or pleasure Fourthly to be silent and secret not answering againe rudely and saucily nor reuealing their secrets abroad therefore it is wittily said by one that a good seruant should haue the back of an Asse to beare patiently the snout of a Swine to feed homely the tongue of a sheepe to keepe silence gently Or thus To haue large eares to heare readilie a short tongue speaking seldome and truly light feete swift in seruice and message cleane hands void of pilfering and cousenage Take pains in youth while strength dost last Then rest in age when health is past Be loath to offen be diligent to please Be willing to amend of sufferance comes ease Good paineâ— breedeth honor true â—ertue getteth fame Sloth bringeth miserie and vice â—ternall shame A youth void of industrie An age void of honestie Where vice in youth doth beare the sway There vertues will in age decay A youth well instructed Makes an age welâ— disposed Hâ— that in youth by reasâ—â— guides his daies In age shall keepe his footsteps from decayes SHORT SAYINGS FOR FVRther instruction of dutie towards God and man 1. Towards God LEarne to know God in his word Beleeue in God and his promises Feare God in his iudgements Loue God in his mercies Pray to him for grace Praise him for his goodnes Reade and heare his Word diligently Loue and reuerence his Ministers Frequent the places of prayer Be careful often to heare the word preached Quench not the spirit dispise not prophesing Feare God keepe his Commandements 2. Towards our Superiours Honor the King Obey good lawes Loue reuerence pray for the Magistrates Pay all duties to thy power Speake well of them in authoritie If they be good thanke God for them If they be euill pray for their amendement Princes are as the glasse the schoole the booke where subiects eies do reade do learne do looke Kings on earth are Images of God in heauen 3. Towards our Parents Honor thy Parents Reuerence their good counsell Obey their good Commandements Be subiect to their corrections Be humble reuerent and dutifull to them By good behauiour make them glad By ill demeanor make them not sad Deserue and seeke for their blessing Deserue not their curse Pray daily for them Releeue them if they be in want 4. Towards the aged Reuerence the aged Be dutifull to thy betters Be humble and lowly to them Be kinde and curteous to all 5. Of familiaritie Be friendly and familiar with the good Keepe no company with the euill Try before thou trust Hinder no mans good name Reioyce not in anothers crosse Beare with others infirmities that others may beare with thee Reioyce with those that reioyce Mourne with them that mourne Be geÌ„tle curteous to al offensiue to none Of Anger Be angrie against sin but sin not Appease debate absteine from hate If anger arise let not sin surprise Be not hard to be appeased Be mercifull and pitifull Be gentle and courteous 6. Of Speech Be slow to speake especially euill Be swift to heare good things Thinke before thou speake Speake aduisedly and truly Speake not vainely and skurrillously Answere aptly and mannerly Keepe counsell committed vnto thee Reueale not thy masters secrets Reueale not thine owne to euery friend Promise aduisedly pay thy debts truly Performe constantly Be not rash and foole-hardie Be not wise in thine owne conceipt Be not arrogant Striue not with thy ouer-match Be at peace with vertue warre with vice 7. Of learning and knowledge Loue vertue and knowledge Hate vice and ignorance Haunt wise mens company Shunne foolish society Praier hearing and reading increase knowledge without knowledge the mind is not good 8. Of thine estate Maintaine thy selfe iustly Liue in order Liue within thy compasse Be content with thine estate Pouerty is no hinderance to vertue Contented meane is greatest wealth 9. Of Apparell Be comely and cleane in thine apparell Be not proud and curious Be not slouenlike and rude Be sober in gesture and gate Be not idle and vaine 10. Of Diet. Take heed of all excesse for that is sinne Be temperat in diet Drinke moderatly and eate soberly Surfeting and drunkennes is a deadly sin Abstinence is good for soule and body 11. Of Recreation Vse moderate exercises Play not in any thing exceeding modestie and measure Redeeme the time and leese it not No greater losse then time and nothing lesse accounted of Neglected time is follies chiefest signe 12. Of the end The true and best ende of all is the feare of God When vertuous daies do end they are not done But liue two liues where others haue but one In all beginnings remember the end For to begin well is good but to end well is better Leud life is losse good death felicity The chiefest gaine the end of misery For that 's not death to change the life and die But that is death which doth all ioyes deny Then happy he who doth in time prepare To die to liue the end of worldly care The end of all things is at hand be sober therefore and watch vnto prayer A PRAYER TO BE SAID EVErie morning and euening by the I hil dren in their seuerall Wards And first remember that Without knowledge the mind is not good Without faith no pleasing of God Without nurture no attaining to vertue Without praier no hope of grace Therefore Euery one that is godly will pray in time conuenient â—sal 34. 14. 6. â—sal 31. 7. 8. â—sal 14. 9. â—0 â—sal 145. 18 â—sal 138. 6. But the wicked call not vpon God The Lord is nigh all them that call vpon him in truth and faithfully For though the Lord be high yet hath he respect vnto the lowly As for the proud hee beholdeth them a farre off O Eternall God and mercifull Father in Christ Iesus we humblie beseech thee to haue mercy vpon vs thy poore children and pardon all our sinnes committed against thy Diuine Maiestie at any time of our life heretofore either in omitting or committing any thing against thy blessed word and holy will and graunt vs thy grace O Lord that we may be truly repentant for them and hartily thankfull vnto thee for all thy vndeserued mercies and fauours bestowed vpon vs and the state and place wherein we liue beseeching thee for Christ his sake to continue and increase them euer hereafter both in soule and body vnto vs and also to receiue vs all into thy blessed protection that neither sinne nor Sathan assaile or preuaile against vs to hurt the peace of our soules or health of our bodies but that being blessed and protected by thee O Lord we may be better able and more carefull to serue thee in our seuerall places callings to become thy faithfull seruants instruments of thy glory for the good of thy Church Common-weale of our countrie wherin we liue O Lord blesse and defend our Soueraigne King the Queene and the Prince their Son with the rest of their Royal Progenie blesse his Maiesties honorable Counsellors and Nobles direct them all in office in the Church and State vnder him especially to aduance true religion and vertue and to punish sin and impiety Continue thy mercie and protection O Lord towards these his Maiesties Dominions of great Britaine and countries annexed and thy people and Churches in them increase the number of faithfull and painefull Preachers amongst them that so thy most holy name may be hallowed thy kingdome inlarged and thy blessed will accomplished in faith and loue in verity vnity O Lord blesse and defend this Citie with the Gouernors and gouernment thereof together with this house and whole societie and all those from whom we receaue this comfortable maintenance reliefe and godly education increase thy spirituall graces in them and multiplie thy temporall blessings vpon them O Lord that they neuer want will and meanes to go forward in performing the good workes thou hast begun for the aduancement of thy glorie the comfort of vs and others thy poore distressed ones the increase of their owne comfort in the assurance of thy mercy in Christ Iesus These mercies and all other blessings needfull O blessed God of grace and mercy we pray thee to graunt vnto vs and the rest of thy Church euen for Chrisâ—
ciuill society and peace may bée maintained among men Deut. 32. 3 Ioh. 3. 15. Leuit. 20. 2 Hebr. 13. 4. 7 In the seuenth of his wife that chast wedlocke and holy conuersation might bee preserued and a holy seed continued 8 In the eight of his goods that true dealing faithfull labour in our calling Leuit. 19. 3â— 1. Thess 4 6. contented minds with our portion thankfulnesse to God and helpefull furtherance to our brethren may bee practised 9 In the ninth of his good name that truth in word in witnes in report may bée Leuit. 19. 16 1 Thess 5. 22 exercised among men for the preseruing of their good names and estimation 10 In the tenth is forbidden the least degrée of sinne against any oâ— these Commandements Psal 19. 13. Rom. 7. 23. namely the lust and motion to sinne aswell as the consent and deed Quest Is there prescribed in the Law a perfect rule of righteousnesse Ans Yea verily though there be in vs Rom. 7. 12. 14 no ability to performe the same Quest How commeth that to passe seing man was created perfect Ans Through the sin and transgression Gen. 3. Rom. 5. 17. of our first Parents Quest Did not that sinne rest in Aâ—am alone Ans No but it did flow from him vnto all mankinde â—m 5. 14. 18. Quest What fruits doth it bring forth in vs Ans Nothing but sin in thought word and déed Quest What punishment is due to sin Ans Eternall death and damnation â—om 6. 12. Quest How come we to the knowledge of sinne Ans By the law Rom. 3. 20. Quest Whereunto serueth this knowledge Ans To humble vs and cast vs downe Act. 2. 37. in the sight and acknowledgement of our owne miserie and to bring vs to Christ Quest How is it possible for man to be saued in this miserie Ans By faith in Christ Iesus the Son Gen. 3. Act. 4. 12. of God the promised séede of the woman Quest Where is this sauing knowledge of Christ Iesus briefely set downe for vs Ans In the Articles of the Créed being Of faith twelue in number Quest Repeat them with the sense of euery one Ans 1 I beleeue in God the Father almighty Deut. 5. 6. Ephes 4. 5. 6. Gen. 1. 1. 2. maker of Heauen and Earth the first person in Trinitie maker and gouernor of all things in Heauen and in Earth visible and inuisible 2 And in Iesus Christ his onely Son our Lord the second person in Trinitie who is our King to gouerne and defend vs our Priest and Prophet to offer for vs to teach vs his Psal 110. 4 Hebr. 7. 17. fathers will 3 Which was conceaued by the holy Ghost borne of the Virgin Mary shewing the manner Mat. 1. 19. Gal. 4. 4. of his pure conception and blessed birth taking our nature vpon him without sin by faith in whom our nature iâ— sanctified 4 He suffered vnder Pontius Pilate was crucified dead and buried c. which sheweth Esay 53. 4. 5 Marke 14. 3 Gal. 3. 13. his painefull passion infinit suffering and bitter death for our sins performing most absolute obedience to God for vs. 5 The third day he rose againe from the dead Hos 13. 14. Rom. 4. 25. which sheweth his victory after death rising againe for our iustification to life 6 He ascended into heauen and sitteth at the Luke 24. 5 Marke 16. 1 right hand of God the Father almighty which sheweth of his ascention and exaltation in glory hauing all power in Heauen and in Earth giuen him of his father 7 From thence he shal come to iudge the quicke 1 Thess 4. 1. Mat. 25. 31. and the dead which sheweth of his second glorious appearing in Iudgement and restoring of all things â—hess 4. 1. â— 25. 31. 8 I beleeue in the holy Ghost the third Person in Trinity God equall with the Father â—â—h 28. 19 Cor. 6. 11. and Sonne sanctifier of all the elect people of God 9 The holy Catholike Church the communion of Saints which doe communicate with â—es 2. 20. Cor. 1. 19. Christ and one with another in the fellowship of faith and bond of loue 10 The forgiuenes of sinnes belonging to all â— 31. 34. â—oh 1. 9. the true members of the Church who only haue peace with God 11 The resurrection of the body from death â— 1â— â—5 26 â—n 12. 2. â—uel 20. 12. and corruption to immortalitie both of good and bad 12 The life euerlasting for the godly replenished with all fulnes of ioy and blessednes Cor 5. 1 â—os 3. 4. Thâ—ss 19. â—atth 25. â—uel 14. 10. â— with God and his holy Angels and of euerlasting woe and torments for the wicked before the throne of God for euer and euer Quest How many principall parts are these Articles of the faith to be drawne to Ans Vnto foure principall heads Quest Which be they Ans First our faith in God the Father the Creator Secondly in God the Son the Redéemer Thirdly in God the holy Ghost the Sanctifier Fourthly of the Church the communion of Saints to whom forgiuenes of sins Ioh. 3. 36. blessed resurrection and euerlasting life and glorie appertaine Quest Why say you I beleeue in God and not rather in Gods seing you make mention of three the Father Sonne and Spirit Ans Because there is but one true and euerliuing God reuealed vnto vs in thrée 1. Ioh. 5. 7. persons in whom my faith is staied Quest Why do you say I beleeue in God and not rather I beleeue a God Ans To declare that I put my trust and confidence in him for the Diuels and wicked Iam. 2. 19. beleeue there is a God but doe not put their trust and confidence in him Quest Why say you I beleeue and not rather we beleeue Ans Because I must bée saued by mine Rom. 5. 2. Hab. 2. 4. owne faith and not by the faith of others Quest What is true faith which saueth vs Ans It is a firme perswasion of the mercies of God purchased by our Lord Heb. 11. 1. Rom. 8. 38. 3 Iesus Christ being the foundation of our hope and sight of things inuisible Quest How must we attaine to this true faith and how is it increased Ans By the spirit of God perswading our hearts by the hearing and reading â— Cor. 5. â—om 10. 4. â—om 1. 3. of Gods Word receauing the Sacraments and prayer assuring vs that we are within the Couenant of grace reuealed by the Gospell Quest Now you haue shewed that the Word of God the Sacraments and prayer strengthen faith shew what is Prayer Ans Prayer is a lifting vp of the minde Of prayer and powring out of the heart before God by the motion of his Spirit in the name of Luke 18. 1. Ioh. 14. 13. Iames. 4. 3. Iesus Christ his son crauing things néedfull giuing thanks
for benefits receaued Quest Is there any prescript forme of Prayer left vs in the holy Scriptures Ans Yes that which our Lord Iesus Christ hath taught and is called the Lords prayer containing all heauenly wisdome in Matth. 6. 9. Luke 11. 2. that kind consisting of sixe petitions and a conclusion as followeth Our Father which art in heauen c. Quest To whom must wee pray and in whose name Ans To God only the Father Sonne â—ohn 16. 23. and holy Ghost in the name of Christ Iesus Quest Why do we then name the Father only Ans The word Father in this place is not taken personally but essentially for Iude. 20. Rom. 8. 34. in the action of true prayer the holy Ghost is the first Mouer the Son the Mediator the Father gratiously hearing returneth Psal 22. 24. an answere in due time Quest Why must we pray to the Father in the name of his Son Mediator Ans Because God being displeased for Iohn 14. 6. Rom. 5. 10. sinne we can haue no accesse vnto him but by the meanes of Christ our Aduocate in whom he is well pleased Quest Why must we pray by the working of the holy Ghost Ans Because the holy Ghost assureth Rom. 8. 26. Ephes 6. 18. vs that God is our Father and also teacheth vs how to pray and what to pray for Quest What things are to be obserued of vs in prayer First before the action of prayer 1. We 1. Pet. 1. 17. must truly repent vs of our sinnes and hartely purpose to amend 2 In the action of prayer 1. We must Matth. 21 2â— haue faith in God through Christ â—mes 1 6 â—arke 11 24 â—atth 5. 44. â—d 6 14. 15 3 Loue to our brethren yea towards our enemies and zeale of affection to perseuere And after prayer 1. Wée must bée â—sal 18 21 thankefull for grace Watchfull ouer our affections to better â—pes 6. 18 â—om 8 25 our obedience after and patiently to tarrie the Lords leasure Quest These being obserued before in and after prayer tell me how many parts be there of prayer Ans Thrée parts Confession of sinne Petition for mercy and grace thankesgiuing for blessings receaued Quest How many parts be there of the Lords prayer Ans Two parts first of those which concerne Gods glory secondly of things concerning our selues Quest Which be those that concerne God Ans The Preface and the thrée first Petitions saying Our Father which art in Heauen hallowed by the name thy kingdome come Thy will be done c. Concluding with Kingdome Power and Glory Quest What vnderstand you by the Preface Our Father which art in Heauen Ans That Iehouah our God Iehouah the Father Sonne and holy Ghost is Deut. 6. 4. Marke 1â— 29. one and become our Father by the death and mediation of Christ his Son in whose name if wée approach vnto him with faith Iohn 20. 7 16. 27. and reuerence he will make manifest that he is both willing and able to heare and helpe vs. Quest What more Ans That being in Heauen hée requireth of vs heauenly mindes and affections to worship him in spirit and truth without any superstition of representation Math. 6. 5. Ioh. 4. 24. 25. or wil-worship according to carnal reason as it is forbidden in the first and second Commandements of the first Table Quest What vnderstand you by the first Petition Hallowed be thy name Ans That the glorious names and attributes of God his wisedome power Psalme 99. 3. Exodus 34. 6. Psalme 138. Psalm 145. â— word mercy iustice and workes may be honored and sanctified of vs in our thoughts words and workes which is the end of our creation and redemption the contrary whereof is forbidden in the third commandement of the first Table thou shalt not take the name of thy God in vaine 2 Q. What by the second Thy kingdome come A. That righteousnes peace and ioy in the holy Ghost may be increased in vs by Dan 7. 14. Luke 1. 33. Psalme 145. 11 12 13. the regiment of his Word and Spirit that Christ may raigne and dwell in our hearts by faith driuing out all aduersarie power of sinne and darknes that being his obedient subiects in the kingdome of grace we may speedâ—ly be fitted and suted with all his Elect in the kingdome of glory 3 Q. What by the third Thy will be done A. That God would subdue in vs by his grace all things repugnant to his word 1 Thessa 4. 3. Rom. 12. 2. will that with all holy desire diligence and integrity resembling his holy angels in heauen we may do his will as in his word he hath manifested it vnto vs being the perfect rule of faith and obedience for the Colos 1. 9. 10. 1 Pâ—ter 4. 2. honor and hollowing of his name the power increase and accomplishment of his kingdome are vnited to the doing of his will according to his word Q. By this wee may see that these three Petitions answere to the foure first Commandements of the first Table A. Yea for in them we learne our duty to God as concerning his worship faith feare and loue which in this wee pray fer grace to practise 4 Q. What vnderstand you by the second parts of this prayer and namely the fourth Petition Giue vs this day our dayly bread A. That God would vouchsafe to giue vs all such things as are needfull for vs and the place where we liue that we may liue without destresse of minde and pride of hart that honoring our Superiours and Parents we may liue a peaceable life in all godlynes and honesty abandoning all excessiue care for earthly things being content Math. 6. 24. 25. Philip. 4. 6. 1 Tim. 6. 8. with sufficient obtained by our lawfull labors that so it may go well with vs as it is promised in the first Commaundement of the second Table where it is said Honor thy father and thy mother that it may go well with thee 5 Q. What by the fifth Petition in the second part of this prayer Forgiue vs our trespasses as we forgiue them that trespasse against vs A. That confession of sâ—nnes must goe Prou. 28. 13 before remission because they seperate vs from God till they haue found free pardoâ— through faith in the merits of Christ the Mediator of the new Couenant who hath made reconciliation for sinne and purchased Dan. 9. 24. euerlasting righteousnes therefore for his sake we desire mercy for our sinnes and the punishments due to bee remoued because Exod. 34. 6. 7. they are pledges of Gods fauour declaring himselfe to be our God and Father Q. Why is this reason added As wee do forgiue others that trespasse against vs A. Lest we should presume to aske forgiuenes of God except we be free from hatred Matth. 6. 14. 15. Marke 11. 25 26. and malice as it is said If yee forgiue others God
Baptisme may be renewed and our faith Cor. 11. 26 hope and loue may be strengthened and increased by kéeping a continuall remembrance of his blessed passion and death vntill his glorious comming againe to iudgement Q Who ought to receiue them and how should they be prepared thereunto A. The faithfull repentant beléeuers who only are circumcised in heart iudging and duly examining themselues whether 1. Cor 11. 28 they haue faith vnfained true repentance 2. Cor. 13. 5. sincere loue and thankfull hearts for all Gods blessings especially for these inestimable Matth. 5. 23. psal 103. 1. 2. mercies in Christ the roote of all the rest Q To what end serueth this knowledge of God whereof we haue so briefly entreated out of the law faith praiers and Sacraments A. To bring vs to the soueraigne good and end of our faith hope and wished destres euen the saluation of our soules and bodies through Iesus Christ Q. What is that soueraigne good and saluation you meane A. God the author and fountaine of all goodnes Creator Gouernor Redeemer 2. pet 3. 3. 4. Iustifier Sanctifier and Sauiour of man who in this life hath not only giuen vs life mouing and being but grace through faith working by loue to partake of his diuine nature and begin the life of God heere which in the life to come shall be perfect Rom. 6. 11. with him in glory for euer Q. What shall be the state of those which haue knowne and beleeued vnfainedly in the Lord A. They shall first haue their lot in the blessed resurrection to meete the Lord in 1. Thess 4. 16 glory and to enioy his blessed presence and fulnes of ioy and perfect blessednes which no eie hath seene eare hath heard or heart Corinth can conceiue Q. What shall the state of the wicked and ignorant vnbeleeuers bee in the world to come 2 A. They shall also be raised vp to shame Deut. â—2 2. 2. Thess â— 7. 8. 9. 2. â—et 3. 7. Reuel â—4 1â— 11. and euerlasting wofulnes punished with euerlasting perdition and paine vnspeakeable in fire vnquenchable before the throne of God whom they shall neuer 〈◊〉 with comfort nor the glory of his power with ioy Q. Shall this weake mortall and corruptable body of Gods Saints be partaker with the immortall Soule of euerlasting lifâ— and glory A. Yea for this mortall shall put on immortality incorruption power and spirituall 1. Cor. 15. glory like vnto the glorious bodie of Christ to see him as he is and for euer and euer to be with him in glory in his kingdome where wée shall in perfect holinesse 1. Thess 4. 17 worship him all in all to whom the holy Angels do euer giue due worship saying Amen Praise and Glory and Wisdome and Revel 7. 12. Thankes and Honor and Power and Might be vnto our God for euermore Amen Finis ANOTHER PRAYER TO BE vsed after Catechâ—sing the Children O Gratious God wee blesse and praise thy holy name for all thy mercies and namely for the vse of thy Word now and alwayes heretofore beseeching thee O Lord to pardon our sinnes and â—efects in speaking and hearing thereof aâ—d to graunt thy blessing vnto vs that as we heare to learne so wee may learne to beleeue and practise that which wee beleeue to thy glory to the further conforming and confirming of vs vnto thee in that assured hope of that glory which thou hast prepared for all thine elect and faithfull children in the world to come through Iesus Christ our Lord and only Sauiour Amen TO THE GODLY PARENTS Masters and ouerseers for Education of youth NAture is best adorned with Religion and nurture for as religion informeth the minde so narture reformeth the manners And as the fertillest soyle without manuring will soon ouergrow with weeds so the aptest wits without education will soone corrupt in manners An vnmanaged Colt will be wilde and a childe left at liberty will grow wilfull And as the occasions in children and youth vnto vice and euill are many so the care and indeuour in elders to restraine and amend them should abound Parents by nature should Masters by charge ought Magistrates by law neighbours of loue and curtesie and all men of common humanity for maintaining Christian loue and piety ciuill society and godly policie that the wickednes of youth bee not imputed to the remisnes of the aged and both punished with old Elies corrections From which the Lord keepe vs and giue vs all grace and knowledge in all things Teach a child in the trade of his waies and when he is old he will keep it Prou. 22. CERTAINE BRIEFE AND effectuall Rules for life and Conuersation and first of behauiour in the morning FIrst in the morning thinke vpon God and remember thy Creator in thy youth in the prime of thy daies and in the spring of the morning and know that he hath said My sonne giue me thy heart let him haue the first place in thy thoughts words and actions lifting vp thy heart and hands with humble minde and voyce vnto him And if time permit let some good praier be said of thee or some other crauing pardon for thy sins in the name of Iesus Christ and for his sake praying for all things needfull for thee for the state and place thou liuest in with the parties from whom thou receiuest mainteinance education and comfort and if thou hast not leasure to pray thus yet let the Lords prayer feelingly and with deuout reuerence be said of thee letting thy minde and voice ioyne and consent together thinking on him only vnto whom thou doest pray See thou remember to vse and frequent these exercises of prayer at morning and euening at meate time and other appointed so shall the continuall vse put thee in minde that thou forget it not Remember that the ten Commandements of God be repeated and said of thee once in the day at the least that so the continuall vse thereof may put thee in minde of thy dutie towards God and lead thee to Christ for grace Also the Articles of faith see thou vse reuerently to repeate praying for grace to beleeue with the heart that which thou confessest with thy mouth that thou maist increase in faith hope and loue without which thou canst not be saued With prayer to God do thou begin That he may keepe thee from all sin WHFN THOV APPARrellest thy selfe 1 SEE that thy cloathes and apparrell bee cleane from head to foote decently and comly put on tied pointed and pinned about thee 2 Delight in decent cleanlynes neatnes and comlines in the body and garments so shall it make thee gratefull in company and loued of the best if otherwise loathed and not regarded for by the fashion and wearing of the apparrell may bee iudged the quality of the minde 3 Thy head see thou combe and rubbe at the least thrise in the weeke keeping it cleane from that which may annoy