How sincere A. By confessing our sins plainly without seeking to lessen or excuse them Q. How entire A. By confessing not onely in what things we have sinned mortally but also how often as neere as we are able to remember Q. VVhat if a man knowingly do leave out any one mortall sinne in his Confession for fear or shame A. He maketh his whole Confession to be void and committeth a great Sacriledge by lying to the Holy Ghost and abusing the Sacrament Q. How prove you that A. By the example of Ananias and his wife Saphira who were struck dead at the feet of S. Peter for daring to lie unto the Holy Ghost Act. ch 5. v. 5 10. Q. Is he that hath so done bound to confesse all again A. Yes all that was mortall together with that which he left out Q. VVhat is satisfaction A. It is the Penance which is enjoyned us by the Priest or which we voluntarily impose upon our selves by fasting prayer and the like Q. For what doe we satisfie by that Penance A. For such temporall punishments as remaine due sometimes unto our sinnes after the sinnes are forgiven us Q. How doe you prove that Priests have power to impose Penances A. Out of 1 Cor. ch 5. v. 3. where S. Paul excommunicated the incestuous Corinthian I saith he absent in body but present in spirit have already judged him that hath so done c. to deliver such an one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh that the soule may be saved Q. How prove you that temporall punishments may remain due to our sinnes after the sinnes themselves be forgiven us A. Because Adam after his sinne was forgiven him was notwithstanding cast out of Paradise for ever and his whole posterity made subject unto death and many miseries in punishment of that sinne Genes ch 3. v. 24. Q. What other proofe have you A. Because David after his sinne of Adultery was forgiven him was temporally punished for it with the death of his child Our Lord saith Nathan hath taken away his sinne neverthelesse thy sonne shall die Q. What other yet A. Because whom our Lord loveth he chastiseth Heb. ch 12. v. 6. Q. By what other meanes are those temporall punishments released A. By all workes of piety and above all by Indulgences A. Not a pardon for sinnes to come or leave to commit sinne as some doe falsely and slanderously teach but it is onely a releasing of such temporall punishments as remain due unto those sinnes which have already been forgiven us by Penance and Confession Q. How doth an Indulgence release those punishments A. By the superabundant merits of Christ and his Saints which it applyeth to our soules by the speciall grant of the Church Q. When did Christ give his â—â—urch power to grant Indulgences A. When he said to S. Peter To thee will I give the Keyes of the Kingdome of Heaven whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth it shall be bound in heaven and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth it shall be loosed in heaven S. Matth. ch 16. v. 19. Q. How prove you that the Apostles ever used this power A. Out of 2 Cor. ch 2. v. 10. where S. Paul remitted part of the Corinthians penance To him that is such an one saith he this rebuke sufficeth c. whom you have pardoned any thing I also Q. What is required for the gaining of an Indulgence A. That we performe the works enjoyned us and that the last part of them be done in state of grace Q. What are those Works A. Fasting Prayer and Almes-deeds Extreme Vnction expounded Q. WHat is the fifth Sacrament A. Extreme Vnction Q. Where did Christ institute that A. At his last Supper Q. What warrant have you for that A. An Apostolicall Tradition Q. By whom was this Sacrament promulgated A. By S. Iames in his Epist ch 5. v. 13 14 15. Is any man sick amongst you let him bring in the Priests of the Church and let them pray over him annoyling him with Oyle in the Name of our Lord and the prayer of Faith shall save the sick man and our Lord will lift him up and if he be in sinnes his sinnes shall be forgiven him Q. Who is capable of this Sacrament A. Every true and faithfull Christian which is in morall danger of death by sicknesse excepting Infants Fools and such as are alwaies mad Q. What is the matter of this Sacrament A. Oyle blessed by a Bishop Q. What is the forme of it A. By that annoyling and his owne most pious mercy let our Lord pardon thee whatsoever thou hast sinned by thy seeing c. and so of all the other senses repeating the same words Q. What are the effects of Extreme Vnction A. It comforteth the soule in her last Agony against despaire it remitteth Veniall sinnes and the Reliques of sinne and it restoreth corporall health if it be expedient Q. How prove you that A. Out of S. Mark ch 6. v. 13. where we read That the Apostles annoynted with Oyle many sicke and healed them Q. Why then doe so many die after receiving it A. One reason may be because out of cowardice they deferred it too long as very many doe Holy Order Expounded Q. WHat is the sixth Sacrament A. Holy Order Q. To whom doth this appertaine A. To the Rulers and Ministers of the Church as Bishops Priests Deacons and Subdeacons Q. What proofe have you for Bishops Priests and Deacons A. For Bishops and Deacons out of Philip. ch 1. v. 1. To all the Saints at Philippi saith S. Paul with the Bishops and Deacons And for Priests out of S. Iames above-cited Is any man sicke amongst you let him bring in the Priests of the Church c. Q. Where did Christ ordain this Sacrament A. At his last Supper when he made his Apostles Priests saying This is my Body which is given for you doe ye this for a commemoration of me S. Luk. ch 22. v. 19. Q. What did Christ give them power then to do A. To offer the unbloudy Sacrifice of his owne Body and Blood which he himselfe had there ordained and offered under the outward formes of Bread and Wine Q. Why did he say Doe ye this for a commemoration of me A. Because the unbloudy Sacrifice of the Masse is a commemoration or memoriall of the Bloudy Sacrifice made on the Crosse nay more it is a renovation of it in an unbloudy way Q. What are the effects of Holy Order A. It giveth a spirituall power to ordain Priests to consecrate the body and blood of Christ to administer the Sacraments to serve the Altar and to Preach Q. VVhat else A. It giveth also speciall grace for the well doing of the foresaid Offices Q. How prove you that A. Out of 1 Tim. ch 4. v. 14. Neglect not the grace which is in thee by Prophesie with the Imposition of the hands of Priesthood Q. What is the proper Office of a Bishop A. To give Holy
AN ABRIDGMENT OF Christian Doctrine WITH Proofs of SCRIPTURE for Points controverted Catechistically explained by way of Question and Answer Esa ch 30. v. 21. This is the way walk ye in it 1 Cor. ch 14. v. 38. If any man know not he shall not be known Permissu Superiorum Printed at DOVVAY M. DC XLVIII To the truly vertuous and no lesse honourable Lady the Lady E. B. Wife to Sir W. B. Baronet THe deep sense as well of my own proper as of the common obligations of my poore friends unto your Ladiships charitable Bounty hath moved me to addresse this little Treatise of Christian Doctrine to your perusall and Patronage partly for a Pledge of our respectfull gratitude and partly for a testimony of your exemplar excelling vertues which never have appeared more conspicuous then in this dark and ftormy time of Persecution in which they alwayes yeelded to your selfe a plentifull light to see and discerne the Vta Lactea or white way of Heaven and the revealed verities of Christ from the black way which leadeth unto Hell and the fictirious Novelties of Antichrist shining like a bright and stedfast land-mark to all your wavering and weather-beaten Neighbours to guide them to the haven of Security Nor can I doubt of your acceptance of it who have so chearfully exhibited your selfe not onely a religious Professor but also an indefatigable Sufferer for all the Articles conteined in it Witnesse the many Robberies and plunders acted against you under that onely notion since the late unnatur all war Witnesse your own captivity at Cannon-Froome a cruelty not usuall to your sexe Witnesse the arbitrary and most illegall Sequestration of your whole estate Witnesse your long deprivement and separation from your beloved Husband and deare Children whose sole Malignity is Christianity whose delinquency is nothing else but loyalty All which notwithstanding have beene by you imbraced and susteined with such a Masculine Courage and Christian confidence that you have caused much confusion to your enemies and singular consolation to your friends by turning that which was intended for your temporall depression into the greatest improvement of your Soule and highest pitch of spirituall advancement both to your Name and Family What shall I say of these your gallant trialls of these your stigma's received for the Faith I will say onely what S. Paul said in a like case That in the same measure you are partaker of the passions you shall be also of the consolations of Christ 2 Cor ch 1. v. 7. I will give onely this Elogium to the whole catalogue of your pressures perfections That you are now truly a Christian one that may worthily say with the Apostle I am fastened with Christ unto the crosse One who have written on your life and actions in lively characters of self-denying patience that holy Doctrine which I here present you impressed in characters of ink and paper Accept it therefore as your owne Epitome that as the world hath seen your sufferings so it may see in this for what you suffer Do but deigne it the protection of your Piety and it will yeeld you the protection of its Sanctity Doe but persevere in the practice of it unto the end in the same measure that you have begun and it will bring you safe to the fruition of the first Master and Teacher of it JESUS which is the constant wish and daily Prayer of Madam Your Ladiships humble Beadsman and devoted Servant H. T. Aprill 1. 1648. An Addresse to the Reader Courteous Reader HAving lately compiled this little Catechisme of Christian Doctrine for the use and instruction of some ignorant friends I have been much pressed and importuned by some whose age and judgement is of more maturity to expose it to publike view from whose request though I found at first some motives to dissent as well by reason of the multiplicity of bookes already printed on this subject by grave and learned Authours as also for the slender apprehension I had framed of this draught of mine Yet I was at length induced to acquiesse thereunto for these reasons First to give check to certaine Pamphlets lately published in our Countrey under the same though falsly pretended Title that so the verity and Antiquity of the Catholike Faith according to the Rule of contraries being compared with the falshood and novelties of Heretikes might seem the more illustrious and refulgent Secondly to encrease a new supply of bookes for such as have been plundered of the old stock Thirdly to revive the memory of that which never ought to be forgotten nor can be learnt too often the Law and Doctrine of Christ And finally which was indeed my principal designe to furnish the unlearned with certaine proofes of Scripture for points controverted together with the Rudiments of Christianity A thing already copiously done in many of our Books of Controversie But in regard the purses of some and the capacities of others cannot reach such Books I deem'd it a worke well worth the labour to make them also some provision out of that store in this Edition of a lower Key and lesser cost Wonder not at the plainenesse of the stile for I purposely affected it minding rather the profit of the ignorant then the pleasure of word-affecting Criticks Peruse it therefore with such Charity as I have penn'd it If thou art ignorant accept it for thy benefit if thou art knowing in the Law already at least commend it to thy ignorant friends and by so doing thou shalt oblige him who is ever to remaine Thy Friend and Servant H. T. ✚ IHS AN ABRIDGMENT OF Christian Doctrine Catechistically explained by way of Question and Answer CAP. 1. What a Christian is And of the Blessed Trinity Question CHild what Religion are you of Answer Sir by the benefit and Grace of God I am a Christian Q. Whom understand you by z Christian A. Him that believeth and professeth the Faith and Law of Christ Q. When are we obliged to make an externall profession of it A. As often as Gods Honour our own or our neighbours good requireth it Q. How prove you that A. Out of S. Matth. Ch. 10. Ver. 32. where Christ saith Every one therefore that shall confesse me before Men I will confesse him also before my Father which is in Heaven But he that shall deny me before Men I also will deny him before my Father which is in Heaven Q. Are we bound also to venture the ruine of our estates the losse of our friends and to lay down our very lives for the profession and defence thereof A. Doubtlesse we are seeing the reward which we expect in Heaven doth infinitely exceed all the pleasures and punishments of this life Q. What other reasons have you for it A. Because Christ the Sonne of the living God hath suffered farre greater things for us even to a disgracefull death upon the Crosse and therefore it were base ingratitude in us not to be ready to
give our lives for him as often as his Honour shall require it Q. In what doth the Faith and Law of Christ chiefly consist A. In two principall Mysteries namely the Vnity and Trinity of God the Incarnation and death of our Saviour Q. What meaneth the Vnity and Trinity of God A. It meaneth that in God there is but one onely divine Nature or Essence although there bee three Persons the Father Sonne and Holy Ghost Q. How shew you that A. Out of the 1. of S. John ch 5. v. 7. there be three which give testimony in heaven the Father the Word and the Holy Ghost and these three be one Q. Why are there but three Persons only A. Because the Father hath no beginning nor proceedeth from any other Person the Son proceedeth from the Father the Holy Ghost proceedeth from the Father and the Sonne Q. Why are these three Persons but one God A. Because they have but one and the same Essence one and the same Power one and the same Wisdome one and the same Goodnesse Q. What meaneth the Incarnation and death of our Saviour A. It meaneth that the second Person of the Blessed Trinity was made man and died upon a Crosse to save us Q. In what are these two Mysteries contained A. In the signe of the Crosse as it is made by Catholikes Q. How declare you that A. Because when we put our right hand to our head saying In the Name we signifie Vnity and when we make the signe of the Crosse faying of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost we signifie Trinity Q. How doth the signe of the Crosse represent the Incarnation and death of our Saviour A. By putting us in mind that he was made man to die upon the Crosse for us CAP. II. Faith explicated Q. WHat is Faith A. It is the gift of God or a supernaturall quality infused by God into the Soule by which we firmely believe all those things which he hath revealed any way unto us Q. Why is Faith necessary to Salvation A. Because without Faith it is impossible to please God Heb. ch 11. v. 6. Q. What other proofe have you A. Because he that believeth and shall be baptized he shall be saved but he that believeth not shall be condemned S. Mark c. 16. v. the last Q. Why must we believe matters of Faith so firmely A. Because God hath revealed them who neither can deceive nor be deceived Q. If a man should deny or obstinately doubt of some one Point of Faith would he thereby lose his whole Faith A. Yes he would because true Faith must alwayes be entire and he that faileth in one is made guilty of all by discrediting the Authority of God revealing it Q. Is it not enough to believe all that is written in the Bible A. No it is not for we must also believe all Apostolicall Traditions Q. How prove you that A. Out of 2 Thes c. 2. v. 15. Therefore Brethren stand ye fast saith S. Paul and hold ye the Traditions which ye have learned whether by word or by our Epistle Q. What other proof have you A. The Apostles Creed which all are bound to believe although it be not in the Scripture Q. Is Faith onely as excluding good works sufficient to salvation A. No it is not according to S. James his Epist c. 2. v. 24. you see then Brethren how that by workes a man is justified and not by faith onely Q. What other proof have you A. The 1 Cor. ch 13. where S. Paul saith If a man have all faith so as to remove Mountaines and have not charity he is nothing and if hee distribute his goods unto the poore and give his body so that it burne and have not charity it profiteth nothing Q. What faith will suffice to justifie A. A Faith working by Charity in Jesus Christ Gal. ch 5. v. 6. Q. What vice is opposite to Faith A. Heresie Q. What is Heresie A. It is an obstinate Errour in things that of Faith Q. Is it a grievous sin A. A very grievous one because it wholly divides a man from God and leads to infidelity Q. How prove you that A. Out of S. Matth. ch 18. v. 18. where Christ saith If he will not hear the Church let him be unto thee as a Heathen or a Publican CHAP. III. The Creed Expounded Q. WHat is the Creed A. It is the sum of our Beliefe Q. Who made it A. The twelve Apostles Q. At what time did they make iâ— A. Before they divided themselves into the severall Countryes of the world Q. For what end did they make it A. That so they might be able to teach one and the same Doctrine in all places Q. What doth the Creed containe A. All those chiefe things which we are bound to believe concerning God and his Church Q. What is the first Article of the Creed A. I believe in God the Father Almighty Creatour of Heaven and Earth Q. What signifieth I believe A. It signifieth as much as I most firmly and undoubtedly hold Q. What means I believe in God A. It meaneth not onely that there is a God and that all is truth which he teacheth but also that we move unto him by Faith Hope and Charity Q. What signifieth the word Father A. It signifieth the first Person of the most Blessed Trinity who is by nature the Father of but one onely Son who is by Adoption the Father of all Christians who is by Creation the Father of all Creatures Q. What meaneth the word Almighty A. It meaneth that God is able to doe all things as he pleaseth that he seeth all things knoweth all things and governeth all things Q. Why is he called Almighty in this place A. That we might doubt of nothing which followeth Q. What signifie those words Creatour of Heaven and Earth A. They signifie that God created Heaven and Earth and all the creatures in them out of nothing by his sole Word Gen. ch 1. Q. What moved him to make them A. His own meer goodnesse that so he might communicate himselfe to Angells and to men for whom he made all other creatures Q. When did God create the Angells A. When he created Heaven which was on the first day for hee made that full of Angells Q. For what end did he create them A. To be partakers of his glory and our Guardians Q. How prove you by Scripture that they be our Guardians A. Out of S. Matth. ch 18. v. 10. where Christ saith See yee that ye destise not any one of these little ones For their Angells which are in Heaven alwayes see the face of my Father which is in heaven Q. Doe the Angells know our necessities and heare our Prayers A. Doubtlesse they doe since God hath deputed them to be our Guardians Q. How else prove you it A. Out of Zachary ch 1. where an Angell prayeth for two whole Cities the words are Then the Angell of the
it numbered in the Deealouge which are the Commandements of God and of the Law of Nature A. Because the substance or chief part of it namely That a day be set apart for the service of God is of divine Right and of the Law of Nature though the determinating of this particular Day Sunday rather then Saturday be a Church Ordinance and Precept Q. Did not Christ when he confirmed the rest confirme also this Commandement A. Inasmuch as it belonged to the Law of Nature he did but not as it belonged to the Ceremoniall Law of the Iewes and was affixed to Saturday therefore now we are not bound to keep the Saturday Q. Why so I pray you A. Because that particular Day was a Command of the Ceremoniall Law of the Jewes which was abrogated and ceased to oblige after the death of Christ. Q. To what are we obliged by this Precept A. To spend the Sunday in Prayer and Divine Service Q. What is the best meanes to sanctifie the Sunday A. By hearing of Masse confessing our sinnes communicating hearing Sermons and reading good Books Q. What is forbidden by this Precept A. All prophane imployments and servile labours excepting such as are of necessity as dressing meat serving cattell c. or such as appertaine to Piety and the Works of Mercy Q. Who are they that break this Commandement A. Such as without necessity spend any considerable part of the Sunday in servile labours Q. How els is the Sunday prophaned A. By spending all the morning in lazy lying in bed or vaine attiring our selves by missing Divine Service when we may heare it or spending the greatest part of the day in drinking gaming dancing or the like Q. Is there any thing now in this first Table of the Law impossible to be observed A. No certainly for nothing can be more easie and delightfull to the true lover of God then to doe all things that are here commanded The second Table of the Law The fourth Commandement Expounded Q. WHat is the fourth Commandement A. Honour thy Father and thy Mother Q. What are we commanded by this Precept A. To love reverence obey and relieve our Parents in their wants Q. Why to love them A. Because under God they are the chiefe causes of our very Life and being and doe not only bring us forth with much griefe and paine but also bring us up with much love labour and solicitude Q. How are we bound to reverence them A. Not only inwardly in our hearts but also outwardly in our carriage and comportment Q. Why to obey them A. Because they are Gods Vicegerents and have received power from him from whom is all Paternity in Heaven and Earth both to direct us instruct us and correct us Q. In what things are we bound to obey our Parents A. In all that is not sinne according to that Children obey your Parents in all things for that is well pleasing unto God Col. c. 3. v. 21. Q. What is prohibited by this Precept A. All sowernesse stubbornnesse and disobedience to Parents Q. What is the reward of dutifull children A. A long and happy life good children if they marry and a good death Q. What is the reward of undutifull ones A. A short and sinfull life accompanied with an untimely death witnesse the example of Absolon 2 King ch 18. v. 14. Q. What other proofe have you A. That of the Proverbs The eye which lowres on parents shall be pluckt out with Crowes and Eagles Q. What signifies the word Father A. It signifies not onely our corporall Parents but also our Ghostly Fathers and all lawfull Superiours Q. What do we owe to Ghostly Fathers A. Love reverence obedience and sustenance Q. Why love A. Because they are the Fathers and Feeders of our soules and under God and his Saints the instrumentall causes of all our spirituall goods According to the flesh saith S. Paul you have many fathers but in the Gospell I have begotten you Q. Why reverence A. Because they are Gods Anointed and represent the person of Christ Q. Why obedience A. Because God hath appointed them to be our spirituall Pastors Guides and Governours Q. In what are we bound to obey them A. In all things belonging to Faith and Doctrine and the government of our soules Q. Is any great honour due to Priests and Ghostly Fathers A. There is according to that of S. Paul The Priests that rule well let them be deemed worthy of double honour especially they that labour in the Word and Doctrine 1 Tim. ch 5. v. 17. Q. How may wee sin against Priests and Ghostly Fathers A. By disobeying or detracting them or believing slanderous reports against them upon meer hear-say or the testimony of insufficient witnesses or without witnesse Q. What testimony is sufficient against a Priest A. I will tell you out of S. Pauls mouth Against a Priest saith he to Timothy the Bishop of Ephesus receive not an accusation under two or three witnesses 1 Tim. ch 5. v. 19. And v. the 21. I testifie before God and Iesus Christ that thou keepe these things without prejudice and do nothing by declining to the one part Q. Is it convenient to ask a Blessing of Priests A. It is because they give it in the name and Person of Christ Q. What warrant have you for it A. Out of S. Mark ch 10. v. 17. where Christ laying his hands upon the Children blessed them Q. What other proof have you A. The example of Melchizedek blessing Abraham upon which S. Paul saith For without all contradiction that which is lesse is blessed of the better Heb. ch 7. v. 6. Q. What Scripture have you for obedience to Priests A. Heb. the last ch v. 17. where we read Obey the Prelates and be subject to them for they watch as being to render an account for the soules And in the old Law disobedience to the Priest was punished with death Deut. ch 17. v. 12. Q. In what are we bound under sin to obey Princes and temporall Magistrates A. In all things which are not sin belonging to the good and peace of the Kingdom or Common-wealth Q. How prove you that A. Out of Rom. ch 13. v. 12. where we read Let every soule be subject to the higher Powers for there is no Power but of God he therefore that resisteth Power resisteth the Ordinance of God Q. What other proof have you A. Out of 1 S. Pet. ch 2. v. 14 15. Be ye subject saith he to every creature for God whether to the King as excelling or to Magistrates as sent by him to the revenge of Malefactors Q. What if Kings or Magistrates command us to do sin or things against our consciences A. Then we must answer them with the Apostles we must obey God rather then men Act. ch 5. v. 25. Q. In what are Servants bound to obey their Masters A. In all things that are not sin belonging to their charge Q. How prove you that A. Out