Selected quad for the lemma: knowledge_n
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A13281
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The sweet milke of Christian doctrine in a plaine and naturall method, by question and answere, for their better vnderstanding, for whom it is chiefly written.
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Sym, John.
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1617
(1617)
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STC 23585; ESTC S106181
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11,515
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34
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THE Sweet Milke Of CHRISTIAN Doctrine In a plaine and naturall Method by Question and Answere for their better vnderstanding for whom it is chiefly written 1. PET. 2.2 As new borne Babes desire the sincere milke of the Word that you may grow thereby LONDON Printed by George Purslowe for Iohn Hodges 1617. To my VVelbeloued friends and Neighbours the inhabitants and people of Leigh in Essex grace mercy and peace be multiplied from God the Father through our Lord IESVS CHRIST ** AS there is not anie one thing whereof he that is in hand to build any great and magnificent building should bee more carefull then that he do lay the foundatiō therof firm and sure otherwise he shall not only lose his cost and trauell spent about it but also endanger his life in it by the vnexpected tumbling of it downe vpon his head so likewise that Christian who would so build vp and reare the great and lusty frame of the work of his saluation that hee may not in the end both lose his labour and charges and also himselfe bee crushed vnder it and vtterly perish by the dreadful fall thereof as it befell to him who built his house vpon the sand Math. 7.27 hath need to look to lay the foundation thereof certaine sure and proportionable in the vndeceiuable and steady principles grounds of Christianitie which doe virtually comprehend and sustaine the huge and weighty burden of the whole building of religion wherin he doth repose himselfe Which grounds though they ly low in the building are not therefore the more to be neglected or dispised of any but rather the more to be regarded and carefully preserued for the necessary vse and aboundant profit which thence doth arise to a sound Christian for this foundation beeing once well layd and continued it is a strong fortresse against errour and heresie for though a man be not so expert in the Scripture as to know the true and naturall meaning of all the texts thereof yet may he boidly reiect that doctrine 2. Ioh. 10 which doth not proportionably agree with the frame and analogie of faith Rom. 12.6 summarily comprised in the grounds of religion for the simple truth comming all from the same Spirit cannot bee contradictorie to it selfe Againe by the knowledge of the principles of religion a good Christian may be both an vnderstanding and iudicious Reader and hearer of the word for there is not any truth deliuered cōcerning our saluation which he may not plainly see both to arise from and agree with some of the grounds and principles of religion whereunto he may referre it for the truth is vniforme Finally a man furnished with the sound vnderstanding of these grounds 1. Pet. 3.15 2. Tim. 2.2 is able to render a good and sufficient reason of his faith and to informe and establish others in the same things not confusedly only in some good notes here and there scatteringly gathered but orderly and with iudgement in the whole frame of Christian Religion briefly compact in one intire bodie Further that these Principles of Religion should bee set downe by way of Question and Answer it is without questiō the most profitable way for the simpler sort of people the which course of catechising is both largely cōmended by the learned and straightly vrged by authority of which kind of teaching there be models and methods almost infinite which in my iudgement is not to be blamed as a vice but rather commended as a vertue when they doe all agree in the same substance of truth though differ in the manner of contriuing and handling thereof according to the variety and multiplicity of the gifts of Gods Spirit 1. Cor. 12.4 for therby a more irrefragable testimony is publikely giuen to the truth when all writings apert and after seuerall maners doe all agree in one and the same verity And whereas the disposition manners and opinions of seueral people in seueral places and ages do differ for the rectifying thereof these seuerall and differing formes and methods of teaching are wel by Gods prouidence fitted Now seeing that after that Catechifme set downe in the book of Common praier whereby children are prepared for confirmation wee are not by authority tied only to vse al any one certaine form of Catechism for the edification of them of riper yeeres therefore taking the benefit of that common liberty for the further building vp of that part of Gods Church committed to my charge I doe by the long and earnest importunity of many of you my louing friends to whō I am not onely willing cheerefully to impart my trauels 1. Thes 2.8 but euen also mine owne selfe for your good suffer this briefe and plaine draight to be wrung from me to come abroad amongst multitudes of the same nature not hereby to finde fault with or disparage any of them but that thereby with my greater ease I may the better benefit and helpe you both by catechising and preaching for when both catechising and preaching come framed out of the same mould the one orderly agreeing with the other the one doth both confirme and illustrate the other to the hearers as when the foundation and walls of a house are both of one proportion it is most strong and sightly and also the Church being by this little publike taste satisfied and contented touching the same doctrine Gal. 2.9 which you are ordinarily taught in priuate her approbation and allowance thereof may bee a strong motiue to cause you the more to regard it for my part I haue no greater ioy then that you walke in the truth 3. Ioh. 4 Take this as a fore-runner and pledge of a larger Treatise which some of you haue much expected to wit the body of practicall and case diuinity which longer time by further experience and study must first better perfect and polish In this method I haue sought to be both short and plaine for to helpe the memorie and vnderstanding of the meanest amongst vs the proofes I haue quoted with the Answeres the words whereof I pray you to search for the benefit both of your selues and families that your faith being built not vpon mans word but Gods 2. Tim. 1.12 it may remaine sure knowing whom you haue beleeued And so I pray you my good friends giue all diligence to make your calling and election sure 2. Peter 1.10 5 by adding vnto your faith vertue to vertue knowledge to knowledge temperance to temperance patience to patience godlinesse to godlinesse brotherly kindnesse to brotherly kindnesse loue and so being careful that both you and yours bee fearers of the Lord Psal 115.11 12 13 14. you may be assuredly perswaded that God will be your helpe and shield he will blesse you both great and small the Lord wil increase you more more you and your children as hee hath done your vertuous forefathers in this place who haue proued it true that Godlinesse is great
12. Gen. 8.21 Gen. 6.5 in the guilt of the our rebellious act in Adam secōdly in corruptiō thence lineally deriued in ful want of al sauing grace deprauation of all the faculties and powers of soule body and pronenesse of the same to all euill continually Q. What is actuall sinne A. Actuall sin is our owne personall transgression continually issuing out of the liuing spring of our originall sinne Iam. 1.14 Mat. 15.19 Rom. 1.32 Luk. 12.47 1. Cor. 13.3 and doth consist in doing that which is forbidden and in omitting or doing amisse what is commanded Q. What is the reward and punishment due to vs for these our sinnes A. The certain wages due to vs for our sins Ephe. 5.9 Isay 59.2 Rom. 1.24 Heb. 3.11 Deu. 28.15 Tit. 1.15 Rom. 2.8 Reue. 21.8 Mat 25.41 Reu. 18.6 is to be forsaken giuen ouer of God to be vtterly depriued of grace and happines and to be wholly in euery respect subiect to the vengeance and curse of God both in this life present also in the life to com to the suffering both of the first second death in manner and measure according to the number and nature of our sinnes Q. What vse ought we to make of the knowledge of this our miserable estate A. We ought by the knowlege therof first to rouze vp our selues out of our carnall securitie and throughly to haue our hearts affected with déep humilitie and contrition in detestation and loathing of our selues in this wretched condition secondly Ephe. 5.14 Isa 66.2 Rom. 7.24 Acts 2.37 Iob. 42.6 to stir vp our selues most earnestly to endeuour how we may bee deliuered out of this estate and bee brought into the speciall grace and fauour of God againe Q. What are wee by the speciall sauing grace of God A. We are the children of God and heires of heauen by the frée mercy of God Rom. 8.16 17. Ephe. 1.5 2. Tim. 1.9 1. Pet. 2.9 Rom. 5.20 2. Cor. 4.6 chosen and called out of our estate of misery into the estate of grace and fauor of God so made now by the infinite mercy of God bringing good out of euil more happy then euer we were before Q. By whom are wee brought into this so gracious an estate A. By our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ onely Gal. 1.4 Ephe. 1.11 Q. What things chiefly are wee to know touching Iesus Christ A. We are to know his Person and his Office Ioh. 17.3 Phil 3.8 1. Cor. 2.2 Q. What maner of person is Iesus Christ A. Hee is God the Sonne the second person of the Trinity become man for vs by an vnseparable and vnfused vnion of his diuine and humane natures Rom. 9.5 Mat. 2.17 Ioh. 1.14 and properties and so is both God and man in one person Q. Why was it needefull that Iesus Christ should be man A. It was needful that Iesus Christ should be man Heb. 10.5 first that he might haue a body of the same nature that had sinned to offer vp in satisfaction for sinne Secondly Col. 1.21.22 that in that body he might doe and suffer all things needful for our redemption Thirdly that we may lawfully claim 1. Cor. 1.30 Ioh. 1.12 and apprehend the benefit of all his merits done in that body which hee hath common with vs in nature as personally our owne Q. Why is it needfull that our Sauiour should be God A. It is néedfull that our Sauiour shold be God first that he might be able to ouercome the powerful enemies Col. 2.15 fully finish the great work of our saluation Secondly that the personall vnion of the God head with his humanity might so dignifie the same that it might be a sufficient and worthy sacrifice for all our sins and make all the actions and sufferings of that person who is God Heb. 7.26 28. Act 20 28.2 Cor. 5.19 Ioh. 6.63 to be of infinite desert and value Thirdly that he may euer by his eternall Spirit communicate and apply himselfe and his graces vnto vs that they may truely be counted ours indéed Rom. 8.15 Q. VVhat is the office of our Sauior Iesus Christ A. The office of our Sauiour Iesns Christ is to be the redeemer and head of vs poore sinners 1. Tim. 1.15 Acts 4.12 Col. 1.18 his Elect and chosen people his Church Q. VVhat duties doth our Sauiour Christ performe for the due executing of that his office A. He doth execute the dutie Heb. 1.1 Luke 1.73 first of a Prophet teaching vs in his truth Secondly Heb. 4.14 the dutie of a Priest by the sacrifice of himselfe reconciling vs vnto his Father Thirdly Mat. 2.2 Psalme 2. the duty of a King by ruling and defending of vs by the power of his might and Spirit Q. How may our knowledge of these and all other good things be profitable vnto vs A. By adding vnto our knowledge holy obedience Ioh. 13.17 Q. Wherein doth this holy obedience consist A. It doth stand in a voluntary yéelding and giuing vp of our selues to be ordered in all things by Gods holy wil Mat. 6.10 Gal. 1.16 without further reasoning with flesh and blood Q. VVhat kinds of obedience are we to performe A. We are to perform both actiue obedience by our doing of his will Act. 10.35 1. Pet. 2.20 and also passiue obedience by suffering his will to be done vpon vs. Q. Which be the kinds of our actiue obedience which we are to performe A. Our actiue is both Euangelicall commanded in the Gospell for vs to do for the attaining of Grace which we wāt Ioh. 3.18 Ioh. 6.40 Iam. 2.8 And also Legall commanded in the Law which we are to do that we may manifest and continue in vs the Grace of God receiued Q. Which be the parts of Euangelicall or the obedience of the Gospell A. Faith and Repentance Mark 1.15 Mat. 3.2 Q. What is true sauing faith A. It is a true knowing sincere approuing Ioh. 6.69 Phil. 1.10 Heb. 10.22 Acts 4.12 and certaine relying vpon the gracious promises of GOD in Iesus Christ only for saluation and happines Q. Where is the summe of that doctrine briefly contained which wee are necessarily to beleeue A. In the Créede commonly called the Apostles Creeds Q. How many Articles doth that Creed consist of A. It consisteth of twelue Articles according to the number of the Apostls the supposed makers thereof Q. What is the subiect matter of the contents of them Articles A. It is first of God the Father in these words I beleeue in God the Father Almightie c. Secondly of the Sonne beginning at these words and in Iesus Christ his only begotten Sonne c. Thirdly of the holy Ghost in these words I beleeue in the holy Ghost Fourthly of the Church beginning at these words the holy Catholike Church c. to the end Q. By what notes may a man certainly know that he hath true sauing faith