Christes righteousnes holynes innocencie and immortalitie and of all the merites of Christ and his whole glory For it is written The glory which thou gauest me I haue giuen them He also is made partaker with the Church and all the good that euer it or any member of it had hath or shall haue for there is in it a communion and fellowshippe of Saintes which we beleue and which hath wayting on it alwayes the forgiuenes of sinnes the rising agayne and eternall lyfe with God Qu. In examining our selues The third matter in examination what els must we looke for An. Our estate before the Churche The state of the faythfull before the Church wherein is required not onely that we forgiue from our hearts those that haue offended vs that we may haue an experience within our selues of Christes spirit and so glorifie God in our heartes by assurance of his mercy in forgiuing vs and accepting of vs in Christ As it is written Forgeue and you shall be forgiuen Math. 6. But also we muste seeke to be reconciled to them whom we haue offended As it is written Mat. 5.23 If thou offrest thy gyft vpon the alter and there remembrest that thy brother hath ought agaynst thee leaue there thy gifte and go and be reconciled first to thy brother and then come and offer thy gifte and this must not only be done of vs before we come to the Sacrament but also concerning prayer to the Lorde For it is written When you pray say thus Our father c Forgiue vs our trespasses as we forgiue them that trespasse agaynst vs. Qu. But were it not better firste to doe these thinges that concerne Gods glory then to seeke reconcilement afterwardes for is not this to prefer to offices of charity before the worship of God and to set the the second table which cencerneth our brethren before the first which concerneth the Lorde him selfe An. As the heart of man is prone into the way of offence euen from the wombe and hath not any inclination of it selfe into the way of the Lord The naturall man hath an cuill heart so they in vain pretend to haue receiued eternall blessings from him by his spirite where there is not in some measure these the like fruites of the same spirite And the Lorde taxeth them as false pretenders to worship God which proudly coÌ„temn their brethren whoÌ„ they haue offeÌ„ded And vnder one kinde he setteth downe the outward exercises of the diuine worship wherby men ofteÌ„ times do more couÌ„terfet lines theÌ„ truly testify it which is the property of al hipocrits as it is seen in the pharasie Qu. The papistes in steede of all this say goe to the prieste and tell him all thy sinnes then come at Easter and receiue c. do you thinke it well An. No nothing of vs ought to bee accounted well done that is not done to the gloric of God Qu. Why they will say they doe it to the glorie of God and how can you prooue the contrarie An. There is no good thing vvithout the light of the vvorde Nothing can be done to the gloric of God without obedience There is no obedience without the worde so that I conclude nothing can bee done to the glory of God without the testemony of the worde But these vile immaginations be not only without the worde which were enough to throw them withall their good put poses intents down to the diuel in iudgment but that they may holde their interest in a deeper and more horrible vengeance they are directly agaynst the manifect testimonies of the worde of the Lorde First they will haue the people to confesse their sinnes to them The Scripture willeth vs to confesse our sinnes to the Lorde onely Dauid sayth Remember not Lorde the sinnes of my youth Psal 25.7 Psa 51.3 4. c. And agayne Agaynst thee O Lorde haue I sinned Also Luke teacheth vs by the example of the lost sonne to confesle our sinnes to the Lorde The Publicane sayde Luc. 15.1 Luc. 18.18 Lorde be mercifull to me a sinner And where the Priestes say they must confesse all the Prophet Dauid sayth Who can tell howe ofte hee offendeth Psal 19.12 Also where as they say they can forgiue sinnes Sooner sayde then proued they shew their fust condemnation namely that the diuell and sinne reigneth in them For if they can forgiue sinnes then Christ dyed in vayne But let God be euerlastingly true and the diuell and all Papistes lyers I euen I am he sayth the Lord that put away thine iniquities for mine owne sake Esa 43.23 and will no more remember thy sinnes Psal 3.8 Also whereas they alow the Sacrament to the people onely at Easter they do in that as in the rest for as they robbe the Lorde of his honour and put an holines in the time so all the other times of the yere wherein the Lorde sayth to the whole Church in respect of the Supper beeing a publike action Take ye eaâ—e ye the Papists say let the Priest eate it alone and let all the people gase looke on But be the Lords trueth neuer so playne ageynst this kind of superstitious receyuing the Lords Sacraments yet such force hath these deuises of the diuell to holde the vngodly in condemnation that you shall see many in many places and they not the least euen at this day The Popes friends which professe to ferue the Lord by seasons come once a yere to the Sacrament more for feare of the lawe then for loue to the Lord. who at Easter will come very deuoutly and all the yere after neuer a whit in whom the foule stenche of the diuels excrementes in these and the like practises of popery hath so forestalled their senses that there is no place in them for the sweete fauour of the worde of lyfe whose condemnation sleepeth not And for so muche as these and their Popish teachers hold vp an other doctrine then Christ hath taught vs we are warranted by the Apostle to holde them accursed Qu. What say you to the place of Saint Iames which thy alleage for eare confesseon Iames. 5.16 where he saith confesse your sinnes one to another An. Saint Iames in the wisedome of the holie Ghoste prouideth for the comfort of Gods chosen in the distresse of spirite thorough the conscience of sinne in which case he adutseth the Lords people to imparte them such greefe with some such of their brethren as in the wisedome of Gods spirite according to the folowwip of his hee may iustly hope both for such counsell in the warrantise of the word as his soul needeth and also may be strengthened by his feruent prayers to the Lord and so the words following proue for he saith Confesse your sinnes one to another and pray one for another that ye may be healed c. Also if this gaue any strength to eare confession then must the prieste
wherewith the enimie striketh the same armeth vs to greater saluation and euery wounde that we do receiue the same confirmeth vs to a suter life Then before as I sayde care not for sinne for that is abolished so here I may adde Care not for hell for the nearer we feele it the further we are from it Let them feare sinne that feele it not and let them be afrayde of condemnation that knowe not what it is vpon whom destruction shall come sodenly as an armed man Our eyes haue be kept waking and we haue seene our sinnes our harts haue fainted before the anger of the Lorde and wee haue not despised his heauenly calling therefore in the daye of trouble we shall haue rest In this perswasion we will liue and dye and if our soules should melt for feare within vs although the Lord should kill vs yet would we trust in him Abraham beleeued in the Lorde and it was imputed vnto him for righteousnes against hope he beleeued vnder hope and if our hoye seemed to be takeÌ„ from vs yet would we patiently wayte the Lordes leasure vutill we saue our hope agayne that at the least our fayth might haue agayne the glorye and trueth of full assuraunce An other thing we must labour in and in an other thing we shall haue temptation and that is that we may see what is the glorie of God and immortall life herein lette vs meditate in our beddes and thinke on this in our secret places in the middest of companies let these cogitatioÌ„s be often in our heartes and in all places let these be out mâ—ses when we shall apprehende with all the seruauntes of God what is the height the bredth the length the depth we shall know that the glory is great of immortalitie and he is onely to be belecued who shall shine in honour when this vanitie is ouerpast His strength is great that layde the foundations of the worlde and bys brightnes exceeding that made the Sunne and the Moone His treasure and ritches are aboue measure who hath giuen princes their golde siluer and other precious stones for the honour of man he in deed is of excellent maiesty who is king of kings Lord of Lords his power is aboue all who maketh sicknesse his messengers and death his minister till he shal abolish them both for his mercies are vnspeakable that forgineth vs all our sinnes his goodnes is great who hath had regard to the children of men From nothing be brought vs into life he kept vs from the graue he wil restore vs make vs see his glory When I would think on this my soule is compassed with dulnes of flesh that I cannot see the fulnes of his fauour When I would consider in my heart what is his grace darknes ouershaddoweth mine vnderstaning all my thoughts do vanish in his immortality WheÌ„ I would speak of al his louing kindnes my toung cleaueth to the roote of my mouth and my words stick fast within my lippes But this one thing in al mine infirmities I can perceiue that his glorie is exceeding great whose glorie I can not comprehend the life is long appointed vnto man where his heart and minde can see no end If al the world were a flowing water and euery yeare one drop shoulde be deminished the Sea should be all made dry and the bottomes of the deepe shoulde appeare before he shall ceasse to liue whome God hath raised from the dead and this breadth widenesse betweene heauen and earth if it shoulde be filled vp and cuerie yeare but one handful of earth added to the work yet sooner should the great distance be closed vp the emptie places made full then he shall cease from ioy and gladnes who shal stand in the resurrection of the iust This is the glorie that hath neither spot nor blemishe before which me thincketh not only princesse the glory of the world but the Sun and Moone all the hostes of heauen are nothing else but meere vanitie for death shaddoweth the glorie of man though hee spread his branches neuer so farre yet the graue closeth vp in little roome the ambitious heart which before was enlarged from East to West And the heauens that are high free from death yet are holden vnder the tyranny of enuious and consuming time in which they shall be changed onely the Lorde is in honour and maiestie who hath set eternity rounde aboute him cast out time vnto confusion Oh Lorde where are their eyes that say not this or their hearts that see and regard it not who hath be witched them in the countenances of meÌ„ to carry the hearts of beasts and to forget the latter ende The Lord turne them the run astray the they may know see wher is their glorie but the teÌ„ptations haue ouertaken them which are against our hope when the Lord shall deliuer them from euil they shal giue thee thankes and reioice with vs that they also haue eyes to see And blessed are you good mystres H. and God hath visited you in an acceptable time whose heart he hath touched with feare whose affections he hath filled with hunger and thirst that you should mourn for the redemption that is in Christe and be pleased with nothing but with the grace of his countenance This is a schoolmystres to bring you vnto him a bond to tye you fast that you shal not be seperate And accomplishe I beseeche you this good worke of his grace till you loue the Lorde withall your heart and till you can say with the blessed Apostle I desire to be desolued and to be with Christ For this purpose we are chastised of the Lorde and when our faith is tried at the last it shall be made strong that w e it wee may quench al the firie darts of Sattan and in righteousnes and peace and ioy of the holy Ghost runne the course that is set before vs till in a blessed issue of happy daies with a good spirite wee maye say boldly Lorde nowe lettest thou thy seruaunte departe in peace whiche I beseeche GOD the father of our Lord Iesus Christ the God of mercâ— and Father of all consolation graunte vnto you Amen Pray pray pray pray this is your best seruice wheresoeuer your duetie is most bounde
before the Lorde which do not these dueties for I thinke you shall easily finde many which professe the Gospell and yet do neuer one of them but rather the contrarie So that the very Papistes and Infidels receiue more readily obey more willingly prouide for more sufficiently esteme more highly and do all other things more carefully as our experience doth approue too true for their popish sacrificers idolaters and diuell worshippers then these doe the true seruauntes and ministers of Iesus Christ An. In the Lordes presence they be found to deceiue them selues The state of such as neglect ther dutie to the Lordes messengers Mat. 7.21 whose religion is but in vayne words for that the Lord liueth not in them as in deede he doth not where his glory and kingdome is not cared for Of whom the mouth of the Lorde hath spoken that they shall neuer enter into the kingdome of heauen and they deserue to perish in extreme famine that eyther reiect or so lightly account of the spâ—rituall foode of their soules reached vnto them of the Lorde by the handes of hys Church and ministers and their iudgement sleepeth not for the Lorde him selfe â—arth Who soeuer shall not receiue you nor heare your wordes when you departe out of that house or out of that citie shake of the dust of your feete Mat. 10.14 15. Truely I say vnto you it shall be easier for them of the lande of Sodom and Gomortha in the day of iudgement then for that Citie Luc. 10.11 14 15. Qu. Many thinke them selues in best case when they haue a minister that cannot labour in preaching the worde of the Lord amongest them what do you think of their estate An. Men miserably blinde and see it not First their estate is most wretched for that as blinde men without guide they wander in darknesse for without the word there is no light in our waies Psa 119.105 Thy worde is a lanterne to my feete and a lighte vnto my pathes and also both the one and the other be vnder the iudgement of God Mat. 15.14 The estate of the people that haue an vnpreaching minister If the blinde lead the blind doth they not both fall into the ditche Qu. Then it semeth that you tye the saluation of the people of necessitie the to preaching of the Gospell An. It is moste true for without the preaching of the Gospell there is no ordinarie meane to attaine to faith Rom. 10.14 â—7 faith commeth by hearing the worde of God preached Without faith we cannot atteine to Christ Ioh. 6.40 He that seeth the sonne and beleeueth in him hath euerlasting life c. With out Christ is no way to pacifie the fathers wrath Mat. 3.17 This is my beloued sonne in whom I am well pleased heare him And if the fathers wrath bee not pacified there is no hope of life Psa 2.12 if his wrath be kindled yea but a little we shall perish in the way The necessitie of preaching the Gospell which men make light of So that I conclude that without the preaching of the Gospell it is not possible to be saued Qu. Do you include infants fooles and deaf folkes within this necessity An. No The wisdome of Gods spirit doth leade vs in the streight wayes of the Lorde nor binde the Lorde vnto the meane but in all chinges confesse him to be free but I say that for others the Lord hath giuen vs no ordinarie meane but the preaching of his Gospell Mat. 28.19 Goe preache the Gospell to all creatures who soeuer beleeueth and is baptised shall bee saued c. Mar. 16.13 Qu. There be that thinke that if a man haue learning Selfeliking ignorance and reason that is corrupt blindes many a one especially in the sciences tonges he can not be ignorant of the way of life and so will often reason for others and persuade them selues the one say such bee learned they muste needes knowe the truth The wisdom of carnall men is against God The Lorde when he wil doth vse the meane but he is not bounde to it and the other contemne preaching as if they were too wise for it An. Albeit it pleaseth the Lorde to vse the ciuill knowledge whereof you speake for the furtherance of his gospel when one where he seeth it conuenient yet is it no sure consequent that where these thinges he there also is the sure knowledge of the Lordes truth for in Ephesus were many excellentlie learned in ciuill knowledge As Pithagoras Parmenides Zeno Democritus such like Ephes 1.13 and yet wholie ignoraunt of the way of the Lorde and Saint Paule proueth their faith in Christ to haue commed only from the preaching of the Gospell thorough the power of the spirite of Christe saying In whom ye also trusted after that you heard the worde of truth euen the gospel of your saluation Qu. Then as I take it also you would that in teaching there should onely be vsed the testimonie of the worde it selfe The maner of such as seeke more to please their cares then to profite their soule And yet many that goe for wise men do looke that the preachers should feede them with prophane stories and sayings of men Also some like to spende much time in fables and other needlesse matter Howe thinke you of it An. I graunt you that such things may carry a wilie shew to the carnall man but in all these and a thousand moe of like sort standeth not the faith of Gods chosen for it onely resteth in the word of trueth which Saint Paul testifieth in this respect Esai 55.11 to be the Gospell and when these be at the last yet want the warrant of the spirite to testifie for them that they be the word of truth Againe the Lord blesseth his own meane whose gospel hath a blessing in it selfe and neuer returneth emptie which all these earthly out showes want though in some sort the auouching of some haue their vse namely to confute them that trust in theÌ„ Act. 17.28 Tit. 5.1.12 2. Tim 4.2 as S. Paul doth in the like also they are commanded to preach the worde Mat. 28.20 1. Pet. 4.11 Iho. 9.10 Qu. I see then that the onely way to iustifie vs before God is through fayth in Iesus Christ which you proue that God worketh in our hearts by the preaching of his Gospell But by what meanes I pray you is this iustifying fayth continued and increased in vs An. By the selfe same preaching of the worde For as it is written As new borne babes 1. Pet. 2.2 desire the sincere milke of the word that you may grow thereby 1. Pet. 2.5 1. Cor. 3.2 Heb. 5.13 14. Also the holy Sacramentes are ordeined for vs of the Lord to this end The Lorde by his word and Sacramentes sheweth hys singuler care for the sauegarde of his Church Gal. 3.27 namely to confirme the promises of his Gospell vnto
vs and to confirme our fayth in the same As appeareth All ye which are baptized into Iesus Christ haue put on Christ Act. 2.38 And Ioh. 6.51 I am the liuing bread which came downe from heauen if any man eate of this bread he shall liue for euer c. Qu. Are there no necessarie helpes vnto these for the increase and confirmation of our fayth An. Yes and those that can not be wanting without great preiudice to the Church of God namely true earnest and often prayer and discipline according to the worde As for the first it is sayde Aske and haue and whatsoeuer you aske of the father in my name he will giue it you And for the seconde it is written thus Cor. 5 3 4 5. I verily as absent in body but present in spiriie haue determined already as though I were present the he that hath thus done this thing when you are gathered togeather and my spirite in the name of our Lorde Iesus Christ that suche a one I say by the power of our Lorde Iesus Christ be deliuered to Satan for the destruction of the fleshe that the spirite may be saued in the day of the Lorde Iesus Qu. What is a Sacrament An. A Sacrament what it is An outward signe ordeined of God for the greater assurance and strength of our fayth beeing vnto vs sure pledges of those venesites of our saluation which we receiue in Christ to be ours For it is written Gen. 17.11 Ye shall circumcize the foreskinne of your fleshe and it shall be a signe of the couenaunt betweene me and you Exo. 12.3 4 5 6. Rom. 4.11 Qu. How many Sacraments be there in the church of Christ An. Two baptisme the Lords supper as appeareth Brethren I would not haue you ignorant the al your fathers were vnder the cloude and al passed through the sea were al baptised vnto Moses in the cloude and in the sea 1. Cor. 10.1 2 3 4. and did all eate of the same spirituall meate and did all drinke of the same spiritual drink for they dranke of the spirituall rock that followed them and the rocke was Christe Qu. Who shall minister the Sacraments An. He in whose mouth the Lorde hath put his worde for the people as it is written Go teach al nations baptising them in the name of the father and the sonne and the holy ghost Christ gaue this commaundement neither to midwiues as they call them or any other women or to priuate men but to those whom he had chosen his Apostles and had giuen them warrant habilitie to teach Mat. 28.19 The Sacraments ministred where the worde is preached whereby appeareth that the word preached and Sacraments must go together Act. 10.47 Act. 16.32.33 Qu. Where must it be ministred An. Where the worde is preached and because this Sacrament comprehendeth an holy and solemne introduction or admittance into the Church of God Priuate places be not fit for publique actioÌ„s Mat. 28.19 and is a testimonie of our heauenlie deliuerance it is not lawfull to minister it but in the asseÌ„bly of the faithful as appeareth in that is said Go preach and baptize c. and. Mar. 16.15.16 Qu. To the strengthning of our faith how many thinges do we principally learne by baptisme An. Especially two First as water washeth away the filthines of the flesh so the bloode of Christe doth wash away sin from my soule as is written Mar. 1.4 Iohn did baptise in the wilderues preach the baptism of amendment of life for remission of sinns Secondly I am taught to rise to newnesse of life For it is written we are buried then with him by baptisme into his death Rom. 6.4 that like as Christ was raised vp from the dead by the glory of his father so we also should walke in newnesse of life Qu. Wherein is the faith strenthened in the vse of the Lordes supper An. First as by the hande and mouthe my bodie receiueth bread and wine so by faith my soule feedeth of the body and blod of Christ Iesus said vnto them Ioh. 6.35 I am that bread of lyfe he that commeth to me shall not hunger and he that beleeueth in mee shall neuer thirste Secondly all the benefites of Christes passion and his righteousnes are as surely sealed to be mine as I am sure my body hath receiued the bread and wine and as if I my selfe had wrought them For it is written He was deliuered to death for our sinnes Rom. 4.25 and is risen agayne for our iustification Qu. Who shal be admitted to the Lords Supper An. A Christian choyse in admitting to the Lords Supper Only they that can do those things that are required of them that be partakers thereof Qu. Children fooles madde folks and the ignorant must not be admitted for they can not doe this What must they doe that be partakers thereof An. Examine them selues as it is written Let a man examine himselfe and so let him eate c. Qu. Must euery one that receiueth the Lordes Supper of necessitie examine him selfe An. 1. Cor. 11.28 Hee must of necessitie or else hee shall bee guilty of a moste horrible sinne Qu Of what sinne shall he bee guiltie An. Vnworthy receiuers equall with the murthereâ—s of Christ 1. Cor. 11.27 Of the death of Christe and shall be equall with those murtherers that slew him for it is written Who soeuer shall eat this breade and drinke the cup of the Lorde vnworthilie shall bee guilty of the bodie and bloode of the Lorde Qu. What is the rewarde of that sinne An. Gods standing vengeance eternall death for it is written he that eateth and drinketh vnwortily 1. Cor. 11. eareth and drinketh his owne damnation Qu. Seing the necessitie of this examination is so great as may appeare by the iudgements of God for the want of it Ignorant ministers carelesse people shift sinne betvvixt them which yet is greatly to bee feared that very fewe do rightly consider of How many thinges muste they especially seeke for in them selues that do communicate An. Three Three things to be especially considered in examination Namely their estate before God their right knowledge concerning the Sacrament and their estate towards their brethren or before the Church Qu. In seeking their estate before God what must they doe An. First seeke their estate by nature according to the lawe rightly vnderstoode where they shall finde themselues in the wrath of God as S. Paule testifieth to the Ephesians saying Ephes 2.3 We were by nature the children of wrath as well as others Qu. Whereto serueth this in searching their estate before God In all our actions vve musâ—â— especially caâ—e for the glory of God An. First for the glory of God whiche is not duly considered where our condemnation is not knowen For it is written Who careth for the Phisition that is not sicke VVe must not
confesse him to one which they wil not grant therfore they do but ingle with the Lordes trueth Qu. Then you will take nothing from any mans warrant No warrant is fase but the Loras namely the Papistes without proofe of the worde of God rightlie vndersteode An. No for leauing thē their friendes w e their vnwritten verities Ioh. 4.25.5 39 16.13 Their chopping changing of the worde Deut. 5.2.12.32 Their holding them miufficient to deeide controuersies Psa 19.7 Luk. 16.20 Therfore keeping them from the people Psal 95.10 Iohn 17.3 Their imagination of the Scriptures darknesse Psal 19.7 Some of the dregges of the Popes Church Their vayne boasting of the Churches authoritie agaynst the worde of God Iero. 7.8 1. Tim. 3.15 Their false opiniō of works Iob. 9.3 Rom. 3.10 Their presumptuous opinion of the Popes supremacie Mat. 1.28.19 Iohn 20.23 Luc. 22.26 1. Pet. 5.1 2 3. Their eare confession Psal 25.7 Their Purgatorie Mat. 25.26 Psal 51.3 4. Their praying for the dead their Masses and trentals and dirgies 2. Sam. 12.21 Luc. 19.26 Their praying to Samtes Iere. 17.5 Rom. 10.14 Their olde customes and following of forefathers Mat. 15.2 3.12.30 Their Latin seruice Mat. 7.6 7 8. Their Images Exod. 20.4 Their transubstantiation Mark 16.19 Luc. 24.16 Act. 1.9 10 11. Their vnpreaching priesthood 1. Tim. 3.2 Act. 20.28 1. Pet. 4.1 The diuersities of meates for conscience sake and a thousand mo abhominatiōs Mat. 6.11 Rom. 14.14 2. Tim. 4.3 4. We rest our selues wholly safely in the alone word of God as vpon a most trustie witnesse of all trueth that fayleth not for it is written Heauen and earth shall perishe Mat. 24.35 but not one sote of the worde of the Lorde shall fayle Qu. I woulde be moste glad to participate with the Church of God in the vse of this Saccament so oft as they come together to that ende but I see it is a thing most worthy such reuerent consideration as is commanded vnto vs in the word I see the horror of my sinnes so great The best consciences are soonest feared vvith sinne fecle in my selfe so litle repentance and fayth that I feare I am vnworthy to receiue it An. In deede to the worthy receiuing of the Lords supper suche examination of euery one in his owne conscience as the Apostle requireth is very needfull But as for sinne which is in euery one by nature which also of it selfe is deadly euen from the greatest to the least we are to discerne our estate in that case not by the sinne but by the partie as we are taught in the Rom. 6. where he willeth that sinne do not reign in vs which it doth in euery child of man till the spirite of Christ be giueu vnto vs by the preaching of the Gospell As it is written A strong man armed keeping the house all that he possesseth be in peace till a stronger then he come c. Then our sinnes bee deadely VVho sinne deadly when they haue the reigne and dominion in vs And sinne reigneth when we giue ouer to sinne when we striue not agayust it VVhen sinne hath the masterie it flayeth the man but alowe of it and consent vnto it If you yeelde your selues to obey his seruauntes you are to whom you obey whether it be of sinne vnto death or of obevieuce vnto righteousnes And this power of sinne thus raigning doth testifie that the grace of Gods spirit is wanting But if we striue against our sinne if our eye be single that is our minde vpright striuing into the waye of the Lord without hypocrisie or dissimulation though sinne be in vs yet our sinnes are not of force to separate vs from God nor are any such things as shall euer condemne vs but for Christes sake whose peculier spirite hath wrought in vs this misliking of sinne as ignoraunce want of feeling of the Lords kindnes and whatsoeuer of like sort with a longing alter the wayes of the Lorde they are forgiuen vs and shall neuer be layde to our charge because we beleeue in Christ For the distance betweene heauen and earth is not so great as is the difference betweene sinne beeing in vs Rom. 7.20 and sinne raigning in vs as maye appeare in that it is sayde Gal. 5.17 If therefore your sinnes do displease you These fruites of Christes spirit assureth vs of the grace of Christ if you purpose to be an enimie to sinne in your selfe and others if you purpose to walke al your life in the true feare of God and in the light of his worde if you beleeue in Christ Iesus for pardon of your sinnes and stay your selfe vpon his promises I testifie vnto you that you shall be a moste welcome guest to this table of the Lorde Christ hath already sealed in you that you are deare in his sight he hath giuen you of his spirite They that are least in their owne sighte are moste dear vvith the Lord. and you shall haue fellowship with him and with the father by him and with the whole Church of God Christe will dwell in you and you shall dwell in him for euer therefore measure not the Lords mercies by reason which is corrupted but let fayth holde fast his promises and be ioyfull in the Lorde and from the grounde of a pure heart giue all prayle to him to whom all prayse is due for euermore Qu. Not the deed but the maner of doing is al. How many sortes be there of them which receiue not the Sacrament An. There be two sortes namely those that will not and those that can not Qu. What is the estate of both An. The estate of the one namely those that can not is not daungerous for the necessitie of the Sacramentes extendeth not so farre as to exclude them from eternall life which can not enioy the vse therof and those that haue faith which giueth them title and right to eternall life and power to discerne rightly of the Sacramentes though they haue not the means to be partakers of the Sacraments shall not be depriued nor excluded from saluation Their estate i◠not daungerous vvhiche vvould and can not Also as this estate is not dangerous so the condition of such as will not namely of those which contemne the Lords mysteries is damnable For it is vndoubtedly an act of infidelitie and worthy of damnation Their estate is damnable that can and vvill not for this and all wickednes proceedeth from vnbeliefe For it is written Take heede brethren that there be not in any of you an euill heart and vnfaithfull Heb. 3.12 to departe away from the liuing God c. Frō which estate of men the Lorde keepe all that be his for euer Amen FINIS ¶ A most godly and comfortable letter written by by maister Edvvard Deering to a Christian gentlevvoman beeing in heauinesse of spirite very needefull and by the grace of Christ helpfull to suche as be in
we wil not cast it out but the Lorde be thanked who hath had mercie vppon vs to make hold fast the word of truth what soeuer our fathers haue vainely taught vs And yet we are not in securitie But a third enimie is in the hart of man that the word of God may not haue his perfect honor and that is an opinion conceiued of earthly thinges planting of holines in corruptile creatures As in meates drinkes daies garmentes conditions of life places times Cerimonies neither hearing our Sauiour Christ that God is a spirite and onelie he is to be worshipped in spirite and trueth neither his Apostle Paule that the element of that world commend vs not vnto God for neither if we eate are wee euer the worse neither if we eate not are we euer the better These many and great tentations stand against vs assoone as wee woulde giue our selues to the word of God which is the beginning of a christian life Trowe you that in the continuance of our course and iorney before we come at our sauiour Christ shall we not be sifted and tried to see what is within vs. And you good mystresse H. to apply this to your selfe tell me howe you haue learned Christe hath his gospell bene peaceable in you from the first day til now without all contradiction was your minde neuer puffed vp in vaine imaginations did the traditions and persuasions of men neuer shake your thought haue you not ben tēpted w e opinions of creatures as though some wer more holy some more prophane I knowe as you long after Christ desire his trueth in single heart so his grace you haue not without sharp bitter trials and the more freely the word of God shall possesse your soule and fill your hart full with all desire of it the more you shall feele what fight is againste it looke for the like in all your life and when you approche to the true feare of God prepare youre hearte to the strongest assault The word of God thus made knowen vnto vs and when we follow it with all our soule that we maye haue a liuely fayth to reioyce at the promises of God to feare at his threatning and feele a full perswasion of a certayne performance of all his words O Lorde what is the malice of Satan and though many temptations are against vs the long prosperities of the wicked in which they triūph whiles the goodnes of God prouoketh thē still to repentaunce the bitter sighing of the godly in which they mourne vnder many crosses whiles God maketh their fayth precious before him these haue rooted quite out of the hearts of the vngodly the fayth and truth which they owe vnto God so that agaynst all his iudgementes they haue opened their mouths and said aloude Where is the promise of his cōming and against all his mercies they haue proclaymed warre and sayde they will not haue Christ to reigne ouer them But these temtations Christ hath ouercome in vs and giuen vs his spirite in which we know assuredly that the Lord reigneth neither slacketh he his comming as many accounte slacknes but he will come and his glory shall be knownen And yet we are not in peace but Satan wil sift vs another way He will lay our sinnes before vs to make vs feare that the promises of God belong not vnto vs and this of all temptations is the greatest yet we feare not for what belongeth to all our sinnes which Christe hath not borne sorowe sicknes death hel condemnation were they not in his body and are they not all crucified vppon the Crosse Is he not risen from them and hath he not broken the chaynes of death and so is ascended vnto glory If this be my feare because I am a sinner rather let me reioyce for Christ hath takē my sinnes vpon him and hath buried them deeper then the bottome of the sea he hath ledde it openly in triumph and nayled it vppon the crosse from henceforth and for euermore It hath no strength whosoeuer secme to colour it as redde as scarlet or make it like purple it is still nothing and casteth but a vayue terror before our eyes we will neuer deny this but freely confesse it that we be miserable sinners and not worthy to lifte vp our eyes to heauen but who will lay our sinnes to our charge now god hath iustified vs Or what sinne can rest vpon vs now Christ hath washed them away That which once was in fight with Christ and he hath ouercome it who shall set to his hande the seconde time to make the victorie perfect This is true and euerlasting trueth hath sealed it vp that sinne is abolished for euer and euer howsoeuer we feare or tremble or be faynt harted yet before the Lorde with whom our life is hid there is no perill no daunger no fcare but peace and righteousnes without ende Let our sinnes be neuer so great neither we nor our sinnes can chaunge the new testament that God is mercifull to our sinnes and will blot out all our transgressions therefore this care is paste that our sinnes be many the more they are the greater is his mercy who hath forgiuen them And this is the token which God hath giuen vs that we are his because we are greeued with our sinnes for our Sauiour Christe ouercame sinne with paynes sufferings which belong vnto it and this is the badge of our redemption to be made like him in afflictions we haue sinne and abhorre it it woundeth vs with feare it setteth before vs condemnation we haue a sence and feeling of Gods anger agaynst it and hell gnaweth vpon our soules because of transgression O blessed state and treasure of gladnes this was the image of Christ when he ouercame sinne a marke of my redemption in my owne flesh that I should not faynt As the sunne maketh the day and the night darknes so this affliction of sinne is the badge and cognisaunce of our certayne forgiuenes And herein see the goodnes of God which turneth all things to the best to those that loue him Through feare of sinne the diuell fighteth agaynst vs without feare of sinne we could neuer haue boldnes through anguish of heart the diuell woulde ouerwheline vs with sorrowe without anguish of heart we coulde neuer haue ioye In feeling Gods anger the diuel would make vs to dispayre without feeling his threatning and trembling before him we could neuer haue strength of fayth that his mercies are for euer In all sufferings I am like to Christ they are the markes of mine addoption that I am hys childe do we not heare the Lord him selfe doth speake If we be without correction then are we bastardes and not sonnes and to shewe what our correction shall be he sayth in another place If we be planted with him into the similitude of his death then shall we also be partakers of his resurrection Who hath heard so great salnation as this Euery weapon
A Preparation into the waye of lyfe vvith a direction into the right vse of the Lords Supper Gathered by VVilliam Hopkinson Preacher of the worde of God Printed at London by Robert Walde-graue for Iohn Harrison the yonger and Thomas Manne 1581. ¶ To the right Honorable Syr Henry Sidney Lorde President of her Maiesties Counsel in the Marches of VVales Knight of the moste noble order of the Garter and of her Maiesties most honorable priuie Counsell VV. H. wisheth plentie of those blessings which haue promises of this life and the life to come SEing that it is the duetie of euery true Christian Righte Honorable from the highest to the lowest according to the measure of the grace that he hath receyued of the Lord to reache out him selfe vvith continuall attendance to profite euery his felowe neighbour especially in the charge ouer vvhiche the Lorde hath set him for the tyme so labouring in him selfe to exceede the measure of the moste vvho make muche of lyfe vvithout consideration vvherefore they liue I haue held my selfe bounden by all meanes that I might to endeuour the regarde of those ouer vvhom the Lorde by your Honour hath set me And seeing that not onely the iudgement of reason but continuall experience doth teache vs that to make a scholler learned in the tongues the readyest vvay is to begin vvith the letters or vvell profited in any Science to set first a sure foundation in the principles of the same I haue helde it the moste ready entraunce to make the Lordes trueth familiar to his people especially them of vvhom I haue speciall knowledge and ouer vvhom peculiar charge to laye the groundworke as sure as I might namely in leading them in the light of the Lords vvorde to the true sight of them selues in two respectes that is vvhat they are by nature and vvhat by grace vvherof if eyther be vvanting in the knowledge of Christians the Lorde looseth in respect of him his due glory and the people their saluation As if the first be not knowen men receiue the Lordes promises in securitie as vvhich number at this day seemeth to be great and if the second be not had mens hearts are surprised in the vvaye of death And as he that buyldeth without a foundation layde shall buylde in the ayrc so this steddie groundworke surely founded vvell beat vpon shall giue an easie entraunce to further buylding by the vvord of doctrine and faith that the Lordes Saintes by this meanes maye through his grace not onely be gathered as the Apostle sayth but that through the vvorke of the ministery they may be built vp into him vvhich is the head euen Christ Iesus And for this cause I haue as I might gathered these directions by the Lords vvorde for a perpetuall testimony to remayne vvith thē a consent to suche as turne to the Lorde and for a vvitnesse to the rest But especially next vnto this foundation layde haue I laboured to leade them into the right vse of the Lords Supper a speciall confirmation of Gods promises in Christ to our cōfort a matter also miserably neglected and lightly accounted of to the lamentable ruine and downefall of many thousande soules for the Lordes iudgementes stande inuiolably vvhose vvorkes doth testifie that they are iustly in daunger of his endles indignation vvho prophane his misteries in vnworthines of vvhat condition or sort soeuer they be for vvith him is no respect of persons In both vvhich I haue ioyned the desire of mine owne discharge vvith the peoples safetie and gathered the summe of both into suche a forme as may best agree vvith their experience not as refusing or lightly accouting of the labors of such godly brethren as haue much profited the Lords people in the lyke vvay but as casting in two mytes vvith the poore VVidow to the Lotds vvorke vvhich as it vvas specially ment for mine owne charge so haue I yeelded to the perswasion of certayne godly friendes to communicate the same vvith the Church of God by suffering it to be published in print both for the comfort of the godly the Lorde blessing it and testifie to the Papistes the Lordes enimies that though the varietie of speach be diuers yet that vvee holde firmely one and the selfe same grounde and substance of trueth and that there is not amongst vs at all any oddes or varietie of doctrine vvhatsoeuer they and their lyke shame not vniustly to say agaynst vs. But in this case considering that it must vndergoe the viewe aswell of foes as fauourers that as I am assured of fauourable acceptation amongst the godly yet as the sunne neuer vvanteth light the fyre heate or the srostie vvynter coldnes so haue there euer bene and vvyll be plentie of such vvho in steade of vvell deseruing do please them selues vvith vniust reproching of others labours In this respect as that I might content my selfe in accepting gladly any iust occasion to leaue some testimonie of a right thankfull heart for your Honours fauours many wayes vouchsafed me vvhereby I holde my selfe in the Lorde continually bounde to your Honorable house in all that I maye and in consideration vvherof vvhen other meanes be vvanting wherby to testifie the same I shall not cease I truste right humbly to commende your estate vnto the Lorde vvho hath promised to heare the iuste prayers of his seruauntes for the vvorthines of his Christ So haue I bene bolde to present the same vnto your Honour such as it is the rather hauing iust cause to perswade my selfe of your honorable acceptation and protection of vvhatsoeuer may profite the Church of God I haue also together deliuered to the print for the care I haue of my brethrens health a most notable and christian cōfortable letter vvritten by that notable member of the Church of God in his time M. Edward Dering to a godly christiā gētlewomā by which through the Lordes blessing I must needes confesse to haue gayned muche comfort as also mine hartie desire and hope is that others shall So that vvhile the vncleane and impure Atheistes frozen harted Papistes temporisers carnall Gospellers and infidels shall suppe out the measure of Gods iudgementes to the bottome vve vvell vvarranted in our Christian estate soundly directed in the right vse of the Lordes mysteries by the vvorde preserued in the extremities of sinne and in all lightned to the right application of the grace of Christ shall vvith inuincible constancie runne out the course that is set before vs and patiently vvayte for our deliueraunce euen the comming of our Lorde Iesus Christ of vvhom it is vvritten that he shall appeare the seconde time vvithout sinne to saluation to them that vvayte for him VVhich that vve maye continually do our good God and Father graunt vnto vs by the speciall direction of his holy spirite of sanctification and grace and powre plentifully vpon your Honour those blessings vvhich speciallye concerne the aduauncement of his glory your Honours safetie both in body and
conscience and the peace of his Church in and for his sonne our Lorde Iesus Amen Your Honours most humbly to be alwayes vsed in the Lorde Christe VVILLIAM HOPKINSON ¶ A preparation into the waye of lyfe with a direction into the right vse of the Lords Supper Question HOwe had you your beeing at the first Answere God created mee and all men in Adam as it is written The Lorde God made man of the duste of the grounde and breathed in his face breath of life and man was made a liuing soule Question Wherefore did God create you Ans To seeke his glory as it is written Of him through him and for him are all things to him be glory for euer Amen Qu How will God be glorified Ans According to his will reuealed in his worde For it is written Deut. 12.32 Whatsoeuer I commaunde you take heede that you doe it thou shalt put nothing thereto nor take ought therefrom Iosh 1.7 Qu. In what estate were you created An. Holy and excellent without sinne in perfect righteousnes and holynes before him as appeareth Gen. Let vs make man in our image according to our likenes Gen. 1.27 c. Qu. How became you subiect to so many infirmities Ans By sinne and disobedience As it is written Because thou haste obeyed the voyce of thy wife and hast eaten of the tree wherof I commaunded thee Gen. 3.17 saying Thou shalt not eate of it cursed is the earth for thy sake in sorrow shalt thou eate of it all the dayes of thy life Qu. How became you sinnefull An. Adam transgressed the Lords precept in eating the forbidden fruite lost his innocencie and brought sinne vpon him self and all his posteritie As appeareth when he had yeelded to disobey the Lorde Gen. 3.9.10 The Lorde God called to the man and sayde to him Where art thou Who said I heard thy voyce and was afraide because I was naked therefore I hidde my selfe Also the Lorde God sent him foorth from the Garden of Eden Gen. 3.23 to till the earth from whence he was taken c. Qu. Is this sinne in euery one by nature An. Yea in all Adams posteritie none excepted as it is written Rom. 5.12 As by one man sinne entred into the world and death by sinne and so death went ouer all men in as much as all men haue sinned Qu. What is the rewarde of sinne An. Death eternall as it is written Deut. 27.26 Cursed bee hee that continueth not in all the wordes of this lawe to doe them Rom. 6.23 Gal. 3.10 Qu. Shall I escape this death by the workes of the lawe An. No. For it is written Rom. 8.3 For that that was impossible to the law in as much as it was not able because of the flesh God sending his owne sonne in the simisitude of sinnefull flesh condemned sinne in the flesh Qu. Sith the Lawe doth not instifie vs before God what profite hath a Christian by it An. The vse of the lawe Iosh 1.8 First it is a way for Gods children to walke in as it is written Let not this booke of the lawe depart out of thy mouth but meditate therein day and night that thou mayest obserue and doe according to all that is written therein for then shalte thou make thy waye prosperous and then shalt thou haue good successe c. Deut. 6.6 Secondly it teacheth man not to truste in his owne innocencie For it is written We haue proued that all both Iewes and Gentiles are vnder sinne Rom. 3.9 10. Psal 14.1.53.4 Thirdly it pulleth downe the pride of mans heart and humbleth him before God as it is written We knowe that whatsoeuer the lawe sayth it sayth it to them which are vnder the lawe that euery mouth may be stopped Ro. 3.19.20 and all the world culpable before God And by the workes of the lawe shall no fleshe be iustified for by the lawe commeth the knowledge of sinne Fourthly it is a scholemaister to Christ Gal. 3.23 for it is written Before faith came we were kept vnder the lawe and shut vp vnto the fayth that should afterwardes be reuealed wherefore the lawe was oure scholemaster to bring vs vnto Christ that we might be made righteous by fayth Qu. Why should we doe good workes sithe they do not iustifie vs An. First The right end of workes Ioh. 14.15 to shewe our loue to God our father in walking as becommeth his children For the Lorde sayth If you loue me keepe my commaundementes Leui. 11.44.19.2 Secondly to shewe our loue to our selues making our election therby sure vnto our selues For it is written Ephes 1.3.4 Blessed be God euen the father of our Lorde Iesus Christ c. He hath chosen vs in him before the foundation of the worlde was layde that we should be holy and without blame before him in loue 1. Pet. 1.2.2 Pet. 1.10 Thirdly to profite our brethren and glorifie the Lorde Mat. 5.16 Let your light so shine before men that they seeing your good workes maye glorifie your father which is in heauen 1. Pet. 2.12 Qu. VVhat works be good and the contrary Rom 14.23 Howe many things are principally to be considered in good workes An. Three First that they proceede from an heart purified by fayth Whatsoeuer is not of fayth is sinne Mat. 7.17.18 Secondly they muste be ruled by the worde of God for it is written Eph. 2.10 We are his workmanship created in Christ Iesus vnto good workes which he hath prepared for vs to walke in Thirdly the speciall ende for which they are done muste be the glory of God 1. Cor. 10.31 for it is written Whether you eate or drinke or whatsoeuer you doe doe all to the glory of God Exod. 32.32 Rom. 9.3 Qu. What is eternall death An. The euerlasting curse of God whiche conteineth all the tormentes that can be deuised both of soule and body for it is written Deut. 27.26 Cursed is he that continueth not in all the wordes of this lawe to doe them Gal. 3.10 Qu. By what meanes shall I escape this death An. Onely by fayth in Christ as it is written Rom. 3.28 We conclude that a man is iustified by fayth without the workes of the lawe Iohn 3.13 36. 5.24 6.40 47. 11.25 20.29 31. Math. 9.2 Luc. 7.50 Act. 10.43 16.3 Rom. 1.12 Gal. 3.26 Phil. 3.9 Col. 1.23 Eph. 3.12 Heb. 11.6 1. Pet. 1.9 c. Qu. What is a Christian fayth An. VVhat fayth is A full perswasion and assurance of mine heart that whatsoeuer Christe hath wrought for mans saluation perteineth not onely to others but to me also and is furely mine as it is written For I am perswaded that neither death for life Rom. 8.38 nor Angels nor principalities nor powers nor things present nor things to come nor height nor depth nor any other creature shall be able to separate vs from the loue of God which is in