A Plaine and familier course of Catechising fitted for the Meanest Capacity

ἘΝΙΑΥΤΌΣ: OR, A Course of Catechising; Being the MARROW Of All ORTHODOX and PRACTICAL EXPOSITIONS Upon the Church-Catechism; And of all CONTROVERSIES Upon the Church-Customes & Observances.

Digested into LII HEADS, For the LII SƲNDAYS in the Year.

Useful for

  • MINISTERS and their PEOPLE,
  • SCHOOL-MASTERS and their SCHOLARS,
  • PARENTS and their CHILDREN,
  • MASTERS and their SERVANTS.

Imprinted at London by James Cortre [...], for Hen. Marsh, at the Princes Arms in Chancery-Lane. 1664.

To the Reader.

THis method of Expo­sition was first de­signed according to the Palatinate-Ca­techism by Scultetus, the Dutch form by Jo. Groning, and is now compleated according to Bishop Gaudens general Directions to this purpose, in his Considerati­on upon the Lyturgie, and the particular way of most Protestant Churches, who have reduced their respective Catechisms to as many parts as there are Sundays in the Year.

The Reverend Authors out of whom this Ex­position hath been ga­thered.

  • BIshop Gauden, who was the first Promoter of this Ex­position.
  • Bishop Andrews.
  • Bishop Nicholson.
  • Bishop Hall.
  • Bishop Reynolds.
  • Bishop Ʋsher.
  • Bishop Downham.
  • Bishop Taylor.
  • [Page]Bishop Prideaux.
  • Bishop Morton.
  • Bishop Davenant.
  • Dr. Hammond.
  • Dr. Pierson.
  • Dr. Heylin.
  • Dr. Jackson.
  • Dr. Boughen.
  • Dr. Sherlock.
  • Dr. Gouge.
  • Dr. Sparrow.
  • Mr. Smith
  • Mr. Nowel, Dean of St. Pauls
  • Mr. Crook.
  • Mr. Rogers.
  • Mr. Perkins.
  • Mr. Dod.
  • Mr. Leigh.
  • Mr. Ball.
  • Mr. Hooker.

Books newly printed.

A New Survey of the Turkish Em­pire, History and Government, compleated: being an exact and ab­solute discovery of what is worthy of knowledge, or any way satisfactory to curiosity in that mighty Nation. With several Brass Pieces, lively ex­pressing the most eminent Personages concerned in this subject.

Florus Hungaricus: or, The History of Hungaria and Transylvania, deduced from the Original of that Nation, and their setling in the year of our Lord 461. to this dangerous and su­spectful Period of that Kingdome by the present Turkish Invasion, Anno 1664.

The School of Wisdom, dedicated to his Grace James Duke of Mon­mouth, with his lively Effigies. A Piece truly useful to all, but especially the young Nobility and Gentry.

All sold by Henry Marsh.

Injunctions for Catechising since the Reformation.

King Edward the sixth his Injunct. 1547.

ITem, That they shall in Confessions every Lent, examine every person that cometh to Confession to them, whether they can recite the Articles of their faith, the Pater noster, and the ten Com­mandments in English, and hear them say the same particularly; wherein, if they be nor perfect, they shall declare then, that every Christian person ought to know the said things before they should receive the bles­sed Sacrament of the Altar, and admonish them to learn the said necessary things more perfectly, or else they ought not to presume to come to Gods board, without a perfect knowledge and will to observe the same: and if they do, it is to the great peril of their souls, and also to the worldly rebuke that they might incur hereafter by the same.

Queen Elizabeth's injunct' and Articles, 1559.

Item, That every holy-day through the year, when they have no Sermon, they shall immediately after the Gospel, openly and plainly recite to their Parishi­oners in the Pulpit the Pater Noster, the Creed, and the Ten Commandments in English, to the intent the people may learn the same by heart; exhorting all Parents and Housholders to reach their Children and Servants the same, as they are bound by the Law of God and conscience to do.

Item, Whether they do not every holy-day, when they have no Sermon, immediately after the Gospel, openly, plainly and distinctly, recite to their Parishio­ners in the Pulpit, the Lords Prayer, the Belief, and the Ten Commandments in English.

Item, Whether they do charge Fathers and Mothers, Masters and Governours of youth, to bring them up in some vertuous study and occupation.

Can. 59. 1603.

Every Parson, Vicar or Curate, upon every Sunday, and holy-day before Evening Prayer, shall, for half an hour or more, examine and instruct the youth, and ignorant per­sons of his Parish in the Ten Commandments, the Articles of the Belief, and in the Lords Prayer: and shall diligent­ly hear, instruct, and teach them the Catechism set forth in the Book of Common Prayer. And all Fathers, Mo­thers, Masters and Mistresses, shall cause their Children, Ser­vants and Apprentises which have not learned the Cate­chism, to come to the Church at the time appointed, obe­diently [Page] to hear, and to be ordered by the Minister, until they have learned the same. And if any Minister neglect his duty herein, let him be sharply reproved upon the first Complaint, and true notice thereof given to the Bishop or Ordinary of the place. If after submitting himself, he shall wilfully offend therein again, let him be suspended. If so the third time, there being little hope that he will be therein reformed, then Excommunicated, and so remain until he will be reformed. And likewise if any of the said Fathers, Mothers, Masters or Mistresses, Children, Servants or Apprentises shall neglect their duties, as the one sort, in not causing them to come, and the other in refusing to learn, as aforesaid, let them be suspended by the Ordina­ries, (if they be not children) and if they so persist by the space of a month, then let them be Excommunicated.

In K. James Direct. 616. and K. Charles 1. 1627.

And because the Papists have out-gone us in the godly and useful way of Catechising, let every Mini­ster examine and instruct the ignorant persons and youths of his Parish in the Church-Catechism, accor­ding as in the Common-prayer-book is appointed.

In King Charles 2. his Direct. 1662.

That for the more edifying of the people in faith and godliness, (the aforesaid abuses laid aside) all Mini­sters and Preachers in their several respective Cures, shall not onely diligently apply themselves to Cate­chise the younger sort, according as in the Book of Com­mon-prayer is appointed; but also shall in their ordi­nary Sermons insist chiefly upon Catechistical Do­ctrines, (wherein are contained all the necessary and undoubted Verities of Christian Religion) declaring withal unto their Congregations what influences such Doctrines ought to have into their lives and conversa­tions; and stirring them up effectually, as well by their examples as their Doctrines, to the practice of such re­ligious and moral Duties, as are the proper results of the said Doctrines, as Self-denyal, Contempt of the world, Humility, Patience, Meekness, Temperance, Iustice, Mercy, Obedience, and the like; and to a dete­station and shunning of sin, especially such sins as are so rife among us, and common to the Age we live in; such are those usually stiled the Seven deadly ones: in short, all kind of Debauchery, Sensuality, Rebellion, Pro­faneness, Atheism, and the like. And because these li­centious times have corrupted Religion even in the ve­ry roots and foundations, that where there is an after­noons [Page] exercise, it be especially spent either in explaining some part of the Church-Catechism, or in preaching upon some such text of Scripture as will properly and naturally lead to the handling of something contained in it, or may conduce to the Exposition of the Liturgy, and Prayers of the Church, (as occasion shall be offer­ed) the onely cause they grew into contempt amongst the people being this, that they were not understood.

The Order of Confirmation, or laying on of hands upon Children baptized, and are able to render an account of their Faith, accor­ding to the Catechism following.

TO the end that Confirmation may be mi­nistred to the more edifying of such as shall receive it, (according to St. Pauls Do­ctrine, who teacheth that all things should be done in the Church to the edification of the same) it is thought good that none here­after shall be confirmed, but such as can say in their mother-tongue the Articles of the Faith, the Lords Prayer, and the Ten Com­mandments, and can also answer to such Questions of this short Catechism, as the Bishop (or such as he shall appoint) shall by his discretion appose them in. And this or­der is most convenient to be observed, for divers considerations.

First, because that when children come to the years of discretion, and have learned what their Godfathers and Godmothers promised for them in Baptism, they may then themselves with their own mouth, and with their own consent, openly before the [Page] Church, ratifie and confirm the same, and also promise that by the grace of God they will evermore endeavour themselves faith­fully to observe and keep such things as they by their own mouth and confession have as­sented unto.

Secondly, forasmuch as Confirmation is ministred to them that be baptised, that by imposition of hands and prayer, they may receive strength and defence against all tem­ptations to sin, and the assaults of the world and the Devil, it is most meet to be ministred when children come to that age, that partly by the frailty of their own flesh, partly by the assaults of the world and the devil, they begin to be in danger to fall into sundry kinds of sin.

Thirdly, for that it is agreeable with the usage of the Church in time past: whereby it was ordained that Confirmation should be ministred to them that were of perfect age, that they being instructed in Christs Religi­on, should openly profess their own faith, and promise to be obedient unto the will of God.

And that no man shall think that any de­triment shall come to children by deferring of their Confirmation, he shall know for truth, that it is certain by Gods Word, that children being baptised, have all things ne­cessary for their salvation, and be undoub­tedly saved.

A CATECHISM: That is to say, An Instruction to be learned of e­very person before he be brought to be confirmed by the Bishop.

Question.

WHat is your Name?

Answer.

N. or M.

Q. Who gave you this Name?

A. My Godfathers and Godmothers in my Baptism, wherein I was made a member of Christ, the childe of God, and an inheritor of the kingdome of heaven.

Q. What did your Godfathers and Godmothers then for you?

A. They did promise and vow three things in my name: First, that I should renounce the Devil and all his works, the pomps and vanities of this wicked world, and all the sinful lusts of the flesh. Se­condly, [Page] that I should believe all the Arti­cles of the Christian faith. And third­ly, that I should keep Gods holy will and Commandments, and walk in the same all the days of my life.

Q. Dost thou think that thou art bound to believe and to do as they have promised for thee?

A. Yes verily; and by Gods help so I will. And I heartily thank our heavenly Father, that he hath called me to this state of salvation, through Iesus Christ our Sa­viour. And I pray unto God to give me his grace, that I may continue in the same unto my lives end.

Q. Rehearse the Articles of thy belief.

A. I Believe in God the Father Almigh­ty, Maker of heaven and earth. And in Iesus Christ his onely Son our Lord; which was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and bu­ried. He descended into Hell, the third day he rose again from the dead. He as­cended into Heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the holy Ghost, the holy Catholick Church, the [Page] communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

Q. What dost thou chiefly learn in these Articles of thy Belief?

A. First, I learn to believe in God the Father, who hath made me, and all the world.

Secondly, in God the Son, who hath redeemed me, and all mankinde.

Thirdly, in God the holy Ghost, who sanctifieth me, and all the elect people of God.

Q. You said that your Godfathers and Godmothers did promise for you, that you should keep Gods Commandments. Tell me how many there be?

A. Ten.

Q. Which be they?

A. The same which God spake in the 20 chapter of Exodus, saying, I am the Lord thy God, who brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

i. Thou shalt have none other gods but me.

ii. Thou shalt not make to thy self any graven image, nor the likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or in the [Page] earth beneath, or in the water under the earth. Thou shall not bow down to them, nor worship them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, and visit the sins of the fathers upon the children, unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me, and shew mercy unto thousands in them that love me, and keep my com­mandments.

iii. Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vain: for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his Fame in vain.

iiii. Remember that thou keep holy the sabbath day. Six days shalt thou la­bour and do all that thou hast to do, but the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God. In it thou shalt do no manner of work, thou & thy son, and thy daughter, thy man-servant & thy maid-servant, thy cat­tel, & the stranger that is within thy gates. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the seventh day, and hallowed it.

v. Honour thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.

vi. Thou shalt do no murder.

[Page]vii. Thou shalt not commit adultery.

viii. Thou shalt not steal.

ix. Thou shalt not bear false witness a­gainst thy neighbour.

x. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbours house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbours wife, nor his servant, nor his maid, nor his oxe, nor his asse, nor any thing that is his.

Q. What dost thou chiefly learn by these Commandments?

A. I learn two things: My duty towards God, and my duty towards my neighbour.

Q. What is thy duty towards God?

A. My duty towards God is, to believe in him, to fear him, and to love him with all my heart, with all my minde, with all my soul, and with all my strength. To worship him, to give him thanks, to put my whole trust in him, to call upon him, to honour his holy Name, and his Word, and to serve him truly all the days of my life.

Q. What is thy duty towards thy neigh­bour?

A. My duty towards my neighbour is, to love him as my self, & to do to all men as I would they should do unto me. To love, honor & succour my father & mother. To honour & obey the King, & all that are put in authori­ty under him. To submit my self to all my [Page] Governors, Teachers, spiritual Pastors and Masters. To order my self lowly and reve­rently to all my betters. To hurt no body by word or déed. To be true & just in all my deal­ing. To bear no malice or hatred in my heart. To keep my hands from picking and stealing, and my tongue from evil speaking, lying and slandering. To keep my body in temperance, soberness, and chastity. Not to covet nor desire other mens goods, but to learn and labour truly to get mine own li­ving, and to do my duty in that state of life, unto the which it shall please God to call me.

Q. My good childe, know this, that thou art not able to do these things of thy self, nor to walk in the commandments of God, and to serve him without his special grace, which thou must learn at all times to call for by diligent prayer. Let me hear therefore if thou canst say the Lords Prayer.

A. OVr Father which art in heaven, hal­lowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation: But deliver us from evil. Amen.

Q. What desirest thou of God in this Prayer?

A. I desire my Lord God our heavenly Father, who is the giver of all goodness, to send his grace unto me, and to all people, that we may worship him, serve him, and o­bey him as we ought to do. And I pray unto God that he will send us all things that be needful, both for our souls & bodies, and that he will be merciful unto us, & forgive us our sins, & that it will please him to save & de­fend us in all dangers ghostly and bodily, and that he will kéep us from all sin & wick­edness, and from our ghostly enemy, & from everlasting death. And this I trust he will do of his mercy and goodness, through our Lord Iesus Christ. And therefore I say, Amen, So be it.

Q. HOw many Sacraments hath Christ ordained in his Church?

A. Two onely, as generally necessary to salvation, that is to say, Baptism, and the Supper of the Lord.

Q. What meanest thou by this word Sacrament?

A. I mean an outward and visible signe, of an inward and spiritual grace, given un­to us, ordained by Christ himself, as a means whereby we receive the same, and a pledge to assure us thereof.

Q. How many parts be there in a Sacra­ment?

A. Two: the outward visible signe, and the inward spiritual grace.

Q. What is the outward visible signe, or form in Baptism?

A. Water, wherein the person is baptised, In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Ghost.

Q What is the inward & spiritual grace?

A. A death unto sin, and a new birth un­to righteousness: for being by nature born in sin, and the children of wrath, we are hereby made the children of grace.

Q. What is required of persons to be baptised?

A. Repentance, whereby they forsake sin: and Faith, whereby they stedfastly believe the promises of God made to them in that Sacrament.

Q. Why then are Infants baptised, when by reason of their tender age they cannot perform them?

A. Because they promise them both by their sureties; which promise when they come to age, themselves are bound to per­form.

Q. Why was the Sacrament of the Lords Supper ordained?

A. For the continual remembrance of the sacrifice of the death of Christ, & the benefits which we receive thereby.

Q. What is the outward part or signe of the Lords Supper?

A. Bread and Wine which the Lord hath commanded to be received.

Q. What is the inward part or thing signified?

A. The body and blood of Christ, which are verily and indeed taken and received of the faithful in the Lords Supper.

Q. What are the benefits whereof we are partakers thereby?

A. The strengthning and refreshing of our souls by the body and blood of Christ, as our bodies are by the bread and wine.

Q. What is required of them who come to the Lords Supper?

A. To examine themselves whether they repent them truly of their former sins, sted­fastly purposing to lead a new life; have a lively saith in Gods mercy through Christ, with a thankful remembrance of his death; and be in charity with all men.

So soon as the children can say in their mo­ther-tongue the Articles of the Faith, the Lords prayer, the ten Commandments, and also can answer to such questions of this short Catechism as the Bishop (or such as he shall appoint) shall by his discretion appose them [Page] in; then shall they be brought to the Bishop by one that shall be their Godfather or Godmother, that every childe may have a witness of his Confirmation. And the Bi­shop shall confirm them on this wise.

Confirmation, or Laying on of hands.

Minister.

OVr help is in the Name of the Lord.

Answer.

Which hath made heaven and earth.

M.

Blessed be the Name of the Lord.

A.

Henceforth world without end.

M.

Lord, hear our prayers.

A.

And let our cry come unto thee.

¶ Let us pray.

ALmighty and everliving God, who hast vouchsafed to regenerate these thy servants by water and the holy Ghost, and hast given unto them forgiveness of all their sins: strengthen them, we beséech thee, O Lord, with the holy Ghost the Comforter, & daily increase in them the manifold gifts of grace, the spirit of wisdome and under­standing, the spirit of counsel and ghostly strength, the spirit of knowledge & true god­liness, and fulfil them (O Lord) with the spirit of thy holy fear. Amen.

¶ Then shall the Bishop lay his hand upon every childe severally, saying,

DE [...]end, O Lord, this childe with thy heavenly grace, that he may continue thine for ever, and daily increase in thy ho­ly Spirit more and more, until he come un­to thine everlasting Kingdom. Amen.

¶ Then shall the Bishop say,

Let us pray.

ALmighty and everliving God, which makest us both to will and to do those things that be good and acceptable unto thy Majesty, we make our humble supplications unto thée for these children, upon whom (af­ter the example of the holy Apostles) we have laid our hands, to certifie them (by this signe) of thy favour and gracious good­ness toward them. Let thy Fatherly hand (we beséech thée) ever be over them: Let thy holy Spirit ever be with them, and so lead them in the knowledge & obedience of thy word, that in the end they may obtain the everlasting life, through our Lord Iesus Christ, who with thée & the holy Ghost, liveth & reigneth one God, world without end. Amen.

¶ Then the Bishop shall bless the children, saying thus:

THe blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, & the holy Ghost, be upon you, & remain with you for ever. Amen.

The Curate of every Parish, or some other at his appointment, shall diligently upon Sun­days and Holidays, half an hour before Even-song, openly in the Church, instruct and ex­amine so many children of his Parish sent unto him, as the time will serve, and as he shall think convenient, in some part of this Catechism.

And all Fathers, Mothers, Masters and Dames, shall cause their children, servants, and apprentices (which have not learned their Catechism) to come to the Church at the time appointed, and obediently to hear, and be ordered by the Curate, untill such time that they have learned all that is here appoin­ted for them to learn. And whensoever the Bishop shall give knowledge for children to be brought before him to any convenient place for their confirmation, then shall the Curate of every Parish either bring or send in writing the names of all those children of his Parish, which can say the Articles of the Faith, the Lords Prayer, and the ten Com­mandments, and also how many of them can answer to the other questions contained in this Catechism.

And there shall none be admitted to the holy Communion untill such time as he can say the Catechism, and be confirmed.

A Course of Catechising throughout the Year.

SUNDAY I. Of the nature and way of Catechi­sing.

Question.

TO what end are we all born into the world?

Answer.

I. 1. To know, 2. to serve, 3. to honour, 4. to enjoy God.

II. To do good to all men in our gene­ration, while we behold man on the earth, with the inhabitants of the world, Isai. 38.

III. To provide for the salvation of our [Page 2] poor souls, before our bodies return to the dust, and our souls to him that gave them, Ec­cles. 12.7.

Quest. Which is the sure way that leads unto this end?

Answ. The will of God made known in the holy Scriptures inspired of God, which are able to make us wise to salvation, perfect and throughly furnished unto all good works, 2 Tim. 3.16, 17.

Quest. How may you (my good Childe) learn to understand the Scriptures?

Answ. How can I except some man should guide me? Act. 8.31.

Quest. Who are appointed of God to instruct you in his Word?

Answ. 1. The holy Spirit of God, lead­ing me into all truth, Act. 16.13. 1 Cor. 2.10, 11, 12. 1 John 1.27.

2. The Church, that pillar and ground of truth, 1 Tim. 3.15.

3. The Priests lips in the Church, that preserve knowledge, that the people might seek it at their mouths.

Quest. How many ways do they instruct you?

Answ. 1. By Reading, 2. by Preaching, 3. by Catechising.

Quest. What is Catechising?

Answ. Catechising is an Ordinance of God, wherein Youth and others are instructed in the first principles of the Doctrine of Christ, and Oracles of God, in a wholsome form of sound words, by way of Question and An­swer.

Quest. How doth it appear that Catechi­sing is an Ordinance of God?

Answ. 1. By his command enjoyning it, Exod. 12.24, 26. chap. 13.8, 14. Deut. 4.9. chap. 6.7, 20. chap. 11.19.

2. By his favour encouraging it, Gen. 8.19. chap 14.14.

3. By his people practising it, as Gen. 14.14. 2 King. 2.3, 5, 7. chap. 4.37. chap. 6.1. 1 Sam. 19.20. 2 Tim. 3 15. Heb. 5 14. chap. 6.1, 2. Gen. 4.4. Rom. 2.18. Gal. 6.6.

Quest. Who are to Catechise?

Answ. 1. Parents should bring up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, Ephes. 6.4. training up a childe in the way wherein he should go, that when he is old he may not depart from it, Prov. 22.6. Josh. 24.15.

2. Masters, Gen. 14.14.

3. School-masters.

4. Ministers; as good Ministers have done in all Ages.

Quest. What is the benefit you may receive by Catechising?

Answ. 1. We are hereby seasoned be­times with the faith once delivered to the Saints, the form of Doctrine according to the analogie of that faith, 2 Tim. 1.13. Jude 3. Rom. 6.17. Rom. 12.

2. And so grounded and setled, that we need not be tossed to and fro with every wind of Doctrine by the sleight of men, E­phes. 4.14.

3. And likewise secured for posterity; committing the things that we have heard to faithful witnesses, who would teach o­thers also, 2 Tim. 2.2.

Quest. What is it that is contained in the Catechism?

Answ. The true pattern of wholsome words, digested into brief heads, (according to the pattern of Christ, who reduced the Law to two heads, Mat. 22.27. John 3.16. Eccles. 12.19. Act 20.21.) by the Church, which is to preserve, to maintain, to propa­gate, and open true Religion, as our Church hath done in her Catechism; that is to say, An Instruction to be learned of every Childe be­fore he be brought to be confirmed by the Bishop.

Quest. How many things do you learn from the Inscription before the Catechism?

Answ. Five things especially.

Quest. What is the first?

Answ. The Name of it, Catechism.

Quest. What do you learn from that?

Answ. That the Principles of Religion contained in it, are the true faith that co­meth by hearing, Rom. 10.17. ecchoed from the Apostles (whose sound went into all the earth) to us by faithful men, who what they have received from the Lord, the same have they declared unto us, 1 Cor. 11.28.

Quest. What is the second thing in the Ti­tle?

Answ. The thing understood by that Name Instruction.

Quest. What do you learn from that?

Answ. 1. Our misery, that without this Instruction, we are strangers from God through the ignorance that is in us.

2. That the first part of our remedy is to be renewed in the spirit of our mind, that the eyes of our understanding being enlight­ned, we may know what is the hope of his calling, and the things freely given us of God, Eph. 4.23. chap. 1.18. 1 Cor. 3.17. John 17.3.

Quest. What is the third thing in the Inscri­ption of the Catechism?

Answ. They who are to learn it.

Quest. Who are they?

Answ. Children.

Quest. Onely Children?

Answ. Any that are weak, and have need of milk, and not of strong meat, being un­skilful in the word of righteousness: but e­specially children, who with Timothy are to be instructed in the Scripture from their youth.

Quest. Are children capable of these Instru­ctions?

Answ. They are capable to remember their Creator in the days of their youth, Ec­cles. 12.1. to hear the Law, by which a young man may cleanse his way, Psal. 119.9. to be prepared for that judgement to which great and small shall come, Rev. 2.12. to come to Christ, who reproved those that forbad little children to come to him, Mat. 18.19. And Peter must not onely seed sheep, but lambs.

Quest. What is the fourth thing you learn here?

Answ. The Duty of children that are to be catechised, Learn.

Quest. What is that?

Answ. It is manifold.

Quest. What is the first duty?

Answ. To come to Catechising; Come ye children unto me, and I will teach you the [Page 7] fear of the Lord, Psal. 34.11. without excuse, Mat. 22. kept off neither by pastime, slug­gishness, nor idleness, Gen. 25.27. Isai. 19.10. Mat. 20.6. prepared, 1 Chron. 29.18. Exod. 19. with a full purpose of heart to cleave to God according to his word, where­in we are instructed, Act. 11.23.

Quest. What's the second?

Answ. To pray to God for wisedome to understand, Jam. 1.5. memories to retain, Heb. 2.1. hearts to embrace, Act 16.14. and lives to practise it, Jam. 1.21, 22.

Quest. What is the third?

Answ. That he that hath an ear to hear, should hear, Luk. 14.35. Luk. 8.18. atten­tively, Luk. 4.20. cheerfully, reverently and soberly.

Quest. What is the fourth?

Answ. To understand what we hear, and repeat distinctly what we understand; so learning betimes to give an account of the hope that is in us, Luk. 1.46, 47.

Quest. What is the last thing you observe in the Title of the Catechism?

Answ. The time of Catechising, and the end of it; Before they be confirmed by the Bi­shop.

Quest. What is that? can you tell?

Answ. The particular time is half an hour [Page 8] before evening-prayer upon Sundays and Holy-days; so men keeping the Sabbath with their sons, their daughters, men-ser­vants and maid-servants, and all that are within their gates.

Quest. What is the general time of this Duty?

Answ. Before we be brought to be con­firmed by the Bishop.

Quest. The love and care of the Church! what do you understand by Confirmation?

Answ. That which we call Bishopping, or that Laying on of hands, Heb. 6.2. an Or­dinance continued throughout all Ages of the Church.

Quest. What is the use of Bishopping or Confirmation?

Answ. 1. That we may with the heart believe, and with the mouth confess to our salvation,See Rubrick before Cate­chism. Rom. 10.10. what others engaged for us.

2. That by the blessing and prayer we may be established, setled, and strenghtned against those temptations to which our weakness and years are open.

3. That Catechising may be in more use and esteem, the unity of the faith may be maintained, Parents may be careful to in­struct [Page 9] their children, children may be more sound in faith, and civil in manners; that the ignorant and scandalous may be discern­ed, and all differences about mixt commu­nion may be quieted and composed.

Quest. Whose care must it be to see children come to Catechising?

Answ. 1. The childrens, as they love their souls, which may otherwise perish: for, for want of knowledge the people pe­rish.

2. Our Parents, as they love us; as they should help us to grace, who have helped us to sin; as they care for us who are a part of themselves; as they will answer the being not as careful for our souls, as for our bo­dies; as they would account for the charge committed to them at that day, and would not then come short of bruit creatures, who have tender care of their young; as they would prevent the sorrow, and provide for the comfort of their old age; as they ten­der the welfare of the Church and State, whereof their well-educated children may be useful members.

Minister.

You say very well; and if you (my dear Friends) take care to bring your children and [Page 10] servants to this godly and useful exercise, in obedience to God, and our careful and ten­der mother the Church; (and you know, they that hear not the Church, are as hea­thens and infidels) I say as St. Cyril saith in the end of his Preface: Meum est docere, It's my work to teach; 2. Vestrum auscul­tare, Yours to learn; 3. Dei perficere, and God's to give a blessing: For which blessing let us pray to God.

Almighty and ever-living God, which makest us to will and to do those things that are acceptable in thy sight, We make our humble supplication unto thee for these chil­dren, that thy fatherly hand may be ever over them, thy holy Spirit be with them, e­ven the Spirit of wisdome and understand­ing, the Spirit of counsel and ghostly strength, the Spirit of knowledge and true godliness; and fill them with the Spirit of thy holy fear, that they may hear thy word attentively, understand it clearly, retain and remember it carefully, and live accor­ding to it conscientiously: and prevent us all (O Lord) in all our doings with thy most gracious favour, and further us with [Page 11] thy continual help; that in all our works, begun, continued and ended in thee, we may glorifie thy holy Name, and finally by thy mercy obtain everlasting life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Parents, Ministers and School-masters, may see more of Catechising and in­structing of Youth, in Bishop Andrews his Pattern of Catechistical Doctrine, Woodward's Childes Patrimony, Pem­bles Mischief of Ignorance, Perkin's Preachers Dignity and Duty, Perkin's right manner of ordering a Family ac­cording to Scripture; and divers o­thers.

SUNDAY II. Of the benefits we receive by Bap­tisme.

Minister,

NOw you are come (children) in the feare of God, in obedience to the Church, and to the edification of your souls, to learn that form of Doctrine (which you are to obey from the heart) in the ex­cellent Church-Catechism.

Q. What are the things that you shall learn from this Catechism?

A. I learn, First, how I became a Christian by the blessed Ordinance of Ba­ptism, in the four first questions.

2 Being a Christian, I learn what I ought to believe for my salvation, out of the Apo­stles Creed, that compleat summary of our Faith.

3 Because Faith without works profiteth nothing, I learn what I ought to do out of the ten Commandments, the perfect rule of life, Gal. 5.6. 2 Tim. 1.13. Phil. 2.13.

4 Because without grace preventing, as­sisting, and blessing, we can neither believe [Page 13] nor do as we ought; I learn to pray to God from the Lords Prayer, that rule, sum, pat­tern, and perfection of devotion.

5 I learn the Doctrine of the Sacraments, which are conveyances of the Grace I pray for.

Minist. So it seems you say there are five things in the Catechism. 1 A Preface, in the four first questions. 2 The Apostles Creed. 3 The ten Commandments. 4 The Lords Prayer. And 5 the doctrine of the two Sacraments, Baptism, and the Lords Supper.

A. Yes.

Q. What is the excellency of this Catechism above others?

A. 1. That it is not of private, but pub­lique authority, and what seemed good to the Pastors of the Church, being assembled together with one accord, Acts 15.25.

2 In that it is the ancientest way of in­structing youth: and (thus saith the Lord) Aske for the old paths, and walke therein, and you shall finde rest for your souls, Jer. 6.16. Job 8.8.

3 Its the briefest way: and those times were happy, when there were but few things necessary to salvation, and the weightiest things of the Law pressed upon, and no grea­ter [Page 14] burthen laid upon us than these things necessary, Acts 15.28.

4 It's the plainest and easiest way, a way that may make wise the simplest, Psal. 19. Isa. 35.8. Deut. 30.14. Rom. 10.8.

5 This way leads soonest to the end of all Instruction, Godliness, containing nothing but truths after godlinesse.

Q. What is the first question in the Cate­chisme?

A. What is your Name?

Q. Why do you begin with that question?

A. That you and others may know my name, and with my name my Religion.

Q. How do mens names put them & others in minde of their Religion?

A. As our sirnames betoken the nature and relation we have in our first birth—as &c. so our Christian name betokens the na­ture and relation we have in our second birth. As in Circumcision formerly, Gen. 17.15, 16. chap. 18.4. so in Baptism now, we give our names to God, and to Christ Jesus, en­tring them as it were in the book of Life.

Q What are you put in minde of by your name?

A. That we should walk worthy of that name by which we are called, Ephes. 4.1. We should not have a name to live by Ba­ptism, [Page 15] and yet be dead, Rev. 3.1. Seeing we have taken upon us the names of Christians, we should depart from iniquity, 2 Tim. 2.19. These names which we have received with religion, do put us in minde first to learn the duties of that religion, and then to practise them.

Q. What names are most convenient to be imposed at Baptism?

A. Such names are may mind us of the virtues and excellencies of those persons that bare them, whose followers we may be as they were of Christ: whose Faith as we do in Baptisme professe, so we may follow it, considering the end of their conversation.

Q. Who gave you this name?

A. My Godfathers and Godmothers in my Baptism, wherein I was made a mem­ber of Christ, the child of God, and an inheritor of the Kingdom of heaven.

Q. What ground is there for the use of God-fathers and God-mothers?

A. Isa. 8.2, 3. And I took unto me faithfull witnesses to record, See Prideaux de Baptismo: Ham. de confirmat. Hooker l. 5. Jun. in Isa. 8.2. Tertul. de. Bapt. D [...]on. Hier. c. 2. Ʋriah the Priest, and Zechariah the son of Jebere­chiah. And I went unto the Prophetess, and she conceived and bare a son: then said the [Page 16] Lord to me, Call his name Mahar-shalal­hashbaz. Luke 1 58, 59. And her neigh­bours and her cousins called the name of the child Zacharias after the name of his father. Besides that it hath been an ancient custom even from the beginning, Matth. 19.8. And there is much in a custome of the Church of God, 1 Cor. 1 6.

Q. What use is there of God-fathers and God-mothers?

A. In case our Parents die, or be igno­rant or negligent of our education; or be seduced with the errour of the wicked, these God-fathers are obliged by the Church to see us brought up in the true faith, with the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

Q. What is their duty?

A. To instruct us what a solemn vow, promise, and profession we have made by them: to call upon us to hear Sermons, to learn the Belief, Commandments, and the Lords Prayer, with all other things which a Christian man ought to know and believe to his souls health▪ and that we may be vertuously brought up to lead a godly and a Christian life; and this upon the solemn promise they have made to God. When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools, Eccl. 5.4. [Page 17] Be not deceived, God is not mocked.

Q. How happy should we be, if the care of Sureties and Witnesses would be according to primitive institution and ancient practice!

A. The care of our education would make the Kingdome happy in honest and well-principled men, the Church in good Christians, and heaven in blessed Saints.

Q. Then sure your Sureties may well be cal­led God-fathers and God-mothers?

A. Yes; for thus they would offer us up unto God as his children: they professe faith, repentance and obedience for us as his servants, and are bound to God for their performance thereof.

Q. When received you this Christian name?

A. In Baptism, the first Sacrament of the New Testament, wherein we were entred into the Church, engrafted into Christ, and washed from our sins, 1 Cor. 12.13. Gal. 3.27. Ephes. 2.11, 12, 13. Rom. 6.3, 4.

Q. What benefit, honour, and favour have you by being thus by baptism admitted into the Church?

A. Thereby I am made, 1. a member of Christ. 2. a child of God. 3. an heir of the kingdom of God.

Q. What do you observe in that you are taught to say you are made?

A. We observe that, alas! we were not born to this happinesse; But that as many as receive him, to them he gives power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe in his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God, John 1.12, 13. We were by na­ture the children of wrath as well as others: But God who is rich in mercy, &c. Eph. 2.4, 5, 6, 8, 9. In this state God made us, and not we our selves.

Q. Now you speak of this state; how mani­fold is the state of a Christian man?

A. 1. A state of innocence, 2. of sin, 3. of grace. 4. of glory.

Q. What is the state of Innocence?

A. It is a state wherein we all in Adam were made after Gods image, 1. in Know­ledge, 2. Righteousnesse, 3. Holinesse, 4. Ʋprightnesse, Gen. 1.27. Col. 3.10. Eph. 4.24. Perfect in understanding, will, affe­ctions, &c. Eccles. 7.29. Guided by a law in our hearts, Rom. 2.15. Strengthened by Gods assistance in our works, Acts 17.23. and encouraged with an interest in, and power over all things here, which is part of Gods image, Gen. 1.29. Psal. 4.5, 6, 7, 8, 9. and a hope of reward hereafter. The Lord would have given grace and glory, and no good [Page 19] thing would he have with-held from us if we had walked uprightly, Psal. 84 11.

Q. What is the state of sin?

A. It is a state wherein we are all, by the wilful, ungrateful, presumptuous disobedi­ence of one man Adam, made sinners, 1. by imputation of his guilt (Rom. 5.14, &c. Hos. 2.2.) unto us, as we were in him legally. 2. By propagation of his sin unto us, as we were in him naturally, Rom. 11.16. Gen. 5.3. Job 14.4. Mat. 3.7. Isa. 1.4. Psal. 51.7. Eph. 2.3. All have sinned and come short of the glo­ry of God, Rom. 3 23. Psal. 143.2. Job 15.14.

Q. What is mans condition in this state?

A. We have lost the favour and love of God; our own integrity and uprightnesse; our peace, comfort, and hope: and we are, 1. Enemies to God by wicked works, 2. Encom­passed with a body of sin and death, Rom. 7.21.23. Mise able we are, for the deep and spreading pollution of sin, 1. Darkning our understanding, making every imagination of the heart evill, 2 Cor. 3 5. Rom. 1.21. Jer. 4.24. Eph. 4.28. Gal 5.7. Mat. 15.19. Eccl. 9.3. Rom. 6.16 Gen. 8.21. Jer. 17.9. 2. Searing and defiling our consciences, Ephes. 4.15. 1 Tim. 4.2. Tit. 1.15. 3. Making our wils loath the good, & desire the evil, John 8.24.9. [Page 20] 2 Pet. 2.19. polluting the whole man, Rom. 3.13, 15, 16, 17. That lust that conceiveth in us bringeth forth sin, Jam. 1.14, 15. 4. We are miserable for the punishment that fol­loweth it, 1. A certain looking for, and fear of wrath, Rom. 2.5. Joh. 3.36. Job 27. & 47.1. & 15.20, 21. & 20 5, 11, 14. Heb. 2.15.

2 A vanity and curse overspreading us, and all that belong to us, Deut. 28.

3 Death that is approaching, Gen. 2.17. 1 Cor. 15 22. Ezek. 18 4.

4 And the everlasting wrath that is ready to swallow us up, John 3.36. Deut. 32.22. Psal. 9.17. Math. 3.10. Luke 3.17. Judg. 7.13. 2 Thes. 1.7, 8, 9. 2 Thes. 2.12. Rom. 2. 5, 6, 7, 8, 10. Rev. 20, 10, 15. Mat. 7.10. & 13.40, 41. Wo to us that we have sinned.

Q. O miserable men that we are, who shall deliver us from this body of sin and death?

A. We thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord, Rom. 7.24. who that his Father might not loose the glory of his creation the honour of his mercy, and have satisfaction to his justice, and attain the end of his law and government, appeared to the world in the greatest demonstrations of his good­nesse, love, and mercy, to redeem us to this third state of grace and favour, wherein he hath promised, 1. to write his law in our [Page 21] hearts, Heb. 8.10, 11. 2. To deliver us from sin and Satan, Rom. 3. Col. 1.13. 3. Par­don our sins, Isa. 43.15. 4. To reconcile us to himself, Rom. 5.1, 10. 5. To accept of our persons and performances in his beloved Son Jesus Christ. 6. To give us grace to serve him in righteousnesse and true holiness all our days, Luke 1.71. The first entrance into which state is Baptism, whereby we are made members of Christ, children of God, &c.

Q. What is the first benefit you have in this state?

A. 1. That we are members of Christ, Eph. 5.30. We are joyned to him, 1 Cor. 6.15, 17. Live in him, Eph. 4.4. Rom. 8.11. As branches of him the vine, John 15.5. Wives to him our husband, Ephes. 5. Living stones upon him the foundation, Eph. 2.20, 21, 22.

Or, the first benefit is, that I am made a member of Christ, from whom the body fit­ly joyned together, and compacted by that which every joynt supplyeth, according to the effectual working in the measure of eve­ry part, maketh increase of the body, unto the edifying of it self in love, Eph. 4.16.

Qu. What is it to be a true member of Christ?

A. It's to be united to him by one spirit, [Page 22] to live in him by his grace, to be guided by him and his power: For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body being many are one body, so is Christ. For by one spirit we are all baptised into one body, 1 Cor. 12.12, 13.

Q. It's true; If the spirit of him that rai­sed up Jesus from the dead, dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead, shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you, Rom. 8.11. I am the vine (saith Christ) ye are the branches: he that abideth in me, and I in him, the same beareth much fruit, John 15.5. To be the members of Christ, is to receive from him as from our head, life, sense, and motion. What condition were you in before you were a member of Christ? and what would have become of you if you had not been thus made a member of Christ?

A. We should have been strangers from the life of God, the life of grace derived to us from God in Christ, from whom we might have received grace for grace, Ephes. 4, 10.

Qu. Indeed as we had withdrawn our selves from the authority of God by our disobedience, so we are withdrawn from the gracious influ­ence of God by sin, whereby all the faculties [Page 23] of our souls are corrupted, the imaginations of our hearts are evill, the frame of our nature is depraved, and we are dead in sin, untill an heavenly life from God in Christ, in whom he is well pleased, enliveneth us; and that heavenly spirit which he hath received without measure quicken us according to the measure of every part. But are all they true members of Christ that are baptized?

A. 1. Some are onely members of Christ outwardly: They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us, 1 Joh. 2.19. Heb. 6.4, 5, 6.

2 Others are members of Christ inward­ly, that have inwardly that grace from Christ their head which they professe out­wardly. Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular, 1 Cor. 12 17.

Qu. What is the second benefit?

A. That we are children of God, John 1.12. See what manner of love is this the Father hath shewed us, that we who are by nature children of wrath, should be called the sons of God! 1 John 3.1. Ephes 1.5. Gal. 4.4, 5, 6. Heb. 2.10, 11, 13. 1. We are called by his name, 1 John 3.1. 2 Tim. 2.19. 2. We are [Page 24] admitted to his family, Gal. 6.10. He feeds, provides for, pitieth, protecteth, corrects, instructs and rewards us.

Q. What would you have been, if you had neglected being baptized, if you had not entred into the Christian profession?

A. Oh! I should then have wished I had never been born; or being born, to die: then I had been a child of wrath even as others, Eph. 2.3. I had been one of those whom the A­postle Peter calls cursed children, 2 Pet. 2.14. a son of perdition.

Q. What is it to be a child of God?

A. To be a child of God, is, 1. To be framed after Gods image, in righteousnesse, and true holinesse. 2. It is by favour to be adopted for Gods child.—

Minist. To be a child of God, is to be begotten anew by the immortal seed of the Word, and bear Gods Image in holinesse, endeavouring in all things to do their Fa­thers will, Luke 6.26— To be removed from the family wherein we lived by na­ture, to the family of heaven, Ephes. 2.2, 3, 19. where God is our Father, Christ is our elder Brother, the Saints are our co-heirs, the Angels are our fellow-servants; to he free from all our former relations: If Christ hath made you free, then are you free in­deed, [Page 25] — and to be invested in all the rights and priviledges of the sons of God.

Q. Do you know what are the priviledges of being sons of God?

A. 1. A child of God is free from the guilt of sin: There is now no condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus, who live not af­ter the flesh, but after the spirit, Rom. 8.1. 2. He is under the care of God. 3. He is an heir of the promise of God for this life, and that which is to come. 4. He hath a new name which no man knoweth but he that hath it, Rev. 2.17. 5. He hath the spirit of God, whereby he cryeth Abba, Father.

Qu. What is your duty now you are the chil­dren of God?

A. We ought, 1. to admire Gods love. Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the children of God! 1 John 2.1.

2. We should imitate him, as obedient children; not fashioning your selves according to your former lusts in your ignorance; but as he who hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation.

3. We ought to rest in his good will con­cerning us, knowing that it is our gracious Father, let him do what seemeth him good.

4. We ought to rely upon him, as a child doth upon his father.

Q. What is the third benefit?

A. That we are hereby inheritors of the kingdome of heaven, not onely that we are sons, but heirs of God, and co-heirs with Christ, Rom. 8.17, 29. 1 Pet. 1.3, 4. Luke 12 32. Fear not, little children, it's your fa­thers good will to give you a kingdome.

Q. If you had not thus been entred into a Christian profession, what had become of you?

A. Being without Christ, aliens from the Common-wealth of Israel, we should have been strangers from the covenant of promise, having no hope, and being without God in the world.

Q. How do we inherit the kingdome of hea­ven?

A. 1. Not by birth, for so his onely be­gotten Son, John 3.16. the brightnesse of his image, and the expresse character of his person, hath he appointed heir of all things, Hebr. 1.3.

2. But by gift; The gift of God is eternall life through Jesus Christ.

Q. How are we assured of this gift?

A. We are assured of it, 1. In the pro­mise which will never fail: Fear not little flock, it is your fathers will to give you the kingdome, Luke 12.32. John 17.24. Heb. 4.13. 2 Thes. 1.7. And faithful is he that hath promised. 2. In the price paid, viz. [Page 27] the precious blood of Christ, which is not shed in vain: By the blood of Christ we have entrance into the holiest, Heb. 10.19. 3. In the earnest: In whom also, after that ye belie­ved, ye were sealed with the holy spirit of pro­mise, which is the earnest of our inheritance, untill the redemption of our purchased possession, Ephes. 1.13, 14.

Q. What remains for us to do?

A. Having these promises, to cleanse our selves from all filthinesse of flesh and spirit, per­fecting holinesse in the fear of God, 2 Cor. 7.1. That we may be meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the Saints in light: that inheritance that is to be had among them that are sanctified.

Bishop Nicholson on Catechism; The Chri­stians duty and priviledge.

SUNDAY III. Of the Vow and Covenant in Ba­ptism.

Q. WHat did your Godfathers and God­mothers promise in your name?

A. They did promise and vow three things in my name:

1 First, that I should forsake the Devil and all his works, the pomps and vani­ties of the wicked world, and all the sinful lusts of the flesh.

2 That I should believe all the Arti­cles of the Christian Faith.

3 That I should keep Gods holy will and commandments.

Q. They promised then in your names, 1. a solemn abrenunciation of that which is evill, 2. a serious belief of all truth, and a consci­entious practice of all duty. What did you mean (children) when you told me that your God­fathers and Godmothers promised that you should forsake the Devil and all his works?

A. That they promised to instruct us in the sin and danger of yielding to the tem­ptations, and doing the works of the great e­nemy of mankind, the Devil.

Q. What are his works?

A. 1. Lying, John 4.4. 2. Slander, Mat. 4.1. Job 1.7, 11. & 2.4, 5. 3 Hatred, Mat. 13.25, 3. 4 Murder, Rev. 17.11. 5 Pride, Isa. 14.11. 1 Tim. 3.6. 6 Drawing others to sin, Matth. 4.3. 1 Thes. 3.5. 7 Final aposta­cy, and falling away, when we are enlightned and have tasted of the heavenly gift, Heb. 6.4, 5, 6. Jude 6.

Q. What are his temptations?

A. All those advantages he takes from the creatures round about us, to ensnare us to sin; and God knows we are not ignorant of his devices, 2 Cor. 2.11.

Qu. What do you mean by the pomps and vanities of the wicked world, which is the se­cond thing they promised you should forsake?

A. All that is in the world (the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life) all that may be an occasion of sin must be forsaken as a snare, and all that may do ser­vice to God as a sacrifice, 1 John 2.15, 16, 17.

Q What are the lusts of the flesh?

A. Adultery, fornication, uncleannesse, lasciviousnesse, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, adultery, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkennesse, revilings, and such like; which they that do [Page 30] shall not inherit the kingdom of heaven, Gal. 5.19, 20, 21.

Q. Now you are under a solemn promise by your Sureties, To put off concerning the former conversation, the old man, which is corrupt, according to the deceitful lusts; that you should deny ungodlinesse and worldly lusts, and have no fellowship with the un­fruitful works of darknesse, Heb. 6. Ephes. 4.22. Tit. 2.12. Isa. 1.16. Rom. 13.14. Eph. 5.11. and so cease to do evil. Have not they pro­mised for you, that you should learn to do well?

A. Yes; To believe sincerely all the Ar­ticles of the Christian Faith.

Q. VVhat do you understand by that?

A. 1. That we must know, assent to, em­brace, as worthy of all acceptation, without exception, all the fundamental Articles and points of our Christian faith, by an obedience of faith that worketh by love, Rom. 16.26. Gal. 5, 6. Jam. 1.17, 18, 19, 20.

Q. What is it to believe?

A. It's by the gift of God, Ephes 2.8. To have our hearts wrought upon inwardly by the holy spirit,See Bishop Nich. Cat: out of the Fathers. Rom. 12.3. and outwardly by the holy word, Rom. 10.14. So that the understanding is enlightned to know all sa­ving [Page 31] truth revealed of God; the will is in­clined to assent to all saving truth known; the affections are ready to embrace all saving truth assented to.

Q What is it we must believe?

A. The twelve Articles of the Christian Faith;Ruffin. in symb. Cypr. Ep. 70. ad Dur. Baron. Tom. 1. Isidor de Eccl. 2.3. Ignat. ad Trall. & Magnes. Iren. l. 1. c. 3. the principles of the do­ctrine of Christ; the truth of God as it is in Jesus; reduced either by the Apostles them­selves, or by others out of their writings, to an wholsome form of sound words, according to the analogy of faith, 2 Tim. 1.13. Rom. 12 6.

Q. How much must we believe?

A. All the Articles of the Christian faith; Whosoever will be saved, before all things it is necessary that he hold the Catholique Faith; which faith, except a man keep whole and entire, without doubt he shall perish everlastingly.

Q. How may you know that you truly be­lieve the articles of the Christian Faith?

A. When we are so rooted and establish­ed in the Christian truth, that it hath an influence over our hearts and lives, Rom. 16.26. Jac. 2.17. Gal. 5.6.

Q. Have all Christians an equal belief of [Page 32] the Articles of the Faith?

A. 1. Some have a weak Faith: They say, We believe, Lord help our unbelief: O Lord increase our faith, Luke 17.5. Matth. 14.31. Mat. 12.10. Matth. 5.6.

2. Some have a strong faith, who with Abraham stagger not at the word of God through unbelief, but are strong in faith, Rom. 4.10. They have a faith, which is the comfortable subsistence of things hoped for, and the strong evidence of things not seen, Heb. 11.1.

Minist. The second thing then which your Godfathers and Godmothers promise for you, is this; that though you see not, nor of your selves know the things of Chri­stian Religion, Yet (being they are certainly contained in the holy Scriptures, the wri­tings of the blessed Apostles and Prophets inspired of God, the God of wisdome, who cannot be deceived; and of truth, who will not deceive) with a certain and full perswa­sion you will assent to the truth of them, and with a fixed and undaunted resolution you will professe them; and with this faith in your heart, and confession in your mouth, you will live and dye.

Q. You say, that at your Baptisme your Godfathers and Godmothers have promised [Page 33] three things in your name: The first whereof you told us, was, That you should renounce all evil; the second was, That you should be­lieve all truth: I pray what is the third?

A. That I should keep Gods holy will and commandments, and walk in the same all the days of my life.

Q. How many things are contained in that one promise?

A. Three things.

Q What is the first?

A. That I should have a Rule, even Gods holy will and commandments, Psal. 119.105. Ephes. 5.2.

Q. What is the second?

A. That I should walk by this Rule, nei­ther standing still idly, nor turning rashly to the right hand or to the left.

Q. What is the third?

A. That I should continue so doing all the days of my life, Luk. 1.75. knowing, that my labour shall not be in vain in the Lord: bles­sed is he that endureth to the end.

Q. Do you think that you are bound to be­lieve and do as your godfathers and godmothers promised for you?

A. Yes: I have by them vowed a Vow unto God, and I will not defer to pay it, Eccles. 5.4.

Q. How do you say? will you do it?

A. By Gods help, so I will: of my self I am able to do nothing: I can do all things through him that strengthneth me.

Q. You say well: Have you any thing else to say in reference to your Baptism, and the happy state you are in by it?

A. Yes, I have two things.

Q. What are they?

A. 1. I heartily thank my heavenly fa­ther, because he hath called me to this state of salvation, through Jesus Christ our Sa­viour.

2. I pray to God to give me his grace, that I may continue in the same to my lives end.

Q. What do you intend to do in order to the performance of your great Vow?

A. I intend, God willing, 1. to believe stedfastly; 2. to obey conscientiously; 3. to pray devoutly; 4. to receive the Sacra­ments solemnly.

Q. Indeed these are the four parts of the pure Religion, and undefiled before God. What Rules bave you in the performance of these things?

A. 1. The Rule of my Belief are the Articles of the Creed.

2. The Rule of my life and obedience [Page 35] are the Ten Commandments.

3. The Rule of my Prayer is the Lords Prayer.

4. The Rule for the receiving of the Sa­crament, is the Doctrine hereafter deliver­ed.

Q. I pray rehearse the Articles of your Be­lief.

A. 1. I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth: and, 2. in Iesus Christ his onely Son our Lord; 3. which was conceaved by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, 4. suffered under Pontius Pilate, was cru­cified, dead and buried: 5. He descended into Hell, the third day he rose again from the dead. 6. He ascended into Hea­ven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy Ca­tholick Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. A­men.

Q. What do you learn in these Articles of your Belief?

A. First, I learn to believe in God the Father, who hath made me and all the world.

Secondly, In God the Son, who hath redeemed me and all mankinde.

Thirdly, In God the Holy Ghost, who sanctifieth me, and all the elect people of God.

Minister. To keep the unity of the Spi­rit in the bond of peace, that there might be one body and one Spirit; even as we were all called into one hope of their call­ing, that there might be one Lord, one Faith, one Baptism, one God and Father of all.Cent. Magd. 2 Col. 6.6. The bles­sed Apostles (as some think) being of one accord in one place,Calvin. Inst. 2.16. composed this whol­some form of sound Doctrine; or else good men gathered it out of the wri­tings delivered by them to the Churches, as our Church thinks, Confes. Art. 8. Which Foundation of Religion, hath been ex­plained in the Nicene and Athanasian Creed, and in all the Confessions of other Churches, according as times and occasions required: which our Church would have us under­stand clearly, embrace heartily, profess con­stantly, and live up to religiously. This Belief we shall open, 1. by explaining the words, and endeavouring a right Notion and Conception of them, as they are to be [Page 37] understood in the Belief. 2. We shall shew what are those truths which are naturally contained in those words so explained. 3. We shall confirm each truth so made out. 4. We shall shew the necessity of believing those truths so confirmed. 5. We shall shew what efficacy they may have upon the soul and life of a Believer.

Authors of the Vow in Baptism; Dr. Hammond's Practical Catechism; Bi­shop Reyn. on Hos. 14. Bishop Hall's Satans Fiery Dart; Bishop Nicholson's Catechism.

SUNDAY IV. The first Article of our Faith, or God Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth.

WHat is the first Article of your Belief?

A. I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth.

Q. Why do you say, I believe?

A. To signifie that every one must be sa­ved by his own faith, and not by anothers: Examine YOƲR SELVES, whether you be in the faith, 2 Cor. 12. Know ye not YOƲR OWN SELVES, &c. Prove YOƲR OWN SELVES, that you may have rejoycing in your selves, and not in another.

Q. The Church first discovers to us the true faith, and afterwards we put our own seal to it, that it is true. As if Christ should ask every one of us in particular, as he did the blind man restored to his sight, Dost thou believe on the Son of God? Joh. 9.35, 38. we are taught every one of us to answer as he did, Lord I believe, As if the Son of God did promise [Page 39] to every one of them which are gathered toge­ther in his name, what he promised to one of the multitude, whose son had a dumb spirit, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth: each one for himself returneth this answer, Lord, I believe, help mine unbelief, Mat. 9.17, 23, 24. I live, (saith St. Paul) yet not I, but Christ liveth in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Without faith it is impossible to please God. But what do you mean when you say, I do be­lieve?

A. When I say, I do believe; 1. I say, I do understand this truth, that God is, &c. 2. I say, I give my assent to it as revealed of God; by his Son outwardly, and his Spirit inwardly. 3. I say, I confess this truth thus embraced before the world.

Q. Therefore when you say you believe this and the other Articles of faith, you mean that you assent to them as an infallible truth revea­led by God, (who by reason of his infinite knowledge cannot be deceaved, and by reason of his infinite holiness cannot deceive) and de­livered unto us in the writings of the blessed A­postles and Prophets, immediately inspired and acted by the Holy Ghost, out of whose wri­tings [Page 40] this brief sum of necessary points of faith was first collected. I say, you mean that your faith came by the ear hearing of these words opened in the Church, and that the ear conveyed them to your mind in all wisdome and spiri­tual understanding: the mind conveyeth the truth so understood to the heart, which being o­pened, receaveth and embraceth it; and then out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh: and if now you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God hath raised him from the dead, you shall be saved. Do you think you must make confession of your faith?

A. 1. In respect of Gods glory, who hath commanded it. 2. In regard of our selves, who shall be rewarded for it. 3. In regard of others, who shall be confirmed and edified by it; we must make profession of our faith before men, Mat. 10 32. Luk. 9.26.

Q. Whosoever shall be ashamed of me and my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Fathers, and the holy An­gels. Be ready always (saith St. Peter) to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you, 1 Pet. 3.14. What do you mean when you say you be­lieve in God?

A. I mean, 1. that there is a God: for he that cometh to God, must believe that he is.

Q. Gods attestation, is the ground of di­vine faith; his being is the ground of his atte­station: What is the second thing you mean when you say, I believe in God?

A. I mean, that I believe him the onely true God, holy, omnipotent, all-wise, all-sufficient, just, merciful, and good; who is of himself, and by whom all things sub­sist.

Q How do you know that there is such a God infinitely holy? &c.

A. I know it, 1. by his works shewing; for by the greatness and beauty of the crea­tures, proportionably the beauty of them is seen, Wisd. 13.5. Rom. 1.20. We see some things here below have a beginning; there­fore we believe a God above who hath no beginning: all things that are made, are made by another; for nothing we see makes it self: therefore we believe a God, never made, but ever of himself, by whom all things were made. Yea, when I see creatures work­ing without reason, according to reason, in order to their several ends in their several places, I believe a God over all, who guides these creatures by that eternal counsel of his will.

A. 2. The publick consent and universal reason of the World, taught every man to say, I believe in God.

A. 3. By clear discoveries which God made of himself, and of other things by Re­velations and Prophesies, Isai. 45.5, 6, 7, 18, 19, 21, 22, 24.

A. 4. I know there is a God by what works we have heard with our ears, and our fathers have told us in their days, and in the old time before them. Blessed be the Lord God, who onely doth wondrous works, Psal. 44.1. & 72.18.

A. 5. I know there is a God by my own Conscience, which comforts me when I do well, and torments me when I do ill with the thoughts of God, who is not far from every one of us; in whom we live, and move, and have a being, Act. 17. whom the hea­then sought after, if by any means they might feel after him, and find him: for they knew we are all his off-spring.

Q. What is the third thing you understand when you say, I believe in God?

A. I believe in one God, that there is no other God but one, and there is none besides him, Deut. 4.35. 1 Cor. 8.4. Thus saith the Lord, the King of Israel, I am the first, and I am the last, and besides me there is no [Page 43] God. I am the Lord, and there is none else, there is no God besides me; that they may know from the rising of the Sun, and the go­ing down of the same, that ther [...] is none beside me. I am the Lord, and there is none else. Isai 48.12. & 44.6 & 45.5, 6 Deut. 4.32. & 35.39. Psal. 18.31. Isai. 45 18, 21. & 44.8. Job 17 3. Deut. 6.45.

Q What is the fourth thing you say, when you say, I believe in God?

A. I say, I believe all that the onely true God hath said; and I know whom I trust, and that he is faithful who hath spoken, put my seal to his affirmation, rely on his pro­mises, fear his threatnings, and embrace his whole will.

Qu. What is the fifth thing you say, when you say, I believe in God?

A. I say, I will rely upon him as God all-sufficient; for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee: so that I may boldly say, The Lord is my God, my helper, I will not fear what man can do unto me, Heb. 13 5.

Q. What is that God whom you say you be­lieve in?

A. Our God is a Spirit, Job 4.24. infi­nite, Psal. 139 81. invisible, 1 Tim. 1.17. eternal, Psal. 90.2. all-wise; 1 Tim. 6.16. [Page 44] incomprehensible, immutable, Jam. 1.17. all-sufficient, Gen 17.1. just, merciful, gra­cious, long-suffering, Exod. 33. alone to be worshipped, saved, and adored, Mat. 4.10.

Q. Is there but one God?

A. No, there is no other God but one, 1 Cor. 8.5. Deut. 6 4. & 32.39. Psal 86.10. Isai. 44.1. & 45.21. Ephes. 4.5, 6. There are indeed three persons, three that bear witness in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost, 1 Joh. 5.7. Mat. 28.19. Mat. 3.16, 17. but these three are one, 1 Joh. 5.7.

Q. That is a mystery which it is rashness to search, piety to believe, and life to know: in one God there are three persons, distinguish­ed by their names, inward properties, and outward operations. What do you mean when you say, I believe in God the Father?

A. I mean, 1. I believe that the onely true God whom I worship, is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is hlessed for ever­more, 2 Cor. 11.31. who gave him to have life in himself, Joh. 5.26. as he hath life in himself: that God is the Father of Christ, giving him being in the womb, power in heaven and earth, life from death, and a divine nature by an eternal generation.

A. 2. I mean, that the onely true God [Page 45] is Father of all, Ephes. 4.5. in heaven and earth: the father of spirits, i. e. Angels; the Father of all things: so that we may say in the words of the Prophet, Have we not all one Father? hath not one God created us? Mal. 2.10.

A. 3. But I mean especially that I be­lieve that God is our Father,

1. Who created us by his power: for we are all his off-spring.

2. Who preserves us by his providence: for in him we live, &c.

3. Who hath redeemed us by his Son: Is not he thy father that hath bought thee? hath he not made thee, and established thee? Deut. 32.6. Exod 4.22. Isai. 44.24. Doubt­less thou art our father, though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledge us not: thou, O Lord, art our father, our redeemer; from everlasting is thy name, Isai. 63.16.

4. Who of his own will hath begotten us, with the word of truth, Jam. 1.18. Joh. 5.1. Eph. 2.10.

5. Who hath adopted us: What man­ner of love is this, that we should be called the sons of God! And it doth not yet appear what we shall be; but we know that when he shall appear, we shall be like him, 1 Joh. 3.2. Rom. 8.17. Col. 3.24. Heb. 9.15. Thus [Page 46] God hath sent forth his Son, that we might receive the adoption of sons, Gal. 4.4, 5, 6. Ephes 3 15. & 1.5.

Q. Then you believe that God is the father of Christ by eternal generation; of all creatures, by creation and preservation; and of all Chri­stians, by adoption and regeneration. What do you mean when you say, I believe in God the Father Almighty?

A. I mean, 1. That God hath Domini­on over all things. Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, which is, and is to come. Alleluiah, for the Lord God Om­nipotent reigneth Rev. 4 8. & 19.6. Luk. 12.5. Act. 17. Jude 25. 1 Tim. 6.15. Thine, O Lord, is the greatness and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and the earth is thine. Thine is the Kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all: both riches and ho­nour come of thee, and thou reignest over all.

Q What is the nature of Gods Authori­ty?

A. 1. He hath power to make all things as pleaseth him.

2. He hath power to possess and use all things so made and framed by him.

3. He hath power to dispose of all things [Page 47] he so possesseth according to his own plea­sure.

Q. What manner of power hath he over things?

A. 1. He hath an universal power exten­ding to all things.

2. He hath an absolute power: Behold, as the clay is in the hand of the potter, so are ye in my hands, saith the Lord Almighty, Jer. 18.6. Rom. 9.21.

3. He hath an eternal power: 1 Tim. 1.15. Psal. 145.13. Thy kingdome is an ever­lasting kingdome, and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations.

Q. Do you mean any more when you say, I believe in God the Father Almighty, then that you believe that God hath all Authority in heaven and earth?

A. Yes: I mean that he hath not onely an outward power to command others to work, but an inward power to work all things himself; which I learn from Christ, who saith, With God all things are possible, Mat. 10 27. and from an Angel, who saith, That with God nothing shall be impossible.

Q How many ways is God thus Omnipo­tent?

A. Three ways.

Q. Which be they?

A. 1. I believe God is Omnipotent, be­cause all power comes from him.

2. I believe he is Omnipotent, because none can resist his power. The Lord of hosts hath purposed, and who can disanul it? His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back? Isai. 14.27. Dan 4.35. 2 Chron. 20.6.

3. I believe that God is Almighty, be­cause, as Job saith, I know he can do every thing, Job 42.1, 2. that becomes him to do.

Q. Thou, even thou art Lord alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, and thou preservest them all, Neh. 9.6. So if at any time by an evil heart of un­belief, I should doubt and stagger in any condi­tion, I may remember he is able to help, Rom. 4.21. & 9.21.

Preston and Larkin of the Attributes of God, Zanchy de tribus Elohim, and the common places of God.

SUNDAY V. The first Article of our Faith, or God Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth.

Q. WHat do you mean when you say, I be­lieve in God the Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth?

A. I mean that I believe in God the Fa­ther Almighty, Maker of all things visible and invisible; who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, Exod. 22.11. I believe with St. Paul, that God made the worlds, and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, and dwelleth not in temples made with hands, Act. 17.24. See John 1.3, 10. Col. 1.16.

Q Are you sure that all things were made by God?

A. Whatsoever is not made, is God; whatsoever is made, is of God, of whom are all things.

Q. When a man sees a fair building, and none near, he concludeth that some work-men [Page 50] have been there; for every house is builded by some man, Heb. 3.4. So when we look upon the great house of the world, upon the earth that hangeth upon nothing, the foun­dation, the glorious heaven the roof, we ac­knowledge a great Master-builder hath been here; and he who built all things is God. How were they made?

A. By creation out of nothing. I beseech thee, my Son, saith the Jewish Church, look upon the heaven and the earth, and all that is therein, and consider that God made them of things that are not, 2 Mac. 7.18. He calleth things that are not, as though they were. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God; so that things which are seen, were not made of things that do appear, Heb. 11.3.

Q. What is the last thing you consider in this Article?

A. That I believe in God the Father Al­mighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and all things therein, Gen. 1. Psal. 33.6, 9. Psal. 8.19. Psal. 121.2. Psal. 124 8. Job 38. And I believe that as he made all things, he pre­serves and upholds them by his power, he cares for them by his providence, he or­ders, guides, and disposeth of them by his wisdome.

Q. What moved God to make the world?

A. His own infinite goodness (he was good, and he did good) and pleasure: Thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created, Rev. 14.11.

Q. To what end did he make the world?

A. To make manifest that glory which he had in himself before the world was made.

Qu. To us therefore, beloved, there is but one God, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him, 1 Cor. 8.9. How do you know you believe in God aright?

A. I believe in God aright, 1 When I embrace his testimony with full assurance of Faith. 2. When I can relie on his all-suf­ficiency in an holy life, which hath the pro­mise of this life, and of that which is to come. 3. When I fear and worship him in spirit and in truth, and walk humbly with him: when I worship the Lord my God, and him one­ly do I serve.

Q. When doth a man believe aright that God is a father?

A. 1. When he gives him that filial fear, honour and reverence that is due unto him. A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour, saith the Lord of hosts? Mal. 8.6. [Page 52] Whosoever (saith our Saviour) doth the will of my father which is in heaven, the same is my brother.

2. When he relies upon him as a father: Your Father knoweth how to give you good things, Mat. 7.8, 9, 10.

3. He believes God a Father, when he can with patience bear all Gods dealings with him. We have had fathers of our flesh, which corrected us, and we gave them reve­rence; shall we not much rather be in subjecti­on unto the Father of spirits, and live? Espe­cially considering, that they chastened us for their own pleasure, but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness, Heb. 12.9, 10. Deut. 8.5.

4. He looks upon God as his Father, who endeavours to imitate him, and be like him in actions and affections; who obeys St. Pauls exhortation, Eph. 5.1. Be ye followers of God as dear children. As he who hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation, 1 Pet. 1.15. Lev. 19.2.

5. He believes God a Father, who draws near to him through Jesus Christ; endea­vouring through him to have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

Qu. How may I discern that I have true faith in God as Almighty?

A. A man may discern that he hath true faith in God as Almighty, 1. By an awful reverence of his Majesty, and Universal O­bedience to his will. 2. By patience and meekness under all his dealings: I was dumb, and opened not my mouth, because thou didst it, Psal. 39.9. 3. By a tender sence of those blessings which the Lord of his sove­raign mercy hath bestowed upon us.

Q. It's true, this is a signe a man owns the Soveraignty of God over us: But how shall a man know he truly believes the infinite power of God in himself?

A. 1. When he fears him: I will fore­warn you whom you must fear; fear him which after he hath killed, hath power to cast into hell: I say unto you, Fear him, Jam. 4.12. Luk. 12.5.

2. When he can trust him: Abraham believeth this aright, when he staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strong in faith, giving glory to God, and be­ing fully perswaded, that what he had promi­sed, he was also able to perform, Rom. 4.20, 21.

3. When he can with hope draw near to him, to make his request known unto him, who is able to do exceeding abundantly above what we can ask or think, according to the power [Page 54] that worketh in us, Ephes. 3.20.

Q. What should your faith in God the Fa­ther Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth, work in you?

A. 1. A belief of God that cannot lye, Numb. 23.19. 2. A worship and kneeling before the Lord our Maker, Psal. 95.6. A fear, love, reverence, honour and obedience to our Father, Mal. 1.6. A trust in the Almighty, Mark 10.27. Mat. 6.25, 26. and prayer and thanksgiving to him that created all things, for whose pleasure they were and are created, Rev. 4.11.

Q Who is he that lives as one that belie­veth God the Maker of Heaven and Earth?

A. 1. He lives so, that makes use of all things in heaven and earth to lead him to the God that made them; and takes occa­sion from what he seeth made, to declare the glory of him that made them, Psal. 148.2, 3, 4, 5. Rom. 11.36. Neh. 9.5, 6. Psal. 104.31. Rev. 4.10, 11. Psal. 143.10, 11.

2. He, that considering the creation of God, the heaven and the earth which he made, humbles himself, and saith, O what is man!

3. He that can say, Thy hands have made [Page 55] me, and fashioned me: O therefore give me understanding, that I may keep thy Law, Psal. 119.73. Thou hast made me, I will serve thee.

4. He that can establish his heart in hope in the Lord his God, who made heaven and earth, and all things therein, Psal. 146.5, 6.

Minister. So you do truly profess, really believe, are fully perswaded that there is one true God in Christ, the Father of us all, who hath all power in heaven and earth; and that heaven and earth, and all things there­in, are not of themselves, but were made in the beginning out of nothing, by God, out of his goodness, for his glory: and thus you believe in God Almighty, Maker of Hea­ven and Earth.

Zanchy de oper. 6 dierum; Gouge's Extent of Gods Providence; Dr. Pearson on the Creed.

SUNDAY VI. The second Article of the Creed, or Faith in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Q. WHat is the second Article of your Be­lief?

A. And in Iesus Christ our Lord.

Q. If ye believe in the Father, believe al­so in me, saith our Saviour, John 14.1. But what do you mean when you say, You believe in Iesus?

A. I mean that I own, embrace, and re­lie upon the Saviour of the world, knowing that there is not salvation in any other: for there is no other name whereby we may be sa­ved, but the name Christ Jesus, Act. 4.12.

Q. How is Christ a Saviour?

A. 1. He is a Saviour, in that he hath opened the way of salvation to the world, Ephes. 2.17. John 1.18. 2 Tim. 1.10.

2. He is a Saviour, in that he procured salvation: God sen [...] his Son into the world, that the world through him might be saved, Joh. 3.17. Rom. 5.10.

[Page 57]3. He is a Saviour, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for us, to SAVE to the ut­termost all those that come unto him, Heb. 8.25.

Q. What need had we of a Saviour?

A. Being fallen from our first state of in­nocence and happiness, to a state of sin and misery, it pleased God to send his Son to restore us to our first state; 1. by procu­ring pardon for our sins; 2. by procuring grace for our natures; 3. by procuring us a state of reconciliation here; and, 4. by pro­curing us a state of bliss hereafter.

Q. How doth Christ save us?

A. He saves us from sins past, by his blood justifying of us, 1 Pet. 1 18, 19. 2. He saves us from sins to come, by grace sanctifying us. 3. He saves us from all evil, by inter­ceding for us.

Q Whereas you cannot with comfort be­lieve in God the Father without the Mediator between God and man, who of two might make one, and so make peace; What is true faith in Christ?

A. It is a saving grace, whereby we ac­cept of Christ for our Lord and Saviour, and rest in him alone for salvation, Ephes. 1.12, 13. Rom. 15.12. Tit. 1.1, 2.

Q. How doth it appear that you believe in Jesus?

A. By my love to him, my hatred to sin, and resolution to amend my life according to his holy will and word, seeing he redee­med me from all iniquity, to purifie me as peculiar to himself, one zealous of good works.

Q. What duties should our belief in Jesus stir us up to?

A. 1. It should stir us up to make our peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, the onely Mediator between God and man; God's well-beloved Son, in whom he is well pleased. For by him God is wil­ling to reconcile all things to himself, whether they be things in heaven, or things in earth.

2. It should kindle our love to Christ, who loved us to the death. Greater love hath no man then this, that a man should lay down his life for his friends: but while we were sinners, Christ died for us, Rom. 5.8. John 15.13. If any man love not the Lord Je­sus Christ, let him be Anathema Marana­tha.

And thirdly, as a token of love to him, we are to give up our selves to him, to o­bey him, 1 John 5.3. John 14.15. Phil. 3 8.

Q. What do you mean when you say you be­lieve in Christ?

A. I mean that I believe in our Saviour, who was anointed and sealed King, Priest, and Prophet: A King to govern the world, a Priest to offer himself a sacrifice for the world, and a Prophet to teach the world the good, the perfect, and acceptable will of God.

Q What did our Saviour as a Prophet?

A. When no man had seen God at any time, the onely begotten Son of God, who was in the bosome of the Father, he hath de­clared him, and the whole counsel of his will.

Qu. How?

A. By himself first, opening the Law, and publishing the Gospel, leading us to all truth; and then by his Spirit; and thirdly, to this day by Apostles, Prophets, Pastors and Teachers, ordained by him, John 6.4. Heb. 1.3. Col. 2.3. 2 Cor. 3.3. Luk. 4.18. Mat. 5.3. Ephes. 4.11.

Q. How may we believe aright in Christ as a Prophet?

A. By hearing and embracing his Do­ctrine, and receiving his Word with the o­bedience of faith. We must with Mary, sit at Jesus feet, and hear his Word, and yeild to the good motions of his Spirit.

Q. What did our Saviour as a Priest?

A. 1. He hath given himself an offering for us, and his soul an offering for sin, and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling sa­vour, Ephes. 5.20. 2. He removes our guilt, Heb. 9.7, 26. 3. He makes atonement for us, 1 John 2.2. 4. He blesseth us, Act. 3.26. And 5. prayeth for us, Joh. 17. So that poor sinners may say, Who is he that condemneth? it is Christ that died, or rather that is risen again, and sitteth on the right hand of God, making intercession for us, Rom. 8.34.

Qu. How ought we to believe in Christ as Priest?

A. 1. Having an High-priest over the House of God, we ought to draw near with a true heart, in full assurance of faith, Heb. 10.19, 20, 21, 22.

2. We ought to believe that Christ of­fered himself for us, so as to offer our selves unto him, which is but our reasonable ser­vice, Rom. 12 1. 1 Cor. 6.20.

Q. What doth our Saviour as a King?

A. The government of the world is up­on his shoulders.

Q. How doth he govern the world?

A. 1. By restraining, condemning, and destroying his enemies, especially confoun­ding Satan.

[Page 61]2. By protecting his people, and encou­raging them here and hereafter.

3. By ruling his people.

Q. How doth Christ rule his people?

A. By delivering them a Law by which they may walk, and by giving them grace whereby they may walk in that Law. Or he as a King ordereth all things with power to our salvation, Psal. 2.6. Dan. 2.44. As, 1. He rules our hearts by his grace, Heb. 8.10. Jer. 31.33. 2. He subdueth Satan and sin, Heb. 2.14. 3. Guardeth us through all temptations to heaven, Ephes. 1. 21, 22. 4. Having an universal power in all Ages, o­ver all creatures, in all things.

Q. How ought we to believe in Christ as King?

A. We are to believe in him, so as to re­lie upon him because of his great power; and to obey him unto well-pleasing, because of his authority.

Q. How doth it appear you believe all these Offices of Christ?

A. First, by my faith in his Word pub­lished by himself, preached by his servants, and imprinted on my heart by his Spirit, it appears I believe in him as Prophet.

Secondly, 1. by my obedience to his Commands; 2. my trust in his protection; [Page 62] 3. my opposing his enemies; 4. my reve­rence to his person; 5. trembling at his threats and judgements, it appears I believe in him as King.

Thirdly, 1. By praying to him to inter­cede for pardon and grace; 2. by receiving his grace with humble heart, as the great­est blessing in the world, and using the grace bestowed on me in a life consecrated to him who offered himself, it appears that I be­lieve in him as Priest.

Minister. In a word, we are so to believe in Christ, as that every one of us that nameth the Name Christ, may depart from iniqui­ty, we having the Anointing from the holy One, and the Anointing which we have re­ceived from him abideth in us, 1 John 2.20, 27. 2 Tim. 2.19.

Reynold's on Psal. 110. Found's Trisagi­on, Dr. Pearson on the Creed.

SUNDAY VII. The second Article of our Creed, or Faith in Jesus Christ his onely Son our Lord.

Q. IN the second Article of your faith, you say, You believe in Jesus Christ Gods onely begotten Son, how is Christ the one­ly begotten Son of God?

A. He is the only Son of God, 1. By E­ternal Generation, Col. 1.15, 16, 17. John 1.1, 2, 3. Heb. 1.5. co-eternal, co-equal with the Father. 2. by his Incarnation in the Virgins Womb, when the power of the High­est overshadowed her. 3. By his Resurrecti­on, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee, Psal. 2. Act. 13.33. Heb. 1.3, 4, 5. To which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? Heb. 1.

Q. What benefit have we by believing Christ the onely Son of God?

A. We are thereby sure to be ac­cepted with God through his onely begot­ten [Page 64] Son Jesus Christ, who offered himself for us by the Eternal Spirit.

Q. What duty do we learn hereby?

A. Hereby we are taught to worship Christ as God, ascribing blessing, honour, glo­ry and power unto him that sits upon throne, and the Lamb for evermore.

Minister. Indeed when the Scripture bringeth the first begotten Son into the world, it saith, Let all the angels of God worship him, Heb. 1.6.

Q. But what other duty are we taught hereby?

A. We are taught hereby to live thank­fully all the days of our lives, for the infi­nite love of God in sending his onely be­gotten Son into the world to die for us.

Q. How doth it appear that you believe this?

A. By the comfort I have, 1. That my Saviour being God, is able to save me to the uttermost. 2. And being the well-be­loved Son, that I shall be accepted in him, Heb. 2.10. Ephes. 2.

Q. What do you mean when you call Jesus Christ our Lord?

A. I mean that I really believe that our Saviour Christ hath all things put in subje­ction under him, Heb. 2.7, 8.

Q. How is he a Lord?

A. 1. He is Lord by creation: Without him nothing was made that was made; and therefore there is nothing made but is un­der him.

2. By sustentation, Heb. 1.3. Col. 2.

3. He is Lord by appointment of the Fa­ther, Heb. 2.7, 8. Joh. 5.27. Joh. 13.3. Mat. 28.18. Psal. 110.7. Phil. 2.8, 9, 10, 11. Ephes. 1.20, 21.

4. He is Lord by redemption; We are bought with a price, and we are not our own, 1 Cor. 6.19, 26. And by covenant with us, 1 Cor. 15.25, 27.

5. By conquest, rescuing us from sin and Satan.

Q. Wherein doth his power appear?

A. 1. In making Laws, and writing them in our hearts. 2. In appointing Officers in his house. 3. In providing for his servants all things pertaining to life and godliness. 4. In protecting, correcting and rewarding us.

Q. How do you know that you truly believe this?

A. 1. When we submit to him humbly, 1. In accepting the punishment of our ini­quities: 2. In being contented with our al­lowance: 3. In obeying his will heartily, [Page 66] cheerfully, diligently, and constantly.

2. When we are sensible that we are not our own, and that we are bought with a price, we resolve to glorifie God with our bodies and souls, which are his.

3. When we can safely, using our honest endeavours, relie upon this Lord for salva­tion, for protection and deliverance from all the enemies of our peace, as upon one that is mighty to save.

4. When by believing him to be Lord of the world, we know that all things are ours, and we are Christs, and Christ is Gods.

Q What is it to believe this aright, viz. That Christ is our Lord?

A. 1. To believe it so, as to yeild our selves to him as our Lord, as servants to righ­teousness unto holiness, Rom. 6 6, 13.

2. To believe it so, as to live not to our selves, to die not to our selves; but whether we live or die, we may be our Lords, Rom. 14.7, 8

3. To believe it so as to bring every thought to an obedience to Christ our Lord, who is be­come the Author of eternal salvation to them that Obey. Heb. 5.8, 9. 2 Cor. 10.5.

4. To believe it so, as to comfort our selves in this, The Lord of all will make all things work together for the best to them that love God.

Minister. You say then, that you assent to this as a great truth, That Jesus Christ, the promised Messiah, is come into the world, and was anoynted by the Spirit of God, 1. A Prophet, to reveal Gods Will to us: 2. A Priest, to offer himself a sacrifice, and to make atonement for us: 3. And that he is a King, sitting at the right hand of God, far above all Principalities and Powers; whereby when he hath subdued all our enemies, he will confer perfect and eternal happiness upon us. And you do really profess, that you are fully as­sured of this, as a most certain, infallible, and necessary truth, viz. That our Saviour is the true, proper, and natural Son of God, God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God. And you do assent to this as a cer­tain and infallible truth taught by God him­self, That Jesus Christ, the onely Son of God, hath Dominion over all things for the destruction of our enemies, and compleating of our redemption. And that he is especially Lord over ƲS, 1. whom he hath purchased and res­cued; 2. who are by faith consecrated to his service; who have yeilded our selves to him in Baptism, For whom he hath taken care that we should be the sons of God here, and that we should have heavenly Mansions hereafter. [Page 68] And thus as you believed in God the Fa­ther Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth; so you believe in his onely Son Iesus Christ our Lord.

Dr. Pearson on the Creed, Heylin on the Creed, Bishop Nicholson ib. Zanchy de Elohim, Christs Soveraignty, Jeanes Scholastical Divinity, Bishop Reynolds on Psal. 110.

SUNDAY VIII. The third Article of our Faith.

Q. WHat is the third Article of your Be­lief?

A. Which was conceived by the holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary.

Q. What do you mean when you say, I be­lieve in him who was conceived of the ho­ly Ghost? &c.

A. I am verily perswaded that he who was begotten of the Father before all worlds, was now in the fulness of time conceived by the holy Ghost, and born of the Virgin Mary: For as much as the children were partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself took part of the same, Heb. 2.14.

Q. Why was he made flesh?

A. That we who are sinful flesh, might be saved by him, he becoming sin for us, and we the righteousness of God in him; therefore it behoved him to be like his brethren, Heb. 2.17. And the Mediator between God and man, must be the man Christ Jesus, 1 Tim. [Page 70] 2.5. Since by man came death, by man also came the resurrection of the dead, 1 Cor. 15.31.

Q Our Nature sinned, our Nature must suffer: but because our Nature which is fi­nite, could not satisfie the infinite justice of God, it was joyned to the Divine Nature; so that our Saviour, who was of the fathers, ac­cording to the flesh, was God over all, blessed for ever. How is Christ said to be conceaved by the holy Ghost?

A. The Father willed his Incarnation, the Son consented to it, and the Spirit wor­keth it. Christ being not capable of redee­ming our Nature but in our Nature, he had a body prepared for him by the holy Ghost, who separated the same body from sin, and united it to his Divine Nature, Luk. 1.34, 35. Joh. 1.14. Heb. 7.26. & 4.15.

Q What is the benefit you receive by this Article?

A. 1. I hope that the Father hath made him sin for me who knew no sin, that I who knew sin might become the righteousness of God in him, 2 Cor. 5.21.

2. I hope that as his Nature was holy, harmless, undefiled, and separated from sin­ners; so our Nature will be presented by him to the Father without spot and blame­less.

[Page 71]3. Under my infirmities, I hope I have a faithful and a merciful high priest, who being touched with the feeling of our infirmities, in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour us being tempted, Heb. 2.17, 18. & 4.15, 16.

Q. What do you learn from this part of this Article?

A. 1. I learn first thankfulness, in that the kindness and love of God towards man appeared, in not taking the Nature of the fallen Angels, but the seed of Abraham, Heb. 2.16. Tit. 3 4. Luk. 1.78.

2. I learn purity, that I in my Nature should be holy, as he in his Nature is holy; that as he was not conceived by man, but by the holy Ghost, so we ought to be born again not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God; the same overshadowing power which for­med his nature, reforming ours: He which was born for us upon his Incarnation, ought to be born in us by Regeneration.

Minister. So then you assent unto this as a most necessary and certain truth, That the onely begotten Son of God, very God of ve­ry God, was conceived and born, and so made man, taking to himself the Humane Nature, consisting of a soul and body, and joyning it to [Page 72] the Divine Nature in the unity of his person. And you are fully assured, That our Saviour thus made flesh, was really and truly conceived in the womb of a Virgin by the singular, power­ful, invisible, and immediate operation of the holy Ghost; whereby a Virgin was beyond the Law of Nature enabled to conceive, and that which was conceived in her, was originally and compleatly holy. And thus you profess to believe in Iesus Christ, which was con­ceived of the holy Ghost.

Q What do you understand when you say in the last part of the third Article, That as our Saviour was conceived by the holy Ghost, so he was born of the Virgin Mary?

A. I understand that my faith is confir­med, in that I see the Prophecies fulfilled, viz. That that the Lord hath created a new thing in the earth, a woman shall compass a man, Jer. 31.32. Behold, a Virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel, Isai. 7.14.

Q. Do you think that Mary was an unspot­ted Virgin?

A. Yes; and I think of her as of the Gate of the Sanctuary, in Ezek. 44.2 This gate shall be shut, it shall not be opened, and no man shall enter in by it: because the Lord the [Page 73] God of Israel hath entred in by it, therefore it shall be shut.

Q. What is the benefit of Christs conception and Nativity?

A. 1. That our Natures which are pol­luted with sin, might be cleared from Ori­ginal corruption, He was conceived by the holy Ghost, and filled with grace and truth, Luk. 1.35.

2 That our Natures might be redeemed by the seed of the woman, he took the Vir­gins flesh, Gen. 3.17.

Q. How became the Virgin Mary a Mo­ther?

A. 1. By conceiving, 2. by nourishing and encreasing, and 3. by bringing forth the Saviour of the world.

Qu. What do you learn from this part of the Article?

A. 1. I learn humility from him who be­ing equal with God, yet humbled himself to be like us.

2. I learn a boldness of access unto the throne of grace, (through him who is our brother) that I may obtain mercy and grace to help in time of need, Heb. 4. ult.

3. I learn this comfort, That as God saw Adam, and all mankinde that were in him, sinful; so he seeth Jesus Christ, and all that [Page 74] are in him, without sin, and blameless.

4 I learn this truth, That Christ, ac­cording to the Prophecie that went before of him, was of the house of David, be­cause he was born of Mary, who was of that house.

Minister. So then you assent to this as a certain truth, That there was a certain wo­man known by the name of the Virgin Mary; a pure and unspotted Virgin, who did by the immediate operation of the holy Ghost, con­ceive within her womb the onely begotten Son of God; and after the natural time of other women, brought him forth as her first-born: whereby the Saviour of the world was born of a woman under the Law, to redeem them that were under the Law, without any Original corruption, that he might deliver us from the guilt and stain of sin: Born of that Virgin which was of the house of David, that he might sit upon his throne, and rule for ever­more. And on this manner you believe in Jesus Christ, born of the Virgin Mary.

Q. How will the knowledge of these things work in the heart of him whom God will save?

A. It will bring him to a serious conside­ration of his own state, to grieve for sin, [Page 75] and the fear of Gods displeasure, whereby the heart is first broken and humbled, and secondly, resteth upon Christ alone for sal­vation, according to the free promise of God by faith inwardly wrought by the Spi­rit, and outwardly by the Word and Sacra­ment, Jer. 8 67. Luk. 15.17. Act. 3.37. & 9.6. & 16.31. Rom. 4.20. Heb. 11.11. Act. 16.14. Rom. 10.14. Heb. 5.11, 12. & 6 1.

Q. What did our Saviour between the times of his birth and death?

A. He led a most holy and good life for our imitation, that we might do as we have him for an example, God having predesti­nated us to be conformable to the image of his Son, Rom. 8 29. that as we have born the i­mage of the earthy, so we may bear the image of the heavenly, 1 Cor. 15.49. What he taught in his precepts, he shewed us in his life.

Minister. The Lord grant that since his image is imprinted in our Nature by crea­tion, so also we may shew it in all the parts of an holy life, conforming our will and af­fections to his holy precepts, submitting our understandings to his Rules and Lessons of perfection: imitating his sweetness and ex­cellency of society, his patience and charity, his devotion and holiness, his conformity to [Page 76] God, his zeal and meekness, his bounty and goodness; that our hearts, hands and eyes, all the parts and faculties of soul and body, may grow up with the encrease of God, till we come to the full measure of the stature of Christ, even to a perfect man in Christ Jesus; that at last in his light we may see light, and reap the fruits of glory from the seeds of holiness, in the imitation of his holy life.

Q. In what particulars ought we chiefly to imitate Christ?

A. 1. In self-denial, 2. in obedience, 3. in growth and proficiency: for he 1. re­signed himself unto God, 2. obeyed him unto the death, and 3. grew in wisdome and favour with God and man.

Bishop Andrew's, Dr. Donne's, and Bishop Lake's Sermons, and Jeans his Scho­lastical Divinity.

SUNDAY IX. The fourth Article of the Creed.

Q. WHat is the fourth Article of your Be­lief?

A. That our Saviour Jesus Christ was not onely born for us, and lived among us a most holy life, by his Doctrine and Ex­ample leading us in the way to heaven; but that he suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried: which is the second step of his humiliation.

Q. What did our Saviour suffer for us?

A. The whole wrath of God due to our sins, which we should have suffered: 1. In his body, hunger, thirst, weariness, reproaches, griefs, sorrows, and temptations: 2. In his soul, the displeasure of God; and who knoweth the power of his anger? Isai. 53. 4, 10. Mat. 26 38, 39. Rev. 19.15. 1 Pet. 2.4. Jer. 1.12. Phil. 2.8.

Q. What moved him thus to suffer?

A. His own goodness, love, and our mi­sery, Joh. 3.19. Ephes. 1.5. Tit. 3.5.

Q. Wh [...]t are the benefits of his suffering?

A. That by his stripes we might be hea­led, Isai. 53.5. Heb. 9.14. & 26.28. Col. 2.14. Heb. 10.2, 4. 1. That we might ob­tain remission of sin, Rev. 1.5. Col. 2.13. 2. That we might escape punishment. 3. That we might be delivered from the power of sin and Satan. 4. That we might be reconciled to God, Rom. 5.10. 5. And redeemed from our vain conversation, 1 Pet. 1.18. and by his blood have entrance to heaven, Heb 10.19, 20.

Q. Ʋnder whom did he suffer?

A. Under Pontius Pilate, Deputy un­der Tiberius, the Scepter being departed from Judah, now Shiloh, i. e. Christ, was come, Gen. 29.10. Joh. 18.31. (the Son of God submits to lawful power) who bore witness afterwards of Christs innocence.

Q. What did he suffer under him?

A. Death, the dissolution of his soul from his body: death is the wages of sin, which was threatned upon us: If thou eatest thereof, thou shalt die, 2 Cor. 5.14.

Q. What kinde of death did he die?

A. Because he was to remove the curse from us, therefore he was made a curse for us, and so was Crucified, Gal. 3.13. Deut. 31.23. and to fulfil Prophecies and Types, Psal. 22.17, 18, 19. Exod. 12.46. Joh. 19. [Page 79] 36, 37. Lev. 7.4, 20. & 1.8.

Q. What became of him after death?

A. That he might sweeten the grave to us, and be both God of the dead and of the living, Mat. 12.41. Rom. 14.9. 1 Cor. 15 55. He was buried, and descended into Hell; that is, he continued under the power of death three days, Psal. 16.10. Act. 2.27, 31. Act. 13.34, 35. Jonah 1.17. Mat. 12.39. Gen. 39.20. 1 Sam. 24.4. Isai. 63.9.

Q. How do you know you believe aright this Article?

A. 1. I know I believe aright in his Death, when I die to sin for which he died, Rom. 6.6. Col. 2 7. When I suffer with him, and am ready to make his patience, humi­lity, innocency and charity in dying for me, my pattern in suffering for him, Heb. 12.1, 2. Rom. 8.18. When I love, admire, and thank him for it; and upon the accusation of Satan or mine own conscience, am com­forted by his death for me, Rom. 6.2. and not wallow in sin, to crucifie again the Lord of glory, Heb. 6.6.

2. I believe that he suffered under Pon­tius Pilate, when like him I am ready to submit to every ordinance of man for the Lords sake, Mat. 26.53, 54.

[Page 80]3. And that He was dead and buried, and descended into Hell, when I am not disheartned by death, or the grave, which are by him sanctified, the one for a bed to rest from our labours, the other for an en­trance to a better life, Rev. 1.18. Act. 2.36.

Q. How do you understand that Christ de­scended into Hell?

A. I understand he descended thither, 1. by his power, efficaciously; 2. by his sacrifice, meritoriously; and 3. by his Soul descending to the invi­sibleCalled [...], or Hell. state of the dead.

Bishop Nicholson, Dr. Pearson on the Creed, Bishop Andrew's Passion-Ser­mons, Bishop Bilson of Christ's Descent into Hell.

SUNDAY X. The fifth Article of our Creed.

Q. WHat is the fifth Article of your Be­lief?

A. That our Saviour Jesus Christ rose again the third day; as Angels witness, A­postles testifie, Enemies confess, and Mira­cles convince, Mat. 28. Mark 16. Heb. 2.4. It being impossible for him to be holden of death, Act. 2.24. Act. 1.3. Luk. 24.3, 6. Joh. 20.27. Mat. 12.39.

Q. What need had he to rise again?

A. 1. For our justification, Rom. 4 25. If he had layn under the power of death, we had been under the power of sin, 1 Cor. 15.17. 1 Pet. 1.19. and we had not been as­sured that our great debt had been dischar­ged, and the Spirit could never have con­vinced the world of righteousness.

2. For our sanctification, to apply effe­ctually unto us the power of his death, 1 Cor. 15.16, 54. Rom. 4.25. Rev. 1.18.

Q. When did he rise?

A. Neither sooner nor later then the third day, to confirm his Disciples and our Faith in the Type, Mat. 12.39. and Pro­mise: So shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth, 1 Cor. 15.4. Hos. 6.2.

Q. What is the difference between the Re­surrection of Christ, and the Resurrection of those that rise before him?

A. He is the first-born among many Bre­thren: He rose by his own power, Joh. 10.17, 18. they by him: they as private per­sons, he as the first-fruits of them that sleep, 1 Cor. 15.20.

Q. What are the benefits of his Resurre­ction?

A. 1. Thereby he was declared to be the Son of God with power, Rom. 1.4.

2. He gives us hope of our Resurrecti­on, Rom. 6.4. & 8.11. Col. 1.1. Eph. 2.1, 6.

Q. How shall a man know that he believes Christs Resurrection aright?

A. When he doth so believe it, as to rise from sin to a new life, as he did from the grave, Rom. 6.4. Eph. 5.14. Col. 3.1. 2 Cor. 5.15. and that as he did, 1. speedily, Heb. 4.7. 2. perfectly, 3. with a resolution to die no more in sin, as Christ being raised from [Page 83] the dead, dies no more, Rom. 6.9, 11. Like­wise reckon ye also, &c.

See the aforesaid Authors, Jeans Scho­lastical Divinity, Reynolds on Psal. 110.

SUNDAY XI. The sixth Article of our Creed.

Q. WHat is the sixth Article of your Be­lief?

A. That He ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Fa­ther Almighty.

Q. How many things be there in this Ar­ticle?

A. 1. Christs Ascention foretold, Psal. 68 18. performed, Act 1.

2. His sitting at the right hand of God, foretold, Psal. 110.1. revealed, Act. 7.5, 6.

Q. When did Christ ascend?

A. After he had conversed with his Dis­ciples forty days to confirm them in the [Page 84] truth of his Resurrection, and to instruct them in their future administration, he ascended by his own power, visibly, in a cloud to heaven, Act. 1.11. Luk. 24.51. Ephes. 4.10.

Q. What are the benefits of his Ascenti­on?

A. 1. The honour of his Name, Person and Power, Psal. 110. Mat. 28.18. Phil. 2.9.

2. A power to save us to the uttermost, Heb. 7.25. 1. by interceding for us, 1 Joh. 2.2. 2. by sending us the holy Ghost, Joh. 16.7. Ephes. 4.12. 3. by protecting us from heaven, Ephes. 4.8.

3. Exaltation of our Nature, Heb 1.5.

4. A preparation of Mansions for us, John 14.34. Joh. 17.24.

5. An assurance to us, that he is accepted of God for us, Joh. 16.10. & 17.4, 5. God welcoming him to heaven with a Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy foot-stool, Heb. 1.3, 9, 13.

6. The last benefit is, an assurance un [...]o us, that seeing Christ is entred into heaven to take possession for us, therefore he will bring us thither in his appointed time, Joh. 12.26. & 17.24. Heb. 6.20.

Q. How do you know that you believe [Page 85] Christs Ascention aright?

A. When by that faith I ascend after him, having my conversation in heaven, be­ing heavenly minded, and setting my affe­ctions on things above, Col. 3.1. Phil. 3.20. Ephes. 2.19.

Qu. Where is our Saviour now?

A. In heaven, at Gods right hand, in great glory and power, Act. 7.56.

Q. What do you mean by Gods right hand?

A. The honour and power which Christ received of his Father when he finished the work of Redemption, Heb. 1.13. Eph. 1.20, 22. 1 Cor. 15.24, 25. The right hand is given to those we honour, 1 King. 2.19. Ephes. 1.20.

Q. What honour is it to be at Gods right hand?

A. 1. To be King of Saints, 2. Judge of Sinners, 3. Prince of our Salvation, 4. High-priest of our Profession, Heb. 8.1. Act. 5.11, 17, 31. Rev. 15.3.

Q. What doth Christ do there?

A. 1. He makes intercession for us, i. e. he presents our prayers, and pleads his me­rits for our acceptance, Heb. 7.25. & 9.24 Rom. 8.34.

2. He sends grace from himself the head, [Page 86] to us his members, Ephes. 1.20.

3. He gathers, preserves, governs, de­fends all his members until they come where he is, Mat. 25.33. Rev. 1.21.

Q. When do you believe aright that Christ sits at the right hand of God?

A. When my faith in that Article makes me,

1. Submit to Christs Power, Commands, Institutions, and to all that rule under him, Joh. 5.23.

2. Offer up Petitions by him, and de­pend upon his Intercession.

3. To look to him in all temptations and pressures, expecting help from his right hand.

4. To be afraid of opposing him, seeing we must submit either to his will, or to his wrath. Kiss the Son lest he angry, and his wrath be kindled but a little: blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

Bishop Reynolds on Psal 110. Jeans Scho­lastical Divinity, and the foresaid Au­thors on the Creed.

SUNDAY XII. The seventh Article of our Creed.

Q. SHall Christ sit always at Gods right hand? and shall this world never have an end?

A. He shall sit there till the time of the restitution of all things, and then he shall come and judge the world, 2 Pet. 3.10, 11. 2 Tim. 4.1. Mat. 26.64. For the seventh Article of my Belief is this, From thence he shall come to judge both quick and dead.

Q. By his Passion he redeemed us, by his Ascention he becomes our Advocate and Pa­tron, and in this he is appointed to be our Judge: Whom shall he judge?

A. The quick, i. e. all those righteous and wicked that shall be found alive at the last day: And the dead, i. e. all that have departed this life from the beginning of the world to this day, 1 Cor. 15.51. 1 Thes. 4.17. Rev. 20 12. Joh. 5.28.

Q. Whereof shall we be judged?

A. Of all the things done in the body, ac­cording [Page 88] to what we have done, whether it be good, or whether it be evil: for God will bring every work to judgement, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be e­vil, 2 Cor. 5.10. Rom. 2.5, 6, 12, 16. 1 Cor. 4.5. Eccles. 12.14.

Q. How shall he judge us?

A. Our own hearts shall accuse or excuse us, and he is greater then our hearts, and knoweth all things. The whole world shall bear witness of us, his Word shall try us, and he himself shall sentence us, Act. 17.31. Joh. 5.22, 27. 1 Joh. 3.20, 21. Rev. 20.11, 12, 13, 14, 15.

Q. When shall he judge us?

A. 1. He judgeth every one immedi­ately upon his death, when the soul depar­ted is set at Gods Tribunal to give account for all thoughts, words and actions, Rev. 14.13. Eccles. 12.7. 2 Cor. 5.8. Phil. 1.23.

2. He judgeth all in general when the souls are joyned to the bodies at the last day, Mat. 25. 2 Tim. 4.1. Jude 14. Dan. 12.10.

Q. Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the Creation.

A. Reason doth convince, Conscience doth testifie, the Scripture doth teach, the Devils confess, and the great day will shew there is a Judgement, when the Lord shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the Archangel, and the trump of God, 1 Thes. 4.16.

Q. What need is there of a general Judge­ment?

A. It is necessary,

1. For the honour of Christ, that the world may see Christ whom they have pierced, abused and slighted, and mourn, Zach. 12.10.

2. It is necessary for the discovery of the justice and wisdome of God in governing the world, Psal. 58. ult.

3. It is necessary to discover many things which are now hid and secret, Jer. 17.9. 1 Cor. 3.14. Luk. 8.17.

4. It is necessary, that the body may re­ceive its reward as well as the soul: for our Saviour will raise these bodies, which being joyned to their souls, shall receive their Doom; and in the open view of God, men and Angels, they that have done good shall go into everlasting bliss, and those that have done evil to everlasting pain, Mat. 25.46. Dan. 12.2. 1 Cor. 5.

[Page 90]5. It is necessary, that they who by their good examples have done good, and by their bad examples have done evil, after their death should receive their reward.

Q. When shall this be?

A. It's uncertain; therefore we should watch, that we may be always ready, Mat. 24. from v. 36, to the last.

Q. What sentence shall pass upon those that love, fear, and obey God?

A. A pardon and absolution for Christs sake, Ephes. 5.23, 27.

Q. What on those that neither love, fear, nor obey him?

A. The Lord Jesus shall shew himself from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, rendring vengeance to those that know not God, and obey not his Gospel, 2 Thes. 1.7, 8, 9, 10. Rev. 6.16.

Q. What followeth upon the belief of this Article?

A. It makes us careful so to order our conversation aright, that we may be found of him in peace at that day, 2 Pet. 3.11, 14. 1 Pet. 1.17. 2 Cor. 5.9, 11, 12. Mat. 24.36.

Dr. Pearson, Dr. Nicholson, Dr. Heylin on the Creed, Jeans Scholastical Di­vinity, Reynolds on Psal. 110.

SUNDAY XIII. The eighth Article of our Creed.

Q. WHat use do you make of these Articles of your Belief concerning Christ, which you have answered to?

A. I therefore put my trust in the mer­cy of God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, for whatever con­cerns the good either of my body or soul, because of the merits of my Saviour Jesus Christ. I repent truly of my sins, which were the cause of his sufferings; and I obey his Doctrine, and follow his example as the way to heaven; and I seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God; and by perseve­rance in all good works, I wait for the co­ming of my Lord to Judgement.

Q. By whose assistance do you intend to perform all this?

A. By the assistance of Gods holy Spirit, Act. 2.4. & 16.6, 7. 1 Cor. 12.11. For the eighth Article of my Belief is this, I believe in God the holy Ghost.

Q. Having confessed your faith in God the Father, and God the Son, the confession of your faith in God the holy Ghost follows very well, because no man can call God Abba, Fa­ther, but by the holy Ghost; and no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the holy Ghost, Gal. 4 6. 1 Cor. 12.3.

Q. What do you mean when you say, I be­lieve in God the holy Ghost?

A. I mean that I am fully perswaded that all those things which in the Scripture are spoken either of the person, graces or gifts of the holy Ghost, are certainly true, and neces­sary to salvation; and therefore I commit my self to his tuition and direction.

Q. Is the holy Ghost a person in the Trini­ty, or a gift in us?

A. He is a person in the Trinity, equal, and of the same substance, 1 Cor. 1.13. 2 Cor. 13.13. Numb. 6.27. Heb. 9.12. 1 Cor. 2.10. Psal. 139.7. 1 Joh. 5.7. Joh. 15.26. & 16.15. & 14.26.

Qu. Seeing divine actions and titles are at­tributed to him, seeing we are baptized and blessed in his Name, no doubt but he is a per­son in the Trinity: but why do you call him holy?

A. Because he is holy,

1. In himself, and pure, 1 Pet. 1.15, 16. Luk. 1.35.

2. As Author of holiness and purity in us, Tit. 3.5.

Q. What are the works of the Spirit?

A. His gifts are first common, of Nature and Art, Exod. 31.3.

Or secondly, special, Illumination of our mind, giving us a new life, sanctifying, re­newing, strengthning, teaching us what we know not, 1 Tim. 5.22. putting us in mind of what we forgot, Joh. 14 26. stirring us up when we are dull, 2 Cor. 3 6. helping us in prayer, Rom. 8.26. relieving us in infir­mities, Joh. 14 16. comforting us in heavi­ness, Joh 16.7. sealing to the day of redem­ption, Ephes 4.30. and raising us again at the last day, Rom. 8.11.

Q. These are the excellent graces whereby the holy Ghost shapes the heart within, justifi­eth and sanctifieth a sinner, clears the consci­ence toward God, and setleth a welcome peace: from whence he is called an Advocate, a Com­forter, and an Exhorter; helping us to pray, comforting and exhorting us to walk worthy of our callings. By what means doth he work these holy works?

A. By Ordinances which he blesseth, by [Page 94] his Servants which he inspireth to preach the Word, to administer the Sacraments, to exercise the power of the Keys in Jurisdi­ction and Ordination.

Q. How may you know that you believe in the holy Ghost aright?

A. 1. By my expecting life, light, grace and holiness from him.

2. By preparing my heart by repentance and contrition to receive the holy Ghost.

3. By my hearty prayer to God to be­stow upon me his gifts and graces, Ps. 51.10.

4. When I expect his grace in that way wherein he is pleased to bestow it; in hearing his Word diligently, in obeying his Pastors conscientiously, receiving Sacraments de­voutly, and submitting to Church-Discipline patiently, Mat 16.19. John 10.23.

See the foresaid Authors on the Creed, Bishop Andrews and others Sermons about the Descent of the holy Ghost.

SUNDAY XIV. The ninth Article of our Creed.

Q. IN whom doth the holy Ghost dwell and work?

A. In all the faithful and good people of God which are in the Catholick Church; And the ninth Article of my Belief is this, I believe the holy Catholick Church, the Communion of Saints.

Q. What do you mean when you say, I believe the holy Catholick Church?

A. Not that I believe in the Church, but that I believe that God hath had, and will have a Church, i. e. a society of Chri­stians dispersed in the world, who are re­deemed by Christ, sanctified by his Spirit, admitted to the Church by Baptism, streng­thned there by the Word and Supper of the Lord, ruled and continued under Bishops and Pastors lawfully called to succeed the Apostles, and to have the power of the Keys for administration of Doctrine and Disci­pline.

Q. A Church is the company of Gods peo­ple [Page 96] called and separated from the rest of man­kinde, and joyned to Christ the head by faith, 1 Cor. 1.2. Gal. 1 15.Ecclesia, ab [...]. A socie­ty of men called from sin, and the power of darkness, unto faith and true repentance; from the love of the world, to the love of God; from carelessness, to a consci­ence of pleasing God, Col 1.13. 1 Thes. 1.9. & 4.7. 1 Pet. 1.14, 15. Act. 26.18. How is the Church distinguished?

A. 1. Part of it hath finished its course, and entred into its masters joy, and is called the Church Triumphant, Heb. 12.23. 2 Tim. 4.7, 8.

2. Part of it is yet on earth, combating and striving with corruptions, fears and temptations within, Satan and the world without, in expectation of their crown and triumph, Rev. 7.13, 16, 17. and 14.13. And this part below is either univer­sal or particular.

Q. How may the true Church be known?

A. Where the Doctrine of Christ is pure, where his Worship is decent and orderly, in spirit and truth, and where the lives of men are answerable in some measure to their profession, there is a true Church, Jude 3. Act. 24.14. Hos 2.2, 4, 5.

Q. Is there salvation out of the Church?

A. No, Mat. 18.17, 18. therefore we should mark those that cause divisions from the Church, and forsake the assembling of themselves together, as the manner of some is.

Q. Why is the Church called Catholick?

A. Because it is in all places, persons and times, from the beginning to the end of the world, Joh. 10.16. Ephes. 2.14 Rom. 10.12. Act. 10.35. Mat. 28.20. Rev. 7.9. and Rev. 5 9.

Q. Why is it called holy?

A. She is holy,

1. By the holiness of Christ its head im­puted to it, Isai. 28.16. Ephes. 5.26.

2. By the graces of Christ wrought in it, Ephes. 2.4.

3. By the holiness of the Religion pro­fessed by it, 1 Thes. 4.3. Psal. 19.78.

4. By the holy lives of true professors li­ving in it, who are for manners, pure and holy; for Worship, sound and sincere; for Doctrine, Orthodox; in Communion, uni­ted; walking worthy of the Gospel, 1 Cor. 6.11. 2 Pet. 1.4.

Q. The Church it seems, though it be not without having though not the guilt, which is washed in Baptism, yet the stain of sin re­maining, is holy, 1. By the holiness of its [Page 98] head Christ imputed to it, 1 Cor. 1.30. 2. She is holy, because she endeavours to be holy by the grace of the holy Spirit given to her, Rev. 22.11. 1 Joh. 3.3. Who believes the holy Catho­lick Church aright?

A. 1. They that follow after holiness, labour and contend for increase of grace, and all other duties of Christian purity, be­cause God their Father, and the Church their Mother are holy.

2. They that by their good conversati­on, holy charity, unity and obedience, do preserve the honour, the peace and the au­thority of the Church they live in.

The aforesaid Author on the Creed; Hudson, Field and Gauden of the Church.

SUNDAY XV. The ninth Article of our Creed.

Q. HOw can Christians being scattered so far asunder, make up one Church?

A. By the Communion of Saints: that is, the fellowship that these good people have with Christ their head, and one with ano­ther.

Qu. Wherein have the members of the Church Commmunion with Christ?

A. In all the priviledges which God hath bestowed on Christ: he is a son; we are so by him, &c. Rom. 8.17. Joh. 14.19. Ephes. 5.30, 32. Joh. 17.24.

Q. These places shew that we have a fel­lowship with Christ in his Sonship, life, graces and Kingdome: but how is this wrought?

A. By the Spirit of God laying hold of us, and by our faith laying hold of him, 1 Cor. 12.12, 13. & 6.17. Rom. 8 9. Ephes. 3.17. Heb. 3.14. Rom. 11.20.

Q. How doth it appear that we have this fellowship with Christ?

A. If we are conformed to him, making his will, his ways, his friends, his foes, ours, Col. 2.19. [...] Joh. 4.13. & 1.6. Joh. 17.21. Rom. 8.14. Phil 2.1, 5.

Q. How have the members of Christ com­munion one with another?

A. In one faith, hope, Spirit, Baptism; one Lord God and Father, and in one way leading to one heaven, Ephes. 4. Jude 4, 1 Cor. 1.26, 27. and in one desire of doing good to one another, 1. in soul, 2 Tim. 4.2, 5. & 3.16, 17. 2. in body, Act. 2.45. Rom. 15.26. 1 Cor. 16.1, 2. 2 Cor. 8.12.

Q. When you say, I believe the com­munion of Saints, you mean that the peo­ple of God have in common one Christ, one Spi­rit, one Lord, one hope, and that they commu­nicate in all duties of charity and piety. How are the members of Christ that thus have com­munion one with another, called Saints, that is, holy?

A. Because they are holy with the holi­ness of Christ imputed to them, wrougnt in them in part, Ephes. 1.1. Heb. 12.14. They are called to be Saints on earth, and they will be Saints in heaven.

Q. How may we know that we believe the communion of saints aright?

A. 1. If we break none of the bonds of [Page 101] unity, and Christian communion, causing no divisions, giving no occasion of offence, Rom. 14.13.

2. If we advise, exhort, reprove, and do every spiritual Office one to another, to promote any mans salvation in our places and calling, Heb. 3.13. Ephes. 4.29.

3. If we pray one with and for another, Gal. 5.13. Act. 20.36. & 4.24. and delight in one anothers good society, Psal. 16.3. 2 Cor. 6 17.

4. If we bear one anothers burdens and infirmities, Gal. 6.12. Rom. 12.15.

5. If we prepare our selves, and pray for the consummation of all things, when the saints in heaven with the saints in earth shall be made perfect, Heb. 11.40. If we do thus, we live as men that really believe the communion of saints.

Whitby's Communion of Saints, and the foresaid Authors of the Creed of Re­mission of sins.

SUNDAY XVI. The tenth Article of the Creed.

Q. WHat are the priviledges of those that are of the Catholick Church, and in the Communion of Saints?

A. The first priviledge is that which is the tenth Article of our Belief, The for­giveness of sin.

Q. What do you mean when you say you be­lieve the foriveness of sin?

A. I mean that I believe that there is for me and all other good Christians pardon and forgiveness of all our sins to be obtain­ed by the mercies of God, through the me­rits of Christ our Saviour; we sincerely per­forming the conditions of a lively faith and true repentance thereunto required.

Qu. What is sin?

A. Any transgression of Gods law, 1 Joh. 3.4.

Q. What is forgiveness of sin?

A. It's a free and full discharge of a sin­ner believing in Christ, and repenting of his [Page 103] sin, from the guilt and punishment of sin; so that in Gods sight they are as if they had never been, Isai. 43.25. Micah 7.18, 19. Rom. 8.33, 34.

Q What is the punishment due to sin here forgiven?

A. Eternal death, the curse of God for ever in hell-fire, Rom. 6.21, 23.

Q. Are you a sinner?

A. Yes, God knows, I was born in sin, and do daily in thought, word and deed (either weakly out of infirmity, or unwil­lingly out of ignorance, or wilfully out of perversness, or presumptuously out of pride and malice) break Gods holy laws, Psal. 51.5. Rom. 5.14.

Q. Shall you then be DAMNED in Hell-fire?

A. I deserve damnation; but I believe that through Christ my sin shall be forgiven me, Rom. 8.1.

Q. Are sins forgiven in this life?

A. Yes, NOW or NEVER, 1 Joh. 2.12. Col. 1.13. Mat. 9.2. Rev. 2.17. Rom. 5.5.

Q. Who forgives sins?

A. 1. Principally God, who is offended and dishonoured by them, Mark 2.7, 9. Luk. 23.34.

[Page 104]2. Ministerially, the Bishops and Mini­sters who preach the Word that declares the pardon, who pray for pardon, Spare thy peo­ple, O Lord, Joel 2.17. who have such a power committed to them, that whose sins soever they forgive, they are forgiven unto them, Joh. 20.23.

Q. For whose sake are our sins forgiven?

A. For Jesus Christs sake, who kept the Law of God, and suffered the wrath of God due to sin for us, Rom. 8.33.

Q. To what manner of persons is pardon of sin granted?

A. To them that believe, and repent, and amend their lives, and turn from the evil of their doings, Luk. 13.3. Mark 16.16. Ezek. 18.21. Isai. 1.18. Act. 16.31. Joh. 5.24.

Q. How shall we know that we believe for­giveness of sin aright?

A. We may be sure that we believe this forgiveness of sin aright, if we endeavour to cleanse our selves from sin, as we desire God to forgive us our sin, Mar. 5 24. Act. 3.26. Rom. 6.11, 14. If we endeavour to perform the condition upon which pardon is promised us: If we pray to God for par­don and forgiveness: If we highly esteem all those ways and means in the Church, where­by [Page 105] God hath appointed to convey grace and pardon to us.

See Reynold's sinfulness of sin, and his life of Christ.

SUNDAY XVII. The eleventh Article of our Creed.

Q. WHat is the eleventh Article of your Be­lief?

A. I believe the resurrection of the dead: Which is another priviledge that be­longs to the members of the Catholick Church, and to them that are in the Com­munion of Saints.

Q. What do you mean by the resurrection of the body?

A. I do believe that this body of mine, and the bodies of all men, though they be dissolved by death into dust and ashes, yet shall be again raised out of the dust of death, and rejoyned to our immortal souls; that so we may receive according to our deeds done in the flesh, whether they be good, or whether they be evil.

Q. Shall they that be dead live again?

A. Reason sheweth, and the Scripture assureth us that the dead shall rise again, Act. 24.15. Jude 14. Job 19.24. Dan. 12.2. Isai. 26.19. Ezek. 37.1. Joh. 5.28. & 6.40. 1 Cor. 15. 1 Thes. 4. Rev. 20.

Q. Shall the SAME body live again, and be raised?

A. Yes, the same bodies made free from all defects and weaknesses unto which we are now subjected, made spiritual, 1 Cor. 15.13. i. e. immortal, bright, glorious, clear, nimble, and impassible, Mat. 13.43. Phil. 3.21.

Q. Who shall raise the dead?

A. God the Father shall raise all men by that power by which he is able to subdue all things to himself, for Jesus Christs sake, by the great power of the holy Ghost, Joh. 6.39. Phil. 3.20, 21. Rom. 8.11. Joh 5.21, 25, 28, 42.

Q. When shall this be?

A. At the last day, when the Lord shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trump of God, and the dead in Christ shall rise first.

Q. Where are mens souls from their death to the general resurrection?

A. 1. The souls of good men as soon as [Page 107] they are absent from the body, are present with the Lord, 2 Cor. 5.1, 2, 3, 4, 6. Phil. 1.23. Rev. 14.13. Heb. 12.22. Act. 7. ult. Luk. 23.4.

2. The souls of wicked men suffer the vengeance of eternal fire, and are spirits in prison, Jude 7. 1 Pet. 3.18, 19.

Q. How may we know that we believe this Article aright?

A. 1. When we keep our bodies in that purity and sobriety that may prepare them for that condition.

2. When we begin here to be spiritual, making our bodies submit to the guidance, motions and directions of the blessed Spirit, as it shall be then.

3. When we live praying and looking for the consummation of all things; then we do heartily believe the resurrection of the flesh.

Reynold's Life, the foresaid Author on the Creed, and others of Christ, and on Psal. 110. Bishop Andrews Resurrecti­on-Sermons.

SUNDAY XVIII. The third part of the Catechism. Rules for understanding the Com­mandments.

Q. NOw you have given an account of the two first parts of your Vow and Pro­mise, which are, First, that you should renounce the Devil and all his works, the pomps and vanities of this wicked world, and all the sinful lusts of the flesh. Se­condly, that you should believe all the Ar­ticles of the Christian faith. What is the third part of that Vow?

A. To keep Gods holy will and Com­mandments, and to walk in the same all the days of our life, Luk. 1 75.

Q. Our Catechism is an excellent sum of Religion, shewing the Rule of Faith in the Belief, the Rule of Devotion in the Lords Prayer and Sacraments, and the Rule of Life in the Commandments of God; which you say your Godfathers and Godmothers did pro­mise for you in your Baptism, that you [Page 109] should keep. Tell me how many Com­mandments there be?

A. Ten; which be called ten words, Deut. 4.3.

Q. Which be they?

A. The same which God spake in the 20 chapter of Exodus, saying, I am the Lord thy God, who brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

i. Thou shalt have none other gods but me.

ii. Thou shalt not make to thy self any graven image, nor the likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or in the earth beneath, or in the water under the earth. Thou shalt not bow down to them, nor worship them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, and visit the sins of the fathers upon the children, unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me, and shew mercy unto thousands in them that love me, and keep my com­mandments.

iii. Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vain: for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his Fame in vain.

iiii. Remember that thou keep holy [Page 110] the sabbath day. Six days shalt thou la­bour and do all that thou hast to do, but the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God. In it thou shalt do no manner of work, thou & thy son, and thy daughter, thy man-servant & thy maid-servant, thy cat­tel, & the stranger that is within thy gates. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the seventh day, and hallowed it.

v. Honour thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.

vi. Thou shalt do no murder.

vii. Thou shalt not commit adultery.

viii. Thou shalt not steal.

ix. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.

x. Thou shalt not covet thy neigh­bours house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbours wife, nor his servant, nor his maid, nor his oxe, nor his asse, nor any thing that is his.

Q. What do you chiefly learn by these Commandments?

A. I learn two things: 1. My duty to­wards God, to love and serve him with all my heart, and with all my soul, Luk. 10.27. in [Page 111] the four first Commandments. 2. My duty towards my neighbour; that is, eve­ry one one that beareth the face of a man, to do to him, and love him, as I would be done to, and loved my self, Deut. 30.16. Mat. 22.37. Luk. 10.27. in the six last.

Q. What is your duty towards God, in the four first Commandments?

A. 1. My duty towards God is, to be­lieve in him, to fear him, and to love him; to put my trust in him, to call upon him by fervent prayer, to give thanks for his mercies. Com. 1.

2. To worship him with inward Devo­tion of Soul, and outward Reverence of Bo­dy. Com. 2.

3. To honour his holy Name and Word, and whatsoever belongs unto him in our heart, and with our mouths. Com. 3.

4. To serve him truly all the days of my life, and also punctually to observe those days that are consecrated to his publick and solemn worship. Com 4.

With the manner how to perform these Du­ties with all the heart, cheerfully; with all the soul, understandingly and knowingly; with all the strength, diligently:

Q. What is your duty towards your neighbour, in the six last Commandments enjoyned?

[Page 112] A. 1. To love, honor and succour fa­ther and mother. To honour and obey the King, and all that are put in authority under him. To submit my self to all my Governors, spiritual Teachers, Pastors and Masters. To order my self lowly and reverently to all my betters. Com. 5.

2. To hurt no body in word nor déed. To bear no malice nor hatred in my heart. Com. 6.

3. To keep my body in temperance, so­berness, and chastity. Com. 7.

4. To be true and just in all my deal­ings, and to keep my hands from picking and stealing. Com. 8.

5. To avoid all evil speaking, lying and flandering. Com. 9.

6. Not to covet or desire other mens goods, but to learn and labour truly to get our own living, and to do our duty in that state of life, whereunto it shall please God to call us. And I learn the manner how to perform my duty to my neighbour, in doing to him as I would be done to my self. Com. 10.

Q. What use do you make of these Com­mandments?

A. We use them,

1. To discover our sin when we have transgressed, Rom. 7.13.

[...]

SUNDAY XVIII. The last Article of our Creed; or Life everlasting.

Q. WHat is the last clause of your Belief?

A. And the life everlasting.

Q. What do you mean when you say, And the life everlasting?

A. I mean that as I believe we must all rise again, so I believe that they who have done evil shall rise to the resurrection of judgement or damnation; and they that have done good, to the resurrection of life, Joh. 5.24, 25, 29.

Q. What is the everlasting state of the dam­ned?

A. It is an everlasting separation from the presence of God, attended with an utter de­privation of all the good we have, do or might enjoy, and a woful suffering of all the evil that can be understood, by the wrath of God, the fire that is never quenched, or the worm that never dieth.

Q. So then you believe that after this life the wicked are not consumed to nothing, but kept in being to undergo the wrath of God then [Page 109] to be revealed against the unrighteousness of men, and to be tormented with the devil and his angels; losing God, with eternal regret that they have lost him, and an everlasting de­spair of enjoying him; and undergoing his wrath, which shall abide on them for ever, for being inclined to sin for ever against an e­verlasting God; remaining under an eternal pain of loss, because there is no hope of hea­ven; under an endless pain of sence, because there is no means to appease the wrath of God for ever. Who believes this sad truth aright?

A. 1. They that are afraid to sin, consi­dering nothing can bring them to hell but sin; and careful to repent, considering no sin bringeth them thither but that which is unrepented of.

2. They that fear God, the consuming fire, and tremble at his word, who after he hath killed, hath power to cast into hell, Luk. 12.5.

3. They who put a due value upon the blood of Christ, which onely saves men from the wrath of a never-to-be-appeased God.

Q. What is the everlasting life of those that are good?

A. It is a glorious state, wherein they that have approved themselves unto God, do see and enjoy God immediately, 1 Cor. [Page 110] 13.12. and all good in him; with infinite joy, security, rest, glory and satisfaction, without any allay of evil, Rev. 21.4. & 22.3, 5. even what the eye never saw, the ear ne­ver heard, neither hath it entred into the heart of man to conceive, hath God prepared for them that love him.

Q How many degrees are there of this life?

A. 1. The earnest of it; He that heareth my words, hath everlasting life, and is passed from death to life, Joh. 5.24.

2. The beginning of it in the soul, which as soon as it is dissolved from the body, is with Christ, Phil. 1.23.

3. Or the compleating of it in soul and body after the resurrection, when heaven is prepared for us, and we for it.

Q. What shall become of the soul and body in this life?

A. 1. As for the body, that which was, 1. sown in corruption, shall be raised in incor­ruption: 2. that which was sown in disho­nour, shall be raised in honour: 3. that which was sown in weakness, shall be raised in pow­er: 4. that which was sown a natural body, shall be raised a spiritual body: for he shall change our vile bodies, that they may be like unto his glorious body, according to the mighty [Page 111] working whereby he is able to subdue all things to himself.

2. As for the soul, 1. its understanding shall be perfectly enlightned, 1 Cor. 13.12. 2. The will shall be perfectly holy and con­formable to Gods will, fixed on the chief good. And, 3. the affections shall be per­fectly regulated, and perfectly satisfied.

Q To whom do you think is this life given and prepared?

A. For those that believe, repent, and finish their course in faith and holiness, Joh. 1.16. Mat. 5.8. Heb. 12.14. Joh. 10.27, 28. Rev. 21.27. & 22.14. Joh. 17.4. 2 Tim. 4.8. Mat. 25 21. in a careful and constant perfor­mance of Gods commands.

Q. Who knows that they shall enjoy this blessed life?

A. They in whom the life of grace is al­ready begun, may be sure they shall end in the life of glory, 1 Joh. 3.3. Mat. 19.28, 29. Rom. 6.22. Phil. 1.6. 1 Pet. 1.23.

Q. Who believes this Article aright?

A. 1. They that live in meditation upon, and expectation of the life of glory, tasting the power of the world to come.

2. They that seriously ponder the two e­states together, the one short and trouble­some of this world, the other eternal and [Page 112] happy in the world to come.

3. They that look upon this moment of their life, as a moment upon which their eternal life depends, and now lay a founda­tion against the life to come.

4. They that die to this world, and live to another, having their affections set on things above, where their life is hid with Christ in God.

Q. What use do you make of the five last Articles of your Belief?

A. 1. That believing in the holy Ghost, I do not grieve Gods holy Spirit by my sins, Ephes. 4.3. 1 Thes. 5.19. nor hinder the work of sanctification upon my soul, by resisting his good motions and incitements to holi­ness of life.

2. That believing the holy Catholick Church, I continue a faithful and true mem­ber thereof, by a true and lively faith in Christ, and an universal unfeigned Charity towards all Christians.

3. That believing the forgiveness of sins, I relying upon the merits of Christ for par­don, do truly repent of all my sins past, and amend my life according to Gods holy word, denying all ungodliness and worldly lusts, and living soberly, righteously and godly in this present world, as looking for [Page 113] the resurrection of the dead, and the life e­verlasting in the world to come. Amen.

Q. Why do you conclude with Amen?

A. I do hereby acknowledge and ratifie with my stedfast belief, the undoubted truth and certainty of this Creed in general, and of every Article thereof in particular, as undoubted and infallible truths; secretly willing, and earnestly praying, that through the stedfastness of this faith, I may be pre­served in the true Worship of God the Fa­ther, through God the Son, by God the ho­ly Ghost: To whom be glory for ever.

Bolton's four last things, Longland's four last things. On the Creed, Dr. Pear­son, Dr. Jackson, Mr. Perkins, or Dr. Heylin, will competently furnish any man.

The third part of the Catechism. SUNDAY XIX. Rules for understanding the Com­mandments.

Q. NOw you have given an account of the two first parts of your Vow and Pro­mise, which are, First, that you should renounce the Devil and all his works, the pomps and vanities of this wicked world, and all the sinful lusts of the flesh. Se­condly, that you should believe all the Ar­ticles of the Christian faith. What is the third part of that Vow?

A. To keep Gods holy will and Com­mandments, and to walk in the same all the days of our life, Luk. 1.75.

Q. Our Catechism is an excellent sum of Religion, shewing the Rule of Faith in the Belief, the Rule of Devotion in the Lords Prayer and Sacraments, and the Rule of Life in the Commandments of God; which you say your Godfathers and Godmothers did pro­mise for you in your Baptism, that you [Page 115] should keep. Tell me how many Com­mandments there be?

A. Ten; which be called ten words, Deut. 4.3.

Q. Which be they?

A. The same which God spake in the 20 chapter of Exodus, saying, I am the Lord thy God, who brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

i. Thou shalt have none other gods but me.

ii. Thou shalt not make to thy self any graven image, nor the likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or in the earth beneath, or in the water under the earth. Thou shalt not bow down to them, nor worship them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, and visit the sins of the fathers upon the children, unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me, and shew mercy unto thousands in them that love me, and keep my com­mandments.

iii. Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vain: for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his Fame in vain.

iiii. Remember that thou keep holy [Page 116] the sabbath day. Six days shalt thou la­bour and do all that thou hast to do, but the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God. In it thou shalt do no manner of work, thou & thy son, and thy daughter, thy man-servant & thy maid-servant, thy cat­tel, & the stranger that is within thy gates. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the seventh day, and hallowed it.

v. Honour thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.

vi. Thou shalt do no murder.

vii. Thou shalt not commit adultery.

viii. Thou shalt not steal.

ix. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.

x. Thou shalt not covet thy neigh­bours house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbours wife, nor his servant, nor his maid, nor his oxe, nor his asse, nor any thing that is his.

Q. What do you chiefly learn by these Commandments?

A. I learn two things: 1. My duty to­wards God, to love and serve him with all my heart, and with all my soul, Luk. 10.27. in [Page 117] the four first Commandments. 2. My duty towards my neighbour; that is, eve­ry one that beareth the face of a man, to do to him, and love him, as I would be done to, and loved my self, Deut. 30.16. Mat. 22.37. Luk. 10 27. in the six last.

Q. What is your duty towards God, in the four first Commandments?

A. 1. My duty towards God is, to be­lieve in him, to fear him, and to love him; to put my trust in him, to call upon him by fervent prayer, to give thanks for his mercies. Com. 1.

2. To worship him with inward Devo­tion of Soul, and outward Reverence of Bo­dy. Com. 2.

3. To honour his holy Name and Word, and whatsoever belongs unto him in our heart, and with our mouths. Com. 3.

4. To serve him truly all the days of my life, and also punctually to observe those days that are consecrated to his publick and solemn worship. Com 4.

With the manner how to perform these Du­ties with all the heart, cheerfully; with all the soul, understandingly and knowingly; with all the strength, diligently:

Q. What is your duty towards your neighbour, in the six last Commandments enjoyned?

A. 1. To love, honor and succour fa­ther and mother. To honour and obey the King, and all that are put in authority under him. To submit my self to all my Governors, spiritual Teachers, Pastors and Masters. To order my self lowly and reverently to all my betters. Com. 5.

2. To hurt no body in word nor déed. To bear no malice nor hatred in my heart. Com. 6.

3. To keep my body in temperance, so­berness, and chastity. Com. 7.

4. To be true and just in all my deal­ings, and to keep my hands from picking and stealing. Com. 8.

5. To avoid all evil speaking, lying and flandering. Com. 9.

6. Not to covet or desire other mens goods, but to learn and labour truly to get our own living, and to do our duty in that state of life, whereunto it shall please God to call us. And I learn the manner how to perform my duty to my neighbour, in doing to him as I would be done to my self. Com. 10.

Q. What use do you make of these Com­mandments?

A. We use them,

1. To discover our sin when we have transgresse, Rom. 7.13.

[Page 119] 2. To awaken our consciences when they are secure, ibid.

3. And so it bringeth us to Christ, of whom we have need, Gal. 3.19, 24.

4. And directeth us to walk with Christ, Rom. 2.25. Jam. 2.10, 11.

Q Is it possible for us to keep these Com­mandments?

A. It is possible for us by the grace of God so heartily and sincerely to endeavour an obedience to Gods Law in these Com­mandments, as that we may be accepted before God through Jesus Christ, Mat. 11.30. 1 Joh. 5.3.

Q What Motives have you to encourage and stir you to keep these Commandments?

A. I must keep them, because in keeping of them there is great reward, Psal. 19.11. When the young man asked our Saviour what he might do that he might enter into life? our Saviour answered that he must keep the commandments.

Q. What general Rules are to be observed to understand the full meaning of the command­ments?

A. The Rules are these:

1. That where any Duty is commanded, the contrary thereunto is forbidden; and where any sin is forbidden, the contrary Duty is commanded.

[Page 120] 2. The second Rule is, That in all Du­ties commanded, and sins forbidden, the means conducing thereunto are forbidden also.

Bishop Nicholson's Catechism, Bishop Andrew's Pattern of Catechistical Do­ctrine, Perkins, Dod.

SUNDAY XX. The Duties of the first Command­ment.

Q. I Pray repeat the ten Commandments.

A. The same which God spake in the 20 Chapter of, &c.

Qu. What doth God intend by this first commandment?

A. He intends two things; the first is the motives we have to keep all the Law; the second is the first duty of the Law.

Q. What Motives have we here to keep the Law?

A. We must keep this Law,

1. Because it is the Law of God, who is [Page 121] Soveraign over us, as being JEHOVAH, the eternal, immutable, and Almighty God, ha­ving his being from himself, and giving and graciously preserving our being, Exod. 20. Isai. 44.6. Exod. 3.14. Act. 17.14.

2. Because it is the Law of our God, Psal. 33.12. Rom. 3.2, 3. because it is the Law of the God that brought Israel out of the bondage of Aegypt, and us out of the bondage of sin, the power of darkness, and the tyranny of Satan, Luk. 1.74, 75. 1 Pet. 1.15, 16, 17, 18.

Q. Which is the first commandment?

A I am the Lord thy God, and Thou shalt have none other Gods before me.

Q. What is the general duty required in this commandment?

A. That in mind, will and affection we should take the true God alone in Christ to be our God.

Q. What particular duties are command­ed under this general?

A. They are ten.

Q What is the first duty?

A. To know God, his Nature, Will and Attributes, 1 Chron. 28.9. Joh. 17.3. Rom. 10.14. as he hath revealed himself by his word and works.

Q. What is the second duty required in the first Commandmnet?

A. To acknowledge and confess him to be the onely true God, and our God, 1 Cor. 12.9. Deut. 26.27. Psal. 43.10. Jer. 14.22. & 24.7. Dan. 4 37.

Q. What is the third duty?

A. To worship and glorifie him, Psal. 95.6, 7. Mat. 4.10. by, 1. thinking, Mal. 3.16. 2. meditating, Psal. 63.16. 3. remem­bring, Eccles. 12.1. 4. highly esteeming, Psal. 71.19. 5. honouring and adoring him, Joh. 24.15, 22.

Q. What is the fourth duty here requi­red?

A. To believe in him, 2 Chron. 20.20. Jer. 17.5, 7. Psal. 31.6, 7. Exod. 14.31.

Q. What is the fifth?

A. We are bound to trust in him in all conditions, Dan. 3.16. & 6.23. Jonah 2.8. not being disheartned in our Duties, or stepping out to evil means.

Q What is the sixth duty?

A. We are bound to love him with all our hearts, as our chiefest good, above all things, Mat. 10.37. & 19.22. Deut. 6.5. to delight in him, to desire to please and enjoy him, to be zealous for him, Psal. 42.1. Rom. 12.11. Numb. 2.11. Psal. 7.25. de­siring his presence in heaven, Phil. 1.23.

Q. What is the seventh duty you are bound to in the first commandment?

A. We are bound to fear God, Isai. 8.13. to stand in awe of his Majesty, not da­ring to offend him, 1 King. 8 3, 12. Isai. 51.12. & 8.2, 13. Jer. 2.19.

Q. What is the eighth duty?

A. To hope in God and his promises in Jesus Christ, 1 Pet. 1.13. Rom. 5.5.

Q. What is the ninth duty you are obliged to in the first commandment?

A. We are bound to be so humble, as to obey God in doing and suffering his will with the whole man, Jer. 7.23. Jam. 4.5. returning all that we have received from him, to him, 1 Cor. 4.7. & 10.13.

Q. What is our tenth duty here?

A. To be patient, and with patience to submit to the will of God in all things, Mat. 6.10. Jam. 57, 11. Heb. 10.36. Psal. 39.10.

The whole Duty of man; Preston's A­bridgement; Life of God.

SUNDAY XXI. Sins against the first Commandment.

Q. WHat are the sins, and who are the offen­ders against the first commandment?

A. There are ten sins especially, and ten sorts of Offenders against this Command­ment.

Q. What is the first sin?

A. The first sin is ignorance; which they are guilty of, who notwithstanding his word and works, do either naturally, or care­lesly, or willingly remain ignorant of God, his Nature, Attributes, his works and will concerning us, Ephes. 4.17, 18. Job 21.14. Joh. 3.20. 2 Pet. 3.5. Jer. 4.12.

Q. What is the second sin against this com­mandment?

A. The second sin is Atheism; of which they are guilty, who either think, Psal. 14.1. Ephes. 2.12. or wish there were no God, or live as if there were no God all-seeing to behold them, just to punish, holy to abhor, and Omnipotent to destroy a sinner, Tit. 1.16. Rom. 1.18.

Q. What is the third sin?

A Unbelief: which they are guilty of, 1. Who assent not to his Law as holy, just, and good. 2. Who believe not his threats, so as to be humbled thereby; or his promi­ses, so as to be invited by them to newness of life, 1 Joh. 5.10. 3. Who distrust, doubt, and are careless, 2 Pet. 2.7, 8. & 1.20. Tit. 1.14 Psal. 58.6. Deut. 18.11. 4. Who fall away, Heb. 10.25. Heb. 4. by Heresie or Apostacy.

Q. What is the fourth sin?

A. Distrust of God: of which they are guilty, 1. Who despair, Heb. 10.38. Jer. 17.5. 2. Who trust in other things, Mat. 4.6, 7. Lev. 19.29. 1 Cor. 10.20, 21. Jer. 17 5, 6. & 49.16. 3. Who make use of unlawful means.

Q. What is the fifth sin against this com­mandment?

A. Want of love: of which they are guilty, 1. Who love not every thing that belongs to God. 2. Who love other things more then God, Jer. 2.13. Are not so zea­lous for his Ordinances, Servants, Honour and Name, as they ought to be.

Qu. What is the sixth?

A. Prophaneness: whereof they are guilty, 1. Who presume to sin, Psal. 19.13. [Page 126] 2. Who are carnally secure, Zeph. 1.12. 3. Who harden their hearts, Rom. 2.5. 4. Who are strangers to God, Ezek. 9 4. 5. Who slight and despise God and his com­mands, Deut. 32.15. 6. Who resist his Spirit, Act. 7.21. Ephes. 4.30. 7. Who neglect his service and Worship.

Q. What is the seventh sin against this commandment?

A. Unthankfulness, Rom. 1.21. where­of they are guilty, 1. Who ascribe the praise of any good they have, or do, to For­tune, Idols, themselves, or any other Crea­tures, 1 Sam. 6.7, 8, 9. Dan. 5.23 Deut. 8.17. Dan. 4.30. Heb. 1 6. 2. Who forget, slight, or live not answerable to his mercies. 3. Who do not rejoyce in the Lord.

Q. What is the eighth sin?

A. Idolatry: of which they are guilty, who worship, trust in, love, fear and honour any thing more then God, Jer. 2.27, 28. 1 Thes. 1.9.

Q. What is the ninth sin against this com­mandment?

A. Security, Presumption, and Despair, growing from the forgetfulness, misappre­hension, false opinion, unworthy and vain thoughts of God, and pride against him, Isai. 65.2. Psal. 19. Jer. 5.3.

Q. What is the tenth sin?

A. Want of submission to his will, by o­bedience to his punishments by patience, to his allotment by contentedness.

Q. You must have a God, that is Religion; you must have one true God as your God in Je­sus Christ, which is true Religion; you must behave your self towards him as God, which is the practice of true Religion: What do you mean by these words before me?

A. These words before me, teach us, that whatever we think, speak or do, for or against him, is before his eyes, to whom all things are naked, Rev. 2.23. Heb. 4.13.

Dod, Perkins, Binchius, Ʋsher's Body of Divinity, Bishop Andrews as aforesaid.

SUNDAY XXII. The Duties of the second Command­ment.

Q. WHat is the second Commandment?

A. Thou shalt not make to thy self any graven Image, nor the likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or in the earth beneath, &c.

Q. What is herein commanded, and what forbidden?

A. 1. We are herein commanded to worship the onely true God, after an holy and true manner, inwardly with our minds, and outwardly with our bodies, as he hath prescribed in his Word, Exod. 34.11. Deut. 4.2, 12, 32. Mat. 28.20. Joh. 4.24. Psal. 95.6. & 132.7. Rom. 12.1. 1 Cor. 6.20.

2. We are herein forbidden to worship the true God after a false manner, Lev. 19.4. & 26.1. 1 Cor. 10.14. Ezek 14 4, 6. by an Idol, an Image, or any imagination of our own heart; preserving his Worship and Ordinances pure and entire, Isai. 8.20. Psal. 106.38, 39.

Q. What are the Duties required in this commandment?

A. They are five; whereof the first is,

1. That we should apprehend God as an infinite incomprehensible Essence, without any visible form or shape; and therefore not capable of any representation by image, resemblance, or picture, Rom. 1.30. Deut. 4.15, 16.

Q. What is the second duty here comman­ded?

A. That we should worship this God as God, with fear, reverence and humility, in [Page 129] our souls and in our bodies, which are his, Joh. 4.24. Psal. 95 6.

Q. What is the third duty?

A. That we should observe religiously all the substantial parts of Gods worship, as Prayer, Phil. 4.6. Ephes. 5.20. hearing the Word, Deut. 17.18, 19. the administration and receiving of the Sacraments, and the Discipline of the Church, Mat. 28.19. 1 Chron. 11.23. Mat. 18.15, 16, 17.

Qu. What is the fourth duty?

A. In Gods worship to use such Ceremo­nies for which there are either Precepts or Examples in Scripture, or such as are en­joyned by the Church we live in, for de­cency, 1 Cor. 14.4. order, 1 Cor. 14.20, 32. or edification, 1 Cor. 14.26. Gal. 2.18.

Q. What is the fifth duty?

A. That we ought to approve, exercise and perform, purely, sincerely and heartily, all the parts of Gods Worship, with all means and furtherances thereof.

Bowls of the Worship of God; Bishop Andrews on the Commandments; the Authors of Prayer, Preaching, Hear­ing, Sacraments, Discipline, Fasts and Feasts.

SUNDAY XXIII. The Sins against the second Com­mandment.

Q. REpeat the second Command­ment.

A. Thou shalt not make to thy self any graven image, nor the likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or in the earth beneath, or in the water under the earth. Thou shalt not bow down to them, nor worship them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, and visit the sins of the fathers upon the children, unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me, and shew mercy unto thousands in them that love me, and keep my com­mandments.

Q What are the sins, and who are the of­fenders against this Commandment?

A. There are chiefly seven sins, and seven sorts of sinners against this Commandment.

Q. Which is the first sin against this com­mandment?

A. Vain Imaginations; which they are guilty of, who fancie to themselves any [Page 131] likeness of the Deity, Rom. 1.23. and ex­press that fancie by any representation of God in any kinde of image or likeness of a­ny creature whatsoever, Deut. 4.15. Act. 17 39.

Q. What is the second sin?

A. Idolatry; whereof they are guilty, who worship any of those images of God they make, or worship God by them, Dan. 3.18 Gal. 4 8.

Q. What is the third sin?

A. All omission of any part of Gods true worship when it is required; and all false Worship, either invented by others, or ta­ken up of our own head.

Q. What is the fourth sin?

A. Not to prepare our selves for the ser­vice of God in any part of his worship; not behaving our selves well in it; not endea­vouring to receive the benefit of it.

Q. What is the fifth sin?

A. To address our Prayers to God by Saints and Angels, and not by the onely Mediator between God and man, Jesus Christ.

Q. What is the sixth sin against this com­mandment?

A. Superstition: whereof they are guil­ty, that think those things which are com­manded [Page 132] of men for order, are commanded of God for Religion; and those who think that those things which are indifferent for their nature, are superstitious in their use; and so reject all Ceremonies for decency, order and edification.

Q. What is the seventh sin against this commandment?

A. To magnifie and set up our own in­ventions, under the colour of Religion.

Q. What is the eighth sin?

A. Witchcraft.

Q Is God to be worshipped with any bodily worship?

A. We must glorifie him with our bodies and our souls, which are his, 1 Cor. 6. ult. Rom. 12.1.

Q. What motives have we to perform the duties enjoyned, and avoid the sins forbidden in this commandment?

A. 1. Because God is so jealous of his worship and glory, that he will punish such as neglect or deprave it, to the third and fourth generation, accounting them as ene­mies, Exod. 34.7. Deut. 5.10. Dan. 9.4.

2. Because he will mercifully reward them that obey and serve him according to his will, as being his friends, and the promoters of his Interest.

Minister. As in the first Commandment we are bound to have one true God, so in the second we are bound to worship him a­right: where we have

1. A Precept, Not to make any graven image for Gods worship, nor to worship any being made; that is, 1. All Idolatry; 2. Will-worship; 3. Superstition, both Affirmative and Negative.

2. We have a severe Sanction: For I am a zealous God; wherefore, Let us worship and bow down before the Lord our Maker.

Dr. Hammond of Superstition, Will-wor­ship, Idolatry, Schism; Perkins of Witchcraft.

SUNDAY XXIV. The Duties of the third Command­ment.

Q. WHat is the third Command­ment?

A. Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vain: for the Lord [Page 134] will not hold him guiltless that taketh his Name in vain.

Q. Now we are bound by the first and se­cond Commandments to own and worship the true God, what are we bound to by this third Commandment?

A. We are commanded to propose to our selves the honour of Gods holy Name in all our actions, and to have a separate and di­stinct respect for all such things and persons as have the Name of God called upon them, and more immediately relate to his ser­vice.

Q. What are the particular duties enjoyned in this Commandment?

A. That we should use, 1. the Titles, 2. the Properties, 3. works, 4. Ordinan­ces, 5. the things that belong to God; 1. with knowledge, 2. faith, 3. reverence, 4. joy, 5. sincerity and conscience, in thought, word and conversation.

Q. What is the first duty in reference to Gods Name, Titles and Attributes?

A. We are to meditate with fear, to speak with reverence, honour and praise, of the Names, Titles and Attributes of God, 1 Pet. 4.11. Lev. 10.3. Joh. 2.16. Mal. 1.13. Ezek. 22.26. Psal. 8.1. Deut. 28.58. 1 Pet. 3.15.

Q. What is the second duty we owe to Gods glorious Name?

A. To swear by his Name, 1. in truth, 2. in judgement, 3. equity, 4. being law­fully called thereunto, Jer. 4.2. in the pre­sence of God, who will 1. bring it to light, 2. and punish whatsoever we falsifie in his Name, 1 Cor. 4.5. Rom. 12.19.

Q. May we swear?

A. Yes, we are commanded, Psal. 63.11. we are encouraged by Gods example, Heb. 6.13. Angels, Rev. 10. Apostles, Rom. 1.9. & 9 1.2 Cor. 1.23. And although our Saviour and St. James forbid us to swear, 1. by any thing but God; or, 2. in any trivial idle bu­siness, wherein yea, yea, nay, nay, may serve, Mat. 5 34. Jam. 5.12. yet in grave, necessa­ry and charitable matters, either 1. to bind a promise, 1 King. 1.17. Mat. 5.33. or, 2. to witness the truth, Heb. 6 16. we may swear.

Q. What is the third duty we owe to Gods Name?

A. To call upon it in prayer, 1 Joh. 5.14. Mat. 7.7. with humility, care and faith; confessing our sins, p [...]aying for his grace, and thanking him for his mercy.

Q. What is our duty in reference to his Word?

A. 1. To hear it with, 1. desire, 2. care, [Page 136] 3. diligence, Eccles. 4 17. Job 5.27. con­stancy, faith, Jam. 1.6. Joh. 5.24. improve­ment, joy and humility, whether it be read or preached.

2. To propagate the Word of God to others, 1 Pet. 3.1, 2. Tit. 2.10. Mat. 5 16.

3. To live answerable to it our selves, and make such profession of it as may adorn it before the world, Phil. 1.21. Ephes. 4.3. 1 Thes. 4.12.

Q. What is our duty in reference to the Sacraments?

A To make conscience to use them, 1. with due preparation, 2. right affection, and 3. answerable conversation.

Qu. What is our duty in reference to Gods works?

A. To observe, admire, and extol his great power, wisdome and goodness, so evi­dent in all his works, Psal. 92.5, 6 Psal. 104.24. 1 Pet 4.11. 1 Cor. 10.31. and to give him thanks.

Q. What is our duty in reference to his Servants, and other things that belong to him?

A. 1. To love, honour, relieve and imi­tate his Servants.

2. To reverence any thing upon which his Name is stamped.

[Page 137]3. To alienate nothing that belongs to him and his service, taking care not to rob God.

Q. What is the fourth duty enjoyned in this Commandment?

A. That we be careful what and how we vow; and when we have vowed any thing, to perform it, Eccles. 5.4.

Sanderson of Oaths, Joseph Mede's Sancti­fication of Gods Name.

SUNDAY XXV. The Sins against the third Com­mandment.

Q WHat is forbidden in this Command­ment?

A. We are forbidden in general all rash, unadvised, wilful prophanation of Gods e­ver-blessed Name, by Oaths, Curses of the Creatures, my Neighbour, and my self: Not to use the Name of God slightly, idly, foolishly, and vainly; much less to cover any, or what is unlawful and sinful, under [Page 138] his Name. Not unadvisedly or irreverently to meddle with Gods holy VVord, Sacra­ments, or any parts of his holy VVorship: Neither slight, undervalue or despise either things or persons, wherein and whereby God is honoured, and whereupon his holy Name is called, Lev. 18.21. & 19.12 & 36.22. & 2.15, 32. Mat. 23.16. & 20.22. Hos. 10 4. Lev. 24 14. Jam. 3.9. Prov. 30.9. 2. Tim. 2.19. Rom. 2.24. Psal. 5.7. Heb. 12.28. Prov. 13.3. Isai. 62.2. 1 Cor. 11.22.

Q. What are the particular sins and sin­ners against this Commandment?

A. The first sin is, Irreverence; where­of they are guilty, who do ignorantly, Act. 17.13. vainly, Prov. 30.9. profanely, Mal. 1.6, 7. superstitiously think or speak of, or use the great Name, Titles, and Attributes of God, by blasphemy, 2 King. 19 12. Lev. 24.11. perjury, Zach. 5.4. & 8 7. and all sinful discourse.

Q What is the second sin against this Commandment?

A. Carelesness, 1. to know, Psal. 92.5, 6. 2. to observe, Zeph. 3.5. 3. to meditate, 4. to praise or make use of the Titles, Pro­perties, Ordinances, or works of God, Mat. 13.19. upon great and solemn occasi­ons.

Q. What is the third sin against this Com­mandment?

A. Curiosity: whereof they are guilty, who frame curious questions about the na­ture, actions; and secret decrees of God; not contenting themselves with the revealed things that belong to us and to our children, Luk. 17.8. Rev. 1.21. Phil. 2.10. Isai. 45.23.

Q. What is the fourth sin against this Commandment?

A. The abuse of God Ordinances: where­of they are guilty, who

1. Pray without understanding, 1 Cor. 14.15. without desire, or without care to speed, Mat. 6.7. or without faith in Gods promises, Rom. 10.14. or without the awe of Gods presence.

2. Or hear without, 1. attention, 2. reverence, 3. or care to get good thereby; or frequency, Ezek. 33 30. Act. 28.21, 22.

3. Or neglect the Sacraments of Baptism and the Lords Supper, or obey not the Dis­cipline of the Church.

Q. What is the fifth sin against this com­mandment?

A. A neglect to discover and acknow­ledge Gods power, wisdome and justice in [Page 140] his providence and works: to be unthankful and murmur, Rom 9.20, 21. to abuse Gods works to excess or superstition.

Q. What is the sixth sin?

A. Prophaneness: whereby we disho­nour his Religion with an unholy conversa­tion towards God or man, Mat. 5.16. Phil. 2.15. so hindering the propagation of the Gospel, making a sport of sin.

Q. What is the seventh sin?

A. Vain, rash, malicious and false swea­ring; taking Oaths our selves, and provo­king others to take Oaths to do mischief a­gainst Law and Conscience, Mat. 5.34, 35. Jer. 12.16. breaking our Oaths and Vows in lawful, honest, and possible things, Deut. 23.21. Psal. 15.3. especially that Vow in Baptism, Psal. 78.8. and keeping those Oaths and Vows which are unlawful, Mat. 14.10.

Q. What is the eighth sin against this Com­mandment?

A. Sacriledge: whereof they are guilty, 1. Who wrest the Scripture to their own damnation, to maintain their own inventi­ons, 1 Pet. 3.16 1 Tim. 1.3. Rev. 22.19. 2. Who prophane any thing that is dedi­cated to his Name; as Churches, Church-Utensils, Lands, Tythes, Persons, Customs, or any thing that is his, Mat. 21.13. Rom. [Page 141] 2.22. Numb. 10.3. & 16.38. Jer. 4.2. Act. 19.37. Psal. 74 8. Luk. 7.5.

Qu. What is the doom of those that com­mit these sins against the third command­ment?

A. The Lord will not hold them guilt­less, but will punish them either in this life, or in the life to come, Lev. 24.10. Zech. 5.1, to 5. Though they escape men, yet they shall not escape Gods wrath.

Minister. The propagation of Religion, the confession of the Faith, the celebration of Gods Worship, and most transactions in humane so­cieties being performed by the tongue after that God had enjoyned the heart to serve him in truth in the former commandments; he di­rects our tongues chiefly, that they shall not take his Name, i. e. any thing whereby he may be known, his Titles, his Word, Psal. 132.2. Deut. 18.19. his Attributes, Exod. 33.18, 19. and what relates to his worship, in vain, i. e. rashly, foolishly, Psal. 12.2. & 24.4. irreverently, profanely and falsly: for the Lord will not, &c. The chief end for which we were made being to exalt and celebrate Gods Name, therefore surely the Lord will not hold them guiltless that take his Name in vain.

Downham against Swearing, Spelman of Sacriledge.

SUNDAY XXVI. The Duties of the fourth Command­ment.

Q. WHat is the fourth Commandment?

A. Remember that thou k [...]ep holy the sabbath day. Six days shalt thou la­bour and do all that thou hast to do, but the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God. In it thou shalt do no manner of work, thou & thy son, and thy daughter, thy man-servant & thy maid-servant, thy cat­tel, & the stranger that is within thy gates. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the seventh day, and hallowed it.

Q. What are we commanded in the fourth Commandment?

A. We are commanded, because there is a time for every thing, in general, to de­dicate every day of our life a spiritual Sab­bath in rest from sin, and vacancy to his ser­vice; and in particular, that we sanctifie and keep holy to God such set-times as he hath appointed in his Word.

Q. What set-time hath God enjoyned to be observed under the Gospel?

A. 1. A seventh part of our time, as it is just in every first day of the week, which we keep, because Christ the Lord of the sabbath, Luk. 6.5. rose upon that day.

2. Because it hath been observed as a day of holy services by all Christians since Christs time, Joh. 20.19, 26. Act. 20.7. 1 Cor. 16.2. Rev. 1.10. and Let no man judge us in meat or drink, or in respect of an holy day, or Sabbath days, which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is Christ, Col. 2.16, 17. Heb. 2.4. & 8.10.

Q This is a Rule: What hath been con­tinued down to us by the uninterrupted practice of the Churches in all Ages from the Apostles time, (as the Christian sabbath was) and the example, practice, ground and reason whereof we have in Scripture, that is of Divine autho­rity: But are there no other days to be set a­part by Christians except the Lords day?

A. Yes:

1. Festivals set apart by the Church, for remembrance of the service of God to us by his, 1. Son, 2. Servants, 3. and Pro­vidence, Esth. 9.22. Neh. 8.10. Psal. 150. v. 1.

2. Fast-days, appointed for remembring [Page 144] our evil ways that were not good, and loath­ing our selves for them, Ezek. 36.31. Isai. 58 6. Job 42.6. Neh. 9.31. and for prayers to God to pardon and forgive us.

Q. How is the sabbath to be kept?

A. 1. By resting from all works, but works of necessity, holiness and mercy, Luk. 13.11. & 15.14. & 1 5. Mat. 12.5. Joh. 7.7.23. 1 Cor. 16.1. in heart, tongue and life, Neh. 13.15, 16. Exod. 31.15, 16. Isai. 58.19. Jer. 17.24.

2. By devoting the whole day to prayer, meditation on Gods works and Word, thanksgiving, examination of our hearts, Eccles. 4.17. Psal. 93.5. 2 Tim. 2.19. pub­lick worship, which we are to perform, 1. at­tentively, 2. reverently, Isai. 66.2. 3. sin­cerely, 4. throughly and constantly, Ezek. 46.1, 2, 10. Act. 10.33. 1 Cor. 14.16. and with our company, Heb. 10.25. Psal. 42.4. and works of necessity, mercy and charity, which we are to perform with heavenly minds, Mat. 12.1. Luk. 13.15.

Q. Who are to take care chiefly to see this performed?

A. Superiours, who are not onely bound to keep it themselves, but to see that it be kept by all those under their charge, and to take care that they hinder not others in em­ployments [Page 145] of their own, Exod. 20.10. Josh. 15.15. thou and thy servants, Neh. 23.11, 17.

Q. Why is the word Remember set in the beginning of the fourth Commandment?

A. The word Remember is set in the be­ginning of this Commandment, to stir us up to prepare for the keeping of it; and in keeping of it, for the better obeying of the rest of the Commandments, because we are apt to forget it in the midst of our worldly businesses that go before or after it; and because Satan endeavours to blot out the memory of it, to bring in all irreligion and impiety, Lam. 1.7. Jer. 17.21, 22, 23. Neh. 13.15, to 23.

Bishop White, Cawdrey, Brerewood.

SUNDAY XXVII. The Sins against the fourth Com­mandment.

Q. WHat are the sins forbidden in this fourth Commandment?

A. The first sin is Negligence; which they are guilty of, that

[Page 146]1. Omit any duty in whole or in part, for matter or manner.

2. That sleep out part of the Sabbath.

3 That are not mindful of the Sabbath before-hand, to order their affairs so that they may not hinder them in the Lords work on the Lords day.

4. They that come not at all, or late, and go away before the Blessing from Gods ser­vice, and are careless in it, and unprofitable after it.

Q What is the second sin against this Com­mandment?

A. Prophanation of the Sabbath: where­of they are guilty, who

1. Spend any moment of that precious time with worldly cares words or businesses, as travelling, Exod 16 29, 30. marketing, Neh. 13.15, 16, 17 labour, Exod. 34 21 go­ing on trifling errands, vain recreations, and unlawful pleasures, Isai. 58 12. 1 Cor. 10 7. eat, drink, or discourse it away.

2. They are guilty of prophaning the Sabbath-day, that, 1. Put no difference between this day and another: That refuse to come to the publick Assemblies, to hear and assist at Divine Offices, Heb. 10.25. Jude 19.

3. They that put others on needless [Page 147] works on this day, and suffer them to ab­sent from, and neglect holy duties, Neh. 13.15.

Q. What is the third sin?

A. Judaizing in opinion or practice, Col. 2.16. Gal. 4.10.

Q. What is the fourth sin?

A. Casting off the duty of reading the Scripture, Neh. 8.4. Jer. 36.6. of common prayer, supplication, giving thanks, singing of Psalms and Hyms, administration of Sa­craments, exercise of Church-censures, col­lection for the poor, 1 Cor. 16.1. Ordinati­on; which were performed in the primitive Church upon this day.

Q What is the fifth sin?

A. Not improving the Sabbath for the comfortable meditation of the rest that re­mains for the people of God, Heb. 4.9.

Q. What is the sixth?

A Not improving the Sabbath in such acts of charity, as, 1. reconciling Neigh­bours, Mat. 5.23 2. giving alms, Neh. 8.12. 3. provoking one another to love and to good works: 4. visiting the sick, Jam. 1.27. 5. edifying one another in love, 1 Cor. 14.3. 1 Thes. 5.1. Heb. 10.24, 25.

Q. What are the Reasons annexed to the fourth Commandment, to enforce it?

A. The first is taken from the equity of it; God allowing us six days of seven for our own affairs, and reserving but one for himself: Six days thou shalt labour and do all thy work.

Q. What is the second?

A. The second reason of keeping the Sabbath-day holy, is, Gods special proper­ty in that day: The seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God.

Qu. What is the third?

A. Gods example: In six days God made heaven and earth, and rested the seventh dsy.

Q What is the last motive to keep this Commandment?

A. The blessing God hath put upon that day; not onely in sanctifying it to be a day for his service, but in ordaining it to be a means of blessing to us in our sanctifying it: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.

Goodwin's observation of the Sabbath.

SUNDAY XXVIII. The Duties of Superiours.

Q. NOw you have learned your duty to­wards your God in the four Com­mandments of the first table; where do you learn your duty towards others and your self?

A. In the six Commandments of the se­cond Table.

Q. Which are they?

A. v. Honor thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.

vi. Thou shalt do no murder.

vii. Thou shalt not commit adultery.

viii. Thou shalt not steal.

ix. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.

x. Thou shalt not covet thy neigh­bours house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbours wife, nor his servant, nor his maid, nor his oxe, nor his asse, nor any thing that is his.

Q. What are the duties commanded in the fifth Commandment?

A. The duties of superiours towards in­feriours, of inferiours towards superiours.

Q. What is the duty of superiours towards inferiours?

A. The duty of Magistrates and Gover­nours is, 1. to countenance, commend and reward them that do well, 1 Pet. 3.7. Rom. 13.3, 4. 2. To discountenance and chastise those that do ill, Prov. 19.15. 3. To pro­tect and provide for those that are under them, things necessary for soul, body and e­state. 4 To maintain Religion, to honour God, Deut. 17.19. Isai. 49.23. 1 Tim. 2.2. Psal. 101.6, 7. and to establish justice and peace.

Q. What is the duty of parents towards children?

A. 1. To nourish, 2 Cor. 12.14. 1 Tim 5.16. Gen. 21.7. 1 Sam. 1.22. 2. To baptise them, Gen. 21.4. 3. To instruct and edu­cate them, Prov 22.6. Ephes 6.4 Deut. 6.6, 7. 4. To protect and provide for them, Gen. 30.30. Josh. 7.24. 5. To keep them in subjection. 6. To bring them up in some honest labour and useful calling, that they may not by idleness come to want, and the snare of the Devil, Job 32 6 & 29.8. 7. Lovingly, seasonably and moderately to correct them when they do ill, and to encou­rage them when they do well, Col. 3.21. Prov. 13.24. 8. To watch over them. [Page 151] 9. To give them good examples, Psal. 131.2. 10. To bless them by prayer and by pie­ty, that their feed may be blessed.

Q What is the duty of masters to servants?

A. They are, 1. To chuse good servants, Psal. 101. 2. They are to be just to them, allowing them that meat, wages, lodging, work, and time of refreshing that is fitting, Prov. 22.27. 1 Cor. 9.9. Deut. 24.14, 15. and 31.15. Jam. 5.4. Mal. 3.5. 3. They are to admonish, instruct and reprove them pri­vately and discreetly, and to take care that they come to be instructed publickly, Psal. 101 7. Act. 10.2. Josh. 24 15. Prov. 31.15. 4. To be good examples to them. 5. To enjoyn them moderate and lawful com­mands, and to encourage them in well-do­ing, considering they have a Master in hea­ven, Ephes 6.9, 3. Col 4.1. 6. They are to take care that they be provided for in sick­ness, Mat. 8.6. and that their grievances be remedied, Job 31.13, 14, 15.

Q. What is my duty if I be a Minister?

A. 1. To feed the flock with wholsome doctrine, plainly, diligently, and faithfully, 1 Tim. 4.12. Tit. 1.6. Lev. 21.4. 2 Tim. 3.16. Jer. 23.28. 2 Cor. 4.2. 2 Tim. 2.25. 2 Cor. 12.15. 2. Ministers are to go before the flock in a blameless conversation, 1 Tim. 4. [Page 152] 12. and to assist them in all the parts of the worship of God, Rom. 15.16. 3. To take heed to themselves, and to the flock over which the holy Ghost hath made them overseers, Act. 20.28.

Q. What is the husbands duty to his wife?

A. 1. To chuse religiously and discreet­ly. 2. To love her dearly. 3. To bear with her patiently. 4. To protect her carefully. 5. To provide her necessaries for her state and calling. 6. To allow her competent maintenance and liberty, to re­joyce and delight in her, and to admonish her with prudence and tenderness, 2 Cor. 6.14. 1 Pet. 3.7. Ephes. 5.33. Gen. 34.67. & 20.16. 1 Sam. 30.5, 8. Prov. 5.18.

Q. What is their duty who are above others in gifts?

A. 1. Not to despise others, 2. but employ their gifts to their advantage, Rom. 12.6. 1 Pet. 4.10, 11.

Q. What is the duty of Old men?

A. They should be, 1. Examples of pa­tience, sobriety, holiness, gravity; 2. sound in faith; 3. able to give good counsel and direction, Tit. 2.2, 3, 4.

Bishop Bilson of subjection; Perkins, Gouge, and Bishop Hall of Family-du­ties.

SUNDAY XXIX. The Duties of Inferiours.

Q. WHat is the duty of Inferiours?

A. To be subject, reverent, and thankful, bearing with their wants, and co­vering them in love.

Q. What is the duty of subjects to their So­veraigns?

A. 1. Obedience to the Laws for con­science sake, Tit. 3.1. 1 Pet. 2.13. Rom. 13.2.

2. Not resisting for fear of damnati­on.

3. To reverence, Prov. 24.21. 1 Pet. 2.17. and 2. to defend their persons with our prayers, 1 Tim. 2.1, 2. 2. Goods, Rom. 13.6, 7. body and life, 2 Sam. 18.3. Fearing the Lord and the King, and medling not with them that are given to change, Prov. 24.24.

Q. What is the duty of children to pa­rents?

A. 1. To revence, fear and obey them, Prov. 30.17. Ephes. 6.1. Col. 3.20. 2. To be disposed of by them, Ephes. 6.1. Numb. [Page 154] 30.5. Ruth 3.5. Judges 14.2. 3. To re­lieve them, 1 Tim. 5.4. Gen. 47.12. 4. To be advised by them, Prov. 24.22. 5. To express our love to them, 1. by our beha­viour towards them: 2. by our prayers for them, 1 Pet. 2.18.

Q. What is the duty of servants to their masters?

A. 1. Servants are wisely, faithfully, wil­lingly and diligently to bestow their time appointed in their Masters service, Tit. 2.9, 10. Ephes. 6.5, 6. Gen. 31.38. 1 Tim. 6.1.

2. They are to submit to their holy in­structions and rebukes, without grudging, stomach, sullen countenance, answering a­gain, or resistance, Tit. 2.9. 1 Pet. 3.18. 2 Pet. 2.20.

Q. What is the duty of the people to their Ministers?

A. 1. They are to love them for their works sake, 1 Thes. 5.13. Luk. 10.16.

2. They are to obey them, as having the rule over them, Heb. 13.17.

3. They are to pray for them, Ephes. 6.7, 8. Col. 4.3.

4. They are to communicate to them of every good thing, Gal. 6.6. 1 Cor. 9.

Q. What is the wifes duty towards her husband?

A. 1. She is to obey, fear, and love him, Ephes. 5 33, 22, 23. Col. 4.18 1 Pet. 3.1. 1 Sam. 25.3, 5. in word and behaviour.

2. To be faithful to him in his bed, and his other affairs.

3. She is to be a help to him, Gen. 2.18. in things of this life, and of that life that is to come.

Qu. What is our duty towards those that are above us in age or gifts?

A. We are, 1. to respect them; 2. to ask counsel of them; 3. to rise up before them; 4. to give them leave to speak be­fore us, Tit. 2.6. 1 Pet. 5 5. Lev. 19.32. Job 32.46. to make use of the gifts which God hath given them, Joh. 4.19. Rom. 16.1, 2, 3.

Q. How must all these duties be performed?

A. All these duties are, 1. cheerfully, 2. diligently, 3. faithfully to be perform­ed to superiours, though they be wicked and ungodly, in respect of the command­ment, will and authority of God, who hath so appointed, Psal. 119.4, 14, 32, 117.

Q. We have heard of the object of this Commandment, Superiours, who are called Father and Mother, because they may be tender towards Inferiours, and Inferiours may be the more obedient to them: we have heard [Page 156] of the duty, honour; what is the motive to keep this Commandment?

A. We must be careful to keep this com­mandment, lest we be cut off, Deut. 21.18. Prov. 30.17. that as far as it may stand with Gods glory and our good, our days may be long in the land which the Lord our God giveth us.

Q. What is the duty of Equals?

A. Equals must regard the dignity and worth of each other, modestly carrying themselves one towards another, and in gi­ving honour to go one before another, E­phes. 5.21. Rom. 12 10.

Mr. Reyner, Mr. Wheatley.

SUNDAY XXX. The Sins forbidden, and the Duties enjoyned in the sixth Command­ment.

Q. WHat is the sixth Commandment?

A. Thou shalt do no murther.

Q. Because life we would have above all things, and we can enjoy nothing without it; [Page 157] hence the first thing that God secures of our Neighbours is his life: What is forbidden in this Commandment?

A. We are forbidden first to be cruel and inhumane, Deut. 22.6. Prov. 12.10. Numb. 22.19.

Q. What is the second thing you are for­bidden to do in this Commandment?

A. We are forbidden to neglect our own preservation, 1. by excessive sorrow, Prov. 17.22. 2. distracting care: 3. wicked thoughts and hands against our selves, by solitary musing on the temptations of Satan, by neglect of meat, drink, apparel, recrea­tion, Physick, sleep, labour, or excess therein, to east away our selves. Or, 1. by medling with other mens matters, Amos 4. 1. Prov. 23.21. & 26.17. 2. By desperate adventures: 3. By dangerous company, or business, Prov. 26.20, 21. to endanger our lives over which we are not Masters, Luk. 2.29.

Q. What is the third thing forbidden in this Commandment?

A. We are forbidden all the murders of the heart, Mat. 15.19. whereof,

1. The first is unmercifulness, Amos 2.6, 7.

2. Immoderate and causeless anger too [Page 158] light­ly begun, too long continued, Ephes. 4.9.

3. Envy, grudging, repining, rancor, dis­dain, emulation, Gal. 5.20.

4. Hatred, malice, uncharitable suspiti­on, 1 Cor. 13.5, 7. Rom. 1.29, 30, 31.

5. Desire of revenge, Act. 23.12. irre­conciliation, frowardness, contention, Rom. 1.31.

6. A desire and consent to murder any man.

Q. What is the fourth thing forbidden in this Commandment?

A. We are forbidden all murders of the tongue, as,

1. Evil speaking, Ephes. 4 31. Col. 3.12, 13, 19.

2. Disdainful words, Racha.

3. Bitter and angry words, Thou fool, Mat. 5.22.

4. Mocking, Lev. 19.14. Prov. 6.17.

5. Brawling, threatning, provoking, Tit. 3.2. Ephes. 4.3.

6. Detraction, censoriousness, Act. 24.5. & 28.4.

Q. What is the fifth thing forbidden in this Commandment?

A. The murders of the hand, Gen. 4.11. & 9.5. As,

1. Chance-medley, Deut. 19.4, 5.

[Page 159]2. Manslaughter, Exod. 21.12, 13. Lev. 24.17.

3. Mutilation in fighting, Lev. 24.19, 20. Jam. 4.1.

4. All Duels, Gen. 10.9. Prov. 20.22.

5. All unlawful War, Treasons, 2 Tim. 3.4.

6. Abortions that are voluntary.

7. Delivering the Innocent to death, Luk. 23.24. or Prov. 17.15.

8. 1. Oppression, Lev. 19.13. 2. with­drawing Corn from the poor, Prov. 11.26.

9. Detaining the hirelings wages, Jer. 22.13. not restoring the pledge.

Q. Is all revenge unlawful?

A. All private revenge is unlawful; but God hath set the Magistrate in his stead, to take vengeance upon a Malefactor, and to right our wrong for us, Prov. 20.22. Rom. 13.4. & 12.17. 1 Sam. 25.26, 35.

Q. May a Magistrate put any to death?

A. Yes, Rom. 13.4. so it be, 1. for a just cause, 2. to a right intent, 3. and by one in lawful power, 2 Chron. 24.22. Rom. 14.4 after a fair tryal, Act 23.25. Joh. 18.29. Act. 25.16.

Q. Is any War lawful?

A. Yes, if it be,

1. By just Authority, Judg. 1.1. 1 Sam. 17.37.

[Page 160]2. In a just cause, Judg. 20.23.

3. To a right end, not for spoyl and prey, but for Religion and Justice, 1 Sam. 15.9. & 25.28. 2 Sam. 10.12.

Q. Is it lawful for subjects to raise up arms in any case against their Soveraign?

A. No, in no case, 1 Pet. 2.13, 14, 16. especially if we have sworn Allegiance to them, 1 Sam. 24.6. Rom. 13.2. Joh. 19.11. Psal. 82.6. Prov. 30.31, 32. Ezek. 17.15, 16. Judg. 9.19, 20, 24, 45, 56, 57.

Q. What is the last thing forbidden in this Commandment?

A. We are forbidden to kill our own souls with sorrow, Prov. 15.13. or with sin and damnation; or other mens, by, 1. com­manding, 2. advising, 3. enticing, Prov. 1.10, 13. 4 assistance, 5. encouragement of 1. example, 2. approbation, 3. de­fence. No man can by any means redeem his brother: for the redemption of the soul is preci­ous, and for ever, Psal. 49.7, 8. therefore let none destroy him.

SUNDAY XXXI.

Q. WHat are we commanded to do in the sixth Commandment?

A. We are commanded by all means to preserve our own life, and the life of our Neigbour.

Qu. What are the particular duties that we owe to our selves by vertue of this Com­mandment?

A. We are to love and cherish our selves, and to take care to preserve the vigour of the mind, and the strength of the body, that they may be serviceable to the Lord, and fit for our brothers good, Ephes. 5.29. 1 Tim. 5.23.

Q. By what means is the strength of body and mind preserved?

A. 1. By cheerfulness, Prov. 17.22. 2. by sobriety in 1. care, 2. meat, 3. drink, 4. apparel, 5. recreation, 6. and use of Physick, Mat. 6.34. Prov. 25.26. and by moderation in labour and sleep, Eccles. 4.8.

Q. What are the Rules to be observed in eating, drinking, recreation and apparel?

A. 1. We must eat, 1. Not before the time; 2. Not hastily and impatiently; 3. Not delicately or nicely; 4. Nor immo­derately or excessively.

2. We must drink sparingly and soberly, according as our constitution will bear.

3. We must use, 1. Lawful recreations, 2. with moderation of time and eagerness, 3. to the lawful end of a moderate refresh­ment.

4. We must use apparel, 1. to cover our nakedness, modestly: 2. to keep and defend our bodies, healthfully: 3. to di­stinguish the quality and sex of our persons, discreetly.

Q What means of refuge are we to use a­gainst violence and danger?

A. 1. We are to give soft words, cour­teous answers, Judg. 8.23. Prov. 15.1.

2. We are to use the benefit of Laws, Deut. 17.8. and of Weapons when force is offered.

Q. What is our duty in reference to our Neighbours person?

A. 1. We are to love him, Rom. 13.8. and rejoyce at his good, 1 Cor. 12.25, 26. to seek peace and ensue it.

2. We are to use a courteous behaviour towards him, Ephes. 4.32. to be easie to be [Page 163] entreated, Jam. 3.17. to give gentle an­swers, Prov. 15.1. to hear him in his own defence, Job 31.13. to avoid occasion of strife, to part with our right for peace sake, Gen. 13 8, 9.

3. We are to be harmless and innocent towards all men, Psal. 15.3. to take care that they take no harm by us or ours, Exod. 21.8. by word or action, Mat. 5.22. Lev. 24.19.

Q. What if our Neighbour be in distress, have done us wrong, or hath infirmities?

A. 1. In distress and want we are, 1. To have compassion of them, Ephes. 4.31, 32. we are to relieve them, to cloath them, to lodge them, to visit them, to plead for them, and if we are in power to defend them, that they may lead quiet and peaceable lives; and this we are to do 1. cheerfully, 2 Cor. 9.6, 7. 2. seasonably, 3. prudently, 4. libe­rally, 2 Cor. 8.9. & 9.6, 7.

2. In injuries, 1. We are to be patient, bearing wrongs, and forgiving injuries, Col. 3.12. 1 Cor. 13.7. 2. We are to love them when enemies, and do good to them, Mat. 5.44, 45. Ephes. 4.32. 1 Pet. 3.9. Gal. 6.2.

3. Mens infirmities we are to pity, to co­ver, to pass by the weaknesses of their words [Page 164] and actions, Eccles. 7.21. Prov. 17.9. to in­struct, direct, and assist them in what con­cerns their bodies, estates, and especially their precious souls.

Minister. Lord have mercy upon us, and encline our hearts to keep this Law.

Downham of Anger; Doctor Hammond and Dyke of Scandal; Bishop Taylor of Friendship, Mercy and Peaceableness; Perkins on the Beatitudes.

SUNDAY XXXII. The Sins forbidden in the seventh Commandment.

Q. WHat is the seventh Command­ment?

A. Thou shalt not commit Adultery.

Q. Having secured our Neighbours person in the former Commandment, God secures his possession in the rest: in that, he hath curbed our anger towards his person; in this, he bri­dles our lust towards his wife. What is in general forbidden in this commandment?

A. We are forbid all uncleanness of heart, speech, and gesture, together with all the causes, occasions and signes thereof.

Q. What are the inward sins against this Commandment?

A. Filthy imaginations and lusts of the heart, Col. 3.5. 1 Cor. 7.9. Gen. 39.

Q. What abuse of the senses is condemned?

A. 1. Wanton and foolish jesting, Ephes. 4.29. & 5.35. Col. 3.8. 2. Giving ear to rotten communication, 1 Cor. 15.33. 3. Wantonness of the looks, Mat. 5.28. 2 Sam. 11.2.

Q. What are the occasions of unclean­ness?

A. 1. Idleness, Ezek. 16.49. 2. Intem­perance in sleep or diet, Jer. 5.18. 3. Ex­cess, Ephes. 5.18. 4. Lascivious Books and pictures, 1 Thes. 5.22. and other provisions we make for the flesh, to serve it in the lusts thereof. 5. Immodest and unseemly ap­parel, Isai. 3.16. Deut. 22.5. &c.

Q. What sins are forbidden in our beha­viour?

A. 1. Impudency, 2. lightness, Prov. 7.13. 3. painting the face, 2 King. 19.30. 4. unlawful company and pastimes, Prov. 5.8. wanton gestures and dalliances, immo­dest kisses.

Q. What are the actions forbidden in this commandment?

A. 1. Adultery, Deut. 22 32. 2. Incest, Lev. 18.6. 3. Having many wives, Mat. 19.5. 4. Concubinage. 5. Harlotry with a common whore. 6. Fornication with a Maid not common. 7. Unlawful entrance unto marriage, Lev. 18.6. Deut. 22.23. Rom. 7.2. 8. An immoderate use of the marriage-bed, Lev. 18.19. Heb. 13.4, 7. and all unnatural lusts, Rom. 1.24, 26, 27. 1. with man as Sodom, Gen. 19. 2. with beasts, Lev. 18.23.

Q. Is not the judgement of God revealed in an especial manner against unclean persons?

Q. Yes, in body and estate, Prov. 5.10, 11. in name, Prov. 6.33. Job 31.9, 10, 11. in posterity, Deut. 23.2. Hos. 4 13. God smites them, 1. with sottishness, of judge­ment, Hos. 4.11. 2. with distress of consci­ence, Prov. 17.26, 27. & 5.34. Psal 51.10, 11. 3. With secret dislike of honest and good men, Prov. 7.8. 4. With hardness of heart to hide their filthiness with lying, per­jury, and murder, &c. 2 Sam. 11.16. & 13.15. Lev. 20 10. Prov. 6 34. See 2 Sam. 13. Numb. 25.8. 1 Cor. 3.17. Gal. 5.19. 1 Cor. 6.9.

Q. Is it not a fearful sin in the Church [Page 167] of Rome to tolerate Stews, and forbid Mar­riage?

A. It is the Doctrine of Devils, befitting that place which is called spiritually Sodom, 1 Tim. 4.1, 3. Deut. 23.17, 18. Rev. 11.8.

Minister. Let us say therefore with our Church, Lord have mercy upon us, and encline our hearts to keep this Law.

Downham against Whoredom and Drun­kenness.

SUNDAY XXXIII. The duties of the seventh Command­ment.

Q. WHen we consider that Ʋncleanness is a sin, 1. full of shame, Prov. 6.23. Job. 24.15. 2. full of care and sorrow, Hos. 2.6. 3. full of danger to two souls at once: 4. that it is the onely carnal sin the Devil de­lights in: 5. that it is against our own body: 6. that it defiles the temples of the holy Ghost, and the members of Christ, 1 Cor. 6.19. and 3.17. we must needs be willing to hearken af­ter the duties of this commandment: What are they?

A. That we should keep our selves pure in soul and body, both towards our selves and others.

Q. What are the means that may help us so to do?

A. They be

1. The presence of God, who is in us, and in all things, solemnly thought upon and considered, Psal. 139.7, 8.

2. The avoiding of all temptations to, and occasions of evil, with the beginning and first motion of sin.

3. Mortification of the flesh, Rom. 6.6, 7.

4. Prayer to God, 2 Cor. 12.8.

5. Temperance in diet, recreation and sleep, Luk. 21.34. 1 Thes. 5.6. and 4.2.

6. Labour in an honest calling, 2 Thes. 3.6, to 13. Ezek 16.49.

7. Watching, fasting, and keeping the body under, 1 Cor. 9.27. Rom. 13.14.

8. Decency in words, behaviour and ap­parel, Mat. 1.25 1 Tim. 2.9. 1 Pet. 3.2, 3.

9. To keep honest, modest, and good company, Prov. 23.33. Ezek. 16.49. Gen. 19.32.

10. To make a covenant with our eyes and ears, and other senses, Job 31.1. Psal. 119.37.

[Page 169]11. The bed undefiled, Heb. 13.4.

Q. What are the particular duties requi­red of us in this commandment?

A. They are three-fold: 1. purity of thoughts, 2. of words, and 3. of actions.

Q. What is that purity of thoughts?

A. A clean heart, 1 Thes. 4.3, 4. pure de­sires, and a chaste minde, neither thinking of, nor allowing nor delighting in this sin.

Q. What is that purity of words?

A. Speeches savouring of sobriety, Col. 4.6. from a tongue chastened and restrained with grace; a discourse seasoned with salt, that it may not corrupt good manners, but tend to edification.

Q. What is our duty in respect of our acti­ons?

A. To possess our vessels in sanctification and honour, 1 Thes. 4.5.

1. Virgins must intend purity of soul, be modest and retired.

2. Widows must restrain their former desires, thinking not upon their former li­berty: they must spend their time in fasting, praying, and alms-giving.

3. Married persons must take care that they be joyned to those that are fit, 1 Cor. 7.9, 39. that being so wedded, they be faith­ful [Page 170] and loving to one another, and moderate in the use of those pleasures that God and Nature allows them.

Minister. Whoremongers and Adulterers God will judge, Heb. 13.4. therefore let us say with the Church, Lord have mercy upon us, and encline our hearts to keep this Law.

Bishop Halls Remedy against Prophane­ness.

SUNDAY XXXIV. The Sins against the eighth Com­mandment.

Q. WHat is the eighth commandment?

A. Thou shalt not steal.

Q. The sixth and seventh commandments take care of our persons, this of our goods, and is the fence of propriety: it sets forth Gods providence over us, it encourageth mans indu­stry, securing to every one the labour of his hands, and any thing that he may call his own by just acquisition, by inheritance, by gift or contract. What is forbidden in this com­mandment?

A. All neglect to further our own, or our Neighbours wealth: all impeachment or hinderance thereof, and all increase there­of by unjust and indirect dealing, publick or private, by fraud or force acquiring or detaining what by the Rule of Justice or Charity belongs unto others, 1 Thes. 4.6. Luk. 6.30. Rom. 13.8.

Q. What sins are forbidden in this Com­mandment in respect of our selves, and our own estates?

A. 1. Idleness, 2. inordinate walking, Prov. 12.11. 2 Thes. 3.11. 3. Covetousness, 1 Tim. 6.10. 4. pinching our selves, Eccles. 6.1. & 2.26. 5. waste of our goods, 1. in meat, 2. drink, 3. apparel, 4. sports, Prov. 21.17. Ephes. 5 18. 5. by unadvised suretiship, Prov. 23.13. whereby we steal from our selves.

Q. What sins are forbidden in this Com­mandment in respect to our Neighbour?

A. Down-right robbery or stealing, 1 Pet. 4 14. f [...]audulent bargains; oppression, and pretence of Law; lending or borrowing; unlawful callings; Sacriledge, and the in­ward theft of the heart.

Q. Who are guilty before God of the inward theft of the heart?

A. 1. They who envy, grudge or con­trive [Page 172] against the prosperity of others, Psal. 73.7. Deut. 22.1.

2. They who are discontented with their own estates, and covet others, Eccles 5.10. 1 Tim. 6.10. Prov. 15.27. Isai. 32.7, 8. Prov. 30.15. Hab. 2.5. Heb. 13.5.

Q. How doth covetousness discover it self?

A. 1. If we spend our precious thoughts and delights upon abundance, place much credit and comfort in it; or if we do mean or unlawful things to attain it; or if we covet more then we dare to pray for, we are the persons whom God accounts co­vetous, Ezek. 33.31. Eccles. 4.8. Prov. 28.20. Ephes. 5.5.

Q. How do men sin in borrowing?

A. When they borrow, 1. to maintain idleness: 2. deceive men: 3. more then they are able to pay, Ezek. 18.7. 4. and deny or abuse what they have borrowed, or repay unwillingly, Psal. 37.11. Lev. 19.13. Psal. 15.4. Deut. 24.14, 15. Jam. 5.4. Jer. 7 6.

Q. How do men sin in lending?

A. 1. By exacting an unreasonable in­crease for Loan, Exod. 22.25. Ezek. 18.8.

2. Cruel requiring all our debt, with­out mercy and compassion, Isai. 58.3.

Q. How do men sin in bargaining?

A. When in buying, selling, letting, hi­ring, partnership, they use, 1. injustice, 2. craft, 3. fraud, 4. falsehood, 1 Thes. 4.6. a great scandal to Christianity, Rom. 2.24. and not the way to be rich, Prov. 22.16. Hab. 2 6. Ezek 5.5.

Q. What are the sins usually incident unto trades?

A. 1. The Sellers denying or concealing the fault of his Commodity: 2. using false weights, Lev. 19.35. Prov. 11.1. Amos 8.5. 3. and making advantage of ignorant chap­men: 4. by over-rating things by reason of the Buyers indiscretion and necessity.

2. The Buyers making an advantage of the Sellers necessity or indiscretion to de­ceive them, Prov. 20.14.

Q. How do men sin in keeping other mens goods?

A. 1. By detaining, 1. things strayed, 2. found, Exod. 23.4. Deut. 33.1, 2, 3. 3. the means of our Neighbours livelyhood laid to pledge, Exod. 22.26, 27. or things committed to our trust and custody, Deut. 27.19.

2. By receiving stollen goods taken away by force or fraud, as Partners or Buyers, Prov. 29.24. Psal. 50.18, 1.

Q. How do men sin by oppression?

A. 1. By selling Justice, Job 5.34. 2. By removing ancient Land-marks, Deut. 19 14. Prov. 15.27. Ezek. 18.12, 18. Psal. 12.5. Prov. 22.22. by prolonging Law-suits, by defending bad causes, by immoderate con­tention at Law, &c. unjust inclosures, Isai. 5.8. Mich. 2.2.

Q. What is Sacriledge?

A. To buy or sell, or any other way to alienate Tythes, Land, &c. dedicated to God in his Church, Prov. 20 25. Mal 3.8. Rom. 2.22. Act. 5 3. Luk. 20.25.

Q. What other sins are there against this Commandment?

A. Unlawful ways to get riches, 1. by distrustful and distracting cares in getting, keeping and using them: 2. by unlawful callings, as false Coyning, unlawful games, Jer. 10.2. Job 30.1, 2, 3. 2 Thes. 3 10. Act. 19.19.

Lord have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this Law.

Sir H. Spelman of Sacriledge, Salmasius of Usury, Downham against Bribery, Sanderson's Sermons.

SUNDAY XXXV. The Duties of the eighth Command­ment.

Q. WHat are the duties required in the eighth Commandment?

A. That by all good means we further the outward estate of our selves, and of our Neighbours, 1 Cor 6.11.

Q. How may we further our outward estate comfortably?

A. 1. By an honest calling, 1 Cor. 7.20. Gen. 4.2. 2. By faithful labouring, Ephes. 4.28. 3. True and honest dealing there­in, Psal. 15.2. 4. Frugality, as 1. honestly keeping what we have gotten; 2. wisely ordering our expences; 3. conveniently u­sing what God hath given, that we may be helpful to others, Prov. 21.20. A mode­ration of our judgements and affections con­cerning worldly goods, 1 Tim. 6.6, 7, 8, 9. Gal. 6.14. A provident care and study to get, keep, use and dispose those things which are necessary and convenient for the susten­tation of our nature, and suitable to our [Page 176] condition, Prov. 17.23, to the end. Eccles. 2.24. & 3.12, 13. 1 Tim. 6.17, 18. Isai. 18.2.

Q What is the duty of the borrower?

A. To borrow, 1. for need, 2. for good ends, 3. what we are able to repay, 4. and to pay with, 1. thanks, 2. cheerfulness, Exod. 22.14, 15. 3. at the time appointed, Psal. 15.4. 4. with as much content as we can to the Creditor.

Q What is his duty that gives?

A. To give, 1. freely, Luk. 6.30, 35. 2. justly, Isai. 58.7. 3. cheerfully, 2 Cor. 9.7. 4. according to our ability, and our Neighbours necessity, 2 Cor. 8.13. Heb. 13.16, 17. Exod. 22.7.

Q. What is the duty of the Lender?

A. To lend, 1. freely, 2. not requiring our own before the day appointed, 3. not compounding for gain, 4. forbearing or for­giving, 1. the whole, 2. or part, if it can­not be paid without the hazard of undoing the borrower, Luk 6.35.

Q. What is the duty in buying and sel­ling? &c.

A. We must use, 1. truth, 2. faithful­ness, 3. justice, 4. and indifferency in buying and selling, &c. Mat. 7.12. 1 Thes. 4.6. Gal. 5.13.

Q. What are we to do with other mens things in our possession?

A. Seasonably and faithfully to restore, 1. things committed to our trust, Exod. 22.7, 8. 2. things found, and 3. things un­lawfully gotten, Lev. 6.2.

Q. What is the duty of men in suretiship?

A. 1. Good advice in undertaking sure­tiship: 2. that it be in matters not above our ability: 3. and for such as are known and approved, Prov. 11.15. & 17.18.

Q. What if we be compelled to recover our own?

A. Moderation in recovering that which is our own must be used, Phil. 4.5.

Q. That we may preserve our Neighbours goods, and suffer every man to enjoy his own quietly and fairly, what must we do?

A. We must chiefly learn in what state soever we are, therewithal to be contented, by considering that what, 1. we have, is the portion that God allows us; 2. that it is more then we deserve; 3. that what we have not, is but vanity and vexation of spi­rit; 4. and that we have an eternal weight of glory reserved for us in the hea­vens.

Qu. Seeing the Law of the Land is the fence of that propriety which this Command­ment [Page 178] provides for, what is the duty of Law­yers?

A. 1. Lawyers must take no cause into their hands which they see can have no good end with equity, Isai. 5.20. Psal. 15.2.

2. And they must follow those which they undertake to defend, with all honest 1. diligence, 2. faithfulness, 3. for love of equity, 4. and not of gain.

3. They must end Suits with all possible dispatch, and good expedition, Exod. 18.13. &c.

Minister. Lord have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this Law.

Robert Harris Old Religion, Perkins Christian Equity, The whole duty of man.

SUNDAY XXXVI. The Sins against the ninth Com­mandment.

Qu. WHat is the ninth Commandment?

A. Thou shalt not bear false wit­ness against thy Neighbour.

Q. Having provided for truth in our deal­ings in the former Commandment, God pro­vides here for truth in our discourse and speech: the former Commandments took care of our lives and livelyhoods, this of our name, which is better then life. What is the general sin in this commandment forbidden?

A. All failing to procure, defend, and further our own and our Neighbours cre­dit; all unjust defence, wrongful suspition, or accusation of our selves or others.

Q. Who break this commandment?

A. 1. All that equivocate and lye, Exod. 23.7. Col. 3.9. Zech. 8.16. Rom. 3.7, 8. Job 13.7, 8. Ephes. 4.16.

2. They that by an offensive and indis­creet conversation, and by bewraying their weakness, and debasing themselves, do loose [Page 180] their good name, 2 Sam. 12.14. Rom. 2.23, 24.

3. They that accuse their Neighbours unjustly, and raise false tales, and they who report and scatter them, Tit. 2.3. Prov. 9.12. and stopping our ears against a just de­fence, Act. 7.56, 57.

4. They who are suspitious, raise jealou­sies, and are busie-bodies in other mens mat­ter, 1 Pet. 4.15. Rom. 1.29.

5. They that openly slander, detract, scoff, or rail at their brother, Psal. 50 20. Jam. 4.11. Jer. 38.4. or uncharitably censure him, or backbite him, Luk. 11.15. Act. 2.13. Mat. 7.1. Rom. 2.1. 2 Pet. 2.18. 1 Sam. 25.3, 10. Psal. 15.3.

6. They who conceal a truth, or tell a lye to the prejudice of another, being re­quired by justice and charity to give testi­mony to the truth, Exod. 23.1. Rom. 13.13. Psal. 58.1, 2. Prov. 24.11. Lev. 5 1.

7. They who dissemble and flatter with a double tongue, Prov. 26.18. & 5.26.

8. Judges that give false sentences, Law­yers that plead in bad causes, and Registers that make false Acts, Deut. 19.18 Mich. 7.3. 2 Tim. 4 16. Prov. 24.11, 12. Psal. 119.69. Luk. 19.8. Knaves that suborn false witness, Act. 6.13. and they that call good e­vil, [Page 181] and evil good; rewarding the wicked ac­cording to the work of the righteous, and the righteous according to the work of the wicked, Isai. 1.3.

9. They that speak the truth unseason­ably, maliciously to a wrong end, or per­versly to a wrong meaning, or equivocally in a doubtful expression, to the prejudice of truth and justice, Prov. 29.11. 1 Sam. 12.19, 20. Psal. 52.1, 2, 3, 4. & 55.5. Joh. 2.19. Gen. 3.5. & 26.7, 9.

Q. How shall we root out those sins we are usually inclined to against this Command­ment?

A. 1. By watching against evil surmizes, and ungrounded suspitions, upon some weak matter or evidence, Mat. 9.3, 4. Joh. 7.24. & 9.16. Rom. 14.3. 1 Tim. 6.4. 2 Sam. 10.3. 1 Sam. 22.8.10. & 24.9. 2 Sam. 16.4.

2. By taking care that we rejoyce not in the disgraces of another, and that we grieve not at anothers good esteem, Isai. 15.3. Joh. 10.12. 1 Sam. 18.7, 8. and so mortifie the false witness of the heart.

Minist. Lord have mercy upon us, and encline our hearts to keep this Law.

Downham against Lying, Sanderson on Rom. 14.3. Bolton's Directions for wal­king [Page 182] with God; Reynolds, Preston, Dyke, Harris against Covetousness.

SUNDAY XXXVII. The Duties of the ninth Command­ment.

Q. WHat are the duties which are enjoyn­ed in the ninth Commandment?

A. By all means we are to seek our own, and our Neighbours good name, according to truth and a good conscience.

Q. How ought we to speak?

A. 1. We ought to speak truth, Ephes. 4.25. Psal. 15.2. without lying, slandering, detraction, vanity, or tale-bearing.

2. We ought to speak freely, neither in­discreetly nor cowardly, Act. 23.7. Joh. 18.36.

3. We ought to speak in the simplicity of our hearts, without guile, Rom. 12.9. 1 Pet. 2.1. flattery, dissimulation or whis­pering, 2 Cor 12.20. Act. 12.22.

4. We ought to speak profitably, Ephes. 4.29.

5. We ought to speak sparingly, Prov. 10.19. & 17.27.

[Page 183]6. We ought to speak courteously and affably, Gal 2.4. Ephes. 5.4.

Q. What are we commanded in respect to our selves?

A. To know our selves, 2 Cor. 13.3. Gal. 5.26. to endeavour our own good name, Prov. 22.1.

Q. How may we procure our own good name?

A. 1. By honouring God carefully, Heb. 11.2, 39.

2. By judging and speaking well of o­thers charitably, Mat. 7.2.

3. By walking unblameably, Eccles. 10.18.

4. By defending our good name when need requireth modestly, yet unwillingly.

Q. What are the duties enjoyned us in this Commandment in respect of others?

A. 1. To desire and rejoyce in their good name, Rom. 1.8. Gal. 1.23.

2. To be sorry for, to cover, to hope the best, and judge charitably of their infirmi­ties, Ezek 9.6. 1 Pet. 4.8. 1 Cor. 13.5, 6.

3. Not bewraying mens infirmities, but endeavouring to redress them, Prov. 11.12, 13. & 25.9, 10.

Q How ought we to rebuke our Neighbours?

A. 1. We ought to rebuke them to their faces, Mat. 18.16. Gal. 2.11. 2. When just occasion requireth: 3. Lovingly: 4. Meekly, Gal. 6.3. Prov. 25.12. 5. With remembrance of what is praise-worthy in them, Rev. 2.2, 3, 4. 1 Cor. 14.10.

Q. You have shewed how we ought to be­have our selves towards our Neighbours infir­mities; How ought we to behave our selves in reference to what is good in our Neighbour?

A. 1. We ought to commend him when he doth well, in his absence, rather then in his presence, 1 Thes. 5.22.

2. We ought to defend his good name, whose unblameable carriage is known to us by testimony, hand-writing; yea, and by Oath, if need require, Phil. 10 11, &c.

3. We ought to check all idle reports a­gainst our Neighbour, Prov. 15.3. & 25.23. & 26.20.

Q. Who are they that keep this Command­ment?

A. 1. They that endeavour to preserve their own good name, and their Neighbors, Prov. 10.12.

Q. Who else?

A. They who speak well or charitably of all, 1 Cor. 13.5, 7.

Q. Who else keep this commandment?

A. They that use few, courteous, profi­table and affable words, 1 Pet. 3.8. Jam. 1.9.

Qu. Who else?

A. They that truly, freely and honestly give a testimony to truth; especially when they are called to it by lawful Authority.

Minister. As God is a God of truth, so those who honour him, must labour to preserve truth among men, and hate the contrary, which is all falshood and lying.

Lord have mercy upon us, and encline our hearts to keep this Law.

Reyners Government of the Tongue.

SUNDAY XXXVIII. The last Commandment.

Q. WHat is the tenth Commandment?

A. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbours house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbours wife, nor his servant, nor his maid, nor his oxe, nor his asse, nor any thing that is his.

Q. What is the intent or sum of this Com­mandment?

A. To prevent and suppress all inward propensions, inclinations, motions and de­sires, either of wrongful depriving any per­son of, or wrong him in any thing belonging to him; being well satisfied and contented with our present condition, though strait and mean, cheerfully depending on God for the enlargement of it in due time, either by some more special providence, or by his blessing on our lawful endeavours that way; knowing how to be abased, and how to abound; how to be hungry, and how to be full; how to have nothing, yet possess all things.

Or that we be truly contented with our outward condition, and heartily desire the good of our Neighbour in all things belong­ing to him, great and small.

Q. What are the sins forbidden in this Commandment?

A. 1. In general: all thoughts of mind, wishes and desires of heart, and delightful remembrance of evil against contentedness, Job 31.22.

2. In particular: 1. Original corrupti­on, as it inclines us to wrong our Neigh­bours: 2. The harbouring and nourishing any actual, though secret, motion, wish, de­sire, [Page 187] or imagination of enjoying what is not our own, Jer. 4.14.

Q. What is the duty enjoyned in this Com­mandment?

A. That we dispose of all our thoughts and affections so as to be contented with our Portions; wishing and delighting in our Neighbours welfare as well as our own.

Q. How may we keep this Commandment?

A. 1. We must keep our hearts above all keeping, full of holy thoughts and medi­tations concerning the things not seen, that are above.

2. We must pray to God to subdue our lusts, and to incline our hearts to his testimo­nies, and not to covetousness.

3. We must avoid all the occasions of e­vil.

Q. You have given a good account of the Ten Commandments: By what Rules do you come to know the true meaning of the Com­mandments?

A. We come to understand the inward meaning of the Commandments,

1. By considering the end of them.

2. By observing an Affirmative Precept in a Negative, and a Negative in an Affirma­tive.

3. By including under every Vertue and [Page 188] Vice, the kinds of them; together with the means, occasions, appearances, and alike practices; all dispositions, and their fruits.

4. By joyning the Accessary to the Prin­cipal, and understanding the Command­ments of our selves, and others also.

5. By making the Duties of Relations mutual, and including therein the Duties of Equals.

6. By understanding the Duties we owe others, of our selves likewise, as far as it is possible.

7. By chusing the greatest of two Duties when they stand in competition.

8. By understanding Affirmative Pre­cepts binding according to occasion, and Negative ones binding always.

9. By joyning the inward disposition with the external Duty.

10. By observing the same Sins and Du­ties in divers respects commanded or for­bidden in divers Commandments.

11. Binding the Conscience to all the Commandments.

Q. Are we now under the Law?

A. Yes; we are under its direction as our Rule, though we are not under the burthen or curse of it as a Covenant.

Q. Is any man able to keep this Law?

A. None can keep it perfectly: for the best fail, Jam. 3.2. 1 Joh. 2.14. but Gods children keep it sincerely, 1 King. 15.5.

Q. How many ways do good men offend?

A. Often in the matter and manner of doing, and continually in the measure of duty, Neh. 13.12.

Q. Should we not omit doing good, seeing we cannot do it in that measure God requi­reth?

A. No: but we should, 1. with dili­gence and singleness of heart, strive against corruption; 2. look for the assistance of Gods Spirit; and, 3. labour to grow in grace: the sin is to be avoided, the duty is to be done.

Qu. How may we grow better and better?

A. 1. By diligent, exquisite, and impar­tial searching of our hearts and ways. 2. By an impartial judging of our selves according to Gods holy Word. 3. A narrow, care­ful, and continual watching of our hearts and ways. 4. Redeeming of our time, and husbanding every moment thereof to our best advantage. 5. By storing the heart with grace, and living by faith. 6. By ta­king to us the whole armour of God; and with care, uprightness and constancy, using the means of grace in every state.

Q. What is the benefit of an holy, uniform, and constant obedience?

A. It assures us of Gods favour to us, his fatherly care over us, his Spirit to guide and comfort us, of growth in grace, and per­severance to the end.

Q. Who offend chiefly against this last Commandment?

A. 1. They who wantonly lust after their Neighbours Wives, covetously lust after their Neighbours goods, and ambitiously lust after their Neighbours names.

2. They who are over-covetous and greedy, over-careful and disquieted about worldly matters.

3. Thy who having sufficient, envy o­thers, and desire more.

4. They who are idle, and labour not in an honest way to get their livelyhoods.

5. They who stifle not, but cherish the first motions of irregular lust.

Lord have mercy upon us, and write all these thy Laws in our hearts, we be­seech thee.

The last part of the Catechism. SUNDAY XXXIX. of Prayer, and the Preface to the Lords Prayer.

Q. MY good childe, know this, that thou art not able to do these things of thy self, nor to walk in the com­mandments of God, and to serve him without his special grace, which thou must learn at all times to call for by diligent prayer. Let me hear therefore if thou canst say the Lords Prayer.

A. OVr Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that tres­pass against us. And lead us not into temptation: But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Q. Can you keep Gods commandments by your own strength?

A. No, not without Gods special grace preventing, assisting and furthering us, 1 Cor. 15.10. Phil. 4.13.

Q. How may you obtain that grace?

A. By Prayer, Jam. 1 5, 6. Let Pray­er ascend, that Grace may descend.

Q. To whom?

A. To God onely, Psal. 65.12. & 12.6. Joh. 6.23.

Q. How?

A. In faith, fervently, diligently, con­stantly and sincerely, in the Spirit.

Q. What is true Prayer?

A. It is to make our requests known, out of humble and sanctified hearts to God, in the Name of Jesus Christ and his interest, with faith of being heard and accepted through him in whatsoever we shall thus ask in Prayer, according to the will of God, for our selves or others, 1 Joh. 5.14.

Q. How many parts are there in Prayer?

A. Four:

  • 1. Supplication against evil.
  • 2. Prayer for good.
  • 3. Intercession for others.
  • 4. Thanksgiving for mercies, 1 Tim. 2.1. With an humble sense of our sins in publick and private.

Q. What need we pray for?

A. For our life and livelyhood, both which depend on God.

Q. What Prayer is heard and answered?

A. A Prayer joyned, 1. with under­standing, 1 Cor. 14.15. 2. with a sense of our wants, Mat. 11.28. 3. with fervency: 4 with reverence: 5. with hope to speed: 6. with love, Jam. 5.17. Eccl. 5.2. 1 Tim. 2.8. Mat. 6.14. Mark 11.25.

Q. May we use a form of Prayer? and how ought we to use it?

A. We may use it, Hos. 14.1, 2. Mat. 6. Luk. 11. and when we use it, we must be careful to raise inward motions and de­sires towards God, answerable to the good words we read.

Q. Is there any Rule or form of Prayer prescribed?

A. Yes, the Lords Prayer; when you pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, &c. Luk. 11.

Q. What desirest thou of God in this Prayer?

A. 1. (In the Preface.) I desire my Lord God our heavenly Father, who is the giver of all goodness, 2. (in the two first Petitions) to send his grace unto me, and to all people, that we may worship [Page 194] him, serve him, and obey him as we ought to do. 3. (in the fourth Petition) And I pray unto God that he will send us all things that be needful, both for our souls and bodies. 4. (in the fifth) That he will be merciful unto us, and forgive us our sins. 5. (in the sixth) That it will please him to save and defend us in all dangers ghostly and bodily; and that he will kéep us from all sin and wickedness, and from our ghostly enemy, and from everlasting death. 6. And this (in the conclusion) I trust he will do of his mercy and good­ness, through our Lord Iesus Christ. And therefore I say Amen, So be it.

Q. Here is the sum of the Gospel: 1. Ho­nour exhibited, when we call him Father. 2. Faith, in the invocation of his Name. 3. A tender of our obedience to his Will. 4. A Commemoration of our hope in his Kingdom. 5. A petition of life, in Bread. 6. A con­fession of sin, in begging remission. 7. Our eare to avoid temptations, in our request for de­fence and tutelage. Here is the sum of the Law: 1. God is our Father; therefore no other gods. 2. God is in heaven; there­fore no graven images. 3. Hallowed be his Name; therefore take it not in vain. 4. His will be done; therefore not our own, [Page 195] especially on his day, Isai. 57.13. 5. Give us our daily bread; therefore not take it, by killing or stealing. 6. Lead us not into tempta­tion; therefore not tempt our selves by unclean or covetous thoughts. 7. Forgive us our trespasses; therefore we have transgressed the Law, and our whole life ought to be a life of repentance. How many parts are there in the Lords Prayer?

A. Three:

  • 1. A Preface.
  • 2. Six Petitions.
  • 3. A Conclusion.

Q. What is the Preface?

A. Our Father which art in heaven.

Q What are we to consider from this, that we are taught to call God Father?

A. That we may be encouraged to draw near to him with the hearts of children, whilst he hath the bowels of a Father. We say God is our Father, not onely by Na­ture, but by Grace and Adoption, whom we may trust in, relie upon, and whom we ought to love, honour and imitate.

Q. What do you consider when you say Our Father?

A. We consider our relation to him as children, to one another as brethren, 1 Pet. 2.17. 1 Tim. 2.2.

Q. What do you mean when you say, Which art in heaven?

A. We mean not that God is not every where, Psal. 139.8. 1 King. 8.27. but that we pray to him in heaven, where he mani­fests his glory, and whence he bestoweth the gifts we pray for, Jam. 1.7.

Q. What do you learn from those words?

A. 1. Reverence, seeing he is in heaven, and we on earth, Eccles. 5.1.

2. Faith and trust not in any on earth, but in our Father which is in heaven.

3. An heavenly frame of heart lift up to the Lord, and set on things in heaven.

Minister. So then in these words you say thus much: Our Father, merciful and gracious, thou gavest us a being from nothing, according to thine own image; and hast ten­derly preserved us, feeding, conducting, and strengthning us all our days; and who hast ado­pted us by a new birth to become partakers of the inheritance of Jesus: Thou hast given us the portion and food of children, O make us to do the duty of children, that we may never loose our title to so glorious an Inheritance. Let thy excellent Name and Title by which thou hast vouchsafed to relate to us, be our glory and confidence, our Ornament and [Page 197] strength, our endearment to obedience, the principle of an holy fear to thee our Father, and of love to thee and our brethren, partakers of the same hope and inheritance for ever. Let thy Spirit witness to our spirits that we are thy children, and enable us to cry Abba, Fa­ther. Which art in heaven: Heaven is thy throne, the earth is thy footstool: from thy throne thou beholdest all the dwellers upon earth, and nothing is hid from thy sight. Thy pow­er is over all things in heaven, where thou sittest in thine own essential happiness and tranquil­lity, immoveable and eternal: that is our Country, and thither thy servants are willing to go: there is our Father, there is our Inhe­ritance, there our hearts are, and there is our treasure laid up till the day of recompence. And thus you say, Our Father which art in Heaven.

SUNDAY XL. Hallowed be thy Name.

Q. YOu have heard how we call God our Father which is in heaven; What do we desire of him in this Prayer?

A. We desire three things that concern himself, viz. Honour, Power and Obedience: three things that concern us, Sustenance, Pardon and Deliverance.

Q. What is the first thing that concerns God himself, which we sin against?

A. His Honour, in this that we say, Hal­lowed be thy Name.

Q. What do you desire in this Petition?

A. That Gods infinite Excellency may be magnified by us on earth, in heart, word, and deed, Psal. 40.16. & 115.1.

Q. How do you sanctifie or hallow Gods Name in your hearts?

A. When in our very souls we honour and acknowledge him as God, by trusting in him, by fearing and loving him, by our humble submission to him, by our hope in [Page 199] him, by our desire of enjoying him, Isai. 8.1, 31. 1 Pet. 2.15. Rom. 4 20. Phil. 1.20, 21, 22.

Q. How do we hallow or sanctifie Gods Name with our mouths?

A. When we speak good of his Name, Psal. 34 3. Deut. 32.3. Psal. 105.1. When we call upon him, adore him, and praise him.

Q. How do we hallow or sanctifie Gods Name in deed?

A. 1. By living as before him, Mat. 5.16. Joh. 15.8. 1 Pet. 2.32.

2. By patiently submitting our selves to his will, Josh. 7.17.

3. By professing his truth, Joh. 21.17.

And, 4. By living so as to glorifie our Fa­ther which is in heaven.

Q. How many things are understood here by the Name of God?

A. God himself, Psal. 115.1. 2. His Attributes, Exod. 34.56. 3. His Works, Psal. 119.1. 4. His Ordinances, 1 Tim. 6.1. 5. His Judgements, Isai. 30.27. 6. His Mercies, Isai. 48.9, 10, 11. 7. Or any thing whereby he makes himself known, Exod. 20.7.

Minister. 1. So then you desire that there may be a reverence and fear by his grace [Page 200] wrought in us of his Majesty, his Attributes, his works of Grace, his Word, his Name, his Day, and whatsoever else belongs to him.

2. That by our holy and devout lives we may magnifie his Name throughout the World, that he may not be sanctified by us onely, but in us.

3. That Prophaneness, Idolatry, Irre­verence and Indevotion may be turned out of the world, and true Piety may be set up, and flourish among men.

Q Let us hear your meaning in this Peti­tion?

A. Hallowed be thy Name: Let thy Name, O Lord, be as glorious in the world, as it is in its self. Thou art worthy to receieve honour, and glory, and praise, for ever and e­ver. O let me glorifie thee on earth, as I hope to be glorified by thee in heaven.

Q. What is the second Petition mentioned in the Lords Prayer?

A. Thy Kingdome come.

Q. What do you desire of God in this Pe­tition?

A. That God would rule in our hearts by Faith, rule in the world by his Power, and bring us to his Kingdome of Glory [Page 201] when this world is at an end.

Q. How many Kingdomes hath God?

A. 1. A Kingdome of Grace; 2. A Kingdome of Power; And, 3. A King­dome of Glory.

Q. What do you desire in order to the King­dome of Grace?

A. I desire that the Spirit of God may rule my heart, possessing my understanding with true Faith, my will with love, my affe­ctions with mortification, and my whole self with obedience.

Q. What means must you use that the Spi­rit may rule in your hearts?

A. 1. We are to hear his Word: 2. To attend his Ordinances: 3. To partake of his Sacraments: 4. To submit to his Mini­sters, Pastours and Teachers: 5. To obey his Law and Discipline; and to pray that the Gospel may run and be glorified through­out the world, Rom. 7.6. Gal. 5.16. Heb. 13.17. Col. 3.5.

Q. What are you to desire in respect of these means?

A. 1. That Gods Word may be conti­nued, Gal. 2.5. 2. That the Ordinances of God may be purely administred, 1 Cor. 11.23, 24. & 5.3, 4, 5. Heb. 3.2, 3. &c. 3. That Ministers and Magistrates may, [Page 202] 1. be preserved, Deut. 33.11. 2 Thes. 3.1, 2. 2. prospered, Psal. 122 6, 7, 8. and, 3. in­creased, Isai. 49.23. and that Schools of Piety may be erected and maintained, 2 Kin. 6.1, 2.

Q What is the Kingdome of power?

A. His Will and Providence, by which all things are guided, Psal. 197.1.

Q What are you to pray for in order to this Kingdome?

A. 1. That all Creatures may submit to his will, Phil. 2.10, 11. & 1.8, 9.

2. That all enemies may be subdued un­der him, Ephes. 1.21, 22.

Q. What enemies do you mean?

A. That Satan may be destroyed, Sin may be weakened, the Prophane and the Erroneous may be either converted or roo­ted out.

Q. How doth Satan govern his King­dome?

A. 1. By Ignorance, 2. by Errour, 3. by Impiety, 4. by Disobedience, Ephes. 4.18.

Q. What is the Kingdome of Glory?

A. A blessed state, wherein all that pre­pare their hearts to receive grace, shall be received into the glory prepared for them, Isai. 60.3. Joh. 17.20. Rom. 8.18.

Q. What do you desire in order to the King­dome of Glory?

A. I desire, 1. That Grace may be per­fected in us, that we may be fit to be recei­ved into Glory. 2. That the number of the Elect being accomplished, the end of all things may come, and we may obtain full salvation and redemption, and enjoy the glory prepared for us.

Minister. So you pray to God in these words, That all things, especially your heart and life, may be be subject to him; and to that end, that his grace in you may be dayly increased, and your sin weakened, until grace may be swallowed in glory. Let me hear your meaning in this Petition.

A. Thy Kingdome come: Thou rulest in all the earth, do thou rule in our hearts also. Let thy Kingdome be set gloriously over us; Let thy Kingdome be set graciously in us. Sub­due our sin, that it may never reign in our mortal bodies. Advance thy grace in us more and more: And when thy Kingdome of grace hath been raised to the utmost it was designed, grant that thy Kingdome of glory may speedily succeed; and we thy servants may be admitted to the peace and purity, the holiness and glory of that state where thou reignest alone, and art all in all.

SUNDAY XLI. Thy will be done.

Qu. WHat is the third Petition?

A. Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven.

Q. What do you desire in this Petition?

A. That whatsoever God willeth in his word or works, may be obeyed, Exod. 19.8. Rom. 12.2. Psal. 27.8.

Qu. Why must we pray that Gods will be done?

A. Because by Nature we do our will, and not the will of God, Ephes. 2.3. Joh. 8.44.

Q. What is the will of God?

A. The Word of God revealed in the Old and New Testaments, together with his Works, is the will of God.

Q. What do you desire of God that you may do his will?

A. 1. That I may know his will, and prove what is the good and acceptable will of God, Rom. 12.2. Col. 1.9, 10.

[Page 205]2. That we deny our own wills, Rom. 7.24. & 13 14.

3. That we have an eye upon Gods will in all we do, Ephes 6.6.

Minister. This is the will of God, even your sanctification.

Q. What do you desire when you say, As it is in heaven?

A. We desire that we may do or suffer Gods will as the Angels and Saints in Hea­ven.

Q. How is that?

A. 1. faithfully, 2. cheerfully, Psal. 119.16, 32, 47. 3. readily, Luk. 19.5. 4. sin­cerely, Deut. 5.28. 5. constantly, Isai. 6.2. Psal. 119.126. 6. universally, Luk. 1.46. the whole will of God: 7. unanimously and peaceably, Rom. 12.18. Heb. 12.14. Act. 2.1.

Q. What inward disposition do you desire that you may do Gods will?

A. 1. An inward desire, 2. care, 3. de­light, Psal. 119.36, 143, 145. 4. endeavor, 5. ability to obey it, Psal. 119.112, 167, 168. Phil. 4.13.

Q. Are we able in this life perfectly to obey the will of God as the Angels do?

A. No: but we, 1. desire, 2. strive af­ter, 3. hope for perfection, Luk. 13.24. [Page 206] Phil. 1.6. and now obey in sincerity, in truth, and as in the sight of God.

Q Are we onely to DO the will of God?

A. We are to SUFFER his will, and say, It is the Lord, let him do whatever he pleaseth.

Q. Let us hear your meaning in this Peti­tion?

A. Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven: Thy will (O God) is the mea­sure of holiness and duty; let us obey it. Thy Providence is the great Disposer of all things, in order to thy glory, and the good of thy ser­vants; O that we may submit to it. Let us assure our selves, that whatsoever thou saist is true, and whatsoever thou dost is good. O that we may be patient under the evils that thou dost inflict, that we may love the good which thou commandest, that we may hate the evil that thou forbiddest, and that we may be pleased with all the accidents thou sendest; that as the Angels in heaven, so we in earth may obey thy will readily, cheerfully, zealously. Grant, O God, that as they there, so all the world here, may serve thee with peace and con­cord, purity and love unfeigned, with one heart and one voice glorifying thee our heavenly Father. Grant that we may quit all our own affections, and suspect our reasonings, and go [Page 207] out of our selves, and all our own confidence; that thou being to us all things, disposing all e­vents, and guiding all our actions, and dire­cting our intentions, and over-ruling all things in us and about us, we may be servants of thy Divine Will for ever.

SUNDAY XLII. Give us this day our daily bread.

Qu. WHat do you desire for your self in the Lords Prayer?

A. We desire, first, Sustenance, in these words, Give us this day our dayly bread.

Q How graciously doth our Saviour conde­scend to our weak dispositions, and in duties, that we ask first for the necessities of that part we love best, desire necessary things for our bo­dies, viz. Bread to eat, &c. before that which more neerly concerns us, viz. Remission of sin! &c. and he that is so willing that we should ask for the least, will not deny that which is most necessary for us, Act. 14.15, 16, 17. What do you desire of God in this Peti­tion?

A. That he would bestow on us all things [Page 208] necessary for this life, maintenance, sober and Christian delight, as health, wealth, food, rayment, Physick, sleep, peace, and whatsoever we shall need all our days.

Q. What do you mean when you say, Give?

A. O Father, give, bestow, continue thy blessings, which are not my merits, but thy gifts, given of God to our prayers and ho­nest endeavours, Hos. 2.8, 9. Psal. 104.17. Gen. 28.20.

Q. Why do you say, Give Vs?

A. Not to me alone, but to all thy ser­vants: I ask not for my self; I will not keep it to my self.

Q. Why do you pray for Bread onely?

A. Give me neither poverty nor riches, but feed me with food convenient for me, Prov. 30.8, 9.

Q. Why do you say, Our Bread?

A. I pray onely for mine own, and not for anothers bread out of his mouth, Prov. 10.17.

Q. What do you mean by Dayly bread?

A. I mean by dayly bread, 1. what may supply my present necessity, 2. or what may be agreeable to my present condition, Prov. 15.16. Deut. 17.16.

Q. Why do you pray onely for this day?

A. Because my care ought not to reach [Page 209] too far; and if I have wherewithal to sup­ply my present need, I should be therewith­al contented, 1 Tim. 6.8. Mich. 6.31, 32. Psal. 37.3, 25.

Q. Seeing we pray but for a day, may we not provide for the time to come?

A. Yes, in a lawful manner, and when God gives opportunity, Ephes. 4.28. Gen. 41 34, 35. & 50.20. 2 Cor. 13.14. Act. 1.28. waiting upon Gods Providence, 1 Pet. 5.7. Psal. 55.20. when we have means, Prov. 3.5, 6. and when we want them, Isai. 28.16.

Q What cares for the things of this life are unlawful?

A. 1. All distrustful, 2. distracting, 3. unprofitable, 4. and needless cares, Mat. 6.25. &c.

Q. What desire you under the name of our bread?

A. 1. Contentedness, Heb. 13.5. 1 Tim. 6.6.

2. Resting on Gods Providence, Prov. 16.3.

3. Honesty, Job 29.24.

4. Faithfulness and painfulness in our cal­lings, 2 Thes. 3.12.

5. Joy and thankfulness under Gods mercy, Deut. 28.47. & 8.10.

[Page 210]6. Gods blessing sanctifying what we en­joy, 1 Tim. 4.4.

Q. What do you pray against in these words?

A. We pray against, 1. Covetousness, Psal. 119.36. 2. Distracting cares, Mat. 6.34. 3. Distrust, Psal. 78.22. 4. Dis­content with our estate, 1 Tim. 6.10. 5. Idleness and carelessness, fraud, oppression, and dishonesty, and whatsoever is unlawful in our pursuit of outward prosperity.

Q. When is bread said to be ours?

A. Bread may be said to be ours, when it is gotten by just and lawful means, Ephes. 4.28. 2. In a good and honest calling, Gen. 3 19.

Minister. Then you pray in these words,

1. That God out of his fatherly care would distribute to us day by day that which shall be sufficient for the necessities of Chri­stian delights, of our lives, Prov. 30.8, 9. Psal. 37.5.

2. That God would give us grace to use Prayer and honest Labour to attain this in the use of such means as he hath appoint­ted.

3. That he bless it to us when it is be­stowed upon us: For man liveth not by bread, &c. Mat. 4.4.

Q I pray let us hear your devotion in this Petition.

A. Give us this day our dayly bread: Thou, O God, which takest care for our souls, provide for our bodies that thou hast made and sanctified, and designed to be glorious. Give us neither poverty nor riches, but food convenient for us, and provision suitable to that state whereunto thou hast called us, as may enable us with comfort to do our duty, having our needs relieved, and our infirmities supported.

SUNDAY XLIII. Forgive us our trespasses, as we for­give them that trespass against us.

Q. WHat is the second thing we desire for our selves?

A. A pardon and forgiveness of sin: (without which, sustenance would not be granted; or if granted, would not be a blessing, Psal. 78.30, 31.) Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us.

Q. Indeed while we are in our sin, we may ask bread, and have it not, or have it in anger, Jam. 4.2, 3. Hos. 13.11. But what do you ask of God in this Petition?

A. We ask that our God in his free mer­cy in Jesus Christ, would fully pardon all our sins, as we do pardon the wrongs and injuries we have received from others, Isai. 43.25. Psal. 51.2. Luk. 11.4.

Q. What is it to forgive sin?

A. 1. To cover it, 2. to put it out of sight, 3. not to impute it, 4. or not to call to a reckoning for it, Psal. 32.1, 2.

Q. Why are sins called trespasses or debts?

A. Because as we by nature owe our God a debt of obedience, so as sinners we owe him a debt of punishment, Gal. 5.3. Mat. 18 14.

Q What do you ask of God particularly in this Petition?

A. We ask five things.

Q. What is the first thing you ask?

A. Grace, feelingly to know, and freely to confess the great debt of our sins, and our utter inability to satisfie for them, Psal. 51.3. & 130.3. & 43 2.

Q. What is the second thing you ask in these words?

A. Faith to lay hold on the meritorious [Page 213] suffering and obedience of our Lord Jesus Christ, for our pardon and forgiveness.

Q. What is the third thing?

A. We pray for the testimony of Gods Spirit, sealing to us the pardon of the seve­ral sins and debts of every day and moment of our life.

Q. What is the fourth?

A. That the whole debt may be accepted at the hands of Christ our Surety, and we fully discharged and acquitted, Phil. 3.8, 9. So that nothing may remain on our account but the righteousness of Christ, whereby the favour and Kingdome of God is purcha­sed for us.

Q. What is the last thing you desire in these words?

A. We desire that we may not be desti­tute of an argument to plead for mercy with God; and to assure our selves of suc­cess, we desire of God a portion of that mercy which is so abundant in him, that we may be tenderly affected one towards ano­ther, forgiving one another, even as God for Christs sake forgiveth us.

Q. Why do you say, As we forgive them that trespass against us?

A. Not that our forgiving others doth merit that God should forgive us, Mat. 18. [Page 214] 32, 33 Col. 3.13. but it is a qualification necessary to have God forgive us, Mat. 6.15. & 18.32. and our forgiving others, is a signe whereby we may be assured that our God hath forgiven us▪ Mat. 6 14, 15. & 5.22, 24. & 7.11.

Q. Are we ever to forgive the trespasses that are done against us?

A. The wrong that is done unto us, we ought to forgive; and the sin that is done a­gainst God, we ought to pray to him to for­give; but the damage we are not always to forgive, 2 Chron. 19.6. 1 Tim. 5.8. Ephes. 2.9. Act. 16.37.

Q What must we acknowledge concerning God and our selves in this Petition?

A. We must acknowledge, 1. our selves miserable sinners, Psal. 40.12. & 25.11. E­zek. 9.6. 2. That we have no power to sa­tisfie for sin, Psal. 49 7, 8. Act. 2.37 38. E­zek. 16.4, 5. 3. That our God is patient, bearing with us so long, Lam. 3.22. Psal. 103.8. 4. And merciful, not giving leave onely, Dan. 9.18, 19. 2 Chron. 7.14. but commanding us also to pray for pardon, Hos. 14.1, 2.

Q. Must we pray for pardon every day?

A. We sin every day, Eccles. 7.21. and therefore every day we ought to pray for [Page 215] pardon, Psal. 55.17. and our faith is weak, and we must pray dayly for greater assurance of salvation, Luk. 17.52.

Q. Let me hear a Prayer of what you de­sire in this Petition?

A. Forgive us our trespasses, as we for­give them that trespass against us: O look upon us in much mercy, for we have provo­ked thee in much sin. O pardon the adherent Imperfections of our life, the weakness of our duty, the carelessness of our spirit. O turn thine eyes from our iniquities, and look upon the purest Innocence of Jesus Christ: in him have mercy upon us according to thy great goodness, and ac­cording to the multitude of thy compassions be gracious unto us: and be pleased to give us great charity, that we may forgive all that trou­ble or injure us, that by this charity we may be discerned to be thy sons and servants, and the Disciples of the holy Jesus.

SUNDAY XLIV. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Q. WHat are the words of the sixth and last Petition?

A. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Q Having prayed for pardon of sins past, we are to pray that we be not led to any sin for the time to come: but what is temptation?

A. A temptation is any tryal whereby the heart is incited to sin by Satan, the world, the flesh, 1 Thes 3 5. Jam. 1.14 Mat 26.41.

Q. Who are said to tempt us in the Scri­pture?

A. God, Satan, the World, and the Flesh.

Q. How doth God lead us to temptation?

A. 1. By withdrawing his grace from us, and leaving us to our selves, Hos. 5.15. 2 Chron. 32.31. Rom. 1.26, 28.

2. By trying us with prosperity or adver­sity, Deut. 8.16.

[Page 217]3. Letting loose Satan to trouble or se­duce us, 2 Cor. 1.7. 1 King. 12.22.

4. By suffering us to fall upon occasions of sin, and deferring to help us.

Q. Is not God the author of sin?

A. God forbid: we commit sin, he one­ly in wrath and anger suffers it.

Q. How doth Satan tempt?

A. 1. By inward suggestions, Joh. 13.2. 2. by outward objects, Mat. 4.3, 4, 8.

Q How doth the world tempt?

A. The world tempts, 1. by bad exam­ples, Jer. 44.17. or 2. by wicked perswasi­ons, allurings or enticements, Act. 21.12. Mat. 16.22.

Q. How doth the flesh tempt?

A. 1. By ill motions, whereby we are drawn aside of our own lusts, Jam 1.14. 2. by inward delight, 3. by a willing con­sent, 4. by an allowed practice.

Q. How many sorts of temptations be there?

A. Two sorts:

1. One of tryal, to prove us in faith, love, &c. as God doth, Job 23.10. and we count it all joy when we fall into such tem­ptations, Jam. 1.2.

2. Another of seduction by Satan, to de­ceive, destroy, and undo us; and against [Page 218] this we pray, Lead us not, &c.

Q. What is it to be led into temptati­on?

A. To be led into it, is to be overcome, so as that sin prevails, &c. Mat. 26.41. 1 Cor. 21.1.

Q. How is God said to lead into temptati­on?

A. God leads a man into temptation, 1. when in any tryal he doth forsake a man. 2. When he doth withdraw his grace from him. 3. When he doth suffer him to fall, 2 Chron. 32.31. 4. When he hardens his heart, Exod. 7.3. 5. and gives him wholly up into Satans power, and the full sway of his own corrupt heart, Rom. 1.24, 25, 26. When we are so entangled with sin, that we cannot finde our way out.

Q What is it to be DELIVERED from evil?

A. To deliver, is, 1. to support us un­der, 2. or protect us from, 3. or to res­cue us from evil.

Q. What do you mean by the evil?

A. I mean,

1. The Evil One, Satan, the author of all evil, Ephes. 6.16.

2. The evil of sin.

3. The evil after sin, Death.

[Page 219]4. The evil of my own heart, and of the world, that leads to sin and death, Rom. 7.19, 21, 23. Gal. 5.24. 1 Joh. 2.16.

Q. What is it then that you desire of God in this Petition?

A. We desire that sin may not onely be pardoned, but destroyed; and that we may be freed from all tryals and temptations to sin, so far as it stands with Gods pleasure; and always from the evil thereof, that we faint not under them, Mat. 26 39. Rom. 8.28. 1 Cor. 10.13. and undergo the evil of sin and death.

Q. How many things do you desire in this Prayer?

A. We desire,

1. That seeing we cannot be tempted but by the will of God, and we cannot resist but by his power, he would never leave us nor forsake us.

2. That he would tie up Satan, that he may not have his will over us, and teach us to walk wisely and circumspectly, 2 Cor. 2.8, 11. that he would preserve us from the e­vil that is in the world, Joh. 17.15. and a­bout the power of our corruption that is within us.

3. We desire that he would never take away his holy Spirit so, as that we be left in [Page 220] the hand of our own counsels, and delive­red to our own lusts, so as that we cannot escape.

4. We desire that in temptations (if he see good to prove us) he would always stand by us with his grace to keep us from falling, and to give us an holy use of our tryals.

5. We desire that if at any time our God should leave us to our weakness, he would graciously raise us up again, with increase of spiritual strength and courage, Psal. 51.12.

6. We desire that he would mortifie our lusts and corruptions, and support us by his grace against them.

7. We desire that the Lord would stir us up to watch and pray, lest we enter into temptation.

8. We desire that our God would put an end to all tryals, and to these days of tryals; and that he would give us, 1. hope, 2. patience, 3. comfort, Col. 1.11. 2 Thes. 2.17. and a good issue out of all tryals, that we may neither presume nor despair, Prov. 30.9.

9. We desire that our God would in­crease and perfect the work of his grace in us, enabling us to every good work; and in stead of temptations to evil, he would [Page 221] be pleased to afford us all helps to well-do­ing.

Q. Let me hear you pray over this Petition in other words.

A. Lead us not into temptation: Pity thy poor servants in the midst of their tempta­tions, and give us spiritual strength, holy re­solutions, a watchful spirit, the whole armor of God, thy protection, the guard of Angels, and the conduct of thy holy Spirit, to be our security in the day of danger. Give us thy grace to flee from all occasions of sin, that we may never tempt our selves, nor delight to be tempted; thy Providence so ordering the acci­dents of our lives, that we may be delivered from the evil of sin and death.

SUNDAY XLV. For thine is the Kingdome, &c.

Q. WHat is the last part of the Lords Pray­er?

A. The Conclusion and Doxology, in these words, For thine is the Kingdome, the Power, and the Glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

Q. What do you mean when you say, For thine is the Kingdome? &c.

A. We mean that we call upon him in our necessities, and pray,

1. Because his is the Kingdome and So­veraignty over all things, and over us, to whom he is a gracious Lord.

2. His is the Power to do above what we can ask or think.

3. Because his is the Glory that ariseth by our praying to him, and by his answer­ing our Prayers.

Q. What do you mean by Amen?

A. Be it so. The word Amen, being a witness of our faith, and desire of the things prayed for, Jer. 11.5. of our desire that things should be so, and of our confi­dence that it shall be so, 1 Cor. 14.16. Deut. 27.15. according to Gods will.

Minister. So that our Saviour teacheth us to put an Amen to our Prayers, that we may be admonished to desire and believe. Let us hear this part of the Lords Prayer in other words.

A. These things which we have asked, good Lord, give and grant; so shall we thy servants advance thy Kingdome, acknowledge thy Power, and the Glory of thy mercy, from ge­neration to generation, for ever. Amen.

Q. What comfort have you in this, that the Kingdom, the Power and the Glory is Gods for ever and ever?

A. We have this comfort, that he who was able for his own glory to answer the Prayers of the Saints in all Ages, is the same as yesterday, so to day, and for ever, Heb. 4.16. & 13 8. Jam. 5.7.

Q. What ought we to do after we have prayed?

A. We ought to observe how we speed, and what answer we receive, Psal. 3.4. & 85.8.

Q. What Rules are we to observe touching the success of our Prayer?

A. 1. God may answer our Prayers, and we not know it, Isai. 64.24. 2 Sam. 17.13. Psal. 51.1, 2.

2. For God doth not always give the particular things we ask for, but what he knows best for us, Rom. 1.10. 2 Cor. 12.7, 8, 9. Heb. 5.7.

3. We must wait on Gods time, Isai. 28.16.

Qu. When do we speed well in prayer?

A. 1. We speed well when God giveth us the same thing we crave, being good, Lam. 3.17. Gen. 30.17. Psal. 21.2, 4.

2. Or when God giveth us something as [Page 224] fit, or more fit for us, Gen. 17.18, 19. Heb. 5.7. or when God giveth us more patience and strength to wait, 2 Cor. 12.7, 8, 9. Psal. 40.1.

Q. How must we do if God answer us not?

A. 1. We must examine our selves how we pray.

2. We must continue fervent in prayer.

3. VVe must wait upon the Lord with patience until we speed, Jam. 4 3. Luk. 18.1, 11. Hab. 1.3. Psal. 5.3.

Q. How do we pray amiss?

A. VVe pray amiss,

1. VVhen we pray ignorantly, rashly, coldly, distrustfully, and sloathfully.

2. VVhen we pray for what is not good, or not good for us.

3. VVhen we pray for things which we would consume upon our lusts.

Q. Why doth God for a time deny us what we ask?

A. 1. That we may be humbled for our wants, Lam. 2.4.

2. That we may exercise our faith and patience in waiting, Mat. 15.23, 24.

3. To try our obedience for conscience sake, Psal. 44.17, 18.

4. To make us depend upon him, and thankful to him; and that he may do us [Page 225] good in the latter end, Judg 20 26.

Q. What shall we do to pray with success?

A. VVe must depart from all iniquity, and lift up pure hands unto God, Psal. 66.18. & 78.34, 35, 36. 2 Tim. 2.19. Prov. 15.8. Joh. 9.31. Isai. 58.7, 8, 9. Ezek. 17.17.

Q. What kinds of prayer are there?

A. 1. Publick Prayer in the Church, decently and in order, 1 Cor. 14.40.

2. Private Prayer, fervently and sincere­ly.

Q. How often must we pray?

A. Continually, in the frame of our spi­rit, 1 Thes. 5.17. For the whole course of a Christian is a perpetual communion and intercourse with God; either suing for mercy, or waiting for an answer to be recei­ved, or rendring thanks for an answer al­ready received, Psal. 5.3. Luk. 2.47. but especially when we enter into any business, or receive any blessing.

Q. What ought to be our outward carriage in prayer?

A. Such as may best express and encrease the reverence, humility, fervency and affi­ance, that ought to be in our hearts; as the bowing of our knees, lifting up our hands and eyes to heaven, &c.

Q. May we use a form of prayer?

A. Our Lord, who hath given us this form, saying, When ye pray, say, hath ad­mitted of all languages, words and forms agreeable to this pattern, whether read, re­hearsed by heart, or presently conceived, so be it we pray both with spirit and affection, and with understanding also.

Minister. Thus we have done with the third part of the Catechism; wherein we were taught what to pray for, according to that absolute form of Prayer which the Lord hath taught us: of which the Ancients said, It was a familiar, grateful and friendly Prayer, to entreat God by that petition he fra­med, the prayer that Christ taught ascending to his ears. Let the Father acknowledge the words of his own Son, when we pray: Let him who dwelleth in the heart, be in the voice; and since we have him an Advocate with the Fa­ther for our sins, when we poor sinners ask par­don for our offences, let us produce and send up the words of our Advocate, &c.

Almighty, &c.

SUNDAY XLVI. Of the Sacraments.

Q. WE believe that our Saviour did redeem the world, in the Creed; we see how he doth apply, seal, and present that redemption to us by his Sacraments. In the one we hear, in the other we feel, taste, and see how graci­ous the Lord is.

How many Sacraments hath Christ or­dained in his Church?

A. Two onely, as generally necessary to salvation.

Q. Which are those two?

A. Baptism and the Lords Supper, an­swerable to the Circumcision and the Passo­ver under the Law. 1. By Baptism we are admitted into the Church. 2. By the Lords Supper we are nourished, preserved, and grown up in Christ after we are born a­gain.

Q What do you mean when you say, that these two Sacraments are generally necessa­ry to salvation?

A. We mean that all ought to receive these Sacraments that will attain Salvation.

Minister. This is not so to be understood, as if God could not save without them: but that they are the means instrumental, and ordinary seals by which God hath pro­mised to assure and convey Christs merits unto us, and commandeth us this way to receive them: so that wilfully to neglect them, or to want them when they may be had, is to neglect Gods Ordinance, and to disobey Gods command.

Q. What are the uses of Sacraments?

A. They are useful,

1. To separate Gods houshold from strangers, Gen. 17.10.

2. They are Bonds of Obedience, Obli­gations of mutual Charity, Provocations to Piety, Preservatives against sin, and Me­morials of the benefit of Christ, Gal. 3.1. Luk. 22.19.

3. They are visible marks by which God gives notice of his approach; and purpo­seth to impart the saving grace of Christ to all that are capable thereof.

4. They are conditional means, which God requires to be observed of them unto whom he imparts grace: which grace a worthy Receiver partakes of, by his assi­stance [Page 229] going along with the Sacrament.

Q. What do you mean by this word Sa­crament?

A. We mean an outward visible signe, of an inward and spiritual grace, ordain­ed by Christ himself, as a means whereby we receive the same, and a pledge to assure us thereof.

Q. What is contained in a Sacrament?

A. There are two things contained in a Sacrament, The outward signe, which is presented to our eye or sense; and, The inward grace sealed unto the soul.

Q. What is the grace offered in the Sacra­ment?

A. The whole obedience, merit, death and passion of our Lord Jesus Christ; and the benefits that flow thence are,

1. Justification, whereby we are made righteous.

2. Wisdome, whereby we are made wise to salvation.

3. Sanctification; for by the power of his Spirit we die to sin, and live unto righteousness.

4. Redemption, by which we are redee­med from sin, death and hell, and shall be estated in glory when the day of full redem­ption shall come.

Q. How come these outward and visible signes which we see, to signifie the inward and invisible grace which we believe?

A. Because Christ hath ordained it: he said, and it was done, 1 Cor. 11.28.

Q. Who hath power to ordain Sacra­ments?

A. God onely, who can confer grace on worthy receivers, and can punish the un­worthy receivers.

Q. For what end were the Sacraments or­dained?

A. 1. To be a means to receive grace.

2. To be pledges to assure us of grace received.

Q. What do you mean by that?

A. We mean three things.

1. That the Sacraments represent to us, and set before our eyes what Christ hath done for us.

2. They convey that so laid before us in­to our souls, in so much grace and favour as is needful for us; as, Pardon of sin, Re­conciliation, acceptation, and strength to do what he requires.

3. That the Sacraments are a pawn left us by God in the hands of the Minister, to give acquiescence and ground of confi­dence, that the graces promised shall be [Page 231] surely performed, Rom. 4.11. Gen. 17.11.

Minister. Our God not content with the ge­neral offer of the promises, out of his meer mercy hath thought fit to seal them to every particular believer, having a regard thereby to their infirmity; that by faith they may apply those things they see, to such things as are not seen: he hath given us seals to the word of the covenant of grace, to instruct, assure and pos­sess us of our part in Christ and his benefits, and to bind us all in thankful obedience to him, and in love to his saints. Do you know how the Sacraments are especial means to con­firm faith?

A. The Sacraments are special means to confirm our Faith, because in them Christ is in special manner represented and offered to all, and received by those that commu­nicate worthily.

Q. Who are lawfully called to administer the Sacraments?

A. Those who being furnished with knowledge and grace, are set apart for that Office by the Church, Deut. 33.10. Mal. 2.7. Mat. 5.14, &c. 1 Tim. 3.2, 4, 5. Tit. 1.7, 8. Rom. 1.1. Tit. 1.5.

Q. What do the Sacraments belong to?

A. To the Covenant of Grace, viz. I will be thy God, and thou shalt be my people, [Page 232] Jer. 31.33. whereof they are seals.

Q How many Sacraments be there under the Gospel?

A. Two: the Sacraments of Baptism, and the Lords Supper, which are to conti­nue for ever, Heb. 1.13.

Almighty, &c.

SUNDAY XLVII. Of Baptism.

Q. WHat is Baptism?

A. Baptism is a Sacrament of our engrafting into Christ, Communion with him, and entrance into the Church, Act. 8.31. Mat. 28.19. by the washing of Water, representing the powerful washing of the blood and Spirit of Christ, and so sealing our new birth, and entrance into the Cove­nant of grace, 1 Pet. 3.21.

Q. How was this Sacrament brought into the Church?

A. At the Commandment of God by the Ministry first of John, therefore called the Baptist; afterwards it was sanctified and [Page 233] confirmed by our Saviour Christ himself, be­ing baptized by John, and giving Commis­sion to his Apostles and Ministers to conti­nue the same in his Church unto the end, Joh. 1.33. Mat. 3.1. & 28.19.

Q. How many parts be there in this Sacra­ment?

Q Two: the outward visible signe, sanctified or appointed by God to represent and seal another thing to the mind and heart; and the inward invisible grace con­veyed to the heart, Gen. 9.11, 12.

Q. What is the outward visible signe, or form in Baptism?

A. Water, 1. wherein the person is baptised, 2. In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Ghost, Act. 10.47. Mat. 3.6, 11, 13, 16. Act. 16.15.

Minister. Here are two things:

  • 1. The outward matter of Baptism, Water.
  • 2. The form, In the Name, &c.

Q. What is the end of Baptism?

A. To enter us in the beginning of Chri­stianity, by washing off our guilt with the blood, and our stains by the Spirit of Christ, Mat. 20.28. 1 Tim. 2.6. Tit. 3.5. Eccles. 1.12, 13. Heb. 9 22. and 12.14. Jer. 2.22. Rom. 6.23. Ezek. 16.

Q. What is the outward action or ceremo­ny to be used in Baptism?

A. It's indifferent,

1. Whether diving or dipping, which re­presents our burial with Christ, and our ri­sing up with him again, Rom. 6.3. 1 Pet. 1.2. Heb. 12.22. Col. 2 12, 13.

Or, 2. Sprinkling, which is used in col­der Countries, upon the authority of that place, Heb. 12.24. Ezek. 36.25. Numb. 19.18, 19. 1 Pet. 1.2. Act. 10.47.

Minister. Sprinkling is ancient, as appears by Tert. 6 chap. of Bapt. Gregor. Mo. 26.76. Epist. Cypr. What is the form to be used in Ba­ptism, which never may be omitted?

A. In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Ghost.

Qu. What do you learn from this form of words?

A. 1. I learn that what the Minister doth in Baptism, he doth not of himself, but by authority of the Father, Son, and holy Ghost.

2. I learn for my comfort that the Fa­ther, &c. do ratifie and confirm what is promised and sealed in Baptism, viz. Re­mission of sin, and acceptance with God.

3. I learn for my duty, 1. To acknow­ledge these three persons in one God. [Page 235] 2. To obey, worship, and live by the rules and directions of the Father, &c.

Minister. Ʋpon this condition being admit­ted by Baptism into the Church, God hath as­sured us in the use of means what grace he hath promised in the Covenant. But what is the inward spiritual grace and favour that belongs to the soul of man in Baptism?

A. A death unto sin, and a new birth unto righteousness: for being by nature born in sin, we are hereby made the children of grace.

Minister. In our first birth we are dead in sin; in our second birth of water and the holy Ghost, Joh. 3.5. we are dead to sin: In our first, we are alive to our lusts; in the second, we are alive to Gods grace. So that here is Mortification, or the weakening and pulling off of sin; and Vivification, and a quickning by the Spirit to serve God in holiness.

Q. Whence do you gather these two parts of the inward grace in Baptism?

A. 1. From Col. 2.12. Rom. 6.3. 1 Pet. 2.24. Rom. 6.5. Ephes. 2 5, 6. where we have a death to sin, a new life to grace; new in the principle of the Spirit, new in the effects, faith, hope.

Minister. The inward effect of Baptism, is forgiveness of sin, and sanctification, Mat. [Page 236] 1.4. Tit. 3.5. Act. 2.38. by Christs blood and Spirit, Joh. 1.26. Mat. 3.11.

Q. What need is there of Baptism?

A. Because we are by nature born in sin, i. e. conceived in sin, and brought forth in iniquity; polluted no less in sin from the womb, then an Infant in his mothers blood, Psal. 51.5. Ezek. 16.1. it is necessary we should be washed.

Minister. Indeed God permitting, Satan tempting, and Man yeilding, being left to himself, fell by Adam, the head of mankind, into a state of sin and death: of Sin, 1. born in Original corruption; 2. and living in a­ctual transgression, the image of God being defaced in our soul, and the life of God lost in our conversations.

Q. In what part of us doth Original sin a­bide?

A. 1. It lieth in our understandings, mis­leading us.

2. In our wills, hardening us.

3. In our affections, disordering us.

4. In our consciences, abusing us.

5. In the whole man, soul and body, de­filing us.

Q. How is actual sin committed?

A. 1. by omission of what we ought to have done.

[Page 237]2. By commission of what we ought not to have done; and that, 1. inwardly in heart and minde; 2. outwardly in word and deed.

Q. By what degrees do we proceed in actu­al sin?

A. By a temptation offered, by lust em­bracing it, by the delight in it; by lust bring­ing forth sin, by custome continuing in it, and by hardness of heart dying in it, 2 Sam. 11.2. Psal. 7.14. Jam. 1.14, 15.

Q. What are the several kinds of actual sins?

A. 1. Partaking with others sins, Isai. 6.5.

2. Sins of ignorance, Psal. 19.12.

3. Sins of knowledge through infirmity, 1 Cor. 8.7.

4 Sins of Presumption and Obstinacy, Rom. 7.19.

5. The unpardonable sin against the holy Ghost, or an obstinate continuing in sin a­gainst the means and method of grace, Heb. 6.45. & 10 29. Mark 3.29, 30.

Q. How doth God recover us from this state of sin wherein we were born?

A. By the Covenant of grace in Christ, which is sealed by Baptism, whereby upon faith in Christ, we are restored to Gods grace and favour: for we are hereby made [Page 238] the children of grace, & enabled to resolve to forsake sin, and live a godly life; yea, and actually to forsake it, and lead a new life, by grace from above, to die unto sin, and live unto righteousness.

Q. What is required of persons to be bapti­zed?

A. 1. Repentance, whereby they for­sake sin, Act. 21.18. Mat. 10 4.

2. And Faith, whereby they stedfastly believe the promises of God made to them in that Sacrament.

Q. What is it truly to repent and forsake sin?

A. It is not onely to be touched with the sence of sin, to be grieved for it, to be a­shamed of it, or to resolve against it; but really, sincerely, and actually, to leave and forsake it: so that though weakly we fall into it, yet wilfully we commit it not, nor obstinately continue in it.

Q. What use do you make of your Baptism?

A. 1. In all our fears and doubts we look back to our Baptism, and the promises of God sealed therein, which we believe sted­fastly to our comfort.

2. In all our failings we look upon the Covenant of grace in Baptism, whereby we may recover.

[Page 239]3. We renew our Faith, and all our gra­ces by those blessed promises of grace, and so expect all good from Gods free mercy in those promises.

Q. Why are children baptized who cannot repent, and believe, and perform other things required in Baptism?

A. Yes, they do perform them by their Sureties, who promise and vow them both in their names; which when they come to age, themselves are bound to perform.

Q. How can they promise and vow for the Children?

A. They may promise and vow for Chil­dren, that they shall use the means whereby the Children may perform these things, and that they will pray to God for a blessing up­on these means.

Q. Did you ever read in the Scripture that Children entred into any Covenant?

A. Yes: once in Gen. 17.9. and thrice in Deut. 29.11, &c. & 12.18. and once more in 2 Chron. 26. & 13.7. Jonah 3.5. & 4.10, 11.

Q. Did you ever read that Children should enter into Covenant with God by Baptism?

A. Yes, I read that children entred into covenant with God by Circumcision; the like figure whereunto is Baptism, Col. 2.18.

Q. Are we commanded to bring little chil­dren to Christ?

A. Yes, Mark 13.14.

Q. Shew me out of the Scripture who are to be admitted to Baptism.

A. 1. Those of riper years, who are con­verted to the Christian Faith, Act. 8.37.

2. Children born of Christian Parents, Act. 2.39. 1 Cor. 7.14.

Q. How are you sure that the infants of Christian Parents ought to be baptized?

A. 1. Because they are within the Cove­nant and Promise, Act. 2.39. Mark 10.

2. Because Circumcision among the Jews (which answereth to our Baptism) was ad­ministred to Infants, Gen. 17.12. & 21.14. Luk. 1.59. & 2.21.

3. Because whole housholds were bapti­zed, among whom were some infants, Act. 14.15.

Minister. Indeed Church-members in all Ages have offered up their children to God by Baptism; and (as St. Augustine saith) Let no man whisper to us any other Doctrines: This the Church hath always had, always re­tained: This it keeps perseveringly unto the end. That which the universal Church maintains, and was not instituted by Coun­cils, but always continued, is most rightly [Page 241] believed to be delivered by the Apostles au­thority. But how can any promise that the childe will perform the Vow when it comes to age?

A. None can promise absolutely that the Childe shall do it; for that is beyond their power to undertake: but conditionally, that he shall perform it, or have no benefit in the Engagement.

Minister. Therefore when the childe is come to age or years of discretion, he is to be put in minde what a solemn Vow, Pro­mise and Profession his Sureties have made to God for him; and then he is put to his choice whether he will stand to them or no. If he stands not to them, how shall he escape who neglects so great salvation? If he alloweth of what we have done, he must perform the conditions, i. e. repent, with a full resolution of amendment of life, and be­lieve with a faith unfeigned.

SUNDAY XLVIII. Of the Lords Supper.

Q. WHat is the other Sacrament?

A. The Sacrament of the Lords Supper.

Q. Why was the Sacrament of the Lords Supper ordained?

A. For the continual remembrance of the sacrifice of the death of Christ, and the benefits we receive thereby.

Qu. What do you learn from hence?

A. I learn, first, that Christ died for me, Isai. 53. 2 Pet. 2.24. Phil. 2.8.

2. That his death is a Sacrifice; he made his soul a sacrifice for sin, Heb. 9.16. 1 Joh. 2.2. Ephes. 5.2.

3. That this Sacrament was ordained to be a continual remembrance of that Sacri­fice, Luk. 22.19. Gen. 11.14. Do this in remembrance of me. So oft as we eat this bread, and drink this cup, we shew forth the Lords death, Luk. 22.19. 1 Cor. 11.14.

Minister. Yes, here we have Christ cruci­fied [Page 243] before our eyes, represented lively before us as upon the cross: hereby we remember Christs death, and the benefits we receive thereby.

Q. What are the benefits we receive there­by?

A. The first, is to remove guilt: the blood of Jesus Christ purgeth us, 1 Joh. 1.7.

The second, is to remove the sting of it: there is now no condemnation, Rom. 8.1.

The third, is to weaken the power of it: the blood of Jesus Christ purgeth our conscien­ces from dead works, Heb. 9.14.

The fourth, is reconciliation: for we are by his blood reconciled unto God.

The fifth, is eternal redemption, Ephes. 17.14.

The sixth, is liberty to enter into heaven, Heb. 10.19, 20.

Qu. What is the outward part of the Lords Supper?

A. Bread and Wine, which the Lord hath commanded to be received, Mat. 26.17. Mark 14. by all people.

Q. What is the inward part or thing signified?

A. The body and blood of Christ, which are verily and indeed taken and received by the faithful in the Lords Supper, Luk. 22.17. Mat. 26.28.

Q. How do we verily and indeed receive Christs body and blood?

A. By faith: The Cup which we bless, is it not the Communion of the blood of Christ, who is present there?

Q. Believe, saith St. Augustine, and thou hast eaten. How many manner of ways may Christ be said to be present?

A. 1. He is present as God in all places, Psal. 139.7. Jer. 23.24.

2. He is present as Man on the right-hand of God, making intercession for us.

3. He is present by his grace in the hearts of believers, Ephes. 3.17.

4. He is present by a special blessing, where-ever two or three are gathered together in his Name.

5. He is present effectually in the Sacra­ments, 1 Cor. 10.16, 17.

Q. So then you believe that Christ is pre­sent in the Sacrament by his special presence, as God; that he is present in the hearts of true Communicants, spiritually; and that he is in the Elements, representatively. Who are to communicate?

A. All true Christians: Drink ye all of this, Mark 14.

Q. What are the benefits whereof we are partakers by the Sacrament?

A. The strengthning and refreshing of our souls by the body and blood of Christ, as our bodies are by the bread and wine.

Q. As the body is strengthned by bread, so the heart is established, and the soul is strength­ned by grace in the Sacrament of Christs body: as wine cheers the heart, so the blood of Christ in the Sacrament rejoyceth the conscience with an holy comfort. Come, O ye that are weak, to this Sacrament, and it shall strengthen you: Come, ye that are weary and heavy laden, and it shall refresh and ease you. But what is requi­red of them that come to the Lords Supper?

A. To examine themselves, 1 Cor. 11.28.

Q. What are they to examine themselves in?

A. They are to examine themselves whe­ther they truly repent.

Q. What is it truly to repent?

A. 1. To have a true sense of a real sor­row for our former sins.

2. To have a stedfast purpose to lead a new life, Tit. 2.12.

Q. What is the second thing we ought to examine our selves in?

A. A true and lively faith in Gods mer­cy through our Saviour Christ.

Q 1. You must have faith, 2. a lively faith, 3. and that in Gods mercy, 4. which is ours through Christ. What is saving faith?

A. Faith is such a perswasion in heart, or belief of the truth of the Gospel, or that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, which dis­poseth a person to manifest or make it known by fruits of love to God and men: or, ju­stifying faith is a grace or habit infused into the soul by the holy Ghost, whereby we are enabled to believe not onely that the Messiah is offered to us, but also take and receive him as our Lord and Saviour.

Q. What is the third thing you ought to ex­amine your selves in?

A. It is to examine whether we have ad­ded to our faith a thankful remembrance of Christs death in the Sacrament.

Q. What doth this thankful remembrance imply?

A. It implies, first, an humble sense of Gods mercy: secondly, an hearty and real expres­sion of that sence in word and deed, by our words and by our lives, Act. 2.46, 47.

Q. What is the fourth thing you are to exa­mine your selves in before a Communion?

A. Whether we be in charity with all men.

Q. When you have set your hearts right to­wards God, you must try how they stand to­wards man, Mat 5.23. For as this Sacrament seals the Communi [...]n of the members with the head, so it seals up the Communion of the members one with another. How must you shew or exercise your charity?

A. First, in giving cheerfully to them that want, 1 Cor. 16.2.

Secondly, in forgiving heartily them that have trespassed against us; without which our sins are retained, our pardon not seal­ed, our prayers not accepted, Mat. 6.14, 15.

SUNDAY XLIX. The Discipline and Worship of the Church of England opened.

Q YOu have now learned the Doctrine of the Church; it remains you should learn the practice of it. What think you is a mans duty in the place he lives in?

A. To be quiet, and follow his own bu­siness, obeying them that are over him in the Lord.

Q. Why?

A. For conscience sake.

Q. Conscience, of what?

A. That there is no power but what is or­dained of God.

Q. What if we should, as many have done, resist the powers?

A. We do it to our own damnation.

Q But what if our Governours are wicked?

A. We are to obey not onely the gentle, but the froward: and they cannot be more wicked then they were in Moses, Daniel, our Saviour, the Apostles, and the first Christi­ans time; yet they obeyed the worst, sub­mitted to the cruellest, gave their due to the most unjust, (to Caesar the things that are Caesars) and ordained Prayers and Suppli­cations for, and obedience unto all.

Q. What, to those that command what God forbids, or forbid what God commands?

A. Yes, even to those by way of cheerful obedience in things lawful, or of patient submission in things unlawful; either doing willingly what they enjoyn, or suffering pa­tiently what they inflict.

Q. What if your superiours force your con­science?

A. They cannot force my conscience; for I may think what I please: but they may [Page 249] restrain my practice; for I must not do what I please. I am to be in all cases very fearful of my own opinion, when it crosseth the resolutions of a whole Kingdome: how­ever, if I have faith, I will have it to my self; in those things I have already attained, I will conform; in other things I will stay peaceably and quietly until the Lord reveal it to me.

Q. Yes, but it is hard to be undone for con­science sake.

A. Government undoeth no man; the Law is innocent, and declares onely the Kings Conscience, who must have that li­berty to govern according to his Consci­ence, that we would have to obey. If our Opinions be conscience, we are not good Christians if we do not cheerfully and qui­etly suffer for them; if not, we are not honest men if we do not leave them.

Q. What think you of those that repine and complain?

A. I think they charge God foolishly, who takes special notice of Murmurers and complainers; of those that curse their Ru­lers in their thoughts, and speak evil of Dig­nities.

Q. What if there were an opportunity to alter the Government, and redress grievances?

A. I will always think upon that of Solo­mon: If the spirit of the Ruler be stirred a­gainst thee, move not out of thy place. And that, My son, fear thou the Lord and the King, and meddle not with them who are gi­ven to change: for who knoweth the ruine of them both? I will possess my soul in pati­ence, and pray for those that are over me, that under them I may lead a peaceable and quiet life, in all godliness and honesty.

Q. But are not we of this Nation bound by our Covenant to oppose the present Govern­ment?

A. 1. No: we are by that Covenant bound to endeavour nothing out of our pla­ces; and it doth not belong to our places to meddle with the Government.

2. The Covenant did not bind us against our Engagement formerly; therefore not now against our Allegiance.

3. Sinful it is to rebel, more sinful to swear we will do it.

4. As that Covenant could not be taken, so it cannot be kept but against the Law.

5. We are bound to nothing by any Act of our late Disorders, but to Repentance.

Q. What is to be thought of those that are turbulent and seditious?

A. We are to mark those that cause Di­visions, [Page 251] and to avoid them.

Q Why?

A. Because they dishonour the Gospel, and make Christianity seem odious in the world, and bring inexpressible miseries up­on the places they live in; being enemies of the publick good, in opposing Government that secures it.

Q. What is necessary for this peaceable temper that becomes all subjects?

A. 1. A meek, sober, moderate and con­tented Spirit.

2. A well-informed Judgement concern­ing the things that are enjoyned, with a firm perswasion that our Superiours may en­joyn any outward circumstances of Gods Worship that may be, 1. decent and in or­der, 2. to the glory of God, and 3. to edification.

Vid. Deus & Rex; Sanderson's Sermons; Dr. Fernes Discourses; Bishop Ʋsher of Obedience; Mr. Digges against Re­bellion; Dr. Wards exact Sermon, and Bishop Mortons learned one upon Rom. 13.12.

SUNDAY L. Of outward Reverence, and the Cu­stomes of our Church.

Q. WHy is it that you use any bodily ser­vice in Gods house, when he calls onely for the spirit?

A. I must offer to him my body and my soul, which are his, which is my reasonable service.

Q. How must you behave your self in the Church?

A. I must think God is there in an espe­cial manner by his presence and assistance, though but two or three meet together in his Name; and I must take heed to my self when I go into the house of God, Eccles 5 1, 2.

Q What gesture must you use there?

A. 1. When I pray, I must fall down and kneel before the Lord my Maker, as my Savi­our and all good men have done in all Ages.

2. When I confess my faith in the Belief or Gospel, I must stand up, as not ashamed to believe with the heart, and make confes­sion with the mouth to Gods glory, the e­dification and confirmation of others, and [Page 253] the salvation of my own soul, as I do when I exalt the Name of God in Psalms, Hymns, and spiritual Songs.

3. At the Name of JESƲS, I bow to his Person; to whom I let all men, even those that deny his Godhead, thereby see that (as the Apostle saith) Every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth.

4. When I hear, I do it reverently, not as to the word of man, but as to the Word of God.

5. When I receive the Sacrament, I do it with all humility, which I shew the world for their instruction, by receiving that infi­nite mercy from the hands of my God upon my knees.

Q. Dare you put on your Hat there?

A. No, because of the Angels, 1 Cor. 10.1.

Q Why do you reverence the Church more then any other place, and one part of the Church more then another?

A. Knowing God is present every where, I express my reverence to him in that place where I am in an especial manner drawing near to him.

Q. How ought you to behave your self to­wards the Ministers of the Church?

A. I should attend to their Doctrine, [Page 254] live their Sermons, follow their examples, pray for their infirmities, honour their per­sons and callings for their works sake, and pay them the tenths, and other duties appoin­ted by God and Man for their maintenance.

Q. What if you do not?

A. If I neglect them, I neglect God; if I rob them, I rob God also.

Q. But what if they are weak?

A. I must eye the strength of God in their weakness; and look neither on Paul planting, nor Apollo watering, but on God that giveth the increase.

Q. But what if your Minister be wicked?

A. I am to pity his infirmities, which are his own; to honour his Calling, and re­ceive his Doctrine, which are of God; al­ways remembring that we have the Gospel-treasure in earthen vessels.

Q. What think you of his habit, as his Gown, Surplice and Tippit? can you hear him in them?

A. It's no more to me what Habit he prayeth or preacheth in, then it is to him what Habit I hear him in: all our Cloaths should be decent and comely: but the Word of God doth not depend upon the Cloaths of men; his Garments can no more hinder his Preaching, then mine do my Hear­ing.

Q. But do you think it necessary to pray so much, and so often as you do now?

A. We whose dependance upon God is so great, whose sins are so many, whose wants are so hourly, whose mercies are re­newed so every moment, cannot too often make our requests known unto God by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving. Prayer is the life of our Religion: we hear that we may believe, we believe that we may have communion with God in prayer, and we pray that we may be saved, Rom. 10.

Q. May we joyn in a form of Prayer pre­scribed in the Church?

A. We may as well joyn in words prescri­bed by the Church, as in those invented by a private Minister; for we are equally tied to the one as well as the other: besides that all good men, both before and since Christs time, worshipping one God in one Faith, have used one form of words constantly, Deut 6. ult. Hos. 14 1, 2, 3, &c. Mat. 6.6. 2 Cor. 13.13. Mat. 27. &c.

Qu. You pray not by the Spirit when you joyn in a dead form?

Q. No form of good words is dead to me, if my heart be not dead: The work of the Spirit in prayer is not to invent a va­riety [Page 256] of expression, but to keep up the heart to good expressions: then I pray by the Spi­rit, not when I speak many words, which I can do by nature; but when I raise my heart to go along wi [...]h good words, which I can do onely by grace.

Q. Why were you marked with the Cross in Baptism?

A. To shew that I, as well as the Pri­mitive Christians, am not ashamed to own Christ and his Cross, which Heathens, Turks and Jews deride; that mark signify­ing no Popish Superstition, but my Christi­an Resolution.

Q. Are there not many things in our Church that are in the Church of Rome?

A. Yes; and we have thrown away the Superstitions of Rome, lest we should be a corrupted Church; not the good usages thereof, lest we should be no Church: if we cast off every thing that Rome hath, we must throw away our Bibles: what was Primitive in the Church of Rome, we retain; what is meerly Popish, we reject.

Q. Sure there are many things that are An­tichristian here.

A There is nothing owned here, but what was practised by all the Christians in [Page 257] the world in every Age of it. If these things are Antichristian, there hath been no such thing as Christianity in the world: for thus Christians lived in all Ages, and thus they died.

Qu. Why do you say the same things over so often?

A. To quicken our hearts: we have the same wants and sins, and we use the same words, as our Saviour did those words, Father, if it be possible, &c. thrice in one hour.

Q Is not our Common-prayer-book in the Mass-book?

A. Yes, some of it is, as there is some of the Bible in it, and both taken out of the old Lyturgies of the Primitive Church.

Q Do you not hear the Apocrypha?

A. We(a) hear no more then was read of old in the Prim tive Church, and is now read in the(b) Reformed Churches: no more then is grounded upon the holy Scripture, and is useful for edification.

Q. Here are many Ceremonies of Humane Institution.

A. None but are agreeable to the Word [Page 258] of God, and such are in(c) every Church, and among all people, who must determine the outward and indifferent circumstances of their actions.

Q. Is there not superstition in the use of these things?

A. There may be Superstition in enjoyn­ing or using things in themselves indiffe­rent, as of themselves necessary: Ye observe days, &c. Gal. 4 10. And as much super­stition in forbidding things in themselves in­different, as unlawful: Touch not, wear not a Surplice, &c. Col. 2.21.

Qu. But are not some things offensive?

A. So they be lawful, no matter if they be offensive; especially if men will take of­fence where there is none given.

SUNDAY LI. Of the Lyturgie and Ceremonies of the Church of England.

Q. WHy do we begin our Morning and Even­ing Prayer as we do?

A. We begin with an holy sentence, to stir us up; we proceed to Confession, to humble us; and then to Absolution, to com­fort us.

Q. Why do you repeat after the Mini­ster?

A. To keep our wandring hearts close to our Devotion.

Q. Why do you say, Glory be to the Fa­ther, so often?

A. Both to express our Faith in, and our Reverence to the blessed(a) Trinity, which many question, and not a few deny.

Q Why is the Invitatory Psalm said always, viz Come let us? &c.

A. It was sung anciently while the peo­ple were coming to Church; upon the first [Page 260] hearing whereof, they hastned to the Morn­ing-Service.

Q. Why so many Hymns mingled with the Lessons?

A. To support the Hearers, according to the(b) Primitive Constitution; and that the whole Word of God might be read over in some space of time.

Q. Some of the Hymns were used upon spe­cial occasions.

A. Though used upon special, they may be applied, as Davids, to general purposes by a devout spirit.

Q. Why so many Creeds?

A. That we may have before us the plain and sincere Faith of the Catholick Church.

Q Why are the last words left out of the Lords Prayer in some places?

A. We use it in some places, because St. Matthew hath it; and we omit it in others, because St. Luke hath it not.

Q. Why do we read Epistles and Gospels upon peculiar days?

A. That we may learn all our Religion once a year, and every part of time we may [Page 261] meditate on some part of Christianity.

Q. What do you mean when you say, That immediately after morning-service the Communicants shall give in their names?

A. Formerly in England, and now in Scotland, a Bell rings between Prayer and Sermon.

Q. Who is the notorious Offender that is excluded the Sacrament?

A. Notoriety being either, 1. of Pre­sumption, or 2. of Fact, or 3. of Law; he is notorious there, that is by Law con­demned and excommunicated.

Q Why doth the Priest stand on the North­side of the Table?

A. To avoid the Popish Superstition of standing towards the East.

Q. Why is the Lords Prayer so often used? and why do the people pray after every Com­mandment?

A. The Lords Prayer is used as the sum of our other Prayers; and we pray after the Commandments, to teach people that they should look up for Gods Grace when they hear his Commands.

Q. Why do we stand up at the Gospel, and say, Glory be to thee, O Lord, after it?

A. The first, to signifie our awful Reve­rence in hearing the blessed Gospel; the se­cond, to signifie our Thanks to God for de­claring it unto us.

Q. What do the Ministers mean when they say, Let us pray for this and that before Ser­mon?

A. They mean to instruct the people what they are to pray for (according to the old usage of the(c) Church) by way of Do­ctrine, as well as to shew them how they are to pray by way of form.

Q Why do you say the Prayer for Christs Catholick Church last of all?

A.(d) Because we might conclude our Service with the greatest act of charity in the world; so great, that it obligeth Man­kind to our Religion.

Q. Why doth the Minister say, Draw near, when the Communicants are already sate?

A. Because of old no Layman durst come near the Chancel until the Priest called him.

Q. Why do you kneel at the Communion? do you worship the Breaden God?

A. No: but we, as all the Ancient and Modern Churches, draw near to the true God with all veneration possible, as bow­ing,(e) kneeling.

Q. What do you mean by sanctifying of Water in (f) the form of Baptism?

A. We mean being separated from com­mon to a sacred use, and blessed with Christs presence in his Ordinance.

Q. What do Godfathers and Godmothers mean when they promise that the childe shall forsake the Devil?

A. They promise that they will use all the means in their power that they may do so.

Q. This is a great charge?

A. 1. It is necessary that children may be brought up acco ding to their Baptism

2 It is necessary that some undertake it.

3. They that undertake, should consider what they do, and perform it.

4 If they do not, the fault is not in the Church that imposeth, but in them that [Page 264] neglect what they undertake.

Q. How do you say that the childe is re­generate and born anew?

A. We say that a childe receives in Bap­tism the Spirit of God, which in riper years upon use of means actually sanctifieth and regenerateth him.

Q. What do you mean by Confirmation?

A. We mean a solemn admittance upon examination and prayer, to a capacity of receiving the holy Sacrament of the Lords Supper, of good use in the Primitive Church(g), Heb 6.2.

Q. Why do you pray for all men?

A. Because the Apostle enjoyneth that Prayers and Supplications be made for all men, as especially for those that are in authority.

Q. Why do you pray against sudden death?

A. Because we would be prepared to meet the Lord at his coming.

Q. Why is the Ring given in marriage.

A. To signifie,

1. The perfection and continuation of love.

2. The trust reposed in the Wife, who hath the Ring that seals up all treasures.

Q. What do you mean by those words in Matrimony, With my body I thee Wor­ship?

A. We mean, that after our Marriage our bodies are not our own, but our Wives; Worship being but an old English word for Honour.

Q. What doth the Priest mean when he saith, I absolve thee, in the Visitation of the sick?

A. He meaneth,

1. That he prayeth to God to absolve him in these words, Almighty God have mercy on you.

2. That he declares Gods pardon.

3. That he declares it by vertue of his Office and Commission, Whose sins you re­mit, they are remitted unto them.

Q. How do we say in the Office for burial, That we commit the dead body to the ground, in sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life?

A. We say so, not so much in reference to the persons state that is buried, as to our own Fa th; not in sure hope of his resurre­ction, but in certain hope of the resurre­ction.

Q. How often, and where is the Commina­tion to be read?

A. It is to be read four times a year, viz. 1. Ashwednesday, 2. One of the three Sundays before Easter, 3. One of the two Sundays next before Pentecost, and one of the two Sundays next before Christmas; and that in the Pulpit, because there was no Reading-Pew known until anno 1603.

Q. What is meant in the Common prayer by the word Curate, when the whole Clergie is divided into these two parts, Bishops and Curates?

A. By Curate, is meant onely they that have cure of souls.

Q. What is the use of Musick in a Church?

A. Agreeably to the Jewish and Chri­stian customs, which were neither typical nor sinful, we use Musick, to stir up our hearts to worship and praise God with the same holy fervour the Primitive Christians did; it be­ing lawful for us to make use of any creature to advance the worship and honour of God.

See Bishop Nicholson's Defence of the Church-Liturgie; Hooker's Eccles. Pol. l. 5. Sparrows Rationale; Dr. Hammond, Dr. Taylor, Dr. Heylin, Archbishop Whitgift, Dr. Burges, Bishop Morton.

SUNDAY LII. A brief account of all the Fasts and Festivals observed by the Church of England throughout the year.

Q. YOu have given a fair account of some things in the Common-prayer; can you tell me one thing more, why we keep Fasts and Festivals?

A. Our two great duties being to pray to, and praise God, we fit our selves by Fasts and Humiliations for the one, and by Festival Solemnities for the other.

Q. But why do we observe days not enjoyn­ed in Gods Word?

A. If constant service of God, and watch­fulness over our selves is enjoyned, the par­ticular time is left to our liberty: some­times we must observe Fasts, as mindful of our sins; sometimes we must keep Festivals, as mindful of Gods mercies: and if at any time, at what time better then on that ap­pointed by Publick Authority? Besides, we finde Gods people observing, Esth. 9.21. [Page 268] our Saviour keeping days not enjoyned in Gods Word; and(a) all Christians, yea,(b) all Protestants following them.

Q. Why do you observe forty days Fast be­fore Easter?

A. To prepare us by Humiliation, we fast; in imitation of the Primitive(c) times, we fast forty days; to preserve the stock of the Nation, we fast from flesh.

Q. Why is the first day of Lent called Ash­wednesday?

A. From the Penitents humbling them­selves in Sackcloth and Ashes wherewith they were sprinkled.

Q. Can you give an account of every so­lemn day observed in our Church?

A. Yes: we can say they are the Orna­ments of Religion, the Witnesses of ancient truth, Motives to serious Devotion, Lasting Records on earth, and shadows of everlast­ing [Page 269] felicity in heaven. Commemorations of Mercies, are Duties we are obliged to at all times: but what we are to do always, we do never; therefore have we peculiar times allotted by our Church.

Q. What is the first Festival? and why kept?

A. It's the Advent Sundays; where­with the Church begins her year, and pre­pares for Christs four-fold coming:

  • 1. In the flesh, by Incarnation.
  • 2. In his Ministry, by Instruction.
  • 3. In his Spirit, by Inspiration.
  • 4. In Judgement, for determination.

The four Duties we learn by the Collects, Epistles and Gospels, is Christs coming to the world.

Q. What is the next?

A. Christmas, or Christ born on the 25 of December, according to most Computa­tions, we keep as the day of Christs Nati­vity, in the 42 of Augustus Caesar's Reign; whereon we meditate on his Incarnation, and the benefits thereby accruing.

Q. Which is the third?

A. St. Stephens day; wherein we wor­ship not the man, but imitate his Pati­ence, Faith and Charity, in suffering the first Martyrdome the next day after his Sa­viour [Page 270] was born to suffer for him, Act. 7.58, 59, 60, 72.

Qu. Which is the fourth?

A. St. Iohn Evangelist, that beloved Disciples day, the brother of James the great; whose happiness in enjoying Christs love as a Disciple, and faithfulness in preach­ing love as an Apostle, we commemorate on this day, and honour him in his Epistles as an Apostle, in his Gospel as an Evangelist, in the Revelations as a Prophet: in(a) his faith and suffering at Pathmos, where he was ba­nished by Trajan, a Confessour: in his care in constituting the Asian Bishops, a Metro­politan: in his high stile against Cerinthus, the Eagle; and in his abhorrency of the He­reticks company, an Angel: following his Doctrine, and imitating his love, industry, resolution, faithfulness and piety, according to the Collect, the Epistle, 1 Joh. 1.1. to the end, and Gospel, Joh. 21 12. to the end.

Q. Which is the fifth?

A. Innocents day: St. Stephens day we honoured a Martyr in will and deed; on St. Johns day a Martyr in will, but not in deed; now on Innocents day Martyrs in deed but not in will; not those children in Beth­lem [Page 271] that confest Christ by speaking, but by dying; whose innocence, humility, obedi­ence and dependance we are(b) taught to meditate by him who saith, He that hum­bleth himself as a little childe, the same shall be greatest in the kingdome of heaven.

Q. Which is the sixth?

A. The Circumcision, on Jan. 1. (cal­led from the civil account of the year, New-years-day) whereon we meditate on Christs observing and fulfilling the Law for us, e­specially that of Circumcision;(c) teach­ing us to circumcise the foreskin of our hearts, to make us new hearts, and renew right spirits within us, whereby we may of­fer our selves unto God a New-years-gift, which is our reasonable service.

Q Which is the seventh?

A. Epiphany; or, 1. The appearance of the Star to the Wise-men. 2. The ap­pearance of the Trinity at his Baptism. 3. His appearance in Cana, celebrated by the Greek Church in commemoration of [Page 272] the Star that came from(d) Jacob, and led the Magi, the first-fruits of the Gentiles, from the East to the East; whence we pray to­wards the East; for which we Gentiles commemorate it, and learn to come to Christ by the light of his Word, and offer to him the three gifts of Prayer, Fasting, and Alms; returning a new way, that is, by newness of life, to our heavenly Coun­try.

Q. The eighth?

A. Ashwednesday, which is called the head of Lent, and with the four days fol­lowing, was added to supply the three Sun­days of Lent, whereon we must not fast; whereon we are taught mortification of bo­dy and soul, which is one half of our Chri­stianity, by Fasting and Prayer, Sacrifices wherewith God is well-pleased.

Q. The ninth?

A. Palm-Sunday, the beginning of the great and holy week; the day Christs way to Jerusalem was strewed with Palms: it's called Passion-Sunday too, whereon we me­ditate on his patience and humility.

Q. The next?

A. 1. Maunday-Thursday, called so from Christs washing the Disciples feet, as [Page 273] our Kings do their poor mens.

2. Good-Fryday, or Christs Passion, whereon we go with him to the Garden and Cross, and meditate on his Sufferings, until we have learned his love, his humility, his patience, his obedience.

Q. The eleventh?

A. Easter-day, from Oist in Saxon, signify­ing that though the time was a controversie for 200 years between the East and West, yet the Festival was as ancient as Christiani­ty: the Christians meeting one another would say, [...], He is risen.

Qu. The fourth Saints Festival?

A. Candlemas, either because on Can­dlemas-day we lay Candles away which we used all the winter, or because of the lights used in procession in imitation of the Virgins Lamps, (instituted by Justinian) or in al­lusion to the light that enlightneth every man that cometh into the world. Here are four Festivals in one: 1. The Purification of Mary. 2. The Presentation of Christ. 3. Candlemas. 4. St. Simeon. It is obser­ved according to the Law, Lev. 12. within 40 days after the Nativity; and we medi­tate thereon how Christ observed all righte­ousness; how he being presented the first-fruits, we should present our selves before [Page 274] God with(e) pure and clean minds. Ma­ry died Anno Chr. 45.

Q. The next?

A. St. Matthias his day, who was cho­sen by Lot to be one of the twelve Apostles in Judas his room, and to take his Bishop­rick. And as his name signifieth a Son of Labour, so he travelled the sandy Deserts of Affrica, to refresh them with the heavenly dew of saving truth, where he is stoned, and then beheaded, anno 51. On this day we learn the calling of Bishops and Mini­sters, and pray against all false Teachers, that the Church may be ordered and guid­ed by faithful and true Pastors.

Q. Why do you keep Lady-day?

A. In memory of the Annunciation to the blessed Virgin by the Angel Gabriel, Luk 1.26. not observed formerly in Lent, wherein it was lawful to observe no Festi­val; whereon we meditate the Angels ser­vice to us, the Virgins humility, Gods love, and the glad tidings of great joy brought to all that are as the Virgin, pure in heart.

Q. The next?

A. St. Mark, as Matthew, in allusion to Ezekials four beasts, hath the face of a man, [Page 275] describing Christs humane Nature; St. Luke of a Calf, describing his Priesthood; St. John of an Eagle, describing his Divinity: so St. Mark of a Lyon, writing his Kingdom. We learn, 1. Humility, by his mistake of our Saviours Discourse of the bread from heaven, Joh. 6.67. 2. Caution, from his weakness in leaving St. Paul. 3. Industry, from his service in being St. Peters Amanu­ensis. 4. Prudence, from his Episcopal Government at Alexandria. 5. Constan­cy, from his death there, anno 63. and per­severance in the true Faith, from his sound Doctrine.

Q. Go on.

A. May-day, (from Maia the Goddess of Flowers) was observed in honour of All Saints, and is now in honour of Philip the Apostle in the Gospel, and the Deacon in the Lesson, and James the brother of our Lord: from whose conjunction we learn a­mity; from Philip the Apostles question, Joh. 14. we learn to search till we know the Lord: from his pains in Scythia, Asia the less, Aethiopia, patience and diligence: from his prayers in destroying the Phrygian Serpent, how to overcome Satan: from his imprisonment, stoning and Crucifixion, an­no 5 3/ [...]. constancy and immoveablenss. From [Page 276] Philip the Deacon, the Patron of Spain, go­ing to the South, and his conversion, we are taught the blessing of obedience: his o­pening and applying the Scripture, the Mi­nisters and Peoples duty; and from his cru­cifixion in Hierapolis, the strength of his faith. From St. James his humility, though a brother of the Lord, moderation in our Enjoyments: from his Epistle, good works: from his carriage when first Bishop of Je­rusalem, and called James the Just, up­rightness: from his praying till his knees were as hard as a Camels, and his forehead by prostration as a stone, Devotion con­stant and fervent: from his death from the pinacle of the temple, where he was desired to preach, not to trust the multitude, who advance a man one day, and ruine him the next.

Q. The next Festival?

A. It is St. Barnabas, not one of the Apostles or first Bishops, yet one of the 70 Disciples or Ministers, on whose day we meditate on the gifts of God given him and us, and pray for grace to use them: from whose solemn call, Act. 13.27. we learn the sacredness of the Ministry: from whose Name, the son of Prophecy, we gather the gifts necessary for it: from whose mildness [Page 277] in Marks case, moderation: from his pains, diligence; and from his Martyrdom, perse­verance. This is the longest day in the year.

Q. The next?

A. St. Iohn Baptist, the Morning-star to the Son of Righteousness, the forerunner of our Saviour, in whom are those graces united that are scattered in others: in his life a miracle, in his death a Martyr; from whose preaching we learn repentance, as from his proofs faithfulness: from his Diet and Apparel, plainness and temperance; from his life and death, constancy, resoluti­on and patience.

Q. Go on.

A. St. Peters day we observe, and from his weakness learn humility; from his re­covery, repentance; from his preaching, faith and saving knowledge: from his op­position to Simon Magus at Rome, magnani­mity: from his Sermons in Asia, the Do­ctrine according to godliness: from his dream & sheet, obedience and charity: from his seven years Episcopal carriage at Antioch, prudence; and from his crucifixion with his head downwards, anno 67. under Nero, faith and grace: from the command of Christ to him, the Ministers duty, and the peoples care. This day was anciently dedi­cated [Page 278] to Paul and Peter, Fellow-labourers in Christs Vineyard.

Q. Proceed to the next Festival?

A. The next is St. Iames the great, son of Zebedee; great, 1. in age, 2. in famili­arity with Christ at his transfiguration, 3. in courage, in reproving Herods sin: the first Martyr of the twelve Apostles; whose self-denial we learn, in that he was one of the first that left all, and followed Christ; whose resolution, when beheaded by Herod Agrippa we learn.

Q. Why do we observe St. Bartholomews tide?

A. In honour of St. Bartholomew the A­postle, a Noble Person, (Bartolmy the son of Ptolomy) but humble, whose travels in Lycaonia, India, Armenia, where he was first crucified, and then preaching on the Cross, beheaded and flaid, Anno 51. in memory of which double Martyrdome, two days are celebrated, viz. the 24 and 25 of August, which teach us the true Doctrine and life of a Christian.

Q The next?

A. St. Matthew the Publican, or Ex­cise-man, who left all and followed Christ; teaching the worst sinners not to despair of mercy, if they delay not their repen­tance. [Page 279] He preached to the Aethiopians, and was beheaded by them anno 71. leaving us an example of self-denial. The(a) next day saith Augustine after the first Full Moon fol­lowing the Vernal Aequinox, and the day of first-fruits among the Jews; the day which the Lord hath made; whereon we meditate the foundation of our faith, the resurrection of our Saviour, till we feel the power of his resurrection; and dying to sin, live again unto holiness, and comfort our selves with the holy Doctrine of this day.

Q. The next solemnity?

A. 1.(b) The Easter Munday and Tuesday, which were added to celebrate the great Sacraments at this time; and in­deed all the time between Easter and Whit­sontide was formerly sacred.

2. Low-Sunday, called so in respect of Easter the high day; and Whit-Sunday, from the baptizeds white garments.

Q. The thirteenth?

A. The fifth Sunday after Easter, called [Page 280] Rogation (c) Sunday, from the three Ro­gation-days before Ascention-day, observed at first (by Mammercus Bishop of Vienna's Order) upon the occasion of an Earthquake, and continued by Q. Eliz. upon the account of the fruits of the earth at that time subject to casualties, in Prayer, Fasts, Litanies, Sup­plications.

Q. Go on.

A. Holy-Thursday, or Ascention-day, the fourth Dominical day that(d) as St. Augustine saith, was observed all over the world, (though not distinct, in the solem­nity of the seven holy weeks between Easter and Whitsontide) whereon we meditate on our Saviours and our own exaltation, that we may set our affections on things above.

Qu. Proceed.

A. Whit-Sunday, or the descent of the Holy Ghost, the third Person in the Trini­ty, by whom all things are sanctified, called

1. Whit-sunday, from the glorious light that then(e) enlightned; or Huict Sunday, that is, the eighth from Easter.

[Page 281]2. Pentecost, i. e. the fiftieth day after Easter, and the day whereon the Law was delivered to the Jews, as the Spirit was gi­ven to the Christians; whose saving graces, works and comforts, we this day meditate, and pray, O God make clean our hearts with­in us, and take not thy holy Spirit from us.

Q. Why do you observe the Munday and Tuesday after Whitsontide?

A. We observe them not as Festivals, but as Ember-fasts, in order to the ordination on Trinity-sudnay. (They fasted and prayed, and then laid hands on them.) Athan. A­pol. de fuga sua.

Q. The sixteenth solemnity?

A. Trinity-Sunday; whereon we me­ditate the mystery of three Persons, Father, Son, and holy Ghost, in one God, and learn to give Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the holy Ghost: As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Q. I pray when, why, and how are the Ember-weeks observed?

A. 1. They are observed four times a year, 1. Wednesday, Friday and Saturday before Dec. 13. or St. Lukes day: 2. The same days after the first Sunday in Lent: 3. The same days before Pentecost: 4. The [Page 282] same days following September 14.

2. They are called Ember, from the A­shes then poured upon the head, and Cake eaten in the evening baked under the Em­bers, (and jejunium 4 temporum) or from Embert, Noble Brother.

3. They are kept, 1. As the first-fruits of each quarter: 2. As times of Prayer, 1. for a blessing upon the fruits of the earth, then either sown, sprung up, ripening, or gathering; 2. or against the distempers in­cident to that season: 3. As times of so­lemn Devotion, for a blessing upon the Churches sacred Ordination, which were ever solemnized the next Lords day fol­lowing each of these; and which ought, as by Christ and his Apostles, so ever by their Successors and Disciples to be performed with fasting and prayer.

Q. How come we to observe the first day of the week in stead of the seventh? the Sunday in stead of the sabbath?

A. The Son of man, who is Lord of the Sabbath, with his Disciples observed the first day of the week, in commemoration of his redemption of the World, as his Father did the seventh, in memory of his creation of it; and the Church keeps it after his ex­ample: he met his Disciples, they met [Page 283] one another; and the Christian Church al­ways assembled on that day.

Q. The Saints Festival?

A. The first is St. Andrews, the Patron of Scotland, who came first to Christ; whose day is observed either immediately before or after Advent-Sunday, because he brought the first news of our Saviours coming, Joh. 1.38, 40. whom he preached in Scythia and Aethiopia, and along the Euxine Sea, until he was crucified in Achaia under Vespasian: whose faith in immediate closing with Christ, love in teaching his brethren, and perseve­rance intimated by his Name Andrew, i. e. Strong, in continuing to the end, we this day meditate and imitate.

Q Proceed.

A. The next is St. Thomas, whose doubt intimates our frailty, as his confessi­on strengtheneth our faith: on whose day we meditate on his confession, My Lord and my God; we imitate his faithfulness, in preach­ing the Gospel to the East-Indies, where he died anno Christ. 25. and learn his faith and patience.

Q. Go on.

A. After this we celebrate St. Pauls strange Conversion, the Apostle of us Gentiles: learning the sinfulness of Nature [Page 284] in him when Saul, and the strength of Grace when Paul; observing a Christian and a Mi­nisters faithfulness, in being in labour more abundant then they all; and blessing God for his excellent Epistles, and his pains in preach­ing the Gospel in Asia and Greece.

Q. Why do we observe the Feast of St. Michael the Archangel?

A. As a Memorial of our comfort in the Angels care of us, and our duty in imitating them: whereon we contemplate their na­tures, meditate on the good they do us, and all mankinde, in soul and body: we consi­der their tuition of us, we observe their o­bedience and service.

Q. Why All-Saints day?

A. To celebrate the Communion of Saints in heaven and on earth, joyned to Christ by faith, and to one another by love; and communicating in each others joy and sorrow, and following each others good ex­ample in all vertuous and godly living, until we all come to the measure of the fulness of Christ.

Q. Have you any more?

A. Yes: 1. St. Lukes-day, the belo­ved Physitian of soul and body, who cured our infidelity by publishing the Gospel as Christs Amanuensis; and strengthened our [Page 285] Faith by writing the Acts as St. Pauls Regi­ster, wherein he died in Bithynia, now cal­led Anatolia, anno 74. on whose day we pray God to heal our souls with his whol­some Doctrine.

2. St. Simon and Iudes day, two bre­thren in Nature and Grace, called by Christ to promote Unanimity, and commemora­ted by us to promote Love. St. Jude's Catholick Epistle we read to amend our lives: his sincere and plain dealing we ob­serve, to direct our steps: his diligence to promote the common salvation by writing and travelling, we consider, to follow him: his refusal of King Abyarus his gifts, because he had left his own goods for Christ, and would take anothers for himself, we lay to heart, to teach us moderation in the use of this world: his death by the Priests of that Country, we lament, but learn by it pati­ence and faith. St. Simon the Canaanites Zeal, we admire and imitate: his travels to Aegypt, Libya, Persia, Cyrene, and some say to Britain, we thank God for: his Cruci­fixion when second Bishop of Jerusalem, an­no 120, we Register; Learning with him, not to look on those things which are seen, which are temporal; but on those things which are not seen, which are eternal.

Q. Why do we honour these Saints, and not Christ?

A. As Aristotle saith, If Timotheus had not been, we had not had so much sweet Mu­sick; but if Phryny, which was his Master, had not been, we had not had Timotheus: so if these Saints had not been, we had wanted good examples; but if our Saviour had not been, we had not had these Saints. We honour him in them, and them in him.

Q. Why do we fast the Eves of the Holy-days?

A. To prepare our selves for the Solem­nities of them.

Qu. Why do you not fast on all Holy-day-Eves?

A. Not on the Circumcision, because it is an Octave, and the Octaves never had their Vigils: not on the Epiphany, because it was a Fast-day it self: not on St. Mark, St. Philip and Jacobs Eves, because there are no Fasts between Easter and Whitsontide: not St. Michaels, because the Angels entred not to their Joys through sufferings: not on St. Lukes, because there was a solemn Festi­val observed in our Church at the Eve of it.

FOr further Enlargement on the Church-Catechism, see Bishop Nicholsons Catechism and Creed, full, clear, and solid: Bishop Andrews Ca­techistical Doctrine, copious and learned: Crooks Guide, succinct and plain: Dr. Hammonds Catechism, useful and practical: Perkins, honest and satisfactory: Rogers, sound and grave; and all common places, where­of Gerard is the learned and compleat sum.

On the Creed. DOctor Pearson is solid, learned and practical: Dr. Heylin is learned and copious: Dr. Jackson is acute and solid: Dr. Gill is rational: Boyes is quick and Canonical: Bishop Babington is devout and honest: A­dams is ingenious: Perkins and Zanchy, Nicholson and Cartwright, are all.

On the Lords Prayer. BIshop Andrews and Doctor Gouge are compleat: Dr. King and Sir Richard Baker are acute and devout: Perkins, Boyes and Babington, as upon the Creed.

On the Decalogue. BIshop Andrews and Perkins com­pleat: Dod, Elton, Babington, plain and pious, and Weems learned.

On the Sacraments. BLake on the Sacraments, subtle; Rogers, Orthodox; Gerard, com­pleat; Bishop Morton of the Lords Supper, learnedly and fully; Bishop Reynolds and Dr. Gouge, satisfactorily; Mr. Cudworth and Mr. Vines, learned­ly; Bishop Taylor and Mr. Dike, pra­ctically.

On the Church-Customes. SEe Dr. Hammonds Resolution of six Queries, his Dissertation and Quarto Discourses; Dr. Taylors Polemi­cals; Mr. Hookers Eccles. Pol. Bishop Gaudens [...], and Hieraspistes; Mr. L'estrange's Alliance of Liturgies; Archbishop Whitgift against Cart­wright; Bishop Morton, Dr. Burges, Mr. Sparrow, Bishop Downham, &c.

A Pattern of Dayly Devotion, drawn by the Life of the most Reverend and Pious Son and Father of this Church.

INstead of Prayers, which use to be at the end of Books of this nature, we have thought fit to set before you the Pattern of dayly Devotion, out of the Life of the most reverend and eminent person that ever this Church bred: whereby all men may see how they may have and keep com­munion with God in the use of the wholsom Prayers and Directions of the Church of England; and withal, how they may keep up their souls in a suitable holy frame at those Prayers, which may honour God, com­fort them, adorn our Religion, convince gainsayers, and keep a happy correspon­dence between us and heaven.

1. As soon as you awake, be sure you have some choice Psalms and Portions of [Page 292] Scripture to pitch your first thoughts upon, together with some meditation of sleep, of the night, Gods preservation towards you: to which end you should have the seven pe­nitential Psalms; and indeed all the Psalms, as they had them in the Primitive Church, by heart: and you should enlarge your me­ditations on the Lords most comprehensive Prayer, observing each word, with the du­ties and comforts contained in them.

2. Suffer no worldly business to possess your thoughts, till you have considered the temper of your soul within; your opportu­nities of doing good, and your temptations to evil from without: your carriage for the time past, and your resolution for the time to come; and wrapped up those thoughts in some Scripture-sentences, Ejaculations and Meditations: and then drawing some holy Considerations from every thing you do, and keeping your soul in a constant course of contemplation, till in an humble sense of your sin against, and dependance upon God, you kneel and say, O holy, blessed, and glorious Trinity, three per­sons and one God, have mercy upon me a miserable sinner. Lord, I know not what to pray for as I ought: O let thy Spirit help my infirmity, and enable me to offer up a spi­ritual [Page 293] sacrifice to thee by Jesus Christ. And then by the help of that Spirit, raise up your soul to go along with the Confession at the beginning of the Common-prayer, and that at the Communion; which you may read, and enlarge your heart upon, according to your own condition, running over particu­lars in your thoughts, while you read gene­rals.

3. Having opened your heart to God, if you can, go to Church, or any other place where you may receive the Absolution from the Minister, who hath power to declare the will of God concerning poor penitent sin­ners; so as whose sins he declares pardoned upon their repentance and faith, they are pardoned; and whose sins he declares not pardoned upon their impenitence and unbe­lief, they are not pardoned. Hear, if you can, the Commissioned Embassador of God, opening his good will concerning a penitent sinner. If that cannot be, look upon the three gracious Absolutions, 1. in the beginning of the Common-prayer, the 2. at the Com­munion, the 3. at the Visitation of the sick, and apply them to your broken heart, and believing soul, and then go on in the Morn­ing-prayer, the Psalms and Lessons of the day, warming your heart by the one, and [Page 294] instructing it by the other; being sure always to apply every period as near as you can to your own occasions, and enlarge upon every Petition of the Prayers, and upon every Verse of the Psalms in your mind, and re­ducing your thoughts upon them by wri­ting to a method, which you may make use of to quicken you at any time. After the Morning-prayer, you may use some Collects, either for those special graces you want, or against the special sins you are sensible of, or for the special mercies you have received, or for others, superiours, your friends, or enemies; and to that end he reduceth the Collects to a method, that you may chuse them out for your own occasion, concluding always with that, Prevent us, O Lord, in all our doings, &c.

4. When he is ready, he hath a peculiar meditation for every accident that occurs to him; and there can be no opportunity of hearing, praying, or discoursing, that he waves or neglects. At the beginning and end of every affair that is likely to take up his thoughts, he armeth his soul by a suita­ble reflexion and Ejaculation, ordinary or extraordinary, as the nature of the occur­rence is.

[Page 295]5. Before Dinner, where-ever he is, he retires for half an hour to reading, medita­tion and prayer.

6. At Dinner he hath a Chapter read, and discoursed of before him by as able men as any are in the Land, such as use his Table.

7. He hath his Diary for every remarka­ble particular that falls in word or action from himself or others.

8. After the hour he allots to discourse, and the four hours he allows business, wherein he keeps up his private and pious considerations, agreeable to events, he re­tires to the evening Office, which he per­forms as he did the morning, adding an ex­amination of his Diary of that days re­marque.

9 As he examineth the account of eve­ry day at the close of it, so of every week, every moneth, and every year at the end of them.

10. The benefit he found by this course of devotion, was, That there happened no­thing within or without him for which he was not prepared by an heavenly remedy.

11. Repentance being the great business of his life, upon all Fast-days, either pub­lick, directed by the Church, or private, set apart by himself, 1. He surveyed his life, [Page 296] and heart, noting down the particulars of each, with all circumstances. 2. He wrought himself to a due sense of his vile and dangerous condition, until he was affe­cted with a true and hearty sorrow for, and established with a strong resolution against his sinful life or actions. 3. Applying him­self to God by faith in Christ, by supplicati­on and prayer. 4. Offering up himself en­tirely unto God, with a promise of new life by Gods gracious assistance and Spirit. 5 Set­ting on those duties wherein he hath been most defective, and mortifying those sins to which most enclined. 6. Always making and keeping his peace with his own heart, and with all men.

12. He chose out several Collects in or­dinary, reserving to himself a liberty in ex­traordinaries upon the seven hours of Pray­er; as 1. at 3 a clock in the morning; 2. at 6; 3. at 9; 4. at 2; 5. at 3 in the after­noon; 6. at 6; 7 at 9, or bed-time.

13. He hath a large Volume of experi­mental Observations upon the Lyturgie, the Bible, the Sacraments; together with the publike Occurrences: whch teacheth an ob­serving and steady Soul to reduce every thing it readeth, seeth or heareth, to its own purpose and occasions.

[Page 297]14. The last things, the Theological gra­ces, the Cardinal Vertues, the Sins that are nearest that against the holy Ghost, the se­ven deadly sins, the sixteen fruits of the Spirit, the twenty Policies of Satan, the ten Commandments, the twelve Articles of our Faith, have taken up so much of his time, that he hath six Volumes of his own observations upon them. Go thou and do likewise, that thou maist attain his honour and respect, his virtues and exactness, his peace with God and his own conscience and his Name, which shall be had in everlasting remembrance.

FINIS.

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