thy whole church and euery part ând member thereof glorifie thy name âduance thy kingdome confound the âower of Sathan Antichrist sinne and âarkenes blesse this thy church and countrie where we liue giue thy gosâell a free passage amongst vs remooue all the hindrances thereof âaise vp daily by thy almightie power and goodnes all those means instruments that may further it aright blesse âwe 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 maââ carefully faithfully in all their courâ sails consultations and gouerment labour for and procure the promoting ãâã 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 commoâwealth 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 âhat be in any manner of affliction coÌâort them and releeue them help them ând succour them according to their seâerall 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 hoââ lawes and commandements both ãâã 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 âhe full assurance of this thy euerlasting âoue and mercy and lord work in vs âayly more and more a godly sorrow âor all our sinnes with hearty and vnfeiâed repentance and so worke in our âearts by thy holy spirit that all the âower of sinne may dayly die in vs more and more and all good graces of âhy spirit may dayly grow and encrease ân 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 shaââ 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 ãâã this day and for all those blessings thoâ hast vouchsafed vnto vs our health peace and saftie the comfortable vse ãâã all thy good creatures with thy bleâsing 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 Chriââ we beseech thee vouchsafe by thy holy spirit to prepare our hearts that with âll reuerence and diligence we may atâend 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 âmists and darknesses of Sathan and of sinne and make vs apt to euerie good worke and wise vnto saluation through âesus 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 âeach 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
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 haââ mercifully ordeined for vs. Lord we confesse our hearts are full of hardneâ our vnderstanding is full of darknes ãâã our eares are dull of hearing we beseâââ 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 oââ hearts by the finger of thy owne spirââ to breed and encrease in vs all spirituaâ knowledge and heauenly wisedomâ faith hope loue hatred of sinne practiââ of righteousnes and all holy duties ãâã christianitie and of our seuerall calling so serue thee with all simplicitie anâ godly purenes all the daies of our liââ 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 coÌsciences 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 coÌceiued 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 coÌmon 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
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
â 8 Phil. 3.13.14 earnest desire and sure purpose wholly to conforme my selfe to the will of Gods word Thirdly if any offence be betwixt others and me that I i Mat. 5.23.24 reconcile my selfe vnto them all which things although they ought earnestly to be considered in the k Luk. 1.74.75 â Peter 1.15 whole course of our life yet then especially when we come to receiue the supper of the Lord. â6 part Q. Which is the third meanes that God hath appointed for the encrease and strengthening of our faith and all graces of God A. Prayer Q. What is prayer Psal 25.1 Psal 50.15 Psal 116.13 A. It is an holy lifting vp of the heart vnto God and a calling vpon his name Q. How many parts be there of prayer A. Two Petitions and Thanksgiuing 1. Tim. 2.1 Q. What meane you by Petitions A. Petitions are those praiers wherin we craue any thing at the hands of God Q. What meane you by Thanksgiuings A. Thanksgiuings are those praiers wherein we acknowledge the benefits which we haue receiued at the hands of God and giue him thankes for the same Q. Where are you taught ro pray A. In the sixth of Matthew Q. How A. In that forme of praier which our Lord Iesus Christ taught to his Disciples Q. Rehearse that forme of prayer A. Our Father which art in heauen hallowed be thy name thy kingdome come thy will be done in earth as it is in heauen giue vs this day our daily bread and forgiue vs our trespasses as we forgiue them that trespasse against vs and lead vs not into temptation but deliuer vs from euill for thine is the kingdome the power and the glorie for euer Amen Q. What doe you obserue in this forme of praier A. Two things the Preface and the prayer Q. Which is the preface A. Our father which art in heauen Q. What learne you out of this A. The necessarie circumstances of true prayer Q. What is to be obserued in true praier A. It is requisite that in true praier we obserue these fiue things first that we make our praiers a Psal 50.15 81.8 Rom. 10.13 Iam. 1.5 Marc. 4.10 onely to God through b Ioh. 14.13 15.16 16.23 Christ and not to Saints secondly that we be c 1. Ioh. 5.14 Ioh. 4.23 Psal 51.17 45.18 2. Cor. 4. â0 Mat. 6 7. Rom. 8.26 inwardly touched with the neede of the thing that we aske hauing our mindes wholly bent thereupon and not carried away with by-thoughts thirdly that our praiers be grounded vpon d Iam. 1.6 Mar. 11.24 Luk. 11.9.1.11 â2 13 Ioh. 5.15 Gods promises with full assurance that they shall be graunted vnto vs so farre as the Lord shall see them meete and needefull for vs fourthly that we e Luk. 18.1.2.3.5 c. Rom. 12.12.1 Thes 5.17 Eph. 9.18 Col. 4.2 Ma. 15.22.23.24 c. continue in praier although we haue not our request at the first fiftly that we aske not those things which we f Iam. 4.3 Rom. 8.16 thinke good in our owne fantasies but as g 1. Ioh. 5.14 the Lord hath commaunded vs in his word Q. What doe you obserue in the praier it selfe A. Two things the Petitions and the thanksgiuing Q. How many sorts of petitions be there A. Two First those petitions wherein we craue such things as coÌcerne the glorie of God Secondly those petitions wherein we craue such things as concerne our owne necessitie Q. How many things are we taught to craue for the glorie God An. Three First that his name may be hallowed Secondly that this kingdome may come Thirdly that his will may be done in earth as it is in heauen Q. How many things are we taught to craue for our owne necessities Ans Two First such thing as concerne our naturall life Secondly such things as concerne our spirituall life Q. What doe you craue for your naturall life An. Our daily bread Q. What for your spirituall life An. Forgiuenes of sinnes and spirituall strength against our spirituall enimies Q. What pray you for in the first petition Ans In this first petition I desire of my heauenly father that his name may bee hallowed First in his excellent works which is when we acknowledge a Psalm 113.2 â 145.1 Rom. 11.36 16.27 his mercie wisdome iustice and prouidence that he alone worketh all things and that he b Iosua 1.24 â4 52 â Ioh. 5.21 Psal 8.10.11 onely be had in honor all other set aside Secondly that his name may be hallowed in our godly liuing and conuersation Q. What pray you for in the second petition An. In this second petition we pray âhat God his kingdome c Esaz 52.5 â Eze. 36.20 Rom. 2 24. may come âhat is that he would declare himselfe âo be king ouer his d Mat. 3.2 5.19 13.31.32.33 church in guiling and defending it in encreasing of âhe nuÌber of the faithfull in e Mat. 9.38 thrusting âorth laborers into the haruest blessing their labours f 1. Ioh. 3.8 Rom. 16.20 suppressing the rage of the wicked Tirants Secondly that he would excercise his kingdome seuerally in euery one of vs g Rom. 8.10.11.13 6.9 1. Ioh. 5.8.9 killing sinne in vs and all worldly cares and stirring vs vp to holines righteousnes of life Q. What pray you for in the third petition An. In the third petition we desire that Gods will may be doone that is that we may h Luke 22.42 Titus 2.12 1. Pet. 4.2 1. Ioh. 2.1 willingly in all things resigne our selues to the will of Gods word without murmuring or grudging Q. What pray you for in the fourth petition An. In this fourth petition we pray that he would giue vnto vs i Gen. 3.19 Eph. 4.18 1. Thes 2.9.1 walking faithfully in our caling our dayly bread that is all k Psal 145 1â 145.27 10 26. Esay 3.1 Psal 78.18 1â 20.29 16. â 10â 1 2 3. things needfull for our liuing in this present life Q. What pray you for in the fift pâtition An. In this fift petition we pray thâ god would forgiue vs our sinnes that ãâã that he would not lay to our chargâ our sinnes nor the punishment due unto them but that he woulde accepâ the death and passion of Iesus Christ as the full satisfaction for all our sinnes and that we may hereof haue l Eph. 3.12 1. Ioh. 5.13.20 fuâ assurance in our soules and conscienceâ that the punishment of our sinnes iâ fully discharged in Christ and therfore that they be freely forgiuen vs as m Rom. 8.15 8.38.39 Mat. 6.45 6. â4 5.1 Luke 6.36 Iam. 2.13 surely as we forgiue others and that we n Mat. 16.20 â Tim. 4.17.18 Eph. 6.10.11 â Cor. 10.13 â Pet. 2.9 loue one another inwardly in heart as our selues all desire of reuenge set aside Q. What pray you for in the sixt petition An. In this
sixt petition we pray that god would not lead vs into temptation but deliuer vs that is that he o Rom. 16.20 â Tim 14.17.18 âph 6.10.11 â Cor. 10.13 â Pet. 2.9 would not lead vs further into battaile with our spirituall enemies then we by his holy spirit may be able âo preuaile and ouercome Q. Which is the thanksgiuing An. For thine is the kingdome the âower and the glory for euer and euer Amen Q. Why is this added A. Not only to kindle in our hearts to a 1. Cor. 10.3 Rom. 11.36 desire the glory of god but also to âeach vs that this prayer is grounded vpon none other then god only and that we should not thinke the b Psa 114.7 kingdome of god to be weake and voide of force and might but that c Deut. 9.13 Apo. 4.9.11 Apo. 5.12.13 1. Cor. 26.10.11.12.13 he is to âe honored praised and glorified and that his power is infinite perpetuall euerlasting Q. What meaneth this word Amen An. And in this word d 1 Pet. 5.11 Apo. 6.14 Apo. 7 1â Amen is the feruent desire that we haue to obtaine those things which we aske and our hope is confirmed that those things which we aske are granted vnto vs wherby our consciences are pacified and with this word Amen we end our praiers 1. Cor. 1 4.16 Q. Is there any speciall helpe of praier â part An. There is a speciall helpe wherof we haue both commandements and many examples in the scriptures And that is fasting Leuit. 23.27.28 Iosua 7.6 Math. 9.15 Ioel. 2.12.15 Dan. 9.3 Q. What meane you by fasting An. The christian and religious fasting is an holy abstinence ioyned with praier in humbling of our selues that our praiers may be the more feruent Dan. 9.3 Iona. 3.8 Q. From what must we abstaine in this christian fasting An. Not only from all meates and drinks so far as the state of our bodies may beare but also from all other euen lawfull things delights recreations which we naturally desire and may lawfully vse Iona. 3.5 Ezra 10.6 Ester 4.6 Q. How long must this abstinence be vsed An. According to the cause for which we take it in hand at the least onâ whole day from euening to euening or from morning to morning wherein we must cease from all other labours and keepe it in the manner of a Saboth Leuit. 23.32 Dan. 10.2.3 Ester â4 16 Q. For what cause are fasts appointed An. To the better humbling of our selues in praier to obtaine some speciall grace at gods hand when we feele the want of any necessarie blessing gift or benefit or to intreat the Lord to turne away or remooue any greiuous afflictions from our selues or others either presently vpon vs or like to come Iosua 7.6 1. Sam. 7.6 Iudges 20.26 Q. How many sorts of christian fastes be there An. Two A priuat fast that is of any particular persons or of seuerall families by themselues Nehem. 1.4 Cornelius Act. 10.30 Ester 4.16 And a publique fast in a whole congregation some part of a country or a whole nation being ordained and appointed by such as are in authoritie 2. Chron. 20.3 Iona. 3.7 Q. What meane you by christian gouerment An. That order which god haâ appointed to be amonge his people for the maintenance of peace and god lines Q. How many sorts be there of ãâã Ans Two ecclesiasticall and Ciuile and both these are both publike ãâã priuate Q. What call you publike ecclesiasticall gouerment An. That order of discipline which God hath appointed for his Church in exercising the power of the keyes to the censuring of offenders the remoouing of offences and the restoring oâ such as haue falne Math. 18.15.16 c. 1. Cor. 10.31.32 1. Cor. 14.40 1. Thes 5.14 Q. By whome and how is this power to be vsed Tim. 5.17.16 â0 An. By the ministers and such as are lawefully called to haue gouerment in the church admonishing suspending oâ excommunicating offendors according to the qualitie of their offence âestoring and receiuing into the church those offendours that doe repent and reforme themselues 1. Thess 5.14 1. Cor. 5.4.5.13 2. Cor. 2.6.7.8 2. Thess 3.14.15 1. Tim. 5.20 Q. What call you the publike civill gouernment A. That order which God hath appointed to be kept by the authoritie of the Prince Rulers and Magistrates for the punishment and brideling of sinne and the maintenance of peace quietnes among other people Rom. 13.1 2 3 4 5. 1. Pet. 2.13.15 Q. What difference is betweene the Ecclesiasticall and ciuill punishment A. The punishment of the Church âs inflicted vpon the soule and conscience by admonitions reprehension or separating of the offendours from the Fellowship of the Church 1. Cor. 5.4.5 â3 The ciuill punishment is inflicted vpon the bodie or goods of malefactors according to the lawes of Princes and countries Q. To what ende hath the Lord appointed this order A. That men might liue a peaceable and quiet life in all godlines and honestie 1. Tim. 2.2 Q. What call you priuate ecclesiasticall gouernment A. That gouernment which parent and gouernours of families ought tâ obserue in teaching instructing and informing their wiues children and seruants in the knowledge and fearing ãâã God to auoid sinne and to liue godâ and vertuously Gen. 18.19 Ios 24 1â 1. Cor. 15.34.39 Eph. 6.4 5 6 7 8 9. â Tim. 2.9.10.11 c. 1. Pet. 3.1.23 Q. What call you priuate ciuill gouernment A. That gouernment which parent and gouernours of families ought alâ to obserue in correcting their childreâ and seruants for their amendment aâcording to the qualitie of the cause aâ person and to keepe them in a lawfââ and orderly course of life Prov. 19 1â 22.15 23.13 14. 20.30 1. Pet. 18.19 Deut. 21.18 19 20. The end of the Catechisme A morning prayer for a familie O Most mightie eternall and euerliuing Lord God maker of heauen and earth and in Christ Jesus thy deareâ beloued sonne our most patient gracious and mercifull father wee thy âoore vnworthie seruants here humbling our selues before thy diuine Maieââe doe vnfainedly acknowledge that âe are not worthie to lift vp our eyes ãâã heauen nor to enioy the least of thy âercies beeing in our selues most vilââd wretched sinners guiltie both of âat originall corruption which wee âe receiued from the fall and disobedience of our forefather Adam and alâ of most grieuous and innumerable ââânsgressions of all thy holy lawes and ââmmandements in our thoughts ouââctions our wordes and deedes âerein we haue fearefully sinned and âelled against thee both in omitting ãâã good things thou doest command vs and in coÌmitting those euill things thou dost forbid vs in the duties of thy holy worship the loue of our brethren and the labours of our calling we haue infinitely dishonoured thy holy name and taken it in vaine in that we haue not walked worthie of thy Gospel our holy calling and profession we haue defiled thy
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 hâly word haue beene stolne away froâ vs and made vnfruitfull and we ãâã come vnprofitable hearers O Lord ãâã confesse we are not able to recken ãâã 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 ãâã from day to day and from time ãâã time giuing thee iust occasion to ãâã 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 âor euer in his most pretious death to âurne thy face away from them and ârom vs all thy iudgements and curses âhich we haue worthily deserued for âhem either publique or priuate And we beseech thee vouchsafe with âe pretious water of thy spirit daily to âash and clense our hearts and minds âir 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 subtiâtie of Sathan and all the wickednes ãâã our owne sinnefull and rebellious nature ouer all the courses customes oâcasions and examples of this sinne fââ 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 ãâã good men in the paths of the rigâteous 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 humâle thanks vnto thy maiestie for all thy âoue and mercies towards vs for the âoote and fountaine of all thy blessings âuen our Lord Iesus Christ and that loue wherewith thou hast loued vs in him âuen 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 ãâã nourishing vs from day to day with ãâã continuance of our life health food apparell howses libertie and the vse all thy good creatures Finally that thou hast kept vs ãâã night past for the quiet and comfortâble rest health peace and saftie whiââ we haue enioyed by thy gracious prâuidence and protection for this libeâtie we haue to come before thee aââ call vpon thy name beseeching the mercifully to receiue our prayers graâting 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 âesse