SPIRITVALL FOOD AND PHYSICK Viz. MILKE for the Younger MEAT for the Stronger The Substance of Diuinitie A Pill to purge out Poperie The Second EDITION corrected and inlarged LONDON Printed by H. L. for Beniamin Fisher and are to be sold at his Shop in Pater-noster Row at the signe of the Talbot 1623. TO ALL CHRISTIAN Parents and Gouernours of Families Grace Peace be multiplied IT is as yee know welbeloued the Commandement of God that Parents should teach and instruct their children in the true Religion and worship of God as it is to be seene in these places following Deut. 4.9.6.6.11.18 19. Prouerbs 22.6 Ephes 6.4 Examples also there are of many that did it as Abraham Dauid c. Gen. 18.19 1 Chro. 28.9 Prouerbs 4.3 4. Timothy knew the Scriptures from a child 2. Tim. 3.15 that no doubt by the instruction of his mother and his grandmother who are commended for their faith by S. Paul 2. Tim. 1.5 Secondly the benefit that followeth heereof is great Prouerbs 22.6 And the want heereof is the cause of much euill to your children and many times of great griefe to your selues Be diligent therefore and carefull to performe this duty Parents generally teach their children to say the Lords prayer the Creede and the ten Commandements and it is a good and commendable thing for them so to doe But they are not there to stay as if it were sufficient to say these things without booke but to goe further and to teach them the meaning thereof Many aged persons there be that can say the words but vnderstand little or nothing thereof nay know not so much as what the Creed is but vse it for a prayer The reason heerof is they were not â—nstructed in their youth That all therefore euen the simplest may be able to teach their children the meaning of the things aforesaid I haue heer framed first of all a very short Catechisme for little ones from the age of foure to 6 or 7 yeeres In which time I think there is scarce any of so weak capacitie but may be able to learne it Secondly I haue framed another fit for such as are of six or seuen till they come to ten or twelue yeeres of age and may in that time be easily learned and the rather because the first is comprehended in it Then thirdly I haue more particularly largely set downe the meaning of each Article of the Creede of the Sacraments of euery Commandement and of euery petition of the Lords prayer with diuers other points necessary to be knowne of all Christians and that before they come to bee partakers of the Lords Supper And this also may the more easily be learned because the second Catechisme is included in it And in all three I haue laboured for three things namely order breuitie and plainness For this I finde by almost 30. yeeres experience in the Ministerie that things orderly briefly and plainely handled are best remembred and soonest learned and though the Answeres bee many yet if they bee short and plaine both children and others will learne them with ease and delight Concerning the method and order heere obserued it is this First briefly it sheweth the benefit of Catechizing what it is and what be the parts of it Quest 1. to Q. 8. Secondly it sheweth what God is and setteth downe his workes of Creation and Prouidence and namely mans creation All which are comprehended in the first Article of the Creed Quest 8. to 30. Thirdly it discouereth our misery by reason of sinne Quest 30. to 44. Fourthly it declareth how we are redeemed from our misery namely by Christ where is shewed what Christ is concerning his person Quest 44. to 57. Then what hee did to worke our redemption and to make it perfect the which is set downe in the 4.5 and 6. Articles Quest. 57. to 74. And what is the last worke that Christ shall performe on earth Quest 74 75 76. Fiftly it maketh knowne how all that which Christ hath done is made profitable to vs Quest 77. to 81. Sixtly it sheweth who they are which are sanctified and ioyned to Christ namely the Church and what benefits belong to the Church Quest 81. to 98. Seuenthly it sheweth what is required on our behalfe that we may be partakers of Christ and his benefits namely a true faith what this faith is how it is wrought in vs and wherefore wee are said to bee saued by faith onely Quest 98. to 104. Now because the Sacraments are ordained of God for the helpe of our faith it sheweth next what these Sacraments are what things are thereby signified and sealed to vs and what is required to the right vse of them Quest 104. to 144. And forasmuch as that faith whereby we are iustified is not a dead but a liuely faith it sheweth what this faith doth bring forth in vs namely repentance and repentance good workes what these good workes are namely such as God hath commanded Quest 144. to 159. And then followeth in order the meaning of the ten Commandements Quest 159. to 247. Then after that follow certaine points concerning the Law as whether wee can bee iustified by the workes of the Law If not then to what end the Law doth serue and wherefore wee are to doe good workes how they are to bee done and whether they shall be rewarded of God or no Quest 247. to 258. Lastly it sheweth that wee of our selues can doe no good work but onely by the grade of God and that the grace of God is to be obtained of vs by prayer and then followeth the meaning of the Lords prayer and what shall become of all after this life Quest. 258. to the end All which things are briefly familiarly and plainely set downe by Questions and Answers that euen the simplest may easily if they will vse the meanes both learne and vnderstand the same And because that in matters of Religion nothing is to bee receiued but what is plainely proued by the Scriptures I haue at the end of almost euery Answere quoted the places of Scriptures for the proofe of the same And the places for the most part are plaine and easie as you shall finde if you turne to them And that you may see that whatsoeuer is necessary to be knowne beleeued and practised of vs to saluation is conteined in the Scriptures I haue also set downe in order the very substance of Diuinity in Texts of Scripture Lastly to the end that all may the more detest Popery I haue added a Dialogue betweene a weake Christian and a Minister shewing that Popery is contrary to the very grounds of the Catholike Religion and that therefore Papists cannot be good Catholikes And this I haue done not in hatred of their persons for I wish vnfainedly their conuersion in this world and their saluation in the world to come but in hatred of their false doctrine and that the simple may not be seduced with the title and colour
continue dead in the graue A. No hée rose againe from the dead Q. Wherefore did Christ die A. For my sinnes Q. Wherefore did he rise againe A. To make me righteous Q. What else doe you beleeue A. That whatsoeuer Christ hath done for mans saluation he hath done it also for me Q. Shall all be saued by Christ A. No but onely such as haue a true faith in Christ Q. What is faith A. A true perswasion of the heart Q. Vpon what is faith grounded A. Vpon the free promises of God in Iesus Christ Q. Who doth work this faith in vs A. The holy Ghost Q. Whereby doth he work it A. By the hearing of his Word Q. What is the summe of your faith A. The Apostles Creed Q. Rehearse the Articles of the Creed A. I beléeue in God the Father almighty maker of heauen and earth c. Q. Do you thinke to be saued by this your faith A. Yes onely by faith Q. Wherefore then doe the Sacraments serue A. To strengthen my faith Q. How many Sacraments bee there A. Two Baptisme and the Supper of the Lord. Q. What is a Sacrament A. An outward signe and seale of an inward grace Q. What is signified by Baptisme A. That we are washed from all our sinnes by the bloud of Christ Q. What else A. Our new birth by the holy Ghost Q. What is signified by the Supper of the Lord A. Our spirituall nourishment to eternall life by the body and bloud of Christ Q. What is required to the worthie receiuing of the Sacrament A. Faith and repentance Q. What is repentance A. A turning from sinne to God Q. What doth repentance bring forth A. Good workes Q. What are these good works A. Such as God hath commanded Q. How many Commandements be there A. Ten. Q. Which be they A. God spake these words and said I am the Lord thy God c. Q. Into how many Tables are they diuided A. Into two Q. How many bee there of the first Table A. Foure Q. What doe they teach vs A. Our dutie towards God Q. How many bee there of the second Table A. Sir Q. What doe they teach vs A. Our duty towards our neighbour Q. Can we of our selues do good workes A. No but only by Gods grace Q. How shall wee obtaine the grace of God hereunto A. By harty prayer Q. How must we pray A. As Christ hath taught vs. Q. How many parts bee there of the Lords prayer A. Thrée A preface si◠petitions and the conclusion Q. Which is the preface A. Our Father which art in heauen Q. What doth it teach vs A. To pray to God onely in the name of Iesus Christ Q. What doe wee ask of God in the three first petitions A. Such things as concerne Gods glory Q. What doe we ask in the three last petitions A. Such things as are necessarie for the body and soule Q. What is the conclusion A. A reason why we doe ask these things of God Q. What signifieth the word Amen A. So be it FINIS MILKE FOR the Younger OR A Catechisme for the younger sort Q. WHerin consisteth our true wisedome and happinesse A. In the true knowledge of God and of our selues Q. What is God A. God is a a Iohn 4.24 Spirit hee is b Gen. 17.1 Almighty the c Acts 17.24 Maker and d Iohn 5.17 Gouernor of all things Q. What else are wee to know concerning God A. That there is but a Esa 45.21 one God onely Q. What more A. That there are thrée persons and these thrée are but one God Q. Which be these three persons A. The Father Mat. 28.19 the Sonne and the holy Ghost Q. What are we to know concerning our selues A. How wée were created and what we are now by nature Q. What else A. How wée are redéemed and what thankes we owe to God for it Q. Who made man and woman A. God Q. Whereof did God make man A. Of the dust of the ground Gen 12.7 Q. Whereunto did God make man like A. To his owne image and likenesse Gen. 1.26.27 Q. Wherein standeth this image of God A. In righteousnes and true holines principally Eph. 4.24 Q. Wherfore did God thus make man A. To worship and serue him Esa 43.7 Q. How will God be serued A. As he himselfe hath commanded in his Word Deut. 4.32 Q. What was man then by creation A. Perfectly holy and perfectly happy Q. What are we now by nature A. The children of wrath Ephes 2.3 subiect to the wrath of God Q. What is the cause that we are so A. Sinne. Rom. 3.23 Q. What is sinne A. The transgression of the Law of God 1 Iohn 3.4 Q. By whom came sinne into the world A. By man euen Adam Rom. 5.12 Q. What is the reward of sinne A. Death and eternall damnation Rom. 6.23 Q. By whom are wee deliuered from death and damnation A. Onely by Iesus Christ Acts 4.12 Q. What is Iesus Christ Rom. 7.24 25 A. The onely begotten Sonne of God Ioh. 3.16 Q. Is he God or man A. He is both a 1 Iohn 1.14 God and b 1 Iohn 5.20 Ioh. 19.30 34. man Q. What did hee to redeeme vs A. He suffered died and shed his bloud for vs. Q. Did Christ suffer in his Godhead A. No but in his Man-hood and that both in c Mat 27.3 35. body and d Lu. 22.44 soule Q. Were not Christs sufferings the sufferings of the person God and man A. e Act 20 28 1. Cor. 2.8 Yes but the nature wherein he suffered was not the diuine but the humane nature Q. Did Christ continue dead in the graue A. No 1. Cor. 15.4 hée rose againe the third day from the dead Q. Wherefore did Christ die A. For our sinnes 1. Cor. 15.3 Q. Wherefore did he rise againe A. For our iustification Rom. 4.25 Q. Whither went Christ after his resurrection A. He ascended into heauen Acts 1.9 Q. Wherefore did he ascend into heauen A. To prepare a place for vs. Ioh. Q. What doth Christ now in heauen A. He sitteth at the right hand of God Mar. 16.19 the Father almightie Q. Hath God a right hand indeede A. God is a Spirit Luk. 24.39 and therefore hath neither right hand nor left Q. What is meant then by Christs sitting at the right hand of God A. That Christ hath all power giuen vnto him in heauen and in earth Mat. 28.18 Q. When shall Christ come againe A. In the end of the world Acts 1.11 Q. What shall he then doe A. He shall iudge both the quick and the dead Iude 15 Q. How doth that which Christ hath done profit vs A. By the inward and secret working of the holy Ghost 1. Cor. 12.13 Q. Who is the holy Ghost A. The third person in Trinity Q. Why is he called holy
strengthening of our faith Q. VVhat is to be done before the receiuing of the Sacrament A. Euery one is to trie and examine himselfe 1 〈…〉 Q. VVherefore are we to doe this A. Because he that eateth and drinketh vnworthily is guilty of the body and bloud of Christ 1. Cor. 11.27 29.30 and doth eat and drinke iudgement to himselfe Q. VVherein are wee to examine our selues A. In foure things especially Q. VVhat is the first A. Whether wée haue any knowledge of the grounds of Religion Hos 4.6 6.6 and namely of the Sacrament Q. VVhat is the second A. Whether we haue a true sauing faith or no. 1. Cor. 13.5 Heb. 11.6 Q. VVhat is the third thing A. Whether we be truly repentant for our sinnes Esay 1.13 14 16 Tit 1.15 Q. VVhat is the fourth thing A. Whether we be in charitie with all men Mat. 5.23.24 Mar. 11.25 Q. VVhat is to be done in the receiuing of the Sacrament A. We are then to meditate and thinke vpon such things as are signisted by the outward signes and actions in the Sacrament Q. VVhat is signified by the breaking of the Bread and the powring out of the Wine A. The crucifying of Christs body and the shedding of his bloud Esay 53.5 1. Cor. 11.24 Mat. 26.28 the sufferings of Christ and the benefits procured thereby Q. What is signified by the giuing of the Bread and VVine by the Minister A. That God doth giue to the faithfull the body and bloud of Christ that is the merit of his death Iohn 6.32 51 and the benefits of his passion Q. What is signified by our taking eating and drinking of the Bread and Wine A. A spirituall receiuing Iohn 6 3â— eating and drinking of the body and bloud of Christ Q. VVhat is it to eate the flesh of Christ and to drink his bloud A. It is truly to beléue in Christ to haue a Communion and fellowship with the true flesh and bloud of Christ and to be partakers of the benefits of his death and passion Iohn 6.56 Q. VVhat is to bee done immediately after the receiuing of the Sacrament A. Euery one is then to giue hearty thanks to God for his Redemption by the death of Christ 1. Cor. 11.26 Q. VVhat is Recemption A. A deliuerance of vs from sinne and the punishment thereof Rom. 5.15 16 7 and a restoring to a happie life Q. VVhat are the parts of this Redemption A. a 2. Cor. 5.18 19 Rom. 5.10 Reconciliation and b 1. Cor. 1.30.6.11 Sanctification Q. What is Reconciliation A. That wherby the wrath of God is taken from vs and we restored to his fauour Q. VVherein doth it consist A. In the forgiuenesse of sinnes and imputation of righteousnesse Rom. 4.7 8 Q. VVhat is remission of sinnes A. The abolishing and taking away of all our sinnes Col. 2.13 14 1. Ioh. 1.7.9 by Christs death Q. VVhat is the imputation of Righteousnesse A. The reckoning of Christs righteousnes vnto vs Rom. 4.9 5.18 19 the taking it for ours Q. VVhat is Sanctification A. A freedome within vs Rom. 6.6.14 8.2 from thé bondage of sinne and Satan and a restoring of vs to a godly life Acts 26.18 Q. From whence doth this our Redemption Iustification and Sanctification proceed A. Not from our selues or anie workes of ours Eph. 1.7 2. 8 9 10 but from the grace of God The third part of the Catechisme Quest 144. DOth not this doctrine of saluation by grace through faith make men to liue carelesly in their sins and to neglect good works A. No Tit. 2.11 〈◊〉 Ephes 2.10 Tims 3.8 it rather teached them to turne from sinne and to be carefull to bring foorth the fruits of a true faith Q. Cannot faith be without good workes A. No for if it be Gal. 5.6 Lam. 2.17.26 it is a dead faith Q. VVhat then doth a true faith worke in vs A. Repentance or newnes of life Q. VVhat is repentance A. It is a turning from sin to God Ioel. 2.11 13. Q. Can we doe this of our selues A. No Iere. 31.19 Lam. 5.21 It is the work of God Q. By what meanes doth GOD worke it A. By the preaching of the Gospell Luk. 24.47 Acts 2.38 39 Q. Is it not done also by the preaching of the Lawe A. The Law is an occasion thereof but no cause of it Q. From whence doth it proceed A. From a godly sorrow in the hart 2. Cor. 7.10 Q. VVherein doth it consist A. In mortifying the flesh and old man Eph. 4.22 23 24 and in quickning the Spirit and new man Q. VVhat is meant by the flesh and old man A. Our corrupted nature through the deceitfull lusts of the flesh Q. What is it then to mortifie the flesh and old man A. To be truely and heartily sorie for that wee hane offended God by our sinnes and daily more and more to hate and anoide sinne Rom. 8 13 Q. VVhat is meant by the Spirit and new man A. A renewing in the spirit of our minde the Image of God which after God is created in righteousnes and true holinesse Eph. 4.33.24 Q. What is then the quickning of the new man A. A true ioy in God through Christ Rom. 5.1 chap. 14.17 and an earnest and ready desire to order our life according to Gods will Q. VVhat doth repentance bring forth A. Fruits worthy amendment of life that is Luke 3.8 Acts 26.20 good workes Q. VVhat are these good workes A. Such as God hath commanded Deut. 8.12 32 Ephes 2.10 159. Q. How many Commandements be there A. Ten. Deut 10.4 Q VVhat are the ten Commandements A. They are a summe of the Law of God commanding good things â—â—d forbidding euil Q. Into how many Tables are they diuided A. Into two Deut. 9.10 Q. How many be there of the first Table A. Foure and six of the second Q. VVhat doe they teach vs A. The first Table teacheth vs our duty towards God and the second our duty towards our neighbour Q. Why are the duties towards God set downe before the duties towards our neighbour A. Because the loue of God is the ground of the loue of our neighbour 1. Ioh. 5.1 2 Q. VVhat followeth heereof A. That none can rightly loue his neighbour except he first loue God Q. VVhy are the duties towards our neighbour ioyned to our duties towards God A. Because the loue of our neighbor is the proofe of our loue towards God 1. Ioh. 4.20 21 Q. VVhat followeth heereof A. That hée which loueth not his â—eighbour doth not loue God Q. What are these words I am the Lord thy God which brought thee out of the land of Egypt c. A. They are a preface to the Commandements Q. What containe they in them A. Thrée seuerall reasons of obedience to the Commandements Q. VVhat is
imputation of Christs righte ousnesse to vs. The Papists teach many things contrary to this Article First that men are to make satisfaction for their sinnes Now satisfaction for sinnes and forgiuenes of sinnes are contraries If wee satisfie in our owne person we are not iustified fréely if we be iustified fréely as most certainly we are Rom 3.23 then we make no satisfaction at all If a man can satisfie and pay a debt then he néedes no forgiuenes but if the debt be forgiuen him then it is plaine that there is no satisfaction made The satisfaction for our sinnes was made by Christ and not by vs. C. Did not the ancient Fathers teach men to make satisfaction for their sinnes M. The satisfaction which they maintained was an ecclesiasticall and publike mulct or penalty imposed vpon notorious offenders thereby to testifie their repentance and to satisfie the Church whom they had offended Perkins 1. V. 577 c. 2. vol. 165.2 D. 166. The efficient cause of our iustification is God alone It is God only that forgiueth our sins Esa 43.25 Mar. 2.7 Ro. 8.33 They teach that the Pope can forgiue sins and we know that he giues pardons not only for the time past but also for the time to come yea they teach that priests haue full right to remit sins they alleadge these places to prooue it Mat. 16.19 Ioh. 20.23 Now we are to note this that as none can forgiue a debt but the party to whom the debt is due so none can forgiue sins but God only against whom the sin is committed Ps 51.4 The power of binding and loosing committed to the Apostles Ministers of the Word is by declaring the wil and pleasure of God out of his Word both to pronounce forgiuenes of sins to al that are truly penitent and the retaining of them to the impenitent The Pope and his Clergie are neuer able to proue themselues to bee she true Ministers of Christ and therefore they cannot so much as challenge this latter authoritie and power to themselues much lesse she former which is proper to God only The motiue or impulsiue cause which moued God to iustifie vs was not any thing in vs but only the grace of God that is the free good wil pleasure of God Ro. 3.24 Eph. 2 8. Tit. 3.5 7. They teach that we are not iustified by grace only but by works also that is by the merit of our workes And to this end they haue of late yéeres deuised a first and secand iustification The first is when a sinner of an euill man is made a good man and this they say commeth only of Gods mercie by the merit of Christ The second is when one of a good of iust man is made better and more iust and this procéedeth from workes But wee are to know that there are not two kinos of iustification a first and second but one and the same iustification considered in different respects In respect of Gods actuall acceptation of a maus person iustification is absolute but in respect of the actuall application and manifestation of Gods acceptation vnto a mans conscience iustification is by parts and degrées M. Scudder on the Lords Prayer page 303. to 309. And further we are to note that the Papists second iustification is no other then sanctification which is an effect and fruit of iustification the which is imperfect and not able to iustifie vs before God Themateriall cause of our iustification is the actiue and passiue righteousnesse and obedience of Iesus Christ his inherent holines his fulfilling of the Law his death sacrifice and full satisfaction The formal cause or the forme of iustification is the righteousnes of Christ imputed of God vnto vs Rom. 5.19 Rom. 4.5 6 7 8. 1. Cor. 1.30 2. Cor. 5.19 21. Phil. 3.9 The Papists detide this doctrine that Men are iustified by the imputation of the righteousnes of Christ which righteousnes is not in vs but in Christ The Rhemists call it a new no-iustice a phantasticall apprehension of that which is not Rhem. on Ro. 3. Sect. 7. They hold them accursed that so affirm and teach And they teach that the onely formall cause of our iustification is the iustice of God whereby we are not reputed and accounted iust but are made iust indéede and this iustice is that which euery man hath within himselfe and is inherent in him Concil Trid. Sess 6. can 10.11 Rhem. on Phil. chap. 3. Sect. 3. The instrumentall cause of iustification on our part is a true and liuely faith whereby wee receiue and apply vnto our selues the merrie of God Christ Iesus and all his benefits resting vpon him alone for our saluation They teach that faith doth not iustifie as an instrument in apprehending the righteousnes of Christ but as a proper and true cause it actually iustifieth by the dignity worthines and meritorious work thereof Bellarm. lib. 1. de iustificat cap. 17. They teach also that faith is not the only cause of our iustification but that there are other also as hope charity almes-déedes and other vertues yea they say that workes are more principall then faith in the matter of iustification and pronounce him accursed that shall say a man is iustified onely by faith Rhem. on Rom. 8. Sect. 6. and on Iames 2. Sect. 7. Bellarm. lib. 1. de iustificat cap. 13. Concil Trid. Sess 6. can 9. These and other such like things they teach contrary to the doctrine of iustification which is a maine ground of Religion And if there were no more points of difference betweene vs these were sufficient to kéepe vs from vniting of our religions for héereby the Church of Rome doth raze the very foundation C. You said before that we are iustified freely I would know how this can be if we be iustified by the righteousnes and for the merit of Christ M. Because the decrée of God the Father for our redemption is frée and we pay nothing againe to God of our owne And therefore by the word fréely our merits are excluded but not Christs By which it appeareth that in respect of our selues we are iustified fréely of Gods méere mercie and grace without any respect of our owne righteousnes or worthines but yet through Christ and for his righteousnes and obedience imputed to vs both which are signified by the Apostle Rom. 3.23 24. C. Shew mee I pray you what is meant by Merit what the doctrine of the Papists is concerning merit and whether that our works be meritorious or no. M. By Merit we vnderstand any thing or any worke whereby Gods fauour and life euerlasting is procured and that for the dignitie and excellencie of the work or thing done Now the true merit whereby we looke to attaine the fauour of God and life euerlasting is to be found in the person of Christ alone in whom God is well pleased The Papists make two kindes of merit the merit of the person and the merit of the worke The
merit of the person is as they say a dignitie in the person whereby it is worthy of life euerlasting The merit of the worke is a dignity or excellencie in the work whereby it is made fit inabled to deserue life euerlasting for the doer of the worke See Rhem. on Rom. 8. Sect. 5. We now do renounce our owne personall merits and all merit of our owne workes and rely onely vpon the merits of Christ and wee hold that no workes of ours can merit That no man by any workes of his can merit may bee proued by the properties and conditions that must be in a worke meritorious and they are fiue First the worke must be absolutely perfect but all our workes are vnperfect aswell in parts as in degrées of accomplishment In parts because we omit many things which the Law prescribeth and doe many euill things which the Law prohibiteth In degrees because the workes of the Saints are vncleane Esay 64.6 Phil. 3.8 Secondly a man must doe the worke of himselfe and by himselfe for if it bee done by the hélpe of another the merit doth not properly belong to the dooer But the good workes which we doe are not ours but are wrought by God in vs. Thirdly a man must doe the worke of his owne free will and pleasure not of due debt for when we doe that which we are bound to doe we doe no more but our duty But whatsoeuer we doe we doe it as poore debters nay we are worse then poore debters wee are miserable bankrupts wee haue nothing wee haue lesse then nothing to pay Luke 17.10 Fourthly the worke must bée done to the benefit and profit of him from whom we looke to be repayed But no man by any worke of his can bring any profit vnto God Iob 22.2.35.7 Psal 16.2.50.12 Wée may benefit men but wée cannot benefit our Maker from whome wee haue receiued life and limbe soule and body and all that we haue wee can giue him nothing and therefore can deserue nothing from him Ro. 11.35 36. Lastly the worke and the reward must be in proportion equall for if the reward be more then the worke it is not then a reward of desert but a gift of good will But there is no proportion betweene our workes which are altogether vnperfect and the excellencie of those great blessings and benefits which the Father giueth vs freely in his Sonne Rom. 8.18 And therefore in this and the former respects there can bee no merit in any meere man wherefore it is no lesse absurd to say that wee merit saluation at Gods hands by good workes then if one should say Thou hast giuen mee an hundred pounds therefore thou oughtest to giue mee a thousand C. Was not this doctrine of merit taught in the times of ancient Fathers M. Merit being taken in his proper sense for due and iust desert was neuer allowed of the sound Professours for a thousand yeeres after Christ Perkins first Vol. 574 575. second Vol. 535 536 Such therefore as will be iustified and saued by their owne workes and challenge eternall life by their merits do shew themselues to be most proud and vnthankfull persons and deserue most iustly to bee condemned eternally C. The Papists at their end doe renounce their owne merits and professe that they look to be saued only by the merits of Christ M. If there were nothing else but this it were enough to proue their doctrine of merit to be a false doctrine for if it were a truth then a man is not only in his life time to professe it and maintaine it but also in his death yea rather to dye for it then to deny it But séeing they in their life professe it and maintaine it but at their death renounce it it is a manifest argument that euen they themselues do know that it is not a true but a false doctrine C. If they know that it is not a truth what makes them then in their life time so stifly to maintaine it M. It serues greatly to maintaine and vphold the Popes kingdome for they teach that the ouer-plus of Christs merits and of the merits of Saints and Martyrs is the treasure of the Church which being gathered together and put into a store-chest is in the Popes custodie and he alone hath the plenary opening and shutting of this Chest and the ordering and disposing of these merits by vertue whereof he giues out Indulgences and Pardons when and to whom he will So that such as haue not merits enow of their owne may haue them from thence And so héereby he maintaines and vpholds his kingdome for heerby comes in infinite wealth and reuenewes Perkins 3. vol. 1. part page 165.2 D. 2. vol. 590. 2. a. In these and many other particular points the Papists teach contrary to the Articles of the Créed and therefore are no true Catholikes neither doe they belong to the Catholike Church as is thus proued Whosoeuer haue not the Catholike faith doe not belong to the Catholike Church but the Papists haue not the Catholike faith therefore they do not belong to the Catholike Church That they haue not the Catholike faith is plaine by that aforegoing DIALOGVE 6. C. Doe they teach any thing contrary to the doctrine of the Sacraments M. Yes many things Christ ordained but onely two Sacraments The Church of Rome hath added to them fiue more namely Confirmation Penance Matrimonie Orders and ertreme Vnction C. Are not these Sacraments indeede M. No surely for there are foure things necessarily required to make a Sacrament First the authority of Christ commanding it Secondly the element or outward signe as the matter of it Thirdly the word of institution as the forme Fourthly the end and vse to bee a scale of our faith for remission of sinnes These foure things are not to be found in their fiue latter Sacraments and therefore they are no Sacraments indéede Master Attersoll on the Sacraments page 119. to 150. Synopsis Papis Controu 14 15 16. C. May not the Church then institute and ordaine Sacraments M. None may ordain a Sacrament but only the Lord. As none may put a signe and seale to a mans last will and Testament but onely the maker of the Testament so none may ordaine Sacraments which are signes and seales of the new Testament and couenant of grace but onely the Lord which made the couenant And therefore the Church of Rome in doing the contrary proues her selfe not to be the true Church of Christ but rather the Church of Antichrist They doe also in many other things teach contrary to the doctrine of the Sacraments As First that the Sacraments doe giue grace and namely remission of sinnes ex opere operato by the worke wrought Rhem. Acts. 22. Sect. 1. Secondly that not onely faith doth iustifie but the Sacraments also Rhem. Rom. 6. Sect. 5. Whereas Sacraments me signes and seales of iustification Rom. 4.11 Thirdly that Infants dying without Baptisme cannot bee saued
heerein A. That we couet that which is for our neighbours good Q. Can wee be saued by our good workes A. No because we cannot fulfill the Law Q. Whereby then are we iustified and saued A. By the grace of God through faith in Christ Ephes 2.8 Q. Wherefore then serueth the Law A. To a Rom 3 20 shew vs our sinnes and the punishment thereof b Gaâ—at 3.24 and so to bring vs to Christ Q. Wherefore doth it serue when we are come to Christ A. To teach vs how to walke Psal 119.1 105. and to place God Q. Wherefore are we to doe good workes if wee cannot bee saued by them A. First to testifie our c Ioh. 14.1 15. loue and d Mat. 5.16 thankfulnes to God thereby Q. And wherefore else A. Secondly to make our calling and election sure to our selues And thirdly 2. Pet. 1.10 1. Pet. 3.1 to win others to Christ thereby Q. Can we of our selues doe good workes A. No but onely by the grace of God 2 Cor 3.5 Phâ—â—ip 2.13 4.13 Q. How shall we obtaine the grace of God heereunto A. By harty and earnest prayer Luk. 11.9 13. Q. How must we pray I am 1.5 6. A. As Christ hath taught vs in the Gospell Mat 6.9 Q. How many parts be there of the Lords prayer A. Thrée a preface six petitions the conclusion Q. Which is the preface A. Our Father which art in heauen Q. What doth it teach vs A. To pray onely to God in the name of Iesus Christ Ioh. 16.23 Q. How may we doe this A. By the helpe of the holy Ghost Rom. 8.26 Q. What do we ask of God in the three first petitions A. Such things as doe onely concerne Gods glory Q. What doe we ask in the three last petitions A. Such things as concern our own necessities both of body and soule Q. Which is the first petition A. Hallowed be thy nme Q. What do we ask of God herein A. That in all things God may bée glorified by vs. Q. Which is the second petition A. Thy kingdome come Q. What doe we desire heerein A. That God may rule and raigne in vs by his holy Word and Spirit Q. Which is the third petition A. Thy will be done in earth as it is in heauen Q. What doe we aske heerein A. That Gods will may be done by vs héere in earth as it is by the Angels in heauen Q. Which is the fourth petition A. Giue vs this day our daily bread Q. What doe we aske heerein A. That God wil giue vs all things necessarie and comfortable for this life Q. VVhich is the fift petition A. And forgiue vs our trespasses as wée forgiue them that trespasse against vs. Q. What do we aske heerein A. That God will forgiue vs all our sinnes as we forgiue such as do offend vs. Q. Which is the sixt petition A. And lead vs not into temptation but deliuer vs from euill Q. What do we aske heerein A. That God by his grace will strengthen vs against all temptations to sinne and deliuer vs from the diuell and from sinne Q. Which is the Conclusion A. For thine is the Kingdome the power and the glory for euer and euer Amen Q. What doe these words contayne in them A. A reason why wée doe aske the former things of God namely because the kingdome power and glory are his FINIS MEATE FOR the Stronger OR A Catechisme for the Elder sort Q. WHerein consisteth our true wisdome and happiness A. In the true knowledge of God and of our selues Q. By what meanes are we soonest brought to the true knowledge of God and of our selues A. By Catechizing Q. VVhat is catechizing A. An instruction of the ignorant in the grounds of Religion Acts 18.25 26. Q. To whom doth the duty of Catechizing specially belong He. 6.1.2 3. A. To a Heb. 5.12 6.1.2 Ministers b Eph. 6.4 Parents c Gen. 18.10 Housholders and Schoolmasters Q. What be the ordinary parts of the Catechisme A. Foure The Créed the Sacraments the ten Commandements and the Lords prayer Q. VVhat is the Creed A. A confession of faith containing the summe of the Gospell Q. How many parts are there of the Creed A. Two of God and of the Church 8. Q. What doth the first part concerne A. Our faith in God the Father in God the Sonne and in God the holy Ghost Q. Are there any more Gods then one A. No a 1 Cor. 8.4 but there are thrée b 1 Ioh. 5.7 persons and these thrée are but one God Q. What is the Father A. The first Person in the Trinity the c 1 Cor. 8.6 maker and d Amos 3.6 gouernour of all things Q. Where is this set downe A. In the first Article of the Creed I beleeue in God the Father Almighty maker of heauen and earth Q. Why doe we say I belieue and not We beleeue A. Because euery one is to haue a particular a Hab. 2.4 faith of his owne and to make b 2 Pet. 3.15 confession of his owne faith Q. What is it to belieue in God A. It is to know and acknowledge him 1 Chro. 28.9 as he hath reuealed himselfe in his Word Q. VVhat else A. To beléeue that he is my God and to put my whole trust in him Iohn 20.28 Q. What is God A. God is a a Ioh. 4.24 Spirit most b Rom. 16.27 wise most c Esay 6.3 holy d Reuel 1.8 eter nall e Ier. 23.24 infinite c. Q. In what respects is God called Father A. In respect of f Ephes 1.4 Christ and in respect of g Esay 63.16 vs. Q. How is he the Father of Christ A. By nature eternal generation Heb. 1.3 5. Q. How is he our Father A. By grace of Adoption Q. VVhy is he called Almighty Gal. 4.5 6. A. Because he can doo whatsoeuer he a Psal 135.6 will yea more then he b Mat. 33.9.26.53 will doe Q. And wherefore else A. Because he is the Author of all that power which is in the creatures Esay 40.19 Iohn 19. â—â— Q. VVhy is he said to be maker of heauen and earth A. Because he created all things in heauen and earth Ex. 20.11 Q. How did God create all things A. Of a Heb. 11.4 nothing by his b Psal 33.6 Word and that c Gen. 1.31 very good Q. VVhereof was man made A. Of the dust of the ground Q. How was the woman made Gen. 2.7 A. Shée was taken and made out of man Gen. 2.21 Q. How came the soule into them A. It was created and put into them by God Gen. 2.7 Q. After what fashion did God make man and woman A. In his own image and likenes Gen. 1.26 27. Q. VVherein especially did this image of God consist A. In
parents but also Princes Magistrates Ministers and other superiours Q. What are the duties of children and other inferiours A. To honour that is to a Leu. 19.3 feare b 1. Th. 5.13 loue c Tit. 3.1 Rom. 13.6 Heb. 13.17 obey relieue and d 1 Tim. 5.3 4 16 maintaine if néede require their parents and superiours Q. What is there promised to such as doe it A. The blessing of long life and good â—ayes Ephes 6.3 Q. How is this performed seeing that many times the obedient haue but a short life and the disobedient liue long A. It is promised to the obedient and performed so far as God séeth it good for them Esa 57.1 2 2. Chr. 34.28 and to the disobedient it is no blessing for they liue long to their further condemnation Q. VVhat is the sixt Commandement A. Thou shall not kill Q. VVhat doth this concerne A. The preseruation of our neighbours life Q. VVhat is forbidden heerein A. a Mat. 5.22 Anger b Le. 19.27 hatred and malice all c Leuit. 24.19 20 quarrelling and fighting with all such things as are hurtfull to the person of our neighbour Q. VVhat is commanded heerein A. That we loue one another Mat. 5.44 1. Ioh. 3.16 and séek to preserue the life of our neighbor Q. VVhich is the seuenth Commandement A. Thou shalt not commit Adultery Q. VVhat doth this Commandement concerne A. The preseruing of chastity both in our selues and others Q. VVhat is heerein forbidden A. Adultery 1. Cor. 6.18 Ephes 5.3 fornication and all manner of vncleannes Q. VVhat else A. All vnpure thoughts and lusts of the heart Mat. 5.28 Q. VVhat more A. All occasions and intieements to lust and vncleannesse Q. What be these inticements A. a 2. Sam. 11 1 Ezec. 16.49 Pro. 23.33 Idlenes pride gluttony and drunkennes b Ephes 4 39 5 3. 2 Cor. 7.1 1 Co. 7.34 filthy talk wanton dancing and such like Q. What is commanded heerein A. That we kéep our selues chaste both in bodie and soule and carefully vse the meanes thereto Q. What is the eightth Commandement A. Thou shalt not steale Q. VVhat doth this concerne A. The presernation of our neighbours goods Q. VVhat is forbidden herein A. That we doe not by theft by bribery Leuit. 19.1 Thes 4 6 vsurie or by any vniust dealing get to our selues other mens goods Q. What is commanded herein A. That we a 2 Thes 3 10. labour in some lawfull calling for the things of this life and deale b Mica 6.8 iustly with all men Q. VVhat else A. That we be c Heb. 13.5 content with that wée haue and d Ephes 4 28. doe good therewith to others Q. What is the ninth Commandement A. Thou shalt not beare false witnes against thy neighbour Q. What doth this Commandement concerne A. The good name of our neighbour Q. What is forbidden heerein A. All lying flattering and backbiting Eph. 4.25 Psal 101.5 with all other such things as are hurtfull to the good name of our neighbour Q. What is commanded heerein A. That we speake the truth from our hearts Psal 15.2 Philip. 4.8 and be carefull to maintain the good name and credit both of our selues and others Q. Which is the tenth Commandement A. Thou shalt not couet thy neighbours house c. Q. What is condemned heerein A. Originall corruption and the very euill thoughts and lusts of the heart without consent Gen. 6.5 Ier. 17.9 Q. What is commanded heerein A. A pure and cleane heart 1 Tim. 1.5 good thoughts and a desire of the good of our neighbour Q. Who is our neighbour A. Euery one euen our enemie Luk 10.29 30 37 247. Q. Can we be iustified or liue by the Law A. No because wée cannot fulfill the Law Rom. 3.20 Gal. 3.12 Q. Whereby then are we iustified and saued A. By the grace of God through faith in Christ Rom. 3.24 Ephes 2.8 Q. Why then doth Saint Iames say that a man is iustified by workes and not by faith onely A. His meaning is that as by faith we are iustified before God so by good workes wée are iustified before men Iam. 2.20 21 c. Luke 7.29 35 that is declared and approoued to be iust Q. If we cannot be iustified by the law then wherefore serueth the Law A. To shew vs our sinnes and our iust condemnation Rom. 3.20 Gala. 3.10 19 24 and so to bring vs to Christ Q. Wherefore doth it serue when we are come to Christ A. To be vnto vs the rule of righteousnes Psa 119.105 Psal 119.1 and a way for vs to walke in Q. Wherefore are we to doe good workes if we are not saued by them A. In respect of thankfulnes to God and that he may be glorified thereby Ioh. 14.15 Mat. 5.16 Q. Wherefore else A. In respect of our selues that thereby we may know that wée haue a true faith Titus 3.8 2. Pet. 1.10 and be assured of our calling and election Q. And wherefore else A. In respect of others that we may thereby eyther draw them to Christ 1. Pet. 2.12 15.3.1 or stop their mouthes Q. What is required that our works may be good and accepted of God A. That they bée a Deut. 12.32 commanded of God that they procéede from a true b Heb. 11.6 faith and bée done to the c 1. Cor. 10 31 glorie of God Q. Shall they then be rewarded of God A. Yes and that with eternall life Mat. 10.42 cha 25.34 35 Q. Doe our good workes deserue this reward A. No Luk. 17.20 Rom. 2.6 7.6.23 God doth fréely reward them for his promise sake and for the merits of Christ The fourth part of the Catechisme Quest. 254. CAn we of our selues doe any good workes A. No 2 Cor. 3.5 Philip. 2.13 but onely by the grace of God Q. How shall we obtaine the grace of God heereunto A. By earnest and hearty prayer Luke 11 13. Iames. 1.6 Psal 50.1 Iohn 16.23 Q. What is prayer A. A religious calling vpon God alone in the name of Christ Q. What be the parts of prayer A. Two petition and thanksgiuing Philip. 4.6 Q. Are the Creed and the ten Commandements a prayer A. No because there is neither petition nor thanksgiuing in them Q. What forme of prayer is there left vnto vs in the Scriptures A. That which wée call the Lords prayer Q. How many parts be there of it A. Thrée a preface six petitions and a conclusion Q. Which is the preface A. Our Father which art in heauen Q. What doth it teach vs A. To pray onely to the true God who both can will grant our requests Q. How know you that he can and will doe it A. He is our a Mat. 6.32 7.11 Father and therefore will doe it hée is in heauen and therefore hath b Ephes 3 20 power
see it Againe there may be some that for want of knowledge and the meanes thereof are intangled with some points of Popery but yet they hold the foundation which is CHRIST IESVS and looke to be saued by his merits and not by their owne or any others Such we account not Papists our the true Church and children of God But by Papists we meane such as cleaue fast to the Pope in religion are in all things obedient to him will not be reclaimed from their errours refuse to heare the Word of God to read the Scriptures or any other good books ' Of such wée may boldly say that if they thus continue to the end they cannot bee saued DIALOGVE 15. C. I do now plainely see that Papists are no good Catholikes because they are neither of sound faith nor good life but tell me I pray you who indeed are the true Church and true Catholikes M. All that doe truly and sincerely embrace professe and practise the aforesaid grounds of Religion in what Countrey soeuer they liue C. Is the Church of England the true Church M. Yes for it hath the speciall markes of the true Church namely the Word of God sincerely and soundly preached and the Sacraments rightly administred C. The Papists say that there are diuersities of opinions amongst vs that we cannot agree among our selues and that therefore wee are not the true Church M. In all substantiall points of Religion wée agree both amongst our selues and also with all other sound Protestants in Christendome In other things there haue bin are and will bee diuersities of opinions differences to the worlds end They should first pluck out the beame of their owne eyes for we can truly charge them with greater differences As namely with that sharpe and bloudy contention betweene the Franciscans and Dominicans and with the late bitter contention between the Iesuites the secular Priests wherein the Priests did write as bitterly against the Iesuites and namely against Parsons as euer did any Protestant nay there was neuer any Protestant Writer that did lay such foule and odious crimes to their charge as the Priests did And heerein they verified the old prouerb When théeues fall by the eares true men come to haue their goods For one dissention that is among vs they haue at least ten among themselues Doctor Willet in his fourth Piller of Papistry hath set downe at large First the contradictions and diuerse opinions of old Papists and new Secondly the contradictions of the Iesuites among themselues Thirdly that their stoutest Champion Bellarmine is at variance with himselfe shamefully forgetting himselfe saying and vnsaying now of one opinion by and by of another And no maruaile Oportet enim mendacem esse memorem A liar had néed to haue a good memory Fourthly hee sheweth the repugnances inconueniences and inconsequent opinions which Popish Religion hath in it selse And thus you see how they charge vs with that wherein themselues are most faulty DIALOGVE 16. C. Are there none among vs that maintaine any strange and new opinions contrary to the grounds of Religion M. If there be any such our Church doth not approue of them but rather censure and punish them C. There be some that professe the former grounds of Religion as wee doe and yet say that there is no true Church among vs and therefore will not ioyne with vs in prayer hearing the Word and in the vse of the Sacraments but separate themselues from vs what say you of such M. I say that they are possessed with the spirit of pride and singularity and that in so doing they doe euen deny these Articles of faith the Catholike Church and the Communion of Saints and are such as the Apostle speakes of Rom. 16.17 Heb. 10.25 39. Master Perkins in his first volume page 409. calles them a schismaticall and vndiscreet company and saith that they are full of pride thinking themselues to be full when they are empty to haue all knowledge when they are ignorant and haue need to be catechized Another saith thus of them The errour of those men is full of euill yea of blasphemie who doe in such manner make a departure from this Church as if Christ were quitbanished from hence and that there could bee no hope of saluation to those that abide heere And further he saith that if they cannot finde Christ heere they shall find him no where The errors of these men you may see in a little Treatise set forth by Master Bernard called The Separatists Schisme C. I pray shew me by some example that they ought not to separate themselues from vs and that they doe sinne in so doing M. In the Church of Corinth the incestuous man was not punished fornication was lightly regarded yea there were some that euen denied the Resurrection yet S. Paul doth account and call them the Church and Saints hee doth not perswade any to make a separation but doth plainely rebuke them and sheweth how they should punish the euill doer I speake not this to excuse any grosse sin that raigneth amongst vs for I wish that the same might be seuerely punished but to shew that where the Word is truly preached and the Sacraments rightly administred as in our Church they are none ought for any cause to separate themselues And that such as doe it do sinne grieuously I will shew you by a familiar example A mother conceiuesh and bringeth forth a sonne and that with great trauaile paine Shee traineth him vp to mans estate and that not without great care and labour This sonne at length espying some spot and blemish or some infirmity in his mother forsaketh her and will not acknowledge her to be his mother what would you now thinke of him C. Surely I should thinke such a one to bee a very wicked and vnnaturall sonne M. Euen such are they who for some seeming faults in our Church deny it to bee a true Church and doe separate themselues from it whereas this Church hath conceiued them brought them forth and nourished them For if euer they were truly begotten vnto Christ and borne anew it hath hin by our Church and our Ministerie by which likewise they haue bin trained vp and brought to that knowledge which they haue C. There are many amongst vs that make great profession of Religion but I can see no good workes come from them nay they are not onely barren in good workes but also liue in some one grosse sinne or other Are these the true Church and true Catholikes M. Though they liue in the Church yet they are not of the Church they are but Hypocrites and shall if they repent not haue the reward of Hypocrites yea it shall be easier in the day of iudgement for many Papists then for them because by their barren and fruitlesse yea wicked life they haue caused the name of God his Gospell and the true professours thereof to bee euill spoken of Let all therefore that will bee