sayeth that he was hanged on a tree to the intente that he myghte take vpon hym our curse Deu. 21. Gal. 3. and so dyscharge vs. for that kynde of deathe was accursed of God ¶ The minister What is it not a greate reproche and dyshonoure vnto our Lorde Iesu to say that he was accursed and that before God ¶ The childe No not a whit for he through hys almyghtye power by taking the curse from vs vnto hymselfe did in such sort make it voyde and of none effecte that he hymselfe neuertheles continued still so blessed that he was able to fulfyll vs also with hys blessynges ¶ The minister Make an exposiciō of that that foloweth ¶ The childe In so muche as deathe was a cursse or punyshement appointed vnto man for synne Christ euen in sufferinge death vainqueshed death therfore our sauiour Christ did suffer death and by suffering ouercame it And to the entent also to make it the more certaynly knowen vnto vs that his death was not a coloured or counterfaited thing it pleased hym also to be buryed after the common maner of other menne ¶ The minister But it appeareth not that any profyte cummeth to vs by thys that Christe hathe wonne the victory of death seing that we it not withstanding cease not to dye ¶ The childe The death of the faithfull is a right passage to life euerlasting That doth not hinder for the deathe of the faythfull is nowe nothing elles but a readye passage to a better lyfe ¶ The minister It foloweth then necessarily hereof that we oughte in no wyse to be afrayde of deathe as though it were a dredefull thīg but rather it behoueth vs willingly to walke the trace of oure heade and capitayne Iesu Christ who hath walked and troden the same waye before vs not to the entente to leade vs to our destruction but to procure vs an euerlastynge sauegarde ¶ The childe It is euen so ¶ The minister Sonday 10 What is the sence of that clause whiche is putte to afterward as touchyng his descendyng into hell ¶ The childe The vnderstāding of this Christe went down into hel The ryghte meanynge therof is that Christ dyd not onelye suffre a naturall deathe which is a departyng and goyng asunder of the body and soule but also that his soule was in woōderfull dystresse beyng wofully pressed and enduring grieuous tormentes and as it were hellyke paynes Actes 2. which Sainct Peter calleth the sorowes or pangues of deathe ¶ The minister For what consideration sustained he those paynes and in what sorte ¶ The childe Becawse he presented hymselfe before God to be a sacryfice satisfactory and to make amēdes in the behalfe of synners it was mete that as he did beare the wayght and burthen of our synnes so lykewyse he shoulde feele this horryble anguyshe and greuous tormente of conscience whiche synne bryngeth beyng in case as if God had vtterlye forsaken hym and ben haynously displeased agaynste hym And in verye deede he was brought to suche extremytye of anguyshe that he was dryeuen to crye my God my God Matt. 27. Mark 15. why haste thou forsaken me ¶ The minister Why was God then angry with him ¶ The childe Nay howbeit it was cōueniente that God shoulde punyshe hym in suche sorte Esa 53. 1. Peter 2. to veryfie ād performe the wordes of Esay the Prophet who saieth that he was beatē with the hāde of his father for our sinnes ād that he dyd suffer the punishmente due to oure trangressyons ¶ The minister But howe coulde it be that he was in suche dreadefull anguyshe as though God hadde vtterly forsaken hym seing he was God hymselfe ¶ The childe We must vnderstande that he was in such destresse onlye as touchīge his humanitye And to the intente that he myghte feele these panges in hys manhoode hys Godhead dyd in the meane tyme for a lytle space kepe it selfe close as if it had bene hydd that is to saye it dyd not shewe not vtter the mygh therof ¶ The minister But how could thys be that Christe who is the health of the world could bee vnder such condemnacion ¶ The childe He was not so vnder it that he shuld cōtynewe in the same For he hath in suche wise felte these terrors whiche wee haue spoken of that he was not ouercome of the same but hath rather therby made battayll agaynst the power of hell to breake and destroye it ¶ The minister Hereby then we see the difference betwene that anguish or vexacion of mynde whiche Christe dyd suffer The difference betwene the anguishe of Christes spirit and the conscience of the wicked and that whyche the impenytente synners dooe abyde whome God doth punyshe in hys terryble wrath for that verye payne whiche Christe sustained for a tyme the wycked must endure continually and that whych was vnto Christ but a goade as it were to prycke him is vnto the wycked in steade of a glaiue to wound them to death ¶ The childe Trueth it is for oure sauyoure Christe notwithstandynge these vexations euē in the myddes of his tormētes did not ceasse to put a ful trust euermore in God but the damned synners do dispaire withoute al confydence in Goddes goodnes yea they stomake agaynste God in so muche that they blaspheme hys maiestye ¶ The minister Sonday 11 Maye we nowe gather suffyciently of this that is sayed what fruite or profite cōmeth to vs by the death of Iesus Christe ¶ The childe Yea very well The profite ād vertue of Christes death stādeth in .iii. pointes and fyrste of all we see that it is a sacryfice wherwith he hath fully aunswared and satysfyed hys fathers iudgement in our behalfe and therby also he hath appaised Goddes wrath whiche worthely hanged ouer vs hath broughte vs into his fauoure againe Secōdlye that he shedde his bloud to purifie ād clense our soules from al maner of spottes fynally that he hath so cleane wyped awaye oure synnes through his precyous death that God wil neuer hereafter haue remēbraunce of them to call vs to any reckoninge yea euenso that the obligation or hande wrytynge whiche was to be shewed forthe againste vs to oure cōdemnation is nowe cleane cancelled and vtterlye made voyde ¶ The minister Haue we no other profite besydes this of his death ¶ The childe Yes verely that is if we be true membres of Christe our olde man is crucyfyed and our fleshe is mortyfied to the ende that no euyll lustes or affections doe herafter beare rule in vs. ¶ The minister Expound the article folowing ¶ The childe 1. Peter 3. He rose the thirde daie frō death to lyfe wherī he shewed that he had vaynquished gottē the victorie of death and synne For through his resurrection he swalowed vp death he broke asōdre the chaines wherwith the deuill did holde vs in captyuitie fynally he destroied all hys power and kyngdome ¶ The minister Tell me how many
estates before mentioned or els prayeth as the spirite of God shall moue his harte framinge the same accordinge to the tyme and matter which he hath intreated of And yf there shal be at any tyme any present plague famine pestilence warre or such like which be euident tokens of Gods wrath leu 26. d. Deu. 28. b. 3. kyngs 8. d 2. kyngs 24. c as it is our parte to acknowlage our synnes to be the occasion therof so are we appointed by the scriptures to giue our selues to mournynge fastinge and prayer as the meanes to turne awaye Gods heauie displeasure Therfore it shal be conuenient that the minister at suche tyme do not onely admonyshe the people therof but also vse some forme of prayer accordinge as the present necessitie requireth to the which he may appoint by a common consent some seuerall daye after the sermon wekely to be obserued THE order of Baptisme FIrst note that for asmoche as it is not permitted by Gods woord 1. Cor. 14. f. 1. Tim. 2. d. Matt. 28. d. The transgression of Gods ordināce is called iniquitie and Idolatrie and is compared to witchcrafte sorcerie 1. Sam. 15. o How dangerous also it is to enterprise any thinge rashely or without the warrant of Gods woorde thexāples of Saul Oza Ozias Nadab and Abiu oght sufficiently to vvarne vs. 1. Sam. 13. c 2. Sam. 6. b. 2. Chro. 26. c. leu 10. a. Nom. 3. a. that wemen should preache or minister the Sacramentes and it is euident that the sacramentes are not ordeined of God to be vsed in priuat corners as charmes or sorceries but left to the congregation and necessarely annexed to Gods woord as seales of the same therfore the enfant which is to be baptised shal be broght to the churche on the day appointed to comen prayer and preachinge accompanied wyth the father and god father So that after the Sermon the chyld beinge presented to the minister he demaundeth this question DO you present this childe to be baptised earnestly desiring that he may be ingrafted in the mysticall bodye of Iesus Christ The answer Yea we require the same The minister procedeth THEN let vs cōsider dearly beloued how almyghtie God hath not onely made vs his children by 1 rom 8. c. Gal. 4. a. Ephe. 1. a. 2. c. adoption and receiued vs into the fellowship of his churche but also hath promised that he wil be our 2 Gen. 17. a. Exod. 20. a. Deu. 7. b. Esa 59. d God and the God of our childrē vnto the thousand generation Whych thinge as he confirmed to his people of the olde testament by the sacrament of 3 Gen. 17. b. Rom. 4. b. circumcision so hath he also renewed the same to vs in his new testament by the sacrament of 4 Col. 2. e Gal. 3. d Act. 2. f baptisme doing vs therby to wyt that our infantes apperteyne to hym by couenaunt and therfore oght not to be defrauded of those holy signes and badges 5 Act. 10. g wher by his children are knowen from infidells and pagans Neither is it requisite that all those that receyue this sacramente haue the vse of vnderstanding and fay the but chiefelye that they be conteyned vnder the name of 6 Act. 2. 2. Cor. 7. c. gods people So that remission of synnes in the bloode of Christ Iesus doth appertaine to thē by Gods promise Which thing is most euident by 7 1. Cor. 7. c sainct Paul who pronounceth the childrē begotten and borne either of the parents being faythful to be cleane and holy Also our sauiour Christ admitteth 8 Mar. 10. b. mat 19. b. luk 18. c. psal 22. d children to his presence imbrasing and blessinge theim Which testimonies of the holy ghoste assure vs that infants be of the number of Gods people and that remission of synnes doth also apperteyne to theim in Christ Therfore wythout iniurie they can not be debarred from the common signe of Gods children Neither yet is this owteward action of suche necessitie that the 9 rom 4. b. Gal. 3. a. Iam. 2. d. Gen. 15. b. 17. b lacke therof shuld be preiudiciall to their saluation yf that preuented by deathe thei may not conueniently be presented to the church But we hauinge respect to that obedience which christians owe to the voice and ordinance of Christ Iesus who commanded 10 Mark 10. b. Matt. 28. d. to preache and baptise all wyth out exception do iudge theym onely vnworthy of any felowship wyth him who contemptuosly refuse suche ordinary meanes as his wisdome hath appointed to the instruction of our dull senses Furthermore it is euident that baptisme was ordeined to be ministred in the element of 11 matt 3. c. 1. Peter 3. d. 1. Ioh. 5. b. Cor. 10. a. water to teache vs that lyke as water outwardly dothe washe a way the fylthe of the bodye so inwardly dothe the vertue of Christs blood purge our sowles from that corruption and deadly poyson wherwith by 12 Ephe. 2. a. nature we were infected Whose venemous 13 rom 7 dreggs althogh they continewe in this our flesh yet by the merits of his deathe are not 14 rom 4. a. Gal. 3. a. psal 32. a. imputed vnto vs by cause the iustice of Iesus Christ is made 15 Rom. 6. a gal 3. d. Iudas Simon Magus Hymeneus Alexander Philetus ours by baptisme Not that we thinke any suche vertue or power to be included in the visible water or owtward action for many haue bene baptised and yet neuer inwardly purged but that our sauiour Christ who commanded baptisme to be ministred will by the power of his holy spirite effectually worke in the harts of his 16 Act. 2. g. 13. g. elect in tyme conuenient all that is ment and sygnified by the same And this the scripture calleth our 17 Eph. 3. a. 1. Cor. 12. b. Rom. 6. a. Coll. 2. b. regeneration which standeth chiefli in these two points in mortificatiō that is to say a resisting of the rebellious lustes of the flesche The fruit of baptisme standeth in two points mortificatiō and regeneration and in newnes of lyffe wherby we continually stryue to walke in that purenes and perfection wherwyth we are cladd in baptisme And althogh we in the iourney of this lyffe be 18 1. peter 5. b. Luk 22. d. Iob. 7. incumbred wyth many ennemies whych in the way assayle vs yet fyght we not wyth out fruite For this 19 Rom. 5. a. 1. Peter 1. a. Iam. 1. a. Ephe. 6. b. continuall battaill which we fight against synne deathe ād hell is a most infallible argumēt that God the father mīdfull of his promise made vnto vs in Christ Iesu doth not only gyue vs motions and courage to resist theim but also assurance to 20 1. Cor. 15. g Osee 13. d. Heb. 2. d. Iob. 16. d. ouercome ād obteine victorie Wherfore dearly beloued it is not only of necessitie that we
But as for them that feare the lord no lacke shal be to suche verse ל ל Come nere therfore my children dere and to my worde geue eare I shall you teache the perfecte waye howe you the lorde shoulde feare verse × × Who is that man that wolde liue loÌ„ge 1. Pet. 3 b and leade a blessed life verse × × See thou refraine thy tongue and lippes from all deceite and strife verse × × Turne backe thy face from doing yll and doe the godly dede Enquyre for peace and quietnes Hebr. 4. c. Eccliastic 15. d and folowe it with spede verse ×¢ ×¢ For why the eyes of God aboue vpon the iuste are bente His eares lykewyse do heare the plaint of the poore innocente verse × × But he doth frowne bende his browes vpon the wicked trayne And cutteth a waye the memory that shoulde of them remayne verse צ צ But whan the iust do call and crye the lorde doth heare them so That out of payne and mysery forthwith he letteth them go verse ק ק The lorde is kynde and straight at haÌ„d to suche as be contrite He saueth also the sorowfull the meke and poore in sprite verse ר ר Full many be the miseryes that ryghteous men doe suffer But out of all aduersityes the lorde doth them delyuer verse ש ש The lord doth so preserue and kepe his verie bones alwaye That not so muche as one of them doth peryshe or decaye verse ת ת The synne shall slay the wicked man which he hym self hathe wroght and suche as hate the rightuous man shall sone be broght to noght verse פ פ But they that serue the lyuyng lord the lorde doth saue them sounde And who that put theyr truste in him nothyng shall them confounde Beatus qui intelligit Psal XLI Th. Ster ¶ Dauid beyng greuously afflicted blesseth theym that pittie his case and complayneth of the treason of his owne frendes and famyliers as came to passe in Iudas Ioh. 13. After he feelyng the great mercies of god gentelie chastisyng hym and not sufferyng his ennemies to triumphe agaynste hym geueth moste hartie thankes vnto god THe man ys blest that carfull ys the nedy to consider for in the season perelous the lorde wyl hym deliuer The lorde wyll make hym saf and sounde and happy in the land and he wyll not deliuer hym in to his enmyes hand verse 3 3 And in his bed when he lyeth sycke the lorde wyll hym restore And thou o lorde wilt turne to health his syckenes and his sore verse 4 4 Then in my syckenes thus saye I haue mercye lorde on me And heale my soule which is ful woe that I offended thee verse 5 5 Myne enmyes wyshed me ill in heart and thus of me did saye When shal he dye that all his name maye vanyshe quite awaye verse 6 6 And when they come to visite me they aske if I do well but in theyr hartes mischief they hatche and to theyr mates it tell verse 7 7 They bite theyr lippes and whisper so as thogh they wolde me charme and cast their fetches how to trape me with some mortall harme verse 8 8 Some greuous synne hath broght hym to this sickenes say they playne he is so lowe that withowte doute rise can he not agayne verse 9 9 The man also that I did truste with me dyd vse dysceyte Ioh. 13. b. Acte 1. c. who at my table eat my bread the same for me layed “ heb he lift vp his heele agaiÌ„st me or vsed deceit aÌ„d therfore Iacob had his name by takinge by the hee le ad dâ—ceyuinge Gen. 25. d. 27. e. wayte verse 10 10 Haue mercye lorde on me therefore and let me be preserude That I maye render vnto them the thynges they haue deserude verse 11 11 By this I knowe assuredlye to be beloued of the when that myne enmyes haue no cause to triumphe ouer me verse 12 12 But in my right thou hast me kept and mayntayned all way And in thy presence place assigned where I shall dwell for aye verse 13 13 The lorde the God of Israell be praysed euermore euen so be it lord will I say euenso be it therfore Quemadmodum desiderat Psal XLII I. H. ¶ The prophete grieuously complayneth that beinge letted by his persecutours he coulde not be present in the congregation of gods people protestinge that althogh he was separat in bodie from them yet his heart was thitherwarde affectioned And last of all he sheweth that he was not so farre ouercome with these sorrowes and thoghtes but that he contynually put his confidence in the lorde LYke as the hart doth breth and bray the welspringes to obtayne so doth my soull desyre alway with thee lorde to remayne my soull dothe thyrst and wold drawe nere the lyuyng god of myght o when shall I come and appeare in presence of his syght It is death to a ChristiaÌ„ hart to heare his god blasphemed verse 3 3 The teares all tymes are my repaste Whiche from myne eyes doe slyde When wicked men crye out so faste Where now is God thy guyde verse 4 4 Alas what grief is it to thincke what freedome once I had what grief it is to a godly man to be out of the congregation wher by prayer and confession of faith he might call vpon god Therfore my soule as at pittes brincke is moste heauye and sad When I did marche in good array fournished with my trayne Vnto the temple was our waye with songes and hartes moste fayne verse 5 5 My soule why arte thou sad always and fraitst thus in my brest Trust still in god for him to praise I holde it euer best By him I haue delyuerance against all payne and grief He is my god which with all spede will haste to sende relief verse 6 6 And this my soule within me lord doth faint to thinke vpon The land of Iordan and record the litle hill Hermon God tryeth his children by dyuers and often afflictions 7 One grief an other in doth call As cloudes burste out theyr voyce The floudes of euyls that do fall Runne ouer me with noyce verse 8 8 Yet I by day felt his goodnes and helpe at al assayes Likewise by nyght I did not ceasse The liuing God to prayse verse 9 9 I am persuaded thus to say To hym with pure pretence O Lord thou are my guyde and stay My rocke and my defence why doe I then in pensiuenes The papistes and infideles esteme not god and therfore mocke all such as professe his name Hanging the head thus walke whyle that myne enmies me oppres And vexe me with theyr talke verse 10 10 For whye they perse mine inward partes With panges to be abhorde When they crye out with stubberne hertes where is thy god thy lord verse 11 11 So sone why dost thou faint quayle My soule with paynes opprest with thoghtes why dost thy selfe assayle So sore within my brest Trust in
and certifye vs therein that we are bone of his bones and fleshe of his fleshe Ephe. 5 agayn that he is the bread of life whiche came downe from heauen to nourish our soules and in an other place Ihon. 6. that we are one with hym Ihon. 17. euen as he hymselfe is one with hys father and suche lyke ¶ The minister What is there more to be had in the sacramente or to what vse doth it serue vs besydes ¶ The childe This is the difference that Christe his benefites be more euidently liuely and plenteouslye set furth vnto vs for albeit that our sauiour Christ be in very deede exhibited vnto vs and is made oures by baptisme also and by the preachyng of hys word that is but in a parte as it were and not fully ¶ The minister What is it than briefelye that we haue by this sygne of bread ¶ The childe what doth the sygne of bread teache vs. That the bodye of our Lord Iesus for so muche as it was once offered vp for vs in sacrifice to bryng vs in to gods fauour is now geuen vnto vs to assure vs that we are partakers of thys ioyfull reconciliacion ¶ The minister And what haue we by the signe of wyne ¶ The childe what is signified to vs by the wyne It assureth vs that as oure lord Iesus dyd shed his bloud once on the crosse for a full pryce recompence of al our sinnes euen so he now geueth it vnto our soule to drinke wherby we should not doubt to receiue the fruite benefite therof ¶ The minister By these thy aunsweres I gather that the lordes supper doth direct and as it were conduite vs to the death and passyon of our sauiour Christe to the entent we may be partakers of the vertue ād profite therof ¶ The childe It doeth euen so for euen then when he suffered the onelye and euerlastynge sacrifice was offered vp for our redempciō Wherefore there remayneth nowe nothynge elles but that we should haue the fruites therof ¶ The minister The supper then was it not ordeyned to offer vp the bodye bloud of our sauiour to God hys father The lords supper is not a sacrifice propiciatorie ¶ The childe No Christ alone is the euerlastyng byshop Hebru 5. Mat. 26. for there is none but he alone vnto whō that office belongeth for so much as he is the euerlastynge sacrificer but the charge that he hath geuē vnto vs is that we doe receyue hys bodye ād not offre it ¶ The minister Sonday 53 Wherefore be there .ii. sygnes institute ¶ The childe Our Lorde dyd that to helpe thereby our infyrmite signifying that he is as wel the drinke as the meate of our soule The ordeining of two sygnes was for our wekenes to the end we might be content to seke our nourishment fully and wholy in hym and no where elles ¶ The minister Doth the second signe which is the cup belong indifferentely vnto al men ¶ The childe Yea and that by the commaundement of our sauiour Christ contrary whereunto we maye in no wyse doe ¶ The minister Receiue we in the supper onely the tokens of the thinges afore rehearsed eyther are they effectually in dede there geuen vnto vs ¶ The childe Forsomuche as our Sauiour Christ it the truth it selfe it is nothyng to be doubted that the promises whiche he made at his supper be not there in dede accomplished and that which is figured by the sygnes is truely perfourmed so then according as he there made promes and as the signes do represent theris no doute but he maketh vs partakers of hys verye substaunce to make vs also one with hym and in one lyfe with hym ¶ The minister How we receiue Christ in the supper But tel me how thys may be done seyng the body of our sauiour Christ is in heauen and we are here as pilgrimes on the earth ¶ The childe Verely it cummeth to passe by the woonderous and vnsearcheable woorkynge of hys spirite who ioyneth easelye together thynges beynge farre a sundre in place ¶ The minister Thy mind is then that his body is not presently included in the bread neither his bloud conteyned within the cup. ¶ The childe No not a whit but cleane contrary wise what is to be done yf we wyl ceceaue the subtance of the sacraments if we wil haue the substaunce of the sacrament the every thing which is signified therby we must at the receiuing therof lift vp our heartes into heauen where oure sauioure Christ is in the glory of his father from whence we haue sure hope that he wil come for oure redempcion therfore we maye not searche hym in these corruptible elementes as if he were presently there ¶ The minister So then thy iudgemente is that there be two thynges in thys Sacramente the substaunce of breade and wyne whyche we see wyth the eye touche with our hād ād feele or sauoure with oure taste also our sauiour Christ by whome oure soules are inwardlye nouryshed ¶ The childe You say truth Pleadges of oure resurrection and in such sort that we haue therewith also a sure token and as it were an earnest penye of the rysyng agayn of our bodies in somuch as they are already made partakers of the signe of lyfe ¶ The minister Sonday 54 How ought thys sacrament to be vsed ¶ The childe 1. Cor. 11. Saincte Paule teacheth the right maner of the vsyng therof which is that euery man examine hymselfe before that he come vnto it ¶ The minister Wherein ought a man to trye and examyne hymselfe ¶ The childe He muste considre whether he be a true membre of Christ our Sauioure ¶ The minister Wherby may a man haue sure knowledge thereof ¶ The childe If he haue a faythe or ryghte considence in Goddes promises The sure tokēs of a true Coristian being inwardlye sorye for hys synnes and doe loue hys neyghboure with an vnfeyned charitie not keping in his hearte anye rancoure hatred or debate ¶ The minister But is it requisite to haue a perfecte faythe and perfecte charitie ¶ The childe We must nedes haue both the one the other sound right not counterfaited but to speake of suche a perfection as vnto which nothing can be added a man shal not be able to finde it in the whole multitude of men so then thys supper had bene a thing ordeined in vaine if none were mete to come to it vnlesse he were throughly perfect ¶ The minister By this saying our imperfection doth no whit hynder vs from cumming therunto ¶ The childe No verely but rather contrariwyse it shoulde stande vs in no steade if we wer not vnperfecte for it is as an helpe and succour agaynste oure infyrmitye ¶ The minister Doe these two sacramentes serue to no other ende but to supporte and beare vp our imperfection ¶ The childe Yes they are also very signes
The forme of prayERS AND MINISTRAtion of the Sacraments c used in the Englishe Congregation at Geneua and approued by the famous and godly learned man Iohn Caluyn INTRATE PER ARCTAMVIAM The way to life is streicte and fewe finde it Mat. 7. They haue forsaken me the well of the water of lyfe and dygged theym selues pyttes yea vyle and broken pyttes that can hold no water Iere. 2. IMPRINTED AT GENEVA BY IOHN CRESPIN M.D.LVI THE CONTENTES OF THE BOOKE 1 The coâ—â—â—â—â—ion of the Christian faythe 33 2 Th order or electinge Ministers Elders and Deacons 42 3 Thassembly of the Ministery euery thursdaye 49 4 An order for the interpretation of the scriptures and answeringe of dowtes obserued euery mundaye 50 5 A confession of our synnes vsed before the sermon and framede to our state and tyme. 52 6 An other confession for all states and tymes 55 7 A generall prayer after the sermon for the whole estate of Christes Churche 57 8 The ministration of Baptisme and the Lordes Supper 62. 71 9 The forme of Mariage the Visitation of the sycke and the Maner of Buryall 80. 87. 88 10 An order of Ecclesiasticall Discipline 89. 11 One and fyftie psalmes of Dauid in metre 1. b 12 The Catechisme of M. Caluyn etcet 1. c. TO OVR BRETHERNE IN ENGLANDE AND ELS Where Which loue Iesus Christe vnfaynedly mercie and peace IT IS MOre euideÌ„t and known to all men theÌ„ well coÌ„sidered and thaÌ„kfully receyued of many with what greate mercies and especiall graces god enduede our countrye of England in these latter days when from 1 Ose 2. d. Rom. 9. e. 1. Pet. 2. b. idolatrie he called vs to the knowledge of his gospell and of no people made vs his people a holie people the people of god sendinge vs a kinge moste godly learned zealous wyse and such one as neuer sate in that royall chaire before Gods woord vniuersally spred ouer all the lande repentance preached Christes kingdome offered sinne rebuked so that none coulde excuse him selfe either that he had not hearde or els was not taught gods holy ghospell yet it came to passe and this day that is verified on vs which the lord reproued Israell fore sayinge 2 Esa 65. a. Rom. 10. d. I haue stretched forthe my handes all the day longe vnto a people that beleueth not but rebelleth againste me aÌ„d walke after their owne ymaginations For whose ways were not corrupt eueÌ„ from the 3 Esa 1. b. 7. Hier. 2. b. highest to the lowest from toppe to toe there was no part sownde Suche conteÌ„pt of gods word aswell on their behalf to whoÌ„ charge of preachinge was coÌ„mytted as on the other syde negligeÌ„ce to heare and learne to frame their lyues accordiÌ„ge ther vnto that yf the lord had not hastened this plague and preuented it wolde certeÌ„ly haue come to passe whiche those wycked meÌ„ of Anathoth sayed to the prophet Hieremie 4 Hier. 11. d. speake no more to vs in this name of the lorde The which vnkyndnes and contempt wold god we coulde as earnestly repent as we nowe feele the lacke of these accustomed mercies for nowe the day of our 5 Luke 19. f. visitation is come and the lorde hath broght the 6 Leu. 26. c. Deut. 27.28.30.7 1. king 22. c. 2. Chro. 18. e. Eze. 14. e. plagues vpoÌ„ vs wherof before we were admoneshed and moste iustely menaced For the false 7 prophets are sent forthe with lies in their mouthes to deceyue EnglaÌ„d and the scarsetie of gods worde is so great that althogh they seke it from one 8 Amos. 8. d. sea coaste to an other yet they can not finde yt but as men affameshed deuoure the pestiferous dounge of papistrie to the poisoninge of their owne sowles Let vs therfore bretherne 9 Ioel. 2. c. Psal 68. a. Ion. 3. d. 4. a. tourne wholy to the lord by repentance fastynge and prayer earnestly besechinge him to receyue vs once agayne to his fauor who willeth not the death of a synner but his amendement offeringe him selfe to all theym that in their necessitie seeke vnto him and like a moste mercifull father proueth all 10 2. Chro. 36. c. remedies for our betteringe not cruelly ponishinge to destroy vs but gently chastisinge to saue vs. Esa 5. a. Prou. 3. b. Heb. 12. b. Reuel 3. d. Beware then ye 11 Heb. 3. b. 4. b Psal 94. c. harden not your hartes agaynst this mercifull lord and tempt hym as the stubburne Iewes dyd whom he therfore delyuered vp into their enymies handes to perishe with the swoorde hunger and pestilence for god wyll not be 12 Gal. 6. b. mocked but lyke a 13 Heb. 12. g. Deu. 4. d. consuminge fier will destroye aswell the wicked contemners of his worde as the craftie dissemblers which go abowte to measure god by their fantasies not consideringe that they 14 Rom. 2. a. Iam. 5. a. heape damnation against theim selues in the day of his anger which nowe already is kindled and begynneth to flame to the condemnation of their sowles and bodies who knowinge Iesus Christ to haue 15 Heb. 9. a. Rom. 5 b. 1. Pet. 3. c. once fully satisfied for our synnes cease not dayly either in hart mowth or owtward coÌ„sent to blaspheme his precious death aÌ„d asmoche as in them lyeth 16 Heb. 6. a. 10. c. 1. Cor. 6. b. crucifie him a newe Do you not remeÌ„bre that 17 Gal. 5. c. Apo. 21. c. 22. c. Esa 66. g. Mark 9. g. idolaters haue no portion in the kiÌ„gdome of god but are throwne into the lake of fyer and brymstone where their worme shall neuer dye Can not the examples of gods fearfull 18 2. Pet. 2. a. b. Iude. a. Iob. 4. d. iudgements moue you who spared not his verie angells when they trespassed but hitherto reserueth theym in hell chaynes to be tormented in the day of the lorde and wyll he then fauor idolaters dissemblers blasphemers mockers contemners and not rather in this lyfe verifie that which the holie ghost pronownceth against the children of gods wrath who becawse they do not receyue the 19 2. Thes 2. c. Ioh. 3. c. trueth for their saluation are led by lyes to their endeles condemnation at the least let gods forwarnings some what moue you to pitie your owne state who for your instructions suffereth your owne bretherne emongst you to die so terribly some in dispaire others to kyll theym selues aÌ„d many vtteringe moste horrible blasphemies euen to their last breathe The which thinges are so fearfull for vs to heare that we treÌ„ble in thinking ther vpon yf you wyll therfore be counted in the nombre of gods people and be so in deede loke 20 Luk. 9. g. 2. Pet. 2. d. Pro. 26. b. Rom. 11. a. 3. kyng 19. b 1. Cor. 6. c. not backwarde frome the plough returne not to your vomit bowe not your knee to Baal pollut not the temple of the holie ghost
comonly do attribute our regeneratiō to hys 18 Rom. 10. b. 1. peter 1. a. resurrection for as by 19 Mat. 28. b. Act 10. f. 1. Cor. 15. c. rysinge agayn frome the graue the third day The third daie he rose againe frome deathe he 20 Ose 11. d. 1. Cor 15. g. 2. Cor. 13 b. conquered deathe euen so the victorie of our faith standeth in his resurrection and therfore without the one we can not fele the benefite of the other For as by death 21 Rom. 4. d. synne was taken awaye so our rightuousnes was restored by his resurrectiō And because he wolde 22 Ephe. 4. b. Ioh. 14. Ephe. 2. b. accomplishe all thinges and take possession for vs in his kingdome he 23 Mar. 16. d. Luk 24. g. Act. 1. b. 1. Cor. 15. b. ascended into heauen He ascended into heauen to enlarge that same kingdome by the aboundant power of his 24 luk 24. g. Ioh. 14. b. Act. 2. a. spirite by whome we are moste assured of his contynuall 25 rom 8. g. heb 9. f. 1. Ioh. 2. c. intercession towardes God the father for vs. And althoghe he be in 26 Act. 1. c. 3. c. heauen as towchinge his corporall presence where the father hathe nowe set him on his 27 Col. 3. a. rom 8. g. heb 1. a. 10.12 right hande And sytteth at the right hand of God the father almyghtie committinge vnto him the administratiō of all 28 Ephe. 1. d. philip 2. b. Col. 2. c. thinges aswel in heauē aboue as in the earthe benethe yet is he 29 Matt. 28. d. present with vs his membres euen to the ende of the world in preseruinge and gouernynge vs with his effectuall power and grace who whē all thinges are 30 Act. 3. c. fulfilled which God hath spoken by the mowth of all hys prophetes since the world began wyll come in the 31 Act 1. b. same visible forme in the which he ascēded Frome thense shal he come to iudge the quicke an◠the dead with an vnspekable 32 Matt. 25. c. Philip. 3. d. Maiestie power and companye to separate the lambes frome the goates thelecte frome the reprobate So that 33 matt 24. c. Act. 10. f. 1. Cor. 15. c. 1. Thes 4. 2. Thes 1. 2. Tim. 4. a. none whether he be alyue thē or deade before shall escape his iudgement MOREOVER I beleue I beleue in the holie ghoste and confesse the holy ghoste 1 Matth. 3. d. 1. Ioh. 5. c. 1. pet 1. b. 1. cor 6. Ioh. 16. d. Act. 17. God equall with the father and the sonne whoe regenerateth and sanctifieth vs ruleth and guideth vs into all trueth persuadinge moste assuredly in our 2 consciences Rom. 8. c. gal 4. a. that we be the childrene of God bretherne to Iesus Christe and fellowe heires with him of lyfe euerlastinge Yet notwithstandinge it is not sufficiēt to beleue that God is omnipotent and mercifull that Christ hath made satisfaction or that the holy ghoste hath this power and effect except we do 3 Abac. 2. a. rom 1. b. 10. c 1. Ioh. 3. d. applie the same benefites to our selues which are Gods 4 Ioh. 17. a. elect The holie catholike churche the communion of sainctes I beleue therfore and cōfesse one holye 5 Matt. 16. c. Ioh. 10. a. Ephe. 5. b. rom 8. Can. 2. churche which as 6 Ephe. 1. d. Col. 1. d. 1. Cor. 12. c. membres of Iesus Christe thonely 7 Ephe. 4. d. heade therof 8 Ephe. 4. a. philip 3. d. Col. 2. a. cōsēt in faithe hope and charitie vsinge the giftes of God 9 Act. 2. g. 4. g rom 12. c. 1. cor 12. b. ephe 4. c. whether they be temporall or spirituall to the profit and furtherance of the same Whiche churche is not 10 Rō 111. a. sene to mans eye but onely knowen to God who of the loste sonnes of Adā hath ordeyned some as 11 Rom. 9. e eph 1. a. b. vessels of wrathe to damnation and hathe chosen others as vessels of his mercie to be saued the whiche also in due tyme he 12 Rom. 8. eph 5. c. callethe to integritie of lyfe and godly conuersation to make them a glorious churche to him selfe But that churche which is 13 Matt. 18. c. 1. cor 13. b. visible and sene to the eye hathe three tokens or markes wherby it may be discerned First the 14 Matt. 28. d. rom 10. c. 2. Cor. 3.4 ephe 2. d. Ioh. 10. a. 2. tim 3. d. 2. peter 1. d. worde of God cōteyned in the olde ād newe testament which as it is 15 Ephes 2. d. matth 17. c. Ioh. 10. a. b. aboue the autoritie of the same churche and onely 16 Ioh. 20. g. 2. tim 3. d. sufficient to instruct vs in all thinges concernynge saluation so is it left for 17 Ios 1. b. Ioh. 5. c. all degrees of men to reade and vnderstand For without this worde 18 Ephes 5. c. mat 15. b. neither churche concile or decree can establishe any point touching saluation The seconde is the holy 19 Matt. 26. c. 28. f. rom 4. a. Ephe. 5. f. sacrements to witt of Baptisme and the Lordes Supper which sacramentes Christ hathe left vnto vs as holie signes and seales of Gods promesses For as by Baptisme once receyued is signified that we aswel infants as others of age and discretion being 20 Rom. 5. b. Ephe. 2. a. Tit. 3. b. gal 3. c. rom 7. d. straungers frō God by originall synne are receyued into his familie and congregation with full assurance that althoghe this roote of synne lye hyd in vs. yet to the electe it shal not be 21 Rom. 4. a. Psal 31. a. imputed So the 22 1. Cor. 11. e. supper declareth that God as a moste prouident father doth not onely fede our bodies but also spiritually nurisheth our soules with the 23 Ioh. 6. d. graces ād benefites of Iesus Christ which the scripture calleth eatinge of his flesh and drinkinge of his bloode nether must we in the administratiō of these sacramētes followe mās phātasie but as Christ him self hath ordeyned so must they be ministred and by suche as 24 Heb. 5. b. Ioh. 3. d. by ordinarie vocatiō are therunto called Therfor whosoeuer reserueth and worshippeth these sacramēts or contrariwyse contemneth them in tyme and place procureth to him self damnatiō The third marke of this church is 25 Matt. 18. b. luk 17. a. leui 19. d. Ecles 19. b. ecclesiasticall discipline which standeth in admonitiō and correction of fautes The finall ende wherof is excommunication by the consent of the churche 26 1. Cor. 5. a. determyned if the offender be obstinate And besides this ecclesiasticall censure I acknowlage to belonge to this church a politicall 27 Rom. 13. a. wisdome 6. a Tit. 3. a. 1.
Peter 2. e. Magistrate who ministreth to euery man iustice defending the good and punishinge the euell To whom we must rendre honor and obedience in all thinges which are not 28 Act. 5. c. contrarie to the word of God And as 29 Exo. 32. f. 2. kyngs 18.25 2. Chro. 29.35 Moses Ezechias Iosias and other godly rulers purged the church of God frome superstition and idolatrie so the defeÌ„ce of Christes church apperteynith to the Christian magistrates against all idolaters and heretikes as Papistes Anabaptistes with such like limmes of Antechrist to roote owte all 30 2. Tim. 4. a. Col. 2. d. Matt. 15. b. Isa 29. b. Heb. 9. c. 10. e Act. 10. g. 1. Ioh. 2. a. rom 7. c. Gal. 5. c. Col. 2. c. rom 14. a. 1. Tim. 4. a. Matt. 19. b. 1. Cor. 7. b. 1. Cor. 8. c. 10. f 2. Cor 6. c. luc 17. c. rom 3. c. 1. Cor. 3. c. Gal. 4. b. doctrine of deuels and meÌ„ as the masse purgatorie limbus patruÌ„ prayer to saÌ„ctes and for the deade freewyll distinctioÌ„ of meates apparell and days vowes of single life presence at idoll seruice mans merites with such like which drawe vs frome the societie of Christes churche wherein standeth 31 Isa 33. d. Matt. 18. c. Ioh. 20. c. 2. Cor. 5. d. rom 1. b. 10. b Ephe. 2. d. onely remission of synnes The forgiuenes synnes purchased by Christes bloode to all them that beleue whether they be Iewes or Gentiles and leade vs to vayne confidence in creatures and trust in our owne imaginations The punishement wherof althogh God often tymes 32 2 Peter 2. a. Iude 1. rom 9. differreth in this lyfe yet after the generall 33 Act. 24. d. 1. Cor. 15. c. Philip. 3. d. 1. Thes 4. d. resurrection The râ—â—â—rection 〈◊〉 the bodâ— when our sowles and bodies shall ryse agayne to immortalitie they shal be 34 2. Thes 4. d. 2. Ioh. 1. c. Isa 30. g. Ioh. 5. c. damned to inquencheable fyer and then we which haue forsakeÌ„ all mans wisdome to cleaue vnto Christ shall heare that ioyfull voice 35 Matt. 25. d. Come ye blessed of my father inherite ye the kingdome prepared for you frome the beginnyng of the worlde and so shall go triumphing with him in 36 1. The. 4. d. 5. d. Ioh. 5. c. Isa 26. d. bodye and soule to remayne euerlastinge And lyfe euerlastynge in glorie where we shall see God 37 1. Cor. 13. d. 1. Ioh. 3. a. Iere. 31. f. Hebr. 8. c. face to face and shall no more nede one to instructe an other for we shall all knowe him frome the hyghest to the loweste to whome withe the sonne and the holy ghost be all praise honor and glorie nowe and euer So be it OF THE MINIsters and their election What thinges are chiefely required in the pastours and ministers FIRST let the 1 Act. 1. d. 13. a. 14. f. churche diligently consider that the minister which is to be chosen be not founde 2 1. Timo. 3. a. 2. Tim. 2. b. 4. a. Eze. 33. a. Iere. 3. d. Ioh. 21. c. Isa 62. c 1. cor 9. d. culpable of any suche fautes which saincte Paul reprehendeth in a man of that vocation but contrarywise endewed with suche vertues that he may be able to vndertake his charge and diligently execute the same Secondely that he 3 2. Tim. 2. e. 2. peter 4. e. Matt. 26. c. 28. d. 1. Cor. 1. c. distribute faithfully the word of God and minister the sacraments sincerely euer 4 Act. 20. d. 2. Tim. 4. a. carefull not onely to teache his flock publikly but also priuatly to admonisshe them remembring alwais that if any thinge 5 Eze. 3. d. 2. 1. Cor. 9. c. perysshe throughe his defaute the lorde will require it at his handes OF THEIR OFfice and deutie BECAWSE the charge of the word of God is of greater 1 1. Cor. 9. c. Act 6. a. luk 12. c. importaunce then that any man is able to dispeÌ„ce therwith and saincte Paule exhorteth to 2 1. Cor. 4. a. 2. Cor. 4. b. esteme them as ministers of Christe and disposers of gods mysteries not 3 1. peter 3. a. 2. cor 1. d. Matt. 20. d. lordes or rulers as S. Peter saith ouer the flocke Therfore the Pastors or ministers chief office standeth in 4 Matt. 26. c. 28. d. Mala. 2. a. 1. peter 4. c. act 3. c. 16. â— 1. cor 1. d. 15. a preaching the worde of God and ministring the sacramentes So that in consultations iudgementes elections and other politicall affaires his 5 Act. 20. e. f. 2. cor 4. b. counsel rather then autorite taketh place And if so be the congregation vppon iuste cawse agreeth to excoÌ„municate theÌ„ it belongeth to the minister according to their 6 1. cor 5. b. generall determination to pronounce the sentence to the end that all thinges may be done 7 1. cor 14. g. orderly and withoute confusion THE manner of electinge the pastors or ministers THE ministers and elders at suche time as there wanteth a minister 1 Act. 14. d. Tit. 1. b. Act. 1. d. assemble the whole congregation exhortinge them to aduise and consider who may best serue in that rowme and office And if there be choyse the churche appoynte two or thre vppon sume certayne day to be examined by the ministers and elders First as towchyng their 2 1. Tim. 3. a. Tit. 1. b. doctrine whether he that should be minister haue good aÌ„d sownde knowlage in the holi scriptures and fitte and apte giftes to coÌ„municate the same to the edification of the people For the triall wherof they propose hym a theme or text to be treated priuatly wherby his habilitie may the more manifestlie appeare vnto theÌ„ SecoÌ„dly they enquire of his life and coÌ„uersation if he haue in times past lyued without slander and gouerned hym selfe insuche sorte as the worde of god hath not 3 Rom. 2. d. Iam. 1. d. Sam. 2. â— T. im 5. d. hearde euel or bene slandered through his occasioÌ„ which being seuerallie done they signifie vnto the coÌ„gregation whose giftes they fynde moste excellent and profitable for that ministerie Appoynting by a generall coÌ„sent eight daies at the leaste that euery man may diligently inquire of his life and manners At the which tyme also the minister exhorteth them to humble them selues to God by 4 Act. 13. a. 14. d. luc 2. e. fasting and prayer that bothe their election may be agreable to his will and also profitable to the churche And if in the meane season any thyng be brought agaynst hym wherby he may be fownde vnworthy by lawfull probations then is he dismissed and some other presented If nothing be alleaged vppon some certayne day one of the ministers at the mornyng sermon presenteth hym agayne to the churche framyng his sermon or some parte therof to the settyng forthe
Likewise after supper he toke the cuppe sayīge This cuppe is the newe testamēt or couenāt in my bloude doo ye this so ofte as ye shall drinke therof in remēbrance of me For so ofte as you shal eate this bread and drinke of this cuppe ye shall declare the lordes deathe vntill his cōminge Therfore whosoeuer shall eate this bread and drinke the cuppe of the lorde vnworthely he shal be giltie of the bodye and bloud of the lord Then see that euery mā proue ād trye hym selfe ād so let hym eate of this bread ād drīke of this cuppe for whosoeuer eateth or drinketh vnworthelye he eateth and drinketh his owne damnation for not hauinge due regarde and consideration of the lordes bodye THIS done the minister proceadith to the exhortation DEARELY beloued in the lorde forasmoch as we be nowe assembled to celebrate the holy communion of the body and bloud of our sauiour Christ let vs consider these woordes of S. Paule how he exhorteth all persons diligently to trye and examine thē selues before they presume to eate of that bread ād drinke of that cuppe For as the benefite ys great if with a truly penitent hart and liuely faith we receyue that holy sacrament for then we 1 Ioh. 6. g. spiritually eate the fleshe of Christ and drinke his bloude thē we dwell in Christ ād Christ in vs we be one with Christ and Christ with vs so is the daūger great if we receyue the same vnworthely for then we be giltie of the bodye and bloud of Christ our sauiour we eate ād drīke our own dānation not considering the lordes bodye we kīdle godes wrath agaīst vs ād prouoke him to plague vs with diuerse diseases and sundry kindes of death Therfore if any of you be 2 Gal. 3. d. a blasphemer of God an hinderer or slaunderer of his worde an an adulterer or be in malice or enuie or in any other greuous cryme bewaylle your synnes and come not to this holy table lest after the takynge of this holy sacramēt the diuell entre into you as he entred into 3 Ioan. 13. ◠Iudas and fill you full of all iniquities and bring you to destruction bothe of bodye and soule Iudge therfore your selues bretherne that ye be not iudged of the lorde 4 Matth. ◠c. Titus 2. c. repent you truly for your synnes paste and haue a lyuely and stedfast fayth in Christ our sauiour 5 Act. 4. c Gal. 2. d sekinge onely your saluation in the merites of his death and passion from hensforth refusinge and forgettinge all 6 1. pet 2. a. 1. Cor. 14. d ephe 4. a. d malice and debate withfull purpose to liue in brotherly amytie and godlye conuersation all the dais of your lyfe And albeit we fele in ourselues muche frailtie and wretchednes as that we haue not our faith so perfite and constant as we ought being many tymes readye to distruste Godes goodnes through our corrupt 7 rom 7. d. nature and also that we are not so throughlye geuen to serue God neyther haue so feruent a zeale to set forth his glory as our duetye requireth felinge still such rebellion in our selues that we haue nede dayly to 8 Gala. 5. c fight against the lustes of our fleshe yet neuertheles seinge that our lorde hath dealed thus mercifully with vs that he hath printed his 9 Hebr. 8. d Iere. 31. f. Isa 59. d gospell in our hartes so that we are preserued from falling into desperatiō and misbeliefe and seing also he hath indued vs with a 10 Rom. 7. c. d phil 1. a. 2. Cor. will and desire to renownce and withstand our own affections with a longing for his righteousenes and the keping of his commaundementes we may be now right well assured that those defautes and manifolde imperfections in vs shal be no hinderance at all against vs to cause him not to accept and impute vs as worthie to come to his spirituall table For the ende of our comming thyther is not to make 11 luk 18. c. protestation that we are vpright or iuste in our liues but contrariwise we come to seke our life and perfection in Iesu Christ acknowledging in the meane tyme that we of our selues be the children 12 Ephes 2. a. luk 18. c. of wrath and damnation Let vs consider then that this sacrament is a singuler medicine for all poore sicke creatures a comfortable helpe to weake soules and that our lord requireth no other worthines on our parte but that we vnfaynedly acknowlege our noghtines and imperfection Then to the end that we may be worthy partakers of his merites ād moste comfortable benefits which 13 Ioan. 6. f. ys the true eatinge of his fleshe and drinkinge of his bloud let vs not suffer our mindes to wander aboute the consideration of these earthlie ād corruptible thynges which we see present to our eies and fele with our hādes to seeke Christ bodely presente in thē as if he were inclosed in the breade or wyne Transsubstantiation Transelemētatiō Transmutation and Transformation as the papistes vse them are the doctrine of diuells or as yf these elementes were tourned and chaunged into the substaunce of his fleshe and blood For the only waye to dispose our soules to receiue norishment reliefe and quikening of his substance is to lift vp our mindes by fayth aboue all thinges wordlye and sensible and therby to entre into heauen The true eatyng of Christ in the sacrament that we may finde and receiue Christ where he 14 1. Timo. 6. d dwelleth vndoutedlye verie God and verie man in the incomprehensible glorie of his father to whome be all praise honor and glorye now and euer Amen The exhortation ended the minister commeth doune from the pulpet and sitteth at the Table euery man and woman in likewise takinge their place as occasion best serueth Math. 26. c. Mark 14. c Luke 22. b 1. Cor. 11. e then he taketh bread and geueth thankes either in these woordes followinge or like in effect 1 Apoc. 5. c. O Father of mercye and God of all consolation seinge all creatures do knowlege and confesse thee as gouerner and lorde it becommeth vs the workemanship of thyne own handes at all tymes to reuerence and magnifie thy godli maiestie first for that thou haste created vs to thyne own 2 Gen. 1. d. Image and similitude but chieflye that thou haste deliuered vs from that euerlasting 3 Ephe. 2. b Gala. 1. a. Gen. 3. c. death and damnation into the which Satā drewe mankinde by the meane of synne from the bondage wherof neither man nor angell was 4 Act. 4. e. heb 1. d. Apoc. 5. a able to make vs free but thou ò lord riche in mercie and infinite in goodnes haste prouided our redemption to stande in thy onely and welbeloued sone whom of verie 5 Ioan. 3. c. loue thou didest giue to be made man lyke
can hym not restore “ Selah signifieth a liftinge vp of the voice in singing which declareth some notable matter and worthy to be well wayed But thow ó lord arte my defence when I am harde bestead my wourship and my honour both and thow holdst vp my heade verse 5 5 Then with my voyce vpon the lorde I did both call and crye And he out of his holy hyll Selah did heare me by and by verse 6 6 I layde me downe and quyetly I slept and rose agayne Gods strength most not he measured by mans weakenes and therfore we oght to â—ear no dangers For why I knowe assuredly the lord wyl me sustayne verse 7 7 If ten thousand had hemmed me in I colde not be afrayde For thou arte styl my lorde my God my sauiour and myne ayde verse 8 8 Rise vp therfore saue me my God for now to thee I call He retorneth to his prayer for thou haste broke the cheakes aÌ„d teeth of these wicked men all verse 9 9 Saluacion onely dothe belong God will deliuer his Churche from all dangers because he fauoreth it Selah to thee O lorde aboue thow doest bestowe vpon thy folke thy blessyng and thy loue Cùm inuocarem Psalme IIII. Th. St. ¶ when Saul persecuted him he called vpon God trustinge moste assuredly in his promesse and therfore boldely reproueth his ennemies who by wilfull malice resisted his dominion And finally prefarreth the fauour of God before all worldely threasures Let vs likewise learne to trust in Gods promesses when we are afflicted with any kinde of Crosse and so we shall neither feare our ennemies nor yet be ouercome with tentations O God that art my ryghteousnes lord heare me whan I call thou hast set me at lybertye whan I was bond and thrall Haue mercy lord therfore on me and graunt me this request for vnto the vncessantly to crye I wyll not rest verse 3 3 O mortall men how longe will ye my glorie thus despise why wander ye in vanitie and follow after lyes verse 4 4 Knowe ye that good and godly men the Lorde dothe take and chuse And when to hym I make my plaint he doth me nor refuse Dauid exhorteth his ennemies to repentance for feare of Gods iudgements verse 5 5 Sinne not but stande in awe therefore examyne well your hearte And in your chamber quietly see you your selues conuert verse 6 6 Offer to God the sacrifice of ryghteousnes I saye And looke that in the lyuyng lorde you put your trust alwaye verse 7 7 The greater sorte craue worldly goodes and riches doe embrace He setteth his parfect felicitie in Gods fauour But lord graunt vs thy countenance thy fauoure and thy grace verse 8 8 For thow therby shalt make my harte more ioyful and more glad Than they that of their corne and wine full great increase haue had verse 9 9 In peace therefore lye downe will takyng my reste and slepe for thou onely wilt me ò lord That beinge so litarye he shall lyue as ioyfully as if he were emongest many because god doth defende him alone in sauetie kepe Verba mea Psal V. Th. Ster ¶ Dauid hauinge suffered great calamitie as well by Doeg and Achitophel Sauls flatteres as by other infinite ennemies calleth to God for succor shewinge how requisite it is that God shuld ponishe the malicious enuie of his aduersaries After beinge assured of prosperous successe he conceyueth comfort Concluding that when God shall deliuer him others also shall be partakers of the same mercies Incline thyne eares vnto my wordes o lord my plaÌ„yt coÌ„sider and heare my voyce my king my god to the I make my prayer Heare me betyme lorde tary not for I wyll haue respect my prayer early in the morne to the for to direct And I will trust through pacience in thee my God alone verse 5 5 That arte not pleased with wickednes and ill with thee dwelleth none verse 6 6 And in thy sight shall neuer stande The wicked caÌ„not escape gods ponishment who will iudge all the worlde these furious fooles ò Lorde vaine woorkers of iniquitie thow haste alwais abhorde verse 7 7 The liers and the flatterers thou shalt destroye them than And God wil hate the bloud thyrstie and the deceytfull man verse 8 8 Therfore wyll I come to thy house In the diepest of his tentatioÌ„s he putteth his full confidence in God trustyng vpon thy grace And reuerently wyll worshyp thee towarde thyne holy place verse 9 9 Lord leade me in thy ryghteousnes for to confounde my foes And eke the waye that I shall walke before my face dysclose verse 10 10 For in theyr mouthes there is no truth theyr heart is foule vayne Theyr throte an open sepulchre theyr tongues dooe glose and fayne verse 11 11 Destroye their false conspiracies that they may come to noght Subuert them in their heapes of synne which haue rebellion wroght verse 12 12 But those that put their trust in the. let them be glad al wayes And render thankes for thy defence and geue thy name the prayse verse 13 13 For thou with fauour wilt increase the iust and righteous styll Heb. thou wilt woune him And wyth thy grace as with a shyeld defend hym from all yll Domine ne in Psal VI. Th. Ster ¶ when Dauid by his synnes had prouoked Gods wrath and now felt not onely his hand against him but also conceyued the horrors of death euerlastinge he desireth forgiuenes bewailinge that if God tooke him a waye in his indignation he should lacke occasion to praise him as he was wont to do whils he was emongst men Then sodenly felinge Gods mercie he sharpely rebuketh his ennemies which reioysed in his affliction LOrd in thy wrath reproue me not thogh I deserue thyne Ire ne yet correct me in thy rage o lord I the desyre For I am weak therfore o lord of mercy me forbeare and heale me lord for why thou knowest my bones do quake for feare verse 4 4 My soule is troubled very sore and vexed vehemently But lord howe long wilt thou delaye to cure my myserye verse 5 5 Lord turne the to thy wonted grace my sely soule vp take Oh saue me not for my desertes but for thy mercyes sake verse 6 6 For why no man amonge the ‖ dead He feared not so muche the death of the body but treÌ„bled as it were for feare of Gods iudgemeÌ„t and so waxeth duÌ„me and colde not praise God Hebr. myn eye is eaten as with wormes remembreth thee one whyt Or who shall worship thee O Lorde in the infernal pit verse 7 7 So grieuous is my playnt moue that I waxe wondrous faynt all the night longe I washe my bed with teares of my complaynt verse 8 8 My ‖ sight is dymme and waxeth olde with anguishe of myne hearte For feare of those that be my foes and woulde my soule subuerte God sendeth coÌ„fort and boldenes
body both doth thurst of thee to taste And in thys baren wildernes where waters there are none my fleshe ys partcht for thoght of thee for thee I wish alone verse 2 2 That I might see yet once agayne thy glorie strength and might As I was wont it to beholde within thy temple bright verse 3 3 For why thy mercies farre surmount this life and wretched dayes My lyppes therfore shal geue to thee due honour laude and prayse verse 4 4 And whiles I lyue I wil not fayle to worship thee alway And in thy name I shal lift vp my handes when I doe pray verse 5 5 My soule is filled as with marowe which is bothe fat and swete My mouthe therfore shall synge suche sōges as are for thee moste mete verse 6 6 When as in bed I thynke on thee and eke all the night tyde verse 7 7 For vnder couert of thy winges thou art my ioyful guide verse 8 8 My soule doth surely sticke to thee thy right hande is my power 1. Sam. 31. 9 And those that seke my soule to stroy them death shal sone deuoure verse 10 10 The swoorde shall thē deuoure eichone their carcases shall feed the hongrye foxes which do roue their praye to seeke at need verse 11 11 The king and all men shal reioyce that doe “ hebr that sweare by him that is which worshipe him alone professe Gods woorde For lyers mouthes shall then be stopt which haue the truth disturbde Exurgat Deus Psal LXVIII Th. St. ¶ In this Psalme Dauid settith forthe as in a glasse the wonderfull mercies of god towardes his people who by all meanes and moste strange sortes declared hym selff to theym And therfore gods churche by reason of his promyses graces and victories dothe excell withowte comparison all worldelie thynges he exhorteth therfore all men to prayse god foreuer LEt god arise and then his foes will turne them selues to flyght his enmyes then wyll runne abroade and scater out of syght And as the fyre dothe melt the waxe and wynde blowe smoke away so in the presence of the lorde the wycked shall decaye verse 3 3 But rightuous men before the lorde shall hartelie reioyse They shal be glad and mery all and cherefull in theire voyce verse 4 4 Synge prayse synge prayse vnto the lorde who rideth on the skie Extolle this name of “ Iah is one of the propre names of god and signifieth euermore Iah our god and hym do magnifie verse 5 5 That same is he that is aboue within his holy place That father is of fatherles and iudge of widdowes case verse 6 6 Howses he geueth and issue bothe vnto the comfortlesse He bryngeth bondmen owte of thrall and rebelles to distresse verse 7 7 When thou didst marche before thy folke the gyptians from emonge And broght them throgh the wildernes Selah which was bothe wide and longe verse 8 8 The earth did quake the rayne powred down hearde were great clappes of thūder the mont Sinay shoke in such sort as it wolde cleaue a sonder verse 9 9 Thyne heritage with dropes of rayne abundantly was washt and if perchance it baran waxt The abundāce and plentifulnes of the lande of Canaan by thee it was refresht verse 10 10 Thy chosen fllocke dothe there remayne thou haste prepard that place and for the poore thou doeste prouide of thyne especiall grace verse 11 11 God will gyue “ wemen causes iuste As Miriam Dehora Iudith to magnifie his name when as his people triomphes make and purchase brute and fame verse 12 12 For puissāt kynges for all their power shall flee and take the foyle and wemen which remayne at home shall help to parte the spoyle verse 13 13 And thogh you were as blacke as “ or triuets pottes your hewe should passe the doue whose wynges and fethers seme to haue syluer and golde aboue verse 14 14 When in this land god shall triumphe ouer kynges bothe high and lowe then shall it be lyke Salmon hill as whit as any snowe The churche of god doth excell all wordely things not in out warde pōpe but by the grace of god which ther remayneth because of his promes verse 15 15 Thogh Basan be a frutefull hill and in height others passe yet Zion godes moste holie hill dothe farre excell in grace verse 16 16 Why bragge ye thus ye hils moste high and leape for pride to gether this hill of zion god dothe loue and there will dwell for euer verse 17 17 Gods “ or charettes armie is two millions of “ or charettes warriours good and stronge he vnderstādeth Angells the lorde also in Sinai is present theym amonge * God toke not taxes to enrich him selfe but tob estowe thē on his church and therfore in the 4 to the Eph. S. Paul saith he gaue giftes followīg the greke translation Selah 18 Thou didst ò lorde ascend on high and captiues led theym all who in tymes paste thy chosen flocke in prison kept and thrall Thou madst theym tribute for to paye and suche as did repyne thou didest subdewe that they might dwell in thy temple dyuyne verse 19 19 Now praysed be the lorde for that he powrth on vs suche grace from day to day he is the god of owre health and solas verse 20 20 He is the God from whome alone saluacion cummeth playne He is the God by whome we scape all dangers death and payne verse 21 21 Thus God will wound his enmies head and breake the heary scalpe Of those that in theyr wickednes continually do walke verse 22 22 From “ He meaneth the victorie which Dauid had of Og kynge of Basan Basan wil I bring sayd he my people and my shepe And al myne owne as I haue doone from daunger of the depe verse 23 23 And make them dippe theyr feete in bloode of those that hare my name And dogges shall haue theyr tōges embrewed with licking of the same verse 24 24 All men may see how thou O God thyne enmies dost deface And howe thou goest as God and king into thy holy place verse 25 25 The syngers goe before with ioye the minstress folow after And in the middes the damsels playe with timbrel and with taber verse 26 26 Now in thy congregacions O Israel prayse the lorde And Iacobs whole posteritie geue thankes with one accorde verse 27 27 Theyr chief was “ Because he was the yōgest of the Patriarches Iacobs sōnes he calleth him litle Beniamin litle Beniamin but Iuda made their hoste with Zabulon and Neptalim which dwelld abowte their coste verse 28 28 As God hath geuen power to thee so lord make firme and sure The thing that thou hast wroght in vs for euer to endure verse 29 29 And in thy temple giftes will we giue vnto thee ò lord for thine vnto hierusalem sure promesse made by woord Yea and strange kyngs to vs subdued shall do like
effect of thys commaundement ¶ The childe All whoredome is declared to be accursed of God Al whordome is accursed therfore it behoueth vs to refrayne from it if so be we feare to prouoke hys wrath agaynst vs. ¶ The minister Is there no other thyng conteyned in this commaundemente ¶ The childe We muste al wayes haue an eye and a regarde to the lawmaker The minde of the lawe maker is to be considered who in so muche as he is God from whome nothing lyeth hid he stayeth not himselfe in the consideracion of the outwarde woorke goyng no farther but he requyrethe also that the heart be cleane from al corruptiō and luste ¶ The minister Shewe me then what is the full and perfecte meanyng of thys commaundemente ¶ The childe 1. Cor. 3. Forsomuche as oure bodies soules are the temples where Gods holy spirite resteth 2. Cor. 6. this commaundemente requireth of vs to kepe thē in all honeste purenes in suche sorte that it is not ynough for vs if we be chast as touchīg the carnall act but we must also be withoute all vnclenly lustes or desyres without all inordinate fansyes fynally we are inhibyted all woordes and gestures which sounde or allure to vnclenlynes so that there muste be no parte in vs defyled or vnchaste ¶ The minister Sonday 30 Go on to the eyght commaundemente ¶ The childe The .6 commaundement THow shalt not steale ¶ The minister Doth this commaundemente forbydde only suche robberies as be punished by cōmune lawes either doth it reache any farther to any other kynde of stealyng ¶ The childe Thys commaundemente reacheth vnto al naughty vnlawful Of theft or disceauable occupacyons and forbiddeth all disalowable or discommendable wayes and meanes wherby we plucke vnto vs any parte of oure neyghbours substance whether it be by violence by fraude or by any other meanes that God hath not alowed by hys worde ¶ The minister Is it ynough if a manne refraine from the dede doynge eyther is it forbydden also to mynde or purpose any suche thynge ¶ The childe We must al waies haue a consyderacion that God was the maker of this law Of inward thefte who forsomuch as he is a spirite hath not onely regard to robberies that be committed in dede but he considereth aswell our secret enterprises oure deuyses and purposes and the desyres of our mynde to come by riches throughe oure neyghboures losse ¶ The minister What behoueth it vs then to doe ¶ The childe We are bounde to do our endeuoure that euery man maye haue his due and ryghte ¶ The minister What is the nynth commaundemente ¶ The childe The ninth cōmaundemete THow shalt beare no false wytnes agaynste thy neyghboure ¶ The minister Doth god forbyd in this commaundement open periurye before a iudge onely eyther are we charged to make noe lye to the dysprofyte of oure neyghbours ¶ The childe A generall doctrine towchīg other In namynge one kynde of lying he forbiddeth vtterly to make any leasyng meanynge that we maye not speake any thynge to the reproche of our neyghboure falselye and that we maye in no wyse backbyte hym or make lyes of hym whereby he myghte sustayne losse in hys goodes or be hyndered in hys good name ¶ The minister Wherfore doth he speake expresly of open periuryes rather then of any other kind of lies ¶ The childe To the intente that we might the more earnestly deteste and abhorre After customable staūderyng liing ther foloweth shor ely in the necke of it open periurie al backbiting and lying signyfying vnto vs withal that whosoeuer doth accustome himself to speake slāderously of his neyghbour or to make any lie to his neighbors hinderà unce priuely he wyll not be ashamed shortely after to forsweare hymselfe openly ¶ The minister Be slanderous and lying wordes forbidden here alone either be we also restrained from al euyl thynkinge ¶ The childe As wel the one as the other by the reason which we haue already aleged That that is ill to be doen before men yt yl to be thoughe before God for that that is euyll in the doyng before men is as euil to be willed or thought before God ¶ The minister Rehearse then in fewe wordes the very sence and meanynge of it ¶ The childe We are taught by thys commaundement not to be ready to iudge euyll or to speake any wordes that sounde to the reproche and infamy of others but muche rather to haue a good opynyon of oure neyghbours ād to speake wordes to theyr prayse and to the mayntenaunce of theyr good fame and honeste estymacion so farre foorth as the trueth wyll beare vs. ¶ The minister Sonday 31 Let vs come now to the laste commaundemente ¶ The childe The .x. commaundemente Thou shalte not desyre thy neyghbours house thou shalt not desyre thy neighbours wife nor his seruaunt nor his mayde nor hys oxe nor asse neyther any thīg that is thy neyghbours ¶ The minister Seing the whole lawe is spiritual and requyreth purenes of the hart as thou hast said and forsomuche as euery one of the other afore sayde commaundementes were ordeined aswell to correcte and amende the naughtye rebellyous affections of the hearte as to rule gouerne the outwarde doinges of men it appereth that this commaundement is superfluous and that there was inough sayde before ¶ The childe In the aboue rehersed commaundementes God forbyddeth all wyllynge or consentynge to do euil minding therby to brydell and suppresse all rooted affections or deliberate purposes of naughtines but here in this he vtterlye inhybiteth all euyll thoughtes lyght mocions sodaine affections yea thoughe we neuer fully purpose them neyther endeuoure oure selues or consente wyllyngly to doe them ¶ The minister Sayest thou then that the leaste mocion or temptacion that can entre into the thought of a faythfull man is sinne though he vtterly refuse it striue against it and wyll not by any meanes consente vnto it ¶ The childe Yea verely for this is certayne that al wanton thoughtes and mocions of euyll Euery euyll mocion is a synne doe proceade and sprynge oute of the orygynall synne which contynueth styll in vs by nature wherof I conclude that lustes or mocions whiche doe kendle or styrre vp mans heart to do amysse though he neuer purpose or consente to dooe the thyng be neuerthelesse directly agaynste this commaundemente ¶ The minister This is then bryefely thy sayinge that euen as lustes or desyres of euyll whiche haue so farre preuayled that the wyll is consentynge fully agreed vpon the same are reproued as synne in the former commaundementes euen so by this commaundement God requireth of vs suche an vpryghte clearenes of cōscyence that there maye not so muche as one euyll mocion or desyre once enter into oure heartes the whiche myght enclyne or prouoke vs to doe amysse ¶ The childe Ye haue sayde all ¶ The minister Maye we not nowe make a briefe some and
parte what is the ryghte vsynge or receauyng of baptysme ¶ The childe The ryght vse therof standeth in these two faith and repentaūce that is wherein the right vsing of baptisme standeth in that we be sure that we haue oure consciences cleansed in the bloude of Christe And in that we both feele in oure selues and make it knowen to others by oure woorkes that hys spirite abydeth in vs to mortyfye oure affections and desyres and so to make vs ready to doe the wyll of God ¶ The minister Sonday 50 Seyng al thys is required in the ryght vsynge of baptisme how is it that lytle children be baptysed ¶ The childe I dyd not meane that fayth repentaunce oughte alwayes to goe before the ministracion of this sacrament The baptisme of infantes for that is only requisite in them that be of age and discretion so that it is sufficienre if the lytle children shew forth the fruites of baptysme when they are come to sufficient age to knowe it ¶ The minister How wylt thou proue that there is no inconuenience in thys doyng ¶ The childe For in lyke maner circumcisyon was a sacrament of repentaunce Deu. 10. and. 30. Iere. 4. Rom. 4. as Moses the Prophetes doe wyttnes ād also a sacramente of fayth as sainct Paul teacheth and yet God dyd not debarre and exclude lytle chyldren from the receyuyng of the same ¶ The minister No but arte thou able to proue sufficiently that there is as good reason they should be receiued to baptisme as that the other should be circumcised ¶ The childe The promises whiche wer made to the Iewes only are nowe offered to al men Yea for the reason is largely as sufficienente for the same promyses whiche God dyd make in tyme past to hys chosen people of Israell are now extended with muche more euydente declaration into all coastes of the worlde ¶ The minister And foloweth it therefor that we muste vse also the signe ¶ The childe Yea if we wyll consyder the thynge effectually For Christ hath not made vs partakers of that grace which belonged in time paste to the children of Israel to the intente he woulde in vs dimynishe dimynishe it and deale it more sparyngly or that he woulde make it nowe more doubteful or lesse knowen than it was before but rather to the ende he would shew forth his goodnes not onely more euidentely but also more plenteouslye ¶ The minister Doest thou coumpt then that if we dyd denye baptysme to lytle chyldren the grace and goodnes of God should be dymynished and darkened by the commynge of Christ ¶ The childe Yea surely for we shoulde be by that meanes destytute of the expresse signe of Goddes bountyfull mercye towardes our children the which thing they that were vnder the lawe had in very dede this thing serueth highly to our comfort as to the stably shynge of the promes which hath bene made vnto vs from the begynning ¶ The minister Thy minde is then that forsomuche as it pleased GOD in olde tyme to declare hymselfe to be the sauyoure yea of lytle children and that he thoughte it also good to seale hys fauorable promise in theyr bodyes by an outwarde sacramente and marke that therfore it is very good reason that ther be no lesse tokens of assuraunce after Christes comming since the self same promyse cōtinuynge styll is reiterate and more openly vttered as wel by worde as dede ¶ The childe Yea and moreouer it semeth a thyng worthy of notable reprehencyon if menne woulde doe so muche wronge vnto chyldren as to denye them the signe whiche is a thynge of lesse price since the vertue and substance of baptysme belongeth vnto them whiche is of muche hygher estimacion ¶ The minister For what consideration ought we to baptise lytle children ¶ The childe To what purpose children are baptised They are christened in token and wytnes that they are enherytours of the blessynge of God which is promised to the lynage of the faythfull to this ende that when they come to age they shoulde be instructed what the substaunce and meaning of baptisme is to profite them selues therby ¶ The minister Sonday The 51. Let vs now speake of the Supper and firste what is the signyfycacion therof ¶ The childe Our lord did ordaine it to put vs in assuraunce Of the lordes Supper that by the distribuciō of his body bloud oure soules are nouryshed in the hope of lyfe euerlastynge ¶ The minister Why is it that our Lorde representeth vnto vs hys bodye by the breade and hys bloude by the wyne ¶ The childe To sygnyfye vnto vs that euen what propertie the bread hath towardes our bodies to wete Christ offereth to vs his body by the bread and hys bloude by the wyne to feede sustayne them in this transytorye lyfe the selfe same propertye also his body hath touchīg our soules that is to nourishe and refresh them spirytually And in lyke maner as the wine dothe strengthen comfort and quicken the body of man euen so hys bloude is our ful ioye our comforth and spiritual strength ¶ The minister Doeste thou meane that we must be in dede partakers of the bodye and bloude of the Lorde ¶ The childe Yea verely I meane so The onely stay of our truste for since the whole truste and assuraunce of our health and saluacion doth consist in the obedience which he hath perfourmed vnto god hys father in that that God doth accept it take it as if it were oures in deede we must fyrste needes possesse him seeing that hys benefites doe not belong vnto vs vntill he haue firste geuen hymselfe vnto vs. ¶ The minister Why did not Christ geue himselfe vnto vs what tyme he gaue himselfe to be crucified to the intēt that thereby we myght be brought into the fauour of God hys father and be deliuered from damnacion ¶ The childe Yes but that doth not suffyce vnlesse we doe receiue hym withal in such sorte as we may feele in our consciences the fruicte and efficacye of his death and passion ¶ The minister After what sorte we receiue Christe Is not faith the ready meanes to receyue Christ by ¶ The childe Yes forsoth not onely by that that we belieue that he dyed rose again to delyuer vs from euerlasting death and to procure vs also euerlastyng lyfe but also by that that we feele by fayth that he dwelleth in vs and is ioyned with his membres to the end to make vs partakets of al his graces and benefites because we are vnto hym vnited and made all one ¶ The minister Sonday 52 Haue we not Christe ioyned vnto vs so that we become partakers of hys benefytes by no other meanes than by hys Supper ¶ The childe Yes verelye for we receyue Christ with the fruicion of his benefites 1. Cor. 1. at the preaching of the gospel as S. Paule witnesseth in that that our lord Iesu doeth promise
and badges of our profession that is to say by them we protest openly that we are the people of God and make open profession of our christen relygyon ¶ The minister What shall we then iudge of him that refuseth to vse them ¶ The childe We ought not to count hym a christen mane for in so doing he refuseth to confesse or knowledge hymselfe to be a christian and what is that els but as it were couertly to refuse Christe ¶ The minister Is it inough to receyue them bothe once onelye in oure lyfe tyme ¶ The childe Baptisme was ordeyned to be receiued but once wherefore it is not lawfull to be christened again but it is other wise to be thought of the supper ¶ The minister What is the reason therof ¶ The childe How it is that we receaue the supper oftimes though we maye be but once baptysed This by baptysme God doethe brynge and receyue vs into his churche and when he hath once receyued vs he declareth also to vs by the supper that he wyll feede vs continually ¶ The minister Sonday 55 To whome belongeth the minystracion of baptisme and of the Lordes supper ¶ The childe Vnto them who haue taken charge to preach openly in the churche To whom the ministracion of the sacrameÌ„tes doe belonge for the preachyng of Goddes worde and the ministracion of the sacramentes be thynges ioynctely belongyng to one kynde of office ¶ The minister Is there not a substancyal profe to be brought for thys ¶ The childe Yes verely Mat. 28 for our Lorde geueth speciall charge to hys Apostles as well to baptyse as to preach and as touchyng the supper he geueth them iniunction to folowe hys exaumple nowe he did the parte of a minyster in that he gaue and distributed it to others ¶ The childe The pastours who be the mynysters of the sacramentes ought they to receyue indifferently euery person that commeth ¶ The childe As touchyng baptisme whoe oughte to he shut out froÌ„ the supper forsomuche as there be none in our tyme baptysed but lytle chyldren there oughte to be no choise vsed but as coÌ„cerning the supper the minister muste haue so muche dyscrecyon as to refuse to geue it to them that be vtterly vnworthy ¶ The minister Wherfore ¶ The childe Because that otherwyse the supper of the Lorde should be defyled and dishonored ¶ The minister But yet our Lorde admytted Iudas to the holy supper notwithstanding his wickednes ¶ The childe wherefore Iudas was admitted to the supper Yea for his wickednes was hytherto hyd aÌ„d albeit oure Lorde knewe it ryghte well yet was it not notoryous and knowen vnto men ¶ The minister What waye is to be vsed then towardes the hipocrites ¶ The childe The minister ought not to exclude aÌ„dshut oute them as vnworthy but he must tary vntill it shall please GOD to make their close wyckednesse knowen ¶ The minister What if he hymselfe knowe or if he be prieuely aduertised of any suche ¶ The childe That is not a sufficiente cause for him to denie them the supper vnlesse he haue the thinge tryed by suffyciente profe and ther with the iudgement of the congregacion ¶ The minister Is it then meete to haue a polytyke order touchynge thys matter ¶ The childe What els if the congregacion be wel ordered there muste be certayne appoynted to watche and take dyligente heede for suche opeÌ„ crimes as may be committed and they hauynge auctorytye ought in the name of the whole congregation to inhibite such as be by no meanes mete neither can be partakers therof withoute the dyshonoure of God and the offence of the faythfull The ende of the instruction of children in the fayth THE MANER TO EXAmine chyldren before they be admitted to the Supper of the lord ¶ Fyrst the Minister asketh IN whome doest thow beleue ¶ The childe answereth I beleue in god the father and in Iesus Christ his sonne and in the holy ghoste and loke to be saued by non other meanes ¶ The minister The father the sonne and the holy ghost be they any more then one god ¶ The childe No althogh they be distinct in persone ¶ The minister What is the effect of thy fayth ¶ The childe That god the father of our lord Iesus Christ and so by hym of vs all is the beginnynge aÌ„d principall cause of all thiÌ„ges the which he gouerneth in such sorte that nothinge can be done with owte his ordinance and prouidence Next that Iesus Christ his sonne came downe into this world aÌ„d accomplished all thinges which were necessary for our saluation And asceÌ„ded into heauen where he sitteth at the right haÌ„d of the father that is that he hath all power in heauen aÌ„d in earth And shall come agayne frome thence to iudge the whole world Forthermore that the holy ghoste is very god becawse he is the vertue aÌ„d power of god aÌ„d impriÌ„teth iÌ„ our hartes the ê“messes made vnto vs in Iesus Christ And fynally that the churche is sanctified and delyuered from their synnes through the mercies of god and shall after this life rise againe to lyfe euerlastinge ¶ The minister Must we serue God accordinge as he hath commaunded or elles as mens traditions teache vs ¶ The childe We most serue hym as he hath taught vs bi his word and coÌ„maundementes and not accordinge to the commaundementes of men ¶ The minister Canst thow kepe gods commaundements of thy selfe ¶ The childe No verely ¶ The minister Who then doth kepe and fulfill theym in thee ¶ The childe The holy ghoste ¶ The minister When God then geuethe thee his holy ghoste caÌ„st thou parfytely obserue theym ¶ The childe No not so ¶ The minister Why God doth curse and reiect all such as do not in euery point fulfyll his commaundements ¶ The childe It is true ¶ The minister By what meanes then shalt thow be saued aÌ„d deliuered frome the curse of God ¶ The childe By the death and passion of our lord Iesus Christ ¶ The minister How so ¶ The childe For becawse that by his death he hath restored vs to lyfe and recoÌ„ciled vs to God his father ¶ The minister To whome doest thow make thy prayers ¶ The childe I pray to God in the name of our lord Iesus Christ our aduocat and mediator referring all my prayers to that scope which Christ our sauiour hath left vs as a moste sufficient and absolute rule ¶ The minister How many Sacraments are there in Christs Church ¶ The childe Two Baptisme and the lords Supper ¶ The minister What is ment by Baptisme ¶ The childe First it signifieth that we haue forgiuenes of our synnes by the blood of Christ Secondly it setteth before our eyes our regeneration or newe spirituall birth ¶ The minister What signifieth the Supper of the lord ¶ The childe That by the spirituall eatinge and drinkinge of the body and bloude of our lord Iesus Christ our sowles are norished vnto lyfe
euerlastinge ¶ The minister What do the bread and wyne represent in the lordes Supper ¶ The childe This that as our bodies are norished therwith so our sowles are susteyned and norished with the vertue of Christs body ād bloode not that they are inclosed in the breade and wyne but we muste seeke Christ in heauen in the glorie of God his father ¶ The minister By what meanes may we attayne vnto hym there ¶ The childe By faith which gods spirite worketh in our hartes assuringe vs of Gods promisses made to vs in his holy ghospell Th end A FOVRME OF prayers to be vsed in priuat houses euery morninge and euenynge Morninge prayer ALMIGHTIE God and most mercifull father we do not 1 Daniel 9. c. present our selues here before thy Maiestie trusting in our owne merites or worthynes but in thy manifold mercies which hast promised to heare our prayers and 2 Ioh. 16. c graunt our requestes which we shall make to thee in the name of thy beloued sonne Iesus Christ our lord who hath also commaunded vs to assemble our selues together in his 3 Matt. 18. c. name with ful assurance that he wyll not onely be emongst vs but also be our 4 1. Tim. 2. b. mediator ād aduocate towards thy Maiestie that we may 5 1. Ioh. 3. d. obteyne all thinges which shall seme expedient to thy blessed wyll for our necessities Therfore we beseche thee most mercifull father to tourne thy louynge contenance towardes vs and 6 Psal 32. a. impute not vnto vs our manyfold synnes and offences wherby we iustely deserue thy wrath and sharpe punishement but rather receyue vs to thy mercye for Iesus Christes sake acceptinge his death and passion as a iuste 7 1. Ioh. 2. a. recompence for all our offences in whome onely thow art pleased and throgh whome thow canst not be offended with vs. And seinge that of thy great mercies we haue quietly passed this night graunt ò heauenly father that we may spēd and bestowe this day wholy in thy seruice so that all our 8 Col. 3. c. thoghtes wordes ād deedes may redounde to the glorie of thy name ād good ensample to all men who seinge our good workes may glorifie thee our heauenly father And forasmoche as of thy mere beneuolēce and loue thow haste not onely created vs to thyme owne 9 Gen. 1. d. similitude and lykenes but also haste chosen vs to be heyres with thy dere sonne Iesus Christ of that immortall kingdome which thow preparedst for vs before the beginnynge of world we beseche thee to 10 Luk. 17. a. encrease our faith and knowlage and to lighten our hartes with thy holy spirite that we may in the meane tyme lyue in golyd cōuersation and integritie of lyfe knowinge that 11 Gal. 5. d. idolaters adulterers couetous men contentious persons dronkardes glotons and suche lyke shall not inherite the kingdome of God And becawse thou haste commaūded vs to pray one for on other we do not onely make request ò lord for our selues and theym that thow hast already called to the trew vnderstandinge of thy heauenly wyll but for all people and 12 Act 10. e 1. Tim. 2. a nations of the world who as they knowe by thy wonderfull workes that thow arte God ouer all so they may be instructed by thy holy spirite to beleue in thee their onely sauiour and redemer But forasmoche as they can not 13 Rom. 10. d beleue except they heare nor can not heare but by preaching and none can preache except they be sent therfore ò lord rayse vp faithfull distributers of thy mysteries who settinge a parte all worldely respectes may bothe in theyr lyfe and doctrine onely seke thy glorie Contrarely confownd 14 Rom. 16. c Satan Antechrist with all hyrelinges and papistes whome thow hast already cast of into a reprobate sense that they may not by sectes schismes heresies and errors disquiet thy lytle flocke And becawse ò lord we be fallen into the latter days and 15 2. Tim. 3. a daungerous tymes wherin ignorance hath gott the vpper hand and Satan with his ministers seeke by all meanes to quenche the light of thy gospell we beseche thee to mayntayne thy cawse against those 16 Matt. 7. c raueninge wolues and strengthen all thy seruantes whome they kepe in pryson and bondage Let not thy longe sufferinge be an occasion either to encrease theyr tyrannye or to discorage thy childrene nether yet let our synnes and wickednes be a hinderance to thy mercies but with spede ò lord consider these great miseries and chieflye the afflictions of our Contrie which once florished through thy mercies and nowe for contempt of thy worde is 17 Amos 8. Matth. 11. c plaged accordinge to thy iudgement Alas lord mayst thow not be intreated shall we thus be left in dispayre shall all the world laugh at our shame for 18 Psal 77. b. euer truthe it is lord that we were more then sufficiently warned of this thy vengeance to come both by thy worde ād exemples of others For thy people Israell many tymes by their 19 Exo. 32. a synnes prouoked thyne anger and thow ponishedest theym by thy iuste iudgement yet thogh theyr synnes were neuer so greuous if they once returned frome their iniquitie thow receyuedst theym to 20 Esa 37. a mercie we therfore most wretched synners bewayle our manyfolde synnes and earnestly repent vs for our former wickednes and vngodly behauyor towardes thee and wheras we can not of our 21 Rom. 7. d 2. Cor. 3. Luk. 17. c selues purchase thy pardon yet we humbly beseche thee for Iesus Christ sake to shewe thy mercies vpon vs and restore vs agayne to thy fauour Graunt vs deare father these our requestes and all other thinges necessarie for vs and thy whole churche accordinge to thy promes in Iesus Christe our lorde In whose name we beseche the as he hath taught vs saing Our father c. A prayer to be sayd before meales ALL thinges depende vpon thy prouidence o lord to receyue at thy handes due sustenance in tyme conuenient Psal 104. Thou geuest to theym and they gather it thow openest thy hand and they are satisfyede with all good thinges O heauenly father which arte the fountayne and full treasure of all goodnes we beseche thee to shewe thy mercies vpon vs thy children and 1 1. Tim. 4. b. sanctifie these giftes which we receyue of thy mercifull liberalitie grauntinge vs grace to vse theym 2 Tit. 2. c soberlie and purely accordinge to thy blessed will so that hereby we may ackonwledge the to be the author ād gyuer of all good thinges and aboue all that we may remembre cōtinually to seeke the 3 Ioh. 6. c. d spirituall foode of thy woorde wherewith our soules may be norished euerlastingly through our sauiour Christ who is the trewe 4 Ihon. 6. c breade of lyfe which came downe
obserueth in kepyng his promyses Concludyng that when all orders are moste corrupted then will God deliuer his HElpe lord for good and godly men do perish and decaye and fayth and trueth frome wordly men is parted cleane away whoso doth with his neybour talke his talk ys all but vayne for euery mā bethinketh how to flatter lye and fayne verse 4 4 But flatteryng and deceitfull lyppes and tonges that be so stoute To speake prowde wordes ād make great bragges the lorde sone cut theym oute verse 5 5 For they saye still we will preuayle our tonges shal vs extolle Our tongues are oures we ought to speke what lord shal vs control verse 6 6 But for the great complaynt crye of poore and men opprest The lord doth delyuer his frō all dangers Aryse wil I now sayth the lorde and them restore to rest verse 7 7 Gods woorde is lyke to siluer pure that from the earth is tryde And hath no lesse then seuen tymes in fyre bene purifyde God can not deceiue them that put their trust in him 8 Now synce thy promes is to helpe lorde kepe thy promes then And saue vs now and euermore from this il kynde of men verse 9 9 For nowe the wicked worlde is full of mischiefes manyfolde Whan vanitie with mortal men so highly is extolde Vsquequo Domine Psal XIII Th. Ster ¶ Dauid as it were ouercorne with sondrie and newe afflictions fleeth to God as his onelie refuge and so at the lengthe beyng encoraged through godes promesses he cōceyueth moste sure confidence agaynste the extreme horrors of deathe HOw long wilt thow forget me lord shall I neuer be remembred how long wilt thow thy visage hide as though thou were offēdid In hart ād mynde how lōge shall I with care tormented be how long eke shall my deadly foe thus tryumphe ouer me verse 3 3 Beholde me now my lorde my god and heare me sore oppreste lighten myne eies leste that I sleape as one by deathe posseste verse 4 4 Lest thus myne enmye saye to me beholde I doe preuayle Lest they also that hate my soule reioyce to see me quayle The mercie of god is the cause of our saluation 5 But for thy mercys and goodnes my hope shall neuer starte in thy relief and sauyng helthe right glad shal be my harte verse 6 6 I will gyue thankes vnto the lorde and prayses to hym synge becawse he hathe hearde my requeste and granted my wysshyng Dixit insipiens in corde Psal XIIII Th. Ster ¶ He describeth the peruerse nature of men which were so growen to lycentiousnes that god was bro ght to vtter contempte for the which thyng althogh he was greatlie greaued yet beyng perswaded that God wolde send some present remedy he comforteth hym self and others THere ys no god as folish men affirme in their mad mode theyr driftes are all corrupt and vaine not one of them doth good the lord behelde rome heauen high the whole race of mankynd and saw not one that sought in dede the liuyng god to fynde verse 3 3 They went al wyde were corrupt and truely there was none That in the world dyd any good I say there was not one verse 4 4 Is all theyr iudgement so farre loste that all worke mischief still eatyng my people euen as bread not one to seeke godes will verse 5 5 When they thus rage then sodenly great feare on theym shall fall for god dothe loue the rightuousmen and will mayntayne theym all verse 6 6 Ye mocke the doynges of the poore to they re reproche and shame bycause they put their trust in god and call vppon his name verse 7 7 But who shall gyue thy people helth wher wicked men raigne all felicitie is but verie slauerie like to Aegypt or Babylon and when wilt thou fulfil The promise made to Israel from out of Syon hyl verse 8 8 Euen when thou shalt restore agayn suche as were captiues lad Than Iacob shall therin reioyce and Israel shall be glad Domine quis habitabit Psal XV. Th. Ster ¶ This psal teacheth on what condicion god dyd chuse the Iewes for his peculiar people and wherfore he placed his temple amonges theym which was to the intent that they by lyuyng vprightlie and godlie might wittenes that they were his speciall and holy people O Lord within thy tabernacle who shall in habit still or whome wilt thou receaue to dwell in thy most holy hyll The mā whose lyfe is vncorrupt whose workes are iuste and strayght whose hart doth thynke the very truth whose tong speaketh no disceyte verse 3 3 Nor to his neighbour doth none ill in body goodes or name Nor willinglie dothe heare false tales which might empere the same verse 4 4 That in his heart regardeth not malicious wicked men But those that loue and feare the lord he maketh much of them His othe and al his promises that kepeth faythfully Although he make his couenaunt so that he doth lose therby verse 5 5 That putteth not to vsury his money and his coyne Ne for to hurt the innocent doth brybe or els purloyne Thē the which do not this shal be cast out of the churche with Ismael and the hypocrites Who so doth al thing as ye see that here is to be done Shal neuer perishe in this worlde nor in the world to come Conserua me Domine Psal XVI Th. Ster ¶ Dauid prayeth to god for succor not for his workes but for his faithes sake protestyng that he hateth all Idolatrie takyng God onely for his comforte and felicitie who suffereth his to lacke nothinge LOrde kepe me for I trust in thee and doo confesse in dede thou art my god and of my good ò lorde thou hast no nede I geue my goodnes to the sayntes that in the world do dwell and namely to the fayth full flock in vertu that excell verse 4 4 They shall heape sorrowes on their heads which runne as they were madd to offer to the idole gods alas it is to badd As for theyr blouddy sacrifice He wold nether by outward profession nor in hart consent with Idolatres and offringes of that sort I will not touche nor yet therof my lippes shall make reporte verse 5 5 For why the lord the porcion is of myne inheritaunce and thou art he that doest mayntayn my rent my lot my chaunce verse 6 6 The place wherein my lot did fal in beauty did excel Myne heritage assynde to me doth please me wonderous wel verse 7 7 I thanke the lord that counseld me to vnderstand the right for by his meanes my secret thoghtes do teache me euery night The faithfull are sure to perseuer to the end verse 8 8 I set the lorde still in my sight and trust hym ouer all for he dothe stand on my right hand therfore I shall not fall verse 9 9 Wherfore my hart and tong also do bothe reioyse together my fleshe and bodie reste in hope when
I this thing consider verse 10 10 Thou wilt not leue my ‖ soule in graue That is to say his lyfe for lord thou louest me Nor yet wilt geue thyne holy one corrupcion for to see wher god fauoreth ther is parfit felicitie 11 But wilt me teache the way to lyfe for all treasours and store of parfit ioy are in thy face and power for euermore Exaudi Domine Psal XVII Th. St. ¶ Here he complayneth to God of the cruell pride and arrogancie of Saul and the reste of his enemyes who this raged withowte any cawse gyuen on his parte therfore he desiereth God to reuenge his innocencye and delyuer hym This Psalme ought diligentlie to be noted of suche as receyue euell for well doynge O Lord geue eare to my iuste cause attend when I complayne and heare the prayer that I put Thou furth with lippes that do not fayne and let the iudgement of my cause proceade alwaye from thee and let thyne eyes behold and cleare this my symplicitie verse 3 3 Thou hast well tryed me in the night and yet couldst nothing fynde That I haue spoken with my tong that was not in my mynde verse 4 4 As from the workes of wicked men and pathes peruerse and il For loue of thy most holy woorde I haue refrayned stil verse 5 5 Than in thy pathes that be most pure stay me lord and preserue That from the way wherin I walke my steppes may neuer swerue verse 6 6 For I doe cal to thee O lorde surely thou wilt me ayde Thā heare my prayer and way rightwel the wordes that I haue said This is an effectuall kynde of prayer for it conteyneth gods promesse 7 O thow the sauior of all theym that put their truste in thee declare thy strength on theym that spurne agaynste thy maiestie verse 8 8 Oh kepe me lord as thou wouldst kepe the apple of thyne eye And vnder couert of thy winges defende me secretly verse 9 9 From wicked men that trouble me and dayly me anoye And from my foes that goe about my soule for to destroye verse 10 10 Whiche wallowe in theyr wordlye welth so full and eke so fat That in theyr pryde they do not spare to speake they care not what verse 11 11 They lye in wayte where “ meanīge him selfe and his companions we shoulde passe with craft me to confound And musing mischief in their myndes to cast me to the ground verse 12 12 Much lyke a lyon gredely that would his pray embrace Or lurking lyke a lyons whelpe within some secret place verse 13 13 Vp lorde with haste preuent my foe and caste hym at thy feete saue thow my soule from theuell man and with thy sworde hym smyte verse 14 14 Deliuer me lord by thy power out of these tyrants hands which now so longe tyme raigned haue and kept vs in their bands verse 15 15 I meane from worldly men to whom al worldly goodes are ryfe That haue no hope nor parte of ioye but in this present lyfe Thow of thy store their bellies fillest With pleasures to their mynde their children haue I noughe and leaue to theirs the rest behinde verse 16 16 But I shall with pure conscience when he a waketh out of his heuines he shal be fulfilled with gods Image which shyneth in his ghospel in his benefites beholde thy gratious face so when I wake I shal be full with thyne ymage and grace Coeli enarrant Psal XIX Th. Ster ¶ To the intēt he might moue the faithfull to a dieper cōsideratiō of godes glorie he setteth before their eyes the moste exquysite workemanship of the heauens with their proportion and ornamentes And afterward calleth theym to the lawe wherin god hathe reueled hym selff more familiarelie to his chosen people the which peculiar grace by commendyng the lawe he settith forthe more at large and in the ende he concludeth with a prayer THe heauens and the firmament do wonderously declare the glory of God omnipotent his workes and what they are The wonderous workes of god appeare by euery dayes successe The nyghtes which likwise their race runne the selfe same thinges expresse verse 3 3 Ther is no language tong or speche Rom. 10. d. Acte 14. c. where theyr sound is not hearde verse 4 4 In al the earth and coastes therof theyr knowledge is conferd In them the lorde made for the sunne a place of great renome verse 5 5 Who like abridegrome ready trimed doth from his chamber come And as a valiant champion He noteth thre excellent qualities in the sūne his beautie swiftenes and heate who for to get a prise with ioye doth hast to take in hande some noble enterprise verse 6 6 And al the skye from ende to ende he compaseth about Nothinge can hyde it from his heate but he wil find it out verse 7 7 How perfit is the lawe of God how is his couuenant sure Conuerting soules and making wyse Mans inuentions are crooked without comfort filthy and blynde the simple and obscure verse 8 8 Iust are the Lords commandementes and gladde bothe heart and mynde His precept pure and geueth light to eyes that be ful blynde verse 9 9 The feare of God is excellent and doth endure for euer what so euer mans fantasie doth inuent is but lyes and vanitie The iudgementes of the lord are true and righteous altogether verse 10 10 And more to be imbraste alwais then fyned golde I say The hony and the hony combe are not so swete as they verse 11 11 By them thy seruante is forwarned to haue god in regarde And in perfourmance of the same The effect of this rewarde is conteined in the conuenant of our adoption for here he maketh all men synners there shal be great rewarde verse 12 12 But Lorde what earthly man doth knowe the errors of his lif Than clense my soule from secret sinnes which are in me moste rife verse 13 13 And kepe me that presumpteous sinnes preuayle not ouer me And than shal I be innocent and great offences flee verse 14 14 Accept my mouth and eke my heart my woordes and thoghtes eichone For my redemer and my strength O lord thou art alone Exaudiat te Dominus Psal XX. Th. Ster ¶ A prayer of the people vnto God that it wolde please him to heare their kynge and receyue his sacrifice which he offred before he went to bataill against the Ammonites declaringe how that the heathen put their trust in horses and chariotts but they trust only in the name of the lorde their god wherfore the other shall fall but the lorde will saue the kynge and his people IN trouble and aduersitie the lord god heare thee styll the maiestie of Iacobs god defende thee from Hebr. exalte all yll And send the frome his holy place his help at euery nede And so in Syon stablishe thee and make the stronge in dede verse 3 3 Remembryng well