1. Cor. 6 15 17 19 2 Cor. 13. 5. Rom. 8. 9. partaker of Christ his benefites And after this lyfe to haue eternall in heauen with Christ Iesus my Sauiour In this holy Sacrament we are made 1. Cor. 10. 17. Rom. 12 5. members of Christ and vnited together by his holy Spirite dwelling in vs. The Ephe. 5 30 32. manner of Christ his presence and of our vniting and howe wee eate Christ and drinke his blood is a great secret and more then my tongue can expresse or any mans minde able to conceyue When wee receyue this holy Sacrament Col. 3 1. we must as deuoutly as wee can lift vp our mindes into heauen where Christ is And by our fayth receyue Gal. 2 20. Ephe. 3 17. Iohn 3 16 5 24. ephe 2 8 3 17. acts 10 43 26 18 15 9. gal 5 6. Heb 11 6. grace and vertue from his verie bodie By our true and liuely fayth we are made partakers of Christ and vnited to him by his spirite dwelling in vs and doe obteyne remission of our sinnes and saluation At the receyuing of this holy Sacrament Matth 28 20. Iohn 17 22 23. 2. Cor. 13. 5. Rom. 12 5. Christ is present by the working of his holy spirite and doth make vs one with him and members one of another And we be partakers of the godly nature 2. Pet. 1 4. in that we flee the corruption which is in this world through lust Euery one which receiueth this holy Sacrament 1 Cor 13 2 3. worthily in true fayth repentance 1. Cor. 10. 3. 4. Iohn 6. 54. to 57 63 2. cor 13 5. 1. cor 6. 15 17 19. Rom 8. 9. 12 5. ephe 5 30 1. Cor. 10 17. and charitie doe then receyue the body of Christ working by his spirite and forgiuenesse of all their sinnes Christ then dwelleth in them and they in him and are vnited to him and made members of his bodie and also members one of another by the secret and marueylous working of the holy Ghost Christ doth out of the substance of Gal. 2. 20. Rom. 8. 9. 10. 11 his flesh giue life vnto our soules And we do liue by his holy spirit and vertue abiding in vs. And by that vertue and power we doe hate sinne and the deuill and ouer come them Thus are the faythfull fâ—d with Christ Iohn 14 23. 1. Iohn 3 24 4. 13. Ephe. 3 17. 2. Cor. 1 22. Rom. 8. 11. his body and doe liue by his holy spirit and vertue abiding in them And thereby their fayth is nourished and strengthâ—ned and their soules fed with this spirituall foode in Christ vnto eternall life This is our communion with Christ and the eating of his bodie and the drinking of his blood Thus by our true faith and the working of the holy ghost we are made his members and members one of another so one body in Christ he being our heade from whom wee all Rom. 12. 5. Col. 1 18 to 2â— doe drawe of his fulnesse So wee eate Christ in such sort as hee abydeth in vs. The maner of the receyuing of this grace and vertue and the incorporating Ephe. 5 30 32 of the faythfull into Christ is a great secrete and more then our tongues can expresse or our mindes able to conceyue This holy Sacrament which some call the Lordes supper others the holy Communion of the body and blood of our Lorde and sauiour Iesus Christ and commonly the holy Communion Christ did institute and ordeyne at his Mat. 26 to 31. Mar. 14 22. to 26. Luke 22 19 20 last supper with his disciples Which institution saint Paul expoundeth and declareth in these words following I haue receyued of the Lorde that 1. Cor. 11 23 to 30. which I also haue deliuered vnto you That the Lord Iesus in the night he was betrayed tooke breade and when he had giuen thankes he brake it and said Take eate this is my bodie which is broken for you this doe yee in remembrance of me After the same maner also he tooke the cuppe when he had supped saying This cuppe is the new testament in my blood This doe as often as ye drinke it in remembraunce of mee For as often as ye shall eate this breade and drinke this cuppe yee shewe the Lordes death till he come Let a man therefore examine him selfe and so let him eate of this breade and drinke of this cuppe For hee that eateth and drinketh vnworthily eateth and drinketh his owne damnation because hee discerneth not the Lords bodie Further Saint Paule sayeth The â— Cor. 10 16 17 cuppe of blessing which wee blesse is it not the Communion of the blood of Christ The bread which we breake is it not the communion of the bodie of Christ For we that are many are one bread and one bodie because we all arâ— partakers of one bread Note that as the breade is Christs bodie So is the cup the new Testament The new Testament is the promise of saluation made to all beleuers in Christ Therefore the eating of Christs bodie is spirituall and so sayth Saint Paul 1. Cor. 10 1 2 3 4. This forme order of the Lords Supper we ought to hold wholy to keepe for the remembrance of his death and benefites till he come againe at the end of the world to iudgement THis holy sacrament is a distributing The holy Sacrament what it is wherefore ordeined of sanctified bread and wine in the assembly of the faithfull according to the commandement of Christ To testifie that hee hath deliuered his bodie to death and shedde his blood for our redemption The visible signes of the Lords supper are bread wine The things signified is the breaking of Christs body by the separation of his soule from his body and the shedding of his blood for our redemptioÌ„ And also our vnion with christ that Christ maketh the faithfull pertakers of his body blood as surely and verely as they receiue the saÌ„ctified bread and wine And that the remembraunce thereof with prayse and thankes vnto Christ for the same is vnto our soules Rom. 8 11 spirituall meate and nourishment and strengthening vnto our fayth So the inuisible grace in this Sacrament is Christ himselfe This holy Sacrament was instituted 1. Cor. 11. â—6 Suke 22 19. appointed to bee done of all the faithfull in remembrance of Christ his death and the benefites wee receyue thereby And that wee should publikely declare and confesse till hee come againe to iudge that all our trust for eternall life and saluation is in his death and merits Also this holy Sacrament is appointed Heb. 13. 15. 1. Cor. 10 31. Ephe. 5 20. Col. 3 17. to be a ceremonie of prayse thankesgiuing And that in celebrating it in our assemblies we doe with prayse and continuall thankes glorifie Christ and giue him thankes for his death and passion Further
The Principles of the true Christian religion breifelie selected out of manie good Bookes First reade and then iudge Ioh 17 2 3 3 16. The Godly ioye of a true Christian is to knowe the onely God in Christ So shall hee obtaine the eternall ioyfull life 1. Tim 4 8. Godlinesse is good vnto all thinges As a thing which hath promises in the life that is now And in the life to come 1590. ⧠To the Christian Reader EVery Christian ought to haue great care to ground him selfe in the principles of christian religion a 2. Tim 3. 16. 17. Acts 17. 11. 19. 28. Ioh 5. 39 Reue 3. 15. 16. Iam 1. 6. 7. 1. Pet 3. 15. 16. Vpon the sure rocke of the holie Scriptures that he bee not caried awaie with euery winde to a newe religion nor vnto hereticall opinions nor wauering in his faith b Mar 16. 16. Ioh 3. 18. 36. 12. 48. For except a man beleeue the Catholicke faith vndoubtedlie with an assured beleefe he cannot be saued c Act 17. 11. The consideration hereof maie stirre vppe euerie Christian to search the holie Scriptures to learne to knowe Christ and howe to attaine vnto saluation These thinges caused me to select and write this little booke for mine owne instruction Reade diligentlie this little booke â—â—d I doubte not you will acknowledge to haue receiued profite worth your paines Thus wishing the encrease of the knowledge of God to al people I commend you to his gratious protection Thine in the Lord. Swithunc Butterfeild Aprill 1590. The Principles of Christian Religion EVery Christian which desireth to attaine eternall life in heauen must knowe howe condemnation Rom 5. 18. 19. and sinne came on all men by the offence of our first father Adam from whom wee are all discended And therefore hee and his posteritie accursed And how that condemnation and curse Ioh 17. 2. 3. Rom 5. 18. 19. is put from vs and the ioyfull eternall life attained Onely by the mercye of God through faith in Iesus Christ our sauiour Mar 16. 16. Mat 16. 26. 27. Ephe 1. 4. 1. Pet 1. 15. 9. Ioh 3. 18. Therefore euerie Christian must know what hee must beleeue and howe to serue God Thereby to obtaine forgiuenes of all his sinnes in this life that hee may attaine vnto eternall life in heauen The faith in Iesus Christ which wee Ioh 17. 2. 3. Mat 22. 37. to 40. Gal 5. 14. must beleeue and the true seruing of God according to his holy will Is breifely comprised in the Creede The tenne commaundementes of almightie God the Lo 〈…〉 s prayer and the right vse of the holy Sacramentes so Religion consistes in faith and obedience The Creede teacheth what we must beleeue The tenne commaundementes sheweth vs our dutie towardes God and our dutie towardes our neighbour The Lordes prayer teacheth vs how we must praâ— and for what we must pray The holy Sacramentes are ordeined to be holy signes and assured tokens to vs of the mercy of God and forgiuenes of sinnes For the merites death and passion of Christ Iesus our sauiour These foure parts containeth faith which is the beleeuing of the Gospell The Law Praier and Sacramentes Or more shorter The Lawe and the Gospell Those articles of faith which wee must beleeue are these that followe Commonlie called the Apostles Creede The Creede I Beleeue in God the father almightye maker of heauen and earth All my hope trust and beleefe for al things I beleeue in God I shall neede either heauenly or earthly is in the same A onely very God that made the heauens and the earth B The father of our Lord Iesus Christ C and my father for Christ his sake For hee hath chosen all the faithful in Christ to bee his children And loueth them Who is so D almightie that hee made Almighty maker of heauen and earth the heauens and the earth and all thinges therein with his word And doth still so preserue rule and gouerne them that nothing happeneth in this world but by his determination will and foreknowledge It is God onely that giueth faire weather and foule weather plentye and all things else as pleaseth him There is not any thing that happeneth to me in blessings or punishments but by the appointment and foreknowledge of almightie God Whereby I knowe that the deuill is not able to doe any hurt to me vntill God suffer him for my punishment and that only so farre as he giueth the deuell leaue The wicked spirites the wicked people and the wilde beasts are the messengers of God to execute his iudgementes and punishmentes C This almighty God is so wonderfull mighty and incomprehensible that my minde nor any man whatsoeuer is not able to conceiue what hee is But Christ hath taught vs that this our good God and father is a spirite a Of God Gen 1. Ioh 1 17 3. 1 Tim 2 5. 1. Cor 8 6. Eph 4 5 6. Deu 6 4. Ier 10 10 11 1 Tim 1 17. Ier 23 24. Ioh 4 24. b The father of Christ Iesus Math 1 18 20 3 17. Luk 1 32 35. Ioh 1 14. Rom 15 6. c And my father Rom 8 15 Gen 1 27 2 7 Ioh 1 12. Gal 4 6. Eph 1 5 6. Ioh 20 17 1 Ioh 3 1. Rom 5 8. D Ephe 1. Leui 26. Psal 89. 10. 91 His almighty prouidence so that nothing happeneth but by his appointment Heb 1. 3. Math 6. 31. c. Luke 21. 15. 1. Pet 5. 18. Pro 8. 15. Esay 3. 2. 1. Cor 2. 7. Ro 9. 20. Deu 11. 14. 15. 25. 32. 39. Ma. 10. 29. 30. 31. Psal 34. 7. Math 18 10. Gen 19. 22. 2. Sam 24. 1. Kings 22. 22. Math 8. 31. Iob 1. 7. 8. 12. Psal 104. 14. Acts 17. 25. c Iob 37. 5 38. 27. Exo. 21. 13. 2. Sam 17. Gen 45. 7. 8. Exod 3. 21. 4. 23. 20. Iudg 6. 7. 1 King 17 20. 22. 2. Kings 6. 7. Psal 34. 37. 127. 1. Cro 29. 11. 12. Dan 6. 22. Act. 12 Eze 14 9 Amos 3. 6. Psal 76. 2. Esay 3. 47. 5. Zach 8. 10. Esay 44. 24. 25. 45. 6. 7. Leui 19. 31. Deut 18. 10. 11. 12. Ier. 10. 2. 23. Pro 16. Eccle 11. 4. Deut 32. 39 Pro 20. 24. Act 17. 26. 27. 28. Exod 21. 13. Deut 19. 5. Iosua 11. 20. Ionas 1. 4. 1. King 12. 15. Iud 9. 23. 24. 1. Sam. 16. 14. 1. King 22. 21. 22. 2. Kin 17 26. 24. 3 2. Cor 4. 4. 1 Sam 2. 25. 2. King 7. Ier 43 11. 2. Thes 2. 9. 10. 11. Iob 1. 10. 12. Ro. 8 27. Esay 57. 1. 54. 16. Pro. 16. 3. 7. Iere. 42. 11. 12. â— Iere 23. 24. Acts 7. 48. 50. Ioh. 4. 24. What God iâ— 2 ANd in Iesus Christ his onely sonne our Lorde And I beleeue in Iesus Christ that hee And in
shal we bee Iohn 14. 2. 17. 24. Phil 3. 21. Heb. 4 ◠14. 9. 24. 1. Cor 15. 57. Titus 9. 2. 14. 2. Cor. 5 1. Ephes 2 18 19 Hebr. 10. 19 20 1 Thes 4. 14. c. e Christ is our aduocate and intercessor to God his father for vs. Rom. 8. 34. Hebr. 7 25. and 9 12 15 24. Iohn 17. 1. Iohn 2 1 2. f Christ giueth to vs his holy spirit to comfort defend keepe vs. Iohn 14. 14 to 27. and 16 17 3 Acts 17. 28. Iohn 17. and 7 39. Acts 2. 2 4 17. 18. Rom. 5. 5. 1. Cor. 12. Ephes 1. 13 14 and 4 30 Heb 3 14. and 10 14 to 19 Rom 8. 9. 11. 16. ANd sitteth at the right hande of God the father Almightie A Christ Iesus ascended into heauen and there sitteth at the right hande of God And sitteth ◠his father That is hath all power giuen him in heauen and earth ouer all things Hee is our Lorde and ruleth all things This is the meaning of the right hand That is hath equall power to rule God is a Spirite and hath no handes as wee haue But Christ our Sauiour hath the shape of man in whom the fulnes of the God head dwelleth bodily And al power is giuen him in heauen and earth ouer all things a Christ hath all power and is Lord ouer all Mat. 28. 18. 17. 5. Iohn 3. 35. and 5 22 23. 13. 3. Col. 1. 15. 18. 19. 2. 9. 3 1 2 Fphes 1 20. c. 1 Pet 3. 22. Phil. 2 9 10. Marke 16 19. Actes 7. 55. and 10 36. Rom. 8. 34. and 14 19 Hebr. 1 13 6. and 8 1 and 10 12 and 12 2. Psal 110. 1. and 2. 9. 1. Cor. 1 24. Iohn 4. 24. FRom thence shall hee come to iudge the quicke and the dead A Christ Iesus in the end of the world From thence c shall come visibly and corporally in the same bodie that hee departed hence with great glorie and multitude of Angels to iudge the quicke and the dead Christ by his Power shall raise to life againe all the bodies of all mankinde to doe and execute the last iudgement on them at the general resurrection for he is ordeined of God to bee the Iudge of the quicke and the dead Then shal the faithful which beleued in him be gathered into the heauen receiue euerlasting ioy glory And thē the reprobate and vnbeleeuers shall depart◠into hel with the deuill there to remaine in euerlasting paine and torments B This is a singuler comforte to all the faithfull to knowe assuredly that none shall be their iudge but hee that is theyr sauiour a Christ Iesus onely shal be our iudge and receiue the elect to glory and the reprobate shal to hell and bee in euerlasting tormentes Act 1. 11. Math 16. 27. 24. 31. 25. 31. c. 19. 28. Iohn 5. 22. 23. 27. 12. 48. Luke 21. 25. 26. 27. Act 10. 42. 17 31. Rom. 2. 16. 14. 10 2. Pet. 3. 10. to 14. 2. Cor. 5. 10. Hebr. 9. 28. Phil 3. 20. 2. Tim. 4. 1. 8. T it 9 2. 13. 1. Cor. 15. 51. 2. Thes 1. 6. to 11. 1. Thes 4. 16. 17. Apo. 20. 12. Math. 8. 12 22. 13. Iude. 14. 15. b It is a singuler comfort that Christ shal be our iudge Hebr. 9. 28. Rom 8. 1. Col. 3. 4. Ioh 3. 36. 2. Tim. 4. 8. Iohn 12. 48. I Beleeue in the holy ghost a I beleeue in the holy ghost I beleeue and am fully perswaded that the holy I beleeue in the holy ghost spirite of God which proceedeth from Christ dwelleth in me and all the elect people of God and sanctifieth and preserueth vs to euerlasting life and defendeth vs here from the power of the deuill and our wicked enemies So by the gouernement and defence of the holy ghost nothing shall happen to mee but as my sauiour Christ Iesus appointeth and suffereth For our playner vnderstanding of the power of the holy ghost behold the sun in the firmament beeing one thinge in substaunce how all thinges in the world haue of the light and heate therof Wonderfull much more and more then any tongue can expresse dooth the power and vertue of the holy spirite of God spread ouer the whole world to gouerne and rule the same Whatsoeuer benefits wee receiue from Christ the same is giuen vnto euery of vs by the working of the holy ghost The wicked haue some giftes of the holy ghost as Iudas and others haue had the gifts of knowledge But they had not the gifte of sanctification regeneration faith and conuersion The holye ghost filleth heauen and earth and is in euery place and yet worketh saluation but to the faithfull only So the gifts of the holy Ghost to saluation are proper onely to the faythfull and elect B So I beleeue in God the Father God the Sonne God the holy Ghost Of the Trinitie and yet not three Gods but one God In these three persons it pleased God to open him selfe to our fayth in their seuerall woorking For vnto the diuine The Father essence or substaunce which we call God the Father who is a spirite is attributed the creation of all things And yet the Almightie power and Godheade of the Sonne and the holy Ghost was then also at the beginning before all worldes and all one in substaunce all three beeing the whole incomprehensible diuine substance and yet the same substance is not diuided Vnto the Sonne Christ Iesus is attributed The Sonne our redemption The almightie power and Godheade vniting or taking to it the manhoode which was borne of the holy virgine Saint Marie and in the same manhoode the fulnesse of the Godheade and almightie power dwelleth and abydeth bodily The same twoo natures Vnited together wee call Christ who is God and man c The vertue and almightie power The holy ghost which proceedeth from Christ working his good pleasure the same is God the holy Ghost As the spirit of man which is in man is of the substāce of man So the spirit of God which is in God is of the essence and substance of God and with God before the creation of the worldes So wee bee compelled by the christian veritie to acknowledge euery person by himselfe to be God Lord. And yet not three Gods nor three Lordes For in this Trinitie none is before nor after other none is greater nor lesser then another but the whole three persons be coeternall together coequall The vnitie in Trinitie and the Trinitie in vnitie is to be worshipped He therefore that wil be saued must thus think of the Trinity And beleue and confes that our Lorde Iesus Christ the sonne of God is God and man God of the substance of the Father begotten before the worldes and man of the substaunce of his mother borne in the world
thine owne THou shalt not beare false witnesse agaynst thy neighbour a Mat. 19 18. exod 23 3 to 8 deut 19 16 21. psal 12 2 3 15 2 3 34 12 1. pet 3 10. pro. 6 16. to 20 19 5. 24 9 25 18 rom 13 19 ephe 4 25. iam 4 1 1 pet 2 1. In this we are commanded that we neuer speake falsely in witnesse bearing nor neuer lye flatter nor dissemble wherby our neighbour may take harme The ende of this commaundement is the maintenance of truth amongst men Therefore all vntruthes lyes guyles dissemblinges slaunders backbitinges and euill speakings are for bidden for they are contrarie to truth THou shalt not couet thy neighbours 10 house Thou shalt not couet thy neighbours wife nor his seruant nor his maide nor his oxe nor his asse nor any thing that is his In this commaundement Almightie God in plaine wordes doth forbid all a Mat 5. 28. rom 6. 12. 13. 17 14. 1. tim 6. 6. to 11. heb 13 5. iam 1. 14. 15. â—sa 57. 17. â— Iohn 2 15. inwarde desires and affections what so euer is vnlawfull to be done So euery euill thought and motion is sinne and agaynst this commaundement The ende of this commaundement is a rightnesse and inwarde obedience of all our affections towards God and our neighbour and to maintaine the safetie of our neighbour The summe of the lawe Our Sauiour Christ hath included all these commandements in these twoo Thou Matth. 22. 37. to 41. luke 10. 27. to 38. shalt loue the Lorde thy God with all thine heart with all thy soule and with thy minde this is the first and greatest commaundement The second is like vnto this Thou shalt loue thy neighbour as thy selfe On these these twoo commaundements hang all the law and the Prophets A newe commaundement sayth our Iohn 13. 34. 3â— Sauiour Christ giue I vnto you that ye loue one another as I haue loued you By this shall all men knowe that ye are my disciples if ye loue one another And this is the coÌ„mandement of God saith 1. Iohn 3. 23. Saint Iohn that we beleeue in the name of his sonne Iesus Christ and loue one another as he gaue commaundement And saint Paule sayth the law is fulfilled Gal. 5. 14. rom 13. 8. in this thou shalt loue thy neighbour as thy selfe For the ende of the commaundement is loue out of a pure 1. Tim. 1. 5. heart and of a good conscience and of fayth vnfayned If any man say he loueth God and hateth 1. Iohn 4. 20. his brother he is a lyer These are the commaundements of Acts 15. 10. Gal. 3. 24. Rom. 8. 8. almightie God the perfect fulfilling thereof no flesh can attaine vnto Although I doe all that I can yet I breake them dayly Therefore the vse of the lawe to the The vse of the lawe Rom. 7 7 Gal. 3 24. godly Christian is the knowledge of sinne because it is a rule wherevnto he is to frame his life and a glasse wherein he may see his wantes whereby he may desire more and more to be conformed vnto God and his lawe The law of the ten commandements Rom. 7 20 21 22 is to be taught vnto all mankinde and vnto all the godly that we may striue and endeuour to come as neere as wee can vnto it That by this desire of fulfilling of the lawe God may exercise vs in repentance and obedience that wee may go forwarde more and more in godlinesse Although the lawe doth not binde Rom 8 1 2 3. 4 10 4. Ephe 2 14 1 Tim 1 9. the true Christian with the curse thereof and condemnation because Christ is the ende of the law for righteousnesse to all beleeuers yet it must bee our rule to frame our liues by vnto the vttermost of our power â—nd the law is our schoolemaster Gal. 3. 24. to bring vs to Christ our sauiour who hath redeemed vs from the curse of the lawe and obteyned Gods mercie for vs. The lawe is holy and the commaundement Rom. 7. 12. 1 Tim 1 â— is holy iust and good The lawe is good if that a man vse it lawfully The ende of the lawe Our neighbour is he that needeth our Luke 10 27 to 30. mat 23 8 1 cor 6 1 6 1 cor 12 1 15 1. 1. cor 16 1. our helpe Our brother in the scripture phrase is he that is a Christian Christians are brethren and Sainst Of Prayer THe things that haue bene hitherto spoken do plainly shew howe needie and voide man is of all good things and how he wanteth of himselfe al helpes of saluation Wherefore if we seeke for helpe for our releife and neede we must go out of our selues and by fayth to acknowledge that what so euer wee haue neede of what so euer wanteth in vs a Iohn 15. 7. Col. 1. 19. the same is in God and in our Lorde Iesus Christ And in Christ is the fulnesse of Gods goodnesse from whome we must drawe by prayer as out of a plentifull fountaine whatsoeuer wee haue neede of and whatsoeuer wanteth in vs. b Mat. 21. 22. mar 11. 24. roÌ„ 14. 13. 9. 14. 26. 33. eph 5 3 12 heb 4. 16. â—oÌ„ 12. iam 1. 5. 6. By faith our hearts are framed to call vpon the name of God and fayth obteyneth what so euer is graunted by prayer And with prayer we must craue of Christ that which we haue learned to be in him So by prayer our fayth is exercised for faith is the cause of prayer and prayer is the encreasing of fayth c 2. Chro. 7. 14. psal 66. 18. eze 18. 26 27. 31. 32. roÌ„ 14. 13 A right prayer requireth fayth and repentance Without fayth it is impossible to please God and where true fayth is there is also true repentaunce Without fayth rhere is no true prayer And without the loue of our neighbour there is no fayth Therefore wee are taught by Christ to pray one for another Prayer is necessarie for all Christians because it is the chief part of that thankfulnes which God requireth of vs. God will chiefely be worshipped of vs and magnified by praier and thankesgiuing And prayer was ordeyned for vs to bewaile our miseries to God Prayer is a petition with an ardent Prayer what it is and earnest desire whereby we aske of God those things which he haâ—h commanded to be asked of him And thankesgiuing is an acknowledging of a benefite receyued with giuing thanks and praise for the same d Rom. 12. 1â— ephe 6. 18. Iames 5. 15. We must pray continually for many daungers doe hang ouer vs euerye moment and temptations doe continually assault vs and force vs to craue helpe of God by Christ Neuerthelesse we must not trust by much e Mat. 6. 7. babling to wring any thing from God f Luke 11 2. 21 36. psal 50 14
15 23. 1 16 12. ephe 6 18 col 4. 2. 1 pet 4. 7 iam 5 13 14 15. Wee must pray because God hath commanded that we call vppon him and will this way chiefly and principally bee magnified of vs. And wee receyue not those blessings which are necessarie for our safetie and saluation except wee aske them of God g 1 Thes 5 17 18. 1. tim 2 1 2 3 hebr 13 15 col â— 17. And so of thankesgiuing without giuing of thankes wee receyue not such thinges as are to bee giuen and are necessarie They which haâ—e true fayth aske the grace of God And they who haue tasted of Gods grace shewe themselues thankefull vnto God for it and do more and more craue and desire it The wicked receyue many gifts but not those principall gifts which are proper to the elect as fayth repentance forgiuenesse of sinnes and regeneration or newnesse of life Also those giftes the wicked receyue they doe not receyue them to saluation Sith that all our prayers ought to bee offered and presented to God by our Lorde Iesus Christ and that we h Rom 8 20. know not how to pray as we ought to do therfore our sauiour Christ hath giuen vs the forme of prayer Not to binde our selues to those wordes for Christ himselfe vsed at other times i Iohn 14 1. 17 iam 1 5. mat 26 39 4â— acts 4 24. other wordes longer speach And the Apostles did so likewise But in this prayer is giuen vnto vs a law to pray aright concerning the things themselues that ought to be prayed for And so teacheth vs when we pray for particuler things which we neede what things they must bee that wee ought to pray for and how to aske them Albeit that wee must make our prayers onely to God for helpe yet to demaunde succour of men is nothing contrarye to this For wee put not our trust in them nor seeke succour of them but as the ministers and bestowers of Gods goodnesse to our necessitie and comfort For what so euer wee receyue of any man wee are bounde to take and acknowledge it as deliuered from God by him vnto vs because men are the destributers of Gods benefites one to another It is requisite in prayer that wee obserue Fiue things requisite in prayer these fiue things First that wee must make our prayers k Iohn 14 13 14. 16. 23. 1. iohn 5. 14. mar 11. 24. iam 1. 5 6. 4. 3. rom 8 3. 4 1. tim 2 5. 1. iohn 2. 1 2. onely to God in the name of Christ and not to Saints nor any other for Christ onely is our intercessor mediator and aduocate to God for vs. Secondly l Iohn 4 23. 24. rom 8. 26. psal 51. 17. 145. 18. that we be inwardly touched with the neede of the thing wee aske hauing our minds wholy bent thervppon and not caried away with by thought Thirdly m Iam. 16. mark 11. 24. 1. iohn 5 24. That we trust with full assurance that our prayer shall bee graunted so farre as the Lorde doeth knowe them to bee meete and needefull for vs. Fourthly n Rom. 12. 12. luke 18. 1 to 7. 1. thes 5 17. col 4. 2. ephe 6 18. That wee continue in praier although we haue not our request at the first Fiftly o Iam. 4 3. Rom. 8. 26. 1. Iohn 5 14. That wee aske not those thinges which wee thinke good in our owne fantasie but onelye that which God commaundeth vs to aske of him in his word p Matt. 6 9 c. luke 11 1 2 c. All which things be taught in the Lords prayer * 1. Cor. 14 15 We must pray with the spirit vnderstanding And lift vp our hearts to God in our prayers Psal 25. 1. Christ when he prayed he lifted vp Iohn 17 1. his eyes to heauen and kneeled on his Luke 22. 41. knees which teacheth vs how we ought to pray The godly when they pray they are sorie for their sinnes and doe craue pardon of God in the name of Christ with an humble coÌ„fession of their faults trusting through Christ to obteine their petition And they rest onely vpon the mercie of God for Christ his sake and merit crauing nothing but that which is according to his will IN that prayer which Christ taught his Disciples which wee call the Lordes prayer our Sauiour Christ hath taught vs what we ought to pray for and how to pray Therefore we must not looke for any other thing then is briefly comprehended in that prayer The Lordes prayer which our Sauiour Christ taught is this that foloweth OVr Father which art in heauen Our By this worde Our a Iam. 5 16. rom 12. 4 5. wee are taught to pray one for another because we are members one of another and vnited together 1. cor 12 13 27 6. 15 17. 19. 2 tim 1 1 2 3. by the holy Ghost Father And God is called our Father in respect of our creation because he created vs. b Rom. 8 14 15 5 8. iohn 1 12. gal 4 6. ephe 1. 5 6 ioh 20 17 mat 7. 11. But in this prayer we call God our Father because he hath chosen all the faithfull to be his children and loueth them for Christ his sake By election through Christ wee are Gods children c Mar. 16. 16. iohn 3 18 36. 1. pet 5 7. For if we doe not beleeue in Christ then are wee not the children of God but the children of the deuill Therefore wee can not call God our father but by our Sauiour Christ For all those onely that trust in his name are chosen to bee the sonnes of God Which art in heauen d Esay 66 1. iere 23 24. psal 2 4. 103 19 11 5 3 16 123 1. God is sayde so dwell in heauen Thereby to teach vs to lift vp our minds to heauen in our praiers God is in heauen most glorious and hath there his seate yet his presence is euery where and filleth heauen earth HAlowed be thy name Hallowed be thy name a Rom 11. 33. 36 16. 27. 1 cor 10. 31 1 tim 1 17. luke 1 50. mat 6 33. psal 67 71 8. iob 1 21. deut 28 58. In this petition wee desire the true knowledge and worship of God that due honour may be giuen to him we may not speake nor thinke of him without most high reuerence Also that hee woulde giue vs the knowledge of his holynesse in fayth and repentaunce whereby wee may glorifie and prayse his holy name and not to dishonour Rom. 2 24. him by our euill liuing Wee sanctifie and hallowe God Iohn 17 2 3. when wee acknowledge his mercie and prouidence and prayse him for the same and doe knowe that of him which hee will haue vs to knowe The ende of all thinges is Gods glorie Therefore 1. Cor.
it is a token of the vnion we 1. Cor. 10 17. Ephe 4 4 5 6. Rom. 12 5. haue with Christ and is the bonde of loue amongst vs Christians For we that are many are one body in Christ vnited together by the power of the holy ghost Christ being our head and we his members And also the receyuing of this holy 1. Cor. 11 26. 1 Cor. 10 17. Ephe. 4. 3 to 8. Col. 3 17. 1. Thes 5 18. Sacrament is a publike confession of our fayth and a solemne binding of our selues to leade a Christian life in fayth and charitie with continuall prayse and thankes to Christ for our redemption THe wicked do not eate the body of 1. Cor. 10 21. Iohn 15 1 to 8. Christ for Christ doth not dwell in them And in whom Christ doeth not abide without doubt is not partaker of Rom. 8 9. mat 5 23 24 Christ his bodie nor any member of him albeit he eate the sanctified breade and wine which is the signe of his bodie and blood He that eateth Christ dwelleth in Christ and Christ in him The wicked which are knowen are to Iohn 6 56. 1. Cor. 5 9 c. Mat. 18 17. 1. Cor. 10 21. bee excluded from this holy Sacrament vntill they shew their true sayth by godly repentance THerefore they which come to this 1. Cor. 11 28. 2 Cor. 13 5. holy Supper must examine proue themselues if they haue faith and repentance and doe faythfully beleeue that they are deliuered from damnation by the onely mercie of God for the merits death and passion of Christ Iesus our sauiour And must desire to profite and goe forward in godlinesse and newnesse of life And so to shewe forth the Mat. 5 23 â—4 2 Cor. 7 10. 1. Cor. 13 2 3. Gal. 5 6. death of the Lorde in fayth and repentance by their godly life being heartily sory for their sinnes and to be in charitie with all men He that sayth he beleeueth and doe â— Iohn 4 20. â— Tim. 3 5. Tit. 1 16. not shewe it in his life and doings is a lyer and by his euill doings he denieth the power of godlinesse Such persons professe they knowe God but by their euill workes they denie him and vnto euery good worke reprobate Saint Paul commandeth vs to withdraw our selues 2. Thes 3 6. 14. 1. Cor. 5. Rom. 16 17. 2. Pet. 2. 20. 21. 22. Mat. 12 45. Reue. 2. 5. and 3 16. from such and haue no company with theÌ„ that they may be ashamed That they and euery of them may remember from whence they are fallen and repent In baptisme we are receiued into the church therefore this is but once to be done in al our life The Lords supper is a confirming of our faith feding of our soules must be often done to declare the Lords death as aforesaid and is to be done not to one alone but in the assembly of the faithfull when they meetâ— 1. Cor. 10 17. and 11. 26. together He that hath true faith is fed with Christ to be saued bodie and soule vnto eternall life To whom be all prayse honour glory power and thanks for euer Amen The conclusion and summe of this Booke THose thinges which are before written Of the holyâ— Trinitie and Gods prouidence consisteth briefly in this That the Almightie God and his fulnesse which is the Almightie power that made Heauen and earth That the same God dwelleth and abydeth bodilye in Christ Iesus And that this holye Spirite the Almightie power which proceedeth from Christ defendeth and keepeth vs from the power of Sathan and preserueth all the faythfull to euerlasting life Iohn 1. Colos 1 22 c. 2 Cor. 5 18 19. Iohn 14 15 c. Ephes 2. 18. Rom. 8 9. 1. Cor. 6 19. Phil. 2 13. Acts 17 28. Psal 34. 7. â— Pet. 1 3 4 5. Also that we beleeue to bee saued onely Of fayth by the mercie of God for the merits death and passion of Christ Iesus our Sauiour And that therefore God will heare our prayers bee mercifull vnto vs and forgiue vs our sinnes And after our lyues here ended at the tyme appoynted for the Resurrection Christ will raise these our vile bodyes out of the dust ioyning againe to them our soules and will then make the bodies of the faythfull lyke vnto his glorious bodie to liue in heauen with him for euer 1. Cor. 5. 18 19 21. Rom. 5 10 19. 1 Iohn 5 13. 14. 1 Cor. 15 22. Col. 1 13 14. 1 Thes 5 9 10. 1. cor 1 30. Phil. 3 20 21. 2. Thes 3 14 c. Luke 20 35 36. Iohn 11 25 26. 1 Cor. 15 33. Iohn 20 31. Further That the holy Sacraments Of Sacraments of Baptisme and the Lords Supper are holy signes ordeyned to bee assured tokens to all the faythfull of the mercie of God by Christ And that we doe receyue with them by the working of the holy Ghost such good benefites and graces from Christ Iesus the which our tongues cannot expresse Matth 28 19 20. Luke 22 19 20. 1. Cor. 10 16. 17. Iohn 6 63. Gal. 2 20. Rom. 8 9. Tit. 3 4 to 8. 2 Pet. 1 3 4 5. And also That whosoeuer hath this Of the life of a Chistian assured fayth shall be saued And that hee which hath this fayth will loue Christ his Sauiour and will haue a continuall feruent and earnest desire to keepe his commaundements And hauing sufficient to mainteyne his familie for that hee which doeth not prouide for them hath denyed the fayth and is worsse then an infidell will also to his power comfort helpe and relieue with his goodes his needie neighbours and brethren in Christ And continually striue with himselfe agaynst his wicked nature to doe vnto others as he would they should doe vnto him Iohn 17 3 and 14 15 c. 1. Iohn 3 23 24. Rom. 7 14 c. and 6 12 16 and 8 1 2. 1. Tim. 5 8 1 Iohn 4 20. 21. Iam. 2 17 26 Mat. 7. 12. So the whole life of a Christian is to beleeue and trust in Christ for saluation and all things else louing him aboue all thinges And to receyue the holy Sacraments and loue one another as Christ hath commaunded 1. Iohn 3 23 24. Gal. 5. 6. 14. Eschew euill and doe good What Christ hath commaunded that we should doe what hee hath forbidden that should we not doe The summe of the holy scriptures is the Lawe and the Gospell The Law teaching vs what we ought to doe And the Gospell sheweth vs the promises of God in Christ and teacheth vs fayth and charitie The whole duetie of man is feare Eccles 12. 13. Pro. 8 8. 13. God and keepe his commaundements The feare of the Lord is to hate euill And the dutie of a christian is to know what Christ hath taught and to doe thereafter and fulfill it to his power Loue Christ aboue all and thy neighbour as thy selfe this is the summe of christianitie The Lord for his mercie direct vs euer in his truth and that directly and only we may all seeke Gods glorie Now vnto the king euerlasting immortall inuisible vnto God onely wise bee honour 1. Tim. 1. 17. and glorie for euer and euer Amen See the principles of Religion more at large in a little booke named A godly comfort for all Christians Dayly lessons to be obserued of euery Christian 1 EVery morning and euening and at thy meales pray vnto God and giue him thankes for his benefits and be sorie for thy sinns And alwayes when thou art tempted to euill then thinke on Gods coÌ„mandement concerning that matter and the godly feare to breake that commandement will ouercome that temptation For the remembrance of God putteth away euill 2 Begin nothing before thou know how to finish the same and consider well of the ende that may come thereof Trust not to much to thine owne wit 3 Rule thy tongue that it runne not before thy wit but let thy mind rule thy tong First thinke and then speake for wordes spoken haue power ouer the speaker Affirme nothing before thou know the truth nor beleeue any thing rashly Refraine from foule language 4 If thou will correct any man doe it with gentlenesse Be gentle in thy behauiour and familier in thy communication 5 Promise with good consideration knowing first howe to performe it when thou hast promised performe it faythfully Requite benefites for it is due to render deserued thankes 6 Vse no familiaritie with any vicious person and beware of liers and flatterers 7 When thou wilt aske counsell aske it of him that gouernes himselfe honestly And make no furious man dronkard nor vicious person of thy counsell 8 Doe not that thy selfe which thou dispraysest in another 9 Eschew idlenesse and bee not ignorant in those thinges which is a shame to thee not to know Vse diligence and doe not that to morrow which thou mayest wel and lawfully doe the same day 10 It is more surer for thee to pardon then to reuenge for euery reuenge ministreth occasions of further crueltie Therefore seeke to liue in peace with all men and meddle not with those matters which perteyne not to thee Be slowe to wrath hate crueltie and in thy furie subdue thine affections Be not hastie nor wrathfull for those be the conditions of a foole Hastinesse causeth repentaunce and frowardnesse hinderance 11 Vse measure in all things for temperance calleth a man backe from all euill affections Temperate sparing is good gayning for small expences often vsed consume great substance 12 Remember what thou art and what thou shalt be and thinke nothing profitable which is not honest and godly Liue honestly hurt no man and giue to euery man his due Eschew euill and doe good and God will blesse thee Giue glorie prayse and thankes vnto Christ our Sauiour So be it Imprinted at London for Iohn Hill dwelling in Pater Noster rowe at the signe of the golden Eagle and the childe 1590.