THE SVMME OF CHRISTIAN RELIGION Shewing the vndoubted Truth holy Practice and heauenly Comfort therein contained With certaine necessary PRAYERS By Samuel Browne Preacher of Gods Word at S. Maries in Shrewsbury 1. COR. 14. 3. Hee that prophecieth speaketh vnto men to edification exhortation and comfort LONDON Printed by Richard Badger for Philemon Stephens and Christopher Meredith and are to be sold at the golden Lyon in Pauls Church-yard 1630. The Summe of Christian RELIGION Question WHerein standeth a mans true happinesse Answere In the recouery of Gods fauour by Christ which we lost by the fall of Adam and Eue our first parents Q. What was their estate by creation A. They were created after the image of God in wisedome holinesse and righteousnesse Gen. 1. 26. Col. 3. 10. Ephes 4. 24. They enioyed the pleasures of Paradise and the plenty of the world without any griefe of minde or paine of body They were free from death so long as they were free from sinne Q. How sinned they A. The diuell in the serpent entised the woman and she the man to eat of the fruit forbidden vpon paine of death Ioh. 8. 44. Genes 3. 1. Q. Was the eating of that fruit a great and hainous sinne A. Yea in many respects for our parents beleeued not Gods threatning and so made him a liar 1. Ioh. 5. 10. They trusted not in his goodnesse but esteemed him enuious as one that withheld good things from them but the deuill was beleeued and esteemed a kinde friend They shewed deuillish pride and vile ingratitude They became rebels against their gracious God Q. What hurt receiue we by this their fall A. Hereby all mankinde is defiled with sinne originall and actuall and therefore is vnder the wrath and curse of God Ro. 5. 12. Q. What is originall sinne A. The sinne of Adam iustly imputed to vs all Rom. 5. 19. Heb. 7. 10. together with the corruption of our nature thence ensuing For by Adams fall mans minde is darkened his wil is become rebellious his affections worldly or brutish or deuillish his conscience hard or erroneous and his whole nature infected as it were with poison Genes 5. 3. and 6. 5. Ephes 4. 17 18. Q. How doth this appeare A. Because euery natural man is void of the true knowledge of God and of himselfe and of the way of true happinesse He is full of error Ierem. 10. 14. 1. Corinth 2. 14. He hath no power nor true desire to repent to beleeue or to obey 2. Corinth 3. 5. Hee is prone to al euill vnapt to any good vnder the power and strong chaines of sinne and the bondage of the deuill Ephes 2. 1 2. Tit. 3. 3. Q. What is actuall sinne A. The actuall transgression of any of Gods Commandements 1. Ioh. 3. 4. Q. What punishments are due to man for sinne originall and actuall A. 1. All corporall punishments as war famine pestilence and other diseases and all bodily torments inflicted by God or man Deut. 28. 2. All spirituall punishments as to be giuen ouer of God to our owne blindnesse and hardnesse of heart and to the seducement of the deuill and his instruments Exod. 7. 3. Rom. 1. 24 26. 2 Thessalon 2. 9 10 11. 3. Besides these temporall punishments the endlesse and intolerable torments of hell are the due desert of our sinnes Genes 2. 17. Rom. 6. 23. Ephes 5. 6. Q. How may we be deliuered from this horrible estate into which we are fallen and recouer Gods fauour and that blessed estate from whence we are fallen A. Gods loue and fauour may be recouered by his Sonne Iesus Christ if being rightly prepared we come vnto him Matth. 11. 28. Q. How may we be rightly prepared to come vnto Christ A. Gods Law contained in the Ten Commandements must be our Schoolemaster it will bring vs vnto Christ if wee rightly vn-tderstand it and make vse of it Rom. 3. 20. Gal. 2. 19. Gal. 3. 24. Q. How may wee rightly vnderstand these Commandements A. By obseruing two things Frst that euery Commandement doth command things good and forbid things euill Psal 34. 14. Secondly that euery commandement doth forbid not only grosse sins but also those which the world accounteth small sinnes or no sins at all Math. 5. 19. Ephes 5. 4. 1. Thess 5. 22. Iude v. 23. Q. How are the Commandements to bee diuided A. Into two Tables The first containing mans duty towards God the second his duty towards his neighbour Q. Which is the first Commandement A. Thou shalt haue none other Gods but me Q. What is here commanded and what forbidden A. This first Commandement containeth all inward duties of the heart towards God As to know him and choose him to loue and to feare him aboue all to trust in him to pray to him faithfully to giue him thanks sincerely Marke 12. 30. 1 Sam. 12. 24. Psal 50. 14 15. Heere wee are not onely forbidden to be atheists Psal 14. 1. Tit. 1. 16. to haue the gods of the Heathen for our God Ier. 2. 11 12. or to seeke helpe and comfort from the deuill by witchcraft ahd sorcery Leuit. 19. 31. but the least withdrawing of our hearts from God is here forbid 1 Chr. 22. 5. 2 King 20. 13. Ier. 17. 5. and the setting of our hearts on riches pleasures and vaine-glory 1 Ioh. 2. 15 16. Eph. 5. 5. 2 Tim. 3. 4. all wandering thoughts at the time of prayer preaching and other holy exercises Eccles 4. 17. Esay 29. 13. Iam. 5. 16. Also to feare man more than God as al they doe that commit those sinnes secretly which they will not commit openly Iob 24. 15. So euery passion of wicked griefe or desire or ioy being against the loue of God is against this Commandement Matt. 2. 3. Nehem. 2. 10. Genes 27. 41. Iud. 18. 20. Luke 22. 5. Q. Then belike they deceiue themselues that thinke this Commandement easie to bee kept and that they can and doe keepe it A. Doubtlesse they are greatly deceiued for this Commandement is ofter broken than any other and whichsoeuer Commandement a man breaketh he breaketh this withall for in euery sinne a man erreth from that loue and feare which hee oweth to God Leuit. 19. 3 4 10 12 14 16 18 24 28 30 31 32 34 36 37. Q. Which is the second Commandement A. Thou shalt not make to thy selfe c. Here we are taught how to worship God outwardly that we doe it truly according to his word and also diligently and reuerently Deu. 12. 32. Ioh. 4. 24. Gen. 18. 16 17. Eccles 4. 17. God here forbiddeth not only images but all other false and superstitious worship with all drowsinesse negligence and all vnreuerent behauiour in his seruice Math. 15. 9. Ierem. 48. 10. Q. Which is the third Commandement A. Thou shalt not take the Name c. Here we are commanded to talke often of Gods Maiesty of his Word and of his works and that with all reuerence and in our talke to defend truth
shall at the last day rise againe with his owne body and liue for euer with Christ in heauen in perfect happinesse Matth. 25. 34. Q. If it shal be thus only with Saints what then shall become of the wicked which are by farre the greater number A. They also shall rise againe euery one of them with his owne body but to this end to be tormented in hell for euer with the deuill and his angels Matth. 25. 41. Q. Hitherto thou hast shewed how this Creede teacheth vs to beleeue rightly shew further how thou art taught by the same to liue godly declare this out of the first part A. He that truly beleeueth that God is his Almightie Father will truly loue feare obey and trust in him Mal. 1. 6. 1 Pet. 1. 14 17. Matth. 6. 32. 1 Pet. 5. 7. he will resemble his Father in righteousnesse and true holinesse Ephes 5. 1. Ephes 4. 24. he will patiently beare all his corrections Heb. 12. 5. Q. Declare this in the second part A. He that beleeueth that Christ died for him and rose againe by the same power and spirit of Christ working in him dieth daily vnto sin and is quickned vnto righteousnesse Rom. 1. 4. and 6. 3 4 5 6. Phil. 3. 10. Q. Declare this in the third part A. He that truly beleeueth in the Holy Ghost findeth himselfe to be anointed and sealed by him and that he hath receiued him of God as a pledge of his saluation 2 Cor 1. 21 22. Ephes 1. 13 14. Q. Proceede to the fourth part A. He that is a member of Christs mysticall body must and will shew by his conuersation that Christ liueth in him he that is a Saint will loue Saints intirely and helpe them to his power hee that hath his sinnes forgiuen him and is washed by the bloud of Christ will not returne with the dogge to his vomit and with the sow to wallow in the mire but will wait earnestly for a glorious Resurrection and Ascension he will not for the short and imperfect pleasures riches and honours of this life lose those perfect and endlesse ioyes which God hath prepared for him in heauen Phil. 3. 20 21. Q. Thou saidst that by this Creede thou art taught to cheere vp thy heart with ioy declare this in the first part A. God is my Almighty Father by this I am more happy than if any earthly king were my father What riches what honour what delight what other good thing can I want that he seeth expedient for me Esay 49. 15. Matth. 7. 11. 1 Pet. 5. 7. Luk. 12 32. Rom. 8. 17. his wisedome is my direction his power is my protection against the craft and power of all mine enemies Q. Declare this in the second part A. Christ died for me rose againe and ascended into heauen for mee and now maketh intercession for mee my SAVIOVR and none other shall be my Iudge what need I then feare affliction or sinne or hell or death Rom. 8. 31. to 39. Q. Proceed to the third and fourth part A. All wicked men and deuils cannot grieue me so much as the Holy Ghost can and doth comfort mee I am a member of the Church Christs mysticall body what sinnes what sorrows what enemies bodily or ghostly can rent me asunder from my Head Q. Goe on to the Communion of Saints and the rest A. Though I am a sinner yet am I also a Saint all Saints on earth pray for me as I do for them effectually All Saints that know my estate are ready to helpe and comfort mee as I am to helpe and comfort them my sinnes are washed away by the bloud of Christ I shall rise gloriously I shall ascend with Christ triumphantly and with him inioy for euer those ioyes which my dull heart cannot now conceiue nor yet the least part of them Euen so come LORD IESVS Q. Then thou esteemest this faith of thine to be an inestimable treasure A. Yea verily for without this faith if I had millions of wealth I should be most vnhappy and in the way to endlesse and intolerable shame and torments but with this faith though pouertie sicknesse persecution and al temporall crosses light vpon me yet haue I great cause to reioice in God who is my portion for euer Q. How is this faith of thine preserued and increased A. By Prayer by the Sacraments and by continuall meditation in the Word of God Q. Rehearse the Lords Prayer A. Our Father which art in heauen c. Q. Why is it called the Lords Prayer A. Because Christ our Lord and Master taught it vs. Q. What gather we hence A. Great comfort in that the Sonne of God himself hath framed and indighted our petitions for vs and is euer ready to present vs and our prayers before God his Father Q. How may it be fitly diuided A. Into a preface petitions a conclusion Q. Which is the Preface A. Our Father which art in Heauen Q. What learnest thou by this Preface A. I learne foure things First that wee must pray for others as well as for our selues Ephes 6. 18. 1. Tim. 2. 1. Secondly that God is a louing Father to the godly and willing to helpe them Esay 49. 15. Psal 103. 13. Matth. 7. 11. Thirdly that God is a heauenly and powerfull Father able to helpe his children Esa 51. 12 13. Psal 115 3. and therefore we must pray in faith and full assurance to be heard Fourthly that we must not pray with profane carnall and earthly hearts but with reuerence to Gods Maiesty and with heauenly affections Genes 28. 16 17. 1 King 8. 22. Eccles 5. 1. Ioh. 11. 41. Q. How many petitions are there in the Lords Prayer A. Six Q. What desirest thou in the three first petitions A. Those things which belong immediately to God Q. What desirest thou in the three last petitions A. Those things that are needfull for our selues both for body and soule Q. Which is the first petition A. Hallowed be thy Name Q. What desire we in this petition A. First that God may haue praise for all his worthinesse as for his power wisdome iustice and mercy Exod. 34. 6 7. 1 Chron. 29. 10 11 12. Reu. 4. 8 9 10 11. Reu. 5. 12 13. Secondly that God may haue thankes for all his benefits as for our health and peace food and rayment for our election creation redemption vocation assurance of glorification and for the comfort of his most holy word Psal 103. and 104. Eph. 1. 3 4 5 6 7 8. 9. Ephes 5. 20. Q. Which is the second petition A. Thy Kingdome come Q. What desire we in this petition A. First wee desire that God would conuert the wicked Psal 51. 13. and 67. 2. Matt. 3. 2. and 4. 17. Secondly that God would increase his graces in the godly Ephes 1. 17 18 19. Ephes 3. 16 17 18 19. Thirdly that God would aduance his Kingdome by sending godly Magistrates and Ministers and specially by Christs comming to iudgement
He worketh in him true repentance and a liuely faith Q. What is true repentance A. It is a supernaturall change of the heart and of the thoughts words and deeds from infidelity to faith from disobedience to obedience from all sins to the contrary vertues Math. 3. 2. and 4. 17. Rom. 12. 2 Eph. 4. 22. c Math. 3. 8. Acts 26. 18. A. What is a liuely faith A. A supernaturall gift of God Ephes 1. 19. 20. and 2. 8. Math. 16. 17. whereby a sinner beleeuing Gods promises in Christ is vnited with him Ioh. 6. 33 56. Ioh. 15. 5. Rom. 6. 3 c. Gal. 2. 20. Eph. 1. 22. 23 Hos 2. 19. Eph. 5. 30. is iustified and sanctfied Gen. 15. 6. Act. 15. 9 and draweth neere to God for deliuerance from all euil and the obtayning of all good Rom. 5. 1. 2 Eph. 3. 12 Heb. 4. 16 and 10. 22. Gen. 15. 1. Q. On whom is this gift bestowed A. Only vpon the elect Act. 13. 48. Tit. 1. 1. Ioh. 12. 39 40. Q. How is faith wrought A. By Gods Word and Spirit Q. How by the Word A. Gods Word sheweth vs whence and how grieuously we haue fallen and what meanes God hath ordained to restore vs Rom. 1. 16. and 10. 17. Q. How by the Spirit A. The Holy Ghost worketh effectually on them that are to be saued inlightning their darke mindes softning their hard hearts causing them cleerely to discerne and carefully to regard the things which the word teacheth to tremble at Gods iustice and their owne hainous deserts highly to prize Christ the Redeemer to esteem all things drosse dung in comparison of him neuer to rest till God by Christ hath receiued them into fauour Act. 16. 14. Ier. 31. 33. Eze. 11. 19. Eph. 2. 1. Ioh. 6. 44 45. Deut. 30. 6. Q. In what case are they that heare the Word without this working of the Spirit A. Seeing they see not hearing they heare not they discerne not their owne filthinesse nor the wrath of God abiding on them they value Christ beneath their earthly riches and pleasures Deut. 29. 3 4. Es 6. 9. Matt. 13. 13. Matth. 19. 22. Mark 5. 17. Matth. 22. 2. Q. What is their estate in whom God by his Word and Spirit worketh this faith A. By this faith they receiue Christ they liue the life of grace they are iustified and sanctified they please God they are made the children of God they ouercom the world and the deuill and obtaine eternall saluation Ioh. 1. 12. Hab. 2. 4. Gen. 15. 6. Act. 15. 9. Heb. 11. 5 6. 1 Ioh. 5. 4. Ephes 6. 16. 1 Pet. 1. 9. Q. But many that beleeue liue wickedly and are ouercome of the world and the deuill A. They haue but an historicall faith a dead faith a faith of deuils which cannot profit them I am 2. 14 19 26. Q. What are the things which thou doest beleeue A. I beleeue whatsoeuer is contained in the Scriptures the chiefe points whereof are contained in the Articles of the Christian saith Q. Rehearse those Articles A. I beleeue in God the Father Almightie c. Q. What learnest thou in generall out of these Articles A. Three things 1. How to beleeue rightly 2. How to liue godly 3. How to cheere vp my heart ioyfully Q. First then shew me how thou learnest hence to beleeue rightly that thou mayst proceede in order tell me how these Articles may be diuided A. Into foure parts 1. Wee are taught what to beleeue concerning God the Father 2. Concerning God the Sonne 3. Concerning God the Holy Ghost 4 Concerning Gods Church and the priuiledges thereto belonging Q. Seeing there is but one God why namest thou Father Sonne and holy Ghost A. These three seuerall persons are all but one and the same God Deut. 6. 4. Matth. 3. 16. 2 Cor. 13. 13. 1 Ioh. 5. 7. Q. VVhat meanest A more exact definition but obscure is this A person is a substance reasonable incommunicable whole and not subsisting in another Therefore no qualitie and nothing void of life or reason is a person God or man or Angell in generall is no person Mans body alone or his soule alone or Christs man-hood without his God-head is no person thou by a person A. One man as Peter one Angell as Gabriel is a person So in the God-head the FATHER is One Person the SONNE Another the HOLY GHOST Another distinct Person Q. Which is the first part of the Creed A. I beleeue in God the Father Almighty maker of heauen and earth Q. What meanest thou by this I beleeue in God A. This I meane Gods Spirit assureth me that God loueth me and will blesse me both in this world and in the world to come Rom. 8. 15 16. Galat. 2. 20. 2. Tim. 4. 8. 1 Tim. 4. 8. Q. Whose Father is God A. The Father of Christ and of all the faithfull Ioh. 20. 17. Q. What beleeuest thou of this God Fathers A. That he is a Spirit Ioh. 4. 24. infinite in power and likewise in wisdome justice mercy truth and euery way Gen. 17. 1. Exo. 3. 14. Exod. 34. 6. Iob 12. 13. 1 Tim. 1. 17. and 6. 15 16. Q. How doth this appeare A. In that he made heauen earth and all therein all of nothing Gen. 1. 1. all very good Gen. 1. 31. and all for his owne glory Prou. 16. 4. Rom. 11. 33. Q. If God made all good how is it that deuils and vngodly men are so wicked A. God made them good but by their fall they haue made themselues wicked Ioh. 8. 44. Iude 6. Eccles 7. 31. Gen. 3. 6. Q. How doth it further appeare that God is infinite A. In that he gouerneth the world and all things therein by his wonderfull prouidence Prou. 16. 33. Matt. 10. 29 30. Q. If God doth gouerne all by his prouidence how is it that the godly oft mourne and the wicked oft reioyce A. God wil turn the sorrowes of the godly into ioy and the ioyes of the wicked into sorrow Luke 6. 20. 24. Luke 16. 25. Iohn 16. 20. and in the meane time the godly doe profit by their afflictions Psal 119. 67 71. 2 Cor. 4. 17 18. Hebr. 12. 11. Q. Rehearse the second part of the Creede A. And in Iesus Chrst that is I beleeue in Iesus Christ his only Sonne our Lord c. Q. What is Iesus Christ A. God Almighty and man consisting of soule and body Q. Why must he be God A. That he might be able of himselfe to satisfie Gods iustice for all our sinnes to merit heauen for vs to send vs the Holy Ghost to ouercome sinne death Satan tyrants and all the mighty enemies of his Church Psal 98. 1. Heb. 1. 3. Heb. 7. 25. Act. 20. 28. Q. Why must he be man A. That he might suffer for man and that he might pittie vs hauing had experience of our miseries Heb. 2. 16 17 18. and 4. 15. Q. Which Person of the three became
bloud of Christ as our bodies are with the Bread and Wine 1 Cor. 10. 16. and 11. 24 25. 26. Q. Doe all that come to the Lords Supper receiue profit thereby A. No for all vnworthy receiuers receiue much hurt thereby 1 Cor. 11. 17 27 29. Q. Who are vnworthy receiuers A. 1. All that are carnall and vnregenerate 2. The godly themselues when they come with security hauing offended God and neglecting to renue their repentance 2 Sam. 11. 27. 1 Cor. 11. 30. Q. How must thou prepare thy selfe for the Lords Supper A. I must examine my selfe 1. Whether I repent me truly of all my sinnes past 2. Whether I stedfastly purpose to leade a new life 3. Whether I haue a liuely faith in Gods mercy through Christ 4. Whether I remember and meditate on Christs death with thankfulnesse 5. Whether I be in charitie with all men freely forgiuing them all wrongs done against me as God for Christs sake hath freely forgiuen me Q. Thou saist that thy faith is preserued and increased by continuall meditation in the Word of God shew me then to what end and in what manner oughtest thou both to reade Gods word and to heare it preached A. Not for fashions sake to seeme religious but with a sincere purpose earnest desire constant endeuour and feruent prayer that thereby my faith may bee strengthened my life amended and my soule comforted 1 Cor. 14. 3. 2. Tim. 3. 16. Psal 19. Psal 119. And further I must beware of malice against the Preacher and of a preiudicate opinion of his person or gifts of pride and selfewill I must reade and heare with an humble heart so that when the Word sheweth me any errour of mine in iudgement or practice on the right hand or on the left I must bee readie to reforme it 1 Pet. 2. 1 2. Iames 1. 21 22. c. Q. What if the Preacher deliuer things vnsound or vnprofitable A. I must pray that I may with wisdome discerne and with modesty refuse the same but euer I must beware that I bee not a rash and proud censurer of any man specially of Gods messengers 1 Thess 5. 21. Matth. 7. 1. Iam. 3. 1. Iam. 1. 19 20. Q. How oughtest thou to prepare thy selfe for death at all times specially in time of sicknes A. After the same manner as I ought to prepare my selfe to receiue the Lords Supper so that if I recouer I must walke the more circumspectly afterward MORNING PRAYER for a Family A briefe Confession with thanksgiuing WEE most humbly present our selues O LORD before the Throne of thy great Maiesty in the name of thy beloued Sonne our onely Sauiour confessing that of our selues we are most vile polluted with sinnes originall and actuall sinnes against thee and against our neighbour sins of omission and commission secret and open known and vnknown euen to our selues O let them not make a separation betwixt thee and vs seeing thou art reconciled vnto vs and not onely so but also thou hast vouchsafed to become our louing Father hauing redeemed vs by thy Sonnes bloud and adopted vs by his Spirit whom thou hast sent into our hearts thou hast also fed clothed and lodged vs thou hast strengthned and preserued vs euen to this houre therefore for all thy mercies so many and so great we praise and blesse thy holy name And now Lord as thou hast raised our bodies from sleepe so raise vp our hearts from their naturall dulnesse and earthly disposition Sanctifie vs more and more in soule and body that euery day wee may grow in grace and in the knowledge of Christ by the workes of the Spirit O Lord increase our faith giue vs yet more assurance of that thy Prayer for strength of faith eternall loue that therein we may reioyce with ioy vnspeakable and glorious and obediently wait for the performance of all thy promises both to prouide for vs and to defend vs in this life and after to crowne vs with eternall glorie Let this assurance bee such that thereby we may bee able to endure al the miseries and trials of this mortall pilgrimage not only with patience and quietnesse but also with heauenly comfort And teach vs O Lord to loue thee and that sincerely that our Prayer for loue to God false hearts may not goe a whoring after the world whiles wee foolishly and wickedly admire the riches and pleasures and pride of this life and suffer our selues to be snared therewith O let vs know that the loue of thy glorious Maiestie and of these vile things cannot stand together As wee desire to loue thee sincerely so to loue thee abundantly that wee may bee the better assured that wee loue thee let not our loue bee as a sparke of fire couered with the ashes of our darke and earthly corruptions but let it be as burning coles and as a vehement flame And let it appeare by our heartie loue to our neighbour specially Prayer for loue to our neighbour to those whose good fruits declare them to be thy faithfull children Suffer vs not this day nor heereafter to be iniurious to any by deceit or oppression by slandering or back-biting those that are absent by reproching or disgracing those that are present or by any other wrongs but let vs be profitable and helpfull to many to the vttermost of our power Grant that wee may instruct those that are more ignorant then our selues let vs relieue according as thou hast enabled vs those that stand in need of our helpe O Lord preserue vs from the damnable error of those that Against counterfet happines place their greatest happiness in worldly wealth and pleasure open our eyes to discerne yet more cleerely that if thou be our riches then wee shal be rich indeed if thou be our delight then shall we perceiue how vile and vaine all carnall delights are Let vs know how good a thing it is to draw neer vnto thee by hearing thy voyce in thy most holy Word and by speaking to thee in our prayers and thanksgiuing withdraw not thy Spirit from vs giue vs not ouer vnto Satan and worldly lusts for then shall we runne headlong into all sinne and misery This that followeth is verie needfull in many houses of the Gentrie and richer sort LOrd preserue this family from the sinnes of idlenesse pride fulnesse of bread from contempt or neglect of the poore from foolish and corrupt communication from chambering and wantonnesse from excessiue and vnseasonable eating and drinking from louing of pleasures more than thee the chiefest Good In a meane and laborious Family prayer to this purpose will be conuenient WEE beseech thee cheere vs vp and comfort vs in the middest of our labours and trauels let vs not admire or enuie the happinesse of those that abound with ease and wealth but euer let vs remember that a painefull and godly life is the way to perfect rest and endlesse ioy that an idle voluptuous and vnprofitable