reward of our good workes A. It is according to Rom. ch 7. v. 6. 7. where we read that God will render to every one according to his works to them truly that according to patience in good works seek glory and honor and incorruption life everlasting c. Q. Were all men created for everlasting life A. They were for God would have all men to be saved 1 Tim. ch 2. v. 4. he willeth not the death of any sinner but rather that he be converted live Q. Why then are many damned A. By reason of their own wilfull transgression of Gods Law and finall impenitence Q. How prove you that man is the free cause of his owne sin and damnation A. Out of Ioh. ch the 24. v. 23. God saith he hath given him place for Penance but he abuseth it unto pride Q. What other proof have you A. Out of Hos ch 13. v. 9. Thy perdition is from thy selfe O Israel in me onely is thy aid Q. What other yet A. Out of Rom. ch 2. v. 4. The benignity of God calleth thee to repentance but thou heapest to thy self wrath and indignation according to thy own impenitent heart Q. In what consisteth everlasting life A. In the cleare vision and fruition of God according to that of our Saviour in S. Joh. ch 17 v. 3. this is life everlasting that they know thee the onely true God and whom thou hast sent Jesus Christ Q. Shall we see nothing else in Heaven but God A. Yes all the Attributes and Processions of God and in him also as in a mirrour or looking-glasse the natures and perfections of all Creatures for he containeth all things in himselfe in a most eminent manner Q. How prove you that A. Out of the Apostle saying from whom all things by whom all things in whom all things Q. What effect will follow out of the cleare vision and fruition of God A. Divine love stedfast possession and ineffable joy and out of that praise jubilation and thanksgiving for ever Q. What meaneth the word Amen A. It meaneth that the whole Creed is divine truth and therefore we must heartily assent unto it CHAP. IIII. Hope and Prayer Explicated Q. WHat is Hope A. It is a Vertue infused by God into the soule by which we have a confident expectation of Blisse and Glory to be obtained by the grace and merits of Christ and our owne merits proceeding from his Grace Q. On what is that confidence chiefly grounded A. On the merits and promises of Christ who hath promised glory to such as hope in him and do good workes as also grace whereby to do them Q. Are our good workes then meritorious of a reward of glory A. As proceeding from the grace of Christ and built upon his promises they are Q. How prove you that A. Out of S. Mark ch 9. v. 41. where we read for whosoever shall give you to drinke a cup of water in my Name because you are Christs Amen I say to you he shall not lose his reward Q. What other proof have you A. Out of 1 Cor. ch 3. v. 9. where wee read and every one shall receive his own reward according to his owne labour for we are Gods coadjutors Q. What other yet A. Out of S. Mat. ch 5. v. 12. Blessed are ye saith our Lord when they shall revite and persecute you for very great is your reward in heaven Q. Is it lawfull for us to do good workes in hope of a reward A. Not onely lawfull but laudable according to that I have inclined my heart to doe thy justications for ever for a reward Psa 118. v. 112. Q. What other proof have you A. Out of 1 S. Joh. ch 3. v. 22. Whatsoever saith he we shall aske of God we shall receive of him because we keep his Commandements and do those things that are pleasing before him Q. How declare you the necessity of Hope A. Because it produces in us obedience to the Law of God as also a willingnesse to suffer for his sake and finall perseverance Q. How prove you that A. Out of Iob ch 13. v. 15. Although he kill me saith Job yet will I hope in him and Psal 55. v. 5. In God have I hoped I will not fear what flesh can doe unto me Q. Is Hope availeable to the remission of sinnes A. It is according to that of the Psalmist for him that hopeth in our Lord mercy shall incompasse And againe Our Lord is well pleased in them that hope and trust in his mercy Psa 146. v. 11. Q. What is the principall Act of Hope Devout and humble prayer Q. What is Prayer A. It is a lifting up of the mind to God by which we beg for good things and to be freed from evills or by which we blesse and praise God Q. What are the conditions of good Prayer A. That it be made with reverence attention humility and perseverance Q. What vices are opposite Hope A. Despaire and Presumption Q. What is Despaire A. It is a diffidence in the power of God and merits of Christ as if they were not of force enough to save us Q. What is Presumption A. It is a foolish and desperate confidence of salvation without endeavouring to live well or keep the Commandements Q. How is Despaire the cause of sinne A. Because despairing men are wont to say if I shall be damned I shall be damned and so use no endeavour to doe good or avoid evill Q. How is Presumption the cause of sin A. Because presumptuous men are wont to say God is mercifull and will forgive our sins how great soever and at what time soever we doe penance and out of this take liberty to sin Q. How must our hope be ballanced betwixt these two extremes A. By filiall feare and an humble distrust of our owne workes as they are ours Q. Is Prayer good against both these A. It is according to that of S. Luke Pray ye that so ye may not fall into temptation ch 22. v. 40. Q. For what else availeth Prayer A. For the avoiding of all evills and the obtaining of all benefits Q. How prove you that A. Out of S. Joh. ch 16. v. 23. Whatsoever saith our Saviour ye shall aske my Father in my Name he will give it you and in Luk. ch 11. Ask and it shall be given to you c. Q. Is it lawfull to pray in an unknowne Tongue A. It is for he that speaketh in a Tongue to wit unknowne speaketh not to men but to God 1 Cor. ch 14. v. 2. and a Petition hath the same force if it be understood by him that is petitioned whether the Petitioner understand it or not Q. What other proofe have you A. Out of the same Ch. v. 16 17. where S. Paul saith but if thou blesse in Spirit that is in a Tongue unknowne he that supplyeth the place of the vulgar how shall he say Amen c. thou indeed givest thanks well but the
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
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