The monument of matrones conteining seuen seuerall lamps of virginitie, or distinct treatises; whereof the first fiue concerne praier and meditation: the other two last, precepts and examples, as the woorthie works partlie of men, partlie of women; compiled for the necessarie vse of both sexes out of the sacred Scriptures, and other approoued authors, by Thomas Bentley of Graies Inne student.

The true summe of all Christian Religion.

Mother.

MY child, art thou a Christian?

Child.

Yea, by the grace of God, whereas of nature I was a child of wrath as well as o∣thers.

M

Art thou certaine that thou art a Christian?

C

Yea, through faith, and the holie spirit, who gi∣ueth witnesse vnto my spirit, that I am the child and heire of God.

M

What is it to saie a Christian?

C

It is the same which by faith in Iesus Christ, hath receiued the holie spirit, as a child of God, dooing his dutie in time and place.

M

What is the dutie of a Christian?

C

It is for to knowe God, for to serue him in spirit and truth, according to the doctrine of Iesus Christ.

M

In how manie points consisteth the true Chri∣stian adoration, and the true seruice of God?

C

It is faith, which is the onelie foundation of Christians.

M

The faith, commeth it of vs?

C

No, for it is the gift of God.

M

Where lieth this faith?

C

In the hart, for with the hart we beleeue to righ∣teousnesse, & with the mouth we confesse to saluation.

M

Be we then bound to render a reason of our faith and hope?

C

Yea, to all men that demand it of vs, so that it be done with wisedome, gentlenes, reuerence, and grati∣ous

words.

M

And he that confesseth not Iesus Christ in time and place, doth he not renounce him?

C

Yea: for he that is not with him, is against him: & he that gathereth not with him, scattereth abroade.

M

Giue me then a reason of thy faith, and first what confession makest thou of the Christian faith?

C

The same that the Church holdeth, being founded vpon the doctrine of the Prophets and Apostles, which is brieflie comprehended in our Creede.

M

Canst thou make confession in the common lan∣guage?

C

Yea, I thanke God.

M

Saie it with an high voice, and pronounce it well.

C

I beleeue in God the Father almightie, &c.

M

Beleeuest thou that thou art saued by this faith of the Church?

C

Yea well, if I haue it in my selfe, as the first word sheweth (I beleeue in God.) For the iust shall liue by his owne faith.

M

What is it to beleeue in God?

C

It is a full assurance and hope to trust and com∣mit all to him, according to his promises in Iesus Christ.

M

Can we haue this faith in perfection, whiles we be in this world?

C

No. For we haue neede with the Apostles to re∣quire augmentation of faith. The Lord increase it in vs, and make vs perseuere in it vnto the end.