Skip to content

Ask Library Bible Articles Connect

Toggle the side pane with ⌘ B

Library online
2,151 works
107 authors
135.7M words
1526–1797
812,035 Scripture references
Index built 2026-11-10

Filter authors and titles

A short treatise (John Ball, 1617) | AskReformation

Library
John Ball
A short treatise

Title page: Internet Archive scan of the Early English Books microfilm (opens the Internet Archive in a new tab)

B00150

A short treatise

A short treatise: containing all the principal grounds of Christian religion. By way of questions and answers: very profitable for all sorts of men, but especially for householders..A short treatise: containing all the principall grounds of Christian religion. By way of questions and answers: very profitable for all sorts of men, but especially for housholders..

John Ball 1585–1640

London: printed for William Welby, 1617

[16], 234+ p. · 48k words · STC 1314.3 · ESTC S124283

Start reading Ask about this work Search inside

How to cite

John Ball, A short treatise (London,, 1617). EEBO-TCP B00150.

Contents 220

Title page4
To the readerTO THE CHRIstian Reader.5
To the readerThe Printer to the Reader.2
ErrataErrata in the quotations.2
ErrataErrata in the reading.2
Title page5
A Short Catechism, with an Exposition upon the same.A Short Catechisme, with an Exposition vpon the same.pp. 1–234780
Q. WHAT ought to be the chief, & continual care of every man in…Q. VVHAT ought to bee the cheife, & continuall care of euery man in…Q. WHAT ought to be the chief, & continual care of every man in this life?Q. VVHAT ought to bee the cheife, & continuall care of euery man in this life?pp. 1–34

The Reformers and Puritans in their own words, with every quotation checked against the page.

Texts transcribed from the original printings by the Text Creation Partnership (EEBO-TCP and Evans-TCP) and dedicated to the public domain (CC0).

Read

Browse the library
Authors
Search the texts
Check a quotation
The Bible (KJV)
Articles

Use

Ask a question
Add it to your AI assistant
Connector reference

About

About AskReformation
Contact
Sources and licensing
Fair use
Privacy
Terms

Q. Whence must we take direction to attain hereunto?Q. Whence must we take direction to attaine hereunto?

pp. 3–4

3

Q. What call you the word of God?pp. 4–64

Q. What are the books of the Old Testament?pp. 63

Q. Which are the books of t•e new Testament?Q. Which are the bookes of t•e newe Testament?pp. 6–72

Q. How may it be proved that those books are the word of God, imm…Q. How may it be prooued that those bookes are the word of God, imm…Q. How may it be proved that those books are the word of God, immediately inspired by the holy Ghost to the Prophets and Apostles?Q. How may it be prooued that those bookes are the word of God, immediately inspired by the holy Ghost to the Prophets and Apostles?pp. 7–1510

Q. How else?pp. 15–2912

Q. These reasons may convince any be he never so obstinate, but are…Q. These reasons may conuince any be he neuer so obstinate, but are…Q. These reasons may convince any be he never so obstinate, but are they sufficient to persuade the heart hereof?Q. These reasons may conuince any be he neuer so obstinate, but are they sufficient to perswade the heart hereof?pp. 29–324

Q. What are the properties of the Scripture?pp. 32–378

Q. For what end was the Scripture written?Q. For what end was the Scripture writt•n?pp. 373

Q. Doth the knowledge of the Scriptures belong unto all men.Q. Doth the knowledge of the Scriptures belong vnto all men.pp. 37–393

Q. The Scriptures were written in Hebrew and Greek, how then shou…Q. The Scriptures were written in Hebrewe and Greeke, how then shou…Q. The Scriptures were written in Hebrew and Greek, how then should all men read and understand them?Q. The Scriptures were written in Hebrewe and Greeke, how then should all men read and vnderstand them?pp. 39–414

Q. What doth the Scripture especially teach v•?pp. 41–435

Q. How may it be proved that there is a God?Q. How may it be prooued that there is a God?pp. 44–477

Q. How else?pp. 47–504

Q. What is God?pp. 504

Q. How many Gods be there?pp. 50–524

Q. What is the property of the Father?Q. What is the propertie of the Father?pp. 523

Q. What is the property of the Sonne?Q. What is the propertie of the Sonne?pp. 522

Q. What is the property of the Holy Ghost?Q. What is the propertie of the Holy Ghost?pp. 522

Q. The nature of God is infinite and incomprehensible, how then may…Q. The nature of God is infinite and incomprehensible, how then may we conceive of him?Q. The nature of God is infinite and incomprehensible, how then may we conceiue of him?pp. 52–533

Q. What are his properties?pp. 53–5611

Q. What are his Works?Q. What are his Workes?pp. 562

Q. What is the decree?pp. 56–594

Q. What is creation?pp. 59–603

Q. In what form or manner were all things created?Q. In what forme or manner were all things created?pp. 602

Q. For what end did God make all things?Q. For what ende did God make all things?pp. 602

Q. What is providence?Q. What is prouidence?pp. 60–624

Q. What are the special creatures made, preserved, and governed by…Q. What are the speciall creatures made, preserued, and gouerned by…Q. What are the special creatures made, preserved, and governed by the Lord?Q. What are the speciall creatures made, preserued, and gouerned by the Lord?pp. 62–633

Q. What was the state of man by Creation?pp. 633

Q. Why say you that man was holy?pp. 63–655

Q. Wherein did mans happiness consist?Q. Wherein did mans happinesse consist?pp. 653

Q. What further privileges did man enjoy in this state of innocency?Q. What further priuiledges did man enioy in this state of innocencie?pp. 65–663

Q. Were these things bestowed upon man that he might live as he list?Q. Were these things bestowed vpon man that he might liue as he list?pp. 663

Q. What was that special commandment?Q. What was that speciall commaundement?pp. 66–672

Q. Death we hear was threatened if he did disobey; what promise wa…Q. Death we heare was threatned if hee did disobey; what promise wa…Q. Death we hear was threatened if he did disobey; what promise was made to encourage him to this duty?Q. Death we heare was threatned if hee did disobey; what promise was made to incourage him to this dutie?pp. 674

Q. Did man continue in that good estate?pp. 67–683

Q. How did he fall?pp. 68–693

Q. What was the sin he did commit?Q. What was the sinne he did commit?pp. 69–703

Q. Did all mankind sin in Adam?Q. Did all mankind sinne in Adam?pp. 703

Q. What is the state of all men hy reason of Adams fall?pp. 704

Q. How doth that appear?Q. How doth that appeare?pp. 703

Q. What fruits do proceed from this Original corruption?Q. What fruits doe proceed from this Originall corruption?3

Q. Are all the actions of natural men evil continually?Q. Are all the actions of naturall men euill continually?3

Q. What punishments are due unto man by reason of these sins?Q. What punishments are due vnto man by reason of these sinnes?3

Q. Which are the temporal miseries?Q. Which are the temporall miseries?2

Q. What are the spiritual miseries?Q. What are the spirituall miseries?8

Q. Which is the eternal misery?Q. Which is the eternall miserie?pp. 753

Q. After a man doth know his misery, what must he learn in the n…Q. After a man doth knowe his miserie, what must he learne in the n…Q. After a man doth know his misery, what must he learn in the next place?Q. After a man doth knowe his miserie, what must he learne in the next place?pp. 753

Q. By what means may we escape this misery, and recover happiness?Q. By what meanes may we escape this miserie, and recouer happines?pp. 753

Q. What is Jesus Christ?Q. What is Iesus Christ?3

Q. How many things are we to consider in Christ?2

Q. What is his person?3

Q. Being God before all time, how could he be made man?Q. Beeing God before all time, how could he be made man?pp. 803

Q. Why was Christ conceived by the holy Ghost?Q. Why was Christ conceiued by the holy Ghost?pp. 802

Q. Why was he God?pp. 80–813

Q. Why was he man?pp. 814

Q. What is his office?pp. 82–833

Q. How did he that?pp. 834

Q. What understand you by his sufferings?Q. What vnderstand you by his sufferings?pp. 83–865

Q. Did Christ always abide under the power and dominion of death?Q. Did Christ alwayes abide vnder the power and dominion of death?pp. 86–884

Q. What are the special parts of Christs Mediatorship?Q. What are the speciall parts of Christs Mediatorship?pp. 883

Q. Why was Christ a Prophet?pp. 88–924

Q. Why was Christ a 18 Priest?pp. 92–943

Q. What are the functions of his Priestly office?pp. 94–954

Q. Why was Christ a 20 King?pp. 95–986

Q. What benefits do we receive by the death and resurrection of C…Q. What benefits doe wee receiue by the death and resurrection of C…Q. What benefits do we receive by the death and resurrection of Christ?Q. What benefits doe wee receiue by the death and resurrection of Christ?pp. 98–994

Q. How are we redeemed from the guilt and punishment of sin?Q. How are we redeemed from the guilt and punishment of sinne?pp. 992

Q. How are we redeemed from the power and tyranny of sin?Q. How are we redeemed from the power and tyrannie of sinne?pp. 99–1004

Q What are the benefits of Christs ascension?Q What are the benefits of Christs ascention?pp. 1002

Q. What are the benefits of his intercession?pp. 1002

Q. How will the knowledge of these things work in the heart of him…Q. How wil the knowledge of these things worke in the heart of him…Q. How will the knowledge of these things work in the heart of him whom God will save?Q. How wil the knowledge of these things worke in the heart of him whom God will saue?pp. 100–1013

Q. What else will this knowledge work?Q. What else will this knowledge worke?pp. 101–1024

Q. How are we made partakers of Christ with all his benefits?pp. 1023

Q. What is faith?pp. 102–1033

Q. What is the ground of faith?pp. 103–1043

Q. How is faith wrought in us?Q. How is faith wrought in vs?pp. 104–1055

Q. How doth the word work faith in us?Q. How doth the word worke faith in vs?pp. 105–1063

Q. How doth the Spirit work by the word?Q. How doth the Spirit worke by the word?pp. 1062

Q. By what means is faith increased?Q. By what meanes is faith encreased?pp. 106–1084

Q. How must we hear that we may get profi?pp. 108–1097

Q. How else?pp. 109–1116

Q. What is Prayer?pp. 111–1124

Q. To whom must we pray?pp. 112–1134

Q. Ought we not in prayer to make particular confession of our sins?Q. Ought we not in prayer to make particular confession of our sinnes?pp. 113–1145

Q. What are the parts of Prayer?pp. 1142

Q. What is Petition?pp. 114–1152

Q. How may we make our requests that we may be heard?Q. How may wee make our requests that we may be heard?pp. 115–1178

Q. What is thanksgiving?Q. What is thanksgiuing?pp. 117–1183

Q. What things are required in Thanksgiving?Q. What things are required in Thanksgiuing?pp. 1182

Q. What rule of direction is there, according to which we ought to…Q. What rule of direction is there, according to which we ought to frame our prayers?Q. What rule of direction is there, according to which we ought to frame our praiers?pp. 118–1193

Q. How many things are to be considered in the Lords Prayer?pp. 1192

Q. Which is the preface?pp. 1192

Q. What learn you out of this Preface?Q. What learne you out of this Preface?pp. 1193

Q. What are you to consider in the Lords prayer it self?Q. What are you to consider in the Lords prayer it selfe?pp. 1192

Q Which is the first petition?pp. 1204

Q. What desire you of God in this petition?pp. 120–1215

Q. Which is the second petition?pp. 121–1224

Q. What do you desire of God in this petition?Q. What doe you desire of God in this petition?pp. 122–1233

Q. Which is the third petition?pp. 123–1246

Q. What desire you of God in this petition?pp. 124–1253

Q. Which is the fourth petition?pp. 125–1267

Q. What desire you of God in this petition?pp. 126–1273

Q. Which is the fifth petition?Q. Which is the fift petition?pp. 127–1286

Q. What desire you of God in this petition?pp. 128–1293

Q. Which is the sixth petition?Q. Which is the sixt petition?pp. 129–1314

Q. What desire you of God in this petition?pp. 131–1323

Q. Which is the Thanksgiving in the Lords Prayer?Q. Which is the Thanksgiuing in the Lords Prayer?pp. 132–1335

Q. Do not these words contain a reason also, why we beg the for…Q. Doe not these words containe a reason also, why we begge the for…Q. Do not these words contain a reason also, why we beg the former blessings at the hands of God?Q. Doe not these words containe a reason also, why we begge the former blessings at the hands of God?pp. 1332

Q. Which is the Conclusion of the Lords Prayer?pp. 1332

Q. What doth Amen 3• signify?Q. What doth Amen 3• signifie?pp. 133–1343

Q. What must we do after we have prayed?Q. What must we doe after we haue prayed?pp. 134–1353

Q. What benefit shall we gain hereby?Q. What benefit shall we gaine hereby?pp. 135–1367

Q. What must we do if God answer us not the first or second time?Q. What must we doe if God answere vs not the first or second time?pp. 136–1374

Q. Who ought to pray?pp. 137–1382

Q. Who can or may pray with hope to speed?Q. Who can or may pray with hope to speede?pp. 1383

Q. For whom must we pray?pp. 1404

Q. May men content themselves to pray in private only, or only in…Q. May men content themselues to pray in priuate onely, or onely in…Q. May men content themselves to pray in private only, or only in public?Q. May men content themselues to pray in priuate onely, or onely in publike?pp. 140–1424

Q. What other means hath the Lord appointed to increase faith?Q. What other meanes hath the Lord appointed to increase faith?pp. 142–1433

Q. Who ought to administer the Sacraments?pp. 143–1443

Q. What is a Sacrament?pp. 1444

Q. In what words is this covenant expressed in Scripture?Q. In what words is this couenant expressed in Scripture?pp. 144–1453

Q. What are the parts of a Sacrament?pp. 1455

Q. Who is the Author of the Sacraments?pp. 145–1463

Q. How many Sacraments be there?pp. 146–1473

Q. What is Baptism?Q. What is Baptisme?pp. 1473

Q. What is the outward sign?Q. What is the outward signe?pp. 147–1483

Q. What is the inward grace or thing signified?pp. 1483

Q. To what condition doth the party baptized bind himself?Q. To what condition doth the party baptized binde himselfe?pp. 148–1493

Q. How oft need a man to be baptized?Q. How oft neede a man to be baptized?pp. 1493

Q. Who ought to be baptized?pp. 149–1505

Q. What is the Lords Supper?pp. 150–1513

Q. Who is the author of this Sacrament?pp. 151–1524

Q. What is the outward sign?Q. What is the outward signe?pp. 152–1534

Q. What is the inward grace?pp. 153–1544

Q. What is the duty of the Minister in the administration of the S…Q. What is the dutie of the Minister in the administration of the S…Q. What is the duty of the Minister in the administration of the Sacrament?Q. What is the dutie of the Minister in the administration of the Sacrament?pp. 154–1556

Q. What is hereby signified?pp. 1552

Q. What is the duty of the receivers?Q. What is the dutie of the receiuers?pp. 1554

Q. What is signified he rehy?pp. 1562

Q. Is it sufficient to receive this Sacrament once?Q. Is it sufficient to receiue this Sacrament once?pp. 1563

Q For what end and use ought we to receive this Sacrament?Q For what end and vse ought we to receiue this Sacrament?pp. 156–1574

Q. What is the danger of unworthy receiving?Q. What is the danger of vnworthy receiuing?pp. 157–1584

Q. Who are to receive this Sacrament?Q. Who are to receiue this Sacrament?pp. 158–1595

Q. What else is required in them that come to this holy Table?pp. 159–1615

Q. What if a man find himself weak in faith, and full of doubting?Q. What if a man finde himselfe weake in faith, and full of doubting?pp. 161–1624

Q. How ought a mans heart to be affected in receiving the Sacrament?Q. How ought a mans heart to bee affected in receiuing the Sacrament?pp. 162–1633

Q. What must we do after we have received?Q. What must we doe after wee haue receiued?pp. 163–1643

Q. What order hath the Lord left in his Church to keep his ordinan…Q. What order hath the Lord left in his Church to keepe his ordinan…Q. What order hath the Lord left in his Church to keep his ordinances from contempt?Q. What order hath the Lord left in his Church to keepe his ordinances from contempt?pp. 164–1677

Q. Besides the forenamed means, are there not some other profitabl…Q. Besides the forenamed meanes, are there not some other profitabl…Q. Besides the forenamed means, are there not some other profitable for the increase of faith?Q. Besides the forenamed meanes, are there not some other profitable for the increase of faith?pp. 167–1697

Q. Hitherto of the ordinary means whereby faith is increased: be…Q. Hitherto of the ordinarie meanes whereby faith is increased: bee…Q. Hitherto of the ordinary means whereby faith is increased: be there not also some 6 extraordinary means?Q. Hitherto of the ordinarie meanes whereby faith is increased: bee there not also some 6 extraordinarie meanes?pp. 169–1703

Q. What is an holy fast?pp. 170–1715

Q. When ought we to fast?pp. 171–1725

Q. What is an holy feast?pp. 172–1734

Q. What is a religious vow?Q. What is a religious vowe?pp. 173–1756

Q. Can faith being wrought and confirmed in us, be fruitless and unp…Q. Can faith being wrought and confirmed in vs, be fruitles and vnp…Q. Can faith being wrought and confirmed in us, be fruitless and unprofitable?Q. Can faith being wrought and confirmed in vs, be fruitles and vnprofitable?pp. 1753

Q. What is the principal work of faith?Q. What is the principall worke of faith?pp. 1753

Q. What followeth thereupon?pp. 175–1763

Q. What else?pp. 176–1774

Q. What is a third thing that followeth hence?pp. 177–1795

Q. Wherein is the sum of the Law contained?Q. Wherein is the summe of the Lawe contained?pp. 179–18110

Q. How are they divided?Q. How are they diuided?pp. 181–18311

Q. Which are the Commandments of the first Table?Q. Which are the Commaundements of the first Table?pp. 1832

Q. Which are the commandments of the second Table?Q. Which are the commandements of the second Table?pp. 1832

Q. Which is the first Commandment?Q. Which is the first Commandement?pp. 1832

Q. What is the general duty required in this commandment?Q. What is the generall dutie required in this commaundement?pp. 183–1843

Q What is the general sin here forbidden?Q What is the generall sinne here forbidden?pp. 184–1864

Q. Which is the second Commandment?Q. Which is the second Commaundement?pp. 1862

Q. What is the general duty which this Commandment requireth?Q. What is the generall duty which this Commandement requireth?pp. 186–1873

Q. What is the general sin forbidden?Q. What is the generall sinne forbidden?pp. 187–1883

Q. What is the third Commandment?Q. What is the third Commandement?pp. 1882

Q. What is the general duty required in this Commandment?Q. What is the generall duty required in this Commandement?pp. 188–1903

Q. What is the general sin forbidden?Q. What is the generall sinne forbidden?pp. 1902

Q. When is the name of God taken otherwise then it should?pp. 190–1913

Q. Which is the fourth Commandment?Q. Which is the fourth Commaundement?pp. 1912

Q. What is the general duty here required?Q. What is the generall duty here required?pp. 191–1923

Q. What is the general sin there forbidden?Q. What is the generall sinne there forbidden?pp. 1934

Q. Which day is to be set apart as holy to the Lord?Q. Which day is to bee set apart as holy to the Lord?pp. 1943

Q. Which is the fifth Commandment?Q. Which is the fift Commaundement?pp. 1942

Q. Who are meant by Father and Mother?pp. 194–1953

Q. What is it to honour?pp. 1952

Q. Are the duties of inferiors only here intended?Q. Are the duties of inferiours only here intended?pp. 1952

Q. What then is the general duty required in this commandment?Q. What then is the generall duty required in this commandement?pp. 195–1963

Q. What is the duty of Inferiors to their Superiors?Q. What is the duty of Inferiours to their Superiours?pp. 196–1983

Q. What is the duty of Superiors?Q. What is the duty of Superiours?pp. 198–2014

Q. What is the duty of equals?Q. What is the duty of equalls?pp. 2012

Q. What is the sixth Commandment?Q. What is the sixt Commaundement?pp. 2012

Q. What is the general duty of this commandment?Q. What is the generall dutie of this commandement?pp. 201–2044

Q. What is the general sin here forbidden?Q. What is the generall sinne here forbidden?pp. 204–2054

Q. What is the seventh Commandment?Q. What is the seauenth Commaundement?pp. 205–2062

Q. What is the general duty of this commandment?Q. What is the generall duty of this commandement?pp. 2063

Q. What is the general sin here forbidden?Q. What is the generall sinne here forbiddden?pp. 206–2083

Q. What is the eight Commandment?Q. What is the eight Commaundement?pp. 2082

Q. What is the general duty of this Commandment?Q. What is the generall duty of this Commandement?pp. 208–2103

Q. What is the general sin here forbidden?Q. What is the generall sinne here forbidden?pp. 210–2134

Q. Which is the ninth Commandment?Q. Which is the ninth Commandement?pp. 2132

Q. What is the general duty here required?Q. What is the generall dutie here required?pp. 213–2144

Q. What is the general sin forbidden?Q. What is the generall sinne forbidden?pp. 214–2164

Q. What is the tenth Commandment?Q. What is the tenth Commaundement?pp. 2162

Q. What is the general duty here commanded?Q. What is the generall dutie here commanded?pp. 216–2173

Q. What is the general sin forbidden?Q. What is the generall sinne forbidden?pp. 2172

Q. Is any man able to keep this law?Q. Is any man able to keepe this law?pp. 217–2184

Q. Should not a Christian omit doing of good altogether, seeing he…Q. Should not a Christian omit doing of good altogether, seeing he cannot do it in that measure that God requireth?Q. Should not a Christian omit doing of good altogether, seeing he cannot doe it in that measure that God requireth?pp. 218–2193

Q. What means should a man use to grow in grace?Q. What meanes should a man vse to grow in grace?pp. 219–2228

Q. How else?pp. 222–2233

Q. What privileges doth God afford unto his children in this life,…Q. What priuiledges doth God afford vnto his children in this life,…Q. What privileges doth God afford unto his children in this life, who labour according to his will to grow in grace?Q. What priuiledges doth God afford vnto his children in this life, who labour according to his will to grow in grace?pp. 223–2256

Q. What other privileges doth God afford unto them?Q. What other priuiledges doth God afford vnto them?pp. 225–2298

Q. Do all the godly, or any at all times enjoy all these privileges?Q. Doe all the godly, or any at all times inioy all these priuiledges?pp. 2292

Q. What other hinderances do deprive Christians of these privileges?Q. What other hinderances doe depriue Christians of these priuiledges?pp. 2292

Q. How should a man bridle and reform these unruly passions?Q. How should a man bridle and reforme these vnruly passions?pp. 229–2302

Q. How may a man overcome his temptations to distrust?Q. How may a man ouercome his temptations to distrust?pp. 230–2314

Q. What else must be done?pp. 231–2323

Q. What other things is to be learned for the overcoming of these…Q. What other things is to be learned for the ouercomming of these…Q. What other things is to be learned for the overcoming of these temptations?Q. What other things is to be learned for the ouercomming of these temptations?pp. 232–2343

Q. What may be a further help beside?Q. What may be a further helpe beside?pp. 2343

Catalogue record

Title as printed: A short treatise: containing all the principal grounds of Christian religion. By way of questions and answers: very profitable for all sorts of men, but especially for householders..A short treatise: containing all the principall grounds of Christian religion. By way of questions and answers: very profitable for all sorts of men, but especially for housholders..
Author: John Ball 1585–1640
Place: London
Bookseller: William Welby
Year: 1617
Imprint: London, : Printed for William Welby., 1617..
Size: [16], 234+ p.
Words: 47,814
Catalogue: STC 1314.3 · ESTC S124283
Text: EEBO-TCP B00150
Notes: Attributed to John Ball by STC (2nd ed.).
Signatures: A⁸, A-P⁸+.
Added t.p.: A short catechism, with an exposition upon the same. Containing the principles of religion, very profitable for all sorts of people. The second impression. Printed by C.L. 1617. And are to be sold by William Welbie, in Pauls churchyard at the sign of the Swan. [Printers' device (McK. 264)].Added t.p.: A short catechisme, with an exposition vpon the same. Containing the principles of religion, very profitable for all sorts of people. The second impression. Printed by C.L. 1617. And are to bee sold by William Welbie, in Pauls churchyard at the signe of the Swan. [Printers' device (McK. 264)].
Errata: p. [11]-[13] at beginning.
Imperfect: sign. E bound and filmed out of order; all after p. 234 lacking; print show-through.
Reproduction of original in: Folger Shakespeare Library.
Licence: CC0 1.0 (TCP transcription); underlying work in the public domain

Transcription: EEBO-TCP B00150