THE Testimony of a true Faith: Contained in a short Catechism, necessary to all Families, for the more knowledge of God, and better bringing up of Children in his faith and fear. Gathered and written for the benefit of Gods well disposed children, by C. S. Preacher. ¶ Imprinted at London, nigh unto the three Cranes in the vintry, by Thomas Dawson, and Thomas Gardyner. Anno Do. 1577. March. 10. ❧ The Testimony of a true faith. Question. IT is the duty of a true Christian always to be ready a. 1. Pet. 3.15 to tender an account of his faith, to the end it may appear, that he is not b. Mat. 10.32 Rom. 10.10 ashamed of Christ & his Doctrine. Let me therefore hear what thou canst say of the principal points of Christian Religion. Answer. There be three special parts thereof. the first is a. john. 17.3 2. Cor. 13.5 to know God and myself: the second is, b. john. 5.24 the means whereby my salvation is wrought: the third, c. Matth. 6.9 and. 26.26 what helps God doth further me withal unto life everlasting. Question. What sayst thou of the knowledge of God? Answer. The same is of two sorts: the one is universal, and known a. Rom. 1.19 Psalm. 19.1 by the creation of heaven and earth, wherein God offereth himself to be seen and known of me, as the only fountain of all goodness, who alone b. Deut. 6.13 aught to be worshipped. For his c. Genes. 1.1 Act. 17.24 eternity appeareth in the making of the world, his d. Psalm. 36 goodness in preserving the same, his e. Psalm. 107 Act. 17.28 Psal. 115.3 providence in the tokens which are seen and felt, Psal. 115.3. whereby what pleaseth his godly will cometh to pass, and not by blind fortune: his f. Psal. 104.24 wisdom in ordering of the things created: his g. Rom. 2.7.8.9.10. righteousness in delivering the godly, & punishing the wicked: his h. Ezec. 18.32 mercy in patiently forbearing sinners, and calling them to repentance. So that what may be known of God, is manifest in the things created, which universal knowledge taketh away i. Rom. 1.20. all excuse from the ungodly, which worship not God aright: but to me it is a k. Psal. 19.1. ready way to bring me to the true worship of God. The other knowledge is special, & only proper l. john. 17.3 jere. 31.34 to the elect, whereby, through faith poured into my heart by the holy ghost, I am assured that my salvation is wrought by Christ the Son of God, by whom m. Ro. 8.16 I am made the child of God thorough grace, and heir with Christ of his kingdom, which knowledge only cometh of n. Luk. 10.21 grace, and so is given to me, but it is restrained from the wicked, because of their o. Mat. 13.14 sin and hardness of heart. Question. What sayst thou of the knowledge of thyself? Answer. By creation I was made in Adam, according to the a. Genes. 2.27 Ephes. 4.24 Image of God (I mean not any bodily shape, for God is a b. john. 4.24 spirit, and without body (in true righteousness & holiness, that is to say, in all perfection and happiness of nature, both in right judgement, reason, will, & strength. In which happy state, if Adam had continued, both I and all his posterity had been blessed for ever. Question. How didst thou fall from this grace? Answer. My fall appeareth, in that a. Gene. 3. toto Rom. 5.12.13 Adam who had this blessing for me, thorough the enticement of the serpent broke the commandment of God, in eating of the forbidden fruit, and by the same deprived himself of his former happiness, and brought sin, death, hell, the wrath of God, and all kind of miseries into the world, as just punishments for his deserts. In which his sinful act, his pride, disobedience, lack of faith, unthankfulness to his creator, light credit to the devil appeared. In which offence, both I and all his offspring are wrapped, in as much as in him we all have sinned, for he had the blessing given, to keep or lose, for him and his. Wherefore I, and all others descending of him, by him, and in him, have fallen from grace, and are infected with his corruptions, b. Psal. 51.5 conceived in sin, borne in eniquitie, and c. Ephes. 2.3 Rom. 3.2 by nature the children of wrath, and utterly undone, without the grace and mercy of God. Question. How art thou restored to grace again? Answer. My restoration cometh thorough a. Titus. 3.10 Ephes. 2.4 the free mercy and favour of God, who after this my fall in Adam, raised both him and me up again with the comfortable b. Genes. 3.15 &. 12.2. & 22.18 promise of a savour, who by his c. Rom. 3.25 Colos. 1.22 2. Cor. 5.21 death should pacify the wrath of God, and bring me into his favour again: d. Rom. 5.19 by whose obedience I am made righteous: which my regeneration cometh thus to me, whilst e. Matth. 3.2 Luk. 24.47 by the preaching of the Law I am brought to the feeling of my sins, and raised up with the comfortable promises of the Gospel, received by faith. f. Act. 15.9 1. Cor. 3.16 My heart is lightened, purified, and governed by the holy Ghost: g. Ephes. 4.24 my will and mind reformed, and the image of God renewed again in me. Question. Show me what be the means whereby thy salvation is wrought. Answer. The ordinary means commonly are two, that is to say, a. Luk. 24.47 Rom. 10.17 the word of God, and faith. Question. What is the word of God? Answer. It is those Canonical scriptures a. 2. Tim. 3.16 written by the spirit of God, 2. Pet. 1. 2● and commended to man both in the old and in the new Testament, wherein are contained b. Deut. 4.2 & 12.32 Galat. 1.8 Luk. 16. 2● all things necessary to salvation, according to the which, the Lord will have all his religion measured, without either adding or dimishing. Question. How canst thou know the true Religion, in so many opinions of the same, as be in the world? Answer. first, I try the religion taught me a. Act. 17.11 john. 5.39 by the word of God, and by his spirit given me to understand the same. Secondly, b. 1. john. 4.1. ● I know this spirit to be a right spirit, because it confesseth Christ to be come in the flesh, that is to say, ascribeth the whole work of my salvation to him, and to no other thing. Thirdly, c. Rom. 3.31 I expound one place of Scripture, as it is not contrary to another. And thus I try the truth, d. joh. 12.48 making the word of God to judge and determine what I aught to follow. Question. How is the word of God divided? Answer. Into the a. Matth. 3.2 Luk. 24.47 Law and Gospel. Question. What is the Law? Answer. It is the ten commandments of God, requiring of every one a. Deut. 27.26 most pure, perfect, and perpetual obedience, b. Levit. 18.5 Rom. 10.5 Math. 19.17 promising salvation to them which fulfil the same, threatening death and damnation to the transgessours thereof. Question. Rehearse the same to me. Answer. 1 a. Exod. 20 Thou shalt have none other Gods but me. 2 Thou shalt not make to thyself any graven Image, nor the likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or in the earth beneath, or in the waters under he earth: thou shalt not bow down to them nor worship them, for I the Lord thy God am a jealous god, visiting the iniquities of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me, and show mercy to thousands, in them that love me and keep my commandments. 3 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. 4 Remember that thou keep holy the Sabbath day, six days shalt thou labour and do all that thou hast to do, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God, in it thou shalt do no manner of work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy man servant, and thy maid servant, thy cattle, and stranger within thy gates: for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day, wherefore the Lord blessed the seventh day, and hallowed it. 5 Honour thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. 6 Thou shalt not kill. 7 Thou shalt not commit adultery. 8 Thou shalt not steal. 9 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. 10 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbours house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his servant, nor his maid, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is his. Question. What sayst thou of the first commandment? Answer. The Lord therein requireth a. 1. Sa. 15.22 Deut. 10.12 true obedience to his word, the fear & love of his name, b. joh. 3.15.16 a sure faith & trust in his promises, c. Psal. 50.15 and. 23 the right invocation upon his name, with thanks giving for his benefits, whereby his true worship may be known aright: which things as he doth command, so doth he forbidden d. Deut. 4.15 all manner of superstition and Idolatry, e. 2. Thes. 1.8 2. Tim. 4.4 the contempt & denial of his word, f. Rom. 3.18 the lack of fear, jacob. 2.14 1. john. 3.10 faith, and love towards him, g. Apoc. 13.6 & 19.10. & 22.9 calling upon other creatures, & finally what soever polluteth his service, or our consciences, in whose presence all our doings do appear. Question. What sayest thou of the second: Thou shalt not make? etc. Answer. God doth therein declare how he will be worshipped, for seeing that his true worship a. Deut. 6.13 Rom. 14.23 Matth. 5.16 is a work or service commanded in his word, proceeding of faith, & tending to his glory: as he is a b. john. 4.24 spirit, so will he be worshipped in spirit & truth, without c. Levit. 18.3 any mixture of Idolatry or superstition. Deut. 7.25 & 12.2. & 14.3 And therefore he forbiddeth d. Deut. 4.23 Esay. 40.18 the making of Images, to express him by e. Exod. 34.14 Psalm. 97.7 all manner devotion or reverence giving to them, either in looking at them, or in bowing the knee before them in prayer: for he is the Lord our God, and will not have his power to be contemned: f. Exod. 34.14 1. Cor. 11.2 he is jealous over us, & will not suffer either our souls or bodies to be defiled with any filthiness of Idolatry, which if we do, he will revenge the same to the third & fourth generation. Briefly, he forbiddeth hereby g. Deut. 12.2 all representations & tokens of Idolatry, h. Esay. 29.13 all strange worship devised by man, i. Apoc. 13.15 and .14.9 and .18.4 all Antichristian Decrees, and whatsoever corrupteth the true service, & spiritual worship of God. Question. What is commanded in the third: Thou shalt not take? etc. Answer. Herein the Lord commandeth a reverend use of his Name, a. Deut. 6.13 truly to swear and testify the truth, not b. jere. 4.1.2 only in truth, judgement, & righteousness, but also c. josua. 2.12 2. Cor. 1.23 for necessity's sake, especially when the glory of God, & the salvation of our brethren is sought: requiring also herein a faithful zeal and d. Deut. 6.5 Acts. 2.42 love towards his word & Sacraments, and what soever e. 1. Cor. 10. ●1 may set forth his glory, forbidding f. Deut. 28.58 the indiscreet & unreverend use of his name in vain & frivolous things, all rash oaths, all g. Psal. 15.4 oaths made for favour, lucre, and fear, rather than for trial of truth, all h. Levi. 19.12 perjury, all oaths made i. Deut. 10.21 jerem. 5.17 Amos. 8.14 by Saints, Idols, Meat, or other creatures, k. Deut. 18.10 all Conjurations, Sorceries, charmings, Soothsayings, witchcraft, l. Ephes. 4.31 cursing & banning, m. Ro. 16.17 Apoc. 14.9 all false doctrines, and corruptions of true Religion, and what soever n. Rom. 2.24 causeth the name of God to be evil spoken of. Question. Show the meaning of the fourth: Remember that thou keep holy the Sabbath day. Answer. The Lord commandeth herein a. Exod. 31.13 Hebr. 4.11 the ceasing from bodily labours & sins, & b. Mat. 18.20 Psalm. 95. Mark. 8.35 to meet together in his true fear and love, to hear, learn, & confess his word, and c. Colos. 3.16 to instruct one another in the same, d. Act. 20.7 to communicate at his Sacraments, to e. Philip. 4.6 tender thanks for his benefits, to f. 1. Cor. 16.1 distriubute unto the necessity of the poor, g. Hebr. 3.13 & to meditate our spiritual rest which shall be after this life: forbidding likewise h. 2. Chro. 36.16. the contempt of Ecclesiastical meetings, his word, and Sacraments, the i. Galat. 4.10 Colos. 2.16 superstitious observance of days & times, the following of k. Rom. 3.13 Psal. 119.37 pastimes, gaming, dancing, banqueting, and other outward pleasures, without meditation of heavenly things. Question. What is the meaning of the fift Commandment, Honour thy father and thy mother? Answer. Herein the Lord requireth a. Levit. 20.9 Ephes. 6.1 Exod. 22.28 Hebr. 13.17 humble reverence & love, not only towards our natural parents, but also towards our Magistrates, Ministers, and masters, whom he placeth over us, b. Rom. 13.4 1. Pet. 2.14 for the benefit of them which do well, and for the punishment of the evil, requiring our obedience towards them, c. Ro. 13.1.14 so long as they obey his word, from whence when they decline, d. Daniel. 3.18 Acts. 4.19 they are no longer to be obeyed, forbidding also e. Levit. 20.9 all disobedience & ingratitude of children towards their parents, f. Num. 16. toto 2. Sa. 15. &. 17 all contempt and rebellion of subjects against their magistrates, also g. Exod. 22.28 to blaspheme them, and to h. 1. Reg. 14.16 obey them in matters contarry to the truth. Question. What canst thou say of the sixth, Thou shalt not kill? Answer. God in this commandeth a. Math. 5.23 john. 13.34 Rom. 13.8. Ephe. 4.2.31 faithful love, mercy, kindness, compassion, reconciliation, & mutual embracing one another in peace, as well of our enemies, as of those which love us, forbidding b. Gala. 5.20 Ephes. 4.31 1. Cor. 3.1 and .10.10 Rom. 13.8.9 1. john. 3.10 all unlawful murder and quarreling outwardly, all feigned love, unmercifulness, hatred, malice, anger, reproaches, taunts, slandering, murmuring, contentions, desire of vengeance, & whatsoever is repugnant to Christian love. Question. Proceed to the seventh, Thou shalt not commit adultery. Answer. The Lord commandeth not only a. 1. Cor. 6.15 1. Thes. 4.4 perfect chastity both in soul and body, whether it be in marriage or in single life, that all our parts may be sanctified unto him: but also he forbiddeth b. Galat. 5.20 Apoc. 21.8 all manner of adultery & fornication, c. 1. Tim. 4. ● Eccles. 5.5 the restraining of lawful marriage in any calling, and the rash vowing of single life, d. Math. 5.26 Rom. 6.12 and .7.7 unlawful lusts, e. Esay. 3.16 1. Tim. 2.9 1. Pet. 3.5 light behaviour, and unseemly adorning of the body, f. Ephes. 4.29 and .5.4 Colos 4.6.7 Gal. 5.20.21 filthy talk and idle pastimes, drunkenness minstrelsy, dancing, & what beside tendeth to impurity and lecherous lust. Question. Declare the eight, Thou shalt not steal. Answer. Herein God commandeth a. Psal. 15.2 Tit. 2.12 Rom. 13.8 righteousness & true dealing in every calling, & that every man be content with his own state, giving to every one what of right he aught to have: forbidding also b. Ephes. 4.28 1. Thes. 4.6 all robbing & falsehood, c. Luk. 12.15 Psalm. 15.5 Prou. 11.1 covetousness, usury, oppression, buying and selling with false measures, d. 2. Thes. 3.10 idle living, e. Luk. 15.13 unhonest wasting of goods or substance, & what else doth savour of deceit, the same is stealing. Question. Show the sense and meaning of the Ninth, Thou shalt not bear false witness. etc. Answer. God commandeth herein a. Ephes. 4.25 1. Sam. 33 15 in court & judgement & in all our words & covenants, that truth may flourish, to save our neighbours harmless, b. Deut. 1.16 1. Sam. 10.1 forbidding wrong judgement, or any respect of persons therein, the making of wicked Laws & decrees, also c. Deut. 19.16 Ephes. 4.25 1. Cor. 13. toto false witness, and lying tales, flattery, suspicions, false accusations, and what so ever empayreth the good name of our brethren. Question. What sayst thou of the last, Thou shalt not covet? Answer. In this the Lord commandeth a. Deut. 6.5 Math. 22.37 Luk. 10.27 the whole heart to be possessed with love, that what soever man doth wish or desire, it may be free from lust & corrupt affection, & serve to the glory of God, and profit of his neighbours, forbidding hereby b. Genes. 6. ● Math. 5.28 Rom. 6.12 all wicked thoughts & unlawful desires both of soul & body, although our consent be not thereto, c. Ephes. 4.22 all corruption of original sin by Adam, all lack of grace, and what soever wanteth of the integrity & perfection wherein man was made. By all which precepts, it may appear, that d. job. 15.14 Deut. 27.26 Leuit. 18.5 Luk. 17.10 nothing but true righteousness and innocency can please God. Question. By this I understand, that thou art not able of thyself, a. Rom. 8.3 because of thy sins, to fulfil these laws, why therefore did God command that, which thou canst not do? Answer. First, hereby he declareth how that his Image in me, a. Ephes. 4.23 24. is corrupted with sin, for nothing is here required, which I could not have done before my fall in Adam. Secondly b. Deut. 27.26 here is nothing commanded which I am not bound to do. Thirdly, c. Deut. 6.25 he doth not respect what I of myself cand do, but what his justice doth require. Last of all it setteth forth the d. Rom. 4.15 and .7.7 wrath of God, & bringeth me to the feeling of my sins. Question. Why God is merciful to thousands, & will not surely punish sin so sharply as thou thinkest. Answer. a. Exo. 20.6 God in deed is merciful to them that love him, & truly repent, but he is a b. Psal. 7.69 and .11.7 Deut. 32.35. just judge, & a God of vengeance to punish the wickedness of the ungodly, which break his commandments. Question. By this I gather, that many are in a woeful case. Answer. Concerning the wicked, which be void of faith, & of the mercy of God, a. 1. Ti. 1.9. Deut. 27.26. the curse of the law hangeth upon them. But touching the elect, of which company I am persuaded that I am one: b john. 3.16. 2. Cor. 5.21. Rom. 3.25 jesus Christ the son of God, in mine own nature hath suffered to deliver me from sin & the punishments thereof, & hath brought me into the favour of God again, of which benefit I lay hold c. Rom. 1.16. Act. 15.11 with a true faith, d. Rom. 10.17 which cometh by the preaching of the Gospel. Question. What is the Gospel? Answer. It is the a. Rom. 10.8. doctrine of faith, b. Mat. 11.28 john. 5.24 containing the promises of God unto salvation, c Luk. 24.47 john. 3.15 and 6.47 to all which truly repent, and lay hold of Christ's merits by a sure trust in the same. Question. What do the promises of the Gospel mean? Answer. First they teach me that the law of God is fulfilled for me, by Christ, a. Rom. 5.19 Ephe. 2.15 Galat. 3.13 by whom I have my sins forgiven, & with b. 1. Cor. 1.30. 2. Cor. 5.21 whose righteousness I am clothed, & may now boldly stand before the judgement seat of God. Secondly, that my salvation c. Rom. 3.24 & 4.5.16 cometh only of the free mercy of God, without my merits or good deeds. Thirdly d. Mat. 22.14 2. Cor. 4.6 although they be offered to all, yet they take effect in none to salvation, but only in the elect, whose hearts God lighteneth with faith. Question. Show me what faith is. Answer. There is a kind of faith, called a. james. 2.14 Acts. 8.13 a dead faith, believing the word of God to be true, & all things therein contained, and goeth no further: but the true faith is b. john. 17.3 the fair knowledge of the fatherly good will and mercy of God showed towards man in Christ, & c. Ephes. 3.17 a sure trust in the same, which d. Rom. 6. toto in due time bringeth forth the fruits of good living. Question. What dost thou learn hereby? Answer. First I learn to know God, who is made a. Rom. 8.16 my father by Christ, thorough adoption and grace. 2 Secondly, b. Galat. 2.20 I apply to myself by this my faith, all the merits of Christ as fully as if I had done the same myself. 3 Thirdly, c. Rom. 4.19 Hebr. 4.16 and. 10.22 I have a sure trust in his merits and mercy, & boldness to offer up my prayers to God the father by him. 4 Last of all I know his promises to d. Hebr. 11.1 be faithful & true, and that he will perform them, when it pleaseth his godly wisdom. Question. Whence cometh faith? Answer, It is the gift a. Math. 11.25 27. &. 13.11 Acts. 16.14 Rom. 12.6 Galat. 5.22 Ephes. 2.8 of God, wrought in my heart by the preaching of the Gospel, and by the holy Ghost. Question. What is the sum of the faith? Answer. I believe in God the father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and in jesus Christ his only son our Lord, which was conceived by the holy Ghost, borne of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, & buried, he descended into hell, and rose again the third day from the dead, he ascended into heaven, & sitteth on the right hand of God the father almighty, from thence shall he come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the holy Ghost, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, & the life everlasting. Question. What art thou taught hereby? Answer. 1 First, what to believe of God my father & creator. 2 Secondly, of Christ my redeemer. Thirdly, of the holy ghost my sanctifier. Last of all, concerning the church of God. Question. What canst thou say of God? Answer. God is a. john. 4.24 a spiritual nature b. Rom. 16.26 everlasting c. 1. Sam. 45 5.6.7 almighty, d. Psalm. 139 7.8.9 infinite, e. Psal. 119.137 true, f. Math. 19.17 good, g. Psal. 11.7 righteous, and h. Exod. 34.6 merciful, i. Genes. 1.1 who hath made the world, & k. john. 1.1 hath begotten the son of himself from everlasting. The son is l. Prou. 8.23 Hebr. 1.3 Apocal. 1.8 wisdom & image of the father, begotten of the father, very God of very God, m. john. 1.14 Galat. 4.4 who in his time appointed, became man. The holy Ghost is n. joh. 14.16.26 the power & virtue proceeding from them both: which three, although they be o. Mat. 3.16.17 distinct in persons, yet are they p. Deut. 6.4 john. 1.1. and 5.18.21 1. john. 5.7 equal and all one in Godhead, eternity, dignity, and power. Question. What sayst thou of the first part of this faith? Answer. I believe that God is not only the a. Math. 3.17 Rom. 8.16 natural father of his son Christ, but also that he is by grace my father, by whose wisdom as heaven and earth and all things therein contained, were made, so the same by his b. Psal. 145.15 Hebr. 1.3 Mat. 10.29 power is governed & preserved. Question. What thinkest thou of the second? Answer. I believe that a. Hebr. 4.15 the son of God become man, in all things like unto me, only sin excepted, & in my nature wrought what was needful to my salvation, b. Math. 1.21 Acts. 4.12 wherefore he is named jesus, that is, a savour. Question. How is thy salvation wrought? Answer. This word Christ, doth teach the same, for first it signifieth him to be a king, & to have purchased to himself a. Act. 20.28 Luk. 1.33 by his blood, the spiritual kingdom of his church, b. john. 8.36 1. john. 3.5 1. Ios. 13.14 1. Cor. 15.55 all the enemies thereof conquered. Which kingdom now he governeth c. Ephes. 1.13 1. Cor. 6.19 by his word, and by his spirit, whereby he reigneth in my heart, and in the hearts of his elect. Secondly, it teacheth that he was a d. Hebr. 5.56.7 priest to offer up himself once for all a sweet sacrifice, to take away my sins, & to be a e. john. 14.13 Rom. 8.34 mediator, by whom, & in whose name I may offer up my prayers to God my heavenvly father, & through him be heard. Thirdly, it putteth me in mind that he was f. Act. 3.21 a Prophet, sent to preach the will of his heavenvly father, whom g. Math. 17.5 alone I must hear and obey, as my Lord, who being thus appointed of his father, h. Mark. 14.10 & 15.15.24 joh. 19.38 was betrayed of judas, condemned by Pilate, crucified by the jews, buried by joseph of Aromathia, and Nicodemus, suffered i. Esay. 53.4 Colos. 1.22 in his body, not only the punishments due to my body, but also k. Mat. 27.46 in his soul the punishments due to my soul, that was, the very torments of hell, & death, and separation from God, l. Rom. 5.19 Colos. 2.14 1. john. 3.8 Apoc. 20.14 by whose death my obedience is wrought, the malediction of God's law canceled, the devil, & all his power subdued, the wrath of God appeased, and I set in his favour again. And thus is the death of Christ, the only and full ransom for my sins, by virtue whereof, sin also dieth, and is killed in me. Question. What sayst thou of his resurrection? Answer. a. Rom. 4.25 As he died for my sins, so he rose again for my justification, b. 1. john. 3.8 having gotten the victory over sin, death, hell, and damnation, & giveth me power through his spirit c. Rom. 8.10.11 to rise unto newness of life, assuring me, that my bodily death shallbe no destruction, but I shall rise again at the last day, to life everlasting. Question. Show thy mind of his ascension. Answer. He ascended a. Acts. 1. ●. and. 3.21 Math. 28 18.20 with his body into heaven, where he remaineth, having all power given him of his father, but with his spirit he is present with his people: b. john. 14.2 Titus. 2.5 Colos. 3.1.2 by which his ascension, he hath taken possession for me in heaven, where he also continueth a mediator to make intercession for me to his father, & finally teacheth me to set mine affection upon heavenly things. Question. What meanest thou by his coming to judgement? Answer. I believe that he which is my savour a. Mat. 24.31 2. Thes. 1.8.10 Luk. 21.35 shall come to clear me and all his elect in judgement, & to condemn the wicked, which in their life time refused him, to follow their pleasures. Question. What sayest thou of the holy Ghost? Answer. I believe that a. 1. Cor. 6.11 he is the spirit of sanctification, b. 2. Cor. 4.6 given to lighten my mind, c. john. 16.13 & to lead me into all truth, he is d. 2. Cor. 1.22 the earnest of mine inheritance in heaven, e. Ephes. 1.13 the seal to imprint God's promises in my heart f. john. 7.36 Esay. 55.1 the fountain of grace, and the water which purgeth me from mine uncleanness, and g. Ro. 8.10.11 maketh me to die to sin, & to be holy unto God. Question. Show thy mind concerning the church. Answer. The church is a. Rom. 8.29 Ephes. 1.4 10.11 the society of all faithful people whom God in Christ hath chosen to salvation before the world was made, of b. 1. joh. 3.21 which number I believe that I am one. Question. What be the marks thereof? Answer. a. john. 8.47 and. 10.27 The sincere word of God, b. Mat. 28.19 the right administration of the sacraments, c. Math. 18.17. 1. Cor. 5.1. & ecclesiastical discipline. Question. Why is the church called holy? Answer. Because God will have his people to live a. Titus. 2.12 holily, soberly, & righteously in this world, & not b. Ephe. 4.30 to grieve the holy ghost by any uncleanness, by whom they be sanctified, & by whom whilst they suffer themselves to be led, they c. john. 16.13 cannot err in matters of faith and salvation. Question. What meaneth the Communion of Saintes? Answer. It signifieth a. Rom. 12.5 1. Cor. 12. 1● the fellowship which all the elect have one with another, b. 1. Pet. 4.10 Galat. 6.2 communicating according to the measure of faith, all spiritual graces amongst themselves, c. Ephes. 4.3 studying to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace. Question. What believest thou of the forgiveness of sins? Answer. First, I believe that before my sins be forgiven me, a. Rom. 5.8.10 Ephes. 2.1.2 1. Cor. 6.11 there is nothing in me but mere wickedness. Secondly I believe that all my sins, & the punishment thereof be taken away b. 1. Pet. 2.4 Esay. 53.5 1. Cor. 1.30 2. Cor. 5.21 by Christ's death, and I made partaker of his righteousness. Thirdly, I believe c. Rom. 3.25 that faith alone, without any worthiness of myself, doth make me partaker of these graces. Question. What sayst thou of the rest, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting? Answer. I believe when this life is ended, that a. Eccle. 12.7 Apoc. 14.13 Luk. 16.22 Philip. 1.23 my soul shall go to God, & my body rest in the earth to the last day, when they shall both join together again b. 1. Cor. 15.53 incorruptible, and remain with God for ever in the kingdom of heaven. Question. Can such a faith as this be fruitless, & without good works? Answer. Not, but good works do follow faith, as the a. Math. 7.17 james. 2.24 1. Pet. 1.12 testimonies and fruits of my thankfulness to God, whereby my faith is known, and approved by men: b. Galat. 5.6 wherefore it is called a faith which worketh by love. Question. What works must thou do? Answer. Such as be commanded me in the a. Matth. 19 17.18 law of God, b. 1. Cor. 1.8 Ephes. 2.10 which as they come of grace given me, & not of mine own power, so must they needs be done: for first c. 1. Pet. 1.16 God hath so commanded. Secondly, his d. Rom. 6. toto Titus. 2.14 benefits bind me thereto. Thirdly, e. Colos. 2.12 my baptism doth teach me to die unto sin, and live unto righteousness. Fourthly, f. Mat. 5.36 1. Pet. 2.12 I must glorify god by my well doing. Last of all, g. 2. Pet. 1.10 I must make strong my faith and election, & learn to avoid the wrath of God. Question. What reward shalt thou have for thy good deeds? Answer. The works which I do before I be justified before God by Christ, a. Rom. 14.23 Hebr. 11.6 john. 3.26 cannot please him, because they be done without faith. The works which follow my regeneration, b. Apoc. 7.14 Math. 25.40 Luk. 17.10 1. Cor. 15.58 do please God, not because of any worthiness of mine in them, but God accepteth them, because of my faith in Christ, through whom they are not done in vain, so that the reward which is given unto them, cometh only of c. Apocal. 22 the free mercy & favour of God, whilst he rewardeth not my deserts, but crowneth his gifts of grace in me. Question. With what helps doth God further thee to salvation? Answer. Besides that the word of God a. 2. Thes. 3.3 doth help to uphold my faith, b. Mat. 28.19 1. Cor. 11.23 Gene. 11.11 the sacraments & prayer are also helps to me, for by them the Lord helpeth mine infirmity, by outward signs representing to me spiritual graces. Question. Do the sacraments serve thee to any other purpose? Answer. They serve not only to a. Exod. 12.11 12.13 Math. 26.26 and .27.19 1. Cor. 11.26 1. Cor. 11.17 Exod. 42.43 1. Sam. 7.26 teach me heavenly things, but also to kindle a desire of God's promises in my heart, to stir me up to thanks giving for my redemption, to knit me in love with the godly, and as marks of Religion to testify how I differ from the Heathen & wicked: wherefore, such as refuse to use the same, b. Mark. 8.38 Luk. 14.18 24 do not only deny God, but are also arrogant and proud. Question. What is a Sacrament? Answer. It is an holy sign, instituted of a. Math. 21.25 john. 3.5 Acts. 2.38 Rom. 4.11 God, to confirm my faith, and to seal in my heart the promises of God's mercy towards me for the forgiveness of my sins and salvation in Christ. Question. Whether do the sacraments give grace to the receiver or no? Answer. They a. Acts. 2.38 neither of themselves nor in themselves includ or give grace, for that is the gift of the holy ghost, but they be holy signs, whereby, as by an instrument, God doth work and seal grace in my heart by faith received, and yet they be not bore or naked signs, but grace is truly present to my faith, when I receive the same aright. Question. How many Sacraments be there? Answer. Two, the one is Baptism, wherewith I am received into Christ's church. The other is the Supper of the Lord, wherewith I am nourished in the same. Question. What is Baptism? Answer. It is a sacrament wherein as water washeth away the filthiness of my body, so a. 1. Pet. 3.21 the blood of Christ sprinkled upon my soul, by the hand of faith, washeth away my sins, and the punishment thereof, whereby b. Rom. 6.5 I am incorporate into his body, & made partaker of his benefits, to die unto sin, & to live unto righteousness. Question. Why are children to be baptized? Answer. Because by a. Ephes. 2.3 Rom. 5.12 Acts. 2.39 Genes. 17.7 nature they be the children of wrath by Adam's sin, to whom also the promise of God's free mercy and favour reacheth. Question. What is the Lords supper? Answer. a. Mat. 26.26 It is the sacrament of my redemption by the death of Christ, wherein by the mystical receiving of bread and wine, through a true faith, I am made b. 1. Cor. 10.16 Luk. 22.19 john. 6.51 partaker of all the benefits of Christ's passion, for as bread broken doth feed & nourish my body, & wine refresh my heart, so the c. Luk. 22.19 john. 6.51 body of Christ was torn upon the cross, & his blood shed, to wash away my sins, and to feed & refresh my soul to life everlasting. Question. Whether is the bread changed into the natural body of Christ, or no? Answer. The Sacraments of bread and wine a. Math. 26.29 john. 6.51 53.5. 1. Cor. 10.16.17. and 11.24 remain still in their former nature and substance, nevertheless there is a great change, for those things which before were but as common meats, are now made the Sacraments or holy signs of Christ's body and blood. Question. How dost thou eat Christ's body, or drink his blood? Answer. a. john. 6.35 Spiritually, and by grace, whilst I believe that he died for my sins, Rom. 4.24 and rose again for my justification, for it is faith that maketh me partaker of his benefits & goodness which are sealed to me by his Sacraments. Question. Do all men which receive this sacrament, receive the spiritual grace alike? Answer. As in Baptism none a. 1. Pet. 3.21 Acts. 2.38 and .8.18 Mark. 16.16 but the faithful receive remission b. 1. Cor. 11 28.29 of their sins, so in the Lord's supper, none but such are partakers of the grace, and benefits of Christ's death. The wicked in deed receive the outward elements of bread and wine, but because they lack true faith, they are not partakers of the spiritual grace. Question. How must thou frame thyself to receive this sacrament worthily? Answer. First I must a. Math. 26.75 jerem. 24.7 joel. 2.12.13 Rom. 6. toto consider the grievousness of my sins, & from my heart unfeignedly hate and detest the same, & ever after give myself to godliness & virtue. Secondly, b. 1. Cor. 11.28. &. 2. Cor. 13.5 I must try and examine myself whether I have a true faith in the promises of Christ. Thirdly c. Matth. 5.24 and. 22.39 I must reconcile myself to all men, and continued in Christian love. Question. Now remaineth the other help given thee of God, that is to say, prayer: tell me what it is. Answer. Prayer is the a. Math. 6.6 john. 16.23 1. Tim. 2.8 lifting up of my heart to God, and the ask in Christ's name, of things needful to me and the whole church, b. Philip. 4.6 Colos. 4.2 with thanks giving for his benefits, and goodness. Question. To whom must thou pray? Answer. To a. Psal. 50.15 john. 16.33 God alone, first, because I b. Rom. 10.14 believe in him alone. Secondly, he alone c. 1. Reg. 8.39 knoweth my heart: thirdly d. Esay. 40.8 he will not give his glory to any other, & therefore I am forbidden to pray to saints. Question. How canst thou which art a sinner, pray to God which hateth sin? a. john. 14.13.14 and. 16.23 Acts. 4.12 1. Ti. 2.5.6 1. john. 2.2 Answer. I pray not in trust of mine own righteousness, but in the name of Christ, who is the b. john. 14.6 way for me to come to the father, who c. Rom. 8.34 1. Tim. 2.5.6 1. john. 13 john. 13.24 continueth my mediator at the right hand of the father, d who loveth, & hath e. Colos. 1.22 reconciled me to the father, f. Math. 3.17 & in whom the father is well pleased. Question. For whom must thou pray? Answer. For all men living, for a. 1. Ti. 2.1.2 Matth. 5.44 Luk. 6.27 kings, magistrates, ministers, yea, and for my enemies: but for the dead I have no commandment to pray, neither can I help them after they be gone hence, for as they be found at the day of their death, so shall they rise again, only this I can do, to give God thanks for their deliverance out of this world. Question. How must thou prepare thyself to pray? Answer. First, I must a. Rom. 8.26 1. john. 5.14 be touched with the necessity of those whom I pray for, b. Matth. 6.7 my mind must be devout, and not carried to & fro with vain thoughts. I must appear before God c. Psal. 51.17 jacob. 1.6 in true repentance and faith, d. Math. 5.23 being at love with all men, e. Esay. 1.18 and. 59.2 framing my life righteously, f. 1. john. 5.14 1. Cor. 14. toto ask in such a tongue as I understand, according to the will of God. Question. How must thou pray? Answer. According to the form prescribed of our saviour Christ, in these words, Our father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven. give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever. So be it. Question. What is the meaning of this prayer? Answer. We pray to God in the first petition, that a. Psal. 89.5.6 1. Cor. 10.31 josua. 24.14 15 his glory may appear, and that b. Rom. 2.24 our lives & conversation may set forth the same. In the second, we pray that God would c. john. 16.13 Ro. 8.10.11 govern the kingdom of his church, kill sin, and the lusts thereof in the same, and to renew it to righteousness of life. That he would also d. Rom. 16.20 1. john. 3.8 tread down Satan and all his power, and that he would shortly e. Apo. 22.20 accomplish the number of his elect, & hasten the coming of Christ to judgement. In the third we pray, f. Luk. 22.42 that all our doings may be agreeable to his will, without contradiction or murmuring. In the fourth, we desire him g. Psalm. 14.1 15 to grant us whatsoever is needful to the sustenance and preservation of our life, and that all our doings may be to his glory, and the profit of our neighbours. In the fift we pray h. Psal. 51.9 1. john. 2.12 and. 18.35 Math. 5.45 for the forgiveness of our sins & the punishment thereof, for his mercies sake, even as we shall pardon others their offences done to us, without bearing malice or hatred towards them. In the last we pray that God i. Ephes. 6.10 Rom. 16.20 would guide us with his spirit, that we may get the victory over Satan, sin, and hell, & be defended from all evil. After we conclude with these words: For thine is the kingdom. etc. to set forth our desire to his glory, his honour, & praise, whose power is also infinite, and therefore he can grant our requests. k. Rom. 11.36 Act. 4.9.11 Psal. 114.7 1. Chro. 29 10. We end with this word, Amen, both desiring that what we have asked, may be fulfilled, and also assuring ourselves, that our requests shall be fulfilled accordingly as they be agreeing to the will of God. Question. Is there any help for thee, to pray more devoutly? Answer. Yea truly, a 1. Pet. 5.11 Acts. 13.3 fasting is a special preparative to the same▪ Question. What is a Christian fast? Answer. It is not only an a. Esay. 58.3 joel. 2.12. Psal. 35.13 Zachar. 7.5 abstinence from meats, and drinks, to chastise my body, but also from sin and the delights thereof, which hurt the soul, to the end through true repentance, faith, Godly prayer, and renouncing of evil, the Spirit may have dominion in me. Question. What is the right use of fasting? Answer. a. 1. Cor. 9.27 First to chastise my body, and to bring it into subjection to the spirit. b. joel. 2.12 Secondly, to be a witness of my true repentance and submission to the will of God. c. Math. 26.41 Thirdly, that my spirit may be more ready to prayer. Question. Is there any abuse in the exercise of fasting? Answer. Yea, many, a. Esay. 58.3 Zachar. 7.5 first to fast longer than the body may endure, and after to far deliciously. Secondly, b. Colos. 2.16 Galat. 4.10 1. Tim. 4.3 to put holiness in fasting one day more than another, or in abstaining from one meat more than from an other. Thirdly, c. Esay. 58.3 Rom. 3.24 to think by fasting to purchase forgiveness of sins, whereas the same cometh only of the free mercy of God in Christ, without any man's worthiness or deserving. Last of all, in abstaining from meats, not to d. Galat. 5.24 Titus. 2.12 abstain from sins, and all things which cause or nourish the same: for since the life of man aught to be a meditation of godliness, this aught to be the endeavour of the faithful, to live godly, soberly, and righteously in this world, waiting for the blessed appearance of jesus Christ their only saviour and redeemer. To whom with the father, and the holy Ghost, three distinct persons, and one eternal God, be all laud and praise, for ever. Amen. FINIS. ¶ Imprinted at London, nigh unto the three Cranes in the Vintree, by Thomas Dawson, and Thomas Gardyner. printer's or publisher's device T. D. T. G.