THE HEAVENLY ADVOCATE: OR A short direction for the speedy understanding of the New Testament, of the years and days of Christ's age here on Earth, times and placés of his Miracles, Death, Resurrection, and ascension: Together with a brief Catechism, for the instruction of Christian Families. And also a Spiritual Combat, between man's frailty and faith, in time of sickness. 1. JOHN 2. VERSE 1. If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, jesus Christ the righteous. LONDON, Printed by I. B. for Roger jackson, and are to be sold at his shop, near Fleet Conduit. 1617. TO THE RIGHT Worshipful Sir james Fullerton Knight, Gentleman of His highness Bedchamber, etc. THE due regard which good men have of you, for the special gifts with which it hath pleased God to grace you, the long experience of your Christian favour; your willingness to read, and wisdom to judge and discern of all that you read: hath made me bold to offer unto your Worship, this testimony of my unfeigned thankfulness, and to crave your favourable patronage for the same. For I ever esteemed an unprofitable life, to be a kind of uncomfortable death. For the matter and manner, I recommend it to the censure of the conscionable and judicious Readers; which will be so much the more benevolent, because it shelters itself under your name. And thus beseeching Almighty God, to bless your faithful endeavours in that high calling, and daily more and more to multiply his gracious mercies upon yourself, and your godly and virtuous Lady, I humbly take my leave, Your Worships in all Christian duties to be commanded. Barthol Robertson, Minister of God's Word. THE HEAVENLY ADVOCATE. In a short direction, for the speedy understanding of the New Testament, of the years and days of Christ's age here on earth, times, places of his Miracles, Death, Resurrection, and ascension: In Augustus Caesar's reign, 42. who reigned 57 and in Herod, 34. who reigned 37. Christ was borne. CHAP. 1. Of the nativity of john the Baptist, and Christ's birth and actions, until he is about 30. years. THE year of the World, 4183. when Elizabeth, spouse to Zacherie, the father of john the Baptist was with child (six months gone) Gabriel was sent to Mary unto Galilee to Nazereth to intunate her conception, Luk. 1. 26 and an Angel to joseph, Matth. 1. 20. Marry with Christ in her womb went into the hill Country in haste, unto a City of juda to Zacharies his house, Lu. 1. 39 Marry went up again being great with child, from Galilee out of the City of Nazareth unto judea, with joseph unto Bethleem, where Christ was borne, Luke 2. 4. 7. and laid in a Manger. The first day after his birth, the Shepherds came at the voice of the Angel to josoph and Mary, Luk. 2. 11. and to the babe v. 16. who were the first publishers, v. 17. After this time, the Wisemen came from the East to worship him, Matth. 2. 1. The 8. day Christ was circumcised. Lu. 2. 21. The 33. day was the purification of Marie, and then jesus was carried to the Temple of jerusalem, to be presented before the Lord, Luke 2. 22. Simion received him in his arms, Luke 2. 28. and Anna likewise (who had lived seven years with her husband from her virginity, and had been widow fourscore and four years) gave thanks for him, Luke 2. 36. 37. 38. The 2. year Christ was carried into Egypt, and tarried there two years, Matth. 2. 13. The 6. year Christ came out of Egypt, and fearing for Archelaus to go to judea, turned aside into the parts of Galilee, and dwelled in Nazareth, Matth. 2. 23. The 12. year he to past jerusalem with joseph and Mary, at the feast of the Passeover, and disputed with the doctors: from thence he returned down with them to Nazareth, and was subject unto them, and he increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man, Luk. 2. 42. 52. In the 15. year of Tiberius, Luke 2. 23. Pontius Pilate his 4. year being Lieutenant of judea, Herod Tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip Tetrarch of Itrurea, & Trachonites, Lizanias' Tetrarch of Abilene, Christ came from Galilee, Matth. 3. 13. and was baptised by john in jordan, Mar. 9 1. being about 30 years of age. CHAP. 11. Of Christ's first years, public function in preaching & working of miracles, being the 31. of his age. FRom jordan he returned, and was immediately led into the wilderness, where he was with the wild beasts, Mark 1. 13. john having disputed with the pharisees at Bethabora, next the day pointed at jesus coming to him: saying, Behold the Lamb of God, Io. 1. 29. The next day john stood again, and two of his Disciples & said, Behold the Lamb. v. 35. 36. The same day, about the tenth hour, Andrew and Peter followed him, john 1. 39 Christ on the morrow going to Galilee, found Philip, v. 43. The third day after, he came to Cana in Galilee, and wrought the first miracle, john 2. 2. 11. After that he went down to Capernamn, with his mother, brethren, and disciples; but they continued not many days there, john 2, 12. The jews Passeover was at hand, and jesus went up to jerusalem, and drove the buyers and sellers out of the Temple, john 2. 13. At night Nicodemus came unto him, Io. 3. 2. After he came unto the land parts of judea, john 3. 22. When john was baptizing in Enon, beside Salim, v. 23. jesus left judea, and departed again into Galilee thorough Samaria to Sychar, and converted the Samaritan woman, at the Well, john 4. 5. where he abode two days, john 4. 40. and two days after he departed thence and went into Galilee, v. 43. Again, jesus came to Cana in Galilee, v. 46. and wrought the second miracle, that same day, at the seventh hour; healing the Ruler's son, verse 52. When jesus had manifested himself in Galilee, Luke 4. 14. having fled thither because of john's imprisonment, Matth. 4. 12. called Andrew and Peter at the sea of Galilee, Mat. 4. 18. and james and john, v. 21. passing round about Galilee, v. 23. his fame spread abroad thorough all Syria, v. 24. there followed him great multitudes out of Galilee and Decapolis, and jerusalem, and judea, and from beyond jordan, verse 25. From Galilee he went to Nazareth, and leaving Nazareth went and dwelled in Capernaum: which is near the sea in the borders of Zabulon and Nepthalim, verse 13. and there on the Sabbath day went into the Synagogue and preached, Luke 4. 16. and cured one possessed, Mark 1. 21. In the same City also with the four Disciples, he healed the same day Simons mother in law of a fever, Mar. 1. 29. and when even was come and the sun down, he healed many, verse 32. And in the morning very early before day, he arose & went out into a solitary place to pray, verse 35. and when he saw great multitudes about him, he commanded them to depart to the other side of the water, Matth. 8. 18. there in the way to the sea, he refused three which offered to follow him, v. 19 Luke 9 57 Then he came over to the other side of the sea, to the Country of Gadarens, Mark 5. 1. who because their devils possessed their swine, besought him to depart: and he gate him up into the ship and returned back again, Luke 8. 37. where the people were waiting for him v. 40. to whom he taught out of the ship, Luke 5. 3. from thence he entered into his own City, Matthew 9 1. then to Capernaum again, Mark 2. 1. where he cured the sick of the palsy, and after he had called Matthew, he dined with him, Matth. 9 9 where there was a great company of Publicans, and other that sat at table with them, Luke 5. 29. where he disputed of john & the pharisees fasting, Mar. 2. 18. In the mean time while he spoke with them, he arose and followed jairus the Ruler of the Synagogue, to cure his daughter, Mat. 9 18. And upon the way, a woman of the bloody issue was healed in the press, Mat. 9 20. when he came to the house he healed two blind men, Matt. 9 28. and one possessed of a devil, v. 32. After this, there was a feast of the jews, and jesus went up to jerusalem: this is the second Passeover mentioned, and there at Bethesda a Cripple is healed on the Sabbath day, john 5. 9 And he went with his Disciples thorough the corn on the Sabbath, Mark 2. 23. upon the second Sabbath after the first: they plucked and and rubbed the corn, Luke 6. 1. The pharisees were confounded in their quarreling thereof, Mat. 12. 3. & on another Sabbath he entered into the Synagogue and taught, Luke 6. 6. where he healed the withered hand, for the which the Scribes were filled with madness. From jerusalem he went forth unto the mountain, and spent the whole night in prayer, Luke 6. 22. and when it was day he chose his Disciples, verse 13. and taught that excellent Sermon in the Mount, Matth. 5. 1. when he came down from the mountain he healed the Leper, Matth. 8. 2. then entered he into Capernaum, and went with the Centurion to cure his servant Luke 7. 2. 6. The day after he went to Naim, and there raised the widows son, Luke 7. 11. john sent his Disciples to Christ, Matth. 11. 2. Then one of the pharisees named Simion, Luke 7. 36. 40. desired Christ to eat with him, where Mary Magdalen is commended and one possessed with a devil, blind, & dumb, is cured, Mat. 12. 22. while he was refuting the pharisees, ●. 25. his mother could not come to him for the ●…reafe, Luke 8. 19 Christ preferred spiritual affinity, Mark 3. 35. The same day, when jesus was gone out of jairus house, Mat. 13. 1. he began to teach by the sea side, and entered into a ship and sat in the sea, and all the people was by the sea side, on the land, Mark 4. 1. The parable of the sour, and tars, Matth. 13. 24. The seed growing while men sleep, Mark 4. 26. The grain of mustardseed, ver. 31. The leaven, Matth. 13. 33. a treasure hid in the field, verse 44. a precious stone, vers. 45. a net, verse 47. CHAP. III. Of Christ's more clear and lively manifestation, in walking thorough judea, and showing himself to all sorts of people. AFter he had finished these Parables, he departed thence, Matthew 13. 53. and came into his own Country, Mark 6. ● to Nazareth where he was nursed, and (as his custom was) he went into the Synagogue on the Sabbath, and stood up to read, Luke 4. 16. and prayed, verse 27. But they thrust him out, and led him to the top of the hill, whereon the City was built, to cast him down headlong, Luke 4. 29. There he did not many mighty works Mark 6. 5. Because of their uncredulitie. Mat 13. 58. but went thorough all towns and villages, teaching, and journeying towards jerusalem, Luke 13. 22. Now began he to send the twelve, two and two, Mark 6. 7. john being beheaded, Matt●▪ 14. 10. and Christ hearing of it, departed thence into a ship into a desert place, near unto Bethsaida, Luke 9 10. yet the people saw them when they departed, and ran a foot thither out of all Cities, and came thither before them. Mar. 6. 33. and when the day was now far spent, verse 35. and evening come, Matth. 14. 15. he fed five thousand with five loaves, john 6. 3. 4▪ Now the Passeover, a feast of the jews was near, Christ compelled his Disciples to go over the sea towards Bethsaida, while he sen● away the people, Mark 6. 45. but when night was come, he was there in the mountain praying, Matthew 14. 23. his disciples went over the sea towards Capernaum, and it was dark and a great wind, joh. 6. 17. 18. and contrary, Matt. 14. 24. at the fourth watch, Christ came walking on the sea, Mark 6. 48. so they came ●o the land of Genazereth, and drew up into he haven, verse 53. The day following he came to Capernaum, and there reasons of the true bread and Manna, john 6. 22. and therefore the whole Country came thither, Mar. 6. 55. amongst others that came from jerusalem, were certain Scribes, Mar. 7. 1. whose traditions confounded, Matt. 15. 3. From thence he departed into the coasts of Tyrus and Sydon, where he cured the Syrophinissians daughter, Mark 8. 24. and when he came from the coasts of Sydon, he went to the sea of Galilee thorough the midst of the coasts of Decapolis: there cured a man deaf and dumb, Mark 7. 31. where he went up ro a mountain and fed four thousand, besides women and children, Matth. 15 29, and when he had sent away the people, he took ship, and came into the parts of Magdala, or Dalmannutha, ver. 39 where Sadduces seek a sign, and are rejected, Matt. 16. 4. When he had left them, he entered into the ship again, and departed over the water, and because they had but one loaf, reproved their dullness in not understanding what the leaven was, Mark 8. Then he came to Bethsaida, where he took a blind man out of the town and healed him, verse 23. from thence to the coasts of Cesaria, Philippi, and asked his Disciples who he was, Matth. 16. 13. six days after was the transfiguration, Mark 9 2. The nex● day when they came down from mount Tabor, he cast out an unclean spirit of a child, Luk● 9 37. and after they departed thence they took their journey thorough Galilee, and he would no● that any should know, Mark 9 30. They bid him go out of Galilee, for Herod sought to slay him, Luke 13. 21. There he said, he was to be delivered into the hands of men, Matt. 17. 22. Now when the time was, that he should be received up, he steadfastly set his face to go to jerusalem, sent unto a village of the Samaritans, which did not receive him, Luk. 9 52. but came to Capernaum and paid tribute, Matt. 17, 22. and having taught, and prepared his Disciples against ambition, and envy, Matth. 8. Luke 9 Mark 9 departed from Galilee, and went into the coasts of judea, beyond jordan, Mat. 19 1. In the way answered to a question of adultery, and eternal life, Mar. 10. 17. And as they were going up to jerusalem, jesus warned them of his death, verse 32. and as he went thither, he passed thorough the midst of Samaria and Galilee, he cleansed ten Lepers, Luke 17. 11. and while he went about in Galilee, the Jews feast of the Tabernacles was at hand, and he sent his Disciples to the feast, joh. 7. 8. and followed up, although he told his brethren he would not, ver. 10. In the midst of the feast, he taught in the Temple, verse 14. In the last day and great day of the feast, he stood and cried, If any man thirst, etc. verse 37. jesus went that night from jerusalem, to Mount Olivet, and early in the morning came back to the Temple, john 8. 1. 2. where he caught; and after that he taught in the treasury, verse 20. and they would have stoned him, verse, 59 but he went out and passed by, john 9 1. healed one borne blind, on the Sabbath day, verse 14. Christ communed the second time with him, verse 35, and the pharisees that stood by, ver. 40. and of a good shepherd, joh. 10. 1. After these things▪ the Lord appointed other seventy Disciples, Lu. 10. 1. and taught a Lawyer charity, by the Samaritan and wounded man, verse 25. 30, from jerusalem he past and entered into mary's & Martha's village, v. 38. where he was entertained, he instructed his Disciples to pray, and the force thereof Luke 11. 1. a woman in the company called him blessed, v. 27. then a Pharisee desired him to dinner, v. 37. where he went in, and sat down at the Table, and pronounced many woes against the pharisees, and at the answer of an expounder of the Law, said the like unto him, ver. 46. but taught his Disciples many Christian virtues, Luke 12, to the end. There were certain present at the same season, whom he taught to repent, Luke 13, 2, by a similitude of the figtree, ver. 6. After he taught in one of the Synagogues on the Sabbath day, vers. 10, where he healed a woman which had a spirit of infirmity, and bowed together, v. 13, he dined again with the chief of the pharisees on the Sabbath day, Luke 14 he cured the dropsy, he spoke to the guests, v. 7. then to him that invited him, v. 12. and to one that sat at table with him, v. 15, the Parable of the great Supper, v. 16. CHAP. FOUR Of Christ's doctrine, the third year of his public revealing himself to the world, and disposing himself to death. ANd it was at jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter, and jesus walked in the Temple, in Salomon's Porch, joh. 10. 23. The jews would have stoned him, ver. 31. but he went away again beyond jordan, unto the place where john was first baptizing, and there he abode, ver. 40. preached the Parable of the lost sheep, The groat, and prodigal son Luke 15. of the unjust Steward, Luke 16. 1, of indissolubilitie of marriage, Mar. 10. 1. for beyond jordan the people resorted unto him afresh, and as he was wont, he taught them, of Dives and Lazarue, Luk. 16. 19 To beware of scandal, Luke 17. 1. the force of faith, v. 6. o● the Pharisee and Publican that went to pray▪ Luk. 18. 9 They bring infants to him, whom he blessed, Mar. 10. 13. taught a young rich man how to become perfect, Mat. 29. 21. The Parable of the workmen hired unto the vineyard, Mat. 20. 1. from beyond jordan he came to judea again, where they would have stoned him before. john 11. 7 CHAP. V. While Christ is 33. years of age, and 3. weeks, he is ever more and more earnest, to consummate his ministry and man's redemption. THE tenth of March, Christ came over jordan to Bethabora, and hearing of the decease of Lazarus, the eleventh day, he continued there two days, joh. 11. 6, the 13. day Lazarus died, and jesus took his journey to go to raise him, v. 14. to them he foretelleth his death, Mark 10. 33, when he had taken them out of the way, Matt. 20. 17. and denied the suit of Zebedeus two sons, Matt. 20. 20. as he drew near to jericho, he cured a blind man. The 14. day, Lu. 18. 35. In jericho he is entertained by Zacheus, Luk. 19 5. and spoke the Parable of ten pieces given to ten servants, Lu. ●9. 12. as he departed from jericho he healed ● blind men, Mat. 20. 29. The 15. day is spent on the way. the 16. day Christ came to Bethania near unto jerusalem, about 15. furlongs, john 11. 18. where he raised Lazarus now 4. days dead. v. 17. The 17. day, he goeth to the desert, ●o Ephraim, & walked no more openly among the jews, v. 54. The 18. day, he continued in the desert with his Disciples. The 19 day, being 6. days before the Passeover, he came to Bethania and supped with Lazarus, whom he had raised from death, joh. 12. 2. The 20. day, which is Palme-Sunday, when they drew near to jerusalem, & were come to Bethphage, unto the Mount of Olives, jesus sent two Disciples for an Ass, and came riding to jerusalem, Mat. 21. 1. and past to the Temple and healed the blind and halt, v. 14. The Gentiles desired Philip to show jesus unto them, Io. 12. 21. he casteth the buyers and sellers out of the Temple, Mat. 21. 12. The children cry Hosanna, v. 15. Christ left them and went out of jerusalem in the evening, unto Bethania, and lodged there, Mat. 21. 17. The 21. day (coming out of Bethania) in the morning he hungered, & cursed the figtree, Mar. 11. 12. the same day at evening jesus went out of the City. The 22. day, he passed by the figtree, which was dried up, Mat. 19 20 so he came to jerusalem, & as he walked in the Temple, avoucheth his authority, v. 27. foretelleth there their reprobation to their face by sundry Parables, the one of the two sons, Mat. 21. 28. the other of the vineyard let to husbandmen, Lu. 20. 9 the third of the king who made a marriage to his Son, Mat. 22. 1. They perceived the similitude to be spoken against them, therefore they would take hold of his words, to deliver him unto the deputy, & sent spies which should feign themselves righteous men, to take him in his talk, Lu. 20. 20. First their disciples with the Herodians, Mat. 21. 16. concerning giving of tribute. The 2. the Sadduces touching the resurrection, Mar. 12. 18. The 3. a Lawyer concerning the greatest commandment, Mat. 22. 36. The 4. the pharisees gathered together, are demanded how Christ should be David's son, Mat. 22. 41. whereupon he inferred an exhortation to the multitude, and disciples, that they should observe whatsoever they commanded, but not to do as they did, Mat. 23. 3. But to beware of them, Mar. 12. 38. Then jesus sat down over against the treasury, and preferred the widows mite, v. 41. Now jesus went from the Temple, the disciples show him the goodly building thereof, Mat. 24. 1. he foretelleth the destruction of it, and progress of the Gospel, Mar. 13. 10. and of Antichrist, v. 14. 22. of the last day, Lu. 21. 27. For in the day time he was teaching in the Temple, and at night he went out, and abode ●n the mount that is called Olivet, & all the people came to the Temple early in the morning to hear him, Lu. 21. 37. So he continued in Parables of the ●en Virgins, Mat. 25. 1 and ten talents, ver. 14. he ●pake also without Parables, v. 31. and that night Christ supped in Bethania, in the house of Simon the Leper, even as he sat at meat, Mary brought a box of spikenard, and powered the ointment on his head, Mar. 14. 3. Now two days after was the feast of ●he Passeover, the jews counsel held how to kill him, Matth. 26. 5. The 23. day, judas went to the jews, and agreed with them, Mat. 26. 15. The 24. day, the first day of the unleavened bread, when they kill the Passover, Mar. 13. 12. for of necessity the Passeover must be killed, Luk. 22. 7. Peter and john were sent to prepare it, v. 8. who went forth, & came into the City, and made it ready, and when it is now eventide, Christ came with the 12. Mark▪ 14. 16. 17. and as they sat at table, ver. 18. he foretelleth the treason of judas, Mat. 26. 25. declareth his desire he had to eat it, Luk. 22, 15, & when they were eating, he took bread, v. 19 Likewise after supper he took the cup, Luke 22. 20. he appeased the strife concerning superiority, ver. 24. washed his disciples feet, john 13. 4. Then went they out to the Mount of Olives, Mar. 14. 26. But judas had received the sop, with which Satan entered into him john 13. 27. and assoon as he had received the sop he went out immediately, and it was night, ver. 30 Then jesus began to preach and pray, the Sermon is written from the 32. v. of the 13. Chapter, unto the 31. v. of the 14. Chapter of john. Then did he rise and went away, and continued the Sermon from john 15. to the 10. Chapter, ver 33. and concluded with a prediction of their denial, v. 32. Peter was also forewarned, Mar. 14. 30. Now his prayer▪ firs● in all their presence, john 17. the whole Chapter. Then came jesus to a place called Gethsemane, & took Peter and the two sons of Zebedeus, and prayed, Mat. 26. 36. Then he arose, v. 46. and went forth with his disciples, over the brook Cedro●● where was a garden into the which he entered, and his disciples, judas also knew the place, for jesus often times resorted thither with his disciples, joh. 18. v. 1. 2. judas came, and the band with him, and led Christ to Annas, v. 12. 13. Peter had first smote Malchus ear, v. 10. which Christ healed even then, Luk. 22, 51. all Christ Disciples forsook him and ran away, Mar. 14. 50. yet 2. follow to Anna's house, the one entered into the Palace of the high Priest, Peter stood at the door without, than went out the other disciple which was known to the high Priest, and spoke to her that kept the door, and brought in Peter, & there at his entry he denied to be Christ's disciple, joh. 18. 15. 16. 17. Then after a little while another saw him and he denied, Luke 22. 58. and about the space of an hour after, the servants and officers stood there, and his cousin (whose ear Peter had smote off,) who had made a fire of coals, for it was cold, and Peter warmed him, joh. 18. 18. and Peter denied, Luke 22. 60. Anna's sent jesus to Caiphas, his son in law, joh. 18. 24. Christ is accused before the Priests, and false witness brought, Mar. 14. 55. and smote with rods, v. 65. They led him rome Caiphas, to the ●udgement hall in the morning; but they went not into the hall, that they might eat the Passeover, which is the 25. day of March: therefore Pilate came out to them, joh. 18. 28. and from thence entered into the common hall again, v. 33. Then sent he Christ unto Herod, Euke 23. 7. Herod despised him, and sent him again to Pilate, v. 11, who after long disputation with the Priests, v. 13. & the 2. time, v. 20. and the 3. time, v. 22. and with the people requiring Barabas, Mat. 28. 25. and with Christ, joh. 18. 36. with his own wife, Mat. 27. 19 and with Christ again, v. 19, 10, (when judas had hanged himself, Mat. 28. 5.) than Pilate sat down in Gabbatha, about the sixth hour, which was the preparation of the Passeover, john 19 13. gave sentence it should be as they required, Luke 24. 24. Then the soldiers led him to the hall, called Protorium, and crowned him with thorns, Mark. 15, 16. & as they led him away, they caught, one Simon of Siren, coming out of the field, and on him laid they the Cross, that he might bear it after jesus, Luk. 23. 26. until he came to Golgotha, joh. 19 17. In the way he comforted the women, & the people that followed him, Lu. 23. 28. Then they crucified him betwixt 2. thieves, Mar. 15. 27. they that passed by railed on him, vers. 29. and one of the thieves also, which was hanged with him on the left hand, Lu. 23. 39 Christ recommended his mother to john, joh. 19 26. And it was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the Land, until the ninth hour, Luke 23. 44. Then he gave up the ghost: and when he was dead, one thrust him thorough with a spear, job. 19 34. when he was crucified, they partod his garments, v. 23, and the Centurion seeing the miracles of the son, earthquake, cleaving of the rocks, renting of the vail of the Temple, Matth. 28. 51. confessed jesus to be the Son of God, ver. 54. Now in the evening, because it was the day of preparation that goeth before the Sabbath, Pilate gave the body to joseph of Arimath●a, and Nicodemus brought spices and buried him, john 19 38. 39 in a new sepulchre where never man was laid, in a garden, for that sepulchre was near, v. 41. 42. The next day that followed, which was the 26. of March, the Priests desired Pilate that the sepulchre should be made sure, until the third day, Matth. 27. 62. In the end of the Sabbath, when the first day of the week began to dawn, which is the twenty seven of March, came Mary Magdalen, and the other Marry, after a great earthquake, and the Angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, & sat upon it, and made the keepers afraid, and in the 28. of Matthew v. 1. 2. 3. 4 he said to her and johanna and to Mary, jacobi, that Christ was risen, Luke. 24. 10. Christ showed himself first to Mary Magdalen, john 20. 16. and the same day to the other women also, Matth 28. 9 The same day, at night (which was the first of the Sabbath) when the doors were shut, came he to the eleven, where he eat with them, john 20 19 Luke 24. 41. Then he appeared to Peter, Luke 24. 34. Then to Cleophas and another disciple, going to Emaus, verse 18. That same day, when it drew towards night, he uttered himself to them, verse 31. 10. and eight days after he showed himself to Thomas, and the rest of the Disciples, john 20, 26. which day is the third of April. Upon the twenty eight day of March, he appeared at the sea of Tiberius, in the morning to seven of his Disciples, at fishing, john 21. 2. which is the third time he appeared to his Disciples after he was risen from the dead, v. 14. After appeared to the eleven Disciples, which went into Galilee, to a mountain, where jesus had appointed them, Matth. 28. 16. And when he had gathered them together, he commanded them that they should not depart from jerusalem, Luke▪ 24. 49. Afterward he led them out into Bethania, and lifted up his hands and blessed them, and was carried up into heaven, v. 50. 51. After that he had been seen of them by the space of forty days, which maketh the fifth day of May when he ascended, Acts 1. 2. CHAP. VI After Christ ascension, the gifts of the Spirit, are communicated to the twelve Apostles. ANd on the fifteenth day of May, which is the Pentecost, (according to his promise in jerusalem) they were endued with power from on high, which is the Holy Ghost: To the which place of jerusalem, immediately after the Ascension, the Discples returned from Bethania, or Mount of Olives, for the election of one Mathias, to succeed in judas place, Acts 1. 12. 25. 26. & Act. 21. 1. FINIS. A BRIEF CATECHISM, FOR THE instruction of Christian FAMILIES. Together with a Spiritual Combat, between Man's Frailty and Faith, in time of Sickness. LONDON, Printed by I. B. for Roger jackson, and are to be sold at his shop, near Fleet Conduit. 1617. A Brief Catechism, for the instruction of Christian Families. Question. Do you desire to come to the Lords Mat. 5 6 john 6. 27 Supper? Answ. Yes, I hunger and thirst after it. 1 Cor. 12. 27 Ephe. 5. 30 Col. 2. 19 Q. Wherefore do you so? A. To have and to be ever joined with the communion of Christ, and so with the Father, and the holy Ghost, and all Saints, which communion I lost in Adam. Gen. 1. 26 1 Cor. 5. 7 Q. How were you made in Adam? A. In the image and similitude of God, in knowledge, holiness, righteousness and truth, even to be the son of God. Ephe. 4. 14 Col. 3. 10 Eph. ● 1. 2. 3 Q. How fell you in Adam? A. By transgression I was made like unto the beast that perisheth; even a servant of sin, the world, and the Devil. Rom. 6. 16 Gen: 15. 18 Q. How may you return to this image of God and communion with him? A. By keeping his covenants that he will be my God, and I shall be his child. Heb. 8 7. 8. 9 Q. How cometh God to make this covenant with you? A. Only by jesus Christ eternal God, and heir of all things, made man to bring Herald 1. 2 me among many children to glory. Q. What are the branches of this covenant? A. Two: Gods promises in Christ to Gen. ●7. 2▪ 22 me, and my duty again to him. Q. Which are the promises of God in Christ? A. They are comprehended in the Articles of my creed: I believe in God, etc. Ro. 8 32. 35 Which contain the promise of the Father, Son, and holy Ghost, to give unto mes with all Saints eternal life. Q. What is your duty? A. To believe in him by that faith, that 1 Pet. 1. 6. 10 Phil. 1. 11. Ga. 5 6 worketh in me love to keep his commandments. Q. What is faith? A. Faith is a gift of God whereby I have a substantial evidence and assurance, by the faithfulness of him that promised, that the 1 Pet. 1. 8 riches of the glorious inheritance of Christ are mine. Q. Is faith in the promises so contained? A. far more than the sight, or hearing, Mat. 1● 26. 28 or feeling. Q. What are the commandments that faith teacheth you to work? A. The same which God spoke, Thou shalt E●. 20 Ro. 13 9 10 1 john 3. 24 have no other Gods before me, etc. which commandments require to love God above all, and my neighbour as myself. Q. Can you keep this covenant by coming to the Lords Supper? A. I am much holpen by joining the Sacrament, to the hearing of the Word and Mark 16. 15 Prayer. Q. What is a Sacrament? A. A seal of the righteousness of faith, whereby all my other senses persuade my Rom. 4. 11 heart of God's favour to me in Christ, as mine ear doth by the Word of God. Q. How many Sacraments of this covenant be there? A. Two: one of entrance which is baptism, Mark 1. 4. 5 1. Pet. 3. 21 in which by the washing of water through the Word, I am borne again, made partaker of Christ to the washing away of my sins, and fulfilling of the Law by his righteousness, who is made to me righteousness, 1 Cor. 1. 20 sanctification and redemption. Matt. 26. 26 Q. The other Sacrament is the Supper of the Lord, what is the use of that? A. It is the Sacrament of my continuance 1 Cor. 11. 24 and growth in Christ, as eating and drinking causeth a new borne child to grow john 6. 56 to a perfect man. Q. Do you grow in Christ only by eating and drinking the bread and wine in the Lord's Supper? A. No: but by applying to my heart by faith, the graces signified in the Lord's Supper 1 co. 10 1. 3. 4 Ephe. 3. 17 while I eat and drink. Q. Show what graces you discern in the Lord's Supper? A. 1. By God's minister, providing and disposing bread and wine; I discern the john 3. 16 Ro. 12 13. 20 eternal love of the Father, that provided his Son for my salvation. 2. In myself I discern the body of the Elect, of which I am a member. 3. In bread, the chiefest food, I discern joh. 6 47. 48. Christ the only food of my soul. Q. You mean the body of Christ: for so are the words, This is my body? A. I do so: but together with the body I understand the whole person of Christ, Luk. 1 31. 32 Col. 2. 17 God and man, and all things which (as a Mediator) he did for me. I say that sanctiffed human nature which was conceived borne, lived, suffered for me. Q. Show the rest of the graces? A. The taking of the bread by the minister, signifieth the separation of Christ, begotten Gal. 4 4. 5 of the Father before all worlds, and in time borne of a Virgin for me. Gining of thanks, the joy conceived in Luke 2. 14 heaven and earth for Christ's coming: To the glory of God, and peace on earth, and good will towards men. The breaking of the whole humility of Luk. 2. 24 Christ, from his incarnation, to his resurrection; his suffering in body & soul for me▪ The giving of the bread, that Christ is Tit. 3 7 freely given of grace, not for our works▪ Q. What is meant by giving it to his Disciples? A. To show that though Christ be sufficient 2 Cor. 3. 5 for all, he is effectual given only to the Elect, that learn and practice Christ. Q. Proceed. 2 Cor. 2. 14, 15. 16 Act. 5 A. In that it is said, Take▪ eat, I discern that the sum of the Gospel is to me the saupur of life, making me bold to lay hold on the throne of grace, and possess myself Matt. 1. 21 fully of my Lord's joy. Q. Why would he express those benefits by eating? A. To assure me that in Christ I am restored Revel. 2. 7 to the true tree of life, and bread that came down from heaven, from which I Gen. 3 ●●. 23 was once banished; but now may take and eat, and live for ever. Q. Speak in like manner of the Cup? A. The taking of the cup, giving thanks, Heb. ●. 1●. and giving it: signifieth this gift of Christ's blood, to pacify both God & my conscience. Q. How cometh that? A. My salvation is not by my merit, but by God's Testament in Christ: this cup testifieth unto me that the Testator is dead, Heb. ●. 17 & I possess the legacy of salvation, and receive the spirit and life of Christ to be the child of God. Q. What is your duty to do in this covenant? A. Before I come I must examine myself to know my estate, in faith and repentance, to purify myself from infidelity and 1▪ Cor. 11. 2● sin, and to approve myself in my general and particular calling to live a christian life. In the receiving I must by faith assure myself possessed of God's promises, and therefore ● Cor. 1. 3. 4 praise him. After the receiving, I must ever show the Lord's death, that is, profess myself a true 1 Cor. 11. ●5 Christian, by showing my faith, by the works of communion with the Saints: sanctification of my life, and love of all men as much as is possible. Q. Are you sufficient of yourself to make this use of the Lords Supper? A. No, for all sufficiency is of God, of 2 Cor. 3. 5 whom I crave this grace in prayer; the form whereof is the Lords prayer, Our father which art, etc. Q. What is the sum of that, and so of all other lawful prayers? A. That God would be my God, and john 20. 17 1 Cor. 15. 49 Ephe. 4. 23 Col. 3. 10 Father, and that I may be his child, and so be received to that image of God, in which I was first made in Adam. A Spiritual Conflict betwixt Man's frailty and faith, in time of Sickness. frailty. SWeet and comfortable is this life and I must leave it. Faith. It is written (O frailty) and earnestly think of it; Is there not (job 7. vers. 1.) an appointed time to man upon earth, and are not his days as the days of an hireling, as a servant longeth for the Sabaoth, and an hireling looketh for an end of his work: so have I had as an inheritance, the months of vanity, and painful nights have been appointed unto me: If I laid me down, I said, when shall I arise? and measuring the evening, I am full with lossing to and fro until the dawning of the day again. 2 Cor. 15. 19 In this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most miserable, again, Heb. 11. 13. & 13. 14. We are strangers and pilgrims upon earth, we have no continuing City here, but we seek one to come, job 14. 1. A man that is borne of a woman, is of short continuance and full of trouble: he shoots forth as a flower and is cut down, he vanisheth also as a shadow and continueth not. Frailty. Much wealth and a shining estate shall I forego and leave behind me? Faith. It is written, Eccles. 1. vers. 1. Vanity of vanities, and all is but vanity, I have made me great works, I have built me houses, I have planted me vineyards, I have made me gardens and orchards, and planted in them trees of all fruits, I have gathered unto me silver and gold, and the choice treasure of kings and provinces, I have provided me men-singers, and women-singers, and the delights of the sons of men: And I was great and increased above all that were before me: whatsoever my eyes desired I withheld it not from them, I withdrew not my heart from any joy: But then I looked of all my works that my hands had wrought, and on the travel that I had laboured to do, and behold all is vanity, and vexation of the spirit, and there is no profit under the sun: Therefore I hated life for the work that is wrought under the sun is grievous unto me, for all is vanity and vexation of spirit, I hated all my labour wherein I had traveled, I went about to make my heart abhor it, for what hath man of his travel, grief of his heart, wherein he hath traveled under the sun, all his days are sorrows, and his travels grief: his heart taketh not rest in the night, which also is vanity. Frailty. O but wife and children, & friends, lie near my heart and minister thoughts of heavy woe unto me, when I think of leaving them. Faith. Remember (Frailty) what is written, He that loveth father and mother more than me, is not worthy of me, and he that loveth son or daughter more than me, is not worthy of me: He is the Father of the fatherless, and the widows judge, even God in his holy habitation. Frailty. O but God is angry with me, and what shall I do? Faith. I will bear the wrath of the Lord, because I have sinned against him, until he ●lead my cause and execute judgement for me: Then will he bring me forth to the light; and I shall see his righteousness, I will look unto the Lord, I will wait for God my Saviour, my God will hear me: Rejoice not against me (O my enemy) for though I fall I shall rise, when I shall sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a ●ight unto me. Frailty. Sickness and sufferings are tokens of God's anger towards man or woman. Faith. God forbid: clean contrary doth the Lord speaks for our comfort, as many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: Be zealous therefore Revel. 3. 19 and amend: Again, have you forgotten the consolation that speaketh unto you as unto children: My son despise not the chastening of the Prou. 3. 11 Lord, neither faint when thou art rebuked of him, for whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, & he scourgeth every sonnc that he receiveth: Heb. 12. 11 If ye endure chastening, God offereth himself unto you, as unto sons, for what son is there, whom the father chasteneth not: If therefore ye be without correction (whereof all are partakers) then are ye bastards and not sons: The righteous cry and the Lord heareth them, and delivereth them out of all their troubles: The Lord is near unto all them that are of a contrite heart, and will save such as be afflicted in spirit. Great are the troubles of the righteous, but the Lord delivereth them out of all ● He keepeth all his bones, so that none of them is broken. Frailty. But death is dreadful, and what a misery of man is it to die? Faith. I shall not die but live, and declare the works of the Lord, I should utterly have fainted, but that I believe verily to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living: Christ is to mce both in life and death advantage; I desire to be loosed and to be with Christ, which is the best of all: Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord: Even so saith the spirit, for they rest from their labours and their works follow them. Frailty. But I shall perish and be as though I never had been? Faith. Unto my sheep that here my voice, I give eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall any pluck them out of my hand: My Father which gave them me, is greater than all, and none is able to take them out of my father's hands, I & my father are one. Frailty. Yet dust I am, and to dust I must return? Faith. We shall be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last Trumpet, for the Trumpet shall blow, and the dead shall be raised up incorruptible, and we shall be changed, for this corruptible, must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality, etc. But we know this, if our earthly house of this Tabernacle be destroyed, we ●aue a building given of God, that is, a house ●ot made with hands, but eternal in the heaven's: Therefore we sigh desiring to be clothed ●ith our house which is from heaven. Frailty. When I am gone, I am gone, and what hope is there after death? Faith. I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand the last upon the earth, and though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet shall I see God in my flesh, whom I myself shall see, and my eyes shall behold, and no other for me. Frailty. Satan frighteth me with my sins, and layeth the greatness of them before me? Faith. But this is a true saying, and worthy of all men to be received: jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners, whereof I am chief? The blessed Apostle looked upon himself, as the greatest finner in the world, and yet despaired not: But saith, for this cause he was received to mercy, That jesus Christ should first show on him all long suffering unto the ensample of them, which should in time to come believe on him unto eternal life. Frailty. Satan suggesteth that my repentance is too late? Faith. It is never too late that is sincere and true: the these upon the Cross came very late, yet to him was it graciously said, This day shalt thou be with me in Paradise. Not presuming therefore of mercy, and continuing in sin; but truly lamenting what was past, and leaving any further to offend wilfully, I also will say in hope, Lord remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. Frailty. Yet God is just and must needs punish my sin? Faith. That justice is satisfied in the obedience of Christ, and each penitent sinner may in comfort say: If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, jesus Christ the righteous, and he is the propitiation for our sins, and not only for our sins, but for the sins of the whole world; For two titles our Saviour Christ hath to the kingdom of heaven: the right of inheritance, and the merit of his Passion: The first belongeth to him, the second he vouchsafeth to us in his merit: therefore our merit is not to be trusted in. For as touching our merit, remember David, Enter not into judgement with thy servant (O Lord) for in thy sight no flesh living shall be justified. When ye have done all these things that are commanded, you shall say, we are unprofitable servants? We have done that which was once our dues to do: Behold he found no steadfastness in his servants, and laid folly upon his Angels; how much more in them that dwell in houses of clay? whose foundation is in the dust: yea the heavens are not clear in his sight: how much more is man adhominable and filthy, which drinketh iniquity like water. How may a man be justified before God, or how can he be clean that is borne of a woman: Behold, he will give no light to the Moon, and the stars are unclean in his sight: How much more man, a worm, even the son of man which is but a worm. The Apostle again, When the bountifulness & love of God our Saviour towards man appeared, not by the works of righteousness which we had done: but according to his mercy he saved us by the washing of the new birth, and renewing of the holy Ghost, which he shed on us abundantly through jesus Christ our Saviour, that we being justified by his grace, should be heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Thus will faith ever find comfort in the Word, to answer frailty in any point whatsoever of fear and fright, if it be sought out by careful reading. A Protestation in Sickness. I Wrotched and woeful sinner, yet redeemed with the precious blood of jesus Christ, through his great love, not my merit, protest before the all-seeing God, that I do heartily desire to die in the faith, wherein it becometh a true member of the true Church to end this life. I believe and confess all and every part of the Christian Faith, either expressly mentioned, or truly comprised in the twelve Articles: and generally, I believe whatsoever a Christian man or woman ought to believe. This immovable and firm faith (God assisting me with his grace) I shall hold, as a strong and invincible hold, against all the suggestions and assaults of Satan: Wherefore, if either by his oppugning tyranny, or my sickness raging fury, I shall either speak, do, or think any thing repugnant and contrary to this. Now in this my better strength both of body and mind, I disclaim it, renounce it, abhor it, and pray that it may not be imputed unto me, as any word, work, or thought of mine, but of Satan's malice and my sickness strength. To my uttermost power I remit and forgive unto all persons, all injuries whatsoever at any time, or in any sort done unto me: and earnestly entreating them the like again from them to me in any faults, or errors of mine unto them: and I humbly acknowledge, with true woe of a grieved heart, that to my God I have not carried myself as I should: my faults and offences, my faults and transgressions are bitter unto me: yet do I not despair, but laying hold by the hand of my faith. upon my all powerful and sweet Saviour, I humbly crave mercy, with bowed knees of heart and soul before him: I acknowledge his infinite goodness to me many and infinite ways, and with heart and soul and all that is within me praise his holy Name: I commend into his hands my spirit, and though weak in body, yet strong in him, I say and cry, Lord jesus, Lord jesus receive me to thee, Come Lord jesus, come quickly, Amen, Amen. A Prayer in Sickness. O Lord, just art thou, and just and true are all thy judgements, thy ways are mercy and truth, and there never was or shall be any end of thy goodness: I humbly beseech thee to have mercy upon me, and do not reward me according to mine iniquities: I have sinned, I have sinned, and woe is me for it; O thou preserver of men, thine I am, and in thee is my trust: in thy fear let me live, in thy favour let me die; Sweet God of my comfort, Blessed for ever and ever, Amen. Another Prayer. MEercy Lord, mercy most holy and comfortable God, to all truly sorrowing sinners; look upon thy wretch that joyeth to be thine, although most unworthy to be respected of thee: unjust things have I done and my heart bleedeth for them; just things do I suffer in regard of thee my gracious God. I humbly acknowledge, if I look what I have done what I suffer is not answerable: but less● do I suffer than I have deserved: Dear Father, I acknowledge thy justice so mixed with mercy, as never I can sufficiently thank thee for it. Comfortable God, give strength to my weakness, that more and more I may be able to do that, which such great goodness of thine binds me unto: where sin aboundeth, thy mercy superaboundeth, and shall not I feel it? Let not thy prayer depart out of my mouth whilst I live and breath; if outwardly I must suffer, yet inwardly comfort and endue me with patience according to the multitude of thy mercies. Thou knowest all, and thou canst do all and ever blessed be thy name, Amen, Amen. Another Prayer. MOst gracious redeemer, which ever art merciful, ever comfortable and kind to them that trust in thee, ever a Saviour whether thou sendest unto us well or woe: since it is thy will that through many tribulations we must enter into the kingdom of God: grant me strength ever to continue and steadfastly abide, in all Christian fortitude & perseverance against hell, death, and Satan, and all these terrors they can inflict either upon my soul, conscience, or body: that being assisted by thee, I may rest in thee, and receive the crown of life promised in thy goodness to all thine elect, for the which I shall sing praises to thee in the heavens, with thee for evermore. A Poem to that effect. OH what strange sudden news unto the world is come: What haste the post doth use, To summon all and sum. A debt is to be paid, A certain day is set: And every man afraid How he should pay his debt. No surety will suffice, No hoping of delay: No clamours nor no cries, But either die, or pay. The band is by the soul, The substance faith and troth, And who are in the world, Must look unto their oath. The judge is wise and just, His Law is pure and clear; And at his presence must, All flesh and blood appear. The place shall be so great, That none but shall have room▪ But none that shall entreat, To have a partial doom. All flesh shall be indicted, Of conscience accusation, Shall let none be acquitted, That sin sends to damnation. But such as mercy craves, That are for mercy crying: And such as mercy saves, From the eternal dying. Time shall yield up his flowers, And faith subscribe to grace: Nature yields up her power, Corruption hath no place. And in an instant all, A sudden change shall see, Then all the world shall fall, Where shall no being be. Rich, poor, both young and old, Fair, full and strong and weak; Wise, fond, both hot and cold, The hearts of all shall break. The spirits shall all assemble, And horrors hold the heart: The justest soul shall tremble, For fear of their desert. All are in sin contained, But who for sins are sorry: Shall be from death detained, 〈◊〉 of mercy's glory. The rich must leave his wealth, And to the grave must high: The youth must leave his health, And learn the way 〈◊〉. The fair must leave to paint, And tak●d earthly hue: The poor must leave to faint, And bid the world adieu. The wise must leave his wit, And make the worms a feast: The fool must leave his fit, and make the grave his rest. No bribe shall buy an hour, No gift procure a grace: To sweet the smallest sower, in the infernal place. Since then the news are such, The Day of Doom so nigh: And mercy doth so much, With highest majesty. So none shall mercy crave, With humble faithful love: But shall in mercy have, The joys in heaven above. And scape the pains of hell, That doth to sin belong: And with the Angels dwell, To sing a heavenly song. Let us to mercy fly, From sin and death to save us: And unto mercy cry, That hell may never have us, Amen.