THE SUM OF CHRISTIAN RELIGION: Showing the undoubted Truth, holy Practice, and heavenly Comfort therein contained. With certain necessary PRAYERS. By Samuel Browne, Preacher of God's Word, at S. Mary's in Shrewsbury. 1. COR. 14. 3. He that prophesieth, speaketh unto men to edification, exhortation, and comfort. LONDON, Printed by Richard Badger, for Philemon Stephens and Christopher Meredith, and are to be sold at the golden Lion in Paul's Churchyard, 1630. The Sum of Christian RELIGION. Question. WHerein standeth a man's true happiness? Answer. In the recovery of God's favour by Christ, which we lost by the fall of Adam and Eve, our first parents. Q. What was their estate by creation? A. They were created after the image of God, in wisdom, holiness, and righteousness, Gen. 1. 26. Col. 3. 10. Ephes. 4. 24. They enjoyed the pleasures of Paradise, and the plenty of the world, without any grief of mind, or pain of body: They were free from death, so long as they were free from sin. Q. How sinned they? A. The devil in the serpent enticed the woman, and she the man, to eat of the fruit forbidden upon pain of death, joh. 8. 44. Genes. 3. 1. Q. Was the eating of that fruit a great and heinous sin? A. Yea, in many respects; for our parents believed not Gods threatening, and so made him a liar, 1. joh. 5. 10. They trusted not in his goodness, but esteemed him envious, as one that withheld good things from them; but the devil was believed, and esteemed a kind friend. They shown devilish pride, and vile ingratitude. They became rebels against their gracious God. Q. What hurt receive we by this their fall? A. Hereby all mankind is defiled with sin, original and actual, and therefore is under the wrath and curse of God, Ro. 5. 12. Q. What is original sin? A. The sin of Adam justly imputed to us all, Rom. 5. 19 Heb. 7. 10. together with the corruption of our nature thence ensuing. For by Adam's fall, man's mind is darkened, his will is become rebellious, his affections worldly, or brutish or devilish, his conscience hard or erroneous, and his whole nature infected, as it were with poison, Genes. 5. 3. and 6. 5. Ephes. 4. 17, 18. Q. How doth this appear? A. Because every natural man is void of the true knowledge of God, and of himself, and of the way of true happiness. He is full of error, jerem. 10. 14. 1. Corinth. 2. 14. He hath no power, nor true desire to repent, to believe, or to obey, 2. Corinth. 3. 5. He is prone to all evil, unapt to any good, under the power and strong chains of sin, and the bondage of the devil, Ephes. 2. 1, 2. Tit. 3. 3. Q. What is actual sin? A. The actual transgression of any of God's Commandments, 1. joh. 3. 4. Q. What punishments are due to man for sin, original and actual? A. 1. All corporal punishments, as war, famine, pestilence, and other diseases, and all bodily torments, inflicted by God or man, Deut. 28. 2. All spiritual punishments, as to be given over of God, to our own blindness and hardness of heart, and to the seducement of the devil and his instruments, Exod. 7. 3. Rom. 1. 24, 26. 2 Thessalon. 2. 9, 10, 11. 3. Besides these temporal punishments, the endless and intolerable torments of hell, are the due desert of our sins, Genes. 2. 17. Rom. 6. 23. Ephes. 5. 6. Q. How may we be delivered from this horrible estate into which we are fallen, and recover God's favour, and that blessed estate from whence we are fallen? A. God's love and favour may be recovered by his Son jesus Christ, if being rightly prepared we come unto him, Matth. 11. 28. Q. How may we be rightly prepared to come unto Christ? A. God's Law contained in the Ten Commandments, must be our Schoolmaster; it will bring us unto Christ, if we rightly un-tderstand it, and make use of it, Rom. 3. 20. Gal. 2. 19 Gal. 3. 24. Q. How may we rightly understand these Commandments? A. By observing two things: First, that every Commandment doth command things good, and forbidden things evil, Psal. 34. 14. Secondly, that every commandment doth forbidden not only gross sins, but also those which the world accounteth small sins, or no sins at all, Math. 5. 19 Ephes. 5. 4. 1. Thess. 5. 22. jude v. 23. Q. How are the Commandments to be divided? A. Into two Tables: The first containing man's duty towards God; the second his duty towards his neighbour. Q. Which is the first Commandment? A. Thou shalt have none other Gods but me. Q. What is here commanded, and what forbidden? A. This first Commandment containeth all inward duties of the heart towards God: As to know him, and choose him, to love and to fear him above all, to trust in him, to pray to him faithfully, to give him thanks sincerely Mark 12. 30. 1 Sam. 12. 24. Psal. 50. 14, 15. Hear we are not only forbidden to be atheists. Psal. 14. 1. Tit. 1. 16. to have the gods of the Heathen for our God, jer. 2. 11, 12. or to seek help and comfort from the devil, by witchcraft and sorcery, Levit. 19 31. but the least withdrawing of our hearts from God is here forbidden, 1 Chr. 22. 5. 2 King. 20. 13. jer. 17. 5. and the setting of our hearts on riches, pleasures, and vainglory, 1 joh. 2. 15, 16. Eph. 5. 5. 2 Tim. 3. 4. all wandering thoughts at the time of prayer, preaching, and other holy exercises, Eccles. 4. 17. Esay 29. 13. jam. 5. 16. Also to fear man more than God; as all they do that commit those sins secretly, which they will not commit openly, job 24. 15. So every passion of wicked grief, or desire, or joy being against the love of God, is against this Commandment, Matt. 2. 3. Nehem. 2. 10. Genes. 27. 41. jud. 18. 20. Luke. 22. 5. Q. Then belike they deceive themselves, that think this Commandment easy to be kept, and that they can and do keep it. A. Doubtless they are greatly deceived, for this Commandment is ofter broken than any other, and whichsoever Commandment a man breaketh, he breaketh this withal: for in every sin a man erreth from that love and fear which he oweth to God, Levit. 19 3, 4, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 24, 28, 30, 31, 32, 34, 36, 37. Q. Which is the second Commandment? A. Thou shalt not make to thyself, etc. Here we are taught, how to worship God outwardly; that we do it truly according to his word, and also diligently, and reverently, Deu. 12. 32. joh. 4. 24. Gen. 18. 16, 17. Eccles: 4. 17. God here forbiddeth not only images, but all other false and superstitious worship, with all drowsiness, negligence, and all unreverent behaviour in his service, Math. 15. 9 jerem. 48. 10. Q. Which is the third Commandment? A. Thou shalt not take the Name, etc. Here we are commanded to talk often of God's Majesty, of his Word, and of his works, and that with all reverence, and in our talk to defend truth and virtue, Deutero. 6. 6. Ezra. 8. 22. God here forbiddeth, not only blasphemy, profane swearing, and cursing, but also all foolish and idle talking of his Majesty, and all profane maintaining of sin and error of his word, or of his works, Matth. 5. 34. job 33. 8, 9, 10, 11. job 38. 2. and 39 37, 38. job 42. 3. Ephes. 4. 29. Col. 4. 6. Q. Which is the fourth Commandment? A. Remember that thou keep holy, etc. We are here commanded to bestow God's Sabbath in holy exercises, both public and private; as in hearing, reading, praying, singing, meditating. God here forbiddeth, not only the labours of husbandry, handicrafts, and such like, but also journeys on the Lord's day, paying and also receiving sums of money, following of Law business, making of bargains, idleness, and the choking of heavenly and spiritual delights, by those that on this day specially, give themselves over to carnal pleasures and pastimes, Esay 58. 13. Act. 20. 7. 1 Cor. 16. 2. Reu. 1. 8. Neh. 13. 15. Q. What is the fruit of such profaning of the Sabbath? A. Barbarous and heathenish ignorance, and all manner of wickedness. Q. Which is the fifth Commandment? A. Honour thy father and thy mother, etc. By this Commandment, children, servants, and all inferiors, must honour, that is, love, reverence, and obey, their parents, masters and other superiors: And parents, & masters, are commanded to train up their children, and servants, in godliness; and Magistrates to govern, Ministers to instruct the people, as careful & tender fathers. The contrary sins, greater or less, are here forbidden, Eph. 5. 22, etc. Col. 3. 18, 19, 20. 21, 22. & 4. 1. Rom. 13. 1. 1. Pet 2. 13, 14. Psalm. 78. 71, 72. Hebr. 13. 17. 1 Pet. 5. 1, 2, 3. Q. Which is the sixth Commandment? A. Thou shalt do no murder. We are here commanded, to perform all works of mercy towards our neighbour, both for body and soul, Esay 58. 7. 1 Thess. 5. 14. Matth. 25. 35. Not only killing, but also wounding, fight, quarrelling; all malice, all unadvised anger, and all cruelty, in thought, word, or deed, are here forbidden, Matt. 5. 22. 1 Cor. 13. 4, 5, 6. 1 joh 2. 11. and 3. 15. Q. Which is the seventh Commandment? A. Thou shalt not commit adultery. Here all chastity of body and mind is commanded, with a settled and constant resolution, never to defile ourselves, job 31. 1. 1. Cor. 7. 34. 1 Thess. 4. 4. Not only fornication and adultery are here forbidden, but also all wanton desires and purposes, all unchaste speeches, songs, gestures, sporting, and dalliance, with all degrees, allurements, and occasions of wantonness, to the corrupting of ourselves and others, Gen. 38. 14. Gen. 39 7. 2 King. 9 30. Prou. 7. 10, 11, 12. 13. Matt. 5. 28. Mar. 6. 22. 1 Thess. 5. 22. Ephes. 5. 4. Q. Which is the eighth Commandment? A. Thou shalt not steal. We are here commanded to labour with body or mind, for our own maintenance, and the relief of others, Ephesians 4. 28. 2 The. 3. 10. Not only robbing or stealing things of value, but also the fraudulent taking of any, the least thing that is not ours; all false weights and measures, bribery, all deceit in bargaining, all gain with the injury and hurt of our neighbour, and all desires and purposes tending thereto, are here forbidden, Mat. 7. 12. 1 Thess. 4. 6. Q. Which is the tenth Commandment? A. Thou shalt not bear false witness, etc. The preserving of our neighbours good name is here commanded, Proverbs 22. 1. Eccles. 7. 3. Not only false witness-bearing before a Magistrate, but all backbiting, slandering, or listening to slanderers, all hurting of our neighbours good name, all desires & purposes tending thereto, all false reports, false promises, flattery, and all such lies, are here forbidden, Exod. 23. 1. Levit. 19 16. Ephes. 4. 25. Psal. 12. 2, 3. 1 Pet. 2. 1. Q. Which is the tenth Commandment? A. Thou shalt not covet, etc. All purity of the heart towards our neighbour is here commanded. The first motions of sin against our neighbour, even without the consent of the will are here forbidden, Rom. 7. 7. Q. I hear no mention of the sin of drunkenness, doth no commandment forbid this sin? A. Yes, for drunkenness is a cause of many sins, and drunkards sin either directly or by consequence against every Commandment. Q. How sin they against the first, second, third, and fourth Commandments? A. They love pleasures more than God, they neglect the outward service of God, they are commonly great swearers, and Sabbath breakers. Q. How sin they against the Commandments of the second table? A. They disobey parents, masters, Magistrates and Ministers, they often brawl and fight, and sometimes kill or wound; many of them resort to wicked houses, not only for drink, but for whoredom also. They deceive their Creditors, and beggar their own wives and Children. They are railers and slanderers, all concupiscence reigns in them, and they omit all manner of duties to God and their neighbour. Q. But who are drunkards? A. Not only they that reel, or are void of reason, but all riotous and idle tippling Companions, that for love of drink do live in the forenamed sins, or in any of them. Q. Thou saidst, that the Law is a schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, if we can make right use of it. Show me then what use is to be made of these Commandments? A. By these, the wicked are taught to see and discern their own wickedness, in that they do not keep any of God's Laws, nor truly endeavour to keep them, but that they daily and hourly rebel against God, and so are under the power of sin and Satan their master, and in the ready way to be damned for ever with him, Romans 3. 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18. Eph. 2. 1, 2. 2. Cor. 4. 4. 2. Tim. 2. 26. Deut. 27. 26. Q. Yea, but this Doctrine is grievous and uncomfortable. A. So it is to the wicked, but it is wholesome for them if they will receive it; for unfeigned sorrow is the only way to true comfort: If we labour and be heavy laden with our sins, Christ inviteth us to come unto him, wlth promise to ease us, Matthew 11. 28. john 3. 16. 1 Tim. 1. 15. Q. After that we are come unto Christ, is there no more use to be made of these Commandments? A. Yes, for they serve as a rule to the godly, whereby they measure all their actions, yea, their words, and all their inward thoughts and affections, Psal. 18. 21, 22, 23. Psal. 19 11. and 119. 1, 9 and where they find themselves to swerve and decline, though never so little, from this rule, they bewail their infirmity, and stir up their repentance, 2 Sa. 24. 10. Mat. 26. 75. Rom. 7. 22, 23. Q. How doth the Law of God bring a man unto Christ? A. By showing him his misery, that he may sue to Christ for mercy, Matt. 9 12. Q. And what then doth Christ for him? A. He worketh in him true repentance and a lively faith, Q. What is true repentance? A. It is a supernatural change of the heart, and of the thoughts, words and deeds, from infidelity to faith, from disobedience to obedience & from all sins to the contrary virtues, Math. 3. 2. and 4. 17. Rom. 12. 2 Eph. 4. 22. &c Math. 3. 8. Acts 26. 18. A. What is a lively faith? A. A supernatural gift of God, Ephes. 1. 19 20. and 2. 8. Math. 16. 17. whereby a sinner believing Gods promises in Christ, is united with him, joh. 6. 33, 56. joh. 15. 5. Rom. 6. 3, etc. Gal. 2. 20. Eph. 1. 22. 23 Hos. 2. 19 Eph. 5. 30. is justified and sanctfied Gen. 15. 6. Act. 15. 9 and draweth near to God for deliverance from all evil, and the obtaining of all good. Rom. 5. 1. 2 Eph. 3. 12 Heb. 4. 16 and 10. 22. Gen. 15. 1. Q. On whom is this gift bestowed? A. Only upon the elect, Act. 13. 48. Tit. 1. 1. joh. 12. 39, 40. Q. How is faith wrought? A. By God's Word and Spirit. Q. How by the Word? A. God's Word showeth us, whence and how grievously we have fallen, and what means God hath ordained to restore us, Rom. 1. 16. and 10. 17. Q. How by the Spirit? A. The Holy Ghost worketh effectually on them that are to be saved, enlightening their dark minds, softening their hard hearts, causing them clearly to discern, and carefully to regard the things which the word teacheth; to tremble at God's justice, and their own heinous deserts; highly to prize Christ the Redeemer, to esteem all things dross & dung in comparison of him, & never to rest till God by Christ hath received them into favour, Act. 16. 14. jer. 31. 33. Eze. 11. 19 Eph. 2. 1. joh. 6. 44, 45. Deut. 30. 6. Q. In what case are they that hear the Word without this working of the Spirit? A. Seeing they see not, hearing they hear not, they discern not their own filthiness, nor the wrath of God abiding on them; they value Christ beneath their earthly riches and pleasures, Deut. 29. 3, 4. Es. 6. 9 Matt. 13. 13. Matth. 19 22. Mark. 5. 17. Matth. 22. 2. Q. What is their estate in whom God by his Word and Spirit worketh this faith? A. By this faith they receive Christ, they live the life of grace, they are justified, and sanctified, they please God, they are made the children of God, they overcome the world and the devil, and obtain eternal salvation, joh. 1. 12. Hab. 2. 4. Gen. 15. 6. Act. 15. 9 Heb. 11. 5, 6. 1 joh. 5. 4. Ephes. 6. 16. 1 Pet. 1. 9 Q. But many that believe, live wickedly, and are overcome of the world and the devil. A. They have but an historical faith, a dead faith, a faith of devils, which cannot profit them, I am. 2. 14, 19, 26. Q. What are the things which thou dost believe? A. I believe whatsoever is contained in the Scriptures, the chief points whereof are contained in the Articles of the Christian saith. Q. Rehearse those Articles. A. I believe in God the Father Almighty, etc. Q. What learnest thou in general out of these Articles? A. Three things. 1. How to believe rightly. 2. How to live godly. 3. How to cheer up my heart joyfully. Q. First then show me how thou learnest hence to believe rightly: & that thou mayst proceed in order, tell me how these Articles may be divided. A. Into four parts. 1. We are taught what to believe concerning God the Father: 2. Concerning God the Son: 3. Concerning God the Holy Ghost: 4 Concerning Gods Church, and the privileges thereto belonging. Q. Seeing there is but one God, why namest thou Father, Son, and holy Ghost? A. These three several persons are all but one and the same God, Deut. 6. 4. Matth. 3. 16. 2 Cor. 13. 13. 1 joh. 5. 7. Q. What meanest A more exact definition, but obscure, is this. A person is a substance reasonable, incommunicable, whole, and not subsisting in another: Therefore no quality, and nothing void of life or reason, is a person. God or man, or Angel in general is no person. Man's body alone, or his soul alone; or Christ's manhood without his Godhead, is no person. thou by a person? A. One man, as Peter, one Angel, as Gabriel is a person: So in the Godhead, the FATHER is One Person, the SON Another, & the HOLY GHOST Another distinct Person. Q. Which is the first part of the Creed? A. I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth. Q. What meanest thou by this, I believe in God? A. This I mean, God's Spirit assureth me that God loveth me, and will bless me both in this world and in the world to come, Rom. 8. 15, 16. Galat. 2. 20. 2. Tim. 4. 8. 1 Tim. 4. 8. Q. Whose Father is God? A. The Father of Christ, and of all the faithful, joh. 20. 17. Q. What believest thou of this God & Fathers A. That he is a Spirit, joh. 4. 24. infinite in power, and likewise in wisdom, justice, mercy, truth, and every way, Gen. 17. 1. Exo. 3. 14. Exod. 34. 6. job 12. 13. 1 Tim. 1. 17. and 6. 15, 16. Q. How doth this appear? A. In that he made heaven, earth, and all therein, all of nothing, Gen. 1. 1. all very good, Gen. 1. 31. and all for his own glory, Prou. 16. 4. Rom. 11. 33. Q. If God made all good, how is it that devils and men are so wicked? A. God made them good, but by their fall they have made themselves wicked, joh. 8. 44. jude 6. Eccles. 7. 31. Gen. 3. 6. Q. How doth it further appear that God is infinite? A. In that he governeth the world and all things therein by his wonderful providence, Prou. 16. 33. Matt. 10. 29, 30. Q. If God doth govern all by his providence, how is it that the godly oft mourn, and the wicked oft rejoice? A. God will turn the sorrows of the godly into joy, and the joys of the wicked into sorrow, Luke 6. 20. 24. Luke 16. 25. john 16. 20. and in the mean time, the godly do profit by their afflictions, Psal. 119. 67, 71. 2 Cor. 4. 17, 18. Hebr. 12. 11. Q. Rehearse the second part of the Creed. A. And in jesus christ, that is, I believe in jesus Christ his only Son our Lord, etc. Q. What is jesus Christ? A. God Almighty, and man consisting of soul and body. Q. Why must he be God? A. That he might be able of himself to satisfy God's justice for all our sins, to merit heaven for us, to send us the Holy Ghost, to overcome sin, death, Satan, tyrants, and all the mighty enemies of his Church, Psal. 98. 1. Heb. 1. 3. Heb. 7. 25. Act. 20. 28. Q. Why must he be man? A. That he might suffer for man, and that he might pity us, having had experience of our miseries, Heb. 2. 16, 17, 18. and 4. 15. Q. Which Person of the three became man? A. God the Son, the second Person in the Trinity, joh. 1. 14. joh. 3. 16. Q. What doth JESUS signify? A. A Saviour, because he only saveth his people from their sins, Matth. 1. 21. Acts 4. 12. Q. What doth Messiah or Christ signify? A. Anointed, for God by his Spirit anointed Him to be our King to govern us, our Priest to offer up Himself for a Sacrifice, and to make intercession for us, our Prophet to declare God's will unto us, Psal. 2. 2. Luk. 1. 33. Psal. 110. 4. Esa. 61. 1. Deut. 18. 15. That he might make us also kings and priests unto God, and enable us to instruct others in the will of God, Reu. 1. 6. Rom. 15. 14. Q. How is Christ God's only Son, since all the faithful are his children? A. God is the Father of Christ by nature, and our Father by grace, Matth. 16. 16. Heb. 1. 5, 6. 2 Cor. 6. 18. Q. Why addest thou, Our LORD? A. He hath created and redeemed us, he is our best and greatest Master, Psalm. 95. 6, 7. 1 Cor. 8. 5, 6. Rom. 14. 8, 9 1 Cor. 6. 19 Act. 2. 36. Q. What believest thou concerning Christ's conception and birth? A. That he was borne of a mother, without a Father miraculously. Q. Why so? A. That he might not be conceived and borne in sin as we are, Psal. 51. 5. Heb. 4. 15. 1 Pet. 1. 19 Q How dividest thou the Articles that follow concerning Christ? A. They contain partly his humiliation, and partly his exaltation. Q. Rehearse those Articles that contain his humiliation. A. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried, he descended into hell. Q. Did Christ, when he lived upon the earth, live in pomp, riches, ease and pleasures? A. No: but in poverty, labour and persecution, Esay 53. 1, 1. Mat. 8. 20. Heb. 2. 10. Q. What death died he, and how? A. His enemies of malice accused him before Pontius Pilate the judge, who to pleasure them, condemned him to death, even to the bitter, shameful, & cursed death of the Cross, Gal. 3. 13. Phil. 2. 8. Q. Died he willingly or against his will? A. Most willingly, because he knew that God his Father had so decreed, and because his purpose was by his own death to kill sin in us, and save us from eternal death, shame and torment, Romans 6. 6. Heb. 2. 14. 15. Heb. 10. 14. Q. What believest thou concerning his burial and his descending into hell? A. To assure us of his death, his body was buried, and continued till the third day under the dominion of death, that he might deliver us from the-dominion thereof, Heb. 2. 14, 15. Q. Rehearse the Articles that contain Christ's exaltation. A. The third day he rose again from the dead, he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty, from thence shall he come to judge the quick and the dead. Q. What believest thou here? A. That by the power of his Godhead, he raised his dead body to life again the third day, and that, a glorious life, joh. 10. 18. 1 Pet. 3. 18. Matth. 28. 1. Q. Why did he so? A. That he might show the same power on us, by raising our souls now from sin, and our bodies hereafter from the grave, Rom. 1. 4. 1 Cor. 15. 20. Phil. 3. 10. Q. Go on to his Ascension. A. Forty days after his Resurrection, he ascended visibly in soul and body into heaven, Acts 1. Q. Why did he so? A. That we whiles we line, may through his quickening spirit, ascend by heavenly affections, Col. 3. 1, 2. that at our death, our souls may ascend and be with Christ, Phil. 1. 23. Luke 16. 22. Reuel. 14. 13. Luke 23. 43 and that at the last day, we may both in soul and body ascend and live with him for ever, joh. 14. 2. 1 Thess. 4. 17. Q. How doth Christ sit at God's right hand? hath God the Father a right hand and a left, and other parts of a man's body, as many imagine? A. Their imagination is foolish and wicked: for his sitting there doth signify, that the same Christ that was so greatly humbled, is now exalted above all men and Angels, Ephes. 1. 20, 21, 22. Q. What profit have we thereby? A. This, that he can and doth defend us from all enemies, maketh intercession for us, Rom. 8. 31, 34. and sendeth us the Holy Ghost, joh. 16. 7. Acts. 2. 33. and the Ministers of his Word, Matth. 28. 18. 19 20. Ephe. 4. 10. 11. Q. What believest thou concerning his coming to judgement. A. He will come from heaven in glory, with all his holy Angels, and all men shall give account to him, of all their thoughts, words and deeds, Matthew 25. 31. 1 Cor. 4. 5. 2 Cor. 5. 10. Matth. 12. 36. Acts 17. 31. Eccles. 12. 14. Q. Which is the third part of the Belief? A. I believe in the Holy Ghost. Q. What is the Holy Ghost? A. God, the third person in Trinity, Acts 5. 3, 4. proceeding from the Father and the Son joh. 15. 26. Gal. 4. 6. who doth direct, sanctify, and comfort the faithful, joh. 16. 13. Rom. 1. 4. and 8. 9, etc. Gal. 5. 22. joh. 14. 16. Q. Of these three Persons, is any one greater than another, or in time before another? A. No: but they are all equal & coeternal. Q. Rehearse the fourth part of the Belief. A. I believe the holy Catholic Church, etc. Q. What is this holy Catholic Church? A. The whole number of those, whom God, before the world began, decreed to sanctify in this life, and to glorify in the next life, with Christ their Head, Eph. 1. 4, 5. Eph. 5. 25, 26, 27. Q. What hath God decreed of the rest of mankind? A. To let them run on in the course of sin, unto endless damnation, Rom. 9 13, 22. Q. If God hath of old decreed every man's salvation or damnation, than a man elected shall be saved, live he never so wickedly, and areprobate shall be damned, live he never so godly? A. It is a foolish and a wicked thing to imagine that any reprobate can live or die godly, or that God will suffer any of his elect to live and die wickedly. Q. How then conceivest thou of this matter? A. Thus, that God in ordaining the end, ordaineth fit means withal: therefore he decreeth, that the elect, by faith and the fruits thereof, shall obtain salvation; as the reprobate by their infidelity and the fruits thereof, do purchase their own damnation; Esay 38. 5, 21 Matth. 2. 13. Acts 27. 24, 31. Mark. 16. 16. Q. Proceed to the privileges of the Church: what believest thou concerning the Communion of Saints? A. This Church or body of Christ consisteth of many members, all which receive the same spiritual life from their head, and are helpful as fellow members one to another, Eph. 4. 4, 5, 6. 1 Cor. 12. 26. Q. What further believest thou? A. That every Saint hath all his sins forgiven him by the death of Christ, and shall at the last day rise again with his own body, and live for ever with Christ in heaven in perfect happiness, Matth. 25. 34. Q. If it shall be thus only with Saints, what then shall become of the wicked, which are by fare the greater number? A. They also shall rise again, every one of them with his own body, but to this end, to be tormented in hell for ever with the devil and his angels, Matth. 25. 41. Q. Hitherto thou hast showed how this Creed teacheth us to believe rightly: show further how thou art taught by the same to live godly: declare this out of the first part. A. He that truly believeth that God is his Almighty Father, will truly love, fear, obey, and trust in him, Mal. 1. 6. 1 Pet. 1. 14, 17. Matth. 6. 32. 1 Pet. 5. 7. he will resemble his Father in righteousness and true holiness, Ephes. 5. 1. Ephes. 4. 24. he will patiently bear all his corrections, Heb. 12. 5. Q. Declare this in the second part. A. He that believeth that Christ died for him and rose again, by the same power and spirit of Christ, working in him, dieth daily unto sin, and is quickened unto righteousness, Rom. 1. 4. and 6. 3, 4, 5, 6. Phil. 3. 10. Q. Declare this in the third part. A. He that truly believeth in the Holy Ghost, findeth himself to be anointed and sealed by him, and that he hath received him of God as a pledge of his salvation, 2 Cor 1. 21, 22. Ephes. 1. 13, 14. Q. Proceed to the fourth part. A. He that is a member of Christ's mystical body, must and will show by his conversation, that Christ liveth in him; he that is a Saint will love Saints entirely, and help them to his power; he that hath his sins forgiven him, and is washed by the blood of Christ, will not return with the dog to his vomit, and with the sow to wallow in the mire, but will wait earnestly for a glorious Resurrection and Ascension, he will not for the short and imperfect pleasures, riches and honours of this life, lose those perfect and endless joys, which God hath prepared for him in heaven, Phil. 3. 20, 21. Q. Thou saidst that by this Creed thou art taught to cheer up thy heart with joy: declare this in the first part. A. God is my Almighty Father, by this I am more happy than if any earthly king were my father. What riches, what honour, what delight, what other good thing can I want that he seethe expedient for me, Esay 49. 15. Matth. 7. 11. 1 Pet. 5. 7. Luk. 12 32. Rom. 8. 17. his wisdom is my direction, his power is my protection, against the craft and power of all mine enemies. Q. Declare this in the second part. A. Christ died for me, rose again and ascended into heaven for me, and now maketh intercession for me, my SAVIOUR and none other shall be my judge, what need I then fear affliction, or sin, or hell or death? Rom. 8. 31. to 39 Q. Proceed to the third and fourth part. A. All wicked men and devils cannot grieve me, so much as the Holy Ghost can and doth comfort me: I am a member of the Church Christ's mystical body; what sins, what sorrows, what enemies bodily or ghostly can rend me asunder from my Head? Q. Go on to the Communion of Saints and the rest. A. Though I am a sinner, yet am I also a Saint: all Saints on earth pray for me, as I do for them, effectually. All Saints that know my estate, are ready to help and comfort me, as I am to help and comfort them; my sins are washed away by the blood of Christ; I shall rise gloriously, I shall ascend with Christ triumphantly, and with him enjoy for ever those joys which my dull heart cannot now conceive, nor yet the least part of them. Even so, come LORD JESUS. Q. Then thou esteemest this faith of thine, to be an inestimable treasure? A. Yea verily, for without this faith, if I had millions of wealth, I should be most unhappy, and in the way to endless and intolerable shame and torments; but with this faith though poverty, sickness, persecution, and all temporal crosses light upon me, yet have I great cause to rejoice in God, who is my portion for ever. Q. How is this faith of thine preserved and increased? A. By Prayer, by the Sacraments, and by continual meditation in the Word of God. Q. Rehearse the Lords Prayer. A. Our Father which art in heaven, etc. Q. Why is it called the Lords Prayer? A. Because Christ, our Lord and Master, taught it us. Q. What gather we hence? A. Great comfort, in that the Son of God himself hath framed and indicted our petitions for us, and is ever ready to present us and our prayers before God his Father. Q. How may it be fitly divided? A. Into a preface, petitions, & a conclusion. Q. Which is the Preface? A. Our Father which art in Heaven. Q. What learnest thou by this Preface? A. I learn four things: First, that we must pray for others as well as for ourselves, Ephes. 6. 18. 1. Tim. 2. 1. Secondly, that God is a loving Father to the godly, and willing to help them, Esay 49. 15. Psal. 103. 13. Matth. 7. 11. Thirdly, that God is a heavenly and powerful Father, able to help his children, Esa. 51. 12, 13. Psal. 115 3. and therefore we must pray in faith and full assurance to be heard. Fourthly, that we must not pray with profane, carnal, and earthly hearts, but with reverence to God's Majesty, and with heavenly affections, Genes. 28. 16, 17. 1 King. 8. 22. Eccles. 5. 1. joh. 11. 41. Q. How many petitions are there in the Lord's Prayer? A. Six. Q. What desirest thou in the three first petitions? A. Those things which belong immediately to God. Q. What desirest thou in the three last petitions? A. Those things that are needful for ourselves, both for body and soul. Q. Which is the first petition? A. Hallowed be thy Name. Q. What desire we in this petition? A. First, that God may have praise for all his worthiness; as for his power, wisdom, justice, and mercy, Exod. 34. 6, 7. 1 Chron. 29. 10, 11, 12. Reu. 4. 8, 9, 10, 11. Reu. 5. 12, 13. Secondly, that God may have thankes for all his benefits; as for our health and peace, food and raiment, for our election, creation, redemption, vocation, assurance of glorification, and for the comfort of his most holy word, Psal. 103. and 104. Eph. 1. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. 9 Ephes. 5. 20. Q. Which is the second petition? A. Thy Kingdom come. Q. What desire we in this petition? A. First, we desire that God would convert the wicked, Psal. 51. 13. and 67. 2. Matt. 3. 2. and 4. 17. Secondly, that God would increase his graces in the godly, Ephes. 1. 17, 18, 19 Ephes. 3. 16 17, 18, 19 Thirdly, that God would advance his Kingdom, by sending godly Magistrates and Ministers, and specially by Christ's coming to judgement, 1 Tim. 2. 2. Mat. 9 38. Reu. 23. 20. Q. Which is the third petition? A. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Q. What desire we in this petition? A. We pray that God would enable us, to walk in the way of all his Commandments: And that Magistrates and people, Ministers and hearers, husbands and wives, parents and children, masters and servants, may perform those duties of their several callings, which they own one to another, Ephes. 4. 1. and 5. 21, 22, etc. Q. What mean these words, In earth as it is in heaven? A. We desire grace to do Gods will gladly and cheerfully, as the Angels in heaven do the same, Psal. 103. 20, 21. Q. Which is the fourth petition? A. Give us this day our daily bread. Q. What desire we in this petition? A. We pray, that God would give us food, raiment, health, peace, and all things needful for this present life. That he would stir us up to labour and diligence, that he would keep us from sloth and idleness, and give a blessing to our honest endeavours. Q. What learnest thou further from the words of this petition? A. First, that whatsoever we lawfuly possess, is God's gift, Deuteronomie 8. 17, 18. Habac. 1. 16. Secondly, that we must have a feeling of other men's wants, as well as of our own, and show it by charitable deeds, Heb. 13. 3. Thirdly, that if we have maintenance only for the time present, and none for the time to come, we must be content, and depend on God's providence, Matth. 6. 25. Fourthly, that although we live not in ease, plenty, and pleasure, yet if we have things necessary, we must be content, Gen. 28. 20. 1 Tim. 6. 8. Q. Which is the fift petition? A. Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. Q. What desire we in this petition? A. We pray that God would forgive us all our sins, original and actual, of commission and omission, secret and open, whether known or unknown even to ourselves, Psal. 51. Psal. 19 12. And that he would not only pardon our sinful deeds, but all our wicked, unprofitable, and idle words, all our sinful purposes, and all our desires, joys, fears and griefs, that are against the love of God and of our neighbour, Ecc. 11. 9 and 12. 14. Matth. 12. 36. And further, that God would give us grace, truly to examine ourselves, to discern our sins, to confess them, to hate and forsake them. Q. Why is this added, As we forgive them that trespass against us? A. To teach us to forgive all wrongs, to end our quarrels, and to be free from malice, or else God will not forgive us, Matth. 5. 23. and 6. 14, 15. and 18. 23. Q. Which is the sixth petition? A. And lead us not into tentation, but deliver us from evil. Q. What desire we in this petition? A. We pray that God would not suffer the devil, nor the world to prevail against us, nor our own corruptions to prevail within us, but that he would give us strength to overcome them, Eph. 4. 22. and 6. 10, 11. 1 joh. 5. 4. That we may be wise to discern when Satan tempteth us to those things which seem to be no sins, Matth. 4. 3, 6. or when he useth our own friends for his instruments to deceive us, Gen. 3. 6. Mat. 16. 22, 23. Q. Which is the conclusion of the Lords prayer? A. For thine is the Kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever, Amen. Q. What is the meaning of this conclusion? A. Because God is our gracious King, and careful for his subjects, and seeing his power is such, that he can give us all good things, and defend us from all evil, 1 Chr. 29. 10, 11. 2 Chr. 20. 6. Psal. 62. 11. & 115. 1. 1. Tim. 1. 17. Reu. 4. 11 and 5. 12, 13. And seeing the things we have prayed for, are for his own glory, therefore we earnestly desire, and steadfastly believe that he will grant them unto us. Amen let it be so, yea without doubt it shall be so. Q. How do the wicked pray this prayer? A. They show their vile hypocrisy in every part thereof. Q. How do they show their hypocrisy in the preface? A. They call God Father, and yet have no assurance of his love, nor care to please him, but show themselves to be his enemies, and children of the devil, joh. 8. 44. 1 joh. 3. 8. Q. How do they show their hypocrisy in the three first petitions? A. They dishonour God, they despise his justice, power and providence. They take part with evil men in evil causes, and so contend and fight for Satan and his kingdom, against Christ and his subjects, Psal. 2. 1, 2, 3. Luk. 19 14. They reject Gods will, and do their own, they follow their own lusts, they imitate not Angels in heaven, but beasts on earth, or devils in hell. Q. How do they show their hypocrisy in the rest of the petitions? A. Daily bread contents them not, their wealth is evil gotten, or evil spent. They ask pardon of sin, but have no purpose nor desire to leave the same. They forgive not wrongs received, but bear malice against God's children, which have not wronged them. They are not wary against temptations, but run on boldly: thus their prayer is contrary to the whole course of their life. Q. Then none but a sincere Christian truly called and converted, can pray this prayer or the like, with understanding, and with an unfeigned desire? A. It is even so, and therefore this prayer being rightly understood, is a perfect trial of a man's true conversion, Rom. 8. 15, 16. Q. Thou sayest that thy faith is preserved and increased by the Sacrament: what is a Sacrament? A. God's seal of his covenant made with the faithful and their seed, Gen. 17. 7, 8, 9, 10. Rom. 4. 11. Q. In this Covenant, what doth God undertake on his part? A. To defend the faithful in all dangers, to give them all good things expedient for them, to cause all things to work for their good, and to crown them with eternal glory, Gen. 15. 1. and 17. 1. Psal. 84. 11. 1 Tim. 4. 8. Rom. 8. 28. Q. What do the faithful undertake for their part? A. Not to follow their own lusts, nor the world's allurements, nor evil examples, nor the devil's tentations, but readily to obey all God's Commandments, Ephes. 4. 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, etc. Tit. 2. 11, 12. 1 Pet. 2. 9 Rom. 12. 1, 2. Luc. 1. 72, 73, 74, 75. Q. How many Sacraments be there? A. Two: Baptism, and the Lords Supper. Q. What is Baptism? A. God's seal, whereby we enter into Covenant with him, by the washing of our souls from sin through Christ's blood, as our bodies are washed with water, Rom. 4. 11. Eph. 5. 26. Tit. 3. 5. Col. 2. 12. Q. What is the Lords Supper? A. God's seal, whereby we renew our Covenant with him, whereby our souls are nourished and comforted with the body and blood of Christ, as our bodies are with the Bread and Wine, 1 Cor. 10. 16. and 11. 24, 25. 26. Q. Do all that come to the Lords Supper receive profit thereby? A. No: for all unworthy receivers receive much hurt thereby, 1 Cor. 11. 17, 27, 29. Q. Who are unworthy receivers? A. 1. All that are carnal and unregenerate. 2. The godly themselves, when they come with security, having offended God, and neglecting to renew their repentance, 2 Sam. 11. 27. 1 Cor. 11. 30. Q. How must thou prepare thyself for the Lord's Supper? A. I must examine myself, 1. Whether I repent me truly of all my sins past. 2. Whether I steadfastly purpose to lead a new life. 3. Whether I have a lively faith in God's mercy through Christ. 4. Whether I remember and meditate on Christ's death with thankfulness. 5. Whether I be in charity with all men, freely forgiving them all wrongs done against me, as God for Christ's sake hath freely forgiven me. Q. Thou sayest that thy faith is preserved and increased by continual meditation in the Word of God: show me then to what end, and in what manner oughtest thou both to read God's word, and to hear it preached? A. Not for fashion's sake to seem religious, but with a sincere purpose, earnest desire, constant endeavour, and fervent prayer, that thereby my faith may be strengthened, my life amended, and my soul comforted, 1 Cor. 14. 3. 2. Tim. 3. 16. Psal. 19 Psal. 119. And further, I must beware of malice against the Preacher, and of a prejudicate opinion of his person or gifts, of pride and selfewill; I must read and hear with an humble heart: so that when the Word showeth me any error of mine, in judgement or practice, on the right hand, or on the left, I must be ready to reform it, 1 Pet. 2. 1, 2. james 1. 21, 22. etc. Q. What if the Preacher deliver things unsound or unprofitable? A. I must pray, that I may with wisdom discern, and with modesty refuse the same; but ever I must beware, that I be not a rash and proud censurer of any man, specially of God's messengers, 1 Thess. 5. 21. Matth. 7. 1. jam. 3. 1. jam. 1. 19, 20. Q. How oughtest thou to prepare thyself for death at all times, & specially in time of sickness? A. After the same manner as I ought to prepare myself to receive the Lords Supper, so that if I recover, I must walk the more circumspectly afterward. MORNING PRAYER for a Family. A brief Confession with thanksgiving. WE most humbly present ourselves, O LORD, before the Throne of thy great Majesty, in the name of thy beloved Son our only Saviour, confessing that of ourselves we are most vile, polluted with sins original and actual, sins against thee and against our neighbour, sins of omission and commission, secret and open, known and unknown even to ourselves. O let them not make a separation betwixt thee and us, seeing thou art reconciled unto us, and not only so, but also thou hast vouchsafed to become our loving Father, having redeemed us by thy Son's blood, and adopted us by his Spirit, whom thou hast sent into our hearts: thou hast also fed, clothed, and lodged us, thou hast strengthened and preserved us even to this hour; therefore for all thy mercies so many and so great, we praise and bless thy holy name. And now, Lord, as thou hast raised our bodies from sleep, so raise up our hearts from their natural dulness and earthly disposition: Sanctify us more and more in soul and body, that every day we may grow in grace, and in the knowledge of Christ, by the works of the Spirit. O Lord increase our faith, give us yet more assurance of that thy Prayer for strength of faith. eternal love, that therein we may rejoice with joy unspeakable and glorious, and obediently wait for the performance of all thy promises, both to provide for us, and to defend us in this life, and after to crown us with eternal glory. Let this assurance be such, that thereby we may be able to endure all the miseries and trials of this mortal pilgrimage, not only with patience and quietness, but also with heavenly comfort. And teach us, O Lord, to love thee, and that sincerely, that our Prayer for love to God. false hearts may not go a whoring after the world, whiles we foolishly and wickedly admire the riches, and pleasures, and pride of this life, and suffer ourselves to be snared therewith. O let us know, that the love of thy glorious Majesty, and of these vile things, cannot stand together. As we desire to love thee sincerely, so to love thee abundantly, that we may be the better assured that we love thee, let not our love be as a spark of fire covered with the ashes of our dark and earthly corruptions, but let it be as burning coals, and as a vehement flame. And let it appear by our hearty love to our neighbour, specially Prayer for love to our neighbour. to those, whose good fruits declare them to be thy faithful children. Suffer us not this day, nor hereafter, to be injurious to any by deceit or oppression, by slandering or backbiting those that are absent, by reproaching or disgracing those that are present, or by any other wrongs, but let us be profitable and helpful to many, to the uttermost of our power. Grant that we may instruct those that are more ignorant than ourselves, let us relieve, according as thou hast enabled us, those that stand in need of our help. O Lord, preserve us from the damnable error of those that Against counterfeit happiness place their greatest happiness in worldly wealth and pleasure, open our eyes to discern yet more clearly, that if thou be our riches, than we shall be rich indeed, if thou be our delight, then shall we perceive how vile and vain all carnal delights are: Let us know how good a thing it is to draw near unto thee, by hearing thy voice in thy most holy Word, and by speaking to thee in our prayers and thanksgiving; withdraw not thy Spirit from us, give us not over unto Satan and worldly lusts, for than shall we run headlong into all sin and misery. This that followeth, is very needful in many houses of the Gentry and richer sort. LOrd, preserve this family from the sins of idleness, pride, fullness of bread, from contempt or neglect of the poor, from foolish and corrupt communication, from chambering and wantonness, from excessive and unseasonable eating and drinking, from loving of pleasures more than thee, the chiefest Good. In a mean and laborious Family, prayer to this purpose will be convenient. WE beseech thee cheer us up, and comfort us in the midst of our labours and travels, let us not admire or envy the happiness of those that abound with ease and wealth, but ever let us remember, that a painful and godly life is the way to perfect rest and endless joy, that an idle, voluptuous, and unprofitable life, is the way to bitter and endless pain, that thou didst consecrate Christ jesus the Prince of our salvation, through afflictions, that they are blessed that mourn, for they shall be comforted. In what family soever, thus proceed. O Gracious Father, according to thy love and thy Prayer for earthly blessings. merciful promises in Christ, vouchsafe unto us now and hereafter, that measure of wealth, and such health, peace, liberty, and credit, as may be most expedient for us in our several callings, and for the better discharge of our duty to thee and our brethren. Lord preserve and direct thy Universal Church, give For the Church Universal. thy Gospel free passage, let thy power and wisdom confound the dreadful might and policies of the enemies of thy truth, remove all stumbling blocks, and knit together thy servants, by the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Continue thy great mercies on these Churches of England, For the Churches of England, etc. Scotland, and Ireland: grant that as the sins of all sorts and degrees amongst us, have been many and very grievous in thy sight; so our earnest repentance, and sincere humiliation before thee may be such, that thy terrible judgements may be stayed, before thy wrath break forth against us. Protect with thy providence, direct with thy Spirit, For the King's Majesty, etc. and enrich with thy heavenly grace, our Sovereign King: be merciful to the Queen, to Prince Charles, to the Prince and Princess Palatine with their issue: Endue the honourable privy Councillors with wisdom from above, give grace to the Magistrates, that they may truly and diligently execute justice and judgement; to the Bishops and Ministers, that they may by diligent and effectual preaching, and godly example of life, proceed to build up thy Church amongst us; root out idle and idol shepherds, increase the number of faithful Pastors. Let thy rich blessings be poured down upon all sorts and degrees, to the praise of thy Name, through JESUS CHRIST our Lord and Saviour, in whose Name, for these and all other good things needful for us and all thy servants whosoever, we pray as he hath taught us. Our Father which art in heaven, etc. Evening Prayer for a Family. O Most gracious God, and merciful Father in jesus Christ, we humble ourselves before thy Majesty, confessing and bewailing the sins of our whole life, and specially of this present day. Pardon, O LORD, our disordered affections, which have Prayer for the forgiveness of sins. been too earnestly bend upon the profits and pleasures of this present life. Forgive us whatsoever sinful anger thou hast beheld in us, and our inordinate grief at worldly crosses, when as we are not duly grieved for our sins, and the sins of this Land, and of this age, and for the afflictions of our dear brethren. Forgive our carnal joy, which is so strong when earthly things answer our desires, and so weak and feeble, when we consider those spiritual, infinite, and eternal blessings, wherewith thou hast blessed us in heavenly things in Christ. Pass by, whatsoever uncharitable, unprofitable, or unsavoury talk, hath proceeded from any of us, with neglect of that admonition, or instruction, or consolation, which we should have ministered one to another. O pardon, for thy mercy sake, our neglect and omission of works of piety towards thee, or of mercy towards our neighbour, and all our idleness. O forgive our excess, and our abuse, of meat, drink, sleep, recreations, all our intemperance, and disordering of mind or body, in making them unfit for thy service, and for the duties of our several callings. O forgive those our imperfections and corruptions, that are mixed with our best actions, and do defile the same. And specially forgive our unthankfulness for thy many and A Thanksgiving. great mercies; grant that hereafter, we may ever stir up our dull hearts, that they may be inflamed with love to thee, that hast elected us to salvation, and created us after thy own image, that hast redeemed us, with the inestimable price of thy dearest Sons blood, that hast called us effectually by thy Word and Spirit, from the power of darkness unto the kingdom of thy dear Son, not only reconciling us that were thine enemies, but also making us thy dear and glorious children, and heirs of thy heavenly kingdom. O teach us to walk worthy Prayer for diverse graces, and against sin. of this vocation whereto thou hast called us; instruct us ever by thy Word, work on our hearts effectually by thy Spirit, that we may discern and daily reform our grievous corruptions, that we may not flatter nor please ourselves in any of our sins, nor walk on securely and carelessly, but that we may strive for, and attain unto more power to subdue and conquer our carnal lusts, to resist the allurements of this world, and the evil examples of the multitude, that we be not any more carried away herewith, as with a violent stream. Open our eyes to discern the nets which Satan layeth to ensnare us, in eating, in drinking, in talking, in sporting, in buying, in selling, in giving or receiving counsel, in pleasing some, in offending others, that we might displease thy Majesty, and kindle thy wrath against us. And whereas there are so many diversities of opinions in the world, and yet but one truth, O guide and direct us in the same by thy Spirit of truth; build us firmly on thy Son Christ, that sure foundation. O let us not departed from any truth, nor be stiff in any error which we have held: Let us not hate those that descent from us in some points, yet building their faith on Christ; grant that we may follow the truth in love, and in all things grow up unto CHRIST the Head. Make us devout and religious towards thee, and obedient to our superiors. Stir us up that we may be helpful and profitable to many; Let us not be deceitful, or otherwise injurious to any, in word or deed. Make us charitable, meek, and patiented, towards all. Let not our faith be dead, like the faith of Devils, but a working faith, as the faith of Abraham and of Rahab, that loved dear thee and thy children, and shown their faith by their works. Thus let us walk all our days till our change shall come. Let our last days be our best days. Let not the remembrance of death be grievous or terrible unto us. Make us desirous to be dissolved, and to be with Christ. Come Lord JESUS, come quickly, perfect thine own glory, and thy servant's happiness. In the mean time, behold in mercy thy dear Prayer for God's Church, etc. Spouse whom thou hast redeemed with thy precious blood. Confirm and establish thy servants, weaken and withstand thy foes, confound their malice, their pride and their hellish plots and devices. Stir up thy strength and come and help us. O bless, preserve, direct and prosper our Sovereign King; be merciful to the Queen, to our hopeful Prince Charles, the Prince and Princess Palatine with their Issue, the honourable Privy Counsellors, Nobles and Magistrates, the Bishops and Ministers; the Universities and Nurseries of learning. Among all sorts, stir up those that may valiantly fight thy battles against the Devil, & against this world that lieth in wickedness. Be gracious, O Lord, to our * Parents, Brethren, sisters, etc. —; to those for whom we are specially bound to entreat thee, and They that have such, may here mention them. whom thou hast made thy instruments of good unto us. Protect this family, prosper us in our health, our credit, and in our worldly estate. Above all, let us grow rich in godliness, sobriety and righteousness. Give us this night quiet rest, and safety; raise us up again in due time, that we may the next day, and so from day to day do thee acceptable service, & glorify thee in our several callings: For these and for all good things needful for us and for all thy children, we pray as thy Son our Saviour hath taught us. Our Father, etc. A Prayer upon the Lord's Prayer. O Lord our God, thy Son our Saviour hath assured Upon the Preface. us that thou art through him a loving Father to the godly, and willing to help them, and that thou art an heavenly and powerful Father, always able to comfort them, therefore we come unto thee with boldness and confidence through faith in him, and we desire and endeavour to pray unto thee now and hereafter, not with profane, carnal, and earthly hearts, but with reverence to thy divine Majesty, and with heavenly affections. O help us and strengthen us, and raise up our souls from earth and earthly things, to thee that dwellest on high. Petition 1 First and above all things we desire, that praise may be given to thee for all thy worthiness, that thy enemies may know thee to be the Lord, and themselves to be but men; that their power is but weakness, and their wisdom but foolishness, when they lift up themselves against thee and thy dear Spouse the Church. Get thee honour upon thine obstinate enemies, as thou didst upon Pharaoh and the Egyptians. But let thy servants and faithful people know thee to their comfort. Let them sanctify thee in their hearts, let them ever believe and also find by joyful experience, that thy power is their protection, thy wisdom their direction, thy justice their deliverance from all wrongs. And let all praise and thanks be given unto thee for all thy benefits, for our health and peace, for our food and raiment, for thy great favours so extraordinary bestowed upon this land for many years, and for those which we in particular have received, and do enjoy from thy bountiful hand, & specially for those heavenly and spiritual blessings, our election, redemption, vocation, assurance of glorification, and for the comfort of thy most holy Word. Petition 2 Let thy Kingdom come; convert the wicked, as many as belong to thine election, enlighten the eyes of them that are blinded with the love of superstition: grant that those which wallow in sin, may begin to hate that mire and filth wherein they have delighted. O Lord, increase thy gifts and graces in the godly, reign in them by thy powerful spirit, thou that art the God of peace, sanctify them throughout, that their whole spirit, and soul, and body, may be kept blameless unto the coming of jesus Christ. Kill and crucify in them daily the old man, and let the new man be raised up in them. O Lord, bless and prosper the means which thou hast ordained for these euds. Raise up godly Kings, that may walk in the steps of David, Ezekiah, josiah, and religious Nobles, like joseph, Obadiah, Daniel, Nehemiah, Mordecai, that may administer justice, and maintain truth, and seek the prosperity of Israel-Increase, we pray thee, the number of faithful Pastors and teachers, endue them with excellent gifts of Learning and Godliness, that they may be able to convince heresies and errors, to confound every jannes' and jambres, that shall resist thy truth. O let thy servants walk in the steps of the Apostles and Prophets, and not in pride, covetousness, or idleness. Unite them in thy truth, lest by their divisions thy people be also divided; grant that they may be knit together in one mind and in one judgement, that with one mind, and with one mouth they may praise thy name. And let us earnestly wait for thy coming to judgement, that thou mayst put all thine enemies under thy feet, and reign for ever in perfect peace, that we may reign with thee triumphantly. Petition 3 In the mean time direct and teach us to do thy Holy and blessed will, to renounce and deny our own wills that are so foolish, so perverse and wicked. Teach us to walk in the way of all thy Commandments; let our hearts be seasoned with godliness, let us love thee above all, let us fear thee and ever walk in all sincerity as in thy sight and presence; let us trust in thee, and rest upon thy promises for the things of this life and of the life to come. Let it be our chief delight to speak to thee by prayer and thanksgiving and to hear thee speaking unto us by thy word both read and preached. Enable us by thy grace to obey thee in those general duties that belong to all Christians, and in the particular duties of our several callings; grant that Magistrates and people, Ministers and hearers, husbands and wives, parents and children, masters and servants, may conscionably, and in hearty obedience unto thee, perform those duties which they own one to another. Grant that in whatsoever profession, trade or course of life thou hast placed us, we may not live to ourselves, but make this our special end, to please and to glorify thee. And whereas the wicked perform heavenly duties in earthly manner, defiling their prayers, and thy word & Sacraments by their hypocrisy, grant that we may perform not only heavenly, but also earthly duties and businesses in a heavenly manner, walking cheerfully in our vocations, endeavouring with all our might to do thy Majesty acceptable service every day, and to be through thy grace profitable members of the Church, Commonwealth, and family where we live. Direct us, and enable us that we on earth may do thy work and business wisely, and also gladly and cheerfully, with strength and courage, fearing no adversary, ever beholding thy face, and following the pattern of thy heavenly Angels. Petition 4 Vouchsafe, O Lord, to give us food, raiment, health, peace; public and private blessings, and all things needful for this present life. Stir us up to labour and diligence, keep us from sloth and idleness, give a blessing to our endeavours. Let us never go about to enrich or maintain ourselves by lying, by deceit or oppression, or any unlawful means; let us seek nothing at the hands of Satan by sinful practices or purposes, but let our consciences assure us, that whatsoever things we possess, are thy good gifts. If we have gotten any thing wrongfully, give us grace to make restitution. Neither pray we against our own wants only, but also against the wants of other men, specially of all thy dear children. O let them see and feel thy fatherly affection and providence over them, and let us to our power be helpful unto them, cutting off all vain and vicious, all proud and luxurious expenses, that we may have the more to bestow upon charitable uses. And though we have maintenance but for the present time, and none for the time to come, let us be content and depend on thy providence; for thou dost the Lilies, and feed the Birds, but we are of much more value than they, and the hairs of our head are numbered: why should we that are thy flock, fear either want or other miseries, since it is thy pleasure to give us a Kingdom? Thou that hast not spared thine own Son, but hast given him for us all unto the death, how shouldest thou not with him give us all good things also? Keep us therefore from all pensive and distrustful cares; let us remember, that as no man can add one cubit to his stature, so no man can add one mite to that proportion of wealth which thou hast already determined to bestow upon every one. Therefore when we have used lawful means, and done our due endeavour, let us quietly commit the success of all unto thy providence, knowing that thou hast appointed who shall be poor, and who rich, that if thou withholdest from us earthly riches, thou canst make us rich in faith, which is fare better. Therefore though we live not in ease, plenty and pleasure, yet if we have things necessary, if we have bread to eat, and clothes to put on, let us therewith be content, and the rather, seeing that they which strive and toil to be rich, do fall into tentations and snares, and into many foolish and noisome lusts, which drown men in perdition and destruction. O Lord, we pray thee look with thy eye of pity and compassion, on those that are afflicted with sickness, give them patience under thy correcting hand, restore them to their former health, or else prepare them for a better life. Have pity on thy servants that are afflicted with grievous persecutions, or with horrible wars, and the terrors and calamities that do accompany the same; O stop and stay this cruel effusion of Christian blood, restore peace and tranquillity. Petition 5 Forgive we pray thee our sins and trespasses, our sins original and actual, of commission and omission, secret or manifest, our want of love to thee and our neighbour, our inordinate self-love, our dulness and unaptness unto things heavenly and spiritual, our proneness and forwardness to sin and vanity, the fast cleaving of our affections to the things of this life Pardon, O Lord, all our sinful actions, and all our wicked, unprofitable and idle words, all our sinful purposes, all our desires, joys, fears, and griefs, that are against the love of thee and of our neighbour: forgive all our errors, whether in judgement or in practice, whether on the left hand, or on the right. Give us grace truly to examine ourselves, to discern our sins, and to confess them, to hate and to forsake them, yea even our dearest sins, which seem as a right hand, or a right eye unto us, let us not spare to chop them off, or to pluck them out, and cast them from us. And that our own malice against our neighbours, may not hinder thy mercy towards us, and our exacting of small debts, cause thee to require of us those ten thousand talents which we own thee, therefore here in thy sight we freely forgive all wrongs and trespasses, we empty our hearts of the poison of malice: if therefore we, whose goodness is but a drop, do thus behave ourselves towards them that have wronged us, much more thou that art a sea of goodness and mercy, canst and wilt pardon us; and hereof let us be from thee most comfortably assured. Petition 6 Lead us not into tentation: let us not be puffed up with worldly prosperity, nor be snared with the baits of sensuality, to love this world and the things therein: let not our belly be our God, let us not have our portion in this life. Neither let us be dismayed with any adversity, let no tribulations turn us out of the right way: let nothing weaken that constant joy and true happiness which we have in thee alone. Suffer not Satan to circumvent us, let us not be ignorant of his enterprises, make us wise to discern when he tempteth us to those things which seem to be no sins, or when he useth our own dear friends, as Eve against Adam, for his instruments to deceive us; Lord, thou knowest his wiles and his depth; thou, O Saviour, that hast thyself encountered with this dreadful enemy, knowest that if thou forsakest us, and withdrawest thyself from us, we shall never be able to stand against him, and against all the powers of darkness. Therefore make us strong in thee, and in the power of thy might; bestow upon us the whole armour of God, and teach us to put it on us and to use it, that in the evil day we may be able both to resist and to conquer. Make us wary & watchful against our own false hearts, lest they betray us into the hands of Satan: let us fight mightily every day against our manifold corruptions; let us be faithful unto the death, that we may receive the crown of life. Hear, O Lord, incline thine ears The Conclusion. to these requests of us thy humble subjects, for thou art our gracious King, most careful for us, thou wilt not suffer us to become a prey unto thine enemies. Thy power is such, that thou canst give us all good things, and defend us from all evil, and thou knowest that the things which we have prayed for, are for thine own glory. Therefore we earnestly desire, and steadfastly believe, that thou wilt grant them unto us. Amen, let it be so. Yea, without doubt it shall be so as we have prayed: we beleene, Lord help our unbelief. Unto thee, O Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, now and for ever. Amen. A short Morning Prayer. O Lord our God, most gracious and merciful Father in jesus Christ, as thou hast bestowed upon us innumerable and inestimable benefits, so vouchsafe, we beseech thee, to add this grace and mercy to the rest, that thou stir us up and enable us by thy holy Spirit, to praise and magnify thy name both for our rest and safety this night past, and for all the rest of thy mercies. Lord open our eyes, and enlarge our hearts to praise thee for the forgiveness of our sins, so many and so heinous, by the blood of thy Son, a price so infinite and precious; for our Redemption from the thraldom of Satan, and from those infinite and endless torments which with him we should have suffered, and that by thy Word and thy holy Spirit thou hast exalted us to be thy royal children, and heirs of thy Kingdom. O give us grace this day and every day to walk worthy of this vocation; renew and quicken our Repentance, humble our hearts with the sight of our sins, confirm our faith in thy promises temporal and spiritual; teach us to love thee fervently, to despise riches, pleasures, pride, and all earthly vanities. Teach us obedience to our superiors, and love to all men, even to our enemies, much more to all thy dear children. Preserve us and every one of us this day and every Hear let those sins be named which are most practised in the family. day from swearing, cursing, lying, from reproaching and slandering, from deceit and oppression, and all other offences against thy Majesty, or against our Neighbour, from idleness, gluttony, drunkenness, intemperance; from chambering and wantonness, from strife and envy, from all sinful words or deeds, from all unlawful attempts or purposes. O pardon all our sins past, assure our souls of this forgiveness; give us grace to hate all manner of sins in others, and specially in ourselves, to be watchful over our ways, to be constant in all good purposes. O Lord, bless and defend thy universal Church, our Sovereign King, the Queen, and all the Royal progeny, the Nobles and Magistrates, the Bishops and Ministers. O be favourable and gracious to all that are near and dear to us, direct and prosper every one of us in all our intended labours and businesses. For these and all good things needful for us, and for all thy children, we pray as our dear Saviour hath taught us; Our Father which art in heaven, etc. A short Evening Prayer. MOst gracious God, and merciful Father, we present ourselves before thy glorious Majesty, in the name and mediation of jesus Christ, most humbly beseeching thee for his sake, to forgive all the sins of this day, our worldly affections, our inordinate and carking cares and griefs, our greedy desire after earthly things, our overvaluing of these earthly vanities, and our neglect of heavenly things: O pardon all our vain, unprofitable, and unsavoury talk, all omission of good duties, to thee or to our neighbour, all our corruptions and defects, in those which we have taken in hand. Forgive all the sinful acts of this day, and of our whole life: Grant that we may search out our sins diligently, and discover them, and steadfastly resolve to reform them without delay, and enable us by thy Spirit to perform what we intent, that we may be constant in all good purposes and enterprises. Grant that every day we may crucify the old man, that our natural pride, malice, envy, strife, may die in us; that covetousness, infidelity, trust in riches, or howsoever in the arm of flesh; that wanton lusts and desires may be mortified in us, that idleness and voluptuous living may be hateful to us. Grant that we may practise the contrary virtues, that humility before thee and before men, that charity in forgiving wrongs in word or deed, and in helping and relieving the wants of our neighbours, may abound in us, that faith and love, that temperance and sobriety, may shine bright in us, that we may be just and faithful in our contracts and dealings with all men. Quicken us ever to all religious duties, to prayer and thanksgiving, let us above all things delight in the constant reading, hearing, and meditation of thy Word, assure us of the pardon of our sins, of thy love and favour, and of our everlasting salvation. Let us every day think on death, on the resurrection, and the last judgement, and that not with horror and grief, but with great joy and comfort: Let us unfeignedly desire, and every day prepare ourselves to be with Christ. Make us hearty thankful for all thy mercies, for public and private benefits, so many and so great, for our food and raiment, our peace and safety, and specially for our election, redemption, and effectual vocation. Bless, O LORD, thy universal Church, comfort thy servants that are pinched with want, those that are afflicted with war, persecutions, or with inward tentations, or whatsoever tribulations. Preserve and direct our sovereign King, bless the Queen, and all the Royal Issue, the Nobles and Magistrates, the Bishops and Ministers, and the rest of thy people. Bless and preserve this family, give us quiet rest and sleep, raise us up in due time, to do thee service in our several places. For these and all good things, we pray as thy Son our Saviour hath taught us, Our Father which art in heaven, etc. A Prayer for a young Scholar, or any of the younger sort, both Morning and Evening. MOst gracious God and loving Father, I give thee most humble and hearty thankes for all thy mercies; for choosing me to salvation, and redeeming me with the precious blood of Christ my Saviour, for calling me to this great honour, to be one of the number of thy children, by working in my heart true faith, and hatred of all sin, by thy holy Word both read and preached, and by thy blessed Spirit. And I praise thy holy Name for my health, for my food and raiment, for good nurture, and godly education, for my preservation this night day past, and at all times. O Lord continue thy favour towards me, teach me to know thee, to love and fear thee, to keep all thy Commandments. Let not the corruption of my nature, nor the craft of Satan, nor evil company, nor any worldly vanity, withdraw me from thee. Suffer me not to slide from thee into any false belief, or an life, but instruct me in all truth and godliness, in all sobriety and righteousness. O Lord, forgive me all my sins, teach me to discern them, to hate and forsake them: grant that I may bestow upon thee all the days of my youth, and so continue thy faithful servant to my life's end. O Lord preserve thy Church, our Sovereign King, the Queen, and all the Royal Issue, the Magistrates, and Ministers of thy Word, and all thy people. Bless my dear Parents, brethren, sisters, & other friends; bless this whole family; give me health, defend me from idleness, learning, business, defend me in prosper my soul and body, this night day and evermore. Amen. Our Father which art in heaven, &c, Another Morning Prayer for a young Scholar. O Lord, my God and loving Father, I give thee humble thanks for all thy benefits, for my sleep & safety this night, for my food and apparel, for religious education, and for the precious treasure of thy most holy word. Lord bless me this day and ever, give me health: Keep me from sin, prosper my learning. Lord be merciful to my parents: grant I may honour them according to thy Commandment, that by my welldoing I may be a comfort unto them: defend them and me, and all this family, and all the rest of thy people in soul and body this day and ever. Amen. FINIS.