of the holy gospell then may you be certayne that God hathe euyn so knytt you together in this holy state of wedlocke Wherfore applie your selues to lyue a chaste and holie lyfe together in godlie loue in christian peace and good example euer holdinge faste the band of charitie withowte any breache kepinge faithe and trueth th one to the other euen as godes woorde dothe appoynte Then the minister commendeth theym to God in this or suche like sorte THE lorde sanctifie and blesse you the lorde powre the riches of his grace vppon you that ye may please hym and lyue together in holy loue to youre lyues ende So be it Then is songe the 128. Psalme Blessed are they that feare the lorde c. or some other appertaynyng to the same purpose The visitation of the sicke BEcawse the visitation of the sicke is a thyng verie necessarie and yet not withstandyng it is hard to prescribe all rules appertaynyng therunto wee refer it to the discretion of the godlie and prudent minister who accordinge as he seethe the pacient affected either may lift hym vp with the swete promesses of godes mercy through Christe if he perceiue hym moche afrayde of godes thretenynges or cōtrarie wise if he be not towched with the felinge of his synnes may beate hym downe with godes iustice Euermore like a skilfull phisition framyng his medicine accordyng as the disease requireth and if he perceyue hym to wante any necessaries he not onelie releueth hym accordyng to his abilitie but also prouideth by others that he may be furnissed sufficiently Moreouer the partie that is visited may at all tymes for his comforte sende for the minister who dothe not onelie make prayers for hym there presentlie but also if it so requyre commendeth hym in the publique prayers to the congregation Of Buriall THE corps is reuerently brought to the graue accompagnied with the congregatiō with owte any further ceremonies which beyng buriede the minister goeth to the churche if it be not farre of and maketh some comfortable exhortacion to the people towchyng deathe and resurrection THE ORDER of the ecclesiasticall discipline AS no Citie Towne howse or familie can maynteine their estate and prospere The necessitie of discipline without policie and gouernaunce euen so the churche of God which requireth more purely to be gouerned then any Citie or familie can not without spirituall policie and ecclesiasticall discipline continewe encrease and florishe And as the 1 Ephe. 5. f word of God is the life and soule of this churche so this godlie ordre and discipline is as it were synewes in the bodie which knit and ioyne the membres to gether with decent order and comelynes It is a brydle to staye the wicked frome their myschiefes It is a spurre to pricke forward suche as be slowe and necligent yea and for all men it is the fathers rodde euer in a readines to chastice gentelye the fautes committed and to cawse theym afterward to lyue in more godlie feare and reuerence What discipline is Finallye it is an ordre left by God vnto his churche What discipline is wherby men learne to frame their wills and doinges accordinge to the lawe of God hy instructing and admonishīge one an other yea and by correctinge and ponishinge all obstinate rebells and contemners of the same There are thre cawses chiefly which moue the churche of God to the executinge of discipline For what causes it oght to be vsed First that men of euell conuersation be not nombred emongst Gods childrene to their fathers 2 Ephe. 5. f. reproche as if the churche of God were a sanctuary for naughtie and vyle persons The second respect is that the good be not infected with compagnyinge the euell which thinge S. Paule forsawe when he commaunded the Corinthians to banishe frome emongst theym the incestuous adultether saīge a litle 3 1. Cor. 3. b. Gal 5. b. leauyn maketh sowre the whole lump of dowe The third cawse is that a man thus corrected or excommunicated might be 4 2. The. 3. b. 1. Cor. 5. c. ashamed of his faut and so through repentance come to amendement the which thinge the Apostole calleth deliueringe to Satan that his soule may be saued in the day of the lord meaning that he might be ponished with excommunication to the intent his soule shuld not perishe for euer First therfore it is to be noted that this censure corrrection or discipline is either priuate or publike The order of procedinge in priuate discipline priuate as if a man committ either in maners or doctrine against thee to admonishe hym brotherly 5 Matt. 18. b. luc 17. a. iam 5. d. leu 19. d. 2. Thes 3. d. betwixt him and thee if perchaunce he stubburnely resist thy charitable aduertisementes or els by contynuance in his faut declare that he amendeth not then after he hath bene the second tyme warned in presence of two or three witnesses and continueth obstinately in his error he oght as our sauior Christ commaundeth to be disclosed and vttered to the church so that accordinge to publike discipline publicke discipline he either may be receyued through repentance or els be ponished as his faut requireth And here as towchinge priuate discipline thre thinges are to be noted First What thīges are to be obserued in priuate discipline that our admonitions procede of a godly zeale and conscience rather sekinge to wynne our brother then to slaunder him Next that we be assured that his faut be reprouuable by gods woord And finally that we vse suche modestie and wisdomē that if we somewhat dout of the matter wherof we admonishe hym yet with godly exhortatiōs he may be broght to the knowlage of his faut Or if the faut apperteyne to many or be knowen of diuers that our admonition be done in presence of some of theym Brefly if it concerne the whole churche in suche sorte that the concelinge therof might procure some daunger to the same that then it be vttered to the ministers and seniors to whome the policie of the church doth apperteine Also in publike discipline of publike discipline and of the end therof it is to be obserued that the Ministerie pretermit nothinge at any tyme vnchastised with one kind of ponishement or other if they perceyue any thinge in the Congregation either euyll in example slaunderous in maners or not besemynge their profession as if there be any couetous personne any adulterer or fornicator forsworne thief briber false witnes bearer blasphemer dronkarde slaunderer vsurer any person disobedient seditious or dissolute any heresie or sect as papisticall anabaptisticall and suche lyke briefly what so euer it be that might 6 Ephe. 5. f. spott the christian congregation yea rather what so euer is not to edification oght not to escape either admonition or ponishement And becawse it happeneth sometyme in the churche of Christ that when other remedies assayed proffitt nothinge they
verse 10 10 He is protector of the poore what tyme they be opprest He is in al aduersitie theyr refuge and theyr rest verse 11 11 Al they that knowe thy holy name therfore shall trust in thee For thou forsakest not theyr “ we seeke god other by prayer or by vpright and godly life sute in theyr necessitie verse 12 12 Sing psalmes therfore vnto the lord that dwelth in Syon hill Publys he among all nations his noble actes and wil. verse 13 13 For he is myndefull of the bloude of those that be opprest Forgettyng not thafflicted hart that seketh to hym for reste verse 14 14 Haue mercie lorde on me poore wretche whose enmys still remayne which from the gates of deathe art wont to rayse me vp agayne verse 15 15 In Syon that I might set foorth thy prayse with hearte and voyce And that in thy Saluacion lord my soule might still reioyce verse 16 16 The heathen sticke fast in the pit that they themselues preparde And in the net that they did set theyr owne feete fast are snarde The hebr willeth men to meditate diligently on this thinge 17 God sheweth his iudgement which were good for euery man to marke When as ye see the wicked man lie trapte in his owne warke verse 18 18 The wicked and the sinfull men goe downe to hel for euer And al the people of the worlde that will not God remembre verse 19 19 But sure the Lorde will not forget the poore mans griefe and payne The pacient people neuer looke for helpe of God in vayne verse 20 20 O lord aryse lest men preuayle that be of worldly might And let the Heathen folke receyue theyr iudgement in thy sight Lorde stryke such terrour feare and drede into the heartes of them That they may knowe assuredly they be but mortal men Domine vt quid recessisti Psal X. Th. Ster ¶ He complayneth of the fraude rapine tirannye and all kindes of wronge which worddely men vse assignyng the cawse therof which was that wicked men being as it were dronke with wordelie prosperitie and therfore settyng aparte all feare and reuerence towardes god thynke they may doo all thynges without controwlyng Therfore he calleth vppon god to send some remedy agaynste these desperat euels And at length conforteth hym selff wirh hope of delyueraunce VVhat is the cause that thou o lord art now so far frome thyne and kepest close thy countynāce from vs this troublous tyme The poore doth perish by the proud and wicked mens desire let them be taken in the craft that they themselues conspire verse 3 3 For in the lust of his owne hart thungodlie dothe delite so dothe the wicked praise hym self and dothe the lorde despite verse 4 4 He is so prowde that right and wronge he setteth all aparte nay nay there is no god sayth he for thus he thynketh in harte verse 5 5 Becawse his wayes do prosper still he dothe thy lawes neglecte and with a blaste dothe puffr agaynst suche as wolde hym correcte verse 6 6 Tushe tushe saithe be I haue no dreade leaste myne estate shoulde chaunge and why for all aduersitie to hym is very straunge He meaneth that wickednes is so farre ouergrowen that god most nedes now helpe or neuer 7 His mouth is ful of cursednes of fraude disceate and guile Vnder his tong doth mischief sit and trauayle al the whyle verse 8 8 He lyeth hid in waies and holes to sleay the Innocent Agaynst the poore that passe hym by his cruel eves are bent verse 9 9 And lyke a lyon prieuely lyeth lurking in his denne If he may snare them in hys nette to spoyle poore simple men verse 10 10 And for the nones ful craftely he crowcheth downe I say So are great heapes of poore men made by his strong power his pray verse 11 11 Tushe god forgetteth this saith he therfore may I be bolde His countenaunce is east asyde he doth it not heholde verse 12 12 Aryse O Lorde O god in whome the poore mans hope doeth rest Lift vp thyne hande forget not Lord the poore that be opprest verse 13 13 What blasphemy is this to thee lorde dost not thou abhorre it To heare the wicked in theyr heartes say tushe thou carst not for it verse 14 14 But thou seest all thys wickednesse and wel doest vnderstande That frendlesse and poore fatherlesse are left into thy hande verse 15 15 Of wicked and malicious men than breake the power for euer By the heathen he meaneth the hypocrites which gloried as if thei had bene of the churche That they with theyr iniquitie may perishe altogether verse 16 16 The lorde shall raigne for euermore as king and god alone and he will chase the heathen folke owte of his lande eichone verse 17 17 Thou hearest o lorde the poore mās plaite they re prayers and requeste they re hartes thou wilt confirme vntill thyne eares to heare be preste God helpeth when mans ayde ceaseth 18 To iudge the poore and fatherlesse and helpe them to theyr right That they may be no more opprest with men of worldly might In Domino confido Psal XI Th. Ster ¶ This psalme contayneth two parties In the first Dauid sheweth how harde assaultes of tentacions he sustayned and in how great anguishe of mynde he was whē Saul did persecute hym Then next he reioyseth that God sent hym succor in his necessitie declaryng his iustice aswell in gouernyng the good and the wicked men as the whole worlde I Trust in god how dare ye then say thus my soull vntill flee hence as fast as any foull and hyde you in youre hill Beholde the wicked bend their bowes and make theyr arrowes prest to shute in secrete and to hurt the sounde and harmles brest verse 3 3 Of worldlye hope all stayes were shrōke and clearely broght to noghte Alas the iuste and rightuous man what euell hathe he wroght verse 4 4 But he that in his temple is most holy and most hye And in the heauen hath his seate of royal maiestie All thinges are gouerned by Gods prouidence The poore and simple mans estate considereth in hys mynde And searcheth out ful narowly the maners of mankynde verse 5 5 And with a cherefull countenaunce the righteous man will vse But in his heart he doth abhorre al suche as mischiefe muse As in the distruction of Sodome and Gomorro 6 And on the synners casteth snares as thicke as any rayne fire and brymstone and whirle wyndes thicke appoynted for theyr payne verse 7 7 Ye see then how a ryghteous God doth righteousnes embrace And to the iuste and vpright man sheweth furth his pleasaunt face Saluum me fac Psal XII Th. St. ¶ The Prophet lamenting the miserable estate of the people and the decay of all good ordre desiereth God spedely to send succor to his children Then comfortyng hym selff and othere with the assuraunce of Godes helpe he commendeth the constant veritie that god
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
lordship haue Their ymage and their royall porte shall fade and quite decaye when as from house to pitt they passe with wo and weale a waye verse 15 15 But god will surely preserue me from death endles paine Because he will of his good grace Selab my soule receyue agayne verse 16 16 If any man waxe wonders riche feare not I say therfore Althogh the glory of his house increaseth more and more Iob. 27. 1. Tim. 6. 17 For whē he dieth of al these thinges nothing shal he receiue His glory wil not folow him his pompe wil take her leaue verse 18 18 Yet in thys lyfe he taketh hymselfe the happiest vnder sunne and others likewise flatter hym sayng all is well done verse 19 19 And presuppose he lyue as longe as did his fathers olde yet moste he nedes at length gyue place and be broght to deathes folde verse 20 20 Thus man to hounor god hath called yet dothe he not consider but like brute beastes so doth he lyue which turne to duste and powder Miserere mei Deus Psal LI. ¶ when Dauid was rebuked by the Prophete Nathan for his great offences he dyd not only acknowlage the same to god with protestation of his naturall corruption and iniquitie but also left a memoriall therof to his posteritie Therfore first he desireth god to forgiue his synnes and renewe in him his holy spirite with promesse that he will not be vnmyndfull of those great graces finally fearinge lest god wolde ponishe the whole churche for his faute he requireth that he wolde rather increase his graces towards the same O Lorde consider my distresse and now with speed some pitie take my synnes deface my fautes redresse good lorde for thy great mercies sake Washe me ó lorde and make me cleane from this iniuste and synnefull acte and purifie yet once againe my hainous crime and bloodie facte verse 3 3 Remorce and sorrowe do constrayne me to acknowlege myne excesse My synne alas dothe still remayne before my face withowte relesse verse 4 4 For thee alone I haue offended comittyng euell in thy sight Rom. 3. and if I were therfore condemned yet were thy iudgement iust and right verse 5 5 It is to manifest alas that first I was conceyud in synne yea of my mother so borne was and yet vile wretche remaine therin verse 6 6 But notwithstanding thou doest loue the inwarde trueth of a pure hart therfore thy wisedome from aboue Nu. 19. Iea. 14. Isa 1. thou haste reueld me to conuert verse 7 7 If thou with hissope purge this blot I shal be cleaner then the glasse and if thou washe away my spot the snowe in whitenes shall I passe verse 8 8 Therfore o lorde suche ioy me send that inwardelie I may fynde grace and that my strength may now amend which thou haste swagd for my trespas verse 9 9 Turne backe thy face and frowning ire for I haue felt ynough thy hand and purge my synnes I thee desire which do in nomber passe the sand verse 10 10 Make new my harte within my brest and frame it to thy holy will thy constant spirit in me let rest which may these ragyng enmys kill verse 11 11 Cast me not owte lorde frō thy face but spedelie my torments ende take not from me thy spirite grace which may from daungers me defend verse 12 12 Restore me to those ioyes agayne which I was wonte in thee to fynde and let me thy free spirite retayne which vnto thee may styre my mynde verse 13 13 Thus when I shall thy mercies knowe I shall instructe others therin and men that are likewise broght lowe by myne ensample shall flee synne verse 14 14 O god that of my health art lorde forgyue me thus my bloodie vice my harte and tongue shall then accorde to synge thy mercies and iustice verse 15 15 Touche thou my lippes my tōg vntie ò lorde which art the onlie kaye and then my mouthe shall testifie thy wōdrous woorkes and prayse alway verse 16 16 And as for owteward sacrifice I wolde haue offred many one but thou estemes theym of no prise and therin pleasure takest thou none verse 17 17 The heauie hart the mynde opprest ò lorde thou neuer doest reiecte and to speake truthe it is the best and of all sacrifice theffecte verse 18 18 Lorde vnto Zion tourne thy face powre owte thy mercies on thy hill and on Hierusalem thy grace builde vp the walles and loue it still verse 19 19 Thow shalt accept then our offrynges of peace and rightuousnes I saye yea calues and many other thynges vpon thyne aulter will we laye Quid gloriaris Psal LII I. H. ¶ Dauid describeth the arrogant tyrannie of his aduersarie Doeg Sauls chief shepherde who by false surmises caused Achimelech with the rest of the pryestes to be slayne Dauid prophecieth his distruction and encourageth the faithfull to put their confidence in god whose iudgements are moste sharpe against his aduersaries And finally he rendreth thanks to god for his deliuerance In this psal is liuely set fourth the kyngdome of Antichriste VVhy doest thou tyrant boast abroad thy wicked workes to prayse dost thou not know ther is a god whose mercies last alwayes why doth thy mynd yet styll deuyse such wicked wiles to warpe thy tonge vntrue in forginge lyes is lyke a rasour sharpe verse 3 3 On mischiefe why settst thou thy minde and wilt not walke vpright Thou hast more lust false tales to fynd Selah than bring the trueth to light verse 4 4 Thou dost delite in fraude and guile In mischief blood and wrong Thy lippes haue learnde the flatteryng style O false disceitful tong verse 5 5 Therfore shal God for euer confound And pluck thee from the place Thy seede roote out from of the ground Selah And so shal thee deface verse 6 6 The iust when they beholde thy falle with feare wil prayse the lord And in reproche of thee withal “ hebr shall laugh or mocke Crye out with one accord verse 7 7 Behold the man which would not take The lord for his defence But of his goodes hys god did make And trust his corrupt sense verse 8 8 But I an Olyue freshe and greene Shal spryng and sprede abrod For why my trust al tymes hath bene Vpon the liuyng God verse 9 9 For this therfore will I geue prayse To thee with heart and voyce I wil set furth thy name alwayes Wherin thy sayntes reioyce Deus Deus meus Psal LXIII Th. St. ¶ Dauid after he had bene in great daunger by Saul in the desert of Ziph made this psalme wherin he giueth thankes to god for his wonderfull delyuerannce in whose mercies he trusted euen in the myddes of his myseries propheciynge the destruccion of godes ennymies and contrariwise happynes to all theym that trust in the lorde 1. Sam. 23. O God my God I watche betyme to come to thee in haste for why my soule and
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
parte what is the ryghte vsynge or receauyng of baptysme ¶ The childe The ryght vse therof standeth in these two faith and repentaūce that is wherein the right vsing of baptisme standeth in that we be sure that we haue oure consciences cleansed in the bloude of Christe And in that we both feele in oure selues and make it knowen to others by oure woorkes that hys spirite abydeth in vs to mortyfye oure affections and desyres and so to make vs ready to doe the wyll of God ¶ The minister Sonday 50 Seyng al thys is required in the ryght vsynge of baptisme how is it that lytle children be baptysed ¶ The childe I dyd not meane that fayth repentaunce oughte alwayes to goe before the ministracion of this sacrament The baptisme of infantes for that is only requisite in them that be of age and discretion so that it is sufficienre if the lytle children shew forth the fruites of baptysme when they are come to sufficient age to knowe it ¶ The minister How wylt thou proue that there is no inconuenience in thys doyng ¶ The childe For in lyke maner circumcisyon was a sacrament of repentaunce Deu. 10. and. 30. Iere. 4. Rom. 4. as Moses the Prophetes doe wyttnes ād also a sacramente of fayth as sainct Paul teacheth and yet God dyd not debarre and exclude lytle chyldren from the receyuyng of the same ¶ The minister No but arte thou able to proue sufficiently that there is as good reason they should be receiued to baptisme as that the other should be circumcised ¶ The childe The promises whiche wer made to the Iewes only are nowe offered to al men Yea for the reason is largely as sufficienente for the same promyses whiche God dyd make in tyme past to hys chosen people of Israell are now extended with muche more euydente declaration into all coastes of the worlde ¶ The minister And foloweth it therefor that we muste vse also the signe ¶ The childe Yea if we wyll consyder the thynge effectually For Christ hath not made vs partakers of that grace which belonged in time paste to the children of Israel to the intente he woulde in vs dimynishe dimynishe it and deale it more sparyngly or that he woulde make it nowe more doubteful or lesse knowen than it was before but rather to the ende he would shew forth his goodnes not onely more euidentely but also more plenteouslye ¶ The minister Doest thou coumpt then that if we dyd denye baptysme to lytle chyldren the grace and goodnes of God should be dymynished and darkened by the commynge of Christ ¶ The childe Yea surely for we shoulde be by that meanes destytute of the expresse signe of Goddes bountyfull mercye towardes our children the which thing they that were vnder the lawe had in very dede this thing serueth highly to our comfort as to the stably shynge of the promes which hath bene made vnto vs from the begynning ¶ The minister Thy minde is then that forsomuche as it pleased GOD in olde tyme to declare hymselfe to be the sauyoure yea of lytle children and that he thoughte it also good to seale hys fauorable promise in theyr bodyes by an outwarde sacramente and marke that therfore it is very good reason that ther be no lesse tokens of assuraunce after Christes comming since the self same promyse cōtinuynge styll is reiterate and more openly vttered as wel by worde as dede ¶ The childe Yea and moreouer it semeth a thyng worthy of notable reprehencyon if menne woulde doe so muche wronge vnto chyldren as to denye them the signe whiche is a thynge of lesse price since the vertue and substance of baptysme belongeth vnto them whiche is of muche hygher estimacion ¶ The minister For what consideration ought we to baptise lytle children ¶ The childe To what purpose children are baptised They are christened in token and wytnes that they are enherytours of the blessynge of God which is promised to the lynage of the faythfull to this ende that when they come to age they shoulde be instructed what the substaunce and meaning of baptisme is to profite them selues therby ¶ The minister Sonday The 51. Let vs now speake of the Supper and firste what is the signyfycacion therof ¶ The childe Our lord did ordaine it to put vs in assuraunce Of the lordes Supper that by the distribuciō of his body bloud oure soules are nouryshed in the hope of lyfe euerlastynge ¶ The minister Why is it that our Lorde representeth vnto vs hys bodye by the breade and hys bloude by the wyne ¶ The childe To sygnyfye vnto vs that euen what propertie the bread hath towardes our bodies to wete Christ offereth to vs his body by the bread and hys bloude by the wyne to feede sustayne them in this transytorye lyfe the selfe same propertye also his body hath touchīg our soules that is to nourishe and refresh them spirytually And in lyke maner as the wine dothe strengthen comfort and quicken the body of man euen so hys bloude is our ful ioye our comforth and spiritual strength ¶ The minister Doeste thou meane that we must be in dede partakers of the bodye and bloude of the Lorde ¶ The childe Yea verely I meane so The onely stay of our truste for since the whole truste and assuraunce of our health and saluacion doth consist in the obedience which he hath perfourmed vnto god hys father in that that God doth accept it take it as if it were oures in deede we must fyrste needes possesse him seeing that hys benefites doe not belong vnto vs vntill he haue firste geuen hymselfe vnto vs. ¶ The minister Why did not Christ geue himselfe vnto vs what tyme he gaue himselfe to be crucified to the intēt that thereby we myght be brought into the fauour of God hys father and be deliuered from damnacion ¶ The childe Yes but that doth not suffyce vnlesse we doe receiue hym withal in such sorte as we may feele in our consciences the fruicte and efficacye of his death and passion ¶ The minister After what sorte we receiue Christe Is not faith the ready meanes to receyue Christ by ¶ The childe Yes forsoth not onely by that that we belieue that he dyed rose again to delyuer vs from euerlasting death and to procure vs also euerlastyng lyfe but also by that that we feele by fayth that he dwelleth in vs and is ioyned with his membres to the end to make vs partakets of al his graces and benefites because we are vnto hym vnited and made all one ¶ The minister Sonday 52 Haue we not Christe ioyned vnto vs so that we become partakers of hys benefytes by no other meanes than by hys Supper ¶ The childe Yes verelye for we receyue Christ with the fruicion of his benefites 1. Cor. 1. at the preaching of the gospel as S. Paule witnesseth in that that our lord Iesu doeth promise