our own selves Q. What is meant in Scripture by those thorns which choak the good seed of the word A. The cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches and the pleasures of this life and the lusts of other things these are the thorns which choak the word so that it becometh unfruitful Q. The third and last means you mentioned was the Sacraments How many Sacraments are there under the New Testament A. There are only two namely Baptism and the Lords Supper Q. What is Baptism A. Baptism is washing with water in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost Q. What doth this Baptism or washing with water signifie A. This Baptism or washing with water signifies the washing away of sins or the washing of Regeneration and renewing of the holy Ghost Q. What are they engaged to in reference to God the Father and the Son and Holy Ghost who are baptized in or into the name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost A. They are engaged so to live as that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed by them but that the name of Christ may be glorified in them they are obliged to put onChrist and as they name the name of Christ or profess his Religion so to depart likewise from all iniquity and seeing that they who are baptized into Jesus Christ are baptized into his death they are to reckon themselves to be dead indeed unto sin but alive unto God unto whom they are to yield themselves as those that are alive from the dead And lastly they are engaged not to grieve the holy Spirit of God whereby they are sealed unto the day of Redemption Q. What are they engaged to in reference to men who are baptized into Christ A. They are engaged to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace for there is one Baptism and by one Spirit we are all baptized into one body Q. What is the Sacrament of the Lord's supper A. The Lord's Supper is a Sacrament wherein after the giving of thanks and blessing bread is broken and eaten and wine is poured out and drank in remembrance or for a commemoration of Christ. Q. What doth the Bread broken fignifie and teach us to remember A. The Bread broken signifieth and teacheth us to remember the Body of Christ which was given and broken for us for he was wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquities he gave himself a ransom for all and by his stripes we are healed Q. What doth the Wine poured out into the Cup signifie and teach us to remember A. The Wine poured out into the Cup signifieth and teacheth us to remember the Blood of Christ which was shed for many for the remission of sins for he poured out his soul or life unto death and by his blood he hath redeemed us unto God Q. How may we worthily receive the Lord's Supper A. Let a man examine or approve himself and so let him eat of that bread and drink of that Cup. Q. Of what benefit and advantage is the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper to those that worthily receive it A. The Cup of blessing which we bless it is the communion or communication of the Blood of Christ and the bread which we break it is the communion or communication of the body of Christ. Q. What is the danger of receiving the Lord's Supper unworthily A. Whosoever shall eat this bread and drink this cup of the Lord unworthily shall be guilty of the Body and Blood of the Lord and he eateth and drinketh damnation or judgment to himself not discerning the Lord's body That is not eating it in a holy manner or making no difference between it and ordinary food Q. How do the sufferings and death of Christ represented in this Sacrament shew unto us the evil and heynousness of sin and by that means engage us to godly sorrow and repentance A. The sufferings and death of Christ represented in this Sacrament shew unto us the evil and heynousness of sin in that we are not redeemed from it but with the precious Blood of Christ his soul was exceeding sorrowful even unto death it pleased the Lord to bruise him and to put him to grief and to lay upon him the iniquities of us all That is he would not admit sinners to terms of reconciliation with himself without such a Sacrifice for sin as that of his own dear Son Q. How doth the love of Christ in dying for us engage us to live a new life A. The love of Christ constraineth us because we thus judge that if one died for all then were all dead and that he died for all that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves that is to their lusts and carnal affections but unto him which died for them Q. How doth the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper engage Christians to love each other A. The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper engageth us to love each other in that we being many are one bread and one body for we are all partakers of that one bread and are all made to drink into one Spirit That is our drinking all of the same Cup signifieth our being animated by the same spirit Q. How farther doth the Lord's Supper engage us to Christian love A. It farther engageth us to Christian love in that we are commanded to walk in love as Christ also hath loved us and hath given himself for us an offering and a Sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour and in this Sacrament this Sacrifice is commemorated Q. Seeing Jesus Christ hath set Bishops and spiritual Governours and Teachers over his Church who by their prayers preaching the Word and administration of the Sacraments and Ecclesiastical Discipline are for the perfecting of the Saints for the work of the Ministry and edifying of his body and hath promised to be with them to the end of the world How are we to behave our selves towards them 1 Cor. 12. 28. Eph. 4. 11 12. 1 Tim. 3. 1. Mat. 28. 19 20. A. We are commanded to obey them that have the rule over us and submit our selves to them for they watch for our souls as they that must give account that they may do it with joy and not with grief and to esteem those that are over us in the Lord and admonish us very highly in love for their works sake and to account them worthy of double honour But as for those false Apostles and deceitful workers which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which we have learned we must avoid them for they serve not our Lord Jesus Christ but their own belly and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple having a form
A SCRIPTURE Catechism 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 A FORM OF Sound Words OR A Scripture-Catechism SHEWING What a Christian is to Believe and Practise in order to Salvation Very useful for Persons of all Ages and Capacities as well as Children Composed by the Pious and Learned JOHN WORTHINGTON D. D. Deceased LONDON Printed for R. Royston Bookseller to His most Sacred Majesty MDCLXXIII THE PREFACE THat the seasoning of Youth with Truth and the pure genuine Doctrine of Christianity is a business of mighty consequence cannot be in the least doubted by any that observe as who may not that the lamentable ignorance of the generality of those who are honoured with the name Christians and the gross Erroneousness and Misunderstanding of the Gospel that multitudes which yet make a great profession of it are manifestly guilty of are to be imputed to no one thing so much as to the neglect of that duty And that the want of pious education hath more than any other thing whatsoever rendred ineffectual the industrious endeavours of faithful Ministers for the good of Souls First this is apparently the grand and fundamental Cause of so many peoples gross Ignorance of that Religion which they are baptized into and have all their days lived under the preaching of and 't is not to be denied that those whose understandings gain none or but very inconsiderable improvement by hearing the Holy Scriptures read and the Doctrines they contain explained in the Church are almost universally such as whose Parents or those that had the charge of them took none or very little care to instruct at home And who doth not see also that the strange proneness of people to be misled and turned about with every wind of Doctrine is nothing so much to be attributed to their want of good Preaching as to their not being prepossessed and early anticipated with the wholesom words of our Lord Jesus Christ their not being timely antidoted with the Doctrine that is according to godliness against the poysonous Principles of the many Deceivers that are entred into the world and make such sad Havock of souls among our selves And as the constant experience of mankind assureth us that there is no such time for improving in other Sciences or Mysteries as Youth and that few become very considerable in any profession who have not studied it in their younger years so 't is rare to find any that have attained to but a competent proficiency in the great Mystery of Godliness in whom the grounds of it have not been laid in that age Therefore the wise man adviseth to remember our Creator in the days of our youth and to train up a Child in the way that he should go adding that when he is old he will not then depart from it And as S. Paul told Timothy who had a religious Mother and Grandmother that from a Child he had known the Scriptures which are able to make him wise to salvation so hath it always been the practice of truly pious Parents and Governours of Youth to take care that God and the good things of his Law may get the first possession of their Childrens hearts and not to neglect the well principling of them till they arrive at a mature and settledjudgment as well knowing that Young ones are ordinarily as much more docile and tractable than those of Ripe years as is a Twig more lithe and yielding than the body of a Grown Tree and that 't is far easier to prevent the fixing of evil habits in their Souls than to extirpate them being fixed Now in order to the better instructing of Youth the way of learning them Catechisms or Books containing and explaining the Substance of Religion by Questions and Answers is commended by the General and very Ancient practice of the Church of God but it must be acknowledged that through the too imprudent and unskilful composure of most Catechisms this way hath not proved so successful as it might with the blessing of God have been had due care and judgment been used about them 'T is easie to shew how much there is of mistake and men in them and that whereas God commanded the Jews to teach their Children his Laws and Statutes not any notions of their own they are generally too faulty in this particular And by this means have become greater propagators of some uncertain Speculations and even dangerous Errors than furtherances of useful and necessary knowledge and possessed the Learners of them both with a wrong notion of Christianity in general and such particular opinions as tend to enervate and make insignificant the wholsome Doctrine taught by them This great abuse hath very much been complained of by Wise and Good men and it was the affecting sense that the most pious and worthy Person our Authour had of it that prevail'd with him to compose this Catechism of whom by the way I cannot forbear notwithstanding the extremely narrow room I am here confin'd to to give this general and very short Account viz. That as he was highly valued by men capable of understanding the worth of that accomplishment for his excellent Learning so all Good men that had the happiness of knowing him could do no other than greatly love and honour him for the incomparably more noble endowment of a divine temper and most Christ-like spirit that appeared in him Among other there were no vertues he was more observed to be an Example of than a Dove-like innocence and simplicity a Lamb-like meekness humility and peaceableness the greatest benignity candor and ingenuity the most Christian that is unlimited and universal charity in which those that dissented from him in matters of Religion which is rare in these days had not only a real but great interest intire self-resignation to the will of God a very devout temper of mind towards him And those must needs conclude that he loved God and the souls of men in an eminent degree that observed how very publick spirited he was and wonderfully industrious in contriving and promoting designs for the bettering of the World and in exciting others to do the like To omit other lasting Monuments of his pious industry Mr. Mede's most elaborate Discourses by him collected and published in one great Volume will perpetuate his memory All that know what he hath there alone performed will pronounce him a most indefatigable pains taker for the publick good And I presume that those that shall consider the following Catechism will acknowledg it a no less laborious than judicious work and consequently that it is another very singular instance of his solicitous concern for their better part And as I said that the sense he had of the ill services that too many Catechisms do in the world was the occasion of his composing this so I verily believe that a more effectual course cannot well be taken for remedying of that mischief For first that so it may neither be too large nor yet defective he hath with
excellent judgment made it to consist of all the most necessary and important points of Religion and of none other 2. That so all Christians of what denomination soever may have no temptation to suspect the truth of it he hath composed it of Texis of Scripture and not taken liberty to express any one Doctrine whether relating to Faith or Manners in words of his own invention nor hath he any where made use of such Scriptural Phrases as to men of competent understandings are obscure or ambiguous or so much as seemingly misapplied any but all he useth are very pertinent to his purpose according to the apparent sence of them as I promise my self all persons not grosly silly or prejudic'd will bear me witness And whereas several phrases are briefly explained in other words it is done only for the sake of the most ignorant and to render them at first sight intelligible to the very lowest capacities Nor are any of those explications such as I can see may be called in question with any shadow of reason But besides that no man may think his judgment imposed upon by them taking notice that they are not to be esteemed as a part of the Catechism and that so it may readily be read without them they are all markt to be printed in a distinct Character and moreover inclosed with two stroaks as Parentheses In short the Reader may reap these following advantages by the careful perusal of this Catechism 1. He may be instructed thereby in the main body and substance of simple pure Christianity without the adulterations and spurious mixtures to borrow a phrase from a very excellent Doctor of Man-made Divinity 2. He may here at once and with the self-same labour be both taught the main points of his Religion and how to prove them 3. He here hath them expressed in the mâ—st affecting manner and with greatest authority because in the words of the holy Scriptures which are certainly more commanding strike with greater awe and a quicker and more pungent sense more powerfully influence our minds and sweetly insinuate their sence into our souls than can any of our own devising And I may hereto apply the well known Verse Dulciùs ex ipso fonte bibuntur aquae Pipe-waters vapid taste and dead To those drunk at the Fountain-head 4. He will hence evidently perceive that the Christian Religion is no Speculative but a purely Practical Science and that the design and business thereof is though those that would not have it so will not see it to make men inwardly and really Righteous to purify our souls from all fleshly and spiritual pollutions and endue us with a God-like and divine nature I shall now make two humble and earnest requests and then conclude my already too long Preface First That Parents and others that have the charge of Youth will be pleased to instruct them thoroughly in this Catechism I mean after they have well learnt and digested that which the Church hath set forth for them concerning which I must needs say that as it is very well adapted to the capacities of young ones so whatsoever too many do think of it it is an excellently good foundation to superstruct upon Secondly That those that are more than Children either in age or understanding will not disdain because this is a Catechism frequently to read it and consideratively to weigh and ponder it I have said enough to perswade my Readers not to deny me these requests Now the God of peace that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus that great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the everlasting Covenant make us perfect in every good work to do his will working in us that which is well-pleasing in his sight by blessing to us this and all those many other excellent helps he hath graciously afforded us for that purpose to whom be glory for ever and ever Amen Edward Fowler IMPRIMATUR Sam. Parker Ex Aed Lambethanis Novemb. 8. 1672. A Scripture-Catechism OR A FORM OF Sound Words Shewing What a Christian is to Believe and Practise in order to Salvation Quest. WHat is the main Duty and Concernment of Man Answ. To Fear God and keep his Commandements is the whole Duty of Man Q. What is God A. God is a Spirit most pure and holy most good merciful and gracious most just and rightcous most true and faithful All-knowing Almighty Eternal and every where present Q. How may it be known that there is a God A The Invisible things of God from the Creation of the World are clearly seen being understood by the things that are made even his Eternal power and Godhead Q. How many Gods are there A. There is none other God but one for though there be that are called Gods whether in Heaven or in earth as there'be Gods many and Lords many yet to us there is but oneGod the Father of whom are all things c. Q. What doth the Scripture affirm of the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost A The Scripture saith that there are three that hear Record in Heaven the Father the Word or the Son and the Holy Ghost and these three are one Q. What is meant by God's being a Spirit A. By God's being a Spirit is meant that he hath not flesh and bones that he cannot be handled or seen so that there is nothing to which we can liken him nor any likeness which we may compare unto him Q. What do you ' earn from this that God is a Spirit A. From this that God is a Spirit I learn that they that worship him must worship him in Spirit and in Truth Q. What is meant by God's being most pure and holy A. By God's being most pu e and holy is meant that he is not a God thatrhath pleasure in wickedness that he is of purer eyes than to behold evil that is with a liking of it and that he cannot be tempted with evil neither doth he tempt any man Q. What do you learn from the Consideration of God's purity and holiness A. From the Consideration of God's purity and holiness I learn that I ought to abhorr that which is evil and cleave to that which is good to purifie my self even as he is pure and to be holy in all manner of Conversation as God is holy Q. What is meant by God's being most good merciful and gracious A. By this that God is most good merciful and gracious is meant that his tender mercies are over all his works that he doth good and giveth good things unto them that ask him that he is full of compassion and long-suffering ready to pardon slow to anger and of great kindness and that he hath no pleasure in the death of the wicked but that the wicked turn from his way and live and is not willing that any
receive him as such is effectually and powerfully to believe that God his Father hath put all things under him that he is the head of all principality and power and crowned with glory and honour that he hath all power given him in heaven and in earth that he must reign till he hath put all enemies under his feet that he is the one Law-giver who is able to save and to destroy and therefore to observe all things whatsoever he hath commanded Q. Seeing that Christ is our Lord and King what learn you from thence A. I learn from Christ's being our King that therefore Sin should not reign in our mortal body that we should obey it in the lusts thereof for what communion hath light with darkness and what concord hath Christ with Belial Q. What are the enemies that Christ our King is to subdue and destroy A. The enemies that he is to subdue and destroy are Satan and wicked men and sin and death which is the last enemy that shall be destroyed Q. What will this King Jesus Christ do for the Righteous who sincerely obey him A. When he shall come with all his holy Angels and sit upon the throne of his glory he shall say unto the Righteous Come ye blessed of my Father inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world and to those that overcome their spiritual enemies he will grant to sit with him on his throne even as he overcame and is set down with his Father on his throne and to those that shall be faithful to the death he will give a Crown of life Q. Having seen what it is to believe in Christ tell me what are the properties and notes of true Faith set down in Scripture A The properties and notes of true Faith set down in Scripture are these five 1. It purifies the heart 2. It worketh by love 3. It is made perfect by works 4. It overcomes the world 5. It quencheth all the fiery darts of the wicked one that is the Devil Q. Having seen what is meant by Faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ let us see what is meant by Repentance which is also necessary to qualifie and fit us to receive pardon of sin and salvation by Jesus Christ What is it therefore truly and savingly to Repent A. Truly and savingly to Repent is with a godly sorrow and shame for sin to turn from all sin unto God Q. It is not sufficient then only to confess our si is to God A. It is not but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy Q. Is not sorrow for sin saving Repentance A. No but godly sorrow worketh Repentance to salvation not to be repented of Q. You cannot think that good purposes and resolutions of amendment are sufficient to Salvation A. No by no means but we must throughly amend our ways and doings we must do works meet for Repentance and bring forth fruits answerable to amendment of life for every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewen down and cast into the fire Q. Having seen the nature of Faith and Repentance tell me what is meant by New and Spiritual Obedience which is also absolutely necessary to Salvation A. By new and Spiritual Obedience is meant that we must make us a new spirit that is do our best endeavour for it and walk in newness of life that we must put off as to the former conversation the old man which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts and be renewed in the spirit of our mind and put on the new man which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness Q. How is this new and spiritual Obedience farther explained in Scripture A. It is thus farther explained namely That we should not walk nor live after the flesh but after the spirit or according to the spiritual Precepts of the Gospel that we should not any longer live to the lusts of men but to the will of God that we should yield our selves unto God and that as we have yielded our members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity even so now we should yield our members servants to righteousness unto holiness Q. By what arguments and motives doth the Scripture inforoe and press us to this new and spiritual Obedience A. One ground and argument in Scripture for spiritual obedience is this That if any man be in Christ or a true Christian he is a new creature and if we are new Creatures and God's workmanship we are created in Christ Jesus unto good works to the which God hath before prepared us that we should walk in them and therefore they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts Q. What other argument or motive do you remember in Scripture for spiritual Obedience A. A second argument is this That Christ his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree to the end that we being dead unto sin should live unto righteousness and he gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purifie to himself a peculiar people zealous of good works Q. What other argument or motive in Scripture can you rehearse for spiritual Obedience A. A third argument is this That Christ hath said if we love him and keep his commandments he will love us and manifest himself unto us and also that his Father will love us they both will make their abode with us Q. What other argument or motive in Scripture can youthink on for spiritual Obedience A. A fourth argument is this That if we live after the flesh we shall die but if we through the Spirit do mortifie the deeds of the body we shall live If we sow to the flesh we shall of the flesh reap corruption but if we sow to the spirit we shall of the spirit reap life everlasting That being become the servants of God we shall have our fruit unto holiness and the end everlasting life That great peace have they that love God's law and in Keeping thereof there is great reward And therefore blessed are they that do his commandments Q. What are the works of the flesh which every Christian is to crucifie A. The works of the flesh are manifest which are these Adultery sornication uncleanness lasciviousness idolatry witchcraft hatred variance emulations wrath strife seditions heresies envyings murthers drunkenness revellings and such like and they that do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God Q. What are the fruits of the Spirit that every Christian is to bring forth A. The fruits of the Spirit are Love joy peace long-suffering gentleness goodness faith meekness temperance against such there is no law Q. Will not outward privileges
A. If a man say I love God and hateth his brother he is a liar for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen how can he love God whom he hath not seen and whoso hath this world's goods and seeth his brother have need and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him how dwelleth the love of God in him Q. Hath not Christ given a new commandment concerning the loving of our brethren A. A new commandment he hath given to us That we love one another as he hath loved us that we also love one another And as hereby perceive we the love of God because he laid down his life for us so we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren Q. Are the commandments of Christ impossible or difficult to be obeyed A. His commandments are not grievous but his yoke is easie and his burthen is light Nor hath God in any thing wearied us that we should testifie against him Q. Are we able of our selves to believe and repent and keep all the commandments of God A. We are not sufficient of our selves to think any thing as of our selves but our sufficiency is of God whose grace is sufficient for us It is God that worketh in us both to will and to do of his good pleasure but as without Christ we can do nothing so we can do all things through Christ which strengthneth us Q. Are we therefore to lie idle and only to live in expectation of power from above to work in us both to will and to do what is required of us A. No verily but we are to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling because it is God which worketh in us both to will and to do that is because we are enabl ed by the concurrence of God's grace with our endeavours both to resolve firmly to do well and to perform accordingly Q. Seeing we are unable without the supply of God's grace and Spirit to keep his commandments and therefore it cannot but be absolutely necessary for us to pray to him that we may be strengthned with might by his Spirit in the inward man what encouragement have we to hope for spiritual strength upon our praying for it A. We are encouraged from those words of Christ Ask and it shall be given you seek and ye shall find knock and it shall be opened unto you c. If ye being evil know how to give good gifts unto your children how much more shall your heavenly Father give the holy Spirit to them that ask him Q. What further encouragement have we to expect spiritual strength A. We are further encouraged from the tenure of the new Covenant which is this I will put saith God my Laws into their mind and write them in their hearts I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh and I will give you an heart of flesh and I will put my Spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes and ye shall keep my commandments and do them Which Promises suppose that we must not be wilfully or carelesly wanting to our selves in the use of means as is manifest by comparing these texts with Ezek. 18. 31. and James 4. 8. and many such like Q. What are the chief ordinary means which God hath appointed for the working and furtherance of Faith Repentance and all graces in us A. They are these three 1. Prayer 2. The holy Scriptures or Word of God 3. The Sacraments Q. What is Prayer A. Prayer'is the making known our requests to God and the pouring out our hearts before him that so we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need Q. How must we pray to God that we may be heard and accepted by him A. That we may be heard and accepted by God we must ask in the name of Christ and such things only must we ask as are according to his will Q. What else is necessary to make our prayers acceptable A. 'T is farther necessary to the making of our prayers acceptable that we call upon God in truth and sincerity and not with feigned lips that we pray with humility and submission saying Not my will but thine be done that we ask in faith that is believing in the wisdom power and goodness of God that we lift up holy hands without wrath or forgiving all that have trespassed against us and lastly whatsoever we ask we shall receive if we keep his commandments and do those things that are pleasing in his sight but if we regard iniquity in our hearts the Lord will not hear us Q. But must we not with prayers to God join also praise and thanksgiving A. Yes in every thing must our requests be made known to God by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus that in every thing we give thanks in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ by whom we are to offer the sacrifice of praise continually unto God Q. How did Christ our Lord teach his Disciples to pray A. He taught them to pray after this manner Our Father which art in heaven hallowed be thy name thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive them that trespass against us and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil for thine is the kingdom and the power and the Glory sor ever and ever Amen Q. What is the second means for begetting and increase of Faith and all other Vertues A. It is the word of God or the holy Scriptures which are able to make us wise unto salvation for all the Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine for reproof for correction for instruction in rightcousness that the man of God and every faithful Christian may be perfect throughly furnished for every good work Q. How must we receive the word of God that it may become an effectual means of grace unto us A. We must receive the word with meekness and all readiness of mind with an honest and good heart and laying aside all malice and all guile and hypocrisies and envies and evil speakings as new born babes we must desire the sincere milk of the word that we may grow thereby Q. It is not enough then merely to hear or read God's word A. By no means but we must meditate n the law of the Lord day and night we must lay it up and hide it in our hearts and having with an honest and good heart heard the word we must keep it and bring forth fruit with patience or perseverance for if we be hearers only of the word and not doers we deceive
Lord forasmuch as we know that our labour is not in vain in the Lord and not to be weary in well doing seeing that in due season we shall reap if we faint not and whatsoever we do to do it heartily as to the Lord and not unto men knowing that of the Lord we shall receive the reward of the inheritance and that to those that by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory honour and immortality God will render eternal life Q. What is the fruit of the consideration of the glorious Rewardin heaven as to passive obedience and suffering the will of God A. The consideration of the glorious reward in Heaven encourageth us to run the race that is set before us with patience because we reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us Nay when men shall revile and persecute us and shall say all manner of evil against us falsly for Christ's sake we are to rejoice and to be exceeding glad and even leap for joy because that great is our reward in Heaven and our light affliction which is but for a moment worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory Q. What doth the Scripture tell us of Hell A. The Scripture tells us that Hell is a place of torment and everlasting punishment where shall be weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth Q. Who are those that shall be thus everlastingly punished A. They that know not God and obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus they shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power and shall be cast into Hell-fire where their worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched Q. Tell me once more what must we do to be saved from eternal misery and to escape the wrath to come A. That we may be saved from eternal misery and escape the wrath to come we must believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and bring forth fruits meet for repentance and turn from all our transgressions so iniquity shall not be our ruine Two Short PRAYERS For the Use of CHILDREN By the same Author Morning Prayer MOst Great and Gracious Lord God the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort Thou art worthy to receive all thanks and praise for all thy mercies and favours towards me Blessed be thy name for preserving me the night past from all danger and evil for refreshing me with comfortable sleep and raising me up to see the light of another day In thee I live and have my being Thy mercies are new every morning and thy compassions fail not Grant therefore O Lord that as I live by the mercy and goodness I may also live to thy service and glory that I may love thee with all my heart and with all my strength and that I may be careful as thy obedient child to please thee O merciful Father in all things O give me understanding that I may learn thy Commandments Teach me to know thy will and enable me to do it that I may not sin against thee at any time Keep me this day from all evil and preserve me from all danger O Lord preserve my going out and my coming in from this time forth and for evermore And give me grace I beseech thee to serve thee in holiness and righteousness all the days of my life and to do that which is well pleasing in thy sight through Jesus Christ to whom be glory for ever and ever Amen Our Father which art in Heaven hallowed be thy name thy Kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive them that trespass against us and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil for thine is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory for ever and ever Amen Evening Prayer O Almighty God and most merciful Father I thy poor Creature desire to praise thy holy name and to give thee all humble and hearty thanks for thy fatherly care over me this day and for all the blessings and comforts which I have received of thee day after day O Lord in mercy forgive my unthankfulness and all my other sins Forgive I beseech thee every evil thought word and deed whereby I have sinned against thee this day or at any other time And grant O Lord that for the time to come I may serve thee better and obey thee in all things Heavenly Father watch over me this night keep me from all evil and danger refresh me with comfortable rest and sleep and raise me up in health and safety to behold the light of another day And grant that the longer I live the better I may live and as I grow in age that I may also grow in grace and in the knowledge of thee and of thy Son Jesus Christ. Bless O Lord all that I am bound to pray for all my friends and kindred Bless all in this house and give us all grace to live in thy fear that we may die in thy favour and be received into thy heavenly and everlasting Kingdom through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour to whom be glory both now and for ever Amen THE END Some new Books Printed for Richard Royston at the Sign of the Angel in St. Paul's Church-yard THe Christian Sacrifice a Treatise shewing the necessity and manner of receiving the Holy Communion together with suitable Prayers and Meditations for every Month in the Year and the Principal Festivals in memory of our blessed Saviour in 12. The Devout Christian instructed how to Pray and give Thanks to God or a Book of Devotions for Families and for particular Persons in most of the concerns of Humane Life By the Author of the Christian Sacrifice in 12. The Practical Christian a Treatise explaining the Duty of Self-examination together with Confessions Meditations and Prayers By R. Sherlock D. D. Rector of Winwick The Principles of holy Christian Religion or the Catechism of the Church of England paraphras'd by the same Author A manifest Discovery of the Gross Ignorance Erroneousness and most Unchristian and Wicked Spirit of one John Bunyan Lay-preacher in Bedford which he hath shewed in a vile Pamphlet publish'd by him against The Design of Christianity The End Eccles. 12. 13. a Jo. 4. 24. b 1 Sam. 2. 2. Revel 4. 8. 1 Jo. 3. 3. Job 4. 17. Isa. 5. 16. c Mat. 19. 17. Psal. 103. 8. 119 68. 145. 8 9. d Deut. 32. 4. Job 34. 10. Gen. 18. 25. Isa. 26. 7. e Deut. 7. 9. Psal. 31. 5. 146. 6. Lam. 3. 23. f Jo. 21. 17. 1 Tim. 1. 17. Isa. 40. 13 14. Prov. 15. 3. g Revel 4. 8. Luke 18. 27. Dan. 4. 33. Job 42. 2. h Gen. 21. 33. Rom. 16. 26.