This is alway to be annext to my prayers Mat. 6.9 c. Luk. 11.3 either before or after for 't is both the Pattern according to which I am to pray Mat. 6.9 And the form also I am to use when I pray commanded Luk. 11.3 O Holy Jesu who hast taught me to pray unto God aright give me the heart with all religious carefulness and devotion of soul to observe thy directions and commands herein and daily to powre forth my soul unto God in that divine and heavenly inspired prayer which thou hast taught me And let my prayers be ever acceptable unto God through thy blessed mediation and intercession for me who art my only Advocate and Mediator blessed for ever Amen CHAP. IV. Of the Sacraments Quest WHat other means hath God ordained for the conveyance of his graces into our hearts Answ The use of Sacraments Quest How many Sacramente hath Christ ordained in his Church Answ Two only as generally necessary to salvation Exo. 31.13 15. Ephes 5.31 32. Act. 13.3 Mat. 28 19. 26.26 27 28. Rom. 6.3 Gal. 3.27 Col. 2.7 Joh. 6.53 54 55 56. There are other external representations of Gods mercies and rites of conveying the same but there are only two commanded as absolutely necessary to salvation that is to say 1. Baptism 2. And the Supper of the Lord By Baptism we are admitted members of Christs Church by the Lords Supper we are confirmed and grow up to be perfect men in Christ therefore children are admitted to the Sacrament of Baptism but not to the Lords Supper till they be grown up to ripeness of years Quest What meanest thou by this word Sacrament Answ I mean an outward and visible sign of an inward spiritual grace given and ordained by Christ himself as a means whereby we receive the same and a pledge to assure us thereof Or thus Because the graces and mercies of God in Christ are inward and invisible 1 Pet. 3.21 1 Cor. 11.26 therefore Christ complying with the weakness of our souls which understand not but by bodily organs hath ordained in his Church certain Rites called Sacraments which are not only visible and apparent signs of his invisible and hidden Graces but also the means whereby we are made partakers of his Graces and pledges to assure us of them Quest How many parts be there in a Sacrament Answ Two 1. The outward visible sign or thing signifying 2. The inward invisible Grace or thing signified Quest What is the outward visible sign or form in Baptism Answ That which we see with our eyes in Baptism is Water Act. 10.47 wherein the person baptized is dipped or sprinkled with it And the form of words to be used when the person is so washed is In the Name of the Father Mat. 28.19 of the Son and of the Holy Ghost Quest What is the inward or spiritual Grace thereby represented Answ The washing of the soul from sin 1 Cor. 6.11 Ephes 5.26 Act. 22.16 Rom. 6.3 4. Phil. 3.10 1 Joh. 3.14 Joh. 3.5 Psal 51.5 Ephes 2.3 Joh. 1.12 and sanctification to the sacred service of God which is called in holy Scripture A death unto sin and a new virth unto righteousness for being by nature born in sin and the children of wrath we are hereby made the children of grace Quest What is required of persons to be baptized Answ Two things Act. 2.38 8.36 37. 1. Repentance whereby they forsake sin and consequently the service of the world the flesh and the Devil tempting unto sin 2. Faith whereby they stedfastly believe the promises of God made to them in that Sacrament Quest Why then are children baptized when by reason of their tender age they can neither believe nor repent Answer They have Faith and Repentance in the possibility Mar. 10.14 though not in the actuall being thereof and they do perform these duties though not by themselves yet by their sureties who promise and vow both Faith and Repentance in their names 2 Pet. 2.20 which when they come to age themselves are bound to perform otherwise they forfeit the benefits of their Baptism Quest Why was the Sacrament of the Lords Supper ordained Answ For two reasons chiefly 1. For a Sign 2. For a Seal 1. For a Sign to signifie and represent unto us the sacrifice of Christs death for the sins of the world Luk. 22.19 Joh. 6.56 whereof we ought to have the continual remembrance 2. For a Seal to convey or pledge to assure us of the great benefits we receive by the death of Christ Quest Since in every Sacrament you say there are two parts the outward sign and the inward grace what is the outward part or sign of the Lords Supper Answ The outward elements in this Sacrament are Bread and Wine 1 Cor. 11.23 Luk. 22.19 which the Lord hath commanded to be administred and received saying Take eat drink ye all of this do this in remembrance of me Quest What is the inward part or thing signified by the Sacramental Bread and Wine Answ The body of Christ Joh. 6.51 broken upon the Crosse by the Bread and his bloud powred out by the Wine and as the Bread and Wine are truly taken and received corporally so verily and indeed is the body and bloud of Christ taken and received spiritually of every true faithful soul in the Lords Supper Joh. 6.56 63. 1 Cor. 10.16 if rightly administred Quest What are the benefits whereof we are made partakers by the right receiving of the Lords Supper Answ Our souls are thereby strengthned with divine grace Mat. 11.28 Rom. 8.32 Phil. 4.13 Ephes 1.7 8. 1 Pet. 2.3 Ephes 5.30 Joh. 6.55 56. Psal 104.15 and refreshed with the sense of Gods mercy by the vertue of Christs body and bloud spiritually received even as our bodies are strengthened and refreshed in the use of common and material bread and wine Quest What is required of them that come to the Lords Supper that they may be made partakers of the benefits thereof Answ To examine themselves 1. 1 Cor. 11.28 2 Cor. 6.14 Psal 24.4 26.6 Whether they repent them truly of their former sins stedfastly purposing to lead a new life 2. Whether they have a lively faith in the mercies of God through Christ 2 Cor. 7.1 Heb. 6.4 5 6. Joh. 3.15 16. 6.25 7.38 Jam. 2.14 17 20 24 26. 1 Cor. 11.24 25. 2 Pet. 1.15 Psal 53.2 3. Mat. 5.23 24. 1 Tim. 6.18 Heb. 13.16 Mat. 6.14 15. Ephes 4.32 Col. 3.13 now the life of faith is obedience or good-works for faith without works is dead 3. That they have a thankful and devout remembrance of Christs death 4. That they be in charity with all men which charity is exercised in giving and forgiving 1. Giving unto others what their necessities require and our abilities afford 2. Forgiving others in what they have any way provok'd or injur'd us O Holy Jesus who hast vouchsafed not only to redeem me unto God in thy bloud but also to ordain Sacraments whereby I may not only be engraffed into thee but also nourished by thy most precious body and bloud O fill my heart with true thankfulness unto thee for such unspeakable mercies and grant that in the wise and pious use hereof I may grow up into thee in all grace and godliness to the hopes of a full and immediate enjoyment of thee face to face in glory blessed Jesus Saviour and Redeemer Amen THE END Lately printed for R. Royston a Book in 4º Entituled A Discourse 1. Of the Holy Spirit of God his Impressions and workings on the Souls of Men. 2. Of Divine Revelation Mediate and Immediate 3. Of Error Heresie and Schism the Nature Kindes Causes Reasons and Dangers thereof with Directions for avoiding the same By R. Sherlook B.D. at Borwick-Hall in Lancashire
me truly of all my sins which were the cause of my Saviours sufferings That I obey his Doctrine and follow his example as the way to heaven That I seek those things which are above where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God and by perseverance in all good works wait for the coming of my Lord to Judgement Quest What does the third general part of your Creed concern Answ God the Holy Ghost Artic. 8. Rom. 15.16 2 Thess 2.13 1 Cor. 12.4 7 c. Gal. 5.22 c and his sanctification of me and of all Gods people by his Gifts and Graces to the sacred service of God and of our Saviour Jesus Christ Quest In whom is this work of sanctification wrought Answ In all the faithful and elect people of God Artic. 9. 1 Tim. 3.15 Heb. 2.12 Ephes 5.27 Psal 2.8 Mat. 28. ult cal'd the Holy Catholique Church Holy because sanctified by the Holy Ghost and Catholique that is universal diffused and spread over the face of the whole earth Quest How is this Sanctification wrought by the Holy Ghost upon the Church or people of Christ Answ It is begun in this life by the communion of Saints and remission of sins and it shall be perfected hereafter at the Resurrection of the Body in life everlasting Quest What do you mean by the communion of Saints Joh. 17.21 Ephes 4.13 6.18 Phil. 1.27 2.4 Rom. 16.16 17 1 Joh. 1.3 1 Pet. 1.22 Answ I do profess to believe that all true members of Christs holy Catholick Church by the secret impressions of the Holy Ghost have both union and communion with Christ who is our head by faith and also one with another the members of Christ by charity Quest What do you mean by Remission of sins Answ I do believe that there is both for me and for all other good Christians Artic. 10. Act. 2.38 13.38 Joh. 20.23 Mark 16.16 Joh. 3.16 2 Cor. 5.21 1 Joh. 1.7 c. pardon and forgiveness of all our sins to be obtained by the mercies of God through the merits of Christ our Saviour we sincerely performing the conditions of a lively faith and true Repentance thereunto required Quest What do you mean by the Resurrection of the body Answ I do believe that this body of mine Artic. 11. 1 Cor. 15.29 c. Joh. 5.29 6.39 11.24 25. Mat. 25.16 c and the bodies of all men though they be dissolved by death into dust and ashes yet shall be again raised out of the dust of death and rejoyned to our immortal souls that so we may receive according to our deeds done in the body whether they be good of whether they be evil Quest What do you mean by life everlasting Answ I do believe that when we shall be raised up at the last day Artic. 12. we shall never die any more 1 Thess 4.17 Rev. 21.4 Joh. 5.29 but live for ever either in endlesse joyes if we have done well or in endlesse torments if our deeds have been evill Quest What use are you to make of this part of your Creed Answ That I do not grieve Gods holy Spirit by my sins Ephes 4.3 1 Thess 5.19 Heb. 10.24 25 Gal. 5.6 1 Cor. 13.13 1 Joh. 3.23 1.7 2.1 2. Col. 3.3 4 c. nor hinder his work of Sanctification upon my soul by resisting his good motions and incitements to holinesse of life That I continue a faithfull and true Member of Christs Mystical Body the Church both by a true and lively faith in Christ and an universall unfeigned charity towards all Christians That I trust not in my own righteousness but relie on the merits of Christ only for the pardon of my sins truly repenting of all my misdoings and for ever abjuring and forsaking the same Denying ungodlinesse Tit. 2.11 c. and worldly lusts and living soberly righteously and godly in this present world Phil. 3.20 as looking for the Resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come Quest Why doe you conclude with Amen Answ I do hereby acknowledge and ratifie with my stedfast belief the undoubted Truth and certainty of this Creed in general and of every Article thereof in particular secretly wishing and humbly praying that through the stedfastnesse of this faith I may evermore be defended from all adversity and be preserved in the way of eternal salvation even from God the Father through God the Son and by God the Holy Ghost to whom be glory for ever Amen I Believe Lord help my unbelief and evermore preserve thy servant in the unity of the true faith Grant me with the heart to believe unto righteousness of life that I may in the end obtain the end of my faith which is the salvation of my soul through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen CHAP. II. Of the Commandements Quest WHat is the third part of your vow in Baptism Answ To keep Gods holy will and Commandements Luk. 1.75 Levit. 18.5 Ezek. 20.11 and to walk in the same all the daies of my life and it is but just and reasonable that I should do what God hath commanded me in this life Mat. 19.17 Luk. 10.25 26. Rev. 22.24 if I will obtain what he hath promised me in the life to come If thou wilt enter into life keep the Commandements Quest What are these Commandements God hath enjoyned and you have promised to observe and keep Answ The same which God spake in the 20. chapter of Exodus saying I am the Lord thy God which brought thee out of the land of Egypt out of the house of bondage which is the Preface shewing Gods right to command Lev. 18.5 Ps 105. 95. Isa 42.8 Deut. 27.9 10. 30.20 Joh. 14.15 1 Joh. 2.4 5. and our obligation to obey Quest Are the Commandements of God under the Gospel the same they were under the Law Answ They are the same for substance Mat. 5.17 18 19 Mal. 3.6 Jam. 1.17 Luk. 16.17 Jam. 2.8 for God is the same God for ever and changeth not they differ only in ceremonies and the manner of dispensation Quest In what particular respects do they differ Answ Under the Law the commands of God were more clog'd with ceremonies Col. 2.16 17. Exod. 34.33 2 Cor. 3.13 14 15 16. more dark and obscure and not so fully understood as to the spirituall sense and meaning of them But as Christ under the Gospel hath delivered them 1. Mat. 11.19 23.4 Act. 15.10 Gal. 4.3 4 5. Heb. 9.10 They are freed from the burden of manifold ceremonial rites which were figurative and typical 2. They are more clear perspicuous and intelligible Mat. 5.21 22 27 28. Ioh. 6.63 and this not so much in the letter as in the spirit and life of the Law Rom. 7.6 Heb. 4.12 as it reacheth to the very heart and the thoughts and desires thereof 3. 2 Cor. 1.20 6.18 7.1 Heb. 11.40
8 6. 1 Tim. 4.8 Heb. 4.8 9. The promises under the Gospel to those that shall be obedient to Gods commands are greater and more full or at least more clear then under the Law 4. Ier. 31.31 Heb. 8. Ioel 2.28 Act. 2. Ioh. 1.16 17. Iam. 4.6 More grace is communicated to us Christians under the Gospel for the observation of Gods commands then was given to the Jewes under the Law Quest How many Commandements are there Answ The words God himself delivered on Mount Sinai consist of ten Commandements Deut. 5.22 Mat. 22.40 Rom. 13.9 10. and the text saith he added no more Because all that is through the whole Word of God enjoyned besides may in some respects or other be reduced to one of these ten words of command Quest What general rules are to be observed to understand the full meaning of each Commandement Answ Two most especially 1. That where any duty is commanded the contrary thereunto is forbidden and where any sin is forbidden the contrary duty is commanded 2. That in all duties commanded and sins forbidden the means conducing thereunto are commanded and forbidden also Quest What is the first of these ten Commandements Answ Thou shalt have none other Gods before me Quest What is herein commanded and what forbidden you Answ 1. Prov. 3.6 1 Chr. 28.9 Deut. 6.13 14. 10.12 20. Mat. 4.10 Deut. 6.4 5. Joh. 14 15. Rom. 10.14 Psal 32.6 50.15 ult I am herein commanded to acknowledge the God of Israel for the only true God and accordingly to serve and worship him as God viz. To believe in him to put my whole trust in him to fear him and to love him above all and to express my inward faith hope and love towards him by the reverent performance of all external acts of divine worship commanded by him and most especially by my daily prayers unto him and praises of him 2. Exod. 24.14 Deut. 6.14 Isa 42.8 48.11 Mat. 6.24 Rom. 1.25 Rev. 22.9 I am forbidden to acknowledge any other god besides him or to pay any such divine worship to any other neither yet to prefer the love and service of any creature before the love and service of my Creator who is God blessed for ever Quest What is the second Commandement Answ Thou shalt not make to thy self any graven Image nor the likeness of any thing that is in the heaven above or in the earth beneath or in the water under the earth Thou shalt not bow down to them nor worship them For I the Lord thy God am a jealous God and visit the sins of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me and shew mery unto thousands of them that love me and keep my Commandements Quest What is herein commanded and what forbidden you Answ 1. Exod. 34.11 Deut. 4.2 12.32 Mat. 28 20. Ioh. 4.24 Psal 95.6 132.7 Rom. 12.1 1 Cor. 6.20 I am herein commanded to worship this only true God after an holy and true manner that is after such a manner as himself hath prescribed in his holy Word And that I do it not only internally in spirit and in truth but also externally with all lowly humble and reverent prostration of body before him 2. Lev. 19.4 26.1 1 Cor. 10.14 Ezek. 14.4 6. 2 Cor. 10.5 Rom 2.22 I am forbidden to worship the true God after a false manner not to worship him by an Idoll nor by an Image neither yet according to the fond imaginations of my own heart And that as I must avoid Idolatry and all false worship on the one hand so I must also take heed of sacriledge which is to rob God of the maintenance of his true worship on the other side And the reason of this Law is given Deut. 4.24 5.9 6.15 2 Cor. 11.2 Deut. 23.2 Rev. 2.6 because God is so jealous of his worship and glory lest we should give it to any other or to our selves that he will severely punish all such as deprave his worship Exod. 34.7 Deut. 5.10 Dan. 9.4 Ioh. 15.14 15. even to the third and fourth generation accounting of them as his enemies but he will mercifully reward them that obey and serve him according to his will as being his friends and promoters of his interest Quest What is the third Commandement Answ Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vain for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his Name in vain Quest What is herein commanded and forbidden you Answ 1. 1 Cor. 10.31 Psal 93.5 Ezek. 22.8 Psal 105.15 Luk. 10.16 Ezek. 44.23 I am herein commanded to propose to my self the honour of Gods holy Name in all my actions both divine and moral And to have a separate and distinct respect for all such such things and persons as have the name of God called upon them and more immediately relate to his service 2. Lev. 18.21 19.12 21.6 22.2 15 32. Mat. 23.16 20 22. Hos 10.4 Lev. 24.14 Jam. 3.9 Prov. 30.9 2 Tim. 2.19 2 Sam. 12.14 Rom. 2.24 Psal 5.7 Heb. 12 28. Prov. 13.13 Isa 62.2 1 Cor. 11.22 c. I am herein forbidden all rash unadvised wilful profanations of Gods ever blessed Name by oathes perjuries execrations cursings of the creatures of my neighbors or of my self not to use the name of God slightly idly foolishly and vainly much less to cover any deceits falshoods or what is in any respect unlawful or sinful not unadvisedly or irreverently to entermeddle with Gods holy Word Sacraments or any parts of his holy worship neither yet to slight undervalue or despise either things or persons wherein and whereby God is honoured and whereupon his holy Name is called And the reason is given Zach. 5.3 4. Deu. 28.58 59 Heb. 12.28 29. because God will never excuse such irreligious profanations of his Majesty but will assuredly punish all offenders in this kinde 7. Quest What is the fourth Commandement Answ Remember that thou keep holy the Sabbath day fix daies shalt thou labour and do all that thou hast to do but the sebenth day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God In it thou shalt do no manner of work thou and thy son and thy daughter thy man-serbant and thy maid-serbant thy cattell and the stranger that is within thy gates for in six daies the Lord made beaven and earth the sea and all that in them is and rested the sebenth day wherefore the Lord blessed the sebenth day and hallowed it Quest What is herein commanded and what forbidden Answ 1. Col. 2.16 17. 1 Pet. 2.5 Heb. 4.10 Exod. 31.15 35.2 Luk. 23.56 Heb. 10.25 I am commanded in general to dedicate every day of my life a spiritual Sabbath unto God that is a rest from sin and vacancy to his service And in particular that I devote every seventh day or one day in seven to the publick