Hebr. ch 11. v. 6. Q. What other reason have you for it A. Because as in a naturall body that part which hath not a due connection to the heart or root presently dieth for want of continuity so in the Church the mysticall body of Christ that member which hath not a due subordination and connection unto the head and Common Counsells thereof that is the Pope and Generall Counsells from whence under Christ we have our spirituall life and motion as wee are Christians must needs be dead and not a living member of that body Q. Who I beseech you are those dead members which you speak of A. All such as are not in the unity of the Church by a most firme beliefe of her Doctrine and due obedience to her Pastors Q. What if a Protestant should tell you that the differences betwixt them and us are not differences in fundamentalls or in faith but in opinion only and therefore do not exclude them out of the unitie of the Catholique Church A. I would answer That he contradicted his owne Tenets for they accuse us of Sacriledge of robbing God of his honour and committing Idolatry because we believe Priestly absolution from sinnes adore the Blessed Sacrament of the Eucharist and pray to Saints which are no matters of indifferency but high Fundamentalls of the Catholike Faith Q. How doe you prove all obstinate Novellists to be Heretikes A. Because they appeale from Masters to Schollers and from the Pastors and Generall Counsells of the Church unto the Layetie for the decision of points controverted which is the proper nature of Schisme and Heresie Q. What other reason have you A. Because they wilfully stand out against the definitive sentence of the Church of God and will not submit to any Judgement or Tribunall which Christ hath left on earth for the deciding of such doubts as they themselves are pleased to move but will be tried onely by their own idle braine and the dead letter of the Scripture Q. Why may not the letter of the Scripture be a decisive Judge of Controversies A. Because it never hath as yet been able from the first writing of it to decide any one as the whole world doth experience all Heretikes pretending equally unto it for the defence of their Novelties and Heresies and no one of them ever yeelding to another Q. What other reason have you A. Because resting in the dead letter onely we can have no assurance or morall certainty of any one Text or Chapter of the whole Bible that it hath come to us uncorrupted or what the meaning of it is or that it is the very word of Christ so great are the corruptions which have crept into it and so innumerable are the Languages Translations and Copies through which the Bible hath passed since the first writing of it Q. How then are we assured of these things A. By the infallible authority definition and proposition of the Catholike Church Q. What other reason have you yet for this A. Because the Scripture was never ordained for that purpose all the Books thereof being either Poeticall as the Psalmes Historicall as the Gospels Epistolarie as the Epistles or Allegoricall as the Apocalyps and Prophets and therefore as appeareth by their very names are no way fitting for the deciding of Controversies Q. For what end then was the Scripture written A. The writing or committing of it to dead letters was onely for superabundant consolations and that by a sensible and common reading of it without any criticall or controversiall libration of words we might be able to know that God is and what he is as also that there is a heaven and a hell rewards for virtue and punishments for vice with examples of both all which we find in the Letter of the Scripture by a plain and ordinary reading of it Q. How declare you the Churches visibility at all times A. Because it consisteth essentially of a visible Hierarchy which can never faile Q. How prove you that A. Out of Ephes ch 4. v. 11 12. where we read that Christ gave some Apostles some Evangelists some Doctors some Pastors to the consummation of the Saints to the edifying of the body of Christ and to the worke of the Ministerie untill we all meet in the unity of faith Q. What other proof have you A. Out of S. Mat. ch 5. v. 14. 15. where Christ saith of his Church you are the light of the world a City seated on a Mountaine cannot bee hid Q. Why then would Protestants have the Church to be invisible A. Because we have convinced them that there were no Protestants to be seen or heard of in the world before Martin Luther Q. Why is it said the holy Church A. Because she hath a holy faith a holy Law holy Sacraments and is guided by the Holy Ghost to all truth and holinesse Q. How else prove you her Sanctity A. Because Christ gave himselfe for his Church that he might sanctifie it cleansing it by the laver of water in the Word that he might present it to himselfe a glorious Church not having spot or wrinkle but that it might be holy and unspotted Ephes ch 5. v. 26. 27. Q. Why are we bound to believe the Church A. Because she is the Pillar and ground of truth 1 Tim. ch 3. v. 15. Q. What other proofe have you for her Infallibility A. Out of S. Matth. ch 16. v. 18. where Christ saith upon this Rocke will I build my Church and the gates of hell shall not prevaile against her Q. What other yet A. Out of S. Joh. ch 14. v. 16. But the Paraclete saith he the Holy Ghost he shall teach you all things whatsoever I shall say unto you and ch 13. v. 16. But when the Spirit of Truth cometh he shall teach you all Truth Q. How declare you that the definitions of a Councell perfectly Oecumenicall that is a Generall Councell approved by the Pope be infallible in matters of Faith A. Because such a Councell is the Church Representative and hath the same Infallibility that the Church diffused or spread over the world hath Q. What other reason have you A. Because the Definitions of such a Councell are the Dictates of the Holy Ghost according to that of the Apostles defineing in Councell it hath seemed good unto the Holy Ghost and to us c. Act. ch 15. v. 28. Q. What thinke you then of such as accuse the Church of Errours in Faith and Idolatrie A. Truly I thinke them to be Hereticks or Infidells for our Lord saith He that will not hear the Church let him be unto thee as a Heathen or a Publican S. Mat. ch 18. v. 18. Q. What understand you by the word Catholique A. I understand that the Church is Universall both for time and place Q. How for time A. Because it hath been from Christ unto this time and shall be from hence unto the end of the world Q. How prove you that A.
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
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