sinne Answere God not without a great cause speaketh so to wit not onely to teach vs the as the filthines of our bodies is scoured away with water so likewise are our sins washed scowred away with the bloud and spirite of Christ but also much more that he might sicker assure vs by his goodly token pledge that we are as surely washed from our sinns inwardly by the inward washing as we are outwardly washed with the outwarde and seable water Question Ought all yong speachlesse children in be baptised Answere Yea in any case for when as they belong as well vnto the couenaunt or promise and to the Church of GOD as they doe that are fully growne and are perfect men and women when as forgiuenesse of sinnes and the holy Ghost the worker of faith is as well promised to them through the bloude of Christ as to them that are full growen men and women they are to be grafted into the Church by baptisme and are to be knowen from the children of vnbeléeuers or infidels as in the owe Testament the children of them that beléeued were knowen from them that beléeued not by circumcision In whose place and stéede it now being taken away Baptisme was appointed Of the Supper of the Lord. Question HOwe art thou in the Supper of the Lorde warned assured and sickered that thou art partaker of that onelye one sacrifice of Christ offered vppon the crosse and of all his good déedes Answere Because Christe hath commaunded me and all faithfull men to eate of this breade that is broken and to drinke of this cup that is reached vnto me in the remembrance of him with promise put thereto that first his body was assuredly broken on the Crosse and offered for me and his bloud as surely shed for me as I sée the breade of the Lord broken vnto me and the cuppe of the Lorde reached vnto me More ouer that my soule is as wel fed vnto euerlasting life with his body which was crucified for vs and with his bloud whiche was shed for vs as I receiue with the mouth of my bodye the bread the wine which are tokēs of the body bloud of our Lord at the handes of my shéepherd or elder of the Church Question What is it to eate the body that was crucified and to drinke the bloude that was shed Answere It is not onely to imbrace and receiue the whole Passion and death of Christe with a sure trust of minde and to get by it forgiuenesse of sinnes and life euerlasting but also to be so ioyned vnto his holy body more and more through the holy ghost which dwelleth in Christe and in vs that although he be in heauen and we in earth yet for all that we are fleshe of his fleshe and bones of his bones and as all the members or limmes of a mans body are quickned or haue life of one soule so are we quickned gouerned and haue life with one spirite Question In what place ▪ promised Christ that he woulde as surely giue his body and bloude to be eaten and dronken to them that beléeue as they doe eate the breade that is broken and drinke the wine out of the cup Answere In the place where he did first ordaine his supper in these words Our Lorde Iesus Christe in that night he was betrayed tooke the breade and after he had giuen thankes he brake it and said take eate this is my bodie which is broken for you doe this in the remembrance of me And so likewise after supper hee tooke the cup saying this cup is the new testament in my bloude doe this as oft as yée shal drink in my remēbrance For as oft as ye shall eate this bread and drinke of this cup ye shall shewe the death of the Lorde till be come i. Cor. xi This promise is rehearsed againe by S. Paule i. Cor. x. where he saith The cup of thākesgiuing wherw e we giue thāks is it not the pertaking of Christs bloud is not the bread that we breake the partaking of the body of Christ Because we being many are one breade one body for we are al partakers of one bread Question Are then bread and wine made the very body and bloud of Christ Answere No but as the water of baptisme is turned into the bloude of Christe neither is the washing away of sinne but onely a token and pledge of those things that are sealed vnto vs in baptisme euen so is not the breade of the Lordes supper the very body of Christ Notwithstanding after the manner of speaking of Sacramentes and the accustomed fashion of speaking of the holy ghost of these things bread is called the body of Christ Question Why then doth Christ call bread his body and the cup his bloude or the new Testament through his bloude And Paul calleth the breade and wine the communion or partaking of his body bloud Answere Christ speaketh so not without great consideration to wit that he may not only teach vs that euen as bread wine hold vp and kéepe in the life of the body so his crucified body and his bloude that were shedde are the very true meate and drinke of our soule whereby it is nourished into euerlasting life but al so much more he speaketh so to assure sicker vs with this visible token and pledge that we are as truely partakers of his body and bloude by the working of the holy Ghost as wee haue receiued these holy tokens in the remembrance of him with the mouth of our body and also that his passion or suffering and his obedience or keeping of the whole lawe are as surely ours as though wee had suffered our owne selfes for our sinnes and had made amendes to GOD for them Question What difference is there betwéene the supper of the Lorde and the popishe Masse Answere The supper of the Lorde witnesseth that all our sinnes are forgiuen vs through that onely one sacrifice that he once made on the crosse and that we are all through the holy ghost grafted into Christ who after his mans nature is only in heauen at the right hand of the father and will be worshipped there of vs But in the Masse it is denied that the quicke and the dead haue forgiuenesse of sinnes through the passion of Christ alone excepte Christ bee offered euerie day for them by the sacrificing Masse priestes Moreouer it is taught in the Masse that Christ is bodilie present vnder the likenesse of bread wine and is therefore to bee worshipped in them And so the foundation of the Masse is nothing else but a deniall of that onely sacrifice and passion of Iesus Christe and cursed Idolatrie maumetrie and worshipping of by gods beside the liuing God. Question Who ought to come to the supper of the Lorde Answere
begotten sonne Question Then is saluation giuen by Christ to all men that perished in Adam Answere Not to all but onely to them that by a true faith are graffed into him receiue or be partakers of his benefits or good déeds Question What is faith Answere It is not onely a knowledge wherby I do surely assent to al things which God hath opened to vs in his word but also a sure trust kindled in my heart by the holy Ghoste through the gospel wherby I am at peace with god surely reckning with my self and iudging that for giuenesse of sinnes euerlasting life and righteousnesse was giueÌ„ not onely to others but also to me that fréely by the mercie of God for the deseruing of Christ alone Question What are those thinges that a Christian man must néeds beléeue Answere All thinges that are promised in the Gospel the sum wherof is conteined in the créede or articles of our faith wherein is shortely conteined as in a certaine short summe the chéefe points of the Catholike and vndoubted faith of all Christians Question What is the Créede ye speake off Answere I Beleue in God the Father almighty maker of heauen and earth And in Iesus Christ his onely begotten sonne our lord Which was conceiued by the holy Ghost borne of the virgin Mary Suffered vnder Pontius Pilate was crucified deade and buried went down into hell The thirde day he rose againe from the deade And went vp into heauen and sitteth there at the right hande of God the father Almighty FroÌ„ thence shall he come to iudge the quick and the dead I beléeue in the holy Ghost That there is a catholike church A communion of Saints Forgiuenesse of sinnes The rising againe of the flesh And the life euerlasting Amen Question Into how many parts is this Créede deuided Answere Into thrée partes the first is of the euerlasting father and of our creation The seconde is of the sonne and our redemption or deliuerance The thirde is of the holy Ghost and making of vs holy and fauing vs from sinne Question When as there is but one onely substance of God Why namest thou thrée the father the son the holy ghost Answere Because God hath so opened him selfe in his worde that these thrée sundrie persons are that one true and euerlasting God. Of the Father Question VVHat doest thou beléeue when thou saist I beléeue in god the father almightie maker of heaueÌ„ earth Answere I doe beléeue that the euerlasting father of our Lorde Jesus Christ whiche hath made of nothing heauen earth and all things that are therein and with his euerlasting counsell and prouision vpholdeth and gouerneth all the same for Christes sake is my god my father and therefore so trust and rest in him the I do not doubt but he will prouide for me all things néedeful both for my soule and body and that he wil also turne vnto my saluation all the euilles and troubles that he layeth vpon me in this troublesome life both because hee can doe it as an almightie God and will do it as a gentle Father Question What is the prouision or prouidence of God Answere The almightie power of God present in euerie place whereby it holdeth vp as it were with a hande and gouerneth heauen and earth and all creatures in so much that those thinges that growe vppon the earth as raine also faire weather and drinesse plenteousnesse in bearing and barreunesse meate and drinke health and sickenesse riches and pouertie to conclude all things fall and come vnto vs not without aduise or by chance but by his fatherly aduised counsell will and purpose Question What profite haue we by this knowledge of the creation and prouidence of God Answere That in aduersitie we may bee patient and in prosperitie thankeful and in time to come we may haue a very good hope in God our most faithfull Father knowing that there is nothing that can draw vs away from his loue for all creatures are so in his power that without his will they can not onely doe nothing but euen not so much as to stir or moue Of the Sonne Question WHy is the Son of God called Iesus that is the sauiour Answere Because hee saueth vs from all our sinnes and as no saluation ought to be craued of any other 〈◊〉 there none be found in other but in hâ—â—â—â—dne Question Then whether doe they beleeue in the onely sauiour Iesus which séeke happines and saluation of saintes or of them selues or of any other thing Answere No for although they boaste themselues and reidice in him as thâ— saviour in their wordes yet for all that in verie déede they denie the onely saviour Iesus for either must Iesus not be a perfect sauiour or else al they the receiue him with a true faith for a sauiour haue in their possession in him al thinges necessarie vnto saluation Question Why is he called Christus that is anointed Answere Because he was ordeyned of the Father was annointed of the holy ghost the highest prophet and doctour which opened vnto vs the secret counsell and all the will of his father concerning our redemption deliuerance And the high Priest who with one sacrifice or offering of his bodie and no moe hath bought vs againe and continually maketh intercession to his Father for vs And a King which gouerneth vs with his worde and his spirite and defendeth and kéepeth the saluation which we haue gotten by him Question But why art thou called a christian Answere Because through faith I am a member of Iesus Christ and am partaker of his annointing so that I confesse his name and giue my self vp vnto him to be a liuing offering of thankfulnesse in this life to fight against sinne and Sathan with a frée and good conscience the afterward I may holde and enioy the euerlasting kingdome with Christ ouer all creatures Question For what cause is Christ called the onely begotten sonne of God when we are also the sonnes of God Answere Because Christe is onely the euerlasting and naturall sonne of the Father euerlasting and wee are but sonnes choosen and taken vp of the Father onely of fauoure for Christes sake Question Why callest thou him our Lorde Answere Because he buying againe our bodies and soules from sinne not with gould nor siluer but with his pretious bloud and deliuering them from all power of the diuel hath claymed vs for his owne proper seruaunts belonging to none other Lorde or Maister Question What beléeuest thou when thou saiest he was conceiued by the holy Ghost and borne of the virgin Mary Answere That the sonne of God which is abideth true and euerlasting God hath takeÌ„ the very true nature of man of
filthinesse and therefore we ought also to hate it vtterly to defie it and that we should liue contrarie vnto all vncleanesse temperatly soberly and chastly both in holy wedlocke and also in single lyfe Question Doth God forbide no more in this commaundement but aduoultrie fornication and such kindes of filthinesse Answere When as our bodyes and soules are the Churches or Temples of the Holye Ghost the will of GOD is that wée shoulde kéepe them both cleane and hallowed vnto him and therefore vtterly forbiddeth all déedes signes tokens gestures and words or filthy desires and what soeuer intiseth a man thereto Question What doth God forbid in the eighte commaundement Answere Not onely such theftes and robberies as the common officers doe punishe but he vnderstandeth vnder the name of theft all craftie fetches driftes subtile meanes and wayes whereby we hawke ly in wait to take other mens goods from them or laboure to conuaye them vnto vs either by might or violēce or by any false pretence of righte as though we had a iust title to them yet haue none at al. Such meanes are false weights false yeardes elles and false measures counterfeite and vnlawfull ware counterfeite and vnlawefull money vsurie and all vnlawefull meanes and wayes that God hath forbidden to get mans liuing withal Herevnto may be put ioyned al couetuousnesse and vnthriftie and prodigall powring out and spending and wasting of Gods gifts and euil vsing of the same Question What are those thinges which God commaundeth here Answere That as much as is possible I should helpe and increase the goods and profite of my neighbour And that I shoulde do so vnto him as I woulde he shoulde doe vnto me and that I shoulde doe my worke earnestly truely and faithfully that I may thereby he able to reléeue helpe them that haue néede Question What requireth the ninth commandement Answere That I shall not beare false witnesse against any man neither falsly turne the meaning of any mans wordes neither shall backebite any man or spitefully raile againste any man neither shall rashly without the showing of a lawefull cause condempne any man But with all the meanes that I can I shall flye and eschewe all kinde of lyes and deceiptes as the proper workes of the diuell except I be disposed to stirre vp against mee the greeuous wrath of god In iudgements and other matters I shall followe it that is true and stedfastly and fréely tell and confesse the matter as it is in déede and moreouer I shal as much as I can defend and increase the good name fame and credite of my neighbours Question What forbiddeth the tenth commandement Answere That our heartes should not be moued or stirred vp with so much as with the least thought or desire against anye of Gods commandements but that we shal hate and defie at al times al kind of sinne shal delite our selues in all righteousnesse Question Can they that are turned to GOD kéepe perfectly and fully these commandementes Answere No for euen the holyest amongest all men as longe as they liue here haue but small beginnings of this obedience But yet go so farre that they earnestly with no feigned desire begin to liue not onely according vnto some of these commaundementes but accordinge to all the commaundementes of God. Question Why will God then that his lawe shoulde be so earnestly and sharply preached when there is no man in this lyfe that is able to keepe it Answere First that all the time of our life we shall confesse and acknowledge howe greately we are disposed of nature to sin and so thereby that we more gréedelye and with agreater desire call for the forgiuenesse of our sinnes and that we shoulde alwayes be occupied in this that we alwayes bee hinking and recording with our selues of Godlinesse and call vppon the Father for the grace of the holy Ghoste that we may bee renewed and fashioned to the likenesse of God euerie day more and more vntill at the length after that we bee departed out of this life we may with ioye and gladnesse get the full perfectnesse that is proposed set foorth and required of vs. Of prayer Question VVHy is prayer necessarie for a Christian man Answere Because it is the chiefe part of that thankefulnesse that God requireth of vs And also because God onely giueth them his grace and holy spirite who with true vnfeigned growninges are of him things necessarie giue him thanks for such benefites as they haue receiued Question What thinges are required in that prayer which shall please God and bee heard of him Answere That wee shoulde aske of the onely true God which hath opened himsefe in his worde all those thinges which he hath commaunded to bee axed with a true desire of the hearte and an inwarde féeling of our geggerly néede and wretchednesse c and cast our selues downe humbly and lowly in the sight of Gods maiestie leane to this sure foundation that although we be vnworthie yet we shall surely be heard for Christes sake as he hath promised vs in his worde Question What are those thinges that he commaundeth to be axed of him Answere All thinges that are necessarie both for bodie and soule which our Lorde Iesus Christe conteineth in his prayer that he hath taught vs. Question What is that prayer Answere OVr Father which arte in heauen halowed be thy name Thy kingdome come Thy will be done in earth as it is in heauen Giue vs this day our dayly bread And forgiue vs our dettes as we forgiue our debters And leade vs not into temptation But deliuer vs from euill For thine is the kingdome the power and the glorie for euer and euer Amen Question Why doth Christ commaund that we should call God our father Answere That he might stirre vp in vs euen in the verie beginning of our prayer such reuerence as is méet for the sonnes of God and a bolde trust toward GOD which is to be the ground of our prayer to wit that God through Christ is made our father and will much lesse deny vnto vs those thinges that we aske of him with a true faith then our earthly father will deny vnto vs earthly thinges Question Why is it sayd further which art in heauen Answere That we shoulde not thinke to vylely basely or earthly of his heauenly maiestie and that we should looke for and waite of his almightines for all things whatsoeuer are necessary for our soules and bodyes Question What is the first petition or asking Answere Halowed be thy name that is to say at the beginning graūt vs that we may rightly knowe thée worship praise and honour thy almightinesse thy wisedome righteousnesse and gentlenesse thy mercie and thy trueth