A SHORT INSTRUCTION FOR ALL such as are to be admitted to the Lords SUPPER. LONDON Imprinted by William Hall for john Hedgets, 1612. TO THE PEOPLE of REDBURNE in the County of Hartford. Brrethrens, as heretofore I furnished you with a short Catechism: so now for your further profiting in the means of your salvation, I have reviewed the same, and added to it a brief exposition of the ten Commandments, & of the Articles of the Faith, and the Lords Prayer: hoping that as my care is to do you good, so you will endeavour to profit by my labours: that as in mine old age, my desire is to bring forth more fruits, as one planted in the house of God: Psal 92.13 14. so I may see you to walk worthy of the Lord, and please him in all things, being fruitful in all good works, Colos. 1.10 and increasing in the knowledge of God. And that when I shall examine you before you come to the Lords Table, I may not find you so ignorant, as formerly I found you, & your families: but that I may see the care you have had to show yourselves worthy of that favour which God hath extended to you, by the preaching of the Gospel hitherto: Heb. 13.17 that so I watching over your souls, as one that must give accounts unto God, may do it with joy, and not with grief. And albeit that honourable Lady, the Lady Anne Bacon be since departed this life, having finished her course, 2. Tim 4 7. and fought that good fight, & kept the faith, and now resteth with Christ; yet you may acknowledge her Christian care to do you good, hath taken effect in some measure amongst you, in placing me over you, as your Pastor, by whose painful labours you enjoy that which many want. And that when I am gone hence to the Lord, as I attend daily the time of my dissolution: that worthy and right Noble Gentleman Sir Frances Bacon her son may show the like care, in placing over you a learned, godly, and painful Pastor, that may build you up further till you grow to an holy Temple in the Lord. To whom with my continual prayers for you, to keep you unspotted of this wicked world, I commit you all, Redburn this 20. of March, 1611. Your loving Pastor in Christ jesus, RICHARD GAWTON. A SHORT INSTRUCTION FOR ALL SUCH AS are to be admitted to the Lords Supper. WHat is the chiefest thing every one should be most careful of? Ans. How to serve God in this world, Luke 1.75. Ephes. 1.4. and to be saved at the day of judgement. Matt. 16.26. Luke 21.36. 1. Pet. 1.9. Quest. How shall we know these two things? A. By the Law of God, and the Gospel. Rom. 3.20. & 7.7.8.9. etc. 1. Tim. 1.19. Rom. 1.16. Q. Where have we a brief sum of the Law? A. In the Decalogue, or ten commandments. Q. Rehearse the ten commandments. A. God spoke all these words etc. Exo. 20.2. Deut. 5.6. Q. How many parts are there of this moral law? A. Two parts or tables. Q. How many commandments are there in the first part? A. Four, which concern our duties towards God. Q: How many in the second part? A. Six, which concern our duties to our neighbour. Q. Which is the first commandment? A. I am the Lord thy God etc. Exo. 20.2.3. Deut. 5.6.7. Q. How many things are contained in this first commandment? A. Two. Q. Which be they? A. First, a preface, Ex. 20.2. declaring unto us who is the true and only God. Q. Whereby doth he declare who is the true and only God? A. Saying, I am the Lord thy God, who chose the people of Israel to be his people. And secondly in putting them in mind, how he had wonderfully delivered them from Idolatry, and from the bodily servitude, they had endured under the tyranny of Pharo in Egypt. Exod. 20.2. Deut. 5.6. Q. What is the second thing contained in this first commandment? A. A prohibition in these words, Thou shalt have none other Gods before my face. Exod. 20.3. Q. What is contained in this prohibition? A. As he forbids the service and worship of any other false God, so he commands us to serve and worship him. Q. Wherein standeth his service and worship? A. Moses showeth us, Deut. 6.4. Hear O Israel, the Lord our God is Lord only. 5. And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. Q. What is here required at our hands? A. That all the powers and faculties both of our souls & bodies, should wholly be dedicated, to the service and worship of this our Lord God, in all dutiful obedience. Q. What is the second commandment? A. Thou shalt make thee no graven Image, etc. Deut. 5.8.9. Exod. 20.4.5.6. Q. How many things are contained in this second commandment? A. Two things: First, all making of Images or likenesses of God, and the worshipping of them, or of God by them, is here forbidden. Secondly, it showeth how severely God will punish all false worshippers, and their Idolatry; and how he will bless his true worshippers, and their true worship. Q. What is the third commandment? A. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. Ex. 20.7. Deut. 5.11. Q. How many things are contained in this third commandment? A. Two. First the abusing of God's name is forbidden, either in professing his religion, and not living accordingly; or to think or speak of God unreverently. Mat. 15.18.19. Eccles. 5.1. 1. Chro. 13. 1●. Secondly a threatening, that God will certainly punish the dishonouring of his name. 1. Chron. 13.10. Q. What is the fourth commandment? A. Remember the Sabbath to keep it holy, etc. Ex. 20.8.9.10.11. Deu. 5.12.13. etc., Q. How many things are contained in this commandment? A. Two things: First, we are commanded to sanctify the Sabbath day, as peculiar unto the Lord; both I and all mine, repairing to the public assembly of God's people, and with them to hear the word of God preached and taught, Act. 13.27. Act. 15.21. Act. 13.15.16. etc. & to join in prayer with the rest of God's people, Act. 16.13. and at the times appointed to participate in the use of the Sacraments, Act. 20.7. and privately to spend that day religiously in holy exercises, Act. 2.42. and not to profane that day, Nehem. 13.17.18.19.20.21. secondly, to remember how God appointed the Sabbath day for us to meditate in, of his creation and government of the world, and to follow his example, in ceasing from our works, as God did from his. Gen. 2.2. Hebr. 4.10. Q. What is the fifth commandment, or first of the second Table? A. Honour thy father & thy mother, that thy days may be long, etc. Exod. 20.12. Deu. 5.16. Q. How many things are contained in this commandment? A. Two things: First, the honouring of our natural parents, & all such as are to us in stead of parents, as Kings and inferior Magistrates under them, 1. Tim. 2.2. 1. Pet. 2.17. our spiritual Pastors & Teachers, Heb. 13.8. & 17. our Masters and Rulers, Ephes. 6.5. Col. 3.22. and the ancient and grey headed persons is here commanded, Leuit. 19.32. Secondly a promise of reward, with long life to them that are obedient, & a threatening of cutting off the days of the disobedient. Q. What is the sixth commandment? A. Thou shalt not kill. Exod. 20.13. Deut. 5.17. Gen. 9.6. Q. How many things are contained in this commandment? A. Two things: First, all kill and murdering are forbidden: Secondly we are commanded to cherish and preserve life. Rom. 12.19.20. Prou. 25.21.22. Q. What is the seventh commandment? A. Thou shalt not commit adultery. Exod. 20.14. Deut. 5.18. Q. How many things are contained in it? A. Two things: First, all uncleanness of the flesh, and all provocations thereunto are forbidden; as pride, chambering, wantonness, idleness, riot, gluttony, drunkenness, etc. Rom. 13.13. Luk. 21.34. 1. Thess. 4.3.4.5. Hebr. 13.4. secondly all chaste and honest behaviour, in thought, word, and deed, is commanded. Tit. 2.12. Q. What is the eight commandment? A. Thou shalt not steal. Ex. 20.15 De. 5.19 Q. How many things are contained in it? A. Two things: First, all outward acts are forbidden, whereby stealth is committed, and all outward occasions of stealth; as idleness, and wasteful spending, craft and cozening. Secondly, all inward stealth of the heart. And we are commanded to labour faithfully, in a lawful calling, and to be sparing of that we get, that we may give to others that want. Ephes. 4.28. Levit. 19.11. Q. What is the ninth commandment? A. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. Ex. 20.16. Deut. 5.20. Q. How many things are contained in it? A. Two things: First, all perjury and false witness bearing is forbidden, & all false reports, lies, slandering, & backbiting, Pro. 14.5. & 25. Pro. 19.5. Deut. 19.16 17.18.19. Leu. 19.16. Secondly we are commanded to further righteous causes, and to speak the truth from our hearts. Pr. 31.8.9 Q What is the tenth commandment? A. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbours house, etc. Exod. 20.17. Deut. 5.21. Q. How many things are contained in it? A. Two: First, all pureness in nature, and uprightness in heart, are here commanded, Rom. 7.12. Deut. 6.5. Secondly, all inward lusts and sinful motions of the heart are forbidden. Rom. 7.7. Q. Is any man able to keep these commandments? A. No: for by nature we are prone to hate God and break all his Laws. Rom. 7.15. & 23. Rom. 8.3. Gal. 3.11. Q. Will God in justice require man to fulfil his law, knowing it is not in his power to fulfil it? And will he yet condemn him for not doing of that which he is not able to do? A God in justice doth not respect what man is now able to do, but what he was able to do, when God created him after his own Image, in righteousness and true holiness, and able to do what he willed him. Gen. 1.26. Q. How comes our nature to be so corrupted, as no man is now able to keep God's commandments? A. By Adam's transgression, whereby we are all of us conceived in sin, and carry about in us carnal concupiscence, and are bondslaves to sin & Satan. job. 14.4. Psalm. 51.5. Rom. 8.3. jam. 1.14.15. Q. What punishment is there due to the breakers of God's Law? A. All plagues and miseries in this life, and eternal damnation of soul and body in the last day. Deut. 28.15. Gal. 3.10 Mat. 10.28. & 25.41. Q. How then shall you escape damnation, since you break God's commandments daily? A. Only by jesus Christ, my Lord and Saviour. Rom. 8.1. & 10.4. joh. 1.17. Q. What hath Christ then done for you? A. First, he being eternal God, became also man for me, Phil. 2.6.7.8. taking my nature in the womb of the Virgin Mary, Luke. 1.31. Rom. 1.3. that so he might be the promised seed of the woman that should break the head of the serpent that is the Devil. Gen. 3.15. Gal 3.16. Q. And what did he here in earth for thee? A. First, he being conceived by the holy Ghost, Luk. 1.30. sanctified my nature in his own person, that by him it might be purged from all natural corruption, joh. 17.19. and endued it with righteousness and holiness. And he fulfilled the whole Law for me, that in him I may fulfil it. Rom. 8.3.4. Q. And what did he more here for you? A. He willingly laid down his life for you, john 10.17.18. and became a slain sacrifice, Heb. 10.12. 2. Cor. 5.21. suffering the cursed death of the Cross. Gal. 3.13. to deliver me from the curse of God, and to make me partakers of the blessing promised to Abraham, and to his seed, Gal. 3.14. He also conquered Satan in his Kingdom, as appeared by his rising again from the dead the third day, john 2.19 Math. 28.6. Mark 16.9. And is ascended into Heaven, Mar. 16.19 Act 1.9. and sits at the right hand of God. Heb. 12.2. governing all things both in heaven and earth. Mat. 28.18. Q. What benefit have you by his ascending into heaven? A. First he appears continually in the presence of God the Father, as our Mediator, Advocate, and Intercessor. Heb. 9.24. And secondly by his holy spirit rules in the hearts of all his elect, to bring them to eternal glory. Eph. 3.17. 1 Pet. 1.3 4 5. Q. Shall all men than be saved by Christ as they were lost in Adam. A. All that lay hold on Christ with a lively faith shall be saved. john 3.16. & 18 & 36. Q. What call you a lively faith? A. A full persuasion of my heart grounded upon the promises of God in the Scriptures of my salvation by Christ only. Heb. 11.1. Act. 16.14. Rom. 4.18.19.20.21. Q. How come you by this faith? A. The holy Ghost worketh it inwardly in my heart by the outward preaching of the Gospel. Act. 16.14. 1. Cor. 2.13. 1. Cor. 12.9. Q. Rehearse the Articles of your faith. A. I believe in God the Father, etc. Q. What is the sum of these Articles? A. Two things. First, what I am to believe concerning God, and secondly concerning his Church. Q. What are you taught to believe concerning God? A. First, that there is but one true and eternal God, and that in the Godhead, are three distinct persons, the Father, the Son, and the holy Ghost. Q What are you taught to believe concerning God the Father, the first person in the Godhead? A. First, that he is an immortal, and everlasting Spirit, john 4.24. 1. Tim. 1.17. who by his only word created the Heavens and the Earth. Gen. 1.1. and all things therein contained. Gen. 1.3. etc. to the 26. verse. And man after his own Image. Gen. 1.26.27. And secondly, that by his divine providence he upholdeth, ruleth, and governeth all things according to his will. Math. 6.26.28.32. Q What are you taught to believe concerning the Son of God, the second person in the Godhead? A. I am taught to believe three things: First his Incarnation, by taking our human nature, he being conceived by the holy Ghost. Luke 1.35. in the womb of the virgin Mary, having his name jesus given him by the Angel, for that he shall save his people from their sins. Math. 1 21. And Christ for that he is the Messiah anointed of God to be our King, our Priest, and our Prophet. Heb 1 1. & 2. & 3 who uniting our manhood to his glorious Godhead, is become God and man in one person. john 14.10. Secondly, his humiliation to the death of the Cross in our human nature. Math. 27.24.25.26. etc. Mar. 15.15. etc., Luke 23.24, etc. john 19.1. & 16.17.18. etc. Thirdly, his exaltation by conquering the power of sin, death and hell, as appeared by his rising from death the third day. Luk. 24.20.21, etc. and ascending into Heaven. Act. 1.9. Luk. 24 26 and sitting at the right hand of God the Father. Heb 12.2. having all power given unto him both in heaven and earth. Math. 28.18. from whence we are taught to believe that he shall come again at the last day Act. 1.11. in glory to judge both those that then live, and those that have been taken away by death since the beginning of the world. 1. Thes. 4.15.16.17. Q. What are you taught to believe concerning the holy Ghost? A. That the holy Spirit is the third person in the Godhead. 1. john 5.7. proceeding from the Father and the Son. john 14▪ 16.17. & 26. the Comforter. joh. 14.26 and Sanctifier of all the Elect. Rom. 8.11. Q What are you taught to believe concerning the Church? A. I am taught three things. First, that God hath a Church or company of people, whom he hath gathered to himself by the preaching of the Gospel through all the world. john 17.6. & 20. and therefore is called Catholic or Universal, and Holy; for that as God himself is holy, so holiness becometh his house. 1. Pet 1 ●6. Secondly, that this Church is the Spouse of Christ, who gave himself for it, that he might sanctify it, etc. Eph 5 25 26.27 And thirdly, that in this Church there is a communion, or spiritual partaking of all gifts & graces both of soul and body. 1 Cor. 12.4.5.6. And that only the true members of this Church are assured of the forgiveness of their sins by Christ. Act. 1.38. and that after their bodies be by death severed from their souls, they shall rise again, john 5: 28.29 and soul and body shall live for ever in glory with Christ their head. john 17.24. Q How is faith increased in you? A. By continual hearing of God's Word preached. Ro. 10.17 and by prayer. Luke 17.5 Mark 9.20. and use of the Sacraments. Rom. 4.11. 1. Cor. 10.16. Q. What is necessary in prayer? A. A lively feeling of our wants in the things we pray for. Rom 8.26. and assurance by faith that God will hear our prayers, and grant our requests, which we crave of him in the name of Christ agreeable to his Will. 1. john. 5.14 15. Q. How shall we know what to pray for? A. By that form of prayer which Christ hath taught us in the Gospel. Mat 6 9 Luk. 11.2. Q. Rehearse the Lords Prayer. A. Our Father which art in Heaven, etc. Q. What doth this form of prayer contain? A. Three things. First, a Preface, Secondly, the Prayer itself in six petitions, and thirdly, the conclusion of the Prayer. Q. Which is the Preface? A. Our Father which art in heaven. Q What learn you in this Preface? A. Three things. First, to pray to none but the only true God, the Father of our Lord jesus Christ. Secondly, to assure us, that God is our merciful Father in Christ, and therefore will hear our prayers, he being Almighty, and therefore from heaven extending the tokens of his mercy to all that call upon him in truth. Psal. 115.3. Psal. 135.6. Psal. 145.18. And thirdly, I am to say our Father, and not my Father alone, the better to assure me that God will hear my prayers, since I pray as one that is a true member of his Church, as all the rest of the same members pray for me, we all loving one another as ourselves. james 5.16. Q. Which is the first Petition? A. Hallowed be thy name. Q. What desire we in this Petition? A. First, that God will enlighten us with the knowledge of his holiness, and secondly, as God is holy in himself, so he may be glorified of all men, as the only fountain of all true holiness. And thirdly, that his power, wisdom, goodness, mercy, justice and truth may be communicated to us, and all the rest of his people, and that the fruits thereof may appear in our holy lives and conversations. Q What is the second Petition? A. Thy Kingdom come. Q. What desire we in this Petition? A. First, that God will set up his spiritual Kingdom in the hearts of us, and all the Elect. Secondly, that we may show ourselves Citizens of this heavenly Kingdom, in being ruled and governed by his heavenly laws. And thirdly, that he will protect his Church from all injuries, and overthrow all the enemies thereof. And in the end glorify all his elect in his everlasting Kingdom of glory. Q. What is the third Petition? A. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Q. What desire we in this Petition? A. First that we and all the elect may have our wills conformed unto the will of God, we renouncing our own corrupt affections and lusts, and being ready to do our duties in our several callings, that so God may prosper the things we take in hand according to his will. Secondly, albeit we cannot attain to perform this as we should, that yet we set before us the holy Angels, and labour to imitate them, that our unperfect obedience in this world may be perfected in the world to come. Q. Rehearse the fourth Petition? A. Give us this day our daily bread. Q. What desire we in this Petition? A. As in the three first Petitions we asked things spiritual, and the setting forth of God's glory: So the other three Petitions concern ourselves, and therefore in this Petition, under the name of our daily bread, we ask all things necessary for corporal food, and maintenance of our lives in this world, and do cast off all mistrustful care, and desire of worldly things, depending on the providence of God, and his fatherly blessing of us in our several vocations. Q. Rehearse the fifth petition. A. And forgive us our trespasses, etc. Q. What desire we in this petition? A. The free pardon and remission of all our sins, which otherwise might be as a cloud between God and us, to hinder us from receiving any benefit at his hands, Esa. 59.2. And it puts us in mind, that as we continually sin against God, so we had need continually to ask pardon for our sins. Q. Why is this added, as we forgive them that trespass against us? A. To teach us, that we must be ready to forgive others, if we will have God to forgive us. Mat. 6.14. Q. Rehearse the sixth petition. A. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Q. What desire we in this petition? A. That God will not permit us to be further tempted, either by the Devil or wicked men, than he gives us strength to resist their wicked temptations. Q. Rehearse the words of the conclusion of this Prayer. A. For thine is the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory for ever. Q. What learn you by this conclusion? A. It serveth for the confirmation of my Faith, that God both can and will grant the things I have prayed for. Q. Whereby is your faith so confirmed? A For that first I believe, that God being our King, is both able and willing to grant our requests. And secondly, for that it serveth to extol and advance the power and glory of God, in that he hears the humble petitions of his Children, and grants their requests. Psal. 32.8 Psal. 65.2. Q Why is this word Amen added? A To show that we rest wholly upon God, as upon our merciful and loving Father in jesus Christ, and therefore doubt not, but he will do, as we have prayed. Q Having heard that the continual hearing of God's word preached, prayer, and the use of the Sacraments are the means to increase in us a lively faith: let me hear now what you call Sacraments? A Sacraments are outward Signs, ordained of God to be unto us as seals of the inward and invisible graces he bestowed upon us for the confirming of our faith in the assurance of our salvation by Christ. Gen. 17.11. Rom. 4.11. Q How many such Sacraments are there? A Two: to wit, Baptism, and the Supper of the lord 1. Cor. 10.1.2.3. Math. 28 19 1. Cor. 11.23.24 25.26. Q What is the outward Sign in Baptism? A. Water. Act. 8.36. Mat. 3, 11. john. 1. 31.33. Q What is the invisible grace signified? A The washing of our sins, Act. 2.28 Reu. 1.5. Mat 3.11. And our engrafting into Christ. Rom. 6.4. And our dying unto sin, and living unto righteousness. Rom. 6 5 & 11. Q. Why are Infants baptised? A. For that the covenant of eternal life, pertaineth not only to believing Parents, but also to their seed. Gen. 17 7. 1 Cor. 7.14 Q Why is Baptism administered but once in our lives? A For that our Regeneration, whereof Baptism is a seal, continueth for ever. Rom. 6.9.10.11. Q What is the outward Sign in the Lord's Supper? A Bread and Wine, put apart to that holy use. 1. Cor. 11.23 & 25. Q What be the invisible graces thereby signified? A Our spiritual nourishment by the body and blood of Christ. 1. Cor. 10.16. john 6.53.54 55 56. Q Why is the Supper of the Lord administered often? A To put us in remembrance of the death and passion of Christ, and to assure us, that the benefit thereof pertains to us, Luk. 22.19. 1. Cor. 11.24 & 26. Q What is to be required of such as offer themselves to be partakers of the Lords Supper? A That they examine themselves what measure of knowledge they have in all the principles of Christian Religion, 1 Cor. 11.28. and specially of the Sacraments. 1. Cor. 10 15 16. Q Is that knowledge sufficient? A This will teach them, that without faith it is impossible to please God, Heb. 11.6. and therefore that they come not without faith & the fruits thereof, with an unfeigned repentance and charity. Phil. 1 9 & 11 1 Cor. 13.13. Matth 5.25. Luk. 15.8. Galat. 5 6. Q Wherein stands true repentance? A In two things: First an unfeigned sorrow and remorse of conscience for our former sins, 2 Cor. 7.10 Psal. 51.2.3. & 17. Secondly a true conversion and turning to God, in an holy life and conversation. Ro. 6.19. Eph 4.22.23. Tit. 2.11.12 Q. Wherein stands charity? A In two things: First to love God, who hath loved us so dearly, as to give his only son Christ to be our Saviour & Redeemer. 2. Cor. 5.14 15. Gal. 5.22.23. Q What is the second thing? A To love all men unfeignedly, even our enemies, Ro. 12 10. & 20 and therefore we are to cut off all occasions of discord and dissension, by reconciling ourselves to all such as we have offended, Mat 5 25. & 44 and freely forgiving all those who any way offended us, even as God freely for Christ's sake forgave us. Colos. 3.12.13.14. Q What danger is there in coming unworthily to the table of the Lord? A The unworthy receiver is guilty of the body and blood of Christ, and eateth and drinketh his own damnation. 1. Cor 11.17. & 29. Q What benefit hath the worthy receiver? A First his faith is confirmed, Rom. 4.11. he is filled with joy in the holy Ghost, A & 4.31. & 2 38. and gets new strength against sin and Satan. Secondly he hath peace of conscience, being assured of God's fatherly love and protection in this world, and of eternal glory after this life. FINIS.