and who have transmitted their Corruption to their Posterity according to what the Apostle saith Rom. 5. By one man sin entered into the world and death by sin and so death passed upon all men for that all have sinned Q. God having created the world doth he let it go at all adventure A. By no means for as he created it by his infinite Power he governs and conducts it by his wise and admirable Providence so that there falls not a Sparrow on Earth without his Will and even the hairs of our head are all told Matthew 10. Therefore our Lord Jesus Christ says St. John 5. My Father works hitherto and I work Of the second part of the Creed Q. WHo is Jesus Christ A. It is the only Son of God who was Conceived of the Holy Ghost and Born of the Virgin Mary of the Nature of Jesus Christ Q. Is Jesus Christ God Man or Angel A. He is true God and true Man Q. How do you prove that he is God A. By four principal means First by his works secondly by the service that ought to â—e paid him thirdly by the essential properties of the Godhead which are attributed to him and finally because the name of true God â—s often given him in Holy Scripture Q. In what passage of the Scripture is it that he â—s called God A. In the 1 of S. John In the beginning was the word and the word was with God and Rom. 9. He is over all God blessed for ever more and in the Epist to Tit. cap. 2. He is the great God and Saviour and in the first Epist to St. John 5. He is the true God and Eternal Life Q. How do you prove that he is man A. St John expresly saith in the first chapter of his Gospel That the word was made flesh and dwelt amongst us and the Apostle Heb. 2. That as Children he was partaker of flesh and blood All the History of the Gospel teaches us that during his abode in the world he did all the functions of a true man and he often calls himself the Son of Man Q. Why is it said that he was made flesh and not only that he made himself man A. It is to teach us that he took our nature with all its Infirmities Q. But did he take upon himself all sorts of Infirmities A. He did not take upon himself any personal Infirmities but only all the Infirmities of Human Nature that are not vitious whereforâ— the Apostle says That he was in all poinâ—â— tempted like as we are â—et without sin Heb. 2.4 Q. Did the Son of God take himself a humane Soul and Body A. He took the one and the other and therefore he says That God prepared him a Body Heb. 10. and often he speaks of the Joy Sadness and Anguish of his Soul Q. Did he unite himself to a humane person A. No but he united to himself the Humane Nature in unity of Person so that as in the Godhead there are Three Persons in unity of Nature so in Jesus Christ there are two Natures in unity of Person Therefore it is said that God redeemed his Church by his Blood and that the Jews have Crucified the Lord of Glory Acts the 20. 1 Cor. c. 2. Q. How were these two Natures united together A. They were united in such manner that they were neither altered nor confounded But they have kept and shall keep eternally their Essential properties Q. Why is it necessary that our Redeemer should be man A. That he might die for us and that Sin might be expiated in the same nature that it was committed Q. And why was it necessary that he should be God A. That he might overcome death and fully satisfy the Justice of God to forgive our Sins and to defend us against Satan and against all the power of Hell and to introduce us into the Glory and Felicity of the Kingdom of Heaven Of the Offices of Jesus Christ Quest WHAT signifies the name of Jesus A It signifies Saviour Q. Who gave him that Name A. God himself by the Ministery of the Anâ—el Gabriel who told the Virgin Mary Behold â—hou shalt Conceive in thy Womb and bring â—orth a Son and shall call his Name Jesus St. â—uke 1. Q. Why was this name given him A. Because it is he who saves us and delivers â—s from the spiritual Captivity of Satan of Sin â—f the Law of Death and of Hell Q What signifies the word Christ A. It is a Greek word which signifies Anointâ—â— and Sacred and it is the name that the Hebrews express by that of Messias Q. Why was that name given to our Lord A. To teach us that it is he who was pregured by the Kings Priests and Prophets who â—ere anointed under the Old Covenant Q Where is it spoken of thâ— unction of Kings A. In the History of Samuel who anointed â—aul and David to be Kings of Israel Q. Where is it spoken of unction of the Priests A. In the 40. Chapter of Exodus where God Commands Moses to anoint Aaron and his Sons â—o Minister in the Priests Office Q. Where is it mentioned that Prophets were aâ—ointed A. In the 19 Chap. of the first Book of Kings where it is said That Elijah anointed â—lisha for Prophet Q. What did signifie that Vnction A. It signified two things First the vocation into the Office Secondly all the Gifts and Graces necessary to Minister in it Q. Where is mention made of the Vnction of our Lord Jesus Christ A. In Isaiah 61. The spirit of the Lord God is upon me because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek and Is 45. God thy God hath anointed thee with the Oyl of gladness above thy fellows Q. Who foretold our Lord Jesus Christ being a King A. The Kingly Prophet David Ps 110 The Lord said unto my Lord Sit thou at my right hand until I make thine Enemies thy footstool Q. Where is mention made of his Priesthood A. In the same Psalm The Lord hath sworn and will not repent Thou art a Priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek Q. And where is mention made of his being a Prophet A. Deut. 18. The Lord thy God will raise up a Prophet from the midst of thee of my Brethren like unto me unto them you shall hearken Q. What is the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ A. It is wholly Spiritual and Divine for as he said himself to Pontius Pilate his Kingdom is not of this World John 18. Q. In what consists his being a King A. In that he governs his Church by his word and spirit and that he hath established his Empire within our Souls Q. Wherein consists his Priesthood A. In that he offered himself without spot to God by the Eternal spirit and that he is entred into the heavenly Sanctuary to appear in the presence of God for us Heb. 9. Q. How is he an eternal Priest A. In that his
in his Body A. Because he was to redeem our Bodies and our Souls it was also needful that he should suffer in his Body and his Soul from thence comes what he said in the place that was called â—ethsemane My soul is exceeding sorrowful even unto death Matth. 26. and on the Cross My God my God why hast thou forsaken me Mat. 27 Of Jesus Christ's Death Quest HOW did Jesus Christ die A. He did not die as God for the Godhead is Immortal but he died as Man his Soul having been separated from his Body Q. Why did he die A. Because he had made himself our security and that the wages of Sin is Death Heb. 7. Rom. 6. Q. What is Sin A. Sin is the Transgression of the Law Joh. 3. Q. What fruit have we of the Death of Christ A. First by his Death he hath fully satisfied unto the Justice of God for our Sins and hath obtained for us Eternal Redemption Heb. 9. Secondly he hath swallowed up Death in victory and destroyed him who had the Empire of Death that is the Devil and delivered them who through force of Death were all their life-time subject to Bondage 1 Cor. 15. Heb. 2. Q. Since Jesus Christ underwent the pain that was due to our sins whence comes it that we are still subject to afflictions A. The afflictions wherewith God visits us are not the punishments of a Judge but the Chastisements of a Father and salutary Tryals and signs of his Love For whom the Lord loveth he chastneth and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth Heb. 12. Q. Why do we die since Jesus Christ died for us A. The Death that God sends us is not a satisfaction to his Justice and we ought not to have it in horror it is not so much a Death as a passage to the Blessful life according to the saying of our Lord St. John 5. he that believes oâ— me shall not come into Condemnation but to pass from death to life Q. But how do we hope in dying to go to Heaven since no impure thing can enter into the heavenly Jerusalem A. Our hope is grounded upon the Blood of Jesus Christ who cleansed us from all Sin as St. John teaches us in the first Chapt. of his 1. Epistle Q. After our Soul is separated from the Body is it not to suffer in a Purgatory before it enters into Eternal glory and felicity A. By no means for there is no Condemnation for them that are in Christ Jesus Rom. 8. The Blood of Jesus Christ washes us from all Sins 1 John c. 1. Blessed are those which die in the Lord for they rest from their labours and their works follow them Revel 14. Therefore our Souls desire to leave this Body to be with the Lord. 2 Cor. 5. Q. Were all the Sufferings of Jesus Christ ended at his Death A. Yes Wherefore before he gave up the Ghost he cried out with aloud voice all is finished John 19. Of the Burial of Jesus Christ Quest WHY was Jesus Christ buried A. First to shew that he was really Dead Secondly to teach us not to have an horror of our Graves Thirdly to make us die unto Sin and to bury all Carnal Lusts Rom. 6. Of Descending into Hell Quest WHAT do you mean by Jesus Christs descending into Hell A. This Article doth not differ much from the preceeding and signifies nothing else but that Jesus having been laid in his Sepulchre he remained there for a time in the state and condition of the Dead wherefore in some antient Creeds where mention is made of the Burial of Jesus Christ they speak not of his Descent into Hell Q. But can the word Hell signifie the Sepulchre A. It is the ordinary stile of Scripture and namely Ps 141. Our Bones are scattered at the mouth of Hell that is to say at the Graves mouth Q. And may descending into Hell be taken for descending into the Sepulchre and to be laid in the state and condition of the Dead A. It is also the stile of the holy Languages as in Gen. 37. where Jacob crying for his Son Joseph said to his other Children I will go down into Hell unto my Son mourning chap. 42. you shall bring down my Grey-hairs with sorrow into Hell Q. How do you prove that this Article of the Creed must be thus understood A. By St. Peter who makes appear visibly in Acts the 2. That the words of the Kingly Prophet David Ps 16. Thou wilt not leave my Soul in Hell neither wilt thou suffer thy holy one to see Corruption cannot properly be applied to David whose Body remained in the Sepulchre but belongs to our Saviour Jesus Christ who did not see Corruption and who did not remain in the Sepulchre Q. What became of our Lord Jesus Christs Soul when he died A. He commended it into his Fathers hands as he said himself Father into thy hands I commend my Spirit and it was received into Paradice according to what he said untâ—â—he converted Thief Verily I say unto thee to day shalt thou be with me in Paradice Luke Chap. 23. Q. But went he not into the Limboes of the Faâ—hers A. In all the Scripture it is not spoken of this pretended Limboes and it is a meer Invention of Man's Of the Resurrection of Christ Quest HOW long was the Body of Christ in the Sepulchre A. He was buried on Friday Night and Sunday Morning next he rose from the Dead Q. Why did he rise again from the Dead A. Because he had fully satisfied the Justice of God his Father and that being the Prince of his Life he could not be detained by the bonds of Death Acts. 2. Q. Did the Body of our Saviour Jesus Christ receive any change by his Resurrection A. The Resurrection gave it a glory that it had not before but did not take away the Truth of his Nature wherefore he said to his Apostles Behold my Hands and my Feet handle me and see me for a Spirit hath not Flesh and Bones as you see me to have Luke 24. Q. What Fruit have we of our Lord Jesus Christ's Resurrection A. First God having opened to him the Gates of Death hath made known that he was absolved from all the Sins for which he passed thro them and that we were absolved in him as the Apostle says That he was delivered for our offences and was raised again for our Justification Rom. 4. Secondly the Resurrection of Jesus Christ is to us an assurance that one day we shall rise again in Glory as the Apostle teaches 1 Cor. 15. Lastly by Jesus Christ's Resurrection we rise again in Newness of Life Rom. 6. which makes us say with St. Peter in the first Chapt. of his first Epistle Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who according to his abundant Mercy hath begotten us again into a lively hope by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the Dead Of the Ascension of Jesus Christ
us and what have we more therein than when by Faith and Repentance we receive in our hearts Jesus Christ sanctified A. We recieve therein the external symbol and seal of our spiritual communion for to confirm our faith God useth to seal outwardly his Grace to us So after Abraham believed God and after it was counted unto him for righteousness he received the sign of Circumcision for a seal of the Righteousness of the Faith Rom. 4. So Cornelius was baptized after having received the Holy Ghost Act 10. All the Prophets give witness to Jesus Christ that through his name whosoever believes in him shall receive remission of sins Act. 10. but that hinders not of baptizing in the name of Jesus Christ in remission of sins because Baptism is the seal of that remission of sins Act. 2. Q. In the celebration of that Mystery must not one sacrifice Jesus really and properly A. No for he commanded us to eat his flesh and to drink his blood and not to offer him in sacrifice He through the eternal spirit offered himself without spot to God and by that sacrifice he acquired eternal Redemption for us and he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified Heb. 9.10 Q. But is he not still offered every day in the Mass by the hands of the Priests in an unbloody manner in propiciatory sacrifice for the remission of the sins of the quick and the dead A. Quite contrary St Paul saith that without shedding of blood is no remission that Jesus Christ offered not himself several times for then must he have suffered several times since the foundation of the world and that where is remisssion of sins there is no offering for sin Heb. 9.10 Q. Must Sacraments be adored A. No for Jesus Christ did not command it and the Apostles have not shewed us the example thereof Our Lord doth not say do you behold and adore but take and eat and the Apostles did take and did eat what was given them but did not adore it Q. Ought the Pastors to administer the Cup to the people A. Yes for our Lord Jesus Christ speaking to his Apostles which represented his Church said to them drink ye all of it for this is my blood of the new Testament which is shed for many for the remission of sins Matt. 26. and St Paul let a man examine himself and so let him eat of that bread and drink of that cup Cor. 11. Q. How ought we to examine our selves A. We must enter our Consciences and examine our selves to know if we have Faith Repentance and Charity Q. What is Faith A It is a recourse of the sinful and penitent Soul to the mercy of God in Christ Jesus and a sure trust that for this glorious Saviour's sake he will forgive us our sins and will receive us into his heavenly Kingdom Q. What is Repentance A. It is a sensible grief to have offended our heavenly Father and a fervent desire for time to come to glorify him in all our actions our words and our thoughts Q. How many parts are there in true repentance A. Two for we must cease to do evil and learn to do well depart from evil and do good to abhor that which is evil cleave to that which is good Is 1. Ps 3.4 Rom 12. Q. What is Charity A. It is to love God with all our heart and our Neighbour as our selves Q. How do we shew that we love our Neighbour A In bearing with his faults and being sensible of his misery and helping him in time of need according to our abilitâ— Q What are those to hope for who persevere in Faith who apply themselves to true piety and who from day to day go forward in sanctification A. God shall bless them in this life and shall crown them in the other according to our Lord Jesus Christ's promise be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee a crown of life Rev. 2. Amen End of the fourth and last part of the Catechism A Prayer for the faithful Children who desire to advance themselves in Piety MY Lord and my God! I give thee immortal praises and thanksgivings that it pleased thee to cause me to born in thy Church of faithful Parents by the means of whom I have been brought up in Piety and made to drink of the sincere milk of the word as others I was a Child of wrath but Lord thou hast taken pity on me and thou hast adopted me to make me thy Child and heir of thy kingdom O my God and my Father enable me to answer to so holy and so glorious a vocation engrave thine Image in my heart and form me to the obedience of thee teach me to do thy will since thou art my God and let thy good Spirit lead me in the way of righteousness give me the Ornaments of true humility and of Sanctification without which none shall see thy face O let not be useless the labour of those who work to instruct me open my eyes that I may behold the marvels of thy law and that with thy holy Angels I may take pleasure without ceasing to contemplate the mysteries of my Salvation give me an understanding to know thee and heart to love thee and affections to embrace thee Confirm my memory that I may never forget the Divine Instructions of thy word Give me grace to conform all my actions my words and my thoughts thereunto and let it not only be a light that casts forth beamâ— and shines in my understanding and that chaseâ— away the darkness of error and ignorance therefrom but let it be a sacred fire that purifies mâ— affections that inflames my heart with a divine love and with a holy zeal for thy glory That I do not rejoyce for a little while in that divine light but let me follow it all the time of this terrestrial Pilgrimage Let it lead me to thee Oâ— Father of Lights and let it introduce me into thy heavenly Canaan where I shall have no more need to learn because I shall perfectly know thee and shall see thee face to face Oâ— my God! give me all things thou knowest to be necessary for me forget the sins of my youth and impute not unto me my transgressions but wash me in the precious blood of my Saviour and Redeemer Jesus Christ who commanded me to pray to thee saying OUR Father which art in heaven hallowed be thy name thy kingdom come thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven give us this day our daily bread and forgive us ouâ— trespasses as we forgive them that trespass against us and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil for thine is thy kingdom and the power and the glory for ever and ever Amen Lord increase in me the precious faith that of thy pure grace thou hast given me let it appear by a good and holy life and that to the last day of my life I make a free
days of our life anâ— that we may be to him a peculiar people zeaâ—lous of good Works Luke 1. Titus 2. Q. Of what use are good works A. To glorifie God and edifie our neighbouâ— let your lights so shine before men that theâ— may see your good works and glorifie your Father which is in Heaven Matth. 5. Q. Are they of no other use A. They are also the marks and livery of God Children and the seal of our Adoption and 〈◊〉 our union with Jesus Christ wherefore thâ— Apostle St Peter exhorteth us to make our caâ—ling and election sure by good works 2 Pet. Q. Can man do good works in the state of 〈◊〉 corrupted nature A. No for all the imagination of the thoughâ— of Man's heart are nothing but evil continually and of our selves we are not able to think a gooâ— thought Gen. 6.8 1 Cor 3. Q. By what means then do we good works A. By the efficacy of the grace of God anâ— by the virtue of his spirit of adoption For as the Apostle saith in the second to the Phillip It is God which worketh in you to will and to do of his good pleasure Q. After God hath made us partake of his grace and of his spirit of Regeneration and our good Works is there nothing more wanting is my Sanctification wholly perfect A. Who is he who can say I have made my heart clean I am pure from sins Prov. 20. If we say we have no sin we deceive our selves and the truth is not in us 1 Epistle of St John c. 1. Therefore the most forward in sanctification beg of God every day that he will forgive them their sins Q. But is it not to speak evil of the holy spirit to say the works that we do by his grace are full of defect and imperfection A. By no means for we give him all the praise and all the glory of what 's good in our works and we acknowledge these defects and imperfections came from the residue of our Corruption the flesh lusteth against the spirit and the spirit against the flesh and these are contrary one to the other so that we cannot do the things that we wou'd Gal. 5. Q. But if God wou'd cou'd he not sanctifie us perfectly in this life A. There is no doubt that he might make us as holy and as perfect as we shall be in Heaven but he will make us know more and more the greatness of our natural Corruption he will put some difference between the place of Combats and Victories and the place of Triumphs he will that we may work incessantly to put off the body of sin and that we may sigh after the glorious estate wherein we shall be undefiled and without spot saying with the Apostle Iâ— have not yet obtained and I am not yet perfect but this one thing I do forgetting thâ—se things which are behind and reaching forth unto those things which are before I press forward the mark for the price of Heaven calling of God in Christ Jesus Phil. 3. Q. Since our best works bear always the mark of our infirmities are they agreeable to God A. Very agreeable because he holds them in his great mercy and that as a good Father he bears with their defects and our Lord Jesus Christ covers them with his infinite merit wherefore St Peter says that we offer up in spiritual Sacrifice acceptable to God by Jesus Christ iâ— his first Epistle Chap. 2. Q. Since our good works are agreeable to God can it be said that they are meritorious of everlasting life A. By no means for when we shall have done all that is commanded us we are unprofitable servants we have done that which was our duty to do Luke 17. and the wages of sin is Death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord Rom. 6. we are saved bâ— grace through Faith and that nor oâ— our selves it is the gift of God not through works that none may glory in himself Eph. 1. Q. Whence comes then that it is often spoken of reward and that the Apostle says That Piety hath the promises of this life and of that which is to come 1 Tim. 4. A. Because in effect God rewards our good works both in this and in the eternal life but â—t is not with a deserved reward nor with the â—allary of a Servant but a reward from his free will and of such a sallary as a good Father gives â—is Children to encourage them to do well wherefore God speaks of shewing mercy even â—o those who obey his Commandments â—â—x 20. Q. May we not then trust upon our good works â—nd pray to God that in vertue of those works he â—ill receive us into his glory A. Contrarily we ought to say with the Proâ—het David Enter not into judgment with thy â—ervant for in thy sight shall no man living be â—ustified if thou Lord shouldst mark our iniâ—uities O Lord who shall stand but there is â—orgiveness with thee that thou mayest be â—eared Ps 143 and 130. Q. How do we dare then to approach the Throne â—f God and to appear before his face A. We approach with assurance thereunto â—ecause it is a Throne of grace and mercy and â—at the face of God is pacified towards us â—rough our Lord Jesus Christ who of God is â—ade unto us Wisdom and Righteousness and â—nctification and Redemption Heb. 4. and Cor. 1. Q. Which are the good works A. It is not those that men invent of themâ—lves what good intention soever they may â—ve in it but only those which God comâ—ands and which one conforms to his holy â—ord wherefore our Lord Jesus Christ saith â—hat in vain they worship God who teacheth â—r Doctrines the Commandments of men â—at 15. Q. And which are the bad Works A. All those that are not conformable to his Divine Commandments therefore the Prophet sends us to the Law and the Testimony Isaiah 8. Of the Law of God Quest BY what rule then must we examine our good and our bad Works A. By the Law of God Q. How many sorts of Laws are there A. There are three the political or judiciary Law the ceremonial Law and the moral Law Q. What is Political Law A. It is that which contains all the Ordinances that God had made for the civil Government of the people of Israel Q. What is the ceremonial Law A. It is that which God hath given to rule the external works of his Worship Q. What is the Moral Law A. It is that which directs our Manners and which ought to be the pattern of our life Q. Ought we to keep the Political Law A. No not as to the particular Ordinances and several Circumstances that were concerning the state of the Commonwealth of Israel but as to the bottom and essence it teaches alâ— Lawgivers of the World wherein consists the true justice and true equity Q. Ought we to observe the ceremonial Law A. By
of God in vain A. Not always but only when we swear without just occasion Q. Is it ther lawful to swear A. Yes when we are lawfully called to it for so God himself teaches us and we have the example of Jesus Christ our Lord and of his Blessed Apostles Q. By whose name must we swear A. By Gods name according to what he himself teaches us Deut. 6. Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God and serve him and shall swear by his name Q. Is it not lawful to swear by the Creatures as those of the Church of Rome who swear by the Saints by the word of the Cross and by Relicks A. No for that is putting the Creatures instead of the Creator as if they knew our heart and the truth of our Words and as if it belong d to them to take vengeance of our lies Q. How do you prove that it is not lawful to swear by any Creature A. By the formal words of God himself Jer. 5. How shall I pardon thee for this their Children have forsaken me and sworn by them that are not Gods Q For what is it lawful to swear A. For things grave and serious and which concern the glory of God and the edification of our Neighbour Q. When it it necessary to swear A. When it is commanded us by the Magistrate or when it is requisit to set peace and concord between our Neighbours according to that saying of the Apostles Heb. 6. That an oath for confirmation is an end to all strife Q Is it not lawful in swearing to use equivocation or mental reservation A. By no means for God hates the double of Heart and false Lips and for all Lyers is set apart the Lake which burns with fire and brimstone which is the second death Rev. 21. Q. What signifies these words that God will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain A. The meaning is that he will rigorously punish him in this world by exemplary chastisements and in that which is to come by eternal punishments Q. But since there is a general threatning against all the transgressors of Gods Law why is there a particular one here A. It is to teach us how much God hath in horror the prophanation of his holy name and that he punishes none more rigorously than thâ— prophaners and blasphemers Q. What is then the design of this Commandment A. It is to direct our Tongue in the service of God and to teach us never to speak of God of his Justice of his Mercy of his Wisdom and of the effects of his Omnipotency without our heart be struck to the quick with the respect we owe to so high and so glorious a Divinity Of the fourth Commandment Q. SAy the fourth Commandment A. Remember that thou keep holy the Sabbath day six days shalt thou labour and do all that thou hast to do but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God in it thou shalt do no manner of work thou and thy Son and thy Daughter thy Man-servant and thy Maid-servant thy Cattle and the Stranger that is within thy Gates for in six days the Lord made Heaven and Earth the Sea and all that in them is and rested the seventh day wherefore the Lord blessed the seventh day and hallowed it Q. Why is it that God makes use of this way of speaking remember thou A. It is to teach us that this Commandment is of great importance and that there is nothing more ordinary to man than to forget what God commands him Of the Law Quest OF what day is it here spoken A. Of the seventh day of the week that we call Saturday Q. Why is it that God calls it a day of rest A. Because in that day he would that every one shou'd leave the work of his ordinary caling to attend his worship Q. How do we keep holy the Sabbath day A. In calling upon the name of God in readling and meditating upon his word in being present with Devotion in the assembly of Saints and in exercising the works of charity and beneficence Q. Is the Commandment of keeping holy the Sabbath day Political Ceremonial or Moral A. There is in it something Political something Ceremonial and something Moral Q. What is Political therein A. Gods commanding Masters to let their Man Servant and their Maid Servant to rest that day and even their Beasts Q. What is Ceremonial therein A. First the precise keeping holy the seventh day of the week Secondly the strict observation of not doing any corporal work that day Thirdly that this corporal rest is the figure and Image of the spiritual rest of our Souls and of the Celestial rest wherein we shall for ever rest from all our labours Q. What is Moral in it A That there may be a certain day consecrated for the publick worship of the Divinity Q. Doth this Commandment belong to Christians A. Yes in what it is Moral there must be then Pastors and an holy order established in the Church and that the faithful meet together to glorifie God with one accord to hear the preaching of his Word to participate of his Sacraments and to do Works of Mercy and therefore we are forbidden to forsake our mutual assemblies Heb. 10. Q. What day is now appointed for those publick exercises of Devotion and Piety A. It is the first day of the week that we call Sunday or the Lords day Q. Why was the day of rest changed from Saturday to Sunday A. To distinguish the Christians from the Jews and principally it is because in that day our Lord Jesus Christ rose again from the dead and ended the work of our Redemption Q. Who made that alteration A. The blessed Apostles of the Lord Jesus or rather the holy Ghost who inspired them Q. Where is it spoken of the abolishing of the Sabbath A. In the second Chapter of St. Paul's Epistles to the Colos Let no man judge in Meat or in Drink or in respect of a holy day or of the Sabbath day Q. Where is mention made of Sunday A. In the 20th Chapt. of the Book of Acts in the 16. of the first Epistle to the Corinth it is spoken of the first day of the week in which the faithful meet to participate of the exercises of Piety and twice that day Jesus Christ appeared to his Disciples after his Resurrection as it is written in his Gospel according to St John c. 20. Q. But even the word Sunday is it found in Scripture A. It is found in Rev. c. 1. where St John saith I was in the Spirit * So it is in the French Version on Sunday Q. Why is it that God gives himself for an example here A. To render the Commandments more venerable and to oblige us to obey thereunto so much more religiously Q. Will God be imitated in all things A. No but in those only wherein he gives himself for an example for there are things which he