strengthening of our faith Q. VVhat is to be done before the receiuing of the Sacrament A. Euery one is to trie and examine himselfe 1 〈…〉 Q. VVherefore are we to doe this A. Because he that eateth and drinketh vnworthily is guilty of the body and bloud of Christ 1. Cor. 11.27 29.30 and doth eat and drinke iudgement to himselfe Q. VVherein are wee to examine our selues A. In foure things especially Q. VVhat is the first A. Whether wée haue any knowledge of the grounds of Religion Hos 4.6 6.6 and namely of the Sacrament Q. VVhat is the second A. Whether we haue a true sauing faith or no. 1. Cor. 13.5 Heb. 11.6 Q. VVhat is the third thing A. Whether we be truly repentant for our sinnes Esay 1.13 14 16 Tit 1.15 Q. VVhat is the fourth thing A. Whether we be in charitie with all men Mat. 5.23.24 Mar. 11.25 Q. VVhat is to be done in the receiuing of the Sacrament A. We are then to meditate and thinke vpon such things as are signisted by the outward signes and actions in the Sacrament Q. VVhat is signified by the breaking of the Bread and the powring out of the Wine A. The crucifying of Christs body and the shedding of his bloud Esay 53.5 1. Cor. 11.24 Mat. 26.28 the sufferings of Christ and the benefits procured thereby Q. What is signified by the giuing of the Bread and VVine by the Minister A. That God doth giue to the faithfull the body and bloud of Christ that is the merit of his death Iohn 6.32 51 and the benefits of his passion Q. What is signified by our taking eating and drinking of the Bread and Wine A. A spirituall receiuing Iohn 6 3â— eating and drinking of the body and bloud of Christ Q. VVhat is it to eate the flesh of Christ and to drink his bloud A. It is truly to beléue in Christ to haue a Communion and fellowship with the true flesh and bloud of Christ and to be partakers of the benefits of his death and passion Iohn 6.56 Q. VVhat is to bee done immediately after the receiuing of the Sacrament A. Euery one is then to giue hearty thanks to God for his Redemption by the death of Christ 1. Cor. 11.26 Q. VVhat is Recemption A. A deliuerance of vs from sinne and the punishment thereof Rom. 5.15 16 7 and a restoring to a happie life Q. VVhat are the parts of this Redemption A. a 2. Cor. 5.18 19 Rom. 5.10 Reconciliation and b 1. Cor. 1.30.6.11 Sanctification Q. What is Reconciliation A. That wherby the wrath of God is taken from vs and we restored to his fauour Q. VVherein doth it consist A. In the forgiuenesse of sinnes and imputation of righteousnesse Rom. 4.7 8 Q. VVhat is remission of sinnes A. The abolishing and taking away of all our sinnes Col. 2.13 14 1. Ioh. 1.7.9 by Christs death Q. VVhat is the imputation of Righteousnesse A. The reckoning of Christs righteousnes vnto vs Rom. 4.9 5.18 19 the taking it for ours Q. VVhat is Sanctification A. A freedome within vs Rom. 6.6.14 8.2 from thé bondage of sinne and Satan and a restoring of vs to a godly life Acts 26.18 Q. From whence doth this our Redemption Iustification and Sanctification proceed A. Not from our selues or anie workes of ours Eph. 1.7 2. 8 9 10 but from the grace of God The third part of the Catechisme Quest 144. DOth not this doctrine of saluation by grace through faith make men to liue carelesly in their sins and to neglect good works A. No Tit. 2.11 〈◊〉 Ephes 2.10 Tims 3.8 it rather teached them to turne from sinne and to be carefull to bring foorth the fruits of a true faith Q. Cannot faith be without good workes A. No for if it be Gal. 5.6 Lam. 2.17.26 it is a dead faith Q. VVhat then doth a true faith worke in vs A. Repentance or newnes of life Q. VVhat is repentance A. It is a turning from sin to God Ioel. 2.11 13. Q. Can we doe this of our selues A. No Iere. 31.19 Lam. 5.21 It is the work of God Q. By what meanes doth GOD worke it A. By the preaching of the Gospell Luk. 24.47 Acts 2.38 39 Q. Is it not done also by the preaching of the Lawe A. The Law is an occasion thereof but no cause of it Q. From whence doth it proceed A. From a godly sorrow in the hart 2. Cor. 7.10 Q. VVherein doth it consist A. In mortifying the flesh and old man Eph. 4.22 23 24 and in quickning the Spirit and new man Q. VVhat is meant by the flesh and old man A. Our corrupted nature through the deceitfull lusts of the flesh Q. What is it then to mortifie the flesh and old man A. To be truely and heartily sorie for that wee hane offended God by our sinnes and daily more and more to hate and anoide sinne Rom. 8 13 Q. VVhat is meant by the Spirit and new man A. A renewing in the spirit of our minde the Image of God which after God is created in righteousnes and true holinesse Eph. 4.33.24 Q. What is then the quickning of the new man A. A true ioy in God through Christ Rom. 5.1 chap. 14.17 and an earnest and ready desire to order our life according to Gods will Q. VVhat doth repentance bring forth A. Fruits worthy amendment of life that is Luke 3.8 Acts 26.20 good workes Q. VVhat are these good workes A. Such as God hath commanded Deut. 8.12 32 Ephes 2.10 159. Q. How many Commandements be there A. Ten. Deut 10.4 Q VVhat are the ten Commandements A. They are a summe of the Law of God commanding good things â—â—d forbidding euil Q. Into how many Tables are they diuided A. Into two Deut. 9.10 Q. How many be there of the first Table A. Foure and six of the second Q. VVhat doe they teach vs A. The first Table teacheth vs our duty towards God and the second our duty towards our neighbour Q. Why are the duties towards God set downe before the duties towards our neighbour A. Because the loue of God is the ground of the loue of our neighbour 1. Ioh. 5.1 2 Q. VVhat followeth heereof A. That none can rightly loue his neighbour except he first loue God Q. VVhy are the duties towards our neighbour ioyned to our duties towards God A. Because the loue of our neighbor is the proofe of our loue towards God 1. Ioh. 4.20 21 Q. VVhat followeth heereof A. That hée which loueth not his â—eighbour doth not loue God Q. What are these words I am the Lord thy God which brought thee out of the land of Egypt c. A. They are a preface to the Commandements Q. What containe they in them A. Thrée seuerall reasons of obedience to the Commandements Q. VVhat is
A. Because he doth sanctifie and make vs holy 1. Cor. 6.11 Q. Who are they which are sanctified by the holy Ghost A. The holy Catholike Church Ephe. 5.26 27 Q. What is the Catholik Church A. The company of Gods elect and chosen 1. Pet. 2.9 Q. What are the benefits bestowed on the Church A. The Communion of Saints The forgiuenes of sinnes The resurrection of the body and the life euerlasting Q. What is meant by the communion of Saints A. The fellowship which we haue with Christ by faith 1. Ioh. 1.3 6 7 and amongst our selues by loue Q. What is meant by the forgiuenes of sinnes A. That god for Christs sake doth freely forgiue vs all our sinnes Rom. 3.24 Ephes 1.7 Q. What is meant by the resurrection of the body A. That the bodies of the faithfull shall bée raised vp from the dead 1. Thes 4.16 Phil. 3.21 Iohn 6.39 40 by Christ their Sauiour and ioyned to their soules Q. What is meant by the life euerlasting A. That the faithfull both in body and soule shall liue for euer with Christ in heauen Mat. 25.46 Ioh. 17.24 Q. What is required of vs that we may be partakers of Christ his benefits A. A true and liuely faith in Christ Ioh. 1.12.3.26 Acts 16.31 Q. What is this faith A. A true perswasion of the heart grounded vpon the frée promises of God Rom. 10.10 Rom. 4.3 21 Q. In whom are the promises made to vs A. In a 2. Cor. 1.20 Christ Iesus as our b Heb. 7.7 22 surety Q. Who doth worke this faith in vs A. The holy Ghost 1. Cor. 12.3 Q. By what meanes doth hee work it in vs A. By the hearing of the Word of God Rom. 10.17 Q. Are we then saued by this our faith A. Yes by faith onely Rom. â— 28 Ephes 2.8 Q. Wherefore then do the Sacraments serue A. For the strengthening of our faith Rom 4.11 Q. How many Sacraments bee there A. Two Baptisme and the Lords Supper Q. What is a Sacrament A. An outward signe and seale of an inward grace Gen. 17.11 Q. What is the outward signe in Baptisme A. Water Mat. 3.11 Q. What is the inward grace A. The bloud and Spirit of Christ Mat. 3.11 Q. What is signnified by the washing with water A. The washing away of our sins by the bloud of Christ Acts. 22 16 1 Iohn 1.7 Q. What else A. Our new birth by the holy Ghost Titus 3.5 Q. What are the outward signes in the Lords Supper A. Bread and Wine Mat. 26.26 27. Q. What are the inward graces A. The body and bloud of Christ 1 Cor. 10.16 11 24 2â— Q. What is signified by the giuing and receiuing of Bread Wine A. The giuing and receiuing of the body and bloud of Christ Q. How doe wee receiue the body and bloud of Christ A. By a true and liuely faith Iohn 6.35 63. Q. If it be done by faith wherfore doe we receiue the Sacrament A. For a remembrance of Christs death and for the strengthening of our faith 1 Cor. 12.24 25 26 Q. What things are required to the worthie receiuing of the Sacrament A. A true faith in Christ repentance and loue Q. What are we to doe in the receiuing thereof A. Wee are then to meditate on the death of Christ Q. What are we to doe after our receiuing of it A. We are then to giue thankes to God for our redemption by the death of Christ Q. Is it enough in words to bee thankfull onely at that time A. No we must also shew our thankfulnes to God Luk. 1.74 75. by good workes all the dayes of our life Q. What are the good workes which we must doe A. Such as God hath commanded Leuit. 18 5. Q. How many Commandements be there A. Ten. Deut. 10.4 Q. Into how many Table are they diuided A. Into two Deut. 9.10 Q. What doth the first Table concerne A. Our duty towards God Q. What doth the second Table concerne A. Our duty towards our neighbour Q. Which is the first commandement A. Thou shalt haue none other Gods before me Q. What is the meaning of it A. That God onely is to be worshipped with the inward and spirituall worship of the heart Mat. 4.10 Ioh. 4.24 Q. What is the second Commandement A. Then shalt not make to thy selfe any grauen image c. Q. What is the meaning heereof A. That God is not to be worshipped after any other manner Mat. 15.9 then as he himselfe hath commanded Q. Which is the third Commandement A Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vaine c. Q. What is forbidden heerein A. That we doe not any way dishonour the name of God Q. What is commanded heerein A. That we in all things giue God his due glory 1 Cor. 10 31. Q. Which is the fourth Commandement A. Remember that thou kéepe holy the Sabbath day c. Q. What is required of vs heerein A. That euery one be carefull to spend the Lords day aright Q. Wherein is that day to bee spent A. In the exercises of religion and in doing the workes of mercy Q. Which is the sift Commandement A. â—â—nour thy Father Mother c. Q. What is the meaning of it A. That children and other inferiours must loue feare and obey their parents and superiours Q. What else is required of them A. That they doe also relieue and maintaine them if need require Q. What is the sixt Commandement A. Thou shalt not kill Q. What is forbidden heerein A. That we doe not hurt either our owne life or the life of our neighbour Q. What is commanded heerein A. That we be carefull to preserue both our owne life and the life of our neighbour Q. Which is the seuenth Commandement A. Thou shalt not commit adultery Q. What is required heerein A. That fornication and all other vncleannes is to be auoided Q. What else A. That we be carefull to preserue chastity both in our selues and others Q. Which is the eightth Commandement A. Thou shalt not steale Q. What is forbidden heerein A. That we doe not riotously waste our owne goods nor get goods vniustly from others Q. What is commanded heerein A. That we get goods by iust and lawfull meanes and that wée doe good therewith to others Q. Which is the ninth Commandement A. Thou shalt not beare false witnes against thy neighbour Q. What is forbidden heerein A. That we doe not any way hurt eyther our owne or the good name of our neighbour Q. What is commanded heerein A. To bée carefull to preserue the good name of our selues and others Q. Which is the tenth Commandement A. Thou shalt not couet thy neighbours house c. Q. What is forbidden heerein A. That we doe not so much as desire that which is anothers Q. What is commanded
hee shall baptize you with the holy Ghost 1. Cor. 11.23 24 25. The Lord Iesus the same night in which he was betrayed tooke bread and when hee had giuen thankes hee brake it and said Take eat this is my body which is broken for you this doe in remembrance of mee After the same manner also he took the cup when he had supped saying This cup is the new Testament in my bloud this doe yee as oft as ye drinke it in remembrance of me 1. Cor. 10.16 The cup of blessing which we blesse is it not the communion of the bloud of Christ The bread which wee breake is it not the Communion of the body of Christ The inward meanes whereby the Couenant of grace is reuealed are the Spirit and faith 1. Cor. 2.9 10 12. Eye hath not seene nor eare heard neyther haue entred into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them that loue him But God hath reuealed them vnto vs by his Spirit Now wee haue receiued not the spirit of the world but the Spirit which is of God that we might know the things that are freely giuen to vs of God Iohn 3.33 He that hath receiued his testimony hath set to his seale that God is true 1. Iohn 5.10 He that beleeueth on the Sonne of God hath the witnes in himselfe Of the manner of reuealing the Couenant of grace viz. vocation or calling Rom. 8.30 Whom he did predestinate them he also called 2. Tim. 1.9 God hath saued vs and called vs with an holy calling The Couenant of grace is reuealed to the Church Mat. 11.25 I thank thee O Father Lord of heauen and earth because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent and hast reuealed them vnto babes Eph. 5.25 Christ loued the Church and gaue himselfe for it Thus much of the benefit flowing vnto vs from the Prophetical Office of Christ The benefit we receiue from the Priestly office of Christ is our iustification before God through his righteousnes imputed vnto vs and apprehended by vs. Rom 8.30 Whom he called them he also iustified Rom. 5.19 As by one mans disobedience many were made sinners so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous Rom. 3.24 25. Being iustified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Iesus Christ c. Rom. 5.1 Being iustified by faith we are at peace with God c. Acts 13.39 By Christ all that beleeue are iustified from all things from which ye could not be iustified by the Law of Moses Of the benefit of Christs Kingly Office The benefit we receiue fromthe Kingly Office of Christ is our glorification whereby our whole nature estate and condition is restored according to the Image of Christ our King Rom. 8 29 30. Whom he did foreknow hee also did predestinate to be conformed to the Image of his Sonne c. Moreouer whom he did predestinate them hee also called and whom he called them hee also iustified and whom hee iustified them hee also glorified Colos 3.4 When Christ who is our life shall appeare then shall ye also appeare with him in glorie Reuelat. 20.6 Blessed and holy is hee that hath part in the first resurrection on such the second death hath no power but they shall be the Priests of God and of Christ c. Of Sanctification Titus 3.5 Not by workes of righteousnes which wee haue done but according to his mercy he saued vs by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost 1. Thes 5.23 And the very God of peace sanctifie you wholly c. Ephes 4.24 And that ye put on that New man which after God is created in righteousnes and true holinesse Of the rule of Sanctification The rule and square of it is the whole word of God that is both the Lawe which requireth obedience and the Gospel which directeth vs how to performe it Ioh. 17.17 Sanctifie them through thy truth thy Word is truth 1. Pet. 1.23 Being borne againe not of corruptible seede but of incorruptible by the Word of God Tit. 2.11 12. For the grace of God that bringeth saluation hath appeared to all men teaching vs that denying vngodlinesse and worldly lusts we should liue soberly righteously and godly in this present world The Law is comprized in the ten Commandements Deut. 4.13 And hee declared vnto you his Couenant which he commanded you to performe euen tenne Commandements and hee wrote them vpon two Tables of stone Of the effect of Sanctification viz. Repentance Acts 26.20 But shewed first vnto them of Damascus c. that they should repent and turne to God and do workes meet for repentance Lam. 5.21 Turne thou vs vnto thee O Lord and we shall be turned c. 2. Cor. 7.10 Godly sorrow worketh repentance to saluation not to bee repented of c. The notes or signes of repentance are specially two the hatred of all sinnes and the practice of all good duties Psal 119.128 I hate euery false way ver 6. I haue respect vnto all thy Commandements The hatred of sinne is shewed in spirituall warfare against it which is the withstanding of all temptations vnto sinne from the diuell the world and our own flesh by the power of the grace of God Eph. 6.10 c. Put on the whole Armour of God c. Ephes 4.27 Neither giue place to the diuell Iam. 4.7 Resist the diuell and hee will flee from you 1. Ioh. 5.4 Whosoeuer is born of God ouercommeth the world and this is the victory that ouercommeth the world euen our faith Gal. 5.24 They that are Christs haue crucified the flesh with the affections lusts Of good Workes Eph. 2.10 We are his workmanship created in Christ Iesus vnto good workes which God hath before ordained that wee should walke in them Titus 3.14 And let ours also learne to maintaine good works to necessarie vses that they be not vnfruitfull Iam. 2.26 As the bodie without the spirit is dead so faith without workes is dead also Heb. 13.16 To doe good and distribute forget not for with such sacrifices God is well pleased Luke 11.41 But rather giue aims of such things as ye haue and behold all things are cleane vnto you Of Prayer 1. Thes 5.17 18. Pray without ceasing In euery thing giue thanks c. 1. Tim. 2.1 2. I exhort therfore that first of all Supplications Prayers Intercessions and giuing of thanks be made for all men c. Iam. 1.5 If any of you lacke wisedome let him aske of God c. Mat. 6.9 After this manner pray yee Our Father which art in heauen c. The speciall helpes to prayer and other good workes are vows and fasting A vow is a solemne promise to God of some lawfull thing that is in our power for the confirmation of our faith and testifying our thankfulnesse to God Psal 50.14 Offer vnto God thankesgiuing and pay thy vowes vnto the most High Of Fasting Fasting is an abstinence for a time
doth who many times hath in his net a true and liuing Larke indéede but it is onely to deceiue the Larkes and the more easily to catch them in his net So they professe Christ haue his Word and Sacraments among them but it is onely to deceiue simple people and to make a prey of them DIALOGVE 4. C. Doe they teach any other thing conâ—arie to any other Article of the Creed M. Yes diuers things In the Article we professe to beléeue that Christ was conceiued by the holy Ghost and so he and he onely was conceiued without originall sinne They teach that the Virgin Mary was also conceiued without originall sinne and that by this meanes it came to passe that Christ was frée from all spot Concil Trid. Sess 5. cap. 1. de peccato originali And so héerein they doe altogether ouerthrowe this Article of Christs conception by the holy Ghost to whose onely power the Scripture doth impute Christs holines not to the Virgin Mary which was no lesse then all others conceiued and borne in sinne and did néede Christ to be her Mediatour aswell as the rest of mankinde There was a long time a foule stirre in the Church of Rome betwéene the Dominicans and the Franciscans about this point Acts and Monuments page 732. It was the common opinion of Fathers and Writers vntill Lumbards time which was about the yéere 1150 that shée was conceiued in Originall sinne Perkins 2. Vol. 596. In the 4. Article we professe that Christ suffered c. by which he hath made a full and perfect satisfaction for the sinnes of his elect and for the whole punishment thereof both eternall and temporall The Popists teach that Christ hath satisfied for sinnes going before Baptisme but concerning sinnes following Baptisme the fault is remitted by the passion of Christ and the punishment which of infinite is made finite is to bee satisfied for by men themselues eyther heere or in Purgatorie that is men themselues must satisfie the iustice of God for the temporall punishment of their offences eyther on earth or in Purgatorie There is say they a certaine infernall place in the earth called Purgatorie in the which as in a prison-house the soules which were not fully purged in this life are there clensed and purged by fire before they can be receiued into heauen Bellar. de Purgat lib. 1. cap. 1. and cap. 3. lib. 2. cap. 6. Rhem. on 1 Cor 3. Sect. 4. They say also that it is an Article of faith to beléeue that there is a Purgatorie and that he which beliues it not is sure to go to Hell Bellarm. ibid. lib. 1. cap. 15. But this is so farre from béeing an Article of faith as that it is a méere fable and contrary to an Article of faith The bloud of Christ is the Purgatorie of our sinnes 1. Iohn 1.7 Afflictions are called the fiery triall 1 Pet. 1.7 4.12 whereby we are clensed from our corruption as gold is from the drosse by fire No other Purgatorie is to bee found in the Scriptures The Scriptures mention but two sorts of men beléeuers and vnbeléeuers and but two places after this for them heauen for the one and hell for the other Luke 16.25 26. Iohn 3.36 Reuel 20.14 15.21.7 8. They that die in the Lord rest from their labours which cannot bee true if any of them goe to Purgatorie Their workes follow them that is the reward of their workes Reuel 14.13 If any man should haue gone to Purgatorie then the thiefe vpon the Crosse had gone thither who repenting at his end wanted time to make satisfaction for the temporall punishment of his sinnes but Christ said to him To day shalt thou be with mée in Paradise The doctrine of Purgatorie came into the Church out of the heathen writers for the Philosophers and Poets were the first that euer wrote of it Popish Purgatorie was vnknowne to the Fathers many hundred yéeres after Christ Perkins 2. Vol. 568.569 C. If Purgatorie be but a fable contrary to an Article of faith then what is the cause that the Church of Rome so stifly maintaines it M. There is great cause why they should so do for it kéepes in the fire in the Popes Kitchin for if the fire of Purgatorie were not great the fire in the Popes Kitchin would bee but small for by this meanes they haue store of money for Pardons Masses Diriges and other such like trumperies DIALOGVE 5. C. Doe they teach any thing else contrary to the Creed M. Yes The sirth Article saith that Christ ascended into heauen c. and the Scriptures say that the heauens must containe him c. Acts. 1.11.3.21 They teach contrary héereunto namely that Christ is corporally present in the Sacrament and that in many places at once The which is contrary to the nature of a true body and contrary to the nature of the Sacrament which is a remembrance of Christ Vigilius against Eutyches lib. 4. saith thus When it that is the flesh of Christ was on earth it was not in heauen and because it is now in heauen it is not on earth This is the Catholike faith and confession It is an Article of faith to beléeue the Catholike Church and faith is the euidence of things not séene Heb. 11 1. Therfore the Catholike Church is alwaies vnto the world inuisible and not to be espied but by the eyes of faith because things seene are not beléeued The Papists teach that the Catholike Church is and hath but alwaies visible Rhem. on Mat. 5. Sect. 3. The Church is said to be Catholike that is vniuersall because it is not tyed to any one speciall place but is spred abroad ouer the face of the earth They tie it to Rome alone which can be but a particular Church and not vniuersall In the Church there is a Communion of Saints and these are they that are sanctified by the blond and Spirit of Christ hauing the perfect holines of Christ put vpon them by imputation of faith and the quality of imperfect holines powred into their heart by the Spirit of sanctification And such are the faithfull heere on earth 1. Cor. 1.2 Psal 16.2 The Papists acknowledge none to be Saints but such as are in heauen They teach that the Pope can canonize Saints whereas to make one a Saint is onely the work of God 1. Cor. 11. The Pope hath canonized many that indéede were neuer true Saints of God but wicked men and rank Traitors to their Princes as Becket with many others This canonizing of Saints was neuer heard of with the Fathers vntill the yéere 880. and then Adrian took vp this authority And Alexâder the Third after him confirmed it in his decrées In the Créed we professe to beléeue the forgiuenes of sinnes that is I beléeue that God for Christs sake doth fréely forgiue the sinnes of his elect and my sinnes also And héerein consisteth our iustification namely in the frée forgiuenes of our sinnes and the