the Holy gost that worker of fayth is as wel promised to them through the bloud of christ as to them that are full growen men and women they ar to be grafted into the chyrch by baptisme and are to be knowne from the children of vnbeleuers or infidels as in the olde testament the children of them that beleued were knowne from them that beleued not by circumcision In whose place sted now being taken away Baptisme was appoynted ¶ Of the Supper of the Lorde QVESTION HOw art thou in the Supper of the Lord warned assured and sickered that thou art partaker of that onely one sacrifice of Christ offred vpon the crosse and of all his good déeds AN. * Because Christ hath commanded me and al faythfull men to eat of this bred that is broken and to drinke of this cup that is reached vnto me in the remeÌ„brance of him with promise put there to y firste his bodye was assurely broken on the Crosse offred for me and his bloud as surely shed for me as I se the bread of the Lord broken vnto me and the cuppe of the Lord reched vnto me More ouer that my soule is aswell fed vnto euerlastyng lyfe with his body which was crucified for vs and with his bloud which was shed for vs as I receyue with the mouth of my body the bread and the wyne which are tokens of the body bloud of our Lord at the haÌ„ds of my sheppard or elder of the chyrch QV. What is it to eate the body that was crucified to drinke the bloud that was shed AN * It is not onely to embrace and receyue the hole Passion and death of christ with a sure trust of minde and to get by it forgeuenes of sinnes and lyfe euerlastyng but also to bée so ioyned vnto his holy body more more through the Holy gost which dwelleth in christ and in vs that although he be in heauen we in earth yet for al that we are flesh of his fleshe and bones of his bones and as all the members or limmes of a manes body ar quickned or haue life of one soule so are we quickned gouerned haue lyfe with one spirite QV. ¶ In what place promysed Christe that he would as surely geue his body and bloud to be eaten dronken to theÌ„ that beleue as they doo eat the bread that is broken anâ— drinke the wyne out of the cup AN. * In the place where he dyd fyrst oâ—dayne his supper in these words Our Lorâ— Iesus Christ in that night that he was betrayed tooke the bread after he had geueâ— thankes he brake it sayd take eate thâ—â— is my body which is broken for you do thâ—â— in the remembraÌ„ce of me And so lykewisâ— after supper he toke the cup sayinge thiâ— cup is the new testament in my bloud doâ—â— this as oft as ye shal drinke in my remembrance For as ofte as ye shal eat this breaâ— and drinke of this cup ye shal shew the deatâ— of the Lord tyl he come .j Cor. xj This promise is rehersed again by S. Paule .j. Cor x. where he sayeth The cup of thaÌ„ksgeuiÌ„g wherwith we geue thanks is it not the peâ—taking of Christs bloud is not the bread that wâ— breke the partaking of the body of Christ Because we beinge many are one bread oâ—â— body for we are al partakers of one bread QV. ¶ Are then bread and wyne made very body and bloud of Christ AN. * No but as the water of baptismâ— is not turned into the bloud of Christ neyther is the washinge awaye of sinne buâ— onely a token and pleadge of those thingeâ— that are sealed into vs in Baptisme euen so is not the Breade of the Lordes Supper the very body of Christ Notwithstanding after the manner of speakinge of Sacraments and the accusstumed fashion of speakyng of the Holy gost of these thinges bread is called the body of Christ QV. ¶ Why then doth christ cal bread his and the cup his bloud or the new testameÌ„t through his bloud And Paule calleth the bread and wyne the communion or partaking of his body and bloud ANSVVERE Christ speaketh so not without great consideration to wite that he maye not onely teach vs that euen as bread and wyne hold vp and kéepe in the lyfe of the body so his crucified body and his bloud that wer shed are the very trewe meate and drinke of our soule wherby it is nourished in to euerlasting lyfe but also much more he speaketh so to assure and sicker vs with this sée able token and pleadge that we are as truly pertakers of his bodye and blood by the workyng of the Holy goste as we haue receued these holy Tokens in the remembrance of him with the mouth of our body and also that his passion or suffring and his obedience or kéepynge of the whole lawe are as surelye owers as though we had suffered our owne selues for our sinnes and had made ameÌ„ds to god for them QV. ¶ What diffrence is there betwen the supper of the Lord and the popysh Mesâ— AN. * The supper of the Lorde witnesseth that al our sins ar forgeuen vs throgâ— that onely one sacrifice that he once madâ— on the crosse and that we are also througâ— the holy gost grafted into christ who afteâ— his mans nature is onely in heauen at thâ— right hand of the Father and wyll be worshipped ther of vs But in the Messe it iâ— denyed that the quicke and dead haue forgeuenesse of sinnes through the passion oâ— Christ alone excepte Christ be offred euerâ— day for them by the sacrificyng mess préesâ— Moreouer it is taughte in the Messe thaâ— Christ is bodely present vnder the likenessâ— of bread and wyne is therefore to be worshypped in them And so the foundacion oâ— the Mess is nothyng els but a denyall of 〈◊〉 one onely sacrifice passion of Iesus chrisâ— and cursed Iolatrie maumetry and worshippyng of by gods beside the lyuiÌ„g God. QV. ¶ Who ought to come to the supper of the Lorde AN. * Onely they that repent and are very sory that they haue angred God with their sinnes and yet trust that they are forgeuen them for Christs sake that the rest of their weaknes vnperfitnes is couered whith his death and passion who also desyre to go forward and grow more more in honest lyfe and conuersation But hypocrites false feigners of holynes they that repent not and wyl not amend their liues eat and drinke their owne damnation QV. ¶ Ought we also to allowe them to this supper which shew them selues to bée faithlesse and vngodly both in their owne confession and noughty lyfe AN. * No for so is the couenaunt of god vnhallowed the wrath of God is styrred agaynst the hole church Wherfore the church of God accordyng to the appoyntment of Christ and his Apostles vsing the keyes of the kyngdome of heauen ought to hold backe such from
faith AN. It is not onely a knowlege wherby I doo surely assent to all thinges which God hath opened to vs in his worde but also a sure trust kindled in my harte by the Holy ghost through the Gospell whereby I am at peace with God surely rekenyng with my selfe and iudgeyng that forgeuenes of sinnes euerlastyng lyfe rightuusnes was geueÌ„ not only to other but also to me that fréely by the mercy of God for the deseruing of Christ alone QV. * What are those thinges that a Christâ—n man must néedes beleue AN. * All thinges that are promised in the Gospel the sum whereof is contayned in the Creede or articles of our faith wherein is shortly conteyned as in a certayne shorte sum the cheif poyntes of the catholike and vndoubted faith of all Christians QVESTION ¶ What is the Créede ye speake of ANSVVER I Beleue in God the Father almighty maker of heauen earth And in Iesus Christe his onely begotten sonne our lord Which was conceyued by the holy gost borne of the virgin Mary Suffred vnder Pontius Pilate was crucified dead buried went downe into Hell. The thyrd day he rose agayne from the dead And went vp into heauen sitteth there at the right hand of god the Father almighty From thence shall he come to iudge the quicke the dead I beleue in the holy gost That ther is a catholike church A communion of Saints Forgeuenes of sinnes The rising agayne of the flesh And the lyfe euerlastyng Amen QVE Into how many partes is this Créede deuided AN. ¶ Into thrée partes the firste is of the euerlasting father and of our creation The seconde is of the sonne our redemption or deliuerance The thyrd is of the Holy gost and makyng of vs holy sauing vs from sinne QV. ¶ When as there is but one onely substance of God why namest thou three the father the son and the Holy gost AN. ¶ Because God hath so opened him self in his word that these thrée sundry persoÌ„s are that one trew euerlastyng God. ¶ Of the Father QVESTION WHat doest thou beleue when thou sayest I beleue in God the father almighty maker of heauen and earth AN. ¶ I doo beleue that the euerlastyng Father of our Lorde Iesus Christ which hath made of nothyng heauen and earth and althinges that are therein with his euerlastyng counsel prouision vpholdeth and gouerneth al the same for Christs sake is my God and my father and therefore so trust rest in him that I doo not doubt but he wyl prouide for me al thiÌ„gs nedful both for my soule and body and that he wil also tourne vnto my Saluation all the euyls and troubles that he layeth vpon me in this troublesome lyfe both because he can doo it as an almighty God and will do it as a gentil Father QV. ¶ What is the prouision or prouidence of God AN. The almighti power of god present in euery place whereby it holdeth vp as it were with his hand gouerneth heauen and earth and all creatures in so much that those things that grow vpon the earth rayne also faire wether and drines plentuusnes in bearing barrennes meat and drink health and sicknes ryches pouerti and to conclude all thinges fall and come vnto vs not without aduice or by chance but by his fatherly aduised counsell wyll and purpose QVE ¶ What profite haue we by this knowlege of the creatioÌ„ prouideÌ„ce of god ANS ¶ That in aduersitie we maye be pacient and in prosperytie thankfull and in time to come we maye haue a very good hope in God our moste faythfull Father knowing that there is nothyng that can drawe vs awaye from his loue for all creatures are so in his Power that withoute his wyll they can not onely doo nothynge but euen not so much as to stere or moue Of the Sonne QVESTION WWhy is the Son of God called Iesus that is the Sauer AN. * Because he saueth vs from al our sinnes as no saluatioÌ„ ought to be craued of any other so can there none be found in other but in him alone QV. * Then whether doo they beleue in the onely sauer Iesus which séeke happynes saluation of saints or of themselues or of any other thyng AN. * No For although they boast theÌ„selues and reioyce in him as their Sauer in their words yet for al that in very dedâ— they deny the only Sauer Iesus for either must Iesus not be a perfit Sauer or els al they that receaue him with a trew faith for a Sauer haue in their possessyon in hym all thinges necessary vnto saluation QV. * Why is he called Christus that is annoynted AN. * Because he was ordayned of the Father and was annoynted of the Holy gost the highest prophet and doctor which hath opened vnto vs the secret counsel and all the wyll of his father concerning our redemption deliuerance And the hye Preist who with one sacrifice or offring of his body and no mo hath bought vs agayne and continually maketh intercession to his Father for vs And a Kinge which gouerneth vs with his worde and his spirit and defeÌ„deth and kepeth the Saluation which we haue gotten by hym QV. ¶ But why art thou called a christian AN. Becaus through faith I am a meÌ„ber of â—esus Christ and am pertaker of his anointing â–ª so that I confesse his name geue my selfe vp vnto him to be a liuing offring of thankfulnes in this life to fight against sin Sathan with a fre and good conscience and afterwarde may hould enioy the euerlastiÌ„g kyngdoÌ„e with Christ ouer al cretures QV. ¶ For what cause is Christ called the onely begotten son of god wheÌ„ we are also the sonnes of God AN. * Because Christ is only the euerlastyng and natural son of the father euerlastyng and we are but sonnes chosen and taken vp of the Father of fauour for Christes sake QV. * Why callest thou hym our Lord ANS ¶ Because he byinge agayne our bodyes and soules from sinne not with Golde nor Siluer but with his precious bloud and deliuering them from all power of the deuyll hath claymed vs for his owne proper seruants belongiÌ„g vnto none other Lord or master QV. ¶ What beleuest thou when thou sayest he was conceiued by the holy ghost and borne of the virgin Mary AN. ¶ That the sonne of God which is and abydeth trew and euerlasting god hath taken the very trewe nature of man of the flesh and bloud of the virgin Marye by the workyng of the Holy ghost that he might be also with al the true seed of Dauid lyke vnto his Brethern in all thinges sauing onely in sinne QV. ¶ What profite takest thou of the holy conception and birth of Christ AN. That he is our meane or mediator and with his innocentnes perfite holines couereth my sinnes in the which I am conceiued to com into the sight of God.
QV. ¶ What beleuest thou when thou sayest he suffred AN. ¶ That he all the time of his lyf◠while he was here vpon earth but special◠at his last time dyd suffer the wrath of go◠against the sin of all mankynd that with his passion as one Sacrifice once for all should purchace mercy and should deliue◠both our bodies and our soules from euerlastyng damnation and get vs the grace o◠God and rightuusnes euerlasting lyfe QVE ¶ For what cause dyd he suffer vnder iudge Pilate ANS ¶ That he being innocent yet condempned before a ciuyll iudge might deliuer vs from the straight iudgement of God which we had deserued should haue suffred yf Christ had not suffred this sharp iudgement for vs. QV. ¶ Is there any other cause besyde way that he shuld rather suffer on the crosse then dye any other death AN. ¶ Yes there is one in déede for by this thing I am assured that he toke vpon himself the curse which was dew vnto me For the death of the Crosse was cursed of God. QV. * Why must Christ humble himselfe euen vnto the death AN. * Because that the iustice truth of God could not be contented swaged for our sinnes by ani other meanes but by the death of the son of God. QV. ¶ Why was he also berried AN. ¶ That therby he should haue sure witnesse that he was truely dead and not feynedly QVE But when as Christ dyed for vs why must we also dye ANS ¶ Our death is not a makynge of amendes for our sinnes but dyinge from Sinne and a goynge into euerlastynge lyfe QV. What profit doo we further receiue by the sacrifice and death of Christ AN. * That by the vertue of his death our old man is crucified kylled and berried with him that the euyl desires and lustes of the flesh should not afterward rayne in vs but that we shoulde offer our selues vnto him an offring of thanksgeueing QV. * Why is it further said he went downe into Hell AN. * That in my greuous temptations and assaltes I might stay◠and make sur◠my selfe by this comforte that my Lord◠Iesus Christ by vnspeakable veracious griefes painful troubles feares of mind into the which both before and most of all when he hanged on the crosse he was cas◠into hath deliuered me from the sorowfull griefe and paynes of Hell. QV. ¶ What profite haue we by the rysyng agayne of Christ AN. * Firste that by his rysinge agayne he ouercame death that he might make vs partakers of his rightuusnes which he had purchased vnto vs by his death Moreouer we are also styrred vp by his power vnto a new lyfe And the thyrde profite is that the resurrection of our head Christ is a Pleadge and a perfite assurance vnto vs that we shall ryse agayne in glory QVE How vnderstaundest thou this that he is gone vp into heauen AN. ‡ That Christ the Apostles lookyng on was taken vp from the earth into heauen yet styll is there for our sakes and wyl be vntyl he shall com againe to iudge the quicke and the dead QV. ¶ Shal Christ not then be with vs vntyll the end of the worlde as he hath promised AN. * Christ is true God and true man and so according vnto his mans nature he is not nowe vpon the Earth but after his Godly nature maiesty grace and Spirit he is neuer away from vs. QV. ¶ But whether by this meanes ar the .ij. natures of Christ pulled in sunder or no if Christes man hed be not where soeuer his Godhed is AN. ‡ Nay for when as the Godhead of Christ cannot be inclosed nor holden within any certaine compasse and is present in euery place it must néedes be a good argument that his Godhead is without the nature of his manhead which he hath taken vpon hym and reacheth farther and yet for all that it is fast in the same and abydeth personally ioyned therevnto QV. ¶ What fruite haue we by the goyng vp of Christ into Heauen AN. Fyrst that he maketh intercessiō for vs in heauen vnto the father Then that wee haue our flesh in heauen that therby we may be surely assured as by a sure pledge that hereafter he wil take vs that are his mēbers vnto him which is our head Thirdly that he sēdeth vnto vs his spirit ī the stede of a pledge betwene him and vs by whose strong workyng we seeke not earthly things that are aboue where he is sitting at the right hand of God. QV. ¶ Why is it further sayd that he is sitting at the right hand of God AN. * Because Christ therefore is gone vp in to heauen to shew that he is the head of the church by whome the father gouerneth all thynges QV. ¶ What profit is this glory of our head Christ vnto vs AN. * Fyrst that through his holy spirite he powreth into vs his members heauēly gyftes the next is that he shildeth and defendeth vs by his might agaynst all our enemies QV. ¶ What comfort hast thou by the commyng agayne of Christ to iudge the quicke and the dead AN. * That in all my persecutions and troubles I doo looke vp to heauen holdynge my head cherefully vp for the self same iudg which purposedly before dyd delyuer himselfe to the iudgement of God for me and hath taken away all curse from me which shall cast all his and my ennemies into euerlastyng payne shal bryng me with al other chosen persons into the heauēly ioys and euerlastyng glory ¶ Of the Holy ghost QVESTION WHat doest thou beleue of the holy gost AN * Firste that he is true and euerlastyng God with the euerlastyng father and the sonne Secondly that he is geuen vnto me that by true faith he maketh mée partaker of Christ and all his good déedes And thirdly comforteth mée and abydeth with me for euer QV. ¶ What is thy beléefe concernyng the holy and catholyke Church of Christ AN. * I beleue that the son of God doth gather from the beginnynge of the world vnto the end out of hole mankynd a chosē company by the spirit and the word agréeing together in a true faith and ▪ that h◠defendeth and saueth the same and that I am one liuely member of that company shal so abyde for euer QV. ¶ What meanest thou by the communion and felowshyp of saints AN. * Firste that all and euery one that beleueth ar in cōmon partakers of Christ and of all his good déedes as his members and partes of his body then that euery one man ought willyngly redely and chearefully to bestowe the gyftes which he hath receyued to the common profit and health of all men QV. ¶ What beleuest thou of the forgeuenes of sinnes AN. * That God for the satisfaction or mendes that Christ hath made he hath put out the remembrance that my sinnes and also of that my crooked wickednesse wherw t I must fight al
my lyfe time and that he wil fréely geue vnto me the rightuusnes of Christ so that I shall not come at any tyme to iudgement to be condemned QV. ¶ What comfort hast thou by the ryâ—sing agayne of the flesh AN. * That not only my soule after that it shal departe from the body shal straight way be taken vp vnto Christ her head but also that this my flesh raysed vp by this power of Christ shal be ioyned agayne vnto my soule and shall be made lyke vnto the glorius body of Christ QV. ¶ What comfort takest thou of the article of euerlastyng lyfe AN That for as much as I fele al redy the beginninge of euerlastynge lyfe in my hart it shall afterwarde come to passe that after this lyfe I shall come to full and perfite blessednes wherein I may prayse god foreuer which blessednes neither eye hath séene nor eare hath hard neither the thought of man is able to reach vnto QV. ¶ But when thou beleuest all these things what profit hast thou therby AN. ¶ That I am rightuus in Christ before God an heyre of euerlastyng lyfe QV. How art thou rightuus before god AN. * Onely by faith or beléefe in Iesus Christ in so much that although my conscieÌ„ce did accuse me that I haue sinned greuously agaynst all the commaundements of God and haue kepte perfitly neuer one of them and am also ready and disposed yet styll to al euyl yet for al that so that I can receiue all these good déeds of Christ by a true fayth of my mind the perfit satisfaction or ameÌ„ds makynge the rightuusnesse and holynesse of Christ is coumpted and geuen vnto mee by the only mercy of God euen as though I had neuer done any sin neither any spot should cleaue vnto me and furthermore as though I had fulfilled in mine own person the obedience which Christ hath fulfilled ê‘formed for me QV. ¶ Why doest thou hold that thou art made rightuus by faith alone AN. * Not because I doo please God with the worthynesse of my fayth but because the amendes makyng or satisfaction rightuusnes and holynes of Christe are my rightuusnes before God I can not take holde therof and apply the same vnto me by any other meanes then by fayth alone QV. ¶ Why can not our good workes be rightuusnes or at the leaste some parte of rightuusnes before God AN. * Because that rightuusnes that must stand faste before the iudgemente of God must be in all poyntes perfite and agreeing with the word of God al our good workes euen the most holy and perfectest workes that we doo in this lyfe are vnperfite and defiled with sinne QV. ¶ How doo our good works deserue nothynge when as God doth promise that be wyll geue a rewarde for them both in this lyfe and in the lyfe to come AN. * That reward is geuen not of deseruing but of fauour QV. ¶ Doth not this learning make meÌ„ to be careles Godlesse and of loose liuing AN. * No for it is not possible but that they that are grafted into Christ throught fayâ—h shall brynge foorth good and thankefull fruits ¶ Of the Sacramentes QVESTION THen séeing that only faith maketh vs pertakers of Christ and of good dedes from whence cometh this fayth AN. * From the Holy ghost who kindleth it in our harts through the preachynge of the Gospell and strengthneth the same by the vsing of the Sacraments QV. ¶ What are the Sacraments AN. * They ar holy signes and seals set before our eyes ordayned of god for that cause that by them he might open vnto vs and settle or confirme more largely the promyse of the Gospell that is to wyt he geueth fréely forgeuenes of siÌ„nes and lyfe euerlastyng not only to the number of beleuers but to euery one that beleueth for that onely sacrifice of christ which he made perfite vpon the crosse QV. ¶ Then whether do both the word and Sacraments looke to that ende that they may lead our faith vnto the sacrifice of christ fully ended on the crosse as vnto the grâ—und of our saluation AN. * It is so indéed for the holy Ghoste teacheth by the Gospell assureth vs by the SacrameÌ„ts that al our saluatioÌ„ standeth in the only sacrifice of christ offred for vs vpon the crosse QV. ¶ How many Sacramentes hath Christ ordayned in the new testament AN. Two. Baptisme the holy Supper ¶ Of Baptisme QVESTION HOw arte thou warned and assured in Baptisme that thou art partaker of that only Sacrifice AN. * Because Christ commaunded the outward washing putting to this promise that I am assurely washed by his bloud the holy gost from al my vncleanes of my soule that is from all my sinnes as I am outwardly washed with water wherby all the filthynes of the body is scowred away QV. ¶ What is it to be washed with the bloud and spirite of Christ AN. It is to receiue of God forgeuenes of our sinnes fréely for christes blouds sake which he shed for vs in his sacrifice vpon the crosse and also to be made new men by the Holy gost by his making of vs holy to be made members of Christ that thereby wée may dye from sinne more and more may lyue holily and vnblamedly QV. ¶ Where promised Christe that he wold so surely wash vs with his bloud and spirite as we are washed outewardly with the outwarde water of Baptisme ANS ¶ In the .xvi. of Sainct Marke where as he firste ordeyned Baptisme whose words are these Go and teach all nations and baptise them in the name of the father and of the son and of the holy Gost And he that wyll beleue and be baptised shall be saued but he that wyll not beleue shall be damned And this promise is rehersed agayne wher as the Scripture nameth Bapisme the bath of the new birth and washing away of sinnes QVESTION Is not the outward baptising with water the washing away of our sinnes AN. * It is not for onely the bloud of Christ maketh vs cleane from al sin QV. ¶ Then why doth the holy Ghost cal baptisme the bath of the new byrth and washing away of sin AN. * God not without a great cause speaketh so to wit not onely to teach vs that as the filthines of our bodies is scoured away with water so likewise are our sins washed and scowred away with the bloud Spirit of Christ but also much more that he might sicker and assure vs by this godly token and pledge that we are as surely washed from our sinnes inwardely by the inward washing as we are outwardly washed with the outward and seable water QV. ¶ Ought all young spechlesse children to be baptized AN. * Yea in any case for when as they belonge as well vnto the couenaunt or promyse and to the chyrch of god as they doo that are fully growne and are perfit men women and when as forgeuenes of sins and
What is Idolatry ANS * It is in the stede of one God or beside hym that is the true God who hath opened and shewed hymselfe playnely and clearely in his worde to feygne maâ—e or haue any thynge wherein thou beleuest or put test thy hope in QVE ¶ What requyreth the Seconde comaundement AN. * That we should not shew set out or expresse God by any Image or figure neither should we worshyp hym any other way then he hath commanded in his word hymselfe to be worshipped QV. ¶ Whether theÌ„ ought any Images or lyknesses of thyngs to be made AN. * God neither ought neither can by any meanes be couÌ„terfeited shewed or declard by ani caster fouÌ„der keruer or paynter and although they be suffred to expresse creatures as herbes trées fishes byrdes and such lyke yet God forbiddeth their ymages to be made or had that through them we should worship or honor God or geue to theÌ„ any worship or outward reuerence QV. ¶ Whether ought images to bée suffred to stand in churches to be lay mens bookes or no AN. * No no. For it is not séemely that we should be wiser then God who willeth that his church should be taught with the liuely preaching of his word and not with dumme images QV. ¶ What doth God ordayne in the thyrd commaundement AN. * That we should not onely not vse his name spightfully and vnreuerently in bannyng cursing forsweareing and rashly without a iust cause in any maner of sweareing at all neither should we be pertakers of these horible and wicked sinnes either by holdyng of our peace or in winkyng at them but that we should vse that holy name of God no otherwise but with deuocion reuerence and worship that he may be worshipped and honored in all our words déeds with a true and stedfast confession inuocatioÌ„ or calliÌ„g vpon his name QV. Is it theÌ„ so greuus a sin to dishonor the name of God in swereyng and in cursing that God is also angry with theÌ„ that wyll not as much as lyeth in them hinder forbid and let it AN. * Surely it is the moste greuus sin neither is there any that angreth and displeaseth hym more then the spightful misusing of his name Wherefore it was his wyl that it shuld be punished with death QV. May not a man somtime godly and lawfully sweare by the name of God AN * He may Either when the maiestrate Gods officer requireth or commandeth a man to sweare or other wise when need requireth that by this mene a man may get credit the truth may be proued stablished therwith that therby God may be glorified and praysed men may be holpen therby For such a lawfull oth is aproued as holy by the word of God therfore it was well vsed of the fathers both in the old and new Testament QV. ¶ Is it lawful for a man to sweare by saintes or other creatures AN. No For a lawfull oth is the calliÌ„g vpoÌ„ or inuocatio of God that he as onely the knower of the secretes of the harte may geue witnesse vnto the truth punish the swerer yf wittingli he sweare falsly but this honor is to begeuen vnto no creature QV. ¶ What hath God commaunded iâ— the fourth commandement AN. * First that the seruing in the officâ— of preching and ministring of the sacrameÌ„ts and that the scooles should be kepte mainteyned and prouided for that I on the hallyday and at other times when the chyrch 〈◊〉 for some necessary cause gathred togetheâ— should ioyne my selfe vnto that holy felowship to heare the worde of God diligentlâ— and héedefully and to vse the sacramentes and ioyne my prayers with the coÌ„moÌ„ prayers and geue somthyng accordiÌ„g to my richeâ— vnto the poore and afterwarde for all mâ— lyfe time kepe halliday and forbeare from all yll déeds geueyng place and granting vnto God that through his holy spirite he may work his works in me so may begin the euerlastiÌ„g saboth or hallyday in this lyfe QV. ¶ What inioyneth God vs to doo it the fift commandement AN. * That we should geue dew honoâ— and shewe faithfulnes to our Fathers anâ— Mothers and to al that ar gouernors ouâ— vs and should submite our selues with alâ— conuenient obedience vnto their faithfull commandements chastnings that we shuld suffer beare with their vices maners euer thinking this in our mind the god wyll gouerne and guyde vs by their hand QV. ¶ What doth God require in the sixt commandement ANS * That I should doo no iniurie wrong or reproch to my neighbour neither with my wordes gesture or outwarde behauur either by my selfe or by any other man hate hym hurt hym or kyll hym but to leaue geue ouer al the desire of reuenging vnto God nether that I should hurte my self nor cast my self wittingly intâ— any ieoperdy Wherefore God hath armed the Maiestrate his officer with the sword that there should no murder be done QV. ¶ Doth this commandement onely forbyd manslaughter AN. * Almighty God by forbiddyng of murder teacheth that he hateth the roote begining of murder anger enuy hatred and desire of wreaking or reuengyng and that he taketh al these things for murder QV. Is it enough for vs to kyl no man by those meanes that are before rehersed AN. * It is not enough For when as God forbiddeth anger enuy and hatred he requireth that we shoulde loue our neighborres as our selues should vse toward theÌ„ gentylnes myldnes mekenes pacience mercy and to turne away or stop asmuche as lyeth in vs such thyngs as may be hurtful vnto theÌ„ And finally that we should so be mynded toward them that we should goo euen vnto our enemies QV. What is the meanyng of the seueÌ„ commandement AN. * That God defieth al filthines aâ—â— therfore we ought also to hate it vtter to defie it that we shoulde liue contrarâ— vnto all vncleanes temperatly soberly chastly both in holy wedlocke and also â— single lyfe QV. ¶ Doth God forbyd no more in thâ— commandement but aduoutri fornicatioâ— and such kyndes of filthynes AN. * When as our bodyes soules at the chyrches or Temples of the holy Goâ— the wyll of God is that we shoulde keâ— them both cleane as hallowed vnto hym and therfore vtterly forbyddeth all déedes signes tokens gestures and wordes filth desires and what so euer intiseth a maâ— therto QV. ¶ What doth God forbyde in tâ— eyght commandement AN. Not only such thefts and robber it as the common officers doo punish but 〈◊〉 vnderstandeth vnder the name of theft a crafty fetchs drifts subtyl means ways whereby we hawke lye in wayte to takâ— other mens goods from theÌ„ or labor to coâ—uay theÌ„ vnto vs either by might or violeÌ„â— or by any false pretence of right as though we had a iuste tytle to them and yet haue none at all Such meanes ar false weights false yeardes elles and false measures counterfeit and
vnlawful ware counterfet and vnlawfull money vsurye al vnlawfull meanes and wayes that God hath forbydden to get a mans lyuyng withal Héer vnto may be put and ioynd all couetusnes and vnthrifty and prodigal powryng out and spendyng and wastyng of Gods gifts and euyll vsing of the same QV. ¶ What are those thinges whiche God commandeth here AN. That as much as is posible I shuld helpe and increase the goods and profite of my neighbor And that I should doo so vnto hym as I wold he should doo vnto mée and that I should doo my worke earnestly truly and faithfully that I mai therby be able to releue and helpe them that haue néede QV. ¶ What requireth the nynth commaundement AN. * That I shall not beare false witnes agaynst any man neither falsly turne the meanyng of any mans wordes nether shal backbyghte any man or spightfully rayle agaynste any man neyther shall rashly without the shewynge of a lawfull cause condemne any man. But with al the meanes that I can I shaâ— slye and eschew al kynd of lyes deceipts as the proper works of the deuyll except â— be disposed to stere vp agaynst me the grâ—uous wrath of god In iudgments otheâ— matters I shall folowe it that is true anâ— stedfastly fréely tel confesse the matteâ— as it is indéede morouer I shall as mucâ— as I can defende and increase the goâ—â— name fame and credit of my neighbors QV. What forbiddeth the .x. commandement AN. That our hartes should not be moued or stirrid vp with so much as with thâ— least thought or desire agaynst any of god commandementes but that we shall haâ— and defy at all times al kynd of sinne anâ— shal delyte our selues in all rightuusnes QV. ¶ Can they that are turned to Goâ— kepe perfitly fully these coÌ„mandements AN. ¶ No For euen the holyest amoÌ„g all men as longe as they lyue héere haâ— but smal beginings of this obedience Bâ— yet go so farre that they earnestly with â— feigned desire begin to liue not onely aâ—cordyng vnto som of these commandemâ—tes but accordyng to al the commandemeâ—tes of God. QV. ¶ Why wyll God then that hiâ— law shuld be so ernestly sharply preched when there is no man in this lyfe that is â—ble to kepe it AN. * Fyrst that all the time of our lyfe we shall confesse and acknowleadge how â—reatly we are disposed of nature to sin â—o thereby that we more greedely and with â— greatter desire call for the forgeuenes of â—ur sins that we should always be occupied â—n this that we alwayes be thinking and â—ecording with our selues of godlines and â—al vpon the Father for the grace of the holy â—oste that we may be renewed fashioned â—o the lykenesse of god euery day more and more vntyll at the length after that we be departed out of this lyfe we may with ioy and gladnes get the full perfitnes that is purposed set foorth and requyred of vs. ⧠Of Prayer QVESTION WHy is prayer necessary for a Christen man ANS * Because it is the chiefe parte of that thankfulnes that God requireth of vs and also because God onely geueth them his grace and holy spirit who ar thinges necessary of hym with true vnfeigned gronynges and geueyng thankes for suche benefytes as they haue receiued QV. ¶ What things ar required in thâ— prayer which shal please God and be heâ— of him AN. * That we should aske of the onelâ— true God whiche hath opened him selfe 〈◊〉 his worde al those thinges whiche he hatâ— commanded to be axed with a true desiâ—â— of the harte and an inwarde felyng of oâ— beggerly need and wretchednes cast oâ— selues downe humbly and lowly in the sigâ—â— of Gods maiestie leane to this sure fouâ—dation that although we be vnworthy yâ— we shal surely be hard for Christes sake â— he hath promised vs in his word QV. ¶ What are those thynges that 〈◊〉 commaundeth to be axed axed of hym AN. * Al thinges that are necessary bâ— for body and soule which our Lorde Iesâ—â— Christe conteineth in his prayer that 〈◊〉 hath taught vs. QV. ¶ Which is that prayer ANSVVER OVr father whiche art in heâ—uen halowed be thy namâ— Thy kyngdome come Tâ— wyll be done in earth as it in heauen Geue vs this dâ— our dayly bread And forgeâ—â— vs our dettes as we forgeue our detteâ— And lead vs not into temptation Bâ—â— deliuer vs from euyl For thine is the kingâ—ome the power the glorye for euer and â—uer Amen QV. ¶ Why doth Christ command that we should call God our father AN. That he might styrre vp in vs euen â—n the very beginning of our prayer suche â—euerence as is méet for the sonnes of God â—nd a bolde trust toward God which is to â—e the ground of our prayer to wyt that God throgh Christ is made our father and wyll much lesse denye vnto vs those things â—hat we axe of hym with a true faith then â—ur earthly father wyl deny vnto vs erthly thyngs QV. ¶ Why is it sayde further whiche art in heauen AN. * That we shoulde not thynke to â—ylely bacely or earthly of his heauenly maiestie and that we should looke for and wayte of his almightynesse for all things whatsoeuer ar necessary for our soules and bodyes QVESTION ¶ Which is the first pitition or axyng AN. * Halowed be thy name that is to say at the beginninge graunt vs that we may rightly know thee and worship praise and honor thy almightines thy wisedome thy rightuusnes and gentylnes thy mercy and thy truth and afterward purpose and driue al our life our thoghts words deeds vnto this ende thy most holy name be nâ— blasphemed or euyll spoken of for vs bâ— rather be hyghly honored and praysed QV. ¶ Which is the second peticion AN. * Thy kyngdome come That is gâ—uerne vs so with thy worde and spirit thâ—â— we maye humble and submite oure selueâ— more and more vnto thée kepe and increâ—â— thy church destroy the works of the deuyâ— and all power that lifteth it selfe agaynsâ— thy Maiesty disapoynt and make voyd anâ— of none effect al he counselles that ar tâ—ken agaynst thy worde vntyl thou mayâ— at the length reigne and rule ful perfitâ— when as thou shalt be all in all QV. ¶ Which is the thyrd peticion AN. * Thy wyll be done in earth as it 〈◊〉 in heauen That is grant that we and aâ— men renounsing and forsakyng our owâ— wylls may be obedyeÌ„t redyly bent and 〈◊〉 out any grudge vnto the kepyng of thy wâ— which is onely holy and that so euery oâ— of vs may fulfyll and doo the office that 〈◊〉 appoynted vnto vs faithfully cherefullâ— as the Angels doo in Heauen QV. ¶ Which is the fourth peticion AN Geue vs this day our dayly bread That is geue vnto vs al thyngs which néedfull necessary for this lyfe the throuâ— them we may knowledge confesse that the art onely