not only from meat and drink but also from all delights for the furtherance of the speciall practice of repentance and the enforcing of our Prayers Ioel 2.12 Turne ye euen to me with all your hearts with fasting c. 1. Cor. 7.5 Defraud ye not one the other except it be with consent for a time that yee may giue your selues to fasting and prayer Of Death and the last Iudgement Heb. 9.2 27. It is appointed vnto men once dye and after this the Iudgement Acts 17.31 God hath appointed a day in the which he will iudge the world in righteousnesse by that Man whom he hath ordained c. 2. Corin. 5.10 VVe must all appeare before the Iudgement seat of Christ c. Mat. 25.31 32 c. When the Sonne of man shall come in his glory and all the Angels with him then shall he sit vpon the throne of his glory And before him shall be gathered all Nations c. Verse 46. These shall goe away into euerlasting punishment but the Righteous into life eternall FINIS A Pill to purge out Poperie OR A Catechisme for Romish Catholikes Shewing that Poperie is contrarie to the grounds of the Catholike Religion and that therefore Papists cannot be good Catholikes The Speakers A weake Christian A Minister DIALOGVE I. Christian AMong the diuersities of opinions that are in the world how may I know which is the truth whereto I must cleaue and who are the true Church and true Catholikes Minist a Beleeue not euery spirit that is euery doctrine which men bragging of the Spirit do teach but trie them whether they be of God or no b Examine all things hold fast that which is good a 1. Iohn 4.1 b 1. Thessal 5.21 C. VVhereby shall I trie them M. By the Scriptures Iohn 5.39 Acts 17.11 C. I am vnlearned and the Scriptures are hard to be vnderstood M. There are indeed many things in them hard to be vnderstood 2. Pet. 3.16 but such things as are necessary to bee knowne of all to saluation are plainly set downe Prouer. 8.9 The meaning of which place is this The Word of God in points necessary to saluation is easie vnto all that haue a desire vnto it Turne to the places of Scripture added to euery answer of the Catechisme and you shall finde this to be most true C. Is there no other way and meanes whereby to try and know the truth and the true professours thereof M. Yes it may be done euen by the aforesaid grounds of Religion Whatsoeuer doctrine is agréeable thereunto is true and to be receiued but whatsoeuer is contrary to the same is false and to be reiected As many as doe sincerely and soundly embrace professe and practise the same they are the Catholike Church that is parts and members of the Catholike Church and true Catholikes indeed But such as teach professe and practise things contrary thereunto are not the true Church nor true Catholikes C. The Papists say that they onely are the true Church and true Catholikes and that we are not M. So the Iewes cried a The Temple of the Lord b We are the séede of Abraham the children of GOD. a Ieremy 7.4 b Iohn 8.33 41. But Christ told them they were the children of the diuell Ioh. 8.44 Ch. Are not the Papists then good Catholikes M. No but rather grosse Heretikes C. What is an Heretike M. One that doth erre in any fundamentall point of Christian Religion and dooth obstinately teach maintaine and defend the same C. Do the Papists erre in the fundamentall points of Religion M. They doe teach and maintaine many false opinions against the verie grounds of Religion as by and by shall be shewed in many particulars C. Are all Papists then hereticks M. No for there are no doubt many of them that doe erre of simplicity and ignorance which would be brought from their errours if they had the meanes namely the Scriptures in their owne language preaching catechizing and the like Wée doe not therefore account them all Hereticks but onely those before mentioned C. How doe you prooue that they are not good Catholiâ—ks M. I prooue it thus They are good Catholikes which are of sound faith and good life Augustin lib. quaest in Mat Chap. 11. but Papists are neither of sound faith nor good life therefore they are no good Catholikes C. How doe you proue that they are not of sound faith M. Euen by the Apostles Créed which may serue instead of a rule whereunto the faith of all men ought to agrée contrary whereunto they teach many things C. Shew mee wherein M. The Créed is a confession of faith containing the summe of the Gospell and of such things as are necessary to be beléeued of all that wil be saued They haue deuised many other new Articles of faith besides and contrary to the Articles of the Apostles Créed which they hold necessarily to be beléeued of all that will bée saued As namely indulgences and a treasury of saints merits the reall presence the Popes supremacie Purgatorie and such like In the Councell of Trent the curse Anathema is pronounced vpon all such as denie these or any of them Master Perkins first Vol. page 621. The Créed teacheth what euerie one in particular is to knowe and beleeue and a true faith cannot stand without certain knowledge The Papists maintaine an implicite or an ignorant faith namely that it is enough to beleeue as the Church beleeueth though they know not what the Church is nor what the Church beleeueth And they commend this faith by the example of an old deuout father a Colliar who being tempted of the Diuell and asked how he beléeued answered That he beléeued as the Church beléeued being asked againe how the Church beléeued he answered As I beléeue whereupon the Diuell as they say was faine to depart C. It should seeme it was but a simple diuell for if he had bin wise he would haue asked him this question What if the Church beleeue that thou art a foole what would the Colliar think you haue answered then M. I thinke hee would haue sayd nothing for if he should haue said I beléeue so too the diuell might then haue begged him for a foole indéede And yet such fooles are the simple ignorant Papists which content themselues with this kind of faith for thus one may reason with them You are to beléeue as the Church beléeueth but the Church beléeues that you are fooles therefore you are to beléeue so to This their implicite faith euery one of himself may haue The diuels in some sence may be said to haue a better faith then this for they know what is contained in the Scriptures and beléeue it to be true Mat. 4.6 Iam. 2.19 This fond ridiculous kinde of faith is a notable meanes to muzzle people in blindnes superstition and perpetuall ignorance Againe faith is a certaine and true perswasion of the heart whereby wée are perswaded and in some measure assured of the
6. you may terme in plaine English lying and cogging They are not orious lyers slanderers railers and workers Willet on Iude page 195 and 205. 212. They haue falsified mens writings putting in and putting out what they please as is to bee séene in their Index expurgatorius See Perk. 2. vol. page 489 c. There haue bin in times past games appointed for lying If there were any such now the Papists would carry the whet stone from all the heretikes in Christendome The tenth Commandement condemneth originall corruption and the very euill thoughts and lusts of the heart without consent They teach that concupiscence in it selfe is not sinne These are the very words of the Concell of Trent This concupiscence which the Apostle sometime calleth sinne the holy Synod declareth that the Catholike Church did neuer vnderstand to be called sinne because it is truly and properly sinne in the regenerate but because it commeth of sinne and inclineth vnto sinne If any man thinke the contrary let him be accursed Sess 5. cap. 1. de pecc orig Wherein they both decrée against the Apostle himselfe Rom. 7.23 and also they gain-say themselues for if this concupiscence boyle out of originall sin as out of a fountaine and that is damnable it followeth that conrupisence or lust is also sinne before God and doth deserue condemnation They say that in the regenerate it is veniall But this is an vndoubted principle that all sinnes in themselues and their owne nature are mortall And concerning this veniall sinne it was not knowne among the Fathers for 700 yéeres after Christ And thus you see what grosse things they both teach practise contrary to the Commandements of God whereby it plainely appeareth that Popery cannot be of God for thus I reason Whatsoeuer religion doth teach things contrary to the Commandements of God is not of God but Poperie doth so and therefore it is not of God and so by good consequence Papists cannot be good Catholikes DIALOGVE 13. C. Hitherto you haue shewed that the Papists teach many things contrary to the Creed the Sacraments the ten Commandements now tell me I pray you whether they teach any thing contrarie to the Lords prayer M. They doe likewise teach and practise many things contrary thereunto I will but onely name some of them The Lords prayer teacheth vs to call vpon God onely They teach and practise prayer to Saints In the first petition we pray for the hallowing of Gods name They giue vnto Saints departed that which is proper to God and so dishonour Gods name In the second position we pray for the erecting of Gods Kingdom of grace in our hearts and also for the meanes thereof namely the preaching and hearing of Gods Word They hinder the comming of Gods kingdom in reiecting the Word of God and in persecuting such as will preach heere and reade it Contrary to the third petition is their doctrine of frée-will Contrary to the fift petition is their doctrine of satisfaction for sin In the sixt petition we pray for strength to withstand Satan and his temptations They teach people to driue away the diuell with holy water and such like childish toyes These and other such like things they teach practise contrary to the Lords prayer DIALOGVE 14. C. If Popery be so contrary to the grounds of Religion then we may not ioyne with the Papists in their profession M. It is true indéede we must therfore do as the Lord bade Ieremy chap. 15.19 Let them returne to thée but returne not thou to them We may ioyne with them in respect of ciuill societie but not in respect of Religion and yet euen then we are to take héede lest wee bee corrupted by them for hee that teacheth pitch shall bee defiled therewith Some think that our Religion and the religion of the present Church of Rome are all one for substance and that they may be vnited but they are grossly deceiued for a vnion of these two religions can neuer bee made more then the vnion of light and darknes and that because the Church of Rome as hath at large bin shewed hath strooke at the very foundation C. If Popery bee so contrary to the very grounds of Religion then what is the cause that so many yea euen of the more wise and learned sort do embrace and cleaue to it M. One speciall cause of it is that because men will not receiue the loue of the truth therefore God shall send them strong delusion that they should beléeue a lie 2. Thes 2.10 11. A second cause is ignorance of the Scriptures and of the grounds of Religion for if men would well acquaint themselues héerewith they should easily fee the grossenes of Popery A third cause is that Popery is very agreeable and pleasing to mans corrupt nature As for example to be iustified by our good workes to haue Images to worship God in to liue in ignorance to haue pardons for our sinnes to serue God in outward ceremonies as in choice of meat difference of daies c. these are things very agreeable and pleasing to our corrupt nature and therefore one speciall cause why so many embrace Popery A fourth cause is the tyrannie of the Church of Rome whose chiefe meanes to vphold her religion is fire and sword for were it not for this many thousands in a few yeeres would vtterly renounce Poperie A fift cause why so many specially of the Learned doe embrace it is pomp and profit that is ambition and couetousnesse This was that which made the Scribes and Pharises euen against their owne knowledge to withstand Christ and his Gospell And this makes many learned Papists to doe the like They know no doubt that in some things they erre as it doth appeare by the words of Stephen Gardiner on his death bead The Bishop of Chichester séeing him to be in a desperate case comforteth him with the hope of remission of sinnes by the merits of Christ Gardiner héereunto answereth thus What will you open that gape now you may speake it to mee to such as are in my case but if you teach it to the people then farewell all meaning our authority pompe and profit by absolutions Masses c. These are the speciall causes why so many embrace Poperie C. There is one thing more that I would gladly know concerning the Papists and that is whether a Papist may be saued seeing that Poperie is so contrary to the grounds of Religion M. You are then to marke what a Papist is A Papist as the Rhemists on Acts 11. Sect 4. doe describe him is one that cleaueth to the Pope in Religion and is obedient to him in all things Euery one now that is vnder the iurisdiction of the Pope is not to be counted a Papist for their are some euen in Italy Spaine c. that hold the Grounds of Religion doe sigh and grone vnder the Romish yoke and desire to bee fréed from it yea would reioice to
see it Againe there may be some that for want of knowledge and the meanes thereof are intangled with some points of Popery but yet they hold the foundation which is CHRIST IESVS and looke to be saued by his merits and not by their owne or any others Such we account not Papists our the true Church and children of God But by Papists we meane such as cleaue fast to the Pope in religion are in all things obedient to him will not be reclaimed from their errours refuse to heare the Word of God to read the Scriptures or any other good books ' Of such wée may boldly say that if they thus continue to the end they cannot bee saued DIALOGVE 15. C. I do now plainely see that Papists are no good Catholikes because they are neither of sound faith nor good life but tell me I pray you who indeed are the true Church and true Catholikes M. All that doe truly and sincerely embrace professe and practise the aforesaid grounds of Religion in what Countrey soeuer they liue C. Is the Church of England the true Church M. Yes for it hath the speciall markes of the true Church namely the Word of God sincerely and soundly preached and the Sacraments rightly administred C. The Papists say that there are diuersities of opinions amongst vs that we cannot agree among our selues and that therefore wee are not the true Church M. In all substantiall points of Religion wée agree both amongst our selues and also with all other sound Protestants in Christendome In other things there haue bin are and will bee diuersities of opinions differences to the worlds end They should first pluck out the beame of their owne eyes for we can truly charge them with greater differences As namely with that sharpe and bloudy contention betweene the Franciscans and Dominicans and with the late bitter contention between the Iesuites the secular Priests wherein the Priests did write as bitterly against the Iesuites and namely against Parsons as euer did any Protestant nay there was neuer any Protestant Writer that did lay such foule and odious crimes to their charge as the Priests did And heerein they verified the old prouerb When théeues fall by the eares true men come to haue their goods For one dissention that is among vs they haue at least ten among themselues Doctor Willet in his fourth Piller of Papistry hath set downe at large First the contradictions and diuerse opinions of old Papists and new Secondly the contradictions of the Iesuites among themselues Thirdly that their stoutest Champion Bellarmine is at variance with himselfe shamefully forgetting himselfe saying and vnsaying now of one opinion by and by of another And no maruaile Oportet enim mendacem esse memorem A liar had néed to haue a good memory Fourthly hee sheweth the repugnances inconueniences and inconsequent opinions which Popish Religion hath in it selse And thus you see how they charge vs with that wherein themselues are most faulty DIALOGVE 16. C. Are there none among vs that maintaine any strange and new opinions contrary to the grounds of Religion M. If there be any such our Church doth not approue of them but rather censure and punish them C. There be some that professe the former grounds of Religion as wee doe and yet say that there is no true Church among vs and therefore will not ioyne with vs in prayer hearing the Word and in the vse of the Sacraments but separate themselues from vs what say you of such M. I say that they are possessed with the spirit of pride and singularity and that in so doing they doe euen deny these Articles of faith the Catholike Church and the Communion of Saints and are such as the Apostle speakes of Rom. 16.17 Heb. 10.25 39. Master Perkins in his first volume page 409. calles them a schismaticall and vndiscreet company and saith that they are full of pride thinking themselues to be full when they are empty to haue all knowledge when they are ignorant and haue need to be catechized Another saith thus of them The errour of those men is full of euill yea of blasphemie who doe in such manner make a departure from this Church as if Christ were quitbanished from hence and that there could bee no hope of saluation to those that abide heere And further he saith that if they cannot finde Christ heere they shall find him no where The errors of these men you may see in a little Treatise set forth by Master Bernard called The Separatists Schisme C. I pray shew me by some example that they ought not to separate themselues from vs and that they doe sinne in so doing M. In the Church of Corinth the incestuous man was not punished fornication was lightly regarded yea there were some that euen denied the Resurrection yet S. Paul doth account and call them the Church and Saints hee doth not perswade any to make a separation but doth plainely rebuke them and sheweth how they should punish the euill doer I speake not this to excuse any grosse sin that raigneth amongst vs for I wish that the same might be seuerely punished but to shew that where the Word is truly preached and the Sacraments rightly administred as in our Church they are none ought for any cause to separate themselues And that such as doe it do sinne grieuously I will shew you by a familiar example A mother conceiuesh and bringeth forth a sonne and that with great trauaile paine Shee traineth him vp to mans estate and that not without great care and labour This sonne at length espying some spot and blemish or some infirmity in his mother forsaketh her and will not acknowledge her to be his mother what would you now thinke of him C. Surely I should thinke such a one to bee a very wicked and vnnaturall sonne M. Euen such are they who for some seeming faults in our Church deny it to bee a true Church and doe separate themselues from it whereas this Church hath conceiued them brought them forth and nourished them For if euer they were truly begotten vnto Christ and borne anew it hath hin by our Church and our Ministerie by which likewise they haue bin trained vp and brought to that knowledge which they haue C. There are many amongst vs that make great profession of Religion but I can see no good workes come from them nay they are not onely barren in good workes but also liue in some one grosse sinne or other Are these the true Church and true Catholikes M. Though they liue in the Church yet they are not of the Church they are but Hypocrites and shall if they repent not haue the reward of Hypocrites yea it shall be easier in the day of iudgement for many Papists then for them because by their barren and fruitlesse yea wicked life they haue caused the name of God his Gospell and the true professours thereof to bee euill spoken of Let all therefore that will bee
continue dead in the graue A. No hée rose againe from the dead Q. Wherefore did Christ die A. For my sinnes Q. Wherefore did he rise againe A. To make me righteous Q. What else doe you beleeue A. That whatsoeuer Christ hath done for mans saluation he hath done it also for me Q. Shall all be saued by Christ A. No but onely such as haue a true faith in Christ Q. What is faith A. A true perswasion of the heart Q. Vpon what is faith grounded A. Vpon the free promises of God in Iesus Christ Q. Who doth work this faith in vs A. The holy Ghost Q. Whereby doth he work it A. By the hearing of his Word Q. What is the summe of your faith A. The Apostles Creed Q. Rehearse the Articles of the Creed A. I beléeue in God the Father almighty maker of heauen and earth c. Q. Do you thinke to be saued by this your faith A. Yes onely by faith Q. Wherefore then doe the Sacraments serue A. To strengthen my faith Q. How many Sacraments bee there A. Two Baptisme and the Supper of the Lord. Q. What is a Sacrament A. An outward signe and seale of an inward grace Q. What is signified by Baptisme A. That we are washed from all our sinnes by the bloud of Christ Q. What else A. Our new birth by the holy Ghost Q. What is signified by the Supper of the Lord A. Our spirituall nourishment to eternall life by the body and bloud of Christ Q. What is required to the worthie receiuing of the Sacrament A. Faith and repentance Q. What is repentance A. A turning from sinne to God Q. What doth repentance bring forth A. Good workes Q. What are these good works A. Such as God hath commanded Q. How many Commandements be there A. Ten. Q. Which be they A. God spake these words and said I am the Lord thy God c. Q. Into how many Tables are they diuided A. Into two Q. How many bee there of the first Table A. Foure Q. What doe they teach vs A. Our dutie towards God Q. How many bee there of the second Table A. Sir Q. What doe they teach vs A. Our duty towards our neighbour Q. Can we of our selues do good workes A. No but only by Gods grace Q. How shall wee obtaine the grace of God hereunto A. By harty prayer Q. How must we pray A. As Christ hath taught vs. Q. How many parts bee there of the Lords prayer A. Thrée A preface si◠petitions and the conclusion Q. Which is the preface A. Our Father which art in heauen Q. What doth it teach vs A. To pray to God onely in the name of Iesus Christ Q. What doe wee ask of God in the three first petitions A. Such things as concerne Gods glory Q. What doe we ask in the three last petitions A. Such things as are necessarie for the body and soule Q. What is the conclusion A. A reason why we doe ask these things of God Q. What signifieth the word Amen A. So be it FINIS MILKE FOR the Younger OR A Catechisme for the younger sort Q. WHerin consisteth our true wisedome and happinesse A. In the true knowledge of God and of our selues Q. What is God A. God is a a Iohn 4.24 Spirit hee is b Gen. 17.1 Almighty the c Acts 17.24 Maker and d Iohn 5.17 Gouernor of all things Q. What else are wee to know concerning God A. That there is but a Esa 45.21 one God onely Q. What more A. That there are thrée persons and these thrée are but one God Q. Which be these three persons A. The Father Mat. 28.19 the Sonne and the holy Ghost Q. What are we to know concerning our selues A. How wée were created and what we are now by nature Q. What else A. How wée are redéemed and what thankes we owe to God for it Q. Who made man and woman A. God Q. Whereof did God make man A. Of the dust of the ground Gen 12.7 Q. Whereunto did God make man like A. To his owne image and likenesse Gen. 1.26.27 Q. Wherein standeth this image of God A. In righteousnes and true holines principally Eph. 4.24 Q. Wherfore did God thus make man A. To worship and serue him Esa 43.7 Q. How will God be serued A. As he himselfe hath commanded in his Word Deut. 4.32 Q. What was man then by creation A. Perfectly holy and perfectly happy Q. What are we now by nature A. The children of wrath Ephes 2.3 subiect to the wrath of God Q. What is the cause that we are so A. Sinne. Rom. 3.23 Q. What is sinne A. The transgression of the Law of God 1 Iohn 3.4 Q. By whom came sinne into the world A. By man euen Adam Rom. 5.12 Q. What is the reward of sinne A. Death and eternall damnation Rom. 6.23 Q. By whom are wee deliuered from death and damnation A. Onely by Iesus Christ Acts 4.12 Q. What is Iesus Christ Rom. 7.24 25 A. The onely begotten Sonne of God Ioh. 3.16 Q. Is he God or man A. He is both a 1 Iohn 1.14 God and b 1 Iohn 5.20 Ioh. 19.30 34. man Q. What did hee to redeeme vs A. He suffered died and shed his bloud for vs. Q. Did Christ suffer in his Godhead A. No but in his Man-hood and that both in c Mat 27.3 35. body and d Lu. 22.44 soule Q. Were not Christs sufferings the sufferings of the person God and man A. e Act 20 28 1. Cor. 2.8 Yes but the nature wherein he suffered was not the diuine but the humane nature Q. Did Christ continue dead in the graue A. No 1. Cor. 15.4 hée rose againe the third day from the dead Q. Wherefore did Christ die A. For our sinnes 1. Cor. 15.3 Q. Wherefore did he rise againe A. For our iustification Rom. 4.25 Q. Whither went Christ after his resurrection A. He ascended into heauen Acts 1.9 Q. Wherefore did he ascend into heauen A. To prepare a place for vs. Ioh. Q. What doth Christ now in heauen A. He sitteth at the right hand of God Mar. 16.19 the Father almightie Q. Hath God a right hand indeede A. God is a Spirit Luk. 24.39 and therefore hath neither right hand nor left Q. What is meant then by Christs sitting at the right hand of God A. That Christ hath all power giuen vnto him in heauen and in earth Mat. 28.18 Q. When shall Christ come againe A. In the end of the world Acts 1.11 Q. What shall he then doe A. He shall iudge both the quick and the dead Iude 15 Q. How doth that which Christ hath done profit vs A. By the inward and secret working of the holy Ghost 1. Cor. 12.13 Q. Who is the holy Ghost A. The third person in Trinity Q. Why is he called holy
strengthening of our faith Q. VVhat is to be done before the receiuing of the Sacrament A. Euery one is to trie and examine himselfe 1 〈…〉 Q. VVherefore are we to doe this A. Because he that eateth and drinketh vnworthily is guilty of the body and bloud of Christ 1. Cor. 11.27 29.30 and doth eat and drinke iudgement to himselfe Q. VVherein are wee to examine our selues A. In foure things especially Q. VVhat is the first A. Whether wée haue any knowledge of the grounds of Religion Hos 4.6 6.6 and namely of the Sacrament Q. VVhat is the second A. Whether we haue a true sauing faith or no. 1. Cor. 13.5 Heb. 11.6 Q. VVhat is the third thing A. Whether we be truly repentant for our sinnes Esay 1.13 14 16 Tit 1.15 Q. VVhat is the fourth thing A. Whether we be in charitie with all men Mat. 5.23.24 Mar. 11.25 Q. VVhat is to be done in the receiuing of the Sacrament A. We are then to meditate and thinke vpon such things as are signisted by the outward signes and actions in the Sacrament Q. VVhat is signified by the breaking of the Bread and the powring out of the Wine A. The crucifying of Christs body and the shedding of his bloud Esay 53.5 1. Cor. 11.24 Mat. 26.28 the sufferings of Christ and the benefits procured thereby Q. What is signified by the giuing of the Bread and VVine by the Minister A. That God doth giue to the faithfull the body and bloud of Christ that is the merit of his death Iohn 6.32 51 and the benefits of his passion Q. What is signified by our taking eating and drinking of the Bread and Wine A. A spirituall receiuing Iohn 6 3â— eating and drinking of the body and bloud of Christ Q. VVhat is it to eate the flesh of Christ and to drink his bloud A. It is truly to beléue in Christ to haue a Communion and fellowship with the true flesh and bloud of Christ and to be partakers of the benefits of his death and passion Iohn 6.56 Q. VVhat is to bee done immediately after the receiuing of the Sacrament A. Euery one is then to giue hearty thanks to God for his Redemption by the death of Christ 1. Cor. 11.26 Q. VVhat is Recemption A. A deliuerance of vs from sinne and the punishment thereof Rom. 5.15 16 7 and a restoring to a happie life Q. VVhat are the parts of this Redemption A. a 2. Cor. 5.18 19 Rom. 5.10 Reconciliation and b 1. Cor. 1.30.6.11 Sanctification Q. What is Reconciliation A. That wherby the wrath of God is taken from vs and we restored to his fauour Q. VVherein doth it consist A. In the forgiuenesse of sinnes and imputation of righteousnesse Rom. 4.7 8 Q. VVhat is remission of sinnes A. The abolishing and taking away of all our sinnes Col. 2.13 14 1. Ioh. 1.7.9 by Christs death Q. VVhat is the imputation of Righteousnesse A. The reckoning of Christs righteousnes vnto vs Rom. 4.9 5.18 19 the taking it for ours Q. VVhat is Sanctification A. A freedome within vs Rom. 6.6.14 8.2 from thé bondage of sinne and Satan and a restoring of vs to a godly life Acts 26.18 Q. From whence doth this our Redemption Iustification and Sanctification proceed A. Not from our selues or anie workes of ours Eph. 1.7 2. 8 9 10 but from the grace of God The third part of the Catechisme Quest 144. DOth not this doctrine of saluation by grace through faith make men to liue carelesly in their sins and to neglect good works A. No Tit. 2.11 〈◊〉 Ephes 2.10 Tims 3.8 it rather teached them to turne from sinne and to be carefull to bring foorth the fruits of a true faith Q. Cannot faith be without good workes A. No for if it be Gal. 5.6 Lam. 2.17.26 it is a dead faith Q. VVhat then doth a true faith worke in vs A. Repentance or newnes of life Q. VVhat is repentance A. It is a turning from sin to God Ioel. 2.11 13. Q. Can we doe this of our selues A. No Iere. 31.19 Lam. 5.21 It is the work of God Q. By what meanes doth GOD worke it A. By the preaching of the Gospell Luk. 24.47 Acts 2.38 39 Q. Is it not done also by the preaching of the Lawe A. The Law is an occasion thereof but no cause of it Q. From whence doth it proceed A. From a godly sorrow in the hart 2. Cor. 7.10 Q. VVherein doth it consist A. In mortifying the flesh and old man Eph. 4.22 23 24 and in quickning the Spirit and new man Q. VVhat is meant by the flesh and old man A. Our corrupted nature through the deceitfull lusts of the flesh Q. What is it then to mortifie the flesh and old man A. To be truely and heartily sorie for that wee hane offended God by our sinnes and daily more and more to hate and anoide sinne Rom. 8 13 Q. VVhat is meant by the Spirit and new man A. A renewing in the spirit of our minde the Image of God which after God is created in righteousnes and true holinesse Eph. 4.33.24 Q. What is then the quickning of the new man A. A true ioy in God through Christ Rom. 5.1 chap. 14.17 and an earnest and ready desire to order our life according to Gods will Q. VVhat doth repentance bring forth A. Fruits worthy amendment of life that is Luke 3.8 Acts 26.20 good workes Q. VVhat are these good workes A. Such as God hath commanded Deut. 8.12 32 Ephes 2.10 159. Q. How many Commandements be there A. Ten. Deut 10.4 Q VVhat are the ten Commandements A. They are a summe of the Law of God commanding good things â—â—d forbidding euil Q. Into how many Tables are they diuided A. Into two Deut. 9.10 Q. How many be there of the first Table A. Foure and six of the second Q. VVhat doe they teach vs A. The first Table teacheth vs our duty towards God and the second our duty towards our neighbour Q. Why are the duties towards God set downe before the duties towards our neighbour A. Because the loue of God is the ground of the loue of our neighbour 1. Ioh. 5.1 2 Q. VVhat followeth heereof A. That none can rightly loue his neighbour except he first loue God Q. VVhy are the duties towards our neighbour ioyned to our duties towards God A. Because the loue of our neighbor is the proofe of our loue towards God 1. Ioh. 4.20 21 Q. VVhat followeth heereof A. That hée which loueth not his â—eighbour doth not loue God Q. What are these words I am the Lord thy God which brought thee out of the land of Egypt c. A. They are a preface to the Commandements Q. What containe they in them A. Thrée seuerall reasons of obedience to the Commandements Q. VVhat is
the first A. That he is the Lord which hath authority to command and power to punish the transgressors of his Law Q. VVhat is the second reason A. That he is our God which hath made a couenant with vs Iere. 31.33 34 concerning remission of sinnes and eternall life Q. VVhat is the third reason A. Which brought thée out of the land of Egypt out of the house of bondage Q. What is the meaning of it A. That the Lord had redéemed them from the bondage of Pharao and therfore they were to worship and serue him onely Q. What doth this concerne vs which were neuer in bondage in Egypt A. We haue bin redéemed by Christ from a greater bondage whereof that was a type and a figure Q. What bondage was that A. The spirituall bondage of sinne and Satan Colos 1.13 Q. What followeth heereof A. That therfore in token of thankfulnes to God we must yéeld obedience to his Commandements Q. Which is the first Commandement A Thou shalt haue none other gods before me Q What doth this Commandement concerne A. The inward worship of God Q. What is the ground of Gods worship A. The true knowledge of God 1 Cor. 28.2 Psal 9.10 Q Wherein standeth the inward worship of God A. In a Deut. 6.5 Mat. 10.37 louing and b Deut. 10 12. Luk. 12.5 fearing God aboue all things Q. Wherein else A. In c Psal 50.14.15.23 calling vpon God d Psal 50.14.15.23 giuing thanks vnto him and e Psal 37.3 Ier. 17.5 putting our whole trust in him Q. Which is the second Commandement A. Thou shalt not make to thy selfe any grauen image c. Q. What doth this Commandement concerne A. Gods outward worship or the manner of his worship Q. What is heerein forbidden A. The a Deut. 4 â—â— 16 â—â—â—y 40 17 â—â—â—…it 26.1 making and worshipping of images yea euery c â—â—ay 29 13. Ezâ—c 20.18 19 forme of worship not prescribed by God himselfe Q. May no image then be made A. There may no image bee made of God or of any thing else for religion and the seruice of God Q. May there then no image at all be made A. Yes images of creatures may be made for ciuill vses Q. What is commanded heerein A. That we worship God in spirit and truth Iohn 4.24 Q. How is this done A. By vsing carefully and reuerently the meanes of Gods worship and seruice 1. Cor. 14 40 Eccles 5.1 2. Q What be the ordinarie meanes of Gods seruice A. Prayer Acts 2.42 preaching and hearing of Gods Word and the vse of the Sacraments Q. What reasons doth the Lord heerein vse to terrifie vs from idolatry A. Foure especially Q. What is the first A. That he is the Lord which is strong and so able to reuenge Idolatry Heb. 10.30 31. Q. What is the second A. That he is a iealous God that cannot abide his praise to be giuen to carued images Esay 42 8 Q. What is the third A. That he will visit the sinnes of the Fathers vpon the children which persist in the sinnes of their Fathers Q. How may God doe this A. In with-holding the meanes of grace and the spirit of grace from them and in giuing them vp to blindnes of minde and hardnes of heart Q. What is the fourth reason A. That he will shew mercy vnto thousands of them that loue him and kéepe his Commandements Q. What do you learne out of this fourth reason A. That God is more ready to shew mercy Psal 103.8 then to punish Q. What is the third Commandement A. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vaine Q. What doth this Commandement concerne A. The glorifying of God in the affaires of our life out of the solemne seruice of God Q. What is meant by Gods name A. Gods a Exo. 3.14 15 titles and b Exod. 34.6 7 properties his c Acts 9.15 word and d Psalm 8.1 workes Q. What are wee heerein forbidden to doe A. To think or speak vnreuerently idlely carelesly of the things aforesaid Q. What else A. To apply Gods name and word to charming sorcery or cursing Deu. 18.10 11 Q. What more A. To sweare a Mat. 5.33 vainely and idlely or b Zech. 5.4 Malach. 3.5 wickedly and falsely by the name or God or any other thing Q. Is it not lawfull then to sweare at all A. Yes when the c Gal. 1.20 glory of God is sought or the d 1 Sam. 20 17 good of our brethren e Ex. 22.11 and when we are called before a Magistrate Q. And whereby are wee then to sweare A. Not by any f Mat 5.34 35 36 creature but by g Deu. 6.13 God onely Q. And how are we then to sweare A. In truth in iudgement and in righteousnes Q. What is further required in this Commandement A. That wee doe vse the Name of God with all reuerence Q. VVhat is heerein threatned to such as take Gods Name in vaâ—n A. That the Lord will not hold him guiltlesse Deut. 28.58 that is will not suffer him to escape vnpunished Q. VVhat is the fourth Commandement A. Remember that thou kéep holy the Sabbath day c. Q. VVhat is there commanded herein A. That euery one bee carefull to spend the Lords day aright Q. Wherein is it to be spent A. In hearing Esay 58.13 Acts 20.7 8 reading and meditating on Gods Word and works in prayer the vse of the Sacraments and in such like holy things Q. VVhat is forbidden herein A. Bodily labor and all such things as hinder the exercises of Religion and the solemne worship of God Q. May no bodily worke be done on that day A. Yes workes of necessitie of mercie and charity are then to be done Mat. 12.1 2 3. Luk. 13.14 15. 1. Cor. 16.1 2 Q. VVhat reasons are there added to the Commandement why wee should sanctifie the Sabbath A. Thrée specially Q. VVhence is the first taken A. From the equity of it God hath giuen vs sire dayes for the works of our calling and hath taken but one for his publike worship and seruice therefore we must spend that in his seruice Q. VVhence is the second taken A. From Gods own erample God treated all things in sixe dayes and rested the seuenth so must we on the sixe dayes doe our owne works but rest on the Lords day and sanctifie it Q. VVhence is the third reason taken A. From the end of the Sabbath god hath appointed it for our good euen to be a meanes of blessing both vpon the soule and body and therefore we are to kéepe it holy Q. Which is the 5 CoÌ„mandment A. Honour thy father and thy Mother c. Q. What doth this concern A. Such speciall duties as one doth owe to another in regard of their special callings Q. What is meant by Father and Mother A. Not onely naturall
to doe it Q. VVhat else doth the preface teach vs A. That wée are to come to God with c Heb. 4.16 boldnes because he is our Father and with d Eccles 5.1 2 reuerence because his Maiesty filleth the heauens Q. VVhich is the first petition A. Hallowed be thy name Q. VVhat is it to hallow Gods name A. It is to acknowledge and declare that God and his name is holy Luke 7.29 35 and is so to be vsed Q. VVhat doe wee ask of God herein A. That we may rightly know and acknowledge God and may reuerence praise and set forth his Almighty power Wisdome goodnes iustice mercy and truth shining in all his workes Ier. 9.23.24 Psal 145.8 9 10. Q. VVhat else doe we ask herein A. That both in minde and heart in life and conuersation we may glorifie God both in himselfe and in his works Q. VVhat is the second petition A. Thy kingdome come Q. VVhat is heere meant by the kingdome of God A. The kingdome of grace Mat. 6.33 Colos 1.13 14. Luke 23 42 and the kingdome of glory Q. What doe we desire heerein A. That God will more and more subdue and weaken the kingdome and power of sinne and Satan Q. What else A. That God by his holy Word and Spirit will rule raign in vs and that in the end he will bring vs to the kingdome of glory Q. VVhat is the third petition A. Thy will be done in earth as it is in heauen Q. VVhat doe wee craue of God heerein A. That wée héere in earth may readily willingly chéerefully and faithfully doe the will of God as the Angels doe in heauen Q. Wherein consisteth the doing of Gods will A. In thrée things especially Q. VVhat is the first A. In denying our owne a Luke 22 42 will and b Iohn 6.40 1. Iohn 3 23 1 Thes 4.3 4 5 6 Acts 14.22 beléeuing in Christ Q. What is the second A. In dooing such good workes as God requireth Q. What is the third thing A. In the patient bearing of afflictions Q. VVhich is the fourth petition A. Giue vs this day our daily bread Q. What doe we ask heerein A. That God will giue vnto vs all things necessary and comfortable for this life Pro. 30.8 Q. What else A. That God will giue vs the grace to be contented with that he giueth vs. Phil. 4.12 13 Heb. 13.5 Q. VVhat needes the rich man to pray for daily bread A. Yes because without Gods blessing his abundance can do him no good Deut. 8.4 Psal 127.1 2 3. Q. Which is the fift petition A. And forgiue vs our trespasses c. Q. What doe wee desire of God heerein A. That God for Christs sake will forgiue vs all our sinnes Ier. 31.34 for euen wée forgiue such as offend vs. Q. Can wee forgiue others their sinnes A. We may and must a Luke 17 3 4. forgiue the wrongs don vnto vs by others but none can forgiue b Esay 43.25 Marke 2.7 sinnes but God onely Q. Is our forgiuing of others the cause why God doth forgiue vs A. No but it is a signe thereof Q. What if we forgiue not others A. Then God will not forgiue vs. Mat. 18.35 Q. Which is the sixt petition A. And lead vs not into temptation but deliuer vs from euill Q. What doe we ask heerein A. That God will not leaue vs to our selues 2. Chro. 32 31 Esay 63.17 Mat. 26.41 and giue vs euer to Satan to be tempted and ouercome in temptations Q. What else doe we ask heerein A. That God will strengthen vs against all temptations vnto euill and deliuer vs from sinne and the dwell 3 Tim. 4.18 Q. Which is the Conclusion A. For thine is the kingdome power and glory for euer Amen Q. VVhat are these words A. A reason why we doe ask the former things of God namely because the kingdome power and glory are his and therefore he both can and will giue them vs. Q. What signifieth the word Kingdome A. Gods absolute Soueraignty and Right ouer all things 1. Cor. 29 11 Q. VVhat signifieth the word Power A. Gods omnipotencie whereby he is able to doe whatsoeuer he will Luke 1.37 Q. VVhat is meant by the word Glory A. Maiesty and excellencie honour and praise Q. VVhat doth this Conclusion teach vs A. How to giue thankes to God 1. Chro. â—9 10 〈…〉 for these thrée kingdome power and glory doe generally comprehend all matter of praise and thanksgiuing vnto God Q. What do you meane then when you say these words A. It is as if wée should say The Kingdome of heauen is thine all power in heauen and earth is thine and therefore the glory is thine and from our hearts we do ascribe the same vnto thée Q. What signifieth the word Amen A. So be it 1. Cor. 1.20 or so it shall be Q. What doth it teach vs A. Feruently to desire the things aforesaid Ephes 6.18 Iames 1.6 and to assure our selues therof Q. What shall become of such after this life as are carefull to know and practise these grounds of Religion A. They shall liue in glory for euer with Christ in heauen Mat. 25.46 Iohn 17.24 305. Q. What shall become of such as care not eyther to know or to practise these things A. They shall liue for euer in Hell in forments 2 Thes 1 8 9 Mat. 25.41 with the diuell and his Angels FINIS To the Christian Reader THere is one thing Christian Reader which I would haue thee especially to take notice of concerning the former Principles or Grounds of Religion namely that nothing is to be receiued for a Principle of Religion or true and sound doctrine which hath not foundation in the Word of God or is not contained therein for the Word of God or the Scripture as we call it is the rule of all truth and giues vs a perfect direction both for faith and manners and whatsoeuer Article and doctrine is necessary to saluation is deliuered plainly in the holy Scripture and therefore in reading this or any Catechism you are not by and by to beleeue whatsoeuer is therein contained but to see and consider how euery thing is confirmed by the Scriptures for your faith and conscience must be grounded not vpon the weake and vnperfect speeches of sinnefull men but vpon the pure and sure Word of God And therefore at the end of euery answere I haue quoted some plaine place of Scripture to confirm the same some few only excepted which though in plain words they are not to be found in the Scriptures yet by good consequence they are drawn from the Scriptures And whatsoeuer is truly and soundly collected from Scripture is to be beleeued of vs as though it were expresly written As for example when Christ would confute the Sadduces that denyed the resurrection he alleadgeth the words of God to Moses I am the God
of Abraham Isaac Iacob From hence this truth is strongly collected viz. that Abraham Isaac and Iacob shall liue and rise according to their bodies because God saith Christ is not the God of the dead but of the liuing Therefore now this consequence that Abraham and the Saints departed shall rise must bee credited no lesse then that expresse Scripture from whence Christ drew it And to the end that you may see that all necessary poynts of faith manners are plainely expressed in the Scriptures I haue heere in order set downe the summe substance of Christian Religion in certaine Texts of Scripture The order of it is this The true knowledge of God and of Iesus Christ which is life eternall that is the way and meanes to eternall life is to be found in the Scriptures Therfore first we begin with the Scriptures then wee come to the knowledge of God and of his workes as of his eternall decree of Predestination Creation and Prouidence concerning Angels and men in which Prouidence is to be considered the fall of Angels and man and the misery that followed therof namely sinne and death Secondly followeth Gods Couenant with man namely the couenant of works and the couenant of grace Concerning the couenant of workes there is shewed the impossibility of keeping it and to what end it serues In the couenant of grace is noted First the foundation of it which is Christ the Mediator Secondly the meanes of applying Christ vnto vs. In Christ wee are to consider his person and office His office is threefold The application of the couenant of grace where is shewed the vnion communion which the elect haue with Christ The meanes of the reuealing and applying of the couenant of grace are eyther inward as the Spirit of Christ and faith or outward namely the Word and Sacraments The māner of reuealing it is our calling vnto Christ The persons to whom it is reuealed namely to the Church As the benefit we receiue from the propheticall office of Christ is the reuealing of the couenant of grace whereby we are made wise to saluation so the benefit we receiue from the Priestly office of Christ is our instification before God The benefit we receiue from the kingly office of Christ is our glorification which is partly in this present life but fully and perfectly in the life to come Our glorification in this life consisteth in this that in our condition we are made blessed and made holy in our nature which is Sanctification The rule of Sanctification is the Word of God euen the Law and the Gospell The effect of Sanctification is Repentance The notes of Repentance are specially two A hatred of all sinnes and the practice of good workes Among good workes almes and prayer are specially commended to vs. The speciall helps to prayer and to the performing of other good workes are vowes and fasting Then lastly is to be considered Gods dealing with man after this life by bringing all men to Iudgement which is eyther particular or generall And to the end that you may in reading these Texts of Scripture perceiue how one thing depends vpon an other I haue set downe ouer the Texts of Scripture the things whereof the places following doe speake If therefore you will accordingly be diligent inreading the Texts of Scripture I doubt not but by Gods grace assisting you you shall in a short time much benefit your selues thereby and shall be able when need requires to proue any ground of Religion by some Text of Scripture And so I commit you to the mercifull protection of Almighty God beseeching him to endue you with all sauing grace and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding ioy through Iesus Christ Amen THE SVBSTANCE of Diuinitie Of the holy Scripture Iohn 5 39. Search the Scriptures for in them yee thinke to haue eternall life and they are they which testifie of mee 2 Tim. 3.16 17. All Scripture is giuen by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine for reproofe for correction for instruction in righteousnes that the man of God may be perfect throughly furnished vnto all good workes Marke 12.24 Doe yee not therefore erre because yee know not the Scriptures neither the power of God Of God Iohn 17.3 This is life eternall that they might know thee the onely true God and Iesus Christ whom thou hast sent Heb. 11.6 Hee that commeth to God must beleeue that God is c. Iohn 4.24 God is a Spirit c. Exodus 34.6 The Lord God mercifull and gracious long suffering and abundant in goodnes and truth c. 1 Cor. 8.4 We know that an idoll is nothing in the world and that there is none other God but one 1 Iohn 5.7 There are three which beare record in heauen the Father the Word and the holy Ghost and these three are one Of Gods decree of Predestination 1 Thes 5.9 God hath not appointed vs to wrath but to obtaine saluation by our Lord Iesus Christ Ephes 1.4 God hath chosen vs in Christ before the foundation of the world that we should be holy and without blame before him in loue Rom. 11.5 6. There is a remnant according to the election of grace and if by grace then is it no more of workes c. Iude 4. Who were before of old ordained to this condemnation 2. Tim. 2.20 In a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of siluer but also of wood and of earth and some to honour and some to dishonour Of Creation Gen. 1.1 In the beginning God created the heauen and the earth Psal 33.6 By the word of the Lord were the heauens made all the hosts of them by the breath of his mouth Heb. 11.3 Through faith we vnderstand that the worlds were fram'd by the word of God so that things which are seene were not made of things which do appear Gen. 1.31 And God saw all that he had made and lo it was verie good Gen. 2.7 The Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life and man became a liuing soule Gen. 1.27 God created man in his owne Image c. Eph. 4.24 And put on the new man which after God is created in righteousnes and true holinesse Of Gods Prouidence Acts 17 25 28. Hee giueth to all life and breath and all things For in him we liue and moue and haue our being Mat. 10.29 30. Are not two Sparrowes sold for a farthing and one of them shall not fall to the ground without your Father Yea and all the haires of your head are numbred Prou. 16.33 The lot is cast into the lappe but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Of the fall of Angels and Man 2. Pet. 2.4 God spared not the Angels that sinned c. Iude 6. The Angels which kept not their first estate c. 2. Cor. 11 3. The Serpent beguiled Eue through
Rhem. Iohn 3. Sect. 2. They haue also added many idle ceremonies to Baptisme as Creame Tapers Salt c. with an opinion of saluation and worship annexed vnto them yea in times past they baptized bells but now they beginne to bee ashamed of it and say that they were but onely hallowed and consecrated to holy vses Bellarm. lib. 4. de Pont. Rom. cap. 12. Synopsis Papismi Controuersie 12. Question 5. Concerning the Lords Supper they haue likewise most grosty abused it in many things First they take away the Cup from the Lasty whereas the Church of Rome for aboue a thousand yéeres after Christ vsed both signes in the Communion The Communion vnder one kinde was decréed defined and determined as a publike Law in the Councell of Constance about the yéere 1114. Perk. 2. vol. 554 2. b. Secondly they reserue the bread in boxes pixes and other vessels of the Church for daies wéekes and moneths They shew it to the people the Priest lifting it ouer his head and going with it in procession All this is contrary to the Sacrament for it is no Sacrament vnlesse there bee a giuing receiuing eating and drinking Master Attersoll on the Sacraments 386.387 The reseruation of the Sacrament was not allowed of but rather found fault withall by the Fathers Perk. 2. vol. 557. Thirdly they adore fall downe and honour the Sacrament with diuine worship calling it their Lord and God A thing neuer heard of among the heathen Idolaters namely to worship a piece of bread or rather a thinne wafer The adoration in the Sacrament belongeth vnto Christ sitting in heauen and is an inward worship of the heart or lifting vp of the minde being stirred vp with the outward signes Pope Honorius the Third in the yéere 1220 was the first that euer instituted the adoration of the Sacrament And after him Vrban the fourth ordained a feast in honour of the body of Christ Perk. 2 Vol. 564. Attersoll on the Sacraments 388.389 Fourthly they turne the Sacrament into a sacrifice for the quick and the dead abolishing the fruit and remembrance of the death of Christ disannulling his Priest-hood giuing him to his Father wheras the Father hath giuen him to vs c. ibid. page 390. Fiftly they maintaine Transubstantiation These are their very words If any man shall say that there remaineth the substance of Bread and Wine in the Sacrament after the words of consecration or shall denie that the whole substance of Bread Wine is changed conuerted into the body and bloud of Christ the formes shews only of Bread Wine remaining which singular and miraculous conuersion the Church calleth Transubstantiation let him be accursed Con. Trid. Sess 13. can 2. This their doctrine of Transubstantiation is a very fable to mock fooles withall and it ouerturneth both the nature and vse of the Sacrament Attersoll on the Sacraments page 45. 46. and page 365. to 369. If there were a miraculous conuersion as they say there is of the Bread and Wine it would appeare to the outward senses For all true miracles are wrought openly clearely and euidently to mens senses Iohn 6.26 But the Bread and Wine by the iudgement of all the senses remaineth and appeareth to bée the same in substance which it was before of the same quality quantity colour taste handling smelling vertue and nourishment there is not any one sense or all the senses together that can iudge otherwise of it then it did before If a man should bee called in when the Bread and Wine is set on the Table and bidden to consider well what hee there séeth smelleth and tasteth and then is willed to goe forth and to come in againe after the Consecration is ended by the Priest and to doe the like and then is asked what he thinketh of it he no doubt will answere vnlesse feare of persecution make him to conceale the truth I see feele smell and taste the same water-cake and wine that I did before I can perceiue no naturall and substantiall change therein And therefore it followeth that there is no miracle wrought and consequently no Transubstantiation at all The difference that is is in the end and vse onely Before consecration it was common bread wine ordained for the nourishing of our bodies After consecration it becommeth holy Bread Wine sanctified by the Lord not so much to féede the body as the soule C. Did not the ancient Fathers hold this doctrine of Transubstantiation M. They knew nothing héereof for at least 800. yéeres after Christ Afterwards begun the disputations of Transubstantiation but not approued as an Article of faith The Church for a whole thousand yéeres taught no other then spirituall receiuing of Christ In the yéere 1215. Transubstantiation was decreed and determined in the Councell of Lateran vnder Pope Innocent the Third and made a maine matter of faith Perk. 2. vol. 558.559 C. What say you then of their Transubstantiated or consecrated host as i◠is called or the bread in the boxe carried in procession and worshipped M. Surely it is nothing else but a wheaten or breaden god or rather an Idoll nothing inferiour to Aarons Calfe or Ieroboams Calues or the Nehustan and piece of brasse that Ezechias brake in pieces nay as vile and detestable as any Idoll among the Heathen And for a conclusion of their doctrine of Transubstantiation I will héere set downe a wittie conceit which one shewed me not long since I haue kept the matter but changed the méeter to make it sound somewhat the swéeter The Priests do make Christs body bloud Heereof none must once doubt They eat they drinke they box him vp They beare him all about DIALOGVE 7. C. I am satisfied touching the first poynt namely that the Papists are not of sound faith but how doe you proue that they are not of good life seeing they doe so many good workes M. I proue it thus Where the doctrine is corrupt the life cannot be good but their doctrine as you haue heard is most corrupt therefore their life cannot bee good A true faith is the ground of a good life and without which it is impossible to please God Heb. 11.6 Yea whatsoeuer is not of faith is sinne Rom. 14.23 A true faith they haue not and therefore their workes cannot bee good and such as may please God That they haue not a true and sound faith hath bin shewed in many particulars and it further appeareth also in this that they doe euen wilfully reied she meanes wherby it is wrought namely the preaching hearing and reading the Word of God They haue not neither will they haue the Scriptures to be soundly preached read and heard in their owne tongue That they cannot abide to haue them in their owne language appeareth by this one example One Pauier a Towne-clarke of London in the time of King Henry the Eightth hearing that the Scriptures should bee put into English hee spake to this effect and confirmed it with an
oath viz. that if hee knew that the Scriptures should bee put into English and that the King would haue them to bee read in the Church rather then hee would liue so long to see it he would cut his owne throat But as Hall saith who heard him speake it hee was not so good as his word for in stead of cutting his throat he hanged himselfe C. What is the cause that they cannot abide to haue the Scriptures in their owne Language M. S. Iohn giues the reason For euery one that doth euill hateth the light neither commeth to the light lest his déeds should be reproued and discouered Iohn 3.20 If the Owle fly abroad by day the birds by and by discerne him follow him and fall vpon him and therefore hee flyes abroad vsually in the night and then he is quiet If the Scriptures should be suffered to be expounded and read of all Nations in their owne language then that Owle of Rome the Pope I meane with all his fooleries and abominations would be discerned and discouered and then the world would hate him follow after him and persecute him euen as the small birds doe the Owle and therfore they cānot abide the Scriptures in the vulgar tongue but loue darknes rather then light because these déeds are euil Ioh. 3.19 C. What say you then to their good works as building of Churches giuing of Almes c. M. These and such like works required in the Law of God in themselues are good and to be practised of all but to them they are as the Fathers called the vertues of the Heathen but splendidae peccata glittering drosse and beautifull deformities C. Do they teach any thing contrary to the Morall Lawe and to the doctrine of good workes M. Yes they do both teach practise many things directly contrary to Gods Commandements They teach for good workes such things as are not commanded but rather forbidden in the Law of God as namely to goe on Pilgrimage to vow single life to fast forty dayes and forty nights c. First concerning set Pilgrimages vnto certaine Images there was none of the Fathers that did so much as dreame of them for 600. yéers after Christ at the least Perkins 2. Vol. page 541 542. Secondly the necessitie of the vowe of continency was established first and annered vnto Orders about 380. yéeres after Christ and that by Pope Siricius But it had no vniuersall admission vntill the time of Pope Hildebrand in the yéere 1070. Perkins 1. Vol. 583. to 587. 2. Volume 575 576. Acts and Monuments 1151. Thirdly their doctrine of single life was nener commanded of God nor knowne in the Primitiue Church but hath sprung vp since and is indeed the very doctrine of diuels 1. Tim. 4.13 So is also their forbidding of meates for religions sake They teach also that a man may fulfill the Lawe yea do workes of Supererogation that is more then the Lawe doth require and that men of their abundance may allot vnto others such works of Supererogation Rhem. on 1. Cor. 9. sect 6. 2. Cor. 8. sect 3. This doctrine of theirs makes the Law of God to bée vnperfect and is directly contrary to the words of Christ Luke 17.10 And it was not knowne of the ancient Fathers They spake indeede sometimes of supererogation but in a far other sense then the Papists doe There are no such works to be found in the person of any meer man or Angell but onely in the person of Christ God and man Perk. 1. vol. 598.599.2 vol. 540.541 DIALOGVE 8. C. Shew me I pray you in particular what things they teach contrary to the Commandements M. I could plainly proue vnto you that they doe both teach and practise many things contrary to euery one of the Commandements but I wil onely set downe the chiefest and such as most men know to be true The first Commandement concernes the inward worship of God the ground of which worship is the true knowledge of God and without which none can truly worship and serue him for such as our knowledge is such is our worship 1. Chron. 28.9 Psal 9.10 Ier. 9.24 The Papists teach that ignorance is the mother of deuotion but the truth is it is the mother of superstition and idolatry Gal. 4.8 The Papists therefore being ignorant and without the true knowledge of God cannot truely worship him but must néeds bee Idolaters worshipping they know not what The first Commandement requireth that we haue the true Iehoua for our onely God They make Christs body to bee God because they hold that it may be in many places at once which thing is proper onely to God They make the Pope to bee God and that in plaine words Christopher Marcellus said to the Pope Thou art another God vpon earth and the Pope tooke it to himselfe Concil Later Sess 4. They giue the power to the Pope which is proper to God and so make him to be God As that hee can make holy that which is vnholy pardon sinnes c. Perk. 1. vol. 400.1 and they giue diuine worship to creatures and so make them their Gods The second Commandement concerneth the outward worship of God or the forme and manner of his worship This Commandement they haue cleane put out of the Decalogue and to fill vp the number they diuide the last into two The scope of this Commandement is that no image is to be made of God nor any worship performed to him in an image Deut. 4.15 16. But they teach it lawfull to make images of the true God and to worship him in them and that there is a religious worship due to them Bellar. de imag sanct lib. 2. cap. 21. And in the second Nicen Councell it was decreed that the Image of God should be worshipped with the same worship that is due vnto God Their practice is answerable to their doctrine for they worship the Images of God of Christ the Saints the woodden Crosse yea a piece of bread C. They say that they doe not worship the images but God Christ and the Saints in the image M. Suppose that this were true yet in so doing they commit grosse idolatry and the same that the people of Israel did for which God plagued them greatly Exod. 32.5 28. I think there is none so very a Calfe as to thinke that they did worship the Calfe it selfe The Calfe was but a representation of God and yet they sinned greatly in making it and worshipping God in it The Heathen in times past could say as much for themselues concerning their worshipping of Images as the Papists now do and yet as they were Idolaters so are the Papists for as touching their superstition and idolatry bloud cannot be more like to bloud or an egge to an egge then one of them is to another The Heathen had for euery nation and prouince some peculiar god Among them the Elements had their seuerall gods to rule ouer them The Heathen had a certaine god
accounted the true Church and true Christians bee carefull to adorne the doctrine of God our Sauiour in all things and that by a godly conuersation and by dooing of good workes C. The name of God bee blessed for this our conference whereby I finde my selfe much edified There remaineth yet one thing more which I will demand of you and that is how I may come to know and be assured that I am indeed a member of the true Church and that I shall certainely be saued M. Bee diligent to heare the Word of God preached Reade the Scriptures Receiue often the Sacrament Acquaint your selfe throughly with the aforesaid grounds of Religion Ioyne heereunto earnest and hearty prayer Set apart some time for these things specially bee carefull to spend the Sabbath heerein And to all these things ioyne an holy conuersation indeuouring aboue all things to haue alway a cleare conscience toward God and toward men In doing this you shall at length come to that full assurance whereof S. Paul speaketh namely that you are the childe of God and that nothing shall bee able to separate you from the loue of God which is in Christ Rom. 8.38 Babylon is fallen is fallen Reuelation 14.8 Prayse honour glorie and power bee vnto him that sitteth vpon the Throne and vnto the Lambe for euermore Amen Reuelation 5.13 FINIS A TABLE OF the Simples whereof the Pill is compounded IMplicit faith Dialogue 1. Denying of Christs humanitie Dialogue 2. Merits of Saints Ibid. Saint Francis the Virgine Mary and the Pope made Sauiours Ibid. Blasphemies Ibid. Popish Traditions Images Denying of CHRISTS Propheticall Office Dialogue 3. Popish Priest-hood Ibid. Sacrifice of the Masse Ibid. Intercession of Saints Ibid. Denying of Christs Priesthood Ibid. Pope the head of the church Denying of the Kingly office of Christ Ibid. The Christ of the Papists a counterfeit Christ Ibid. Conception of the Virgine vvithout sinne Dialogue 4. Purgatory Ibid. Carnall presence Dialogue 5. Catholike Church of Rome Ibid. Canonizing of SAINTS Ibid. Humane satisfactions Ibid. Iustification by workes Ibid. Merits Ibid. Fiue bastard Sacraments Dialogue 6. SACRAMENTS giue grace Ibid. Sacraments iustifie Ibid. Cuppe taken away Dialogue 6. Reseruing of the Bread Ibid. Adoration of the Sacrament Ibid. Transubstantiation Ibid. Workes without faith Dialogue 7. Scriptures in a strange tong Ibid. Pilgrimages Ibid. Vow of single life Ibid. Workes of Supererogation Ibid. Ignorance the mother of deuotion Dialogue 8. CHRISTS body The Pope c. are made gods Ibid. Images made and worshipped Ibid. Prayer in a strange tongue Ibid. Popish vowes and fasting Ibid. Swearing by Saints Dialogue 9. Periurie Ibid. Blasphemie Ibid. Popes Supremacie Ibid. Popes pride Ibid. Disobedience to Parents Ibid. Killing of KINGS Dialogue 10. Crueltie Treacherie Flatterie Ibid. Priests marriage made vnlawfull Dialogue 11. Filthy liues of Popes Monks c. Ibid. Popes Bulls and Pardons c. Ibid. Equiuocation Dialogue 12. Railing Mocking c. Ibid. Lying Ibid. Concupiscence Ibid. Veniall sinne Ibid. Prayer to Saints Dialogue 13. Free will holy water c. Ibid. No vnion can bee made betweene Poperie and the Religion now professed in England Dialogue 14. Fiue causes why so many embrace Popery Ibid. The Church of England a true Church Dialogue 15. Diuisions and contradictions among Papists Ibid. Separatists Dialogue 16. Barren professours are but hypocrites Ibid. The Conclusion Ibid. FINIS LONDON Printed by H. L. for Beniamin Fisher and are to be sold at his Shop in Pater-noster Row at the signe of the Talbot 1623.