Adams trasgression S. Forasmuche as he displeased God therfore dyd God punyshe hym withall his posteritie so that euer synce that fall of Adam both he and we all are depriued spoyled of the image of God and so are borne into the worlde euen from our mothers wombe sinners vnrighteous and children of wrathe M. Than canst thou not be saued S. After my fyrst byrth I cānot be saued but through my secōde byrth in Christe I haue an vndoubted hope and assured trust to be saued M. What art thou than after thy seconde byrth S. I am a christian M. What is a Christian S. A Christian is one that acknowlegeth himselfe a synner and beleueth stedfastly that God our heauēly father is mercyfull vnto hym through the gloryous passion and bloud sheddyng of our sauiour Iesus Christe M. Whereby knowest thou that thou art a Christian S. Because I doe faythfully beleue the same and vpon this belefe am baptysed or chrystened in the name of the father of the sonne and of the holye ghoste M. What belieuest thou of the father of the sonne and the holy ghoste S. I beleue that the father is God the sonne is God the holy ghoste is God and yet as these are three destincte persones eguall in substaunce glorye and maiestie so is he but onely one God eternall without begynnyng euerlastyng without ende almyghtifull and altogether bounteous good mercyfull louyng tendre beneficiall vnto man M. What dooest thou ferther beleue of thesame God the father the sonne and the holy ghoste S. I dooe firmely and stedfastely beleue whatsoeuer is wrytten of God in the holy scriptures and all that euer is conteyned in the speciall poyntes and artycles of the chrysten religion whiche the lorde hym selfe taught vs and commaunded his dysciples to teache the same M. What are the speciall pointes of the christen religion and howe many are they S. They are syxe M. which syxe be they S. The fyrst is the .x. commaundementes ii The artycles of the holy christian fayth iii. The holy prayer of the Lorde iiii The woordes and institucion of the holy baptisme v. The woordes of the holy supper of the Lorde vi The woordes of the Ecclesiasticall discipline and brotherly correccion M. Now rehearse me the woordes of all the syxe pryncypall poyntes and articles one after an other as I haue out of the places of Goddes holy scripture taught it vnto thee before this tyme. S. The .x. commaundementes are wrytten in the xx chapiter of Exodus in these wordes i. I the lord am thy God which haue brought the out of Egipt out of the land of bōdage thou shalt haue none other Goddes besyde me or in my syght ii Thou shalt make to thyselfe no grauen ymage nor symylitude of any thyng that is in heauen aboue or in the earth beneth or in the waters vnder the earth thou shalt neyther bowe thee downe before them nor shewe any seruice or reuerence vnto them For I am the lorde thy God a strong and gelous God for I auenge the vnrighteousnesse of the fathers vpon the children euen vnto the thyrde and fourthe generacion of them that hate and despyse me and I shewe mercye euen vnto the thousandest generacion of them that loue me kepe my commaundementes iii. Thou shalt not take the name of thy lorde god in vayne For the Lorde wyll not suffer him vnpunished that taketh his name in vayne iiii Remembre that thou kepe the Sabboth daye holy Sixe dayes shalte thou laboure and doe all thy buisinesse but the seuenth daye is an holy Sabboth day vnto the lord thy god Vpon that daye shalt thou doe no woorke at all neyther thou thy selfe nor thy sonne nor thy daughter neyther thy manseruaunte nor thy mayd seruaunt nor thy cattell nor thy geast whiche kepeth or lodgeth in thy house For in syxe dayes made the lord heauē and earth and the sea withal that is therin but vpon the seuenth daye dyd he rest from all maner of labour therfore the lorde hath honoured and halowed the Sabboth daye v. Honour thy father and mother that thy dayes maye bee prolonged in the lande that the Lorde thy God wyll gyue thee vi Thou shalt not murther vii Thou shalt not commit aduoutry viii Thou shalt not steale ix Thou shalt not beare false wytnesse against thy neighbor x. Thou shalt nor couet nor lust after thy neyghboures house thou shalt not luste after thy neybours wife nor his seruaūt nor his mayde nor his oxe nor his Asse nor after any thyng that is thy neybours ¶ The articles of the holy Christen feith and belefe are these and they conteyne .iii pryncipall articles I Beleue in God the father almyghtie maker of heauē and yearth And in Iesus Christ his onely sonne our lord which was conceyued by the holy ghost borne out of the virgin Mary suffred vnder Ponce Pylate was crucifyed dyed and was buried Descended vnto the helles and vpō the thyrd day he rose again from the dead ascended vnto the heauens and syttteth at the ryghthande of God the father almyghtie from thence he shall come to iudge the quicke and the dead iii. I beleue in the holy ghost an holy Chatholyque Churche the communion of sainctes the forgeuenes of synnes the resurreccion of the fleshe and the lyfe euerlastyng Amen ¶ The Lordes prayer wrytten in the .vi. of Matthewe and the .xi. of Luke is this OVr father whiche arte in heauen halowed bee thy name thy kyngdome come thy will be doen vpon earth as it is in heauen Geue vs this daye our dayly bread And forgeue vs our trespaces as we forgeue them that trespace agaynst vs. And leade vs not in to temptacion But deliuer vs from the euill For thine is the kyngdome and the power and the glory for euer Amen ¶ The woordes and instituciō of the holy baptisme conteyned in the newe testament are these Math. xxviii ANd Iesus came spake vnto his dysciples saying All power is geuen vnto me in heauen in yearth Goe ye therfore and teache all nacions baptisyng theim in the name of the father and of the sonne of the holy ghoste teaching thē to obserue all thinges whatsoeuer I haue commaūded you And loe I am with you alway euen vntyll the ende of the worlde Marke .xvi. And he sayde vnto them Goe ye into all the worlde preache the Gospell to all creatures He that beleeueth and is baptysed shall be saued But he that beleeueth not shall be damned Roma vi Knowe ye not that all wee whiche are baptysed in Iesus Christ are baptised to dye with him We are buryed then with him by baptisme for to dye that lykewyse as Christ was raised vp frome deathe by the glorye of the Father euen so wee also shoulde walke in a new lyfe Gala iii. For all ye that are baptysed haue put on Christ There is no Iewe neyther gentile there is neyther bonde neyther free there is neither manne nor womā For ye are
all one in Christ Iesus If ye be Christes then are ye Abrahams sede heires according to the promise The places of holy scripture and the woordes makyng for the institucion of the Lordes supper are these here folowing Math. xxvi VVHan they were eatyng Iesus tooke breade and whan he had geuen thankes he brake it and gaue it to the disciples and sayed take eate this is my body And he tooke the cuppe and thanked and gaue it them saying drynke ye all of this For this is my bloude whiche is of the newe testamēt that is shed for many for the remission of synnes Marke xiiii And as they were eatyng Iesus toke bread and whan he had geuen thākes he brake it and gaue to them sayed take eate this is my bodye And he toke the cup and whan he had geuen thankes he toke it to thē and they all dranke of it and he sayed vnto them this is my bloud of the newe testamente whiche is shed for many Luke xxii And he toke bread and whan he had geuen thankes he brake it and gaue vnto them saying this is my body whiche is geuen for you This do ye in the remembraunce of me lykewise also whan he had supped he tooke the cup saying this cup is the newe Testamente in my bloude whiche is shed for you 1. Corin. xi That whiche I haue deliuered vnto you I receiued of the lord For the lord Iesus thesame night in whiche he was betraied toke breade and whan he had geuen thankes he brake it said take ye eat this is my body which is broken for you This do ye in the remembraunce of me After thesame maner also he toke the cuppe whan supper was doen saying this cuppe is the newe Testament in my bloude This do as ofte as ye drinke it in remembraunce of me For as often as ye shal eat this bread and drinke of this cup ye shall shew the lordes death till he come Wherfore whosoeuer shal eate of this bread or drynke of this cuppe of the lorde vnworthily shall bee giltie of the bodye and bloud of the Lorde But lette a man examine hymselfe and so lette him eate of the bread and drynke of the cuppe For he that eateth drynketh vnworthyly eateth drynketh his owne damnacion because he maketh no difference of the lordes body ¶ The woordes of the ecclesiasticall discipline or brotherlye correccion are these Math. xviii THe Lorde Iesus sayth If thy brother sinneth against thee go thy wayes and rebuke hym betwixt the hym alone If he heare the than hast thou wonne thy brother If he wyll not heare the then take one or two vnto the that euery thyng may be at a stay by the mouthe of two or thre witnesses If he wyll not yet heare the then tell it vnto the congregacion If he will not heare the cōgregacion then take him as a heathen and as an vnchristian Verely I say vnto you Whatsoeuer ye shal bynde vpon earth shal also be bound in heauen And whatsoeuer ye shall leuse vpon earth shall be also leused in heauen M. Well now declare me the same poyntes euerye one after other as I haue taught the here tofore fyrst tell me why dyd God geue the .x. cōmaundementes vnto man S. Forsouthe to th entent we might lerne his will out of them Psal xi know what he wylleth vs to do and what to leaue vndone Esai viii For the lawe of the .x. cōmaundementes is a perfite rule wherby the wyll of god is knowē Luke xvi both how to behaue our selfes towardes him our almightie euerlastyng god and maker also towarde our neighbour and euen christen M. What meaneth the Lorde where he sayeth I am the lord thy God c. S. He wylleth that we should beleue knowlege that he of his free mercye through our sauiour Iesus Christ Collo i. Gala. iiii hath redemed vs from the power of the deuill from the bondage of the worlde and of synne and hath receiued vs to be his owne peculiar heires into the fredome felowship of euerlastyng life lyke as he receyued the Iewes vnto hym Exo. xiiii whan he redeemed them out of the tirannie of the Egypcians M. And what is the vnderstāding of these wordes Thou shalt haue none other Gods c. S. He wylleth by those woordes that we shoulde withall diligence eschewe and be ware of all maner of Idolatry and false seruice of God inuented by man though it seme or be neuer so high and gloryous M. What is Idolatrye S. Idolatrye is to haue besydes the onely ryght god our heuenlye father Esa xlv some other to seeke helpe at Or Idolatrye is to make some other mediatour or aduocate betwene God and vs than alonely our sauiour Iesus Christe i. Tim. ii M. Maye we not than vse the help and intercession of the holy Angels sainctes that they may make intercession for vs vnto God S. We ought to seeke nor vse none other meanes to obteyne the fauour of God and reconciliacion of Iesus Christe than alonely suche as the lorde hym selfe hath appointed in his holy worde but to put all our trust and confidence in God and in our lorde Iesus onely and in no creature at all M. Whan is this commaundement rightly fulfilled and kept as it ought to be S. Firste whan I beleue and doubt nothyng at all that almightie God thorough our lorde Iesus Christe wil be my God and helper that he will delyuer me from all euyll and endue me with all felicitie both here and euerlastyng Secondarily whan I put all my trust and confidēce in god our heuenly father thorowe the lorde Iesus Christe onely trusting sekyng for all help comforte of hym alone and of none other creature And that thorow such meanes only as he hath appointed forsakyng all inuencions and dreames of manne Math xv Thus doyng I geue hym his Godly honor whiche is due vnto him M. What is mente by the second commaundement Thou shalte make the no grauen Image The secōde cōmaundement c. howe is that to be vnderstanded S. We ought so to print the maiestie of god which is a spirit Iohn v Exo. xx in our hartes that we neyther make nor sette vp no maner of ymage wherunto any maner of honor or wurship due vnto God onlye may be geuen either outwardly by any gesture Deut. v. Esa xliiii or inwardlye in the herte M. Whan is this commaundement transgressed S. As ofte as we ascribe any diuine power vnto any ymage or seke any helpe at theym or geue any manner of reuerence vnto theym as whan we praye before them whan we knele or fall down before them or make curtesie vnto them settyng vp any candels before theym or censing them or shewyng anye like poynt of reuerence Lykewise whan anye man doeth institute or imagine of his owne head without any authoritie of the word of god
any maner of false seruice vnder the pretence of deuocion or holynes as diriges coÌ„mendacions pardons priuate satisfactory masses for the quicke the dead with such lyke supersticious goddes seruice though it hath neuer so high and gloryous a shine yet they offende agaynst this commaundement M. Why do not all thynges please God whiche are doen of a good mynde entent zeale and deuocion Math. xv and in the honor of God S. No forsoth Deut. xii for god abhorth as moste detestable idolatrie all maner of seruice whiche himselfe hath not instituted nor commaunded in his worde And willeth vs to flee auoyd with al our hartes all suche maner of straunge and newe deuised seruice of our Esa ii owne inuentyng Ierem. vii as moste pestilent and corrupt poyson M. Why hath God forbidden any reuerence to be geuen vnto ymages Deut. v S. Because that God beeyng of his owne substaunce euerlasting immortall incompreheÌ„sible and inuisible willeth that we should wholly cleaue vnto his woorde Esa xliiii Iere. xxiii and record thesame continually both night and day bearing it about with vs in our hertes lest thorowe any image we might peradueÌ„ture forget him Osee iiii or be hindered in his true seruice M. What can images hindre any manne in the true seruice of God Heb. ii S. There is nothyng that so muche withdraweth vs from the true perfecte knowlege seruice of God as these supersticiouse idolatries images Psal xiv Ier. xxi For the only syght of them draweth vs from the knowlege of God For the whiche cause holy scripture calleth theim deuyls traps or snares of soules Sap. xiiii the worshippyng of them it nameth idolatry a woorke of the flesh Gal. v M. May not images be as lay mennes bookes to put theim in remembraunce of God or of the sayntes lyues S. Whosoeuer setteth vp any image for any such purpose declareth euideÌ„tly that he hath denied in his hert the very liuing god is in his hert a very worshipper of idols For the boke whiche onely can bring leade all men both laye other to the knowlege of God is onely the worde of God conteyned in holy scripture in the byble That ought to be the booke of euery laye man ii Tim. iii. ii Pet. i For therin is sufficiently contained all thynges necessary for the saluacion of maÌ„ and it nedeth the helpe of none other booke for it is sufficiente of it selfe M. Is there no maner of image wherby we maye be put in remeÌ„braunce of god S. Gen. ii Yes mankynde is the lyuely Image of god made of god hymselfe without the hande of man Lykewise the heauen and yearth the sonne and moone with other lyke creatures of god These may put vs dayly in remembraunce of the infinite power goodnes and wisedom of God Psal xix Rom. i M. What is the vnderstandyng of the thirde commaundement Thou shalt not take the name of the Lorde thy God in vayne c. S. In this commaundement is forbidden all maner of periury sweryng Math. v blasphemyng of God and his holy name M. Wherby is the name of God moste specially blasphemed Leui. xix and .xxiiii S. By false doctrine supersticious inuocacion or prayer muÌ„blyng of Matyns or Euensong in a straunge tounge without deuocion M. Whereby els S. By false customable swearyng cursyng charmyng coniuryng or inchauntyng by the name of God also by any maner of supersticious vsyng the name or woorde of God or of our sauior Christe M. Is it a great siÌ„ne to sweare or to curse rashely by the name of God of our sauior Iesus Christ by his meÌ„bres workes woundes and blissed passion S Yea it is suche an horrible an haynous blasphemye that God did coÌ„maunde in his lawe to bee punyshed with stonyng vnto death Leui. xxiiii M. But maye a man in no case sweare lawfully without offeÌ„ce to God Exod. xxii S. Yes yf any man bee required of a magistrate and other wyse also yf it maye serue to the glory of God to the confirmacioÌ„ of the trueth Gene. xxi or to the welth and ê“fite of our neyghbour in the same ii Ch. i For by suche othes is the name of God sanctified and not blasphemed M. WhaÌ„ kepest thou this commaundemente Psal xlix Exod. xv S. Whansoeuer I confesse prayse extoll magnifie his name his wordes and workes in eche tyme and place as I ought to do committyng my selfe wholly vnto my heauenly father through Iesus Christe our sauior and callyng vpon his helpe and ayde in all maner of affliccion necessitie rendryng vnto hym continuall thankes for all his benefites auoyding all manier of thinges where through his worde his workyng or his glorye might in any wise be hindred contemned or diminished M. How vnderstaÌ„dest thou the fowerth commaundement The .iiii. commaundemente Remembre that thou sanctifie the sabboth daye c. S. Lyke as there are two maner of sabbothes a spirituall an exteriour sabboth so likewyse is the sabboth kept or brokeÌ„ two maner of wayes M. What requireth the spirituall sabboth S. That we should continually mortifie tame crucifie our fleshe with all the lustes and concupiscence therof and haue our continuall meditacion vpon the kyngdom of God that we should praise and thanke hym aswell in prosperitye as in aduersitye bearing all manier of affliccion paciently And whansoeuer we do the contrarye than breake we this sabboth M. And whan is the exteriour or outwarde sabboth kept S. Whan euery man applyeth himselfe to come vnto the churche and congregacion to heare the worde of god where it is preached to be present at the common prayers endeuouryng hymselfe to pray with the faythfull congregacion to receiue the holy sacrameÌ„tes with thesame accordyng vnto the institucion and ordinaunces of Christe and also to bryng and geue his almes in the congregacion for the succour and reliefe of the poore And so to confirme and strengthen his owne faythe and to geue a good example of vertue vnto others And that we myght the more quietly perfourme yesame with out any let or hinderauÌ„ce therfore he coÌ„mauÌ„deth that neither our seruauntes catell nor nothyng about vs should do any labor vpon that daye M. Why so S. Not as though it were synne to doe any honest labour for labour is commaunded of God or as though it were vnpleasyng Gene iii. Ephe. iiii to God that we helpe our selfe or succour our neyghbour in tyme of nede but that we myght bee more quiet to serue God that our children householde myght haue some tyme to here learne the worde of God to remembre considre his benefites to inuocate and to call vpon hym to laude and to thanke hym M. And ought a man to doe no speciall labour vpon that day S. No not for any couetousnes of worldely encreace or aduauntage or for any pryuate pleasure
mā able to kepe and fulfill the law and .x. cōmaundements of god and so to attayne vnto euerlastyng saluacion of his owne naturall power and strength S. No for than should the sōne of God haue descended from heauen in vayne whiche came downe for none other purpose but to fulfill that for vs which no mā els was able for weaknes and infirmitie to accomplishe M. Why hath not man free libertie to kepe hymselfe from syn S. In the first creacion of man before his fall he was so created had suche libertie But thorow the transgression of Adam we were all depriued therof M. And why dyd God than geue vs suche commaundementes knowing before that we wer not able to fulfill and accomplishe them S. There are two special causes why god gaue the lawe of the .x. commaūdementes Fyrst that we myght therby learne to knowe both that perfeccion wherein man was fyrst created also the feblenes weaknes and corrupcion of our nature beeyng otherwyse inclined and affect than the lawe of god requireth Secondarily that it myght bee our scholemaister and guide vnto the onely sauior and mercy stole Christe whiche is the ende of the lawe For seyng we perceyue by the lawe that we are miserable synners and not able to perfourme that whiche the lawe requireth we must nedes flee vnto Christ for helpe and comforte staying our selues vpon hym only thorowe a true and a perfecte fayth M. Well God geue vs all suche a fayth Nowe what is the seconde speciall poynte or article of the christen religion S. The articles of the holy Christian faythe M. Declare me those articles of the fayth first what faythe is S. Faythe is a sure trust and a stedfaste confidence in the very true eternall liuing god wherthorowe our hartes are thorowly perswaded that he wyll bee mercyfull vnto vs thorowe the death and passion of his onely begotten sonne our lorde Iesus Christe M. Whervnto serueth this fayth S. It serueth profiteth vs for this pourpose to teache vs what we must hope and loke for to receyue of God whereby we may learne to knowe what god is And it teacheth vs also how we may performe all that God requireth of vs in the .x. commundementes M. What dooeth it teache vs of God S. To beleue all thinges that are writen in holy scripture of him the summe and effecte whereof is conteyned in the articles of the common crede J beleue in God c. M. How may those articles be briefly deuided S. They maye be deuided into .iii. chief principall articles The first of god the father our creator The second of god the sonne our redemer The thirde of god the holy gost our sanctifier which hathe sanctified and brought vs to the knowlege of the father and of the sonne M. Me thinke by this diuisiō thou makeste .iii. gods god the father god the sonne and god the holy gost S. No the whole scripture teacheth that there is but one god as in the .vi. of Deut. The lord our god is one only god There is but one God and one father of all c. Ephe. iiii Item i. Timo. ii There is one God one mediator c. But in thesame one Godhead are three sondry persons of like substance accordyng vnto the three sondry workes whiche are knowen of God namely the creacion the redemcion the sanctificacion Wherof the fyrste is ascribed vnto the father the seconde to the sonne the thirde to the holye gost And for this cause we saie and beleue that there are three persons and but one God M. Whiche are the woordes of the first chiefe principal article S. I beleue in god the father c. M. What is it to beleue in god S. It is to knowe god as he is M. What is God S. God is the euerlastyng and endelesse welspryng of all goodnesse Iac. i. Roma iii by whōe we may seke whatsoeuer we lacke to whōe we may rūne and complayne in what sorow vexacion and nede soeuer we be and we shall be sure to finde comforte helpe succour and defence at him M. Why doeth the scripture call God a father S. To confyrme and stablishe our fayth also to comfort the weake and feble heartes of all faythfull beleuers M. What comfort is it vnto the to beleue that God is an almyghtye father S. It is a singular cōfort vnto me to beleue that the almightie God the father of our Lorde Iesus Christe wyll also be my father and take no lesse but a thousande tymes more care charge and sorow for me a miserable worme than anye naturall father can do for his child and wyll repute and take me for a chyld and heyre of his kyngdome euerlastyng lyfe M. Is God suche a father vnto all men without excepcion S. No althoughe he be the lorde creator and susteiner of all yet he is onely the father of the faithful which know feare and loue his onelye begotten sōne and put their whole trust in him M. What comforte is it vnto the to beleue that God is almightie and creator of heauen and yearth S. Throughe beleuyng of that I am assured that I maye boldly and safelye trust and cōmitte my selfe vnto him whō no creature can hinder or let whiche as he of his fatherly goodnes wyll help vs so can he through his almyghtie power geue to vs his heritage and ayde vs in euery ease wherin and whāsoeuer he will Wherfore vnder his protecciō we may be of good comforte without feare of any maner of creature For all creatures must serue vs for our wealth profite M. If God be suche an almightie father why doeth he suffre his chyldren sometime to be so grieuously afflicted and vexed doeth not helpe them S. He suffereth it not as though he would not or coulde not helpe them but because it is for the glorye of his name for the sufferers soule helth that it should so be And although it semeth contrary to the affeccion and desyre of the fleshe yet the spirite of fayth feleth continually the present ayde of god in suche affliccion M. Is it sufficiente for vs thus to beleue of God the father as is nowe rehersed S. It is sufficiente ynoughe so that we learne thereby to putte all our hope and confidence of euerlasting lyfe and saluacion in hym only as the head welspring of all goodnes cōmittyng our selues vnto his almyghtie power and fatherly louyng goodnesse Which declareth hymselfe through his vnspeakable wysedome in the creacion of the world after suche sorte that no manne can bee excused whiche dooeth not put his trust in hym euer more adore worship glorifie him M. well what foloweth next S. The second principall article of God the sonne oure sauior Christe M. what are the wordes of this article S. J beleue in Jesus Christ c. M. What is al that to saye S. It is thus muche to saye I put al my trust
God S. It is a comon maner of speakyng vsed among men whereby is sygnifyed that he hathe receyued euen after his mans nature a power honor aboue all Angels creatures wherin he ruleth with the father in euerlastyng glorye as they do aboute kynges and prynces which sit at theyr ryghthandes M. Wherunto exerciseth the lord this his high godly power dominion S. He exerciseth it in the gouernaunce of all thynges in heauen and vpon yearth continually presence therby vnto all faythfull here vpon yerth to deliuer preserue and defende them from all euyll perill and daunger and to purchase them of the father al that is good and necessarye for them praying for them continually as a true and a mercifull prieste patrone and aduocate vntyll suche tyme as they bee also exalted and taken vppe lyke vnto hym and with him in heauen vnto euerlastyng honor and glory M. What doeth it helpe or profite vs to beleue that Christe is ascended into heauen and that he sitteth at the ryght hande of God S. Fyrste we are assured therby that the waye dore and entreaunce into heauen which was before locked vnto all men by reason of our synne is nowe opened Secondarily it is a syngular comforte vnto vs to confirme vs in pacience in all maner of aduersitie forasmuch as we are sure by this faythe that we haue a myghtie and a louyng protector aduocate and spechemanne with the father in heauen Thyrdly this faythe reioyseth and lifteth vppe our heartes from all yearthly transitorie visible and carnall thynges vnto heauenly eternall inuisible and spirituall thynges putteth vs in remembraunce to lift vppe our heartes from this yearthly and synfull lyfe and to serue our God with heauenly spirituall seruice and not onely with yearthly and bodilye ceremonies M. Beleuest thou any thyng els of our sauior Iesus S. Yea forsouth that he shall come from thence to iudge the quicke and the dead M. What confessest thou by this S. Forsouth that my lorde Iesus Christ shall come againe frō heauen with his verye bodye shall appeare before all the world visiblye in the glorye of his father and shall iudge all menne both such as shall than liue and also those whiche were before dead to the euerlastyng comforte and felicitie of all faythfull whiche haue honored hym and taken him for theyr brother aduocate patrone and defender And agayne to the vtter confusion and condemnacion of all vnfaythfull whiche would neuer beleue his worde nor suffer hym to rule nor to haue dominion ouer them M. But whan shall this iudgemēt once come S. The daye and houre is vnknowen vnto all men wherfore no mā ought to busy or trouble hymselfe muche aboute it but euery one of vs ought continually to loke diligent aboute vs that we do fulfyll those thynges whiche pertayne vnto our vocacion committed vnto vs of the lorde that that tyme and daie come not vpon vs sodenly vnwares and out of season For the ignorance of the daye and tyme ought to put vs continually in remembraunce that we neuer lyue securely rechelesselye Mat. xxiiii and .xxv Luke xii but continually watchyng in the feare of God standyng alwayes prepared with the loynes of our mynde redye gyrded vp i. Peter i. Ti. iii and wayting for the Lorde Iesus Christe shewing our selues good willyng diligente and redye vnto all good workes wherby we maye helpe and further our neyghbor by any meanes M. Do our workes than meryte any thyng of God S. Our workes merite nothyng of God for any worthynes in themselues but yet God whiche of his mercy worketh them in and by vs wyll also of his mercy highly rewarde them in vs. M. Now what foloweth next S. The thirde principall article of the holy ghost our sanctifier M. What are the woordes of this article S. J beleue in the holy gost c. M. What is that to say S. Forsouth thus muche I beleue that there is an holy ghoste whiche procedeth from the father and the sonne with whom he is one very liuyng God the thirde persone in the godhead which worketh so in vs that we shal be partakers of the saluaciciō that is purchased by Christ Through whose power operacion onely all holy men haue spoken and without hym canne no man speake or doe any thyng that is good and godly For we haue nothyng in vs but very darkenesse ignoraunce and hypocrisie M. what is the proper office of the holy ghoste S. It is to sanctifie all those whiche are in the bonde couenante of God through Christe vnto the holye temples of the Lorde that they hereafter may contende and begynne their viage vnto the euerlastyng lyfe in theyr mortall body and also that they may euen here in this lyfe haue theyr God dwellyng in them And agayne it is his office to lyghten theyr heartes with the knowlege of the father and the sonne to leade theim into all trueth to comfort them in al maner of temtacion necessitie and aduersitie to prepare vs vnto a newe life to strengthen vs vnto all goodnesse And so to renewe all christen mennes heartes that they may be changed and made newe men M. But seyng there are many and diuers spirites how may a man discerne and knowe the holy spirite from the worldly deuelishe euil and wicked spirites S. By the fruites properties aboue rehersed but specially by the holy scripture For seyng it is certayne that scripture was inspired by the holy gooste all maner of doctrine that is not consonaunte and agreable vnto it is of an other and not of the holye spirite For the holy spirite is neuer contrarye to hym selfe nor neuer bryngeth in any straunge doctrine in religion M. What followeth S. I beleue an holy christen churche the communion of saintes M. what is that to saye S. That is I beleue and confesse one company and congregaciō of faithfull christians vpon erth from the tyme of Adam vntyll thys daye and vntyll the ende of the worlde whiche is sanctifyed and incorporate into one body vnder one head thorowe the holy goste And they consent and agree together in oure sauiour Christe as the verye membres of one bodye in all thynges pertayning vnto edyfying in faythe and in all Godlynes M. But howe may this congregacion be gathered and suche edifying in faythe and all godlynesse perfourmed S. Thorowe the worde of pure doctryne and exhortacion And thorowe the ryghte vse of the holy sacramentes And thorow other ordynaunces of discipline in the church wherby the christian congregacyon is kepte in order after the worde of God and sundered from all maner of of strange sectes M. Why callest thou the churche holy and christen S. For the causes aboue rehersed because the holy ghoste hathe peculiarlye gathered and sanctified it in a godlye and an holye exercise and lyfe i. Tho. vi in body and sowle and also because Christe hathe sanctified it thorowe his precious bloud M. Why callest thou
thynges S. For faythe vertue and godlynes and for remission of oure sinnes M. And for what worldly or transitory thynges S. For all bodely nourishment and sustentacion whereby we maye be the more able to serue god with in this life M. what is the fyrste peticion S. Halowed be thy name M. What prayest thou in this pecicion S. That God our heauenly father maye be perfectly knowen and glorifyed throwe the whole worlde M How maye that be done S. Thorowe the pure doctrine of the holy ghospell whan it is syncerelye preached and receyued with a trewe and constante faith in all obedience humblenes holynes and godlynes to the confusion of all sinne of ydolatrye of blasphemie and of all vngodlinesse M. what is the seconde peticion S. Thy kingdome come M. What prayest thou for in this peticion S. That God will ouerthrowe and destroye in vs the kyngdome of Sathan of sin and of the worlde And that he wyll gather vs to gether thorowe his worde and spirite into the kyngdome of his sonne namely the christen churche congregacion and gouerne and rule vs in the same that we may serue him and liue after his will in one consente and whan the numbre of the faithfull thorowe dayly encrease is once full and perfecte than that we may together inherite and enioy that euerlastyng kyndome M. what is the thirde peticion S. Thy will be doen vpon erth c. M. what praiest thou for in this peticion S. That we may conceiue such a lust and a desire vnto his will in all thynges as the holy Angels and saintes in heauen haue M. Why sayest thou in earth as it is in heauen S. Because that in heauen nothing resisteth the wyll of God but in yearth the wyll of God is muche and often resisted Therfore doe we praye in this peticion that God wyll hyndre and let whatsoeuer is agaynste his moste holye wyll geue vs grace to forsake our owne fleshly wyll and desyre and withall humblenesse to obey his moste godly wyll submittyng and geuyng ouer our selues willyngly vnto the same whatsoeuer he shall laye vpon vs. M. what is the fowerth peticion S. Geue vs this day our daily bread M. What prayest thou for in this peticion S. That God wyll geue vs all maner of necessary sustinaunce for this lyfe as meate drynke clothyng godly and vertuous magistrates and rulers helth peace and quietnes and all thynges whatsoeuer is necessary for vs to liue in thys worlde to the glorye of hys name and the profite of our neighbor M. Why sayest thou this day and dayly S. By those wordes I am put in remembraūce that I should take no thought nor be carefull for the time to come but should dayly labor in my condicion of lyfe and praye therwith than nothyng doubte but that God wil geue me both that day and all dayes as long as I lyue whatsoeuer I shall nede may be profitable and expedient for me M. What is the fifte peticion S. For geue vs our trespaces c. M. What prayest thou for in this peticion S. For remission and forgeuenes of suche synnes wherwith I dayly diplease my heauenly father and that God wyll not entre into iudgemente with me but be mercyfull vnto me M. And why than kepest thou not thy selfe from sinning S. I ought so to doe withall diligence and indeuor but our naturall ignoraunce with the weakenes infirmitie wherein we were borne is so great that we ouersee oure selues euermore and therfore are we constrayned to desyre God of forgeuenes M. Why addest thou further as we forgeue our trespacers S. For the lorde wyll not remit or forgeue vs at all yf we forgeue not thē that haue greued offended or displeased vs. M. Why so S. Because our heauenly father wylleth that we shoulde well consider and acknowelege our owne synnes and take all maner of displeasure of iniury that our neighbor doeth vnto vs pacientlye and with thankefulnes euen as a moste worthy deserued punishment of God our heauenly father and therfore for our owne part to be well content with al such through whom God doth chastice or punishe vs whatsoeuer they be M. What is the sixt peticion S. Leade vs not into temptacion M. What praiest thou for in this peticion S. That God our heauenly father wyll mercyfully assist me in all maner of temptacions and bryng me through whether it bee in prosperitie or aduersitie wyll kepe and preserue me by the verye ryght fayth euen vnto the ende M. Howe doeth god leade men into temptacion S. Whensoeuer he permitteth the wicked ghostely enemy to withdrawe vs through transitory fortune or misfortune prosperitie or aduersitie and also through other gostly assaultes from fayth vertue godlines M. What is the seuenth peticion S. But deliuer vs from euill M. What prayest thou in this peticion S. That our heauenly father will redeme deliuer vs from the snares subtiltie tyranny and power of our olde wicked enemy M. Hath he than any power agaynst thee S. Yea forsouth by reason of my synnes wherin I am borne god geueth him power against me from the which he himselfe alone through our Lord Iesus Christe must nedes deliuer me M. And what meaneth that clause and sentēce wheras thou sayest For thine is the kyngdome power and glory for euer S. That sentence putteth vs in remembraunce that we ought to conclude and ende all our prayers in lauding and praysyng of god and to thynke thus in our heartes O heauenly father I haue desyred of the to the glorye of thy name and to the wealth of all men both in body soule high and excedyng great thynges whiche are by menne impossible to obteyne or atteyne But thou arte a gloryous and an almyghtie puissaunte kyng euerlastyng whiche canste easily procure prouyde all that is good for thy chyldren and canste also breake and auoyde all contrarye power of our aduersaries wherfore helpe and deliuer vs from all the power of hel and restore vs vnto euerlastyng lyfe M. But nowe howe concludest thou thy prayer S. With this woorde Amen M. What is that to saye S. Forsouth thus muche O heauenly father graunte of thy mercye that all these thynges maye come to passe whiche we haue desired of that in this prayer And forasmuche as thou haste promised to heare all those that call vpon the in true faith in the name of thy beloued sonne we hope and trust stedfastly that it shall so happen vnto vs. Notwithstanding if there be any lacke of defaute in our fayth by reason or our naturall infirmitie than strengthen thou good lord our fayth graunte vs thy holy spirite that we may praye this thyne owne prayer with a true and a perfite fayth and that we maye speake from the botome of our heartes vnto the in all our prayers Amen Amen Sobeit M. Almyghtie God graunte that thou and all other maye alwayes praye in suche a fayth S. Amen A declaracion of the
holy sacrament of Baptisme M. Nowe what is the fowerth principall article of the christen doctrine and religion S. Forsouth that is the institucion of the holy sacramente of baptisme M. Fyrst tel me what are sacramentes S. They are holy visible accions and exterior exercises instituted ordeyned and appoynted of almighty God to bee vsed in hys churche and congregacyon of hys faythful to represent vnto theim after a mooste lyuely sorte his heauenly gracious benefites that they may therby be confirmed in theyr fayth and of purpose to excite the mutual loue of one towarde an other M. Why did Christe ordayne suche sacramentes S. For .iii. speciall causes M. What is the firste S. The fyrste is that they shoulde be tokens and witnesses of the grace mercy and promises of God towarde vs and as the moste sure seales wherby our participaciō felowshyp and incorporacion with Christ is confyrmed consigned and sealed vp And also that our faythe which is otherwyse veraye feble and weake myght thorowe the vse of them be exercised and lifte vp from all earthly thinges vnto the consideracion estimacyon and expectacion of celestiall and heauenly thinges M. Is not that the peculiar operacion and office of the holy gooste S. Yes it is the very proper operacion of the holy gost For he gloryfieth Christe he is the eternall and effectuous worker and executour of all the doctryne and ordinaunces of Christe But yet he perfourmeth and executeth that worke thorowe the worde and vse of the sacramentes yf they be truely ministred and receyued And it is therfore ascribed vnto them because we should vnderstande and knowe that the sacramentes are not bare vayne and vnprofitable tokens M. What is the seconde cause S. The seconde is this that they shoulde admonishe vs continuallye of our office and duetie as long as we lyue For seyng we professe by receyuyng and vsyng of the sacramentes that we are incorporate and made one bodye with Christe thorowe participacion of hym we ought to knowe also that it is our bounde dutye to expresse and represent the very image of Christe in our whole lyfe and in all the exercises of the same And yf we doe not so than we contemne the sacramentes and vse them vnworthely M. What is the thyrd cause S. That they shoulde be tokens of the people of god wherby the whole company and congregacion of god myght bee gathered together as it were into one bodye and separated or diuided knowen by suche seuerall tokens and peculiar exercises whiche no nother congregacion doeth vse fro all other false sectes And they serue also for this purpose that the congregacion of Christ may shewe and declare by them theyr seruice reuerence and obedience towarde God and so maye prouoke others also thorowe their exāple vnto the trew religion and seruice of God M. What thinkest thou of them whiche vse the sacramentes vnwoorthely and vnreuerently S. For as muche as they breke violate the couenaunte of the Lord therby they are accursed and abominable in the syght of God And therfore they shall bee reiected and refused of the Lorde for euer as periured rebellions yf they do not turne and amend M. Who vseth the sacramentes vnreuerently and vnworthily S. Forsoth he that doth not vse them in true fayth loue and obedience towardes God specially he that vseth them not to prouoke styrre vp and to nourish the forsaied vertues For therunto ought the vse of all externall or outwarde sacramentes to serue M. But are the sacramentes necessarye vnto saluacion S. Forasmuch as they are the ordinaunces of God and commaunded vnto vs to be vsed in perfecte obedience towarde God therfore can we not forbeare or neglecte the vse of them without manifest perill and hinderaunce of saluacion M. What persons are to bee taken and reputed for contemners and dispisers of the sacramentes S. Suche as vse them not whan they maye haue them ministred after the institucion and ordinaūce of Christ For whosoeuer beleueth our sauiour Christe and is a true disciple of his he can not chose but to vse all thinges with high reuerence and deuocion what soeuer our sauior Christe hathe ordayned to bee vsed M. Well nowe lette vs come vnto baptisme what is Baptisme S. It is an ordinaunce commaundemente of oure sauiour Iesus Christe ioyning all suche as shall enter into the cumpany and congregacion of Christe to be baptised that is to bee sprincled or dipped with water in the name of the father of the sonne and of the holy gost M. But in what texte of scripture is suche commaundemente grounded S. In the last of Matthew and Marke in these wordes Vnto me is geuen all power in heauen and earth therfore go your waye and teache all nacions baptisyng them in the name of the father and of the sonne and of the holy ghoste c. M. What is to be noted learned out of these wordes S. Forsoth .iii. thinges M. what is the fyrste S. The fyrste is this that our sauior Christe vnto whome the father hath geuen all power in heauen earth wylleth that his holy gospell should be preached vnto all men in the whole worlde that all people should be made his disciples M. what is the .ii. note S. The .ii is this that the holy sacramente of baptisme is cōmaunded of god the father the sonne and the holy ghost to be asure testimonie of the inestimable loue fauour of God toward vs wherby the promises of the ghospell concernyng the free remyssion of synnes the newe byrth and euerlastyng lyfe purchased by Christe are sealed confyrmed and made sure vnto vs. M. And what is the thyrde note S. The thirde is this that those that are baptised ought to remayne in the couenaunte of God and to applye themselues to learne and to kepe all that the Lorde hath commaunded to dye vnto synne and to caste of the olde Adam with all his lustes and affeccions to put on the Lord Iesus euery daye more than other in a newe lyfe whiche will be presente with vs vntill the worldes ende and graciouslye ayde and helpe vs therunto M. Vnto what persons doeth baptisme appertayne S. Vnto all suche as the couenaunte of God the doctryne of the ghospell preached by the Apostles pertayneth vnto M. Muste infantes and young children also be baptised S. Yea forsouth yf it maye be done forasmuche as the couenaunt of the lorde perteyneth also vnto them they are also of the flocke of God and partakers of grace And therfore the signe and seale of the promise and couenaunte whiche is baptisme muste nedes also perteyne vnto them And agayne seeyng they are in the fauor of God as his dearely beloued and partakers of Christe of his merites as they must nedes be yf the kyngdom of god be thēce as Christe sayth than baptisme whiche is the seale of all this muste also nedes perteyne vnto them M. But howe can they be baptised seyng thei haue no faythe
is a comfortable pledge or seale of the true lyuely foode of the soule it is the heauenly bread without whiche this hounger canne not bee satisfyed nor assuaged Therfore shoulde they receyue this sacrament oft because they haue oft nede of suche comforte M. Nowe which is the sixt speciall article of the christen doctryne S. The ecclesiasticall or churche discipline or brotherly correccion M. Where is any commaundement therof in the scripture S. In the .xviii. cha of Matthew in these wordes If thy brother sinne against the goe thy way and correct hym betwene the and hym alone c. M. What is to be noted out of these woordes S. Thre speciall poyntes Fyrste that euery christen man ought to correcte admonyshe other of hys faute pryuately and gently And yf he cannot doe it hymselfe than to cause some other to doe it for hym M. What shoulde bee the cause that euery man ought to admonishe other Shall not euery man answere for himselfe S. Forsouth this is the cause for asmuche as all faythfull are incorporate vnto our sauiour Christe in baptisme as mēbres of one body and are altogether chyldren and heyres of God and haue like parte and felowshippe of one euerlastyng heritage therfore ought eche one to saue and preserue the other from hel and from euerlastyng damnacion through godly correccion and admonicion and so to further his brother vnto heauen and vnto euerlastyng lyfe M. But howe shoulde this brotherly correccion and warnyng be putte in vre and be exercised S. With all humblenesse and frendlynesse and also with such wysedome and sobrenesse that his good name bee not hyndered but that he maye perceyue that none other thing is sought thereby sauyng alonely hys welth and emendemente M. How ofte should he be thus admonyshed S. Euen as ofte as there is any hope of his amendemente by such correccion and warnyng M. why doeth Christ commaund the to take one or .ii. vnto the yf thy brother will not amende at the warning and correccion of thee alone S. That he shoulde the more earnestlye bee conuinced of his faulte and not hable to denye it beyng correct or admonyshed therof by .ii. or .iii. wytnesses as the lorde teacheth onely to wynne hym therby M. What is the seconde note out of the fore rehersed wordes S. The seconde is the correccion of the churche M. who should execute that correccion S. Forsouth suche as are chosen and apoynted by the whole congregacion to be assistente vnto the minister in that behalfe M. Towarde what maner of parsons should suche correccion and admoniciō be exercysed S. Towarde suche as either regard not the priuate and secrete warnyng or els as offende the churche and congregacion with some greuous and notable enormytie that is manyfest and open M. Out of whiche woordes learnest thou that S. Out of these woordes where the lorde saieth yf he heare the not beyng admonished before .ii. or .iii. witnesses Than tell it vnto the whose congregacion c. And S. Paul wrytyng vnto Tymothe the ministre of the church of Ephesus confirmeth thesame where he sayeth suche as haue sined correct or rebuke them openly that other may be afrayed by theyr exaumple M. And should all that offende bee put vnto open shame before the whole congregacion S. No not put to open shame but earnestlye driuen and monyshed vnto repentaunce And such moderacion must be obserued therin as maye be thought best and moste conueniente to moue and wynne the synner vnto perfecte and trewe repentaunce M. Is it the dutye of those that are chosen and appointed of the congregacion to bee assistente vnto the ministers onely to correcte and admonyshe suche as haue committed open and manyfest crymes and such as would not receyue the pryuate and brotherly correccion and none other S. No not this onely but as trewe fathers and phisicions they ought to haue an iye and a regarde vnto all menne and to warne and exhorte euery one as they canne thinke it moste necessarye for the edificacion and emendemente of euery one M. Where hast thou any scripture for that S. Paul wrytyng vnto the Thessalonians cōfirmeth it by his owne example in these woordes You knowe sayth he that we haue exhorted and comforted euery one of you euen as a father doeth his children and we haue testified that ye should walke worthely as it becometh you before God whiche hathe called you vnto his kyngdom vnto his glory M. Well what is the thyrde pointe that thou notest out of the fore rehersed woordes S. The thirde is the byndyng and the loocyng M. What is it to bynde S. It is as muche as to exclude a manne out of the felowship or company of Christē people whereby he maye be ernestlye forced vnto a specyall and an vnfeyned declaracion of true repentaunce and amendement of his lyfe M. What maner of people ought so to bee bound S. All such as wyll not heare the Churche congregacion reprouyng and admonyshyng thē for their soule helth and all they also which haue offended the churche and congregacion with any manifest greuous and notable crimes M. The lorde maketh mencion onely of suche as wyll not receyue the warnyng and correccion of the churche S. But he hathe taught vs also thorowe the holy Apostle i. Co. v. s Paul to exclude out of the felowship cōgregacion of Christe all suche as are fallen into whoredome and other notable vices and to force or drieue thē vnto some speciall penaunce to be vnto thē as a correccion vntil thei declare with manifest frutes of repentaūce an ernest amēdmēt wherby they may edifie content the churche congregacion againe which they had before thorowe theyr greuouse sinnes offended M. Nowe what is it to loocen S. It is as much as to pronoūce forgeuenes of sinnes vnto such as haue declared their repentaūce amendment with a perfect ernestnes and to admit and receyue the same persons agayn vnto the felowshyp and cōmunion of the churche or congregacion and also of the holy sacramentes M. And must none be looced from theyr sinnes but suche as declare earnestelye theyr repentaunce and sorowe for their sinnes with plaine and euidente amendemente of theyr lyfe S. No none els For the Lorde commaundeth remission and forgeuenesse of sinnes to be pronounced and declared onely vnto suche as repente and bewayle theyr synnes and desyre and purpose truely to emende themselues For the ecclesiasticall disciplyne ordeyned of God for the order and edifiyng of his churche ought to bee executed and practised trulye and earnestly and not fayntlye or feynedlye for a shyne and a colour onely M. In whiche wordes is that commaunded of the Lorde S. In these woordes where he sayeth Verely I saye vnto you whatsoeuer you shall bynde vpon yearth that same shal be bound in heauen whatsoeuer you shal looce vpon yearth shall also be looced in heauē M. Vnder whose name authoritie muste this power be exercised S. Vnder
harte in all maner of temptacions affliccions or necessyties and euen in the very panges of deth cry boldely and merily vnto the and saye I beleue in God the father allmyghtie maker of heauen and earthe And in his onely sonne Iesus Christe our lorde c. But o Lorde God heauenly father to comforte my selfe in affliccion and temptacion wyth these articles of the christē faith It is not in my power For fayth is thy gyft and for as muche as thou wylt be prayed vnto and called vpon for it I cumme vnto thee to praye and beseche the bothe for that and for all my other necessities euen as thy deare beloued sonne our sauiour Christe Iesus hath hymselfe taught vs. And from the very botome of my harte I crye and saye O our father whiche arte in heauen c. This doen I adde this prayer for the mornyng O Mercifull lorde God heauenly father I rēder most high laudes prayse and thākes vnto the that thou hast preserued me both this nyght and all the tyme and dayes of my lyfe hitherto vnder thy proteccion and hast suffred me to lyue vntyll this presente houre And I beseche the hartily thou wylt vouchesafe to receyue me this daye and the residue of my whole lyfe from hencefurthe into thy tuicion rulyng and gouernyng me with thy holy spirite that all maner of darkenesse of misbelefe infidelitie and of carnall lustes and affeccions maye be vtterlye chaced and driuen out of my harte and that I maye be iustified saued both body and soule thorow a right and a perfect fayth and so walke in the lighte of thy mooste godlye truthe to thy glory and prayse and to the profit and furtheraunce of my neybour thorowe Iesus Christe our Lorde and sauioure Amen Or thus more brieflye O Mercyfull lorde God heuenly father I laude and prayse the that thou haste preserued me this nyghte from all perill daunger and euyll And I beseche the of thy mercye to kepe preserue me from hencefoorth likewise And driue all maner of darkenesse oute of my hart that the light of thy truthe may shyne before me gyde me in all my wayes And thou wil vouchesalue also to kepe preserue our most noble kyng with all our rulers magistrates teachers parentes and all our frendes thorow Iesus Christe our Lorde and sauiour Amen A prayer to be sayed at nyght goyng to bedde O Mercifull Lord God heauenly father whether we slepe or wake lyue or dye we are alwayes thyne Wherefore I beseche the hartilye that thou wilte vouchsalue to take care and charge of me and not to suffre me to peryshe in the workes of darkenesse but to kindle the lyght of thy countetenaunce in my harte that thy godlye knowlege maye daylye increase in me thorowe a ryght and a pure faith and that I may alwayes be founde to walke lyue after thy wyll pleasure thorow Iesus Christ our lorde and sauiour Amen Or thus more briefly O Mercifull lorde God our heauenly father I laude thanke the moste hartily for that thou hast so graciously kepte preserued me this daye besechyng the to forgeue me all my synnes whiche I haue committed againste the I beseche the to preserue me and all men this night from all snares and wyles of the wicked fiende And graunte that although our corporal iyes shal slepe yet that our hertes myndes may continually watche wake in the thorowe Iesus Christe our Lorde and sauiour Amen A prayer to be sayed before meat O Mercifull father thou fedest and nourishest all maner of creatures vouchesalue to nouryshe and to refreshe vs nowe with thy gyftes so that we do not misuse them but that we beyng strengthned thorowe them maye bee more hable to serue thee in our callyng and cōdicion of lyfe and to walke and lyue before the in all vertue and honestie through Iesus Christ our Lorde and sauiour Amen After meate O Mercifull Lord God our heauenly father we laude prayse and thanke thee for thy moste holy and excellent giftes wherwith thou hast so graciouslye nouryshed and refreshed vs And we beseche the heartily graūt that we may neuer forget thy mercyfull goodnes toward vs but that we may cast al our care and sorowe vpon the only and may alway seke receyue with a perfite trust and confidence all maner of sustenaunce both of bodye and soule at thy handes which art the fountaine and welspryng of all goodnes through Iesus Christe our Lorde and sauior Amen Certaine godly lessons for al faythfull people young and olde HArken Israel the Lorde our God is one God Thou shalt loue the Lorde thy God feruētly with all thy heart with all thy soule and with all thy strength All these woordes whiche I commaunde the this daye shall remayne continually in thy hearte Thou shalt beate them diligentlye into thy chyldren and thrust them sharplye into theyr heartes And lette all thy communicacion talkyng bee of them whether thou beest in thy house or goest abrode whether thou goest to bedde or rysest vppe Thou shalt bynde them for a token vpon thy hād And let them euermore glister before thy iyes Thou shalt wryte them vpon thy doores and vpon thy gates Micheas vi I will tell the O man what is good and what God requireth of the. Namely nothyng els but that thou kepest iudgement and doest ryghteousnes and that thou applye thy selfe vnto all godlynesse and walke humbly before thy Lord God Iaco. i. This is the pure and vndefiled religion before God our father to visite and coumforte the wedowes the fatherlesse in theyr sorowe affliccion and misery and for a manne to kepe hymselfe without spotte before the worlde i. Timo. i. The ende and fulfyllyng of all the lawe is this namely loue out of a pure hearte a good conscience and a perfite vnfayned fayth Iohn xiii By this shall all men knowe that ye are my scholars yf ye loue one an other lyke as I haue loued you i. Iohn iii.iiii.v God is loue and he that remayneth in loue remayneth in God and God in hym He that hath loue is borne of God and knoweth God He that loueth not he knoweth not God for God is loue If we loue one another than remayneth God within vs his loue is perfite in vs. And hereby doe we know that we are the childrē of God and that we haue loue yf we loue God and kepe his commaundementes And this is his commaundemente namely that we beleue in the name of his sonne Iesus Christe and loue one an other M. The God of all grace and mercye strengthen thee and all menne in the knowlege of his sonne our sauior Iesus and in the power of his heauenlye and godly spirite To hym be all laude prayse thankes glory power rule honor world without ende Amen Imprinted at Londō in Flete-strete at the signe of the Sunne ouer against the conduyte by Edwarde Whitchurche The .xix. daye of October the yere of our Lorde M. D.XLVIII Cum priuilegio ad imprimendum solum