it immediately followeth, that we believe the holy universal church, and the communion of saints?

Scholar. These two things I have alway thought to be most fitly coupled together. Because the fellowships and incorporations of other men proceed and be governed by other means and policies: but the church, which is an assembly of men called to everlasting salvation, is both gathered together, and governed by the Holy Ghost, of whom we even now made mention. Which thing, since it cannot be perceived by bodily sense or light of nature, is (by right and for good reason) here reckoned among things, that are known by belief.

And therefore this calling together of the faithful is called universal, because it is bound to no one special place. For God, throughout all coasts of the world, hath them that worship him; which, though they be far scattered asunder by divers distance of countries and dominions; yet are they members most nearly joined of that same body, whereof Christ is the head; and have one spirit, faith, sacraments, prayers, forgiveness of {sins, and heavenly bliss, common among them all; and be so knit with the bond of love, that they endeavour themselves in nothing more, than each to help other, and to build together in Christ,

Master. Seeing thou hast already spoken of the knowledge of God and his members: I would also hear what is the true service of God?

Scholar. First, we must consider, that the right and true knowledge of God, is the principal and only foundation of God's service. The same knowledge, fear doth foster and maintain, which in Scriptures is called "The beginning of wisdom." Faith and hope are the props and stays, whereupon lean all the rest, that I have rehearsed. Furthermore, charity, which we call love, is like an everlasting

bond, by the strait knot whereof all other virtues be bound in one together, and their force increased. These are the inward parts of God's service, that is to say, which consist in the mind.

Master. What hast thou to say of the Sabbath, or the holy day, which even now thou madest mention of, among the laws of the first table?

It

Scholar. Sabbath is as much to say, as rest. was appointed for only honour and service of God, and it is a figure of that rest and quietness, which they have, that believe in Christ. For our trust in Christ doth set our minds at liberty, from all slavish fear of the law, sin, death, and hell; assuring us in the mean season, that by him we please God, and that he hath made us his children and heirs of his kingdom whereby there groweth in our hearts peace and true quietness of mind: which is a certain foretaste of the most blessed quiet, which we shall have in his kingdom.

As for those things that are used to be done on the sabbath day, as ceremonies and exercises in the service of God, they are tokens and witnesses of this assured trust. And meet it is, that faithful Christians, on such days as are appointed out for holy things, should lay aside unholy works, and give themselves earnestly to religion and serving of God.

Master. What be the parts of that outward serving God, which thou sayedst even now, did stand in certain bodily exercises; which are also tokens of the inward serving him?

Scholar. First, to teach and hear the learning of the Gospel; then, the pure and natural use of the ceremonies and sacraments; last of all, prayer made unto God by Christ, and in the name of Christ, which without fail obtaineth the Holy Ghost, the most assured author of all true serving God, and upright religion.

Master. Tell me, what thou callest sacraments? Scholar. They are certain customary, reverent doings and ceremonies, ordained by Christ, that by them he might put us in remembrance of his benefits and we might declare our profession, that we be of the number of them, which are partakers of the same benefits, and which fasten all their affiance in him: that we are not ashamed of the name of Christ, or to be termed Christ's scholars.

Master. Tell me, my son, how these two sacraments be ministered; baptism, and that which Paul calleth, the supper of the Lord?

Scholar. Him that believeth in Christ, professeth the articles of the Christian religion, and mindeth to be baptized (I speak now of them that be grown to ripe years of discretion, since for the young babes their parents' or the church's profession sufficeth), the minister dippeth in, or washeth with pure and clean water only, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: and then commendeth him by prayer to God, into whose church he is now openly, as it were, enrolled, that it may please God to grant him his grace, whereby he may answer in belief and life agreeably to his profession.

Master. What is the use of the Lord's supper?

Scholar. Even the very same that was ordained by the Lord himself, Jesus Christ. "Which (as St. Paul saith) the same night that he was betrayed, took bread: and when he had given thanks, brake it, and said; This is my body, which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of me. In like manner, when supper was ended, he gave them the cup, saying, This cup is the New Testament in my blood. Do this, as oft as ye shall drink thereof, in the remembrance of me." This was the manner and order of the Lord's supper, which we ought to hold and keep; that the remembrance of so great a benefit,

the passion and death of Christ, be always kept in mind: that after that the world is ended, he may 'come and make us to sit with him at his own board. Master. What doth baptism represent and set before our eyes?

Scholar. That we are by the Spirit of Christ new born, and cleansed from sin, that we be members and parts of his church, received into the communion of saints. For water signifieth the spirit. Baptism is also a figure of our burial in Christ, and that we shall be raised up again with him in a new life, as I have before declared in Christ's resurrection.

Master. What declareth and betokeneth the supper unto us; which we solemnly use in the remembrance of the Lord?

Scholar. The supper (as I have shewed a little before) is a certain thankful remembrance of the death of Christ; forasmuch as the bread representeth his body, betrayed to be crucified for us; the wine standeth in stead and place of his blood, plenteously shed for us. And even, as by bread and wine our natural bodies are sustained and nourished; so, by the body, that is, the flesh and blood of Christ, the soul is fed through faith, and quickened to the heavenly and godly life.

Master. How come these things to pass ?

Scholar. These things come to pass by a certain sceret mean and lively working of the Spirit, when we believe that Christ hath, once for all, given up his body and blood for us, to make a sacrifice and most pleasant offering to his heavenly Father: and also when we confess and acknowledge him our only Saviour, high Bishop, Mediator, and Redeemer, to whom is due all honour and glory.

Master. All this thou dost well understand. For methinketh thy meaning is, that faith is the mouth of the soul; whereby we receive this heavenly meat, full

both of salvation and immortality, dealt among us, by the means of the Holy Ghost. Now, since we have entreated of the sacraments, pass forward to the other parts of God's service.

Scholar. I will do your commandment. There remain two things belonging to the perfection of God's service. First, our Lord Jesus Christ's will was, that there should be teachers and evangelists; that is to say, preachers of the Gospel, to this intent, that his voice might continually be heard to sound in his church. He that coveteth (as all ought to covet) to bear the name of a Christian, may have no doubt that he ought with most earnest affection and fervent desire endeavour himself to hear and soak into his mind, the word of the Lord: not like the words of any man, but like (as it is indeed) the word of Almighty God.

Secondarily, because all, that is good, and that ought of a Christian to be desired, cometh unto us from God, and is by him granted; therefore of him we ought to require all things: and by thanksgiving acknowledge them all received of him. Which thing he so well liketh, that he esteemeth it instead of a passing pleasant sacrifice: as it is most evident by the witness of the prophets and Apostles.

Master. Hast thou any certain and appointed manner of praying?

Scholar. Yea, forsooth: even the very same that our Lord taught his disciples, and in them all other Christians. Who being on a time required to teach them some sort of prayer, taught them this. "When ye pray," quoth he, "say, Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give

4

us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive them, that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation. But deliver us