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.
Because that was the head City of Davids family and Christ was born of the Race of David Q. Why in a poore Stable A. To teach us the love of poverty and a contempt of this world Q. Why betwixt an Oxe and Asse A. To fulfill that of the Prophet Thou shalt be known O Lord betwixt two beasts Q. What doth the birth of Christ availe us A. It perfecteth in us Faith Hope and Charity Q. What meaneth borne of the Virgin Mary A. It meaneth that our Lady was a Virgin not onely before but also in and after Childbirth The fourth Article Q. WHat is the fourth Article A. Suffered under Pontius Pilate was crucified dead and buried Q. What understand you by Suffered under Pontius Pilate A. I understand that Christ after a painfull life of 33. yeares suffered most bitter torments under that wicked President Pontius Pilate Q. Where did he begin those sufferings A. In the garden of Gethsemane that as sin began in a garden by the first Adam so might grace also by the Second Q. What were those torments A. His bloudy Sweat his whipping at the Pillar his Purple Garment his Crowne of Thornes his Scepter of a Reed his carrying of the Crosse and many others Q. What understand you by the word was crucified A. I understand that he was nailed to a disgracefull Crosse betwixt two Thieves for our offences and to save us Q. Is it lawfull to honour the Crosse A. Yes with a relative honour it is because it is a speciall memoriall of our Saviours Passion and is called the signe of the Son of Man S. Mat. ch 24. v. 30. Q. What other reason have you A. Because a Crosse was the sacred Altar on which Christ offered his bloudy Sacrifice Q. What Scripture have you for it A. The Gal. ch 6. v. 13. God forbid saith S. Paul that I should glory but in the Crosse of our Lord Jesus Christ Q. What other proof have you A. Out of Philip. ch 4. v. 18. many walke saith S. Paul whom I have often told you of and now again weeping I tell you of them enemies to the Crosse of Christ whose end is perdition Q. What other yet A. Out of Ezek. ch 9. v. 4. where we read that such as were signed with the signe Tau which was a picture and figure of the Crosse were saved from the exterminating Angel and only such Q. What meaneth the word dead A. It meaneth that Christ suffered a true and reall death Q. Why was it requisite that he should die A. To free us from the death of sinne Q. Why died he crying out with a loud voice A. To shew that he had power of his owne life and that he freely gave it up for us being strong and vigorous Q. Why died he bowing downe his head A. To signifie his obedience to his Father in the acceptance of his disgracefull death Q. What meaneth was buried A. It meaneth that his body was laid in a new Sepulchre and buried with honour as the Prophet had foretold Esa ch 11. v. 10. The fifth Article Q. WHat is the fifth Article A. He descended into Hell the third day he rose againe from the dead Q. What meaneth he descended into Hell A. It meaneth that as soon as Christ was dead his blessed soule descended into Limbo to free the holy Fathers which were there Q. How prove you that A. Out of the Acts ch 2. v. 24 25 26 27. where we read that Christ being slain God raised him up loosing the sorrowes of hell as it was foretold by the Prophet Psa 15. thou wilt not leave my soule in hell nor wilt thou give thy holy one to see corruption Q. What other proof have you A. Eph. ch 4. v. 8. where we read he ascending on high hath led captivity captive he gave gifts unto men and v. the 9. that he ascended what is it but that he first descended into the lower parts of the earth Q. Did not he also descend to Purgatorie to free such as were there A. He did according to the 1. of S. Pet. ch 3. v. 18 19 20. where wee read that Christ being dead came in Spirit and preached to them also which were in prison who had been incredulous in the daies of Noah when the Arke was building Q. What understand you by on the third daey he rose againe from the dead A. I understand that when Christ had been dead part of three daies on the third day which was a Sunday he raised up his blessed body from the dead Q. Why did he rise againe no sooner A. To testifie that he was truly dead and to fulfill the figures of him Q. Did he reassume all the parts of his body A. He did even to the least drop of his vitall blood and the very scattered haires of his head Q. Why did he retaine the Stigma's and markes of his sacred wounds A. To confound the incredulity of men and to present them often to his Father as a propitiation for our sins Q. What benefit have we by the Resisrrection A. It doth confirm our Faith and Hope that we shall also rise againe from death for he which raised up Jesus will raise us also up with Jesus 2 Cor. ch 4. v. 14. The sixth Article Q. What is the sixth Article A. Hee ascended into heaven sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty Q. What meaneth he ascended into heaven A. It meaneth that when Christ had conversed forty daies on earth with his Disciples after his Resurrection teaching them heavenly things then he ascended triumphant into heaven by his own power Q. From what place did hee ascend A. From the top of Mount Olivet where the print of his blessed feet are seen to this day Q. Why from thence A. That where he began to bee humbled by his Passion there hee might also begin to be exalted Q. Before whom did he ascend A. Before his good Apostles and Disciples Act. ch 1. Q. In what manner did hee ascend A. Lifting up his hands and blessing them Q. Why is it added into heaven A. To draw our hearts to heaven after him If ye have risen with Christ seeke ye the things which are above Col. ch 3. Q. What understand you by sitteth at the right hand of God A. I doe not understand that God the Father hath any hands for he is incorporeall and a Spirit but that Christ is equall to his Father in Power and Majesty The seventh Article Q. What is the seventh Article A. From thence he shall come to judge the Quick and the Dead Q. What understand you by this Article Q. I understand that Christ shall come at the last day from the right hand of his Father to judge all men according to their works Q. Doth not every man receive a particular judgement at his death A. He doth but in the generall Judgment we shall be judged not onely in our soules as at our death but also in our bodies
that shall overcome and keepe my works unto the end to him will I give power over Nations and he shall rule them in an iron rod. Q. How prove you that it is lawfull to pray to Angells A. Out of the Apoc. ch 1. ver 4. where S. John did it Grace saith he to you and Peace from Him that is that Was and that Shall come and from the seven Spirits which are in the sight of his Throne Q. What other proofe have you A. Out of the Apoc. ch 8. ver 4. where we read That they present the Churches Prayers to God the smoak saith he of the Incense of the Prayers of the Saints ascended from the hand of the Angell before God Q. How prove you that we may pray to Saints A. Out of Gen. ch 48. v. 16. where Iacob taught his children to doe it saying And let my Name be invocated upon them the names also of my Fathers Abraham and Isaac Q. How prove you that they pray for us A. Out of the Apoc. ch 5. v. 8. where we read Then the foure and twenty Elders fell downe before the Lambe having every one Harps and Violls full of Odours which are the prayers of the Saints Q. Is it no dishonour unto God for us to pray to Saints to pray for us A. No it is not yet to beg it of men for S. Paul did it we hope saith he that God will deliver us you also helping in prayer for us 2 Cor. ch I. v. II. The tenth Article Q. WHat is the tenth Article A. The forgivenesse of sins Q. What understand you by this Article A. I understand that God is both able and willing to forgive us our sinnes if we bee heartily sorry for them and confesse them and hath given power to his Church to remit them by Baptisme and Penance Q. How prove you that A. Out of S. Matth. ch 9. v. 8. where it is recorded by the Holy Ghost That the multitude glorified God who had given such power unto men as to forgive sinnes Christ having before proved the said power by a Miracle v. 6 7. Q. Is any sin so great that God cannot sorgive it A. No there is not for his mercy is farre above our malice Q. Can any one mortall sin be remitted without the rest A. It cannot because the remission of mortall sin is a renewing of friendship with God by his grace which can never be effected so long as there remaineth in us any one mortall sin Q. Can we have absolute certainty that our sinnes are forgiven us A. Without speciall Revelation we cannot I am not guilty in conscience saith S. Paul of any thing but herein I am not justified 1 Cor. ch 4. v. 4. Q. What other poofe have you A. Because the just man knoweth not whether he be worthy love or hatred Q. Can we be certaine of our finall perseverance A. Not without speciall revelation and therefore S. Paul said I chastise my body and bring it into subjection least when I preach to others I my selfe become a Reprobate Cor. ch 9. v. 27. Q. What other proof have you A. Out of Phil. ch 2. v. 12. where he exhorteh saying with feare and trembling work out your salvation Q. How then shall we have peace of conscience A. Because we may have morall certainty and a most lively hope that our sinnes are forgiven us by the due use of the Sacraments which is enough for our security The eleventh Article Q. WHat is the eleventh Article A. The Resurrection of the flesh Q. What meaneth this Article A. It meaneth that these very bodies in which we now live shall at the day of Judgement be all raised up from death to life Q. By what means shal this be done A. By the omnipotent command of God and the Ministery of Angells Q. How prove you that A. Out of 1 Thes ch 4. v. 16. where we read for our Lord in commandement and in the voice of an Archangel and in the Trumpet of God will descend from heaven and the dead that are in Christ shall rise again first Q. Shall the same bodies rise again A. The same in substance though different in qualities Q. How prove you that A. Out of Job ch 19. v. 26 27. for I know saith he that my Redeemer liveth and in the last day I shall rise out of the earth and I shall be compassed againe with my skin and in my flesh I shall see God whom I my selfe shall see and mine eyes shall behold and not another Q. What shall be the qualities or dowries of a glorified body A. Immortality Agility Clarity Impassibility Q. How prove you its Immortality A. Out of 1 Cor. ch 15. v. 52. For this Mortall saith S. Paul shall put on Immortality Q. How prove you its Agility A. Out of the same Chapter v. 44. It is sowed a naturall body but it shall rise a spirituall body that is in motion and some operations equall to a Spirit Q. How prove you its Clarity A. Out of the same Ch. v. 42. For starre saith he differeth from starre in glory so also the Resurrection of the dead Q. How prove you its Impassibility or incorruptibility A. Out of the same Ch. v. 53. For this corruptible must put on incorruption Q. In what space of time shall the Dead rise and the Elect be thus changed A. In a moment in the twinkling of an eye v. 51. 52. Q. At what age and stature shall men rise A. At perfect age which is 33. and in that stature which they should have had at perfect age Q. How prove you that A. Out of Ephes ch 4. v. 14. 15. where we read that the Church shall last untill we all meet into a perfect man into the measure of the age of the fulnesse of Christ Q. What example have you in nature for the Resurrection A. A graine of Corne which first rotteth in the earth and then springeth up and liveth againe Q. What benefit have we by the knowledge of the Resurrection A. It imboldeneth us to suffer persecution and death it selfe in hope of future glory according to that of S. Paul for the sufferings of these times are not condigne to that future glory which shall be revealed in us Rom. ch 8. v. 18. The twelfth Article Q. WHat is the twelfth Article A. And life everlasting Q. Why is this the last Article A. Because everlasting life is the last end of man and the last reward which we expect by Faith Q. What understand you by this Article A. Iunderstand that such as keep the commandements and die in state of grace shall live with God in blisse for ever Q. How prove you that keeping the Commandements is of necessity for the obtaining of it A. Out of S. Mat. ch 19. v. 17. where Christ said to the young man asking what he should do to obtain it if you will enter into life keep the Commandemens Q. Is everlasting life given as a
it numbered in the Deealouge which are the Commandements of God and of the Law of Nature A. Because the substance or chief part of it namely That a day be set apart for the service of God is of divine Right and of the Law of Nature though the determinating of this particular Day Sunday rather then Saturday be a Church Ordinance and Precept Q. Did not Christ when he confirmed the rest confirme also this Commandement A. Inasmuch as it belonged to the Law of Nature he did but not as it belonged to the Ceremoniall Law of the Iewes and was affixed to Saturday therefore now we are not bound to keep the Saturday Q. Why so I pray you A. Because that particular Day was a Command of the Ceremoniall Law of the Jewes which was abrogated and ceased to oblige after the death of Christ. Q. To what are we obliged by this Precept A. To spend the Sunday in Prayer and Divine Service Q. What is the best meanes to sanctifie the Sunday A. By hearing of Masse confessing our sinnes communicating hearing Sermons and reading good Books Q. What is forbidden by this Precept A. All prophane imployments and servile labours excepting such as are of necessity as dressing meat serving cattell c. or such as appertaine to Piety and the Works of Mercy Q. Who are they that break this Commandement A. Such as without necessity spend any considerable part of the Sunday in servile labours Q. How els is the Sunday prophaned A. By spending all the morning in lazy lying in bed or vaine attiring our selves by missing Divine Service when we may heare it or spending the greatest part of the day in drinking gaming dancing or the like Q. Is there any thing now in this first Table of the Law impossible to be observed A. No certainly for nothing can be more easie and delightfull to the true lover of God then to doe all things that are here commanded The second Table of the Law The fourth Commandement Expounded Q. WHat is the fourth Commandement A. Honour thy Father and thy Mother Q. What are we commanded by this Precept A. To love reverence obey and relieve our Parents in their wants Q. Why to love them A. Because under God they are the chiefe causes of our very Life and being and doe not only bring us forth with much griefe and paine but also bring us up with much love labour and solicitude Q. How are we bound to reverence them A. Not only inwardly in our hearts but also outwardly in our carriage and comportment Q. Why to obey them A. Because they are Gods Vicegerents and have received power from him from whom is all Paternity in Heaven and Earth both to direct us instruct us and correct us Q. In what things are we bound to obey our Parents A. In all that is not sinne according to that Children obey your Parents in all things for that is well pleasing unto God Col. c. 3. v. 21. Q. What is prohibited by this Precept A. All sowernesse stubbornnesse and disobedience to Parents Q. What is the reward of dutifull children A. A long and happy life good children if they marry and a good death Q. What is the reward of undutifull ones A. A short and sinfull life accompanied with an untimely death witnesse the example of Absolon 2 King ch 18. v. 14. Q. What other proofe have you A. That of the Proverbs The eye which lowres on parents shall be pluckt out with Crowes and Eagles Q. What signifies the word Father A. It signifies not onely our corporall Parents but also our Ghostly Fathers and all lawfull Superiours Q. What do we owe to Ghostly Fathers A. Love reverence obedience and sustenance Q. Why love A. Because they are the Fathers and Feeders of our soules and under God and his Saints the instrumentall causes of all our spirituall goods According to the flesh saith S. Paul you have many fathers but in the Gospell I have begotten you Q. Why reverence A. Because they are Gods Anointed and represent the person of Christ Q. Why obedience A. Because God hath appointed them to be our spirituall Pastors Guides and Governours Q. In what are we bound to obey them A. In all things belonging to Faith and Doctrine and the government of our soules Q. Is any great honour due to Priests and Ghostly Fathers A. There is according to that of S. Paul The Priests that rule well let them be deemed worthy of double honour especially they that labour in the Word and Doctrine 1 Tim. ch 5. v. 17. Q. How may wee sin against Priests and Ghostly Fathers A. By disobeying or detracting them or believing slanderous reports against them upon meer hear-say or the testimony of insufficient witnesses or without witnesse Q. What testimony is sufficient against a Priest A. I will tell you out of S. Pauls mouth Against a Priest saith he to Timothy the Bishop of Ephesus receive not an accusation under two or three witnesses 1 Tim. ch 5. v. 19. And v. the 21. I testifie before God and Iesus Christ that thou keepe these things without prejudice and do nothing by declining to the one part Q. Is it convenient to ask a Blessing of Priests A. It is because they give it in the name and Person of Christ Q. What warrant have you for it A. Out of S. Mark ch 10. v. 17. where Christ laying his hands upon the Children blessed them Q. What other proof have you A. The example of Melchizedek blessing Abraham upon which S. Paul saith For without all contradiction that which is lesse is blessed of the better Heb. ch 7. v. 6. Q. What Scripture have you for obedience to Priests A. Heb. the last ch v. 17. where we read Obey the Prelates and be subject to them for they watch as being to render an account for the soules And in the old Law disobedience to the Priest was punished with death Deut. ch 17. v. 12. Q. In what are we bound under sin to obey Princes and temporall Magistrates A. In all things which are not sin belonging to the good and peace of the Kingdom or Common-wealth Q. How prove you that A. Out of Rom. ch 13. v. 12. where we read Let every soule be subject to the higher Powers for there is no Power but of God he therefore that resisteth Power resisteth the Ordinance of God Q. What other proof have you A. Out of 1 S. Pet. ch 2. v. 14 15. Be ye subject saith he to every creature for God whether to the King as excelling or to Magistrates as sent by him to the revenge of Malefactors Q. What if Kings or Magistrates command us to do sin or things against our consciences A. Then we must answer them with the Apostles we must obey God rather then men Act. ch 5. v. 25. Q. In what are Servants bound to obey their Masters A. In all things that are not sin belonging to their charge Q. How prove you that A. Out
Out of Eccles ch 34. v. 27. He that sheddeth bloud and he that defraudeth the hired man are brethren And out of S. Iames ch 5. v. 4. Behold the hire of the workmen that have reaped your fields which is defrauded by you crieth and the cry hath entred into the eares of the Lord of Sabbath CHAP. XXI The foure last Things expounded Q. WHat are the Foure Last Things A. Death Iudgement Hell and Heaven Eccles ch 7. v. 28. Q. What understand you by Death A. That we are all mortall and shall once die how soone we are uncertain and therefore must be alwayes prepared for it Q. How prove you that A. Out of Heb. ch 9. v. 27. It is decreed for all men once to die And out of S. Matth. ch 25. v. 13. Watch ye therefore because ye know not the day nor the houre Q. What is the best preparative for death A. A godly life and to be often doing Penance for our sinnes and saying with S. Paul I doe desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ Phil. ch 1. v. 23. Q. What else A. To remember often that of S. Matth. ch 16. v. 26. He that will save his life shall lose it and he that shall lose his life for me shall find it Q. What understand you by judgement A. I understand that besides the generall judgement at the last day our soules as soone as we are dead shall receive their particular judgement at the tribunall of Christ according to that Blessed are the dead that die in our Lord from henceforth now saith the spirit that they rest from their labours for their works follow them Apoc. 14. ch v. 13. Q. What is the best preparitive for this judgement A. To remember often that of Heb. ch 10. v. 21. It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God And that of 1 Cor. ch 11. v. 31. For if we did judge our selves we should not be judged Q. What understand you by hell A. That such as die in mortall sin and the disfavour of God shall be tormented there both day and night for ever and ever Apoc. ch 20. v. 10. There shall be weeping howling and gnashing of teeth the worme of conscience shall alwaies gnaw them and the fire that tormenteth them shall never be extinguished S. Matth. ch 8. and S. Mark ch 9. Q. What understand you by heaven A. That the elect and faithfull servants of God shall reigne with him for ever in his Kingdome where he hath prepared such delights and comforts for them as neither eye hath seen or eare hath heard neither hath it ascended into the heart of man 1 Cor. ch 2. v. 9. Q. How prove you that A. Out of S. Matth. ch 7. v. 21. He that doth the will of my Father which is in heaven he shall enter into the Kingdome of heaven Q. VVhat utility is there in the frequent memory of these last things A. Very great according to that In all thy works remember thy last things and thou shalt never sinne Eccles chap. 7. Which God of his great mercy give us grace to doe Amen CHAP. XXII The Ceremonies of the Masse Expounded Q. WHo ordained the Ceremonies of the masse A. The Church directed by the Holy Ghost Q. For what end did she ordaine them A. To stirre up devotion in the people and reverence to the sacred mysteries Q. For what other end A. To instruct the ignorant in spirituall and high things by sensible and materiall signes and by the glory of the Militant to make them apprehend something of the glory of the Triumphant Church Q. What warrant hath the Church to ordain Ceremonies A. The authority of God himselfe in the old Law commanding many and most stately Ceremonies in things belonging to his service See the whole book of Leviticus Q. What besides A. The example of Christ in the new Law using durt and spittle to cure the blind the deafe and dumb he prostrated at his prayer in the Garden three times he lifted up his eyes to heaven and groaned when he was raising Lazarus from the dead which were all Ceremonies Q. Did he use any Ceremonies at at his last Supper where he ordained the Sacrifice of the Masse A. He did for he washed the feet of his Disciples he commanded a roome to be prepared covered with hangings or adorned S. Mark ch 14. v. 15. He blessed the Bread and the Cup and exhorted the Communicants Q. What meaneth the Priests coming back three steps from the Altar and humbling himselfe before he beginneth A. It signifies the prostrating of Christ in the Garden when he began his Passion Q. Why doth the Priest bow himself again at the CONFITEOR A. To move the people to humiliation and to signifie that by the merits and Passion of Christ which they are there met to commemorate salvation may be had if it be sought with a contrite and humble heart Q. Why doth he beat his breast at MEA CULPA A. To teach the people to return unto the heart and signifie that all sinne is from the heart and ought to be ascribed to the heart with hearty sorry Q. Why doth the Priest ascending to the Altar kisse the Altar in the middle A. Because the Altar signifies the Church composed of divers people as of divers living stones which Christ kissed in the middle by giving a holy kisse of peace both to the Jewes and Gentiles Q. What signifies the INTROITE A. The desires and groanings of the antient Fathers after the coming of Christ Q. Why is the INTROITE repeated twice A. To signifie the frequent repetition of their desires and supplications Q. Why doe we adde unto the INTROITE GLORIA PATRI c. Glory be to the Father and to the Sonne and to the Holy Ghost Amen A. To render thankes to the most Blessed Trinity for our redemption accomplished by the Crosse Q. What meanes the KYRIE ELEISON A. It signifies Lord have mercy on us and is repeated thrice in honour of the Father thrice in honour of the Son and thrice in honour of the Holy Ghost Q. Why so often A. To signifie our great necessity and earnest desire to find mercy Q. What meanes the GLORIA IN EXCELSIS DEO A. It is the song which the Angells sung at the birth of Christ and used in this place to signifie that the mercy which wee beg was brought us by his birth and death Q. What meanes the Collect A. It is the Priests Prayer and is called a Collect because it collecteth and gathereth together the supplications of the multitude speaking them all with one voice and because it is a collection or summe of the Epistle and Gospell of the Masse for the most part of the yeare especially of all the Sundayes Q. Why doth the Clarke say AMEN A. He doth it in the name of the People to signifie that they all concurre with the Priest in his petition or Prayer Q. What meaneth the
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.
Petition ill A. Such as are willing slaves to sinne and to the Devill The third Petition Q. WHat is the third Petition A. Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven Q. What doe we beg by this Petition A. That God would enable us by his holy Grace to keep his Commandements and be obedient to his will in all things Q. What meane you by the words in earth as it is in heaven A. We beg by those that we may be as ready and as willing to do the Will of God on earth as the blessed Saints and Angells are in heaven The fourth Petition Q. VVHat is the fourth Petition A. Give us this day our daily bread Q. What doe we beg by this Petition A. All food and sustenance for our soules and bodies Q. What is the food of the soule A. The Word of God the holy Sacraments especially the blessed Eucharist and Divine Grace Q. How prove you that by this Petition Christ intended the blessed bread of the Eucharist A. Because although we read in S. Luk. our daily bread ch 11. v. 3. in S. Matth. we read our supersubstantiall bread ch 6. v. 11. Q. Why is the Eucharist called our daily bread A. Because it is daily offered for our sinnes upon the Altar and we ought daily to receive it at least in spirit and desire Q. Who say this Petition ill A. Such as are cold and carelesse in coming to the Sacraments and in hearing divine Service or Exhortations Q. Who else A. Such as ascribe their temporall goods and blessings to their owne industry and providence and not to any speciall bounty or gift of God The fifth Petition Q. VVHat is the fifth Petition A. And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors Q. What doe we beg by this Petition A. That God would pardon us the sinnes of our life past as also the punishments which are due unto them Q. Why are sinnes and the penalties of sin called debts A. Because they make us debters to the Justice of God whom by sin we rob of his due honour Q. Why is it added as we forgive our debters A. To signifie that God will not forgive us unlesse we also forgive our Brethren if you will not forgive men saith our Lord neither will your Father forgive you your offences S. Mat. ch 6. v. 15. Q. Who are they which say this Petition ill A. Such as beare malice against their neighbours and seek revenge The sixth Petition Q. VVHat is the sixth Petition A. And lead us not into temptation Q. What do we beg by this Petition A. That God would not permit us to be tempted above our strength Q. Doth God tempt any man to sinne A No he doth not for God is not the tempter of evills he tempteth no man S. Jam. ch 1. v. 13. Q. What other proof have you A. Out of the 5. Psal where we read Thou art not a God willing iniquitie and out of Rom. ch 9. v. 14. where we read Is there iniquity with God No God forbid Q. By whom then are wee tempted A. By the Devill and our owne concupiscence S. Iam. ch 1. v. 14. Q. Can a man live in this world and be free from all temptations A. Morally speaking he cannot for the whole life of man on earth is a temptation Iob ch 7. Q. Why then doe we pray to be delivered from temptations A. That we may not be overcome or vanquished by them Q. Is temptation of it selfe a sinne A. No not without consent on our part nay it is a great occasion of merit if we resist it as we ought Q. How prove you that A. Out of Apoc. ch 2. v. 10 11. Be thou faithfull untill death saith our Lord and I will give thee a Crowne of life he that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death Q. What other proof have you A. Because Christ himselfe who never sinned would be tempted and the Tempter came unto him saying c. S. Mat. ch 4. v. 3. Q. Are we never overcome but by our own default A. Never according to that answer which was given to S. Paul desiring to be freed from a temptation my grace is sufficient for thee Q. What other proof have you A. Out of S. Iam. ch 4. v. 7. where we read Resist ye the Devill and he will flie from you Q. Who are they that say this Petition ill A. Such as seek after occasions of sinne and wilfully expose themselves unto temptations Q. What are the best remedies against temptations A. To have recourse by humble Prayer to God and to his Saints and to such especially as have been tempted in the same kind to resist them valiantly at the first entrance and to remember often our last things Death Judgement Hell and Heaven The seventh Petition Q. VVHat is the seventh Petition A. But deliver us from evill Q. What doe we beg by this Petition A. That God would free us and deliver us from all our evills both spirituall and temporall and especially from the evills of sin past present and to come Q. Who is the Author of all evill of sin A. The Devill for sin in God there is none 1 S. Ioh. ch 3. v. 5. Q. What other proof have you A. Out of Wisdome ch 14. v. 9. where we read hatefull to God is the impious man and his impiety Q. Who say this Petition ill A. They which commit their evills before God and multiply their sinnes without remorse CHAP. VI. The Haile Mary or Angelicall Salutation Expounded Q. WHat is the Haile Mary A. It is a most holy Prayer in honour of the blessed Virgin Mary Q. How do you prove it lawfull to honour and pray unto our Lady A. Out of S. Luk. ch 1. v. 48. where by inspiration from God she prophesied saying All Generations shall call me blessed Q. How many parts hath the Haile Mary A. It hath three parts Q. What is the first part A. Haile Mary full of gracè our Lord is with thee Q. Who made this part A. The Holy Ghost although it were delivered by the Angell Gabriel S. Luk. ch 1. v. 29. Q. What signifies the word Haile A. It signifies Rejoyce be glad O Mother of God Q. Why doe we invite her by this Prayer to rejoyce A. Because it reneweth the memory of her blessed Sonnes conception which is an infinite cause of joy to her and the whole Court of heaven Q. What signifies the word Mary A. It signifieth Star of the Sea Q. Why is she fitly called Star of the Sea A. Because she shineth unto us by her exemplar vertues in this Sea of miseries like a most glorious Star Q. What meane you by the words Full of Grace A. I meane that the blessed Virgin had a speciall fullnesse and prerogative of Grace caused in her by the conception of her Son Q. What meaneth Our Lord is with thee A. It meaneth that the whole Trinity was with her at that
time in a particular manner Q. How declare you that A. Because the Father was with her as with his Spouse the Son was with her as with his Mother the Holy Ghost was with her as with his choicest Tabernacle Q. Are they now also with her A. They are in glory and will be so for all eternity The second part of the Haile Mary Q. WHat is the second part of it A. Blessed art thou amongst women blessed is the fruit of thy wombe Jesus Q. Who made this part A. S. Elizabeth being inspired by the Holy Ghost S. Luk. ch 1. v. 42. Q. What understand you by blessed art thou amongst women A. I understand that she alone was chosen out amongst all women to be the mother of God and therefore ought to be blessed and praised by all women Q. Why by married women A. Because their children are made the Sonnes of God by the nativity and merits of her Son for whom she also daily beggeth blessings Q. Why by Virgins A. Because she is their Queen and chiefest Patronesse and doth obtaine for them of her Son Jesus the gift of Chastity Q. Why by Widdowes A. Because she is their best example and Advocate unto their Spouse her Son Q. What meaneth blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus A. It meaneth that Jesus is her true and naturall Sonne and that in him she is the Author of all our blessings and to be blessed both by men and Angells Q. Why are we Catholikes such great honourers of the Name Jesus A. Because it is a name above all names as you have heard in the Creed and S. Paul exhorteth saying all whatsoever ye doe in word or worke do all in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ giving thanks to God the Father by him Col. ch 3. v. 17. The third part of the Haile Mary Q. WHat is the third part of the Haile Mary A. Holy Mary Mother of God pray for us sinners now and at the houre of our death Amen Q. Who made this part A. The holy Catholique Church in the Councell of Ephesus the year of our Lord 43 1. Pope Celestine presiding against Nestor the Heretique who denied our Blessed Lady to be the Mother of God and would have her onely called the Mother of Christ See Baronius Tom. 5. An. 431. Q. What meaneth Pray for us sinners now A. It meaneth that we need divine assistance every moment Q. What meaneth and at the hour of our death A. It meaneth that we then especially shall need the aid of blessed Mary and her Son Jesus and therefore do now daily beg it the word Amen signifieth let it be done or so be it CHAP. VII Charity expounded Q. WHat is Charity A. It is the gift of God or a supernaturall quality infused by God into the soul of man by which we love God above all things and our neighbour as our selves Q. Why is it called supernaturall A. Because it is not in the power of nature to obtaine but by the speciall grace and gift of God Q. Is Charity imputed onely as Protestants would have it or is a quality truly inherent in the soule A. It is truly inherent in the soul as wisdome is inherent in a soule that is wise and love in a soule that loveth Q. How prove you that A. Out of Rom. ch 5. v. 5. where we read the charity of God which is powred out in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given us Q. What other proof have you A. Out of Dan. ch 6. v. 22. before him i. God saith hee justice hath been found in me Q. What other yet A. Out of Eph. ch 3. v. 17. 18. where S. Paul prayeth for his Bretheren that Christ may dwell in their hearts by Faith rooted and founded in Charity Q. What is it to love God above all things A. To be willing to lose all things rather then the Grace and Love of God by mortall sinne Q. Who are they which have this love A. They who keep the Commandements of God according to that this is the charity of God that we keep his Commandements and his Commandements are not heavy 1 of S. Joh. ch 4. v. 20. Q. Hath not he charity then that breaketh any of the Commandements A. He hath not for he that saith he knoweth God and doth not keep his Commandements he is a lyer and the truth is not in him 1 of S. Joh. ch 4. v. 20. Q. What is it to love our neighbour as our selves A. To wish him as much good as we wish unto our selves and to do him no wrong Q. Who is our neighbour A. All men women and children and especially Catholikes Q. Why so A. Because they are the Images of God and redeemed with the blood of Christ Q. Why especially Catholikes A. Because they are all Members of the mysticall body of Christ which is the Church Q. Whence ariseth the obligation of loving our neighbour A. Because God hath commanded it and if any one shall say I love God and hateth his brother he is a lyer 1 S. Joh. ch 4. v. 20. Q. Are we not also bound to love our enemies A. We are according to that It was said of old Thou shalt not kill but I say unto you love your enemies S. Mat. ch 5. v. 44. Q. What kind of love are we bound to shew unto our enemies A. We are bound to use a civill carriage towards them to pray for them in generall and to be in preparation of mind to doe any charitable office for them when their extreme or morall necessity shall require it Q. What is the highest act of Charity A. To give our life for Gods honour or the salvation of our neighbour Q. Why is Charity the greatest and most excellent of vertues A. Because it is the Queen and life of all the rest Faith without Charity is dead S. Jam. ch 2. v. 22. Q. What state of life doe you conceive to be of greatest perfection A. That which of its own nature and proper institution obligeth to the highest and greatest Churity for Charity is perfection such is the state not only of Bishops but also of Pastors which have the charge of souls Q. How prove you that A. Out of S. Joh. ch 15. where we read Greater Charity then this no man hath that a man yeeld his life for his friends which is the proper Obligation of every Parish Priest according to that the good Pastor giveth his life for his Sheep S. Joh. ch 10. v. 11. Q. How prove you the necessity of Charity A. Out of 1. S. Ioh. ch 4. v. 17. where we read He that remaineth in Charity remaineth in God and God in him and ch 13. v. 14. He that loveth not remaineth in death Q. What are the effects of Charitie A. It remitteth all sinne charity covereth a multitude of sinnes Rom. ch 5. v. 5. and giveth spirituall life unto the soule In this we know saith S. Iohn that we are
translated from death to life because we love the Brethren Ep. 1. ch 3. v. 14. CHAP. VIII Concerning the Commandements in generall Q. WHat is the principall aime or end of the Commandements A. To teach us the will and pleasure of the eternall God or the love of God and of our neighbour he that hath loved hath fulfilled the Law Rom. ch 3. v. 9. Q. Why are the Commandements excepting the determination of the Sabbath day called the Commandements of the Law of nature A. Because God wrote them in the heart of man at his creation being the very Dictates of naturall reason Q. When did he renew them in the written Law A. When he gave them to Moses on Mount Sina in Thunder and Lightning written in two Tables of stone Exod. ch 20. Q. Why in Thunder and Lightning A. To move us to a carefull observance of them Q. Are all men bound to know the Commandements A. For the substance of them they are because they are the rule of our whole life and actions Q. How doe you prove them to be but only ten A. Out of Deut. ch 3. v. 13. where we read And he shewed you his Covenant which he commanded you to do and the ten words which he wrote in the two Tables of stone Q. By what kind of sins are the Commandements broken A. By Mortall sins onely for Veniall sins are not contrary to the end of the Commandements which is Charity and therefore not against properly speaking but beside the Commandements Q. How declare you that A. Because a Veniall sin for example an idle word an officious or jesting lie which hurteth no body and the theft of a pin or an apple is not of weight enough to break Charity betwixt man and man much lesse betwixt God and man Q. Is it possible for us to keep all the Commandements A. Not onely possible but necessary and easie by the assistance of Gods grace Q. How declare you that A. Because God is no Tyrant to command impossibilities under pain of eternall damnation as he doth the keeping of his Commandements Q. How prove you that A. Out of Exod. ch 20. 34. and out of Deut. c. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. where he often commandeth them to be kept threatning grievous punishments to such as break them Q. What other proof have you A. Out of S. Matth. ch 5. v. 20. where we read He therefore that shall breake one of these least Commandements and teach men so to doe he shall be called least in the Kingdome of heaven but he that shall doe and teach them he shall be called great in the Kingdome of heaven Q. What other yet A. Out of S. Matth. ch 11. v. 30. Take up my yoke upon you saith our Lord for my yoke is sweet and my burthen light Q. Hath God ever promised to inable men to keep them A. He hath and also actually to make them keep and do them Q. How prove you that A. Out of Ezek. ch 36. v. 27. where we read I will put my Spirit in the middle of you saith our Lord and I will make that ye walke in my Precepts and keep my judgements and doe them Q. What other place have you A. Out of Ezek. ch 37. v. 24. They shall be my people saith the Lord and I will be their God there shall be one Pastor of them all they shall walke in my Iudgements and keep my Commandements and do them Q. How doe you prove that any have ever kept them A. Out of S. Luke ch 1. v. 6. where we read That Zachary and Elizabeth were both just before God walking in all the Commandements and Iustifications of our Lord without reproofe Q. How prove you the keeping of them to be necessary to salvation A. Out of S. Mat. ch 19. v. 17. If thou wilt enter into life saith our Lord keep the Commandements Q. What other proofe have you A. Out of S. Luke ch 10. v. 25. 28. where when the Lawyer had asked what he should doe to possesse everlasting life and had repeated the sum of the Commandements Christ answered him saying Doe this and thou shalt live Q. What other yet A. Out of Rom. ch 2. v. 13. where we read not hearers of the Law but doers of the Law shall be justified Of the Commandements in particular The first Commandement Expounded Q. WHat is the first Commandement A. I am thy Lord thy God thou shalt not have any strange Gods before me thou shalt not make to thy selfe any graven thing to adore it Q. What are we commanded by this Precept A. To serve love adore and worship but one only true living and Eternall God and no more Q. What are we forbidden by this Precept A. To worship any Creature for a God or give it the Honour which is due to God Q. What is the Honour due to God A. Supreme and Soveraigne Honor that which is called by Divines LATRIA We must honour him as the great master of Life and Death as our Creator Redeemer Conserver and Last End Q. How doe men sin against this Commandement A. By worshipping Idolls and false gods By erring or doubting in Faith By Superstitions and Witchcraft Q. How else A. By going to Church with Infidels or Heretikes by beleeving Dreames c. Q. How doe you prove it a great sin to goe to Church with Heretikes A. Because by so doing we outwardly deny our Faith and professe their false Faith at least in our Country where going to Church is by the Lawes of the Land made a distinctive signe betwixt Catholikes and Novellists Q. What Scripture have you against it A. Out of S. Luke c. 17. v. 22. where Christ forbiddeth it saying And they will say to you Loe here Christ Loe there Christ goe yee not neither doe yee follow them Q. What other proof have you A. Out of Titus c. 3. v. 10. 11. A man that is an Heretike saith hee avoyd knowing that hee that is such an one is subverted and sinneth Q. How doe you prove it unlawfull to go to Witches and Fortune-tellers A. Out of Deut. ch 10. v. 10 11. where we read Let there not be found in thee any that demandeth of Southsayers and observeth dreames neither let there be a Witch or Enchanter or that consulteth with the Devill for all these things our Lord abhorreth Q. What understand you by those words Thou shalt not make to thy self any graven thing to adore it A. I understand that we must not make Idolls nor Images nor any graven thing whatsoever to adore it as a God or with Gods honour Q. Why are not these words expressed in many of our short Catechismes A. Because they are sufficiently included in the precedent words Thou shalt not have any strange or other Gods before me Q. How declare you that A. Because if we must have no other but one onely true living and uncreated God who created heaven and earth then it is cleare to the reason
of every child that we must not have many Gods or any graven Images for Gods Q. Why doe Novellists instead of graven thing translate it graven Image A. Because they have a will to corrupt the Text in hope by so doing to scandalize the ignorant people with our honouring of Images Q. How do you prove that they corrupt the Text A. Because the Hebrew word is PESEL which signifies a graven thing the Greek word is IDOLON an Idoll and the Latin is SCULPTILE a graven thing therefore the word Image is a meer corruption Q. Is it lawfull then to give any honour to the Images of Christ and his Saints A. Yes an inferiour or relative honour in as much as they represent unto us heavenly things but not Gods honour nor yet the honour due to Saints Q. How prove you that A. Out of Exod. ch 25. v. 18 19. 22. where God himselfe commanded 12. Cherubins to be made of beaten gold and to be set on both sides of the Arke before which the people were to pray and promised that he would speak unto them from the middle of the Cherubins therefore it is lawfull to make Images and pray before them Q. Do not Catholikes pray to Images and Relikes A. No by no meanes we pray before them indeed to keep us from distractions and help our memories in the expression and apprehension of celestiall things but not to them for we know well that they can neither see nor heare nor help us Q. What other proofe have you for the lawfull use of Images A. Out of S. Iohn ch 3. v. 14. where Christ approveth the making and exalting of the Brasen Serpent by which the Israelites were healed in the Desart and owneth it to be an Image or Figure of himselfe exalted on the Crosse Q. What other yet A. Because we read in Baronius that famous Church-Historian in the yeare of Christ 31. That Christ himselfe sent his owne Image to King Abdagar and made it also by miracle on the handkerchief of S. Veronica and on his owne shrowd Adde unto this because the second Nicene Councell in the 7. of the Acts doth Anathematize Image-breakers and all such as alledge the places of Scripture which are against Idolls against the sacred Images and also those who say that Catholikes do honour Images as Gods with Soveraigne honour Q. What benefit doe we receive by Images A. Very great because they movingly represent unto us the mysteries of our Saviours Passion as also the martyrdomes and examples of his Saints Q. Is there not some danger of Idolatry in the so frequent use of Images A. Truly none at all for it is not well possible that any rationall Man who is but meanly instructed in Christianity should conceive or think that a peece of painted Wood or Marble is that God and Man Christ Iesus who was borne of the Virgin Mary died upon the Crosse arose from the dead ascended into Heaven and sitteth now at the right Hand of God Q. But how if such inconveniences do happen at least by accident A. Let the abuse be mended and not the good institution be taken away or blamed For mans nature is subject to do it selfe hurt even in the best things which must not therefore be given over Q. How doe you prove it lawfull to paint God the Father like an old Man seeing he is a pure Spirit and hath no Body A. Because he appeared to the Prophet Daniel in the shape of an old Man Dan. ch 7. Q. Is it lawfull also to honour Angels and Saints A. It is with DULIA or inferiour honour proportioned to their Excellency but not as God nor with Gods Honour Q. What utility doth acerue to us by our honouring and canonizing of Saints A. Very great seeing it much conduceth to the breeding of virtue and the love of God making us know that it is possible even for us our selves to come unto the like rewards Q. How declare you that A. Because the higher esteeme we have of the Saints and of the excellency of their state the more ardent must needs be our desire and the stronger our courage to do and undertake what they did and practised Q. How prove you that A. Out of Ioshua ch v. 14. 15. where Ioshua did it I am the Prince of the Host of our Lord said the Angell to Ioshua and Ioshua fell flat on the ground and adoring said what speaketh my Lord unto his servant Q. What other proof have you A. Apoc. ch 22. v. 9. where S. Iohn did it though the Angell had once before willed him not to do it in regard of his Apostollicall dignity ch 19. v. 10. And I fell downe saith he to adore before the Feet of the Angell who shewed me these things Q. Is it lawfull to honour the Reliques of Saints A. With a relative Honour it is but not with Gods Honour Q. How prove you that A. Because a dead man was raised from death to life by touching the bones of Elisaeus the Prophet 4 Kings ch 13. v. 21. Q. What other proofe have you A. Out of S. Matth. c. 9. v. 20 21. where we read That the woman was healed of her Bloudy Flux by but touching the hemme of our Saviours Garment and believing that it would heale her Q. What other yet A. Out of Acts c. 19. v. 12. where we read That the Handkerchiefs and Aprons which had but touched the Body of S. Paul cast out Devills and cured all diseases Q. How prove you that dead and inanimate things for example Medalls Crosses Churches Bread Water and the like are capable of sanctity and honour A. Out of Iosh ch 5. v. 15. and out of Numb ch 22. v. 21. where the Angel saith to Moses Ioshua Loose the shoes from thy feet for the ground whereon thou standest is holy ground Q. What other proof have you A. Out of S. Matth. ch 23. v. 17 18. where we read that the Temple sanctifieth the gold and the Altar the Gift Ye fooles and blind saith our Lord Whether is the greater the Gold or the Temple that sanctifieth the Gold The Gift or the Altar that sanctifieth the Gift Q. What other yet Out of 1 Tim. ch 4. v. 4 5. where we read That every creature of God is sanctified by the Word of God and Prayer And out of 2 S. Pet. ch 1. v. 18. where he calleth the mountain Tabor a holy hill because Christ was transfigured upon it Q. How prove you that Pilgrimages to holy places as to Mount Calvary Mount Tabor and the Sepulcher of Christ be laudable and pious practices A. Out of Deut. ch 16. v. 16. where God himselfe commanded That thrice a yeare all the people should come up unto Hierusalem to adore and make their Offerings to him Q. What other proof have you A. The example of Christ himselfe our blessed Lady and S. Ioseph who went up unto Hierusalem at the solemne day of the Pasche S. Luke ch 2. v. 41
Precept A. Back-biting Flattery and Detraction Q. What is Back-biting A. It is to breake friendship betwixt others by speaking ill of one unto the other behind his back Q. What is Flattery A. To attribute to another some perfection which he hath not or to praise him for that which is not worthy praise Q. What is Detraction A. It is a secret staining and blotting of anothers good name Q. What is he bound to that hath hurt his neighbour in any of these kinds A. To make him satisfaction and restore him his good name Q. How for example A. If he have told a hurtfull lie of him he is bound to unsay it or if he have revealed his secret sinne he is bound to speak well of the same party and to mitigate the matter all he may Q. Is it a sinne to hearken to detraction A. To doe it willingly and with delight or so as to incourage the detractor it is for by so doing we cooperate with the detractor Q. How then must we behave our selves amongst detractors A. If they be Inferiours we must reprehend them if Equalls or Superiours we must shew our selves at least not pleased with that discourse Q. What is rash Judgement A. That which is grounded on meere hear-sayes jealousies and surmises without any morall certainty or great probability Q. When is a lie a mortall sin A. When it is any great dishonour to God or notable prejudice to our neighbour otherwise if it be meerly officious or jesting it is but veniall sinne The ninth and tenth Commandements Expounded Q. VVHat are the ninth and tenth Commandements A. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbours wife thou shalt not covet thy neighbours-goods nor any thing that is his Q. What is prohibited by these Commandements A. The inordinate will or desire of unlawfull lust especially Adultery and of all Theft Q. What else A. Not onely all deliberate desire or consent but likewise all voluntary delight and complacence in covetous or impure thoughts Q. How prove you that unchast desires are mortall sinnes A. Out of S. Mat. ch 5. v. 28. 29. where we read It was said of old thou shalt not commit Adultery but I say unto you that whosoever shall see a woman to lust after her he hath already committed Adultery in his heart Q. How prove you covetous desires to be great sinnes A. Out of 1 Tim. ch 6. v. 9. where we read They that will be made rich fall into temptation and the snâ—â—e of the Devill and many desires unprofitable and hurtfull which drowne men into destruction and perdition Q. Is there any sinne in those motions of concupiscence which we feâ—â—e and suffer against our wills A. There is not for nothing is sinne which is not voluntary and deliberate Q. What think you now of this second Table of the Law is here any thing that savoureth of impossibility to be kept A. No certainly for here is nothing commanded us which the very Law of nature and right reason doth not dictate to us And therefore ought to bee observed and done although it were not commanded us Q. Is here any thing but what every man expecteth and desireth to have done unto himselfe by others A. There is not therefore we must doe the same to others according to that All things whatsoever you will that men doe unto you doe ye also to them for this is the Law and the Prophets S. Mat. ch 7. v. 12. Q. Why then do Novellists pretend and teach that the Commandements are impossible to be kept A. Because they are not willing to oblige themselves to the observance of them but had rather make God the Author of sin by commanding impossibilities a most high blasphemy and justifie their owne iniquities by saying they cannot help then humbly acknowledge and confesse their sinnes with purpose to amend by an acceptance of the Law of God CHAP. IX The Commandements of the Church Expounded Q. HOw many be the Commandements of the Church A. There be six principall ones Q. What is the first A. To heare Masse on all Sundayes and Holy Dayes if we have oportunity to doe it and there be no just cause unto the contrary Q. Why on all Sundayes A. In a Thanksgiving for the benefits of the week past as also to sanctifie the present day Q. For what other reason A. In memory that the same Christ which is offered upon the Altar in the blessed Sacrament for our sinnes was borne rose from the dead and sent down the Holy Ghost upon a Sunday Q. Why on all holy dayes A. Either in memory of some speciall benefit or else for a commemoration of some peculiar Saint so to move our selves to imitate his example Q. How prove you that the Church hath power to ordaine and command Feasts A. By the example of the Church in the Apostles time which ordained the Feast of Christ-Masse in honour of the Nativity of Christ the Feast of Easter in honour of his Resurrection Whitsontide in honour of the coming of the Holy Ghost in Tongues of Fire Q. What other proof have you A. Out of S. Clement the Disciple of S. Peter in his eighth Book of Apostolicall Constitutions where he witnesseth That the Apostles gave order for the celebrating of S. Stephens and some other of their fellow-Apostles dayes after their deaths Q. What other yet A. Out of Col. ch 3. v. 4. We have confidence of you in the Lord saith S. Paul that the things which we command you both do and will do And ver 14. If any obey not our word doe not ye companie with him that he may be confounded Q. What other yet A. Out of Thes ch 4. v. 8. where speaking of the Precepts which he had given unto his Brethren Paul saith He that despiseth these things despiseth not man but God who also hath given his holy Spirit in us See what was said above in the third Commandement of God The second Church-Commandement Expounded Q. WHat is the 2d. Commandement of the Church A. To fast Lent Vigills commanded Ember Dayes and Fridayes also by custome of England with abstinence from flesh on Saturdayes Q. Why Lent A. In imitation of Christ our Lord who fasted forty dayes and forty nights in the Desart for our sins without once eating or drinking Q. Can we fast in that manner A. We cannot but we must do at least what we are able Q. How prove you Fasting to be a pious Practice A. By the example of Christ and his Saints and out of S. Luke ch 2. v. 37. where we read That Anne the Prophetesse departed not from the Tempte serving day and night by Fasting and Prayers Q. How prove you Fasting to be meritorious A. Out of S. Matth. ch 6. 16 17 18. Where we read And when you fast be not yee sad like the hypocrites but when thou dost fast annoint thy head and wash thy face that thou appeare not to men to fast but to thy Father which is in secret
AN ABRIDGMENT OF Christian Doctrine WITH Proofs of SCRIPTURE for Points controverted Catechistically explained by way of Question and Answer Esa ch 30. v. 21. This is the way walk ye in it 1 Cor. ch 14. v. 38. If any man know not he shall not be known Permissu Superiorum Printed at DOVVAY M. DC XLVIII To the truly vertuous and no lesse honourable Lady the Lady E. B. Wife to Sir W. B. Baronet THe deep sense as well of my own proper as of the common obligations of my poore friends unto your Ladiships charitable Bounty hath moved me to addresse this little Treatise of Christian Doctrine to your perusall and Patronage partly for a Pledge of our respectfull gratitude and partly for a testimony of your exemplar excelling vertues which never have appeared more conspicuous then in this dark and ftormy time of Persecution in which they alwayes yeelded to your selfe a plentifull light to see and discerne the Vta Lactea or white way of Heaven and the revealed verities of Christ from the black way which leadeth unto Hell and the fictirious Novelties of Antichrist shining like a bright and stedfast land-mark to all your wavering and weather-beaten Neighbours to guide them to the haven of Security Nor can I doubt of your acceptance of it who have so chearfully exhibited your selfe not onely a religious Professor but also an indefatigable Sufferer for all the Articles conteined in it Witnesse the many Robberies and plunders acted against you under that onely notion since the late unnatur all war Witnesse your own captivity at Cannon-Froome a cruelty not usuall to your sexe Witnesse the arbitrary and most illegall Sequestration of your whole estate Witnesse your long deprivement and separation from your beloved Husband and deare Children whose sole Malignity is Christianity whose delinquency is nothing else but loyalty All which notwithstanding have beene by you imbraced and susteined with such a Masculine Courage and Christian confidence that you have caused much confusion to your enemies and singular consolation to your friends by turning that which was intended for your temporall depression into the greatest improvement of your Soule and highest pitch of spirituall advancement both to your Name and Family What shall I say of these your gallant trialls of these your stigma's received for the Faith I will say onely what S. Paul said in a like case That in the same measure you are partaker of the passions you shall be also of the consolations of Christ 2 Cor ch 1. v. 7. I will give onely this Elogium to the whole catalogue of your pressures perfections That you are now truly a Christian one that may worthily say with the Apostle I am fastened with Christ unto the crosse One who have written on your life and actions in lively characters of self-denying patience that holy Doctrine which I here present you impressed in characters of ink and paper Accept it therefore as your owne Epitome that as the world hath seen your sufferings so it may see in this for what you suffer Do but deigne it the protection of your Piety and it will yeeld you the protection of its Sanctity Doe but persevere in the practice of it unto the end in the same measure that you have begun and it will bring you safe to the fruition of the first Master and Teacher of it JESUS which is the constant wish and daily Prayer of Madam Your Ladiships humble Beadsman and devoted Servant H. T. Aprill 1. 1648. An Addresse to the Reader Courteous Reader HAving lately compiled this little Catechisme of Christian Doctrine for the use and instruction of some ignorant friends I have been much pressed and importuned by some whose age and judgement is of more maturity to expose it to publike view from whose request though I found at first some motives to dissent as well by reason of the multiplicity of bookes already printed on this subject by grave and learned Authours as also for the slender apprehension I had framed of this draught of mine Yet I was at length induced to acquiesse thereunto for these reasons First to give check to certaine Pamphlets lately published in our Countrey under the same though falsly pretended Title that so the verity and Antiquity of the Catholike Faith according to the Rule of contraries being compared with the falshood and novelties of Heretikes might seem the more illustrious and refulgent Secondly to encrease a new supply of bookes for such as have been plundered of the old stock Thirdly to revive the memory of that which never ought to be forgotten nor can be learnt too often the Law and Doctrine of Christ And finally which was indeed my principal designe to furnish the unlearned with certaine proofes of Scripture for points controverted together with the Rudiments of Christianity A thing already copiously done in many of our Books of Controversie But in regard the purses of some and the capacities of others cannot reach such Books I deem'd it a worke well worth the labour to make them also some provision out of that store in this Edition of a lower Key and lesser cost Wonder not at the plainenesse of the stile for I purposely affected it minding rather the profit of the ignorant then the pleasure of word-affecting Criticks Peruse it therefore with such Charity as I have penn'd it If thou art ignorant accept it for thy benefit if thou art knowing in the Law already at least commend it to thy ignorant friends and by so doing thou shalt oblige him who is ever to remaine Thy Friend and Servant H. T. ✚ IHS AN ABRIDGMENT OF Christian Doctrine Catechistically explained by way of Question and Answer CAP. 1. What a Christian is And of the Blessed Trinity Question CHild what Religion are you of Answer Sir by the benefit and Grace of God I am a Christian Q. Whom understand you by z Christian A. Him that believeth and professeth the Faith and Law of Christ Q. When are we obliged to make an externall profession of it A. As often as Gods Honour our own or our neighbours good requireth it Q. How prove you that A. Out of S. Matth. Ch. 10. Ver. 32. where Christ saith Every one therefore that shall confesse me before Men I will confesse him also before my Father which is in Heaven But he that shall deny me before Men I also will deny him before my Father which is in Heaven Q. Are we bound also to venture the ruine of our estates the losse of our friends and to lay down our very lives for the profession and defence thereof A. Doubtlesse we are seeing the reward which we expect in Heaven doth infinitely exceed all the pleasures and punishments of this life Q. What other reasons have you for it A. Because Christ the Sonne of the living God hath suffered farre greater things for us even to a disgracefull death upon the Crosse and therefore it were base ingratitude in us not to be ready to
give our lives for him as often as his Honour shall require it Q. In what doth the Faith and Law of Christ chiefly consist A. In two principall Mysteries namely the Vnity and Trinity of God the Incarnation and death of our Saviour Q. What meaneth the Vnity and Trinity of God A. It meaneth that in God there is but one onely divine Nature or Essence although there bee three Persons the Father Sonne and Holy Ghost Q. How shew you that A. Out of the 1. of S. John ch 5. v. 7. there be three which give testimony in heaven the Father the Word and the Holy Ghost and these three be one Q. Why are there but three Persons only A. Because the Father hath no beginning nor proceedeth from any other Person the Son proceedeth from the Father the Holy Ghost proceedeth from the Father and the Sonne Q. Why are these three Persons but one God A. Because they have but one and the same Essence one and the same Power one and the same Wisdome one and the same Goodnesse Q. What meaneth the Incarnation and death of our Saviour A. It meaneth that the second Person of the Blessed Trinity was made man and died upon a Crosse to save us Q. In what are these two Mysteries contained A. In the signe of the Crosse as it is made by Catholikes Q. How declare you that A. Because when we put our right hand to our head saying In the Name we signifie Vnity and when we make the signe of the Crosse faying of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost we signifie Trinity Q. How doth the signe of the Crosse represent the Incarnation and death of our Saviour A. By putting us in mind that he was made man to die upon the Crosse for us CAP. II. Faith explicated Q. WHat is Faith A. It is the gift of God or a supernaturall quality infused by God into the Soule by which we firmely believe all those things which he hath revealed any way unto us Q. Why is Faith necessary to Salvation A. Because without Faith it is impossible to please God Heb. ch 11. v. 6. Q. What other proofe have you A. Because he that believeth and shall be baptized he shall be saved but he that believeth not shall be condemned S. Mark c. 16. v. the last Q. Why must we believe matters of Faith so firmely A. Because God hath revealed them who neither can deceive nor be deceived Q. If a man should deny or obstinately doubt of some one Point of Faith would he thereby lose his whole Faith A. Yes he would because true Faith must alwayes be entire and he that faileth in one is made guilty of all by discrediting the Authority of God revealing it Q. Is it not enough to believe all that is written in the Bible A. No it is not for we must also believe all Apostolicall Traditions Q. How prove you that A. Out of 2 Thes c. 2. v. 15. Therefore Brethren stand ye fast saith S. Paul and hold ye the Traditions which ye have learned whether by word or by our Epistle Q. What other proof have you A. The Apostles Creed which all are bound to believe although it be not in the Scripture Q. Is Faith onely as excluding good works sufficient to salvation A. No it is not according to S. James his Epist c. 2. v. 24. you see then Brethren how that by workes a man is justified and not by faith onely Q. What other proof have you A. The 1 Cor. ch 13. where S. Paul saith If a man have all faith so as to remove Mountaines and have not charity he is nothing and if hee distribute his goods unto the poore and give his body so that it burne and have not charity it profiteth nothing Q. What faith will suffice to justifie A. A Faith working by Charity in Jesus Christ Gal. ch 5. v. 6. Q. What vice is opposite to Faith A. Heresie Q. What is Heresie A. It is an obstinate Errour in things that of Faith Q. Is it a grievous sin A. A very grievous one because it wholly divides a man from God and leads to infidelity Q. How prove you that A. Out of S. Matth. ch 18. v. 18. where Christ saith If he will not hear the Church let him be unto thee as a Heathen or a Publican CHAP. III. The Creed Expounded Q. WHat is the Creed A. It is the sum of our Beliefe Q. Who made it A. The twelve Apostles Q. At what time did they make iâ— A. Before they divided themselves into the severall Countryes of the world Q. For what end did they make it A. That so they might be able to teach one and the same Doctrine in all places Q. What doth the Creed containe A. All those chiefe things which we are bound to believe concerning God and his Church Q. What is the first Article of the Creed A. I believe in God the Father Almighty Creatour of Heaven and Earth Q. What signifieth I believe A. It signifieth as much as I most firmly and undoubtedly hold Q. What means I believe in God A. It meaneth not onely that there is a God and that all is truth which he teacheth but also that we move unto him by Faith Hope and Charity Q. What signifieth the word Father A. It signifieth the first Person of the most Blessed Trinity who is by nature the Father of but one onely Son who is by Adoption the Father of all Christians who is by Creation the Father of all Creatures Q. What meaneth the word Almighty A. It meaneth that God is able to doe all things as he pleaseth that he seeth all things knoweth all things and governeth all things Q. Why is he called Almighty in this place A. That we might doubt of nothing which followeth Q. What signifie those words Creatour of Heaven and Earth A. They signifie that God created Heaven and Earth and all the creatures in them out of nothing by his sole Word Gen. ch 1. Q. What moved him to make them A. His own meer goodnesse that so he might communicate himselfe to Angells and to men for whom he made all other creatures Q. When did God create the Angells A. When he created Heaven which was on the first day for hee made that full of Angells Q. For what end did he create them A. To be partakers of his glory and our Guardians Q. How prove you by Scripture that they be our Guardians A. Out of S. Matth. ch 18. v. 10. where Christ saith See yee that ye destise not any one of these little ones For their Angells which are in Heaven alwayes see the face of my Father which is in heaven Q. Doe the Angells know our necessities and heare our Prayers A. Doubtlesse they doe since God hath deputed them to be our Guardians Q. How else prove you it A. Out of Zachary ch 1. where an Angell prayeth for two whole Cities the words are Then the Angell of the