A short Catechisme, wherein are briefely laid downe the fundamentall Principles of Christian RELIGION. Needfull to be knowne of all such as come to the Lords Table. Whereunto is added Morning and Euening Prayer for a Family.
The second Edition, corrected and inlarged.
LONDON Printed by Io. Beale, 1616.
❧The Printer to the Reader.
THou hast here again these short Principles of Religion published for thy good. I haue the opinion of others, whose iudgements I haue iust cause to reuerence, concerning the soundnes of them. And I doubt not but thou thy selfe, if thou shalt throughly obserue and weigh them, wilt find abundance of matter couched in few wordes. The fewer and briefer that the Principles bee, the sooner are they learned by heart, & the more firmelie are they retained [Page] in memory. They way easily be by word of mouth enlarged and amplified by any that hath anie competent measure of knowledge. The texts of Scripture whereunto the Reader was referred before only by quotations in the margent, are now expreslie set downe directlie against the wordes, that thou maiest more readilie see the proofs, and compare the Principles and proofes together. There are also added two Praiers, fit to bee vsed morning and euening in a familie, by such as cannot pray without some such helps. These formes of Praier, were gathered out of such Praiers as the Authour of these Principles hath at diuers times vsed, by one that hath oft heard him All âre published for thy good▪ Farewell.
A SHORT Catachisme, containing the fundamentall Principles of Christian Religion.
¶The places of Scripture for proofe of euery Answere.
Question. 1
WHat is eueryone most bound to know?
Ans. Iec. 31. 47. Euery one is bound to haue knowledge of God and Iob. 39. 37 & 42. 5, 6 of himselfe.
Question. 1
‘Jer. 31 34. They shall all know me, from the least of them, to the greatest of them.’
Iob 39 37, & 42 5. 6. This was one thing which God chiefly aimed at, to make Iob know what man was compared vnto God.
Question. 2
Q. Where is this knowledge to be had?
A. 2 Tim. 3. 15, 16, 17 In the holy Scriptures, contained in the old and new Testament.
Question. 2
‘2 Tim. 3. 15, 16, 17. The Scriptures are able to make thee wise vnto saluation, &c. All Scripture is giuen by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, &c. That the man of God may be perfect, thorowly furnished vnto all good workes.’
Question. 3
Q. VVho is the author of the Scripture?
A. 2 Pet. 1. 21 The holy spirit of God, who inspired holy men to write them.
Question. 3
‘2 Pe. 1. 21. Holy men spake as they were moued by the holy Ghost.—’
Question. 4
Q. VVhy were they written?
A. Rom. 15. 4 For our learning.
Question. 4
‘Ro. 15. 4. Whatsoeuer things were written afore time, were writtē for our lerning.’
Question. 5
Q. What doe they teach concerning God?
A. That he isIoh. 4. 24 a Spirit, Exo. 3. 14 of infinite perfection.Reu 1. 8 1 Ioh. 1. 5
Question. 5
‘Ioh. 4. 24. God is a Spirit.’
Gods infinite perfection is implied in these and such like phrases;
‘Exo. 3. 14. I am that I am.’
‘Reu. 1. 8 I am the beginning and the ending.’
‘1 Ioh. 1 5.God is light, and in him is no darknes.’
Question. 6
Q. How many Gods are there?
A. 1 Cor. 8. 4 Only one: but distinguished into thrée persons; Mat. 28. 19. the Father, the Sonne, and the holy Ghost.
Question. 6
‘1 Cor. 8. 4. There is none other God but one.’
‘Mat. 28. 19. Teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Sonne, and of the holy Ghost.’
Question. 7
Q. How is God further made knowne vnto vs.
A. By hisEx. 34. 6 properties, and by hisPsal. 19. 1 Rom. 1. 20 workes.
Question. 7
When God would make himselfe knowne vnto Moses, hee declared his properties vnto him saying;
‘Ex. 34. 6. The Lord strong, mercifull, gratious, &c.’
The heauēs declare the glory of God.
The inuisible things of God from the creation of the world are cleerly seen, being vnderstood by the things that are made, euen his eternall power and God-head.
Question. 8
Q. VVhat are the properties of God?
A. That hee isPsal 90. 2 eternall, Gen. 17. 1 almightie,Ier. 23. 23 euery where present, infinitelie1 Tim. 1. 17 wise,Deut. 32. 4 iust, Exo. 34. 6, 7 mercifull, &c.
Question. 8
‘Ps. 90. 2. From euerlasting to euerlasting thou art God.’
‘Gen. 17. 1. I am the almighty God.’
‘Jer. 23. 23. Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him (saith the Lord) Doe not I fill heauen & earth?’
‘1 Tim 1. 17. The onely wise God.’
‘Deut. 32 4. A God of truth, without iniquitie, iust and right is he.’
‘x Exo. 34 6, 7. The Lord God mercifull and gratious, long suffering, and abundant in goodnes & truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiuing iniquitie, and transgression, and sinne.’
Q. What are the workes of God?
A. His decrée, and the execution thereof.
Question. 10
Q. VVhat beleeue you touching his decree?
A. Eph. 1. 11 That he ordained all things before all times according to his will.
Question. 10
‘Eph. 1. 11. God worketh all things after the counsell of his owne will.’
Question. 11
Q. VVherein consisteth the execution of Gods decree?
A. Col. 1. 16. In the making, and Dan. 4. 35. gouerning of all things.
Question. 11
‘Col. 1. 16. By him were all things created.’
‘Dan. 4. 35. According to his will hee worketh in the army of Heauen, and among the inhabitants of the earth.’
Question. 12
Q. How did God make al things?
A. By hisPsal. 148. 5. word,Gen. 1. 1. of nothing, Exod. 20. 11 in sixe daies,Gen. 1. 31 verie good.
Question. 12
‘Psal. 148. 5 He cōmanded, & they were made.’
‘Gen. 1 1. In the beginning God created the heauen and the earth.’
‘Exod. 20. 11. In sixe daies the Lord made heauen and earth.’
‘Gen. 1 31. God sawe all that hee had made, and behold it was verie good.’
Question. 13
Q. How doth God gouerne all things?
A. By his wise prouidence Heb. 1. 3 he preserueth all, andRom. 11. 36 disposeth them to his owne glory, andRom. 8. 28 his childrens good.
Question. 13
‘Heb. 1. 3. He vpholdeth all things by the word of his power.’
‘Rom. 11. 36. Of him, and through him, and to him are all things: to whom bee glorie for euer.’
‘Rom. 8 28 All things worke together for good to them that loue God.—’
Question. 14
Q. How may we come to the knowledge of our selues?
A. By considering the seuerall estates of man.
Question. 15
Q. VVhich are they?
A. First,Eccle. 7. 29. that happy estate wherein man was made.
Secondly, thatIob. 14. 1 Rom. 7. 24 miserable estate whereinto he fell.
Thirdly, that1 Pet. 1. 3 renewd estate whereunto by grace hee is called.
Fourthly,1 Ioh. 3. 2 that glorious estate which is in heauen preserued for him.
Question. 15
‘Eccle. 7. 29. God made man vpright.—’
Job. 14 1. Rom. 7. 24 Man that is borne of a woman is full of trouble.
O wretched man that I am.
‘1 Pet. 1. 3. God hath begotten vs againe vnto a liuely hope, &c.’
‘1 Ioh. 3. 2. We know that when Christ shall appeare, wee shall bee like him.—’
Question. 16
Q. Doe all men passe thorow all these estates?
A. Rom. 11. 5 Noe: onely the elect of God:Rom. 2. 5 the rest as they fell into miserie, so in misery they lie.
Question. 16
‘Rom. 11. 5. There is a remnant occording to the election of grace.’
‘Rom. 2. 5. Thou after thine hardnes and impenitent hart treasurest vp vnto thy selfe wrath against the day of wrath.’
Question. 17
Q. Wherin especially did that happinesse consist, in which man was made?
[Page 6] A. In that hee was made Gen. 1. 27 after Gods image.
Question. 17
‘Gen. 1. 27. God created man after his owne image.—’
Question. 18
Q. In what respect is hee said to bee made after Gods image?
A. In that he was indued with perfectCol. 3 10 knowledge, and Eph. 4. 24 true holinesse and righteousnesse.
Question. 18
‘Col. 3. 10. The news man is renewed in knowledge, after the image of him which created him.’
‘Eph. 4 24. The new man is created after God in righteousnesse and holinesse of truth.—’
Question. 19
Q. Doth man stil remaine in that happy estate wherein hee was made?
A. Noe:Ioh. 3. 6 hee is become most miserable.
Question. 19
‘Ioh. 3 6. That which is borne of the flesh, is flesh:’ that is, Euery one born of a woman is most filthy and wretched.
Question. 20
Q. How fell man into miserie?
A. Rom. 5. 12 By sinne.
Question. 20
‘Rom. 5. 12. Death entred into the world by sinne.—’
Question. 21
Q. VVhat is sinne?
A. 1 Ioh. 3. 4 A breach of Gods commandement.
Question. 21
‘1 Joh. 3, 4. Sinne is a transgression of the Lawe.—’
Question. 23
Q What is originall sin?
A. Psal 51. 5 That corruption of nature, wherein all are conceiued and borne.
Question. 23
‘Psa. 51 5. I was shapen in iniquitie, and in sinne did my mother conceiue.—’
Question. 24
Q. How is the heinousnesse thereof discerned?
A. By three things:
First.Gal. 5. 19, 20, 21 that it is the seede of all sinne.
Gen. 6. 5. Secondly, that it hath defiled the whole man.
Rom. 7. 21 Thirdly, that it neuer ceaseth to prouoke man to sinne, so long as he liueth.
Question. 24
‘Gal. 5. 19, 20, 21. The workes of the flesh are adulterie, fornication, &c.’
The Apostle hauing reckoned vp many particulars, addeth these words (and such like;) whereby he implieth that all particular sinnes are fruits of the flesh.
‘Gen. 6. 5. Euery imagination of the thoughts of mans heart are onely euill continually.’
‘Rom. 7 21 When I would doe good, euill is present with me.’
Question. 25
Q. What is actuall sinne?
A. The fruit of originall sinne, in euillEph. 2. 3. thoughts, Rom. 3. 13. words, andGal. 5. 19. déeds.
Question. 25
‘Eph. 2. 3 We all had our conuersation in times past, in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh, and of the minde.’
‘Rom. 3. 13 Their throat is an open sepulcher, with their tongues they haue vsed deceit, the poison of aspes is vnder their lips, whose mouth is full of cursing and bitternesse.’
‘Gal. 5. 19 The workes of the flesh are manifest.—’
Question. 26
Q. How many waies is sinne committed?
A. Three waies:
1.Mat. 25. 42 By omitting the good we should doe.
2.Rom. 1. 31 By committing the euill we should not doe.
3.Esay. 66. 3. By an euill performance of good.
Question. 26
‘Math. 25. 42 I was hungred, and ye gaue mee no meate; I was thirstie, and ye gaue me no drinke, &c.’
‘Rom. 1, 31 They which commit such things are worthy of death.’
‘Esay. 66. 31. He that killeth an oxe is as if he slew a man: hee that sacrificeth a lamb, as if he cut of a dogs neck, &c.’
Question. 27
Q. What is the punishment due to sinne?
A. Deut. 27. 26 The curse of God, Deut. 28. 16, 17, &c. which causeth all miseries in this life,Rom. 5. 12 in the end death, and Mat 25. 46 after it eternall torment in hell.
Question. 27
‘Deut. 27. 26 Cursed bee hee that confirmeth not all the words of this Lawe to doe them.’
‘Deut. 28. 16, 17, &c. Cursed shalt thou be in the Citie, and cursed in the field: Cursed shall be thy basket and thy store, &c.’ Reade the other curses following in this place.
‘Rom. 5. 12 Death entered into the world by sinne.’
‘Mat. 25. 46 These shall goe away into euerlasting punishment.’
Question. 28
Q. Is any man able to free himselfe out of this misery?
A. No: for by nature wee areEph. 2. 1 dead in sinne, and so no more able to helpe our selues then dead men.
Question. 28
‘Eph. 2. 1 You were dead in trespasses and sinnes.—’
Question. 29
Q. Is there no meanes to deliuer vs?
A. Yes:Ioh. 3. 16 God himself hath giuen vnto vs a Sauiour.
Question. 29
‘Iohn. 3. 16 God so loued the world that he gaue his onely begotten sonne, &c.’
Question. 30
‘Luk. 2. 11. Vnto you is borne a Sauiour, which is Christ the Lord.’
Question. 31
Q. Was it necessary that our Sauiour should bee both God and man?
A. Yea,1 Tim. 2. 5 2 Cor. 5. 18 because he was to make a reconciliation betweene God and man.
Question. 31
1 Tim. 2. 5 2 Cor. 5. 18 There is one mediator betwixt God & men, the man Christ Iesus.
God hath reconciled vs vnto himselfe by Iesus Christ.
Question. 32
Q. How did Christ work this reconciliation?
A. BothRom 5. 19 by fulfilling the righteousnesse of the Lawe, whereunto wee were bound: and alsoGal. 3. 13 by bearing that punishment which wee by sinne had deserued.
Question. 32
‘Rom. 5. 19 By the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.’
‘Gal. 3. 13 Christ hath redeemed vs from the curse of the lawe, being made a curse for vs.—’
Question. 33
Q. How can those things which Christ did in his owne person be auaileable for vs?
A. Eph. 3. 17 Col. 2. 12 By the power and vertue of faith.
Question. 33
‘Eph. 3. 17 Col. 2. 12 Christ dwelleth in our hearts by faith. You are risen with Christ thorow faith.’
Question. 34
Q. What is faith?
A. Rom. 1. 16 A beleefe of the Gospel, wherby Christ Iesus,Ioh. 1. 12 and all his benefits offered therein, are receiued.
Question. 34
‘Rom. 1 16 The Gospell is the power of God vnto saluation to euery one that beleeueth.’
‘Ioh. 1 12. As many as receiued him, to them gaue he power to become the sonnes of God, euen to them that beleeue on his name.’
Question. 35
Q. VVhat are the principall benefits which by faith we receiue from Christ?
A. In this life1 Cor. 1. 30 & 6. 11 iustification and sanctification, and in the life to comeIoh. 3. 14, 15 eternall saluation.
Question. 35
1 Cor. 30 & 6. 11 Christ Iesus is made vnto vs righteonsnesse and sanctification.
Ye are sanctified and iustified in the name of the Lord Iesus.
‘Ioh 3. 1 14, 15. The sonne of man must be lifted vp, that whosoeuer beleeueth in him should not perish, but haue eternall life.—’
Question. 36
Q. Wherein consisteth our iustification?
A. Rom. 4. 6, 7 In the full remission of all our sinnes, andRom. 5. 19 in the imputation of Christ his righteousnesse vnto vs.
Question. 36
‘Rom. 4 6, 7 Dauid describeth the blessednes of the man vnto whom God imputeth righteousnesse without workes, saying; Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiuen, &c.’
‘Rom. 5 19. By the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.—’
Question. 37
Q. Wherin consisteth our sanctification?
A. Eph. 4. 23, 24 In inligtning our mind, and in reforming our other parts.
Question. 37
‘Ephe. 4 23, 24. Be renewed in the spirit of your minde, and put on that new man which after God is created in righteousnesse and holinesse.’
Question. 38
Q. VVhat is the illuminating of our minde?
A. A sauing knowledge of the misteries of godlinesse.Col. 1. 9
Question. 38
‘Col. 1. 9. Wee cease not to pray that yee may be filled with the knowledge of his will, &c.—’
Question. 39
Q What is reformation?
A. That which is commonly calledMat. 33. 2, 8 Repentance, which is suchMat. 12. 33, 35 a change of the heart as causeth a new life.
Question. 39
‘Mat. 33 2. 8. Repent. Bring foorth fruit meete for repentance.’
Mat. 12. 33. 35. Make the tree good and his fruit good.
A good man out of the good treasure of his heart, bringeth forth good things.—
Question. 40
Q. Whence ariseth repentance?
A. 2 Cor. 7. 10 From a godly sorrow for sinne, andActs 15. 9 Luk. 3. 3 from faith in the forgiuenesse of sinne.
Question. 40
‘2. Cor. 7. 10. Godly sorrow worketh repentance.’
Act. 15 9. Luk. 3. 3 God purifie their hearts by faith.
Iohn preached the baptisme of repentance for the remission of sinnes.
Question. 41
Q. VVhat are the parts of repentance?
A. 1.Rom. 6. 6 Mortification, which is a ceasting to sinne.
2.Rom. 6. 13 Viuification, which is a liuing in true holinesse and righteousnesse.
Question. 41
‘Rom. 6 6. Our old man is crucified with Christ, that the body of sinne might bee destroyed, that henceforth wee should not serue sinne.’
‘Rom. 6. 13. Yeeld your selues vnto God as those that are aliue from the dead and your members as instruments of righteousnesse vnto God.’
Question. 42
Q. VVhat meanes hath God ordained to breede and increase these graces in vs?
A. Three especially: First,Eph. 1. 31 the ministery of the word.
Secondly,Acts 2. 38 the participation of the Sacraments.
Thirdly,Mat. 7. 7 Luk. 11. 3 Prayer.
Question. 42
‘Ephe. 1 31. In whom ye trusted after that ye heard the word of truth.’
‘Act. 2. 38. Repent, and be baptised euery on of you in the name of Iesus Christ, for the remission of sinnes, and ye shal receiue the gift of the holy Ghost.’
Mat. 7. 7. Luk. 11. 13. Aske and ye shall haue.
Your heauenly father will giue the holy spirit to them that aske him.
Question. 43
Q. How is the ministery of the VVord made profitable vnto vs?
A. Heb. 4, 2 If it bee mixed with faith in them that heare it.
Question. 43
‘Heb. 4 2. The word preached did not profit them, being not mixed with faith in them that heard it.—’
Question. 44
Q. What is a Sacrament?
A. An ordinance of God, whereinRom. 4. 11 by outward signes Gods promises in Christ are sealed vp vnto vs, andActs 19. 4 our faith and repentance is testified.
Question. 44
‘Rom. 4 11. Abraham receiued the signe of circumcision, a seale of the righteousnesse of faith.’
‘Act. 19 4. Iohn baptized with the baptisme of repentance, saying vnto the people, that they should beleeue on Iesus Christ.—’
Question. 45
Q. How many Sacraments are there?
A. Two:Mat. 28. 19 Baptisme, and 1 Cor. 11. 23, 24, &c. the Lords supper.
Question. 45
‘Mat. 28 19. Baptise them.—’
‘1 Cor. 11. 23, 24, &c I haue receiued of the Lord that which also I deliuered to you, that the Lord Iesus the same night in which he was betrai'd, took bred &c.’
Question. 46
Q. What is Baptisme?
A. A SacramentTit. 3. 5 of Regeneration, wherein by the outward washing of our bodies with water,Mat. 28. 19 in the name of the Father, the Son, and the holy Ghost, theEph. 5. 26 inward clensing of our soules by the blood of Christ is represented and sealed vp vnto vs.
Question. 46
‘Tit. 3. 5 He saued vs by the washing of regeneration.’
‘Matt. 28. 19 Baptise them in the name of the Father, and of the Sonne, and of the holy Ghost.’
‘Eph. 5. 26 Christ gaue himselfe for his Church, that he might sanctifie and cleanse it by the washing of water by the word.—’
Question. 47
Q. Why are the children of Christians baptised?
A. Because1 Cor. 7. 14 they are borne in the covenant,Acts 1. 39 Gen. 17. 7 the promises of God belonging to faith full parents and their seede.
Question. 47
‘1 Cor. 7. 14 Your children are holy.’ This is spoken in regard of Gods couenant, vnder which the children of faithfull parents are borne: otherwise being borne in sinne, they are impure.
Acts 2. 39. Gen. 17. 7. The promise is vnto you, and to your children.
I will establish my couenant betweene me and thee, and thy seed after thee in their generations, for an euerlasting couenant, to bee a God vnto thee, and to thy seed after thee.
Question. 48
Q. VVhat is the Lords supper?
A. A Sacrament of our spirituall nourishment, wherein Mat. 26. 26, 27, 28 by receiuing bread and wine according to Christs institution, 1. Cor. 10. 16 our communion with Christ, is represented and sealed vp vnto vs.
Question. 48
‘Mat. 26. 26, 27, 28 Iesus tooke bread and blessed it, and brake it, and gaue it to his Disciples, and said; Take, eate, this is my body. And he tooke the cup, and gaue thankes, and gaue it to them, saying, Drinke ye all of it, &c.’
‘1 Cor. 10. 16 The cuppe of blessing which wee blesse is it, not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we breake, is not the communion of the bodie of Christ?’
Question. 49
Q. VVhat must we doe to partake of this Supper aright?
A. 1 Cor. 11. 28 Wee must examine our selues, and come with Eccle. 5. 1 knowledge,2 Cor. 13. 5 faith,1 Cor. 11. 18 19, &c repentance, and * loue.
Question. 49
‘1 Cor. 11. 28 Let a man examine hmselfe, and so let him eate of that bread, and drinke of that cup.’
‘Eccl. 5. 1 When thou goest to the house of God be more ready to heare, then to giue the sacrifice of fooles: for they know not what they doe.’
‘2 Cor. 13. 5 Examine your selues whether ye be in the faith.’
‘1 Cor. 11. 18, 19, &c The Apostle reproueth the Corinthians for comming to the Lords Table in their sinnes, without repentance; and in diuisions & contentions without loue.—’
Question. 50
Q. VVho pray aright?
A. They who pray to Ioh 16. 23 God in Christ his name, Psal 62. 8 from the heartIam. 16 in faith,1 Tim 2, 8 holinesse, and loue.
Question. 50
‘John 16. 23 Whatsoeuer yee shall aske the Father in my name, he will giue it you.’
‘Psal. 62. 8 Powre out your hearts before the Lord.’
‘Iam. 1. 6 Aske in faith, and wauer not.’
‘1 Tim 2. 8 Lift vp pure hauds without wrath.’
Question. 52
‘1 Thes 5. 17, 18. Pray without ceasing; In euery thing giue thankes.—’
Question. 53
Q. What things are we to ask?
A. Mat. 6. 9, 10, &c Such things as tend to Gods glory, & our owne good, whether temporal, or spiritual.
Question. 53
Mat. 6. 9, 10, &c The three first petititions of the Lords Prayer, declare the things which tend to Gods glory; and the three last declare the things which tend to our good.
Question. 54
Q. For what things must wee be thankfull?
A. Eph. 5. 20 For all things, whether they beeCol. 13, 6 publique, or Esay 38. 19 priuate, concerning bodie, or Psal. 103. 3, 4, 5. soule,1 Tim. 1. 12 our selues, or1 Tim. 2. 1. others, eyther receiued or Heb. 11. 13 promised.
Question. 54
‘Ephes. 5. 20 Giue thanks alwaies for all things.’
Col. 1. 3. 6. St Paul gaue thanks for the building vp of Gods Church in all the world.
Esay. 38. 19 Hezechiah gaue thāks for the recouery of his health: a particular blessing, concerning his body.
Psal. 103. 3, 4, 5 Dauid gaue thankes for spirituall blessings concerning his soule.
1 Tim. 1. 12 Saint Paul giueth thankes for Gods mercy towards himselfe.
1 Tim 2. 1 And hee exhorteth to giue thanks for others.
Heb. 11 13 The Patriarchs ‘receiued not the promises but saw them afar of, & belieued the, & receiued thē thankfully’
Question. 54
Q. VVhat is the estate of the faithfull after death?
A. 1 Thes. 4. 4, 15 Their bodies sléepe exspecting the resurrection to life,Luk. 16, 22 Luke 23, 43 and their soules goe imediately to heauen,1 Thess. 4. 16. 17. where at the last iudgement their bodies shal be ioyned with their soules, and both enioy euerlasting happinesse.
Question. 54
‘1 Thes. 4. 14, 15 Them that sleepe in Iesus, will God bring with him, &c.’
Luke 16. 22. Luk 23. 43. The beggar died, & was caried by the Angels into Abrahams bosome.
To day shalt thou bee with me in Paradise.
‘1 Thes. 4. 16, 17. The dead in Christ shal rise first: then shall we which liue & remaine, be caught vp with them also in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the aire: & thē shal we be euer with the Lord.’
Question. 55
Q. VVhat is the estate of the wicked after death?
A. Psal. 49. 14 Their bodies are held with the chaines of death against the great day of iudgement, Luke 16. 23 and their soules passe imediately into hell torment, andIohn 5. 29. at the generall resurrection their bodies and soules shall bee ioined together againe,Mat. 13▪ 41, 42 and both cast into that torment, which is easelesse, and endlesse.
Question. 55
‘Psal. 49. 14. Like sheepe they lie in the graue: death dououreth them.’
‘Luke 16. 23. The rich man died, and was buried: and in hell he lift vp his eies being in torment.’
‘Iohn 5. 29. They that haue done euill, shall come forth vnto the resurrection of condemnation.’
‘In the end of the world the sonne of man shall send forth his Angels,Mat, 13. 41, 42. and they shal gather out of his Kingdome all things that offend, & them which doe iniquitie, and shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shal be wailing and gnashing of teeth.’
Morning Praier for a Familie.
O Eternall God, wee thy poore seruants acknowledge that from thee wee first receiued our being, and euery good thing we inioy▪ and that by thee the same is continued and preserued vnto vs, by thy good prouidence is this day renewed vnto vs, and wee kept safe vnto it: wherefore, desirous to performe our dutie vnto thee, and to receiue a blessing from thee, (without which we cannot prosper in any thing that we take in hand) we doe humble our selues before the glorious throne of thy grace, to offer vp vnto thee our morning sacrifice of prayer. We know that our sinnes haue made vs odious in thy sight, vnworthy of all thy blessings, and lyable to al the iudgements denounced [Page] in thy Word: they are for number innumerable, for wee haue committed more sinnes then we haue liued moments; all our thoughts, words, and actions haue beene sinfull, euen the best things which we doe are defiled with that sinck of naturall corruption which is in vs, and by our carelesse manner of performing them. Euery sinne is in the nature of it infinitely heinous, because it is committed against thee, a God of infinite Maiestie: but our sinnes are so much the more heinous, because they haue been committed against our knowledge and conscience, yea and against those manifold meanes, which thou in mercie hast affoorded to kéepe vs from sinne: we haue long inioied the Ministrie of thy Word, but haue little profited thereby: thou hast accompanied the same with many sweet blessings, all which [Page] wee haue abused: like a carefull Father thou hast tenderly corrected vs; yet wee haue not been bettered thereby, but carried our selues stubbornely against thee. We are very prone to yeeld to all the corrupt suggestions of our flesh, and to the euill temptations of the Diuell: and wee are too much delighted with the wicked customes and fashions of this world: but exceeding dull and vntoward wee are to all holie exercises, and to euerie good thing. When we enter into an examination of our spirituall estate, wee can finde in our selues nothing but matter of horror, and of despaire: wee doe therefore, as we haue iust cause, vtterly denie our selues, and renounce all confidence in our selues, we flie to thy mercie-seate for mercie and pardon, and that in the name of thy deare sonne Christ Iesus, who came to saue sinners, [Page] and who by the sacrifice of himselfe hath made a perfect satisfaction vnto thine infinite iustice for all our sins Enter not therefore into iudgement with thy seruants (O Lord) but accept of that alsufficiēt sacrifice of Christ for vs; and be pleased wee most humbly beseech thee, to remoue the guilt and punishment of all our sinnes, that they may neuer rise vp in iudgement against vs, to depriue vs of thy fauour and blessing, or to prouoke thy wrath and vengeance against vs in this world or in the world to come. And we doe also earnestly intreat thee for Christs sake to subdue in vs all our corruptions, that they may not beare such sway in vs as they haue done heretofore: make vs wise and watchfull ouer our selues, that wee may auoide as all sinnes, so all occasions and prouocations, whereby we may be lead into euill: and [Page] make vs conscionable in practising all good duties which wee are bound to doe, and in vsing all good meanes whereby wee may be kept in compasse of our dutie. O Lord let thy good spirit alwaies abide in vs, to assure vs of thy loue to vs, and to renew vs daily more and more according to thine owne most glorious image. Wee beséech thee to inlighten our dark vnderstandings, to rectifie our peruerse wils, to mollifie our hard hearts, to quicken our dul affections, and to reform all our outward parts, so as wee may serue thee in true holinesse and righteousnesse all the daies of our life.
Make vs iust, faithfull, and true in al our actious and words: make vs pitifull and mercifull to such as stand in need of our help, and that according to their necessitie & our abilitie: and grant that by our humble, modest, gentle [Page] carriage of our selues towards all men, wee may adorne out Christian profession.
And now, heauenly Father, we commend our selues, soules, and bodies to thy blessing. Blesse vs we beseech thée in our callings, direct thou the worke of our hands, and prosper them vnto vs. Sanctifie also all thy good creatures which thou affourdest vnto our vse.
We humbly beseeth thee to blesse also thy whole Church: and particularly the whole Nation wherein we liue: continue in it the light of thy Gospell, and giue a free passage thereunto. Vouchsafe vnto it all needefull prosperity. Wee heartily pray thee to blesse our royall Soueraigne King Iames and his gouernement: long preserue his life, & health, and raigne. Blesse all our Magistrates and Ministers of thy holy word. Succour all the aflicted members of Christ [Page] Iesus. Doe good to all our kindred, aliance, friends, acquaintance, neighbours. Linke all of vs together by the bond of thy holy spirit, who are knit by any outward bond; that thus wee may haue iust cause to reioyce one in another, and to blesse thée one for another. Let thy blessing remaine on all Christian families which call vpon thy name, and particularly vpon this our familie: grant that we may make our house to be thy Church by performing an holy worship vnto thee, that so thy gratious presence may bee euer among vs: and because thy promises do belong to vs, and our children, we pray thée to blesse our issue with all néedefull blessings. Work in vs a religious care wel to traine them vp, and giue thou a blessing to all the meanes that are vsed for their good education, that they being taught by vs to feare thée, may teach their children [Page] also so to doe, and thus thy feare bee continued among our posterity from generation to generation. O Lord our God, we know that the good things wee want, and the dangers whereunto we are subiect, are many more then wee can thinke of, yet are they all well knowne vnto thee; wee doe therefore intreate thee to bestow vpon vs what good things soeuer thou seest to bee needfull vnto vs, and to preserue vs from al those euils which thou seest vs subiect vnto.
According to our bounden dutie we doe also offer vp our sacrifice of praise vnto thy diuine Maiesty, in the mediation of Christ: blessing thee first of all, and aboue all, for those blessings which are proper to thine elect: as are our redemption by Christ, our reconciliation with thée, our adoption to be thy children, our iustification & sanctification, and hope of eternall life, together [Page] with all the good graces which by thy good Spirit thou hast wrought in vs. We thank thée also for all the meanes of our saluation, and for all the meanes of preseruing our temporall life. In particular, we thanke thee for the last nights quiet rest, and for bringing vs safely to the beginning of this day. Neither are we vnmindefull of thy generall blessings vpon thy whole Church, vpon this Land and Kingdome, vpon our house and familie, and vpon all that any way belong vnto vs. We acknowledge thée (O Lord) to bee the Author and giuer of all things; & accordingly we giue the praise of al vnto thée.
Accept (we beseech thee) this our bounden dutie, pardon all the defects & imperfections thereof, for thy Sonne, and our Sauiour Iesus Christs sake: in whose name we conclude our praiers with that perfect forme of praier which he hath taught vs, saying▪ Our Father, &c.
Euening Prayer for a Familie.
MErcifull Father, Lord of heauen & earth, by thy good prouidence haue wee been safely kept this day, and all the daies of our life heretofore. Many are the blessings which thorowout the whole course of our life wee haue receiued from thée. It hath pleased thee to affoord vs sufficient meanes for the preseruation of our life, health, and estate in this world, and also to bring vs to eternall life: we praise thy holy name for them all: And now being about to goe to our rest for this night, we cōmend ourselues, soules, bodies, goods, and all that belong to vs, to thy safe keeping. O Lord accept vs in thy beloued sonne, and be reconciled vnto vs, pardon we beséech thée al the sins which this day, or at any time heretofore wee haue committed [Page] against thée: grant that we may put off the old man with all the corrupt lusts therof, and that the néerer we approach vnto our dissolution, and the glorious appearing of Christ vnto iudgement, the better we may bee prepared thereunto. For this end (we most humbly and earnestly pray thee) our knowledge of thy holy will, strengthen our faith in thy gratious promises, establish our hope of eternall life, work in our harts such a sweete sence of thy loue to vs, as thereby we may be prouoked to loue thee againe; and in and for thée to loue our brethren, yea euen our enemies. Giue vs grace daily to renew our repentance, and to bring forth fruits meet for repentance. Continue in vs a true feare of thy great name, which may kéepe vs from sinning against thee; and an holy zeale of thy glory, which may stir vs vp to honour thee. Season all other graces with honesty, [Page] and sincerity of heart, wherwith thou (O Lord, the searcher of hearts) art much delighted. So frame the dispositiō of our minds and hearts, as wee may wholly resigne our selues to thy guiding prouidence, and remaine contented in our seuerall places, patient vnder all crosses, thankfull for al blessings, and constant in our Christian course, till wee come to receiue the Crowne of glory, promised by thy diuine Maiesty to all that ouercome. In particular, we beséech thée to blesse vs this night, and to take vs into thy safe protection. O our God, who neither slumberest, nor sleepest, watch ouer vs whether wee wake or sleepe. Kéep vs, and all that belong vnto vs safe from all dangers: especially kéepe our persons safe from all the assaults of Sathan, that hee get no aduantage against vs. Giue vs, we pray thee, such quiet and moderate rest, as our bodies may [Page] be refreshed thereby, and we the better inabled to doe that worke which thou appointest vnto vs in our seuerall places. O Lord heare and grant vnto vs al néedfull good things for Christ Iesus sake. In whose name and words we further cal vpon thée, saying, Our Father which art in heauen, &c.