THE COMMON Catechism, With a Commentary thereupon, by Questions and Answers, following the very words, as they lie in their order without alteration.  
A profitable way, as also very ea sie, and so likewise pleasant both to The Teacher and Learner, as by experience will be found true.  
By RICHARD BERNARD, Pastor at Batcomb.  
LONDON, Printed by W. Sta. for Samuel Man, at the Swan in Paul's Churchyard. 1630.   

To the Worshipful, M. Thomas Hanham Esquire, to the well-affected Gentlewoman his Wife, and to their whole family, found knowledge, with increase of faith, which worketh by love, is hearty wished.  
WORSHIPFUL,  
AFter I had made an essay in your Family, of this manner of Catechising, it pleased you so well to approve thereof, as to desire a written Copy to instruct your Household, I promised it: but for that some other have also requested the like of me, I thought it fit (being thereto also entreated) to publish it for the greater benefit.  
This is easily learned of any that can say the words of the common Catechism, so much neglected. This bindeth the Learner strictly to the words of that Catechism, in answering to the Questions here propounded: And serves more to direct the Master of the family, to make questions out of that Catechism, then for other to learn to make answer thereunto, if they, can but say the words, except in some few places.  
This manner of questioning to draw answers from the words as they lie in order, may be observed not only in Catechisms, but also in reading holy Scrptures, as is not unknown to my people here at home, with good fruit.  
This my labour such as it is for the present, I present you with. For I acknowledge your good favour towards my son, and I am very thankful in his behalf, as he also himself is, being ●●●r ready upon any occasion to express it to yourself, as also to that worthy honoured Knight, Sir. Walter Earl, at whose request it pleased you so favourably and freely to bestow the living.  
I cannot but make mention of him, when I writ of Catechising to you, for his more than ordinary religious care in the well training up of his family this way. In all my days, among all my acquaintance I have not seen the like: and I rather admire it, when I consider his daily employment sundry ways otherwise in public businesses, the least whereof doth commonly draw most men from almost alease of instructing their households. But what cannot a settled resolution, an industrous nature, a holy zeal, and a godly care to have religion in honour, make a pious and devoted heart to do.  
Sir, I pray you accept this unfeigned witness of my thankfulness, and a some little furtherance for the instruction of your family, upon which I hearty wish a blessing from God the Author of all good; to whose gracious guidance, I commend you and all yours, and so in all due respectfulnesse I take my leave.  
Your Worships, to be commanded. Rich: Bernard, Batcomb.   

THE PREFACE To the Reader. By Question and Answer upon the Title of the Book, and the parts thereof.  
Q. HOw many things are you to observe for entrance into this Book?  
A. Two things.  
Q. Which be they?  
A. The title and the book● itself.  
Q. What is the title?  
A. A CATECHISM, that is An instruction to be learned of every Child, before he be brought to be confirmed by the Bishop.  
Q What things are you to consider in this title?  
A. These five circumstances. 1. The name of the Book, a Catechism. 2. The exposition of the name, an instruction. 3. Why it was set out, to be learned. 4. Of whom, of Children. 5. When and in what spare of time, before they come to be confirmed by the Bishop.  
Q. Is there any difference between this Catechism and other Catechism?  
A. Not in substance, nor in manner of delivery, but in other respects,  
Q. Which be they?  
A. 1. In respect of the Generality of it for all places. 2. Of the public Authority commanding it.  
Q. What is a Catechism?  
A. It is an Instruction.  
Q. Is every instruction a Catechism?  
A. No: but an instruction of the principles of Religion, by the way of Question and, Answer.  
Q. In how many things than doth a Catechism differ from other instructions?  
A. In two things. 1. In the matter, the principles of Religion. 2. In the manner, by question and answer,  
Q. Why is it set forth?  
A. That it may be both taught & leraned.  
Q. How is that?  
A. Two ways; according to his Majesty's directions, set forth to this purpose.  
Q. Which be those two ways?  
A. 1. By examination, in propounding the Questions and receiving the Answers. 2. By exposition, in giving the sense & meaning of the words, for further benefit to all the hearers.  
Q. Why is a Catechism to be learn?  
A. For many reasons. 1. For better settling of men's judgements in the truth, by being well grounded in the principles of Religion. 2. To profit the more in reading holy Scriptures 3. To hear Sermons with understanding and judgement. 4. To discover error. 5. To be able to examie ourselves of our faith, of our duties to God and man, of our right devotion in prayer, and of the holy use of the blessed Sacrament, especially before we come to receive. 6. To be able readily to give an answer of our hope to any one. 7. To be able to teach and admonish others, especially such over whom we have a special charge.  
Q. Why is this Catechism to be taught and learned before all other Catechisms?  
A. 1. To show obedience to authority, commanding this every where to be taught. 2. For uniformity sake, that the same truths from on and the same Catechism, may been known to all in every place. 3. For the benefits of such as remove their dwellings from one Parish to another, that Children and Servants may not be to spéee in their answers, when they come to be catechised, as it otherwise falleth out by variety of Catechisms taught in several parishes,  
Q. Who is to learn this Catechism?  
A. Every Child coming to years of discretion.  
Q. How many ways is the name Child to be taken?  
A. Two ways, according to the Scrptures.  
Q. Which be they?  
A. 1. For a Child in years, as it is commonly understood. 2. For a Child in understanding as the scripture speaketh. 1. Cor. 3. 1. Heb. 5. 13.  
Q. Whom comprehend you under the name of Children in years?  
A. All Children, Apprentices and servants, which have not learned this Catechism,  
Q. How must these be taught?  
A. By examination.  
Q. Who are to be understood by Children in understanding?  
A. All ignorant of the grounds of Christian faith, though married and well strucken in years, yea, the very eldest for age.  
Q. How are these to be catechised?  
A. By their being present with attention, when others are examined, and by hearing their Teacher expound the Catechism.  
Q. When and in what space is this to be learned?  
A. Before any either be admitted to receive the Lords Supper, or be brought unto the Bishop to be confirmed.  
Q. Why is it to be learned before any come to the Sacrament?  
A. Because by the knowledge hereof they may be the better prepared thereunto, without which preparation they are not counted sit to be communicants.  
Q. Why is it to be learned before one be brought to the Bishop?  
A. That he may now in his own person make profession of his faith, and with his own mouth ratify that which in Baptism was by his Godfathers and Godmothers promised in his name.  
Q. But seeing our Church doth not allow Confirmation for a Sacrament, nor doth acknowledge that it addeth any thing unto Baptism, why are Children brought to be confirmed?  
A. 1. To see whether Children have been so religiously trained up, as their Godfathers and Godmothers promised, and vowed at Baptism for them. 2. Whether they be able to promise and profess so much now in their own persons. 3. Having so done, that prayer may be made unto God, for his blessing and grace to strengthen them, that they may continue and increase therein, unto their life's end.  
Q. Having gone through the Title now can you tell me how many parts the Book consists of?  
A. Of these two. 1. Of the Preface. 2. Of the matter of the Book.  
Q. Which is the Preface?  
A. All that which goeth before the rehearsal of the Creed.  
Q. What doth the Preface contain in it?  
A. The four first questions, with the answers thereunto.  
Q. What is the matter of the Book, or Catechism?  
A. It is the creed, the ten Commandments, the Lords Prayer, & the Doctrine of the Sacrments.   

The Common Catechism.  

The first Question.  
Q. WHat is your name?  
A. N. or M.  
Q. How many names have you?  
A. Two, a Christian and surname.  
Q. What may they put you in mind of?  
A. Of a twofold parentage, natural and spiritual.  
Q. Who are your natural Parents?  
A. My Father and my Mother.  
Q. Who are your spiritual Parents?  
A. God and his Church.  
Q. Which of these two names are demanded of you?  
A. My Christian name.  
Q. And why so?  
A. That by this name I may be put in remembrance of my Baptism.   

The second Question.  
Q. WHo gave you this name?  
A. My Godfathers and Godmothers.  
Q. When was that?  
A. In my Baptism.  
Q. What were you made in it?  
A. A member of Christ.  
Q. What hath a member relation unto?  
A. To a body.  
Q. How many bodies hath he?  
A. Two: a natural, as we have, & a mystical. 
Eph. 5. Col. 1.   
Q. Of which are you a member?  
A. Of his mystical body.  
Q. What body is that?  
A. His Church.  
Q. What is he to his Church?  
A. He only is the head thereof.  
Q. What doth he then unto it?  
A. He giveth it spiritual life, motion and direction as a head doth to the body.  
Q. What must you feel in you, to be sure that you are a true member of Christ?  
A. That I do live by him to God, am moved by his spirit, and directed by his word.  
Q. Being thus a member of Christ, what doth this make you to be?  
A. The Child of God.  
Q How cometh this to pass?  
A. By the grace of adoption,  
Q. And being thus God's Child, what then are you?  
A. I am made an Inheritor,  
Q. Of what?  
A. Of the Kingdom of heaven.  
Q. To have then the hope of heaven, what must you first be?  
A. I 〈◊〉 to be sure of heaven be the member of Christ, and the true Child of God else shall I not inherit that Kingdom.   

The third Question.  
WHat did your Godfathers and Godmothers then for you?  
A. They did promise.  
Q. What kind of promise was it?  
A. A vow unto God.  
Q. How many things did they promise and vow?  
A. Three things.  
Q. In whose name?  
A. In my name.  
Q. Which is the first of these three?  
A. That I should forsake all the Enemies of my salvation.  
Q. Which be they?  
A. These three, the Devil, the World, and the Flesh,  
Q. Why is the Devil named first?  
A. Because he was the first author of all sin and evil.  
Q. When do you forsake him?  
A. When I forsake all his works.  
Q. Why is the World put in the second place between the Devil and the Flesh?  
A. Because the Devil doth use it commonly as a means to entice the flesh to sin.  
Q. What mean you by the World?  
A. The pomps and vanities thereof.  
Q. What make these this World to be?  
A. A wicked worid.  
Q. When do you know, when you forsake the World?  
A. When I do forsake all the pomps and vanities thereof, and not before.  
Q. Why is the flesh named in the last place?  
A. Because it is within us, and leaveth us not utterly till the end.  
Q What mean you by the flesh?  
A. The lusts thereof.  
Q. What lust?  
A. All the sinful lusts of it.  
Q. When do you then know, that you forsake the flesh?  
A. When I do forsake all the sinful lusts thereof.  
Q. Why did your sureties promises for you, that you should forsake them, when you wear but newly borne?  
A. Because from the womb we are Captives to Satan, slaves to the world, and servants to the flesh.  
Q. When can we then forsake them?  
A. Never, except we be borne a new of water and the holy Ghost.  
Q. What is the second thing, which they promised and vowed for you?  
A. That I should believe.  
Q. What?  
A. All the Articles.  
Q. What Articles mean you?  
A. The Articles of my christian faith.  
Q. What is the third thing they promised and vowed for your?  
A. That I should keep God holy will.  
Q. When keep you this his will?  
A. When I keep his commandments. 
1 King 34 &. ●. &. 8. 58. Luke 1. Deut. 5   
Q. And when keep you them?  
A. When I walk in the same.  
Q. How long must you do so?  
A. All the days of my life.   

The forth Question.  
Q. Do you think that you are bound to believe, and to do, as they have promised for you?  
A. Yes verily.  
Q. But by whose help?  
A. By God's help.  
Q. You must then do it.  
A. And so I will.  
Q. With what mind towards God?  
A. As hearty thanking our heavenly Father.  
Q. For what?  
A. That he hath called me.  
Q. To what?  
A. To the state of salvation.  
Q. Through whom?  
A. Through jesus Christ.  
What is he to us herein?  
A. Our Saviour.  
Q. Now being in this so happy estate, what is your daily exercise?  
A. I pray unto God.  
Q. For what?  
A. To give me his grace.  
Q. What to do?  
A. That I may continue.  
Q. In what?  
A. In the same state.  
Q. How long?  
A. Unto my life's end.   

Of the Creed.  
Q. CAn you rehearse the Articles of your Belief?  
A. Yes, I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, etc.  
Q. What make you confession of in this Creed.  
A. That I do believe.  
Q. In whom?  
A. In God.  
Q. What is he?  
A. The Father.  
Q. What is his attribute?  
A. Almigihty.  
Q. Why call you him so?  
A. For that he is the maker of heaven & earth▪  
Q. In whom else believe you?  
A. And in jesus Christ.  
Q. What is he to God the Father?  
A. His only Son,  
Q. And what to us?  
A. Our Lord.  
Q. How came he to be so?  
A. He was conceived.  
Q. By whom?  
A. By the holy Ghost.  
Q. After conception what followed?  
A. He was borne.  
Q. Of whom?  
A. Of the virgin Marie?  
Q. What was his entertainment in the world?  
A. He suffered.  
Q. Under whom?  
A. Under Poncious Pilate.  
Q. What kind of death was he put unto?  
A. He was crucified.  
Q. Being on the Cross, did he deliver himself?  
A. No: he died.  
Q. What was then done with him?  
A. He was buried.  
Q. And what believe you concerning him, when his body was laid in the grave?  
A. That he descended into Hell.  
Q. Being in the grave did he lie there still?  
A. No: he rose again.  
Q. When?  
A. The third day.  
Q. From whence?  
A. From the dead.  
Q. What become of him after his resurrection?  
A. He ascended.  
Q. Whither?  
A. Into heaven.  
Q. What doth he there?  
A. There he sitteth.  
Q. Where?  
A. At the right hand of God.  
Q. who is that?  
A. The Father Almighty.  
Q. Shall he abide there for ever?  
A. No: from thence he shall come.  
Q. What to do?  
A. To judge.  
Q. Whom?  
A. The quick and the dead.  
Q. In whom else do you believe?  
A. I believe in the holy Ghost.  
Q And what moreover believe you?  
A. I believe that God hath a Church.  
Q. What a Church is this?  
A. Holy and Catholic.  
Q. What call you the fellowshipe therein?  
A. Communion.  
Q. Of what sorts of persons?  
A. Of Saints.  
Q. What are the special prerogatives to this Church, which no society else partakes of, and which is the first of them?  
A. The forgiveness of sins.  
Q. Which is the second?  
A. The resurrection of the body with joy.  
Q. Which is the third?  
A. The life everlasting.  
Q. How testify you your assurance of these things?  
A. I say Amen.  
Q. What do you chief learn in these Articles of your belief?  
A. I learn three things.  
Q. Which is the first?  
A. First, I learn to believe in God the Father.  
Q. What he hath done for you?  
A. He hath made me.  
Q. And whom else?  
A. And all the world.  
Q. Which is the second thing?  
A. Secondly, I believe in God the Son.  
Q. And what hath he done for you?  
A. He hath redeemed me.  
Q. And whom too?  
A. And all mankind.  
Q. Which is the third thing?  
A. Thirdly, in God the holy Ghost.  
Q. What doth he for you?  
A. He doth sanctify me.  
Q. And whom besides?  
A. All the elect people of God.   

Of the ten Commandments.  
Q. YOu said that your Godfathers and Godmothers did promise for you, that you should keep God's Commandments, tell me how many there be?  
A. Ten.  
Q. Which be they?  
A. The same which God spoke, etc.  
Q. Are not these Commandments of man devising?  
A. No: they be the same which God spoke.  
Q. How prove you this?  
A. In the twentieth chapter of Exodus.  
Q. What saith God there?  
A. I am the Lord thy God.  
Q. Whom spoke he unto  
A. Unto all Israel.  
Q. What had he done for them, that he calleth himself their God?  
A. He brought them out of the Land of Egypt.  
Q. What was the Land unto them?  
A. A house of bondage.  
Q. Which is the first Commandment?  
A. Thou shalt have no other Gods but me.  
Q. What is hear then forbidden?  
A. To have any other Gods.  
Q. What is on the contrary commanded?  
A. To have the God of Israel only for our God.  
Q. Which is the second Commandment?  
A. Thou shall not make to thyself any graved Image, nor the likeness of any thing, etc.  
Q. What doth this forbid?  
A. To make to myself any graved Image of God.  
Q. Is nothing else forbidden?  
A. Yes: the likeness of any thing?  
Q. May you no where fetch a similitude to represent God?  
A. No: not in heaven above, nor in the earth beneath, nor in the water under the earth.  
Q. But what if any do make such graved Image and likeness?  
A. We may not bow down to them, nor worship them.  
Q. What reason is alleged?  
A. For I am the Lord thy God.  
Q. What a one is he?  
A. A jealous God.  
Q. What will his jealousy make him to do?  
A. To visit.  
Q. What will he visit?  
A. Sins.  
Q. Whose sins?  
A. The sins of the Fathers.  
Q. Upon whom?  
A. Upon the children.  
Q. How fare?  
A. To the third and fourth generation.  
Q. What reckoning doth God make of these will-worshippers?  
A. As of them that hate him.  
Q. But what will he do to them that detest idolatry and vain worship?  
A. He will show them mercy.  
Q. How fare will he extend it?  
A. Two thousands.  
Q. How doth he account of these?  
A. As of them that love him.  
Q. And how is their love to be known?  
A. They keep his Commandments.  
Q. What is one the contrary here commanded? 
Ios. 24. 1●. joh. 4. 23.   
A. To worship God in spirit and truth, after his own will.  
Q. Which is the third Commandment?  
A. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain, etc.  
Q What doth this forbid?  
A. To take the name of our God in vain.  
Q. How is this?  
A. By wicked swearing, and lewly living.  
Q. What reason is their given to enforce this Commandment?  
A. The Lords threatening, not to hold him guiltless, that taken his name in vain.  
Q. What is hear on the contrary commanded?  
A. To be careful to do and procure to God all due glory in thought, word, and deed.  
Q. What is the fourth Commandment?  
A. Remember thou keep holy the Sabbath day.  
Q. What is first here commanded you?  
A. To remember.  
Q. What?  
A. The Sabbath day.  
Q. Wherefore?  
A. To keep it holy.  
Q. How many days doth God allow us before it come?  
A. Six days,  
Q. What are you to do in these six days?  
A. I am to labour.  
Q. In what?  
A. In doing all that I have to do.  
Q. Why are you to labour thus six days?  
A. For the seventh day is the Sabbath.  
Q. Whose Sabbath?  
A. The Sabbath of the Lord our God.  
Q. What is herein forbidden?  
A. To do in it any manner of work  
Q. Who particularly by name are here spoken unto?  
A. Thou, thy son, and thy daughter, thy manservant, and thy maid servant,  
Q. And what else is forbidden labour?  
A. Thy Cattles.  
Q. And who besides?  
A. And the stranger.  
Q. What stranger mean you?  
A. Which is within thy gates.  
Q. What reason is given, for all this in the Commandment?  
A. The Lords own example.  
Q. How many days wrought he?  
A. Six days.  
Q. What did he in those six days?  
A. He made the heaven, earth, and Sea.  
Q. And what else?  
A. And all that in them is.  
Q. What did he when the seventh day came?  
A. He rested the seventh day.  
Q. What did therefore the Lord unto the seventh day.  
A. Therefore the Lord blessed the seventh day.  
Q. What mean you by that?  
A. He hallowed it.  
Q. Which is the fift commandment▪  
A. Honour thy Father and thy Mother, etc.  
Q. What doth this command?  
A. Honour.  
Q. To whom?  
A. Father and Mother.  
Q. What reason is alleged to move hereunto?  
A. That thy days may be long.  
Q. Where?  
A. In the Land.  
Q. In what Land?  
A. Which the Lord thy God giveth thee.  
Q. What is here generally commanded?  
A. A preservation of dignity.  
Q. What is on the contrary forbidden?  
A. All indignity.  
Q. Which is the sixth Commandment?  
A. Thou shalt do no murder.  
Q. What is here forbidden?  
A. Murder, and all hurt to my own and Neighbour's life.  
Q. What on the contrary is here commanded.  
A. Innocency.  
Q. Which is the seventh Commandment?  
A. Thou shalt not commit adultery.  
Q. What is here forbidden?  
A. Adultery, and all uncleanness whatsoever.  
Q. What on the contrary is here commanded?  
A. Charity.  
Q. Which is the eight Commandment?  
A. Thou shalt not steal.  
Q. What is here forbidden?  
A. These, and all unjust dealing.  
Q. What is on the contrary commanded?  
A. Equity.  
Q. Which is the ninth Commandment?  
A. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.  
Q. What is here forbidden?  
A. False witness bearing, and all untruths.  
Q. Against whom?  
A. Against my neighbour.  
Q. What on the contrary is commanded?  
A. Verity.  
Q. What is the tenth Commandment?  
A. Thou shalt not covet, etc.  
Q. What is here forbidden?  
A. To covet.  
Q. What are you not to covet?  
A. My neighbour's house.  
Q. What else?  
A. Nor his wife, nor his servant, nor his maid, nor his ox, nor his ass.  
Q. What besides all these?  
A. Nor any thing that is his.  
Q. What on the contrary is here commanded?  
A. Integrity of heart, resting thankfully contented ever with my present estate.  
Q. What do you chief learn by these Commandments?  
A. I learn two things.  
Q. Which is the first?  
A. My duty towards God.  
Q. Which is the second?  
A. My duty towards my neighbour.  
Q. What is your duty towards God?  
A. My duty towards God, is to believe in him, to fear him, and to love him, etc.  
Q. What are these words?  
A. The sum of the first Table.  
Q. What is here required of you?  
A. My duty.  
Q. Towards whom?  
A. Towards God.  
Q. How many inward graces are required of you to do your duty to him?  
A. Three.  
Q. Which be they?  
A. To believe in him, to fear him, and to love him.  
Q. How are you to love God?  
A. I must love him sincerely, with all my heart, understandingly with all my mind, affectionately with all my soul, and effectually with all my strength.  
Q. What will this make you do?  
A. To worship him.  
Q. In receiving of his benefits, what requires he of you?  
A. To give him thankes.  
Q. In all distresses, what is your duty?  
A. To put my whole trust in him.  
Q. What will this your trust in distress move you unto?  
A. To call upon him.  
Q. What is required generally of you whatsoever your estate be?  
A. To honour his holy name and his Word.  
Q. To manifest this, what must you endeavour?  
A. To serve him.  
Q. In what manner?  
A. Truly.  
Q. How long?  
A. All the days of my life.  
Q. What is your duty towards your neighbour?  
A. My duty towards my neighbour is to love him as myself.  
Q. What are these words?  
A. The sum of the second Table.  
Q. What is here required of you.  
A. My duty.  
Q. To whom?  
A. Towards my neighbour.  
Q. What are you to do to him?  
A. To love him.  
Q. In what manner?  
A. As my own self.  
Q. What ought to be your general carriage towards all.  
A. To do to all men, as I would they should do unto me.  
Q. Of all mankind, whom in nature are you first to respect?  
A. My Father and my Mother.  
Q. What own you to them?  
A. Three things.  
Q. Which be they?  
A. Love, honour and secure.  
Q. Who are the next you are to have regard of?  
A. The King and his Ministers.  
Q. What are you to do to these?  
A. To honour and obey them.  
Q. How are you to carry yourself to them that have command over you?  
A. I must submit myself.  
Q. To which of them?  
A. To all of them.  
Q How many sorts are there of them?  
A. Four, Governors, Teachers, spiritual Pastors, and Masters.  
Q. What must be your commendable behaviour in general to your betters?  
A. To order myself lowly and reverently to all my betters.  
Q. How are you to demean yourself, that you may live harmelesly to all sorts?  
A. To hurt nobody by word nor deed.  
Q. What is required of you in your trading with men?  
A. To be true and just in all my dealings.  
Q. What must your carriage be towards your enemies?  
A. To bear them no malice nor hatred in my heart.  
Q. What are you to keep your hands from?  
A. From picking and stealing.  
Q. And what your tongue from?  
A. From all evil speaking, lying, and, slandering  
Q. How are you to govern your whole body?  
A. To keep in temperance, soberness, and chastity.  
Q. How may you attain to live contentedly?  
A. Not to covet nor desire other men's goods.  
Q. To affect this, what must you do?  
A. I must learn and labour.  
Q. After what manner?  
A. Truly.  
Q. To what end?  
A. To get my living.  
Q. And what too?  
A. To do my duty.  
Q. Wherein?  
A. In some state of life.  
Q. What state mean you?  
A. Even that, unto which it shall please God to call me.  
Q. What is the Question before the Lord's Prayer?  
A My good Child know this, that thou art not able to do these things of thyself, etc.  
Q. To whom doth the Catechist speak?  
A. To me a child.  
Q. What a one accounteth he you to be, that thus can answer?  
A. A good child.  
Q. What would he have you to know?  
A. Mine own inability, that I am not able to do these things of myself, nor to walk in the commandments of God, and to serve him.  
Q. Though you cannot of yourself, is there therefore no help to make you able?  
A. Yes▪ the especial grace of God.  
Q. What must you do to obtain this?  
A. I must learn at all times to call for it.  
Q. How?  
A. By diligent Prayer.  
Q. What form of prayer have you?  
A. That which is called the Lords Prayer.   

Of the Lord's Prayer.  
Q. LEt me hear therefore, can you say the Lords Prayer.  
A. Our Father which art in heaven, etc.  
Q. How many parts are there in it?  
A. Three, the Preface, the Petition, and the Conclusion.  
Q. Which is the Preface?  
A. Our Father which art in heaven.  
Q. What doth this teach you?  
A. To whom only I am to pray.  
Q. Who is that?  
A. God alone.  
Q. What call you him?  
A. Father.  
Q. Whose Father is he?  
A. Our Father.  
Q. Whom conceive you in this word Our?  
A. All such as have the spirit of adoption, and are in the Communion of saints.  
Q. Where is this our Father?  
A. In heaven.  
Q. How many petitions be there?  
A. Six.  
Q. Which is the first Petition?  
A. Hallowed be thy name.  
Q. What mean you by name?  
A. God's titles, his properties, his word, and works, by which he is known, and 
Exod. 3. 〈…〉  remembered as by a name, and so are a memorial of him.  
Q. What understand you by hallowed?  
A. The setting apart of this name from all abuse, to holy uses.  
Q. What then beg you of God in this Petition?  
A. That we may remember so to do, to think, & speak of God of his attributes, word, and works, as he may receive honour, glory, and praise by us.  
Q. Why is this petition in the first place?  
A. Because God's glory is to be first in all our desires and purposes,  
Q. Which is the second Petition?  
A. Thy Kingdom come●  
Q. What mean you by his kingdom?  
A. The rule of God in our hearts.  
Q How must this be?  
A. By his word and spirit.  
Q. What ask you hearein of God?  
A. That God would here subdue the Devil, the World, and the flesh, and graciously subject us to his will by his word and spirit, that we may come to heaven in the end.  
Q. Why is this petition set after the former?  
A. For that this is the means to hollow his name.  
Q. Which is the third Petition?  
A. Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven.  
Q. What mean you by his will?  
A. Gods will revealed in his written word, the only rule of life.  
Q. What desire you of God herein?  
A. That we may have grace to leave our own wills, and to do his will.  
Q. Where?  
A. Here in earth.  
Q. But after what manner?  
A. Even as it is in heaven. 
●. 119. ●0. & ●. ● 3. 5, ●. 5. ●9.   
Q. How is that?  
A. Willingly, readily, joyfully, faithfully, sincerely and constantly.  
Q. Why is this petition the next after the other?  
A. Because this showeth the true effect of the former, that indeed God's kingdom of grace is come upon us.  
Q. Which is the fourth Petition?  
A. Give us this day our daily bread.  
Q. What mean you by bread?  
A. All things necessary for us in this present life.  
Q. What beg you of God herein?  
A. That God would sustain our lives here with all temporal necessaries.  
Q. How ask you for these?  
A. As Gods own gift.  
Q. For whom ask you these?  
A. For Us, myself, and all God's people.  
Q. For what time?  
A. For this day.  
Q. Whose bread ask you?  
A. Our own, gotten by lawful means, through God's blessing in Christ.  
Q. What manner of bread ask you for?  
A. Daily bread, that which is agreeable to nature, and convenient for our calling and charge.  
Q. Why is this next the other Petition?  
A. Because supply of bodily necessaries, should make us more cheerful to do Gods will.  
Q. Which is the fift Petition?  
A. And forgive us our trespasses, etc.  
Q. What mean you by trespasses?  
A. Our sins. 
Luk. 11. 4.   
Q And what by forgiveness?  
A. The not imputing sin unto us, and fully acquitting us through Christ, both 
Psal. 32. 12  from the guilt and punishment.  
Q. What then beg you of God in this Petition?  
A. That God would in mercy pardon and forgive.  
Q. Whom?  
A. Us, I and all other his children.  
Q. What?  
A. Our trespasses.  
Q. Why is this Petition next after the other?  
A. That we may not forget in the midst of temporal blessings to seek reconciliation, and to be at peace with God.  
Q. Which is the reason added to the Petition?  
A. As we forgive them that trespass against us  
Q. What is your duty, when you ask forgiveness of God?  
A. To forgive.  
Q. Who are to forgive?  
A. We, I and all, that ask forgiveness 〈…〉 God.  
Q. Whom are you to forgive?  
A. Them that trespass.  
Q. Against whom?  
A. Against us.  
Q. Is your forgiving like unto Gods, and a cause thereof?  
A. No.  
Q. Why is this then added to the Petition?  
A. As a sign, assuring us of our forgiveness 
Mat. 6. 14. 15.  grounded upon Christ's promise.  
Q. Which is the sixth Petition?  
A. And lead us not into temptation, but delius from evil.  
Q. What mean you by temptation?  
A. Iu●icement unto sin.  
Q. What mean you by leading into temptation?  
A. To be left of God in the time of trial to myself, and to the power of the temptation.  
Q. What beg you of God in this Petition?  
A. Not to be forsaken of him.  
Q. When?  
A. In the time of temptation and trial.  
Q. What would you have him then to do for us?  
A. To deliver us.  
Q. From what?  
A. From the evil of the temptation.  
Q. Why is this Petition added to the former?  
A. For that we, which crave the assurance of pardon for sins past, are also to beg assistance of God's grace to prevent sin to come.  
Q. Which is the Conclusion?  
A. For thine is the Kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever.  
Q. What contain these words?  
A. A reason of assurance in our praying to God, for such things as be contained in the petitions. 
Ch. 29. 11. Ch. 20. 6. ●b 41. 11. ●b. 42. 2. ●al. 115. 3. ●r. 34. 17. ●. ●o 23. 13. ●ke 1. 37. ●r. 19 26 ●hr. 20. 6 ●u. 19 6. ●m. 11. 36 ●l. 5. 5. ●l. 4. 20. ●m. 1. 17 ●et. 4. 11 ●. 13. 15   
Q. How many things are here ascribed to God?  
A. Three.  
Q. Which is the first?  
A. The Kingdom, his absolute rule over all.  
Q. Which is the second?  
A. The power, so infinite, as he is able to do what he pleaseth, being the Lord God omnipotent.  
Q. Which is third?  
A. The glory, for to him, praise, honour, and thankes are due for all things.  
Q. How long are these his?  
A. For ever.  
Q. How are these said to be his?  
A. Originally, Absolutely, and Eternally. 
2 Tim. 4. 1 Reu. 1. 6. Pro. 8. 15 Rom. 13. ● job. 33. 13 1 Tim. 1. 1● jer. 11. 5. Num. 5. 2● Deut. 27. ● Mat. 28. 2● 1. Cor. 1● 16.   
Q. What is the last word after the Conclusion?  
A. Amen.  
Q. Why is this added in the end?  
A. To testify my desire, to have that I ask, saying, so be it: as also to show my faith, that so it shall be, as I have asked, if God think it good.  
Q. What desire you of God in this prayer?  
A. I desire my Lord God our heavenly Father who is the giver of all goodness, etc.  
Q. What are these words?  
A. A short sum of things which I beg of God in prayer.  
Q. Who is to pray?  
A. Myself as well as others.  
Q. What affection are you to pray with?  
A. With desire to have my request.  
Q. Whom are you to pray unto?  
A. To my Lord God.  
Q. Who is he?  
A. Our heavenly Father.  
Q. What moveth you to pray to him?  
A. He is the giver of all goodness.  
Q. What chief in the first place do you beg of him?  
A. To send his grace unto me.  
Q. To whom else?  
A. And to all people.  
Q. Why desire you this grace for you and them?  
A. That we may worship him.  
Q. When do we worship him?  
A. When we serve him.  
Q. And when serve we him?  
A. When we obey him.  
Q. What else pray you for beside?  
A. That he will send us all things that be needful.  
Q. For what?  
A. For our souls.  
Q. For what next?  
A. And for our bodies.  
Q. When God sends you his grace and all these necessaries, what more need you to beg of him?  
A. That he will be merciful to us.  
Q. What mean you specially by this?  
A. To forgive us our sins.  
Q. And what else?  
A. That it would please him to save and defend us.  
Q. In what?  
A. In all dangers.  
Q. In what kind of danger?  
A. Ghostly and bodily.  
Q. What moreover pray you for?  
A. That he will keep us.  
Q. From what?  
A. From all sin and wickedness.  
Q. And from what else?  
A. And from our Ghostly enemies.  
Q. What is the last danger you desire to be kept from?  
A. From death.  
Q. What kind of death?  
A. Everlasting death.  
Q. What persuasion have you in thus making your request unto God?  
A. This I trust he will do.  
Q. Upon what ground do you thus trust?  
A. Of his mercy and goodness.  
Q. By whose means?  
A. Through our Lord.  
Q. Who is he?  
A. jesus Christ.  
Q. What conclude you hereupon?  
A. Therefore I say, Amen,  
Q. What mean you by Amen?  
A. So be it.   

Of the Sacraments.  
Q. HOw many Sacraments hath Christ ordained in his Church?  
A. Two generally necessary.  
Q. Which be they?  
A. Baptism and the Supper of the Lord.  
Q. What mean you by this word Sacrament?  
A. I mean a sign.  
Q. What kind of sign?  
A. Outward and visible.  
Q. Of what?  
A. Inward and spiritual grace,  
Q. To whom is it given?  
A. Given unto us.  
Q. By whom was it ordained?  
A. Ordained by Christ himself.  
Q. For what end?  
A. First, as a means whereby we receive the same grace,  
Q. And why else?  
A. Secondly, to be as a pledge to assure us thereof.  
Q. How many parts be their in a Sacrament?  
A. Two.  
Q. Which is the first?  
A. The outwiad visible sign.  
Q. Which is the second?  
A. The inward spiritual grace.   

Of Batisme.  
Q. What is the outward visible sign in Baptism?  
A. Water.  
Q. What is done with it?  
A. With it the person Baptised is dipped or sprinkled.  
Q. How is it administered?  
A. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Ghost.  
Q. What is the inward and spiritual grace?  
A. The purging of our souls by the blood of Christ, and sanctification of the spirit.  
Q. What is the first effect hereof?  
A. A death unto sin.  
Q. What is the second?  
A. A new birth unto righteousness.  
Q. Why speak you thus of a death unto sin, and a new birth unto righteousness?  
A. For that by nature we are borne in sin.  
Q. What are we in this natural estate?  
A. Children of wrath.  
Q. And what are we being thus renewed in Baptism?  
A. We are hereby made the children of grace.  
Q. What is required of persons baptised?  
A. Repentance.  
Q. What is the power thereof?  
A. That thereby we forsake sin.  
Q. What is the second?  
A. Faith.  
Q. What is the efficacy and force thereof?  
A That whereby we believe.  
Q. How must you believe?  
A. Steadfastly.  
Q. What must you believe?  
A. The promises of God.  
Q. Made to whom?  
A. Made to us.  
Q. Where?  
A. In that Sacrament.  
Q. Why then are infants baptised when by reason of their tender age they cannot perform them?  
A. They do perform them.  
Q. By whom?  
A. By their sureties.  
Q. What have they done for them?  
A. They promised and vowed them both in their names.  
Q. Is this enough for those Infants if they live?  
A. No: but when they come to age, themselves are bound to perform them.   

Of the Lord's Supper.  
Q. WHy was the Sacrament of the Lords Supper ordained?  
A. For a remembrance.  
Q. What kind of remembrance.  
A. A continual remembrance.  
Q. Of what?  
A. Of the sacrifice of Christ.  
Q. And of what else?  
A. And of the benefits which we receive thereby.  
Q. What is the outward part or sign of the Lords supper?  
A. Bread and Wine.  
Q. By what warrant are these both to be received?  
A. Because the Lord hath commanded them to be received.  
Q. What is the inward part or thing signified?  
A. The body and blood of Christ.  
Q. How are these received?  
A. They are verily and in deed taken and received.  
Q. Of whom?  
A. Of the faithful.  
Q. Where?  
A. In the Lord's Supper.  
Q. What are the benefits whereof we are made partakers thereby?  
A. Of strengthening and refreshing.  
Q Of what?  
A. Of our souls.  
Q. By what?  
A. By the body and blood of Christ  
Q. How is the resemblance expressed?  
A. As our bodies are by the bread and wine.  
Q. What is required of them which come to the Lords supper?  
A. To examine themselves.  
Q. Of what?  
A. Whether they repent them.  
Q. How?  
A. Truly.  
Q. Of what?  
A. Of their former sinners.  
Q. How may their truly repenting appear?  
A. By steadfastly purposing to lead a new life.  
Q. What else must they have with it?  
A. They must have faith.  
Q. What kind of faith.  
A. A lively faith.  
Q. In what?  
A. In God's mercy.  
Q. Through whom?  
A. Through Christ.  
Q. What more must you come with?  
A. With a remembrance.  
Q. What kind of remembrance?  
A. With a thankful remembrance,  
Q. Of what?  
A. Of his death.  
Q. And how last must you come?  
A. In charity.  
Q. With whom are you to be in Charity?  
A. With all men.  
Q. What if you come unprepared without these?  
A. I come unworthy, I eat and drink my own damnation. God may punish me, and the Devil may enter into me, as he did in judas, and bring me to destruction both of body and soul: from which evils the Lord deliver us, for his mercy sake.  
Amen.   
FINIS.