Likewise after supper he toke the cuppe sayīge This cuppe is the newe testamēt or couenāt in my bloude doo ye this so ofte as ye shall drinke therof in remēbrance of me For so ofte as you shal eate this bread and drinke of this cuppe ye shall declare the lordes deathe vntill his cōminge Therfore whosoeuer shall eate this bread and drinke the cuppe of the lorde vnworthely he shal be giltie of the bodye and bloud of the lord Then see that euery mā proue ād trye hym selfe ād so let hym eate of this bread ād drīke of this cuppe for whosoeuer eateth or drinketh vnworthelye he eateth and drinketh his owne damnation for not hauinge due regarde and consideration of the lordes bodye THIS done the minister proceadith to the exhortation DEARELY beloued in the lorde forasmoch as we be nowe assembled to celebrate the holy communion of the body and bloud of our sauiour Christ let vs consider these woordes of S. Paule how he exhorteth all persons diligently to trye and examine thē selues before they presume to eate of that bread ād drinke of that cuppe For as the benefite ys great if with a truly penitent hart and liuely faith we receyue that holy sacrament for then we 1 Ioh. 6. g. spiritually eate the fleshe of Christ and drinke his bloude thē we dwell in Christ ād Christ in vs we be one with Christ and Christ with vs so is the daūger great if we receyue the same vnworthely for then we be giltie of the bodye and bloud of Christ our sauiour we eate ād drīke our own dānation not considering the lordes bodye we kīdle godes wrath agaīst vs ād prouoke him to plague vs with diuerse diseases and sundry kindes of death Therfore if any of you be 2 Gal. 3. d. a blasphemer of God an hinderer or slaunderer of his worde an an adulterer or be in malice or enuie or in any other greuous cryme bewaylle your synnes and come not to this holy table lest after the takynge of this holy sacramēt the diuell entre into you as he entred into 3 Ioan. 13. ◠Iudas and fill you full of all iniquities and bring you to destruction bothe of bodye and soule Iudge therfore your selues bretherne that ye be not iudged of the lorde 4 Matth. ◠c. Titus 2. c. repent you truly for your synnes paste and haue a lyuely and stedfast fayth in Christ our sauiour 5 Act. 4. c Gal. 2. d sekinge onely your saluation in the merites of his death and passion from hensforth refusinge and forgettinge all 6 1. pet 2. a. 1. Cor. 14. d ephe 4. a. d malice and debate withfull purpose to liue in brotherly amytie and godlye conuersation all the dais of your lyfe And albeit we fele in ourselues muche frailtie and wretchednes as that we haue not our faith so perfite and constant as we ought being many tymes readye to distruste Godes goodnes through our corrupt 7 rom 7. d. nature and also that we are not so throughlye geuen to serue God neyther haue so feruent a zeale to set forth his glory as our duetye requireth felinge still such rebellion in our selues that we haue nede dayly to 8 Gala. 5. c fight against the lustes of our fleshe yet neuertheles seinge that our lorde hath dealed thus mercifully with vs that he hath printed his 9 Hebr. 8. d Iere. 31. f. Isa 59. d gospell in our hartes so that we are preserued from falling into desperatiō and misbeliefe and seing also he hath indued vs with a 10 Rom. 7. c. d phil 1. a. 2. Cor. will and desire to renownce and withstand our own affections with a longing for his righteousenes and the keping of his commaundementes we may be now right well assured that those defautes and manifolde imperfections in vs shal be no hinderance at all against vs to cause him not to accept and impute vs as worthie to come to his spirituall table For the ende of our comming thyther is not to make 11 luk 18. c. protestation that we are vpright or iuste in our liues but contrariwise we come to seke our life and perfection in Iesu Christ acknowledging in the meane tyme that we of our selues be the children 12 Ephes 2. a. luk 18. c. of wrath and damnation Let vs consider then that this sacrament is a singuler medicine for all poore sicke creatures a comfortable helpe to weake soules and that our lord requireth no other worthines on our parte but that we vnfaynedly acknowlege our noghtines and imperfection Then to the end that we may be worthy partakers of his merites ād moste comfortable benefits which 13 Ioan. 6. f. ys the true eatinge of his fleshe and drinkinge of his bloud let vs not suffer our mindes to wander aboute the consideration of these earthlie ād corruptible thynges which we see present to our eies and fele with our hādes to seeke Christ bodely presente in thē as if he were inclosed in the breade or wyne Transsubstantiation Transelemētatiō Transmutation and Transformation as the papistes vse them are the doctrine of diuells or as yf these elementes were tourned and chaunged into the substaunce of his fleshe and blood For the only waye to dispose our soules to receiue norishment reliefe and quikening of his substance is to lift vp our mindes by fayth aboue all thinges wordlye and sensible and therby to entre into heauen The true eatyng of Christ in the sacrament that we may finde and receiue Christ where he 14 1. Timo. 6. d dwelleth vndoutedlye verie God and verie man in the incomprehensible glorie of his father to whome be all praise honor and glorye now and euer Amen The exhortation ended the minister commeth doune from the pulpet and sitteth at the Table euery man and woman in likewise takinge their place as occasion best serueth Math. 26. c. Mark 14. c Luke 22. b 1. Cor. 11. e then he taketh bread and geueth thankes either in these woordes followinge or like in effect 1 Apoc. 5. c. O Father of mercye and God of all consolation seinge all creatures do knowlege and confesse thee as gouerner and lorde it becommeth vs the workemanship of thyne own handes at all tymes to reuerence and magnifie thy godli maiestie first for that thou haste created vs to thyne own 2 Gen. 1. d. Image and similitude but chieflye that thou haste deliuered vs from that euerlasting 3 Ephe. 2. b Gala. 1. a. Gen. 3. c. death and damnation into the which Satā drewe mankinde by the meane of synne from the bondage wherof neither man nor angell was 4 Act. 4. e. heb 1. d. Apoc. 5. a able to make vs free but thou ò lord riche in mercie and infinite in goodnes haste prouided our redemption to stande in thy onely and welbeloued sone whom of verie 5 Ioan. 3. c. loue thou didest giue to be made man lyke
The forme of prayERS AND MINISTRAtion of the Sacraments c used in the Englishe Congregation at Geneua and approued by the famous and godly learned man Iohn Caluyn INTRATE PER ARCTAMVIAM The way to life is streicte and fewe finde it Mat. 7. They haue forsaken me the well of the water of lyfe and dygged theym selues pyttes yea vyle and broken pyttes that can hold no water Iere. 2. IMPRINTED AT GENEVA BY IOHN CRESPIN M.D.LVI THE CONTENTES OF THE BOOKE 1 The coâ—â—â—â—â—ion of the Christian faythe 33 2 Th order or electinge Ministers Elders and Deacons 42 3 Thassembly of the Ministery euery thursdaye 49 4 An order for the interpretation of the scriptures and answeringe of dowtes obserued euery mundaye 50 5 A confession of our synnes vsed before the sermon and framede to our state and tyme. 52 6 An other confession for all states and tymes 55 7 A generall prayer after the sermon for the whole estate of Christes Churche 57 8 The ministration of Baptisme and the Lordes Supper 62. 71 9 The forme of Mariage the Visitation of the sycke and the Maner of Buryall 80. 87. 88 10 An order of Ecclesiasticall Discipline 89. 11 One and fyftie psalmes of Dauid in metre 1. b 12 The Catechisme of M. Caluyn etcet 1. c. TO OVR BRETHERNE IN ENGLANDE AND ELS Where Which loue Iesus Christe vnfaynedly mercie and peace IT IS MOre euideÌ„t and known to all men theÌ„ well coÌ„sidered and thaÌ„kfully receyued of many with what greate mercies and especiall graces god enduede our countrye of England in these latter days when from 1 Ose 2. d. Rom. 9. e. 1. Pet. 2. b. idolatrie he called vs to the knowledge of his gospell and of no people made vs his people a holie people the people of god sendinge vs a kinge moste godly learned zealous wyse and such one as neuer sate in that royall chaire before Gods woord vniuersally spred ouer all the lande repentance preached Christes kingdome offered sinne rebuked so that none coulde excuse him selfe either that he had not hearde or els was not taught gods holy ghospell yet it came to passe and this day that is verified on vs which the lord reproued Israell fore sayinge 2 Esa 65. a. Rom. 10. d. I haue stretched forthe my handes all the day longe vnto a people that beleueth not but rebelleth againste me aÌ„d walke after their owne ymaginations For whose ways were not corrupt eueÌ„ from the 3 Esa 1. b. 7. Hier. 2. b. highest to the lowest from toppe to toe there was no part sownde Suche conteÌ„pt of gods word aswell on their behalf to whoÌ„ charge of preachinge was coÌ„mytted as on the other syde negligeÌ„ce to heare and learne to frame their lyues accordiÌ„ge ther vnto that yf the lord had not hastened this plague and preuented it wolde certeÌ„ly haue come to passe whiche those wycked meÌ„ of Anathoth sayed to the prophet Hieremie 4 Hier. 11. d. speake no more to vs in this name of the lorde The which vnkyndnes and contempt wold god we coulde as earnestly repent as we nowe feele the lacke of these accustomed mercies for nowe the day of our 5 Luke 19. f. visitation is come and the lorde hath broght the 6 Leu. 26. c. Deut. 27.28.30.7 1. king 22. c. 2. Chro. 18. e. Eze. 14. e. plagues vpoÌ„ vs wherof before we were admoneshed and moste iustely menaced For the false 7 prophets are sent forthe with lies in their mouthes to deceyue EnglaÌ„d and the scarsetie of gods worde is so great that althogh they seke it from one 8 Amos. 8. d. sea coaste to an other yet they can not finde yt but as men affameshed deuoure the pestiferous dounge of papistrie to the poisoninge of their owne sowles Let vs therfore bretherne 9 Ioel. 2. c. Psal 68. a. Ion. 3. d. 4. a. tourne wholy to the lord by repentance fastynge and prayer earnestly besechinge him to receyue vs once agayne to his fauor who willeth not the death of a synner but his amendement offeringe him selfe to all theym that in their necessitie seeke vnto him and like a moste mercifull father proueth all 10 2. Chro. 36. c. remedies for our betteringe not cruelly ponishinge to destroy vs but gently chastisinge to saue vs. Esa 5. a. Prou. 3. b. Heb. 12. b. Reuel 3. d. Beware then ye 11 Heb. 3. b. 4. b Psal 94. c. harden not your hartes agaynst this mercifull lord and tempt hym as the stubburne Iewes dyd whom he therfore delyuered vp into their enymies handes to perishe with the swoorde hunger and pestilence for god wyll not be 12 Gal. 6. b. mocked but lyke a 13 Heb. 12. g. Deu. 4. d. consuminge fier will destroye aswell the wicked contemners of his worde as the craftie dissemblers which go abowte to measure god by their fantasies not consideringe that they 14 Rom. 2. a. Iam. 5. a. heape damnation against theim selues in the day of his anger which nowe already is kindled and begynneth to flame to the condemnation of their sowles and bodies who knowinge Iesus Christ to haue 15 Heb. 9. a. Rom. 5 b. 1. Pet. 3. c. once fully satisfied for our synnes cease not dayly either in hart mowth or owtward coÌ„sent to blaspheme his precious death aÌ„d asmoche as in them lyeth 16 Heb. 6. a. 10. c. 1. Cor. 6. b. crucifie him a newe Do you not remeÌ„bre that 17 Gal. 5. c. Apo. 21. c. 22. c. Esa 66. g. Mark 9. g. idolaters haue no portion in the kiÌ„gdome of god but are throwne into the lake of fyer and brymstone where their worme shall neuer dye Can not the examples of gods fearfull 18 2. Pet. 2. a. b. Iude. a. Iob. 4. d. iudgements moue you who spared not his verie angells when they trespassed but hitherto reserueth theym in hell chaynes to be tormented in the day of the lorde and wyll he then fauor idolaters dissemblers blasphemers mockers contemners and not rather in this lyfe verifie that which the holie ghost pronownceth against the children of gods wrath who becawse they do not receyue the 19 2. Thes 2. c. Ioh. 3. c. trueth for their saluation are led by lyes to their endeles condemnation at the least let gods forwarnings some what moue you to pitie your owne state who for your instructions suffereth your owne bretherne emongst you to die so terribly some in dispaire others to kyll theym selues aÌ„d many vtteringe moste horrible blasphemies euen to their last breathe The which thinges are so fearfull for vs to heare that we treÌ„ble in thinking ther vpon yf you wyll therfore be counted in the nombre of gods people and be so in deede loke 20 Luk. 9. g. 2. Pet. 2. d. Pro. 26. b. Rom. 11. a. 3. kyng 19. b 1. Cor. 6. c. not backwarde frome the plough returne not to your vomit bowe not your knee to Baal pollut not the temple of the holie ghost
6 Hebr. ◠d. vnto vs in all thynges synne 7 Heb. 4. d. 7. d. except that in his bodye he myght receiue the ponishmentes of 8 1. peter 2. d. Isa 43. d. 53. a. our transgression by his death to make 9 Matt. 3. d. 17. a Hier. 31. f Heb. 8. d. Rom. 5. a. satisfaction to thy iustice and by his resurrection to 10 Hebr. 2. d destroye hym that was auctor of death and so to reduce and bring agayne 11 Iohn 6. e life to the world frome which the whole ofspringe of 12 Gene. 3. d Rom. 5. b Adame moste iustly was exiled O lord we acknowlege that no creature ys able to 13 Ephe. 3. c. comprehende the length and breadthe the depenes and height of that thy most excellent loue which moued thee to shewe mercie where none was 14 Ephe. 2. ◠deserued to promise and giue life 15 Ioan. 6. d. 17. a eph 2. b. where death had gotten victorie to receue vs into thy grace when we could do 16 Gene. 6. b. rom 3. b. Isa 64. b. psal 5. b. 14. a. Rom. 7. c. nothyng but rebell against thy iustice O lord the blynde dulnes of our corrupt 17 Math. 16. c 1. Cor. 2. d luk 11. c Math. 10. nature will not suffer vs sufficiently to waye these thy moste ample benefites yet neuertheles at the 18 Math. 26. b. c. luk 22. b. commaundement of Iesus Christ our lorde we present our selues to this his table which he hath left to be vsed in 19 1. Cor. 11. e remembrance of his death vntyll hys comming agayne to declare and witnes before the world that by him alone we haue receued 20 Ioan. 8. d Gala. 5. c libertie and life that by hym alone thou doest aknowledge vs thy chyldren and 21 Rom. 8. d. 1. peter 1. b Ephe. 1. d heires that by hym alone we haue 22 Ephe. 2. d Hebr. 4. c Rom. 3. entrance to the throne of thy grace that by hym alone we are 23 Math. 25. a. Ioan. 14. a luk 12. d possessed in our spirituall kingedome to eate and drinke at his 24 luk 22. ◠Apoc. 2. a table with whome we haue our 25 Philip. 3. d. Ephe. 2. b. conuersation presently in heauen and by whome our bodies shal be reysed vp agayne frome the dust and shal be placed with him in that endles ioye which thow ò father of mercye hast prepared for thyne elect 26 Ephe. 1. b Apoc. 13. b before the foundation of the worlde was layde And these moste inestimable benefites we acknowlege and cōfesse to haue receaued of thy 27 Rom. 3. c. Ephe. 2. b Titus 3. b free mercie and grace by thy onely beloued sonne Iesus Christ for the which therfore we thy congregation 28 Rom. 8. d moued by thy holy sprite render thee all thankes prayse and glorie for euer and euer Matth. 26. c. Mark 14. c This done the minister breaketh the breade and delyuereth it to the people who distribute and deuide thesame amongst theim selues luke 22. b. 1. Cor. 10. d accordinge to our sauiour Christes cōmandement and in likewise geueth the cuppe Duringe the which tyme 1. Cor. 11. e Iohn 13.14 some place of the scriptures is read which doth lyuely set forth the death of Christ to the intene that our eyes and senses may not onely be occupiede in these outwarde signes of bread and wyne which are called the visible woorde but that our hartes and myndes also may be fully fixed in the contemplation of the lordes death which is by this holy sacrament representede And after the action is done he geueth thanckes saing MOSTE mercifull father we render to the all prayse thankes and glorie for that thou hast vouchsafed to graunt vnto vs miserable synners so excellent a gifte and threasor as to receaue vs into the 1 1. Cor. 10. d felowship and company of thy deare sonne Iesus Christ our lorde whome thou 2 Rom. 4. d deliueredst to deathe for vs and haste giuē hym vnto us as a necessarie 3 Ioan. 6 f foode and norishment vnto euerlastynge life And now we beseche the also ò heauenly father to graunt vs this request that thou neuer suffer vs to become so vnkinde as to forget so worthy benefittes but rather imprint and fasten them sure in our hartes that we may 4 luke 17. b growe and increase dayly more and more in true faithe which continually ys 5 Gala. 5. b excersised in all maner of goode workes and so moche the rather ò lord cōfirme vs in these 6 Timo. 4. a Ephe. 5. d 2. peter 3. a perelous daies and rages of satan that we may constanly stande and continewe in the confession of the same to the aduancement of thy 7 Matth 5. b 1. peter 2. b glorye which art God ouer all things blessed for euer So be it The action thus ended the people singe the 103 psal My soule giue laud c. or some other of thancks giuynge which ended one of the blessings before mencionede is recitede and so they ryse from the table and departe To the reader IF parchaunce any wolde maruell why we followe rather this order then any other in the administration of this sacrament let him diligently consider that first of all we vtterly renownce the error of the papistes secondly we restore vnto the sacramētes theyr owne substaunce and to Christe his proper place And as for the wordes of the lordes supper we rehearce theym not bicawse they shuld chaunge the substaunce of the bread or wyne or that the repeticion therof with the intent of the sacrificer should make the sacrament as the papistes falselie beleue but they are read and pronownced to teache vs how to behaue our selues in this actiō ād that Christe might witnes vnto owr faithe as it were with his owne mowthe that he hath ordayned these signes for our spirituall vse and comforte wee do firste therefore examyne owr selues accordyng to saint Pauls rule and prepare our myndes that we may be worthie partakers of so high mysteries Then takyng bread wee geue thankes breake and distribute it Mat. 76. c. 1. Cor. 11. c luk 22. b. as Christe our sauior hath taught vs. Fynally the ministration ended we gyue thankes agayne accordyng to his example So that without his woorde and warrante there is nothyng in this holy action attempted THE FORME of Mariage AFter the banes or contracte hathe byn publisshed thre seuerall dayes in the congregation to the intent that if any person haue intereste or title to either of the parties they may haue sufficient tyme to make theyr chalenge the parties assemble at the begynning of the sermon and the minister at tyme conuenient saythe as followeth Of Mariage The exhortation DEARLIE beloued bretherne we are here gathered together in the sight of God and in the face of his cōgregation to knytt
can hym not restore “ Selah signifieth a liftinge vp of the voice in singing which declareth some notable matter and worthy to be well wayed But thow ó lord arte my defence when I am harde bestead my wourship and my honour both and thow holdst vp my heade verse 5 5 Then with my voyce vpon the lorde I did both call and crye And he out of his holy hyll Selah did heare me by and by verse 6 6 I layde me downe and quyetly I slept and rose agayne Gods strength most not he measured by mans weakenes and therfore we oght to â—ear no dangers For why I knowe assuredly the lord wyl me sustayne verse 7 7 If ten thousand had hemmed me in I colde not be afrayde For thou arte styl my lorde my God my sauiour and myne ayde verse 8 8 Rise vp therfore saue me my God for now to thee I call He retorneth to his prayer for thou haste broke the cheakes aÌ„d teeth of these wicked men all verse 9 9 Saluacion onely dothe belong God will deliuer his Churche from all dangers because he fauoreth it Selah to thee O lorde aboue thow doest bestowe vpon thy folke thy blessyng and thy loue Cùm inuocarem Psalme IIII. Th. St. ¶ when Saul persecuted him he called vpon God trustinge moste assuredly in his promesse and therfore boldely reproueth his ennemies who by wilfull malice resisted his dominion And finally prefarreth the fauour of God before all worldely threasures Let vs likewise learne to trust in Gods promesses when we are afflicted with any kinde of Crosse and so we shall neither feare our ennemies nor yet be ouercome with tentations O God that art my ryghteousnes lord heare me whan I call thou hast set me at lybertye whan I was bond and thrall Haue mercy lord therfore on me and graunt me this request for vnto the vncessantly to crye I wyll not rest verse 3 3 O mortall men how longe will ye my glorie thus despise why wander ye in vanitie and follow after lyes verse 4 4 Knowe ye that good and godly men the Lorde dothe take and chuse And when to hym I make my plaint he doth me nor refuse Dauid exhorteth his ennemies to repentance for feare of Gods iudgements verse 5 5 Sinne not but stande in awe therefore examyne well your hearte And in your chamber quietly see you your selues conuert verse 6 6 Offer to God the sacrifice of ryghteousnes I saye And looke that in the lyuyng lorde you put your trust alwaye verse 7 7 The greater sorte craue worldly goodes and riches doe embrace He setteth his parfect felicitie in Gods fauour But lord graunt vs thy countenance thy fauoure and thy grace verse 8 8 For thow therby shalt make my harte more ioyful and more glad Than they that of their corne and wine full great increase haue had verse 9 9 In peace therefore lye downe will takyng my reste and slepe for thou onely wilt me ò lord That beinge so litarye he shall lyue as ioyfully as if he were emongest many because god doth defende him alone in sauetie kepe Verba mea Psal V. Th. Ster ¶ Dauid hauinge suffered great calamitie as well by Doeg and Achitophel Sauls flatteres as by other infinite ennemies calleth to God for succor shewinge how requisite it is that God shuld ponishe the malicious enuie of his aduersaries After beinge assured of prosperous successe he conceyueth comfort Concluding that when God shall deliuer him others also shall be partakers of the same mercies Incline thyne eares vnto my wordes o lord my plaÌ„yt coÌ„sider and heare my voyce my king my god to the I make my prayer Heare me betyme lorde tary not for I wyll haue respect my prayer early in the morne to the for to direct And I will trust through pacience in thee my God alone verse 5 5 That arte not pleased with wickednes and ill with thee dwelleth none verse 6 6 And in thy sight shall neuer stande The wicked caÌ„not escape gods ponishment who will iudge all the worlde these furious fooles ò Lorde vaine woorkers of iniquitie thow haste alwais abhorde verse 7 7 The liers and the flatterers thou shalt destroye them than And God wil hate the bloud thyrstie and the deceytfull man verse 8 8 Therfore wyll I come to thy house In the diepest of his tentatioÌ„s he putteth his full confidence in God trustyng vpon thy grace And reuerently wyll worshyp thee towarde thyne holy place verse 9 9 Lord leade me in thy ryghteousnes for to confounde my foes And eke the waye that I shall walke before my face dysclose verse 10 10 For in theyr mouthes there is no truth theyr heart is foule vayne Theyr throte an open sepulchre theyr tongues dooe glose and fayne verse 11 11 Destroye their false conspiracies that they may come to noght Subuert them in their heapes of synne which haue rebellion wroght verse 12 12 But those that put their trust in the. let them be glad al wayes And render thankes for thy defence and geue thy name the prayse verse 13 13 For thou with fauour wilt increase the iust and righteous styll Heb. thou wilt woune him And wyth thy grace as with a shyeld defend hym from all yll Domine ne in Psal VI. Th. Ster ¶ when Dauid by his synnes had prouoked Gods wrath and now felt not onely his hand against him but also conceyued the horrors of death euerlastinge he desireth forgiuenes bewailinge that if God tooke him a waye in his indignation he should lacke occasion to praise him as he was wont to do whils he was emongst men Then sodenly felinge Gods mercie he sharpely rebuketh his ennemies which reioysed in his affliction LOrd in thy wrath reproue me not thogh I deserue thyne Ire ne yet correct me in thy rage o lord I the desyre For I am weak therfore o lord of mercy me forbeare and heale me lord for why thou knowest my bones do quake for feare verse 4 4 My soule is troubled very sore and vexed vehemently But lord howe long wilt thou delaye to cure my myserye verse 5 5 Lord turne the to thy wonted grace my sely soule vp take Oh saue me not for my desertes but for thy mercyes sake verse 6 6 For why no man amonge the ‖ dead He feared not so muche the death of the body but treÌ„bled as it were for feare of Gods iudgemeÌ„t and so waxeth duÌ„me and colde not praise God Hebr. myn eye is eaten as with wormes remembreth thee one whyt Or who shall worship thee O Lorde in the infernal pit verse 7 7 So grieuous is my playnt moue that I waxe wondrous faynt all the night longe I washe my bed with teares of my complaynt verse 8 8 My ‖ sight is dymme and waxeth olde with anguishe of myne hearte For feare of those that be my foes and woulde my soule subuerte God sendeth coÌ„fort and boldenes
the lord thy god alwayes and thou the tyme shalt see To geue him thākes with laude and praise For health restorde to thee Iudica me Deus Psal XLIII Th. St. ¶ He prayeth to be delyuered from theym which conspire with Absolom to the ende that he might ioyfully prayse god in his holy cōgregation IVdge and reuenge my cause o lord from them that euell be from wicked and deceyt full men o lord deliuer me For of my strenght thow art the god whye puttest thou me the fro and why walk I so heuyly oppressed with my foo verse 3 3 Sende oute thy lyghte ād eke thy trueth and leade me with thy grace Which may conduct me to thy hyll and to thy dwellynge place verse 4 4 Then shal I to the altare goe of God my Ioye and cheare And on my harp geue thākes to thee O God my God moste deare verse 5 5 Why art thou than so sad my soule and fraitest thus in my brest Still truste in god for him to praise I holde it alwais best By him I haue delyuerance against all paynes and grief he is my god which doth alwais at need send me reliefe Deus auribus nostris Psal XLIIII Th. St. ¶ A moste earnest prayer made in the name of the faythefull when they are afflicted by their enymyes for sustaynyng the quarell of godes worde accordyng to the exposition of S. Paul 8. rom OVr eares haue heard our fathers tell and reuerently recorde the wonderous workes that thou hast done in alder tyme o lord How thou dydst cast the gentiles out and stroid them with strōge hād Plantyng our fathers in theyr place and gauest to them theyr land verse 4 4 They conquered not by sworde nor strength the land of thy beheste but by thy hande thy arme and grace becawse thou louedst theym beste verse 5 5 Thou art my kynge ò God that holpe suche Iacob in sondrye wyse verse 6 6 Led wyth thy power wee threw downe as dyd agaynste vs ryse verse 7 7 I trusted not in bowe ne sworde they could not saue me sounde verse 8 8 Thou keptst vs from our enmies rage thou didst our foes confound verse 9 9 And stil we boast of thee our God Selah and prayse thyne holy name verse 10 10 Yet now thou goest not with our host but leauest vs to shame verse 11 11 Thou madest vs flee before our foes and so were ouer troad our enmies robd and spoild our goods when we were sparst abroad verse 12 12 Thou haste vs giuen to our foes as shepe for to be slayne emongest the heathen euery where scatered we do remayne verse 13 13 Thy people thou hast solde like slaues and as a thinge of noght For proffit non thou hadst therby no gayne at all was soght verse 14 14 And to our neyghbours thou hast made of vs a laughing stocke And those that round about vs dwel at vs do grinne and mocke The state of gods children in this worlde verse 15 15 Thus we sarue for non other vse but for a common talke they mocke they scorne and nod their heads wher euer we goe or walke verse 16 16 I am ashamede continually to heare these wickedmen yea so I blushe that all my face with redd is couuered then verse 17 17 For why we heare such slaunderous wordes such false reports and lyes that death it is to see their wronges their threatenings and their cryes verse 18 18 For al this we forgot not thee nor yet thy couuenant brake verse 19 19 We tourne not backe our heartes from thee nor yet thy patthes forsake verse 20 20 Yet thou hast trode vs downe to duste where “ he meaneth emongs the infidells dennes of dragons be And couered vs with shade of death and great aduersitie verse 21 21 If we had our goddes name forgot and helpe of Idols soght verse 22 22 Wolde not god then haue tried this out For he dothe knowe our thoght verse 23 23 Nay nay for thy names sake ò lorde alwayes are we slayne thus As shepe vnto the shambles sente right so they deale with vs. verse 24 24 Vp Lord why slepest thou awake and leaue vs not for al verse 25 25 Why hydest thou thy countenaunce and dost forget our thral verse 26 26 For downe to dust our soule is broght and we now at last caste out belie like as it were glued vnto the grounde cleaueth faste verse 27 27 Rise vp therfore for our defence and helpe vs lord at neede we thee beseche for thy goodnes to rescue vs with speede Audite haec Psal XLIX Th. St. ¶ The holy ghoste calleth all men to the consideration of mās life shewing theym not to be moste happy that are moste wealthy and therfore not to be feared but contrariwise he lifteth vp our myndes to consider how all thynges are ruled by godes prouidence who as he iudgeth these worldely mysers to euerlastyng tormentes so dothe he preserue his and will rewarde theym in the day of the resurrection 2. Thess 1. ALL people hearken and geue eare to that that I shall tell both hygh and lowe bothe riche and poore that in the world do dwell For why my mouth shall make discourse of many thinges right wyse In vnderstandyng shall my heart his study exercise he will treat of waighty matters and great importance 4 I wil enclyne myne eare to knowe the parables so darke and open al my doubtful speche in Metre on my harpe verse 5 5 Why should I feare afflictions or any carefull toyle or els my foes which at my heeles are prest my lyfe to spoyle verse 6 6 For as for such as riches haue wherin their trust is moste and they which of their treasure great them selues do bragge and boste The terme of mans lif is onely in gods handes verse 7 7 There is not one of theym that can his brothers deathe redeme or that can giue a price to god sufficient for hym verse 8 8 It is to great a price to pay none can therto attayne verse 9 9 Or that he might his lyfe prolong or not in graue remayne verse 10 10 They see wise men as well as foles subiecte vnto deathes handes and being dead straungers possesse their goodes their rentes theyr landes verse 11 11 Their care is to builde houses fayre The dreame ā immortalitie in this life althogh daily the see the contrary by experience and so determine sure To make theyr name ryghte great in earth for euer to endure verse 12 12 Yet shal no man alwaies enioye high honor welth and reste but shall at length taste of deathes cup as well as the brute beaste verse 13 13 And thogh they trie these folishe thoghtes to be moste lewde and vayne Solab their children yet approue their talke and in like synne remayne verse 14 14 As shepe into the folde are broght so shall they into graue Death shall them eate and in that day the iuste shall
sayeth that he was hanged on a tree to the intente that he myghte take vpon hym our curse Deu. 21. Gal. 3. and so dyscharge vs. for that kynde of deathe was accursed of God ¶ The minister What is it not a greate reproche and dyshonoure vnto our Lorde Iesu to say that he was accursed and that before God ¶ The childe No not a whit for he through hys almyghtye power by taking the curse from vs vnto hymselfe did in such sort make it voyde and of none effecte that he hymselfe neuertheles continued still so blessed that he was able to fulfyll vs also with hys blessynges ¶ The minister Make an exposiciō of that that foloweth ¶ The childe In so muche as deathe was a cursse or punyshement appointed vnto man for synne Christ euen in sufferinge death vainqueshed death therfore our sauiour Christ did suffer death and by suffering ouercame it And to the entent also to make it the more certaynly knowen vnto vs that his death was not a coloured or counterfaited thing it pleased hym also to be buryed after the common maner of other menne ¶ The minister But it appeareth not that any profyte cummeth to vs by thys that Christe hathe wonne the victory of death seing that we it not withstanding cease not to dye ¶ The childe The death of the faithfull is a right passage to life euerlasting That doth not hinder for the deathe of the faythfull is nowe nothing elles but a readye passage to a better lyfe ¶ The minister It foloweth then necessarily hereof that we oughte in no wyse to be afrayde of deathe as though it were a dredefull thīg but rather it behoueth vs willingly to walke the trace of oure heade and capitayne Iesu Christ who hath walked and troden the same waye before vs not to the entente to leade vs to our destruction but to procure vs an euerlastynge sauegarde ¶ The childe It is euen so ¶ The minister Sonday 10 What is the sence of that clause whiche is putte to afterward as touchyng his descendyng into hell ¶ The childe The vnderstāding of this Christe went down into hel The ryghte meanynge therof is that Christ dyd not onelye suffre a naturall deathe which is a departyng and goyng asunder of the body and soule but also that his soule was in woōderfull dystresse beyng wofully pressed and enduring grieuous tormentes and as it were hellyke paynes Actes 2. which Sainct Peter calleth the sorowes or pangues of deathe ¶ The minister For what consideration sustained he those paynes and in what sorte ¶ The childe Becawse he presented hymselfe before God to be a sacryfice satisfactory and to make amēdes in the behalfe of synners it was mete that as he did beare the wayght and burthen of our synnes so lykewyse he shoulde feele this horryble anguyshe and greuous tormente of conscience whiche synne bryngeth beyng in case as if God had vtterlye forsaken hym and ben haynously displeased agaynste hym And in verye deede he was brought to suche extremytye of anguyshe that he was dryeuen to crye my God my God Matt. 27. Mark 15. why haste thou forsaken me ¶ The minister Why was God then angry with him ¶ The childe Nay howbeit it was cōueniente that God shoulde punyshe hym in suche sorte Esa 53. 1. Peter 2. to veryfie ād performe the wordes of Esay the Prophet who saieth that he was beatē with the hāde of his father for our sinnes ād that he dyd suffer the punishmente due to oure trangressyons ¶ The minister But howe coulde it be that he was in suche dreadefull anguyshe as though God hadde vtterly forsaken hym seing he was God hymselfe ¶ The childe We must vnderstande that he was in such destresse onlye as touchīge his humanitye And to the intente that he myghte feele these panges in hys manhoode hys Godhead dyd in the meane tyme for a lytle space kepe it selfe close as if it had bene hydd that is to saye it dyd not shewe not vtter the mygh therof ¶ The minister But how could thys be that Christe who is the health of the world could bee vnder such condemnacion ¶ The childe He was not so vnder it that he shuld cōtynewe in the same For he hath in suche wise felte these terrors whiche wee haue spoken of that he was not ouercome of the same but hath rather therby made battayll agaynst the power of hell to breake and destroye it ¶ The minister Hereby then we see the difference betwene that anguish or vexacion of mynde whiche Christe dyd suffer The difference betwene the anguishe of Christes spirit and the conscience of the wicked and that whyche the impenytente synners dooe abyde whome God doth punyshe in hys terryble wrath for that verye payne whiche Christe sustained for a tyme the wycked must endure continually and that whych was vnto Christ but a goade as it were to prycke him is vnto the wycked in steade of a glaiue to wound them to death ¶ The childe Trueth it is for oure sauyoure Christe notwithstandynge these vexations euē in the myddes of his tormētes did not ceasse to put a ful trust euermore in God but the damned synners do dispaire withoute al confydence in Goddes goodnes yea they stomake agaynste God in so muche that they blaspheme hys maiestye ¶ The minister Sonday 11 Maye we nowe gather suffyciently of this that is sayed what fruite or profite cōmeth to vs by the death of Iesus Christe ¶ The childe Yea very well The profite ād vertue of Christes death stādeth in .iii. pointes and fyrste of all we see that it is a sacryfice wherwith he hath fully aunswared and satysfyed hys fathers iudgement in our behalfe and therby also he hath appaised Goddes wrath whiche worthely hanged ouer vs hath broughte vs into his fauoure againe Secōdlye that he shedde his bloud to purifie ād clense our soules from al maner of spottes fynally that he hath so cleane wyped awaye oure synnes through his precyous death that God wil neuer hereafter haue remēbraunce of them to call vs to any reckoninge yea euenso that the obligation or hande wrytynge whiche was to be shewed forthe againste vs to oure cōdemnation is nowe cleane cancelled and vtterlye made voyde ¶ The minister Haue we no other profite besydes this of his death ¶ The childe Yes verely that is if we be true membres of Christe our olde man is crucyfyed and our fleshe is mortyfied to the ende that no euyll lustes or affections doe herafter beare rule in vs. ¶ The minister Expound the article folowing ¶ The childe 1. Peter 3. He rose the thirde daie frō death to lyfe wherī he shewed that he had vaynquished gottē the victorie of death and synne For through his resurrection he swalowed vp death he broke asōdre the chaines wherwith the deuill did holde vs in captyuitie fynally he destroied all hys power and kyngdome ¶ The minister Tell me how many
wayes this resurrection of Christe doeth profite vs ¶ The childe Thre maner of ways the firste The benefyte and vertue of Christes death standeth in .iii pointes that we haue fully obtained to be ryghteous therby Secondly that his risinge frō death is asure gage and certaine assuraunce unto vs that we shall ōce ryse agayne into a lyfe without ende and moste glorious Thyrdely Rom. 4.6 1. Cor. 15. that if we be in dede truely partakers of his resurrection we ryse nowe in this present worlde in to a new kynde of lyfe addicted wholy to serue God and to leade an holye conuersation agreable to his wil and pleasure ¶ The minister Sonday 12 Let vs goe forwarde to the reste ¶ The childe He ascended vp into heauen ¶ The minister Wente Christ vp into heauen in suche sort that he was no lōger abydinge in the yearth ¶ The childe Yea Christ ascended into heauē for whan he had performed whollye all thynges that were enioyned him by the commandement of his father and had accōplished all that was necessarie for our health it was not nedefulle that he shoulde remayne any longer in the worlde ¶ The minister What profyte haue wee by hys ascension ¶ The childe The Profytte of Christes ascension stādyth in two pointes We receyue double profyte thereby for since that our sauyoure Christe is entred into heauen in our name euen inlyke maner as he came downe from thēce for oure sakes onely he hath thereby made an open entrye into the same place for vs geuynge us withal an assured knowledge that the gate of heauen is nowe wyde open to receiue vs whych was before faste shutte through our synnes The seconde profite is that he sytteth there presente alwais in the syght of God the father to make intercessyon for us Rom. 6. Hebr. 7. and to be our aduocate to make answere for vs. ¶ The minister But is oure sauioure Christ so gone out of the worlde that he is no more here with vs ¶ The childe Matt. 28. No dowteles for he hymselfe sayeth the contrarye that is that he wyl be here presente with vs vnto the worldes ende ¶ The minister Is it meant of his bodely presence that he maketh promise so to cōtynue with vs ¶ The childe No verelye Luke 24. Actes 1. for it is a nother matter to speake of hys body which was lyfte vp out of this worlde into heauen and to speake of hys godlye power whiche is spred abrode throughout the whole worlde ¶ The minister Declare the meanīg of this sentēce He sytteth on the ryghte hand of God the Father ¶ The childe The vnderstandyng of that is Matt. 28. to signifye that he hath receyued into his handes the gouernance of heauen and yearth whereby he is kynge and ruler ouer al thynges ¶ The minister What signifieth this worde ryghthande and the fyttyng on the ryghthande whereof mention is here made ¶ The childe It is a similitude or a maner of speache borowed of earthly Princes To sit on the right hande of God whiche are wonte to place on their right side suche as they substitute nexte vnder them to see to the execution of lawes and to supplye their roume and offyce in their steade ¶ The minister Then thou meanest nothing els therby Ephe. 1. but that whiche S. Paule speaketh to the Ephesians that he was constitute and appointed head of the Churche set in authoritie aboue all powers Philip. 2. and that he hath receiued a name or dignitie passynge all other ¶ The childe My meanynge is none other ¶ The minister Goe forwarde to the residue ¶ The childe Sonday 13 From thence he wil come to iudge the quycke ād the dead that is to saye he will come doune from heauē and shewe himselfe visibly once agayne in iudgement euen in that shape Actes 1. wherin he was seen to ascend ¶ The minister Seynge the iudgemente of God shal be in the ende of the worlde how maye that be whych thou saiest some shal be a lyue and other some shal be dead namely since also it is a thing most certainly oppointed vnto all men Hebr. 9. to dye once ¶ The childe S. Paule maketh answer to this questiō himselfe saying that they which at that time shal be lefte on liue 1. Cor. 15. 1. Thes 4. shal be sodainly chāged in a momēt of time to the end that their corruptible nature maye be altered and that they may receiue a newe body whiche shal be no more subiect to corruption ¶ The minister Thy meaninge is then that this alteratiō or change shal be vnto them in steade of a death in somuche as it shal do a way abolyshe their former nature and make them ryse againe in a newe more glorious state ¶ The childe It is euen so ¶ The minister Doe we receyue any comfort by this that our sauiour Christ will come once to iudge the worlde ¶ The childe Yea verely and that a synguler great comforte for we are taught certeynly that hys commyng at that tyme shal be onely for our saluation ¶ The minister Wel then there is no cause why we shoulde be afrayde of the day of iudgement or wherfore we shoulde lothe the cummyng thereof ¶ The childe No truely Christe shal both Iudge vs and aunswer for vs. forsomuch as we shall appeare before no other iudge but him who is our aduocate and hath taken vpon hym to defende our cawse ¶ The minister Sonday 14 Let vs nowe come to the third parte ¶ The childe That part cōcerneth our fayth confidence in the holy goste The third parte of the crede ¶ The minister And to what purpose doth it serue vs ¶ The childe It doth vs to vnderstād that euen as God hath first redemed vs Of the holy gost and his giftes geuen euerlasting health vnto vs in Iesu Christ euē so it pleased hym to make vs partakers of these his graces ād benefites through his holy spirite ¶ The minister How so ¶ The childe In lyke maner as the bloud of Christe is the onelye thyng that pourgeth oure soules 1. Peter 1. euē so the holy ghost must sprinkle ād moysten our cōsciences with the same to make them pure and cleane ¶ The minister Yet this needeth a more euident declaration ¶ The childe It is no more to saye but that the holye spirite of God dwellyng in our heartes doth make vs feele the vertue and goodnes of our Lord Iesus Rom. 5. for it is he that doth open the eyes of our hearte to beholde gods benefites towardes vs he doeth seale and imprint his aboundante graces in our soules and this spirite doeth also regenerate vs and make vs new creatures in such sort Ephe. 1. that by his meanes we receiue to our most cōfort al those giftes and benefites which be offered vnto vs so plentifully in Christ our sauiour ¶ The minister Sonday 15
What foloweth now next ¶ The chide The fourth part of our beliefe The fowerth part which is of the churche where it is sayde I beleue that there is a Catholique or uniuersal churche ¶ The minister What is this Churche ¶ The childe It is the felowship or congregation of them that belieue what the church is whom God hathe ordeyned and chosen unto life euerlasting ¶ The minister Is it necessary that we beleue this artiticle ¶ The childe Yea it is a thyng very necessarye onlesse we mynd to make Christes death vtterlye voyde and of none effect and to make all those thiÌ„ges superfluous aÌ„d to no purpose whiche we haue rehearsed alreadye for the church is the verye fruite that proceadeth of all Christes dooinges ¶ The minister This is thaÌ„ thy sayiÌ„g that all which hither to hath bene declared For what purpose Christe suffered deathe doth touche the cause aÌ„d grownde of our saluatioÌ„ insomuche as God hath receiued vs into his fauoure by the meanes of our sauiour Iesus Christ hath stablished this grace in vs through his holy spirite But nowe the effect that cuÌ„meth of all this is declared vnto vs to geue the more euideÌ„t assurance therof ¶ The childe It is euen so as you say ¶ The minister What meanest thou by saying The holy churche ¶ The childe I call the Churche holy in this sence because that those whoÌ„ God hathe chosen he iustifieth renueth vnto holynes aÌ„d innoceÌ„cy of lyfe to make his glory to shyne in theÌ„ Ephe 5. And also oure sauiour Christe hath saÌ„ctified his churche which he redemede to the ende it myght be glorious and without spot ¶ The minister What meaneth this worde Catholique or vniuersall ¶ The childe The meaning of this word catholique Ephe. 4. 1. Cor. 12. It serueth to put vs in remeÌ„braÌ„ce that as there is but one head of the righte beleuers eueÌ„ so it behoueth theÌ„ to be knit together in one bodye iÌ„ such sorte that there be not diuers churches but one churche alonely disê‘sed thorowout the whole worlde ¶ The minister Declare as touchiÌ„g the communioÌ„ of sainctes ¶ The childe The communioÌ„ of the faithfull That clause is putte to for a more playne declaration or setting furth of the vnitie and coupling together of the membres of Christes church Moreouer it doth vs to vnderstand that al the benefites that Christe hath geueÌ„ and all the good that he hathe done for his church belongeth to the profite and saluacion of euerye faithfull personne for so much as they haue all a common partaking together ¶ The minister Sonday 16 But where thou namest the churche holye is the holinesse therof now alreadi vpright and perfecte ¶ The childe No verely for it is in contynuall battayll so longe as we are in this world and laboreth alwaye vnder imperfectioÌ„ aÌ„d infirmities which shal neuer be cleane taken a way vntill we be al together coupled to our head Iesu Christ by whome we are perfitly sanctified and made holy ¶ The minister Is there no other way to knowe this church but by beliefe or faithe ¶ The childe Yes verely there is a church or coÌ„panye of Goddes people which may be sene to the eye forsomuch as God hath geueÌ„ outwarde tokens and SacrameÌ„tes by the whiche we may knowe the same But here in this place meÌ„cioÌ„ is made onely of the peculiar and chosen coÌ„pani of Goddes childreÌ„ whoÌ„ whom he hath chosen to euerlasting lyfe the whiche feloweshyppe cannot be perfectely discerned here by our sences nor by outward tokens ¶ The minister What is there more ¶ The childe Touchinge the forgiunes of sinnes I beleue the remission of our synnes ¶ The minister What is the ryghte or proper signification of thys woord Remissyon ¶ The childe It signifyeth properlye that God doeth freelye forgeue al the sinnes of them whiche beleue in hym in suche sorte that they shall neuer be called to any accounte neyther shall they make anye aunswere before Goddes iustice seate therby to receyue any punishement ¶ The minister It is easy than to be gathered of this that we doe not merite or deserue by any satisfaction or amendes that we can make that God shoulde pardon our synnes ¶ The minister Ye say true for oure sauiour Christ hath made the full payment himself and hath sustayned the payne due vnto the same for we of our parte be not able to make anie maner of recoÌ„pence but we are drieueÌ„ to seeke vpon God that of his mere liberalitie we may obtayne this benefyt frely ¶ The minister Wherefore doest thou make mencion of remissyon immediatelye after that thou hast spoken of the churche ¶ The childe Because that no manne can receyue forgeuenes of his sinnes vnles he be incorporated Ther is no remission of synnes without the body of the churche and ioyned in the felowshyp of Goddes people and so continue in the vnitie common partakynge of Christes benefites with the same hys bodye euen to th ende lyke a true membre of hys Churche ¶ The minister By thys saying than without the churche ther is nothing but hel death and damnacion ¶ The childe That is most certayne for all such as do deuide disseuer them selues from the body of Christe to the intente to make a sect and breake the vnitie therof are vtterly destitute of al hope to enioy euerlasting lyfe whiles they kepe themselues so diuided and a parte ¶ The minister Sonday The 17 What foloweth more ¶ The childe Of oure resurrection The rysyng agayne of the body and lyfe euerlasting ¶ The minister Whereto serueth thys article in our beliefe ¶ The childe It doeth vs to vnderstande that our ioye and felicitie consysteth not in anye thynge vpon earthe the which knowledge maye serue vs for two necessary purposes The firste it serueth to teache vs to passe through this transitory world as if it were through a strange countreye settyng litle by the thynges of thys worlde and not settyng oure affectyon on thynges of so vnstable continuaunce Then secondarily it putteth vs in couÌ„fort that although as yet we haue no full taste or enioying of the felicitie which our Lord god hathe freelye prepared for vs in our sauiour Christ that yet we oughte not for that to dyscourage our selues but paciently to wayte for hym vnto the tyme that he shall appere ¶ The minister What shal be the maner of our resurrection ¶ The childe Al they which be dead before that tyme shal then take theyr own bodyes agayn vnto them 1. Cor. 15. howbeit they shal be of a nother sorte or fashion that is to wete they shal be no more subiecte to death or corrupcion and yet notwithstanding they shal be of the selfe same nature and substaunce as before And suche as shal then remayne alyue God wyll rayse them vp maruelously and sodainely chaunge theyr bodyes in the twinklinge of an eye as we haue sayd before ¶ The minister
that it was partly ordeined for the recreation and ease of seruauntes ¶ The childe To thintente that they whiche be vnder the authoritye and power of others myght be released somewhat and lyghtened of theyr paynful laboures the whiche thyng also serueth to the furtheraunce of the common wealth for somuch as euery man hath iust cause to be the readyer willynglye to trauayle the other sixe days when they consider that they may take their rest in the seuenth ¶ The minister Goe to then let vs nowe also see how this commaundement belongeth vnto vs. ¶ The childe As touching the ceremony ther of Col. 2. The ceremoniall Sabbot◠ys ended we haue nothing to do with it for the vse of al ceremonyes ceassed at the cumming of Christe who was the ende and substaunce of them ¶ The minister How so ¶ The childe For our old man vnto whome the ceremonies belonged is now crucifyed by the vertue of his death Rom. 6. through the merite of his resurrection we rise agayn into a newnes of lyfe ¶ The minister What is there than in this comaundement that concerneth vs ¶ The childe We are bounde to obserue the politique ordre appoynted in the churche for the hearyng of Goddes woorde for cumming together to make common prayers and for the ryghte vse of the sacramentes ¶ The minister And dothe the fygure profytt vs no more ¶ The childe Yes veryly for it leadethe vs to the trewth of that thing wherof the sabboth day is a figure which is that we being made the true mēbers of Christe ought to leaue of from doing the woorkes of our owne will to commit our selues wholy vnto his tuicion gouernance ¶ The minister Sonday 28 Lette vs come now to the seconde table ¶ The childe HOnor thy father thy mother ¶ The minister The 5 cōmaundement What doest thou meane by this woord Honour ¶ The childe what honor is due to our superiours The meaning is that children are of duetye bounde to vse humble obedience and lowlynes towardes their father and mother bearynge a reuerente minde towardes them ready to assyst and ayde thē and willyng to doe after theyr commaundementes according to their dutie ¶ The minister Proceade farther in thys commaundement ¶ The childe God ioyneth also a promes to this commaundement sayng that thou maist leade a prosperous lyfe many yeares in the lande whiche the lord thy God hath geuen thee ¶ The minister What is the meanyng of this promes ¶ The childe That God will indue them with a long lyfe here in thys worlde whiche haue theyr father and mother in due reuerence ¶ The minister How cummeth it to passe that god promiseth man to prolong hys life here in thys world as if it were a speciall benefite since this life present is so ful of al kynd of misery ¶ The childe Though our lyfe here in thys world be neuer so full of wretchednes yet not with standing a long life A longe life is a blessing of God vnto the faithfull for somuche as god doth shew furth his fatherly affection towardes his in that they knowe they are vnder hys protection and defence ¶ The minister May a man gather of the contrary parte that he who liueth not manye yeares is accursed of God ¶ The childe No but rather it cummeth to passe manye tymes that oure lord taketh them soneste of all out of thys world shortenyng theyr lyfe whome he loueth most dearely ¶ The minister Since he doeth thus It semeth that he keepeth not alwayes promesse ¶ The childe Benefites of this worlde are promysed with cōdicion Yes verelye for what promes soeuer god maketh vs touching the benefites of this world we ought to take it with this condicion so farfurth as it shal be expedient for the health of our soule For it were a meanes to haue the promes of god in smal reputacyon if the eyes of oure mynd wer not directed further then to cōsidre onely the state of thys present lyfe ¶ The minister And what is to be sayd of them that be disobedient vnto father and mother ¶ The childe The ponyshement of childrē whyche disobey their parents God will not onely punish them with euerlasting payne in the day of iudgement but he wil execute also punishmente on theyr bodyes here in thys worlde eyther by shortnynge their life eyther by procuring them a shameful death either at the least a life most miserable ¶ The minister Doeth not God speake expresly and namely of the lande of Canaan in thys promesse ¶ The childe Yes verely as touching the children of Israel vnto whom the commaundement was first geuen but since it hath pleased god to receyue vs also into the noumbre of hys people Psal 14 Psal 88. Psal 3. we must take it in a more general significatyon so that in somuche as the whole earthe is the lordes we ought to acknowledge that what countreye soeuer we do inhabite god hathe geuen vnto vs the same for a dwellinge place ¶ The minister Is there nothyng elles to be vnderstande in this commaundement ¶ The childe Yes for notwithstandyng no mencion is made in it expresly but of the father and mother yet we must vnderstand in them al magistrates rulers superiours for so muche as there is one maner of consideracion of theym all ¶ The minister What is that ¶ The childe AS God hath geuē vnto them all theyr authoritie and preeminence and because there is no prerogatiue of superioritye neither of father nor mother neyther of prynce or ruler magistrate or maister neyther anye other offyce or tytle of preemynence Rom. 13. but suche as God hath ordeyned therfore they require al by one maner of reason theyr due obedience ¶ The minister Sonday 29 Goe nowe to the sixt commaundement ¶ The childe The .6 commaundement THou shalt do no murther ¶ The minister Is there nothyng forbydden here but open murther ¶ The childe Yes verelye for consideryng that it is god who geueth thys in commaundemēt the which hath chiefe regarde vnto oure heartes he doth not only geue vs a law to restrayne our outward dedes but principally to brydle the affections of oure mynde ¶ The minister Thy meanynge is then that there is a certayne kinde of murther lying prieuelye in the heart the whiche is forbydden here of God ¶ The childe It is euen so and that is a malicious hatred or rancour and a desyer to doe hurt vnto our neyghbour ¶ The minister Is it inough then if we beare no hatred nor malice towardes any man ¶ The childe No for in that that god forbyddeth hatred it is to be vnderstand also that he requireth of vs to loue all men that vnfeynedly from the bottome of the hearte procuryng by all meanes theyr welth ¶ The minister Rehearse the seuenthe commaundement ¶ The childe THou shalt not commit adultery The .7 Cōmādement ¶ The minister What is the summe and
be once baptised but also it moch profiteth oft to be present at the ministration therof that we beinge putt in minde of the 21 Deut. 6. a. Iosue 1. b. league and conuenant made betwxit God and vs that he wil be 22 Iere. 31. f. Hebr. 8. c. our God and we his people he our father and we his children may haue occasion as wel to trye our liues past as our present coÌ„uersatioÌ„ and to proue our selues whether we stand fast in the faithe of Gods elect or contrariwise haue strayed froÌ„ hiÌ„ through 23 Ephe. 4. e Col 3. b. Heb. 2. b. incredulite and vngodly lyuinge wherof if our coÌ„scieÌ„ces do accuse vs yet by hearing the louing promises of our heaueÌ„ly father who calleth all meÌ„ to mercie by 24 Ezech. 18. Act. 11. c. 33 2. Peter 3. b Deu. 4. d. 6. a repeÌ„tance we may froÌ„ heÌ„sforthe walke more warely in our vocatioÌ„ Moreouer ye that be fathers aÌ„d mothers may take hereby moste singuler coÌ„fort to se your childreÌ„ thus receyued in to the bosome of Christes coÌ„gregatioÌ„ wherby you are daily admonished that ye norishe aÌ„d briÌ„g vp the childreÌ„ of Gods fauor aÌ„d mercye ouer whoÌ„ his fatherly ê“uideÌ„ce 25 Matt. 18. b. watcheth coÌ„tinually Which thing as it oght greatly to reioyse you knowing that 26 Matt. 6. d. luc 12. a. nothiÌ„g caÌ„ chauÌ„ce vnto theÌ„ wyth out his good pleasure So oght it to make you diligeÌ„t aÌ„d carefull to nurture and instruct theÌ„ in the 27 Deu. 4. b. 6. a 11. c. Ephe. 6. a. true knowledge aÌ„d feare of God Wherin if you be negligeÌ„t ye do not only 28 1. Sam. 2. f. 4. king 2. d. iniurie to your own childreÌ„ hydinge froÌ„ theÌ„ the good will and pleasure of almyghtie God their father What daÌ„ger haÌ„geth ouer those pareÌ„ts which neglect the briÌ„ging vp of their children in godlines but also heape daÌ„natioÌ„ vpoÌ„ your selues in sufferinge his childreÌ„ boght wyth the bloode of his deare soÌ„ne so trayterously for lacke of knowledge to turne backe froÌ„ hiÌ„ Therfore it is your duety withall diligeÌ„ce to ê“uide that your childreÌ„ in tyme conuenient be instructed in all 29 Gen. 18. c. Deut. 32. g. The true vse of the Cathechisme to the execution wherof the fathers and Godfathers bind theim selues doctrine necessarie for a true ChristiaÌ„ chiefely that they be taught to rest vpon the iustice of Christ Iesus alone and to abhorre and flee all superstitioÌ„ papistrie and idolatrie Finally to the intent that we may be assured that you the father and the suretie consent to the perfourmaÌ„ce hereof declare here before God and the face of his congregation the somme of that faith wherein you beleue and will instruct this childe Then the father or in his absence the God father shal rehearse the articles of his faithe which doone the minister exhorting the people to praye sayeth in this manner or such lyke kneeling ALmightie aÌ„d euerlasting God which of thy infinite mercie and goodnes hast promised vnto vs that thow wilt not only be our God but also the God aÌ„d father of our childreÌ„ we beseche thee that as thou hast vouchesaued to call vs to be partakers of this thy great mercie in the 1 Gal. 3. d. 1. peter 1. a. phil 3. c. felowshipe of faithe so it may please thee to sanctifie with thy 2 rom 3. d. 4. c. 2. Cor. 5. d. Rom. 8. c. Ephe. 2. d. 3. b sprite and to receiue in to the number of thy children this infant whom we shall baptise accordiÌ„g to thy 3 Matt. 28. d. Mar. 16. c. Act. 2. f. woord to the end that he coÌ„ming to perfite age may 4 Rom. 10. b. Iohn 17. a. coÌ„fesse thee onely the true God aÌ„d whome thow hast sent Iesus Christ and so serue him and be 5 rom 12. b. 1. cor 12. a. 2. Thes 5. c. profitable vnto his churche in the whole course of his lyfe that after this life be ended he may be broght as a lyuely meÌ„ber of his body vnto the full fruition of thy 6 1. Cor. 2. a. rom 6. d. Tit. 3. b. ioyes in the heaueÌ„s where thy sonne our Christ raigneth world wyth out end In whose name we pray as he hathe taught vs. Our father etc. when they haue prayed in this sort the minister requireth the childs name which knowen He saieth N. 1 Matt. 28. d. Mark 16. c. Act. 2. f. I baptise thee in the name of the father of the sonne and of the holy ghoste And as he speaketh these woords he taketh water in his haÌ„d and layeth it vpon the childes forehead which done he giueth thanckes as followeth FOR asmoche moste holy aÌ„d mercifull father as thow doest not only beawtifie and blesse vs wyth coÌ„mon benefits like vnto the rest of mankinde but also 1 Ephe. 2. b. a. 1. peter 2. b. Osee 2. d. 2. peter 2. d. heapest vpon vs moste abundantly rare and wonderfull gyftes of dutye we lyft vp our eyes and mindes vnto thee and gyue thee moste huÌ„ble thankes for thy infinite goodnes which haste not only nombred vs emongest thy 2 1. peter 2. b. Ephe. 2. d. sainctes but also of thy free mercie doest call our children vnto thee markinge theim wyth thys Sacrament as a singuler token aÌ„d badge of thy loue Wherfore moste louing father thogh we be not able to deserue this so greate a benefite yea if thow wouldest haÌ„dle vs according to our 3 Rom. 2. a. Iere. 3. g. Isa 40. b luk 17. c. merits we shuld suffer the punishemeÌ„t of eternall deathe and daÌ„natioÌ„ yet for Christes sake we beseche thee that thou wilt coÌ„firme this thy fauor more and more towards vs and take this infant into thy tuition and defence whom we offer and present vnto thee wyth common supplications and neuer suffer him to fall to such vnkindes wherby he shuld 4 2. Cor. 6. d. lose the force of this baptisme but that he may perceyue thee continually to be his mercifull father throgh thy holy spirite working in his hart by whose diuine power he may so preuayle against Satan that in the end obteyning the victorie he may be exalted into the libertie of thy kingdome THE MANER OF THE LORDES SVPPER THE day when the lordes supper is ministred which commoÌ„lye is vsed once a monthe or so oft as the Congregation shall thinke expedient the minister vseth to saye as followeth LET vs marke deare bretherne and coÌ„sider how Iesus Christ did ordayne vnto vs his holy supper according as S. Paule maketh rehearsall in the 11. chap. of the first Epistle to the Cor. I haue saith he receyued of the lorde that which I haue deliuered vnto you to witt that the lorde Iesus the same night he was betrayed toke breade and when he had geuen thankes he brake it sayinge Take ye eate ye this is my bodie which is broken for you doo you this in remeÌ„brance of me