A brief method OF CATECHIZING. Wherein are handled these four points. 1 How miserable all men are by nature. 2 What remedy God hath appointed for their deliverance. 3 How they must live that are delivered. 4 What helps they must use to that end. The same points are also contracted, and a form of examining Communicants added. 1. PET. 3.15.16. Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear. The sixteenth Edition, newly perused and amended by the Author. AT LONDON, Imprinted by F. K. for henry Fetherstone, dwelling in Pauls Churchyard, at the sign of the Rose. 1610. TO THE CHRISTIAN READER. ALthough at the first publishing of this little catechism, I called it a Method, only to distinguish it from other books of the same argument: yet since, it hath put me in mind to avoid some repetitions. But especially I haue respect to the benefit of the simplo, for whose sakes I haue cut off many particular questions, and made the rest( where I conveniently could) shorter and plainer. For the same cause I haue set down fewer quotations, and those for the most part out of the new Testament, because the Reader might with more ease turn unto them. And although the most part do let the quotations stand as cyphers in the margin, To read and examine the places of Scripture set down in the margin, a most profitable exercise. never searching the Scriptures, according to the example of those noble and worthy Christians, mentioned in the Acts, 17.11. yet I would aduise thee Christian Reader, to reform the common fault, and with all care and diligence, to turn to the places which are noted, that thy faith and conscience may bee grounded, not vpon the speeches of men, but vpon the words of the holy Ghost: to whose gracious and comfortable direction I commend and commit thee now and ever. Thine in the Lord Iesus, ST. EGERTON. PLACES OF SCRIPture, showing the necessity and antiquity of Catechizing, as well privately, as publicly. Testimonies. THese words which I command thee this day shall bee in thy heart, Deut. 16.6.7.8. and thou shalt rehearse them continually( setting an edge vpon them) unto thy children: and thou shalt talk of them when thou tarriest in thy house, &c. For precept must be vpon precept, Esai. 20.18. precept vpon precept, line unto line, line unto line, there a little, and there a little. Therefore leaving the doctrine of the beginning of Christ, Heb. 6.1.2. let us be lead forward to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith to God, &c. And the Lord said, shall I hid from Abraham Abraham. that thing which I do? Gen. 18.17 for I know him that he will command his sons, and his household after him, &c. david. 1. Chro. 28.9.10. And thou Salomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart, and with a willing mind, &c. Christ. Mat. 16.15.16.17. He said unto them, But who say ye that I am? Then Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art Christ, the son of the living God. And Iesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou Simon the son of jonas, &c. And Philip Philip. ran thither, and heard him read the Prophet Esaias, Act. 8.30.31.35.36.37. and said: But understandest thou that thou readest? And he said, How can I, except I haue a guide? Bethsheba. Prou. 31.12 &c. 16. The words of King Lemuel: a collection of the precepts which his mother taught him. What my son? A PRAYER BEFORE the Exercise. MOst blessed Lord, and heavenly Father, we aclowledge and confess before thy majesty, that wee are dull to conceive, weak to remember, hard to believe, and slow to practise the wholesome instructions, fearful threatenings, and gracious promises of thy heavenly word. wherefore we humbly beseech thee to be present with us at this time, to teach us and bless us, and to make this exercise of thy holy word, powerful and profitable unto vs. O Lord enlighten our minds, that wee may understand, open our hearts, that we may beleeue, and so strengthen our memories, that we may hid and lay up thy promises, precepts and threatenings in our hearts, to keep us from sinning against thee. And though by the corruption of our nature, wee think every good thing tedious and vnsauoury, yet we pray thee to sanctify and sweeten the same unto us by thy holy Spirit, that we may find more comfort therein, then in any worldly oz bodily exercise whatsoever. And grant O Lord our God, that this true ioy and found delight may make us watchful to redeem the time, and constant in performing this holy duty, to the daily increase of faith & a good conscience, to thy glory and our own salvation, through our Lord and saviour Iesus Christ: to whom with thee and the holy Ghost, be given all honor and glory for ever, Amen. A brief method of Catechizing: wherein are handled these four points. 1 How miserable al men are by nature. 2 What remedy God hath appointed for their deliverance. 3 How they must live that are delivered. 4 What helps they must use to that end. ¶ certain general Questions. Q. OF what religion are you? Religion. Acts 11.26. A. Of the Christian religion. Q. What religion is that? A. That which teacheth men to look for true and everlasting happiness by Christ alone. Acts 4.12. Q. Where is this religion taught? A. In the holy Scriptures of the old and new testament, Scriptures. which are given us of God to bee a perfect rule of sound doctrine and good life. John 5.39. 2. Tim. 3.16 Q. What learn you generally out of the Scriptures? John 17.3. Rom. 7.9. A. Two things: The knowledge of God, and of ourselves, wherein standeth our chief happiness. Q. What is God? God. John 4.24. 1. Tim. 1.17 A. God is a Spirit, and king everlasting, immortal, invisible, and onely wise. Q. Is there any more but one onely true God? A. No: but this one God hath made himself known to us in three several persons, Mar. 12.29. 1. John 5.7 the Father, the son, and the holy Ghost. Q. What are the works of God? Decree. Rom. 11.36 A. They are generally three: whereof the first is the foreseing and appointing of all things before all time to his own glory. Q. What special things hath God foreseen and appointed? Predestination. Eph. 1.4.5. Mat. 25.46 A. he hath appointed some men( called therefore his elect or chosen) to eternal glory, & others to eternal fire. Q. What is the second work? A. The making of all things in the beginning exceeding good in their several kinds. Creation. Gen. 1.31. Col. 1.16. Q. What is the third? A. The ruling and governing of all things most wisely, government. Mat. 10.29. John 8.20. mightily and righteously. Q. How did God make man? A. He made man both male and female, in a most happy estate, Man. Col. 3.10. Ephes. 4.24 according to his own Image, in perfect knowledge and righteousness. The first principal point. Q. Did man thus made, continue in this blessed estate? A. No: they fell from it, Mans fall. Gen. 3.12. Eccle. 7.31. and became most cursed and miserable creatures. Q. How did they fall? A. By the enticement of the divell, 2. Cor. 11.3. 1. Tim. 2.14 and their own wilful disobedience in breaking the commandement of God. Q. What came to us their posterity thereby? original guiltiness and corruption. Rom. 5.12. Ephes. 2.1. A. Three things: guiltiness of their sin, corruption of nature, and continual sinning against God in motion, thought, word and deed. Q. What is sin? sin. Rom. 7.7. 1. John 3.4. A. Sin is whatsoever is not fully agreeable to the holiness and perfection of the law of God. Q. What is the punishment of sin? Punishment. Rom. 6.23 Mat. 5.22. A. The loss of Gods favour and former happiness, with the due deserving of all plagues in this world, and hell fire in the world to come. Q. How came these things to us their posterity by their fall? Gen. 5.3. Heb. 7.9.10 A. Because Adam and eve were the common parents of us all, and the very stock & roote from whence all mankind did spring. Q. Are all men sinners then? Rom. 3.10.11.12. A. Yea: all haue sinned and failed of the glory of God, there is none that doth good, no not one. Q. And are all subject to this punishment? Ephes. 2.3.12. Act. 10.38. A. Yea: all without exception are the children of wrath, and bondslaves of Satan. Q. How may we be touched with the sense of feeling of our sins? A. If we consider the greatness, Heb. 12.29. & 10.31. & 4.12.13. multitude, and filthiness of them, being committed against the glorious majesty of God, and his most pure and undefiled law. Q. How may we be touched with fear and horror of the punishment? A. If we consider how many and how grievous Gods judgements are in this life, Deut. 21.15 Mark. 9.43.44. and how intolerable and endless in the life to come. Q. What ought this feeling and fear to work in us? A. An utter loathing and dislike of ourselves, Mat. 11.28. Luk. 5.17.18. with an earnest desire and careful labouring after the remedy prescribed in the gospel. The second principal point. Q. What remedy remedy. is there against this misery? A. None at al, either in ourselves, Acts 4.12. 1. Cor. 1.30. or in any creature, but only in Iesus Christ. Christ. Gal. 4.4.5. Rom. 5.15. Q. What is Christ? A. The eternal son of God, who in time became man, to repair the image of God in the elect, and to restore them to a better estate then they lost in Adam. Q. Why was it needful he should be man? Christ man. Heb. 2.16. & 4.5. A. Because he could not haue died and answered for mans sin, except he had taken mans nature. Q. Why was it needful he should be God? Christ God. Heb. 4.14. & 7.25. A. Because else he could not haue overcome death, and performed that perfect satisfaction and righteousness which the divine iustice required. Q. What hath Christ done for man? Redemption 2. Cor. 5.21. Gal. 3.13. A. He hath fully pacified Gods infinite anger against the sins of all the elect, fréeing them from sin, and death, and so is made our redemption. Q. What else? righteousness. Rom. 10.4. 1. Cor. 1.31. A. he hath fulfilled for them the perfect righteousness required in the law, and so is made our righteousness. Q. What blessing and reward do men reap by the obedience and righteousness of Christ? A. By him they haue adoption, Adoption. joh. 1.12. Ephes. 1.5. that is, they are made the children of God and heires of eternal glory. Q. What else hath Christ done for us? A. He hath sanctified our nature in his own person, Sanctification. Rom. 8.2 1. Cor. 1.30. and doth sanctify us daily by his spirit, and so is made our sanctification. Q. Do men perfectly enjoy al these benefits in this life? A. They are fully justified in the sight of God, Sanctification imperfect. 1. joh. 3.2. Rom. 9.23.24. and adopted into the number of his children, but not wholly freed from sin, till after death. Q. How then can any thing that proceedeth from us, be pleasing to God? A. Because Christ, Intercession. Rom. 8.34. 1. John 2.1 sitting at his right hand a mediator, maketh our duties( though weak and imperfect) acceptable to his father. Q. Who are partakers of these benefits by Christ? A. Onely such as come unto him, Mat. 11.28 John 6.35. that is, which beleeue in his name. Q. What is it to beleeue in Christ? Faith. Luk. 2.11 .. A. To he truly persuaded in heart that he is a saviour even to vs. Q. What encouragement haue we to beleeue in Christ? John 6.29. & 3.16. Mark. 5.36 A. Because we are commanded and exhorted so to do, and for that he is offered freely unto us of God, with this only condition, to beleeue in him. Q. Is it for the worthiness of our faith that we are saved? Mark. 9.24 1. Cor. 13.9 A. No:( for we beleeue in part,) but only for the worthiness of Iesus Christ, vpon whom faith layeth hold. Q. Is it in our power to beleeue? Ephes. 2.8.48. Act. 13.4. Rom. 10.17. A. No: It is the gift of God to his children, wrought in their hearts by the holy Ghost, through the preaching of the word. The third principal point. Q. Seeing wee are saved onely by Christ through faith, may wee now live as we list? Tit. 2.11.12. &c. 2. Tim. 2.19. A. No: for the gospel teacheth us to deny all ungodliness and worldly lusts: and Christ died to purge us to himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. Q. What works are to be accounted good works? A. Such as proceed from faith, Good works Heb. 11.6. 1. Cor. 10.31. Rom. 14.23 and be done to the glory of God, & grounded vpon the word of God. Q. What call you the first & continual work of Gods spirit in the faithful? A. Repentance: Repentance that is, such a changing and renewing of the heart, Mat. 3.7.8. & 12.33.34.35. as bringeth forth a new life and conversation. Q. What be the parts of repentance? A. Two: that is, dying to sin, Rom. 6.11. Ephe. 4.22.23. and living to righteousness: or the putting off the old man, and putting on the new. Q. Whence do these two spring? A. From the power and virtue of Christs death and resurrection, Rom. 6.3.4.5. joh. 15.1.2. into whom we are engrafted by faith. Q. Wherein doth repentance chiefly appear? A. In the changing of the thoughts, affections, meditations, and delights. Rom. 2.28.29. Ephe. 4.22.23. Q. Why should we repent & do good works, seeing we are not saved by thē? motives to repentance and good works. Eph. 2.10. 1. Cor. 6.9.10. Mat. 5.16. 2. Pet. 1.9. A. Because God requireth them at our hands; and that no unrighteous person, or unrepentant sinner shal enter into the kingdom of God. Q. Wherefore else? A. To glorify God our heavenly father, and to show ourselves thankful for all his benefits, especially for our redemption by Iesus Christ. Q. Is there any other reason? 1. Pet. 3.1. 2. Pet. 1.10 A. Yea: by this means wee may win others to God, and make sure our own calling and election to ourselves. Q. How can we haue any assurance of our calling and election by works Iam. 2.14. 1. joh. 1.6.7. Rom. 5.1. & 2.29. John 21.17. joh. 1.3.1.4. 1. joh. 5.4. A. Because they show whether our faith in Christ be true or counterfeit living or dead. Q. What works do chiefly show this? A. Peace of conscience, vprightne●… of hart, the true fear and love of Go●… and our brethren, striving against si●… victory over the world, and such like Q. What other witness haue the faithful? Rom. 8.16. A. They haue the spirit of God be ring witness to their spirits, 1. joh. 5.6.7 8. that they be the children of God. Q. do these witnesses never fail the faithful? A. Luk. 22.31.32.56.57. Psal. 51.9.10.11. They may be overshadowed in them by the malice of Satan, & conscience of sin: but never finally and wholly taken away. Q. Why so? A. Ephes. 1.4. Heb. 6.13. joh. 10.28. Because they are grounded vpon the everlasting purpose, and faithful promise of almighty God. Q. Do our works deserve nothing at Gods hand? A. No: for they are his own works in us, and a debt most due to him: besides, Phil. 2.13. Luk. 17.10. Heb. 11.6. in us they are spotted and imperfect: and finally, we are freely justified by faith before we do them. Q. These are strong persuasions to live godly: but is there no reward for good works? A. Yes: exceeding great, 1. Tim. 4.8. Mat. 19.29 both in this life, and especially in the life to come. Q. cometh this of the worthiness or merit of our works? A. No: Phil. 3.8.9.10. but only of the free favour and mercy of God, Hebr. 6.10. through the merit and obedience of Iesus Christ. Q. What other spur haue we to good works? Psal. 116.12. Heb. 13.6. A. The lively remembrance of Gods benefits past, and his promise of assistance in time of need. The fourth principal point. Q. What means hath God appointed to continue and increase his graces in us? A. They are generally two: public and private. Q. What shall wee say of them which want these means? Ephes. 2 12 1. Cor. 5.12 A. That their estate is very fearful, and for ought we know, plain damnable. Q. And what of such as having the means, do either refuse or abuse them? A. That they be far more inexcusable before the iudgement seat of God. Matth. 11.20.21.22. Luk. 7.301 Luk. 15.8. Luk. 18.1. Q. How must these means be used? A. With such sincerity, conscience, and fervency, that we may feel fruit and comfort by the doing thereof. Q. What are the public? A. They are four: prayer, 1. Tim. 2.1. Mat. 28.18 19.20. the word preached, Sacraments, & discipline. Q. How may we profit by prayer? H. Prayer. Col. 3.17. Iam. 1.6.7. & 4.3. & 5.16. If( asking things lawfully only at Gods hands in the name of Christ) we come with reverence of his majesty, zeal of his glory, feeling of our wants, affiance to be heard, and love to our brethren. Q. How may we profit by the word preached? A. If, being persuaded, Preaching. 1. Cor. 1.21 Mat. 13 19. Luk. 8.15. Rom. 1.16. that it is Gods ordinance, wee mark it diligently, and after examine ourselves what wee remember, and how wee practise that which was taught. Q. What say you of the word red? A. It is a part of Gods ordinance, Reading. Act. 13.15. 1. Cor. 14.24.25. Nehe. 8.8. 2. Tim. 2.15. & 4.2. yet much more effectual when it is preached. Q. What call you preaching? A. When the word of God is truly expounded and profitably applied, with doctrine, exhortation, rebuk, and comfort. Q. Thus much of prayer and of the word. What is a Sacrament? Sacraments. Rom. 4.11. 1. Cor. 10.16 A. It is a holy sign and seal ordained of God, to assure us of his love to us in Christ, & to testify & confirm our faith and obedience to him, & our love & fellowship one with another. Q. How is it a sign, and how is it a seal? 1 Cor. 10.1 2.3.4. Mar. 16.15.16. A. It is a sign, because it setteth forth Christ & his benefits to the outward senses of all: and a seal, because it doth effectually apply to the faithful the truth and fruit thereof. Q. How many Sacraments be there? 1. Cor. 10.2.3.4. A. Two: baptism, and the Lords supper. Q. Why be there two seals, seeing there is but one covenant? joh. 1.12. & 6.32. A. To assure us, that by communion with Christ we are born again: and shall be nourished to eternal life. Q. What is baptism? baptism. Act. 22 16. 1. joh. 1.7. A. The Sacrament of our new and spiritual birth, assuring us by the due sprinkling of water, that our sins are forgiven by Christs blood, and we justified by his obedience. Q. What else doth it teach and assure us of? A. Dying to sin, and living to righteousness; Rom. 6.2.3.4.5.6. 1. Cor. 15.29. it is also a pledge of the resurrection of our bodies after death. Q. Why are wee baptized in the name of the Father, the son, and the holy Ghost? A. To teach and assure us of our communion with one God in three persons. Mat. 28.19. 1. John 1.3. Q. Why are infants baptized? A. Because the covenant and promise of God is made to the faithful, Gen. 17.7. 1. Cor. 7.14 and to their seed. Q. What is the Lords supper? A. The Sacrament of our spiritual nourishment, Lords Supper. 1. Cor. 10.16. John 6.51. assuring us by bread and wine, duly given and received, that by Christ we shall be nourished to eternal life. Q. May al that profess Christianity be admitted as fit and worthy receivers? A. No: but only such as can, 1. Cor. 11.28.29. and also do diligently prove, examine and try themselves. Q. Wherein must Christians examine and prove themselves? Rom. 14.23 2. Cor. 13.4 Matth. 3.6 and 5.23. 1. Cor. 5.7.8. A. Whether they know the grounds of religion, understand the doctrine of the Sacraments, beleeue in Christ, hate their sin, and love their brethren. Q. What if men cannot find those things in themselves? 1. Cor. 11.27.29. A. Then they must forbear till God haue wrought them, using carefully all other helps appointed for that purpose. Q. What if they find them weak and feeble? Mat. 11.28. and 12.20. A. Then they may and ought to receive, to be further strengthened. Q. What is discipline? Discipline. Matth. 18.15.16. &c. A. That order and power which God hath left to his Church to avoid offences, and recover such as do fall. Q. What is this power called in the Scripture? mat. 16.19 Luk. 11.52. A. It is called the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and the power of binding and losing. Q. Why so? A. Because the repentant are as it were loosed and let into heaven by the promise of forgiveness of sins, joh. 20.23. Luk. 7.50. Act. 8.20.37. and the obstinat bound and shut out. Q. Is it lawful for every man to preach and to administer the Sacraments and Discipline, and to pray publicly? A. No: Rom. 10.15 Heb. 5.4. It is utterly unlawful for any man, except he bee lawfully called thereunto. Q. May we not rest in this public means? A. No: 1. Sam. 26.19. easter. 4.16. Matth. 6.6 for we cannot always haue them, and the word of God, and our necessity requireth private also. Q. What is the first private help? A. Earnest thinking vpon profitable things, Meditation. Psalm. 11 9 15.52.97. Rom. 15.4. as the words and works of God, his judgements and mercies towards others, but especially towards ourselves. Q. What is the fruit of meditation? A. Not onely to keep the mind free from wicked and idle thoughts, Psalm. 12. mat. 6.20. Col. 3.12. but also to fill it with some holy and comfortable matter. Q. What is the second help? Prayer. Col. 4.2. 1. Tim. 4.5. A. Prayer, which must be daily offered up to God, that he may haue the glory of pardoning our daily sins, and of sanctifying our food, labours, and rest unto vs. Q. What is the third help? Reading. 1. Tim. 4.13 Acts 17.11 A. Reading of the holy Scriptures: which will both enable us to the duties of meditation and prayer, and make the public ministry more fruitful unto vs. Q. What is the fourth help? Conference. Heb. 3.13. & 10.14. A. Godly conference, instructing, rebuking, exhorting, comforting one another in wisdom and love. Q. What is the fifth help? Practise. John 7.17. & 13.17. A. A careful practise of that we know, without which we shal never truly taste the virtue of religion and power of godliness. Q. Are the labours of our calling any hindrances to godliness? Ephes. 6.5. &c. Act. 18.3. A. No: but great helps, if they be porformed in due time, with conscience, cheerfulness and moderation, not quenching the love and care of better things. Q. How shal we attain this moderation? A. If we be truly persuaded that our happiness consisteth not in outward things, Luk. 12.15. Heb. 11.13.14.15.16. but is laid up for us in the life to come. Q. What help receive Christians from Gouernours and Magistrates? A. Very great: Gouernours 2. Tim. 2.2 Rom. 13.3.4. for by their authority they are bridled from sin, and encouraged in virtue, and under them they live a godly and peaceable life. Q. What will the enjoying and use of all the means work in Gods children? A. A most happy and comfortable change from that which they were before, even in this life. 1. Cor. 6.11 Ephes. 5.8. Q. What becometh of them after this life? A. The soul goeth immediately into the paradise of God, Luk. 16.22. & 23.43. Mat. 25.46 and the body shal be raised up at the last day, and joined with the same in glory for ever. THE four PRINCIPAL points contracted, and divided into even parts: every part containing ten questions. Q. WHat is the estate of every natural man? misery. Ephes. 2.3. Rom. 7.24.8. Acts 23. Rom. 6.23. A. Very miserable, and in no wise to be restend in. Q. What maketh his estate so bad? A. Two things: sin, and the punishment thereof. Q. What call you sin? 1. John 3.4. A. every breach of Gods law. Q. How doth man break the law of God? Esai. 1.16. Dan. 9.6. Eze. 33.31. A. By doing things forbidden, leaving things commanded, or failing in the maner. Q. What is the punishment of sin? Deu. 27.26 & 28.15. &c. Luk. 16.2.3 26. Prou. 6.16. A. All miseries in this life, death in the end, and hell ever after. Q. Is sin such a grievous thing? A. Yea: it is the most filthy and loathsome thing in the world. Q. How appeareth that? Esay. 1.14. A. Both by the punishment, Mark. 9.43.44. and by the person against whom it is committed. Q. Who is that? A. Almighty God, 1. Sam. 2.25. Heb. 10.31 &. 12.29. Psal. 51.4. Act. 2.37.40. whose holinesse and iustice is infinite. Q. What shall a man do in that woeful state? A. bewail his misery, and hasten to get out of it. Q. Is he able to get out of it? A. No: Rom. 7.6.7.8. Luk. 11.23 Mark. 4.19 And besides he hath three enemies, the flesh, the divell, and the world, that will labour to hold him in it. The second part. Q. Where shall a man find help? A. Only in Iesus Christ, the only son of God. deliverance Act. 4.12. Q. What hath he done to deliver man out of misery? A. He became man, John 1.14: Rom. 8.3. and in our nature answered the law, and satisfied the iustice of God. Gal. 3.12. Rmo. 8.4. Q. How hath he answered the law? A. By bearing the punishment which the Law threatened, and fulfilling the righteousness which the law required. Q: How did Christ bear the punishment due to sin by the law? Mat. 2.14. Luk. 9.58. Phil. 2.8. A. By enduring manifold miseries all his life time, and in the end the wrath of God, and the cursed death of the cross. Q. How did he work the righteousness required by the law? Luk. 2.51. Mat. 3.15. A. By being obedient to the will of God, in thought, word and dead, all his life long. Q. What benefit haue men by Christs sufferings? Heb. 2.14.15. A. deliverance from sin, and the punishment thereof. Q. And what by his righteousness and obedience? Gal. 4.5.6.7. A. The favour of God and everlasting happiness. Q. How may men obtain these benefits by Christ? joh. 1.12. A. Only by a true faith in him. Q. What is a true faith in Christ? A. An assurance, joh. 6.69. that by his sufferings our sins are forgiven; and by his righteousness, the favour of God, and everlasting life is obtained for vs. Q. Is it in our power to beleeue? A. No: Ephes. 2.8. Rom. 1.16.17. & 10.17 it is the gift of God by the working of the spirit, through the preaching of the gospel. The third part. Q. Shall all believers haue benefit by Christs death? A. All that do truly beleeue shall: Godly life. but there is a dead faith that profiteth nothing. John 3.16. james 2.14 Q. How is the true faith perceived? A. By the fruits thereof, james 2.18 1. John 2.3. and namely by repentance. Q. Why so? A. Luk. 19.8.9 Because wheresoever Gods spirit worketh true faith, there he worketh repentance also. Q. What is repentance? A. Such a change of the heart, Matth. 3.8. as bringeth forth a reformed life. Q. Whence cometh this change? Luke 7.47. A. Especially from the sight and feeling of Gods mercy towards us in Christ. Q. From what is the heart changed? A. From the love of the world, to the love of God: John 21.15. Philem. v. 11. from carelessness, to conscience, and desire to please God. Q. What is the change called? 2. Cor. 5.18 Gal. 6.1.5. A. It is called in Scriptures, a new creature. Q. How doth it appear? Psal. 34.14 1. Tim. 4.7.8. A. When in word and dead we abstain from evil, & exercise ourselves in that which is good. Q. Is this change of heart and mind perfect in any? A. No: we beleeue not perfectly: and therefore we cannot love perfectly: Mar. 9.24. 1. Cor. 13.9. Heb. 6.1.3. 1. Thess. 5.19.20. but we must strive to perfection. Q. How must we strive? A. By a diligent use of the means, which God hath appointed, for our increase in faith and repentance. The fourth part. Q. What are the public means? A. They are chiefly three; hearing the word, helps to godliness. Rom. 10.13.14.15. Luk. 22.19. 1. Tim. 2. Rom. 4.11. 1. Cor. 10.16. receiving the Sacraments, and joining in prayer. Q. What are the Sacraments? A. certain outward signs and seals appointed of God, to assure us that Christ and al his benefits are given to vs. Q. How many Sacraments are there? A. Two: 1. Cor. 10.2.3.4. baptism and the Lords Supper. Q. What doth baptism assure us of? A. That being engraffed into Christ, Tit. 3.5. 1. Pet. 3.21 we are washed from our sins by his blood, and born anew to God. Q. What doth the Lords Supper assure us of? A. It doth further warrant us, 1. Cor. 10.16.17 & 11.25 26. that Christ is given to us to bee our spiritual nourishment to everlasting life. Q. Who maketh the right use of the Sacraments? A. Act. 20.11.12. He that is thereby daily confirmed in faith, and newness of life. Q. Who obtain this benefit by the Lords Supper? A. Such, as come with knowledge, 1. Cor. 11.28. faith, repentance and love. Q. What is prayer? Matth. 6.9. &c. Luk. 17.15.16.17. A. craving of those things at Gods hands which we want, and a thanking of him for those we haue. Q. When do men pray aright? Psal. 50.14 Col. 3.17. A. When they pray only to God, in the name of Christ: asking things lawful, to his glory, with faith, feeling and love. Q. What be the private means? Gen. 24.63. & 18.19. Dan. 9.2. &c. Luk. 21.34. Heb. 10.24 A. Reading and prayer, alone and with others, instructing our families, thinking vpon good matters, admonishing and comforting one another, and watching over our own ways, according to the word. A MORE brief sum wherein the former forty Questions and answers are brought to four. Q. WHat is the sum of the first point? Gen. 6.5. A. That every man by nature is a most vile and cursed creature, Psal. 51.5. John 3.6. Ephes. 2.1.2.3. an enemy to God, a bondslave of sin and Satan, and heir of eternal condemnation. Q. What is the sum of the second point? A. That the onely means to free us out of this miserable estate, Act. 4 12. & 26.15.18. Heb. 2.14.15. John 1.12. and to make us truly happy and holy, is Iesus Christ alone, and the same apprehended only by faith. Q. What is the sum of the third point? A. That whosoever doth truly beleeue in Iesus Christ, 2. Cor. 5.17 Rom. 6. &c. & 8.1.2. &c. & 7.1.2.6.3. &c. Col. 3.1.2. Prou. 29.18. Amos 8.11.12. Rom. 10 14 Exod. 20.7 is a new creature, daily dying to sin, and rising again to righteousness and holiness. Q. What is the sum of the fourth point? A. That whosoever will continue a new creature, and increase in grace, must conscionably use both the public and private means, which God hath appointed for that end. A PRAYER FRAMED according to the four former points. almighty God, & most merciful Father in Iesus Christ, as thou hast plainly set before us our cursed estate, misery. in the clear glass of thy heavenly word: so we beseech thee to open our eyes to see it, and pierce our hearts to feel it, by the inward working of thy holy spirit. For we, O Lord, are most vain and vile creatures, justly tainted with the rebellion of our first parents, conceived in sin, bondslaves of Satan; necessarily, and yet willingly serving diuers lusts, and committing innumerable sins against thy majesty: whereby we deserve most justly to endure all miseries in this life, & to be tormented in hel, for ever. But blessed be thy name, O Lord our God: who, when there was no power in us, deliverance. no not so much as any desire or endeavour to get out of this woeful estate, hast made us see & feel in what case we were, and provided a most sovereign remedy for us, even thy dear and only begotten son, whom thou hast freely offered unto us: not only kindling in us a desire to enjoy him, but enabling us, by a true and lively faith to lay hold vpon him, and to be partakers of al his benefits, to the salvation of our souls. And now, O Lord, that it hath pleased thee, by faith to join us to thy son Iesus Christ, and by thy spirit to make us members of his body: we humbly beseech thee, by the same spirit, to renew us daily, according to thine own image. piety. Work in our hearts a daily increase of true faith and repentance; and in our lives, a holy & comfortable change. O Lord, enable us, in some good measure, to walk worthy of al thy mercies, and to serve thee, who hast created and chosen us; and thy son, who hath redeemed us from death, and made us heires of glory; and thy blessed spirit, who doth continually sanctify & keep us, with faith, fear and zeal, in true holiness and righteousness, al the daies of our life. Finally, seeing of thine infinite goodness and mercy, helps. thou hast appointed diuers excellent and holy means for the daily increase of thy graces in us, and for the confirming and quickening of us in a Christian conversation, we humbly beseech thee to grant all those good means unto us, and to continue them amongst us; giuing us grace to use them purely, constantly and zealously, to the glory of thy name, profit of our brethren, and salvation of our souls, through Iesus Christ: to whom, with thee O Father, and the holy Ghost, be given all honour and glory for ever. Amen. A form OF EXAMIning such as are to receive the Lords Supper: divided into two parts. The first part. Q. WHerefore do you desire to receive the Lords supper? A. Because it is the ordinance of God, 1. Cor. 11.24.25. appointed by him to confirm my faith. Q. do you then find weakness of faith in yourself? A. I do indeed find that my faith is feeble and needeth strengthening. Mark. 9.24 Q. How perceive you that? A. By my coldness in prayer, love, Psal. 116.10. Rom. 10.14 zeal, repentance, and good works. Q. How else? A. By my fear of death, Phil. 1.23. 1. joh. 2.15. desire of life, love of the world, and such like. Q. These do plainly argue a weakness of faith: but haue you faith at all or no? A. Yea: 2. Cor. 5.1. for I am assuredly persuaded of my own salvation by Iesus Christ alone. Q. What is the ground of your persuasion? A. The ground of my persuasion is the free and gracious promise of God revealed in the gospel. Rom. 10.17 Q. What is that promise? A. That whosoever believeth in the onely begotten son of God, joh. 3.16. shal not perish, but haue everlasting life. Q. Why do you beleeue this promise? 2. Cor. 1.28 Heb. 11.19 A. Because God, who hath made it, is both able and faithful to perform it. Q. God in his own nature is almighty, and most true: but what assurance haue you hereof? Heb. 6.12. Rom. 4.11. A. His word is sufficient: yet tendering my infirmity, he hath bound it with an oath, and set to his seal. Q. How doth he set to his seal? Rom. 4.11. A. By the ministry of the Sacraments, which the Apostle calleth seals of the righteousness of faith. Q. Why doth he call them so? A. Because thereby God doth assure me( and every faithful receiver) that Christ is mine, 1. Cor. 1.11 2.25. with all his benefits. Q. What be the benefits, which the faithful receive by Christ? A. They be six; election, redemption, 1. Cor. 3.30 justification, sanctification, adoption, and intercession. Q. What is election? Election. A. Our being chosen of God the Father, in Iesus Christ, Ephes. 1.4. to life everlasting, before all eternity. Q. What is redemption? A. Redemption. Luk. 7.47. Col. 2.14.15. Our deliverance from all our enemies, sin, death and hell. Q What is justification? A. Our being accounted perfectly righteous in the sight of God. justification. Phil. 3.9. Q. What is sanctification? Sanctification. A. Our holiness, begun in this life; and to be perfected in the life to come. Apoc. 20.6. Luke 1.75 Mortification. Viuification. Rom. 6.11. Q. What be the parts of sanctification? A. Two: whereof the first is the Spirits killing of sin in us; and the other, his enabling of us to walk in newness of life. Q. What is adoption? Adoption. A. Our being received into the number of Gods children, joh. 1.12. Ephes. 1.5. 1. John 3.1 and into the inheritance of his kingdom. Q. What is intercession Intercession. or mediation? A. The virtue and effect of Christs death and obedience; Heb. 2.17. &. 4.14. whereof all the faithful are partakers. Q. Why doth the Apostle say, that Christ is made unto us of God, wisdom? wisdom. 1. Cor. 1.30.31. 1. Cor. 6.7 Rom. 5. A. Both because our chief wisdom is to know him; and also because, as his righteousness, so his wisdom is counted ours that beleeue in him. Q. Why doth he set redemption in the last place, seeing Christ wrought it first? Luke 21.28. Rom. 8.23. A. Because we do not fully enjoy the fruit of our redemption, which is, to be freed from all misery, till after death. Q. And are you sure to bee confirmed in all these, by the use of this Sacrament? Rom. 10.13. Act. 8.39. A. Yea verily: for God will not fail to bless his own ordinance, to every one that useth it aright. Q. Who are they? Mark. 3.6.7.8.9. A. Only such as haue knowledge of Religion, faith in Christ, repentance for their sins, with love to God and all men, even their enemies. Q. Haue you all these? Rom. 3.6. 1. Cor. 13.9. A. Yea, I thank my God, in some competent measure: though my wants be many and great. Q. What hold you concerning God? Knowledge of God A. That he being infinite, as well in his iustice, as in his mercy, Rom. 6.23. cannot but punish sin with all severity. Q. What hold you concerning man? Knowledge of man. A. That he being by nature a miserable sinner, cannot escape this severity of God, without some singular and sovereign remedy. Q. What hold you concerning Christ? A. Christ. Acts. 4.12. That there was none in heaven or earth but he alone, that could both satisfy the iustice of God, and make us partakers of his mercy. Q. What hold you concerning the holy Ghost? A. Holy Ghost. 1. Cor. 6.15.19. That by him we are joined to Christ, as members of his body, and made partakers of all his benefits. Q. What hold you concerning Faith? A. Faith. joh. 1.12. & 3.14.15. That it is the instrument of the holy Ghost, whereby I lay hold vpon Christ. Q. What think you of repentance? A. Repentance Luk. 7.37.18. &c. That wheresoever true Repentance is, there is true faith also. Q. What think you of faith? Faith. 2. Cor. 13.5.6. A. That whosoever hath true faith, is a lively member of Iesus Christ. Q. What think you of Iesus Christ? Christ. John 1.12. A. That every member of Iesus Christ is the child of God, and heir of his heavenly kingdom. Q. What conclusion gather you from hence? Rom. 9.1. Repentance. A. That whosoever doth truly repent, shall never perish, but be saved everlastingly. Q. How appeareth true repentance? Mat. 26.75 Luk. 7.37. A By the unfeigned sorrow for and hatred of every known sin, both in others, and specially in ourselves. perseverance. Phil. 1.6. Q. How know you that you shall persevere? A. Because he, that hath bgun a good work in me, will increase and continue it to the end. The second part. Faith or sum of the gospel. Q. Let me hear the sum of your faith. A. I beleeue in God the Father, &c. Q. How many things doth this ancient and apostolic confession teach you? A. It teacheth me what to beleeue, first concerning God, and secondly concerning the Church of God. Q. What beleeue you concerning God? A. That there is one God, 1. John. 5.7. and three persons; the Father, the son, and the holy Ghost. Q. What beleeue you concerning the Father? A. Gen. 1.26. Psal. 73.24 That he made me in the beginning in his own image, & will guide me for ever to his own glory. Q. What else? A. That he hath chosen me, Ephes. 1.3.4.5. before all beginnings, in Iesus Christ, to be his child: and therefore I am bold to call him Father. Q. What beleeue you concerning Iesus Christ? A. That he is my gracious Lord: 1. Cor. 6.20. because by his death I am freed from death and sin: and by his obedience, I haue righteousness and life. Q. What else? A. That he maketh most effectual intercession for me in heaven, whence he shall come in due time, Rom. 8.13. Rom. 5.5. to deliver me from all misery. Q. What beleeue you concerning the holy Ghost? Ephes. 2.8. 1. Cor. 3.6. & 12.4. A. That he being the power of God, joineth me to God, and maketh me( and all Gods elect) partakers of the mercy of the Father, and of the merit of the son. Q. What else? A. That it is he alone, who worketh all spiritual graces in me, and that maketh all good means profitable unto me. Q. What beleeue you concerning the Church? Gen. 4.3.26. Rom. 11.14. A. That there is, and hath been from the beginning a number, whom the Father hath chosen, and the son redeemed, and whom the holy Ghost doth sanctify, and glorify for ever. Q. What else? Act. 24.25. 2. Cor. 5. A. That I being one of the number, enjoy the forgiveness of my sins, in this life; and that in the end of the world, my body shall rise, and be joined to my soul, in eternal happiness. Q. Seeing the rule of love is the law of God Law of God. contained in the ten Commandements, rehearse the words. A. I am the Lord thy God, &c. Q. What do these ten Commandements teach us in general? A. Tit. 2.11.12. &c. That denying all ungodliness and worldly lusts, we live soberly, righteously and godly in this present world. Q. How many of them concern the worship and service of God? A. The four first: John 4 23.24. wherein I am charged to yield unto God alone, the true and spiritual worship which he hath prescribed in his word. Q. What be the chief branches of Gods true worship? A. They are chiefly five: that is, faith, love, fear, thankfulness, & prayer. Q. How must you love God? A. Vnfainedly, with all my heart, Mar. 12.30 soul, thought and strength. Q. How may this love appear? A. If I cleave unto him with my heart worship him with my body, Deut. 6.13 Iosua 22.5 Esa. 58.13. honor him with my tongue and life, and carefully keep his Sabbaths. Q. What is the sum of the other six Commandements? Mat. 7.12. A. That whatsoever I would that men should do unto me, even so I do unto them; and that I love my neighbour as myself. Q. How may this love appear? come. 5. A. If I reverence and respect every man according to his calling, yeeres, gifts, and coniunction with myself. Q. How else? come. 6.7.8.9.10. A. If I do tender his life and every thing that is dear unto him; that I do not willingly so much as let my thoughts wander to his hurt. Q. Whence come the graces of knowledge, faith, repentance, and love? Iam. 1.17. A. From God my heavenly Father, the constant author and fountain of all good things. Q. Doth he give them to all men? Vers. 5.6. A. No: But to them that ask in faith, he giveth liberally, and upbraideth them not. Q. Haue you any sound pattern of holy prayer? A. There bee many in the Scriptures: Gen. 24.12 & 32.9. &c. but none comparable to the Lords prayer. Q. Rehearse it. A. Our Father which art in heaven, &c. Q. Need you use no other form, but this? A. Yes: Acts 4.24. But I must haue an eye to this: and may fruitfully shut up my particular prayers in this. Q. Why so? A. Matth. 6.6.7.8. Because it containeth whatsoever concerneth the glory of God, good of his Church, comfort of my body, and salvation of my soul. Q. Are the Creed and Commandements to be used as prayers? A. No. But in praying, we are to crave strength to beleeue that, which is contained in the Creed; and to practise that, which is contained in the Commandements. ANOTHER FAMILIAR manner of instruction, the most plain and easy of all the rest, which parents and masters may with great fruit propound to their families, especially before the Communion. Q. Rehearse the Commandements. Law showing mans misery, and the rule of his life. A. I Am the Lord thy God, which haue brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. 1 Thou shalt haue none other Gods but me. 2 Thou shalt not make to thyself any graven image, nor the likeness of any thing, that is in heaven above, or in the earth beneath, or in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down to them, nor worship them: For I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, and visit the sins of the fathers, vpon the children, unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; and show mercy unto thousands in them that love me and keep my Commandements. 3 Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain. For the Lord will not hold him guiltless, that taketh his name in vain. 4 Remember that thou keep holy the Sabbath day. Six daies shalt thou labour, and do al that thou hast to do: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt do no manner of work, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, thy man-seruant, and thy maid-seruant, thy cattle, and thy stranger that is within thy gates. For in six daies the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and restend the seventh day. Wherefore the Lord blessed the seventh day, and hallowed it. 5 Honour thy father and thy mother; that thy daies may bee long in the land, which the Lord thy God giveth thee. 6 Thou shalt do no murder. 7 Thou shalt not commit adultery. 8 Thou shalt not steal. 9 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. 10 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbours house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbours wife, nor his seruant, nor his maid, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is his. Q. Can you keep all these Commandements? The command. A. No: I break them daily, in thought, word, and deed. Q. How so? Rom. 7.14. A. Because the law of God is spiritual, and I am carnal, sold under sin. Q. What do they deserve that keep not the law of God? Deu 27.26 A. The curse of God, with all the miseries of this life, and the punishment of hell fire ever after. Q. By what means, or by whom may we hope to haue deliverance from this curse? A. Onely by Iesus Christ, the eternal son of God. Q. Shall all men haue deliverance by him? The remedy. 1 Gal. 4.1. Acts 4.12. A. No: but onely such as believe in him. Q. What is it to beleeue in Christ? A. To be truly persuaded in hart, Faith. that by him our sins are forgiven, and we made the Children of God. Q. Rehearse the sum of your belief. A. I believe in God the Father almighty, Faith. maker of heaven and earth. And in Iesus Christ, his onely son our Lord: which was conceived by the holy Ghost; born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and butted, he descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God, the Father almighty. From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the holy Ghost. The holy catholic Church. The communion of Saints. The forgiveness of sins. The resurrection of the body. And the life everlasting. Amen. Q. How do men come by faith? A. By the working of the holy Ghost, helps. through the preaching of the word. Q. How are they confirmed and strengthened in faith? A. By the same word, and also by the Sacraments. Q How many Sacraments be there? Sacraments. A. Two: baptism, and the Lords Supper. Q. What doth baptism teach and assure us of? A. That our sins are forgiven, and washed away by the sufferings and bloodshed of Iesus Christ: even as the body is washed and cleansed by water. Q. What doth the Lords Supper teach and assure us of? A. That, by the same Iesus Christ, our souls are nourished to eternal life: even as the body is fed, by bread and wine, to a temporal life. Q. What means must we use besides? Prayer. A. One special means that we are daily to use, is faith and hearty prayer to God, in the name of Iesus Christ. Q. Rehearse the prayer, that Iesus Christ hath taught vs. A. our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, in earth, as it is in heaven. give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against vs. And lead us not into temptation: but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. Q. How many petitions be there in this prayer? A. six. The three first whereof concern the glory of God. Q. What do the three last concern? A. The necessities of our own souls and bodies. Q. Why do we pray first that God may be glorified? A. To teach us, that we are to prefer the glory of God, before our own salvation. certain Rules for the direction of a Christian life. keep a most narrow watch over thine own heart, words, watchfulness. and deeds, Mar. 14.42 Luk. 12.35 &c. Redeeming the time. Ephe. 5.25 Col. 4.5. continually; not giuing any liberty to wandring thoughts & lusts. 2 Be wise and careful to redeem the time which hath been wickedly, idly, or unprofitably spent: bestowing no more time in worldly matters, then must needs. lye down and arise with God. Psal. 3.5. & 4.8. & 37.5. 3 At night lye down in peace, having blessed God for his benefits, and reconciled thyself to him for the sins of the day past. In the morning let him haue the first place in thy heart, committing thyself and all thy ways to his gracious government, and consecrating them wholly to his glory. Let prayer go before all business. Col. 3.17. Gen. 24.12 4 Go to no place, frequent no company, undertake no business, study, or travell whatsoever, without hearty prayer to God, in the name of Iesus Christ, for the obtaining of his holy Spirit and merciful protection. Let prayer be joined with all blessing. 1. Tim. 4.4.5. Mat. 14.19 5 In like maner forget not to perform this holy duty, when thou receivest any mercy from God: whether it be food, apparel, recreation, or any other thing, tending to the health of thy body, or comfort of thy soul: neither be so bold, as to deal with any of the creatures of God, till thou hast prayed and praised the Creator therof. 6 As prayer must go before, Let prayer follow the fruition of all Gods benefits. Mat. 26.33 and accompany al the blessings of God, so it must follow the fruition of them. And therefore, herein let every Christian set before him the example of Christ and his Apostles, who after they had received their bodily & spiritual food, and enjoyed the company one of another, gave thanks to God the Father. 7 And though prayer be a spiritual thing, In praying use the tongue and voice. Psal. 16.9. & 30 12. & 3.4. and consist chiefly in the attention and earnestness of the mind: yet, for the better quickening of the heart and affections, let the tongue and voice be used as oft as conveniently thou mayst, lest dulness and coldness creep vpon thee. 8 If your calling and estate will possibly bear it, Set aside some time for godly exercises. Gen. ●. 63 Dan. 5.10. Acts 12 9. let some time of the day be set apart for private prayer, meditation, and reading of the scripture, or some other choice book, that may best further you in the knowledge and practise of true godliness. Things to be thought vpon. Iere. 12.1.2.3. Abac. 1.3. Mat. 25.31 &c. 9 Bend your mind to think often and earnestly vpon the works of God: as his creating, and governing the world, prospering or punishing the wicked, blessing or correcting his children in this life, with the eternal torment appointed for the one, and the unspeakable glory laid up for the other. The work of our redemption a special work. 1. Cor. 2.6.7.8.9. 1. Pet. 1.12. 10 But, above all the works of God, think vpon the glorious and gracious work of thy redemption by Iesus Christ; a mystery that the holy Angels do admire, and desire to pry into: herein behold the sweet harmony and happy coniunction of the infinite mercy and iustice of God meeting together; and take comfort and delight herein, with thanksgiving. The lives and deaths of other, but especially of thyself, must be thought vpon. Heb. 12.1.2 joh. 21.25. 11 mark the life and behaviour of the wicked, to avoid their steps; and of the godly, to provoke thyself to a holy emulation of the like course: mark also their death with like diligence, and think seriously vpon thine own death, how thou must shortly lye down in the dust, and part with whatsoever delight thou dost héere enjoy; that this may breed in thee a contempt of the world, and a longing after the life to come. 12 observe daily how sin death, 1. The. 5.22 Reu. 2.4. Our covenant made with God must be renewed. and is weakened in thee, and be careful to shun one sin, as well as another: and lose not thy first love( as the most part do) and delight in the word and worship of God, and in the fellowship of his Saints; but mourn and strive against thy sins, renew thy covenant with God, for that end. 13 When you be in company, Nehe. 9.38 In company beware of breaking the third and ninth commandement. haue a care to receive and do good, and not hurt, either by your speech or silence, countenance or example: and avoid, as rocks, those common sins against the third and ninth Commandement. Let not God, or any word or work of his be mentioned but with fear, or any man name but with love and due regard of that royal law, Whatsoeeuer ye would, &c. 14 Among all other things seek to approve thyself to God, Mens walking in their particular callings, the touchstone of religion. Mat. 23.25 26.27.28. Ierem. 7.9.10.11. Ephe. 5.35 & 6.5.6.7.8.9. his children, and thine own conscience, touching thy charge and behaviour in that particular place & calling wherein God hath set thee, and towards those persons with whom God hath joined thee: as, if thou be a seruant, in obeying thy master, serving him with fear and singleness of heart: if a master, in guiding thy family according to the word: if a husband, in loving thy wife without bitterness: if a wife, in reverencing thy husband. Take heed of performing holy duties for fashion sake. Heb. 3.12. Esa. 1.11.14 Mat. 15.8. Reu. 3.15. 15 Finally, because the corrupt nature of man is so prove to profaneness and hypocrisy, that when men are once come so far as to use the outward exercises of religion( without marking in what manner, with what feeling, fruit and profit to their souls they use the same) they please themselves: take heed of this deceit of Satan, and keep thy soul with all diligence that these duties be not made matters of course and custom, without care and conscience to grow better thereby. FINIS.