Three forms of catechisms, containing the most principal points of Religion.  Deut. 4.10. 
I will cause them to hear my words, that they may learn to fear me all the dayes of their life, And that they may teach their children also.  
R. H.  
1583.   

To the Reader.  
THou hast here( Christian Reader) in this little book, three catechisms. The first setting forth the chief points of religion somewhat at large. The second gathering the same in to a shorter sum, for their memories sake, which are not able to committe to heart the longer.  
The third very short, for the alluring of weak and crazed memories, as of aged folk, and such like, which at least may soon learn those four words, and the meaning of them, and be brought to say some thing of them by their own knowledge. There be very many catechisms, thou knowest( good Reader) and in very many of them( in my iudgement) a good& perfect order wanting, for beginning where they should begin, and ending where they should end, and making things follow in their due course. I submit myself also to the iudgement of others. peradventure many will so think of these. Therefore I leave it free to thee to choose, until thou find that form of catechism, which thou thinkest to agree most aptly to thy mind, which thou art best able to follow in instructing thy househoulde. If thou shalt take any profit by these, give God the glory.   

Question.  
WHo created you, and all things which are created?  
answer.  
GOD.  
Quest. What is GOD?  
An. He is a spirit almighty, eternal, and so incomprehensible, that wee are not able to attain unto what he is, but as he hath in his word expressed his own name and nature.  
Quest. What is that his name expressed in his word?  
An. The lord the lord strong, merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abundant in goodness and truth, reserving mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity, and transgression and sin, and not making the wicked innocent, visiting the iniquity of the fathers vpon the children unto the third and fourth generation.  
Quest. And what is your duty, and the duty of all creatures towards God our creator?  
An. To set forth his glory. For the Lord made all things for his glories sake.  
Quest. And how is Gods glory set forth by his creatures?  
An. In respect of the Lord, it is set forth, in that the glory of his wonderful wisdom and power appeareth, will we nyl we, in our creation: In respect of his creatures, his glory is set forth by their obedience to his will and commandment.  
Quest. How is Gods glory declared by obeying his commandment?  
An. Because the Lord to all things which he made appoynted a lawe, as a token and mark of his sovereignty and lordship over them. In keeping the which lawe, they witness that God is he whom they serve, and of dueie ought to obey, and so give him the glory of a Lord and God: and in breaking which lawe, they do as much as proclaim that they owe him no service nor obedience, and so deny him his due glory, of being lord and God, maker and governor of all.  
Quest. Declare some examples as concerning what laws the lord haue given to his creatures in the beginning, whereby they might testify their obedience, unto his glory.  
An. To the sun the Lord gave a lawe, that it should rule the day: to the moon and stars, that they should rule the night: To the Waters, that they should be gathered into their bounds, and not cover the dry land as they did before: to the Earth, that it should bring forth the herb that seedeth seed,& the fruitful three. &c. And to Man God gave a commandment, to abstain from eating of the fruit of the three in the midst of the garden of paradise, called the three of Knowledge of good and evil.  
Quest. Howe do the dumb creatures obey Gods commandment?  
An. In that they continue in the state, wherein the Lord placed them,& stand to the order and course, whereunto he assigned them at the first.  
Quest. Haue not man also obeied Gods commandment from the beginning?  
An. No. For our first parents Adam and eve presently after the commandment given, turned quickly out of the way. For they hearkening unto the serpents lying temptation, turned also the truth of God into a lie. For they believed not that which the Lord had spoken, but did eat of the forbidden fruit, and thereby as it were proclaimed, that they ought unto the Lord no service nor obedience, and so denied him the glory of their lord and governor, and separated themselves quiter from him.  
Quest. What befelle of this fall of Adam?  
An. Most woeful ruin to himself, and to all his posterity. For the lord creating him of this nature, to beget seed, and to increase on the earth, after a maner wee were all created in him, seeing wee haue all sprung out of his loins. Therefore as he received most happy blessings and gifts of the Lord, both for himself, and for his seed, and wee all in him received them: so by this his denying the lord, he lost all both to himself and to his seed, and wee all in him haue lost them. He made himself a seruant to sin, whereunto he had obeied, and a slave unto Satan whom he had served. Which misery is come vpon all his posterity, as it is written: By the offence of one, sin came on all men to condemnation. And again, in Adam wee are all dead. So that he hath left us none other inheritance, but the cursed and bitter root of sin, which inwardly springeth in the ground of our souls, even from our birth. And this is called original sin, and for the plainer understanding, we may call it sin which we haue by nature or kind.  
Quest. What do this natural corruption bring forth in us?  
Aun. It bringeth forth in us continual disobedience against the Lord, in breaking his laws. And it is a very strong infecting plague, which infectethe and poisoneth all our thoughts words and deeds, in such sort, as that they be all transgressions against Gods commandments.  
Quest. What commandements be they?  
An. The Ten precepts engraven by the Lord in two tables, for the more plain expressing to us of his revealed will, which was also his revealed will from the beginning.  
Quest. Let us hear how you give the understanding of these commandements. And first of these words: I am the Lord thy God, which brought thee out of Egypt, &c.  
An. The lord useth means hereby to draw them to reverence in hearkening, in proclaiming his lordship and rule over thē in these words: I am the Lord, and to procure them to free, willing, and loving obedience, in testifiyng his free covenant of love and mere Grace, entred with thē, in these words: Thy God, And his benefits which for his covenants sake he bestoweth on them, in these words: Which brought thee out of Egypt, &c.  
Quest. The first commandement, Thou shalt haue none other Gods but me, unto what duty doth it appoint us?  
An. even to give to God that which to him belongeth: As his due worship or Homage, and honourable reverence: fear and Obedience: love and Confidence: Calling vpon his name and thankfulness. But if we transfer any of these from him to any other, either God or man, wee commit idolatry.  
Quest. show by example. For is it not lawful to honour, love, fear and obey men? Also to make petitions to them, and to thank them, and so forth?  
An. Who so prostrateth himself to the majesty of any man, yielding honour and homage, in respect as he is man only, and not in respect, either of some authority or magistracy given of the Lord to some, to rule and govern as in his stead, or in respect of some grace or gift of God, wherein his glory appeareth, so that alway the honour may redowne to the lord: such an one committeth idolatry.  
And they which receive that homage& honour, and yield it not again into the Lords hands, whose servants they be in their offices& callings, commit idolatry.  
And who so fear and obey man, save in the lord, as to do that which God haue forbidden, because of the commandement,& for fear of the strength thereof, committe idolatry.  
And they which love any thing, as wife, children, house, land, money, food, raiment and such like, otherwise then under the Lord, that is, as helps to their life for a time, and as means to set their mind on the giver, and not to draw thē from him, to cause them to desire to live still on the earth, committe idolatry.  
And they which make any suit or petition unto man, and do not make suit unto God first and chiefly, and use that man as a means to serve to gods providence, do committe idolatry.  
They which trust for help in man in time of need, as in multitude of soldiers, skill of the physician, or such like, and trust not only in the lord, and use such means as he offer: committe idolatry, sinning against this commandment: so likewise of the rest.  
Quest. go to the second commandment: Thou shalt not make to thyself any graven image, &c.  
An. Wee are forbidden herein to worship God( though the true God, as we may wee pretend) under any outward likeness, or in any other maner of fashion, then he haue appointed.  
therefore they which will make an outward shape to put them in remembrance of God, are vain. For it can not put them in remembrance of that it is not like, but only it cause thē to remember that fantastical toy, which they haue devised in their own brain, and set up for God.  
They which conceive or imagine of God, according to the reach of any outward sense, as if they think him to be like the light, or any such thing: sin against this commandment.  
The invisible things of God, that is his eternal power and godhead, are to be seen in his word and works: but spiritually to be beholden.  
They which in the worship of God bring in any representations or ceremonies, to signify any thing, the Lord in his word not being author of them: as whitnes in a garment to signify innocency, or such like: sin against this commandement.  
They which in the worship of God, which is free to all, make themselves bond, and worship after the precepts of men, by limitation and course, and not by quickness of the spirit, which stir up our minds unto God according to our present necessity: sin against this commandement.  
They which submit themselves in the worship of God in his Church, to any such, as to whom he by his word haue not given charge over his househoulde to guide and teach them, and therfore can not guide nor teach them: sin against this commandment.  
All these and many more committing other things, do imagine of God otherwise then he is,& do set up a false image and representation of him.  
Quest. proceed to the third commandement: Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain, &c.  
An. Wee are commanded here to use the name of God with reverence and sobrenes, whither wee haue occasion to meditate or speak of him, or his word wherein he haue declared his name most manifestly, or his works wherein he haue also engraven his name: for as much as the glory of his wisdom and power, whereby he is and may be known, doth shine in them.  
Therefore they which name him when they mind him not, as in any sudden chance of mirth, or at any thing happening somewhat strangely: as if one should say in such a case ( Lord God is that true) or such like: they offend against this commandement.  
They which use the name of God in cursings, also in inchauntings: sin against this commandment.  
They which swear by any thing saving God alone, as though any thing in the world were a searcher of the hart besides God: sin against this commandement,& make that thing an idol.  
They which swear by the name of God, without high reverence and homage yeeldinge, in a solemn and necessary cause, either when the truth can not otherwise be manifestly found out, in respect of the time past: or when wee make a solemn vow or promise to do any thing, for the time to come: when the parties to whom wee promise, can not otherwise be assured of our certain care to perform the thing. They which swear otherwise, sin against this commandment.  
They which turn over a trifling matter to lot, calling God from heaven to determine that, which otherwise most easily might be determined, sin against this commandment. For chance there is none, though peradventure the word may be used not unlawfully, to note those things which come to pass to us unlooked for. But in respect of the lord, there is no chance, but by his providence every sparrow lighteth on the ground: much more by the same providence the issue of every lot is directed.  
They which hearing the word of God, haue their minds otherwise occupied: sin against this commandment.  
And they also which in their reading do not meditate duly.  
They which present themselves at a service of God, which they understand not: or if they understand it, it agreth not at all to their state, and they are not edified, and yet they stil frequent the same: sin against this commandment.  
They which sing psalms or hymns of the scripture to pass the time in the midst of their vain mirth,& either understand them not, or apply them not to their own affections, neither meditate soberly on them: sin against this commandment.  
They which idlelye do behold Gods works, and pass over them as things of course, not espying nor meditating Gods glory which shineth in them: as it is written: The heauens declare the glory of God, and the firmament sheweth the works of his hands. &c: they sin against this commandment, and so likewise of the rest.  
Quest. Declare the sum of the fourth: Remember that thou keep holy the sabbath day.  
An. The seventh day is commanded to be kept holy unto the lord, in spiritual exercises, and meditating of the works of God, which he made excellent& wonderful, and restend the seventh day, which he hath commanded to be kept apart, to celebrate the remembrance of his rest, as also to put us in mind, that we are to rest from our own works which are evil, that we may do the works which God will and command. And unto the Iewes a very streight observing of the day was given in charge, because it was to them a shadowing of the heavenly rest. unto us Christ Iesus hath set an end to all shadows, in whom we behold our rest and blessedness. Howbeit the seventh day being sanctified and put apart of the lord from the beginning, to other use then the rest, we are to hold a seventh day, to cease from our outward labours, which should hinder us from having both our souls and bodies free unto the whole attendance vpon the divine worship of God.  
Quest. The fifth commandement what doth it appoint unto us?  
An. All dueties which we owe unto any of those, whom God haue placed under him to govern us, whither they be Parentes, Magistrates, Church guides, or whosoever. And the lord haue comprehended them under one kind, whereunto the very bonde of natural affection, if any spark be in us, bind us unto.  
Therfore we must give honour to whom honor belongeth: fear, to whom fear appertaineth: Tribute, to whom tribute is due, and all in the lord, and for him. As it is written concerning submission to Magistrates: let every soul bee subject to the higher powers. &c. concerning Church guides it is written: obey them that haue the oversight of you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls. Concerning parentes it is written: Children obey your Parentes in the Lord, for it is right. &c. Concerning Maisters, servants be subject to your Maisters with all fear.  
Therefore they sin against this commandement, which are stubborn against such, and are answers again, or go powting and lowering about their message, doing eye service, or constrained.  
Also, they which by any means increase their private wealth and gain with the hindrance of the common wealth, though they can by some shift stop the mouth of a good lawe: yet they sin against this commandment in the civil Magistrates behalf, who is appointed for the maintenance of that common wealth.  
Also, they which being admonished of a sin, by any brother in the church, or any Church guide, either will not hear him, or if they seem to hear, yet they nourish still their sin within them more secretly, sin against this commandment, and so likewise of others. For very many particulars might be gathered in every commandment. But I mention a few of the plainest to avoid tediousness.  
Quest. Declare the meaning of the sixth commandment: Thou shalt not kill.  
An. Wee are forbidden all violence, and all harm conceyuing or doing, against the safety of the life of any man.  
Therfore they which hate any man though he be their enemy: sin against this commandment. For it is written: love your enemies. do good to them that hate you. But wee whom we hate, wee would haue made out of the way. Therfore hatred is the coal which kindleth the fire of slaughter. Where it is said: Do I not hate them with a perfect hatred, which hate thee? &c: In deed we may hate the Lords enemies as sinners, and be angry against them with jealousy over Gods glory: but as living men, we may not hate them, nor do any thing which should tend to the shortening of their lives: but committe that to God,& to those to whom he haue committed the sword.  
They which give check for check,& taunt for taunte: sin against this commandment.  
They which are angry unadvisedly, much more they which burst out into any reproachful words: sin against this commandment.  
They which for want of love, withdraw their helping hand from the safety of the life of an other, when as they may stand in stead to do good therein: sin against this commandment.  
Quest. proceed to declare the seventh: Thou shalt not committe adultery.  
An. Wee are forbidden whoredom, and all filthiness of lust, uncleanness and vnchastnes, which tendeth thereunto.  
therefore they which look on any with the eye of concupiscence, whom they ought not so to look vpon: sin against this commandement,& in hart haue committed adultery, as Christ haue spoken.  
They which use unchaste words: also they which deck themselves delicatelie, or gesture with the body pleasantly, thereby stirring up the lust of others, declaring their vnchast,& unmortified minds: sin against this commandment.  
Also they which pamper their bodies deliciously, which thing increaseth lust: sin against this commandment.  
Also they, which though they use no strange flesh, but contain themselves within the bounds of matrimony, and yet bridle not their insatiable lust, but use that thing for a provocation to sin, and a mean of inflaming thereof, which was given of God for a remedy against sin, and a mean of quenshing thereof: sin against this commandement. And so likewise of others.  
Quest. proceed unto the eight commandment: Thou shalt not steal.  
An. Herein we be for bidden to hinder the goods of our neighbour, but are commanded to be careful, that every man haue his own justly and truly, as far as in us lye.  
Therefore besides the common theeues& robbers, they also which bite with the sharp teeth of usury& extortion, sin more grievously against this commandement.  
They which seek altogether to gather to themselves, and are loth that other poorer and younger then they, should haue any dealings to thrive by them: sin against this commandment.  
They which keep back the hirelings wages, yeares, months or dayes, yea but one night, when he needeth it: sin against this commandment.  
They which take a mans cause in hand,& delay the same one day longer then by necessity: sin against this commandment.  
They which haue enough to live vpon, and great overplus, and play not the good stewards to dispose where need is: sin against this commandment.  
They which abuse the necessity of the Buyer, to enhance the price of any thing: sin against this commandment.  
Also, they which abuse the necessity of the seller, to bring the price under foot, and cause the poor to sell their goods, especially those which they sell before hand, even half for nought: sin grievously against this commandment. And this is a gulf which swaloweth up many a man in a year with his poor wife and children.  
They which are idle& labour in no calling, eating the bread which is due to thē only that labour; sin against this commandement  
They which do eye service,& behind the backs of thē whom they serve, diminish of their work through slothfulness,& yet receive their wages: sin against this commandment,& so likewise of the rest.  
queen. Go forward to express the meaning of the ninth commandement: Thou shalt not bee a false witness against thy neighbour.  
An. Wee be forbidden by any means to hinder our neighbours good name, as by lying, slandering, backebyting, surmising, or any such way. But we are commanded to defend, maintain, and further the same, as far as we are able in truth and right.  
Therefore they which haue pleasure to sit descanting of other mens faults, when they ought to be otherwise occupied, without care to move themselves or any they talk with, to avoyde the like:  
Also they which disclose those faults which are to bee covered, or to be touched first by due private admonition:  
Also they which make the fault seem greater then it is, either for evil will, or because they think that another mans dispraise is partly their praise, or else do carp at other mens gifts to lessen their estimation, thinking that so much is added to their own: these& such like sin against this commandment.  
Question. The tenth commandment what doth it enjoin to us?  
Aun. To abstain from all wandring desires, whereby we long after,& fausie those things which God haue allotted unto others, and not to us, though we haue no purpose nor consent of mind, unlawfully to come by the same, as in the other commandments. And wee are commanded lovingly to covet and desire our neighbours profit and welfare even as our own.  
Therefore they which seeing an house or piece of ground, or such like thing, of their neighbours next adjoining to theirs, and their mouth water thereat, and they think it were excellently commodious, if they had it, although they would not haue it without payinge the price, yet offend they against this commandement. For the Lord haue appointed it to their neighbour, to whom oftentimes it serveth for necessity in his calling, when it should not serve the other but unto superfluity. And so likewise of others coveting any thing after this maner.  
And this is the Lawe of God, the perfect rule of his righteousness, teaching us to lead an upright life, and requireth that we be spiritually endowed with entire love towards God,& our neighbour, which is the accomplishment of the law.  
queen. Is it possible that this Law should of us be fulfilled?  
An. No. For the Lawe is spiritual, but we are carnal, sold under sin,& therefore too weak to attain to this perfection.  
queen. Why then haue the Lord given us a Law, and taketh punishment for the breach therof, which we are not able to fulfil?  
An. Because the lord being perfectly righteous, could not give a lawe of any other nature or kind. Which lawe in itself is possible to be fulfilled, for Christ in the nature of man, haue fulfilled it.  
But we are so infected with sin, that as sick stomachs can not savour the most savoury meate, and the bleared eyes can not behold the sun: so can not wee brook the Lawe of GOD, the stomachs of our souls being always sore sick of this disease of sin, and the eyes of our souls being dazzled therewith.  
Quest. Is there not then life to bee had by the Lawe?  
An. Yes, life is promised to the performers thereof, as it is written: Do this, and thou shalt live. But because of this mine infirmity: that commandment which was ordained unto life, is found to be unto me unto death.  
Quest. What profit then chiefly do we reap by the Lawe?  
Auns. This, that we being too blind in seeing our own sins, and too favourable in judging them, should haue this lawe, as a glass therein to espy the multitude, grossness, and owghlines of them: And as a right squire which should set more plainly before our eyes, the crookedness of our paths, to the end wee should bee driven to shane and confusion in our own selves: and also that we should haue this law( beside a streight examiner and searcher of our ways) a sharp condemner also for our so manifold and evident transgressions therof, thereby to drive us to shane and fear of woe: that thus wee being bound with the chains of misery, might of force be driven more carefully to seek to the fountain& wellspring of mercy.  
Quest. If there be nothing to bee looked for of us at the hands of the Law but death and condemnation: howe is it that such things are spoken of the Lawe: as that it is perfect, conuertinge the soul, and rejoicing the heart, giuing light to the eyes. &c. Also, Thy Lawe is my delight, give me understanding, and I will keep it with my whole heart. Also, Blessed is the man, that hath not walked in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand. &c. But his delight is in the Lawe of the lord, and in that Lawe he doth meditate day and night.  
An. In those places of Scripture, these words, Law, testimony, Word, Statute, and such like, are taken for the whole revealed will of God, concerning his covenant with his saints: And so not only for the commandment, which bindeth and bringeth wrath: but therewith for the atonement also by grace& mercy in the Lords annoynted, which was a lamb slain from the beginning.  
Of which wellspring of grace& life, our Fathers haue drunk, though by shadowing sacrifices led thereunto. But wee here speak onely of the lawe of the bare commandments, which setteth our misdeeds in order before vs.  
Quest. Are we then all transgressors of the Lawe of God?  
An. Yea all: As it is written, All haue sinned,& are deprived of the glory of god. Also, There is none righteous, no not one, There is none that understandeth: there is none that seeketh God. Also, all the imaginations and thoughts of mans heart are only evil continually. Yea and this our transgression is more increased by the giuing of the Lawe, as it is written: The Lawe entred thereupon, that sin might abound. For although there haue been all one and the same Law from Adam to Moses, which haue ben since: yet now the precepts being engraven before our eyes, even as lines drawn out for a writer to direct his writing by, we are the more in sin, and the more manifestly convict therof, for not drawing as it were, the writing of our life& conversation by those streight lines of Gods lawe.  
Quest. Who accuse us of this sin and transgression before the tribunal seat of God?  
An. even this lawe, which draweth out the handwriting of our inditement against vs.  
Quest. Who is the witness for the confirming the same?  
An. even our own conscience is a thousand witnesses, when the lord call it to accounts.  
Quest. Who is judge?  
An. The lord God a ieleous God, into whose hands it is fearful to fall. Whose Iustice as his Shreife fettreth us with deadly chains, and is ready to hale us unto execution.  
Quest. unto the execution of what iudgement?  
An. even of death everlasting, which is the reward of sin, and the effect of Gods curse, which is uttered against the breakers of the law, as it is written: Cursed is every one which abideth not in all these commandments.  
Quest. This is great woe and misery. Shall we thus die without remedy.?  
An. This is the state of the world, and thus are the innumerable multitude slain by Gods avenging iustice.  
queen. Is no pardon offered them by Gods good grace and mercy?  
An. Yes: If they would fall down, humbling their hartes, and turning to the Lord, abhorring those sins which haue procured his wrath.  
Quest. Why do they not so, especially in this distress?  
An. They add sin to sin, treasuring up wrath so long that by gods just iudgement, their hartes are still hard and can not repent. Also they are absent from the Lords bar, and are sleeping in the midst of their pleasures, when their iudgement sleepeth not, but proceedeth thus against them. And they may be said to be absent, because having no touch nor remorse of conscience, they can not bee said to hear either accusation of the Lawe, or sentence of the judge. And when the shrieffe Gods iustice calleth to vengeance, they think he dally, and are brought in mind as Adam& eve were by the Tempter, that they should not die. Such vain hope haue they, until the sword of death give them an everlasting wound.  
Quest. Who are they then, which escape this deadly dinte of dreadful iudgement?  
An. A remnant saved by the Election of grace, of themselves no more worthy then the rest: but by the lord called of purpose, and redeemed from out of the world, and the abominations of other sinners.  
Quest. And how do they escape?  
An. They being present before Gods iudgement bar, hear and see the proceeding of all things, by the inward feeling of conscience, which is given thē by Gods Spirit, as the first step and entrance unto good. now they beholding nothing, but even the undergoing of this terrible iudgement: they fall down flat before the majesty of the judge. They confess their sins,& hid thē not. They are ashamed of thē wherein they had pleasure before,& are ashamed of themselves. They hate& abhor them, for that they haue brought thē unto this woe. They are angry with themselves for angering their God, whose frowning countenance they can not now behold. They think themselves most vile& detestable, yea the miserablest of all creatures under heaven. Death is before their eyes,& they are holden with the bands thereof. They are plunged in the pit,& gasp for breath. They burn in the fire of Gods indignation, having hell in their conscience, and darkness on every side. Thus they sorrow with entire purpose, if they may escape, to lead a new life. This is the pattern of true repentance, and this is dying unto sin.  
Quest. What release then vpon this?  
An. Christ Iesus sendeth to thē his Spirit the comforter, to cheer their souls with these glad tidings: Come to me ye that labour and are laden, and I will refresh you. I haue appeased my Fathers wrath. I haue born the burden of your sins. I haue nailed your inditement to my cross. behold I haue sent your pardon. Then dreadful iustice giveth place, and tender mercy take them by the hand, to pluck them out of the pit. Thus the dayspring from an high do visit them, giuing light to them sitting in darkness,& in the shadow of death. Then are the poor penitent sinners raised from death to life, from hell to heaven, hearing the spirit founding in their ears of their souls, and reading their pardon thus: Blessed are they whose vnrightuousnes is forgiven, and whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord imputeth no sin. This rising from death and quickening by faith in Christ unto a new life, after wee were dead through sins, is the second birth.  
Quest. By what means hath christ appeased his Fathers wrath, and ransomed us?  
An. By suffering death, even the death of the cross,& the torment of hell in soul and conscience. So he bare the burden for us, which should haue restend vpon us, and would haue pressed us down for ever. His blood was a purging sacrifice of a sweet smelling savour to God, wherein he smelled the savour of peace.  
Quest. We being thus ransomed and redeemed from the power of hell and Satans bands: in what name or title can wee look for the joys of the heavenly life, seing we can yet bring no desert unto God?  
An. Christ hath also fulfilled the Law, and wrought perfect righteousness, which he imputeth to us, wherewith he clothing us being naked in ourselves, he presenteth us to his father, and maketh us partakers& felloheires of glory with himself in heavenly places. He also having received abundance of the spirit without measure, poureth vpon us also of the same spirit, as it is written: Of his fullness wee haue all received, and grace for grace, whereby he Santifieth us to the leading of a nue and holy life, which may be conformed to the image of his life.  
Quest. What natures be in Christ?  
An. The perfect nature of God, and the perfect nature of Man.  
Quest. Why was it necessary that our redeemer should be God?  
An. That he might haue full power to sustain his manhood to the overcoming of death, that he might not be holden with the bands thereof: which thing passeth mans strength.  
Qu. Why was it necessary that he should be perfect man?  
An. Because Man had trespassed, Man also was to answer the trespass, as the iustice of God required.  
Qu. How could it stand with the Iustice of God to pardon our sins, whereof he spake: The day that thou dost so, thou shalt die the death?  
An. The Iustice of God remaineth vndimimished, in that our sins were punished by death and bloodshedding in him, which bare our iniquity. His mercy also taketh place, and rejoiceth against iudgement, in that they are pardonned to us, and the debt paid by a faithful surety.  
Quest. How do we receive Christ Iesus,& apply him unto us with his merites, and in him all promises and Amen?  
An. By Faith.  
Quest. What is Faith?  
An. It is an especial gift of God given by inspiration, but not without other means. And may well be called the hand of our soul, which we reach forth to lay hold of all good things, which the lord do offer to us in his word.  
Quest. Howe then and by what means is it wrought in us, or inspired into us?  
An. God giveth it, or worketh it in our hartes by his spirit, at the outward hearing of the word taught by any to whom he haue given any lawful charge or calling to teach us the same: though in some case it be done but by a private brother, only by the charge of charity, instructing them whom he find to haue need and to be worthy, as did the scattered Disciples of the church in jerusalem, and prospered in begetting faith.  
Quest. By what means doth the Lord assure our faith of his gracious promises?  
An. By the same means, even his word, wherein they are contained, and from whence they flow unto us, and his spirit quickening us by the same,& sealing it unto us by giuing lively feeling of the power thereof.  
Quest. Hath not the lord of bounty yet added further assurance by outward mean, sfor the help of our weak faith?  
An. Yes: He hath also left us two Sacramentes, as seals unto his promises.  
Quest. Which be they?  
An. The Sacrament of baptism, and of the Lords supper.  
Quest. What is a Sacrament?  
An. It is an outward visible sign by the confirmation of the word applied thereto, representing spiritual graces unto us, for the testifying of Gods goodness towards us, and confirming our faith.  
Quest. What is baptism?  
An. The Sacrament of regeneration or new birth, and seal of our receiving into Gods house, the kingdom of Christ, to be one of the number of his, and to be brought up among them.  
Quest. What inward grace do the washing with water represent unto us?  
An. It represent two things especially: One is, the washing away of our filthiness by the blood of Christ, as it is written: That he might sanctify his church, and cleanse it by the washing of water through the word. Otherwise also it representeth a drowning& overwhelming: for even as one that is overwhelmed with water, seemeth to be dead and drowned: but if he peer up again, he seemeth to haue escaped death: even so all that are baptized, do undergo a certain representation of death, not thereby to die, but by escaping that death, to live in far better state, and a more excellent life: so it is said, that our Fathers were baptized in the sea, because that going through it as through the valley of death, by that passage they escaped death. So was christ said to bee baptized by his death, and we are said to be baptized into the image of his death, when we being wounded in conscience for sin, do die unto the same, and forsake it, that wee may live a better life, even to righteousness, and escape the second death. Thus baptism representeth dying, and living again as a new creature. So is it called the Sacrament of regeneration.  
Quest. What do the Sacrament of the Lords Supper signify unto us?  
An. even as by baptism wee are received into Gods house, to be nourished as his dear children: so the Lords Supper which we are often to receive, represent unto us the food wherewith our souls are nourished. namely the bread signie the body of Christ the living Manna, which giveth never to hunger more: And the wine do signify the blood of Christ the water of life, which giveth never to thirst more. And as in our bodies we do taste these elements, so in our souls by faith wee do feed on our saviour Christ.  
Qu. What certain mark& token haue we to examine ourselves, whither wee haue the true faith or no, and whither we be in Christ,& he in us: or that wee haue but a bare opinion of these things, and deceive ourselves as the most part of them do, which notwithstanding call themselves Christians?  
Anus. Our certain mark and seal is the spirit of adoption, which testifieth unto our spirites, that we be his children: and by the which we cry boldly, Abba Father. But if any man haue not the spirit of Christ, the same is not his.  
Quest Howe may wee examine whither wee haue this spirit or no?  
An. By the forcible working of the same in vs. Not onely as feeling some motions of goodness, which are by the spirit illuminating, and afterward by returning to our old nature, wee quenshe the spirit, and drown those motions, so that our goodness prove but as the morning mist, and our light be but as a flash of lightning to lead us for a step or two. But the grace of the adopting spirit, giveth light to see, and strength to run on the race with courage: yea with violence to draw the kingdom of God unto vs. It is called fire, because it ministereth heat, and taketh away coldness of zeal and love, and it will burst forth in manifest appearance. And being the anointing oil wherewith we are anointed, the smell therof will be savoured of those whom we draw near. The fruits thereof be love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperancy.  
finally, if our nature be so withered, and grace so flourishing, that wee hate sin which wee loved before, and delight in the testimonies of the Lord which were ircksome to us before: this is a token of the quickening spirit. Also if we obey the lord, not in the deadness of the letter, but in the freeness of the spirit: not by compulsion or constreint of the lawe, or fear of hell: but for thankfulness to the lord for his mercy, and deliverance, for very love of righteousness, though there were no devil nor hel at al. These and such like graces, witness unto us the the possession of the incorruptible seed of Gods spirit. And if we examine ourselves duly, wee can not deceive ourselves.  
Quest. Are then these works of him that is regenerate righteous& good?  
An. Their works can not weigh in the balance of the lords examination, but shall be found to light. If he shall mark what is done amiss, the most righteous can not stand. For the remnant of sin which is not utterly slain in us till death, staineth our best works with one evil affection or other. But whom the lord receiveth to grace, he accepteth their obedience,& covereth their sins with the rob of righteousness of his dear son.  
Quest. Are not all the graces, and every good gift proceeding from God, freely bestoweth vpon his people?  
An. Yes, even of free grace, without any thing of our part moving thereto.  
Quest. whereunto then tendeth Prayer which is a chief exercise of a Christian faith? And it is said: knock, and it shall be opened unto you: ask, and ye shall receive.  
An. It is our bound duty to call upon the lord instantly, for it is a chief part of his worship, howbeit he knoweth before we ask what wee haue need of. He both giveth the thing, and frameth the hart to call for the same, yea& ministereth gracious words and zeal to our prayers. For his spirit helpeth our infirmities, and prayeth for us with inward sighthings. He seemeth some time to delay us: but it is to stir up our fervency. For he is purposed before to give in due time. So our prayer of itself procure nothing at Gods hand: but he giveth us the grace to pray, thereby making us more fitt to receive at his hand those things, which he do freely give.  
Quest. rehearse the prayer, which our saviour Christ taught his disciples.  
An. Our Father which art in heaven, &c.  
Qu. What learn you by these words?  
An. That wee in confidence of the spirit call God Father, having faith to be his children in Christ Iesus by adoption, whereas wee were strangers from him before.  
Qu. Why is God said to be in heaven, whom the heaven of heauens can not contain?  
An. Because wee think of no place so honorablie as of heaven. And there most glory appeareth, that our dull mind might the highlier conceive of him, whom no place doth hold, but the seat of his power is in all places.  
Qu. What ask wee of God in this first petition: Sanctified be thy name?  
An. Wee desire that the name of God, which is his power, and goodness, wisdom, mercy and truth, and whatsoever he is known by, should haue due honour and reverence by us& others, and that all profaning of his name by ungodliness, may be far away.  
Quest. What ask wee in the second: Let thy kingdom come?  
An. We crave that the Lord would speedelie increase the number of true believers,& faithful worshippers, which may be received into the fellowship of Gods House, which is his Church and Kingdom, so being graft into the body of his son:& that he would minister plenty of gifts and graces, and give his word plenteously for the welfare of his church, and spreading out the curtains, and enlarging the bounds thereof.  
Quest. What crave wee of God in the third: let thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven?  
An. That as he is Lord and King to rule over all: so we and others may submit ourselves unto his will, with renowncing our own, being ready also to execute his will and pleasure, with like readiness, as his Angels in heaven do accord and are prest to fulfil the same.  
Qu. In the fourth petition what require we: give us this day our daily bread?  
An. We require at the hands of the Lord whatsoever is needful to the use of our bodies. And so we require it, as acknowledging that we are fed and sustained daily by his gift, howsoever wee come by our sustenance. And wee are taught so to require it, as they which know they are to live from hand to mouth, of the Lords provision, blessing them in their calling, without greedy coveting of superfluity, or taking care what wee shall eat, or what wee shall drink, or what clothes wee shall put on hereafter.  
Quest. What ask wee of God in the fift petition: And forgive us our trespasses as wee forgive them that trespass against us?  
An. In this and in the next wee ask all grace needful for our souls, namely, forgiveness of sin in this: and in the next, Grace and strength to persevere, and to stand immovable of temptation. For in the forgiveness of our sins, consist our blessedness, which is made manifest when we persevere unto the end. When we add As we forgive thē that trespass agaisnt us, it is a note to try us, whither wee be fitt to crave forgiveness at gods hand,& if we be single hearted without hatred or desire of reuenge, but are merciful, as our heavenly Father is merciful and good, causing the rain to fall and the sun to shine on the just and unjust.  
Quest. What require we of God in that which followeth: And lead us not into temptation: but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom,& c?  
An. We desire that the Lord would not punish our sin with giuing us over to sin more& more, but would deliver us from sin and Satan, which are contained under the name of evil here spoken of. And wee require these things under the name of asscribing unto him all rule, power and glory, whereby wee confirm ourselves that he is able to do all things and will grant all that is for his glory.  
Question. Where do the lord nourish and bring up his people, until they be made a perfect people to be received to further glory?  
An. In the place which the lord doth choose to put his name there: even his church, his Sion where he voutsafeth to dwell, the kingdom of his son, which he do govern by the sceptre of his word a sceptre of righteousness.  
Which church holdeth one Law and order under her king, and therefore is called catholic. And the members of the same, hold a happy fellowship as the members of one body, serving one to another by their gifts& graces, and sustaininge one an others need in mutual charity. And this is called the Communion of Sainctes. upon this Sion the lord maketh to fall the first rain and the later, even the blessings of his good will. For there the lord appointed blessing, and Life for evermore, which, those members of the body of Christ instantly serving God day and night, wait to come unto: hoping also for the Resurrection of the body, which is sown in corruption, that both the souls and bodies of the Lords Elect may partake glory with Christ Iesus for evermore, after that he hath subdued all things, and delivered up the Ringdome into his Fathers hand, unto whom God almighty, with the son and the holy Ghost, be all glory& Praise for evermore.  
AMEN.   

An other briefer form of catechism, and as it were, the sum of that which went before.  
Question.  
WHo created you, and all creatures?  
answer.  
GOD.  
Quest. What is the duty of you, and all creatures unto God?  
An. To set forth his glory.  
Quest. Howe is that done?  
An. By keeping his word& commandment, whereby we declare that he is our sovereign lord, and haue authority over us to command us obedience.  
Quest. Howe do the dumb creatures keep Gods commandment?  
An. By continuing in that order& state whereto the lord by his word first assigned them.  
Quest. Hath man done so from the beginning?  
An. No: For our first Parentes broke Gods commandment, in eating the forbidden fruit.  
Quest. What befell of that?  
An. They became sinful, and haue left unto us being branches of the same roote, the inheritance of sin, which wee call original sin, or sin which wee haue by nature and kind.  
Quest. What evil come thereof?  
An. This original sin is a very plague infecting all our ways, so that they bee all transgressions of Gods lawe.  
Quest. What doth the Lawe of God require of us?  
An. That wee should love the lord with all our soul and strength: and our neighbour as ourself.  
Quest. Are wee not able to perform this?  
An. No, in no wise.  
Quest. Why was it then commanded of God?  
An. Because it is the rule of perfect righteousness, agreeing unto that nature of god, able in itself to be observed and to give life: but of us unable, because of our sinful inability.  
Quest. What profit receive wee then by it?  
An. This, that we being convict of our sin more manifestly by the Law, wherein as in a glass we behold the same, we might be ashamed of ourselves,& fear Gods wrath, and so bee constrained to seek for remedy of our misery otherwhere, namely in Christ.  
Quest. You say that in all our doings we transgress Gods lawe, what call you that transgression?  
An. sin.  
Quest. What is the desert of sin?  
An. Gods curse, and fierce wrath to the utter spoiling of soul& body by everlasting death, whose iustice thereupon calleth for the execution of this punishment.  
Quest. What followeth thereon?  
An. Then they whose eyes God do open to see their misery, behold themselves lost and confounded, yea even plunged with waves of woe unto death. Thē they repent and loath their former sin, which haue brought vpon them this comdemnation, and humbly crave pardon, appealing from iustice to mercy. Then do christ Iesus take them by the hand, give them ease of their burden,& quicken them by his comforting spirit, restoring them from death to life, so are they then made new born children.  
Quest. By what means can christ rescue us from his Fathers iustice?  
An. Because he offered a sacrifice of his own body and blood to his Father, to make the atonement for vs. And he being perfect man, suffered death: and being perfect God, sustained himself to break the bands of death.  
Quest. And howe do we attain to everlasting life, having escaped death?  
An. Christ also hath fulfilled perfect righteousness, which he doth impute to us: and of the fullness of the spirit, which he haue received, he sanctifieth us, and so present us to his Father, crauinge that we may be partakers of his glory with him.  
Quest. Howe do we receive, and apply to us Christ Iesus, and all this which he haue done for us?  
An. By Faith.  
Quest. What is faith?  
An. A spiritual gift given of God, even the hand of our soul, which wee reach out, to draw unto us all good things which are offered and promised.  
Quest. How is this faith wrought in us?  
An. By the inward means of the spirit, and the outward means of hearing the word taught.  
Quest. What outward means hath the lord given, for the strengthening of our faith, that we may with more full assurance receive his promises?  
An. The two Sacramentes, Of baptism, and the Lords Supper, which wee call seals unto the handewriting of the Lords promise of our salvation.  
Quest. What is a Sacrament?  
An. It is an outward visible sign, by the confirmation of the word applied thereto, representing spiritual graces unto us for the testifying of Gods goodness towards us,& the confirming of our faith.  
Quest. What is baptism?  
An. The seal of our receiving into Gods house, being before the heires of hell. And this is done by a great alteration in us, namely, dying to sin,& living again unto righteousness, which is our new birth. Which grace this Sacrament do represent, both in that it signify a spiritual washing from our sin by christ his blood: And also a drowning& passing through death, that wee might escape a more grievous death,& live for ever.  
Quest. What doth the lords Supper represent unto us?  
An. Our continual nourishing after wee be received into Gods family with the living bread,& the living water, the body& blood of Christ, whereon we feed by faith,& grow together into one with him  
Qu. What seal and mark can we find in ourselves, that we haue this faith,& be in Christ? for al can say they believe.  
An. The spirit which Christ Iesus do give as a pledge of our adoption, is a certain seal. Which spirit if it dwell in us, the fruit thereof as the heat of a furnace will come forth. love to the lord and his word will appear, and charity to our neighbour. generally a full alteration we must espy in ourselves, that wee are dead to sin wherein we lived in times past, and now we haue pleasure to exercise ourselves in meditating the lawe of God, in prayer, Thankes giuing, and all the exercises of christianity, wholly leading a new life, and holding the agreement of godly felloshippe with the rest of the members, whereof Christ is the head. And always having our conversation in heavenly things, that our light may shine,& our life may express the praise and glory of him,& our thankfulness towards him, who haue redeemed us to the hope of the Resurrection to eternal Life.   

An other shorter form for weak memories.  
Question.  
WHat chief points and grounds do you know, concerning your Religion?  
answer.  
four points especially.  
Quest. Which be those?  
An. First, my sin.  
Secondlie, my misery which my sin bringeth.  
thirdly, my tedemption& deliverance.  
Fourthlie, the seal and token of my deliverance.  
Quest. What say you concerning your sin?  
An. I aclowledge, that I was born& conceived in sin, and therein haue continued all my life, transgressinge Gods commandments in all my thoughts,