3. 5. 1 Pet. 1. 23. as of the element That used is in Baptismes sacrament For he that is Christs scholler what the name Of Christian doth signifie the same g Act. 22. 16. Eph. 5. 26. Must be Gods childe h Gal. 3. 26 27. Q. Is' t needfull then to be New born A. It is i Joh 3. 3. Q. The reason why lets see A. The reason is man is by sin deform'd k Ephes 2. 1 2. The childe of wrath by nature l Ephes 2. 3. and reform'd Must therefore be m Ephes 2. 5. and made the childe of grace n Ephes 2. 8 If he in heaven desires a biding place o Matth. 5. 3. Gal. 6. 16 Matth. 25. 34 Q. Mankinde in Adam was created good A. True p Gen. 1. 26 31. and might be so still had Adam stood q Wisd 2. 23. Eccles 7. 31 2. Concerning the Fall of manâ— Q. How then became it sinfull A. Through the fall Of Adam r Gen. 3. 6. by whom sin pass'd over all Å¿ Rom. 5. 12. Q. How A. Adam as the head of whole mankind t Gen. 3. 20. What so ere gifts of body or of mind He did in his creation from the grace Of God receive u Jam 1. 17. the same for his whole race He had as for himself w Eccles 7. 31. and therefore when He lost them by his fall all other men Lost them in him nor onely so but he Being defil'd by this transgression we That in his loynes were hid did then begin Though yet we had not being to have sin For being of the propagated mass Begotten all which then in Adam was And was in him by his first fault defil'd It follows that ev'ry succeeding childe Of his must sinfull be x Rom. 5. 12 14. for who can bring A clean stream from a foul and pudled spring y Job 14. 4. Q. Are all men sinners then A. Yes there is none Excepted z Prov. 20. 9. 1 Joh. 1. 8. but our Saviour CHRIST alone a 1 Pet. 2. 22. 1 Joh. 3. 5. Q. Sinners deserve death and is death to all Vs due for having sin originall A. Onely for this we doe deserve to die Though we had else done none iniquity b Rom. 5. 12. 6. 23. But we doe many waies offend besides c Jam. 3. 6. Because that Mother sin that still abides In us d Ps 51. 6. Rom. 7. 8. depraving both the minde and will e Rom. 7. 13 14 15. Breeds alwaies and brings forth some actuall ill f Jam. 1. 5. And whatsoe're we doe or think or say Is sin g Rom. 3. 9 10. Job 25. 4. and God therefore condemn us may h Psal 51. 4. 143. 2. Q. How know we this what is the rule whereby We doe our actions to be sinfull try A. The Morall Law i Rom. 7. 7. divided into ten Eternall precepts Gods own Word which when Sinai was all on smoke the ayre with thunder Ratled and lightning shone that men did wonder And mountain quak'd the trumpet being sounded Was by JEHOVAH in such sort propounded k Exod. cap. 20. 3. The ten Commandements I am the Lord that made and doe command The heav'n the fire the aire the sea the land With all things in them l Gen. cap. 1. Psal 89. 11 yea thy God I am Thy Saviour that from the land of Ham And house of bondage did thee Isr'el bring m See Exod. the 7 8 9 10 11 â—2 chapters Psal 106. 22. By a strong Arm and Power astonishing n Psal 136. â—â— I. HAve thou no other Gods but me alone Whose might and mercy to thee have been shewn o Mat 4. 10. II. Make to thy self no image carve nor paint In heaven above of Angel or of Saint In sea of fish in earth of any creature For a religious use the fansied feature Neither shalt thou serve it nor it adore Though but with bodies bending and no more p Deut. 4. 15 to the 20. Act. 17. 29 Levit. 26. 1. Psal 97. 7. For I JEHOVAH am a jealous God q Exod. 34. 14. Nahum 1. 2. Deut. 32. 21. That doe severely visit with my rod The fathers sins on their posterity Extending to the third and fourth degree Of their succeeding issue that me hate And for a god an idol consecrate r Lam. 5. 7. But mercy shew to them and thousands more Of them that love me and observe my lore Å¿ Psal 128. 3 6. Deut. 28. 4. III. My sacred name or attributes forbear To use irreverently and doe not swear Falsly or rashly by me t Lev. 19. 12. Mat. 5. 33 34. for excus'd I le hold him not by whom my names abus'd u Deut. 28. 58. to the end Jen. 23. 10. IV. By pious works and a religious rest Remember that thou keep my weekly feast The blessed Sabbath Six daies shalt thou doe What work soever thou art call'd unto But on the seventh which is the Sabbath day Of God thy Lord no work nor labour may Be by thy self done or allow'd to be Done by thy salve beast guest that is with thee w Exod. 23. 12. Ezek. 20. 12. Isa 58. 12 13. Neh. 13. 15. to ver 22. For in six daies the Lord the heavens did frame The earth the sea with what is in the same But on the seventh day he was pleas'd to rest And therefore hath it sanctifi'd and blest x Gen. 2. 1 2. V. Honour thy parents and observe with love And reverence due those that are thee above y Eph. 6. 1 2. Exod. 21. 17. Col. 3. 20. Matth 19. 19. Matth. 15. 4. In gifts z 1 Tim. 5. 17. place a Col. 3. 22. office b Rom. 13. 1. Eccles 8. 2. 1 Pet. 2. 13. Prov. 24. 21. or whose love and care Towards thee c Gen. 45. 8. Job 31. 18. or whose age make that they are Fathers or mothers to thee that thou live Long in the land which to thee God shall give d 1 Tim. 5. 1 2. Levit. 19. 32. VI. Mans blood in cruelty thou shalt not spill e Gen. 9. 5 6. Nor shalt in malice seek f Mat. 5. 22. Eph. 4. 31. 1 Cor. 14 21. 1 Pet. 2. 1. or wish his ill g 1 Pet. 3. 9. VII Doe not by carnall acts h Eph. 5. 3. Heb. 13. 4. or lusts most vile Thy own or others purity defile i 2 Sam. 13. 4. Lev. 18. 6 23. Rom. 1. 24 26 27. Mat. 5. 28. VIII Thy neighbours goods by any unjust way Thou shalt not to thy proper use convey k Exod. 22. 1 2 3. Lev. 6. 2 3. IX By an abusive or a lying tongue Thy neighbour or his fame thou shalt not wrong l Ps 15. 3. Prov. 6. 19. 20. 19. X. Thy neighbours house his wife his servant maid His
THE EPITOME OF DIVINITY Poetically compos'd by way of Dialogue for the more easie and pleasant learning and retaining of it in memory OR A summary Abstract of Divine Knowledge as farre as is necessary to SALVATION Intended for the benefit of all and especially for the Education of Youth in the Knowledge and Feare of God By WALTER FRANKE Minister of Gods Word John 5. 39. Search the Scriptures for in them ye have eternall life and they are they which testifie of me LONDON Printed by J. G. for Francis Eaglesfield at the Marigold in St. Paul's Church-yard 1655. To the Right VVorshipfull and Vertuous Lady the Lady ANNE BASSET and to the like Vertuous and Religious Gentlewomâ—n Mrs. Jane and Mrs. Elizabeth Basset HOnoured Ladies I am not ignorant that ingratitude is a sinne of an high nature and none more base and monstrous lest therefore I should seeme to you guilty of that crime which I have alwaies in my heart so much abhorred I have now taken an opportunity to expresse my thankfulnesse for the manifold favours and benefits which in the depth of my afflictions I have received from you And no other way have I really to expresse it but by the dedication of this little Book to your Ladiships acceptance which if you shall condescend to patronize as your former respects unto me makes me confident you will I shall rather increase than any way lessen my engagements to you The structure of it being so small and low may in the eyes of some seem contemptible in respect of those large and faire buildings of like nature that by others of farre richer endowments have been erected yet as you have often seen the whole world described in a little Map or the lively portraicture of a tall Man or Woman in a Shillings compasse so is here although I must confesse for the manner but rudely contrived yet for the matter the whole body of Divinity contained in a small Epitome which being so little and weake as it hath the more need of succour so it may with the more facility from your Ladiships favour receive protection I know you will take the paines often to peruse it because I am well assured that each of you doe spend some houres every day in Religious duties and perusing it I doubt not but you will apply it to the edification and adorning of your owne Soules to Gods glory and your owne eternall comfort which that you may doe and daily increase in the knowledge and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ shall be the prayer of Your most obliged Servant in the Lord Walter Franke. To the Reader COurteous and well-disposed Reader if so thou art it was the saying of him who by the Spirit of God himselfe is said to be a man after Gods owne heart even David that great King and sweet singer of Israel I have rejoyced in the way of thy testimonies above all riches Psal 119. 14. And againe Psal 19. 10. Thâ—y are more to be desired than gold yea than much fine gold sweeter also than the Hony or the Hony combe with many such expâ—essions of like nature in the same Psalme And will you know the reason of this his transcendent esteeme of them you may then thus collect it As in the whole visible World there is nothing of more excellency than Man and in Man nothing more excellent than the Soule and in the Soule nothing more excellent than the Understanding and in the Understanding nothing more excellent than Wisdome so most certain it is that no Wisdome that the Understanding is capable of is so excellent as the Wisdome from above or the Knowledge of Divine things which commonly we call Christian Divinity for whether we have respect to the Causes the Effects the Subjects the Objects the Adjuncts or the ends thereof it farre exceeds all the Arts Sciâ—nces Knowledge or Wisdome that the World affords The result therefore of all is that it behoves every man that aymes at eternall happinesse not onely most highly to est eme it but also in some good measure to attaine unto it And therefore gentle Reader although many have written divers excellent and ample Volumes of the whole body of Divinity yet as a mite cast into the treasurie I hope thou wilt accept of this my weake endeavour for thy Soules good as an instrument conducing unto that end It is indeed but as a little Infant in comparison with the tallest Man yet thou maist discerne it has its full shape as well as hath the greatest and Scripture enough to prove it to be Legitimate and therefore as I doe commend it to thy charitable censure hoping thou wilt not despise it for the smallest of its growth so I doe no lesse desire that thou maist fully improve it to thy owne advantage and to this end I could wish thou wouldst make it thy vade mecum or thy pocket companion that so in the end by committing it to memory it may to thy comfort become thy bosome friend or as an hid treasurie in thy heart that may helpe to maintaine thee in thy journey to the Heavenly Jerusalem that so although it be but little yet if by a faithfull application thou make much of it at last thou maist finde it to grow great in thy Soule to thy everlasting comfort and therefore doe not onely cast an eye upon it and so lay it by but take the paines to reade it through It is but an houres labour or a little more deliberately to view it over which being done if then thou lik'st it Quo animo legis observa quo observas serva as one saith well with what affection thou readest it observe it and with the same affection thou observest it remember it and remember to practice it and withall turne often to the Scriptures that for the confirmation of those truths do stand in relation to each part of it which being often revolved in thy minde will much advantage thee in the knowledge of God and of his revealed will So God shall be glorified thy Understanding enlightned thy Faith strengthned and so consequently thy Soule for ever comforted And that so it may be is and shall be the prayer of him who is thy Soules true friend Walter Franke. The Epitome of DIVINITY Poetically composed c. 1. The condition of a True Christian Quest WHat is a Christian A. One that in Christs name Baptiz'd a Act. 8. 16. Act. 2. 38. Act. 11. 16. led by his grace b Rom. 8. 14 15 16. doth through the same Believe on him c Mar. 16. 16. Joh. 3. 16. continue in his Word d Act. 2. 42. And to 's example make his life accord e Joh. 13. 15. Phil. 2. 5. 1 Pet 2. 21. Q. Answer me then are they not Christians all That are baptiz'd and live within the pale Of Christ his Church A. No they alone indeed Are Christians who of the immortal seed Are born again f Joh.
could restore unto us u 1 Pet. 1. 18 19 20. Q. Them great evils What are they tell A. Sins heavy weight w 1 Cor. 15 56. the devils Base tyrannie x 2 Tim. 2. 26. death's conquest and the sense Of Gods just wrath conceiv'd ' gainst mans offence z Col. 3. 6. Eph. 2. 3. Which for to take away a Ioh. 1 29. 1 Ioh. 2 1 2. subdue confound And pacifie no creature could be found But God must doe it b Heb. 2. 14. 1 Ioh. 3. 8. Q Say what good things are Restor'd unto us A. What sin once did marre And did in our first parents quite deface c Rom. 5. 15. to the end Wisdome true holinesse and every grace d 1 Cor. 1. 30. Whereby Gods image is in us reform'd e Ephes 4. 23 24. 2 Cor. 15. 49. Now this could not be but by God perform'd f 2 Ephes 4 to the 11. Q. God is omnipotent and all things can Was 't needfull then that God should become man To save mankinde A. Though in his power he Could save by other means it did agree Best with his justice us so to redeem g Heb. 2. 10 14. Because man having sinned it doth seem Most just that man should make amends h Rom 8. 3 4. and by That nature that offended satisfie Almighty God i Gal. 3. 13. Q. But answer whether might Not God the Father nor the blessed Sprite Act the Redeemers part incarnate be As God the Son A. They might but Gods decree Ordain'd before that mankindes reparation Should be by him k Isa 9. 6 7. Gal. 4. 4. by whom was its creation l Ioh. 1. 3. Q. Of Christ himself this to have said sufficeth What is his office A. That he exerciseth According to both natures as he is Christ m Rom. 9. 5. 1 Tim. 3. 16. Rom. 1. 2 3. Or our anointed King n Rev. 19. 16. Prophet o Deut. 18. 15. and Priest p Psal 110. 4. 7. Christs threefold Office Q. What is his Regall office A. That whereby He ruleth all things but especially His Church q Jer. 23. 5. Luke 1. 33. which he defends r Jer. 23. 6. endows with graces Here ſ Eph. 4. 8. and doth glorifie in heavenly places t Joh. 10. 28. Q. What are the parts hereof A. The parts I name A calling by the Word u Hag. 2. 7. Heb. 4. 12. and by the same A judging that is either generall When he doth all men generally call w Mat. 22. 9 10. 1 Cor. 1. 9. And doth invite x 2 Thess 11. 12. to faith by his Word 's preaching y Rom. 10. 17. 1 Thess 2. 13. Or specially when unto the outward teaching z 2 Tim. 1. 9. He joynes his spirits working and inflecteth The minde that it believeth and affecteth Gods Word a 1 Joh. 5. 6 10. Rom. 8. 11 to 16. And this doth not to all belong As doth the outward calling of the tongue b Mat. 22. 3 8 verses 11. to the 15. But to Gods chosen onely these alone Are called effectually not every one c Rom. 8. 30. Rom. 9. 11 12 13. The other part of Christ his Office royall Is that whereby he doth on his disloyall Subjects the wicked punishments inflict In this life d Psal 2 9. 110. 1 2. and when after by his strict Justice he hath before his Judgment-seat Summon'd arraign'd condemn'd them in his great And dreadfull indignation he them sendeth Thence into Hell where torment never endeth e Mat. 22. 11 12 13. 8. 12. 25. 41. But those who are his servants his elect He doth against his enemies protect f Joh. 16. 33. Rom. 16. 20. Acquit them of their sins in the last day g Rom. 8. 32. to the end And them reward ev'n with an heavenly pay h Mat. 25. 34. Q. How was a Prophets Office by our Lord Christ executed A. When he by his Word i Col. 3. 16. His Spirit k Luke 24. 45. Sacraments l Mat. 26. 26 27 28. 28. 20. himself m Heb. 1. ◠Mat. 28 20. and his Ordained Ministers n Act. 5. 20 21. Mat. 2◠〈…〉 20. made known what is The Gospel or his heavenly Fathers minde Concerning the redemption of mankinde o Rom. 1. 1 2 3 4. Q. What is his Priestly Office A. That whereby He did Gods wrath against us pacifie p 1 Thess 1. 10. Heb. 5. 8 9 10. And put himself a gracious Mediatour 'Twixt sinfull man and God his just Creatour q 1 Tim. 2. 5. Heb. 7. 24 25. 1 Joh. 2. 1 2. Q. What are the parts hereof A. Two satisfaction When he the Law fulfill'd in holy action r Mat. 3. 15. 5. 17. And gave his life as a redeeming price For us ſ Mat. 20. 28. 1 Tim. 2. 6. and made himself a sacrifice For sin t Heb. 9. 11. to the end upon the Cross u Mat. 27. 24 26. 1 Pet. 2. 24. and intercession w Rom. 8. 34. Hebr. 7. 25. Whereby now standing in the full possession Of glory x Phil. 2. 9 10. Heb. 7. 25. he desires his offering may Prevail with God for his elect y Joh. 17. 9 to the end and they May have their suits and prayers granted still z Joh. 16. 23 24 26 27. When they are made according to his will a 1 Ioh. 5. 14 15. Q. Of CHRIST his Person and his Office both Is said enough and now it plainly doth Appear how CHRIST is made our remedy But remedies though made if none apply Them to the patient doe not heal shew then How CHRIST applied is to us and when 8. How Christ is made ours A. He is appli'd made ours this way alone By being joyned with us and made one b Heb. 3. 15. Ioh. 17. 21 22 23. Q. How speak wherein this union doth consist A. In this that we remain and live in Christ And he in us that each is held possest Of other by a speciall interest c 1 Cor. 1. 9. Ioh. 14. 19 20. Gal. 2. 20. So that we are his branches d Ioh. 15. 5. and his wife e Hos 2. 19 20. His parts f 1 Cor. 12. 27. and draw to us growth g Col. 2. 19. gifts h Eph. 4. 7 8. life i Ioh. 6. 47 48. From him our vine k Ioh. 15. 1. our husband l Cant. 4. 8 16. and our head m 1 Cor. 11. 3. By which we grow prosper and are quickned n Eph. 2. 5. And he doth take on him by imputation Our sins o 2 Cor. 5. 21. and bears our woes by his compassion p 1 Pet. 2. 24. Heb. 4. 15. Q. What is it that we by this union have A. What thing soever needfull is to save
12. Q. And why call you it blissefull A. Cause hereon Depend there doth our glorification p Psal 16. 11. Phil. 3. 21. Heb. 12. 22 23. For seeing him r Ps 73. 25. and 142. 5. and 33. 12. him we shall have and have In him all good things that our Souls can crave Å¿ 1 Cor. 15. 28. Rom. 8. 32. And we shall be transformed into his Image so faâ—re forth as our nature is Made capable thereof t 2 Cor. 3. 18. 1 John 3. 2. and shine as light Our Souls and Bodies shall in glorie bright u Compare 1 Joh. 1. 5. and John 1. 4 5 9. with Joh. 6. 56. and 1 John 3. 24. Q. How long A. For ever w 1 Thes 4. 17. Psal 90. 2. for our blisse as he That is its object x shall eternall be y 1 Pet. 5. 10. Luk. 18. 30. Q. But to be happy in such sort you say Belongs not unto all men A. True for they Who are not Souldiers in the Church that here Is Militant may not as Victors weare Crownes in the Church triumphant z 2 Tim. 4. 7 8. Jam. 1. 12. Revel 2. 20. 1 Pet. 5. 4. not behold Christs glory that are not of Christs Fold a Compare John 10. 16. ver with 26 27 28. ver 24. Concerning the day of Judgement Q. How shall it then be with the wicked A. All Shall suffer punishment perpetuall b Jud. 14 15. 2 Thes 1. 7 8 9. According to their workes c Rom. 2. 5 6. Luk. 12. 47 48. for Christ shall come To judge the world d 2 Cor. 5 10. Act. 10. 42. Act. 17. 31. 2 Tim. 4. 1 Joh. 5. 22. and having placed some On his Right hand e Mat. 25. 33 34. I meane the Sons of light f Iohn 12. 36. Thus he will them most graciously invite Come blessed of my Father and inherit The glorious Kingdome g Mat. 25. 34. purchas'd by my merit h 1 Pet. 1. 18 19. Eph. 1. 7. Prepared from eternity for you i Mat. 25. 34. My constant followers and servants true k Mat. 19. 28 29. But to the wicked that shall trembling stand l Deut. 28. 65. Mat. 24. 26. With guilty Consciences m Io. 8. 9. Ro. 2. 15. at his left hand In terrifying manner he will say Ye cursed wofull wretches get away Into eternall fire prepar'd for you As for the Devill and his damned crue n Mat. 25. 41. And those shall still tormented be in Hell When they for ever shall in Heaven dwell o Dan. 12. 2. Iohn 5. 29. Mat. 25. 46. FINIS WHat good is taught us here Lord do thou make Us perfectly to know for Christ his sake And let that knowledge so informe our minde That through it in our hearts we be inclin'd To doe that good sincerely though we may Offend in many things through weaknesseâ— say O gratious God the Word and it will then Be done what we pray for Amen Amen Laus Trin uni Deo A Table of the Heads contained in this Epitome I. THE condition of a True Christian page 1 II. Concerning the Fall of many 2 III. The ten Commandements 4 IV. No man is able to keep the Law 8 V. The knowledge of the Law leads us to imbrace the Gospel 10 VI. What must be known concerning Christ 12 VII Christ's threefold office 14 VIII How Christ is made ours 17 IX The means of our unity to Christ 18 X. The Belief 19 XI How we are justified by faith in Christ 22 XII Concerning Regeneration 23 XIII Concerning Prayer 25 XIV The Lords Prayer briefly expounded 27 XV. Concerning Gods Word and Sacraments 31 XVI Concerning the Sacraments in generall 32 XVII Concerning Baptisme 35 XVIII Concerning the Lords Supper 37 XIX A discourse concerning the Church 41 XX. Concerning the Church visible and invisible 4â— XXI Who is Head of the Church 44 XXII 〈◊〉 â—escription of a true Church 4â— XXIII Coâ—cerning the joyes of Heaven 47 XXIV Conâ—â—rning the Day of Judgment 49 The End