AN ABSTRACT OF THE Scripture-Catechism Accommodated by the Author to the Use of Children and Ignorant People Newly Corrected by the Author himself S. MARK 10.14 Suffer little Children to come unto me for the Kingdom of God is for such With Approbation Printed in the Year 1675. The ABC ✚ A B C D E F G H I K L M N O P Q R S T U W X Y Z. ✚ A a b c d e f g h i k l m n o p q r s s t v u w x y z Amen ✚ A B C D E F G H I K L M N O P Q R S T U W X Y Z. ✚ A a b c d e f g h i k l m n o p q r s s t v u w x y z Amen 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100. CHAP. I. What a Christian is and of the Blessed Trinity Q. CHild What Religion are you of A. Sir by the Grace of God I am a Christian Q. Whom understand you by a Christian A. Him that inwardly believes and outwardly professes the Faith and Law of Christ Q. When we are obliged to make 〈◊〉 outward profession of our Faith A. As often as Gods honour our own or neighbours good reâ—â—ireth it For if we deny Christ â—efore men he will deny us before â—â—s Father S. Mat. 10. Q. In what doth the Faith and 〈◊〉 of Christ chiefly consist A. In two principal mysteriâ— namely the Vnity and Trinity 〈◊〉 God the Incarnation and Deâ—â—â— of our Saviour Q. What means the Unity 〈◊〉 Trinity of God A. It means that in God theâ—â— is but one only Divine Natuâ—â— though there be three Persons 〈◊〉 Father Son and Holy Ghost Q. Why are there but three Pâ—â—sons only A. Because the Father hath 〈◊〉 beginning and proceedeth fâ—â—â— no other Person the Son proceâ—â—eth from the Father the 〈◊〉 Ghost proceedeth from the F … and the Son and more proce … in God there cannot be Q. Why are the three Person 〈◊〉 one God A. Because they have bu◠〈◊〉 and the same Nature one a … 〈◊〉 same Goodness one and the same Wisdom Q. What means the Incarnation and Death of our Saviour A. It meaneth that the second Person of the most blessed Trinity was made man and died upon the Cross to save us Q. In what are these two mysteries contained A. In the sign of the Cross as it is made by Catholicks Q. How shew you that A. Because when we put our right hand to our head saying In the name we signifie one God and when we make the sign of the Cross saying Of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost Amen we signifie Trinity or three Persons Q. How does the sign of the Cross represent the Incarnation and Death of our Saviour A. By putting us in mind that he was made man to die upon the Cross for us CHAP. II. Faith expounded Q. WHat is Faith A. It is the gift of God infus'd into our Souls by which we firmly believe all those things which God hath any way revealed to us Q. Why must we firmly believe aâ—â— matters of Faith A. Because God hath taught them who neither can deceive not be deceived Q. How are you sure that God hath taught them all A. By the testimony of the holy Catholick Church Q. It is enough to believe all that is written in the Bible A. No it is not for we must also believe the Creed and Apostolick Traditions which are not there Q. What Faith will suffice to save a man A. Faith working by charity Galat. chap. 5. ver 6. Q. What Vice is opposite to Faith A. Heresie which is an obstinate errour in matters of Faith CHAP. III. The Creed expounded Q. WHat is the Creed A. It is the sum of our belief Who made it A. The twelve Apostles Q. What does the Creed contain A. The chief things which we are bound to believe of God and his Church The first Article Q. VVHat is the first Article of the Creed A. I believe in God the Father Almighty Creator of Heaven and Earth Q. What signifies I believe in God A. It signifies that I most firmly hold there is a God and am piously affected to him as to my chiefest good and last end with hope in him Q. What signifies the word Father A. The first Person of the blessed Trinity who is by nature the Father of the second by Adoption the Father of all good Christians and by Creation of all Creatures Q. What means the Word Almighty A. It means that God is able to do all things which he pleases and as he pleases and therefore we must doubt nothing that he teacheth us Q. What signifies Creator of Heaven and Earth A. It signifies that God made Heaven and Earth with all things in them of nothing by his holy word Gen. 1. Q. Why did God make the Angels A. To be partakers of his glory and be our Guardians their Angels saith Christ which are in Heaven always see the face of my Father which is in Heaven Mat. 18. ver 10. Q. When and to what likeness did God make man A. On the sixth day and to his own Image and likeness Gen. 1. Q. In what doth that likeness consist A. In this that as God is an intellectual and immortal Spirit so is the man in his Soul And as in God there is but one Nature and three Persons so in man there is but one Soul and three Powers Will Memory and Understanding Q. Why did God make man A. To serve him in this life and to enjoy him in the next Q. Why did he make all other things A. For mans use and benefit The second Article Q. WHat is the second Article A. And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord. Q. What means this Article A. It means that we also believe and put our trust in Jesus Christ true God and Man the second person of the blessed Trinity Q. Why was he made man A. To redeem and save us Q. What signifies the Name Jesus A. A Saviour S. Mat. ch 1. v. 21. Q. Is any special honour due to this Name A. There is In the Name of Jesus every knee shall bow Phil. 10. Q. What signifies the Name Christ A. Anointed Q. With what was he anointed A. With all the fulness of Divine grace Q. What mean you by his only Son A. I mean that Jesus Christ is the only natural Son of God born of his Father without a Mother as he is God Lord of us all things The third Article Q. WHat is the third Article A. Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost born of the Virgin Mary Q. What understand you by this Article A. I understand that God the Son took flesh of the blessed Virgin Mary not by humane generation but by the work of the Holy Ghost Q. What means born of the
Vergin Mary A. It means that Christ was born of her in Bethlehem on Christmass-day she still remaining a pure Virgin Q What doth the birth of Christ avail us A. It perfecteth us in Faith Hope and Charity The fourth Article Q. WHat is the fourth article A. Suffered under Pontius Pilate was crucified dead buried Q. What understand you by this A. I understand that Christ after a most painful life of three and thirty years suffered most bitter torments under the wicked President Pontius Pilate Q. What were these torments A. His bloody sweat his whipping at the pillar his purple Garments his crowning with thorns his scepter of a Reed his carriage of the Cross c. Q. What means the word was crucified A. It means that he was nailed to a disgraceful Cross betwixt two Thieves for our offences on Good-Fryday Q. What signifies dead buried A. It signifies that Christ sufferred for us a true real death and was buried with honour as the Prophet Isaiah foretold The fifth Article Q. WHat is the fifth Article A. He descended into Hell the third day he rose again from the dead Q. What meaneth He descended into Hell A. It means that as soon as Christ was dead his blessed Soul descended into Limbo to free the holy Fathers that were there Q. What signifies On the 3d. day he rose again from the dead A. It signifies that when Christ had been dead part of three days on the third day being Easter-Sunday he raised up his blessed body from the dead Q. What benefit have we by this belief A. It comfirms our faith and hope that we shall also rise again from death by and with Jesus The sixth Article Q WHat is the sixth Article A. He ascended into Heaven sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty Q. What means he ascended into Heaven A. That when Christ had conversed forty days on earth with his Disciples after his Resurrection then he ascended triumphant into Heaven in their sight Q. On what day A. On ascention Day and from the top of Mount Olivet Q. Why is it said into Heaven A. To draw our hearts to Heaven after him Q. What understand you by siteth at the right hand of God A. Not that God the Father hath any hands for he is a pure spirit without body but that Christ as God is equal to his Father in all things 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 A. I understand that Christ shall come from Heaven at the last day to judge all men according to their works Q. Why is a general judgment requisite seeing every one receiveth his particular Judgment at his death A. That as Christ was rejected by many so he may be glorified before all Q. In what manner will he come to Judgment A. In great power and Majesty tended by many Legions of Angels Q. What are the things that he will judge A. All our thoughts words and works Q. Who will accuse us A. The Devils and our own guilty consciences Q. What will be the sentence of the reprobate A. Go ye cursed into eternal fire which hath been prepared for the devil and his Angels Q. What shall be the sentence of the Elect A. Come O ye blessed of my Father and receive ye the Kingdome which is prepared for you c. Mat. c. 25. v. 34. The Eighth Article Q. WHat is the eighth Article A. I believe in the Holy Ghost Q. What means this Article A. It means that we also believe and put our trust in the third Person of the blessed Trinity who proceedeth from the Father and the Son being the same God with them and descended to us on Whitsunday in fiery Tongues The nineth Article Q. WHat is the ninth Article A. I believe in the Holy Catholick Church the communion of Saints Q. What understand you by this A. I understand that Christ hath a Church on earth that this Church is but one and that we are bound to believe her in all things belonging to faith Q. Why are we bound to believe her A. Because God hath commanded it and she is the Pillar and ground of truth 1 Tim. 3. nor can she erre in Faith Q. Why may not a well-meaning man be saved in any Church or Religion A. Because there is but one Lord one Faith one Baptism the 4th to Ephes 5. Q. What is the Church A. It is the Congregation of the Faithful under Christ Jesus their invisible Head and his Vicar on earth the Pope Q. What are the marks of the Church A. To be one to be holy to be always visible and to be Apostolical Q. What think you then of such as accused the Church of God of Idolatry and errors in faith A. I think them to be Hereticks or Infidels He that will not hear the Church let him be unto thee as a Heathen or a Publican St. Mat. c. 18. v. 18. Q. What means the word Catholick A. It signifies as much as Vniversal and that the true Church hath continued from Christ to this time and shall continue to the end of the world mauger the Devil Q. What else A. That the true Church hath shall be spread over all Nations Q. What means the Communion of Saints A. It means that Catholicks do all Communicate in the same Faith Sacraments and Sacrifice as also in the merits of one another Q. What else A. That the faithful on Earth Communicate with the Saints and Angels in Heaven we by praising and praying to them and they by praying for us There shall be joy before the angels of God for one sinner doing penance St. Luke 15. v. 10. Q. Is it no dishonour to God for us to pray to Saints and Angels A. No it is not for by so doing we honour God in them his creatures Praise ye the Lord in his Saints Psal 150. The Tenth Article Q. WHat is the Tenth Article A. The forgiveness of sins Q. What understand you by this A. I understand that God is able and willing to forgive us our sins if we be heartily sorry for them and confess them both by himself and by his Sacraments The Eleventh Article Q. WHat is the eleventh Article A. The Resurrection of the flesh Q. What means this Article A. It means that these very bodies in which we now live shall at the day of Judgment be raised from death to life by the command of God Q. What are the qualities of a glorified body A. Impassibility Agility Subtility and Clarity Q. What benefit have we by this belief A. It emboldens us to suffer persecutions and death it self in hope of future glory The twelfth Article Q. WHat is the twelfth Article A. And life everlasting Amen Q. What understand you by this A. That such as live well and dye in state of Grace shall live with God in everlasting Glory Q.
In what consisteth everlasting life A. In the clear sight and possession of God in whom we shall enjoy and see the natures and perfections of all his creatures with an infinity of all good things Q. What will follow out of this clear sight and possession of God A. Divine love and unspeakable joy and out of that will flow Praise Jubilation and Thanksgiving for ever Q. What means the word Amen A. It means that the whole Creed is to be believed with divine Faith and therefore we must heartily assent to it CHAP. IV. Hope Expounded Q. WHat is Hope A. It is the gift of God infused into our souls by which we have a confident expectation of bliss and glory to be obtained by the merits and grace of Christ and our good works proceeding from his grace Q. On what is this confidence grounded A. On the merits and promises of Christ who hath promised Heaven to such as hope in him doing good works as also grace whereby to do them Q. What is the chief effect of Hope A. Prayer which is a lifting up of our minds to God whereby we beg for good things and to be freed from evil Q. What other effects hath it A. It causeth obedience to the Law of God a willingness to suffer for his sake and final perseverance Q. What Vice is opposite to Hope A. Despair and Presumption Q. What is Despair A. Diffidence in the Power of God and merits of Christ Q. What is Presumption A. A foolish confidence of salvation without endeavouring to keep the Commandments CHAP. V. Our Lords Prayer expounded Q. WHo made this most holy Prayer A. Christ himself St. Mat. 6. v. 9. Q. Why did he make it A. To teach us a set form of Prayer and how we ought to pray Q. Why did he make it so short and easie A. That all men might be capable of it Q. What beg we by it A. All those chief things which we can ask or hope for of God Q. What mean those words Our Father which art in Heaven A. They mean that God is our Father by Creation Adoption also if we be in state of grace and therefore we may boldly come to beg all blessings of him Q. Why Our Father and not my Father A. Because God is the common Father of all and all good Christiaâ—s must pray for one another Q. What understand you by which art in Heaven A. That God is there manifesting his glory to the blessed therefore when we pray we must lift up our hearts to him in Heaven Q. Say the first Petition A. Hallowed be thy Name Q. What do we beg by this A. That God may be known worthily praised served and honoured by all his creatures Q. Say the second Petition A. Thy Kingdom come Q. What beg we by this A. That our miseries and afflictions of this life may be ended and that we may partake the joys of his Kingdom Q. What else A. That Christ may reign in us in this life by grace and in the next by glory presenting us a Kingdom to his Father Q. Say the third petition A. Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven Q. What beg we by this A. That God would enable us by his grace to do his will in all things Q. What meaneth In Earth as it is in Heaven A. We beg by this that we may be as ready and chearful to obey the will of God on Earth as the Saints and Angels are in Heaven Q. Say the forth petition A. Give us this day our daily bread Q. What beg we by this A. All food and sustenance for our souls and bodies Q. What is the food of the soul A. The Word of God the holy Sacraments especially the blessed Eucharist and Divine grace Q. Why is the blessed Eucharist called our daily Bread A. Because it is daily offered on the Altar for our sins and we ought daily to receive it in spirit or desire Q. Say the fifth Article A. And forgive us our debts as wâ— forgive our debtors Q. What beg you by this A. That God would forgive us the sins of our life past and all the punishments due to them Q. Why is added as we forgive our Debtors A. To signifie that God will not forgive us unless we forgive our Enemies Q. Say the Sixth Petition A. And lead us not into Temptation Q. What beg we by this A. That God would not permit us to be tempted above our strength Q. Doth God tempt us to sin A. No he doth not God is not the tempter of evils he tempteth no man St. James 5. v. 13. Q By whom are we tempted A. By the Devil the World and our own Concupiscense Q. Is it any sin to be tempted A. Not without some consent or delight on our part Q. Say the seventh petition A. But deliver us from evil Q. What beg we by this A. That God would free us from all evil both spiritual and temporal Q. Who is the Author of all evil of sin A. The Devil for sin in God there is none 1 St. John chap. 3. v. 5. CHAP VI. The Hail Mary or Angelical Salutation Expounded Q. WHat is the Hail Mary A. It is most honourable Salutation and holy prayer to the blessed Virgin Mary Q. How many parts hath it A. Three Q. Say the first part A. Hail Mary full of grace our Lord is with thee Q. Who made this part of it A. The Holy Ghost although it were delivered by the Angel Gabriel Q. Say the second part A. Blessed art thou amongst Women and blessed is the fruit of thy Womb Jesus Q. Who spake this A. S. Elizabeth inspired by the Holy Ghost Q. Say the third and last part of it A. Holy Mary Mother of God pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death Q. Who made this part A. The Catholick-Church in the Counsel of Ephesus against Nestor the Heretick who denyed our blessed Lady to be the Mother of God CHAP. VII Charity Expounded Q. WHat is Charity A. It is the gift of God infus'd into the souls by which we love God above all things and our Neighbours as our selves Q. Who are our Neighbours A. All Man-kind especially Catholicks Q. Why all Man-kind A. Because they are the Images of God and redeemed with the blood of Christ Q. Why especially Catholicks A. Because they are Members of the mystical body of Christ the Church Q. What is it to love God above all things A. To be willing to lose all things rather than the love and grace of God by any immortal sin Q. What is it to love our Neighbour as our selves A. To wish him as much good as our selves and do him no wrong Q. What is the highest act of Charity A. To give our life for God's honour or our Neighbours salvation Q. What are the effects of Charity A. It remitteth sin and giveth spiritual life to the soul He that loveth not remaineth in