1 Tim. 2. 2. Mat. 9. 38. Reu. 23. 20. Q. Which is the third petition A. Thy will be done in earth as it is in heauen Q. What desire we in this petition A. We pray that God would enable vs to walke in the way of all his Commandements And that Magistrates and people Ministers and hearers husbands and wiues parents and children masters and seruants may performe those duties of their seuerall callings which they owe one to another Ephes 4. 1. and 5. 21 22 c. Q. What meane these words In earth as it is in heauen A. Wee desire grace to doe Gods will gladly and cheerfully as the Angels in heauen doe the same Psal 103. 20 21. Q. Which is the fourth petition A. Giue vs this day our daily bread Q. What desire we in this petition A. We pray that God would giue vs food raiment health peace and all things needfull for this present life That he would stirre vs vp to labour and diligence that hee would keepe vs from sloth and idlenesse and giue a blessing to our honest endeuors Q. What learnest thou further from the words of this petition A. First that whatsoeuer wee lawfuly possesse is Gods gift Deuteronomie 8. 17 18. Habac 1. 16. Secondly that we must haue a feeling of other mens wants as well as of our owne and shew it by charitable deeds Heb. 13. 3. Thirdly that if we haue maintenance only for the time present and none for the time to come we must bee content and depend on Gods prouidence Matth. 6. 25. Fourthly that although we liue not in ease plenty and pleasure yet if we haue things necessary we must be content Gen. 28. 20. 1 Tim. 6. 8. Q. Which is the fift petition A. Forgiue vs our trespasses as wee forgiue them that trespasse against vs. Q. What desire we in this petition A. We pray that God would forgiue vs all our sinnes originall and actuall of commission and omission secret and open whether knowne or vnknowne euen to our selues Psal 51. Psal 19. 12. And that he would not only pardon our sinfull deeds but all our wicked vnprofitable and idle words all our sinfull purposes and all our desires ioyes feares and griefes that are against the loue of God and of our neighbour Ecc. 11. 9. and 12. 14. Matth. 12. 36. And further that God would giue vs grace truly to examine our selues to discerne our sinnes to confesse them to hate and forsake them Q. Why is this added As we forgiue them that trespasse against vs A. To teach vs to forgiue all wrongs to end our quarrels and to be free from malice or else God will not forgiue vs Matth. 5. 23. and 6. 14 15. and 18. 23. Q. Which is the sixt petition A. And lead vs not into tentation but deliuer vs from euill Q. What desire we in this petition A. We pray that God would not suffer the deuill nor the world to preuaile against vs nor our owne corruptions to preuaile within vs but that he would giue vs strength to ouercome them Eph. 4. 22. and 6. 10 11. 1 Ioh. 5. 4. That we may be wise to discerne when Satan tempteth vs to those things which seeme to be no sinnes Matth. 4. 3 6. or when he vseth our owne friends for his instruments to deceiue vs Gen. 3. 6. Mat. 16. 22 23. Q. Which is the conclusion of the Lords praier A. For thine is the Kingdome the power and the glory for euer and euer Amen Q. What is the meaning of this conclusion A. Because God is our gracious King and carefull for his subiects and seeing his power is such that he can giue vs all good things and defend vs from all euill 1 Chr. 29. 10 11. 2 Chr. 20. 6. Psal 62. 11. 115. 1. 1. Tim. 1. 17. Reu. 4. 11 and 5. 12 13. And seeing the things we haue prayed for are for his owne glory therefore we earnestly desire and stedfastly beleeue that he wil grant them vnto vs. Amen let it be so yea without doubt it shall be so Q. How doe the wicked pray this prayer A. They shew their vile hypocrisie in euery part thereof Q. How doe they shew their hypocrisie in the preface A. They call God Father and yet haue no assurance of his loue nor care to please him but shew themselues to be his enemies and children of the deuill Ioh. 8. 44. 1 Ioh. 3. 8. Q. How doe they shew their hypocrisie in the three first petitions A. They dishonour God they despise his iustice power and prouidence They take part with euill men in euill causes and so contend and fight for Satan and his kingdome against Christ and his subiects Psal 2. 1 2 3. Luk. 19. 14. They reiect Gods will and doe their own they follow their owne lusts they imitate not Angels in heauen but beasts on earth or deuils in hel Q. How doe they shew their hypocrisie in the rest of the petitions A. Daily bread contents them not their wealth is euill gotten or euill spent They aske pardon of sinne but haue no purpose nor desire to leaue the same They forgiue not wrongs receiued but beare malice against Gods children which haue not wronged them They are not wary against temptations but run on boldly thus their prayer is contrary to the whole course of their life Q. Then none but a sincere Christian truly called and conuerted can pray this prayer or the like with vnderstanding and with an vnfained desire A. It is euen so and therefore this prayer being rightly vnderstood is a perfect tryall of a mans true conuersion Rom. 8. 15 16. Q. Thou saist that thy faith is preserued and increased by the Sacrament what is a Sacrament A. Gods seale of his couenant made with the faithfull and their seed Gen. 17. 7 8 9 10. Rom. 4. 11. Q. In this Couenant what doth God vndertake on his part A. To defend the faithfull in all dangers to giue them all good things expedient for them to cause all things to worke for their good and to crowne them with eternal glory Gen. 15. 1. and 17. 1. Psal 84. 11. 1 Tim. 4. 8. Rom. 8. 28. Q. What doe the faithfull vndertake for their part A. Not to follow their owne lusts nor the worlds allurements nor euil examples nor the deuils tentations but readily to obey all Gods Commandements Ephes 4. 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 c. Tit. 2. 11 12. 1 Pet. 2. 9. Rom. 12. 1 2. Luc. 1. 72 73 74 75. Q. How many Sacraments be there A. Two Baptisme and the Lords Supper Q. What is Baptisme A. Gods seale whereby we enter into Couenant with him by the washing of our soules from sinne through Christs bloud as our bodies are washed with water Rom. 4. 11. Eph. 5. 26. Tit. 3. 5. Col. 2. 12. Q. What is the Lords Supper A. Gods seale wherby we renue our Couenant with him whereby our soules are nourished and comforted with the body and
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
and vertue Deutero 6. 6. Ezra 8. 22. God here forbiddeth not onely blasphemy profane swearing and cursing but also all foolish and idle talking of his Maiesty and all profane maintayning of sinne and error of his word or of his workes Matth. 5. 34. Iob 33. 8 9 10 11. Iob 38. 2. and 39. 37 38. Iob 42. 3. Ephes 4. 29. Col. 4. 6. Q. Which is the fourth Commandement A. Remember that thou keepe holy c. We are here commanded to bestow Gods Sabbath in holy exercises both publike and priuate as in hearing reading praying singing meditating God here forbiddeth not only the labours of husbandry handicrafts and such like but also iournies on the Lords day paying and also receiuing sums of money following of Law businesse making of bargaines idlenesse and the choking of heauenly and spirituall delights by those that on this day specially giue themselues ouer to carnall pleasures and pastimes Esay 58. 13. Act. 20. 7. 1 Cor. 16. 2. Reu. 1. 8. Neh. 13. 15. Q. What is the fruit of such profaning of the Sabbath A. Barbarous and heathenish ignorance and all manner of wickednesse Q. Which is the fifth Commandement A. Honour thy father and thy mother c. By this Commandement children seruants and all inferiours must honour that is loue reuerence and obey their parents masters and other superiours And parents masters are commanded to traine vp their children and seruants in godlinesse and Magistrates to gouerne Ministers to instruct the people as carefull tender fathers The contrary sins greater or lesse are here forbidden Eph. 5. 22 c. Col. 3. 18 19 20. 21 22. 4. 1. Rom. 13. 1. 1. Pet 2. 13 14. Psalm 78. 71 72. Hebr. 13. 17. 1 Pet. 5. 1 2 3. Q. Which is the sixt Commandement A. Thou shalt doe no murther We are here commanded to performe all works of mercy towards our neighbour both for body and soule Esay 58. 7. 1 Thess 5. 14. Matth. 25. 35. Not only killing but also wounding fighting quarrelling al malice all vnaduised anger and all cruelty in thought word or deed are here forbidden Matt. 5. 22. 1 Cor. 13. 4 5 6. 1 Ioh 2. 11. and 3. 15. Q. Which is the seuenth Commandement A. Thou shalt not commit adultery Here all chastity of body and minde is commanded with a settled and constant resolution neuer to defile our selues Iob 31. 1. 1. Cor. 7. 34. 1 Thess 4. 4. Not only fornication and adultery are here forbidden but also all wanton desires and purposes all vnchaste speeches songs gestures sporting and dalliance with all degrees allurements and occasions of wantonnesse to the corrupting of our selues and others Gen. 38. 14. Gen. 39. 7. 2 King 9. 30. Prou. 7. 10 11 12. 13. Matt. 5. 28. Mar. 6. 22. 1 Thess 5. 22. Ephes 5. 4. Q. Which is the eighth Commandement A. Thou shalt not steale Wee are here commanded to labour with body or minde for our owne maintenance and the reliefe of others Ephesians 4. 28. 2 The. 3. 10. Not only robbing or stealing things of value but also the fraudulent taking of any the least thing that is not ours all false weights and measures bribery all deceit in bargaining all gaine with the iniury and hurt of our neighbour and all desires and purposes tending thereto are here forbidden Mat. 7. 12. 1 Thess 4. 6. Q. Which is the tenth Commandement A. Thou shalt not beare false witnesse c. The preseruing of our neighbours good name is here commanded Prouerbs 22. 1. Eccles 7. 3. Not onely false witnesse-bearing before a Magistrate but all backbiting slandering or listning to slanderers all hurting of our neighbours good name all desires purposes tending thereto all false reports false promises flattery and al such lies are here forbidden Exod. 23. 1. Leuit. 19. 16. Ephes 4. 25. Psal 12. 2 3. 1 Pet. 2. 1. Q. Which is the tenth Commandement A. Thou shalt not couet c. All purity of the heart towards our neighbour is here commanded The first motions of sin against our neighbour euen without the consent of the will are here forbidden Rom. 7. 7. Q. I heare no mention of the sin of drunkennes doth no commandement forbid this sin A. Yes for drunkennes is a cause of many sins and drunkards sin either directly or by consequence against euery Commandement Q. How sin they against the first second third and fourth Commandements A. They loue pleasures more then God they neglect the outward seruice of God they are commonly great swearers and Sabbath breakers Q. How sin they against the Commandements of the second table A. They disobey parēts masters Magistrates and Ministers they often brawle and fight and sometimes kill or wound many of them resort to wicked houses not only for drinke but for whoredome also They deceiue their Creditors and begger their owne wiues and Children They are railers and slanderers all concupiscence raignes in them and they omit all maner of duties to God and their neighbour Q. But who are drunkards A. Not only they that reele or are void of reason but all riotous and idle tipling Companions that for loue of drinke do liue in the forenamed sins or in any of them Q. Thou saidst that the Law is a schoole-master to bring vs vnto Christ if we can make right vse of it Shew me then what vse is to be made of these Commandements A. By these the wicked are taught to see and discerne their owne wickednesse in that they doe not keepe any of Gods Lawes nor truly endeuour to keepe them but that they daily and hourely rebell against God and so are vnder the power of sinne and Satan their master and in the ready way to be damned for euer with him Romans 3. 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18. Eph. 2. 1 2. 2. Cor. 4. 4. 2. Tim. 2. 26. Deut. 27. 26. Q. Yea but this Doctrine is grieuous and vncomfortable A. So it is to the wicked but it is wholesome for them if they will receiue it for vnfained sorrow is the onely way to true comfort If we labour and bee heauy laden with our sinnes Christ inuiteth vs to come vnto him wlth promise to ease vs Matthew 11. 28. Iohn 3. 16. 1 Tim. 1. 15. Q. After that we are come vnto Christ is there no more vse to be made of these Commandements A. Yes for they serue as a rule to the godly whereby they measure all their actions yea their words and al their inward thoughts and affections Psal 18. 21 22 23. Psal 19. 11. and 119. 1 9. and where they finde themselues to swarue and decline though neuer so little from this rule they bewaile their infirmity and stir vp their repentance 2 Sa. 24. 10. Mat. 26. 75. Rom. 7. 22 23. Q. How doth the Law of God bring a man vnto Christ A. By shewing him his misery that hee may sue to Christ for mercy Matt. 9. 12. Q. And what then doth Christ for him A.
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
man A. God the Sonne the second Person in the Trinitie Ioh. 1. 14. Ioh. 3. 16. Q. What doth IESVS signifie A. A Sauiour because he only saueth his people from their sinnes Matth. 1. 21. Acts 4. 12. Q. What doth Messiah or Christ signifie A. Anointed for God by his Spirit anointed Him to bee our King to gouerne vs our Priest to offer vp Himselfe for a Sacrifice and to make intercession for vs our Prophet to declare Gods will vnto vs Psal 2. 2. Luk. 1. 33. Psal 110. 4. Esa 61. 1. Deut. 18. 15. That he might make vs also kings and priests vnto God and inable vs to instruct others in the will of God Reu. 1. 6. Rom. 15. 14. Q. How is Christ Gods only Sonne since all the faithfull are his children A. God is the Father of Christ by nature and our Father by grace Matth. 16. 16. Heb. 1. 5 6. 2 Cor. 6. 18. Q. Why addest thou Our LORD A. He hath created and redeemed vs he is our best and greatest Master Psalm 95. 6 7. 1 Cor. 8. 5 6. Rom. 14. 8 9. 1 Cor. 6. 19. Act. 2. 36. Q. What beleeuest thou concerning Christs conception and birth A. That he was borne of a mother without a Father miraculously Q. Why so A. That hee might not be conceiued and borne in sinne as we are Psal 51. 5. Heb. 4. 15. 1 Pet. 1. 19. Q How diuidest thou the Articles that follow concerning Christ A. They containe partly his humiliation and partly his exaltation Q. Rehearse those Articles that containe his humiliation A. He suffered vnder Pontius Pilate was crucified dead and buried he descended into hel Q. Did Christ when he liued vpon the earth liue in pompe riches ease and pleasures A. No but in pouerty labour and persecution Esay 53. 1 1. Mat. 8. 20. Heb. 2. 10. Q. What death died he and how A. His enemies of malice accused him before Pontius Pilate the Iudge who to pleasure them condemned him to death euen to the bitter shamefull cursed death of the Crosse Gal. 3. 13. Phil. 2. 8. Q. Died he willingly or against his will A. Most willingly because he knew that God his Father had so decreed and because his purpose was by his owne death to kill sinne in vs and saue vs from eternall death shame and torment Romans 6. 6. Heb. 2. 14. 15. Heb. 10. 14. Q. What beleeuest thou concerning his buriall and his descending into hell A. To assure vs of his death his body was buried and continued till the third day vnder the dominion of death that he might deliuer vs from the-dominion thereof Heb. 2. 14 15. Q. Rehearse the Articles that containe Christs exaltation A. The third day he rose againe from the dead he ascended into heauen and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almightie from thence shall he come to iudge the quick and the dead Q. What beleeuest thou heere A. That by the power of his Godhead he raised his dead body to life againe the third day and that a glorious life Ioh. 10. 18. 1 Pet. 3. 18. Matth. 28. 1. Q. Why did he so A. That hee might shew the same power on vs by raising our soules now from sin and our bodies hereafter from the graue Rom. 1. 4. 1 Cor. 15. 20. Phil. 3. 10. Q. Goe on to his Ascension A. Forty daies after his Resurrection he ascended visibly in soule and body into heauen Acts 1. Q. Why did he so A. That we whiles we line may through his quickning spirit ascend by heauenly affections Col. 3. 1 2. that at our death our soules may ascend and be with Christ Phil. 1. 23. Luke 16. 22. Reuel 14. 13. Luke 23. 43 and that at the last day we may both in soule and body ascend and liue with him for euer Ioh. 14. 2. 1 Thess 4. 17. Q. How doth Christ sit at Gods right hand hath God the Father a right hand and a left and other parts of a mans body as many imagine A. Their imagination is foolish and wicked for his sitting there doth signifie that the same Christ that was so greatly humbled is now exalted aboue all men and Angels Ephes 1. 20 21 22. Q. What profit haue we thereby A. This that he can and doth defend vs from all enemies maketh intercession for vs Rom. 8. 31 34. and sendeth vs the Holy Ghost Ioh. 16. 7. Acts. 2. 33. and the Ministers of his Word Matth. 28. 18. 19. 20. Ephe. 4. 10. 11. Q. What beleeuest thou concerning his comming to Iudgement A. He will come from heauen in glory with all his holy Angels and all men shal giue account to him of all their thoughts words and deeds Matthew 25. 31. 1 Cor. 4. 5. 2 Cor. 5. 10. Matth. 12. 36. Acts 17. 31. Eccles. 12. 14. Q. Which is the third part of the Beleefe A. I beleeue in the Holy Ghost Q. What is the Holy Ghost A. God the third person in Trinity Acts 5. 3 4. proceeding from the Father and the Son Ioh. 15. 26. Gal. 4. 6. who doth direct sanctifie and comfort the faithfull Ioh. 16. 13. Rom. 1. 4. and 8. 9 c. Gal. 5. 22. Ioh. 14. 16. Q. Of these three Persons is any one greater then another or in time before another A. No but they are all equall coeternall Q. Rehearse the fourth part of the Beleefe A. I belieue the holy Catholick Church c. Q. What is this holy Catholike Church A. The whole number of those whom God before the world began decreed to sanctifie in this life and to glorifie in the next life with Christ their Head Eph. 1. 4 5. Eph. 5. 25 26 27. Q. What hath God decreed of the rest of mankinde A. To let them runne on in the course of sinne vnto endlesse damnation Rom. 9. 13 22. Q. If God hath of old decreed euery mans saluation or damnation then a man elected shall be saued liue he neuer so wickedly and areprobate shall be damned liue he neuer so godly A. It is a foolish and a wicked thing to imagine that any reprobate can liue or die godly or that God will suffer any of his elect to liue and die wickedly Q. How then conceiuest thou of this matter A. Thus that God in ordaining the end ordaineth fit meanes withall therefore he decreeth that the elect by faith and the fruits thereof shal obtaine saluation as the reprobate by their infidelity and the fruits thereof do purchase their owne damnation Esay 38. 5 21 Matth. 2. 13. Acts 27. 24 31. Mark 16. 16. Q. Proceede to the priuiledges of the Church what beleeuest thou concerning the Communion of Saints A. This Church or body of Christ consisteth of many members all which receiue the same spirituall life from their head and are helpfull as fellow members one to another Eph. 4. 4 5 6. 1 Cor. 12. 26. Q. What further beleeuest thou A. That euery Saint hath all his sinnes forgiuen him by the death of Christ and
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