workes A. There is a thréefold cause why being thus deliuered wée should doe good workes One is that wée may declare our thankfulnesse to God a Matt 3. 16. a second that we may haue assurance of the trunesse of our faith b Gal 5. 6. a third is that by our good conuersation wée may winne other vnto Christ c 1. Pet 3. 1. 2 Q Cannot they then be saued who are vnthankfull and remaine still in their sinnes and iniquities A. By no meanes for as the Scripture witnesseth neither fornicators nor Idolaters nor extortioners nor theeues nor drunkards shall inherit the kingdome of God d 1 Cor 6. 9. 10. Q. Wherein consisteth the conuersion of man vnto God and whence also floweth it A. It doth arise of a godly sorrow through our foolishnesse in offending God e 2 Cor 7. 10. and hath with it an after wisedome in leauing our former follie and turning vnto God f Psal 2. 10. 11. 12. Q. What are the kindes of this conuersion A. Two one is in séeking vnto God for pardon of our sinnes this may be tearmed the conuersion of humiliation g Esay 5. 6. 7. the other is vpon the obtaining of that pardon this may be tearmed the conuersion of thankfulnesse h Rom 12. 1. 2 Q. Sithence this latter appertaineth to this place we shal more specially consider of it shew mee therefore wherein this conuersion which is of thankfulnesse doth consist A. It consisteth in the mortifying of the old man and liuing according to the new i Rom 6. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Q. What is the mortifying of the old man A. This is when acknowledging our sinnes whereby we haue offended Gods Maiestie we are heartily sorry for them and daily more and more doe hate and eschew them k 1 Pet 3. 11. Q. What is the liuing according to the new man A. This is when vpon the knowledge of Gods mercy which is promised to all that sorrow for their sinnes and beléeue in Christ l Ioh 6. 47. we haue in vs an earnest desire of liuing after Gods will m 1 Pet 4. 1. â— with a serious endeuour of doing good workes n Tit 2. 14. Q. What are good workes A. Only these which through true faith o Rom 14 23 are done according to the word and Law of God p Ps 117. 105. and are referred to the glory of him alone q 1 Cor 10. 31. Q. What is the Law of God A God spake all these words saying Exod 20. I am the Lord thy God who brought thée out of the land of Egypt out of the house of bondage I. Thou shalt haue none other Gods before mee II. Thou shalt make thee no grauen Image neither any similitude of things that are in heauen aboue neither that are in the earth beneath nor that are in the waters vnder the earth Thou shalt not bow downe to them nor serue them for I am the Lord thy God a iealous God visiting the iniquitie of the Fathers vpon the children vnto the third generation and vnto the fourth of them that hate mee and shewing mercy vnto thousands to them that loue mee 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 guiltlesse that taketh his name in vaine IV. Remember the Sabboth day to keepe it holy six dayes shalt thou labour and doe all thy worke but the seuenth day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God in it thou shalt not doe any worke thou nor thy sonne nor thy daughter thy man-seruant nor thy maid-seruant nor thy beast nor thy stranger that is within thy gates for in six dayes the Lord made the heauen and the earth the sea and all that in them is and rested the seuenth day therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it V. Honour thy father and thy mother that thy dayes may be prolonged vpon the Land which the Lord thy God giueth thee VI. Thou shalt not kill VII Thou shalt not commit adulterie VIII Thou shalt not steale IX Thou shalt not beare false witnesse against thy neighbour X. Thou shalt not couet thy neighbours house neither shalt thou couet thy neighbours wife nor his man-seruant nor his maid nor his oxe nor his asse neither any thing that is thy neighbours Q. How are the Commandements diuided A. Into two Tables r Exod 32. 15 16 the former whereof deliuereth in foure Commandements how we ought to behaue our selues towards God the latter in six what duties wée owe to our neighbour Å¿ Matt 32. 37. 38. 39. Q. What doth God require in the first Commandement A. That I abandon all idolatrie t 1 Cor 6. 9. 10. inchantments u Deut 18. 11 sorcerie x Ierem 17. 7 and the like and that acknowledging the true God as he hath reuealed himselfe in his word I doe onely trust in him pray vnto him y Psal 50. 15. and worship him z Matt 4. 10. also that I loue and feare him aboue all a Matt 10. 28. and in euery thing submit my selfe vnto him with all humilitie b Iames 4. 7. Q. What doth the second Commandement require A. That wée should not represent God by any image c Ioh 4. 24. much lesse that we worship any image or God thereby d Deut 4. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. but only that we hold our selues to that forme of worship which himselfe hath prescribed in his word e Esay 18. 20. Q But may not Images be tolerated in Churches to serue for the peoples vse A. No for it is not séemely that we should be wiser then God who will haue his Church to be taught by the Act 10. 28. Habac 2. 18. 19. liuely preaching of his word and not by dumbe Images Q. What doth God require in the third Commandement A. That not onely we abondon the abusing of Gods glorious name by cursing f Leuit 24 11. 12. 13 â—4 or forswearing g Leuit 19. 12 but also by rash swearing h Ier 4. 2. though the matter be true neither should by silence or conniuence partake with other therein i Ephes 5. 12. Also that euermore his sacred name be vsed by vs with all due reuerence k Matt 6 9. Q. Is it lawfull to sweare by Saints or other creatures A. No l Deut 6. 13. for a lawfull oath is an inuocating of God as the only searcher of the heart m Ier 17. 10. to witnesse the truth and punish the swearer if wittingly hée sweare falsly now this honour agréeth to no creature n Iam 5. 12. Q. What doth God require in the fourth Commandement A. That I carefully on the Sabbaths frequent the solemne assemblies o Matt 18 19. and there diligently heare his word read p Act 15 21. and preached q Rom 10 14 15
resteth on the promises of the Gospell p Rom. 4. 16. the summe whereof is the Apostles Créed Q. What is that Creed A. I beléeue in God the Father Almighty maker of heauen and earth and in Iesus Christ his onely Sonne our Lord who was conceiued by the holy Ghost borne of the Virgin Mary who suffered vnder Pontius Pilate was crucified dead and buried he descended into hell the third day hée arose againe from the dead he ascended into heauen and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty from thence shall he come to iudge the quicke and the dead I beléeue in the holy Ghost the holy Catholique Church the Communion of Saints the forgiuenesse of sinnes the resurrection of the body and the life euerlasting Q. Into how many parts is this Creed diuided A. Into foure The first is of God the Father and our Creation The second is of God the Sonne and our Redemption The third is of God the holy Ghost and our Sanctification The fourth is of the Catholique Church and its benefits of eternall Saluation Of the Father Q. What beleeuest thou when thou sayest I beleeue in God the Father Almighty maker of heauen and earth A. I beléeue that God the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ who hath made of nothing heauen and earth with all therein q Gen. 1. 1. who likewise vpholdeth and by his prouidence gouerneth the same to be my God and my Father r Ioh. 20. 17. and therefore I doe put my whole trust and confidence in him Q. What is the prouidence of God A. The almighty power of God whereby he maintaineth and gouerneth all things so that nothing commeth to passe by fortune but only according to the counsell of his good will ſ Matt. 10. 29. 30. Q. What doth the knowledge of Gods creation and prouidence profit vs A. That in aduersitie we be patient and in prosperitie thankfull to our God and that in him we haue most firme hope for the time to come t Iob 1. 21. Of the Sonne Q Why is the Sonne of God called Iesus A. Because he is the only Sauiour that can saue vs from all our sinnes u Matt. 1. 21. neither can saluation in any other whatsoeuer be found x Act. 4. 12. Q. Why is he called Christ A. The meaning thereof is Anointed and this is to signifie that hée is ordained by the Father to be vnto vs a Prophet y Matth. 17. 5 Priest z Heb 5. 5. and King a Psal 2. 6. Q. What is meant by these his offices of being Prophet Priest and King A. A Prophet hée is in that hée teacheth vs by his word and spirit whatsoeuer is néedfull to eternall saluation b Heb. 1. 2. A Priest because hée offered vp that expiatorie sacrifice of himselfe and doth make continuall intercession for vs c Heb. 9. 28. Q. And what is meant by his office of Kingdome A. A King hée is in that hée gathereth vnto himselfe a Church by his word and spirit doth also gouerne and defend it that the gates of hell cannot preuaile against it d Mat. 16. 18. Q. How art thou called a Christian A. Because through faith I am a member of Christ and partaker of the ointment of his spirit e Iohn 1. 16 also of his offices Prophecie f Act 2. 18. Priesthood and Kingdome g Reuel 1. 6. Q. How art thou a Prophet Priest and King A. A Prophet I am that I may confesse Gods name i Matt. 10. 32. A Priest that I may present my selfe vnto him a liuely sacrifice and thanke offering k Rom. 12. 1. A King that here I may fight against sinne and Sathan and afterward may raigne with Christ in eternall glory l Rom. 8. 17. Q. Wherefore is Christ called the only begotten Sonne when as wee also are the sonnes of God A. Because he is the onely naturall Sonne of the Father begotten from all eternitie m Ioh. 1. 18. and wée are sonnes only by adoption and grace n Gal. 4. 5. Q. Why callest thou him our Lord A. Because hée hath redéemed our soules and bodies from sinne by his precious bloud o 1. Pet. 1. 19. and deliuering vs out of the Deuils power hath set vs frée to serue him p Tit. 2. 14. Q. What beleeuest thou when thou sayest Hee was conceiued by the holy Ghost and borne of the Virgin Mary A. That the Sonne of God who is euermore very God q 1. Tim. 3. 16 tooke mans nature of the substance of the Virgin Mary r Luke 1. 35. by the working of the holy Ghost ſ Heb. 5 17. and so is become like to his brethren t Heb 4 15. in all things sinne except Q. What profit reapest thou by Christs holy conception and birth A. That hée is our Mediator u 1. Tim. 2. 5. and doth couer with his perfect holinesse my sinne in which I was conceiued that it may not come into the sight of God x Iohn 17. 19. Q. What beleeuest thou when thou sayest he suffered A. That all the time of his life but especially at the end thereof he sustained y Esa 53 8. for our sinnes the wrath of God both in his body and soule that hée might deliuer vs from euerlasting death z Matt. 26. 38 and purchase to vs the fauour of God and life eternall a Iohn 3. 16. Q. Why was he to suffer vnder Pilate as his Iudge A. That being innocent and yet condemned by a ciuill Iudge he might deliuer vs from the seuere iudgement of God b Rom. 8. 1. Q. But is there any more in it that he was fastned to the Crosse then if hee had suffered any other kinde of death A. Yea for by this I am assured that hée tooke on himselfe c Gal. 3. 13. the curse which lay on mée because the death of the Crosse was accursed of God d Deut. 21. 23 Q. Why was it necessary that Christ should humble himselfe vnto the death A. Because the iustice and truth of God might not otherwise haue béene satisfied for our sinnes e Heb. 5. 8. 9. Q. To what end was he also buried A. To manifest thereby the truth of his death f Matt. 27. 64. 65. Q. Since Christ hath died for vs why must wee also die A. Our death is not a satisfaction for our sinnes but an abolishing of sinne g Rom 6. 7. and passage into life eternall h Ioh. 11. 25. Q. What is meant by this Hee descended into hell A. That he suffred the lowest abasement to wit the ignominious captiuitie vnder death so that he was for a time deaths prisoner in the graue i Act. 2. 24. whereby euen I might neuer despaire how low soeuer I be brought Q. What doth the resurrection of Christ profit vs A. First it serueth for our iustification k Rom.
and called ones of his purpose through a grace that was giuen vs through Christ before the world was that wee may bee made perfect in all good workes to doe his will working in vs that which is pleasant in his â—ight through Iesus Christ to whom be praise for euer and euer Amen A CATECHISME or briefe instruction by way of Question and Answer in the principles and grounds of the true Christian Religion Question WHat is thine onely comfort in life and death Answer Mine onely comfort in life death is this that both in soule and body whether I liue or die I am not mine owne but Iesus Christs my most faithfull Lord and Sauiour a Rom. 14. 8. 9 who hath both liued and died and risen againe for my iustification b Rom. 4. 25. and maketh me partaker of his spirit c Matth. 3. 11. whereby I may liue the life of God and godlinesse d 2. Pet 1. 3. by which also hée ascertaineth mée of a raising vp to eternall glory e Eph 4. 30. Q. How many things are necessary to be knowne of thee that thou maist enioy this comfort and consequently maist both liue and die blessedly A. Thrée things first what is the greatnesse of my sinne and miserie f Mat. 9. 12. 13 secondly by what meanes I may haue deliuerance from that sinne and miserie g Iohn 8. 21. thirdly what the thankfulnesse is which I owe vnto God for the same h Rom. 12. 1. The first part of the Catechisme which is of mans sinne and miserie Q. How doest thou know thy miserie A. By the Law of God i 〈◊〉 3. 20. Q. What doth the Law of God require of vs A. This is briefly taught by our Lord in the 22. of Matthew Thou shalt loue the Lord thy God with all thine heart with all thy soule and with all thy minde and thou shalt loue thy neighbour as thy selfe k Matth. 22. 37. 38. 39. Q. Art thou able perfectly to keepe this A. Nothing lesse for by nature I am prone to the hatred of God and of my neighbour l Tit. 3. 3. Q. What Did God create man thus peruerse and corrupt in the beginning A. Not so yea contrariwise God made man good and after his owne image that is endued him with knowledge and true holinesse m Gen. 1. 27. Q. How then came this corruption into mans nature A. This corruption of our nature came by the fall and disobedience of our first Parents Adam and Eue in Paradise n Gen. 3. 7. Q. What is our corruption such that wee are altogether vnmeet to doe what is good and onely prone to that which is euill A. Yea certainly except we be new borne by the Holy Ghost o 1. Cor. 2. 14. Q. Doth not God then iniurie vnto man in requiring of him in the Law what he is not able to performe A. No truly for God created man able to performe it but man through abuse of his frée will and the Deuils instigation did depriue himselfe and all his progenie of these diuine gifts p Gen. 3. 6. 7. Q. Is it so then that God will leaue vnpunished this disobedience and sinne in man A. Nothing so but contrariwise God is most angry both for the sinne wherein we were conceiued and borne and also for these which wée actually commit q Iob 15. 16. Q. But is not God also mercifull A. God indéed is mercifull yet is he also iust r Exod. 34 7. wherefore his iustice requireth that as his infinite Maiestie is offended by sinne so the punishment of it be according The second part of the Catechisme which is of mans freedome and deliuerance Q. Sithence then through the iust iudgement of God wee are liable vnder temporall and eternall punishment is there any meanes whereby wee may bee deliuered from it and get reconcilement with God A. God will haue his iustice satisfied Å¿ Gen. 2. 17. and therefore it must néeds be that either by our selues or by some other this satisfaction be made Q. Are wee able to satisfie Gods iustice by our selues A. In no respect t Esa 59. 16. yea rather wée increase the debt day by day Q. Can any of the creatures in heauen or in earth which is only a creature make satisfaction for vs A. Not any at all u Heb. 12. 29. for first God will not punish mans offence in any other creature secondly not any thing being but a creature is able to sustaine Gods wrath against sinne and frée other from the same Q. What kinde of Mediator and Redeemer is then to be sought for vs A. Such a one who is indéed very man x Gen. 3. 15. but perfectly iust y Exod 12. 5. and withall more mighty then all creatures that is also very God z Esay 9. 7. Q. Why is it necessary that this Mediator must be very man and that also perfectly iust A. Because Gods iustice doth require that as in mans nature the sinne was committed so in the same the punishment should be suffered a 1. Cor. 15. 21 now hée who is himselfe a sinner cannot vndergoe the same for other Q. Why is it necessary that he be also very God A. Because hée might thereby sustaine in his flesh the burden of Gods wrath and also recouer vnto vs the righteousnesse and life which wée had lost b 1. Pet. 3. 18. Q. But who is that Mediator who is both very God and very man and withall perfectly iust A. That onely is Iesus Christ c 1. Tim. 2. 5. who is made vnto vs of God wisdome righteousnesse sanctification and redemption d 1. Cor. 1. 30. Q. How doest thou know this A. I know this by the Gospell e Col. 3. 16. which God did first preach in Paradise f Gen. 3. 15. and afterward by the Patriarkes g Gen 18. 18. and Prophets h Esay 53. Iohn 6. 35. and last of all by his only begotten Sonne Q. Is it so then that saluation by Christ is granted vnto all that haue perished in Adam A. Not so but vnto those only who are ingraffed into Christ by true faith and doe beléeue in him Iohn 3. 16. and 18. Q. What is this true faith A. True faith is a perswasion in my heart i Iob 19. 25. grounded on the word of God k Eph. 2. 2. wrought by the holy Ghost l Gal. 5. 22. through the preaching of that word m Rom. 10. 14 whereby I beléeue that Iesus Christ is not only a Sauiour for other but euen my Sauiour also n Gal. 2. 20. and thereupon doe put all my trust in him Q. What is that which euery one must necessarily beleeue that would bee accounted to haue true faith in him A. True faith although it be a firme assenting to all things reuealed in Gods word o Act. 26. 27. yet properly it