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
to bee the sole Sauior of mankinde Matt. 1.21 Fourthly in stéed of heauen euerlasting life they by their good intents and workes doo purchase hell and euerlasting death Ioh. 3.17 36. Question What vse ought we to make of this point Answere First to note how miserable we were of our selues after our fall as First in sinne Psal 51.5 Ier. 17.2 Secondly vnder the wrath of God eph 2.3 Thirdly captiues to the diuell eph 2.2 Fourthly inheritors of hell eternal death Rom. 6.23 Secondly the great and rich mercie of God First in giuing vs a Sauiour that might redeeme vs from sinne satan and hell Eph. 2.4 5. Tit. 3.4 5. Secondly in seeking to reconcile vs to him selfe and to make vs his children righteous 2. cor 5.18 19 20 21. Thirdly in giuing vs thereby euerlasting life and eternall happinesse Ioh. 5.24 Question Seeing we are now redeemed in Christ are we now therfore in a better and more happier estate vnder Christ our head than Adam was in his innocencie in Paradice Answere Yea surely the estate of Gods children is now more excellent Question Why so Answere First because wee haue an excellent head to wit Christ which Adam had not in the time of his innocēcie before his fal Eph. 1.22 col 1.18 Secondly God is more néerer ioyned vnto vs than he was vnto Adam at that time for he hath taken vpon himself since Adams fal our humane nature and ioyned the same to his diuine nature and is become one with vs sinne excepted Ephe. 5.30 Heb. 2.16 1. Pet. 2.23 1. Ioh. 3.5 Thirdly our saluation is more certain thā it was vnder Adam for then we had no power to stand in the perfection of our creation but now in Christ it is most certaine and firme because it is grounded First vpon the euerlasting vnchangable decrée and purpose of God Ephes 1. 11.2 Tim. 2.19 Secondly vppon the euerlasting mercies of God in Christ 2. Tim. 1.9 Thirdly vpon his faithfulnesse truth and righteousnes 1. cor 1.9 1. thes 5.24 Fourthly vpon his inuincible power omnipotencie Iohn 10.27 28 29. Fourthly God doth not onely giue vs heauen which Adam should haue had in his innocencie but also maketh vs heirs yea ioint heires with Christ in glorie the which Adam should neuer haue had if he had stoode in his innocencie so that wee maie see our estate farre better than Adams in Paradice Rom. 8.17 Question And is not man made more excellent than the Angels in heauen Answere Yes verely for First Christ tooke vpon him our nature and exalted it aboue all principalities powers and Dominions Eph. 1.20 21 22. Secondly man is made the Lord and ruler of the whole world that through grace in Christ which rule and lorldlie authoritie was neuer giuen vnto the Angels Psalm 8. the whole Thirdly the Angels by the free mercies of God are made the seruants of the faithfull to defend and comfort them for they are the ministring spirits sent foorth to minister for their sakes that shall be heires to saluation psal 34.7 Heb. 1.14 Question In that thou saist that man is restored to a better estate than Adam in his first innocencie in Paradice is become more excellent than Angels is thy meaning of all mankinde of all persons generally Answere No surelie but onely of the faithfull who are grafted into the bodie of Christ by the holy ghost as for infidels hipocrites heretikes libertines and atheists their estate is no better than the diuels in hell in shame and confusion for euer and euer Reuel 21.28 Eph. 5.5 Question Why died not Christ for all men as well as for a certaine number Answere No Christ died not for all for if Christ died for all then First there is no election 2. Tim. 3.19 Secondly God should be then vniust to condemne anie Rom. 3 4. psal 51.4 Thirdly al haue not faith 2. the .3.2 tit 1.1 Fourthly the spirit of Christ belongeth onely to the faithfull Rom. 8.9 10. Question Was there anie imperfection in the sacrifice of Christ in that it was not sufficient for all Answere There was no imperfection in the sacrifice of Christs bodie and soule for he was perfect and holy also it was sufficient for all people but effectual onely vnto those which lay hold on him through faith he 10.10 12 14. 9.25 26 28. Question The Scripture saith God would haue al men come to the knoledge of the truth be saued Answere The word all must be considered after this manner that First hee offereth grace vnto all but all receiue not the same Secondly that word must bee vnderstood some of all Nations Thirdly some of all callings as First Princes Secondly subiects Thirdly parents Fourthly children Fiftly masters Sixthly seruants Seuenthly men Eightly women Some of all which euen those that lay hold vpon Christ by a liuely true faith shall be saued and liue 1. Iohn 5.10 11 12 13. Fourthly we must consider that his reueled will is equally ruled by his secret wil and that they be not contrarie the one to the other although they seeme so to our foolish iudgements Fifthly that God is stable and vnchangeable in all his waies and workes Iam. 1 17. Question What moued God to saue some damne other some In that he saueth some is it for that they deserue the same or did he foresee that they would both beleeue and worke out their saluation Answere His owne mercie is the cause that he saueth some out of the sinfull lumpe of Adam for First all deserued damnation for the best worke after regeneration is defiled with sin and the reward of sinne is death how much more then deserue we death before God doth regenerate vs by his spirit 1. cor 13.9 Ro. 7.24 Secōdly faith is the only gift of god eph 2.8 Thirdly we cannot work wel before God regenerate vs vnto good works eph 2.9.10 Fourthly in that he dampneth other some it is of right and according to his righteous iudgements for that it is written if you do this you shall liue if you do not yee shall die Question How shall we bee perswaded of our saluation in Christ Answere Thorough faith Gal. 3.11 Gal. 2.16 Rom. 3.27 28. Question What is faith Answere A firme perswasion grounded vpon a sounde knowledge in sacred Scriptures that God is reconciled and become both our God and father thorough the merits obedience and bloudshedding of Iesus Christ in whome wee shall be saued and haue eternal life so assuredly as though wee possessed the same already which faith is wrought by the holy Ghost in the hearts of the elect thorough the ministerie and preaching of the word Rom. 5.1 2. Rom. 8.38 39. and 3.24 Ephe. 3.17 Ephe. 1.13 1. Ioh. 3.1 2 3. Question Then our faith must not bee wauering but firme in Christ and his promises Answere It must be firme and not wauering as Saint Iames teacheth for note this that not he which doubteth shall be saued but
2.21 Thirdly it fighteth against faith Ga. 2.16 Question Yea but the Apostle saith God will reward euerie man according to his workes Ro. 2. Answere It is true God promiseth rewards for good deedes not for the worthines of them but for the grace wherewith God dooth imbrace the beleeuers and doth crowne his own gifts in them also to incourage vs to walke obediently and fruitefullie in all holines before him and his people Matth. 25.33 c. Rom. 2.6 7. Question The Apostle S. Paul biddeth vs to worke out our saluation with feare and trembling Phil. 2.22 Answere The same Apostle on the other side telleth vs that saluation faith and good works are the free gifts of God Ephe. 2.10 Titus 3.4 5. Question Why then dooth hee bid vs doo the same if we haue not power to doo it Answere The Apostle in these words seeketh to take away all careles securitie from Christians and least that Christians shoulde take too much vpon them he setteth downe in the next verse following that God must worke both the wil and deede and that of his owne good pleasure without merit withal in these words he ministreth a comfort to his people in shewing them where they may haue a remedy to helpe their weaknes and inhabilitie Phil. 2.13 Question If our sinnes deserue eternal death then our good works deserue eternall life Answere This is no good conclusion for if a man should reason thus This man can kill himself therefore he can giue himselfe life may we not thinke him madde But this obiection Paul the Apostle answereth thus The wages of sinne is death but the gift of GOD is eternall life through Iesus Christ our Lord withal al good gifts proceed frō God euil things from vs. Euill things are perfectlie euill our good works are imperfect and maimed The reward of the best of which is death Ro. 6.23 1. Cor. 13.9 Question What then doo you conclude Answere First that eternall life is the free gift of God by his mercies Eph. 2.8 Ti. 3.3 5. Ro. 6.23 Secondly that by Christs death and obedience we purchase it Ro. 5.6 to the end Thirdly by faith as the instrument to apprehend the same Iohn 3.16 Gal. 2.16 Fourthly that we must glorifie God in all good works for our saluation Matth. 5.16 1. Pet. 2.12 ¶ A Praier before Catechising O Gratious GOD and deare Father we most humbly and earnestly intreate thee for thy infinit mercies sake in thy beloued and onely sonne Iesus Christ our free redeemer and sauiour that thou wouldest blesse this thy worke commanded and deliuered vnto vs thy poore and miserable seruants in thy holy word make the same profitable vnto vs that wee may bee fruitful in al knowledge strong in faith and sanctified in our life and conuersation that thereby thy name may by vs bee glorified thy children comforted and our soules and bodies in Iesus Christ saued graunt vs these things O mercifull father for Christs sake Amen A Praier after Catechising O Good God and louing father who art full of mercie vnto the sinfull sonnes of men and most gratious vnto thy elect people which thou hast chosen freely in Christ Iesus we thank thee in that thou hast drawne vs out of ignorance and blindnes and called vs vnto the vnspeakeable light and excellent knowledge of thy self as a deare and rich father in Iesus Christ our redeemer wee beseech thee increase our knowledge more and more and make our hearts which are by nature stony and hard so soft and pliable both to heare receiue obey thy waies in all reuerence and faithfulnes vnto our liues ende that we may praise thy euerlasting mercies in Iesus Christ Amen A Praier before meales THE Lorde bee thanked and giue vs grace to be thankefull the Lord bee mercifull vnto vs and forgiue vs our sinnes the Lord sanctifie these his good creatures for our vses and sanctifie vs vnto his holy Maiestie through a liuely and pure faith in Iesus Christ our onely sauiour Amen A thankesgiuing after meales TO thee O good God who hath created vs by thy wisdome and power redeemed vs when we were lost by thy rich mercie and sanctified vs when wee were poluted and defiled in sinne by thy free holines and hast presently fed vs by thy plentifull and vnspeakeable goodnes bee all honour glorie and power in Iesus Christ Amen ⧠Faultes escaped in the Printing Fol. 9. a line 12. where read were Fol. 11. a. line 9. not onely Angels read not Angels Fol. 47. b. line 19. ought to tie read ought not to tie Fol. 59. a. line 20. brought read bought FINIS
were renewed by the spirit vnto righteousnes Secondly we cannot reade in this chapter that Nicodemus was baptised the which if it had been of such a necessitie both he should and would haue béen presently baptised and the Euangelist would haue noted the same Thirdly admit that Christ did speake of Baptisme yet the worde must not bee so vrged that he includeth saluation in water but hee rather ioyneth water with the spirit because hee testifieth and sealeth vnto vs by that visible signe newnes of life which God alone doth work in vs by his holy spirit Question What gather you by this doctrine of the Papists Answere First they are most cruell against poore infants Secondly most wicked to tie God to externall meanes and denie his couenant Thirdly if all be damned that are not Baptised then all are saued if they be Baptised Fourthly by this doctrine although Baptised yet if children die before they eat the flesh and drinke the bloud of Christ they are damned Iohn 6.53 Question May priuate men and women minister the Sacrament of Baptisme Answere No surely for First the Lord hath tied the same vnto his lawfull ministers with the preaching of the word Matth. 28.19 20. 1. Cor. 14.34 35. Secondly if they may administer Baptisme they may as well administer the Sacrament of the Lordes supper and preach the word publiquelie which things are absurde and wicked Question God was pleased with Zipporah her acte in circumcising her sonne with a stone Answere First Almightie God did not approue her facte otherwise we might say that the worshipping which the Gentiles that were brought from Assiria raised vp did please God because the beasts did cease to afflict the people Exod. 4.24 25 26. 2. Reg. 17.41 Secondly that which is particuler ought not to be made a generall example Question Doo wee not sinne most heynouslie if wee walke not according to our promise made vnto God in Baptisme Answere Yes verelie for First we breake our promise with GOD and falsefie our faith with the holy Trinitie Matth. 28.19 Titu 3.4 5 6 7. Secondly wee crucifie a newe our sauiour Christ and tread the bloud of the holy couenant vnder foote Heb. 6.6 and 10.26 27 28 29. Thirdly wee grieue the holy Ghost by whome the elect are sealed vnto the euerlasting redemption Ephe. 4.29 30. Fourthly wee mock and grieue the holy Angels who reioyce at the repentance of a sinner and cause them to bee our enemies to destruction who are appointed of God to be the ministers of the elect vnto Saluation Matth. 18.10 Luke 15.10 Fiftly we giue offence vnto the Church but it had been better that a Milstone had been hanged about our necks and wee cast into the Sea Matth. 8.6 7. Sixtly wee doo not only bereaue our selues of all the spirituall gifts of Gods spirit but also we are murtherers of our owne soules in that we bereaue our selues of Christ who is the very life it selfe Iohn 14.6 Roma 8.9 10 c. Question The signe may not be neglected of Christians may it Answere No God forbid it should for if wee neglect and contemne the Sacrament it is an accursed and wicked kind of dealing in men as namelie the Anabaptists who deny the Sacrament of Baptisme to youg infants wherein they shew their ignorance For first they bee vnder the couenant Exod. 4.24 25 26. Gene. 17.9 10. Secondly the kingdome of God belongeth vnto them Matth. 18. Question Now let vs come vnto the Lords supper when did he institute the same Answere Presently after the eating of the passeouer and also a little before his death thereby First to shewe vnto vs that the Passeouer was ended in him 1. Cor. 5.7 Secondly to put vs alwaies in remembrance of his suffrings Matth. 26.26 27. Question What is the Lords supper Answere It is a holy banquet and a sacrament of publique eating and drinking of Bread and Wine to put in minde all beleeuing Christians which are of a good and a sound discretion how Christ was put to death and did shed his bloud for the remission of their sinnes and so is become their meate and drinke thorough faith to euerlasting life Mat. 29.26 27. 1. Cor. 10.16 1. Cor. 11.23 24 25. Question How many things are to bee considered of in this sacrament Answere Fouer as first Christ and his institution Math. 26.26 c. Secondly the externall signes Bread and Wine Math. 26. Thirdly the promise of redemption and remission of sinnes in Christ 1. Corinth 11.23 c. Fourthly faith in the promise to iustification and euerlasting life Iohn 66.54 c. Question How is our faith nourished and confirmed by the Lords supper Answere First in that our sauiour Christ giueth himselfe vnto vs therein assuring that his bodie was giuen vnto the death of the Crosse and his bloud shed for vs. Matth. 26.26 27 28. phil 2.8 1. pet 2.24 Secondly the bread and wine which wee take and eate and drinke according to his holy institution doo teach vs that by faith we doo eate and drinke the body and bloud of Iesus Christ as the onely comfort and nourishment of our soules Iohn 6.48 51. Question What is the Analogie betweene the signes and the things signified Answere It standeth in feeding nourishing comforting refreshing in vnion and in fellowship Question As how Shew me Answere First as the bread and wine doo feede nourish and refresh the naturall bodie of man euen so the bodie and bloud of our Lord and Sauior Christ with the merits of his passion doo spirituallie feede nourish comfort and refresh our poore famished and thirstie soules Ioh. 6.32 33.35 1. Cor. 11.24 25 26. Secondly as many cornes and grapes are vnited into one loafe and one wine euen so are wee vnited into one mysticall bodie and haue vnion and fellowship with Christ and bee as members one with another 1. Corin. 10.16 17. Question Then we do not reallie and verelie eat and drinke the naturall flesh and bloud of Christ in the holy supper Answere No for first it fighteth against the nature of a Sacrament for how can it be a signe and the thing it selfe Secondy if we be fed with the accidents of Bread and Wine It should followe that our bodies should be accidentall bodies bodies in shewe and not bodies in deede and of substance Thirdly it were to deny that Christ tooke flesh of the Virgin Marie if the substance of Bread and Wine doo become his flesh or els to say he had a mixte bodie either of which is blasphemie Matth. 1.23 Rom. 1.3 Fourthly it were to make Christ to haue a fantasticall bodie if his naturall bodie bée in euerie place after the words of consecration Fiftly it were to deny Christs Ascension and his sitting at Gods right hand and asmuch as to say the resurrection is past Act. 1.9 10. and 3.21 Sixthly it were to make him subiect to corruption as the Bread and Wine is Phil. 3. 20 21. 1. Timo. 1.17 18. Seauenthly it were to make
where and against whome it shall please them Answere No verely for it is the Lord onely that hath power of these things for they are in his treasure house and at his beck and commandement either to defend and preserue his people or to punish and destroy the wicked and reprobate Psal 104.4 Exod. 9.23 24 25 26. Question It is written in Iob that the deuill did cause Lightnings and raised vp winds Iob. 1.16 19. Answere It is true but it was Gods permission for when as God worketh by sathan and vseth his seruice the diuell worketh by the lightnings and windes and that by the iust iudgement of God to deceiue and harden the hearts of the people because they will not beleeue and receaue the truth also herein a notable crafte of satan may be seen in that he conueyeth himself into winds and tempests therby to make the world beléeue he is the author thereof otherwise God is the author of all windes tempest and lightnings as we haue already prooued 2. Thes 2.10.11.12 Question What saiest thou of the inchanters of Egipt which did great wonders merueilous things Answere If the sequell of their actions and their confessions be marked we shal see that neither they themselues nor their great master satan can do more than God doth giue them leaue Question Why what maketh thee so to say Answere The knowledge of these things that First they could not turne the dust into lice as Moses did but confessed that it was the power of God Exod. 8.17 18 19. Secondly they could not stand before Moses the seruant of God Thirdly whē they had done their false miracles in shewe they could not vndo them againe Ezod 7.21 to the end and 8 7 8. Fourthly neither could they vndo the true and powerfull miracles of Moses but Moses himself was faine with praier to vndo them Exod. 8.12 13. c. Question Why could not these inchāters turne the dust into lice as wel as to turn their rods into serpents the riuers into bloud and to bring forth froggs it being a base thing in comparison of the other Answere First in that they did the former things it was by permission of God to harden the heart of Pharao and to deceiue him with his people that they might not let Israell goe without the mightie hand of God to their own destruction Exod. 9.16 Rom. 9.17 Secondly that the power of God in their destruction might be made knowne and manifest vnto the whole world and his faithfulnes might be declared vnto all ages Gene. 15.13 14 15 16. Mica 5.3 4 5. Thirdly that God might after a while in suffering them to doo great miracles in shew confounde their wisdomes in base and vile things that the world might see the falsehood wickednes of inchanters sorcerers Mal. 3.5 Question What think you of this opiniō that the deuil inchanters haue no power vpon that bodie or substance which is lesse than a barley come Answere I think the same to be most vaine and cleane against reason for if they haue power ouer great things they haue also power ouer small things but not the contrarie as because they haue power ouer small things therefore they haue power ouer great things but in that they could not haue power ouer the dust to make lice it was because neither the diuell nor his instruments haue power of themselues to do any thing more than the will of God dooth permit and suffer Question In thy proofe of the definition of Gods prouidence thou saiest that God ruleth al the actions of men not onely the good but also the euill wherein what els doost thou But make God the author of euill which may not be Answere God forbid we should say that God were the author of sinne for there is no euill with him neither yet loueth he wickednes Psalm 5.4 for perfect is the worke of almightie God for al his waies are iudgement God is true without wickednes iust and righteous is he Deut. 42.4 Question Why then what dost thou meane when thou saiest that God ruleth the euil actions of men Answere We say that sathan and our flesh are the authors of sinne but yet on the other side wee affirme according to the Scriptures that euen sathan and the wicked are so bridled and ruled by the power and prouidence of God that they doo not nay cannot doo that euill when where and against whom they would for they all shal come to naught and to ruin but what the Lords will appointment is that cōmeth to passe whose will they execute in their wicked doings Iob. 1. Gene. 50.20 1. King 13.4 2. Sam. 17.14 23. Question Why then God is the author of their sinne and they without fault Answere Nay not so but he is most iust and perfect righteous and yet they wicked and vnholy in doing the same Question How so Answere By reason of the diuers ends and purposes Question As how Answere God doth it to set forth his glory to bring forth the malice of his enemies to shew it to all the world that he may be iustified in his righteous and holy iudgements vpon them also to exercise his children by them and such like but the wicked and sathan dooth the same of set malice wilfully presumptuously against God and his saints and not willingly and obediently to satisfie the counsell and purpose of God Question Canst thou giue mee examples out of the Scripture for this matter Where both GOD and the wicked haue delt in the same action so that God is said to haue done that which notwithstanding the wicked do Answere Yea verely as First of Iob who confesseth that his calamities come of the Lord yet Sathan the Sabaeans did worke in this action Iob. 1. Secondly Dauid who confessed that God stirred vp Shimei to curse him yet he did the same by the instigation of Sathan and of a malicious purpose 2. Sam. 16.10 11. Thirdly it is saide that God did stirre vp Dauid to number the people yet it is said in another place that Satan prouoked him 2. Sam. 24.1 1. Chro. 21.1 Fourthly it is said that God sent into the mouthes of the false prophets a lying spirit to deceiue Achab yet we may see both the willingnesse of Sathan to lie and deceiue also how the false prophets did most wilfully and stubbornly mainteine their lying prophecies 1. King 22.21 24. Question What saiest thou to the example of Christ in this thing Answere In this example we may see First how he gaue his son to death Ioh. 3.16 Secōdly how Christ did most willingly giue himselfe to death Ioh. 10.15 13.12 Phil. 2. Thirdly how Iudas his seruant betraied him for money Matth. 26.48 Fourthly how the Scribes Priests Pharisies most gladly gaue money and reioyced therein Luke 22.5 Fiftly how Pilate deliuered him to death for feare Iohn 19.12 13. Sixtly how satan sought the same brought it to passe by his instruments Iohn
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