A double catechisme one more large, following the order of the common authorized catechisme, and an exposition thereof: now this second time published: the other shorter for the weaker sort: both set forth for the benefit of Christian friends and wel-willers. By Richard Bernard, Master of Arts, and preacher of Gods word at Worsop in Nottingham-shire.

Q. VVhat is prayer?

A. It is a right request made onely to God, in the name of Iesus Christ, by a true beleeuer, for such things as be lawfull

Q. VVhat rule haue you to direct you in your prayer aright?

A. The same which our Sauiour Christ taught his disciples, called the Lords prayer.

Q. Let me heare it.

A. Our Father which art in heauen, &c.

Q. Hovv many parts are thereof this prayer?

A. Foure: I. a preface: II. sixe petitions: III. a confirmation. IV. a conclusion.

Q. VVhich is the preface?

A. It is contained in these words, Our Father vvhich art in heauen.

Q. VVhat learne you out of this?

A. 1. That a preparation must be made to pray. 2. It shewes the properties of true prayer.

Q. VVhat must you aforehand prepare, in going to God to pray?

A. 1. I must prepare these 6. things. My mind to meditate of heauenly things, before I set to pray, and vnderstand that it is commaunded and promised, what I purpose to aske. 2. My heart, withdrawing it from former passions a while, to af∣fect earnestly with feruencie that I will aske. 3. My words to be vttered aptly with the heart agreeing with the matter. 4. My behauiour to a holy reue∣rence, considering Gods iustice and maiestie, and my wickednesse and basenesse. 5. My faith, to ap∣prehend as much as shall be necessarie. 6. My hope to waite without appointing God either the time, place, manner, or quantitie of the matter. 7. My will, to vse afterwards all the honest meanes appointed to obtaine the same.

Q. VVhat be the true properties of prayer?

A. 1. That it be in true loue: for we must re∣member to pray for all our brethren not departed this life, for there is no Purgatorie. 2. It must bee made onely to God, for him only can we call hea∣uenly Father, neither to Saints nor Angels. 3. In the name of Christ, through whom onely he is our Father by adoption. 4. In faith: for that he is a Fa∣ther, and will not deny his children. 5. Without a carnall conceipt of God, vaine babling, or wan∣dering thoughts: for he is in heauen.

Q. VVhich be the sixe petitions?

A. Hallowed be thy name, &c.

Q. ƲƲhat do these teach you?

A. The summe of all the things which I can lawfully aske at Gods hand, for body or soule: wherof the first three concerne the glorie of God, and the latter three the good of man.

Q. VVhich is the first petition, and vvhat de∣sire you in it?

A. The first is, Hallovved be thy name: and I desire therein, in the first place, that I and all o∣ther may acknowledge God so truly, in his word and workes, as in euery of our thoughts, wordes, and deeds, he may be highly worshipped and praysed.

Q. VVhich is the second, and vvhat desire you in it?

A The second is, Thy kingdome come: and desire that he will send vs the meanes, thus to ho∣nour his name, that is, his word and spirit: with all things that do further thereunto▪ that so the elect may be gathered, and Christ come to the last iudgement to giue vs his kingdome of glorie.

Q. VVhich is the third petition, and vvhat desire you in it?

A. The third is, Thy vvill be done, and I desire, that as we haue the meanes to glorifie him, so here we pray to do, not ours, but his will, as all his commaundements and word teacheth vs: and as the blessed Saints and Angels do in heauen, heartily wi••hout hypocrisie, willingly without grudging, readily without lingring, faithfully without sinister respects, ioyfully without murmu∣ring, and constantly without wauering vnto the end.

Q. VVhich is the fourth petition, and vvhat de∣sire you in it?

A. The fourth is, Giue vs this, &c. and I desire, that he will provide those necessaries for our bo∣dies, without which we cannot serue him: and that we may depend patiently vpon his prouidence, v∣sing diligent labour, and all honest meanes to helpe our selues and others.

Q. VVhich is the fifth petition, and vvhat desire you in it?

A. The fifth is, And forgiue vs our trespasses, &c and I desire, that he would forgiue all of vs, friend or foe, our sinnes, lest they either hinder vs of the former mercies, or cause them to be taken frō vs: and that he will perswade our consciences, that we are forgiuen, by giuing vs grace to forgiue freely, and to forget those offences, whereby in any thing, or any way, our neighbours haue bene grieuous vnto vs.

Q. VVhich is the sixt and last petition, and vvhat desire you in it?

A. The sixth is, Leade vs not into temptation, &c. and I desire, that as he will pardon vs, so he would also giue vs the gift of continuance, that though we be tempted, yet may we ouercome, and be deliuered from sinne and Sathan, and neuer

fall againe any more from God.

Q. ƲƲhich is the confirmation?

A. For thine is the kingdome, &c.

Q. VVhat learne you by this?

A. I do learne hereby two things: 1. that it is a reason, not to moue God, but to stir vp our affe∣ctions, and to strengthen our faith in asking.

Q. Hovv doth it this?

A. When it teacheth me to acknowledge the kingdome to God our Father, that is, his domini∣on and right ouer all: and that his power is the greatest to compell all to do what he will, and as he will: and his glorie the highest, which himself maintaines, and we seeke aboue all.

Q. VVhat is the second thing vve learne?

A. 2. A thanksgiuing and praysing of God, which we ought to vse in the end, as the second part of prayer: which is done, in giuing to God his owne, the rule, power, and glorie, which we desire him to manifest by graunting our petitions, and we will acknowledge the same; not for a time, but for euer and euer.

Q. ƲƲhich is the conclusion?

A. This word, Amen.

Q. VVhat meane you by this vvord?

A. That I am perswaded by the aforesaid rea∣sons, that my request is graunted, and shall bee performed, as my father shall see it conuenient for me and his glorie, in time and place. And therefore I say, it is so, or so it shall be, which is A∣men.