â— 8 Phil. 3.13.14 earnest desire and sure purpose wholly to conforme my selfe to the will of Gods word Thirdly if any offence be betwixt others and me that I i Mat. 5.23.24 reconcile my selfe vnto them all which things although they ought earnestly to be considered in the k Luk. 1.74.75 â— Peter 1.15 whole course of our life yet then especially when we come to receiue the supper of the Lord. â—6 part Q. Which is the third meanes that God hath appointed for the encrease and strengthening of our faith and all graces of God A. Prayer Q. What is prayer Psal 25.1 Psal 50.15 Psal 116.13 A. It is an holy lifting vp of the heart vnto God and a calling vpon his name Q. How many parts be there of prayer A. Two Petitions and Thanksgiuing 1. Tim. 2.1 Q. What meane you by Petitions A. Petitions are those praiers wherin we craue any thing at the hands of God Q. What meane you by Thanksgiuings A. Thanksgiuings are those praiers wherein we acknowledge the benefits which we haue receiued at the hands of God and giue him thankes for the same Q. Where are you taught ro pray A. In the sixth of Matthew Q. How A. In that forme of praier which our Lord Iesus Christ taught to his Disciples Q. Rehearse that forme of prayer A. Our Father which art in heauen hallowed be thy name thy kingdome come thy will be done in earth as it is in heauen giue vs this day our daily bread and forgiue vs our trespasses as we forgiue them that trespasse against vs and lead vs not into temptation but deliuer vs from euill for thine is the kingdome the power and the glorie for euer Amen Q. What doe you obserue in this forme of praier A. Two things the Preface and the prayer Q. Which is the preface A. Our father which art in heauen Q. What learne you out of this A. The necessarie circumstances of true prayer Q. What is to be obserued in true praier A. It is requisite that in true praier we obserue these fiue things first that we make our praiers a Psal 50.15 81.8 Rom. 10.13 Iam. 1.5 Marc. 4.10 onely to God through b Ioh. 14.13 15.16 16.23 Christ and not to Saints secondly that we be c 1. Ioh. 5.14 Ioh. 4.23 Psal 51.17 45.18 2. Cor. 4. â—0 Mat. 6 7. Rom. 8.26 inwardly touched with the neede of the thing that we aske hauing our mindes wholly bent thereupon and not carried away with by-thoughts thirdly that our praiers be grounded vpon d Iam. 1.6 Mar. 11.24 Luk. 11.9.1.11 â—2 13 Ioh. 5.15 Gods promises with full assurance that they shall be graunted vnto vs so farre as the Lord shall see them meete and needefull for vs fourthly that we e Luk. 18.1.2.3.5 c. Rom. 12.12.1 Thes 5.17 Eph. 9.18 Col. 4.2 Ma. 15.22.23.24 c. continue in praier although we haue not our request at the first fiftly that we aske not those things which we f Iam. 4.3 Rom. 8.16 thinke good in our owne fantasies but as g 1. Ioh. 5.14 the Lord hath commaunded vs in his word Q. What doe you obserue in the praier it selfe A. Two things the Petitions and the thanksgiuing Q. How many sorts of petitions be there A. Two First those petitions wherein we craue such things as coÌ„cerne the glorie of God Secondly those petitions wherein we craue such things as concerne our owne necessitie Q. How many things are we taught to craue for the glorie God An. Three First that his name may be hallowed Secondly that this kingdome may come Thirdly that his will may be done in earth as it is in heauen Q. How many things are we taught to craue for our owne necessities Ans Two First such thing as concerne our naturall life Secondly such things as concerne our spirituall life Q. What doe you craue for your naturall life An. Our daily bread Q. What for your spirituall life An. Forgiuenes of sinnes and spirituall strength against our spirituall enimies Q. What pray you for in the first petition Ans In this first petition I desire of my heauenly father that his name may bee hallowed First in his excellent works which is when we acknowledge a Psalm 113.2 â— 145.1 Rom. 11.36 16.27 his mercie wisdome iustice and prouidence that he alone worketh all things and that he b Iosua 1.24 â—4 52 â— Ioh. 5.21 Psal 8.10.11 onely be had in honor all other set aside Secondly that his name may be hallowed in our godly liuing and conuersation Q. What pray you for in the second petition An. In this second petition we pray â—hat God his kingdome c Esaz 52.5 â— Eze. 36.20 Rom. 2 24. may come â—hat is that he would declare himselfe â—o be king ouer his d Mat. 3.2 5.19 13.31.32.33 church in guiling and defending it in encreasing of â—he nuÌ„ber of the faithfull in e Mat. 9.38 thrusting â—orth laborers into the haruest blessing their labours f 1. Ioh. 3.8 Rom. 16.20 suppressing the rage of the wicked Tirants Secondly that he would excercise his kingdome seuerally in euery one of vs g Rom. 8.10.11.13 6.9 1. Ioh. 5.8.9 killing sinne in vs and all worldly cares and stirring vs vp to holines righteousnes of life Q. What pray you for in the third petition An. In the third petition we desire that Gods will may be doone that is that we may h Luke 22.42 Titus 2.12 1. Pet. 4.2 1. Ioh. 2.1 willingly in all things resigne our selues to the will of Gods word without murmuring or grudging Q. What pray you for in the fourth petition An. In this fourth petition we pray that he would giue vnto vs i Gen. 3.19 Eph. 4.18 1. Thes 2.9.1 walking faithfully in our caling our dayly bread that is all k Psal 145 1â— 145.27 10 26. Esay 3.1 Psal 78.18 1â— 20.29 16. â— 10â— 1 2 3. things needfull for our liuing in this present life Q. What pray you for in the fift pâ—tition An. In this fift petition we pray thâ— god would forgiue vs our sinnes that 〈◊〉 that he would not lay to our chargâ— our sinnes nor the punishment due unto them but that he woulde accepâ— the death and passion of Iesus Christ as the full satisfaction for all our sinnes and that we may hereof haue l Eph. 3.12 1. Ioh. 5.13.20 fuâ— assurance in our soules and conscienceâ— that the punishment of our sinnes iâ— fully discharged in Christ and therfore that they be freely forgiuen vs as m Rom. 8.15 8.38.39 Mat. 6.45 6. â—4 5.1 Luke 6.36 Iam. 2.13 surely as we forgiue others and that we n Mat. 16.20 â— Tim. 4.17.18 Eph. 6.10.11 â— Cor. 10.13 â— Pet. 2.9 loue one another inwardly in heart as our selues all desire of reuenge set aside Q. What pray you for in the sixt petition An. In this
A PLAINE AND PROFITABLE CATECHISME with certaine prayers adioyned meete for parents and housholders to teach their children and seruants Deuter. 6.6 These vvords vvhich I command thee shall be in thy heart and thou shalt rehearse them continually to thy children Iosu 24.15 Choose you this day vvhome you vvill serue vvhether the gods vvhich your fathers serued or the gods of the Amorites in vvhose land ye dvvell but I and my house vvill serue the Lord. Ioh. 6.27 Labour not for the meate that perisheth but for the meate that endureth to eternall life PRINTED BY IOHN LEGAT Printer to the Vniversitie of Cambridge 1605. To the Christian Reader I Can not but earnestly lament good christan Reader as I hope thou dost with me these miserable times wherein we liue behoulding the great number already growne and daily encreasing of wicked atheists superstitious papists prophane wordlings carnall gospellers vaine and idle professors and great multitudes of ignorant people euen in the principles of religion in this land Notwithstanding the gospel hath beene so long plentifully preached amongst vs so many godly books published both of the interpretation of scriptures and also of other learned and holy treatises by sundry worthy men so many excellent and profitable catechismes set forth and fitted for teaching the grounds of religion to all sorts of people So as we may iustly weepe ouer cities townes and villages as the Lord Iesus did ouer Ierusalem Luc. 19.42 Oh that you had known euen in this your day those things that belong vnto your peace But now are they hid from your eyes for ah alas who seeth not almost in all places the mightie sinnes of the land crying for vengance That that may iustly be pronounced vnto vs which the prophet denounceth to Israel Hosea 4.1 Heare the word of the lord O people of England The lord hath a controuersie with the inhabitants of the land because ther is no truth no mercie no knowledge of God in the land by swearing and lying and stealing and killing and whoring they breake out and blood toucheth blood Wherefore it is greatly to be feared that seeing wisedome hath cryed vnto vs so long Pro. 1.20.25.26 c. and vttered her words so lowd abroad in the streets in the assemblies in citties and townes and all sorts haue refused none would regard her calling least shee also laugh at our distruction and mocke when our feare commeth like a sodaine desolation and our destruction like a whirlewind and a tempest to sweepe vs away headlong into the gulfe of all miseries and calamities The Lord in mercie raise vs vp out of our deadly sleepe of sinnes and securitie that we may awake to liue righteously and sinne no longer Many of vs haue in our mouths vainly boasting as the people of Israel Ier. 7.4 the temple of the Lord the temple of the Lord we haue the temple of the lord so wee the gospell of Christ the gospel of Christ we haue the gospel of Christ but ah alas many thousands of vs knowe nothing what the gospell meaneth A multitude of people throughout the land haue not yet learned the very beginnings of the doctrines of Christ of repentance from dead works of faith towards God of baptisme of laying on of hands of the resurrection from the dead and of eternall iudgement nay not so much as what sinne is or how they becam sinners what the punishment of sinne is or how they may scape it Many thousands know nothing what sinnes are forbidden what duties are required in any of the commandements they vnderstand not any article of the faith aright any petition of the Lords praier the meaning of the sacraments or any thing that belongeth to a christian life O that we would learne in time to repent and turne vnto the lord Ier. 4.4 before his wrath breake forth vpon vs like fire and burne that none can quench it for the wickednes of our inuentions Euen this were one good meanes if all parents and householders would set apart some howre euery day to pray with their children and seruants vse some for catechisme to enforme themselues and their familie in the grounds and principles of religion Deut. 6.6.7.8 11.18.19 Ephes 6.4 Genes 18.19 Iosu 24.15 Act. 10.21 as they are bound in duty by the commandements of the Lord and taught by the example of Godly fathers and howseholders in the scriptures namely Abraham Iosua and noble Cornelius So should themselues their children their seruants bee better prepared and fitted to vnderstand the word of God the doctrines thereof deliuered vnto them by their godly pastors and ministers which now they heare most vnprofitably and after much and long teaching learne nothing at all Amonge other catechismes I haue found by long experience this one to bee of very fit and profitable vse for the instruction of a family beeing plaine and easie and not longer then may euery seauen daies be repeated through being fitly deuided For the questions concerning fasting and gouerment may bee omitted except there bee speciall occasion this may bee done and praier ioyned withall in litle more then halfe an hower at one time I confesse some good part of this was published many yeares since gathered out of another cathechisme by a godly and reuerent preacher M. Moore of Norwich which I haue altered and enlarged in many places with such questions and answers as I thought meete for the instruction of the simple and vnlearned vnto which I haue added certaine praiers for the helpe of such as are not yet able to conceiue a prayer of themselues I wish thee good Reader whosoeuer wilt vse it to examine with the doctrines the places of scripture quoted some of them at the least though not all otherwise thou shalt depriue thy selfe of a great benefit and comfort This poore mite amid my ordinarie labours at the request of some freinds I haue cast into the Lords treasurie If thou profitt by it remember me in thy praiers And so I commend thee to god and to the word of his grace who is able to build further and to giue thee an inheritance among them which are sanctified And the Lord giue thee vnderstanding to growe in grace in the sound knowledge of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ to whome with the father and the holy Ghost be ascribed all glory and praise power maiestie and dominion now henceforth and for euermore Thy poore louing brother in Christ Iames Leech Question VVHat ought euery man first cheifely to labour for all the daies of his life An. The kingdome of God and his righteousnes and to bee assured that his name is wrtten in heauen Math. 6.33 Luc. 10.20 Ihon. 6.27 Reuela 3.5 20.15 Q. Why so An. For hereby we are made partakers of euerlasting blessednes which is the fulnes of ioy and fruition of glorie otherwise men are more miserable then the vilest creatures of the earth for wee are else
nor worship them For I the Lord thy God am a iealous God visite the sinnes of the Fathers vpon the children vnto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me and shew mercie vnto thousands in them that loue me and keepe my commandements iii. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vaine for the Lord will not hold him guiltles that taketh his Name in vaine iiii Remember that thou keepe holy the sabaoth day Sixe daies thou shalt labour and doe all that thou hast to doe But the seauenth day is the sabaoth of the Lord thy God in it thou shalt doe no manner of worke thou and thy sonne and thy daughter thy manseruant and thy maidseruant thy cattell and the stranger that is within thy gates For in six daies the Lord made heauen and earth the sea and all that in them is rested the seauenth day Wherefore the Lord blessed the seauenth day and hallowed it v. Honour thy father and thy mother that thy daies may be long in the land which the Lord thy God giueth thee vi Thou shalt doe no murther vii Thou shalt not commit adulterie viii Thou shalt not steale ix Thou shalt not beare false witnes against thy neighbour x. Thou shalt not couet thy neighbours house thou shalt not couet thy neighbours wife nor his seruant nor his maid nor his oxe nor his asse nor any thing that is his Q. Which is the first commandement An. Thou shalt haue none other Gods but me Q. What is the meaning of this commandement Ans The lord God straightlie chargeth vs in this first coÌ„mandement that we worship god alone which worship standeth in foure points first that wâ— a Phil. 3.7.8 Mat. 10.37 loue god aboue all Secondly thaâ— we b Mal. 1.6 Mat. 10.28 feare god aboue all Thirdly that we make our praiers to c Rom. 10.13 nonâ— but to god Fourthly that we d Psal 135.6 115.3 145.15 95.4.5 acknowledge god alone to be the guide and gouernour of all things e Iam. 1.17 oâ— whome we receiue all the benefits that we haue and therefore that f Ier. 17.5 48.7 Esay 31. we trust and stay vpon him alone and giue him thanks for all his mercies Q. Which is the second commandement Ans Thou shalt not make to thy selfe any grauen image c. Q. What is the meaninge of this commmandement A. In this second coÌ„mandemeÌ„t be coÌ„teyned three things first that we should not (a) Deu. 4 1â— 16.17.8 c. Act. 17.29 Ioâ— 1.18 1. Tim. 6.16 thinke god to be like either man or weoman or any other thinge and therfore that we make noe image of god in anie case Secondly that we make noe Image of any other thinge either to b Lev. 26.1 Exo. 34 14.31.34 Deut. 4.23 1. Ioh. 4.12 Esay 40.18.29 46.5 Psal 97.7 109.36 Esay 44.17 Dan. 31.18 worship the image it selfe either god Sainct or angel by the image neyther yet to this end to be the better (c) Aba 2.18 Ier. 10.8.14.15 put in mind of god by the image Thirdly that wee worship not god in any other d Ioh. 4.23.24 Mat. 15.9 Esay 19.13.14 outward worship according to our owne fanteses but e Deu. 12.32 5.32.33 Pro. 30.6 Iosua 1.7 Apoc. 22.18.19 as the lord hath commanded vs in his word Q. Which is the third commandement A. Thou shalt not take the name c. Q. What is the meaninge of this commandement Ans The lord god straightly chargeth vs in this third commandement these three things First that we vse with a Deut 28. â— 59 Psal 8.1 â—re 10.6 most high reuerence the name of god whensoeuer we either speake or thinke vpon him Secondly that we neuer blaspheme the name of god by b Deu. 18.10.11 Esay 8 19. â— 1â— Mal. 3.5 â—al 5.19.20 â—ct 19.16 coniuring witchcraft sorcery charming or any such like neyther by cursing or banninge Thirdly that we never c Mat. 5.34 â—5 36.37 Iam. 12. sweare by the name god in our common talke although the matter be neuer so true but only where the d Ios 2.12 glory of god is sought or the saluation of our brethren e Cor. 15. â— 11.31 â—al 1.20 or also before a magistrate in witnessinge the truth when we are thereunto lawfully called in which causes we must f Exo. 22.10.11 onely sweare by the name of God but as for g Deut. 6.13 â— 20 sainct angell h 2. Cor. 1.13 Iere. 5 7 â— 16.17 Amos 14. Soph. 1.5 Roode booke Crosse Masse or any other thing we ought in no case by them to sweare Q. Which is the fourth coÌ„mandemeÌ„t Ans Remember that thou keepe holy the saboth day c. Q. What is the meaning of this commandement Ans We are here commanded to hallow the saboath day that is to say to (a) Deut. 5 1â— Exo. 6.26 rest from our labours in our callings and in one place to assemble our selues together and with faith feare and reuerence to heare marke and (b) Mat. 13 2â— lay vp in our harts the word of god c Act. 20.7 15.22 preached vnto vs to d Mat. 18.19 Cor. 14.16.17 pray altogether that which we (e) 1. Cor. 14 â— 33.34 Act. 2.42 20.17 vnderstand with one consent and at the times appointed to f vse the sacramenets in faith and repentance and all our life long to g Num. 29.7 Heb. 4.9.10 rest from sinne wickednes that the lord by his holy spirite may worke in vs his good worke and so begin in this life his everlasting rest Q. Which is the fift commandement Ans Honour thy father and mother c. Q. What is the meaning of this commandement Ans The meaning of this fift coÌ„mandement is that we should honour that is to say loue feare reuerence obey and releiue our a Levit 19.3 â—ol 3.20.22 â— 24 parents or any other that are vnto vs in their stead as our b Exod. 22.18 â—om 13.12 â—it 3.1 Princes Rulers and Magistrates c Hebr. 13.17.1 â—hes 5.12.13 our pastors and teachers our d Eph. 6.5.6.7 â—it 29.10 masters and all other which are aboue vs in any calling placed by god e Leu. 19 32. as the aged and grayheadded and that all superiors show themselues indeed parents in f Col. 3.21 â—ol 4.1 Eph. 6. â— guiding and defending their inferiors Q. Which is the sixt commandement Ans Thou shalt doe no murther Q. What is the meaning of this commandement Ans We are forbidden in this sixt coÌ„mandement First all (a) Gen. 9.6 â—eu 5.17 killing (b) Mat. 5.38 â—9 fightinge and (c) Col. 3.12.13 quarelling all (d) Lou. 19 14.17 â—â— reproches mocks and taunts Secondly he forbiddeth all killing in hart that is all anger (e) Mat. 5.21 â— 1. Ioh. 3.15 and malice (f) Pro. 20.21 all desire of
faith is like a liuing and fruitfull tree that euer bringeth forth good fruit to the glorie of God Q. What be the fruits of a true faith A. A continuall and true repentance and euery good grace of Gods spirit and all the good workes which he hath ordained for vs that we should walke in them Eph. 2.10 2. Pet. 1.5.9.11.12 Eph. 415. Q. What meane you by repentance Gal. 6.15 2. Cor. 7.1 Râ—â— 12.1 2 Eph. 4.20.21.22 c. 1. Pet. 1.13 â—â— 15.1 Pet. 2.1.11.12 A. That change and renewing of the whole man that bringeth forth a new Christian and holy life and conuersation growing and increasing more and more Q. How many things be required in true repentance A. Two the mortifying and subduing of sinne and the liuing growing in the practise of true godlines and righteousnes 2. Cor. 7.1 both which doe proceede from the vertue of the death and resurrection of Iesus Christ â—om 6.2.3.4.5 â—1 12 â—m 12.1.2 â—l 3.1.2.5.9 â—1 Pet. 1.2 â— 23 Gal. 6. â— 15.16 into whome we are ingrafted by faith Q. Seeing then we be saued by Christs works without our deseruings whereto serue our wel-doings or what auaileth it to doe good works A. We must doe good workes not to deserue (a) Esay 46.6 â—b 35.7 â—al 17.2 â—ik 17.10 saluation by them but by our works to (b) â—at 5.16 â—or 6.20 â—t 2.12 â—ol 1.10 â—l 1.27 2. glorifie God in (c) Thes 2.12 â—h 4. 4.1 walking as becometh Gods children (d) Rom. 6.11 â—3 12.1.2 declaring thereby our thankfulnes to God for our redemption Secondly by our works to make our (e) â— Pet. 1.10 electioÌ„ more certaine to our selues Thirdly to (f) Pet. 3.1.2 â—m 14.29 win others to Christ by our holy life and conuersation Q. What works callest thou good works An. Our worke can neuer be acceptable and good in the sight of God vnles in doing of them wee keepe these two things first that a Eph. 2.10 Collos 2.10.22.23 Esay 9.13 Mat. 15.9 Rom. 14.23 Heb. 11.6 1. Cor. 5.7 they be framed according to the will of Gods lawes and commandements and not after our owne deuises Secondly that they proceede from an heart purged by fairh if either of these points be lacking our works are abhominable in the sight of God although they appeare neuer so glorious in the eyes of men Q. What things ought euery one to beleeue which hath this true faith in Iesus Christ with out the which none can be saued 4. parte An. All those things which are contained in the articles of our christian faith Q Rehearse the articles of our christian faith A. I beleeue in God the father almightie maker of heauen and earth and in Iesus Christ his only sonne our Lord which was conceiued by the holy ghost borne of the virgin Marie suffered vnder Pontius Pilat was crucified dead and buried he decended into hell the third day he rose agane and ascended into heauen and there he sitteth at the right hand of God the father Almightie from thence he shall come to iudge both the quicke and the dead I beleeue in the holy Ghost the holy Catholike Church the Communion of Saints the forgiuenes of sinnes the resurrection of the bodie and the life euerlasting Amen Q. What things are contained in these articles of your christian faith An. First what we ought to beleeue concerning God Secondly what we ought to beleeue concerning Gods people called the Church Q. What ought we to beleeue concerning God A. First such things as concerne God in his nature and essence Secondly such things as concerne God in his actions Q. What ought we to beleeue concerning God in his nature or essence A. First that he is one infinite inuisible and eternall spirit of vnsearchable maiestie most holy mightie wise iust and mercifull a Secondly b that the selfe same God beeing one in essence hath made himselfe knowne vnto vs in three sundrie persons the father the sonne and the holy Ghost a Rom. 11.34.35 36. Rom 9.11.22 23. Deut. 6.4 Ies 43.11 44.8 46.5 46.5 Ies 57.15 66.1 2. Ioh. 4.24 Ioh. 1.18 1. Tim. 1.17 Rom. 9.33 Exod. 34.6 7. Psal 103.8 9 10 11. b Psal 33.6 Gen. 1.31 Ieâ— 10.10.11.12.16 Col. 1.16 Matth. 3.16 17 28.19 Q. What ought we to beleeue concerning God in his actions A. First a Rom. 11.34.35 36. Rom 9.11.22 23. that he hath decreed and ordained all things in his eternall purpose and counsell before all worlds Secondly that by his Almightie power he hath made the heauens and the earth and all the creatures therein Thirdly c Mat. 10.39.30 Psal 115.3 135.6 Psal 145 17. that he doth rule gouern them and all their actions according to the good purpose of his owne will most holily righteously and wisely Q. Why is God called Almightie A. Because he is of all-sufficient power in himselfe to worke all things according to the good purpose of his owne will Ies 42.8 4â— 13 44 24.2â— 49.7 Mat. â— 29.30 so as nothing can be done in heauen earth or hell without his prouidence Act. 4.28 Q. Why doe you call God father A. First in respect of creation Secondly in respect of adoption Q. Why in respect of creation Rom. 11.38 Acts. 17.25.38 A. Because of him from him and by him all things haue their beeing beginning Q. Why in respect of adoption Eph. 1.5 Gal. 4.5.6 A. Because he hath adopted those whome he hath chosen to be his children in Iesus Christ Q. What comfort haue you in this that you call God father A. I learne thereby that he loueth me and hath a most tender care ouer me Psal 103.13 Rom. 5.5.8 Q. What comfort haue you in this that God whome you call father is Almightie A. I learne thereby that he can and will defend me from all euill so as nothing can hurt me and that he can and will giue me all things that be good for me in this life and in the life to come Q. Why so An. He can because he is almightie he will because he is my louing father Q. What dutie doe you learne here concerning your selfe An. That I should honor him as my heauenly father Malech 1.6 Q. How An. In louing him fearing him reuerencing him and obeying him the sixt commandement Qu. Wherin must we shew forth this An. In the care that I haue to keepe his commandements Q. Wherin standeth the keeping of the commandements An. In doeing those good things which the lord hath commanded and in leauing vndone those euill things which the lord hath forbidden Q. What beleeuest thou in the second part concerning god the sonne An. I beleeue that Iesus Christ one (a) Rom. 9.5 Iohn 1.1 Ioh. 14.10 God in subtance with the father the holy ghost b Rom. 1.3 Mat. 1.20.2 tooke flesh of the virgin Marie is become perfect man as I