by the prayer ensuing The Hymne for Ascension-day Wherein all parts of Christ his glorious returne in tryumph into heauen are prophetically expressed as 1 His lifting a vp himself from the earth 2 The cloudes receiuing b and carrying him 3 The Angels c meeting him 4 The heauens d opening to him 5 God the Father's enthronizing him into his euerlasting kingdome GOD is gone vp with a merrie noyse and the Lord in the sound of the Trumpe Psal. 47. 5. Be thou exalted Lord in thine own strength So will we sing prayse thy power Psal 21. 13. Set vp thy selfe ô God aboue the heauens and thy glory aboue al the earth Ps. 108. 5 b O sing vnto God sing praises vnto his Name magnifie him that rideth vpon the heauens or cloudes by his name IAH and reioice before him Psal. 68. 4. In thy Majestie ride prosperously because of truth meeknes and righteousnes and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things Psal. 45. 4. The Chariots of God are twentie thousand euen thousands of Angells the Lord is among them as in Sinai in the holy place Psal. 68. 17. d Lift vp your heads ô yee gates and be yee lift vp yee euerlasting dores and the King of glorie shall come in Psalm 24. 7. Who is the King of glory It is the Lord strong and mightie euen the Lord mighty in battel ver 8. Lift vp your heads ô yee gates and be ye lift vp ye euerlasting dores and the King of glorie shall come in ver 9. Who is the King of glorie Euen the Lord of Hosts he is the King of glorie ver 10. e I haue set my King vpon my holy hill of Sion Psal. 2. 6. Aske of mee and I will giue thee the heathen for thine inheritance and the vttermost parts of the earth for thy possession ver 8. The Lord shall send the rod of thy power out of Sion bee thou Ruler in the middest among thine enemies Thou shalt bruise them with a rodde of Iron and dash them in pieces like a Potters vessell The exhortation for Ascension DAIE Wee ought to set our affections on things aboue 1 Because there is the source of our Soule which is of a heauenly and diuine nature 2 Because there is our Head 3 Because there is the nobler better part of our bodie 4 Because there is our abiding Citie 5 Because there is our mansion house 6 Because there is our hope inheritance 7 Because there are no true ioyes nor durable riches but there GOD created man in his own Image Gen. 1. 27. God formed him of the dust of the earth and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life Gen. Then shall the dust returne to the earth as it was Eccles. 12. 7. The spirit-returneth to God that gaue it Ibid. We had fathers of our flesh which corrected vs shall we not be much more in subiection to the Father of spirits and liue Heb. 12. 9. Exceeding great and precious promises are giuen to vs that by these wee might bee partakers of the diuine nature hauing escaped the corruption that is in the world 2 Pet. 1. 4. He was caried vp into heauen and sate at the right hand of God Mat. 16. 19. Whom the heauens must containe Acts 3. 21. I saw the â—eauen opened and the Sonne of man standing at the right hand of the Father Acts 7. 56. I goe out of the world to the Father Ioh. 13. 1. Go to my Father Ioh. 15. 10. Our conuersation is in heauen from whence also we look for the Sauiour the Lord Iesus Phil. 3. 20. If ye be risen with Christ seek the things that are aboue where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God Col. 3. 1. Set your affections on things that are aboue and not on things on the earth ver 3. Yee are come to the generall assembly and Church of the first-borne which are written in heauen and to the spirits of iust men-made perfect Hebrewes 12. 23. Now yee are no more strangers and forreiners but fellow Citizens with the Saints and of the houshould of God Ephesians 2. 19. For here we haue no continuing Citie but wee seeke one to come Heb. 13. 23. For this we groane earnestly desiring to bee clothed with our house 1. Cor. 5. 2. Arise and depart for this is no rest for you Mic. 2. 10. They confessed that they were strangers and sought a Citie whose builder and maker is God Heb. 11. 13. I beseech you as strangers and pilgrimes abstaine from fleshly lusts 1. Pet. 2. 11. I am a stranger and soiournet as all my fathers were Ps. 39. 14. In my Fathers house there are many mansions I goe to prepare a place for you Io. 14. 2. If our hope were in this life onely we were of all men most miserable 1. Cor. To an inheritance incorruptible and vndefiled and that sadeth not away reserued in heauen for you 1. Pet. 1. 4. Lay vp your treasure in heauen c. Mat. 6. 19. Look not on things which are seene but on things which are not seene for the things c. 2. Cor. 4. 18. Vanitie of vanities c Eccles. 1. 2. Whom haue I in heauen but thee c. Psal. 73. 24. The Prayer for Ascension Day GLorious and gratious Redeemer Lord Iesus Christ who humbledst thy selfe didst become obedient to death euen the death of the Crosse and therefore thy Father highly exalted thee aboue the graue in the resurrection aboue the earth in thy Ascention aboue the heauens in thy session at his right hand and then he gaue thee a name aboue al names that at the name of Iaesus euery knee shall bow both of things in heauen and in earth and of things vnder the earth I humbly bow the knees not onely of my body but of my heart and soule vnto thee I neuer heare of thee or remember neuer thinke or speake of thee but with greatest reuerence and loue that heart can conceiue or tongue expresse I admire the mystery of thine incarnation I tremble at the horror of thy passion I adore the power of thy resurrection and I triumph in the glory of thine Ascension My God and my Lord make me wholly thine as thou art mine Thy birth was my life thy life my merit thy death my ransome thy resurrection my deliuery out of the prison of death when thy father layed thee vp for my debt thy Ascension my assurance and takingp ossessioÌ„ of an incorruptible and vndefiled inheritance reserued in the heauens O Sauiour if thou haddest not been born I had neuer been borne anew if thou hadst not dyed for my sins I had dyed in my sins If thou hadst not risen from the dead my soule might haue bin with thee in Paradice but my body should not haue rested in hope neither should I haue euer seene God in my flesh if thou hadst not ascended I might haue bin freed from hell but I should neuer haue
and carnall but euen for our holy and spirituall exercises Lord bee mercifull shall I say to our siâ—nes Nay euen to our best works which are not free from imperfections Euen when we pray against sinne wee sinne in Praying both in respect of the forme and manner and end of Prayer Which that we may not doe or not so frequently or not so grieuously let vs prepare our selues before hand with the admonition â—hyme and Prayer ensuing THE TEXTS GOD is in heauen and thou vpon earth therefore let thy words bee few Eccles. 5. 2. When we pray vse not vaine repetitions as the heathen doe for they thinke that they shall be heard for their much speaking Mat 6. 7. After this manner Pray yee Verse 9. He that couereth his sinnes shall not prosper but who so confesseth and forsaketh them shall haue mercy Pro. 28. 13. I said I will confesse my transgressions to the Lord and thou forgauest the iniquity of my sin Psal. 32. 5. Feare this glorious and dreadfull Name The Lord thy God Deut. 28. 58. Let them praise thy great and terrible Name for it is holy Psal. 99. 3. Holy and reuerent is his name Psal. 3. 9. I am a great King saith the Lord of Hoasts and my Name is dreadfull among the heathen Mal. 1. 14. O Lord my God thou art become exceeding glorious thou art clothed with Maiesty and honour Psal. 104. 1. Thou deckest thy selfe with light as with a garment and spreadest the heauens like a curtaine Verse 2. The glorious Maiesty of the Lord shall endure for euer Verse 31. Then a clowde couered the Tent of the Congregation and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle Exod. 40. 34. The Chariots of God are twenty thousand euen thousands of Angels c. Psal. 68. 17. Who is the King of glory Euen the Lord of Hosts hee is the King of glory Psal. 24. 10. The Lord euen the most Mighty God hath spoken and called the world from the rising of the Sunne to the going downe of the same Psal. 50. 1. Blessed be his glorious Name for euer and let all the earth bee filled with his Maiesty Amen Amen Psal. 72. 18. Who onely hath immortality dwelling in the light which no man can approach vnto 1 Tim. 6. 18. And Moses was not able to enter into the Tent of the Congregation because the clowde aboade therein and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle Exo. 40. 35. I will reprooue thee and set thy sinnes in order before thine eyes Psal 50. 21. O Lord thou hast searched me and knowne me Psal 139. 1. Thou knowest my downe-sitting and mine vp-rising thou vnderstandest my thoughts long before v. 2. The wayes of man are before the eyes of the Lord and he pondereth all his doings Pro 5. 21. The eyes of the Lord are in euery place beholding the â—uil and the good Pro. 15. 3. If thou sayest Behold we knew it not doth not hee that pondereth the heart consider it and he that keepeth thy soule doth not he know it Pro. 24. 12. Mine eyes are vpon all their waies they are not hid from my face neither is their iniquity hid from mine eyes Ier. 16. 17. If our hearts condemne vs God is greater then our hearts and knoweth all things 1. Ioh. 3. 20. Behold euen to the Moone and it shineth not yea the Stars are not pure in his sight how much lesse man that is a worme Iob. 23. 9. Thou art not a God that hast pleasure in wickednesse neither shall euill dwell with thee Ps. 5. 4. Thou louest righteousnesse and hatest iniquity therefore God euen thy God c. Psal. 45. 7. And one cryed to another and said Holy holy holy is the Lord of Hosts Isa. 6. 3. Then the Moone shall be confounded and the Sunne ashamed when the Lord of Hosts shall reigne in Mount Sion Isa. 24. 23. And they the foure beasts full of eyes rested not day and night saying Holy holy holy Lord God Almighty Reuel 4. 8. Doth not he that pondereth the heart consider and he that keepeth thy soule doth hee not know it and shall not he render to euery man according to his workes Pro. 24. 12. Reioyce ô young man in thy youth and let thy heart cheere thee in the dayes of thy youth c. but know thou that for all these things God will bring thee to iudgement Eccles. 11. 9. Woe vnto the wicked it shall be ill with him for the reward of his hands shall be giuen him Isa. 3. 11. Thine eyes are open vpon all the wayes of the sonnes of men to giue euery one according to his wayes and according to the fruit of his doings Ier. 32. 19. I say vnto you that of euery 〈◊〉 word that men shall speake they shall giue an accompt in the day of Iudgement Mat. 12. 36. Then thinkest thou this ô man that iudgest them which do such things and dost the same that thou shalt escape the Iudgement of God Rom. 2. 3. Thou treasurest vp vnto thy selfe wrath against the day of wrath and reuelation of the righteous iudgemeâ—â— of God Rom. â— 5. Who will render to euery one according to his deedes Verse 6. If yee call on the Father who without respect of persons iudgeth according to euery mans worke passe the time of your soiourning here in feare 1 Peter 1. 17. The time is come that iudgement must beginne at the House of God and if it first beginne at vs what shall be the end of them that obey not the Gospell of God And if the righteous scarcely be saued where shall the vngodly and sinners appeare Verse â—8 God spared not the Angels that sinned but cast them downe into hell and deliuered them to chaines of darknes to be reserued vnto Iudgement c. 2 Pet. 2. 4. Serue the Lord with feare and reioyce with trembling Psal. 2. 11 Kisse the Sonne least he be angry c. Verse 12. Thou euen thou art to be feared and who may stand in thy sight when thou art angrie Psal. 76. 7. Then the earth shooke and trembled the foundations also of the hills moued and were shaken because hee was wrath Psal. 18 7. The Lyon hath roared who will not feare Amos 3. 8. It is a fearefull thing to fall into the hands of the liuing God Hebr. 10. 31. I saw a great white Throne and him that sate on it from whose face the Earth and Heauen fled away and there was found no place for them Reuel 20. 11. And they said to the Mountaines and Rocks fall on vs and hide vs from the face of him that sitteth on the Throne and from the wrath of the Lambe Reuel 6. 16. Dust thou art Gen. 3. 19. Behold I haue taken vpon me to speake vnto the Lord who am but dust and ashes Gen. 18. 27. VVhat is man that thou art mindfull of him and the Sonne of man that thou visitest him Psal. 8. 4.
thee the fruite of my lippes Now I haue felt thy strength in my greatest weakenesse I haue tasted thy goodnesse in my bitter pangs I will therfore cal vpon thee in my troubles and will praise thee in my deliuerances and depend vpon thee as well in want as in plentie in sicknesse as in health in death as in life Thou mightest most iustly haue depriued me of the benefit and my infant of the hope of life Thou mightest deseruedly haue cut off the roote and the branch in the same moment for both were at thy mercie and liable to a curse But thy mercie is ouer all thy workes thou art good to them that are bad gracious to them that are vngracious mercifull to them that are most sinfull Thou desirest not the death of a sinner but of sin Thou wouldest that all should liue and here sowe the seedes and in heauen reape the fruite of immortality For to this end thou breathedst into vs the life of nature to make vs capable of the life of grace that thereby we may attaine the life of glory Therefore doest thou bring vs into the light of this world and set vs in the way that walking the paths of thy Commandements we might in the end ariue at our country in heauen This life of nature thou hast now giuen to my childe and continued to me adde now I beseech thee grace to nature and glory to grace hereafter that as we now liue in thee by nature so wee may liue to thee by grace and hereafter for euer liue with thee in glory Thou hâ—st ordained strength out of the mouthes of babes and sucklings and iustly maist expect praise from them Gracious Lord first giue my infant strength and then receiue praises from it The hidden treasure which for many moneths thou layedst vp in me is now safely taken out of me and deliuered me therefore I now offer it to thee in thy holy Temple Accept that from mee which thou hast giuen to me Receiue that into thy hands which thou hast put into mine armes Wash it in the Font of Baptisme regenerate it by thy holy Spirit feede it with the sincere milke of thy Word till it haue knowledge to choose the good and refuse the euill As it groweth in yeeres and stature strength so grant that it may grow in thy grace and fauour and increase in wisedome and in the knowledge of our Lord Sauiour Iesus Christ. So be it Amen The close out of Scripture NOw vnto the King immortal euerlasting inuisible vnto God onely wise be honour and glory for euer and euer Amen 1 Tim. 1. 17. The Sicke-mans Deuotion when there is yet hope of recouerie In his Sicknes After his Recouery When thou art smitten with sicknesse ô deuout Christian 1 ENter into thy priuate Chamber and commune with thine owne heart and search out diligently the cause of thy Fathers displeasure Psal. 4. â— 2 Confesse the particular sin or sinnes for which thy heart smiteth thee most with sighs and teares Psal. 32. 5 6. 3 Promise and fully purpose amendment through the assistance of grace Psal. 39. 1. 4 Aduise with the Physitian of thy soule and follow his godly direction and desire him to pray for thee and minister a word of comfort vnto thee and if thou find thy selfe fit for it in the beginning of thy sicknesse when thou art in perfect sence and memorie participate of the blessed Sacrament rather then when thy faculties are more enfeebled Iob. 33. 23. Iam. 5. 14. 5 Vse carefully all good meanes of Physicke and dyet for thy recouerie yet rely not vpon the meanes or instrument but vpon God Eccl. 38. 1. 2. Chr. 16. 12. 6 Pray to God instantly continually First absolutely for the health and saluation of thy soule Secondly conditionally for the health of thy bodie 7 Settle thine estate and make thy Will that thou mayest bee more free for holy and heauenly meditations Isa. 38. 1. 8 Submit thy self wholly and absolutely to God's good wil and pleasure concerning thee whether for life or death 1. Pet. 4. 19 9 Reade if thou be able or appoint to be read vnto thee at seasonable times select Chapters of Scripture and deuout Sermons and Prayers Rom. 8. Philippians 1. 1. Corinth 15. 1. Thes. 4. 2. Cor. 5. Ioh. 5. 6. 17. Hâ—b 12. Iob. 19. Reu. 2. 3. 21. 22. Iob 14. Isa. 38. 40. Among other helpes in this kind Open thy sorrow and griefe by the Hymne Strengthen thy faith patience by the exhortation Quicken thy Zeale and Deuotion by the Prayer ensuing A PSALME FOR the sicke wherein The deuout Soule Expresseth her Maladie affection Hope in God Experience remembrance of his former goodnes Meek patience Prayeth for Ease Helpe Recouerie Quickning grace Pardon for sinne Wisedome to make good vse of sicknesse THE TEXTS HAue mercy vpon mee ô Lord for I am weake O Lord heale mee for my bones are vexed Psal. 6. 2. My soule also is sore troubled But Lord how long wilt thou punish mee v. 3 My Spirit vexeth within me and my heart within mee is desolate Psal. 143. 4. Yet I doe remember the time past I muse vpon all thy workes yea I exercise my selfe in the worke of thy hands verse â—5 I stretch forth my hands vnto thee my soule gaspeth vnto thee as a thirsty land v. 6. Heare me O Lord and that soone for my Spirit waxeth faint Hide not thy face from mee â—est I bee like vnto them that go downe into the pit v. 7. Thou art he that tooke me out of my mothers wombe thou wast my hope when I hanged yet vpon my mothers brest Psal. 22. 9. I haue bin left vnto thee euer since I was borne Thou art my God euen from my mothers womb v. 10. Though I walke in the shadow of death I will feare no euill thy rod and thy staffe comfort me Psal. 23. 4. Lord what is my hope Truly my hope is euen in thee Psal. 39. 5. I became dumbe and opened not my mouth for it was thy doing v. 10. I will patiently abide alway and praise thy name more and more Psal. 71. 12. O Lord rebuke mee not in thine anger nor chasten mee in thy heauy displeasure Psal. 6. 1. The sorrowes of my heart are enlarged O bring me out of my trouble Psal. 25. 16. Heare ô Lord and haue mercy vpon me Lord bee thou my helper Psal. 30. 11. Turne thee ô Lord and deliuer my soule ô saue mee for thy mercies sake Psal. 6. 4. For in death no man remembreth thee and who will giue thee thankes in the pit v. 5. What profit is there in my blood when I goe downe to the pit Psal. 30. 9. Shall the dust giue thanks vnto thee Or shall it declare thy truth v. 10. Take thy Plague away from me I am euen consumed by the meanes of thy heauy hand Psal. 39. 11. Quicken mee ô Lord for thy names
to God with confidence 7 The guidance of the spirit 8 An incorruptible inheritance THE TEXTS EXcept a man bee borne againe hee cannot enter into the Kingdome of God Ioh. 3. 3. Except a man be borne of water and the spirit c. verse 5. Ye were darknesse but now yee are light in the Lord. Ephes. 5. 9. The creature shall bee deliuered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the Sonnes of God Rom. 5. 21. Whosoeuer is borne of God sinneth not for his seede remaineth in him neither can hee sinne because he is borne of God 1 Ioh. 3. 9. Sinne shall not haue dominion ouer you for yee are not vndâ—â— the Law but vnder grace 〈…〉 6. 14. As many as receiued 〈…〉 them he gaue power to 〈…〉 Sonnes of God euen to them that belieue on his name Ioh. 1. 12. Which are borne not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man but of God verse 13. That he might redeeme them that are vnder the Law and that we might receiue the adoption of sonnes Gal. 4. 5. And to the congregation of the first-borne Heb. 12. 23. Of his owne will begat hee vs with the Word of truth that we should bee the first fruits of his creatures Iam. 1. 18. Wee haue receiued the spirit of Adoption whereby wee cry Abba Father Rom 8. 11. As many as are led by the spirit of God they are the sonnes of God Rom. 8. 14. Blessed bee God the Father of 〈◊〉 Lord Iesus Christ which 〈◊〉 to his abundant mercy 〈◊〉 vs againe vnto a 〈◊〉 â—pe 1 Pet. 1. 3. To an inheritance incorruptible and vndefiled and that fadeth not away reserued in heauen for you verse 4. The same spirit testifieth to our spirits that we are the children of God Rom 8. 6. If we be children then heires euen the heires of God and coheirs annexed with Christs verse 17. A Hymne for the Natiuity of our Lord consisting of fowre parts 1. God the Fathers 2. Christs 3. The Prophets 4. The Churches Glory be to God on High in earth peace good will to men THe Lord euen the most mighty God hath spoken and called the world from the rising vp of the Sunne to the going downe thereof Ps. 50. 1. Out of Sion hath God appeared in perfect beauty verse 2. Saluation is nigh them that feare him that glory may dwell on the earth Psal. 85. 9. Mercy and truth are met together righteousnesse and peace haue kissed each other verse 10. Truth shall flourish on the earth and righteousnesse hath looked downe from heauen ver 11. Thou art fairer then the children of men full of grace are thy lipps because God hath blessed thee for euer Psal. 45. 3. Thou hast loued righteousnesse and hated iniquity wherfore God euen thy God hath annointed thee with the oyle of gladnesse aboue thy fellowes verse 8. O Lord my God great are thy wonderous workes which thou hast done like as be also thy thoughts which are to vs ward yet there is no man that ordereth them vnto thee Psal. 40. 6. If I would declare or speake of them they should be more in number then I am able to expresse verse 7. Sacrifice and meate offerings thou wouldest not haue but mine eares hast thou opened verse 8. Burnt offerings and sacrifice for sin hast thou not required then said I Loe I come verse 9. In the volume of thy booke it is written of me that I should fulfill thy will O my God I am content to doe it yea thy law is in my heart verse 10. I haue declared thy righteousnesse in the great congregation Loe I will not refraine my lipps ô Lord and that thou knowest verse 11. I haue not hid thy righteousnesse within my heart my talking hath beene of thy truth and of thy saluation verse 12. I wil preach the lawe whereof the Lord hath said vnto me Thou art my Sonne this day haue I bogotten thee Psal. 2. 7. He shall call me Thou art my Father my God and my strong saluation Psal. 89. 27. And I will make him my first borne higher then the Kings of the earth verse 28. Shew vs thy mercy ô Lord and grant vs thy saluation Psal. 85. 7. Lord saue vs now Lord sende vs now prosperity Through thy tender mercy whereby this day spring from on high hath visited vs. To giue light to them that sit in darknesse and in the shadow of death and to guide our feete into the way of peace Cant. Zach. The Prayer GRatious Lord Iesus Christ the Sonne of God and Sauiour of man the ioy of Angels and dread of diuels the Iewes Messiah the Gentiles starre the hope of the liuing and resurrection of the dead the way to all that come vnto thee the truth to all them that know thee and the life to all them that belieue in thee Make good all thy glorious gratious titles to me Lord protect me Iesu saue me Christ my anointed King rule me my anointed Priest sanctifie me my anointed Prophet reueale vnto mee the secrets of thy Kingdome O Christ whose name is an oyntment powred out annoint me with the oyle of gladnesse this day aboue others This is the day which the Lord hath made I wil reioyce and be glad in it nay I dare take the note higher This is the day in which the Lord was made I will exult and triumph in it Thou which madest all dayes wert this day made of a woman and made vnder the Law From all eternity it was neuer heard that eternity entred into the Kalender of time supreame Maiesty descended into the wombe immensity was comprehended infinity bounded vbiquity inclosed and the Deity incarnated Yet this day it was seene for this day the Word became flesh God became man and to effect this wonderfull mystery a Virgin became a Mother One deepe calleth vpon another one miracle begetteth another The Sunne bringeth forth all other dayes but this day brought thee forth the Sonne of righteousnesse If wee set our voices and instruments and heart-strings to the highest straine of ioy at the birth of great Kings and Princes What ought I to doe this day on which thou the king of heauen wast born vpon the earth At the mariage of great Personages men giue full scope to all manner of expressions of carnall ioy euen oftentimes to the very surfeit of the senses with pleasure How then should I bee rauished with spirituall ioy at this time when heauen and earth the diuine nature and humane were married The contract was in heauen before all times but the marriage was this day consummated in the vndefiled bedde of the Virgin Lord who this day cammest downe to me draw me vp to thee and giue me accesse with more confidence and bouldnesse for now thou art become my brother and ally by bloud The rayes of thy diuine Maiesty will not dazle the eyes of
in the middest of the Doctors in the Temple opposing and answering them Propound such Questions by me and returne such Answers by them as may cleerely expresse to our vnderstanding and imprint in our memories the necessary points of sauing Truth and foundations of Christian Doctrine and may serue for the instruction of the ignorant admonition of the learned and the building vp of vs all in our most holy faith So be it Amen PARS PRIMA THE SVMME of sauing Knowledge SECT Prim. DOMIN Prim. Of Catechisme the parts and proper ends thereof Q. WHAT is Catechisme A. The summe of Christian religion reuealed by God in holy Scriptures for mans perfect instruction in the mysteries of eternall saluation Q. What doth Christian Doctrine containe in it A. The true knowledge and worship of God in Christ. Q. Where finde you the summe of this Doctrine A. 1. In the Decalogue written by God the Father 2. In the Lords Prayer conceiued by God the Son 3. In the Créed set down by the Apostles inspired by the holy-Ghost Q. What containeth the Decalogue A. All duties to bée performed by vs to God and our neighbours Q. What containeth the Lords Prayer A. All benefits to be desired of God Q. What containeth the Creed A. All things the â—are to be belieued concerning God and his Church Q. What is the vse and proper end of Catechisme A. To instruct the ignorant and confirme the learned in the principles of Religion and prepare both to the profitable vse of the speciall meanes of their saluation which are Hearing the Word preached Receiuing the Sacraments Publique and priuate Prayer SECT 2. DOMIN 2. Of blessednesse and the meanes of obtaining it Q. What are the chiefest things to bee desired of all men A. Gods fauour blessings and grace in this present life and eternall blessednesse in the vision and fruition of him in the life to come Q. How may wee attaine hereunto A. By true Religion or godlinesse which hath the promise of this life and the life to come Q. What is godlinesse A. The true worship and seruice of the true God Q. Where is this true God's worship and seruice to bee learned and knowne and how A. Obscurely and imperfectly it may be learned in the booke of the creatures by the light of nature but cleerely and perfectly by the light of the Spirit in the Canonicall bookes of the old and new Testament SECT 3. DOMIN 3. Of Religion and the parts thereof Q. What do the Scriptures teach in general concerning the true God and his worship A. That we ought to know and acknowledge the true God his Nature Attributes Workes as farre forth as God hath made himself knowne to vs. 2. That we ought to know and acknowledge Iesus Christ the Mediator betwéene God and man his Person State Office 3 That wee ought to worship God in Christ and serue him both Immediately by religiously adoring him and performing all such holy rites vnto him as hée requireth in the first Table Mediately by readily obeying him and performing all such duties to our selues and our neighbours as hee requireth in the second Table SECT 4. DOMIN 4. Of the Nature of God Q. What do the Scriptures teach concerning the nature of God A. That he is One true eternall simple all-sufficient immutable infinite incomprehensible spirit hauing being of himselfe distinguished into thrée persons of the same nature dignitie and power The Father begetting The Sonne begotten The holy-Ghost procéeding from them both SECT 5. DOMIN 5. Of the principle attributes of God Q. What doe the Scriptures teach concerning the attributes of God A. That he is a liuing blessed and glorious God the great high and mighty Lord and possessor of heauen and earth and our most gracious and louing Father most holy wise iust faithfull and good SECT 6. DOMIN 6. Of the workes of God in generall Q. What do the Scriptures teach concerning the workes of God A. That he decreeth and executeth al things for his glory according to the counsell of his own will powerfully working all the good of nature and grace in all things and wisely disposing of al the euil both of sinne and punishment SECT 7. DOMIN 7. Of God's Decrees Q. What decrees of God are registred in holy Scriptures for our instruction and comfort A. Two Especially 1. His decrée of creation of all things 2. His decree of prouidence ouer all which is two-fold 1. Generall concerning the present state of all things in this world 2. Speciall concerning the eternall state of Angels and men in the world to come Q. What is this speciall decree properly called A. Predestination Q. What are the parts of it A. Two Election Reprobation or reiection Q. What is Election A. Gods eternall counsell and purpose of chusing certaine Angels and men and bringing them to euerlasting happinesse for the declaration of his infinite mercie Q. What is Reprobation A. Gods eternall counsell and purpose of reiecting others and reseruing them to euerlasting miserie and torments for the manifestation of his iustice SECT 8. DOMIN 8. Of the Creation Q. What learne you out of Scripture concerning the execution of Gods decree of Creation A. That in sixe dayes he made all things visible and inuisible of nothing by his word to the glory of his infinite power SECT 9. DOMIN 9. Of Gods generall Prouidence Q. What learne you concerning the execution of God his decree of generall Prouidence A. That he preserueth al things in their state and kinde and gouerneth them after an excellent manner to the glory of his manifold wisedome and goodnesse SECT 10. DOMIN 10. Of the Predestination of Angels Q. What is reuealed in Scripture concerning the execution of Gods decree of Predestination and first of Angels A. That hee suffered the reprobate Angels voluntarily without any temptation to fall into the vnpardonable sinne of Apostasie and that hee reserueth them in chaines of darknes tiâ— the iudgement of the great day But contrarilie that hee hath confirmed the Elect Angels in their holy and blessed estate SECT 11. DOMIN 11. Of the Predestination of men Q. What is reuealed in Scripture concerning the Predestination of men A. That hee gaue all men in Adam and Eue a Lawe and free will to kéepe it or breake it and after they abused their frée will and brake that Lawe and thereby brought a curse vpon them and all their posterit y that of his mercy grace he chose chooseth some out of the estate of misery and corruption maketh them his sonnes by adoption calleth them to the knowledge of the truth regenerateth them by his spirit iustifieth them by faith and in the end crowneth them with euerlasting glory Others he left and leaueth in the state of misery and corruption offereth them some outward meanes which make them vnexcusable for their refusall or abuse of them hardeneth them casting them into a reprobate sence and in the end after many iudgements and Plagues in this life
Our condition requires it Examples of mecknes God the Father The Sonne The Spirit The Saints Moses Dauid Ieremiah The woman of Canaan Saint Paul Resemblances in the creatures Meekenesse bringeth peace Wealth Honour Wisedome The fruits of the spirit Blessednesse 1 Gods Commandement 2 The Saints practise Hezekiah Manasses Ezra Peter 3 A preparation to the Gospell 4 Acceptable to God 5 The effect of true conuersion 6 A cause of many diuine vertues 7 Bringeth ioy and comfort 8 The want of it fearefull Precepts for seeking the meanes of saluation Examples Dauid Mary The bearers of Iohn Baptist. Promises of life All things needfull Gods fauour Delight Peace Life Blessed content The kingdome of heauen Saluation by Mercy It is the most eminent attribute to God Precepts of mercy The last iudgement proceeds vpon works of mercy Mercy the fruit of the Spirit The Saints practise Iobs Tabithas Cornelius The good Samaritans Philippians Onesiphorus Philemons Workes of mercy a certaine note of pure Religion In assurance of saluation and meanes of obtaining mercy at Gods hand 1. Precepts for it 2. God takes notice of it 3. God highly esteemes it 4. Promises of 1. Life 2. Fauour of Kings 3. Sight of God 4. Gods fauours 5. Profiting by the Word 6. Abode in heauen Precepts God the Father God of peace The Sonne Prince of peace The holy Ghost the Spirit of peace Examples The Saints children of peace The fâ—uits of peace are Prosperity Honour Benediction Wisdome Righteousnesse The speciall presence of God Vnity Beatificall vision God his Will Power Ordinance Christ his loue Example Sympathy The Saints continuall practise Ioseph Iob. Daniel Ieremiah The Apostls and Saints of the Primitiue Church Paul The Thesa louians The Hebrewes Thyatyra Encouragements Couuersion of enemies Conuiction Triall Ioy. Assurance of Gods loue Fruit of righteousnesse Holinesse Perfection The promises Life Honour in in heauen Rewards in this life For holinesse 1. Precepts 2. Paterens so fit in God the Father The Sonne The Spirit The church Reasons drawne from the Creation Our Vocation Redemption Sanctification Glorification Fruites of holinesse Ioy. Peace Prosperitie Dignitie Faith commanded As necessarie to all religious duties as Prayer Hearing the word The Sacrament It is Pretious Holy Proper to the Elect. Grounded on God the Father his Word Oath The Sonne his promise Pray The Spirits earnest Seale Faith worketh miracles Ouercommeth the 〈◊〉 The world Maketh sonnes of God Purifieth the heart Keepeth from confusion Iustifieth Saueth Crowneth with euerlasting blessings Precepts for perseuerance Examples Abraham Dauid Daniel The blind man The Cananitsh woman Peters conuerts Paul Cornelius The beasts full of eyes The Corinthians CoÌ„tinuance is a note of Truth Hath certaine promises of reward Saluation Comfortable assurance A crowne of life Apostasie and backsliding vehemently disswaded Seuerely censured Fearefully thrâ—aâ—ned with losse of reward Of Gods fauour With a reprobate sence Infamy Death Eternally punished Death is common to all men The time and houre is by God prefixed God is an omnipotent and faithfull Creator Christ himselfe died and by death entred into his glorie And destroyed death And changed it in Name Nature Of a losse it is made a gaine Of a curse a blessing and a dâ—scharge from Labour Sorrow Paine Sinne. Free from euill company Bondage Temptation Feare the Saints desire Death Are comforted in death by Faith By Loue. By Hope By a good conscience The bodie resteth in hope of a glorious resurrection The soule immediatly enioyeth blisse Body and sonle shall be crowned at the last day Fruitfulnes is a spirituall blessing The paines are deserued by the sin of Eue. Sweetened with hop of a childe And promises of blessings Temporall Spirituall Confidence in God comanded Practised by Abraham Saraah Moses Dauid Eliah Hester Iob. The three children Ionah Reasons drawne from God His Attributes Faithfulnesse Prouidence Omnipotencie Goodnesse Gracious promises Performances to men in distresse as Lot The children of Israel Eliah Citizens of Samaria The 3 children as they are called Daniel Ionah Peter The sicke soule expresseth her malady Remembrance and experience of Gods goodnesse Hope in God Meeke patience Prayeth for ease Helpe Recouery Quickening grace Pardon for sinne Wisedome Sicknesse is God's visitation who is the Father of our Spirits and cannot be resisted Must be obeyed From whoÌ„ we receiue good It is a scourge for our sins It is sent for our good To weane vs from the world To tame the flesh and strengthening the Spirit To make vs loath sin To bring vs to acknowledgement of our sins in speciall To proue sincerity of our faith and loue To keepe vs from euerlasting torments To make vs seeke more earnestly to God Who will be found of vs. And shew his glory in our recouery For thankfulnesse Examples of Christ. The Angels The Saints in heauen The Saints on earth Melchizedeck Iacob The people of Israel in Moses time Moses Deborah Barak Anna. Dauid Salomon Ezra Isaiah Ezekias Daniel Ionah Marie Zacharias The Shepheards The man taken with a Palsie The people The woman that had a Spirit of infirmity One of the Lepers The blinde man The 〈…〉 Paul Peter Iude. Iohn Precepts In thy extremest fit meditate vpon 1 The heinousnes of thy sin deseruing a sharper scourge 2 The vnsufferable torments of hel which by these teÌ„porall chastisements â—re preuenâ—ed 3 The vnconceiuable paines and sorrowes which Christ endured for thee 4 The afflictions of Gods Saints equalizing farre surpassing thine Iob. Dauid Ieremiah The Apostles and first Disciples Paul 5 The faithfulnesse goodnesse of God who will not tempt vs aboue our strength 6 The short continuance of these paines and sorrowes 7 The incoÌ„parable reward of our patience See the Admoniâ—ion for good-Fryday Pray instantly and feruently Desire others to pray ◠〈◊〉 open thy sins and griefe in particular Weepe abundantly Restore Reconcile Forgiue freely from the heart Giue as thou art able liberally Seeke to thy Pastor and desire comfort froÌ„ him and the Church absolution Medit at vpon by faith apply to thy selfe Gods infinite mercy The vertue of the Sacraments The vniuersality of promises to penitent sinners The example of Gods mercy in pardoning heinous and grieueus sinners Peter Mary Magdalen The prodigall The theefe on the Crosse. The Iewes that crucified or consented to the crucifying of IESVS Layeth opeÌ„ his afflictions in body and soule Confesseth Prayeth for audience Sence of Gods fauour Pardon for his sin 4 Acknowledgeth Gods mercies 5 Professeth trust Desire of death Ioy in the holy Ghost Peace of conscience Assured hope of Eternall blisse 6 Commendeth his soule to God