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 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
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
be f psa 115 1 71 8 honored and magnified OF THE SECOND PETITION THE ARGVMENT Wherein the comming of Gods kingdome the preseruation and perfection thereof consisteth Question Lords day 49 123 What is the second petition Answere Lette thy Kingdome come that is so gouerne vs by thy worde and by thy Spirit that wee may g Mar. 6.33 psal 119.5 143.10 bee more and more subiect vnto thee preserue and increase thy h psal 51.20 122 6 7. Churche destroy the workes of the Deuill and every power that exalteth it selfe against thy maiestie make void all the counsels that are i 1 Ioh. 3.8 Rom. 16 20. taken against thy word vntill at the length thou k Apoc. 22 17 20. Ro 8 22 23 do fully and perfectly raigne when thou shalt be al in l 1 Cor. 15 28 al. OF THE THIRD PETITION THE ARGVMENT The end of this petition is that all men do submit themselues to the will of God that so it may appeare that God doth raigne effectually in the World Question Lords day 49 124 What is the third petition Answere Thy will bee done as in Heauen so also in Earth that is Gâ—â—unt that we and all men m Mat. 16.24 Tit. 2.12 renouncing our owne wil may readilie and without any murmuring n Luk 22.42 obey thy wil which onlie is holie so may cheerefully o 1 Cor 7 24. execute whatsoeuer the Angels doe in p psal 103.20.21 Heauen OF THE FOVRTH PETITION THE ARGVMENT The end of this petition is that wee may acknowledg that God is he whoe must giue vnto vs all things necessary for the maintenance of this present life Question Lords day 50 125 What is the fourth petition Answere Giue vs this day our dailie bread that is supplie vnto vs all things q psal 145 15 16 104.27 28. Mat. 6 2â— necessarie for this present life that thereby we may acknowledg that thou art the onelie fountaine from whom all good thinges doe r Act. 17 27 28 14.17 flowe and except thou giue thy blessing all our care trauell and euen thine owne guifts will be vnprosperous and Å¿ 1 Cor 15 58 Deut 8 3 psal 27 16.17 hurtefull vnto vs Wherefore graunt that turning our affiance from all creatures we may t psal 62.11 55.23 set it vpon thee alone OF THE FIFT PETITION THE ARGVMENT Because the conscience of sinne hindreth men in praying by reason that the Deuill suggesteth such thoughts to the end wee might not bee overcome with these temptations Christ would haue vs set against them as a comfort this petition of forgiuenes of sinnes Question Lords day 51 126 What is the fift petition Answere Forgiue vs our debtes as we forgiue them that are indebted vnto vs that is for the blood of Christ impute u psal 51.1 c. 143.2 1 Ioh. 2.1 2 not vnto vs most miserable sinners al our sinnes and even that corruption which as yet cleaueth vnto vs as wee also feele this testimonie of thy fauour in our harts that we haue a stedfast purpose from our hartes to x Mat. 6.14.17 forgiue all that haue offended vs. OF THE SIXT PETITION THE ARGVMENT This Petition is the second parte of the spirituall couenant which God hath made for the saluation of his church for we desire in it that as he hath forgiuen vs our sinnes so he woulde vouchsafe to write his lawes in our hartes that hee would defend vs by the power of his Spirit and susteine vs by his helpe so that we may stand invinciblie against al tentations Question Lords day 52 127 What is the sixt petition Answere Leade vs not into temptation but deliuer vs from all evill that is forasmuch as wee are by nature soe feeble and weake that we y Iohn 15.5 psal 103.14 are not able to stand no not a moment of time our deadly enemies z 1. pet 5.8 Ephe. 6 12 Satan the a Iohn 15.19 worlde and our own b Rom. 7.23 Gal. 5.17 flesh do continuallie assaile vs vpholde thou vs and strengthen vs by the power of thy spirit that wee c Mat. 26 41. Mar. 13 33. faint not in this spirituall combate but may so long stand against them vntill at the last we d 1. Thes 3.13 5,23 obtaine a perfite victorie Question 128 How doest thou conclude thy prayer Answere For thine is the kingdome the power and the glory for euer that is wee ask all these thinges at thy hand because thou being our king almightie art willing and able e Rom 10.11 12 2. pet 29. to giue vs all things and these things we therefore aske to the end that by them al glorie may f Ioh. 24.13 psal 115.1 Ier. 33.8.9 redound not vnto vs but vnto thy holie name Question 129 What meaneth the last word Amen Answere That the matter is certaine and out of doubt for my prayer is much more certainlie heard of God then I in mine owne hart do feele that I desire it with all my hart FINIS A PVBLIKE CONFESSION of our sinnes commonly vsed in the Church of Edinburgh in the day of common prayer O Eternal God and most merciful Father wee confesse acknowledg here before thy diuine maiestie that we are miserable sinners conceaued and borne in sinne and iniquitie so that in vs there is no goodnes For the fleshe evermore rebelleth against the Spirit whereby wee continuallie transgresse thine holy preceptes and commandements and so do purchase to our selues through thy iust iudgement death and damnation Notwithstanding O heauenlie Father forasmuch as wee are displeased with our selues for the sins that wee haue committed against thee and do vnfainedly repent vs of the same wee most humblie beseech thee for Iesus Christ his sake to shewe thy mercie vppon vs to forgiue vs al our sinnes and to increase thine holie Spirit in vs that we acknowledging from the bottome of our harts our owne vnrighteousnes may from henceforth not onely mortifie our sinfull lustes and affections but also bring foorth such fruits as may be agreeable to thy most blessed wil not for the worthines thereof but for the merits of thy dearly beloued Son Iesus Christ our onely Sauiour whome thou hast already giuen an oblation and offering for our sinnes and for whose sake we are certainlie perswaded that thou wilt dedy vs nothing that we shall ask in his name according to thy will For thy Spirit dooth assure our consciences that thou art our mercifull Father and so louest vs thy children through him that nothing is able to remooue thine heauenly grace and fauor from vs. To thee therefore O Father with the Sonne and the holie Ghost be all honor and glorie world without end So be it Another confession prayer commonly vsed in the church of Edinburgh O Dreadfull most mightie God thou that from the beginning hast declared thy selfe a consuming
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