Lord answered and said O Lord of Hosts how long wilt thou not have mâ—rcy on the City of Judah and Hierusalem against which thou hast had indignation these threescore and ten yeares Q. What Scripture have you for praying to Angells A. The 48. ch of Gen. v. 16. where Jacob on his death-bed prayed to an Angell for Ephraim and Manasses saying The Angell of the Lord that delivered me from all evill blesse these Children Q. How did Lucifer and his fellow Angells fall from their Dignity in Heaven A. By a rebellious sin of Pride Q. With what shall their ruines be repaired A. With holy men Q. When and to what likenesse did God create man A. On the sixth day and to his own image and likenesse Gen. 1. Q. In what doth that similitude consist A. In this that man is in his Soule an incorporeall intellectuall and immortall Spirit as God is Q. In what besides A. In this that as in God there is but one most simple divine Nature or Essence and yet three distinct Persons so in man there is but one indivisible Soule and yet in that Soule three distinct powers of Will Memory and Vnderstanding Q. How do you prove the Soule to be immortall A. Out of S. Matth. C. 10. V. 28. where Christ saith Feare not them that kill the body and cannot kill the soule Q. What other proof have you A. Out of the 12. Ch. of Eccles where we read That at our death the dust returneth to the earth from whence it was and the spirit to God who gave it Q. In what state did God create man A. In the state of originall justice and perfection of all naturall gifts Q. Do we owe much to God for our creation A. Very much seeing he made us in such a perfect state creating us for himself and all things else for us Q. How did we lose originall Justice A. By Adams disobedience to God in eating the forbidden fruit Q. In what state are we now borne A. In state of originall sin and prone to actuall sin subject to death Q. How prove you that A. Out of Rom. ch 6. v. 12. where we read That by one man sin entred into this world and by sin death and so unto all men death did passe in whom all have sinned Q. Had man ever died if he had never sinned A. No he had not but had been conserved by the Tree of Life and been translated alive into the fellowship of the Angels The second Article Q. SAy the second Article A. And in Iesus Christ his onely Sonne our Lord. Q. Of what treateth this Article A. Of the second Person of the B. Trinity in whom we also believe and put our trust Q. What is the second Person A. He is true God and true Man in one Person Q. How prove you that A. Out of S. Iohns Gospell ch 1. where we read In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God c. And the Word was made Flesh and dwelt in us Q. What other proofe have you A. Out of Philip. C. 2. V. 6 7. where S. Paul saith That Christ when he was in the forme of God thought it no robbery to be equall to God but he hath lessened himselfe taking the forme of a servant made unto the likenesse of men and found in habit as a man Q. Why would God be made man A. To redeeem and save lost man Q. Was his Incarnation necessary for that end A. It was because our offences against God were in some sort infinite as being against his infinite goodnesse and therefore required an infinite satisfaction which none could make but God and he made man Q. What other proof have you for the necessity of the Incarnation A. Because God is in himselfe so spirituall sublime and abstract a thing that if he had not in his mercy attempred his owne inscrutable greatnesse unto the littlenesse of our sensible capacity by being made man scarce one of a thousand and those great Clerks only would ever have been able to know every thing to the purpose of him or consequently to love and serve him as they ought which is the necessary means of our salvation seeing that nothing is efficaciously willed which is not first well understood Q. What benefit have we by the knowledge of God made Man A. It much inflameth us with the love of God who could not more have dignified mans nature or shewed more love unto the world then to send down his onely Sonne to redeem it in our flesh Q. What signifieth the Name Iesus A. It signifieth a Saviour S. Mat. C. 1. V. 21. Q. Is any speciall honour due unto that Name A. There is because it is the highest Title of God made man Q. How prove you that A. Out of Philip. ch 2. ver 9. where wee read That God the Father hath given unto Christ because hee humbled himselfe unto the death of the Crosse a Name which is above all names the Name Jesus Q. What other proofe have you A. Because there is no other name under Heaven given unto men in which wee must bee saved Act. 4. v. 12. Q. How do you prove that we must bow at this name A. Out of the said Philip. ch 2. v. 10. At the Name of Jesus every knee shall bow of Celestialls Terrestrialls and Infernalls Q. What signifies the Name Christ A. It signifieth Annoynted Q. Why was he called Annoynted A. Because he was a Priest a Prophet and a King to all which unction appertaineth Q. With what was Christ Annoynted A. With all the plenitude of divine grace Q. What meane the words his only Son A. They meane that God hath but one onely Son by nature co-equall to himselfe begotten of himselfe without a Mother though by Adoption he have many Sonnes to wit all Christians Q. What understand you by the word Our Lord A. I understand that Christ hath all power given him in heaven and earth and that he hath bought us with his precious blood and therefore we are all his slaves The third Article Q. WHat is the third Article A. Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost borne of the Virgin Mary A. What meaneth who was conceived by the Holy Ghost A. It meaneth that the second Person of the Blessed Trinitie tooke flesh of the Virgin Mary not by humane generation but by the worke of the Holy Ghost Q. How prove you that A. Out of S. Luke Ch. 1. V. 25. Behold saith the Angell thou shalt conceive and beare a Sonne c. the Holy Ghost shall come downe upon thee and the vertue of the Highest shall over-shadow thee Q. What understand you by the words borne of the Virgin Mary A. I understand that Christ was borne of her at midnight and in a poor Stable at Bethlehem betwixt an Oxe and an Asse Q. Why at midnight A. To signifie that he came to take away the darknesse of our sinnes Q. Why in Bethlehem A.
reward of our good workes A. It is according to Rom. ch 7. v. 6. 7. where we read that God will render to every one according to his works to them truly that according to patience in good works seek glory and honor and incorruption life everlasting c. Q. Were all men created for everlasting life A. They were for God would have all men to be saved 1 Tim. ch 2. v. 4. he willeth not the death of any sinner but rather that he be converted live Q. Why then are many damned A. By reason of their own wilfull transgression of Gods Law and finall impenitence Q. How prove you that man is the free cause of his owne sin and damnation A. Out of Ioh. ch the 24. v. 23. God saith he hath given him place for Penance but he abuseth it unto pride Q. What other proof have you A. Out of Hos ch 13. v. 9. Thy perdition is from thy selfe O Israel in me onely is thy aid Q. What other yet A. Out of Rom. ch 2. v. 4. The benignity of God calleth thee to repentance but thou heapest to thy self wrath and indignation according to thy own impenitent heart Q. In what consisteth everlasting life A. In the cleare vision and fruition of God according to that of our Saviour in S. Joh. ch 17 v. 3. this is life everlasting that they know thee the onely true God and whom thou hast sent Jesus Christ Q. Shall we see nothing else in Heaven but God A. Yes all the Attributes and Processions of God and in him also as in a mirrour or looking-glasse the natures and perfections of all Creatures for he containeth all things in himselfe in a most eminent manner Q. How prove you that A. Out of the Apostle saying from whom all things by whom all things in whom all things Q. What effect will follow out of the cleare vision and fruition of God A. Divine love stedfast possession and ineffable joy and out of that praise jubilation and thanksgiving for ever Q. What meaneth the word Amen A. It meaneth that the whole Creed is divine truth and therefore we must heartily assent unto it CHAP. IIII. Hope and Prayer Explicated Q. WHat is Hope A. It is a Vertue infused by God into the soule by which we have a confident expectation of Blisse and Glory to be obtained by the grace and merits of Christ and our owne merits proceeding from his Grace Q. On what is that confidence chiefly grounded A. On the merits and promises of Christ who hath promised glory to such as hope in him and do good workes as also grace whereby to do them Q. Are our good workes then meritorious of a reward of glory A. As proceeding from the grace of Christ and built upon his promises they are Q. How prove you that A. Out of S. Mark ch 9. v. 41. where we read for whosoever shall give you to drinke a cup of water in my Name because you are Christs Amen I say to you he shall not lose his reward Q. What other proof have you A. Out of 1 Cor. ch 3. v. 9. where wee read and every one shall receive his own reward according to his owne labour for we are Gods coadjutors Q. What other yet A. Out of S. Mat. ch 5. v. 12. Blessed are ye saith our Lord when they shall revite and persecute you for very great is your reward in heaven Q. Is it lawfull for us to do good workes in hope of a reward A. Not onely lawfull but laudable according to that I have inclined my heart to doe thy justications for ever for a reward Psa 118. v. 112. Q. What other proof have you A. Out of 1 S. Joh. ch 3. v. 22. Whatsoever saith he we shall aske of God we shall receive of him because we keep his Commandements and do those things that are pleasing before him Q. How declare you the necessity of Hope A. Because it produces in us obedience to the Law of God as also a willingnesse to suffer for his sake and finall perseverance Q. How prove you that A. Out of Iob ch 13. v. 15. Although he kill me saith Job yet will I hope in him and Psal 55. v. 5. In God have I hoped I will not fear what flesh can doe unto me Q. Is Hope availeable to the remission of sinnes A. It is according to that of the Psalmist for him that hopeth in our Lord mercy shall incompasse And againe Our Lord is well pleased in them that hope and trust in his mercy Psa 146. v. 11. Q. What is the principall Act of Hope Devout and humble prayer Q. What is Prayer A. It is a lifting up of the mind to God by which we beg for good things and to be freed from evills or by which we blesse and praise God Q. What are the conditions of good Prayer A. That it be made with reverence attention humility and perseverance Q. What vices are opposite Hope A. Despaire and Presumption Q. What is Despaire A. It is a diffidence in the power of God and merits of Christ as if they were not of force enough to save us Q. What is Presumption A. It is a foolish and desperate confidence of salvation without endeavouring to live well or keep the Commandements Q. How is Despaire the cause of sinne A. Because despairing men are wont to say if I shall be damned I shall be damned and so use no endeavour to doe good or avoid evill Q. How is Presumption the cause of sin A. Because presumptuous men are wont to say God is mercifull and will forgive our sins how great soever and at what time soever we doe penance and out of this take liberty to sin Q. How must our hope be ballanced betwixt these two extremes A. By filiall feare and an humble distrust of our owne workes as they are ours Q. Is Prayer good against both these A. It is according to that of S. Luke Pray ye that so ye may not fall into temptation ch 22. v. 40. Q. For what else availeth Prayer A. For the avoiding of all evills and the obtaining of all benefits Q. How prove you that A. Out of S. Joh. ch 16. v. 23. Whatsoever saith our Saviour ye shall aske my Father in my Name he will give it you and in Luk. ch 11. Ask and it shall be given to you c. Q. Is it lawfull to pray in an unknowne Tongue A. It is for he that speaketh in a Tongue to wit unknowne speaketh not to men but to God 1 Cor. ch 14. v. 2. and a Petition hath the same force if it be understood by him that is petitioned whether the Petitioner understand it or not Q. What other proofe have you A. Out of the same Ch. v. 16 17. where S. Paul saith but if thou blesse in Spirit that is in a Tongue unknowne he that supplyeth the place of the vulgar how shall he say Amen c. thou indeed givest thanks well but the
How sincere A. By confessing our sins plainly without seeking to lessen or excuse them Q. How entire A. By confessing not onely in what things we have sinned mortally but also how often as neere as we are able to remember Q. VVhat if a man knowingly do leave out any one mortall sinne in his Confession for fear or shame A. He maketh his whole Confession to be void and committeth a great Sacriledge by lying to the Holy Ghost and abusing the Sacrament Q. How prove you that A. By the example of Ananias and his wife Saphira who were struck dead at the feet of S. Peter for daring to lie unto the Holy Ghost Act. ch 5. v. 5 10. Q. Is he that hath so done bound to confesse all again A. Yes all that was mortall together with that which he left out Q. VVhat is satisfaction A. It is the Penance which is enjoyned us by the Priest or which we voluntarily impose upon our selves by fasting prayer and the like Q. For what doe we satisfie by that Penance A. For such temporall punishments as remaine due sometimes unto our sinnes after the sinnes are forgiven us Q. How doe you prove that Priests have power to impose Penances A. Out of 1 Cor. ch 5. v. 3. where S. Paul excommunicated the incestuous Corinthian I saith he absent in body but present in spirit have already judged him that hath so done c. to deliver such an one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh that the soule may be saved Q. How prove you that temporall punishments may remain due to our sinnes after the sinnes themselves be forgiven us A. Because Adam after his sinne was forgiven him was notwithstanding cast out of Paradise for ever and his whole posterity made subject unto death and many miseries in punishment of that sinne Genes ch 3. v. 24. Q. What other proofe have you A. Because David after his sinne of Adultery was forgiven him was temporally punished for it with the death of his child Our Lord saith Nathan hath taken away his sinne neverthelesse thy sonne shall die Q. What other yet A. Because whom our Lord loveth he chastiseth Heb. ch 12. v. 6. Q. By what other meanes are those temporall punishments released A. By all workes of piety and above all by Indulgences A. Not a pardon for sinnes to come or leave to commit sinne as some doe falsely and slanderously teach but it is onely a releasing of such temporall punishments as remain due unto those sinnes which have already been forgiven us by Penance and Confession Q. How doth an Indulgence release those punishments A. By the superabundant merits of Christ and his Saints which it applyeth to our soules by the speciall grant of the Church Q. When did Christ give his â—â—urch power to grant Indulgences A. When he said to S. Peter To thee will I give the Keyes of the Kingdome of Heaven whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth it shall be bound in heaven and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth it shall be loosed in heaven S. Matth. ch 16. v. 19. Q. How prove you that the Apostles ever used this power A. Out of 2 Cor. ch 2. v. 10. where S. Paul remitted part of the Corinthians penance To him that is such an one saith he this rebuke sufficeth c. whom you have pardoned any thing I also Q. What is required for the gaining of an Indulgence A. That we performe the works enjoyned us and that the last part of them be done in state of grace Q. What are those Works A. Fasting Prayer and Almes-deeds Extreme Vnction expounded Q. WHat is the fifth Sacrament A. Extreme Vnction Q. Where did Christ institute that A. At his last Supper Q. What warrant have you for that A. An Apostolicall Tradition Q. By whom was this Sacrament promulgated A. By S. Iames in his Epist ch 5. v. 13 14 15. Is any man sick amongst you let him bring in the Priests of the Church and let them pray over him annoyling him with Oyle in the Name of our Lord and the prayer of Faith shall save the sick man and our Lord will lift him up and if he be in sinnes his sinnes shall be forgiven him Q. Who is capable of this Sacrament A. Every true and faithfull Christian which is in morall danger of death by sicknesse excepting Infants Fools and such as are alwaies mad Q. What is the matter of this Sacrament A. Oyle blessed by a Bishop Q. What is the forme of it A. By that annoyling and his owne most pious mercy let our Lord pardon thee whatsoever thou hast sinned by thy seeing c. and so of all the other senses repeating the same words Q. What are the effects of Extreme Vnction A. It comforteth the soule in her last Agony against despaire it remitteth Veniall sinnes and the Reliques of sinne and it restoreth corporall health if it be expedient Q. How prove you that A. Out of S. Mark ch 6. v. 13. where we read That the Apostles annoynted with Oyle many sicke and healed them Q. Why then doe so many die after receiving it A. One reason may be because out of cowardice they deferred it too long as very many doe Holy Order Expounded Q. WHat is the sixth Sacrament A. Holy Order Q. To whom doth this appertaine A. To the Rulers and Ministers of the Church as Bishops Priests Deacons and Subdeacons Q. What proofe have you for Bishops Priests and Deacons A. For Bishops and Deacons out of Philip. ch 1. v. 1. To all the Saints at Philippi saith S. Paul with the Bishops and Deacons And for Priests out of S. Iames above-cited Is any man sicke amongst you let him bring in the Priests of the Church c. Q. Where did Christ ordain this Sacrament A. At his last Supper when he made his Apostles Priests saying This is my Body which is given for you doe ye this for a commemoration of me S. Luk. ch 22. v. 19. Q. What did Christ give them power then to do A. To offer the unbloudy Sacrifice of his owne Body and Blood which he himselfe had there ordained and offered under the outward formes of Bread and Wine Q. Why did he say Doe ye this for a commemoration of me A. Because the unbloudy Sacrifice of the Masse is a commemoration or memoriall of the Bloudy Sacrifice made on the Crosse nay more it is a renovation of it in an unbloudy way Q. What are the effects of Holy Order A. It giveth a spirituall power to ordain Priests to consecrate the body and blood of Christ to administer the Sacraments to serve the Altar and to Preach Q. VVhat else A. It giveth also speciall grace for the well doing of the foresaid Offices Q. How prove you that A. Out of 1 Tim. ch 4. v. 14. Neglect not the grace which is in thee by Prophesie with the Imposition of the hands of Priesthood Q. What is the proper Office of a Bishop A. To give Holy
There be in number twelve as you may see in Gal. ch 5. Q. What is the first A. Charity whose nature and effects you know already Q. What is the second A. Ioy by which we are enabled to serve God with cheerfull hearts Q. What is the third A. Peace which keepeth us unmoved in our minds amidst the stormes and tempests of this world Q. What is the fourth A. Patience which enableth us to suffer all adversities for the love of God Q. What is the fifth A. Long animity which is an untired confidence of mind in expecting the good things of the life to come Q. What is the sixth A. Goodnesse which maketh us hurt no man and doe good unto all Q. What is the seventh A. Benignity which causeth an affable sweetnesse in our manners and conversation Q. What is the Eighth A. Mildnesse which allayeth in us all the motions of passion and anger Q. What is the ninth A. Fidelity which maketh us punctuall observers of our Covenants and Promises Q. What is the tenth A. Modesty which suppresseth in us all pride and haughtinesse Q. What is the eleventh A. Continency which maketh us not only abstemious in meat and drinke but in all other sensible delights Q. What is the twelfth A. Chastity which keepeth a pure soule in a pure body Q. VVho are they that have these fruits A. The Children of God onely for whosoever are led by the Spirit of God they are the sonnes of God Rom. ch 8. v. 14. CHAP. XV. The Works of Merey Expounded Q. HOw many are the Workes of Mercy Corporall A. Seven 1. To feed the hungry 2. To give drinke to the thirsty 3. To cloath the naked 4. To harbour the harbourlesse 5. To visit the sicke 6. To visite the imprisoned And 7. To bury the dead Q. How prove you that these workes are meritorious of a reward A. Because Christ hath promised the Kingdome of heaven as the reward of them Come O ye blessed of my Father saith he and possesse ye the Kingdome c. for I was hungry and ye gave me to eat c. S. Mat. ch 25. v. 35 36. Q. When are we said to feed and cloath Christ A. As often as we feed and cloath the poore in his Name what ye have done saith he to one of my little ones that ye have done unto me the same ch v. 40. Q. Is the reward of these works a reward of Justice A. It is according to 2 Tim. ch 4. v. 8. I have fought a good fight saith S. Paul there is a crowne of Justice laid up for me which our Lord will render to mee at that day a just Iudge Q. VVhat other proofe have you A. Out of Heb. ch 6. v. 10. For God is not unjust that he should forget the worke and love which you have shewed in his Name who have ministred unto the Saints and do minister Q. How many be the Workes of Mercy Spirituall A. Seven also 1. To give counsell to the doubtfull 2. To instruct the ignorant 3. To admonish sinners 4. To comfort the afflicted 5. To for give offences 6. To beare patiently the troublesome 7. To pray for the quicke and the dead Q. How prove you prayer for the dead A. First out of of the places above-cited for Purgatory Secondly out of 1 S. John ch 5. v. 16. He that knoweth his brother to sinne a sinne not unto death let him aske and life shall be given him not sinning to death i. by finall impenitence therefore it is lawfull to pray for all such as die penitent and confessing their sinnes And in 2 Mach. ch 12. we read It is therefore a wholesome and holy cogitation to pray for the dead that they may be loosed from their sinnes Q. How shew you these workes to be meritorious A. Out of Dan. ch 12. v. 2. They which instruct others unto Justice shall shine as starres for all eternity CHAP. XVI The eight Beatitudes Q. WHat are the eight Beatitudes A. The summe of them is 1. Poverty of spirit 2. Meeknesse 3. Mourning 4. To hunger and thirst after Justice 5. Mercifulnesse 6. Cleannesse of heart 7. To be Peace-makers 8. To suffer persecution for Justice sake See S. Mat. ch 5. Q. VVhence ariseth the necessity of suffering Persecution A. Because all that will live piously in Iesus Christ shall suffer Persecution CHAP. XVII The kinds of sinne explicated Q. WHy is it necessary for a Christian to know the natures and the kinds of sin A. That so he may detest them and avoid them Q. How many kinds of sinne be there A. Two kinds namely Originall and Actuall sin Q. What is Originall sin A. It is a privation of Originall Iustice which we inherit from our first Parent Adam and are all born in that privation or Originall sin Q. How prove you that A. Out of Rom. ch 5. v. 12. Therefore as by one man sin entred into the world and by sin death and so unto all men death did passe in whom all have sinned Q. What are the effects of Originall sinne A. Concupisence ignorance evill inclinations pronenesse to sin sicknesse and death Q. How is Originall sinne taken away A. By holy Baeptisme Q. Whither goe Infants which die without Baptisme A. To the upper part of hell where they indure the pain of losse though not of sense and shall never see the face of God Q. How prove you that A. Out of S. Iohn ch 3. v. 5. Vnlesse any one be borne againe of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the Kingdome of God Q. What is Actuall sinne A. It is a thought word or deed contrarie to the Law of God Q. What is a sin of Omission A. To omit any thing willingly which is commanded by God or by his Church Q. Why is Actuall sin so called A. Because the materiall part of it is commonly some voluntary act of ours Q. Is all sinne voluntary and deliberate A. It is speaking of Actuall sinne for no man sinneth in doing that which is not in his power to avoid Q. VVhat other proofe have you A. Because the whole Gospell of Christ is nothing else but an Exhortation to doe good and avoid evill then which nothing were more vaine if it be not in the free election and power of man as assisted by Gods grace to do or not to do such things Q. What Scripture have you for that A. Out of Gen. ch 4. v. 7. If thou doe well shalt not thou receive again But if thou dost ill shall not thy sinne be forthwith present at the doore but the desire thereof of sin shall be under thee and thou shalt have dominion over it Q. What besides A. Out of Deut. ch 30. v. 19. 20. I call to witnesse this day heaven and earth saith our Lord that I have proposed to thee life and death blessing and cursing choose therefore life that thou maist live Q. What other yet A. Out of 1 Cor. ch 7. v. 37.