who come to the House of Prayer Q. Why is the Time generally in the Night A. The first Christians were forced so to Bury and later Ages imitated them only adding divers Lights to shew their Hope of the Party 's being gone to Light everlasting Q. Why do Friends follow the Corps to the Grave A. To mind them that they must shortly follow the deceased in the same Path of Death Q. Why doth the Priest meet at the Church gate in his Surplice A. To allay the Sorrow which naturally seizeth on us when we follow a dear Friend to the Grave the Priest meets us in white the Colour of Joy in imitation of the Angels who go out in white Garments to receive the Soul so doth he to receive the body of the faithful A. 2. This is the Attire which is appointed for the Minister in the Performance of all his Publick offices Q. Why are those Sentences said in the Way A. To excite the Company to Faith Patience and Thankfulness Q. Why is the Body brought into the Church A. To shew the Party died in the Communion thereof Q. What is the meaning of those words in sure and certain hope of the Resurrection to Eternal Life A. This is not spoken of the Party deceased but of the belief of the Standers by of this Article themselves and therefore we say afterward who shall change our vile body and not of the Party deceased Q. Why are Prayers said at the Grave A. Since the sight of that Place and of the Corps now ready to be put into it is wont to make great Impressions on us the Church takes this occasion to fit us with Devotions at the Grave 2. To shew the peculiar hope of the Church of the Resurrection of the Dead In the manner of dumb Funerals what one thing is there whereby the World may perceive we are Christians there being in those dumb Shows nothing but what Heathens and Pagans do Of the Churching of Women Quest WHY is the Woman ordered to come to Church and offer up her publick Praises Answ The Birth of Man is little less than a Miracle and lest the Frequency should diminish our Sense of it the Woman who hath received this wonderful Mercy is ordered to come to Church and offer up her publick Praises Q. What Reason for this Command of the Church A. The Original is from the Law of Moses Levit. 12. which commands all Women after they had born a Child to come to the House of God within a certain number of days and with a Sacrifice to praise God for this great Mercy and although the Ceremonial Reason be ceased yet the Obligation to make a publick Acknowledgment of so eminent a Favour remains still and in all Ages Christian Mothers have observed this holy Rite Q. Why is the Church the Place appointed to do this in A. It must be done thus publickly 1. For God's Honour 2. To satisfy the Womans Duty who is bound to let God's Goodness be shewed forth that others may learn to trust in him 3. By this means many are brought to join in God's Praises for so publick a Mercy and therefore to do this in a private House is absurd and contrary to the main end of the Office Of the Commination Quest WHAT was the Reason and Occasion of composing this Office A. To supply the want of Primitive Discipline that every Man may judge himself since the Church now judgeth so few Offenders Q. Why are those Sentences of God's Cursing against impenitent Sinners read A. In Imitation of the Jews who were appointed by God yearly to observe this Office Q. Doth not he that says Amen wish a Curse to himself A. It is no Adverb of Wishing it signifies no more than an Assent to the truth of that to which it is added Q. What Vse may we make of this Office A. It may be useful to make us flee such Vices and repent of them which here are mentioned since we acknowledge the Curse and Vengeance of God doth deservedly follow such Sins and Sinners Q. What Days in the Week are set apart for Publick Worship throughout the World A. Sunday or the Lord's Day is observ'd by Christians Monday by the Grecians Tuesday by the Persians Wednesday by the Assyrians Thursday by the Egyptians Friday by the Turks Saturday by the Jews An Account of the Titles of all the Books of the Old and New Testament and why they are stil'd Canonical and the meaning of the Word Apocryphal which Title is given to those Books which are not Received into the Canon Of the Old Testament or Covenant THE Books in Holy Scripture are call'd Canonical because according to Rule and Order they have been received into the Canon that is into the Number of those Writings which are unquestionably acknowledged to be the Writings of the Prophets and Holy Men inspired in the Old Testament or Covenant And of the Apostles and Disciples of Christ in the New Testament or Covenant The Word in Greek which is translated Testament signifies both a Covenant and a Testament Both the Words in the Title of the Holy Bible may be used 1. That of Covenant as being most agreeable to the use of the Word in the Sacred Dialect and most agreeable to the Nature of the Gospel which is the Law of Faith 2. That Word of a Testament also wherein the Christian's Inheritance is sealed to him as to a Son and Heir of God's and wherein the Death of Christ as of a Testator is set down at large by way of Story and as it is applicable to our Benefit Of the Pentateuch THE Five first Books in the beginning of the Holy Bible viz. Genesis Exodus Leviticus Numbers Deuteronomy were Penned by Moses and called the Pentateuch which word signifies a Volume of Five Books Of Genesis This First Book of Moses contains the History of the Creation of the World particularly of the Making of Man with which it begins and the Genealogy of the Patriarchs down to the Death of Joseph where it ends with relation whereunto it is very fitly called Genesis that Greek word very properly expressing the Original or first Formation of these things It comprehends an History of 2369 Years or thereabout in the Judgment of many Learned Writers Exodus This Book hath its Name from the Principal Subject of it viz. The Departure of the Children of Israel out of Egypt For so the Greek word signifies Going out or Departing from one place to another It contains an History of about 145 Years from the Death of Joseph to the Building of the Tabernacle for it treats of several things which went before their departure and which followed after it but they all Relate to that and depend upon it Leviticus Levi was the Third Son of Jacob from him his Posterity had the Name of Levites Aaron who with his Sons was called to the Priesthood was from him called a Levite and the Priesthood that was setled in that
Why is the day before good-Good-Friday called maunday-Maunday-Thursday A. Because Christ washed his Disciples Feet and commanded them to do so likewise Q. Why is good-Good-Friday observed as a Fast A. Because on that day our Saviour suffered Q. Why are some days called Holy Days A. Because they are taken out of the Common Days and set apart to God's Service and Worship either by God's own Appointment or the Churches Dedication in Commemoration of some eminent Mercy Q. Why are these Days commanded to be observed A. Because as learned Mr. Hooker observes they express the Splendor and outward Dignity of our Religion and are forcible Witnesses of ancient Truth are likewise Provocations to the Exercise of all Piety and shadows of our endless Felicity in Heaven and everlasting Records on Earth teaching by the Eye in a manner whatsoever we believe Q. Why is the Feast called Easter observed A. To commemorate the Resurrection of our Lord and Saviour who rose on the first day of the Week and it is called Easter and by the old Saxons Oster which signifies to rise from whence we frequently say to one on the Ground Oast up when we would have him to rise Q. Why is the Sunday following Easter called Low-Sunday and Dominica in Albis A. It was the Custom of our Forefathers to observe the Octave of their high and principal Feasts and this is the Octave or eighth day after Easter upon every Octave they used to repeat some part of that Service which was performed upon the Feast itself which is the Reason why it 's called Low-Sunday The Sunday before is High Easter and this is a Lower Feast Low Easter This Feast of Easter as also Whitsunday being the stated time for Baptism in the ancient Church those who were Baptiz'd put on white Garments in token of that pure and innocent course of life they had now engaged in this white Garment they wore till the next Sunday after and then laid it aside whence the Sunday after Easter came to be stiled Dominica in Albis the Sunday in White it being then that the new Baptiz'd put off their white Garments Dr. Cave Q. Why is Rogation-Sunday so called A. Because upon the three following days Rogations or Prayers and Litanies were used for a Blessing on the Fruits of the Earth that were tender 2. To prepare us for our Lord's Ascension Day Q. Why is Ascension Day observed A. It 's an Anniversary Commemoration of Christ's Ascent to Heaven which gives us hopes of Heaven in that our Flesh in the first Fruits is thither ascended Q. Why is Whitsunday so called A. From the glorious Light of Heaven which was then sent down upon the Earth from the Father of Lights on the Apostles so many Tongues so many Lights 2. Because the new-baptized that being a solemn time of Baptism call'd of old the enlightned were then cloathed in white Carments call'd Chrysoms as types of spiritual Purity and Joy Q. Why is this day called Pentecost A. Because Pentecost signifies fifty in Greek and from the Sunday after good-Good-Friday this is the 50th day so the Jews reckoned Levit. 23. 15. Q. Why is Trinity Sunday so called A. The Church thought meet that such a Mystery as the blessed Trinity should be the chief Subject of one day and this to be the day Q. What may be the Reason that God did not so plainly deliver this Mystery to the Jews A. Least they should have mistaken it for a Doctrine of a Plurality of Gods yet some Seeds of that Perfection of Divinity were dispersed and for that Cause the Choire of Angels sing thrice Holy but once Lord. Q. Why is the Conversion of St. Paul celebrated and not his Martyrdom or day of his Death as other Saints are A. For example sake that no Sinner may despair 2. For the Joy the Church had at his Conversion and for the Miracles then wrought Q. Why is the Purification of the blessed Virgin observed A. Partly in memory of her Purification according to the Law but chiefly in memory of our Lord's Presentation in the Temple Q. Why is the Purification of St. Mary called Candlemas A. Because in ancient Times they went in Procession two by two carrying Candles and many Lights were set up in Churches Q. Why is the Feast of St. Michael observed A. The Church holds a Feast on that day in memory of the Holy Angels because they minister to us on Earth and fight against the Devil for us by their Prayers Q. VVhy is the day called All Saints observed A. Because we cannot particularly commemorate every Saint and in those particular Feasts which we do celebrate we may omit some of our duty therefore this day in general is observed Q. VVhy do we keep the days of the Saints Death rather than their Birth A. Because then they are born Citizens of Heaven 2. Then they perfectly triumph over all their Enemies by which the Church Militant is encouraged to persevere Q. VVhy have some Holydays Fasts before them and why have some other none A. It was the Religious Custom of the Primitive Times to spend a great part of the Night before the Holidays in Watchings and Prayers to prepare them for the more solemn Observation of those Feasts and to signifie that we should be as the blessed Saints were after a little time of Mortification and Affliction translated into Glory and Joy but in time as Charity and Devotion grew cold through Sloth and Restiness this more troublesome part of Devotion the nightly Watches now called Vigils were laid aside and the Fasts only remained 2. Sometime the Signification or Mystery of the Vigil or Fast ceased then the Vigil or Fast is omitted as for Example St. Michael hath no Fast because the Angels did not by Sufferings and Mortifications enter into their Joy but were created in the Joy they have And sometime when the Signification holds good others have no Fasts because either they fall betwixt Easter and VVhitsunday or betwixt Christmas and Epiphany which the Church holds for such times of Joy and Festivity that they would not have one day among them sullied by pensive Sorrow and Fasting Of the Office of Baptism Quest WHY is the Place where the Office of Baptism is administred called the Font A. The Rites of Baptism in the first Times were performed in Fountains and Rivers because the Converts were many and those Ages were unprovided of other Baptisteries or Baptizing places and hence it is we call our Baptisteries Fonts Q. Why was Water chosen by Christ in this Sacrament A. To signifie his Washing our Souls from Sin Q. What is the Form of Baptism as to the Essential part of Baptizing A. In the name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost Q. Who instituted this Form A. Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ Q. Who are the Subjects of this Baptism A. Infants and Persons grown up Q. Why are Infants to be brought to Church A. That there may be many Witnesses of
and 19. after Trinity 5. If for the Success of our Hearing Reading and Fasting See St. Barth St. Luke 2. Ad. 1. Lent If for Success of our Prayers 10. and 23. after Trinity 6. If for Grace in general to convert us from Sins See 1. Adv. 1. after Easter St. Andrew James Matthew If to deliver us from Temptation 4. Adv. 4. after Easter 18. Trinity If to enable us to do good 5. after Easter 1 9 11 13 17 25. after Trinity If to bring us finally to eternal Glory Epiph. 6. after Epiph. 7. If for the particular Graces of Regeneration See Christmas-Day If for Charity See Quinquages Sunday If for Mortification See Circumcision East Even For Contrition See Ash-Wednesday For the Love of God See 3. and 4. after Easter For Heavenly Desires See Ascension-Day For a Right and Firm Faith Trinity-Sunday 7. after Trinity and St. Thomas St. Mark For Grace to imitate Christ 6. Lent 2. after East For Grace to imitate his Saints See St. Stephen St. Paul St. Philip and Jacob St. John Baptist All Saints and Innocents If we would pray for Temporal Blessings 1. For God's Providence See 2 3 4 20. after Trinity and St. Michael 2. For Deliverance from Enemies and Judgments See the 3. of Lent Sexag Septuages 3. For Support under Afflictions 4. of Lent 4. For Defence 3 4. after Epiphany For Supply of all good things 6. 15. after Trin. If we would pray for Body and Soul both 2 5. of Lent For those without the Church See Good-Friday For those within that the People may have Truth Unity and Peace 5. after Epiph. Good-Friday St. John Simon Jude and the 5 16 22. after Trinity That the Ministers may be fit diligent and successful See St. Matthias St. Peter 3. of Advent Q. Why in the Collect for Peace do we pray That God would defend us in and not from the Assaults of our Enemies A. Because the latter is more than ever he promised or we can expect but in the former we pray tho they attack us they may not be able to hurt us Q. What Difference do you observe betwixt the Collect for Peace in the Morning and that in the Evening A. We beg outward Peace in the Morning to secure us against the Troubles of the World in which the Business of the Day engageth us and in the Evening we beg inward Peace to comfort and quiet our Minds when we are to take our Rest Q. What pray we for in these Words Lighten our Darkness A. That our Understandings may be enlightned with the Knowledge of God's Providence and our Hearts cheared with the Assurance of his Protection 2. If that answer be too Allegorical thus That God by the Light of his Countenance and Favour would protect us in this disconsolate time of Darkness and chear us with the assurance of his Protection Q. By whom was the Prayer for the King made and what doth that Expression mean The only Ruler of Princes A. The First Reformers of the Church of England made the Prayer and by that Expression we declare that Kings are only accountable to God therefore we have the more need to pray for them that he would direct them to do well and guide them who are to rule us that this their mighty Power may be our Safety and our Peace for if it should be otherwise we neither will nor can oppose them having no other Arms against our Prince but Prayers and Tears Q. Why is that Expression in the Prayer for the Clergy used viz. who alone worketh great Marvels A. Because to make a Church and to bestow miraculous Gifts on it to gather it out of Infidels and to protect it from its Enemies is an Act of as great Power and a greater Miracle of Love than to create the World therefore the Preface is very suitable Q. Who are meant by Curates in the Prayer for the Clergy A. Priests and Deacons to whom the Bishop commits the Care of Souls Q. What is meant by that word Expedient in the Prayer of St. Chrysostom A. Lest we have ignorantly asked any thing unfit we put in this caution That God will fulfil our Petitions so as may be most expedient for us that is How When and Which of them he pleaseth and sees will be for our good Q. Why is the Blessing pronounced by the Bishop if present A. For the Honour of his Authority Heb. 7. 7. Q. What doth the Blessing contain and in what Posture ought we to receive it A. It contains the whole Order of our Salvation the First for our Justification the Second for our Consolation and the Third for Sanctification which ought to be received by us on our Knees for it's God that blesseth us by the Mouth of his Minister Of the Litany Quest WHAT doth the Name signifie Answ An humble and earnest Supplication made to God in Adversity Q. When were these Forms first brought into the Church A. About Four Hundred Years after Christ in Times of great Calamity for the appeasing of God's Wrath. 2. Others think the Practice is derived from the Apostles and the Custom of their Times Q. By what Motives are your Addresses urged A. By Two Because we are miserable and because we are Sinners Q. Why do the People answer to every Petition A. By these Suffrages their Devotion is excited quickned and exercised and every Word is significant for there 1. We declare we ask every thing with Humility and Earnestness by the word We Beseech 2. With Faith by calling him we pray unto Good Lord. 3. We declare we seek not to Saints or Angels to hear us but to our God alone We beseech Thee c. All which shews the stupidity and baseness of those who are Mute at this part of this excellent Litany whose Bodies are present but their Souls it is to be feared are absent from this Service for whosoever would perform it with a present Mind cannot be better helped by any Means than by carefully attending When and How he ought to say this Devout Answer We Beseech c. Q. Why is the Litany broke into so many short Ejaculations and not one continued Prayer A. That the Intention and Devotion which is most necessary in Prayer may not be dulled and vanish as in a long Prayer it 's apt to do but be quickned and the nearer to the End the shorter and livelier are the Expressions strengthning our Devotion by raising in us an Apprehension of our Misery and Distress and therefore crying out O Lamb of God c. Q Why is the Litany ordered to be read on Sunday Wednesday and Friday A. Upon Sunday in Honour to that Day it being the Chief Service and on Wednesdays and Fridays because they are Days of publick Assemblies and Fastings and commanded more particularly to be said by the Minister those Days weekly tho' they be not Holy-days Canon the 15 th Q. Why do we repeat the First Four Verses intirely after the Minister
past Mercies in the Beginning so he is for the present and shall be hereafter for future Blessings Q. Why do we not rise up when the Doxology is repeated in the Litany A. Because as it 's here used and other parts of the Litany before and after are matters of humble Supplications and so most fit to be tendred to God in that Posture 2. We are to consider that this Doxology was inserted when the Litany was what it is now but called Procession and then it was no Exception for then Men were standing or walking Q. What is chiefly meant by that Phrase Mercifully look upon our Infirmities A. The Calamities which Divine Providence hath laid upon us and which we have justly and righteously deserved Q. What Vse is there for the occasional Prayers in general if the various Miseries of Mankind are exactly enumerated in the Litany A. Our Miseries are but barely mentioned there and at some times some particular Evils lie so heavy upon us and some great mercies are so necessary for us that it is requisite we should have solemn Forms upon such Occasions that it may fully sute all our Necessities Q. Why are the 4. Sundays before Christmas called Advent Sundays A. Because they are to prepare us for Christ's Advent or coming in the flesh which we call Christmas Q. Why do we commemorate the blessed Birth of our Saviour upon the 25th of December A. Because it was the custom of the ancient Church so to do and we have good Reason to believe that Christ was Born on that Day Vide Dr. Hammond Q. Why is the Feast of Circumcision observed A. As by Christ's Birth we received the Adoption of Sons so by his Circumcision the Redemption from the Law Q. What do we celebrate upon Epiphany A. Three glorious Manifestations viz. The Star which was the Gentiles guide to Christ and that of the Trinity at the Baptism of Christ in the opening of the Heavens and of his Divinity by the Miracle of turning Water into Wine which is thought to have been done on the same Day Of Lent Quest WHY is a Sunday before Lent called Septuagesima Answ A consequentia numerandi viz. Because the First Sunday in Lent is called Quadragesima containing about forty days from Easter therefore the Sunday before that being still further from Easter is called Quinquagesima five being the next number above four and so the Sunday before that is called Sexagesima and the Sunday before that Septuagesima which are all Preparatives to the Lenten Fast A. 2. It is a Latin word and signifies as much as Seventy and is put for 70 days which end the Sunday after Easter and the next Sunday is call'd Sexagesima as containing 60 days which end on Thursday in Easter Week and Quinquagesima as containing 50 days before Easter and are all Preparatives to the Lenten Fast which is call'd Quadragesima containing about 40 days before Easter Q. Why is it called Lent A. From the time of the year the word signifies Spring in the Saxon Language and is the Spring-Fast Q. Why are forty days observed and at this season A. In Imitation of our Saviour who fasted 40 days in the Wilderness as Moses did in the Mount and wherein we might be put in Mind of the sore Trial and Temptation which Christ then endured for our sakes whose Sufferings ended at Easter and to prepare us for the holy Communion which our Church commands to be then Received A. 2. There 's great use of this yearly Fast besides viz. That the defects of our Weekly Humiliations and Devotions may be thereby supply'd That there may be a Publick Humiliation for Publick Errors if not for Private Sins in particular That the Godly Discipline which was anciently in Use at this Season for putting Persons to open Pennance as stood convicted of notorious Sins is now laid aside and neglected Bishop Patrick Q. Why do we begin this Fast on Ash-Wednesday A. To supply the Sundays in Lent upon which it was not the Church's Custom to Fast and by deducting six Sundays and adding these four days the just number of forty is made up Q. Why is Ash-Wednesday so called A. Because anciently Ashes were sprinkled upon their heads to mind them of their Mortality and what they had deserved viz. to be burnt to Ashes Of Ember-Weeks Quest WHat is the Original of those four Weeks of Fasting now called Ember-Weeks A. The first Christian Bishops in imitation of the Apostles used to appoint Fasting and Prayer when they conferred holy Orders as soon as the Church was setled the Ordination of Ministers became fixed and are still observed in the Church of England for a Preparation to the Ordination of Ministers Q. What other Reasons may be given for the Observation of Ember-Fast A. 2. Because these times are as the First fruits of every Season which we rightly dedicate to the Service and Honour of God 3 R. That beginning these several parts of the year in a holy and sober Life we might the better learn how to spend the remainder of every Season 4 R. That we may obtain the continuance of God's Favour for the Fruits of the Earth which at these times are for the most part sown or sprung up or ripening or gathered into the Barn 5 R. That we might repent us of all our Sins which all the Season before we have committed 6 R. That our Bodies might be freed from those Contagious Distempers which usually these 4 Seasons through the Predominant Humours then reigning do bring along with them Q. At what season of the year are these Fasts observed A. The first is the Wednesday Friday and Saturday after the first Sunday in Lent The second after Whitsunday The Third the Wednesday c. after Septemb. 14. The Fourth the Wednesday Friday and Saturday after the 13th of December Q. Why are they call'd Ember Weeks A. Because the Ancients on those days would eat no Bread but Cakes made under Embers 2. Because the old Saxon word from which Ember is derived signifies to abstain or forbear Eating 3. The true word in the Judgment of Dr. Hammond and Sir Henry Spelman is Imber from the old Saxon word Imbren i. e. a Circle and these four Fasts keep their certain turns so many times in the year as in a Circle Q. What Reason may be given why the Ordination of Ministers is affixed to these set times A. That as all Mens Souls are concerned in the ordaining a fit Clergy all may join in Fasting and Prayer for a Blessing on it and that Bishops and Candidates knowing the time may prepare themselves for this great Work that no Vacancy may remain long unsupplied and that the People if they please may be present either to approve or object against any whom they know to be unworthy Q. Why is the Sunday before Easter call'd Palm-Sunday A. Because as Christ came from Bethany to Jerusalem they cut down Palm-Branches and strew'd them in the Way Q.