Selected quad for the lemma: religion_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
religion_n	church_n	discipline_n	doctrine_n	4,176	5	6.2312	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A09219	Iosuahs godly resolution in conference with Caleb, touching houshold gouernement for well ordering a familie With a twofold catechisme for instruction of youth; the first short, for the weaker sort, set forth in sixe principall points; the latter large for other of greater growth, and followeth the order of the common authorized catechisme, and is an explanation thereof: both set forth for the benefit of his Christian friends and wel-willers. by Richard Bernard preacher of Gods word, at Woorksoppe in Nottingam-shire.	Bernard, Richard, 1568-1641.; Bernard, Richard, 1568-1641. Large catechisme.; Bernard, Richard, 1568-1641. Double catechisme.	1612 (1612)	STC 1953; ESTC S113310	37,811	96

Inwardly faith and loue outwardly besides the vncertaine notes of vniuersality antiquity and consent these two Christs word truely preached his Sacraments rightly administred whereto adde faithfull prayer and holy discipline Q. Is the Church of Rome a true Church of Christ A. No but of Antichrist the Pope the chiefe teacher of the doctrine of diuels Q. What reason haue you to disallow that religion A. For that it is a false religion I. The author is the diuel II. The meanes vsed to vphold it are vnlawfull 1. deceiued Councels 2. vnwritten verities and forged authors 3. falsifying the Fathers 4. corrupting Scripture by adding thereto 5. by taking from it by false interpreting 6. retaining the people in ignorance by forbidding to study the word teaching it in an vnknowne tongue 7. pretending reuelations shewing lying miracles 8. counterfeit holines 9. bloody persecution III. The matter of their religion is vntruths idolatry heresie nouelties inuented by man IV. The forme in the seruice ridiculous by foolish gestures carnal by fleshly pomps and delights their worship is by hypocrisie V. The end to aduance men by worshipping of Saints extolling mans power merits VI. The benefit gotten thereby is nothing because it keepes a man in the state of damnation and alloweth the breach of all the 10. commandements 1. To feare God by mens doctrines 2. To worship images 3. Magick coniuring 4. idol-seruice 5. Treason against Christian Princes 6. Assoyles for murtherers 7. Stewes and restraint of mariage 8. Wages for no lawful labour to Masse-mongers for deceits 9. To breake an oath to a Christian made lawfully 10. That cōcupiscence is no sinne VII Gods iudgments against many of the most fiery professours thereof which is neuer seene to happen to zealous and constant professours of the truth Q. What must bee done to maintaine the Church and to ouerthrow heresie that destroies the foundation errors corrupting religion scismes breaking the peace of the Church and vices staining our profession A. 1. To cleaue only to the written word which is both in time before and in authority aboue the Church to iudge all controuersies in religion 2. To call sufficient men and ordaine them ministers to teach allowing necessary maintenance but suffering no insufficient to creep in or to abide still neither the able to liue idlely by carelesnesse pride or couetousnesse 3. That there be a godly order established peaceably kept of euery one without giuing offence 4. That there be a holy and right vse continually of true discipline to admonish suspend and excommunicate obstinate offenders whosoeuer they be Q. Are not the articles of your beleefe a prayer A. No but only a summe of the Gospel which is one part of Gods word containing the promises of saluatiō by Christ and is also a rule by which I must examine my faith Q. What meane you by faith A. Not faith to work miracles which is past nor historicall only beleeuing that to be true which God saith nor tēporary to know professe to teach Christ feare to commit sin sorrow after to make satisfaction to destroy the wicked to make many praiers wishing heauen to liue for a time in shew honestly yet out of Christ but iustifying faith is here meant Q. What is iustifying faith A. It is a gracious and true perswasion in my heart grounded vpon Gods promises concerning Christ whereby I do apply him and all his benefits to my selfe beeing assured that hee is my wisedome strength righteousnesse holinesse and redemption and that what hee hath done it is as well done for mee as for any other and so is mine as if my selfe had done it Q. How came you by this faith A. By the holy Ghost working the same inwardly by the outward ministery of the Gospell preached ordinarily and is by the same word sacraments and prayer confirmed continued and increased Q. What profit reape you by this beleefe A. I a wretched sinner in my self being pardoned of sinne and Christ giuen to me am in him the adopted sonne of God and righteous before him my heart purged my conscience quieted my imperfect workes doe please him all crosses are for comfort and further to saluation holy Angels tend vpon me heauen is mine inheritance I am set at liberty from the curse of the law Satan the world and fleshly lusts without feare of death damnation and hell fire Q. Hath euery one this faith and so these benefits A. No but onely such as shew repentance the fruits of faith Q. What is repentance A. It is a true turning of my mind will and heart wholly from the world the flesh and diuell vnto God with full purpose to attend carefully to the counsell of his word and spirit and through the whole course of my life readily and constantly endeauour to follow the same Q. What are the true tokens of this true repentance A. 1. A continuall striuing of the flesh and spirit 2. A hatred of my former vanities auoiding occasion company counsell or example to ill with loue vnfained to the contrary 3. Increase of peace in conscience with an affection for righteousnes sake 4. A ioy full expecting and wishing Christs comming to iudgement Q. May not a man that truely repenteth fall afterward A. Yes indeed and into the same sinne or some other Q. How then may a man be perswaded that his repentance was then true before A. 1. If this be of infirmity feeling before and in the committing a dislike therof for after true repentance sinne is neuer wholly committed 2. If that godly sorrow follow which is not either for earthly shame temporall punishments hellish torments or losse of heauen but for displeasing God so mercifull a Father and this is called renewed repentance Q. How should this appeare to be true A. 1. By an vtter loathing and condemning my selfe for the sinne newly committed with desire and perswasion of pardon 2. A godly anger and burning zeale against my selfe with taking reuenge vowing and practising strictly the contrarie vertue for offending 3. A watchfull care and continuall feare lest I fall afterwards at any time againe into the same Q. What may comfort a troubled conscience A. These things 1. That God can pardon any sinne 2. That he will by promise made pardon euery penitent 3. That he which feeleth a true desire to leaue sin and to please God is bound to beleeue his sins are both pardonable pardoned 4. That doubting of saluation with feare to offend God is a signe of saluation 5. No condemnation to such as are in Christ and therefore their sins cannot damne them 6. Iustification must not be iudged after sanctification there is no perfection here the best children of God haue grieuously fallen haue felt this sting of conscience 7. The assurance of saluatiō must not be iudged as men feele assurance in afflictiō but by the stability of Gods promises from former comforts and tokens of grace but in trouble from present

require the performance of the couenant which bindeth vs vpon the holy Sacrament and by that signe of the sprinkling of Christs blood vpō vs that so we do serue the Lord albeit other do not Cal. Indeed it is an honest mans part to Simil. keepe his word with men as we see when two are bound in a bond one he that respects his credit will performe the condition though the other be careles how much more ought we to regard to keep our word with God the promise being made so voluntarily before so many witnesses and sealed with the blood of Christ This reason were sufficient to perswade but if you haue any more I beseech you proceed for we need much spurring to run on the race to eternall life Ios Our Sauiour tels vs that we are to forsake father and mother Luke 14 wife and children yea to hate them for his sake and the Gospel els can we not be his Disciples by which he teacheth this instruction that we are to depend on none in our religion to God be held backe by none from our walking with God that all earthly affection must be laid aside and we must embrace Christ and the Gospel alone if none neither father nor mother sister nor brother will goe with vs. Cal. Indeed men in matters of this life will for wealth honor pleasure single thēselues from other they would be in honor alone they would dwell alone that the poore cannot tell where to haue rest for them they can be singular in vanity be pointed out for a new fashion be loathed for beastly liues be hated for oppression be talked of for pride be abhorred for vnchast conuersation blasphemy prophanenes and yet men are loath to be any whit more religious towards God thē other be Thus alas we see men hold it no shame to be notorious in and for the world in for their pleasures in for honor Sathan can make them grow more vaine more wicked then other without shame without daunt of spirit without feare of man either to be noted or pointed at but the Lord cannot perswade vs by his word to become more holy then other that is forsooth singularity and men feare now a dayes more to be noted for any strict course of life from a common road then for crying sinnes Ios This sheweth the power of Sathan in the one the litle loue or zeale of God in the other the wicked herein shall condemne these though they shall not so saue themselues but to proceed If we consider that we are made alone brought out alone that we die in our appointed time alone that though wee shall all appeare before God in the last day yet must euery one giue om 14. 13. Cor. 5. 10. an account for himselfe vnto God we should walke and liue if so we needs must with God alone Cal. I know if a man haue a long iourney simil to goe that vpon a hard penalty he would desire honest company but if he can get none the feare of punishment maketh him set forward alone We all are in our iourney to heauen by our profession and we must be so by our practise vpon paine of damnation if we can get any to goe in a good life with vs it is well but if not must we therefore herein stay our course Ios Be it farre from vs the example of holy men who are as marks set vp for passengers to look vpon shew vs the contrary Noah would serue God alone when all the Gen 6. old world was drowned in wickednes Lot Gen. 19. was in his singular way from al the Inhabitāts 1. King 19. 2. Chro. 18. Ruth 1. in the midst of Sodō Eliah was alone Michaiah auouched the truth alone to cōclude Ruth would go alone with Naomi whē Orpha her sister left her We must be of Ruths mind towards religion as shew was in her loue to Naomi If anything would withdraw vs if any person would disswade vs from a godly deuout course let vs say to Ruth 1. 16. 17. them with Ruths speech Intreat me not to leaue religion nor to depart from it for whither it goeth I will go and where it dwelleth I will dwell the true professours of it shall be my Thy people my people companions God the Author thereof shall be my God where it resteth will I rest and there will I die the Lord doe so to me and more also if ought but death depart it and me Cal. Without doubt these examples are very pregnant and doe giue liuely encouragement to serue God if we be alone But my Lord is it not grieuous to be alone Obiection did not Eliah sorrow and vexe his spiritat this that he was left alone yea and desired therefore to die Ios True it is that Salomon saith woe to Answer to the obiection him that is alone but alone without helpe from the Lord but this his children want neuer finally the Lord is with them and if he be their familiar friend they may with Dauid say We care not what man can doe vnto vs for the Lord is on our side By him more is with vs then against vs this Elisha being alone saw and prayed that his seruant Gehezi might see albeit Eliah seemed to himselfe to be alone yet was he not alone God was with him and 7000. not seene who bowed not their knee vnto Baal and whereas he wished to die for bodily presence of men it was his weakenes in which the Lord did shew mercy and afforded him comfort afterward the like mercy may we expect as holy martyrs haue experienced Cal. Doth it not derogate Renowned Duke from your greatnesse to professe singularity from all nations in religion and Preuention of an obiection from all Israel though they doe follow their forefathers which were beyond the flood and in Egypt seruing strange Gods Ios Albeit God hath exalted me here doctrine The second vpon earth to rule ouer his people Israel and though I succeede their vnmatchable Moses that man of God yet iudge I true religion to be my chiefe honour and to differ from all men differing from their way wherein they should walke towards God to be my glory therefore is it that I say But I and my house will serue the Lord euen I Iosua though Duke though Prince in Israel and a guide to Gods people I will with my family serue him who hath shewed me this great mercy Cal. You haue great cause to blesse God that you in such glory haue so great humility in so great prosperity such zeale It is rare for men of note to entertaine religion but most rare for such therein to become singular Ios Such as truely seeke God in heart Proofe without hypocrisie whatsoeuer their estate be they hold it a speciall duty to do seruice vnto God that they can be in no estate be it neuer so glorious with men but that religion

and the grace of sanctification maketh the same more glorious By deuotion in true religiō we become Saints on earth we haue the fruit of the spirit the earnest and assurance of our adoption By sensible life are we better then things without life and are but equall with beasts by reason we are better then these but no better then Heathen by religion though false are we worshippers of a diuine power and therin more then Sauages but by true religion are we Christians and by sincerity therin with religious practise are we more then common Christians euen true and liuely members of Christ in whom we are Gods adopted children righteous before him we haue inward peace of conscience and outward grace by the approbation of the godly Angels are giuen to attend vpon vs who are the children of the great King Heauen is our inheritance we haue seats prepared and shall with Christ iudge the whole earth and with him enioy the eternall happinesse for euer when the damned wicked shall be tormented world without end Cal. The weight of these reasons may force any man to hold religion and sincere walking with God to be a grace vnto him be he neuer so mightie in this world He hath here honour and men attend him but by a holy conuersation he hath honor with God Alsufficient Angels wait vpon him Here a man hath wealth but by religious holines he hath an euerlasting tresurie and a supplie of all wants by grace Here hath he as a man his pleasures and delights but by deuout seruing of God he hath peace which passeth all vnderstanding that which the eie hath not seene nor eare heard nor the heart of a naturall man able to comprehend Therefore ought we Vse in what glory so euer we be before men to adde religion to our state and iudge it our crowne and glory Ios Els may we rightly be iudged with Reasons out it no better then Heathen rich Barbarians honourable Atheists if men haue delights without pietie they be but prophane Epicures which things indure not and without Gods good mercy men without grace quaile by that very same thing whereby among men they be of highest estimation Achitophels policie ouerthrew him Absoloms beauty brought him to destruction Hamans honor was his ruine Religious feare of God is mans stay in euery earthly estate els the higher he is aduanced the more he possesseth without religion the worse he is farthest from God and nigher to confusion I therefore and my house will serue the Lord. Cal. Mee thinke Sir by adding these And my house The groūd of the doctrine following words my house in your speech you insinuate your care to haue other religious as well as your selfe Ios True it is you say I now desire as did my Master Moses Would to God all the people could prophecie Indeede rather then God be vnserued a man ought alone to serue the Lord this is his feruencie zeale to God but true grace rests not in the bosome Doctrine of a true beleeuer as gold in a nigards chest but sprouteth forth to the benefit of other for he desireth to make other like himselfe this is his compassion and loue Cal. I am able to avouch this from my Proofe owne feeling blessed be God and I find it true in that worthy Apostle who saith My Rom. 10. 1. hearts desire and prayer to God is for Israel that they may be saued who after his conuersion did labour in the Lords vineyard with vndurable paines to bring men vnto God Ios Vse So ought all of vs to doe in our places Reasons the Lord commandes it Returne cause other to returne our Sauiour said to Peter When thou art conuerted strengthen thy Ezec. 18. 33 Luk. 22. 32. brethren The hatred of sinne should mooue vs where we may to roote it out the griefe which we ought to take when we see men to sinne should cause vs as far forth as wee be able to reclaime them and not suffer sin Leu. 19. to rest vpon them That we ought to grieue for sinne in our selues so for the same in other Psal 119. 136. wee see by Dauid whose eyes gushed out riuers of water at the sight of other men breaking Gods law Our Sauiour wept Luk. 19. 41. Ier. 13. ouer Ierusalem Ieremies soule mourned in secret S Paul writ with teares shall we haue a passion for sinne committed and not vse meanes to haue it amended Cal. He that is truely touched with the sight of sinne cannot possibly neglect the meanes to winne men from sinne It is the nature of griefe to manifest it selfe and workes in man an endeauour to vse means to haue the cause of grief taken away Therfore if wee truely grieue that men offend God wee will not suffer them to goe on in sinne if we may amend it Ios And as griefe may mooue vs so the consideration of the sinners misery may enduce vs to care for their saluation The sinner is Sathans slaue subiect to wrath the heire of confusion who may daily looke for damnation and vengeance oh who can but pitty a man in so great misery is he not mercilesse and cruell that seeth one in a deadly danger and may releeue him and yet will not Can wee see a man hanging himselfe stand by and not cutte the cord Can we beholde one running into a pit to drowne himselfe and if we may not holde him backe These be mercilesse cruelties if so we should neglect our brothers bodily life and it is no lesse hardnesse of heart to suffer men by sinne if it lie in vs to reclaime them to runne headlong to hell where they shall hang in torments and be drowned in the gulfe of perdition Cal. Condemnation mercilesse belongeth Iam. 2. to such as will shew no mercy it is true touching soule and body No doubt holy men iudged rightly of this and therfore did discharge their duty herein Abraham our Forefather taught his housholde Dauid the King was so minded who professed to teach Gods waies vnto the wicked Psal 51. 23. that sinners might be conuerted vnto the Lord. Philip we see sought out Nathaniel brought him to Christ and the woman of Samaria did runne hastily for her neighbors to behold the Messias all which are written for our learning that wee by their examples should doe the like Ios A man would thinke that enough were said to stirre vp one to care for anothers saluatiō but for that men herein are too remisse and indeed professe a carelesnes of this with cruell Cain What am I my Gen. 4. 9. brothers keeper I will the longer stay vpon this point as a matter of absolute necessity the neglect wherof is the cause of so great encrease of wickednesse at home and abroad It is the fruit of loue in the communion and holy fellowship of Saints One article of our Creed is to beleeue this communion but we by no mutuall

meditation vowes fasting and prayer Q. But can you tell me what are the works of the diuell the worlds vanitie and the ill motions of the heart A. Whatsoeuer I or any other doe thinke speake or doe against the will of God reuealed in his written word Q. What hath mooued you to forsake the diuell the world and the flesh A. For that I haue learned and do well perceiue by knowledge from the word mine owne experience that these three be the onely malicious spirituall powerfull subtill and continuall enemies of my eternall felicity Q. What are the other two things that your Godfathers and Godmothers made profession of for you A. They secondly made profession of my beliefe to all the twelue Articles of my Christian faith and thirdly of my willingnesse to learne diligently Gods holy will commandements and to walke obediently in the same all the daies of my life Q. Where is this will of God to be learned A. Not from mine owne fantasie mans wisedome traditions or examples of men but onely out of the Scripture which is the word written by his Prophets and Apostles in the bookes of the old and new Testament which is sufficient to teach vs all things necessary that we neede to beleeue for our saluation Q. What reasons haue you to perswade your selfe that this Scripture which we holde is the true word of God and none other A. First from the pen-men being many and most of them simple plaine persons who doe mutually consent setting downe their owne faults without partiality Secondly from the matter aboue naturall mens reach of mans creation resurrection last iudgement and of the Trinity in vnity prophecies also fulfilled in all circumstances Thirdly from the manner of speaking peremptorily reproouing or allowing without sinister respects Fourthly from the effect binding conscience conuerting men to hate euen life it selfe for Gods glorie Fifthly the miraculous preseruation thereof with punishment of such as seeke to ouerthrow either it or the professours thereof Lastly that it ascribes all glory to God the maine end that it aymeth at Q. What meanes must you vse to come to the sauing knowledge of Gods word A. 1. Daily reading 2. Learning the Catechisme the grounds of religion 3. hearing the Word with mind affection both read preached publikely by Gods Ministers 4. Meditation in minde to vnderstand the doctrine gathered in heart to affect the vse made after I haue either read or heard it 5. Conference by asking of superiours and Ministers by reasoning with equals and teaching inferiours all in reuerence and humility to vnderstand that I know not to be resolued in that I doubt of and to call to memorie what I haue forgotten 6. Continuall prayer with practise of it in my particular calling Q. Doe you thinke you are thus bound to forsake the diuell the world and the flesh to beleeue in God to learne to know and doe his will as they haue promised for you A. Yes verily and by Gods helpe so will I endeauour to doe or else were I vnthankfull to God my Father that hath called me into the state of saluation making me his child and also vnmindfull of my sureties that haue made such a profession for me Q. But tell me how could any perswade themselues that you should doe as they haue made profession for you A. By beeing assured by faith that the seede of the faithfull are blessed they iudging me charitably to be one of them did hope by the grace of God belonging vnto me in Christ and through the meanes which should be vsed I would performe the same Q. What are the meanes which ought to be vsed A. 1. To be taught so soone as I shall be able to learne what a solemne profession I haue made by them 2. To be exhorted to heare Sermons and to learne all things which a Christian ought to know for his soules health but especially the principles of religion contained in these foure the Creede the Lords prayer the tenne Commandements and the doctrine of the Sacraments The second part Q. Let vs then see whether these meanes haue beene vsed and how you haue profited rehearse the articles of your beleefe A. I beleeue in God the Father c. Q. What doe you chiefly learne out of these articles of your Christian faith A. 1. I learne to beleeue that there is a God to beleeue God and also in him 2. That he is but one in substance yet distinguished into three the Father Sonne and holy Ghost which distinction is in person property and manner of working 3. That this God hath a Church to which onely he is truly knowne and by the same sincerely worshipped Q. How can you be perswaded that there is a God A. 1. By his created workes declaring 2. by my conscience accusing 3. by iudgements terrifying 4. by order obserued in all things 5. by heathen authors consenting 6. by the Scripture confidently auouching the same Q. What is God we cannot tell therefore tell me what a one he is A. A spirituall substance most holy of glorious maiestie in finite in his beeing as euery where present in wisedome foreseeing and rightly disposing all things in power doing what he list in iustice punishing whom he will iustly and in mercie to saue whom he pleaseth Q. How doe you behold and conceiue of this God A. Not by any bodily shape but spiritually by his word as he hath therein manifested himselfe and by his workes of creation preseruation and gouerning euery thing according to his foreknowledge and appointment therein to his owne glory Q. What beleeue you concerning God the Father A. That he is God almighty in order the first Person in the Trinity begetting the Sonne from euerlasting of his whole substance maker of heauen and earth men and angels and all things else very good onely by his word of nothing at the beginning in sixe daies and still by his prouidence preserues the same for my benefite Q. What was man especially made of A. Man consists of body and soule the first mans body was made of the dust of the earth but our bodies come by generation and are with his mortall and both his and all our soules by inspiration and are immortall Q. What estate stood man in by creation and what a one did God make him A. In the estate of innocency void of all sinne free from any punishment● and was made after Gods Image that is holy and righteous hauing perfect knowledge of God and his will as much as was needefull for him and also readinesse of will in hearty affection with bodily strength to fulfill the same and had withall the rule of all Gods creatures made for his benefite Q. How then come you into this wretched estate A. By the fall of Adam and Eue my first parents who wilfully disobeyed God by the diuels inticement infidelity and pride possessing their hearts and stood and fell in the roome of all mankinde Q.