A plaine and profitable catechisme with certaine prayers adioyned, meete for parents and housholders to teach their children and seruants. Leech, James, fl. 1605. 1605 Approx. 103 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 45 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2011-04 (EEBO-TCP Phase 2). A72530 STC 15363.3 ESTC S123497 99899006 99899006 151003

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 Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 2, no. A72530) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 151003) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1475-1640 ; 1994:19) A plaine and profitable catechisme with certaine prayers adioyned, meete for parents and housholders to teach their children and seruants. Leech, James, fl. 1605. More, John, d. 1592. [8], 56, 59-82 p. Printed by Iohn Legat, printer to the Vniversitie of Cambridge, [Cambridge] : 1605. "To the Christian reader" signed: Iames Leech. On signature A3v: "I confesse some good part of this was published many years since, gathered out of another cathechisme by a godly and reuerent preacher M. Moore of Norwich, which I haue altered and enlarged in many places". (Hence, this work may be based in part upon Edward Dering's "A short catechisme for househoulders", first published as "A briefe & necessary instruction."). The text is continuous in spite of pagination. Formerly STC 15365. Reproduction of original in the Harvard University Library, Cambridge, Massachusetts.

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 eng Church of England -- Catechisms -- Early works to 1800. Catechisms, English -- Early works to 1800. Theology, Doctrinal -- Early works to 1800. 2020-09-21 Content of 'availability' element changed when EEBO Phase 2 texts came into the public domain 2009-09 Assigned for keying and markup 2009-10 Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2009-11 Sampled and proofread 2009-11 Text and markup reviewed and edited 2010-04 Batch review (QC) and XML conversion

A PLAINE AND PROFITABLE CATECHISME, with certaine prayers adioyned, meete for parents and houſholders to teach their children and ſeruants.

Deuter. 6.6.

Theſe vvords vvhich I command thee, ſhall be in thy heart, and thou ſhalt rehearſe them continually to thy children.

Ioſu. 24.15.

Chooſe you this day vvhome you vvill ſerue, vvhether the gods vvhich your fathers ſerued, or the gods of the Amorites, in vvhoſe land ye dvvell: but I and my houſe vvill ſerue the Lord.

Ioh. 6.27.

Labour not for the meate that periſheth, but for the meate that endureth to eternall life.

PRINTED BY IOHN LEGAT, Printer to the Vniverſitie of Cambridge. 1605.

To the Chriſtian Reader.

I Can not but earneſtly lament (good chriſtan Reader) as I hope thou doſt with me, theſe miſerable times wherein we liue behoulding the great number, already growne and daily encreaſing, of wicked atheists, ſuperſtitious papiſts, prophane wordlings, carnall goſpellers, vaine and idle profeſſors and great multitudes of ignorant people euen in the principles of religion in this land. Notwithſtanding the goſpel hath beene ſo long & plentifully preached amongſt vs, ſo many godly books publiſhed, both of the interpretation of ſcriptures and alſo of other learned and holy treatiſes by ſundry worthy men, ſo many excellent and profitable catechiſmes, ſet forth and fitted for teaching the grounds of religion to all ſorts of people. So as we may iuſtly weepe ouer cities, townes, and villages as the Lord Ieſus did ouer Ieruſalem.Luc. 19.42. Oh that you had known euen in this your day thoſe things that belong vnto your peace. But now are they hid from your eyes; for ah alas who ſeeth not, almoſt in all places, the mightie ſinnes of the land, crying for vengance: That that may iuſtly be pronounced vnto vs which the prophet denounceth to Iſrael.Hoſea. 4.1. Heare the word of the lord O people of England. The lord hath a controuerſie with the inhabitants of the land, becauſe ther is no truth, no mercie, no knowledge of God in the land, by ſwearing and lying and ſtealing and killing and whoring they breake out, and blood toucheth blood. Wherefore it is greatly to be feared that ſeeing wiſedome hath cryed vnto vs ſo long,Pro. 1.20.25.26. &c. and vttered her words ſo lowd abroad in the ſtreets, in the aſſemblies, in citties and townes, and all ſorts haue refuſed, none would regard her calling, leaſt ſhee alſo laugh at our diſtruction, and mocke when our feare commeth like a ſodaine deſolation, and our deſtruction like a whirlewind and a tempeſt, to ſweepe vs away headlong into the gulfe of all miſeries and calamities. The Lord in mercie raiſe vs vp out of our deadly ſleepe of ſinnes and ſecuritie that we may awake to liue righteously and ſinne no longer. Many of vs haue in our mouths, vainly boaſting as the people of Iſrael,Ier. 7.4. the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, we haue the temple of the lord, ſo wee the goſpell of Chriſt, the goſpel of Chriſt, we haue the goſpel of Chriſt, but ah alas many thouſands of vs knowe nothing what the goſpell meaneth. A multitude of people throughout the land haue not yet learned the very beginnings of the doctrines of Chriſt, of repentance from dead works: of faith towards God, of baptiſme, of laying on of hands, of the reſurrection from the dead, and of eternall iudgement, nay not ſo much as what ſinne is, or how they becam ſinners, what the puniſhment of ſinne is, or how they may ſcape it. Many thouſands know nothing what ſinnes are forbidden, what duties are required in any of the commandements, they vnderſtand not any article of the faith aright, any petition of the Lords praier, the meaning of the ſacraments, or any thing that belongeth to a chriſtian life. O that we would learne in time to repent and turne vnto the lord,Ier. 4.4. before his wrath breake forth vpon vs like fire, and burne that none can quench it, for the wickednes of our inuentions. Euen this were one good meanes if all parents and houſeholders would ſet apart ſome howre euery day to pray with their children and ſeruants, & vſe ſome for catechiſme to enforme themſelues, and their familie in the grounds, and principles of religion,Deut. 6.6.7.8. & 11.18.19. Epheſ. 6.4. Geneſ. 18.19. Ioſu. 24.15. Act. 10.21 as they are bound in duty by the commandements of the Lord and taught by the example of Godly fathers and howſeholders in the ſcriptures, namely Abraham, Ioſua and noble Cornelius. So ſhould themſelues, their children & their ſeruants bee better prepared and fitted to vnderſtand the word of God & the doctrines thereof deliuered vnto them by their godly paſtors and miniſters, which now they heare moſt vnprofitably, and after much and long teaching learne nothing at all. Amonge other catechiſmes I haue found by long experience this one to bee of very fit and profitable vſe, for the inſtruction of a family, beeing plaine and eaſie and not longer then may euery ſeauen daies be repeated through, being fitly deuided. For the queſtions concerning faſting and gouerment may bee omitted, except there bee ſpeciall occaſion, this may bee done and praier ioyned withall in litle more then halfe an hower at one time. I confeſſe ſome good part of this was publiſhed many yeares ſince, gathered out of another cathechiſme by a godly and reuerent preacher M. Moore of Norwich, which I haue altered and enlarged in many places with ſuch queſtions and anſwers as I thought meete for the inſtruction of the ſimple and vnlearned, vnto which I haue added certaine praiers for the helpe of ſuch as are not yet able to conceiue a prayer of themſelues. I wiſh thee (good Reader) whoſoeuer wilt vſe it, to examine with the doctrines the places of ſcripture quoted, ſome of them at the leaſt though not all: otherwiſe thou ſhalt depriue thy ſelfe of a great benefit and comfort.

This poore mite amid my ordinarie labours at the requeſt of ſome freinds, I haue caſt into the Lords treaſurie, If thou profitt by it remember me in thy praiers. And ſo I commend thee to god and to the word of his grace, who is able to build further, and to giue thee an inheritance among them which are ſanctified.

And the Lord giue thee vnderſtanding to growe in grace & in the ſound knowledge of our Lord and Sauiour Ieſus Chriſt, to whome with the father and the holy Ghoſt be aſcribed all glory and praiſe power, maieſtie and dominion now henceforth and for euermore.

Thy poore louing brother in Chriſt, Iames Leech.
Queſtion.

VVHat ought euery man firſt & cheifely to labour for all the daies of his life?

An. The kingdome of God and his righteouſnes and to bee aſſured that his name is wrtten in heauen. Math. 6.33. Luc. 10.20. Ihon. 6.27. Reuela. 3.5. & 20.15.

Q. Why ſo?

An. For hereby we are made partakers of euerlaſting bleſſednes which is the fulnes of ioy and fruition of glorie, otherwiſe men are more miſerable then the vileſt creatures of the earth, for wee are elſe condemned wretches vnto euerlaſting death and damnation in hell fire.

Q. May not men bee perfectly bleſſed by enioying the things of this life?

An. No,Eccleſ. 1.4. Luk. 9.24. 2 Philip. 3.8. for all things vnder the ſunne are but vanitie and vexation of ſpirit, and what ſhall it profit a man if he winne the whole world and looſe his ſoule. Math. 16.26.

Q. How may we then be perfectly bleſſed?

An. In the attaining of euerlaſting life. Mat. 19.29. 2. Cor. 5.1, 2, 3, 4.

Q. What meane you by eternall life?

An. That life which all they whoſe names are written in heauen ſhall poſſeſſe with al fulnes of ioy & vnſpeakeable glorie in the kingdome of God for uer and euer. Reuel. 21.3.4.24.27. & 22.5. Mat. 25.34.

Q. How may we attaine to that eternall life?

• oh. 17.3. Rom. 7.7.9. &c. An. By the true knowledge of the onely true God; and whome he hath ſent Ieſus Chriſt and alſo by the knowledge of our ſelues.

Q. Where is this knowledge to be learned?

An. In the written word of God which wee call the holy canonicall ſcriptures. Ioh. 5.39. 2. Tim. 3.16.17. Rom. 15.4.

Q. What meane you by the canonicall ſcriptures?

Luc. 24.27. Epheſ. 2.20. An. All thoſe things which are written in the bookes of the old and new teſtament. 2. Pet. 1.19. & 3.2.

Q. Why be they called canonicall?

An. Firſt becauſe they differ from other writings called Apocrypha.

Secondly, becauſe they are the rule of Gods will conteining all things which we ought to beleeue and doe, for this word Canon ſignifieth a rule. Gal. 6.16.

Q. How muſt we vſe the ſcriptures that we may learne to know God and our ſelues?

An. We muſt ſearch them. Iohn. 5.39. Act. 17.11.

Q. How muſt we ſearch them?

An. By diligent and reuerent reading of them1. Tim. 4.13. by diligent and reuerent hearing of the word of GodRom. 10.17. preachedPſal. 1.2. By diligent and carefull meditation of that which we haue read and heard and by earneſt and hartie praier that God would open our vnderſtanding. Epheſ. 1.17. Luc. 24.45. Iames. 1.5.

Q. What muſt we knowe in our ſelues?

An. Who and what we are.

Q. Who and what are we?

An. The children of Adam & Eue. Gen. 5.3. Rom. 5.14.18.

Q. Who was that Adam and Eue?

An. The firſt man and woman that euer were vpon the earth; the moſt excellent and principall creatures of god vpon the earth, the father and mother of all mankind. Gen. 1.27. Gen. 2.7. Gen. 2.21.23.

Q. Wherein ſtood this excellencie of man and woman?

An. In that they conſiſting of ſenſible bodies although created of the duſt of the earthGen. 2.7. they had alſo vnderſtanding ſoules, and were made according to the imageGen. 1.27. Colloſ. 3.10. Epheſ. 4.24. of God in perfect holines and righteouſnes to ſerue God according to his will; and were alſo placed at the firſt in paradiceGen. 2.8.15. & had dominion ouer all the creatures of the earth, the fiſhes of the ſea, and the foules of the ayre. Gen. 1.28.

Q. Did man and woman continue in this happie place and excellent eſtate?

An. No, they were quickly throwne out from thence for their ſinne and tranſgreſſion through the ſubtiltie and malice of Sathan,Gen. 3.1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.23.24. 2. Cor. 11.3. rebelling againſt god their creator, and ſo curſed and condemned to eternall death and damnation both of ſoule and bodie, in which eſtate they had remained and all their poſteritie for euer, if God of his free mercie had not prouided a wonderfull way of deliuerance. Gen. 3.15.

Q. Art thou then ſuch a one as Adam and Eue were?

An. Yea ſurely, & not only I,Gen. 5.5. Rom. 3.10.11.12.23. Rom. 5.12.14.18. but alſo all the children of Adam & Eue (only Chriſt Ieſus excepted) (that is to ſay) all men weomen & children which euer haue bin, are, or ſhall bee borne into the world ſince Adam the firſt man vnto the laſt, are euen ſuch as Adam and Eue were after they were caſt out of paradice, (that is to ſay) wretched ſinners, corrupted in nature, curſed and condemned creatures before the iudgment ſeate of God, except we can find that remedie which God of his free mercie hath prouided for vs.

Q. What is that remedie or what haue wee to anſwer before the iudgment ſeat of God that we ſhould not bee condemned for euer?

Ioh. 3.17.36. An. This is our only remedie and it is the full ſatisfaction of gods wrath & our deliuerance from cōdemnation to beleeue that Ieſus Chriſt the ſonne of God hath vouchſafed to become man for vs, and hath ſo pacified gods wrath due vnto vs,2. Cor. 5.21. Rom 4.25. Rom. 5.8. 1. Cor. 15.21.22. by his death and bloodſhedding vpon the Croſſe and hath purchaſed for vs the fauour of God & euerlaſting life.

Q. What had become of thee if Chriſt had not thus died for thee?

An. I had bin condemned to eternall death and damnation both of ſoule and bodie in hell fire with the diuell and his angels for euer. Iohn 3.36.

Q. What ſhall become of thee now ſeeing Chriſt hath died for thee?

An. If I beleeue faithfully in Ieſus Chriſt that he hath paid the full price of my redemption and is become my ſauiour then am I iuſtified both in ſoule and bodie,Ioh. 5.24. Ion. 17.2.24. Rom. 8.29.30. 2. Cor. 3.18. and ſhall after this life ended bee glorified both in ſoule and bodie with euerlaſting life in the kingdome of heauen to liue in euerlaſting ioy and bleſſednes with Chriſt and his angels for euer.

Q. What doth God require at thy hands for theſe his great mercies toward thee?

An. That I ſhould ſeeke to glorifie him.

Q. Wherein?

An. In ſoule and bodie. 1. Cor. 6.20. Rom. 1.2. Titus 2.11.

Q. How?

An. In ſeeking how to ſerue him in true holines and righteouſnes all the daies of my life.1. Pet. 1.13.14.15. Luc. 1.74.75.

Q. What meane you by holines?

An. It conteineth all thoſe duties which appertaine to the true worſhip of God.

Q. Where bee they taught you?

An. In the firſt table of the commandemens of almightie God.

Q. What meane you by righteouſnes?

An. It containeth all thoſe duties which the Lord would haue vs to performe toward our neighbours.

Q. Where be they taught you?

An. In the ſecond table of the commandements of Almightie God.

Q. How many commandements be there?

An. Tenne. Deut. 4.15.

Q. How many bee of the firſt table?

An. Fowre.

Q. How many be of the ſecond table?

An. Six.

Reherſe the commandements.

God ſpake theſe words and ſaid I am the Lord thy God, which hath brought thee out of the Land of Egypt, out of the houſe of bondage.

i. Thou ſhalt haue none other Gods but me.

ii. Thou ſhalt not make to thy ſelfe any grauen Image, nor the likenes of any thing, that is in heauen aboue, or in the earth beneath, or in the water vnder the earth: Thou ſhalt not bowe downe to them, nor worſhip them. For I the Lord thy God, am a iealous God, & viſite the ſinnes of the Fathers vpon the children, vnto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me, and ſhew mercie vnto thouſands in them that loue me, and keepe my commandements.

iii. Thou ſhalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vaine: for the Lord will not hold him guiltles that taketh his Name in vaine.

iiii. Remember that thou keepe holy the ſabaoth day: Sixe daies thou ſhalt labour, and doe all that thou haſt to doe: But the ſeauenth day is the ſabaoth of the Lord thy God; in it thou ſhalt doe no manner of worke, thou and thy ſonne and thy daughter, thy manſeruant, and thy maidſeruant, thy cattell, and the ſtranger that is within thy gates; For in ſix daies the Lord made heauen and earth, the ſea, and all that in them is, & reſted the ſeauenth day; Wherefore the Lord bleſſed the ſeauenth day and hallowed it.

v. Honour thy father and thy mother that thy daies may be long in the land which the Lord thy God giueth thee.

vi. Thou ſhalt doe no murther.

vii. Thou ſhalt not commit adulterie.

viii. Thou ſhalt not ſteale.

ix. Thou ſhalt not beare falſe witnes againſt thy neighbour.

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

Q. Which is the firſt commandement?

An. Thou ſhalt haue none other Gods but me.

Q. What is the meaning of this commandement?

Anſ. The lord God ſtraightlie chargeth vs in this firſt cōmandement, that we worſhip god alone which worſhip ſtandeth in foure points; firſt that w • Phil. 3.7.8. Mat. 10.37. loue god aboue all. Secondly tha • weMal. 1.6. Mat. 10.28. feare god aboue all. Thirdly that we make our praiers toRom. 10.13. non • but to god. Fourthly that wePſal. 135.6. & 115.3. &. 145.15. & 95.4.5. acknowledge god alone to be the guide and gouernour of all thingsIam. 1.17. o • whome we receiue all the benefits that we haue, and therefore thatIer. 17.5. & 48.7. Eſay 31. we truſt and ſtay vpon him alone and giue him thanks for all his mercies.

Q. Which is the ſecond commandement?

Anſ. Thou ſhalt not make to thy ſelfe any grauen image. &c.

Q. What is the meaninge of this commmandement?

A. In this ſecond cōmandemēt be cō teyned three things firſt that we ſhould notDeu. 4.1 • 16.17.8. &c. Act. 17.29. Io • 1.18. 1. Tim. 6.16. thinke god to be like either man or weoman, or any other thinge: and therfore that we make noe image of god in anie caſe. Secondly that we make noe Image of any other thinge either toLev. 26.1. Exo. 34 14.31.34. Deut. 4.23 1. Ioh. 4.12. Eſay. 40.18.29 & 46.5 Pſal. 97.7. & 109.36 Eſay. 44.17. Dan. 31.18. worſhip the image it ſelfe, either god; Sainct or angel by the image neyther yet to this end to be the betterAba. 2.18 Ier. 10.8.14.15 put in mind of god by the image. Thirdly that wee worſhip not god in any otherIoh. 4.23.24 Mat. 15.9. Eſay 19.13.14. outward worſhip according to our owne fanteſes butDeu. 12.32. & 5.32.33. Pro. 30.6. Ioſua. 1.7. Apoc. 22.18.19. as the lord hath commanded vs in his word.

Q. Which is the third commandement?

A. Thou ſhalt not take the name &c.

Q. What is the meaninge of this commandement?

Anſ. The lord god ſtraightly chargeth vs in this third commandement theſe three things; Firſt that we vſe withDeut 28. • .59. Pſal. 8.1. • re. 10.6. moſt high reuerence the name of god whenſoeuer we either ſpeake or thinke vpon him. Secondly that we neuer blaſpheme the name of god byDeu. 18.10.11. Eſay. 8 19. & • .1 • . Mal. 3.5. • al. 5.19.20. • ct. 19.16. coniuring, witchcraft, ſorcery, charming, or any ſuch like, neyther by curſing or banninge. Thirdly that we neverMat. 5.34. • 5.36.37. Iam. 12. ſweare by the name god in our common talke although the matter be neuer ſo true, but only where theIoſ. 2.12. glory of god is ſought, or the ſaluation of our brethrenCor. 15. • . & 11.31. • al. 1.20. or alſo before a magiſtrate in witneſſinge the truth, when we are thereunto lawfully called, in which cauſes we muſtExo. 22.10.11. onely ſweare by the name of God, but as forDeut. 6.13. & • .20. ſainct, angell2. Cor. 1.13. Iere. 5 7 & • .16.17. Amos 14. Soph. 1.5. Roode, booke, Croſſe, Maſſe, or any other thing we ought in no caſe by them to ſweare.

Q. Which is the fourth cōmandemēt?

Anſ. Remember that thou keepe holy the ſaboth day &c.

Q. What is the meaning of this commandement?

Anſ. We are here commanded to hallow the ſaboath day (that is to ſay toDeut. 5.1 • Exo. 6.26. reſt from our labours in our callings; and in one place to aſſemble our ſelues together; and with faith feare and reuerence to heare, marke andMat. 13.2 • lay vp in our harts the word of godAct. 20.7. & 15.22. preached vnto vs, toMat. 18.19. Cor. 14.16.17. pray altogether that which we1. Cor. 14 • 33.34. Act. 2.42. & 20.17. vnderſtand with one conſent and at the times appointed to (f) vſe the ſacramenets in faith and repentance and all our life long toNum. 29.7. Heb. 4.9.10. reſt from ſinne & wickednes that the lord by his holy ſpirite may worke in vs his good worke and ſo begin in this life his everlaſting reſt.

Q. Which is the fift commandement?

Anſ. Honour thy father and mother: &c.

Q. What is the meaning of this commandement?

Anſ. The meaning of this fift cō mandement is, that we ſhould honour (that is to ſay) loue, feare, reuerence, obey, and releiue ourLevit 19.3. • ol. 3.20.22. • .24. parents or any other that are vnto vs in their ſtead, as ourExod. 22.18. • om. 13.12. • it. 3.1. Princes Rulers and Magiſtrates,Hebr. 13.17.1. • heſ. 5.12.13. our paſtors and teachers, ourEph. 6.5.6.7. • it. 29.10. maſters, and all other which are aboue vs in any calling placed by godLeu. 19 32. as the aged and grayheadded, and that all ſuperiors ſhow themſelues indeed parents inCol. 3.21. • ol 4.1. Eph. 6. • . guiding and defending their inferiors.

Q. Which is the ſixt commandement?

Anſ. Thou ſhalt doe no murther.

Q. What is the meaning of this commandement?

Anſ. We are forbidden in this ſixt cōmandement. Firſt allGen. 9.6. • eu. 5.17. killingMat. 5.38. • 9. fightinge andCol. 3.12.13. quarelling, allLou. 19 14.17. •• . reproches mocks and taunts. Secondly he forbiddeth all killing in hart, that is all angerMat. 5.21. • . 1. Ioh. 3.15. and malicePro. 20.21. all deſire of reuenge. Thirdly on the other ſide he commandeth vs to preſerue life by exerciſing • . Mat. 25.33. • ſay. 58.7. Eze. 8.7. the works of mercy and compaſſion towards our brethren yea euen towards our enemies. Fourthly toMat. 5.44. Leu. • h 18. luk. 27. Rom. 12.1 • 18.19.20.21. loue one another inwardly in hart as our ſelues, yea euen our enemies and them that hate vs.

Q. Which is the ſeauenth commā dement?

Anſ. Thou ſhalt not commit Adulterie.

Q. What is the meaning of this commandement?

Anſ. We are forbiden in this ſeaventh commandement. FirſtLeuit. 18.20 Deut. 23. • all Adultery, fornication, and all otherLeu. 18.22.2 • 24.25. vncleaneſſe in our bodyes. Secondlie allMat. 5.28 vnpure thoughts and luſtes of the hart. Thirdly all other things which might entiſe vs to ſuch vncleanes, as all vnchaftEſay. 3.16.17. Rom. 13. •• behauiourEph. 4.15. & 5.3.4. filthy talke, books and ſongsDeu. 22. • Eſay 3.18.19 20.21. &c. wanton apparrel, lewd and idle paſtimesEph. 5. • gluttony, drunkennesDeu. 22.20 21. howſes of open whoredome, and what ſoeuer elſe may allure vs to any manner of vncleanes. Fourthly on the other ſide he cōmandeth vs to keepe our bodies & ſoules1. Cor. 6.15.19.20. 1. Theſ. 43 45. chaſt & pure as temples of the holy ghoſt, and if the1. Cor. 7. • 9. Heb. 13.4. gift of chaſtitie be not giuen vs to vſe the lawfull remedy appointed by god, which is mariage.

Q. Which is the eight commandement?

Anſ. Thou ſhalt not ſteale.

Q. What is the meaninge of this commandement?

Anſ. In this eight commandement the lord god forbiddeth allLeu. 19.11. Deut. 5.19. ſtealing and robbing in outward deeds. Secondly he forbiddeth allEph. 5.3. Col. • 5. Pſal 61.10. • 15 3 5. ſtealing in harte, that is all deſire of any mans goods wrongfully. Thirdly • ach. 8.17 Mic. • .1. 2. Act. 20. • 3. all deceite and wrongfull dealinge. Fourthly on the other ſide he chargeth vs to be • . Theſ. 4.6. • xo. 21.21.22. 3. Deut 10.17. • 8.19. & 24.14. Pro. 17.27.1. • im. 6.6. content with that portion of goods which the lord giueth vs & toGen. 3.19. • ph. 4.28. Theſ. 3.10. apply our ſelues in our vocation and calling to get our owne liuing, and to liue of that which is our owne and alſo to be helpfull vnto others.

Q. Which is the ninth commandement?

Anſ. Thou ſhalt not beare falſe witnes againſt thy neighbour.

Q. What is the meaninge of this commandement?

Anſ. The lord god cōmandeth vs in this ninth commandement. Firſt that we neuerPro. 16.5.9. & 21.28. ſpeake falſly in witnes bearing. Secondly that not only in witnes bearing but alſo in noe other matter we ſhould neuerEph. 4.25. Pſal. 15.2. lie, flatter nor diſſemble. Thirdly that we ſhould neuer tel falſePſal. 15.3. Pro. 25.18. tales behind our neighbours backs or heare them of others; that we ſhould neuerMat. 17.2. Rom. 14.4. Pſal. 15.3. Iam. 4.12. beleeue any euil ſpoken behind their backs vntill we fully know the certaintie therof. Fourthly in priuate offenſes to ſpeake nothing although it bee true to the1. Pet. 4.8. 1. Cor. 13.7. Pro. 11.12. hurting of our brothers good name, if that byMat. 18.15.16.17.18. priuate admonitions he may be reformed.

Q. Which is the tenth commandement?

Anſ. Thou ſhalt not couet thy neighbours houſe, thou ſhalt not couet &c.

Q. What is the meaning of this commandement?

Anſ. Here the lord in plaine words doth forbid all inward deſire whatſoever isRom. 7.7. vnlawfull to be donne, although we neuerGen. 6.5. & 8.21. Pro. 20.9. conſent vnto it, as theRom. 7.23. rebellion of the fleſh, all corruption of theEph 4.22. Col. 3.9. old man, allRom. 6.6. blot • of originall ſinne: ſoe that by this commandement moſt clearely we may ſee the image of that man which pleaſeth god, euen ſuch a one in whom nothing is vnpure neither in will nor nature

3. parteQ. Canſt thou fulfil the commandements of Almighty god?

Luk. 17.10. Rom. 3.10. Anſ. No, although I doe all that can yet I breake them dayly both i • thought word and deede.

Q. Why canſt thou not fulfil • them?

Anſ. Becauſe not fleſh can attaine vnto the perfect fulfilling thereof. Pro. 9.1. Kings. 8.46.7. eccleſ. 7.22.

1. Ioh. 1.8.Q. What is the cauſe?

Anſ. Becauſe all men are ſinners Rom. 3.23.

Q. What is ſinne?

Rom. 7.7.8. Anſ. It is a falling from and a fayling of that holines and righteouſne • which is required to be in every on • of vs by the law of god without a corruption. Eccleſiaſt. 7.31.

Q. Tell me more ſhortly what is ſinne?

Anſ. Sinne is whatſoeuer diſagre • th with the righteouſnes of the lawe • f god. 1. Ioh. 3.4.

Q. How many wayes are we ſin • ers?

An. Two wayes,Rom. 5.12. Eph. 2.1.2.3. firſt by the ſinne of our forefather Adam: Secondlye by our ſelues.

Q. How many wayes are we ſinners • y our ſelues?

An. Two wayes. Originally and actually.

Q. What call you Original ſinne?

An. Originall ſinne is that corrup • ion of nature which we haue receiued from the diſobedience of our forefather Adam,Pſal. 51.5. Rom. 7.5. & Rō. 3.10.11. &c. 2. Cor. 5. Epheſ. 4.23 Ieam. 1 14.15. Epheſ. 2.1.2.3 ſpringing vp with vs in our very conception, diſperſed into all the powers and parts of ſoule and body, which maketh vs vnapt and vnable to all goodnes, prone & ready to all ſinne and wickednes, from which as from a fountaine ſpringeth all euill actions Iob. 14.4.

Q. What call you Actuall ſinne?

An. Actuall ſinne is that ſtream • of ſinne which floweth out of our co • rupted nature in the tranſgreſſion of 〈◊〉 the commandements of Almigh • godIac. 1.14.15. the ſeueral parts wherof are ca • led the works of darknes and deeds 〈◊〉 the fleſh. Rom. 13.12. Galath 5.19.

Q. How many wayes doe we act • ally ſinne?

An. Two wayes. In doeing thou euill things which the lord hath forbidden vs; and in leauing vndone thoſ • good things which the lord hath commanded vs. Deut. 5.32. Deut. 11.3 •

Q. How many waies doe we bot • theis?

An. Two wayes. Inwardly an • outwardly.

Q. How Inwardly?

A. In thoughts & iudgments of th • mind, & luſts & affections of the hear • Epheſ. 4.17.18.23. Coloſ. 3.5.

Q. How outwardly?

An. In words and deeds Rom. 6.13 Rom. 5.29.30. Rom. 3.12.13.1 • 15.

Q. Are all the actions of all me • finne?

An. There are natural actions in all • en which of themſelues be not ſinne • ut as they proceede from our corrup •• d nature they are made ſinfull. Ro. • 18. Iob. 14.4.

Q. Doeth no man then any thinge • ut ſinne in all his actions?

An. The naturall man doth nothing • ut ſinne in all his actions. Rom. 8.6.7.Pſal. 14.3.1. Cor. 2.14 Rom. 7.18. • Pro 15.8.9.26.

Q. what meane you by the naturall • an?

An. He whoſe heart and conſcience 〈◊〉 not renewed,1. Iohn. 3.10. Rom. 12.2. purged and ſanctified • y the ſpirit of grace, through faith & •• pentance in Ieſus Chriſt. Act. 15.9. • Cor. 1.2. Rom. 8.9.

Q. Is there any man that doth not •• nne in his actions?

An. The Regenerated man doth not • ommit ſinne,1. Ioh. 3.3.6.9. becauſe he is led by the •• irit of God. Rom. 8.11. Eph. 4.20. • 1, 22, 23, 24. Gala. 2.20.

Q. Is there no ſinne in the actions • f a regenerated man?

An. Yes;Ieſ. 64.6. 1. Cor. 13.9.12. for all our righteouſnes is • s a ſtained clout, and there is no perfection in this life.

Q. Why ſay you then that the •• generate man doth not commit ſinn •

An. He is not ſaid to commit ſinn • becauſe it is not he that ſinneth,Rom. 7.15.17.20. b • ſinne that dwelleth in him.

Q. What is the puniſhment of ſin ••

An. The curſe of God. Deut. 27.2 • Gal. 3.10.

Q. What meane you by that?

Deu. 28.15. &c. Mat. 25.41. Rom. 6.23. Ieſ. 66.24. Mark. 9.43.44. An. It is an eternall ſeparation fro • the fauour of God and all his merci • which hath adioyned vnto it all miſ • ries and calamities of this life, death 〈◊〉 the end, and eternall torments both 〈◊〉 ſoule and bodie in hell euer after. Ma • 5.29. Math. 22.13. Reuel. 20.1 • 14.

Q. Is there nothing which a ma • may doe to ſerue as a ſufficient reco • pence to God for one ſinne?

An. No, although I ſhould giueLuke. 17.10. all my goods to the poore, or ſuffe • my bodie to be (b) whipped all my li • long,Col. 2.23. or ſuffer any other puniſhme •• which might be deuiſed, yet it were no • ſufficient for one of my leaſt ſinnes.

Q. Why ſo?

An. For ſinne is infinite, becauſe it offendeth the infinite maieſtie, & therefore deſerueth an infinite puniſhment. Pſal 51.4.

Q. Yea but God1. Cor. 1.3. Pſalm. 18.45. & 86.15. is mercifull will he therefore puniſh ſinne ſo ſharpely?

An. Our God indeed is mercifull but he is alſoPſalm. 7.9. Pſalm. 11.5. Rom. 3.4. Ioh. 3.33. iuſt and true, & therefore of his iuſtice and truth he muſt needs puniſh mans ſinne with that puniſhment which he hath appointed.

Q. Seing then this puniſhment muſt needs be ſuffered, are we in our ſelues able to ſuffer and ouercome it?

An. None is able to ſufferPſal. 130.3. Math. 19.25. and ouercome this great puniſhment of ſinne being onely man.

Q. What learne you out of this?

An. That my ſtate is moſt miſerable in reſpect of the greatnes of my ſinne and the horrible puniſhment due vnto the ſame. Rom. 7.24.

Q. What profit is it to you to knowe this your miſerable eſtate?

An. Firſt I am taught thereby to knowe mine owne vnworthines, and that I ſhould not ſeeke to bee ſaued by mine own works or meritsDeut. 7.7. Deut. 9.6. Dan. 9.18. Secondly to bewaile this my miſerable eſtate with a godly ſorrowRom. 7.24. 1. Cor. 7.9.10. Thirdly to deteſt and abhorre ſinne becauſe it bringeth nothing with it but the curſe of GodRom. 6.21.23. Fourthly to call heartely vpon God, and ſue for his grace, that I may find and apprehend the riches of his mercie for my redemptionEpheſ. 1.17. & 3.16.17. & 4.1.2.

Q. Is there any meanes whereby we may be deliuered from this miſerable eſtate?

A. Yes: there is a meanes which is taught vnto vs in the 3. of Iohn. For God ſo loued the world,Iohn. 3.16. that he gaue his onely begotten ſonne, that whoſoeuer beleeued in him ſhould not periſh, but haue euerlaſting life.

Q. What learne you out of this?

A. That whereas the paines which our ſinnes deſerue muſt needes be ſuffered by man, becauſe God of his iuſtice muſt needes puniſh ſinne in man, which was committed by man: therefore our Sauiour Chriſt beeing euerlaſting god, became alſoGal. 4.4. Heb. 2.9.10.14.15.16.17. Heb, 4.15. 1 Tim. 2.5. Rom. 8.3.4. man, & hath fullyGal. 3.13. Rom. 4.25. Ioh. 1.29. 2. Cor. 5.21. Eſay 53.6. Rom. 8.3. 1. Iohn. 3.16.18.36. ſuffered whatſoeuer was due for mans ſinne in his owne perſon.

Q. Are all people diſcharged, ſeeing the puniſhment is paid?

A. None are diſcharged ſauing thoſe that tookeCol. 2.2. 1 Iohn. 3.2. Eph. 3.12. Rom. 8.38.39. Eph. 1.18. Epheſ. 2.8. Acts. 15.11 hold vpon Chriſt and his merits by a true faith.

Q. What call you this true faith?

A. It is a ſpeciall worke of Gods ſpirit in our hearts, whereby we beleeue to be ſaued by the grace of our Lord Ieſus Chriſt.

Q. What doe you ſee by this true faith?

A. My ſinnes both to be forgiuen me, and yet fully puniſhed.

Q. How can that be?

A. For in Ieſus Chriſt to2 Cor. 5.21. Rom. 3.25. ſatisfie Gods iuſtice they be1. Ioh. 2.1.12. Gala. 3 13. Rom. 4.25. fully puniſhed, and yet to me they be1. Cor. 5.9. forgiuen, becauſe in me they be not puniſhed, but in Chriſt for me to ſet forth Gods mercie: and therefore they ſhall neuer be laid to my charge: in this manner therefore I ſee the Lord my God to be both mercifull and iuſt.

Q. Yea but although the puniſhment of thy ſinnes be fully diſcharged in Chriſt, yet ſeeing there can no vnrighteouſneſſe dwell with God, how canſt thou ſtand before the iudgement ſeat of God as iuſt and righteous, ſeeing thou haſt no righteouſnes but that which is ſtained with many ſinnes?

A. I ſtand as iuſt and righteous before the throne of God, not cloathed with my owne righteouſnes, but with the1. Cor. 1.30. 2. Cor. 5.21. Rom. 3.28. righteouſneſſe of Ieſus Chriſt, which righteouſnes beeing taken hold vponEpheſ. 3.17. Rom. 3.28. Ioh. 3.18. by a true faith, is made mine: thus am I iuſt and righteous in the ſight of God, not in reſpect of my own workes which I wrought in my owne perſon, but by taking hold vpō Chriſts works to be mine by faith.

Q. Doth not this doctrine make men careleſſe, & ſo runne into all ſinne and wickednes?

A. No: for this true faith as ſoone as it is wrought in vsIoh. 3.3.5. Eph. 4.20. Coloſ. 3.9. Rom. 6.6. & 12.1.2. through the holy Ghoſt, doth frame our hearts anew, and cauſeth vs toRom. 7.23. deteſt, hate, loath, and abhorre ſinne in all men, but eſpecially in our ſelues, and maketh vs to haue ourRom. 5.12.11. whole delight, ioy, and comfort in thoſe things which be agreeable to Gods will, and cauſeth vs alſo toRom. 6.11.1.13. Mat. 7.17. Ioh. 15.5. expreſſe the ſame in our godly liuing and conuerſation, or els it is no true faith but aIam. 2.17. Iam. 2.17.20. Ioh. 15.6. Pſal. 92.12.13. Ioh 15.5. Math. 7.17.18 &c. Gala. 5.6. dead faith.

Q. What difference is betweene a dead faith, and a true faith?

A. A dead faith is like a barren and withered tree that bringeth forth no fruit: a true faith is like a liuing and fruitfull tree that euer bringeth forth good fruit to the glorie of God.

Q. What be the fruits of a true faith?

A. A continuall and true repentance, and euery good grace of Gods ſpirit, and all the good workes which he hath ordained for vs that we ſhould walke in them. Eph. 2.10. 2. Pet. 1.5.9.11.12. Eph. 415.

Q. What meane you by repentance?Gal. 6.15. 2. Cor. 7.1. R •• 12.1. 2 Eph. 4.20.21.22. &c. 1. Pet. 1.13. •• 15.1. Pet. 2.1.11.12.

A. That change and renewing of the whole man that bringeth forth a new, Chriſtian, and holy life and conuerſation, growing and increaſing more and more.

Q. How many things be required in true repentance?

A. Two: the mortifying and ſubduing of ſinne, and the liuing & growing in the practiſe of true godlines and righteouſnes: 2. Cor. 7.1. both which doe proceede from the vertue of the death and reſurrection of Ieſus Chriſt, • om. 6.2.3.4.5. • 1.12. • m. 12.1.2. • l. 3.1.2.5.9. • 1. Pet. 1.2. • .23. Gal. 6. • 15.16. into whome we are ingrafted by faith.

Q. Seeing then we be ſaued by Chriſts works, without our deſeruings, whereto ſerue our wel-doings, or what auaileth it to doe good works?

A. We muſt doe good workes, not to deſerueEſay. 46.6. • b. 35.7. • al. 17.2. • ik. 17.10. ſaluation by them; but by our works to • at. 5.16. • or. 6.20. • t. 2.12. • ol. 1.10. • l. 1.27. & 2. glorifie God inTheſ. 2.12. • h. 4. & 4.1. walking as becometh Gods childrenRom. 6.11, • 3. & 12.1.2., declaring thereby our thankfulnes to God for our redemption. Secondly, by our works to make our • . Pet. 1.10. electiō more certaine to our ſelues. Thirdly, toPet. 3.1.2. • m. 14.29. win others to Chriſt by our holy life and conuerſation.

Q. What works calleſt thou good works?

An. Our worke can neuer be acceptable and good in the ſight of God vnles in doing of them wee keepe theſe two things; firſt thatEph. 2.10. Colloſ. 2.10.22.23. Eſay 9.13. Mat. 15.9. Rom. 14.23. Heb. 11.6. 1. Cor. 5.7. they be framed according to the will of Gods lawes and commandements and not after our owne deuiſes.

Secondly that they proceede from an heart purged by fairh; if either of theſe points be lacking our works are abhominable in the ſight of God although they appeare neuer ſo glorious in the eyes of men.

Q. What things ought euery one to beleeue which hath this true faith in Ieſus Chriſt with out the which none can be ſaued?4. parte.

An. All thoſe things which are contained in the articles of our chriſtian faith.

Q Rehearſe the articles of our chriſtian faith

A. I beleeue in God the father almightie maker of heauen and earth and in Ieſus Chriſt his only ſonne our Lord which was conceiued by the holy ghoſt borne of the virgin Marie ſuffered vnder Pontius Pilat was crucified dead and buried he decended into hell the third day he roſe agane and aſcended into heauen and there he ſitteth at the right hand of God the father Almightie, from thence he ſhall come to iudge both the quicke and the dead. I beleeue in the holy Ghoſt, the holy Catholike Church, the Communion of Saints, the forgiuenes of ſinnes, the reſurrection of the bodie, and the life euerlaſting. Amen.

Q. What things are contained in theſe articles of your chriſtian faith?

An. Firſt what we ought to beleeue concerning God. Secondly what we ought to beleeue concerning Gods people called the Church.

Q. What ought we to beleeue concerning God?

A. Firſt, ſuch things as concerne God in his nature and eſſence. Secondly, ſuch things as concerne God in his actions.

Q. What ought we to beleeue concerning God in his nature or eſſence?

A. Firſt, that he is one infinite, inuiſible, and eternall ſpirit, of vnſearchable maieſtie, moſt holy, mightie, wiſe, iuſt, and mercifull (a). Secondly, (b) that the ſelfe ſame God, beeing one in eſſence hath made himſelfe knowne vnto vs in three ſundrie perſons, the father, the ſonne, and the holy Ghoſt.Rom. 11.34.35, 36. Rom 9.11.22, 23. Deut. 6.4. Ieſ. 43.11. & 44.8. & 46.5. & 46.5. Ieſ. 57.15. & 66.1. 2. Ioh. 4.24. Ioh. 1.18. 1. Tim. 1.17. Rom. 9.33. Exod. 34.6, 7. Pſal. 103.8, 9, 10, 11.Pſal. 33.6. Gen. 1.31. Ie • 10.10.11.12.16. Col. 1.16. Matth. 3.16, 17 & 28.19.

Q. What ought we to beleeue concerning God in his actions?

A. Firſt,Rom. 11.34.35, 36. Rom 9.11.22, 23. that he hath decreed and ordained all things in his eternall purpoſe and counſell before all worlds. Secondly, that by his Almightie power he hath made the heauens and the earth, and all the creatures therein. Thirdly,Mat. 10.39.30. Pſal. 115.3. & 135.6. Pſal. 145 17. that he doth rule & gouern them and all their actions according to the good purpoſe of his owne will moſt holily, righteouſly, and wiſely.

Q. Why is God called Almightie?

A. Becauſe he is of all-ſufficient power in himſelfe to worke all things according to the good purpoſe of his owne will,Ieſ. 42.8. & 4 • 13 & 44.24.2 • & 49.7. Mat. • 29.30. ſo as nothing can be done in heauen, earth, or hell, without his prouidence. Act. 4.28.

Q. Why doe you call God father?

A. Firſt, in reſpect of creation. Secondly, in reſpect of adoption.

Q. Why in reſpect of creation?

Rom. 11.38. Acts. 17.25.38. A. Becauſe of him, from him, and by him all things haue their beeing & beginning.

Q. Why in reſpect of adoption?

Eph. 1.5. Gal. 4.5.6.A. Becauſe he hath adopted thoſe whome he hath choſen to be his children in Ieſus Chriſt.

Q. What comfort haue you in this that you call God father?

A. I learne thereby that he loueth me, and hath a moſt tender care ouer me. Pſal. 103.13. Rom. 5.5.8.

Q. What comfort haue you in this that God whome you call father is Almightie?

A. I learne thereby that he can and will defend me from all euill, ſo as nothing can hurt me, and that he can and will giue me all things that be good for me in this life, and in the life to come.

Q. Why ſo?

An. He can becauſe he is almightie, he will becauſe he is my louing father.

Q. What dutie doe you learne here concerning your ſelfe?

An. That I ſhould honor him as my heauenly father.Malech. 1.6.

Q. How?

An. In louing him, fearing him, reuerencing him, and obeying him the ſixt commandement.

Qu. Wherin muſt we ſhew forth this?

An. In the care that I haue to keepe his commandements.

Q. Wherin ſtandeth the keeping of the commandements?

An. In doeing thoſe good things which the lord hath commanded; and in leauing vndone thoſe euill things which the lord hath forbidden.

Q. What beleeueſt thou in the ſecond part concerning god the ſonne?

An. I beleeue that Ieſus Chriſt oneRom. 9.5. Iohn 1.1. Ioh. 14.10. God in ſubtance with the father & the holy ghoſtRom. 1.3. Mat. 1.20.2. tooke fleſh of the virgin Marie & is become perfect man as I am in all things,Heb. 2.14.15. Rom. 8.3. ſinne onely excepted Heb. 2.14.15. Rom. 8.3. and in my nature hath wrought whatſoeuer was needfull for my ſaluation.

Q. What meaneſt thou when thou ſaieſt he ſuffered vnder Pontius Pilate

An. Becauſe that manner of death which men doe ſuffer by the ſentence of the iudg & vnder the title of iuſtice, is more ſhamefull, ſlanderous and terrible, then if a man ſhould die naturally in his bed: Therfore our ſauiour Chriſ • tooke vpon him our perſon to ſhew himſelfePſal 2.2. Acts. 4.27 before an earthly iudg and to beMat. 27.16. Ioh. 19.1.13.23. condemned by the mouth of Pilate he beeing then Iudg, that thereby we might bee cleared before the iudgement ſeate of God.

Q. What meaneſt thou when thou ſayeſt Chriſt was crucified dead and buried?

An. Firſt I meane in that he was crucified that he ſufferedLuk. 23.33. the death of the Croſſe which was an abhominable and curſed deathGal. 3.13.14. to deliuer me from the curſe which was due for my ſinnes. Secondly for as much as death was a puniſhment due to man for ſinne; therefore our Sauiour Chriſt • d ſuffer death and by ſuffering ouer •• me death; for in his death did lie 〈◊〉 principall point of our ſaluation; • r if he had not bin trulyEſay. 53.12. Rom. 5.8. 1. Cor. 15.3. 1. Pet. 2.24. dead we • d bin yet ſubiect to eternall death • d damnation. Thirdly he was buried • r the greater aſſurance and confirma • on of his death, and reſurrection, and 〈◊〉 the intent to make it more certainely • owne vnto vs, it pleaſed him alſo to • e buried after the common manner of men, and that by two Notable perſonsMat. 27.57. Mar. 15.43. Luke 23.53. Nicodemus and Ioſeph of Ara • athia, which was alſo doone by the will and conſent of Pilate who cauſed the bodie to be deliuered vnto them.

Q. What meaneſt thou concerning that Chriſt deſcended into hell?

An. Where it is ſayd that Chriſt deſcended into hell therby I beleeue that Chriſt did not only ſuffer in his body the puniſhment due to my body,Eſay. 53.4.8.10. but alſo in his ſoule the puniſhmēt due to my ſoule,Luk. 2 • .44. which was the torments of hell,Luk. 23.46. Math 27.46. ſecond deathAct. 2.24. Math. 26.38. ſorrowes of death, abiection from god as it doth appeare by the anguiſh of 〈◊〉 ſoule in the gardenLuk. 22.44. when drops blood iſſued out of his body and a •• vpon the croſſeLuk. 23.46. Math. 27.46. by his lamentab • crie vnto his father for in a miſerab • caſe had we bin in if he had only ſu • fered the puniſhment due to our bodie and not to our ſoules.

Q. What fruite haſt thou by th • death of Chriſt?

An Firſt I beleeue that this dea • and puniſhment which Chriſt ſuffere • is the whole appeaſing ofHeb. 9.12.13.14.28. 1. Pet. 2.24. 1. Ioh. 2.1. go • wrath and a full ſatiſfaction to god f •• all my ſinnes.

Secondly thatGala. 5.24. Gala. 2.29.7.8. • 1. as he is dead f •• ſinne ſo he will cauſe ſinne to die i • my mortal body.

Q. What profitt haſt thou by th • riſing againe of Chriſt?

An. Firſt I am aſſured by this riſin • that he hath1. Cor. 15.55.56.57. Rom. 8.33.34. Rom. 4.15. overcome death hell, ſinne and finiſhed my iuſtification▪ Secondly that as he is riſen from deat • ſo he cauſeth me as a member of hi • Rom. 6.4. Coloſ. 3.1.2. to riſe from ſinne and delight i • righteouſnes. Thirdly his riſing again • • a ſure pledge1. Cor. 15.16. • 0. to me that my body • hall in like manner riſe againe.

Q. What is the meaning of this • at Chriſt aſcended into heauen?

An. Chriſt as touching his man • ood isAct. 1.11. Act. 3.21. onely in heauen: butMat. 28.20. as • ouching his godhead and comfort of • is holy ſpirit he is with vs to the end • f the world.

Q. What good getteſt thou by the • ſcending of Chriſt into heauen?

An. Firſt Chriſt his aſcending into • eauen is a ſure pledge vnto me thatIoh. 14.3. Phil. 3.21. 1. Cor. 1.7. 1. Theſ. 4.16.17. • ſhall in like manner as a member of • y his power be receiued into heauen 〈◊〉 the ſame nature wherein he is aſcen • ed. Secondly Chriſt hauing aſcended • nto heauen1. Ioh. 1.2. Heb. 9.12. Rom. 8.32. maketh cōtinuall inter • eſſion for me.

Q. What meane you by this that Chriſt ſitteth at the right hand of the father?

An. Chriſt ſitteth at the right hand of the father, that is, he hathMat. 28.18. Eph. 1.20.21.22. all power giuen him of the father ouer all things, being exalted into the full power of his kingdome and preiſthood & made the only head of his Church.

Q. What fruit doeſt thou receiue • this that Chriſt ſhall come to iudge • quick and the dead?

An. To me that am a member 〈◊〉 Chriſt it is ſingular comfortMat 24.31. Mat. 25.34. Mat. 19.28. 2. Theſ. 1.10. whe • doe knowe aſſuredly that none ſhall 〈◊〉 my iudge but he that is my Sauiour; b • terrible will it be to thoſe that flee fro • Chriſt2. Theſ. 1.4.7.8. Luk. 21.25. Mat. 15.41. when they ſhall ſee him com • to iudge them whome they in their li •• time haue refuſed.

Q. What beleeueſt thou in the thi • part concerning God the holy Ghoſ •

An. I beleeue that God the hol • Ghoſt the third perſon in the godhead, equall God with the father and the ſonne, finiſheth and maket • perfect all the works of God, andRom. 8.9.10.11.15.16. Gala. 4.6. ſealeth into my heart all Chriſts benefits to bee mine, andEpheſ. 1.17. Eph. 4.23. Pſal. 1.3. Col. 2.11.12.13. maket • ſinne to die in me and ſtirreth me vp to holines and righteouſnes of life.

Q. What call you the chatholike Church?

An. The chatholike Church is theRom. 8 20. Eph. 1.10.11.12.13. Mat. 16.21. Ioh. 10.26. whole companie of faithfull people which euer were ſince the beginning of the world in all places, which alſo bee • ow & ſhal be to the end of the world, of the which number I beleeue that1. Ioh. 3.21. 2. Cor. 13.5. Rom. 8.16. I am one, I beleeue that God2. Tim. 2.19. 1. Pet 5.7. Eſay 49.15. Mat. 10.29.30.31. knoweth them all and hath a moſt tender care ouer them.

Q What calleſt thou the communion of Saints?

An. The communion of Saints is that ſocietie that all we which beleeue haue one with another as1. Cor. 12 12.13.14. &c. 5.30. Col. 1.18. Rom. 1.12.5. members of one head Ieſus Chriſt. Whereby we are2. Cor. 11.28. Gala. 6.2. Phil. 2.1.23.4. readie to communicate all gods benefits both ſpirituall and temporall to the mutuall helpe and comfort one of another according to the meaſure which we haue receiued of God in this life.

Q. What beleeue you of the forgiuenes of ſinne.

An. I beleeue that Ieſus Chriſt hath1. Ioh. 2.2. Col. 1.14.20.21.22. 1. Cor. 1.30. Eſay. 53 45.6.8.12. Rom. 3.24.15. & 5.8.10. 2. Cor. 5.19. wholy appeaſed Gods wrath for my ſinnes and hath paied the full puniſhment due vnto them: and therefore that they are freely forgiuen me, and ſhall neuer be laid to my charge.

Q. What beleeueſt thou of the riſing againe of the bodie?

Anſ. I beleeue that after this life endedLuke 16.20. & 12.20. my ſoule ſhall goe to God that gaue it and my bodie ſhall reſt i • the graue vntill the appointed time and then I ſhallIob. 19.26.27. 1. Cor. 15.53. Philip. 3.21. ſee God in my fleſh and theſe my eyes ſhall looke vpon him & this my bodie ſhall be made like to the glorious bodie of Chriſt without al • corrupion.

Q. What beleeue you of life euerlaſting?

An. I beleeue that when God ſhall raiſe againe this my bodie and ioyne it together with my ſoule that then I ſhall liue with1. Cor. 15.53.54. • . theſ. 4.17. Chriſt for euer in his euerlaſting kingdom of glorie.

Q. Is it in our power to beleeue & to attaine to this true faith?

5 part. Anſ. No, it is the ſpeciall worke of gods ſpirit in our harts by thoſe meanes which he hath appointed.

Q. By what meanes then may we attaine vnto faith?

An. The holy Ghoſt hath appointed the preaching of the word to bee the ordinarie meanes whereby heRom 10.14.17. 1. Cor. 1.21. worketh in our hearts this true and liuely faith and without the preaching of the word we can neuer haue faith by any ordinarie meanes.

Q. What daunger is it to bee without faith?

An. Without faith it is impoſſible to pleaſe god. Heb. 11.6. for whatſoeuer is not of faith is ſinne. Rom. 14.23.

Q. By what meanes doth God increaſe and ſtrengthen this faith and the fruits thereof?

A. This faith and the fruits thereof doth God ſtrengthen and increaſe in vs by fowre meanes:2. Cor. 8.7. & 8. 2. Pet. 3.18. by the ſelfe ſame preaching of the word; by vſe of the ſacraments; prayer; and Chriſtian gouernment.

Q. What call you Sacraments?

A. Sacraments areGene. 17.11 Exo. 12.3.4.5. &c. outward ſignes ordained of God for the greater aſſurance and ſtrengthening of our faith, beeing vnto vsRom. 4.11. ſure ſeales and pledges of thoſe benefits of our ſaluation which we receiue in Chriſt to be ours, and are repreſented vnto vs by the outward ſignes of water in Baptiſme, and bread and wine in the ſupper of the Lord, they ſerue alſo for a marke of our profeſſion whereby we differ from other people which be heathen.

Q. Tell me more ſhortly what is a ſacrament?

A. An outward ſigne ordained of God,Rom. 4.11. and a ſeale to aſſure vs that we are made partakers of Chriſt Ieſus and all his benefits vnto ſaluation, if we doe truly beleeue in him.

Q. How many things are to be conſidered in a ſacrament?

A. Two: the outward ſigne, and the inward thing ſignified.

Q. What meane you by the outward ſigne?

A. The outward element, appointed by our Sauiour Chriſt, and all the rites belonging to the miniſtring and receiuing thereof, according to his inſtitution.

Q. What meane you by the inward thing ſignified?

A. Chriſt Ieſus himſelfe with all his benefits vnto ſaluation, offered vnto vs in the ſacrament, and ſo alſo receiued of euery faithfull beleeuer.

Q. How many ſacraments be there?

A. There be1. Cor. 10.1, 2, 3, 4. two. Baptiſme, and the ſupper of the Lord.

Q. What is baptiſme?

A. The ſacrament of our new birth, whereby we are incorporated into the ſocietie of Gods people. Rom. 6.3.

Q. What benefits of your ſaluation are ſealed to you in baptiſme?

A. I am taught and aſſured byActs. 22.16. Mar. 1.4. Baptiſme that my ſinnes are forgiuen me. For as the water waſheth away the filthines of the bodie, euen ſo ſhould I by the holy Ghoſt be thereby fully certified and perſwaded, that1. Pet. 1.2.19. 1 Ioh. 1.7. Eph 5.26. Tit. 3.5.6. Acts. 22.16 the blood of Chriſt beeing ſprinkled vpon my ſoule by theActs 15. • . hand of faith, hath waſhed away both the guiltineſſe of my ſinne, and the horrible puniſhment due to the ſame, the fruite and effect wherof appeareth herein that through the power of Chriſts death and reſurrection I am deadRom. 6 3. • 6. &c. as touching ſinne, and raiſed vp againe2. Cor. 5.17 Gala 5.24.25 to newneſſe of life. Which two things in whomeſoeuer they appeare not, they may well haue the name and title of baptiſme, but indeede they are no true Chriſtians.

Q. What meane you by the ſupper of the Lord?

A. The ſacrament of our growth and ſpirituall foode, whereby we are to be nouriſhed till we come to a perfect age in Chriſt.

Q. What benefits of your ſaluation are ſealed vnto you in the ſupper of the Lord?

A. The ſupper of the Lord through the holy Ghoſt doth ſtrengthen my faith, that I ſhould not doubt but beleeue aſſuredly that as I receiue the bread and wine into my bodie to become wholly mine, ſo myMat. 26.20. • 7.28. ſoule receiueth withall, through faith, Chriſt with hisCor. 10.16.17. • 11.26.27.28. 1. Cor. 1.30. • om. 4.23. Cor. 5.31. paſſion, ranſome, righteouſnes, and obedience, to become wholly mine, as ſurely as if I had performed all in mine owne perſon. 1. Cor. 1.30.

Q. Are not the bread and wine in the ſupper of the Lord turned into the bodie and blood of Chriſt?

A. The bread and wine as touching their nature and ſubſtanceMat. 26.26.27.28. 1. Cor. 10.16.17. & 11.24.25. & 12.13. are not turned, but as touching the vſe of them they differ from common bread and wine, in that they are appointed of god to ſerue vnto vs asRom. 4.11 ſure ſeales and pledges of thoſe benefits of our ſaluation which Chriſt in his bodie hath wrought for vs.

Q. What perſons are fit to be partakers of this ſacrament?

A. Such as are able and doe fitly prepare themſelues.

Q. In what manner oughteſt thou to prepare thy ſelfe to receiue ſuch holy myſteries?

A. In preparing my ſelfe to receiue the ſupper of the Lord, I ought diligently to obſerue theſe three things. Firſt, to1. Cor. 11.28. examine my ſelfe whether I2. Cor. 13.5. ſtand in faith or no, which I ſhall know if I feele myEph. 1.13. 2. Cor. 1.22. & 5.5. heart inwardlyRom. 8.15. Eph. 3.12. aſſured by the ſpirit of God, that the1. Ioh. 2.1.2. puniſhment of my ſinnes is fully diſcharged in Chriſt, and that whatſoeuer he hath wrought for mans ſaluation pertaineth not onely to others, but euenEph. 3.17.18. • 9. to me. Secōdly, to examine my ſelfe whether I find my heartMat. 26.75. • erem. 4.4. • oel 2.12. inwardly ſorie for my ſinnes with an inward hatred and loathing of ſinne, and anRom. 6.4.5.6. • .8. Phil. 3.13.14. earneſt deſire and ſure purpoſe wholly to conforme my ſelfe to the will of Gods word. Thirdly, if any offence be betwixt others and me, that IMat. 5.23.24. reconcile my ſelfe vnto them all, which things although they ought earneſtly to be conſidered in theLuk. 1.74.75. • . Peter. 1.15. whole courſe of our life, yet then eſpecially when we come to receiue the ſupper of the Lord.

• 6. part.Q. Which is the third meanes that God hath appointed for the encreaſe and ſtrengthening of our faith, and all graces of God?

A. Prayer.

Q. What is prayer?

Pſal. 25.1. Pſal. 50.15. Pſal. 116.13.A. It is an holy lifting vp of the heart vnto God, and a calling vpon his name.

Q. How many parts be there of prayer?

A. Two: Petitions, and Thankſgiuing. 1. Tim. 2.1.

Q. What meane you by Petitions?

A. Petitions are thoſe praiers wherin we craue any thing at the hands of God.

Q. What meane you by Thankſgiuings?

A. Thankſgiuings are thoſe praiers wherein we acknowledge the benefits which we haue receiued at the hands of God, and giue him thankes for the ſame.

Q. Where are you taught ro pray?

A. In the ſixth of Matthew.

Q. How?

A. In that forme of praier which our Lord Ieſus Chriſt taught to his Diſciples.

Q. Rehearſe that forme of prayer.

A. Our Father which art in heauen, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdome come, thy will be done in earth as it is in heauen: giue vs this day our daily bread, and forgiue vs our treſpaſſes, as we forgiue them that treſpaſſe againſt vs, and lead vs not into temptation, but deliuer vs from euill, for thine is the kingdome, the power, and the glorie, for euer. Amen.

Q. What doe you obſerue in this forme of praier?

A. Two things: the Preface, and the prayer.

Q. Which is the preface?

A. Our father which art in heauen.

Q. What learne you out of this?

A. The neceſſarie circumſtances of true prayer.

Q. What is to be obſerued in true praier?

A. It is requiſite that in true praier we obſerue theſe fiue things: firſt, that we make our praiersPſal. 50.15. & 81.8. Rom. 10.13. Iam. 1.5 Marc. 4.10. onely to God throughIoh. 14.13. & 15.16. & 16.23. Chriſt, and not to Saints, ſecondly, that we be1. Ioh. 5.14. Ioh. 4.23. Pſal. 51.17. & 45.18. 2. Cor. 4. • 0. Mat. 6 7. Rom. 8.26. inwardly touched with the neede of the thing that we aske, hauing our mindes wholly bent thereupon, and not carried away with by-thoughts: thirdly, that our praiers be grounded vponIam. 1.6. Mar. 11.24. Luk. 11.9.1.11. • 2.13. Ioh. 5.15. Gods promiſes with full aſſurance that they ſhall be graunted vnto vs ſo farre as the Lord ſhall ſee them meete and needefull for vs: fourthly, that weLuk. 18.1.2.3.5. &c. Rom. 12.12.1. Theſ. 5.17. Eph. 9.18. Col. 4.2. Ma. 15.22.23.24. &c. continue in praier although we haue not our requeſt at the firſt: fiftly, that we aske not thoſe things which weIam. 4.3. Rom. 8.16. thinke good in our owne fantaſies, but as1. Ioh. 5.14. the Lord hath commaunded vs in his word.

Q. What doe you obſerue in the praier it ſelfe?

A. Two things: the Petitions, and the thankſgiuing.

Q. How many ſorts of petitions be there?

A. Two. Firſt thoſe petitions wherein we craue ſuch things as cōcerne the glorie of God.

Secondly thoſe petitions wherein we craue ſuch things as concerne our owne neceſſitie.

Q. How many things are we taught to craue for the glorie God?

An. Three. Firſt that his name may be hallowed.

Secondly that this kingdome may come.

Thirdly that his will may be done in earth as it is in heauen.

Q. How many things are we taught to craue for our owne neceſſities?

Anſ. Two. Firſt ſuch thing as concerne our naturall life. Secondly ſuch things as concerne our ſpirituall life.

Q. What doe you craue for your naturall life?

An. Our daily bread.

Q. What for your ſpirituall life?

An. Forgiuenes of ſinnes, and ſpirituall ſtrength againſt our ſpirituall enimies.

Q. What pray you for in the firſt petition?

Anſ. In this firſt petition I deſire of my heauenly father that his name may bee hallowed. Firſt in his excellent works which is when we acknowledgePſalm. 113.2. • . & 145.1. Rom. 11.36. & 16.27. his mercie, wiſdome, iuſtice, and prouidence, that he alone worketh all things, and that heIoſua 1.24. • 4.52. • . Ioh. 5.21. Pſal. 8.10.11. onely be had in honor, all other ſet aſide. Secondly that his name may be hallowed in our godly liuing and conuerſation.

Q. What pray you for in the ſecond petition?

An. In this ſecond petition we pray • hat God his kingdomeEſaz. 52.5. • Eze. 36.20. Rom. 2 24. may come, • hat is, that he would declare himſelfe • o be king ouer hisMat. 3.2. & 5.19. & 13.31.32.33. church in guiling and defending it, in encreaſing of • he nūber of the faithfull, inMat. 9.38. thruſting • orth laborers into the harueſt & bleſſing their labours1. Ioh. 3.8. Rom. 16.20. ſuppreſſing the rage of the wicked Tirants.

Secondly that he would excerciſe his kingdome ſeuerally in euery one of vsRom. 8.10.11.13. & 6.9. 1. Ioh. 5.8.9. killing ſinne in vs and all worldly cares; and ſtirring vs vp to holines & righteouſnes of life.

Q. What pray you for in the third petition?

An. In the third petition we deſire that Gods will may be doone, that is, that we mayLuke. 22.42. Titus. 2.12. 1. Pet. 4.2. 1. Ioh. 2.1. willingly in all things reſigne our ſelues to the will of Gods word without murmuring or grudging.

Q. What pray you for in the fourth petition?

An. In this fourth petition we pray that he would giue vnto vsGen. 3.19. Eph. 4.18. 1. Theſ. 2.9.1 walking faithfully in our caling our dayly bread, that is allPſal. 145.1 • 145.27. & 10 26. Eſay. 3.1. Pſal. 78.18, 1 • 20.29. & 16. • 10 • .1, 2, 3. things needfull for our liuing in this preſent life.

Q. What pray you for in the fift p • tition?

An. In this fift petition we pray th • god would forgiue vs our ſinnes that 〈◊〉 that he would not lay to our charg • our ſinnes nor the puniſhment due unto them, but that he woulde accep • the death and paſſion of Ieſus Chriſt as the full ſatiſfaction for all our ſinnes and that we may hereof haueEph. 3.12. 1. Ioh. 5.13.20. fu • aſſurance in our ſoules and conſcience • that the puniſhment of our ſinnes i • fully diſcharged in Chriſt, and therfore that they be freely forgiuen vs, asRom. 8.15. & 8.38.39. Mat. 6.45. & 6. • 4.5.1. Luke. 6.36. Iam. 2.13. ſurely as we forgiue others and that weMat. 16.20. • . Tim. 4.17.18. Eph. 6.10.11. • . Cor. 10.13. • . Pet. 2.9. loue one another inwardly in heart as our ſelues all deſire of reuenge ſet aſide.

Q. What pray you for in the ſixt petition?

An. In this ſixt petition we pray that god would not lead vs into temptation but deliuer vs (that is) that heRom. 16.20. • Tim 14.17.18. • ph. 6.10.11. • Cor. 10.13. • . Pet. 2.9. would not lead vs further into battaile with our ſpirituall enemies then we by his holy ſpirit may be able • o preuaile and ouercome.

Q. Which is the thankſgiuing?

An. For thine is the kingdome the • ower and the glory for euer and euer. Amen.

Q. Why is this added?

A. Not only to kindle in our hearts to1. Cor. 10.3. Rom. 11.36. deſire the glory of god: but alſo to • each vs that this prayer is grounded vpon none other then god only and that we ſhould not thinke thePſa. 114.7. kingdome of god to be weake and voide of force and might but thatDeut. 9.13. Apo. 4.9.11. Apo. 5.12.13. 1. Cor. 26.10.11.12.13. he is to • e honored, praiſed and glorified and that his power is infinite, perpetuall & euerlaſting.

Q. What meaneth this word Amen?

An. And in this word1 Pet. 5.11. Apo. 6.14. Apo. 7.1 • Amen is the feruent deſire that we haue to obtaine thoſe things which we aſke, and our hope is confirmed that thoſe things which we aſke are granted vnto vs, wherby our conſciences are pacified and with this word Amen we end our praiers. 1. Cor. 1 4.16.

Q. Is there any ſpeciall helpe of praier?

• . part. An. There is a ſpeciall helpe wherof we haue both commandements and many examples in the ſcriptures.

And that is faſting. Leuit. 23.27.28 & Ioſua. 7.6. Math. 9.15. Ioel. 2.12.15. Dan. 9.3.

Q. What meane you by faſting?

An. The chriſtian and religious faſting is an holy abſtinence ioyned with praier in humbling of our ſelues that our praiers may be the more feruent. Dan. 9.3. Iona. 3.8.

Q. From what muſt we abſtaine in this chriſtian faſting?

An. Not only from all meates and drinks ſo far as the ſtate of our bodies may beare but alſo from all other euen lawfull things, delights, & recreations which we naturally deſire and may lawfully vſe. Iona. 3.5. Ezra. 10.6. Eſter. 4.6.

Q. How long muſt this abſtinence be vſed?

An. According to the cauſe for which we take it in hand; at the leaſt on • whole day, from euening to euening or from morning to morning, wherein we muſt ceaſe from all other labours, and keepe it in the manner of a Saboth. Leuit. 23.32. Dan. 10.2.3. Eſter. • 4.16.

Q. For what cauſe are faſts appointed?

An. To the better humbling of our ſelues in praier; to obtaine ſome ſpeciall grace at gods hand, when we feele the want of any neceſſarie bleſſing, gift, or benefit: or to intreat the Lord to turne away or remooue any greiuous afflictions from our ſelues or others, either preſently vpon vs, or like to come. Ioſua 7.6. 1. Sam. 7.6. Iudges 20.26.

Q. How many ſorts of chriſtian faſtes be there?

An. Two. A priuat faſt, that is of any particular perſons or of ſeuerall families by themſelues. Nehem. 1.4. Cornelius. Act. 10.30. Eſter. 4.16. And a publique faſt in a whole congregation; ſome part of a country, or a whole nation being ordained and appointed by ſuch as are in authoritie. 2. Chron. 20.3. Iona. 3.7.

Q. What meane you by chriſtian gouerment?

An. That order which god ha • appointed to be amonge his people for the maintenance of peace and god lines.

Q. How many ſorts be there of 〈◊〉

Anſ. Two; eccleſiaſticall, and Ciuile, and both theſe are both publike 〈◊〉 priuate.

Q. What call you publike eccleſiaſticall gouerment?

An. That order of diſcipline which God hath appointed for his Church in exerciſing the power of the keyes to the cenſuring of offenders, the remoouing of offences and the reſtoring o • ſuch as haue falne. Math. 18.15.16 &c. 1. Cor. 10.31.32. 1. Cor. 14.40 1. Theſ. 5.14.

Q. By whome and how is this power to be vſed?

Tim. 5.17.16. • 0 An. By the miniſters and ſuch as are lawefully called to haue gouerment in the church, admoniſhing, ſuſpending, o • excommunicating offendors, according to the qualitie of their offence, & • eſtoring and receiuing into the church thoſe offendours that doe repent and reforme themſelues. 1. Theſſ. 5.14. 1. Cor. 5.4.5.13. 2. Cor. 2.6.7.8. 2. Theſſ. 3.14.15. 1. Tim. 5.20.

Q. What call you the publike civill gouernment?

A. That order which God hath appointed to be kept by the authoritie of the Prince, Rulers, and Magiſtrates, for the puniſhment and brideling of ſinne, and the maintenance of peace & quietnes among other people. Rom. 13.1, 2, 3, 4, 5. 1. Pet. 2.13.15.

Q. What difference is betweene the Eccleſiaſticall and ciuill puniſhment?

A. The puniſhment of the Church • s inflicted vpon the ſoule and conſcience, by admonitions, reprehenſion, or ſeparating of the offendours from the Fellowſhip of the Church. 1. Cor. 5.4.5. • 3.

The ciuill puniſhment is inflicted vpon the bodie or goods of malefactors, according to the lawes of Princes and countries.

Q. To what ende hath the Lord appointed this order?

A. That men might liue a peaceable and quiet life in all godlines and honeſtie. 1. Tim. 2.2.

Q. What call you priuate eccleſiaſticall gouernment?

A. That gouernment which parent and gouernours of families ought t • obſerue in teaching, inſtructing and informing their wiues, children, and ſeruants, in the knowledge and fearing 〈◊〉 God, to auoid ſinne, and to liue god • and vertuouſly. Gen. 18.19. Ioſ. 24.1 • 1. Cor. 15.34.39. Eph. 6.4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. • Tim. 2.9.10.11. &c. 1. Pet. 3.1.23.

Q. What call you priuate ciuill gouernment?

A. That gouernment which parent and gouernours of families ought al • to obſerue in correcting their childre • and ſeruants, for their amendment, a • cording to the qualitie of the cauſe a • perſon, and to keepe them in a lawf •• and orderly courſe of life. Prov. 19.1 • & 22.15. & 23.13, 14. & 20.30. 1. Pet. 18.19. Deut. 21.18, 19, 20.

The end of the Catechiſme.
A morning prayer for a familie.

O Moſt mightie, eternall, and euerliuing Lord God, maker of heauen and earth, and in Chriſt Jeſus thy deare • beloued ſonne, our moſt patient, gracious, and mercifull father; wee thy • oore vnworthie ſeruants here humbling our ſelues before thy diuine Maie •• e, doe vnfainedly acknowledge that • e are not worthie to lift vp our eyes 〈◊〉 heauen, nor to enioy the leaſt of thy • ercies, beeing in our ſelues moſt vil • • d wretched ſinners, guiltie both of • at originall corruption which wee • e receiued from the fall, and diſobedience of our forefather Adam, and al • of moſt grieuous and innumerable ••• nſgreſſions of all thy holy lawes and •• mmandements, in our thoughts, ou • • ctions, our wordes, and deedes, • erein we haue fearefully ſinned and • elled againſt thee: both in omitting 〈◊〉 good things thou doeſt command vs, and in cōmitting thoſe euill things thou doſt forbid vs, in the duties of thy holy worſhip, the loue of our brethren, and the labours of our calling: we haue infinitely diſhonoured thy holy name and taken it in vaine, in that we haue not walked worthie of thy Goſpel, & our holy calling and profeſſion: we haue defiled thy ſanctuarie and plac • of thy holy preſence, comming befor • thee with vnprepared hearts to offer v • our ſacrifice of praier & thankſgiuing and to heare thy word, our lippes ha • come neere vnto thee, but our hea • haue beene farre from thee; whereb • all the heauenly inſtructions of thy h • ly word haue beene ſtolne away fro • vs, and made vnfruitfull, and we 〈◊〉 come vnprofitable hearers. O Lord, 〈◊〉 confeſſe we are not able to recken 〈◊〉 the leaſt meaſure of our ſinnes, for th • are more then the haires of our he • whereby we haue fearefully prouoke thy wrath and indignation againſt 〈◊〉 from day to day, and from time 〈◊〉 time; giuing thee iuſt occaſion to 〈◊〉 priue vs of all bleſſings, and to pow • downe all thy curſes vpon vs in all plagues and miſeries of this life, and to caſt vs out of thy preſence into euerlaſting torments of ſoule and bodie in hell fire. Notwithſtanding, O Lord, ſeeing thou haſt taught vs that mercie pleaſeth thee, and that if we confeſſe our ſinnes, thou art faithfull and iuſt to forgiue vs our ſinnes, and to purge vs from all our iniquitie: we flie vnto this thy mercie, and that in the onely name, merits, and mediation of thy ſonne Ieſus Chriſt, in whome onely and alone thou art well pleaſed, beſeeching thee for his ſake, to pardon and forgiue vs all our ſinnes, originall and actuall, to waſh away all the guiltines of them in his moſt innocent blood, to burie them • or euer in his moſt pretious death: to • urne thy face away from them, and • rom vs all thy iudgements and curſes • hich we haue worthily deſerued for • hem, either publique or priuate.

And we beſeech thee vouchſafe with • e pretious water of thy ſpirit, daily to • aſh and clenſe our hearts and minds, • ir ſoules, and bodies, from all vncleanes of ſinne, from all iniquitie and vngodlines, from euery euill worke, and euill way, to worke in vs more and more a true ſight and hatred of all ou • ſinnes, with that Godly ſorrow tha • may bring forth in vs repentance neue • to be repented of, to arme vs with a • that ſpirituall armour, that may mak • vs to ſtand ſtedfaſt and fight manfull • vnder thy banner in our holy profeſſio • of thy goſpell, make thy holy word t • dwell plentifully in vs with al wiſdom • that it may be vnto vs the ſword of th • ſpirit whereby wee may get victor • ouer all the power, malice, and ſubti • tie of Sathan, and all the wickednes 〈◊〉 our owne ſinnefull, and rebellious nature, ouer all the courſes, cuſtomes, o • caſions, and examples of this ſinne f •• euill world: yea ouer euery ſinne th • hetherto hath paſſed vs, euen thoſe th • haue moſt ſtrongly preuailed again • vs, wherein wee haue moſt often a • fearefully falne, and to that which w • are moſt prone and ſubiect: that he • forth we may walke in the waies 〈◊〉 good men, & in the paths of the rig • teous, that is, in the waie of thy lawes, and the path of thy commandements, hating all workes of darkenes, and behauing our ſelues in all things as the children of light.

This muſt be added for the day.

And now, Lord, wee further commend our ſelues and this whole family, and euery member of the ſame, vnto thy moſt gracious gouerment and protection the reſt of this day, beſeeching thee to watch ouer vs for good, and to preſerue vs from all dangers and euills that otherwaies may come vpon vs in ſoule or in bodie, or in any thing that belongeth vnto vs, ſtirring vp our hearts and ſtrengthening vs with thy grace to walke diligently and faithfully in our ſeuerall callings, making conſcience to beſtow this day, and all the daies of our life, & all thy precious time which thou doeſt vouchſafe vs more profitably then euer we haue doone hitherto; furniſh euery one of vs with all gifts and graces neceſſarie for our callings, both gouernors, children, & ſeruants, that euery one of vs in our ſeuerall places may know how to behaue ourſelues, and faithfully to performe euery good dutie with all ſimplicitie and godly purenes, as thou doeſt teach vs in thy holy word; truly louing one another, truly caring one for another, to the glorie of thy name, the peace of our owne conſciences, our mutuall comfort and the good example of all thoſe with whome we liue. Sanctifie vnto vs the vſe of all thy good creatures this day, bleſſe vs and proſper vs in all our labours, prouide mercifully for all our neceſſities, ſupply our wants, make vs euery way cheerfull in thy ſeruice, and ſo guide vs in all things that wee may carry out the profeſſion of thy glorious goſpell in a holy, blameles, and chriſtian conuerſation all the daies of our life, that we may make a godly, chriſtian, and comfortable end of this pilgrymage, with full aſſurance of eternall life, through our Lord and ſauiour Ieſus Chriſt.

A thanksgiuing to be added to this praier, either morning or euening.

O Lord, we doe now alſo giue hum • le thanks vnto thy maieſtie, for all thy • oue and mercies towards vs, for the • oote and fountaine of all thy bleſſings • uen our Lord Ieſus Chriſt and that loue wherewith thou haſt loued vs in him, • uen before we were; that thy hands haue made vs and faſhioned vs in our mothers womb and that thou haſt brought vs forth into the world reaſonable creatures, preſerued vs mightily and prouided for vs gratiouſly from our mothers breaſts vnto this preſent howre, we thanke thee more ſpecially for the great and glorious worke of our redemption, ſaluation peace and reconciliation made betweene thee and vs through the blood of the Croſſe of thy beloued ſonne; we thanke thee alſo for the ineſtimable treaſure of thy holy word whereby thou haſt made known vnto vs the riches of theſe thy mercies and reuealed vnto vs thy ſonne Ieſus Chriſt, by whome we haue acceſſe vnto this grace wherein wee ſtand and reioyce vnder the hope of thy glorie; we thanke thee alſo for all other bleſſings which we daily receiue by thy graci • prouidence in preſeruing vs fro • manyfold dangers and euills wher • vnto wee are ſubiect, in feeding 〈◊〉 nouriſhing vs from day to day with 〈◊〉 continuance of our life, health, food apparell, howſes, libertie and the vſe all thy good creatures.

Finally that thou haſt kept vs 〈◊〉 night paſt; for the quiet and comfort • ble reſt; health peace and ſaftie, whi •• we haue enioyed by thy gracious pr • uidence, and protection, for this libe • tie we haue to come before thee a •• call vpon thy name, beſeeching the mercifully to receiue our prayers gra • ting vnto vs; and to all thy church an • children theſe and whatſoeuer grace thou in thy heauenly wiſedome an • incomprehenſible loue doeſt know v • or any of thine to ſtand in need of, fo • our lord and ſauiour Ieſus Chriſt hi • ſake in whoſe name we pray further • Our father which art in heauen, &c.

A prayer for the ſtate of the Church and of the land which may be added to the former prayer before the thanksgiuing.

We beſeech thee alſo good Lord to • eſſe thy whole church and euery part • nd member thereof, glorifie thy name, • duance thy kingdome, confound the • ower of Sathan, Antichriſt, ſinne, and • arkenes, bleſſe this thy church and countrie where we liue, giue thy goſ • ell a free paſſage amongſt vs, remooue all the hindrances thereof, • aiſe vp daily by thy almightie power and goodnes all thoſe means & inſtruments that may further it aright, bleſſe • we beſeech thee, proſper and preſerue the excellent eſtate of our ſoueraigne Lord the Kings Maieſtie, our gratious Queene, the Prince their eldeſt ſonne and all their royall poſteritie; multiply thy bleſſings vpon them, preſerue them from all dangers, make them earneſt louers, fauorers and furtherers of thy truth and goſpell and tender nurſing fathers and nurſing Mothers vnto thy Church & people all the daies of their life. Good Lord bleſſe the honorable councellors magiſtrates and nobility of this land and all that be in authoritie vnder the Kings highnes that they ma •• carefully & faithfully in all their cour • ſails, conſultations and gouerment labour for and procure the promoting 〈◊〉 thy glorie, the aduancement of th • goſpell; the maintenance of true religion, vertue and godlines, the ſuppreſſio • of ſinne and wickednes, the peace and proſperitie of the church and commo • wealth, that we may liue vnder his highnes and them a peaceable and quiet life in all godlynes and honeſtie. Lord furniſh thy Church continually with godly, faithfull, learned and worthy paſtors and teachers of thy holy word, bleſſe their miniſterie to thy people and defend it againſt all the malice of the wicked.

Lord bleſſe all the chriſtian families in the land and encreaſe the number of them dayly; open the eies of the ignorant, mollifie the hearts of the obſtinat, conuert them that run aſtray, comfort the feeble hearted; raiſe vp ſuch as bee falne, if they belong vnto thee; & adde vnto thy church dayly ſuch as ſhalbe ſaued, be mercifull to all thy ſeruants • hat be in any manner of affliction cō • ort them and releeue them, help them • nd ſuccour them according to their ſe • erall neceſſities, giue them a holy vſe of al their afflictions and a gratious deliuerance in due time, finally good Lord ſend thy bleſſings vpon all our land with fruitfull ſeaſons and plentifull encreaſe of al thy good creatures which in thy gracious prouidence thou haſt ordeyned for our vſes and neceſſities that we may chearfully ſing vnto thee from day to day the praiſes of thy mercies through Ieſus Chriſt

An Euening prayer.

O almightie and eternall Lord God father of our Lord Ieſus Chriſt wee thy poore vnworthie ſeruants, beeing come together to offer vp vnto thee our euening ſacrifice of praier & thankſgiuing according to our bounde duty doe firſt of all acknowledge againſt our ſelues that we are al of vs moſt vile & wretched ſinners, not worthie the leaſt of al thy mercies; being guiltie of the fall of our forefather Adam, of our owne originall corruption and of innumerable & moſt heynous tranſgreſſions of all thy ho •• lawes and commandements both 〈◊〉 our ſinfull thoughts, words and deed and ſo much the more guiltie, becauſe we haue not regarded the good meane which thou haſt mercifully ordeyne • for vs, to haue wrought in our heart true knowledge and vnderſtanding o • thy will and commandements, repentance of our ſinnes and amendment of our life; we confeſſe therefore that we haue infinitely prouoked thy wrath & iudgement againſt vs, and iuſtly deſerued all curſes, plagues and miſeries to be poured vpon vs in this life and to be caſt for euer hereafter into the lake that burneth with fire and brimſtone; but good Lord wee appeale vnto the vnſearchable riches of thy mercies in Chriſt Ieſus, beſeeching thee to waſh away all our ſins & guiltines in his moſt precious blood, to burie them all in his moſt glorious death, that they may be remooued for euer out of thy ſight and be vnto vs as though they had never bene, lett thy bleſſed ſpirit of Adoption good lord ſeale vnto our hearts • he full aſſurance of this thy euerlaſting • oue and mercy▪ and lord work in vs • ayly more and more a godly ſorrow • or all our ſinnes with hearty and vnfei • ed repentance, and ſo worke in our • earts by thy holy ſpirit that all the • ower of ſinne may dayly die in vs more and more, and all good graces of • hy ſpirit may dayly grow and encreaſe • n vs, that our hearts may be ſtrengthned with an vnfeined faith and we may be purged from euill conſciences and made fruitfull in all duties of chriſtian loue, ſo as in the whole courſe of our life hereafter we may walke before thee in all ſimplicity and godly purenes and ſerue thee vnfeinedly in all the duties of true holines and righteouſnes all the daies of our life.

And now lord we further commend our ſelues and euery member of this familie into thy mercifull protection this night, beeſeeching thee to preſerue and keepe vs from all dangers and perills to which we are ſubiect in ſoule or bodie, or any thing that belongeth vnto vs▪ to giue vs quiet and comfortable reſt with the continuance of our health peace, and ſaftie to the glorie of th • name that we may be more fitt for th • duties of our calling when thou ſha •• raiſe vs againe and ſo to guide vs and ſanctifie vs throughout, that whethe • we ſleepe or wake, liue or die we ma • be thine.

After this the thanksgiuing to this marke * and then adde this following.

Finally we giue thee humble thank • that it hath pleaſed thee to preſerue 〈◊〉 this day, and for all thoſe bleſſings tho • haſt vouchſafed vnto vs, our health peace and ſaftie, the comfortable vſe 〈◊〉 all thy good creatures, with thy ble • ſing vpon our labours, and laſt of a • for this libertie we haue to come befor • thee, beeſeeching thee to accept of thi • our euening ſacrifice; gratiouſly t • heare vs and grant vnto vs &c. as before.

A praier before the reading of ſcriptures.

Almightie Lord God our moſt mercifull and heauenly father in Ieſus Chri •• we beſeech thee vouchſafe by thy holy ſpirit to prepare our hearts▪ that with • ll reuerence and diligence we may at • end to this thy holy word and ſoe to open our vnderſtanding and to ſanctifie our affections as thou mayſt therby diſperſe in vs more and more all the • miſts and darkneſſes of Sathan and of ſinne and make vs apt to euerie good worke and wiſe vnto ſaluation through • eſus Chriſt our Lord & only Sauiour. Amen.

A prayer before Catechiſing.

O lord our god and our moſt mercifull father in Ieſus Chriſt which haſt commanded vs to lay vp thy words in our hearts and to ſpeake of them when we riſe vp, when we lie downe, when we goe forth, when we come home, to • each them and rehearſe them continually to our children. And ſeeing our lord Ieſus Chriſt hath commanded vs to ſearch the ſcriptures that we might know thee the onely true god and him whom thou haſt ſent, and ſoe attaine to eternall life▪ wee beſeech thee be gratious vnto vs thy poore ſeruants being come together in the obedience of theis thy holy commandements, to ſeeke thee by ſuch meanes as thou ha •• mercifully ordeined for vs. Lord we confeſſe our hearts are full of hardne • our vnderſtanding is full of darknes 〈◊〉 our eares are dull of hearing, we beſe ••• thee vouchſafe by the grace of thy hol • ſpirit to open and circumciſe our eares to lighten our dark vnderſtanding an • to mollifie our hard hearts that we ma • heare with reuerence, vnderſtand wit • iudgment, marke with diligence an • receiue with meeknes all the inſtuctions which we ſhall heare at this tim • out of thy holy word and that they ma • be written in the fleſhy tables of o •• hearts by the finger of thy owne ſpir •• to breed and encreaſe in vs all ſpiritua • knowledge and heauenly wiſedom • faith, hope, loue hatred of ſinne, practi •• of righteouſnes and all holy duties 〈◊〉 chriſtianitie and of our ſeuerall calling & ſo ſerue thee with all ſimplicitie an • godly purenes all the daies of our li •• through Ieſus Chriſt our only lord, Sauiour and redeemer. Amen.

A praier After Catechiſing.

O lord our god moſt gracious and mercifull father, we moſt humbly thanke thy heauenly maieſtie that thou haſt vouchſafed vs this great mercy to be partakers of theis heauenly doctrins and inſtructions of thy holy word, which thou haſt ſo mercifully and gratiouſly ordeyned for vs. we beſech thee good lord that thou wilt alſo vouchſafe vs that grace of thy holy ſpirit, that we may faythfully remember and diligently meditate vpon thoſe things that now or heretofore we haue heard out of thy holy word: that we may lay them vp in our hearts and make a good and profitable vſe of them, to the encreaſing of our knowledg, our faith, our obedience, our hope, and loue, and all ſpirituall graces and gifts meete for our places and callings, to the glory of thy moſt holy name, the peace and comfort of our cōſciences, the ſaluation of our ſoules and bodies, the good & good example of thoſe with whome we liue; through thy dearely beloued ſonne Ieſus Chriſt our Lord and our moſt bleſſed ſauiour and only redemer Amen.

A morning prayer for ſeruants by themſelues.

O almightie Lord God our moſt gracious and louing Father in Ieſus Chriſt we doe vnfeinedly confeſſe before thy maieſtie that we are all of vs moſt vile wretched ſinners, cōceiued & borne in ſinne, altogether corrupted & defiled in our owne nature, guiltie of innumerable & heinous tranſgreſſions of all thy holy lawes and commandements, vnapt to all goodnes, proane to all ſinne and wickednes, vnworthy of any of thy bleſſings, euen the leaſt of all thy mercies; and worthie of all thy fearefull curſes conteined in thy law, in all miſeries of this life, and of eternall death and damnation in the life to come; but moſt mercifull father wee beſeech thee looke vpon vs in Ieſus Chriſt pardon and forgiue vs all our ſinnes for his ſake, worke in vs more and more the ſight and feeling of all our ſinnes, with a true loathing and hatred of them, a godly ſorrow for them, and an holy repentance; giue vs faith in thy precious promiſes that wee may truſt perfectly vpon that ſaluation that is brought vnto vs by Chriſt Ieſus, with the full aſſurance of our eternall election vnto immortall life. Increaſe in vs care & conſcience to vſe all good meanes that thou haſt ordained for our inſtruction, and write in our hearts all the good leſſons that we heare out of thy holy word that we may daily grow and increaſe in all grace and godlines.

Receiue vs this day into thy holy protection, keepe vs from all dangers and euills of bodie and ſoule, worke in vs all dutifull reuerence to our ſuperiors, all diligence, and faithfullnes in our labours. Keepe vs from ſlothfulnes, negligence and idlenes, and all manner of vniuſt dealing in our ſeruice. Bleſſe and proſper vs in all our labours; wherin we are to be imployed that we may bee profitable to our gouernours to whome we owe our ſeruice, & carry the teſtimonie of good conſciences in our ſoules, to thy glorie and our euerlaſting peace and comfort, through Ieſus Chriſt our only ſauiour and redeemer in whoſe name we pray further as he hath taught vs. Our father, &c.

A prayer for Scholers.

O almightie lord God, moſt mercifull of our Lord Ieſus Chriſt, the fountaine of all wiſedome, grace, and goodnes, we beſeech thee to looke mercifully vpon vs, to forgiue vs al our ſinnes, to worke in vs dayly more and more the hatred of all ſinne, and wickednes, the loue of al goodnes, yea we beſeech thee to teach vs to knowe and remember thee our creator, our redemer our ſanctifier and preſeruer in theſe daies of our childhood and youth, worke in vs a true loue vnto thy holy word, and delight in thy commandements, giue vs grace to ſeeke for, and to attaine vnto that true wiſedome taught in thy holy word, wherby we may vnderſtand the feare of thy holy name & attaine the knowledge of thee, and all godlines, that wee may know alſo, iuſtice and iudgment and equitie & euery good path that, this heauenly wiſedome may be our watch-man and this knowledge our garder and keeper to preſerue vs from the crooked waies of wicked men, and all the baites and allurments of ſinne, to the end that we may walke in the waies of good men and in the paths of the righteous. And good Lord worke in euerie one of vs al loue, reuerence and obedience vnto our teachers and gouerners all diligence and good conſcience to beſtowe this precious time profitably. Lord we beſeech thee vouchſafe dayly more & more to quicken out witts, to open our vnderſtanding, to ſtrengthen our memories, to confirme our iudgments. Send downe thy bleſſings vpon all the inſtructions that are deliuered vnto vs, vpon all the labours of our teachers, & all our owne ſtudies & endeuoures that we may dayly grow and encreaſe in all good learning and knowledge, wiſdome, vertue, and godlines, that we may be anſwerable to the good expectation of our parents and freinds, to their great and effectuall comfort, and worthy and wiſe ſeruants vnto thy maieſtie, in the places thou haſt hereafter appointed for vs, in the church or cō mon wealth, grant good Lord theſe graces & whatſoeuer elſe thou knoweſt vs to ſtand in neede of for our lord Ieſus Chriſt his ſake. Amen.

FINIS.