A CATECHISME OF CHRISTIAN RELIGION TAVGHT in the Schooles and Churches of the Low-Countries and dominions of the Countie Palatine WITH THE ARGVMENTS AND vse of the seueral doctrins of the same Catechisme By IEREMIAS BASTINGIVS And now authorized by the Kinges Maiestie for the vse of Scotland Wherunto is adioyned certaine Praiers both publike and priuate for sundry purposes EDINBVRGH ⧠Printed by Robert VValde-graue printer to the Kings Majestie 1591. Cum priuilegio Regiae Maiestatis The A. B. C. A a b c d e f g h i k l m n o p q r r s s t u v w x y z A B C D E F G H I K L M N O P Q R S T V W X Y Z. a b c d e f g h i k l m n o p q r s s t v u vv x y z. A B C D E F G H I K L M N O P Q R S T V VV X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 a e i o u a e i o u ab eb ib ob ub ag eg ig og ug ac ec ic oc uc ak ek ik ok uk ad ed id od ud al el il ol ul af ef if of uf an en in on un In the name of the Father and of the Sonne and of the holy Ghost Sobeit The Lords prayer OVr Father which art in heauen halowed be thy name Thy kingdom come Thy wil be done in Earth as it is in Heauen Giue vs this day our dayly bread And forgiue vs our trespasses as wee forgiue them that trespas against vs. And leade vs not into temptation but deliuer vs from euill For thine is the kingdome power the glory for euer and euer Amen The beliefe I Beleue in God the Father almightie maker of Heauen Earth And in Iesus Christ his onely Sonne our Lord which was conceiued by the holy Ghost Born of 〈◊〉 virgin Mary Suffered vnder Ponâ—â—us Pilate was crucified dead and buried He descended into Hell the third day hee rose againe from the dead Hee ascended into Heauen sitteth at the right hand of God the Father almightie From thence shal he come to iudge the quick the dead I beleue in the holy ghost The holy Catholik Church The coÌ„munion of Saints The forgiuenes of sinnes the resurrection of the body And the life euerlasting THE TEN COMMANDEments of Almightie God HArken and take heede Israel I am the Lorde thy God which haue brought thee out of the lande of Egypt from the house of bondage 1 Thou shalt haue non other Gods before me 2 Thou shalt not make to thy selfe any grauen Image nor the likenes of any thing that is in Heauen aboue or in the Earth beneath nor in the water vnder the Earth Thou shalt not bow downe to them nor worship them For I the lord thy God am a ielous God and visits the sinnes of the fathers vpon the children vnto the third fourth generation of them that hate me and shewe mercie vnto thousands of them that loue me and keepe my commandements 3 Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vaine for the lord will not holde him guiltlesse that taketh his name in vaine 4 Remember that thou keepe holy the Sabboth day Six dayes shalt thou labour and doe all that thou hast to doe But the Seauenth day is the Sabboth of the Lorde thy God In it thou shalt do no maner of work thou and thy Sonne and thy daughter thy manseruant and thy maidseruant thy cattel and the stranger that is within thy gates For in six dayes the Lorde made Heauen and Earth the Sea all that in them is and rested the Seauenth day wherefore the Lord blessed the Seuenth day and hallowed it 5 Honor thy Father and thy Mother that thy dayes may be long in the Land which the Lord thy God giueth thee 6 Thou shalt do no murther 7 Thou shalt not commit adulterie 8 Thou shalt not steale 9 Thou shalt not beare false witnes against thy neighbour 10 Thou shal not couet thy neighbours house Thou shalt not couet thy neighbours wife nor his seruant nor his mayde nor his Oxe nor his Asse nor any thing that is his A PRAIER TO BE VSED before Catechising VVEe most hartily thank thee O most mercifull Father for all thy blessings bestowed vppon vs from the beginning of the world vnto this time for our election creation redemption mercifull vocation iustification sanctification continuall preseruation and for that same assured and most comfortable hope that thou hast giuen vs of our glorification in the world to come And we beseech thee to direct vs that considering thy mercies we may acknowledg and confesse our sinnes which should prouoke thee rather to curse than to blesse vs to confounde vs rather than to preserue vs. Wee haue sinned against thee both in thoght worde deed grant that we seeing the horror of our sinnes and the fiercenes of thy wrath may without hypocrisie or dissimulation be earnestly sory hartely repentant for our former wickednes howbeit in such sort as that wee despair not but that in bitternes of our griefe we may haue comfort by faith in thy Sonne Christ that our offences are pardoned Grant O Lord that we being assured hereof in our consciences may through thy holy Spirite be renued in the inward man to hate detest and abhorre sinn and to study to liue according to thy blessed will during our whol life and as now throgh thy goodnes wee are here assembled together so we beseech thee to direct vs that at this present both in our wordes harts and all our behauiors may be in such sort ordered as that wee may trulie vtter and reuerently receiue the principles of thy holy heauenly word to the strengthening of our fayth to the comforte of our consciences to the amendement of our sinfull and lewd liues and to the glory of thy most holy name through Iesus Christ our Lord So be it OF THE ONELY COMFORT OF MAN IN LIFE AND IN DEATH THE ARGVMENT ⧠In the first section is handled the soueraigne good of man and namely his onely comfort in life and in death as also the necessarie meanes to attaine that soueraigne good and two questions are propounded for the handling of this preface or argument Question Lords day The first WHat is thy onely comfort in life in death Answere That in soule and body a 1. Cor. 6.19 1. Thes 5.10 whether I liue or die b Rom. 14.8 I am not mine owne but I belong c 1. Cor. 3.23 vnto my most faythfull Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christe who by his precious blood most fully satisfying d 1. Pet 1.18 1. Ioh. 1.7 2.2 for al my sinnes hath deliuered e 1. Ioh. 2.8 Heb. 2.14.15 me from the whole power of the deuill
of darknes and translate vs into the kingdome of his beloued Son 2. Tim. 1 1â— whereto belongeth that of the Apostle that life and immortallitie vvere brought to light by the Gospell For Christ is the doore and gate of saluation Iohn 14.6 Act 10.45 and euen the onlie way which we must enter into to come vnto the kingdome of heauen Whereby it appeareth that they are deceiued whoe thinke that every one whether he be Turke or Iewe may be saued in his own superstition so he keep some outward shadow and shewe of Iustice for God hath ordained the preaching of the Gospell to be the key whereby he wil haue the kingdome of heauâ—n to be opened and the faithfull to be let into it and whome in Christ his Sonne hee hath chosen vnto saluation Question 84 How is the kingdome of heuen opened and shut by the preaching of the Gospell Answere When by the commaundement of Christ it is openly preached to al and euerie one that beleeueth that al their sinnes are forgiuen them by God so oft as they lay hold vpon the promise of the Gospel by a true faith Contrariwise vnto all vnbeleeuers and hypocrits it is denounced that the wrath of God euerlasting condemnation lieth vpon them so long as they k Ioan. 20.21 22.23 Mat 16.19 continue in their sinnes According to which testimonie of the Gospell God will iudge aswell in this present life as in the life to come Question 85 Howe is the kingdome of Heauen shut and opened by Ecclesiastical discipline Answere When by the commaundement of Christ they who are in name Christians but in doctrine or life shew themselues l Rom. 12 7.8.9 1 Cor. 12.20 strangers froÌ„ Christ after they haue bene once or twise admonished and wil not depart from their errors or sinfull liuing are presented to the Church or to those who are appointed to that office by the Church and if they obey not their admonition are by forbidding them the Sacramentes by them shut out from the assemblie of the Church and by God himselfe from the kingdom of Christ and againe and if they possesse amendement and doo indeed declare it are receiued as m Ma 18.15.16.17 1. Cor 5.3 4 5.2 The. 3.14 15 2. Iohn 10.11 2 Cor. 2.6.7.10 11. 1 Tim 5.17 members of Christ and of the Church THE THIRD PARTE OF MANS THANKFVLNES THE ARGVMENT Of the necessitie of good workes and the punishment of them who go on carelesly in their sinnes Question Lords day 32 86 Seeing we are deliuered from al sinnes and miseries without any desert of our own by the only mercie of God for Christes sake to what end should we doe good workes Answere Because after that Christ hath redeemed vs by his blood he dooth also renewe vs by his spirit according to his owne image to the end that hauing receiued so great benefites wee shoulde all our life long a Rom. 6.13 12.1.2 2. pet 2.5.9.10 1. Cor. 6.20 shewe our selues thankfull towards God and that he might be b Mat. 5.16 1. pet 2.10 glorified by vs. Secondly that wee also every one of vs may bee c 2. Pet. 1.10 Mat. 7 17 18. Gal. 5 6.22 assured of our faith by the fruits thereof Last of all that by the vprightnes of our life we may gaine d 1. pet 3.1.2 Mat. â— 16. Rom. 14 19. others vnto Christ The vse VVHich being so it followeth that the studie of good workes is necessarie 1. To honour God by our life 2. To worke out our owne saluation in feare and trembling 3. To edâ—fie our neighbour by good examples which is indeede to liue worthie of the Gospell Phil. 2.22 Question 87 Can not they then bee saued who being vnthankfull and continuing securely in their sinnes are not turned from their wickednes vnto God Answere By no meanes for as the scripture witnesseth neither vncleane persons nor Idolaters nor adulterers nor theeues nor couetous persons nor drunkards nor raylers nor oppressors shall e 1 Cor. 6 9 10. Ephe. 5.3.6 1. Ioh. 3.14.15 inherit the Kingdome of God OF REPENTANCE THE ARGVMENT Of repentance and the fruits thereof to wit good works Question Lords day 33 88 Of what partes consisteth true repentance or turning vnto God Answere Of the f Ro. 6 4.5 6. Eph. 4.22.23 42. Col 3 5 6 7.8 9.10 1. Cor. 5 7. 2. Cor. 7 mortifiing or killing of the ould man and quickening of the new man Question 89 What is the mortification of the old man Answere Truelie and from the hart to be sory that by thy sinnes thou hast offended God and more and more to hate and g Rom. â— 13. Ioel. 2.13 Ho 5.14 6.1 flie from them Question 90 What is the quickening of the newe man Answere True reioycing in God through h Rom. 5.1 14 17. Isa 57.15 Christ and a forward desire to frame our life according to Gods will and to exercise i Rom. 6.10.11 Gal. 2 20. all good workes Question 91 What workes are good Answere Onely those that are done af a true k Rom. 11.23 faith according to the l 1. Sam. 15.22 Ephe. 2.10 lawe of God m 1. Cor. 10.31 are referred only to his glory and not those which are deuised by our selues vppon a good intent or n Deut. 11.32 Eze. 20.18.19 Is 29 13. Mat. 1â— 9 commanded by mens traditions Question 92 What is the Law of God Answere The Lorde spake all these o Exod. 20 Deu. 5 wordes saying 1 I am Iehoua thy God which brought thee out of the land of Egypt from the house of seruaunts see thou haue no strange God before my face 2 Make not to thy selfe any grauen Image nor drawe any likenes of those things which are either in heauen aboue or in the Earth beneath or in the water vnder the Earth thou shalt not fall downe before them nor worship them For I am the Lord thy God strong and ielious auenging the sinnes of the Fathers vppon the children and that to the third and fourth generation of them that hate me and shewing mercie vppon thousands in them that loue me and keepe my commandements 3 Take not the name of the Lorde thy God in vaine for the Lord will not let him goe vnpunished that taketh his name in vaine 4 RemeÌ„ber to keep holie the Sabbath day Six daies shalt thou labor and doe all thy worke But vpon the seauenth day shal be the Sabbath vnto the Lord thy God Thou shalt doe no worke neither thou nor thy Son nor thy daughter nor thy seruant nor thine handmaid nor thy cattel nor the straunger that is within thy gates For in Six dayes the Lorde made the Heauen the Earth the Sea and all things that are in them and rested the seauenth day therefore the Lord blessed the seuenth day and hallowed it 5 Honor thy Father and thy Mother that thou maiest liue long vpon the land which the
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
euerlasting The vse THe profit of these articles thus generally distinguished is this that they may serue in sted of a rule whereunto the fayth of al men ought to agree and whatsoeuer is contrary to one or to mo Articles ought to be accounted false Secondly that they may be vnto vs in stead of a table wherein we may perceiue distinctlie and seuerally what things are to be marked in Christ for as the partes of the bodie are distinguished by ioynts so in this confession of fayth whatsoeuer we ought distinctlie and seuerallie from the rest to beleeue is rightlie and fitlie called an Aiticle OF THE APOSTLES Creede THE ARGVMENT The partes of the Creede and of God one in substance and three in person Question Lords day 8 24 Into howe many partes is this Creede deuided Answere Into three parts The first is of the euerlasting father and of our creation The second is of the Sonne and of our redemption The third is of the holie Ghost and of our sanctification The vse IT is therefore requisite to keepe this diuision that although our saluation be the worke of the whole Trinitie yet we may know how to put a difference betweene the propertie of every person and to knowe what euerie of them hath done for our saluation and redemption Question 25 Seeing there is a De. 6.4 Eph. 4.6 Esa 44.6 45 5. 1. Cor. 8.4 but one onelie substance of God why doost thou name those three the Father the Son and the holie Ghost Answere Because God hath so b Esa 61.1 Luc. 4.18 Psa 119.1 Mat 3.16 17. 28.19 Iohn 14 26. 15.26 Tit. 3.5.6 Ep. 2 18 2 Cor. 13.13 Gal. 4.6 1. Iohn 5.7 reueiled himselfe in his word that these three distinct persons are one true and euer lasting God OF GOD THE FATHER THE ARGVMENT Of God the Father and of the creation and preseruation of our selues and of the whole world that is of heauen and earth Question Lords day 9 26 What beleeuest thou when thou sayest I beleeue in God the Father almightie c. Answere I beleue in the euerlasting father of our Lord Iesus Christ who c Gen. 1. 2 Psal 33 6. Iob. 33 4. Act. 4 24. 14 15 c. Esa 45.7 created of nothing the heauen and the earth and all thinges that are therein and doth vphold and d psal 104 3 125.3 Mat. 10 19. Heb. 1.3 Rom. 11.36 gouerne the same by his euerlasting counsell and prouidēce to be by the means of Christ e Ioh. 1.12 Rom 8.15 Ga. 4.5 6.7 Ephes 1.5 my God and my Father Therefore I so trust in him I so repose my selfe vpon him that I doubt not but he wil prouide all thinges f psa 55.23 Mat. 6 26. Luc. 12 22. necessarie both for my soule for my bodie And moreouer also that whatsoeuer euill he sendeth vpon me in this miserable life he wil g Rom. 8.28 turne the same to my saluation seing he is both able to do it as being h Esa 46.4 Rom 10.12 8.38 God almightie and willing to do it as being my i Mat. 6. 7.8.9 mercifull father The vse THis article of our fayth the doctrine therein conteined maketh much for the comfort of the godly For seeing we are ioyned in league with that God who is our Father who is almightie who created heauen and Earth who gouerneth vs and preserueth vs what is there that we may not look for from such a Father What is there whereof we may not mak our selues sure For example the Leper was perswaded only of the power of Christ he knew not his wil therfore hee sayd Lorde if thou vvilt Mat. 8 2. thou canst make me cleane and he was clensed how much more shal we obteine those things which wee ask if both we be perswaded of his almightie power and also doubt not of his promises From hence is our loue to our neighbour set on fire for when God hath promised that he wil increase his blessings vpon them who are liberal to the poore and he is God almightie who would not be pricked for ward to bestowe almes liberally and cheerefully Thirdlie by the same doctrine I am admonished not to doubt of any mans saluation thogh he seeme cast away of God and withal to keepe my selfe in the feare of God How namely because God is able to raise vp againe my brother that is fallen and to call him home into the way of saluation and also to suffer me to fall into grieuous sinns and to cast me off vnlesse I abide in fayth OF GODS PROVIDENCE THE ARGVMENT Of Prouidence belonging to the common place of Creation and of the vse of both Question Lords day 10 27 What is prouidence Answere The almightie and euerie where present power of God k Act. 17.25 c. psal 94.9 c. Isa 29.15 c. Eze. 8.12 whereby he doth as it were beare vp with his hand and l Heb. 1.2.3 gouern the heauen earth with all creatures so that whatsoeuer groweth out of the earth also raine and drowght plentie dearth meat and m Iere. 5.24 Act. 14.17 drinke n Iohn 9.3 health sicknesse o Prou. 12.2 riches pouertie finalie al thinges that are fal out not rashly or by chāce but by his fatherly counsell and will Question 28 What profite haue we by this knowledge of the creation and prouidence of God Answere Hereby we are in aduersitity made p Ro 5.3 c. Iac 1.3 Iob. 1.21 c. patient in prosperitie q Deut. 8.10 1. Thes 5.18 thankfull for the time to come wee haue a r Rom 5.4.5 verie good hope reposed in God our most trustie father knowing assuredly that nothing can ſ Ro. 8.38.39 draw vs from his loue seeing all creatures are so in his power that without his pleasure they are not t Ioh. 1.12 26 Pro. 21.1 Act. 17.25 c. able not onely not to do any thing but not so much as to stirre OF GOD THE SONNE THE ARGVMENT He commeth nowe to handle the second part of the Creede of the Sonne of God and of our redemption and first is declared the meaning of the name Iesus and they are refuted who in word do acknowledge the sonne of God to bee Iesus that is a Sauiour but in deed do detract from his merit Question Lords day 11 29 Wherefore is the Sonne of God called Iesus that is a Sauiour Answere Because he saueth and deliuereth vs from all our a Mat. 1.21 Heb 7.25 sinnes neither ought saluation to bee sought for in any other neither * Act 4.12 can it els-where bee found Question 30 Do they that beleeue in the only Sauiour Iesus who seeke for happines from Saints or from themselues or from any thing els Answere No for although in word they glorie in him as a Sauiour yet in deede they denie the onely Sauiour
to that saying By him vvee haue entrance OF IVSTIFICATION BY FAITH THE ARGVMENT That woorkes are not righteousnesse or any part of righteousnesse in the sight of God therfâ—re that the righteousnes of workes is gathered amisse from the reward and yet that men are not by this doctrine made carelesse and prophane Question Lords day 24 62 Why cannot our good woorks be righteousnes or any part of righteousnesse in the sight of God Answere Because that righteousnesse which is able to abide the iudgment of God must be most perfect and in all points q Gal. 3 10. Deut. 27.26 agreeing with the law of God but our best works that we do in this life are imperfect and euen r Isa 6.64 defiled with sinnes The vse VVHich being so we are here put in minde to giue whollie to God the glorie of our saluation and to learne to humble our selues vnder his mightie hand of vvhome Peter sayth most trulie 1. Pet. 5.5 Psal 4.5 God resisteth the proud and giueth grace vnto the humble vvherevnto Augustine speaketh agreably the more weake thou art in thy selfe the more doth God care for thee c. For as our humilitie is exalted before him so the confession of our humilitie hath his mercy readie to succour vs. Question 63 How saiest thou that our good workes deserue nothing wheras God promiseth that hee will giue vs a reward for them both in this life and in the life to come Answere That reward is giuen not of desert but of Å¿ Luk. 17 10. grace Question 64 Doth not this doctrine make men secure and prophane Answere No For it cannot be but they who are ingraffed into Christ by faith shuld bring forth fruits of t Mat. 7 18 Iohn 15.5 thaÌ„kfulnes OF THE SACRAMENTS THE ARGVMENT By whom and by what means faith is begotten and confirmed in vs Of the Sacraments in generall what they are of the vse or end of the word and Sacraments and of the number of the Sacraments of the new Testament Question Lords day 25 65 Seeing then faith alone maketh vs partakers of Christ and all his benefites from whence proceedeth this faith Answere From the holie Ghost who by the preaching of the Gospel doth u Eph. 2 8 6.23 Ioh 3 5 phil 1.29 kindle the same in our heartes and doth x Mat. 28.19.20 1 pet 1 22 23 confirme it by the vse of the Sacramentes Question 66 What are Sacramentes Answere They are holie and visible signes and seales ordained of God to that end that hee might thereby the more fullie declare and seale vnto vs the promise of the Gospell to wit that he doth freely giue forgiuenesse of sinnes and y Gen. 17.11 Rom 4.11 Deut. 30.6 Leu. 6.25 Heb. â— 8.9 Eze 20 12. 1. Sam. 17.36 Isa 6.6.7 54.9 life euerlasting not onely to all in general but euen to euerie one that beleeueth and that for the onely sacrifice of Christ offered vpon the Crosse The vse THe principall end of the Sacramentes bee to seale vp the promise of God by which argument againe the opinion of the work wroght is overthrowne for that faith alone is sufficient to attaine the grace of Gods promise yet the same are also signes vnto vs of testifiing our duty that is of performing thankefulnes to God that wee in like maner may make knowne our religion towards him as wel before himselfe and the Angels as before men Secondly that by these as it were by markes of one and the same fayth and confession we may be discerned from al other sects 1 Cor. 10.20.11 Exod. 12.44 For as he saith Men can be gathred togither into no name of Religion either true or false vnlesse they be tyed togither by some communion of visible seales or Sacraments Thirdly that by the same and by the vse of them we may be bound and stirred vp to foster and maintaine mutual loue vnder one head which is Christ Question 67 What then doe both these as well the word as the Sacraments tend to that end to lead our faith vnto the sacrifice of Christ offered vppon the crosse as to the onely foundation of our saluation Answere Yea truelie For the holie Ghoste teacheth by the Gospell and confirmeth by the Sacraments that all our saluation standeth in the onely sacrifice of Christ x Rom 6.3 Gal. 3.27 offered for vs vpon the Crosse The vse THe holy Ghost must confirme in our soules that which the Sacraments doe shadowe and witnes least that be drawne to corruptible elements which God challengeth to himself alone as to moue and affect the hart to enlighten the mind to quiet the conscience which indeede is onlie proper to the holie Ghost and ought to be accounted his peculiar worke Question 68 Howe many Sacramentes hath Christ ordained in the new couenant Answere Two Baptisme and the holie Supper OF BAPTISME THE ARGVMENT The application of the former doctrine of Sacramentes vnto Baptisme 2 Of spirituall Baptisme 3 And of the confirmation thereof Question Lords day 26 69 How art thou put in minde and confirmed in Baptisme that thou art partaker of that onely Sacrifice of Christ Answere Because Christ hath y Mat. 28.19 Act. 2.38 commanded the outward washing with water adding this z Mat. 16.16 Mat. 3 11. Rom. 6.3 promise that I shal no lesse assuredly bee a Mat. 1.14 Luc. 3 3. washed by his blood and by his Spirit from the spottes of my soule that is from all my sinnes than I am outwardly washed with water wherewith the spots of my bodie vse to be washed away The vse THe vse of the sacrament of Baptisme is declared to wit that the water is not onlie a signe whereby the misterie of saluation is more plainly expressed vnto me which Christ hath purchased for me by the sheding of his blood but also a seale whereby is sealed vnto me that my soule is purified from al vncleannes as surely as the element of water hath power to wash mens bodies and to clense them from al their spottes Nowe how these things are imputed vnto vs is here declared but more fullie taught in the next question namely in respect of God that giueth them by his spirit alone who woorketh freelie in the elect yet so that the matter both of our clensing and of our regeneration must be required and sought in Christ alone by whose blood and spirit we must be cleansed and washed Question 70 What is it to bee washed by the blood and Spirite of Christ Answere It is to receiue at the handes of God forgiuenesses of sinnes freelie for the blood of Christ which he hath b Heb. 12 24. 1. pet 1 2. Reue. 1.5 22.14 Za. 13.1 Eze. 36.25 c. shed for vs in his sacrifice vppon the Crosse and next to bee renewed also by the spirite of Christ and being sanctified by him to become a member of Christ to the end wee may more and more die vnto sinne
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