V. Honour thy Father and thy Mother that thy dayes may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee VI. Thou shalt not kill VII Thou shalt not commit adultery VIII Thou shalt not steale IX Thou shalt not bear false witnesse against thy Neighbour X. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbours house thou shalt not covet thy Neighbours wife nor his man-servant nor his maid-servant nor his Oxe nor his Asse nor any thing that is thy Neighbours The Lords Prayer in a Preface six Petitions a Confirmation and a Conclusion The Preface The Petitions OVr Father which art in Heaven 1. Hal lowed be thy Name 2. Thy Kingdome come 3. Thy will be done in Earth as it is in heaven 4. Give us this day our dayly Bread 5. And forgive us our debts as we forgive our Debtors 6. And lead us noâ— into Temptation but deliver us from evill For thine is the Kingdome and the Power The Confirmation and the glory for ever The Conclusion Amen â—race before meat BLessed God the Father of all blessings and God of all comfort and consolation blesse us and the Creaturs whatever now provided for us so fill both our bodies and soules with good that both may abound in all goodnesse to thy only glory and both their good through Jesus Christ our Lord to whom with thee and the holy Spirit be all honour and glory for ever Amen Grace after meat Give us O Lord we beseech thee all thankfull hearts for all thy good graces and benefits what ever now and at all times bestowed on us that by us and all the faithful for that all thy good thou maist receive all praise and glory now and for ever Amen A short Catechisme 1. Question WHat ought to be our chiefest care Answer To glorifie God a 1 Cor. 10. 31. II. Q That we may have that Care and shew forth that glory what ought we especially to have A Zeale b Numb 25. 11. III. Q Is Zeale enough to shew it A No we must have also knowledge c Rom. 10. 2. IV. Q That we may have both that zeal and knowledge what ought we especially to understand and consider A The works of God and the Word of God V. Q What are the works of God A The world and all things therein contained VI. Q Dothâ—bat glorifie God A Yes d Psal 19. 1 2. VII Q Why would he have his works to glorifie him A That we might be without ex cuse e Rom. 1. 19 20. VIII Q What is the Word of God A The holy Scriptures of the old and new Testament commonly called the Bible IX Q Why ought we to understand and consider that Word A That we might have a certaine rule to go by X. Q Have we a certaine rule in that Word A Yes f Is 8. 20. XI Q What especially teacheth that Word A The Knowledge of God and our selves g 2 Tim. 3. 16 17. XII Q What ought we to know of God A Two things especially XIII Q What be they A First what he is secondly what he hath done XIV Q First what is God A He is a Spirit h Jo. 4. 24. XV. Q Secondly what hath God done A He hath made all things i Gen. 1. â— XVI Q What ought we to know of our selves A Three things especially XVII Q What be they A First â—â— what we were Secondly what we are Thirdly what we shall be XVIII Q First then what weâ—e we A At our first Creation when God made man and all things he and they all Gen. 1. 31 were good k XIX Q Secondly what are we A Since that our first Parent Adams Gen. 6. 5. Ro. 6. 23. fall evill 1 And unlesse by Grace renewed subject to death m XX. Q Thirdly what shall we be A At the last day the generall Resurrection of all Mankind they by grace Mat. 25. 34. renewed shall be blessed in Heaven'n they that continue in sin shall be accursed in Mat. 25. 41. Hell o XXI Q Well but what was Adams sin to us Rom. 5. 18. 1 Cor. 15. 22. A We sinned in him p XXII Q How then can we be redeemed from that his guilt A By Jesus Christ XXIII What or who is Jesus Christ A The Sonne of God and Saviour of man XXIV Q Why must we be redeemed by Jesus Christ A Because the sin of man was against God God that is also man as Jesus Christ was and is must make the satisfaction XXV Q Are there more Gods then one A No there is but one God but there are three Persons in the Godhead XXVI Q What are those three Persons A The first the Father the second the Son and the third the holy Ghost XXVII Q How doe you know this A My Creed tels me so XXVIII Q What is the Creed A The Articles of our Faith XXIX Q Why doe some call it the Apostles Creed A Because some say the Apostles composâ—d it XXX Q What doe you think who composed it A It is uncertaine XXXI Q Why then is it râ—ceived A Because whoever composed it makes no great matter but being of old received and certainely containing the sum or grounds of Christian Religion comprised in the Gospell of Christ it is therefore received XXXII Q How many be those Articles of it A According to the number of the twelve Apostles twelve XXXIII Q What be those Articles A I beleeve in God c. XXXIV Q What is Faith A A certaine confidence in and dependance on Jesus Christ q Eph 3. 12. XXXV Q Why need we that confidence and dependance on Jesus Christ A Because we are sinners and none but he bare those sins i Heb. 9. 28. XXXVI Q What is sin A A transgression of the Law s 1 Jo. 3. 4. XXXVII Q What is that Law A The Commandements of God XXXVIII Q How many Commandments are there A Ten in two Tables t Deut. 4. 13. XXXIX Q Which be the Commandments A I am the Lord thy God c. XL. Q What learne you by these Commanmandements A My duty towards God and my duty towards my Neighbour XLI Q What is your duty towards God A To love him above all things u Mat. 22. 37. XLII Q What is your duty towards your Neighbour A To love him as my selfe w Mat. 22. 39. XLII Q Well but can you exactly keepe them in every point A No but I dayly breake some one or other of them in thought word and deed x Psal 14. 1. 3. And breaking but one I am guilty of all y Ja. 2. 10. XLIV Q How then to any purpose can you keepe any of them A I must labour what I may to keepe them XLV Q Why must you labour to keepe them A Because they are the rule prescribed of God XLVI Q Well but being as you say not able to keepe them as you ought how
ought you to vindicate your miskeeping A By Repentance XLVII Q What is Repentance A Hearty sorrow for sins past and purpose of amendement of life for time to come z Act. 26. 20. XLVIII Q But can you thus repent of your selfe A No but that also is the gift and goodnesse of God a Ro. 2. 4. and we must pray for it b Act. 8. 22. XLIX Q What is Prayer A A calling upon God through Jesus Christ L. Q Have you any rule for Prayer A Yes the best and most perfect patterne of Prayer the Lords Prayer LI. Q What be the words of the Lords Prayer A Oâ—r Father which art c. LII Q How many parts hath this Prayer A Foure LIII Q VVhich or what be they A First a Preface secondly the Prayer it selfe thirdly a Confirmation and fourthly a Conclusion LIV. Q VVhich iâ— the Preface A Our Father which art in Heaven LV. Q VVhich is the Prayer it selfe A The six Petitions As hallowed c. LVI Q VVhat is the Confirmation A For thine is the Kingdome c. LVII Q VVhich is the Conclusion A Amen LVIII VVhy must we pray A Because a good meane t is to increase faith c Luk 17. 5. LIX Q Are there no other means to increase it A Yes LX. Q VVhat be they A The Sacraments d Rom. 4. 11. LXI Q How many Sacramentâ— be there A Two LXII Q VVhich be they A The first Baptisme e Jo. 1. 26. the second the Supper of our Lord. f Luke 22. 19 20. LXIII Q What is a Sacrament A An outward and visible signe or seale of an inward and spirituall grace g Rom. 4. 11. LXIV Q VVhat is the outward signe or seale in Baptisme A Water h Act. 10. 47. LXV Q VVhat is the inward and spirituall Grace A Remission of sin i Mar. 1. 4. LXVI Q VVho are to be baptized A Beleevers k Act. 8. 37 38. LXVII Q VVhat is the outward signe or seale in the Lords Supper A Bread and Wine l Luke 22. 19 20. LXVIII Q VVhat is the inward and spirituall grace A The benefits and deserts of Christs death and passion m â— Cor. 11. 24. c. LXIX Q VVho are to receive this Sacrament A Beleevers baptized LXX Q VVho instituted these Sacraments A Christ himselfe n Mat. 28. 19. Luke 22. 19. 20. LXXI Q VVho are to administer them A Ministers lawfully thereunto called o Heb. 5. 4 LXXII Q VVhy ought we thus to have faith and to shew forth works of faith to pray and to receive the Sacraments c. A That we may obtaine Salvation p Act. 16. 30. LXXIII Q VVhat is Salvation A It is next to Gods glory the chiefe end of mans endeavours q Psa 73. 24 25l LXXIV Q And what is that end A Eternall life r Jo. 5. 39. LXXV Q. VVhat is eternall life A An everlasting living with God in glory s Psal 73. 24. A plaine and easie Method teaching to read and write The Great Letters Engl ABCDEFGHIKLMNOPQRSTVWXY Ro ABCDEFGHIJKLLMNOPQRSTVWXYZ Ita ABCDEFGGHIKLMMNOPQRSTVWXY The smale Letters of all Sortes Eng abcddeeefgghiikkl ll mnoppqrrsstvuwxxyzz Rom Aabcdefghikl ll mnoppq qu rr stvwxys ss â— coÌ„ mÌ„ m o Ita Aabcdefgghiikl ll mno oo ppppq rrsst tt v tt w x x yyzz Secretary hand Come yee children hearken vnto me I will teach you the feare of the Lord Romane Hand Let vs heare the conclusion of the whole matter Feare God keepe his commaundements for this is the Italian hand The feare of the Lord is the begining of wisdome a good vnderstanding â—aue all they that oor â— his commandemen ts his prayse endureth for ever â— B. Mixt hand or bastard Secretary Remember now thy creator in the dayes of thy youth while the euell dayes com not now the yeares 〈◊〉 nigh when thou shalt say I haue noe pleasure in the For children when once they begin to speak to begin then presently to instill into them these grounds and principles And whereas too too many make ill and idle words their first and familiar instructions let the more godly informe them in them good and profitable and make those weaklings that begin to speak and those others whoever more rude and ignorant that can speak but cannot yet read familiar with better words as the name of God and of Christ and of the holy Ghost and of Sin and of Death and Hell of the Resurrection and Heaven and Glory and the like Of God how he made us all the World of Christ how he redeemed us when by sin made bond-slaves to death and hell who by his glorious resurrection shall raise up the godly to inherit with him Heaven and Glory And then of the holy Ghost who sanctifieth us and endues us with graces competent in the merits of Christ to attaine that glory Which like familiar and timely instructions will kindle in them a love of God and of Christ and a study of doing that which is good and also an hatred against sin and evill And to that end let them by little and little teach them even without book to pronounce the Creed the Commandements and the Lords Prayer And then after they can say them by heart and without booke to tell them how many Articles are in the Creed how many Commandements there are how many Petitions in the Lords Prayer and to pronounce them distinctly one from another both in their order and out of order so as they may not only be able to say this Article or this Commandemâ—nâ— or this Petition is the first and this the second and this the third and so forth but this is the sixt or this the third or this the first and so forth When it may not be amisse even without book to teach them the names of the letters in the Alphabet as a bee cee dee c. and how to number as one two three four c. When while you are thus teaching them this by this or the like Alphabet here before set downe may you bring them to read which even naturally is the desire of most and that which when men come to the knowledge of themselves and cannot read wish even too late that they had bestowed even a great deale more paines and cost to attaine it then this timely endeavour may doe Which at first by a provident foresight and diligence is attained even with pleasure and little paines and lesse expence the expence but the buying this or the like little book which Masters and they more rich may out of charity buy and give unto poor children and Servants When next themselves or if they cannot some other of their children and servants or some godly Neighbour neer by that can read though but a little may by little and little teach the rest yea even their own Parents or Masters that having so much neglected this great good may not be
11 And X. In the Tenth respecting the inward actions of one man towards another and as â—eflecting upon all the former both speciall and generall duties even in our very thoughts and desires which unlesse well rectified are the very fo intaines oâ— evil o Jam. 4. 1 is commanded in all our parts body and soule through sanâ—tification and to our owne estate to be content with it p Heb. 13 5. to bemoan the ill condition of it q Job 42. 11. and to rejoyce in the good r Ex. 18 9 And forbidden in all our parts all unholinesse or unrighteousnesse s Ro. 6 13 all or any discontent with our own estate t Est 5. 13 and to that of our Neighbours by envy u Gal. 5 26. or repining w Ja. 5 9. any whatever inordinate x Col. 3. 5 or lustfull y 1 Cor. 10. 6. desire to him z Gen. 39 12 or his * 1 Ki 21 2 4 12. Zâ—c 7 10 In every of which these Commandements both of the things commanded and forbidden we have instanced in them we could remember most obvious in the large extent of which we writing but a short Commentary some thingâ— in both may perhaps be omitted and thus in briefe supplyed What as to the things commanded let be referred to this Finally my Brethrâ—n c. Phil. 4. 8. And as to the things forbidden to this Abstaine c. 1 Thes 5. 2 And thus have we done with this before Exposition of the Commandements come we next to that of the Lords Prayer A briefe Exposition of the Lords Prayers THis Prayer as the Commandements are is also a part of the Canonicall Scriptures and at two severall times produced by our Saviour himselfe as recorded by two severall Evangelists a Mat. 6 9 c Luke 11 2 who both have upon the matter the same like Copy in almost the very same words That we have this Prayer thus twice repeated warrants a set â—orme of prayer and confirmes the practice usuall under both the Law and the Gospell As under the Law in a set forme was Aaron and his sons enjoyned to blesse the Children of Israel as you may see both the Injunction b Numb 6. 22 23 and the forme c 24 25 26. See another set forme of Prayer of him that was to present his third yeares Tith d Deut. 26. 15. A set forme of Thanksgiving e Is 12. ch See also a set forme on the peoples conversion f Joel 2. 17 1 Ki. 8. 47. repeated even word for word g Dan. 9 5 as a set forme in the time of Captivity Then compare Ezra 3. 11. Psal 136. Jer. 33. 11. together and see how as may be well gathered by the burden of the song that Psalme is recorded by those other two places and made as a set forme of thanksgiving See also other Injunctions and examples of set formes h 2 Chro. 29. 30. Ezr. 3. 10. The Titles of many Psalmes shew them set formes as that for the Morning i Psal 22. for the Sabbath k Psal 92. and the like And under the Gospell Our Saviour himselfe not onely twice prescribeth this forme as for others but himselfe also useth a set forme l Mat. 27. 46. in the very same words of David m Psa 22. 1. yea another also of his owne words three severall times in the same words n Mat. 26. 44. Enough to warrant set fâ—rmes But to goe on with this Prayer that there is some variety in the words though to one and the same purpose as where Matthew hath debts and debtors Luke hath sins or trespasses and indebted as if both compared to shew that sins or trespasses are debts and an omission of some part of the one that is in the other Copy warrants also somewhat varied formes according to this and that something now may be omitted that at another time is or may be said That in one place it is said o Mat. 6. 9 After this manner pray yee hints that all our Prayers be by this patterne the most exact forme and comprising in briefe what ever more at large may be delivered in Prayer And then that in the other place it is said p Ln. 11. 2 When ye pray say Our Father c. hints not onely this a set forme of Prayer but that also even with this most exact and perfect forme we or begin or end ours more imperfect When as recorded by St Matthew q Mat. 6. 9 10 11 12 13 Presace to goe on with the Exposition of that most perfect forme the Lords Prayer From the Preface consider we first the object of all prayer God r Ps 62. 2. Then secondly under what Appellation Father And thirdly in what place heaven and then fourthly as to uswards most propitious under this notion of Our For to come to God were it without this or under any other Title of Majesty might make us affraid to come unto him that inglorious s Gen. 18 27 dust and ashes should dare to approach so incomprehensible t 1 Kin. 8 27 glory u Ps 24 7 But Father may give us confidence of love that though in heaven he beholdeth us also in earth w Ps 11. 4 and when the Father of lights x Jam. 1 17 is the giver of all good and in heaven the Lord of both it and earth and as who hath all power in both y Ps 135 6 and can give it to z 1 Kin. 8 30 and to whom he plâ—aseth a Dan. 4 27 Bâ—t yet what may all this be to us unlesse to us he will please to give that goodnesse what that he is that Father unlesse also Oâ—rs Our there is it confirmes our happinesse that we though on Earth and he in Heaven thus a Father can thus in prayer come unto him under the Notion of our Father Which Our cacheth us how 't is we come to God to the Father by the Son through the holy Ghost When then thus praying Our Father we pray not to any one alone Father Son or holy Ghost but thus to the whole Trinity Father teacheth God not only d Jo 5 22 a Judge b Gen. 15 25. but also a Saviour c Hos 13 4 Our that we come to him by Christ who is both that Judge and Saviour e Mat 1 21 Our Father as he is God f Isa 9 6 our Brother as Man g Heb 2 11 Our teaches that by him we come to that his and our Father h Jo 20 17. he the Naturall Son of God i Jo 1 14 we but in him the adopted k Gal 4 4 5 So as but by him no comfortable l Jo 14 16 26 no effectual m vers 6 coming though in and by him we are made all able n Ph 4 13 in thus coming Nor
better doe your worke If a quarter or halfe an houre in a day be sometimes spent in the practice at the weekes end you will find it no prejudice to your work but an excellent preparation on Gods day to do his worke in who doubtlesse will thereby both blesse and prosper the workes of every your owne dayes But let not the Gate be great where the City is but little or I lavish out time by a long Preface before a little booke which for the good of you all I composed and herein now propose to your both courteous and Christian entertainment and so I rest Yours in the Lord. L. THOMAS MILKE FOR CHILDREN The Great letters of all sorts A. B. C. D. E. F. G. H. J. K. L. M. N. O. P. Q. R. S. T. U. W. X. Y. Z. A. B. C. D. E. F. G. H. I. K. L. M. N. O. P. Q. R. S. T. U. 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. The small Letters of all sorts a. b. c. d. e. f. g. h. i. k. l. m. n. o. p. q. r. r. s s. t. v. u. w. x. y. z. c. a. b. c. d. e. f. g. h. i. k. l. m. n. o. p. q. r. s s. t. v. u. w. x. y. z. c. a. b. c. d. e. f. g. h. i. k. l. m. n. o. p. q. r. s s. t. v. u. w. x. y. z. c. The Double letters of all sorts ff ss sh sl fl st ct ff ss sh sl fl st ct ff ss sh sl fl st ll ct The numeral letters I. V. X. L. C. D. M. The Figures 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 0. The points or stops in reading A Comma or short stop A middle distinction A full point A note of Interrogation A noâ—e of Admiration Lines including a Parenthesis The division of the letters Of the letters these six a. e. i. o. u. y. are Vowels all the rest are Consonants And sometimes i. u. y. are Consonants when going before themselves or other Vowels This kind of v. v. v. is used when a Consonant and whether Consonant or Vowell ever in the beginning of a Syllable word or sentence The other u. u. u. is alwayes a Vowell It is called a Consonant because it must alwayes be sounded with a Vowell as ab eb ad ed. ba. be da. de c. where a. and e. are Vowels b. and d. are Consonants In the English letters these two sorts of small ers r. r. are used indifferently but the small esses s s. are thus used this s alwayes in the beginning and middle this s alwayes at the end of words There are Syllables in words every Syllable must have one vowel at the least and every word if it hath more syllables then one must have also more vowels A Syllable is the pronouncing of one letter or more with one breath One Syllable may make one word as of in One word may have many syllables as division PSAL. 34. vers 11. Come ye Children hearken unto mee I will teach you the fear of the Lord. ECCLES 12. verse 13. Let us beare the conclusion of the whole matter Feare God and keep his Commandements for this is the whole duty of man PSAL. 111. vers 10. The feare of the Lord is the beginning of wisedome a good understanding have all they that do thereafter his praise endureth for ever ECCLES 12. vers 1. Remember now thy Creator in the dayes of thy youtb while the evill dayes come not nor the years draw nigb when thou shalt say I have no pleasure in them 1 KINGS Chapt. 18. Vers 25 Therefore now Lord God of Israel keepe with thy servant David my Father that thou promisedst him saying there shall not faile thee a man in my sight to sit on the Throne of Israel so that thy Children take beed to their way that they walke before me as thou hast walked before me Vers 26 And now O God of Israel let thy word I pray thee be verified which thou spakest unto thy servant David my Father Vers 27 But will God indeed dwell on the earth Behold the Heaven and Heaven of Heavens cannot containe thee how much lesse this house that I have builded Vers 28 Yet have thou respect unto the Prayer of thy servant to this supplication O Lord my God to hearken unto my cry and to the prayer which thy servant prayeth before thee this day Vers 29 That thine eyes may be open to this house night and day ever toward the place of which thou hast said my name shall be there that thou maist hearken unto the prayer which thy servant shall make toward this place The Creed in twelve Articles 1. I beleeve in God the Father Almighty maker of heaven and Eaâ—th 2. And in Jesus Christ his onely Son our Lord 3. Which was conceived by the holy Ghost borne of the Virgin Mary 4. Suffered under Pontius Pilate was crucified dead and buried he descended into Hell 5. The third day he rose againe from the dead 6. He ascended into Heaven and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty 7. From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead 8. I beleeve in the holy Ghost 9. The holy Catholicke Church the Communion of Saints 10. The forgivenesse of sins 11. The resurrection of the Body 12. And the life everlasting Amen The Commandements in a Preface and ten Precepts And God spake all these words saying The Preface I am the Lord thy God which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt out of the house of bondage 1. Thou shalt have no other Gods before The Precepts or Commandements themselvs me II. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven Image or any likenesse of any thing that is in the Heaven above or that is in the Earth beneath or that is in the water under the Earth Thou shalt not bow downe thy selfe to them nor serve them For I the Lord thy God am a jealous God visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the Children unto the third and foâ—rth generation of them that hate me And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my Commandements III. Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vaine for the Lord will not hold him guiltlesse that taketh his Name in vaine IV. Remember the Sabbath day to keepe it holy Six dayes shalt thou labour and doe all thy worke Bâ—t the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God in it thou shalt not doe any work thou nor thy Sonne nor thy Daughter thy man-servant nor thy maid-servant nor thy cattell nor thy stranger that is within thy gates For in six dayes the Lord made Heaven and Earth the Sea and all that in them is and rested the seventh day wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed iâ—
main blessings that of the Communion of Saints which we have expounded and this of the Remission of sins we come next to expound or explain A maine blessing t is o Is 33. 24 Psal 32. 1. a blessing of this life p Eccle. 9. 10. Mat. 5. 25. No other mean to free us from sin for being by nature all sinners dead in trespasses and sins q Eph. 2. 1. 3. Gods free grace in Christ which is this forgivenesse is that onely must revive us r vers 5. 8. That had will doe and that if sought is a certaine meane to be had s Ps 32. 5. Is 55. 7. But will we know how God t is gives it t Is 43. 25 Mark 2. 7 but ever upon this condition that we repent u Luk. â—3 3. â— Act. 3. 19. Remission never comes but by the way of Repentance w 1 Jo. 1. 9 And by that way it ever comes x Ps 32. 7. Applic. That Remission of sin is that other great blessing of God to his Church in this life how above others ought we to seeke for that To repent us of our sinnes that we may obtaine this blessing y Act. 3. 19. And when a blessing of this life here had or never had how ought we to let passe no time when but still be both mindfull and carefull how to obtaine it and as the Apostle wisheth x Heb. 3. 13. dayly to call unto each other to be still mindfull of this That when but by this there is no meane to free us from sin that we be mindfull still to keep God the giver of this our friend who that if faithfully sought too wil give it us how againe ought we still to seeke him y Is 55. 6. Mat. 7. 7. And being onely sin is it that steps between God and us to the prejudice of this forgivenesse our ever care it must be that to keepe us by God we ever keep off sin a 1 Jo. 2. 1. Thus of the two maine blessings here come we next to explaine those other two maine blessings hereafter the first whereof we have in the next the XI Eleventh Article and that this the Resurrection of the Body which is that our bodies though buried and turned to dust and ashes yet shall be gathered and rise againe b Is 6. 19. Act. 24. 15 Rev 20. 12 Yea the very same bodies c Job 19. 25. 26. 27 perfect and intire d Act. 3. 21 as no more subject to death e Rev. 21. 4. so surely not subject to any losse harme or imperfection made immortall and glorified bodies f 1 Cor. 15. 53. And as here forgiven and remitted by Christ's blood g Eph. 1. 7 so hereafter raised by the power h Mat. 22. 29. and vertue of Christ's Resurrection i Ro. 8. 11. 1 Cor. 15. 20. at the last day k Job 14. 11. 12. Jo. 11. 23. 24. Applic. That this order is observed in Gods distribution of these blessings first thus to blesse us here and after so to blesse us hereafter may teach us to observe and note the order by what steps to attaine happinesse that fellowship we must have with the godly here and our sins forgiven us ere we can hope to have our bodies raised so as to attain everlasting life Then that our bodies shall rise againe yea the very same bodies how may this comfort each dying soule to thinke he is not lost for ever bâ—t onely laid up for a time and therefore while living labour to keep our bodies pure and unspotted from any the filthy pollution and reigning contagion of sin that after being dead at this Resurrection they may yeeld a sweet savour to God And being to be raised by the power and vertue of Christ learne we still to magnifie that power not to doubt nor any wise to distrust this Resurrection But that we shall rise againe yea that all shall rise l Jo. 5. 29. both good and bad though the bad to abad a sad and dismall doome to have eternall death and damnation yet that that is though but just to them as to the good to their fuller comfort and consolation the more to magnifie Gods mercy and be sensible of their owne happinesse everlasting life and Salvation Which everlasting life come we next to explain the second blessing hereafter as set forth in the XII Twelfth and last Article The life everlasting Amen This is may I say the Crowne of blessings and an happy close to our Creed Wherein our faith hath its full consummation of happinesse In this is it the Sheepe which is the Church that listen to the voyce of Christ the Shepherd have summed up the price of their happinesse and blessed issue of his voyce they hear him they follow him and he in this blesses them makes them happy m Jo. 10. 27. 28. By eternall life meaning both life of grace n Tit. 3. 7. and also life of glory hereafter o Jo. 17. 24. the one an entrance as 't were to the other p Jo. 5 24. Which what either is is beyond our ken or compare admirable ineffable q Psal 31. 19. 1 Cor. 3. 9 2 Cor 12. 5. Be it otherwise what it will be this we know and are assured of we shall be freed from all evil r Rev. 1. 4. enjoy all good and that too for ever s Ps 116. 11. This life is everlasting life Applic. That this life is such an ineffable blessing how should we labour to attain it And being of everlasting being what persons should we be if we meane to attaine it How labour to be Citizens fit for the Celestiall City men not immerged with any wilfull pollution of sin t Rev. 21. 27. but such as here attend the good pleasure of God doe his Commandements live the life of grace here that we may have right to that life of glory hereafter u Rev. 22. 14. every one in his proper place and calling by faith and repentance laying hold of that temporall life of grace that so he may attaine that everlasting life of glory So as whatever our care be here though by carnall Christians scorned contemned despised derided yet of Christ may we hear that happy call hereafter Come ye blessâ—d of my Father c. w Mat. 25. 34. And thus have you an end of the Articles Amen is an Hebrew word used even in all Languages to signifie an assent to what we say approve of or pray for and is to be understood to testifie our faith even of every these Articles of the Creed as of every petition in the Lords Prayer As to the further explanation whereof we refer you to our exposition of the word at the end of the Lords prayer Many other circumstances might be noted incident to every Article of the Creed but we study brevity and to explain that obvious in the words
by this Our have we him as the head to bring us in our prayers to God but in it must we bring along with us all the members this as all our prayers being to extend to all o 1 T 1 2 1 For Christ is not onely our elder Brother but we also in and by him brethren to one another p Gen 13 8 When though alone by a mans selfe a man is not only to pray for himselfe but also for all And therefore must say Our Father yea could his charity be so cold as to forget all but himselfe he prayes not therein rightly but by saying Our Father Christ that must present all to God that will come unto him must present though but that one that will come and therefore though but one with him must say Our Father My father q Mat 26 39. well and rightly might Christ say as who without any other might make that like addresse but so cannot any one of us without him and therefore must though but one he be that prayes and though but for himselfe alone say Our Father Thus much of the Preface The Petitions are six or as some divide The Petitions or Prayer it selfe them seven making or dividing the last into two But as six three concern God the other three our selves wherein is much seen Gods goodnesse even in this division thus equally dividing these Petitions or yet more if you make those three last foure as if were it possible to imagine so much shewing himselfe more propense to us then provident for himselfe In those three Petitions that concerne to God the first sets forth that not onely first in his intent r Pro. 164 but that which should indeed be still first in all our Prayers s Exo. 32. 32. and that is his glory The other two as means to promote that glory By Name in the first Petition meaning all his titles and attributes his word and the ministery of it his workes and Ordinances whatever that we hallow them all and that is againe that we have a reverend esteem of them t Ps 89. 7. Rev. 4. 11. as all conducing to set forth his glory Vse All which may teach all that will come unto God what they must above before all things doe labour to set forth Gods glory u Ps 19. 1. 117. 1. 1 Cor. 10. 31. 1 Pet. 2. 12. By Kingdome in the second meaning first his Kingdome of power alwayes w Ps 10. 16. and everywhere x Ps 10. 1 2. powerfull secondly his Kingdome of grace here y Mat. 3. 2. 3. thirdly his Kingdome of glory hereafter z Luk. 23. 42. By the first beating downe the Kingdome of Satan a Ep. 6. 12 and sinners b Ps 2. 9. By the second reigning here in the hearts of his chosen c Luk. 17. 20. And by the third with eternall happinesse crowning those his chosen hereafter d Jo. 10. 28 Of every of which thus pray we the coming that that first be put alwayes in execution e Ps 68. 1. and that second advanced f Rev. 12. 10. and that third hastened g Rev. 22. 20. Vse When if pray thus we must for the coming of this Kingdome this should teach us what votaries we should be that we may have comfort by its coming and that is that we goe by his direction and repent h Mat. 4. 17. that thus dictated this our prayer for the thus coming of it for as he also renders the reason i Joh. 3. 3. without this repentance no comfort no coming at any good by the coming of this Kingdome as he also averreth k Lu. 13. 3. 5. inevitable ruine and destruction And then by Will in the third meaning both his secret and revealed will when though that one be his alone to manage and but the other belongeth unto us l Deut. 29. 29. our prayer yet must extend to the doing of both that secret our praying Christs coming to judgement m Rev. 22. 20. this revealed our patient continuance in well doing n Ro. 2. 7. although yet our earnest o Rom. 8. 18 19. expectation till he come And that in the mean time though by corruption * Gen 6 5 1 Cor 2 14. a verse to ours yet p 1 Thes 4 3 when the will of God and operation of grace q we are to pray what he wils as for a more perfect knowledge p Ep 2. 5 of his Will r Jo 17 3 faith and salvation in and by Jesus Christ s Jo. 6 40 love and obedience to him and that by keeping his Commandments t Jo. 14 15 holy in our selves u Ep. 1. 4 loving and friendly to one another w Jo 13 34 Which and the like is the will of God and his Will that this be done in earth as it is in heâ—ven that is as the heavenly Host the Angels are ready to doe his pleasure x Ps 103 20 21 Christ the head y Jo. 6 38 the Saints already departed z Heb 12 23 to obey him so that we yet alive that are of Christs true Church and his mystical body a 1 Cor 12 12 be as he was b Mat 16 39 and with the doing of it c 1 Cor 11 1 doing his Will His Will that is his Commandements d Mat 7 21 23 24 and that according to his Will his Word e Ps 147 19 Luk 11 28 Vse Which prayer thus for the doing Gods Will as knowing all our good his doing f Phi 2 13 should weane our owne wils from evill for what ever our happinesse patiently piously to ascr be to his g 1 Jo 5 14 to be constant and couragious h Josh 1 6 7 for Canaaâ— not like our Fathers i Ps 106 24 as displeased with it as despising it wavering k Psal 78 57 whining and pining after Egypt l Exod 16 3 17 3 Thus of the three Petitions that concerne God Those other three or if you will those foure that concerne our selves One to wit the fourth respects the body and those others the soul Vâ—â— As if to teach our care of the soul to be two yea three to owne above that of the body And that in as much as the Salvation of the soul is the happinesse of both soul and body the happinesse of the body yea whatever World of happinesse nothing without that of the soul m Mat. 16 26. IV. By bread in the fourth a figurative Expression under the notion of that most necessâ—rie n Ps 104. 15. meaneing also all other necessâ—ries competent o Gen. 28. 20. and convenient p Pro. 30. 8. Mat. 6. 32 for this our bodily being as meat drinke rayment peace plenty prosperity health wealth liberty and the like q Isa 3. 1. And this as who is
to our God who dwelleth in inaccessible light whose love blessings and comfort love of God as our deare and loving father blessing of Christ as his dear son and our Saviour comfort of the Holy ghost that proceedeth from them both to comfort and establish us in the truth 3 persons and one God be with us and be by us and all the Church of God ever called upon and blessed to the blessing and preserving of our soules from whatever siâ— our bodies from whatever sicknesses or calamities our estates from whatever ruine and destruction Now and for ever Amen A Morning Prayer for a Familie O come let us worship and bow down and kneele before the Lord our maker O eternall everliving and everloving Lord God and saviour thou that art most powerfull yet gratious most just yet merciful too rich in graces and superabundant in goodnes give us O give us both of that thy grace goodnesse that in this humble offerture of our morning Exercise we be duly prepared for it And that in the first place in the due acknowledgment of our many and manifold sins and transgressions that though we thus come nigh thee in this weighty busines of prayers praises yet shouldest thou come nigh us and weigh us in the ballances of thy justice we might be found lighter then vanity so horrid so hideous have been our sins so many so infinite our transgressions So as whilest looking on them alas what can we look for but a fearefull downefall to death and damnation Ouâ— pride our covetousnes our drunkennes our deboyshery or deceit our hypocriasic our neglect of thy word our disobedience to thee our God despite to our neighbours an aggravation of that desobedience with whatever other breach of thy blessed commandments have so far broken in upon us that when but seriously laying it to heart we may not have heart to hope our aÌ„y wise evading that downfal Yea so besotted are we with sin that notwithstanding our daily both hearing and handling thy blessed word we heare but heede it not yea we know what 's good but practise it not A sort of arrand hypocrites we are that mock thine house of prayer thy word thy sacraments and whatever other seemly ducies of Religion and devotion bâ—t stales to our lewdersin cloaths to cover our licenciousness Yea and too too oft the very practise of prayer but a practise also to bolster up our carnall desires not therein heeding the due Method end of it thy endlesse praise and our eternall Salvation No though covertly so contemne thy word we do by our careless unconscionable regard of doing thereafter so grieve thy good spirit by our sin so abuse thy mercy by our presumption so forget thy judgments cauteriz'd as t' were and hardned in that sin presumption that looking upon us so many sinkes of sin so many presumptuous vassalls of indignation what can we expect but our portion with the wicked and with them that forget God but to be turned into hell the place appointed for the Devill and his Angels Bâ—t yet O Lord there is mercy with thee weigh us in the ballanees of that when then our hopes may be it may poize down the scale of thy justice and being turned from our sins by thy mercy we may so evade the fury of thy justice and by true faith timely repentance happy sanctification of life knowledge of thy will love of thy name zeale of thy glory sincerity for thy truth boldnesse in the profession of thy word perseverance in godlinesse and goodnesse patience under whatsoever crosse or calamity contentment with our whatever estate so arme us against the evill of sinne the evill of punishment may not fray us so order our steps to God by good that no step be made to either of those evils When to further our dayly morning exercise yea our alwayes excecises in these like duties what especial obligations have we as thy continual mercies which should stir up our continual thankfulnesse for those thy mercies our own miseries which should also force our prayers for the continuance of those thy mercies thy mercies that we are not confounded our miseries that they become not that our confusion Let us O let us in a due acknowledgement of those thy mercies both to free us from and prevent our those whatever miseries let us make conscience of all our doings not to do any thing contrary to the law of good conscience but as directing to that good Conscience to go by the rule and directions of thy good word in the Scriptures and be guided by the dictates of thy good spitit in that Word Try we thereby and prove we all our thoughts examine we thereby and therein all our words and works that so we may seek thee our good God in all and find thy good grace in the execution of our goodnesse Nor for our selves O Lord let 's onely become thus suppliant to thee but let our prayers also extend to the good both of our selves and others and be now next extended for a blessing upon thine holy Catholike Church c. Here go on as occasion serves as in the genenerall Prayer till you come thus to conclude And now O Lord having thus made a tender of our bounden duty in this our first offerture of this morning worke of thine in thus calling upon thee be favourable now next to us in the workes of our owne callings that by effecting them to our comfort we may effect them also to thy glory That even every one of us in our severall places and callings may as not onely thus opening the day thy glory by this thy worke bâ—t by thy goodnesse may goe through with it to our comfort in our own workes When now to conclude these our imperfect requests we have thus made to thee both for our selves and others imperfect in as much as many things are omitted we should pray for for our selves many things omitted we should praise thee for to supply that imperfection of both our prayers and praises let us now at last make our addresse unto thee for them in that most absolute forme that perfectly compriseth them all saying as our Saviour himselfe hath taught us to say unto thee Our Father which art in Heaven c. The peace of God which passeth all understanding preserve us in peace and keep our hearts and minds in the knowledge and understanding of him our God and Father that his out-stretched arme be our defence stretched out in the mercifull exhibition of his Sonne Christ our Saviour Whose salvation let be our auspicious aid and that made good to us by the grace of that good spitit of grace the holy Ghost the Comforter he hath sent to be with us To which Father of peace Son of mercy holy Spirit of comfort and consolation three Persons and one God be by us and all the faithfull ascribed all honour and glory praise power might Majesty and Dominion
now and for ever Amen An Evening Prayer for a Family Let our Prayer be set before God as Incense and the lifting up of our hands as the Evening sacrifice O Eternall most glorious and most gracious Lord God thou who art rich in mercy and abundant in goodnesse and truth We thine unworthy Servants here prostrate before the footstool of thy sacred Majesty doe humbly confesse and acknowledge our many and manifold sinnes and transgressions As how shapen in wickednesse and conceived in sin when Children bred up altogether in childishnesse when growing strong strengthning our selves in wickednesse giving up our whole selves as instruments of unrighteousnesse unto sin our hearts hardned to ill workes our understandings dulled our wils refractory and our whole affections crooked and perverse our heads set to plotand contrive mischiefe our hands to handle iniquity our tongues to cursing swearing lying filthy and corrupt communication our eyes to looke upon and behold vanity our feet ready and swift to stand in the way of sinners and to walke in the counsell of the ungodly So as both within and without from the crowne of the head to the sole of the foot there is no whole part in us but we are altogether full of putrified sores sores of abominable sin and wickednesse As to the things of thy service and the advancement of thy glory how have we neglected and omitted our almost every pious duty As to our Neighbours good how intemperate have we beene in pride and envy in willfullnesse and uncharitablenesse to break all the Christian and godly bands of unity How have our words actions and intentions perverted the better practices both of our selves and others O Lord I what have we not done but might justly draw downe thy vengeance on us Yet O Lord there is mercy with thee As consequent to this our humble confession let us implore that mercy and desire thine all fatherly goodnesse to remove from us thy judgements and to prevent all further evils that might justly come on us for our sins Yea and the better to prevent those evils prevent our sins and let us cast away from us those our beloved those our darling sins to which our perverse nature is too much prone and inclined Let no temptation of Satan deceive us let no allurements of the world or flesh pervert us Soften our hearts enlighten our understandings rectifie our wils strenthen our affections reise up and revive our dead and benumned Consciences Let no wandring imaginations seduce us and in thy mercies washed let us not relapse into our old mire of sin Let not heresie schisme infidelity or Apostacy blemish the truth of our Religion Let not Wars Famine Plague or scarsity blain the happinesse of our healthfull prosperity No O Lord let not any evill whither of sin or punishment impaire or thy glory or our good Nor is it onely sin that thus brings us on our knees or the evill of sin that requires from us deprecations of evils but our parts also it is to supplicate thy farther mercies that thoâ— wouldst be pleased to grant a continuance of the happinesse we have and to supply us with the good blessings we want and have not Give us O Lord understanding hearts and cleer judgements to see our sins Give us O Lord humble wils and holy affections to hate and abandon those our sins And Lord give us true repentance to bewaile those our sins And for the furthering of all those graces further us and furnish us with the assistance of thy good spirit of grace supply that we want strengthen increase the grace we have O Lord so blesse every one of us in our severall places and callings as that we may truly become Instruments of thy glory to doe the will of thee our loving Lord and Master here that hereafter we may receive the Crowne of righteousnesse which thou haste prepared for all those that doe it When to conclude our Prayers give us leave to praise thee and give thee humble thankes for all thy mercies that for our sins thou hast not totally consumed us But to further thy glory and our good hast elected us before the foundation of the World created us in time after thine own Image redeemed us from the power of Satan by the more powerfull passion of thy Christ and our Jesus We thanke thee our Lord for our Christian calling and vocation wrought in us by the inward operation of thy spirit and the outward preaching and ministery of thy Word for our justification in Christ our measure of sanctification here and our hopefull â—ssurance of glorification hereafter yea for all thy blessings and benefits we now and ever yeeld thee a thankefull acknowledgement Nor for our selves are we onely thus suppliant but O Lord let our prayers extend also to the good both of our selves and others Be ever therefore gracious to thy Spouse the Church c. Here againe goe on as occasion seemes as in the generall Prayer When as reflecting upon the Church pray that God would purge her from Schisine and Heresie and as to all the Members of both Church and Common-wealth that he would reconcile all the differences of Opinions among us that in his good time we may not onely obtaine but keepe the unity of the Spirit in the Bond of Peace When you may conclude thus BLesse us all O Lord pardon our sinnes this day passed and let us have quiet rest this Night to come that the day following and so all the dayes of our lives we may still study and strive the advancement of thy glory our own and our Neighbours good And this and whatever else necessary for us grant us O Lord even for thy Sons sake Christ Jesus In whose Name and Words concluding these our imperfect Prayers come we unto thee in that his most perfect saying as he hath taught us Our Father which art in Heaven c. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God the Father and the sweet and comfortable fellowship of God the Holy Ghost be with us blesse preserve and keepe us this Night following and for ever Amen The End