The English version of Hugo Grotius, his catechism by Francis Goldsmith ; together with the testimonies collected out of Holy Scripture by N.G.

THE CATECHISME OF HUGO GROTIUS Done into English Verse BY FRANCIS GOLDSMITH Esq

MY Son, that thou wert once baptiz'd dost know? Father, I often have heard so. Know'st thou what Ceremony then was us'd? Pure water on my limbs diffus'd. Who did this sacred water on thee pour?Line 5 ¹ Heavens Herald, ² Gods Embassadour. What place him saw thee thus to expiate? Where Saints their meetings celebrate. What words were said? what names were utter'd, know'st? ³ The Father, Son, and holy Ghost.Line 10 Do we in Baptism then three Gods adore? ⁴ There is but one God, and no more. How of his power makes he declaration? ⁵ By his word, ⁶ and the worlds Creation. Tel! me how God may briefly be defin'd?Line 15 ⁷ A good, pure, infinite, ⁸ changeless mind. Why is one God set forth in persons three? ⁹ In holy Writ thus known is he. That three are one, what reason can us teach? God is above all humane reach.Line 20 Can it by no similitude be shown? The Sun, Heat, Light, are three, yet one. May we not some such thing in mankind see? Life, Reason, Will, in one are three. Are Father, Son, and Spirit equal? TheyLine 25 ¹⁰ With equal might one Scepter sway.

What is most proper to the Father? All ¹ Things take from him Original. How e're the world began was God imploy'd? ² He, without it, himself enjoy'd.Line 30 Say from what matter did things take their birth? ³ Of nothing God made heaven and earth. What differing forms are in both places found? ⁴ Plants, water, light, stars, animals, ground. Of what was man first made? To him was givenLine 36 ⁵ A body of earth, a mind from heaven. But to what end did God make man? That he Might serve him, and blest ever be. Could man have kept Gods Law? Yes, the divine ⁶ Image at first in him did shine.Line 40 Whence then is this corruption in us grown? By ⁷ Adam's sin first, then our own. Doth God at random suffer things to run? ⁸ There's nothing but by him it's done. If he rule all, why doth he sin permit?Line 45 ⁹ He wisely extracts good from it. Can God do every thing? He can do all ¹⁰ That's fit, hence him w' Almighty call. Say when the Son of God was born? A man ¹¹ In time; But God 'ere time began.Line 50 Before all time what was he? The paternal ¹² Image, ¹³ Word, ¹⁴ Wisdom coeternal. How is his power known? The world by th' Son ¹⁵ Was made, without him nothing done. A humane soul, and flesh, whence did he take?Line 55 ¹⁶ The Spirit, a Virgin-mother did make. Say what name had the Child-bearer Divine? Mary of ¹⁷ Abram's ¹⁸ David's Line. Were God and man distinct, and two became? ¹⁹ God-man one person, both the same.Line 60 Did then the God-head and the Man-hood mingle? Both natures met together single. What things may shadow this Conjunction? In soul and body man is one. Why was the Son of God call'd Jesus? ThisLine 65 ²⁰ In Hebrew Saviour signifies.

And why is he call'd Christ? ¹ Kings are anointed, ² The Father him a King appointed. How did he our salvation obtain? ³ By his life, ⁴ death, ⁵ rising again.Line 70 What fruits unto thee doth his life afford? ⁶ To tread his steps, to learn his word. Sum up his Doctrine whilst he here abode. To know and purely worship God. What are the parts of this Religion; Tell.Line 75 ⁷ Repentance, Faith, and to do well. What signifies that part which goes before? To weep for sin, and sin no more. What's the true Faith, whereby be sav'd thou must? God speaking to believe and trust.Line 80 But what must we especially believe? ⁸ That God doth freely us forgive. Why serve good works, the law of love then? They Are fruits of faith, to life the way. Whom doth God bid us love in holy Text?Line 85 ⁹ God above all, our Neighbour next. Private or publick prayers doth God require? ¹⁰ Both, being of all and each the Sire. In all our prayers to God what's understood? What's for his glory, and our good.Line 90 What must we pray to help his glory on? ¹¹ His Name prais'd, Kingdom come, Will done. What may we for our selves in prayer demand? ¹² Bread, pardon, evil to withstand. Line 95

With what prayers will our God be call'd upon?Line 95 ¹ Pure, modest, with hope, ² no ambition. May we beside God upon others call? ³ He will no rival have at all. Can God endure we should his Image make? ⁴ A face Invisible none can take.Line 100 Must he who shall swear falsly death sustain? Yes, ⁵ and who takes his name in vain. What makes Gods people to the Church repair? Font, Supper, Psalms, Alms, Preaching, Pray'r. What ought a faithful Pastor teach his fold?Line 105 The new Testament and the old. How far unto his Doctrine are we bound? ⁶ As he Gods Oracles doth expound. What rule is't that a Preacher may not break? ⁷ Only what God shall say, to speak.Line 110 What is his chiefest praise and ornament? ⁸ A blameless life, and innocent. What owe we him that doth the word dispense? ⁹ Maintenance, love, and ¹⁰ reverence. For what may children hope reward? If theyLine 115 ¹¹ Their parents love, honour, obey. How must the parent for his child provide? ¹² Give him food, be to heav'n a guide. Why doth God Magistrates raise to such a height? ¹³ Good men to guard, bad men to fright.Line 126 Say, of a Subject what the duties are? ¹⁴ Obedience, honour, tribute, fear. What's he enjoyn'd that leads a married life? ¹⁵ T•• maintain, love, bear with his Wife. What's a young womans best becoming dress?Line 120 ¹⁶ Vertue unfain'd, chast shamefastness.

How may a wife please God? If Children she Bring up, ¹ to her husband subject be. What must a desolate widow care for, say? ² Relieve the poor, ³ be sober, pray.Line 130 How may a master deserve praise? He must ⁴ To his servants equal be and just. What from a Servant to his Lord is due? ⁵ Painful, not eye-service, but true. What is accounted murder in Christ's Book?Line 135 ⁶ Hatred and Envies poys'ning look. What if we first are wrong'd in words or deeds? ⁷ Let him soon pardon who it needs. May we not then revenge wrongs and disgrace? ⁸ We rather ought to more give place.Line 140 Must we not love them who good to us do? ⁹ Our enemies we must love too. Who gave us this example thus divine? ¹⁰ Gods Sun on good and bad doth shine. Say what the Scripture terms adultery? AllLine 145 ¹¹ Lust, but the duty conjugal. If we forbear the fact, doth it suffice? ¹² We must have a chaste mouth and eyes. Is Marriage better, or Virginity? ¹³ To serve Christ single life's more free.Line 150 Doth God at Wedlock then displeasure take? ¹⁴ God himself marriage first did make. Can such a knot once ty'd be e're undone? ¹⁵ Only by fornication. How much is't better to live single then?Line 155 ¹⁶ Continence is not in all men. Must we have wealth, but from whence skils it not? ¹⁷ All goods are stoln which are ill got.

Is it enough then to have innocent hands? ¹ He who shall covet, guilty stands.Line 160 Can the rich pass heaven gate? Great Bodies may ² (But hardly) pass a narrow way. What doth God them who are grown rich command? ³ An humble heart, a liberal hand. What makes our gifts with God acceptance find?Line 165 ⁴ A chearful, ⁵ not praise-seeking mind. By giving much may not our selves grow poor? ⁶ Than house, food, rayment, wish no more. Who undertakes that I shall not want those? ⁷ Who Sparrows feeds, and Lillies clothes.Line 170 To take care for to morrow is't not best? ⁸ Care for to day, leave God the rest. Must not Christ's followers to ⁹ lie forbear? ⁹ Yes, and ¹⁰ brawles, and ¹¹ idle words fear. ¹² To jest doth the strict rule of life permit?Line 175 ¹³ God highly censures obscene wit, What pleasure is allow'd then to our tongues? ¹⁴ Good counsel, Scripture, holy songs. Is silence not a fault sometimes? When't may ¹⁵ Gods honor, or mans ¹⁶ good betray.Line 180 Are all the inward motions free from fault? No, ¹⁷ God condemns each evil thought. What three plagues into mortal bosoms glide? ¹⁸ Avarice, carnal pleasure, pride. Say, how perdition the lost soul besets?Line 185 ¹⁹ Lust brings forth sin, sin death begets. What hath Christ's Law prescrib'd especially? ²⁰ The Cross to bear, our selves deny.

Who doth Christ say shall blessedness inherit? ¹ Sad, meek, pure, hungry, poor in spirit.Line 190 What's their reward who suffer for Christ's sake? ² With the old Prophets they partake. Say, who will Christ on his right hand admit? ³ Who lodge, cloth, feed, give drink, visit. Whom must we use thus? ⁴ These that hungry be,Line 195 Or want health, house, clothes, liberty. What witnesses doth Christian doctrine boast? The Father, Son, and holy Ghost. What testimony did the Father bear? ⁵ This is my Son belov'd, him hear.Line 200 How of himself true proof did Jesus give? Than teach, he did more strictly live. What witness hath the heavenly Spirit brought? ⁶ The mighty miracles which Christ wrought. What were those wonders which his fame so spread?Line 205 To heal the sick, to raise the dead. ⁷ The rule of perfect life was Jesus then? ⁸ His life made God well pleas'd with men. But what way to his death did Jesus come? ⁹ By Jewish hate, Italian doom.Line 210 What was the unjust Judge's name? Him all Records do Pontius Pilate call. How did their wicked fury him disgrace? Mock, buffet, scourge, spit in his face. What was the end of all these pains at last?Line 215 Hands and feet to the Cross nail'd fast. What shew'd the soul Christ's body did forsake? Noon-day was night, the earth did quake. Now tell what place his dead corps did receive? Hewin out of a Rock, a grave.Line 220 Did he but in his Body suffer pain? His soul great sorrow did sustain.

Why did a guiltless person this endure? ¹ All this our pardon did procure. Could nothing reconcile us but his blood?Line 225 ² This with Gods exact justice stood. For all mens sins could his one death suffice? ³ He's such a spotless sacrifice. What taught Christ at his last hour? ⁴ Patience, Modesty, ⁵ love, ⁶ obedience.Line 230 Did he once dead still in the grave remain? ⁷ No, the third day he rose again. What doth his Resurrection to us prove? ⁸ That he's the Son of God above. Is Christ as man less than the Cherubin?Line 235 ⁹ The hosts of heaven all worship him. Doth he remember us now in heaven? Christ ¹⁰ Is both our King there and ¹¹ high-Priest. What's for us there by's Priestly Office done? ¹² His blood makes intercession.Line 240 What doth he for us there as he's our King? ¹³ Subdue our foes, ¹⁴ protection bring. Will he invisible then in heaven remain? ¹⁵ Till in a Cloud he comes again. Why will he come again on earth to tread?Line 245 ¹⁶ He'l come to judge both quick and dead. What by the Spirit is meant? the third in one; ¹⁷ The virtue of the Father and Son.

Was he, e're Christ the Virgins flesh did take? ¹ Inspir'd by him the Prophets spake.Line 250 What promis'd Christ to th' twelve? ² More work to do Themselves, ³ enabling others too. What sparkling beams flow'd from this heavenly light? ⁴ Healing, tongues, prophesies, Devils flight. What doth the holy Ghost now these are ceas't?Line 255 ⁵ Instruct and ⁶ comfort still our breast. Is it enough if we the Scriptures read? ⁷ The Letter without the Spirit is dead. May we not of our selves believe Christ's word? ⁸ Without his Spirit none calls him Lord.Line 260 Doth not the strength suffice of our own wit? ⁹ Carnal minds cannot God admit. Doth then the Spirit his light to us impart? ¹⁰ And create in us a new heart. Of further help hath a Believer need?Line 265 ¹¹ God worketh both the will and deed. To Gods beginning must mans works be joyn'd? ¹² Who asks receives, who seeks shall find. What if the mind shall with hard conflicts wrastle? ¹³ Watch and pray, God will keep the Castle.Line 270 From th' holy Ghost what comfort do we gather? ¹⁴ That God will always be our Father. But where wilt thou this holy Spirit find? ¹⁵ I' th' Church which he in love doth bind. Where may this holy Church of God be found?Line 275 ¹⁶ Where e're the name of Christ doth sound.

But doth not God the Jews his people call? ¹ Christ brake down that partition wall. Is then the Law of Moses out of date? ² A new the old doth antiquate.Line 280 Where's now the Sabbath? Where's Circumcision? ³ We have the things, the shadow's gone. Amongst the Saints what things are common, know'st? ⁴ Goods of this world, but of heaven most? Whereby know we Christ's souldiers? what's the token?Line 285 ⁵ 〈◊〉〈◊〉 blood shed, and body broken. Can we him eat who hath so long been dead? ⁶ Under the forms of Wine and Bread. H••w is the bread his flesh? the wine his blood? ⁷ They to the soul are drink and food.Line 290 Why do we of one bread, one cup partake? ⁸ To shew that we one body make. Must we for weak and ignorant people care? ⁹ Them gently warm, and with them bear. What if they wrong us in our goods or name?Line 295 ¹⁰ Tell one or two, then more the same. What if they shall persist thus obstinate? ¹¹ Let them be excommunicate. Must they dwell in perpetual banishment? ¹² Till it appear that they repent.Line 300 Can then the Church the Keys thus both ways use? ¹³ God with the Church doth bind and loose. How to receive new Christians are we wont? ¹⁴ Way is made for them at the Font. Why do they baptize Infants born but late?Line 305 ¹⁵ To God we soon them consecrate? Must they not faith first have whom we baptize? ¹⁶ The parents faith and vows suffice.

Of what good things a sign doth baptism give? ¹ Pardon, ² new birth, ³ again to live.Line 310 Why Baptism doth confirm our pardon, say? ⁴ Water filth, sin God takes away. Do we by our deserts procure this love? ⁵ Gods goodness only doth him move. Did none for us purchase so great a good?Line 315 ⁶ Of guiltless Christ th' Imputed blood. Who are they whose old sins God will forgive? ⁷ Who them confess, and for them grieve. Is he then who repents accounted just? ⁸ If he believe Gods word, and trust.Line 320 Doth for relapsers any hope remain? ⁹ If truly they repent again. But how doth water new birth signifie? ¹⁰ A Christian like one drown'd doth die. Yet we to live and breath behold them still?Line 325 ¹¹ He's dead to sin and his own will. What life doth he put on who is new-born? ¹² To Christs, through whom God's pleas'd, conform, Hereafter is all care and fear then past? ¹³ The wars of flesh and spirit still last.Line 330 The sensual part what weapon can impair? ¹⁴ Faith, Gods word, peace, fasting and pray'r. Have the regenerate no dregs within? ¹⁵ Such a self-flattery is great sin. How doth the new life then excel the old?Line 335 ¹⁶ Therein vice doth no scepter hold. Say, how he who falls oft, Gods love retains? ¹⁷ For Christ, God pardons what remains. What sign gives Baptism that we shall revive? ¹⁸ So they rise in the sea who dive.Line 340

Where shall the faithful souls inhabit? say. ¹ Ever with Christ at the last day. What shall be done when that day shall give light? ² The Archangels trump the dead shall cite. And why shall bones rise from the grave again?Line 345 ³ Their deeds shall find reward or pain. Into what torments will Christ Rebels send? ⁴ Perpetual fire, death without end. But what good things doth God for Saints prepare? ⁵ Such joyes as full and endless are.Line 350 Can bodies quite consum'd again then rise? ⁶ So Corn springs up, whose seed first dies. Such will the body rise as it did fall? ⁷ Immortal, bright, strong, spiritual. Shall we then marriage, meat, or drink desire?Line 355 ⁸ We shall be like the heavenly Quire. Shall our eyes see the Sun, or horned Moon? ⁹ Gods beams will make one constant Noon. What are those pleasures that we there shall find? ¹⁰ Above the sense of th' ear, eye, mind.Line 360 Thither to come, as Baptism teaches, live. ¹¹ Such grace he, who commands, God give.

AMEN.