Question. Having sufficiently, as I think, examined thee concerning the chief points of Christian Religion ; I would see now, how briefly and sufficiently thou canst rehearse the whole sum of all that hath hitherto been said.
Answer. First the Law of God contained in the ten Commandments, setteth before my eyes, a perfect rule of godly life, which I am bound to obey upon pain of eternal damnation : wherefore by the same Law, I do know my sin, and the wrath of God against me for the same, and that everlasting Death by God’s Justice is therefore due unto me: which breedeth in me a horrible fear of mind, and trouble of conscience, from the which it being impossible for me to be delivered by mine own wisdom, power, or virtue, or by any help or means of man, or Angel, I am taught by the Gospel, that Christ the Son of God, being made man without sin, hath by his death suffered the punishment due for my sins, pacified the wrath of God his Father towards me, and reconciled me unto his favour again, and made me partaker of his own Justice, and Heir with him of everlasting life; of all which benefits of Christ I am made partaker by faith in him. Which faith the holy Ghost, by the preaching of the Gospel, hath wrought in my heart : confirming the same also by his holy Sacraments, being visible and most sure tokens and pledges of God’s goodness towards me, through Christ. The which Faith as a lively and fruitful Tree, should bring forth in the fruits of good works, holiness, and righteousness all the days of my life, to the honour of God, who hath bestowed so many benefits upon me: and to the profit & good example of my neighbours. For the increase of the which faith, and grace to please God, and for the accomplishing all these things, I being of myself most weak and unable thereunto, ought to make continual and most earnest suit by hearty prayer unto God the father, the giver of all good things, in the name of his son our saviour Jesus Christ : yielding always unto him most hearty thanks for all his benefits.
Scripture References: Math. 22:39; John 13:34-35; 1 Cor. 10:17 an chapter 13; Deut. 4:1, 2:13; Psalm 9:4, 19:6-7, 11; Math. 19:16-17; Luke 10:25-28; Rom. 2:12-13, 3:19-20, 4:15; Gal. 3:10, 2 Cor. 2:7 and 7:9-10; Rom. 1:15-16; Acts 13:38-39; Heb. 2:4-5 and 9:9, 12, 14 and 10:2-4, 8; Math. 2:20-21; John 1:14, 29; Isa. 53:4-6, 10-11, Rom. 3:24-25
Master: I do see, my good child, that thou well understandest the sum of Christian godliness. Now it resteth, that thou so direct thy life by the rule of this godly knowledge, that though seem not to have learned these things in vain.
Scholar: I will do my diligence, with God’s help, worshipful Master, and omit nothing, so much as I am able to do, that I may answer the name and profession of a true Christian. And also I will humbly with all prayers and desires, always crave of Almighty God, that he suffer not the seed of his Doctrine to perish in my heart, as sown in a dry and barren soil, but that he will with the divine dew of his heavenly grace so water, & make fruitful the dryness & barrenness of my heart, that I may bring forth plentiful fruits of godliness, to be bestowed and laid up in the barn and garner of the Kingdom of Heaven.
Ma. Do so my good child; and doubt not, but as thou hast by God’s guiding first conceived this in mind and will, so shalt thou by his grace attain to an happy and blessed end, of this thy godly study and endeavour, to thy eternal salvation ; and to the glory of God, to whom be all honour, and glory, world without end.