he rose againe rose againe by his diuine power and vnited his Godhead and soule and bodie together and in his manhoode tooke life againe Our sauiour Christ by the space of fortie daies after his resurrection often shewed him selfe aliue in his manhoode vnited to his Godheade by many infallible tokens and was conuersant with his disciples and was seene of more then fiue hundred brethren at once The same body which suffered and was put to death did rise againe and was glorified all infirmities being done away hauing the Godheade vnited to the same his mans body which rose againe B By this his rising againe Christ sheweth him selfe to be the son of God and the promised sauiour And also sheweth manifestly that he hath conquered and ouercome the deuill sin and death and is nowe the author of our life For our righteousnesse is restored by his resurrection C And his rising againe is a sure pledge to me that my bodie after this life shall in like manner rise againe This his rising againe is a most great comfort to all faithfull and the victorye of our faith D As he is risen from death so hee causeth mee as a member of him to rise from sinne and delight in righteousnes Christ hath giuen me of his holy spirite which subdueth sinne in me and so mortifieth my flesh that I hate sinne and sathan And thereby I feele sanctification and new life to be begonne in me which certifieth my conscience I am in Christ and so of God This benefitte I receaue by Christes rising againe who is nowe the author of my saluation So hee died for our sins and rose againe for our righteousnes to purchace vs life with God his father And hath sent his holy spirite to be our comfort and to gouerne leade and direct vs in our dooinges â— Whosoeuer dooth not taste of mortification and newnesse of life hath no part in the redemption of Christ For he giueth strength to the faithfull to subdue sinne in some measure and to walke in a newe life and righteousnesse here on earth F Christ rose from dead To make vs partakers of his righteousnesse sanctification and glorification which hee purchased for vs by his merit a The bodie of Christ which suffred rose againe Matt. 28 Iohn 20 and 21. Luk. 24 13 c. Acts 1 3 8 9 10. and 2 24 31. and 10 40. and 13 29 30 31 35. 1. Cor. 15. 3 to 9. Matth 20. 18. Mark 9 31. and 10. 34. Luke 9 22. 1. Peter 3 21. 2. Cor. 13 4. b He shewed his power c. that he hath conquered the deuill sinne and death Rom. 1 4. Acts 1 3 Rom. 8 1 34 1. Cor. 15 26 54 57 Ephe. 1. 19. c. Colos 1. 18 and 2. 15. Heb. 2. 14 15. c I shall rise againe in like maner 1. Cor. 15. 13. 16 20 26. 1 Thes 4 14 c. Rom. 6 23. d Christ causeth me to rise from sinne delight in righteousnes Colos 3 1 2 5. Galat. 2 20. Colo 1. 12 to 25. Rom. 6 and 7. 22 25 and 8 1 2 9 10 11 14 15 26. 1. Iohn 4 13 Iohn 3 36 and 14 16 17 18. and 16 7 13. e He that hath not newnesse of life hath not the spirit of Christ Rom. 6 6 12. 14 16. and 8 9 10 11 13 14. Col. 3 1 2 5. 1. Peter 2 24. f Christ rose from death to make vs partakers of his righteousnes 6 He ascended into heauen 1. Cor. 1 30 Rom. 4 25. Iohn 3 16 Mat. 28. 18 20. Rom 5. 19. 21 Gal. 3. 13. 14 Iohn 17 21 22 23. Acts 17 28. 1. Cor. 12 27. HE ascended into heauen Iesus Christ our Sauiour after his Resurrection was here on the earth with his corporall presence fortie dayes And after that A he ascended into heauen bodily and visibly the people looking and seeing him when he ascended Christ his mans body which he tooke in the wombe of the blessed virgin saint Marie before his ascension was not in heauen The same bodie he glorified tooke vp into heauen there to remaine vntill he come againe at the ende of the world to iudge the quicke the dead B Therfore we must seeke Iesus christ in heauen not in earth spiritually not carnally by fayth not by our senses It is by the vertue of his holy spirit that he doth coÌ„municat pertake himself vnto Spirituall thinges are not seene but with the eyes of the spirite For what is neerer to a man then his own soule yet not any man euer at any time sawe his soule or the soule of any other man C Christ his diuine presence is in the earth with vs and is euery where His diuinitie and Godhead filleth both heauen and earth and dwelleth and abideth in the faithfull The body of Christ is in heauen and hath left the world vntill he come to the resurrection and iudgement of all mankinde Neuerthelesse his holye spirite vertue and power filleth heauen and earth and ruleth and gouerneth vs. D Moreouer by this his entrye into heauen hee hath made easie vnto vs the way and dooth assure vs that the gate is already open vnto vs and that our sins be forgiuen vs the which waye before was shutte vp against vs because of our sinnes But now our sauiour Iesus is entered into the heauens with his mans body of the nature of our fleshe which is a gage and pledge that he will conduct vs thether E We haue these benefits by Christ his ascention He is in heauen our aduocate and intercessor to God his father for vs. And by him we shall also ascend into heauen and be glorified F And lastly the holy ghost is sent to vs by whome Christ gathereth comforteth and defendeth his church to the worldes ende The holy ghost was also giuen to the godly which were vnder the lawe before Christes ascension and comming in the flesh but that was in respect of his coÌ„ming in the flesh his ascentioÌ„ and glorification which was then to come After Christ his glorification the holy ghost was giuen more abundantly a Christ ascended visibly into heauen there his body to remaine till he come again to iudgement Luke 24. 51. Mar 16 19. Acts 1. 9. 10. 11. 3. 21. Ioh 20 17. 12 8. 16 28. b We must seeke Christ in heauen with our spirite and faith Acts 1. 11. 3 21. Col 3. 1. Ioh 4. 23 24. Math 15. 9. Acts 7. 55. Hebr 4. 14. 15. 16. Ephe 3. 18. Phil 3. 20. 21. c Albeit Christ his body is in heaueÌ„ yet his Godheade vertue holy spirit and diuine presence filleth heauen and earth and is euery where Math 28. 20. Col 1. 15. 19. 2. 9. Iere 23. 24 Math 18. 20. Acts 7. 49. 17 28. Ephe 1. 23. d Christ his entry into heaâ—en is a sure pledge that we shall bee there with him for where he is there
shal we bee Iohn 14. 2. 17. 24. Phil 3. 21. Heb. 4 ◠14. 9. 24. 1. Cor 15. 57. Titus 9. 2. 14. 2. Cor. 5 1. Ephes 2 18 19 Hebr. 10. 19 20 1 Thes 4. 14. c. e Christ is our aduocate and intercessor to God his father for vs. Rom. 8. 34. Hebr. 7 25. and 9 12 15 24. Iohn 17. 1. Iohn 2 1 2. f Christ giueth to vs his holy spirit to comfort defend keepe vs. Iohn 14. 14 to 27. and 16 17 3 Acts 17. 28. Iohn 17. and 7 39. Acts 2. 2 4 17. 18. Rom. 5. 5. 1. Cor. 12. Ephes 1. 13 14 and 4 30 Heb 3 14. and 10 14 to 19 Rom 8. 9. 11. 16. ANd sitteth at the right hande of God the father Almightie A Christ Iesus ascended into heauen and there sitteth at the right hande of God And sitteth ◠his father That is hath all power giuen him in heauen and earth ouer all things Hee is our Lorde and ruleth all things This is the meaning of the right hand That is hath equall power to rule God is a Spirite and hath no handes as wee haue But Christ our Sauiour hath the shape of man in whom the fulnes of the God head dwelleth bodily And al power is giuen him in heauen and earth ouer all things a Christ hath all power and is Lord ouer all Mat. 28. 18. 17. 5. Iohn 3. 35. and 5 22 23. 13. 3. Col. 1. 15. 18. 19. 2. 9. 3 1 2 Fphes 1 20. c. 1 Pet 3. 22. Phil. 2 9 10. Marke 16 19. Actes 7. 55. and 10 36. Rom. 8. 34. and 14 19 Hebr. 1 13 6. and 8 1 and 10 12 and 12 2. Psal 110. 1. and 2. 9. 1. Cor. 1 24. Iohn 4. 24. FRom thence shall hee come to iudge the quicke and the dead A Christ Iesus in the end of the world From thence c shall come visibly and corporally in the same bodie that hee departed hence with great glorie and multitude of Angels to iudge the quicke and the dead Christ by his Power shall raise to life againe all the bodies of all mankinde to doe and execute the last iudgement on them at the general resurrection for he is ordeined of God to bee the Iudge of the quicke and the dead Then shal the faithful which beleued in him be gathered into the heauen receiue euerlasting ioy glory And thē the reprobate and vnbeleeuers shall depart◠into hel with the deuill there to remaine in euerlasting paine and torments B This is a singuler comforte to all the faithfull to knowe assuredly that none shall be their iudge but hee that is theyr sauiour a Christ Iesus onely shal be our iudge and receiue the elect to glory and the reprobate shal to hell and bee in euerlasting tormentes Act 1. 11. Math 16. 27. 24. 31. 25. 31. c. 19. 28. Iohn 5. 22. 23. 27. 12. 48. Luke 21. 25. 26. 27. Act 10. 42. 17 31. Rom. 2. 16. 14. 10 2. Pet. 3. 10. to 14. 2. Cor. 5. 10. Hebr. 9. 28. Phil 3. 20. 2. Tim. 4. 1. 8. T it 9 2. 13. 1. Cor. 15. 51. 2. Thes 1. 6. to 11. 1. Thes 4. 16. 17. Apo. 20. 12. Math. 8. 12 22. 13. Iude. 14. 15. b It is a singuler comfort that Christ shal be our iudge Hebr. 9. 28. Rom 8. 1. Col. 3. 4. Ioh 3. 36. 2. Tim. 4. 8. Iohn 12. 48. I Beleeue in the holy ghost a I beleeue in the holy ghost I beleeue and am fully perswaded that the holy I beleeue in the holy ghost spirite of God which proceedeth from Christ dwelleth in me and all the elect people of God and sanctifieth and preserueth vs to euerlasting life and defendeth vs here from the power of the deuill and our wicked enemies So by the gouernement and defence of the holy ghost nothing shall happen to mee but as my sauiour Christ Iesus appointeth and suffereth For our playner vnderstanding of the power of the holy ghost behold the sun in the firmament beeing one thinge in substaunce how all thinges in the world haue of the light and heate therof Wonderfull much more and more then any tongue can expresse dooth the power and vertue of the holy spirite of God spread ouer the whole world to gouerne and rule the same Whatsoeuer benefits wee receiue from Christ the same is giuen vnto euery of vs by the working of the holy ghost The wicked haue some giftes of the holy ghost as Iudas and others haue had the gifts of knowledge But they had not the gifte of sanctification regeneration faith and conuersion The holye ghost filleth heauen and earth and is in euery place and yet worketh saluation but to the faithfull only So the gifts of the holy Ghost to saluation are proper onely to the faythfull and elect B So I beleeue in God the Father God the Sonne God the holy Ghost Of the Trinitie and yet not three Gods but one God In these three persons it pleased God to open him selfe to our fayth in their seuerall woorking For vnto the diuine The Father essence or substaunce which we call God the Father who is a spirite is attributed the creation of all things And yet the Almightie power and Godheade of the Sonne and the holy Ghost was then also at the beginning before all worldes and all one in substaunce all three beeing the whole incomprehensible diuine substance and yet the same substance is not diuided Vnto the Sonne Christ Iesus is attributed The Sonne our redemption The almightie power and Godheade vniting or taking to it the manhoode which was borne of the holy virgine Saint Marie and in the same manhoode the fulnesse of the Godheade and almightie power dwelleth and abydeth bodily The same twoo natures Vnited together wee call Christ who is God and man c The vertue and almightie power The holy ghost which proceedeth from Christ working his good pleasure the same is God the holy Ghost As the spirit of man which is in man is of the substāce of man So the spirit of God which is in God is of the essence and substance of God and with God before the creation of the worldes So wee bee compelled by the christian veritie to acknowledge euery person by himselfe to be God Lord. And yet not three Gods nor three Lordes For in this Trinitie none is before nor after other none is greater nor lesser then another but the whole three persons be coeternall together coequall The vnitie in Trinitie and the Trinitie in vnitie is to be worshipped He therefore that wil be saued must thus think of the Trinity And beleue and confes that our Lorde Iesus Christ the sonne of God is God and man God of the substance of the Father begotten before the worldes and man of the substaunce of his mother borne in the world
for it is the holy ghost that encreaseth and strengtheneth our fayth and maketh the Sacraments to bring forth fruit in vs. We doe not denie but Christ himselfe Matth. 28. 20. with the power of his spirit is present at the administration of the holye Sacraments and the grace of God is there truely present to our fayth when we receyue them Neuerthelesse the inwarde grace of the spirite is seuered from the outward ministerie And the Sacraments doe not profite but being receyued by fayth All that are baptised haue not the spirite of Christ Simon Magus was baptised Acts 8. 13. 18 to 25. by Philip the Apostle but had not the grace of the holy ghost he confessed the truth yet was not regenerate by the holy ghost So Baptisme and the Lords supper may be receyued without the holy ghost Albeit God inwardly worketh by the holy ghost that which the Sacraments testifie Hee that despiseth the holy sacraments and willingly doth forbeare the Gen. 17 13 14. Luke 14 24. Mar. 8 38. vse of them as though he needed them not he is not to bee accounted any of Gods people And also thereby he refuseth the grace of Christ But he that receyueth Iohn 3 16. 17 20 c. them in fayth and repentance vnto him the holy Sacraments seale and confirme most assuredly the promise of 1. Iohn 2 3 Rom. 3 25. 5 9 2. cor 5 21. Gal 3 1â— heb 9 14. 10 10. Col 1 14. grace and forgiuenesse of sinnes and that he shall bee partaker of Christ and his benefites and dwell with him in heauen for euer Of Baptisme BAptisme is a holy signe and an assured Mark 16 16. Tit. 3 5. Gal 3 27. 1. Cor. 12 13. token to mee that my sinnes are forgiuen mee for Christ his sake and that I am receyued into the holy Church as a member of the same and vnited vnto Christ by the speciall working of the holy Ghost Baptisme hath the promise of forgiuenesse Matt. 28 19. Mark 16 16. Rom. 6 3. Tit. 3 5. 1. Pet 3 21. of sinnes and saluation annexed to it that euery one which beleeueth and is baptised shall be saued And in Baptisme wee are renued by the holye Ghost whereby our euill inclinations are chaunged into good that wee haue thereby an hatred of sinne In Baptisme the offence and punishment Gal. 3 27. Ephe. 5 26. Tit. 3 5. 1. Pet. 3 21. of our sinne is taken away Neuerthelesse the corruption or inclination to sinne remayneth in vs which maketh euery one of vs subiect to sinne and alwayes to neede the mercie of God and 1. Iohn 1 8 9 10 forgiuenesse of sinnes Baptisme is a ceremonie or outwarde What Baptism is and wherefore it was ordeyned signe instituted by Christ being washed with water in the name of the Father and of the Sonne and of the holy Ghost Whereby Christ testifyeth 1. Iohn 1 7. Ephe. 5. 26. to vs that wee are cleansed from our sinnes by his blood And Baptisme is also a solemne signe of our receyuing into the holy Church and the marke whereby Christians are knowne from Infidels Also it is the Sacrament Acts 2 38. of Christian profession for by my receyuing of Baptisme I do professe 2. Cor. 5 17. Rom. 6 3 4. to liue a Christian to beleeue trust for my saluation all things else which I shall neede onely in the name of the father the sonne and the holy ghost three persons and one true and euerlasting God And I doe thereby solemnly binde my selfe to Christ to keepe his commaundements to my power and to beleeue and trust in his merits death and passion for my saluation And so by Acts 22. 16. 15 9. Mar. 16 16. Tit. 3. 5. fayth in Christ I am sanctified by the spirite vnto eternall life The visible signe in Baptisme is water with which the person baptised is washed The spirituall and inuisible grace is 1. Cor. 6 1 1. Tit. 3. 5. forgiuenesse of sinnes and the renuing by the holy ghost After our Baptisme Christ with his grace by the working of the holy ghost doeth regenerate and frame the faithfull to newnesse of life by fayth and repentance so long as they liue here in this worlde whereby they hate sinne and the deuill and in the end ouercome them To be baptised in the name of the father the sonne and the holy ghost signifieth into the Religion profession and grace of the father the sonne and the holy ghost Baptisme is the solemne receyuing of vs into the holy Church and into Gods fauour therefore euery of vs are but once baptised in our whole life Although our baptisme doe require Baptisme of infants fayth and repentance yet the Baptisme of infants doth very well agree with the institution of Christ and the nature of the signe For the signes consist not in the outward ceremonies but principally Acts 2. 39. Gal. 3 7. 29. Gen. 17 7. 1. Cor. 12. 13. depende vppon the promise of saluation which belong also to the children of the faythfull and wee and our children by baptisme enter into the profession of God that we may be reckoned his people Also Baptisme hath the same office with vs as Circumcision had with the Iewes And God commanded the Iewes to circumcise their infants Infants Mat. 19 14. 15. mar 10. 14. 15. 16. Gal. 3. 29. are partakers of Christ and heyres by promise Therefore are not to be debarred from baptisme The children of Christians are accounted holy although they bee the 1. Cor 7 14. issue but of one faythfull parent Therefore the childe of a Christian may bee baptised The Prophet Ieremie and saint Iohn Baptist were sanctified in Iere. 1 5. Luke 1 15. their mothers wombes whereby plainly appeareth saluation is according to Gods election albeit the infant were Tit. 3. 5. 2 Thes 2. 13 neuer baptised God hath chosen vs before the foundation of the worlde So then saluation is not in him that willeth Ephe. 1. 4. Rom. 9 16 nor in him that runneth but in God that sheweth mercie Of the holy Communion THe holy Communion I receyue in remembraunce Luke 22. 19 20 1. Cor. 11 24. 25 26. Rom. 4 25. that Christ dyed for my sinnes and rose againe to giue mee and all the faythfull eternall life And in this holy Sacrament receyuing the same in true fayth and repentaunce I receyue by the 1. Cor. 13 2 3. working of the holy Ghost grace and vertue from heauen from the verie bodie and blood of our Sauiour Iesus Christ for out 1. Cor. 10 3 4 16 17. gal 2 20 Iohn 6 51 c. of the substance of his flesh he giueth life to my soule and the holy Ghost doeth thereby nourish my heart to beleeue faythfully in Christ his death and merits for my saluation and dwelleth in mee and vniteth mee vnto Christ And also maketh mee
The Principles of the true Christian religion breifelie selected out of manie good Bookes First reade and then iudge Ioh 17 2 3 3 16. The Godly ioye of a true Christian is to knowe the onely God in Christ So shall hee obtaine the eternall ioyfull life 1. Tim 4 8. Godlinesse is good vnto all thinges As a thing which hath promises in the life that is now And in the life to come 1590. ⧠To the Christian Reader EVery Christian ought to haue great care to ground him selfe in the principles of christian religion a 2. Tim 3. 16. 17. Acts 17. 11. 19. 28. Ioh 5. 39 Reue 3. 15. 16. Iam 1. 6. 7. 1. Pet 3. 15. 16. Vpon the sure rocke of the holie Scriptures that he bee not caried awaie with euery winde to a newe religion nor vnto hereticall opinions nor wauering in his faith b Mar 16. 16. Ioh 3. 18. 36. 12. 48. For except a man beleeue the Catholicke faith vndoubtedlie with an assured beleefe he cannot be saued c Act 17. 11. The consideration hereof maie stirre vppe euerie Christian to search the holie Scriptures to learne to knowe Christ and howe to attaine vnto saluation These thinges caused me to select and write this little booke for mine owne instruction Reade diligentlie this little booke â—â—d I doubte not you will acknowledge to haue receiued profite worth your paines Thus wishing the encrease of the knowledge of God to al people I commend you to his gratious protection Thine in the Lord. Swithunc Butterfeild Aprill 1590. The Principles of Christian Religion EVery Christian which desireth to attaine eternall life in heauen must knowe howe condemnation Rom 5. 18. 19. and sinne came on all men by the offence of our first father Adam from whom wee are all discended And therefore hee and his posteritie accursed And how that condemnation and curse Ioh 17. 2. 3. Rom 5. 18. 19. is put from vs and the ioyfull eternall life attained Onely by the mercye of God through faith in Iesus Christ our sauiour Mar 16. 16. Mat 16. 26. 27. Ephe 1. 4. 1. Pet 1. 15. 9. Ioh 3. 18. Therefore euerie Christian must know what hee must beleeue and howe to serue God Thereby to obtaine forgiuenes of all his sinnes in this life that hee may attaine vnto eternall life in heauen The faith in Iesus Christ which wee Ioh 17. 2. 3. Mat 22. 37. to 40. Gal 5. 14. must beleeue and the true seruing of God according to his holy will Is breifely comprised in the Creede The tenne commaundementes of almightie God the Lo 〈…〉 s prayer and the right vse of the holy Sacramentes so Religion consistes in faith and obedience The Creede teacheth what we must beleeue The tenne commaundementes sheweth vs our dutie towardes God and our dutie towardes our neighbour The Lordes prayer teacheth vs how we must praâ— and for what we must pray The holy Sacramentes are ordeined to be holy signes and assured tokens to vs of the mercy of God and forgiuenes of sinnes For the merites death and passion of Christ Iesus our sauiour These foure parts containeth faith which is the beleeuing of the Gospell The Law Praier and Sacramentes Or more shorter The Lawe and the Gospell Those articles of faith which wee must beleeue are these that followe Commonlie called the Apostles Creede The Creede I Beleeue in God the father almightye maker of heauen and earth All my hope trust and beleefe for al things I beleeue in God I shall neede either heauenly or earthly is in the same A onely very God that made the heauens and the earth B The father of our Lord Iesus Christ C and my father for Christ his sake For hee hath chosen all the faithful in Christ to bee his children And loueth them Who is so D almightie that hee made Almighty maker of heauen and earth the heauens and the earth and all thinges therein with his word And doth still so preserue rule and gouerne them that nothing happeneth in this world but by his determination will and foreknowledge It is God onely that giueth faire weather and foule weather plentye and all things else as pleaseth him There is not any thing that happeneth to me in blessings or punishments but by the appointment and foreknowledge of almightie God Whereby I knowe that the deuill is not able to doe any hurt to me vntill God suffer him for my punishment and that only so farre as he giueth the deuell leaue The wicked spirites the wicked people and the wilde beasts are the messengers of God to execute his iudgementes and punishmentes C This almighty God is so wonderfull mighty and incomprehensible that my minde nor any man whatsoeuer is not able to conceiue what hee is But Christ hath taught vs that this our good God and father is a spirite a Of God Gen 1. Ioh 1 17 3. 1 Tim 2 5. 1. Cor 8 6. Eph 4 5 6. Deu 6 4. Ier 10 10 11 1 Tim 1 17. Ier 23 24. Ioh 4 24. b The father of Christ Iesus Math 1 18 20 3 17. Luk 1 32 35. Ioh 1 14. Rom 15 6. c And my father Rom 8 15 Gen 1 27 2 7 Ioh 1 12. Gal 4 6. Eph 1 5 6. Ioh 20 17 1 Ioh 3 1. Rom 5 8. D Ephe 1. Leui 26. Psal 89. 10. 91 His almighty prouidence so that nothing happeneth but by his appointment Heb 1. 3. Math 6. 31. c. Luke 21. 15. 1. Pet 5. 18. Pro 8. 15. Esay 3. 2. 1. Cor 2. 7. Ro 9. 20. Deu 11. 14. 15. 25. 32. 39. Ma. 10. 29. 30. 31. Psal 34. 7. Math 18 10. Gen 19. 22. 2. Sam 24. 1. Kings 22. 22. Math 8. 31. Iob 1. 7. 8. 12. Psal 104. 14. Acts 17. 25. c Iob 37. 5 38. 27. Exo. 21. 13. 2. Sam 17. Gen 45. 7. 8. Exod 3. 21. 4. 23. 20. Iudg 6. 7. 1 King 17 20. 22. 2. Kings 6. 7. Psal 34. 37. 127. 1. Cro 29. 11. 12. Dan 6. 22. Act. 12 Eze 14 9 Amos 3. 6. Psal 76. 2. Esay 3. 47. 5. Zach 8. 10. Esay 44. 24. 25. 45. 6. 7. Leui 19. 31. Deut 18. 10. 11. 12. Ier. 10. 2. 23. Pro 16. Eccle 11. 4. Deut 32. 39 Pro 20. 24. Act 17. 26. 27. 28. Exod 21. 13. Deut 19. 5. Iosua 11. 20. Ionas 1. 4. 1. King 12. 15. Iud 9. 23. 24. 1. Sam. 16. 14. 1. King 22. 21. 22. 2. Kin 17 26. 24. 3 2. Cor 4. 4. 1 Sam 2. 25. 2. King 7. Ier 43 11. 2. Thes 2. 9. 10. 11. Iob 1. 10. 12. Ro. 8 27. Esay 57. 1. 54. 16. Pro. 16. 3. 7. Iere. 42. 11. 12. â— Iere 23. 24. Acts 7. 48. 50. Ioh. 4. 24. What God iâ— 2 ANd in Iesus Christ his onely sonne our Lorde And I beleeue in Iesus Christ that hee And in
1. Cor. 6 15 17 19 2 Cor. 13. 5. Rom. 8. 9. partaker of Christ his benefites And after this lyfe to haue eternall in heauen with Christ Iesus my Sauiour In this holy Sacrament we are made 1. Cor. 10. 17. Rom. 12 5. members of Christ and vnited together by his holy Spirite dwelling in vs. The Ephe. 5 30 32. manner of Christ his presence and of our vniting and howe wee eate Christ and drinke his blood is a great secret and more then my tongue can expresse or any mans minde able to conceyue When wee receyue this holy Sacrament Col. 3 1. we must as deuoutly as wee can lift vp our mindes into heauen where Christ is And by our fayth receyue Gal. 2 20. Ephe. 3 17. Iohn 3 16 5 24. ephe 2 8 3 17. acts 10 43 26 18 15 9. gal 5 6. Heb 11 6. grace and vertue from his verie bodie By our true and liuely fayth we are made partakers of Christ and vnited to him by his spirite dwelling in vs and doe obteyne remission of our sinnes and saluation At the receyuing of this holy Sacrament Matth 28 20. Iohn 17 22 23. 2. Cor. 13. 5. Rom. 12 5. Christ is present by the working of his holy spirite and doth make vs one with him and members one of another And we be partakers of the godly nature 2. Pet. 1 4. in that we flee the corruption which is in this world through lust Euery one which receiueth this holy Sacrament 1 Cor 13 2 3. worthily in true fayth repentance 1. Cor. 10. 3. 4. Iohn 6. 54. to 57 63 2. cor 13 5. 1. cor 6. 15 17 19. Rom 8. 9. 12 5. ephe 5 30 1. Cor. 10 17. and charitie doe then receyue the body of Christ working by his spirite and forgiuenesse of all their sinnes Christ then dwelleth in them and they in him and are vnited to him and made members of his bodie and also members one of another by the secret and marueylous working of the holy Ghost Christ doth out of the substance of Gal. 2. 20. Rom. 8. 9. 10. 11 his flesh giue life vnto our soules And we do liue by his holy spirit and vertue abiding in vs. And by that vertue and power we doe hate sinne and the deuill and ouer come them Thus are the faythfull fâ—d with Christ Iohn 14 23. 1. Iohn 3 24 4. 13. Ephe. 3 17. 2. Cor. 1 22. Rom. 8. 11. his body and doe liue by his holy spirit and vertue abiding in them And thereby their fayth is nourished and strengthâ—ned and their soules fed with this spirituall foode in Christ vnto eternall life This is our communion with Christ and the eating of his bodie and the drinking of his blood Thus by our true faith and the working of the holy ghost we are made his members and members one of another so one body in Christ he being our heade from whom wee all Rom. 12. 5. Col. 1 18 to 2â— doe drawe of his fulnesse So wee eate Christ in such sort as hee abydeth in vs. The maner of the receyuing of this grace and vertue and the incorporating Ephe. 5 30 32 of the faythfull into Christ is a great secrete and more then our tongues can expresse or our mindes able to conceyue This holy Sacrament which some call the Lordes supper others the holy Communion of the body and blood of our Lorde and sauiour Iesus Christ and commonly the holy Communion Christ did institute and ordeyne at his Mat. 26 to 31. Mar. 14 22. to 26. Luke 22 19 20 last supper with his disciples Which institution saint Paul expoundeth and declareth in these words following I haue receyued of the Lorde that 1. Cor. 11 23 to 30. which I also haue deliuered vnto you That the Lord Iesus in the night he was betrayed tooke breade and when he had giuen thankes he brake it and said Take eate this is my bodie which is broken for you this doe yee in remembrance of me After the same maner also he tooke the cuppe when he had supped saying This cuppe is the new testament in my blood This doe as often as ye drinke it in remembraunce of mee For as often as ye shall eate this breade and drinke this cuppe yee shewe the Lordes death till he come Let a man therefore examine him selfe and so let him eate of this breade and drinke of this cuppe For hee that eateth and drinketh vnworthily eateth and drinketh his owne damnation because hee discerneth not the Lords bodie Further Saint Paule sayeth The â— Cor. 10 16 17 cuppe of blessing which wee blesse is it not the Communion of the blood of Christ The bread which we breake is it not the communion of the bodie of Christ For we that are many are one bread and one bodie because we all arâ— partakers of one bread Note that as the breade is Christs bodie So is the cup the new Testament The new Testament is the promise of saluation made to all beleuers in Christ Therefore the eating of Christs bodie is spirituall and so sayth Saint Paul 1. Cor. 10 1 2 3 4. This forme order of the Lords Supper we ought to hold wholy to keepe for the remembrance of his death and benefites till he come againe at the end of the world to iudgement THis holy sacrament is a distributing The holy Sacrament what it is wherefore ordeined of sanctified bread and wine in the assembly of the faithfull according to the commandement of Christ To testifie that hee hath deliuered his bodie to death and shedde his blood for our redemption The visible signes of the Lords supper are bread wine The things signified is the breaking of Christs body by the separation of his soule from his body and the shedding of his blood for our redemptioÌ„ And also our vnion with christ that Christ maketh the faithfull pertakers of his body blood as surely and verely as they receiue the saÌ„ctified bread and wine And that the remembraunce thereof with prayse and thankes vnto Christ for the same is vnto our soules Rom. 8 11 spirituall meate and nourishment and strengthening vnto our fayth So the inuisible grace in this Sacrament is Christ himselfe This holy Sacrament was instituted 1. Cor. 11. â—6 Suke 22 19. appointed to bee done of all the faithfull in remembrance of Christ his death and the benefites wee receyue thereby And that wee should publikely declare and confesse till hee come againe to iudge that all our trust for eternall life and saluation is in his death and merits Also this holy Sacrament is appointed Heb. 13. 15. 1. Cor. 10 31. Ephe. 5 20. Col. 3 17. to be a ceremonie of prayse thankesgiuing And that in celebrating it in our assemblies we doe with prayse and continuall thankes glorifie Christ and giue him thankes for his death and passion Further
it is a token of the vnion we 1. Cor. 10 17. Ephe 4 4 5 6. Rom. 12 5. haue with Christ and is the bonde of loue amongst vs Christians For we that are many are one body in Christ vnited together by the power of the holy ghost Christ being our head and we his members And also the receyuing of this holy 1. Cor. 11 26. 1 Cor. 10 17. Ephe. 4. 3 to 8. Col. 3 17. 1. Thes 5 18. Sacrament is a publike confession of our fayth and a solemne binding of our selues to leade a Christian life in fayth and charitie with continuall prayse and thankes to Christ for our redemption THe wicked do not eate the body of 1. Cor. 10 21. Iohn 15 1 to 8. Christ for Christ doth not dwell in them And in whom Christ doeth not abide without doubt is not partaker of Rom. 8 9. mat 5 23 24 Christ his bodie nor any member of him albeit he eate the sanctified breade and wine which is the signe of his bodie and blood He that eateth Christ dwelleth in Christ and Christ in him The wicked which are knowen are to Iohn 6 56. 1. Cor. 5 9 c. Mat. 18 17. 1. Cor. 10 21. bee excluded from this holy Sacrament vntill they shew their true sayth by godly repentance THerefore they which come to this 1. Cor. 11 28. 2 Cor. 13 5. holy Supper must examine proue themselues if they haue faith and repentance and doe faythfully beleeue that they are deliuered from damnation by the onely mercie of God for the merits death and passion of Christ Iesus our sauiour And must desire to profite and goe forward in godlinesse and newnesse of life And so to shewe forth the Mat. 5 23 â—4 2 Cor. 7 10. 1. Cor. 13 2 3. Gal. 5 6. death of the Lorde in fayth and repentance by their godly life being heartily sory for their sinnes and to be in charitie with all men He that sayth he beleeueth and doe â— Iohn 4 20. â— Tim. 3 5. Tit. 1 16. not shewe it in his life and doings is a lyer and by his euill doings he denieth the power of godlinesse Such persons professe they knowe God but by their euill workes they denie him and vnto euery good worke reprobate Saint Paul commandeth vs to withdraw our selues 2. Thes 3 6. 14. 1. Cor. 5. Rom. 16 17. 2. Pet. 2. 20. 21. 22. Mat. 12 45. Reue. 2. 5. and 3 16. from such and haue no company with theÌ„ that they may be ashamed That they and euery of them may remember from whence they are fallen and repent In baptisme we are receiued into the church therefore this is but once to be done in al our life The Lords supper is a confirming of our faith feding of our soules must be often done to declare the Lords death as aforesaid and is to be done not to one alone but in the assembly of the faithfull when they meetâ— 1. Cor. 10 17. and 11. 26. together He that hath true faith is fed with Christ to be saued bodie and soule vnto eternall life To whom be all prayse honour glory power and thanks for euer Amen The conclusion and summe of this Booke THose thinges which are before written Of the holyâ— Trinitie and Gods prouidence consisteth briefly in this That the Almightie God and his fulnesse which is the Almightie power that made Heauen and earth That the same God dwelleth and abydeth bodilye in Christ Iesus And that this holye Spirite the Almightie power which proceedeth from Christ defendeth and keepeth vs from the power of Sathan and preserueth all the faythfull to euerlasting life Iohn 1. Colos 1 22 c. 2 Cor. 5 18 19. Iohn 14 15 c. Ephes 2. 18. Rom. 8 9. 1. Cor. 6 19. Phil. 2 13. Acts 17 28. Psal 34. 7. â— Pet. 1 3 4 5. Also that we beleeue to bee saued onely Of fayth by the mercie of God for the merits death and passion of Christ Iesus our Sauiour And that therefore God will heare our prayers bee mercifull vnto vs and forgiue vs our sinnes And after our lyues here ended at the tyme appoynted for the Resurrection Christ will raise these our vile bodyes out of the dust ioyning againe to them our soules and will then make the bodies of the faythfull lyke vnto his glorious bodie to liue in heauen with him for euer 1. Cor. 5. 18 19 21. Rom. 5 10 19. 1 Iohn 5 13. 14. 1 Cor. 15 22. Col. 1 13 14. 1 Thes 5 9 10. 1. cor 1 30. Phil. 3 20 21. 2. Thes 3 14 c. Luke 20 35 36. Iohn 11 25 26. 1 Cor. 15 33. Iohn 20 31. Further That the holy Sacraments Of Sacraments of Baptisme and the Lords Supper are holy signes ordeyned to bee assured tokens to all the faythfull of the mercie of God by Christ And that we doe receyue with them by the working of the holy Ghost such good benefites and graces from Christ Iesus the which our tongues cannot expresse Matth 28 19 20. Luke 22 19 20. 1. Cor. 10 16. 17. Iohn 6 63. Gal. 2 20. Rom. 8 9. Tit. 3 4 to 8. 2 Pet. 1 3 4 5. And also That whosoeuer hath this Of the life of a Chistian assured fayth shall be saued And that hee which hath this fayth will loue Christ his Sauiour and will haue a continuall feruent and earnest desire to keepe his commaundements And hauing sufficient to mainteyne his familie for that hee which doeth not prouide for them hath denyed the fayth and is worsse then an infidell will also to his power comfort helpe and relieue with his goodes his needie neighbours and brethren in Christ And continually striue with himselfe agaynst his wicked nature to doe vnto others as he would they should doe vnto him Iohn 17 3 and 14 15 c. 1. Iohn 3 23 24. Rom. 7 14 c. and 6 12 16 and 8 1 2. 1. Tim. 5 8 1 Iohn 4 20. 21. Iam. 2 17 26 Mat. 7. 12. So the whole life of a Christian is to beleeue and trust in Christ for saluation and all things else louing him aboue all thinges And to receyue the holy Sacraments and loue one another as Christ hath commaunded 1. Iohn 3 23 24. Gal. 5. 6. 14. Eschew euill and doe good What Christ hath commaunded that we should doe what hee hath forbidden that should we not doe The summe of the holy scriptures is the Lawe and the Gospell The Law teaching vs what we ought to doe And the Gospell sheweth vs the promises of God in Christ and teacheth vs fayth and charitie The whole duetie of man is feare Eccles 12. 13. Pro. 8 8. 13. God and keepe his commaundements The feare of the Lord is to hate euill And the dutie of a christian is to know what Christ hath taught and to doe thereafter and fulfill it to his power Loue Christ aboue all and thy neighbour as thy selfe this is the summe of christianitie The Lord for his mercie direct vs euer in his truth and that directly and only we may all seeke Gods glorie Now vnto the king euerlasting immortall inuisible vnto God onely wise bee honour 1. Tim. 1. 17. and glorie for euer and euer Amen See the principles of Religion more at large in a little booke named A godly comfort for all Christians Dayly lessons to be obserued of euery Christian 1 EVery morning and euening and at thy meales pray vnto God and giue him thankes for his benefits and be sorie for thy sinns And alwayes when thou art tempted to euill then thinke on Gods coÌ„mandement concerning that matter and the godly feare to breake that commandement will ouercome that temptation For the remembrance of God putteth away euill 2 Begin nothing before thou know how to finish the same and consider well of the ende that may come thereof Trust not to much to thine owne wit 3 Rule thy tongue that it runne not before thy wit but let thy mind rule thy tong First thinke and then speake for wordes spoken haue power ouer the speaker Affirme nothing before thou know the truth nor beleeue any thing rashly Refraine from foule language 4 If thou will correct any man doe it with gentlenesse Be gentle in thy behauiour and familier in thy communication 5 Promise with good consideration knowing first howe to performe it when thou hast promised performe it faythfully Requite benefites for it is due to render deserued thankes 6 Vse no familiaritie with any vicious person and beware of liers and flatterers 7 When thou wilt aske counsell aske it of him that gouernes himselfe honestly And make no furious man dronkard nor vicious person of thy counsell 8 Doe not that thy selfe which thou dispraysest in another 9 Eschew idlenesse and bee not ignorant in those thinges which is a shame to thee not to know Vse diligence and doe not that to morrow which thou mayest wel and lawfully doe the same day 10 It is more surer for thee to pardon then to reuenge for euery reuenge ministreth occasions of further crueltie Therefore seeke to liue in peace with all men and meddle not with those matters which perteyne not to thee Be slowe to wrath hate crueltie and in thy furie subdue thine affections Be not hastie nor wrathfull for those be the conditions of a foole Hastinesse causeth repentaunce and frowardnesse hinderance 11 Vse measure in all things for temperance calleth a man backe from all euill affections Temperate sparing is good gayning for small expences often vsed consume great substance 12 Remember what thou art and what thou shalt be and thinke nothing profitable which is not honest and godly Liue honestly hurt no man and giue to euery man his due Eschew euill and doe good and God will blesse thee Giue glorie prayse and thankes vnto Christ our Sauiour So be it Imprinted at London for Iohn Hill dwelling in Pater Noster rowe at the signe of the golden Eagle and the childe 1590.