euerlasting The vse THe profit of these articles thus generally distinguished is this that they may serue in sted of a rule whereunto the fayth of al men ought to agree and whatsoeuer is contrary to one or to mo Articles ought to be accounted false Secondly that they may be vnto vs in stead of a table wherein we may perceiue distinctlie and seuerally what things are to be marked in Christ for as the partes of the bodie are distinguished by ioynts so in this confession of fayth whatsoeuer we ought distinctlie and seuerallie from the rest to beleeue is rightlie and fitlie called an Aiticle OF THE APOSTLES Creede THE ARGVMENT The partes of the Creede and of God one in substance and three in person Question Lords day 8 24 Into howe many partes is this Creede deuided Answere Into three parts The first is of the euerlasting father and of our creation The second is of the Sonne and of our redemption The third is of the holie Ghost and of our sanctification The vse IT is therefore requisite to keepe this diuision that although our saluation be the worke of the whole Trinitie yet we may know how to put a difference betweene the propertie of every person and to knowe what euerie of them hath done for our saluation and redemption Question 25 Seeing there is a De. 6.4 Eph. 4.6 Esa 44.6 45 5. 1. Cor. 8.4 but one onelie substance of God why doost thou name those three the Father the Son and the holie Ghost Answere Because God hath so b Esa 61.1 Luc. 4.18 Psa 119.1 Mat 3.16 17. 28.19 Iohn 14 26. 15.26 Tit. 3.5.6 Ep. 2 18 2 Cor. 13.13 Gal. 4.6 1. Iohn 5.7 reueiled himselfe in his word that these three distinct persons are one true and euer lasting God OF GOD THE FATHER THE ARGVMENT Of God the Father and of the creation and preseruation of our selues and of the whole world that is of heauen and earth Question Lords day 9 26 What beleeuest thou when thou sayest I beleeue in God the Father almightie c. Answere I beleue in the euerlasting father of our Lord Iesus Christ who c Gen. 1. 2 Psal 33 6. Iob. 33 4. Act. 4 24. 14 15 c. Esa 45.7 created of nothing the heauen and the earth and all thinges that are therein and doth vphold and d psal 104 3 125.3 Mat. 10 19. Heb. 1.3 Rom. 11.36 gouerne the same by his euerlasting counsell and prouidēce to be by the means of Christ e Ioh. 1.12 Rom 8.15 Ga. 4.5 6.7 Ephes 1.5 my God and my Father Therefore I so trust in him I so repose my selfe vpon him that I doubt not but he wil prouide all thinges f psa 55.23 Mat. 6 26. Luc. 12 22. necessarie both for my soule for my bodie And moreouer also that whatsoeuer euill he sendeth vpon me in this miserable life he wil g Rom. 8.28 turne the same to my saluation seing he is both able to do it as being h Esa 46.4 Rom 10.12 8.38 God almightie and willing to do it as being my i Mat. 6. 7.8.9 mercifull father The vse THis article of our fayth the doctrine therein conteined maketh much for the comfort of the godly For seeing we are ioyned in league with that God who is our Father who is almightie who created heauen and Earth who gouerneth vs and preserueth vs what is there that we may not look for from such a Father What is there whereof we may not mak our selues sure For example the Leper was perswaded only of the power of Christ he knew not his wil therfore hee sayd Lorde if thou vvilt Mat. 8 2. thou canst make me cleane and he was clensed how much more shal we obteine those things which wee ask if both we be perswaded of his almightie power and also doubt not of his promises From hence is our loue to our neighbour set on fire for when God hath promised that he wil increase his blessings vpon them who are liberal to the poore and he is God almightie who would not be pricked for ward to bestowe almes liberally and cheerefully Thirdlie by the same doctrine I am admonished not to doubt of any mans saluation thogh he seeme cast away of God and withal to keepe my selfe in the feare of God How namely because God is able to raise vp againe my brother that is fallen and to call him home into the way of saluation and also to suffer me to fall into grieuous sinns and to cast me off vnlesse I abide in fayth OF GODS PROVIDENCE THE ARGVMENT Of Prouidence belonging to the common place of Creation and of the vse of both Question Lords day 10 27 What is prouidence Answere The almightie and euerie where present power of God k Act. 17.25 c. psal 94.9 c. Isa 29.15 c. Eze. 8.12 whereby he doth as it were beare vp with his hand and l Heb. 1.2.3 gouern the heauen earth with all creatures so that whatsoeuer groweth out of the earth also raine and drowght plentie dearth meat and m Iere. 5.24 Act. 14.17 drinke n Iohn 9.3 health sicknesse o Prou. 12.2 riches pouertie finalie al thinges that are fal out not rashly or by chāce but by his fatherly counsell and will Question 28 What profite haue we by this knowledge of the creation and prouidence of God Answere Hereby we are in aduersitity made p Ro 5.3 c. Iac 1.3 Iob. 1.21 c. patient in prosperitie q Deut. 8.10 1. Thes 5.18 thankfull for the time to come wee haue a r Rom 5.4.5 verie good hope reposed in God our most trustie father knowing assuredly that nothing can ſ Ro. 8.38.39 draw vs from his loue seeing all creatures are so in his power that without his pleasure they are not t Ioh. 1.12 26 Pro. 21.1 Act. 17.25 c. able not onely not to do any thing but not so much as to stirre OF GOD THE SONNE THE ARGVMENT He commeth nowe to handle the second part of the Creede of the Sonne of God and of our redemption and first is declared the meaning of the name Iesus and they are refuted who in word do acknowledge the sonne of God to bee Iesus that is a Sauiour but in deed do detract from his merit Question Lords day 11 29 Wherefore is the Sonne of God called Iesus that is a Sauiour Answere Because he saueth and deliuereth vs from all our a Mat. 1.21 Heb 7.25 sinnes neither ought saluation to bee sought for in any other neither * Act 4.12 can it els-where bee found Question 30 Do they that beleeue in the only Sauiour Iesus who seeke for happines from Saints or from themselues or from any thing els Answere No for although in word they glorie in him as a Sauiour yet in deede they denie the onely Sauiour
A CATECHISME OF CHRISTIAN RELIGION TAVGHT in the Schooles and Churches of the Low-Countries and dominions of the Countie Palatine WITH THE ARGVMENTS AND vse of the seueral doctrins of the same Catechisme By IEREMIAS BASTINGIVS And now authorized by the Kinges Maiestie for the vse of Scotland Wherunto is adioyned certaine Praiers both publike and priuate for sundry purposes EDINBVRGH ⧠Printed by Robert VValde-graue printer to the Kings Majestie 1591. Cum priuilegio Regiae Maiestatis The A. B. C. A a b c d e f g h i k l m n o p q r r s s t u v w x y z A B C D E F G H I K L M N O P Q R S T V W X Y Z. a b c d e f g h i k l m n o p q r s s t v u vv x y z. A B C D E F G H I K L M N O P Q R S T V VV X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 a e i o u a e i o u ab eb ib ob ub ag eg ig og ug ac ec ic oc uc ak ek ik ok uk ad ed id od ud al el il ol ul af ef if of uf an en in on un In the name of the Father and of the Sonne and of the holy Ghost Sobeit The Lords prayer OVr Father which art in heauen halowed be thy name Thy kingdom come Thy wil be done in Earth as it is in Heauen Giue vs this day our dayly bread And forgiue vs our trespasses as wee forgiue them that trespas against vs. And leade vs not into temptation but deliuer vs from euill For thine is the kingdome power the glory for euer and euer Amen The beliefe I Beleue in God the Father almightie maker of Heauen Earth And in Iesus Christ his onely Sonne our Lord which was conceiued by the holy Ghost Born of 〈◊〉 virgin Mary Suffered vnder Ponâ—â—us Pilate was crucified dead and buried He descended into Hell the third day hee rose againe from the dead Hee ascended into Heauen sitteth at the right hand of God the Father almightie From thence shal he come to iudge the quick the dead I beleue in the holy ghost The holy Catholik Church The coÌ„munion of Saints The forgiuenes of sinnes the resurrection of the body And the life euerlasting THE TEN COMMANDEments of Almightie God HArken and take heede Israel I am the Lorde thy God which haue brought thee out of the lande of Egypt from the house of bondage 1 Thou shalt haue non other Gods before me 2 Thou shalt not make to thy selfe any grauen Image nor the likenes of any thing that is in Heauen aboue or in the Earth beneath nor in the water vnder the Earth Thou shalt not bow downe to them nor worship them For I the lord thy God am a ielous God and visits the sinnes of the fathers vpon the children vnto the third fourth generation of them that hate me and shewe mercie vnto thousands of them that loue me and keepe my commandements 3 Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vaine for the lord will not holde him guiltlesse that taketh his name in vaine 4 Remember that thou keepe holy the Sabboth day Six dayes shalt thou labour and doe all that thou hast to doe But the Seauenth day is the Sabboth of the Lorde thy God In it thou shalt do no maner of work thou and thy Sonne and thy daughter thy manseruant and thy maidseruant thy cattel and the stranger that is within thy gates For in six dayes the Lorde made Heauen and Earth the Sea all that in them is and rested the Seauenth day wherefore the Lord blessed the Seuenth day and hallowed it 5 Honor thy Father and thy Mother that thy dayes may be long in the Land which the Lord thy God giueth thee 6 Thou shalt do no murther 7 Thou shalt not commit adulterie 8 Thou shalt not steale 9 Thou shalt not beare false witnes against thy neighbour 10 Thou shal not couet thy neighbours house Thou shalt not couet thy neighbours wife nor his seruant nor his mayde nor his Oxe nor his Asse nor any thing that is his A PRAIER TO BE VSED before Catechising VVEe most hartily thank thee O most mercifull Father for all thy blessings bestowed vppon vs from the beginning of the world vnto this time for our election creation redemption mercifull vocation iustification sanctification continuall preseruation and for that same assured and most comfortable hope that thou hast giuen vs of our glorification in the world to come And we beseech thee to direct vs that considering thy mercies we may acknowledg and confesse our sinnes which should prouoke thee rather to curse than to blesse vs to confounde vs rather than to preserue vs. Wee haue sinned against thee both in thoght worde deed grant that we seeing the horror of our sinnes and the fiercenes of thy wrath may without hypocrisie or dissimulation be earnestly sory hartely repentant for our former wickednes howbeit in such sort as that wee despair not but that in bitternes of our griefe we may haue comfort by faith in thy Sonne Christ that our offences are pardoned Grant O Lord that we being assured hereof in our consciences may through thy holy Spirite be renued in the inward man to hate detest and abhorre sinn and to study to liue according to thy blessed will during our whol life and as now throgh thy goodnes wee are here assembled together so we beseech thee to direct vs that at this present both in our wordes harts and all our behauiors may be in such sort ordered as that wee may trulie vtter and reuerently receiue the principles of thy holy heauenly word to the strengthening of our fayth to the comforte of our consciences to the amendement of our sinfull and lewd liues and to the glory of thy most holy name through Iesus Christ our Lord So be it OF THE ONELY COMFORT OF MAN IN LIFE AND IN DEATH THE ARGVMENT ⧠In the first section is handled the soueraigne good of man and namely his onely comfort in life and in death as also the necessarie meanes to attaine that soueraigne good and two questions are propounded for the handling of this preface or argument Question Lords day The first WHat is thy onely comfort in life in death Answere That in soule and body a 1. Cor. 6.19 1. Thes 5.10 whether I liue or die b Rom. 14.8 I am not mine owne but I belong c 1. Cor. 3.23 vnto my most faythfull Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christe who by his precious blood most fully satisfying d 1. Pet 1.18 1. Ioh. 1.7 2.2 for al my sinnes hath deliuered e 1. Ioh. 2.8 Heb. 2.14.15 me from the whole power of the deuill
our selues or by some other Question 13 Are wee able to satisfie by our selues Answere Not one whit Yea rather we do c Iob. â—9 23 15.15 Math. 6.22 increase our debt euerie day Question 14 Can any creature in Heauen or in Earth make satisfaction for vs Answere None at all For first God wil not d Heb. 2.14 punish any other creature for that sinne that man hath committed SecoÌ„dly that which is but an only creature is not able to indure the wrath of God against sinne and to e Psal 130.3 Iob. 4.18 25.5 deliuer others from it Question 15 Then what maner of mediatour and deliuerer must we seeke for Answere Such a one as is true man and perfectly iust and yet notwithstaÌ„ding more mightie than all creatures that is who is also true f 1. Cor. 15.21 25. Iere. 23.6 Esa 53.11 2. Cor. 5.14 Heb 7.16 Esa 7.14 Rom. 8.3 God OF THE MEDIATOVR THE ARGVMENT That Christ is that onlie mediatour true man and perfectlie iust and true God such a one as in the Gospell is promised and exhibited Question Lords day 6 16 Wherefore must he needs be true man and perfectlie just Answere Because the iustice of God requireth that the same nature of man which sinned should also pay the punishment of sinne but he g Rom 5.12 17. that were a sinner himselfe h 1. Pet. 3.18 could not pay for other men Question 17 Wherefore ought hee also to be true God Answere That by the power of his Godhead he might be able to i Esa 55.3 18. Act. 2.24 1. Pet 3.18 sustaine the burden of Gods wrath in his flesh to recouer k 1. Ioh. 1.2 4.9.10 Act. 20.28 Ioh. 3.16 and restore vnto vs the righteousnesse and life that we had lost Question 18 But who is that Mediatour who is both true God and true and perfect man Answere Our Lord Iesus Christ l Mat. 1.23 1. Tim. 3.16 Iohn 14.16 .. 1. Tim. â— 5. Luke â— 11 who is made vnto vs of God wisedom righteousnes sanctification and perfect m 1. Cor. 3.30 redemption Question 19 Whereby knowest thou that Answere By the Gospell which God first reueiled in n Gen. 3.15 Paradise and afterwarde did o Genes 22.18 46.10.11 Ro. 1.2 Heb. 1.1 Act 3.12 c. 10.43 publish by the Patriarks and Prophets p Ioh. 5.46 Heb. 10.7 shadowed out in sacrifices and ceremonies and last of al q Gal. 4.4 3.24 Heb 13.8 accomplished by his onely begotten sonne The vse THe vses of this doctrine of the Gospel are four for first hereby appeareth the antiquitie of the doctrine of Christ our only redeemer so that to doubt of the truth therof were to robbe God for that it hath witnes from God himselfe from the Fathers and the Prophets led by the holy Ghost whereunto also the sacrifices and ceremonies did lead men and whereof the Son of God himselfe comming in the flesh bare witnes Wherefore it behoueth vs carefullie to vphold in the Church and faithfully to expounde and retaine this doctrine both for the worthines of it as comming from God and for the antiquity and also for the necessitie and profit thereof Another vse is to know that after Christ is once com the shadows of the sacrifices haue an end and that now after the Sunne is risen there is no more place for the ceremonies of the Lawe and that concerning the vse of them they are fulfilled abollished in the death of Christ The third vse is to learne by despising the World the transitorie delightes thereof to desire with the whole affection of the heart that soueraigne good that is offered vnto vs in the Gospel and when it is offered to lay hold on it The fourth vse is in al affliction and euen in life and death to comfort our selues by these glad tydings of saluation purchased by Christ which far exceedeth all the ioyes of the wicked OF THE GOSPEL THE ARGVMENT That Christ is a Sauior onlie of those that beleeue and of true fayth and of the summe of those things that are to be beleeued Question Lords day 7 20 Is saluation then restored to all men by Christ that perished in Adam Answere Not to al but only to those who are ingraffed into him by true faith r Ioh. 1.12 â— 36 Esa 53.11 Psal 2.12 Rom. 11.20 Heb. 4. â— 10.39 and do lay hold vpon all his benefites Question 21 What is true fayth Answere It is not onely a knowledge by which I doe stedfastly assent to all things which God hath Å¿ He. 11.13 Iam 2.19 Gal. 2.20 reueiled vnto vs in his woord but also an assured t Rom. 4.16 5.1 10.10 c. Iam. 1.8 affiance kindled in my u Rom. 1 16. 10.17 1. Cor. 1.21 Mar. 16.16 Act. 16.14 hart by the holy x Mat. 16.17 Ioh. 3.5 Gal. 5.22 Phi. 1.19 Ghost through the Gospell by which I rest vpon God making sure account that forgiuenesse of sinnes euerlasting righteousnes and life is y Ha. 2.4 Mat. 9.2 Eph. 2.7.8.9 Rom. 5.1 bestowed not onely vpon others but also vpon me and that freely by the mercie of God for the z Rom. 3.24.25 Act. 10.43 merit and desert of Christ alone Question 22 What are those thinges which a Christian man must of necessitie beleeue Answere All those thinges that are a Iohn 20 30 Mat. 28 10 promised vnto vs in the Gospell the sum whereof is briefly comprised in the Apostles Creed or in the chiefe heades of the Catholike vndoubted faith of al Christians The vse VVHich being so we gather from hence two conclusions one that non of those things ought to bee reckoned vnder the name of the Gospel which men haue added to the written word of God that is to the doctrine conteined in the books of both testaments the other is that they are very Antichrists and instruments of Sathan who fearing to haue their iugling bewraied do cry out that onlie on certaine sort of men must reade the Scripture and therefore it is very vnlawful to translate the holy scriptures into the vulgare tongues which may be vnderstood even of siely Weomen Question 23 What is that Creede of the Apostles Answere 1 I beleeue in God the father almightie maker of heauen and earth 2 And in Iesus Christ his only son our Lord. 3 Which was conceiued of the holy Ghost born of the virgin Mary 4 Suffered vnder Pontius Pilat was crucified dead buried descended into hell 5 Rose againe the third day from the dead 6 And ascended into heauen and sitteth on the right hand of God the father almightie 7 From thence hee shall come to iudge the quicke and the dead 8 I beleeue in the holie Ghost 9 I beleeue the catholike Church the communion of Saintes 10 I beleeue the forgiuenesse of sinnes 11 The resurrection of the flesh 12 And the life
righteousnesse which hee purchased for vs by his death Secondly wee also now by the power thereof are n Rom. 6.4 Col. 3.1 c Ephes 2.5 raised vp vnto a new life Last of all the rising again of Christ our head is a o 1 Cor. 15.12 c. Rom. 8.11 pledge vnto vs of our glorious resurrection The vse THis pledg we ought to set against the wicked speeches of some who say Who ever came againe from the dead to certifie vs of that heauenly life as who say the resurrection of Christ were not a sufficient testimonie and seal of the same resurrection to be at the last accomplished in our bodies also and in our flesh Question 46 Howe doost thou vnderstande that He ascended into heauen Answere That in the sight of his Disciples Christ was p Act. 1.9 Mark 16 19 Luk. 24.51 taken vp froÌ„ earth to heauen and is q Heb. 4.14 7 25. 9.11 Rom 8.34 Ephes 4.10 Colos 3.1 yet there for vs shall be till he come againe to iudge the quick and the r Act. 1.11 Mat. 24.30 dead Question 47 What then is not Christ with vs as he promised vnto the end of the world Answere Christ is true God and true Å¿ Mat 28.20 Mat 26.11 Io. 16 18 17. Act. 3.21 man therefore according to his manhead he is not now vpon earth but according to his Godhead his grace and his spirite he t Ioh. 14 17. c. 16.13 is at no time from vs. Question 48 And are not the two natures in Christ by this means pulled a sunder if the manhead bee not wheresoeuer the Godhead is Answere Not a whit for seeing the Godhed cannot be contained in any compasse and is present u Act. 7 49. 17 27. c. Ierem. 23.24 in all places it followeth necessarilie that it is without the nature of man which it hath taken yet neuertheles is in it also and x Col. 2.9 Iohn 3.13 11.15 Mat. 28 6. remaineth personallie vnited vnto it Question 49 What fruit doth Christs ascending into heauen bring vs Answere First that he y 1. Ioh. 2.1.2 Rom. 8.34 maketh intercession in Heuen vnto his Father for vs. Secondly that we haue our flesh in heauen that by this as by a certain pledg we may be assured that he who is our head wil a Ioh. 14.2 20 17. Eph. 2.6 lift vp vnto him vs that are his meÌ„bers Thirdly that he b Ioh. 14 16. 16 7 2 Cor. 1 22 2 Cor. 5 5 sendeth vnto vs his spirit as a pledg betwene vs by the working whereof we seeke not things on earth but thinges that are aboue where hee c Cal. 3.1 Phil. 3 20. c. sitteth at the right hand of God The vse AS that maketh for our comforte that hee sendeth his spirit vnto vs so againe hauing receaued this pledg of the Spirit we are warned not to seeke for the thinges on Earth but the things that are aboue Iohn 16.11 for to that end did he asscend into heauen and from thence bestowe his spirit vpon vs that by the power thereof shed abroade in our hartes we might bee lifted from these earthlie present and carnall things to long after things heauenly things to come and thinges spirituall Hereupon sayth Paul Seeke those things that are aboue Col. 3.1 vvhere Christ sitteth at the right hand of God set your mind on things aboue and not on things on earth OF CHRISTES ASCENDING into Heauen THE ARGVMENT The sitting at the right hand and the fruit thereof which is the third degree of Christ exaltation Question Lords day 18 50 Why is it added he sitteth at the right hand of God Answere Because Christ did therefore assceÌ„d into heaueÌ„ that he might d Ep. 1 20. 5 23. Col. 1 18. therby declare himself the head of his church by which his Father e Mat. 28.18 Ioh. 5.22 gouerneth all things Question 51 What doth this glory of Christ our head availe vs Answere First that by the holie Ghost hee f Ephe 4.10 powreth vpon vs his members heauenly guifts And then that by his power he doth g Ps 29. 101 2. Ioh. 10 28 Eph 4.8 protect and defend vs against all enemies The vse VVHich being so and seeing so mighty a Lord reigneth for vs who is not onlie able but willing also to doe whatsoeuer is good for our saluation Mat. 8 31 to whome while he reigned in his humilitie euen the very Deuills became suiters to whome gouerning his kingdome in the dayes of his flesh the Sea the winds and the storms were obedient vnles we rest in his protection whoe now sitting at the right hand of God is Lord of heauen and earth and gouerneth all thinges at his pleasure we are most worthie whome Christ should much more vpbraid with our shamefull cowardlines then he did long agoe his disciples because in the stormes of aduersitie our fayth dooth not rise higher by the considerâ—tion of so great matters OF CHRISTS COMMING againe to judgement THE ARGVMENT Christes comming againe to iudgement 2 The fruit or comfort thereof Question Lords day 19 52 What comfort dooth Christes comming againe to judge the quicke and the dead bring to thee Answere That in all miseries and persecutions I lift vp my head and h Luk. 21.28 Rom. 8.23.24 Phil. 3.10 Tit. 2.13 waite for him who did before stand in my stead before Gods iudgmeÌ„t seat did i 2. Thes 1.6.7 1. Thes 4.10 falte away all curse from me to come from heauen as a Iudge to throwe all his and mine enemies into euerlasting paines and to k Mat. 25.41 receiue me with al the elect vnto himself into heauenly ioies and euerlasting glorie The vse VVHich being so it is likewise most meet that every one of vs should so prepare himselfe that he may so much the more comfortably look for and be ready to receiue such a Iudge that shal be soe gratious and so mercifull vnto him And wee shall duely prepare our selues to the iudgment of Christ if following his counsell Wee haue our loynes girded vppe and our lamps burning Luke 12.36 37 Mat. 22.11 that is if first wee haue fayth the true marriage garment which leaneth vpon a sure foundation to wit the merite of Christ alone who deliuereth vs from the wrath to come OF GOD THE holie Ghost THE ARGVMENT Of the holy Ghost true and euerlasting God with the Father and the Son and of his office or working and effects in vs. Question Lords day 20 53 What beleeuest thou of the holy Ghost Answere First that he is true God and coeternall with the euerlasting Father and the l Gen. 1.2 Isai 48 16 1 Cor. 3.16 1 Cor. 6.19 Acts. 5.3.4 sonne Then that hee is also m Mat. 28.19 2 Cor. 1.2 giuen to mee that through faith hee may n Ga. 3 14.1 pe 1.2 1. Cor 6.17
fire against the contemners of thy most holy precepts and yet to the penitent sinners hast alwaies shewed thy selfe a fauorable Father and a God full of mercie we thy creatures and woorkemanship of thine owne handes confesse our selues most vnworthie to open our eies vnto the heuens but far lesse to appeare in thy presence For our consciences accuse vs and our manifold iniquities haue borne witnes against vs that we haue declined from thee We haue bin polluted with Idolatrie we haue giuen thy glory to creatures we haue sought support where it was not to be founde and haue lightlied thy most wholesome admonitions The manifest corruptiō of our liues in al estates euidently proueth that wee haue not rightlie regarded thy precepts lawes and holy ordinances and this was not onelie done O Lord in the time of our blindnes but euen nowe when of thy mercie thou hast opened vnto vs an entrance to thy heuenly kingdom by the preaching of thine holie Euangell the whole bodie of this miserable Realm still continueth in their former impietie For the most part alas following the foote steppes of the blinde and obstinat princesse vtterlie despise the light of thy Gospell and delight in ignorance and Idolatrie others liue as a people without a God and without all feare of thy terrible iudgments And some O Lorde that in mouth professe thy blessed Evangell by their slaunderous life blaspheme the same We are not ignorant ô lord that thou art a righteous iudge that cannot suffer iniquitie long to be vnpunished vpon the obstinat trangressors especiallie O Lord when that after so long blindnes and horrible defection from thee soe louinglie thou callest vs againe to thy fauor and felloshipp and that we doe yet obstinatlie rebell we haue O Lorde in our extreame miserie called vnto thee yea when wee appeared vtterlie to haue bene consumed in the fury of our enemies and then didst thou mercifullie incline thine eares vnto vs. Thou foughtest for vs even by thine owne power when there was in vs neither wisedome nor force Thou alone brakest the yoke from our neckes and set vs at liberty when we by our foolishnes had made our selues slaues vnto straungers and mercifullie vnto this day hast thou continued with vs the light of thine Evangell and so ceasest not to heape vpon vs benefites both spiritual and temporal But yet alas O Lord we clearly see that our great ingratitude craueth farther punishement at thy hands the signs wherof are evident before our eies For the whispering of sedition the contempt of thy graces offered and the maintenance of Idolatrie are assured signes of thy farther plagues to fall vpon vs in particular for our grieuous offences And this vnmeasurable intemperatenesse of the aire doeth also threaten thine accustomed plague of famin which commonlie followeth riotous excesse and the contempt of the poore wherewith alas the whole Earth is replenished Wee haue nothing O Lord that we may lay betwixt vs and thy iudgment but thine onelie mercy freely offred vnto vs in thy dear Son our Lorde Iesus Christ purchased to vs by his death and passion For if thou wilt enter into iudgement with vs thy creatures and keepe in minde our grieuous sinns and offences then can there no flesh escape condemnation And therefore wee most humblie beseech thee O Father of mercies for Christ Iesus thy Sonnes sake to take from vs these stony hearts whoe soe long haue heard aswell thy mercies as seuere iudgments and yet haue not bin effectuallie moued with the same and giue vnto vs hartes mollified by thy Spirit that may both conceiue keepe in minde the reuerence that is due vnto thy maiestie Look O Lorde vnto thy chosen children labouring vnder the imperfection of the fleshe graunt vnto vs that victory that thou hast promised to vs by Iesus Christ thy Sonne our onely Sauiour Mediatour and Lawgiuer To whome with thee and the holy Ghost bee all honour and praise nowe and ever A CONFESSION OF OVR Sinnes commonly vsed in the Church of Edinburgh before Sermons IT is of thy mercie O Lord and not of our merites that it hath pleased thee to shew thy selfe vnto the world euer from the beginning and vnto vs nowe in this last most corrupt age yea Lord we further confesse that neither Lawe nor Gospell can profit vs to saluation except that thou of thy meere grace worke in vs aboue all power that is in this our nature For albeit thou teach we shal remaine ignorant albeit thou threaten wee shall contemne and albeit thou promise mercie and grace yet shall we dispair and remaine in infidelitie Vnles that thou create in vs newe hartes write thy Lawe in the same and seale in vs remission of our sinnes and that the sense and feeling of thy fatherlie mercie by the power of the holie Spirite To the old world thou spakest by Noah To Pharaoh his people by thy seruant Moses To all Israell by the fearfull trumpet of thy Lawe To the Citie of Ierusalem by thine owne wisedome our Lord Iesus Christ and to the multitude as well of Iewes as Gentiles by the preaching of the holy Apostles But who gaue obediēce Who trembled and constantly feared thy hotte displeasure Who did rightly acknowledg the time of their visitation And whoe did embrace and keepe to the end thy Fatherlie promises Onely they O Lorde to whome thy Spirite was the inward teacher whose hartes thou openest and from whome thou remoouest rebellion and infidelity the rest were externally called but obeyed not they heard aswell mercy offred as thretnings pronounced but neither with the one nor with the other were they effectuallie mooued We acknowledge O Lorde that the same corruption lurketh in vs that buddeth forth in them to their destruction and iust condemnation And therefore wee most humblie beeseech thee O Father of mercie for Iesus Christ thy Sonnes sake that as thou hast caused the light of thy word clearly to shine amongest vs and as thou hast plainlie instructed vs by the externall ministerie in the right way of saluation Soe it will please thee inwardlie to moue our dull hearts and by the power of thy holie spirit that thou wilt write and seale in our harts that holy feare and reuerence which thou crauest of thy chosen children that faythfull obedience to thy holie will together with the feeling sense that our sinnes are fullie purged and freely remitted by that onely one Sacrifice which only by it selfe is acceptable vnto thee to wit the obedience death and meditation of thy onely son our Soueraigne Lord only Pastour Mediatour and high Priest our lord Iesus Christ To whome with thee and with the holy Ghost be all honor and glory world without end AN OTHER CONFESsion of our sinnes IVst and righteous art thou ô Lord God father everlasting holy is thy Lawe most iust are thy iudgments yea even when thou doest punishe in greatest seueritie wee doe confesse as the truth is that wee haue
transgressed thy whole lawe and haue offended thy godly maiestie in breking and violating euery precept of the same and so most iustlie maiest thou powre forth vpon vs all plagues that are threatened and that we finde powred foorth vpon the disobedient at any time from the beginning And soe much the rather O Lord because that so long wee haue bene called by thy holy worde to vnfaigned repentance and newnes of life and yet haue we still remained in our former rebellion and therefore if thou wilt enter into iudgement with vs we can neither escape confusion in this life nor iust condemnation in the life to come But Lorde thy mercie is without measure and the truth of thy promise abideth for euer Vnwoorthy are we that thou shouldest looke vpon vs but Lorde thou hast promised that thou wilt shewe mercie to the most grieuous offendours when so euer that they repent And further thou by the mouth of thy deare Son our Lord Iesus Christ hast promised that thou wilt giue thy holy Spirite to such as humbly call vnto thee In boldnes of the which promis we most humbly beseech thee ô Father of mercies that it wold please thy godly maiestie to work in our stubborne harts an vnfaigned sorrowe for our former offences with some sence and feeling of thy grace and mercy togither with an earnest desire of iustice and righteousnes in which we are bound continuallie to walk but because that neither we nor our prayers can stand before thee by reason of that imperfection which stil remaineth in this our corrupted nature We flie to the obedience and perfect iustice of Christ Iesus our onelie Mediatour in whome and by whome wee call not onelie for remission of our sinnes and for assistance of thy holy spirit but also for al things that thy godly wisedom knoweth to be expedient for vs and for thy Church vniuersall Praying as hee hath taught vs saying Our Father c. A MORNING PRAIER TO BE VSED IN CHRIstian Families before they goe about their outwarde affaires OMnipotent and mercifull God we giue thee thankes that thou hast so mercifullie kept vs this night and that thou hast prolonged our life to this day We beseech thee likewise that thou wilt protect vs this day and that thou wilt giue vs grace that wee may bestowe it in those things which are pleasant acceptable vnto thee And as nowe thou enlightenest the whole earth with the beames of thy Sonne so likewise thou wilt illuminate the darkenes of our soules with the brightnes of thy Spirit least wee wauering from the path of righteousnes wee swarue either to the one side or to the other that wee may ever set thee who seest all thinges before our eies that wee may reuerence and acknowledge thee as a iust reuenger of al euill thoughtes words and deeds that wee feare nothing more than to offende thee so bountifull a Father and that euer it continually bee our finall drift in all thinges whatsoeuer we take in hand or purpose to doe to referre the same only to thy glory and the profit of others Moreouer becaus wholesome counsell fit occasions and the happie successe and issue of matters are onlie in thine hand graunte that wee may ask and receiue al those things from thee alone Graunt also most merciful Father that we bestow not so much thought and trauell in purchasing of those things that perteine to the necessitie of this life that in the meane time wee neglect sluggishlie regarde heauenly things but that first we may seeke thy kingdome and the righteousnes thereof nothing doubting but that thou wilt giue all things needfull and necessarie to such as do the same keepe also and defend this fraile body and soul of ours Instruct vs with the counsell and power of thy Spirit against so many and so diuers assaults of Sathan Ridde vs out of all feare and perrills whereby wee are in daunger alwaies in this worlde And because it is nothing to haue begun well except also we carefully perseuer and goe forward Wee beseech thee that thou wilt not onely take vs into thy protection this day but likewise thou wilt continually be our guide and defender all our life confirming and increasing the guifts which according to thy bountifulnes and mercy thou hast bestowed vpon vs vnworthie sinners vntill such time at last as thou shalt fullie and perfectly vnite vs with our head Christ who seeing that he is that onelie Sonne of righteousnes hee may replenishe vs with his eternall light and gladnes In the meane time while wee liue in this troblesome life send out faythfull Pastours of Soules and make thyne holy Spirite to bee effectuall in the hartes of the auditors by the power of thy word to the end a great Churche may be gathered to thee and that the workes of the Diuell may be destroyed Enarme the Magistrate with thy diuine strength that hee may defende thy Church and common weal. Comfort and confirme everie one that is afflicted in soule or bodie and that we may be bold to seeke and waite for so great good things at thy hands Forgiue vs our horrible sins for thy most deare Sonne Christ Iesus his sake who hath promised to vs that whatsoeuer we craue of thee in a sure confidence in him that thou wilt assuredly giue it vs and therefore hee hath commanded vs to pray in this maner Our Father c. A PRAYER FOR SCHOLLERS Psal 119.9.10 Wherewith shall a young man redresse his way If hee wiselie take heede to guide himselfe according to thy word 10. With my whole hart haue I sought thee let me not wander from thy Commandements I Render thee thanks most merciful God for all thy great and infinite benefites but chiefly that according to thy singular mercy thou hast called me to the knowledg of thy Gospell hast giuen me teachers that they may bring me vp in good letters and sciences to endue my minde with holy honest precepts Graunt that I may acknowledge aright what and howe great these thy benefites are and that for the same I may alwaies giue thee thanks Bestowe moreouer vpon me thy grace and lighten me with the beames of thy Spirite in remoouing the darke cloudes of my minde that I may desirouslie and gladly learne these thinges which are taught vnto me by my teachers that I faythfully keepe in memory that I may render accompt againe thereof readily with iudgment least my Teachers labour and mine the precious time and this so meete an occasion giuen vnto me of thee and the fruites which are hoped for of me shamefully perish not thorogh my vnthankfulnes slugishnes To the ende this come not to passe giue me thy holie Spirit the authour of all vnderstanding and trueth that hee may make me faythfull able and meete to comprehend these thinges Grant also that to whatsoeuer studie I apply my minde this euer may be before mine eies to acknowledg thee the onelie true God and
and magnifie him g 2. Cor. 3.18 Gol 3.10 Eph. 4 24. The vse THe rehersall that is the calling to remembrance of these benefits which God in the beginning powred vpon man will not onlie serue to that end to make vs knowe and bewaile the greatnes of our sinne and miserie by comparison with the good thinges which wee haue lost◠but also wil awake vs both to an earnest and feruent desire to be restored fully vnto that blessed estate in Christ and especially to apply the studie of righteousnes goodnes vntil the Image of God recouer his full brightnes in vs in Heauen last of al to be thankful vnto God for our restoring crying out with the Prophet What is man that thou art mindful of him or the Sonne of man that thou visitest him For thou hast made him a little lovver then the Angels and hast crovvned him vvith glory and honor Question 7. From whence then ariseth this corruption of mans nature Answere From the fall and disobedience of our first parentes Adam and Euah in paradise h Rom. 5 17 18.19 where our nature was so corrupted that we are al conceiued and borne in sinne i Psal 51.5 Gen. 5.3 Question 8. But are we so corrupt that we are not at all fit to do well and are wee prone to all vice Answere Yea except we be regenerated by the holie Ghost k Iohn 3.5 Ge. 6.5 Iob. 10.4 15.14.16 35. Esa 53.6 The vse THe vse and end of this knowledg and doctrin is this not to increase in vs slouthfulnes but that we vnderstanding how by originall sinnes wee are bereaued of al power to vnderstand to wil and to worke aright and also hemmed in on every side with most miserable necessitie may learn notwithstanding to long after that good whereof wee are voyde and after that libertie which we haue lost and therefore to heare the word of God psal 119.24 whereby our iudgment may be reformed to craue the guift of the holy Ghost that wee may learne the commandements of God and that he would make of our stonie hart a fleshie hart and giue vnto vs strength as Augustine very wel aduiseth about this matter O Man saith he by the commandement knovv vvhat thou oughtest to haue by correction learne that by thine ovvn fault thou hast it not by prayer vnderstand from vvhence thou must receaue that vvhich thou desirest to haue So vvil it come to passe that thy mind being enlightened shal iudg aright thy hart being reformed by the hand of God shal be made vvilling man according to the measure of grace vvhich he hath receiued shall indeuour and applie all his povvers and all his strength vnto obedience OF THE CAVSES OF mans miserie THE ARGVMENT That God dooth noe man wrong although hee require of man in his Lawe that which hee is not able to performe nay that hee dooth iustly punish sin with punishmentes present and everlasting both of soul and body without any respect of age Question Lords day 4 9. Doeth not God then deale injuriouslie with man when hee requireth that of him in his Lawe which he is not able to performe Answere Not at al l Ioh. 3.5 Ephe. 4.24 for God so created man that he was able to perfourm it But man intised by the Deuill m Luke 10.30 by his owne disobedience depriued himselfe and all his posteritie of those giftes of God The vse THe vse of this doctrine touching our inhabilitie to keepe the Law of God is threefolde 1. That we acknowledge our owne guiltines and accuse our selues of falling from God for God by this iust exaction will humble vs for by commanding things impossible he doeth not make men sinners but humble that every mouth may be stopped and the whole world may be founde guiltie before God 2. That we may defie the Deuil and his workes by whose instigation and inticement we were thrown downe into the bottomeles pit of these calamities according vnto that saying Resist the Diuell and he vvill flye from you Iam. 4.6 3. Seing our weaknes and inhability is such that wee are not able to performe that which God by very good right requireth at our hands let vs pray the Lorde with Augustine and say Graunt O Lord that vvhich thou commandest and then command vvhat thou vvilt which was the godly prayer of that holy Father not that hee hoped he was able to attaine vnto it in this life but assuredlie in the life to come Question 10. What then will God let goe the disobedience and backesliding of man without punishment Answere No surely but he is most fearefully angrie n Rom. 5.12 Heb. 9.27 both with our naturall sins and with those sinnes which we our selues doe commit and doth punish the same in his most iust iudgement both with temporall and eternall punishments euen as himselfe pronounceth Cursed is euerie one who continueth not in all things that are written in the book of the law to do thē o Deut. 27.26 Gal. 3.10 Question 11. What is not God mercifull also Answere Yes truly he is merciful p Exod. 34.6 but so he is iust too q Exod. 20.5 Psal 55. 2. Cor. 6.14 Therefore his iustice requireth to haue that punished with extreame that is with euerlasting punishment of soule and bodie whatsoeuer is committed against the soueraigne maiestie of God The vse THe vse and consideration of the mercie of God in generall as it ought to keepe vs in affiance to call vpon him and to hope and certainly look for saluation from him finally to set on fire in vs the loue of him so his righteousnes and iustice is set before vs to this end that it may be as a bridle to vs to keepe vs from sinne perswading vs that except wee repent although God for a time suffer vs to carie away our sins without punishment yet it shal not alwaies be so but at the last he will take most bitter and most iust punishment vpon vs But in this place wee may consider of them both 1. That wee despair not of deliuerance from our euils because God is exceeding merciful 2. That we abuse not his mercie and so deceiue our selues because he is also exceeding iust 3. That wee seriouslie and diligentlie consider by what meanes God will haue his iustice satisfied that so wee may be reconciled vnto him and may obtain sound comfort both in life and in death THE SECOND PART OF MANS DELIVERANCE THE ARGVMENT That man being in the state of perdition must seek redemption in the mediatour Question Lords day 5 12 Seeing then wee are by the just judgement of God in daunger of temporall and everlasting punishment is there any way or meanes left whereby we may be deliuered from these punishments and be reconciled to God Answere GOd will haue his iustice satisfied a Exod. 20.5 23.7 Wherefore we must needes make satisfaction b Rom. 8.3 ether by
make me partaker of Christ and all his benefits may o Act. 9 31 comfort me and p Ioh. 16.1 Pet. 4.14 abide with me for euer The vse THe remembrance of this so excellent a benefit bestowed vpon vs namely that God hath made vs partakers of his spirit ought likewise to prick vs forward to holines of life For seeing the spirit of the father of Christ is called holy not only by nature but also because in whome soeuer he is he doth sanctifie and seperate them from the vncleannes of the worlde it is meete that by our deeds we should shew that he dwelleth in vs and therefore that that waightie exhortation of the Father shoulde be alwaies before our eies Eph. 4 30. Greue not the spirit of God by vvhome yee are sealed to the day of Redemption hee is grieued and made sad by vncleane thoughts words and deeds by licentious and filthy manners as on the other side he is delighted and reioyceth in true humilitie holines and grauitie in framing our words and all the actions of our whole life according to the rule of Gods word OF THE CHVRCH THE ARGVMENT Of the Catholike Church and the notes thereof of the Communion of Saints and the forgiuenes of sinnes Question Lords day 21 54 What beleeuest thou of the Catholike Church of Christ Answere I beleeue that the son of q Ioh. 10.11 God doth by his holie Spirit and by the r Act. 2.46 Eph. 4.3 4 5 word gather vnto himselfe out of al ſ Mat. 16 18. Ioh. 10.28 mankind from the t Gen. 26.4 beginning of the world vnto the u Ro. 8.29.30 Ep 1 10 1 pet 1 20 end a congregation x 1 Ioh. 3 21. 2 Cor. 13.5 chosen to euerlasting life agreeing in true faith and dooth maintaine and y Isai 59.21 Ro. 1 16 10 14 17 Ephes 5.26 preserue the same and that I am a liuely z 1. Ioh. 2.19 member of that congregation and shal so a 1. Cor. 1 8 6 Ro 8.35 c. psal 71 18. for euer abide The vse THe vse of this article consisteth in this that I beleeue my selfe also to be a liuely member of that congregation and that I shall so for euer abide which every man shall by this meanes profitablie knowe namely if he consider that even at this day also the Sonne of God dooth gather vnto himselfe a Church while he prouideth that his Gospell be publikely preached by ministers lawfully therevnto called and the Sacraments by them administred according to that rule which he hath left Question 55 What meaneth the Communion of Saintes Answere First that all and euerie one of the beleeuers haue b Ioh. 1.3 Ro. 8 32.1 Cor. 12.13 21.1 Corint 6.17 felowship with Christ and all his benefites as beeing members of him Secondly that euery one who hath receiued gifts ought to imploy them readily and c 1. Cor. 16.5 phil 2.45 6. cheerfullie for the common profite and saluation of all The vse THis Communion is double the one inwarde whereby such as the Lord hath in this visible Church alwaies chosen that is true beleeuers are vnited by the same spirit with the Father his Sonne Iesus Christ and one with an other among themselues the other outward standing in the mutual duties of Charity which the faithfull exercise one toward another Question 56 What beleeuest thou concerning the forgiuenesse of sinnes Answere I beleeue that God for the satisfaction of d Ioh. 2 2 2. Cor. 5 19.21 Christ hath quite put out of his remembrance e Iere. 31.34 psal 103.3.4.10.11 Rom. 7.22.25 Rom. 8.1 2 3 all my sinnes and euen that corruption also wherewith I must striue al my life long and doth freely giue vnto me the righteousnesse of Christ so that I shall neuer f Ioh. 3.18 come into iudgement The vse THe affection and loue of God which he beareth toward vs in Christ shall serue vs to this vse first to make vs take heed that no doubting of the mercy and goodnes of God in forgiuing vs our sinnes do at any time creepe vpon vs as if God did not from his hart truely forgiue vs. Secondly to driue out al such security wherby it vsually commeth to passe that men do carelesly sleepe in their sinnes considering that both sinne dwelleth in vs wherewith we must striue al our life long and also that by this readines goodnes of God freely to forgiue vs our sinnes wee are the rather prouoked more carefully to avoid sinne according to the doctrine of S. Iohn Ioh. 1.9 Rom. 6.11 who when he had taught that if vve confesse our sinnes the Lord is faythful and iust to forgiue vs our sinnes Least any man might hereupon flatter himselfe in sinne he meeteth with it by this admonition Little children ◠Ioh. 2 1 these things I vvrite vnto you that you sinne not as also Ezechiel or rather God himself by the prophet speketh most seuerely against such frowardnes When I say vnto the righteous man Ezek 33.13 thou shalt surely liue if he trusting to his ovvne righteousnes commit iniquitie all his righteous deeds shall not bee remembred but in that his iniquitie vvhich he hath committed he shall die OF THE RESVRRECTIon of the flesh THE ARGVMENT Of the resurrection of the flesh and of life euerlasting and of the fruit of them both Question Lords day 22 57 What comfort doth the resurrectiō of the flesh minister vnto thee Answere Not only that my soul shal straight way after it is departed out of the bodie be g Luk. 23.43 phil 1.23 taken vp vnto Christ the head thereof but that this flesh of mine also being raised vppe by the power of Christ shal bee vnited againe to my soule and shal be h 1 Cor 15 52 Iob. 29 25.26 1 Ioh. 3 2. phi 3 21 made conformable vnto the glorious body of Christ The vse VVHerefore seeing wee haue this ground of the resurrection of our flesh from hence is ministred vnto vs that comfort which is necessary 1. To take away al heauines which we conceiue for the dead according to Pauls doctrine 1 Thes 4.23 I vvould not haue you ignorant brethren concerning those that sleepe that you sorrovv not as others that haue no hope For if vve beleeue that Iesus dyed and rose againe so also shall God bring vvith him those that are layd a sleepe in Iesus 2 Cor. 5.1 ◠2. To driue a way all feare of death by the hope of a better life to which we shall come by the resurrection in respect of which end Tertullian doubted not to cal the resurrection of the sleshe the confidence of Christians 3. To incourage vs vnto good works not to deserue any thing but because life is promised to them that do well Last of all that by remembring the resurrection to come we may be hindred from evill doing euen because of the punishment then
gouerned by one soule so are we all by one and the same spirite Question 77 Where hath Christ promised that he will as certainlie giue vnto the beleeuers his bodie and his blood in this maner to be eaten and drunke as they doo eate this bread beeing broken and drinke this cup. Answere In the institution of the Supper the wordes whereof are these g 1. Cor. 11 1◠c Mat. 26.26 c Mark 24.22 c. Luk. 22.19 c. Our Lord Iesus Christ the same night that he was betraied tooke bread when he had giuen thankes he brake it and said Take eate this is my bodie which is broken for you this doo yee in remembrance of me Likewise after supper he took the cup saying h Ezod 24.8 Heb. 9.2 This cup is the new Testamēt in my blood i Exod. 13.9 This doe as oft as ye drinke it in remembrance of me For as often as ye eat this bread and drinke this cup ye shew the lords death til he come This promise is repeated by Paule when he saith b 1. Cor. 10.10.17 k The cup of thanksgiuing wherewith we giue thankes is it not the communion of the blood of christ The bread which we breake is it not the communion of the Lordes bodie Because wee beeing manie are one bread and one body for we are al partakers of one bread OF TRANSVBSTANTIATION THE ARGVMENT Transubstantiation of breade and wine in the vse of the supper disprooued and the true exposition and meaning of these words Bread is the body of Christ Question Lords day 29 78 What then are bread and wine made the very body blood of Christ Answere No truelie But as the water of baptisme is l Mat. 26.29 Mar 14.24 not turned into the blood of Christ neither is the verie washing away of sinnes but only a token and pledge of those things which are sealed vnto vs in Baptisme No more is the bread of the Lords Supper the verie bodie of m 1. Cor. 10.16 c. 11.26 c. Christ although after the nature of Sacraments and the n Gen. 17.10 c Ex. 26.27 43.48 13.9 Act. 7.8 Ex. 24.8 Leu. 16.10 17.12 Isa 6.6.7 Tit. 3.5 Act. 22.16 1. Pet. 3.21 1. Cor 10.1 maner of speach which the holy Ghost vseth in speaking of these thinges the bread is called the body of Christ Question 79 Why then doeth Christ call the bread his bodie the cup his blood or the newe Testament in his bloode and Paul calleth the bread and wine the communion of the body blood of Christ Answere Christ not without great cause so speaketh to wit not onely to teach vs that as bread and wine sustaineth the life of the bodie so also his bodie crucified and his blood shed is indeede the meat and drink of our soul where by it may be o Iohn 6.51.55.56 nourished to life everlasting but much more by this visible signe and pledg to assure vs that wee are noe lesse trulie made partakers of his bodie and blood by the woorking of the holie Ghost then we do a 1. Cor. 10.16.17 with the mouth of the bodie receiue these holy signes in remembrance of him Secondly that his passion and obedience is as certainlie ours as if we our selues had payed the punishment of our sinnes and made satisfaction vnto God OF THE MASSE THE ARGVMENT An opposition of the Masse and the Supper of the Lorde and whoe ought may come vnto the supper whome Christ woulde haue to bee kept from the Supper Question Lords day 30 80 What difference is there betwen the Supper of the Lord and the Popish Masse Answere The supper of the Lorde doth witnes vnto vs that we haue perfect forgiuenes of all our sinnes for that onely sacrifice of Christ which himselfe once offered b Heb. 7.27 9.12.26.28 10.10.12.14 Ioh. 19 30. Mat. 26.28 Luc. 22.19 20 vppon the Crosse and then that wee are by the holy Ghost ingraffed into c 1. Cor. 6.17 10 16. 12 13. Christ who nowe according to his humanitie is onely in Heauen at the right hand of his d Heb. 1 3. 8. ◠Father and will there be e Ioh. 4.21 22 23. 20 17. Luc. 24.52 Act. 7.55.56 Col. 3.1 Phil. 3.10 1. Thes 19.10 worshipped of vs. But in the Masse it is denyed that the quick and dead haue forgiuenes of sinnes for the onelie suffering of Christ vnlesse Christ be still euery day offered for them by the Priests and then it is taught that Christ is bodily vnder the appearance of bread and wine and therefore ought to be worshipped in them And so the very foundation of the Masse is nothing els but a denying of that onely sacrifice suffering of Iesus Christ and a most cursed Idolatrie Question 81 Whoe ought to come to the Supper of the Lord Answere Only they who are trulie sory that they haue offended God by their sins and do beleeue that they are forgiuen them for Christs sake and that whatsoeuer other infirmities they haue they are couered by his passion and death and who desire more and more to goe forward in fayth and vprightnes of life But hypocrits they that do not trulie repent doe eat g Cor. 10 21. 11.28 c. drink vnto themselues condemnation Question 82 May they also bee admitted to this Supper who declare them selues by their confession and life to be vnbeleeuers and vngodly men Answere No in no wise For by that meanes the couenant of God is prophaned the wrath of God is h 5. Cor 11.20 34 Isai 1.11 c. 66.3 Ier 7.20 c. psa 50.16 prouoked against the whole congregation wherfore the Church by the commandement of Christ and of his Apostles vsing the keies of the kingdom of heauen ought to keepe backe such from the Supper vntill they repent and amend their maners OF THE KEYES THE ARGVMENT Of the keyes and their nomber to wit of the vse and authoritie of the key of the Gospell and of discipline in opening and shutting the kingdome of God Question Lords day 31 83 What are the keyes of the kingdome of Heauen Answere The preaching of the Gospell and Ecclesiastical discipline whereby heauen is opened to them that beleeue and i Mat. 16.19 18 18. shut against vnbeleeuers The vse THe vse of the doctrine of the keyes is double for we are first put in mind by them of our misery before the Lord cal vs by his Gospel namely that we are banished from the kingdome of God and consequently excluded from righteousnes and saluation Last of all that we are fast bound as it were with the bonds and fetters of Sathan Secondly howe great good God dooth bestowe vpon vs and offer vnto vs when he bleseth vs with the preaching of the Gospell putting vs in hope that if we beleeue in Christ he wil deliuer vs from the power
l 1. Cor 14 6 Ephe 4 25. professe the matter to be even as it is m 1. Pet 4.8 Moreouer that as much as in me lyeth I defend and increase the good name and credit of others OF THE TENTH COMmandement THE ARGVMENT That even the very smallest desire contrary to Charitie ought to be put out of mens mindes 2. Of the proceeding of the godly in the obedience of the Lawe 3. And what the vse of the Lawe is in this life Question Lords day 44 113 What doeth the tenth commandement forbid Answere That our harts be neuer tempted no not with the least desire or thoght against any commandement of God but that alwaies from the harte wee detest all sinne and contrariwise take a Ro 7 7. c pleasure in all righteousnes The vse VVHich being so who seeth not that in this last commandement is required and conteined the perfit obedience of the whole lawe for howe commeth it to passe that wee sinne against every commandement but because this corrupt concupiscence is in vs without which we should of our owne accord with our whole minde and bodie striue to attaine to the onelie good altogether without any contrary thought or mammering but so long as it cleaueth vnto vs it cannot be but that we shal all offend both very oâ—â—en and in many things shall eftsoones grone and lament with the Apostle saying O vvretched man that I am vvhoe shall deliuer me from the bodie of this death Rom. 7.24 Question 114 Are they able whoe are conuerted vnto God to keepe these commandements perfectly Answere No verely but euen they that ar most holie so long as they liue haue onely some small beginnings of this b 1. Ioh. 1 8 c. Ro. 7 14 15. Eccle. 7 22. obedience yet so that with an earnest vnfeigned indeuour they c Rom. 7.22 Iac 2 10. begin to liue not according to some onelie but even according to all Gods commandements Question 115 Why then will God haue his Lawe so exactlie and so seuerely preached whereas there is no man in this life that is able to keepe it Answere First that in our whole life we may more and more d Iohn 1 9 psal 22 5. acknowledg how forward our nature is to sinne and soe much the more greedilie e Rom. 7 23 desire forgiuenes of sinnes and righteousnes in Christ Secondly that we continually be f 1. Cor. 9.24 c. phil 3 12 13.14 about this and daylie muse vppon it that wee may obteine the grace of the holy Ghost from the Father to the end wee may every day more and more be renewed according to the Image of God vntil one day at the length after wee are departed out of this life we attaine with ioy to that perfection which is sette before vs. OF PRAIER THE ARGVMENT The necessitie of Prayer the conditions of good prayer and a rule for those things that are to be asked Question Lords day 45 116 Wherefore is prayer necessary for Christians Answere Because it is the principall part of that g Psal 50.14.15 thankfulnes which God requireth at our hands as also because the Lord bestoweth his grace and the holy Ghost vpon them alone who with true gronings doe continuallie begge these things at his handes and doe b. Mat. 7.7.8 Luc. 11.9 13 Mar. 13.12 psal 50 15. giue him thanks for the same Question 117 What thinges are required to that prayer wherewith God is pleased and which he heareth and graunteth Answere That with true affection of harte we ask of that true God alone whoe hath i Iohn 4.22 psal 81.8 9.10 Iam 1.5 reueiled himselfe in his worde all things whatsoeuer hee hath commanded vs to k Rom. 8.26 1 Iohn 5.14 psal 145.18 ask of him and that with an inward l Iohn 4.21.22 Psal 145.18 2. Chron. 20.12 feeling of our owne needie miserable estate we m psal 2.11 psal 119.120 Esai 66.2 Pro. 34 17.18 51.17 Iona. 3.4 c humbly throwe our selues downe before the maiestie of God n Rom 10.14 Mar 11.24 1 Ioh 5.14.15 Mat 15.22 c. leaning vpon this strong foundation that we albeit vnworthie yet are vndoubtedly o Ioh 26.23 Col 3.17 Ioh. 14.13 heard of God for Christes sake as he hath p Mat. 7.7.8 psal 50.14 promised vnto vs in his word Question 118 What are those things which God commandeth vs to ask of him Answere All thinges q Iam. 1 17 Mat. 6.35 necessarie both for soule and bodie which our Lorde Iesus Christ hath coÌ„prised in that praier which hee himselfe hath taught vs. Question 119 What is that prayer Answere OVr r Mar. 6.9.10 c. Luk. 11.2 c. Mat. 7.9 10.11 Luk. 11 12 13. Father which art in Heuen Hallowed be thy name thy kingdome come thy wil be done as in Heuen so also in Earth Giue vs this day our daylie bread And forgiue vs our debts as we forgiue our debters and lead vs not into temptation but deliuer vs from euill For thine is the kingdome the power and the glory for euer Amen HOW WE SHOVLD PRAY THE ARGVMENT The preface of the Lords prayer and the exposition thereof Question Lords day 46 120 Why doth Christ commande vs after this maner to call vpon God Our Father Answere That even in the very entrance of prayer he may stir vppe in vs a reuerence and trust in God conuenient for the children of God which ought to be the ground-work of our prayer to wit that God for Christes sake is become our Father will much lesse denie vnto vs those thinges that wee ask of him by a true fayth then our Parents a Mat. 7.9.19 11. Luk. 11.11 denie vs earthlie benefites Question 121 Why is that added which art in Heauen Answere That we b Ier. 23 24 Act. 17.24 25.27 should not conceiue any base and earthlie thing of the heauenly maiestie of God and withall also that from his almightie power wee should c Rom. 10.12 looke for whatsoeuer is necessarie for soule and bodie OF THE FIRST PETITION THE ARGVMENT Wherein the hallowing of the name of God consisteth Question Lords day 47 122 What is the first petition Answere Hallowed be thy name that is Grant first of all that wee may d Ioh. 17 3. Ier. 9.23 24 31.33 34 Mat. 16 17 Iam. 1 5. psal 119.105 knowe thee aright and may reuerence praise and e psal 119.137.138 Luk. 1.46 c. 68 c. psal 145.8 9 17 Ex. 34.6.7 Psal 143.1 2 5 10.11.12 Iere. 31.5 32.18 19 40 41 33 11 20 Mat. 19 17. Rom 3 3 4. 11 22 23 2. Tit. 2.19 set forth thy almightie power wisdom goodnes righteousnes mercie and trueth that shineth in all thy workes Secondly that wee may so direct all our life thoughtes wordes and deeds that thy most holie name be not reproched by our occasion but rather
be f psa 115 1 71 8 honored and magnified OF THE SECOND PETITION THE ARGVMENT Wherein the comming of Gods kingdome the preseruation and perfection thereof consisteth Question Lords day 49 123 What is the second petition Answere Lette thy Kingdome come that is so gouerne vs by thy worde and by thy Spirit that wee may g Mar. 6.33 psal 119.5 143.10 bee more and more subiect vnto thee preserue and increase thy h psal 51.20 122 6 7. Churche destroy the workes of the Deuill and every power that exalteth it selfe against thy maiestie make void all the counsels that are i 1 Ioh. 3.8 Rom. 16 20. taken against thy word vntill at the length thou k Apoc. 22 17 20. Ro 8 22 23 do fully and perfectly raigne when thou shalt be al in l 1 Cor. 15 28 al. OF THE THIRD PETITION THE ARGVMENT The end of this petition is that all men do submit themselues to the will of God that so it may appeare that God doth raigne effectually in the World Question Lords day 49 124 What is the third petition Answere Thy will bee done as in Heauen so also in Earth that is Gâ—â—unt that we and all men m Mat. 16.24 Tit. 2.12 renouncing our owne wil may readilie and without any murmuring n Luk 22.42 obey thy wil which onlie is holie so may cheerefully o 1 Cor 7 24. execute whatsoeuer the Angels doe in p psal 103.20.21 Heauen OF THE FOVRTH PETITION THE ARGVMENT The end of this petition is that wee may acknowledg that God is he whoe must giue vnto vs all things necessary for the maintenance of this present life Question Lords day 50 125 What is the fourth petition Answere Giue vs this day our dailie bread that is supplie vnto vs all things q psal 145 15 16 104.27 28. Mat. 6 2â— necessarie for this present life that thereby we may acknowledg that thou art the onelie fountaine from whom all good thinges doe r Act. 17 27 28 14.17 flowe and except thou giue thy blessing all our care trauell and euen thine owne guifts will be vnprosperous and Å¿ 1 Cor 15 58 Deut 8 3 psal 27 16.17 hurtefull vnto vs Wherefore graunt that turning our affiance from all creatures we may t psal 62.11 55.23 set it vpon thee alone OF THE FIFT PETITION THE ARGVMENT Because the conscience of sinne hindreth men in praying by reason that the Deuill suggesteth such thoughts to the end wee might not bee overcome with these temptations Christ would haue vs set against them as a comfort this petition of forgiuenes of sinnes Question Lords day 51 126 What is the fift petition Answere Forgiue vs our debtes as we forgiue them that are indebted vnto vs that is for the blood of Christ impute u psal 51.1 c. 143.2 1 Ioh. 2.1 2 not vnto vs most miserable sinners al our sinnes and even that corruption which as yet cleaueth vnto vs as wee also feele this testimonie of thy fauour in our harts that we haue a stedfast purpose from our hartes to x Mat. 6.14.17 forgiue all that haue offended vs. OF THE SIXT PETITION THE ARGVMENT This Petition is the second parte of the spirituall couenant which God hath made for the saluation of his church for we desire in it that as he hath forgiuen vs our sinnes so he woulde vouchsafe to write his lawes in our hartes that hee would defend vs by the power of his Spirit and susteine vs by his helpe so that we may stand invinciblie against al tentations Question Lords day 52 127 What is the sixt petition Answere Leade vs not into temptation but deliuer vs from all evill that is forasmuch as wee are by nature soe feeble and weake that we y Iohn 15.5 psal 103.14 are not able to stand no not a moment of time our deadly enemies z 1. pet 5.8 Ephe. 6 12 Satan the a Iohn 15.19 worlde and our own b Rom. 7.23 Gal. 5.17 flesh do continuallie assaile vs vpholde thou vs and strengthen vs by the power of thy spirit that wee c Mat. 26 41. Mar. 13 33. faint not in this spirituall combate but may so long stand against them vntill at the last we d 1. Thes 3.13 5,23 obtaine a perfite victorie Question 128 How doest thou conclude thy prayer Answere For thine is the kingdome the power and the glory for euer that is wee ask all these thinges at thy hand because thou being our king almightie art willing and able e Rom 10.11 12 2. pet 29. to giue vs all things and these things we therefore aske to the end that by them al glorie may f Ioh. 24.13 psal 115.1 Ier. 33.8.9 redound not vnto vs but vnto thy holie name Question 129 What meaneth the last word Amen Answere That the matter is certaine and out of doubt for my prayer is much more certainlie heard of God then I in mine owne hart do feele that I desire it with all my hart FINIS A PVBLIKE CONFESSION of our sinnes commonly vsed in the Church of Edinburgh in the day of common prayer O Eternal God and most merciful Father wee confesse acknowledg here before thy diuine maiestie that we are miserable sinners conceaued and borne in sinne and iniquitie so that in vs there is no goodnes For the fleshe evermore rebelleth against the Spirit whereby wee continuallie transgresse thine holy preceptes and commandements and so do purchase to our selues through thy iust iudgement death and damnation Notwithstanding O heauenlie Father forasmuch as wee are displeased with our selues for the sins that wee haue committed against thee and do vnfainedly repent vs of the same wee most humblie beseech thee for Iesus Christ his sake to shewe thy mercie vppon vs to forgiue vs al our sinnes and to increase thine holie Spirit in vs that we acknowledging from the bottome of our harts our owne vnrighteousnes may from henceforth not onely mortifie our sinfull lustes and affections but also bring foorth such fruits as may be agreeable to thy most blessed wil not for the worthines thereof but for the merits of thy dearly beloued Son Iesus Christ our onely Sauiour whome thou hast already giuen an oblation and offering for our sinnes and for whose sake we are certainlie perswaded that thou wilt dedy vs nothing that we shall ask in his name according to thy will For thy Spirit dooth assure our consciences that thou art our mercifull Father and so louest vs thy children through him that nothing is able to remooue thine heauenly grace and fauor from vs. To thee therefore O Father with the Sonne and the holie Ghost be all honor and glorie world without end So be it Another confession prayer commonly vsed in the church of Edinburgh O Dreadfull most mightie God thou that from the beginning hast declared thy selfe a consuming
whome thou hast sent Iesus Christ and so I may worshippe thee in a pure conscience Moreouer because thou promisest wisdome to those which are of a lowe and humble minde as children but those that are proud and high destitute of thy guifts thou giuest them over to vanitie roote out of my hart all pride that being humbled I may shew my selfe teachable and obedient first to thee then to those whome thou hast giuen me to instruct that so I may by little little prepare my selfe to serue to thy glory onely and to the profit of others in walking in that calling which thou shalt assigne vnto me Amen A PRAYER BEFORE wee goe to meate Psal 145.15.16 The eies of all things trust in thee O Lorde and thou giuest them their foode in due season thou openest thy hand and fillest with thy blessing every liuing creature ALmightie most mercifull God which of thine infinite goodnes hast created all things of nothing and who susteinest and rulest the same perpetuallie by thy deuine power whoe led the Israelites through the Desart feding them with Manna 49. years Blesse vs thy vnworthie seruants and sanctifie those thy guifts that soberly and holily we may vse them knowe in them that thou art indeede our Father and the fountaine of all good things Graunt also that wee vsing these things corporall wee may be alwaies disposed chieflie to seeke that spirituall foode of thy word that our soules may be nourished to eternall life which Christ hath purchased vnto vs by his precious blood Our Father which art c. A THANKSGIVING after meate Deut. 8.10.11 When thou hast eaten and filled thy self then thou shalt giue thanks vnto the Lorde thy God 11. And thou shalt beware that thou forget not the Lord thy God and neglect his Commaundements O Lord God and heuenly Father we giue thee thanks for thy gret and infinite benefites which thou bestowest vpon vs miserable sinners of thine incomprehensible mercy at all times in that thou vphouldest vs in this mortall life furnishing vnto vs al things that are necessarie but cheifly that thou vouchsafest to regenerate vs by the holy doctrine of thy Gospell vnto the hope of a better life Wee beseech thee mercifull God and Father not to suffer our mindes to be occupied in these earthly transitory things but that they may looke vp and seeke the things that are in heauen waiting for the comming of our Sauior Christ Iesus when he appeares in the clouds to deliuer vs. So be it Our Father c. A PRAYER BEFORE wee go to bed O Lord God and heuenly Father which according to thy manifolde wisdome hast appointed the day for labour and the night for rest We render thee thankes that thou hast so mercifullie kept vs this day and hast heaped continuallie vpon vs so many benefites Graunt likewise that wee nowe ceasing from our labour and care may so be refreshed with sleepe that our mindes not beeing buried in sleep with the bodie we be slumbring in thy loue but that the memory of our Creation and saluation be at noe time wiped out of our harts Graunt moreouer that our consciences aswell as our bodies may inioy the own rest Likewise that wee moderatlie vsing sleepe we may haue a respect not vnto sluggishnes but to necessitie to the end that wee returning more apt and quick to our works left off for a time we may the more readilie serue thee profit our neighbor And in the mean time while we are taking rest deliuer vs from all perill and keepe vs vndefiled both in bodie and soule that our sleepe likewise may serue to the glory of thy Name and seeing this day is past ouer with vs not without manifolde slidings for we miserable wretches cary alway sin about with vs we besech thee that as the night now foldeth vp all thing in darknes so according to thy incōprehensible mercy that thou wilt bury all our sinnes lest for them wee be casten out from thy sight Graunt also quietnes and comfort to all those which are afflicted with any kinde of sicknes or other calamities for Christ Iesus thy Sonne our Lords sake which this way hath taught vs to pray Our Father c. FINIS