visible signe in Baptisme A. Water Q. What is signified thereby A. The blood of Christ Iesus which was shed for our sinnes Q. What proportion or agréement is there betwéene the water of Baptisme and the blood of Iesus Christ A. As the water doth wash away the filthinesse of the body so our soules being sprinckled with the Blood of Iesus Christ are washed and purged from the filthines and pollution of sinne Q. Is there any difference betwéene water in Baptisme and other water A. Not as concerning the substance but they differ in vse For common water serueth to wash the body but water in Baptisme is a Sacrament of the washing of the soule Q. Wherefore are we but once baptized since wée are commanded oftentimes to receiue the Supper A Because as Circumcision was to the Iewes so Baptisme is to vs an entrance and admission into the Church of God And it is sufficient for vs once to be admitted into Gods familie and therefore as they were but once circumcised so must we but once be baptized yet that we may remaine and continue in this familie Church of God it is necessarie that wée bée fed oftentimes and therefore we must often receiue the Sacrament of the Supper as the Iewes did euery yeare celebrate the Pass-ouer Q. What are the outward and visible signes in the Lords Supper A. Bread and wine Q. What dooth the bread signifie A. The body of Christ Q. What doth the wine signifie A. The blood of Christ Q. Why hath the Lord instituted two signes in the Supper and but one in the Baptisme A. As our bodies are not sustained by meat onely but also by drinke so the Lord would assure vs that wée are not fed to halfs as it were but Christ he is both meat and drinke vnto vs. Q. What is the resembling or proportion betwixt the Signe and the thing signified A. That as our bodyes by the hands and mouth receiuing these outward things of Bread and Wine are thereby nourished indéed so assuredly we apprehending by Faith the Passion and Blood-shedding of Iesus Christ our soules are thereby nourished and fed to eternall life hauing out sinnes remitted and Christs death and righteousnes impuâ—ed vnto vs. Q. Is the Bread and Wine in the Sacrament the sâ—â—e which other common bread and wine is A. They are the same in Substance and Nature but the holy vse whereunto they are applyed make them differ from common bread and coÌ„mon wine Q. Is not the Bread turned into the Body and the Wine into the Blood of Christ A. No. Q. But doth not our Sauiour Christ say this is my Body when he gaue the Bread and this my Blood when he gaue the Wine A. Yea but they are figuratiâ—e spéeches attributing the name of the thing signified vnto the thing signifying as also in the olde Sacraments Circumcision was called the Couenant which was but a signe of the couenant the Pascall Lambe was called the Passe-ouer the rocke was called Christ Q. Why is the signe called by the name of the thing signified A. Because we should lift vp our mindes from those earthly and corporal things vnto the heauenly and spiritual things which are signified by them Q. Shew me more plainely how the Bread and Wine represent vnto vs the body and blood of Christ A. As Bread and Wine haue a property to nourish and maintain vs in this present life so by the partaking of the body and blood of Christ our soules are nourished in the hope of ouerlasting life so that we are not partakers onely of the bread and wine but of the body blood of Christ because he hath said This is my Body this is my Blood and the Bread and Wine which is giuen and receiued is still Bread and Wine naturally but yet the body and blood of Christ Sacramentally For the Bread and Wine kéepe alwayes the first nature but in as much as they are Signes and seales they haue the name of the thinges which they seale and signifie neither is Christs body and blood inclosed in the Bread and wine for he ascended into Heauen where he must be vntill the time of the restoring of all thinges and according to his diuine Nature power and presence of his holy Spirit he is present and will be vnto the end of the world And although the body of Christ be in Heauen and wee be on the earth yet thorough a true and a liuely Faith which ascendeth and taketh holde of the mercies of God in the merits of Christ Iesus we goe vp into heauen and he commeth downe to vs by his Spirit which can easily ioyne together things that be sundred Q. To what end doe we receiue the Sacrament of the Supper A. First for the strengthening of Faith Secondly for a testimony of our obedience and thankfulnes vnto God for the worke of our redemption Thirdly for the increase of loue and amitie For there is alwayes a Communion of Saints in the Church of God which especially consisteth in this that all the children of God are members of the same body and partakers of the same Sauiour and redeemer Iesus Christ Q. That we may be worthy Communicants of this Supper how must wee prepare our selues vnto it A. We must first try and examine our selues concerning the doctrine of a Sacrament whether wée doe rightly vnderstand or conceiue of it or no Secondly concerning our manners and life whether wee be fit to receiue it at the time appointed Q. How must wée examine our selues concerning the doctrine A. By entring into consideration of that which the holy Ghost hath written and set downe of it whether we doe fully vnderstand and know it and whether our heartes and consciences can willingly subscribe and yeeld vnto that which is taught to be the truth of it Q. Is this examination of our selues concerning the doctrine necessary A. Yea otherwise how shal we know how to behaue our selues in this holy action except we know what it is that we doe and for what end and purpose Q. How must we examine our selues concerning our manners and life whether we be fit to receiue this Sacrament or no A. By proouing our selues whether wée be the members of Christ or no. Q. How shall we know this great secret and mysterie A. If we haue Faith and Repentance Q. How shal I discerne that I haue faith A. If in my heart I be assuredly perswaded by the working of the holy Spirit in me that the punishment of my sinne is fully discharged in Christ and that whatsoeuer he hath done pertaineth not only vnto others but euen vnto me Q. How shall I know that I haue true Repentance A. If I be inwardly and hartily sorrowfull for my sinnes and do most willingly confesse them vnto God with full deliberation and purpose of amendment of life and an earnest desire to mortifie and kill sinne in me and wholly to confirme my selfe to doe the will of God Q. What if I
finde not these thinges in me what counsell giue you me than A. Not to presume to come to this Table of the Lord for hée that eateth and drinketh vnworthily that is without Faith and Repentance whilest he is a wicked liuer a prophane person a blasphemer and such like and hath not repented him of his sinnes with full purpose to renounce them and liue alwaies afterwards in the feare of God he eateth and drinketh his owne damnation not discerning the Body of Christ aright Q. Is it a thing left to our choyse and liberty whether we will come to the supper or not A. No the holy Ghost in forbidding men to come thither vnworthily commandeth all that haue discretion and iudgement to examine diligently and prepare themselues that they may come worthily vnto it So that if we absent our selues and neglect this preparation and making of our selues ready to come vnto it let vs feare least we become contemners of it and so depriue our selues of that great benefite which is offered vnto vs by it Q. Shew mée more plainely how I may discerne whether I haue Faith or no A. If Christ be in me Q. How shall I know Christ to bée in me A. By thrée benefites wherewith he commeth vnto vs Blood Water and the Spirit Q. What is meant by Blood A. Our iustification consisting in Christ his righteousnes and the forgiuenesse of sinnes by his blood shedding Q. What is meant by Water A. Our sanctification when the Grace of God teacheth vs to deny vngodlinesse vnrighteousnes and worldly lusts and to liue godly righteously and soberly in this present world Q. How shall wée know that we féele both this true mortifying or denying of sinne and true liuing to righteousnes A. When both from a true sorrow according to God for euery thing we know forbidden of God yea the least as all light Oathes idle wordes profitable lyes or vaine actions we féele a study to auoyde the first motions to them clearing of our selues from all suspition of them by auoyding all apparance of euill an indignation for all such thinges past a feare least such thinges by our corruption should fall out againe a great desire to preuent them a zeale against them a punishing of them by exercising all due authoritie which God hath giuen vs against sin as also a great study to spend all the rest of our time according to the will of God Q. What is meant by the Spirit A. That full assurance which the holy Ghost worketh in our hearts that we are Gods Children whereby we are sealed vnto the day of redemption that is fully assured that with all be kept by the power of God through Faith vnto saluation Q. By what ordinary meanes is that true Faith and that which followeth it wrought in vs A. By the preaching of the Gospell Q. What is the cause that so many heare the preaching of the Gospell yea doe receiue it with some taste ioy and vnderstanding and yet obtaine not this Faith and the fruit of it A. The cause is the vnchangeable purpose of GOD from before all beginnings wherein he hath being mooued onely by his holy will appointed freely to choose some in Christ vnto saluation through Faith for the praise of his rich grace and iustly to cast away others when they should by their owne default deserue the same Q. What meanes besides the seruice of God at home must we vse to exercise confirme and nourish this Faith and the fruites thereof A. We must diligently vse all the works of the publike ministery which are prescribed of God as Prayer Doctrine exhortation the Sacraments and communicating vnto the poore Q. Because our especiall purpose in this worke is to intreate of the Sacraments in conclusion shew vs and that plainely when we come to the Supper of the Lord how we must prepare our selues before behaue our selues in the present worke and reape fruite by it continually after A. Before we must try our Faith and repentance not onely whether they be true but also how wée grow in them what is the dulnesse and weaknesse of them that we may the more seruently seeke the quickening and strengthening of them in this Sacrament In the present worke wée must haue in euery outward action the inward féeling of that which was signified by it as in putting apart of the Bread and Wine wée must féele more assuredly that Christes Body and Blood was put apart by his Prayers to be the foode of our soules by the breaking of the bread and the powring foorth of the Wine that his Body was Crucified and his Blood shed for vs by the giuing and receiuing of them that his body and blood is presently more liuelie giuen vnto vs and receiued by faith By the eating and drinking for the nourishing of our bodies that our solues so ioyfully féede on Christ by faith as wée are more fully assured of the forgiuenes of all our sins especially particuler sins of greater grace to leaue them of eternall life in soule and bodie as we doe with heauenly consolation sing praises vnto GOD for the redemption of the world Afterwards by the meditation hereof we must be strengthened in all temptations which are against our iustification and sanctification Q. What is Prayer A. It is a petition ioyned with an earnest desire procéeding from the acknowledging of our necessity with humilitie repentance and confession of our vnworthines made in a true conuersion vnto God and trust of heauenly promises for Christ our mediatour his sake wherein we aske those things of God which he commaunded vs to aske of him in his word Q. God knoweth before we aske what we neede so that he néede not to be put in minde he is not sloathfull that he néede to be stirred vp he hath appointed in his prouidence what he will bestow how and when therefore why should wee pray A. First to stirre vp our selues to séeke him Secondly to exercise our selues in meditating vpon his promises Thirdly that wée may discharge and vnloade our cares into the bosome of GOD. Fourthly that we may testifie to our selues and others that we hope and aske for all good from God alone Q. How many thinges ought wée to be carefull of in prayer A. First that we pray to God through Christ Secondly that we be inwardly touched with the thing we pray for Thirdly that they be grounded vpon Gods promises Fourthly that we be not weary of prayer Fiftly that wée pray according to that rule which God himselfe giueth Q. Rehearse the Lords prayer A. Our Father which art in Heauen c. Q. How many principall parts are there of this Prayer A. First a perswasion to prayer in these wordes Our Father which art in heauen Secondly the summe of prayer contained in the sixe Petitions Thirdly an assurance of that wée pray for in these wordes For thine is the Kingdome c. Q. What perswasions haue you in these first wordes Our Father which art in
what profite hath a christian man by it A. First it is a stay for Gods children to walke in Secondly it teacheth man not to trust in his owne innocencie Thirdly it pulleth downe the pride of man and humbleth him before God Fourthly it is a Schoolemaster to Christ Q. As you haue shewed me the profit of the Law so tell me why wée should doe good workes sith they doe not saue A. First to show our loue to God our Father in walking as becommeth his children Secondly to show our loue to our selues to make vs certaine of our Election Thirdly to winne our brethren to Christ by our godly conuersation Q. How many thinges are principally to be considered in good workes A. First that they be ruled by the line of Gods worde Secondly that they procéed from a heart purged by Faith Q. By what meanes shall I escape death A. By Faith in Christ Q. What is Faith A. A full perswasion and stedfast assurance of the promises of Christ wronght in my heart by the holy Ghost Q. Vpon whom must Faith be setled A. Vpon Christ Iesus Q. What profite haue you by this A. I am assured that all the benefites of Christs passion and his righteousnes are as surely mine as if I had wrought them my selfe Q. How many Articles of the Faith are there and which he they A. Twelue I beléeue in God the Father c. Q. How many things doe the Articles set downe A. First concerning God the Father in the first Article Secondly concerning God the sonne in the sixe next Articles Thirdly concerning God the holy Ghost in the eight article Fourthly concerning Gods people called the Church in the foure last Q. What is the first Article A. I beléeue in God the Father almighty maker of Heauen and earth Q. How many thinges doe you learne in the first Article A. First that God is my Father and that I am his childs Secondly that he being Almighty and I his Childs I shall lacke nothing Q. What is the second article A. And in Iesus Christ his onely Sonne our Lord. Q. What learne you out of this article A. I learne that Iesus Christ is the only sonne of God and my Lord Secondly that he is God able to beare whatsoeuer is doe for our sinnes Q. What is the third article A. Which was conceiued by the holy Ghost borne of the virgin Mary Q. What learne you out of this article A. First I learne that he was of God the substance of his Father before the world Secondly that he was Man of the substance of his Mother borne 〈◊〉 the world Q. What is the fourth article A. He suffered vnder Pontius Pilats was Crucified dead and buryed he descended into Hell Q. What learne you out of this article A. First the passions that he suffered in body for the redemption of my body Secondly the passion that he suffered in soule for the deliuerance of my soule â—â—â—ely that he humbled himselfe vnto the to torments of Hell for our saluation Q. What is the first article A. The third day he rose againe from the dead Q. What learne you out of this Article A. First that he is risen and hath ouercome Death and Hell for my iustification Secondly I learne to rise from sinne and to delight in righteousnes Thirdly by his rising I am assured that my body shall rise againe Q. What is the sixt Article A. He ascended into Heauen and fifteth on the right hand of God the Father almighty Q. VVhat learne you out of this Article A. First his Ascention is a pledge to me that I likewise shall ascend after him Secondly he being ascended I learne that he maketh prayer for me Thirdly by his sitting at the right hand with the power of God I beléeue that all power is giuen to him Q. VVhat is the seauenth Article A. From thence he shall come to iudge both the quicke and the dead Q. VVhat learne you out of this Article A. First I learne to my comfort that hée that is my Sauiour shall he my iudge Secondly to the terrour of the vngodly that he shall be their Iudge whome they haue refused and despised Q. What is the eight article A. I beléeue in the holy Ghost Q. What learne you out of this article A. First I beléeue the holy Ghost to bée God who dooth assure me that I am his childe and that all his benefites are mine Secondly hée maketh sinne to die in me and stirreth me vp to holines of life Q. What is the ninth article A. The holy Catholique Church the communion of Saintes Q. What learne you in this article A. First that God hath one uniuersall Church in all places of the world and at all times Secondly that in the same there is a fellowship of Saints of true faith full people all which the Lord knoweth of which number I beléeue my selfe to be one Q. What is the tenth article A. The forgiuenesse of sinnes Q. What learne you out of this article A. First I beléeue that Christ hath suffered whatsoeuer was due for my sinnes Secondly that my sinnes being forgiuen shall neuer be laid to my charge againt Q. What is the eleuenth article A. The resurrection of the body Q. What learne you out of this article A. First that my body shall rise from the earth Secondly that it shall rise a glorious body Q. What is the twelfth article A. The life euerlasting Q. What learne you out of this article A. I beleeue that I shall liue with Christ for euer in his Kingdome Q. By what meanes may we attaine this Faith and haue it maintained and strengthened in vs A. First by hearing the word preached Secondly by the wonderfull and secret infusion of Gods spirit Thirdly by receiuing the Sacraments Fourthly by prayer Q. What is a Sacraments A. It is an outward and visible signe instituted and ordayned of the Lord to confirme the promises and couenants of God made to vs in the Gospell in the hearts of the faithfull Q. What doe you learne out of this definition A. First that a Sacrament is a signe of an other thing which is signified Secondly that euery Sacrament must haue his institution of the Lord. Thirdly that it is a pledge or scale of the promise of saluation Lastly in all Sacraments we must consider first the outward and visible sinne Secondly the thing thereby signified Thirdly the proportion or agreement which is betwéene the one and the other Q. Why doe you say this is a Signe A. Because it is a thing which the Lord setteth before 〈…〉 to signifie a thing which 〈◊〉 be 〈◊〉 Q. Why must it be instituted of God onely A. He onely must 〈◊〉 the Signe and 〈…〉 the promise of saluation Q. Why must it be a 〈…〉 seale of the promise of saluation A. Because it is giuen vs of the Lord for the confirmation of our faith which is grounded vpon the promise of saluation Q. What is the outward and