Reuel 1.8 God is a spirit being of himselfe for euer Ioh. 15.26 There are three persons in the Godhead equall in substance The Father of whom are the rest in these words sent from the father The Sonne begotten of the Father from euerlasting Ioh. 1.18 and 17.5 The holy Ghost proceedeth from them both in these words I will send and proceedeth from the father 2. The Father worketh of himselfe by the Sonne and thorow the holy Ghost the Sonne worketh from the Father thorow the holy Ghost the holy Ghost worketh from the Father and the Sonne Tit. 3.4.5.6 CAP. 3. Of the actions of God Gods decree Eph. 1.11 Here the actions of God are declared which are of two sorts 1. The decree which is that he foreappoynted all things in these words purpose and counsell of his will after which he worketh all things 2. The execution of the decree which is that he performeth all things according to his purpose in these words worketh all things Here in regard of man this decree is called predestination which is the foreordaining of some men to
ninth precept teacheth by a negatiue to tender our neighbours good name Gen. 39.17 Psal 15.3 10. The tenth precept teacheth that wee ought to doe al the former speciall and generall dueties with all our thoughts and desires 1. King 21.12 Iam. 4.1 1. Thess 5.23 A briefe and easie opening of the sense of the Lords prayer which pertaineth to the second Commandement and is to be learned after the tenne Commandements THe Lords Prayer containeth sixe petitioÌ„s teaching vs to aske three requests pertaining to Gods glorie and three for our owne necessities Concerning Gods glorie wee aske two things that God be honored the meanes 1. The first petitioÌ„ teacheth vs to â—â—ay that God may be honored in all things Psaâ— 19.1 1. Cor. 10.31 The meanes of Gods honour are in regard of his kingdome and will 2. The second petition teacheth vs to pray for the aduancement of Gods kingly regimeÌ„t in all things and specially in his Church Psal 93.1.2.3 and Psal 145. 3. The third petition teacheth vs to pray for the aduancement of Gods royall will in his decree in all thinges and his word in his Church Psal 147.15.19 Concerning our selues we aske things for the bodie and for the soule 4. The fourth petition vnder the name bread teacheth vs to aske whatsoeuer is necessary for this bodily life as health wealth libertie c. Esay 〈…〉 For the soule wee neede forgiuenes of â—innes and protection against Sathan 〈…〉 of aâ—â— 5. The fifth petition teâ—â—earne of them to 〈…〉 the letter â—innes then in eight dayes they haue all the â—â—â—ings but it must bee in this order 〈…〉 to know them wheresoeuer 〈…〉 be in the booke which therall our ghostly ein a quarter 〈◊〉 26.41 Eph. 6.18 The conclusion of the last order AFter you haue passed thorow all these Catershismes then is to be continued the daily reaâ—ing of holy â—cripture in order beginning at the first chapter of Genesis and of Matthew one chapter euery day of the olde Testament and another of the new In reading whereof marke two things First what words are for the confirmation of any poynt of doctrine before learned And secondly if any thing bee hard to vnderstand dispute not about it but aske your pastors helpe or els some other godly minister of graue iudgement and grounded knowledge so shall you increase with great ease and ioy and auoyde the * 2. Pet. 3.16 rocke of peruerting the Scriptures to your owne destruction And as leisure will serue direct them to reade some other Catechismes and godly bookes But aboue all things you must 〈…〉 familie to goe to the publike preaching for that hath the 〈◊〉 the 〈…〉 * 〈…〉 promise and blessing And as oft as a 〈…〉 euery daye till three â—â—meth into 〈◊〉 familie if 〈…〉 thorow and last of al the is to 〈…〉 sixe or eyght lines at 〈…〉 gâ—ea keepe the 〈…〉 Now last of 〈…〉 quest to all gouernours of 〈…〉 holders of all sorts poore and rich that they would cause al their houshold meÌ„ women children to be able to reade the English tung For this is a worthie meanes to 〈◊〉 much good in this so waightie a cause Gâ—d hath giuen a marueilous blessing of printing to further his Gospell and wee are very foolish if wee let slip any blessing or comfort which is giuen vs of our louing and gracious father First therfore such as be able I would entreat that they would also helpe their seruants in this knowledge and rich men shall make it a laudable and holy vsurie An holy vsury to lay out some hundreth part of their superfluities towardes the helping of poore seruants and poore mens children to learne to reade and God will pay them againe a double and treble * Pro 28.27 An order for poore men seruants to learne to reade without losse of time paine or cost interest But to such as haue no other helpe or meanes I thought good to teach an order how they might learne with ease because I would not willingly leaue out any thing that might further this holy purpose If they can finde either 〈…〉 be in the booke which 〈◊〉 shall easily doe in a quarter of an houre I would not haue them 〈◊〉 any more Then after they know the letters â—â—t them bestow the like time in like order to learne three seuerall wordes to spell thâ—â— distinctly to reade them and to poynt to euery sillable and to know them in any other place being shewed by the teacher now one and then another and this to continue at the least three weekes or a moneth and herein not to couet any more but three seuerall and new words at one time and that in this manner if his first lesson be In the name and the next words be of the father he must count the word the to be learned in his first lesson therefore the second lessoÌ„ must be of father and where the next words are of the holy Ghost Amen he must account he hath learned the two first words of the in his former lessons therefore his third lesson must be holy Ghost Amen so keeping in minde what he hath learned and learning new hee should quickely learne to reade Now after three weekes or a moneth let him learne in 〈…〉 and to keepe the points 〈…〉 and by this time he 〈…〉 teacher onely let him 〈…〉 make himselfe perfect by 〈…〉 when he meeteth with a 〈…〉 out of himselfe by spelliâ—◠〈…〉 and aske some one thâ—◠〈…〉 cher And whosoeuer 〈…〉 ently follow and consâ—aâ—â—◠〈…〉 himselfe to this order 〈…〉 time attaine to readeâ—◠〈…〉 nes or any toyle to 〈…〉 or other 〈◊〉 any great cost Then hath he â—iewell which once in his life may bee move comfort to him then all hee hath or all hee trauaileth for beside And so I commend you to the Lorde our God whome I beseech to make this my labour profitable and acceptable to his church for Iesus Christs sake and that we may be fulfilled with knowledge of his will in all wisdome and spirituall vnderstanding that we may walke worthie of the Lord and please him in all things and increasing in the knowledge of God To whom bee all honor praise and glorie for euer and euer Amen FINIS