THE DOCTRINE OF THE BEGINNING of Christ.
Short for memorie, plaine for capacity, deliuered almost in the expresse words of the Text, for the more Authority.
By Samuell Hieron, Minister of the Gospel.
Brethren, bee not children in vnderstanding, but as concerning maliciousnesse be children, but in vnderstanding be of ripe age.
Imprinted at London for Samuel Macham, and Mat. Cooke, and are to be sold at their shop in Paules Churchyard, at the signe of the Tygers head, 1606
An Aduertisement to the Reader.
I Offer here vnto thee, good Reader, this short catechisme, neither preferring it before other the like briefs of Religion, neither yet equalling it to any; but I willinglye submitte it to thy iudgement, to place it in what ranke thou wilt. Onely this; if thou are disposed, after thou hast viewed the title, to looke further into the thing it selfe: then I pray thee by the way, to take notice of this mine acquainting thee with the order and maner of that which followeth.
For order, it sheweth thee first, what was the excellency of thy first makinge, by the eternall Trinitye: Secondly, it discouereth the depth of misery, into which thou hast plunged thy selfe by communicating with Adams Disobedience, together with thy vtter disability, so much as by a thought to desire, or to deserue thine owne recouery. Thirdly, it pointeth out Christ vnto thee, whom God the Father had sealed, to saue his people from their sinnes. Fourthly,Mat 1.21 Iohn 6.2 it maketh knowne vnto thee, the sufficiency of his sacrifice, and the means of applying it to thy owne soule.
[Page]Fiftly, it teacheth thee whence to expect faith, what meanes to vse for the attainment of it, and how to be assured that it is vnfayned. Sixtly, because the end of the appearing of grace is, that we should deny vngodlines, therefore it vrgeth vpon thee the necessity of good works, that so thou maist be neither idle nor vnfruitfull in the knoledge of our Lord Iesus Christ. Seuenthly, forasmuch as the way of the righteous shineth, as the light that shineth more and more vnto the perfit day, therefore also it calleth vpon thee to grow in grace, and informeth thee by what helpes thou mayst bee ledde forward vnto perfection. Eightly, least in this good course, being encountred with vnexpected tribulations, thou shouldst be wearied and faint in thy minde, it fore-aduiseth thee of the certainety of diuers afflictions, and teacheth thee both howe to frame thy selfe to the taking vp of thy crosse, and withall what quiet fruit of righteousnesse to expect, by beeing exercised thereby; in the middest of all, still looking for the blessed hope & appearing of the glory of the mighty GOD, and of our Sauiour Iesus Christ. Ninthly, and lastly, the generall direction for Holinesse and Righteousnesse, it applyeth [Page] to particulars, both to thy daily cariage in the vse of things indifferent, as apparrel, meat, recreation, rest, and to thine age, quality and calling, that so in euery respect, thy conuersation may bee such as becommeth the Gospell. This is the course and summe of this forme of Holy Doctrine, whereunto my desire is to deliuer thee, and in which I perswade my selfe I haue comprised the full some of True Religion.
Now for the manner of it: I haue as neer as I could possibly, in each answere kept my selfe to the wordes of the holy Text: thou shalt finde me to haue fayled in a very few; and yet in those, if thou conferre with that Place to which I referre thee, thou shalte finde mee not to haue erred from the meaning of the Spirite of GOD therein. The reason of this course is, First to acquaint thee with the Language of the Scripture. Secondly, that each point may haue the more credit, when thy conscience shal see & heare, as it were, God himself speaking in euery Answere.
Thirdly, that thou mayst acknowledge that (which many in their ignorance wil not beleeue) the Scripture is a rich Store-house, affoording directions for euery particular.
[Page]Now, where I haue supposed, some worde, or speaches to be such as might breede thee some trouble, not being rightly vnderstood, I haue in the margine, as it were, reached thee a light for the cleereing of all such darker places, that thou mightest both knowe the sense, and acknowledg the certainty of those things wherein my desire is thou maiest be instructed. This is all, whereof I haue to admonish thee: [...]ke 1.4. proceede now on Gods name, to the pervsing of the thing it selfe, & the lord giue thee vnderstāding in al things. Al that I desire of thee by the way of recompence for my endeuour to do thee good,Tim. 2.7. is, that thou wouldest striue with me by praiers to God for me, that I may fulfill the Ministery, which I haue receiued in the Lord: And so I commend thee to him, [...]m. 15, 30. [...]l. 4, 17. [...]. 20.32. and to the word of his grace, wishing thee an Inherytance among them that are sanctified.
THE DOCTRINE OF the beginning of Christ.
Question. VVHo made man?
A. The Lord God. Gen. 2.7.
Q. What is God.
A. The almighty, To this agreeth God name, I am Exod. 3, 14 which is, which was, and which is to come, Reu. 1.8.
Q. Howe many persons be there in the Godhead?
A. Thrée, the father, the The Son, called Io. 1 because he the express [...] image of h [...] father, eue [...] as a worde of the spek [...] mind. word, and the holy Ghost. 1. Ioh. 5.7.
Q. Are there then three Gods;
A. To vs there is but one God. 1. Cor. 8.6.
Q. Wherefore did God make man?
A. For his owne sake, That is f [...] his owne ri [...]es sake., Pro. 16.4.
Q. Whereof was man made;
A. Of the dust of the ground, That tea [...]eth humil [...], Gen. 2.7,
Q. After what fashion did God make man:
A. In his owne Image. Gen, 1.27.
Q. What was this Image especially?
A. Righteousnes and holines of truth, Eph. 4.24.
Q. Doth this Image of God abide still in our nature?
A. We all haue sinned, and are depriued of the glory Of that rious esta [...] which sta [...] eth in hau [...] fellowship with God of God. Rom. 3.23.
Q. What is sinne?
[Page]A The transgression of gods law, 1 Io. 3, 4
Q What was the first sinne by which came one spiritual nakednesse?
A Adams eating the forbidden fruite, The nakednesse which [...]am thē saw himselfe, [...]s of the [...]le especi [...], which [...]ought the [...]me of bo [...]y nakednes [...]oth of bo [...] and soule. Gen. 3, 7▪
Q Who drew Adam to that sinne?
A The olde Serpent the Deuill, hee was the murtherer from the beginning. Reu. 12.9. Gen, 3, 1. Iohn 8, 44
Q What entred into the world hereby?
A Death We were all Adams. came ouer all men, Rom. 5, 1 2.
Q Why? there was but one man sinned.
A Yet by the offence of one, the guilt came vpon all That is, turn [...]m all our [...]nes vnto [...]od., Rom. 5, 18
Q In what estate are we then of our selues?
A Borne in iniquity and the children of wrath, Eph. 2.3 Psal. 51, 5
Q And what is belonging to vs?
Except we repent Cause or [...]anes or his birth first becam [...]an, yet was [...]r God, o [...]r al blessed [...]r euer. we shall all perish, Luk, 13, 3.
Q Can we by no meanes remedie this?
A No: for what can a man giue for recompence of his soule? Mat, 16, 26.
Q What is then the onely name [...]m. 9 5 giuen vnder heauen, whereby we must be saued?
A Iesus Christ, Act. 4, 12.
Qu What is Iesus Christ.
A A holy thing f borne of a woman, and [Page] called the Sonne of God, Luke 1.35,
Q What hath he done for vs.
A He hath giuen himselfe for vs To be a sacrifice for ou [...] sins, which sheweth bot [...] his loue, & the sufficiency o [...] his sacrifice. Ep 5, 2.
Q Wherefore hath God sent him to do this for vs.
A That we should not perish, but haue life euerlasting, Ioh, 3, 16.
Q How doth he bring this to passe for vs?
A By being our Redemption That sauer vs from per [...] shing., and our righteousnes, Therby we haue life eue [...] lasting. 1 Cor 1, 30
Q How is he our redemption.
A Because he hath bought vs with the price of his owne blood, 1 Cor. 6.20.1. Pet. 1, 19.
Q How is he our righteousnesse.
A Because hee doth present vs without fault in Gods sight, Col. 1.22.
Q How are we made righteous through Christ.
A As he was made sinne for Our sin [...] imputed to him, and so his righteou [...] nesse to vs. vs, 2 Cor. 5 21.
Q Howe come we to the knowledge of all this.
A By the worde of Trueth, which is the Gospell, Coloss. 1.5.
Q What is the Gospell.
A Glad tidings to all Gods people So much i [...] meant by t [...] people. The is a wo [...] of distinction compare m [...] 1, 21, Luk. 2.10
[Page]Q. To whome do these benefites of Christ appertaine?
A. Euen to those that beléeue in his name, [...]ith is the condition of [...]e new Co [...]nant. Ioh. 1.12.
Q. What is Faith?
A. To know By profe of scripture by comforable experience in a [...]ans owne [...]ule. that Iesus is Besids whō [...]ere is no [...]ther to be [...]oked for That is be [...]ue in christ [...]oh 6, 35. the Christ the son of the liuing God. Ioh. 6.69.
Q. Is it in our power to beleeue?
A. No man can come to Christ, That is be [...] in christ [...]oh 6, 35., except God the father draw him, Endued with gifts for [...]at purpose., Ioh. 6.44.
Q. What is the outward meanes by which Faith commeth.
A The hearing of a Preacher which is sent, [...]work faith [...] him by his [...]pirit. Rom. 10.14.15,
Q. What is the inward meanes?
A. The opening of the hart, Endued with gifts for that purpose. [...] to listen & [...] be able to take goodnesse of this [...]ght., Act. 16.14.
Q. When doth the word preached worke best, with the hearers?
A. When it is receiued not as the worde of man, but as it is indéede, the word of God. 1. Thes. 2.13.
Q. What is specially to be cared for by those which thinke they haue faith?
A. To prooue Because it is [...] easy & dā gerous thing herein to be receiued. themselues whether they are in the saith or no, 2, Cor. 13.5.
Q What is the principall fruit of faith, by which it is known?
A. The purifying of the hart. Act. 15.9.
[Page] Q. What is the surest note of a purified heart?
A A desire in all things to liue honestly a Making conscience of euery sin. Heb. 13.18.
Q. What is chiefly to be vrged vpon those which beleeue?
A That they be carefull to shew forth good workes. Tit. 3.8.
Q. What workes be good?
A. Such as God requireth, The wil of God is the rule of all good., Mic. 6.8.
Q When are our workes called good?
A. When we haue respect to Not seking dispensation for any one sinne. Gods commaundements, Psal. 119.6.
Q How many be the commaundements of God?
A Ten. Exo. 34.28.
Q What is the briefe sum of them all?
A Thou shalt loue the Lord thy God with al thy hart, with al thy soule, and with all thy mind, and thy neighbor as thy selfe. Math. 22.37.39.
Q Are we of our selues suffient to do good workes?
A No our sufficiency is of God. 2. cor. 3.5.
Q Are we then saued by our workes?
A. No: but by grace. For euen our righteo [...] nes is as [...]il [...] clouts., Ephe, 2, 8, 9.
Q Is not our saluation partly by workes, partly by grace The papi [...] diuide our [...]uation betwixt these?
[Page]A Then Grace were no grace. Ro. 11.6.
Q What is fruther required of a christian?
A. To encrease more and more Not to goe forward, is to go backward, and he which thinks he hath grace inough [...]ath none at [...]., 1, Th. 4.1.
Q How many meanes bee there to further our increasing?
A Thrée especially?
Q What is the first?
A The sincere milke of Gods worde, 1. Pet. 2.2.
Q How many wayes be there of vsing the word?
A Foure?
Q What is the first?
A Publike hearing with an honest & good heart A hart inwardly seasoned and send [...]g forth fruit outwardly., Luke 8.15.
Q What is the second?
A Daily searching the Scriptures, whether those things which we heare are so, With sobri [...]ty, reuerēce, & humility Acts 17, 11.
Q What is the third?
A To let it be our meditation By the direc [...]on of Gods spirit. Ps. 119.97
Q What is the fourth?
A To talke of it, Deu, 6, 7.
Q What is the second meanes to edify vs in our holy faith?
A Praying in the holy Ghost, Lu, 20.
Q What is Prayer?
[Page]A A pouring out of the very soul before the Lord Therefore praier must be with humility feling & saith, 1. Sam. 15 Psal, 62.10.
Q Who is the onely Mediator by whome we must pray?
A There is one But one, as there is but one God Mediator Iesus Christ 1. Tim. 2, 5.
Q Know we what to pray as we ought?
A No: yet Gods spirit helpeth oue infirmities Sheweth vs our wants, & teacheth vs to behaue our selues as we ought. Rom, 8.26.
Q What is the best rule of Prayer?
A That which Christ taught, Mat. 6, 9.
Q What is the third meanes for our spiritual increase?
A The vse of the seales Therefore they confirme faith. of righteousnes, the two Sacraments. Rom. 4, 11
Q What be they?
A Baptisme and the Lords Supper, Mat. 28, 19
Q How doth Baptisme strengthenthen our faith, and further our obedience?
A When wee duely consider the nature and end of Baptisme.
Q What is the nature of Baptisme?
A It is the washing That incre [...] seth our comfort in Christ of a newe birth. Tit. 3, 5
Q Can the washing of the flesh saue vs?
A Baptisme is but a fygure the outward signe doth no [...] of it selfe bestow grace., it is the bloud of Christ which purgeth the conscience. [Page] 1. Pet, 3, 21, Heb, 9, 14,
Q What is the end of our washing in Baptisme?
A That we should be holy and without blame, zealous of good works, That serus to stir vp our obedience Eph. 5, 27, Tit, 2.14,
Q How doth the Sacrament of the Lordes Supper encrease our faith?
A Because it sheweth vs the Lords death vntill he come Christes death is the ground of our faith., 1, Cor. 11, 26,
Q How must this Sacrament be vsed?
A Euery man must examine Touching his faith and repentance. himselfe, & so let him eat of the bread, and drinke of the cup, 1, Cor, 11, 28.
Q What must euery christian make account of, that holdeth this eourse?
A That he must through many afflictions enter into the kingdome of God, Acts 14, 22,
Q Is it good for vs to be afflicted?
A Yea, in sundry respects. Psal. 71,
Q What is the first?
A Before we be afflicted, we go astray Affliction is a meane to reclaime vs, and so to fre vs from the condemnation that shal come vpon [...]he world. [...]en. 11, 32. Psal. 1, 1967.
Q What is the second,
A In our affliction we wil séeke God diligently. Hos, 5, 15;
Q What is the third,
[Page]A Affliction maketh our faith much more precious then gold the strengt [...] of our faith is tried, and our feeling [...] gods loue in creased by affliction., 1, Pet. 17,
Q How many sorts of afflictions be there?
A. Two: Inward and outward.
Q What be inward afflictions?
A Sathans buffetings, and the drawing by our owne concupiscence The coruption and sin [...] that dwelet [...] in vs. 2, Cor 12.7, Iam. 1, 14.
Q How doth Sathan deale with Gods children?
A He doth winuow them as Wheate. Luke 22, 31.
Q What is our duty therefore?
A To be sober Sift them b [...] sundry tentations. and watching, For the preuenting of a saults., 1, Pe. 5, 8,
Q What is our comfort herein?
A Christ hath prayed that our faith doe not faile the prayer for his disciples is for al beleeuers, Ioh. 17.20., Luke 22, 32,
Q Yea, but the Diuel is a roring Lyon.
A Greater is he which is in vs Christ by h [...] Spirit., then hée which is in the world, Sathan th [...] prince of the world., 1, Iohn, 44,
Q How doth our in ward concupiscence afflict vs?
A When it leadeth vs captiue, that wee cannot do the good which we would, Hence ariseth the co [...] bate betwixt the flesh and the spirit in gods children Gal. 5.17., Rom. 7, 19, 23,
Q What is our duty hereupon?
A To keepe our hearts with all diligence, [Page] Prou. 4, 23
Q What is our comfort in this case
A The power of God is made perfyt that euil motions may either not arise or may soone be suppressed. by our weakenesse, 2 Cor 12,9,
Q But alasse we come farre short of our duties.
A The Lord will spare vs Is made mor manifest, as a man spareth his owne Sonne that serueth him, By acepting the wil forthe deed. 2 Cor. 8 12. Mal. iii. 17.
Q Put case the Childe of God fall into som foule euill.
A Though he fall, yet he shall not be cut off: for the Lorde putteth vnder his hand, Psal. 37, 24.
Qu What be outward afflictions.God performes the good work he hath once begun. Philip. 1, 6.
A In good name, in goods, in person.
Q What is afflictyon in good name.
A When all manner of euill is spoken against vs for Christ sake, falsely, Matth. 5, 11.
Q What must our care be in such cases.
A To haue our conuersation honest, that those which speake euill, may be either conuerted or ashamed, 1 Pet. 2.12. Tit. 2.8
[Page]Q What is our comfort in this crosse?
A The reward is great in heauen: This v [...] Christs ow [...] comfort in the like ca [...] Heb. 12, 2 Mat. 5.12.
Q What is affliction in goods?
A Losses of diuers kinds.
Q What is chiefly to bee thought vppon in such an affliction?
A That we open not our mouth To murm [...]or to repin [...], because it is the Lord that hath done it To murm [...]or to repin [...], Psal. 39.9.
Q What is our comfort here?
A The Lorde is able to giue vs more. 2.It is compasse by his prouidence Chro. 25.9.
Q But how if he stil keepe vs low?
A Yet a good which assureth a man [...] gods fauor i [...] Christ, and o [...] his care to liue honestl [...] Conscience is a continuall A continua [...] matter of reioysing. feast. Pro. 15, 15.
Q What is affliction in a mans person?
A Sicknes and death.
Q What is the first thing to be done in Sicknesse?
A Wee must confesse against our selues our wickednes to the Lord. Psal. 32.5.
Q What is our comfort in sicknes?
A That the Lord will turne all our bed in our sicknes as we did befor our sicknes, for God doth not visi [...] in vaine., Psal. 41, 3.
Q How if the Lord recouer vs?
A We must sinne no more g, least a worse thing come vnto vs. Iohn. 5, 14.
[Page]Q Is it lawfull to vse charmes for the curing of diseases?
A Let there be no charmer amongst you, saith God, This is the [...]ommon pre [...]ence of the [...]norant., Deut, 18.10, 11.
Q But yet many haue binne helped by such meanes.
A Wee may not doe euill, that good may come thereby, Rom. 3.8.
Q What is our principall duty in respect of death?
A To die daily Still loking [...]or death, & [...]reparing for [...]., 1. Cor. 15.31,
Q What is the best comfort, when the time of departing is at hand?
A That we haue kept the faith Haue been [...]tedfastin the [...]rofession of [...]he truth., 2, Tim. 4.7.
Q What besides?
A That Christ hath plucked out the sting of Death, which is sinne. 1, Cor. 15.55, 56.
Q When will GOD wipe away all teares from the eyes of his Children?
A At that time of refreshing That is, the [...]me of ful re [...]emption. [...]om. 8, 23., Reu. 21, 4, Acts, 3, 19.
Q What time is that?
A When that same Iesus Christ, which is now preached vnto vs, shall come to iudgement, Acts 3.20.
Q Is that time neere?
[Page]A The Iudge standeth before the doore, Iam. 5.9.
Q In what manner will he come?
A In his glory, and all his holy Aungels with him. Mat. 25.31.
Q What will he do when he commeth?He makes way to this separation dayly by the preaching [...] the Gospel Matth. 3, 12.
A He will separate the Sheepe from the Goates. Mat 25, 32.
Q Who be his Sheepe?
A They which heare and know his voice. Iohn 10, 4.27.
Q Who be the Goates?
A They which beleeue not. Iohn 10, 26
Q What will he say to the Sheepe?
A Come ye blessed, inherite a kingdome. Mat. 25.34.
Q What will he say to the Goates?
A Depart from mee, yee cursed, Mat. 25.41.
Q What shal then become of the Sheep?
A Where Christ is, there shall they be also, Iohn 14, 3.
Q What shal happen to the Goates?
A Euerlasting perdition, 2. Thes. 1, 9.
Q What must wee doe till that day commeth?By prepar [...] tlon.
A Looke for it, and hasten to it. b 2. Pet. 3.12.
[Page]Q What els?
A Pray daily, euen so, Come Lord Iesus, Reuel.Which he [...]hewes in our [...]ontinual pre [...]eruation 22.20.
A Direction for a mans daily carriage.
Q What must our first work be in the morning?
A To let our Prayer come before the L. and to praise his mercy Sober, mo [...]est, & suche [...] agreeth to [...]r abillity & [...]lling., Psal. 88.13. Psal. 59.16.
Q What must our apparrell be?
A Such as becommeth those which professe the feare of God Euery man [...]ight to hau calling., 1. Tim. 2 10.
Qu What is the next to be done?
A Wee must followe our owne businesse to remēber [...]s al-seeing [...]esence, and [...] seek to ap [...]oue our sel [...]s befor him such as may [...] a witnes of [...]e grace of [...] hart. with quietnes. 1, Thes. 4.11.
Q What must be chiefly cared for in our busines?
A To walke with God d Gen. 5.22.
Q What must our speech be?
A Gracious alwaies e Col. 4.6.
Q What things must chiefly be auoyded in speaking?
A Lying, swearing, filthinesse, foolish talking, iesting, rayling. Eph. 4.15.5, 4. Iam. 5 12, 1, Cor, 5, 11,
[Page]Q What company must we keepe?
A All our delight must bee to the Saintes which mak [...] conscience o [...] a holy life. in earth. Psal. 16, 3,
Q What must we do when we come to our meat?
A We must looke vp to Heauen and giue thankes. Mat. 14, 19.
Q How many thinges must chiefly be looked vnto in our dyet?
A Thrée.
Q What is the first?
A That our heartes be not oppressed with surfeting and drunkennes. Luk. 21.34.
Q What is the second?
A That we forget not the worke the end wh [...] the Lord giueth vs food of the Lord. Is. 5, 12,
Q What is the third?
A That of that which remaineth, nothing be lost. Iohn. 6, 12.
Q Ought not some time of euery day be set apart for spirituall uses?
A Wee must redéeme Make the best vse of o [...] time. the time, because the dayes are euill. Eph. 5.16.
Q May not recreation be sometime vsed?
A Yes: there is a time to laugh. Eccl. 3, 4,
Q What kinds of disports may we vse?
A Such as be of good report Such are a [...] such sportes which eithe [...] are or beget lightnesse an [...] impudency or stand on vpon hazard being no exercise eyth [...] of wit or body., Phil. 4, 8.
[Page]Q How many thinges must be looked vnto in the vse of our delights?
A Two.
Q What is the first?
A That our reioicing hinder not beter duties. Paule ioy [...]eth reioi [...]ng with pra [...]er, to teache [...]at mirth is [...]il, when it [...]ndereth [...]rayer, 1 Thes. 5, 16, 17,
Q What is the second?
A That we cause not our commodity As though were the round of Li [...]entiousnesse to be euill spoken of What hath [...]een our be [...]auiour that [...]ay., Rom, 14, 16.
Q What is the Euening duety?
A To examine our selues [...]n the duties [...]f a mans law [...]l calling. vpon our Bed, and to say euery man to himselfe: what haue I done? Psal. 4.4.
Q What must we do els?
A Pray Psal. 55.17.
Q How many things make sleepe comfortable?
A Two.
Q What is the one?
A Honest labour. Read the [...]lace.. Eccl. 5 11.
Q What is the other?
A A godly care to thriue in Religion, Pro. 3.13, 21, 24. f,
Q How must sleepe be vsed?
A Loue it not, least thou come to pouerty. Pro 20, 13.
The Magistrates duety
Q VVhat is the principall duty of the Magistrate?Personal duties.
A To beautify the house of God To aduāce Religion Ezra, 7.27
Q Howe must hee carry himselfe among the people?
A He is the minister of God, for the peoples wealth. Rom, 13 4,
Q How shal he procure the peoples welth?
A If he be for the praise of them that do well, and the punshment of euill doers. 1 Pet. 2, 14,
Q VVhat kind of men are fitte to bee Magistrates?
A Men of courage, fearing God, dealing truely, and hating couetousnesse, Exo, 18 21.
The Subiectes duety.
Q VVhat is the Subiects duty?
A To be subiect for Conscience sake Knowin [...] Magistracy to be Gods ordinance. Ro, 13 5,
Q VVhat els?
A To pray for them that are in Authoryty If they be good, that they may [...] strengthne [...] if euil, that they may [...] reformed., 1, Tim, 2, 2.
[Page]Q What besides?
A Not to curse ye Magistrate, not somuch as in a thought. Eccl. 10, 20.
Q Is there any other duty?
A We must not ioyne with them that are seditious, Pro. 24, 21.
The Ministers duty.
Q What is the Ministers duety?
A To take heed to his Ministery which he hath receiued, that hee fulfill it, Col, 4. 17.
Q How is that done?
A 1, By watching continually ouer the Flocke For Sathan [...]ks conti [...]ally to de [...]ure., Is, 62, 6, Act. 20, 28,
2 By being diligent to know the estate of his flocke That rule of [...]lomō may [...]y be appil [...] to this mat [...], seeing e [...]ry minister [...] shepherd., Pro, 27.23,
3 By giuing attendance to reading Namely, in [...] priuat [...]dy., 1. Tim. 4, 13,
4 By not being intangled with the affairs of this life. 2. Tim 2, 4.
5 By beeing instante in Preaching the word. 2, Tim. 2.4,
6 By Catechizing The worde the greeke [...]nifieth so [...]ch., Gal, 6, 6,
7 By being an example to them which beleeue. 1. Tim, 4, 12,
Q What is the punishment of a negligent Minister?
[Page]A God will require the peoples bloud at his hand. Ezek, 33.8.
Q How many thinges are chiefly necessarie for him that is to be a Minister?
A Two.
Q What is the one?
A That he holde fast the Faithfull, worde He must I [...] a man of soū [...] iudgement. Tit. 2, 9.
Q What is the other?
A That he be able to exhorte with wholesome doctrin, and improoue them which say against it He must haue the gif [...] of teaching, Tit. 1, 9.
The peoples dutie.
Q What is the peoples duety in regarde of such a Minister?
A The peoples duty hath fiue braunches.
Q What is the first?
A To obey and submit themselues To sound [...]nes of doctrine.. Heb. 13.17.
Q What is the second?
A To haue him in singular loue, and to know him To reuerence him. 1 Thes. 5.13.
Q What is the third.
A To make him partaker of al their goods Gal 6.6.
Q What is the fourth?
[Page]A To pray for him, that vtterance may be giuen him. Eph. 6, 19.
Q What is the fift?
A To receiue no accusation suddainely against him was a dire [...]on giuen [...]cially to [...]urch-Ru [...]s, but may applied to [...]uate men. 1, Tim. 5, 19.
Q Why must the people thus carry themselues to their Minister?
A For three causes.
Q What is the first?
A Because he worketh the Lords worke, 1. Cor. 16.10.
Q What is the second?
A Because he watcheth for their soules, and must giue account thereof. Heb 13.17
Q What is the third?
A Because otherwise he shall do his duty with griefe, which is vnprofytable for the people, Heb. 13, 17
Houshold dueties.
Q What is the duety of the Maister of the family for matters of religion?
A To commaund his Houshold, that they kéepe the way of the Lord Therefore must haue [...]ligious ex [...]cises in his [...]use, as prai [...]catechi [...]g, reading [...]e scriptures [...]d must also [...]ing them the congre [...]tion. Gen. 18, 19
Q VVhat is his duety for outward things?
[Page]A To make prouision for those of his own houshold. 1, Tim, 5, 8.
Q What is the wiues duty in these things?
A To be a help to hir husband. Both in m [...]ters of relig [...]on & outward thing Gen, 2, 18
Qu What is the mans duty in regarde of his wife?
A To dwell with her, and to loue her as his own body. 1 Pet, 3.7. Eph. 5.28.
Q What is the Womans duty to her Husband?
A To be subiect to him as vnto the Lorde. Eph. 5.22
Q What is his duety whom God hath made a father?
A To bring vp his children in Religion, in good manners, and in an honest calling. In true re [...]gion and in some hone [...] calling Eph. 6.4.
Q What is the Mothers duety?
A To nourish her children, and to instruct them. 1. Tim. 5.10.
Q What is the Maisters duety in respect of his seruants By seruan [...] are meant, those that employed vs in our b [...]nes wheth [...] they dwel [...] with vs, o [...] otherwise?
A To doe to them that that is iust and equall. Which t [...] honest ser [...]uice dese [...] Col, 4.1.
Q What is childrens duty to their parents?
A To obey them in the Lord. For piet [...] sake, & w [...]out bread piety. Eph. 6.1.
Q What is childrens duty each to other?
A Not to fall out. Gen. 45, 24
[Page]Q What is seruants duty?
A In singlenes of heart, and al good faithfulnes, to please their Maisters, yea, though they be froward, Eph. 6, 5, Tit. 2, 10. 1, Pet, 2, 18.
The duty of single persons.
Q What is required of persons vnmarried?
A If they cannot abstaine, they must marry is a com [...]ndment [...]erall, aper [...]ing to al [...]tes of men [...]ith con [...]t of parēts with care of Reli [...]n., 1, Cor, 7, 9.
Q How must they marrye?
A Onely in the Lord b, 1, Cor, 7, 39.
The dutie of Neighbors each to other.
Q What is required of Neighbors that liue and conuerse together?
A To consider one another, to prouoke vnto loue, & to good works Heb, 10, 24
Q How must wee bee affected in respect of those things which happen to our neighbours?
A Wee must reioyce with them that reioyce, and wéepe ready to [...]or and re [...]e their mi [...]s, as we [...]able, and [...]ome cases [...]ue ability [...]or. 3, 3. with them that wéepe Rom, 12, 15.
Q What is the benefit of a good neighbor?
A He is better than a brother a farre off. Pro. 27.10.
[Page]Q What is the best meanes to preserue a good neighbour?
A He that hath friends, must shew himselfe friendly. Pro, 18, 24.
Q But how if there be iarring sometimes?
A Let not the Sun goe downe vpon your wrath, 4, 26.
Q Put case a man be daily prouoked?
A Be not ouercome with euill, but ouercome euill with goodnes, Rom, 12, 21.
Q When a man hath many enemies, what is the best way to haue peace?
A If a mans wayes please GOD, he wil make also his enemies bee at peace with him Or at le [...] their malli [...]shal not hu [...] him., Pro. 16, 7,
Q How if a man liue in a place so Wicked, that it is not safe for him almost to be familiar with any?
A Hee must striue to shine as a light in a naughty and crooked generation, Phil. 2.15.
A direction for mattees of contract.
Q How must we carry our selues in our dealings among men?
A Wee must neither oppresse By hard extream d [...]ling. nor defraude, [Page] By cunning [...]nd subtile ourses, as [...]alse wait, &c any man in any thing. 1, Th. 4.6
Q What is the rule, by which all our matters of contract must be guided?
A Whatsouer we would that men should do to vs, we must do so to them. Mat, 7. 12.
The Rich mans duety.
Q What is the Rich mans duety?
A To honour God with his Riches. Pro. 3.9.
Q How is that done principally?
A If he be rich in good works, and be redy distribute By giuing lending [...]eely, Deut. 5 & somtime [...] forgiuing [...]bts. Neh. 5. &c., 1. Tim, 6, 18.
Q How many things must a Richman chiefly take heed of?
A Two: High mindednes, and confidence in his wealth. 1 Tim. 6, 17,
Q What must be the Rich mans ioy?
A That he is made low [...]y seeing [...] vanity & [...]nger of Ri [...]es., Iam 1.10.
The poore mans duty.
Q What is the poore mans duety?
A To learne to know howe to be abased, and to haue want, Phil. 4.12.
Q What is the best meanes by which a [Page] man may be assured, while he liueth, neuer to fall into extremity?
A To séek first the Kingdome of God, and the righteousnes thereof, Math, 6, 33.
Q What must be the poore mans ioy?
A That he is exalted To be th [...] child of G [...] by Grace., Iam, 1.9.
The Aged persons duety.
Q What is the duety of the aged man?
A To be sober, honest, discréete, sound in faith, in loue and patience These du [...]ties are re [...]red of al, b [...] chiefly of [...] aged., Tit, 2.2.
Q When is Age a Crowne of glory?
A When it is found in the way of righteousnes. Pro, 16.31.
Q What is required of Elder women?
A To be of such behauiour as becommeth Holines, and to instructs the younger women. Tit 2, 3, 4.
The young mens duety.
Q Howe many bee the duties of young folke?
A Thrée especially.
Q What is the first?
A To remember their Creator To cons [...]crate their fresh year [...] the knole [...] and seruice of God, Eccle.
[Page]Q What is the second?
A To be sober minded, and to flée the lusts of youth. Tit. 2.6.2, Tim. 2, 22.
Q What is the third?
A To honour the person of the Aged. Leuit, 19.32,
Q Wherewithal shal a Young man redresse his way:
A In taking héede thereto according to Gods word. Psal. 119, 9,
The Summe of all.
Q What is the briefe Summe of the whole dutie of Man;
A To feare God To be care [...]l not to of [...]nd God., and kéepe his commandements. Eccle, 12, 13.
Q What is the reward of all?
A He that doth these thinges, shall neuer be moued. Psal. 15.5.