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
so call'd because it was written in the Calendar with Letters of Gold right on the Day whereon the Moon chang'd and is the space of 19 Years in which the Moon returneth to the self-same Day of the Year of the Sun and therefore is also call'd the Cycle of the Moon in which the Solstices and Equinoctials do return to all one Point in the Zodiack To find it every Year you must add One Year to the Year of Christ for Christ was Born one Year of the 19 already past then divide the whole by 19 and that which resteth is the Golden Number for that Year if there be no Surplusage it is then 19. Note That the Golden Number and Dominical Letter does change every Year the First day of January The Dominical Letter is so call'd because it shews the Dominical or Lord's-Day throughout the whole Year Note also That the Year of our Lord beginneth the 25th day of March the same Day supposed to be the First Day upon which the World was Created and the Day when Christ was conceived in the Womb of the Virgin Mary A Plain and Rational VINDICATION and EXPLANATION of the Terms Order and Usefulness of the LITURGY of the Church of England by Way of Question and Answer Quest WHY are the Prayers and Publick Services of God ordered to be offered up in the Church Answ To offer up to God Publick Service in separate and dedicated Places which we call Churches is most fit for the Honour of God who ought to have a Place set apart for his particular Worship which is not to be Profan'd by any common and ordinary Use as being the Presence-Chamber of the great King where he is in the midst of those that meet in his Name and our own Profit for it begets and nourisheth a Reverence and Awe to God and his Service and warns us to put off our Shooes when we are upon Holy Ground and so helps Devotion Q. Why do we uncover our Heads when we first enter into the Church and continue so before and after the Prayers are begun and ended A. It is out of Reverence to Him to whom those Places are devoted and in Memory of those Spiritual Feasts which we or our Christian Brethren have there tasted Q. Hath our Lord appointed this Publick Service and Worship called the Liturgy under the Gospel A. He hath only appointed the Materials and Essentials in general viz. Prayers Praises and Confessions c. But for the Manner and Order and Method he hath left to be ordered and appointed by the Church St. John 20. 21. Q. Is the Publick Worship of God prescribed by those to whom he hath given Commission the only true and right Worship A. Yes And all other Forms and Methods offered up in stead of that though never so exactly drawn are strange Worship because not commanded Q. Why is the Liturgy of the Church of England called Common-Prayer A. Because all the Members have a common Interest and in that Form all of the same Communion are obliged to join Q. What 's the Meaning of the Word Liturgy A. A Form of Publick Prayers Q. What is Prayer A. Prayer is the lifting up of the Soul to converse with God always in Heart and frequently with the Tongue offering up our Confessions and Requests together with our Prayers and Thanksgivings in behalf of our selves or others in deprecating of Evils or supplicating for good things Spiritual or Temporal and a Means to obtain all Blessings It is an high Honour and huge Advantage to us and is accepted by him as an Acknowledgment of his Authority and a Testimony of our Observance 2. Or in fewer words Prayer is an earnest Request to God in the Name of Christ for all things necessary for Soul or Body our Selves or Others Q. Why are those Sentences out of the Holy Scripture used before we begin in the Morning and Evening Service A. In Imitation of the Ancient People of God who when they went into their Synagogues to pray stood silent a while to meditate before whom they stood and these are chosen by the Church to be Admonitions to Repentance the better to prepare peoples hearts Q. What Benefit do we reap by coming to Church before the Prayers begin A. We may find among those Sentences a Meditation fitted for our present frame of Spirit in order to the better disposing us to pray with true Devotion Q. There are Variety of Dispositions and the same Man is not always in the same Temper and because every Man best knows his own Estate be pleased to put those Sentences of one kind together in order to so good a Work A. The First Rank may consist of those Sentences which contain support for the Fearful to prevent that excessive Dread of God's Wrath which hinders the Exercise of a sprightly Devotion by too much dejecting the Spirit Ps 51. 9. Ps 143. 2. Jer. 10. 24. 2. The Second Rank concerns those that doubt of God's Favour which show how fit they are to ask and how likely God is to grant upon their Repentance notwithstanding their Unworthiness viz. Ps 51. 17. Dan. 9. 10. St. Luk. 15. 18 19. 3. The Third Rank concern the ignorant who either think they have no Sin or that a slight Repentance will procure Pardon viz. 1 St. John 8. 9. Ezek. 18. 27. 4. The Fourth Rank are for the Negligent who deferr this Duty of Repentance viz. Ps 51. 3. St. Matth. 3. 3. 5. The Fifth Rank are for those who by Custom grow Cold and Formal viz. Joel 2. 13. Q. What mean we by Gracious and Merciful in this last Sentence A. By Gracious we understand He 's ready to give and by Merciful He 's apt to forgive Of the Exhortation Quest WHAT is the Exhortation designed for Answ To apply and set home the preceeding Sentences and to direct us how we ought to perform the following Confession It collects the Necessity from the Word of God it instructs us in the right Manner when it hath convinced us that we must do it and gives us the Reasons why we must confess and repent sincerely just now and then it invites us to that necessary Duty for which it hath so well prepared us so that it connects the Sentences and the Confession making those so useful in order to this that whoever hears them and considers the Inferences here made cannot but be rarely disposed for a Devout Confession and by this we may perform each Part of the Office with the Spirit and with the Understanding also Of the Daily Confession Quest WHY is the Confession to be said after the Minister Answ To testifie our Consciousness of Guilt to take Shame to our selves and give Honour to God and That since we are all Sinners our Repentance may be as publick as our Faults have been Q. Why doth the Church begin her Service with Confession of Sin A. Because Sins unrepented of hinder the Success of our Prayers when the Guilt is
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-Christmas-Day If for Charity See Quinquages Sunday If for Mortification See Circumcision East Even For Contrition See ash-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-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.
Why is the day before Good-Friday called Maunday-Thursday A. Because Christ washed his Disciples Feet and commanded them to do so likewise Q. Why is 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-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
Apostolical usage to cease when Miraculous Inspirations did not accompany it A. The Holy Spirit is to abide in the Church for ever and Christians have and need it now as really and effectually to the Purposes of Sanctification as any had it then therefore there is no reason that the Rite of Communicating it should cease 2. The Church did in every Age continue this Custom of Confirming after Baptism which proves that they did not imagine it was a Temporary Institution to reject it therefore is to condemn the universal Practice of the Church to which certainly a very great Deference is due Q. Why is the Person to be confirm'd interrogated or ask'd the Question Do you here c A. Because it gives the Party to be obliged opportunity to consider what he is to bind himself unto and so may give a deliberate Answer Q. Why is one Godfather or Godmother peculiarly requir'd to be present A. For greater Security as a Pledge of Sincerity and to be a continual Monitor to keep the Vow as well as a Witness of the same Q. Why are those short Verses and Answers used A. Upon the hearing of the Persons good Confession the whole Church express their Joy and their Desires that it may be confirmed in some of the Words of David's Psalms which are very properly inserted here that the whole Congregation may join in the Profession of their Faith in God In giving Glory to him and in begging Acceptance from him and the last Phrase is doubled to shew the vehement Desire and fervent Affections of the Petitioners Q. If we have received the Holy Spirit in Baptism why do we pray for it in this Office A. In Baptism the Holy Spirit gives what is sufficient to make us Innocent but in Confirmation it gives increase and makes us gracious according to which Ancient Doctrine the Prayer is compos'd to Acknowledge the former Gift and then to Petition for the Second Q. Why is the Ceremony of laying on Hands used A. Because it is one of the most ancient Ceremonies in the World observ'd by Jacob in giving his Blessing and used by our Lord Christ and his Apostles Q. Why is this Rite perform'd by a Bishop A. Our Church is careful to keep to the Apostolical Pattern in the Person as well as in the Ceremony because tho' Philip had Liberty both to Preach and Baptize yet the Apostles only could confirm Acts 8. 14 15. 2. This peculiar Privilege of Confirming reserv'd to the Bishop is apt to beget a greater Veneration of it in the Minds of devout People and to make them expect nobler Effects from that Office which none but the Highest Minister of Religion can celebrate Q. What may be signified by this Rite A. That the Lord will stretch out his Hand to defend us against all our Spiritual Enemies Of the Communion Service Quest WHY is the Communion-Table so called by some and by others the Altar Answ It is called an Altar because the Holy Eucharist being considered as a Sacrifice we offer up the Commemoration of that Sacrifice which was offered upon the Cross A. 2. We offer with the Action Prayers to God for all good things and we need not fear to call the whole Action by the Name of a Sacrifice seeing part of it is an Oblation to God of hearty Prayers and it is not unusual for that to be said of the whole that is exactly true but of one part and as the word Sacrifice may be used without danger so also the Ancient Church did understand it Bishop Patrick And it 's called a Table the Eucharist being considered as a Sacrament which is nothing else but a Distribution and Application of the Sacrifice to the Receivers and the proper use of a Table is to set Food upon and to entertain Guests both which are applicable to this Q. Why is part of the Communion-Service used when there is no Communion A. The Church hereby doth mind us of what she desires and labours toward viz. Our more frequent Access or coming to that holy Table A. 2. Because in the ancient Church the Altar was the place where they offered up their Prayers to signifie that they offer'd them up only in the vertue of the Sacrifice of Christ and that the very remembrance of this Sacrifice in the Lord's Supper and by vertue of its Institution did render their Prayers prevalent and acceptable to God Dr. Sherlock Q. Did our Lord and Saviour institute any one Method or Form of Administration A. No But left it to the Wisdom and Piety of the Church whose Edicts or Injunctions we are bound to obey Q. How many parts doth this Communion Office consist of A. Four First a more general Preparation to the Communion and is either common to the whole Congregation in the Exercise of 1. Repentance by the Lord's Prayer the Collect for Purity and the Ten Commandments 2. Holy Desires by the Collects for the King and the Day 3. Of Obedience by the hearing of the Epistle and Gospel 4. Of Faith by repeating the Creed 5. Of Charity by the Offertory and the Prayer for the Holy Catholick Church Or else this general Preparation is proper to those who ought to communicate viz. The Warning before the Communion and the Exhortation to it Secondly Here is the more immediate Preparation contained 1. In the proper Instructions in the Exhortation at the Communion and the immediate Invitation 2. The Form of acknowledging our Offences in the Confession And 3. The means of ensuring our Pardon by the Absolution and Sentences And 4. The exciting our Love and Gratitude in the Preface and Hymn called the Trisagium from repeating Holy Holy Holy three times one after another Thirdly Here is the Celebration of the Mystery consisting of 1. The Communicant's humble approach in the Address 2. The Minister's blessing the Elements in the Prayer of Consecration and his distributing them according to the Form of Administration 4. Lastly Here is the Post-Communion containing Prayers and Vows in the Lord's Prayer and in the first and second Prayers after the Communion and containing Praises and Thanksgiving in the Glory be to God on high c. And lastly the Dismission by the final Blessing Q. Why doth the Lord's Prayer begin this Service A. This holy Sacrament and this Divine Prayer had one and the same Author and therefore the Lord's Prayer is the most proper Preface to the Lord's Supper and very suitable to that great Mystery A. 2. Because the Lord's Prayer used to be said in every Office and the Communion Service the Litany the Prayers Lessons and Collects are all several Offices and used heretofore to be said in our Churches at several times Q. Why is the Collect for Purity premised before the Commandments A. It is both a very fit Introduction to the Communion-Service and a proper Preface to the repeating of the Ten Commandments Q. Why are the Commandments rehearsed in the Communion-Office A. In our Baptism we