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
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
with him we should haue suffered and that by thy Word and thy holy Spirit thou hast exalted vs to be thy royall children and heires of thy Kingdome O giue vs grace this day and euery day to walke worthy of this vocation renue and quicken our Repentance humble our hearts with the sight of our sinnes confirme our faith in thy promises temporall and spirituall teach vs to loue thee feruently to despise riches pleasures pride and all earthly vanities Teach vs obedience to our superiours and loue to all men euen to our enemies much more to all thy deare children Preserue vs and euerie one of vs this day and euery Heere let those sinnes be named which are most practised in the family day from swearing cursing lying from reproaching and slaundering from deceit and oppression and all other offences against thy Maiesty or against our Neighbour from idlenesse gluttony drunkennesse intemperance from chambering and wantonnesse from strife and enuie from all sinfull words or deeds from all vnlawfull attempts or purposes O pardon all our sins past assure our soules of this forgiuenesse giue vs grace to hate all manner of sinnes in others and specially in our selues to be watchfull ouer our waies to be constant in all good purposes O Lord blesse and defend thy vniuersall Church our Soueraigne King the Queene and all the Royall progeny the Nobles and Magistrates the Bishops and Ministers O be fauorable and gracious to al that are neere and deare to vs direct and prosper euery one of vs in all our intended labours and businesses For these and all good things needfull for vs and for all thy children we pray as our deare Sauiour hath taught vs Our Father which art in heauen c. A short Euening Prayer MOst gracious God and mercifull Father we present our selues before thy glorious Maiesty in the name and mediation of Iesus Christ most humbly beseeching thee for his sake to forgiue all the sinnes of this day our worldly affections our inordinate and carking cares and griefes our greedy desire after earthly things our ouer-valuing of these earthly vanities and our neglect of heauenly things O pardon all our vaine vnprofitable and vnsauoury talke all omission of good duties to thee or to our neighbour all our corruptions and defects in those which we haue taken in hand Forgiue all the sinfull acts of this day and of our whole life Grant that wee may search out our sinnes diligently and discouer them and stedfastly resolue to reforme them without delay and enable vs by thy Spirit to performe what wee intend that we may be constant in all good purposes and enterprises Grant that euery day wee may crucifie the old man that our naturall pride malice enuie strife may die in vs that couetousnesse infidelity trust in riches or howsoeuer in the arme of flesh that wanton lusts and desires may be mortified in vs that idlenesse and voluptuous liuing may be hatefull to vs. Grant that wee may practise the contrary vertues that humility before thee and before men that charity in forgiuing wrongs in word or deed and in helping and releeuing the wants of our neighbours may abound in vs that faith and loue that temperance and sobriety may shine bright in vs that we may be iust and faithfull in our contracts and dealings with all men Quicken vs euer to all religious duties to praier and thanksgiuing let vs aboue all things delight in the constant reading hearing and meditation of thy Word assure vs of the pardon of our sinnes of thy loue and fauour and of our euerlasting saluation Let vs euery day thinke on death on the resurrection and the last Iudgement and that not with horror and griefe but with great ioy and comfort Let vs vnfainedly desire and euery day prepare our selues to be with Christ Make vs heartily thankefull for all thy mercies for publike and priuate benefits so many and so great for our food and rayment our peace and safety and specially for our election redemption and effectuall vocation Blesse O LORD thy vniuersall Church comfort thy seruants that are pinched with want those that are afflicted with warre persecutions or with inward tentations or whatsoeuer tribulations Preserue and direct our soueraigne King blesse the Queene and all the Royall Issue the Nobles and Magistrates the Bishops and Ministers and the rest of thy people Blesse and preserue this family giue vs quiet rest and sleepe raise vs vp in due time to doe thee seruice in our seuerall places For these and all good things we pray as thy Sonne our Sauiour hath taught vs Our Father which art in heauen c. A Prayer for a young Scholler or any of the younger sort both Morning and Euening MOst gracious God and louing Father I giue thee most humble and hearty thankes for all thy mercies for choosing me to saluation and redeeming me with the precious bloud of Christ my Sauiour for calling mee to this great honour to be one of the number of thy children by working in my heart true faith and hatred of all sinne by thy holy Word both read and preached and by thy blessed Spirit And I praise thy holy Name for my health for my food and raiment for good nurture and godly education for my preseruation this night day past and at all times O Lord continue thy fauour towards me teach me to know thee to loue and feare thee to keepe all thy Commandements Let not the corruption of my nature nor the craft of Satan nor euill company nor any worldly vanity withdraw me from thee Suffer me not to slide from thee into any false beleefe or an vngodly life but instruct mee in all truth and godlinesse in all sobriety and righteousnesse O Lord forgiue me all my sinnes teach me to discerne them to hate and forsake them grant that I may bestow vpon thee all the daies of my youth and so continue thy faithfull seruant to my liues end O Lord preserue thy Church our Soueraigne King the Queene and all the Royall Issue the Magistrates and Ministers of thy Word and all thy people Blesse my deare Parents brethren sisters other friends blesse this whole family giue me health defend me from idlenesse learning businesse defend mee in prosper my soule and bodie this night day and euermore Amen Our Father which art in heauen c Another Morning Prayer for a young Scholler O Lord my God and louing Father I giue thee humble thanks for all thy benefits for my sleep safety this night for my food and apparel for religious education and for the precious treasure of thy most holy word Lord blesse me this day and euer giue me health Keepe me from sin prosper my learning Lord be mercifull to my parents grant I may honor them according to thy Commandement that by my weldoing I may be a comfort vnto them defend them and me and al this family and al the rest of thy people in soule and body this day and euer Amen FINIS