God S. It is a comon maner of speakyng vsed among men whereby is sygnifyed that he hathe receyued euen after his mans nature a power honor aboue all Angels creatures wherin he ruleth with the father in euerlastyng glorye as they do aboute kynges and prynces which sit at theyr ryghthandes M. Wherunto exerciseth the lord this his high godly power dominion S. He exerciseth it in the gouernaunce of all thynges in heauen and vpon yearth continually presence therby vnto all faythfull here vpon yerth to deliuer preserue and defende them from all euyll perill and daunger and to purchase them of the father al that is good and necessarye for them praying for them continually as a true and a mercifull prieste patrone and aduocate vntyll suche tyme as they bee also exalted and taken vppe lyke vnto hym and with him in heauen vnto euerlastyng honor and glory M. What doeth it helpe or profite vs to beleue that Christe is ascended into heauen and that he sitteth at the ryght hande of God S. Fyrste we are assured therby that the waye dore and entreaunce into heauen which was before locked vnto all men by reason of our synne is nowe opened Secondarily it is a syngular comforte vnto vs to confirme vs in pacience in all maner of aduersitie forasmuch as we are sure by this faythe that we haue a myghtie and a louyng protector aduocate and spechemanne with the father in heauen Thyrdly this faythe reioyseth and lifteth vppe our heartes from all yearthly transitorie visible and carnall thynges vnto heauenly eternall inuisible and spirituall thynges putteth vs in remembraunce to lift vppe our heartes from this yearthly and synfull lyfe and to serue our God with heauenly spirituall seruice and not onely with yearthly and bodilye ceremonies M. Beleuest thou any thyng els of our sauior Iesus S. Yea forsouth that he shall come from thence to iudge the quicke and the dead M. What confessest thou by this S. Forsouth that my lorde Iesus Christ shall come againe frō heauen with his verye bodye shall appeare before all the world visiblye in the glorye of his father and shall iudge all menne both such as shall than liue and also those whiche were before dead to the euerlastyng comforte and felicitie of all faythfull whiche haue honored hym and taken him for theyr brother aduocate patrone and defender And agayne to the vtter confusion and condemnacion of all vnfaythfull whiche would neuer beleue his worde nor suffer hym to rule nor to haue dominion ouer them M. But whan shall this iudgemēt once come S. The daye and houre is vnknowen vnto all men wherfore no mā ought to busy or trouble hymselfe muche aboute it but euery one of vs ought continually to loke diligent aboute vs that we do fulfyll those thynges whiche pertayne vnto our vocacion committed vnto vs of the lorde that that tyme and daie come not vpon vs sodenly vnwares and out of season For the ignorance of the daye and tyme ought to put vs continually in remembraunce that we neuer lyue securely rechelesselye Mat. xxiiii and .xxv Luke xii but continually watchyng in the feare of God standyng alwayes prepared with the loynes of our mynde redye gyrded vp i. Peter i. Ti. iii and wayting for the Lorde Iesus Christe shewing our selues good willyng diligente and redye vnto all good workes wherby we maye helpe and further our neyghbor by any meanes M. Do our workes than meryte any thyng of God S. Our workes merite nothyng of God for any worthynes in themselues but yet God whiche of his mercy worketh them in and by vs wyll also of his mercy highly rewarde them in vs. M. Now what foloweth next S. The thirde principall article of the holy ghost our sanctifier M. What are the woordes of this article S. J beleue in the holy gost c. M. What is that to say S. Forsouth thus muche I beleue that there is an holy ghoste whiche procedeth from the father and the sonne with whom he is one very liuyng God the thirde persone in the godhead which worketh so in vs that we shal be partakers of the saluaciciō that is purchased by Christ Through whose power operacion onely all holy men haue spoken and without hym canne no man speake or doe any thyng that is good and godly For we haue nothyng in vs but very darkenesse ignoraunce and hypocrisie M. what is the proper office of the holy ghoste S. It is to sanctifie all those whiche are in the bonde couenante of God through Christe vnto the holye temples of the Lorde that they hereafter may contende and begynne their viage vnto the euerlastyng lyfe in theyr mortall body and also that they may euen here in this lyfe haue theyr God dwellyng in them And agayne it is his office to lyghten theyr heartes with the knowlege of the father and the sonne to leade theim into all trueth to comfort them in al maner of temtacion necessitie and aduersitie to prepare vs vnto a newe life to strengthen vs vnto all goodnesse And so to renewe all christen mennes heartes that they may be changed and made newe men M. But seyng there are many and diuers spirites how may a man discerne and knowe the holy spirite from the worldly deuelishe euil and wicked spirites S. By the fruites properties aboue rehersed but specially by the holy scripture For seyng it is certayne that scripture was inspired by the holy gooste all maner of doctrine that is not consonaunte and agreable vnto it is of an other and not of the holye spirite For the holy spirite is neuer contrarye to hym selfe nor neuer bryngeth in any straunge doctrine in religion M. What followeth S. I beleue an holy christen churche the communion of saintes M. what is that to saye S. That is I beleue and confesse one company and congregaciō of faithfull christians vpon erth from the tyme of Adam vntyll thys daye and vntyll the ende of the worlde whiche is sanctifyed and incorporate into one body vnder one head thorowe the holy goste And they consent and agree together in oure sauiour Christe as the verye membres of one bodye in all thynges pertayning vnto edyfying in faythe and in all Godlynes M. But howe may this congregacion be gathered and suche edifying in faythe and all godlynesse perfourmed S. Thorowe the worde of pure doctryne and exhortacion And thorowe the ryghte vse of the holy sacramentes And thorow other ordynaunces of discipline in the church wherby the christian congregacyon is kepte in order after the worde of God and sundered from all maner of of strange sectes M. Why callest thou the churche holy and christen S. For the causes aboue rehersed because the holy ghoste hathe peculiarlye gathered and sanctified it in a godlye and an holye exercise and lyfe i. Tho. vi in body and sowle and also because Christe hathe sanctified it thorowe his precious bloud M. Why callest thou
Adams trasgression S. Forasmuche as he displeased God therfore dyd God punyshe hym withall his posteritie so that euer synce that fall of Adam both he and we all are depriued spoyled of the image of God and so are borne into the worlde euen from our mothers wombe sinners vnrighteous and children of wrathe M. Than canst thou not be saued S. After my fyrst byrth I cānot be saued but through my secōde byrth in Christe I haue an vndoubted hope and assured trust to be saued M. What art thou than after thy seconde byrth S. I am a christian M. What is a Christian S. A Christian is one that acknowlegeth himselfe a synner and beleueth stedfastly that God our heauēly father is mercyfull vnto hym through the gloryous passion and bloud sheddyng of our sauiour Iesus Christe M. Whereby knowest thou that thou art a Christian S. Because I doe faythfully beleue the same and vpon this belefe am baptysed or chrystened in the name of the father of the sonne and of the holye ghoste M. What belieuest thou of the father of the sonne and the holy ghoste S. I beleue that the father is God the sonne is God the holy ghoste is God and yet as these are three destincte persones eguall in substaunce glorye and maiestie so is he but onely one God eternall without begynnyng euerlastyng without ende almyghtifull and altogether bounteous good mercyfull louyng tendre beneficiall vnto man M. What dooest thou ferther beleue of thesame God the father the sonne and the holy ghoste S. I dooe firmely and stedfastely beleue whatsoeuer is wrytten of God in the holy scriptures and all that euer is conteyned in the speciall poyntes and artycles of the chrysten religion whiche the lorde hym selfe taught vs and commaunded his dysciples to teache the same M. What are the speciall pointes of the christen religion and howe many are they S. They are syxe M. which syxe be they S. The fyrst is the .x. commaundementes ii The artycles of the holy christian fayth iii. The holy prayer of the Lorde iiii The woordes and institucion of the holy baptisme v. The woordes of the holy supper of the Lorde vi The woordes of the Ecclesiasticall discipline and brotherly correccion M. Now rehearse me the woordes of all the syxe pryncypall poyntes and articles one after an other as I haue out of the places of Goddes holy scripture taught it vnto thee before this tyme. S. The .x. commaundementes are wrytten in the xx chapiter of Exodus in these wordes i. I the lord am thy God which haue brought the out of Egipt out of the land of bōdage thou shalt haue none other Goddes besyde me or in my syght ii Thou shalt make to thyselfe no grauen ymage nor symylitude of any thyng that is in heauen aboue or in the earth beneth or in the waters vnder the earth thou shalt neyther bowe thee downe before them nor shewe any seruice or reuerence vnto them For I am the lorde thy God a strong and gelous God for I auenge the vnrighteousnesse of the fathers vpon the children euen vnto the thyrde and fourthe generacion of them that hate and despyse me and I shewe mercye euen vnto the thousandest generacion of them that loue me kepe my commaundementes iii. Thou shalt not take the name of thy lorde god in vayne For the Lorde wyll not suffer him vnpunished that taketh his name in vayne iiii Remembre that thou kepe the Sabboth daye holy Sixe dayes shalte thou laboure and doe all thy buisinesse but the seuenth daye is an holy Sabboth day vnto the lord thy god Vpon that daye shalt thou doe no woorke at all neyther thou thy selfe nor thy sonne nor thy daughter neyther thy manseruaunte nor thy mayd seruaunt nor thy cattell nor thy geast whiche kepeth or lodgeth in thy house For in syxe dayes made the lord heauē and earth and the sea withal that is therin but vpon the seuenth daye dyd he rest from all maner of labour therfore the lorde hath honoured and halowed the Sabboth daye v. Honour thy father and mother that thy dayes maye bee prolonged in the lande that the Lorde thy God wyll gyue thee vi Thou shalt not murther vii Thou shalt not commit aduoutry viii Thou shalt not steale ix Thou shalt not beare false wytnesse against thy neighbor x. Thou shalt nor couet nor lust after thy neyghboures house thou shalt not luste after thy neybours wife nor his seruaūt nor his mayde nor his oxe nor his Asse nor after any thyng that is thy neybours ¶ The articles of the holy Christen feith and belefe are these and they conteyne .iii pryncipall articles I Beleue in God the father almyghtie maker of heauē and yearth And in Iesus Christ his onely sonne our lord which was conceyued by the holy ghost borne out of the virgin Mary suffred vnder Ponce Pylate was crucifyed dyed and was buried Descended vnto the helles and vpō the thyrd day he rose again from the dead ascended vnto the heauens and syttteth at the ryghthande of God the father almyghtie from thence he shall come to iudge the quicke and the dead iii. I beleue in the holy ghost an holy Chatholyque Churche the communion of sainctes the forgeuenes of synnes the resurreccion of the fleshe and the lyfe euerlastyng Amen ¶ The Lordes prayer wrytten in the .vi. of Matthewe and the .xi. of Luke is this OVr father whiche arte in heauen halowed bee thy name thy kyngdome come thy will be doen vpon earth as it is in heauen Geue vs this daye our dayly bread And forgeue vs our trespaces as we forgeue them that trespace agaynst vs. And leade vs not in to temptacion But deliuer vs from the euill For thine is the kyngdome and the power and the glory for euer Amen ¶ The woordes and instituciō of the holy baptisme conteyned in the newe testament are these Math. xxviii ANd Iesus came spake vnto his dysciples saying All power is geuen vnto me in heauen in yearth Goe ye therfore and teache all nacions baptisyng theim in the name of the father and of the sonne of the holy ghoste teaching thē to obserue all thinges whatsoeuer I haue commaūded you And loe I am with you alway euen vntyll the ende of the worlde Marke .xvi. And he sayde vnto them Goe ye into all the worlde preache the Gospell to all creatures He that beleeueth and is baptysed shall be saued But he that beleeueth not shall be damned Roma vi Knowe ye not that all wee whiche are baptysed in Iesus Christ are baptised to dye with him We are buryed then with him by baptisme for to dye that lykewyse as Christ was raised vp frome deathe by the glorye of the Father euen so wee also shoulde walke in a new lyfe Gala iii. For all ye that are baptysed haue put on Christ There is no Iewe neyther gentile there is neyther bonde neyther free there is neither manne nor womā For ye are
mā able to kepe and fulfill the law and .x. cōmaundements of god and so to attayne vnto euerlastyng saluacion of his owne naturall power and strength S. No for than should the sōne of God haue descended from heauen in vayne whiche came downe for none other purpose but to fulfill that for vs which no mā els was able for weaknes and infirmitie to accomplishe M. Why hath not man free libertie to kepe hymselfe from syn S. In the first creacion of man before his fall he was so created had suche libertie But thorow the transgression of Adam we were all depriued therof M. And why dyd God than geue vs suche commaundementes knowing before that we wer not able to fulfill and accomplishe them S. There are two special causes why god gaue the lawe of the .x. commaūdementes Fyrst that we myght therby learne to knowe both that perfeccion wherein man was fyrst created also the feblenes weaknes and corrupcion of our nature beeyng otherwyse inclined and affect than the lawe of god requireth Secondarily that it myght bee our scholemaister and guide vnto the onely sauior and mercy stole Christe whiche is the ende of the lawe For seyng we perceyue by the lawe that we are miserable synners and not able to perfourme that whiche the lawe requireth we must nedes flee vnto Christ for helpe and comforte staying our selues vpon hym only thorowe a true and a perfecte fayth M. Well God geue vs all suche a fayth Nowe what is the seconde speciall poynte or article of the christen religion S. The articles of the holy Christian faythe M. Declare me those articles of the fayth first what faythe is S. Faythe is a sure trust and a stedfaste confidence in the very true eternall liuing god wherthorowe our hartes are thorowly perswaded that he wyll bee mercyfull vnto vs thorowe the death and passion of his onely begotten sonne our lorde Iesus Christe M. Whervnto serueth this fayth S. It serueth profiteth vs for this pourpose to teache vs what we must hope and loke for to receyue of God whereby we may learne to knowe what god is And it teacheth vs also how we may performe all that God requireth of vs in the .x. commundementes M. What dooeth it teache vs of God S. To beleue all thinges that are writen in holy scripture of him the summe and effecte whereof is conteyned in the articles of the common crede J beleue in God c. M. How may those articles be briefly deuided S. They maye be deuided into .iii. chief principall articles The first of god the father our creator The second of god the sonne our redemer The thirde of god the holy gost our sanctifier which hathe sanctified and brought vs to the knowlege of the father and of the sonne M. Me thinke by this diuisiō thou makeste .iii. gods god the father god the sonne and god the holy gost S. No the whole scripture teacheth that there is but one god as in the .vi. of Deut. The lord our god is one only god There is but one God and one father of all c. Ephe. iiii Item i. Timo. ii There is one God one mediator c. But in thesame one Godhead are three sondry persons of like substance accordyng vnto the three sondry workes whiche are knowen of God namely the creacion the redemcion the sanctificacion Wherof the fyrste is ascribed vnto the father the seconde to the sonne the thirde to the holye gost And for this cause we saie and beleue that there are three persons and but one God M. Whiche are the woordes of the first chiefe principal article S. I beleue in god the father c. M. What is it to beleue in god S. It is to knowe god as he is M. What is God S. God is the euerlastyng and endelesse welspryng of all goodnesse Iac. i. Roma iii by whōe we may seke whatsoeuer we lacke to whōe we may rūne and complayne in what sorow vexacion and nede soeuer we be and we shall be sure to finde comforte helpe succour and defence at him M. Why doeth the scripture call God a father S. To confyrme and stablishe our fayth also to comfort the weake and feble heartes of all faythfull beleuers M. What comfort is it vnto the to beleue that God is an almyghtye father S. It is a singular cōfort vnto me to beleue that the almightie God the father of our Lorde Iesus Christe wyll also be my father and take no lesse but a thousande tymes more care charge and sorow for me a miserable worme than anye naturall father can do for his child and wyll repute and take me for a chyld and heyre of his kyngdome euerlastyng lyfe M. Is God suche a father vnto all men without excepcion S. No althoughe he be the lorde creator and susteiner of all yet he is onely the father of the faithful which know feare and loue his onelye begotten sōne and put their whole trust in him M. What comforte is it vnto the to beleue that God is almightie and creator of heauen and yearth S. Throughe beleuyng of that I am assured that I maye boldly and safelye trust and cōmitte my selfe vnto him whō no creature can hinder or let whiche as he of his fatherly goodnes wyll help vs so can he through his almyghtie power geue to vs his heritage and ayde vs in euery ease wherin and whāsoeuer he will Wherfore vnder his protecciō we may be of good comforte without feare of any maner of creature For all creatures must serue vs for our wealth profite M. If God be suche an almightie father why doeth he suffre his chyldren sometime to be so grieuously afflicted and vexed doeth not helpe them S. He suffereth it not as though he would not or coulde not helpe them but because it is for the glorye of his name for the sufferers soule helth that it should so be And although it semeth contrary to the affeccion and desyre of the fleshe yet the spirite of fayth feleth continually the present ayde of god in suche affliccion M. Is it sufficiente for vs thus to beleue of God the father as is nowe rehersed S. It is sufficiente ynoughe so that we learne thereby to putte all our hope and confidence of euerlasting lyfe and saluacion in hym only as the head welspring of all goodnes cōmittyng our selues vnto his almyghtie power and fatherly louyng goodnesse Which declareth hymselfe through his vnspeakable wysedome in the creacion of the world after suche sorte that no manne can bee excused whiche dooeth not put his trust in hym euer more adore worship glorifie him M. well what foloweth next S. The second principall article of God the sonne oure sauior Christe M. what are the wordes of this article S. J beleue in Jesus Christ c. M. What is al that to saye S. It is thus muche to saye I put al my trust
holy sacrament of Baptisme M. Nowe what is the fowerth principall article of the christen doctrine and religion S. Forsouth that is the institucion of the holy sacramente of baptisme M. Fyrst tel me what are sacramentes S. They are holy visible accions and exterior exercises instituted ordeyned and appoynted of almighty God to bee vsed in hys churche and congregacyon of hys faythful to represent vnto theim after a mooste lyuely sorte his heauenly gracious benefites that they may therby be confirmed in theyr fayth and of purpose to excite the mutual loue of one towarde an other M. Why did Christe ordayne suche sacramentes S. For .iii. speciall causes M. What is the firste S. The fyrste is that they shoulde be tokens and witnesses of the grace mercy and promises of God towarde vs and as the moste sure seales wherby our participaciō felowshyp and incorporacion with Christ is confyrmed consigned and sealed vp And also that our faythe which is otherwyse veraye feble and weake myght thorowe the vse of them be exercised and lifte vp from all earthly thinges vnto the consideracion estimacyon and expectacion of celestiall and heauenly thinges M. Is not that the peculiar operacion and office of the holy gooste S. Yes it is the very proper operacion of the holy gost For he gloryfieth Christe he is the eternall and effectuous worker and executour of all the doctryne and ordinaunces of Christe But yet he perfourmeth and executeth that worke thorowe the worde and vse of the sacramentes yf they be truely ministred and receyued And it is therfore ascribed vnto them because we should vnderstande and knowe that the sacramentes are not bare vayne and vnprofitable tokens M. What is the seconde cause S. The seconde is this that they shoulde admonishe vs continuallye of our office and duetie as long as we lyue For seyng we professe by receyuyng and vsyng of the sacramentes that we are incorporate and made one bodye with Christe thorowe participacion of hym we ought to knowe also that it is our bounde dutye to expresse and represent the very image of Christe in our whole lyfe and in all the exercises of the same And yf we doe not so than we contemne the sacramentes and vse them vnworthely M. What is the thyrd cause S. That they shoulde be tokens of the people of god wherby the whole company and congregacion of god myght bee gathered together as it were into one bodye and separated or diuided knowen by suche seuerall tokens and peculiar exercises whiche no nother congregacion doeth vse fro all other false sectes And they serue also for this purpose that the congregacion of Christ may shewe and declare by them theyr seruice reuerence and obedience towarde God and so maye prouoke others also thorowe their exāple vnto the trew religion and seruice of God M. What thinkest thou of them whiche vse the sacramentes vnwoorthely and vnreuerently S. For as muche as they breke violate the couenaunte of the Lord therby they are accursed and abominable in the syght of God And therfore they shall bee reiected and refused of the Lorde for euer as periured rebellions yf they do not turne and amend M. Who vseth the sacramentes vnreuerently and vnworthily S. Forsoth he that doth not vse them in true fayth loue and obedience towardes God specially he that vseth them not to prouoke styrre vp and to nourish the forsaied vertues For therunto ought the vse of all externall or outwarde sacramentes to serue M. But are the sacramentes necessarye vnto saluacion S. Forasmuch as they are the ordinaunces of God and commaunded vnto vs to be vsed in perfecte obedience towarde God therfore can we not forbeare or neglecte the vse of them without manifest perill and hinderaunce of saluacion M. What persons are to bee taken and reputed for contemners and dispisers of the sacramentes S. Suche as vse them not whan they maye haue them ministred after the institucion and ordinaūce of Christ For whosoeuer beleueth our sauiour Christe and is a true disciple of his he can not chose but to vse all thinges with high reuerence and deuocion what soeuer our sauior Christe hathe ordayned to bee vsed M. Well nowe lette vs come vnto baptisme what is Baptisme S. It is an ordinaunce commaundemente of oure sauiour Iesus Christe ioyning all suche as shall enter into the cumpany and congregacion of Christe to be baptised that is to bee sprincled or dipped with water in the name of the father of the sonne and of the holy gost M. But in what texte of scripture is suche commaundemente grounded S. In the last of Matthew and Marke in these wordes Vnto me is geuen all power in heauen and earth therfore go your waye and teache all nacions baptisyng them in the name of the father and of the sonne and of the holy ghoste c. M. What is to be noted learned out of these wordes S. Forsoth .iii. thinges M. what is the fyrste S. The fyrste is this that our sauior Christe vnto whome the father hath geuen all power in heauen earth wylleth that his holy gospell should be preached vnto all men in the whole worlde that all people should be made his disciples M. what is the .ii. note S. The .ii is this that the holy sacramente of baptisme is cōmaunded of god the father the sonne and the holy ghost to be asure testimonie of the inestimable loue fauour of God toward vs wherby the promises of the ghospell concernyng the free remyssion of synnes the newe byrth and euerlastyng lyfe purchased by Christe are sealed confyrmed and made sure vnto vs. M. And what is the thyrde note S. The thirde is this that those that are baptised ought to remayne in the couenaunte of God and to applye themselues to learne and to kepe all that the Lorde hath commaunded to dye vnto synne and to caste of the olde Adam with all his lustes and affeccions to put on the Lord Iesus euery daye more than other in a newe lyfe whiche will be presente with vs vntill the worldes ende and graciouslye ayde and helpe vs therunto M. Vnto what persons doeth baptisme appertayne S. Vnto all suche as the couenaunte of God the doctryne of the ghospell preached by the Apostles pertayneth vnto M. Muste infantes and young children also be baptised S. Yea forsouth yf it maye be done forasmuche as the couenaunt of the lorde perteyneth also vnto them they are also of the flocke of God and partakers of grace And therfore the signe and seale of the promise and couenaunte whiche is baptisme muste nedes also perteyne vnto them And agayne seeyng they are in the fauor of God as his dearely beloued and partakers of Christe of his merites as they must nedes be yf the kyngdom of god be thēce as Christe sayth than baptisme whiche is the seale of all this muste also nedes perteyne vnto them M. But howe can they be baptised seyng thei haue no faythe
parentes are vnreuerently intreated of their children it is through the sufferaunce of God for a punishemente vnto them for so euill and negligently brynging of them vp in theyr youth And what hath been the cause of the heuy blindnesse and ignoraunce in the worlde in the trwe relygion and seruice of God of the manifold ydolatry supersticion other than the lacke of the ryght true institucion of youth Wherfore yf we will auoyde the wrath and indignacion of God all manâ—er of inconuenience let vs apply more studie diligence that our youth maye be better brought vp in the knowledge and feare of God that in theyr younge and tender age they maye learne the prynciples of Christes religion and of our christen fayth Which shal be a meane to a voyde all the incoÌ„uenieÌ„ce aboue rehersed And if we do not this let vs loke for no nother but that theyr bloude perisshing through our negligence shall be straitly required of our handes And not onely of parentes but also of all suche as haue any cure and charge of youth as Scholemasters in theyr scholes pastours and ministers in theyr cures These should bee the speciall instructours of youth These shoulde beate into childrens heades the chiefe poyntes and articles of the Christen doctryne As are the .x. Commaundementes the Artycles of the fayth the Lordes prayer the institucion of the holy Sacramentes of Babtysme and of the holy Supper of the Lorde and laste of all the institucion of the Ecclesiasticall or churche disciplyne and exercise of brotherly correccion c. These poynctes beeyng fyrste taught vnto chyldren by theyr parentes woorde for woorde whiche is the office and duty of all christen parentes to do a playne and symple vnderstanding of them might afterward bee taught them eyther in the schole by the scholemaisters or els in the churche by the pastoures and ministers geuyng them euery Sunday one shorte article or question to learne repetyng it distinctlye twyse or thryse and requiring it of them agayne the nexte Sunday and than to gyue and repete vnto them in lyke maner another vntyll the whole Catechisme be learned out and than begynnyng agayne If but one houre were thus spente euery Sonday of euery pastour and minister in examining the youthe in the churche before the face of the whole paryshe or of euery scholemaister but once a weke theyr parentes earnestly warning and dryuyng theim to learne and remembre what is taught them we shoulde fele wtin one yeare what infinite profite shoulde come thereof and within fewe yeares we shoulde haue a florysshing common welth This doeth God moste straytely require of vs and we had neuer suche occasion vnto it as we nowe haue consideryng howe earnestly our moste christen rulers the Kynges moste excellent Maiestie his ryght woorthy noble counsailour gouernour of his graces person the lorde Protectors grace with other of his graces most christiaÌ„ councell do intende and mynde the true plantyng and settyng foorth of Christes pure religion in this realme Whose feruente and moste christian zeale if we should not withall proÌ„ptnes and thankefulnes receyue we should shewe and proue ourselues no true naturall subiectes Lette euery one therfore moste faythfull christians apply his faythfull studie and endeuor to further and helpe forwarde theyr gracious prynces moste godly trauaile and procedinges in the kingdome of god So shall it in short space florish among vs. And we shall feele God to be our mercyfull father indewyng vs with the more plentifull grace againste the assautes of all our enemies And that men might haue some forme trade to instructe the youth therby I haue gathered out of diuers lerned christian wryters of Cathechismes this briefe instruccion in suche questions as semed vnto me moste necessary for children to learne Wherof they may learne euery weke one beyng so repeted as is aboue wryten without any difficultie at all This I submit vnto the iudgement of the faythfull what soeuer they be desiring all men to interprete my faythfull indeuor therein to the best and to vse it so far as they may haue comforte and edification therby Almyghtie God geue all men generally grace to seke ernestly the furtheraunce of his kyngdome in the youth And specially God geue all parentes and pastours whiche haue speciall charge and cure of youth grace to instructe and bryng them vp in his feare as may be moste to the glory honor of his name God geue also all chyldren and youth his holy spirite that they may receyue all godly vertuous doctryne ensample that they maye become the very seruauntes and children of God after this lyfe with their angels maye enioy the perfite sight and fruicion of their heauenly father Amen A christian introductioÌ„ for youth coâ—â—â—â—ing the principles of our fayth religion The master axeth the question according as he hath taught all thynges to the scholer afore The scholer aunswereth as he hath afore learned and receyued it of the maister The Maister SPeake my louyng chylde what art thou The scholer Sir accordyng vnto my firste birth I am a creature of God indued with vnderstandyng reason but yet borne in synne and therfore of no value M. How and to what end hath God created the S. Whan I was nothyng he of his exceding grace and mere goodnesse created me that I might perfitely lerne to knowe hym to loue him to feare hym to laude and to prayse him and finally to be partaker of all his inestimable riches benefites M. How hath God created the S. First he hath made me a body out of the yerth and furnyshed the same withall necessary lymmes members Than hath he indued the same bodye with a precious liuely and an immortall soule eueÌ„ after his own image by reason whereof I am as it were a liuely image of God M. But howe can the image of God be resembled in man S. For south thus as God is euerlastyng and immortall euen so is the soule of man also And againe lyke as God is the lorde of all creatures so hath he ordained man to be lorde ouer all bodily creatures hath made them all to be subiect vnto hym and to serue him M. Is not the image of God righteousnes holynes trueth euerlastyng ioy and saluation S. Yes for south M. Howe canst thou than be a synner and of no value S. I haue inherited synne of Adam the first maÌ„ that was created M. Was Adam than a synner S. God created hym after his owne image ryghteous good and holy and gaue hym a commaundement not to eate of the fruite of knowlage of good and euill whiche commaundemente yf he had obserued and kept he all his posteritie should haue remayned holy and blissed for euer But he traÌ„sgressed that commaundement persuaded by decipteful instruccion and prouocacion of the deuill and so he became a sinner M. But what maketh that agaynste the Art thou a synner because Adam was a synner or through
confidence of euerlastyng lyfe saluacion in Christe Iesus the sonne of God whiche is not onelye a mightie puissaunt lorde ouer synne death and hel all which he hath vtterly depriued of all theyr power and mighte that they can neuer ouercome more but also he is suche a lorde vnto vs as hath boughte and redemed vs from the bondage of synne and deliuered vs frō Sathans iurisdiccion hath taken suche charge of vs that he wyll from hencefoorth continually defende and preserue vs as any lorde will do his naturall people that are sworne subiecte vnto him M. Why do we call him Iesus S. Because he is an healper and sauiour whiche saueth and helpeth the children of god from synne and from all kynde of euill Math. i. and ix Luke ii M. Why do we call hym Christe S. Because he is the annoynted king of God which gouerneth the children of God vnto euerlastyng lyfe M. Wherin consisteth his gouernaunce S. In obteynyng vs remission of our synnes and in geuyng his spirite M. Why do we say his onely sonne S. For a differēce betwene him and vs. For he was borne very god the very brightnes of his beautie and glory out of the very nature godly substaunce of the father without all synne But we are the children of god through adopcion and grace whiche els by nature muste haue remayned the children of wrathe and of euerlastyng death M. Why sayest thou Esai ix Math. xii Collo i. i. Cor. vi our Lorde S. Because he onely hath broken the yoke of Sathan and delyuered vs frō his tyranny redemyng vs with the precious price of his bloud Wherfore we are not our owne but his and we ought to serue him onely and to lyue after his wyll and not after our owne M. What foloweth S. Whiche was conceyued by the holy gost borne out of the virgin Mary M. What beleuest thou by this S. That our sauiour Christe for our wealth is become very manne but without all maner of sin M. Whereby gatherest thou that he is without all maner of sin S. By that that he was not conceiued by any manne but by the holy ghost and borne of the pure virgin Mary M. What profit or cōforte hast thou by this belefe S. This comfort haue I therby that I beleue that he thorowe his holy and heuenly concepcion hath sāctified our vnclene and earthly concepcion and that he wyll take awaye the vncleanesse of my byrth and nature and wyll make me partaker of his blissed byrth and of the holynesse of his nature M. Why is thy nature vncleane and vnholy S. Yea for as muche as we all are conceyued borne in sinne M. what other profite is it vnto vs that the sonne of god toke mannes nature vpon hym and became man S. We are assured also thereby that he is our brother and that he and we are partakers of one fleshe and bloud And for as muche as he would ouercome sathan in our fleshe we are sure that his victorie is ours and that we are admitted and receiued vnto the euerlastyng participacion of all his heauenly goodes richesse M. What hath the sonne of God Iesus Christ doen for our sake S. He suffred vnder Ponce Pilate was crucifyed dyed and was buried descended vnto hel M. what beleuest thou in this S. Hereby I beleue that Christ dyd suffre for vs the moste vilaynous and bytterest death to reconcile vs thorow the oblacion of his owne bodye vnto god the father and to take away our synnes and so to delyuer vs from the deuill death sinne and hell M. why was it the moste vyllaynous death S. Because he was condemned vnto death as a blasphemouse and a sedicious persō and the wycked vyllayne and murtherer Barrabas quit and deliuered M. Why was it the moste bytterest death S. Because he was mocked scourged crowned with pryckyng thornes nailed vnto the crosse M. Why sayest thou Died was buried and descended to hell S. Because he dyed verely and his body was layed in the graue his soule wente vnto the soules that wer before departed M. What went he in to the paynes of the damned soules S. No but vnto the holy soules whiche did rest frō the time of Adam and Noe in the bosome of Abraham waytyng for Christes ioyfull cummyng M. And why did he descende vnto them S. In token that the frute vertue effecte of his passion dyd not apperteyne only vnto them that were than alyue but also vnto them that were dead before M. what mayest thou learne by all this S. Forsoth .iiii. speciall lessons Fyrste I maye well consyder therby the great heauynes of my sinne whiche the Lorde dyd raūsome with so paynfull smart and tormente M. What is the seconde S. Secondarilye I fynde also a singuler comforte herein whiche is this that the Lorde hath satisfied and taken awaye all my synnes together with the payne whiche I had well deserued to haue suffered for them thorough his owne death bitter passion M. And what is the thirde S. Thirdly I maye learne hereby pacientlye to suffer whatsoeuer it shall please the Lorde to lay vpon me and to beare my crosse mekelye after hym euen vnto death seyng he thorowe his Crosse and passion hath sanctifyed all manner of affliccions and made them swete pleasaūt and fruitefull for vs. And we maye be assured that if we suffer with hym we shall also lyue and reygne with him M. Now what is the fowerth and laste of all S. Forsothe that is this that I may learne hereby the hyghe and inestimable loue of God towarde mankynde whiche dydde not spare his onelye dere beloued soonne but gaue hym vnto suche a cruell and villaynous deathe for vs vnwoorthy mysyrable fylthye and wretched sinners M. What beleueste thou more of our Lorde Iesus Christe S. That on the thirde daye he arose vp agayne from the dead ascended into the heauens setteth at the ryghthande of God the father almyghtye M. What is all this to saye S. Thus muche I beleue and confesse that Iesus Christe the sonne of God beeyng without spotte or synne coulde not bee kept or holden with the bandes of death whiche came into the worlde by reason of sinne And therfore thorough his godlye power he vanquysshed bothe deathe and helle and vpon the thyrde daye he arose agayn appearyng vnto his disciples in a gloryfyed and an immortall bodye M. What doeth the resureccion of Christe profite vs S. For sothe verye muche for thereby are we assured that death hell and the deuil are ouercome and that sinne is taken awaye and euerlastyng righteousnesse sette in the place and purchased of the father for vs yf so be that we beleue in hym Furthermore it is a sure pledge vnto vs that our bodies shall also haue free passage into the euerlastyng glorye without any interupcion of deuil death or hell M. What meanest thou by this where thou sayest that Christe sitteth at the righthand of
treasures with him Apoca. xxi Luke xxii Psal xvii i. Ch. xv For as than God shal be all in all M. But tell me more plainlye what maner of persons shall enioye this euerlastyng life S. All they that beleue in Christe Iohn iii. v.vi M. But how muste a man beleue in Christ S. Forsouthe that he is the sonne of the liuing god Iohn vi whiche was sent from god and came into this worlde and toke mannes nature vpon him Math. xvi and tooke vpon hym to dye for our synnes i. Iohn iiii and was crucifyed vpon the crosse and throughe the power of his godhead rose vp agayn from death for our iustificacion Roma iii This must euery man beleue in his heart and also openly confesse with his mouth Roma x. M. But here thou makeste no mencion of the vnfaythfull What shal be doen with them S. They Dani. xii Ihon. v Luke xvi Esd xxx Math ix like as they shall rise vnto euerlastyng shame condemnacion and confusion euen so shall they be clere destitute of the blessednesse ioye and felicitie of the faythfull And their part shall be in the euerlastyng fyre and in the exterior darkenesse where euerlastyng wooe waylyng and gnashing of teeth shal be M. And is this article of euerlastyng lyfe of necessitie to be beleued S. Yea moost necessarye For yf this article be not beleued than are the other also eyther not beleued at all or els they are beleued in vayne M. why so S. Because muche profite ensueth of the belefe of this article yf it bee truly beleued As peace and quyetnesse of conscience reioysyng in God and in his workyng and vpon that pacience and constancye in trouble and aduersitie and also tontempt of all transitory thynges whether it be goodes honor or lyfe For the scope and ende of al that is prescribed and promysed in the scripture is euerlastyng lyfe vnto the glory of God M. But who will geue vs suche a fayth S. Forsouth that wyll God our heuenly father doe yf we call vpon hym therfore thorowe instante earnest prayer M. Nowe God the father sonne and holy ghoste geue vs and all men this fayth and preserue and strengthen vs therin vnto the ende Amen What is the thirde chiefe pointe or article of the christen doctryne and religon S. The lordes prayer M. Declare me thesame and fyrst what is praier S. Praier is an heartie inuocacion and callyng vpon God our heauenly father Math. v. vi Marke x Iohn .xvi. Iaco. i desiryng of him in the name of Christe all our necessities with a sure trust and confidence that he wyll heare vs. M. Forasmuche as thou sayest that prayer is an inuocaciō and callyng vpon God is than the inuocacion of sainctes whiche are in heauen no ryght prayer S. Math. vi Our sauior Christ speaking of that prayer whiche he promiseth to heare sayeth that we should inuocate and praye vnto the father onely Wherfore he that prayeth otherwyse Fyrst he maketh such a praier wherof he hath no promise of God to be heard Esai xlv Secondarily he committeth also idolatry forasmuche as he ascribeth that thyng vnto dead sainctes and creatures whiche is due vnto God onely As to be our God and father to bee almyghtie to serche to knowe the inward secretes of the hearte i. Pa. xxviii Iere. xvii to be the fountayne of whom al that is good procedeth and of whom all succour help comforte in any maner of necessitie is onely to be hoped and loked for c. All these are due vnto God onely He is onely to be adored or inuocate Esa lxiii Abraham knoweth vs not c. He is onely to be wurshipped serued wherfore to ascribe or attribute any of these thynges vnto any other than to hym only Mat. iiii is manifest Idolatry M. But nowe tell me what is it to praye in the name of Christe M. It is as muche as to praye for suche thynges as becummeth vs to axe and hym to geue namely for suche thynges as are holesome and necessarye for vs. Or els it is as muche as to praye after the commaundemente of Christe and for his sake i. Timo. ii For the father geueth vs all thynges whatsoeuer he geueth vs for Christes sake Heb. ii For the whiche cause they onely can praye in the name of Christe that beleue in Christe are very ryght christians which will neuer desire or praye for any thyng that is or maye be agaynste the glory and honor of Christe M. Doeth not God knowe wherof we haue nede before we pray S. Yes he doeth Math. vi M. And what nede we than to open our necessities vnto hym thorow praier S. For gods be halfe we nede not at all But for our owne behalfe it is necessary and good that we maye knowledge and confesse that we haue nothyng of our selues but all of God whiche thyng maketh vs meke humble M. well howe and after what maner ought we to pray S. Euen as our sauiour Christe taught his disciples and no nother wyse in effecte M. Why no notherwyse Roma viii Math. vi S. Because all maner of prayers that are not consonante and agreable vnto that whiche contayneth all necessarye peticions both for bodye and soule they are not good nor auaylable i. Iohn v M. What are the wordes of the prayer S. Our father whiche arte in heauen c. M. Why sayest thou father S. Because I learne thereby that I am a chylde of god and therfore ought to take my leaue of the deuyll for euer and to lyue onely after the wyll and pleasure of God and not after the desire and lust of myne owne fleshe M. why saiest thou our father S. To put me in remēbraunce of the brotherly loue that I owe towarde my neibour For seeyng god hath receyued vs all together and all a lyke thorowe his soonne oure sauiour Christe vnto his chyldren and chosen vs to be the heyres of all his goodes and treasure therfore we oughte to take and to loue one another euen as brethren and as the chyldren of one father and truly to praye vnto the father eche one for other M. Why sayest thou In heauen S. To remembre thereby his highe power and heauenlye glory M. what comfort hast thou by that S. Euen this that I maye by reason of that the more suerly set all my truste and affiaunce in gods ayde and helpe hauyng all my ioye and delight in heauen M. what is the effecte of all the peticions that folowe S. The effecte of all is this that the lorde will make vs partakers of al thinges that maye be good vnto vs and delyuer or preserue vs from all that maye be euill and noysome vnto vs. M. And what order is kept in those peticions S. Fyrste we desyre and praye therein for spirituall and heauenlye thynges and after for worldely transitory thynges M. For what spirituall
thynges S. For faythe vertue and godlynes and for remission of oure sinnes M. And for what worldly or transitory thynges S. For all bodely nourishment and sustentacion whereby we maye be the more able to serue god with in this life M. what is the fyrste peticion S. Halowed be thy name M. What prayest thou in this pecicion S. That God our heauenly father maye be perfectly knowen and glorifyed throwe the whole worlde M How maye that be done S. Thorowe the pure doctrine of the holy ghospell whan it is syncerelye preached and receyued with a trewe and constante faith in all obedience humblenes holynes and godlynes to the confusion of all sinne of ydolatrye of blasphemie and of all vngodlinesse M. what is the seconde peticion S. Thy kingdome come M. What prayest thou for in this peticion S. That God will ouerthrowe and destroye in vs the kyngdome of Sathan of sin and of the worlde And that he wyll gather vs to gether thorowe his worde and spirite into the kyngdome of his sonne namely the christen churche congregacion and gouerne and rule vs in the same that we may serue him and liue after his will in one consente and whan the numbre of the faithfull thorowe dayly encrease is once full and perfecte than that we may together inherite and enioy that euerlastyng kyndome M. what is the thirde peticion S. Thy will be doen vpon erth c. M. what praiest thou for in this peticion S. That we may conceiue such a lust and a desire vnto his will in all thynges as the holy Angels and saintes in heauen haue M. Why sayest thou in earth as it is in heauen S. Because that in heauen nothing resisteth the wyll of God but in yearth the wyll of God is muche and often resisted Therfore doe we praye in this peticion that God wyll hyndre and let whatsoeuer is agaynste his moste holye wyll geue vs grace to forsake our owne fleshly wyll and desyre and withall humblenesse to obey his moste godly wyll submittyng and geuyng ouer our selues willyngly vnto the same whatsoeuer he shall laye vpon vs. M. what is the fowerth peticion S. Geue vs this day our daily bread M. What prayest thou for in this peticion S. That God wyll geue vs all maner of necessary sustinaunce for this lyfe as meate drynke clothyng godly and vertuous magistrates and rulers helth peace and quietnes and all thynges whatsoeuer is necessary for vs to liue in thys worlde to the glorye of hys name and the profite of our neighbor M. Why sayest thou this day and dayly S. By those wordes I am put in remembraūce that I should take no thought nor be carefull for the time to come but should dayly labor in my condicion of lyfe and praye therwith than nothyng doubte but that God wil geue me both that day and all dayes as long as I lyue whatsoeuer I shall nede may be profitable and expedient for me M. What is the fifte peticion S. For geue vs our trespaces c. M. What prayest thou for in this peticion S. For remission and forgeuenes of suche synnes wherwith I dayly diplease my heauenly father and that God wyll not entre into iudgemente with me but be mercyfull vnto me M. And why than kepest thou not thy selfe from sinning S. I ought so to doe withall diligence and indeuor but our naturall ignoraunce with the weakenes infirmitie wherein we were borne is so great that we ouersee oure selues euermore and therfore are we constrayned to desyre God of forgeuenes M. Why addest thou further as we forgeue our trespacers S. For the lorde wyll not remit or forgeue vs at all yf we forgeue not thē that haue greued offended or displeased vs. M. Why so S. Because our heauenly father wylleth that we shoulde well consider and acknowelege our owne synnes and take all maner of displeasure of iniury that our neighbor doeth vnto vs pacientlye and with thankefulnes euen as a moste worthy deserued punishment of God our heauenly father and therfore for our owne part to be well content with al such through whom God doth chastice or punishe vs whatsoeuer they be M. What is the sixt peticion S. Leade vs not into temptacion M. What praiest thou for in this peticion S. That God our heauenly father wyll mercyfully assist me in all maner of temptacions and bryng me through whether it bee in prosperitie or aduersitie wyll kepe and preserue me by the verye ryght fayth euen vnto the ende M. Howe doeth god leade men into temptacion S. Whensoeuer he permitteth the wicked ghostely enemy to withdrawe vs through transitory fortune or misfortune prosperitie or aduersitie and also through other gostly assaultes from fayth vertue godlines M. What is the seuenth peticion S. But deliuer vs from euill M. What prayest thou in this peticion S. That our heauenly father will redeme deliuer vs from the snares subtiltie tyranny and power of our olde wicked enemy M. Hath he than any power agaynst thee S. Yea forsouth by reason of my synnes wherin I am borne god geueth him power against me from the which he himselfe alone through our Lord Iesus Christe must nedes deliuer me M. And what meaneth that clause and sentēce wheras thou sayest For thine is the kyngdome power and glory for euer S. That sentence putteth vs in remembraunce that we ought to conclude and ende all our prayers in lauding and praysyng of god and to thynke thus in our heartes O heauenly father I haue desyred of the to the glorye of thy name and to the wealth of all men both in body soule high and excedyng great thynges whiche are by menne impossible to obteyne or atteyne But thou arte a gloryous and an almyghtie puissaunte kyng euerlastyng whiche canste easily procure prouyde all that is good for thy chyldren and canste also breake and auoyde all contrarye power of our aduersaries wherfore helpe and deliuer vs from all the power of hel and restore vs vnto euerlastyng lyfe M. But nowe howe concludest thou thy prayer S. With this woorde Amen M. What is that to saye S. Forsouth thus muche O heauenly father graunte of thy mercye that all these thynges maye come to passe whiche we haue desired of that in this prayer And forasmuche as thou haste promised to heare all those that call vpon the in true faith in the name of thy beloued sonne we hope and trust stedfastly that it shall so happen vnto vs. Notwithstanding if there be any lacke of defaute in our fayth by reason or our naturall infirmitie than strengthen thou good lord our fayth graunte vs thy holy spirite that we may praye this thyne owne prayer with a true and a perfite fayth and that we maye speake from the botome of our heartes vnto the in all our prayers Amen Amen Sobeit M. Almyghtie God graunte that thou and all other maye alwayes praye in suche a fayth S. Amen A declaracion of the
the name and authoritie of our sauior Iesus Christ also in the name of the whole congregacion M. After what maner and fourme S. with all godlye feruentnes and earnest praier vnto God For the which cause also it must be done in the open congregacion beeyng assembled together with theyr consente M. Proue me this by the woorde of God S. The Lorde sayeth in the chapiter before rehersed whansoeuer two or thre among you do consente together whatsoeuer they shall praye for that shall be doen vnto them of my father in heauen For whersoeuer two or thre are gathered together in my name there am I in the middest amōg them M. Here the lorde maketh mencion of two or three onely S. That he doeth to confirme the greater nūbre by the smaller M. But shewe me some scripture that maketh expresse mencion of the whole congregacion S. The holye Paul wryteth thus .i. Corin. v. J as one that am absent from you in bodye but yet present with you in spirite haue already as presente determined and concluded against him that hath committed that dede in the name of our lorde Iesus Christe and in your congregacion with my spirite and with the power or authoritie of our lorde Jesus Christe to geue him euer vnto the deuill to the confusion and perishyng of his fleshe that his spirite may be safe at the daye or cummyng of the lorde Jesus M. And what is the ministers or pastors duetie to doe in all this S. He ought in no wise to admit vnto the communion of the sacramentes suche as bee excluded by the churche or by the appoynted elders vntill suche time as they be reconciled therunto agayne And besides that he ought to bee as it were the mouth of the cōgregacion to open and to declare vnto the transgressours the heauinesse of theyr synnes to moue them vnto heartie repentaunce that they maye come out of the deuils snares M. But nowe cōcerning these that be sicke howe shall the minister ordre them S. If he perceyue that they be sorye and repentaunte for theyr sinnes and are desirous of the fauoure of God of remission than ought he to comfort them with some promyse of grace to preache vnto them free remission and absolucion in the presence of suche as are there by assistente leste peraduenture their conscience being vexed and their sickenes increased the wicked enemie preuent and ensnare them and so seduce and conueigh them into desperacion M. Where hast thou any example of scripture for that S. Our sauiour Christe as soone as he sawe the bedredde before hym doubtlesse in feare of hys synnes he sayed vnto him My sonne bee of good comforte thy synnes are forgeuen thee And agayne to the woman that had synned he sayed Goe thy way in peace thy fayth hath saued thee M. Hast thou no further commaundemente of the visitacion comfort of the sick to be doen by the ministers of the churche S. Yes the holye Apostle S. Iames teacheth that the praier of faythe whiche the seniors or elders of the churche doe make for the sicke shall help them and the lorde shall comforte them yf they be in synne it shall be forgeuen them M. Nowe what fruite and profite ought all this to worke in thee S. Fyrste I ought to learne hereby to receyue of any manne thankefully all maner of christian and brotherly correccion warning and informacion And also by the verye duetie and bonde of loue truely and faythfully to admonishe reproue my neyghboure whiche is euery christian man if I shal see him offēde M. why what hast thou to do with thy neighbour S. Forsouth forasmuche as we are all the mēbres of one body If I cā finde in my heart to see any to loyter and perishe in his synne not so much as to admonish him therof than it may appere that there is no christian loue in me M. Well what other fruit may thys doctryne worke in thee S. This also i. Corin. v. ii Thes ii that I contemne not in any wyse the disciplyne of binding loocyng of the churche but esteme drede it reuerently eschewyng and auoydynge all felowshippe and familiaritie of suche as wyll not conforme themselues vnto thesame M. what scripture haste thou for that S Euen the woordes of oure sauiour Christ wher he saieth Jf he heare not the church or congregacion than take or repute hym as an heathen and an vnchristian that is to say as an infidele that is sundered and seperate from al christian ordre and felowship But yet we ought not vtterly to reiecte and to hate him in our heartes but to praye hartily vnto God for hym that he may be conuerted from his wickednes againe and than with all ioyfulnes to receyue hym into all christen felowship agayne M. Well this is sufficient of this article also Now tell me what is thy dayly exercise in the seruice of God S. Morning and euening whan I arise or goe to bed lykewise before after meate I vse these prayers folowing or suche like Fyrste at my vprisyng I falle doune on my knees and lyftyng vp my handes and iyes vnto heauen I cōfesse my synnes vnto God my heauenly father after this maner A generall confession of synnes to be sayed euery morning O Almyghtie God our heauenlye father I confesse knowlege that I am a miserable a wretched synner haue manifolde wayes moste greuouslye transgressed thy moste godly cōmaūdementes thorow wicked thoughtes vngodlye lustes sinfull woordes dedes and in my whole lyfe In synne am I borne and conceyued and there is no goodnesse in me in asmuche as yf thou shouldest entre into thy narowe iudgemente with me iudgyng me accordyng vnto the same I were neuer hable to suffer or abyde it but must nedes peryshe and be damned for euer So lyttle help comfort or succour is there either in me or in any other creature Onely this is my comfort o heauenly father that thou diddest not spare thy only dere-beloued sonne but diddest geue him vp vnto the moste bittur moste vile slaūderous death of the crosse for me that he myght so pay the raūsom for my sinnes satisfie thy iudgement still and pacifie thy wrathe reconcyle me agayne vnto the and pourchace me thy grace and fauour and euerlastyng lyfe Wherefore thorowe the merite of hys moste bitter death and passion and thorow his innocent bloud sheadyng I beseche thee o heauēly father that thou wylt vouchsafe to bee gracious and mercyfull vnto me to forgeue and to pardon me all my synnes to lyghten my harte with thy holy spirite to renewe confirme and strengthen me with a right and a perfite fayth and to inflame me in loue towarde thee my neybour that I may hēceforth with a willing and a glad harte walk as it becūmeth me in thy moste godly commaūdementes and so glorifie prayse thee euerlastingly And also that I maye with a free conscience and a quiet
harte in all maner of temptacions affliccions or necessyties and euen in the very panges of deth cry boldely and merily vnto the and saye I beleue in God the father allmyghtie maker of heauen and earthe And in his onely sonne Iesus Christe our lorde c. But o Lorde God heauenly father to comforte my selfe in affliccion and temptacion wyth these articles of the christē faith It is not in my power For fayth is thy gyft and for as muche as thou wylt be prayed vnto and called vpon for it I cumme vnto thee to praye and beseche the bothe for that and for all my other necessities euen as thy deare beloued sonne our sauiour Christe Iesus hath hymselfe taught vs. And from the very botome of my harte I crye and saye O our father whiche arte in heauen c. This doen I adde this prayer for the mornyng O Mercifull lorde God heauenly father I rēder most high laudes prayse and thākes vnto the that thou hast preserued me both this nyght and all the tyme and dayes of my lyfe hitherto vnder thy proteccion and hast suffred me to lyue vntyll this presente houre And I beseche the hartily thou wylt vouchesafe to receyue me this daye and the residue of my whole lyfe from hencefurthe into thy tuicion rulyng and gouernyng me with thy holy spirite that all maner of darkenesse of misbelefe infidelitie and of carnall lustes and affeccions maye be vtterlye chaced and driuen out of my harte and that I maye be iustified saued both body and soule thorow a right and a perfect fayth and so walke in the lighte of thy mooste godlye truthe to thy glory and prayse and to the profit and furtheraunce of my neybour thorowe Iesus Christe our Lorde and sauioure Amen Or thus more brieflye O Mercyfull lorde God heuenly father I laude and prayse the that thou haste preserued me this nyghte from all perill daunger and euyll And I beseche the of thy mercye to kepe preserue me from hencefoorth likewise And driue all maner of darkenesse oute of my hart that the light of thy truthe may shyne before me gyde me in all my wayes And thou wil vouchesalue also to kepe preserue our most noble kyng with all our rulers magistrates teachers parentes and all our frendes thorow Iesus Christe our Lorde and sauiour Amen A prayer to be sayed at nyght goyng to bedde O Mercifull Lord God heauenly father whether we slepe or wake lyue or dye we are alwayes thyne Wherefore I beseche the hartilye that thou wilte vouchsalue to take care and charge of me and not to suffre me to peryshe in the workes of darkenesse but to kindle the lyght of thy countetenaunce in my harte that thy godlye knowlege maye daylye increase in me thorowe a ryght and a pure faith and that I may alwayes be founde to walke lyue after thy wyll pleasure thorow Iesus Christ our lorde and sauiour Amen Or thus more briefly O Mercifull lorde God our heauenly father I laude thanke the moste hartily for that thou hast so graciously kepte preserued me this daye besechyng the to forgeue me all my synnes whiche I haue committed againste the I beseche the to preserue me and all men this night from all snares and wyles of the wicked fiende And graunte that although our corporal iyes shal slepe yet that our hertes myndes may continually watche wake in the thorowe Iesus Christe our Lorde and sauiour Amen A prayer to be sayed before meat O Mercifull father thou fedest and nourishest all maner of creatures vouchesalue to nouryshe and to refreshe vs nowe with thy gyftes so that we do not misuse them but that we beyng strengthned thorowe them maye bee more hable to serue thee in our callyng and cōdicion of lyfe and to walke and lyue before the in all vertue and honestie through Iesus Christ our Lorde and sauiour Amen After meate O Mercifull Lord God our heauenly father we laude prayse and thanke thee for thy moste holy and excellent giftes wherwith thou hast so graciouslye nouryshed and refreshed vs And we beseche the heartily graūt that we may neuer forget thy mercyfull goodnes toward vs but that we may cast al our care and sorowe vpon the only and may alway seke receyue with a perfite trust and confidence all maner of sustenaunce both of bodye and soule at thy handes which art the fountaine and welspryng of all goodnes through Iesus Christe our Lorde and sauior Amen Certaine godly lessons for al faythfull people young and olde HArken Israel the Lorde our God is one God Thou shalt loue the Lorde thy God feruētly with all thy heart with all thy soule and with all thy strength All these woordes whiche I commaunde the this daye shall remayne continually in thy hearte Thou shalt beate them diligentlye into thy chyldren and thrust them sharplye into theyr heartes And lette all thy communicacion talkyng bee of them whether thou beest in thy house or goest abrode whether thou goest to bedde or rysest vppe Thou shalt bynde them for a token vpon thy hād And let them euermore glister before thy iyes Thou shalt wryte them vpon thy doores and vpon thy gates Micheas vi I will tell the O man what is good and what God requireth of the. Namely nothyng els but that thou kepest iudgement and doest ryghteousnes and that thou applye thy selfe vnto all godlynesse and walke humbly before thy Lord God Iaco. i. This is the pure and vndefiled religion before God our father to visite and coumforte the wedowes the fatherlesse in theyr sorowe affliccion and misery and for a manne to kepe hymselfe without spotte before the worlde i. Timo. i. The ende and fulfyllyng of all the lawe is this namely loue out of a pure hearte a good conscience and a perfite vnfayned fayth Iohn xiii By this shall all men knowe that ye are my scholars yf ye loue one an other lyke as I haue loued you i. Iohn iii.iiii.v God is loue and he that remayneth in loue remayneth in God and God in hym He that hath loue is borne of God and knoweth God He that loueth not he knoweth not God for God is loue If we loue one another than remayneth God within vs his loue is perfite in vs. And hereby doe we know that we are the childrē of God and that we haue loue yf we loue God and kepe his commaundementes And this is his commaundemente namely that we beleue in the name of his sonne Iesus Christe and loue one an other M. The God of all grace and mercye strengthen thee and all menne in the knowlege of his sonne our sauior Iesus and in the power of his heauenlye and godly spirite To hym be all laude prayse thankes glory power rule honor world without ende Amen Imprinted at Londō in Flete-strete at the signe of the Sunne ouer against the conduyte by Edwarde Whitchurche The .xix. daye of October the yere of our Lorde M. D.XLVIII Cum priuilegio ad imprimendum solum