most holy man so long as he liueth therfore men must continue repentance so long as they liue It is written in Genesis the 8. For the imagination of mans hart is euill euen from his youth Gen. 8 21. And in Iames the 3. Iames. 3 2. In many things wee sinne all And in the 5. to the Galathians The flesh lusteth against the spirit Galat. 5 17. the spirit against the flesh and these are contrarye one to the other so that ye cannot do the same things ye would Wée are commaunded to pray continually by Christ Matth. 6. Forgiue vs our trespasses as wee forgiue them that trespasse c. Qu. Do you hold it for a certaine truth that men are iustified onely by Christ and that the works of sanctification and newnesse of life begun in vs doo merit nothing concerning the worke of our saluation An. I hold it for an vndoubted truth that the whole worke of our saluation is wrought in the person of Christ without vs and without all respect of our works either before or after repētance whatsoeuer the Papists prate But yet there are many places of Scripture which doo séeme to giue something to works to the obteining of saluation As the 15. Psalme Psal 15. ℣ se 1 2 3. Lord who shall rest vpon thy holy mountaine He that walketh vprightly and worketh righteousnesse and speaketh the truth in his hart Againe the 24. Psalme Who shall ascend into the mountaine of the Lord and who shall stand in his holy place Psal 24. ℣ se 3 4. Euen hee that hath innocent handes and a pure hart c. Againe Esay the 33. Who among vs shal dwell with the deuouring fier Esay 33. ℣ se 14 15. who amōg vs shal dwell with the euerlasting burnings he that walketh in iustice speaketh righteous things refusing gaine of oppressiō c. Psalm 50 23 Againe Psalme 50. And to him that disposeth his way aright will I shew the saluation of God Math. 7. ℣ se 21 22. Again Math. 7. Not euery one that saith vnto me Lord Lord shall enter into the kingdome of heauen but he that doth the will of my father which is in heauen Againe Iohn 5. Iohn 5. ℣ se 28 29. For the howre shal come in the which al that are in the graues shal heare his voice they shall come forth they that haue done good vnto the resurrection of life but they that haue done euil vnto the resurrectiō of condemnation Mat. 25. ℣ se 34 35. Againe Math. 25. Come ye blessed of my father inherite ye the kingdome prepared for you from the beginning of the world for I was an hungred and ye gaue me meat I thirsted ye gaue me drinke I was a stranger and ye lodged me I was naked ye clothed me I was sicke ye visited me I was in prison ye came vnto me And there be many such like I answer vnto these places al such like in the scripture which answer if it be marked of the simple may be a keie vnto them to open much of the Scripture and may inable them to stop the Papists mouths that these places doo not set downe expresse the causes of saluation and of eternall life but describe point out who they be that shal be saued by the effects that follow faith repentance The Apostle termeth good works the fruits not the causes of righteousnes in the 1. to the Philippiās Philip. 1 11. wher be praieth that they may be filled with the fruits of righteousnes The end of good workes the glory of God which are by Iesus Christ to the glory of God But whē the Scripture setteth downe the causes of saluation why men are saued obteine eternall life it giueth all to Christ Iesus As by these places following and many such like none to the contrary appeareth Acts 4. Acts. 4. ℣ se 11 12. This is the stone cast aside of you builders which is the head of the corner neither is the saluation in any other for among men there is giuē none other name vnder heauen wherby we must be saued Hebr. the 7. Hebr. 7 25. But this man meaning Christ because he endureth euer hath an euerlasting priesthood Wherefore he is able perfectly to saue them that come vnto God by him seeing he euer liueth to make intercession for vs. Hebrews the 10. Hebr. 10 14. For with one offring hath he cōsecrated for euer thē that are sanctified Hebrews the 9. Hebr. 9.28 So Christ was once offered to take away the sinnes of many and vnto them that looke for him shall he appeare the second time without sinne vnto saluation Romans 3 Rom. 3. To him that worketh the wages is not imputed of fauour but of debt but to him that worketh not but beleeueth in him that iustifieth the vngodly his faith is counted for righteousnes Ephes 2. ℣ se 8 9. Ephesians the 2. For by grace are ye saued through faith that not of your selues it is the gift of God not of works that mē may boast Philippiās 3. Paul saith Philipp 3. Touching the righteousnesse that is in the lawes I was vnrebukeable ℣ se 6 But the things that were vantage vnto me ℣ se 7 ℣ se 8 the same I counted losse for Christs sake ℣ se 9 yea doubtles I think all things but losse ℣ se 10 for the excellent knowledge sake of Christ Iesus my Lord for whom I haue counted all things losse and do iudge them to be but dunge that I might win Christ and might be found in him that is not hauing mine owne righteousnes which is by the law but that which is through the faith of Christ euē the righteousnes which is of God through faith c. And the Scriptures are almost infinit that make to this purpose Qu. What meaneth this phrase of speach so much vsed in Scripture we are iustified by faith An. It meaneth nothing else but that God accompteth and acknowledgeth vs for righteous and holy in Christ in whome as the Apostle saith in the first of the second Epistle to the Corinthians all the promises of God are yea and Amen whom we lay hold on by faith and applie vnto our soules against all terrors of sinne death and damnation Roman 5. and so haue peace with God ℣ se 1 2. who hath said from heauen that in him he is well pleased Matth. 3.17 Qu. Now seing there is such aboundance of saluation in Christ why do not all lay hold of it An. No man saith Christ commeth vnto mee except my father draw him Iohn 6 44. Iohn 6 37. And againe he saith in the tenth of Iohn But yee beleeue not Iohn 10 26 for yee are not of my sheepe Qu. Now seing none can be saued but those that haue repētance towards God and faith towards our Lord Iesus Christ tell me how a man may know certainely that he hath faith and
visite his temple Dauid by the beautie of the Lorde in this place meaneth neth nothing else but the hearing of Gods holy word praiers praises thanksgiuing the vse of other Gods ceremonies for that ministration appointed For a day in thy courts is better then a thousand other where Psal 84 10. I had rather be a doore kéeper in the house of my God then to dwell in the tabernacle of wickednes 4 That al must heare receiue Gods worde REceiue with méekenes the word that is grafted in you Iames 1 21. which is able to saue your soules As newe borne babes desire the sincere milke of the worde 1 Pet 1 2. that you may growe thereby He that is of God heareth Gods word Iohn 8 47. ye therefore heare them not because yee are not of God Hee that turneth away his eare from hearing the lawe Prou. 28 9. euen his praier shal be abhominable Despise not prophesiyng 1 Thes 5 20 Prou. 13 13. He that despiseth the word shall be destroyed 5 That Gods worde is effectuall and full of power to conuert men and to alter their mindes and cleanse their hartes THe lawe of the Lorde is perfect Psal 19 7. conuerting the soule Now are ye cleane through the worde which I haue spoken vnto you Iohn 15 3. Sanctifie them with thy truth Iohn 17 17. Thy word is truth For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ Rom. 1 16. for it is the power of God vnto saluation to euerie one that beléeueth For the word of God is liuely Heb. 4 12. mightie in operation sharper then anie two edged sword entreth through euen vnto the diuiding a sunder of the soule the spirite of the ioints and the marrowe and is a discerner of the thoughtes and the intents of the hart Neuerthelesse though wee walke in the flesh 2 Cor. 10. ℣ 5 6 7. yet we war not after the flesh For the weapons of our warfare are not carnall but mightie through God to cast downe holdes casting downe the imaginations and euerie high thing that is exalted aboue the glorie of God bringing into captiuitie euery thought to the obedience of Christ And hauing readie the vengeance against al disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled Is not my worde euen like a fier saith the Lord Ierem 23 29 and like an hammer that breaketh the stone Surely as the raine commeth downe and the snowe from the heauen Esay 55. ℣ 10 11. and returneth not thither but watereth the earth and maketh it to bring foorth and bud that it may giue séede to the sower and bread vnto him that eateth So shall my word be that goeth out of my mouth it shal not returne vnto me voide but it shall accomplish that which I will and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it 1 Cor. 14. vers 24 25. But if all prophesie and there come in one that beléeueth not or one vnlearned he is rebuked of all and is iudged of all and so are the secretes of his heart made manifest and so he wil fal downe on his face and worship God and say plainely that God is in you indéede These places then considered it will appeare that they which neglect and despise the hearing of the worde preached cannot be saued though they trust neuer so much to secret reuelations they shall shall assoone come to heauen as hee to Fraunce that will passe the sea without a shippe 6 That for euerie thing that a Christian man doth hee ought to aske councell at the worde of God and make that the rule of al his doings TAke héede therefore that yée doo as the Lord your God hath commanded you Deut 5 32. turne not aside to the right hande nor to the left Whatsoeuer is not of faith that is of knowledge from the word is sinne Rom. 14 verse 23. And when they shall say vnto you enquire at them that haue a spirit of diuination Esay 8. verse 19 20. at the southsayers which whisper and murmur Should not a people enquire at their God From the liuing to the deade to the lawe and to the testimony if they speake not according to this word it is because there is no light in them Wo to the rebellious children saith the Lord that take councell but not of mée Esay 30 ℣ se 1 2 couer with a couering but not by my spirit the they may lay sin vpon sin which walke foorth to goe downe into Egypt haue not asked at my mouth Examples of Dauid Thy word is a lanterne vnto my féet Psa 119 105 and a light vnto my path Also thy testimonies are my delight Psal 119 24 my councellers 7 That the worde of God conteineth all things necessary vnto saluation THe Law of the Lorde is perfect Psal 19 7. conuerting the soule And that thou hast knowne the holie scriptures of a child 2. Tim 3. ℣ 15 16 17. which are able to make thée wise vnto saluatiō through the faith which is in Christ Iesus For the whole scripture is giuen by inspiratiō of God is profitable to teach to improue to correct to instruct in righteousnesse That the man of God may bee absolute being made perfect vnto all good woorks Receiue with méekenes the word that is grafted in you Iames 1 21. which is able to saue your soules Search the scriptures Iohn 5 39. for in them yee thinke to haue eternall life Then if eternal life saluation of our soules bee obteined by the scripures and doctrine of the worde conteined therein much good doe the Papistes with the rest which they get more by the meanes of traditions and vnwritten verities 8 Of Magistrates and first what men are to be chosen MOreouer prouide thou among al the people men of courage Exod. 18.21 fearing God men dealing truly men hating couetousnes appoint such ouer thē to be rulers ouer thousāds rulers ouer hundreds c. 9 That Magistrates are to execute Iustice vprightly towards all ANd I charged your iudges that same time saying Deut. 1 16. Heare the causes of brethren and iudge righteously betwene euery man and his brother the stranger that is with him ye shal haue no respect of persons but shall heare the small aswell as the great ye shal not feare the face of man for the iudgment is Gods Ye shal not do vniustly in iudgement Deuitie 19. verse 15 thou shalt not fanour the person of the poore nor honour the person of the mighty but thou shalt iudge thy neighbor iustly Thou shalt not estéeme a poore man in his cause Exod 23.3 Iudges officers shalt thou make thée c. and they shall iudge the people with righteous iudgement Deut. 17 18. 10. That Iudges and magistrates must take no rewardes nor bribes nor wrest the Lawe ANd he set
A CATECHISME briefly opening the misterie of our redemption by Christ hauing the â—roâ—es of euery point so annexed and ioined vnder euery answer that the ruder sort of people may be much furthered thereby if they vvould vse a little diligence and endeuour to commit it to memory or be much conuersant in reading thereof or if they cannot read in hearing it read by others vnto knovvledge and godlinesse Philipp 1.9.10 And this I pray that your Loue may yet more and more abound in knovvledge and all Iudgement that ye may knovv things vvhich differ that ye may be syncere and go forvvard in a blamelesse course vntill the day of Christ Prouerb 3.13.14.15 Blessed is the man that findeth vvisdome and the man that getteth vnderstanding For the merchandise therof is better then the merchandise of siluer and the gaine therof is better then gold it is more pretious then pearles and all that thou canst desire are not to be compared vnto her Seene and allowed by authoritie Printed by W. How for Henry Car and are to be sold at the Blasing starre in Paules Churchyard To the Right worshipful maister Henry Warner Esquier the vertuous Gentlewoman his wife T.S. wisheth grace and mercie from God thorough Christ Iesus and daily supplie of all godlinesse and vertue the right directors to and augmentors of all true worship THe Lord Right worshipfull the most wise disposer of all actions hauing giuen vnto me his least able minister an entrance into the Towne of Mildenhall to publish there in the cares of that great people according to his grace bâ—stowed vpon me his glorious Gospell I was streightway after I had some knowledge of their state moued with compassion towards them and framed my selfe so neere as I could to vse such a familiar and plaine kind of teaching as I thought to serue most for their vnderstanding and capacitie And although I had not granted vnto mee which was neuer yet granted to any faithfull minister to please approue my doings to all yet a fewe skorners set apart which seem as the Prophet speaketh Eâ—â—â—â—â— To haue made a couenant with death and to bee at an agreement with hell being more deuout to serue Bacchus then the true God and therfore can like of no Prophet except such as saith an other Scripture Can walke in a liing spirit Mich. 2.11 and prophesie vnto them of wine and strong drinke And a few other which being altogether worldly minded be frosen in their dregges which seeme to haue made their large Fen their God it pleased God to make the rest likers allowers of the holy doctrine wishing to haue the same continued amongst them and willing to impart something of their substance vnto the disposer towards his maintenance and liuing In the behalfe of these Sir I doo vnfainedly thanke blesse God the Father Lord of heauen and earth by his Sonne Christ conceiuing no small hope through his blessing of their more increasing and growing in faith and godlines which God grant vnto them for his Christ his sake Amen In the behalfe of those I do earnestly pray inforcing my selfe in all my doctrine Iude. 23. as the Apostle Iude saith to saue them with feare and to pull them out of the fire wishing that at any time God would giue them repentance that they may come to amendment out of the snare of the Diuell But if they will not heare this My soule shall weepe in secrete for their pride Ierem. 13.17 as the Prophet speaketh mine eie shall weepe drop downe teares to see Gods iudgementes vpon them And now if I might speake of your worship without suspition of flatterie coorying of fauour by your diligent attending vpon the hearing accompaned alwaies with your vertuous wife most godlily likewise disposed to heare the holy word of God and so much as might be your whole familie And by your good countenaÌ„ce most cheerefully shewed vnto me a poore minister of God that I may not speake of other your beneficence towardes mee you most euideÌ„tly declared not only what loue your selfe had vnto the truth of God that is his word his pure and holy worship but also your care by your godly exaÌ„ple to draw others to like and allow of the same that so Christ Iesus might be enterteined his kingdome erected at Mildenhall And I cannot forget how which did declare your desire and care to haue the word of Gods grace that is the Gospel continued at Mildenhall for the saluation of the people you spake to the Right honorable the Lord North comming ouer to his house at Mildenhall not only to shew me his fauourable countenance for my continuance at Mildenhal but also to procure me a more ample and large salery and stipend which thing his Honour of his godly disposition vnto Religion was willing to doo In consideration of these things as they concerne Gods glorie first I giue God hartie thanks Secondly as they concerne the helpe of me his Minister not otherwise knowing how to requite any way your Worships good will as a testimonie of a gratefull minde I bestowe vpon your Worship the vertuous Gentlewoman your wife a litle Catechisme which I haue lately made in my small iudgement not altogether vnfit for indeed I laboured to make it fit for the state of the inhabitants of Mildenhall not for any great vse of your selues for I verily perswade my selfe that you haue not now neede to learne the first principles of the word of God but are able to disiest much stronger meat but for the vse of your babes your two sonnes and daughter and others which afterwards it may please God to giue and blesse you withall whome I doo not doubt to be instructed in the principles of Religion so soone as they haue laid away their stammering tongues according to Gods commaundement giuen to all parents Deut. 6.7 without exception of degree Psal 78. â„£ sâ— 5 6 7. Ephes 6.4 and condition in the world it will be vnto you both no little care and studie which that it may be so I shall daily pray Accept good Sir of this mine enterprise as I trust you will And thus I take my leaue beseeching God that yee doo none euill that his good graces may be multiplied vpon you and that your whole spirit soule and bodie may be kept blamelesse vnto the comming of our Lord Iesus Christ Your worships in all godly dutifulnes most readie Thomas Settle To the Christian Reader and especiallie to the inhabitantes of Mildenhall in the Countie of Suffolke for whose cause chiefly this little Catechisme was written grace mercie and peace AFter so many Catechismes of so many good and godly men had beene already published in our Church if thou demaundest why nowe I doe aduenture the publishing of this of mine as though I would seem to accuse them of some negligence or want in that behalfe or to ad vnto them I aunswere that my mind
thrée places Paule setteth foorth the power of the Holy ghost in begetting of faith by the outward ministrie of his preaching In the fift chapter to the Galathians Paule saith Galat. 5.22 The fruit of the spirite is loue ioy peace long suffering gentletlenesse goodnesse faith meekenesse temperancie Qu. What men are meet for the planting of faith An. Those onely that haue a féeling of their owne miserie and woe due from Gods instice for their sinnes For those onely dooth Christ call in the eleuenth of Mathew saying Math. 11 28 Come vnto me all yee that are weary and laden and I will ease you In the second of the Acts we read that those that were pricked in their harts and said vnto Peter and the other Apostles Acts. 2. â„£ se 37 38 39. Men and brethren what shall we do immediatly after beléeued Qu. To what head or point of religion do you refer this sorrow and trembling conceiued of the sight of Gods displeasure for sinne An. To the point of Repentance Acts. 2 â—7 as a foregoer thereof in the elect Qu. What is Repentance An. Repentance is a turning froÌ„ sin vnto God What Repentance is that is to say a framing of our whole life to obey him And the word that the Scripture vseth most commonly to expresse it by doth signifie a change or alteration of the minde That new birth which our sauiour Christ speaketh of in the 3. of Iohn vnto Nicodemus is nothing but RepeÌ„tance Iohn 3 3. It is called Regeneration Regeneration or Repentance hath two parts represented in baptisme that is Dying vnto sinne called mortification termed in the Scripture circumcision of the hart And newnesse at life Both these partes of repentance are in sundrie places of the Scriptures expressed As in the 2. chapter vnto Titus in these words Titus 2. â„£ se 11 12. For that grace of God that bringeth saluation vnto all men hath appeared and teacheth vs to deny vngodlines and worldly lusts this is Mortification and to liue sobeâ—ly righteously and godly in this present world this is Newnesse of life In the 2. to the Collossians these two parts are also expressed where the Apostle saith Coloss 2. â„£ s 11 12. In whom also ye are circumcised with circumcisioÌ„ made without hands by putting off the sinfull body of the flesh through the circumcision of Christ in that ye are buried with him thorough baptisme Ephes 4. â„£ se 22 23.24 in whom ye are also raised vp together through the faith of the operation of God In the 6. of the epistle to the Romans Rom. 6.4 and in the 4. of the first epistle of Peter both these parts are manifestly expressed 1. Pet. 4. â„£ se 1 2. the one procéedeth of the force of Christs death the other of his n = * Phil. 3 10. resurrection Qu. How is repentance wrought in mans hart An. By the holy ghost in preaching of the lawes and the gospell John 3 5. Except a man saith Christ be borne of water and the Holy ghost he caÌ„not enter into the kingdome of God Againe Paule saith in the 6. of his first epistle to the Corinthians 1. Cor. 6.11 And such were some of you but ye are washed but ye are sanctified but ye are iustified in the name of the Lord Iesus by the spirit of our God And againe in the 3. chapter of the secoÌ„d epistle to the Corinthians 2. Cor. 1 12. But we all behold as in a mirrour the glory of the Lord with open face and are chaunged into the same image from glory to glory as by the spirit of the Lord. Qu. You haue proued that Repentance is the worke of the Holy ghost Now proue that it is in the ministry of the law and the gospell An. In the 1. chapter of Titus it is commaunded Titus that he should sharply rebuke the Cretians Titus 1. â„£ se 12 13. because one of their own prophets witnesseth that they were alwaies liers euill beasts slow bellies that they may bée sound in the saith Rom. 3.20 The whole Scripture both the law the gospell saith the same Apostle in the 3. of his 2. Epistle to Timothie 2. Timoth. 3. â„£ se 16 17. is giuen by inspiration from God and is profitable to conuince to correct and to instruct c. thus much for the ministry of the lawe For the gospell Our Sauiour Christ saith in the fiftenth of Iohn Nowe are yee cleane through the word that I haue spoken vnto you Iohn 15 3. Also Peter saith in the 1. chapter of his first epistle Being borne againe not of mortall seede but of immortall 1. Pet. 1.23 by the word of God Lastly in the twenty and six of the Acts it is witnessed that Paule was sent by Iesus Christ by preaching the gospell vnto the Gentiles To open their eies Acts. 26 18. that they might turne from darknes to light and from the power of Satan to God that they might receiue forgiuenes of sinnes inheritance among them that were Sanctified by faith in him Thus it is plaine that Repentance is the worke of the Holy ghost by the ministry of the law and the gospell Qu. Whether is faith before Repentance or Repentance before faith An. The question is busie there is no doubt but faith repentance are very nigh adioined as touching their beginning as is the cause and the effect Let it suffice vs to know that when a sinner thorow the preaching of the lawe is throwne downe to the sight of his deserued damnation by the auenging iustice of God that theÌ„ if he be Gods elect faith in Gods promise of saluation in Christ is wrought in him by the preaching of the gospell whervpon followeth an hatred of sinne and care to auoid it a loue of righteousnes and care to doo it which are especiall effects of repentance in token of thankefulnesse for saluation by Christ The Scripture in sundry places doth ascribe sanctification and purging of the hart vnto faith As in the twentie and six of the Acts Acts. 26 18 That they may receiue forgiuenes of sinnes and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith in mee Againe in the 15. He put no difference betweene vs and them after that by faith he had purified their harts Now Sanctification regeneration repentance being all one it followeth that they are effects of faith Further because without faith as the Apostle saith in the 11. to the Hebrewes it is impossible to please God Hebr. 11 6. in another place Rom. 14.23 What soeuer is not of faith is sinne We haue most warrant to think that faith is before repentance Notwithstanding some writers are of mind that some part of repentance goeth before faith and some part followeth as an effect therof Qu. When ceaseth repentance in men An. When men cease altogether to sin But sin doth not cease to be in the
Repentance An. If he can say in true féeling The good that I would doo that I doo not Rom. 7 19. and the euill that I would not doo that I doo with Paule in the 7. to the Romans Math. 5. and mourne vnder the burden of his sinne If he delite in the lawe of God in the inner man Rom. 8 16. If he be led by the spirit of God Rom. 8 14. If he haue crucified the flesh with the affections of the flesh Galat. 5 24. If he walke according to the rule of a new creature Galat. 6 15. be a new creature peace shal be vpō him mercie as saith the Apostle If he can say with the Apostle 2. Cor. 1 12. This is my reioycing the testimonie of my cōsciēce that in simplicitie godly purenes and not in fleshly wisedome but by the grace of God I haue had my conuersation in the world If hée haue true loue towardes the brethren euen to be gréeued in their griefes and ioyfull in their good and carefull to helpe them in christian compassion by easing their gréeues and furthering their good it is a true marke of the child of God And thereby saith Iohn we know that we are of the truth 1. Iohn 3.19 and shall before him that is God assure our harts And in 1. Iohn 4. he saith Herby we know that he dwelleth in vs and we in him because he hath giuen vs of his spirit that is the fruits of his spirit Roman 8. And if any haue not the fruits of the spirit the same is none of his The fruits of the spirit are as appeareth in Galathians 5. loue ioy peace Galat. 5 22. long suffering gentlenes goodnes faith meeknes c. If a mā by these notes examine himselfe he may iudge of his repentāce If any man haue not repented he is diligently to attend vpon the holy ministry of the law the gospel that he may be called in Gods good time Qu. How may Gods people know a faithfull man An. By 3. marks specially First by his professing frequenting of the publike worship of God when it may be had As in Romans 10. Rom. 10 9. For if thou shalt cōfesse with thy mouth the Lord Iesus beleeue with thy hart that God raised him from the dead thou shalt be saued And in 1. Peter 3. 1. Pet. 3.15 Be redie alwaies to giue an answer to euery mā that asketh you a reason of that hope that is in you Our sauiour Christ saith in Iohn 8. He that is of God heareth Gods word Iohn 8 47. Secondly by his honest godly conuersation amōg men for Paule saith 2. Tim. 2. The Lord knoweth who are his ℣ se 15 let euery one that nameth the name of Chrst departe from iniquitie Shew me saith Iames in the second of his Epistle thy faith by thy works Iames. 2 18. and I will shewe thee my faith by my workes Where he plainely sheweth that if good works be away Matth. 7. there is no faith Yee shall know them saith Christ by their fruit verse 16 20. for a good tree bringeth foorth good fruit c. Thirdly by true Christian loue Iohn 13 35. Hereby saith Christ in the 13. of Iohn shall all men know that ye are my disciples if ye haue loue one to an other These are thrée sure markes to know a faithfull man by so farre as man may iudge Hypocrites God will either display in this world in time by bringing their sinnes abroad to the view of all men as he did Symon Magus his sinnes Iudas Saules and many others or else when the secrets of all mens harts shal be disclosed he will throwe those tares into vnquenchable fier with others prepared to condemnation Qu How may a mā know an vnfaithfull man and an infidell An. By his life vnreformed continuance in his wickednes after he is rebuked heareth how he ought to walke Luke 6. verse 43 44. It is not a good tree saith Christ in the sixt of Luke which bringeth foorth euill fruit neither an euil tree that bringeth forth good fruite Againe Iohn saith in his first epistle and third chapiter 1 Iohn 3 10. In this are the children of God knowne and the children of the deuill whosoeuer doth not righteousnesse is not of God And againe He that committeth sinne is of the deuill Prouerbes 29. Hee that hardeneth his necke when he is rebuked Prou. 29 1. shall sodainly be destroied and cannot bee cured Psalme 68. Surely God will wound the head of his enemies Psal 68 21. and the hairy pate of him that walketh in his sinne Qu. Now shew what ioyes are prepafor true Christians An. Such as saith the Apostle in the second chapiter of the former Epistle to the Corinthians The eye hath not seene 1 Cor 2 9. neither the eare heard neyther the heart of man conceiued prepared by God for them that loue him Peter in the fift of his first Epistle tearmeth those ioyes the incorruptible crowne of glory In the 21. of the Reuelation 1 Peter 5 4. Reuel 21 ℣ 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25. this ioy is described in the description of newe Ierusalem buylded of gold pretious stones and pearles c. where by most excellent earthly things is sette foorth the excellencie of those thinges which passe and excéede mans capacitie Wherfore let none of vs be a prophane person as was Esau Hebr. 12 16. to sell our birth-right for a messe of pottage and for the pleasures of the doonghill of this world which endure but for a season to loose the ioyes and dainties of heauen which are eternall Which thing God graunt vnto vs for his Christ his sake to whom with the Father and the Holy Ghost thrée persons one onely God King of kinges and Lorde of lordes who onelie hath immortalitie and dwelleth in the light that no man can attaine vnto whom neuer man sawe neyther can sée be honour and power euerlastingly Amen The ende of the Catechisme To the Christian Reader BEcause this Catechisme is verye short I thought it needfull to adde and adioyne vnto the ende thereof good Reader certeine duties requyred by God at the handes of his people to be performed vnder payne of damnation and the testimonies of Scripture which proue the same For surely this naughtye age in performance of dutie is verie remisse vntoward perswaded as it seemeth that a meere profession of Religion with the lippe is Christianity inough And what is the speeches of the most part of men in these dayes when they are blamed for their vngodly life but these such like VVhy God is merciful men cannot be saints and angels you are ouer precise pure Luke 1 ℣ se 74 75. As if it were not
wrath only but also for cōscience sake For this cause ye pay also tribute for they are Gods ministers applying themselues for the same thing Giue to all men therfore their dutie tribute to whom ye owe tribute custome to whom custome feare to whom feare honour to whom ye owe honour Put them in remembrance that they be subiect to the principalities powers Titus 3 1. and that they be obedient and readie to euery good worke Submit your selues vnto all maner ordinance of man for the Lords sake 1. Peter 2. ℣ se 13 14. whether it be to the king as vnto the superiour or vnto gouernours as vnto them that are sent of him for the punishment of euill doers and for the praise of them that do well Honour al men 1. Pet. 3.17 loue brotherly fellowship feare God honour the king Giue vnto Cesar Math. 22 21 the things whiche are Cesars and giue vnto GOD those things which are Gods And when they were come to Capernaum they the receiued polle money came to Peter said Math. 17. ℣ s 24 25 26 27. doth not your master pay tribute He said yes And when he was come into the house Jesus preuented him saying what thinkest thou Simon of whom doo the kings of the earth take tribute or polle money of their children or of strangers Peter said vnto him of strangers thē said Iesus vnto him then are the children frée Neuerthelesse least we should offend them go to the sea and cast in an angle and take the first fishe that commeth vp and when thou hast opened his mouth thou shalt find a péece of twentie pence that take and giue it to them for thée and mée And the king said to his sergeāts that stood about him 1. Sam. 22 1◠turne slay the priests of the Lord because their hand also is with Dauid and because they knew when he fled and shewed it not to mée But the seruants of the king would not moue their hand to fall vpon the priests of the Lord. And when they had brought them they set them before the Councel Acts. 4. verse 27 28 29. the chiefe priest asked them saying did not wée straightly cōmaund you that you should not teach in this manner c Then Peter the Apostles answered said wée ought rather to obey God then men 14. That none ought to curse or vse railing or euill speaches of magistrates CVrse not the king Eccles 10 20 no not in thy thought neither cursse the rich in thy bed chamber for the foule of heauen shal carrie the voice and that whiche hath wings shall declare the matter Thou shalt not raile vpon the iudges Exod. 22 28. neither speake euill of the ruler of the people Likewise notwithstanding the dreamers also defile the flesh Iud. 8. and dispise gouernment and speake euil of them that are in authoritie Yet Michaell the archangell c. Example of Paule I am not mad ô noble Festus Acts. 26 29. but I speake the words of truth and sobernes Yet none of these things do let why the ministers of Gods word shuld not after the example of Iohn Baptist to Herod Mark 6. 1. Kings 21. ℣ se 20. Elias to Ahab others of Gods seruants to other magistrats if néed require sharply reproue them when they swarue frō godlinesse and become wicked 15. That good princes and magistrats are taken away and an alteration of states often made because of the sinne and wickednes of the people FOr the transgression of a land there are many princes thereof Prou. 28. ◠but by a man of vnderstanding and knowledge a realme likewise endureth long For lo Esay 3 ℣ se ◠2 3 4. the Lord God of hosts will take away from Ierusalem and from Iudah the stay and the strength euen all the stay of bread and all the stay of water The strong man and the man of warre the iudge and the prophet the prudent and the aged the capteine of siftie and the honorable and the counceller and the cunning artificer and I will appoint children to be their princes and babes shall rule ouer them 16. That the ministers and pastors of the Church ought diligently to seede their flockes and teach their people vnder paine of damnation and that faithfully without chopping and changing ANd of Leui he said Deut. 33 10. let thy Thummin thy Vrin be with thy holy one c. They shall teach Iacob thy iudgements and Israell thy law they shall put incense before thy face And they that is the Leuites read in the booke of the law of GOD distinctly Nehem. 8.8 and gaue the sense and caused them that is the people is vnderstand the reading O Sonne of man I haue made thée a watchman vnto the house of Israell Ezech. 33. ℣ s 9. therefore thou shalt heare the word at my mouth and admonish them from me When I shall say vnto the wicked man O wicked man thou shalt die the death if thou doest not speake and admonish the wicked of his way the wicked man shall die for his iniquitie but his bloud will I require at thy hands Neuerthelosse if thou warne the wicked of his way to turne from it if he do not turne from his way he shall die for his iniquitie but thou hast deliuered thy soule Take héed vnto your selues and to all the flocke Acts 20 28. whereof the Holy ghost hath made you the ouerseers to féede the church of God which he hath purchased with his owne bloud I charge thée therfore before God 2. Timoth. 4 verse 1 2. and before the Lord Iesus Christ which shal iudge the quicke and the dead at his appearing and in his kingdome Preach the word be instant in season and out of season improue rebuke exhort with all long suffering and doctrine The Elders which are amongst you 1. Pet. 5. verse 1.2 I beséech which am also an Elder c. Féed the flocke of GOD that dependeth vpon you caring for it not by cōstraint but willingly not for filthie lucre but of a readie mind c. Let a man so thinke of vs as of the ministers of Christ 1. Cor. 4. ℣ 1 2. and disposers of the secrets of God and as for the rest it is required of the disposers that euery man be found faithfull The Prophet that hath a dreame let him tell a dreame Iere. 23 28. and he that hath my word let him speake my word faithfully for what is the chaffe to the wheat saith the Lord Therefore séeing wée haue receiued this ministration 2. Corint 4. ℣ se 1 2. as wée haue receiued mercie we saint not but haue east of the clokes of shame and walke not in craftinesse neither handle wée the word of God deceitfully but in declaration of the truth we approue our selues to euery mans conscience in the sight of God For we are
also the husband hath not power of his owne bodie but the wife Defraude not one another that is leaue not one anothers bed except it be with consente for a time that ye may giue your selues to fasting and praier and againe come together that Sathan tempt you not for your incontinencie 29 That one Christiā ought to instruct edifie and exhort another WHerefore exhorte one another s Thes 5 11 and edifie one another euen as ye do Take héede brethren Heb. 3 ver 13 14. least at any time there bée in any of you an euill hart and vnfaithfull to departe away from the lyuing God but exhort one another daily while it is called to day least any of you bée hardned through the deceitfulnesse of sinne And let vs consider one another to prouoke vnto loue Heb. 10 2. to good woorkes not forsaking the fellowship that wee haue among our selues as the manner of some is but let vs exhort one another that so much the more bicause you sée that the day draweth néere Then spake they that feared the Lord Mal◠.3 16 euerie one to his neighbour the Lorde harkened and heard it and a booke of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord. The righteous teacheth the house of the wicked Prou. 21 1 The lippes of the righteous féede manie Prou. 10 21 Let euerie man as hee hath receiued the gift 1 Pet 4 10. minister the same one to another as good disposers of the manifolde grace of God 30 That euerie Christian is bounde in conscience when his brother sinneth to rebuke him for his sinne THou shalt not hate thy brother in thy heart Leuit. 19 17 but thou shalt plainly rebuke thy neighbour and suffer him not to sinne Let the righteous smite me Psal 141 5. for that it is a benefite and let him reprooue me it shall bee a pretious oyle that shall not break my head for within a while I shal euen pray in their miseries We desire you brethren admonish thē that are vnruly 1 Thes 5 14 comfort the féeble minded beare with the weake be patient towards all men 31 That priuate offences are to bee rebuked priuately or secretly IF thy brother trespasse against thée Math. 18 15 go and tell him his fault betwéene thée and him alone if he heare thée thou hast wonne thy brother 32. That open sinne must haue open rebuke THem that sinne rebuke openly 1. Tim. 5.20 that the rest also may feare And whē Peter was come to Antioch I withstood him openly Galat. 2 11. for he was worthie to be rebuked He that rebuketh a mā shall find more fauour at the length Prou. 28 23. then he that flattereth him with his lips why then should any man cast any of these doubts why then I shall loose his good will and I am afraid he will not take it well hauing his promise of God A reproofe entreth more into him that hath vnderstanding Prou. 17. then an hundreth stripes into a foole A scorner loueth not him that rebuketh him Prou. 15 12. neither will he go vnto the wise A wise sonne will obey the instruction of his father Prou. 13 1. but a scorner will heare no rebuke Better is it to heare the rebuke of wise men Prou. 7 7. then the song of fooles He that hardneth his necke when he is rebuked Prou. 29 1. shall suddenly be destroyed and cannot be cured 33. That no Christian ought to haue any felowship with any wicked mā who professing christianitie leadeth his life lewdly to the slander of the profession but to auoid such a one as filthines and dirt IF any that is called a brother that us to say a Christian man be a fornicatour 1. Cor. 5. or couetous or an idolater or a railer or a drunkard or an extortioner with such one eat not Haue no fellowship with the vnfruitfull workes of darkenesse Ephes 5.11 but euen reprooue them rather If any man obeye not our sayings 1. Thes 3. verse 14. note him by letter and haue no companie with him that he may be ashamed He that walketh with the wise shal be wise Prou. 13 20. but a companion of fooles shal be afflicted For Epes 5. verse 6.7 for such things cōmeth the wrath of God vpon the children of disobedience be not therefore companions with them They that forsake the law praise the wicked Prou. 28 4. but they that kéepe the law set themselues against them Lord who shall dwell in thy tabernacle Psal 15.1 4. c. He in whose eies a vile person is contemned but he honoureth them that feare the Lord. Example ℣ se 2 And Iehu the son of Hannani the Seer went to méet him that is Iehoshaphat who went to the war with Ahab king of Israell and said to king Iehoshaphat 2. Chron. 19. wouldest thou helpe the wicked and loue them that hate the Lord therefore for this thing the wrath of the Lord is vpon thée Yet after this did Iehoshaphat king of Iudah ioyne himselfe with Ahaziah king of Israell who was giuen to do euill 2. Chron. 20 ℣ s 35 36 37 and he ioyned with him to make ships to go to Tarshish they made the ships in Ezion Gaber then Eliezer the son of Dodauah of Meresha prophesied against Iehoshaphat saying because thou hast ioyned thy selfe with Ahaziah the Lord hath broken thy workes the ships were broken that they were not able to go to Tarshish 34. That all Christians ought to be full of good workes and to what end FOr wée are his workemanship created in Christ Iesus vnto good works Ephes 2 10. which God hath ordeined that we should walke in them This is a true saying Titus 3 8. these things I will thou shouldest affirme that they which haue beléeued God might be carefull to shew forth good works these are good and profitable to men Who gaue himselfe for vs Titus 2 14. to redéeme vs from all iniquitie and to purge vs a peculiar people vnto himselfe zealous of good workes Charge them that are rich in this world that they be not high minded 1. Tim. 6 17 that they trust not in vncertaine riches but in the liuing God which giueth vs aboundantly all things to enioy that they do good and be rich in good workes and ready to distribute and communicate End of good workes Let your light so shine before men Math. 5.16 that they may sée your good workes and glorifie your father which is in heauen And haue your conuersation honest among the Gentils 1. Pet. 2 12. that they which speake euill of you as of euill doers may by your good works which they shal sée glorifie God in the day of their visitation And this I pray that your loue may abound Philip. 1. ℣ se 9 10 11. yet more and more in knowledge and in all iudgement that ye may discerne things that differ one from another that ye may be pure and without offence vntill the day of Christ filled with the fruits of righteousnesse which are by Iesus Christ vnto the glorie and praise of God Ioine moreouer vertue with your faith 2 Pet. 1. ℣ se 5 6 7. and with vertue knowledge and with knowledge temperance and with temperance patience and with patience godlinesse and with godlinesse brotherly kindnesse and with brotherly kindnesse loue For if these things vs among you and abound they will make you that ye neither shal be idle nor vnfruitfull in the knowledge of our Lord Iesus Christ for he that hath not thess things is blind and cannot sée farre of and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sinnes And let ours learne to shewe foorth good works for necessarie vses Titus 3.14 that they be not vnfruitfull Now good Reader this being ended there remaineth nothing but thy diligēce carefully to practise that which thou shalt here find as thy calling shal require and bind thee which that thou maist do I shal not cease to pray And thus in Christ I bid thee farewell FINIS