transgressed thy whole lawe and haue offended thy godly maiestie in breking and violating euery precept of the same and so most iustlie maiest thou powre forth vpon vs all plagues that are threatened and that we finde powred foorth vpon the disobedient at any time from the beginning And soe much the rather O Lord because that so long wee haue bene called by thy holy worde to vnfaigned repentance and newnes of life and yet haue we still remained in our former rebellion and therefore if thou wilt enter into iudgement with vs we can neither escape confusion in this life nor iust condemnation in the life to come But Lorde thy mercie is without measure and the truth of thy promise abideth for euer Vnwoorthy are we that thou shouldest looke vpon vs but Lorde thou hast promised that thou wilt shewe mercie to the most grieuous offendours when so euer that they repent And further thou by the mouth of thy deare Son our Lord Iesus Christ hast promised that thou wilt giue thy holy Spirite to such as humbly call vnto thee In boldnes of the which promis we most humbly beseech thee ô Father of mercies that it wold please thy godly maiestie to work in our stubborne harts an vnfaigned sorrowe for our former offences with some sence and feeling of thy grace and mercy togither with an earnest desire of iustice and righteousnes in which we are bound continuallie to walk but because that neither we nor our prayers can stand before thee by reason of that imperfection which stil remaineth in this our corrupted nature We flie to the obedience and perfect iustice of Christ Iesus our onelie Mediatour in whome and by whome wee call not onelie for remission of our sinnes and for assistance of thy holy spirit but also for al things that thy godly wisedom knoweth to be expedient for vs and for thy Church vniuersall Praying as hee hath taught vs saying Our Father c. A MORNING PRAIER TO BE VSED IN CHRIstian Families before they goe about their outwarde affaires OMnipotent and mercifull God we giue thee thankes that thou hast so mercifullie kept vs this night and that thou hast prolonged our life to this day We beseech thee likewise that thou wilt protect vs this day and that thou wilt giue vs grace that wee may bestowe it in those things which are pleasant acceptable vnto thee And as nowe thou enlightenest the whole earth with the beames of thy Sonne so likewise thou wilt illuminate the darkenes of our soules with the brightnes of thy Spirit least wee wauering from the path of righteousnes wee swarue either to the one side or to the other that wee may ever set thee who seest all thinges before our eies that wee may reuerence and acknowledge thee as a iust reuenger of al euill thoughtes words and deeds that wee feare nothing more than to offende thee so bountifull a Father and that euer it continually bee our finall drift in all thinges whatsoeuer we take in hand or purpose to doe to referre the same only to thy glory and the profit of others Moreouer becaus wholesome counsell fit occasions and the happie successe and issue of matters are onlie in thine hand graunte that wee may ask and receiue al those things from thee alone Graunt also most merciful Father that we bestow not so much thought and trauell in purchasing of those things that perteine to the necessitie of this life that in the meane time wee neglect sluggishlie regarde heauenly things but that first we may seeke thy kingdome and the righteousnes thereof nothing doubting but that thou wilt giue all things needfull and necessarie to such as do the same keepe also and defend this fraile body and soul of ours Instruct vs with the counsell and power of thy Spirit against so many and so diuers assaults of Sathan Ridde vs out of all feare and perrills whereby wee are in daunger alwaies in this worlde And because it is nothing to haue begun well except also we carefully perseuer and goe forward Wee beseech thee that thou wilt not onely take vs into thy protection this day but likewise thou wilt continually be our guide and defender all our life confirming and increasing the guifts which according to thy bountifulnes and mercy thou hast bestowed vpon vs vnworthie sinners vntill such time at last as thou shalt fullie and perfectly vnite vs with our head Christ who seeing that he is that onelie Sonne of righteousnes hee may replenishe vs with his eternall light and gladnes In the meane time while wee liue in this troblesome life send out faythfull Pastours of Soules and make thyne holy Spirite to bee effectuall in the hartes of the auditors by the power of thy word to the end a great Churche may be gathered to thee and that the workes of the Diuell may be destroyed Enarme the Magistrate with thy diuine strength that hee may defende thy Church and common weal. Comfort and confirme everie one that is afflicted in soule or bodie and that we may be bold to seeke and waite for so great good things at thy hands Forgiue vs our horrible sins for thy most deare Sonne Christ Iesus his sake who hath promised to vs that whatsoeuer we craue of thee in a sure confidence in him that thou wilt assuredly giue it vs and therefore hee hath commanded vs to pray in this maner Our Father c. A PRAYER FOR SCHOLLERS Psal 119.9.10 Wherewith shall a young man redresse his way If hee wiselie take heede to guide himselfe according to thy word 10. With my whole hart haue I sought thee let me not wander from thy Commandements I Render thee thanks most merciful God for all thy great and infinite benefites but chiefly that according to thy singular mercy thou hast called me to the knowledg of thy Gospell hast giuen me teachers that they may bring me vp in good letters and sciences to endue my minde with holy honest precepts Graunt that I may acknowledge aright what and howe great these thy benefites are and that for the same I may alwaies giue thee thanks Bestowe moreouer vpon me thy grace and lighten me with the beames of thy Spirite in remoouing the darke cloudes of my minde that I may desirouslie and gladly learne these thinges which are taught vnto me by my teachers that I faythfully keepe in memory that I may render accompt againe thereof readily with iudgment least my Teachers labour and mine the precious time and this so meete an occasion giuen vnto me of thee and the fruites which are hoped for of me shamefully perish not thorogh my vnthankfulnes slugishnes To the ende this come not to passe giue me thy holie Spirit the authour of all vnderstanding and trueth that hee may make me faythfull able and meete to comprehend these thinges Grant also that to whatsoeuer studie I apply my minde this euer may be before mine eies to acknowledg thee the onelie true God and
also purchase for vs the fauor of God righteousnes and euerlasting life The Vse BY this historie of the grieuous and bitter suffering of Christ we are put in mind how hainous a matter sinne is for the which God would receiue no ransom but the death of his only begotten Sonne Secondly howe exceeding the loue of Christ toward vs is who did not sticke to suffer so fearfull torments for vs that he might reconcile vs vnto God and might purchase vnto vs life and saluation which by sin we had lost Thirdly to consider what duty wee owe againe namely to prepare our selues according to the counsel of Peter both to suffer patiently because vve are thereunto called 1 pet 2 21 24 and Christ suffered for vs leaving vs an Example that vve should follovve his steps And also to resist sinne because he bare them in his bodie vpon the crosse that we being dead vnto sinne might liue vnto righteousnes Question 38 What reason was there why he suffered vnder Iudge Pilate Answere That he an Innocent being a Luc. 23.14 Ioh 19.4 condemned before a ciuill Iudge might b psal 69 4 Isai 53 4 5.2 Cor. 5 21 Gal. 3.13 set vs free from the straight iudgment of God which was to fall vppon vs. Question 29 Is it any more that he was fastened to the crosse than if he had bene put to any other kinde of death Answere Yea truelie it is more For by this I am sure that hee hath taken vppon him the curse which did hang ouer me for the death of the crosse was c Deut. 21.23 Gal. 3.13 cursed by God OF CHRISTS SVFFERING THE ARGVMENT That Christ died and was buried why and what fruit there is of it where of the death of the faithfull and afterward the meaning of the words He descended c. Question Lords day 16 40 Why was it necessarie that Christ should humble himselfe euen to the death Answere Because the iustice and trueth of God could by no d Genes 2.71 other meanes bee satisfied for our sins than by the death of the e He. 2.9.14.15 Phil. 2.8 Sonne of God Question 41 Wherefore was he also buried Answere That hee might thereby make it knowne that he was truelie f Acts. 13.29 Mat. 27.60 Luk. 23 53 Ioh. 19.38 dead The vse SO often as we heare the buriall of Christ spoken off we are thereby put in mind of the sanctifying of our graues that they are now no more pittes Esa 57.6 wherein the cast bodies of men dye and consume to nothing but chests and chambers wherein men are laid vp and safelie kept against the resurrection that shall surelie come Question 42 But seeing Christ died for vs why must we also die Answere Our death is not a satisfaction for our sinnes but an vtter destroying of sinne and a passage into g Ioh. 5 24 Phil. 1 23. Rom 7.24 euerlasting life The vse VVHerefore hauing bene taught that it is the common condition of all men to die wee are all and every one of vs put in mind so to order our life that whensoeuer God goeth about to call vs out of this valley of miseries hee may finde vs ready that is neither too much intangled with the cares of this life nor discouraged with the feare of death both because we knowe this to be the very way of the whole Earth Rom. 4.8 and also because whether we liue or whether we dy we are our Lord Iesus Christs who is vnto vs as the Apostle saith both in life and death aduantage Question 43 What profit receiue we further by the sacrifice and death of Christ Answere That by the power of his death our olde man is crucified together with him and is also dead and h Ro. 6.6 7. c. buried that the euill concupiscences and desires of the flesh may not hereafter i Rom. 6.12 raigne in vs but that we may k Rom. 12. â— offer our selues vnto him a Sacrifice of thanksgiuing Question 44 Why is this added He descended into hell Answere That in my greatest sorrowes and most grieuous temptations I may vphold my self with this comfort that my lord Iesus Christ by the vnspeakable anguish torments and terrours of his soule whereinto he was plunged both before and especially as hee was hanging vppon the Crosse hath l Isai 53.10 Mat. 27.46 deliuered me from the anguish and torments of hell The vse VVHerefore wee receiue no small fruit and comfort even of this part of Christs humbling whereby we may sustaine our selues in extreme sorrows and in most grieuous tentations for if our conscience do trouble vs with the multitude of our sinnes for the which we tremble at Gods iudgment who threatneth vnto sin everlasting condemnation this shield of fayth is ready at hand That Christ did most bitterlie indure in his soule the anguishe of conscience for our sinnes together with the sence and feeling of Gods iudgment and wrath when hee complained and said Mark 14.34 My soul is heauie even to the death If Satan also set vpon vs and set before our eies that gulfe then which non can be more fearful as if God had forsaken and cast vs away and would not vouchsafe to heare vs as if hee had conspired our destruction lette vs then call to minde that the Sonne of God was therefore heard and deliuered when he groned and cried out My God my God vvhy hast thou forsaken me Mat. 27 46. Heb. 5.7 that we might not for euer be forsaken Last of all seeing wee haue such a Mediatour who did wrestle with the power of the diuel with the horror of death and with the paines of Hell whoe woulde not here bee confirmed against any anguish and sorrowe Heb. 4.15 being perswaded of the good will of so mightie a Prince and highe Priest towards him who both in all things was tempted alike yet without sinne and in whome strait after his resurrection that triumphant song which the Prophet made of him was fulfilled O death Hosea 13.14 I vvill be thy death O graue I vvill be thy destruction whereunto the Apostle alludeth as being in vs likwise to be fulfilled in the blessed resurrection Death is svvallovved vpp in victory 1. Cor 15.54 54. O Death vvhere is thy victorie O graue vvhere is thy sting wherevpon sayth Hillarie The Crosse death and hell are our life OF CHRISTES RISING againe from the deade THE ARGVMENT Christs rising againe and the fruite thereof 2 His ascending into Heauen and how far he is present at this day in his Church also of the vnseperable coniunction of the two natures in Christ Last of all of the fruit of Christes ascention Question Lords day 17 45 What doth Christes rising again profite vs Answere First by his rising againe he hath ouercome death that he might m 1. Cor. 15.16 54 55. Rom. 4 25.1 pet 13. c. 21. make vs partakers of that
lord thy God shall giue thee 6 Thou shalt not kill 7 Thou shalt not commit adultery 8 Thou shalt not steale 9 Thou shalt not bear false witnes against thy neigbour 10 Thou shalt not couet thy neighbours house neither shalt thou couet thy neighbours wife nor his seruaunt nor his maiden nor his oxe nor his asse nor any of those thinges that are thy neighbours OF THE LAWE OF GOD. THE ARGVMENT The partition of the Law into two â—â—bles and a deuision of the commandements both of the first and second table a laying forth of the vices vertues which are contained in the first commandement the end whereof is that God alone may be serued Question Lords day 34 93 Howe are these Commaundementes deuided Answere Into two a Exod. 34.28 Deut. 4.13 10.34 Tables wherof the first deliuereth in foure Commandements how wee ought to behaue our selues toward God The latter in six Commandements what duties wee b Mat. 22.37.38 39 owe to our neighbour Question 94 What requireth God in the first Commandement Answere That as I loue the saluation of my owne soule so I diligently shun and auoide all c 1. Cor. 6 9.10 10 7.14 Idolatrie coniuring inchantment d Leu. 19.31 Deu 18 11 superstition praying to Saintes or other e Mat. 4 10 Apoc. 19 10 22 8.9 creatures and doe rightly f Ioh. 16.3 acknowledge the onely and true God g Ier. 17.5 trust in him alone h Heb. 10.36 Col. 1 11. Rom. 5.3.4 1. Cor. 10.10 Phil. 2.14 submit my selfe with all i 1. pet 5.5 6 humilitie and patience vnto him k Psal 104.27 28 29.30 Isai 45 7. Iac 1 17 looke for al good thinges from him alone to conclude with the most inward affection of my heart l Deut 6 5. Mat. 22.37 loue m Deu. 6.2 psal 111.10 prou 1.7 9 10. Mat 10.28 reuerence and n Mat. 4.20 Deut. 10.20 worship him so that I will rather forsake all creatures than o Mat. 5.29.30 10.37 Act. 5.29 coÌ„mit the least thing that may be against his will Question 95 What is idolatrie Answere It is in the place of one God or besides that one true God who hath reueiled himself in his word to deuise or haue any other thing wherein to put b 1. pro. 16 26 Phil. 3.19 Eph. 5 5 Gal. 4.8 Eph. 2.12.1 1. Ioh. 2.23.2 2. Ioh. 9. Io. 5.23 our trust OF THE SECOND Commandement THE ARGVMENT What maner of God the Lord is and with what kinde of seruice to be honoured where of painting of images and whether it bee lawfull to set them in Churches Question Lords day 35 96 What dooth the second Commandement require Answere That we c Deu. 4.15 1. Isai 40.18 c Rom. 1.23 c Act. 17.29 expresse not God by any image or shape neither d 1. Sam. 15.23 Deut. 12.30 c Mat. 15.9 serue him after any other manner then as in his woord hee hath commanded himselfe to be serued Question 97 Ought wee then to make no Images nor pictures Answere God neither ought nor can by any means be drawen or pictured and although it be lawfull to resemble the creatures yet God forbiddeth to haue or make their images to worship or e Ex. 23.24 34.13.14 17. Num. 33.52 De. 7 5. 12.3 16.22 2. Reg. 18.4 honour either of them or God by them Question 98 But may images be suffered in Churches to be in steed of bookes to the ignorant multitude Answere No in no wise For it becommeth not vs to be wiser than God who wil haue his Church taught not with dumbe f Ier. 10.8 c. Hab. 2.18.19 images but with the liuely g 2. Tim. 3.16.17 2. pet 19. preaching of his word OF THE THIRD COMmandement THE ARGVMENT That God hateth the abuse of his name and requireth of euery one to confesse and praise him both priuately and publikely Question Lords day 36 99 What meaneth God in the third Commandement Answere That wee doo not reprochfullie or vnreuerently vse the name of God not onely by cursing or h Leu. 24.11 c. Leu. 19.12 forswearing but also by swearing i Mat. 5 37 Iac. 5 12. rashlie neither yet take part in these horrible sinnes by holding our peace or winking at them but that wee k Isa 45 43 vse the sacred name of god nor without great religion l 1. Tim. 2 8 reuerence that by true coÌ„stant m Rom. 2 24. 1. Tim. 6 1 Col. 3.16.17 confession and n Mar. 10.32 calling vpon him and finally by al our words deedes he be praysed and magnified Question 100 Is it then soe great a sinne to take the name of God in vaine either by swearing or by cursing that God is also angry with them whoe as much as in them lieth do not forbid or hinder it Answere Surely a most o Leuit. 5. â— grieuous sinne for there is no greater sinne or which doth more offend God than the reproch of his most holie name Wherfore also he p Leu. 24 11 1â— commanded that sinne to be punished with death OF THE THIRD COMmaundement THE ARGVMENT Of a lawfull and vnlawfull oath of the first for the Anabaptistes of the latter for the popish sort Question Lords day 37 101 But may any man lawfullie in a godly sort sweare by the name of God Answere He may When either the Magistrate requireth it of his subiectes or necessitie requireth that by this meanes faith be assured and trueth established to the end that the glorie of God may be set foorth and the saluation of other men furthered For this kind of oath is coÌ„firmed by the q Deu. 6 13. Heb. 6.16 Gen. 21.14 Gal. 1.20 Deut. 10.20 word of God therefore hath bene rightlie vsed r Isa 48.1 Ie. 12.16 Ios 2.12 Ex 23.10 11. 1. Sam 24 22.23 Gal 1 20 Gen. 21.24 31.53 by holy men both in the olde and new testament Question 102 Is it not lawfull to sweare by Saintes and other Creatures Answere No For a lawfull oth is a calling vpon God wherein a man desireth that he beeing the onely beholder of the heart would giue witnesse to the trueth and punish the swearer if hee Å¿ 2 Cor 1 23 1. Sam. 20 12 deceiue wittinglie Now this honour t Ier 5 7. Amoâ— 8 14 agreeth to no creature OF THE FOVRTH Commandement THE ARGVMENT Of the true hallowing of the Sabbath Question Lords day 38 103 What doth the Lord require in the fourth Commandement Answere First that the ministerie of the gospell and schooles be u Tit 1.5 Ephes 4.11 maintained and that both vpon other dayes and especiallie vpon holie dayes I do diligentlie x psal 68.26 40.9.10 Act. 2 42 46 frequent the holy assemblies y 1. Cor. 14.19.29.31 heare the worde of God attentiuelie vse the z
Cor. 11 33. Sacramentes and to the publike prayers a 1. Tim. 2.1 2 3 8 9 1. Cor. 14 16. ioyne also mine own priuat and according to mine abilitie bestowe some thing vppon the b 1 Cor. 16. poore Secondly that in all my life I absteine from wicked actions yeelding vnto the Lord that by his spirit he may worke his good worke in me and so that I c Esai 66.23 beginne that everlasting Sabbath or rest in this life OF THE FIFT COMMANDEMENT THE ARGVMENT That they are to be honoured whom the Lord hath set ouer vs and both to be obeied thankfully to be requited Question Lords day 39 104 What dooth the Lord injoine vs in the fift commandement Answere That wee performe vnto our Parentes and euen to all that are set ouer vs due honour loue fidelitie and doe d Eph. 6.1.2 5. c. Col 3.18.20 22 23 24 Eph 5 22 pro. 1.8 4 1 15 20 20 20. Ex. 21.17 Rom. 10.1 submit our selues to their faithfull precepts and chastisements with that obedience that is meet Secondlie that we e Prou. 23 22. Gen. 9.25 1 pet 2 18. patiently bear with their faults manners alwaies hauing in remembrance that God will lead f Eph. 6 40 Col. 3 19 21 Rom. 13. Mat. 22.27 and rule vs by their hand OF THE SIXT COMMANDEMENT THE ARGVMENT Of avoyding manslaughter how many waies it is committed in the sight of God the end whereof is that the safetie of everie one ought to bee commended to everie one Question Lords day 40 105 What doeth God require in the sixt commandement Answere That neither by thought nor by word nor by gesture much lesse by deede either by my selfe or by any other I doe reuile or hate or hurt or g Mat 5 12 22. Gen. 9.6 Mat 26.52 slay my neighbour but h Eph. 4.26 Rom 12 19 Mat. 5 25. 18 35 cast away all desire of reuenge Moreouer that I i Rom. 13 14 Col. 2.23 Syr. 3.27 Mat. 4 7. hurt not my selfe nor wittingly cast my selfe into any daunger And therfore also that murther might be avoided he hath k Gen. 9 6 Exod. 21.14 Mat 26.52 Rom. 13.4 armed the Magistrate with the sword Question 106 Why but this commandement seemeth to forbid onelie Murder Answere For the slaying of murder God teacheth that he hateth the roote and original of murder to wit a Iac. 1.20 Gal. 5 20. anger b Rom 1 29. enuy hatred c 1. Ioh. 2.9.1 and desire of reuenge and doth d account all these for murder b 1. ioh 3 15. Question 107 And is it sufficient to kill noe man in such sorte as hath bin spoken Answere It is not sufficient for when God condemneth wrath enuie hatred hee requireth that wee e Mat 22.59 7 12 loue our neighbour as our selues and that wee vse towards him f Rom. 12.10 curtesie gentlenes g Ephe. 4.2 Galat. 6.1.2 Mat. 5.5 Ro. 12.18 Mat. 5 7 Luk. 6 3. meeknes patience h Exod. 24.5 and mercie i Mat. 5 45. and that whatsoeuer may hurte him as much as in vs lieth we turne it away from him In a worde that wee be so disposed in mind that we k Rom 22.20.81 spare not to doe good even to our enemies OF THE SEAVENTH COMmandement THE ARGVMENT Of Adulterie that is that we be not defiled with any vncleannes or intemperate lust of the flesh but that wee gouern all the parts of our life chastly and continently Question Lords day 41 108 What is the meaning of the seuenth commandement Answere That God doeth l Leu. 18.27.28 abhor all filthines and therefore that we also ought m Iud. 22.23 to hate and detest it and on the other side that we ought to liue soberly modestly and n 1. Thes 4 3 4.5 chastly either in holy wedlock or single life Question 109 Doth God forbid nothing els in this commandement but adultery and such kind of filthines Answere For as much as our body soule are the temples of the holy Ghost the will of God is that wee possesse both them purely holilie therefore hee doth generally forbid filthy deeds gestures and behauiours p Eph. 5.3 4 Cor. 6 18.19 20 speeches thoughts q Mat 5 27.23 and desires and whatsoeuer may allure r 1 Cor 15 33. vs herevnto OF THE EIGHT COMMANDEMENT THE ARGVMENT Because all vnrighteousnes is abhominable in the sight of God hee forbiddeth greedilie to gape after that which is an other mans and commandeth vs to lend our faythful helpe to every man for the keeping of his owne goods and by this meanes hee doeth allowe and ratifie the distinction of owners and proper possessions Question Lords day 42 110 What doth God forbid in the eight commandement Answere Not only those Å¿ 1. Cor. 6 10. thefts and t 1. Cor. 5.10 robberies which the Magistrate doeth punish but vnder the name of theft hee comprehendeth all naughtie shifts occupations whereby wee catch after other mens goods and labor to u Luk. 3.14 1. Thes 4.6 conveigh them to our selues by force or by couler of right as are vnequall x pro. 11.1 16.11 weights an vniust metwand vnequal y Eze. 45.9 c. measure deceitfull ware counterfeit mony z Psal 15.5 Luc. 6.35 vsurie or any other forbiddin way or means to thriue get welth Add hereunto all a 1. Co. 6 10 couetousnes and the manifold mispending and b Prou. 5. â—6 abusing of the guifts of God Question 111 What are those things which God commandeth here Answere That I further and increase as much as I am able the commoditie and profit of my neighbour and soe deale with him as I c Mat. 7.12 desire to be delt withall my selfe that diligently and faythfully I follow my worke that I d Eph. 4 28 may be able also to help the neede of others OF THE NINTH COMMANDEMENT THE ARGVMENT That we ought not to abuse our tong to lying slandering and false accusations of our neighbour but rather to avouch the truth and to maintaine and preserue the life and goods of our neighbour Question Lords day 43 112 What doeth the ninth commandement require Answere That I beare noe false e prou 19 5 9 81.28 witnes against any man that I f Psal 15.3 falsifie or misconstrue no mans words that I back bite or g Rom 1.29 21 reproch no man that I h Mat 7 1 c Luk 6 87 condeme noe man rashlie or before his cause be heard but that I i Ioh 8.44 do with al carefulnes avoide all kind of lying deceit as the k prou 12 22 13.5 proper woorkes of the Diuell vnles I will prouoke the most grieuous displeasure of God against my selfe that in iudgments and other affaires I follow the truth and freely and constantly
fire against the contemners of thy most holy precepts and yet to the penitent sinners hast alwaies shewed thy selfe a fauorable Father and a God full of mercie we thy creatures and woorkemanship of thine owne handes confesse our selues most vnworthie to open our eies vnto the heuens but far lesse to appeare in thy presence For our consciences accuse vs and our manifold iniquities haue borne witnes against vs that we haue declined from thee We haue bin polluted with Idolatrie we haue giuen thy glory to creatures we haue sought support where it was not to be founde and haue lightlied thy most wholesome admonitions The manifest corruptiō of our liues in al estates euidently proueth that wee haue not rightlie regarded thy precepts lawes and holy ordinances and this was not onelie done O Lord in the time of our blindnes but euen nowe when of thy mercie thou hast opened vnto vs an entrance to thy heuenly kingdom by the preaching of thine holie Euangell the whole bodie of this miserable Realm still continueth in their former impietie For the most part alas following the foote steppes of the blinde and obstinat princesse vtterlie despise the light of thy Gospell and delight in ignorance and Idolatrie others liue as a people without a God and without all feare of thy terrible iudgments And some O Lorde that in mouth professe thy blessed Evangell by their slaunderous life blaspheme the same We are not ignorant ô lord that thou art a righteous iudge that cannot suffer iniquitie long to be vnpunished vpon the obstinat trangressors especiallie O Lord when that after so long blindnes and horrible defection from thee soe louinglie thou callest vs againe to thy fauor and felloshipp and that we doe yet obstinatlie rebell we haue O Lorde in our extreame miserie called vnto thee yea when wee appeared vtterlie to haue bene consumed in the fury of our enemies and then didst thou mercifullie incline thine eares vnto vs. Thou foughtest for vs even by thine owne power when there was in vs neither wisedome nor force Thou alone brakest the yoke from our neckes and set vs at liberty when we by our foolishnes had made our selues slaues vnto straungers and mercifullie vnto this day hast thou continued with vs the light of thine Evangell and so ceasest not to heape vpon vs benefites both spiritual and temporal But yet alas O Lord we clearly see that our great ingratitude craueth farther punishement at thy hands the signs wherof are evident before our eies For the whispering of sedition the contempt of thy graces offered and the maintenance of Idolatrie are assured signes of thy farther plagues to fall vpon vs in particular for our grieuous offences And this vnmeasurable intemperatenesse of the aire doeth also threaten thine accustomed plague of famin which commonlie followeth riotous excesse and the contempt of the poore wherewith alas the whole Earth is replenished Wee haue nothing O Lord that we may lay betwixt vs and thy iudgment but thine onelie mercy freely offred vnto vs in thy dear Son our Lorde Iesus Christ purchased to vs by his death and passion For if thou wilt enter into iudgement with vs thy creatures and keepe in minde our grieuous sinns and offences then can there no flesh escape condemnation And therefore wee most humblie beseech thee O Father of mercies for Christ Iesus thy Sonnes sake to take from vs these stony hearts whoe soe long haue heard aswell thy mercies as seuere iudgments and yet haue not bin effectuallie moued with the same and giue vnto vs hartes mollified by thy Spirit that may both conceiue keepe in minde the reuerence that is due vnto thy maiestie Look O Lorde vnto thy chosen children labouring vnder the imperfection of the fleshe graunt vnto vs that victory that thou hast promised to vs by Iesus Christ thy Sonne our onely Sauiour Mediatour and Lawgiuer To whome with thee and the holy Ghost bee all honour and praise nowe and ever A CONFESSION OF OVR Sinnes commonly vsed in the Church of Edinburgh before Sermons IT is of thy mercie O Lord and not of our merites that it hath pleased thee to shew thy selfe vnto the world euer from the beginning and vnto vs nowe in this last most corrupt age yea Lord we further confesse that neither Lawe nor Gospell can profit vs to saluation except that thou of thy meere grace worke in vs aboue all power that is in this our nature For albeit thou teach we shal remaine ignorant albeit thou threaten wee shall contemne and albeit thou promise mercie and grace yet shall we dispair and remaine in infidelitie Vnles that thou create in vs newe hartes write thy Lawe in the same and seale in vs remission of our sinnes and that the sense and feeling of thy fatherlie mercie by the power of the holie Spirite To the old world thou spakest by Noah To Pharaoh his people by thy seruant Moses To all Israell by the fearfull trumpet of thy Lawe To the Citie of Ierusalem by thine owne wisedome our Lord Iesus Christ and to the multitude as well of Iewes as Gentiles by the preaching of the holy Apostles But who gaue obediēce Who trembled and constantly feared thy hotte displeasure Who did rightly acknowledg the time of their visitation And whoe did embrace and keepe to the end thy Fatherlie promises Onely they O Lorde to whome thy Spirite was the inward teacher whose hartes thou openest and from whome thou remoouest rebellion and infidelity the rest were externally called but obeyed not they heard aswell mercy offred as thretnings pronounced but neither with the one nor with the other were they effectuallie mooued We acknowledge O Lorde that the same corruption lurketh in vs that buddeth forth in them to their destruction and iust condemnation And therefore wee most humblie beeseech thee O Father of mercie for Iesus Christ thy Sonnes sake that as thou hast caused the light of thy word clearly to shine amongest vs and as thou hast plainlie instructed vs by the externall ministerie in the right way of saluation Soe it will please thee inwardlie to moue our dull hearts and by the power of thy holie spirit that thou wilt write and seale in our harts that holy feare and reuerence which thou crauest of thy chosen children that faythfull obedience to thy holie will together with the feeling sense that our sinnes are fullie purged and freely remitted by that onely one Sacrifice which only by it selfe is acceptable vnto thee to wit the obedience death and meditation of thy onely son our Soueraigne Lord only Pastour Mediatour and high Priest our lord Iesus Christ To whome with thee and with the holy Ghost be all honor and glory world without end AN OTHER CONFESsion of our sinnes IVst and righteous art thou ô Lord God father everlasting holy is thy Lawe most iust are thy iudgments yea even when thou doest punishe in greatest seueritie wee doe confesse as the truth is that wee haue