thy whole church and euery part â—nd member thereof glorifie thy name â—duance thy kingdome confound the â—ower of Sathan Antichrist sinne and â—arkenes blesse this thy church and countrie where we liue giue thy gosâ—ell a free passage amongst vs remooue all the hindrances thereof â—aise vp daily by thy almightie power and goodnes all those means instruments that may further it aright blesse â—we beseech thee prosper and preserue the excellent estate of our soueraigne Lord the Kings Maiestie our gratious Queene the Prince their eldest sonne and all their royall posteritie multiply thy blessings vpon them preserue them from all dangers make them earnest louers fauorers and furtherers of thy truth and gospell and tender nursing fathers and nursing Mothers vnto thy Church people all the daies of their life Good Lord blesse the honorable councellors magistrates and nobility of this land and all that be in authoritie vnder the Kings highnes that they maâ—â— carefully faithfully in all their courâ— sails consultations and gouerment labour for and procure the promoting 〈◊〉 thy glorie the aduancement of thâ— gospell the maintenance of true religion vertue and godlines the suppressioâ— of sinne and wickednes the peace and prosperitie of the church and commoâ—wealth that we may liue vnder his highnes and them a peaceable and quiet life in all godlynes and honestie Lord furnish thy Church continually with godly faithfull learned and worthy pastors and teachers of thy holy word blesse their ministerie to thy people and defend it against all the malice of the wicked Lord blesse all the christian families in the land and encrease the number of them dayly open the eies of the ignorant mollifie the hearts of the obstinat conuert them that run astray comfort the feeble hearted raise vp such as bee falne if they belong vnto thee adde vnto thy church dayly such as shal be saued be mercifull to all thy seruants â—hat be in any manner of affliction coÌ„â—ort them and releeue them help them â—nd succour them according to their seâ—erall necessities giue them a holy vse of al their afflictions and a gratious deliuerance in due time finally good Lord send thy blessings vpon all our land with fruitfull seasons and plentifull encrease of al thy good creatures which in thy gracious prouidence thou hast ordeyned for our vses and necessities that we may chearfully sing vnto thee from day to day the praises of thy mercies through Iesus Christ An Euening prayer O almightie and eternall Lord God father of our Lord Iesus Christ wee thy poore vnworthie seruants beeing come together to offer vp vnto thee our euening sacrifice of praier thanksgiuing according to our bounde duty doe first of all acknowledge against our selues that we are al of vs most vile wretched sinners not worthie the least of al thy mercies being guiltie of the fall of our forefather Adam of our owne originall corruption and of innumerable most heynous transgressions of all thy hoâ—â— lawes and commandements both 〈◊〉 our sinfull thoughts words and deed and so much the more guiltie because we haue not regarded the good meane which thou hast mercifully ordeyneâ— for vs to haue wrought in our heart true knowledge and vnderstanding oâ— thy will and commandements repentance of our sinnes and amendment of our life we confesse therefore that we haue infinitely prouoked thy wrath iudgement against vs and iustly deserued all curses plagues and miseries to be poured vpon vs in this life and to be cast for euer hereafter into the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone but good Lord wee appeale vnto the vnsearchable riches of thy mercies in Christ Iesus beseeching thee to wash away all our sins guiltines in his most precious blood to burie them all in his most glorious death that they may be remooued for euer out of thy sight and be vnto vs as though they had never bene lett thy blessed spirit of Adoption good lord seale vnto our hearts â—he full assurance of this thy euerlasting â—oue and mercy and lord work in vs â—ayly more and more a godly sorrow â—or all our sinnes with hearty and vnfeiâ—ed repentance and so worke in our â—earts by thy holy spirit that all the â—ower of sinne may dayly die in vs more and more and all good graces of â—hy spirit may dayly grow and encrease â—n vs that our hearts may be strengthned with an vnfeined faith and we may be purged from euill consciences and made fruitfull in all duties of christian loue so as in the whole course of our life hereafter we may walke before thee in all simplicity and godly purenes and serue thee vnfeinedly in all the duties of true holines and righteousnes all the daies of our life And now lord we further commend our selues and euery member of this familie into thy mercifull protection this night beeseeching thee to preserue and keepe vs from all dangers and perills to which we are subiect in soule or bodie or any thing that belongeth vnto vs to giue vs quiet and comfortable rest with the continuance of our health peace and saftie to the glorie of thâ— name that we may be more fitt for thâ— duties of our calling when thou shaâ—â— raise vs againe and so to guide vs and sanctifie vs throughout that whetheâ— we sleepe or wake liue or die we maâ— be thine After this the thanksgiuing to this marke * and then adde this following Finally we giue thee humble thankâ— that it hath pleased thee to preserue 〈◊〉 this day and for all those blessings thoâ— hast vouchsafed vnto vs our health peace and saftie the comfortable vse 〈◊〉 all thy good creatures with thy bleâ—sing vpon our labours and last of aâ— for this libertie we haue to come beforâ— thee beeseeching thee to accept of thiâ— our euening sacrifice gratiously tâ— heare vs and grant vnto vs c. as before A praier before the reading of scriptures Almightie Lord God our most mercifull and heauenly father in Iesus Chriâ—â— we beseech thee vouchsafe by thy holy spirit to prepare our hearts that with â—ll reuerence and diligence we may atâ—end to this thy holy word and soe to open our vnderstanding and to sanctifie our affections as thou mayst therby disperse in vs more and more all the â—mists and darknesses of Sathan and of sinne and make vs apt to euerie good worke and wise vnto saluation through â—esus Christ our Lord only Sauiour Amen A prayer before Catechising O lord our god and our most mercifull father in Iesus Christ which hast commanded vs to lay vp thy words in our hearts and to speake of them when we rise vp when we lie downe when we goe forth when we come home to â—each them and rehearse them continually to our children And seeing our lord Iesus Christ hath commanded vs to search the scriptures that we might know thee the onely true god and him whom thou hast sent and soe attaine to eternall life wee beseech thee
A PLAINE AND PROFITABLE CATECHISME with certaine prayers adioyned meete for parents and housholders to teach their children and seruants Deuter. 6.6 These vvords vvhich I command thee shall be in thy heart and thou shalt rehearse them continually to thy children Iosu 24.15 Choose you this day vvhome you vvill serue vvhether the gods vvhich your fathers serued or the gods of the Amorites in vvhose land ye dvvell but I and my house vvill serue the Lord. Ioh. 6.27 Labour not for the meate that perisheth but for the meate that endureth to eternall life PRINTED BY IOHN LEGAT Printer to the Vniversitie of Cambridge 1605. To the Christian Reader I Can not but earnestly lament good christan Reader as I hope thou dost with me these miserable times wherein we liue behoulding the great number already growne and daily encreasing of wicked atheists superstitious papists prophane wordlings carnall gospellers vaine and idle professors and great multitudes of ignorant people euen in the principles of religion in this land Notwithstanding the gospel hath beene so long plentifully preached amongst vs so many godly books published both of the interpretation of scriptures and also of other learned and holy treatises by sundry worthy men so many excellent and profitable catechismes set forth and fitted for teaching the grounds of religion to all sorts of people So as we may iustly weepe ouer cities townes and villages as the Lord Iesus did ouer Ierusalem Luc. 19.42 Oh that you had known euen in this your day those things that belong vnto your peace But now are they hid from your eyes for ah alas who seeth not almost in all places the mightie sinnes of the land crying for vengance That that may iustly be pronounced vnto vs which the prophet denounceth to Israel Hosea 4.1 Heare the word of the lord O people of England The lord hath a controuersie with the inhabitants of the land because ther is no truth no mercie no knowledge of God in the land by swearing and lying and stealing and killing and whoring they breake out and blood toucheth blood Wherefore it is greatly to be feared that seeing wisedome hath cryed vnto vs so long Pro. 1.20.25.26 c. and vttered her words so lowd abroad in the streets in the assemblies in citties and townes and all sorts haue refused none would regard her calling least shee also laugh at our distruction and mocke when our feare commeth like a sodaine desolation and our destruction like a whirlewind and a tempest to sweepe vs away headlong into the gulfe of all miseries and calamities The Lord in mercie raise vs vp out of our deadly sleepe of sinnes and securitie that we may awake to liue righteously and sinne no longer Many of vs haue in our mouths vainly boasting as the people of Israel Ier. 7.4 the temple of the Lord the temple of the Lord we haue the temple of the lord so wee the gospell of Christ the gospel of Christ we haue the gospel of Christ but ah alas many thousands of vs knowe nothing what the gospell meaneth A multitude of people throughout the land haue not yet learned the very beginnings of the doctrines of Christ of repentance from dead works of faith towards God of baptisme of laying on of hands of the resurrection from the dead and of eternall iudgement nay not so much as what sinne is or how they becam sinners what the punishment of sinne is or how they may scape it Many thousands know nothing what sinnes are forbidden what duties are required in any of the commandements they vnderstand not any article of the faith aright any petition of the Lords praier the meaning of the sacraments or any thing that belongeth to a christian life O that we would learne in time to repent and turne vnto the lord Ier. 4.4 before his wrath breake forth vpon vs like fire and burne that none can quench it for the wickednes of our inuentions Euen this were one good meanes if all parents and householders would set apart some howre euery day to pray with their children and seruants vse some for catechisme to enforme themselues and their familie in the grounds and principles of religion Deut. 6.6.7.8 11.18.19 Ephes 6.4 Genes 18.19 Iosu 24.15 Act. 10.21 as they are bound in duty by the commandements of the Lord and taught by the example of Godly fathers and howseholders in the scriptures namely Abraham Iosua and noble Cornelius So should themselues their children their seruants bee better prepared and fitted to vnderstand the word of God the doctrines thereof deliuered vnto them by their godly pastors and ministers which now they heare most vnprofitably and after much and long teaching learne nothing at all Amonge other catechismes I haue found by long experience this one to bee of very fit and profitable vse for the instruction of a family beeing plaine and easie and not longer then may euery seauen daies be repeated through being fitly deuided For the questions concerning fasting and gouerment may bee omitted except there bee speciall occasion this may bee done and praier ioyned withall in litle more then halfe an hower at one time I confesse some good part of this was published many yeares since gathered out of another cathechisme by a godly and reuerent preacher M. Moore of Norwich which I haue altered and enlarged in many places with such questions and answers as I thought meete for the instruction of the simple and vnlearned vnto which I haue added certaine praiers for the helpe of such as are not yet able to conceiue a prayer of themselues I wish thee good Reader whosoeuer wilt vse it to examine with the doctrines the places of scripture quoted some of them at the least though not all otherwise thou shalt depriue thy selfe of a great benefit and comfort This poore mite amid my ordinarie labours at the request of some freinds I haue cast into the Lords treasurie If thou profitt by it remember me in thy praiers And so I commend thee to god and to the word of his grace who is able to build further and to giue thee an inheritance among them which are sanctified And the Lord giue thee vnderstanding to growe in grace in the sound knowledge of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ to whome with the father and the holy Ghost be ascribed all glory and praise power maiestie and dominion now henceforth and for euermore Thy poore louing brother in Christ Iames Leech Question VVHat ought euery man first cheifely to labour for all the daies of his life An. The kingdome of God and his righteousnes and to bee assured that his name is wrtten in heauen Math. 6.33 Luc. 10.20 Ihon. 6.27 Reuela 3.5 20.15 Q. Why so An. For hereby we are made partakers of euerlasting blessednes which is the fulnes of ioy and fruition of glorie otherwise men are more miserable then the vilest creatures of the earth for wee are else
the naturall â—an An. He whose heart and conscience 〈◊〉 not renewed 1. Iohn 3.10 Rom. 12.2 purged and sanctified â—y the spirit of grace through faith â—â—pentance in Iesus Christ Act. 15.9 â— Cor. 1.2 Rom. 8.9 Q. Is there any man that doth not â—â—nne in his actions An. The Regenerated man doth not â—ommit sinne 1. Ioh. 3.3.6.9 because he is led by the â—â—irit of God Rom. 8.11 Eph. 4.20 â—1 22 23 24. Gala. 2.20 Q. Is there no sinne in the actions â—f a regenerated man An. Yes Ies 64.6 1. Cor. 13.9.12 for all our righteousnes is â—s a stained clout and there is no perfection in this life Q. Why say you then that the â—â—generate man doth not commit sinnâ— An. He is not said to commit sinnâ— because it is not he that sinneth Rom. 7.15.17.20 bâ— sinne that dwelleth in him Q. What is the punishment of sinâ—â— An. The curse of God Deut. 27 2â— Gal. 3.10 Q. What meane you by that Deu. 28.15 c. Mat. 25.41 Rom. 6.23 Ies 66.24 Mark 9.43.44 An. It is an eternall separation froâ— the fauour of God and all his merciâ— which hath adioyned vnto it all misâ—ries and calamities of this life death 〈◊〉 the end and eternall torments both 〈◊〉 soule and bodie in hell euer after Maâ— 5.29 Math. 22.13 Reuel 20 1â— 14. Q. Is there nothing which a maâ— may doe to serue as a sufficient recoâ—pence to God for one sinne An. No although I should giue (a) Luke 17.10 all my goods to the poore or suffeâ— my bodie to be b whipped all my liâ— long Col. 2.23 or suffer any other punishmeâ—â— which might be deuised yet it were noâ— sufficient for one of my least sinnes Q. Why so An. For sinne is infinite because it offendeth the infinite maiestie therefore deserueth an infinite punishment Psal 51.4 Q. Yea but God (a) 1. Cor. 1.3 Psalm 18.45 86.15 is mercifull will he therefore punish sinne so sharpely An. Our God indeed is mercifull but he is also b Psalm 7.9 Psalm 11.5 Rom. 3.4 Ioh. 3.33 iust and true therefore of his iustice and truth he must needs punish mans sinne with that punishment which he hath appointed Q. Seing then this punishment must needs be suffered are we in our selues able to suffer and ouercome it An. None is able to suffer a Psal 130.3 Math. 19.25 and ouercome this great punishment of sinne being onely man Q. What learne you out of this An. That my state is most miserable in respect of the greatnes of my sinne and the horrible punishment due vnto the same Rom. 7.24 Q. What profit is it to you to knowe this your miserable estate An. First I am taught thereby to knowe mine owne vnworthines and that I should not seeke to bee saued by mine own works or merits (a) Deut. 7.7 Deut. 9.6 Dan. 9.18 Secondly to bewaile this my miserable estate with a godly sorrow (b) Rom. 7.24 1. Cor. 7.9.10 Thirdly to detest and abhorre sinne because it bringeth nothing with it but the curse of God (c) Rom. 6.21.23 Fourthly to call heartely vpon God and sue for his grace that I may find and apprehend the riches of his mercie for my redemption (d) Ephes 1.17 3.16.17 4.1.2 Q. Is there any meanes whereby we may be deliuered from this miserable estate A. Yes there is a meanes which is taught vnto vs in the 3. of Iohn For God so loued the world Iohn 3.16 that he gaue his onely begotten sonne that whosoeuer beleeued in him should not perish but haue euerlasting life Q. What learne you out of this A. That whereas the paines which our sinnes deserue must needes be suffered by man because God of his iustice must needes punish sinne in man which was committed by man therefore our Sauiour Christ beeing euerlasting god became also (a) Gal. 4.4 Heb. 2.9.10.14.15.16.17 Heb 4.15 1 Tim. 2.5 Rom. 8.3.4 man hath fully b Gal. 3.13 Rom. 4.25 Ioh. 1.29 2. Cor. 5.21 Esay 53.6 Rom. 8.3 1. Iohn 3.16.18.36 suffered whatsoeuer was due for mans sinne in his owne person Q. Are all people discharged seeing the punishment is paid A. None are discharged sauing those that tooke (a) Col. 2.2 1 Iohn 3.2 Eph. 3.12 Rom. 8.38.39 Eph. 1.18 Ephes 2.8 Acts. 15.11 hold vpon Christ and his merits by a true faith Q. What call you this true faith A. It is a speciall worke of Gods spirit in our hearts whereby we beleeue to be saued by the grace of our Lord Iesus Christ Q. What doe you see by this true faith A. My sinnes both to be forgiuen me and yet fully punished Q. How can that be A. For in Iesus Christ to 2 Cor. 5.21 Rom. 3.25 satisfie Gods iustice they be b 1. Ioh. 2.1.12 Gala. 3 13. Rom. 4.25 fully punished and yet to me they be c 1. Cor. 5.9 forgiuen because in me they be not punished but in Christ for me to set forth Gods mercie and therefore they shall neuer be laid to my charge in this manner therefore I see the Lord my God to be both mercifull and iust Q. Yea but although the punishment of thy sinnes be fully discharged in Christ yet seeing there can no vnrighteousnesse dwell with God how canst thou stand before the iudgement seat of God as iust and righteous seeing thou hast no righteousnes but that which is stained with many sinnes A. I stand as iust and righteous before the throne of God not cloathed with my owne righteousnes but with the (a) 1. Cor. 1.30 2. Cor. 5.21 Rom. 3.28 righteousnesse of Iesus Christ which righteousnes beeing taken hold vpon b Ephes 3.17 Rom. 3.28 Ioh. 3.18 by a true faith is made mine thus am I iust and righteous in the sight of God not in respect of my own workes which I wrought in my owne person but by taking hold vpoÌ„ Christs works to be mine by faith Q. Doth not this doctrine make men carelesse so runne into all sinne and wickednes A. No for this true faith as soone as it is wrought in vs (a) Ioh. 3.3.5 Eph. 4.20 Colos 3.9 Rom. 6.6 12.1.2 through the holy Ghost doth frame our hearts anew and causeth vs to (b) Rom. 7.23 detest hate loath and abhorre sinne in all men but especially in our selues and maketh vs to haue our c Rom. 5.12.11 whole delight ioy and comfort in those things which be agreeable to Gods will and causeth vs also to d Rom. 6.11.1.13 Mat. 7.17 Ioh. 15.5 expresse the same in our godly liuing and conuersation or els it is no true faith but a e Iam. 2.17 Iam. 2.17.20 Ioh. 15.6 Psal 92.12.13 Ioh 15.5 Math. 7.17.18 c. Gala. 5.6 dead faith Q. What difference is betweene a dead faith and a true faith A. A dead faith is like a barren and withered tree that bringeth forth no fruit a true
sanctuarie and placâ— of thy holy presence comming beforâ— thee with vnprepared hearts to offer vâ— our sacrifice of praier thanksgiuing and to heare thy word our lippes haâ— come neere vnto thee but our heaâ— haue beene farre from thee wherebâ— all the heauenly instructions of thy hâ—ly word haue beene stolne away froâ— vs and made vnfruitfull and we 〈◊〉 come vnprofitable hearers O Lord 〈◊〉 confesse we are not able to recken 〈◊〉 the least measure of our sinnes for thâ— are more then the haires of our heâ— whereby we haue fearefully prouoke thy wrath and indignation against 〈◊〉 from day to day and from time 〈◊〉 time giuing thee iust occasion to 〈◊〉 priue vs of all blessings and to powâ— downe all thy curses vpon vs in all plagues and miseries of this life and to cast vs out of thy presence into euerlasting torments of soule and bodie in hell fire Notwithstanding O Lord seeing thou hast taught vs that mercie pleaseth thee and that if we confesse our sinnes thou art faithfull and iust to forgiue vs our sinnes and to purge vs from all our iniquitie we flie vnto this thy mercie and that in the onely name merits and mediation of thy sonne Iesus Christ in whome onely and alone thou art well pleased beseeching thee for his sake to pardon and forgiue vs all our sinnes originall and actuall to wash away all the guiltines of them in his most innocent blood to burie them â—or euer in his most pretious death to â—urne thy face away from them and â—rom vs all thy iudgements and curses â—hich we haue worthily deserued for â—hem either publique or priuate And we beseech thee vouchsafe with â—e pretious water of thy spirit daily to â—ash and clense our hearts and minds â—ir soules and bodies from all vncleanes of sinne from all iniquitie and vngodlines from euery euill worke and euill way to worke in vs more and more a true sight and hatred of all ouâ— sinnes with that Godly sorrow thaâ— may bring forth in vs repentance neueâ— to be repented of to arme vs with aâ— that spirituall armour that may makâ— vs to stand stedfast and fight manfullâ— vnder thy banner in our holy professioâ— of thy gospell make thy holy word tâ— dwell plentifully in vs with al wisdomâ— that it may be vnto vs the sword of thâ— spirit whereby wee may get victorâ— ouer all the power malice and subtiâ—tie of Sathan and all the wickednes 〈◊〉 our owne sinnefull and rebellious nature ouer all the courses customes oâ—casions and examples of this sinne fâ—â— euill world yea ouer euery sinne thâ— hetherto hath passed vs euen those thâ— haue most strongly preuailed againâ— vs wherein wee haue most often aâ— fearefully falne and to that which wâ— are most prone and subiect that heâ— forth we may walke in the waies 〈◊〉 good men in the paths of the rigâ—teous that is in the waie of thy lawes and the path of thy commandements hating all workes of darkenes and behauing our selues in all things as the children of light This must be added for the day And now Lord wee further commend our selues and this whole family and euery member of the same vnto thy most gracious gouerment and protection the rest of this day beseeching thee to watch ouer vs for good and to preserue vs from all dangers and euills that otherwaies may come vpon vs in soule or in bodie or in any thing that belongeth vnto vs stirring vp our hearts and strengthening vs with thy grace to walke diligently and faithfully in our seuerall callings making conscience to bestow this day and all the daies of our life all thy precious time which thou doest vouchsafe vs more profitably then euer we haue doone hitherto furnish euery one of vs with all gifts and graces necessarie for our callings both gouernors children seruants that euery one of vs in our seuerall places may know how to behaue ourselues and faithfully to performe euery good dutie with all simplicitie and godly purenes as thou doest teach vs in thy holy word truly louing one another truly caring one for another to the glorie of thy name the peace of our owne consciences our mutuall comfort and the good example of all those with whome we liue Sanctifie vnto vs the vse of all thy good creatures this day blesse vs and prosper vs in all our labours prouide mercifully for all our necessities supply our wants make vs euery way cheerfull in thy seruice and so guide vs in all things that wee may carry out the profession of thy glorious gospell in a holy blameles and christian conuersation all the daies of our life that we may make a godly christian and comfortable end of this pilgrymage with full assurance of eternall life through our Lord and sauiour Iesus Christ A thanksgiuing to be added to this praier either morning or euening O Lord we doe now also giue humâ—le thanks vnto thy maiestie for all thy â—oue and mercies towards vs for the â—oote and fountaine of all thy blessings â—uen our Lord Iesus Christ and that loue wherewith thou hast loued vs in him â—uen before we were that thy hands haue made vs and fashioned vs in our mothers womb and that thou hast brought vs forth into the world reasonable creatures preserued vs mightily and prouided for vs gratiously from our mothers breasts vnto this present howre we thanke thee more specially for the great and glorious worke of our redemption saluation peace and reconciliation made betweene thee and vs through the blood of the Crosse of thy beloued sonne we thanke thee also for the inestimable treasure of thy holy word whereby thou hast made known vnto vs the riches of these thy mercies and reuealed vnto vs thy sonne Iesus Christ by whome we haue accesse vnto this grace wherein wee stand and reioyce vnder the hope of thy glorie we thanke thee also for all other blessings which we daily receiue by thy graciâ— prouidence in preseruing vs froâ— manyfold dangers and euills wherâ— vnto wee are subiect in feeding 〈◊〉 nourishing vs from day to day with 〈◊〉 continuance of our life health food apparell howses libertie and the vse all thy good creatures Finally that thou hast kept vs 〈◊〉 night past for the quiet and comfortâ—ble rest health peace and saftie whiâ—â— we haue enioyed by thy gracious prâ—uidence and protection for this libeâ—tie we haue to come before thee aâ—â— call vpon thy name beseeching the mercifully to receiue our prayers graâ—ting vnto vs and to all thy church anâ— children these and whatsoeuer grace thou in thy heauenly wisedome anâ— incomprehensible loue doest know vâ— or any of thine to stand in need of foâ— our lord and sauiour Iesus Christ hiâ— sake in whose name we pray furtherâ— Our father which art in heauen c. A prayer for the state of the Church and of the land which may be added to the former prayer before the thanksgiuing We beseech thee also good Lord to â—esse
be gratious vnto vs thy poore seruants being come together in the obedience of theis thy holy commandements to seeke thee by such meanes as thou haâ—â— mercifully ordeined for vs. Lord we confesse our hearts are full of hardneâ— our vnderstanding is full of darknes 〈◊〉 our eares are dull of hearing we beseâ—â—â— thee vouchsafe by the grace of thy holâ— spirit to open and circumcise our eares to lighten our dark vnderstanding anâ— to mollifie our hard hearts that we maâ— heare with reuerence vnderstand witâ— iudgment marke with diligence anâ— receiue with meeknes all the instuctions which we shall heare at this timâ— out of thy holy word and that they maâ— be written in the fleshy tables of oâ—â— hearts by the finger of thy owne spirâ—â— to breed and encrease in vs all spirituaâ— knowledge and heauenly wisedomâ— faith hope loue hatred of sinne practiâ—â— of righteousnes and all holy duties 〈◊〉 christianitie and of our seuerall calling so serue thee with all simplicitie anâ— godly purenes all the daies of our liâ—â— through Iesus Christ our only lord Sauiour and redeemer Amen A praier After Catechising O lord our god most gracious and mercifull father we most humbly thanke thy heauenly maiestie that thou hast vouchsafed vs this great mercy to be partakers of theis heauenly doctrins and instructions of thy holy word which thou hast so mercifully and gratiously ordeyned for vs. we besech thee good lord that thou wilt also vouchsafe vs that grace of thy holy spirit that we may faythfully remember and diligently meditate vpon those things that now or heretofore we haue heard out of thy holy word that we may lay them vp in our hearts and make a good and profitable vse of them to the encreasing of our knowledg our faith our obedience our hope and loue and all spirituall graces and gifts meete for our places and callings to the glory of thy most holy name the peace and comfort of our coÌ„sciences the saluation of our soules and bodies the good good example of those with whome we liue through thy dearely beloued sonne Iesus Christ our Lord and our most blessed sauiour and only redemer Amen A morning prayer for seruants by themselues O almightie Lord God our most gracious and louing Father in Iesus Christ we doe vnfeinedly confesse before thy maiestie that we are all of vs most vile wretched sinners coÌ„ceiued borne in sinne altogether corrupted defiled in our owne nature guiltie of innumerable heinous transgressions of all thy holy lawes and commandements vnapt to all goodnes proane to all sinne and wickednes vnworthy of any of thy blessings euen the least of all thy mercies and worthie of all thy fearefull curses conteined in thy law in all miseries of this life and of eternall death and damnation in the life to come but most mercifull father wee beseech thee looke vpon vs in Iesus Christ pardon and forgiue vs all our sinnes for his sake worke in vs more and more the sight and feeling of all our sinnes with a true loathing and hatred of them a godly sorrow for them and an holy repentance giue vs faith in thy precious promises that wee may trust perfectly vpon that saluation that is brought vnto vs by Christ Iesus with the full assurance of our eternall election vnto immortall life Increase in vs care conscience to vse all good meanes that thou hast ordained for our instruction and write in our hearts all the good lessons that we heare out of thy holy word that we may daily grow and increase in all grace and godlines Receiue vs this day into thy holy protection keepe vs from all dangers and euills of bodie and soule worke in vs all dutifull reuerence to our superiors all diligence and faithfullnes in our labours Keepe vs from slothfulnes negligence and idlenes and all manner of vniust dealing in our seruice Blesse and prosper vs in all our labours wherin we are to be imployed that we may bee profitable to our gouernours to whome we owe our seruice carry the testimonie of good consciences in our soules to thy glorie and our euerlasting peace and comfort through Iesus Christ our only sauiour and redeemer in whose name we pray further as he hath taught vs. Our father c. A prayer for Scholers O almightie lord God most mercifull of our Lord Iesus Christ the fountaine of all wisedome grace and goodnes we beseech thee to looke mercifully vpon vs to forgiue vs al our sinnes to worke in vs dayly more and more the hatred of all sinne and wickednes the loue of al goodnes yea we beseech thee to teach vs to knowe and remember thee our creator our redemer our sanctifier and preseruer in these daies of our childhood and youth worke in vs a true loue vnto thy holy word and delight in thy commandements giue vs grace to seeke for and to attaine vnto that true wisedome taught in thy holy word wherby we may vnderstand the feare of thy holy name attaine the knowledge of thee and all godlines that wee may know also iustice and iudgment and equitie euery good path that this heauenly wisedome may be our watch-man and this knowledge our garder and keeper to preserue vs from the crooked waies of wicked men and all the baites and allurments of sinne to the end that we may walke in the waies of good men and in the paths of the righteous And good Lord worke in euerie one of vs al loue reuerence and obedience vnto our teachers and gouerners all diligence and good conscience to bestowe this precious time profitably Lord we beseech thee vouchsafe dayly more more to quicken out witts to open our vnderstanding to strengthen our memories to confirme our iudgments Send downe thy blessings vpon all the instructions that are deliuered vnto vs vpon all the labours of our teachers all our owne studies endeuoures that we may dayly grow and encrease in all good learning and knowledge wisdome vertue and godlines that we may be answerable to the good expectation of our parents and freinds to their great and effectuall comfort and worthy and wise seruants vnto thy maiestie in the places thou hast hereafter appointed for vs in the church or coÌ„mon wealth grant good Lord these graces whatsoeuer else thou knowest vs to stand in neede of for our lord Iesus Christ his sake Amen FINIS
nor worship them For I the Lord thy God am a iealous God visite the sinnes of the Fathers vpon the children vnto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me and shew mercie vnto thousands in them that loue me and keepe my commandements iii. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vaine for the Lord will not hold him guiltles that taketh his Name in vaine iiii Remember that thou keepe holy the sabaoth day Sixe daies thou shalt labour and doe all that thou hast to doe But the seauenth day is the sabaoth of the Lord thy God in it thou shalt doe no manner of worke thou and thy sonne and thy daughter thy manseruant and thy maidseruant thy cattell and the stranger that is within thy gates For in six daies the Lord made heauen and earth the sea and all that in them is rested the seauenth day Wherefore the Lord blessed the seauenth day and hallowed it v. Honour thy father and thy mother that thy daies may be long in the land which the Lord thy God giueth thee vi Thou shalt doe no murther vii Thou shalt not commit adulterie viii Thou shalt not steale ix Thou shalt not beare false witnes against thy neighbour x. Thou shalt not couet thy neighbours house thou shalt not couet thy neighbours wife nor his seruant nor his maid nor his oxe nor his asse nor any thing that is his Q. Which is the first commandement An. Thou shalt haue none other Gods but me Q. What is the meaning of this commandement Ans The lord God straightlie chargeth vs in this first coÌ„mandement that we worship god alone which worship standeth in foure points first that wâ— a Phil. 3.7.8 Mat. 10.37 loue god aboue all Secondly thaâ— we b Mal. 1.6 Mat. 10.28 feare god aboue all Thirdly that we make our praiers to c Rom. 10.13 nonâ— but to god Fourthly that we d Psal 135.6 115.3 145.15 95.4.5 acknowledge god alone to be the guide and gouernour of all things e Iam. 1.17 oâ— whome we receiue all the benefits that we haue and therefore that f Ier. 17.5 48.7 Esay 31. we trust and stay vpon him alone and giue him thanks for all his mercies Q. Which is the second commandement Ans Thou shalt not make to thy selfe any grauen image c. Q. What is the meaninge of this commmandement A. In this second coÌ„mandemeÌ„t be coÌ„teyned three things first that we should not (a) Deu. 4 1â— 16.17.8 c. Act. 17.29 Ioâ— 1.18 1. Tim. 6.16 thinke god to be like either man or weoman or any other thinge and therfore that we make noe image of god in anie case Secondly that we make noe Image of any other thinge either to b Lev. 26.1 Exo. 34 14.31.34 Deut. 4.23 1. Ioh. 4.12 Esay 40.18.29 46.5 Psal 97.7 109.36 Esay 44.17 Dan. 31.18 worship the image it selfe either god Sainct or angel by the image neyther yet to this end to be the better (c) Aba 2.18 Ier. 10.8.14.15 put in mind of god by the image Thirdly that wee worship not god in any other d Ioh. 4.23.24 Mat. 15.9 Esay 19.13.14 outward worship according to our owne fanteses but e Deu. 12.32 5.32.33 Pro. 30.6 Iosua 1.7 Apoc. 22.18.19 as the lord hath commanded vs in his word Q. Which is the third commandement A. Thou shalt not take the name c. Q. What is the meaninge of this commandement Ans The lord god straightly chargeth vs in this third commandement these three things First that we vse with a Deut 28. â— 59 Psal 8.1 â—re 10.6 most high reuerence the name of god whensoeuer we either speake or thinke vpon him Secondly that we neuer blaspheme the name of god by b Deu. 18.10.11 Esay 8 19. â— 1â— Mal. 3.5 â—al 5.19.20 â—ct 19.16 coniuring witchcraft sorcery charming or any such like neyther by cursing or banninge Thirdly that we never c Mat. 5.34 â—5 36.37 Iam. 12. sweare by the name god in our common talke although the matter be neuer so true but only where the d Ios 2.12 glory of god is sought or the saluation of our brethren e Cor. 15. â— 11.31 â—al 1.20 or also before a magistrate in witnessinge the truth when we are thereunto lawfully called in which causes we must f Exo. 22.10.11 onely sweare by the name of God but as for g Deut. 6.13 â— 20 sainct angell h 2. Cor. 1.13 Iere. 5 7 â— 16.17 Amos 14. Soph. 1.5 Roode booke Crosse Masse or any other thing we ought in no case by them to sweare Q. Which is the fourth coÌ„mandemeÌ„t Ans Remember that thou keepe holy the saboth day c. Q. What is the meaning of this commandement Ans We are here commanded to hallow the saboath day that is to say to (a) Deut. 5 1â— Exo. 6.26 rest from our labours in our callings and in one place to assemble our selues together and with faith feare and reuerence to heare marke and (b) Mat. 13 2â— lay vp in our harts the word of god c Act. 20.7 15.22 preached vnto vs to d Mat. 18.19 Cor. 14.16.17 pray altogether that which we (e) 1. Cor. 14 â— 33.34 Act. 2.42 20.17 vnderstand with one consent and at the times appointed to f vse the sacramenets in faith and repentance and all our life long to g Num. 29.7 Heb. 4.9.10 rest from sinne wickednes that the lord by his holy spirite may worke in vs his good worke and so begin in this life his everlasting rest Q. Which is the fift commandement Ans Honour thy father and mother c. Q. What is the meaning of this commandement Ans The meaning of this fift coÌ„mandement is that we should honour that is to say loue feare reuerence obey and releiue our a Levit 19.3 â—ol 3.20.22 â— 24 parents or any other that are vnto vs in their stead as our b Exod. 22.18 â—om 13.12 â—it 3.1 Princes Rulers and Magistrates c Hebr. 13.17.1 â—hes 5.12.13 our pastors and teachers our d Eph. 6.5.6.7 â—it 29.10 masters and all other which are aboue vs in any calling placed by god e Leu. 19 32. as the aged and grayheadded and that all superiors show themselues indeed parents in f Col. 3.21 â—ol 4.1 Eph. 6. â— guiding and defending their inferiors Q. Which is the sixt commandement Ans Thou shalt doe no murther Q. What is the meaning of this commandement Ans We are forbidden in this sixt coÌ„mandement First all (a) Gen. 9.6 â—eu 5.17 killing (b) Mat. 5.38 â—9 fightinge and (c) Col. 3.12.13 quarelling all (d) Lou. 19 14.17 â—â— reproches mocks and taunts Secondly he forbiddeth all killing in hart that is all anger (e) Mat. 5.21 â— 1. Ioh. 3.15 and malice (f) Pro. 20.21 all desire of