A CATECHISME OF CHRISTIAN RELIGION TAVGHT in the Schooles and Churches of the Low-Countries and dominions of the Countie Palatine WITH THE ARGVMENTS AND vse of the seueral doctrins of the same Catechisme By IEREMIAS BASTINGIVS And now authorized by the Kinges Maiestie for the vse of Scotland Wherunto is adioyned certaine Praiers both publike and priuate for sundry purposes EDINBVRGH ⧠Printed by Robert VValde-graue printer to the Kings Majestie 1591. Cum priuilegio Regiae Maiestatis The A. B. C. A a b c d e f g h i k l m n o p q r r s s t u v w x y z A B C D E F G H I K L M N O P Q R S T V W X Y Z. a b c d e f g h i k l m n o p q r s s t v u vv x y z. A B C D E F G H I K L M N O P Q R S T V VV X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 a e i o u a e i o u ab eb ib ob ub ag eg ig og ug ac ec ic oc uc ak ek ik ok uk ad ed id od ud al el il ol ul af ef if of uf an en in on un In the name of the Father and of the Sonne and of the holy Ghost Sobeit The Lords prayer OVr Father which art in heauen halowed be thy name Thy kingdom come Thy wil be done in Earth as it is in Heauen Giue vs this day our dayly bread And forgiue vs our trespasses as wee forgiue them that trespas against vs. And leade vs not into temptation but deliuer vs from euill For thine is the kingdome power the glory for euer and euer Amen The beliefe I Beleue in God the Father almightie maker of Heauen Earth And in Iesus Christ his onely Sonne our Lord which was conceiued by the holy Ghost Born of 〈◊〉 virgin Mary Suffered vnder Ponâ—â—us Pilate was crucified dead and buried He descended into Hell the third day hee rose againe from the dead Hee ascended into Heauen sitteth at the right hand of God the Father almightie From thence shal he come to iudge the quick the dead I beleue in the holy ghost The holy Catholik Church The coÌ„munion of Saints The forgiuenes of sinnes the resurrection of the body And the life euerlasting THE TEN COMMANDEments of Almightie God HArken and take heede Israel I am the Lorde thy God which haue brought thee out of the lande of Egypt from the house of bondage 1 Thou shalt haue non other Gods before me 2 Thou shalt not make to thy selfe any grauen Image nor the likenes of any thing that is in Heauen aboue or in the Earth beneath nor in the water vnder the Earth Thou shalt not bow downe to them nor worship them For I the lord thy God am a ielous God and visits the sinnes of the fathers vpon the children vnto the third fourth generation of them that hate me and shewe mercie vnto thousands of them that loue me and keepe my commandements 3 Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vaine for the lord will not holde him guiltlesse that taketh his name in vaine 4 Remember that thou keepe holy the Sabboth day Six dayes shalt thou labour and doe all that thou hast to doe But the Seauenth day is the Sabboth of the Lorde thy God In it thou shalt do no maner of work thou and thy Sonne and thy daughter thy manseruant and thy maidseruant thy cattel and the stranger that is within thy gates For in six dayes the Lorde made Heauen and Earth the Sea all that in them is and rested the Seauenth day wherefore the Lord blessed the Seuenth day and hallowed it 5 Honor thy Father and thy Mother that thy dayes may be long in the Land which the Lord thy God giueth thee 6 Thou shalt do no murther 7 Thou shalt not commit adulterie 8 Thou shalt not steale 9 Thou shalt not beare false witnes against thy neighbour 10 Thou shal not couet thy neighbours house Thou shalt not couet thy neighbours wife nor his seruant nor his mayde nor his Oxe nor his Asse nor any thing that is his A PRAIER TO BE VSED before Catechising VVEe most hartily thank thee O most mercifull Father for all thy blessings bestowed vppon vs from the beginning of the world vnto this time for our election creation redemption mercifull vocation iustification sanctification continuall preseruation and for that same assured and most comfortable hope that thou hast giuen vs of our glorification in the world to come And we beseech thee to direct vs that considering thy mercies we may acknowledg and confesse our sinnes which should prouoke thee rather to curse than to blesse vs to confounde vs rather than to preserue vs. Wee haue sinned against thee both in thoght worde deed grant that we seeing the horror of our sinnes and the fiercenes of thy wrath may without hypocrisie or dissimulation be earnestly sory hartely repentant for our former wickednes howbeit in such sort as that wee despair not but that in bitternes of our griefe we may haue comfort by faith in thy Sonne Christ that our offences are pardoned Grant O Lord that we being assured hereof in our consciences may through thy holy Spirite be renued in the inward man to hate detest and abhorre sinn and to study to liue according to thy blessed will during our whol life and as now throgh thy goodnes wee are here assembled together so we beseech thee to direct vs that at this present both in our wordes harts and all our behauiors may be in such sort ordered as that wee may trulie vtter and reuerently receiue the principles of thy holy heauenly word to the strengthening of our fayth to the comforte of our consciences to the amendement of our sinfull and lewd liues and to the glory of thy most holy name through Iesus Christ our Lord So be it OF THE ONELY COMFORT OF MAN IN LIFE AND IN DEATH THE ARGVMENT ⧠In the first section is handled the soueraigne good of man and namely his onely comfort in life and in death as also the necessarie meanes to attaine that soueraigne good and two questions are propounded for the handling of this preface or argument Question Lords day The first WHat is thy onely comfort in life in death Answere That in soule and body a 1. Cor. 6.19 1. Thes 5.10 whether I liue or die b Rom. 14.8 I am not mine owne but I belong c 1. Cor. 3.23 vnto my most faythfull Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christe who by his precious blood most fully satisfying d 1. Pet 1.18 1. Ioh. 1.7 2.2 for al my sinnes hath deliuered e 1. Ioh. 2.8 Heb. 2.14.15 me from the whole power of the deuill
of darknes and translate vs into the kingdome of his beloued Son 2. Tim. 1 1â— whereto belongeth that of the Apostle that life and immortallitie vvere brought to light by the Gospell For Christ is the doore and gate of saluation Iohn 14.6 Act 10.45 and euen the onlie way which we must enter into to come vnto the kingdome of heauen Whereby it appeareth that they are deceiued whoe thinke that every one whether he be Turke or Iewe may be saued in his own superstition so he keep some outward shadow and shewe of Iustice for God hath ordained the preaching of the Gospell to be the key whereby he wil haue the kingdome of heauâ—n to be opened and the faithfull to be let into it and whome in Christ his Sonne hee hath chosen vnto saluation Question 84 How is the kingdome of heuen opened and shut by the preaching of the Gospell Answere When by the commaundement of Christ it is openly preached to al and euerie one that beleeueth that al their sinnes are forgiuen them by God so oft as they lay hold vpon the promise of the Gospel by a true faith Contrariwise vnto all vnbeleeuers and hypocrits it is denounced that the wrath of God euerlasting condemnation lieth vpon them so long as they k Ioan. 20.21 22.23 Mat 16.19 continue in their sinnes According to which testimonie of the Gospell God will iudge aswell in this present life as in the life to come Question 85 Howe is the kingdome of Heauen shut and opened by Ecclesiastical discipline Answere When by the commaundement of Christ they who are in name Christians but in doctrine or life shew themselues l Rom. 12 7.8.9 1 Cor. 12.20 strangers froÌ„ Christ after they haue bene once or twise admonished and wil not depart from their errors or sinfull liuing are presented to the Church or to those who are appointed to that office by the Church and if they obey not their admonition are by forbidding them the Sacramentes by them shut out from the assemblie of the Church and by God himselfe from the kingdom of Christ and againe and if they possesse amendement and doo indeed declare it are receiued as m Ma 18.15.16.17 1. Cor 5.3 4 5.2 The. 3.14 15 2. Iohn 10.11 2 Cor. 2.6.7.10 11. 1 Tim 5.17 members of Christ and of the Church THE THIRD PARTE OF MANS THANKFVLNES THE ARGVMENT Of the necessitie of good workes and the punishment of them who go on carelesly in their sinnes Question Lords day 32 86 Seeing we are deliuered from al sinnes and miseries without any desert of our own by the only mercie of God for Christes sake to what end should we doe good workes Answere Because after that Christ hath redeemed vs by his blood he dooth also renewe vs by his spirit according to his owne image to the end that hauing receiued so great benefites wee shoulde all our life long a Rom. 6.13 12.1.2 2. pet 2.5.9.10 1. Cor. 6.20 shewe our selues thankfull towards God and that he might be b Mat. 5.16 1. pet 2.10 glorified by vs. Secondly that wee also every one of vs may bee c 2. Pet. 1.10 Mat. 7 17 18. Gal. 5 6.22 assured of our faith by the fruits thereof Last of all that by the vprightnes of our life we may gaine d 1. pet 3.1.2 Mat. â— 16. Rom. 14 19. others vnto Christ The vse VVHich being so it followeth that the studie of good workes is necessarie 1. To honour God by our life 2. To worke out our owne saluation in feare and trembling 3. To edâ—fie our neighbour by good examples which is indeede to liue worthie of the Gospell Phil. 2.22 Question 87 Can not they then bee saued who being vnthankfull and continuing securely in their sinnes are not turned from their wickednes vnto God Answere By no meanes for as the scripture witnesseth neither vncleane persons nor Idolaters nor adulterers nor theeues nor couetous persons nor drunkards nor raylers nor oppressors shall e 1 Cor. 6 9 10. Ephe. 5.3.6 1. Ioh. 3.14.15 inherit the Kingdome of God OF REPENTANCE THE ARGVMENT Of repentance and the fruits thereof to wit good works Question Lords day 33 88 Of what partes consisteth true repentance or turning vnto God Answere Of the f Ro. 6 4.5 6. Eph. 4.22.23 42. Col 3 5 6 7.8 9.10 1. Cor. 5 7. 2. Cor. 7 mortifiing or killing of the ould man and quickening of the new man Question 89 What is the mortification of the old man Answere Truelie and from the hart to be sory that by thy sinnes thou hast offended God and more and more to hate and g Rom. â— 13. Ioel. 2.13 Ho 5.14 6.1 flie from them Question 90 What is the quickening of the newe man Answere True reioycing in God through h Rom. 5.1 14 17. Isa 57.15 Christ and a forward desire to frame our life according to Gods will and to exercise i Rom. 6.10.11 Gal. 2 20. all good workes Question 91 What workes are good Answere Onely those that are done af a true k Rom. 11.23 faith according to the l 1. Sam. 15.22 Ephe. 2.10 lawe of God m 1. Cor. 10.31 are referred only to his glory and not those which are deuised by our selues vppon a good intent or n Deut. 11.32 Eze. 20.18.19 Is 29 13. Mat. 1â— 9 commanded by mens traditions Question 92 What is the Law of God Answere The Lorde spake all these o Exod. 20 Deu. 5 wordes saying 1 I am Iehoua thy God which brought thee out of the land of Egypt from the house of seruaunts see thou haue no strange God before my face 2 Make not to thy selfe any grauen Image nor drawe any likenes of those things which are either in heauen aboue or in the Earth beneath or in the water vnder the Earth thou shalt not fall downe before them nor worship them For I am the Lord thy God strong and ielious auenging the sinnes of the Fathers vppon the children and that to the third and fourth generation of them that hate me and shewing mercie vppon thousands in them that loue me and keepe my commandements 3 Take not the name of the Lorde thy God in vaine for the Lord will not let him goe vnpunished that taketh his name in vaine 4 RemeÌ„ber to keep holie the Sabbath day Six daies shalt thou labor and doe all thy worke But vpon the seauenth day shal be the Sabbath vnto the Lord thy God Thou shalt doe no worke neither thou nor thy Son nor thy daughter nor thy seruant nor thine handmaid nor thy cattel nor the straunger that is within thy gates For in Six dayes the Lorde made the Heauen the Earth the Sea and all things that are in them and rested the seauenth day therefore the Lord blessed the seuenth day and hallowed it 5 Honor thy Father and thy Mother that thou maiest liue long vpon the land which the
gouerned by one soule so are we all by one and the same spirite Question 77 Where hath Christ promised that he will as certainlie giue vnto the beleeuers his bodie and his blood in this maner to be eaten and drunke as they doo eate this bread beeing broken and drinke this cup. Answere In the institution of the Supper the wordes whereof are these g 1. Cor. 11 1◠c Mat. 26.26 c Mark 24.22 c. Luk. 22.19 c. Our Lord Iesus Christ the same night that he was betraied tooke bread when he had giuen thankes he brake it and said Take eate this is my bodie which is broken for you this doo yee in remembrance of me Likewise after supper he took the cup saying h Ezod 24.8 Heb. 9.2 This cup is the new Testamēt in my blood i Exod. 13.9 This doe as oft as ye drinke it in remembrance of me For as often as ye eat this bread and drinke this cup ye shew the lords death til he come This promise is repeated by Paule when he saith b 1. Cor. 10.10.17 k The cup of thanksgiuing wherewith we giue thankes is it not the communion of the blood of christ The bread which we breake is it not the communion of the Lordes bodie Because wee beeing manie are one bread and one body for we are al partakers of one bread OF TRANSVBSTANTIATION THE ARGVMENT Transubstantiation of breade and wine in the vse of the supper disprooued and the true exposition and meaning of these words Bread is the body of Christ Question Lords day 29 78 What then are bread and wine made the very body blood of Christ Answere No truelie But as the water of baptisme is l Mat. 26.29 Mar 14.24 not turned into the blood of Christ neither is the verie washing away of sinnes but only a token and pledge of those things which are sealed vnto vs in Baptisme No more is the bread of the Lords Supper the verie bodie of m 1. Cor. 10.16 c. 11.26 c. Christ although after the nature of Sacraments and the n Gen. 17.10 c Ex. 26.27 43.48 13.9 Act. 7.8 Ex. 24.8 Leu. 16.10 17.12 Isa 6.6.7 Tit. 3.5 Act. 22.16 1. Pet. 3.21 1. Cor 10.1 maner of speach which the holy Ghost vseth in speaking of these thinges the bread is called the body of Christ Question 79 Why then doeth Christ call the bread his bodie the cup his blood or the newe Testament in his bloode and Paul calleth the bread and wine the communion of the body blood of Christ Answere Christ not without great cause so speaketh to wit not onely to teach vs that as bread and wine sustaineth the life of the bodie so also his bodie crucified and his blood shed is indeede the meat and drink of our soul where by it may be o Iohn 6.51.55.56 nourished to life everlasting but much more by this visible signe and pledg to assure vs that wee are noe lesse trulie made partakers of his bodie and blood by the woorking of the holie Ghost then we do a 1. Cor. 10.16.17 with the mouth of the bodie receiue these holy signes in remembrance of him Secondly that his passion and obedience is as certainlie ours as if we our selues had payed the punishment of our sinnes and made satisfaction vnto God OF THE MASSE THE ARGVMENT An opposition of the Masse and the Supper of the Lorde and whoe ought may come vnto the supper whome Christ woulde haue to bee kept from the Supper Question Lords day 30 80 What difference is there betwen the Supper of the Lord and the Popish Masse Answere The supper of the Lorde doth witnes vnto vs that we haue perfect forgiuenes of all our sinnes for that onely sacrifice of Christ which himselfe once offered b Heb. 7.27 9.12.26.28 10.10.12.14 Ioh. 19 30. Mat. 26.28 Luc. 22.19 20 vppon the Crosse and then that wee are by the holy Ghost ingraffed into c 1. Cor. 6.17 10 16. 12 13. Christ who nowe according to his humanitie is onely in Heauen at the right hand of his d Heb. 1 3. 8. ◠Father and will there be e Ioh. 4.21 22 23. 20 17. Luc. 24.52 Act. 7.55.56 Col. 3.1 Phil. 3.10 1. Thes 19.10 worshipped of vs. But in the Masse it is denyed that the quick and dead haue forgiuenes of sinnes for the onelie suffering of Christ vnlesse Christ be still euery day offered for them by the Priests and then it is taught that Christ is bodily vnder the appearance of bread and wine and therefore ought to be worshipped in them And so the very foundation of the Masse is nothing els but a denying of that onely sacrifice suffering of Iesus Christ and a most cursed Idolatrie Question 81 Whoe ought to come to the Supper of the Lord Answere Only they who are trulie sory that they haue offended God by their sins and do beleeue that they are forgiuen them for Christs sake and that whatsoeuer other infirmities they haue they are couered by his passion and death and who desire more and more to goe forward in fayth and vprightnes of life But hypocrits they that do not trulie repent doe eat g Cor. 10 21. 11.28 c. drink vnto themselues condemnation Question 82 May they also bee admitted to this Supper who declare them selues by their confession and life to be vnbeleeuers and vngodly men Answere No in no wise For by that meanes the couenant of God is prophaned the wrath of God is h 5. Cor 11.20 34 Isai 1.11 c. 66.3 Ier 7.20 c. psa 50.16 prouoked against the whole congregation wherfore the Church by the commandement of Christ and of his Apostles vsing the keies of the kingdom of heauen ought to keepe backe such from the Supper vntill they repent and amend their maners OF THE KEYES THE ARGVMENT Of the keyes and their nomber to wit of the vse and authoritie of the key of the Gospell and of discipline in opening and shutting the kingdome of God Question Lords day 31 83 What are the keyes of the kingdome of Heauen Answere The preaching of the Gospell and Ecclesiastical discipline whereby heauen is opened to them that beleeue and i Mat. 16.19 18 18. shut against vnbeleeuers The vse THe vse of the doctrine of the keyes is double for we are first put in mind by them of our misery before the Lord cal vs by his Gospel namely that we are banished from the kingdome of God and consequently excluded from righteousnes and saluation Last of all that we are fast bound as it were with the bonds and fetters of Sathan Secondly howe great good God dooth bestowe vpon vs and offer vnto vs when he bleseth vs with the preaching of the Gospell putting vs in hope that if we beleeue in Christ he wil deliuer vs from the power
Cor. 11 33. Sacramentes and to the publike prayers a 1. Tim. 2.1 2 3 8 9 1. Cor. 14 16. ioyne also mine own priuat and according to mine abilitie bestowe some thing vppon the b 1 Cor. 16. poore Secondly that in all my life I absteine from wicked actions yeelding vnto the Lord that by his spirit he may worke his good worke in me and so that I c Esai 66.23 beginne that everlasting Sabbath or rest in this life OF THE FIFT COMMANDEMENT THE ARGVMENT That they are to be honoured whom the Lord hath set ouer vs and both to be obeied thankfully to be requited Question Lords day 39 104 What dooth the Lord injoine vs in the fift commandement Answere That wee performe vnto our Parentes and euen to all that are set ouer vs due honour loue fidelitie and doe d Eph. 6.1.2 5. c. Col 3.18.20 22 23 24 Eph 5 22 pro. 1.8 4 1 15 20 20 20. Ex. 21.17 Rom. 10.1 submit our selues to their faithfull precepts and chastisements with that obedience that is meet Secondlie that we e Prou. 23 22. Gen. 9.25 1 pet 2 18. patiently bear with their faults manners alwaies hauing in remembrance that God will lead f Eph. 6 40 Col. 3 19 21 Rom. 13. Mat. 22.27 and rule vs by their hand OF THE SIXT COMMANDEMENT THE ARGVMENT Of avoyding manslaughter how many waies it is committed in the sight of God the end whereof is that the safetie of everie one ought to bee commended to everie one Question Lords day 40 105 What doeth God require in the sixt commandement Answere That neither by thought nor by word nor by gesture much lesse by deede either by my selfe or by any other I doe reuile or hate or hurt or g Mat 5 12 22. Gen. 9.6 Mat 26.52 slay my neighbour but h Eph. 4.26 Rom 12 19 Mat. 5 25. 18 35 cast away all desire of reuenge Moreouer that I i Rom. 13 14 Col. 2.23 Syr. 3.27 Mat. 4 7. hurt not my selfe nor wittingly cast my selfe into any daunger And therfore also that murther might be avoided he hath k Gen. 9 6 Exod. 21.14 Mat 26.52 Rom. 13.4 armed the Magistrate with the sword Question 106 Why but this commandement seemeth to forbid onelie Murder Answere For the slaying of murder God teacheth that he hateth the roote and original of murder to wit a Iac. 1.20 Gal. 5 20. anger b Rom 1 29. enuy hatred c 1. Ioh. 2.9.1 and desire of reuenge and doth d account all these for murder b 1. ioh 3 15. Question 107 And is it sufficient to kill noe man in such sorte as hath bin spoken Answere It is not sufficient for when God condemneth wrath enuie hatred hee requireth that wee e Mat 22.59 7 12 loue our neighbour as our selues and that wee vse towards him f Rom. 12.10 curtesie gentlenes g Ephe. 4.2 Galat. 6.1.2 Mat. 5.5 Ro. 12.18 Mat. 5 7 Luk. 6 3. meeknes patience h Exod. 24.5 and mercie i Mat. 5 45. and that whatsoeuer may hurte him as much as in vs lieth we turne it away from him In a worde that wee be so disposed in mind that we k Rom 22.20.81 spare not to doe good even to our enemies OF THE SEAVENTH COMmandement THE ARGVMENT Of Adulterie that is that we be not defiled with any vncleannes or intemperate lust of the flesh but that wee gouern all the parts of our life chastly and continently Question Lords day 41 108 What is the meaning of the seuenth commandement Answere That God doeth l Leu. 18.27.28 abhor all filthines and therefore that we also ought m Iud. 22.23 to hate and detest it and on the other side that we ought to liue soberly modestly and n 1. Thes 4 3 4.5 chastly either in holy wedlock or single life Question 109 Doth God forbid nothing els in this commandement but adultery and such kind of filthines Answere For as much as our body soule are the temples of the holy Ghost the will of God is that wee possesse both them purely holilie therefore hee doth generally forbid filthy deeds gestures and behauiours p Eph. 5.3 4 Cor. 6 18.19 20 speeches thoughts q Mat 5 27.23 and desires and whatsoeuer may allure r 1 Cor 15 33. vs herevnto OF THE EIGHT COMMANDEMENT THE ARGVMENT Because all vnrighteousnes is abhominable in the sight of God hee forbiddeth greedilie to gape after that which is an other mans and commandeth vs to lend our faythful helpe to every man for the keeping of his owne goods and by this meanes hee doeth allowe and ratifie the distinction of owners and proper possessions Question Lords day 42 110 What doth God forbid in the eight commandement Answere Not only those Å¿ 1. Cor. 6 10. thefts and t 1. Cor. 5.10 robberies which the Magistrate doeth punish but vnder the name of theft hee comprehendeth all naughtie shifts occupations whereby wee catch after other mens goods and labor to u Luk. 3.14 1. Thes 4.6 conveigh them to our selues by force or by couler of right as are vnequall x pro. 11.1 16.11 weights an vniust metwand vnequal y Eze. 45.9 c. measure deceitfull ware counterfeit mony z Psal 15.5 Luc. 6.35 vsurie or any other forbiddin way or means to thriue get welth Add hereunto all a 1. Co. 6 10 couetousnes and the manifold mispending and b Prou. 5. â—6 abusing of the guifts of God Question 111 What are those things which God commandeth here Answere That I further and increase as much as I am able the commoditie and profit of my neighbour and soe deale with him as I c Mat. 7.12 desire to be delt withall my selfe that diligently and faythfully I follow my worke that I d Eph. 4 28 may be able also to help the neede of others OF THE NINTH COMMANDEMENT THE ARGVMENT That we ought not to abuse our tong to lying slandering and false accusations of our neighbour but rather to avouch the truth and to maintaine and preserue the life and goods of our neighbour Question Lords day 43 112 What doeth the ninth commandement require Answere That I beare noe false e prou 19 5 9 81.28 witnes against any man that I f Psal 15.3 falsifie or misconstrue no mans words that I back bite or g Rom 1.29 21 reproch no man that I h Mat 7 1 c Luk 6 87 condeme noe man rashlie or before his cause be heard but that I i Ioh 8.44 do with al carefulnes avoide all kind of lying deceit as the k prou 12 22 13.5 proper woorkes of the Diuell vnles I will prouoke the most grieuous displeasure of God against my selfe that in iudgments and other affaires I follow the truth and freely and constantly
euerlasting The vse THe profit of these articles thus generally distinguished is this that they may serue in sted of a rule whereunto the fayth of al men ought to agree and whatsoeuer is contrary to one or to mo Articles ought to be accounted false Secondly that they may be vnto vs in stead of a table wherein we may perceiue distinctlie and seuerally what things are to be marked in Christ for as the partes of the bodie are distinguished by ioynts so in this confession of fayth whatsoeuer we ought distinctlie and seuerallie from the rest to beleeue is rightlie and fitlie called an Aiticle OF THE APOSTLES Creede THE ARGVMENT The partes of the Creede and of God one in substance and three in person Question Lords day 8 24 Into howe many partes is this Creede deuided Answere Into three parts The first is of the euerlasting father and of our creation The second is of the Sonne and of our redemption The third is of the holie Ghost and of our sanctification The vse IT is therefore requisite to keepe this diuision that although our saluation be the worke of the whole Trinitie yet we may know how to put a difference betweene the propertie of every person and to knowe what euerie of them hath done for our saluation and redemption Question 25 Seeing there is a De. 6.4 Eph. 4.6 Esa 44.6 45 5. 1. Cor. 8.4 but one onelie substance of God why doost thou name those three the Father the Son and the holie Ghost Answere Because God hath so b Esa 61.1 Luc. 4.18 Psa 119.1 Mat 3.16 17. 28.19 Iohn 14 26. 15.26 Tit. 3.5.6 Ep. 2 18 2 Cor. 13.13 Gal. 4.6 1. Iohn 5.7 reueiled himselfe in his word that these three distinct persons are one true and euer lasting God OF GOD THE FATHER THE ARGVMENT Of God the Father and of the creation and preseruation of our selues and of the whole world that is of heauen and earth Question Lords day 9 26 What beleeuest thou when thou sayest I beleeue in God the Father almightie c. Answere I beleue in the euerlasting father of our Lord Iesus Christ who c Gen. 1. 2 Psal 33 6. Iob. 33 4. Act. 4 24. 14 15 c. Esa 45.7 created of nothing the heauen and the earth and all thinges that are therein and doth vphold and d psal 104 3 125.3 Mat. 10 19. Heb. 1.3 Rom. 11.36 gouerne the same by his euerlasting counsell and prouidēce to be by the means of Christ e Ioh. 1.12 Rom 8.15 Ga. 4.5 6.7 Ephes 1.5 my God and my Father Therefore I so trust in him I so repose my selfe vpon him that I doubt not but he wil prouide all thinges f psa 55.23 Mat. 6 26. Luc. 12 22. necessarie both for my soule for my bodie And moreouer also that whatsoeuer euill he sendeth vpon me in this miserable life he wil g Rom. 8.28 turne the same to my saluation seing he is both able to do it as being h Esa 46.4 Rom 10.12 8.38 God almightie and willing to do it as being my i Mat. 6. 7.8.9 mercifull father The vse THis article of our fayth the doctrine therein conteined maketh much for the comfort of the godly For seeing we are ioyned in league with that God who is our Father who is almightie who created heauen and Earth who gouerneth vs and preserueth vs what is there that we may not look for from such a Father What is there whereof we may not mak our selues sure For example the Leper was perswaded only of the power of Christ he knew not his wil therfore hee sayd Lorde if thou vvilt Mat. 8 2. thou canst make me cleane and he was clensed how much more shal we obteine those things which wee ask if both we be perswaded of his almightie power and also doubt not of his promises From hence is our loue to our neighbour set on fire for when God hath promised that he wil increase his blessings vpon them who are liberal to the poore and he is God almightie who would not be pricked for ward to bestowe almes liberally and cheerefully Thirdlie by the same doctrine I am admonished not to doubt of any mans saluation thogh he seeme cast away of God and withal to keepe my selfe in the feare of God How namely because God is able to raise vp againe my brother that is fallen and to call him home into the way of saluation and also to suffer me to fall into grieuous sinns and to cast me off vnlesse I abide in fayth OF GODS PROVIDENCE THE ARGVMENT Of Prouidence belonging to the common place of Creation and of the vse of both Question Lords day 10 27 What is prouidence Answere The almightie and euerie where present power of God k Act. 17.25 c. psal 94.9 c. Isa 29.15 c. Eze. 8.12 whereby he doth as it were beare vp with his hand and l Heb. 1.2.3 gouern the heauen earth with all creatures so that whatsoeuer groweth out of the earth also raine and drowght plentie dearth meat and m Iere. 5.24 Act. 14.17 drinke n Iohn 9.3 health sicknesse o Prou. 12.2 riches pouertie finalie al thinges that are fal out not rashly or by chāce but by his fatherly counsell and will Question 28 What profite haue we by this knowledge of the creation and prouidence of God Answere Hereby we are in aduersitity made p Ro 5.3 c. Iac 1.3 Iob. 1.21 c. patient in prosperitie q Deut. 8.10 1. Thes 5.18 thankfull for the time to come wee haue a r Rom 5.4.5 verie good hope reposed in God our most trustie father knowing assuredly that nothing can ſ Ro. 8.38.39 draw vs from his loue seeing all creatures are so in his power that without his pleasure they are not t Ioh. 1.12 26 Pro. 21.1 Act. 17.25 c. able not onely not to do any thing but not so much as to stirre OF GOD THE SONNE THE ARGVMENT He commeth nowe to handle the second part of the Creede of the Sonne of God and of our redemption and first is declared the meaning of the name Iesus and they are refuted who in word do acknowledge the sonne of God to bee Iesus that is a Sauiour but in deed do detract from his merit Question Lords day 11 29 Wherefore is the Sonne of God called Iesus that is a Sauiour Answere Because he saueth and deliuereth vs from all our a Mat. 1.21 Heb 7.25 sinnes neither ought saluation to bee sought for in any other neither * Act 4.12 can it els-where bee found Question 30 Do they that beleeue in the only Sauiour Iesus who seeke for happines from Saints or from themselues or from any thing els Answere No for although in word they glorie in him as a Sauiour yet in deede they denie the onely Sauiour
also purchase for vs the fauor of God righteousnes and euerlasting life The Vse BY this historie of the grieuous and bitter suffering of Christ we are put in mind how hainous a matter sinne is for the which God would receiue no ransom but the death of his only begotten Sonne Secondly howe exceeding the loue of Christ toward vs is who did not sticke to suffer so fearfull torments for vs that he might reconcile vs vnto God and might purchase vnto vs life and saluation which by sin we had lost Thirdly to consider what duty wee owe againe namely to prepare our selues according to the counsel of Peter both to suffer patiently because vve are thereunto called 1 pet 2 21 24 and Christ suffered for vs leaving vs an Example that vve should follovve his steps And also to resist sinne because he bare them in his bodie vpon the crosse that we being dead vnto sinne might liue vnto righteousnes Question 38 What reason was there why he suffered vnder Iudge Pilate Answere That he an Innocent being a Luc. 23.14 Ioh 19.4 condemned before a ciuill Iudge might b psal 69 4 Isai 53 4 5.2 Cor. 5 21 Gal. 3.13 set vs free from the straight iudgment of God which was to fall vppon vs. Question 29 Is it any more that he was fastened to the crosse than if he had bene put to any other kinde of death Answere Yea truelie it is more For by this I am sure that hee hath taken vppon him the curse which did hang ouer me for the death of the crosse was c Deut. 21.23 Gal. 3.13 cursed by God OF CHRISTS SVFFERING THE ARGVMENT That Christ died and was buried why and what fruit there is of it where of the death of the faithfull and afterward the meaning of the words He descended c. Question Lords day 16 40 Why was it necessarie that Christ should humble himselfe euen to the death Answere Because the iustice and trueth of God could by no d Genes 2.71 other meanes bee satisfied for our sins than by the death of the e He. 2.9.14.15 Phil. 2.8 Sonne of God Question 41 Wherefore was he also buried Answere That hee might thereby make it knowne that he was truelie f Acts. 13.29 Mat. 27.60 Luk. 23 53 Ioh. 19.38 dead The vse SO often as we heare the buriall of Christ spoken off we are thereby put in mind of the sanctifying of our graues that they are now no more pittes Esa 57.6 wherein the cast bodies of men dye and consume to nothing but chests and chambers wherein men are laid vp and safelie kept against the resurrection that shall surelie come Question 42 But seeing Christ died for vs why must we also die Answere Our death is not a satisfaction for our sinnes but an vtter destroying of sinne and a passage into g Ioh. 5 24 Phil. 1 23. Rom 7.24 euerlasting life The vse VVHerefore hauing bene taught that it is the common condition of all men to die wee are all and every one of vs put in mind so to order our life that whensoeuer God goeth about to call vs out of this valley of miseries hee may finde vs ready that is neither too much intangled with the cares of this life nor discouraged with the feare of death both because we knowe this to be the very way of the whole Earth Rom. 4.8 and also because whether we liue or whether we dy we are our Lord Iesus Christs who is vnto vs as the Apostle saith both in life and death aduantage Question 43 What profit receiue we further by the sacrifice and death of Christ Answere That by the power of his death our olde man is crucified together with him and is also dead and h Ro. 6.6 7. c. buried that the euill concupiscences and desires of the flesh may not hereafter i Rom. 6.12 raigne in vs but that we may k Rom. 12. â— offer our selues vnto him a Sacrifice of thanksgiuing Question 44 Why is this added He descended into hell Answere That in my greatest sorrowes and most grieuous temptations I may vphold my self with this comfort that my lord Iesus Christ by the vnspeakable anguish torments and terrours of his soule whereinto he was plunged both before and especially as hee was hanging vppon the Crosse hath l Isai 53.10 Mat. 27.46 deliuered me from the anguish and torments of hell The vse VVHerefore wee receiue no small fruit and comfort even of this part of Christs humbling whereby we may sustaine our selues in extreme sorrows and in most grieuous tentations for if our conscience do trouble vs with the multitude of our sinnes for the which we tremble at Gods iudgment who threatneth vnto sin everlasting condemnation this shield of fayth is ready at hand That Christ did most bitterlie indure in his soule the anguishe of conscience for our sinnes together with the sence and feeling of Gods iudgment and wrath when hee complained and said Mark 14.34 My soul is heauie even to the death If Satan also set vpon vs and set before our eies that gulfe then which non can be more fearful as if God had forsaken and cast vs away and would not vouchsafe to heare vs as if hee had conspired our destruction lette vs then call to minde that the Sonne of God was therefore heard and deliuered when he groned and cried out My God my God vvhy hast thou forsaken me Mat. 27 46. Heb. 5.7 that we might not for euer be forsaken Last of all seeing wee haue such a Mediatour who did wrestle with the power of the diuel with the horror of death and with the paines of Hell whoe woulde not here bee confirmed against any anguish and sorrowe Heb. 4.15 being perswaded of the good will of so mightie a Prince and highe Priest towards him who both in all things was tempted alike yet without sinne and in whome strait after his resurrection that triumphant song which the Prophet made of him was fulfilled O death Hosea 13.14 I vvill be thy death O graue I vvill be thy destruction whereunto the Apostle alludeth as being in vs likwise to be fulfilled in the blessed resurrection Death is svvallovved vpp in victory 1. Cor 15.54 54. O Death vvhere is thy victorie O graue vvhere is thy sting wherevpon sayth Hillarie The Crosse death and hell are our life OF CHRISTES RISING againe from the deade THE ARGVMENT Christs rising againe and the fruite thereof 2 His ascending into Heauen and how far he is present at this day in his Church also of the vnseperable coniunction of the two natures in Christ Last of all of the fruit of Christes ascention Question Lords day 17 45 What doth Christes rising again profite vs Answere First by his rising againe he hath ouercome death that he might m 1. Cor. 15.16 54 55. Rom. 4 25.1 pet 13. c. 21. make vs partakers of that
righteousnesse which hee purchased for vs by his death Secondly wee also now by the power thereof are n Rom. 6.4 Col. 3.1 c Ephes 2.5 raised vp vnto a new life Last of all the rising again of Christ our head is a o 1 Cor. 15.12 c. Rom. 8.11 pledge vnto vs of our glorious resurrection The vse THis pledg we ought to set against the wicked speeches of some who say Who ever came againe from the dead to certifie vs of that heauenly life as who say the resurrection of Christ were not a sufficient testimonie and seal of the same resurrection to be at the last accomplished in our bodies also and in our flesh Question 46 Howe doost thou vnderstande that He ascended into heauen Answere That in the sight of his Disciples Christ was p Act. 1.9 Mark 16 19 Luk. 24.51 taken vp froÌ„ earth to heauen and is q Heb. 4.14 7 25. 9.11 Rom 8.34 Ephes 4.10 Colos 3.1 yet there for vs shall be till he come againe to iudge the quick and the r Act. 1.11 Mat. 24.30 dead Question 47 What then is not Christ with vs as he promised vnto the end of the world Answere Christ is true God and true Å¿ Mat 28.20 Mat 26.11 Io. 16 18 17. Act. 3.21 man therefore according to his manhead he is not now vpon earth but according to his Godhead his grace and his spirite he t Ioh. 14 17. c. 16.13 is at no time from vs. Question 48 And are not the two natures in Christ by this means pulled a sunder if the manhead bee not wheresoeuer the Godhead is Answere Not a whit for seeing the Godhed cannot be contained in any compasse and is present u Act. 7 49. 17 27. c. Ierem. 23.24 in all places it followeth necessarilie that it is without the nature of man which it hath taken yet neuertheles is in it also and x Col. 2.9 Iohn 3.13 11.15 Mat. 28 6. remaineth personallie vnited vnto it Question 49 What fruit doth Christs ascending into heauen bring vs Answere First that he y 1. Ioh. 2.1.2 Rom. 8.34 maketh intercession in Heuen vnto his Father for vs. Secondly that we haue our flesh in heauen that by this as by a certain pledg we may be assured that he who is our head wil a Ioh. 14.2 20 17. Eph. 2.6 lift vp vnto him vs that are his meÌ„bers Thirdly that he b Ioh. 14 16. 16 7 2 Cor. 1 22 2 Cor. 5 5 sendeth vnto vs his spirit as a pledg betwene vs by the working whereof we seeke not things on earth but thinges that are aboue where hee c Cal. 3.1 Phil. 3 20. c. sitteth at the right hand of God The vse AS that maketh for our comforte that hee sendeth his spirit vnto vs so againe hauing receaued this pledg of the Spirit we are warned not to seeke for the thinges on Earth but the things that are aboue Iohn 16.11 for to that end did he asscend into heauen and from thence bestowe his spirit vpon vs that by the power thereof shed abroade in our hartes we might bee lifted from these earthlie present and carnall things to long after things heauenly things to come and thinges spirituall Hereupon sayth Paul Seeke those things that are aboue Col. 3.1 vvhere Christ sitteth at the right hand of God set your mind on things aboue and not on things on earth OF CHRISTES ASCENDING into Heauen THE ARGVMENT The sitting at the right hand and the fruit thereof which is the third degree of Christ exaltation Question Lords day 18 50 Why is it added he sitteth at the right hand of God Answere Because Christ did therefore assceÌ„d into heaueÌ„ that he might d Ep. 1 20. 5 23. Col. 1 18. therby declare himself the head of his church by which his Father e Mat. 28.18 Ioh. 5.22 gouerneth all things Question 51 What doth this glory of Christ our head availe vs Answere First that by the holie Ghost hee f Ephe 4.10 powreth vpon vs his members heauenly guifts And then that by his power he doth g Ps 29. 101 2. Ioh. 10 28 Eph 4.8 protect and defend vs against all enemies The vse VVHich being so and seeing so mighty a Lord reigneth for vs who is not onlie able but willing also to doe whatsoeuer is good for our saluation Mat. 8 31 to whome while he reigned in his humilitie euen the very Deuills became suiters to whome gouerning his kingdome in the dayes of his flesh the Sea the winds and the storms were obedient vnles we rest in his protection whoe now sitting at the right hand of God is Lord of heauen and earth and gouerneth all thinges at his pleasure we are most worthie whome Christ should much more vpbraid with our shamefull cowardlines then he did long agoe his disciples because in the stormes of aduersitie our fayth dooth not rise higher by the considerâ—tion of so great matters OF CHRISTS COMMING againe to judgement THE ARGVMENT Christes comming againe to iudgement 2 The fruit or comfort thereof Question Lords day 19 52 What comfort dooth Christes comming againe to judge the quicke and the dead bring to thee Answere That in all miseries and persecutions I lift vp my head and h Luk. 21.28 Rom. 8.23.24 Phil. 3.10 Tit. 2.13 waite for him who did before stand in my stead before Gods iudgmeÌ„t seat did i 2. Thes 1.6.7 1. Thes 4.10 falte away all curse from me to come from heauen as a Iudge to throwe all his and mine enemies into euerlasting paines and to k Mat. 25.41 receiue me with al the elect vnto himself into heauenly ioies and euerlasting glorie The vse VVHich being so it is likewise most meet that every one of vs should so prepare himselfe that he may so much the more comfortably look for and be ready to receiue such a Iudge that shal be soe gratious and so mercifull vnto him And wee shall duely prepare our selues to the iudgment of Christ if following his counsell Wee haue our loynes girded vppe and our lamps burning Luke 12.36 37 Mat. 22.11 that is if first wee haue fayth the true marriage garment which leaneth vpon a sure foundation to wit the merite of Christ alone who deliuereth vs from the wrath to come OF GOD THE holie Ghost THE ARGVMENT Of the holy Ghost true and euerlasting God with the Father and the Son and of his office or working and effects in vs. Question Lords day 20 53 What beleeuest thou of the holy Ghost Answere First that he is true God and coeternall with the euerlasting Father and the l Gen. 1.2 Isai 48 16 1 Cor. 3.16 1 Cor. 6.19 Acts. 5.3.4 sonne Then that hee is also m Mat. 28.19 2 Cor. 1.2 giuen to mee that through faith hee may n Ga. 3 14.1 pe 1.2 1. Cor 6.17
and c Ioh. 1.33 3.5 1. Cor. 6 11 12.13 Rom. 6.4 Col. 2 12. liue holilie and without blame The vse A Double fruit redoundeth to vs by the Sacrament of baptisme For first we are not onlie by Baptisme assured that al our sinnes are forgiuen vs so that as often as wee sinne of infirmitie we neither may or ought to doubt of it vnlesse we wil call the truth of God in doubt and be enemies to our owne saluation but also we are by the same put in mind what wee owe vnto God that forasmuch as by the spirit of sanctification he hath made vs his members we doe more and more die vnto sinne Rom. 6.4 14. Col. 2.12 Tit 3 5 and do labour for vprightnes inocencie of life that so Baptisme may serue to order and rule our whole life which is the second end of Baptisme Question 71 Where doth Christ promise that he will as certainly wash vs with his blood and with his spirite as wee are washed with the water of Baptisme Answere In the institution of Baptisme the words whereof are these d Mat. 28.19 Goe and teach all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Sonne and of the holy Ghost he that beleeueth and is baptised shall bee saued e Mar. 16.16 he that beleeueth not shall bee coÌ„demned This promise is repeated when the Scripture calleth Baptisme the f Tit. â— 5. washing of the new byrth and the washing g Act. 22 16. away of sinnes The vse BY these testimonies therefore it is made plain and prooued to be most true that by Baptisme I am no lesse assured that by the bloode of Christ and by his spirit I am washed from the spottes of my soul that is from al my sinnes then outwardly by water the steines of the bodie are vsuallie washed away OF BAPTISME THE ARGVMENT That Baptisme is the verie washing away of sinnes and yet that the holie Ghost doth not without cause so speake and of the Baptisme of children Question Lords day 27 72 Is then Baptisme the verie washing away of sinnes Answere It is not For onelie the h Mat. 3.11 1 Pet. 3 21. Ephe. 5.26 blood of Christ the holie Ghost doth cleanse vs from all i 1. Ioh. 1.7 1. Cor. 6.11 sinne Question 73 Why then doth the holy Ghost call Baptisme the washing of regeneration and the washing away of sins Answere God doth not without great cause so speake to wit not onely to teach vs that as the spottes of the bodie are cleansed with water so our sinnes are k Apo. 1.5 7.14.1 1 Cor. 6.11 purged by the blood and spirite of Christ but much more that by this heauenly token pledge he may assure vs that we are as truelie washed inwardlie froÌ„ our sins as we are l Mat 16.16 Gal. 3.17 washed with outward visible water Question 74 Ought Infants also to be baptized Answere Yea trulie For seeing they m Gen 17.7 belong to the couenant and Church of God as wel as those that be at years of discretion and seeing vnto them is promised by the blood of Christ n Mat. 19 14. forgiuenes of sins and the o Luk. 1 14.15 psal 22.11 Isai 24 1.2 3. Act. 2.39 holie Ghost the worker of faith no lesse than to the other they ought also by Baptisme to bee ingraffed into the Church of God and to be p Act. 10.47 discerned from the children of Infidels as they were in the olde Testament by q Cen. 17.14 circumcision in place wherof was ordained r Colos 2 11.12 Baptisme in the new Testament The vse OVt of this defence of baptizing of infants ariseth a double doctrine and comfort the one to the parentes when they see that the Lord wil be not onelie their God but the God of their seed which is confirmed vnto them as it were by a seale printed vnto them according vnto that saying Wee are all baptized in one bodie The other to the children that they knowe they are ingraffed into the bodie of the Church and therefore are somewhat the better commended to the rest of the members that is to the faythfull when they are growne to yeares of discretion may thereby be pricked forward not a litle to an earnest indeuour to serue God by whome they were receiued for sonnes by a solemne pledg of their adoption before by their age they were able to acknowledg him for their Father OF THE SVPPER OF THE LORDE THE ARGVMENT The application of the former doctrine of Sacraments to the Supper of the Lord 2. A description of the spirituall Supper 3. The confirmation thereof Question Lords day 28 75 How art thou put in minde and assured in the Supper of the Lord that thou art partaker of that holie sacrifice of Christ offered vpon the Crosse and of all his benefites Answere Because Christ hath commaunded me and all the faithfull to eate of this bread being broken and to drinke of this cup being deuided among vs in remembrance of him and hath also added this promis a Mat. 26 27.28 Mar. 14.12.23.24 Luk. 22.16.20 1. Cor. 10.16 17 11 23.24.25 12 â—â— 13. First that his bodie was no lesse assuredlie offered and broken for me vpon the crosse and his blood shead for me than with mine eies I see that the bread of the Lord is broken vnto me and the cup reached vnto me Secondly that my soule is no lesse assuredly fed vnto euerlasting life by him with his bodie that was crucified and his blood that was shed for vs than I doe with my bodily mouth receiue bread and wine the tokens of the bodie and blood of the Lord being deliuered vnto me by the hand of the minister The vse VVHich being so it appeareth by this proportion to be most true that the supper of the Lorde leadeth me to the onelie sacrifice of Iesus Christ once offered vpon the Altar of the crosse wherein by fayth I obtaine forgiuenes of sinnes righteousnes and life everlasting Question 76 What is it to eate the body of Christ crucified and to drinke his blood that was shead Answere It is not onely with certaine affiance of mind to lay hold of the whole passion and death of Christ and therby to b Ioh. 6 35 4â—.47.48.51.53 54. obtaine forgiuenesse of sinnes and life euerlasting but also by the spirite of Christ which dwelleth at one time both in Christ and vs in such sort more and more to be c Iohn 6.56 vnited vnto his holie bodie that although he be in d Act. 3.21 Act. 1.9 c. 1. Cor. 11 26. heauen and we vpon earth yet notwithstanding we are flesh of his flesh and bone of his e Eph. 5 29 30.32 1. Cor. 6.15.17.19 1. Io. 3.24 4.13 Ioh. 14.23 bone and as all the members of the bodie are quickened and f â—o 6 56.57.58 Io. 15.1.2.3.4 5.6 Eph. 4.15.16
lord thy God shall giue thee 6 Thou shalt not kill 7 Thou shalt not commit adultery 8 Thou shalt not steale 9 Thou shalt not bear false witnes against thy neigbour 10 Thou shalt not couet thy neighbours house neither shalt thou couet thy neighbours wife nor his seruaunt nor his maiden nor his oxe nor his asse nor any of those thinges that are thy neighbours OF THE LAWE OF GOD. THE ARGVMENT The partition of the Law into two â—â—bles and a deuision of the commandements both of the first and second table a laying forth of the vices vertues which are contained in the first commandement the end whereof is that God alone may be serued Question Lords day 34 93 Howe are these Commaundementes deuided Answere Into two a Exod. 34.28 Deut. 4.13 10.34 Tables wherof the first deliuereth in foure Commandements how wee ought to behaue our selues toward God The latter in six Commandements what duties wee b Mat. 22.37.38 39 owe to our neighbour Question 94 What requireth God in the first Commandement Answere That as I loue the saluation of my owne soule so I diligently shun and auoide all c 1. Cor. 6 9.10 10 7.14 Idolatrie coniuring inchantment d Leu. 19.31 Deu 18 11 superstition praying to Saintes or other e Mat. 4 10 Apoc. 19 10 22 8.9 creatures and doe rightly f Ioh. 16.3 acknowledge the onely and true God g Ier. 17.5 trust in him alone h Heb. 10.36 Col. 1 11. Rom. 5.3.4 1. Cor. 10.10 Phil. 2.14 submit my selfe with all i 1. pet 5.5 6 humilitie and patience vnto him k Psal 104.27 28 29.30 Isai 45 7. Iac 1 17 looke for al good thinges from him alone to conclude with the most inward affection of my heart l Deut 6 5. Mat. 22.37 loue m Deu. 6.2 psal 111.10 prou 1.7 9 10. Mat 10.28 reuerence and n Mat. 4.20 Deut. 10.20 worship him so that I will rather forsake all creatures than o Mat. 5.29.30 10.37 Act. 5.29 coÌ„mit the least thing that may be against his will Question 95 What is idolatrie Answere It is in the place of one God or besides that one true God who hath reueiled himself in his word to deuise or haue any other thing wherein to put b 1. pro. 16 26 Phil. 3.19 Eph. 5 5 Gal. 4.8 Eph. 2.12.1 1. Ioh. 2.23.2 2. Ioh. 9. Io. 5.23 our trust OF THE SECOND Commandement THE ARGVMENT What maner of God the Lord is and with what kinde of seruice to be honoured where of painting of images and whether it bee lawfull to set them in Churches Question Lords day 35 96 What dooth the second Commandement require Answere That we c Deu. 4.15 1. Isai 40.18 c Rom. 1.23 c Act. 17.29 expresse not God by any image or shape neither d 1. Sam. 15.23 Deut. 12.30 c Mat. 15.9 serue him after any other manner then as in his woord hee hath commanded himselfe to be serued Question 97 Ought wee then to make no Images nor pictures Answere God neither ought nor can by any means be drawen or pictured and although it be lawfull to resemble the creatures yet God forbiddeth to haue or make their images to worship or e Ex. 23.24 34.13.14 17. Num. 33.52 De. 7 5. 12.3 16.22 2. Reg. 18.4 honour either of them or God by them Question 98 But may images be suffered in Churches to be in steed of bookes to the ignorant multitude Answere No in no wise For it becommeth not vs to be wiser than God who wil haue his Church taught not with dumbe f Ier. 10.8 c. Hab. 2.18.19 images but with the liuely g 2. Tim. 3.16.17 2. pet 19. preaching of his word OF THE THIRD COMmandement THE ARGVMENT That God hateth the abuse of his name and requireth of euery one to confesse and praise him both priuately and publikely Question Lords day 36 99 What meaneth God in the third Commandement Answere That wee doo not reprochfullie or vnreuerently vse the name of God not onely by cursing or h Leu. 24.11 c. Leu. 19.12 forswearing but also by swearing i Mat. 5 37 Iac. 5 12. rashlie neither yet take part in these horrible sinnes by holding our peace or winking at them but that wee k Isa 45 43 vse the sacred name of god nor without great religion l 1. Tim. 2 8 reuerence that by true coÌ„stant m Rom. 2 24. 1. Tim. 6 1 Col. 3.16.17 confession and n Mar. 10.32 calling vpon him and finally by al our words deedes he be praysed and magnified Question 100 Is it then soe great a sinne to take the name of God in vaine either by swearing or by cursing that God is also angry with them whoe as much as in them lieth do not forbid or hinder it Answere Surely a most o Leuit. 5. â— grieuous sinne for there is no greater sinne or which doth more offend God than the reproch of his most holie name Wherfore also he p Leu. 24 11 1â— commanded that sinne to be punished with death OF THE THIRD COMmaundement THE ARGVMENT Of a lawfull and vnlawfull oath of the first for the Anabaptistes of the latter for the popish sort Question Lords day 37 101 But may any man lawfullie in a godly sort sweare by the name of God Answere He may When either the Magistrate requireth it of his subiectes or necessitie requireth that by this meanes faith be assured and trueth established to the end that the glorie of God may be set foorth and the saluation of other men furthered For this kind of oath is coÌ„firmed by the q Deu. 6 13. Heb. 6.16 Gen. 21.14 Gal. 1.20 Deut. 10.20 word of God therefore hath bene rightlie vsed r Isa 48.1 Ie. 12.16 Ios 2.12 Ex 23.10 11. 1. Sam 24 22.23 Gal 1 20 Gen. 21.24 31.53 by holy men both in the olde and new testament Question 102 Is it not lawfull to sweare by Saintes and other Creatures Answere No For a lawfull oth is a calling vpon God wherein a man desireth that he beeing the onely beholder of the heart would giue witnesse to the trueth and punish the swearer if hee Å¿ 2 Cor 1 23 1. Sam. 20 12 deceiue wittinglie Now this honour t Ier 5 7. Amoâ— 8 14 agreeth to no creature OF THE FOVRTH Commandement THE ARGVMENT Of the true hallowing of the Sabbath Question Lords day 38 103 What doth the Lord require in the fourth Commandement Answere First that the ministerie of the gospell and schooles be u Tit 1.5 Ephes 4.11 maintained and that both vpon other dayes and especiallie vpon holie dayes I do diligentlie x psal 68.26 40.9.10 Act. 2 42 46 frequent the holy assemblies y 1. Cor. 14.19.29.31 heare the worde of God attentiuelie vse the z
l 1. Cor 14 6 Ephe 4 25. professe the matter to be even as it is m 1. Pet 4.8 Moreouer that as much as in me lyeth I defend and increase the good name and credit of others OF THE TENTH COMmandement THE ARGVMENT That even the very smallest desire contrary to Charitie ought to be put out of mens mindes 2. Of the proceeding of the godly in the obedience of the Lawe 3. And what the vse of the Lawe is in this life Question Lords day 44 113 What doeth the tenth commandement forbid Answere That our harts be neuer tempted no not with the least desire or thoght against any commandement of God but that alwaies from the harte wee detest all sinne and contrariwise take a Ro 7 7. c pleasure in all righteousnes The vse VVHich being so who seeth not that in this last commandement is required and conteined the perfit obedience of the whole lawe for howe commeth it to passe that wee sinne against every commandement but because this corrupt concupiscence is in vs without which we should of our owne accord with our whole minde and bodie striue to attaine to the onelie good altogether without any contrary thought or mammering but so long as it cleaueth vnto vs it cannot be but that we shal all offend both very oâ—â—en and in many things shall eftsoones grone and lament with the Apostle saying O vvretched man that I am vvhoe shall deliuer me from the bodie of this death Rom. 7.24 Question 114 Are they able whoe are conuerted vnto God to keepe these commandements perfectly Answere No verely but euen they that ar most holie so long as they liue haue onely some small beginnings of this b 1. Ioh. 1 8 c. Ro. 7 14 15. Eccle. 7 22. obedience yet so that with an earnest vnfeigned indeuour they c Rom. 7.22 Iac 2 10. begin to liue not according to some onelie but even according to all Gods commandements Question 115 Why then will God haue his Lawe so exactlie and so seuerely preached whereas there is no man in this life that is able to keepe it Answere First that in our whole life we may more and more d Iohn 1 9 psal 22 5. acknowledg how forward our nature is to sinne and soe much the more greedilie e Rom. 7 23 desire forgiuenes of sinnes and righteousnes in Christ Secondly that we continually be f 1. Cor. 9.24 c. phil 3 12 13.14 about this and daylie muse vppon it that wee may obteine the grace of the holy Ghost from the Father to the end wee may every day more and more be renewed according to the Image of God vntil one day at the length after wee are departed out of this life we attaine with ioy to that perfection which is sette before vs. OF PRAIER THE ARGVMENT The necessitie of Prayer the conditions of good prayer and a rule for those things that are to be asked Question Lords day 45 116 Wherefore is prayer necessary for Christians Answere Because it is the principall part of that g Psal 50.14.15 thankfulnes which God requireth at our hands as also because the Lord bestoweth his grace and the holy Ghost vpon them alone who with true gronings doe continuallie begge these things at his handes and doe b. Mat. 7.7.8 Luc. 11.9 13 Mar. 13.12 psal 50 15. giue him thanks for the same Question 117 What thinges are required to that prayer wherewith God is pleased and which he heareth and graunteth Answere That with true affection of harte we ask of that true God alone whoe hath i Iohn 4.22 psal 81.8 9.10 Iam 1.5 reueiled himselfe in his worde all things whatsoeuer hee hath commanded vs to k Rom. 8.26 1 Iohn 5.14 psal 145.18 ask of him and that with an inward l Iohn 4.21.22 Psal 145.18 2. Chron. 20.12 feeling of our owne needie miserable estate we m psal 2.11 psal 119.120 Esai 66.2 Pro. 34 17.18 51.17 Iona. 3.4 c humbly throwe our selues downe before the maiestie of God n Rom 10.14 Mar 11.24 1 Ioh 5.14.15 Mat 15.22 c. leaning vpon this strong foundation that we albeit vnworthie yet are vndoubtedly o Ioh 26.23 Col 3.17 Ioh. 14.13 heard of God for Christes sake as he hath p Mat. 7.7.8 psal 50.14 promised vnto vs in his word Question 118 What are those things which God commandeth vs to ask of him Answere All thinges q Iam. 1 17 Mat. 6.35 necessarie both for soule and bodie which our Lorde Iesus Christ hath coÌ„prised in that praier which hee himselfe hath taught vs. Question 119 What is that prayer Answere OVr r Mar. 6.9.10 c. Luk. 11.2 c. Mat. 7.9 10.11 Luk. 11 12 13. Father which art in Heuen Hallowed be thy name thy kingdome come thy wil be done as in Heuen so also in Earth Giue vs this day our daylie bread And forgiue vs our debts as we forgiue our debters and lead vs not into temptation but deliuer vs from euill For thine is the kingdome the power and the glory for euer Amen HOW WE SHOVLD PRAY THE ARGVMENT The preface of the Lords prayer and the exposition thereof Question Lords day 46 120 Why doth Christ commande vs after this maner to call vpon God Our Father Answere That even in the very entrance of prayer he may stir vppe in vs a reuerence and trust in God conuenient for the children of God which ought to be the ground-work of our prayer to wit that God for Christes sake is become our Father will much lesse denie vnto vs those thinges that wee ask of him by a true fayth then our Parents a Mat. 7.9.19 11. Luk. 11.11 denie vs earthlie benefites Question 121 Why is that added which art in Heauen Answere That we b Ier. 23 24 Act. 17.24 25.27 should not conceiue any base and earthlie thing of the heauenly maiestie of God and withall also that from his almightie power wee should c Rom. 10.12 looke for whatsoeuer is necessarie for soule and bodie OF THE FIRST PETITION THE ARGVMENT Wherein the hallowing of the name of God consisteth Question Lords day 47 122 What is the first petition Answere Hallowed be thy name that is Grant first of all that wee may d Ioh. 17 3. Ier. 9.23 24 31.33 34 Mat. 16 17 Iam. 1 5. psal 119.105 knowe thee aright and may reuerence praise and e psal 119.137.138 Luk. 1.46 c. 68 c. psal 145.8 9 17 Ex. 34.6.7 Psal 143.1 2 5 10.11.12 Iere. 31.5 32.18 19 40 41 33 11 20 Mat. 19 17. Rom 3 3 4. 11 22 23 2. Tit. 2.19 set forth thy almightie power wisdom goodnes righteousnes mercie and trueth that shineth in all thy workes Secondly that wee may so direct all our life thoughtes wordes and deeds that thy most holie name be not reproched by our occasion but rather
fire against the contemners of thy most holy precepts and yet to the penitent sinners hast alwaies shewed thy selfe a fauorable Father and a God full of mercie we thy creatures and woorkemanship of thine owne handes confesse our selues most vnworthie to open our eies vnto the heuens but far lesse to appeare in thy presence For our consciences accuse vs and our manifold iniquities haue borne witnes against vs that we haue declined from thee We haue bin polluted with Idolatrie we haue giuen thy glory to creatures we haue sought support where it was not to be founde and haue lightlied thy most wholesome admonitions The manifest corruptiō of our liues in al estates euidently proueth that wee haue not rightlie regarded thy precepts lawes and holy ordinances and this was not onelie done O Lord in the time of our blindnes but euen nowe when of thy mercie thou hast opened vnto vs an entrance to thy heuenly kingdom by the preaching of thine holie Euangell the whole bodie of this miserable Realm still continueth in their former impietie For the most part alas following the foote steppes of the blinde and obstinat princesse vtterlie despise the light of thy Gospell and delight in ignorance and Idolatrie others liue as a people without a God and without all feare of thy terrible iudgments And some O Lorde that in mouth professe thy blessed Evangell by their slaunderous life blaspheme the same We are not ignorant ô lord that thou art a righteous iudge that cannot suffer iniquitie long to be vnpunished vpon the obstinat trangressors especiallie O Lord when that after so long blindnes and horrible defection from thee soe louinglie thou callest vs againe to thy fauor and felloshipp and that we doe yet obstinatlie rebell we haue O Lorde in our extreame miserie called vnto thee yea when wee appeared vtterlie to haue bene consumed in the fury of our enemies and then didst thou mercifullie incline thine eares vnto vs. Thou foughtest for vs even by thine owne power when there was in vs neither wisedome nor force Thou alone brakest the yoke from our neckes and set vs at liberty when we by our foolishnes had made our selues slaues vnto straungers and mercifullie vnto this day hast thou continued with vs the light of thine Evangell and so ceasest not to heape vpon vs benefites both spiritual and temporal But yet alas O Lord we clearly see that our great ingratitude craueth farther punishement at thy hands the signs wherof are evident before our eies For the whispering of sedition the contempt of thy graces offered and the maintenance of Idolatrie are assured signes of thy farther plagues to fall vpon vs in particular for our grieuous offences And this vnmeasurable intemperatenesse of the aire doeth also threaten thine accustomed plague of famin which commonlie followeth riotous excesse and the contempt of the poore wherewith alas the whole Earth is replenished Wee haue nothing O Lord that we may lay betwixt vs and thy iudgment but thine onelie mercy freely offred vnto vs in thy dear Son our Lorde Iesus Christ purchased to vs by his death and passion For if thou wilt enter into iudgement with vs thy creatures and keepe in minde our grieuous sinns and offences then can there no flesh escape condemnation And therefore wee most humblie beseech thee O Father of mercies for Christ Iesus thy Sonnes sake to take from vs these stony hearts whoe soe long haue heard aswell thy mercies as seuere iudgments and yet haue not bin effectuallie moued with the same and giue vnto vs hartes mollified by thy Spirit that may both conceiue keepe in minde the reuerence that is due vnto thy maiestie Look O Lorde vnto thy chosen children labouring vnder the imperfection of the fleshe graunt vnto vs that victory that thou hast promised to vs by Iesus Christ thy Sonne our onely Sauiour Mediatour and Lawgiuer To whome with thee and the holy Ghost bee all honour and praise nowe and ever A CONFESSION OF OVR Sinnes commonly vsed in the Church of Edinburgh before Sermons IT is of thy mercie O Lord and not of our merites that it hath pleased thee to shew thy selfe vnto the world euer from the beginning and vnto vs nowe in this last most corrupt age yea Lord we further confesse that neither Lawe nor Gospell can profit vs to saluation except that thou of thy meere grace worke in vs aboue all power that is in this our nature For albeit thou teach we shal remaine ignorant albeit thou threaten wee shall contemne and albeit thou promise mercie and grace yet shall we dispair and remaine in infidelitie Vnles that thou create in vs newe hartes write thy Lawe in the same and seale in vs remission of our sinnes and that the sense and feeling of thy fatherlie mercie by the power of the holie Spirite To the old world thou spakest by Noah To Pharaoh his people by thy seruant Moses To all Israell by the fearfull trumpet of thy Lawe To the Citie of Ierusalem by thine owne wisedome our Lord Iesus Christ and to the multitude as well of Iewes as Gentiles by the preaching of the holy Apostles But who gaue obediēce Who trembled and constantly feared thy hotte displeasure Who did rightly acknowledg the time of their visitation And whoe did embrace and keepe to the end thy Fatherlie promises Onely they O Lorde to whome thy Spirite was the inward teacher whose hartes thou openest and from whome thou remoouest rebellion and infidelity the rest were externally called but obeyed not they heard aswell mercy offred as thretnings pronounced but neither with the one nor with the other were they effectuallie mooued We acknowledge O Lorde that the same corruption lurketh in vs that buddeth forth in them to their destruction and iust condemnation And therefore wee most humblie beeseech thee O Father of mercie for Iesus Christ thy Sonnes sake that as thou hast caused the light of thy word clearly to shine amongest vs and as thou hast plainlie instructed vs by the externall ministerie in the right way of saluation Soe it will please thee inwardlie to moue our dull hearts and by the power of thy holie spirit that thou wilt write and seale in our harts that holy feare and reuerence which thou crauest of thy chosen children that faythfull obedience to thy holie will together with the feeling sense that our sinnes are fullie purged and freely remitted by that onely one Sacrifice which only by it selfe is acceptable vnto thee to wit the obedience death and meditation of thy onely son our Soueraigne Lord only Pastour Mediatour and high Priest our lord Iesus Christ To whome with thee and with the holy Ghost be all honor and glory world without end AN OTHER CONFESsion of our sinnes IVst and righteous art thou ô Lord God father everlasting holy is thy Lawe most iust are thy iudgments yea even when thou doest punishe in greatest seueritie wee doe confesse as the truth is that wee haue