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.

The fifth part.

Q. VVhat is a Sacrament?

A. It is a visible signe and seale of inuisible graces, commaunded and ordained with a pro∣mise by Christ in the Church, to be admini∣stred publikely, by a lawfull Minister, with the preaching of the word: which Sacrament with all the rites thereof doth represent and conuey by proportion and relation, in the present vse, inui∣sible graces, first, Christ, and then all his benefites, for further assurance of the same things, which God hath made by the promise of his word, vnto a true beleeuer, who is with Christ by the holy Ghost, vnited and made one.

Q. VVhat meane you by Christ, & all his benefits?

A. Whole Christ, God and man, with his righ∣teousnesse, iustice, holines, and redemption: who as he is Christ, one person of two natures, is truly said to be really present in the Sacraments, not properly in his humanitie, but by the communion of properties.

Q Hovv may you be sure that you haue receiued true benefite by the Sacraments?

A. If I do feele a dying to sinne, and liuing vnto righteousnesse, getting strength, and also increasing therein daily, by the force of Christes death and resurrection.

Q. Hovv many Sacraments are there?

A. Two and no moe: Baptisme and the Lords Supper.

VVhat is Baptisme?

A. It is the first Sacrament in the new Testa∣ment, by which such as are within the couenant, are either washed, sprinkled, or dipped in the wa∣ter, in the name of the Father, Sonne, and holy Ghost.

Q. VVhat is the outvvard signe and rite?

A. Water and washing.

Q. VVhat is the inuisible grace?

A. The bloud of Christ which cleanseth vs of all sinne, originall and actuall, past and to come.

Q. Are vve then no more sinners?

A. Yes in ourselues: for originall sinne still is sinne in vs, but we are washed from it. because it shall not be imputed, nor any sinne else vnto me a true beleeuer.

Q. VVho are to be baptized?

A. Not onely such as be of yeares, that can & do testifie their faith: but also infants of either fa∣ther or mother professing Christ and baptized: for the promise of saluation belongs to them and to their children.

Q. Is baptisme so necessarie to saluation, that vvithout it children cannot be saued?

A. It is necessarie, to all that may haue it, but not of necessitie, to such as cannot rightly come by it: for not the want, but the carelesse neglect and contempt thereof condemneth.

Q. Hovv oft should vve be baptized?

A. But once, for we may not be baptized againe after true baptisme: for being once borne, we cannot be borne againe naturally, nor spiritu∣ally.

Q. VVhat is the Lords Supper?

It is the latter Sacrament in the new Testament whereby we are nourished and preserued in the Church to eternall life.

Q. VVhat be the outvvard signes?

B. Bread and wine.

Q. VVhat be the things signified?

A. The bodie and bloud of Christ.

Q. ƲVhat are the rites?

A. The actions of the Minister and receiuer.

Q. VVhat are the actions of the Minister?

A. 1. To take the bread & wine into his hands. 2. to blesse it. 3. To breake the bread, and powre foorth the wine. 4. to offer and giue them to the receiuer.

Q. VVhat are the actions of the receiuer?

A. 1. To take the bread and wine offered in∣to his hand, 2. to eate the one, and drinke the o∣ther, and so digest and concoct them, as that they feele nourishment to the bodie.

Q. VVhat learn•• you by all these actions?

A. I am assured, that the visible actions of the Minister, doth represent the spirituall actions of God the Father to my soule, who hath decreed his Sonne, and elected him the Mediator, to haue his bodie broked, and his precious bloud shed for me, being offered to all, but giuen onely to the true beleeuer, that can by the hand of faith take hold of him: who shewes as liuely the vertue of his death to preserue his soule, as the vertue of the bread and wine is felt to nourish the bodie.

Q. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the bread turned into Christs bodie, and is the wine into his very bloud?

A. No verily: for then, 1. it were no Sacrament, 2. it is against reason, 3. against Scripture, 4. a∣gainst an article of our Creed, 5. against the iudg∣ment of anncient Fathers true writings, 6. against the iudgement of reformed Christian Churches, 7. against the opinion of holy Martyrs, who shed their bloud for the contrarie, 8. it is against expe∣rience of our senses, that the bread should bee flesh, or wine, bloud: neither is Christs bodie in, with, or about the same.

Q. Is there then no difference of this bread and vvine, from that vvhich vve vse commonly?

A. There is no difference in the substance, but in the holy vse▪ being at that time set apart to be

signes of Christs bodie and bloud.

Q. May euery one offer to receiue the vvill?

A. No: but onely such: as come prepared, and be fit, that both are able in knowledge to examin, and also by a good conscience will iudge them∣selues, whither they be in any measure prepared thereunto.

Q. VVhat if you come vnprepared?

A. I am an vnworthie receiuer, prouoking Gods wrath against me, and so eate and drinke my owne damnation.

Q. VVho are those that ought not to come?

A. Open impenitent sinners, fooles, madde persons, children, all that be of yeares, and yet ignorant, not being able to trie and iudge them∣selues: and if such prophane ones do offer them∣selues, they are not to be admitted.

Q. VVhat be those things vvhereof you must try and iudge your selues?

A. I. Of my knowledge, concerning my mi∣serable estate through sinne, of Gods mercie; and our deliuerance by Christ, and the vnderstanding of this Sacrament. II. Of my beleefe in Christ, which I may do by the Creede. III. Of my re∣pentance towards God, for old and new sinnes, examined by his commaundements. IV. Of my brotherly loue, which I do owe to euery one, which I may trie and iudge by my forgiuing o∣thers, as I desire God to forgiue me, and by my seeking to satisfie whom I haue offended of my knowledge either in word or deed.

Q. May any by omitting these duties be free from sinne, if therefore they vvill not receiue the Sacrament vvith others?

A. No: for as to come vnprepared is damna∣tion, so to neglect to prepare for any earthly occa∣sion,

is a great wickednesse, such liuing in diso∣bedience, without repentance and charitie.

Q. VVhy do you go to the Lords supper?

A. 1. To testifie my loue in obedience to God commaunding. 2. To strengthen my faith beeing weake. 3. To maintaine and increase the holy cō∣munion and fellowship of brotherly loue amongst vs the members of Christ and 4. to keepe a re∣membrance of his death till his second comming.

Q. Hovv must you be exercised in the time of ad∣ministration, and aftervvards?

A. I must. 1. meditate vpon the death and passion of Christ, how grieuously I haue sinned. 2. Gods endlesse mercie. 3. the vnitie and fel∣lowship that is amongst the true members of the Church with Christ, and one with another: reioy∣cing in heart, and praysing God therefore with the congregatiō. Afterwards 1. I must giue almes to the needie brethren, and do other good works of charitie in token of thankfulnesse, that day e∣specially, for so great a mercie. 2. Grow from thenceforth in obedience, faith, and vnfained loue to my liues end.