A short summe of the whole catechisme wherin the question is propounded and answered in fewe wordes, for the greater ease of the common people & children. Gathered by M. Iohn Craig, minister of Gods word, to the Kinges Maiestie.

The third part of our Beliefe▪

Q. What thing is the holy Spirite?

A. He is God, equall with the Father and the Sonne.

Q. From whence doth he proceed?

A. From the Father and the Sonne.

Q. What is his office in generall?

He putteth all things in execution, which are decreed by Gods secrete councell.

Q. What thing doth he in the order of nature?

A. He keepeth al things in their natural estate

Q. From whence then come all these alterations?

A. Frō y^e same spirite, working diuersly in na∣ture.

Q. Is then the spirit but nature?

A. Not so, for he is God, ruling and keeping nature.

Q. What doth he in worldly kingdomes?

A. He doth raise and cast them downe at his pleasure.

Q. Why are these things attributed vnto him?

A. Because he is the power and hand of God.

Q. What doth he in the kingdome of Christ?

A. He gathereth all Gods elect to Christ.

Q. Why is he called holy?

A. Because he is the fountaine of holines, and maketh vs holy.

Q. When, and how doth he this?

A. When by his mightie power he separateth vs from our naturall corruption, and dedi∣cateth vs to godlines.

Q. What thing is this naturall corruption?

A. Blindnesse of mind, hardnes of heart, and contempt of God.

Q. How doth he dedicate vs to godlines?

A. He lighteneth our mindes, mollifieth our hearts, and strengtheneth vs.

Q. What thing then is all flesh without the spirite of God?

A. Blind and dead in all heauenly things.

Q. What other names hath he in the scriptures?

A. He is called the spirite of faith, regeneration strength, and comfort.

Q. Why are these names giuen to y^e holy Ghost?

A. Because he worketh all these things in vs.

Q. How are these graces called?

A. Sanctification, regeneration, or new birth, and spirite.

Q. How is our corrupted estate called?

A. The olde man, old Adam, flesh and bloud.

Q. What followeth vpon our sanctification?

A. A continuall battell betwixt the spirite & the flesh.

Q. Who doth strengthen and keepe vs in this battell?

A. The same spirite, who also giueth victory in the ende.

Q. what is this battell to vs?

A. A sure seale of y^e presence of the holy spirite.

Q. what battell hath the old man in himselfe?

A. None at all against sinne and wickednes.

Q. In whom then is this battell?

A. Onely in the members of Christ and his Church, through the presence of the spirite.

Notes

• 15. 26.
• Ephes.
• 〈…〉〈…〉. 7. 15.