first petition by idolatry and among the rest ascribing to Saints that honour which belongeth to God Thirdly against the second petition by keeping the Scriptures and prayers in an vnknowne tongue and by false doctrine and false sacraments and persecuting such bee the true worshippers of God Fourthly against the third petition by holding freedome of will and power in themselues and by themselues to doe the will of God Fiftly against the fourth petition by merits if we must aske daily bread to bee giuen wee cannot deserue heauen by our workes Sixtly against the fift petition by humane satisfactions merits ability to fulfill the law and by holding that the fault being forgiuen the punishment may bee reteined and their denying particular faith is against that clause As we forgiue our debters Seuenthly against the sixt petition by denying perseuerance in grace Eightly against the word Amen by denying particular faith and holding prayers in an vnknowne tongue 1 Cor. 14.19 Q. How against the Sacraments A. First by holding seuen sacraments Secondly by saying sacraments conferre grace of the worke wrought without any goodnesse in the receiuer Thirdly by holding children dying without Baptisme remaine for euer in a dungeon and be not saued Fourthly by saying that the wicked may receiue the very body and blood of Christ Fiftly by reseruing the bread in a boxe and carrying it about without receiuing it Sixtly by holding transubstantiation which is against the institution of Christ who tooke the bread brake it deliuered it and said Doe this in remembrance of me till I come therefore hee meant not to bee bodily present Seuenthly in that they deliuer not the wine to the people as the Apostles did A Thankesgiuing or Grace before meate GOod Lord forgiue vs our sinnes and giue vs the graces of thy holy spirit and as thou hast prouided foode for our bodies giue vs wee pray thee a sober and wholesome vse thereof that we may bee more fit for thy seruice through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen A Thankesgiuing or Grace after meate THy holy name bee praised O Lord for that thou hast fed vs at thiâ— time and from time to time with thy good creatures especially for our redemption by Iesus Christ Giue vs grace wee pray thee to serue thee in holinesse and righteousnesse before thee all the daies of our life and blesse with vs thy whole Church preserue and direct our King and other Rulers comfort the afflicted grant thy Gospell and peace more and more to flourish through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen A prayer for the morning to be vsed in the family by the Master or some other in the family as a helpe for a time to such as be not able to conceiue a praier for it is better to reade a praier then not to pray at all and obserue the speciall parts or things required in praier which are set downe in the margin of the praier following that so you may the better learne to conceiue a praier O Eternall Almighty The Preface and onely wise God thou euen thou art Lord alone thou hast made heauen the heauen of heauens with all their hoast the earth and all things that are therein and thou preseruest them all and the hoast of heauen worshippeth thee thou art the great and terrible God that keepest couenant and mercy for them that loue thee and indeauour to obserue thy commandements Thou hast promised that such as haue accesse to the throne of thy grace shall finde mercy and that if we confesse our sinnes with a detestation of them thou are faithfull and iust to forgiue them all O Lord let thine eare now bee attentiue and thine eyes open that thou maiest heare the praier of thy seruants forgiue all our sinnes Behold Confession of sins we were conceiued and borne in sinne and by nature could not at all conceiue the things of God which are spiritually discerned Our carnall wisedome is enmity with thee and before our calling wee drunke vp iniquity like water all the imaginations of the thoughts of our hearts were euill onely and continually we rebelled against all thy holy Commandements and cast them behinde our backes wee were strangers from the life of God and enemies to thee When we were thus wallowing in pollution and wickednesse it pleased thee in vnspeakable mercy to seeke vs and to reueale thy selfe gratious to vs through Iesus Christ thy beloued Sonne and to call vs and to enter into couenant with vs and yet haue we sinned very vnthankefully and vnkindly and haue transgressed all thy Commandements and are yet full of ignorance worldly sorrow distrustfull and carnal feare earthly mindednesse pride impatience selfe-loue Wee haue not considered thy all-filling presence not trembled at thy iudgements nor beene thankefull for thy benefits as we ought and thus we haue sinned euery day in euery place we haue liued in euery age and condition of our life wee are in respect of these sinnes many moe often multiplied against thee most vile and wretched sinners ashamed to lift vp our eyes or to looke vp to thee wee haue prouoked the eyes of thy glory we haue deserued all thy punishments in this world hell-fire in the world to come But most gracious Lord Petition for forgiuenesse of sinnes who art the Father of mercies and God of all consolation enter not into iudgement with thy seruants O Lord forgiue and take away all iniquities transgressions and sinnes and receiue vs graciously cast all our sinnes into the bottome of the sea and looke vpon vs through Christ whom thou hast sent forth to be a reconciliation through faith in his blood and hast consecrated him to bee the author of eternall saluation to all that obey him Giue vs grace to beleeue helpe our vnbeliefe say to our soules thou art our saluation and seeing thou iustifiest none but whom thou sanctifiest and also it were great vnthankfulnesse to desire forgiuenesse of sinne with a purpose to liue impenitently we pray thee cause vs to bewaile our sinnes with a godly sorrow Petition for repentance and sanctification grieuing for them more then for any other crosses and O Lord heale our natures mortifie crucifie our sins that the vigour and force of them may daily decay and be wasted Teach vs to deny all vngodlinesse worldly lusts and to liue righteously soberly godly in this present euill world quicken vs and renew vs after thine own image in righteousnesse and true holinesse inable vs to serue thee in our generall and particular callings keeping our consciences void of offence towards God and towards men that our lights may so shine before men that they may see our good workes and glorifie thee our heauenly Father Petition for increase of grace Cause vs to grow in grace in the knowledge of our Lord Sauiour Iesus Christ to forget those things which are behinde and to reach forth vnto those things which are before pressing toward the
of the wants and miseries of others to see how many walke ignorantly other many in security hypocrisie superstition and other sins many also in diseases and painefull troubles of body and minde We haue looked too narrowly vpon bad examples and neglected good thus vile we are and more then we are able to expresse all our sinnes are mortall and damnable being committed against thine infinite Maiesty and thine holy and vndefiled word We haue grieued thy good spirit wherby we are sealed to the day of our redemption wee are vnworthy to breathe in the aire or to tread on the earth but worthy to be left to our selues and to the malice of Satan to heape vp wrath against the day of wrath and the declaration of thy iust iudgement But seeing that thou so louedst the world that thou gauest thine only begotten Sonne that whosoeuer beleeueth in him should not perish but haue life euerlasting and seeing he hath cancelled the hand-writing and bond which was against vs and thou hast giuen him to bee made vnto vs wisedome righteousnesse sanctification and redemption and that if we should despaire we should dishonour thee and giue aduantage to the enemies of our saluation Wee pray thee inable vs to glorifie thee by beleeuing that our sinnes are forgiuen Good Lord wash away our crimson and scarlet red sins with the precious blood of Christ that we may be as white as wooll and as snow that thou maiest see no iniquity and behold no transgression in vs set our sinnes as farre from vs as the East is from the West and seeing thou dost iustifie none by the merits of our Sauiour but whom thou dost sanctifie by the efficacie and vertue of his pretious death and gloâ—ious resurrection yea seeing it were hainous vnthankfulnesse to desire remission of sinnes and to liue wickedly we pray thee cause vs to be sorry for our sinnes with a godly sorrow and to testifie our sorrow by a care to auoide sinne and the occasions thereof and to doe holy duties in a holy manner imbracing the occasions of the same and by apology and herein we pray thee inable vs to confesse our sins and to craue pardon that we may be assured thou dost absolue and acquit vs from all our sinnes Moreouer giue vs indignation against our sinnes and ourselues by reason of them saying to them get them hence what haue we to doe with them any more also worke in vs a godly feare and desire draw vs and we will runne after thee and cause vs to testifie our repentance by a zeale of thy glory that the coales of our loue to thee may be fiery coals and a vehement flame and by reuenge offring violence to sinne resisting and striuing against especially such sinnes as we are most inclined to Sanctifie vs throughout our mindes that wee may know thee to be the onely true God and whom thou hast sent Iesus Christ purge our consciences from dead workes to serue thee the liuing God write thy lawes in our harts and mindes cause vs to obserue and doe them set a watch before our lippes that we offend not with our tongues but that we may be an humble people of a pure language seruing thee with one consent hating lying swearing and all euill speaking turne away our eyes from beholding vanity direct our steppes in thy word and let none iniquity haue dominion ouer vs cause vs to giue all diligence to make our calling and election sure by faith in thy promises and by adding to our faith vertue shining in a gracious course of life among men and to vertue knowledge seeing without knowledge wee can doe nothing well and to knowledge temperance auoiding curiosity riotousnesse wantonnesse and to temperance patience quietly willingly and constantly subiecting our selues to thy holy prouidence in afflictions comming either immediately from thy holy hand or from men although they wrong vs thereby and to patience godlinesse by a zealous worshipping of thee and to godlinesse brotherly kindenesse shewed to the houshold of faith in a speciall manner and to brotherly kindenesse loue euen to our enemies Cause vs to purge our selues from all pollution both of flesh and spirit and to grow vp to full holinesse in the feare of thy name that as our saluation is nearer then when we first beleeued it so our faith repentance and new obedience may be more Inable vs to put on weare the whole armour of God that wee may stand fast the girdle of truth against all hypocrisie and falshood the breastplate of righteousnesse against all vnrighteous and euill waies the shooes of peace assured of our reconciliation with thee against troubles the shield of faith against doubting the helmet of hope against fainting and the sword of the spirit thy holy word against all errour and ignorance O knit our hearts for euer to thee that we may feare thy name and so liue as to glorifie thee to winne others to thee and to proue our faith to be liuely and true that so we may reioyce in the Lord and lift vp our faces before the Almighty and wee pray thee to grant the same blessings that wee haue craued for our selues to al thy people according to their necessities and conditions Grant thy Gospell a free passage throughout all nations where thou hast appointed to gather thine elect by the ordinary meanes Blesse Kings and Magistrates that they may be nurses to thy Church Cause them to serue thee with feare and to reioyce with trembling especially we beseech thee to blesse our King and other Rulers in this land that true religion may flourish popery and superstition and all profanenesse and wickednesse more and more rooted out Blesse the Ministers of thy word it is thy will to conuey heauenly treasures in earthen vessels and although the word seeme to worldly men to be foolishnesse and as weake as the trumpets vsed in the ouerthrow of Iericho yet make it thy power to the saluation of thy people to the conuincing of gaine-sayers Forgiue the sinnes of this land other lands where thy name is called vpon and giue repentance to them that yet liue swearing drunkennesse oppression wantonnesse contempt of thy word and such other grieuous sins that make the land to mourne Purge thy Church that it may bee faire as the moon Purge as the sunne and terrible as an army with banners Comfort also we pray thee the afflicted with sicknesse pouertie wars trouble of conscience or any other aduersity distressed according to the multitude of their sorrowes let thy consolations refresh their soules blesse them also that we are bound to by nature charge desert or any other bond and those that pray for vs or haue desired our praiers And we desire to praise thy holy name and in that weake measure as wee are able wee giue thee humble and hearty thankes for our election redemption vocation iustification measure of sanctification and hope of glorification and also for all the blessings whereby this present life hath beene the more comfortable to vs anâ— grant that this may bee the chiefe end of all our petitions that wee may more cheerefully serue thee and that our loue may not be a selfe-loue but that wee may labour to preferre thy glory before our owne saluation and be grieued that we haue so much selfe-loue in vs and finally as thou hast graciously protected vs this day past for which we praise thy name so wee pray thee to preserue vs this night keepe vs from wicked dreames and from all dangers let thy watchfull prouidence compasse vs about and thine Angels defend vs grant vs such refreshing by rest and sleepe that if it please thee to giue vs more time in this world we may bee the more chearefull and fit for thy seruice and keepe our soules awake and watchfull that at our dissolution they may be carried by the Angels to heauen that when we shall awake at the last day we may be satisfied with thine image Heare vs in these things and whatsoeuer else thou knowest needfull for vs or any of thine for the merits of thy beloued Sonne in whom thou art well pleased to whom with thee and the holy spirit be all honour and glory dominion and power ascribed of vs the whole Church from this time forth and for euermore Amen FINIS
AN EXPOSITION of the Creede the Lords Prayer the tenne Commandements and the Sacraments Catechetically Composed BY IOHN BRISTOVV Minister of the Word of God 2 Tim. 1.13 Hold fast the forme of sound words which thou hast heard of me in faith and loue which is in Christ Iesus LONDON Printed by M.F. for Samuel Man dwelling in Pauls Church-yard at the signe of the Swanne 1627. To the Congregation or Inhabitants of Charlewood in Surry Grace and Peace be multiplied SEeing that Catechizing is very profitable not onely when it is vsed by the Minister in the publike assembly of the Church but also by Parents and Housholders priuately in their families I haue written this little Booke to bee some helpe to you in making vse of it in your families I pray you consider these weighty arguments and reasons that shew the necessity of Catechizing whereof some haue relation to God some to the persons to Catechize and to bee Catechised Concerning God first his commandement a Exod. 12.27 13.8.14 Deut. 6.7 Prov. 22.6 Ephes 6.4 secondly his example who briefly deliuered the whole Law and Gospell b Exod. 20. Mat. 22.37.38.39 Gen. 3.15 17.7 thirdly it is a meane to preserue the worship of God pure this being neglected after Iosiah Religion decaied very much This is one meane to purge out the leauen of Papistry and other errours and that if heretikes come among vs they may be remoued or reclaimed Papists say in their Catechisme of Trent that wee haue gotten ground of them by Catechizing Let vs take heed that we lose it not againe by omission thereof fourthly this is a meane to inlarge Gods Kingdome and we ought to restore backe againe and to consecrate to God the children which we haue receiued of him Concerning the persons to Catechize first Gen. 4. â—8 19 Ios 24.15 Heb. 6.1.2 2 Tim. 3.15 we haue the examples of Adam Abraham Iosuah and the Apostles and so was Timothy trained vp and since in ecclesiasticall histories it doth appeare Catechizing to haue beene vsed by the people of God in the time of Origen Socrates c. SecoÌ„dly Acts 20.26 Col. 3.16 they haue the charge of them that are committed to them and must answer for them Moreouer they are bound to bee able and to imploy their talents for the good of others thirdly they shall receiue ioy by the successe of such labour when God shall be glorified the Church and Common-wealth receiue benefit and themselues haue diligent and faithfull seruice performed 1 Cor. 3.8 fourthly the griefe and woe they sustaine by the wickednesse of inferiours furthered or not hindered by them Concerning the persons to bee Catechized first hereby their memory may be helped when fundamentall points are briefly set downe and they may haue therby some meanes to know their duties to God and men as they couenanted in Baptisme secondly hereby they may the better be fitted to receiue the Lords Supper thirdly their health and saluation is hereby procured fourthly many miseries yea besides the rest damnation will bee the portion of them that remaine ignorant and vnreformed for man is borne like a wilde Asses colt rude and vnruly or like a field vntilled so as hee must by teaching be fitted for good duties Know also that not onely children but such as bee of moe yeeres may receiue profit by Catechizing For some haue not spent their youth so profitably as to bee plentifully indued with knowledge as they are which are said to haue the spirit powred vpon them Acts 2.17 but haue neede of a guide euen in fundamentall points and are but babes Heb. 5.12.13.14 and haue need of milk yea it is profitable to men that are already indued with knowledge and sound iudgement Rom. 15.4 2 Pet. 1.12 3.1.2 to bee stirred vp and pricked forward yea the Apostles doe write of fundamentall points among other things to such Churches as did know the truth and were full of knowledge and of pure mindes Finally Iob 28.28 Iam. 3.13.15.17 Ephes 4.21.22 24. Esa 11.9 Prov. 18.4 1 Iohn 5.18.20 bee carefull so to know as to practise what you see to be reuealed in the Word of God so shall you bee renued in knowledge after the image of God and shall grow in knowledge more and more and be filled therewith as God hath promised and be in wisedome as a flowing brook that cannot bee drawne dry and be preserued from sinne that is to death and bee like builders building vpon a rocke This let vs doe and wee shall giue vp our accounts with ioy together and so I commend you to God and to the word of his grace which is able to build you vp and to giue you inheritance among all them that be sanctified Acts 20.32 Yours in all Christian duties most ready Iohn Bristow An Exposition of the Creede the Lords Prayer the tenne Commandements and the Sacraments Question WHat is God Ans God is a spiritual essence a Iohn 4.24 Exod. 3.14 most holy b Esa 6.3 mercifull c Micah 7.18 iust d Psal 11.7 onely wise eternall almighty e 1 Tim. 1.17 incomprehensible f Psal 139. vnchangeable g Iames 1.17 perfect h Gen. 17.1 Iob 37.16 Mat. 5.48 blessed i 1 Tim. 6.15 glorious k Heb. 1.3 Q. How many Gods are there A. There is but one GOD l Deut. 6.4 which is distinguished into three persons m 1 Iohn 5.7 Mat. 28.19 the Father the Sonne and the holy Ghost Q. What is God the Father A. The first person in the Trinity from euerlasting begetting the Sonne and sending forth the holy Ghost n Iohn 1.14 Rom. 8.11 Q. What is God the Sonne A. The second person in the Trinity begotten of the Father o Iohn 1.18 and sending forth the holy Ghost p Rom. 8.9 Q. What is God the holy Ghost A. The third person in the Trinity proceeding from the Father and the Sonne q Iohn 15.26 Q. What are the workes of God Psal 124.8 Rom. 11.36 A. First the creation of the world Secondly the vpholding and gouerning thereof by his prouidence Q. Wherefore did God make you A. To serue and glorifie him r Deut. 32.18 Rev. 4.11 Q. In what estate did God makâ— you at the first in Adam A. After his owne image consisting especially in righteousnesse and true holinesse s Gen. 1.26 Eccl. 7.29 Ephes 4.24 Q. Did mankinde continue in thaâ— excellent estate wherein they were created A. No but lost it by the intisement of the deuill and their owne wilfull disobedience eating the forbidden fruit t Gen. 3.2 2 Cor. 11.3 and by Adams fall all men are conceiued and borne in sinne u Rom. 5.12 Eph. 2.1 2 3. and subiect to all miseries in this life x Deut. 27.26 28.15 and in the end of this life to death y Rom. 6.23 and to hell fire euer after
finde not â—â—ese things at all in our selues c 1 Cor. 11.27.29 and at the wicked doe not receiue the body â—â—d blood of Christ d Ioh. 6.54 but onely the outâ—ard elements but what if wee finde â—â—em but weake and feeble A. Then wee may and ought to â—â—ceiue to be further strengthened e Math. 11.28 12.20 Q. What is to be considered of vs in â—e time of celebrating the Lords Supâ—â—r A. By the two signes that Christ a perfect Sauiour f Heb. 7.25 by consecrating â—d setting apart the Bread and â—ine that Christ was appointed of â—od to be our Mediatour g Iohn 6.27 by breaâ—â—ng the Bread and pouring out the â—ine that Christ suffered for vs h Es 53.5 Iohn 19.34 by giuing the Bread and Wine thâ— God giueth Christ with all his mâ—rits to true beleeuers by receiuinâ— the Bread and Wine the applicatâ—on of Christ and his merits to oâ—â— saluation i Gal. 2.20 Q. What is to bee done after the râ—ceiuing the Lords Supper A. Thankesgiuing for Chrâ—â— and all his benefits and renewiâ—â— our faith repentance and obeâ—â—ence as we couenanted at the Lorâ— Table Q. Is the Bread and Wine turnâ— into the body and blood of Christ A. No first because the faithfâ—â— in the old Testament did eate tâ— same spirituall meate that we doe but they could not feede on him therwise then by faith k 1 Cor. 10.1 2 3 4. hee hauiâ—â— not then taken flesh secondâ—â— Christs body shall be in heauen vâ—till the day of iudgement l Acts. 3.21 thirdâ—â— Christ said Doe this in remeâ—brance of mee therefore hee meaâ— not to bee bodily present fourthâ—â— if the outward signe be taken awaâ— there is no Sacrament Q. What is meant by these words of our Sauiour This is my Body and this is my Blood A. Math. 26.26.27.28 This doth signifie and represent â—nto you my Body crucified and my Blood shed for remission of your sinnes â—nd by your faith you arâ— spiritually â—artakers of my Body Blood to eterâ—all life The grounds of Christian Religion somewhat inlarged by some addition to the Exposition of the Creede the tenne Commandements and the Lords Prayer that by often reading them they may be known although they be not learned without booke as the former Question WHat are the chiefe thing to be knowne in Christâ—an Religion A. First how tâ— serue God aright Deut. 20.12 2 Coâ— 10.31 secondly hoâ— wee may be happy Act 16.30.31 Ioâ— 17.3 Matth. 11.28 Q. Where is the knowledge of thâ— things to be gotten A. In the holy Scriptures of the oâ— and new Testament where God haâ—â— plainely taught vs all things necessary faith and good life 2 Tim. 3.16.17 â—eut 12.32 Psal 19.7 Reuel 22.18 Q. How doe you know the Scriptures to the word of God A First by the perfection of the â—â—w and the Gospell therein contained â—â—condly by the fulfilling of the propheâ—â—s thirdly by the Maiesty of the stile â—â—rthly by the efficacy fiftly by the â—iracles sixtly by the consent seâ—â—nthly by the wonderfull preseruatiâ—â— thereof eightly by the testimony of 〈◊〉 holy Spirit Q. Seeing the fundamentall and chiefe â—â—â—ngs contained in the Scriptures are briefly â—â—prised in the Creede the tenne Comâ—â—ndements and the Lords Prayer let vs â—our to come to the vnderstanding thereâ—â—â— and first to begin with the Creede what â—â—th it containe A. Twelue Articles whereof the â—â—t concerneth God the Father the â—â—e next God the Sonne the eight â—â—d the holy Ghost and the foure last 〈◊〉 Church Q. Concerning the first Article I beâ—â—ue in God the Father Almighty maker of heauen and earth you haue already tâ— me what it is to beleeue or what faith is the definition of a speciall iustifying faitâ— which is here vnderstood but are there 〈◊〉 other kindes or sorts of faith which are coâ—mon and not peculiar to the elect A. Yes there are three other namâ—ly first an historicall faith whereby man doth know and assent to the woâ— of God secondly temporary whereâ—â— one may know assent vnto and maâ—â— profession of the word and sometimâ— haue some confused ioy and some â—stâ—aining graces thirdâ—y faith of miâ—â—cles whereby hauing some extraordâ—nary promise or reuelation one beleueth some miraculous thing shall coâ—â— to passe by the power of God Q. Although iustifying faith be but 〈◊〉 in kinde yet what degrees hath it A. There is a weake and a stroâ—â— faith Matth. 6.30 and 14.31 Roâ—â— 14.1 and 4.18.19.20 Dan. 3 16.1â— and 6. Matth. 8. and 15. Q. What is to be considered in a weaâ— faith A. First the defects thereof 〈◊〉 weake Christian failing either in knoâ—ledge Matth. 16.23 Act. 1.6 or in â—ot being able to apply the promises to â—imselfe without much doubting Esa â—2 3 secondly what it hath and therâ—â— first the seate thereof an humbled â—eart Esa 57.15 secondly the effects â—f it he acknowledgeth his sinne to be â—ardonable disliketh his sinnes comâ—ateth against vnbeliefe and other â—orkes of the flesh earnestly desireth â—race and is teachable Matth. 5.6 â—sal 10.17 Reuel 21.6 also vseth the â—eanes to know more and practiseth â—hat he knoweth thirdly the properâ—â— of it is to increase by which it diffeâ—eth from Popish implicite faith Q. What is to be considered in a strong â—ith or beleeuer A. First hee hath more knowledge â—hen the weake secondly hee applieth â—â—e promises with more assurance Rom. â— 20 thirdly all vertues and graces â—hich be fruits of faith bee in greater â—easure in him yet not alwaies in the â—â—me degrees and neuer without imâ—erfection in this life where euen the â—â—rongest Christian hath combate beâ—weene the flesh and the Spirit and hath the perfection of parts not degrees Q. You haue already told me what Gâ— is now how doe you know that there 〈◊〉 such a God A. First by the testimony of 〈◊〉 Scripture secondly by the creatiâ—â— and gouernement of the world a Rom. 1.20 Act. 14.17 thiâ—ly by the horrour of the consciences men after the committing of sinnâ— fourthly b Rom. 2.15 by the worke of Gods Spiriâ— the faith whereby we vnderstand thâ— the world was ordained by the wâ— of God c Heb. 11.3 Q. What is it to beleeue in God A. To beleeue that he is in all tâ— he speaketh that he is true that he my God in couenant counting the 〈◊〉 of my safety and charge of my hapâ—nesse to belong to him whereby 〈◊〉 heart is staied on him and my wâ— committed to him with a holy securâ— Ioh 17.3 2 Chron. 20.20 Psal 78. â— Ierem. 31.9 2 Tim. 1.12 Q. What is meant by the word Fathâ— A. The first person in the Trinâ— who is the Father of Christ by natâ—â— Ioh. 1.14 and of true beleeuers by adâ—tion Rom. 8.11 Q. How is the Father the first person A. Not in dignity or time but in order because he is the fountaine of the deity the Sonne being from him and the holy Ghost from both What is
it to beleeue in the Father A. To bee perswaded that the first person in the Trinity is the Father of Christ by eternall generation and my Father by adoption and regeneration Ioh. 20.17 Q. What duties learne we from hence A. First to study to be according to his image and to expresse his vertues Eph. 5.1 Secondly to be in subiection to him Heb. 12.9 Thirdly to depend vpon him for prouision and protection without distrustfull care and feare Matth. 6.31.32 2 Cor. 6.17.18 Q. What comforts A. First we haue great dignity Ioh. 1.12 Secondly wee shall perseuere in Gods fauour Esa 49.14.15 Thirdly God will beare with our infirmities Mal. 3.17 Fourthly wee shall want nothing that is good Luke 11.13 Q. Why is God said to be Almighty A. First because hee doth and hindereth whatsoeuer he will Psal 135.6 Secondly hee bringeth to passe all things without any difficulâ—ie Psal 148.5 Tâ—â— dly he can doe more then hee doth or will doe Matth. 3.9 and 26 52 53. yet he cannot lye for that is oâ— impotency against his nature which is truth Tit. 1.2.2 Tim. 2.13 Q. What duties learne we from hence A. First to pray to God seeking to him as to a strong and alsufficient refuge Psal 28.8.9 Secondly to praise him 1 Chro. 29.12.13 Thirdly to tremble at his iudgements Nah. 1.2 Fourthly to doe the duties of our callings 2 Cor 9 7. Fifthly to repent and to humble our selues before him 1 Pet. 5.6 Sixtly to rest vpon his power where we haue promise with firmnesse of faith Gen. 18.14 Seuenthly to consider his effectuall power that worketh in vs Ephes 1.19 Q. What comforts haue we from Gods Almighty power A. First such as be wicked may be conuerted Rom. 11.23 Secondly the conuerted shall perseuere in grace Ioh. 10.29 Thirdly herâ—by we are supported in our prayers and against the rage of tyrants 2 Chro. 20.12 Esa 51.12.13 Q. What is meant by Creator of heauen and earth A. Creation is a worke of GOD whereby in the beginning hee made of nothing the heauens and the earth and all things therein visible and invisible and by his prouidence continueth things made Psal 33.6 Ierem. 10.12 Ioh. 5.17 Q. Why is the creation ascribed to the Father being common to the whole Trinity A. Because the Father is the founâ—aine of the other persons and the actions working from himselfe and by them also the action of the Father is most manifest in Creating of the Sonne â—n Redeeming and of the holy Ghost â—n Sanctifying yet all externall workes â—re common to the whole Trinity and sometimes are ascribed to euery person therein Ioh. 1.3 Col. 1.16 Iob 33.4 Q. To speake particularly of some of â—he creatures what are Angels A. Spirituall substances free from bodies of greatest knowledge and power among the creatures Psal 104 4. 2 King 19.35 created all good buâ— some haue fallen from their first estate 2 Pet. 2.4 Q. What are the good A. The elect spirits which haue continued in their integrity praising and obeying God also ministring for thâ— good of them that shall bee heires of saluation and punishing the wicked 1 Tim. 5.21 Esa 6.3 Psal 103.20 Heb. 1.14 2 King 19.35 Maâ—â— 13.41 Q. What are euill Angels A. Deuils which voluntarily feâ—â— from their first estate left their own habitation and continually hate anâ— oppose God and men labouring tâ— bring men to destruction Luke 8.31 Zach. 3.1 Matth. 4.9 1 Pet. â— 8 Q What is man A. A reasonable creature consisting of soule and body Gen. 2.7 Q. What is the soule A. A substance incorporeall inuisible immortall indued with the facuâ—ties of vegetation sense reason will created of God and vnited to the body to make the person of man to inable him to know and worship his Creator Eccl. 12.7 Zach. 12 1 Heb. 12.7 Q. Whereof was man made A. His body at the first was made of the earth and his soule of nothing Gen. 2.7 Q. What duties learne we from the Creation A. First to worship feare and glorifie God and to liue to him in whom we liue Reuel 4.11 Secondly Psal 104.24 Eccles 7.15 to meditate of the creatures esteeming them and to defend the credite of them Thirdly to bee compassionate to the creatures and to vse them with sobriety Q. What comforts haue wee from the creation A. First God will preserue and beare with vs if wee repent 1 Pet. 4 19. Secondly GOD can and will shew the same power in the redemption of his chosen Esa 45 12.13 Esa 27.11 yet for such as continue impenitent sinners hee that made them will not haue mercy on them Q. What beleeue you of the prouidence of God A. It is the worke of God whereby all things abide in their being at his will are ruled and ordered wisely and iustly to the good of his children euen the wicked wills of deuils and men and actions to vs meerely contingent and whereby he punisheth the creature or destroyeth it as hee pleaseth Act 17.28 Ier. 10.23 Iob 1. and 2. Math. 8. and 10.29 Q What duties learne wee from Gods prouidence Esa 63. A. First we are to cast our selues vpon him as his confederates Gen. 3. Secondly to be thankefull for all the good which befalleth vs Thirdly to be patient in crosses Fourthly to be humbled at our sinnes Fiftly to glorifie Gods mercy wisedome Eccles 7. and iustice in all not to bee ouer-iust or ouer-wise not ouer-wicked nor ouer-foolish Q. You haue heard before that man continued not in the state of innocency wherein he was created but fell by eating the forbidden fruit Know further that Adam and Eâ—e had the Law morall written in their hearts besides the Law of the Sacrament all tree but wherein doth the sinne of the first fall appeare to be great A. First Gen. 3. because it was a Sacramentall tree and therefore not to be abused Secondly they doubted of Gods truth Thirdly compacted with Gods â—nemy Fourthly consented to the blasphemies of the deuill Fifthly they were vnthankefull to God Sixtly ambitious Seuenthly regarded not what should become of their posterity Q. What came to vs their posterity thereby A. Sinne and punishment Q. What is sinne A. Whatsoeuer is not fully agreeable to the holinesse and pâ—rfection of the Lâ—w of God Rom. 7.7 1 Ioh. 3.4 Q. How many kindes of sinnes are there A. Originall and actuall Q. What is originall sinne A. It containeth first guiltinesse of the sinnes of Adam Rom. 5.12 19. secondly want of originall righteousnesse which should â—e in vs Rom. 3. â—0 23 thirdly corruptions spread through all the faculties of soule and body Ephes 2.1 and 4.22 Psal 51.5 Gen. 6.5 Q. Is not originall sinne equall in al men A. Yes Ephes 2.3 Prou. 27.19 buâ— whereas some doe not bring forth thâ— euill fruits of it so much as some others the difference is first by the restraining or secondly renewing grace of God oâ— thirdly by the temporall iudgements oâ— God or feare