The Maine grounds of religion vvithout the knowledge whereof none may presume to come to the Lords table here, or expect to communicate with him in glory hereafter : collected out of a more copious catechisme, and published especially for the benefit of such poore soules as want either money to buy, or time to learne, or memories to retain [brace] a larger treatise. This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription A02270 of text S4686 in the English Short Title Catalog (STC 12402A.6). Textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. The text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with MorphAdorner. The annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). Textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. This text has not been fully proofread Approx. 19 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 8 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. EarlyPrint Project Evanston,IL, Notre Dame, IN, St. Louis, MO 2018 A02270 STC 12402A.6 ESTC S4686 23737624 ocm 23737624 26848 2240929878

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 Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 2, no. A02270) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 26848) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1475-1640 ; 1833:4) The Maine grounds of religion vvithout the knowledge whereof none may presume to come to the Lords table here, or expect to communicate with him in glory hereafter : collected out of a more copious catechisme, and published especially for the benefit of such poore soules as want either money to buy, or time to learne, or memories to retain [brace] a larger treatise. [15] p. Printed by William Iones and are to be solde by Francis Coules dwelling in the Old Bayly, neere to Newgate, London : 1630. Signatures: A⁸ (last leaf blank). Imperfect: cropped. Reproduction of original in the Harvard University. Library. eng Catechisms, English. eebo The Maine grounds of religion vvithout the knowledge whereof none may presume to come to the Lords table here, or expect to communicate with him in gl [no entry] 1630 16 3310 21 0 0 0 0 0 63.44 D The rate of 63.44 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the D category of texts with between 35 and 100 defects per 10,000 words. 2010-01 Assigned for keying and markup 2010-02 Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2010-03 Sampled and proofread 2010-03 Text and markup reviewed and edited 2010-04 Batch review (QC) and XML conversion

RELIGION .

Without the knowledge whereof none may presume to come to the Lords Table here or expect to communicate with him in glory hereafter .

Collected out of a more copious Catechisme , and published especially for the benefit of such poore Soules , as want : Either money to buy , Or time to learne , Or memories to retaine a larger Treatise .

HEB. 5.12 .

When for the time ye ought to be Teachers , yee haue need that one teach you againe , which be the first Principles of the Oracles of God , and are become such as haue need of milk , and not of strong meate .

LONDON , Printed by WILLIAM IONES , and are to be solde by Francis Coules dwelling in the Old Bayly , neere to Newgate , 1630.

A Precept for Parents .

These words which I command thee this day shall be in thine heart : and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children , and shalt talke of them when thou sittest in thine house , and when thou walkest by the way , and when thou lyest downe , and when thou risest vp .

Deut. 6.6 , 7.
To Children and Servants .

Sanctifie the Lord God in your hearts , and be ready alwayes to giue an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of of the hope that is in you , with meekenesse and feare .

1 Pet. 3.15 .
THE MAINE GROVNDS OF RELIGION .

OF what Religion are you ?

Of the Christian Religion . Acts 11 , 24

Q. What Religion is that ?

A. Acts 4 , 12. That which teacheth men to looke for true and euerlasting happinesse by Christ alone .

Q. Where is this Religion taught ? 2 Tim: 3 , 16.

A. In the holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament .

Q. What may wee learne out of the Scriptures ?

A. Two things : Iohn 17 , 3 Eccle: 7 , 29 the knowledge of God , and of our selues .

Q. What are wee taught concerning God ?

A. That there are thrée Persons , 1 Iohn 5 , 7 Prov. 16 , 4 Mat : 10 , 29 yes but one God , who is the Ordainer , the Maker , and Gouernour of all things .

Q. What are we taught concer●●●● our selues ?

Gen. 1 26. . and 3 , 1 , 2. Rom. 5.12 A. That Man and Woman bein● made in the Image of God , fell from the blessed estate , and became most cursed Creatures .

Q. What is then the estate of every naturall man ?

Eph. 2.3 . Rom. 7.24 A. Very miserable , and in no wise to be rested in .

Q. What maketh his estate so bad ?

Esa. 59.2 . Rom. 6.23 A. Two things : Sinne and the punishment thereof .

Q. What call you Sinne ?

1 Ioh. 3.4 . A. Euery breach of Gods Law .

Q. How doth man breake the Law of God ?

Esay 1 15.16 , 17. and 64.6 . A. By doing things forbidden , leauing things commanded , or failing in the manner .

Q. What is the punishment of sinne ?

Deut. 28.15 . Luk 16 22 23 A. All miseries in this life , death in the end , and hell euer after .

Q. Is sinne such a grieuous thing ?

A. Yea , it is the most hainous and loathsome thing in the world .

Q. How appeareth that ?

Heb. 10.31 and 12.29 A. Both by the punishment , and by the person against whom it is committed .

Q. Who is that ?

A. Almighty God , whose Holinesse , 1 Cor. 10 . 2● . Psa 36 , 5 , 6 Power , Iustice and Goodnesse is infinite and vnspeakable .

Q. What shall a man doe in that wofull estate ?

A. Bewaile his misery , Act. 2.37 . and hasten to get out of it .

Q. Is he able of himselfe to doe this ?

A. No : and besides he hath thrée enemies , the flesh , the Deuill , and the world , 2 Cor , 3 : 5 Eph. 6.12 . that will labour to holde him in it .

Q. Where shall a man finde help ?

A. Onely in Iesus Christ , Ioh. 146. the onely begotten Sonne of God .

Q. What hath he done to deliuer man out of misery ?

A. He became man and in our nature fully satisfied the Law & Iustice of God . Gal. 4.4 , 5

Q How hath he done this ?

A By bearing for vs the punishment which the Law threatneth ; Gal. 3.13 . Mat. 3.15 . and fulfilling the righteousnesse which the Law requireth .

Q How did Christ beare the punishment due to sinne 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 Crosse . Luk. 9.58 . Phil. 2.8 .

Q. How did he worke the righteousnesse requyred by the Law ?

A. By being obedient to the will of God , 1 Pet. 2 , 22 Iohn 4 , 34 in thought , word , and doed , all his life long .

Q. What benefit haue we by Christ his death and sufferings ?

Heb. 2 , 14 , 15. A. Deliuerance from sinne , and the punishment thereof .

Q. And why by his righteousnesse and obedience ?

Rom. 5 , 18 19 , 11. A. The fauour of God , and everlasting happinesse .

Q. How may we obtaine these benefits by Christ ?

Iohn 1 , 12. A. Onely by true faith in him .

Q. What is a true Faith in Christ ?

Rom. 1 , 16 Iohn 6 , 69 2 Tim 2 , 12 A. It is a beliefe of the Gospell , wherby a man doth truely rest , and cast himselfe vpon Christ alone , for remission of sinnes , and eternall salvation .

Q. Is it in our power to beleeue ?

Eph. 2 , 8 Gal: 5 , 22 Rom. 10 , 17. A. No : it is the gift of God , by the working of the Spirit , throgh the preaching of the Gospell .

Q. Shall all beleevers haue benefit by Christs death ?

A. All that truely beléeue shall : but there is a dead faith that profiteth no thing .

Q. How is the true faith perceived ?

A. By the fruits thereof , 1 Iohn 3 , 3 and namely by repentance .

Q. Why so ?

A. Because wheresoeuer Gods Spirit worketh true Faith , Acts 15 , 5 there he worketh repentance also .

Q. What is repentance ?

A. Such a change of the heart , Rom: 12 , 2 as bringeth forth a reformed life .

Q. Whence commeth this change ?

A. Especially from the sight and feeling of Gods mercy towards vs in Christ . 1 Ioh: 4 , 19

Q. From what is the heart changed ?

A. From the loue of the world to the loue of God : 1 Ioh: 2 , 15 Tit: 2 , 12 from carelesnes to conscience , and desire to please God .

Q. What is the change called ?

A. It is called in Scripture a new creature . 2 Cor: 5 , 17

Q. How doth it appeare ?

A. When in word and déed wée endeauoure to abstaine from euill , Es: 1 , 16 , 17 Eph. 4 , 21 23 , 24. and to exercise our selues in that which is gold .

Q. Is this change of heart and minde perfect in any ?

A. No : we beléeue not perfectly , Mark : 2 , 24 1 Cor: 13 , 9 Heb: 6 , 1. and therefore wée cannot loue perfectly , but wée must striue to perfection .

1 Pet. 2 , 2 : 1 The 5 , 17 20 , 19 , &c: Q How must we striue ?

A By a diligent vse of the mea●●● which God hath appointed for our increase in faith and repentance .

Q. What are the publike meanes ?

A. They are chiefly thrée : hearing the word , Luc: 22 , 19 Ro: 10 , 13 , 14 , receiuing the Sacrament , and ioyning in Prayer .

Q What are the Sacraments ?

Ro: 4 , 11 : 1 Cor: 10 : 16 ; A Certaine outward signes and seale appointed of God , to assure vs that Christ and all his benefits are giuen to vs .

Q How many Sacraments are there ?

1 Cor: 10 , 32 , 34 , A Two , Baptisme , and the Lords Supper .

Q What doth Baptisme assure vs of ?

A That being ingrafted into Christ ; wée are washed from our sinnes in his blood , Gal: 3 , 27 : Tit: 3 , 5 : and borne anew in God .

Q What doth the Lords Supper assure vs of ?

1 Cor: 11 24 Ioh: 6 , 54 , A It doeth further warrant vs that Christ is giuen to vs to be our spirituall nourishment to euerlasting life .

Q Who maketh the right vse of the Sacraments ?

Mat , 26 : 28 Gal. 6 , 15 , A He that is thereby daily confirmed in faith and newnes of life .

Q Who obtaine this benefit by the Lords Supper ?

A Such as come with knowledge , 1 Cor. 11 , 28. faith , repentance and loue .

Q. What is Prayer ?

A. Acrauing of those things at Gods hands which wée want , Psa. 50.15 Phil: 4.6 . and thanking him for those we haue .

Q. When doe men pray a right ?

A When they pray onely to God , Ioh: 16.23 Iam , 4 , 3 , in the name of Christ : asking things lawfull , to his glory , with faith , féeling and loue .

Q. What be the private meanes ?

A. Reading and praying both alone , Deut , 17 , 19 Mat. 7 , 7 Gen 18 , 19 and 24 , 63 1 The , 5 , 11 Psa , 119 , 9 and with others instructing our families , thinking vpon good matters , admonishing and comforting one another , & watching ouer our owne wayes according to the word .

Q What will the right vse of all these meanes work in Gods children ?

A A most happy and comfortable change , from that which they were before , euen in this life . Acts 26 , 18 1 Co , 6 , 11

Q What becommeth of them after this life ?

A The soule goeth immediately into the Paradise of God , and the body shall be raised vp at the last day , Luk , 19 , 22 1 Cor , 16.52 . Mat 25 , 46 and ioyned with the same in glory for euer .

Q. What is the portion of all ●●●●rant or prophane persons , who contemne these meanes of grace ?

Deu: 28 , 20 65 , 66 , 67 2 Thes: 1 , 9 Luke 13 , 8 Mat : 25 , 41 & 13 , 49 , 50. A. They are in a most cursed condition while they liue héere , and hereafter they shall be banished from the joyes of heauen , and shall for euermore bee tormented with the Deuill in Hell , when is wéeping and wailing , and gnashing of téeth .

Certaine Rules for the direction of a Christian life , expressed in Meeter , for helpe to the memory . A Prov: 4 , 2 Luk: 21 , 3 Iosu : 7 , 21 Gen: 39 , ● ACquaint thy selfe most narrowly , Thy mind , thy heart , and life to watch : Lest idle thoughts and noysome dreames , Doe wicked lusts and dealings hatch . B Eph: 5 , 1● Psal: 90 , 1● Mat : 6 , 33 Luk: 10 , 41 Be wise and carefull to redeeme , Thy precious time to holy deedes : Let not these earthly matters base , Consume more houres than thou must needs C Psal: 52 , 1● Dan : 6 , 1● Psal: 6.6 . & 4 , 4 , 8 Call to thy minde when night is come , Thy sinnes that day to crave release : Thinke on Gods favours him to prayse , That so thou maist lie downe in peace . D Gen: 18 , 1● Psa: 27 , ● & 90 , 14● 15 , 16 , 1● Doth morne approach and sleepe depart , First lift thy heart to God on high : Commit thy selfe and wayes to him , And vowe to serve him faithfully . E Enter vpon no kinde of worke , But craue Gods Spirit thee to protect : Goe to no place or company , But pray from ill mee to direct . F 1 Tim , 4 , 5 1 Cor , 10 1 : Mat , 14 ●6 and 26 ●6 Forget not when thou meanst to vse , Gods creatures , or his mercy sweete : For soules delight , or bodies health , To craue his leaue and blessing meete . G Deu , 8 , 10 and 32 , 15 Psa , 68 , 19 Mat : 16 , 30 Giue vnto God due thanks and praise , When comfortable vse thou hast : Or any of his blessings good , Or else he counts them spent in wast . H Ioh , 4 , 24 ● Sam , 1 , ●3 Ps , 5 , 2 and 30 , 11 Hold this for sure , that in true prayer , The hearts desire is chiefest thing : Yet voice will help the same to warme , And banish dulnesse and wandring . I Gen , 24 , ●3 , Dan , 6 ●0 , Psa , 55 , ●7 , and 19 , 164 ( If possibly thou canst it finde ) Set out some time of euery day : To muse , to pray , and reade good bookes , That grace and conscience increase may . K Prov , 16 , 4 Mat , 10 , 29 Eccles , 9 , 2 Mat , 25 , 33 Keep heart and minde much bent to thinke How God hath made and ruleth all : How here he deales with good and bad , How differ in the end they shall . L Like best to ponder Christ his workes , Rom , 5 , 2 1 Cor , 2 , Gal , 6 , 14 , Phil , 3 , 8 , How he thee sau'd from sinne and shame : And made thee heire of Paradise , Delight therein and praise his name . M Marke well the liues of good and bad , Esa , 37 , 37 Mat. 25 , 26 Luk , 16 , 23 Iam , 5 , 10 Consider eke the ends of both : To moue thee for to imitate , The vertuous man , and sinners loath . N Nurture thy soule with thoughts of death , Psa , 39.4 Heb , 9 , 27 , Luke , 12 , 20 Col , 3 , 1 That needs thou must from hence remoue : ( Leauing thy wealth and dearest things ) To fixe thy minde on heauen aboue . O Obserue how thy corruption dyes , Gal , 6 , 14 Iob 20 , 12 Mat , 5 , 29 and 16 , 2 Let not thy dearest friend deceiue thee : Why shouldst thou count that sweet and good , Which may of glory quite bereaue thee . P Practise Gods worship with delight , Deu , 28 , 47 Psa , 16 , 3 and 116 , 10 2 Co , 7 , 11 Ioy in the godlies company : With God thy couenant oft renew , Mourne for thy sinne , and it defie . Q Quench not thine owne and others Spirit , 1 The , 5 , 19 Eph , 4 , 19 Eze , 13 , 22 Mat , 5 , 6 All idle or vnsauory speech : By thy behaviour euery where , Let good , no ill to others teach . R Exod: 20 , 7 Deu: 28 , 58 Psal: 15 , 3 Mat : 5 , 44 Rehearse no name , no worke , nor word Of God , without high reverence : Speake of no man but lovingly , Although it be in thy defence . S Act: 24 , 16 Eph: 5 , 22 , 25. & 6 , 1 , 4 , 5 , 6. Seeke to approove thy selfe to God , Thy conscience , and Gods children deare By dealing in thy calling , and With such to whom thou art most neare . T Eph: 6 , 12 Ier: 17 , 9 2 Tim: 3 , 5 Rev: 3 , 16 Take heede lest Satans craft ( by meanes Of natures bent t'hypocrisie , And to profanesse ) make thee use Religious duties formally . V Mat : 15 , 8 , & 10 , 28 , & 6 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6. Vse not the same for fashions sake , Or for thy credit , but with care Thy God to please , that in the end Both soule and body well may fare . 2 Tim. 2.7 .

Consider what I say , and the Lord give thee understanding in all things .

Grace before meate .

Most gracious God and louing Father , we humbly beseech thée to forgiue vs all our sinnes . Be present with vs , and blesse vs , and thy good creatures prouided for vs . Giue vs grace to receiue them thankefully as from thy hand , and to vse them soberly as in thy sight , is thy glory and our owne comfort , through Iesus Christ our Lord . Amen .

Grace after meate .

We humbly thanke thée , O Lord heauenly Father , for refreshing our fraile bodies with thy good creatures , beseeching thee likewise to feed our soules with thy liuely word , that we may glorifie thée , both with our soules and with our bodies through Iesus Christ our Lord .

Blesse good Lord thy holy Church , our gracious King , his Royall Familie and Realme , and send vs eternall life , through Iesus Christ our Lord . Amen .

FINIS .