A short catechisme, summarily comprizing the principall points of Christian faith, somewhat corrected and augmented by Iames Balmford Minister Balmford, James, b. 1556. This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription A03254 of text S114854 in the English Short Title Catalog (STC 1337). 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. 34 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 15 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. EarlyPrint Project Evanston,IL, Notre Dame, IN, St. Louis, MO 2018 A03254 STC 1337 ESTC S114854 99850077 99850077 15261 2240875927

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 Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 2, no. A03254) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 15261) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1475-1640 ; 871:18) A short catechisme, summarily comprizing the principall points of Christian faith, somewhat corrected and augmented by Iames Balmford Minister Balmford, James, b. 1556. [10], 18 p. Imprinted by Felix Kyngston, for Richard Boyle, At London : 1607. Running title reads: A necessarie catechisme for all Christians. Reproduction of the original in the British Library. eng Catechisms, English -- Early works to 1800. eebo A short catechisme, summarily comprizing the principall points of Christian faith, somewhat corrected and augmented by Iames Balmford Minister. Balmford, James, 1607 30 5129 18 0 0 0 0 0 35.09 D The rate of 35.09 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the D category of texts with between 35 and 100 defects per 10,000 words. 2012-10 Assigned for keying and markup 2012-10 Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2012-11 Sampled and proofread 2012-11 Text and markup reviewed and edited 2013-02 Batch review (QC) and XML conversion

A SHORT CATECHISME , SVMMARILY COMPRIZING THE Principall points of Christian faith , somewhat corrected and augmented by IAMES BALMFORD Minister .

Prou. 24. 27. Prepare thy worke without , and make ready thy things in the field , and after build thine house .
blazon or coat of arms

AT LONDON , Imprinted by Felix Kyngston , for RICHARD BOYLE . 1607.

TO THE RIGHT WORSHIPFVLL , THE Master , Wardens , Assistants , and whole company of Carpenters in London , IAMES BALMFORD , a Carpenters sonne , and a builder , according to his calling and gifts , wisheth the continuall edification of their godly faith while they trauaile in this vale of teares , and at the last the end of that faith euen the saluation of their Soules .

THis litle Catechisme hath been long in Print , but not yet dedicated vnto any . Being now to reprint it with other litle treatises , I haue thought it conuenient to dedicate it vnto you , as a monument of my thankefulnes for your many fauours , but especially for your charitable exhibition , when I was a poore student in Oxford ; Hoping that this dedication wil not only incourage you to continue , and increase ( as God shall inable ) your Christian charitie to Students of good hope in either Vniuersitie ( than which I know not a more charitable , and fruitfull worke of faith ) but also stirre you vp both to reade the Catechisme diligently your selues , & carefully to cause your families to learne it . For it is commonly seene ; that ( howsoeuer too many be newfangled , yet for the most part ) men are rather moued with those Treatises , which are expressely & specially addressed vnto themselues , and that by such as , in some speciall sort , belong vnto them . This only I desire , that ye would take some paines in examining the quotations , because they giue both light vnto the vnderstanding , and warrant to the confirmation of the seuerall points of this Catechisme .

I doubt not of your good wil ; but whereas this Catechisme is likely to come into the hands of some , who will not , with you , intertaine it fauourablie for my sake , I suppose this obiection : One generall , and well conceiued Catechisme doth most edifie ; therefore many are but to litle purpose : Whereunto I readily and freely answere ; That , hauing experience how profitably the studies of children haue been furthered , since diuersitie of Grammars hath been abolished , and one certaine Grammar generally to be taught , by act of Parliament established , I grant that one generall and well conceiued Catechisme doth most edifie , in respect of publike vse : But I am assured , that , as sundry Grammars , so sundry Catechismes doe much good in priuate studie , and vse . For the same method of teaching which seemeth to some plausible & pleasant , plaine and profitable , doth not seeme so to other ; And one Catechisme doth more cleerely lay open some points of Christian faith , than another , yea handleth some necessary point , which another doth altogether omit . Againe , It helpeth much to the confirmation of faith , when it is seene , that , howsoeuer sundry men in sundry ages & countries , publish sundry Catechismes , or make sundry confessions ( betweene which two there is no great difference ) as to say with Iohn Baptist , Behold the Lambe of Joh. 1. 29. God which taketh away the sins of the world ; or with Peter , Thou art the Christ the Sonne of the liuing God , the one publishing his office , the other confessing his nature ; yet they hold the same Head , belieue in the same Christ , iustifie the same Wisedome , and professe the same Truth . What great profit do Gods children reape by the Harmony of confessions , as of Churches , so of ancient and late writers ? What benefit hath , and doth redound to the Church of God by sundry Creeds , not only extant , but some of them in publique vse too , as the Apostolique , Nicene , and Athanasian , euery one doth know , and acknowledge . In these considerations I conceiue hope , that this litle Catechisme will bee offensiue to none , but acceptable to you , and profitable to all such , as with religious humilitie will vse , & peruse it . And the rather , because they shall find the most necessary doctrine of the Lords Supper more plainely set downe in this Catechisme , than in many other of no greater volume .

Well , what good opinion soeuer this Catechisme shall find in the hearts of other Readers , let me exhort you as a brother , to edifie your selues , with all holy diligence , especially in hearing the Word preached , and ( as you may ) in reading first the Scriptures , and then other Godly Treatises ; Vnderstanding that Edification , so much commended and commanded in Holy Writ , doth signify Building . Of which spirituall building , your temporall building should daylie put you in mind ; Lest otherwise yee incurre a censure and sentence , like to that of the Prophet Haggai , Hag. 1. 4. 6. 1. Cor. 3. 9. 16. viz. Can yee build houses for your selues , and other ; and will yee carelessely suffer the Temple of the Lord ( which is your selues ) to lie waste ? Yee shall therefore earne wages , and put them into a broken bag . But hoping ( as I wish ) that yee will more and more apply your hearts vnto wisedome , euen that wisedome which is vnto saluation , I commend you to God , and the Word of his grace , which is able to build further , and to giue you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified .

A short Catechisme , necessarie to be learned of all Christians .

Q . WHo is the Creator and gouernour of this world ?

A. a a Genes. 1. Esay 45. 5. One God , in whom there bee thrée persons , b b 1. John 5. 7. the Father , the Son , and the Holy Ghost .

Q. Of all visible creatures which is the chiefest ?

A. c c Genes. 1. 26. Psal. 8. 5. Man .

Q. After what manner made hee him ?

A. d d Genes. 1. 26. Like vnto himselfe .

Q. How was that ?

A. e e Eccles. 7. 31. Ephes. 4. 24. Frée from sinne , and perfect in righteousnes .

Q. To what end made hee him righteous ?

A. f f Psal. 119. 73. Esay 43. 7. To serue him .

Q. Did man continue righteous ?

A. g g Genes. 3. 6. 7. 10. No : he sell from righteousnes to sinne .

Q. How did he fall into sinne ?

A. h h Genes. 3 6. 7. By eating the forbidden fruit .

Q. What abilitie was left in man to serue God after that sinne ?

A. i i Genes. 6. 5. Ierem. 4. 22. Ephes. 4. 18. None at all , either in knowledge or affection .

Q. Did that sinne rest in Adam alone ?

A. k k Iohn 3. 6. Rom. 5. 12. No : it descendeth from him into all mankind .

Q. What fruites doth it bring forth in all mankind ?

A. l l Genes. 6. 5. Rom. 5. 12. &c. Sinfull thoughts , words , and déeds .

Q. What is the punishment due for sinne ?

A. m m Genes. 2. 17. Rom. 6. 12. & 6. 23. Euerlasting death and damnation .

Q. How come we to the knowledge of sinne ?

A. n n Rom. 3. 20. By the Law .

Q. Wherunto serueth this knowledge ?

A. o o Act. 2. 37. & 24. 26. 1. Cor. 14. 24. 25. To humble man , and to cast him downe in the consideration of his owne miserie .

Q. How is it possible for man to be saued in this miserie ?

A. p p Matth. 1. 21. & 11. 28. Act. 4. 12. & 10. 43. By Iesus Christ .

Q. What is Iesus Christ ?

A. q q Rom. 9. 5. Matth. 1. 23. God and r r Esay 9. 6. Man in s s Gal. 4. 4. one person .

Q. Wherefore was he man ?

A. t t Gal. 4. 4. 5. Heb. 2. 9. 10. 11 To do those things which were to be done for mans redemption .

Q. What be they ?

A. u u Philip. 2. 7. 8. 9. 10. His suffering , * * Matth. 5 17. righteousnes , * * & 16. 28. and triumphing .

Q. Wherefore was he God also ?

A. x x Hebr. 9. 14. Colos. 2. 9. &c. That the doings of his manhood might be of infinite vertue .

Q. Why did Christ suffer death ?

A. y y Rom. 3. 24. 25. To be our Iustification . In acquiting z z Colos. 2. 13. 14. 15. vs of our sinne , * * 1. Pet. 1. 18. 19. by discharging the punishment due thereunto .

Q. Why was Christ righteous ?

A. a a 1. Cer. 1. 30. 31. To be our Sanctification , in making b b Iohn 17. 19. vs holy in some measure , c c Exod. 28. 38. and to couer the imperfection of our holines .

Q. What benefit insueth that Iustification and Sanctification which we haue by Christ ?

A. d d Rom. 1. 16. 17. & 6. 13. Euerlasting life which Adam lost by sinne .

Q. What be the doings of Christ his triumph ?

A. e e 1. Cor. 15. 55. 57. Resurrection from death , and f f Ephes 4. 8. Ascention into heauen .

Q. Why did he arise from death ?

A. g g Rom. 4. 25. & 8. 34. To seale the merits of his sufferings for our Iustification , h h 1. Cor. 15. 57. and to ouercome death for vs .

Q. Why did he ascend into heauen ?

A. i i Rom. 8. 34. To make continuall intercession to procure k k Hebr. 7. 25. sauing helpe , and to l l Iohn 14. 1. 2. take possession for vs .

Q. How are we made partakers of these foure meritorious workes of Christ , to wit , his Death , Righteousnes , Resurrection , and Ascention ?

A. m m Iohn 3. 16. Philip. 3. 9. 10. By a true Faith .

Q. What is Faith ?

A. n n Hebr. 10. 22. 11. 1. 1. Tim. 1. 15. 16. A full perswasion that God is merciful to me for his Son Christ his sake .

Q. If a true faith bee such a perswasion , who then bee partakers of those foure meritorious workes of Christ ?

A. True faith is alwaies such in it owne nature , but beleeuers are not alwaies sensible of so great a comfort , because of their infirmities .

Q. May I craue some proofe hereof for my confirmation , & comfort ?

A. Consider well , 1. The quoted proofes of the description of Faith . 2. That otherwise it should not differ , either from Opinion o o Luke 24. 21. 25. Act. 26. 28. 29. which in it owne nature is doubtfull , or from the Diuels faith p p Iam. 2. 19. which trembleth , because it doth not apply . 3. That the Godly q q Psal. 27. 13. & 77. 9. 10. Ma●ke 9. 24. 2. Cor. 12. 7. 8. 9 haue acknowledged as much . 4. What power r r 1. Pet. 5. 5. 6. 7. Faith is of to preserue true beleeuers from despaire , their great feares notwithstanding . And 5. That it is therefore s s Rom. 8. 15. 16. 26. 27. Matth. 14. 30. 31. like vnto the Spirit of Prayer , which the faithfull distressed feele weake in themselues , but find strong in the effect .

Q. How may we know when we haue a true faith ?

A. When wee know that our faith ᵗ is grounded on Gods Word ; Rom. 10. 14. 17. u u Philip. 4. 4. 5. 1. Pet. 1. 6. 8. Reioyceth in the Lord more or lesse ; but alwaies vnseignedly , notwithstanding crosses and tribulations ; and x x Mat. 7. 18. 20. Galat. 5. 6. Iam. 2. 18. In loue bringeth forth good fruits , which are good workes .

Q. What callest thou good workes ?

A. y y Mat. 19. 16. 17. Those which God requireth in the ten Commandements .

Q. What if good workes be wanting ?

A. z z Iam. 2. 20. 21. 26. Titus 1. 16. Then is instifying faith wanting whatsoeuer we professe .

Q. Can good workes iustifie ?

A. a a Iob. 29. Iam. 2. 18. They iustifie in declaring vs to be iust before men , b b Rom. 3. 27. 28. & 4. 2. 5. 6 but they do not iustifie in making vs iust before God .

Q. Why so ?

A. c c Gal. 3. 10. & 5. 3. 4. 17. Hebr. 12. 13. Because they are not perfectly done of vs .

Q. To what purpose serue they then ?

A. d d Matth. 5. 16. To glorifie . God , e e 1. Pet. 2. 12. and profit our brethren .

Q. Touching our selues what vse haue they ?

A. f f 1. Tim. 1. 5. Iam. 2. 22. They are certaine signes of vnfained ●aith ▪ g g Rom. 2. 6. 7. and of GOD are well rewarded .

Q. If good workes be rewarded , then they merite , if they merite , then they iustifie ?

A. h h Rom. 8. 17. 18 They are rewarded for Christ his sake , i i Hebr. 10. 36. 2. Cor. 1. 20. and because of Gods promise , k k Luk. 17. 7. 8. &c. but not for their owne worthines

Q. How are Faith & good works begun in vs ?

A l l Rom. 10. 14. 17. By preaching of Gods word , and working m m 1. Cor. 12 3 4 2. Cor 4. 13. of his holy Spirit .

Q. How are they increased ▪ and continued in vs ?

A. n n Eph. 4. 1. &c. 2. Cor. 3. 18. By the same meanes , and further by the vse of the o o Rom. 4 11. Sacraments and p p Marke 9. 24. prayer .

Q. What are the Sacraments ?

A. q q Rom. 4. 11. Holy signes and seales of r r Matth. 26. 26. &c. 1. Cor. 12. 13. Iesus Christ ▪ and his benefits .

Q. How many Sacraments bee there ?

A. s s 1. Cor. 10. 2. 3 & 12. 13. Two : Baptisme , and the Supper of the Lord .

Q Why be there two Sacraments and no more ?

A. t t Hebr. 9. 15. Because the maker and Mediator of the new u u Rom 11. 27. Couenant x x Matth. 28. ●9 . 1 Cor. 11. 23. 25 ordained these and no more , y y Marke 1. 4. as seales of the same .

Q. What difference is there betweene these two ?

A. Baptisme signifieth our new z z Titus 3. 5. birth , or entring a a 1. Cor. 12. 13. into the Couenant : and therefore we are but once baptised .

Q. How doth the Supper of the Lord otherwise signifie ?

A. Our spirituall féeding or continuance in the Couenant , and therfore b b Act. 2. 42. 46. & 20. 7. 1. Cor. 11. 24. 26 we receiue often , and not only once at Easter , which is c c Leuit. 23. 6. Iewish .

Q. Why are children baptized ?

A. d d 1. Cor. 7. 14. Because they be the séed of the faithfull , and therefore e e Gen. 17. 7. within the visible Couenant , so that the seale thereof is to be f f Act. 10. 44. 47. Gen. 17. 11. 12. administred vnto them .

Q. Why receiue they not the Supper of the Lord ?

A. g g 1. Cor. 11. 28. Because they cannot examine themselues .

Q. Of how many things doth a Sacrament consist ?

A. Two : a signe perceiued h h Mark . 1. 4. ● . 1. Cor. 11. 23. & 10. 25. 2. 3. 4 by sense , and a thing signified , not at all perceiued by sense .

Q. In Baptisme which is the signe , which is the thing signified ?

A. i i Act. 8. 36. Water the signe : Christ his blood k k Eph. 5. 25. 26. Hebr. 9. 14. the thing signified .

Q. Whath doth the washing of the body signifie and seale vnto vs ?

A. l l Act. 22. 16. Rom. 5. 9. & 3. 24. 25. The washing away of our sinnes by the blood of Christ , which is our Iustification .

Q. What doth it else signifie and seale vnto vs ?

A. m m Rom. 6. 3. 5. 1. Cor. 6. 11. The reforming of our actions and affections in the name of Christ , n n Gal. 3. 27. 24. Ephes. 4. 23. which is our Sanctification .

Q. In the Supper of the Lord , which is the signe , which the thing signified ?

A. o o 1. Cor. 11. 23. 24. 25. Bread and wine the signe , Christ his body and blood the thing signified .

Q. What signifieth the breaking of the bread , and powring of the wine ?

A. p p 1. Cor. 11. 24. The breaking of his body and q q Marke 14. 24 shedding of his blood .

Q. What doth the eating and drinking signifie and seale vnto vs ?

A. r r Psal. 104. 15. That as bread and wine preserueth our naturall life : so s s Iohn 6. 54. Christ his body and blood is our spirituall food vnto eternall life .

Q. How so ?

A. Because Christ is our continuall t t 1. Iohn 1. 7. 9. Iustification and u u Rom. 8. 10. 11. Sanctification .

Q. Why callest thou the body and blood of Christ spirituall food ?

A. x x 1. Cor. 10. 3. 4. Ioh. 6. 35. 63. Ephes. 3. 17. Because it is spiritually receiued by faith , not corporally eaten with teeth .

Q. Are not the body and blood of Christ called spirituall food , because the substance of bread & wine is transubstantiated into the substance of Christ his very body and blood , though only the accidents of bread and wine remaine and be seene ?

A. No : For such a Transubstantiation , is most contrary to this spirituall banquet , for thrée reasons .

Q. Which be they ?

A. If there be such a Transubstantiation , then this Sacrament should want the outward signe . For the accidents ; without the substance of bread and wine cannot nourish , and therefore there is no signe perceiued by sense , to signifie spirituall feeding , not perceiued by sense .

Q. What is your second reason ?

A. This Trausubstantiation being a miracle , should bee euidently séene ( as was y y Joh. 2. 8. 9. 10. 11. the transubstantiation of water into wine at the mariage in Cana ) for confirmation of the word , especially in a Sacrament . Seeing both z z Marke 16. 20 miracles , and a a Rom. 4. 11. Sacraments be called Signes , in regard of such confirmation .

Q. What is your third reason ?

A. By such Transubstantiation , the supposed spirituall food , should be a body and blood presently made of bread and wine , and not the body and blood of Christ crucified , and long since b b Galat. 4. 4. made of a woman , which this spirituall banquet doth signifie , and seale vnto faithfull receiuers .

Q. If there be no such Transubstantiation , how then can wee eate Christ his very body , and drinke his very blood , which are bodily substances c c Act. 3. 21. abiding in heauen , and that only by faith spiritually ?

A. As they who acknowledge his Maiestie to bee their only soueraigne , and do accordingly submit themselues vnto his gouernment , become members of the same politique body , whereof his very person is head : So they d d Ioh. 1. 12. & 6. 35. 37. Act. 4. 12. Ephes. 4. 13. 15. who by faith professe Christ to be their only Sauiour , and do accordingly committe themselues to his saluation , become members of the same mysticall body whereof his very person is the head .

Q. You speake now of the whole person , & incorporation ; but before of the body and blood of Christ , and feeding .

A. As e e 1. Cor. 12. 13. Ephes. 5. 23. Ioh. 15. 1. 4. Incorporation , and other borrowed speeches of Holy writ , so f f & 6. 56. 1. Cor. 10. 16. Feeding signifieth our spirituall communion with Christ , yet with some further consideration .

Q. What is that ?

A. To teach vs that we are incorporated into g g Ioh. 12. 32. 33 Rom. 6. 3. Christ crucified . As wee are fedde with the flesh of beasts not liuing , h h Act. 10 13. but slaine .

Q. Is not this the reason why both bread and wine be necessarily distributed in the Lords Supper ?

A. Yes : and further , i i 1. Cor. 11. ●3 . 24. 25. Matth 19 6. because of the institution : k k 1. Cor. 11. 26. for a liuely representation of Christ his death : l l Joh. 19. 32. 33. 34. differing from the thieues death : m m Leuit. 7. 2. and answering to the sacrifices : n n Psal. 104. 1● . Ioh 6. 35. 54. 55. and for the comfortable assurance of our perfect nourishment .

Q. Is not then our perfect nourishment another consideration of our spirituall feeding , besides our incorporation into Christ ?

A. Yes : for o o Io● 6. 57. if we eate Christ , we shall liue by Christ , and p p & 4. 49. 51. 52. that ( as it were ) with health , q q & 15. 4. 5. which is the effect of such incorporation .

Q Expresse this yet more fully .

A. As he who corporally feedeth with good digestion , feeleth his heart r r Act. 14. 17. 1. King . 19. 7. 8 gladded , and the whole man better inabled to performe the actions of naturall life : So be who spiritually féedeth by a true faith , feeleth s s Rom. 5. 1. 2. the peace of consciente , and t t Galat. 2. 20. John 6. 57. the whole man better inabled to performe the actions of a spirituall life .

Q. Then I perceiue that the Scripture vseth borrowed speeches in regard only of Eating and Drinking , and not of Christ his body & blood ; because our communion ▪ though really and verily with Christ himselfe crucified , is yet by the spirituall meane of a true faith .

A. It is so ; As may be euidently séne in the 6. chapter of Iohn so often quoted . For whereas in the 54. verse Christ saith , Whosoeuer easeth my flesh , and drinketh my blood hath eternall life ; in the 35 verse he saith , He that commeth to me shall not hunger , and he that beleeueth in me shall neuer thirst . So that F●eding ▪ Comming , and Beleeuing are manifestly ▪ th●● case , all on● , And consequently our receiuing of Christ crucified must of necessity be spirituall . As it further appeareth in the 12. verse of the first chapter of the same booke .

Q. All that come to the Lords table , do they spiritually receiue the body and blood of Christ ?

A. No : The wicked receiue only u u ●uke 1● . 26. 27. & 22. 14. the signes ▪ to their damnation , not x x Iohn 13. 2. & 6. 35. the things signified to their saluation .

Q. Why so ? 2. Thess 3. 2.

A. y y M●t 8. 11. 12. 1 Cor. 11. 27. Because they receiue vnworthily .

Q. How may we receiue worthilie ?

A. By comming to the Lords table with z z Iohn 6. 35. Faith and a a 1. Cor. 11. 30. 3● Repentance .

Q. What is repentance ?

A. A forsaking b b Ezec. 33. 11. of our sinnes and turning c c Jerem ▪ 4 ▪ 1 ▪ 2. to God , by d d Matth. 4. 17. amendment of life .

Q. Can we beleeue and repent of our selues ?

A. e e Philip. 1. 29. Ezec. 11. 19. No : And therfore we must craue f f Marke 9. 24. Je●em. 31. 18. these and all other graces of God by hartie prayer .

Q. What is prayer ?

A. g g Luke 18. 1. &c. An earnest request to God , in the name h h Iohn 14. 13. of Christ for all things i i Iam. 4. 3. necessary .

Q. How may we be sure to obtaine all things necessary ?

A k k Mar. 9 ▪ 22. 33 If we aske in faith : l l Matth. 21. 2● . For so God hath promised . To whom b● glory for euer .

Amen .
A PRAYER .

O Most mercifull and gracious Father , whereas we are not able of our selues to perceiue the things of the Spirit , m m 1. Cor. 2. 14. being naturall men , yea so foolish n n Ierem. 4. 22. and of no vnderstanding , that howsoeuer , we are wise to do euill , to do well we haue no knowledge , we most humbly beseech thee for Christ his sake to remember thy o o Ier. 31. 33. Couenant , and teach vs by thy p p Ioh. 16. 13. holy Spirit , which searcheth all things , q q 1. Cor. 2. 10. 12. yea the deepe things of God , to know those things which thou hast giuen vs . Suffer vs not therefore , O Lord , with the r r 1. Ioh. 5. 19. 20. world to lie in wickednes , but giue vs a mind to know thy Sonne Iesus Christ , who is very God and eternall life . And open our s s Luke 24. 45. vnderstanding , that we t t Iohn 5. 39. searching may vnderstand the Scriptures , which are able to u u 2. Tim. 3. 14. 15. make vs wise vnto saluation . And whereas sinne x x Hebr. 12. 1. 2 hangeth so fast on , that we cannot run the race that is set before vs , with an eye still looking to Iesus the Author and finisher of our faith , with groning spirits we intreate thee , to separate them from vs , as far as the East is y y Psal. 103. 12. from the West , that hauing laid a sure foundation z z Hebr. 6. 1. of repentance from dead works and faith towards God , we may be led forward to perfection , and hauing learned the doctrine of the beginning of Christ , we may grow a a Eph. 4. 15. 13 vp into him which is our head , vntill we meete together in the vnitie of faith , and knowledge of the Son of God vnto a perfect man , and vnto the measure of the age of the fulnes of Christ . That so growing in b b 2. Pet. 3. 17. 18 grace and knowledge of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ , we be not plucked away with the error of the wicked , and fall from our owne stedfastnes : but hauing the righteousnes Rom. 1. 16. 17. of God reuealed to vs from faith to faith , we may perceiue indeed , the Gospel to be to vs the power of God to saluation , and so go from strength Psal. 84. 7. to strength , till we appeare before God in Zion . Which graces , with all other blessings spirituall and temporall , for our selues and euery member of thy Church , we beg of thee O holy Father in the name and mediation of our Lord and Sauiour Christ Iesus , further recommending our selues , our prayers and wants to thy fatherly consideration , concluding in that most holy prayer which our Maister himselfe hath taught vs , saying : Our Father which art in heauen , &c.

FINIS .