Political and Military Vertues but there are others which are proper to the Elect and Faithful as the Inward Sanctification and the certainty of our Adoption for because we are Sons God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into our Hearts bearing witness with our Spirit that we are the Children of God and whereby we cry Abba Father Gall 4. Rom. 8. Q. Hath the Holy Ghost no other particular office towards the Faithful A. He comforts them in their afflictions and fills their Souls with a Joy ineffable and glorious and with a peace of God which passeth all understanding wherefore he is called eminently the Comforter St John 14 Q. Hath every faithful man a Spirit in particular A. By no means for though every one hath his proper gift of God and that there be divers diversities of gifts there is the same Spirit 1 Cor. 12. So that as it is the same God who created us and the same Saviour that redeemed us it is also the same Spirit that sanctifies us and who is the earnest of our Inheritance Eph. 1.4 Of the fourth part of the Apostles Creed Quest WHy do you say I believe the Church and not I believe in the Church as you â—ave said I believe in God and in Jesus Christ â—nd in the Holy Ghost A. Because we do not put our trust in the Church but only believe there is a Church â—nd that we have the happiness to be of her â—ommunion Q. What is the Church A. The word Church in general signifies an assembly convoked by living voice insomuch â—hat Acts 19. a seditious Assembly is called a Church but in its most excellent signification it is taken for the company of those that God hath elected to life everlasting whose names before the foundation of the world he hath written in the Book of Life It is thus that the Apostle takes it Heb. 12. Ye are come to the Assembly and Church of the first-born the Names whereof are written in Heaven Q. How many parts are there in this Church A. There are three the Triumphant Church the Militant Church and the Elect which are not yet called or are not yet born Q. What do you mean by the Triumphant Church A. The assembly of all the Saints that God hath taken up in his glory and who triumph in Heaven with the Angels of Light Q. And what do you mean by the Militant Church A. The Company of the faithful who fight on Earth under the banner of our Lord Jesus Christ and who make open profession of his Truth Q. Of what Church is it spoken of in the Creed A. It is principally spoken of the Church of the Elect against whom the gates of Hell shalâ— not prevail Mat. 16. but in some manner iâ— may be understood of the Church Militant oâ— Earth wherein is found not only those that Goâ— hath sanctified by his Spirit but also Hypocrites Q. But how can we say that we believe in thaâ— Church since we do not see it A. We see indeed the men that compose theiâ— Assemblies and their Sacraments but we don'â— see neither their Faith nor their Charity noâ— their interiour Sanctifiation and it is thaâ— which makes them to be true Members of the Church there is but God alone who knows those who are his and who can discern them from Hypocrites 2 Tim. 2. Q. Ought that Church to be called Catholick or Vniversal A. Yes because it reaches to all sorts of People and it is in that it differs from the Church of the Jews which was composed of one Nation only Q. Hath the word Church no other signification in the Scripture A. Sometimes it is taken for the Pastors and the Readers of the Church as when our Lord Jesus Christ says Mat. 18. tell it unto the Church sometimes for the Faithful which are committed to them as in Acts the 20. where St Paul saith unto the Bishops of Ephesus Feed the Church whom God hath purchased with his own Blood and sometimes for particular Assemblies made up as well of those who teach as of those who are taught it is in that sense it is spoken of the Church of Corinth of the Galathian Churches and of the Church of the Thessalonians Q. Who is the head of the Vniversal Church A. It is our Lord Jesus Christ himself for God hath given him to be the head over all things to the Church which is his Body the fulness of him that filleth all in all Eph. 1. Q Did not Jesus Christ establish on earth any â—ody to be in his stead A. When he left the World he sent his Spirit to abide with us for ever John 14. But he gave no Commission to any man to be his Vicar Universal and there is none that can be it Q. But did he order no body to be the leader of his Church A. For the Spiritual conduct of his Church he did order neither King nor Monarch nor any body that governs in their own way contrarily he said to his Apostles The Kings of the Gentiles exercise Lordships over them and they that exercise Authority upon them are called Benefactors but it shall not be so but he that is greatest among you let him be as the younger and he that is chief as he that doth serve Luke 22. Q. But did he give none to be Ministers A. St Paul teaches us Ephesians 4. that he being ascended above all Heavens he gave some to be Apostles and some Prophets and some Evangelists and some Pastors and Teachers for the perfecting of the Saints for the work of the Ministry for the edifying the body of Christ till we all come into the Unity of the Faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect Man unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ Q. May particular Churches stile themselves Catholick or Vniversal Churches A. They may in some sort be called Catholicks because they make profession of the Christian Faith that ought to be spread throughout the Universe and that by reason of that profession they make part of the Catholick Church but there is not one of them that may usurp that name exclusively to the others for properly speaking universal and particular cannot become the same subject Q. Is there any one of their particular Churches which may pretend to domineer over the other A. By no means for they all alike and immediately depend on Jesus Christ the great Pastor and Bishop of our Souls Q. May one be saved out of the Church's Communion A. There is no Salvation out of the Universal Church but there is no particular Church out of which one may not be saved and there is such particular Church the Communion whereof must one renounce then to be saved Q. What difference is there between the particular Churches A. Some are pure and true in their Doctrine and others are impure and untrue Q. How can one know them A. In examining by the Word of God
and so merciful a Saviour and that your greatest Felicity and greatest Glory is to serve him and obey him abhor all sorts of Vices and especially that of lying which is a vice servile and proper to the Children of the Devil who is a Lyar and a Murtherer from the beginning Be not quarelsome be not moved for slight matters be more sensible for every thing that concerns the glory of God than for your particular Interests Despise Injuries appease wrath by the sweetness of your words do not ill offices to any overcome evil with good take pleasure to serve every one and do not be slow to employ your selves for others be affable and meek be modest and adorn your selves with humility for God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble Frequent those whom you would resemble and avoid the company of Debaucht persons for evil Communication corrupts good Manners bear with one another and lend one another a helping hand love one another cordially and be you all sensible of every evil and every good that befals you as if you were all animated by one and the self same Spirit for it is a good thing and a pleasing thing not only to good people but to God himself to see Brothers united and tyed together by the bonds of a holy Love and of a perfect Charity by Peace and Concord the smallest things encrease but by discord and quarrels the greatest and most flourishing are reduced to nothing Observe your life runs insensibly as a flower which passes away as soon as it is blown and as a Flambeux which burns as soon as it begins to give light Think early on Immortality and ground your hopes in Heaven where God reserves for you an Inheritance incorruptible The years fly away the World passes away and the lust thereof all that is under the Sun is nothing but vanity and vexation of Spirit The whole Duty of Man is to fear God and keep his Commandments Let nothing be able to withdraw you from the service of God nor from the open profession of his Truth let not the threatnings of the World fright you nor its promises allure you and follow not its evil example None can threaten you with any punishment which is comparable to the Torments of Hell and to the Eternal flames wherein God shall precipitate the fearful and none can promise you any thing that ought to be preferred to the delights of Paradice for him who fears God there is nothing to fear and for him who possesses him there remains nothing to wish for for God is the spring and the height of true felicity If God takes me to himself before you are come to an age perfect do not lose courage you have a Father in Heaven who is Immortal and who loves you with an Eternal Love he will take you in the Arms of his Providence and will carry you upon his Wings he will keep you as the Apple of his Eye and will bless you with all his most precious blessings we can do nothing without him but he can do every thing without us I bless you in words but he will bless you in deeds and wish you a happy life filled with blessings but every excellent grace and every perfect gift is from above and comes from the Father of Light I don't beg of him to send you earthly Riches nor worldly Honors but that he will move you with the spirit of his fear that he will embrace you with his Love that he may engrave in your Hearts the Image of his Holiness and that he give you grace to persevere constantly in his Covenant and edifie his Church by your Piety and your holy Conversation to the end that I may say to him Behold I Lord and the Children thou hast given me for a sign and a wonder in Israel That having seen you here below filled with his graces and covered with his protection I may see you above in Heaven cloathed with his Glory and Crowned with his Immortality These are the most ardent Vows and Wishes of your Father who loves you because you are his Children but who loves â—ou the more because you are the Children of God Done at Paris in the beginning of the Year One Thousand Six Hundred Forty Two Drelincourt CATECHISM OR Familiar Instruction On the Principal Points of CHRISTIAN RELIGION Question WHY did God create you Answer To serve and glorifie him Q. How can you glorifie God you who are a poor sinful Creature A. In putting my Trust in his Mercy in obeying his Commandments in calling upon him in all my Wants and in giving him the Praise and Glory for all the good I receive in my Body and my Soul as well for this Life as for that which is to come Q. Into how many parts then is the Service of God divided A. Into four principal which are Faith Obedience Prayer and Acknowledgment Of FAITH PART I. Of Faith Question WHat is Faith Answ It is an assurance certain that God loves us in his Son Jesus Christ and in contemplation of what he suffer'd for us Q. Which are the things that we ought to believe A. All those which God hath revealed in his VVords and especially the Mysteries of our Salvation whereof we have the summary in the Symbol or Creed of the Apostles Q. What signifies the word Symbol A. It signifies the Reckoning or the share that every one pay of a common Meal It signifies also the Scarf and the Livery whereby one knows the Soldiers of an Army or of a Company Q. Why do you call it the Symbol of the Apostles A. It is not that the Apostles the one after the others have inserted in it any particular clause but because it is an Epitome of their Doctrine it is also the Scarf and the Livery of Christianity Q. Into how many parts do you divide this Confession of Faith A. It is divided into four The first is of God the Father and of the VVorks of the Creation The second is of Jesus Christ and of our Redemption And the third is of the Holy Ghost The fourth is the Church of the Graces that God bestows on her on Earth and of the Glory which he prepares her in Heaven Of the Creed of the Apostles Of the First Part. Quest WHY do you say in singular I believe and not We believe A. Because the Just Man lives by his Faith and that he cannot answer for the Faith of another Furthermore this Confession was made in the beginning in favour of persons who could witness of their Faith wherefore before to administer Baptism to any they were ask'd Did st thou believe And they did answer Yes I believe in God the Father c. Q. How many sorts of Faith are there A There are four which are the Historical Faith the Faith of Miracles the Temporal Faith and the Justifying Faith Q. What is the Historical Faith A. It is a single belief that the Gospel is â—rue of
the Devotions they profess for the Sheep of our Lord Jesus Christ hear his Voice and follow him but they hear not the Voice of Strangers contrarily they fly from him John 10. and those honour God in vain who teach for Doctrine the Commandment of Man Matthew 15. Q. Do you believe that the Church wherein you have been educated and bred up to be a true and pure Church A. Yes by the grace of God for the word of God is preached therein in all purity the Sacraments are administered in it according to the Institutions of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Divine Service established therein in the same simplicity as it was in the Apostles time Q. Why is the Church called â—oly A. Because God hath separated it from the rest of the World and hath consecrated it to his Service and because Jesus Christ gave himself for us that he might Sanctifie and present it to himself a glorious Church not having Spot or Wrinkle or any such thing Ephes 5. Q. What is the sanctity of the Church A. The Sanctity of the Triumphant Church is perfect and accomplished but that of the Militant Church hath many Faults and Imperfections wherefore she is taught to say every day to God forgive us our Trespasses Q. How is it then that she is called Holy A. Because it gives and applies it self to sanctity that hath the beginning of it that it arrives to perfection and that one day it shall obtain it in the Kingdom of Heaven Of the Conmunion of Saints Quest IS it lawful to Trust in the Merit and in the satisfaction of Saints A. By no means for every one shall bear his own burthen Gal. 6. It belongs to Jesus Christ alone to bear our Iniquities and satisfie for us to the Justice of God 1 Pet. 2. There is no other name under Heaven given amongst men whereby we must be saved Acts 4. Q. Of what Saints do you believe the Communion A. Of the Saints Triumphant in Heaven of the Faithful fighting on Earth and of the one with the other Q. In what consists the Communion of the Faithful on earth A. In that they have all the same God for Father the same Jesus Christ for a Saviour and the same Spirit for Comforter they obey the same Gospel and participate of the same Sacraments they have the same Faith and the same Hope they long for the same Inheritance and do communicate to one another the goods which God imparted them they feel the afflictions of one another and work together for their mutual Salvation Q In what consists the Communion of the glorified Saints A. In that they enjoy the same glory and felicity that they contemplate the fear of the same God and agree together to celebrate his praises Q. In what consists the Communion of the Militant Church with the Triumphant A. In that we have all the same God and the same Saviour that we are all moved by the same Spirit and inflamed with the same Charity and that we have the same desire to see Jesus Christ upon his Throne and the whole Church carried up in Body and Soul in the fulness of Glory which is prepared her from the foundation of the World Of the Remission of Sins Quest WHat signifies the article of Remission of sins A. We believe that God of his free Will for Jesus Christs sake forgave all poor repenting sinners their offences Q. Is there none but God that forgives sins A. There is none but God alone that forgives them with Authority and with absolute power Matt. 2. Q. And how is it that Pastors forgive sins A. As Ministers and Ambassadors of Jesus Christ Of the Resurrection of the Body Quest WHat do you mean by the Resurrection of the Body A. That in the last day God will command the Earth the Sea and the Sepulchre to deliver up the dead and then the just and the unjust shall rise again from the dead the one in Resurrection of Life and the other in Resurrection of Condemnation Rev. 20. Dan. 12. and John 5. Q. Do you believe that this same flesh which shall have been eaten up by the worms and reduced into dust may and shall rise again A. Yes for nothing is impossible to God and he is true in his promises wherefore we may say with Job I know that my Redeemer liveth and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the Earth and though after my skin worms devour this Body yet in my flesh shall I see God and my Eye shall behold him Job 19. Q. How shall our Bodies rise again A. They shall invest in corruption immortality light and glory 1 Cor. 15. And shall be rendred conform unto the glorious body of our Saviour according to the Apostles saying Phil. 3. we look for the Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ from Heaven who shall change our vile body that it may be fashioned like unto his glorio us body Q. What shall become of those who at the Resurrection day shall be living on earth A. They shall be changed in a moment in the twinkling of an eye at the last Trump and we shall be caught up together in the Clouds to meet the Lord in the Air and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 1 Cor. 15. 1 Thess 4. Of Life Everlasting Quest WHAT is the life everlasting that you believe A It is the spiritual and heavenly life which we shall for ever live in Paradice with Jesus Christ and his Triumphing Angels Q. How many different degrees hath that Life A. Three one in this life what it pleases God to give us the first fruit of his Spirit and the foretaste of the delight of Paradice The â—econd when our Soul leaves this Corporal Taâ—ernacle to put on the eternal dwelling which is â—n Heaven and the third after the Resurrection when in bodâ— and in soul we shall enjoy the good things which the eye did not see that ear did not hear and that entred not into the heart of Man Q What are the principal benefits we shall enjoy â—n that glorious life A. To know God perfectly and to contemâ—late him face to face to love him intirely â—nd to love nothing but in him and for the â—ove of him to have an accomplished sanctity â—ee from all defects to enjoy permanent joy â—hich may be felt through all the faculties of â—or souls and bodies and lastly to be rendred â—ike unto God himself for when we shall see â—im as he is we shall be like him 1 John 3. The End of the First Part. Of good WORKS PART II Quest BY what means do we hope to be saved A. Through the death and passioâ— of our Lord Jesus Christ Q. Since Jesus Christ redeemed us by his deaâ— and passion is it necessary to do good Works A. Yes for that he hath redeemed us from the hands of our Enemies it is to the end that we may serve him without fear in holineâ— and righteousness all the
any Idol or graven Image in fine the Latin Bible which was declared Canonical in the Councel of Trent bears formally thou shalt not make any sculptory work Q. Have we great Interest that it be said thou shalt not make to thy self any graven Image or else thou shalt not make to thy self any graven Idol A. We have no other interest in it than that of the Truth for let it be Image or Idol it is no matter since the Law of God adds nor the likeness of any thing that is in Heaven above or in the Earth beneath or in the Water under the Earth and the Images of the Church of Rome are the likeness of the things that are in Heaven and in Earth and consequently they are forbidden by the Law of God Q. But doth God forbid generally all sorts of Images A. There are two sorts of Images some are made to represent the Creator and the others to be the Effigies of the Creatures these to Represent the Creator are absolutely forbidden Q. What proof have you thereof A. It is impossible to have a clearer one or more convincing than that of the 4. Chapt. of Deut. Take you therefore good heed unto your selves for ye saw no manner of similitude on the day that the Lord spake unto you in Horeb out of the midst of the fire Lest you corrupt your self and make you a graven Image the similitude of any figure the likeness of Male or Female and in Isaiah the 40. To whom then will you liken God or what likeness will ye compare unto him wherefore God puts amongst the greatest sins of the Antient Heathens that of having changed the glory of the Incorruptible God into an Image made like to Corruptible Man and to Birds and four-footed Beasts and creeping things Rom 1. Q. What do you say of the Imagâ—s which are made to represent the Creatures A. The Images of the Creatures are of two uses the one Political and Civil and the other Sacred and Religious The civil use of Images is not forbidden and there may be some to serve for Ornament and for Memorial but God will not have them be employed for his worship and in regard of that he saith Thou shalt not make to thy self any graven Image c. Q But did not God command Moses to make gold Cherubims and to set them on the mercy seat A. He who makes the Law is above the Law God doth not say I who am your Lord and your God will never make any graven Image but he saith thou shalt not make to thy self that is to say of thine head and of thine Invention besides those Cherubims were only symbolical figures of the vertue and offices of Angels and were not exposed to the peoples view so that there was no danger of Idolatry thereby Q. Did not Moses make a Brazen Serpent which he did set up in the Wilderness Numb 21. A. Yes but he did not make it of himself God expresly commanded it he did not set up that Serpent to be worshipped but only to be seen and when afterward the Children of Israel committed Idolatry and burnt Incense unto it the King Ezechias did break it in pieces and said it was but a piece of brass 2 Kings 18. Q But if we did meet with those who have veneration for Images should we do ill if to have peace with them we did accommodate our selves to their Worship A. Yes most assuredly for God doth not only forbid to make Images to employ them to his Worship but in case that there be some made he forbids us to prostrate our selves before them â—nd to worship them Q. Those of the Church of Rome do they sin against this Divine Ordinance A. Yes most visibly for they set in their Temples all sorts of Images they put them upon their Altars and render them the honour which God forbids they pull off their Hats to them they bow to them they kiss them and kneel before them that is directly against the formal words of this Law thou shalt not bow down to them besides they dress them up they crown them with Flowers they light Candles to them they burn Incense to them they carry them upon their Shoulders in processions and they go unto them in Pilgrimages all which is against what is said thou shalt not worship them Q. Why is that God calls himself jealous A. To speak properly it is not that God has the passion of jealousy which troubles men but by that he will reach us first that he loves us ardently secondly that he cannot bear a comparison nor his Glory to be given to another thirdly that he will punish rigorously all Idolaters Q Why is it that in the threatning of his punishments he mentions but three or four Generations but that he stretches his promise of Graces and Mercy unto thousands A. To shew us that he is more inclined to be merciful than to exercise vengeance so that the saying of St. James may be applied to him that Mercy rejoyceth over Judgment Jer. 2. Q But doth God punish all the Children of the wicked A. If the Children of the wicked follow the way of their Father God will punish them twofold because of the criminal life of their predecessors but if they repent and live in the fear of God the sins of their Fathers shall not be imputed to them for the Father shall not bear the iniquity of the Son and the Son shall not bear the iniquity of the Father but the Soul of him that sineth is that which shall dye Ezek. 18. Q. And doth God pour down his Graces upon all the Children of the faithful A. Yes upon all those who imitate the Piety of their Fathers nay have a twofold blessing of all sorts of blessings but as to those who turn aside from it and who give themselves to do evil they bring upon them the wrath of God and his just vengeance Q. Can you tell what is the design of this second Commandment and what God demands of us therein A. The same which our Lord Jesus Chirst teaches us in John 4. that the Father will have true worshippers who worship him in spirit and truth God is a Spirit and they that worship him must worship him in Spirit and in Truth Of the third Commandment Q. SAY the third Commandment A. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain Q. What do you mean by the name of God A. By the name of God I mean God himself and his holy word as also all the names which describes his essence or his qualities and generally all other things concerning his worship Q. What is it to take the name of God in vain A. It is to abuse it in things of no worth to speak thereof without respect to use it in blaspheming or in vain or rash swearing Q. Is swearing taking the name
spheres of the Planets and of the Stars and it is in that Heaven that God hath placed the Tabernacle of the Sun as it is said Ps 19. The third is the heavenly Paradice where St. Paul saith he was caught up and heard unspeakable words 2 Cor. 12. of this third heaven it is here spoken Q Is God contained in that Heaven A. The heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain him The heaven is his Throne and the Earth is his Footstool 1 King 8. Isaiah 8.66 Q. Why do you say then that God is in Heaven A. Because it is there where he makes manifest his Glory in a particular manner and where the triumphant Saints and the Angels of Light praise and worship him without ceasing There thousand thousands minister to him and ten thousand times ten thousand stand continually before him Dan. 7. Of the first Petition Q. IN how many ways is the name of God taken A. In three principally first for his fame as it said Ps 8. O Lord our God how excellent is thy name in all the Earth Secondly for the names God makes himself known by as the Prophet Jeremiah saâ—s cap. 28. the name whereby he shall be called is the Lord our Righteousness Thirdly for God himself as it is said Joel 2. whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved Q. In how many ways is the word hallow taken A. In three first for rendring a thing holy that was not so before thus the Holy Ghost sanctifies us and makes us new Creatures Secondly for dedicating and consecrating for an holy use Thus Moses sanctified Aaron and his Sons and all the Utensils of the Tabernacle Lastly for acknowledging and making manifest the sanctity of a thing which in itself is holy And thus it must be taken here Q. What signifies then that the name of God be hallowed A. That God be acknowledged adored and glorified every where in the world Of the second Petition Q. HOw many sorts of Reigns or Kingdoms are there A Three the reign of Nature the reign of Grace and the reign of Glory Q. What do you mean by the reign of Nature A. That which God exercises generally over all creatures and of this reign it is spoken Psalms 93. the Lord reigneth he is cloathed with Majesty Q What do you mean by the reign of Grace A. That which Jesus Christ exercises on Earth by his Spirit in his Church and in the heart of his Elect. Our Lord speaks of it St. Luke 17. the Kingdom of God comes not with observation neither shall they say lo here or lo there for behold the Kingdom of God is with you Q. And what is the reign of glory A. It is the glorious felicity which waits for us in heaven where we shall reign with Jesus Christ for ever and ever Rev. 22. and it is in that respect that he will say to us in the last day come ye blessed of my Father inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the World Mat. 25. Q What difference is there between the reign of grace and that of glory A. They do not differ in kind but only in degree for grace is glory begun and glory is grace compleated wherefore the one and the other is called the Kingdom of God Q. What reign is spoken of in this petition Thy Kingdom come A. It is not of the reign of nature but of the reign of grace and of that of glory Q. â—ow is that A. It is that we pray to God that he will lead all thoughts prisoners to his subjection and that he will hasten the vengeance of his Enemies â—nd the glorious deliverance and magnificent triumph of his Children according as the bride cries out Rev. 22. Come Lord Jesus come Of the third Petition Q. HATH God more than one will A. Properly speaking God being an Act most pure and most simple there can be â—n him but one only will but to make himâ—elf be understood by us and to suit himself to â—ur infirmities he speaks to us of two sorts of â—ills Q. Which be they A. The one is his eternal Councel touching â—hings that he is pleased to do or permit of the which the Apostle speaks Eph. 1. he preâ—estinated us to the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself according to the good pleasure of his will The other is the Declaration what he will have us do wherefore the same Apostle speaks Thes 4. This is the will of God even your Sanctification that ye should abstain from Fornication Q. Of which of these two wills must this Petition be understood thy will be done A. Of both Q. How A. It is that we pray God to make us to be subject to the conduct of his providence in such manner that whatsoever befals us we may say as the faithful â—cts 21 the will of the Lord be done and on the other side that he will give us Grace to obey his holy commands and with David to say to him with all my heart Ps 143. teach me to do thâ— will for thou art my God Q What signifies what is added in Earth as iâ— is in Heaven A. That we may submit to all that God doth and that we may apply our selves to do all whaâ— he commands us with the same humility the same zeal and the same promptness as the Angels in heaven who admire all his works and who fly to the execution of all his Commandments Q May we hope for such perfection here A. Not absolutely but at least we ought to aspire to it and to apply our selves therein â—iâ— we come to Heaven where there shall be nâ— defect in our obedience and where we shall seâ— God face to face 1 Cor 13. Of the fourth Petition Q. WHat do you mean by the bread which you beg of God A. I mean all things necessary for the sustenance and maintenance of this temporal life and it is the ordinary stile of holy Scripture Q. Why is it that God comprehends all sorts of sustenance under the name of bread A. To teach us to be content with what is necessary without begging of him what is delightful or to use them soberly and with thanksgiving if through his liberality he gives them us Q. What do you mean by our bread A. That which is necessary for us which is our own and that we do eat in the sweat of our brows Q. Since it is ours why do we beg it of God A. Because all our labour is useless without the blessing of God who enriches or impoverishes when it pleases him Q. Why do we beg bread of God but for one day A. To teach us to rely on his providence and on his paternal care and to oblige us to call upon him every day Q. But doth God forbid us all sort of care A. He forbids not the care of an holy forecast Contrarily he sends us to the School of Ants Proverbs 6. Go to the Ant
no means for our Lord Jesus Chrisâ— in dying tore the veil of Jewish Ceremonies and as speaks the Apostle thereof Coll. 2. hâ— that blotted out the hand writing of Ordinanceâ— that was against us which was contrary to us and took it out of the way nailing it to his cross Q. Are we subject unto the moral Law A. We are not subject to the Curses it thunders against those who do not perfectly accomplish what it commands and we owe it not a servile obedience for Jesus Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the Law being made a curse for us Gall. 3. but we owe it a filial obedience and because it is the rule of all justice and uprightness we must all our life time apply our selves to do every thing it prescribes us Q. Where do we find the Moral Law which is the rule and eternal pattern of our life A. In the Decalogue that is called by excellence the Commandments of God Q. VVhat signifies the word Decalogue A. That is to say Ten words because the Law of God is contained in Ten Commandments Q. VVho is it that God gave this Law to A. He gave it to the people of Israel by the ministry of Moses but it concerns all men in the world for that is the same Law that God had ingrafted in their hearts when he created them in his Image and after his likeness Q. VVhen was it that God gave it A. About two thousand years more or less after the creation of the world fifty days after the children of Israel came out from Egypt Q. VVhere did he give it A. On Mount Sinai Q. In what manner did he give it A. With marks of his omnipotency in the midst of Thunder and Lightning the Mountain being all on fire and quaking Q. VVhy is it that God gave that Law with so much glory and majesty A. To the end that one may know that Moses is not the author thereof but God himself and that he hath arms ready to revenge the contempt and disobedience of it Q. How many parts are in that Law A. God himself wrote it upon two Tables one whereof contains four Commandments and the other six Q. What does the first Table treat of A. Of things immediately concerning the worship of God Q. And what contains the second Table A. Of our duty towards our Neighbour Of the ten Commandments Of the Preface Q. IS there nothing foregoing the Commandments of God A. There is the Preface contained in these words I am * The Lord in French there is the Eternal the Lord thâ— God which have brought thee out of the Land of Egypt out of the House of Bondage Q. What is to be considered in that Preface A. Three reasons which God makes use of to cause his people to hear him with Respect the first is taken from his Essence it self he is the Lord The second is taken from his Covenant he is their God and the third is taken from his benefits he hath brought them from the Land of Egypt out of the House of Bondage Q. But does that belong to us since we are not Jews and that we have not been Bondsmen in Egypt A. We are not Jews according to the flesh but in regard to the spirit and we are the Israel of God and all those who have the Faith of Abraham are Children of Abraham Gall. 3. and to that we have been delivered from the Tyranny of the spiritual Pharaoh who is the Devil and from the slavery of sin of death and of hell Of the first Commandment Q. SAY the first Commandement A. Thou shalt have no other Gods * I have been obliged to follow the expression of the 20th Chap. of Exodus and not that of the service of the Church by reason of a following Question and of his Answer before me Q. Since there is no other God but the great living God who created Heaven and Earth how must these words be understood thou shalt have no other Gods before me A. There is but one only God and in effect and according to the truth there can be no more but according to the foolish opinion of men and their extravagant imagination there may be an infinity of Gods It is what the Apostle teaches us in 1 Cor. 8. for though there be that are called Gods whether in Heaven or in Earth as there be Gods many but to us there is but one God the Father of whom are all things and we in him and one Lord Jesus Christ by whom are all things and we by him Q. What is it then that God forbids us in this Commandment A. He forbids us to worship any one but him and to put trust in man Matth. 4. and Jer. 17. Q. Why doth he say before me A. To teach us that this sin is so much more abominable that it is committed in his presence and to make us fear his just wrath and vengeance Q. But since when God forbids a thing he commands that which is opposite thereunto what is it that God commands here A. That we put our trust in him alone that we love him in the highest desire that we call upon him with holy fervency that we fear him above all Kings and that all our pleasure be to do his will Of the second Commandment Quest SAY the second Commandment A. Thou shalt not make to thy self any graven Image nor the likeness of any thing that is in Heaven above or in the Earth beneath or in the Waters under the Earth thou shalt not bow to them nor worship them for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God and visit the sins of the Fathers upon the Children to the third and fourth generation of them that hate me and shew mercy unto thousands in them that love me and keep my Commandments Q. Is not this one and the same Commandment with the proceeding A. No. For in the precedent God teaches us who it is whom we ought to adore and worship and in that he teaches us how we ought to adore and worship him Q. Those of the Church of Rome blame us that we teach you to say Thou shalt not make to thy self any graven Image and hold that it must be said Thou shalt not make to thy self any graven Idol what do you say to that A. I say that they are very ill grounded and that they contradict themselves for in the French Bible of Lovaine in the 5th Chap. of Deut. there is thou shalt not make to thy self any graven Representation or any Representation graven and Image graven it is the same thing furthermore in the old Edition of the same Bible in the 20 of Exod. and the 5. of Deut. you 'll find these words Thou shalt not make to thy self any graven Image in some new * A Manual of Prayer of the Church of Rome Heures Printed at Paris with approbation and priviledge you 'll find this You shall not make to your self
confession thereof as I will now do before thee saying with thy Church I Believe in God the Father Almighty maker of heaven and earth and Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord who was conceived by the holy Ghost born of the Virgin Mary suffered under Pontius Pilate was crucified dead and buried he descended into Hell the third day he rose again from the dead he ascended into Heaven and sitteth on the Right hand of God the Father Almighty from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead I believe in the holy Ghost the holy Catholick Church the Communion of Saints the forâ—â—veness of Sins the Resurrection of the body and the life everlasting Amen Lord who didst write thy Law on tables of Stone be pleased to engrave it in my heart with the finger of thy Spirit and give me grace to conform the course of my life thereunto The ten Commandmets of Gods Law Preface I am the Lord thy God who brought thee out of the Land of Egypt out of the house of bondage The first Table I. THou shalt have none other God but me II. Thou shalt not make to thy self any graven Image nor the likeness of any thing that is heaven above or in the earth beneath or in the water under the earth thou shalt not bow down to them nor worship them for I the Lord thy God am a Jealous God and visit the sins of the Father upon the Children â—â—to the third and fourth generation of them that hate me and shew mercy unto thousands in them that love me and keep my Commandments III. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain IV. Remember that thou keep holy the Sabbath day Six days shalt thou labour and do all that thou hast to do but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God in it thou shalt do no manner of work thou and thy Son and thy Daughter thy Man Servant and thy Maid Servant thy Cattle and the Stranger that is within thy Gates for in six days the Lord made Heaven and Earth the Sea and all that in them is and rested the seventh day wherefore the Lord blessed the Seventh day and hallowed it V. Honour thy Father and thy Mother that thy days may be long in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee VI. Thou shalt do no Murther VII Thou shalt not commit Adultery VIII Thou shalt not Steal IX Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy Neighbour X. Thou shalt not covet thy Neighbours House thou shalt not covet thy Neighbours Wife nor his Servant nor his Maid nor his Ox nor his Ass nor any thing that is his The Summary of all the Law Matt. 22. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy Soul and with all thy Mind This is the first and great Commandment and the second is like unto it thou shalt love thy Neighbour as thy self on these two Commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets Psalm 143. V. 8. Lord cause me to hear thy loving kindness in the morning for in thee do I trust cause me to know the way wherein I should walk for I lift up my Soul unto thee 9. Deliver me O Lord from my Enemies I fly unto thee to hide me 10. Teach me to do thy will for thou art my God let thy good Spirit lead me into the land of uprightness 1 John 5.21 Little Children keep your selves from Idols Amen Epitome of the Catechism for the Little Children First Section First Question Q. WHY do you name your self a Christian A. Because through the grace of God I believe in Jesus Christ and I profess his truth Q. 2. Who is Jesus Christ A. He is the only Son of God Q. 3. Is he God or Man A. He is true God aâ—d true Man Q. 4. Why was it needful that he should be God and Man A. It was needful for him to be Man to die and God to overcome death Q. 5. How many Gods are there A. There is but one and it is he who made Heaven and Earth Q. 6. How many persons are there in that only Essence A. Three the Father the Son and the holy Ghost and these three are one Q. 7. How is it that this great God makes himself known A. By his works his word and his spirit Section 2. Q 1. WHat must one know in the Christian Religion A. Three things principally what we are of our nature what God makes us to be by his grace and what we ought to render him for all his benefits Q. 2. What were you of your nature A. I was a poor sinful Creature and Child of wrath as others Q. 3. And what did you deserve 〈◊〉 Eternal death and condemnation 〈◊〉 4. What hath God done for you A. He redeemed me from my Sins and adopted me for his Child Q 5. How did he redeem you A. Through the death and passion of his own Son our Lord Jesus Christ Q. 6. And by what means did he adopt you A. By his spirit who with assurance makes me cry Abba Father Q. 7. What is the mark of that adoption A. Regeneration and holiness of Life Section 3. Q. 1. WHat could oblige God to deliver you out of your misery and to give you the freedom of his Children A. Nothing but his great Mercy and his incomparable Charity Q. 2. What is it he promises you for his Sons sake and in the communion of his spirit A. He promises me his grace and protection here on Earth and the glory of his Paradice and his eternal felicity in Heaven Q. 3. And what do you owe to God for so many benefits as he bestowed on you and for so much glory that he prepares for you A. I owe my self to him with all the power of my body and soul Q. 4. But what doth he principally desire of you A. Love and Obedience Q. 5. How ought you to love God A. Above all things Q. 6. And how must you love your Neighâ—our A. As my self Q. 7. What Obedience doth God demand of you A. A filial Obedience Section 4. Q. 1. WHat is it principally that God will have us exercise our selves in during the the course of this life A. In good Works Q. 2. Which are the good Works A. Those that God commands Q. 3. And which are the evil ones A. Those that God forbids Q. 4. Is it necessary to do good Works A. Yes for God commands it and it is the way to Heaven Q. 5. Are the good Works that we do during this life so perfect that there is no fault in them A. No for if we say that there is no sin in us we lye wherefore we pray to God every day that he will forgive us our sins Q. 6. From whence comes all the good there is in our Works A. From the grace of God Q.
true repentance A. It is God himself who converts us and begetteth in our hearts the hatred of vice and the love of virtue Q. 4. Which are the principal virtues of Christians A. Faith Hope and Charity Q. 5. Which of those Virtues is the greatest A. It is Charity Q. 6. VVhy A. Because it endures for ever Q. 7. My Child do you desire to live and to die in that true Piety A. I desire it with all my heart The Lord confirm you in his love and in his grace the Lord replenish you with the gifts of his holy Spirit and form you unto his Image the Lord cause you to grow in all sorts of Virtues and enable you for ever to persevere in his holy Covenant So be it Pray to God with all your heart to give you the grace thereof The Childs Prayer MY God and my heavenly father since it pleases thee to be praised by Childrens mouths bear with my faults and make thy strength perfect in my great weakness thou hast given me the grace of being born in thy Church and to suck Piety with Milk Give me grace to grow in the holy knowledge of thee and above all in thy fear and love let me bear fruits worthy of my birth and of the education thou hast honoured me with that therein thy holy name may be glorified that thy Church be edified thereby and that I be the joy and the comfort of those whom thou hast made use of to bring me into the World and to instruct me in thy word Let me during all the days of my life serve and adore thee in the company of thy Children till I go to glorifie thee in Heaven with the Saints and Angels who contemplate thy face Hear me O Lord since thou art my God and my Father and that I call upon thee in the name and through the infinite merit of Jesus Christ my Saviour who commanded me thus to pray Our Father which art in Heaven c. Lord my God thou hast put in my heart the seed of true faith increase and fortify it in me and grant that all the days of my life I make Confession thereof saying with thy Church I believe in God the father Almighty maker 〈◊〉 Heaven and Earth c. My God give me thy good Spirit and give me grace to fulfil thy Holy and Divine Commandments The tenor whereof follows I 〈◊〉 the Lord thy God c. Addition to the Catechism For Children more advanced in Age and in Knowledge Q. WHY do you profess Religion A. It is not only because I have had the happiness to be born educated and brought up in it but also because through the grace of God I know that it is the true Christian Religion that our Lord Jesus Christ brought from Heaven that his holy Apostles have preached and his happy Martyrs have signed with their blood Q. How do you know that A. I know it by the reading of holy Scripture for we believe nothing at all of what is necessary to Salvation that is not clearly and expresly found in that Scripture divinely inspired or cannot be drawn therefrom by evident and necessary consequences Q. Hath Christian Religion had or can it have need of Reformation A. Not in considering it such as 't is in it self for in that regard it is wholly divine Q. Why then is it called the Reformed Religion A. Properly speaking it is not the Religion but the Church which was Reformed that is to say that was purged from the errors and abuses that through Ignorance and Malice of men it had been defiled with Q. What signifie then these words Reformed Religion A. That it is true and pure Christianity such as is taught in the Gospel and which is separated from all human traditions and inventions For our Lord absolutely condemns them in matter of his worship in vain saith he do you worship me teaching for doctrines the Commandments of men Matt. 15. Q. Would you not enter into the communion of the Church of Rome if you did find your worldly advantages therein A. No for I do not believe I could save my self therein and it would profit me nothing if I should gain all the World and should lose my Soul Q. Why do you believe you could not save your self in the communion of the Church of Rome A. Because it adores the Sacrament and renders to a simple Creature the Honour and the Glory that belongs only to God It pretends to Sacrifice Jesus Christ in Propitiatory Sacrifice for the remission of the sins of the quick and of the dead although that great God and Saviour did not command it and that his Apostles have done nothing like it it bereaves the faithful of the blessed Cup that our Lord commanded us to drink in remembrance of him It teaches another Purgatory than the precious blood of that glorious Redeemer which cleanses us from all Sin and hath the Divine Service in a tongue that the People understand not against what the Apostles orders in the first to the Cor. c. 14. Q. Is there nothing else that hinders you from entring into the Roman Communion A. There are several other reasons which hinders me for ever to participate of its Communion for it adheres to and obeys the Pope who usurped an authority and power which belongs to God only It believes that we are saved through the merit and dignity of our works though the Gospel teaches quite contrary It invokes the Saints although in all the word of God there is neither Commandment or Example thereof It adores material Crosses and Relicks and renders to Angels a Religious worship against what is commanded to adore and worship God alone They bow to Images and worship them Religiously against what God expresly forbids in his Law It hath invented an infinite number of holy days that are dedicated and Consecrated unto Creatures instead of which God permits us to work six days of the week * Agnus Dei a thing amongst those of the Roman Church which they wear about their Necks and that he will not have us give his glory to another It condemns Ecclesiastical persons Marriage instead of what the Apostles teach that Marriage and the undefiled bed is honourable among all It commands at some certain times to abstain from meats that God permits provided one use them with sobriety and thanksgiving Finally it hath veneration for the Jubilees Indulgences Agnus Dei the holy Beads and Chaplets and numbers of other things which are vain and superstitious Q. But could not you save your self in believing in your heart what we believe and living however in the outward profession of the Church of Rome A. By no means for with the heart Man believeth unto Righteousness and with the mouth Confession is made unto Salvation Rom. 10. God will be glorified in our bodies and in our spirits because they belong to him and that he equally redeems them 1 Cor. 6. Our Lord will deny before God his Father and his Angels whomsoever shall deny him before men one must be cold or hot for the luke-warm he spues out of his mouth Rev. 3. Mat. 18. in fine it is an infalliable truth that all those shall not inherit the kingdom of Heaven who render to the Creatures the honour and glory that belongs but to the Creator 1 Cor. 6. Q. But do you not well see that in persevering in Religion you shall be hated and persecuted by the World A. Our Lord foretold it If the World hateth you saith he you know that it hated me before it hated you if ye were of the World the world would love his own but because ye are not of the World but I have chosen you out of the World wherefore the World hateth you John 15. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven Matt. 5. Q. Do you promise then before God and his holy Angels to live and die in that true and holy Religion whereof through the grace and mercy of God ye make profession A. I promise it with all my heart and I hope that God will give me the assistance of his Spirit with so much efficacy that all the Worlds promises and threatning shall never make me turn aside from so Christian and so necessary a Resolution EXHORTATION REmember that it is to God that you make this promise and that one day you must give him an account when you shall appear before his Throne My Child do not hearken to the Seducers who make traffick of Souls do not keep evil Companies who corrupt good manners do not follow ill Examples and though it should be an Angel from Heaven that should preach to you beyond what is in the Gospel let him be accursed Consecrate your self wholly unto the Service of him who gave himself for you and who redeemed you by his own blood Lastly pray to God with holy fervency that he encrease your Faith fortify your Hope inflame your Charity and your zeal for his Glory Pray to him to sanctify you through his Spirit to form you unto his Image and to give you grace constantly to persevere in his holy Covenant For he who to the end shall persevere shall be saved and shall possess and inherit the Kingdom prepared us from the foundation of the World Unto the King Eternal Immortal Invisible the only wise God be Honour and Glory for Ever and Ever Amen 1 Tim 1.17 FINIS