call to mind how he has by solemn promise oblig'd himself to God when he was initiated in Baptism and will also consider with himself whether in his Life and Conversation he has behav'd himself in such a manner as the very Profession of Christianity obliges and undertakes That therefore what is to be taught III. What the Name Batism signifies Eight kinds of Baptism See Damass lib. 4. de fide Orthod 10 might be made the more intelligible it must be declar'd what the Nature and Substance of Baptism is after that the signification of the word Baptism shall have bin explain'd There is none who know not that Baptism is a Greek word which tho in Holy Scripture it signifies not only that Washing or Cleansing which is joyn'd with this Sacrament but even all other kinds of Washing yea and sometimes is extended to signifie Suffering also Yet among Church-Writers it signifies not every kind of Washing of the Body but that which is annext to the Sacrament and is not ministred without the prescrib'd Form of Words which signification the Apostles by the Institution of Christ frequently made use of Now the Holy Fathers made use of other names also to signifie the same thing For S. Austin testifies that it was call'd the Sacrament of Faith IV. By what other names the Sacrament of Baptism is call'd D. Aug. Epist 25. in sin Heb. 10.15 because they who receiv'd it made profession of the Faith or Belief of the whole Christian Religion Others call'd this Sacrament Illumination because the heart is illuminated by the Faith we profess in Baptism For thus says the Apostle Remember the former days wherein being illuminated ye underwent a great fight of sufferings to wit signifying when they were Baptiz'd Besides S. Chry. 10.5 Chrysostom in his Oration to those who were baptiz'd calls it both a Purgation whereby through Baptism we purge away the Old Leven that we may be a New Lump and a Burying and a Planting and Christ's Cross The reason of all which Names may be gather'd from the Epistle to the Romans And why S. Denys call'd it the Beginning of the most Holy Commandments S. Dionys de Eccl. Hier. c. 2. is evident seeing that this Sacrament is the Gate as it were through which we enter into the fellowship of Christian Life and from thenceforth begin to obey Gods commands and this will suffice briefly to be taught concerning the Name of Baptism Of the various Names of Baptism See Greg. Naz. Orat. in Sancta Lumina Clem. Alex. lib. 1. Paedag. c. 6. But as to the Definition of the Thing Tho there may many others be gather'd out of Sacred Writers V. The Definition of Baptism yet That seems more fit and suitable which we may learn from our Lords own words in S. John's Gospel and from the Apostle in his Epistle to the Ephesians Joh. 3.5 Except a man be born again of Water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God And the Apostle when he spake of the Church Ephes 5.26 Cleansing her in the Laver of Water in the Word For through Adam by nature we are born the Children of Wrath but by Baptism we are born again in Christ the Children of Grace For he gave power to men to become the Sons of God Joh. 1.13 even to them that believe in his Name who are not born of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the wiâ—l of man but of God But in what words soever the nature of Baptism chances to be explain'd VI. How the Sacrament of Baptism is made the people are to be taught That this Sacrament is made by Washing with which according to the institution of our Lord and Saviour must needs be us'd certain and solemn words as the Holy Fathers have always taught as is shew'd by the plain testimony of S. Austin The Word is added to the Element and so the Sacrament is made But the Faithful must be carefully taught An Error to be mark'd not to fall into that Error not to think as it is vulgarly us'd to be said that That Water which is kept in the Holy Font to make the Sacrament is the Sacrament For then only is it to be call'd the Sacrament of Baptism when in truth we use Water to wash any one adding those words which were instituted by our Lord. Of this see Chrysost hom 24. in Joan. Aug. l. 6. contra Donatist c. 25. Conc. Florent Trid. item August Tract 80. in Joan. Now because in the Beginning when we spake of Sacraments in general VII The Matter of Bap â—â—m is natural Water we said that every Sacrament consists of Matter and Form therefore what each of these is in the Sacrament of Baptism must be declar'd by the Pastors The Matter therefore or the Element of this Sacrament is any kind of natural Water whether of the Sea or the River or a Pond or a Well or a Fountain that is us'd to be call'd Water without any adjunct Joh 3.5 For our Savior has taught Except a man be born again of Water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God â— h. 2.26 and the Apostle says That the Church was cleans'd by the Laver of Water And we read in the Epistle of S. John 1 Joh. 5.8 There are Three which bear record in Earth The Spirit the Water and the Bloodâ— this may be prov'd also from other testimonies of Holy Scipture But that which S. John the Baptist said Maâ— 3. that the Lord was coming that would baptize with the Holy Ghost and with Fire this can by no means be understood of the Matter of Baptism but ought to be apply'd either to the inward working of the Holy Ghost or at least to the Miracle which appear'd on the day of Pentecost Act. 2.3 when the Holy Ghost came down from Heaven upon the Apostles in the likeness of Fire whereof in another place Christ our Lord foretold Act. 1.5 John indeed baptiz'd with Water but ye shall be baptiz'd with the Holy Ghost not many days hence But this we may observe from the Holy Scriptures to have bin signifi'd before-hand by the Lord VIII The Matter of Baptism figur'd in the Old Testament Gen. 6.5 2 Pet. 3.10 both in Figures and in the Oracles of the Prophets For the Flood whereby the World was cleans'd because the wickedness of man was great in the Earth and all the thoughts of his heart wholly set upon evil carri'd the Figure and Resemblance of This Water as the Prince of Apostles in his former Epistle shews And the Passage through the Red-Sea signifi'd this Water 1 Cor. 10.1 as S. Paul writing to the Corinthians expounds it 4 Reg 5.24 to omit the cleansing of Naaman the Syrian and the admirable virtue of the Pool of Bethsaiday Job 5.2 and many others of the like kind Wherein it plainly appears
and undertakes to lead a new way and manner of Life it is but just not to grant Baptism to any one that is unwilling to receive it or that refuses it but to them only who chearfully and freely receive it Wherefore by Holy Tradition it has bin receiv'd Aug. de poen Mediâ— c. 2. D. Thom. 2. p. q. 68. sect 7. and always observ'd Not to administer Baptism to any before he be ask'd whether he wills it Nay even in Children and Infants it must be suppos'd that that Will is not wanting Since the Will of the Church which answers for them is not obscure Besides Madmen and Furious XXXIX Wheter Mad persons ought to be baptiz'd and when D. Thom. 3.3 p. q. 86. art 12. who being sometimes in their Wits and then falling again into Madness have at that time no Will to receive Baptism are not to be baptiz'd unless there be danger of Life But when they are in such danger of Life if before they began to fall mad they gave any Tokens of their Will to be baptiz'd they are to be baptiz'd Note .. But if not we must abstain from administring it to such The same thing ought to be judg'd of them that sleep But if they never were in a sound mind so that they had no use of Reason they are to be baptiz'd in the Faith of the Church no otherwise than Children are who want reason as both the Authority and Practice of the Church sufficiently declare But besides the Will of Baptism XL. Three things requir'd in Adult persons to be baptiz'd Faith Penance and a Purpose to forsake sin Marc. 16.19 Faith also is very necessary to attain the Grace of that Sacrament for the same reason as was said concerning the Will For our Lord and Savior has taught He that believes and is baptiz'd shall be sav'd And then there is need that every one repent of his Sins and of his ill-spent life and resolve for the future to abstain from all sin For otherwise he that desires Baptism so as that he will not amend his custom of sinning is by all means to be rejected for there is nothing so contrary to the Grace and Vertue of Baptism as the Mind and Purpose of those is who never put to themselves an end of sinning Seeing therefore that Baptism is to be desir'd for this end that we might put on Christ and be joyn'd with him it is plainly manifest that he is deservedly to be rejected from Holy Baptism who purposes to persevere in sin and Vice Note But especially because none of all those things which belong to Christ and his Church are to be undertaken in vain And we know well enough if we consider the Grace of Righteousness and Salvation that Baptism will be in vain to him who purposes to live according to the Flesh Rom. 8.1 and not according to the Spirit Altho as to the Sacrament it self without all doubt he does receive the perfect Reason thereof only if so be when he is rightly baptiz'd he purposes to receive what by Holy Church is administr'd Wherefore the Prince of Apostles answer'd to that great multitude which as the Scripture says being prick'd at the Heart Act. 2.50 ask'd of him and the rest of the Apostles what they should do Do Penance says he and be baptiz'd every one of you And in another place Do Penance and be converted that your sins may be blotted out And S. Paul writing to the Romans plainly shews him who is baptiz d that by all means he ought to dye to sin and therefore he warns us not to yield our members as weapons of iniquity to sin but to yield our selves to God as those that are risen from the Dead Now if the Faithful often meditate on these things XLI How profitable this Doctrine of Baptism is they will be compell'd earnestly to admire that infinite goodness of God who being led by his own mercy only has bestow'd so singular and so divine a benefit upon them who deserv'd no such matter And then when they put before their Eyes how free their life ought to be from every crime who are adorn'd with so great a gift They will easily understand that this is first of all requir'd of Christians to study to lead every day of their Life so holily and religiously as if that very day they had receiv'd the Sacrament and grace of Baptism Altho to inflame their Souls with the study of true Piety there can be nothing more profitable than for the Pastors diligently to explain what the Effects of Baptism are Of these things therefore because it must often be treated XLII The Effects of Baptism The fi st Remâ—ssion of sins that the Faithful may the better perceive that they are plac'd in the highest degree of dignity and never suffer themselves at any time to be cast down thence by any wiles or violence of the adversary it is necessary to teach them this thing first of all that sin whether contracted by birth from our first-parents or committed of our selves altho it is so necessary that it seems not able to be imagin'd by the admirable vertue of this Sacrament is remitted and pardon'd This was long before prophesi'd by Ezekiel Ezek. 36.25 by whom our Lord God says thus I will pour clean Water upon you and ye shall be cleans'd from all your filthithiness And the Apostle to the Corithians after a long reckoning up of sins 1 Cor. 6.11 subjoyn'd And these things ye were but ye are Wash'd but ye are sanctified And it is manifest that this Docttine has bin always deliver'd by the Catholic Church For S. Austin in his Book which he wrote of the Baptism of Infants testifies thus Lib. 1 de peccat met remiss c 15 Eph. 85 ante medium Sess 5. can 5. By carnal generation we contract only original sin but by regeneration of the Spirit there is Forgiveness not only of orginal but also of wilful sins And S. Hierom to Oceanus All sins says he in Baptism are forgiven And that no one may doubt any more of this matter after the Definition of other Councils the Council of Trent has declar'd the same thing when she decreed an Anathema against those who presum'd to think otherwise or who doubted not to assert That tho in Baptism sin were forgiv'n yet it is not wholly taken away or pull'd up by the Roots but rac'd or scarr'd in a manner so that the roots of sin yet remain fasten'd in the Soul For to use the words of the same Holy Synod God hates nothing in the Regenerate because there is no condemnation to those who are truly bury'd with Christ by Baptism into death who walk not according to the Flesh But putting off the Old man and putting on the New which is created according to God they are made innocent spotless pure without hurt and lov'd of God Of this effect of Baptism See Aug. lib. 1.
towards us by how much the more assistances or helps they shall understand God has furnish'd us with for our Salvation and Happiness The Sacraments of the Church then XVIII There are only Seven Sacraments Trid. S ss 7. câ—n â— de S cr in gen Con. Fl rent in Doc. ad Arm. as may be prov'd by Scripture and by the constant Tradition of the Fathers down to our times and by the Authority of Councils are Seven in number But why they are neither more nor fewer may be probably shew'd from those things which by a Similitude are transferr'd from the Natural to the Spiritual life For these Seven things seem necessary to a Man to live and to preserve his life and to be made profitable to the Common-wealth To wit A notable Simil tude D. Thom. 3. p q 63. art 1. that he be Born Grow and be Nourish'd If he fall into Sickness that he be recover'd that the weakness of strength be restor'd And then as to the Common-wealth that the Magistrates be not wanting on their part to rule him by their Authority and Government And lastly that by a lawful propagation of his Family he preserve both himself and mankind All which things seeing they answer well to that life which the Soul lives to God from hence it may easily be gather'd what the number of Sacraments is For the First is Baptism Baptism the Gate as it were of all the rest Confirmation whereby we are born again in Christ Then Confirmation by vertue whereof we grow bigger and stronger in the grace of God For as S. Austin testifies D. Aug. Ep. 105. Luc. 24.49 It was to the Apostles already baptiz'd that the Lord said Stay ye in the City till ye shall be endu'd with power from above Then the Eucharist The Eucharist wherewith as with the Food of Heaven our Spirit is nourish'd and sustain'd For of this our Savior speaks Joh. 6.55 when he says My Flesh is Meat indeed and my Blood is Drink indeed In the Fourth place follows Penance Penance by help whereof our lost Health is restor'd after we have bin wounded by Sin Then Extream Vnction Extream Unction Isa 5.14 by which the remains of sin are taken away and the powers of the Soul refresh'd for S. James writing of this Sacrament testifies thus Orders And if he be in sins they shall be forgiven him Then follows Orders by which the public ministration of the Sacraments is exercis'd in the Church and a power given to discharge or perform the Sacred Functions Lastly Matrimony is added Matrimony that by the lawful and holy Conjunction of the Man and the Woman Children may be begotten and religiously brought up to the Service of God and the Conservation of Mankind But This is specially to be observ'd XIX The necessity of all the S craments not alike That tho all the Sacraments contain in them a Divine and Admirable Vertue yet all have not a like and equal necessity or dignity or One and the same signification But there are Three of them which are more necessary than the rest Trid. 1. Sess 7 can 3.4 de Sacr. in en D. Tho. 3. p q. 65 â—r 4.7.3.5 tho not for the same reason For Baptism is necessary for every one without any exception at all as our Savior shews in these words Except a Man be born again of Water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God And Penance is necessary to them only who after Baptism have intangl'd themselves with some mortal sin nor can they escape eternal Destruction unless they truly do Penance for the sin admitted And Orders is altogether necessary tho not to all the Faithful in particular yet to the whole Church in general But then if we consider the Dignity of the Sacraments XX. The Eucharist excels the other Sacraments in Dignity the Eucharist far excels all the rest in Sanctity in the number of Mysteries and in Magnitude All which things will be better understood when we shall come to handle in their proper place those things which belong to the particular Sacraments Dionys lib. de Eccles Hier. c. 3. We must next see Whence it is we receive these Holy and Divine Mysteries XXI Christ the Author of the Sacraments Amb. l. 4. de Sacr. c. 6. D. Tho. 3. p. 4.62 Trid. Ses 7. can 1. de Sacr. in gen l. de Eccles dog Cassian Col. 7.18 For there is no doubt but that the value of any excellent Gift is much increas'd by the worth and excellency of him from whom it came But that Question is not difficult For seeing it is God which justifies Men but the Sacraments are the wonderful Instruments of obtaining Righteousness it is plain that one and the same God in Christ must be acknowledg'd to be the Author both of Justification and of the Sacraments Besides the Sacraments have such a and Efficacy as to penetrate into the inmost Soul since therefore it is the Property of Gods Power alone to search into the Hearts and Souls of Men from This also it is easy to see That the Sacraments are instituted of God himself throw Christ even as we must firmly and constantly believe that they are inwardly dispens'd by him For S. John affirms that he receiv'd this Testimony from him when he says He that sent me to baptize in Water the same said to me Vpon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending and remaining upon him that same is he that baptizes in the Holy Ghost But tho God be the Author and Dispenser of the Sacraments XXII Men only are Ministers of the Sacraments yet he would have them administred in the Church not by Angels but by Men For to the making the Sacraments there is no less need of the Office of Ministers than of Matter and Form as is confirm'd by the constant Tradition of the Holy Fathers And because these Ministers in that Holy Function carry or represent not their own XXIII The unworthiness of Ministers hinder not the efficacy of the Sacraments Trid Sess 7. de Sac. in gen ca. 11 12. Greg. Naz. in Orat. in S. Bap. Amb. de bis qui myst init c. 5. Chrysost hom 8. in 1 Cor. Aug. contra Donat. l. 1. c. 4. l. 2. cont lit Patil c. 47. 1 Cor. 3.6 A similitude S. Aug. Tract in Joan. Act. 19.5 but the person of Christ for this reason it is that whether they be Good or Bad so they use the Form and Matter which by Christs Institution the Catholic Church has always held and intend to do the same thing which the Church in the ministration does they truly make and confer the Sacraments So that nothing can hinder the Fruit of Grace unless those who receive them wilfully defraud themselves of so great a good and resist the Holy Spirit That this was always the constant and undeniable sense of the Church
to God Balsom has this other property or vertue that whatsoever is cover'd therewith it keeps it from corruption or rottenness And this seems excellently well suited to signifie the vertue of this Sacrament since it is plainly manifest that the souls of the Faithful being well dispos'd or prepar'd by that heavenly Grace which is given in Confirmation can easily be secur'd from the contagion of Sin Now the Chrism is consecrated by the Bishop with solemn ceremonies For that our Savior so taught at his last Supper VIII Why Chrism consecrated only by Bishops when he left with his Apostles the way or manner of making Chrism Pope Fabian a man very famous for his Sanctity and glory of Martyrdom S. Fab. Papa ubi supra has deliver'd altho why it ought to be so may be shew'd even from Reason it self For in most of the other Sacraments Christ so appointed the Matter of them that he gave Holiness to it For he will'd not only that Water should be the Element of Baptism when he said Joh. 3.5 Except a Man be born again of Water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God But when himself was baptiz'd he caus'd that thenceforth the Water should be endu'd with a power of Sanctisying And therefore S. Chrysostom said Hom. 4. oper imperf habetus de Consecr dist 4. nunquid The Water of Baptism could not purge away the sins of Believers unless it self had bin sanctifi'd by the touch of the Lords Body Because therefore the Lord himself did not hallow this Matter of Confirmation by the very use and handling thereof it is therefore necessary that with Holy and Devout Prayers it be consecrated Nor can this Confection belong to any other but a Bishop who is appointed the ordinary Minister of this Sacrament And now is to be explaln'd the other Part whereof this Sacrament consists IX The Form of the Sacrament of Confirmation to wit the Form and the Words which are to be us'd at the anointing And the Faithful are to be admonish'd That in the receiving of this Sacrament they then especially when they hear them pronounc'd apply their minds to Piety Faith and Devotion that there may be nothing to hinder the Heavenly Grace In these words therefore the Form of Confirmation is perfom'd I sign thee with the sign of the Cross and I confirm thee with the Chrism of Salvation in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost But yet if to the Truth hereof we also add the Reason it is easie to prove the same For the Form of the Sacrament ought to contain all those things which explain the Nature and Substance of the Sacrament But especially these three things ought to be observ'd in Confirmation The Divine Power which as the principal cause works in the Sacrament and then the strength of Soul and Spirit which is given to the Faithful for Salvation And lastly the Sign wherewith he is mark'd that is entring into the Combat of the Christian Camp And first these words In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost which are put in the last place Secondly these I confirm thee with the Chrism of Salvation which are plac'd in the middle Lastly those which are plac'd in the beginning of the Form I sign thee with the sign of the Cross sufficiently declare Altho if it could not by any reason be prov'd that this is the true and perfect Form of this Sacrament the authority of the Catholic Church by whose Rule we are always taught suffers as not to doubt in the least concerning this matter The Pastors ought to teach also to whom the administration of this Sacrament is committed X. The Bishop the ordinary Minister of Confirmation for seeing that there are many as the Prophet complains that run and yet are not sent it is needful to teach who are the true and lawful Ministers thereof that the Faithful may have the very Sacrament and Grace of Confirmation The Holy Scriptures therefore shew that the Bishop only has the ordinary power of making this Sacrament For we read in the Acts of the Apostles Trid. Sess 23. c. 4. can 7. Act. 8.14 When Samaria had receiv'd the word of God That Peter and John were sent to them who pray'd for them That they might receive the Holy Ghost for as yet he had not come upon any one of them but they were baptiz'd only In which place we may see that he who baptiz'd for as much as he was a Deacon only had no power of Confirming but this Office was reserv'd for the more perfect Ministers i. e. the Apostles And besides wheresoever the Holy Scriptures make mention of this Sacrament the same thing may be observ'd nor are there wanting the most clear testimonies of Holy Fathers and Popes Vrban Eusebius Damasus Innocent Leo as may be seen in their Decrees And S. Austin grievously complains of the corrupt custom of those of Egypt and Alexandria where the Priests presum'd to administer the Sacrament of Confirmation That a Bishop is the ordinary Minister of Confirmation these do teach Vrbanus Papae Epist ad omnes Christianos in fine Euseb Papa Epist 3. ad Episcop Tusciae Campaniae Damasus Papa Epist 4. ad Pros caeteros Epis Orthod circa med Innocentius Pap. Epist ad Episc Hispaniae Clemens item Pap. Epist 4. Concil Wormaciens c. 8. Florent de Sacram. Horum summorum Pontificum Epistolae habentur in Tomis Conciliorum ferè omnes in primo juxta cujusque aetatem Vide insuper Aug. in Quaest Novi Testam quaest 42. And that this is well and rightly done XI Why a Bishop the Minister Confirmation to defer this Office to the Bishops the Pastors may shew by this similitude For as in the building a House altho the Workmen who are the inferior Servants prepare the Mortar Lime Timber and the other Materials and make them fit yet the perfecting of the work belongs to the Architect or chief builder So also this Sacrament whereby the Spiritual Building is perfected as it were is fit to be administred by no other person but by the Chief Priest or Bishop There is also to be a God-father XII Why God-fathers added as has bin shew'd to be done at Baptism For if they who are to fence have need of a Fencing-Master by whose skill and counsel they may be taught what stroaks to make to wound the Enemy and yet to save themselves harmless How much more will the Faithful want a Captain and Monitor when cover'd and secur'd with the Sacrament of Confirmation as with the strongest Armor they enter into this Spiritual Fight the reward whereof is eternal Salvation Rightly therefore are God-fathers to be had at the Administration of this Sacrament Trid. Sess 24. c. 2 â—â—esâ—r matrim with whom there is such an Affinity contracted as hinders the contracts of Matrimony
in the First Parents both of our Kind and of our Sin and even to this day we have offended by our Wickedness yet he continues his Love towards us nor do's he lay aside that special Care over us Whom if any one thinks that he forgets Men XII A great Sin to say that God forgets Men. Exod. 17.7 he is mad and most unworthily dishonors God God is angry at Israel for the Blasphemy of that Nation which thought it self forsaken of the Divine Care For we read in Exodus They tempted the Lord saying Is God among us or not And in Ezekiel Ezek 8.12 God is angry at the same People because they said God sees us not the Lord has left the Earth The Faithful therefore are to be deterr'd by these Authorities from that wicked Opinion That God can be unmindful of Men. In which sense we may hear the Israelites complaining of God in Esay's Prophecy Note and God on the contrary clearing himself from that their foolish Complaint in a gracious Similitude For thus we read there Isa 49.14 Sion said The Lord has forsaken me and the Lord has forgotten me To whom God answers Can a Woman forget her Infant that she should not have compassion on the Son of her Womb Tho she may forget yet will not I forget thee Behold I have carried thee in my Arms. By which Places tho this be clearly confirm'd XIII God never forgets Men. yet that the Faithful may be fully perswaded that God can at no time lay aside the Care of Men so as not to give them the Effects of his Fatherly Love the Curats shall prove this Matter from the most clear Example of the first of Mankind whom after the neglect and violation of God's Command when you hear them more sharply accus'd and condemn'd with that dreadful Sentence Gen. 3.17 Cursed is the Earth by thy Deed in labor shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy Life Thorns and Briars shall it bring thee forth and thou shalt eat the Grass of the Earth when you see them driven out of Paradice and to take away all hope of return thither when in the entrance of Paradice you read that there is plâ—c'd a Cherubin holding a Flaming Sword turning hither and thither when you understand that they were punish'd with both inward and outward Sorrows by God's revenging their Wrong Would you not think now Observe that Man's Business were done Would you not believe that he were stripp'd not only of all Divine Help but also expos d to all kinds of Wrongs But yet even in these so great Tokens of God's Wrath and Revenge there arise some Sparks of God's Love towards them Gen. 3.2 For says the Scripture The Lord God made for Adam and for his Wife Coats of Skins and he put them upon them And this was a very great Argument that God would never at any time be wanting to Men. The Efficacy of this Sentence XIV God's Love to Man never drawn dry by any Injury Psal 76. Habac 3.2 Mich. 7.18 That the Love of God is not to be exhausted by any Sinfulness of Man David express'd in these Words Will the Lord keep his Mercy in his Anger And this Habacuc speaking to God expounds while he says When thou art angry thou remembrest Mercy So Michaeas Who O God is like to thee who takest away Iniquity and put'st away the Sin of the Relique of thine Inheritance Thou wilt no more send forth thy Fury because thou lov'st Mercy Verily thus the Case is XV. God helps in extremity When we think our selves utterly lost and depriv'd of God's Protection then especially of his Infinite Goodness do's God seek and take care of us For in his Anger he restrains the Sword of his Justice nor do's he cease to pour out the inexhaustible Treasures of his Mercy God's Creation and Providence therefore have a very great Efficacy XVI How rightly God call'd a Father to shew how God loves and defends Mankind But yet that Work of Man's Redemption shines so bright between the other two that the most gracious God and our Father has illustrated his infinite Kindness towards us by pressing in this third Benefit upon the rest Wherefore the Curat shall declare to his Spiritual Children XVII Why we are call'd and are the Children of God and diligently inculcate into their Ears this passing excellent Love of God towards us that they may know that being redeem'd after a wonderful manner they are become the Sons of God For Joh. 1. â—1 says S. John He has given them power to become the Sons of God and they are born of God For which cause Note Baptism which we have as the first Pledge and Token of our Redemption is call'd the Sacrament of Regeneration for thereby we are born the Children of God for our Lord himself says Joh. 3.6 That which is born of the Spirit is Spirit and we must be born again And the Apostle S. Peter 1 Pet. 1.25 Being born again not of corruptible seed but of incorruptible thro the Word of the living God By vertue of this Redemption we have both receiv'd the Holy Spirit XVIII How great the Benefit of Redemption is Rom. 15. and are dignified with Gods ' Grace by which Gift we are adopted the Sons of God as the Apostle S. Paul writes to the Romans Ye have not receiv'd the Spirit of Bondage again to Fear but ye have receiv'd the Spirit of Adoption of Sons in whom we cry Abba Father The Efficacy and Vertue of which Adoption 1 John 3.8 S. John explains after this manner Ye see how great Love the Father has given us that we should be call'd and be the Sons of God These things being explain'd XIX What we ow to God our Father the Faithful are to be admonish'd what return they ought to make to God our most loving Father that they may know what Love and Devotion what Obedience and Veneration they ought to perform to their Creator Governor and Redeemer and with what Hope and Affiance they ought to call upon him But to take away that Folly XX. A great Error to be remov'd and the better to guide the perversness of the Opinion of such as think a prosperous State and happy course of Life is the only Argument that God loves us but when we are exercis'd of God with Adversities and Calamities that that is a Sign that God is angry and has wholly estrang'd his good will from us It must be shew'd XXI When God chastises he loves Job 9.21 Psal 88.34 when the Lords hand touches that the Lord does not do this as an Enemy but that by striking he heals us and that a Wound that comes from God is a Medicine For he chastises sinners That by that Discipline he might make them better and by the present Punishment he redeems them from everlasting Destruction For indeed he visies our
for God and then what we desire for our selves And because this Desire and Petition is about such things as we want V. What may be desir'd in this Petition nor can there be any Accession to the true God i. e. to his Nature nor the Divine Substance be any way increas'd because after an inexpressible manner it is fill d with all Perfection it is to be understood that what we pray for of God concerning himself belongs not to this Matter but to his external Glory For we beg and pray Note these three things that God's Name may be better known to all Nations that his Kingdom may be enlarg'd that there may daily be more that yield Obedience to his Divine Name Which three things his Name Kingdom and Obedience are not his internal Good but are assum'd from without Now when we desire that God's Name may be sanctified VI. What is first desir'd in this Petition our meaning is that the Holiness and Glory of God's Name may be increas'd And here the Curat shall observe and teach his devout Hearers That our Saviour says not that it be sanctified in the same measure in Earth as it is in Heaven i. e. that the Earthly Sanctification of it should equal the Heavenly for this can by no means be done but that it be done out of Love and an inward Endeavor of the â—oul Altho most true it is VII To sanctifie God's name H w it may be done that God's Name of it self wants not Sanctification since it is Holy and Terrible even as God himself of his own Nature is Holy Ps 100.10 nor can any Holiness be added to him wherewith from all Eternity he was not endu'd Mark the Sense Yet because in Earth he is far less honor'd than is fit and sometimes also is abus'd with Curses and wicked Expressions therefore we desire and pray that he may be celebrated with Praise Honor and Glory after the example of that Honor and Glory which is given him in Heaven i. e. that his Honor and Worship may be so frequent in our Heart in our Soul and Mouth that we magnifie him with all Veneration both inward and outward and celebrate the Holy and Glorious God after the Pattern of the Citizens of Heaven above For as they in Heaven A Similitude with the exactest agreement give Glory and Renown to God so we pray that the same may be done in Earth and that all Nations may know worship and reverence God that there may no where be found any of Mankind who embrace not the Christian Religion and dedicate their whole Selves to God believing that in him is the Fountain of all Holiness and that there is nothing Pure or Holy which comes not from the Holiness of his Divine Name For the Apostle testifies Note Eph. 5.26 That the Church is cleans'd by the Laver of Water in the Word of Life But the Word of Life signifies the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost in which we are Baptiz'd and Sanctified Because therefore there can be no Expiation for any VIII What secondly no Purity no Integrity upon whom God's Name is not call'd we wish and pray God that all Mankind leaving the Blindness of their impure Infidelity and being illuminated with the Rays of the Divine Light may come to know the Vertue of this Name so as in him to seek true Holiness and by God's Mercy receiving the Sacrament of Baptism in the Name of the Holy and Undivided Trinity they may obtain the Vertue of perfect Holiness IX What thirdly Our Prayer and Petition therefore belongs no less to those that being polluted with Sin and Wickedness have lost the pure Integrity of Baptism and Robe of Innocency whereby it came to pass that in those most miserable Wretches that most unclean Spirit has again taken up his Seat We wish therefore and pray God that in them also his Name may be sanctified that returning to a due Consideration and Soberness of Mind they may by the Sacrament of Penance redeem their former Holiness and yield themselves a pure and holy Temple and Dwelling to God Lastly X. What fourthly Jac. 1.17 They shall pray That God would illuminate the Souls of all that they may see that every good and perfect Gift coming down from the Father of Lights is given us of God whereby they freely obtain Temperance Justice Life Salvation and lastly all good things of the Soul and of the Body for Life and Salvation from whom as the Church declares proceeds all good things and whatsoever Benefits Mankind enjoys by the Light of the Sun and by the Motion and Course of the other Stars that by this Spirit every where diffusing it self we are nourish'd that the Earth sustains our Life with plenty of all her Fruits and Provisions that by the Care of the Magistrats we enjoy Quiet and Tranquillity Now these and innumerable other Benefits of this kind God's infinit Bounty affords us And for those which Philosophers call Second Causes we ought to intepret them as the Hands of God wonderfully made and fitted for our Use wherewith he distributes us his good things and pours them out upon us far and wide But that which contains the chief Point in this Petition XI What fifthly and lastly is this That all Men may know and reverence the most Holy Bride of Jesus Christ and our Mother the Church in whom alone is that most plentiful and everlasting Fountain that cleanses and washes away all the Spots of Sin and from whom we have all the Sacraments of Salvation and Sanctification whereby as by a kind of Heavenly Pipes that Dew and Liquor of Holiness is convey'd from God to us to whom alone and to those whom she embraces in her Bosom and Lap belongs the imploring of that Divine Name Act. 4.12 which alone under Heaven is given to Men whereby they must be sav'd Vide August Serm. 181. de Tempore Greg. l 35. Moral c. 6. Now the Curat must drive this Point home Let the Pastor mark and teach this That it is the part of a good Child not only in Word to pray to God his Father but also to endeavor in Deed and in Work that the Sanctification of God's Name may shine forth in him And would to God there were none XII How contrary an ill Life is to this Petition who while they daily pray for the Sanctification of God's Name do violate it as much as lies in them by their Deeds by whose Fault sometimes God himself is ill spoken of against whom it is said of the Apostle The Name of God thro you is blasphem'd among the Gentiles And we read in Ezekiel They went to the Gentiles among whom they enter'd and polluted my Holy Name while it was said of them This is the People of the Lord and they came out of his Land Rom. 2.24 Ezek. 37.20 For see
concerning divers Censures and Books either suspected or pernicious and to make Relation thereof to the Holy Synod Now understanding that the whole Work is finished and yet that by reason of the variety and multitude of Books the Holy Synod cannot distinctly and conveniently judge of them She commands that whatsoever has been done by them be exhibited to his Holiness the Pope that it may be determin'd and publish'd by his Judgment and Authority and commands the same to be done about the Catechism by the Fathers to whom it was committed and about the Missal and Breviary From these things it manifestly appears first Why the Synod of Trent commanded this Form of Catechism to be publish'd Secondly When it Decreed it Thirdly That this Catechism is of so great Authority that it ought to be preferr'd before all others Fourthly That it ought never to be out of the Hands of the Pastors for to them it is a Storehouse of true Divinity and a Treasure sull of all Ecclesiastical Discipline ARTICLE II. To what Fathers the Care of the Catechism was committed and how long they labor'd about it IT may be said that the Fathers labor'd in this Catechism two several times First While they were at Trent in Council i. e. for almost Two whole Years to wit from the Eighteenth Session celebrated the Twenty sixth day of February 1562. till the end of the Synod which was finish'd in the Month of December 1563. The last i. e. when the Sacred Assembly was dismiss'd at Rome whither certain Fathers chosen for this end were conven'd together and continu'd in this Work above Three Years to wit from the Departure of the Council to the Year 1556. wherein the Work being finish'd was offer'd to Pope Pius V. of Sacred Memory to be approv'd Whence it was that for Five full Years the Fathers who among the rest were most Devout and Learn'd and therefore chosen by the Council labor'd together both in Composing and Perfecting this Catechism which considering well of verily we cannot judge him by any means to be of a sound Mind that thinks not such a Book as this worthy of all esteem and to be had in reverence in all Ages and they that in disputing of Matters of Divinity if this Catechism be cited reject it in scorn as fit for Children we should think to be very unsound and in the dark But to come to the Fathers It is certain from the Last Session that for the Two last Years of the Council there were very many excellent Divines chosen out of the whole Assembly of Fathers that bestow'd much Pains and great Labor on this Catechism For the Matter of it is divided into certain Articles which being then distributed amongst them every one took care and labor'd in his own according to the Intent of the Council and the Sense of the Church as the Spirit gave them utterance That this was thus done Christopher Sanctorius of the Order of Hermits of S. Austin testifies who says That this Particle of the Creed And in One Holy Catholic Church was committed to Cardinal Seripandus of the same Order to be explain'd But that the Fourth Article of the Creed was assign'd to Michael Medina of the Order of Friers Minors appears from himself who attributed it to himself in the Preface to his Opusculum concerning the same Fourth Article of the Creed From Possevinus in Apparatu Lit. P. we learn that Peter Galesinus expounded in Latin that part of this Catechism wherein are explain'd God's Commandments and ibid. Lit. I. he asserts That Julius Spogianus expounded the last Head of this Catechism the same thing Castalio distinctly confirms in these Words In Writing of the Catechism which was made by the Decree of the Council of Trent publish'd by Command of Pope Pius V. there were many Divines and Learn'd Men that labor'd Delius Pasqualinus a very grave Man assur'd me that the Creed or at least a part of the Creed was given to Antonianus to be explain'd which I also found in his Adversaries Therefore O ye Pastors mark I beseech you Not only the Thomists took Pains in this Work as some have dream'd that they might lessen the Authority of it as tho it were not the Work of the Universal Church but of some peculiar Theological Sect wherein they cast no small Note of Infamy upon the Council and Pope But passing by the Holy Council which was over the whole Work we deny not that it was committed to some Fathers of the Order of Friers Preachers But from this very thing that they undertook the doing of this Office by the Churches Appointment it is manifest that they freely laid aside their own proper and peculiar Sense and Opinion if such they had or that it was enjoyn'd them either by the Decree of the Council or by the Command of the Pope by word of Mouth to handle all things not according to their own but according to the Churches Sense otherwise it had been imprudently done which to assert how wicked would it be Now the said Fathers were these I. Leonardus Martinus of Genua Archbishop of Lancia II. Giles Fuscararius of Bullen Bishop of Mutinum III. Francis Foretius of Lisbon a Divine of the King of Portugal's in the Council of Trent All which of how great Piety of how great Learning and of how great Renown they were for their very many Ecclesiastical Gifts and Functions both in the very Synod and out of it S. Charles Borromaeus in his Epistle to Stanislaus Hosius Cardinal Vivarin says enough alone to satisfie me that they were the most Learn'd among the Fathers of the Council And Joseph Ripalmontius confirms my Belief of the same thing when he says thus He he means S. Charles conceiv'd in his Mind that great Work of the Roman Catechism concerning the Performance of which Work the Fathers at Trent made a Decree and that Decree was extant among the rest and even the greatest Divines labor'd together in composing it and disposing the Heads of it But this was S. Charles 's Design too that the Divinity and Heigth of the Matters and Sentences therein might be explain'd by like proper Words for that purpose making use of such Men as were most Excellent for the Latin Tongue by them to finish a Work which might seem to be made for some better Age of Romans than the present Storm bonded From which it is manifest that the Praise of this Work is in no small measure due to S. Charles himself Which is also plain from the Epistle of the same Saint to the King of Portugal of whom he begs leave after the Dismission of the Council to retain Francis Foretius because he would be very necessary to the Church for the compleating of this Catechism But tho the Glory of this whole Sacred Work seems to be due to these Fathers yet nevertheless we must truly and deservedly acknowledge that we have receiv'd it from Pope Pius V. of Sacred Memory as from the
nations Matt. 28 19. baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost Again There are three which bear record in Heav'n 1 Joh. 5.7 the Father the Word and the holy Spirit and these three are one Yet let him diligently pray and beseech God and the Father who made all things of nothing and sweetly orders all things who gave us power to become the sons of God who has reveal'd this mystery of the Trinity to the soul of man let him I say who by the gift of God believs these things pray without ceasing that being at last receiv'd into everlasting Tabernacles he may be found worthy to see what the fruitfulness of God the Father is whereby beholding and understanding himself he cou'd beget a Son like and equal to himself And how of two the very same and an equal love of Charity which is the Holy Spirit proceeding from the Father and the Son knits together both the Begetter and the Begotten each to other with an eternal and indissoluble Band. And thus these is but one Essence and yet a perfect distinction of the Three Persons of the divine Trinity Almighty The Holy Scripture is us'd to express that supream Power and infinite Majesty of God by many names XV. Why gloriouâ—l p theâ—â— are given God to shew with how great religion and devotion his most holy name is to be worshipp'd but chiefly let the Curat teach that An Almighty Power is most commonly attributed to him For so he says of himself I am the Lord Almighty Again Gen. 17.1 when Jacob sent his sons to Joseph Gen. 43.14 he thus prays for them Now God Almighty give you favour before the man It is also written in the Revelations Rev. 1.8.16.5 The Lord God Almighty who was and is and is to come and elsewhere The great day is call'd the day of the Almighty God Sometimes also it is us'd to signifie the same thing in many words Pertinent to this place is that which is written Act. 2.20 Numb 11.23 â—â—nd 12.8 There is no word impossible with God Is the hand of the Lord weakend Thou canst doâ— whatsoever thou wilt There are many other expressions of the like kind In all which various forms of speech any one may easily perceiv the same to be understood which is comprehended in this single word Almighty Now by this Name of God we plainly perceiv XVI What the word Almighty signifies that there is nothing nay that we cannot so much as conceiv any thing in our mind or thought which God cannot bring to pass For he has power to do not those things only which fall under our apprehension tho they indeed are very great to wit to reduce all things into nothing and presently out of nothing again to make many worlds But he has power to do many mightier things than these and which our weak minds and understandings cannot conceive And yet tho God can do all things yet he cannot lye deceiv be deceiv'd or sin or be ignorant at all or perish for such things belong only to a Nature or Being whose actions are imperfect but we say God cannot do these things because his actions are always most perfect because to be able to do these things is a sign of weakness and not of that supreme and unlimited Power which God has We therefore so believ God to be Almighty that we abhor to think or imagine any thing of him which is not most agreeable to the most perfect Being The Curate may shew it was well and wisely done to omit other names of God in the Creed XVII Why in the Creed God is offerd to be believed Almighty and only to offer this one to us to believ For when we acknowledg God to be Almighty we must needs confess that he knows all things and that all things are subject to his Rule and Government And when we doubt not in the least of his Ability to do all things it must needs follow that we must allow all those other things which if he shou'd not have we cannot understand how he is Almighty Besides there is nothing so powerful to strengthen our Faith and Hope as to have this always settl'd in our mind that there is nothing which God cannot do For whatsoever we ought to believ tho it be great tho it be wonderful tho it exceeds the Order and Measure of things yet humane Reason easily and without any doubting yields and assents to it when once it owns that God is Almighty Yea rather by how much the greater those things are which the Oracles of God teach by so much the more readily does it account them to be believ'd And if any great good thing be promis'd and expected the mind is not discourag'd altho the thing it desires were too great But it chears and comforts it self often calling to remembrance that there is nothing which Almighty God cannot do With this Faith therefore we shou'd especially fortifie our selves XVIII The profitableness of Faith in God Almighty either when we are requir'd to do some wonderful works for the use and profit of our Neighbours or when we would beg any thing of God The one our Lord himself has taught us when reproving the Apostles for unbelief Matt. 17.20 he said If ye had Faith as a grain of Mustard-seed ye might say to this Mountain remove from hence to another place and it shall remove and nothing shall be impossible to you But of the other S. James testifies Jam. 1.6 7. Let him says he ask in Faith nothing doubting For he that doubts is like a Wave of the Sea which is mov'd and carry'd about with the Wind let not that Man therefore think that he shall receiv any thing of the Lord. This Faith does moreover afford us many profits and advantages It first teaches us all humility and lowliness of mind 1 Pet 5.6 for so says the Prince of Apostles Be ye humbl'd under the Mighty hand of God It also teaches us not to fear where no fear is but to fear that One God in whose power both we and all that belongs to us is Luc. 12.5 for so says our Saviour I will shew you whom ye shall fear Fear ye him who after he has kill'd has power to cast into Hell This Faith serves us also both to know and celebrate the infinite benefits of God towards us for he that does but think that God is Almighty cannot be so ungrateful as not oft'n to cry out Luc. â— 49 He that is Mighty has done great things for me But now when in this Article we call the Father Almighty XIX In the Trinity there are not three Almight s. let no one be so far deceiv'd as to think that we so ascribe that name to him as tho it belong'd not to the Son and Holy Ghost also For as we say The Father is God the Son is
of his to stir up both in Abraham's Seed and in many other Men the expectation of a Saviour For when once the Jewish Commonwealth and Religion became Setled This began to grow more common and known to his people For there were many things which signifi'd and many Men which foretold What and how great good things that Saviour and our Redeemer Jesus Christ was to bring us And indeed the Prophets whose Minds were illuminated with Light from Heav'n foretold the people of the Birth of the Son of God Isa 7.15 8.3.9.6.11.1.53 throughout Jer. 23.5.30.9 Dan. 7 13.9.24 and the wonderful works which he shou'd perform when he shou'd be made Man his Doctrin Manners Kindred Practice Death Resurrection and other Mysteries of him and all this they taught so plainly as tho they had bin done before their Faces So that excepting the difference of time only we cou'd not discover any diversity between the Predictions of the Prophets and the preaching of the Apostles between the Faith of the old Patriarchs and our own But now we will speak of the several parts of the Article Iesus is his proper name VII What the name Jesus signifies and by whom it was given Luc. 1.31 who is God and Man and it signifies a Saviour and this name was given him not by chance nor by the judgment or will of Men but by the counsel and command of God For so the Angel told Mary his Mother Behold thou shalt cenceiv in thy Womb and bring forth a Son and shalt call his name Jesus and afterwards he not only commanded Joseph the Husband of the Virgin to call the Child by that name but also tells the reason why he was to be so call'd For he says Joseph thou Son of David Mat. 1.21 fear not to take to thee Mary thy Wife for that which is born in her is of the Holy Ghost And likewise her Son and thou shalt call his name Jesus for he shall save his people from their Sins We read in Holy Scripture of many who were of this name As the son of Nun VIII The name Jesus suitable to Christ especially who succeeded Moses and led the people whom Moses deliver'd out of Egypt into the Land of Promise which was deny'd to Moses Josedech the son of a Priest was call'd by the same name But how much more truly ought we to believ That our Saviour ought to be call'd by this name who has brought light liberty and salvation not to one People or Nation only but to all Men of all ages oppress'd not with Famine or with Egyptian or Babylonian Bondage but sittng in the shadow of Death and miserably fetterd in Sin and the chains of the Devil and has purchas'd for them a Right and Inheritance in the Kindom of Heav'n and reconcil'd them to God the Father In them we see Christ our Lord shadow'd who heaps upon mankind those Blessings here mention'd Now all those names before spoken of which by divine appointment were to be given to the Son of God are all to be referr'd to this one name Jesus For whereas all the other in some measure had only touch'd the Salvation he was to give us this one conteins the whole weight and vertue of the compleat Salvation of Mankind And to the name of Iesus IX Why the name Christ added to the name Jesus this name of Christ is also added which signifies Anointed and is a name both of Honour and Office nor is it proper to one thing but common to more For our old Fathers were us'd to call Priests and Kings whom God had commanded to be anointed for the dignity of their Office Christs The Priests were they Reg 12 3.24.6 who in their daily Prayers recommended the people to God and offer'd Sacrifice to God for them Kings had the government of the people committed to them and to them chiefly belongs the power of the Laws to protect the Innocent and to correct the boldness of the Wicked Because therefore both of these Offices seem to relate to the Majesty of God in the Earth therefore those that were chosen to the Office of King or Priest were anointed with Oyl It was customary also to anoint the Prophets who as the Interpreters and Ambassadors of the immortal God open'd to us the Secrets of Heav'n and by wholesome Precepts and foretelling things to come warn'd Men to mend their manners But when Jesus Christ our Saviour came into the World X. Christ a Prophet King and Priest he undertook the Part and Office of all these three Persons Prophet Priest and King and for these causes he is call'd Christ and anointed for the discharge of those Offices not by the act of any mortal but by the influence and vertue of his Heav'nly Father not with earthly Oyntment but with spiritual Oyl when the fulness of the Holy Spirit and Grace and a more plentiful measure of all gifts was pour'd into his most Holy Soul than the Being or Nature of any other Creature was able to receiv and this the Prophet plainly shews when speaking to the Redeemer himself he said Ps 44.7 Thou hast lov'd Righteousness and hated Iniquity therefore God even thy God has anointed thee with the Oyl of Gladness above thy Fellows The same thing but much more plainly has the Prophet Isaiah shew'd in these Words Isay 61.1 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because the Lord has sent me to preach to the meek Jesus Christ therefore was that great Prophet and Teacher XI How Christ a Prophet Priest and King who taught us the Will of God and by whose teaching the whole World has receiv'd the knowledg of our Heav'nly Father and this name does much more truly and excellently belong to him because all whatsoever that were honour'd with this name of Prophet were but his Disciples and for this cause chiefly were they sent That they shou'd prophesie of this Prophets coming to save all Men. The same Christ was a Priest not of the same Order as the Priests of the tribe of Levi under the old Law were but of that of which the Prophet David sings Ps 189 4â— Heb. 5.7 Thou art a Priest for ever after the Order of Melchisedech Which Argument the Apostle writing to the Hebrews handles excellently But we acknowledg Christ to be a King also not only as he is God but as he is Man and partakes of our Nature Luc. 1.33 Of whom the Angel testifies He shall reign for ever in Jacob and of his Kingdom there shall be no end Now this Kingdom of Christ is Spiritual and Eternal XII How and by whom Christs Kingdom is govern'd begun indeed on Earth but perfected in Heav'n And by his wonderful Providence performs the Office of King of his Church He governs it he defends it from the snares and violence of its enemies he gives it not only Holiness and Righteousness but also Power and Strength to
But this also is very wonderful VIII Christ not Man before God That so soon as ever the Soul of Christ was joyned with his Body his very God-head or Divinity was also knit together with his Soul and Body Wherefore his Body was at once both form'd and quickn'd and his Divinity joyn'd to his Soul and Body Whence it came to pass IX The Virgin truly Mother of God and Man That in the same moment of time he became perfect God and perfect Man and the most Holy Virgin truly and properly call'd Mother of God and of Man in the same moment wherein she conceiv'd God and Man This was signifi'd by the Angel when he said Luc. 1.31 Behold thou shalt conceiv in thy Womb and shalt bring forth a Son and shalt call his name Jesus he shall be great and shall be call'd the Son of the most High By the event it was well prov'd what Isaiah foretold Isa 7.14 Behold a Virgin shall conceiv and bring forth a Son That Elizabeth also perceiv'd this to be the Conception of the Son of God she being fill'd with the Holy Ghost declares in these Words Whence comes this thing to me Luc. 1.43 That the Mother of my Lord comes to me Now as the Body of Christ was form'd of the purest Blood of the purest Virgin X. Christ as soon as conceiv'd had all Grace without the help of Man as was said before but by the only Power of the Holy Ghost so also as soon as he was conceiv'd his Soul receiv'd an overflowing plenty and all abundance of the Chrism or anointing of the Holy Spirit For God gave not his Spirit to him by measure Job 3.34 as to other Men adorn'd with Grace and Holiness as S. John testifies but be pouer'd plentifully into his Soul all Grace Joh. 1.16 That of his fulness we might all receiv Nor may we call him The Adopted Son of God Note tho he had the Spirit wereby holy Men obtain the Adoption of the Sons of God for he being the Son of God by Nature we may not think that the Grace or name of Adoption can by any means be proper or suitable to him These are the things which seem proper to be explain'd XI How the fruits of the belief of this Article to be got concerning the wonderful Mystery of Christs Conception from whence that some wholsome Fruit and Advantage might redound to us the Faithful ought to fix these things in their Memories and frequently to consider in their Hearts That it is God who took Human flesh upon himself Yet such a way did he become Man that we cannot comprehend in our Minds nor express with Words Lastly that for this end he wou'd become Man That we might be born again and become the Children of God This when they have well consider'd and all the Mysteries contein'd in this Article let them with humble and faithful Minds believ and adore them not seeking to search or pry narrowly into them because they can scarce ever do it without great danger Born of the Virgin Mary This is the other Part of this Article XII Christ born of a Virgin in explaining whereof the Curat shou'd be very diligent because the Faithful are bound to believ not only That Christ our Lord was conceiv'd by the power of the Holy Ghost but that he was born and brought forth into the World by the Virgin Mary With how much sweetness joy and satisfaction of Mind the Belief of this mystery is to be entertain'd and meditated upon the Angel declares who first brought this joyful news to the world Luc. 2.10 Behold I bring you glad tidings of great joy which shall be to all People And from that Song of the Heav'nly Host Luc. 2.14 Glory to God in the highest and in Earth peace to men of good will What the Angels sung is easie to understand Herein that most ample Promise of God to Abraham began to be fulfill'd to whom it was said Gen. 22.18 that in his seed all the Nations of the Earth shou'd be blessed For That Mary whom we declare and worship as the true Mother of God because she brought forth that person which was both God and Man together Mat. 1.39 had her Off-spring from David the King but as that conception does quite surpass the order and course of nature so in that birth we may not contemplate any thing but what is Divine And besides XIII How the Virgin brought forth Christ Joh. 20.19 than which nothing more wonderful can be either said or thought he was born of his Mother without any damage to or less'ning of his Mothers Virginity And as afterwards he went out of his Toom tho it were shut and seal'd and went in to his Disciples the doors being shut or to take a similitude from things we daily see come to pass by nature as the rays of the Sun penetrate the concrete hard substance of Glass and yet neither break nor hurt it in the least after a like but a higher sort I say Jesus Christ was brought forth out of his Mothers womb without any hurt to his Mothers Virginity for we celebrate her unstain'd and perpetual Virginity with the truest praises and commendations And this was wrought by the power of Holy Ghost who was present with the Mother in such a manner at the conception of the Son and birth of her Son that he gave her both Fruitfulness and perfect Virginity The Apostle uses sometimes to call Christ Jesus the new Adam XIV Christ compar'd to Adam Mary to Eve 1 Cor. 15.21 22. and to compare him with the first Adam for as in the first Adam all dye so in the second Adam all are call'd again to life And as Adam as to the natural state is the Father of all mankind so Christ is the Author of Grace and Glory After the same manner we may so compare the Virgin Mother with Eve that the second Eve which is Mary may answer to the first Eve as we have already shew'd that the second Adam which is Christ answers to the first Adam For Eve because she believ'd the Serpent brought death and a curse upon mankind and when Mary believ'd the Angel it came to pass by God's goodness that life and a blessing came down upon men Throw Eve we were born the children of wrath Eph. 2.3 5. but of Mary we have receiv'd Jesus Christ by whom we are born again the children of Grace It was said to Eve Gen. 3.16 in sorrow shalt thou bring forth Children Mary is freed from this Law as being she who having kept her Virgin Modesty safe and entire brought forth Jesus the Son of God without any feeling or sence of pain as before was said When therefore the mysteries of this wonderful Conception and Nativity are so many and so great XV. Figures of Christ's conception and nativity it pleas'd the divine Providence
to signifie them before hand by many Signs Oracles and Prophecies The Holy Fathers therefore understood many of the things we read in the Holy Scriptures to belong to this matter but especially where we read of that Gate of the Sanctuary which Ezekiel saw shut also the Stone cut out of the mountain without hands as we read in Daniel which became a great Mountain and fill'd the whole Earth And Aarons Rod which only of all the Rods of the Princes of Israel budded Num. 17.8 Exod 3.4 and the Bush which Moses saw burn Luc. 2. and was not consumed The Holy Evangelist has largely describ'd the history of Christs Birth Of which therefore there is no need that we speak more since 't is easie for the Curate to read more there Great pains ought to be taken XVI In explaining this mystery what the people ought to be perswaded to Rom. 15.4 Job 26.11 that those mysteries which were written for our learning might be fixed and rooted in the minds of the Faithful And first of all in commemoration of so great a benefit that they be thankful to God the Author thereof and next that they always lay before their eyes for their example to imitate this so great and singular pattern of Humility For what can be more useful or profitable to check the pride and haughtiness of our hearts than often to think that God does so humble himself that he communicates his glory with men and takes on himself their weakness and frailty that God becomes Man and gives that supreme and infinite Majesty to Man at whose Nod the very Pillars of Heav'n as the Scripture says tremble and quake for fear and that he shou'd be born in earth whom the very Angels adore in Heav'n What therefore since God does these things for our sake what I say ought we to do in obedience to him How willingly and chearfully ought we to love embrace and perform all Offices of Humility The Faithful see how wholsom a Doctrine the Birth of Christ teaches us even before he began to utter his voice He is born needy he is born a Stranger in an Inn He is born in a vile Manger He is born in the depth of Winter Luc. 2.6 9. for thus writes St. Luke It came to pass that while they were there the days were accomplish'd that she should bring forth and she brought forth her first born Son and wrapp'd him in swadling cloaths and laid him in a manger because there was no room for him in the Inn. Cou'd the Evangelist include all the whole Glory and Majesty of Heav'n and Earth in more bumble expressions Nor does he write that there was no room in the Inn Ps 49.12 but none for him who said The whole earth is mine and the fulness thereof Which also another Evangelist testifies saying He came to his own and his own receiv'd him not These things when the Faithful remember XVII How great grace and glory redounds to us by the Incarnation let them also remember that God was contented to undergo the lowliness and frailty of our flesh that he might raise mankind up to the highest degree of Dignity for this one thing sufficiently discovers that excellent dignity and worth which he has by the divine bounty obtain'd that He vouchsaft to become Man who also was true and perfect God so that now we may boast that the Son of God is our bone and our flesh which those Blessed Spirits cannot do for as the Apostle says He in no case took upon him the nature of Angels but he took upon him the seed of Abraham But then we ought to take heed XVIII A singular admonition that all this happ'n not to our extream hurt that as at Bethlehem where he was born they wou'd allow him no room so also since he is now born in our flesh he find no room in our hearts where he may be spiritually born For this it is he being most earnestly desirous of our salvation that he earnestly calls for For as by the power of the Holy Ghost he was beyond the Order of Nature made Man Joh. 1.13 Rom. 64 5. and 7.6 and giv'n to us was Holy yea Holiness it self so it behov's us to be born not of blood nor of the will of the flesh but of God and then as new creatures to walk in newness of Spirit and to keep that holiness and integrity of mind which much becomes men regenerated by the Spirit of God For by this means we shall express in our selvs a certain kind of image or resemblance of the holy conception and Nativity of this Son of God 2 Cor. 2.7 which we believ with a faithful heart and believing wisdom of God which was hidd'n in a Mystery we embrace and adore it ARTICLE IV. SUffered under Pontius Pilate was crucified dead and buried How necessary the knowledge of this Article is and what diligent care the Curat ought to take that the faithful be often put in remembrance of our Lord's Passion the Apostle teaches who professes that he determin'd to know nothing else but Jesus Christ and him crucified Upon this account therefore all care and diligence ought to be us'd that the faithful being stirr'd up with the commemoration of so great a benefit may turn themselv's wholly to the Love of God and the embracing of his goodness Faith therefore in the former part of this Article for of the other shall be spok'n afterwards offers this to our Belief that when Pontius Pilate II. What is propos'd to be believ'd in this Article by command of Tyberius Caesar govern'd the Province of Judea Christ our Lord was fastn'd to a Cross for he was Taken Mock'd Suffer'd many kinds of Injuries and Torments and at last Crucifi'd Nor are we to think that as to his Inward Part his Soul was free from those torments for since he truly took the Humane Nature upon him we must needs confess that in his Soul he felt the most tormenting Grief Mat. 26.38 Mar. 14.34 wherefore he said my soul is exceeding sorrowful even to death For tho his Humane Nature was join'd to his Divine Person yet by reason of that very conjunction he no less felt the bitterness of his passion than if that conjunction had not been made since in that one person of Christ Jesus the proprieties of both natures the Divine and Humane were still preserv'd and therefore that which was passible and mortal still remain'd passible and mortal and again that which was impassible and immortal such as we understand the Divine Nature to be still restain'd its own propriety And where in this place seems fit to be diligently observ'd III. Why the Time of his Passion was thus noted the Curat shall teach that Jesus Christ suffer'd at that time when Pontius Pilate govern'd the Province of Judea and that this was done for this reason that the knowledge of so great and so necessary
Bliss and Glory which they waited for they were in a kind of Torment But Christ our Lord descended not to suffer any more but to free the Saints and Righteous Men from the Misery and Trouble of that Imprisonment and to bestow upon them the Fruits of his Passion That therefore he went down to Hell was no lessening of his supream Dignity and Power These things being explain'd IX Why Christ went down to Hell it must be taught that Christ our Lord went down to Hell that after he had spoil'd the Devils he might lead those Holy Fathers and other pious persons being now freed from Prison with him to Heav'n which wonderfully and gloriously he has accomplish'd For immediatly the sight of him gave transcendant Light to the Captiv's and fill'd their souls with immense joy and gladness on whom he also bestow'd that most desir'd Bliss which consists in the Vision of God which done it is manifest what it was he promis'd the Thief in these words Luc. 23.43 This day thou shalt be with me in Paradice But of this deliverance of the Godly the Prophet Osee so long before propheci'd in this manner O death I will be thy death O Hell I will be thy destruction The Prophet Zachary signifi'd the same thing when he said Thou also by the blood of thy Testament hast sent them that are bound out of the lake wherein there is no water Lastly the same thing the Apostle expresses in these words Col. 2.15 in taking the spoils of principalities and powers he made a shew of them openly triumphing over them in himself But that we may understand the force of this mystery the better X. Who are sav'd by the benefit of Christs Passion we ought often to call to remembrance that devout men not only who were born after the coming of our Lord but those who after Adam were before him or who hereafter shall be to the end of the World have and shall attain Salvation by the benefit of his Passion Wherefore before he dy'd and rose again the Gates of Heav'n were never open to any but the Souls of the Godly when they departed this life were either carry'd into Abraham's Bosome or as now it fares with them who have somewhat to be purg'd or satisfi'd were cleans'd by the fire of Purgatory There is besides XI Another Reason of Christ's going down to Hell Phil. 2.10 another Reason why Christ our Lord went down to Hell namely that he might there shew his Might and Power as he had done in Heav'n and Earth and that as every knee both of things in Heav'n and things in Earth bow'd at the name of him so also of things below and under the Earth At consideration whereof who is there who admires not and even stands not amaz'd at the immense bounty of God towards mankind who was willing not only to undergo the most bitter Death for us but also to go down to the very lowest parts of the Earth that he might carry with him the Souls so very dear to him which he thence victoriously bore away to bliss and happiness Now follows the other part of the Article XII The other Part of the Article concerning the Resurrection 2 Tim. 2.8 in explaining whereof how painful the Curat ought to be appears by those words of the Apostle Remember that the Lord Jesus Christ arose again from the dead For what he commanded Timothy it is not to be doubted but that it is also commanded to all others that have the Cure of Souls And this is the meaning of the Article After that Christ our Lord had giv'n up the Ghost on the Cross upon Friday at the ninth hour of the day and the same day at Even he was bury'd by his Disciples who by leav of Pilate the President laid the body of our Lord when they had tak'n it down from the Cross into a new Tomb in a Garden near at hand the third day after his death which was the Lords day early in the morning his soul was again join'd to his body and so he who was dead those three days arose again and return'd to life out of which he departed by death but by the word Resurrection we are not to understand only that Christ was rais'd from the dead which was a thing common to many others but that he rose again by his own power and vertue which was a singular thing and proper to Him alone For it is contrary to Nature XIV No man can naturally rise again from the dead 2 Cor. 13.4 nor was it even granted to any man to be able by his own power to rais'e himself from death to life but this belongs to the supream power of God only as we learn from those words of the Apostle Altho he was crucifi'd throw weakness yet he liv's by the power of God which seeing it was never separated from Christ's Body in the Sepulchre nor from his Soul when it went down into Hell his Divine Power was both in his Body so that it cou'd be joyn'd again to his Soul and in his Soul so that it cou'd again be brought back to his Body so that by his own power he might revive and rise again from the dead And this thing XV. The Resurrection soretold Psa 97.2 David being full of the Spirit of God foretold in these words His right hand and his Holy arm hath gott'n himself the victory And the Lord himself by the divine testimony of his own mouth has confirm'd it I lay down my life and I will take it up again Joh. 10.17 and I have power to lay it down and I have power to take it up again And also to the Jews for confirmation of his doctrin he said Joh. 2.19 Dissolve this temple and in three days I will raise it up again Which tho they indeed understood of that Temple magnificently built of Stones yet he as is declar'd in the same place by the words of Scripture Act. 1.24 spake of the Temple of his Body Now although we sometimes read in Scripture that Christ our Lord was raised by the Father this is to be understood of Christ as Man ev'n as those things again relate to himself as God whereby is signifi'd that he rose again by his own Power And this also belongs specially to Christ XVI Christ first rose from the dead Apoc. 1.5 1 Cor. 15.20 that He was the First who enjoy'd this divine benefit of the Resurrection For in Scripture he is called the First begotten among the dead and the First begotten of the dead And as the Apostle has it Christ arose again from the dead being the First-fruits of them that sleep for verily by Man came death and by Man came the Resurrection of the dead and as in Adam all dye so in Christ shall all be made alive but every one in his own order Christ the First fruits and afterwards those that are Christ's Which
cast out far from the sight of God nor can they receive any comfort from any Hope that they shall ever enjoy so great a Good And This by Divines is call'd the Pain of Loss viz. That the Wicked in Hell shall for ever want the Light of the Vision of God But that which is added ye Cursed does wonderfully increase their misery and calamity For if when they are to be driven out from the presence of God they might be thought worthy of some small Blessing this might truly be some considerable comfort to them But for as much as they must expect nothing that can alleviate their misery when they are cast out the Divine Justice will rightly follow them with every Malediction and Curse And then follows Into everlasting-fire which other kind of Pain Divines call the Pain of Sense because it can be felt by the bodily Senses as in Stripes Buffetings and other more grievous kinds of punishments among which there can be no doubt that the torments of Fire do cause the most exquisite sense of Pain to which evil when it is added that all this wilt be For ever it is thereby shew'd that the pains of the Damn'd will be loaded with all kinds of punishments And This those words which are plac'd in the latter part of the Sentence more fully declare Which is prepar'd for the Devil and his Angels For whereas so it is that we can more easily endure all troubles if we have some Companion and Consort of our Calamity by whose prudence and humanity we may in some measure be reliev'd what at last will be the Misery of the Damn'd who tho loaded with so great Torments shall notwithstanding never be deliver'd from the company of the most accursed Devils And this indeed is the Sentence that shall most justly be denounc'd by our Lord and Savior upon the Wicked as being they who neglected all works of true Piety and gave neither Meat nor Drink to the Hungry and Thirsty took not in the Stranger cloath'd not the Naked and visited not the Sick and Imprison'd These are the things which the Curats ought often to inculcate into the ears of the Faithful XI Discourse of the last Judgment should be frequent and why Eccles 40. Aug. Ser. 120. de Temp. Greg. Hom. 3 9. in Eâ—â—â—ng Bernaâ—â— Serm. 1. in sesto omnium sanctorum For the Truth of this Article being rightly believ'd will have great force to bridle the wicked desires of the mind and hold men back from sinning Wherefore in Ecclesiasticus it is said In all thy works remember thy latter end and thou wilt not sin forever And indeed hardly will any one be carri'd head-long into wickedness whom this Consideration cannot recal to the study of Piety That sometime or other he must give an Account before the most just Judge not only of all his Actions and Words but also of his most hidden Thoughts and must suffer Punishment according to his desert But it must needs be that the Just will be more stirr'd up to do Justice and to rejoyce exceedingly tho he here lead his life in Want in Disgrace and Afflictions when he thinks in his mind of that Day when after the combat of this troublesome life he shall in the hearing of all Men be proclaim'd a Conquerer and shall be receiv'd into his heav'nly Country and adorn'd with Divine Honour What remains therefore but that the Faithful be exhorted to take the best manner of life and exercise themselves in the study of all Piety that so they may with the greater Joy and Security of Mind wait for and expect the coming of that great Day of the Lord and so as becomes Children with the greatest Earnestness to desire it ARTICLE VIII I Believ in the Holy Ghost Hitherto those things have bin expounded I. Fith in the Holy Ghost necessary so far as the Reason of the Argument seem'd to require which belong'd to the First and Second Person of the Holy Trinity Now it follows That those things also which in the Creed are deliver'd concerning the Third Person that is the Holy Ghost shou'd be explain'd In treating of which matter the Pastors shou'd use their utmost Endeavor and Diligence Act. 19.2 seeing it is to be suppos'd That a Christian Man may no more be ignorant of This part or not believe rightly concerning it than of the other former Articles Wherefore the Apostle would not suffer certain of the Ephesians to be ignorant of the Person of the Holy Ghost Of whom when he ask'd Whether they had receiv'd the Holy Ghost and when they answer'd That they knew not whether there was an Holy Ghost he presently ask'd them In whom therefore were ye baptiz'd In which words he signify'd That the distinct knowledg of this Article is necessary to the Faithful from which they have this Fruit especially that when they consider attentively That whatsoever they have they have it of the Gift and Bounty of the Holy Ghost then do they begin to think more modestly and humbly of themselves and to place all their Hope in Gods Protection which ought to be the First Step of a Christian to the highest Wisdom and Happiness We must therefore begin the explanation of this Article from the Force and Notion which here is included in that Name of the Holy Ghost or Holy Spirit for the very same may indifferently and rightly be said both of the Father and of the Son II What the Holy Ghost properly signifies for either of them is a Spirit and Holy for we confess that God is a Spirit and besides that the Angels and the Souls of the Pious are signify'd by this word there must care be taken lest the people by the ambiguity of the Word be led into Eror In this Article therefore it must be taught That the Third Person of the Trinity is understood by the name of the Holy Ghost after which manner in the Holy Scriptures both of the Old Testament sometimes and of the New Testament very frequently he is taken for David prays Ps 50.12 Wisd 9 17. 〈◊〉 1.9 Matt. 1.20 Luc. 1.35 And take not thy Holy Spirit from me In the Book of Wisdom we read Who has known thy counsel except thou give Wisdom and send thy Holy Spirit from above And elsewhere He created it by his Holy Spirit And in the New Testament we are commanded to be baptiz d In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost And we read That the most Holy Virgin did conceive by the Holy Ghost and we are also sent by S. John to Christ Joh. 1.15 who baptizes us with the Holy Ghost and in many other places besides in reading we may meet with this Word And no one ought to wonder III. Why the H ly Ghost hâ—s no proper name That a proper name is not giv'n to the Third Person as there is to the First and Second for the Second Person
has therefore a proper name and is call'd Son because his eternal Birth of the Father is properly call'd Generation as has bin explain'd in the former Article As therefore that Birth is signify'd by the name os Generation So that Person which flows we properly call Son and him from whom he flows we properly call Father Now whereas there is no proper name giv'n to the production of the Third Person but is call'd Spiration and Procession it follows That the Person also which is produc'd want his own proper name Now his Emanation has no proper name because we are forc'd to borrow from creat'd things those Names which are giv'n to God Wherein because we know no other way of communicating of Nature and Being but by vertue of Generation for this cause it is that we cannot express by any proper word the way whereby God communicates his whole self by vertue of his Love Wherefore the Third Person is call'd by the common name of Holy Spirit which verily we understand very well to suit with him from hence because he pours spiritual Life into us and without the inspiration of his most Holy Deity we can do nothing worthy of eternal Life And now the signification of the Name being explain'd IV. The Holy Ghost prov'd God equal with the Father and Son the people are first of all to be taught That the Holy Ghost is equally God with the Father and the Son that he is equal with him equally Almighty Eternal and of infinite Perfection the supreme Good and most Wise and of the and same Nature with the Father and the Son Which also the propriety of the word In sufficiently shews First when we say I believe in the Holy Ghost which is fitted to express the force of our Faith in the several persons of the Trinity And this also is confirm'd by plain Testimonies of Holy Scripture Secondly for when S. Peter in the Acts of the Apostles had said Act. 5. Ananias why has Satan tempted thy Heart to lye to the Holy Ghost he presently says Thou hast not ly'd to Men but to God Whom before he call'd Holy Ghost the same he presently after calls God And the Apostle to the Corinthians interprets him to be the Holy Ghost Thirdly 1 Cor. 12.6 whom he had call'd God There are says he divisions of operations but the same God which works all in all and then he subjoyns But all these things works that One and the selfsame Spirit dividing to every one severally as he will Besides in the Acts of the Apostles Fourâ—hly that which the Prophets attribute to God only he ascribes to the Holy Ghost For Esayah had said Isay 6.8 I heard the voice of the Lord saying Whom shall I send and he said to me Go thou and say to this people Harden the heart of this people and make heavy their ears and close up their eyes lest haply they see with their eyes and bear with their ears Which words when the Apostle had cited Act. 28.25 Well says he did the Holy Ghost speak by Esayas the Prophet And then Fifthly when the Scripture joyns the Person of the Holy Ghost with the Father and the Son that when he commands That the name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost should be mention'd in Baptism there is no room left us to doubt of the Truth of this Mystery For if the Father be God and the Son God we must be forc'd to confess that the Holy Ghost who is joyn'd with them in the same Degree of Honour is God also And this may be added Sixthly That he who is baptiz'd in the name of any created thing can reap no fruit thereby Were ye 1 Cor. 13. says he baptiz'd in the name of Paul to shew that this cou'd profit them nothing to the attaining Salvation When therefore we are baptiz'd in the name of the Holy Ghost we must needs confess that he is God And we may observe this order of the Three Persons in S. John's Epistle also Seventhly whereby is prov'd the Divinity of the Holy Ghost 1 Joh. 5.7 There are Three which bear record in Heav'n the Father the Word and the Holy Ghost and these Three are One. And also in that famous Elogy or Hymn or Praise of the Holy Trinity wherewith the Divine Lands and Psalms are concluded Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost Lastly Eighthly And which most of all belongs to the confirmation of this Truth whatsoever we believe to be proper to God the same the Holy Scriptures testifie to agree to the Holy Ghost And therefore they attribute to him the honour of Temples 1 Cor. 6.19 2 Thess 2.13 Joh. 6.63 2 Cor. 3.6 2 Cor. 2.10 As when the Apostle says Know ye not that your Members are the Temple of the Holy Ghost so also Sanctification and Vivification or quick'ning and to search into the Depths of God And to speak by the Prophets and to be every where All which things are to be attributed only to the Divine Deity And this moreover is carefully to be explain'd V. The Holy Ghost a distinct person from the Father and the Son That the Holy Ghost is God so as that we must confess him to be the Third Person in the Divine Nature distinct from the Father and the Son and produc'd by their Will For to omit other Testimonies of Scripture the Form of Baptism which our Savior has taught most plainly shews Matt. 28.19 That the Holy Ghost is the Third Person which in the Divine Nature stands of it self and is distinct from the rest Which also the words of the Apostle declare when he says 1 Cor. 13.15 The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Love of God and the Communication of the Holy Ghost be with you all Amen The same thing but much more plainly do those things evidence which the Fathers in the first council of Constantinople have added in this place to confute the impious madness of Macedonius And in the Holy Ghost the Lord and giver of Life who proceeds from the Father and the Son who with the Father and the Son together is worshipp'd and glorified Who spake by the Prophets That therefore they confess the Holy Ghost to be Lord they declare in this how much he excels the Angels which yet are most noble Spirits created of God For S. Paul witnesses That they all are ministring Spirits Heb. 1.14 sent forth to minister for them who receive the Inheritance of Salvation And they call him the Giver of Life VI. Why the Holy Ghost call'd the Giver of life because the Soul being joyn'd with God does more truly live than the Body when it is nourish'd and sustain'd by conjunction with the Soul And because the Holy Scriptures attribute to the Holy Ghost this Conjunction of the Soul with God it appears plainly that he is most
truly call'd Spirit that gives Life or quick'ning Spirit And now what follows VII How the Holy Ghost proceeds from the Father and the Son Who proceeds from the Father and the Son the Faithful are to be taught That the Holy Ghost by eternal procession proceeds from the Father and the Son as from One Principle For this the Rule of the Church from which a Christian may not wander proposes to us to believe and it is confirm'd by the authority of Holy Scripture and Councils For Christ our Lord speaking of the Holy Ghost said Joh. 16.14 He shall glorifie me because he shall receive of mine This same thing is gather'd hence that in Holy Scripture the Holy Spirit is sometimes call'd the Spirit of Christ sometimes the Spirit of the Father One while he is said to be sent by the Father another while by the Son that it may be plainly signify'd that he does equally proceed from the Father Rom. 8.9 and the Son He that has not the Spirit of Christ Gal. 4.6 says S. Paul he is none of his And the same he calls the Spirit of Christ when he says to the Galatians God has sent the Spirit of his Son into your Hearts crying Abba Father In S. Matthew he is call'd the Spirit of the Father Mat. 10.20 It is not ye that speak but the Spirit of your Father Joh. 15.25 And our Lord at his Supper said the Paraclet or Comforter whom I will send to you even the Spirit of Truth which proceeds from the Father he shall bear witness of me And elsewhere That the same Holy Ghost shou'd be sent from the Father Joh. 14.21 he affirms in these words Whom the Father will send in my name From whence when we understand the Procession of the Holy Ghost it is plain That the same Holy Ghost proceeds from Both. And these are the things which must be taught concerning the Person of the Holy Ghost It is needful moreover to teach VIII Of the Attributes of the Holy Ghost that there are certain wonderful Effects and some bountiful Gifts of the Holy Ghost which are said to spring and flow front him as from the everlasting Fountain of Good For tho the works of the most Holy Trinity which are done extrinsically are common to the Three Persons yet many of them are ascrib'd as proper to the Holy Ghost that we may know that they come to us of the immense Love of God For seeing that the Holy Ghost proceeds from the Divine Will as being inflam'd with Love it may be perceiv'd That those Effects which are properly referr'd to the Holy Ghost do spring from the exceeding Love of God towards us Wherefore IX Why the Holy Ghost is call'd a Gift hence it follows That the Holy Ghost is call'd a Gift For by the word Gift is signify'd that which is kindly and freely given without any hope of Reward And then whatsoever good things or benefits are bestow'd on us from God for what have we as the Apostle says 1 Cor. 4.7 which we have not receiv'd of God those things we ought with a pious and thankful Heart to acknowledg were given us by the grant and gift of the Holy Ghost But there are other effects of his For to omit the Creation of the World and the Propagation and Government of created things of which we have made mention in the First Article it was a little before shew'd That the giving of Life is properly attributed to the Holy Ghost and it is so confirm'd by the Testimony of Ezekiel Ezek. 31.6 I will give you Spirit says he and ye shall live And yet the Prophet reckons up the principal Effects of the Holy Ghost X. The Gifts of the Holy Ghost Isa 11.3 Aug. lib. 15. de Trin. c. 18 19. and those which are most especially proper to him The Spirit of Wisdom and Vnderstanding the Spirit of Counsel and Fortitude the Spirit of Knowledge and Piety and the Spirit of the Fear of the Lord. Sometimes also the name of the Holy Ghost is given to those things which are call'd the Gifts of the Holy Ghost Wherefore wisely does S. Austin admonish us to observe when in Holy Scripture there is mention made of this word Holy Spirit that we may discern whether it signifies the Third Person of the Trinity or his Effects and Operations For these two are to he distinguish'd with the same difference wherewith we believe also that the Creator differs from the things he created And these things are by so much the more diligently to be explain'd because from these Gifts of the Holy Ghost we draw Rules of Christian Life and may know whether the Holy Ghost be in us But above all other his bountiful Gifts XI Justifying Grace the Gift of the Holy Ghost that Grace is to be valued which justifies us and signs us with the Holy Spirit of Promise which is the Earnest of our Inheritance for this joyns our Mind to God in the most strict bond of Love whence it comes to pass That being inflam'd with the most ardent study of Piety we begin a new Life and being made partakers of the Divine Nature we are call'd and truly are the Children of God ARTICLE IX J Believe the Holy Catholic Church With how great diligence the Pastors ought to take care to explain the truth of this Ninth Article to the Faithful I. Why this Article is diligently to be explain'd S Aug. in Ps 30. v. 15. it may easily be understood if two things chiefly be consider'd For first as S. Austin witnesses The Prophets have spoken more plainly and openly of the Church than of Christ forasmuch as they foresaw That many more might err and be deceiv'd in this point than in the Mystery of the Incarnation Nor will there be wanting wicked Men who after the imitation of the Ape which fancies it self a Man wou'd profess that they are Catholics and no less wickedly than proudly would affirm the Catholic Church to be only with them And then he who has this Truth settled in a sound Mind shall easily avoid the horrible danger of Heresie For not every one II. Who is truly to be call'd a Heretick so soon as he has err'd in Faith is to be call'd a Heretic But he who neglecting the Authority of the Church stiffly defends his impious Opinions Since therefore it cannot be that any one can defile himself with the Plague of Heresie if he believe those things which in this Article are propos'd to be believ'd let the Pastors be very careful That the Faithful knowing this Mystery and being fortify'd against the Wiles of the Adversary persevere in the Truth of the Faith Now This Article depends upon the Truth of the Former Note Because seeing it has been already shew'd That the Holy Ghost is the Fountain and Giver of all Holiness we now confess That it is He who bestows Holiness on the church
of the Flesh but not of the Soul Wherefore they were instituted only to be Signs of those things which are effectually wrought in our Services But the Sacraments of the New Law flowing from Christ's side who through the Holy Ghost offer'd himself to God cleanse our Consciences from dead works to serve the Living God and so by vertue of the Blood of Christ they work that Grace which they signifie Wherefore if we compare them with the Old Sacraments besides that they have a greater Efficacy they will be found to be much more full of profit and more reverend and holy August lib. 2. de Symb. c. 6. in Joan. Tract 15. lib. 15. de Civit. Dei c. 26. Another Effect of the Sacraments XXIX Another Effect whch is of Three Sacraments only is a Character 2 Cor. 1.21 not common to all but proper to Three only is the Character of Baptism Confirmation and Holy Order which they imprint upon the Soul For when the Apostle says God has anointed us who has also seal'd us and given us the pledge of his Spirit in our hearts by that word has seal'd he clearly has describ'd the Character whose property it is to Sign and Mark a thing Now this Character XXX What this Character is Trid iâ—id Can. 8. is as it were some remarkable thing impress'd upon the Soul which can never be blotted out but remains forever in it Of which S. Austin has thus written Can the Christian Sacraments haply do less than this corporal Mark wherewith to wit the Souldier is Sign'd For that Mark is not impress'd anew upon the Souldier at his return from the War where he had serv'd but the old one is known and observable Of this Character see Aug. lib. 2. contra Episc Parm. c. 33. Epist 50. circa medium Tract 5. in Joan. lib. 1. contra Crescen c. 30. item D. Thom. 3. p. q. 63. Now this Character has this vertue XXXI To what purpose a Character is impress'd In Baptism that it can both make us fit to receive or perform some Sacred thing and also that by some Mark one man may be distinguish'd from another Both these we have in the Character of Baptism Both that we are made fit to receive the other Sacraments and besides this that thereby the Faithful may be distinguish'd from Infidels The same thing may be observ'd in the Character of Confirmation and Holy Order by the One of which we are arm'd and prepar'd as Christ's Souldiers to make public confession and defence of his Name and against the Enemy set against us and the Spiritual Wickednesses in High Places And also we are discern'd from them who are but newly baptiz'd In Order and as it were Infants new-born But the Other has both a conjunct power of making and ministring the Sacraments and also distinguishes those persons who have this power from the rest of the Faithful We must therefore hold the Rule of the Catholic Church which teaches us that these Three Sacraments impress a Character and are never to be iterated These are the things generally to be taught concerning the Sacraments XXXII By what Motives the Faithful are to be excited to the use and reverence of the Sacraments in explaining of which Point the Pastors shall diligently labour to do Two things especially First to make the Faithful understand how much honour worship and veneration these Divine and Heavenly Gifts deserve And the other because the most merciful God has offer'd them for the common Salvation of all that they use them piously and religiously and be so inflam'd with the desire of Christian Perfection that they reckon it as a mighty Loss to them if at any time they want the most wholsome use of Penance and especially of the Eucharist These things the Pastors may do with ease if they often inculcate into the ears of the Faithful what has before bin said of the Divinity and Benefit of the Sacraments First First That they were instituted by the Lord our Saviour from whom nothing can come but what is most perfect Secondly Besides when they are ministr'd the influence of the Holy Ghost is ready at hand to make them effectual in our hearts Thirdly And then they have in them an admirable and sure vertue to cure our Souls and also to draw down upon us the immense riches of the Passion of our Lord. And Lastly Fourthly They shew that the whole Christian Edifice is founded upon a Corner-stone But were it not propp'd up on every side by the Preaching of the Word and by the Vse of the Sacraments it might greatly be fear'd that a great part of it would tumble down For as by the Sacraments we are admitted to Life so thereby as with Food we are nourish'd preserv'd and increas'd Of the SACRAMENT of BAPTISM FRom what has bin spoken before of the Sacraments in general I. How frequently Men should be taught concerning the Sacrament of Baptism we may easily perceive how necessary it is both for the understanding of the Doctrine of Chrstian Religion and for the exercise of Piety to know those things which the Catholic Church requires us to believe concerning the Sacraments in particular for he that carefully reads what the Apostle has written will without all peradventure find that it is greatly requir'd of the Faithful perfectly to know and understand their Baptism and therefore he not only very frequently Rom. 6.1 but with cogent arguments and full of the Spirit of God renews the remembrance of this Mystery commends the Divinity of it and therein puts before our eyes the Death Burial and Resurrection of our Redeemer for our Contemplation and Imitation Wherefore the Pastors can never think they have taken pains and care enough in the handling of this Mystery But besides those days wherein after the manner of our Fore-Fathers the Divine Mysteries of Baptism are us'd to be explain'd to wit in the Great Sabbath of Easter and Whitsuntide at which time the Church has bin us'd to celebrate this Sacrament with the greatest devotion and solemnity they may at other times also take occasion to discourse of this Point And for this end That Time seems most proper II. How profitable it is to explain the several things done in administring Baptism when at the ministration of Baptism to any one they shall observe a fit number of the Faithful to be met together for then it will be much more easie and convenient though they cannot handle all the points that belong to this Sacrament to teach at least one or other of them when the Faithful with a pious and attentive mind think upon the Doctrin of those things which at the same time they both hear with their Ears and see with their Eyes express'd in the Holy Ceremonies of Baptism From whence it will come to pass that every one being admonish'd by those things he sees done in another person will
that there is a Symbol of this Mistery And of Prophesies none can doubt but those Waters to which the Prophet Esay so freely invites all that thirst IX The Matter of Baptism foretold by the Prophets Isa 55.1 Ezâ—k 47.20 Zac. 13.1 and which Ezekiel in Spirit saw come forth out of the Temple and that Fountain which was open'd for the house of David and inhabitants of Jerusalem for the washing away of sin and of uncleanness which Zachary propheci'd of have relation to this saving Water of Baptism Now S. Hierom writing to Oceanus X. Why Water the Matter of Baptism D. Hieron Ep. 85. shews by many reasons how suitable it was to the nature of Baptism that Water should be made choice of to be the proper Matter thereof But as to this Point the Pastors may teach first of all that this Sacrament is very necessary to all without exception to the attaining Life Everlasting and therefore that the Matter of Water The Reasons The First The Second which can easily be bad any where and is no where wanting was most proper And then Water very excellently signifies the Effect of Baptism for as Water washes away spots and dirt so also it very well demonstrates the power and efficacy of Baptism The third by which the spots of sin are done away To which may be added That as Water is very fit to refresh the Body so by Baptism the Heat of our Lusts in a great measure is abated Of the Matter of Baptism see Conc. Florent Trid. Sess 7. can 2. de consecrat dist 4. Item D Thom. 3. p. q. 56. art 5. But this is to be noted XI Why Chrism to be us'd in Baptism Amb. l. 1. de Sacr. c. 2 Innocent l. 1. decretal tit 1 c. 3. That tho Simple Water that has no mixture in it be the proper Matter for this Sacrament to wit whensoever there happens a necessity of administring Baptism yet by Tradition from the Apostles it has always bin observ'd in the Catholic Church That Baptism is conferr'd with solemn Ceremonies and Holy Chrism added whereby it is manifest that the Effect of Baptism is the better declar'd And the people are to be taught that tho it may sometimes be doubt'd whether This or That be true Water such as the Perfection of the Sacrament requires yet this must be held as a certainty That the Sacrament of Baptism can never be made of any other Matter than of the liquor of Natural Water upon any account whatsoever Now after that One of the two Parts of which Baptism consists XII The Form of Baptism why diligently and frequently to be explain'd that is the Matter of it has bin expounded The Pastors shall take the same diligence and care to explain the Form of it which is the other part of this Sacrament and is very necessary But in the explanation of this Sacrament they must labor with so much the more care and diligence because the understanding of so Holy a Mystery does of it self not only exceedingly delight the Faithful which delight commonly arises from the understanding of all other Divine Matters but it is much to be sought after because of the daily use and necessity of it For seeing that it often happens as in its proper place will be said more fully that Baptism must be ministred by other people and very often times by Women For this Reason those things that belong to the Substance of this Sacrament ought to be known and well understood promiscuously of all the Faithful And therefore in plain and familiar words which all may easily understand the Pastors shall teach that this is the perfect and absolute Form of Baptism I baptize thee in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost For so our Lord and Savior appointed XIII The Form of Baptism instituted and explain'd when according to S. Matthew he commanded the Apostles Mat. 28.19 Go ye and teach all Nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost By that word Baptizing the Catholic Church which is taught of God rightly understood that in the Form of this Sacrament the Action of the Minister is to be express'd which is done indeed when it is said I baptize thee And because besides the Ministers it is necessary to signifie both the person of him who is baptiz'd and the principal Cause which makes Baptism therefore the Pronoun Thee and the Distinct Names of the Divine Persons are added that so the absolute Form of the Sacrament might be concluded in the words even now mention'd Joh. 1.33 I baptize thee in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost For it is not the person of the Son only of whom S. John writes This is he that baptizes But all the Persons of the Holy Trinity work together at the Sacrament of Baptism But that it is said in the Name and not in the Names This plainly shews That there is but One Nature and Divinity in the Trinity For in this place the Name is not referr'd to the Persons but signifies that Divine Substance Vertue and Power which is One and the same in all the Three Persons See Aug. cont Donatist lib. 6. c. 25. D. Thom. 3. p. q. 66. Art 5. Now in this Form XIV The more Essential parts of the Form of Baptism which we have shew'd to be full and perfect it is to be observ'd that there are some things exceeding necessary which if they shou'd be omitted there can be no Sacrament and there are other things not so necessary but that if they should be omitted the Sacrament is made notwithstanding of which kind is the word Ego l. the vertue whereof is contain'd in the word Baptizo I Baptize Yea and in the Greek Churches changing the order of words they us'd to omit it because they thought it not fit to make any mention at all of the Minister Hence it is that they us'd this Form in Baptism Let this Servant of Christ be baptiz'd in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost And yet it appears by the Sentence and Decree of the Council of Florence That this Sacrament was perfectly administred by them Since by those words is declar'd what belongs to the truth of Baptism to wit Washing or Cleansing which at that time is verily perform'd But if we may say that once there was a time XV. Why antiently the Apostles baptiz'd in Christ's name Act. 2.38 Act. 8.20 when the Apostles baptiz'd only in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ We ought to be assur'd that they did this also by the inspiration of the Holy Ghost that in the Infancy of the Church their preaching in the Name of Jesus Christ might be the more remarkable and that his Divine and immense Power might be the more celebrat'd And then if
good learning and liberal Arts so also is it necessary that those who at the Font of Baptism begin to live a Spiritual Life should be committed to the trust and prudence of some one of whom they may learn the precepts of Christian Religlon and be taught the whole Practice of Piety and so by little and little to grow to Manhood in Christ till at last by God's help they come to be perfect Men Especially seeing the Pastors who have the public Cure and Charge of their Parishes can scarcely have so much spare time as to undertake that private care of instructing Children in the Faith Of this most anocient practice S. Dionis de Eccl s Hier. c 7. part 3. we have the clear testimony of S. Dennys It was says he the Invention and determination of our Divine Captains and Leaders for so he calls the Apostles to receive Infants according to that Holy Manner and as the natural Parents of a Child deliver him to one learn'd in Divine Matters as to a Schoolmaster under whom as under a Divine Father and undertaker of his Holy Salvation the Child might lead the rest of his life The same Sentence does the Testimony of Higinius confirm As may be seen de Consec dist 5. c. 100. Leapp ibid. cap. 181. Conc. Mogunt ibid. c. 101 30. q. 1. Wherefore it has bin very wisely decreed by Holy Church XXVI What kind and between whom Affinity is contracted in Baptism that not only be that Baptizes is affianc'd with him that is baptiz'd by him but the God-father and God-mother are also affianc'd with the God-child and with his true Parents So that amongst all these there can be no lawful Marriage and if they should be marri'd such marriage becomes void Moreover the Faithful must be taught what the Duty of God-fathers is For this Office is so carelesly undertaken that there is only the Name of this Office remaining but that there is any thing Holy contain'd in it Men seem not to have the least apprehension This thing therefore in general let all God-fathers always consider That they are strictly oblig'd always to account those who are committed to them as their Spiritual Children and to take very great care of them concerning those things which belong to the institution of a Christian Life that through all the course of their life they behave themselves in such a manner and be such kind of persons as they in most solemn manner promis'd that they should be Let us hear what S. Dennys writes concerning this matter expressing the words of a God-father I promise to train up this Child when he shall come to understanding of sacred things with my careful exhortations that he may renounce all things contrary to his profession and that he may profess and perform those divine things which he promis'd And S. Austin D. Aug. ser 163. de tâ—mâ— ser 215. You who undertake for others in Baptism as well Men as Women I admonish before all things to consider that you stand as Sureties before God for those whom you were pleas'd to undertake for at the Holy Font. And indeed it very much becomes him who undertakes any Office never to grow slack or weary in the diligent discharge of it and he who has profest himself to be anothers Guide and Teacher ought not to suffer him to be destitute whom he has once receiv'd into his charge and protection while he sees him stand in need of his help and defence Now those things which Spiritual Children are to be taught Ser. 165. de tâ—mp de conec dist 4. c. 120. S. Austin has comprehended in few words speaking of this very Office of God-Fathers for says he They ought to admonish them to keep Chastity to love Justice to preserve Charity and above all things they ought to teach them the Creed and the Lords Prayer as also the Decalogue or ten Commandments and those things which are the first Rudiments of Christian Religion Which things being so XXVIII Who not to be taken as God-fathers we may easily perceive to what sort of Men the administration of this Holy Tuition is not to be committed to wit to them who either will not discharge it faithfully or cannot perform it wisely and diligently Wherefore besides the Natural Parents who may not undertake this charge that thereby it might appear how far this Spiritual Education is different from the Carnal First of all Heretics Jews and Insidels are altogether to be prohibited from this Office because they are always contriving and studying to blacken the truth of our Faith with their Lies and to overthrow all Christian Piety It has bin decreed by the Council of Trent XXIX how many God-fathers to be taken That there shall not be many God-fathers to one person baptiz'd but one only either God-father or God-mother or at most one God-father and one Godmother Both because the order of teaching and instructing might be disturb'd or hinder'd by a multitude of Masters and also because it was necessary to provide that such kind of Affinities might not be made amongst so very many which might streighten the society of people that they cannot lawfully enter into Wedlock onâ— with another Now if the knowledg of those things which have bin already explain'd XXX The Law of receiving Baptism laid upon all by the Lord. is to be esteem'd so very profitable to the Faithful Then surely there can nothing seem more necessary than to be taught that the Law and necessity of Baptism was prescrib'd by our Lord himself to all Men so that unless by the Grace of Baptism they are born again to Godward they are begotten of their parents whether Faithful or Infidel it is no matter to eternal misery and Destruction The Pastors therefore ought often to explain what is read in the Gospel Except a Man be born again of Water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God Hereof see Clem. Epist 4. in med Aug. in Joan. tract 13. de Eccles dogm c. 24. Amb. de iis qui Myst initiantur c. 4. Conc. Lateran c. 1. Trid. Sess 7. can 51. Which Law or Necessity that it is not meant of those only who are of ripe age but of Children and Infants also and that the Church has receiv'd this by Apostolical Tradition the common consent and Authority of the Fathers confirms Besides it must needs be believ'd That Christ our Lord would not deny the Sacrament of Baptism and Grace to Infants of whom he said Matt. 19.14 Mar. 10.10 Suffer ye and forbid not the little Children to come to me For of such is the Kingdom of Heaven whom he embrac'd laid his Hands upon them and bless'd them And then when we read Thirdly that a whole Family was baptiz'd of Paul It sufficiently appears that Children also who were in the number of them were baptiz'd And then Circumcision which was a Figure of Baptism much commends this
there remain in us the infirmity of the Body The Second Reason Diseases sense of Grief and the motions of Concupiscence is This to wit that we may account them as the Husbandry and Matter whereupon our vertues are to exercise themselves whence we may get a more plentiful Harvest and larger Rewards For when with a patient mind we endure all the inconveniences of this life and by the Divine Assistance bring all the evil affections of our Hearts under the government of Reason we ought assuredly to hope that the time will come 1 Tim. 4.7 when if with the Apostle We have fought the good fight and finish'd the course and kept the faith the Lord the righteous judge in that day will give us also the crown of righteousness which is laid up for us And thus the Lord seem'd to do also with the children of Israel whom tho be deliver'd from the bondage of the Egyptians and drown'd Pharaoh A Figure and his armies in the Sea yet he did not immediately bring them into that blessed Land of Promise â— but first exercis'd them with many and various fortunes and then when he put them into the possession of the Promis'd Land he put the other Inhabitants out of the possessions of their Fathers and some other Nations which they could not destroy were left remaining that God's people might never want occasion of exercising their Warlike Vertue and Courage To these may added The Third Reason that if through Baptism besidse those heavenly gifts wherewith the Soul is adorn'd there were given Bodily endowments also it might well be suspected that many would come to Baptism seeking rather the advantages of This Life than the Glory which is to be hop'd for in the Future Whenas yet what is seen is not false and uncertain 2 Cor. 4. but those good things which a Christian ought always to propose to himself and which are not seen are true and eternal But yet in the mean time the condition of this Life which is full of Miseries XLIX Christians are not without comfort when they suffer wants not its pleasures and joys For what can be more pleasant or desirable to us who now by Baptism are grafted into Christ as branches than to follow him our Captain with the Cross on our Shoulders and not to be tir'd by any labours nor hinder'd by any dangers so as not to press forward with all diligence to the reward of the high calling of God Some to receive of the Lord the Laurel of Virginity others the Crown of Teaching and Preaching others the Palm of Martyrdom and others the other Ornaments of their Vertues Which excellent Badges of Renown and Tokens of Honor would not be given to any unless first we exercis'd our selves in the Stage of this troublesom Life and stoutly kept our ground in the Battel But to return to the Effects of Baptism I. The Third Effect of Baptism Infusion of Grace It must be explain'd that by vertue of this Sacrament we are not only deliver'd from those evils which are truly said to be the greatest of all but also We are enrich'd with the best and most excellent endowments For our Souls are fill'd with Divine Grace whereby being made just and the children of God Mar. 16.17 Eph. 5.26 Sess 6. c. 7. de justifie we are train'd up to be heirs of eternal Salvation also For as it is written he that believes and is Baptiz'd shall be sav'd and the Apostle testifies The Church is cleans'd by the Laver of Water in the Word But Grace as the Council of Trent has decreed to be believ'd of all under pain of an Anathema is not only that by which we have Remission of Sins but it is a Divine Quality inherent in tho Soul and as it were a kind of Splendor and Light which wipes away all the Stains and Spots of our Souls and makes our Souls more beautiful and glorious and this is plainly gather'd from Holy Scripture when it says that Grace is pour'd out and it is us'd to call that Grace the Pledge of the Holy Ghost And to This is added a most noble Train of all Vertues LI. The fourth Effect of Baptism Infusion of Vertues Tit. 3. D. Aug. 23. which together with Grace is pour'd of God into the Soul Wherefore when the Apostle to Timothy says He has sav'd us by the Laver of Regeneration and Renewing of the Holy Ghost which he has pour'd abundantly upon us through Jesus Christ our Saviour S. Austin expounds those words Abundantly pour'd to wit says he For the Remission of Sins and for an abundance of Vertues Of this Effect of Baptism see Chrysost hom ad Neoph. Baptiz Damasc lib. 2. de fide Orthod cap. 36. Lactant. lib. 3. Divin Instit c. 25. Aug. Epist 23. ad Bonifac. item l. 1. de peccat meritis remiss cap. 29. Prosp l. 1. de vocation gent. cap. 9. And then by Baptism we are joyn'd and knit to Christ as Members to the Head As therefore from the Head flows Vertue and Spirit LII The fifth Effect Connexion to Christ our Head whereby all the several parts of the Body are fitly mov'd to perform their proper functions so also of the Fulness of Christ our Lord is shed upon all those who are justifi'd Divine Grace and Vertue which renders us fit and ready for all Offices of Christian Piety That by Baptism we are knit to Christ as Members to the Head See Aug. Ep. 23. item l. 1. de peccat meritis remiss c. 16. Prosp de vocat Gent. lib. 1. c. 9. Bernard Serm. 1. in Coena Dom. D. Thom. 3. p. 7.69 art 5. Nor ought it to seem strange to any LIII Whence the Difficulty of doing well even in those that are Baptiz'd if tho thus we are furnish'd and adorn'd with plenty of vertues yet we find a great deal of difficulty and pains in the very beginning or at least before the compleating of pious and honest actions For it so happens for this reason not as though those vertues from which those pious actions spring are not given us of the Divine Bounty but because after Baptism there remains a sharp strugling of the carnal Desire against the Spirit in which contest notwithstanding it would ill become a Christian either to faint or grow cowardly Phil. 4.8 Since being encourag'd with the goodness of God we ought to strengthen our selves with an assur'd Hope that time will be when by daily use and exercise of living well 2 Cor. 3.11 Whatsoever things are comely whatsoever things are just whatsoever things are holy all these will seem easie and pleasant These things let us willingly consider these things let us chearfully perform that the God of Peace may be with us Besides LIV. The sixth Effect of Baptism A Character by Baptism we are sign'd with a Character which can never be blotted out of our Soul of which there is
the several Rites of Baptism are to be reduc'd to Three Heads That in explaining of them a certain order may be observ'd by the Pastors and that those things they teach may the more easily be kept in the memory of their Auditors And the First sort is of those which are observ'd before they come to the Font of Baptism The Second is of those which are us'd at the Font And the Third of those that are us'd to be added when Baptism is perfected or finish'd First therefore Water Water must be prepar'd which must be us'd at Baptism For the Water of Baptism is consecrated Consecration of the Water Cypr. Epist 70. Basil de Spirit San. c. 17 de Consec dist 4. c. in Sabb. the Oyl of Mystic Vnction being added And this may not be done at any time but after the custom of our Ancestors there are certain Festival days which are worthily to be reckon'd most Solemn and holy waited for in the Vigils whereof the Water of this Holy Sacrament is prepar'd in which days only unless necessity require to do otherwise it was the custom of the ancient Church to administer Baptism But tho the Church at this time by reason of the peril of common life thought not fit to retain that custom yet has she hitherto observ'd these solemn days of Easter and Pentecost at which time the Water of Baptism is to be consecrated with the greatest Religion and honor After the consecration of the Water Standing at the Church doors the other things which then go before Baptism must be explain'd For they who are to be initiated by Baptism are either carri'd or led to the Church doors and are by all means forbid to enter therein as being altogether unworthy to enter into the house of God before they have cast off the yoak of their most loathsom servitude from themselves and dedicated themselves wholly to Christ and to his most just Government Tertul. de Corona milit c. 3. Cyril Hyerosol Catech. 8. And then the Priest asks them The Catechism Clem. Rom. Epist 3. Aug. de fide oper c. 9. Mar. 16.15 Matt. 28.19 What they desire of the Church which being made known He instructs them first in the Doctrine of Christian Faith which they ought to profess in Baptism and this is done in the Catechism Which manner of teaching that our Savior appointed there is none can doubt seeing he commanded his Apostles saying Go ye into all the World and teach all Nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you Whence we may know that Baptism is not to be administred before the chief Heads at least of our Religion be expounded But because the way of Catechism consists of many Interrogations if he who is instituted be of ripe age he answers by himself to those things that are ask'd But if he be an Infant his God-Father rightly answers and makes solemn promise and vow for him Then follows the Exorcism which is made of holy and religious Words and Prayers The Exorcism to drive out the Devil and to weaken and destroy his Power To the Exorcism are added other Ceremonies whereof every one as being mystic have their proper and clear signification Of Exorcisms see Tertul. de Praescript c. 41. Cypr. Epist 2. August lib. 2. de Gratia Dei peccato Orig. cap. 40. lib. 2. de Nupt. concupis cap. 26. Optat. lib. 4. contra Permenianum For when Salt is put into the Mouth of him that is brought to be baptiz'd The Salt hereby is plainly signifi'd that by the Doctrine of Faith and gift of Grace he shall attain to a freedom from the corruption of sin and rellish the taste of good Works and be delighted with the Food of Divine Wisdom Beda â—â— l. 1. Esdras c. 9. Isid l. 2. de Offic. Eccles c. 20. Aug. l. 1. Confes c. 11. And then his Forehead Eyes Brest Sboulders Ears are sign'd with the sign of the Cross Sign of the Cross All which things declare that by the mystery of Baptism his senses are open'd and strengthen'd that he may be able to receive God and to understand and keep his Commandments Of the sign of the Cross see Tertul lib. de Resur carn Basil lib. de Spiritu Sancto Chrys cont gent. alios Afterwards his Nostrils and Ears are smeer'd with Spittle The Spittle and coming to the Font. Joh. 9.7 that as that Blind-man in the Gospel whom the Lord commanded to wash his Eyes smeer'd with Clay in the Water of Siloam recover'd his sight So also we may understand that such is the power of Holy Baptism that it gives Light to the Mind to perceive the Heavenly Truth Of the Spittle Ambr. lib. 1. de Sacram. 1. de iis qui myst init c. 1. de consecr distinc l. 4. c. postea Those things done The Abrenunciation they come to the Font of Baptism and there other Ceremonies and Rites are us'd by which may be understood the sum of Chritian Religion The Priest thrice in conceiv'd words interrogates him that is to be baptiz'd Dost thou renounce the Devil and all his Works the World and all his Pomps Then He or the God-Father in his name answers to every demand I renounce them He therefore that is about to give his name to Christ ought first of all tp promise holily and religiously that he forsakes the Devil and the World and that from thenceforth he will ever account and detest them both as his most deadly enemies Tertul. lib. de Coron mil. c. 13. de spectac c. 4. de Idol c. 6. Cypr. Epist 7.54 And then The Prosession of Faith Cyril Himos Caâ—â—ch 2 standing together at the Font of Baptism he is interrogated by the Priest in this manner Dost thou believâ— in God the Father Almighty To whom he answers I believâ— And so being ask'd onwards concerning the other Articles of the Creed he solemnly and religiously professes his Faith in which Two Answers is contain'd all the Discipline and Power of the Law of Christ But when Baptism must now be administred The will of Baptism the Priest asks of him who is to be baptiz'd Whether it is his Will to be baptiz'd Who consenting either by himself or by his God-Father in his name if he be an Infant he presently washes him with that saving Water In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost For as Man of his own will obeying the Serpent was justly condemn'd So the Lord will have none to be enroll'd as a Soldier of his against their Wills That by a willing obedience to his commands they may at last attain to everlasting Salvation And now after that Baptism is perfected The Chrism the Priest anoints with Chrism the crown oh his Head that is baptiz'd that he
may understand that from that Day forward he is joyn'd to Christ the Head as a Member and grafsed into his Body and that a Christian is so call'd from Christ and Christ so call'd from Chrism But what Chrism signifies is well enough understood by what the Priest then prays Lib. 2. de Sacram. c. 27. as S. Ambrose testifies Dionys Eccl. Hierar cap. 3. Cyril Hieros Catech. 3. Basil l. de Spirit Sanct. c. 27. Afterwards the Priest puts upon the baptiz'd person a White Garment The White Garment saying Receive the white Garment which do thou keep free from any Spot before the Tribunal of our Lord Iesus Christ that thou mayst have Eternal Life But to Infants who use not Apparel is given a white Kerchief with the same words By which Symbol the Holy Fathers teach is signifi'd both the Glory of the Resrrection which he is born to by Baptism And that neatness and beauty wherewith the stains of sin being wash'd away in Baptism the Soul is adorn'd And also that innocence and integrity which throughout all his whole life the baptiz'd person ought to keep Dionys loc citato Ambr. de iis qui myst init c. 8. And then a burning Wax-Light is giv'n into his Hand The burning Wax-light Which shews that Faith being inflam'd with Charity which he receiv'd in Baptism is to be nourish'd and increas'd with the study of good works Of this Wax-light see Greg. Naz. serm de Baptis Greg. Turon lib. 5. c. 11. Niceph. inst Eccl. l. 3. c. 11. At Last a Name is given to the person baptiz'd which name is to be taken from some one The Imposing of the Name that for his excellent Piety and Religion is reckon'd in the number of the Saints for so it will easily come to pass that he will be stirr'd up by the Likeness of his Name to the Imitation of his Sanctity And besides when he prays he may hope that he whom he studies to imitate will be his Advocate for the health and protection both of his Soul and Body And therefore they are to be reprov'd who so diligently search for LXII What names to be rejected by Christians and then put upon their Children the names of Heathens and especially of those who were eminently wicked Since thereby it may be understood how little account they make of the study of Christian Piety who seem so much delighted with the memory of wicked Men that they will fill the Ears of the Faithful with such kind of names If these things be explain'd by the Pastors concerning the Sacrament of Baptism LXIII A repetition of the whole Doctrine of Baptism there will seem nothing in a manner pretermitted that may be thought very pertinent to the knowledg thereof For it has bin shew'd what the Name of Baptism signifies what the Nature and Substance of it is and also of what parts it consists It has bin said by whom it was instituted who are the Ministers necessary to make this Sacrament and Who ought to be made use of as Schoolmasters to help the weakness of the baptiz'd persons It has bin shew d also to Whom and what kind of dispos'd persons Baptism ought to be administred what the Vertue and Efficacy thereof is Lastly it has bin largely enough explain'd as to their design and purpose what Rites and Ceremonies are observ'd All which things the Pastors shall remember are to be taught for this cause especially That the Faithful may always be employ'd in this Care and Knowledge That in those things which they have so holily and religiously promis'd when they were initiated by Baptism they might keep their Faith and Charge and lead such a kind of Life as may answer to the most holy Profession of a Christian Of the SACRAMENT of CONFIRMATION IF ever the diligence of the Pastors were requir'd to explain the Sacrament of Confirmation I. The time and necessity of explaining of the Sacrament of Confirmation certainly there is Now the greatest need to make it as clear as may be since This Sacrament is wholly omitted by some in Gods Holy Church and very few endeavour to receive that fruit of Grace thereby which they ought Wherefore the Faithful are to be so taught concerning the Nature Vertue and Dignity of this Sacrament both on Whitsunday and also on other days when the Pastors judge it convenient to be done that they may know not only that it is not to be neglected but that it is to be receiv'd with the greatest Religion and Devotion lest by their fault and to their extream damage it happen that this divine benefit may seem to be bestow'd on them in vain But to begin with the Name II. Why this Sacrament is call'd Confirmation Conc. Aur. c. 3. item Florent It must be taught this Sacrament is therefore of the Church call'd Confirmation Because he that is baptiz'd when by the Bishop he is anointed with Holy Chrism with these solem Words added I sign thee with the Sign of the Cross and Confirm thee with the Chrism of Salvation in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost If nothing else hinder the efficacy of this Sacrament he will begin to grow stronger by receiving new Vertue and so to be a perfect Soldier of Christ III. Confirmation is a Sacrament Now in Confirmation the Catholic Church always acknowledg'd that there is the true and proper Nature or Reason of a Sacrament Which thing both Pope Melchiades and many other very Holy and Ancient Popes plainly declare And S. Clement could not prove the Doctrin of this Truth Epist ad Episc Hisp c. 2. ep antefinem habes decreta horum Ponticum de Consecr disâ— 5. with a more grave or weighty Argument than when he said All must make haste without lingering to be born again of God and then to be consign'd by the Bishop i. e. to receive the sevenfold grace of the Holy Ghost Seeing that otherwise He cannot be a perfect Christian that injuriously and wilfully and not forc'd by necessity omits this Sacrament as we have learn'd of S. Peter and the other Apostles by command of our Lord have taught And this very Faith the Roman Bishops Vrban Fabian Eusebius who being full of the same Spirit pour'd out their Blood for Christ have confirm'd by their Doctrin as may be seen by their Decrees Hereto may be added the concurring Testimony of the Holy Fathers amongst whom Dennys the Areopagite Bishop of Athens S. Dionys. de Eccl. Hier. 6.2 telling how to make this holy Ointment and how to use it said thus The Priests cloath the person baptiz'd with a Garment suitable to their cleanness to bring them to the Bishop And he i. e. the Bishop signing the baptiz'd with the Holy and truly Divine Oyntment makes him partaker of the most holy Communion And Eusebius Bishop of Caesarea Lib. 6. histor c. 43. lib. de iis qui myst
iniâ—ientur c. â— l. 2. c. 104. ascrib'd so much to this Sacrament that he doubted not to say That Novatus the Heretic could not receive the Holy Ghost because when he was baptiz'd he was not sign'd with the Seal of Chrism in his great Sickness But of this matter we have most clear Testimonies both from S. Ambrose which he wrote concerning those who are initiated and also from S. Austin in his Books which he wrote against the Epistles of Petiliâ—â— the Donatist both of which were so confident that there could be no doubt of the truth of this Sacrament that they taught and confirm'd it by many places of Scripture Wherefore the One testifies that those words of the Apostle Eph. 4.30 Psal 132. Rom. 5.5 Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God whereby ye are seal'd And the Other that which is read in the Psalms As the oyntment on the Head which went down to the Beard even Aarons Beard as also that of the same Apostle The love of God is shed abroad in our Hearts through the Holy Spirit which is given us are to be apply'd to the Sacrament of Confirmation That Confirmation is a Sacrament see it prov'd Ambr. de Sacr. lib. 3. c. 2. l. de Spiritu Sancto c. 6. 7. Item Aug. de Trinit lib. 15. c. 26. in Epist Joan. Tract 3. 6. in Psal 26. And above all these Tertul. lib. de Resurr carn Cypr. Epist 7. Origen hom 9. in Levit. Hieron contra Lucifer Cyril Hierot Catech. 2. But altho by Melchiades it be said that Baptism is very nearly joyn'd to Confirmation IV. The difference of Confirmation and Baptism yet it is not to be accounted the same Sacrament but far disjoyn'd from the other For it is manifest that the Truth of Grace which all the Sacraments do severally give and the Truth also of the sensible thing which signifies that Grace do make them to be various and different Sacraments Epist ad Episc Hisp in medio Since therefore by the Grace of Baptism Men are begotten to a new life The First difference but by the Sacrament of Confirmation those who are already begotten grow to be Men and put away Childishness 1 Cor. 12.11 it is well enough known how much difference there is in the natural life betwixt Generation and Growth in stature the same difference there is between Baptism which regenerates us and Confirmation by vertue whereof we increase and receive perfect strength of Mind Besides The Second because there ought to be a new and distinct kind of Sacrament when the Soul runs into any new difficulty it may easily be perceiv'd that as we want the Grace of Baptism to reform the Soul by Faith so also it is very expedient that the Souls of the Faithful be strengthen'd or confirm'd that they may not be terrifi'd by the fear or danger of any pains punishments or death from the Confession of their Faith Which being done by the sacred Chrism of Confirmation it is thence plainly gather'd that the Reason or Nature of this Sacrament Loc. citato is plainly divers from that of Baptism Wherefore Pope Melchiades accurately prosecutes the difference betwixt them writing thus In Baptism Man is lifted into the Camp but in Confirmation he is arm'd for the Battel In the Font of Baptism the Holy Ghost gives Fulness of Innocence but in Confirmation he gives perfection of Grace In Baptism we are regenerated to Life Regeneration by it self saves those that receive Baptism in Peace but Confirmation adorns and prepares for the encounters But these things have not only been deliver'd by other Councils but especially decreed by the Sacred Council of Trent so that we may not now not only be of another opinion but neither may we by any means doubt hereof Laod. can 48. Meli. c. 6. Florent Constant Trid. Sess 7. But because it was shew'd before how necessary it was to teach of all the Sacraments in common V. Christ the Author of the Sacrament of Confirmation of whom they had their beginning We must therefore teach the same thing here of Confirmation that the Faithful may be more affected with the Sanctity of this Sacrament The Pastors therefore must teach that Christ our Lord was not only the author thereof as S. Fabian Bishop of Rome witnesses Epist 2. initio but appointed the Rite of Chrism and the words which Holy Church uses in the administration thereof which thing is easily allow'd by them who confess Confirmation to be a Sacrament seeing that all Sacred Mysteries are above the reach of humane nature nor can they be instituted by any but by God himself And now we must speak of the Parts thereof VI. The Matter of the Sacrament of Confirmation is Chrism and first of the Matter of it which is call'd Chrism which Name being borrow'd from the Greeks although thereby Prophane Writers signifi'd any sort of Oyntment yet Sacred Writers have made use thereof by a common custom of speech to signifie that Oyntment only which is made of Oyl and Balsom with the Solemn Consecration of the Bishop Wherefore the Two aforesaid corporeal things make the Matter of Confirmation Which composition of divers things as it declares the manifold Grace of the Holy Ghost which is given to those that are confirm'd so does it also shew the excellency of this Sacrament Now that This is the Matter of this Sacrament both Holy Church and Councils have always taught and also it has bin deliver'd by S. Dennys and very many others of the gravest Fathers but chiefly by Pope Fabian Epist 3. 〈◊〉 Episc Orient who witnesses that the Apostles receiv'd of the Lord the Confection of Chrism and left it to us See Aug. in Ps 44. vers 9. lib. 13. de Trinit cap. 27. Greg. in 1. cap. Cant. Conc. Laod. c. 48. Carth. 2. c. 3. 3. cap. 39. Dionys de Eccl. Hierar c. 2. 4. Of the Oyl See Amb. in Ps 118. lib. de Spirit Sanct. cap. 3. Cypr. Epist 70. Nor could any other Matter than that of Chrism VII Why Chrism appointed the Matter of Confirmation seem more proper to declare that thing which is wrought by this Sacrament For Oyl which is fat and is naturally durable and spreads it self does lively express that fulness of Grace which through the Holy Ghost runs down from Christ the Head and is pour'd upon his Members as the Oyntment which ran down Aarons beard even to the skirts of his garments Psal 132 2. Psal 4.48 Joh. 1.16 For God anointed him with the Oyl of gladness above his fellows And of his fulness have we all receiv'd Now what else does Balsom whose smell is most pleasant signifie but that the Faithful when by the Sacrament of Confirmation they are perfected send abroad such a sweetness of all vertues as that they can say with the Apostle 2 Cor. 2. We are the sweet savour of Christ
Sacrament of Order Moreover in the absence of the Bishop and Priest he may explain the Gospel but not from the Pulpit that it may be understood that This is not his proper Office Now how great care ought to be us'd that no person unworthy of this Function climbs up to this degree of Order XXXVIII How carefully the Deacons are to be chosen 1 Tim. 3. the Apostle shews when he expounded to Timothy the Manners Vertue and Integrity of the Deacon This XXXIX The Ordination of Deacons the Rites and solemn Ceremonies wherewith he is consecrated by the Bishop sufficiently declare For the Bishop uses more and more holy Prayers at the Ordination of a Deacon than of a Subdeacon And adds other Ornaments of Sacred Vestments Besides he lays his hands upon him Which we read to have bin done by the Apostles when they instituted the first Deacons Lastly he delivers them the Book of the Gospels with these Words Receive thou Power to read the Gospel in the Church of God both for the Living and for the Dead in the name of the Lord. De Diaconis praeter citatos suprà vide Clem. Rom. Constit Apostol lib. 2. cap. 6. Cypr. de Lapsis Amb. lib. 1. Offic. c. 41. Leo 1. Serm. de S. Laurent Clem. Rom. Epist 1. ad Jacob. fratrem Domini Hieron Epist 48. apud Baron Annal. Eccl. an 33. num 41. an 34. num 283 285 287. an 34. num 316. an 44. num 78. 80. an 57. n. 31. n. 195. an 58. n. 102. an 112. n. 7 8 9. an 316. n. 48. an 324. n. 115. an 325. n. 152. an 402. n. 44. 47. an 508. n. 15. an 741. n. 12. The Third and highest Degree of all Sacred Orders XL. The Order of Priests is the Priesthood And those who had this Order the antient Fathers were us'd to call by Two names For sometimes they call'd them Presbyters XLI Why call'd Presbyters which in Greek signifies Elders not only because of their Ripeness of Age which is very necessary to this Order but much rather for the Gravity of their Manners their Doctrin and Prudence Wisd 4. For as it is written Venerable Old-Age is not that which consists in length of Time nor that is measur'd by number of years But the Wisdom of a Man is his Grey-Hair and an unspotted life is Old-Age And sometimes they call them Priests XLII Why Priests both because they are consecrated to God and because it belongs to them to administer the Sacraments and to treat of Sacred and Divine Matters But because the Priesthood is describ'd in Sacred Scripture to be two-fold Priesthood double the one Internal the other External They must each of them be distinguish'd that it may by the Pastors be explain'd of which it is here meant As to the Internal Priesthood XLIII Internal all the Faithful after they have bin wash'd with the saving Water of Baptism are call'd Priests but especially the Just who have the Spirit of God and by benefit of the Divine Grace are made living Members of that most High-Priest Christ Jesus For these by Faith which is inflam'd with Charity offer to God Spiritual Sacrifices upon the Altar of their Mind of which kind are to be accounted all good and honest actions which they do for the Glory of God Wherefore we read in the Apocalyps thus Apoc. 1.5 Christ has wash'd us from our sins in his Blood and made us a Kindom and Priests to God and his Father According to which Sense it was said by the Prince of Apostles 1 Pet. 2.5 Ye as living Stones are built up a Spiritual House an Holy Priesthood offering up Spiritual Sacrifices to God through Jesus Christ. And the Apostle exhorts us Rom. 1.2 That we yield our Bodies a living Sacrifice holy and acceptable to God as being our reasonable service Also David long before said Ps 50.19 The Sacrifice of God is a contrite Spirit an humble and a contrite Heart O God thou wilt not despise All which it is easie to see belongs to the internal Priesthood But the External Priesthood belongs not to the Multitude of the Faithful XLIV External but to particular Men who being instituted and consecrated to God by lawful imposition of Hands and solemn Ceremonies of Holy Church are properly appointed to the Sacred Ministery This Difference of Priesthood may be observ'd even in the old-Law XLV This double Priesthood prov'd from the Old Law 2 Par. 26.18 For that David spake of the Internal was shew'd a little before But of the External no one can be ignorant how many commands God had given to Moses and Aaron Besides he appointed the whole Tribe of Levi to the Ministery of the Temple and provided by Law that no one of any other Tribe should presume to intrude himself into that Function Wherefore King Ozias was smitten with Leprosie from the Lord because he usurp'd the Priestly Office and suffer'd most grievous Punishments for his arrogance and Sacriledg Amb. lib. 4. de Sacram. c. 1. Aug. lib. 10. de Civit. Dei cap. 6. 10. Leo Serm. 3. de Annivers Pontisicat That therefore we may observe the same Distinction of Priesthood in the Law of the Gospel XLVI The External Priesthood here treated of the Faithful must be taught that we now treat of the External Priesthood which is given to particular Men for this only belongs to the Sacrament of Order The Priests Office therefore is XVII The Consecration of a Priest explain'd First To do Sacrifice to God to administer the Sacraments of the Church as is seen by the Rites of his Consecration For when the Bishop makes any Priest He first together with all the Priests then present lays Hands upon him And then spreading upon his Shoulders a Stole Secondly he draws it upon his Breast in manner of a Cross Whereby is declar'd That the Priest is indued with vertue from above whereby he may be able to bear the Cross of Christ our Lord and the sweet Yoak of his Divine Law and to teach this Law not by Words only but by the Example of a most holy and upright Life Afterwards he anoints his Hand with Oyl Thirdly and then delivers a Chalice with Wine and a Paten with a Host saying Receive thou Power of Offering Sacrifice to God and of celebrating Masses as well for the Quick as for the Dead By which Ceremonies and Words he is made an Interpreter and Mediator of God and Men and This is to be look'd upon as the chief Function of a Priest Lastly Fourthly Laying Hands upon his Head he says Joh. 20.23 Receive thou the Holy Ghost whose Sins Thou shalt remit they are remitted to them and whose sins Thou shalt retain they are retain'd And gives him that heavenly Power which the Lord gave his Disciples of retaining and remitting sins These are the proper and special
not sluggish and idle from whence flow the Vices of almost all And then Thirdly rightly to order his Family to appoint them all their Business and to hold them in their Duty And again XXXII The Duty of the Wife First 1 Pet. 3.12 the Parts of the Wife are these which the Prince of Apostles reckons up when he says Let Women be subject to their own Husbands that if any believe not the Word by the Conversation of their Wives they may be gain'd without fear considering your holy Conversation in fear whose adorning let it not be outward in braided hair or glittering of Gold or of Clothes and Apparel but which is the hidden man of the heart in the incorruptibility of a quiet and modest Spirit which is in the sight of God of great price For so in times past the holy women which hop'd in God adorned themselves subjecting themselves to their own husbands even as Sara obey'd Abraham calling him Lord. Let it also be their chief study to educat their Children in true Religion Secondly and diligently to take care of the Houshold Affairs And let them willingly contain themselves at home Thirdly unless necessity compel them to go abroad and let them never presume so to do without the permission of their Husbands And then Fourthly it being the thing wherein chiefly the Marriage-Conjunction consists let them always remember that next to God they must love no one more than their Husband nor esteem any one more than he to whom in all things which are not against Christian Piety they must behave themselves and obey with the greatest alacrity of mind After the explication of these things XXXIII The Ceremonies of Matrimony it will follow that the Pastors teach the Rites also which ought to be observ'd in contracting Matrimony Whereof it is not to be expected that in this place Rules should be given seeing that by the Holy Synod of Trent those things which are chiefly to be observ'd concerning this matter have bin largely and exactly decreed Nor can the Pastors be ignorant of that Decree It will therefore suffice to admonish that they study to know those things which belong to this matter from the Doctrin of the Sacred Council and diligently expound them to the Faithful And First lest young Men and Maids XXXIV Of what Young persons are to be admonish'd whose very Age must needs want counsel and discretion being deceiv'd by a false shew of Matrimony should unwarily rush into the covenants of dishonest Loves they shall often teach that those Marriages are to be accounted neither true nor lawful which are not contracted in the presence of the Curate of the Parish or of some other Priest by the Licence of the Curate or of the Ordinary and of a certain number of Witnesses Also those things which hinder Matrimony are to be explain'd Upon which Argument very many grave and learned men XXXV The Impediments of Marriages to be taught who have written of Vices and Vertues have bin so diligently conversant that it will be easy for all to apply hither those things which they have deliver'd in their Writings especially seeing the Pastors account it necessary scarcely ever to lay those Books out of their hands Both those Rules therefore and also those things which have bin establish'd by Holy Synod concerning the Impediments which arise either from Spiritual Kindred or from the Justice of public Honesty or from Fornication they diligently read and take care that they be taught the Faithful Whence it may be perceiv'd XXXVI With what intention Matrimony is to be enterpris'd with what mind the Faithful ought to be affected when they contract Matrimony For neither ought they to think that they go about any Human matter but a Divine wherein that a singular Integrity of mind and Devotion is to be us'd the Examples of the Fathers of the Old Law sufficiently shew whose Marriages tho they were not indu'd with the Dignity of a Sacrament yet they always thought that they were to be us'd with the greatest Religion and Holiness And amongst other things XXXVII Clandestine Marriage not to be contracted the Sons and Daughters of a Family are to be exhorted to give that honor to their Parents and to those in whose Trust and Power they are as not to enterprise Matrimony without their knowledge and consent For in the Old Testament we may observe that Children were always dispos'd in Marriage by their Parents In which case that very much is to be given to their Wills the Apostle also seems to shew in these Words He that joyns his Virgin in Matrimony does well and he that joyns her not does better The last Part remains XXXVIII Two things to be advis'd concerning Matrimony which belongs to the Use of Matrimony concerning which the Pastors shall treat so that no word fall from their mouth which may seem unworthy the ears of the Faithful or may distast pious minds or move laughter For as the words of the Lord are chaste words Psal 11.7 So also it very much becomes the Teacher of Christian people to use such kind of discourse as carries in it singular Gravity and Integrity of mind Wherefore the Faithful shall be taught these Two things especially First The first that Marriage is not to be enterpriz'd for Pleasure or Lust's sake but they are commanded of the Lord to use it within those limits which we have shew'd before For it is convenient to remember what the Apostle exhorts 1 Cor. 7.29 They that have Wives let them be as tho they had not And also what is said by S. Hierom A wise man ought to love his Wife with judgment the violence of Pleasure reigns not with Passion nor will he be carried headlong to embraces There is nothing more filthy than for a man to love his Wife as an Adultress But because all good things are to be sought of God with Holy Prayers The second there is another thing which the Faithful must be taught that for the sake of praying and beseeching God they sometimes abstain from the Office of Matrimony And first let them know that this is to be observ'd by them for three days at least before they receive the Sacred Eucharist but more when they celebrate the solemn Fasts of Lent even as our Fathers have well and holily appointed For so it will come to pass that they shall feel those benefits of Matrimony increas'd daily with a greater heap of Divine Grace and following the study of Piety they shall not only pass away this life in Tranquility and Comfort but they shall be confirm'd with the certain and sure Hope of obtaining life eternal also by the Goodness of God which hope will not confound them Rom. 5.5 Vide 33. q. 4 per totam de Consecr dist 2. c. omnis homo Hier. in Apol. pro liberis contra Jovinian post medium inter Epist num
rose again for us He is the Lord our God who has bought us for himself with his own Blood how shall we be able to Sin against the Lord our God and crucifie him again As therefore being made truly free and with that Liberty too wherewith Christ has made us free as formerly we yielded our Members to serve Injustice so let us now yield them to serve Justice to Sanctification Exod. 10. Thou shalt not have strange Gods before me The Curat shall teach that those things that belong to God X. The Division of the Decalogue have the first place in the Decalogue and those that belong to our Neighbor have the last because those things which we do to our Neighbor we do for Gods sake for then in Obedience to Gods Command we love our Neighbor when for Gods sake we love him now those things are laid down in the First Table In the second place XI Here are two Precepts in the words propos'd there is contain'd a twofold Precept whereof the One has the Vertue of commanding and the Other of Forbidding For in that it is said Thou shalt not have strange Gods before me The meaning is Thou shalt worship me the true God thou shalt give no worship to strange Gods In the First is contain'd the Precept of Faith XII What the first Part contains Hope and Charity For when we say that God is immoveable unchangeable remains always the same faithful we confess aright without any fault whence assenting to his Oracles we must needs attribute all Faith and Authority to him But he that considers his Omnipotency Mercy and Promptitude and Propensity to do good can he chuse but place all his Hope in him But if he contemplate the Riches of his Goodness and Love shed upon us can he chuse but love him Hence this is the Beginning hence this the Conclusion which God uses in Scripture in Commanding and Charging I am the Lord. But this is the other Part of the Precept XIII What the latter Part commandâ— and why â—â— is addâ—d Thou shalt have no strange Gods before me Which Form of Speech the Lawgiver us'd not as tho this Sentence had not bin sufficiently explain'd by the Affirmation of the Commandment in this manner Thou shalt worship me the only God For if he be God he is One But because of the blindness of very many those who in Old Times profess'd themselves to worship the true God did worship a multitude of Gods Of which sort there were very many among the Hebrews themselves who as Elias objected against them halted between two Opinions which thing the Samaritans also did who worship'd the God of Israel and the Gods of the Nations These things being explain'd it must be added XIV The first Commandment of the Decalogue excels the rest That this is the First and Chiefest of all the Commandments not only in Order but in Nature Dignity and Excellence For God ought to have more Love and Authority among us by infinite degrees than Lord or King He created us he governs us and we were nourish'd by him in our Mothers Womb and brought forth thence into the World he supplies us with things necessary for Life and Food Now they sin against this Commandment XV. The chief Sins against the first Commandment who have not Faith Hope and Charity the Sin of whom lies plainly open For in this Number are those who fall into Heresy which believe not those things which our Holy Mother the Church proposes to be believ'd those who give credit to Dreams Fortune-telling and such like Vanities those who cast off the Hope of their Salvation and trust not in the goodness of God those who take Pleasure in Riches only or in the Health and Strength of the Body which things are more largely explain'd by those who have wrote concerning Vices and Sins De variis istis peccatis Vide dist 24. quaest 2. multis in capitibus Aug. in lib. de divinat daemon cap. 5. citatur 26. q. 4. secundum Origen Hom. 5. Josue habet 26. q. 2. c. sed illud Aug. lib. 2. de doct Christian c. 19. 20. citatur eodem c. illud quod est Conc. Carth. 4. c. 89. vide plura 26. q. 2.3 5. Of the WORSHIP and INVOCATION of SAINTS BUt this is also diligently to be taught in the Explication of this Commandment XVI The Honor of the Saints not against this Commandment That the Veneration and Invocation of Saints and Angels and Blessed Souls which enjoy the Glory of Heaven or even the Honor which the Catholic Church has always given to the very Bodies and Ashes of the Saints is not against the Law For who is so mad that when the King requires that no one shall take upon himself to be King or suffer himself to be worship'd or honor'd as King will therefore presently think it to be the Kings Will that no Honor shall be done to his Magistrates for Christians are said to adore the Angels by the Example of the Saints of the Old Testament yet they give not that Veneration to them which they give to God Vide Trid. sess 17. de Sacrif Missae c. 3. sess 25. sub princip cap. de invocati Sanctorum Item vide Synod 7. act 6. in fine Item Aug. lib. 8. de civit Dei c. 27. lib. 10. c. 1. lib. 21. contra Faust c. 21. Basil hom 20. in 40. Mar. 26. de Mar. Mamon Item Nazianz. orat in laud. sancti Cypriani Now whereas we read that the Angels refus'd to be worship'd by Men XVII Why the Angels sometimes would not be worship'd Apoc. 19.10 Apoc. 22.9 it must be understood that they did so because they would not have that Honor done to them which was due to God alone For the Holy Spirit who says Honor and Glory be to God only the same has commanded to honor our Parents and Elders Besides holy Men who worship'd One God only did adore Kings also as we see in Holy Scripture i e. they did humbly reverence them 1 Tim. 17. Exod. 19.2 Lev. 19.11 Deut. 5.16 But if Kings XVIII Angels to be worship'd and why by whom God governs the World are so highly honor'd shall we not give so much the greater Honor to Angelical Spirits whom God has bin pleas'd to make his Ministers and whose labor he makes use of not only for the Government of his Church but of other matters also and by whose Aid we are deliver'd from the greatest Dangers both of Soul and Body altho they suffer not themselves to be seen by us by how much those blessed Spirits excel Kings themselves in Dignity Dan. 10.15 Add hereto their Love wherewith they love us being led by which they pour out Prayers for those Provinces over which they are plac'd as is easily understood from Scripture which also is not to be doubted but they do for those whose Guardians
to be another Commandment will have the two last to have the Force of one Commandment only◠but S. Austin dividing those last will have these Words to belong to the First Commandment which Opinion because it is most celebrated in the Church we willingly follow Altho we have in readiness that most true Reason that it was fit that every one's Reward and Punishment should be joynd with the First Commandment Vid. Aug. super Exod. quaest 71. in Ps 32. Serm. 2 sententia D. Aug. de praeceptorum distinctione magis placet Eccelesiae Vide D. Thom. 1 2 q. 100. art 4. And let no one think that the Art of Painting Carving or making Images is forbid by this Commandment XXXIII The use of Images not against this Commandment for in Scripture by God's Command we find that there were made Figures and Images of Cherubims and the Brasen Serpent It remains therefore that we teach Images to be forbidden for this Reason that nothing should be withdrawn from the true Worship of God to the Worshiping of Images as Gods Now as to this Commandment XXXIV Two things here forbidden First to worship Idols there are two VVays especially whereby it is evident that the Majesty of God is very grievously offended The One is when Idols and Images are worship'd as Gods or when it is believ'd that there is any Divinity or Vertue in them for which they are to be worship'd or that any thing is to be begg'd of them or that any Trust is to be put in them as of Old the Gentils did who plac'd their Hopes in Idols which thing the Sacred Scriptures in many places reprove The Other is Secondly by Art to frame any likeness of the Divinty when any one endeavours to make any Shape of the Divinity as tho he could be seen with bodily Eyes or express'd in Figures For who as Damascen says can describe God who cannot be seen who has no Body who can be circumscrib'd with no Limits nor describ'd under any Figure VVhich thing is more largly explain'd in the Second Council of Nice Damasc lib. 4. de Ortho. Fid. c. 17. Concil Nicen. 2. Act. 3. Therefore the Apostle said excellently Rom. 1.23 That they had changed the Glory of the incorruptible God into the likeness of Birds Beasts and Serpents For they reverenec'd all these things as Gods when they put up their Images wherefore the Israelites when they proclaim'd before the Image of the Calf Exod. 24. These are thy Gods ô Israel which brought thee out of the Land of Egypt were call'd Idolaters because they chang'd their Glory into the likeness of a Calf which eats Hay When therefore the Lord forbids other Gods to be worship'd XXXV The meaning of this last part of the Commandment Isay 40.18 Act. 7. utterly to take away all Idolatry he forbad any Image of the Divinity to be drawn or made in Metal or any other matter which Esaias declaring says Like to what will ye make God or what Image will ye make for him Now that this is the meaning of this Commandment besides the Writings of the Holy Fathers who as has bin shew'd in the seventh Council do thus interpret it Deut. 4.16 those words in Deuteronomy also do sufficiently declare where Moses willing to draw the People from Idolatry said Ye saw not any likeness in the Day wherein the Lord spake with you in Horeb out of the midst of the Fire Which the most wise Lawgiver therefore said lest being led by any error they might make the Image of the Divinity and give to a Creature the Honor due to God Moreover XXXVI It is lawful by some figures to shadow out the Trinity let no one think that any Offence is committed against Religion and the Law of God when any Person of the most holy Trinity is express'd by certain signs which have appear'd as well in the Old as in the New Testament For there is none so rude as to think that the Divinity is express'd by that Image but let the Pastor teach that by them are declar'd some Properties or Actions which are attributed to God As when by Daniel the Ancient of Days is describ'd siting in a Throne before whom the Books were opened there was signified Gods Eternity and infinite VVisdom whereby he beholds all both the Thoughts and Actions of Men that he might judge concerning them Angels also are painted in Human shape with Wings XXXVII The manner of Painting Angels approv'd that the Faithful may understand how prone and ready they are to perform Service of the Lord for Mankind for they all are ministring Spirits for them who receive the Inheritance of Salvation But the shape of a Dove XXXVIII Figures of the holy Ghost and Tongues like as of Fire which in the Gospel and in the Acts of the Apostles signifie the Properties of one Holy Ghost are much better known than to need a larger Explication Heb. 1.14 Matth. 3.16 Mar. 1.10 Luc. 3.21 Joan 1.32 Act. 2.2 But when Christ our Lord XXXIX The use of Images of Christ and of the Saints approv'd and his most Holy and Pure Mother and all the other Saints endu'd with Human Nature bore the likeness of Men To make and honor their Images was not only not forbidd'n by this Commandment but was always accounted Holy and a most certain Argument of a grateful mind which thing both the Monuments of the Apostles Times and of the General Council and the Writings of so many of the most Holy Fathers agreeing among themselves do evidence But the Curat shall shew not only that it is lawful to have Images in the Church and to give them Honor and Worship seeing that the Honor which is given to them is to be referr'd to the Prototype but he shall also declare That this has bin done to this very day with the great Advantage of the Faithful Lib. 4. de fid orth c. 17. Nic. Syn. passim as we may learn from Damascen's Book which he wrote concerning Images and from the Seventh Council which is the Second Council of Nice But because the Enemy of Mankind by his Deceits and Fallacies endeavors to abuse every the most holy Institution But if haply any Offence shall be committed by the People about this Matter following the Decree of the Council of Trent Trid. Conc. sess 25. as far as may be he shall study to correct it and shall explain the Decree it self also to the People when there is occasion Then he shall teach the unlearned LX. The lawful use of Images and those that understand not the use of Images that Images were made to learn the History of both Testaments and to renew the Memory thereof because being stirr'd up with the remembrance of Divine Matters they inflame more earnestly to the Worship and Love of God himself and he shall also shew that the Images of the Saints are plac'd in the Churches both
might easily happen that she that was cast off by one Husband might be married to another For this Reason the Lord did forbid that either Men should be sollicited to leave their Wives XXIX Why this Law was made or that the Wives should behave themselves so sowr and churlish to their Husbands that for that cause there should be any necessity as it were laid on their Husbands to cast them off But now it is a greater Sin XXX A griâ—vous Sin to covet another Mans Wife since it is not lawful for another to marry a Woman tho she be divorc'd from her Husband unless her Husband be dead He therefore that covets another Man's Wife easily slides out of one Covetousness into another For either he will wish her Husband dead Note or to commit adultery with her And the same thing may be said of those Women that are betrothed to another XXXI Or a Woman betroth'd to another for neither is it lawful to covet them since they that endeavour to break these Contracts violate the most holy Band of Faith And as it is utterly unlawful to covet her that is married to another XXXII Or a Virgin consecrated to God so it is by no means lawful to desire her for his Wife that is consecrated to Gods Worship and Religion But if any one desires to marry a VVoman Note this Case that is already married supposing her not to be married and would not desire to marry her if he knew that she were married to another which we read happen'd to Pharaoh and Abimimelech Gen. 12. 20. who wish'd to have Sarah to be their VVife supposing her not to be married but to be Abraham's Sister and not his VVife he verily that is thus minded seems not to break this Commandment But that the Curat may lay open the Remedies XXXIII Remedies against hurtful Desires that are fit to take away this Vice of Covetousness he ought to explain the other part of the Commandment which consists herein That if Riches increase we set not our Hearts upon them and that we be ready to apply them to the Study of Piety and of Divine Matters and that we freely bestow our Mony in relieving the Miseries of the Poor And if we are in want that we bear our want with an even and a chearful Spirit and indeed if in diposing of our Goods we use Liberality we shall quench our Covetousness of other Mens Goods Now concerning the Praises of Poverty and despising of Riches in Sacred Scriptures and in the Holy Fathers it will be easie for the Curat to gather a great many things and to teach them to the Faithful Vide Hier. Epist 1. ad Heliod 8. ad Demetriadem 150. and Haedipiam q. 1. 16. ad Pammach Item Basil in regul fusius disputatis Interrog 9. Chrys in Epist. ad Rom. ad haec verba Salutate Priscam Cassian lib. de institut Monach. c. 13 33. collat 24. c. 26. Greg. hom 18. Ezech. Ambr. in c. 6. Lucae Leonem Magn. in Serm. de omnibus sanctis Aug. lib. 17. de Civit. Dei Epist 98. ad Hilar. Epist 109. By this Law it is also commanded XXXIV The other part commanding That very earnestly and with our utmost desire we wish that thing chiefly to be done not which we our selves will but what God wills as is taught in our Lords Prayer Now it is the Will of God chiefly XXXV What the Will of God towards us is that we be made holy after a singular Manner and that we keep our Soul sincere and upright and clean from every Spot and that we exercise our selves in those Duties of Mind and Spirit which are contrary to our bodily Senses and that our sensual Desires being brought into subjection being guided by Reason and the Spirit we lead the course of our Life aright and further that we utterly beat down the Force of those Senses which afford matter to our Lusts and Desires But to the quenching this heat of our Desires XXXVI The Antidotes of evil Desires The First this also will be very prevalent to put before our Eyes the Inconveniences we suffer thereby The First Inconvenience is That by Obedience to our Lusts Sin gets the utmost force and power in our Soul Wherefore the Apostle admonishes Let not Sin reign in your mortal Body Rom. 6.12 that ye should obey the Lusts thereof For even as if we resist our Lusts the Power of Sin decays so if we yield to them we throw our Lord out of his Kingdom and place Sin in his room Besides The Second another Inconveniency is That from this force of Concupiscence as from a kind of Fountain all Sins flow as S. James teaches and S. John says Jac. 1. 2 John 2.16 All that is in the World is the Lust of the Flesh and the Lust of the Eyes and the Pride of Life The Third Inconvenience is The Third That the true Judgment of the Mind is darkned For Men being blinded with the darkness of their Lusts think all those things good and excellent whatsoever they desire Besides The Fourth by force of Concupiscence the Word of God is oppress'd which is sown in our Souls by God that great Husbandman For thus it is written in S. Mark Some was sown among Thorns These are they which hear the Word and the cares of the World and the deceitfulness of Riches and so other things entring in by Concupiscence choak the Word and so make it unfruitful But now those that above others labor under this Vice of Concupiscence XXXVII These are guilty of this Vice of Covetousness First and whom the Curat ought therefore more earnestly to exhort to observe this Commandment Are those that are delighted with dishonest Sports and that immoderately abuse Games As also Merchants Secondly who wish for scarcity of things and dearness of Provisions and take it ill that others besides themselves do sell Commodities and sell cheaper than they In which case they also Sin Thirdly that wish others to want that either by selling or buying they may make a Gain of them And those Soldiers also Fourthly that wish for War that they may get Plunder Fifthly And those Physitians that pray for Diseases Sixthly And those Lawyers that desire a Throng and Multitude of Contentions and Law Suits Seventhly And those Trades-men who being greedy of Gain wish for Scarcity of such things as are for Food and other Necessaries thereby to get Profit to themselves Eighthly And in this kind they also grievously sin that are greedy and covetous of other Mens Glory and Praise not without some slandering of other Mens Credit and specially if they that thus covet it are idle Persons and of no worth For Fame and the Glory of Vertue and Industry is not the Reward of Sloth and Idleness THE CATECHISM FOR THE CURATES BY THE DECREE
this blind Pilgrimage we are absent from the Lord XXII Our Instability in the Kingdom of Grace we often slip and fall casting off the Admonitions of the Kingdom of Grace wherewith we were secur'd but when the Light of the Kingdom of Glory which is perfect shall have enlightned us we shall always stand firm and stable for every Fault and Inconveniency shall be taken away every Infirmity being confirmed shall be strengthen'd Lastly God himself will reign in our Soul and Body But this thing has bin more fully handled in the Creed when we discours'd of the Resurrection of the Flesh These things therefore XXIII What things are here pray'd for First which shew the common Sense of the Kingdom of God being explain'd we must shew what this Petition properly prays for Now we beg of God that Christs Kingdom which is the Church may be propagated that all Infidels and Jews Schismatics and Heretics may turn themselves to the Faith of Christ our Lord and receive the Knowledg of the true God and return to Soundness of Mind and to the Communion of the Church of God from whence they are fallen that it may be fulfil'd and brought to that Issue which the Lord spake by the Mouth of Isaiah Isa 54.2 Enlarge the place of thy Tents and stretch out the Borders of thy Tabernacles make thy Lines long renew thy Rule for thou shalt penetrate to the right and left Hand because he that made thee shall reign over thee And again The Gentils shall walk in thy Light Isa 60.5 and Kings in the brightness of thy rising lift up thy Eyes round about and see all these are gather'd together they came to thee thy Sons shall come from far and thy Daughter shall rise from beside thee But because in the Church there are some that in their Words confess God Secondly but in their Deeds deny him and yet boast of their deform'd Faith in whom by Reason of Sin the Devil dwells and rules as in his own Houses we pray also that the Kingdom of God may come upon them whereby the Darkness of their Sins being dispell'd and being illustrated with the Rays of the Divine Light they may be restor'd into their former Dignity of being the Children of God that all Heretics and Schismatics being taken away and all Offences and all causes of Sin cast forth out of his Kingdom our Heavenly Father may purge the Floor of his Church that in worshipping God devoutly and holily she may enjoy a quiet Peace and Tranquillity Lastly Thirdly we pray that God alone may live in us and he alone may reign in us that hereafter there be no place for Death but that it may wholly be swallowed up in the Victory of Christ our Lord who having scattered and dispersed all the Principality of the Enemies by his own Power and Might he may subject all things under his Government And it shall be the Curats Care XXIV The Curats Duty in this case to teach the Faithful what the Reason of this Petition requires with which Thoughts and Meditations being furnish'd they may make these Prayers devoutly to God And First they shall exhort them to consider the Force and Meaning of that Parable us'd by our Saviour The Kingdom of Heaven is like to a Treasure hidden in a Field which he that found it in the Ground hid and for joy thereof goes and sells all that he has and buys that Field For he that knows the Riches of Christ our Lord XXV All things seems vile when we know Gods Kingdom will despise all things in comparison of them all Excellencies Riches and Power will seem mean to him for nothing can be compar'd to that most precious Jewel or be able to stand before it Wherefore those that know it Phil. 8. will cry out with the Apostle I account all things but loss and esteem them but as Dung that I may gain Christ This is that famous Jewel of the Gospel Matth. 13.45 for which he that sells all his Goods and gives the Mony thereof shall enjoy everlasting Happiness O happy we XXVI How precious this Jewel of didivine Grace is Rom. 8.15 if Jesus Christ would give us so much Light as to see this Jewel of Divine Grace whereby he reigns in those that are his for we would sell all that we have yea and our very selves to buy and secure this for then at last we might assuredly say Who shall separate us from the love of Christ But if we would know what is the exceeding Excellency of the Kingdom of Glory let us hear the Words and Sentences of the Prophet and Apostle agreeing in the same Isa 64.2 1 Cor. 2.9 Eye has not seen neither has Ear heard nor has it enter'd into the Heart of Man what things God has prepar'd for them that love him Now XXVII That we may be heard we must pray with Humility for the obtaining what we desire it will be very profitable to consider with our selves what we are i. e. the Offspring of Adam justly cast out of Paradice and Exiles whose unworthiness and Perverseness might rather deserve God's utmost Hatred and eternal Punishments XXVIII The Advantage of self-despising The First Wherefore it then behoves us to be of an humble and lowly Spirit Our Prayer also will be full of Christian Humility And wholly distrusting our selves The Second we will betake our selves as that Publican did to God's Mercy And ascribing all to his Bounty Third Rom. 8.15 we will give him immortal Thanks who has given us his Holy Spirit incourag'd by whom we may be embolden'd to cry Abba Father And we shall take Care and Consideration what we are to do The Fourth and on the contray what to avoid that we may come to the Kingdom of Heaven For we are not call'd of God to Idleness and Sloth Note for says he Matth. 11.12 the Kingdom of Heaven suffers Violence and the violent take it by force And if thou wilt enter into Life Matth. 19.17 keep the Commandments It is not enough therefore to seek the Kingdom of God XXIX We must labor together with Grace unless Men labor and toil for it for they ought to help and serve that Grace of God in holding that Course which leads to Heaven God never forsakes us Note for he has promis'd to be with us always How ought this one thing therefore to be regarded of us that we forsake not God and our selves And in this Kingdom of God XXX The defence of our Salvation and how great which is his Church are all things wherewith he defends the Life of Man and perfects their eternal Salvation Multitudes of Angels which are invisible and the Benefit of visible Sacraments full of Celestial Treasures in these things there is so much Security appointed us by God that we may be safe not only from the Government of our worst Enemies but
his Tillage of those fruitful Gardens nor had his Labor or his Hope at all ever deceiv'd him But his Posterity is not only depriv'd of the Fruit of the Tree of Life VIII How great the Misery of Adams Posterity is but also is condemn'd with that dreadful Sentence Cursed is the Farth by thy act in labor shalt thou eat thereof all the Days of thy Life Briers and Thorns shall it bring thee forth and thou shalt eat the grass of the Earth in the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat thy Bread till thou return to the Earth out of which thou wast taken for Dust thou art and into Dust shalt thou return To us therefore all things are fallen out contrary to what they had done to him and his Posterity IX Among these Miseries which is the greatest if Adam had bin obedient to Gods Command All things therefore are alter'd and chang'd for the worst Among which this is very lamentable that for our exceeding great Charges utmost Labor and Sweat we very often receive no Fruits when the Seed we sow turns to bad standing Corn or is choak'd with Weeds or is stricken with Storms Winds Hail Blasts Cankers and so perishes and is destroy'd so that all the whole Labor of the Year in a short Time by some Calamity of the Air or Earth comes to nothing And this happens for our Wickedness at which God being angry does not bless our Labors But that dreadful Sentence remains which at first he pronounc'd against us Gen. 3. The Pastors therefore in handling of this Point X. Mens Labor but vain unless God bless it shall labor that the Faithful may know that Men fell into these Streights and Miseries by their own Fault that they may understand that they must labor and sweat in getting those things that are necessary for Life but yet except God bless their Labor that all their Hope will deceive them and all their striving be in vain For neither is he that plants any thing nor he that waters but God that gives the Increase And Except the Lord build the House they labor but in vain that build it 1 Cor. 3.7 Psal 126.1 The Curats therefore shall teach XI Whence the Necessity of Prayer proved that there are almost innumerable things which if we want we either lose Life or render it very uncomfortable For this want of things and this Weakness of Nature being known Christians will be compell'd to go to their Heavenly Father and humbly to beg of him both Earthly and Heavenly good things They will imitate that Prodigal Son An Example Luc. 15. who when in a far Country he began to want nor was there any one that would give him so much as Peas-husks to eat when he was hungry returning afterwards to himself he understood that there was no Remedy to be expected any where for those Evils wherewith he was press'd but from his Father And here also the Faithful will come with more Confidence to pray XII How Faith given to them that pray if in their Minds they consider the Divine Goodness that his Fatherly Ears are always open to the Voice of his Children for while he exhorts us to seek our Bread he promises that he will bestow it abundantly upon them that rightly ask it of him for by teaching us how to ask it he exhorts us to ask it by exhorting he inforces us to ask it by inforcing us to ask he promises to give it by promising to give it us he leads us into a certain Hope of obtaining it The Minds of the Faithful therefore being stirr'd up and inflam'd XIII What we pray for in this Petition it now follows that we shew what is pray'd for in this Petition and First what Bread that is which here we ask We must know therefore that in Sacred Scripture by this Word Bread are signified many things XIV What is meant by the Word Bread but especially these two First whatsoever we use for Food and other Provisions for the Body for Preservation of Life and then whatsoever is given us of God's Blessing for the Life and Salvation of our Spirit and Soul Now here we ask Relief for that Life which we lead here in the Earth XV. What we here pray for First and this by the Authority of the Holy Fathers that thought so Wherefore they are not to be heard XVI Earthly good things may lawfully be pray'd for that say that Christians may not ask of God the Earthly good things of this Life For there are against this Error besides the concurring Sense of the Fathers very many Examples both of the Old and New Testament For Jacob vowing pray'd thus An Example Gen. 28.20 If the Lord will be with me and keep me in my way by which I walk and give me Bread to eat and Clothes to put on and that I return in safety to the House of my Father the Lord shall be my God and this Stone which I have put up for a Monument shall be call'd the house of God and of all that thou shalt give me I will offer to thee the Tithes And Solomon also pray'd for certain Relief of this Life Another Prov. 30.8 when he pray'd thus Give me neither Beggery nor Riches but give me only Necessaries for Food And what shall we say Others out of the New-Testament Matth. 24.20 when the Saviour of Mankind commands us to pray for those things which no one dares deny do belong to the use of the Body Pray ye says he that your flight be not in Winter or on the Sabbath And what say we of S. James Jac. 5.13 whose Words are these Is any of you sad let him pray Is any one cheerful let him sing And what of the Apostle who says thus to the Romans Rom. 15.30 I beseech you Brethren thro our Lord Jesus Christ and thro the Love of the Holy Ghost that ye help me in your Prayers to God for me that I may be delivered from the Infidels that are in Judea Wherefore XVII Earthly good things are here pr y'd for when God gives leave to the Faithful to ask the Comforts of human things and this perfect Form of Prayer was deliverd by Christ our Lord there is no doubt left that this is one of the seven Petitions Besides XVIII What we pray for Secondly we beg our daily Bread i. e. Necessaries for Food and under the name of Bread whatsoever is sufficient both for ◠lothes to cover us and for Food to sustain us whether it be Bread or Flesh or Fish or whatsoever else we can think on For we see that Eliseus us'd this manner of speaking An 〈…〉 ple. 4 Reg 6.22 when he admonish'd the King to give Bread to the Assyrian Soldiers to whom a great abundance of Meat was given And we know that it was written concerning Christ our Lord Another He entred into the House
to beg of God not to suffer us to be led into Temptation but also in that Sermon which he made to the Holy Apostles about the time of his Death when indeed he said that they were clean he admonish'd them of this Duty in these words Joh. 13.10 Mat. 26.4 Pray that ye enter not into Temptation Which Admonition being made again by Christ our Lord he said a great Charge upon those that have Cure of Souls to be diligent in stirring up the Faithful to the frequent use of this Prayer that when every hour there are so great Dangers of this kind intended against Men by their Enemy the Devil they may earnestly beg of God who alone is able to drive them away in this Prayer Lead us not into Temptation But the Faithful will understand how much need they have of this Divine Help IV. How great the necessity of this Petition is if they but remember their own Weakness and Ignorance if they remember that Sentence of Christ our Lord The Spirit indeed is ready but the Flesh is weak if they remember what heavy and destructive Accidents Men would fall into by the Devil's means if they were not upheld by the help of God's Right Hand What clearer Example of Man's Weakness can there be Examples of our Weakness than that of Sacred Quire of Apostles who before were of a stout Courage but upon the first Terror laid in their way forsook our Savior and fled Altho that of the Prince of Apostles himself is yet more clear who after so large a Profession of singular both Resolution and Love to Christ our Lord when but a little before being very confident of himself he said thus If I were to die with thee yet I will not deny thee yet presently at the Voice of a silly Maid he protested with Oaths that he knew not our Lord. Mat. 26.35 And the Reason is Note because his Strength was not answerable to that very great Willingness of his Spirit But if the most holy Men have grievously sinn'd thro the Weakness of Human Nature Note again to which they trusted too much how are others to fear who come far short of them in Holiness VVherefore let the Curat propose to the Faithful the Fights and Dangers wherein we are daily engag'd V. To how many Dangers of Temptations Men are expos'd while our Souls continue in these mortal Bodies which on every hand the Flesh the VVorld and Satan oppose VVhat Anger what Lust or Covetousness can do in us how few are there in the VVorld that are not compell'd to their great damage to feel VVho is there that is not wearied with these Goads who feels not these Thorns VVho is not scorch'd with these secret Firebrands And indeed their Blows are so many and their Importunities so various that it is a very hard matter not to receive some grievous VVounds And besides these Enemies which lodge and live with us there are moreover those most bitter Enemies of whom it is written Eph. 6 22â— We wrestle not against Flesh and Blood but against the Rulers of this World of Darkness against Spiritual Wickedness in Heavenly things For to the inward Combats VI. How great the violence of the Devils is the outward Violence and Assaults of the Devils join themselves for they seek to catch us both by open Force and secret Snares cast upon our Souls so that we can very hardly escape them Now these the Apostle calls Princes for the Excellency of their Nature VII Why the Devils call'd Princes for by Nature they excel Men and all other Creatures that fall under Sense he also calls them Potestates or Powers because they not only excel in Strength of Nature but of Power also he also calls them Rulers of the World of Darkness for they govern not the Clear and Light VVorld i. e. Good and Pious Men but the Dark and Gloomy VVorld to wit those who being blinded with the Spots and Darkness of a naughty and wicked Life are delighted with the Devil the Prince of Darkness He also calls the Devils Spiritual Wickednesses VIII Why Spiritual Wickednesses What Carnal Wickedness What Spiritual Wickedness i.e. the VVickedness both of Flesh and Spirit The VVickedness which is call'd Carnal kindles our Desires to sensual Lusts and Pleasures But Spiritual Wickedness are evil Purposes and corrupt Desires which belong to the Superior part of the Soul which are by so much worse than the rest by how much the Mind and Reason it self is higher and more excellent Which Wickedness of Satan Note because he chiefly aims at this to deprive us of our Heavenly Inheritance therefore the Apostle said in Heavenly things Whence we may learn IX The Devil's Malice that the Enemies Forces are great their Courage undaunted their Hatred against us cruel and infinite That they wage perpetual War so that there can be no Peace or Truce with them And how bold they are that word of Satan shews which we read in the Prophet Isa 14.13 I will climb up even to Heaven He set upon our first Parents in Paradise he withstood the Prophets he sought for the Apostles and as our Lord says in the Evangelist Luc. 12.31 He would have winnow'd them as Wheat nor did the very Face of Christ himself make him blush or asham'd The Apostle therefore express'd his insatiable Desire and indefatigable Diligence when he said 1 Pet. 5.8 Your Adversary the Devil as a roaring Lion wheels about seeking whom he may devour And yet not one Devil only tempts Man X. Many Devils oppose one Man but sometimes many Devils join together against particular Men which thing that Devil confess'd who being ask'd of Christ our Lord what his Name was Marc. 5.9 Luc. 8.30 answered My Name is Legion to wit a Multitude of Devils which vex'd that miserable Man Mar. 12.45 And it is written of another That he took with him Seven other Spirits more wicked than himself and entring in they dwelt there There are many indeed who feel not the Impulse and Force of the Devil in themselves XI The Devils tempt not wicked Men and why and therefore think there is no such matter who that they are not oppos'd by the Devil there is no wonder seeing they have freely given up themselves to him They have no Piety no Charity none of that Vertue worthy a Christian and therefore they are wholly in the Power of the Devil nor is there any need of Temptations to destroy them in whose Souls they give him leave to abide But those that have dedicated themselves to God XII The Devil chiefly tempts the Pious leading a Heavenly life while they are on Earth Satan seeks most of all by his Incursions These he most bitterly hates for these at all times he says Snares The History of Sacred Scripture is full of the Examples of Holy Men whom tho they were of a strong Resolution
we look more closely into the matter we may easily perceive that there was wanting in that Form none of those things which our Savior commanded to be observ'd For he that but names Jesus Christ signifies at the same time the Person of the Father also by whose appointment he was anointed and the Holy Ghost who anointed him And yet it may seem doubtful Whether or no the Apostles did at all baptize any in this kind of Form XVI Not certain that the Apostles baptiz'd Christ's name Ambr. l. 1. â—â— Sâ—â—â—â—â— Sâ—â—â—ct c. â— Pasiâ— l. 1. de â—pâ—â— Sâ—â—ct c. 12. Gâ—l 3.27 if we will follow the Opinion of those Holy and Grave Fathers Ambrose and Basil who interpret Baptism in the name of Jesus Christ so as they say by those words is signifi'd Baptism not that which was given of John but of our Lord Christ altho the Apostles departed not from that common and usual Form wherein are express ' d the distinct names of the Three Persons Now this kind of speech S. Paul seems to use in his Epistle to the Galatians when he says As many of you as have bin Baptiz'd in Christ have put on Christ To signifie that they were baptiz'd in the Faith of Christ but yet that they us'd no other Form than that which the same our Lord and Savior cammanded to be observ'd Thus much therefore XVII Three manners of Washing it will be sufficient to teach the Faithful concerning the Matter and Form which chiefly belong to the Substance of Baptism Now because in celebrating this Sacrament we ought to observe the right way of Washing therefore the Pastors must teach how that Part also ought to be done and briefly let them understand that the Church has bin us'd to celebrate Baptism after any one of these three manners For those that are baptiz'd Plunging Pouring Sprinkling Eph 5.26 are either plung'd into the Water or Water is pour'd upon them or they are sprinkl'd with Water Now whichsoever of these three ways is observ'd we ought to believe Baptism to be valid For Water is us'd in Baptism to signifie the Washing of the Soul which it performs And therefore the Apostle calls Baptism a Laver. But he cannot be more properly said to be wash'd who is plung'd into Water which fashion was long observ'd in the Primitive times of the Church Act. 2.41 Greg. l. 1. Regist Ep. 41. than He who has water pour'd on him which is the manner now adays or than He who is sprinkl'd with Water as it may be suppos'd S. Peter did when in one day he convert'd and baptiz'd Three Thousand Men. But whether Baptism be perform'd with One single Washing or with a threefold pouring of Water on the Baptiz'd is not to be thought of any moment For that by any of these three ways Baptism was formerly rightly perform'd in the Church and may be so again does plainly enough appear from the Epistle of S. Gregory the Great written to Leander Yet the Faithful are to retain that Custom or Rite which they observe to be us'd in their own Church But it is fit to give them this warning especially XVIII Three things chiefly to be noted that in Baptism not any part of the Body but the Head where all both internal and external Senses have their strength is to be wash'd and that he that baptizes ought at the very same time of the Washing with Water and not either before or after it to pronounce the words which are the Form of the Sacrament These things being explain'd XIX When Baptism was instituted and commanded it will be convenient to teach the Faithful and to put them in mind that Baptism as all the other Sacraments were was instituted by Christ our Lord. This therefore the Pastors shall frequently teach and explain That there are Two different Times of Baptism to be noted The One when our Savior instituted it The other when the receiving of it became a settl'd Law and Obligation As for the First It is plain that this Sacrament was then Instituted of our Lord when himself being baptiz'd of John gave Power of Sanctifying to the Water For S. Gregory Nazianzen and S. Austin testifie That at that time Greg. Orat. in Nat. Salv. ci ca sinem Aug. Serm. 29 36 37. de Temp. Matt. 3.26 Marc. 1.10 Luc 3.21 the vertue of begetting in us the Spiritual Life was bestow'd on Water And in another place he writes From the time that Christ was plung'd in Water Water washes away all sins And in another place The Lord is baptiz'd not as wanting to be cleans'd but by the Touch of his pure Body cleansing the Waters that they may have power of cleansing And to this purpose This may well serve for an argument that the most Holy Trinity in whose name Baptism is perform'd have manifested their divine presence at it For then was heard the Voice of the Father then was present the person of the Son and then descended the Holy Ghost in likeness of a Dove besides all This the Heavens were open'd whither by Baptism we also may now ascend But if any one desire to know XX. The Waters sanctifi'd by the touch of Christs Body by what means so great and so divine a vertue was bestow'd on the Waters by our Lord. This indeed exceeds Mans understanding yet this we understand well enough that when our Lord receiv'd Baptism the Water was consecrated to the saving use of Baptism by the Touch of his most Holy and Pure Body yet so as that tho this Sacrament were instituted before the Passion yet it must be believ'd that of the Passion which was as the End of all Christ's Actions it took its vertue and Efficacy See Hieron in com in 3. cap. Mat. Aug. Serm 36. de Temp. And now of the Other XXI When Baptism began to be of Obligation Mar. 16 10. Matt. 28.19 to wit at what time the Law of Baptism began to be obligatory there can be no doubt For the Holy Fathers agree That after the Resurrection of our Lord when he commanded his Apostles saying Go ye and teach all Nations baptizing them it the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost from that time forward all Men that were to attain everlasting Salvation began to be oblig'd by the Law of Baptism And this is gather'd from the authority of the Prince of Apostles when he says 1 Pet. 1 3â— He has begotten us again to a lively Hope through the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the Dead As also we may learn from that place of S. Paul Eph. 5 2â— He gave himself for her that he might sanctifie her he speaks of the Church cleansing her with the laver of Water in the Word Both which places seem to refer the Obligation of Baptism to the time immediately following our Lords Death So that it can by no means be doubted that those words of our
Savior Joh. 3.5 Except a Man be born again of Water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God have relation to the time after his Passion If therefore the Pastors diligently handle these matters there can be no doubt but that the Faithful will come to understand and with truly devout Souls will reverence the excellent dignity of this Sacrament and especially when they consider that those excellent and rich Gifts which when Christ was baptiz d were manifested by the signification of Miracles to be given and bestow'd by the secret influence of the Holy Ghost upon all those that are baptiz'd For as if our eyes were open'd as Elisha's servants were that we could but be able to behold those heavenly things 4 Reg. 6.17 there can no body be thought to be so void of common sense as not to be carried into the greatest Admiration of the mysteries of Baptism Why then should we not think it will be so when the Pastors shall have laid open the Riches of this Sacrament in such sort that tho the Faithful cannot behold them with their bodily Eyes yet with the Eye and sharpness of their Soul illuminated with the splendor of Faith they may be able to contemplate them And now it will seem to be not only profitable but necessary also to shew by whom this Sacrament is to be ministred XXII The Ministers of this Sacrament of three Ranks both that they to whom chiefly this Office is committed may labor to discharge it holily and devoutly and also that none stretching beyond their own limits might rashly seiz upon anothers possession or proudly enter upon anothers Office 1 Cor. 15. seeing the Apostle admonishes to keep a due Order in all things The Faithful therefore may be taught That there are three degrees of those who may minister Baptism And in the first place are to be reckon'd the Bishops and Priests to whom it is given by Right of their Office and not by any extraordinary dispensation or power to exercise this Function For to Them in the Apostles the Lord gave commandment Matt. 28.19 Isiâ— l. 2. de Offic. Eccles c. 4. saying Go ye and Baptize Tho the Bishops that they might not be forc'd to leave the more weighty charge of instructing the people are us'd to leave the Ministery of Baptism to the Priests And that the Priests have in themselves a Right to exercise this Function so that even in presence of the Bishop they may minister Baptism is manifest both by the practice of the Church and the Doctrin of the Fathers For since they are instituted to consecrate the Eucharist which is the Sacrament of Peace and Vnity it is but requisite that they should have power of administering all those things by which necessarily any one may be made partaker of that Peace and Vnity And if at any time the Fathers have said That the Power of Baptizing hath not bin permitted to the Priests but by leave of the Bishop it seems that it should be meant of that Baptism only which was accustom'd to be ministred with great and solemn Ceremony on some certain days of the year In the next rank of Ministers are the Deacons to whom The Deacons by concession Distinct 93. c. 13. Any other person in necessity without the consent of the Bishop or Priest it was not allow'd to minister this Sacrament as is witness'd by many Decrees of the Holy Fathers The lowest rank is of those who in a forcible necessity may baptize but without the use of the solemn Ceremonies of this sort are all persons yea even of the Lay-people whether Men or Women what Sect soever they profess for this power is permitted even to Jews Infidels and Heretics when necessity compels provided that in so doing they intend to do what the Catholic Church does in that kind of administration These things both many Decrees of the ancient Fathers and Councils have confirm'd and there is also an Anathema decreed by the Holy Council of Trent against those who presume to say That Baptism tho given by Heretics in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost with an intention of doing what the Church does is not true Baptism Trid. Sess 7. Can de consec dist 4. c. 24. Aug. l. 7. cont Donatist c. 53. Ibid. l. 3. c. 10. l. 2. cont Parmen Conc. Later c. 1. Conc. Florent in Decret Eugenii Wherein verily we may admire the exceeding Goodness and Wisdom of our Lord XXIII Why lawful for all to Baptize for seeing this Sacrament must necessarily be receiv'd of all as he appointed Water to be the Matter thereof than which nothing can be more common so also would he have no one excluded from the Administration thereof although as was said before it be not lawful for all to use the solemn Ceremonies not as tho the Rites or Ceremonies are of more Dignity but that they are of less necessity than the Sacrament Nor may the Faithful suppose that this Office is permitted promiscuously to all in such a manner as that it is not very fit to appoint some Order and Degree of Ministers For if Men be present a Woman ought not if a Clerk be present a a Layman ought not if a Priest be present a Clerk ought not to take upon himself the administration of Baptism Altho Midwives which have bin us'd to baptize are not to be disallow'd tho sometimes in the presence of a Man who is unskilful in performing this Sacrament which otherwise seems more properly to be the office of a Man they should perform it To these Ministers who as has bin already said The Antient use various Names and necessity of God-Fathers Tertul. lib de Baptis c. 18. de Coron milit c. 3. do administer Baptism may be added another sort of Ministers who by the most ancient practice of the Church have bin wont to be made use of at the sacred and saving celebration of Baptism These we now call God-Fathers and God-Mothers tho formerly they were commonly call'd by Sacred Writers Vndertakers Answerers Sureties Concerning the reason of whom because the Office belongs to all Lay-people in common the Pastors shall exactly teach that the Faithful may understand what things are most necessary for the right discharging thereof And first he must shew what the cause is why at Baptism besides those that Minister the Sacrament there are also requir'd God-Fathers and Vndertaters which indeed will appear to all to be exceedingly well done if they consider that Baptism is a Spiritual Regeneration or New-Birth 1 Pet. 2.2 by which we are born the Children of God for of this New-Birth speaks S. Peter Even as New-born Infants desire you the reasonable milk without hypocrisie As therefore when any one is born into the world he presently wants a Nurse and a Schoolmaster by whose assitance and labour he is educated and instructed in