A briefe and necessarie catechisme, concerning the principall poynts of our Christian religion Written for the good of all such as seeke after consolation in Christ. By R.C.

Rehearse the second Commandement.

Thou shalt not make to thy selfe any grauen* 1.1 Image. &c.

What euill is expresly forbidden heere.

I am forbidden to make any Image ey∣ther to represent God or worship him by.

What euill is generally forbidden.

I must auoid all inuentions and deuises of man in the outward worship of God, which be contrarie or beside the word.

What be the especiall euils forbidden.

Chiefely all the corruptions, in the sub∣stance of doctrine, Prayer, Sacraments, and discipline of the Church.

What occasions of euils be forbidden.

There be some which we must necessari∣ly auoid, vnlesse we will fall into super∣stition and idolatrie: as:

• 1 To ioyne the false parts of worship, with the true worship of God.
• 2 To be present at idolatreas and su∣perstitious seruice.
• ...

• 3 The reseruation of some especiall monument of superstition and idolatry.

Which be the lesser occasions forbid∣den, and yet so that we haue the especiall grounds of Gods worship, which must and may tollerate, when we cannot helpe them.

1 All vaine, idle, and superstitious ceremonies.

2 All keeping companie with false worshippers.

Is not the euill in hart also forbidden.

Yes: so farre forth as I trust in my hart to haue any of them preuaile or be esta∣blished.

What good is commaunded.

1 Generally, all the outward means of God his worship, which be agreeable to his written word.

2 Specially, doctrine, prayer, sacra∣ments, and discipline of the Church, as agree with Gods word in the substance thereof.

What occasions of good be commanded.

1 To haue and vse good bookes, of the doctrine and histories of the Church, written according to Gods word.

2 Erecting & maintaining of schooles

of learning as nurseries of the ministery.

3 Sufficient prouision to be made for the ministers.

4 Building & maintayning Churches, with all things belonging thereto.

5 All good ceremonies and orders a∣greeable to Gods word.

6 All familiar company with the true worshippers of God.

What good in hart is heere commaun∣ded.

To vse the meanes of Gods worship not onely outwardly, but also in spirit and truth.

What meane these words, For I the Lord thy God, am a iealous God. &c.

That God will punish false worship in the false worshipper, and vnto the third and fourth generation in their po∣steritie.

What is meant by that, And will shewe mercie vnto thousands, &c.

That God will blesse his true worship in the true worshippers, and their poste∣ritie into the fourth discent.

What is the vse of these.

To make false worship more vile, and his true worship more pretious in our eyes.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Com. 2.