give our lives for him as often as his Honour shall require it Q. In what doth the Faith and Law of Christ chiefly consist A. In two principall Mysteries namely the Vnity and Trinity of God the Incarnation and death of our Saviour Q. What meaneth the Vnity and Trinity of God A. It meaneth that in God there is but one onely divine Nature or Essence although there bee three Persons the Father Sonne and Holy Ghost Q. How shew you that A. Out of the 1. of S. John ch 5. v. 7. there be three which give testimony in heaven the Father the Word and the Holy Ghost and these three be one Q. Why are there but three Persons only A. Because the Father hath no beginning nor proceedeth from any other Person the Son proceedeth from the Father the Holy Ghost proceedeth from the Father and the Sonne Q. Why are these three Persons but one God A. Because they have but one and the same Essence one and the same Power one and the same Wisdome one and the same Goodnesse Q. What meaneth the Incarnation and death of our Saviour A. It meaneth that the second Person of the Blessed Trinity was made man and died upon a Crosse to save us Q. In what are these two Mysteries contained A. In the signe of the Crosse as it is made by Catholikes Q. How declare you that A. Because when we put our right hand to our head saying In the Name we signifie Vnity and when we make the signe of the Crosse faying of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost we signifie Trinity Q. How doth the signe of the Crosse represent the Incarnation and death of our Saviour A. By putting us in mind that he was made man to die upon the Crosse for us CAP. II. Faith explicated Q. WHat is Faith A. It is the gift of God or a supernaturall quality infused by God into the Soule by which we firmely believe all those things which he hath revealed any way unto us Q. Why is Faith necessary to Salvation A. Because without Faith it is impossible to please God Heb. ch 11. v. 6. Q. What other proofe have you A. Because he that believeth and shall be baptized he shall be saved but he that believeth not shall be condemned S. Mark c. 16. v. the last Q. Why must we believe matters of Faith so firmely A. Because God hath revealed them who neither can deceive nor be deceived Q. If a man should deny or obstinately doubt of some one Point of Faith would he thereby lose his whole Faith A. Yes he would because true Faith must alwayes be entire and he that faileth in one is made guilty of all by discrediting the Authority of God revealing it Q. Is it not enough to believe all that is written in the Bible A. No it is not for we must also believe all Apostolicall Traditions Q. How prove you that A. Out of 2 Thes c. 2. v. 15. Therefore Brethren stand ye fast saith S. Paul and hold ye the Traditions which ye have learned whether by word or by our Epistle Q. What other proof have you A. The Apostles Creed which all are bound to believe although it be not in the Scripture Q. Is Faith onely as excluding good works sufficient to salvation A. No it is not according to S. James his Epist c. 2. v. 24. you see then Brethren how that by workes a man is justified and not by faith onely Q. What other proof have you A. The 1 Cor. ch 13. where S. Paul saith If a man have all faith so as to remove Mountaines and have not charity he is nothing and if hee distribute his goods unto the poore and give his body so that it burne and have not charity it profiteth nothing Q. What faith will suffice to justifie A. A Faith working by Charity in Jesus Christ Gal. ch 5. v. 6. Q. What vice is opposite to Faith A. Heresie Q. What is Heresie A. It is an obstinate Errour in things that of Faith Q. Is it a grievous sin A. A very grievous one because it wholly divides a man from God and leads to infidelity Q. How prove you that A. Out of S. Matth. ch 18. v. 18. where Christ saith If he will not hear the Church let him be unto thee as a Heathen or a Publican CHAP. III. The Creed Expounded Q. WHat is the Creed A. It is the sum of our Beliefe Q. Who made it A. The twelve Apostles Q. At what time did they make iâ— A. Before they divided themselves into the severall Countryes of the world Q. For what end did they make it A. That so they might be able to teach one and the same Doctrine in all places Q. What doth the Creed containe A. All those chiefe things which we are bound to believe concerning God and his Church Q. What is the first Article of the Creed A. I believe in God the Father Almighty Creatour of Heaven and Earth Q. What signifieth I believe A. It signifieth as much as I most firmly and undoubtedly hold Q. What means I believe in God A. It meaneth not onely that there is a God and that all is truth which he teacheth but also that we move unto him by Faith Hope and Charity Q. What signifieth the word Father A. It signifieth the first Person of the most Blessed Trinity who is by nature the Father of but one onely Son who is by Adoption the Father of all Christians who is by Creation the Father of all Creatures Q. What meaneth the word Almighty A. It meaneth that God is able to doe all things as he pleaseth that he seeth all things knoweth all things and governeth all things Q. Why is he called Almighty in this place A. That we might doubt of nothing which followeth Q. What signifie those words Creatour of Heaven and Earth A. They signifie that God created Heaven and Earth and all the creatures in them out of nothing by his sole Word Gen. ch 1. Q. What moved him to make them A. His own meer goodnesse that so he might communicate himselfe to Angells and to men for whom he made all other creatures Q. When did God create the Angells A. When he created Heaven which was on the first day for hee made that full of Angells Q. For what end did he create them A. To be partakers of his glory and our Guardians Q. How prove you by Scripture that they be our Guardians A. Out of S. Matth. ch 18. v. 10. where Christ saith See yee that ye destise not any one of these little ones For their Angells which are in Heaven alwayes see the face of my Father which is in heaven Q. Doe the Angells know our necessities and heare our Prayers A. Doubtlesse they doe since God hath deputed them to be our Guardians Q. How else prove you it A. Out of Zachary ch 1. where an Angell prayeth for two whole Cities the words are Then the Angell of the
Lord answered and said O Lord of Hosts how long wilt thou not have mâ—rcy on the City of Judah and Hierusalem against which thou hast had indignation these threescore and ten yeares Q. What Scripture have you for praying to Angells A. The 48. ch of Gen. v. 16. where Jacob on his death-bed prayed to an Angell for Ephraim and Manasses saying The Angell of the Lord that delivered me from all evill blesse these Children Q. How did Lucifer and his fellow Angells fall from their Dignity in Heaven A. By a rebellious sin of Pride Q. With what shall their ruines be repaired A. With holy men Q. When and to what likenesse did God create man A. On the sixth day and to his own image and likenesse Gen. 1. Q. In what doth that similitude consist A. In this that man is in his Soule an incorporeall intellectuall and immortall Spirit as God is Q. In what besides A. In this that as in God there is but one most simple divine Nature or Essence and yet three distinct Persons so in man there is but one indivisible Soule and yet in that Soule three distinct powers of Will Memory and Vnderstanding Q. How do you prove the Soule to be immortall A. Out of S. Matth. C. 10. V. 28. where Christ saith Feare not them that kill the body and cannot kill the soule Q. What other proof have you A. Out of the 12. Ch. of Eccles where we read That at our death the dust returneth to the earth from whence it was and the spirit to God who gave it Q. In what state did God create man A. In the state of originall justice and perfection of all naturall gifts Q. Do we owe much to God for our creation A. Very much seeing he made us in such a perfect state creating us for himself and all things else for us Q. How did we lose originall Justice A. By Adams disobedience to God in eating the forbidden fruit Q. In what state are we now borne A. In state of originall sin and prone to actuall sin subject to death Q. How prove you that A. Out of Rom. ch 6. v. 12. where we read That by one man sin entred into this world and by sin death and so unto all men death did passe in whom all have sinned Q. Had man ever died if he had never sinned A. No he had not but had been conserved by the Tree of Life and been translated alive into the fellowship of the Angels The second Article Q. SAy the second Article A. And in Iesus Christ his onely Sonne our Lord. Q. Of what treateth this Article A. Of the second Person of the B. Trinity in whom we also believe and put our trust Q. What is the second Person A. He is true God and true Man in one Person Q. How prove you that A. Out of S. Iohns Gospell ch 1. where we read In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God c. And the Word was made Flesh and dwelt in us Q. What other proofe have you A. Out of Philip. C. 2. V. 6 7. where S. Paul saith That Christ when he was in the forme of God thought it no robbery to be equall to God but he hath lessened himselfe taking the forme of a servant made unto the likenesse of men and found in habit as a man Q. Why would God be made man A. To redeeem and save lost man Q. Was his Incarnation necessary for that end A. It was because our offences against God were in some sort infinite as being against his infinite goodnesse and therefore required an infinite satisfaction which none could make but God and he made man Q. What other proof have you for the necessity of the Incarnation A. Because God is in himselfe so spirituall sublime and abstract a thing that if he had not in his mercy attempred his owne inscrutable greatnesse unto the littlenesse of our sensible capacity by being made man scarce one of a thousand and those great Clerks only would ever have been able to know every thing to the purpose of him or consequently to love and serve him as they ought which is the necessary means of our salvation seeing that nothing is efficaciously willed which is not first well understood Q. What benefit have we by the knowledge of God made Man A. It much inflameth us with the love of God who could not more have dignified mans nature or shewed more love unto the world then to send down his onely Sonne to redeem it in our flesh Q. What signifieth the Name Iesus A. It signifieth a Saviour S. Mat. C. 1. V. 21. Q. Is any speciall honour due unto that Name A. There is because it is the highest Title of God made man Q. How prove you that A. Out of Philip. ch 2. ver 9. where wee read That God the Father hath given unto Christ because hee humbled himselfe unto the death of the Crosse a Name which is above all names the Name Jesus Q. What other proofe have you A. Because there is no other name under Heaven given unto men in which wee must bee saved Act. 4. v. 12. Q. How do you prove that we must bow at this name A. Out of the said Philip. ch 2. v. 10. At the Name of Jesus every knee shall bow of Celestialls Terrestrialls and Infernalls Q. What signifies the Name Christ A. It signifieth Annoynted Q. Why was he called Annoynted A. Because he was a Priest a Prophet and a King to all which unction appertaineth Q. With what was Christ Annoynted A. With all the plenitude of divine grace Q. What meane the words his only Son A. They meane that God hath but one onely Son by nature co-equall to himselfe begotten of himselfe without a Mother though by Adoption he have many Sonnes to wit all Christians Q. What understand you by the word Our Lord A. I understand that Christ hath all power given him in heaven and earth and that he hath bought us with his precious blood and therefore we are all his slaves The third Article Q. WHat is the third Article A. Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost borne of the Virgin Mary A. What meaneth who was conceived by the Holy Ghost A. It meaneth that the second Person of the Blessed Trinitie tooke flesh of the Virgin Mary not by humane generation but by the worke of the Holy Ghost Q. How prove you that A. Out of S. Luke Ch. 1. V. 25. Behold saith the Angell thou shalt conceive and beare a Sonne c. the Holy Ghost shall come downe upon thee and the vertue of the Highest shall over-shadow thee Q. What understand you by the words borne of the Virgin Mary A. I understand that Christ was borne of her at midnight and in a poor Stable at Bethlehem betwixt an Oxe and an Asse Q. Why at midnight A. To signifie that he came to take away the darknesse of our sinnes Q. Why in Bethlehem A.
Q. Why is that necessary A. That as Christ was openly rejected so he may there be openly acknowledged to the great joy and glory of his friends as also to the confusion of his enemies Q. How prove you that in this Judgment all men shall receive according to their works A. Out of 2 Cor. ch 5. v. 10. We must all be manifested saith S. Paul before the judgment-seat of Christ that every one may receive the proper things of the body according as he hath done whether good or evill Q. What other proof have you A. Out of S. Matth. ch 16. v. 27. The Sonne of Man saith our Lord shall come in the Glory of his Father with his Angells and then he will render to every one according to his works Q. Is there any merit in our good works A. There is according to Apoc. ch 22. v. 12. Behold I come quickly saith our Lord and my reward is with me to render to every man according to his works Q. In what place shall this Judgment be made A. In the valley of Iehosaphat betwixt Hierusalem and Mount Olivet Q. What signe shall go before it A. The Sun and Moone shall lose their light there shall be Warres Plagues Famines and Earthquakes in many places Q. In what manner shall Christ come unto it A. In great power and Majesty begirt with Legions of Angels Q. Who are they that shall be judged A. The whole Race and Progenie of man Q. What are the things that shall be judged A. Our thoughts words and works even to the secrets of our soules Q. Who will accuse us A. The Devills our own guilty consciences and above all the Books of life and death in which all our actions are recorded and shall be then laid open to the whole world Q. How shall the just and reprobate be placed A. The just shall be on the right the reprobate on the left hand of the Judge Q. What shall be the sentence of the just A. Come ô ye blessed of my Father and receive ye the Kingdome which is prepared for you for I was hungry and ye gave me to eat I was thirsty and ye gave me to drink c. S. Matth. ch 25. v. 35 36. Q. What shall be the sentence of the reprobate A. Goe ye accursed into eternall fire which hath been prepared for the Devill and his Angells for I was hungry and ye gave me not to eat I was thirsty and ye gave me not to drink c. the same chap. v. 41 42 43. You see of what weight good works will be at that day Q. Why is it added The quick and the dead A. To signifie that Christ shall judge not onely such as are living at the time of his coming but likewise all such as have been dead from the Creation of the World as also by the quick are understood Angells and Saints by the dead the Devills and the damned soules The eighth Article Q. What is the eighth Article A. I believe in the Holy Ghost Q. Of what treateth this Article A. Of the third Person of the B. Trinity in whom we also believe and put our trust who proceedeth from the Father and the Sonne and is the self-same God with them distinct in nothing but in person Q. How prove you that A. Out of 1 S. John ch 5. v. 7. There be three saith he which give testimony in Heaven the Father the Word and the Holy Ghost and these three be one Q. Why is the Name of Holy Ghost appropriated to the third Person since Angells are also Spirits and holy A. Because he is such by excellency and by essence they onely by participation Q. At least why should it not be common to the other two Persons A. Because they are knowne by the proper Names of Father and Sonne but we have not any proper Name for the Holy Ghost Q. In what formes hath the Holy Ghost appeared unto men A. In the forme of a Dove to signifie the purity and innocence which hee causeth in our soules in a bright Cloud and fiery Tongues to signifie the fire of Charity which he produceth in our hearts as also the gift of Tongues and hence it is he is painted in these formes The ninth Article Q. WHat is the ninth Article A. I believe in the holy Catholike Church the Communion of Saints Q. What understand you by this Article A. I understand that Christ hath a Church upon earth which he established in his own Blood and that he hath commanded us to believe that Church in all things appertaining unto Faith Q. What kind of Faith must we believe her with A. With the same Faith that we believe her Spouse the Sonne of God that is with divine Faith but with this difference that wee believe in God though we onely believe the Church but not in her Q. What is the Church A. It is the Congregation of all the faithfull under Christ Iesus their invisible head and his Vicar upon earth the Pope Q. What are the essentiall parts of the Church A. A Pope or Supreme head Bishops Pastors and the Laity Q. How prove you that Bishops are of divine Institution A. Out of Act. ch 20. v. 28. where we read take heed unto your selves and to the flock wherein the Holy Ghost hath placed you Bishops to rule the Church of God which he hath purchased with his owne blood Q. How prove you S. Peter and the Pope his Successor to be the visible Head of the Church A. Out of S. John ch 21. v. 16 17 18. where Christ for a reward of his speciall faith and love gave S. Peter absolute power to feed and governe his whole flock saying feed my Lambs feed Lambs feed my Sheep therefore the rest of the Apostles were his sheep and he their Head or Pastor Q. What other proof have you A. Out of S. Mat. ch 16. v. 18. where Christ saith thou art Peter and upon this Rocke will I build my Church Therefore the rest of the Apostles were built on him and hence also it is that as often as they are named in Scripture S. Peter is still named first Q. What are the markes of the true Church A. Unity Visibility Sanctity Universality and Infallibility Q. How declare you its Unity A. Because all the members of it make but one mysticall body and are governed by one Supreme Head Q. How prove you that A. Out of 1 Cor. ch 10. v. 18. being many saith S. Paul we are one bread one body all that participate of one bread Q. What other proofe have you A Because all the members of it live under one Law obey the same Magistrates professe the same faith even to the least Article and use the same Sacraments and Sacrifice Q. Why may not a well meaning man be saved in any Religion A. Because there is but one God one Faith one Baptisme Eph. ch 4. v. 5. And without that one Faith it is impossible to please God
Out of Eccles ch 34. v. 27. He that sheddeth bloud and he that defraudeth the hired man are brethren And out of S. Iames ch 5. v. 4. Behold the hire of the workmen that have reaped your fields which is defrauded by you crieth and the cry hath entred into the eares of the Lord of Sabbath CHAP. XXI The foure last Things expounded Q. WHat are the Foure Last Things A. Death Iudgement Hell and Heaven Eccles ch 7. v. 28. Q. What understand you by Death A. That we are all mortall and shall once die how soone we are uncertain and therefore must be alwayes prepared for it Q. How prove you that A. Out of Heb. ch 9. v. 27. It is decreed for all men once to die And out of S. Matth. ch 25. v. 13. Watch ye therefore because ye know not the day nor the houre Q. What is the best preparative for death A. A godly life and to be often doing Penance for our sinnes and saying with S. Paul I doe desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ Phil. ch 1. v. 23. Q. What else A. To remember often that of S. Matth. ch 16. v. 26. He that will save his life shall lose it and he that shall lose his life for me shall find it Q. What understand you by judgement A. I understand that besides the generall judgement at the last day our soules as soone as we are dead shall receive their particular judgement at the tribunall of Christ according to that Blessed are the dead that die in our Lord from henceforth now saith the spirit that they rest from their labours for their works follow them Apoc. 14. ch v. 13. Q. What is the best preparitive for this judgement A. To remember often that of Heb. ch 10. v. 21. It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God And that of 1 Cor. ch 11. v. 31. For if we did judge our selves we should not be judged Q. What understand you by hell A. That such as die in mortall sin and the disfavour of God shall be tormented there both day and night for ever and ever Apoc. ch 20. v. 10. There shall be weeping howling and gnashing of teeth the worme of conscience shall alwaies gnaw them and the fire that tormenteth them shall never be extinguished S. Matth. ch 8. and S. Mark ch 9. Q. What understand you by heaven A. That the elect and faithfull servants of God shall reigne with him for ever in his Kingdome where he hath prepared such delights and comforts for them as neither eye hath seen or eare hath heard neither hath it ascended into the heart of man 1 Cor. ch 2. v. 9. Q. How prove you that A. Out of S. Matth. ch 7. v. 21. He that doth the will of my Father which is in heaven he shall enter into the Kingdome of heaven Q. VVhat utility is there in the frequent memory of these last things A. Very great according to that In all thy works remember thy last things and thou shalt never sinne Eccles chap. 7. Which God of his great mercy give us grace to doe Amen CHAP. XXII The Ceremonies of the Masse Expounded Q. WHo ordained the Ceremonies of the masse A. The Church directed by the Holy Ghost Q. For what end did she ordaine them A. To stirre up devotion in the people and reverence to the sacred mysteries Q. For what other end A. To instruct the ignorant in spirituall and high things by sensible and materiall signes and by the glory of the Militant to make them apprehend something of the glory of the Triumphant Church Q. What warrant hath the Church to ordain Ceremonies A. The authority of God himselfe in the old Law commanding many and most stately Ceremonies in things belonging to his service See the whole book of Leviticus Q. What besides A. The example of Christ in the new Law using durt and spittle to cure the blind the deafe and dumb he prostrated at his prayer in the Garden three times he lifted up his eyes to heaven and groaned when he was raising Lazarus from the dead which were all Ceremonies Q. Did he use any Ceremonies at at his last Supper where he ordained the Sacrifice of the Masse A. He did for he washed the feet of his Disciples he commanded a roome to be prepared covered with hangings or adorned S. Mark ch 14. v. 15. He blessed the Bread and the Cup and exhorted the Communicants Q. What meaneth the Priests coming back three steps from the Altar and humbling himselfe before he beginneth A. It signifies the prostrating of Christ in the Garden when he began his Passion Q. Why doth the Priest bow himself again at the CONFITEOR A. To move the people to humiliation and to signifie that by the merits and Passion of Christ which they are there met to commemorate salvation may be had if it be sought with a contrite and humble heart Q. Why doth he beat his breast at MEA CULPA A. To teach the people to return unto the heart and signifie that all sinne is from the heart and ought to be ascribed to the heart with hearty sorry Q. Why doth the Priest ascending to the Altar kisse the Altar in the middle A. Because the Altar signifies the Church composed of divers people as of divers living stones which Christ kissed in the middle by giving a holy kisse of peace both to the Jewes and Gentiles Q. What signifies the INTROITE A. The desires and groanings of the antient Fathers after the coming of Christ Q. Why is the INTROITE repeated twice A. To signifie the frequent repetition of their desires and supplications Q. Why doe we adde unto the INTROITE GLORIA PATRI c. Glory be to the Father and to the Sonne and to the Holy Ghost Amen A. To render thankes to the most Blessed Trinity for our redemption accomplished by the Crosse Q. What meanes the KYRIE ELEISON A. It signifies Lord have mercy on us and is repeated thrice in honour of the Father thrice in honour of the Son and thrice in honour of the Holy Ghost Q. Why so often A. To signifie our great necessity and earnest desire to find mercy Q. What meanes the GLORIA IN EXCELSIS DEO A. It is the song which the Angells sung at the birth of Christ and used in this place to signifie that the mercy which wee beg was brought us by his birth and death Q. What meanes the Collect A. It is the Priests Prayer and is called a Collect because it collecteth and gathereth together the supplications of the multitude speaking them all with one voice and because it is a collection or summe of the Epistle and Gospell of the Masse for the most part of the yeare especially of all the Sundayes Q. Why doth the Clarke say AMEN A. He doth it in the name of the People to signifie that they all concurre with the Priest in his petition or Prayer Q. What meaneth the
garment his Scepter of a reed and shewing to the people with loe the man Q. What by the sixth houre A. His unjust condemnation to death his carrying of the Crosse his stripping and nailing to the Crosse Q. What by the ninth houre A. His drinking gall and vinegar his dying on the Crosse and the opening of his side with a speare Q. What by the Evensong A. His taking downe from the Crosse and the darknesse which was made upon the face of the earth Q. What by the Compline A. His Funerall or Buriall Briefly thus The Mattins and Lauds his Agony and binding in the Garden the Prime his scoffes and false accusations the third houre his cloathing with purple and crowning with thornes the sixth houre his condemning and nailing to the Crosse the ninth houre his yeelding up the Ghost and the opening of his side the Evensong his taking from the Crosse and the Compline his Buriall The particulars of the Office Expounded Q. WHy doth our Ladies Office alwaies begin with an AVE MARIA A. To dedicate the Office to our Lady and beg her aid for the devout performance of it to Gods honour Q. VVhy doe we begin every Houre with Incline unto mine aid O God O Lord make hast to helpe me A. To acknowledge our infirmity and misery and the great need we have of divine assistance not only in all other things but also in our very prayers according to that of the Apostle No man can say LORD JESUS but in the Holy Ghost Q. VVhy do we add to this Glory be to the Father and to the Sonne and to the Holy Ghost A. To signifie that the intention of the Office is in the first place to give one equall glory to the most Blessed Trinity and to invite all creatures to do the like this is the principall aime of the whole Office therefore we not onely begin every Houre but also end every Psalme with the same Verse Q. VVho ordained the GLORIA PATRI A. The Apostles according to Baronius in his 3. Tome the yeare of Christ 325. Q. Why do we joyne unto the GLORIA PATRI SICUT ERAT As it was in the beginning both now and alwaies world without end A. Because that was made by the Councell of Nice against the Arrians who denied Christ to be coequall and consubstantiall to his Father or to have been before the Virgin Mary Q. Why after this for a great part of the yeare and especially betwixt Easter and Whitsontide doe we say ALLELUIA ALLELUIA A. Because that is a time of joy and ALLELUIA is an Hebrew word signifying Praise ye the Lord with all joy and exultation of heart Q. Why were it not better changed into English A. Because it is the language of the very Blessed in heaven according to Apoc. ch 8. v. 6. Therefore the Church hath forbidden it to be translated into any other language Q. Why in Lent and some other times do we say instead of ALLELUIA Praise be to thee O Lord King of eternall glory A. Because those are times of penance and therefore God must be praised rather with teares then exultation Q. VVhy do we alwaies say for the Invitatory Haile â—ary full of grace our Lord is with thee A. To congratulate and renew the memory of our Blessed Ladies joy conceived at the conception of her Sonne Jesus and to invite both men and Angells to doe the like Q. VVhat signifie the five Verses following the Invitatory which begin Come let us exult unto our Lord A. The five wounds of Christ from which all our Prayer hath its force and merit and in honour of which those Versicles are said Q. VVhat meane the Hymnes A. They are a Poeticall expression of the Prerogatives and Praises of our Lady Q. VVhy are so many Psalmes used in the Office A. Because they were dictated by the Holy Ghost and do containe in a most moving manner all the affections of piety and devotion Q. Why are there but three Psalmes in most of the houres A. In honour of the most Blessed Trinity to whom chiefly the whole Office is directed Q. Why was the Office divided into so many Houres A. I have told you the chief reason already and one other reason was that so there might be no houre either of day or night to which some Houre of the Office might not correspond Q. What doe the Mattins correspond to A. To the first second and third Watch of the night consisting of three houres apiece and therefore the Mattins consist of three Psalms and three Lessons Q. What doe the Lauds correspond to A. To the fourth Watch of the night Q. VVhat doe the Prime the third the sixth and ninth houres correspond to A. To the first the third the sixth and ninth houres of the day Q. VVhat do the Evensong and Compline correspond to A. To the Evening Q. VVhat mean the Benedictions or Blessings given before the Eessons A. They are short Aspirations to beg divine assistance and the first is in honour of the Father the second in honour of the Son the third in honour of the Holy Ghost Q. What do the Lessons contain A. The mysticall praises of our Blessed Lady taken out of the Prophets Q. Why doe we end every Lesson saying But thou O Lord have mercy on us A. To beg that the praises and vertues of our Lady which we have there read may be deeply setled in our hearts and that God would pardon our former negligence in both his and her service Q. Why is it answered Thanks be to God A. To render thankes to God for his mercy in bestowing such a Patronesse on us as the Blessed Virgin Mary Q. What mean the Responsories A. They are so called because they answer unto one another Q. VVhat are the Antiphones A. The Verticles which are begun before the Psalmes Q. VVhy doe wee rise up and stand at the MAGNIFICAT BENEDICTUS and NUNC DIMITTIS A. To signifie our reverence to the Gospell out of which those are taken Q. VVhat is the Collect A. It is the Prayer and is so called because it collecteth and gathereth together all the Petitions and supplications of the whole Office Q. VVhy is the Collect alwaies ended with those words Through our Lord Jesus Christ c. A. To signifie that he is our only Mediator of Redemption and principal Mediator of Intercession and that we cannot merit any thing by our prayers unlesse we make them in his Name Q. VVhy make we a Commemoration of the Saints A. To praise God in his Saints according to the advice of the Psalmist Psa 150. and to commend our felves to their merits and prayers Q. VVhy end we every houre with those words And let the soules of the faithfull through the mercy of God rest in peace A. That the poore soules in Purgatory may be partakers of all our Prayers and supplications Q. VVhy is the whole Office ended with some Hymne or Antiphone to our Lady A. That by her it may be presented to her Son and by him to his eternall Father FINIS A Table of the Chapters and principall Contents of this Book Chap. 1. WHat a Christian is And of the Blessed Trinity pag. 1 Chap. 2. Faith explicated 6 Chap. 3. The Creed expounded 9 1. Article 10 2. Article 17 3. Article 22 4. Article 24 5. Article 27 6. Article 30 7. Article 32 8. Article 37 9. Article 39 10. Article 62 11. Article 64 12. Article 68 Chap. 4. Hope and Prayer explicated Chap. 5. The Pater Noster expounded 84 Chap. 6. The Haile Mary or Angelicall Salutation expounded 96 Chap. 7. Charity expounded 102 Chap. 8. The X. Commandements expounded 108 1. Commandement 114 2. Commandement 130 3. Commandement 133 4. Commandement 140 5. Commandement 147 6. Commandement 149 7. Commandement 152 8. Commandement 155 9. 10. Commandements 159 Chap. 9. The Commandements of the Church expounded 162 Chap. 10. The Councells of Christ and his Church expounded 172 Chap. 11. An Exposition of the 7. Sacraments 176 1. Baptisme 184 2. Confirmation 192 3. The Eucharist 193 4. Penance 210 5. Extreme Vnction 219 6. Holy Order 222 7. Matrimony 231 Chap. 12. The cardinall Vertues expounded 239 Chap. 13. The Gifts of the Holy Ghost explicated 241 Chap. 14. The 12 Fruits of the Holy Ghost expounded 243 Chap. 15. The Works of Mercy 246 Chap. 16. The 8. Beatitudes 249 Chap. 17. Kinds of sin explicated 250 Chap. 18. The 7. Deadly Sins expounded 261 Chap. 19. The sins against the Holy Ghost 276 Chap. 20. The sins that cry to heaven for vengeance 280 Chap. 21. The foure last Things 283 Chap. 22. The Ceremonies of the Masse expounded 287 Chap. 23. The Office of our B. Lady expounded 307 VVHat faults the Printer through his ignorance in this Language hath committed the courtesie of the Reader may correct and chiefly these Errata Pag. 19. lin 6. read any thing p. 39 l. 2. dele in p. 41. l. 1. r. feed my lambâ— p. 47. l. 3. r. consolation p. 58. l. 19. â— 20. r. every false tongue shall p. 60. l. 8 r. over us p. 103. l. 3. r. is it a. p. 119. â— r. two Cherubins p. 141. l. 1. r. bound p. 145. l. 15. r. your Prelates l. 17 your soules p. 150. l. 1. r. mortall p 159. l. 10. r. wife Thou p. 162. l. 6. â— help it p. 173. l. 5. r. reward p. 183. l. 〈…〉 r. administration p. 189. l. 12. r. Godâ— child p. 217. l. 18. r. thy sinne p. 23 l. 10. r. Lia. p. 248. l. 10. dele of p. 290 〈…〉 2. r. sorrow
Petition ill A. Such as are willing slaves to sinne and to the Devill The third Petition Q. WHat is the third Petition A. Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven Q. What doe we beg by this Petition A. That God would enable us by his holy Grace to keep his Commandements and be obedient to his will in all things Q. What meane you by the words in earth as it is in heaven A. We beg by those that we may be as ready and as willing to do the Will of God on earth as the blessed Saints and Angells are in heaven The fourth Petition Q. VVHat is the fourth Petition A. Give us this day our daily bread Q. What doe we beg by this Petition A. All food and sustenance for our soules and bodies Q. What is the food of the soule A. The Word of God the holy Sacraments especially the blessed Eucharist and Divine Grace Q. How prove you that by this Petition Christ intended the blessed bread of the Eucharist A. Because although we read in S. Luk. our daily bread ch 11. v. 3. in S. Matth. we read our supersubstantiall bread ch 6. v. 11. Q. Why is the Eucharist called our daily bread A. Because it is daily offered for our sinnes upon the Altar and we ought daily to receive it at least in spirit and desire Q. Who say this Petition ill A. Such as are cold and carelesse in coming to the Sacraments and in hearing divine Service or Exhortations Q. Who else A. Such as ascribe their temporall goods and blessings to their owne industry and providence and not to any speciall bounty or gift of God The fifth Petition Q. VVHat is the fifth Petition A. And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors Q. What doe we beg by this Petition A. That God would pardon us the sinnes of our life past as also the punishments which are due unto them Q. Why are sinnes and the penalties of sin called debts A. Because they make us debters to the Justice of God whom by sin we rob of his due honour Q. Why is it added as we forgive our debters A. To signifie that God will not forgive us unlesse we also forgive our Brethren if you will not forgive men saith our Lord neither will your Father forgive you your offences S. Mat. ch 6. v. 15. Q. Who are they which say this Petition ill A. Such as beare malice against their neighbours and seek revenge The sixth Petition Q. VVHat is the sixth Petition A. And lead us not into temptation Q. What do we beg by this Petition A. That God would not permit us to be tempted above our strength Q. Doth God tempt any man to sinne A No he doth not for God is not the tempter of evills he tempteth no man S. Jam. ch 1. v. 13. Q. What other proof have you A. Out of the 5. Psal where we read Thou art not a God willing iniquitie and out of Rom. ch 9. v. 14. where we read Is there iniquity with God No God forbid Q. By whom then are wee tempted A. By the Devill and our owne concupiscence S. Iam. ch 1. v. 14. Q. Can a man live in this world and be free from all temptations A. Morally speaking he cannot for the whole life of man on earth is a temptation Iob ch 7. Q. Why then doe we pray to be delivered from temptations A. That we may not be overcome or vanquished by them Q. Is temptation of it selfe a sinne A. No not without consent on our part nay it is a great occasion of merit if we resist it as we ought Q. How prove you that A. Out of Apoc. ch 2. v. 10 11. Be thou faithfull untill death saith our Lord and I will give thee a Crowne of life he that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death Q. What other proof have you A. Because Christ himselfe who never sinned would be tempted and the Tempter came unto him saying c. S. Mat. ch 4. v. 3. Q. Are we never overcome but by our own default A. Never according to that answer which was given to S. Paul desiring to be freed from a temptation my grace is sufficient for thee Q. What other proof have you A. Out of S. Iam. ch 4. v. 7. where we read Resist ye the Devill and he will flie from you Q. Who are they that say this Petition ill A. Such as seek after occasions of sinne and wilfully expose themselves unto temptations Q. What are the best remedies against temptations A. To have recourse by humble Prayer to God and to his Saints and to such especially as have been tempted in the same kind to resist them valiantly at the first entrance and to remember often our last things Death Judgement Hell and Heaven The seventh Petition Q. VVHat is the seventh Petition A. But deliver us from evill Q. What doe we beg by this Petition A. That God would free us and deliver us from all our evills both spirituall and temporall and especially from the evills of sin past present and to come Q. Who is the Author of all evill of sin A. The Devill for sin in God there is none 1 S. Ioh. ch 3. v. 5. Q. What other proof have you A. Out of Wisdome ch 14. v. 9. where we read hatefull to God is the impious man and his impiety Q. Who say this Petition ill A. They which commit their evills before God and multiply their sinnes without remorse CHAP. VI. The Haile Mary or Angelicall Salutation Expounded Q. WHat is the Haile Mary A. It is a most holy Prayer in honour of the blessed Virgin Mary Q. How do you prove it lawfull to honour and pray unto our Lady A. Out of S. Luk. ch 1. v. 48. where by inspiration from God she prophesied saying All Generations shall call me blessed Q. How many parts hath the Haile Mary A. It hath three parts Q. What is the first part A. Haile Mary full of gracè our Lord is with thee Q. Who made this part A. The Holy Ghost although it were delivered by the Angell Gabriel S. Luk. ch 1. v. 29. Q. What signifies the word Haile A. It signifies Rejoyce be glad O Mother of God Q. Why doe we invite her by this Prayer to rejoyce A. Because it reneweth the memory of her blessed Sonnes conception which is an infinite cause of joy to her and the whole Court of heaven Q. What signifies the word Mary A. It signifieth Star of the Sea Q. Why is she fitly called Star of the Sea A. Because she shineth unto us by her exemplar vertues in this Sea of miseries like a most glorious Star Q. What meane you by the words Full of Grace A. I meane that the blessed Virgin had a speciall fullnesse and prerogative of Grace caused in her by the conception of her Son Q. What meaneth Our Lord is with thee A. It meaneth that the whole Trinity was with her at that