it the communion of sainctes S. Because all they which do truly beleue in Christ and are so sanctified thorow his bloud which are the very right sainctes whersoeuer they bee scattered in the whole worlde i. Tho. xii they are one bodye one temple vnder one head Iesus Christe with whome and with the father they haue felowshippe i. Iohn i and thorowe the holye ghoste they are ioyned and knitte together in one God one fayth i. cho vi Ephe. iiii one baptisme one loue M. And haue they no maner of felowshyp with the wicked and vnfaythfull ii cho vi i. cho v S. None at all so nere as they canne knowe and discerne them leste they myght seme to consente vnto theyr vngodlynesse or peraduenture myght bee infecte thorowe theyr wicked exaumple ii thes iii For the holy ghoste commaundeth all suche to bee auoyded except they will suffer themselues to bee admonyshed and exhorted ii Ch. vii ii thes iii. and wyll earnestlye repente lamente theyr synnes and amende M. Nowe what followeth nexte S. Remission of sinnes M. What beleuest thou herein Esai xxxiii Iere. xxxi and .xxxiii Mat. xviii S. Here I confesse and beleue that in the holy christen churche and no where els I and all faythfull beleuers haue daylye forgeuenesse of all our synnes so that we hartylye repente and be sory for them and that the Lorde wyll neuer enter into Iudgemente with vs nor neuer recken oure synnes vnto vs vnto dampnacion nor neuer punishe vs for them with suche payne as they haue deserued i. Cho. v M. So heare I well that the christians haue still synne But howe agreeth with this the former article of the holy communion of sainctes S. They are both trewe For the churche of Christe thorow perfyte fayth in hir brydegrome head Christe is pure and holy Ephe. i. v For as muche as there canne be no synne nor vnpurenesse in Christ but of hir selfe she is cōpased with diuerse infirmities and synnes whiche she daylye feleth confesseth and lamenteth with an heuy sorowfull hart And seketh for helpe and grace at Christe and so reneweth hir selfe dayly thorow the holy gost and laboreth contynually in mortifying the residewe of the olde man that styll remayneth M. But howe may we obteyne this dayly remission of synnes S. Esai xlv Not thorow any workes of our owne nor yet thorowe the merites Ti. iii workes or desertes of any saincte that is dead but only thorowe the mere grace and mercy of God Ephe. ii vndeserued of vs thorowe the free redēcion of our sauior Iesus Christe whiche hathe purchased and bought vs this pardone forgeuenesse with his precious bloud Esai liii For his innocent death is the ransom of our trāsgressions and iniquities As the gospell testifieth M. For as muche as thou hast made mencion of the ghospell tell me what is that ghospel Luke i. S. To speake properly it is a glad ioyfull tidynges and message of the grace and loue of God towarde vs thorowe his sonne Iesus Christe M. Vnto whome is this ghospell preached and publyshed S. Vnto all menne vniuersally Mat. xvi sauyng onely suche as wilfully and malyciouslye contemne mocke and blaspheme it But it sheweth hir vertue power specially in them that are poore in spirite and are ouerladen with the burthē of their sinnes Mat. xi laboryng to bee rydde quite and eased of them M. What foloweth S. Resurreccion of the fleshe M. What beleuest thou herein S. By this I confesse and beleue that all menne that are dead shall be raised vp agayne at the latter daye from death Exo. iii Esai xxvi Eze. lvii Iob. xix Iohn .v. ii Cho. v. ii Cho. xv So that euerye bodye that is dead and rotten in the yearth or consumed with water fyer or by any other meanes shall receyue his owne forme and proporcion agayne and shall bee vnited and knytte again with the soule and shall ryse vppe agayne from the dead Mat. xxviii Iohn .xx. Exo. vi immortall and incorruptible Lyke as Christe our head is risen vppe with his very true body M. But howe can that be possible S By God whiche is the woorker of it Act. xxvi ii cho v. Phil. iii. Gene. ii is nothyng vnpossible no more than it was impossible for him to make and create mankynde of nought M. What is the resurreccion of the bodye necessarye Were it not enough that the soule alone should reigne eyther in glorye and honor or els in shame and confusion S. It pleased not God that man beyng made vnto hope and created vnto saluacion of two partes body soule should only remaine with the one parte and enioy euerlasting lyfe with the one alone but that the body also should receyue rewarde with the soule and remayn for euer holy immortall ii Ch. v without any maner of temptacion or infirmitie decked with power and honor euen as the Angels of God yea euen after the example of Christ himselfe as he was transformed before his disciples vpon the mounte Tabor M. He that coulde beleue this perfitely howe coulde he be afrayed of death S. Luke xxii The feare of death is of very nature as we may perceyue in Christe And forasmuche as death is the punyshemente of sinne Gene. iii therfore mankynd dredeth death by reason of his synne the more Whiche feare and drede yet the faythfull beleuers do ouercome Philip. i forasmuche as they knowe that it is the rediest waye vnto euerlastyng felicitie to die And for this cause the faithfull are not so vnmeasurablye heuy sorowfull for the death of their faythfull frendes Apoca. xiiii i. thes iiii as the hethen and vnfaithfull are which haue no beliefe in the resurreccion Lyke as the housebande manne taketh no thought nor sorowe for the sede that is caste into the yearth because he hath a sure trust hope that it shall come againe with a plentifull and an excedyng recompence M. Now what is the laste article of our christen faith S. And the euerlasting life M. What is thy belief in this Soph. iii. S. Hereby I confesse and beleue Iohn v i. Cho. v i. Peter i that I with bodye soule vnited knitte together againe after the resurreccion shall enioye the kyngdome of God and liue euerlastynglye in the ioye felicitie of heauen with oure sauior Christe the soonne of God i. thes iiii Mat. xxv i. cho xv as one of the membres of his body M. what maner of ioye shall this be S. That can no toungue expresse Esai lxiiii i. cho ii nor no hearte comprehende But it shall consiste speciallye herein that the faythful shall know and behold euerlastynglye Ion. xix Iohn xvii euen with their corporall iyes the euerlastyng light and the highest ioye And beyng incorporate with God for euer shall haue perpetuall participacion of all heauenlye
S. Forasmuche as they haue the fauor of God through Christe whatsoeuer is required in them that haue thei also sufficientlye in and through Christe whiche hath taken theyr weakenes vpon himselfe is become their satisfaccion as he is to all others And his fayth and obedience is of grace imputed vnto them and throughe his spirite they are sanctified to bee the tēples of God whose heade and sauior is Christe and they membres of his body M. Than may they be baptised with a good conscience S. Yea no doubt For seyng they are reputed as faythfull in the syghte and iudgement of god thorowe Christe they ought as faythfull to bee baptised that thorowe the ministracion of the churche they may haue a sure token witnes that they are the heyres of the blessyng promised vnto the sede of the faythfull the membres of our sauior Christe cleane purged and washed from all theyr synne in his bloude M. From what synne nedeth a chylde that is newe borne whiche hath wrought neither good nor euil to be purged or washed S. From original sinne whiche is the verye roote of all other synne M. What is originall sinne S. It is the poison infeccion or corrupcion of nature wherein we are conceyued Whiche alwayes resisteth rebelleth and lusteth againste the wyll of God and is euer inclined and redye vnto all euill wickednes and hath a luste and delite therin From the whiche we can none otherwyse be deliuered or pourged but alonlye throughe the power of God in our sauior Christ M. But how are we pourged from this sinne through baptisme S. In as muche as in baptisme we haue a promise that it is forgeuē vs and not imputed to damnacion vnto vs. And againe that the holy ghost is also geuē vs whiche shall dayly mortifie kyll and subdue this synne and wicked inclinacion in vs begynnyng and daylye increasyng in the stede therof a newe affeccion and nature in vs obediente vnto the wyll of God and deliting therin whiche in the blessed resurreccion shall bee altogether perfite M. Nowe tell me what ought our baptisme to worke in vs and to put vs in remembraunce of S. Firste we ought to bee thankefull vnto God for it and vnto our parentes also for furtheryng and healpyng vs vnto it and to receyue all doctrine and correccion of them obediently and redily M. What more S. It ought also to put vs in remēbraunce of the remission of our synnes of the grace and mercye of God and of the blessed resurreccion wherin we shall aryse agayne vnto euerlastyng lyfe By the remembraūce wherof we maye haue a singular comforte agaynst all synne agaynst the deuyll death hell damnacion M. And what els S. Finally it ought to worke in vs a perfite obedience vnto the wyll of God to leade our liues in continuall repentaunce and amendemente praying ernestly that he wyll strengthen and make more perfite in vs through his holy woorde and spirite the newe byrth whiche is already begonne in vs and dayly to mortifie our fleshe and to practise with all faythfulnes and diligence to serue God and to kepe his commaundemētes M. Nowe what is the .v. speciall article of the christen doctrine or religion S. The holy supper of the lorde M. What is the supper of the Lorde S. It is an holy ordinance and institucion of our sauior Christe wherby christen people are commaūded to eate and drynke the bread and cuppe of the Lorde together therby to remembre his passion and to be assured of theyr communion with hym in his body and bloud For it is a pledge and an assuraunce that the Lorde geueth them his bodye bloud to be the foode and nourishemēt of theyr soules vnto euerlastyng lyfe M. Than is it not a bare signe and an vnfruitfull token S. No. For we receyue in the supper a spirituall meate and drinke wherin by the lordes owne institucion the true communion and participaciō of the bodye and bloud of Christe is most liuely represented and confirmed vnto vs. And at the ministracion therof beeyng ministred after Christes institucion it is certayne that he is alwaies presente and worketh effectuously therwith M. How ought this supper to be ministred S. In euery poynte condicion as the Lorde himselfe dyd ministre and ordeyne it M. Where is it written how the lorde did ministre and ordeyne it S. In the holy Euangelistes Mat. xxvi Marc. xiiii Luke xxii Matthew Marke Luke And in the .xi. Chapiter of the fyrst Epistle to the Corinthians in these woordes In the same night that the Lorde Jesus was betrayed he tooke bread and whan he had geuen thankes he brake it M. What learnest thou out of these wordes S. Fyrst I lerne that this supper sealeth vp confirmeth assureth vnto vs the verye true communion of the true body and bloud of Christ with all the frutes and benefites whiche he dyd euer pourchase and merite thorowe his body bloud M. Howe canste thou proue that S. By the verye woordes of the institucion For whereas he commaundeth vs to eate his body and drynke his bloud that is to saye to receyue our nouryshement vnto euerlastyng lyfe thorowe fayth of his bodye and bloud he addeth immediatlye Whiche is geuen vp for you and shed for you By the whiche woordes he signyfieth seeyng we are partakers of his bodye and bloud and in faythe fleshe of his fleshe and bones of his bones he our head and we his members that we are also partakers of all that he did euer purchasse or merite thorow his passion and bloud shedyng that is reconciliacion with God the father remission of our synnes righteousnes and euerlasting lyfe M. What lernest thou more out of the forsayed woordes S. I learne also that the Lorde geueth me thorowe this supper a sure hope and comforte that I am partaker of the new testament and of the couenaūt of grace whiche he confirmed and sealed with his precious bloud M. What is that newe Testamente or couenaunte of grace S. It is this that almyghtye God for the bitter passion and deathes sake of his deare beloued sonne wyll freely pardon and forgeue me all my synnes and take me for his childe and heyre and at the latter daye will rayse me vp agayne vnto euerlastyng ioye requiryng that I should beleue all this stedfastly and loue and serue him obediently M. And is nothyng els to bee noted in the woordes of the institucion S. Yes this also is to be learned that al they which minister or receyue this holy sacramente muste celebrate kepe the memoriall or remembraūce of our sauiour Christe Iesus M. Wherin consisteth this memoriall or remembraunce S. It cōsisteth specially herein that we beeyng assembled and gathered together in his name considre and setfoorth with all diligence and reuerence all the benefites of our Lorde Iesus whiche he hathe doen and suffered for vs or will yet hereafter do for vs And agayne that we render moste highe
laudes and thankes vnto him for suche excellente benefites geuyng vp and yeldyng our selues wholly vnto hym M. What maner of people are to bee admytted vnto this supper S. All that are truly repentaunte and sorye for their sinnes and yet beleue stedfastlie that god for Christes sake wyll be mercyfull vnto them and that they are the true membres of Christe liuing in the feare and true obedience of the Lord and in perfect loue of theyr neighbour as brethren of one kyngdome membres of one bodye and redemed with one bloud of Iesus Christ redye to confesse the doctrine of the holy gospell in the middes of all persecucion and affliccion and to defende it euen vnto death M. what thinkest thou of thē whiche will neuer receiue this holy supper with the faithfull congregacion of Christe S. If they abstaine from it wilfullye of concempte and stubbernes that is to saye yf they maye haue it ministred vnto them after the institucion of the Lorde and yet regarde it not and will not receyue it it is an euidente token that they pertayne nothing at all vnto the body of Christe For whosoeuer beleueth in the Lorde truly can not neglecte or contemne any of his hollye ordinaunces but with all reuerence vse them as ofte he maye M. Where as s Paul sayeth Lette euery manne proue hymselfe and so eate of that bread What is mente therby or whan eate we this supper wurthyly S. Of our selues we can neuer be woorthy vnto it But God of his grace and mercye reputeth vs woorthy of his heauenlye misteries and benefites whansoeuer we referre the remission of oure sinnes and oure saluacion vnto the death and resurreccion of Christe and seke it therat onely Wherfore whansoeuer I receyue the holy supper with this faythe and belefe that Christe Iesus gaue his tender bodye vnto death for me and shedde his precious bloud for me and so redemed me from euerlastyng deathe And that his fleshe and bloude are the foode and sustenaunce of my soule whereby I am refresshed and nourisshed vnto euerlastynge lyfe submitting my selfe in this faythe hartilye and fullye both bodye soule vnto the will of god and vtterly detesting in word dede and example almaner of sinne and wickednes and whatsoeuer maye geue any occasion therunto c. then receyue I this hollye supper wurthyly For this is the true communion and participacion of Christes bodye and bloud wherby we are sure that he dwelleth in vs and we in hym For els we coulde doe none of this at all M. Me thynketh by thy answers that the holy supper of the Lorde sendeth and referreth vs all together vnto the deathe and passion of Christe that we maye so by that meanes enioye and haue fruicion of the same S. Yea forsouth for whan he suffred vpon the crosse then he was made the onely euerlastyng sacrifice sufficiente for our saluacion wherefore there is nothyng remaynyng for vs more but that we maye enioy and haue the fruicion of hym M. And was not the supper ordeyned of God to bee a propiciatory sacrifice wherin the body of Christe should be offered vnto God of freshe or of newe S. No forsouth For that were iniurious vnto his death And the woordes doe sounde thus take and eate c. Where he commaundeth vs not to sacrifice or to offer his body but onely to eate c. M. And why was it ordeyned to bee receiued in two diuerse kyndes S. That was done for our infirmities sake to teache vs the more plainly that he is not only the meate wherwith our soules are norished but also the verye drynke wherwith they are refreshed that we shoulde seke no parte of our spirituall lyfe any where els sauyng at hym and in hym alone M. And ought all men generally without excepcion to receyue both kyndes S. Yea for south so do the woordes of Christe commaund saying drinke ye all of this from the whiche to derogate or mynishe any thyng it were an heynous synne M. But now how oughteste thou to behaue thyselfe after thou haste thus receiued this holy supper S. I oughte fyrste to reioyce in the remission of my synnes in the lyfe of Christe in me and in the blissed resurreccion whan as he shall lyue fully in me and in vs be all in all And thus to auaunce my selfe agaynste synne agaynst the deuyll death and hel And to geue God eternall thankes for all these his excedyng benefites M. What oughtest thou els to doe S. I ought also to subdue to tame and to crucify mine owne fleshe and bloud with al maner of wicked lustes and affecciōs to liue hereafter as a mēbre of that body onely whose head is Christe and not as a membre of any other body But vtterly to yelde and geue ouer myselfe vnto my lorde God to bee one breade and one bodye with all faythfull christians whyche doe truely inuocate and call vpon the name of the Lorde to lyue with them in perfite loue and charitie and wyth this bande of loue to haue my heart fixed and knitte vnto theirs and thus euermore to remayne cōtinue And I ought also to confesse and magnifie my Lorde Iesus in his churche and congregacion with all my woordes and dedes awaytyng dayly to haue this lyfe changed with a better and into a better lyfe M. What yf we receyue the supper with suche as be vnwoorthy doe we make our selues also vnworthy by reason of that S. No we doe not if so be that we consente not vnto theyr synnes but haue in mynde and will yf we can know them and may come vnto them to exhorte and admonishe them faythfully our selues or els cause some other to doe it For it pertayneth vnto no priuate person to exclude any man out of the churche or congregacion but onely vnto the whole churche or vnto them that are chosen appointed of the same vnto that office And theyr duetie it is to considre bothe in this matter and all other what may be most profitable and expediente vnto edificacion M. But nowe why should men receyue this sacramente ofte seing they receyue the sacramente of baptisme but once S. Baptisme is a sacramente of enteraunce into the religiō of Christ and betokeneth that menne are nowe dead vnto the olde lyfe wyll from thencefoorth walke in a newe lyfe Wherfore lyke as Christe died but once that for our synnes and shall from hence foorth dye no more euen so ought the sacrament of baptisme whiche representeth the same to bee receyued but once But the holye supper is a sacramente of procedyng and goyng forward in the religion of Christ and signifieth that the manne whiche is once incorporate vnto Christe and fed or susteyned continually through hym wyll euermore continue procede and goe forwarde in a perfite christian life And forasmuche as many impedimentes lets and temptacions doe chaunce vnto suche menne by the waye which notwithstandyng doe styll hungre and thurst after ryghteousnesse And this supper
or cōmoditie nor excepte it be eyther for a cōmon wealth and for the behoufe of our countreye as to serue his prince c. or for some special case of necessitie wherby to do our selfe or our neighbor suche a good turne as without perill may not be delaied as in the haruest suche othertymes to saue from perishing that god hath sente in suche like cases For than a manne maye labour without scrupull of conscience M. And whan is this sabboth violated or broken S. Whansoeuer the sincere preachyng diligent hearyng of the woorde of God is neglected the holy Sacramentes not ministred or not receyued after the institucion of Christe but otherwyse or contrary to thesame or whā Idolatry is in the stede of the true seruice of god exercised the true faythfull ministers contemned and not regarded no prouysion made through the comon almes for the pouertie but the daye mispent in idlenes pride wantonnes voluptuousnes glottony dronkennes riot bankettyng gaming daunsing and dalying and suche lyke and the godly exercises aboue rehearsed in the meane tyme sette a parte M. And is it a great synne thus to violate the Sabboth Esai lviii S. Yea it is a greuous offence For it is as much as to breake the couenaunte of God Therfore God commaūdeth the breakyng of this commaundemente to bee punyshed with death Exo. xxxi M. What are the workes which we should do vpon the other .vi. dayes S. Euery mā the workes of his owne vocacion condicion of lyfe wherunto God hath called him to exercise thesame diligētly to the glorye of God for the maintenaūce of his householde and also that he may haue wherewith to succour and ayde his neybour in his necessitie M. Why did god rest vpon the seuenth daye Heb. ii Esai xlvi S. To teache vs what shoulde be the ende of all our labours workes namely euerlastyng rest and quietnes in hym M. What is commaunded in the fift commaundement where he sayeth The fifthe comaundement thou shalt honor thy father and mother c. S. God willeth that euery man should honour esteme loue and obey with all reuerence lowlinesse theyr naturall parentes as the lorde hymselfe and that we should serue helpe and succour them to the vttermoste of our power in their age sicknes and in al their necessities for as much as they did beare vs and tooke much trauail and sorow in the bringing vp of vs. M. And are none other to bee honored reuerenced obeyed by this comaūdement but only our natural parentes S. Yes all suche as perfourme the dutie office of true parentes toward vs all suche as haue any manier of cure or charge of vs as our kinsfolke teachers tutours ouerseers And specyally our gouerners rulers and magistrates with the ministers of the churche also whiche haue cure of our soules our maister also mystres all such as do vs any good through teaching instructing admonishīg exhorting defendyng or maintenyng of vs or thorowe punishyng correcting vs for our fautes euil doinges breking taming our naturall frowardnes stubbernes proud stomakes obstinatnes intendyng nothyng but to rule gouerne bring vs vp to the glory of god the welth profite of our soules All such are we bound to obey to submit our selfes hartily willingly vnto theyr instruccions admoniciōs correccion c. taking all such thinges as they do vnto vs in good worthe and withal thankfulnes M. But what meneth the promise of long life annexed to this cōmaūdmēt S. It signifieth that all such as endeuor apply themselfes frō their very youth vpwarde to humble submit thēselfes obediently vnto euery man that seketh theyr furtheraunce in all godlinesse they are woorthy to lyue long vnder good gouernaunce and in quietnes and peace And all suche as doe the contrary deserue woorthily to haue theyr lyfe shortened and for their vnthankefulnes are to bee iudged vnwoorthy to liue except in miserie calamitie And in suche state or case to lyue is not a lyfe but a death or at lestwyse a punishment wurse and more greuous then death of the bodye is M. And what yf our parentes rulers or superiors would cōmaunde vs to doe any thyng contrary to the manifest worde and commaundemente of God ought we to obey them therin also S. Doubtles they haue power and authoritie ouer body possessions goodes lyfe and what so euer pertayneth vnto the state of this trāsitory worlde All whiche we ought obedientlye to submit vnto them without any manier grutchyng or murmouryng But yf they goe beyond this and will take vpon them to rule also ouer the soule and conscience of man whiche is the peculier regimente and possession of God onely and to cōmaunde vs any thyng that is expresly against gods woorde than we ought to saye with the Apostles Act. v i. Pet. iii. We must rather obey God than man M. Yet s Peter sayeth that seruauntes or subiectes shoulde obey theyr maisters or superiors though they be cruell frowarde and extreme vnto them S. So they ought to doe in dede so farre as suche extremitie extendeth vnto the bodye or any thing in this mortal lyfe and no ferther But if such extremitie stretche vnto the conscience soule of man there is no obedience cōmaūded but only to god M. But how should a man do in suche case shoulde he resist them with force violence S. God forbid no in no wyse For it is an haynous a greuous sin violentlie to rebell against our heads rulers or to geue any maner of occasion how light so euer it be vnto any sedicion tumulte or insurreccion agaynste the anoynted of the lord And the terrible vengeaunce of god shall doubtles fall vpon all suche as it did vpon Chore Dathan Abiron whiche the earth did swallow vp quicke for rebelling against theyr rulers but it is the dutie vocacion of true christiās not to requite wrong for wrōg but to be paciēt of the suffring side obediently to suffer all troubles vexaciōs peines wrōgs iniuries yea euen very death also if it shal be the will of god wtout any maner of resistence and to refer theyr whole cause onlye vnto the Iudgemente of God The .vi. cōmaundement M. Well now what is ment by the sixt cōmaūdmente Thou shalte not kille or murther S. Therein is cōmaunded that we shoulde be readye euerye one to loue other and not to beare any grutche displeasure hatred or enuy in our harte toward any maner of person for any priuate matter or quarell nor to shewe any token or signe of malice to any man but to be frendly louyng mylde gentill pacient both in harte woorde and dede to euery bodye what soeuer any man doth vnto vs. M. But this commaundement maketh mencion onely of murder S. Yea but thorowe that whiche is moste detestable and horrible in this vice of murder it would feare vs also from the naturall
God S. It is a comon maner of speakyng vsed among men whereby is sygnifyed that he hathe receyued euen after his mans nature a power honor aboue all Angels creatures wherin he ruleth with the father in euerlastyng glorye as they do aboute kynges and prynces which sit at theyr ryghthandes M. Wherunto exerciseth the lord this his high godly power dominion S. He exerciseth it in the gouernaunce of all thynges in heauen and vpon yearth continually presence therby vnto all faythfull here vpon yerth to deliuer preserue and defende them from all euyll perill and daunger and to purchase them of the father al that is good and necessarye for them praying for them continually as a true and a mercifull prieste patrone and aduocate vntyll suche tyme as they bee also exalted and taken vppe lyke vnto hym and with him in heauen vnto euerlastyng honor and glory M. What doeth it helpe or profite vs to beleue that Christe is ascended into heauen and that he sitteth at the ryght hande of God S. Fyrste we are assured therby that the waye dore and entreaunce into heauen which was before locked vnto all men by reason of our synne is nowe opened Secondarily it is a syngular comforte vnto vs to confirme vs in pacience in all maner of aduersitie forasmuch as we are sure by this faythe that we haue a myghtie and a louyng protector aduocate and spechemanne with the father in heauen Thyrdly this faythe reioyseth and lifteth vppe our heartes from all yearthly transitorie visible and carnall thynges vnto heauenly eternall inuisible and spirituall thynges putteth vs in remembraunce to lift vppe our heartes from this yearthly and synfull lyfe and to serue our God with heauenly spirituall seruice and not onely with yearthly and bodilye ceremonies M. Beleuest thou any thyng els of our sauior Iesus S. Yea forsouth that he shall come from thence to iudge the quicke and the dead M. What confessest thou by this S. Forsouth that my lorde Iesus Christ shall come againe frō heauen with his verye bodye shall appeare before all the world visiblye in the glorye of his father and shall iudge all menne both such as shall than liue and also those whiche were before dead to the euerlastyng comforte and felicitie of all faythfull whiche haue honored hym and taken him for theyr brother aduocate patrone and defender And agayne to the vtter confusion and condemnacion of all vnfaythfull whiche would neuer beleue his worde nor suffer hym to rule nor to haue dominion ouer them M. But whan shall this iudgemēt once come S. The daye and houre is vnknowen vnto all men wherfore no mā ought to busy or trouble hymselfe muche aboute it but euery one of vs ought continually to loke diligent aboute vs that we do fulfyll those thynges whiche pertayne vnto our vocacion committed vnto vs of the lorde that that tyme and daie come not vpon vs sodenly vnwares and out of season For the ignorance of the daye and tyme ought to put vs continually in remembraunce that we neuer lyue securely rechelesselye Mat. xxiiii and .xxv Luke xii but continually watchyng in the feare of God standyng alwayes prepared with the loynes of our mynde redye gyrded vp i. Peter i. Ti. iii and wayting for the Lorde Iesus Christe shewing our selues good willyng diligente and redye vnto all good workes wherby we maye helpe and further our neyghbor by any meanes M. Do our workes than meryte any thyng of God S. Our workes merite nothyng of God for any worthynes in themselues but yet God whiche of his mercy worketh them in and by vs wyll also of his mercy highly rewarde them in vs. M. Now what foloweth next S. The thirde principall article of the holy ghost our sanctifier M. What are the woordes of this article S. J beleue in the holy gost c. M. What is that to say S. Forsouth thus muche I beleue that there is an holy ghoste whiche procedeth from the father and the sonne with whom he is one very liuyng God the thirde persone in the godhead which worketh so in vs that we shal be partakers of the saluaciciō that is purchased by Christ Through whose power operacion onely all holy men haue spoken and without hym canne no man speake or doe any thyng that is good and godly For we haue nothyng in vs but very darkenesse ignoraunce and hypocrisie M. what is the proper office of the holy ghoste S. It is to sanctifie all those whiche are in the bonde couenante of God through Christe vnto the holye temples of the Lorde that they hereafter may contende and begynne their viage vnto the euerlastyng lyfe in theyr mortall body and also that they may euen here in this lyfe haue theyr God dwellyng in them And agayne it is his office to lyghten theyr heartes with the knowlege of the father and the sonne to leade theim into all trueth to comfort them in al maner of temtacion necessitie and aduersitie to prepare vs vnto a newe life to strengthen vs vnto all goodnesse And so to renewe all christen mennes heartes that they may be changed and made newe men M. But seyng there are many and diuers spirites how may a man discerne and knowe the holy spirite from the worldly deuelishe euil and wicked spirites S. By the fruites properties aboue rehersed but specially by the holy scripture For seyng it is certayne that scripture was inspired by the holy gooste all maner of doctrine that is not consonaunte and agreable vnto it is of an other and not of the holye spirite For the holy spirite is neuer contrarye to hym selfe nor neuer bryngeth in any straunge doctrine in religion M. What followeth S. I beleue an holy christen churche the communion of saintes M. what is that to saye S. That is I beleue and confesse one company and congregaciō of faithfull christians vpon erth from the tyme of Adam vntyll thys daye and vntyll the ende of the worlde whiche is sanctifyed and incorporate into one body vnder one head thorowe the holy goste And they consent and agree together in oure sauiour Christe as the verye membres of one bodye in all thynges pertayning vnto edyfying in faythe and in all Godlynes M. But howe may this congregacion be gathered and suche edifying in faythe and all godlynesse perfourmed S. Thorowe the worde of pure doctryne and exhortacion And thorowe the ryghte vse of the holy sacramentes And thorow other ordynaunces of discipline in the church wherby the christian congregacyon is kepte in order after the worde of God and sundered from all maner of of strange sectes M. Why callest thou the churche holy and christen S. For the causes aboue rehersed because the holy ghoste hathe peculiarlye gathered and sanctified it in a godlye and an holye exercise and lyfe i. Tho. vi in body and sowle and also because Christe hathe sanctified it thorowe his precious bloud M. Why callest thou
holy sacrament of Baptisme M. Nowe what is the fowerth principall article of the christen doctrine and religion S. Forsouth that is the institucion of the holy sacramente of baptisme M. Fyrst tel me what are sacramentes S. They are holy visible accions and exterior exercises instituted ordeyned and appoynted of almighty God to bee vsed in hys churche and congregacyon of hys faythful to represent vnto theim after a mooste lyuely sorte his heauenly gracious benefites that they may therby be confirmed in theyr fayth and of purpose to excite the mutual loue of one towarde an other M. Why did Christe ordayne suche sacramentes S. For .iii. speciall causes M. What is the firste S. The fyrste is that they shoulde be tokens and witnesses of the grace mercy and promises of God towarde vs and as the moste sure seales wherby our participaciō felowshyp and incorporacion with Christ is confyrmed consigned and sealed vp And also that our faythe which is otherwyse veraye feble and weake myght thorowe the vse of them be exercised and lifte vp from all earthly thinges vnto the consideracion estimacyon and expectacion of celestiall and heauenly thinges M. Is not that the peculiar operacion and office of the holy gooste S. Yes it is the very proper operacion of the holy gost For he gloryfieth Christe he is the eternall and effectuous worker and executour of all the doctryne and ordinaunces of Christe But yet he perfourmeth and executeth that worke thorowe the worde and vse of the sacramentes yf they be truely ministred and receyued And it is therfore ascribed vnto them because we should vnderstande and knowe that the sacramentes are not bare vayne and vnprofitable tokens M. What is the seconde cause S. The seconde is this that they shoulde admonishe vs continuallye of our office and duetie as long as we lyue For seyng we professe by receyuyng and vsyng of the sacramentes that we are incorporate and made one bodye with Christe thorowe participacion of hym we ought to knowe also that it is our bounde dutye to expresse and represent the very image of Christe in our whole lyfe and in all the exercises of the same And yf we doe not so than we contemne the sacramentes and vse them vnworthely M. What is the thyrd cause S. That they shoulde be tokens of the people of god wherby the whole company and congregacion of god myght bee gathered together as it were into one bodye and separated or diuided knowen by suche seuerall tokens and peculiar exercises whiche no nother congregacion doeth vse fro all other false sectes And they serue also for this purpose that the congregacion of Christ may shewe and declare by them theyr seruice reuerence and obedience towarde God and so maye prouoke others also thorowe their exāple vnto the trew religion and seruice of God M. What thinkest thou of them whiche vse the sacramentes vnwoorthely and vnreuerently S. For as muche as they breke violate the couenaunte of the Lord therby they are accursed and abominable in the syght of God And therfore they shall bee reiected and refused of the Lorde for euer as periured rebellions yf they do not turne and amend M. Who vseth the sacramentes vnreuerently and vnworthily S. Forsoth he that doth not vse them in true fayth loue and obedience towardes God specially he that vseth them not to prouoke styrre vp and to nourish the forsaied vertues For therunto ought the vse of all externall or outwarde sacramentes to serue M. But are the sacramentes necessarye vnto saluacion S. Forasmuch as they are the ordinaunces of God and commaunded vnto vs to be vsed in perfecte obedience towarde God therfore can we not forbeare or neglecte the vse of them without manifest perill and hinderaunce of saluacion M. What persons are to bee taken and reputed for contemners and dispisers of the sacramentes S. Suche as vse them not whan they maye haue them ministred after the institucion and ordinaūce of Christ For whosoeuer beleueth our sauiour Christe and is a true disciple of his he can not chose but to vse all thinges with high reuerence and deuocion what soeuer our sauior Christe hathe ordayned to bee vsed M. Well nowe lette vs come vnto baptisme what is Baptisme S. It is an ordinaunce commaundemente of oure sauiour Iesus Christe ioyning all suche as shall enter into the cumpany and congregacion of Christe to be baptised that is to bee sprincled or dipped with water in the name of the father of the sonne and of the holy gost M. But in what texte of scripture is suche commaundemente grounded S. In the last of Matthew and Marke in these wordes Vnto me is geuen all power in heauen and earth therfore go your waye and teache all nacions baptisyng them in the name of the father and of the sonne and of the holy ghoste c. M. What is to be noted learned out of these wordes S. Forsoth .iii. thinges M. what is the fyrste S. The fyrste is this that our sauior Christe vnto whome the father hath geuen all power in heauen earth wylleth that his holy gospell should be preached vnto all men in the whole worlde that all people should be made his disciples M. what is the .ii. note S. The .ii is this that the holy sacramente of baptisme is cōmaunded of god the father the sonne and the holy ghost to be asure testimonie of the inestimable loue fauour of God toward vs wherby the promises of the ghospell concernyng the free remyssion of synnes the newe byrth and euerlastyng lyfe purchased by Christe are sealed confyrmed and made sure vnto vs. M. And what is the thyrde note S. The thirde is this that those that are baptised ought to remayne in the couenaunte of God and to applye themselues to learne and to kepe all that the Lorde hath commaunded to dye vnto synne and to caste of the olde Adam with all his lustes and affeccions to put on the Lord Iesus euery daye more than other in a newe lyfe whiche will be presente with vs vntill the worldes ende and graciouslye ayde and helpe vs therunto M. Vnto what persons doeth baptisme appertayne S. Vnto all suche as the couenaunte of God the doctryne of the ghospell preached by the Apostles pertayneth vnto M. Muste infantes and young children also be baptised S. Yea forsouth yf it maye be done forasmuche as the couenaunt of the lorde perteyneth also vnto them they are also of the flocke of God and partakers of grace And therfore the signe and seale of the promise and couenaunte whiche is baptisme muste nedes also perteyne vnto them And agayne seeyng they are in the fauor of God as his dearely beloued and partakers of Christe of his merites as they must nedes be yf the kyngdom of god be thēce as Christe sayth than baptisme whiche is the seale of all this muste also nedes perteyne vnto them M. But howe can they be baptised seyng thei haue no faythe
is a comfortable pledge or seale of the true lyuely foode of the soule it is the heauenly bread without whiche this hounger canne not bee satisfyed nor assuaged Therfore shoulde they receyue this sacrament oft because they haue oft nede of suche comforte M. Nowe which is the sixt speciall article of the christen doctryne S. The ecclesiasticall or churche discipline or brotherly correccion M. Where is any commaundement therof in the scripture S. In the .xviii. cha of Matthew in these wordes If thy brother sinne against the goe thy way and correct hym betwene the and hym alone c. M. What is to be noted out of these woordes S. Thre speciall poyntes Fyrste that euery christen man ought to correcte admonyshe other of hys faute pryuately and gently And yf he cannot doe it hymselfe than to cause some other to doe it for hym M. What shoulde bee the cause that euery man ought to admonishe other Shall not euery man answere for himselfe S. Forsouth this is the cause for asmuche as all faythfull are incorporate vnto our sauiour Christe in baptisme as mēbres of one body and are altogether chyldren and heyres of God and haue like parte and felowshippe of one euerlastyng heritage therfore ought eche one to saue and preserue the other from hel and from euerlastyng damnacion through godly correccion and admonicion and so to further his brother vnto heauen and vnto euerlastyng lyfe M. But howe shoulde this brotherly correccion and warnyng be putte in vre and be exercised S. With all humblenesse and frendlynesse and also with such wysedome and sobrenesse that his good name bee not hyndered but that he maye perceyue that none other thing is sought thereby sauyng alonely hys welth and emendemente M. How ofte should he be thus admonyshed S. Euen as ofte as there is any hope of his amendemente by such correccion and warnyng M. why doeth Christ commaund the to take one or .ii. vnto the yf thy brother will not amende at the warning and correccion of thee alone S. That he shoulde the more earnestlye bee conuinced of his faulte and not hable to denye it beyng correct or admonyshed therof by .ii. or .iii. wytnesses as the lorde teacheth onely to wynne hym therby M. What is the seconde note out of the fore rehersed wordes S. The seconde is the correccion of the churche M. who should execute that correccion S. Forsouth suche as are chosen and apoynted by the whole congregacion to be assistente vnto the minister in that behalfe M. Towarde what maner of parsons should suche correccion and admoniciō be exercysed S. Towarde suche as either regard not the priuate and secrete warnyng or els as offende the churche and congregacion with some greuous and notable enormytie that is manyfest and open M. Out of whiche woordes learnest thou that S. Out of these woordes where the lorde saieth yf he heare the not beyng admonished before .ii. or .iii. witnesses Than tell it vnto the whose congregacion c. And S. Paul wrytyng vnto Tymothe the ministre of the church of Ephesus confirmeth thesame where he sayeth suche as haue sined correct or rebuke them openly that other may be afrayed by theyr exaumple M. And should all that offende bee put vnto open shame before the whole congregacion S. No not put to open shame but earnestlye driuen and monyshed vnto repentaunce And such moderacion must be obserued therin as maye be thought best and moste conueniente to moue and wynne the synner vnto perfecte and trewe repentaunce M. Is it the dutye of those that are chosen and appointed of the congregacion to bee assistente vnto the ministers onely to correcte and admonyshe suche as haue committed open and manyfest crymes and such as would not receyue the pryuate and brotherly correccion and none other S. No not this onely but as trewe fathers and phisicions they ought to haue an iye and a regarde vnto all menne and to warne and exhorte euery one as they canne thinke it moste necessarye for the edificacion and emendemente of euery one M. Where hast thou any scripture for that S. Paul wrytyng vnto the Thessalonians cōfirmeth it by his owne example in these woordes You knowe sayth he that we haue exhorted and comforted euery one of you euen as a father doeth his children and we haue testified that ye should walke worthely as it becometh you before God whiche hathe called you vnto his kyngdom vnto his glory M. Well what is the thyrde pointe that thou notest out of the fore rehersed woordes S. The thirde is the byndyng and the loocyng M. What is it to bynde S. It is as muche as to exclude a manne out of the felowship or company of Christē people whereby he maye be ernestlye forced vnto a specyall and an vnfeyned declaracion of true repentaunce and amendement of his lyfe M. What maner of people ought so to bee bound S. All such as wyll not heare the Churche congregacion reprouyng and admonyshyng thē for their soule helth and all they also which haue offended the churche and congregacion with any manifest greuous and notable crimes M. The lorde maketh mencion onely of suche as wyll not receyue the warnyng and correccion of the churche S. But he hathe taught vs also thorowe the holy Apostle i. Co. v. s Paul to exclude out of the felowship cōgregacion of Christe all suche as are fallen into whoredome and other notable vices and to force or drieue thē vnto some speciall penaunce to be vnto thē as a correccion vntil thei declare with manifest frutes of repentaūce an ernest amēdmēt wherby they may edifie content the churche congregacion againe which they had before thorowe theyr greuouse sinnes offended M. Nowe what is it to loocen S. It is as much as to pronoūce forgeuenes of sinnes vnto such as haue declared their repentaūce amendment with a perfect ernestnes and to admit and receyue the same persons agayn vnto the felowshyp and cōmunion of the churche or congregacion and also of the holy sacramentes M. And must none be looced from theyr sinnes but suche as declare earnestelye theyr repentaunce and sorowe for their sinnes with plaine and euidente amendemente of theyr lyfe S. No none els For the Lorde commaundeth remission and forgeuenesse of sinnes to be pronounced and declared onely vnto suche as repente and bewayle theyr synnes and desyre and purpose truely to emende themselues For the ecclesiasticall disciplyne ordeyned of God for the order and edifiyng of his churche ought to bee executed and practised trulye and earnestly and not fayntlye or feynedlye for a shyne and a colour onely M. In whiche wordes is that commaunded of the Lorde S. In these woordes where he sayeth Verely I saye vnto you whatsoeuer you shall bynde vpon yearth that same shal be bound in heauen whatsoeuer you shal looce vpon yearth shall also be looced in heauē M. Vnder whose name authoritie muste this power be exercised S. Vnder