gouerned by one soule so are we all by one and the same spirite Question 77 Where hath Christ promised that he will as certainlie giue vnto the beleeuers his bodie and his blood in this maner to be eaten and drunke as they doo eate this bread beeing broken and drinke this cup. Answere In the institution of the Supper the wordes whereof are these g 1. Cor. 11 1◠c Mat. 26.26 c Mark 24.22 c. Luk. 22.19 c. Our Lord Iesus Christ the same night that he was betraied tooke bread when he had giuen thankes he brake it and said Take eate this is my bodie which is broken for you this doo yee in remembrance of me Likewise after supper he took the cup saying h Ezod 24.8 Heb. 9.2 This cup is the new Testamēt in my blood i Exod. 13.9 This doe as oft as ye drinke it in remembrance of me For as often as ye eat this bread and drinke this cup ye shew the lords death til he come This promise is repeated by Paule when he saith b 1. Cor. 10.10.17 k The cup of thanksgiuing wherewith we giue thankes is it not the communion of the blood of christ The bread which we breake is it not the communion of the Lordes bodie Because wee beeing manie are one bread and one body for we are al partakers of one bread OF TRANSVBSTANTIATION THE ARGVMENT Transubstantiation of breade and wine in the vse of the supper disprooued and the true exposition and meaning of these words Bread is the body of Christ Question Lords day 29 78 What then are bread and wine made the very body blood of Christ Answere No truelie But as the water of baptisme is l Mat. 26.29 Mar 14.24 not turned into the blood of Christ neither is the verie washing away of sinnes but only a token and pledge of those things which are sealed vnto vs in Baptisme No more is the bread of the Lords Supper the verie bodie of m 1. Cor. 10.16 c. 11.26 c. Christ although after the nature of Sacraments and the n Gen. 17.10 c Ex. 26.27 43.48 13.9 Act. 7.8 Ex. 24.8 Leu. 16.10 17.12 Isa 6.6.7 Tit. 3.5 Act. 22.16 1. Pet. 3.21 1. Cor 10.1 maner of speach which the holy Ghost vseth in speaking of these thinges the bread is called the body of Christ Question 79 Why then doeth Christ call the bread his bodie the cup his blood or the newe Testament in his bloode and Paul calleth the bread and wine the communion of the body blood of Christ Answere Christ not without great cause so speaketh to wit not onely to teach vs that as bread and wine sustaineth the life of the bodie so also his bodie crucified and his blood shed is indeede the meat and drink of our soul where by it may be o Iohn 6.51.55.56 nourished to life everlasting but much more by this visible signe and pledg to assure vs that wee are noe lesse trulie made partakers of his bodie and blood by the woorking of the holie Ghost then we do a 1. Cor. 10.16.17 with the mouth of the bodie receiue these holy signes in remembrance of him Secondly that his passion and obedience is as certainlie ours as if we our selues had payed the punishment of our sinnes and made satisfaction vnto God OF THE MASSE THE ARGVMENT An opposition of the Masse and the Supper of the Lorde and whoe ought may come vnto the supper whome Christ woulde haue to bee kept from the Supper Question Lords day 30 80 What difference is there betwen the Supper of the Lord and the Popish Masse Answere The supper of the Lorde doth witnes vnto vs that we haue perfect forgiuenes of all our sinnes for that onely sacrifice of Christ which himselfe once offered b Heb. 7.27 9.12.26.28 10.10.12.14 Ioh. 19 30. Mat. 26.28 Luc. 22.19 20 vppon the Crosse and then that wee are by the holy Ghost ingraffed into c 1. Cor. 6.17 10 16. 12 13. Christ who nowe according to his humanitie is onely in Heauen at the right hand of his d Heb. 1 3. 8. ◠Father and will there be e Ioh. 4.21 22 23. 20 17. Luc. 24.52 Act. 7.55.56 Col. 3.1 Phil. 3.10 1. Thes 19.10 worshipped of vs. But in the Masse it is denyed that the quick and dead haue forgiuenes of sinnes for the onelie suffering of Christ vnlesse Christ be still euery day offered for them by the Priests and then it is taught that Christ is bodily vnder the appearance of bread and wine and therefore ought to be worshipped in them And so the very foundation of the Masse is nothing els but a denying of that onely sacrifice suffering of Iesus Christ and a most cursed Idolatrie Question 81 Whoe ought to come to the Supper of the Lord Answere Only they who are trulie sory that they haue offended God by their sins and do beleeue that they are forgiuen them for Christs sake and that whatsoeuer other infirmities they haue they are couered by his passion and death and who desire more and more to goe forward in fayth and vprightnes of life But hypocrits they that do not trulie repent doe eat g Cor. 10 21. 11.28 c. drink vnto themselues condemnation Question 82 May they also bee admitted to this Supper who declare them selues by their confession and life to be vnbeleeuers and vngodly men Answere No in no wise For by that meanes the couenant of God is prophaned the wrath of God is h 5. Cor 11.20 34 Isai 1.11 c. 66.3 Ier 7.20 c. psa 50.16 prouoked against the whole congregation wherfore the Church by the commandement of Christ and of his Apostles vsing the keies of the kingdom of heauen ought to keepe backe such from the Supper vntill they repent and amend their maners OF THE KEYES THE ARGVMENT Of the keyes and their nomber to wit of the vse and authoritie of the key of the Gospell and of discipline in opening and shutting the kingdome of God Question Lords day 31 83 What are the keyes of the kingdome of Heauen Answere The preaching of the Gospell and Ecclesiastical discipline whereby heauen is opened to them that beleeue and i Mat. 16.19 18 18. shut against vnbeleeuers The vse THe vse of the doctrine of the keyes is double for we are first put in mind by them of our misery before the Lord cal vs by his Gospel namely that we are banished from the kingdome of God and consequently excluded from righteousnes and saluation Last of all that we are fast bound as it were with the bonds and fetters of Sathan Secondly howe great good God dooth bestowe vpon vs and offer vnto vs when he bleseth vs with the preaching of the Gospell putting vs in hope that if we beleeue in Christ he wil deliuer vs from the power
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
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
and magnifie him g 2. Cor. 3.18 Gol 3.10 Eph. 4 24. The vse THe rehersall that is the calling to remembrance of these benefits which God in the beginning powred vpon man will not onlie serue to that end to make vs knowe and bewaile the greatnes of our sinne and miserie by comparison with the good thinges which wee haue lost◠but also wil awake vs both to an earnest and feruent desire to be restored fully vnto that blessed estate in Christ and especially to apply the studie of righteousnes goodnes vntil the Image of God recouer his full brightnes in vs in Heauen last of al to be thankful vnto God for our restoring crying out with the Prophet What is man that thou art mindful of him or the Sonne of man that thou visitest him For thou hast made him a little lovver then the Angels and hast crovvned him vvith glory and honor Question 7. From whence then ariseth this corruption of mans nature Answere From the fall and disobedience of our first parentes Adam and Euah in paradise h Rom. 5 17 18.19 where our nature was so corrupted that we are al conceiued and borne in sinne i Psal 51.5 Gen. 5.3 Question 8. But are we so corrupt that we are not at all fit to do well and are wee prone to all vice Answere Yea except we be regenerated by the holie Ghost k Iohn 3.5 Ge. 6.5 Iob. 10.4 15.14.16 35. Esa 53.6 The vse THe vse and end of this knowledg and doctrin is this not to increase in vs slouthfulnes but that we vnderstanding how by originall sinnes wee are bereaued of al power to vnderstand to wil and to worke aright and also hemmed in on every side with most miserable necessitie may learn notwithstanding to long after that good whereof wee are voyde and after that libertie which we haue lost and therefore to heare the word of God psal 119.24 whereby our iudgment may be reformed to craue the guift of the holy Ghost that wee may learne the commandements of God and that he would make of our stonie hart a fleshie hart and giue vnto vs strength as Augustine very wel aduiseth about this matter O Man saith he by the commandement knovv vvhat thou oughtest to haue by correction learne that by thine ovvn fault thou hast it not by prayer vnderstand from vvhence thou must receaue that vvhich thou desirest to haue So vvil it come to passe that thy mind being enlightened shal iudg aright thy hart being reformed by the hand of God shal be made vvilling man according to the measure of grace vvhich he hath receiued shall indeuour and applie all his povvers and all his strength vnto obedience OF THE CAVSES OF mans miserie THE ARGVMENT That God dooth noe man wrong although hee require of man in his Lawe that which hee is not able to performe nay that hee dooth iustly punish sin with punishmentes present and everlasting both of soul and body without any respect of age Question Lords day 4 9. Doeth not God then deale injuriouslie with man when hee requireth that of him in his Lawe which he is not able to performe Answere Not at al l Ioh. 3.5 Ephe. 4.24 for God so created man that he was able to perfourm it But man intised by the Deuill m Luke 10.30 by his owne disobedience depriued himselfe and all his posteritie of those giftes of God The vse THe vse of this doctrine touching our inhabilitie to keepe the Law of God is threefolde 1. That we acknowledge our owne guiltines and accuse our selues of falling from God for God by this iust exaction will humble vs for by commanding things impossible he doeth not make men sinners but humble that every mouth may be stopped and the whole world may be founde guiltie before God 2. That we may defie the Deuil and his workes by whose instigation and inticement we were thrown downe into the bottomeles pit of these calamities according vnto that saying Resist the Diuell and he vvill flye from you Iam. 4.6 3. Seing our weaknes and inhability is such that wee are not able to performe that which God by very good right requireth at our hands let vs pray the Lorde with Augustine and say Graunt O Lord that vvhich thou commandest and then command vvhat thou vvilt which was the godly prayer of that holy Father not that hee hoped he was able to attaine vnto it in this life but assuredlie in the life to come Question 10. What then will God let goe the disobedience and backesliding of man without punishment Answere No surely but he is most fearefully angrie n Rom. 5.12 Heb. 9.27 both with our naturall sins and with those sinnes which we our selues doe commit and doth punish the same in his most iust iudgement both with temporall and eternall punishments euen as himselfe pronounceth Cursed is euerie one who continueth not in all things that are written in the book of the law to do thē o Deut. 27.26 Gal. 3.10 Question 11. What is not God mercifull also Answere Yes truly he is merciful p Exod. 34.6 but so he is iust too q Exod. 20.5 Psal 55. 2. Cor. 6.14 Therefore his iustice requireth to haue that punished with extreame that is with euerlasting punishment of soule and bodie whatsoeuer is committed against the soueraigne maiestie of God The vse THe vse and consideration of the mercie of God in generall as it ought to keepe vs in affiance to call vpon him and to hope and certainly look for saluation from him finally to set on fire in vs the loue of him so his righteousnes and iustice is set before vs to this end that it may be as a bridle to vs to keepe vs from sinne perswading vs that except wee repent although God for a time suffer vs to carie away our sins without punishment yet it shal not alwaies be so but at the last he will take most bitter and most iust punishment vpon vs But in this place wee may consider of them both 1. That wee despair not of deliuerance from our euils because God is exceeding merciful 2. That we abuse not his mercie and so deceiue our selues because he is also exceeding iust 3. That wee seriouslie and diligentlie consider by what meanes God will haue his iustice satisfied that so wee may be reconciled vnto him and may obtain sound comfort both in life and in death THE SECOND PART OF MANS DELIVERANCE THE ARGVMENT That man being in the state of perdition must seek redemption in the mediatour Question Lords day 5 12 Seeing then wee are by the just judgement of God in daunger of temporall and everlasting punishment is there any way or meanes left whereby we may be deliuered from these punishments and be reconciled to God Answere GOd will haue his iustice satisfied a Exod. 20.5 23.7 Wherefore we must needes make satisfaction b Rom. 8.3 ether by
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
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
lord thy God shall giue thee 6 Thou shalt not kill 7 Thou shalt not commit adultery 8 Thou shalt not steale 9 Thou shalt not bear false witnes against thy neigbour 10 Thou shalt not couet thy neighbours house neither shalt thou couet thy neighbours wife nor his seruaunt nor his maiden nor his oxe nor his asse nor any of those thinges that are thy neighbours OF THE LAWE OF GOD. THE ARGVMENT The partition of the Law into two â—â—bles and a deuision of the commandements both of the first and second table a laying forth of the vices vertues which are contained in the first commandement the end whereof is that God alone may be serued Question Lords day 34 93 Howe are these Commaundementes deuided Answere Into two a Exod. 34.28 Deut. 4.13 10.34 Tables wherof the first deliuereth in foure Commandements how wee ought to behaue our selues toward God The latter in six Commandements what duties wee b Mat. 22.37.38 39 owe to our neighbour Question 94 What requireth God in the first Commandement Answere That as I loue the saluation of my owne soule so I diligently shun and auoide all c 1. Cor. 6 9.10 10 7.14 Idolatrie coniuring inchantment d Leu. 19.31 Deu 18 11 superstition praying to Saintes or other e Mat. 4 10 Apoc. 19 10 22 8.9 creatures and doe rightly f Ioh. 16.3 acknowledge the onely and true God g Ier. 17.5 trust in him alone h Heb. 10.36 Col. 1 11. Rom. 5.3.4 1. Cor. 10.10 Phil. 2.14 submit my selfe with all i 1. pet 5.5 6 humilitie and patience vnto him k Psal 104.27 28 29.30 Isai 45 7. Iac 1 17 looke for al good thinges from him alone to conclude with the most inward affection of my heart l Deut 6 5. Mat. 22.37 loue m Deu. 6.2 psal 111.10 prou 1.7 9 10. Mat 10.28 reuerence and n Mat. 4.20 Deut. 10.20 worship him so that I will rather forsake all creatures than o Mat. 5.29.30 10.37 Act. 5.29 coÌ„mit the least thing that may be against his will Question 95 What is idolatrie Answere It is in the place of one God or besides that one true God who hath reueiled himself in his word to deuise or haue any other thing wherein to put b 1. pro. 16 26 Phil. 3.19 Eph. 5 5 Gal. 4.8 Eph. 2.12.1 1. Ioh. 2.23.2 2. Ioh. 9. Io. 5.23 our trust OF THE SECOND Commandement THE ARGVMENT What maner of God the Lord is and with what kinde of seruice to be honoured where of painting of images and whether it bee lawfull to set them in Churches Question Lords day 35 96 What dooth the second Commandement require Answere That we c Deu. 4.15 1. Isai 40.18 c Rom. 1.23 c Act. 17.29 expresse not God by any image or shape neither d 1. Sam. 15.23 Deut. 12.30 c Mat. 15.9 serue him after any other manner then as in his woord hee hath commanded himselfe to be serued Question 97 Ought wee then to make no Images nor pictures Answere God neither ought nor can by any means be drawen or pictured and although it be lawfull to resemble the creatures yet God forbiddeth to haue or make their images to worship or e Ex. 23.24 34.13.14 17. Num. 33.52 De. 7 5. 12.3 16.22 2. Reg. 18.4 honour either of them or God by them Question 98 But may images be suffered in Churches to be in steed of bookes to the ignorant multitude Answere No in no wise For it becommeth not vs to be wiser than God who wil haue his Church taught not with dumbe f Ier. 10.8 c. Hab. 2.18.19 images but with the liuely g 2. Tim. 3.16.17 2. pet 19. preaching of his word OF THE THIRD COMmandement THE ARGVMENT That God hateth the abuse of his name and requireth of euery one to confesse and praise him both priuately and publikely Question Lords day 36 99 What meaneth God in the third Commandement Answere That wee doo not reprochfullie or vnreuerently vse the name of God not onely by cursing or h Leu. 24.11 c. Leu. 19.12 forswearing but also by swearing i Mat. 5 37 Iac. 5 12. rashlie neither yet take part in these horrible sinnes by holding our peace or winking at them but that wee k Isa 45 43 vse the sacred name of god nor without great religion l 1. Tim. 2 8 reuerence that by true coÌ„stant m Rom. 2 24. 1. Tim. 6 1 Col. 3.16.17 confession and n Mar. 10.32 calling vpon him and finally by al our words deedes he be praysed and magnified Question 100 Is it then soe great a sinne to take the name of God in vaine either by swearing or by cursing that God is also angry with them whoe as much as in them lieth do not forbid or hinder it Answere Surely a most o Leuit. 5. â— grieuous sinne for there is no greater sinne or which doth more offend God than the reproch of his most holie name Wherfore also he p Leu. 24 11 1â— commanded that sinne to be punished with death OF THE THIRD COMmaundement THE ARGVMENT Of a lawfull and vnlawfull oath of the first for the Anabaptistes of the latter for the popish sort Question Lords day 37 101 But may any man lawfullie in a godly sort sweare by the name of God Answere He may When either the Magistrate requireth it of his subiectes or necessitie requireth that by this meanes faith be assured and trueth established to the end that the glorie of God may be set foorth and the saluation of other men furthered For this kind of oath is coÌ„firmed by the q Deu. 6 13. Heb. 6.16 Gen. 21.14 Gal. 1.20 Deut. 10.20 word of God therefore hath bene rightlie vsed r Isa 48.1 Ie. 12.16 Ios 2.12 Ex 23.10 11. 1. Sam 24 22.23 Gal 1 20 Gen. 21.24 31.53 by holy men both in the olde and new testament Question 102 Is it not lawfull to sweare by Saintes and other Creatures Answere No For a lawfull oth is a calling vpon God wherein a man desireth that he beeing the onely beholder of the heart would giue witnesse to the trueth and punish the swearer if hee Å¿ 2 Cor 1 23 1. Sam. 20 12 deceiue wittinglie Now this honour t Ier 5 7. Amoâ— 8 14 agreeth to no creature OF THE FOVRTH Commandement THE ARGVMENT Of the true hallowing of the Sabbath Question Lords day 38 103 What doth the Lord require in the fourth Commandement Answere First that the ministerie of the gospell and schooles be u Tit 1.5 Ephes 4.11 maintained and that both vpon other dayes and especiallie vpon holie dayes I do diligentlie x psal 68.26 40.9.10 Act. 2 42 46 frequent the holy assemblies y 1. Cor. 14.19.29.31 heare the worde of God attentiuelie vse the z
fire against the contemners of thy most holy precepts and yet to the penitent sinners hast alwaies shewed thy selfe a fauorable Father and a God full of mercie we thy creatures and woorkemanship of thine owne handes confesse our selues most vnworthie to open our eies vnto the heuens but far lesse to appeare in thy presence For our consciences accuse vs and our manifold iniquities haue borne witnes against vs that we haue declined from thee We haue bin polluted with Idolatrie we haue giuen thy glory to creatures we haue sought support where it was not to be founde and haue lightlied thy most wholesome admonitions The manifest corruptiō of our liues in al estates euidently proueth that wee haue not rightlie regarded thy precepts lawes and holy ordinances and this was not onelie done O Lord in the time of our blindnes but euen nowe when of thy mercie thou hast opened vnto vs an entrance to thy heuenly kingdom by the preaching of thine holie Euangell the whole bodie of this miserable Realm still continueth in their former impietie For the most part alas following the foote steppes of the blinde and obstinat princesse vtterlie despise the light of thy Gospell and delight in ignorance and Idolatrie others liue as a people without a God and without all feare of thy terrible iudgments And some O Lorde that in mouth professe thy blessed Evangell by their slaunderous life blaspheme the same We are not ignorant ô lord that thou art a righteous iudge that cannot suffer iniquitie long to be vnpunished vpon the obstinat trangressors especiallie O Lord when that after so long blindnes and horrible defection from thee soe louinglie thou callest vs againe to thy fauor and felloshipp and that we doe yet obstinatlie rebell we haue O Lorde in our extreame miserie called vnto thee yea when wee appeared vtterlie to haue bene consumed in the fury of our enemies and then didst thou mercifullie incline thine eares vnto vs. Thou foughtest for vs even by thine owne power when there was in vs neither wisedome nor force Thou alone brakest the yoke from our neckes and set vs at liberty when we by our foolishnes had made our selues slaues vnto straungers and mercifullie vnto this day hast thou continued with vs the light of thine Evangell and so ceasest not to heape vpon vs benefites both spiritual and temporal But yet alas O Lord we clearly see that our great ingratitude craueth farther punishement at thy hands the signs wherof are evident before our eies For the whispering of sedition the contempt of thy graces offered and the maintenance of Idolatrie are assured signes of thy farther plagues to fall vpon vs in particular for our grieuous offences And this vnmeasurable intemperatenesse of the aire doeth also threaten thine accustomed plague of famin which commonlie followeth riotous excesse and the contempt of the poore wherewith alas the whole Earth is replenished Wee haue nothing O Lord that we may lay betwixt vs and thy iudgment but thine onelie mercy freely offred vnto vs in thy dear Son our Lorde Iesus Christ purchased to vs by his death and passion For if thou wilt enter into iudgement with vs thy creatures and keepe in minde our grieuous sinns and offences then can there no flesh escape condemnation And therefore wee most humblie beseech thee O Father of mercies for Christ Iesus thy Sonnes sake to take from vs these stony hearts whoe soe long haue heard aswell thy mercies as seuere iudgments and yet haue not bin effectuallie moued with the same and giue vnto vs hartes mollified by thy Spirit that may both conceiue keepe in minde the reuerence that is due vnto thy maiestie Look O Lorde vnto thy chosen children labouring vnder the imperfection of the fleshe graunt vnto vs that victory that thou hast promised to vs by Iesus Christ thy Sonne our onely Sauiour Mediatour and Lawgiuer To whome with thee and the holy Ghost bee all honour and praise nowe and ever A CONFESSION OF OVR Sinnes commonly vsed in the Church of Edinburgh before Sermons IT is of thy mercie O Lord and not of our merites that it hath pleased thee to shew thy selfe vnto the world euer from the beginning and vnto vs nowe in this last most corrupt age yea Lord we further confesse that neither Lawe nor Gospell can profit vs to saluation except that thou of thy meere grace worke in vs aboue all power that is in this our nature For albeit thou teach we shal remaine ignorant albeit thou threaten wee shall contemne and albeit thou promise mercie and grace yet shall we dispair and remaine in infidelitie Vnles that thou create in vs newe hartes write thy Lawe in the same and seale in vs remission of our sinnes and that the sense and feeling of thy fatherlie mercie by the power of the holie Spirite To the old world thou spakest by Noah To Pharaoh his people by thy seruant Moses To all Israell by the fearfull trumpet of thy Lawe To the Citie of Ierusalem by thine owne wisedome our Lord Iesus Christ and to the multitude as well of Iewes as Gentiles by the preaching of the holy Apostles But who gaue obediēce Who trembled and constantly feared thy hotte displeasure Who did rightly acknowledg the time of their visitation And whoe did embrace and keepe to the end thy Fatherlie promises Onely they O Lorde to whome thy Spirite was the inward teacher whose hartes thou openest and from whome thou remoouest rebellion and infidelity the rest were externally called but obeyed not they heard aswell mercy offred as thretnings pronounced but neither with the one nor with the other were they effectuallie mooued We acknowledge O Lorde that the same corruption lurketh in vs that buddeth forth in them to their destruction and iust condemnation And therefore wee most humblie beeseech thee O Father of mercie for Iesus Christ thy Sonnes sake that as thou hast caused the light of thy word clearly to shine amongest vs and as thou hast plainlie instructed vs by the externall ministerie in the right way of saluation Soe it will please thee inwardlie to moue our dull hearts and by the power of thy holie spirit that thou wilt write and seale in our harts that holy feare and reuerence which thou crauest of thy chosen children that faythfull obedience to thy holie will together with the feeling sense that our sinnes are fullie purged and freely remitted by that onely one Sacrifice which only by it selfe is acceptable vnto thee to wit the obedience death and meditation of thy onely son our Soueraigne Lord only Pastour Mediatour and high Priest our lord Iesus Christ To whome with thee and with the holy Ghost be all honor and glory world without end AN OTHER CONFESsion of our sinnes IVst and righteous art thou ô Lord God father everlasting holy is thy Lawe most iust are thy iudgments yea even when thou doest punishe in greatest seueritie wee doe confesse as the truth is that wee haue