those which haue a Gouernour aboue them to whom they shall giue an account and as those which rule ouer such as haue a title vnto and shall bee partakers Ephes 6. 9. 1. Pet. 3. 7. of the same glory which themselues looke for Q. In what things doth this Gouernment consist A. In two direction and recompence or reward Q. VVherein consisteth direction A. In word and in worke Q. What must be done by word A. They must instruct and command them in the Gen. 18. 19. things which pertaine to God and to their speciall callings and heerein God hath declared his singular care of the euerlasting good of men who hath therefore commended the care of Religion to so many to the end they might be so much more assuredly kept in the feare of God Q. What is direction in worke A. Good example of life whereby they are to go before their Inferiours Q. Hitherto of Direction What is Recompence A. It is either a cheerefull reward for well doing or a iust chastisement for euill which both should be answerable to the deed done Q. How many kindes of Superiours are there with authority A. Two priuate and publike and consequently so many Inferiours Q. VVho are priuate Superiours and Inferiours A. Such as are Masters of a familie whether naturall as husband and wife parents and children or otherwise as Masters and seruants where first the husbands are Superiours to their wiues then Parents to their children and lastly Masters to their seruants Q. VVhat is the generall duty of Inferiours in a Family A. According to their places and gifts to performe Gen. 39. 2. 3. 4. that which is commanded by the gouernours therof for the good of the houshold Gen. 18. 8. Q. What is the duty of the Superiours in the houshold A. Prouision of food and raiment both sufficient Prou. 27. 23. 24. 25. Prou. 31 15. Gen. â—8 6. 7. 8. 1. Tim. â— 8. and agreeable to euery ones estate with conuenient gouernment after familiarly to teach them and to goe before them in prayer accordingly Q. VVhat are the common duties of the husband and wife each to other A. Mutuall and coniugall loue one towards another declared by mutuall helpe and a 1. Cor. 7. 3. due beneuolence except by consent for a time that b 1. Cor. 7. 5. 2. Sam. 11. 11. they may giue themselues to fasting and prayer Q. What is the duty of wiues to their husbands A. First subiection in a gentle and moderate kinde Ephes 5 22. and manner for albeit it bee made heauier then it was from the beginning through the transgression of the woman yet that yoke is easier then any other domesticall subiection Secondly in subiection they are to performe obedience wherein wiues are oft short Ephes 5. 33. 1. Pet. 3. 1-6 as husbands in loue Secondly she must represent in all godly and commendable matters his image in her behauiour that 1. Cor. 11. 7. in her a man may see the wisedome and vprightnesse of her husband Thirdly she must bee an helper vnto him as otherwise Gen. 2. 18. Prou. 31. 12. 1. Tim. 3. 11. so by sauing that which he bringeth in Q. What is the husbands dutie to his wife A. In an entire loue vnto her to defend her from Ephes 5. all euill and cherish her as he would cherish his owne flesh and as Christ doth his Church Q. What is the dutie of children to their Parents A. It is either generall or speciall viz. in the case of mariage Q. What is the generall A. So to carrie themselues whiles they are vnder Prou. 10. 1. and 17. 25. 31. 28. their parents tuition and after they are departed from them as they may cause their parents in their good bringing vp to be commended Q. What is the speciall dutie in case of marriage A. That they ought not so much as attempt to bestow themselues in marriage without their Parents Gen. 24. Iudg. 14. 2. Gen. 21. 21. and 27. 46. 28. 9. 1. Cor. 7. 36. 37. 38. direction and consent especially daughters Q. What reason haue you to perswade children vnto this dutie A. That seeing their Parents haue taken such great paines and trauell in bringing them vp they should reape some fruits of their labours in bestowing of them beside they should giue them this honour to esteeme them better able and more wise to prouide for their comfortable marriage then themselues are Q. Is this dutie required onely of children to their naturall parents that begat them A. No it is also in some degree required of children to their Vnkles and Aunts or to any other vnder Hest 2. 10. 20. Ruth 2. 18. 23. whom they are and that be in stead of Parents when Parents are dead Q. VVhat is the second dutie of children to their Parents A. That if their Parents stand in need of reliefe 1. Tim. 5. 4. Gen. 45. 11. 47. 62. they being able are to helpe them Q. So much of the duties of children to their Parents what are those of Parents towards their children A. They are either common to both Parents or particular to either of them Q. What are the common duties of both Parents A. They must marke the wits and inclinations of Prou. 20. 11. 22. 6. Gen. 4. 2. their children and as farre as their owne ability will reach they are accordingly to apply them to some honest calling in due time Q. What is the second common dutie A. To lay vp and prouide somwhat for their children 2. Cor. 12. 14. Prou. 19. 14. and what they haue receiued of their Ancestors to leaue the same where it may be done lawfully to their posterity Q. What speciall dutie is there of the Parents to the eldest sonne A. That sith the Lord hath honoured him with Gen. 49. 3. 4. that dignitie as to be their strength he should also be Deut. 21. 17. honoured of them at the least with a double portion as of the rest of the brethren with honour yet so as hee fall nor from his honour by some horrible sin Gen. 49. 4. Q. So much of the common duties to both what is required of the father especially A. To giue the name vnto the child For notwithstanding Gen. 35. 18. Luk. 1. 62. 63. that the mothers haue somtimes giuen the names yet that hath bin by permission of the fathers Q. What speciall dutie is laid vpon the mother A. a Gen. 21. 7. 1. â—am 1. 23. 1. Tim. 5. 10. 1. Tim. 2. 15. Gen. 24. 10. 1â— Ephes 6. 5. 6. To nurse the child if she be able Q. What is the duty of the seruant to the Master A. With care and faithfulnesse as in the presence of God to bestow himselfe wholly at the times appointed to his Masters businesse Q. What is the Masters dutie A. To recompence his seruice according as the Deut. 24. 14. 15. 15. 13.
or both Doctrinall and foretelling things to come as the Psalmes Q. What are they that are written in Prose A. They are either Historicall or Doctrinall and foretelling things to come called the Prophets Q. What are the Historicall A. Iosuah Iudges Ruth the 2. bookes of Samuel the 2. bookes of the Kings Ezra Nehemiah Hester and the 2. bookes of Chronicles Q. What are the Doctrinall and which foretell things to come A. They are called either the greater Prophets as Esay Ieremie Ezechiel and Daniel Or the smaller as Hoseas Ioel Amos Abdias Ionas Micheas Nahum Habakkuk Zephanie Aggei Zacharie and Malachy Q What are the bookes of the New Testament A. They are Historicall or Doctrinall Q. VVhat are the Historicall A. Either such as write of Christ as Matthew Marke Luke and Iohn or of the Apostles as the History of the Acts. Q. What are the Doctrinall A. They are such as are either only Doctrinall or Propheticall also Q. What are they that are Doctrinall onely A. The Epistles of Paul to the Romans the 1. and 2. to the Corinthians to the Galathians Ephesians Philippians Colossians the 1. and 2. to the Thessalonians the 1. and 2. to Timothie to Titus Philemon the Hebrewes the Epistle of Iames the 2. Epistles of Peter the 3. Epistles of Iohn the Epistle of Iude. Q. VVhat is that which is Propheticall also A. The booke of the Apocalyps or Reuelation Q. How may these bookes bee discerned to bee the word of God A. By these considerations following First they Prou. 8. 8. 30. 5. Psalm 12. 7. 19. 8. are perfectly holy in themselues and by themselues whereas all other writings are prophane further then they draw holinesse from these which yet is neuer such but that their holinesse is imperfect and defectiue Secondly they are perfectly profitable in themselues Jam. 1. 21. to instruct to saluation and all other are vtterly vnprofitable thereunto any further then they draw from them Thirdly there is a perfect concord and harmonie Act. 26. 22. in all these Bookes notwithstanding the diuersity of persons by whom places where and times when and matters whereof they haue been written Fourthly there is an admirable a Psalm 19. 7. Heb. 4. 12. force in them to incline mens hearts from vice to vertue Fifthly in great b 1. Cor. 1. 17. 18. 21. 24. 2. 15. 1 Tim. 5. 21. plainenesse and easinesse of stile there shineth a great Maiesty and authority Sixthly there is such a gracious simplicity in the writers of these Bookes that they neither spare their friends nor themselues but most freely and impartially set downe their owne faults and infirmities as well as others Lastly Gods owne Spirit working in the harts of his children doth assure them that these Scriptures are the word of God Q. Is it agreed vpon that these Bookes are alone in account of the Bookes of Scripture A. Concerning the Bookes of the New Testament it is generally agreed that all they and that they alone are of that account But the Church of Rome holdeth that diuers other books called Apocrypha doe belong to the Old Testament and are of the same authority with the other that haue been named Q. By what reasons may this errour of theirs bee ouerthrowen A. By these First they were not written at the first in the Hebrew tongue in which all the authenticall Bookes of the Old Testament were originally written Secondly the Iewes to whom the Oracles of God Rom. 3. were committed vnder the Old Testament haue acknowledged and kept these onely as Canonicall and the Oracles of God and not the other Thirdly these onely were read and expounded in Act. 13. 15. their Synagogues and not the other Fourthly the Primitiue Churches after the Apostles both Greek and Latine did receiue these Books onely for Canonicall Scripture Q. VVhat worthie vse and effect of these bookes of holy Scripture doth the Apostle set forth in this place A. This that they are able to make a man wise to 2. Tim. 3. 16. 17. Saluation through faith in Iesus Christ Q. How doth that appeare A. First for that God is the Author of them who is for his wisdome able for his loue to his Church willing to set downe such a Rule as may guide them fully and perfectly to eternall Life Secondly for that it is profitable to teach all true doctrine and to confute the false to correct all disorder priuate and publike and to informe men throughly in the way of righteousnesse Thirdly for that the Minister of the Word is said thereby to be made compleat and perfect to euery dutie of the Ministerie Q. How doth this last reason hold A. Very strongly for more being required of a Minister that is to bee the eye and mouth of the people then of the people themselues if it be sufficient to make him perfect it is much more able to giue them sufficient Instruction And seeing the Minister is Act. 20. 27. bound to disclose the whole Counsell of God to his people may be therunto fully furnished out of the treasurie of the Word of God it followeth that they also out of the Scriptures may be abundātly taught to Saluation need not elsewher to seek for any supply Q. VVhat other things doe you gather from these causes properties and effects of Scripture A. First that it alone being able and sufficient to Mat. 23. 8. Ioh. 5. 39. Matth. 15. 9. make vs wise to Saluation we need no vnwritten Verities no Traditions of men no Canons of Councels or Sentences of Fathers much lesse Decrees of Popes to supply any supposed defect of the written Word of God or to giue vs a more perfect direction in the way of life then is already set downe expressely in the Canonicall Scriptures Q. VVhat else learne you from thence A. I learne further especially from this that they Iohn 12. 48. Galath 1. 9. they are inspired of God 1. That they are of diuine authority 2. That they are the rule the line the squyre and light wherby to examine and trie all iudgements and sayings of men and of Angels whether they bee such as God approueth yea or no that they are not to be iudged or sentenced by any And therfore that the Church of Rome who hangeth the credit and authority of the Scriptures on the Churches sentence doth therein offer horrible iniurie and indignity vnto God making thereby the Churches word of greater credit and authority then the Word of God Q. What further doe you learne from hence A. I learne from hence and especially in that it is Matth. 5. 18. Psalm 19 9. said to be a rule and a line that it is firme and stable and changeth not and therefore is as a rule of steele and not as the Church of Rome blasphemously affirmeth like a rule of lead which may be bowed euery way at mens pleasures Q. But it seemeth the Scriptures are darke
wanton pictures and the like things that the heart is inflamed to lust thereby Q. What is contrary to this A. To make a couenant with our eyes and to pray Iob. 31. Psal 119. that the Lord would turne away our eyes from seeing vanitie Q. How doth a man sinne by his eares A. When he delighteth in hearing vnhonest and filthie words although for his credit hee will not speake them Q. VVhat further abuse of the parts is there this way A. By all light gesture behauiour of a mans body Esay 3. 16. in wanton dancing and other lasciuious motions Mark 6. 22. Q. VVhat is contrary to this A. That a man so carrie and direct these parts as Rom. 6. they be not weapons of vncleannesse Q. How is the whole body abused A. Either by himselfe or with others Q. How by himselfe A. In ceasing from doing any profitable thing as in 2. Sam. 11. 1. 2. 1. Tim. 5. 11. 13. Deut. 23. 10. Gen. 38. 9. Idlenesse Or by the horrible sinne of Onan and the like pollutions Q. How is it with others A. Either in vnlawfull coniunction of all which the vnlawfull vowes of continencie are nurses or vnlawfull separation Q. How doe men offend by vnlawfull coniunction A. When men do carnally companie with others out of marriage or otherwise then the holy lawes of marriage doe require Q. VVhat is common to those vnlawfull mixtures that are with others A. That they may be all either voluntarie in both Deut. 22. 25. or by force in the one in which case the partie forced is to be holden guiltlesse Q. Of how many sorts are they A. They are either naturall or vnnaturall Q. VVhat is the naturall coniunction forbidden by this Law A. Fornication and Adulterie Deut. 22. 28. Q. VVhat is Fornication A. When two single persons come together out of Leuit. 19. 29. Deut. 23. 17. 1. King 15. 12. 2. King 23. 7. the estate of Matrimonie where it is manifest that the stewes permitted yea authorized and defended in Poperie are vnlawfull and expressely forbidden in the Law and the Kings are commended in the Scripture who tooke away such filthinesse out of their land the rather considering that by them not Fornication only but Adulteries yea Incests also were committed when as both married and vnmarried came thither and oftentimes some of the same blood or affinitie Ezech. 22. 11. committed villanie with one whore so farre is it that they are remedies of vncleannesse Q. VVhat is Adulterie A. When at least one of the persons married or contracted in marriage companieth with another whither also may bee referred Polygamie and the hauing of many wiues at once which was euer vnlawfull Mal. 2. 15. 16. in conscience though it was not punished by the positiue Law Q. May not a man also sinne against this Commandement in abusing his body with his owne wife A. Yes verily when the honourable and chast estate 1. Thess 4. 4. of Matrimonie is vsed to wantonnesse and not with moderation and seemlinesse as a man may fault in excesse of wine although it be his owne Q. Hitherto of the vnlawfull coniunction which is naturall what is vnnaturall A. It is either with those of the same kind or with other and those of the same kind are either of both sexes or of some sexe with the same sexe Q. VVhat are those of both sexes A. First when a man doth keepe companie with a woman or with his owne wife or any other when it is with them according to the manner of women Secondly when there is a mixture of those bodies that Leuit. 18. 19. Ezech. 18. 6. 22. 10. are within the degrees of kindred or alliance forbidden by the Law of God although it bee in marriage Q. What is that of one sexe with the same sexe A. Buggerie when man with man or woman with Rom. 1. 26. 27. woman committeth filthinesse Q. Hitherto of vnnaturall mixture with their owne Leuit. 18. 22. kind What is that with another kind A. Of a man or woman with a beast Leuit. 18. 23. Q. Hitherto of the vnlawfull coniunction What is the vnlawfull separation A. It is either committed when the partie is present or when it is absent Q. How when the partie is present A. When due beneuolence is not yeelded although 1. Cor. 7. 3. 4. there bee aptnesse thereunto nor any hinderance by consent in respect of extraordinarie prayer Q. How when the partie is absent A. When the partie withdraweth it selfe in mislike or loathsomnesse or else by long and vnnecessary iourneyes of trauelling of merchandize warres c. Or when separation hath been made by the Magistrate without lawfull cause Q. So much of the Commandement What are the punishments of the breach A. First a Numb 5. 13. Prou. 5. 14. when many other sinnes are hid this is most commonly discouered Secondly b Prou. 2. 22. 14. Eccles 7. 27. 28. Rom. 1. 24. the sinne is a iudgement of it selfe Thirdly c Heb. 13. 4. 1. Cor. 6. 9. 10. God will iudge them oftentimes in this world alwaies in the world to come Fourthly d Leuit. 20. 10. more particularly whipping for fornication and death to other vnlawfull mixtures e Prou. 6. 26. Hos 4. 11. Iob. 31. 12. 9. 10 Deut. 23. 2. 2. Sam. 13. 14. 16. 21. Leuit. 20. 20. Fifthly it spendeth the goods as also hurteth the body and bereaueth a man of his vnderstanding and iudgement and not onely reacheth to the offenders themselues but also to their children for by Moses Law the bastard to the tenth generation might not enter into the Sanctuarie likewise hee sinneth against his wife and lawfull children whilest thereby he oftentimes maketh a stewes of his house as Dauid did by the adulterie he committed with the wife of Vrias And children begotten in horrible incest were to be burnt or slaine in their mothers wombe CHAP. 23. Of the eighth Commandement The duties to our neighbour in other regards viz. Of his goods The sin forbidding the hurt of our neighbour or his goods is theft Inward of the heart Outward the Instruments Kindes Priuate by abuse of our Owne by Prodigality Auarice Neighbors With colour Without colour Publike in Church sacriledge Temporall Spirituall Common-wealth Good name Command 9. Ch. 24. EXOD. 20. 15. Thou shalt not steale SO much of the seuenth Commandement and of those duties we owe to our neighbour in regard of his wife now follow those which we owe in other regards and that 1. of his goods 2. of his name The dutie we owe him in regard of his goods is contained in the eighth Commandement Q. What is that A. Thou shalt not steale Q. What is the summe of it A. To giue to euery one that which is his and not onely not to diminish by any meanes another mans goods but to doe our best as farre as our callings and meanes
spirit applying vnto our soule the blood of Christ by a liuely faith worketh in vs newnesse of life whence this Sacrament is called the Baptisme of Repentance Mark 1. 4. Q. VVhat learne you hereby A. That although sinne doth dwell in our mortall bodies and many leaud motions rise and rebell in vs yet if we be the children of God we shall finde it mortified by the death of our Sauiour Christ and although we bee by nature sluggish to good things yet shall we find our selues quickened by him Q. VVhat persons are to receiue this Sacrament A. All that by the Lawes of Charity are to Act. 10. 47. be esteemed within the Couenant of grace of what nation sexe or age soeuer Q. VVho are to be esteemed to be within the couenant of grace A. First those which being of yeeres of discretion Mat. 3. 6. 28. 29. Act 2. 41. Mark 16. 10. Act. 8. 15. 37. 10. 46. 47. giue assent vnto the doctrine of the Gospell and professe faith and repentance Q. How are those that are at yeeres of discretion to prepare themselues to the receiuing of this Sacrament A. First they are to submit themselues to bee instructed in the a Heb. 6. 1. principles of religion commonly called the Catechisme Secondly they are to make solemne b Mat. 3. 6. Act. 2. 41. Mat. 3. 6. Act. 8. 37. profession of their faith confession of their sinnes with faithfull promise to forsake them Thirdly As a testimony of their faith vnfained repentance after this they are to desire Baptisme of them that haue the dispensation therof and to procure the same assoone as they can Q. Who else are to bee esteemed within the couenant of grace and consequently to haue a title to Baptisme A. The infants of those Parents that are themselues Act. 2. 39. Gen. 17. 7. Luk. 18. 16. within the Couenant and haue been baptized Q. Is it necessarie that both the Parents bee in the Couenant A. No it is sufficient for the intitling of the child 1. Cor. 7. 14. to baptisme if either of them be Q. How doe you proue that Infants are to be baptized A. There is the same vse of Baptisme vnder the Gospell that was of Circumcision vnder the Law and the Infants of Christians are vnder the Couenant as well as theirs and Baptisme is a signe of the Couenant as well as Circumcision if therefore a Gen. 17. 12. Col. 2. 11. 12. Infants were circumcised and Baptisme possesse the roome of Circumcision except there can bee shewed a speciall prohibition or restraint in Gods word it will follow that Infants also may be baptized Further the Apostles are said to baptize a Act. 16. 15. 18. 1. Cor. 1. 16. whole families amongst which it is ordinarie that there be some children and there is no reason to limit the words to them that are at yeeres And this vse hath continued in the Church since the Apostles times and was neuer gainsaid by any but those that by the vniuersal Church haue been iudged hereticks Q. Is Baptisme absolutely necessarie to the saluation of Infants or are we to iudge all those damned that die vnbaptized A. Such a conceit is both vnchristian and vncharitable and without all ground offering wrong to the grace of God and the vertue of his Couenant wherein he promiseth that he will be the God of the faithful and their seed And seeing this Sacrament is not the cause but a testimonie and seale onely of saluation and the fault is not in the Infant that hee is not baptized and seeing in cases of meere necessity where there is no contempt of the means but the party doth as much for the obtaining of them as he can doe God doth not tie himselfe to the meanes but can and often doth giue the thing without the meanes neither haue we herein more warrant to iudge the Infants of Christians damned that without any default of their owne die without Baptisme then the Infants of the Israelites that died before the eighth day or whilest they were in the wildernesse Q. What preparation is to bee required of Infants that are to be baptized A. None can be required of them who in regard of age are but meere patients but that which is to bee performed is to be done of them that bring the child to Baptisme and that are present at the baptizing thereof Q. Who are they A. The Parent or the rest of the Church Q. What is the Parent to performe A. First hee is to consider of the goodnesse of God that hath receiued not onely himselfe but his Gen. 11. 17. child and therefore to reioyce in this loue and fauour of God and then to confirme himselfe in this hope that as God hath quickened him after his Baptisme so will hee his child Secondly hee is to present 1. Sam. 1. 20. Luk. 1. 60. 63. the child Thirdly to giue or to take order for the giuing of some such name as may put the child in remembrance of some good dutie by the signification of it or by setting before him in it the example of some whose faith and vertues are commended in the Scriptures Fourthly after Baptisme when the child Ephes 6. 4. is capable he is to catechize and to bring it vp in the feare and information of the Lord or to procure it to bee done by others that are more able Q. What are the duties of the rest of the Church A. First to reioyce and to giue thankes to God for the encrease of his Church Secondly to giue attendance to the doctrine and to pray that the child may be made partaker of Christ and his benefits Thirdly when it commeth to age to doe such duties vnto it as one member oweth to another CHAP. 38. Of the Supper of the Lord. Wherein consider The parts Signes Elements Actions about them Things signified The circumstances Time Persons MATTH chap. 26. vers 26. 27. 28. 29. 26. And as they were eating Iesus tooke bread and blessed it and brake it and gaue it to the Disciples and said Take eat this is my body 27. And he tooke the cup and gaue thankes and gaue it to them saying Drinke ye all of it 28. For this is my blood of the new Testament which is shed for many for the remission of sinnes 29. But I say vnto you I will not drinke henceforth of this fruit of the vine vntill that day when I drinke it new with you in my Fathers kingdome Q. SO much for Baptisme What is the Lords Supper A. It is the other Sacrament of the Gospell whereby is sealed vnto vs our continuance minishment 1. Cor. 11. 20. and growth in Christ and in his body which is his Church Q. What are the outward signes in this Sacrament A. Bread and wine and the sacramentall actions in and about the same Matth. 26. 26. c.. Q. VVhat manner of bread is fittest A. Ordinarie bread
the sheading of the blood of beasts is now vnder the Gospell accomplished by the blood-sheading of Christ Q. What are the sacramentall actions of them which receiue A. To take the bread and to eate it and the wine Mat. 26. 26. 27. and to drinke it Q. VVhat is signified thereby A. The applying of Christ crucified and all his merits vnto our selues by faith as the onely meanes by which we looke to liue eternally Q. VVhat is the fittest time for the celebration of this Sacrament A. The Lords day in the morning Act. 20. 7. Q. But our Sauiour celebrated it vpon another day both he and his Apostles at another time euen in the night A. First our Sauiour did this occasionally after supper in regard of the Passeouer in the roome wherof this was to succeed and therefore hee did institute it presently after the eating of it Secondly that it might goe immediately before his passion the better to shew whereunto it hath relation Thirdly the Apostles did it in the night vpon necessity for feare of persecution and therfore where there is no such cause of feare the custome of our owne Churches is to bee performed which celebrate it in the morning when our wits memories and capacities are most fresh Q. But is there no speciall matter to bee obserued that our Sauiour celebrated this Sacrament after supper A. Yes verily for thereby we learne that wee are not to come to this table to fill our bellies but wee are to haue our mindes lifted vp from these earthly elements to our Sauiour Christ represented by them For it is not the vse after supper to set bread and wine vpon the table but banqueting dishes which reproues them which come only for a draught of wine and such as rest onely in the receit of the outward elements Q. How oft are the Sacraments to be celebrated A. As oft in a yeere as the Church where wee are members may conueniently and agreeable to the dignitie of the mysterie communicate therein 1. Cor. 11. 26. Q. What persons haue title to this Sacrament A. All Christians that are of yeeres of discretion 1. Cor. 11. 27. 28. and haue been baptized being fitted thereunto Q. May not infants and children partake thereof A. No because they cannot performe that dutie which the Apostle requireth of all worthie receiuers 1. Cor. 11. 28. that is they cannot trie and examine themselues Q. By what meanes may we be fit receiuers of this Sacrament A. First by a careful preparation before the action great heed in the action and a ioyfull and thankfull close and shutting vp of it Q. How are we to prepare our selues before the action A. Wee are first to examine our knowledge as in the grounds and principles of religion so also in this Sacrament whether we vnderstand the meaning and vse thereof viz. the signification of the signes and the graces that they seale Secondly wee are to examine what faith wee haue and what repentance not onely in the generall but for our particular sinnes whether wee doe bewaile them or iudge our selues for them otherwise we shall stirre vp Gods wrath against vs and those that belong 1. Cor. 11. 28. 31 vnto vs and moue him although not to condemne vs in the world to come yet to inflict fearfull plagues and iudgements vpon vs in this world Q. What heed is to be taken in the action A. That in the act of receiuing with the signes we consider and call to our remembrance the particular matters signified Seeing the bread broken and the wine poured out wee are affectionately to remember the body of Christ broken and his blood shead for vs and by the eye of faith behold him crucified as it were before our eyes Further beholding the Minister reaching forth these elements vnto vs wee are to behold Christ himselfe therein offering himselfe and all his merits vnto vs if we will receiue them by faith Lastly in the stretching forth of our hands to receiue these elements wee are to labour to haue a sense and feeling of our faith laying hold vpon Christ and all his sauing benefits and in our eating of this bread and drinking this wine wee are to labour to feele such a spirituall refreshing of our soules with the body and blood of Christ as wee feele in our bodies by the bread and wine Q. How are we to close and shut vp this action A. We are to be comforted in heart in the sense of Gods fauour towards vs from whence we should be ready with feeling ioy to sing a Psalm vnto the Lord of praise and thanks-giuing and feeling our selues strengthened in the new man we are to depart with a Mat. 26. 30. resolution to walke more strongly and steadily in the waies of God all the daies of our life afterward For this is a Sacrament not of our incorporation into Christ but of our growth in him CHAP. 39. Of Ecclesiasticall Discipline Censures wherein note their Kindes they are either Medicinall Priuate Publike Of punishment Power and authoritie MAT. ch 18. vers 15. to the 20. and 1. COR. 16. 22. 15. Moreouer if thy brother shall trespasse against thee goe and tell him his fault betweene thee and him alone if hee shall heare thee thou hast gained thy brother 16. But if he will not heare thee then take with thee one or two more that in the mouth of two or three witnesses euery word may be established 17. And if hee shall neglect to heare them tell it vnto the Church but if he neglect to heare the Church let him bee vnto thee as an heathen man and a Publican 18. Verily I say vnto you whatsoeuer ye shall binde on earth shall be bound in heauen and whatsoeuer ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heauen 19. Againe I say vnto you that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall aske it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heauen 20. For where two or three are gathered together in my Name there am I in the middest of them 1. COR. 16. 22. 22. If any man loue not the Lord Iesus Christ let him bee Anathema Maranatha Q. HItherto of the Sacraments now followeth the Discipline of the Church what is it A. The spirituall Censures of the Church executed against such members of the Church as haue fallen into any scandalous sinne Q. What need is there of them A. Very much both to helpe the godly and to restraine and root out the wicked out of the Church euen as much as of the sword of the Magistrate in the Common-wealth or the rod in the house yea so much more as these are for the body and this life the other for the soule and the life to come Q. What is to bee considered in this text concerning these Censures A. First the kindes secondly the power and authoritie Q. What are the kindes A. They are either of
vs with his righteousnesse by fulfilling of the Law for vs. For as in the former petition by bread was vnderstood all necessities belonging to this bodily Dan. 9. 24. Zach. 3. 4. 5. 1. Cor. 1. 30. Reuel 19. 8. life so in this vnder the first part of iustification is comprehended the other part also by the like figure of speech Q. What need was there of this A. Because we cannot appeare naked before God for as it is not enough for a beggar to come before a King to want his ragges vnlesse he haue conuenient Gen 41. 14. 42. apparell and ornaments so for vs it is not enough to haue our filthinesse done away vnlesse we be clothed with conuenient righteousnesse Q. What else doe we pray for here A. We pray for the spirit of prayer whereby with Zach. 12. 10. Mark 9. 24. griefe and sorrow for our sinnes wee may craue pardon for our sinnes and encrease of faith Q. So much of the petition how is the reason drawne A. From the lesse to the more thus if we wretched sinners vpon earth can forgiue others how much more will the gracious God of heauen forgiue vs if Matth. 7. 11. we hauing but a drop of mercy can forgiue others much more will God who is a sea full of grace especially when wee by forgiuing sometimes suffer losse whereas God by forgiuing vs looseth nothing Q. To what vse serueth this reason A. It serueth not onely to moue the Lord to forgiue Mat. 5. 7. 6. 14. Mark 11. 25. 1. Iohn 2. 10. our sinnes but to be a note also to certifie vs whether or no our sinnes are forgiuen vnto vs. Q. Doth not God onely forgiue sinne how then can wee forgiue sinne A. We forgiue not sinne so farre forth as it is committed against God but only as it bringeth griefe and hurt vnto vs. Q. Doth this reason tie God to forgiue vs A. No otherwise then by his gracious and free promise Mat. 18. 24. 28. for it is a necessarie consequent and fruit of the other and not a cause considering the inequality betweene our debt vnto God and mens debts vnto vs. Q. VVherein standeth the inequality A. First in the number of our debts to God being compared to ten thousand mens debts to vs to one hundred Secondly in the waight our debts to God being compared to talents and those to men being compared to pence Q. How ariseth this great inequality in the waight A. From the great inequality betweene God and man for if to strike a King bee much more hainous then to wound or kill a poore subiect what is it then to offend God who is infinitely greater then all the Kings of the earth Q. What is to be gathered of this A. That as this is a testimonie to our hearts that if Mat. 6. 15. Esay 1. 15. Mat. 5. 23. 24. 1. Tim. 2. 8. we can heartily forgiue others God will forgiue vs so on the other side if wee can shew no fauour to others we may looke for none at the hands of God and therefore to pray without forgiuing such as haue offended vs were not onely a meere babling but also a procuring of Gods wrath more heauily against vs. Q. What learne you from hence A. The hypocrisie of many which assuring themselues in great confidence of the forgiuenesse of their sinnes yet cannot finde in their hearts to forgiue others Q. Are we hereby bound to forgiue all our debts A. No verily we may both demand our debts Exod. 22. 9. and if there be no other remedie goe to law if it be in a simple desire of Iustice yet so that if our debtors bee not able to pay wee are bound in dutie to forgiue Esay 58. 3. Deut. 22. 27. 24. 12. 13. Job 24. 3. 9. them or at least to haue a conscionable regard of their inability Q. What further learne we by this reason A. That as our forgiuenesse is nothing vnlesse the danger of imprisonment be taken away which vnability of paying the debt doth draw with it so it auaileth Psal 32. 5. Gal. 3. 13. Ephes 2. 16. vs nothing to haue our sins forgiuen vs of God vnlesse the punishment also be forgiuen Q. What followeth of this A. The erroneous conceits of the Papists that teach that the sinne and guilt of our sinnes is taken away by Christ but that wee must satisfie for the punishment of them wherein they make God like vnto those who will seeme to forgiue and yet keepe a secret grudge in their hearts watching all occasions and aduantages for reuenge such as say they will forgiue but not forget CHAP. 49. Of the last Petition In the second petition belonging to the life to come we pray Not to be led into tentatiō To be deliuered from euil Inward Outward MATTH 6. 13. Leade vs not into tentation but deliuer vs from euill Q. SO much of the first petition concerning our spirituall life for iustification the second followeth for sanctification which is the sixth and last in number what is it A. Leade vs not into tentation but deliuer vs from euill c. Q. What is meant here by the word tentation A. First all things whatsoeuer whereby a man is Deut. 8. 21. Luk. 8. 13. Prou. 27. 21. 2. Chron. 32. 31. Deut. 13. 3. 1. Cor. 11. 19. Matth. 4. 1. 1. Cor. 7. 5. Gal. 6. 1. 1. Thess 3. 5. Iam. 1. 13. 14. tried and occasion giuen to him to know and bewray what is in his heart as prosperity affliction c. Secondly all prouocations and persuasions whereby a man is stirred vp and moued to sinne Q. Doe we then here pray against all afflictions and such like tentations of the first kind A. No because God seeth them good and profitable for vs in which regard they are pronounced blessed which fall into diuers tentations and therfore ought we not to pray simply and without exception not to be tempted by them but to bee deliuered from them so far forth as through the corruptiō of our natures Psal 119. 71. Jam. 1. 2. 12. they shall be occasions of sinne vnto vs. Q. What then doe we pray for in this petition A. That wee bee not giuen ouer to the power of any tentation so as it should ouercome vs draw vs 1. Tim. 6. 9. Luk. 22. 32. Iohn 17. 15. 1. Cor. 10. 13. Ephes 6. 13. Psal 119. 79. 141. 5. to sinne against God but that we may haue a good issue and scape from the danger of it and that we may haue all such means granted to vs as may further vs in holinesse as good company good counsell and the like Q. Why are afflictions called tentations A. Because by them God trieth our obedience Deut. 8. 2. thereby to make knowne our faith and also our patience both towards our selues and others and whether we will follow him or not and therefore we may be assured that so often as
considered A. That of man and Angels called Predestination Q. VVhat is Predestination A. It is the decree of God g 1. Thess 5. 9. Rom. 9. 22. 23. 1. Pet. 2. 8. Mat. 25. 41. touching the euerlasting estate of men and Angels Q. VVhat are the parts of Predestination A. Election and reprobation Q. VVhat is Election A. It is the h Ephes 1. 5. 6. Rom. 9. 22. 23. eternall predestination of certaine men and Angels to eternall life to the praise of his glorious grace Q. VVhat is Reprobation A. It is the i 1. Thess 5. 9. eternall predestination of certaine men and Angels to eternall destruction k Of the contrary end of election to the praise of his glorious iustice So much of the Decree Q. VVhat is the execution A. It is an l Ephes 1. 11. Act. 4. 28. action of God effectually working all things he hath decreed Q. VVhat are the parts thereof A. a Psal 33. 9. 10. 11. 146. 67. Creation and prouidence Q. VVhat is Creation A. It is the execution of Gods decree of b Gen. 1. 7. Heb. 11. 3. making all things that are made of nothing very good Q. VVhat is prouidence A. It is the c Eph. 1. 11. Rom. 11. 36. Psal 139. 2. 3. Coloss 3. 11. execution of Gods decree in the effectuall disposing of all things to their proper end wherof that prouidence that is of d Mat. 6. 26. 8. 10. 29. 30. 31. men and e Ezech. 11. 4. 5. 6. Angels is chiefe Q. VVhat doe you consider especially in that part of prouidence A. The fall of both f Gen. 3. 1. 23. 4. and repaire g Gen. 3. 15. of man Q. VVhich of them fell first A. The h Iude 6. Iob. 4. 18. Angels which were also i Iohn 8. 44. an instrumentall cause of mans fall Q. VVhat was their fall A. The k Iude 6. Iohn 8. 44. 2. Pet. 2. 4. departing from their estate which God had set them in Q. VVherein consisteth that their departure A. In forsaking their l Iob 4. 18. innocency and m 2. Pet. 2. 4. committing of sinne which caused Gods n Lam. 3. 39. Esay 64. 5. 6. anger against them Q. VVhat is sinne A. It is the o 1. Iohn 3. 4. transgression of Gods Law Q. VVhat was the first sinne of man a Gen. 2. 16. 17. 36. 7. A. The eating of the fruit that was forbidden from whence also doe come other sinnes originall and actuall Q. What is due to these sinnes Guilt and Punishment b Rom. 2. 15. c Rom. 5. 12. Q. What is the guilt of sinne A. The d Rom. 3. 19. desert of sinne whereby we are subiect to Gods wrath e Gen. 2. 17. John 5. 24. 28. 29. 3. 18. 19. Q. What is the punishment of sinne A. Euerlasting death begun heere and to bee accomplished in the life to come Q. What is that which God hath ordained for the repaire of man A. His a Iohn 5. 25. 6. 68. word Q. What is his word A. It is a doctrine of sauing b Ioh. 5. 25. 29. 2. Tim. 3. 11. 16. 17. mens soules written by diuine inspiration Q. How is this word made profitable to vs A. By the c Rom. 10. 14. Luk. 1. 3. 4. The practice of all the Apostles who neuer wrote but to the Churches and such as already beleeue preaching and publishing of it to the begetting and confirming of faith Q. Will not the knowledge of the wisedome power and goodnesse of God in the creation and gouernment of the heauen and earth with the things that are in them be a sufficient meanes to recouer our lost estate A. No. It d Rom. 1. 19. 20. 21. serueth rather for further condemnation without the word as e 1. Cor. 1. 21. 2â— by and with the word it is a good helpe Q. What are the parts of the word A. The f Rom. 10. 5. 6. Gal. 3. 11. 12. Law and gratious promise otherwise called the Couenant of workes and the Couenant of grace which from the comming of Christ is called the Gospell Q. What doth the Law containing the Couenant of workes enioyne vs A. All g Leuit. 18. 5. such duties as were required of Adam in his innocencie and all h Deut. 27. 26. such as are required since by reason of his fall with reward of life euerlasting to the doers of them and curses to him that doth them not Q. Is any man able to doe them all A. No a Gal. 3. 22. Rom. 8. 3. not in the least b Philip. 3. 9. Titus 3. 5. Esay 64. 6. point Q. What then auaileth the Law to vs A. Very much first to shew vs our sinnes and punishment thereof thereby to driue vs to Christ and secondly to teach vs how to d Mat. 5. 17. Luk. 1. 6. Deut. 66. walke when we are c Gal. 3. 24. Rom. 3. 20. 77. come to him Q. What is the summe of the Law A. e Mat. 22. 37. 38. 39. Thou shalt loue the Lord thy God with all thy heart with all thy soule and with all thy mind this is the first and great Commandement and the second is like to this Thou shalt loue thy neighbour as thy selfe c. Q. What are the parts of the Law A. f Deut. 10. 1. 2. The first and the second table Q. VVhat Commandements are in the first table A. The first foure g Exod. 20. 1. 2. 3. c. Deut. 5. 4. 6. c. which containe our duties towards God Q. What is common to these foure A. That euery one of them hath his seuerall reason annexed which in the first Commandement goeth before and in the other three it commeth after Q. What is the first Commandement A. I am the Lord thy God which brought thee out of the land of Egypt c. Q. What is the summe of this Commandement A. The inward worship of God Q. What is the second Commandement A. Thou shalt not make to thy selfe any grauen image c. Q. What is the summe of this Commandement A. The outward worship of God not according to the tradition of men but according to the will of God reuealed in the Scripture Q. What is the third Commandement A. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vaine Q. What is the summe of this Commandement A. A holy vse of the titles workes and actions of God Q. What is the fourth Commandement A. Remember the Sabbath day to sanctifie it Q. What is the summe of this Commandement A. To set our selues apart to Gods worship at such times as are here commanded So much of the first Table Q. How many are the Commandements of the second table A. Six containing our duties towards our neighbour Q. What is the summe of the Commandements of the second table A. Whatsoeuer you would that men should doe