THE Sweet Milk Of CHRISTIAN Doctrine: In a plain and natural Method, by Question and Answer, for their better understanding, for whom it is chief written. 1. PET. 2.2. As new borne Babes desire the sincere milk of the Word, that you may grow thereby. LONDON, Printed by George Purslowe, for john Hodges. 1617. To my Well-beloved friends and Neighbours, the inhabitants and people of Leigh, in Essex; grace, mercy and peace be multiplied, from God the Father, through our Lord JESUS CHRIST. (**) AS there is not any one thing, whereof he, that is in hand to build any great and magnificent building, should be more careful, then that he do lay the foundation thereof firm and sure; otherwise, he shall not only lose his cost and travel spent about it, but also endanger his life in it, by the unexpected tumbling of it down upon his head: so likewise, that Christian, who would so build up and rear the great and lusty frame of the work of his salvation, that he may not in the end both lose his labour and charges, and also himself be crushed under it, and utterly perish by the dreadful fall thereof; as it befell to him, who built his house upon the sand: Math. 7.27 hath need to look to lay the foundation thereof certain, sure, and proportionable in the undeceivable and steady principles & grounds of Christianity; which do virtually comprehend and sustain the huge and weighty burden of the whole building of religion, wherein he doth repose himself. Which grounds, though they lie low in the building, are not therefore the more to be neglected or despised of any, but rather the more to be regarded and carefully preserved, for the necessary use and abundant profit, which thence doth arise to a sound Christian: for this foundation being once well laid and continued, it is a strong fortress against error and heresy: for though a man be not so expert in the Scripture, as to know the true and natural meaning of all the texts thereof, yet may he boidly reject that doctrine, 2. joh. 10 which doth not proportionably agree with the frame and analogy of faith, Rom. 12.6 summarily comprised in the grounds of religion for the simple truth coming all from the same Spirit, cannot be contradictory to itself. Again, by the knowledge of the principles of religion, a good Christian may be both an understanding and judicious Reader and hearer of the word: for there is not any truth delivered concerning our salvation, which he may not plainly see both to arise from, and agree with some of the grounds and principles of religion, whereunto he may refer it: for the truth is uniform. Finally, a man furnished with the sound understanding of these grounds, 1. Pet. 3.15. 2. Tim. 2.2 is able to render a good and sufficient reason of his faith; and to inform and establish others in the same things, not confusedly only in some good notes here and there scatteringly gathered, but orderly and with judgement in the whole frame of Christian Religion, briefly compact in one entire body. Further, that these Principles of Religion should be set down by way of Question and Answer, it is without question the most profitable way for the simpler sort of people; the which course of catechizing, is both largely commended by the learned, and straightly urged by authority, of which kind of teaching there be models and methods almost infinite: which in my judgement is not to be blamed as a vice, but rather commended as a virtue; when they do all agree in the same substance of truth, though differ in the manner of contriving and handling thereof, according to the variety and multiplicity of the gifts of God's Spirit: 1. Cor. 12.4. for thereby a more irrefragable testimony is publicly given to the truth, when all writings apert, and after several manners, do all agree in one and the same verity. And whereas the disposition, manners, and opinions of several people, in several places and ages do differ; for the rectifying thereof, these several and differing forms and methods of teaching are well (by God's providence) fitted. Now, seeing that after that Catechifme set down in the book of Common prayer, whereby children are prepared for confirmation, we are not by authority tied only to use all any one certain form of Catechism, for the edification of them of riper years: therefore taking the benefit of that common liberty, for the further building up of that part of God's Church committed to my charge, I do by the long and earnest importunity of many of you (my loving friends, to whom I am not only willing cheerfully to impart my travels, 1. Thes. 2.8 but even also mine own self for your good) suffer this brief and plain draight to be wrung from me, to come abroad amongst multitudes of the same nature: not hereby to find fault with, or disparaged any of them, but that thereby with my greater ease I may the better benefit and help you, both by catechizing and preaching: for when both catechizing and preaching come framed out of the same mould, the one orderly agreeing with the other; the one doth both confirm and illustrate the other to the hearers: as when the foundation and walls of a house are both of one proportion, it is most strong and sightly: and also the Church being by this little public taste satisfied and contented touching the same doctrine, Gal. 2.9 which you are ordinarily taught in private, her approbation and allowance thereof, may be a strong motive to cause you the more to regard it: for my part, I have no greater joy than that you walk in the truth. 3. joh. 4 Take this as a forerunner and pledge of a larger Treatise, which some of you have much expected, to wit, the body of practical and case divinity, which longer time, by further experience and study, must first better perfect and polish. In this method, I have sought to be both short and plain, for to help the memory and understanding of the meanest amongst us; the proofs I have quoted with the Answers, the words whereof I pray you to search, for the benefit both of yourselves and families: that your faith being built, not upon man's word but Gods, 2. Tim. 1.12. it may remain sure, knowing whom you have believed. And so I pray you, my good friends, give all diligence to make your calling and election sure, 2. Peter 1.10, 5 by adding unto your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge temperance, to temperance patience, to patience godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, to brotherly kindness love: and so being careful that both you and yours be fearers of the Lord, Psal. 115.11, 12, 13, 14. you may be assuredly persuaded that God will be your help and shield, he will bless you both great and small, the Lord will increase you more & more, you and your children, as he hath done your virtuous forefathers in this place, who have proved it true, that Godliness is great gain. 1. Tim. 6.6 Now the very God of peace sanctify you throughout; and I pray God your whole spirit, and soul, 1. Thes. 5.23. and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord jesus Christ. AMEN. Your loving and careful Minister and Pastor, JOHN SYME. A PRAYER. We do humbly thank thee, (O Lord our God and heavenly Father) for thy manifold and gracious mercies continually bestowed upon us, for the good both of our souls and bodies; whereof we do humbly confess ourselves to be most unworthy, in regard of our unthankfulness, and manifold and grievous sins, whereby we do always offend thy sacred Majesty, and vex thy holy Spirit: but thou (O Lord) who art the infinite fountain of mercy, have pity and compassion upon us, poor sinners, to illuminate the blind eyes of our minds, that we may see our sins and wretched estate; so soften our flinty & hard hearts, that we may therefore relent and melt before thee, under the sense and feeling of the grievousness of the same: and so to frame our affections, that we may ever loath and abhor them. And gracious Father of heaven, forgive and pardon unto us our sins, save and deliver us from this our miserable condition, through the only merit and mediation of thy Son, our Saviour JESUS CHRIST: And grant unto us a true and saving faith to believe in him, that we may thereby be grafted into him, and may be by his blood washed from all our sins, and clothed with his righteousness, that so we may have in our consciences the sweet testimony and assurance of thy love and favour in him: and give unto us thy holy Spirit, whereby in the virtue of Christ jesus, we may grow up in newness of life, that we may thereby glorify thee. For this purpose, Lord, bless unto us all good means, that we may know thy will, that we may remember it, that we may love it, and delight in it, and give us grace so to express the power of it in our lives, in all godly wisdom and discretion, that we may ever keep the faith and a good conscience to the end. Lord preserve and keep us from all dangers of soul and body; provide and bless for us all things needful, and grant us comfortably to be contented therewith. Lord fit us for our callings, make us faithful in them, and bless our travels and labours therein: Give us grace ever to have our conversation with thee in heaven, for the which Lord keep us and prepare us, and bring us thereunto in thy good time, that so we may reign with thee for ever in happiness; through jesus Christ our Lord and only Saviour: To whom with thee and thy holy Spirit be all honour, glory and praise, for ever and ever, AMEN. THE SWEET milk of Christian doctrine; in a plain and natural method; by Question and Answer. Question. WHat is the chief and principal end of our being, and of the whole course of our lives, whereat we ought always to aim, in every thing which we do or undertake? Answer, That we may glorify God, 1. Cor. 10 31. Eph. 1.6. Phil. 2.12 and work out our salvation in fear and trembling. Q. What sure light, and unfallible rule are we to observe and follow, for our certain direction and guide, in our choice and use of that course & means, whereby we may verily attain and come to that our intended purpose and end? A. The divine and sacred word of God only, 2. Pet. 1.19 2. Tim. 3.15, 16, 17. contained in the holy Scripture of the old and new Testament; containing perfectly and plainly all things needful to make the man of God perfect. Q. What things are necessary for us, that we may thereby indeed glorify God, and work out our own salvation? A. Sound knowledge and holy obedience. joh. 13.17 Q. What things are we principally to know? A. God, joh. 17.3 2. Cor. 13.5. john 1.18 and ourselves. Q. How are we to know God? A. As he hath revealed himself unto us. Q. How hath he revealed himself unto us? A. He hath revealed himself unto us; Rom. 1.19 20. john 5.39 Heb. 1.3 joh. 14.9 first, by his works: secondly, by his word: thirdly, in his Son our Saviour, jesus Christ. Q. What is God? A. He is a Spirit, joh. 4.24 1. Tim. 6.16. Rom. 11.35. job. 11.7 Exo. 34.6 infinite, having his being of himself, in whom is infinite perfection and happiness, and from whom all things do flow and proceed, and in him and for him have their being: he is one in essence, three in persons; jam. 1.17 Rom. 11.36 Mat. 10.29 1. Tim. 2.5 1. john 5.7 1. Cor. 15.47. Father, Son, and holy Ghost. Q. How are we to know ourselves? A. We are to know ourselves, both as we be of our own natures, and also as we be by the special saving grace of God. Q. How are we to know ourselves as we be of our own natures? A. We are to know ourselves, Eccles. 7.29. as we be of our own natures, both as we were by nature, uncorrupt in the estate of innocency, and as we are by nature, corrupt in the estate of misery. Q. What were we by nature uncorrupt in the estate of innocency? A. In the estate of innocency or nature uncorrupt, we were created by God male & female, consisting of soul and body, in Adam and Eve perfect, according to the Image of God in wisdom, righteousness, and true holiness; enjoying all things needful for our happiness in that estate: Gen. 2.7 Eccl. 7.29 Gen. 1.27 Col. 3.10 Eph. 4.24 Psal. 8.4. in which condition we were able always so to have continued, but changeable according to our own mutable free-will, either to stand or fall, as we should choose. Q. What are we now by nature corrupt in the estate of misery? A. We are the children of wrath and disobedience, cast out of God's favour and protection, through our transgression in our first parents Adam and Eve; who did, Ephes. 2.3 Esay 59.2 Rom. 5.18, 19 Gen. 3.6 Rom. 2.5. contrary to God's command, eat of the forbidden fruit, at the devils persuasion: which miserable condition we have ever since, by our personal and actual sins confirmed and augmented. Q. What things do make us, in this corrupt estate, to be so miserable? A. Our sin, Esay 6.5 Pro. 11.21 Rom. 5.12 and the punishment of our sin. Q. What is sin? A. Sin is the transgression of the Law of God. Q. Which be the parts of sin? A. The corruption and guilt thereof, Q. What kinds of sin are we defiled with and guilty of? A. We are both defiled with, 1. joh. 3.4 Rom. 5.14 Rom. 3.23 and guilty of Original and Actual sin. Q. What is Original sin? A. Original sin, is the common sin of our nature corrupt, which we have from our first conception, in and through our sinful Parents, by natural propagation and descent; which consisteth first, Psal. 51.5 Rom. 5.19 job. 14.4 Rom. 3.10, 11, 12. Gen. 8.21. Gen. 6.5. in the guilt of the our rebellious act in Adam: secondly in corruption thence lineally derived, in full want of all saving grace, & depravation of all the faculties and powers of soul & body, and proneness of the same to all evil continually. Q. What is actual sin? A. Actual sin is our own personal transgression, continually issuing out of the living spring of our original sin; jam. 1.14 Mat. 15.19 Rom. 1.32. Luk. 12.47. 1. Cor. 13.3 and doth consist in doing that which is forbidden; and in omitting, or doing amiss what is commanded. Q. What is the reward and punishment due to us for these our sins? A. The certain wages due to us for our sins, Ephe. 5.9. Isay 59.2 Rom. 1.24 Heb. 3.11 Deu. 28.15 Tit. 1.15 Rom. 2.8. reve. 21.8 Mat 25.41 Reu. 18.6. is to be forsaken & given over of God; to be utterly deprived of grace and happiness: and to be wholly in every respect subject to the vengeance and curse of God, both in this life present, & also in the life to come, to the suffering both of the first & second death, in manner and measure, according to the number and nature of our sins. Q. What use ought we to make of the knowledge of this our miserable estate? A. We ought by the knowledge thereof first, to rouse up ourselves out of our carnal security, and thoroughly to have our hearts affected with deep humility and contrition, in detestation and loathing of ourselves in this wretched condition: secondly, Ephe. 5.14 Isa. 66.2 Rom. 7.24 Acts 2.37 job. 42.6 to stir up ourselves most earnestly to endeavour how we may be delivered out of this estate, and be brought into the special grace and favour of God again. Q. What are we by the special saving grace of God? A. We are the children of God, and heirs of heaven, by the free mercy of God, Rom. 8.16, 17. Ephe. 1.5. 2. Tim. 1.9 1. Pet. 2.9 Rom. 5.20. 2. Cor. 4.6. chosen and called out of our estate of misery, into the estate of grace and favour of God; so made now (by the infinite mercy of God bringing good out of evil) more happy than ever we were before. Q. By whom are we brought into this so gracious an estate? A. By our Lord and Saviour jesus Christ only. Gal. 1.4. Ephe. 1.11 Q. What things chief are we to know, touching jesus Christ? A. We are to know his Person and his Office. joh. 17.3 Phillip 3.8 1. Cor. 2.2. Q. What manner of person is jesus Christ? A. He is God the Son, the second person of the Trinity, become man for us by an unseparable and unfused union of his divine and human natures, Rom. 9.5 Mat. 2.17 joh. 1.14 and properties, and so is both God and man in one person. Q. Why was it needful that jesus Christ should be man? A. It was needful that jesus Christ should be man, Heb. 10.5 first that he might have a body of the same nature that had sinned, to offer up in satisfaction for sin. Secondly, Col. 1.21.22. that in that body he might do, and suffer all things needful for our redemption. Thirdly, that we may lawfully claim, 1. Cor. 1.30. joh. 1.12. and apprehend the benefit of all his merits done in that body, which he hath common with us in nature, as personally our own. Q. Why is it needful that our Saviour should be God? A. It is needful that our Saviour should be God, first, that he might be able to overcome the powerful enemies, Col. 2.15 & fully finish the great work of our salvation. Secondly, that the personal union of the God head with his humanity might so dignify the same, that it might be a sufficient and worthy sacrifice for all our sins, and make all the actions and sufferings of that person who is God, Heb. 7.26 28. Act 20 28.2. Cor. 5.19. joh. 6.63 to be of infinite desert and value. Thirdly, that he may ever by his eternal Spirit communicate and apply himself and his graces unto us; that they may truly be counted ours indeed. Rom. 8.15 Q. What is the office of our Saviour jesus Christ? A. The office of our Saviour jesns Christ is to be the redeemer and head of us poor sinners, 1. Tim. 1.15 Acts 4.12 Col. 1.18 his Elect and chosen people; his Church. Q. What duties doth our Saviour Christ perform for the due executing of that his office? A. He doth execute the duty, Heb. 1.1. Luke 1.73 first of a Prophet teaching us in his truth. Secondly, Heb. 4.14 the duty of a Priest, by the sacrifice of himself reconciling us unto his Father. Thirdly, Mat. 2.2. Psalm 2. the duty of a King, by ruling and defending of us, by the power of his might and Spirit. Q. How may our knowledge of these and all other good things be profitable unto us? A. By adding unto our knowledge holy obedience. joh. 13.17 Q. Wherein doth this holy obedience consist? A. It doth stand in a voluntary yielding and giving up of ourselves to be ordered in all things by Gods holy will, Mat. 6.10. Gal. 1.16. without further reasoning with flesh and blood. Q. What kinds of obedience are we to perform? A. We are to perform both active obedience by our doing of his will, Act. 10.35 1. Pet. 2.20 and also passive obedience, by suffering his will to be done upon us. Q. Which be the kinds of our active obedience, which we are to perform? A. Our active is both evangelical, commanded in the Gospel for us to do, for the attaining of Grace, which we want: joh. 3.18 joh. 6.40. jam. 2.8. And also Legal, commanded in the Law, which we are to do, that we may manifest, and continue in us, the Grace of God received. Q. Which be the parts of evangelical, or the obedience of the Gospel? A. Faith and Repentance. Mark. 1.15 Mat. 3.2 Q. What is true saving faith? A. It is a true knowing, sincere approving, joh. 6.69 Phil. 1.10. Heb. 10.22 Acts 4.12. and certain relying upon the gracious promises of GOD in jesus Christ only, for salvation and happiness. Q. Where is the sum of that doctrine briefly contained, which we are necessarily to believe? A. In the creed, commonly called the Apostles Creeds. Q. How many Articles doth that Creed consist of? A. It consisteth of twelve Articles, according to the number of the apostles, the supposed makers thereof. Q. What is the subject matter of the contents of them Articles? A. It is first of God the Father; in these words: I believe in God the Father Almighty, etc. Secondly, of the Son; beginning at these words, and in jesus Christ his only begotten Son, etc. Thirdly, of the holy Ghost, in these words: I believe in the holy Ghost. Fourthly, of the Church, beginning at these words: the holy Catholic Church, etc. to the end. Q. By what notes may a man certainly know, that he hath true saving faith? A. A man may know that he hath true faith: Mark 9.24 first, by the habit and internal act thereof, by believing, knowing himself to believe. Secondly, by the inward testimony of God's Spirit to our spirits, according to the outward testimony of his word. Rom. 8.16 Thirdly, by the inward sincere disposition and affection of our hearts to goodness, and against evil. Psal. 139.21, 22. Fourthly, by the good fruits of our faith, in a conscionable practice of all holy duties, in the whole course of our lives. jam. 2.17, 18. Q. What benefit and use are we to make of this saving faith? A. We are thereby, by believing in our Saviour jesus Christ, to live in the happy estate of regeneration in righteousness. Rom. 1.17 Gal. 3.11 Q. Which is that righteousness wherein we are to live by faith? A. It is the righteousness both of justification and sanctification. Rom. 4.5 Tit. 2.12. Q. Wherein doth the righteousness of justification consist? A. It doth consist in the forgiveness of our sins, Rom. 4.7, 8. 1. Cor. 1.30 Phil. 3.9 and in the imputation of Christ's righteousness. Q. Wherein doth the righteousness of sanctification consist? A. It consisteth in the renewing of us, in all our actions, dispositions, faculties, and powers of soul and body, Col. 3.10. 1. Thes. 5.23. Rom. 8.2 sincerely in some measure, by the virtue of the holy Spirit, in the death and resurrection of our Saviour jesus Christ powerfully working in us. Rom. 6.4, 5.6. Eph. 4.22.23.24. Q. What is true repentance, which is the second part of the obedience of the Gospel? A. It is a true change of the whole man from all his former wicked disposition, jer. 31.19 2. Tim. 2.25. 2. Cor. 7.10. Acts 2.37. 1. joh. 1.9. Ezek. 18.27.28. Jude 23. Esay 59.2. purposes and sins, with godly sorrow of heart for them, confessing and forsaking them with unreconcilable hatred of them, especially for that they are offensive to our gracious God, and do make division between him and us. Q. What is our Legal obedience commanded in the Law? Iam. 2.8.10 Exod. 20. Psa. 34.14 1. The. 2.12 A. It is the conscionable performance of all that which we are commanded by the Moral Law of God, briefly comprised in the ten Commandments, the perfect rule of our sanctification; whereby carefully avoiding all evil forbidden, and doing all duties commanded, we manifest and retain in faith and love the grace and virtues of God received. Q. Into how many tables is this Law of the ten Commandments divided? A. Into two. Exod. 34.1 Q. What things doth the first Table contain? A. Our duty to God, in the first four Commandments, Thou shalt have no other Gods before me. Mat. 22.38 Q. What is the brief sum of all our duty to God? A. The sum of our duty to the Lord our God is, that we love him with all our heart, with all our soul, Mat. 22.37 and with all our mind. Q. What things doth the second Table contain? A. It doth coutaine our duty to our neighbour in the six last Commandments, Honour thy Father and Mother. Thou shalt not kill, etc. Q. What is the brief sum of our duty to our neighbour? A. That we do love him as ourselves. Mat. 22.39 Q. After what manner should we do all these duties commanded in the Moral Law? A. We are to labour to do them in number, jam. 2.10 Mat. 5.48. Rom. 14.23 and every one of them in degree of perfection of faith, and love, in obedience to God, and care of his glory. Q. Having hitherto spoken of active obedience, what is now our passive obedience, which we are likewise to perform? A. It is a patiented and cheerful yielding of ourselves, Rom. 5.3. jam. 1.2 Psal. 39.9 1. Pet. 2.20 Heb. 12.5, 6, 7.11. 2. Cor. 1.8 1. Pet. 3.14, 17. 2. Tim. 3.12. without discontent and murmuring to endure and make good use of whatsoever afflictions it shall please God for his glory, and our trial or chastisement to lay upon us; either immediately by himself, or mediately by any other means, how great or unjust and injurious soever it may seem to us. Q. Touching this course of our Christian obedience, what dangers are we especially to take heed of? A. We should most carefully take heed, that after we that have begun in this course, we do not either again, by the deceitfulness of our own hearts, and temptations of sin, the devil, and the world, make apostasy and fall away to sin: 2. Pet. 2.20, 21, 22. jer. 17.9. 2. Tim. 3.7. or else, through our natural security and sloth, not grow up and go forward towards perfection, in that course of obedience and grace. Q. By what means then may we both stand firm, and grow up in the estate of grace and obedience? A. By the conscionable and continual use and help of the word of God, the Sacraments, prayer and discipline. Q. How are we to use the Word of God, that we may thereby both be kept and built up? 1. Tim. 4.13. Heb. 2.11 Deut. 6.7 Psal. 1.2 jam. 1.22. Isay 66.2 2. King. 22.19. Herald 4.2 2. The. 2.10 A. We are duly to read it, hear it, confer of it, and to meditate upon it, with a reverent and conscionable regard thereof, in believing and embracing the same in love and obedience. Q. How do the Sacraments stay and strengthen us in this gracious estate? A. They do it by a more sensible, affectual and particular signifying, applying and sealing up unto us, by convenient and fit visible and earthly elements, Rom. 4.11 our Saviour jesus Christ with his benefits, thereby represented and offered, by his own ordinance in the due administration thereof; than it can be done by the word alone. Q. What things do make a Sacrament to be really a Sacrament? A. The words of the institution, and the consecrated elements, 1. Cor. 11.23, 24. conjoined in the administration of a Sacrament, do make it to be indeed a Sacrament. Q. Which are the substantial parts of every Sacrament, which we are to receive? A. They are the earthly visible elements, the signs and seals: and jesus Christ with his graces signify invisibly and spiritually offered and sealed up unto us. 1. Cor. 10.16. Q. Which be these Sacraments? A. They are Baptism and the Supper of the Lord. Mat. 28.19. Mat. 26.26. Q. What is Baptism? A. It is the Sacrament of our regeneration or newbirth, in the due administration thereof representing, offering, and sealing up unto us, by the outward washing of water purifying the body, the spiritual purifying of the whole man by jesus Christ, Tit. 3.5 1. Pet. 3.21 Heb. 10.22 & his blood shed for us, & sprinkled upon our consciences by faith. Q. What is the Supper of our Lord? A. It is the Sacrament of our spiritual nourishment, in the lawful administration thereof, representing, offering, and sealing up unto us, by the eating and drinking of bread and wine, which doth nourish us to live this temporary natural life, jesus Christ by virtue & merst of his body and his blood broken, joh. 6.53 1. Cor. 11.26. shed, and given for us, and by faith received of us, nourishing us to live a spiritual and eternal life. Q. How are we to prepare ourselves before we come to receive this Sacrament of the Lords Supper? A. We are first to examine and try ourselves, that we may see our great and manifold wants both in knowledge and obedience, and in the conscience thereof to humble and purge ourselves by hearty repentance. Secondly, we are to whet our stomach and affections by prayer and meditation, that we may come to that spiritual feast with an ardent desire and hungry appetite after the graces there offered, 1. Cor. ●●. 28. Mat. 5.6. whereof we stand so in need. Q. What must we be most careful of in the very act of our receiving? A. We must be careful that we do receive worthily. 1. Cor. 11.27. Q. How may we receive worthily? A. That we may receive worthily, we must first receive the outward elements of bread, and with due reverence and respect of the Lords body and blood, 1. Cor. 11.29. whereof they are Sacraments. Secondly, we must in the same instant act of receiving the elements, lift up our hearts, by a lively saith to apprehend and lay hold upon Christ and his blessings, then and there verily offered unto us with the signs thereof. Q. What must we be careful of after that we have received? A. After that we have received, Mat. 26.30 we should first with fresh cheerfulness be truly thankful to God for his blessings there given to and received of us. Secondly, we should by the virtue of them be strengthened to continue firmly, and to proceed constantly in the ways and conrse of godliness. Q. How may we be upheld and carried on in the course of grace and goodness by Prayer? A. By having, jam. 5.16 jam. 1.5 1. Tim. 4.5. by fervent, faithful, and effectual prayer, all needful graces bestowed upon us, and blessed unto us from God, according to his word. Q. How should we come prepared to pray? A. With hearty and feeling affection of what we are to pray for; and with faith, that we shall be therein heard of God. Q. After what form and manner should we pray? A. We should pray according as our Saviour Christ himself hath taught us in that form of prayer, Mat. 6.9 called the Lords Prayer. Q. What things are we thereby to pray for? A. We are to pray first, for such things as do immediately concern the glory of God; Mat. 6.9, 10 contained in the first three Petitions of that Prayer. Sercondly, for such things as do immediately concern our own good, temporal and eternal; contained in the last three Petitions of that Prayer: Mat. 6.11, 12, 13. Give us this day our daily bread, etc. Q. How should we behave ourselves before God in our Prayers? A. With attention, reverence, jam. 5.16 and zeal. Q. How may we be kept and built up in the estate of grace and obedience, by the exercise of discipline? A. By having, by the lawful and conscionable execution thereof, 1. Cor. 5.5 1. Tim. 5.20. our sins redressed or prevented; and our virtue maintained and cherished. Q. What things should we principally be careful of, in the ordinary use of these means of the Word, the Sacraments, Prayer, and Discipline? A. We should be most careful in the ordinary use of them, that we do not use them only customarily, but conscionably: Luk. 8.18. and that we do not put our confidence and rest in the only very dse of them; but in God, who giveth the blessing by them. 1. Cor. 3.7. Q. What profit shall we have by a constant presevering in this estate and course unto the end? A. We shall thereby certainly bring glory to God, joh. 15.8 1. Tim. 4.8. and to ourselves eternal salvation and happiness.