2.21 Thirdly it fighteth against faith Ga. 2.16 Question Yea but the Apostle saith God will reward euerie man according to his workes Ro. 2. Answere It is true God promiseth rewards for good deedes not for the worthines of them but for the grace wherewith God dooth imbrace the beleeuers and doth crowne his own gifts in them also to incourage vs to walke obediently and fruitefullie in all holines before him and his people Matth. 25.33 c. Rom. 2.6 7. Question The Apostle S. Paul biddeth vs to worke out our saluation with feare and trembling Phil. 2.22 Answere The same Apostle on the other side telleth vs that saluation faith and good works are the free gifts of God Ephe. 2.10 Titus 3.4 5. Question Why then dooth hee bid vs doo the same if we haue not power to doo it Answere The Apostle in these words seeketh to take away all careles securitie from Christians and least that Christians shoulde take too much vpon them he setteth downe in the next verse following that God must worke both the wil and deede and that of his owne good pleasure without merit withal in these words he ministreth a comfort to his people in shewing them where they may haue a remedy to helpe their weaknes and inhabilitie Phil. 2.13 Question If our sinnes deserue eternal death then our good works deserue eternall life Answere This is no good conclusion for if a man should reason thus This man can kill himself therefore he can giue himselfe life may we not thinke him madde But this obiection Paul the Apostle answereth thus The wages of sinne is death but the gift of GOD is eternall life through Iesus Christ our Lord withal al good gifts proceed frō God euil things from vs. Euill things are perfectlie euill our good works are imperfect and maimed The reward of the best of which is death Ro. 6.23 1. Cor. 13.9 Question What then doo you conclude Answere First that eternall life is the free gift of God by his mercies Eph. 2.8 Ti. 3.3 5. Ro. 6.23 Secondly that by Christs death and obedience we purchase it Ro. 5.6 to the end Thirdly by faith as the instrument to apprehend the same Iohn 3.16 Gal. 2.16 Fourthly that we must glorifie God in all good works for our saluation Matth. 5.16 1. Pet. 2.12 ¶ A Praier before Catechising O Gratious GOD and deare Father we most humbly and earnestly intreate thee for thy infinit mercies sake in thy beloued and onely sonne Iesus Christ our free redeemer and sauiour that thou wouldest blesse this thy worke commanded and deliuered vnto vs thy poore and miserable seruants in thy holy word make the same profitable vnto vs that wee may bee fruitful in al knowledge strong in faith and sanctified in our life and conuersation that thereby thy name may by vs bee glorified thy children comforted and our soules and bodies in Iesus Christ saued graunt vs these things O mercifull father for Christs sake Amen A Praier after Catechising O Good God and louing father who art full of mercie vnto the sinfull sonnes of men and most gratious vnto thy elect people which thou hast chosen freely in Christ Iesus we thank thee in that thou hast drawne vs out of ignorance and blindnes and called vs vnto the vnspeakeable light and excellent knowledge of thy self as a deare and rich father in Iesus Christ our redeemer wee beseech thee increase our knowledge more and more and make our hearts which are by nature stony and hard so soft and pliable both to heare receiue obey thy waies in all reuerence and faithfulnes vnto our liues ende that we may praise thy euerlasting mercies in Iesus Christ Amen A Praier before meales THE Lorde bee thanked and giue vs grace to be thankefull the Lord bee mercifull vnto vs and forgiue vs our sinnes the Lord sanctifie these his good creatures for our vses and sanctifie vs vnto his holy Maiestie through a liuely and pure faith in Iesus Christ our onely sauiour Amen A thankesgiuing after meales TO thee O good God who hath created vs by thy wisdome and power redeemed vs when we were lost by thy rich mercie and sanctified vs when wee were poluted and defiled in sinne by thy free holines and hast presently fed vs by thy plentifull and vnspeakeable goodnes bee all honour glorie and power in Iesus Christ Amen ⧠Faultes escaped in the Printing Fol. 9. a line 12. where read were Fol. 11. a. line 9. not onely Angels read not Angels Fol. 47. b. line 19. ought to tie read ought not to tie Fol. 59. a. line 20. brought read bought FINIS
without the same all the rest be to no purpose for therein is comprehended the head of true religion godlines and iustice Question What learne you out of the second commandement thou shalt not make to thy selfe any grauen Image c. Answere First in this commandement we are taught how wee should worship GOD purely with his Godhead of the holy Trinitie for First God is a spirit Iohn 4.24 Secondly inuisible 1. Timo. 6.16 17. Thirdly incomprehensible Esay 66.2 Fourthly infinite Rom. 11.33 34. And therefore not to bee purtraied not to make anie image of the Godhead Deut. 4.15 16 17 18 19 20 23 24. Act. 17.29 Secondly that he will be worshipped in spirit and truth and not by and with Images nor by and in Angels neither by or in any other creature either men or women Reuel 19.10 Ioh. 4.24 Iere. 10.8 Heb. 2.18 Thirdly that God will not bee worshipped nor serued by the traditions and framed seruice of man for Matth. 15.9 Iere. 2.8 First man is blinde in heauenly thinges 1. Cor. 2.14 Iho. 3.4 10. Secondly foolish in Gods seruice 1. Cor. 1.20 Iere. 10.14 Thirdly an enemy to Gods pure worship Rom. 8.7 Fourthly God hateth all such as shall corrupt his wisdome with their owne inuentions and lying vanities and loueth them that keepe his commandements and serue him with his owne waies Galath 2.7 8. Iohn 14.21 Question What is the end of this commandement Answere It is to worship GOD purely and holily without mixture of prophane superstition such as Idolatrie is Question What is Idolatrie Answere It is not onely the worshipping of Images but also the worshipping of God with any framed seruice deuised of our corrupt witt withall if wee giue his diuine honor and seruice to our selues or any other creature either to place them in steede of God or to be equal with God Iere. 2.13 27 28. Math. 15.9 Ephe. 5.5 Phil. 3.18 19. Gal. 4.8 Iohn 9. Iohn 5.23 Question What learne you in the third commandement thou shalt not take thy name of the Lord thy God in vaine c Answere First to reuerence his holy name as his mercies goodnes power works iustice and word Psalme 106.47 Pro. 18.10 2. Chro. 29.10 11 12 13. Leuit. 25.31 32. 1. Timo. 6.1 Secondly to vse the holy name of God in an oath most godly carefullie and fearefully and not to sweare lightly rashly and falsely but in lawfull causes being lawfully called thereunto by such as haue authoritie Exod. 22.10 11. Iere. 4.2 Leuit. 19.12 and 24.10 11 12 13 14 15 16. Leuiticus 6.13 Esay 48.1 Thirdly not to sweare by creatures and idolatrous oathes for GOD will not hold them guiltles that doo abuse his name either rashely falsely or by counterfeite oathes Iere. 5.7 Amo. 8.14 Zepha 1.4 5. Psal 16.4 Ioshua 33.7 Fourthly that wee vse not the name of God to those blasphemous arts as sorceries charmings coniurings and such like neither yet to seeke to such damned wretches least we bring eternall death vpon our selues Le. 19.31 and 20 6 27. 1. Cro. 10.10 13. Question What is the end of this commandement Answere That Gods name in an othe in his worde works Sacraments mercie Iustice and power might bee reuerenced hallowed and worthelie accounted of by vs and all his people Le. 20.7 8. 1. Pet. 3.15 Question What is an oath Answere It is a reuerent and a serious calling God to witnes either to confirme the trueth I speak or to punish me if I speake vntrueth Iosua 9.19 Heb. 6.16 17 18. 2. Cor. 1.23 Question What learne you in the fourth commandement Remember that thou keepe holy c. Answere First that we are straightly charged to kéepe holy the Sabaoth in holines and righteousnes Leuit. 19.30 Ezek. 20.19 20. Esay 56.4 5 6 and 58 13 14. Secondly not to prophane the same in dicing carding bowling shooting gaming dauncing drinking gadding from place to place feasting bargaining buing selling beare bayting traueling turmoyling in our earthlie affaires and such like Iere. 17.21 to the end Eze. 20.12 13. Nehe. 13.15 to 23. Thirdly what the exercises of the Sabaoth should be which ought to be these First to heare Gods word preached with great reuerence and attentiuenes to meditate and reade the same carefully and to talke thereof with all godlines Psalme 1.2 Luke 4.16 17 18. Acts. 13.14 15. Secondly that we make our praiers vnto God with great zeale and that Matth. 6.9 and 18.19 Psal 68.26 2. Cor. 24. First for his glorie Secondly for our selues Thirdly for his church Thirdly to receaue the Sacraments humblie and thanckfullie thereby Actes 2.24 Acts. 20.7 8 9 10. First to cōfort our consciences 1. Cor. 11. Secondly to confirm our faith Ro. 4.11 Fourthly to visite and distribute to the sick lame poore and aged First cherefullie Acts. 2.46 1. Cor. 16.1 2. Gal. 6.10 2. Cor. 9.7 Phil. 2.14 1. Pet. 4.9 10. Math. 25.31 c. Secondly diligentlie Acts. 2.46 1. Cor. 16.1 2. Gal. 6.10 2. Cor. 9.7 Phil. 2.14 1. Pet. 4.9 10. Math. 25.31 c. Thirdly liberallie Acts. 2.46 1. Cor. 16.1 2. Gal. 6.10 2. Cor. 9.7 Phil. 2.14 1. Pet. 4.9 10. Math. 25.31 c. Question What is a Sabaoth Answere It is a rest and ceasing from all seruile and vncleane works Esay 58.13 14. Question Who must keepe the same Answere Not onely parents gouernours of common weales and priuate families but also the subiect sonnes and daughters with men and maid-seruants yea the very strangers and none excepted Deut. 4.14 15. Question What is the end thereof Answere Onely this That we might auoide all corruptions and be mainteyned in all feare and reuerence of God and rightlie meditate on his eternall kingdome and our endles rest in Christ Ezek. 20.29 20. and 22.8.26 Esay 66.23 Question What learnest thou in the fift commandement honour thy father and thy mother c Answere First we are taught to honor loue feare obey and reuerence our naturall Parents Magistrates gouernors Masters Pastours and ellders Leuit. 19.3 Gene. 4.5 6 10 11. and 46.29 1. Sam. 22.3 4. Prou. 30.17 Exod. 21.17 Ephe. 6.1 2 3. Rom. 13.1 to 8. 1. Tim. 2.1 2 3. 1. Thes 5.12 13. Heb. 13.17 Secondly to loue instruct cherish and order our inferiours First in respect of the soule as First in spirituall instructions Ephe. 6.4 Col. 18. Secondly the foode of life Psal 78.5 6 7. Iohn 6.68 Thirdly a godly gouerning 1. Thes 1.6 8 9. Titus 2.1 2 3 4. Secondly in respect of the bodie as First in good gouernement Heb. 12.9 to 10.23.13 14. Secondly in feeding the bodie Thirdly in clothing the same 1. Tim. 5.8 Question The godlie oft times die in their youth and the wicked liue vntill old age how then is the promise fullfilled and God iust in not punishing Answere The vngodly liue in their prosperitie in an accursed estate and to their greater vengeance But the godly liue so farre foorth as it shall be to Gods glorie and their saluation Esay 57.1 2. Eccle.
13.27 30. Question Make this example more plaine Answere In it we may see the rich goodnes of God and of our Sauiour Iesus Christ of God in that hee spared not his onely Sonne of Iesus Christ in that he was content in his owne person to pay the ransome for the sinnes of his people but it was most wicked in the instruments for they committed a horrible fact in murthering an innocent man and in putting to death the Sonne of God Question But did they it not for the same ende that God did namely for the saluatiō of his people Answere No verely for as I saide before Iudas did the same for money the Scribes and Pharisies for enuie Pilate for feare of Caesar the Diuel to take away all hope of redemption and saluation also to bring the murtherers by his meanes into the wrath of God and so vpon them destruction therefore in either and euerie of them was it wicked and worthie of condemnation Question What doost thou conclude vpon this thing Answere That GOD in all his actions is most iust and cleere from sinne and that the wicked are most vniust although they doo nothing indéed but what God hath appointed them to doo neuerthelesse not to be excused therein Question If all things must come to passe as God hath before appointed is it not then in vaine to vse counsell labor praier or any other meanes Answere If they be called vain things because they can not procure things to fall out otherwise than God hath appointed decreed they are vain indeede but otherwise they are not vaine things but good meanes by which as instruments God bringeth his counsells and purposes to passe wherefore God doth command vs to vse them and thereby after a sort we are saide to be helpers to bring his certaine and euerlasting purpose to passe Question As how Answere Thus as God hath certainlie appointed vndoubtedly decreed how things should come to passe the time when and the place where so reseruing the end euent vnto his secret counsell which we may not search into he hath giuen vs meanes and also reason to vse them to bring things to passe which he hath commanded vs to vse leauing the issue and that which is secret vnto him wherefore not to doo them is to tempt God as too much to trust in them is to distrust God so that both of them not rightly performed is great wickednes against God Question What examples haue you for this in the holie Scriptures Answere Our Sauiour Christ although he was hungrie and tempted of Sathan yet would he not depende vppon the meane and vse vnlawfull meanes to distrust in God neither yet when he was vpon the pinacle being tempted of Satan to fall downe vnder the shewe of Gods prouidence yet would he not tempt God in neglecting the meanes to goe downe by the steps Ma. 4. And of this you may sée more in the booke of God how Moses Dauid and Paule vsed the meanes of praier labour and all other honest lawfull things to bring their matters to passe although they knew that al things wer wroght and came to passe by Gods prouidence Exod. 14.13 14 15. psal 3.5 6 8. 1. Sam. 19.11 12. Actes 27.22 23.24 25 30 31. Question What is the vse of this doctrine Answere First faith in God Psal 3.5 6 7 8 23. the whole psal 37.5 Secondly comfort 2. Kings 6.16 17. Acts. 27.24 25. Thirdly patience in all our troubles seeing God who is our Father sendeth afflictions for our comfort and will returne them to our good Rom. 5.3 4. psalm 37.7 Iam. 1.2 3 4. Fourthly we ought to vse all godly and honest meanes as Matth. 4. First praier for them Psal 50.14 15. Secondly labour to attaine them in time of want by industries Thirdly Phisicke in sicknesse Matth. 9.12 Esay 38.21 Fourthly flight in persecution Matth. 10.23 Fifthlie meate drinke and cloath during our pilgrimage Act. 27.33 34 35 36. Matth. 14.15 to 22. Sixtly we ought to tie God to them neither to depende on them as things of of necessitie Matth. 4. The end of the first part The second part of the Catechisme Question LEt vs come vnto the second part of our Catechisme and tell me what is the same Answere The redemption of mankinde Question What is redemption Answere It is our deliuerance in Iesus Christ from al the former euils of our fall as the power of sinne the curse of God and eternall death also a preparing for vs of an estate of happines more excellent than the first Galat. 3.13 14. Gal. 1.4 Titu 2.14 Rom. 8.17 Question How is Christ our redeemer Answere First by the ordinance of GOD his father Luke 1. Acts. 4.12 Secondly by affinity in taking vpō him our nature so to become our head elder brother Eph. 5.30 Heb. 2.16 17. Thirdly by right as First in that hee is Lorde of the whole world for all things were made and are ruled by him Iohn 1.2 3 4 5. Col. 1.16 17. Heb. 1.2 3. Secondly because he hath redéemed his people by his obediēce in shedding of his precious bloud Rom. 5.6 7 8 9. 1. pet 1.18 19 20. Question What things belong vnto Christ our Redeemer Answere Three things First perfect wise Secondly perfect rich Thirdly perfect strong Question Why perfect wise Answere First to bring to naught the craftie deuises of Sathan and his complices 1. Cor. 1.19 20 24 25. Secondly to make his people wise to saluation and to forsake al the subtilties of Sathan and his instruments in heresies and corrupt manners 2. Tim. 3.15.16 17. Question Why perfect rich Answere First to be of sufficient abilitie to redéeme his people and to pay the price of redemption the which he hath most fully and sufficiently alreadie done by his death and bloud Titus 2.14 col 1.11 12 13 14. Secondly to make his people rich in faith obedience and all other heauenly spirituall graces Ro. 1.8 1. cor 6.7 eph 1.3 col 1.9 Question Why of power Answere First to ouercome his enemies and the enemies of his people as satan sinne and eternall death 1. Cor. 15.54 55 56 57. Heb. 2.14 15. 1. Iohn 3.8 Secondly to deliuer his people from these their enemies and to giue them strength to ouercome Rom. 7.24 25. 1. cor 15. eph 6.12 to 18. 1. Iohn 5.4 5. Question Is there anie other Sauior than Christ onely Answere No for hee it is that must both saue from death eternall and giue life euerlasting Ioh. 3.16 and 5.24 Question What think you of thē that seeke their saluatiō els where as in their works good intēts Answere First they herein denie Christ to be the onely Sauiour for he will be a whole Sauiour or else none Acts. 4.12 Matth. 3.17 Secondly they make themselues to be half sauiours and to be equal copartners with Christ in the work of redemtion tit 3.4 5. Thirdly they resist the ordinance and decrée of God who appointed Christ
to bee the sole Sauior of mankinde Matt. 1.21 Fourthly in stéed of heauen euerlasting life they by their good intents and workes doo purchase hell and euerlasting death Ioh. 3.17 36. Question What vse ought we to make of this point Answere First to note how miserable we were of our selues after our fall as First in sinne Psal 51.5 Ier. 17.2 Secondly vnder the wrath of God eph 2.3 Thirdly captiues to the diuell eph 2.2 Fourthly inheritors of hell eternal death Rom. 6.23 Secondly the great and rich mercie of God First in giuing vs a Sauiour that might redeeme vs from sinne satan and hell Eph. 2.4 5. Tit. 3.4 5. Secondly in seeking to reconcile vs to him selfe and to make vs his children righteous 2. cor 5.18 19 20 21. Thirdly in giuing vs thereby euerlasting life and eternall happinesse Ioh. 5.24 Question Seeing we are now redeemed in Christ are we now therfore in a better and more happier estate vnder Christ our head than Adam was in his innocencie in Paradice Answere Yea surely the estate of Gods children is now more excellent Question Why so Answere First because wee haue an excellent head to wit Christ which Adam had not in the time of his innocēcie before his fal Eph. 1.22 col 1.18 Secondly God is more néerer ioyned vnto vs than he was vnto Adam at that time for he hath taken vpon himself since Adams fal our humane nature and ioyned the same to his diuine nature and is become one with vs sinne excepted Ephe. 5.30 Heb. 2.16 1. Pet. 2.23 1. Ioh. 3.5 Thirdly our saluation is more certain thā it was vnder Adam for then we had no power to stand in the perfection of our creation but now in Christ it is most certaine and firme because it is grounded First vpon the euerlasting vnchangable decrée and purpose of God Ephes 1. 11.2 Tim. 2.19 Secondly vppon the euerlasting mercies of God in Christ 2. Tim. 1.9 Thirdly vpon his faithfulnesse truth and righteousnes 1. cor 1.9 1. thes 5.24 Fourthly vpon his inuincible power omnipotencie Iohn 10.27 28 29. Fourthly God doth not onely giue vs heauen which Adam should haue had in his innocencie but also maketh vs heirs yea ioint heires with Christ in glorie the which Adam should neuer haue had if he had stoode in his innocencie so that wee maie see our estate farre better than Adams in Paradice Rom. 8.17 Question And is not man made more excellent than the Angels in heauen Answere Yes verely for First Christ tooke vpon him our nature and exalted it aboue all principalities powers and Dominions Eph. 1.20 21 22. Secondly man is made the Lord and ruler of the whole world that through grace in Christ which rule and lorldlie authoritie was neuer giuen vnto the Angels Psalm 8. the whole Thirdly the Angels by the free mercies of God are made the seruants of the faithfull to defend and comfort them for they are the ministring spirits sent foorth to minister for their sakes that shall be heires to saluation psal 34.7 Heb. 1.14 Question In that thou saist that man is restored to a better estate than Adam in his first innocencie in Paradice is become more excellent than Angels is thy meaning of all mankinde of all persons generally Answere No surelie but onely of the faithfull who are grafted into the bodie of Christ by the holy ghost as for infidels hipocrites heretikes libertines and atheists their estate is no better than the diuels in hell in shame and confusion for euer and euer Reuel 21.28 Eph. 5.5 Question Why died not Christ for all men as well as for a certaine number Answere No Christ died not for all for if Christ died for all then First there is no election 2. Tim. 3.19 Secondly God should be then vniust to condemne anie Rom. 3 4. psal 51.4 Thirdly al haue not faith 2. the .3.2 tit 1.1 Fourthly the spirit of Christ belongeth onely to the faithfull Rom. 8.9 10. Question Was there anie imperfection in the sacrifice of Christ in that it was not sufficient for all Answere There was no imperfection in the sacrifice of Christs bodie and soule for he was perfect and holy also it was sufficient for all people but effectual onely vnto those which lay hold on him through faith he 10.10 12 14. 9.25 26 28. Question The Scripture saith God would haue al men come to the knoledge of the truth be saued Answere The word all must be considered after this manner that First hee offereth grace vnto all but all receiue not the same Secondly that word must bee vnderstood some of all Nations Thirdly some of all callings as First Princes Secondly subiects Thirdly parents Fourthly children Fiftly masters Sixthly seruants Seuenthly men Eightly women Some of all which euen those that lay hold vpon Christ by a liuely true faith shall be saued and liue 1. Iohn 5.10 11 12 13. Fourthly we must consider that his reueled will is equally ruled by his secret wil and that they be not contrarie the one to the other although they seeme so to our foolish iudgements Fifthly that God is stable and vnchangeable in all his waies and workes Iam. 1 17. Question What moued God to saue some damne other some In that he saueth some is it for that they deserue the same or did he foresee that they would both beleeue and worke out their saluation Answere His owne mercie is the cause that he saueth some out of the sinfull lumpe of Adam for First all deserued damnation for the best worke after regeneration is defiled with sin and the reward of sinne is death how much more then deserue we death before God doth regenerate vs by his spirit 1. cor 13.9 Ro. 7.24 Secōdly faith is the only gift of god eph 2.8 Thirdly we cannot work wel before God regenerate vs vnto good works eph 2.9.10 Fourthly in that he dampneth other some it is of right and according to his righteous iudgements for that it is written if you do this you shall liue if you do not yee shall die Question How shall we bee perswaded of our saluation in Christ Answere Thorough faith Gal. 3.11 Gal. 2.16 Rom. 3.27 28. Question What is faith Answere A firme perswasion grounded vpon a sounde knowledge in sacred Scriptures that God is reconciled and become both our God and father thorough the merits obedience and bloudshedding of Iesus Christ in whome wee shall be saued and haue eternal life so assuredly as though wee possessed the same already which faith is wrought by the holy Ghost in the hearts of the elect thorough the ministerie and preaching of the word Rom. 5.1 2. Rom. 8.38 39. and 3.24 Ephe. 3.17 Ephe. 1.13 1. Ioh. 3.1 2 3. Question Then our faith must not bee wauering but firme in Christ and his promises Answere It must be firme and not wauering as Saint Iames teacheth for note this that not he which doubteth shall be saued but