is contained in the Commandements Q. Is not the doctrine of the Papists in â—any things against the Creed the ten Commandements the Lords prayer and the â—octrine of the Sacraments A. Yes Q. Wherein name some particulars 1 Ioh. 5.21 Reu. 17.14 2 Thes 2. Reu. 18 4. for â—t were too long to name all yet it is meet to â—â—me some that â—e may know we must constantly stand on Christs side against the Devill and all Antichristian errours and heresies and know that so many martyrs haue â—ot without cause constantly withstood Paâ—istrie begin therefore to shew how their doctrine is against the Creed A. Against the first Article yea and â—ll the rest Ioh. 1.12 Gâ—l 2.20 1 Ioh. 4.16 and 5.13 14.15 is thâ—ir denying of particular â—aith which is required in all the Arâ—icles Also their defining of faith to â—ee no more but a firme assent of the mind to the whole truth of God which â—aith the deuills haue Pro. 19.2 And also they commend an implicit faith to beleeue â—s the Church beleeueth not knowing what the Church is or what it beleeâ—eth Against the second Article Heb. 7. â—5 Act. 4.12 whereas â—esus is a perfect Sauiour of his people from all their sinnes and punishments they ascribe associates to Christ as the Virgin Mary St. Francis the Popes pardon our owne merits c. and whereas the title Christ signifieth our Sauior to be the Prophet 1 Ioh. 2.22 Esa 42.8 and 43.25 Priest King of his Church and will not giue his honer to others but is the onely Messiah against his prophetical office they haue mens traditions against his Priesthood they haue their Masse and the mediation and intercession of Saints by their praiers and merits and against his kingly office they say the Pope can make lawes to bind mens consciences may make new Articles of faith and dispense with the old and new Testament some of these errours are also against the sixâ— and other Articles of the Creed Against the third they hold the humanity of Christ to bee in many placeâ— at once and by consequence deny him to be true man Heb. 1.3 and 7.27 and 10.14 Against the fourth wheras Christ suffered to purge away our sinnes alone bâ— himselfe by his one sacrifice once offered they hold purging of sinnes by 〈◊〉 new sacrifice vnbloody which ouerturneth the foundation of remission of â—innes by Christs sacrifice once offered Heb. 9.22 1 Ioh. 1.7 Rom. 3.25 â—nd vnbloody differeth in substance â—rom Christs where blood was not accidentall and it argueth the first to bee â—neffectuall by renewing it And they â—erre in the doctrine of Gods iustice saying it may be satisfyed with mens poeâ—all workes as if it were not infinite Gal. 3.10 Rom. 6.23 â—nd they hold some sinnes not to bee â—amnable Also they erre in the docâ—rine of repentance by humane satisfacâ—ions to God and also such confession â—ontrition satisfaction as they make â—arts of repentance may be without saâ—ing faith Against the sixt and seuenth and also â—gainst some other Articles is their erâ—our of transubstantiation For if Christ â—e a true man borne of the Virgin Maâ—â— be ascended into heauen and there â—o be conteined vntill the end of the world Act. 1.11 and 3.21 when he shall come to iudge the â—uicke and the dead he cannot be made â—f bread and present bodily at the Masse and in many places at once Ier. 17.5 Against the ninth they deny men to â—e Saints vntill they be dead and so rob them of their coÌ„munion w th the Saints Against the tenth and many of the rest they trust in their workes for saluation holding their owne merits and humane satisfactions Rom 3 24 28. Ephes 2.8 9 10. and iustification by workes Q. How is their doctrine against the teâ—â— Commandements A. Against the first by maintaining ignorance to bee the mother of deuotion and by calling the Pope God anâ— saying hee can make holy the vnholy and iustifie the wicked Mat. 22.29 and dispensâ—â— with the law of nature and with thâ—â— Prophets and Apostles and calling thâ— virgin Mary a goddesse their hope anâ— the Queene of Heauen hauing powâ—â— to command her Son and also callinâ— the wodden crosse their hope Exod. 32.5 Hos 2.16 Hab. 2.18 19. Mat. 4.10 Psal 50.15 Exo. 22.20 Against the second by making imâ—ges of God and also of creatures for râ—ligious vses and worship Also they â—dore and pray to Saints and Angellâ— and burne tapers build temples anâ— altars and consecrate daies to them anâ— they worship the bread in the sacrameÌ„â— and yet know nor the intention of thâ— Priest who if he intended not consecrâ—tion it is not Christ according to their doctrine howsoeuer the bread is not to be adored Also they make vowes to creatures and fasting meritorious and their merits are against Gods shewing mercy to thousands of them that loue him and keepe his Commandements Against the third they dishonour God by keeping the scriptures prayers in an vnknowne tongue and by calling the virgin Mary all in all and by holding equiuocations in oathes and that one is not bound to such oathes as the Pope dispenseth with and swearing by creatures also by holy water and either they doe or haue baptized bells Against the fourth they hold many festiuall dayes to the saints to bee obserued with as much solemnity as the sabbath or Lords day Against the fifth Rom. 13.1 1 King 2.26 27. they hold the Pope and Clergy not to be subiect to Kings and Princes and that the Pope may depose Kings also they allow mariages and monasticall vowes without and against the consent of their wise and carefull parents Against the sixt they say that subiects may kill their King being excommunicated by the Pope and they hold men may bee saued by the merit of their workes Ier. 17.5 and so bring the curse and murther of soules Leu. 21. Matt. 8.14 1 Tim. 3. Lev. 18. Against the seuenth they forbid mariage to the Clergy and maintaine the vow of single life although there bee not the gift of continency and defend the toleration of Stewes and mariages within the degrees forbidden in the Scriptures Against the eight they sell remission of sinnes and merits of others and get money and lands vnlawfully by such meanes Against the ninth they hold iesting and officious lies not to bee damnable and that equiuocations may bee vsed and faith not to be kept with heretikes and they corrupt and falsifie mens workes Against the tenth they hold lust without consent and concupiscence in the regenerate to be no sinne Q. How against the Lord Prayer A. First against the Preface by praying to Saints and making them mediators whereas we are to pray to the Father in the name and mediation of Christ only Also they deny particular faith but how can hee say our Father that doth not know God is his Father Secondly against the
finde not â—â—ese things at all in our selues c 1 Cor. 11.27.29 and at the wicked doe not receiue the body â—â—d blood of Christ d Ioh. 6.54 but onely the outâ—ard elements but what if wee finde â—â—em but weake and feeble A. Then wee may and ought to â—â—ceiue to be further strengthened e Math. 11.28 12.20 Q. What is to be considered of vs in â—e time of celebrating the Lords Supâ—â—r A. By the two signes that Christ a perfect Sauiour f Heb. 7.25 by consecrating â—d setting apart the Bread and â—ine that Christ was appointed of â—od to be our Mediatour g Iohn 6.27 by breaâ—â—ng the Bread and pouring out the â—ine that Christ suffered for vs h Es 53.5 Iohn 19.34 by giuing the Bread and Wine thâ— God giueth Christ with all his mâ—rits to true beleeuers by receiuinâ— the Bread and Wine the applicatâ—on of Christ and his merits to oâ—â— saluation i Gal. 2.20 Q. What is to bee done after the râ—ceiuing the Lords Supper A. Thankesgiuing for Chrâ—â— and all his benefits and renewiâ—â— our faith repentance and obeâ—â—ence as we couenanted at the Lorâ— Table Q. Is the Bread and Wine turnâ— into the body and blood of Christ A. No first because the faithfâ—â— in the old Testament did eate tâ— same spirituall meate that we doe but they could not feede on him therwise then by faith k 1 Cor. 10.1 2 3 4. hee hauiâ—â— not then taken flesh secondâ—â— Christs body shall be in heauen vâ—till the day of iudgement l Acts. 3.21 thirdâ—â— Christ said Doe this in remeâ—brance of mee therefore hee meaâ— not to bee bodily present fourthâ—â— if the outward signe be taken awaâ— there is no Sacrament Q. What is meant by these words of our Sauiour This is my Body and this is my Blood A. Math. 26.26.27.28 This doth signifie and represent â—nto you my Body crucified and my Blood shed for remission of your sinnes â—nd by your faith you arâ— spiritually â—artakers of my Body Blood to eterâ—all life The grounds of Christian Religion somewhat inlarged by some addition to the Exposition of the Creede the tenne Commandements and the Lords Prayer that by often reading them they may be known although they be not learned without booke as the former Question WHat are the chiefe thing to be knowne in Christâ—an Religion A. First how tâ— serue God aright Deut. 20.12 2 Coâ— 10.31 secondly hoâ— wee may be happy Act 16.30.31 Ioâ— 17.3 Matth. 11.28 Q. Where is the knowledge of thâ— things to be gotten A. In the holy Scriptures of the oâ— and new Testament where God haâ—â— plainely taught vs all things necessary faith and good life 2 Tim. 3.16.17 â—eut 12.32 Psal 19.7 Reuel 22.18 Q. How doe you know the Scriptures to the word of God A First by the perfection of the â—â—w and the Gospell therein contained â—â—condly by the fulfilling of the propheâ—â—s thirdly by the Maiesty of the stile â—â—rthly by the efficacy fiftly by the â—iracles sixtly by the consent seâ—â—nthly by the wonderfull preseruatiâ—â— thereof eightly by the testimony of 〈◊〉 holy Spirit Q. Seeing the fundamentall and chiefe â—â—â—ngs contained in the Scriptures are briefly â—â—prised in the Creede the tenne Comâ—â—ndements and the Lords Prayer let vs â—our to come to the vnderstanding thereâ—â—â— and first to begin with the Creede what â—â—th it containe A. Twelue Articles whereof the â—â—t concerneth God the Father the â—â—e next God the Sonne the eight â—â—d the holy Ghost and the foure last 〈◊〉 Church Q. Concerning the first Article I beâ—â—ue in God the Father Almighty maker of heauen and earth you haue already tâ— me what it is to beleeue or what faith is the definition of a speciall iustifying faitâ— which is here vnderstood but are there 〈◊〉 other kindes or sorts of faith which are coâ—mon and not peculiar to the elect A. Yes there are three other namâ—ly first an historicall faith whereby man doth know and assent to the woâ— of God secondly temporary whereâ—â— one may know assent vnto and maâ—â— profession of the word and sometimâ— haue some confused ioy and some â—stâ—aining graces thirdâ—y faith of miâ—â—cles whereby hauing some extraordâ—nary promise or reuelation one beleueth some miraculous thing shall coâ—â— to passe by the power of God Q. Although iustifying faith be but 〈◊〉 in kinde yet what degrees hath it A. There is a weake and a stroâ—â— faith Matth. 6.30 and 14.31 Roâ—â— 14.1 and 4.18.19.20 Dan. 3 16.1â— and 6. Matth. 8. and 15. Q. What is to be considered in a weaâ— faith A. First the defects thereof 〈◊〉 weake Christian failing either in knoâ—ledge Matth. 16.23 Act. 1.6 or in â—ot being able to apply the promises to â—imselfe without much doubting Esa â—2 3 secondly what it hath and therâ—â— first the seate thereof an humbled â—eart Esa 57.15 secondly the effects â—f it he acknowledgeth his sinne to be â—ardonable disliketh his sinnes comâ—ateth against vnbeliefe and other â—orkes of the flesh earnestly desireth â—race and is teachable Matth. 5.6 â—sal 10.17 Reuel 21.6 also vseth the â—eanes to know more and practiseth â—hat he knoweth thirdly the properâ—â— of it is to increase by which it diffeâ—eth from Popish implicite faith Q. What is to be considered in a strong â—ith or beleeuer A. First hee hath more knowledge â—hen the weake secondly hee applieth â—â—e promises with more assurance Rom. â— 20 thirdly all vertues and graces â—hich be fruits of faith bee in greater â—easure in him yet not alwaies in the â—â—me degrees and neuer without imâ—erfection in this life where euen the â—â—rongest Christian hath combate beâ—weene the flesh and the Spirit and hath the perfection of parts not degrees Q. You haue already told me what Gâ— is now how doe you know that there 〈◊〉 such a God A. First by the testimony of 〈◊〉 Scripture secondly by the creatiâ—â— and gouernement of the world a Rom. 1.20 Act. 14.17 thiâ—ly by the horrour of the consciences men after the committing of sinnâ— fourthly b Rom. 2.15 by the worke of Gods Spiriâ— the faith whereby we vnderstand thâ— the world was ordained by the wâ— of God c Heb. 11.3 Q. What is it to beleeue in God A. To beleeue that he is in all tâ— he speaketh that he is true that he my God in couenant counting the 〈◊〉 of my safety and charge of my hapâ—nesse to belong to him whereby 〈◊〉 heart is staied on him and my wâ— committed to him with a holy securâ— Ioh 17.3 2 Chron. 20.20 Psal 78. â— Ierem. 31.9 2 Tim. 1.12 Q. What is meant by the word Fathâ— A. The first person in the Trinâ— who is the Father of Christ by natâ—â— Ioh. 1.14 and of true beleeuers by adâ—tion Rom. 8.11 Q. How is the Father the first person A. Not in dignity or time but in order because he is the fountaine of the deity the Sonne being from him and the holy Ghost from both What is
of iustification reconciliation with God and eternall happinesse in heauen b Psal 51.1.2 as wee who haue but little mercy in respect of God pardon the iniuries wee haue receiued from men c Mar. 11.25 26 Q. What is the sixt Petition A. And leade vs not into temptation but deliuer vs from evil Q. What doe we pray for therein A. For good motions to holinesse and perseuerance therein and for strength in temptations d Psal 51.10.11 Iohn 8.11 1 Cor. 10.13 Rom. 6.12 13. 1 Pet. 5.9 Heb 12.23 2 Pet. 3.13 and eternall full holinesse in heauen Q. Wherefore is the conclusion added For thine is the Kingdome the Power and the glory for euer and euer A. First To strengthen our faith in the obtaining of our requests God hauing right being able and iâ— being for his glory to granâ— our Petitions e 2 Chro. 20.6 7 Psal 50.14.15 secondly for thankesgiuing plainely exâ—ressed which iâ— the Petitions was included not expressed f 1 Thes 5.18 Exod. 15. Iudg. 5. Q. What is meant by this word Amen A. It signifieth so be it so it is and so it shall be noting both anâ— earnest desire to haue what we aske and assurance of faith that we haue or shall obtaine the same g 1 Cor. 14 16. The word Sacrament is vsed in resemblance it hath to the oath whereby Souldiers did bind themselues to their Generall we hereby declare that we dedicate our selues to Christ to serue him to fight against the deuill the world and the flesh Q. What is a Sacrament A. A holy ordinance wherein by certaine outward signes ordained by God Christ with all his benefits is conueied to beleeuers Gen. 17.11 Rom. 4.11 1 Cor. 10 16.17 Q. How many Sacraments are there A. Two Baptisme the Lordâ— Supper 1 Cor. 10.2.3.4 Q. What is Baptisme A. A Sacrament by which such as are within the couenant are washed with water in the name of the Father the Sonne and the holy Ghost that being thus ingraffed inâ—â— Christ they may haue perpetuall â—llowship with him Math. 28.19 Q. In Baptisme what is the outâ—ard and visible signe A. Water and the Sacramentall â—e of it in washing the body by â—ipping or sprinkling h Acts 8.6 10 Q. What is the inward thing signiâ—â—ed A. Christ i Eph. 5.26 1 Iohn 1.7 who shed his blood 〈◊〉 wash and cleanse vs from the guilt â—nd filthinesse of sinne Q. What be the ends of Baptisme A. First to be a pledge to vs of â—ur vnion with Christ k 1 Cor. 12.13 Gal. 3.27 and of the â—orgiuenesse of our sinnes l Acts 2.38 and of â—ur dying to sinne m Rom 6.2 3. and liuing to â—ewnesse of life and of the resurreâ—tion of our bodies at the last day n 1 Cor. 15.29 â—econdly to be a meanes of our first â—ntrance and admission into the viâ—ible Church o Eph. 4.5 thirdly to be a â—adge and signe of Christian proâ—ession bâ—fore the world p 1 Pet 3.21 Q. Why are wee baptised into the name of the Father Sonne and holy Ghost Mat. 28.19 A. To signifie that we are baâ—tized by the commandement aâ—â— authority of and by and with inucation of one God in three person and receiued into the family an communion with him 1 Iohn 1.3 and that 〈◊〉 must line onely to him renounciâ—â— all other Lords besides Q. Seeing such as bee borne of inâ—â—dels and the like are not to be baptizâ—â— vntill they come to yeares of discretioâ— and be able to make profession of the faith why are the children of beleeuiâ—â— Parents baptized in their infancy A. Because such were circumcâ—sed in the old Testament q Gen. 17.17 and thâ— couenant of God is made with thâ— faithfull and their seede so as thâ— children of Christians althougâ— they be not without originall sinnâ— yet are borne Christians r 1 Cor. 7.14 Rom. 11.16 Gal. 1.15 The outward signe inward grace doe not alwaies goe together some being sanctified before as Abraham before circumcision Cornelius and the Eunuch before baptisme some after as Paâ—l â—fter circumcisioÌ„ so many infants some neuer as repâ—oâ—ates and nâ— Infidels or Pagans and are holy bâ— a kinde of externall holinesse beinâ— within the generall couenant aâ— though not alwaies holy in regarâ— of inward sanctification which iâ— the speciall couenant of grace Q. Why are we baptized but once and yet must often receiue the Lords â—upper It is called a Supper because a spirituall banquet and also was first celebrated in the euening And of the Lord because instituted by him and in remembrance of him and by faith there is feeding vpon him in a spirituall manner A. Because it is enough once to â—e borne admitted and planted inâ—o Christ and the couenant but wee â—eed often to be nourished that we may grow in grace Rom. 11.29 Q. What is the Lords Supper A. A Sacrament whereby with the outward signes of Bread and Wine such as are ingraffed into Christ are in him daily in a spirituall manner nourished to eternall life â— Cor. 11.23.24.25 Q. In the Lords Supper what is â—he outward and visible signes A. Bread and Wine and the sacramentall vse therof in the outward administration receiuing of â—he same Matth. 26.26.27.28 Q. What is the inward thing signified A. The Body and Blood of Christ for our spirituall nourishment Q. What are the ends and vses of â—he Lords Supper or why should any desire to be partakers thereof A. First thankefully to she forth the death and suffering Christ s 1 Cor. 11. Luke 22.19 secondly to reach and coâ—firme vs concerning our communâ—on and growth with and in Chriâ—â— applying Christ and Iustificatioâ— Sanctification eternall life and a the rest of his benefits to our seluâ—â— in particular t 1 Cor. 10.16.17 thirdly to declaâ—â— our communion and growth in loâ—â— with our brethren u 1 Cor. 13.13 Q. How are the elements of Breâ—â— and Wine consecrated in the Sacrâ—ment A. By rehearsing the institutioâ— and promises of Christ and bâ— prayer and thankesgiuing and applying the outward elements to spirituall vse x Mat. 26.26.27 28. 1 Cor. 10.16 11.23 1 Tim. 4.4 5. Q. How long doe the Bread anâ— Wine continue consecrated to be signes the body and blood of Christ A. Onely during the time oâ— the celebration and administratioâ— of the Sacrament and no longer buâ— after the vse they bee common aâ— before Q. Seeing all may not receiue thâ— Lords Supper but onely such as can and â—e examine themselues wherein ought â—hristians to examine themselues A. First concerning the knowâ—â—dge in the grounds of Religion â—d in particular concerning the â—â—ctrine of the Sacrament y 1 Cor. 11 26 28. secondâ—â— concerning their faith z 2 Cor. 33.5 thirdly â—â—pentance a 1 Cor. 5.7.8 fourthly loue b Mat. 5.23 Q. It appeareth wee may not reâ—â—ue the Lords Supper if we
Gods ordinary prouidence 2 Thes 3.10 12. fourthly for Gods blessing vpon our labour and the means of our maintenance Psal 127.1.2 Deut. 8.2.3 Pro. 10.3.22 fiftly for a heart to vse the blessings which God giueth and for comfortable contentation with our estate Eccl. 2.24 1 Tim. 6.8 Q. Why is it called Our bread A. First because of a ciuill right and title and so wee professe against possessing that which is not ours Habac 2.6 2 Thes 3.10 secondly by a diuine right restored in Christ Matth. 15.26 Q. May we not desire riches A. We may desire things necessary for our nature place and charge depending on vs but not more then such necessary a Pro. 39.8.9 23.4.5 Matth. 13.22 and 19.23 1 Tim. 6.9.10.17 Psal 119.36 Heb. 13.5 Phil. 4.11.12 Psal 37.16.17.18.19 Pro. 17.1 yet it must not hinder diligence vpon which plenty may follow and if God cast abundance vpon vs wee may take and vse it and that euen for ornament and lawfull delight so as piety righteousnesse charity and sobriety be kept b 1 Cor. 12.23.24 Gen. 24.47 2 Sam. 1.24 Deut. 12.20.21 Can. 37.10 Psal 104.15 Deut. 8.11 Luke 21.34.35 Q What doe wee pray against in the fourth petition A. Against first famine secondly diseases thirdly warres ciuill and also forraigne inuasion of enemies Psal 144.14 fourthly vnseasonable weather fiftly negligence and iniustice in Magistrates sixtly falling into the hands of extortioners seuenthly vnfaithfulnesse of seruants vndutifulnesse of children and othâ—r such domesticall aduersities eightly idlenesse Pro. 18.9.12.17 ninthly vnskilfulnesse in the workes of our calling tenthly Gâ—ds withdrawing his blessing from the meanes of our maintenance eleuenthly distrust Mat. 6. and couetousnesse Psal 119.36 twelfthly prodigality Q. What is further included in this fourth petition A. First confession that wee haue nothing of our selues and that we are vnworthy of any thing secondly a thâ—nkefull acknowledging God to bee the giuer of the things wee pray for Deut. 8. Psal 21.3.4.5 and 104.14.15.23 and 18. Iudg. 5. Esa 38.16 c. 2 Cor. 1.3.4 Q. Concerning the fifth petition Forgiue vs our debts as we forgiue our debters what is meant by forgiuing debts or trespasses A. When through the satisfaction of Christ our surety all our sinnes are freely forgiuen Christs righteousnesse imputed to vs and we accepted to eternall life Esa 1.18 and 38.17 and 44.22 Ier. 50.20 Mic. 7.19 Q. How doe wee forgiue men their debts A. Wee forgiue the dammage concerning our selues but as Gods Law is violated thereby it belongeth onely to God to forgiue it Leuit. 6.2 c. Num. 5.6 c. Q. How farre is a man bound to forgiue A. We must put away all enmity and grudge that is against louing our neighbours as our selues Leuit. 19.17.18 Pro. 10.12.18 but satisfaction wee may sometimes require and debts of money and the like when the borrower is able to pay Exod. 22.1 c. Luk. 19.8 and sometimes the quality of the offender is such that hee must be prosecuted to punishment Deut. 13.8.9 and 21.18.20.21 Iudg. 19.30 there is a difference betweene an aduersary and an enemy the one is of hatred the other of loue of iustice an aduersary may loue Q. Is our forgiuing other men a cause of Gods forgiuing vs A. No but a signe or condition without which God forgiueth not Esa 43.25 Hos 14.4 Luk. 6.35 1 Ioh. 3.14 and 2.10 Matth. 5.7 Iam. 2.13 and 3.1 and vnder this particular of mercy to others is included all repentance and amendment of life requisite in him that can comfortably looke for forgiuenesse of sinnes Exod 34.7 Deut. 29.19.20 Q. What is the order of this petition A Next after that which concerneth our sustentation we craue forgiuenesse of our sinnes to teach vs first by experience of Gods goodnesse in giuing vs daily bread to helpe our weakenesse in trusting in his mercy for the saluation of our soules Gen. 28.20.21 the wicked doe not so but after benefits say still Who is the Almighty that wee should serue him Iob 21.14.15 secondly that wee might learne to looke for good things from God euen concerning this life with reconciliation and feare or feele that when good things are kept from vs it is sinne that keepeth them backe from vs and separateth betweene vs and our God Lam. 3.39 Ier. 5.24 Q. What is the equity and necessity of this petition A. Fâ—rst because all men are sinners and destitute of tâ—e gloâ—y of God 1 King 8.46 Pro 20.9 Rom. 3.23 secondly sinne separateth from God who is the lâ—â—â— oâ— our soule as the soule is the life of the body it is necesâ—â—ry to haue that impâ—dâ—ment of our spirituall life remoued Psal 40. Gen. 4. Psal 32.1 thirdly sinne is an intolerable burâ—hen and bless dnesse is said to be the lifting of a mans sinnes vp that they are not imputed fourthly sinne imputed corrupteth and destroieth the pâ—etious gifts of God and â—iâ— her remoueth them from the sinner or turneth them all against him that his table is his snare and his prospâ—rity his ruine Esa 65.20 Matth. 26.24 Q. Seeing they that pray must with faith in Christ call God their Father which cannot be but with some certainty of forgiuenesse of sinnes and seeing in Baptisme the couenant of God for the forgiuenesse of all sinnes past present and to come is sealed to the baptised the blood of Christ of which it is a figure cleanseth from all sinnes what necessity is thereof this petition A. First we daily commit offence and therefore haue need daily to craue pardon and our assurance before hand â—nd alwaies is that prâ—ier is to bee vsed as a meanes to obtaine pardon secondly wee pray for forgiuenesse not that wee haue no assurance thâ—reof but becaâ—se our assurance is but weake and we desire greater and more comfortable assurance thâ—râ—of that as with God forgiuenesse is full and perfect so the same may be accordingly sealed in our hatts thirdly wee pray for the obtaining of the fruit and effect of forgiuenesse of sinnes freedome from â—ll miseries and sorrow and perfect blessednesse wee liuing now by faith and not by sight 2 Cor. 5 7. Rom. 8.23 Q. What doe we pray for in the fift petition A. First that wee may know our sinnes Reu. 3.17 secondly that wee may be bumbled for them Rom. 7.24 Matth. 11.28 thirdly that we may confesse them to God Pro. 28.13 fourthly for assurance of iustâ—fication Psal 51.1 c. fiftly assurance of reconciliation with God 2 Cor. 5.18.19 Rom. 5.1 sixtly for charity towards men and more generally for repentance the signe and condition required in them that be forgiuen seuenthly for eternall full happinesse in heauen Rom. 8.23 Q. What doe we pray against A. First against ignorance of our sinfull estate Esa 6.10 secondly against desperation which Cain and Iudas fell into 1 Ioh. 5.10 thirdly against presumption hardnesse of heart malice and impenitency Psal 50.21 fourthly against damnation in hell Q. What is included more in
first petition by idolatry and among the rest ascribing to Saints that honour which belongeth to God Thirdly against the second petition by keeping the Scriptures and prayers in an vnknowne tongue and by false doctrine and false sacraments and persecuting such bee the true worshippers of God Fourthly against the third petition by holding freedome of will and power in themselues and by themselues to doe the will of God Fiftly against the fourth petition by merits if we must aske daily bread to bee giuen wee cannot deserue heauen by our workes Sixtly against the fift petition by humane satisfactions merits ability to fulfill the law and by holding that the fault being forgiuen the punishment may bee reteined and their denying particular faith is against that clause As we forgiue our debters Seuenthly against the sixt petition by denying perseuerance in grace Eightly against the word Amen by denying particular faith and holding prayers in an vnknowne tongue 1 Cor. 14.19 Q. How against the Sacraments A. First by holding seuen sacraments Secondly by saying sacraments conferre grace of the worke wrought without any goodnesse in the receiuer Thirdly by holding children dying without Baptisme remaine for euer in a dungeon and be not saued Fourthly by saying that the wicked may receiue the very body and blood of Christ Fiftly by reseruing the bread in a boxe and carrying it about without receiuing it Sixtly by holding transubstantiation which is against the institution of Christ who tooke the bread brake it deliuered it and said Doe this in remembrance of me till I come therefore hee meant not to bee bodily present Seuenthly in that they deliuer not the wine to the people as the Apostles did A Thankesgiuing or Grace before meate GOod Lord forgiue vs our sinnes and giue vs the graces of thy holy spirit and as thou hast prouided foode for our bodies giue vs wee pray thee a sober and wholesome vse thereof that we may bee more fit for thy seruice through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen A Thankesgiuing or Grace after meate THy holy name bee praised O Lord for that thou hast fed vs at thiâ— time and from time to time with thy good creatures especially for our redemption by Iesus Christ Giue vs grace wee pray thee to serue thee in holinesse and righteousnesse before thee all the daies of our life and blesse with vs thy whole Church preserue and direct our King and other Rulers comfort the afflicted grant thy Gospell and peace more and more to flourish through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen A prayer for the morning to be vsed in the family by the Master or some other in the family as a helpe for a time to such as be not able to conceiue a praier for it is better to reade a praier then not to pray at all and obserue the speciall parts or things required in praier which are set downe in the margin of the praier following that so you may the better learne to conceiue a praier O Eternall Almighty The Preface and onely wise God thou euen thou art Lord alone thou hast made heauen the heauen of heauens with all their hoast the earth and all things that are therein and thou preseruest them all and the hoast of heauen worshippeth thee thou art the great and terrible God that keepest couenant and mercy for them that loue thee and indeauour to obserue thy commandements Thou hast promised that such as haue accesse to the throne of thy grace shall finde mercy and that if we confesse our sinnes with a detestation of them thou are faithfull and iust to forgiue them all O Lord let thine eare now bee attentiue and thine eyes open that thou maiest heare the praier of thy seruants forgiue all our sinnes Behold Confession of sins we were conceiued and borne in sinne and by nature could not at all conceiue the things of God which are spiritually discerned Our carnall wisedome is enmity with thee and before our calling wee drunke vp iniquity like water all the imaginations of the thoughts of our hearts were euill onely and continually we rebelled against all thy holy Commandements and cast them behinde our backes wee were strangers from the life of God and enemies to thee When we were thus wallowing in pollution and wickednesse it pleased thee in vnspeakable mercy to seeke vs and to reueale thy selfe gratious to vs through Iesus Christ thy beloued Sonne and to call vs and to enter into couenant with vs and yet haue we sinned very vnthankefully and vnkindly and haue transgressed all thy Commandements and are yet full of ignorance worldly sorrow distrustfull and carnal feare earthly mindednesse pride impatience selfe-loue Wee haue not considered thy all-filling presence not trembled at thy iudgements nor beene thankefull for thy benefits as we ought and thus we haue sinned euery day in euery place we haue liued in euery age and condition of our life wee are in respect of these sinnes many moe often multiplied against thee most vile and wretched sinners ashamed to lift vp our eyes or to looke vp to thee wee haue prouoked the eyes of thy glory we haue deserued all thy punishments in this world hell-fire in the world to come But most gracious Lord Petition for forgiuenesse of sinnes who art the Father of mercies and God of all consolation enter not into iudgement with thy seruants O Lord forgiue and take away all iniquities transgressions and sinnes and receiue vs graciously cast all our sinnes into the bottome of the sea and looke vpon vs through Christ whom thou hast sent forth to be a reconciliation through faith in his blood and hast consecrated him to bee the author of eternall saluation to all that obey him Giue vs grace to beleeue helpe our vnbeliefe say to our soules thou art our saluation and seeing thou iustifiest none but whom thou sanctifiest and also it were great vnthankfulnesse to desire forgiuenesse of sinne with a purpose to liue impenitently we pray thee cause vs to bewaile our sinnes with a godly sorrow Petition for repentance and sanctification grieuing for them more then for any other crosses and O Lord heale our natures mortifie crucifie our sins that the vigour and force of them may daily decay and be wasted Teach vs to deny all vngodlinesse worldly lusts and to liue righteously soberly godly in this present euill world quicken vs and renew vs after thine own image in righteousnesse and true holinesse inable vs to serue thee in our generall and particular callings keeping our consciences void of offence towards God and towards men that our lights may so shine before men that they may see our good workes and glorifie thee our heauenly Father Petition for increase of grace Cause vs to grow in grace in the knowledge of our Lord Sauiour Iesus Christ to forget those things which are behinde and to reach forth vnto those things which are before pressing toward the
of the wants and miseries of others to see how many walke ignorantly other many in security hypocrisie superstition and other sins many also in diseases and painefull troubles of body and minde We haue looked too narrowly vpon bad examples and neglected good thus vile we are and more then we are able to expresse all our sinnes are mortall and damnable being committed against thine infinite Maiesty and thine holy and vndefiled word We haue grieued thy good spirit wherby we are sealed to the day of our redemption wee are vnworthy to breathe in the aire or to tread on the earth but worthy to be left to our selues and to the malice of Satan to heape vp wrath against the day of wrath and the declaration of thy iust iudgement But seeing that thou so louedst the world that thou gauest thine only begotten Sonne that whosoeuer beleeueth in him should not perish but haue life euerlasting and seeing he hath cancelled the hand-writing and bond which was against vs and thou hast giuen him to bee made vnto vs wisedome righteousnesse sanctification and redemption and that if we should despaire we should dishonour thee and giue aduantage to the enemies of our saluation Wee pray thee inable vs to glorifie thee by beleeuing that our sinnes are forgiuen Good Lord wash away our crimson and scarlet red sins with the precious blood of Christ that we may be as white as wooll and as snow that thou maiest see no iniquity and behold no transgression in vs set our sinnes as farre from vs as the East is from the West and seeing thou dost iustifie none by the merits of our Sauiour but whom thou dost sanctifie by the efficacie and vertue of his pretious death and gloâ—ious resurrection yea seeing it were hainous vnthankfulnesse to desire remission of sinnes and to liue wickedly we pray thee cause vs to be sorry for our sinnes with a godly sorrow and to testifie our sorrow by a care to auoide sinne and the occasions thereof and to doe holy duties in a holy manner imbracing the occasions of the same and by apology and herein we pray thee inable vs to confesse our sins and to craue pardon that we may be assured thou dost absolue and acquit vs from all our sinnes Moreouer giue vs indignation against our sinnes and ourselues by reason of them saying to them get them hence what haue we to doe with them any more also worke in vs a godly feare and desire draw vs and we will runne after thee and cause vs to testifie our repentance by a zeale of thy glory that the coales of our loue to thee may be fiery coals and a vehement flame and by reuenge offring violence to sinne resisting and striuing against especially such sinnes as we are most inclined to Sanctifie vs throughout our mindes that wee may know thee to be the onely true God and whom thou hast sent Iesus Christ purge our consciences from dead workes to serue thee the liuing God write thy lawes in our harts and mindes cause vs to obserue and doe them set a watch before our lippes that we offend not with our tongues but that we may be an humble people of a pure language seruing thee with one consent hating lying swearing and all euill speaking turne away our eyes from beholding vanity direct our steppes in thy word and let none iniquity haue dominion ouer vs cause vs to giue all diligence to make our calling and election sure by faith in thy promises and by adding to our faith vertue shining in a gracious course of life among men and to vertue knowledge seeing without knowledge wee can doe nothing well and to knowledge temperance auoiding curiosity riotousnesse wantonnesse and to temperance patience quietly willingly and constantly subiecting our selues to thy holy prouidence in afflictions comming either immediately from thy holy hand or from men although they wrong vs thereby and to patience godlinesse by a zealous worshipping of thee and to godlinesse brotherly kindenesse shewed to the houshold of faith in a speciall manner and to brotherly kindenesse loue euen to our enemies Cause vs to purge our selues from all pollution both of flesh and spirit and to grow vp to full holinesse in the feare of thy name that as our saluation is nearer then when we first beleeued it so our faith repentance and new obedience may be more Inable vs to put on weare the whole armour of God that wee may stand fast the girdle of truth against all hypocrisie and falshood the breastplate of righteousnesse against all vnrighteous and euill waies the shooes of peace assured of our reconciliation with thee against troubles the shield of faith against doubting the helmet of hope against fainting and the sword of the spirit thy holy word against all errour and ignorance O knit our hearts for euer to thee that we may feare thy name and so liue as to glorifie thee to winne others to thee and to proue our faith to be liuely and true that so we may reioyce in the Lord and lift vp our faces before the Almighty and wee pray thee to grant the same blessings that wee haue craued for our selues to al thy people according to their necessities and conditions Grant thy Gospell a free passage throughout all nations where thou hast appointed to gather thine elect by the ordinary meanes Blesse Kings and Magistrates that they may be nurses to thy Church Cause them to serue thee with feare and to reioyce with trembling especially we beseech thee to blesse our King and other Rulers in this land that true religion may flourish popery and superstition and all profanenesse and wickednesse more and more rooted out Blesse the Ministers of thy word it is thy will to conuey heauenly treasures in earthen vessels and although the word seeme to worldly men to be foolishnesse and as weake as the trumpets vsed in the ouerthrow of Iericho yet make it thy power to the saluation of thy people to the conuincing of gaine-sayers Forgiue the sinnes of this land other lands where thy name is called vpon and giue repentance to them that yet liue swearing drunkennesse oppression wantonnesse contempt of thy word and such other grieuous sins that make the land to mourne Purge thy Church that it may bee faire as the moon Purge as the sunne and terrible as an army with banners Comfort also we pray thee the afflicted with sicknesse pouertie wars trouble of conscience or any other aduersity distressed according to the multitude of their sorrowes let thy consolations refresh their soules blesse them also that we are bound to by nature charge desert or any other bond and those that pray for vs or haue desired our praiers And we desire to praise thy holy name and in that weake measure as wee are able wee giue thee humble and hearty thankes for our election redemption vocation iustification measure of sanctification and hope of glorification and also for all the blessings whereby this present life hath beene the more comfortable to vs anâ— grant that this may bee the chiefe end of all our petitions that wee may more cheerefully serue thee and that our loue may not be a selfe-loue but that wee may labour to preferre thy glory before our owne saluation and be grieued that we haue so much selfe-loue in vs and finally as thou hast graciously protected vs this day past for which we praise thy name so wee pray thee to preserue vs this night keepe vs from wicked dreames and from all dangers let thy watchfull prouidence compasse vs about and thine Angels defend vs grant vs such refreshing by rest and sleepe that if it please thee to giue vs more time in this world we may bee the more chearefull and fit for thy seruice and keepe our soules awake and watchfull that at our dissolution they may be carried by the Angels to heauen that when we shall awake at the last day we may be satisfied with thine image Heare vs in these things and whatsoeuer else thou knowest needfull for vs or any of thine for the merits of thy beloued Sonne in whom thou art well pleased to whom with thee and the holy spirit be all honour and glory dominion and power ascribed of vs the whole Church from this time forth and for euermore Amen FINIS