AFter that one of my Children had read a Chapter vnto me at supper , out of the Actes of the Apostles , my youngest sonne after supper sitting by the fire , asked this question , father ( sayth he ) what is God ?

My sonne , all the wisest Philosophers that euer were , could neuer yet comprehend or resolue this question , the cause was , they neuer searched to know him by his holy word , but by their owne naturall wisedome , by which wisedome , it is vnpossible to please God , or know him , for God hath reuealed himselfe vnto vs in his holy word although S. Paul sayth , God hath reuealed himselfe vnto vs by his creatures , which are the heauens and earth , and all things therein contayned . By which they knowe there is a God , but yet neither Philosopher , nor any other can tel what God is , but by his holy word . In which he reuealeth himselfe vnto vs , what he hath doone for vs , and howe he hath so loued vs before wée were , that he hath created all things for vs , & hath also giuen vs his deare & only sonne Iesus Christ , who beyng verie God equall with his father , came downe from heauen , and disdayned not the Virgins wombe , and there tooke our nature on him and was made man in all points as we are , onely sinne excepted , and in our naturall fleshe , was obedient euen vnto the very death of the Crosse , wherin he suffered for vs , the very paynes of hell both in soule and body , was dead & buried , and rose againe the third day to iustifie vs , and after fortie dayes he did ascend into heauen whence he came , & there he will sit vntill the day of iudgement , hauing all power both in heauen and earth , which is ment by sitting at Gods right hand . And then he wil come and be our ioyfull iudge , but vntill then he will be with vs in spirit and power , by which spirit , we haue reuelation & knowledge of him , and what God is ? And without this spirit , it is vnpossible to vnderstand his holy will , that is reuealed in his holy word , which holy spirit , is the holy Ghost , which holy Ghost is the vertue and power of God , procéeding from the father and the sonne , the third person in the trinitie which three persons is but one God , which God is almightie , vnmeasurable , incomprehensible and without all mens capacitie and wisedome . For he is a spirit , and therefore they that will worship him , must worshippe and serue him in spirit , and trueth , ●m . 18. ● . 1.16 . 〈◊〉 . 6.16 . for otherwise , he is incomprehensible , he is Alpha and Omega , that is , he is the first and the last , without beginning or ende , for no man hath séene God at any time , vnto whom be all honour . Amen .

Father , you say that S. Iohn saith , that no man hath seene God at any time . I pray you tell vs then , why God is pictured in forme like an olde man , with a long white beard & sitting in a golden chaire , how can that be except he hath beene seene of some man .

My sonne , I say that God is neyther olde , nor young , neither can any place containe him , for hee filleth all places , both in heauen and earth , and the Sea : and therefore he is euerywhere , for heauen is his seate , and earth is his footestoole , and therefore he must haue a very great chaire to containe him . Therefore such as dare presume to paint or picture him , in any proportion , dooth commit great and horrible blasphemie , and are cursed of God himselfe . Much lesse like an olde man , with a long white Beard , for that is the weakest sort of men . But how can or dare any creature make his Creator . Oh horrible , execrable , damnable , vile , presumptuous cursed wretch , that dare presume to violate and breake Gods holy precept , forbidden expressely in the first table and the seconde verse . Good children beware of such horrible Papisticall blasphemies .

Father I heard you once say that there was a man in Bridewell , that affirmed by Scripture that it was not lawfull to feare God , but to loue him . Must we not feare God but loue him ?

In déede there was a vile fellowe in Bridewel that affirmed out of the scriptures , & first out of the seconde Chap. of S. Luke & the 17. verse , out of the song of Zacharias , in these wordes , that we being deliuered out of the handes of our enemies , might serue him without feare , all the dayes of our life , but this feare is not meant towarde God , but it is that wee shoulde not feare Gods rigor and iustice : that he scourgeth the wicked withall , but loue him as a father : neyther yet feare what the wicked can doo vnto vs , in all their extremities or malice , neither yet feare any of theyr threates , scornes , scoffes , persecutions or tortures whatsoeuer , but because God hath deliuered vs out of the handes of our enemies , we shoulde serue him without feare all the dayes of our life , & not cast off our louing feare of our good God , that hath deliuered vs out of the handes of the deuill , hell and damnation for euer . Who woulde not feare to displease such a good God & louing father , also diuers scriptures are our warrant against this presumptuous villaine , for God promiseth great blessings vnto all such as feare him . As for example in the booke of Moses , it is set downe howe God loueth his owne children that feare him , as the wordes of the thrée men or Angels affirmeth ; when they vsed these words vnto Abraham : Shall God ( say they ) hyde any thing from Abraham , because he and all his house feare him . Also Iosua or Iesus the Captaine that conducted the children of Israell after Moses , vsed these words vnto them : Deo you ( sayth he ) what you wyll ; but I and all my house wil serue and feare the Lord . Also the holy Prophet Dauid hath these warrants throughout all his Psalmes , to feare God , as first in the 2. Psalme , verse 11. Commaunding ( saith ) sée that yée serue the Lorde in trembling and in feare . Also in the 25. Psalme . verse 3. They that feare the Lorde shall knowe his secrets . And in the 34. Psalme , vet. 9.10 . Feare the Lord hys holy ones , for they that feare him shall lacke no good blessing . And againe , Come néers my children and I shall teach you howe to feare the Lord . And in the 128. Psa. The holy ghost pronounceth them blessed that feare the Lord . Also in the first Chapter of Salomons Prouerbs . verse .7 . The holy Ghost sayth , That the feare of the Lord is the beginning of wisedome . And Eccl. in his 4. Chap. ver. 13. saith that a poore child which feareth God , is better then a king that doteth . Thus you proued by warrants of scripture the way to feare God . Yet this wretch forgeth other places out of the scripture like the deuill for his purpose . As out of the 8 Chap to Ro. 25. ver. in these words , yee haue not rescued that spirit of bondage that ye sholde feare any more : but the villaine abuseth the text corruptly , for the Apostle meaneth no such thing , but that we shoulde not feare condemnation nor wauer or dispayre as the Papists teacheth vs , to make vs dwell in bondage and feare of our saluation in Christes merits onely , but to be euer in doubt & dispayre , which pestilent doctrine maketh thousandes to feare God and not loue him . Feare not him that can kyl the body , but feare him which can kill both soule and body .

Good father who are those that feare God , and not loue him , are there any such , I pray you discribe who they be .

Father you sayde that no man is able to keepe and fulfill Gods commaundements . Why should God Giue such a lawe that no man is able to keepe , and yet you say , if that wee doo not fulfill and keepe them , we shall all be damned for euer .

My sonne , ( marke what I say , God that made the law , made it as he is him selfe ( that is ) iust , righteous and holy , and so made he man also at his first creation , iust , righteous and holy . And so made God Adam like himselfe , and then able to kéepe and performe the whole lawe . Therefore man must of force séeke and practise all the meanes and wayes possible how to fulfill and kéepe the same lawe in euery poynt and title , which we may by his grace working in vs , bee made able to doo in some measure , but yet not so perfectly , by the entring in iudgement with vs , he may iustly condemne vs , but he will not haue any to-be saued otherwise then by mercy , offered in his sonne Christ , and obtayned by faith in him .

Howe is it possible , because you say that no man is able to keepe and fulfill it , much lesse in euery poynt and title .

That which man is not able to doo , by reason of hys fall , God hath so loued vs before Adams fall , that he did prouide for vs in his mercy and grace . A man , euen God and man Iesus Christe , his onely sonne , who came downe from heauen , from God his father , and disdayned not to be inclosed in that Virgins wombe , and there was made man by the power of the holy ghost , in all points as we are , onely sinne excepted and in our flesh and nature suffered his passion on the Crosse for vs , and on it suffered the very paines and torments of hell vnto bitter death , and was buried , by which death and passion , he hath fully accomplished our saluation , and also fulfilled the whole lawe in euery point and title , and also appeased Gods wrath , and vanquished the deuill , hell and damnation , and set open the gates of heauen for al faithful beléeuers , and brought vs into fauour againe with God , his and our faithfull father , and is ascended into heauen where hee sitteth , and hath all power bothe in heauen and earth , and there is our daily mediatour vnto God , his and our father for vs , vntill he shall come againe to be our ioyfull Iudge , but yet we must striue and practise daily to fulfill ( to the vttermost of our power ) Gods holy will and commandements .

How is it possible except you can describe vs some meanes or way to practise it , good deere father direct vs .

By these fiue steppes or degrées which if you can keepe vnto the ende , you shal kéepe Gods commandements to please him , although not fulfilled it , for that Christ hath doone already . Which steppes are these : first to heare the word of God diligently , reuerently , and louingly . Secondly , to learne it simply , faithfully & obediently . Thirdly , to vnderstand it humbly , spiritually , and truely . Fourthly , to practise it holily , constantly and righteously . Fiftly and lastly , to perseuer daily , hourely , and vnto our liues ende most triumphantly , and by these fiue steps or degrées you may practise to keepe the whole decalog and will of God .

I pray you discribe vnto vs , the true sence & meaning of the Law , decaloge or precept in a breefe some or exposition .

It is set downe by Moses , as he receiued it from God in the Mount Sinai , and he receiued it into two Tables , and in 10. verses or precepts it is expressed , and in the first Table is sette downe 4. precepts , and in the second Table is written 6. precepts , in which first table is set downe our duety toward God in the 4. first verses , and in the seconde table our duety towards our neighbour , for in the first table , we are taught in the 4. first precepts , to haue none other Gods but God onely . Secondly , not to reuerence or worship any thing in heauen or earth . And thirdly , not to abuse Gods holye name in any exercise . And fourthly , wee are commaunded straightle , to remember to keepe holy the Lordes day . And in the second table in the 6. precepts wee are commaunded in the first precept , and fift commaundement , for to honour our Parents , Princes , and Magistrates . And the sixt commaundement forbiddeth murder . The 7. forbiddeth adulterie , The 8. forbiddeth theft . The 9. forbiddeth periury and false witnes against thy neighbour . And the 10. and last commaundement , forbiddeth couetousnesse , extortion , vsury , or any thing that shall preiudice thy neighbour . So that in the first table practised , is séene our loue , holinesse , faith and zeale towards God . Euen so by our indeuour of the second Table is also séene our loue , mercy , faith and fidelity towardes our poore neighbours and brethren . The summe and fulfilling of the whole lawe of God is first to loue God aboue all things whatsoeuer , which is the fulfilling of the foure first preceps of the first Table . And the second is to loue our neighbours & brethren as our selues , which is the fulfilling of the sixe last precepts in the second Table , that is to liue in righteousnes all the dayes of our life , which power the Lorde God graunt vs for Christes sake .

Because the scripture sayth , that no man by the deedes of the Lawe can merite saluation . How then is it possible to be certaine and sure of our saluation , seeing we are bound to keepe the whole Lawe .

I haue sayd before , that which naturall men cannot doo , our Christ which is both God and man , hath by his precious death and passion fully accomplished , but yet we must doo our indeuour and good-will to practise his commaundement vnto the vttermost of our power . And therfore the surest wae for vs is to take fast holde of Christ by a sure & firme fath. &c.

It is our beléefe Apostolicall , commonly called the Créede of the Apostles . As we say dayly . I beléeue in God . &c. which Créede or beléefe , is set downe in 12. Articles , which 12. Articles are deuided into foure partes , and in the first parte we confesse God our father to be almighty , and the onely maker of heauen & earth , and in the seconde parte , we doo also confesse Iesus Christ to be the onely sonne of God , and the second person in the trinity , who being equall with God , hys and our father , came downe from heauen vnto vs in earth , and héere was inclosed in the virgines wombe , & there was made man in all poynts , as we are only sinne excepted , by the power of the holy ghost , and was borne of the Virgin Mary in Bethlem , in a stable betwéene an Oxe and an Asse , cradled in a maunger , or Crach , and after he had liued obediently with his Mother the Virgin , and his supposed father Ioseph at twelue yéeres of his age , he did dispute with the mighty doctors in the middest of the Temple of Ierusalem , and there expounded the scriptures , and all that heard him wondred at his gratious spéeches , and at the age of 30. yeeres , was baptised of Iohn in Iordayne , and then went into the wildernes , and was tempted 3. times of the deuill , and then came to Ierusalem méekly ryding on an Asse , and there was receiued of men and children with hosanna , confessing him king of Israell , and the sonne of the highest , and there hee whypped out of the Temple the buyers and sellers and money chaungers , and after he hadde reprooued the Scribes and Pharises , and taught the Scripture , ( vnto hys Disciples ) hee was Iudasly solde vnto the Scribes and Pharises , mocked , reuiled , scorged , buffeted , condemned of Pilate , crowned with thornes , crucified on the Crosse betwene two theeues , and accurssed of God hys father , and dyd suffer on the Crosse the very paynes of hell ( bothe in bodye and soule ) for thée and me , was dead and buryed for thée and me , and the third day he rose againe to iustifie thee and mee . And after forty daies , when hee hao accomplished his fathers wyll , in the sight of all his Apostles and many other , hee did ascend vp into heauen , where he sits , and there he shall remaine vntill the day of iudgement , where he maketh continuall intercession vnto God our Father for thée and mée , who hath all power bothe in heauen and earth to helpe thée and me , and will surely come againe the last day in power and glory , and be a ioyfull Iudge for thée and mée . This is the sum of the second part of our beléefe : and in the third part of our beléefe , we beléeue in the holy ghost , & that he is the third person in the trinitie , equall with the father and the sonne , and that he is the vertue and power of God , procéeding both from the father and the sonne , and also the Illuminator of hys elect , yea ●●d the sanctifier and preseruer of all hys saints , the holy Church of God . And in the fourth part of our beléefe , wee beléeue and confesse the communion of saintes , to be all those which beléeue that Iesus Christ is the their onely mediator and sauiour , which communion of saints we beleeue is the vniuersall Church of Christe , dyspersed throughout all the world , commonly called the Catholike Church , dispersed héere and there vppon the face of the whole earth , of which comyany Iesus Christ is the head , ( and not the Pope ) which head will not lose one of his elect for we are as déere vnto him , as the apple of his eye although we be héere contemned , dispised , derided , and tormented yet our firme faith and beléefe is , that our sinnes are forgiuen vs , onely by our redéemer and mediator Iesu Christes merits , and that our bodies and soules shal be at the ioyfull day of iudgement triumphantly with him in heauen , for euer and euer , and this is the whole summe of our faith . But this fayth is not mans fantasie or dreame , nor the holy papists formed faith , nor the Athistes frozen faith , nor yet any euill faith , nor an hereticall fayth , but a full and firme assuraunce of saluation , grounded and founded vpon the promises made in the beloued mediator Iesus Christ .

Is there any that professeth any other fayth but this which you haue alreadye described . I pray you good father let vs vnderstand who they be , and what they are .

Yea , there is an Historical faith , which the deuils , Athists , Epicures , and all belly Gods haue , that is , they doo beléeue that there is a God , and that the Scriptures be true , and also feare and tremble , but they neuer practise to doo hys wyll , neither yet loue they God nor hys holie worde , but they loue theyr owne pleasure and bellyes more then God , therefore they shall be saued with the deuils , for theyr counterfaite , hypocriticall holy and euill life will not ferue . There is also the Scribes , Pharises , and Fryers , and Papists formed frozen faith , which teache men that by their merits , cerimonies and holye seruice , that they shall escape Purgatorye , and deserue heauen . And so they shall as soone as the Athist , Epicure , bellye Gods and deuils .

There is yet an other sort of people , that perswade themselues they haue a great faith , and think that they are highly in Gods fauoure because they can make great spéeche of scripture , and vse great grauity , so that Butter would not séeme to melt in theyr mouthes , before such as are the principall Preachers , and wyll inuite them home to theyr house , to cloake theyr holy hypocrisy , but let a poore professor méete any of these and salute them , then they wyll looke so lofty with their eye leddes , and speake so strangely , as though they had neuer séene or knowne them , and yet of theyr olde familiar acquaintance . But let a poore man make hys mone vnto them of hys néede , then are they dry , and altogether without any sappe of Christian loue and charity , which showeth theyr hypocriticall fayth and infidelity , these carnall Protestants are all one with vsurers ( I wyll not say ) Vsurers , I wyll not say Leasemongers , Extorcioners , and proude , prophane , myserable , merciles worldlings .

How shoulde one attaine vnto a sure and constant faith , because you say that no ciuill lyuing can please God , wythout a sure and constant fayth .

There is no meanes or way to attaine vnto such a faith but by frée grace from God , through Iesus Christ our Lord , and that onely by daily and faithful praiers vnto God our father for his onely sonnes sake , and also for his holy spirite , to instruct and teach vs howe to pray , & by none other prayer , but that prayer which Christ hath taught vs in his holy Gospell , which prayer soundeth thus . Our father which art in heauen , &c.

I pray , you sir , is this prayer to be deuided into parts , as you haue done the commaundements and the beléefe .

Yea , for it is deuided into .6 . petitions & .2 . partes , and in the first part is thrée petitions , & in the second part i● other thrée , and the first thrée petitions excelleth the thrée last , as much as the firste table excelleth the second , for in the thrée first petitions , we craue of God all thinges necessary for our soules , in the thrée last petitions , we aske of God al things néedefull for our bodyes , quietnesse of minde , and preseruation from Sathan , &c. But as touching that preamble which soundeth thus . Our father which art . &c That is none of the petitions .

What meane you by this word preamble , is it not one of the .6 . petitions as the rest are .

Oh Lorde how doth many thousands pray at this day , if it passe mans reason , capacitie , and wisedome , goods father certifie vs .

Many indéede there be that pray , but their prayers are no better then the praier of a parrat , because they haue neither sence nor feeling of the holy spirit of God , without which spirit , it is impossible to please God in prayer , neyther yet to vnderstand what prayer is , and therfore such prayer and praying , turneth to great sinne , & prouoketh gods wrath . And Christ calleth it lip-labour & babling . And saint Iames sayth , that they aske and receiue not , because they aske they knowe not what : For the most part pray on this fashion . Oh Lorde defend vs from all euill . O Lord kéepe me from all mine enimies . O Lorde sende that I want not . O Lorde increase my wealth , ( and not his fayth ) and graunt that I ●ay be able for to dwell in credite and countenaunce with my neighboures , and that I may be able to beare office and aucthoritie among my neighbours and company . O Lord blesse all my house & goods , that I come not to misery , & bles al my frends & kinred . But no sighing or sorrowing for sinnes , no crauing for mercy , nor groaning in the spirite , No sobbing in repentance , no intercession for heauenly benedictions and blessinges , no thankes for our election , creation , saluation , sanctification , iustification , and preseruation . No prayer to God to honour his holy name , no crauing that his kingdome might dwell among vs ( his holy woord ) No prayer that hi● holy will and our willes may be all one here in earth , as it is in heauen , but all for earthly thinges , to haue our owne willes & pleasures fulfilled , no praying as christ hath taught vs , as it is expressed in the .3 . first petitions , for our soules health . And then for things necessary for this life . No Salomons prayer , for good wisedome and his holy spirit , but all for worldly blessinges , that he may ma●e Iohn his sonne a Gentleman , & Ioane his daughter pennie white , although the parents purchate Hell for his paynes . This is the asheists . Epicures , belligoo● and Carnall Protestantes , forme and manner of prayer , & although they vse to say ( for order sake ) the thrée fiyst petitions . First , yet they practise them laste or neuer , because they are worldly minded which cannot comprehende spirituall things . And therefore if God doo fulfill their prayers , it is in his wrath to their greater condemnation , although they thinke them selues in great felicity and happines aboue others , & so dwel puffed vp with pride , because of their great abundance , and so come to aucthoritie , and liue all their time in prosperity , & iollity , without either pittie or compassion of poore neighbours or brethren , & except they repent , they sodaynely slyp to hell . And therefore ( to conclude ) as the Lords prayer is deuided in .6 . petitions , & as some say into .7 . so I feare , if that world were deuided into .6 . or .7 . parts , I feare that .6 . partes doth pray in vaine , yea that are called christians . Although we haue ben taught & catechised more then .26 . yéeres yea some more then .46 . yéers , & therfore feare is come on me because the people set light thy lawe . Psa. 119. ver. 53.