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
Q. Why is that necessary A. That as Christ was openly rejected so he may there be openly acknowledged to the great joy and glory of his friends as also to the confusion of his enemies Q. How prove you that in this Judgment all men shall receive according to their works A. Out of 2 Cor. ch 5. v. 10. We must all be manifested saith S. Paul before the judgment-seat of Christ that every one may receive the proper things of the body according as he hath done whether good or evill Q. What other proof have you A. Out of S. Matth. ch 16. v. 27. The Sonne of Man saith our Lord shall come in the Glory of his Father with his Angells and then he will render to every one according to his works Q. Is there any merit in our good works A. There is according to Apoc. ch 22. v. 12. Behold I come quickly saith our Lord and my reward is with me to render to every man according to his works Q. In what place shall this Judgment be made A. In the valley of Iehosaphat betwixt Hierusalem and Mount Olivet Q. What signe shall go before it A. The Sun and Moone shall lose their light there shall be Warres Plagues Famines and Earthquakes in many places Q. In what manner shall Christ come unto it A. In great power and Majesty begirt with Legions of Angels Q. Who are they that shall be judged A. The whole Race and Progenie of man Q. What are the things that shall be judged A. Our thoughts words and works even to the secrets of our soules Q. Who will accuse us A. The Devills our own guilty consciences and above all the Books of life and death in which all our actions are recorded and shall be then laid open to the whole world Q. How shall the just and reprobate be placed A. The just shall be on the right the reprobate on the left hand of the Judge Q. What shall be the sentence of the just A. Come ô ye blessed of my Father and receive ye the Kingdome which is prepared for you for I was hungry and ye gave me to eat I was thirsty and ye gave me to drink c. S. Matth. ch 25. v. 35 36. Q. What shall be the sentence of the reprobate A. Goe ye accursed into eternall fire which hath been prepared for the Devill and his Angells for I was hungry and ye gave me not to eat I was thirsty and ye gave me not to drink c. the same chap. v. 41 42 43. You see of what weight good works will be at that day Q. Why is it added The quick and the dead A. To signifie that Christ shall judge not onely such as are living at the time of his coming but likewise all such as have been dead from the Creation of the World as also by the quick are understood Angells and Saints by the dead the Devills and the damned soules The eighth Article Q. What is the eighth Article A. I believe in the Holy Ghost Q. Of what treateth this Article A. Of the third Person of the B. Trinity in whom we also believe and put our trust who proceedeth from the Father and the Sonne and is the self-same God with them distinct in nothing but in person Q. How prove you that A. Out of 1 S. John ch 5. v. 7. There be three saith he which give testimony in Heaven the Father the Word and the Holy Ghost and these three be one Q. Why is the Name of Holy Ghost appropriated to the third Person since Angells are also Spirits and holy A. Because he is such by excellency and by essence they onely by participation Q. At least why should it not be common to the other two Persons A. Because they are knowne by the proper Names of Father and Sonne but we have not any proper Name for the Holy Ghost Q. In what formes hath the Holy Ghost appeared unto men A. In the forme of a Dove to signifie the purity and innocence which hee causeth in our soules in a bright Cloud and fiery Tongues to signifie the fire of Charity which he produceth in our hearts as also the gift of Tongues and hence it is he is painted in these formes The ninth Article Q. WHat is the ninth Article A. I believe in the holy Catholike Church the Communion of Saints Q. What understand you by this Article A. I understand that Christ hath a Church upon earth which he established in his own Blood and that he hath commanded us to believe that Church in all things appertaining unto Faith Q. What kind of Faith must we believe her with A. With the same Faith that we believe her Spouse the Sonne of God that is with divine Faith but with this difference that wee believe in God though we onely believe the Church but not in her Q. What is the Church A. It is the Congregation of all the faithfull under Christ Iesus their invisible head and his Vicar upon earth the Pope Q. What are the essentiall parts of the Church A. A Pope or Supreme head Bishops Pastors and the Laity Q. How prove you that Bishops are of divine Institution A. Out of Act. ch 20. v. 28. where we read take heed unto your selves and to the flock wherein the Holy Ghost hath placed you Bishops to rule the Church of God which he hath purchased with his owne blood Q. How prove you S. Peter and the Pope his Successor to be the visible Head of the Church A. Out of S. John ch 21. v. 16 17 18. where Christ for a reward of his speciall faith and love gave S. Peter absolute power to feed and governe his whole flock saying feed my Lambs feed Lambs feed my Sheep therefore the rest of the Apostles were his sheep and he their Head or Pastor Q. What other proof have you A. Out of S. Mat. ch 16. v. 18. where Christ saith thou art Peter and upon this Rocke will I build my Church Therefore the rest of the Apostles were built on him and hence also it is that as often as they are named in Scripture S. Peter is still named first Q. What are the markes of the true Church A. Unity Visibility Sanctity Universality and Infallibility Q. How declare you its Unity A. Because all the members of it make but one mysticall body and are governed by one Supreme Head Q. How prove you that A. Out of 1 Cor. ch 10. v. 18. being many saith S. Paul we are one bread one body all that participate of one bread Q. What other proofe have you A Because all the members of it live under one Law obey the same Magistrates professe the same faith even to the least Article and use the same Sacraments and Sacrifice Q. Why may not a well meaning man be saved in any Religion A. Because there is but one God one Faith one Baptisme Eph. ch 4. v. 5. And without that one Faith it is impossible to please God
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
garment his Scepter of a reed and shewing to the people with loe the man Q. What by the sixth houre A. His unjust condemnation to death his carrying of the Crosse his stripping and nailing to the Crosse Q. What by the ninth houre A. His drinking gall and vinegar his dying on the Crosse and the opening of his side with a speare Q. What by the Evensong A. His taking downe from the Crosse and the darknesse which was made upon the face of the earth Q. What by the Compline A. His Funerall or Buriall Briefly thus The Mattins and Lauds his Agony and binding in the Garden the Prime his scoffes and false accusations the third houre his cloathing with purple and crowning with thornes the sixth houre his condemning and nailing to the Crosse the ninth houre his yeelding up the Ghost and the opening of his side the Evensong his taking from the Crosse and the Compline his Buriall The particulars of the Office Expounded Q. WHy doth our Ladies Office alwaies begin with an AVE MARIA A. To dedicate the Office to our Lady and beg her aid for the devout performance of it to Gods honour Q. VVhy doe we begin every Houre with Incline unto mine aid O God O Lord make hast to helpe me A. To acknowledge our infirmity and misery and the great need we have of divine assistance not only in all other things but also in our very prayers according to that of the Apostle No man can say LORD JESUS but in the Holy Ghost Q. VVhy do we add to this Glory be to the Father and to the Sonne and to the Holy Ghost A. To signifie that the intention of the Office is in the first place to give one equall glory to the most Blessed Trinity and to invite all creatures to do the like this is the principall aime of the whole Office therefore we not onely begin every Houre but also end every Psalme with the same Verse Q. VVho ordained the GLORIA PATRI A. The Apostles according to Baronius in his 3. Tome the yeare of Christ 325. Q. Why do we joyne unto the GLORIA PATRI SICUT ERAT As it was in the beginning both now and alwaies world without end A. Because that was made by the Councell of Nice against the Arrians who denied Christ to be coequall and consubstantiall to his Father or to have been before the Virgin Mary Q. Why after this for a great part of the yeare and especially betwixt Easter and Whitsontide doe we say ALLELUIA ALLELUIA A. Because that is a time of joy and ALLELUIA is an Hebrew word signifying Praise ye the Lord with all joy and exultation of heart Q. Why were it not better changed into English A. Because it is the language of the very Blessed in heaven according to Apoc. ch 8. v. 6. Therefore the Church hath forbidden it to be translated into any other language Q. Why in Lent and some other times do we say instead of ALLELUIA Praise be to thee O Lord King of eternall glory A. Because those are times of penance and therefore God must be praised rather with teares then exultation Q. VVhy do we alwaies say for the Invitatory Haile â—ary full of grace our Lord is with thee A. To congratulate and renew the memory of our Blessed Ladies joy conceived at the conception of her Sonne Jesus and to invite both men and Angells to doe the like Q. VVhat signifie the five Verses following the Invitatory which begin Come let us exult unto our Lord A. The five wounds of Christ from which all our Prayer hath its force and merit and in honour of which those Versicles are said Q. VVhat meane the Hymnes A. They are a Poeticall expression of the Prerogatives and Praises of our Lady Q. VVhy are so many Psalmes used in the Office A. Because they were dictated by the Holy Ghost and do containe in a most moving manner all the affections of piety and devotion Q. Why are there but three Psalmes in most of the houres A. In honour of the most Blessed Trinity to whom chiefly the whole Office is directed Q. Why was the Office divided into so many Houres A. I have told you the chief reason already and one other reason was that so there might be no houre either of day or night to which some Houre of the Office might not correspond Q. What doe the Mattins correspond to A. To the first second and third Watch of the night consisting of three houres apiece and therefore the Mattins consist of three Psalms and three Lessons Q. What doe the Lauds correspond to A. To the fourth Watch of the night Q. VVhat doe the Prime the third the sixth and ninth houres correspond to A. To the first the third the sixth and ninth houres of the day Q. VVhat do the Evensong and Compline correspond to A. To the Evening Q. VVhat mean the Benedictions or Blessings given before the Eessons A. They are short Aspirations to beg divine assistance and the first is in honour of the Father the second in honour of the Son the third in honour of the Holy Ghost Q. What do the Lessons contain A. The mysticall praises of our Blessed Lady taken out of the Prophets Q. Why doe we end every Lesson saying But thou O Lord have mercy on us A. To beg that the praises and vertues of our Lady which we have there read may be deeply setled in our hearts and that God would pardon our former negligence in both his and her service Q. Why is it answered Thanks be to God A. To render thankes to God for his mercy in bestowing such a Patronesse on us as the Blessed Virgin Mary Q. What mean the Responsories A. They are so called because they answer unto one another Q. VVhat are the Antiphones A. The Verticles which are begun before the Psalmes Q. VVhy doe wee rise up and stand at the MAGNIFICAT BENEDICTUS and NUNC DIMITTIS A. To signifie our reverence to the Gospell out of which those are taken Q. VVhat is the Collect A. It is the Prayer and is so called because it collecteth and gathereth together all the Petitions and supplications of the whole Office Q. VVhy is the Collect alwaies ended with those words Through our Lord Jesus Christ c. A. To signifie that he is our only Mediator of Redemption and principal Mediator of Intercession and that we cannot merit any thing by our prayers unlesse we make them in his Name Q. VVhy make we a Commemoration of the Saints A. To praise God in his Saints according to the advice of the Psalmist Psa 150. and to commend our felves to their merits and prayers Q. VVhy end we every houre with those words And let the soules of the faithfull through the mercy of God rest in peace A. That the poore soules in Purgatory may be partakers of all our Prayers and supplications Q. VVhy is the whole Office ended with some Hymne or Antiphone to our Lady A. That by her it may be presented to her Son and by him to his eternall Father FINIS A Table of the Chapters and principall Contents of this Book Chap. 1. WHat a Christian is And of the Blessed Trinity pag. 1 Chap. 2. Faith explicated 6 Chap. 3. The Creed expounded 9 1. Article 10 2. Article 17 3. Article 22 4. Article 24 5. Article 27 6. Article 30 7. Article 32 8. Article 37 9. Article 39 10. Article 62 11. Article 64 12. Article 68 Chap. 4. Hope and Prayer explicated Chap. 5. The Pater Noster expounded 84 Chap. 6. The Haile Mary or Angelicall Salutation expounded 96 Chap. 7. Charity expounded 102 Chap. 8. The X. Commandements expounded 108 1. Commandement 114 2. Commandement 130 3. Commandement 133 4. Commandement 140 5. Commandement 147 6. Commandement 149 7. Commandement 152 8. Commandement 155 9. 10. Commandements 159 Chap. 9. The Commandements of the Church expounded 162 Chap. 10. The Councells of Christ and his Church expounded 172 Chap. 11. An Exposition of the 7. Sacraments 176 1. Baptisme 184 2. Confirmation 192 3. The Eucharist 193 4. Penance 210 5. Extreme Vnction 219 6. Holy Order 222 7. Matrimony 231 Chap. 12. The cardinall Vertues expounded 239 Chap. 13. The Gifts of the Holy Ghost explicated 241 Chap. 14. The 12 Fruits of the Holy Ghost expounded 243 Chap. 15. The Works of Mercy 246 Chap. 16. The 8. Beatitudes 249 Chap. 17. Kinds of sin explicated 250 Chap. 18. The 7. Deadly Sins expounded 261 Chap. 19. The sins against the Holy Ghost 276 Chap. 20. The sins that cry to heaven for vengeance 280 Chap. 21. The foure last Things 283 Chap. 22. The Ceremonies of the Masse expounded 287 Chap. 23. The Office of our B. Lady expounded 307 VVHat faults the Printer through his ignorance in this Language hath committed the courtesie of the Reader may correct and chiefly these Errata Pag. 19. lin 6. read any thing p. 39 l. 2. dele in p. 41. l. 1. r. feed my lambâ— p. 47. l. 3. r. consolation p. 58. l. 19. â— 20. r. every false tongue shall p. 60. l. 8 r. over us p. 103. l. 3. r. is it a. p. 119. â— r. two Cherubins p. 141. l. 1. r. bound p. 145. l. 15. r. your Prelates l. 17 your soules p. 150. l. 1. r. mortall p 159. l. 10. r. wife Thou p. 162. l. 6. â— help it p. 173. l. 5. r. reward p. 183. l. 〈…〉 r. administration p. 189. l. 12. r. Godâ— child p. 217. l. 18. r. thy sinne p. 23 l. 10. r. Lia. p. 248. l. 10. dele of p. 290 〈…〉 2. r. sorrow
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
other is not edified you see in it selfe the thing is good for he giveth thanks well Q. What other yet A. Out of S. Matth. ch 21. v. 19. where it is recorded that the Hebrew Childrens song of Osanna to the Sonne of David pleased God although they understood it not Q. What meaneth the Apostle when he exhorteth us to pray alwayes 1 Thes ch 5. A. He meaneth that we should daily spend some time in prayer according to that Pray for one another that you may be saved for the daily prayer of a just man availeth much S. I am ch 5. v. 17. Q. Is it possible to pray alwaies A. In some sense it is namely by offering up all our actions to Gods honour Q. In what place is Prayer best A. In Churches because those are places consecrated and deputed to prayer and there our prayers are elevated by the common spirit of the Church and the peculiar presence of God Q. How prove you that A. Out of S. Mat. ch 18. v. 20. Where there be two or three gathered together in my Name saith our Lord there I am in the middest of them Q. How prove you that materiall Churches are of Gods appointment A. Because God commanded Solomon to build him a Temple and dedicate it to his service 2 Par 〈…〉 lip ch 7. Q. What other proof have you A. Out of S. Luk. ch 19. v. 45 46. where Christ calleth the materiall Temple his house casting the Buyers and the Sellers out of it My House saith he is the House of Prayer but ye have made it a Den of Theeves Q. What other yet A. Out of S. Luk. ch 18. v. 10. 14. where the Publican is commended for ascending to the Temple to pray and descended into his house justified Q. How do you prove it lawfull to dedicate or consecrate materiall Temples A. Out of the 2. of Paralip above-cited ch 7. and out of S. Joh. ch 10. v. 22. where it is recorded That Christ himselfe kept the dedication of the Temple in Hierusalem instituted by Iudas Machabeus Mac. ch 4. v. 56. 59. Q. How do you prove it lawfull to adorn Churches with Tapestry Pictures and the like A. Out of S. Mark ch 14. v. 15. Where Christ commanded a great Chamber adorned to be prepared for his last Supper Q. What proofe have you for the order and number of the Canonicall houres A. For Mattins Lauds and Prime that of the 53. Psal Early in the morning will I stand up to thee early in the morning wilt thou heare my voice Q. What for the third sixth and ninth houre A. For the third out of Acts ch 2. v. 16. where we read that at the third houre the Holy Ghost descended on the Apostles for the sixth out of Acts ch 10. v. 9. where we read that Peter and Iohn went up into the higher parts to pray about the sixth houre and for the ninth out of Acts ch 3. v. 1. where we read and at the ninth houre Peter and Iohn went up into the Temple to pray Q. What for the Evensong and Complin A. That of the Psalmist Morning and Evening will I declare the works of our Lord and againe The lifting up of my hands is as an Evening Sacrifice Q. Is it good to use outward Ceremonies in time of Prayer as kneeling knocking of the breast and such like A. It is for they declare the inward reverence and devotion of the heart and Christ himselfe prostrated when he prayed in the garden S. Matth. ch 26. v. 39. and the poore Publican beat his brest and cast downe his eyes in that prayer by which he merited to descend justified S. Luk. ch 18. v. 13. Q. Why is the morning so fit a time for prayer A. To open the windowes of the soule unto the light of divine Grace and offer up the workes of the whole day unto Gods honour Q. Why is the evening also A. To shut the windowes of the soule against the darknesse of sin and the illusions of the Devill as also to render thanks for all the benefits of the day past Q. What things ought we to pray for A. For all good things both spirituall and temporall and to be free from all evill for so our Lord hath taught us by his Prayer CHAP. V. The Pater Noster Expounded Q. WHat is the Pater Noster A. It is the most holy Prayer that ever was Q. Who made it A. Christ our Lord the eternall wisdome of his Father S. Mat. ch 6. v. 9 10. Q. Why did he make it A. To teach us a set forme of Prayer and how we ought to pray Q. Why did he make it in so short and plaine a way A. That all men might be capable of it Q. What doth it containe A. All those chiefe things which we can aske or hope for of God Q. How many Petitions hath it A. Seven Q. What understand you by those words which are prefixed to the Petitions Our Father which art in Heaven A. I understand that God is our Father both by Creation and Adoption and therefore we may confidently come unto him and beg all blessings of him Q. How prove you that A. Out of 1. S. Joh. ch 3. v. 1. See saith he what manner of charity the Father hath given us that we should be named and be the Sonnes of God Q. Why doe we say our Father and not my Father A. Because God is the common Father of all and all good Christians must pray for one another according to that the Communion of Saints Q. What understand you by the words which art in heaven A. I understand that God who filleth heaven and earth and is in all things times and places is in heaven in a peculiar manner declaring and manifesting his glory to the blessed and therefore when we pray we must lift up our minds to him in heaven and keep them fixed upon heavenly things Q. How prove you that A. Out of Jer. ch 48. where we read Cursed be he that doth the work of God negligently The first Petition Q. WHat is the first Petition A. Hallowed be thy Name Q. What doe we beg by this Petition A. That God may be knowne by the whole world and that he may be worthily praised served and honoured by all his creatures which cannot be effected but by his gift of Grace Q. Who are those that say this Petition ill A. Such as dishonour and teare the Name of God by blaspheming swearing iying cursing and scurrilous discourses The second Petition Q. WHat is the second Petition A. Thy Kingdome come Q. What do we beg of God by this Petition A. We beg that our miseries and afflictions in this life may be ended and that we may be made partakers of his joyfull and heavenly Kingdome Q. What else doe we beg A. That Christ may reigne in us in this life by Grace and in the next by Glory presenting us a Kingdome to his Father Q. Who say this
these words Those that have been baptized must after Baptisme receive the most holy Chrisome and be made partakers of the heavenly Kingdome Q. What other proofe have you A. The Authority of S. Thomas who in the Sacrament of Confirmation affirmeth that it is a dangerous thing to die without it Adde unto this That without Confirmation according to all the Fathers we are not perfect Christians Q. What thinke you then of those who for particular and private ends sleight this Sacrament and reach the Laity not to receive it when they may have it A. Truly I think they sleight the mission of the Holy Ghost for this Sacrament is a continuance of that mission unto us and are great enemies of Christianity Q. What sin is it not to receive it when we may have it A. Mortall sinne if it be done out of contempt or any grosse neglect especially in a place of persecution as England is Q. How prove you that A. Because by so doing we expose our selves to great danger of denying our Faith against which danger it was peculiarly ordained by Christ our Lord. Q. At what age is Confirmation now commonly received A. At seven years old Q. Why no sooner A. That so we may be able to prepare our selves for it and remember that we have received it for it cannot be twice given Q. Why is a little blow given on the cheek to him that is confirmed A. To signifie that he is there made the Souldier of Christ and must be ready to suffer stripes and buflets for his sake Q. Must we have any Godfather in Confirmation A. One Godfather or one Godmother at the most Q. Must it be received fasting A. That is expedient for so the Apostles received it but not necessary The Eucharist Expounded Q. WHat is the third Sacrament A. The blessed Eucharist or the Sacrament of the Body and Bloud of Christ Q. By what was this Sacrament prefigured in the old Law A. By the Tree of Life the Burning Bush Melchisedeks Bread and Wine the Paschall Lamb the Heavenly Manna and the Arke of the League Q. How prove you that A. Because all things happened unto them in a Figure according to S. Paul Q. Doth the Blessed Eucharist excell all these in dignity A. It doth as farre as a substantiall body excells a shadow Q. What signifies the name Eucharist A. It signifieth good Grace or Thanksgiving because it containeth the Author and Fountaine of all Grace and the greatest Gift of God to man Q. When did Christ ordaine the Blessed Eucharist A. At his last Supper Q. Why so A. To leave it to his Church as the last and greatest pledge of his love Q. What is the Blessed Eucharist A. It is the body and blood of Jesus Christ true God and true Man whole Christ under the outward formes of Bread and Wine Q. In what manner is Christ present under those Forms A. By the true and reall presence of his divine and humane nature not figuratively only as some would have it Q. How prove you that A. Out of S. Matth. ch 26. v. 26 27 28. where we read that Christ at his last Supper tooke bread blessed it brake it and gave it to his Disciples saying Take ye and eat this is my Body and he also blessed the cup saying This is my blood of the New Testament which shall be shed for many to the remission of sins Q. What other proof have you A. Out of S. Mark ch 14 v. 22 23 24. were we read the selfe-san words Q. VVhat besides A. Out of S. Luke ch 22. v. 19. 20. where we read This is my body which is given for you this is the Chalice the New Testament in my blood which shall be shed for you Q. VVhat other A. S. Joh. c. 6. v. 52 53 55. The bread which I will give is my flesh for the life of the world my flesh is meat indeed and my blood is drinke indeed unlesse ye eat the flesh of the Son of man and drinke his bloud you shall have no life in you Q. VVhat other yet A. Out of 1 Cor. ch 11. v. 23. where S. Paul tells us that he received from our Lord viz. by speciall revelation that at his last Supper he blessed bread saying Take ye and eat this is my body which shall be delivered for you this Chalice is the New â—estament in my bloud Q. By what meanes is the whole substance of the Bread and Wine transubstantiated or changed into the whole substance of the body and blood of Christ A. By the most holy and powerfull words of Consecration instituted by Christ and spoken by the Priest Q. VVhat is the White which we see remaining after Consecration A. The outward species or accidents of Bread under which the body and bloud of Christ is Q. VVhat meane you by those species or accidents A. The colour savour and quantity of bread Q. Is the Body of Christ hurt or broken when we divide or break the Sacrament A. It is not for he is now immortall and impassible he cannot die nor suffer any more Rom. ch 6. v. 9. Q. What other reason have you A. Because Christ is whole in the whole Hoast and whole in every particle thereof if you divide or break it seeing that wheresoever there would have been bread before consecration there must needs be the whole Body and Blood of Christ after consecration Q. What example have you for that A. The soule of a man which is whole in the whole body and whole in every part of the body as learned Protestants do not nor cannot deny Q. How can the same thing be in many severall places at once A. By the omnipotent power of God by which he himselfe is in all and every one of his creatures at one and the same instant Q. What example have you for that A. A word which being one yet is in many hundred of eares at once Q. What other proofe have you A. Out of Acts ch 9. v. 4. and 5. Where we read that Christ who is alwaies sitting at the right hand of his Father in heaven as we willingly admit with Protestants appeared notwithstanding and discoursed with S. Paul on earth saying Saul Saul Why doest thou persecute me and when S. Paul replied who art thou Lord he answered I am Jesus whomthou doest persecute Therefore he was then in two places at once Q. What is the necessary matter of the Eucharist A. Wheaten and unleavened Bread and Wine of the Grape Q. What is the essentiall forme of it A. This is my Body this is my Blood Q. Why is a little water mingled with the Wine in the Chalice A. To signifie the blood and water flowing from the side of Christ as also the union of the faithfull with Christ by vertue of this Sacrament Q. What disposition is required in him that will receive the Blessed Eucharist A. That he hath first confessed his sinnes and be in state of