Brief Method of Catechizing
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The source of this document is the Early English Books Online (EEBO-TCP) website. Those books were transcribed in a character for character manner and can be very cumbersome to read since there was no standard spelling during that time. Many spelling variations such as "unlesse", "vnlesse", and "vnles" regularly appear.
This project was conceived to clean up those books as much as possible and make them more accessible to the interested reader, leading to the creation of a massive list of variant spellings and their corrections. This was used to clean up the text, but is of course only as complete as the list itself. Because of the nature of the original transcription, some words have missing characters or places where the original language (e.g., Greek) was not transcribed. This effort does not change that. Be aware that the original transcription can also be faulty and in some cases entire sentences may be missing.
Although this is no substitute for a properly compared, proofed, and scholarly edition, I believe that the result is a document which is far more accessible, particularly for searching for terms using standard spelling. The document has been cleaned and presented in what I hope is a pleasing and useful format for the vast majority of Christian brothers and sisters who just want access to read these spiritually nourishing works.
However, a word of warning: The Puritans were a very diverse group of people and their age was characterized with godliness, but also much upheaval, disputation and strife. They disagreed on many doctrines and some of these works contain less orthodox or Scriptural views than others. The reader is strongly advised to read with discernment, particularly if it is unknown whether author is trustworthy.
This project took a huge amount of time and skill to bring to fruition. I would particularly like to thank David Jonescue for the initial list of Puritans he found on EEBO and the concept behind this project as well as the continuous, unceasing efforts toward seeing this complete. Without his labor, this would not be available. Alex Sarrouf was invaluable in providing the initial list of over 7,000 spelling variations he had identified and corrected, as well as continuing to review more than 16,000 additions to that list for any typos.
Logan West
(with David Jonescue and Alex Sarrouf)
www.puritansearch.org
A BRIEFE METHODE OF CATECHIZING. Wherein are handled these four points.
- 1 How miserable all men are by nature.
- 2 What remedy God hath appointed for their deliverance.
- 3 How they must live that are delivered.
- 4 What helps they must use to that end.
1. PET. 3.15.16. Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.
AT LONDON, Imprinted by F. K. for Henry Fetherstone, dwelling in Paul's Churchyard, at the sign of the Rose. 1610.
TO THE CHRISTIAN READER.
ALthough at the first publishing of this little Catechism, I called it a Method, only to distinguish it from other books of the same argument: yet since, it hath put me in mind to avoid some repetitions. But especially I have respect to the benefit of the simple, for whose sakes I have cut off many particular questions, and made the rest (where I conveniently could) shorter and plainer. For the same cause I have set down fewer quotations, and those for the most part out of the New Testament, because the Reader might with more ease turn unto them. And although the most part do let the quotations stand as ciphers in the margent, never searching the Scriptures, according to the example of those noble and worthy Christians, mentioned in the Acts, 17.11. yet I would advise thee Christian Reader, to reform the common fault, and with all care and diligence, to turn to the places which are noted, that thy faith and conscience may be grounded, not upon the speeches of men, but vpō the words of the holy Ghost: to whose gracious and comfortable direction I commend and commit thee now and ever.
Thine in the Lord Jesus, ST. EGERTON.
PLACES OF SCRIPture, showing the necessity and antiquity of Catechizing, as well privately, as publicly. Testimonies.
THese words which I command thee this day shall be in thy heart, and thou shalt rehearse them continually (setting an edge upon them) unto thy children: and thou shalt talk of them when thou tarriest in thy house, &c.
For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept, line unto line, line unto line, there a little, and there a little.
Therefore leaving the doctrine of the beginning of Christ, let us be led forward to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith to God, &c.
And the Lord said, shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do? for I know him that he will command his sons, and his household after him, &c.
And thou Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart, and with a willing mind, &c.
He said unto them, But who say ye that I am? Then Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou Simon the son of Jonah, &c.
And Philip ran thither, and heard him read the Prophet Isaiah, and said: But understandest thou that thou readest? And he said, How can I, except I have a guide?
The words of King Lemuel: a collection of the precepts which his mother taught him. What my son?
A PRAYER BEFORE the Exercise.
MOst blessed Lord, and heavenly Father, we acknowledge and confess before thy Majesty, that we are dull to conceive, weak to remember, hard to believe, and slow to practice the wholesome instructions, fearful threatenings, and gracious promises of thy heavenly word. Wherefore we humbly beseech thee to be present with us at this time, to teach us and bless us, and to make this exercise of thy holy word, powerful and profitable unto us. O Lord enlighten our minds, that we may understand, open our hearts, that we may believe, and so strengthen our memories, that we may hide and lay up thy promises, precepts and threatenings in our hearts, to keep us from sinning against thee. And though by the corruption of our nature, we think every good thing tedious and unsavory, yet we pray thee to sanctify and sweeten the same unto us by thy holy Spirit, that we may find more comfort therein, then in any wordly oz bodily exercise whatsoever. And grant O Lord our God, that this true joy and found delight may make us watchful to redeem the time, and constant in performing this holy duty, to the daily increase of faith & a good conscience, to thy glory and our own salvation, through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ: to whom with thee and the holy Ghost, be given all honor and glory forever, Amen.
A BRIEFE METHODE of Catechizing: wherein are handled these four points.
-
1
How miserable all men are by nature.
-
2
What remedy God hath appointed for their deliverance.
-
3
How they must live that are delivered.
-
4
What helps they must use to that end.
Certain general Questions.
A. Of the Christian religiō.
Q. What religion is that?
A. That which teacheth men to look for true and everlasting happiness by Christ alone.
Q. Where is this religion taught?
A. In the holy Scriptures of the old and new testament, which are given us of God to be a perfect rule of sound doctrine and good life.
Q. What learn you generally out of the Scriptures?
A. Two things: The knowledge of God, and of our selves, wherein standeth our chief happiness.
Q. What is God?
A. God is a Spirit, and king everlasting, immortal, invisible, and only wise.
Q. Is there anymore but one only true God?
A. No: but this one God hath made himself known to us in three several persons, the Father, the Son, and the holy Ghost.
Q. What are the works of God?
A. They are generally three: whereof the first is the foreseeing and appointing of all things before all time to his own glory.
Q. What special things hath God foreseen and appointed?
A. He hath appointed some men (called therefore his elect or chosen) to eternal glory, & others to eternal fire.
Q. What is the second work?
A. The making of all things in the beginning exceeding good in their several kinds.
Q. What is the third?
A. The ruling and governing of all things most wisely, mightily and righteouslie.
Q. How did God make man?
A. He made man both male and female, in a most happy estate, according to his own Image, in perfect knowledge and righteousness.
The first principal point.
Q. Did man thus made, continue in this blessed estate?
A. No: they fell from it, and became most cursed and miserable creatures.
Q. How did they fall?
A. By the enticement of the devil, and their own willful disobedience in breaking the commandment of God.
Q. What came to us their posterity thereby?
A. Three things: Guiltines of their sin, corruption of nature, and continual sinning against God in motion, thought, word and deed.
Q. What is sin?
A. Sin is whatsoever is not fully agreeable to the holiness and perfection of the law of God.
Q. What is the punishment of sin?
A. The loss of God's favor and former happiness, with the due deserving of all plagues in this world, and hell fire in the world to come.
Q. How came these things to us their posterity by their fall?
A. Because Adam and Eve were the common parents of us all, and the very stock & root from whence all mankind did spring.
Q. Are all men sinners then?
A. Yea: all have sinned and failed of the glory of God, there is none that doth good, no not one.
Q. And are all subject to this punishment?
A. Yea: all without exception are the children of wrath, and bondslaves of Satan.
Q. How may we be touched with the sense of feeling of our sins?
A. If we consider the greatness, multitude, and filthiness of them, being committed against the glorious Majesty of God, and his most pure and undefiled law.
Q. How may we be touched with fear and horror of the punishment?
A. If we consider how many and how grievous God's judgments are in this life, and how intolerable and endless in the life to come.
Q. What ought this feeling and fear to work in us?
A. An utter loathing and dislike of our selves, with an earnest desire and careful laboring after the remedy prescribed in the Gospel.
The second principal point.
Q. What remedy is there against this misery?
A. None at all, either in our selves, or in any creature, but only in Jesus Christ.
A. The eternal Son of God, who in time became man, to repare the image of God in the elect, and to restore them to a better estate then they lost in Adam.
Q. Why was it needful he should be man?
A. Because he could not have died and answered for man's sin, except he had taken man's nature.
Q. Why was it needful he should be God?
A. Because else he could not have overcome death, and performed that perfect satisfaction and righteousness which the divine justice required.
Q. What hath Christ done for man?
A. He hath fully pacified God's infinite anger against the sins of all the elect, freeing them from sin, and death, and so is made our redemption.
Q. What else?
A. He hath fulfilled for them the perfect righteousness required in the law, and so is made our righteousness.
Q. What blessing and reward do men reap by the obedience and righteousness of Christ?
A. By him they have adoption, that is, they are made the children of God and heirs of eternal glory.
Q. What else hath Christ done for us?
A. He hath sanctified our nature in his own person, and doth sanctify us daily by his spirit, and so is made our sanctification.
Q. Do men perfectly enjoy all these benefits in this life?
A. They are fully justified in the sight of God, and adopted into the number of his children, but not wholly freed from sin, till after death.
Q. How then can anything that proceedeth from us, be pleasing to God?
A. Because Christ, sitting at his right hand a mediator, maketh our duties (though weak and imperfect) acceptable to his father.
Q. Who are partakers of these benefits by Christ?
A. Only such as come unto him, that is, which believe in his name.
Q. What is it to believe in Christ?
A. To he truly persuaded in heart that he is a Savior even to us.
Q. What encouragement have we to believe in Christ?
A. Because we are commanded and exhorted so to do, and for that he is offered freely unto us of God, with this only condition, to believe in him.
Q. Is it for the worthiness of our faith that we are saved?
A. No: (for we believe in part,) but only for the worthiness of Jesus Christ, upon whom faith layeth hold.
Q. Is it in our power to believe?
A. No: It is the gift of God to his children, wrought in their hearts by the holy Ghost, through the preaching of the word.
The third principal point.
Q. Seeing we are saved only by Christ through faith, may we now live as we list?
A. No: for the Gospel teacheth us to deny all ungodliness and worldly lusts: and Christ died to purge us to himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Q. What works are to be accounted good works?
A. Such as proceed from faith, and be done to the glory of God, & grounded upon the word of God.
Q. What cal you the first & continual work of God's spirit in the faithful?
A. Repentance: that is, such a changing and renewing of the heart, as bringeth forth a new life and conversation.
Q. What be the parts of repentance?
A. Two: that is, dying to sin, and living to righteousness: or the putting off the old man, and putting on the new.
Q. Whence do these two spring?
A. From the power and virtue of Christ's death and resurrection, into whom we are engrafted by faith.
Q. Wherein doth repentance chiefly appear?
A. In the changing of the thoughts, affections, meditations, and delights.
Q. Why should we repent & do good works, seeing we are not saved by thē?
A. Because God requireth them at our hands; and that no unrighteous person, or unrepentant sinner shall enter into the kingdom of God.
Q. Wherefore else?
A. To glorify God our heavenly father, and to show our selves thankful for all his benefits, especially for our redemption by Jesus Christ.
Q. Is there any other reason?
A. Yea: by this means we may win others to God, and make sure our own calling and election to our selves.
Q. How can we have any assurance of our calling and election by works
A. Because they show whether our faith in Christ be true or counterfeit living or dead.
Q. What works do chiefly show this?
A. Peace of conscience, vprightne •… of heart, the true fear and love of Go •… and our brethren, striving against si •… victory over the world, and such like
Q. What other witness have the faithful?
A. They have the spirit of God be •… ring witness to their spirits, that they be the children of God.
Q. Do these witnesses never fail the faithful?
A. They may be overshadowed in them by the malice of Satan, & conscience of sin: but never finally and wholly taken away.
Q. Why so?
A. Because they are grounded upon the everlasting purpose, and faithful promise of almighty God.
Q. Do our works deserve nothing at God's hand?
A. No: for they are his own works in us, and a debt most due to him: besides, in us they are spotted and imperfect: and finally, we are freely justified by faith before we do them.
Q. These are strong persuasions to live godly: but is there no reward for good works?
A. Yes: exceeding great, both in this life, and especially in the life to come.
Q. Commeth this of the worthiness or merit of our works?
A. No: but only of the free favor and mercy of God, through the merit and obedience of Jesus Christ.
Q. What other spurr have we to good works?
A. The lively remembrance of God's benefits past, and his promise of assistance in time of need.
The fourth principal point.
Q. What means hath God appointed to continue and increase his graces in us?
A. They are generally two: public and private.
Q. What shall we say of them which want these means?
A. That their estate is very fearful, and for ought we know, plain damnable.
Q. And what of such as having the means, do either refuse or abuse them?
A. That they be far more inexcusable before the judgment seat of God.
Q. How must these means be used?
A. With such sincerity, conscience, and fervency, that we may feel fruit and comfort by the doing thereof.
Q. What are the public?
A. They are four: prayer, the word preached, Sacraments, & discipline.
Q. How may we profit by prayer?
H. If (asking things lawfully only at God's hands in the name of Christ) we come with reverence of his Majesty, zeal of his glory, feeling of our wants, affiance to be heard, and love to our brethren.
Q. How may we profit by the word preached?
A. If, being persuaded, that it is God's ordinance, we mark it diligently, and after examine our selves what we remember, and how we practice that which was taught.
Q. What say you of the word read?
A. It is a part of God's ordinance, yet much more effectual when it is preached.
Q. What call you preaching?
A. When the word of God is truly expounded and profitably applied, with doctrine, exhortation, rebuke, and comfort.
Q. Thus much of prayer and of the word. What is a Sacrament?
A. It is a holy sign and seal ordained of God, to assure us of his love to us in Christ, & to testify & confirm our faith and obedience to him, & our love & fellowship one with another.
Q. How is it a sign, and how is it a seal?
A. It is a sign, because it setteth forth Christ & his benefits to the outward senses of all: and a seal, because it doth effectually apply to the faithful the truth and fruit thereof.
Q. How many Sacraments be there?
A. Two: baptism, and the Lord's supper.
Q. Why be there two seals, seeing there is but one Covenant?
A. To assure us, that by communion with Christ we are borne again: and shall be nourished to eternal life.
A. The Sacrament of our new and spiritual birth, assuring us by the due sprinkling of water, that our sins are forgiven by Christ's blood, and we justified by his obedience.
Q. What else doth it teach and assure us of?
A. Dying to sin, and living to righteousness; it is also a pledge of the resurrection of our bodies after death.
Q. Why are we baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the holy Ghost?
A. To teach and assure us of our communion with one God in three persons.
Q. Why are infants baptized?
A. Because the covenant and promise of God is made to the faithful, and to their seed.
Q. What is the Lord's supper?
A. The Sacrament of our spiritual nourishment, assuring us by bread and wine, duly given and received, that by Christ we shall be nourished to eternal life.
Q. May all that profess Christianity be admitted as fit and worthy receivers?
A. No: but only such as can, and also do diligently prove, examine and try themselves.
Q. Wherein must Christians examine and prove themselves?
A. Whether they know the grounds of religion, understand the doctrine of the Sacraments, believe in Christ, hate their sin, and love their brethren.
Q. What if men cannot find those things in themselves?
A. Then they must forbear till God have wrought them, using carefully all other helps appointed for that purpose.
Q. What if they find them weak and feeble?
A. Then they may and ought to receive, to be further strengthened.
Q. What is discipline?
A. That order and power which God hath left to his Church to avoid offenses, and recover such as do fall.
Q. What is this power called in the Scripture?
A. It is called the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and the power of binding and loosing.
Q. Why so?
A. Because the repentant are as it were loosed and let into heaven by the promise of forgiveness of sins, and the obstinate bound and shut out.
Q. Is it lawful for every man to preach and to administer the Sacraments and Discipline, and to pray publicly?
A. No: It is utterly unlawful for any man, except he be lawfully called thereunto.
Q. May we not rest in this public means?
A. No: for we cannot always have them, and the word of God, and our necessity requireth private also.
Q. What is the first private help?
A. Earnest thinking upon profitable things, as the words and works of God, his judgments and mercies towards others, but especially towards our selves.
Q. What is the fruit of meditation?
A. Not only to keep the mind free from wicked and idle thoughts, but also to fill it with some holy and comfortable matter.
Q. What is the second help?
A. Prayer, which must be daily offered up to God, that he may have the glory of pardoning our daily sins, and of sanctifying our food, labors, and rest unto us.
Q. What is the third help?
A. Reading of the holy Scriptures: which will both enable us to the duties of meditation and prayer, and make the public Ministry more fruitful unto us.
Q. What is the fourth help?
A. Godly conference, instructing, rebuking, exhorting, comforting one another in wisdom and love.
Q. What is the fifth help?
A. A careful practice of that we know, without which we shall never truly taste the virtue of religion and power of godliness.
Q. Are the labors of our calling any hindrances to godliness?
A. No: but great helps, if they be porformed in due time, with conscience, cheerfulness and moderation, not quenching the love and care of better things.
Q. How shall we attain this moderation?
A. If we be truly persuaded that our happiness consisteth not in outward things, but is laid up for us in the life to come.
Q. What help receive Christians from Governors and Magistrates?
A. Very great: for by their authority they are bridled from sin, and encouraged in virtue, and under them they live a godly and peaceable life.
Q. What will the enjoying and use of all the means work in God's children?
A. A most happy and comfortable change from that which they were before, even in this life.
Q. What becometh of them after this life?
A. The soul goeth immediately into the paradise of God, and the body shall be raised up at the last day, and joined with the same in glory forever.
THE FOVRE PRINCIPAL points contracted, and divided into even parts: every part containing ten questions.
Q. WHat is the estate of every natural man?
A. Very miserable, and in no wise to be rested in.
Q. What maketh his estate so bad?
A. Two things: sin, and the punishment thereof.
Q. What call you sin?
Q. How doth man break the law of God?
A. By doing things forbidden, leaving things commanded, or failing in the manner.
Q. What is the punishment of sin?
A. All miseries in this life, death in the end, and hell ever after.
Q. Is sin such a grievous thing?
A. Yea: it is the most filthy and loathsome thing in the world.
A. Both by the punishment, and by the person against whom it is committed.
Q. Who is that?
A. Almighty God, whose holiness and justice is infinite.
Q. What shall a man do in that woeful state?
A. Bewaile his misery, and hasten to get out of it.
Q. Is he able to get out of it?
A. No: And besides he hath three enemies, the flesh, the devil, and the world, that will labor to hold him in it.
The second part.
Q. Where shall a man find help?
A. Only in Jesus Christ, the only Son of God.
Q. What hath he done to deliver man out of misery?
A. He became man, and in our nature answered the law, and satisfied the justice of God.
Q. How hath he answered the law?
A. By bearing the punishment which the Law threatened, and fulfilling the righteousness which the law required.
Q: How did Christ bear the punishment due to sin by the law?
A. By enduring manifold miseries all his life time, and in the end the wrath of God, and the cursed death of the Cross.
Q. How did he work the righteousness required by the law?
A. By being obedient to the will of God, in thought, word and deed, all his life long.
Q. What benefit have men by Christ's sufferings?
A. Deliverance from sin, and the punishment thereof.
Q. And what by his righteousness and obedience?
A. The favor of God and everlasting happiness.
Q. How may men obtain these benefits by Christ?
A. Only by a true faith in him.
Q. What is a true faith in Christ?
A. An assurance, that by his sufferings our sins are forgiven; and by his righteousness, the favor of God, and everlasting life is obtained for us.
Q. Is it in our power to believe?
A. No: it is the gift of God by the working of the spirit, through the preaching of the Gospel.
The third part.
Q. Shall all believers have benefit by Christ's death?
A. All that do truly believe shall: but there is a dead faith that profiteth nothing.
Q. How is the true faith perceived?
A. By the fruits thereof, and namely by repentance.
Q. Why so?
A. Because wheresoever God's spirit worketh true faith, there he worketh repentance also.
Q. What is repentance?
A. Such a change of the heart, as bringeth forth a reformed life.
Q. Whence cometh this change?
A. Especially from the sight and feeling of God's mercy towards us in Christ.
Q. From what is the heart changed?
A. From the love of the world, to the love of God: from carelessness, to conscience, and desire to please God.
Q. What is the change called?
A. It is called in Scriptures, a new creature.
Q. How doth it appear?
A. When in word and deed we abstain from evil, & exercise our selves in that which is good.
Q. Is this change of heart and mind perfect in any?
A. No: we believe not perfectly: and therefore we cannot love perfectly: but we must strive to perfection.
Q. How must we strive?
A. By a diligent use of the means, which God hath appointed, for our increase in faith and repentance.
The fourth part.
Q. What are the public means?
A. They are chiefly three; hearing the word, receiving the Sacraments, and joining in prayer.
Q. What are the Sacraments?
A. Certain outward signs and seals appointed of God, to assure us that Christ and all his benefits are given to us.
Q. How many Sacraments are there?
A. Two: Baptism and the Lord's Supper.
Q. What doth Baptism assure us of?
A. That being engraffed into Christ, we are washed from our sins by his blood, and borne anew to God.
Q. What doth the Lord's Supper assure us of?
A. It doth further warrant us, that Christ is given to us to be our spiritual nourishment to everlasting life.
Q. Who maketh the right use of the Sacraments?
A. He that is thereby daily confirmed in faith, and newness of life.
Q. Who obtain this benefit by the Lord's Supper?
A. Such, as come with knowledge, faith, repentance and love.
Q. What is prayer?
A. craving of those things at God's hands which we want, and a thanking of him for those we have.
Q. When do men pray aright?
A. When they pray only to God, in the name of Christ: asking things lawful, to his glory, with faith, feeling and love.
Q. What be the private means?
A. Reading and prayer, alone and with others, instructing our families, thinking upon good matters, admonishing and comforting one another, and watching over our own ways, according to the word.
A MORE BRIEFE SVMME wherein the former forty Questions and Answeres are brought to four.
Q. WHat is the sum of the first point?
A. That every man by nature is a most vile and cursed creature, an enemy to God, a bondslave of sin and Satan, and heir of eternal condemnation.
Q. What is the sum of the second point?
A. That the only means to free us out of this miserable estate, and to make us truly happy and holy, is Jesus Christ alone, and the same apprehended only by faith.
Q. What is the sum of the third point?
A. That whosoever doth truly believe in Jesus Christ, is a new creature, daily dying to sin, and rising again to righteousness and holiness.
Q. What is the sum of the fourth point?
A. That whosoever will continue a new creature, and increase in grace, must conscionablie use both the public and private means, which God hath appointed for that end.
A PRAYER FRAMED according to the four former points.
ALmightie God, & most merciful Father in Jesus Christ, as thou hast plainly set before us our cursed estate, in the clear glass of thy heavenly word: so we beseech thee to opē our eyes to see it, and pierce our hearts to feel it, by the inward working of thy holy spirit. For we, O Lord, are most vain and vile creatures, justly tainted with the rebellion of our first parents, conceived in sin, bondslaves of Satan; necessarily, and yet willingly serving diverse lusts, and committing innumerable sins against thy Majesty: whereby we deserve most justly to endure all miseries in this life, & to be tormented in hell, forever. But blessed be thy name, O Lord our God: who, when there was no power in us, no not so much as any desire or endeavor to get out of this woeful estate, hast made us see & feel in what case we were, and provided a most sovereign remedy for us, evē thy dear and only begotten son, whom thou hast freely offered unto us: not only kindling in us a desire to enjoy him, but enabling us, by a true and lively faith to lay hold upon him, and to be partakers of all his benefits, to the saluatiō of our souls. And now, O Lord, that it hath pleased thee, by faith to join us to thy Son Jesus Christ, and by thy spirit to make us members of his body: we humbly beseech thee, by the same spirit, to renew us daily, according to thine own image. Work in our hearts a daily increase of true faith and repentance; and in our lives, a holy & comfortable change. O Lord, enable us, in some good measure, to walk worthy of all thy mercies, and to serve thee, who hast created and chosen us; and thy Son, who hath redeemed us from death, and made us heirs of glory; and thy blessed spirit, who doth continually sanctify & keep us, with faith, fear and zeal, in true holiness and righteousness, all the days of our life. Finally, seeing of thine infinite goodness and mercy, thou hast appointed diverse excellent and holy means for the daily increase of thy graces in us, and for the confirming and quickening of us in a Christian conversation, we humbly beseech thee to grant all those good means unto us, and to continue them amongst us; giving us grace to use them purely, constantly and zealouslie, to the glory of thy name, profit of our brethren, and salvation of our souls, through Jesus Christ: to whom, with thee O Father, and the holy Ghost, be given all honor and glory forever. Amen.
A FORME OF EXAMIning such as are to receive the Lord's Supper: divided into two parts.
The first part.
Q. WHerefore do you desire to receive y e Lord's supper?
A. Because it is the ordinance of God, appointed by him to confirm my faith.
Q. Do you then find weakness of faith in yourself?
A. I do indeed find that my faith is feeble and needeth strengthening.
Q. How perceive you that?
A. By my coldness in prayer, love, zeal, repentance, and good works.
Q. How else?
A. By my fear of death, desire of life, love of the world, and such like.
Q. These do plainly argue a weakness of faith: but have you faith at all or no?
A. Yea: for I am assuredly persuaded of my own salvation by Jesus Christ alone.
Q. What is the ground of your persuasion?
A. The ground of my persuasion is the free and gracious promise of God revealed in the Gospel.
Q. What is that promise?
A. That whosoever believeth in the only begotten son of God, shall not perish, but have everlasting life.
Q. Why do you believe this promise?
A. Because God, who hath made it, is both able and faithful to perform it.
Q. God in his own nature is almighty, and most true: but what assurance have you hereof?
A. His word is sufficient: yet tendering my infirmity, he hath bound it with an oath, and set to his seal.
Q. How doth he set to his seal?
A. By the ministry of the Sacraments, which the Apostle calleth seals of the righteousness of faith.
Q. Why doth he call them so?
A. Because thereby God doth assure me (and every faithful receiver) that Christ is mine, with all his benefits.
Q. What be the benefits, which the faithful receive by Christ?
A. They be six; election, redemption, justification, sanctification, adoption, and intercession.
A. Our being chosen of God the Father, in Jesus Christ, to life everlasting, before all eternity.
Q. What is redemption?
A. Our deliverance from all our enemies, sin, death and hell.
Q What is justification?
A. Our being accounted perfectly righteous in the sight of God.
A. Our holiness, begun in this life; and to be perfected in the life to come.
Q. What be the parts of sanctificatiō?
A. Two: whereof the first is the Spirits killing of sin in us; and the other, his enabling of us to walk in newness of life.
A. Our being received into the number of God's children, and into the inheritance of his kingdom.
Q. What is intercession or mediatiō?
A. The virtue and effect of Christ's death and obedience; whereof all the faithful are partakers.
Q. Why doth the Apostle say, that Christ is made unto us of God, Wisdom?
A. Both because our chief wisdom is to know him; and also because, as his righteousness, so his wisdom is counted ours that believe in him.
Q. Why doth he set redemptiō in the last place, seeing Christ wrought it first?
A. Because we do not fully enjoy the fruit of our redemption, which is, to be freed from all misery, till after death.
Q. And are you sure to be confirmed in all these, by the use of this Sacrament?
A. Yea verily: for God will not fail to bless his own ordinance, to everyone that useth it aright.
Q. Who are they?
A. Only such as have knowledge of Religion, faith in Christ, repentance for their sins, with love to God and all men, even their enemies.
Q. Have you all these?
A. Yea, I thank my God, in some competent measure: though my wants be many and great.
Q. What hold you concerning God?
A. That he being infinite, as well in his justice, as in his mercy, cannot but punish sin with all severity.
Q. What hold you concerning man?
A. That he being by nature a miserable sinner, cannot escape this severity of God, without some singular and sovereign remedy.
Q. What hold you concerning Christ?
A. That there was none in heaven or earth but he alone, that could both satisfy the justice of God, and make us partakers of his mercy.
Q. What hold you concerning the holy Ghost?
A. That by him we are joined to Christ, as members of his body, and made partakers of all his benefits.
Q. What hold you concerning Faith?
A. That it is the instrument of the holy Ghost, whereby I lay hold upon Christ.
Q. What think you of repentance?
A. That wheresoever true Repentance is, there is true faith also.
A. That whosoever hath true faith, is a lively member of Jesus Christ.
Q. What think you of Jesus Christ?
A. That every member of Jesus Christ is the child of God, and heir of his heavenly kingdom.
Q. What conclusion gather you from hence?
A. That whosoever doth truly repent, shall never perish, but be saved everlastingly.
Q. How appeareth true repentance?
A By the unfeigned sorrow for and hatred of every known sin, both in others, and specially in our selves.
Q. How know you that you shall persevere?
A. Because he, that hath bgun a good work in me, will increase and continue it to the end.
The second part.
Q. Let me hear the sum of your faith.
A. I believe in God the Father, &c.
Q. How many things doth this ancient and Apostolic confession teach you?
A. It teacheth me what to believe, first concerning God, and secondly concerning the Church of God.
Q. What believe you concerning God?
A. That there is one God, and three persons; the Father, the Son, and the holy Ghost.
Q. What believe you concerning the Father?
A. That he made me in the beginning in his own image, & will guide me forever to his own glory.
Q. What else?
A. That he hath chosen me, before all beginnings, in Jesus Christ, to be his child: and therefore I am bold to call him Father.
Q. What believe you concerning Jesus Christ?
A. That he is my gracious Lord: because by his death I am freed from death and sin: and by his obedience, I have righteousness and life.
Q. What else?
A. That he maketh most effectual intercession for me in heaven, whence he shall come in due time, to deliver me from all misery.
Q. What believe you concerning the holy Ghost?
A. That he being the power of God, joineth me to God, and maketh me (and all God's elect) partakers of the mercy of the Father, and of the merit of the Son.
Q. What else?
A. That it is he alone, who worketh all spiritual graces in me, and that maketh all good means profitable unto me.
Q. What believe you concerning the Church?
A. That there is, and hath been from the beginning a number, whom the Father hath chosen, and the Son redeemed, and whom the holy Ghost doth sanctify, and glorify forever.
Q. What else?
A. That I being one of the number, enjoy the forgiveness of my sins, in this life; and that in the end of the world, my body shall rise, and be joined to my soul, in eternal happiness.
Q. Seeing the rule of love is the law of God contained in the ten Commandments, rehearse the words.
A. I am the Lord thy God, &c.
Q. What do these ten Commandments teach us in general?
A. That denying all ungodliness and worldly lusts, we live soberlie, righteouslie and godly in this present world.
Q. How many of them concern the worship and service of God?
A. The four first: wherein I am charged to yield unto God alone, the true and spiritual worship which he hath prescribed in his word.
Q. What be the chief branches of God's true worship?
A. They are chiefly five: that is, faith, love, fear, thankfulness, & prayer.
Q. How must you love God?
A. Vnfainedly, with all my heart, soul, thought and strength.
Q. How may this love appear?
A. If I cleave unto him with my heart worship him with my body, honor him with my tongue and life, and carefully keep his Sabbaths.
Q. What is the sum of the other six Commandments?
A. That whatsoever I would that men should do unto me, even so I do unto them; and that I love my neighbor as myself.
Q. How may this love appear?
A. If I reverence and respect every man according to his calling, years, gifts, and conjunction with myself.
Q. How else?
A. If I do tender his life and everything that is dear unto him; that I do not willingly so much as let my thoughts wander to his hurt.
Q. Whēce come the graces of knowledge, faith, repentance, and love?
A. From God my heavenly Father, the constant author and fountain of all good things.
Q. Doth he give them to all men?
A. No: But to them that ask in faith, he giveth liberally, and upbraideth them not.
Q. Have you any sound pattern of holy prayer?
A. There be many in the Scriptures: but none comparable to the Lord's prayer.
Q. Rehearse it.
A. Our Father which art in heaven, &c.
Q. Need you use no other form, but this?
A. Yes: But I must have an eye to this: and may fruitfully shut up my particular prayers in this.
Q. Why so?
A. Because it containeth whatsoever concerneth the glory of God, good of his Church, comfort of my body, and salvation of my soul.
Q. Are the Creed and Commandments to be used as prayers?
A. No. But in praying, we are to crave strength to believe that, which is contained in the Creed; and to practice that, which is contained in the Commandments.
ANOTHER FAMILIAR manner of instruction, the most plain and easy of all the rest, which parents and masters may with great fruit propound to their families, especially before the Communion.
Q. Rehearse the Commandments.
A. I Am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
1 Thou shalt have none other God's but me.
2 Thou shalt not make to thyself any graven image, nor the likeness of anything, that is in heaven above, or in the earth beneath, or in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down to them, nor worship them: For I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, and visit the sins of the fathers, upon the children, unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; and show mercy unto thousands in them that love me and keep my Commandments.
3 Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain. For the Lord will not hold him guiltless, that taketh his name in vain.
4 Remember that thou keep holy the Sabbath day. Six days shalt thou labor, and do all that thou hast to do: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt do no manner of work, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, thy man-servant, and thy maid-servant, thy cattle, and thy stranger that is within thy gates. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day. Wherefore the Lord blessed the seventh day, and hallowed it.
5 Honor thy father and thy mother; that thy days may be long in the land, which the Lord thy God giveth thee.
6 Thou shalt do no murder.
7 Thou shalt not commit adultery.
8 Thou shalt not steal.
9 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.
10 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbors house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbors wife, nor his servant, nor his maid, nor his ox, nor his asse, nor anything that is his.
Q. Can you keep all these Commandments?
A. No: I break them daily, in thought, word, and deed.
Q. How so?
A. Because the law of God is spiritual, and I am carnal, sold under sin.
Q. What do they deserve that keep not the law of God?
A. The curse of God, with all the miseries of this life, and the punishment of hell fire ever after.
Q. By what means, or by whom may we hope to have deliverance from this curse?
A. Only by Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God.
Q. Shall all men have deliverance by him?
A. No: but only such as believe in him.
Q. What is it to believe in Christ?
A. To be truly persuaded in heart, that by him our sins are forgiven, and we made the Children of God.
Q. Rehearse the sum of your belief.
A. I Believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, his only son our Lord: which was conceived by the holy Ghost; borne of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried, he descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty. From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the holy Ghost. The holy Catholic Church. The communion of Saints. The forgiveness of sins. The resurrection of the body. And the life everlasting. Amen.
Q. How do men come by faith?
A. By the working of y e holy Ghost, through the preaching of the word.
Q. How are they confirmed and strengthened in faith?
A. By the same word, and also by the Sacraments.
Q How many Sacraments be there?
A. Two: Baptism, and the Lord's Supper.
Q. What doth Baptism teach and assure us of?
A. That our sins are forgiven, and washed away by the sufferings and bloodshed of Jesus Christ: even as the body is washed and cleansed by water.
Q. What doth the Lord's Supper teach and assure us of?
A. That, by the same Jesus Christ, our souls are nourished to eternal life: even as the body is fed, by bread and wine, to a temporal life.
Q. What means must we use besides?
A. One special means that we are daily to use, is faith and hearty prayer to God, in the name of Jesus Christ.
Q. Rehearse the prayer, that Jesus Christ hath taught us.
A. Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation: but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.
Q. How many petitions be there in this prayer?
A. Six. The three first whereof concern the glory of God.
Q. What do the three last concern?
A. The necessities of our own souls and bodies.
Q. Why do we pray first that God may be glorified?
A. To teach us, that we are to prefer the glory of God, before our own salvation.
Certain Rules for the direction of a Christian life.
KEepe a most narrow watch over thine own heart, words, and deeds, continually; not giving any liberty to wandering thoughts & lusts.
2 Be wise and careful to redeem the time which hath been wickedly, idly, or unprofitably spent: bestowing no more time in worldly matters, then must needs.
3 At night lie down in peace, having blessed God for his benefits, and reconciled thyself to him for the sins of the day past. In the morning let him have the first place in thy heart, committing thyself and all thy ways to his gracious government, and consecrating them wholly to his glory.
4 Go to no place, frequent no company, undertake no business, study, or travel whatsoever, without hearty prayer to God, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the obtaining of his holy Spirit and merciful protection.
5 In like manner forget not to perform this holy duty, when thou receivest any mercy from God: whether it be food, apparel, recreation, or any other thing, tending to the health of thy body, or comfort of thy soul: neither be so bold, as to deal with any of the creatures of God, till thou hast prayed and praised the Creator thereof.
6 As prayer must go before, and accompany all the blessings of God, so it must follow the fruition of them. And therefore, herein let every Christian set before him the example of Christ and his Apostles, who after they had received their bodily & spiritual food, and enjoyed the company one of another, gave thanks to God the Father.
7 And though prayer be a spiritual thing, and consist chiefly in the attention and earnestness of the mind: yet, for the better quickening of the heart and affections, let the tongue and voice be used as oft as conveniently thou mayest, lest dullness and coldness creep upon thee.
8 If your calling and estate will possibly bear it, let some time of the day be set apart for private prayer, meditation, and reading of the scripture, or some other choice book, that may best further you in the knowledge and practice of true godliness.
9 Bend your mind to think often and earnestly upon the works of God: as his creating, and governing the world, prospering or punishing the wicked, blessing or correcting his children in this life, with the eternal torment appointed for the one, and the unspeakable glory laid up for the other.
10 But, above all the works of God, think upon the glorious and gracious work of thy redemption by Jesus Christ; a mystery that the holy Angels do admire, and desire to pry into: herein behold the sweet harmony and happy conjunction of the infinite mercy and justice of God meeting together; and take comfort and delight herein, with thanksgiving.
11 Mark the life and behavior of the wicked, to avoid their steps; and of the godly, to provoke thyself to a holy emulation of the like course: mark also their death with like diligence, and think seriously upon thine own death, how thou must shortly lie down in the dust, and part with whatsoever delight thou doest here enjoy; that this may breed in thee a contempt of the world, and a longing after the life to come.
12 Observe daily how sin dieth, and is weakened in thee, and be careful to shun one sin, as well as another: and lose not thy first love (as the most part do) and delight in the word and worship of God, and in the fellowship of his Saints; but mourn and strive against thy sins, renew thy covenant with God, for that end.
13 When you be in company, have a care to receive and do good, and not hurt, either by your speech or silence, countenance or example: and avoid, as rocks, those common sins against the third and ninth Commandment. Let not God, or any word or work of his be mentioned but with fear, or any man named but with love and due regard of that royal law, Whatsoeeuer ye would, &c.
14 Among all other things seek to approve thyself to God, his children, and thine own conscience, touching thy charge and behavior in that particular place & calling wherein God hath set thee, and towards those persons with whom God hath joined thee: as, if thou be a servant, in obeying thy master, serving him with fear and singleness of heart: if a master, in guiding thy family according to the word: if a husband, in loving thy wife without bitterness: if a wife, in reverencing thy husband.
15 Finally, because the corrupt nature of man is so prone to profaneness and hypocrisy, that when men are once come so far as to use the outward exercises of religion (without marking in what manner, with what feeling, fruit and profit to their souls they use the same) they please themselves: take heed of this deceit of Satan, and keep thy soul with all diligence that these duties be not made matters of course and custom, without care and conscience to grow better thereby.