I this thing consider verse 10 10 Thou wilt not leue my ‖ soule in graue That is to say his lyfe for lord thou louest me Nor yet wilt geue thyne holy one corrupcion for to see wher god fauoreth ther is parfit felicitie 11 But wilt me teache the way to lyfe for all treasours and store of parfit ioy are in thy face and power for euermore Exaudi Domine Psal XVII Th. St. ¶ Here he complayneth to God of the cruell pride and arrogancie of Saul and the reste of his enemyes who this raged withowte any cawse gyuen on his parte therfore he desiereth God to reuenge his innocencye and delyuer hym This Psalme ought diligentlie to be noted of suche as receyue euell for well doynge O Lord geue eare to my iuste cause attend when I complayne and heare the prayer that I put Thou furth with lippes that do not fayne and let the iudgement of my cause proceade alwaye from thee and let thyne eyes behold and cleare this my symplicitie verse 3 3 Thou hast well tryed me in the night and yet couldst nothing fynde That I haue spoken with my tong that was not in my mynde verse 4 4 As from the workes of wicked men and pathes peruerse and il For loue of thy most holy woorde I haue refrayned stil verse 5 5 Than in thy pathes that be most pure stay me lord and preserue That from the way wherin I walke my steppes may neuer swerue verse 6 6 For I doe cal to thee O lorde surely thou wilt me ayde Thā heare my prayer and way rightwel the wordes that I haue said This is an effectuall kynde of prayer for it conteyneth gods promesse 7 O thow the sauior of all theym that put their truste in thee declare thy strength on theym that spurne agaynste thy maiestie verse 8 8 Oh kepe me lord as thou wouldst kepe the apple of thyne eye And vnder couert of thy winges defende me secretly verse 9 9 From wicked men that trouble me and dayly me anoye And from my foes that goe about my soule for to destroye verse 10 10 Whiche wallowe in theyr wordlye welth so full and eke so fat That in theyr pryde they do not spare to speake they care not what verse 11 11 They lye in wayte where “ meanīge him selfe and his companions we shoulde passe with craft me to confound And musing mischief in their myndes to cast me to the ground verse 12 12 Much lyke a lyon gredely that would his pray embrace Or lurking lyke a lyons whelpe within some secret place verse 13 13 Vp lorde with haste preuent my foe and caste hym at thy feete saue thow my soule from theuell man and with thy sworde hym smyte verse 14 14 Deliuer me lord by thy power out of these tyrants hands which now so longe tyme raigned haue and kept vs in their bands verse 15 15 I meane from worldly men to whom al worldly goodes are ryfe That haue no hope nor parte of ioye but in this present lyfe Thow of thy store their bellies fillest With pleasures to their mynde their children haue I noughe and leaue to theirs the rest behinde verse 16 16 But I shall with pure conscience when he a waketh out of his heuines he shal be fulfilled with gods Image which shyneth in his ghospel in his benefites beholde thy gratious face so when I wake I shal be full with thyne ymage and grace Coeli enarrant Psal XIX Th. Ster ¶ To the intēt he might moue the faithfull to a dieper cōsideratiō of godes glorie he setteth before their eyes the moste exquysite workemanship of the heauens with their proportion and ornamentes And afterward calleth theym to the lawe wherin god hathe reueled hym selff more familiarelie to his chosen people the which peculiar grace by commendyng the lawe he settith forthe more at large and in the ende he concludeth with a prayer THe heauens and the firmament do wonderously declare the glory of God omnipotent his workes and what they are The wonderous workes of god appeare by euery dayes successe The nyghtes which likwise their race runne the selfe same thinges expresse verse 3 3 Ther is no language tong or speche Rom. 10. d. Acte 14. c. where theyr sound is not hearde verse 4 4 In al the earth and coastes therof theyr knowledge is conferd In them the lorde made for the sunne a place of great renome verse 5 5 Who like abridegrome ready trimed doth from his chamber come And as a valiant champion He noteth thre excellent qualities in the sūne his beautie swiftenes and heate who for to get a prise with ioye doth hast to take in hande some noble enterprise verse 6 6 And al the skye from ende to ende he compaseth about Nothinge can hyde it from his heate but he wil find it out verse 7 7 How perfit is the lawe of God how is his couuenant sure Conuerting soules and making wyse Mans inuentions are crooked without comfort filthy and blynde the simple and obscure verse 8 8 Iust are the Lords commandementes and gladde bothe heart and mynde His precept pure and geueth light to eyes that be ful blynde verse 9 9 The feare of God is excellent and doth endure for euer what so euer mans fantasie doth inuent is but lyes and vanitie The iudgementes of the lord are true and righteous altogether verse 10 10 And more to be imbraste alwais then fyned golde I say The hony and the hony combe are not so swete as they verse 11 11 By them thy seruante is forwarned to haue god in regarde And in perfourmance of the same The effect of this rewarde is conteined in the conuenant of our adoption for here he maketh all men synners there shal be great rewarde verse 12 12 But Lorde what earthly man doth knowe the errors of his lif Than clense my soule from secret sinnes which are in me moste rife verse 13 13 And kepe me that presumpteous sinnes preuayle not ouer me And than shal I be innocent and great offences flee verse 14 14 Accept my mouth and eke my heart my woordes and thoghtes eichone For my redemer and my strength O lord thou art alone Exaudiat te Dominus Psal XX. Th. Ster ¶ A prayer of the people vnto God that it wolde please him to heare their kynge and receyue his sacrifice which he offred before he went to bataill against the Ammonites declaringe how that the heathen put their trust in horses and chariotts but they trust only in the name of the lorde their god wherfore the other shall fall but the lorde will saue the kynge and his people IN trouble and aduersitie the lord god heare thee styll the maiestie of Iacobs god defende thee from Hebr. exalte all yll And send the frome his holy place his help at euery nede And so in Syon stablishe thee and make the stronge in dede verse 3 3 Remembryng well
his children with newe aÌ„d sondrie afflictions 3 Then they to whome we prisoners were said to vs tauntinglie nowe let vs heare your hebrewe songes and pleasaunte melodie verse 4 4 Alas sayd we who can once frame his sorrofull hart to synge the prayses of our louyng god thus vnder a straunge kynge verse 5 5 But yet if I Hierusalem owte of my harte let slide then let my fyngers quite forgeat the warbling harpe to gide verse 6 6 And let my tonge within my mouthe be tied for euer faste if that I ioy The zeale that gods children haue towards their fathers glorie before I see thy full deliuerance paste verse 7 7 Therfore o lorde remembre now the cursed noyse and crie that Edoms sonnes againste vs made when they rased owre Citie Ier. 4.9 Ezech. 25. c. Remember lorde their cruell wordes when as with one accorde they cried on sack and rase their walles in despite of their lorde verse 8 8 Euen so shalt thou ò Babylon at length to dust be broght Esa 13. d. and happie shall that man be called that owre reuenge hathe wroght verse 9 9 Yea blessed shall the man be called that taketh thy children young to dasshe their bones agaynste hard stones which lie the streates among Lauda anima Psal CXLVI I. H. ¶ Dauid shewinge the great desire he had to praise God teacheth that none shuld put their trust in men but in God alone who is almightie and delyuereth the afflicted nourisheth the poore setteth prisonners at libertie comforteth the fatherles widowes and the strangers and raigneth kynge for euer MY soull praise thou the lorde all ways my god I will confesse while breath and lyfe prolonge my dayes my tong no tyme shall cease Trust not in worldly princes theÌ„ though they abound in welth Nor in the sonnes of mortall men in whoÌ„ there ys no helthe verse 4 4 For why their breath doth soone departe To earthe anon they fall And than the counsels of their hearte Decaye and perishe all verse 5 5 O happy is that man I saye Whome Iacobs God doth aide And he whose hope doth not decaie But on the Lorde is staide verse 6 6 Whiche made the yearth aÌ„d waters depe The heauens hye withall Which doth his word and promise kepe In ttueth and euer shall verse 7 7 With right alwayes doth he procede For suche as suffre wronge Actes 14. Apoc. 14. The poore and hungry he doth feede And loose the fetters stronge The Lorde doth seÌ„de the blinde their sight The “ they that are grieued and troubled with any kynde of sickenes or affliction lame to limes restore The Lorde I say doth loue the right And iust man euermore verse 9 9 He doth defende the fatherles The straungers sadde in hert And quite the widdow from distres And yll mens wais subuerte Thy Lorde and God eternally O Syon styll shall raygne In tyme of all posterytie For euer to remaine The commaÌ„dements of God Audi Israel Exod. xx Attende my people aÌ„d giue eare of ferlie thinges I will thee tell see that my wordes in minde thou beare aÌ„d to my preceptes listen well verse 1 1 I am thy souueraigne lord and god which haue thee broght from carefull thrall and eke reclaymd froÌ„ Pharos rod Make thee no gods on them to call verse 2 2 Nor facioned forme of any thinge in heauen or earth to worshipe it for I thy god by reuenginge with grieuous plagues this sinne will smit verse 3 3 Take not in vayne his holy name abuse it not after thy will for so thou might sone purchase blame and in his wrath he wolde thee spill verse 4 4 The lord froÌ„ worke the seueÌ„th day ceste and broght all things to perfit ende so thou and thyne that day take reste that to gods hestes ye may attende verse 5 5 Vnto thy parents honour giue as gods commandements do pretende that thou loÌ„ge dayes aÌ„d good maiest lyue in earth wher god a place dothe lende verse 6 6 Beware of murther and cruell hate verse 7 7 All filthie fornication feare verse 8 8 See thou steale not in any rate verse 9 9 False witnes against no man beare verse 10 10 Thy neighbours house wishe not to haue his wife or oght that he calleth myne his fielde his oxe his asse his slaue or any thinge which is not thyne The fautes Which chanced in printinge In Mariage Leafe 84. lyne 10. he reade be Psal Leafe 5. but. reade bent 38. rome reade frome Catech. Leafe 28. lyne 14. migh read might 40. lyne 25. minister read childe Morninge prayer Leafe 157. lyne 20. of worlde read of the worlde Line 24. golyd read godly THE CATECHISME OR MANNER to teache children the Christian religion wherin the Minister demandeth the question and the childe maketh answere Made by the excellent Doctor and Pastor in Christes Churche Iohn Caluin INTRATE PER ARCTAMVIAM Ephe. II. The doctrine of the Apostells and Prophetes is 〈◊〉 â—â—â—â—â—ation of Christes Churche IOHN CRESPIN M.D.LVI Of the Articles of faithe ¶ The M nister Sonday The fyrst VVHAT is the principall and chiefe ende of mans life ¶ The Childe To knowe God wherunto man was createde and made ¶ The minister What moueth the to say so ¶ The childe Because he hath created vs and placed vs in this worlde to set forth his glory in vs. And it is good reason that we employ our whole life to the auauncement of hys glory seing he is the originall beginning fountayne therof ¶ The minister What is then the principall and chiefe felicitie of man ¶ The childe Euen the self same I meane to know God The greatest felicitie that man caÌ„ attayne to and to haue hys glory shewed furth in vs. ¶ The minister Why dost thou call this mans chiefe felicitie ¶ The childe Because that without it our condicyon or state were more miserable then the state of brute beastes ¶ The minister Hereby then we may euidently see that there can no suche miserye happen vnto man as not to lyue in the knowledge of God ¶ The childe That is moste certeyne ¶ The minister But tel me what is the true and right knowledge of God ¶ The childe Whan a man so knoweth God that he is in ful mind to honor him ¶ The Minister Which is the way for a man to honor God a ryght ¶ The childe It is to put our whole trust confidence in hym to studye to serue him in obeying vnto his wil commaundementes to seke cal vpon him for help in our necessities The right maner to worshyp god staÌ„deth in foure pointes looking for saluacion al good thinges at his hand And finally to acknowlage both wyth heart and mouth that he is the liuely fountayne of all goodnesse from whom onely al benefites and good thynges doe come ¶ The minister Sonday 2 Wel than to the end that these thinges may be discussed in order declared more at large
which is the first poynt ¶ The child The first is to put our whole confidence in God alone ¶ The minister Howe may that thing be done ¶ The childe We must first haue an assured knowledge that as he is almighty so he is all bountifull and parfitlie good ¶ The minister And is that sufficient The first point of honoring God ¶ The childe No. ¶ The minister Shewe the reason ¶ The childe For there is no worthines in vs why God should eyther shew his power to helpe vs or vse hys mercifull goodnes to saue vs. ¶ The minister What is than further requyred ¶ The childe This is requisite more that euerie one of vs be fully assured in his conscience that he is beloued of God that he will be both his father sauiour ¶ The minister Howe shall we be assured hereof ¶ The childe By his owne woorde wherin he vttereth moste playnlye vnto vs hys plentifull mercye in our sauiour Christ geueth vs vndoubted assurance of his louing mynd towardes vs. ¶ The minister The foundacion of our faith Well then I perceiue that the very ground to come by a sure confydence in God is to know him in our sauiour Christ ¶ The childe Yea truelye ¶ The minister Then briefelye what is the effecte and substaunce of thys knowledge of God in Christe ¶ The childe It is conteyned in the confession of the fayth vsed of all Christen men which is commonly called the Crede of the Apostles bothe because it is a compendyous and a briefe gatherynge of the articles of that faythe whiche hathe bene alwayes continued in Christes Churche and also because it was taken out of the pure doctrine of the Apostles ¶ The minister Rehearse the same ¶ The childe The Crede of the apostles I beleue in God the father almighty maker of heauen and earth And in Iesu Christ hys onely sonne our Lorde Who was conceyued by the holye Ghoste borne of the vyrgyn Marye Suffered passion vnder Ponce Pylate was crucifyed dead buried and descēded into hell He rose agayne the thyrde daye from deathe He ascended into heauen and sytteth on the right hande of God the father almyghtye From thense he wil come to iudge the quicke and the dead I beleue in the holye goste The holy Churche vniuersall the communion of Goddes electe the forgeuenesse of synnes the rysing agayne of the bodyes and lyfe euerlastyng ¶ The minister Sonday 3 To the intent that this confession maye be more particularely and playnely declared in to how many partes shal we deuyde it ¶ The childe In to foure principall partes The Christian faith standeth in four pointes ¶ The minister What be they ¶ The childe The fyrste concerneth God the father The seconde parte is of the sonne of God our sauiour Christe wherein briefly also the whole story of our redempcion is rehearsed The thyrde is touchyng the holye goste The fourth cōcerneth the holy Churche and Goddes free gyftes vnto the same ¶ The minister Seing there is but one God what moueth thee to make rehearsal of God the father God the sonne and God the holye gost as if ther were thre gods ¶ The childe As concerning the Trinitie Because that in the substance or nature of God wee haue to consider the Father as the fountayne beginning and originall cause of al thinges then secondarely his sonne who is hys euerlastyng wysedome thyrdly the holy ghoste who is his incōprehensible vertue and puissaunte myght which is extēded and spred vpon all creatures and yet neuertheles remaineth alwayes wholy in hymselfe ¶ The minister This is then the meanyng that there is no inconuenience at al to vnderstand seuerally and apart these three persons in the substāce of God who notwythstandyng is one and not therby deuyded ¶ The childe It is euen so ¶ The minister Make rehearsal nowe of the fyrst parte of the Crede ¶ The childe The first parte of the belief I beleue in God the father almighty maker of heauen and earth The minister Wherfore doest thou cal hym Father ¶ The childe I call hym so hauyng respect to Iesu Christ who is the euerlastyng worde begotten of God before all worldes without begynning The fathe who beyng afterwardes openly shewed vnto the world was euidentlye approuued and declared to be hys sonne Now seing God is oure Sauioure Christes father it foloweth necessarilye that he is also our father ¶ The minister What meanest thou by that thou callest hym Almightye ¶ The childe In that I say he is Almightye what is ment by this word almighti I meane not that he hath a power which he doth not exercise but contrariwise that al creatures be in his hād and vnder his gouernāce that he ordereth and dysposeth all thynges by hys vnsearcheable wisedome and prouidence that he ruleth the worlde as it pleaseth him and that continually he guydeth al thynges therin after hys own good pleasure The minister So then by thy saying the power of God is not ydle The power of god is not ydle nor vnoccupied but cōtinually exercised so that nothyng is done but by hym or by his leaue and ordinaunce ¶ The childe It is euen as you saye ¶ The minister Sonday 4 Wherfore is that clause added therunto Maker of heauen and earth ¶ The childe Because he hath made himselfe knowen vnto vs by his workes it is necessary for vs to seeke hym owt in thē Psal 14. Roma 1. For oure capacytye and the reache of oure vnderstanding is not sufficiēte nor able to cōprehende his diuyne substaunce but he hath made the world as a myrroure or glasse A glasse wherin we maye see God wherin we maye beholde his diuine maiestie in suche sorte as it is expediente for vs to knowe hym ¶ The minister Doest thou not comprehende all creatures in these two wordes heauen and earth ¶ The childe Yes verely they may righte well be vnderstanded in these two wordes seynge that all thinges be eyther heauenlye or earthlye ¶ The minister And why callest thou God only by the name of creator or maker seynge that to order thinges and to conserue them alwayes in their state is a thynge of muche more importaunce then to haue for one tyme created them ¶ The childe By thys worde Creator it is not onely meante that he dyd once create them hauyng no farther regarde to them afterwardes But we ought to vnderstand that as the worlde was made of him in the beginning euen so nowe he doth cōserue the same vpholdeth the state of thinges so that heauen and earth with the reste of the creatures Cōcerning the prouidence of God coulde not contynue in their estate if his power did not preserue them Moreouer seinge in this maner he dothe maintayne all thynges holdynge them as it were in his hand it must nedes folow that he hath the rule gouernance of all Wherefore in that that he is creator
hinderaunce of Gods honour ¶ The childe In one kinde of othe he teacheth vs a generall rule to wete that we ought not sweare at all that is to saye that we maye not cal God to wytnes vnlesse it be done with al humblenes of minde hauing a reuerente feare towardes hys maiestye before oure eyes to the entent to glorifie hys name for euen as it is holye and of most worthy pryce so it behoueth vs to take diligent hede wyth what reuerence we shoulde name God that we doe not in suche sorte name hym or call hym to witnes that either we may seeme to passe lyghtelye of hym oure selues either whereby other maye take occasiō to haue him in small reuerence ¶ The minister How shal a man vse his name with suche due reuerence ¶ The childe If we doe neyther thynke nor speake of God nor of his workes but with all reuerence and honor ¶ The minister What foloweth this commaundemēte ¶ The childe He addeth vnto it a threatnynge that he wyll coumpt hym that vseth his name irreuerenlye as a wycked malefactoure ¶ The minister Seyng that God pronounceth threatiningly in other places in a generalite that he will punishe al transgressoures what vehemencye is there besides in these wordes ¶ The childe He doth expressy declare hereby in howe greate estymacion he hath the honour of hys holy name forsomuche as he sayeth precysely by euidente woordes that he can not abyde that any man doe vse it vnreuerently to the intent we migth with so much the more careful dilygence haue it in honor ¶ The minister Sonday 26 Let vs goe to the fourth commaundemente ¶ The childe REmembre to kepe holye the sabboth daye syxe dayes shalt thou laboure The .iiii. commaundement do any neadfull worke thou hast to do but the seuenth day is the reste of the lorde thy God thou shalte do no worke that daye neyther thou nor thy sonne nor thy doughter neither thy seruante nor thy handmayde no not thyne oxe or asse neither the straunger that is withe in thy gates for in syxe dayes God made heauē and earth and all that is in them but the seuenth daye he rested wherfore he hathe blessed the day of reste and hath dedicate it peculiarly to hymselfe ¶ The minister Geueth God in commaundemente that men shall trauaile sixe dayes euery weeke and so reste the seuenth ¶ The childe No he doth not precisely commaunde it but rather he doth geue menne leaue to trauaile aboute theyr commen busines for the tyme of syxe dayes and so maketh a restraint onely of the seuēth in the which he forbiddeth to laboure ¶ The minister Are we then bounde by Gods commaundement to refrayne one daye in the weeke from al maner of labour ¶ The childe This commaundemente hath a certayne speciall consideration in it for as touchynge the obseruation of bodely reste it belongeth to that parte of the olde law which is called ceremonial the which ceremonies were vtterly abolished at the comming of Christ ¶ The minister Sayest thou then that this commaundemente belongeth peculyerly vnto the Iewes that God did geue it onely for the time of the olde testament ¶ The childe Yea verely as touchyng the ceremonie therof and the outwarde bodely reste to be obserued therin ¶ The minister Why then is there any other thyng conteyned in it besydes the ceremonie ¶ The childe Yea truely for there be three consyderacions for the whych this commādement was geuen ¶ The minister What are they ¶ The childe The first is Thre consideracions for the whiche the sabboth day was ordained that it myght be a figure to represente our spiritual rest The seconde for a comely order to be vsed in the church or congregation And thirdely for the refreshyng of seruantes that they myghte haue some reliefe of theyr trauaile ¶ The minister What is that thou callest spiritual rest ¶ The childe That we cease to doe the workes of oure owne lustes wyl that the lorde may bring forth the woorkes of hys spirite in oure heartes ¶ The minister How may we do this ¶ The childe By mortifying our flesche and subduing the inordinate affections of our nature to the end that Gods spirite onely maye beare rule in vs. ¶ The minister Are we bound to this rest but one daye in the weeke ¶ The childe The spirituall Sabboth is cōtynuall It is our bounden duetye to continue in this rest alwayes so that when we haue once begon to entre in to it we muste goe on forwarde whiles oure lyfe lasteth ¶ The minister Howe happeneth it then that there is but one daye appointed to represent figure vnto vs a thinge that dureth our whole lyfe ¶ The childe It is not necessarye that the figure or shaddowe of a thyng doe resēble throughly in all pointes the thinge it is ordeined to represente it is to be thought suffyciente if they agre be lyke in sonne pointes ¶ The minister And wherfore was the seuenth daye appointed rather then any other ¶ The childe The numbre of seuen The nomber of seuen doth sygnifie ād importe a certayne perfection in the holye scripture wherfore the seuenth daye was moste meete to sette out vnto vs a thing that should stil continue moreouer it putteth vs in remembraunce that our spirituall rest or quietnes is not full nor perfecte whyles we lyue in this world neyther shall it be absolutely broughte to perfection vntyll we departe thys lyfe ¶ The minister Sonday 27 What is mente by that which our lord alleageth here saying that it behoueth vs to reste for so muche as he hath done the same ¶ The childe When God had created al his woorkes in syxe dayes he dedicated or appointed the seuenth to the vewe and beholding of his workmanship And to the intent we might be the more easely induced to the consideration there of he bringeth foorth his owne exaumple for that there is nothinge of so muche worthines to be desyred as to become lyke vnto him ¶ The minister Must we than daily haue consideration and remembraunce of goddes woorkes or is it inough to haue minde of them one day in the weeke ¶ The childe Verely our bound duety is to haue bothe daylye hourely a reuerent consideracion of hys merueillous woorkes We are bownde to praise God continuallie in his woorkes but for that we are through frailtie so negligent forgetful there is one certain daye peculiarelye appointed to renew from time to time the remembraūce of this our duety and that is the politique ordre which I spake of ¶ The childe What maner of ordre ought the people to obserue in that day ¶ The childe As touchinge pollitique or dre for dayes They are bounde that daye to come together and to geue diligente eare to the woorde of God to make theyr prayers vnto God and finallye to make open profession of their faith and religion ¶ The minister What meanest thou by saying
this place where as moste perfite and godly iudgemēt dyd assure vs ād exhortatiōs to the same encorage vs we thoght it better to frame the ryme to the Hebrewe sense thē to bynde that sense to the Englishe meter and so either altered for the better in suche places as he had not attayned vnto or els where he had escaped parte of the verse or some tymes the whole we added the same not as men desyrous to finde fautes but onely as suche which couuete to hyde theym as the learned can iudge It remayneth last of all that you vnderstande the reasons which mouede vs to chuse owte and followe this Catechisme of Geneua rather then any other for consyderinge that the true vse of a Catechisme is to instruct a christian fully in all pointes of belief and christian religion ād wherein this is moste easely order ly and perfitely taught that to be the best we coulde fynde none in so great a nombre which either for the facilitie is equall or els for the perfectiō to be compared Moreouer the daungers which hang ouer Christes Church in these dais moued vs verie muche for as men may see present signes of certaine barbarousnes and puddells of errors whiche are lyke to chaūce in the chur che of god so there is no better preseruation against the same then if all godly churches wolde agre in one kinde of doctrine and confession of faith which in all points were agreable to gods holy worde 48. Psal 89. a. that our posteritie might be confirmed by the vniuersall example of Christes Churche against all heresies persecutions and other daungers perceuinge that it is not onely the doctrine of one man but the consent of the whole christian church and that wherein all yowthe hathe bene broght vp and trayned in The which thinge seinge none hath so farre performed nor yet is in such towardnes to the same as this Catechisme is being for the worthines therof already translated into Hebrue Greeke Latin frenche Italian Spaynishe Dutch and Englishe we cowld do no lesse but willingly and gladly embrase the same Wherfore we beinge nowe vnder the same crosse of affliction that you owr deare brethern are and yet altogether the childrē of God our mercifull father through Iesus Christ desir you in his name with iudgement to reade our doings tryinge theym onely by the towchestone of his worde that either if they be founde fawtie they may be reiected or els if they be profitable god may be glorifyede his churche edifyed and the malicious confounded Fare wel deare bretherne and let vs all pray to our louinge god that he wold be mercifull vnto vs restore his holy woorde comfort and strengthen his children and finally confounde Satan Antichrist and all his enymies At Geneua the .10 of february Anno. 1556. THE CONfession of our faithe Which are assembled in the Englishe cōgregation at Geneua I beleue in god the father almightie maker of heauen and earth I 1 Rom. 10. b. BELEVE and cōfesse 2 Gen. 17. b. Psal 63. a. 139. a my lorde God eternal infinite vnmeasurable incomprehensible and inuisible 3 Gen. 1. a. Ephe. 4. a. one in substāce and 4 Gen. 1. d. 1. Io. 3. b. matt 3. d. 28. d three in persone father sonne and holy ghoste who by his almightie 5 Heb. 1. a. Prouer. 8. c. power and wisdome hathe not onely of 6 Gen. 1. a. Iere. 32. b. Psal 33. c. nothinge created heauen earthe and all thinges therein cōteyned and man after his owne 7 Gen. 1. d. Ephe. 4. c. Col. 3. b. image that he might in hym be 8 1. Cor. 6. d. Iohn 17. a. prouer 16. a. glorifiede but also by his 9 Matt. 6. d. luc 12. c. 1. Peter 5. c. Philip. 4.2 fatherlye prouidēce gouerneth maynteyneth and preserueth the same accordinge to the 10 Ephe. 1. b. purpose of his will And in Iesus Christe his onely sonne our lord I Beleue also and cōfesse 1 Matt. 1. d. act 4. b. 1. Tim. 1. d. Iesus Christe the onely sauiour and Messias who beinge equall with 2 Ioh. 1. c. philip 2. a 1. Tim. 3. d. 1. Ioh. 5. d. rom 9. b. God made him self of no reputation but tooke on him the shape of a seruant and became 3 Hebr. 2. d. philip 2. b. 1. Peter 2. d. 1. Ioh. 3. a. man in all thinges like vnto vs synne except to 4 Rom. 8. f. g. 1. Ioh. 2. a. assure vs of mercie and forgiuenes For whē through our father 5 Gen. 3. a. rom 5. d. Ephe. 2. a. Gal. 3. b. Adams transgression we were become childrene of perdition there was no meanes to bring vs from that yoke of synne and damnatiō but 6 Act. 4. b. 1. peter 2. a. Isaie 28. d. rom 9. g. onely Iesus Christe our lord who giuinge vs that by grace which was his by 7 Ioh. 1. b. Hebr. 1. c. rom 1. a. psal 2. c. nature made vs through faith the 8 Gal. 3. d. rom 8. c. ioh 1. d. ephe 1. a. childrene of God who whē the 9 Gal. 4. a. Act. 2. c. fulnes of tyme was come was cōceyued by the power of the 10 Isai 7. c. luk 1. d. rom 1. a. holy ghoste Which was conceyued by the holie ghost borne of the vigine Marie Suffered vnder Pōtius Pilate was crucifiede◠deade an◠buried borne of the virgine Marie accordinge to the fleshe and 11 Act. 10. f. rom 1. a. preached in earthe the gospell of saluatiō tyll at lenght by tyrānye of the 12 Ioh. 7. e. 11. f. g. 12. c. matt 12. b. 27. b. luk 23. c. Isa 53. a. priestes he was gilteles cōdemned vnder Pōtius Pilate thē presidēt of Iurie ād moste slaunderously hanged on the crosse betwixte two theues as a notorious trespasser where takinge vpō hym the 13 Gal. 3. b. punishement of our synnes he delyuered vs frome the curse of the lawe And forasmoche as he beinge onely God could not feele deathe nether beinge onely man could ouercome deathe he ioyned bothe to gether and suffred his humanitie to be punished with moste cruell death felinge in him selfe the anger and seuere iudgement of God euen as if he had bene in the extreme 14 Act. 2. d. 1. peter 2. d. Isai 53. c. tormētes of hell He discended into hell and therfore cryed with a lowde voice 15 Psal 22. a. matt 27. c. My God my God why haste thou forsaken me Thus of his 16 Isa 53. a. hebr 9. c. 10. c gal 1. a. rom 4. d. 5. b. 1. Ioh. 1. b. fre mercie without compulsion he offred vp him selfe as the onely sacrifice to purge the synnes of all the world so that all other sacrifices for synne are blasphemous and derogate frome the sufficiencie herof The which death albeit it did sufficiently 17 Col. 1. c. reconcile vs to God yet the scriptures
must procede to the Apostolicall rodd and correction Excommunication is the last remedie as vnto excommunication which is the greatest and last ponishement belonginge to the spirituall ministerie it is ordeyned that nothinge be attempted in that behalf with out the determination of the whole churche wherein also they must be ware and take good heede Rigor in ponishements oght to be auoyded that they seme not more readie to expell frome the congregation then to receyue againe those in whome they perceyue worthie frutes of repentance to appeare Neither yet to forbyd hym the hearinge of sermons which is excluded frome the sacraments and other duties of the churche that he may haue libertie and occasion to repent Finally that all ponishementes corrections Gods Woord is the onely rule of discipline censures and admonitions stretche no farther then Gods woorde with mercie may lawfully beare MATTH XV. They worshipe me in vayne teachinge doctrine which is mens traditions Come forthe of Babylon my people that ye be not partakers of her synnes nor receyue of her plagues for her synnes are gone vp to heauen and God hath remembred her wickednes Reuel 18. ONE AND FIFTIE PSALMES OF DAVID IN ENGLIshe metre wherof .37 were made by Thomas Sterneholde ād the rest by others Cōferred with the hebrewe and in certeyn places corrected as the text and sens of the Prophete required INTRATE PER ARCTAMVIAM Iam. 5. Yf any be afflicted let him pray and if any be merye let him singe Psalmes ONE AND FIFTIE PSALMES OF DAVID in Englishe metre wherof 37. were made by Thomas Sterneholde and the rest by others cōferred with the Hebrewe and in certeine places corrected as the text and sens of the Prophete required Beatus vir qui non abiit Psalme I. Th. Ster ¶ whether it was Esdras or any other that gathered the Psalmes into a booke it semeth he did sett this psalme first in maner of a preface to exhorte all godely men to studie and meditate the heauenly wisdome for the effect hereof is that they be happie which giue them selues wholy all their life to gods lawe And that the wicked contemners of God thogh they seme for a whyle fortunate yet at length shall come to miserable distruction when a man hath geuē once place to his cōcupiscence he beginneth to forget him selfe in his synne and so at lēgth falleth into a contempt of god which the prophet here calleth the chayre or seat of scorners THe man is blest that hath not bent to wicked rede his eare nor led his lyf as synners do nor sate in scorners chayre But in the law of god the lorde doth set his whole delight and in that law doth exercyse hymselfe both day and nyght verse 3 3 He shall be like the tree that groweth Ier. 17. b. fast by the riuer side Which brīgeth forth moste pleasant fruit in her due tyme and tyde Whose leafe shall neuer fade nor fall but florishe still and stande Euen so all thinges shall prosper well that this man takth in hande verse 4 4 So shall not the vngodly men Althogh the wicked seme to beare the swinge in this worlde yet the Lorde scattereth them like chaffe with a blast of his mouthe they shal be nothyng so But as the dust which from the earth the wyndes dryue to and fro verse 5 5 Therfore shall not the wicked men in iudgement stande vpryght nor yet the synners with the iuste shall come in place or sight verse 6 6 For why the way of godly men vnto the lorde is knowen And eke the waye of wicked men shall quite be ouerthrowen Quare fremuerunt Psal II. Th. Ster ¶ The Ptophete Dauid reioyseth that notwithstāding his ennemies rage and worldly power yet God wyll contynew his kyndome for euer and aduance it euen to the formost end of the worlde And therfore exhorteth kyngs and rulers that settinge vaine glorie a part they wolde humbly submit them selues vnder Gods yoke for it is in vaine to resist Here in is figured Christ and his kyngdome Vhy did the gentiles tumultes rayse what rage was in theyr brayne why dyd the Iewish people muse seyng all ys but vayne The kynges and rulers of the earth cōspire and are all bent agaynst the lord and Christ his sone which he amonge vs sent verse 3 3 Shal we be bound to them saye they let al theyr “ In heb great ropes or cables bondes be broke And of theyr doctrine and theyr lawe let vs reiect the yoke verse 4 4 But he that in the heauen dwelth theyr doynges will deride And make them all as mocking stockes throughout the worlde so wide verse 5 5 For in his wrath the lord will speake to them vpon a daye And in his fury rrouble them and than the lorde wyl saye verse 6 6 I haue annoynted him my kynge vpon my holy hill I will therfore lord preache thy lawes and eke declare thy will verse 7 7 For in this wyse the Lorde hymself did saye to me I wotte Thou art my deare and onely sonne to “ That is to say as touching mans knowlladge because it was the first tyme that Dauid appeared to be elected of god So it is applied to Christe because he was then first manifested to the worlde daye I the begot verse 8 8 All people I shal geue to thee as heyres at thy request The endes and coastes of al the earth by thee shal be possest verse 9 9 Thow shalt thē bruse euē with a mace as men vnder fote trodd And as the potters sheards shalt breake them with an yron rodd verse 10 10 Now ye O kinges and rulers al be wyse therfore and learnde By whome the matters of the world be iudged and discernde An exhortatiō to wicked rulers to repent verse 11 11 Se that ye serue the lorde aboue in trembling and in feare Se that with reuerence ye reioyce to him in lyke manere verse 12 12 Se that ye In signe of homage kisse and eke embrace his blessed sonne I say Lest in his wrath ye sodenly perishe in the For when they shall say peace and sauetie then shall the distrustion sodenly come 1. Thes 5. a. midd way verse 13 13 If once his wrath neuer so smale shall kiendle in his breast O then all they that trust in Christe shall happie be and blest Domine quà m multiplicati sunt Psal III. Tho. Ster ¶ Dauid beinge persecuted and driuen out of his kingdome by his owne sonne Absalom was greately tormented in mynd for his synnes against God ād therfore calleth vpō God and waxeth boulde through his promesses against the great terrors of his ennemies yea and against death it selfe which he sawe present before his eyes Finally he reioyseth for the good successe and victorie that God gaue him and all the churche ouer his ennemies Lord how are my foes encreast which vexe me more ād more They kyll my hart when as they say god
in those days I meane to thee they shall present â—e attributeth the victorie to god their giftes of laude and praise verse 30 30 He shall destroye the speremens raÌ„cks these calues and bulles of might and cause them tribute paye and daunt all such as loue to fight verse 31 31 Then shall the lords of Aegypt come and presents with them bringe The Mores moste blacke shall stretche their hands vnto their lord and kynge verse 32 32 Therfore ye kyngdomes of the earth giue praise vnto the lorde singe psalmes to god with one consent therto let all accorde Selah 33 Who thogh he ride and euer hath aboue the heauens bright yet by the fearfull thunderclappes men may well knowe his might verse 34 34 Therfore the strength of Israel ascribe to God on hye whose might power doth farre extend aboue the cloudy skye verse 35 35 O god thy holynes and power is drad for euermore the god of Israell giuth vs strength praysed be god therfore Quam bonus Israell Psal LXXIII Th. St. ¶ The Prophete teacheth by his example that neyther the wordlie prosperitie of the vngodlie nor yet the affliction of the good oght to discourage gods children but rather oght to moue vs to consider our fathers prouidence and to cawse vs to reuerence godes iudgementes for asmuche as the wicked vanyshe awaye lyke smoke and the godlie enter into lyfe euerlastyng In hope wherof he resigneth hym selff into godes handes HOw euer it be yet god ys good and kinde to Israell And to all such as safely kepe theyr conscience pure and well Yet lyke a fole I almost slipt my feete began to slyde and or I wyst euen at a pinche my steps awrie gan glide verse 3 3 For when I sawe suche folishe men I grudgd and did disdayne That wicked men all things should haue without turmoile or payne verse 4 4 They neuer suffer panges nor grief as if deathe should theym smyte Their bodies are bothe stowte and strong and euer in good plite verse 5 5 And free from al aduersitie when other men be shent And with the reste they take no parte of plage or punishement verse 6 6 Therfore presumption dothe embrace their neckes as dothe a chayne and are euen wrapte as in a robe with rapine and disdayne verse 7 7 They are so fed that euen for fatt their eies oftymes oute starte And as for worldely goodes they haue more then can wisshe theire harte verse 8 8 Their lyfe is moste licentious boasting muche of the wronge Which they haue done to symple men and euer pride among verse 9 9 The heauens and the liuing lord they spare not to blaspheme And prate they do on worldely things no wight they do esteme verse 10 10 The people of god ofte tymes turne backe to see their prosperous state How harde it is for gods children them selues to auoide the tentations of the worlde And almoste drinke the selfe same cup and follow the same rate verse 11 11 How can it be that god say they should know and vnderstand These worldely thinges since wicked men be lordes of sea and land verse 12 12 For we may see howe wicked men in riches still encrease Rewarded well with worldly goodes and liue in rest and peace verse 13 13 Than why doe I from wickednes my fantasy refraine And washe my handes with innocentes and clense my heart in vaine verse 14 14 And suffer scourges euery day as subiect to all blame And euery mornyng from my youth susteine rebuke and shame verse 15 15 And I had almost sayd as they misliking myne estate Gods children oght not to be contemned because the worldelings are preferred in dignitie and worldely honors But that I should thy children iudge as folke vnfortunate * 16 Than I bethoght me how I might this matter vnderstande But yet the labour was to great for me to take in hande verse 17 17 Vntil the tyme I went into thy holy place and then I vnderstode right perfitly the ende of al these men verse 18 18 And namely how thou settest them vpon a slippery place And at thy pleasure and thy wil thou doest them al deface verse 19 19 Then all meÌ„ muse at that straÌ„ge sight to see how sodenlye they are destroyd dispatcht consumd and dead so horribly verse 20 20 Muche like a dreame when one a waketh so shall their wealth decaye their famous names in all mens sight shall ebbe and passe awaye verse 21 21 Yet thus my hart was grieued then my mynd was much opprest verse 22 22 So fond was I and ignoraunt and in “ Heb. before thee thys point a beast verse 23 23 Yet neuertheles by my right hande thou holdst me alwayes faste verse 24 24 And with thy counsell doest me gide to glorye at the laste verse 25 25 What thyng is there that I can wisshe but thee in heauen aboue Neither superstition nor yet feare or subtiltie of man colde drawe him from the true woorshipinge of God and in the earthe there is nothyng lyke thee that I can loue verse 26 26 My flesh and eke my heart do faile but God doth fayle me neuer For of my heart God is the strength my porcyon eke for euer verse 27 27 And loe all suche as “ thee forsake thou shall destroye eychone Heb. go a whooring from thee And those that trust in any thyng sauinge in thee alone verse 28 28 Therfore will I drawe nere to god and euer with him dwell In god alone I put my trust thy wonders will I tell Attendite Psal LXXVIII Th. St. ¶ He sheweth how god of his mercy chose his churche of the posteritie of Abraham castyng in their teathe the stubburne rebellion of their fathers that the children might not onelie vnderstande that god of his free mercie made his couenaunte with their auncitors but also seing them so malicious and peruerse might be asshamed and so turne wholie to god In this psalme the holy ghoste hath coprehended as it were the some of all godes benefites to the intent the ignorant and grosse people might see in fewe wordes theffecte of the whole stories Attend my people to my law and to my wordes enclyne my mouth shall speak straÌ„ge parables and sentences diuine which we our selues haue heard and learnde euen of our fathers olde and which for our instruction our fathers haue vs tolde verse 4 4 Because we should not kepe it close from them that shoulde come after Who shulde gods power to their race praise and all his workes of wonder verse 5 5 To Iacob he commandement gaue Deut. 6. a. howe Israell shoulde lyue Willing our fathers shulde thesame vnto their children geue verse 6 6 That they and their posteritie God hath left his worde for to be vnderstande of all men exceptinge nother degre nor age that were not spronge vp tho Shoulde haue the knowledge of the lawe and teache their seede also verse 7 7
he is a buckler and defence verse 12 12 The lorde hath vs in mynde and will vs blesse eichone the house I meane of Israel and the tribe of Aaron The litle ones aÌ„d cast awaies of the worlde be as neare to god as the great princes and maÌ„ of estate verse 13 13 And blesse will he all them that feare the lorde in deed as well the weake as them of strength which seeke to him at neede verse 14 14 With graces manifolde the lorde will all you blesse as wel your seede as you your selues with plentie and increase verse 15 15 For ye are deare to him that Lord is ouer all which made bothe heauen and the earth and things bothe great and smale verse 16 16 The heauens are the lords as his own dwellinge place but vnto men the earth he giueth ther on to runne their race verse 17 17 Surely they that are dead shall neuer praise the lord seinge god had elected this people to be glorified in if they had perished his glorie shuâ—de haue bene diminisshed Nor suche as in the graue are layd shall ther vnto accorde verse 18 18 But we that do here lyue shall thancke the Lord always with hart and mouthe singe thanks will we like wise all you him prayse Ad Dominum Psal CXX Th. Ster ¶ The praier of Dauid beiÌ„g now banished emoÌ„g the barbarous people of Arabia by the false reportes of enuious flaterers And therfore he lameÌ„teth his longe abode amongs those infidells who were geuen to all kinde of wickednes and contention IN trouble and in thrall vnto the lord I call and he doth me comfort deli er me I say from lyers lyppes alway and tonge of false report verse 4 4 What vantage or what thinge getest thou thus for to stinge thou false and flattering lier verse 5 5 Thy tongue doth hurt I wene no lesse then arrowes kene Of whote consumyng fyre verse 6 6 Alas to longe Islake He meaneth the shepherds tentes of Arabia which we re blacke with wether Can. 1. with in these tentes so blake which kedars are by name By whome the folke elect And al of Isaackes sect Are put to open shame verse 7 7 With them that peace did hate I came a peace to make And set a quyet lyfe verse 8 8 But when my woorde was tolde Causeles I was controld By them that would haue stryfe Ad te leuaui Psal CXXIII Th. St. ¶ A prayer of the faithfull which are afflicted by the wicked worldelinges and contemners of God O Lord that heauen doest possesse I lyft myne eyes to thee euen as the seruant lyfteth his his maisters haÌ„des to see As handmaides watch their mistres haÌ„des some grace for to atchyeue so we behold the lord our god tyll he do vs forgeue verse 4 4 Lorde graunte vs thy compassion and mercy in thy sight For we be fylled and ouercome with hatred and despyght verse 5 5 Our myndes be stuffed with great rebuke the ryche and worldly wyse Doe make of vs their mocking stocke the proude doe vs despyse Beati omnes Psal CXXVIII Th. St. ¶ He describeth the prosperous estate of theÌ„ that be maryed in the feare of god ioyning with all the promese of gods blessings to all them that liue in this honorable estate accordinge to his commandements BLessed art thou that feaâ•Œrest god and walkest in his waye for of thy labour thou shalte eate happie art thou I say Like fruitfull vines on the house sydes so doth thy wife springe out thy children staÌ„de lyke olyue plaÌ„tes thy table rounde about verse 4 4 Thus art thou blest that fearest God and he shal let thee see The promised Ierusalem and his felicitie verse 5 5 Thou shalt thy childrens children see to thy great ioyes increase and likewise grace on Israel prosperitie and peace Deprofund is clamaui Psal CXXX ¶ An effectuous prayer of him that for his synnes had susteyned great afflictions and not withstandinge he fully trusteth and assureth him selfe to obtayne mercye and forgiuenes of his synnes and at length delyuerance from all euells LOrde to thee I make my mone when daungers me oppresse I call I sygh playne aÌ„d grone trustinge to finde relesse Heare now ò Lorde my requeste for it is full due tyme and let thin eares aye be preste vnto this prayer myne verse 3 3 O lorde my God if thou waye our synnes and them peruse No man is iuste in gods sight who shall then escape and saye I can my selfe excuse verse 4 4 But lorde thou art mercifull and tournest to vs thy grace that we with hartes moste carefull shulde feare before thy face verse 5 5 In god I put my whole truste my soule waiteth on his will for his promes is moste iuste and I hope therin still verse 6 6 My soule to god hath regarde wisshinge for him all waye more then they that watche and warde to see the dawninge daye verse 7 7 Let Israel then boldelye in the lorde put hys truste he is that god of mercie that his delyuer muste verse 8 8 For he it is that muste saue Israel from hys synne and all suche as surelie haue their confidence in him Ecce quà m bonum Psal CXXXIII ¶ This psalme conteyneth the commendation of godly aÌ„d brotherly amytie which for the excellencie therof is compared to the moste precious oyle wher with the priestes only and instruments of the tabernacle were annoynted Exod. 30. O How happie a thinge it is and ioyfull for to see bretherne together fast to holde the bande of amitie It calleth to mynde that swete perfume and that costelye oyntemeÌ„t * which on the sa crifi cers head by gods precept was spent verse 3 3 It wette not Aarons heade alone but drencht his bearde throughout and finally it dyd renne doune his riche atyre about verse 4 4 And as the lower grounde doth drincke the dewe of Hermon hill and Zion with his siluer dropes the fields with fruite doth fill Euenso the lorde doth powre on them his blessings manyfolde These two laste verses ar songe at this marke * whose heartes and myndes without all gile this knot do kepe and holde Super flumina Babylonis Psal CXXXVII ¶ The people of god in their banishement seinge gods true religion decaye lyued in great anguishe aÌ„d sorrowe of hearte the which grief the Chaldeans did so litell pitie that they rather increased the same daily with tauntes reproches and blasphemies against god wherfore the Israelites desire god first to ponishe the Edomites who prouoked the Babylonians against them and moued by the sprite of god prophecie the destruction of Babylon wher they were handeled so tyrannouslye VVhen as we sate in Babylon the riuers round about and in remembrance of Sion the teares for grief braste out we hangd our harpes and instruments the willowe trees vppon for in that place men for their vse had planted many one God suffieth sometymes the wicked to vexe and torment
in afflictiō 9 But nowe a waye from me all ye that woorke iniquitie For why the Lorde hath hearde the voyce of my complaynt and crye verse 10 10 He hearde not onely the requeste and prayer of my heart But it receyued at my hande and tooke it in good parte verse 11 11 And nowe my foes that vexed me the Lorde wil soone defame And sodenly confounde them all to theyr rebuke and shame Domine Deus meus Psalme VII Th. St. ¶ Being falsely accused by Chus one of Sauls kynsemen he calleth to God to be his defender to whom he comendeth his innocencie first shewinge that his conscience did not accuse him of any euell towards Saul Next that it touched Gods glorie to awarde sentence against the wicked And so entringe into the consideration of Gods mercies and promesse he waxeth bolde and derideth the vaine enterprises of his ennemies threateninge that it shall fall on their own necks that which they haue purposed for others O Lord my god I put my trust and confidēce in thee saue me from them that me pursue and eke deliuer me Lest lyke a ‖ Saul lyon he me teare and rent in pieces small whyles there ys none to soccour me and ryde me out of thrall Wherwith Chus chargeth me He reioyseth that god only doth approue his cause 4 O Lorde my God if I haue done the thyng that is not ryght Or elles if I be founde in faut or gyltie in thy syght verse 5 5 Or to my friend rewarded euell or left him in distresse Which me persued moste cruelly and hated me causeles A signe of a pure consciēce 6 Than let my foes pursue my soule and eke my lyfe downe thrust Vnto the earth and also laye Selah myne honour in the duste verse 7 7 Stert vp o Lorde now in thy wrath and put my foes to payne perfourme thy kyngdome promesed to me which wronge sustaine verse 8 8 Then shall great nations come to thee and knowe thee by this thinge yf thow declare for loue of them thy selfe as lord and kynge verse 9 9 And thou that art of all men iudge O Lorde now iudge thou me According to my “ as thouchinge my behauior towards Saul and myn ennemies ryghteousnes and myne integritie verse 10 10 Lord ceasse the hate of wicked men and be the iust mans guide By whome the secrets of all heartes are searched and descryed verse 11 11 I take my helpe to come of God in all my griefe and smart That doeth preserue all those that be of pure and perfect hearte verse 12 12 The iust man and the wicked bothe god iudgeth by his power So that he feleth his mightie hand euen euery day and houre verse 13 13 Except he change his mynd I dye He derideth Sauls enterprises beinge surely persuaded to be preserued by gods fauor for euen as he shuld smite he wheth his sweorde his bowe he bēdth aymynge where he may hite verse 14 14 And doth prepare his mortall darts his arrowes kene and sharpe for them that do me persecute The wicked seme to labor of childe till they haue copassed their mischiefs Isa 26. c. The wicked man is beate with his own rodd whiles he doth mischief warpe verse 15 15 But loe thogh he in trauaill be of his diuelish forcast and of his mischief once conceiued yet bringth forth noght at last verse 16 16 He diggeth a ditch and delueth it diepe in hope to hurte his brother But he shall fall into the pyt that he dygde vp for other verse 17 17 Thus wrong returneth to the hurt of hym in whome it bred And al the mischiefe that he wroght shal fall vpon his head verse 18 18 I wil geue thankes to god therfore that iudgeth rightuously And with my songe shall praise the name of him that is moste hye Domine Dominus noster Psal VIII Th. St. ¶ The Prophete consideringe the excellent liberalitie and fatherlie prouidence of God towards man whom he made as it were a God ouer all his woorks dothe not onlie giue great thanckes but is astonished with the admiratiō of the same as one nothinge able to compas suche great mercies and so endeth O God our lord how wonder full are thy workes euery where whose fame surmount in dignitye aboue the heauens cleare Euē by the mouthes of suckyng babes thou wylt cōfoūde thy foes for in these babes thy myght ys sene thy graces they disclose verse 4 4 And when I see the heauens hygh the woorkes of thyne owne hande The Sunne the Moone ād all the starres in ordre as they stande verse 5 5 What thing is man lord thynke I than that thou dost him remembre Or what is mannes posteritie that thou doest it considre Herein appeareth the great loue of god towards man Hebr. 2. 6 For thou hast made hym litle lesse then Angels in degree And thou hast crouned hym also with glory and dygnitie verse 7 7 Thou hast preferd him to be lord of al thy woorkes of woonder And at his feete hast sette al thynges that he should kepe them vnder verse 8 8 As shepe and neate and al beastes ells that in the fieldes doe fede verse 9 9 Foules of the ayre fyshe in the sea and al that therein brede verse 10 10 Therfore must I saye once agayne O God that art our Lorde Howe famouse and how wonderfull are thy workes through the worlde Confitebor tibi Psal IX Th. Ster ¶ After he had giuen thancks to God for the sondrye victories that he had sent him against his ennemies and also prouen by manifold experience how readie God was at hand in all his troubles he beinge nowlikewise in danger of newe ennemies desireth God to helpe him accordinge to his wont and destroye the malicious arrogancie of his aduersaries VVith hart and mouth vnto the lord wyll I synge laude and prayse and speak of all thy wonderous works and them declare alwais I wyll be glad and much reioyce in the o god most hye and make my songes extoll thy name aboue the starrie skie verse 4 4 For that my foes are drieuen backe and turned vnto flyght They fal down flat and are destroyed by thy great force and myght verse 5 5 Thou hast reuenged al my wrong God only defendeth the iuste cause my griefe and al my grudge Thou dost with iustice heare my cause most lyke a righteous iudge verse 6 6 Thou dost rebuke the heathen folke and wicked so confounde That afterward the memory of them cannot be founde verse 7 7 My foe thou haste made good dispatche and all oure townes destroyed Thou haste theire fame with theym defaced through all the worlde so wide verse 8 8 Knowe thow that he which is aboue for euermore shall raigne And in the seate of equitie true iudgement will maintayne verse 9 9 With iustice he will kepe guyde the world and euery wight And so will yeld with equitie to euerie man his right
obserueth in kepyng his promyses Concludyng that when all orders are moste corrupted then will God deliuer his HElpe lord for good and godly men do perish and decaye and fayth and trueth frome wordly men is parted cleane away whoso doth with his neybour talke his talk ys all but vayne for euery mā bethinketh how to flatter lye and fayne verse 4 4 But flatteryng and deceitfull lyppes and tonges that be so stoute To speake prowde wordes ād make great bragges the lorde sone cut theym oute verse 5 5 For they saye still we will preuayle our tonges shal vs extolle Our tongues are oures we ought to speke what lord shal vs control verse 6 6 But for the great complaynt crye of poore and men opprest The lord doth delyuer his frō all dangers Aryse wil I now sayth the lorde and them restore to rest verse 7 7 Gods woorde is lyke to siluer pure that from the earth is tryde And hath no lesse then seuen tymes in fyre bene purifyde God can not deceiue them that put their trust in him 8 Now synce thy promes is to helpe lorde kepe thy promes then And saue vs now and euermore from this il kynde of men verse 9 9 For nowe the wicked worlde is full of mischiefes manyfolde Whan vanitie with mortal men so highly is extolde Vsquequo Domine Psal XIII Th. Ster ¶ Dauid as it were ouercorne with sondrie and newe afflictions fleeth to God as his onelie refuge and so at the lengthe beyng encoraged through godes promesses he cōceyueth moste sure confidence agaynste the extreme horrors of deathe HOw long wilt thow forget me lord shall I neuer be remembred how long wilt thow thy visage hide as though thou were offēdid In hart ād mynde how lōge shall I with care tormented be how long eke shall my deadly foe thus tryumphe ouer me verse 3 3 Beholde me now my lorde my god and heare me sore oppreste lighten myne eies leste that I sleape as one by deathe posseste verse 4 4 Lest thus myne enmye saye to me beholde I doe preuayle Lest they also that hate my soule reioyce to see me quayle The mercie of god is the cause of our saluation 5 But for thy mercys and goodnes my hope shall neuer starte in thy relief and sauyng helthe right glad shal be my harte verse 6 6 I will gyue thankes vnto the lorde and prayses to hym synge becawse he hathe hearde my requeste and granted my wysshyng Dixit insipiens in corde Psal XIIII Th. Ster ¶ He describeth the peruerse nature of men which were so growen to lycentiousnes that god was bro ght to vtter contempte for the which thyng althogh he was greatlie greaued yet beyng perswaded that God wolde send some present remedy he comforteth hym self and others THere ys no god as folish men affirme in their mad mode theyr driftes are all corrupt and vaine not one of them doth good the lord behelde rome heauen high the whole race of mankynd and saw not one that sought in dede the liuyng god to fynde verse 3 3 They went al wyde were corrupt and truely there was none That in the world dyd any good I say there was not one verse 4 4 Is all theyr iudgement so farre loste that all worke mischief still eatyng my people euen as bread not one to seeke godes will verse 5 5 When they thus rage then sodenly great feare on theym shall fall for god dothe loue the rightuousmen and will mayntayne theym all verse 6 6 Ye mocke the doynges of the poore to they re reproche and shame bycause they put their trust in god and call vppon his name verse 7 7 But who shall gyue thy people helth wher wicked men raigne all felicitie is but verie slauerie like to Aegypt or Babylon and when wilt thou fulfil The promise made to Israel from out of Syon hyl verse 8 8 Euen when thou shalt restore agayn suche as were captiues lad Than Iacob shall therin reioyce and Israel shall be glad Domine quis habitabit Psal XV. Th. Ster ¶ This psal teacheth on what condicion god dyd chuse the Iewes for his peculiar people and wherfore he placed his temple amonges theym which was to the intent that they by lyuyng vprightlie and godlie might wittenes that they were his speciall and holy people O Lord within thy tabernacle who shall in habit still or whome wilt thou receaue to dwell in thy most holy hyll The mā whose lyfe is vncorrupt whose workes are iuste and strayght whose hart doth thynke the very truth whose tong speaketh no disceyte verse 3 3 Nor to his neighbour doth none ill in body goodes or name Nor willinglie dothe heare false tales which might empere the same verse 4 4 That in his heart regardeth not malicious wicked men But those that loue and feare the lord he maketh much of them His othe and al his promises that kepeth faythfully Although he make his couenaunt so that he doth lose therby verse 5 5 That putteth not to vsury his money and his coyne Ne for to hurt the innocent doth brybe or els purloyne Thē the which do not this shal be cast out of the churche with Ismael and the hypocrites Who so doth al thing as ye see that here is to be done Shal neuer perishe in this worlde nor in the world to come Conserua me Domine Psal XVI Th. Ster ¶ Dauid prayeth to god for succor not for his workes but for his faithes sake protestyng that he hateth all Idolatrie takyng God onely for his comforte and felicitie who suffereth his to lacke nothinge LOrde kepe me for I trust in thee and doo confesse in dede thou art my god and of my good ò lorde thou hast no nede I geue my goodnes to the sayntes that in the world do dwell and namely to the fayth full flock in vertu that excell verse 4 4 They shall heape sorrowes on their heads which runne as they were madd to offer to the idole gods alas it is to badd As for theyr blouddy sacrifice He wold nether by outward profession nor in hart consent with Idolatres and offringes of that sort I will not touche nor yet therof my lippes shall make reporte verse 5 5 For why the lord the porcion is of myne inheritaunce and thou art he that doest mayntayn my rent my lot my chaunce verse 6 6 The place wherein my lot did fal in beauty did excel Myne heritage assynde to me doth please me wonderous wel verse 7 7 I thanke the lord that counseld me to vnderstand the right for by his meanes my secret thoghtes do teache me euery night The faithfull are sure to perseuer to the end verse 8 8 I set the lorde still in my sight and trust hym ouer all for he dothe stand on my right hand therfore I shall not fall verse 9 9 Wherfore my hart and tong also do bothe reioyse together my fleshe and bodie reste in hope when
aÌ„d wretchednes ys hyd and also couered aÌ„d blest ys he to whom the lorde imputeth not his sinne which in his hart hath hid no gyle nor fraude is founde therin verse 4 4 For whiles that I kept close my sinne in silence and constraynte My bones did weare and wast awaye with dayly “ Heb. roaringe mone and playnte verse 5 5 For night and day thy hande on me so greuouse was and smerte That al my bloud and humors moist to drynesse did conuerte Selah verse 6 6 I did therfore confesse my faute and all my sinnes discouer Isa 65. d. Then thou ò lord didst me forgiue and all my synnes passe ouer Selah verse 7 7 The humble man shall pray therfore and seeke thee in due tyme So that the floudes of “ The iuste maÌ„ shall not fhrincke for any aduersitie Selah waters great shall haue no power on him verse 8 8 Whan trouble and aduersitie doe compasse me aboute Thou art my refuge and my ioye and thou doest rydde me out verse 9 9 Come hither and I shall thee teache how thow shalt walke aright and wil thee guyde as I my self haue learned by profe and sight verse 10 10 Be not so rude and ignoraunte as is the horsse and mule Whose mouth without a rayne or byt from harme thou canst not rule verse 11 11 The wicked man shall manifold sorrowes and grieues sustayne But vnto him that trusteth in God hys goodnes shall remayne verse 12 12 Be merye therefore in the lorde ye iuste lyft vp youre voyce And ye of pure and perfecte hearte be glad and eke reioyce Exultate iusti Psal XXXIII I. H. ¶ He exhorteth good men to praise god for that he hath not only created all things and by his prouidence gouerneth the same but also is faithfull in his promeses He vnderstandeth mans heart and scatereth the counsell of the wicked So that no man can be preserued by any creature or mans strength but they that put their confidence in his mercie shall be preserued from all aduersitie YE righteous in the lord reioyce it ys a semely syght that vpright men with thank full voyce shuld prayse the god of might Prayse ye the lorde with harpe and songe in psalmes and pleasant thinges with lute and instrument amonge that soundeth with ten stringes verse 3 3 Syng to the Lorde a song most newe With courage geue him prayse verse 4 4 For why his woorde is euer true His woorkes and al his wayes verse 5 5 To iudgement equitie and ryght He hath a great good wil And with his giftes he doth delyght The earth throughout to fill Gen. 1. a. 6 For by the woorde of God alone The heauens al were wroghte Their hostes and powers euerychone Hys breath to passe hath broghte verse 7 7 The waters greate gathered hath he On heapes within the shore And hyd them in the depth to be As in an house of store verse 8 8 Al men on earth both least and most Feare god and kepe his lawe Ye that inhabite in eiche coste Drede hym and stand id awe verse 9 9 What he commaunded wroght it was At once with present spede What he doth wil is broght to passe With ful effect in dede verse 10 10 The counsels of the nacions rude No couÌ„sell can preuaill againest god but shall haue euell successe The lord doth dryue to noght He doth defeate the multitude Of theyr deuyse and thoght verse 11 11 But hys decrees continue stil They neuer slake or swage The mocions of his mynde and will Take place in euery age verse 12 12 O blest are they to whome the Lorde As God and guyde is knowne Whome he doth chose of mere accord To take them as hys owne verse 13 13 The lord from heauen cast his syghte On men mortal by byrth verse 14 14 Considering from hys seate of might The dwellers on the earth verse 15 15 The lord I say whose hand hath wroght Mans heart doth it frame For he alone doth know the thoght And woorking of the same God only deliuereth and preserueth his people 16 A kyng that trusteth in hys host Shal noghte preuayle at length The man that of hys migth doth bost Shal fal for al his strength verse 17 17 The troupes of horsemen eke shal fayle Theyr sturdy stedes shal sterue The strength of horse shal not preuaile The ryder to preserue verse 18 18 But loe the eyes of God entend And watche to ayde the iust With such as feare hym to offend And on hys goodnes trust verse 19 19 That he of death and all distres May set theyr soules from drede And if that darth the land oppresse In hunger them to feede verse 20 20 Wherfore our soule doth stil depend On God our strengthe and staye He is the shielde vs to defende And dryue all dartes awaye verse 21 21 Our soule in god hath ioy and game Reioysing in hys myght For why in hys most holy name We hope and much delyght verse 22 22 Therfore let thy goodnes ò Lorde Stil present with vs be As we alwayes with one accorde Doe onely trust in thee Benedicam Domino Psal XXXIIII Th. Ster ¶ After Dauid had escaped Achis accordyng as is written in the 1. Sam. 21. whome in this title he calleth Abimelech which was a generall name to all the kynges of the Philistynes he prayseth god for his delyueraunce prouokyng all others by his example to trust in god to feare and serue hym who defendith the god lie with his Angels and vtterlie destroyeth the wicked in theyr synnes I will geue laude × and honour both vnto the lord alwayes and eke my mouth foreuermore shall speake vnto his prayse ב I do delight to laude the lorde in soule and eke in voyce that humble men and mortified may heare and so reioyce verse × × Therefore see that ye magnifye with me the lyuyng lorde And let vs now exalte his name together with one accorde verse ד ד For I my selfe besoghte the lorde he answered me agayne And me deliuered incontinent from all my feare and payne verse ×” ×” Whoso they be that hym beholde shall see his light moste cleare their countenance shall not be dashed they need it not to feare verse ן ן This sely wretch for some reliefe vnto the lord dyd call Gen. 19.31.32 4. kyngs 6. Hebr. 1. who did him heare without delay and rydd him out of thrall verse ×— ×— The Angel of the lorde doth pitche his tentes in euery place To saue all suche as feare the lorde that nothyng them deface verse ט ט Taste and consider well therefore that God is good and iuste ò happie man that maketh him his onely staye and truste verse ו ו Feare ye the lorde his holye ones aboue all earthlye thynge For they that feare the lyuynge lorde are sure to lacke nothyng verse × × The lyons shal be hongerbit and pined with famine muche
all thinges and the preseruation of his faithfull MY soul geue laude vnto the lord my spirit shall do the same and all the secretes of my heart prayse ye hys holy name geue thankes to god for all his gyftes shew not thy self vnkynd and suffer not hys benefites to slip out of thy mynde verse 3 3 That gaue the pardon for thy fautes and thee restored agayne For all thy weake and frayle disease and healed thee of thy payne verse 4 4 That did redeme thy life from death from which thou couldst not flee His mercy and compassion both he did extende to thee verse 5 5 That filled with goodnes thy desire and did prolonge thy youth Lyke as the Egle casteth her byll where by her age renueth verse 6 6 The lorde with iustice doth repaye all suche as be oppreste So that their suffrings and their wronges are turned to the best verse 7 7 His wayes and his “ The lawe teacheth vs all the workes of god and ther by we see gods fauor towards vs. Nom. 14. c commaundementes to Moses he did showe His counsels and his valiant actes the Israelites did knowe verse 8 8 The lorde is kinde and mercifull when synners do hym greue The slowest to conceiue a wrath and redyest to forgeue verse 9 9 He chydeth not vs continually thogh we be full of stryfe Nor kepeth oure fautes in memorie for all oure synnefull lyfe verse 10 10 Nor yet accordyng to oure synnes the lorde doth vs regarde Nor after our iniquities he doth not vs rewarde verse 11 11 But as the space is wonderous greate twixte earth and heauen aboue So is his goodnes much more large to them that do hym loue Gods mercie cā not be comprehended 12 He doth remoue our synnes from vs and our offences all As farre as is the sunne rising full distante from hys fall verse 13 13 And looke what pitie parentes dere vnto their children beare Lyke pitie beareth the lorde to suche as worship hym in feare mā is but dust 14 The lorde that made vs knoweth oure shape our mould and fashion iuste How weake and fraile our nature is and howe we be but dust verse 15 15 And howe the tyme of mortall men is lyke the wythering hay Or lyke the sloure ryght faire in fielde that fadeth full soone a waye verse 16 16 Whos 's glosse and beautie stormy windes do vtterlye dysgrace And make that after their assautes suche blossomes haue no place verse 17 17 But yet the goodnes of the Lorde with his shall euer stande Their childrens children doe receyue his rightuousenes at hande verse 18 18 I meane which kepe his couuenant with all their whole desire And not forget to do the thing that he doth them require verse 19 19 The heauens hie are made the seat and footestole of the lorde And by hys power imperiall he gouerneth all the worlde verse 20 20 Ye Angels which are great in power praise ye and blesse the Lorde which to obey and do his will immediatly accorde verse 21 21 Ye noble host and ministers ceasse not to laude him still which ready are to execute hys pleasure and hys will verse 22 22 Ye all hys woorkes in euery place praise ye his holy name My hearte my minde and eke my soule praise ye also the same In exitu Israel Psal CXIIII ¶ How the Israelites were deliuered out of Aegypt and of the wōderfull miracles that god shewed at that tyme. which put vs in remembrāce of gods great mercies towardes his children and of our vnthanckfulnes for the same VVhen Israel by gods adresse from Pharos land was bent And Iacobs house the strangers left and in the same trayne went In Iuda god his glorie shewed his holynes moste bright so did the Israelites declare his kyngdome power and might verse 3 3 The sea it sawe and sodenlye Exod. 14. f. psal 78.106 Ios 3. c. as all amasd did flee the roryng stremes of Iordans flood reculed backwardlie verse 4 4 As rāmes affrayde the moūtaignes skipt Exod. 19. c. their strength did theim forsake and as the selie tremblyng lambes Yf insensible creatures see god and tremble how great is our wickednes yf we oppen not our eyes ād reuerence him their toppes did beat and shake verse 5 5 What ayld thee sea as all amasd so sodenlie to flee ye rowlyng waues of Iordans flood why ranne ye backwardlie verse 6 6 Why shoke ye hilles as rāmes affrayde why did your strength so shake why did your roppes as trembling lambes for feare quyuer and quake verse 7 7 O earthe confesse thy soueraigne lorde and dread his mightie hand before the face of Iacobs god feare ye bothe sea and land Psal 78. 8 I meane the god which from hard rockes dothe cause mayne floodes appeare and from the stonie flinte dothe make gusshe owte the fountains cleare Non nobis Domine Psal CXV ¶ A prayer of the faithfull oppressed by Idolatrous tyrants against whō they desyre that god wolde succor them for as muche as ther is no comparison betwixt him and their false gods or idolls Trustinge moste constantlye that god will preserue them in this their neede seinge that he hath adopted and receyued them to his fauour promisinge finally that they will not be vnmyndfull of so great a benefit if it wolde please god to heare their prayer and delyuer them by his omnipotent power NOt vnto vs ò Lord I say to vs giue none but giue all praise of grace and trueth vnto thy name alone Why shall the gentiles say to vs as in despite wher is their god they call vpon wher is ther hartes delite verse 3 3 Douteles our soueraigne God in heauen sitteth on hie and worketh what him liketh best for all things do can he if these be their best gods of what value are they which are made of stone woode and wafer cakes verse 4 4 But their idolce and gods before whom they do stande siluer or gold they are at moste the woorke euen of mans hande verse 5 5 A mouthe they haue speechles not mouinge tongue nor lippes and eyes they haue but see no whit no more then doe dead chippes verse 6 6 Eares they haue and heare not as do the cares of man a nose also but to no vse for smell nothinge they can verse 7 7 Bothe hands and feete they haue in forme there is no lacke but nether touche nor goe they can nor yet with throte noyse make verse 8 8 Like vnto them shall be the forgers that them frame and likewise suche are no lesse madd which call vppon their name verse 9 9 But thou ò Israel in god put confidence For to all suche an ayed he is a buckler and defence verse 10 10 And thou tribe of Aaron in god put confidence For to all suche an ayed he is a buckler and defence verse 11 11 All ye that feare the lord in god put confidence For to all suche an ayed
that it was partly ordeined for the recreation and ease of seruauntes ¶ The childe To thintente that they whiche be vnder the authoritye and power of others myght be released somewhat and lyghtened of theyr paynful laboures the whiche thyng also serueth to the furtheraunce of the common wealth for somuch as euery man hath iust cause to be the readyer willynglye to trauayle the other sixe days when they consider that they may take their rest in the seuenth ¶ The minister Goe to then let vs nowe also see how this commaundement belongeth vnto vs. ¶ The childe As touching the ceremony ther of Col. 2. The ceremoniall Sabbot◠ys ended we haue nothing to do with it for the vse of al ceremonyes ceassed at the cumming of Christe who was the ende and substaunce of them ¶ The minister How so ¶ The childe For our old man vnto whome the ceremonies belonged is now crucifyed by the vertue of his death Rom. 6. through the merite of his resurrection we rise agayn into a newnes of lyfe ¶ The minister What is there than in this comaundement that concerneth vs ¶ The childe We are bounde to obserue the politique ordre appoynted in the churche for the hearyng of Goddes woorde for cumming together to make common prayers and for the ryghte vse of the sacramentes ¶ The minister And dothe the fygure profytt vs no more ¶ The childe Yes veryly for it leadethe vs to the trewth of that thing wherof the sabboth day is a figure which is that we being made the true mēbers of Christe ought to leaue of from doing the woorkes of our owne will to commit our selues wholy vnto his tuicion gouernance ¶ The minister Sonday 28 Lette vs come now to the seconde table ¶ The childe HOnor thy father thy mother ¶ The minister The 5 cōmaundement What doest thou meane by this woord Honour ¶ The childe what honor is due to our superiours The meaning is that children are of duetye bounde to vse humble obedience and lowlynes towardes their father and mother bearynge a reuerente minde towardes them ready to assyst and ayde thē and willyng to doe after theyr commaundementes according to their dutie ¶ The minister Proceade farther in thys commaundement ¶ The childe God ioyneth also a promes to this commaundement sayng that thou maist leade a prosperous lyfe many yeares in the lande whiche the lord thy God hath geuen thee ¶ The minister What is the meanyng of this promes ¶ The childe That God will indue them with a long lyfe here in thys worlde whiche haue theyr father and mother in due reuerence ¶ The minister How cummeth it to passe that god promiseth man to prolong hys life here in thys world as if it were a speciall benefite since this life present is so ful of al kynd of misery ¶ The childe Though our lyfe here in thys world be neuer so full of wretchednes yet not with standing a long life A longe life is a blessing of God vnto the faithfull for somuche as god doth shew furth his fatherly affection towardes his in that they knowe they are vnder hys protection and defence ¶ The minister May a man gather of the contrary parte that he who liueth not manye yeares is accursed of God ¶ The childe No but rather it cummeth to passe manye tymes that oure lord taketh them soneste of all out of thys world shortenyng theyr lyfe whome he loueth most dearely ¶ The minister Since he doeth thus It semeth that he keepeth not alwayes promesse ¶ The childe Benefites of this worlde are promysed with cōdicion Yes verelye for what promes soeuer god maketh vs touching the benefites of this world we ought to take it with this condicion so farfurth as it shal be expedient for the health of our soule For it were a meanes to haue the promes of god in smal reputacyon if the eyes of oure mynd wer not directed further then to cōsidre onely the state of thys present lyfe ¶ The minister And what is to be sayd of them that be disobedient vnto father and mother ¶ The childe The ponyshement of childrē whyche disobey their parents God will not onely punish them with euerlasting payne in the day of iudgement but he wil execute also punishmente on theyr bodyes here in thys worlde eyther by shortnynge their life eyther by procuring them a shameful death either at the least a life most miserable ¶ The minister Doeth not God speake expresly and namely of the lande of Canaan in thys promesse ¶ The childe Yes verely as touching the children of Israel vnto whom the commaundement was first geuen but since it hath pleased god to receyue vs also into the noumbre of hys people Psal 14 Psal 88. Psal 3. we must take it in a more general significatyon so that in somuche as the whole earthe is the lordes we ought to acknowledge that what countreye soeuer we do inhabite god hathe geuen vnto vs the same for a dwellinge place ¶ The minister Is there nothyng elles to be vnderstande in this commaundement ¶ The childe Yes for notwithstandyng no mencion is made in it expresly but of the father and mother yet we must vnderstand in them al magistrates rulers superiours for so muche as there is one maner of consideracion of theym all ¶ The minister What is that ¶ The childe AS God hath geuē vnto them all theyr authoritie and preeminence and because there is no prerogatiue of superioritye neither of father nor mother neyther of prynce or ruler magistrate or maister neyther anye other offyce or tytle of preemynence Rom. 13. but suche as God hath ordeyned therfore they require al by one maner of reason theyr due obedience ¶ The minister Sonday 29 Goe nowe to the sixt commaundement ¶ The childe The .6 commaundement THou shalt do no murther ¶ The minister Is there nothyng forbydden here but open murther ¶ The childe Yes verelye for consideryng that it is god who geueth thys in commaundemēt the which hath chiefe regarde vnto oure heartes he doth not only geue vs a law to restrayne our outward dedes but principally to brydle the affections of oure mynde ¶ The minister Thy meanynge is then that there is a certayne kinde of murther lying prieuelye in the heart the whiche is forbydden here of God ¶ The childe It is euen so and that is a malicious hatred or rancour and a desyer to doe hurt vnto our neyghbour ¶ The minister Is it inough then if we beare no hatred nor malice towardes any man ¶ The childe No for in that that god forbyddeth hatred it is to be vnderstand also that he requireth of vs to loue all men that vnfeynedly from the bottome of the hearte procuryng by all meanes theyr welth ¶ The minister Rehearse the seuenthe commaundement ¶ The childe THou shalt not commit adultery The .7 Cōmādement ¶ The minister What is the summe and
to expresse Rom. 8. Gal. 4. endueth oure mīdes with such a zeale and feruente affection as God requireth in prayer ¶ The minister Dothe this doctrine teache vs that we ought not to dispose and stirre vp our selues to prayer ¶ The childe Nothyng lesse but rather contrary wyse so ofte as we do not feele in our selues such a deuocion or disposition to prayer we ough to make our supplication vnto the lorde that it wyl please hym to geue vs of hys grace wherby we may be framed to prayer with such affection of mynde as we oughte to doe ¶ The minister As touchyng the vse of the tounge The tonge serueth to a very good vse in the makyng of our prayers thou doest not counte it vtterly vnprofitable in making of prayers ¶ The childe No verely for the wordes whiche the tōge vttereth doe many times helpe to cōfort and to styrre vp the affectiōs of the mind yea they do strengthen and holde in the mynde of man wherby his thoughte doth not wander so sodaynely from GOD as otherwyse it would moreouer for somuche as the tounge is a creature of GOD ordeined of him to praise and set forth hys glory aboue al other membres of the bodye it is reason and duetye that the tongue be employed by all meanes to that vse fynally the very feruente affectiō of the heart doth many times through a vehement mocion enforce the tounge to speake though a man did not purpose so to do ¶ The minister Since it is as thou sayest to what purpose is it to praye in a langage that a manne doth not vnderstande To praie in a straunge language is a mocking of God 1. Cor. 14. ¶ The childe It is to mocke God withal and a supersticious hypocrisie ¶ The minister Sonday 26 When we make our prayers vnto God do we it at al auētures without sure knowlege whether we shal obtayne any profyt or not either ought we to be surely perswaded that our prayers shal be heard ¶ The childe Prayer must procede of a sure confydence in goddes promysse We must haue this euermore as a sure foundation ground in all oure prayers that they shal be accepted of God that we shal obtaine our request so farforth as it shal be expedient and necessarye for vs where vpon Rom. 10. Sainct Paule sayeth that the right inuocatiō and prayinge vnto God procedeth of faith for if we haue not a sure affiance and trust in the bountyfull mercy of God it is vnpossible to make oure prayer vnto hym aryghte ¶ The minister What saiest thou then of them which be in doubt and vncertaine whether God wil heare them or not Matt 12. Mark 11. whosoeuer doubteth whether God heare his praier obtaynethe nothyng ¶ The childe Theyr prayers are vtterlye voide and nothing worth neither hath God made any promyse to any suche prayers for he saieth what soeuer we shal aske if we belieue he will graunt it vnto vs. ¶ The minister There is nothinge nowe behynde but to knowe by what meanes in whose name we maye come by thys sure confidence to presente oure selues before God consideryng that we are vyle synners Thre thinges make vs bold to aske of God 1. His promise Psal 50.91.145 Esa 30.65 Iere. 29. and farre vnworthy so to do ¶ The childe Fyrst of al we haue promises of God wherupō we must staye oure mīdes withoute hauynge any regarde of oure owne worthynes Secondaryly then if we be the children of GOD he doeth induce vs and pusshe vs forward with his holy spirite 2. His spirite Ioel. 2. Mat. 6. to the entente to allure vs to be familier with hym as with our louynge father and fynally to the ende that we should not be afrayde to come before hys glorious maiestye 3. The mediacion of Christ his owne sonne 1. Tim. 2. Hebru 4. 2. Ihon. 2. although we be but as poore woormes of the earth and moste wretched synners he hath geuen vnto vs oure Lorde IESVS to be our peacemaker and intercessoure to thintent that we by meanes of hys merites hauyng recourse vnto God our father myght haue an assured truste to fynde grace at hys hande ¶ The minister Doest thou meane it thus that we may not cal vpon God by prayer onlesse it be done in the name of oure sauioure Christ ¶ The childe we may not pray but in the name of our Sauiour Christe Ihon. 14. Yea I meane it euen so for we haue an expresse commaundement so to do and in so doynge we haue a sure promyse that throughe hys merytes and intercession al our requestes shall be graunted vnto vs. ¶ The minister Is it not then to be taken as a poynte of rashe boldenes or folyshe presumpcion to come forth hardely and to presente our selues before God himself assuryng oure selues that we haue our sauioure Christe for our aduocate and to set him before vs to the ende that God maye for hys sake accept both vs and our prayers ¶ The childe No verely for we make oure prayers as it wer by hys own mouth Rom. 8. for somuch as he himselfe openeth the waye for vs and maketh our prayers to be hearde yea and entreateth also continually for vs. ¶ The minister Sonday 37 Let vs comon now of the substance of oure prayers is it lawefull for vs to praye for all thynges that we fansye either is there a certaine rule to appoynt what thinges ought to be prayed for ¶ The childe If we shoold folowe oure owne wil and fantasye in making our prayers they should be very vnhansomlye framed For we are so blynde that we are not able to iudge what is good ād meete to be prayed for moreouer al oure desyres are so inordinate and repugnaunte to Gods wil that it is expediente for vs to brydle them and kepe them vnder ¶ The minister What is then to be done ¶ The childe We muste learne of God what is mete to be praied for seing he alone knoweth what is necessarye for vs and that he leadeth vs as it were by the hande so that we our own selues do nothynge but folow ¶ The minister What instruction hath he geuen vs for prayer ¶ The childe He hath taught vs sufficiently how and wherfore to pray throughoute the whole scripture but to the intente to bring vs to one certayne and sure marke he hath set forth vnto vs one maner of prayer wherin he hath brieflye comprehended all suche poyntes as be meete or lawfull for vs to demaunde ¶ The minister Rehearse that forme of prayer ¶ The childe It is the very same that oure Lorde Iesus taughte his discyples to praye Mat. 6. Luke 11. for whā they asked of hym how they should pray he answered that they shulde say on this wyse The faithfull prayer whyche our lord himself taught vs. OVre father whych art in heauen halowed be thy name thy kyngdome come thy will be done in earthe