THE SVMME OF CHRISTIAN RELIGION Shewing the vndoubted Truth holy Practice and heauenly Comfort therein contained With certaine necessary PRAYERS By Samuel Browne Preacher of Gods Word at S. Maries in Shrewsbury 1. COR. 14. 3. Hee that prophecieth speaketh vnto men to edification exhortation and comfort LONDON Printed by Richard Badger for Philemon Stephens and Christopher Meredith and are to be sold at the golden Lyon in Pauls Church-yard 1630. The Summe of Christian RELIGION Question WHerein standeth a mans true happinesse Answere In the recouery of Gods fauour by Christ which we lost by the fall of Adam and Eue our first parents Q. What was their estate by creation A. They were created after the image of God in wisedome holinesse and righteousnesse Gen. 1. 26. Col. 3. 10. Ephes 4. 24. They enioyed the pleasures of Paradise and the plenty of the world without any griefe of minde or paine of body They were free from death so long as they were free from sinne Q. How sinned they A. The diuell in the serpent entised the woman and she the man to eat of the fruit forbidden vpon paine of death Ioh. 8. 44. Genes 3. 1. Q. Was the eating of that fruit a great and hainous sinne A. Yea in many respects for our parents beleeued not Gods threatning and so made him a liar 1. Ioh. 5. 10. They trusted not in his goodnesse but esteemed him enuious as one that withheld good things from them but the deuill was beleeued and esteemed a kinde friend They shewed deuillish pride and vile ingratitude They became rebels against their gracious God Q. What hurt receiue we by this their fall A. Hereby all mankinde is defiled with sinne originall and actuall and therefore is vnder the wrath and curse of God Ro. 5. 12. Q. What is originall sinne A. The sinne of Adam iustly imputed to vs all Rom. 5. 19. Heb. 7. 10. together with the corruption of our nature thence ensuing For by Adams fall mans minde is darkened his wil is become rebellious his affections worldly or brutish or deuillish his conscience hard or erroneous and his whole nature infected as it were with poison Genes 5. 3. and 6. 5. Ephes 4. 17 18. Q. How doth this appeare A. Because euery natural man is void of the true knowledge of God and of himselfe and of the way of true happinesse He is full of error Ierem. 10. 14. 1. Corinth 2. 14. He hath no power nor true desire to repent to beleeue or to obey 2. Corinth 3. 5. Hee is prone to al euill vnapt to any good vnder the power and strong chaines of sinne and the bondage of the deuill Ephes 2. 1 2. Tit. 3. 3. Q. What is actuall sinne A. The actuall transgression of any of Gods Commandements 1. Ioh. 3. 4. Q. What punishments are due to man for sinne originall and actuall A. 1. All corporall punishments as war famine pestilence and other diseases and all bodily torments inflicted by God or man Deut. 28. 2. All spirituall punishments as to be giuen ouer of God to our owne blindnesse and hardnesse of heart and to the seducement of the deuill and his instruments Exod. 7. 3. Rom. 1. 24 26. 2 Thessalon 2. 9 10 11. 3. Besides these temporall punishments the endlesse and intolerable torments of hell are the due desert of our sinnes Genes 2. 17. Rom. 6. 23. Ephes 5. 6. Q. How may we be deliuered from this horrible estate into which we are fallen and recouer Gods fauour and that blessed estate from whence we are fallen A. Gods loue and fauour may be recouered by his Sonne Iesus Christ if being rightly prepared we come vnto him Matth. 11. 28. Q. How may we be rightly prepared to come vnto Christ A. Gods Law contained in the Ten Commandements must be our Schoolemaster it will bring vs vnto Christ if wee rightly vn-tderstand it and make vse of it Rom. 3. 20. Gal. 2. 19. Gal. 3. 24. Q. How may wee rightly vnderstand these Commandements A. By obseruing two things Frst that euery Commandement doth command things good and forbid things euill Psal 34. 14. Secondly that euery commandement doth forbid not only grosse sins but also those which the world accounteth small sinnes or no sins at all Math. 5. 19. Ephes 5. 4. 1. Thess 5. 22. Iude v. 23. Q. How are the Commandements to bee diuided A. Into two Tables The first containing mans duty towards God the second his duty towards his neighbour Q. Which is the first Commandement A. Thou shalt haue none other Gods but me Q. What is here commanded and what forbidden A. This first Commandement containeth all inward duties of the heart towards God As to know him and choose him to loue and to feare him aboue all to trust in him to pray to him faithfully to giue him thanks sincerely Marke 12. 30. 1 Sam. 12. 24. Psal 50. 14 15. Heere wee are not onely forbidden to be atheists Psal 14. 1. Tit. 1. 16. to haue the gods of the Heathen for our God Ier. 2. 11 12. or to seeke helpe and comfort from the deuill by witchcraft ahd sorcery Leuit. 19. 31. but the least withdrawing of our hearts from God is here forbid 1 Chr. 22. 5. 2 King 20. 13. Ier. 17. 5. and the setting of our hearts on riches pleasures and vaine-glory 1 Ioh. 2. 15 16. Eph. 5. 5. 2 Tim. 3. 4. all wandering thoughts at the time of prayer preaching and other holy exercises Eccles 4. 17. Esay 29. 13. Iam. 5. 16. Also to feare man more than God as al they doe that commit those sinnes secretly which they will not commit openly Iob 24. 15. So euery passion of wicked griefe or desire or ioy being against the loue of God is against this Commandement Matt. 2. 3. Nehem. 2. 10. Genes 27. 41. Iud. 18. 20. Luke 22. 5. Q. Then belike they deceiue themselues that thinke this Commandement easie to bee kept and that they can and doe keepe it A. Doubtlesse they are greatly deceiued for this Commandement is ofter broken than any other and whichsoeuer Commandement a man breaketh he breaketh this withall for in euery sinne a man erreth from that loue and feare which hee oweth to God Leuit. 19. 3 4 10 12 14 16 18 24 28 30 31 32 34 36 37. Q. Which is the second Commandement A. Thou shalt not make to thy selfe c. Here we are taught how to worship God outwardly that we doe it truly according to his word and also diligently and reuerently Deu. 12. 32. Ioh. 4. 24. Gen. 18. 16 17. Eccles 4. 17. God here forbiddeth not only images but all other false and superstitious worship with all drowsinesse negligence and all vnreuerent behauiour in his seruice Math. 15. 9. Ierem. 48. 10. Q. Which is the third Commandement A. Thou shalt not take the Name c. Here we are commanded to talke often of Gods Maiesty of his Word and of his works and that with all reuerence and in our talke to defend truth
man A. God the Sonne the second Person in the Trinitie Ioh. 1. 14. Ioh. 3. 16. Q. What doth IESVS signifie A. A Sauiour because he only saueth his people from their sinnes Matth. 1. 21. Acts 4. 12. Q. What doth Messiah or Christ signifie A. Anointed for God by his Spirit anointed Him to bee our King to gouerne vs our Priest to offer vp Himselfe for a Sacrifice and to make intercession for vs our Prophet to declare Gods will vnto vs Psal 2. 2. Luk. 1. 33. Psal 110. 4. Esa 61. 1. Deut. 18. 15. That he might make vs also kings and priests vnto God and inable vs to instruct others in the will of God Reu. 1. 6. Rom. 15. 14. Q. How is Christ Gods only Sonne since all the faithfull are his children A. God is the Father of Christ by nature and our Father by grace Matth. 16. 16. Heb. 1. 5 6. 2 Cor. 6. 18. Q. Why addest thou Our LORD A. He hath created and redeemed vs he is our best and greatest Master Psalm 95. 6 7. 1 Cor. 8. 5 6. Rom. 14. 8 9. 1 Cor. 6. 19. Act. 2. 36. Q. What beleeuest thou concerning Christs conception and birth A. That he was borne of a mother without a Father miraculously Q. Why so A. That hee might not be conceiued and borne in sinne as we are Psal 51. 5. Heb. 4. 15. 1 Pet. 1. 19. Q How diuidest thou the Articles that follow concerning Christ A. They containe partly his humiliation and partly his exaltation Q. Rehearse those Articles that containe his humiliation A. He suffered vnder Pontius Pilate was crucified dead and buried he descended into hel Q. Did Christ when he liued vpon the earth liue in pompe riches ease and pleasures A. No but in pouerty labour and persecution Esay 53. 1 1. Mat. 8. 20. Heb. 2. 10. Q. What death died he and how A. His enemies of malice accused him before Pontius Pilate the Iudge who to pleasure them condemned him to death euen to the bitter shamefull cursed death of the Crosse Gal. 3. 13. Phil. 2. 8. Q. Died he willingly or against his will A. Most willingly because he knew that God his Father had so decreed and because his purpose was by his owne death to kill sinne in vs and saue vs from eternall death shame and torment Romans 6. 6. Heb. 2. 14. 15. Heb. 10. 14. Q. What beleeuest thou concerning his buriall and his descending into hell A. To assure vs of his death his body was buried and continued till the third day vnder the dominion of death that he might deliuer vs from the-dominion thereof Heb. 2. 14 15. Q. Rehearse the Articles that containe Christs exaltation A. The third day he rose againe from the dead he ascended into heauen and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almightie from thence shall he come to iudge the quick and the dead Q. What beleeuest thou heere A. That by the power of his Godhead he raised his dead body to life againe the third day and that a glorious life Ioh. 10. 18. 1 Pet. 3. 18. Matth. 28. 1. Q. Why did he so A. That hee might shew the same power on vs by raising our soules now from sin and our bodies hereafter from the graue Rom. 1. 4. 1 Cor. 15. 20. Phil. 3. 10. Q. Goe on to his Ascension A. Forty daies after his Resurrection he ascended visibly in soule and body into heauen Acts 1. Q. Why did he so A. That we whiles we line may through his quickning spirit ascend by heauenly affections Col. 3. 1 2. that at our death our soules may ascend and be with Christ Phil. 1. 23. Luke 16. 22. Reuel 14. 13. Luke 23. 43 and that at the last day we may both in soule and body ascend and liue with him for euer Ioh. 14. 2. 1 Thess 4. 17. Q. How doth Christ sit at Gods right hand hath God the Father a right hand and a left and other parts of a mans body as many imagine A. Their imagination is foolish and wicked for his sitting there doth signifie that the same Christ that was so greatly humbled is now exalted aboue all men and Angels Ephes 1. 20 21 22. Q. What profit haue we thereby A. This that he can and doth defend vs from all enemies maketh intercession for vs Rom. 8. 31 34. and sendeth vs the Holy Ghost Ioh. 16. 7. Acts. 2. 33. and the Ministers of his Word Matth. 28. 18. 19. 20. Ephe. 4. 10. 11. Q. What beleeuest thou concerning his comming to Iudgement A. He will come from heauen in glory with all his holy Angels and all men shal giue account to him of all their thoughts words and deeds Matthew 25. 31. 1 Cor. 4. 5. 2 Cor. 5. 10. Matth. 12. 36. Acts 17. 31. Eccles. 12. 14. Q. Which is the third part of the Beleefe A. I beleeue in the Holy Ghost Q. What is the Holy Ghost A. God the third person in Trinity Acts 5. 3 4. proceeding from the Father and the Son Ioh. 15. 26. Gal. 4. 6. who doth direct sanctifie and comfort the faithfull Ioh. 16. 13. Rom. 1. 4. and 8. 9 c. Gal. 5. 22. Ioh. 14. 16. Q. Of these three Persons is any one greater then another or in time before another A. No but they are all equall coeternall Q. Rehearse the fourth part of the Beleefe A. I belieue the holy Catholick Church c. Q. What is this holy Catholike Church A. The whole number of those whom God before the world began decreed to sanctifie in this life and to glorifie in the next life with Christ their Head Eph. 1. 4 5. Eph. 5. 25 26 27. Q. What hath God decreed of the rest of mankinde A. To let them runne on in the course of sinne vnto endlesse damnation Rom. 9. 13 22. Q. If God hath of old decreed euery mans saluation or damnation then a man elected shall be saued liue he neuer so wickedly and areprobate shall be damned liue he neuer so godly A. It is a foolish and a wicked thing to imagine that any reprobate can liue or die godly or that God will suffer any of his elect to liue and die wickedly Q. How then conceiuest thou of this matter A. Thus that God in ordaining the end ordaineth fit meanes withall therefore he decreeth that the elect by faith and the fruits thereof shal obtaine saluation as the reprobate by their infidelity and the fruits thereof do purchase their owne damnation Esay 38. 5 21 Matth. 2. 13. Acts 27. 24 31. Mark 16. 16. Q. Proceede to the priuiledges of the Church what beleeuest thou concerning the Communion of Saints A. This Church or body of Christ consisteth of many members all which receiue the same spirituall life from their head and are helpfull as fellow members one to another Eph. 4. 4 5 6. 1 Cor. 12. 26. Q. What further beleeuest thou A. That euery Saint hath all his sinnes forgiuen him by the death of Christ and
shall at the last day rise againe with his owne body and liue for euer with Christ in heauen in perfect happinesse Matth. 25. 34. Q. If it shal be thus only with Saints what then shall become of the wicked which are by farre the greater number A. They also shall rise againe euery one of them with his owne body but to this end to be tormented in hell for euer with the deuill and his angels Matth. 25. 41. Q. Hitherto thou hast shewed how this Creede teacheth vs to beleeue rightly shew further how thou art taught by the same to liue godly declare this out of the first part A. He that truly beleeueth that God is his Almightie Father will truly loue feare obey and trust in him Mal. 1. 6. 1 Pet. 1. 14 17. Matth. 6. 32. 1 Pet. 5. 7. he will resemble his Father in righteousnesse and true holinesse Ephes 5. 1. Ephes 4. 24. he will patiently beare all his corrections Heb. 12. 5. Q. Declare this in the second part A. He that beleeueth that Christ died for him and rose againe by the same power and spirit of Christ working in him dieth daily vnto sin and is quickned vnto righteousnesse Rom. 1. 4. and 6. 3 4 5 6. Phil. 3. 10. Q. Declare this in the third part A. He that truly beleeueth in the Holy Ghost findeth himselfe to be anointed and sealed by him and that he hath receiued him of God as a pledge of his saluation 2 Cor 1. 21 22. Ephes 1. 13 14. Q. Proceede to the fourth part A. He that is a member of Christs mysticall body must and will shew by his conuersation that Christ liueth in him he that is a Saint will loue Saints intirely and helpe them to his power hee that hath his sinnes forgiuen him and is washed by the bloud of Christ will not returne with the dogge to his vomit and with the sow to wallow in the mire but will wait earnestly for a glorious Resurrection and Ascension he will not for the short and imperfect pleasures riches and honours of this life lose those perfect and endlesse ioyes which God hath prepared for him in heauen Phil. 3. 20 21. Q. Thou saidst that by this Creede thou art taught to cheere vp thy heart with ioy declare this in the first part A. God is my Almighty Father by this I am more happy than if any earthly king were my father What riches what honour what delight what other good thing can I want that he seeth expedient for me Esay 49. 15. Matth. 7. 11. 1 Pet. 5. 7. Luk. 12 32. Rom. 8. 17. his wisedome is my direction his power is my protection against the craft and power of all mine enemies Q. Declare this in the second part A. Christ died for me rose againe and ascended into heauen for mee and now maketh intercession for mee my SAVIOVR and none other shall be my Iudge what need I then feare affliction or sinne or hell or death Rom. 8. 31. to 39. Q. Proceed to the third and fourth part A. All wicked men and deuils cannot grieue me so much as the Holy Ghost can and doth comfort mee I am a member of the Church Christs mysticall body what sinnes what sorrows what enemies bodily or ghostly can rent me asunder from my Head Q. Goe on to the Communion of Saints and the rest A. Though I am a sinner yet am I also a Saint all Saints on earth pray for me as I do for them effectually All Saints that know my estate are ready to helpe and comfort mee as I am to helpe and comfort them my sinnes are washed away by the bloud of Christ I shall rise gloriously I shall ascend with Christ triumphantly and with him inioy for euer those ioyes which my dull heart cannot now conceiue nor yet the least part of them Euen so come LORD IESVS Q. Then thou esteemest this faith of thine to be an inestimable treasure A. Yea verily for without this faith if I had millions of wealth I should be most vnhappy and in the way to endlesse and intolerable shame and torments but with this faith though pouertie sicknesse persecution and al temporall crosses light vpon me yet haue I great cause to reioice in God who is my portion for euer Q. How is this faith of thine preserued and increased A. By Prayer by the Sacraments and by continuall meditation in the Word of God Q. Rehearse the Lords Prayer A. Our Father which art in heauen c. Q. Why is it called the Lords Prayer A. Because Christ our Lord and Master taught it vs. Q. What gather we hence A. Great comfort in that the Sonne of God himself hath framed and indighted our petitions for vs and is euer ready to present vs and our prayers before God his Father Q. How may it be fitly diuided A. Into a preface petitions a conclusion Q. Which is the Preface A. Our Father which art in Heauen Q. What learnest thou by this Preface A. I learne foure things First that wee must pray for others as well as for our selues Ephes 6. 18. 1. Tim. 2. 1. Secondly that God is a louing Father to the godly and willing to helpe them Esay 49. 15. Psal 103. 13. Matth. 7. 11. Thirdly that God is a heauenly and powerfull Father able to helpe his children Esa 51. 12 13. Psal 115 3. and therefore we must pray in faith and full assurance to be heard Fourthly that we must not pray with profane carnall and earthly hearts but with reuerence to Gods Maiesty and with heauenly affections Genes 28. 16 17. 1 King 8. 22. Eccles 5. 1. Ioh. 11. 41. Q. How many petitions are there in the Lords Prayer A. Six Q. What desirest thou in the three first petitions A. Those things which belong immediately to God Q. What desirest thou in the three last petitions A. Those things that are needfull for our selues both for body and soule Q. Which is the first petition A. Hallowed be thy Name Q. What desire we in this petition A. First that God may haue praise for all his worthinesse as for his power wisdome iustice and mercy Exod. 34. 6 7. 1 Chron. 29. 10 11 12. Reu. 4. 8 9 10 11. Reu. 5. 12 13. Secondly that God may haue thankes for all his benefits as for our health and peace food and rayment for our election creation redemption vocation assurance of glorification and for the comfort of his most holy word Psal 103. and 104. Eph. 1. 3 4 5 6 7 8. 9. Ephes 5. 20. Q. Which is the second petition A. Thy Kingdome come Q. What desire we in this petition A. First wee desire that God would conuert the wicked Psal 51. 13. and 67. 2. Matt. 3. 2. and 4. 17. Secondly that God would increase his graces in the godly Ephes 1. 17 18 19. Ephes 3. 16 17 18 19. Thirdly that God would aduance his Kingdome by sending godly Magistrates and Ministers and specially by Christs comming to iudgement