conscience and the peace of his Church in and for his sonne our Lorde Iesus Amen Your Honours most humbly to be alwayes vsed in the Lorde Christe VVILLIAM HOPKINSON ¶ A preparation into the waye of lyfe with a direction into the right vse of the Lords Supper Question HOwe had you your beeing at the first Answere God created mee and all men in Adam as it is written The Lorde God made man of the duste of the grounde and breathed in his face breath of life and man was made a liuing soule Question Wherefore did God create you Ans To seeke his glory as it is written Of him through him and for him are all things to him be glory for euer Amen Qu How will God be glorified Ans According to his will reuealed in his worde For it is written Deut. 12.32 Whatsoeuer I commaunde you take heede that you doe it thou shalt put nothing thereto nor take ought therefrom Iosh 1.7 Qu. In what estate were you created An. Holy and excellent without sinne in perfect righteousnes and holynes before him as appeareth Gen. Let vs make man in our image according to our likenes Gen. 1.27 c. Qu. How became you subiect to so many infirmities Ans By sinne and disobedience As it is written Because thou haste obeyed the voyce of thy wife and hast eaten of the tree wherof I commaunded thee Gen. 3.17 saying Thou shalt not eate of it cursed is the earth for thy sake in sorrow shalt thou eate of it all the dayes of thy life Qu. How became you sinnefull An. Adam transgressed the Lords precept in eating the forbidden fruite lost his innocencie and brought sinne vpon him self and all his posteritie As appeareth when he had yeelded to disobey the Lorde Gen. 3.9.10 The Lorde God called to the man and sayde to him Where art thou Who said I heard thy voyce and was afraide because I was naked therefore I hidde my selfe Also the Lorde God sent him foorth from the Garden of Eden Gen. 3.23 to till the earth from whence he was taken c. Qu. Is this sinne in euery one by nature An. Yea in all Adams posteritie none excepted as it is written Rom. 5.12 As by one man sinne entred into the world and death by sinne and so death went ouer all men in as much as all men haue sinned Qu. What is the rewarde of sinne An. Death eternall as it is written Deut. 27.26 Cursed bee hee that continueth not in all the wordes of this lawe to doe them Rom. 6.23 Gal. 3.10 Qu. Shall I escape this death by the workes of the lawe An. No. For it is written Rom. 8.3 For that that was impossible to the law in as much as it was not able because of the flesh God sending his owne sonne in the simisitude of sinnefull flesh condemned sinne in the flesh Qu. Sith the Lawe doth not instifie vs before God what profite hath a Christian by it An. The vse of the lawe Iosh 1.8 First it is a way for Gods children to walke in as it is written Let not this booke of the lawe depart out of thy mouth but meditate therein day and night that thou mayest obserue and doe according to all that is written therein for then shalte thou make thy waye prosperous and then shalt thou haue good successe c. Deut. 6.6 Secondly it teacheth man not to truste in his owne innocencie For it is written We haue proued that all both Iewes and Gentiles are vnder sinne Rom. 3.9 10. Psal 14.1.53.4 Thirdly it pulleth downe the pride of mans heart and humbleth him before God as it is written We knowe that whatsoeuer the lawe sayth it sayth it to them which are vnder the lawe that euery mouth may be stopped Ro. 3.19.20 and all the world culpable before God And by the workes of the lawe shall no fleshe be iustified for by the lawe commeth the knowledge of sinne Fourthly it is a scholemaister to Christ Gal. 3.23 for it is written Before faith came we were kept vnder the lawe and shut vp vnto the fayth that should afterwardes be reuealed wherefore the lawe was oure scholemaster to bring vs vnto Christ that we might be made righteous by fayth Qu. Why should we doe good workes sithe they do not iustifie vs An. First The right end of workes Ioh. 14.15 to shewe our loue to God our father in walking as becommeth his children For the Lorde sayth If you loue me keepe my commaundementes Leui. 11.44.19.2 Secondly to shewe our loue to our selues making our election therby sure vnto our selues For it is written Ephes 1.3.4 Blessed be God euen the father of our Lorde Iesus Christ c. He hath chosen vs in him before the foundation of the worlde was layde that we should be holy and without blame before him in loue 1. Pet. 1.2.2 Pet. 1.10 Thirdly to profite our brethren and glorifie the Lorde Mat. 5.16 Let your light so shine before men that they seeing your good workes maye glorifie your father which is in heauen 1. Pet. 2.12 Qu. VVhat works be good and the contrary Rom 14.23 Howe many things are principally to be considered in good workes An. Three First that they proceede from an heart purified by fayth Whatsoeuer is not of fayth is sinne Mat. 7.17.18 Secondly they muste be ruled by the worde of God for it is written Eph. 2.10 We are his workmanship created in Christ Iesus vnto good workes which he hath prepared for vs to walke in Thirdly the speciall ende for which they are done muste be the glory of God 1. Cor. 10.31 for it is written Whether you eate or drinke or whatsoeuer you doe doe all to the glory of God Exod. 32.32 Rom. 9.3 Qu. What is eternall death An. The euerlasting curse of God whiche conteineth all the tormentes that can be deuised both of soule and body for it is written Deut. 27.26 Cursed is he that continueth not in all the wordes of this lawe to doe them Gal. 3.10 Qu. By what meanes shall I escape this death An. Onely by fayth in Christ as it is written Rom. 3.28 We conclude that a man is iustified by fayth without the workes of the lawe Iohn 3.13 36. 5.24 6.40 47. 11.25 20.29 31. Math. 9.2 Luc. 7.50 Act. 10.43 16.3 Rom. 1.12 Gal. 3.26 Phil. 3.9 Col. 1.23 Eph. 3.12 Heb. 11.6 1. Pet. 1.9 c. Qu. What is a Christian fayth An. VVhat fayth is A full perswasion and assurance of mine heart that whatsoeuer Christe hath wrought for mans saluation perteineth not onely to others but to me also and is furely mine as it is written For I am perswaded that neither death for life Rom. 8.38 nor Angels nor principalities nor powers nor things present nor things to come nor height nor depth nor any other creature shall be able to separate vs from the loue of God which is in
Christ Iesus our Lorde 2. Thes 1.7 Heb. 11.1 1. Iob. 3.2 Qu. Shall all men be saued by Christ An. No. None but they onely that do in deede beleeue in him For it is written To whom the death of Christ is profitable He that beleeueth in the sonne hath life and he that beleeueth not in the sonne hath not life And he that beleeueth not is damned already because he beleeueth not Iohn 5.24 6.47 Qu. How do we attayne to fayth An. The holy Ghost worketh it in our hearts As Esay testifieth of the Churche Esa 54.13 â—aying they shal be all taught of the Lord. â—ere 31.33 Rom. 12.3 1. Cor. 2. Eph. 2.8 6.23 Phil. 1.29 2. Thes 1.3.3.2 Heb. 2.2 1. Iob. 5.20 Iob. 6.44 45. Qu. By what meanes The necessitie of the words preached An. By hearing the word preached as is written Faith is by hearing Rom. 10.17 and hearing by the worde of God Qu. May not this hearing be as well by reading as by the preaching of the worde An. No. For it is written Howe can they heare without a preacher Rom. 10.14 Gal. 3.2 Qu. May euery one preach that liste An. Rom. 10.15 No. For it is written Howe shall they preach except the Lorde sende them Qu. What testimonie can be had of any whether he be sent of the Lorde in this office for you knowe it is an easie matter to pretende a sending An. Besides an ordinarie calling of the Church wherein he liueth he muste of necessitie haue Vrim and Thumin knowledge and holynes he must be as it is written wise righteous holy temperate holding faste the faythfull worde according to doctrine that he also may be able to exhorte with wholsome doctrine Tit. 1.8 9. and improue them that say against it 1. Tim. 3.2.3 1. Pet. 5.3 Qu. Do you holde it conuenient that euery minister of the worde and Sacramentes be a preacher An. Yea especially For the Lorde is the fulnesse of all wisedome and sendeth only such as by his grace haue to dispatch his message also he sending forth his Apostles saide goe preach the Gospell c. and to shewe the necessitie of preaching he saith to Peter Feede feede feede Acts 20.28 1. Cor. 3.5 1. Cori. 4.1 2. Cor. 3.6 Ephe. 3.7 Col. 1.7.1 Tim. 4.6.1 Per. 5.2 Qu. Do you thinke it needefull to haue in euerie congregation a minister that is apte to teach An. Yea most needefull for it is written wher there is no preaching the people perishe Also the Apostles in the wisdome of the holie ghost beyonde which we may not presume ordeined suche in euerie Church Acts. 14.23 Tit. 1.5 and Paul appointed Titus to do the like Qu. Do you not think it sufficient that the people do heare the worde preached once in a year or in their life Though they haue no continuall preacher to labour in the worde amongst them An. No in no case For as the body can not liue with such nourishment The greate necessitie of preaching ministers muche lesse the soule without continuall comfort from the worde of God our only spirituall foode and there be dayly profitings in Gods Church wherto the Lords ministers must carefully attende To this effect speaketh Paule to Titus Tit. 1.5 saying For this cause left I thee at Creta that thou shouldest continue to redresse the thinges that remayne c. Also no house is buylt so soone as the first stone of the foundation is layde and S. Paule sheweth the ende for whiche the Lorde doth giue his faythfull seruantes his ministers into his Church namely not onely for the gathering togeather and for the worke of the ministerie but also for the buylding vp the Lords Saints the edification of the body of Christ Ephe. 4.12 14.15 that we might be no more children caried about with euery winde of doctrine but that we mighte grow vp into him which is the head that is Christe Qu. Seeing you thinke it a matter so greatly needefull that there be in euery congregation continually a godly minister apte to teache let me I pray you heart your iudgement by the word of God what is required of the people concerning them and the worde which they bring vnto theÌ„ is it in their choyce whether they wyll heare their preachers and any whitte account of them or no An. No. The peoples duety to their pastours For as no Prince or maister can beare the reiecting of his Ambassador or seruaunt sent foorth in speciall message though to his equals so neither can or will the Lorde beare the like at our hands who be his vassals And to this effect The Lords ministers must be receiued that his faythfull seruauntes his ministers might be comforted agaynst the vnthankfulnesse of the world and to set the people out of doubt how he would haue them taken he sayth He that receiueth you receiueth me Mat. 10.40 and he that receiueth me receiueth hym that sent me Also he addeth Luc. 10.16 He that despiseth you despiseth me and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me And to put vs out of doubt in what sort he would haue vs to receiue his seruauntes sent to vs for our suche singuler profite as the saluation of our whole soule and body They must be heard and obeyed he doth testifie vnto vs in his worde first that we must heare and obey them Secondly that we must nourish them and thirdly that we must esteeme of them and lastly that we must pray for them For the first he sayth by the Apostle S. Paule 2. Cor. 2.9 For this cause did I write that I might know the proofe of you whether you would be obedient in all things 2. Thes 3.4 14. Heb. 13.17 For the second They must be nourished prouided for Gal. 6.6 it is thus written Let him that is taught in the worde make him that hath taught him partaker of al his goods And also we beseeche you brethren that you know them that labour among you and are ouer you in the Lorde and admonishe you that you haue them in singuler loue for their works sake c. 1. Tim. 5.18 1. Cor. 9.7 8 9. 1. Thess 5.12 13. They must be esteemed 1. Tim. 5.17 For the thirde it is written thus The Elders that rule well are worthy of double honour specially they which labour in the worde and doctrine 3. Iob. 8. And for the laste it is written thus They must be prayed for of the faithfull Col. 4.3 Continue in prayer and watche in the same with thankes giuing praying also for vs that God may open vnto vs the doore of vtteraunce to speake the mysterie of Christe c. that I may vtter it as I ought to speake c. And also Brethren pray for vs 2. Thes 3.1 that the worde of the Lorde may haue free passage and be glorified c. Ephes 6.19 Qu. I pray you how are they accounted of
Christes righteousnes holynes innocencie and immortalitie and of all the merites of Christ and his whole glory For it is written The glory which thou gauest me I haue giuen them He also is made partaker with the Church and all the good that euer it or any member of it had hath or shall haue for there is in it a communion and fellowshippe of Saintes which we beleue and which hath wayting on it alwayes the forgiuenes of sinnes the rising agayne and eternall lyfe with God Qu. In examining our selues The third matter in examination what els must we looke for An. Our estate before the Churche The state of the faythfull before the Church wherein is required not onely that we forgiue from our hearts those that haue offended vs that we may haue an experience within our selues of Christes spirit and so glorifie God in our heartes by assurance of his mercy in forgiuing vs and accepting of vs in Christ As it is written Forgeue and you shall be forgiuen Math. 6. But also we muste seeke to be reconciled to them whom we haue offended As it is written Mat. 5.23 If thou offrest thy gyft vpon the alter and there remembrest that thy brother hath ought agaynst thee leaue there thy gifte and go and be reconciled first to thy brother and then come and offer thy gifte and this must not only be done of vs before we come to the Sacrament but also concerning prayer to the Lorde For it is written When you pray say thus Our father c Forgiue vs our trespasses as we forgiue them that trespasse agaynst vs. Qu. But were it not better firste to doe these thinges that concerne Gods glory then to seeke reconcilement afterwardes for is not this to prefer to offices of charity before the worship of God and to set the the second table which cencerneth our brethren before the first which concerneth the Lorde him selfe An. As the heart of man is prone into the way of offence euen from the wombe and hath not any inclination of it selfe into the way of the Lord The naturall man hath an cuill heart so they in vain pretend to haue receiued eternall blessings from him by his spirite where there is not in some measure these the like fruites of the same spirite And the Lorde taxeth them as false pretenders to worship God which proudly coÌ„temn their brethren whoÌ„ they haue offeÌ„ded And vnder one kinde he setteth downe the outward exercises of the diuine worship wherby men ofteÌ„ times do more couÌ„terfet lines theÌ„ truly testify it which is the property of al hipocrits as it is seen in the pharasie Qu. The papistes in steede of all this say goe to the prieste and tell him all thy sinnes then come at Easter and receiue c. do you thinke it well An. No nothing of vs ought to bee accounted well done that is not done to the gloric of God Qu. Why they will say they doe it to the glorie of God and how can you prooue the contrarie An. There is no good thing vvithout the light of the vvorde Nothing can be done to the gloric of God without obedience There is no obedience without the worde so that I conclude nothing can bee done to the glory of God without the testemony of the worde But these vile immaginations be not only without the worde which were enough to throw them withall their good put poses intents down to the diuel in iudgment but that they may holde their interest in a deeper and more horrible vengeance they are directly agaynst the manifect testimonies of the worde of the Lorde First they will haue the people to confesse their sinnes to them The Scripture willeth vs to confesse our sinnes to the Lorde onely Dauid sayth Remember not Lorde the sinnes of my youth Psal 25.7 Psa 51.3 4. c. And agayne Agaynst thee O Lorde haue I sinned Also Luke teacheth vs by the example of the lost sonne to confesle our sinnes to the Lorde The Publicane sayde Luc. 15.1 Luc. 18.18 Lorde be mercifull to me a sinner And where the Priestes say they must confesse all the Prophet Dauid sayth Who can tell howe ofte hee offendeth Psal 19.12 Also where as they say they can forgiue sinnes Sooner sayde then proued they shew their fust condemnation namely that the diuell and sinne reigneth in them For if they can forgiue sinnes then Christ dyed in vayne But let God be euerlastingly true and the diuell and all Papistes lyers I euen I am he sayth the Lord that put away thine iniquities for mine owne sake Esa 43.23 and will no more remember thy sinnes Psal 3.8 Also whereas they alow the Sacrament to the people onely at Easter they do in that as in the rest for as they robbe the Lorde of his honour and put an holines in the time so all the other times of the yere wherein the Lorde sayth to the whole Church in respect of the Supper beeing a publike action Take ye eaâ—e ye the Papists say let the Priest eate it alone and let all the people gase looke on But be the Lords trueth neuer so playne ageynst this kind of superstitious receyuing the Lords Sacraments yet such force hath these deuises of the diuell to holde the vngodly in condemnation that you shall see many in many places and they not the least euen at this day The Popes friends which professe to ferue the Lord by seasons come once a yere to the Sacrament more for feare of the lawe then for loue to the Lord. who at Easter will come very deuoutly and all the yere after neuer a whit in whom the foule stenche of the diuels excrementes in these and the like practises of popery hath so forestalled their senses that there is no place in them for the sweete fauour of the worde of lyfe whose condemnation sleepeth not And for so muche as these and their Popish teachers hold vp an other doctrine then Christ hath taught vs we are warranted by the Apostle to holde them accursed Qu. What say you to the place of Saint Iames which thy alleage for eare confesseon Iames. 5.16 where he saith confesse your sinnes one to another An. Saint Iames in the wisedome of the holie Ghoste prouideth for the comfort of Gods chosen in the distresse of spirite thorough the conscience of sinne in which case he adutseth the Lords people to imparte them such greefe with some such of their brethren as in the wisedome of Gods spirite according to the folowwip of his hee may iustly hope both for such counsell in the warrantise of the word as his soul needeth and also may be strengthened by his feruent prayers to the Lord and so the words following proue for he saith Confesse your sinnes one to another and pray one for another that ye may be healed c. Also if this gaue any strength to eare confession then must the prieste