of Christ alone We are justified freely by his grace Chap. 3. 24. through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus Q. Shew me what are those things which are necessary for a Christian Man to Believe concerning Faith A. All things which are promised us in the Gospel As Christ saith These things are written that ye might Joh. 21. 31. believe The Sum whereof is briefly comprised in the Creed of the Apostles or in the Articles of the Catholick and Undoubted Faith of all Christians Q. Which are the Articles and Sum of Christian Faith or the Apostles Creed A. I believe in God the Father Almighty Maker of Heaven and Earth And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord Which was conceived of the Holy Ghost born of the Virgin Mary Suffered under Pontius Pilate was crucified dead and buried he descended into Hell The Third Day he rose again from the Dead He ascended into Heaven and sitteth at the Right-hand of God the Father Almighty From thence he shall come to judge the Quick and the Dead I believe in the Holy Ghost I believe the Holy Catholick Church the Communion of Saints The Forgiveness of Sins The Resurrection of the Body And Life Everlassting Q. Shew me the Reason why it is calld the Apostles Creed A. Because it containeth as it were a brief Sum of all the Apostolical Doctrine written in the Books of the Old and New Testament Q. What are the Parts of this Creed A. They are Four 1st Of Faith in God the Father 2dly Of Faith in God the Son 3dly Of Faith in God the Holy Ghost Q. But why is our Faith distinctly referred to every Person by it self seeing that it is One God in whom we Believe A. That our Faith may be the better strengthned Which is then done when we consider distinctly and apart what each Person according to his distinct Property hath wrought in our Salvation Notwithstanding our Faith is not at all the less referred to One God Q. How A. For it is all one as if a Man should say I put all my Hope and Trust in One God of whose Love I cannot doubt at all For whereas he is distinguished into Three Persons every one of them confirmeth in me the Assurance of that Love For the Father hath both Created me by his Omnipotency and doth also Guide me by his merciful Providence The Son hath Redeemed me by his Death Reconciled me to God the Father and even yet maketh Intercession to him for me The Holy Ghost by his Divine Power hath Sanctified me and joyned me with Christ and his Church that with it I might be made Partaker of all Gifts until he bring me even to Eternal Life Q. Which is the First Article of the Creed A. I believe in God the Father Almighty Maker of Heaven and Earth Q. Why say we rather I believe and not We believe whereas in Prayer we say not only My Father but Our Father A. Because howsoever we ma and must one Pray for another yet we cannot one Believe for another but when we come to Years every Man must believe for himself and be saved by his own and not by another's Faith As the Prophet saith The just shall live by his faith Hab. 2. 4. Q. What is meant in saying I Believe in God A. I do not only Believe God And that there is but One God But I Believe in God that is I Believe that he is my God that is I am perswaded That whatsoever God is and is said to be he is all that to me and referreth it all to my safety for his Son's sake and therefore from my Heart I put all my Confidence in him Q. What Comfort is reaped hereby A. So long as I repose all my Trust in him I may assure my self of my Salvation and of an happy Deliverâ—nce in all Dangers and Necessitie For Daniel when he was brought out Dan. 6. 23. of the cruel lions den had no hurt found on him because then he trusted in his God Q. Why is God called a Father A. 1st In respect of Christ his only begotten and natural Son 2dly In respect of all the Creatures as he is Creator and Preserver of them all 3dly In respect of the Elect whom he hath adopted to be his Sons Who hath predestinated us to be adopted Eph. 1. 5. through Jesus Christ unto himself according to the good pleasure of his will Q. What Comfort cometh by this A. I do therefore believe in him to be my God and my Father for Christ's sake As many as received him and believed Joh. 1. 12. in his name to them he gave power to be the sons of God But ye have received the spirit of adoption Rom. 8. 15. whereby we cry Abba Father And therefore I do trust in him and so rely on him that I may not doubt but he will provide all things necessary both for my Soul and Body Though I be poor and needy the Lord Psal 40. 17. thinketh on me Behold the fowls of the heaven they Mat. 6. 26 sow nor reap not yet your heavenly Father feedeth them Are not ye much better then they And why care ye for rayment the lillies 28 of the field they neither labour nor spin Wherefore if God so cloath the grass of 30 the field shall he not do not much more unto you O ye of little faith Therefore take no thought saying What 31 shall we eat or what shall we drink or what shall we put on For your heavenly Father knoweth that 32 ye have need of all these things But seek ye first the kingdom of heaven 33. and the righteousness thereof and all these things shall be ministred unto you And that he will bear with my Wants and Weaknesses I will spare them saith the Lord as Mal. 3. 17. a man spareth his own son that serveth him As a father hath compassion on his children Psal 10â— 1â— so hath the Lord compassion on them that fear him For he knoweth whereof we be made 14. he remembreth that we are but dust And what Afflictions he sendeth on me in this troublesom Life he will turn them to my Safety For all things work together for the Rom. 8. 28. best to those that love God And furthermore he never chastiseth me but for my good But the Lord chastiseth us for our profit Heb. 12. 10. that we might be made partakers of his holiness We are chastised of the Lord because 1 Cor. 11. 32. we should not be condemned with the world When ye thought evil against me God Gen. 50 20. disposed it to good Q. Now shew unto me what Profit the Faithful reap by their Afflictions A. 1st By them God bringeth us to Humility With rebukes thou chastiseth man for Psal 39. 11. iniquity 2dly By Afflictions God calleth us to true Repentance for when he correcteth our Sins he doth it to
and Salvation and a Resignation of our selves up unto Him To whom c. A PRAYER After Sermon ALmighty God our Glory and our Hope our Lord and Master the Father of Mercy and God of all Comfort we present to thee the Sacrifice of a thankful Spirit in humble and joyful Acknowledgment of those infinite Favours by which thou hast supported our State enriched our Spirits comforted our Sorrows relieved our Necessities blessed and defended our Persons instructed our Ignorances and promoted our Eternal Interests Amen We praise thy Name for that Portion of thy holy Word of which thou hast made us Partakers this Day Grant that it may bring forth Fruit unto thee and unto Holiness in our whole Life to the Glory of thy Holy Name to the Edification of our Brethren and the eternal Comfort of our Souls in the Day of our Lord Jesus Amen Have Mercy on all that desire and all that need our Prayers Visit them with thy Mercy and Salvation Ease the Pains of the Sick Support the Spirits of the Disconsolate Restore all that are Oppressed to their Rights Remember them that are appointed to die give them Comfort perfect and accept their Repentance give them Pardon for Jesus Christ's sake that in the Glories of Eternity they may magnifie thy Mercy for ever and ever Amen Hear the Cryes of the Orphans and Widows in their Calamity Let all their Sorrow be sanctified and end in Peace and Holiness in the Glorification of thy Name and the Salvation of their Souls Amen Lord pity and pardon direct and bless sanctifie and save us all Give Repentance to all that live in Sin and Perseverance to all thy Sâ—ns and Servants for his sake who is thy Beloved and the Foundation of all our Hopes our Blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus To whom with the Father and the Holy Spirit be all H 〈…〉 r and Glory Praise and Adoration now and for evermore Amen The Peace of God which passeth all Understanding keep your Hearts and Minds in the Knowledge and Love of God and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord and the Blessing of God Almighty the Father Son and Holy Ghost be amongst you and remain with you always Amen FINIS Books Sold by J. Deacon at the Angel in Gilt-spur-street without Newgate DR Horneck's Fire from the Altar Dr. Jeremiah Taylor 's Rules of Holy Living and Dying A Weeks Preparation to the Receiving the Sacrament Two Discourses The First A Christian Exhortation against the Fear of Death The Second A Brief Declaration of the Resurrection of the Dead Dent's Plain-mans Path-way to Heaven Dr. Horneck's Great Law of Consideration Dr. Sherlock's Preparation for Death His Discourse of Judgment The Doctrine of the Bible Smith's David's Repentance Garden of Spiritual Flowers Ecclesiastical History Epitomised Dr. Hammond's Practical Catechism The Countess of Morton's Daily Devotions Dr. Taylor 's Golden Grove being A Choice Manual of Prayers Kempis's Christian Pattern Gerhard's Meditations Smith's Great Assize Books Printed for and Sold by J. Deacon at the Angel in Gilt-spur-street without Newgate where any Gentlemen or Countrey Chapmen may be furnish'd with Bibles Common-Prayer Books and School Books And all sorts of Books in Divinity History Astrology and Navigation c. THE Pious Christian's Devotion and most excellent Family Companion c. The Grounds of Reading Writing and Pronouncing of the English Tongue Laid down in a New and Easie Method By T. Osborn Minister of the Gospel and Teacher of a Private School in Hatton-Garden A Short Catechism containing the Principles of Christian Religion compos'd for the Instruction of Youth together with Prayers for every Day in the Week and Graces Before and After Meat By James Clifford M. A. late of Magdalen College Oxon. The most Excellent and Famous History of the most Renowned Knight Amadis of Greece sirnamed Knight of the Burning Sword The English Fortune-Tellers Quarto
1 King 1. 30. and he shall sit upon my throne Q. From whence then is this borrowed Speech taken A. It is taken from the manner of Men who are wont to give the Right-Hand to such as they do Preferr or Advance as by the Example of Solomon And he sate down on his throne and Chap. 2. 19. he caused a seat to be set for the kings mother and she sate at his right-hand Q. What Spiritual meaning doth this Sitting at the right-hand of God imply A. 1st A Rest from Labour and thus it signifieth That Christ is now freed from all his Passions and Miseries Blessed are the dead which die in the Rev. 14. 13. Lord for they rest from their labours 2dly It signifieth Supreme Authority and thus it signifieth that the Government of all things is committed unto Christ All power is given to me both in Mat. 28. 18. heaven and earth 3dly It signifieth a great measure of Honour and Happiness and thus it signifieth That Christ is now entred into a great and infinite State of Glory and Happiness But we see Jesus crowned with glory Heb. 2. 9. and honour Q. What Benefit cometh to the Church of God and every partiticular Member by virtue of Christ's Sitting at the Right-hand of God A. 1st Thereby Christ hath Power to gather his Church and to defend it and every Member of the same against all Force and Violence Thou art Peter and upon this rock Mat. 16. 18. will I build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it 2dly The Church and every Member thereof is made Partaker of Christ's Intercession Who shall condemn It is Christ Rom. 8. 34. which is risen again who is also at the right-hand of God and maketh request for us Q. How doth Christ make Intercession for his Church or wherein doth it consist A. 1st In Appearing for his Church before God his Father 2dly By the continual presenting of his Merits in our Name before his Father Therefore Christ is called a Priest 3dly By continual wishing Good unto Joh. 17. 24. it And Christ's Wishing of Good is a strong Intercession for Good and in this sence he is called our Advocate As formerly hath been spoken Q. Which is the Seventh Article A. From thence he shall come to judge both the Quick and the Dead Q. How are you certain that Christ shall come to Judgment A. 1st It is confirmed by Christ himself Chap. 14. 3. Rev. 22. 20. 2dly By Testimony of the Angels Act. 1. 11. 3dly By the Testimony of the Apostles Chap. 17. 31. And also by Testimony of other Scriptures The Lord shall judge for ever he hath Psal 9. 7 prepared his throne for Judgment For he shall judge the world in righteousness 8. and shall judge the people with equity The Father judgeth no man but hath Joh. 5. 22. committed all judgment to the Son Q. Shall the Father and the Holy Ghost have no part at all in the latter Iudgment A. Yes verily I believe that Judgment shall belong unto all the Three Persons in Trinity as concerning their Consenâ— and Authority but unto Christ as touching the Publishing and Executing of the Judgment Q. But it is said that the Saints shall Iudge the World A. The Saints shall Judge the World not by pronouncing Judgment But 1st By sitting with Christ as it were upon the Bench. 2dly By yielding Consent and Approbation unto Christ's Sentence 3dly By their good Lives Q. From whence shall the Iudge come when he cometh to Iudgment A. From Heaven as it is manifest by Scripture The Lord himself shall descend from 1 Thes 4. 16. heaven The Lord Jesus shall shew himself from heaven with his mighty angels Q. But how and after what manner shall Christ come to Iudgment A. I Believe That Christ in the appointed Time of his Father shall come truly visibly and locally to Judge both Quick and Dead They shall see the Son of man come in Mat. 24. 30. the clouds of heaven even as he was seen to go up in the same Shape Form Figure and Substance that he took in the Virgin 's Womb that being Glorified and induced with Immortality This Jesus which is taken up from Act. 1. 11. you into heaven shall so come as ye have seen him go up and that in Majesty Power and great Glory accompanied with all the holy Angels And they shall see the Son of man come Mat. 24. 30. in the clouds with power and great glory Thus shall Christ himself in his Humane Nature visibly descend from Heaven upon the Clouds with a Shout and with the Voice of the Archangel and Trump of God accompanied with thousands of his Saints Behold he cometh with clouds and Rev. 1. 7. every eye shall see him The Lord himself shall descend from 1 Thes 4. 16. heaven with a shout and with the voice of the archangel and with the trump of God Behold the Lord cometh with thousands Jude 14. of his saints And this his Coming shall be sudden The day of the Lord shall come as a 1 Thes 5. 2 thief in the night And when they shall say Peace and 3. safety then shall come upon them sudden destruction Q. Who are the Persons that shall be Iudged A. All Men both Quick and Dead that is those that shall be found Alive at the Day of Judgment and those that are and shall be Dead before the Day of Judgment We must all appear before the judgment-seat 2 Cor. 5. 10. of God And not only Men but the very Devils Know ye not that we shall judge the 1 Cor. 6. 3. angels Q. Shall all wicked Men receive the same measure of Punishment at that Day A. No For they shall receive a greater or lesser Punishment according to the degree of Sin But I say unto you It shall be easier for Mat. 11. 22. Tyre and Sidon than for you at the day of judgment Q. What is the Last Iudgment A. I Believe it to be a Manifestation of the Hearts and inward Thoughts of all Men and a Declaration of all their Actions and a Separation of the Just and Unjust who ever have lived or shall live from the Beginning of the World to the End proceeding from God by Christ and a pronouncing of Sentence on these Men and an Execution thereof according to the Doctrine of the Law and Gospel the Issue whereof shall be the perfect Delivery of the Church and the final Abjection of wicked Men and Devils into Everlasting Punishment Q. But in what Time Age or Year shall the Day of Iudgment be A. It shall be in the End of the World But of that day and hour knoweth no Chap. 24. 36. man no not the angels in heaven but my Father which is in heaven Q. What Benefit shall the Church of God and every particular Member receive by virtue of
it cannot be lost though for a time it may in some part as concerning some Gifts or some measure of it so that in the Elect it cannot be utterly lost For a little while have I forsaken thee Isa 54. 8. but with great compassion will I gather thee Q. What Benefits are received by the Holy Ghost A. They are such as concern the Reprobate As by virtue of the Holy Ghost they may be enabled to preach the Historical Faith As in the Example of Balaam who Numb 24. 17. Foretold of Christ To Interpret the Scriptures aright in some places As the Scribes and the Chief-Priests Mat. 2. 5 6. They may receive some measure of Illumination They may be restrained for a time from this or that Sin As in the Example of Abimilech Gen. 20. 6. They may obtain some measure of Worldly Joy or some Counterfeit Joy As in the Example of Herod and Mark 6. 20. Luk. 8. 13. the Parable of the Seed Or such as concern the Elect By the Holy Ghost they are Regenerated Joh. 3. 5. By it the Fruits of the Spirit are Gal. 5. 22. wrought in the Hearts of the Elect By it is wrought the Assurance of Rom. 8. 15. Salvation in the Elect. By virtue of the Holy Ghost the Elect Chap. 14. 4. are preserved in the State of Grace Q. What is it to Believe in the Holy Ghost A. I do not only Believe That there is a Holy Ghost but also That I by virtue of thâ—s Holy Ghost am truly Regenerate Comforted Preserved Settled in Faith and made Partaker of all other necessary Benefits of the Spirit Concerning the Church the Fourth Part of the Creed Q. Which is the Ninth Article of the Creed A. I Believe the Holy Catholick Church the Communion of Saints Q. Why is it not as well said I believe in as I believe the Holy Catholick Church A. It is warrantable to believe the Church but not warrantable to believe in the Church or to rest our Judgments upon the Authority of the Church without any Warrant from the Word Believe not every Spirit but try whether they are of God And the Reasons wherefore we are to Believe in the Church are 1st Because it is an Honour peculiar to God to be depended upon or to be believed in Ye believe in God believe also in Joh. 14. 1. me 2dly Because the Word is the Foundation of the Church and not the Church of the Word Ye are built upon the foundation of the Eph. 2. 20. Apostles and Prophets Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone 3dly Because the Church may err as did the Church of Corinth err about 1 Cor. 20. the Sacrament Q. What is the True Church A. The True Church is nothing but a peculiar Company of Men Elected and Called But ye are a chosen generation a 1 Pet. 2. 9. royal priesthood an holy nation a peculiar people that you should shew forth the vertues of him that hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light Q. Is there but One Church of God or be there Many Churches of Christ A. There is but One True Catholick or Universal Church There is one body and one spirit even Eph. 4. 4. as ye are called in one hope of your vocation This True Church is either Triumphant with the blessed Angels in Heaven Therefore are they in the presence of the Rev. 7. 15. throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple and he that sitteth on the throne will dwell amongst them Or Militant on Earth fighting under Christ's Banner against the World the Flesh and the Devil And there was a battel in heaven Michael Rev. 12. 7. and his angels fought against the dragon and the dragon fought and his angels This Militant Church is either Visible as a Company amongst Men professing the True and Uncorrupt Doctrine of the Law and Gospel in which Company are many dead and unregenerate Members and Hypocrites Not every one that saith unto me Lord Lord shall enter into the kingdom of heaven Or Invisible that is a Company of those that are elected to Eternal Life in whom a New Life is begun here by the Holy Ghost and is perfected in the Life to come This Church as long as it sojourneth on Earth always lieth hid in the Visible Church Those that are in this Invisible Church never perish neither are there any Hypocrites therein but the Elect only of whom it is said No man shall pluck my sheep out of my Joh. 10. 28. hands The Lord knoweth who are his 2 Tim. 2. 19. Q. Who is the Head of this Mystical Body the Church A. Only Christ himself as may appear The husband is the wife's head even Eph. 5. 23. as Christ is the head of the Church and the same is the Saviour of the body And that 1st Because he only is able to perform the Office of an Head unto his Church as to Quicken to Preserve to Nourish to Direct and Govern it 2dly Because he only is able to prescribe Laws to bind the Consciences There is one Law-giver which is able Jam. 4. 12. to save and to destroy Q. What are the Notes or Signs of the True Church A. They are either Internal Signs 1st The Spirit of God dwelling in the Heart Grieve not the holy Spirit of God by Eph. 4. 30. whom ye are sealed to the day of redemption 2dly Is True Regeneration For that which is born of flesh is flesh Joh. 3. 6. and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit 3dly True Faith is a Sign for the Church is called by the Name of the Faithful Mine eyes shall be unto the faithful of Psal 101. 6. the land that they may dwell with me Or External Signs As 1st The pure Preaching of the Word of God If ye continue in my word ye are verily Joh. 8. 31. my disciples 2dly The right Administration of the Sacraments namely Baptism and the Lord's Supper Go and teach all nations baptizing Mat. 28. 19 them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost Teaching them to observe all things 20. whatsoever I have commanded you 3dly The Third Sign is A sincere Profession of Justification by Christ alone Neither is there salvation in any other Act. 4. 12. name for among men there is given no other name under heaven whereby we must be saved Q. Wherefore is the Church called Holy A. 1st Because the Holiness of Christ is imputed to it Ye are of him in Christ Jesus who of 1 Cor. 1 30. God is made unto us wisdom righteteousness sanctification and redemption 2dly Because Holiness is begun in every Soul that is regenerate in this Life Surely they work none iniquity that Psal 119. 3. walk in his ways 3dly It is Holy in respect of Prophane Persons Aaron and his Sons are