secondly to see it and be silent thirdly to confesse the truth but with such as bee like our selues before others to bee ashamed of it or to confesse it but not defend it or to doe it â—hiftingly not plainly Mark 8.38 Rom. â—0 10 Matth. 10.32 Thus much of â—he first sort of things commanded Secondly there is commanded fit Duty 2 â—esture of the body belonging to the â—xercises of religion as in prayer bowâ—ng of the body Neh. 8.6 lifting vp the â—ies and hands Psal 141.2 and 121.1 â—ohn 17.1 they that with their eies looâ—ed vpon Idols in a superstitious manâ—er are accused of idolatry Ezekiel Gestures should be decent and such as â—ay expresse the humility and deuotiâ—n of our mind and in the publike serâ—ice of God it is good to follow the â—audable fashion and custome of that â—articular Church where we liue The sinne is first to neglect reuerent gestures as when in prayer men stare on â—uery one that commeth in and when â—ee giue such gestures to men out of â—eason as in the time of preaching and â—rayer they doe that leaue prayer and â—reaching and all to make a legge when â—heir landlord commeth in Secondly â—o giue religious adoration to creatures â—s to Angells and Saints departed Rev. 19.10 Acts 10. Though ciuill woâ—ship or reuerence is to bee yeelded 〈◊〉 such as be our superiours yet not reâ—â—gious as if they knew our hearts 〈◊〉 were euery where present Almighty 〈◊〉 the like And it is sin to adore reliqueâ— as the Crosse of Christ the sepulcheâ— of dead men c. and it is sinne to adoâ—â— the bread in the Sacrament for Chrâ—â— is no otherwise present therein then the water at Baptisme So it is a sinne kisse an idoll shewing some approbatioâ— of the idoll thereby Hos 13.2 Duty 3 3 Such rites and ceremonies should 〈◊〉 vsed as bee decent Although the church of England retaine the name of saints dais yet without idolatry the dais being dedicated to the honour of God according to ordâ—â— and tending to edification 1 Cor. 1â— 13. and 14.26.40 The sin is when ceremonies bee râ—diculous vnprofitable superstitious 〈◊〉 made parts of Gods worship And he is forbidden building of altars or teâ—ples and consecrating of daies to Sainâ— or Angells Exod. 22.20 also erectiâ—â— altars burning incense and lighting tâ—pers to reliques 2 King 18.4 Fourthly we are commanded to shâ— Duty 4 and watch against all meanes and occâ—sions of idolatry or any false worshiâ— Deut. 7.3.4 and 11.16 and 12.13.30 â—â—d Magistrates and Ministers and all â—â—cording to their callings should bee â—alous to root out abolish superstitiâ—â—s worship Exod. 23.24 Deut. 7.25 â— and 12.1 2 3. The sinne is to retaine reliques and â—onuments of Idolatry Esa 30.22 â—xod 23.13 Fiftly helps and furtherances to Duty 5 â—ods worship bee commanded and â—mely these foure things first fasting 1. Fastâ—â—â— religious fast is a voluntary abstineÌ„ce â—m all food and other comforts and lights for a conuenient time not â—eiudiciall to health Ioel 2.12.17 Matt. 5.15 16. They who cannot abstaine so long from all meat should eat for quantity very little and for quality coorse or mean food that our humiliaâ—on and prayer may be furthered The â—â—e of fasting ordinarily should last for â—e day at the least vntill the euening â—v 23.32 Iudg. 20.26 The causes of â—ting bee first if wee haue falne into â—y grieuous sinne 1 Sam. 7.6 secondâ—en some among vs haue so falne 1 â—â—r 5.2 thirdly when iudgment is vpâ—â— vs or is imminent hanging ouer our â—ad Iudg. 20.26 2 Chro. 20.2 fourthâ—â— for iudgment vpon others 2 Sam 12 â— fiftly when wee stand in need of some speciall benefit Acts 10. or for successe of the Gospell Acts 13.3 although all prayer require full â—ffection yet in the time of a fast it should bee extraordinary speciall in zeale strength and continuance therefore bring wee downe the body that the spirit may be caried vp Esa 22.12 c. The sinnes forbidden bee first noâ— fasting when there is occasion Secondly fasting is abused First when there iâ— onely outward abstinence without inward humiliation and affâ—ction Esay 58. Secâ—ndly to abstaine onely from flesh Thirdly to fast vnseasonably without respect of occasions as when God hath called vs to reioycing Fourthly to fast without extraordinary prayer Fiftly not to keepe the day of fasting in the nature of a Sabbath Lev. 23.30 Sixtly to keepe a fast to Saints Seuenthly to think to merit by fasting 2 Vowes bee helps commanded for the furthering of Gods worship Numb 30.2 Deut. 2â— 21 Psal 22.25 2 Kingâ— 23.3 A vow is a promise made to God of things lawfull and possible There be three soâ—ts mentioned in the Scripture first of ceremoniall duties which bee now abolished secondly a promise of morall obedience which concerneth vs Psal 119 106. 1 Pet. 3.21 thirdly a promise of some bodily worke and outward duty as to fast to giue such or such almes to abstaine from some meates and drinkes and to vse or not vse other indifferent things 1 Tim. 4.8 this last may be lawfull for vs to make and keepe some cautions obserued as may be shewed further vpon the third Commandement The sinnes bee first to neglect this helpe and not to make vowes with care of keeping them secondly to make vowes to creatures as to Saints as the Papists doe A third helpe to Gods worship is preparation for the Preaching of the word by education and maintenance for education Ministers are to be trained vp in the schooles of learning 1 Sam. 10.5 and 19.20 2 King 4.38 the sinne is to take away schooles of learning as Iulian the Apostate did and secondly when men without gifts runne into the Ministery before they be sent 1 Kin. 13.33 Concerning maintenance God hath commanded the Ministers of the Word should competently bee prouided for Deut. 12.19 1 Tim. 5.17 Gal. 6.6.7 The sinne is sacrilegious taking away such things as belong to the maintenaÌ„ce of the Ministery Mal. 3.8 Rom. 2.22 A fourth helpe is society and familiarity with the true worshippers of God Prou. 13.20 Psalm 16.3 and 119.63 The sinne forbidden in this respect is society with idolaters in religion 1 Cor. 10.20.21.22 and too familiar in ciuill affaires Mal. 2.11 2 Chro. 19.2 and selling things which the seller knoweth shall be superstitiously imploied and triall of suits before idolaters when we deale with our brethren and other decision may be had 1 Cor. 6.6 Q. What sinnes be forbidden more generally against the performance of Gods worship required in the second Commandement A. First making of Images of God Deut. 4 15.16 Esa 40.18 Rom. 1.25 secondly images of creatures religiously vsed Exod. 8.10 yet images and pictures of creatures maâ—â— be made for ciuill vse Matth. 22.20 profitable stories being drawne the nature of birds and beasts may more be knowne and cities and countries And the science of casting caruing and painting is reckoned among the gifts of God Exod. 31.3
is contained in the Commandements Q. Is not the doctrine of the Papists in â—any things against the Creed the ten Commandements the Lords prayer and the â—octrine of the Sacraments A. Yes Q. Wherein name some particulars 1 Ioh. 5.21 Reu. 17.14 2 Thes 2. Reu. 18 4. for â—t were too long to name all yet it is meet to â—â—me some that â—e may know we must constantly stand on Christs side against the Devill and all Antichristian errours and heresies and know that so many martyrs haue â—ot without cause constantly withstood Paâ—istrie begin therefore to shew how their doctrine is against the Creed A. Against the first Article yea and â—ll the rest Ioh. 1.12 Gâ—l 2.20 1 Ioh. 4.16 and 5.13 14.15 is thâ—ir denying of particular â—aith which is required in all the Arâ—icles Also their defining of faith to â—ee no more but a firme assent of the mind to the whole truth of God which â—aith the deuills haue Pro. 19.2 And also they commend an implicit faith to beleeue â—s the Church beleeueth not knowing what the Church is or what it beleeâ—eth Against the second Article Heb. 7. â—5 Act. 4.12 whereas â—esus is a perfect Sauiour of his people from all their sinnes and punishments they ascribe associates to Christ as the Virgin Mary St. Francis the Popes pardon our owne merits c. and whereas the title Christ signifieth our Sauior to be the Prophet 1 Ioh. 2.22 Esa 42.8 and 43.25 Priest King of his Church and will not giue his honer to others but is the onely Messiah against his prophetical office they haue mens traditions against his Priesthood they haue their Masse and the mediation and intercession of Saints by their praiers and merits and against his kingly office they say the Pope can make lawes to bind mens consciences may make new Articles of faith and dispense with the old and new Testament some of these errours are also against the sixâ— and other Articles of the Creed Against the third they hold the humanity of Christ to bee in many placeâ— at once and by consequence deny him to be true man Heb. 1.3 and 7.27 and 10.14 Against the fourth wheras Christ suffered to purge away our sinnes alone bâ— himselfe by his one sacrifice once offered they hold purging of sinnes by 〈◊〉 new sacrifice vnbloody which ouerturneth the foundation of remission of â—innes by Christs sacrifice once offered Heb. 9.22 1 Ioh. 1.7 Rom. 3.25 â—nd vnbloody differeth in substance â—rom Christs where blood was not accidentall and it argueth the first to bee â—neffectuall by renewing it And they â—erre in the doctrine of Gods iustice saying it may be satisfyed with mens poeâ—all workes as if it were not infinite Gal. 3.10 Rom. 6.23 â—nd they hold some sinnes not to bee â—amnable Also they erre in the docâ—rine of repentance by humane satisfacâ—ions to God and also such confession â—ontrition satisfaction as they make â—arts of repentance may be without saâ—ing faith Against the sixt and seuenth and also â—gainst some other Articles is their erâ—our of transubstantiation For if Christ â—e a true man borne of the Virgin Maâ—â— be ascended into heauen and there â—o be conteined vntill the end of the world Act. 1.11 and 3.21 when he shall come to iudge the â—uicke and the dead he cannot be made â—f bread and present bodily at the Masse and in many places at once Ier. 17.5 Against the ninth they deny men to â—e Saints vntill they be dead and so rob them of their coÌ„munion w th the Saints Against the tenth and many of the rest they trust in their workes for saluation holding their owne merits and humane satisfactions Rom 3 24 28. Ephes 2.8 9 10. and iustification by workes Q. How is their doctrine against the teâ—â— Commandements A. Against the first by maintaining ignorance to bee the mother of deuotion and by calling the Pope God anâ— saying hee can make holy the vnholy and iustifie the wicked Mat. 22.29 and dispensâ—â— with the law of nature and with thâ—â— Prophets and Apostles and calling thâ— virgin Mary a goddesse their hope anâ— the Queene of Heauen hauing powâ—â— to command her Son and also callinâ— the wodden crosse their hope Exod. 32.5 Hos 2.16 Hab. 2.18 19. Mat. 4.10 Psal 50.15 Exo. 22.20 Against the second by making imâ—ges of God and also of creatures for râ—ligious vses and worship Also they â—dore and pray to Saints and Angellâ— and burne tapers build temples anâ— altars and consecrate daies to them anâ— they worship the bread in the sacrameÌ„â— and yet know nor the intention of thâ— Priest who if he intended not consecrâ—tion it is not Christ according to their doctrine howsoeuer the bread is not to be adored Also they make vowes to creatures and fasting meritorious and their merits are against Gods shewing mercy to thousands of them that loue him and keepe his Commandements Against the third they dishonour God by keeping the scriptures prayers in an vnknowne tongue and by calling the virgin Mary all in all and by holding equiuocations in oathes and that one is not bound to such oathes as the Pope dispenseth with and swearing by creatures also by holy water and either they doe or haue baptized bells Against the fourth they hold many festiuall dayes to the saints to bee obserued with as much solemnity as the sabbath or Lords day Against the fifth Rom. 13.1 1 King 2.26 27. they hold the Pope and Clergy not to be subiect to Kings and Princes and that the Pope may depose Kings also they allow mariages and monasticall vowes without and against the consent of their wise and carefull parents Against the sixt they say that subiects may kill their King being excommunicated by the Pope and they hold men may bee saued by the merit of their workes Ier. 17.5 and so bring the curse and murther of soules Leu. 21. Matt. 8.14 1 Tim. 3. Lev. 18. Against the seuenth they forbid mariage to the Clergy and maintaine the vow of single life although there bee not the gift of continency and defend the toleration of Stewes and mariages within the degrees forbidden in the Scriptures Against the eight they sell remission of sinnes and merits of others and get money and lands vnlawfully by such meanes Against the ninth they hold iesting and officious lies not to bee damnable and that equiuocations may bee vsed and faith not to be kept with heretikes and they corrupt and falsifie mens workes Against the tenth they hold lust without consent and concupiscence in the regenerate to be no sinne Q. How against the Lord Prayer A. First against the Preface by praying to Saints and making them mediators whereas we are to pray to the Father in the name and mediation of Christ only Also they deny particular faith but how can hee say our Father that doth not know God is his Father Secondly against the
fourthly by care of vniuersall â—d constant obedience to God Psal â—9 6.112.117 1 Iohn 3.9 fifthly by â—e to God and his children with cleaâ—g to God euen in the want of the â—arance of his loue and not onely â—â—ile we are assured thereof 1 Ioh. 4. â— and 5.1 Acts 11.23 Iob 13.15.24 â—tly by a desire of the sincere milke of â—e word 1 Pet. 2.2 Q. May Faith and Repentance and â—h graces as be necessary to saluation bee 〈◊〉 A. They may be weakned for a tiâ—â— habits being decaied acts interruptâ— feeling denied but they are neuer whâ—ly and finally lost Luk. 22.32 1 Cor. â— 13. Phil. 1.6 1 Cor. 10.13 Q. As it is comfortable that wee bâ— such benefits by the spirit so what duâ— learne we hence A. First to vse the gifts of the spâ— to the glory of God Phil. 1.11 secoâ—ly not to grieue the spirit by our sinâ— Eph. 4.30 thirdly to vse the meaâ— wherby the holy Ghost worketh thâ— gifts as ordinarily the word preachâ— Rom. 10.14 17. and whereby he incâ—seth them as first the Word Preachâ— and Read 1 Pet. 2.2 Acts 20.32 â—condly Prayer Iude 20. thirdly the â—ceiuing of the Sacraments Rom. 4. â— 1 Cor. 10 2.3.4 fourthly to pracâ— what we heare and know Ioh. 7. â— 2 Tim. 1.6 Q. Concerning the ninth Article I â—leeue the holy Catholike Church the câ—munion of Saints shew a little more larâ— then in the shorter Catechisme what is mâ— by communion of Saints 1 Cor. 14.33 A. Saints are holy people wherâ— liuing in this world or departed from â—nce by death communion signifieth â—e fellowship they haue first with â—hrist as his benefits are bestowed on â—em and their sinnes imputed to â—hrist and also he accounteth their afâ—ctions his owne and helpeth to beare â—â—m Psal 73.26 1 Ioh. 1.3 2 Cor. 5. â— 1 Cor. 1.9 secondly one with anoâ—er the liuing with the liuing by loâ—ng exhorting comforting and prayâ— for each other and imploying their â—porall goods for the profit of each â—er Acts 4.32 Gal 5.13 and 6.1.2 â—eb 3 13. Gal. 6.10 and the liuing â—th the dead in that the departed doe 〈◊〉 generall desire the deliuerance of all â—ir fellow members out of all their â—series although they know not parâ—â—lar conditions and persons Reuel 10. and the Saints on earth doe in â—art and affection conuerse with them â—eauen desiring to bee with Christ â—l 1.23 and 3.20 Col. 3.1.2 Q. What duties learne wee from â—e A. First to labour to make our calâ—g sure because thereby wee may know wee are true members of 〈◊〉 Church 2 Pet. 1.5.6.7.10 secondly be thankefull to God for choosing a calling vs to bee of the number of people Ephes 1.3 4. thirdly to be â—â—ly that we may be Saints on earth â—uing holinesse begun in the Church â—litant that so we may be sure wee sâ—â— haue it consummated or perfect in 〈◊〉 Church triumphant 2 Pet. 2.9 fouâ—ly to loue esteeme and helpe one aâ—ther 2 Thes 3.14 Ephes 4.2.3 â— Rom. 12.6.7.8 fifthly to auoid vnlâ—full society with the wicked Eph. â— 11. 2 Cor. 6.16.17.18 2 Tim. 3.5 Q. Concerning the tenth Article â—â—leeue the forgiuenesse of sinnes which blessing of God vpon his Church procâ—â— by the sufferings of Christ whereby the gâ—â— of sinne binding to punishment is takeâ— way what comforts arise from hence A. First that this remission of siâ—â— may be applyed particularly Psal 1 1.3 Esa 38.17 secondly because whâ— God iustifieth he sanctifieth 1 Câ—â— 11. thirdly nothing can separate sucâ— be iustified from the loue of Châ— Rom. 8.33.34.35 fourthly becâ—â— â—â—ch shall raigne with Christ in another â—orld Rom 5.17 Q. What duties learne we from hence A. First to renounce our owne me â—â—s 1 King 8.46 Ioh. 8.11 secondly to â—e carefâ—ll â—o auoide sinne Ioh. 8.11 â—â—irdly to be thankfull to God through â—hrist Psal 103.1.3 fourthly to loue â—â—m Luke 7.47 fif ly to be mercifull â—â—men Col 3 13. Q. Concerning the eleuenth Article euery â—leeuer ought to beleeue that his owne boâ—â— and the bodies of other men shall rise â—â—m the dead the bodies of the elect shall â—â—e by vertue of the vnion with Christ and 〈◊〉 glorious the bodies of the reprobate shall â—â—se by the powerfull citation of Christ and â—â—at to shâ—me what coÌ„forts learn you hence A. First against troubles of this life Dan. 12.1.2 3. secondly against death 1 Cor. 15.55 2 Cor. 4.14 Q. What duties A. First Phil. 3.20 21. not to mourne immoderateâ—â— for the dead 1 Thes 4.13 secondly 〈◊〉 haue the body in honour by nouriâ—ing it and by auoiding vncleannesse â—â—d other sinnes liuing righteously Cor 15. and by burying it decently at â—eath Matth. 25.46 1 Cor. 2.9 Q. Concerning the twelfth Article beleeue the life euerlasting what shall bâ— the euerlasting life of the soule and body aâ—ter they be reunited which although wâ—â— cannot fully know in this life yet it being 〈◊〉 some measure reuealed first what shall ceaâ—â— then A. Seuen things first such calling as be here a 1 Cor. 15 24. for there shall be no Magâ—strate or Subiect Master or Seruant secondly faith b 1 Cor. 13.12.13 hope patience anâ— such vertues as be ioyned with griefe pitty mercy c. thirdly all sinnâ— Heb. 12.22 fourthly naturall infirmâ—ties of body and minde Reu. 7 16.1â— and 21.4 fifthly naturall meanes fâ— preseruation of life as meate drink sleepe c 1 Cor. 15.44 Matth. 22.30 c. sixtly the vanity of thâ— creatures Rom. 8.20.21.22 seuenthlâ— the Mediatorship of Christ 1 Corintâ— 15.28 Q. Secondly what shall wee haue thâ— shall be saued at the the day of iudgementâ— A. First in soule these things firâ—â— perfect knowledge d 1 Cor. 12.12.13 1 Ioh. 3.2 Math. 5.8 secondly perfeâ—â— peace of conscience thirdly full freâ—dome of will to God f Heb. 12.22 2 Pet. 3.13 fourthly perfeâ—â— loue to God g 1 Cor. 13 13. the Angels and Saints fiftly full ioy Ps 16.11 Secondly in the body there shall bee these things first great strength acutenes of senses health although it be sowne in weakenesse it shall rise in power secondly incorrupâ—â—on no more subiect to rottennesse or to be dissolued into dust and immortaâ—â—ty so as death shall haue no place â—or power 1 Cor. 15.54 thirdly glory â—eauty shining like the starres sunne 〈◊〉 Moses his face did by the glory â—hich God put vpon it and as Christ â—â—d at his transfiguration Dan. 12.3 Matth. 13.43 fourthly to be spirituall â—â—mediately sustained by the spirit of â—od without meate or drinke or any â—â—her meanes and the body shall bee â—â—mble and also perfectly subiect to the â—â—irit of God 1 Cor. 15.44 Thirdly in â—oth soule and body there shall bee â—hese things first perfection of nature â—nd grace secondly communion with â—od the blessed Angels and Saints Thes 4.17 Reuel 22.4 1 Ioh. 3.2 Ioh. 7.24 secondly heauen 1 Pet. 1.4 â—â—irdly Lordship ouer the creatures â—â—cept the Angels Reuel 21.7 fourthâ—â—
13.7.5 The sinne is first rash and light speaking of and spreading abroad the sins others Leuit. 19.16 Secondly praising wicked persons Prov. 28.4 Thirdly spreading false and slanderous reports Ps 15.3 Fourthly speaking euill of that which may or ought to bee taken in good sense 1 Sam. 17. 2 Sam. 10.13 14. Rom. 1.28 Mat. 7.1 3 Secret faults of others are not to be spred abroad Lev. 19.16 Prov. 25.9.11.13 or being commonly knowne they are to be spoken of with compassion to the offenders if they be not desperate opposers of grace or for the warning of others Gal. 6.1 Iohn 66.67 Rom. 11.20 21 22. The sinne is to publish secret faults Prov. 11.13 4 Priuately to admonish others of â—heir faults Leuit. 19.16.17 Pro. 27.5.6 and to instruct them in good duties whereby they may get and keep a good name The sinne is first omission of priuate reproofes and instruction secondly vnmercifull censuring the slippes and weakenesses of our brethren Iam. 4.11 5 In all our words wee must auouch nothing but the truth Eph. 4.25 and where in wisedome any thing ought to be concealed it must be done either by silence or such words as containe nothing but truth in them 1 Sam. 16.2.3 vsing few and wise speeches Prou. 10.19 Concerning this last point of truth there is required more particularly not to be rash in receiuing reports Pro. 11.9 and to report nothing for truth but what wee know speaking doubtfull things doubtfully And wee ought to ioyne with promises a purpose of performing them without equiuocating and after to performe them accordingly vnlesse first by mutuall consent the things promised bee altered or secondly the promises were vnlawfull being against Gods Word or made by him that wanted reason and discretion or that was not able to binde himselfe being vnder the gouernement of his Parents or were at the first lawfull and afterward vnlawfull and impossible The sinnes forbidden bee first all kindes of lies pernicious iesting or officious Rom. 3.7.8 Eph. 4.4.9 secondly willing imbracing lies from others or lightly giuing credit to them Pro. 14.15 thirdly auouching as truths things vnknown and doubtfull fourthly vnfaithfull promising equiuocating and breaking promise Concerning our owne good name there is commanded a care of getting and preseruing the same first by auoiding euill and the appearance of it Eccl. 10.1 secondly by being plentifull in good workes Phil. 4.8 Pro. 10.7 thirdly by vsing lawfull meanes to cleare our selues from slanderous imputations Psal 101.5 fourthly to haue a care to thinke and speake well of others Math. 7.2 Eccl. 7.23 and if praise of good men be added to our worke it is not to be contemned but if it bee wanting it is to be taken in good part 2 Cor. 1.12 Psal 16.6 1 Cor. 1.31 The sinnes forbidden be first vaine boasting secondly accusing our selues falsely thirdly losing our good name by sinfull courses Pro. 6.33 fourthly neglect of iust and orderly defence of a mans credit in matters of weight Q. Concerning the tenth Commandement Thou shalt not couet c. what is commanded and forbidden therein A. The scope of this Commandement is that our mindes bee full of that charity which may be free euen from euill thoughts and lusts that so the internall powers of the reason and will of man be carried to good in the duties concerning man in particular there is commanded first Eph. 4.23 1 Thes 5.23 a minde rightly informed of Gods wisedome and iustice concerning our outward estate secondly affections and motions holy so as first to be contented with that portion of outward things which God hath giuen vs and in want of any thing to rest vntill God giue it or by lawfull meanes wee may be disburdened of afflictions secondly to reioyce at the prosperous estate of our neighbours thirdly to represse euill motions Rom. 7.22 The sinnes forbidden be first delight in euill motions although without consent to doe the euill or to the titillation or delight Eph. 4.18 Luk. 10.27 Gal. 5.17 secondly not repressing euill motions but giuing way to enuy at others prosperity or to reioyce at their aduersity Q. You haue shewed already that no man in this world can perfectly and legally keepe all these Commandements tell mee now more fully to what vse or profit the Law serueth A. First it teacheth vs the nature of God that he is iust true bountifull holy according to the image of him expressed in the Law secondly it sheweth vs what our estate was in our originall righteousnesse in Adam before the fall namely a perfect conformity with the whole Law of God thirdly it reuealeth the nature of sinne and is a testimony of the iudgement of God especially at the last day fourthly it is in some sort a schoole-master to Christ although it doe not teach him in that it sheweth vs our misery so as wee must goe out of our selues if we would bee saued and serueth to prepare vs to bee humble fiftly it is a rule of good life to which all our counsels studies and actions are to be directed that wee may daily aspire to more holinesse and it is the rule of ciuill actions amongst men and the bond of humane society and doth teach vs what our estate of holinesse shall be at the resurrection when this law shall bee perfectly fulfilled by vs. Q. As you haue shewed in some measure the meaning of the Creede and tenne Commandements proceede to the Lords Prayer and first tell me what praier is A. Prayer is an asking of things lawfull of God in the name of Christ with a contrite heart and affiance to be heard and giuing thankes to God for benefits receiued or promised Phil. 4.6 Ioh. 16.23 Psal 51.17 2 Chron. 20.18.19 Q. Why should wee pray seeing God knoweth what we want before we aske and we cannot moue God with our prayers A. First because God hath commanded vs to pray Psal 50.15 secondly that wee may thus worship God acknowledging him the author of euery good thing Psal 106.23 Ier. 22.30.31 thirdly because of our necessity considered with Gods order who reserueth to praier things that otherwise he will not doe or giue Matth. 17.21 Iam. 4.2 Ezek. 36.37 Q. The Lords Praier being a perfect patterne of praier tell me how many parts it doth containe A. Three first a Preface secondly Petitions thirdly the Conclusion Q Concerning the Preface in these words Our Father which art in heauen who is meant by the word Father A. Properly the fiâ—st person in the Trinity called God the Father first because he is the Father of Christ by nature secondly in him hee is our Father by adoption and regeneration Matth. 23.9 Q. To whom ought we to pray A. Onely to God and not to Saints or Angels Psal 50.15 first because God will not giue his glory to others Esa 42.8 Rom. 10.14 secondly hee onely is euery where present and alsufficient able willing to heare vs and we haue no other Father in heauen but him Esa 63.16 1 King