A short and easie introduction to Christian faith conteining the summe of the principles of religion, necessary to be knowne of all before they presume to receiue the sacrament of the Lords Supper: set downe in questions and answers, and distinguished into chapters. By H. Graie.

A SHORT AND easie introduction to Christian faith : Conteining the summe of the principles of Religion , necessary to be knowne of all before they presume to receiue the Sacrament of the Lords Supper : SET DOWNE IN questions and answers , and distinguished into Chapters .

By H. GRAIE .

AT LONDON Printed by Robert Walde-graue , and are to be sold at his shop in Paules Churchyard at the signe of the Crane .

Anno. 1588.

PROVERBS . 3. 13.

Blessed is the man that findeth wisedome , and the man that getteth vnderstanding .

For the merchandize thereof is better than the merchandize of siluer , and the gaine thereof is better than the gaine of gold .

Length of daies is in hir right hand , and in hir left hand are ryches and glory .

She is a tree of life to them which laie hold of hir , and blessed is hee which reteineth hir .

TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE Margaret countesse of Cumberland , my very good lady , H. G. wisheth comfort and ioy in the Holie ghost , with continuance and increase of all spirituall graces and blessings for the susteining of faith in this present world , and in the world to come eternall felicitie in the kingdome of heauen .

THe wise man in a most heauenly and deuine prouerb , as most wisely by his extraordinary wisedome , so most truly by the instinct of the spirit , wherwith he was inspired , in writing that booke , hath commended it to all posteritie that the feare Prou. 3. 7. Psa. 111. 10 of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge , the meditation whereof , and of such like places of holy scripture no doubt ( right H. and my very good La. ) did first worke in your selfe , an earnest desire to know and fear God : & after , that godly & zealous care which your Ho. carieth toward your whole family ( whereof I my selfe vpon certaine experience can giue testimony ) that they might be instructed & taught in the knowledge and feare of God . This zeale & carefulnes though it be commendable in al , yet it is so much the more commendable , as the person in whom it appeareth , is in hier and greater place , & therfore they also vnto whom the Lord hath giuen honor & hath exalted & set them aboue other , are especially bound in regard of their places & the goodnes of god shewed to them , to render thanks to the Lord , by shewing obedience to him , & hauing careful ouersight of them which are vnder their autority & gouernment : the which the Lord hauing giuen you to see , & in some good measure to desire to practise , & to make an open profession of the zeale of gods glory , so that the same therof is spred in most places of this land ( I hope to the sturring vp of many by your good example and to the propagation of the praise & honor of God ) it standeth more neerly vppon you to labor , to continue , & to go forward , & increase in that zealous & godly profession of the sinceritie and truth of religion , that God of his goodnes hath more mercifully dealt with you , may be more glorified by you than by others vpon whom he hath not bestowed like graces & blessings , & hereof great numbers which onely haue by constant report hard of you , do assure themselues & assist you with th●ir faithful praiers . And I for mine own part at this present ( whom it hath pleased the right Ho. my Lord , & your La. by the prouidence of God to place ouer your family ) as a testimony & witnes of your zeale & care of religion , which is better known to me then to others , haue caused this short Catechisme & sum of religion to be published , which I offer vnto your honor as the greatest new yeeres gift which my small power in so sudden and short time could present you withall , hoping that it shal be accepted in good part , not for the woorthinesse of it , but in consideration of the occasion , the purpose , and the end your La. had in moouing me to write it . In the handling thereof , as your desire was , I haue labored for breuitie , and by questions & answers haue obserued that method which is most easie & plaine . If by the mercifull goodnes of God ( as my desire & praier is ) this short and little treatise may redound to the benefit of your familie in regard of that end wherevnto it especiallie aimeth ; and if your Ho. vnto other your diuers & manifold tokens of your good acceptation of me continually since my first comming into your house shal adde this , to accept in good part my indeuors and purpose , I shall thinke my selfe abundantly & fullie rewarded , and haue iust occasion offered to ascend praise & glory vnto the Lord , whose deuine maiesty from the bottome of my heart I most humbly beseech to grant vnto your honor continuance of health & welfare , and the vse of all those his gifts and benefits , which both concerne the goods of this life , and especiallie the atteining of life euerlasting .

Your ladiships humble bounden in the Lord Iesus , H. Graye .

Of the Creation of al things , and fall of man . CHAP. 1. Question .

WHat thinke you of the frame of this world , and of all things therin , haue they not beene for euer ?

Answere .

No.

How were they then first made ?

God who is without beginning , & only Gene. 1. euerlasting , in the beginning made all these things which you see .

What is God ?

God is a spirit , infinit , eternall , vncreated , Iohn . 4. Iere. 23. 24 Apoc. 1. Gene. 1. Iere. 10. 23 Prou. 2. 30 31 Iam. 1. 17. creator and gouernor of all things , without qualitie or quantitie , without shadow or change : who is in his essence or being infinitlie mightie , iust , mercifull and good , and therefore made all things good , and ruleth all things well .

Is there but one infinit & one God ?

No : but there be three persons in the Mat. 28. 19 Iohn . 1. 17. 14 24. Pro. 8. 2 Matt. 3. 17. Ioh. 15. 26. same Godhead , the father of himselfe alone , the sonne begotten of the father before all beginning , the holie ghost proceeding from the father and the sonne .

Wherfore did God make the world and all creatures therein ?

To set foorth his glorie . Prou. 16.

Seeing God , who is onelie God and without corruption , made all things , how commeth it to passe , that euil is come , and the world & all creatures in it are subiect to corruption ?

Man for whom all things were especiallie Gen. 3. made , by the suggestion of satan transgressing the commandement of god brought Rom. 1. sinne into the world , & by sinne death entred vpon all his posterity , who had sinned in him , and moreouer by him the creatures were Rom. 8. made subiect to vanitie and corruption .

Wherefore is the cause of sinne and corruption imputed vnto man .

Because God hauing made man after Gen. 1. his owne image , and giuing him free will and power to continue in that perfect estate wherin he was created , he notwithstanding , abusing his free will & power which he had to the committing of sin , is most iustly to be accounted the cause of all sin , & the exclusion of himselfe & al his posterity out of paradise .

What call you the image of God ?

Perfect vprightnesse and integritie in Eph. 4. Gal. 2. bodie and soule .

In what case dooth man stand now by meanes of Adam his fall ?

We are by nature bondslaues of sin & satan , Rom ▪ 3. Eph. 2. & the children of wrath & condemnation .

Of the restoring of man . CHAP. 2. Q

DOoth man remaine still in that damnable estate wherevnto Adam by his fall brought him ?

God forbid .

How then is the case altred with man ?

God by his infinit wisdome , of his only free mercie & goodnes hath so disposed , ordered & turned the fall of Adam to the good of his elect children , that their estate after this Roman. 4. life in the kingdome of heuen shal be a great deale more happie & blessed than if they had liued in paradise .

By what meanes dooth the Lord worke this ?

By fulfilling his promise in sending the Genesis . 3. Cor. 1. 15. seed of the woman to conquer satan , sin and death , & to set vs free from them , & to purchase for vs euerlasting life in the kindom of heauen .

Who is the seede of the woman ?

Christ Iesus perfect God & perfect man , God in that he is of like substance , equall maiestie , Philipp. 2. eternity & power with his father . Man in that he is the seed of the woman , & tooke the whole nature of man vpon him .

Was it necessarie that our sauior and redeemer should be both God and man ?

Yea.

Why so ?

If he had bin man alone , he could not haue paid the ransome for sin , & satisfied the infinit wrath of God , but should haue beene swalowed vp of death , bicause man was subiect to death . And againe , if he had bin God Rom. 4. alone , he could not haue suffered death , therefore it was requisite , that hee should be both God and man , man , that he might die , God , that he might sustaine and vpholde the manhoode , Gal. 3. to ouercome and vanquish death .

But is it now true , that cursed is hee that dooth not all things which are written in the booke of the law ?

Yes verily .

How then shal we be freed from this curse ?

By the death and obedience of Iesus Galat. 3. Christ : he hath by his death suffered the torments of hell for our sin , & by his obedience performed the whole law for vs .

But how dooth that profit vs which Christ did in his owne person ?

Christ is ours by the gift of God , and Roman. 8. whatsoeuer Christ did , hee did not for himselfe , but he that knewe no sinne was made sin for vs , that wee might be the righteousnesse 2. Cor. 6. of God by him .

By what meanes are we made partakers of Christ and his benefits ? Gala. 3. 26. Ephes. 1.

Onelie by a true faith , whereby wee receiue Christ .

What is faith ?

It is an vndoubted and certaine persuasion of the loue of GOD towardes vs in Rom. 8. 38 39. & 26 , 11 Christ Iesus grounded vppon the promises of God , made vnto vs in the gospell , wherby Roman. 8. wee are assured , that our sins are remitted , & we by the spirit of god working in our harts are made the adopted children of God .

Of the triall of our selues whether we be the children of God , or no. CHAP. 3. Q

HOw shal we know that we haue faith ?

By proouing our selues whether wee 2. Cor. 13. 5 be in the faith , or whether Christ Iesus be in vs or not .

How shall wee prooue our selues ?

By the working of the spirit in vs , for Rom. 8. those which are the children of God , are led and gouerned by the spirit .

How shall we know that the spirite dwelleth in vs , and that we haue faith ?

By the effects and fruits of the spirit , Gala. 5. 21. which are loue , peace , long suffering , &c. and according to the rule of saint Iames : shewe Iames 2. me thy faith by thy works , and I will shewe hee my faith by my works .

Are works then necessarie to saluation ?

Yea but not as causes of our iustification , but as effects and testimonies of our faith , and the way which the Lord hath prepared Ephes. 2. wherein we should walke and glorifie him , til he bring vs to his kingdom of glory .

How is this faith begotten in vs ?

The ordinarie meanes is the woorde Roma . 10. Rom. 1. 18. 1. Pet. 1. 23 preached .

Can not they then be saued which either haue not the vse of the word , or els refuse it ?

God forbid that wee shoulde iudge or condemne any , for the Lorde can saue extraordinarily without meanes , and hee dooth not call all at all times .

Is it no sinne therfore to refuse the worde ?

Yes it is a fearefull and dangerous sin , refusing the word , and as much as in vs lieth we debarre our selues of our saluation .

What cal you the word , the preaching wherof you make the instrument and meanes to beget faith ?

Generally the whole scripture which is conteined in that booke commonly called the Bible , but especially the gospel , wherin these causes are comprehended wherevpon our faith is grounded .

What is the speciall vse of the preaching of the law ?

It is a forcible meanes to humble vs by the threatnings of the same , and it is a Galat. 3. schoolemaister to prepare vs , and make vs fit to receiue the gospell , and Christ Iesus which is offered vnto vs by it .

Of the law . CHAP. 4. Q

HOw manie things dooth this worde of God generallie taken teach vs principallie ?

These foure : first , obedience to the law of God : secondly , praier , which is a part of the worship and seruice of god : thirdly , faith in Christ : fourthlie , the Sacraments which are seales & pledges of the doctrine of faith .

How do you distinguish these foure things according to the vsuall and common diuision of the woorde into the law and the gospell ?

The first two inferre vnto the law , and the last two vnto the gospell .

How is the law diuided ?

Into two tables : Exod. 31. 18. 34. 7.

What is conteined in the first ?

Our duetie which we owe vnto God , and what seruice and worship we are to performe vnto him .

What is conteined in the second ?

Our dutie toward our neighbor , and how we ought to behaue our selues towards him so long as we liue in this world .

How many commandements be there ?

Ten.

How many perteine to the first table ?

The first foure .

How many to the second ?

The last six .

Rehearse the commandements .

God spake these words , and said : Thou shalt haue no other gods before me , &c.

What is the end and fulfilling of all these commandements .

Loue : 1. Tim. 1. Gal. 5. Matth. 22. Nom. 13. Mar. 12.

Is it possible for vs to fulfill all these without breaking anie one of them ?

No , though we do what we can , yet we Mat. 15. 19 Rom. 17. 18. 19. breake them dailie and hourelie in thought word and deed .

What punishment then is appointed for the breakers of these commandements ?

The cursse of God which is eternall Deu. 17. 26 Mat. 25. 41 destruction both of bodie and soule .

How shall we then escape this punishment ?

Christ became accurssed for vs to deliuer Gala. 3. vs from the cursse , and hath nailed that hand-writing which the Lorde had against vs vpon the crosse , and hath made a shewe and triumphed openly ouer death , and ouer Coloss. 2. the cursse where vnto we were subiect .

Of praier . CHAP. 5. Q

WHat doe wee owe vnto the Lord for this worke of our redemption and our deliuerance from the cursse ?

Al honor , al praise , al glorie , al thanksgiuing .

How shal we giue these to the Lord ?

By praier which is vnfained , and proceedeth from a true and liuelie faith .

What thing is praier ?

It is an humble lifting vp of our harts and soules vnto the Lorde , whereby wee eyther make request for things necessarie concerning this life and the life to come , or else giue thanks vnto God , for benefits and graces receiued .

How manie things doe you gather out of this description of praier ?

I obserue these three things : first , to whom we must pray : secondly , for what wee must pray : thirdly , the distinction or diuersitie of praier .

To whom must we make our praiers ?

To God alone .

Maye wee not praie to Angels or saincts ?

No : for that is flat idolatrie .

What reason haue you to proue this ?

To giue that to the creature which is proper and peculiar to God , is manifest idolatry , Reue. 9. but praier is a part of the seruice which Psal. 11. is dew only to the Lord , therefore to giue it to the creature , it is idolatry .

Are not the angels ministring spirites for the vse of man ?

Yes : but we haue no commandement or warant to pray vnto them , for wee must Psal. 61. Rom. 10. cal vpon him in whom we must beleeue , but we must beleue in God only & therfore pray vnto him alone and not to angels or saincts .

For what cause we pray ?

For all things necessarie both for this life and the life to come .

Must we pray for earthly and for spiritual things after the same maner ?

No : we must pray for earthly things with exception and condicion , so far forth as they shall stand with gods glory & our good , & saluation , & thus wee must pray for riches , for helth , for prosperity , &c. but we may pray for spiritual & heauenly things absolutely & without condicion , as for faith , sanctification , wisedome , and saluation , for these things are alwaies ioyned with the glorie of God .

How is praier distinguished ?

Into a petition and thankesgiuing .

What is a petition ?

It is a sute & request which we make vnto the Lord for such things as we stand in need of .

What is thanksgiuing ?

It is to acknowledge the Lord to bee Iames. 1. 1. Cor. 4. 7. the author and fountaine of all goodnes and that we receiue al good things from him .

For what must you giue thanks ?

For all benefits both corporal and spirituall . Ephes. 5. Ierre . 2.

What call you corporall benefits ?

All those which concerne our bodies & the vse of this life .

Which call you spirituall ?

Al those which concern the welfare of the soule and our eternal saluation , as namely , our redemption & deliuerance from death which we mentioned in the beginning of this section , and all other good graces & benefits which concerne life euerlasting .

How must wee pray vnto God , or giue thanks vnto him ?

With the spirit of our minds , for god Iohn 4. is a spirite .

What maner of mind , or with what affection must we pray ?

In the affection well disposed vnto praier , these foure things are required first , Luk. 18. 13 that we renounce our selues , and whatsoeuer is in vs , and throwe downe our selues before the throne of the maiestie of God , acknowledging and confessing our owne sins and vnworthinesse : secondly , that wee pray Iame. 1. in faith : thirdly , that wee haue a feeling of ve . 6 our miseries , and of the wants and necessities for the which we pray , and that we haue an earnest desire to obtaine them : fourthlie , that we come vnto the Lorde with vnfained Mar. 9. 24. repentance and purpose of amendement of life , for the Lord promiseth no blessing to any , but to such as are his children , and haue Roman. 8. a care to walke in his feare .

What forme of praier must wee vse ?

That especiallie which our Sauiour Christ himselfe hath presented vnto vs in the sixt of Matthew , and second of Luke .

May wee not vse an other forme of praier besides this ?

We may vse an other forme of words , but the matter of all our praier must be examined and limited according to this forme , wherein in generall terms is set downe by the wisest that euer was , nay wisedome it selfe , what things we must pray for , both concerning this life and the life to come .

Repeat this forme of praier which we cal the Lords praier .

Our father which art in heauen , &c.

Shew me briefly the summe and the meaning of this praier .

This praier consisteth on those two parts , first , a preface in these words , Our father which art in heauen , then the praier it selfe in the words following : the preface teacheth vs two things , first , what GOD is in respect of vs , to wit , a louing father , who as a father tendreth his children , and will not denie him any thing which he hath neede of : so the Lord is most readie and willing to giue vnto vs such things as are necessarie for vs if we aske them by faith : secondly , in the last words of this preface , to wit , which art in heauen , we are taught what God is in respect of himselfe . The examination of the place where the Lord is said to be ( not that 1. King . 8. Acts 1. Esa. 16. he is indeede contained in any place , or can be , bicause he is infinit ) doth argue the power , the maiestie , the might of God whereby we are sure that the Lord is able to grant vs al our requests . This preface then doth make much for the strengthning of our faith , when we consider , that God is a father , and therfore willing , and he dwelleth in heauen , and therfore is able to giue vs euery thing wee aske . The praier it consisteth vpon certaine petitions , and a conclusion annexed to them : the petitions which are sixe in number be of two sorts , the first three concerne the glorie of God , the last three our owne wants and necessities , the order of the first three lieth thus : first we pray for the glorie of GOD which is the end of all things , that we may celebrate and sanctifie the name of God : in the second we pray for the meanes that wee may do this , that Christ woulde rule by his kingdome in our hearts , and by the working of his spirite , thorough the ministerie of the word , wold be at downe in vs al sin & wickednes , & raise vs vp to sanctification & holines of life : in the third , that wee may haue assurance that we performe both the former , we pray that the wil of god may willingly and readily be done of vs , as the angels doe it in heauen . The order of the three last lieth thus , in the first wee pray for al things requisite & necessarie for the maintainance & sustenance of this life : in the two last we pray for spirituall things , & such as concerne life euerlasting : in the fift petition we pray for remission and pardon of our sins through Christ Iesus , Apo. 20. 27 21. 17 without the which we cannot enter into the kingdome of heauen : in the last , that the Lord woulde not giue vs ouer vnto satan , or suffer vs to be ouercommed of temptations , but would deliuer vs from the diuell , and all euil which might hurt & indanger our faith , if the Lord shold leaue vs and suffer them to rule and tyrannize in vs . The conclusion is For thine is the kingdome , &c. which is added for the confirmation and strengthning of our faith , & containeth three arguments : the first the Lord is our king , for he wil be mindfull of vs and prouide for his poore subiects : secondly , he hath al power , and therfore he wil shew it in helping and defending his church & granting his children their requests : thirdly , to him apertaineth & belongeth al glory , & therfore that his children may glorify him he will giue them such things as they shall stand in need of , Amen , which is as much as so be it , is added for two causes : the first is to shew with what deuotion or affection we must pray , that is , with an ardent & earnest desire : secondly , with what assurance & confidence , to wit , with full persuasion that the lord wil grant our desires .

Do you say in this your explication of the lords praier , that the three first petitions concerne Gods glorie , and the three last our owne necessities ?

Yea.

But doe not all concerne the glorie of God which you haue said to be the end of al things ?

The first three concerne only the glory of God , the last 3 do concerne also the glory of God , but so that we also pray moreouer , for those things which are needefull for vs both for our soules and bodies , that wee by them , and in them we may glorifie God .

Of faith . CHAP. 6. Q

WHat is the third principal thing which the word teacheth vs ?

The doctrine of faith in Christ Iesus .

Vnto what part of the word do you referre this ?

Vnto the gospell .

What is the gospell ?

It is the glad tidings of saluation , & that heauenlie doctrine which teacheth vs how to beleeue to obtaine eternall life thorough Iesus Christ onely .

Is there not a summe of the cheefe points of the Gospell collected and set downe shortly and briefly ?

Yes .

What call you it ?

The apostles creed .

Why is it so called ?

Because as some thinke it was made by the apostles , but rather because it agreeth with their doctrine and that beleefe which they preached in their time .

Rehearse the articles of the creed .

I beleeue in God the father almightie , &c.

How is this creed diuided ?

Into twelue articles .

How many things doo these articles teach vs principally ?

Foure .

Which be they ?

First we are taught what to beleue of God the father in the first article . 2. What to beleeue of God the sonne in the six next . 3 What to beleeue of God the holy ghost in the eight article . 4. What to beleeue concerning the church in the foure last articles .

What doo you beleeue of God the father ?

First I beleeue that he is my father in Esay . 69. 6. Rom. 58. his sonne Iesus Christ . 2. That he is the founteine of all things , and the maker & creator of them . Lastlie , that he is almightie , Iob. 31. 2. and hath power to doo all things , and without his prouidence nothing can be doone by men , by angels , or by the diuels in earth , heuen , or in hell .

What doo you beleeue concerning the second person in trinitie .

I beleeue that he is Iesus , that is my sauior and redeemer . 2. That he is Christ , Matth. 1. 1. that is the annointed king , preest & prophet . 3. That he suffered the torments of hell for Phil. 1. me vpon the crosse , and truly , and not feinedlie , died for my sins , & rose again from death for my iustification . 4. That he is ascended Rom. 25. Acts. 1. vp into heauen , & there shall remaine till the latter day , and then he shall come accompanied with the holy angels to iudge the world . Mat. 25. 32

What doo you beleeue of the holie ghost ?

First that he is God . 1. Pet. 1. 2. Eph. 4. Acts. 5. 3. 4 Luke . 1. 15 Iohn . 3. 5. 1. Cor. 5. 5. 28. Secondlie that he doth sanctifie me , & make me a new creature , and assure me of my saluation .

What doo you beleeue concerning the church ?

I beleue that Christ hath , and hath had , and shall haue till the end of the world in all places , and amongst all sorts of men , his Act. 10. 34. Eph. 5. 34. 1. Cor. 12. 12. 13. 14. 1. Cor. 10. 2. Cor. 11. 28. Galat. 1. 2. Esa. 53. 4. 5 church , that is a company of elect & faithfull people , which haue a societie & fellowship amongst themselues , as members of one head whereby they communicat all benefits both spirituall & temporall , to whom the Lord giueth remission & pardon of sins in this life , and in the world to come life euerlasting after that he hath raised them vp from the dead . 1. Ioh. 2. 8. 1. Cor. 15. 53. 54. 1. Thes. 4. 14 1. Cor. 15.

By what meanes doo we apprehend and atteine to this which you haue now confessed .

The ordinarie way is the hearing and preaching of the word of God , whereby the holie ghost dooth worke faith in our hearts Gal. 1. 2. 3. to apprehend & vnderstand effectually these articles of saluation .

Of the sacraments . CHAP. 7. Q

HAth the Lord appointed vnto his church no other means to helpe and strengthen faith by but his word ?

Yea , our sauior Christ prouiding for our weakenes & infirmities , hath giuen vnto vs outward and visible signes , which do represent , and as it were , set before our eies & sences , for the confirmation of our faith , the truth , and if I may so speak for more plainnes , the especiall matter of this whereof you haue now made confession .

What call you these signes ?

Sacraments .

What is a sacrament ?

It is an outward and visible signe instituted and ordained of the Lord to confirm the promises and couenants of God made to vs in the gospel in the hearts of the faithful . Gen. 17. 11

What doo you learne out of this definition .

These three things . First that it is a signe of another thing which is signified . 2. That euerie sacrament must haue his institution of the Lord . 3. That it is a pledge or seale of the promise of saluation .

Why doo you say this is a signe ?

Because it is a thing which the Lord setteth before mens eies , to signifie a thing which is not seene ,

why must it be instituted of god only ?

He only must appoint the seale and the signe which giueth the promise , but God onlie maketh the promise of saluation , & therefore he onelie hath authoritie to ordeine the sacrament or signe .

Why say you that it must be a pledge or seale of the promise of saluation .

Because it is giuen vs of the Lord for the confirmation of our faith , which is grounded vpon the promise of saluation .

Are all these things necessarilie to bee obserued in euery sacrament .

Yea.

What account do you make of those fiue which the papists haue added , namelie the sacraments of penance , absolution , confirmation , laieng on of hands , extreme vnction , and matrimonie .

That account which the word of God teacheth me to make of them , that they are no sacraments , because these three things which are necessarily required in euerie sacrament , are not to be found in any of them .

How many sacraments do you make them ?

Two .

Which be they ?

Baptisme , and the Supper of the Lord . 1. Cor. 10.

What is Baptisme ?

It is a ceremony instituted of Christ in Matth. 18. a visible signe of water to signifie our remission of sins , and reconciliation which we haue with God by the blud of Iesus Christ which is shed for vs .

what do you consider in this definition ?

These two things ( which are also to be considered in the Supper of the Lord ) I obserue for the true vse of the sacrament . First what is the signe . Secondly what is the thing signified .

what is the signe in baptism ?

Water .

What is the thing signified ?

Remission and pardon of sinnes by the Act. 22. Marke . 14. bloud of Iesus Christ .

In euery sacrament there must be a resemblance & proportion betwixt the signe & thing signified , tell vs therfore what it is in this sacrament of Baptisme ?

As the water dooth washe awaie the filthinesse of the bodie , so our soules being Ti. 3. 6. 5. 6. Ephe. 5. 20 1. Pe. 1. 1. 2. 1. Iohn . 7. sprinckled with the bloud of Iesus Christ washed and purged from the filthinesse and pollution of sinne .

Is there any difference betwixt water in baptisme and other water ?

Not as concerning the substance , but they differ in the vse : for common water serueth to wash the bodie , but water in Baptisme is a Sacrament of the washing of the soule ,

Wherefore are we but once baptized since we are commanded oftentimes to receiue the supper ?

Because , as circumcision was to the Gen. 17 Iewes , so baptisme is to vs an entrance and admission into the church of god , and it is sufficient for vs once to be admitted into gods familie , and therfore as they were but once circumcised , so wee must be but once baptized : yet that we may remaine and continue in this familie and church of god , it is necessarie that wee be fedde oftentimes , and therefore we must often receiue the Sacrament of the supper , as the Iewes did also euery Exod. 12. yere celebrate the passeouer .

What is this supper of the Lorde which is the other sacrament ?

It is a ceremonie instituted of our sauiour Christ a little before his death in visible Mat. 25. signes of bread and wine , to testifie and represent vnto vs his passion and bloudshedding , whereby he suffred the torments of hel for our sinne .

What bee the signes in this Sacrament ?

Bread and wine .

What is the thing signified ?

Our redemtion and deliuerance from Phil. 8. eternall death and hell by the suffering and bloudshedding of Iesus Christ vppon the crosse .

What is the resembling and proportion betwixt the signe and the thing signified ?

That as our bodies by the hand and mouth receiuing these outward things of bread and wine are therby nourished indeed , so assuredly wee apprehending by faith the Iohn . 6. 35. Mat. 26. 26 Rom. 4. 23. 1. cor. 30. 2. cor. 5. 21 passion and bloudshedding of Iesus Christ , our soules are thereby nourished and fed to eternall life , hauing our sins remitted , and Christs death & righteousnes imputed to vs .

What doeth the bread signifie ?

The body of Christ . 1. cor. 11. 24

What doth the wine signifie ?

The bloud of Christ . 1. Cor. 11. 25

Why hath the Lord iustituted two signes in the supper , and but one in baptisme ?

As our bodies are not sustained by meat only , but also by drinke , so the Lorde would assure vs that we are not fed to halfs , as it were , but Christ hee is both meat and drinke vnto vs .

Is the bread and wine in the Sacrament the same with other common bread and wine ?

They are the same in substance and 1. Cor. 10. 16. 17. 18. 1. Cor. 11. 26. Mat. 26. 28 nature , but the holie vse wherevnto they are applied , make them differ from common bread and wine .

Is not the bread turned into the bodie of Christ , and the wine into the bloud of Christ ?

No.

But doth not our sauior Christ say , this is my bodie , when he gaue the bread , and this is my bloud , when hee gaue the wine ?

Yea , but they are figuratiue speeches attributing the name of the thing signified , vnto the thing signifieng , as also in the old sacraments . Circumcision was called the couenant which was but a signe of the couenant , Gene. 17. Exod. 12. 1. Cor. 10. and the paschall lambe was called the passeouer , and the rocke was called Christ .

What is the reason why the signe is called by the name of the thing signified ?

Because we should lift vp our minds from these earthly and corporal things vnto the heauenly and spiritual things which are signified by them .

To what end doe we receiue this sacrament of the supper ?

For these three causes principallie . Mal. 26.

First , for the redemtion and strengthning of our faith .

Secondly , for a testification of our obedience 1. Cor. 11. 26. Mat. 26. and thankefulnesse vnto God for the worke of our redemption .

Thirdly , for increase of loue and amitie , 1. Cor. 10. 17. 1. Cor. 12. 13. 1. Cor. 11. 33. Ephes. 4. 5. for there is alwayes a communion of saints in the church of God , which especially consisteth in this , that all the children of God are members of the same bodie , and partakers of the same Sauior and Redeemer Iesus Christ .

Seeing the bodie of Christ is in heauen , and we are on earth , how are we partakers of it ?

Thorough a true and a liuelie faith Iohn 3. 17. which discendeth and taketh hold of the mercies of GOD in the merites of Christ Iesus .

That we may be woorthy communicants of this sacrament , how must we prepare our selues vnto it ?

We first must try & examine our selues concerning the doctrine of a sacrament whether we do rightly vnderstand or conceiue of it or no. Secondly also concerning our maners & life , whether we be fit to receiue it at the time appointed .

How must we examine our selues concerning the doctrine ▪

By entring into consideration of that which the holy ghost hath written & set downe of it , whether we do fully vnderstand & know it , and whether our hearts and consciences can willingly subscribe and yeeld vnto it which is taught to be the truth of it .

Is this examination of our selues concerning the doctrine necessary ?

Yea , otherwise how shal we know how to behaue our selues in this holy action , except we know what it is that we do , and for what end and purpose .

How must we examine our selues concerning our maners and life , whether we be fit to receiue this sacrament or no ?

By prouing our selues whether we be 2. Cor. 13. 5. 1. Cor. 11. 28. the members of Christ or no.

How shall we know this great secret and mysterie .

If we haue faith and repentance .

How shal I decerne that I haue faith ?

If in my heart I be assuredly persuaded Ephe. 1. 13 2. Cor. 1. 22. 5. 5. Rom. 8. 15. Ephe. 3. 12 1. Iohn . 2. 1 Esay . 53. 6. Ephes. 17. 18 by the working of the spirit in me , that the punishment of my sin is fully discharged in Christ , and that whatsoeuer he hath done perteineth not onely vnto others but euen to me .

How shall I know that I haue true repentance ?

If I be inwardly and heartily sorrowfull Mat. 26. 75 Iere. 4. 4. Ioel. 2. 12. Rom. 6. 45. 6. 7. Phil. 3. 13. 14 for my sins , and doo most willingly confesse them vnto God , with full deliberacion and purpose of amendment of life , & an earnest desire to mortifie and kill sin in me , and wholy to conforme my selfe to too the will of the Lord .

What if I find not these things in me , what counsell giue you me ?

Not to presume to come to this table of the Lord , for he that eateth and drinketh 1. cor. 11. vnwoorthilie ( that is , without faith and repentance , whilest he is a wicked liuer , a profane person , a blasphemer , &c. and hath not repented him of his sins , with full purpose to renounce them , and liue alwaies after in the feare of God ) he eateth and drinketh his owne condemnation , not decerning the body of Christ aright .

Is it a thing left to our choise and libertie whether we will come to the supper or not ?

No , the holie ghost in forbidding men to come thither vnworthily commaundeth al them which haue discretion and iudgement , to examine diligentlye , and prepare themselues , that they may come worthily vnto it : so that if wee do absent our selues , and neglect this preparation & making of our selues readie to come vnto it , let vs feare least we become contemners of it , and so depriue our selues of that great benefite which is offered vnto vs by it .