Christ subiect to sinne for the Bread and Wine becommeth our substance Eightly they most blasphemouslie affirme by this their opinion that Christ should returne into our draught O monstrous blasphemie Matth. 15.17 Ninthly if it were the very body of Christ that the Apostles did eate at the last supper then where was the body that must suffer for our sakes a fantasticall bodie could not redeeme vs. And if they did eate but halfe of the bodie and left the other halfe to suffer we could not be redeemed by halfe Herein therefore wee may see how foolish a doctrine Poperie is Question Our sauiour Christ who is verie trueth and cannot lie saieth take eate this is my bodie and therefore his verie bodie Answere Our Sauiour Christ calleth himself a doore a vine a waie and is also called a rocke compared to a theefe and saide to bee the daye Starre Iohn 10.7 and 15.1 14.6 1. Cor. 10.4 Re. 22.16 Is Christ therefore a way a vine a rock theefe and a day Sarre O no it were most foolish and wicked so to reason and conclude He is in deed the onely doore thorough whome we must enter into saluation the onely waie to eternall life the onely tree and roote from whence we must drawe all heauenly and comfortable graces the sure rocke to builde on to saluation the theefe to come sodainely vpon the wicked to destruction and the glorious wisdome of his father to inlighten our hearts to knowe God to saluation And euen so he calleth the bread his bodie because it is a sacrament of his bodie that is it sheweth how his bodie was crucified and put to death and the wine his bloud because it is a signe how his bloud was shed Question Dooth the wicked and vnbeleeuing person receiue the benefit of Christs death in receiuing the externall signe Answere No for First they haue not faith Titus 1.1 2. 1. Thes 3.2 Secondly they haue not the spirit of Christ which things should make them worthie receiuers of the benefits of Christs death to the remission of sinnes and euerlasting life Rom. 8.7 8. Question In receiuing the sacramental signes do they not bring great hurt to themselues Answere Yes verely for first they are herein guiltie of the body and bloud of Christ 1. Corin. 11.27 Secondly they eate and drinke their owne damnation 1. Cor. 11.29 Question How can they bee guiltie of the bodie and bloud of Christ to their condemnation vnlesse they eate the verie flesh and drinke the verie bloud of Christ 1. Cor. 11. Answere To be guiltie of the body and bloud of Christ and to eate vnworthelie to condemnation is to come rashely without due examining of themselues also to come like doggs in their vomit and hoggs in their filthie mier making no account of the holy supper and sacramental signes so that this verie contempt reacheth vnto the author himselfe namely Iesus Christ and his death and bloud shedding Question What dooth the bread broken and the wine powred foorth signifie Answere The breaking of the bodie and the shedding of the bloud of Christ 1. Corinthians 10.16 Question What doo you gather thereby Answere First what horrible and vile sinners we are Pro. 20.9 1. Iohn 1.1.10 Secondly how wee deserue the horrible and intollerable tormentes of hell fier euerlastinglie Romans 6.23 Ephesians 2.2 3. Thirdly the great loue of GOD in sending his sonne to take vpon him our nature and to die for vs to our redemption Iohn 3.16 1. Iohn 4.9 10. Fourthly the great loue of Christ and his humilitie to humble himselfe vnto the cursed death of the Crosse and tormentes of hell for our saluation Phil. 2.5 6 7 8. Ioh. 10.11 Question What thinke you of the Papistes which deliuer not the holy supper after the institution of Christ Answere They deale First iniuriouslie against Christ Secondly wickedly against the people in that they bereaue them of such notable vses in the breaking of the bread and powring foorth of the Wine Question How shal we come worthelie to receiue the holy supper Answere First by repentance Mark 1.15 Secondly by faith Ephe. 3.16 17. Thirdly by loue 1. Cor. 10.17 Fourthly by thankesgiuing Luke 22.24 Question How may a christian assure himselfe that he commeth in true repentance Answere If hee bee truely touched with his sinnes and inwardly grieued for them loathing sinne from the bottome of his heart With a true confession vnto GOD and with a full purpose to amende and liue in the feare of GOD Then he hath truely repented Psalme 51.17 Ioel. 2.12 13. Esay 1.16.17 Romans 12.1 2. Question How may he perswade himself that he hath a liue lie faith Answere If he feele effectuallie in his heart the benefits of Christs death to the remission of sinnes and his saluation and confesseth Gods mercies herein hee hath a true and liuelie faith Romans 3.24 Galathians 2.20 Collos 1.21 22 23. Question How in true loue Answere If he hartelie forgiue his neighbours for the offences and iniuries done against him also if he be ready to doo good vnto all especiallie vnto the house of the faithfull and finally if hee haue a care to instruct and teach his family and neighbours in the trueth of GOD and the faith of Christ then he may perswade himselfe he hath true loue Rom. 12.20 21. Eph. 4.1 2 3 4. col 3.12 13 14 15. Question How in thanksgiuing Answere If from the heart both in word and workes he giue all praise and glorie to GOD through Christ for the benefites of saluation and not attribute them to his owne wisedome power and riches neither yet to burie them in the pit of forgetfulnesse and finally doo not turne the grace of God to wantonnesse Psa 103.1 2 3 4 5 c. Iere. 9.23 24. Rom. 15. Iud. 4. Rom. 6.1 Question Let vs come vnto the third meane whereby our faith is increased and mainteined by discipline and tell me what discipline is Answere Discipline is the comely order of holy gouernment appointed of Christ in his Churth to be exercised and vsed of his Ministers and Elders to keep in the good and to punish the wicked and that to be done in great loue and pittie Matth. 16.19 Iohn 20.20 Math. 18.15 16. Rom. 12.3 4 6 7 8. Matth. 18.17 Gal. 6.1 2 3 c. Question Wherein standeth it Answere First in exhortations and admonitions 1. Thess 5.13 14. Secondly in threatnings and corrections 2. Tim. 4.2 3 4 c. Thirdly in excommunications casting foorth the great offenders that will not be amended by these procéedings out of the fellowship of the faithfull and from the partaking at the Lords Table 1. cor 5.12 1. tim 5.20 Matt. 18.17 Tit. 3.10.11 Question What are the endes of excommunication Answere First that a wicked liuer to the great reproach of God and his Gospell be not suffered among Christians 1. cor 5.4 5. 1. Tim. 1.20 Secondly that the good may not be corrupted through the continuall familiaritie of the wicked 1.
Iudg. 9.23 24.25 psal 46.9 Then to mouing creatures of other kindes as First al manner of cattle as oxen horses sheepe c. Gen. 2.19 20. 7.1 to 11. Secondly lions 1. Reg. 13.24 Thirdly beares 2. Reg. 2.24 Fourthly frogges Exod. 6.12 Fiftly flies Exod. 8.22 Sixtly lice Exod. 8.17 Seuenthly wormes Ioel 1.4 Iona. 4.7 Eightly serpents Num. 21.6 Ninthly hornets Iosh 24.12 Tenthly rauens and sparrowes 1. Reg. 17.4 Now for al creatures that grow and are vnmoouable hauing their being on in the earth I will touch them but first beginning with the Earth it selfe for which this is my proofe Gen. 1.12 13. Secondly trees Matth. 19.19 20. Iona. 4.6 7. Thirdly hearbes flowers grasse corne Psal 104.14 Matth. 6.28 29 30. Question Proceede now vnto the third point and tell me how thou canst proue that all plagues and punishments come from God Answere The holy scripture sheweth how that there commeth no euil vnto a Citie vnlesse that God doo sende the same it is hee that killeth and giueth life and bringeth downe vnto the graue he maketh poore and bringeth lowe yea neither the pestilence consumption feauer burning ague feruent heat mildeaw sword blasting bocches emeroides scabbe itch madnes blindnes a mans wife defiled a mans house vineyeard taken away dearth famine captiuitie grashoppers worms to destroy the fruits of the earth hunger thirst nakednesse to eate the fruites of the wombe and such like nor anie else can happen except the Lord send them so that they neither come by chance or through ouersight or anie other way but by Gods prouidence and appointment Leuit. 26. Deut. 28. Exod. 8.9 10. chap. 1. Sam. 2.6 7 8. Amos 3.6 Question Proceede vnto the 4. point that God ruleth all the creatures in the sea Answere I will and therein proue that he ruleth First the sea it selfe Exod. 14 16. Iosh 3.14 15 16 17. Secondly the fishes in the sea Iona. 1.17 2.10 Matt. 17.27 Luk. 5 6 7 8. Thirdly the foules thereof Gen. 7. 8. Question Proceede vnto the 5. and last point tel me how ye proue that God ruleth the diuels of hel Answere I will effectually doo the same for First these places of Scripture doo affirm and proue his dominion and rule ouer them and of them Iob. 1. and 2. 1. Sam. 16.14 1. Re. 21.20 to 23. Ma. 8.31 32. Act. 16.18 Secondly if he were not tied by the power of God he would soone destroy and deuoure vs. 1. Pet. 5.8 Question Thou saist that God ruleth the planets and the firmament with all things therein Answere It is most true Question Yea but doo they not serue for times and seasons to rule dispose man in all his affairs as sicknesse health life and death in al good lucke and bad lucke besides Answere Farre be it from all good Christians once to thinke so but much more to beleeue affirme the thing for it is very sorcerie and soothsaying Question What els is it when Moses saith they are appointed for times seasons daies yeres Answere It is most true that he saith so but he meaneth nothing lesse than such a cursed astrologie his meaning is onely for things belonging to naturall and politicke order Question What meanest thou by this word naturall Answere Winter and summer sowing time reaping planting graffing gardening mowing and all tilling Question What meanest thou by this word politique Answere The reckoning of yeares daies months as some from the creation of the world some from Christes incarnation and some from one daie and some from another Question Yea but earthly things inferiour bodies haue a kinde of affinitie and kindred with the course of the starres and so come by their disposition and qualitie and so may be tolde because they are ruled by thē what shall become of them and what things shal happen vnto thē by the planets and starres Answere Although it be granted that there is such affinitie and kindred yet to conclude therefore that we may gather what shal befall vnto man either in good lucke or badde health or sicknesse life or death and what qualities and disposition he shall be of and what death he shall die it is most wicked for these things belong onely to God and are most vncertaine to men Question What reasons moueth thee thus to thinke 〈…〉 These first for the one of their chiefest grounds is vncertaine as the time of bearing to the time of conception as First it is a thing altogether impossible to haue a certaine knowledge of the verie time of begetting Secondly the time of birth is not onely oftentimes sooner than it should be thorough some occasion offred but also through weaknes of the woman shee oftentimes continueth a longer time or thorough long labour shee misseth often times not a minute but houres yea dayes so that in the meane time there is a very great inclination and moouing of the heauens and Starres Secondly seeing they that are borne at one minute and the selfe same instant of time are commonly altogether First vnlike in nature and manners Secondly doo die one before another some one death some another some are poore and some rich and some in authority and some of lowe degree Thirdly that the force of seed which is the matter whereof the childe is begotten and bred in the wombe is greter than the force of Starres concerning the framing of man to manners and nature as we may see children to imitate their parents in naturall things seeing this I say it cannot bee rightly attributed to the nature of the Planets and courses of Starres Question What euills doo they commit by these their southsayings in attributing the gouernement of man vnto the Planets and constellation of Starres Answere First if good lucke hang vpon the Starres then our holy obedience vnto God doth depend vpon them too for this is the proper cause of that and so we shall make the holy Ghost a lyer for he saieth that euery good and perfect gifte commeth of God Secondly if the kinde of death and euill luck as they cal it do hang vpon the starres then shall sinne depende vpon them too for of sinne commeth all punishments which is altogether foolish and wicked to bee so attributed for it commeth of the diuell and of our selues Math. 15.19 1. Ioh. 38. Thirdly they herein make the starres partakers of the diuine nature and power of God in that they say they gouerne and beare rule ouer mankinde to direct them in al their affaires and life and death Iob. 14.5 Fourthly in this they both rashly enter into the secrets of God and also as Gods they determine what shall come to passe Fiftly they are deceiuers and bewitchers of the people that so teach and therefore God will set himselfe against them and they are worthie to die the death Le. 20.6.27 Deut. 15.7 Esay 44.25 Mala. 3.5 Question Can the diuell and his inchanters raise vp windes stormes lightnings and raine when
13.27 30. Question Make this example more plaine Answere In it we may see the rich goodnes of God and of our Sauiour Iesus Christ of God in that hee spared not his onely Sonne of Iesus Christ in that he was content in his owne person to pay the ransome for the sinnes of his people but it was most wicked in the instruments for they committed a horrible fact in murthering an innocent man and in putting to death the Sonne of God Question But did they it not for the same ende that God did namely for the saluatiō of his people Answere No verely for as I saide before Iudas did the same for money the Scribes and Pharisies for enuie Pilate for feare of Caesar the Diuel to take away all hope of redemption and saluation also to bring the murtherers by his meanes into the wrath of God and so vpon them destruction therefore in either and euerie of them was it wicked and worthie of condemnation Question What doost thou conclude vpon this thing Answere That GOD in all his actions is most iust and cleere from sinne and that the wicked are most vniust although they doo nothing indéed but what God hath appointed them to doo neuerthelesse not to be excused therein Question If all things must come to passe as God hath before appointed is it not then in vaine to vse counsell labor praier or any other meanes Answere If they be called vain things because they can not procure things to fall out otherwise than God hath appointed decreed they are vain indeede but otherwise they are not vaine things but good meanes by which as instruments God bringeth his counsells and purposes to passe wherefore God doth command vs to vse them and thereby after a sort we are saide to be helpers to bring his certaine and euerlasting purpose to passe Question As how Answere Thus as God hath certainlie appointed vndoubtedly decreed how things should come to passe the time when and the place where so reseruing the end euent vnto his secret counsell which we may not search into he hath giuen vs meanes and also reason to vse them to bring things to passe which he hath commanded vs to vse leauing the issue and that which is secret vnto him wherefore not to doo them is to tempt God as too much to trust in them is to distrust God so that both of them not rightly performed is great wickednes against God Question What examples haue you for this in the holie Scriptures Answere Our Sauiour Christ although he was hungrie and tempted of Sathan yet would he not depende vppon the meane and vse vnlawfull meanes to distrust in God neither yet when he was vpon the pinacle being tempted of Satan to fall downe vnder the shewe of Gods prouidence yet would he not tempt God in neglecting the meanes to goe downe by the steps Ma. 4. And of this you may sée more in the booke of God how Moses Dauid and Paule vsed the meanes of praier labour and all other honest lawfull things to bring their matters to passe although they knew that al things wer wroght and came to passe by Gods prouidence Exod. 14.13 14 15. psal 3.5 6 8. 1. Sam. 19.11 12. Actes 27.22 23.24 25 30 31. Question What is the vse of this doctrine Answere First faith in God Psal 3.5 6 7 8 23. the whole psal 37.5 Secondly comfort 2. Kings 6.16 17. Acts. 27.24 25. Thirdly patience in all our troubles seeing God who is our Father sendeth afflictions for our comfort and will returne them to our good Rom. 5.3 4. psalm 37.7 Iam. 1.2 3 4. Fourthly we ought to vse all godly and honest meanes as Matth. 4. First praier for them Psal 50.14 15. Secondly labour to attaine them in time of want by industries Thirdly Phisicke in sicknesse Matth. 9.12 Esay 38.21 Fourthly flight in persecution Matth. 10.23 Fifthlie meate drinke and cloath during our pilgrimage Act. 27.33 34 35 36. Matth. 14.15 to 22. Sixtly we ought to tie God to them neither to depende on them as things of of necessitie Matth. 4. The end of the first part The second part of the Catechisme Question LEt vs come vnto the second part of our Catechisme and tell me what is the same Answere The redemption of mankinde Question What is redemption Answere It is our deliuerance in Iesus Christ from al the former euils of our fall as the power of sinne the curse of God and eternall death also a preparing for vs of an estate of happines more excellent than the first Galat. 3.13 14. Gal. 1.4 Titu 2.14 Rom. 8.17 Question How is Christ our redeemer Answere First by the ordinance of GOD his father Luke 1. Acts. 4.12 Secondly by affinity in taking vpō him our nature so to become our head elder brother Eph. 5.30 Heb. 2.16 17. Thirdly by right as First in that hee is Lorde of the whole world for all things were made and are ruled by him Iohn 1.2 3 4 5. Col. 1.16 17. Heb. 1.2 3. Secondly because he hath redéemed his people by his obediēce in shedding of his precious bloud Rom. 5.6 7 8 9. 1. pet 1.18 19 20. Question What things belong vnto Christ our Redeemer Answere Three things First perfect wise Secondly perfect rich Thirdly perfect strong Question Why perfect wise Answere First to bring to naught the craftie deuises of Sathan and his complices 1. Cor. 1.19 20 24 25. Secondly to make his people wise to saluation and to forsake al the subtilties of Sathan and his instruments in heresies and corrupt manners 2. Tim. 3.15.16 17. Question Why perfect rich Answere First to be of sufficient abilitie to redéeme his people and to pay the price of redemption the which he hath most fully and sufficiently alreadie done by his death and bloud Titus 2.14 col 1.11 12 13 14. Secondly to make his people rich in faith obedience and all other heauenly spirituall graces Ro. 1.8 1. cor 6.7 eph 1.3 col 1.9 Question Why of power Answere First to ouercome his enemies and the enemies of his people as satan sinne and eternall death 1. Cor. 15.54 55 56 57. Heb. 2.14 15. 1. Iohn 3.8 Secondly to deliuer his people from these their enemies and to giue them strength to ouercome Rom. 7.24 25. 1. cor 15. eph 6.12 to 18. 1. Iohn 5.4 5. Question Is there anie other Sauior than Christ onely Answere No for hee it is that must both saue from death eternall and giue life euerlasting Ioh. 3.16 and 5.24 Question What think you of thē that seeke their saluatiō els where as in their works good intēts Answere First they herein denie Christ to be the onely Sauiour for he will be a whole Sauiour or else none Acts. 4.12 Matth. 3.17 Secondly they make themselues to be half sauiours and to be equal copartners with Christ in the work of redemtion tit 3.4 5. Thirdly they resist the ordinance and decrée of God who appointed Christ
hee that beleeueth and is rooted and grounded in the same faith Col. 1.23 and 2.7 Iohn 3.16 Question Where shall we finde this our redeemer and redemption deliuered vnto vs more fullie Answere In the second parte of the articles of our faith which are sixe in number Question Into how many partes may they be diuided Answere Two that is First of the base estate of Christs birth and his humilitie in suffring which the three first articles sheweth Secondly of his exaltation and excellencie in all perfection and glorie in the other three articles The ende of the first parte of the Creede ¶ The second parte of the Creede Question REherse the first article of the second parte of Creede Answere And in Iesus Christ his onely Sonne our Lord which was conceiued by the holy Ghost Question Of how many partes dooth it consist Answere Of fourth That is First Iesus Secondly Christ Thirdly onely sonne Fourthly Lord. Question What dooth this word Iesus signifie Answere A Sauiour Math. 1.21 Question Whome dooth he saue Answere His people Matth. 1.21 Question How dooth he saue them Answere By the sacrifice of himself Heb. 10.10 29 20. Question What is the propiciatorie sacrifice Answere Iesus Christ is the propiciatorie sacrifice for he as the onely good high priest did once giue himselfe for his that repent and beleeue that the wrath of God his father might be appeased and that his people might be both sanctified and saued in him euermore Heb. 7.26 27. 1. Thes 1.10 2. Cor. 5.20 21. Question Who are his people Answere All those that haue his spirite and doo beleeue in him Iohn 1.12 13. Romans 8.9 Iohn 10.26.27 Question From what hath he saued them Answere From sinne sathan death and hell Titu 2.14 Heb. 2.14 1. Iohn 3.8 Question Why The very elect doo sinne continuallie Answere Yea but sinne shall not raigne ouer them much lesse damne them Roma 6.3 4 5 6 11 12 13 14. 1. Ioh. 3.5 6. Question Also wee see how sathan dooth afflict the godlie Answere Although sathan by the permission and will of God dooth afflict the godlie both to try their faith and exercise their patience yet he cannot hold them in captiuitie to deuoure them Ephe. 4.8 Heb. 2.14 15. Matth. 16.18 1. Ioh. 3.8 Question Also the godlie doo die continuallie Answere Although they die yet death is made to them the gate of immortallitie and they are deliuered from eternall death for which cause Christ especiallie died Heb. 9.27 28. Iohn 5.24 2. Cor. 5.1 to 12. 1 Thes 4.15 to the end Question The elect people are also troubled in conscience with the torments of hell oftentimes Answere But those torments are not their eternal portion for a time they suffer that therby they may know both Christ themselues Psa 34.18 20. Esa 54.7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14. 1. Cor. 10.13 Heb. 12.5 to 24. Reu. 3.19.20 Question Why is he called Christ Answere Because he was anoynted of his father Psal 49.6 7. Heb. 1.9 Question What was his annointment Answere The fulnes of his Godhead Col. 1.19 and 2.3.9 Iohn 3.34 Question What parte was anointed Answere Not his deuine but humaine nature Iohn 3 34. Heb. 1.9 Question Why was he anointed Answere To be our prophet priest king Re. 19.16 Psa 2.6 De. 18.15 Act. 37. Psa 110. He. 55. Question How is he our Prophet Answere First in that he spake by his spirit in the Prophets 1. Pet. 1.10 11 12. 2. Pet. 1.21 Secondly in that he hath fulfilled all Prophecies and promises that were foreshewed of him 2. Cor. 1.20 Matth. 5.17 Thirdly because he hath reuealed the wil of his father vnto vs. Iohn 18. Question How is he our priest Answere First in that he offered a sacrifice for vs his people Heb. 9.25 25 and 10.10.12 Secondly in that hee doth cōtinually teach vs his people by his word and spirit Ioh. 15.26 Iohn 14.26 Thirdly in that he maketh continuall intercessiō vnto his father for vs. ro 2.34 he 7.25 Question How a King Answere First in that he hath cōquered sin satan death hel 1. cor 15.54 to 57. he 2.14.15 1. Iho. 3.8 Secondly in that he maketh his subiects cōquerors ouer sinne sathan death and hell Col. 1.12 13. 1. Cor. 15.54 to 57. Thirdly in that hee ruleth and gouerneth his people by his lawes Psalm 2.10 11 12. Ioh. 10.27 28. Fourthly in that he will giue his people a spirituall and eternall kingdome 1. Pet. 5.10 11. Reuel 1.5 Reuel 22.1 2 3 4. Question How is he the onely sonne of God Answere By nature of the substance of his father from euerlasting Iohn 1. Question Why We are the sonnes of God also Answere It is true but it is by adoption thorough the grace of God in Christ Rom. 8.15 16. Ga. 4.4 5 6. Question What is adoption Answere This that God adopteth vnto himselfe his elect not for that he had not another sonne for he had his only begotten sonne Christ in whom he was well pleased but for that in all the nature of man he had yet no children for in Adam wee were all become the children of the diuell and the vessels of Gods wrath wherefore God sent his naturall and legittimate Sonne Christ into the World that thorough his rich grace hee might adopte vnto himselfe many children out of our kinde Matth. 3.17 Rom. 8.15 16. Gal. 4.4 5 6. Question What is grace Answere The free fauour of God not only pardoning the sinnes of his elect children but also in cladding them with innocencie and righteousnes of Christ to their euerlasting iustifications Rom. 3.24 1. Cor. 5.2 Titu 2.11.14 Question What gather you by this word Lord Answere First how Christ hath brought his people with a precious price that is with his death and bloud 1. Cor. 6.20 and 7.23 Secondly how he will deliuer and defende his people from the power of sinne sathan eternall death and hell Matth. 16.18 Thirdly how his people must yeeld obedience to him and his lawes Act. 3.23 1. pe 5.14 15. Fourthly how he is God and Lord of the whole world Iohn 1.1 2 3 4 5 c. Question What learne you in the third article which was conceaued by the holy Ghost borne of the Virgin Mary Answere First that hee is verie man of the flesh of the Virgin his mother Matth. 1.21 22. Luke 1.31 32. Rom. 4.3 4. Secondly that his birth was pure and frée from all infection of sinne and the corruption of nature in that he was not conceiued after the common manner of men but by the power and mightie operation of the holy Ghost Luke 1.35 Iohn 17.19 Thirdly that hee was conceiued in the wombe of the virgin by the holy Ghost onely because he might be First an vndefiled priest Heb. 7.26 27. Secondly a pure sacrifice for the redemption of his people Heb. 10.10 1. Pet. 1.19.20 Thirdly that he might sanctifie his people in all holines Iohn 17.19 1. Pet. 2.22 c. 1. Iohn 3.2 Fourthly