in the Temple and though we cannot see our Saviour with our bodily Eyes as he did yet he 's by the Writings of the Apostles daily presented to the Eyes of our Faith and if we were as much concern'd for Heaven and as loose from the Love of the World as old Simeon was and as we ought to be we might upon the View of Christ in his holy Word by Faith be daily ready to sing this Hymn Of the LXVII Psalm THIS Psalm is parallel to the former Evangelical Hymn David prayed for that saving Health which old Simeon rejoiced to see and both of them praised God upon the Foresight they had that it would be made known to us as it is this day by the Voices of the Apostles Of the Apostles Creed Quest WHY is it called the Apostles Creed A. It is called a Creed from the Latin word Credo to believe because it contains such Points of Christian Doctrine as are most necessary to be believed 2. It 's called the Apostles Creed partly because of the Apostolical Doctrine contained in it but rather because it was composed by the Apostles or at least in or near the Apostolical Times and it consists also of Twelve Articles according to the number of the Twelve Apostles Q. Why did the ancient Councils make new ones A. They declare they did not make new ones only largely expound such Articles as Hereticks disputed against Q. If this be a genuine and true Composure then is it not of equal Authority with the holy Scriptures A. 'T is the same thing in a Compendium or short Way and differs only in Form not in Sense Q. Why is the Creed placed after the Lessons and before the Prayers A. We confess that Faith which the Lessons teach 2. It 's the Foundation of all our Petitions for we cannot call on him on whom we have not believed Q. Why is the Creed often repeated A. Because we had need look well to our Faith and be careful to keep that intire by often rehearsing we guard our Souls with it 2. It 's a plighting our Faith and Fidelity to God and Confession is as necessary to Salvation as believing Q. Why must we repeat it with an audible Voice A. Because by so doing every one gives his positive and particular Assent and by it evidenceth to the Church his sound Belief Q. Why is it repeated standing A. By this Gesture we signifie our readiness to profess and our resolution to adhere and stand to this Faith and earnestly contend for it And in our daily use of this Sacred Form let us devoutly apply every Article to be both a ground for our Prayer and a guide to our Lives Q. Why do we Bow at the Name of Jesus A. The mentioning of the Name of Jesus puts us in Mind of him we owe all manner of Reverence to which we express by Bowing Bishop Stillingfleet Q. Why do we say Amen after the rehearsing of it A. To testify our stedfast belief of it and our desire to live as those that heartily believe it Q. What is meant by the word I Believe A. As with a certain and full perswasion I assent so with a fix'd and undaunted resolution I profess and with this Faith in my Heart and Confession in my Mouth in respect of the whole Body of the Creed and every Article I sincerely readily and resolvedly say I Believe Q. How may we know when we rightly believe in God the Father A. When we love him fear him and serve him as our great Creator and merciful Preserver Q. How may we know when we rightly believe in God the Son A. When we submit to him trust in him and obey him as our only Lord and Saviour Q. How may we know when we rightly believe in God the Holy Ghost A. When we follow his Directions and make use of his Assistance as our Guide Sanctifier and Comforter Q. Why is God the Son said in the Catechism to redeem me and all Mankind when the greatest part perish without the benefit of his Redemption A. The price of his Blood which he paid was sufficient for the Ransom of the whole World and is available to as many as God in his abundant Goodness and Mercy shall judge worthy to be Partakers of the Inheritance with the Saints in Life but to none of those that do profess to be the Disciples of the Holy Jesus but such as observe the Conditions viz. Faith and Repentance required in his Blessed Gospel Q. How is the Holy Ghost said to Sanctify all the Elect People of God A. By calling them out and separating them from the rest of the World which is properly to Sanctify as well as by putting good Motions and Affections in them and inspiring them with Holiness by which they become God's choice and peculiar People Q. What may we mean when we say Christ descended into Hell A. The word Hell is a Saxon word which is as much as covered or hidden and in the Original Propriety both of the Greek and English it signifies no more than the place which is unseen or removed from Men's sight so that the meaning may be When all the Sufferings of Christ were finish'd upon the Cross and his Soul separated from his Body altho' his Body was dead his Soul dy'd not but underwent the condition of the Souls of such as die being he dy'd in the Similitude of a Sinner his Soul went to the place where the Souls of Men are kept who die for their Sins and so did wholly undergo the Law of Death contenting himself during his three days of Humiliation with the imperfect Happiness which the Souls of Holy Men are under till the general Resurrection from the Dead Bishop Pearson Q. Why is the Church call'd Holy and Catholick A. It is call'd Holy because it is joined to God in Covenant and the true Members of it are sanctified by the Spirit of Holiness 2. And it is call'd Catholick or Universal because it is spread over all the World and not confined as it was among the Jews to one particular place Q. What may we understand by the Communion of Saints A. That such Persons as are truly sanctified in the Church of Christ have fellowship with God the Father God the Son and God the Holy Ghost as dwelling with them and taking up their Habitations in them that they partake of the Care and Kindness of the blessed Angels that beside the external fellowship which they have in the Word and Sacraments with all the Members of the Church they have an intimate Union and Conjunction with all the Saints on Earth as living Members of Christ and have fellowship likewise with all the Saints departed in the true Faith and Fear of God Bishop Pearson 2. If this Answer be too mystical and obscure embrace this pithy and plain one The Christian Church or Society of Believers as one Body is United by a participation of all Spiritual things as Word Sacraments
Finger of the Left Hand where is a Vein that comes directly from the Heart and where it may be always in View and being a Finger least used it may be less subject to be worn out Q. What 's the meaning of those Words With this Ring I thee wed A. This is a Pledge of that Covenant of Matrimony which I just now make with thee Q. What are the Rights accruing to the Wife by this Covenant of Matrimony A. To share in all the Honours belonging to the Man's Person which is the meaning of those Words With my Body I thee worship 2. To have an Interest in his Estate signified by that Phrase With all my worldly Goods I thee endow and it was an ancient Usage to lay down a Summ of Money on the Book which the Priest delivers the Wife to give her Livery and Seising of her Husband's Estate Q. What do those Words signifie In the Name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost A. The Man makes this Covenant by his Christianity and before the Trinity as Witnesses thereto who if he break will be the Avenger of this Perjury for these Words calling God to Witness turn this Promise into a solemn and sacred Oath Q. Why are Isaac and Rebecca proposed as Examples A. Because Isaac kept him only to this One Wife when he might have had more Q. How is this Matrimonial Covenant ratified A. The Priest pronouncing them to be Man and Wife together In the Name of the Father of the Son and of the Holy Ghost Amen doth set God's Seal to this Holy and Religious compact to make it perfect and compleat so that the Union is sacred inviolable and never to be dissolved Q. When God made the Society of Marriage why was Man made Superiour A. Because he knew Equality would breed Confusion Q. Why is Man commanded to Honour his Wife A. The Meaning is That he must give Respect and Maintenance suitable to her Degree Q. Why doth the Rubrick after this Office advise the Persons who are married to receive the Holy Communion either that Day or as soon after as is possible A. To confirm their Vows to each other by the Blessed Sacrament and to bind themselves more strictly to their several Duties Of the Visitation of the Sick Quest TO whom doth this Duty especially belong A. To the Clergy Q. Have we any Command in Holy Scripture for it A. Yes In St. James 5. 14 15. Is any sick among you Let him call for the Elders of the Church and let them pray over him anointing him with Oil c. Q. Why are not the sick now anointed with Oil A. In St. James's Time as long as the miraculous Gift of Healing continued it was used not to convey Grace to the Soul but to work a miraculous Cure which was the usual Effect But the Power and Gift being ceased the Church hath left off the Oil which was the Sign but we retain all the Substantial Parts of this Office Q. Why doth the Priest when he enters the sick Man's House salute all that are in it with those Words Peace be to this House A. Because our Lord and Saviour ordered his Disciples to use it when they went to cure both Souls and Bodies Q. What 's the Meaning of that Phrase A. It is a Pious Wish for the Health and Prosperity of all that dwell in it Q. VVhy is the Exhortation used A. Because we are commanded by God not only to pray for but to support the Weak by Comfort Counsel and Exhortation Q. VVhat are the Duties we are exhorted to A. Repentance Charity and Confession Q. VVhat doth the Exhortation consist of A. Of Instruction concerning the Author of Afflictions the End why they are sent the Manner how we must bear them the Benefit of so doing with Exhortations to several Graces and Duties Q. Why doth the Priest repeat the Creed and the Sick Man say it after him A. Because we vowed in Baptism we would believe all the Articles of our Christian Faith And the Sick Man declares his stedfast Faith to every Article to shew he dies a true Christian and a sound Member of the Holy Catholick Church And to arm himself with this Shield against the Fear of Death and the Arguments Satan may use to bring him to Despair Q. Why is the Absolution used in this Office A. Because St. James expresly requires it to be given to a Sick Penitent after the Priest hath prayed over him and since Christ left such a Power with his Church there is never more need to use it than now This is the Highest Form of Absolution used by this Church Q. How doth the Priest close this Office A. He doth it with giving the Sick a Blessing at the parting by 3. Solemn Forms the first directed to God the Son the second is a Formal Blessing in the Name of God the Father and the last is an Address to the whole Trinity Q. Why doth the Church think it necessary that the sick Man should receive the Communion A. It 's the highest Mystery of Religion and fittest for those who are by Sickness put into a Heavenly Frame and are nearest to Perfection 2. It 's God's Seal of Remission to all that receive it with Penitence and Faith 3. It arms them against the Fear of Death by setting Jesus before them who died for them and hath pulled out the Sting of Death 4. It assures them of their Resurrection by making them Members of Christ's Body 5. It declares they die in the Peace and the Communion of the true Church Of the Burial of the Dead Quest HATH the Burial of the Dead been the Practice of all Nations Answ The Care of the Bodies deceased hath been accounted a Pious thing among all Nations tho' the Manner hath been diffesent some Burning others Burying and other Embalming their Dead Q. What Regard had the Jews and Primitive Christians for Burials A. The Jews counted it an eminent kind of Mercy and the Primitive Christians were famous for their Charity in burying the Bodies not of their Friends only but of their very Enemies Q. Did any believe that the Dead were the better for what was done to their Bodies A. No Divers of the Philosophers cared not whether they were buried or no and some of the Martyrs despised their Persecutors threatning them with want of a Grave Q. What then are the true Reasons for Burials A. That our Friends Bodies may not be a Prey to Birds and Beasts 2. That the Shame of nature may not be expos'd 3. That all may return to their proper Place and be covered with the Skirt of their Mother the Earth To which the Christians add three more Reasons Because Men are made after God's Image 2. And as they were Christians their Bodies were the Temples of the Holy Ghost 3. And shall be raised again and made glorious Q. Why do we Bury in the Church or Church-Yard A. To put those in mind of their Mortality
viz. Take Eat Drink this in remembrance that Christ died and his Blood was shed for us and to feed on him in our Hearts by Faith with Thanksgiving and to be Thankful The whole Form together comes as nigh our Lord 's own Words in his Administring this his last Supper as can well be Q. Why is this Feast call'd the Lord's Supper A. Because it was instituted by our Lord Jesus at that time Q. Does it not seem to be improper to call it the Lords Supper when it is in most Churches celebrated in the Morning A. No The Celebration of this Feast at Supper was but a Circumstantial thing and therefore the Church is not oblig'd to keep it yet because it is still in imitation of Christ's Suâ—â—â—â— and that Supper is religiously remembred in it and the 〈◊〉 Essential things together with the scope drift and design 〈…〉 are still preserved it is not unfitly called the Lord's Supper 〈…〉 yet it is and may be lawfully call'd and express'd by other Names and this the Christian Churches have done Some call it a Sacrament taking the Name from the Oaths that the Roman Soldiers took of Truth and Fidelity and here we Vow Allegiance and Fidelity to our Lord Jesus Others call it a Communion because we are hereby ty'd in a Bond of Mutual Love participate of the same Bread are fellow Members of the Mystical Body of Christ and have Communion with Christ their Head and enjoy all the same Benefits of his Death and Sufferings Many other Names are appropriated to this Mystery Q. Why did our Lord Jesus make use of the Night in instituting of it A. Because it was to succeed in the Place of the Passover which according to Custom was Eaten at Night but the Reason ceasing with the Typical Passover the Christian Church celebrates it at all Seasons Q. Why doth the Church of England use Bread with Leaven in the Holy Sacrament whereas our Saviour at the first Institution made use of Vnleaven'd Bread A. Our Lord made use of Unleaven'd Bread because there was no other to be had at that time but it being a thing indifferent and the Substance or Essence of the Sacrament not at all prejudic'd by it the Church makes use of Leavened Bread Q. Why doth the Communicant say Amen after the Prayer at the Delivery of the Bread and Wine A. By it he professeth his Faith of the presence of Christ's Body and Blood in the Sacrament really that is truly exhibited and present to the Faith of the Receiver Of the Post Communion or the Service after the Communion Quest WHY is the Feast concluded with Prayers and Hymns Answ Because it was our Saviour's Practice at its first Institution Q. Why is the Lord's Prayer the first part of this Office A. It 's very fit that after we have received our Saviour into our Hearts the first Words we speak should be His. Q. What is the Design of the other two Prayers A. For the farther Exercise and Improvement of our Devotion the former consists chiefly of Vows and the latter of Praises 〈…〉 and Thanksgiving with an humble Petition for the Grace 〈◊〉 â—erseverance Q. What Reason for the Vse of the concluding Hymn A. After such high Favours and such great Blessings received it is fit and necessary we should express our Joy and how can we welcome our Saviour more properly than by the Hymn with which the Angels welcomed him into the World Q. Why is the Blessing pronounced by the Priest A. In Imitation of our Blessed Saviour who took his Leave of his Disciples with a Blessing and this Form the Church took from St. Paul Philip. 4. 7. Of Matrimony Quest WHY is this Office performed by a Minister A. Marriage is the Bond as well as the Foundation of all Societies which ought to be made sacred and adopted into Religion because it 's the Interest of Mankind it should be inviolable wherefore our Church appoints That none but a lawful Minister shall tie these Bonds for the Covenant is made to God and the Minister is God's Representative to take the Securities and bless the Parties in God's Name Q. What 's meant by Bans or Banes of Matrimony A. Matrimonial Contracts or Decrees Ban comes from a Saxon word which signifies a Proclamation Q. Why is it ordered to be celebrated in the Morning A. Because Men are most serious at that Time and the better to prevent Clandestine Marriages the Church orders it to be made in the Day-time Q. Why is it required that Marriages be celebrated in the Church A. That this Rite may be more solemn the Church being the Place of God's special Presence before whom this Covenant is made and the sacredness of the Place should make them more reverent in entring into it and more careful in keeping it Q. Why is the State of Matrimony called Holy A. Because it is a holy and important Work an Ordinance of God the Father an Estate much respected by God the Son and highly commended by God the Holy Ghost in the Mouths of the Apostles Q. What are the Ends of Matrimony A. Procreation a Remedy against Sin and a mutual Help to each other Q. Why is that Charge given That if the Persons to be joined Know any Impediment c A. Because if there be any Impediment which they conceal from the Priest they must either live in perpetual 〈…〉 separated by an endless Divorce Q. What are the Impediments to a Marriage A. A preceding Marriage or solemn Precontract 2. If the Parties be of near Kindred 3. The Want of the Consent of Parents or Guardians in Case of Minority Q. Why must Women be given A. 1. After the Example of God in Paradise Gen. 2. 22. Dr. Hammond A. 2. In Ancient Times saith the Learned and Judicious Mr. Hooker All Women which had not Husbands or Fathers to govern them had their Tutors without whose Authority there was no Act which they did warrantable and for this cause they were in Marriage delivered unto their Husbands by others which Custom retained hath still this Use that it puts Women in Mind of a Duty whereto the imbecillity or weakness of their Sex doth bind them namely to be always directed and guided by others A. 3. However it 's a Decent Custom whether this was the First Cause or no For a Woman cannot in Modesty offer her self but should rather be led by the Hand of another and given by him Q. Why doth the Priest join the Right Hand A. Because they are generally used in plighting our Troth by which Phrase is meant laying our Truth to pledge or engaging our Faith Q. Why is a Ring given A. To be a visible and lasting Token and Remembrance of this Covenant The Matter is Gold to signifie how noble and durable our Affection is The Form is round being the properest Figure to unite things separated and to imply our Respect shall never have an end and the Place is on the Fourth
Babylon to which he was carried Captive Daniel This Book is Historical to the Seventh Chapter and Prophetical in the rest Daniel lived at the End of the Babylonish Captivity Hosea Hosea a Prophet sent to the Ten Tribes chiefly composed this Prophecy Joel Joel Prophesied about the same time with Hosea to the Two Tribes chiefly Amos. Amos Prophesied at the same time with Hosea and to the same Persons viz. To the Ten Tribes chiefly Obadiah Obadiah foretelleth the Destruction of the Idumeans who came of Esau Jacob's Brother Jonah Jonah was a Prophet in Israel in the days of Jeroboam the Second but was sent to Nineveh the chief City of the Assyrians Micah Micah Prophesied at the same time with Isaiah and are alike in the Subject Matter and Stile he declares the Destruction of Israel and Judah by the Assyrians and by the Chaldaeans Nahum Nahum Prophesied of the Destruction of the Assyrians by the Chaldaeans and Medes Habakkuk Habakkuk Prophesied of the Destruction of Israel and Judah by the Chaldaeans as also of the Punishment on the Chaldaeans or Babylonians Zephaniah Zephaniah Prophesied but a few Years before the Captivity of Babylon and threatneth Jerusalem and Judah with utter Desolation Haggai Haggai Prophesied after the 70 Years Captivity of the Jews return from Babylon and exhorts them to Rebuild the Temple Zechariah Zechariah was sent to confirm the Doctrine of Haggai and to help on the Work of the Building the Temple but his Style is more Sublime and Mysterious He Prophesied in the Reign of Darius in whose Sixth Year the Temple was finished Malachy Malachy Prophesied after the Re-edifying of the Temple and endeth the Prophets Apochryphal Books The word Apocryphal signifies that which is hidden unknown or doubtful Those Books which carry that Title and are bound up in our Bibles are so called because it is doubted whether they be True Scripture or not certainly known to be so for so the word in the Greek signifies They are not in the Hebrew yet most of them are of much worth containing many worthy Documents and especially the History of the Maccabees is of singular Use for the Interpretation of the two last Chapters of Daniel and part of the Second Seventh and Eighth Chapters of that Prophet The New Testament or Covenant THE word in Greek which is translated Testament signifies both a Covenant and a Testament a Covenant as may appear by the Adjunct New which notes the opposition of This to the Old so that this Book is what the Old was not a Testament to which Death is supposed necessary but a Covenant or Stipulation betwixt God and his People the Jews promising Mercies and requiring Duties of them The Gospel according to St. Matthew THE Word Gospel comes from a Saxon word which is compounded of God and Spell and is in English good Tidings and by Euphony that is for better Sound sake we pronounce it Gospel delivered here in History of the Birth Life Actions Precepts Promises Death Resurrection and Ascension of Christ The Writers of this History are commonly called Evangelists which may in general signifie any Preacher of the Gospel but is more peculiarly applied to those that wrote the History of Christ's Life and Death c. viz. St. Matthew St. Mark St. Luke St. John The meaning of that Phrase according to St. Matthew is no more than that He compiled and set down that Gospel or good and Gladsom Word St. Mark St. Mark 's Gospel was dictated by St. Peter whose Disciple Amanuensis or Scribe St. Mark was St. Luke St. Luke was the Disciple and Follower of St. Paul who wrote this Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles St. John St. John the beloved Apostle wrote this Gospel The Epistles The Epistles were written by those that bear their Name viz. St. Paul St. Peter St. James St. Jude and St. John the Apostle by whom the Apocalypse or the Revelation was wrote also Epistle to the Hebrews Whether the Epistle to the Hebrews was written by St. Paul hath not only of Late but Anciently been doubted And as the Title which is in our Copy pretending not to be a part of the Epistle is not sufficient to conclude any more Than that it was in that time when this Title was prefix'd believed to be St. Paul's So there is no doubt but that it went without any Superscription or Known Author more Anciently and so has left some place to Variety of Conjectures who the Author should be Some Father it on St. Barnabas some on Clemens Romanus others on St. Luke the latter very Learned Men contend for from the Observation of the Stile and Idiom But all that can be said can amount to no higher than to Probable or Conjectural And 't is not Matter of any weight or Necessity that it be defined who the Author was whether St. Paul or St. Luke a constant Companion of his for many Years and the Author of two other Books of the Sacred Canon FINIS