A CATECHISME OF CHRISTIAN RELIGION TAVGHT in the Schooles and Churches of the Low-Countries and dominions of the Countie Palatine WITH THE ARGVMENTS AND vse of the seueral doctrins of the same Catechisme By IEREMIAS BASTINGIVS And now authorized by the Kinges Maiestie for the vse of Scotland Wherunto is adioyned certaine Praiers both publike and priuate for sundry purposes EDINBVRGH ⧠Printed by Robert VValde-graue printer to the Kings Majestie 1591. Cum priuilegio Regiae Maiestatis The A. B. C. A a b c d e f g h i k l m n o p q r r s s t u v w x y z A B C D E F G H I K L M N O P Q R S T V W X Y Z. a b c d e f g h i k l m n o p q r s s t v u vv x y z. A B C D E F G H I K L M N O P Q R S T V VV X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 a e i o u a e i o u ab eb ib ob ub ag eg ig og ug ac ec ic oc uc ak ek ik ok uk ad ed id od ud al el il ol ul af ef if of uf an en in on un In the name of the Father and of the Sonne and of the holy Ghost Sobeit The Lords prayer OVr Father which art in heauen halowed be thy name Thy kingdom come Thy wil be done in Earth as it is in Heauen Giue vs this day our dayly bread And forgiue vs our trespasses as wee forgiue them that trespas against vs. And leade vs not into temptation but deliuer vs from euill For thine is the kingdome power the glory for euer and euer Amen The beliefe I Beleue in God the Father almightie maker of Heauen Earth And in Iesus Christ his onely Sonne our Lord which was conceiued by the holy Ghost Born of 〈◊〉 virgin Mary Suffered vnder Ponâ—â—us Pilate was crucified dead and buried He descended into Hell the third day hee rose againe from the dead Hee ascended into Heauen sitteth at the right hand of God the Father almightie From thence shal he come to iudge the quick the dead I beleue in the holy ghost The holy Catholik Church The coÌ„munion of Saints The forgiuenes of sinnes the resurrection of the body And the life euerlasting THE TEN COMMANDEments of Almightie God HArken and take heede Israel I am the Lorde thy God which haue brought thee out of the lande of Egypt from the house of bondage 1 Thou shalt haue non other Gods before me 2 Thou shalt not make to thy selfe any grauen Image nor the likenes of any thing that is in Heauen aboue or in the Earth beneath nor in the water vnder the Earth Thou shalt not bow downe to them nor worship them For I the lord thy God am a ielous God and visits the sinnes of the fathers vpon the children vnto the third fourth generation of them that hate me and shewe mercie vnto thousands of them that loue me and keepe my commandements 3 Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vaine for the lord will not holde him guiltlesse that taketh his name in vaine 4 Remember that thou keepe holy the Sabboth day Six dayes shalt thou labour and doe all that thou hast to doe But the Seauenth day is the Sabboth of the Lorde thy God In it thou shalt do no maner of work thou and thy Sonne and thy daughter thy manseruant and thy maidseruant thy cattel and the stranger that is within thy gates For in six dayes the Lorde made Heauen and Earth the Sea all that in them is and rested the Seauenth day wherefore the Lord blessed the Seuenth day and hallowed it 5 Honor thy Father and thy Mother that thy dayes may be long in the Land which the Lord thy God giueth thee 6 Thou shalt do no murther 7 Thou shalt not commit adulterie 8 Thou shalt not steale 9 Thou shalt not beare false witnes against thy neighbour 10 Thou shal not couet thy neighbours house Thou shalt not couet thy neighbours wife nor his seruant nor his mayde nor his Oxe nor his Asse nor any thing that is his A PRAIER TO BE VSED before Catechising VVEe most hartily thank thee O most mercifull Father for all thy blessings bestowed vppon vs from the beginning of the world vnto this time for our election creation redemption mercifull vocation iustification sanctification continuall preseruation and for that same assured and most comfortable hope that thou hast giuen vs of our glorification in the world to come And we beseech thee to direct vs that considering thy mercies we may acknowledg and confesse our sinnes which should prouoke thee rather to curse than to blesse vs to confounde vs rather than to preserue vs. Wee haue sinned against thee both in thoght worde deed grant that we seeing the horror of our sinnes and the fiercenes of thy wrath may without hypocrisie or dissimulation be earnestly sory hartely repentant for our former wickednes howbeit in such sort as that wee despair not but that in bitternes of our griefe we may haue comfort by faith in thy Sonne Christ that our offences are pardoned Grant O Lord that we being assured hereof in our consciences may through thy holy Spirite be renued in the inward man to hate detest and abhorre sinn and to study to liue according to thy blessed will during our whol life and as now throgh thy goodnes wee are here assembled together so we beseech thee to direct vs that at this present both in our wordes harts and all our behauiors may be in such sort ordered as that wee may trulie vtter and reuerently receiue the principles of thy holy heauenly word to the strengthening of our fayth to the comforte of our consciences to the amendement of our sinfull and lewd liues and to the glory of thy most holy name through Iesus Christ our Lord So be it OF THE ONELY COMFORT OF MAN IN LIFE AND IN DEATH THE ARGVMENT ⧠In the first section is handled the soueraigne good of man and namely his onely comfort in life and in death as also the necessarie meanes to attaine that soueraigne good and two questions are propounded for the handling of this preface or argument Question Lords day The first WHat is thy onely comfort in life in death Answere That in soule and body a 1. Cor. 6.19 1. Thes 5.10 whether I liue or die b Rom. 14.8 I am not mine owne but I belong c 1. Cor. 3.23 vnto my most faythfull Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christe who by his precious blood most fully satisfying d 1. Pet 1.18 1. Ioh. 1.7 2.2 for al my sinnes hath deliuered e 1. Ioh. 2.8 Heb. 2.14.15 me from the whole power of the deuill
c 1. Cor. 3.13 30. c. Gal. 5.4 Iesus For it must needs be that either Iesus is not a perfect Sauiour or els whosoeuer by true faith imbrace him as a Sauiour they also are possessed of all things in him which are d Heb. 12.2 Esa 9.6 Col. 19.20 2 10 Esai 43.11 25. Ioh 1.16 required vnto saluation OF GOD THE SONNE THE ARGVMENT Of the name Christ and of his three offices and why wee are called Christians Question Lords day 12 31 Wherefore is hee called Christ that is annointed Answere Because hee is ordained of the father anointed with the holy Ghost to be the e psal 45.8 Heb 1.9 Deut. 18 15 Act. 3.22 cheif Prophet and f Ioh. 1 18 15 15. teacher to reueil g Mat. 11.27 Psal 110.4 Heb. 7 21 10.12 vnto vs the secret counsel all the will of the Father concerning our redemption and to be our high only Priest to redeeme vs by the only sacrifice of his owne body h Rom. 8.34 59.10 daily to make intercession vnto the Father for vs and to be the euerlasting i Psal 2.6 Luc. 1.33 king to gouerne vs by his word and with his Spirite to preserue and k Mat. 28.18 Iohn 10.28 maintaine that saluation which he hath purchased for vs. Question 32 Why art thou called a Christian Answere Because by faith I am a meÌ„ber of Iesus l Act. 11 26. 1. Cor. 6.15 Christ partaker of his m 1. Iohn 2 26 Esa 59.21 Ioel. 2.28 annointing so that I both n Mat. 10.33 confesse his name and present my selfe vnto him a liuely o Ro. 12 1 Reu. 4 8 10. 1. pet 2 9 2. Tim. 2.12 Ro. 6 12 13. Reue. 1 6. offering of thankesgiuing in this life with a free good conscience fight against sin and Sathan and afterward do p 1. Tim. 1.18 19 possesse with Christ an euerlasting kingdome ouer all creatures OF THE ONLIE BEGOTten Sonne of God THE ARGVMENT Why Christ is called the onlie begotten Sonne of God and our Lord. Question Lords day 13 33 For what cause is Christ called the onely begotten Sonne of God whereas we also are the sons of God Answere Because Christ is the coeternall natural sonne of his eternal q Ioh. 1.14 Heb 1.2 Iohn 3.16 Father but we for his sake by grace are made the r Rom 8.5 Eph. 1.16 Iohn 1.12 1. Iohn 1 3 sonnes of the Father by adoption Question 34 Wherefore doost thou call him our Lord Answere Because he hauing redeemed our bodie and soule from sinne not with golde nor with siluer but with his owne precious blood and hauing deliuered vs from all the power of the Deuill doth Å¿ 1 pet 1 18 10 1 Coâ— 6 20 7.23 Ep. 1 7. 1 Tim. 2 6 chalenge vs properly to belong to himselfe The vse VVEe ought safelie and with true assurance of mind to commit and deliuer ouer our selues for euer to be kept of him as our Lord to whome we properly belong and are his owne peculiar both in life and in death the remembrance of this benefit may also put vs in mind that we do not hereafter thinke speak or deuise any thing but for his glorie For in that wee are the Lords it is meete that wee liue and dye vnto him and that his wisdome and will to wit his word and his spirit doe gouerne all our actions for he is appointed by the Father to be the head of Angels and of the faythfull OF THE CONCEPTION of the Sonne of God THE ARGVMENT The incarnation of the Sonne of God that is the conception of Christ by the holy Ghost his byrth of the virgin Marie whereof the personall vnion of both natures and of the fruit of both Question Lords day 14 35 What doost thou beleeue when thou saiest He was conceiued by the holy Ghost born of the Virgin Mary Answere That the verie sonne of God who t Ioh. 1 1. 1.5 Rom. 1.4 Col. 1 15. c. psal 2.7 Mat. 3.17 16.16 is and abideth true and euerlasting u Rom. 9.5 Esa 7.14 9 6 1. Io. 5.20 Ioh. 20.28 God did through the woorking of the holy Ghost x Ioh. 1.14 Gal. 4.4 take the verie true nature of man of the flesh y Mat. 1.18.20 Luc. 1.35 and blood of the Virgin Marie so that he is also of z psal 132.11 Act. 2.30 c. Rom. 1.3 the true seede of Dauid a Phil. 2.7 like vnto his brethren in all things b Heb. 4.15 7 26. sinne excepted Question 36. What fruit reapest thou by the holie conception and byrth of Christ Answere That he is our c Heb. 2.16.17 Mediatour and by his innocencie and perfect holines doth couer my sinnes wherein I am conceiued and keepeth them from comming in the sight of d psal 32.1 1. Cor. 1.30 Ro. 8.3 4. Gal. 44.5 God The vse FIrst hereby our faith is greatly confirmed that he that was made man is also the Sonne of God for how shoulde al things not be very true whâ—tsoeuer he reporteth vnto vs of God seeing he hath reueiled nothing to vs of God but what himselfe sawe and knewe Againe our hope is also helped in that he was so made man that hee also made man God and vs the sonnes of God and euen his brethren wherewith we may comfort our selues vnder the crosse in afflictions Last of all our mutual loue one toward an other is hereby inflamed for there is no so evident token of loue as that the Creator of all things was made for vs a creature our lord our brother the Sonne of God became the Sonne of man who woulde not then to the vttermost of his power follow that our mediatour Iesus Christ that is his meeknes and kind disposition who when as there was nothing higher then he did for our sake cast him felfe so low that of his own accord he tooke on him the shape of a seruant that is our flesh and that subiect to al infirmities even to the death of the Crosse OF CHRISTES SVFFERING THE ARGVMENT Hitherto of the person Nowe of the office of Christ as touching our redemption the partes whereof are two his humiliation his glorification to his humiliation belong his suffering and vnder whome he suffered and his punishment that is the kind of his death Question Lords day 15 37 What beleuest thou when thou saiest he suffered Answere That in the whole time of his life which he continued here vpon earth but especiallie in the end thereof e 1 pet 2 24 3 18 Isa 53 12 hee susteined both in body and soule the wrath of God against the sinne of all mankind that by his suffering as by the onely f 1 Ioh. 2 2 4 10. Rom. 3 25 sacrifice of reconciliation he might both deliuer our souls from everlasting condemnation and might
doth so preserue f Iohn 6.39 me that without the will of my heauenly Father not so much as a haire can fal g Mat. 10.30 Luk. 21.18 from my head yea al things are made h Rom. 8.28 to serue for my saluation Wherefore by his spirit also i 2. Cor. 1.22 5.5 Ephes 1.14 he assureth me of euerlasting life maketh k Rom. 8.24 me ready prepared that henceforth I may liue to him The vse THe vse of this doctrine is manifold and diuerse partly seruing for the confirmation of our fayth partly for the instruction of every godly and faythful man For first if Christ haue most fully satisfied for al my sinnes as he hath hereof I am perswaded that al my sinns are forgiuen and that I being iustified by fayth haue peace with God through Christ and that I am trulie blessed both in life and in death and hereof also I conceiue certaine hope and assurance that God for Christes sake wil hereafter be gratious vnto me Secondly if he haue deliuered vs from the power of the Diuell wee are hereby put in mind every on of vs to detest sin and diligently to beware that it raigne not in our mortall bodies but rather to followe after righteousnes innocencie and vprightnes of life all the dayes of our life Then whereas Sathan before reigned throgh death to our destruction and Christ also hath subdued death for vs wee may boldely despise death considering that the first death can not otherwise light vpon vs but for our saluation and the second death is overcome by the power of Christ that is not able to hurt the godly Thirdly if wee properly belong vnto the Lorde let vs not serue any other but him who hath redeemed vs according vnto the counsell of the Apostle 1. Cor. 7.23 Yee are bought vvith a price be not the seruants of men next let vs not iudg our brethren as the same Apostle saith Who art thou that iudgest an other mans seruant Rom. 14. â— he standeth or falleth to his ovvne Lord. Fourthlie seeing the same Christ doth maintain that saluation which hee hath purchased for vs and hath sealed the same by his spirit in our harts Luke 11.22 whatsoeuer Sathan that Enemie of ours dooth interprise soe long as we haue on our side so strong and so valiant an armed man we are commanded not to quail or be discouraged for that we are alwaies sure to bee conquerours through Iesus Christ our Lord. Question 2 How many things are needfull for thee to knowe to the end thou enjoying this comfort maist liue and dye an happy man Answere Three l Luk. 24.47 1. Cot. 6.11 Rom. 8.16 Tit. â— 3.4.5.6.7.8 things First what is the greatnes m Iohn 9.41 Rom. 3. of my sinne and of my miserie Secondly by what means I may be deliuered n Iohn 17.3 from all my sin miserie Thirdly what thankfulnes I owe o Ephe. 5.10 1. pet 2.9 3.10.11.12 Rom. 6.11.12 13. Mat. 5 16. 2. Tim. 2.15 to God for that deliuerance THE FIRST PART OF MANS MISERIE THE ARGVMENT 1. Of mans miserie that is of sinne whereby it is knowne 2. How greate our debt is 3. Of our inhabilitie to pay it Question Lords day 2 3. How doest thou know thine own miserie Answere BY the law of God a Rom. 3.20 The Vse THis vse of the lawe the Apostle declareth in many places By the Lavv commeth the knovvledg of sinne And vvithout the lavve sinne is dead that is Rom. 3.8 not perceiued therefore by the Law it is perceiued and quickned but more plainly when he saith Nay I had not knovvne sinne but by the Lavv for I had not knovvne lust except the Lavve had said Rom. 7.8 thou shalt not lust Last of all to the Galath Gal. 3.9 The Lavve vvas added because of transgression Out of which testimonies it is truly gathered that it is the morall Lawe whereof hee here speketh which is in stead of a glasse wherein we perfectly behold our own vncleannes even as a glasse sheweth vnto vs the spottes in our face that we wel knowing and vnderstanding it and withal perceuing in what danger we stand may bee ashamed of our selues and by this meanes being trulie humbled before God may sue to the sanctuarie of his grace Question 4. What doeth the Law of God require of vs Answere That doth Christ teach vs summarily Mat. 22. Thou shalt loue the Lord thy God with al thy heart with all thy soule with al thy mind with al thy strength b Luk. 10.27 This is the first and the greatest commandement and the second is like vnto this Thou shalt loue thy neighbour as thy selfe On these two commandementes hangeth the whole lawe and the Prophets The vse THe vse of the doctrine of the loue of God of our neighbour brieflie consisteth in these points 1. That when wee heare it is required at our hands to loue God with a single affection of hart we chase away and remoue far from vs all hypocrisie lest that saying of the Prophet be fitly applied vnto vs Esa 29 13 This people honoreth me vvith their lippes but their hart is far from me 2. That seing God requireth of vs perfit loue of himselfe we earnestly consider how great diligence and indeuour we had need to vse that we may daily profite and increase more and more in the loue of God 3. Seeing God requireth of vs to loue our neighbor as our selues let vs beware of pretending any ignorance of this lawe as that wee knowe not what or how much we oughr to giue our neighbour seeing every man is able to dissolue this doubt by the tender loue that he beareth vnto himselfe and therefore is without excuse before God if he do otherwise Next let vs restraine all selfe-loue in our selues whereby it commeth to passe that we think our selues only worthie to be loued and doe either careleslie neglect or disdainfully and proudlie despise all others Question 5. Art thou able to keepe all these thinges perfectlie Answere In no wise c Rom. 3.10.23 1 Iohn 1.8 For by nature I am prone to the hatred of God and of my neighbour d Rom. 8.7 Eph 2.3 Tit. 3.3 OF THE CREATION OF man after the image of God THE ARGVMENT Of the creation of man to the image of God and of his fall in this of originall sinne and of the power of free-wil or of the vnderstanding and the will in this corruption of nature Question Lords day 3 6. What then did God make man so bad and so corrupt Answere No truelie e Gen. 1.31 Gut God created him good according to his own image f Gen. 1.26 27. that is endewed with true righteousnes and holines that he might rightlie know God his Creator and loue him with all his hart and liue in blessednes with him for euer and that to laude
also purchase for vs the fauor of God righteousnes and euerlasting life The Vse BY this historie of the grieuous and bitter suffering of Christ we are put in mind how hainous a matter sinne is for the which God would receiue no ransom but the death of his only begotten Sonne Secondly howe exceeding the loue of Christ toward vs is who did not sticke to suffer so fearfull torments for vs that he might reconcile vs vnto God and might purchase vnto vs life and saluation which by sin we had lost Thirdly to consider what duty wee owe againe namely to prepare our selues according to the counsel of Peter both to suffer patiently because vve are thereunto called 1 pet 2 21 24 and Christ suffered for vs leaving vs an Example that vve should follovve his steps And also to resist sinne because he bare them in his bodie vpon the crosse that we being dead vnto sinne might liue vnto righteousnes Question 38 What reason was there why he suffered vnder Iudge Pilate Answere That he an Innocent being a Luc. 23.14 Ioh 19.4 condemned before a ciuill Iudge might b psal 69 4 Isai 53 4 5.2 Cor. 5 21 Gal. 3.13 set vs free from the straight iudgment of God which was to fall vppon vs. Question 29 Is it any more that he was fastened to the crosse than if he had bene put to any other kinde of death Answere Yea truelie it is more For by this I am sure that hee hath taken vppon him the curse which did hang ouer me for the death of the crosse was c Deut. 21.23 Gal. 3.13 cursed by God OF CHRISTS SVFFERING THE ARGVMENT That Christ died and was buried why and what fruit there is of it where of the death of the faithfull and afterward the meaning of the words He descended c. Question Lords day 16 40 Why was it necessarie that Christ should humble himselfe euen to the death Answere Because the iustice and trueth of God could by no d Genes 2.71 other meanes bee satisfied for our sins than by the death of the e He. 2.9.14.15 Phil. 2.8 Sonne of God Question 41 Wherefore was he also buried Answere That hee might thereby make it knowne that he was truelie f Acts. 13.29 Mat. 27.60 Luk. 23 53 Ioh. 19.38 dead The vse SO often as we heare the buriall of Christ spoken off we are thereby put in mind of the sanctifying of our graues that they are now no more pittes Esa 57.6 wherein the cast bodies of men dye and consume to nothing but chests and chambers wherein men are laid vp and safelie kept against the resurrection that shall surelie come Question 42 But seeing Christ died for vs why must we also die Answere Our death is not a satisfaction for our sinnes but an vtter destroying of sinne and a passage into g Ioh. 5 24 Phil. 1 23. Rom 7.24 euerlasting life The vse VVHerefore hauing bene taught that it is the common condition of all men to die wee are all and every one of vs put in mind so to order our life that whensoeuer God goeth about to call vs out of this valley of miseries hee may finde vs ready that is neither too much intangled with the cares of this life nor discouraged with the feare of death both because we knowe this to be the very way of the whole Earth Rom. 4.8 and also because whether we liue or whether we dy we are our Lord Iesus Christs who is vnto vs as the Apostle saith both in life and death aduantage Question 43 What profit receiue we further by the sacrifice and death of Christ Answere That by the power of his death our olde man is crucified together with him and is also dead and h Ro. 6.6 7. c. buried that the euill concupiscences and desires of the flesh may not hereafter i Rom. 6.12 raigne in vs but that we may k Rom. 12. â— offer our selues vnto him a Sacrifice of thanksgiuing Question 44 Why is this added He descended into hell Answere That in my greatest sorrowes and most grieuous temptations I may vphold my self with this comfort that my lord Iesus Christ by the vnspeakable anguish torments and terrours of his soule whereinto he was plunged both before and especially as hee was hanging vppon the Crosse hath l Isai 53.10 Mat. 27.46 deliuered me from the anguish and torments of hell The vse VVHerefore wee receiue no small fruit and comfort even of this part of Christs humbling whereby we may sustaine our selues in extreme sorrows and in most grieuous tentations for if our conscience do trouble vs with the multitude of our sinnes for the which we tremble at Gods iudgment who threatneth vnto sin everlasting condemnation this shield of fayth is ready at hand That Christ did most bitterlie indure in his soule the anguishe of conscience for our sinnes together with the sence and feeling of Gods iudgment and wrath when hee complained and said Mark 14.34 My soul is heauie even to the death If Satan also set vpon vs and set before our eies that gulfe then which non can be more fearful as if God had forsaken and cast vs away and would not vouchsafe to heare vs as if hee had conspired our destruction lette vs then call to minde that the Sonne of God was therefore heard and deliuered when he groned and cried out My God my God vvhy hast thou forsaken me Mat. 27 46. Heb. 5.7 that we might not for euer be forsaken Last of all seeing wee haue such a Mediatour who did wrestle with the power of the diuel with the horror of death and with the paines of Hell whoe woulde not here bee confirmed against any anguish and sorrowe Heb. 4.15 being perswaded of the good will of so mightie a Prince and highe Priest towards him who both in all things was tempted alike yet without sinne and in whome strait after his resurrection that triumphant song which the Prophet made of him was fulfilled O death Hosea 13.14 I vvill be thy death O graue I vvill be thy destruction whereunto the Apostle alludeth as being in vs likwise to be fulfilled in the blessed resurrection Death is svvallovved vpp in victory 1. Cor 15.54 54. O Death vvhere is thy victorie O graue vvhere is thy sting wherevpon sayth Hillarie The Crosse death and hell are our life OF CHRISTES RISING againe from the deade THE ARGVMENT Christs rising againe and the fruite thereof 2 His ascending into Heauen and how far he is present at this day in his Church also of the vnseperable coniunction of the two natures in Christ Last of all of the fruit of Christes ascention Question Lords day 17 45 What doth Christes rising again profite vs Answere First by his rising againe he hath ouercome death that he might m 1. Cor. 15.16 54 55. Rom. 4 25.1 pet 13. c. 21. make vs partakers of that
and c Ioh. 1.33 3.5 1. Cor. 6 11 12.13 Rom. 6.4 Col. 2 12. liue holilie and without blame The vse A Double fruit redoundeth to vs by the Sacrament of baptisme For first we are not onlie by Baptisme assured that al our sinnes are forgiuen vs so that as often as wee sinne of infirmitie we neither may or ought to doubt of it vnlesse we wil call the truth of God in doubt and be enemies to our owne saluation but also we are by the same put in mind what wee owe vnto God that forasmuch as by the spirit of sanctification he hath made vs his members we doe more and more die vnto sinne Rom. 6.4 14. Col. 2.12 Tit 3 5 and do labour for vprightnes inocencie of life that so Baptisme may serue to order and rule our whole life which is the second end of Baptisme Question 71 Where doth Christ promise that he will as certainly wash vs with his blood and with his spirite as wee are washed with the water of Baptisme Answere In the institution of Baptisme the words whereof are these d Mat. 28.19 Goe and teach all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Sonne and of the holy Ghost he that beleeueth and is baptised shall bee saued e Mar. 16.16 he that beleeueth not shall bee coÌ„demned This promise is repeated when the Scripture calleth Baptisme the f Tit. â— 5. washing of the new byrth and the washing g Act. 22 16. away of sinnes The vse BY these testimonies therefore it is made plain and prooued to be most true that by Baptisme I am no lesse assured that by the bloode of Christ and by his spirit I am washed from the spottes of my soul that is from al my sinnes then outwardly by water the steines of the bodie are vsuallie washed away OF BAPTISME THE ARGVMENT That Baptisme is the verie washing away of sinnes and yet that the holie Ghost doth not without cause so speake and of the Baptisme of children Question Lords day 27 72 Is then Baptisme the verie washing away of sinnes Answere It is not For onelie the h Mat. 3.11 1 Pet. 3 21. Ephe. 5.26 blood of Christ the holie Ghost doth cleanse vs from all i 1. Ioh. 1.7 1. Cor. 6.11 sinne Question 73 Why then doth the holy Ghost call Baptisme the washing of regeneration and the washing away of sins Answere God doth not without great cause so speake to wit not onely to teach vs that as the spottes of the bodie are cleansed with water so our sinnes are k Apo. 1.5 7.14.1 1 Cor. 6.11 purged by the blood and spirite of Christ but much more that by this heauenly token pledge he may assure vs that we are as truelie washed inwardlie froÌ„ our sins as we are l Mat 16.16 Gal. 3.17 washed with outward visible water Question 74 Ought Infants also to be baptized Answere Yea trulie For seeing they m Gen 17.7 belong to the couenant and Church of God as wel as those that be at years of discretion and seeing vnto them is promised by the blood of Christ n Mat. 19 14. forgiuenes of sins and the o Luk. 1 14.15 psal 22.11 Isai 24 1.2 3. Act. 2.39 holie Ghost the worker of faith no lesse than to the other they ought also by Baptisme to bee ingraffed into the Church of God and to be p Act. 10.47 discerned from the children of Infidels as they were in the olde Testament by q Cen. 17.14 circumcision in place wherof was ordained r Colos 2 11.12 Baptisme in the new Testament The vse OVt of this defence of baptizing of infants ariseth a double doctrine and comfort the one to the parentes when they see that the Lord wil be not onelie their God but the God of their seed which is confirmed vnto them as it were by a seale printed vnto them according vnto that saying Wee are all baptized in one bodie The other to the children that they knowe they are ingraffed into the bodie of the Church and therefore are somewhat the better commended to the rest of the members that is to the faythfull when they are growne to yeares of discretion may thereby be pricked forward not a litle to an earnest indeuour to serue God by whome they were receiued for sonnes by a solemne pledg of their adoption before by their age they were able to acknowledg him for their Father OF THE SVPPER OF THE LORDE THE ARGVMENT The application of the former doctrine of Sacraments to the Supper of the Lord 2. A description of the spirituall Supper 3. The confirmation thereof Question Lords day 28 75 How art thou put in minde and assured in the Supper of the Lord that thou art partaker of that holie sacrifice of Christ offered vpon the Crosse and of all his benefites Answere Because Christ hath commaunded me and all the faithfull to eate of this bread being broken and to drinke of this cup being deuided among vs in remembrance of him and hath also added this promis a Mat. 26 27.28 Mar. 14.12.23.24 Luk. 22.16.20 1. Cor. 10.16 17 11 23.24.25 12 â—â— 13. First that his bodie was no lesse assuredlie offered and broken for me vpon the crosse and his blood shead for me than with mine eies I see that the bread of the Lord is broken vnto me and the cup reached vnto me Secondly that my soule is no lesse assuredly fed vnto euerlasting life by him with his bodie that was crucified and his blood that was shed for vs than I doe with my bodily mouth receiue bread and wine the tokens of the bodie and blood of the Lord being deliuered vnto me by the hand of the minister The vse VVHich being so it appeareth by this proportion to be most true that the supper of the Lorde leadeth me to the onelie sacrifice of Iesus Christ once offered vpon the Altar of the crosse wherein by fayth I obtaine forgiuenes of sinnes righteousnes and life everlasting Question 76 What is it to eate the body of Christ crucified and to drinke his blood that was shead Answere It is not onely with certaine affiance of mind to lay hold of the whole passion and death of Christ and therby to b Ioh. 6 35 4â—.47.48.51.53 54. obtaine forgiuenesse of sinnes and life euerlasting but also by the spirite of Christ which dwelleth at one time both in Christ and vs in such sort more and more to be c Iohn 6.56 vnited vnto his holie bodie that although he be in d Act. 3.21 Act. 1.9 c. 1. Cor. 11 26. heauen and we vpon earth yet notwithstanding we are flesh of his flesh and bone of his e Eph. 5 29 30.32 1. Cor. 6.15.17.19 1. Io. 3.24 4.13 Ioh. 14.23 bone and as all the members of the bodie are quickened and f â—o 6 56.57.58 Io. 15.1.2.3.4 5.6 Eph. 4.15.16
l 1. Cor 14 6 Ephe 4 25. professe the matter to be even as it is m 1. Pet 4.8 Moreouer that as much as in me lyeth I defend and increase the good name and credit of others OF THE TENTH COMmandement THE ARGVMENT That even the very smallest desire contrary to Charitie ought to be put out of mens mindes 2. Of the proceeding of the godly in the obedience of the Lawe 3. And what the vse of the Lawe is in this life Question Lords day 44 113 What doeth the tenth commandement forbid Answere That our harts be neuer tempted no not with the least desire or thoght against any commandement of God but that alwaies from the harte wee detest all sinne and contrariwise take a Ro 7 7. c pleasure in all righteousnes The vse VVHich being so who seeth not that in this last commandement is required and conteined the perfit obedience of the whole lawe for howe commeth it to passe that wee sinne against every commandement but because this corrupt concupiscence is in vs without which we should of our owne accord with our whole minde and bodie striue to attaine to the onelie good altogether without any contrary thought or mammering but so long as it cleaueth vnto vs it cannot be but that we shal all offend both very oâ—â—en and in many things shall eftsoones grone and lament with the Apostle saying O vvretched man that I am vvhoe shall deliuer me from the bodie of this death Rom. 7.24 Question 114 Are they able whoe are conuerted vnto God to keepe these commandements perfectly Answere No verely but euen they that ar most holie so long as they liue haue onely some small beginnings of this b 1. Ioh. 1 8 c. Ro. 7 14 15. Eccle. 7 22. obedience yet so that with an earnest vnfeigned indeuour they c Rom. 7.22 Iac 2 10. begin to liue not according to some onelie but even according to all Gods commandements Question 115 Why then will God haue his Lawe so exactlie and so seuerely preached whereas there is no man in this life that is able to keepe it Answere First that in our whole life we may more and more d Iohn 1 9 psal 22 5. acknowledg how forward our nature is to sinne and soe much the more greedilie e Rom. 7 23 desire forgiuenes of sinnes and righteousnes in Christ Secondly that we continually be f 1. Cor. 9.24 c. phil 3 12 13.14 about this and daylie muse vppon it that wee may obteine the grace of the holy Ghost from the Father to the end wee may every day more and more be renewed according to the Image of God vntil one day at the length after wee are departed out of this life we attaine with ioy to that perfection which is sette before vs. OF PRAIER THE ARGVMENT The necessitie of Prayer the conditions of good prayer and a rule for those things that are to be asked Question Lords day 45 116 Wherefore is prayer necessary for Christians Answere Because it is the principall part of that g Psal 50.14.15 thankfulnes which God requireth at our hands as also because the Lord bestoweth his grace and the holy Ghost vpon them alone who with true gronings doe continuallie begge these things at his handes and doe b. Mat. 7.7.8 Luc. 11.9 13 Mar. 13.12 psal 50 15. giue him thanks for the same Question 117 What thinges are required to that prayer wherewith God is pleased and which he heareth and graunteth Answere That with true affection of harte we ask of that true God alone whoe hath i Iohn 4.22 psal 81.8 9.10 Iam 1.5 reueiled himselfe in his worde all things whatsoeuer hee hath commanded vs to k Rom. 8.26 1 Iohn 5.14 psal 145.18 ask of him and that with an inward l Iohn 4.21.22 Psal 145.18 2. Chron. 20.12 feeling of our owne needie miserable estate we m psal 2.11 psal 119.120 Esai 66.2 Pro. 34 17.18 51.17 Iona. 3.4 c humbly throwe our selues downe before the maiestie of God n Rom 10.14 Mar 11.24 1 Ioh 5.14.15 Mat 15.22 c. leaning vpon this strong foundation that we albeit vnworthie yet are vndoubtedly o Ioh 26.23 Col 3.17 Ioh. 14.13 heard of God for Christes sake as he hath p Mat. 7.7.8 psal 50.14 promised vnto vs in his word Question 118 What are those things which God commandeth vs to ask of him Answere All thinges q Iam. 1 17 Mat. 6.35 necessarie both for soule and bodie which our Lorde Iesus Christ hath coÌ„prised in that praier which hee himselfe hath taught vs. Question 119 What is that prayer Answere OVr r Mar. 6.9.10 c. Luk. 11.2 c. Mat. 7.9 10.11 Luk. 11 12 13. Father which art in Heuen Hallowed be thy name thy kingdome come thy wil be done as in Heuen so also in Earth Giue vs this day our daylie bread And forgiue vs our debts as we forgiue our debters and lead vs not into temptation but deliuer vs from euill For thine is the kingdome the power and the glory for euer Amen HOW WE SHOVLD PRAY THE ARGVMENT The preface of the Lords prayer and the exposition thereof Question Lords day 46 120 Why doth Christ commande vs after this maner to call vpon God Our Father Answere That even in the very entrance of prayer he may stir vppe in vs a reuerence and trust in God conuenient for the children of God which ought to be the ground-work of our prayer to wit that God for Christes sake is become our Father will much lesse denie vnto vs those thinges that wee ask of him by a true fayth then our Parents a Mat. 7.9.19 11. Luk. 11.11 denie vs earthlie benefites Question 121 Why is that added which art in Heauen Answere That we b Ier. 23 24 Act. 17.24 25.27 should not conceiue any base and earthlie thing of the heauenly maiestie of God and withall also that from his almightie power wee should c Rom. 10.12 looke for whatsoeuer is necessarie for soule and bodie OF THE FIRST PETITION THE ARGVMENT Wherein the hallowing of the name of God consisteth Question Lords day 47 122 What is the first petition Answere Hallowed be thy name that is Grant first of all that wee may d Ioh. 17 3. Ier. 9.23 24 31.33 34 Mat. 16 17 Iam. 1 5. psal 119.105 knowe thee aright and may reuerence praise and e psal 119.137.138 Luk. 1.46 c. 68 c. psal 145.8 9 17 Ex. 34.6.7 Psal 143.1 2 5 10.11.12 Iere. 31.5 32.18 19 40 41 33 11 20 Mat. 19 17. Rom 3 3 4. 11 22 23 2. Tit. 2.19 set forth thy almightie power wisdom goodnes righteousnes mercie and trueth that shineth in all thy workes Secondly that wee may so direct all our life thoughtes wordes and deeds that thy most holie name be not reproched by our occasion but rather