who come to the House of Prayer Q. Why is the Time generally in the Night A. The first Christians were forced so to Bury and later Ages imitated them only adding divers Lights to shew their Hope of the Party 's being gone to Light everlasting Q. Why do Friends follow the Corps to the Grave A. To mind them that they must shortly follow the deceased in the same Path of Death Q. Why doth the Priest meet at the Church gate in his Surplice A. To allay the Sorrow which naturally seizeth on us when we follow a dear Friend to the Grave the Priest meets us in white the Colour of Joy in imitation of the Angels who go out in white Garments to receive the Soul so doth he to receive the body of the faithful A. 2. This is the Attire which is appointed for the Minister in the Performance of all his Publick offices Q. Why are those Sentences said in the Way A. To excite the Company to Faith Patience and Thankfulness Q. Why is the Body brought into the Church A. To shew the Party died in the Communion thereof Q. What is the meaning of those words in sure and certain hope of the Resurrection to Eternal Life A. This is not spoken of the Party deceased but of the belief of the Standers by of this Article themselves and therefore we say afterward who shall change our vile body and not of the Party deceased Q. Why are Prayers said at the Grave A. Since the sight of that Place and of the Corps now ready to be put into it is wont to make great Impressions on us the Church takes this occasion to fit us with Devotions at the Grave 2. To shew the peculiar hope of the Church of the Resurrection of the Dead In the manner of dumb Funerals what one thing is there whereby the World may perceive we are Christians there being in those dumb Shows nothing but what Heathens and Pagans do Of the Churching of Women Quest WHY is the Woman ordered to come to Church and offer up her publick Praises Answ The Birth of Man is little less than a Miracle and lest the Frequency should diminish our Sense of it the Woman who hath received this wonderful Mercy is ordered to come to Church and offer up her publick Praises Q. What Reason for this Command of the Church A. The Original is from the Law of Moses Levit. 12. which commands all Women after they had born a Child to come to the House of God within a certain number of days and with a Sacrifice to praise God for this great Mercy and although the Ceremonial Reason be ceased yet the Obligation to make a publick Acknowledgment of so eminent a Favour remains still and in all Ages Christian Mothers have observed this holy Rite Q. Why is the Church the Place appointed to do this in A. It must be done thus publickly 1. For God's Honour 2. To satisfy the Womans Duty who is bound to let God's Goodness be shewed forth that others may learn to trust in him 3. By this means many are brought to join in God's Praises for so publick a Mercy and therefore to do this in a private House is absurd and contrary to the main end of the Office Of the Commination Quest WHAT was the Reason and Occasion of composing this Office A. To supply the want of Primitive Discipline that every Man may judge himself since the Church now judgeth so few Offenders Q. Why are those Sentences of God's Cursing against impenitent Sinners read A. In Imitation of the Jews who were appointed by God yearly to observe this Office Q. Doth not he that says Amen wish a Curse to himself A. It is no Adverb of Wishing it signifies no more than an Assent to the truth of that to which it is added Q. What Vse may we make of this Office A. It may be useful to make us flee such Vices and repent of them which here are mentioned since we acknowledge the Curse and Vengeance of God doth deservedly follow such Sins and Sinners Q. What Days in the Week are set apart for Publick Worship throughout the World A. Sunday or the Lord's Day is observ'd by Christians Monday by the Grecians Tuesday by the Persians Wednesday by the Assyrians Thursday by the Egyptians Friday by the Turks Saturday by the Jews An Account of the Titles of all the Books of the Old and New Testament and why they are stil'd Canonical and the meaning of the Word Apocryphal which Title is given to those Books which are not Received into the Canon Of the Old Testament or Covenant THE Books in Holy Scripture are call'd Canonical because according to Rule and Order they have been received into the Canon that is into the Number of those Writings which are unquestionably acknowledged to be the Writings of the Prophets and Holy Men inspired in the Old Testament or Covenant And of the Apostles and Disciples of Christ in the New Testament or Covenant The Word in Greek which is translated Testament signifies both a Covenant and a Testament Both the Words in the Title of the Holy Bible may be used 1. That of Covenant as being most agreeable to the use of the Word in the Sacred Dialect and most agreeable to the Nature of the Gospel which is the Law of Faith 2. That Word of a Testament also wherein the Christian's Inheritance is sealed to him as to a Son and Heir of God's and wherein the Death of Christ as of a Testator is set down at large by way of Story and as it is applicable to our Benefit Of the Pentateuch THE Five first Books in the beginning of the Holy Bible viz. Genesis Exodus Leviticus Numbers Deuteronomy were Penned by Moses and called the Pentateuch which word signifies a Volume of Five Books Of Genesis This First Book of Moses contains the History of the Creation of the World particularly of the Making of Man with which it begins and the Genealogy of the Patriarchs down to the Death of Joseph where it ends with relation whereunto it is very fitly called Genesis that Greek word very properly expressing the Original or first Formation of these things It comprehends an History of 2369 Years or thereabout in the Judgment of many Learned Writers Exodus This Book hath its Name from the Principal Subject of it viz. The Departure of the Children of Israel out of Egypt For so the Greek word signifies Going out or Departing from one place to another It contains an History of about 145 Years from the Death of Joseph to the Building of the Tabernacle for it treats of several things which went before their departure and which followed after it but they all Relate to that and depend upon it Leviticus Levi was the Third Son of Jacob from him his Posterity had the Name of Levites Aaron who with his Sons was called to the Priesthood was from him called a Levite and the Priesthood that was setled in that
c. and Communication of all Temporal things and a fellow-feeling of one anothers condition by all the Members of the Body Of St. Athanasius 's Creed commonly so called IT 's an Explanation of the great Mysteries of the Trinity and of Christ's Incarnation against the Arrians and other Hereticks and hath been received with great Veneration by the Greek and Latin Churches and many of the Reformed as well as the Romanist do hold that Athanasius Bishop of Alexandria was the Author and all agree that nothing in this or the Nicene Creed materially different from that which the Apostles Creed had contained nor nothing really superadded to it but were designed by the Compilers to fence the Catholick Orthodox Faith against the Corruptions and Depravations or else from the Doubtings and Contradictions of Hereticks and is the Quintessence of ancient Orthodox Divinity Q. Why are those Censures affix'd in the beginning middle and end of the Athanasian Creed A. They must be interpreted by their Opposition to those Heresies that had invaded the Church which were Acts of Carnality in them that broached and maintained them against the Apostolick Doctrine and contradictory to that Foundation which had been resolved on and were therefore to be anathematized after this manner and with Detestation banished out of the Church 2. If any scruple at the positive denying Salvation to such as do not believe these Articles let them remember such as hold any fundamental Heresies are condemned in Scripture and the Doctrines are called Damnable Heresies Let us therefore firmly believe and devoutly use this Form blessing God for these clear Explications of the sublime Mysteries of the Trinity and Christ's Incarnation in which we must strive to understand as much as we can and supply the Rest with Silence Submission and Adoration Of the Versicles and Responsals or short Verses and Answers Quest WHY after we have repeated the Creed do we begin with the Form of Salutation viz. The Lord be with you Answ Such mutual Salutations are excellent Expressions of the Communion of Saints and Incentives and Provocations to Charity and Love one of another since we cannot pray without God's Help therefore the Minister prays That the Lord may be with them to assist them and since the Minister prays for all the People they desire he may heartily and devoutly offer up these Prayers in their Behalf saying The Lord be with thy Spirit Q. Why are those Words Let us pray often repeated A. It is a kind of Watch-Word or Signal of Battel to summon us all with united Forces to besiege Heaven it self with our Holy Importunities And 2. It 's a Warning to every one to lay aside all vain Thoughts and only to mind this great Work we have in Hand Q. Why are those Versicles Lord have Mercy upon us Three times repeated A. Because it is a most Pathetick Petition of Mercy to the Blessed Trinity called by the Ancients a Short Litany and is a Preparation to the Lord's Prayer Q. Why is the Lord's Prayer again repeated A. Because it consecrates all the rest of our Prayers and makes way for them and if we did not put up any Petition with Fervency enough before we may now make amends for it by asking that with a double Earnestness Q. Why are those short Versicles and Responsals used A. It was the Primitive Way of Praying and they contain the Sum of all the following Collects 1. The First O Lord shew thy Mercy c. being a Petition for Mercy and Salvation answers to the Sunday Collect. 2. The Second O Lord save the King answers to the Collects for the King and his Family 3. The Third Endue thy Ministers c. and the Fourth O Lord save thy People c. answer the Collect for the Clergy and People 5. The Fifth Give Peace in our Time c. answers the Morning and Evening Collects for Peace and Safety 6. The Sixth O God make clean c. answers the Morning and Evening Collects for Grace And thus by this Alternate Way of Responses or answering and speaking by turns one after another first the Minister then the People we fit our selves the better for the following Collects Q. Are there any other Reasons for the Vse of these Versicles and Responsals A. They refresh the Peoples Attention and teach them their Part at Publick Prayers and unite the Affection of them all together and help to keep them in a League of perpetual Amity Q. Why doth the Priest sometimes kneel and sometimes stand A. The Minister as a Sinner kneels with the People in all Confessions and Penitential Prayers but stands in other Offices to signifie his Office and Authority Q. Why do we turn to the East in our Prayers and Creed A. Because it 's accounted the most worthy Part of the World by being first visited by the rising Sun which may mind us of the great Honour and Majesty of the Person we speak to 2. Because the Altar or Holy Table is placed there where God affords his most Gracious and Mysterious presence and the Priest or Minister used to officiate there and it was look'd upon as unseemly to turn their Backs upon one or the other in their Prayers or Postures 3. From Adam to Abraham's Time the whole World worshipped toward the East and the Christians from the beginning built their Churches and worshipped themselves toward the East not only in opposition to the Jews who worshipped towards the West but because they expected our Saviour who is call'd Oriens ex alto or the day-spring from on high to come from thence according to his promise Matth. 24. 27. Of Collects Quest WHY are these short Forms of Prayer used Answ Because our Saviour himself taught and commended the frequent use of brief Forms of Prayer and the Primitive Christians were wont to pray in that manner from whom the Collects were derived Q. Why are they called Collects A. Because they are Collected generally out of the Epistles and Gospels and are a brief Collection of all things necessary for Soul and Body 2. Or because they are repeated in Publick when the People are collected and gathered together Q. How long have they been used in the Church A. Most of them are above a Thousand Years old having been used in the Western Church from the Time of St. Gregory the Great and are Forms for any Blessing or any Grace that we would ask for our selves or others Q. Pray direct us where we may find among them Prayers on every Occasion A. If we would pray for things spiritual for our own Souls viz. for the Gifts of the Spirit See the Prayer for St. Barnabas 's Day 2. If we would pray for Pardon See the 12 the 21 24. Sunday after Trinity 3. If for the Benefit of Christ's Death and Acceptance through him See Annunciation and Purification and 2. Sunday after Epiphany 4. If for the Comfort Direction and Illumination of the Spirit See 1. after Ascension Whitsunday
so call'd because it was written in the Calendar with Letters of Gold right on the Day whereon the Moon chang'd and is the space of 19 Years in which the Moon returneth to the self-same Day of the Year of the Sun and therefore is also call'd the Cycle of the Moon in which the Solstices and Equinoctials do return to all one Point in the Zodiack To find it every Year you must add One Year to the Year of Christ for Christ was Born one Year of the 19 already past then divide the whole by 19 and that which resteth is the Golden Number for that Year if there be no Surplusage it is then 19. Note That the Golden Number and Dominical Letter does change every Year the First day of January The Dominical Letter is so call'd because it shews the Dominical or lord's-Lord's-Day throughout the whole Year Note also That the Year of our Lord beginneth the 25th day of March the same Day supposed to be the First Day upon which the World was Created and the Day when Christ was conceived in the Womb of the Virgin Mary A Plain and Rational VINDICATION and EXPLANATION of the Terms Order and Usefulness of the LITURGY of the Church of England by Way of Question and Answer Quest WHY are the Prayers and Publick Services of God ordered to be offered up in the Church Answ To offer up to God Publick Service in separate and dedicated Places which we call Churches is most fit for the Honour of God who ought to have a Place set apart for his particular Worship which is not to be Profan'd by any common and ordinary Use as being the Presence-Chamber of the great King where he is in the midst of those that meet in his Name and our own Profit for it begets and nourisheth a Reverence and Awe to God and his Service and warns us to put off our Shooes when we are upon Holy Ground and so helps Devotion Q. Why do we uncover our Heads when we first enter into the Church and continue so before and after the Prayers are begun and ended A. It is out of Reverence to Him to whom those Places are devoted and in Memory of those Spiritual Feasts which we or our Christian Brethren have there tasted Q. Hath our Lord appointed this Publick Service and Worship called the Liturgy under the Gospel A. He hath only appointed the Materials and Essentials in general viz. Prayers Praises and Confessions c. But for the Manner and Order and Method he hath left to be ordered and appointed by the Church St. John 20. 21. Q. Is the Publick Worship of God prescribed by those to whom he hath given Commission the only true and right Worship A. Yes And all other Forms and Methods offered up in stead of that though never so exactly drawn are strange Worship because not commanded Q. Why is the Liturgy of the Church of England called Common-Prayer A. Because all the Members have a common Interest and in that Form all of the same Communion are obliged to join Q. What 's the Meaning of the Word Liturgy A. A Form of Publick Prayers Q. What is Prayer A. Prayer is the lifting up of the Soul to converse with God always in Heart and frequently with the Tongue offering up our Confessions and Requests together with our Prayers and Thanksgivings in behalf of our selves or others in deprecating of Evils or supplicating for good things Spiritual or Temporal and a Means to obtain all Blessings It is an high Honour and huge Advantage to us and is accepted by him as an Acknowledgment of his Authority and a Testimony of our Observance 2. Or in fewer words Prayer is an earnest Request to God in the Name of Christ for all things necessary for Soul or Body our Selves or Others Q. Why are those Sentences out of the Holy Scripture used before we begin in the Morning and Evening Service A. In Imitation of the Ancient People of God who when they went into their Synagogues to pray stood silent a while to meditate before whom they stood and these are chosen by the Church to be Admonitions to Repentance the better to prepare peoples hearts Q. What Benefit do we reap by coming to Church before the Prayers begin A. We may find among those Sentences a Meditation fitted for our present frame of Spirit in order to the better disposing us to pray with true Devotion Q. There are Variety of Dispositions and the same Man is not always in the same Temper and because every Man best knows his own Estate be pleased to put those Sentences of one kind together in order to so good a Work A. The First Rank may consist of those Sentences which contain support for the Fearful to prevent that excessive Dread of God's Wrath which hinders the Exercise of a sprightly Devotion by too much dejecting the Spirit Ps 51. 9. Ps 143. 2. Jer. 10. 24. 2. The Second Rank concerns those that doubt of God's Favour which show how fit they are to ask and how likely God is to grant upon their Repentance notwithstanding their Unworthiness viz. Ps 51. 17. Dan. 9. 10. St. Luk. 15. 18 19. 3. The Third Rank concern the ignorant who either think they have no Sin or that a slight Repentance will procure Pardon viz. 1 St. John 8. 9. Ezek. 18. 27. 4. The Fourth Rank are for the Negligent who deferr this Duty of Repentance viz. Ps 51. 3. St. Matth. 3. 3. 5. The Fifth Rank are for those who by Custom grow Cold and Formal viz. Joel 2. 13. Q. What mean we by Gracious and Merciful in this last Sentence A. By Gracious we understand He 's ready to give and by Merciful He 's apt to forgive Of the Exhortation Quest WHAT is the Exhortation designed for Answ To apply and set home the preceeding Sentences and to direct us how we ought to perform the following Confession It collects the Necessity from the Word of God it instructs us in the right Manner when it hath convinced us that we must do it and gives us the Reasons why we must confess and repent sincerely just now and then it invites us to that necessary Duty for which it hath so well prepared us so that it connects the Sentences and the Confession making those so useful in order to this that whoever hears them and considers the Inferences here made cannot but be rarely disposed for a Devout Confession and by this we may perform each Part of the Office with the Spirit and with the Understanding also Of the Daily Confession Quest WHY is the Confession to be said after the Minister Answ To testifie our Consciousness of Guilt to take Shame to our selves and give Honour to God and That since we are all Sinners our Repentance may be as publick as our Faults have been Q. Why doth the Church begin her Service with Confession of Sin A. Because Sins unrepented of hinder the Success of our Prayers when the Guilt is
removed by penitential Acknowledgments there is no Bar to God's Grace and Mercy such as would pray effectually have always begun with Confession Q. How many Parts doth the Confession consist of A. Four 1. An Introduction which sets God before us under two proper Titles viz. Almighty and most Merciful the First to show his Power and strike us with a holy Fear of his Anger the Second to manifest his Love and melt us with the Sense of his Mercy 2. It consists of an humble Confession concerning the Manner of our Sinning and of the Nature and the Effect of our Sins viz. We have erred by sudden lesser and unobserved Sins and sometimes strayed farther out of the Ways which God prescribes by willful gross and customary Transgressions so that we are become like lost Sheep helpless and exposed to many Dangers and of our selves are as well unable as unlikely to return to Jesus the good Shepherd of our Souls We have improved our Original Corruption which is here properly expressed by the Devices and Desires of our own hearts which we have followed not checking them but too often fulfilling them and then they produce Actual Sins which we confess under the general Phrase of our Offending against his holy Laws And that we may be more particular we reduce our Actual Sins to two sorts Sins of Omission and Commission And then the Effect of Sins is expressed by that Phrase There is no Health in us that is no means of Help or Salvation in us or we are full both of Spiritual and Bodily Infirmities so that there is no sound Part in us 3. It consists of an earnest Deprecation containing the Evils we would be delivered from viz. The Guilt of Sin the Punishment and the Power of it and the Ground on which we hope to prevail 4. The Confession consists of a devout Petition intimating to whom we pray and for what we pray and to what end Q. In what Words do we pray that the Guilt of Sin may be taken away A. In those Words Have mercy upon us miserable Offenders viz. Pity and pardon us by taking away the Guilt of our Sins Q. In what Words do we pray to be delivered from the Punishment of our Sins A. In those Words Spare thou them O Lord who confess Q. In what Words do we pray to be delivered from the Power of Sin A. In those Words Restore thou them that are penitent Q. What is the Ground on which we hope to prevail A. The Promises declared in his Gospel through Jesus Christ Q. To whom do we pray for Grace A. To God the Father through Jesus Christ Q. For what do we pray A. For Piety towards God Justice and Charity towards our Neighbours Sobriety and Temperance for our selves Q. To what end A. To the Glory of God's holy Name Q. Why do we say Amen A. To testifie our desire to have all these Petitions granted our faith in the Promises and our hope of Acceptance Q. Why is the Confession and our Prayers to be said kneeling A. That we may express the Humbleness of our Minds by the Posture of our Bodies which is the fittest for Penitents Of the Absolution Quest WHY is the Word Priest used by our Church in the Liturgy Answ The English Word by a Contraction of the Syllables has its Derivation from Presbyter and according to the Latin Word Sacerdos signifies him whose mere Charge and Function is about holy things and therefore seems to be a most proper Word when he 's in the Actual Administration of holy things Besides It is not a Jewish Name that is not peculiar to the Jewish Ministery but common to others and frequently used by the Primitive Christians and by which the Prophets foretold that the Ministers of the Gospel should be called and by which St. Paul calls them and by which our Saviour is in a multitude of places styl'd and named the High-Priest of our Profession and by which we are call'd Rev. 1. 6. and therefore may lawfully safely and without any just ground of Offence be used by Christians as a Name for the Ministers of the Gospel Q. Why must the Priest pronounce the Absolution standing A. Because it is an Act of Authority which is so to be done Q. Can Man forgive Sin A. God alone can exercise this Power in his own right but he may and hath committed it to others who do it in his Name and by his Authority in the Person of Christ Q. What Form of Absolution is this A. It is Declaratory which is no more than the solemn promulgation of a Pardon upon the Conditions of Faith and Obedience and it is for the Satisfaction of truly Penitent Sinners that our Church approves of applying the promises of Pardon in Scripture to the particular case of those Persons which is that we mean by Absolution But if the Church of Rome pretend they can Absolve whether God will or no we must leave God and them to dispute that Point Bishop Stillingfleet on Idol p. 159. Q. What other Forms of Absolution are there in the Liturgy A. Two One is Petitionary in the Communion Service the other is Judiciary in the Office for the Sick All these Forms in Sense and Vertue are the same being several Expressions of the same thing Q. Must the People say the Words of the Absolution after the Priest with an audible Voice A. No Because it is the Privilege and Property of his Office to pronounce it But our Hearts must be intent upon the Directions and our Souls must embrace the Comforts and we must seal all with Amen To testify how firmly we believe highly value and earnestly desire those Comforts The latter part is an Application directing us what to Ask and shewing us what are the Benefits of being Heard 2. Or in the Judgment of some Learned Persons it is Petitionary in which we must joyn Wherefore we beseech thee c. Of the Lord's Prayer Quest WHY is the Lord's Prayer united to all the Offices Answ To make up their Defects and to recommend them to our Heavenly Father who cannot deny us when we speak the same Words which his dear Son hath put into our Mouths this Prayer being the Foundation and Perfection of all Prayers Q. What did our Lord intend it for A. Not only for a Pattern to make other Prayers by but for a form to be used in so many Words for when he delivered it the second time he says expresly When you pray say S. Luke 11. 1. The delivery of the Lord's Prayer by St. Luke is not the same with that related by St. Matthew but another at another time and upon another occasion whence it follows That the Disciples when it was first uttered understood not that their Master intended it for a Form of Prayer to them but for a Pattern or Example only or it may be to instruct them in special in what manner to ask forgiveness of Sins for if they had thought
A. Because it is as well a Confession of Faith as an Epitome or Sum of the whole Litany Q. Why do we pray to every Person in the Holy Trinity apart A. Because as we acknowledge every Person by himself to be God and Lord so we worship each Person apart Q. What is meant by a Person in the Holy Trinity A. Person is a distinct Subsistence of the whole Godhead There are Three Divine Persons which are not Three several Substances but Three distinct Subsistences or Three divers Manner of Being of one and the same Substance and Divine Essence which Divine Essence is neither divided nor distinguish'd But the Three Persons in the Divine Essence are distinguish'd among themselves by their Names by their Order and by their Actions or Properties Q. Why is the Divine Essence sometimes call'd Unity and sometimes Trinity A. Because the Divine Essence common to all the Three Persons is but One we call the same Vnity But because there be Three distinct Persons in this one indivisible Essence we call the same Trinity Q. Why is the Third Person named the Holy Ghost A. Because He is Spiritual without a Body 2. Because He is Spired and as it were breathed from both the Father and the Son that is Proceeding from them both And He is call'd Holy both because He is Holy in his own Nature and also the immediate Sanctifier of all true Believers Q. Why is the Second Person called God the Son and not the Son of God A. In Opposition to the Arrian Heresie who denied the Divinity of the Son therefore we own him to be God equal with the Father and give him the same Worship Q. Sith no Church in the World hath so compleat a Form pray instruct us in that curious and comprehensive Method A. It 's introduced with an Invocation of the Blessed Trinity severally and conjunctly in the Four first Verses 2. It contains Deprecations for Forbearance v. 5. For Deliverance from Spiritual Temporal and Eternal Evils v 6 7 8 9 10. Noting also the Means by which v. 11 12. and the special Time when we should be delivered v. 13. 3. It contains Intercessions for the whole Church v. 14. For this Church and in it for the King and His Royal Family v. 15 16 17 18. And for the Clergy v. 19. For the Nobility and Magistrates v. 20 21. and the People v. 22. For all Estates of Men we beg Peace v. 23. and Grace v. 24 25 26 27. For the Comfort of the Afflicted v. 28 29 30 31. and for Forgiveness of our Enemies v. 32 and we pray for our selves that we may have Plenty v. 33. and Grace v. 34. 4. It contains Supplications 1. To press the former Petitions in Addresses to the Son of God and the whole Trinity and to prevent or remove evil in the Lord's Prayer in the Prayer against Persecution and the Alternate Requests and to sanctifie evil not removed in the last Collect. Q. Why do we begin to ask with these Deprecations A. Because Deliverance from Evil is the First Step to Felicity and the proper Business of Litany Q. Why in the Petition for Forbearance do we pray That God would not remember the Sins of our Fathers A. When God punisheth Sin he 's said to remember them and we know there is a vast Heap of our own and our Fathers Sins unrevenged and God may justly punish us for them when we make them ours by Imitation Q. What is the Sum of all these Deprecations A. Deliverance from the Evils of Sin and Punishment comprehended in those two general Words Evil and Mischief which signifie Wickedness and Misery Q. Why in the First Place do we pray to be delivered from the Evil of Sin A. Because it is the First greatest and only real Evil and the sole Cause of all the Mischiefs that do befall us and by it the Church teacheth us that they begin at the wrong End that pray against Affliction rather than Sin Q. What is the occasion of drawing us into this evil A. The Grafts and Assaults of the Devil Q. What are those Sins mentioned which concern our selves A. Blindness of Heart Pride Vain-Glory and Hypocrisie Q. What are those Sins against our Neighbours A. Envy Hatred Malice Vncharitableness Q. What mean we by Fornication and all other deadly Sins A. Fornication is not to be restrained to the defiling of single Persons but comprehends all Acts of Uncleanness Q. Is any Sin Venial or Pardonable in its own Nature A. No But yet with St. John we affirm as to the Event there is a Sin unto Death and there is a Sin not unto Death and it 's from those open and grievous Sins of Presumption which keep Men from Repentance and usually end in Damnation which we pray to be delivered from under the Name of Deadly Sins of which we have a Catalogue 1 Cor. 6. 9 10. Q. What do the Deceits of the World Flesh and Devil comprehend A. All other Kinds of Sin and because all Sin is managed by those Three Enemies therefore they are mentioned Q. What do we pray against in that Petition from Lightning and Tempest c A. For the Removal of the Effects viz. Judgments Q. What mean we by Sudden Death A. Either an untimely Death before the Term which Nature allots or a violent Death by stabbing burning drowning o. or else it signifies the dying in a Moment of Time Q. Why are all these kind of Deaths to be prayed against A. Because they leave our Relations without Comfort 2. They leave our worldly Concerns unsettled 3. They deprive us of the necessary preparative Ordinances for Death 4. They give us no Time to fit our Souls for our great Account The Frequency and fearfulness of Earthquakes gave the First occasion to this Prayer against Sudden Death as Dr. Hakewell tells us but tho' this sort of Calamity be more rare in this than in some other Countries and less dreadful now than in former Ages so that this Petition at least as to us may seem less needful upon that account yet how many are the Casualties and Dangers we are continually exposed to that may put a sudden Period to our Lives which to beg the Divine Protection to be preserv'd and delivered from a Judicious Author looks upon as the most proper and direct sense of this Petition and let that Man alone saith he who judgeth this unsit condemn and reject this Petition against Sudden Death Q. What 's comprehended in that Petition from Sedition c A. We pray against the Causes of those sad Effects which such Evils may bring upon the Kingdom and Church Q. Why was Rebellion and Schism added since King Charles II's Happy Restauration A. Because Rebellion and Schism did murder one of the best of Kings and Thousands of his loyal Subjects and also pull'd the Church to pieces Q. What are the means we pray to be delivered by A. His Holy Incarnation c. Q. Why are
such Petitions as these called by the Latins Obsecrationes A. Because we urge the party of whom we ask by all that is dear to him and in these we commemorate all that our dear Redeemer did for us in his Life at his Death and after his Death and by all the Love he shewed to us by all the Torments he endured for us by all the glorious Things he intends for us we beseech him to deliver us from these Evils Q. Is not this called Conjuration A. Yes Ignorant Malice hath so censured it when it is the most devout and moving Oratory in the World Q. What is the Cross here put for A. Not for the Wood which the Papists superstitiously adore but for the Torments he suffered thereon and his Cross comprehends the pains of his Body his Passion and the Anguish of his Mind All these Arguments devoutly urged have a mighty Force in them Q. When is the season that we pray for Deliverance A. It is expressed in that Petition In all Time of our Tribulation c. Q. Why is that part which we call Intercession used in the Litany A. Because it is commanded by God and in Christian Charity we ought to desire Blessings for all sorts of Men Q. Why do we begin in our Intercessions with the Holy Church Vniversal A. Because we ought to be more concern'd for the good of the Whole than of any particular Part. Q. Why do we beg of God to Rule and Govern All Churches in the right Way which is left out by the Romanists A. Because when these Petitions were first made it is not likely that the Doctrine of Infallibility was maintain'd either in the Roman Church or any other Part of the Christian World and that any particular Church may fall into wrong Ways the very Roman Church which boasts of its Infallibility has demonstrated and by sad Experience we find that no particular Church is free from the possibility of being deceived altho' we believe that God will not suffer the whole Universal Church at once to fall into any grievous Error Q. What do we pray for in those Petitions for the King A. Our first Requests are for the King 's spiritual Good that he may be throughly and sincerely pious from inward Principles which will never fail if he be of the right Faith then the Prayer is for his Confirmation in it and if he be perverted it 's a Prayer for his Conversion 2. We pray likewise that he may be supplied with all Temporal Blessings and kept from all kinds of Evil. And if any be so wicked as to rebel upon any Pretence whatsoever Religion Liberty Property or the like we must wish the Victory may fall always on the King's side Q. Why is the Prayer for the Clergy placed next to that for the Royal Family A. The Jews and Gentiles both reckoned their Chief Priests to be next in dignity to their Kings and so did our pious Ancestors account them next to the King the most considerable Members of the Catholick Church Q. Why are the Clergy distinguish'd here into those three Orders Bishops Priests and Deacons A. All ancient Offices do particularly pray for the Clergy so distinguished which have from the Beginning been ever in the Church Q. What is the Substance of the Prayer A. The Prayer we make for them is the same which Moses made for Levi Deut. 33. 8. Let thy Vrim and thy Thummim be with thy holy One That is Illumination or Enlightning and Perfection which is excellently Paraphras'd in this Prayer Q. What are those three Words in the Litany which comprehend all the Miseries that concern our Bodies A. Danger Necessity and Tribulation All Evils are either future and feared and these are implied in the Word Danger or else they are present and then they proceed from want of some good thing expressed by Necessity or from suffering some evil thing signified by Tribulation and each of these hath its proper Verb suted to it viz. Succour Help and Comfort So that in this one general Request we comprehend our selves and all other afflicted Persons in the whole World Q. There are some who condemn all Antiquity together with our Church as if They and We pray'd for Thieves and Pirates because the word is general for All that Travel c. A. It is a malicious Comment on an innocent Text for He is properly a Traveller who goes about his allowable or ordinary Occasions and it is evident that no other are here meant but Just and Honest Men. Q. Why after so many excellent Petitions presented to our Heavenly Father do we make our Addresses to our Mediatour viz. Son of God Lamb of God A. That he may recommend us and our Prayers at the Throne of Grace beseeching him by his Divinity and by his Sufferings for us to accept of our Petitions and to pardon our Sins and again as he 's our anointed Mediatour that he would procure a gracious Answer to them Q. Why are those Versicles added Lord have Mercy c A. That our Conclusion may be suitable to our Beginning we close up all with an Address to the whole Trinity for that Mercy which we have been begging in so many particulars and this one Word Mercy comprehends them all so that this is the Epitome of the whole Litany Q. When was this last part of the Litany called the Supplications first collected and put into this Form A. When the barbarous Nations began to over-run the Empire about 600 years after Christ Q. Why is the Lord's Prayer again repeated A. To shew the high esteem that pious Antiquity had of it and their mean Opinion of their own Inventions and Composures which receive Life and Value from this Divine Form Q. Why are those words Let us pray here used A. That the People may not think the Duty is ended as soon as the Responses or Answers cease but are admonished in their Heart not with their Voice to join with the Priest still Q. Why is not the Prayer against Persecution concluded with Amen A. To shew that the same Request is continued in another Form and what the Priest begg'd alone there all the People join with him to ask in these alternate Supplications or Prayers in turn Q. Is not the repeating that Petition twice O Lord arise c. a vain Repetition A. No But a Testimony that we are convinced we did wisely and well to ask of God now to arise and help us that so the honour he hath gotten by the wonders of his Mercy may be renewed and confirmed by this new Act of his Power and Goodness Q. Why is the Doxology placed here A. In imitation of Holy David Psal 6. 8. and Ps 22. 25. we having such a God to pray to in the midst of our mournful Supplications do both praise God for his ancient Mercies and also in assurance we shall obtain his Help praise him for his Help beforehand And as he was glorified for
Why is the day before Good-Friday called Maunday-Thursday A. Because Christ washed his Disciples Feet and commanded them to do so likewise Q. Why is Good-Friday observed as a Fast A. Because on that day our Saviour suffered Q. Why are some days called Holy Days A. Because they are taken out of the Common Days and set apart to God's Service and Worship either by God's own Appointment or the Churches Dedication in Commemoration of some eminent Mercy Q. Why are these Days commanded to be observed A. Because as learned Mr. Hooker observes they express the Splendor and outward Dignity of our Religion and are forcible Witnesses of ancient Truth are likewise Provocations to the Exercise of all Piety and shadows of our endless Felicity in Heaven and everlasting Records on Earth teaching by the Eye in a manner whatsoever we believe Q. Why is the Feast called Easter observed A. To commemorate the Resurrection of our Lord and Saviour who rose on the first day of the Week and it is called Easter and by the old Saxons Oster which signifies to rise from whence we frequently say to one on the Ground Oast up when we would have him to rise Q. Why is the Sunday following Easter called Low-Sunday and Dominica in Albis A. It was the Custom of our Forefathers to observe the Octave of their high and principal Feasts and this is the Octave or eighth day after Easter upon every Octave they used to repeat some part of that Service which was performed upon the Feast itself which is the Reason why it 's called Low-Sunday The Sunday before is High Easter and this is a Lower Feast Low Easter This Feast of Easter as also Whitsunday being the stated time for Baptism in the ancient Church those who were Baptiz'd put on white Garments in token of that pure and innocent course of life they had now engaged in this white Garment they wore till the next Sunday after and then laid it aside whence the Sunday after Easter came to be stiled Dominica in Albis the Sunday in White it being then that the new Baptiz'd put off their white Garments Dr. Cave Q. Why is Rogation-Sunday so called A. Because upon the three following days Rogations or Prayers and Litanies were used for a Blessing on the Fruits of the Earth that were tender 2. To prepare us for our Lord's Ascension Day Q. Why is Ascension Day observed A. It 's an Anniversary Commemoration of Christ's Ascent to Heaven which gives us hopes of Heaven in that our Flesh in the first Fruits is thither ascended Q. Why is Whitsunday so called A. From the glorious Light of Heaven which was then sent down upon the Earth from the Father of Lights on the Apostles so many Tongues so many Lights 2. Because the new-baptized that being a solemn time of Baptism call'd of old the enlightned were then cloathed in white Carments call'd Chrysoms as types of spiritual Purity and Joy Q. Why is this day called Pentecost A. Because Pentecost signifies fifty in Greek and from the Sunday after Good-Friday this is the 50th day so the Jews reckoned Levit. 23. 15. Q. Why is Trinity Sunday so called A. The Church thought meet that such a Mystery as the blessed Trinity should be the chief Subject of one day and this to be the day Q. What may be the Reason that God did not so plainly deliver this Mystery to the Jews A. Least they should have mistaken it for a Doctrine of a Plurality of Gods yet some Seeds of that Perfection of Divinity were dispersed and for that Cause the Choire of Angels sing thrice Holy but once Lord. Q. Why is the Conversion of St. Paul celebrated and not his Martyrdom or day of his Death as other Saints are A. For example sake that no Sinner may despair 2. For the Joy the Church had at his Conversion and for the Miracles then wrought Q. Why is the Purification of the blessed Virgin observed A. Partly in memory of her Purification according to the Law but chiefly in memory of our Lord's Presentation in the Temple Q. Why is the Purification of St. Mary called Candlemas A. Because in ancient Times they went in Procession two by two carrying Candles and many Lights were set up in Churches Q. Why is the Feast of St. Michael observed A. The Church holds a Feast on that day in memory of the Holy Angels because they minister to us on Earth and fight against the Devil for us by their Prayers Q. VVhy is the day called All Saints observed A. Because we cannot particularly commemorate every Saint and in those particular Feasts which we do celebrate we may omit some of our duty therefore this day in general is observed Q. VVhy do we keep the days of the Saints Death rather than their Birth A. Because then they are born Citizens of Heaven 2. Then they perfectly triumph over all their Enemies by which the Church Militant is encouraged to persevere Q. VVhy have some Holydays Fasts before them and why have some other none A. It was the Religious Custom of the Primitive Times to spend a great part of the Night before the Holidays in Watchings and Prayers to prepare them for the more solemn Observation of those Feasts and to signifie that we should be as the blessed Saints were after a little time of Mortification and Affliction translated into Glory and Joy but in time as Charity and Devotion grew cold through Sloth and Restiness this more troublesome part of Devotion the nightly Watches now called Vigils were laid aside and the Fasts only remained 2. Sometime the Signification or Mystery of the Vigil or Fast ceased then the Vigil or Fast is omitted as for Example St. Michael hath no Fast because the Angels did not by Sufferings and Mortifications enter into their Joy but were created in the Joy they have And sometime when the Signification holds good others have no Fasts because either they fall betwixt Easter and VVhitsunday or betwixt Christmas and Epiphany which the Church holds for such times of Joy and Festivity that they would not have one day among them sullied by pensive Sorrow and Fasting Of the Office of Baptism Quest WHY is the Place where the Office of Baptism is administred called the Font A. The Rites of Baptism in the first Times were performed in Fountains and Rivers because the Converts were many and those Ages were unprovided of other Baptisteries or Baptizing places and hence it is we call our Baptisteries Fonts Q. Why was Water chosen by Christ in this Sacrament A. To signifie his Washing our Souls from Sin Q. What is the Form of Baptism as to the Essential part of Baptizing A. In the name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost Q. Who instituted this Form A. Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ Q. Who are the Subjects of this Baptism A. Infants and Persons grown up Q. Why are Infants to be brought to Church A. That there may be many Witnesses of
viz. Take Eat Drink this in remembrance that Christ died and his Blood was shed for us and to feed on him in our Hearts by Faith with Thanksgiving and to be Thankful The whole Form together comes as nigh our Lord 's own Words in his Administring this his last Supper as can well be Q. Why is this Feast call'd the Lord's Supper A. Because it was instituted by our Lord Jesus at that time Q. Does it not seem to be improper to call it the Lords Supper when it is in most Churches celebrated in the Morning A. No The Celebration of this Feast at Supper was but a Circumstantial thing and therefore the Church is not oblig'd to keep it yet because it is still in imitation of Christ's Suâ—â—â—â— and that Supper is religiously remembred in it and the 〈◊〉 Essential things together with the scope drift and design 〈…〉 are still preserved it is not unfitly called the Lord's Supper 〈…〉 yet it is and may be lawfully call'd and express'd by other Names and this the Christian Churches have done Some call it a Sacrament taking the Name from the Oaths that the Roman Soldiers took of Truth and Fidelity and here we Vow Allegiance and Fidelity to our Lord Jesus Others call it a Communion because we are hereby ty'd in a Bond of Mutual Love participate of the same Bread are fellow Members of the Mystical Body of Christ and have Communion with Christ their Head and enjoy all the same Benefits of his Death and Sufferings Many other Names are appropriated to this Mystery Q. Why did our Lord Jesus make use of the Night in instituting of it A. Because it was to succeed in the Place of the Passover which according to Custom was Eaten at Night but the Reason ceasing with the Typical Passover the Christian Church celebrates it at all Seasons Q. Why doth the Church of England use Bread with Leaven in the Holy Sacrament whereas our Saviour at the first Institution made use of Vnleaven'd Bread A. Our Lord made use of Unleaven'd Bread because there was no other to be had at that time but it being a thing indifferent and the Substance or Essence of the Sacrament not at all prejudic'd by it the Church makes use of Leavened Bread Q. Why doth the Communicant say Amen after the Prayer at the Delivery of the Bread and Wine A. By it he professeth his Faith of the presence of Christ's Body and Blood in the Sacrament really that is truly exhibited and present to the Faith of the Receiver Of the Post Communion or the Service after the Communion Quest WHY is the Feast concluded with Prayers and Hymns Answ Because it was our Saviour's Practice at its first Institution Q. Why is the Lord's Prayer the first part of this Office A. It 's very fit that after we have received our Saviour into our Hearts the first Words we speak should be His. Q. What is the Design of the other two Prayers A. For the farther Exercise and Improvement of our Devotion the former consists chiefly of Vows and the latter of Praises 〈…〉 and Thanksgiving with an humble Petition for the Grace 〈◊〉 â—erseverance Q. What Reason for the Vse of the concluding Hymn A. After such high Favours and such great Blessings received it is fit and necessary we should express our Joy and how can we welcome our Saviour more properly than by the Hymn with which the Angels welcomed him into the World Q. Why is the Blessing pronounced by the Priest A. In Imitation of our Blessed Saviour who took his Leave of his Disciples with a Blessing and this Form the Church took from St. Paul Philip. 4. 7. Of Matrimony Quest WHY is this Office performed by a Minister A. Marriage is the Bond as well as the Foundation of all Societies which ought to be made sacred and adopted into Religion because it 's the Interest of Mankind it should be inviolable wherefore our Church appoints That none but a lawful Minister shall tie these Bonds for the Covenant is made to God and the Minister is God's Representative to take the Securities and bless the Parties in God's Name Q. What 's meant by Bans or Banes of Matrimony A. Matrimonial Contracts or Decrees Ban comes from a Saxon word which signifies a Proclamation Q. Why is it ordered to be celebrated in the Morning A. Because Men are most serious at that Time and the better to prevent Clandestine Marriages the Church orders it to be made in the Day-time Q. Why is it required that Marriages be celebrated in the Church A. That this Rite may be more solemn the Church being the Place of God's special Presence before whom this Covenant is made and the sacredness of the Place should make them more reverent in entring into it and more careful in keeping it Q. Why is the State of Matrimony called Holy A. Because it is a holy and important Work an Ordinance of God the Father an Estate much respected by God the Son and highly commended by God the Holy Ghost in the Mouths of the Apostles Q. What are the Ends of Matrimony A. Procreation a Remedy against Sin and a mutual Help to each other Q. Why is that Charge given That if the Persons to be joined Know any Impediment c A. Because if there be any Impediment which they conceal from the Priest they must either live in perpetual 〈…〉 separated by an endless Divorce Q. What are the Impediments to a Marriage A. A preceding Marriage or solemn Precontract 2. If the Parties be of near Kindred 3. The Want of the Consent of Parents or Guardians in Case of Minority Q. Why must Women be given A. 1. After the Example of God in Paradise Gen. 2. 22. Dr. Hammond A. 2. In Ancient Times saith the Learned and Judicious Mr. Hooker All Women which had not Husbands or Fathers to govern them had their Tutors without whose Authority there was no Act which they did warrantable and for this cause they were in Marriage delivered unto their Husbands by others which Custom retained hath still this Use that it puts Women in Mind of a Duty whereto the imbecillity or weakness of their Sex doth bind them namely to be always directed and guided by others A. 3. However it 's a Decent Custom whether this was the First Cause or no For a Woman cannot in Modesty offer her self but should rather be led by the Hand of another and given by him Q. Why doth the Priest join the Right Hand A. Because they are generally used in plighting our Troth by which Phrase is meant laying our Truth to pledge or engaging our Faith Q. Why is a Ring given A. To be a visible and lasting Token and Remembrance of this Covenant The Matter is Gold to signifie how noble and durable our Affection is The Form is round being the properest Figure to unite things separated and to imply our Respect shall never have an end and the Place is on the Fourth
and 19. after Trinity 5. If for the Success of our Hearing Reading and Fasting See St. Barth St. Luke 2. Ad. 1. Lent If for Success of our Prayers 10. and 23. after Trinity 6. If for Grace in general to convert us from Sins See 1. Adv. 1. after Easter St. Andrew James Matthew If to deliver us from Temptation 4. Adv. 4. after Easter 18. Trinity If to enable us to do good 5. after Easter 1 9 11 13 17 25. after Trinity If to bring us finally to eternal Glory Epiph. 6. after Epiph. 7. If for the particular Graces of Regeneration See Christmas-Day If for Charity See Quinquages Sunday If for Mortification See Circumcision East Even For Contrition See Ash-Wednesday For the Love of God See 3. and 4. after Easter For Heavenly Desires See Ascension-Day For a Right and Firm Faith Trinity-Sunday 7. after Trinity and St. Thomas St. Mark For Grace to imitate Christ 6. Lent 2. after East For Grace to imitate his Saints See St. Stephen St. Paul St. Philip and Jacob St. John Baptist All Saints and Innocents If we would pray for Temporal Blessings 1. For God's Providence See 2 3 4 20. after Trinity and St. Michael 2. For Deliverance from Enemies and Judgments See the 3. of Lent Sexag Septuages 3. For Support under Afflictions 4. of Lent 4. For Defence 3 4. after Epiphany For Supply of all good things 6. 15. after Trin. If we would pray for Body and Soul both 2 5. of Lent For those without the Church See Good-Friday For those within that the People may have Truth Unity and Peace 5. after Epiph. Good-Friday St. John Simon Jude and the 5 16 22. after Trinity That the Ministers may be fit diligent and successful See St. Matthias St. Peter 3. of Advent Q. Why in the Collect for Peace do we pray That God would defend us in and not from the Assaults of our Enemies A. Because the latter is more than ever he promised or we can expect but in the former we pray tho they attack us they may not be able to hurt us Q. What Difference do you observe betwixt the Collect for Peace in the Morning and that in the Evening A. We beg outward Peace in the Morning to secure us against the Troubles of the World in which the Business of the Day engageth us and in the Evening we beg inward Peace to comfort and quiet our Minds when we are to take our Rest Q. What pray we for in these Words Lighten our Darkness A. That our Understandings may be enlightned with the Knowledge of God's Providence and our Hearts cheared with the Assurance of his Protection 2. If that answer be too Allegorical thus That God by the Light of his Countenance and Favour would protect us in this disconsolate time of Darkness and chear us with the assurance of his Protection Q. By whom was the Prayer for the King made and what doth that Expression mean The only Ruler of Princes A. The First Reformers of the Church of England made the Prayer and by that Expression we declare that Kings are only accountable to God therefore we have the more need to pray for them that he would direct them to do well and guide them who are to rule us that this their mighty Power may be our Safety and our Peace for if it should be otherwise we neither will nor can oppose them having no other Arms against our Prince but Prayers and Tears Q. Why is that Expression in the Prayer for the Clergy used viz. who alone worketh great Marvels A. Because to make a Church and to bestow miraculous Gifts on it to gather it out of Infidels and to protect it from its Enemies is an Act of as great Power and a greater Miracle of Love than to create the World therefore the Preface is very suitable Q. Who are meant by Curates in the Prayer for the Clergy A. Priests and Deacons to whom the Bishop commits the Care of Souls Q. What is meant by that word Expedient in the Prayer of St. Chrysostom A. Lest we have ignorantly asked any thing unfit we put in this caution That God will fulfil our Petitions so as may be most expedient for us that is How When and Which of them he pleaseth and sees will be for our good Q. Why is the Blessing pronounced by the Bishop if present A. For the Honour of his Authority Heb. 7. 7. Q. What doth the Blessing contain and in what Posture ought we to receive it A. It contains the whole Order of our Salvation the First for our Justification the Second for our Consolation and the Third for Sanctification which ought to be received by us on our Knees for it's God that blesseth us by the Mouth of his Minister Of the Litany Quest WHAT doth the Name signifie Answ An humble and earnest Supplication made to God in Adversity Q. When were these Forms first brought into the Church A. About Four Hundred Years after Christ in Times of great Calamity for the appeasing of God's Wrath. 2. Others think the Practice is derived from the Apostles and the Custom of their Times Q. By what Motives are your Addresses urged A. By Two Because we are miserable and because we are Sinners Q. Why do the People answer to every Petition A. By these Suffrages their Devotion is excited quickned and exercised and every Word is significant for there 1. We declare we ask every thing with Humility and Earnestness by the word We Beseech 2. With Faith by calling him we pray unto Good Lord. 3. We declare we seek not to Saints or Angels to hear us but to our God alone We beseech Thee c. All which shews the stupidity and baseness of those who are Mute at this part of this excellent Litany whose Bodies are present but their Souls it is to be feared are absent from this Service for whosoever would perform it with a present Mind cannot be better helped by any Means than by carefully attending When and How he ought to say this Devout Answer We Beseech c. Q. Why is the Litany broke into so many short Ejaculations and not one continued Prayer A. That the Intention and Devotion which is most necessary in Prayer may not be dulled and vanish as in a long Prayer it 's apt to do but be quickned and the nearer to the End the shorter and livelier are the Expressions strengthning our Devotion by raising in us an Apprehension of our Misery and Distress and therefore crying out O Lamb of God c. Q Why is the Litany ordered to be read on Sunday Wednesday and Friday A. Upon Sunday in Honour to that Day it being the Chief Service and on Wednesdays and Fridays because they are Days of publick Assemblies and Fastings and commanded more particularly to be said by the Minister those Days weekly tho' they be not Holy-days Canon the 15 th Q. Why do we repeat the First Four Verses intirely after the Minister