faith is like a liuing and fruitfull tree that euer bringeth forth good fruit to the glorie of God Q. What be the fruits of a true faith A. A continuall and true repentance and euery good grace of Gods spirit and all the good workes which he hath ordained for vs that we should walke in them Eph. 2.10 2. Pet. 1.5.9.11.12 Eph. 415. Q. What meane you by repentance Gal. 6.15 2. Cor. 7.1 Râ—â— 12.1 2 Eph. 4.20.21.22 c. 1. Pet. 1.13 â—â— 15.1 Pet. 2.1.11.12 A. That change and renewing of the whole man that bringeth forth a new Christian and holy life and conuersation growing and increasing more and more Q. How many things be required in true repentance A. Two the mortifying and subduing of sinne and the liuing growing in the practise of true godlines and righteousnes 2. Cor. 7.1 both which doe proceede from the vertue of the death and resurrection of Iesus Christ â—om 6.2.3.4.5 â—1 12 â—m 12.1.2 â—l 3.1.2.5.9 â—1 Pet. 1.2 â— 23 Gal. 6. â— 15.16 into whome we are ingrafted by faith Q. Seeing then we be saued by Christs works without our deseruings whereto serue our wel-doings or what auaileth it to doe good works A. We must doe good workes not to deserue (a) Esay 46.6 â—b 35.7 â—al 17.2 â—ik 17.10 saluation by them but by our works to (b) â—at 5.16 â—or 6.20 â—t 2.12 â—ol 1.10 â—l 1.27 2. glorifie God in (c) Thes 2.12 â—h 4. 4.1 walking as becometh Gods children (d) Rom. 6.11 â—3 12.1.2 declaring thereby our thankfulnes to God for our redemption Secondly by our works to make our (e) â— Pet. 1.10 electioÌ„ more certaine to our selues Thirdly to (f) Pet. 3.1.2 â—m 14.29 win others to Christ by our holy life and conuersation Q. What works callest thou good works An. Our worke can neuer be acceptable and good in the sight of God vnles in doing of them wee keepe these two things first that a Eph. 2.10 Collos 2.10.22.23 Esay 9.13 Mat. 15.9 Rom. 14.23 Heb. 11.6 1. Cor. 5.7 they be framed according to the will of Gods lawes and commandements and not after our owne deuises Secondly that they proceede from an heart purged by fairh if either of these points be lacking our works are abhominable in the sight of God although they appeare neuer so glorious in the eyes of men Q. What things ought euery one to beleeue which hath this true faith in Iesus Christ with out the which none can be saued 4. parte An. All those things which are contained in the articles of our christian faith Q Rehearse the articles of our christian faith A. I beleeue in God the father almightie maker of heauen and earth and in Iesus Christ his only sonne our Lord which was conceiued by the holy ghost borne of the virgin Marie suffered vnder Pontius Pilat was crucified dead and buried he decended into hell the third day he rose agane and ascended into heauen and there he sitteth at the right hand of God the father Almightie from thence he shall come to iudge both the quicke and the dead I beleeue in the holy Ghost the holy Catholike Church the Communion of Saints the forgiuenes of sinnes the resurrection of the bodie and the life euerlasting Amen Q. What things are contained in these articles of your christian faith An. First what we ought to beleeue concerning God Secondly what we ought to beleeue concerning Gods people called the Church Q. What ought we to beleeue concerning God A. First such things as concerne God in his nature and essence Secondly such things as concerne God in his actions Q. What ought we to beleeue concerning God in his nature or essence A. First that he is one infinite inuisible and eternall spirit of vnsearchable maiestie most holy mightie wise iust and mercifull a Secondly b that the selfe same God beeing one in essence hath made himselfe knowne vnto vs in three sundrie persons the father the sonne and the holy Ghost a Rom. 11.34.35 36. Rom 9.11.22 23. Deut. 6.4 Ies 43.11 44.8 46.5 46.5 Ies 57.15 66.1 2. Ioh. 4.24 Ioh. 1.18 1. Tim. 1.17 Rom. 9.33 Exod. 34.6 7. Psal 103.8 9 10 11. b Psal 33.6 Gen. 1.31 Ieâ— 10.10.11.12.16 Col. 1.16 Matth. 3.16 17 28.19 Q. What ought we to beleeue concerning God in his actions A. First a Rom. 11.34.35 36. Rom 9.11.22 23. that he hath decreed and ordained all things in his eternall purpose and counsell before all worlds Secondly that by his Almightie power he hath made the heauens and the earth and all the creatures therein Thirdly c Mat. 10.39.30 Psal 115.3 135.6 Psal 145 17. that he doth rule gouern them and all their actions according to the good purpose of his owne will most holily righteously and wisely Q. Why is God called Almightie A. Because he is of all-sufficient power in himselfe to worke all things according to the good purpose of his owne will Ies 42.8 4â— 13 44 24.2â— 49.7 Mat. â— 29.30 so as nothing can be done in heauen earth or hell without his prouidence Act. 4.28 Q. Why doe you call God father A. First in respect of creation Secondly in respect of adoption Q. Why in respect of creation Rom. 11.38 Acts. 17.25.38 A. Because of him from him and by him all things haue their beeing beginning Q. Why in respect of adoption Eph. 1.5 Gal. 4.5.6 A. Because he hath adopted those whome he hath chosen to be his children in Iesus Christ Q. What comfort haue you in this that you call God father A. I learne thereby that he loueth me and hath a most tender care ouer me Psal 103.13 Rom. 5.5.8 Q. What comfort haue you in this that God whome you call father is Almightie A. I learne thereby that he can and will defend me from all euill so as nothing can hurt me and that he can and will giue me all things that be good for me in this life and in the life to come Q. Why so An. He can because he is almightie he will because he is my louing father Q. What dutie doe you learne here concerning your selfe An. That I should honor him as my heauenly father Malech 1.6 Q. How An. In louing him fearing him reuerencing him and obeying him the sixt commandement Qu. Wherin must we shew forth this An. In the care that I haue to keepe his commandements Q. Wherin standeth the keeping of the commandements An. In doeing those good things which the lord hath commanded and in leauing vndone those euill things which the lord hath forbidden Q. What beleeuest thou in the second part concerning god the sonne An. I beleeue that Iesus Christ one (a) Rom. 9.5 Iohn 1.1 Ioh. 14.10 God in subtance with the father the holy ghost b Rom. 1.3 Mat. 1.20.2 tooke flesh of the virgin Marie is become perfect man as I
be gratious vnto vs thy poore seruants being come together in the obedience of theis thy holy commandements to seeke thee by such meanes as thou haâ—â— mercifully ordeined for vs. Lord we confesse our hearts are full of hardneâ— our vnderstanding is full of darknes 〈◊〉 our eares are dull of hearing we beseâ—â—â— thee vouchsafe by the grace of thy holâ— spirit to open and circumcise our eares to lighten our dark vnderstanding anâ— to mollifie our hard hearts that we maâ— heare with reuerence vnderstand witâ— iudgment marke with diligence anâ— receiue with meeknes all the instuctions which we shall heare at this timâ— out of thy holy word and that they maâ— be written in the fleshy tables of oâ—â— hearts by the finger of thy owne spirâ—â— to breed and encrease in vs all spirituaâ— knowledge and heauenly wisedomâ— faith hope loue hatred of sinne practiâ—â— of righteousnes and all holy duties 〈◊〉 christianitie and of our seuerall calling so serue thee with all simplicitie anâ— godly purenes all the daies of our liâ—â— through Iesus Christ our only lord Sauiour and redeemer Amen A praier After Catechising O lord our god most gracious and mercifull father we most humbly thanke thy heauenly maiestie that thou hast vouchsafed vs this great mercy to be partakers of theis heauenly doctrins and instructions of thy holy word which thou hast so mercifully and gratiously ordeyned for vs. we besech thee good lord that thou wilt also vouchsafe vs that grace of thy holy spirit that we may faythfully remember and diligently meditate vpon those things that now or heretofore we haue heard out of thy holy word that we may lay them vp in our hearts and make a good and profitable vse of them to the encreasing of our knowledg our faith our obedience our hope and loue and all spirituall graces and gifts meete for our places and callings to the glory of thy most holy name the peace and comfort of our coÌ„sciences the saluation of our soules and bodies the good good example of those with whome we liue through thy dearely beloued sonne Iesus Christ our Lord and our most blessed sauiour and only redemer Amen A morning prayer for seruants by themselues O almightie Lord God our most gracious and louing Father in Iesus Christ we doe vnfeinedly confesse before thy maiestie that we are all of vs most vile wretched sinners coÌ„ceiued borne in sinne altogether corrupted defiled in our owne nature guiltie of innumerable heinous transgressions of all thy holy lawes and commandements vnapt to all goodnes proane to all sinne and wickednes vnworthy of any of thy blessings euen the least of all thy mercies and worthie of all thy fearefull curses conteined in thy law in all miseries of this life and of eternall death and damnation in the life to come but most mercifull father wee beseech thee looke vpon vs in Iesus Christ pardon and forgiue vs all our sinnes for his sake worke in vs more and more the sight and feeling of all our sinnes with a true loathing and hatred of them a godly sorrow for them and an holy repentance giue vs faith in thy precious promises that wee may trust perfectly vpon that saluation that is brought vnto vs by Christ Iesus with the full assurance of our eternall election vnto immortall life Increase in vs care conscience to vse all good meanes that thou hast ordained for our instruction and write in our hearts all the good lessons that we heare out of thy holy word that we may daily grow and increase in all grace and godlines Receiue vs this day into thy holy protection keepe vs from all dangers and euills of bodie and soule worke in vs all dutifull reuerence to our superiors all diligence and faithfullnes in our labours Keepe vs from slothfulnes negligence and idlenes and all manner of vniust dealing in our seruice Blesse and prosper vs in all our labours wherin we are to be imployed that we may bee profitable to our gouernours to whome we owe our seruice carry the testimonie of good consciences in our soules to thy glorie and our euerlasting peace and comfort through Iesus Christ our only sauiour and redeemer in whose name we pray further as he hath taught vs. Our father c. A prayer for Scholers O almightie lord God most mercifull of our Lord Iesus Christ the fountaine of all wisedome grace and goodnes we beseech thee to looke mercifully vpon vs to forgiue vs al our sinnes to worke in vs dayly more and more the hatred of all sinne and wickednes the loue of al goodnes yea we beseech thee to teach vs to knowe and remember thee our creator our redemer our sanctifier and preseruer in these daies of our childhood and youth worke in vs a true loue vnto thy holy word and delight in thy commandements giue vs grace to seeke for and to attaine vnto that true wisedome taught in thy holy word wherby we may vnderstand the feare of thy holy name attaine the knowledge of thee and all godlines that wee may know also iustice and iudgment and equitie euery good path that this heauenly wisedome may be our watch-man and this knowledge our garder and keeper to preserue vs from the crooked waies of wicked men and all the baites and allurments of sinne to the end that we may walke in the waies of good men and in the paths of the righteous And good Lord worke in euerie one of vs al loue reuerence and obedience vnto our teachers and gouerners all diligence and good conscience to bestowe this precious time profitably Lord we beseech thee vouchsafe dayly more more to quicken out witts to open our vnderstanding to strengthen our memories to confirme our iudgments Send downe thy blessings vpon all the instructions that are deliuered vnto vs vpon all the labours of our teachers all our owne studies endeuoures that we may dayly grow and encrease in all good learning and knowledge wisdome vertue and godlines that we may be answerable to the good expectation of our parents and freinds to their great and effectuall comfort and worthy and wise seruants vnto thy maiestie in the places thou hast hereafter appointed for vs in the church or coÌ„mon wealth grant good Lord these graces whatsoeuer else thou knowest vs to stand in neede of for our lord Iesus Christ his sake Amen FINIS
A PLAINE AND PROFITABLE CATECHISME with certaine prayers adioyned meete for parents and housholders to teach their children and seruants Deuter. 6.6 These vvords vvhich I command thee shall be in thy heart and thou shalt rehearse them continually to thy children Iosu 24.15 Choose you this day vvhome you vvill serue vvhether the gods vvhich your fathers serued or the gods of the Amorites in vvhose land ye dvvell but I and my house vvill serue the Lord. Ioh. 6.27 Labour not for the meate that perisheth but for the meate that endureth to eternall life PRINTED BY IOHN LEGAT Printer to the Vniversitie of Cambridge 1605. To the Christian Reader I Can not but earnestly lament good christan Reader as I hope thou dost with me these miserable times wherein we liue behoulding the great number already growne and daily encreasing of wicked atheists superstitious papists prophane wordlings carnall gospellers vaine and idle professors and great multitudes of ignorant people euen in the principles of religion in this land Notwithstanding the gospel hath beene so long plentifully preached amongst vs so many godly books published both of the interpretation of scriptures and also of other learned and holy treatises by sundry worthy men so many excellent and profitable catechismes set forth and fitted for teaching the grounds of religion to all sorts of people So as we may iustly weepe ouer cities townes and villages as the Lord Iesus did ouer Ierusalem Luc. 19.42 Oh that you had known euen in this your day those things that belong vnto your peace But now are they hid from your eyes for ah alas who seeth not almost in all places the mightie sinnes of the land crying for vengance That that may iustly be pronounced vnto vs which the prophet denounceth to Israel Hosea 4.1 Heare the word of the lord O people of England The lord hath a controuersie with the inhabitants of the land because ther is no truth no mercie no knowledge of God in the land by swearing and lying and stealing and killing and whoring they breake out and blood toucheth blood Wherefore it is greatly to be feared that seeing wisedome hath cryed vnto vs so long Pro. 1.20.25.26 c. and vttered her words so lowd abroad in the streets in the assemblies in citties and townes and all sorts haue refused none would regard her calling least shee also laugh at our distruction and mocke when our feare commeth like a sodaine desolation and our destruction like a whirlewind and a tempest to sweepe vs away headlong into the gulfe of all miseries and calamities The Lord in mercie raise vs vp out of our deadly sleepe of sinnes and securitie that we may awake to liue righteously and sinne no longer Many of vs haue in our mouths vainly boasting as the people of Israel Ier. 7.4 the temple of the Lord the temple of the Lord we haue the temple of the lord so wee the gospell of Christ the gospel of Christ we haue the gospel of Christ but ah alas many thousands of vs knowe nothing what the gospell meaneth A multitude of people throughout the land haue not yet learned the very beginnings of the doctrines of Christ of repentance from dead works of faith towards God of baptisme of laying on of hands of the resurrection from the dead and of eternall iudgement nay not so much as what sinne is or how they becam sinners what the punishment of sinne is or how they may scape it Many thousands know nothing what sinnes are forbidden what duties are required in any of the commandements they vnderstand not any article of the faith aright any petition of the Lords praier the meaning of the sacraments or any thing that belongeth to a christian life O that we would learne in time to repent and turne vnto the lord Ier. 4.4 before his wrath breake forth vpon vs like fire and burne that none can quench it for the wickednes of our inuentions Euen this were one good meanes if all parents and householders would set apart some howre euery day to pray with their children and seruants vse some for catechisme to enforme themselues and their familie in the grounds and principles of religion Deut. 6.6.7.8 11.18.19 Ephes 6.4 Genes 18.19 Iosu 24.15 Act. 10.21 as they are bound in duty by the commandements of the Lord and taught by the example of Godly fathers and howseholders in the scriptures namely Abraham Iosua and noble Cornelius So should themselues their children their seruants bee better prepared and fitted to vnderstand the word of God the doctrines thereof deliuered vnto them by their godly pastors and ministers which now they heare most vnprofitably and after much and long teaching learne nothing at all Amonge other catechismes I haue found by long experience this one to bee of very fit and profitable vse for the instruction of a family beeing plaine and easie and not longer then may euery seauen daies be repeated through being fitly deuided For the questions concerning fasting and gouerment may bee omitted except there bee speciall occasion this may bee done and praier ioyned withall in litle more then halfe an hower at one time I confesse some good part of this was published many yeares since gathered out of another cathechisme by a godly and reuerent preacher M. Moore of Norwich which I haue altered and enlarged in many places with such questions and answers as I thought meete for the instruction of the simple and vnlearned vnto which I haue added certaine praiers for the helpe of such as are not yet able to conceiue a prayer of themselues I wish thee good Reader whosoeuer wilt vse it to examine with the doctrines the places of scripture quoted some of them at the least though not all otherwise thou shalt depriue thy selfe of a great benefit and comfort This poore mite amid my ordinarie labours at the request of some freinds I haue cast into the Lords treasurie If thou profitt by it remember me in thy praiers And so I commend thee to god and to the word of his grace who is able to build further and to giue thee an inheritance among them which are sanctified And the Lord giue thee vnderstanding to growe in grace in the sound knowledge of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ to whome with the father and the holy Ghost be ascribed all glory and praise power maiestie and dominion now henceforth and for euermore Thy poore louing brother in Christ Iames Leech Question VVHat ought euery man first cheifely to labour for all the daies of his life An. The kingdome of God and his righteousnes and to bee assured that his name is wrtten in heauen Math. 6.33 Luc. 10.20 Ihon. 6.27 Reuela 3.5 20.15 Q. Why so An. For hereby we are made partakers of euerlasting blessednes which is the fulnes of ioy and fruition of glorie otherwise men are more miserable then the vilest creatures of the earth for wee are else
am in all things Heb. 2.14.15 Rom. 8.3 sinne onely excepted c Heb. 2.14.15 Rom. 8.3 and in my nature hath wrought whatsoeuer was needfull for my saluation Q. What meanest thou when thou saiest he suffered vnder Pontius Pilate An. Because that manner of death which men doe suffer by the sentence of the iudg vnder the title of iustice is more shamefull slanderous and terrible then if a man should die naturally in his bed Therfore our sauiour Chrisâ— tooke vpon him our person to shew himselfe (a) Psal 2.2 Acts. 4.27 before an earthly iudg and to be b Mat. 27.16 Ioh. 19.1.13.23 condemned by the mouth of Pilate he beeing then Iudg that thereby we might bee cleared before the iudgement seate of God Q. What meanest thou when thou sayest Christ was crucified dead and buried An. First I meane in that he was crucified that he suffered (a) Luk. 23.33 the death of the Crosse which was an abhominable and cursed death b Gal. 3.13.14 to deliuer me from the curse which was due for my sinnes Secondly for as much as death was a punishment due to man for sinne therefore our Sauiour Christ â—d suffer death and by suffering ouerâ—â—me death for in his death did lie 〈◊〉 principall point of our saluation â—r if he had not bin truly c Esay 53.12 Rom. 5.8 1. Cor. 15.3 1. Pet. 2.24 dead we â—d bin yet subiect to eternall death â—d damnation Thirdly he was buried â—r the greater assurance and confirmaâ—on of his death and resurrection and 〈◊〉 the intent to make it more certainely â—owne vnto vs it pleased him also to â—e buried after the common manner of men and that by two Notable persons d Mat. 27.57 Mar. 15.43 Luke 23.53 Nicodemus and Ioseph of Araâ—athia which was also doone by the will and consent of Pilate who caused the bodie to be deliuered vnto them Q. What meanest thou concerning that Christ descended into hell An. Where it is sayd that Christ descended into hell therby I beleeue that Christ did not only suffer in his body the punishment due to my body (a) Esay 53.4.8.10 but also in his soule the punishmeÌ„t due to my soule c Luk. 2â— 44 which was the torments of hell d Luk. 23.46 Math 27.46 second death b Act. 2.24 Math. 26.38 sorrowes of death abiection from god as it doth appeare by the anguish of 〈◊〉 soule in the garden c Luk. 22.44 when drops blood issued out of his body and aâ—â— vpon the crosse d Luk. 23.46 Math. 27.46 by his lamentabâ— crie vnto his father for in a miserabâ— case had we bin in if he had only suâ—fered the punishment due to our bodie and not to our soules Q. What fruite hast thou by thâ— death of Christ An First I beleeue that this deaâ— and punishment which Christ suffereâ— is the whole appeasing of Heb. 9.12.13.14.28 1. Pet. 2.24 1. Ioh. 2.1 goâ— wrath and a full satisfaction to god fâ—â— all my sinnes Secondly that b Gala. 5.24 Gala. 2.29.7.8 â—1 as he is dead fâ—â— sinne so he will cause sinne to die iâ— my mortal body Q. What profitt hast thou by thâ— rising againe of Christ An. First I am assured by this risinâ— that he hath (a) 1. Cor. 15.55.56.57 Rom. 8.33.34 Rom. 4.15 overcome death hell sinne and finished my iustification Secondly that as he is risen from deatâ— so he causeth me as a member of hiâ— b Rom. 6.4 Colos 3.1.2 to rise from sinne and delight iâ— righteousnes Thirdly his rising againâ— â—a sure pledge c 1. Cor. 15.16 â—0 to me that my body â—hall in like manner rise againe Q. What is the meaning of this â—at Christ ascended into heauen An. Christ as touching his manâ—ood is a Act. 1.11 Act. 3.21 onely in heauen but b Mat. 28.20 as â—ouching his godhead and comfort of â—is holy spirit he is with vs to the end â—f the world Q. What good gettest thou by the â—scending of Christ into heauen An. First Christ his ascending into â—eauen is a sure pledge vnto me that a Ioh. 14.3 Phil. 3.21 1. Cor. 1.7 1. Thes 4.16.17 â— shall in like manner as a member of â—y his power be receiued into heauen 〈◊〉 the same nature wherein he is ascenâ—ed Secondly Christ hauing ascended â—nto heauen b 1. Ioh. 1.2 Heb. 9.12 Rom. 8.32 maketh coÌ„tinuall interâ—ession for me Q. What meane you by this that Christ sitteth at the right hand of the father An. Christ sitteth at the right hand of the father that is he hath a Mat. 28.18 Eph. 1.20.21.22 all power giuen him of the father ouer all things being exalted into the full power of his kingdome and preisthood made the only head of his Church Q. What fruit doest thou receiueâ— this that Christ shall come to iudgeâ— quick and the dead An. To me that am a member 〈◊〉 Christ it is singular comfort a Mat 24.31 Mat. 25.34 Mat. 19.28 2. Thes 1.10 wheâ— doe knowe assuredly that none shall 〈◊〉 my iudge but he that is my Sauiour bâ— terrible will it be to those that flee froâ— Christ b 2. Thes 1.4.7.8 Luk. 21.25 Mat. 15.41 when they shall see him comâ— to iudge them whome they in their liâ—â— time haue refused Q. What beleeuest thou in the thiâ— part concerning God the holy Ghosâ— An. I beleeue that God the holâ— Ghost the third person in the godhead equall God with the father and the sonne finisheth and maketâ— perfect all the works of God and a Rom. 8.9.10.11.15.16 Gala. 4.6 sealeth into my heart all Christs benefits to bee mine and b Ephes 1.17 Eph. 4.23 Psal 1.3 Col. 2.11.12.13 maketâ— sinne to die in me and stirreth me vp to holines and righteousnes of life Q. What call you the chatholike Church An. The chatholike Church is the a Rom. 8 20. Eph. 1.10.11.12.13 Mat. 16.21 Ioh. 10.26 whole companie of faithfull people which euer were since the beginning of the world in all places which also bee â—ow shal be to the end of the world of the which number I beleeue that b 1. Ioh. 3.21 2. Cor. 13.5 Rom. 8.16 I am one I beleeue that God c 2. Tim. 2.19 1. Pet 5.7 Esay 49.15 Mat. 10.29.30.31 knoweth them all and hath a most tender care ouer them Q What callest thou the communion of Saints An. The communion of Saints is that societie that all we which beleeue haue one with another as a 1. Cor. 12 12.13.14 c. 5.30 Col. 1.18 Rom. 1.12.5 members of one head Iesus Christ Whereby we are b 2. Cor. 11.28 Gala. 6.2 Phil. 2.1.23.4 readie to communicate all gods benefits both spirituall and temporall to the mutuall helpe and comfort one of another according to the measure which we haue receiued of God in this life Q. What beleeue you of the forgiuenes of sinne An. I beleeue that Iesus Christ
thy whole church and euery part â—nd member thereof glorifie thy name â—duance thy kingdome confound the â—ower of Sathan Antichrist sinne and â—arkenes blesse this thy church and countrie where we liue giue thy gosâ—ell a free passage amongst vs remooue all the hindrances thereof â—aise vp daily by thy almightie power and goodnes all those means instruments that may further it aright blesse â—we beseech thee prosper and preserue the excellent estate of our soueraigne Lord the Kings Maiestie our gratious Queene the Prince their eldest sonne and all their royall posteritie multiply thy blessings vpon them preserue them from all dangers make them earnest louers fauorers and furtherers of thy truth and gospell and tender nursing fathers and nursing Mothers vnto thy Church people all the daies of their life Good Lord blesse the honorable councellors magistrates and nobility of this land and all that be in authoritie vnder the Kings highnes that they maâ—â— carefully faithfully in all their courâ— sails consultations and gouerment labour for and procure the promoting 〈◊〉 thy glorie the aduancement of thâ— gospell the maintenance of true religion vertue and godlines the suppressioâ— of sinne and wickednes the peace and prosperitie of the church and commoâ—wealth that we may liue vnder his highnes and them a peaceable and quiet life in all godlynes and honestie Lord furnish thy Church continually with godly faithfull learned and worthy pastors and teachers of thy holy word blesse their ministerie to thy people and defend it against all the malice of the wicked Lord blesse all the christian families in the land and encrease the number of them dayly open the eies of the ignorant mollifie the hearts of the obstinat conuert them that run astray comfort the feeble hearted raise vp such as bee falne if they belong vnto thee adde vnto thy church dayly such as shal be saued be mercifull to all thy seruants â—hat be in any manner of affliction coÌ„â—ort them and releeue them help them â—nd succour them according to their seâ—erall necessities giue them a holy vse of al their afflictions and a gratious deliuerance in due time finally good Lord send thy blessings vpon all our land with fruitfull seasons and plentifull encrease of al thy good creatures which in thy gracious prouidence thou hast ordeyned for our vses and necessities that we may chearfully sing vnto thee from day to day the praises of thy mercies through Iesus Christ An Euening prayer O almightie and eternall Lord God father of our Lord Iesus Christ wee thy poore vnworthie seruants beeing come together to offer vp vnto thee our euening sacrifice of praier thanksgiuing according to our bounde duty doe first of all acknowledge against our selues that we are al of vs most vile wretched sinners not worthie the least of al thy mercies being guiltie of the fall of our forefather Adam of our owne originall corruption and of innumerable most heynous transgressions of all thy hoâ—â— lawes and commandements both 〈◊〉 our sinfull thoughts words and deed and so much the more guiltie because we haue not regarded the good meane which thou hast mercifully ordeyneâ— for vs to haue wrought in our heart true knowledge and vnderstanding oâ— thy will and commandements repentance of our sinnes and amendment of our life we confesse therefore that we haue infinitely prouoked thy wrath iudgement against vs and iustly deserued all curses plagues and miseries to be poured vpon vs in this life and to be cast for euer hereafter into the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone but good Lord wee appeale vnto the vnsearchable riches of thy mercies in Christ Iesus beseeching thee to wash away all our sins guiltines in his most precious blood to burie them all in his most glorious death that they may be remooued for euer out of thy sight and be vnto vs as though they had never bene lett thy blessed spirit of Adoption good lord seale vnto our hearts â—he full assurance of this thy euerlasting â—oue and mercy and lord work in vs â—ayly more and more a godly sorrow â—or all our sinnes with hearty and vnfeiâ—ed repentance and so worke in our â—earts by thy holy spirit that all the â—ower of sinne may dayly die in vs more and more and all good graces of â—hy spirit may dayly grow and encrease â—n vs that our hearts may be strengthned with an vnfeined faith and we may be purged from euill consciences and made fruitfull in all duties of christian loue so as in the whole course of our life hereafter we may walke before thee in all simplicity and godly purenes and serue thee vnfeinedly in all the duties of true holines and righteousnes all the daies of our life And now lord we further commend our selues and euery member of this familie into thy mercifull protection this night beeseeching thee to preserue and keepe vs from all dangers and perills to which we are subiect in soule or bodie or any thing that belongeth vnto vs to giue vs quiet and comfortable rest with the continuance of our health peace and saftie to the glorie of thâ— name that we may be more fitt for thâ— duties of our calling when thou shaâ—â— raise vs againe and so to guide vs and sanctifie vs throughout that whetheâ— we sleepe or wake liue or die we maâ— be thine After this the thanksgiuing to this marke * and then adde this following Finally we giue thee humble thankâ— that it hath pleased thee to preserue 〈◊〉 this day and for all those blessings thoâ— hast vouchsafed vnto vs our health peace and saftie the comfortable vse 〈◊〉 all thy good creatures with thy bleâ—sing vpon our labours and last of aâ— for this libertie we haue to come beforâ— thee beeseeching thee to accept of thiâ— our euening sacrifice gratiously tâ— heare vs and grant vnto vs c. as before A praier before the reading of scriptures Almightie Lord God our most mercifull and heauenly father in Iesus Chriâ—â— we beseech thee vouchsafe by thy holy spirit to prepare our hearts that with â—ll reuerence and diligence we may atâ—end to this thy holy word and soe to open our vnderstanding and to sanctifie our affections as thou mayst therby disperse in vs more and more all the â—mists and darknesses of Sathan and of sinne and make vs apt to euerie good worke and wise vnto saluation through â—esus Christ our Lord only Sauiour Amen A prayer before Catechising O lord our god and our most mercifull father in Iesus Christ which hast commanded vs to lay vp thy words in our hearts and to speake of them when we rise vp when we lie downe when we goe forth when we come home to â—each them and rehearse them continually to our children And seeing our lord Iesus Christ hath commanded vs to search the scriptures that we might know thee the onely true god and him whom thou hast sent and soe attaine to eternall life wee beseech thee