¶ A brief & necessary Instruction, very needful to be known of all Householders, Whereby they may the better teach and instruct their Families in such points of Christian Religion as is most meet. Not only of them thoroughly to be understood, but also requisite to be learned by heart of all such as shall be admitted unto the lords Supper. 1572. ¶ To the Christian Reader. IT shall not be necessary for me (most loving brethren) to show any causes for mine own excuse why I have attempted the setting forth of this little Catechism, as though I had rashly adventured above that was meet, to set forth any thing to be so common by my private advise: Or as though I had presumed above mine ability to become so general a teacher, having myself so mean understanding. For in these days in which there is so great licentiousness of printing books, as in deed it maketh us all the worse, who can blame it that hath any taste or saver of goodness, be it never so simple, if it had no other fruit, yet this is great and plentiful, that in reading it we should keep our eyes from much godless and childish vanity, that hath now blotted so many papers. We see it all, and we mourn for grief, so many as in spirit and truth do love the Lord. What multitude of books, full of all sin and abomination, have now filled the world? No thing so childish, nothing so vain, nothing so wanton, nothing so idle, which is not both boldly printed, and plausibly taken. So that herein we have fulfilled the wickedness of our forefathers, & overtaken them in their sins. They had their spiritual enchantments, in which they were bewitched, Bevis of Hampton, Guy of Warwick, Arthur of the round table, Huon of Bordeaux, Oliver of the Castle, the four sons of Amond, and a great many other of such childish folly. And yet more vanity than these, the witless devices of Gargantua, Howleglas, Aesop, Robin Hood, Adam Bel, Friar Rush, the Fools of Gotham, and a thousand such other. And yet of all the residue the most drunken imaginations, with which they so defiled their Festival and high holidays, their Legendawry, their Saints lives, their tales of Robin Goodfellow, and of many other Spirits, which Satan had made, Hell had printed, and were warranted unto sale under the Pope's privilege, to kindle in men's hearts the sparks of superstition, that at last it might flame out into the fire of Purgatory. These were in the former days the subtle sleights of Satan to occupy Christian wits in Heathen fancies. And we as men that can not learn wisdom by any examples to keep ourselves from harm, but as though the wickedness of our forefathers were not yet full, we will make up their measure, and set up Shrines to the word of God, and the writings of all his Saints, which our forefathers had cast out of all honour, that their own dreams and illusions might be had in price. To this purpose I trow we have multiplied for ourselves so many new delights that we might justify the idolatrous superstition of the elder world. To this purpose we have printed us many bawdy songs (I am loath to use such a loathsome word, save that it is not fit enough for so vile endeavours,) to this purpose we have gotten our Songs & Sonnets, our Palaces of pleasure, our unchaste Fables and Tragedies, and such like Sorceries, more than any man may reckon. Yea some have been so impudent, as new borne Moabites, which wallow in their own vomit, and have not been ashamed to entitle their books, The Court of Venus, The Castle of Love, and many such other as shameless as these. O that there were among us some zealous Ephesians, that Act. 19 29. books of so great vanity might be burned up. The spirit of God wrought in them so mightily, that they contemned the price of so great iniquity, in one City, and at one fire they brought together the books valued to two thousand marks, and burned them all at once. O happy light & clear as the Sun beams, if we might see the like in London, that the chief street might be sanctified with so holy sacrifice. The place itself doth crave it, and holdeth up a gorgeous Idol, a fit stake for so good a fire. O Lord thou art able to work what thou wilt, let us see this day that jacob may rejoice, and Israel may be glad. So recompense thine enemies, as they have recompensed thee. Of old they a jere. 36. 23 burned the writings of thy Prophets, and in their ages following they departed not from the sins of their fathers, but gave the b An. dom. 290. sub Dioclesianus, et anno. 1559 sub Paulo. 4. holy labours of thy Saints unto ashes, now let us see the just recompense of anger, and make our good Rulers the instruments to execute thy judgements. We have now long enough played with our own fancies, Lord raise up again thy word into honour, that our eyes may be occupied in holy readings. And you dear Brethrens that are yet in battle to fight against Satan, pray and cease not, that God alone may be exalted in our days, that Satan may be trodden under foot, and that the word of God, the strong weapon of our strife, may be given into the hands of all, that their life may be in safety. And be persuaded of this, that there is no one thing more enemy to the word of God, than these vain and sinful imaginations of our own unbridled wits, which have now filled so many volumes. And therefore I trust I can deserve no blame to adventure the setting out of this short instruction, sith my desire is only to advance God's glory, and edify his poor Church, that is yet so covered in dark ignorance: when so many have found leave to spread abroad their labours, that have no other pleasure then offyn and wickedness. Now for that that I have taken upon me to set forth unto many this instruction, bear with me, I beseech you, and pray unto God that we may all together hold the humbleness of mind that was in Christ jesus, that we be not wise in our own conceits, nor think of ourselves above the which is convenient, but acknowledging the blindness of our heart, and the ignorance in which we are borne, we may say with the most happy Apostle, we have nothing that we have not received. And of many other I do willingly profess it, I am the lest, but by the grace of God I am that I am, and I trust his grace is not in vain in me. But this that I here present unto the Church of God, I have not done it alone: but another faithful labourer in the work of the Lord, and a good brother in Christ jesus, whom God hath endued with great knowledge, and blessed with much understanding, he hath taken the greatest pain, and the greatest fruit must grow of his labours. So that I have not adventured of myself, but have only been an helper of an other man's labour. And the cause that hath moved us both is such, as hath made the Children of God even to faint in their mourning, until they shall see the great mercies of God to take away the cause of their grief. We see the great ignorance in which the people are every where covered, the clouds of darkness, more than the darkness of Egypt, have so over shadowed them, that the light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the Image of God, it doth hardly or not at all shine in their unbelieving hearts. Scarce one of a great many can give an account of their faith, yet S. Peter requireth it of 3. Pet. 4. 13 every Christian. A very few have tasted the beginnings of the Gospel of Christ, and yet S. Paul biddeth that the word dwell plentifulfully Col. 3. 16. in each one of our hearts. The Apostle blameth the ignorance of the people, who have learned yet no further, than repentance from dead works, and the first instructions of the faith toward God: But O Lord, how Heb. 6. 1. many thousands of us, of faith and of true repentance can say nothing? The Prophet speaketh of the kingdom of Christ, that in those days the earth should be full of the know Esa. 11. 19 ledge of the Lord, as the waters that do cover the sea: where is now that blessed spirit of understanding to be poured upon us? And where is this riches of the knowledge of God? Are not rather the multitude of our brethren clothed with darkness, so that they grope in their ways as at midnight, & know nothing of the way of life? We pray daily according as we are taught, Let thy kingdom come, if we speak not like the parrots, in words without understanding, than this is our meaning: let thy spirit bear rule in our hearts, and the knowledge of thy word lighten the eyes of our mind. And what do we then else but dally with the Lord, if we pray still for knowledge, and yet sleep still in ignorance's Then this is (loving Brethrens) a good excuse for our boldness, if in so great necessity, according to our talentes, we seek to be profitable unto many. If any think that there are already sufficiently set forth many Catechisms, I do easily grant it, but they are not sufficiently learned, neither yet can be. For it was necessary in the best and most godly of these labours, whilst the Christian faith is plainly taught, to edifying of the simple, and convincing of the adversary, that the faithful teacher should use more words, then can be carried in mind of the ignorant man. And therefore I thought itgood as briefly as I could, to comprehend the effect of all, that the beginnings being made plain, and easily printed in memory, we might enter into reasoning and disputation with ourselves, instructing one another, and helping one an other, that we might have the more fruit in the longer labours of others, but most of all that we might be encouraged to the most holy and lively word of God, to drink with continual desire of the fruitful spring, even until the water of life do flow up in our hearts unto everlasting gladness, & the day star do arise in our hearts, which may lighten our minds in to the knowledge of the God of glory. There is nothing remaining more why this labour should be misliked, except any man would think, that every Congregation had a sufficient Pastor to instruct those that were ignorant, so that they should not need any strange Teacher: God grant that in time to come this may be found true. But yet we are far from it, even as light from darkness, or death from life, or as knowledge and understanding is from insensible blindness. O that we had eyes to see so great misery: For sure it may not well be justified, that in so clear light of the word, as God hath made now to shine upon us, that there was ever nation which had so ignorant Ministers We may here in compare with the man of sin himself. I do not know that in the midst of all his abominations there was a more loathsome sight of that idolatrous priesthood, than we have set up among ourselves, to be fellow labourers among us in the Gospel. For what though they exceeded in looseness of life? Yet their dark and barbarous religion was so thick a cloud spread over their manners, that the fullness of their lynnes was not easily seve: But we have the light that hath made allthings manifest, and the Sun hath shined that hath disclosed iniquity, so that there hath not been among us any popish Priest so drunken, nor any alehouse Chaplain at such a perpetual truce with his drinking pots, that hath possibly purchased so much discredit to his belly God, and kitchen faith, as our dumb Dogs and guides, do daily multiply against the God of Israel, and the faith of his anointed our only God and Saviour. It gréeneth me to remember, and loatheth me much more to rehearse the estate of the ministration into which we are fallen. We have good time now to complain with the Prophet, like people, like Priest. Even Esa. 44. 2 the same coverings of Israel that shadowed then their glory, they have spread themselves again as the heavens, & are come over our head in so great a tempest of blindness & ignorance, that they have shaken the foundations of all our comfort. We saw in deed Halcionios' dies, the glad and pleasant days in which our hope shined, when first our happy government turned away our sorrows, broke the yoke of Antitichrist, delivered us from the power of darkness, and carried us among the Saints of God into the kingdom of light. But our hope hath since suffered a great Eclipse, from the fullness of her beauty, (such hath been the malice of Satan.) He attempted against us even at the first his most pestilent practice, and hath brought accordingly his purpose to effect. When God had turned the will of the Magistrate, Deut. 1. 15 and inclined his ear to understanding: when he had given unto him courage to scatter Exo. 18. 21 the enemies of his truth, and planted true fear in his heart to establish his Gospel: then the subtle Serpent which had turned all his devices hither, he bent his violence, and this counsel pleased him best: To corrupt the Priesthood, who should instruct the Prince Nu. 27. 21 by urim and Thumim, that if thus he might darken the light of the people, it might be the more easy to lead them out of the way. Then he entered again, and with more success into his first assaults, wherewith he tempted once our saviour Christ: He rob the Minister of his blessed hope in the providence of God, and made him seek the ways full of vile shame, to get his bread. He hanged before his eyes an other veal of pomp and vanity, that he could not with open countenance see Christ, but followed the present plea sures that better liked him. And so first wounding the head, the infection hath grown since into the other parts of the body, that now all most there is nothing but wounds & swelling, and sores full of corruption. Look where we will among the people of the Lord, & how hardly shall we fund the dwelling place of the godly Pastor. If jeremy were now alive, he would take jere. 9 1. up again his old complaints: O that mine head werefull of water, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people. For look what agreement hath righteousness with unrighteousness, and what fellowship hath light with darkness, what concord Christ with Belial, or what part the believer with the Infidel: the same society is between a great number of our English Parsons and vicars, with the true Preachers & Ministers of the Gospel. Yourselves good Christian Readers make the comparison, and be your own judges, what cause we have to complain. The true Minister is the salt of the earth, to dry up corrupt and noisome humours, Mat. 5. 13. and to preserve the substance pure, that the world may be offered up a sweet sacrifice unto God: But our Vicars and Curates, we have some of them yet of the old morowmas Priests, whose salt is unsavoury with much popish leaven, that there is no taste in them of the Gospel of Christ. Most certain it is, that the popish Priesthood is no calling for a Minister of the Gospel: And therefore they that have not openly forsaken that, and have given a new promise unto Christ, they may well have the living, but they cannot be the persons whom God hath called, nor yet the salt to season his elect and chosen. The true Minister is the light of the world, Mat. 5. 14 which holdeth forth the Gospel of Christ in his hand as a lantern to lighten the steps of a great number, how to walk unto Christ: but what daylight I beseech you, shineth in the Ministers of our making? They are better seen in their several occupations, then in the knowledge of the word, which they should dispense unto others. The true Minister is a fisher of men, by whom the parish is stirred up to all love, to God first, and then mutually one to another: but the Parsons now have either nets so broken, or their baits so ill, that we see the effect is, no gathering together, but a woeful dispersion both of Priest & people. How many examples do we see of a continual dissipation in suits and controversies? the Parson against the vicar, the vicar against the Parson, the Parish against both, and one against another, and all for the belly. Among whom neither people, Parson, Curate, vicar, one nor other hath any care for the Gospel of Christ. As the Lord doth live, this is no other fishing, but to suffer that roaring Lion to catch all by his enchantments, that he may have large pasture in the Church of God. The true Minister is the eye of the body: Mat. 6. 22 Mat. 9 38 Mat. 22. 3 Ma. 23. 34. the workman in the harvest: the Messenger that calleth unto the Marriage: the Prophet that telleth the will of the Lord: the wise man that teacheth to discern between good and evil: the Scribe that doth expound Ma. 25. 16 Lu. 24. 48 1. Cor. 4. 1 the law: the Servant that occupieth his Masters talents unto gain: the witness that beareth testimony of Christ to all people: the Matthew. 24. 45. Ro. 15. 16. dispensers of the mysteries of God: the Steward that giveth meat in due time, unto the residue of the household: the Sacrificer of the Gospel of God, to make the oblation of his flock acceptable: the Minister by whom the 1. Cor. 3. 5 people do believe: the Labourers of God to till his husbandry, and make up his building: 1. Cor. 3. 9 the Shepherd to feed the Church of God, which he hath purchased with his blood. Ac. 20. 28 But alas and woe for us, if we can see our sorrow, what one of these excellent virtues shineth in our Pastors? I speak the truth, and God in his good time will give us eyes to see his judgements. Scarce one Parish of an hundred hath found such a Minister, or scarce two and three in a Sheer whom God hath so blessed. If S. Paul say true, or if the voice of God be fearful in our ears, that we cannot believe except we hear, and we cannot Ro. 10. 14 hear without a Preacher: where is our glory that we are the people of the Lord? Or where is our rejoicing that the Gospel is amongst us? Were it not that the works of the Lord preached daily unto us, and their voice had come into our ears, as fully as to Psal. 19 5. our forefathers, even in the strongest of our people, it would make their faith to waver. For about us in our Country, where dwelleth that Minister, or where is his name, that shall strengthen the weak hearted, and raise them up in hope? He must faith S. Paul, he must be apt to teach that is made Minister: but we have made the old saying true, Oportet ● Tim. 32 non habet locum, they are we may say, they are more meet for the plough, that devil in the parsonage. Say the Apostle what he say will, he must or ●e must not, he shall be made Minister now that pleaseth the maker. Even thus it is, both high and low, as many as God hath sealed with a god spirit, they complain of it. They say all with jeremy: jere. 2. 8. The Priests say not, where is the Lord? and they that should minister the law, they know nothing. The men among us that would be our leaders, they may say as of old time, I will prophecy unto thee of wine, & of strong Mich. 2. ●● drink, but of the law and the testimonies they can no skill. So heavy is the hand of our God over our sins, until we be amended. He hath broken his two staves of happy feeding, Zech. two. 13 both beauty and bands, and given in steed of them the instruments of a foolish Shepherd, and hath raised us up Pastors which look not for the things that are lost, nor seek the tender Lambs, nor heal that that is hurt, nor feed that that standeth up. 2. Chroni. 15. 3. And therefore we may boldly say, God himself being our warrant, that the Israel of the Lord is without his Pastor. But some perhaps will think this complaint to be grievous, God hath not dealt thus with us, but rather hath multiplied a great many of learned and godly Ministers unto us, even now in great abundance, as in any age before us: Most certainly true it is, that God hath raised up in our days men of singular hope, full of excellent gifts, whose virtues in young years hath shined far above the grey hears of their forefathers. Would God we were half thankful enough for so manifold blessings. The joy of the whole earth, and the gladness of all the world, that is the blessed hope of the Gospel, it shineth not a little, even in their countenances The Lord increase them a thousand thousand fold, and give them double his spirit, that they may be greater than all their enemies, & abide faithful even unto death: that through them the Prince may rejoice, the Magistrate may be glad, their fellows may be encouraged, that people may be taught, all may have hope, sin may be abolished, idolatry rooted out, Antichrist overthrown, Satan trodden down, Hell may be confounded, the Gospel may increase, righteousness may shine, and God may have the glory. This desire is the fruit of our lice, and there is not in the world a better portion: this we have chosen, and in this we will dwell, until the fullness of time, that we shall say in our course: Lord now lettest thou thy servant departed in peace. But we have here not a little fear, and we see the stumbling blocks, that have made our ways dangerous. True it is many men are greatly to be beloved, but this is as true: there is none so good but Satan will seek to fift him. No, Lot, Aaron, Miriam Samson, David, Martha, Mary, men and women of most excellent virtue, and such as the world was not worthy of: and yet not one of these whom Satan wounded not, yea almost unto death. The most glorious of all men subject unto sin, was Adam himself, and yet he was thrown down into great confusion. So that the Saints of God (for so I trust I may call them, because of their great 〈◊〉) the Saints I say, that God hath sent unto us, they have great cause to fear, ● to say with Paul, Who seemeth to stand, let him take heed he fall not. Sure they are ●f continual assaults, and even at this present one above other shaketh all their faith. Satan hath so rend a sunder the glory of our ministery, that flesh and blood is not half willing to bear the shame of the world that goeth after it. He hath spoiled it of the due reward: of all authority: of all obedience: love, reverence & honour that man should gene unto it. He hath laid upon it much contempt, many reproaches, great poverty, intolerable bondage, so that though the calling be in deed the most precious inheritance under the sun, yet the glory is so darkened unto mortal eyes, that all Nobility is quite fled from it, the Gentlemen afraid to come unto it, the rich man rather chooseth any other kind of life, the men nest estate so hardly contented with it, that S. Paul himself can find but a few followers, that will cast away from them the cloaks of ●. Cor. 4. 2 shame, & not degenerate from the dignity of their office. But God shall once give again unto his ministery beauty, in steed of ashes, and rich apparel in steed of sackcloth, when he shall turn again the captivity of Zion, & build up the walls of the promised jerusalem. In the mean season we will live in hope, and give thanks unto our God that hath brought us hitherto. One other assault of Satan hurteth as much as this: yea and so much the more, because it is covered with the cloak of benefit, & showeth us a saluing medicine against the former wound. For where as the Ministers living in most Churches is but small, he hath found this remedy, that one man should have many benefices: & whereas the reproach is not little, but even the name is full of disdain, as to be called master Parson, Master vicar, Sir john, a parish Priest. etc. Against this evil he hath found a remedy worse, and given liberty to all that will, to be Non residentes, to forsake their charge, to go where they will like masterless hounds, to fill the common wealth with worse than any idle or vagabond persons. Lo this is the vessel of poison that Satan hath set a broach, & the cup of whoredom which the Pope hath begun of unto all the world. This is the head and fountain of all spiritual darkness: the root from which the glory of Antichrist did first arise: the filthy spring of all abominations, which by pestilent increase hath overflowed kingdoms with most shameful slavery: brought Princes into contempt: & set a vile person in the Monarchy of the world. And yet at this day it doth so dull the spirits of many excellent men, that their hearts are full of surfeiting, and yet they fool not their disease, they wallow (as I said) in their own vomit, and yet they see not their shame. The heinousness of this syune it is so displeasant in the sight of God, that he hath revenged it with one of his greatest plagues in hardening the offenders hearts, that they should have eyes to see, & not see, and ears to hear, & not hear, and hearts to understand, and yet not understand. For where as in many things they hear the voice of God, & follow humbly his calling, yet here they be deaf even as the Serpent that stoppeth his ears, that he may not hear the Charmer, charm he never so wisely. It is plain that the spirit speaketh: Be diligent to know the state of thy flock, Pro. 27. 23 and take heed to thy herds, for riches remain not always, nor the crown from generation to generation. But yet the love of riches, & gorgeous show of honour hath so deceived many, that in many years they see not their flock, nor care not at all in what pastures they be fed. So much in vain it is that the Apostle speaketh unto them: He that hath an office, let him attend on his office. The charge that Ro. 12. 7. S. Paul giveth to the Ministers of the Church of Ephesus, is as plain as may be spoken, yet they cannot understand it: Take heed (saith he) Ac. 20. 28 unto yourselves, & to all the flock, of which the holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the Church of God which he hath purchased which his own blood. O that this precept were written in our hearts with an iron pen, or a claw of Adamant, that we could never forget it. The often remembrance that we have bound our faith unto the spirit of God, that he hath called us for the instruction of his people, and that they are the price of the blood of Christ, would make us at the last so to love our duty, that the Sun and Moon should be ashamed at the sound of a non-resident, & the name of that parson should be odious unto us, that would take upon him a charge and look not after it. The Prophet saith, that Ezec. 3. 18 &. 33. 8. if the Minister declare not the judgements of God against him that sinneth, the wicked man shall die in his sin, but his blood shall be required at the hands of the negligent watchman. And the Apostle to the Hebrews, speaking of the faithful Minister, saith that they Heb. 13. 17 watch over the souls of those that are committed unto them, as they that shall give account if any of them perish. If these two be sufficient witness, that according to the law the truth should be esteemed, by their word most certain it is that our negligent Pastors, who have covered themselves as Solomon saith, with thick clay, and multiplied their benefices, till they be many in number, they must needs think they have an heavy account against the day of Christ. Neither gold nor silver, nor the pride of honour shall be acceptable in steed of the souls of their brethren. But so it is they are shut up in blindness, and God hath covered them with a spirit of slumber, & they are set down in the counsels of the mockers & despisers, which say in much security, where is the promise of his coming? O cursed law of liberty that hath so dulled their spirit: And O bottomless pit and hell of whoredoms, out of which such a stinking savour continually breatheth of Pluralities, tot-quots and all manner faculties, and drunken dregs of popish abominations. O Lord God we beseech thee multiply thy spirit yet more upon thine anointed & chosen servants. Lead them into the midst of thy Sanctuary, that they may drink full of thy loving kindness. And every them so far with all thy blessings, that they may see with thy Saints what is the height, the breadth, the length, the depth, and how unsearchable is the riches of thy glory, that hast alone immortality, and dwellest in light, which shall shine for ever: That thy manifold mercies which thou hast multiplied unto them, may be made perfect in that fullness of spirit, until they shall say unto themselves, even with the zeal of that noble Prophet and King: I will not enter into the tabernacle of my house, nor get up into my bed, I will not suffer mine eyes Psal. 132. 2 to sleep, nor mine eyelids to slumber, until I have caused this land which thou hast blessed to spew out the surfeitings of this deadly poison. O Lord God thou that art able, bring this good thing to pass, let not our sins separate between us and thy goodness, but open thine ears unto our prayers, and pour out thy compassions upon us, that we & our Rulers may all rejoice and sing together with thy Saints in the apocalypse, Allelu-iah, salvation, Apo. 19 2 and glory, & power be to thee O Lord our God, for true and righteous are thy judgements, and thou hast condemned the great whore which did corrupt the earth with her fornication. And therefore make us say continually Allelu-iah, and her smoke let it rise up for evermore. Amen. Farewell good Christian Reader, and forget not thy duty to bless them with thy prayer, who have blessed thee with liberty, and help them to the glorious triumph of the Gospel of Christ, who have broken from thy neck the yoke of Antichrist, that they may long rule with righteousness, with peace, and with joy in the holy Ghost, whose government hath made thee free from the bondage of Egypt, from the spiritual Baby lou, from Pope and papacy, which shame hath shadowed, and shall at the last close it up for ever. From my Chamber. the. 22. of April. 1572. Thine in the Lord. ue. D. Roma. 8. 22. ¶ Every creature groaneth together and traveleth in pain until this present. and not only the creature, but we also which have the first fruits of the spirit, even we do sigh in ourselves, waiting for the adoption, even the redemption of our bodies. ¶ A short instruction very necessary for all such as shall be received to the lords Supper. Question. What is ●●e chiefest duty of a Christian ●an 〈◊〉 this life? Answer. ●he chiefest duty of man, & not ●●●●an only, a Pro. 16. 4. Esay. 6. 3. but of all the creatu●es in the world in their nature, is to set forth the glory of God. Question. How shall we perform this duty? Answer. To perform this duty, it is necessary to know unto a Rom. 3. 7. what death we by ourselves are subject. b Rom. 3. 7. What great salvation God of his free mercy hath given unto us through faith. And what c Ro. 20. 4. thankfulness we own unto him for our deliverance. Question. Tell me these things in order: first what is sin? and what doth it deserve? Answer. a john. 3. 4. Sin is the breach of the law of God, contained in the ten commandments: b Rom. 6. 23 and the reward of this sin is eternal death. Question. Rehearse the ten Commandments. Answer God spoke these words & said. I am the Lord thy GOD which Exod. 20. 1 brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage, thou shalt have none other Gods but me. etc. Question. What meaneth this commandment, thou shalt have none other Gods but me? Answer. The meaning of it is, that I should acknowledge but a Deut. 6. 4. one only God, that I should b Deut. 6. 13 honour and fear him, that I should c Deu. 10. 20 clean unto him: that I should not do d Deut. 8. 19 after the abominations of any idolatrous people to worship stocks or stones: that I ●●ould not e Deut. 13. 1. hearken to any false Prophets, that teach their own fantasies, and not the word of God: That I should not f Deu 18. ●5. seek to any Sorcerers, Conjurers, Witches, Soothsayers, Charmers, or any such: g Deu. 12. 32 But that I should hearken unto Christ alone, and add no thing to the word which he hath spoken, but put all my trust in God alone, call upon him alone, fear him alone, and love him above all. All this is contained in this first commandment, Thou shalt have no other Gods but me. Question. What meaneth the second commandment, that we shall not make any granen Image? Answer. The meaning of this is, that we should not think God to be like either a Deut. 4. 15. Act. 17. 29. man or woman, or gold or silver, or any manner creature, that we should not worship him under the similitude of b Levi. 26. 1. Sun, Moon, or any other thing what soever it be, to how down before it. But only in c joh. 4. 23. spirit and truth we must worship God alone, and beside him no other: no Saint, no Angel, no creature. And that the worshipping of God alone, be not according to our fancies, d Deu. 12. 32 but only as himself hath commanded in his word. If in any of these points we be faulty, we have broken this second commandment. Question. What meaneth the third commandment, that we should not take the name of God in vain? Answer. The meaning of it is, that we should not swear a Levi. 19 12 falsely, nor b Eccles. 5, 1. rashly, nor in light matters, but with c Deu 28. 58 fear and reverence make mention of the name of the Lord our God in d jere. 4. 2. truth, in judgement, and in righteousness, to the glory of God, or maintenance of brotherly love, in which causes we must swear by the name of God e Deut. 6. 13. alone, neither by heaven, nor earth, neither by book, Saint, nor Angel, f jerem. 5. 7 nor any creature. As for Mass, Cross, Rood, or such other, we aught so to detest such manner Idols, that they should not once be g Exo. 23. 13 Psal. 16. 4. named among us. But we should have only precious in our eyes the h Deu. 28. 58 glorious and fearful name of the Lord our God. This is to obey this third commandment. Question. What meaneth the fourth commandment, Remember that thou keep holy the Sabbath day? Answer. To keep holy the sabbath day, is to come together, and with fear and reverence to hear a Act. 20. 7. the word of God preached unto us: to receive his Sacraments with faith and with repentance: b 1. Cori. 14. 18. to pray together with one heart and voice: to show in outward doing our inward sabbath, c Num. 29. 7 that we rest from sin and wickedness: that the spirit of God dwelleth in us, and in this life the beginning of our everlasting rest. This is the fourth commandment. Question. What meaneth the fift commandment. Honour thy father and thy mother? Answer. To honour our Parents, is to a Levit. 19 3 fear, love, obey, and relief them, or any other that are unto us in their steed. As our b Exo. 22. 28 Princes, and Rulers, our c 1. The. 5. 12 Pastors and Ministers, our Masters and Teachers, the d Levi. 19 32 aged and grey headed men: And also all manner of Superiors, that they may be honourable, they must put on a fatherly affection toward their Inferiors. Question. The sixth commandment: Thou shalt do no murder, what meaneth this? Answer. The Lord here forbiddeth all killing, fighting, quarreling, and a john. 3. 15. inward hatred, all b Levi. 15. 17. desire of revenge, all reproaches, and mocks of the dumb, the deaf, the lame, or any other impotent: All c Deut. 21. 1. hurt toward our brother, and that we should do good unto all, d Mat. 5. 44. yea even to our enemies, and love one another as ourselves. Question. What meaneth the seventh commandment, Thou shalt not commit adultery? Answer. In this commandment the Lord forbiddeth all fornication, adultery, uncleanness, wantonness, all a Levi. 18. 22 unnatural lusts, unpure thoughts unchaste behaviour, filthy talk, b Deut. 22. 12 wanton apparel, idle pastimes, gluttony, drunkenness, c Deut. 22. 21 houses of open whoredom, and whatsoever else may allure to uncleaves. Question. What meaneth the eight commandment, Thou shalt not steal? Answer. The Lord here forbiddeth all stealing, both in deed & thought, all a 1. The. 4. 6 deceit, all b Levi. 19 11. lying and oppression, all c Deu. 24. 14 withholding of the labourers hire, all d Exo. 22. 21. uncourteousnes to the stranger, widow, and fatherless: all e Deu. 10. 17 gifts to pervert judgement: all f Levi. 19 35. false measures, and covetousness, and chargeth us to be g Pro. 27. 27. content with our calling, and to live of our own. To observe these things is not to steal. Question. What meaneth the ninth commandment, Thou shalt bear no false witness against thy neighbour? Answer We are here forbidden to bear witness in any untruth, by oath or by word: we are forbidden all a Levi. 19 16 flattery and dissembling: all slanderous and ill reports, either ourselves to speak them, or to hear them of others: nor in private offences we may not speak the truth to the hurt of our brothers good name, if by b Mat. 18. 25. private admonitions he may be won, but carefully & bold lie we must testify all truth what so Levit. 5. 1. ever we know, to the furtherance of justice. Question. What meaneth the tenth commandment, Thou shalt not covet thy neighbours house. & c? Answer. Here in plain words God forbiddeth all inward desire, what so ever is unlawful to be done, which desire is not only sinful when we consent unto it, but a Ro. 7. 7. the very motion is enemy unto God, and banished from his presence. For it is un possible those bodies should see God, which can nourish evil concupiscence in them, even as it is un possible that corruption should b 1. Cor. 15. 50. inherit incorruption, or that c Ro. 8. 6. flesh and blood in this similitude of old Adam should inherit the kingdom of God. So that by this commandment most clearly we may see the image of that man that plea seth God, even such a one in whom is nothing impure, neither in will nor nature. Question. sith these are Gods commandments, I see now most assuredly how there is no man that sinneth not, tell me then what punishment is due unto our sin. Answer. The a Ro. 6. 23. reward of sin is death, not only the present and transitory change which we shall all taste of, but ● b Apo. 20. 6. &. 21. 8. second death, an other everlasting death, the curse of God, and his heavy wrath which hath no end, everlasting condemnation, and the c Mat 25. 41 Mark. 9 44. pains of hell which abide for ever, not only in soul, whose worm dieth not, but in body also, whose fire shall never be quenched. Question. How say we then that God is merciful, if his anger be such as shall never be pacified? Answer. God is in deed a a 2. Cor. 1. 3 God of all mercies, and father of all consolations, whose loving kindness hath no end, and in the great riches of his compassions he hath b Eph. 3. 10. 1. joh. 3. 2 appointed to make known the glory of his majesty unto his children. But God is also just & c Rom. 2. 2 judgeth righteously, and therefore to such as through infidelity despise the riches of his goodness, and disobey the word of his glorious power, he hath appointed a just recompense of eternal death. Question. Now I know what is sin, even the breach of the law of GOD. And because of the excellency of God's majesty which by sin is offended, I see the greatness of sin, and how it deserveth eternal death, of which without exception by nature we are all guilty. But tell me now, is there no punishment in this life by which we may recompense our sin? Answer. There is no sufficient recompense in the world: a Ap. 18. 12. no goods nor multitude of riches: b Luc. 17. 10 no liberality to the poor: no whipping nor scourging, c Col. 2. 23. nor hurt of thine own body: nothing that thou canst devise d Psa. 49. 8 so precious is the redemption of thy soul, and the continuance for ever. Question. Now I know what sin is, & to what death it hath condemned us without all remedy in ourselves, tell me now how we may be delivered from the anger of God, and the pains everlasting? Answer. Mark and I will tell thee, pray unto God to give thee understanding, and low in humility of spirit, I will declare the salvation of the Lord, when we had sinned, and by sin had a Rom. 3. ●5 provoked God to anger, and so were b Ac. 26. 18 subject to Satan, hell, and condemnation, that the righteousness of God might stand, it was necessary that these things should be borne, and suffered, the anger of God, the tyranny of Satan, and the pains of hell, which all followed sin, and therefore he that shallbe a saviour for our sins, c Gal. 3. 13. 2. Co. 5. 21 he must take this upon him, & in his own righteousness, he must be delivered again from them. Question. Tell me then where shall we find such a Saviour? Answer. The Lord lighten our eyes, that we may understand the riches of Col. 1. 29 his glorious mystery: the Lord reveal his secret unto us: the Lord make us see with all his Saints Eph. 3. 18 what is the height, the breadth, the length, the depth, that we may sing unto him the praises of all his mercies. This Saviour whom we seek for, who for our sins must a Heb. 2. 9 taste of death, & yet in the power of his b Rom. 1. 4 own righteousness must rise from death to life, he cannot be found c Psa. 49. 7 Psa, 59 1● Ps. 107. 13 among the children of men. All the righteousness of d Ez. 14. 14 Abraham, Isaac, and jacob, it cannot recompense the lest of all my sins. Adam and Eve while they were yet in integrity, they could not e Gen. 36. bear the sin of the eating of one apple which was forbidden them. Yea the f jude. 6. Angels of heaven when they kept not the first estate, but g joh. 8. 44 fell away from the truth in which they were created, they could not bear up their sin, but it h 2. Pet. 2. 4 weighed them down to hell, and bound them for ever in the chains of darkness, so that in men and Angels there is no hope. But God that is i Ephe. 2. 4 rich in mercies, and whose compassions have no end: He sent his own son in the k Rom. 8. 3. similitude of sinful flesh, to be a redeemer, and to condemn sin in the flesh. So that this is the Saviour sent into the world, even jesus Christ the righteous, in l Colo. 2. 9 whom the fullness of the Godhead doth devil bodily, that when there was no salvation in all creatures, GOD might m Cor. 5. 19 be in Christ, and reconcile the world unto himself. Question. If Christ through the power and virtue of his Godhead, did fulfil all righteousness, and satisfy for our sin, why then was he also made man like unto us? Answer. As it was necessary that Christ should be God, a job. 4. 18▪ &. 25. 5. or else he could not have been so perfect righteous, as the law of God required, nor yet have borne the heavy burden of sin: So it was also necessary that he should be man, or else he had been righteous only to himself, and b Heb. 2. ●● we through him had not been. For it could not be that we should have been partakers of his grace, if he had not been partaker of our nature, nor we could not have been free from the wrath of God, and rigour of his law, except our c Heb. 2. 14 Gal. 3. 13 nature in him had felt his father's anger, & he perfect man for us had been accursed: for d Eze. 18. 4 God had so appointed that the soul that had sinned, it should die, and he is not like e 1. Sam. 1● 29. unto man that he should repent, but the word that he had spoken he would surely accomplish. And therefore that God might be righteous in his judgement, Christ was man like unto us, and so in our flesh f Heb 9 14 offered himself unto death, as if he should have said unto his father: Execute O God thy judgements against man, & lo behold me a perfect man, I will bear them. And thus was our saviour Christ perfect God, that he might be stronger than Satan, and take sin away, and perfect man, that we might have part of his redemption g Heb. 4. 15 who in all things was like unto us, sin only excepted. Question. sith Christ God and man hath thus paid the punishment of our sins, are we now all discharged before God? Answer. Not, not every one shall be saved by Christ, but they alone that do believe, & in a true faith take hold of his mercies. Question. Rehearse the Articles of this faith. Answer. I believe in God the father. etc. Question. Why makest thou mention of God the Father, God the Son, & God the holy Ghost, seeing there is but one God? Answer. As the scripture teacheth us most plainly that there is but a Deut. 4. 32 Ephe. 4. 6. one God, so likewise it teacheth me that the sa●● divine substance is distinguished into three persons, into b Mat. 28. 19 1. john. 5. 7. the Father, the Son, and the holy Ghost. Which three persons are one God c Deut. 4. 12. Act. 17. 25. eternal, infinite, & most perfect in itself. And when God shall give us such eyes as shall be able to see the glorious Majesty of his Godhead, than we shall have also such heavenly wisdom, as shall easily perceive the distinction of the persons. In the mean while we will believe the truth of his eternal word, and hate and detest all contrary heresies. Question. God grant unto us all this sobriety, but tell me now what is the effect of the Articles of thy faith. Answer. First I believe that God the Father, the maker of all things, a Ephe. 3. 15. for his son Christ's sake, is my Father, and therefore b 1. joh. 4. 9 loveth me. Secondly, that God the Son was made c 1. Tim. 2. 5. man for me, & hath wrought for me what so ever was needful to salvation. thirdly I believe, that God the holy Ghost d Gala. 4. 6. dwelleth in my heart, as the e 2. Cor. 1. 22 Ephe. 1. 14, seal of mine election, and persuadeth me that Christ's benefits are all mine, & worketh in me, f Collo. 2. 11. that I die unto sin, and live unto righteousness. Question. What is it that thou callest the Catholic Church? Answer. The catholic Church is the whole company of the a Heb. 11. 39 faithful, which have been here to fore, or are now, or shall be to the latter end, even the whole fellowship of the elect of God, I believe the God knoweth them all, that he hath and will take them all into his glory. Question. What callest thou the communion of saints? Answer. The communion of Saintes is the society that we have all with a 1. john. 1. 3. God through Christ jesus, & the employing of all God's benefits, both spiritual & temporal, to the mutual help and comfort one of an other, according to the measure offaith that we have received. Thus I believe the Saints of God will do, b Psal▪ 132. ● and while they are in this life, live one to another. Question. What is it to believe the forgiveness of sin? Answer. To believe that the punishment of our sins is fully paid by jesus Christ, and therefore freely forgiven unto all that believe in him. Question. What believest thou of the resurrection of the body? Answer. I do believe that after this life ended, a Eccle. 12. 7. my soul shall go to God that gave it, & that my body shall rest in the grave, till the appointed time, & then I shall b job. 19 25. see God in my flesh, I myself shall see him, & mine own eyés shall look upon him, even in this body made glorious, and with out all c Phil. 3. 21. corruption, like unto the body of Christ. Question. What is it thou sayest of life everlasting? Answer. I believe that when God shall raise again this body, & join again in one my body & soul, that then my body shall be without all corruption, no more subject to any change, but that Death itself our last enemy shall be taken away, a Cor 15. 54 & swallowed up in victory, & I shall live, so that I shall never die. God strengthen us by his spirit in the inner man, that we may be able to comprehend with all his Saints, b Eph. 3. 17 what is the length, the breadth, the height, the depth that we may know the love of Christ, and be filled with all fullness of God. Question. The Lord increase this faith in us: But tell me, have we this faith in our own power, to believe if ourselves will? Answer. Not, but a Ephe. 2. 8. faith is the gift of God, even as our salvation likewise is, & of ourselves there is not one of us that b 1. Cor. 12. 3 can so much as name the Lord jesus, but c john 6. 6●. it is wrought in us by the holy Ghost, through the d Galat. 3. 2. Rom. 8. 7. preaching of the word, confirmed and e Rom. 4. 11. made strong by the same Spirit, through the use of the word and Sacraments. Question. How many Sacraments are there? Answer. Two, Baptism, and the lords Supper. Question. What strength of faith have we through our Baptism? Answer. Baptism is a seal and token by which God will have me assured that a Act. 22. 17. my sins are forgiven me, and that my life is acceptable in his sight: That like as the water washeth away the filthiness of our bodies, b i Pet. 3. 21. so our souls through the blood of Christ are made clean from the corruption of sin: And as after our outward washing the body is more comely, so after our Baptism the c Rom. 6. 4. spirit of God worketh in us, that sin is dead in our mortal bodies, and we be risen up into newness of life. And in whom so ever Baptism hath not this work, he may well have the name, but in deed he is no Christian. Question. What strengthening of our faith do we find in the use of the lords Supper? Answer. The Supper of the Lord doth strengthen my faith, that I should not doubt, but as surely as I receive the bread and wine into my body, to become of perfect substance with my flesh, a 1. Co. 10. 16 so Christ hath given himself wholly to become mine, & nourisheth my soul to everlasting life, b Rom. 4. 25 his death and passion is my deliverance from sin, c 2. Cor. 5. 21 his righteousness is my justification, even so surely confirmed unto me, as if I myself had performed in mine own body that most holy obedience unto his father, which he alone fulfilled. Thus I receive the Sacraments as signs and seals of the righteousness that is by faith. Question. sith that this is then the doctrine of salvation, that when we were dead through sin, God of his great mercy sent his son to be made man, and die for our sins, and to fulfil all righteousness, that he might bring again life into the world, and so give that life unto every one, whosoever should receive the holy Ghost to believe, that so we might be saved by faith, who before were condemned by our works: Whereto then now serveth our well doing, or what availeth it to do good works▪ Answer. True it is, our good works deserve nothing at God's hand, for in his sight our good works are not good, but all our righteousness is like a defiled a Esay. 64. 6. cloth. And were they never so many, yet by them b job. 35. 7. God receiveth nothing at our hands, c Psal ●6. 2. and all our well doing extendeth not unto him, & therefore if we will ask any thing by works, we must ask of them of whom we have deserved it, at the hands of God we can ask nothing. And therefore as touching merit we will let our works alone. But we have greater causes of well doing, & which aught more to enforce us, than either life or death. We must do well first, to show our d Collo. 3. 15. thankful hearts to our Saviour Christ, and to e 1 john. 5. 2. testify our love towards him, with keeping of his commandments. Again, we aught to do well, that our f 1. Pet. 2. 12. example may call out brethren unto righteousness, that they also may become with us of the household of faith. But the greatest cause of all other is, that in our well doing g Mat. 5. 16. we set forth the glory of God, and his holy name is praised in our good works. This aught to be so precious in our eyes, that ten thousand hells and heavens should not so much move us. This is the excellency of virtue, that God in it is glorified, & this is the great horror and confusion of sin, that God in it is dishonoured. Question. Because that prayer is the especial means which God will have us use to increase in faith, tell me what belongeth to true prayer? Answer. It is requisite in true prayer first that we pray a Psa. 50. 13. only to God: b jaco. 4. 3. Secondly, that we be inwardly touched with the need of the thing we ask: c 2. Cori. 1. 20. thirdly, that we ground our prayer upon God's promise. d Luk. 18. 2. Fourthly, that we continued, though strait we obtain not: Lastly, that we ask not what we will, but such things as we are sure God hath commanded us to ask, like as we have example in the lords prayer. Question. Rehearse the lords prayer. Answer. Our father which art in heaven. etc. Question. What desirest thou in this prayer? Answer. I desire of my heavenly Father, that his holy name may be glorified among us, both in his excellent works, & in our lives: That he only may be had in honour, & all other set aside. Secondly, I desire that his kingdom may flourish, that is, that his holy spirit may bear rule within us, to all heavenly delights, and that his word may have the pre-eminence, to be our only law of righteousness, which we may all obey. Thirdly, that we may willing lie resign ourselves to him, without all murmuring whatsoever he shall do. Fourthly, that he will minister of his great riches, allthings necessary for our vocation. Fiftly, that our consciences may be quiet, and we have hope, that our sins are pardoned and blotted out of memory, even as we pardon all whosoever have offended us. lastly, that God would strengthen us with his holy spirit, and increase our faith, that we may overcome the world, and quench the fiery darts of Satan, and so at the last be partakers of his glory. Question. Tell me now briefly the effect of all that thou hast confessed. Answer. By the ten commandments I see my sin, and how I have deserved the wrath of God, & everlasting damnation. From which because I could not be delivered by mine own strength, the holy Ghost by the preaching of the Gospel hath wrought in me faith, in Christ my Redeemer, by which I am assured that he hath borne the punishment of my sins, & made me heir with him of everlasting life. And of this that I should never doubt, he hath given me two Sacraments, as outward signs and tokens to be seen and felt of me, that as surely as I see myself made partaker of them outwardly, so the holy Ghost inwardly instructing me, I should not doubt, but inwardly to be partaker of Christ himself with all his benefits, that in him and through him I shall have life everlasting. And thus being regenerate into this lively hope by the holy Ghost, my ways should be directed by the same spirit, to walk in holiness & righteousness all the days of my life. FINIS.