true repentance A. It is God himself who converts us and begetteth in our hearts the hatred of vice and the love of virtue Q. 4. Which are the principal virtues of Christians A. Faith Hope and Charity Q. 5. Which of those Virtues is the greatest A. It is Charity Q. 6. VVhy A. Because it endures for ever Q. 7. My Child do you desire to live and to die in that true Piety A. I desire it with all my heart The Lord confirm you in his love and in his grace the Lord replenish you with the gifts of his holy Spirit and form you unto his Image the Lord cause you to grow in all sorts of Virtues and enable you for ever to persevere in his holy Covenant So be it Pray to God with all your heart to give you the grace thereof The Childs Prayer MY God and my heavenly father since it pleases thee to be praised by Childrens mouths bear with my faults and make thy strength perfect in my great weakness thou hast given me the grace of being born in thy Church and to suck Piety with Milk Give me grace to grow in the holy knowledge of thee and above all in thy fear and love let me bear fruits worthy of my birth and of the education thou hast honoured me with that therein thy holy name may be glorified that thy Church be edified thereby and that I be the joy and the comfort of those whom thou hast made use of to bring me into the World and to instruct me in thy word Let me during all the days of my life serve and adore thee in the company of thy Children till I go to glorifie thee in Heaven with the Saints and Angels who contemplate thy face Hear me O Lord since thou art my God and my Father and that I call upon thee in the name and through the infinite merit of Jesus Christ my Saviour who commanded me thus to pray Our Father which art in Heaven c. Lord my God thou hast put in my heart the seed of true faith increase and fortify it in me and grant that all the days of my life I make Confession thereof saying with thy Church I believe in God the father Almighty maker 〈◊〉 Heaven and Earth c. My God give me thy good Spirit and give me grace to fulfil thy Holy and Divine Commandments The tenor whereof follows I 〈◊〉 the Lord thy God c. Addition to the Catechism For Children more advanced in Age and in Knowledge Q. WHY do you profess Religion A. It is not only because I have had the happiness to be born educated and brought up in it but also because through the grace of God I know that it is the true Christian Religion that our Lord Jesus Christ brought from Heaven that his holy Apostles have preached and his happy Martyrs have signed with their blood Q. How do you know that A. I know it by the reading of holy Scripture for we believe nothing at all of what is necessary to Salvation that is not clearly and expresly found in that Scripture divinely inspired or cannot be drawn therefrom by evident and necessary consequences Q. Hath Christian Religion had or can it have need of Reformation A. Not in considering it such as 't is in it self for in that regard it is wholly divine Q. Why then is it called the Reformed Religion A. Properly speaking it is not the Religion but the Church which was Reformed that is to say that was purged from the errors and abuses that through Ignorance and Malice of men it had been defiled with Q. What signifie then these words Reformed Religion A. That it is true and pure Christianity such as is taught in the Gospel and which is separated from all human traditions and inventions For our Lord absolutely condemns them in matter of his worship in vain saith he do you worship me teaching for doctrines the Commandments of men Matt. 15. Q. Would you not enter into the communion of the Church of Rome if you did find your worldly advantages therein A. No for I do not believe I could save my self therein and it would profit me nothing if I should gain all the World and should lose my Soul Q. Why do you believe you could not save your self in the communion of the Church of Rome A. Because it adores the Sacrament and renders to a simple Creature the Honour and the Glory that belongs only to God It pretends to Sacrifice Jesus Christ in Propitiatory Sacrifice for the remission of the sins of the quick and of the dead although that great God and Saviour did not command it and that his Apostles have done nothing like it it bereaves the faithful of the blessed Cup that our Lord commanded us to drink in remembrance of him It teaches another Purgatory than the precious blood of that glorious Redeemer which cleanses us from all Sin and hath the Divine Service in a tongue that the People understand not against what the Apostles orders in the first to the Cor. c. 14. Q. Is there nothing else that hinders you from entring into the Roman Communion A. There are several other reasons which hinders me for ever to participate of its Communion for it adheres to and obeys the Pope who usurped an authority and power which belongs to God only It believes that we are saved through the merit and dignity of our works though the Gospel teaches quite contrary It invokes the Saints although in all the word of God there is neither Commandment or Example thereof It adores material Crosses and Relicks and renders to Angels a Religious worship against what is commanded to adore and worship God alone They bow to Images and worship them Religiously against what God expresly forbids in his Law It hath invented an infinite number of holy days that are dedicated and Consecrated unto Creatures instead of which God permits us to work six days of the week * Agnus Dei a thing amongst those of the Roman Church which they wear about their Necks and that he will not have us give his glory to another It condemns Ecclesiastical persons Marriage instead of what the Apostles teach that Marriage and the undefiled bed is honourable among all It commands at some certain times to abstain from meats that God permits provided one use them with sobriety and thanksgiving Finally it hath veneration for the Jubilees Indulgences Agnus Dei the holy Beads and Chaplets and numbers of other things which are vain and superstitious Q. But could not you save your self in believing in your heart what we believe and living however in the outward profession of the Church of Rome A. By no means for with the heart Man believeth unto Righteousness and with the mouth Confession is made unto Salvation Rom. 10. God will be glorified in our bodies and in our spirits because they belong to him and that he equally redeems them 1 Cor. 6. Our Lord will deny before God his Father and his Angels whomsoever shall deny him before men one must be cold or hot for the luke-warm he spues out of his mouth Rev. 3. Mat. 18. in fine it is an infalliable truth that all those shall not inherit the kingdom of Heaven who render to the Creatures the honour and glory that belongs but to the Creator 1 Cor. 6. Q. But do you not well see that in persevering in Religion you shall be hated and persecuted by the World A. Our Lord foretold it If the World hateth you saith he you know that it hated me before it hated you if ye were of the World the world would love his own but because ye are not of the World but I have chosen you out of the World wherefore the World hateth you John 15. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven Matt. 5. Q. Do you promise then before God and his holy Angels to live and die in that true and holy Religion whereof through the grace and mercy of God ye make profession A. I promise it with all my heart and I hope that God will give me the assistance of his Spirit with so much efficacy that all the Worlds promises and threatning shall never make me turn aside from so Christian and so necessary a Resolution EXHORTATION REmember that it is to God that you make this promise and that one day you must give him an account when you shall appear before his Throne My Child do not hearken to the Seducers who make traffick of Souls do not keep evil Companies who corrupt good manners do not follow ill Examples and though it should be an Angel from Heaven that should preach to you beyond what is in the Gospel let him be accursed Consecrate your self wholly unto the Service of him who gave himself for you and who redeemed you by his own blood Lastly pray to God with holy fervency that he encrease your Faith fortify your Hope inflame your Charity and your zeal for his Glory Pray to him to sanctify you through his Spirit to form you unto his Image and to give you grace constantly to persevere in his holy Covenant For he who to the end shall persevere shall be saved and shall possess and inherit the Kingdom prepared us from the foundation of the World Unto the King Eternal Immortal Invisible the only wise God be Honour and Glory for Ever and Ever Amen 1 Tim 1.17 FINIS
A. Two one which is External and Corporal that is made in dipping in water or in pouring water on the head the other Interiour and Spiritual that is made by the virtue and operation of the holy Ghost Q. What Baptism saves us A. It is not that whereby the uncleanness of the flesh is cleansed but the answer of a good Conscience towards God by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 3. Q. Is not the Baptism of water necessary A. It is necessary to practice it it in the Christian Church since Jesus Christ did institute it the faithful who have not received it yet ought not to lose the opportunity thereof and they ought to take care it be administred to their Children but if the means thereof is taken away from them Gods grace depends not on terrestrial Elements and it is not the privation but the contempt and profanation of the Sacraments that renders us condemnable before God Q. And what do you think of Children who die without Baptism through the faults and neglect of their Parents A. Their Parents ought to beg Gods forgiveness for their fault and neglect but for all that the Salvation of those poor children must not be called in question for as the Father doth not bear the iniquity of the Son the Son also doth not bear the iniquity of his Father Ezek. 18. Q. How must then be understood what our Lord Jesus Christ saith John 3. except a man be born of water and of the spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God A. Jesus Christ doth not speak in that place of material and corporal water but of a Celestial and Divine water to be born of the Spirit it is to be regenerated by a Spirit who washes and cleanses as water doth in the same sense that it is said Matt. 3. that Jesus Christ Baptizes â—s with the holy Ghost and with fire that is to say with the holy Ghost who purifies like fire Q. But if some body would obstinately apply this passage to the Baptism of water who is it that is condemned A. It is not the poor little Children who have no knowledge at all of this mystery but the persons who being come to years of discretion reject Baptism by contempt or unbelief those of the Church of Rome themselves who without reason perswade themselves John 6. it is spoken of the Lord's Supper will not that these words be applied to Children if any one eateth not my flesh and drinks not my blood he shall not have everlasting life and not any one of us would apply to them the saying of St Paul That if any would not work neither should he eat 2 Thess 3. Of the Lords Supper Q. WHat is the Lords Supper A. It is the Sacrament of our spiritaal nourishment and the symbol of our union to our Lord Jesus Christ Q. Where do we read the institution of the Lords Supper A. In Mat. 26. Mark 14. Luke 22. and in 1 Cor 11. Q. Why did Jesus Christ institute it A. To be the memorial of his death as he says it himself do this in in remembrance of me which St Paul explains in saying as often as you shall eat this bread and drink this cup ye do shew forth the Lords death till he comes Q. Doth there happen any change to the Bread and Wine A. These do not change as to their substance no more than the water of Baptism doth but only as to their use Q. How do you know that after the consecration it is still bread and wine A. The senses witness it reason confirms it and the word of God is express thereupon for our Lord calls that fruit of the Vine which we drink in the Lords Supper Matt. 26. and St. Paul several times calls bread what the Pastors do break and the faithful eat therein 1 Cor. 10.11 Q. Why is this Bread and Wine called the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ A. Because they are signs and memorials thereof and that there is an excellent conformity between the Bread and the Wine and the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ Q. Why is that Bread broken and the Wine poured out A. To represent to us the body of Jesus Christ which was broken for us and this blood which was shed in remission of sins Q. Why is this bread given us to eat and this wine to drink A. To assure us that as the bread and the wine nourish our Bodies in this temporal life the body and blood of Jesus Christ nourish our Souls in hope of everlasting life for his flesh is meat indeed and is blood is drink indeed Q. Have ye read in holy scripture some like manners of speaking that without transubstantiation the sign takes the name of the thing signified A. There is nothing more common and above all when 't is matter of Sacraments thus Circumcision is called the Covenant Gen. 17. the Paschal Lamb is called Passover Exod. 12. The Rock is called Christ 1 Cor. 10. and our Lord who said of the bread this is my body which is broken for you said also of the cup this cup is the new Covenant in my blood and the cup remains a cup and properly speaking doth not become a Covenant Q. Do we receive in the Lords supper only the signs of the body and blood of Jesus Christ A. If we come thither with necessary dispositions and preparations we also receive therein the thing signified and we have therein a real communion with Jesus Christ for the cup of blessing which we bless is the communion of the blood of Christ and the bread which we break is the communion of the body of Christ 1 Cor. 10. Q. How do we eat Jesus Christ in the Lords supper A. In the same manner that we do put him on in Baptism Gall. 3. for when Jesus Christ speaks of eating his flesh and of drinking his blood it is a figurative way of speaking and as he saith himself his words are spirit and life the flesh profiteth nothing it is the Spirit that quickneth John 6. Q. Since Jesus Christ is in heaven at the right hand of God his Father and that he shall not come from thence but to judge the quick and the dead how is that you who are on earth can have a true and real communion with him A. By faith who really embraces him unto Salvation for he that comes to him shall never hunger and he that believeth on him shall never thirst John 6. and thro the efficacy of his Spirit who really uniteth us to him for we have been made to drink into one spirit to be one body with him 1 Cor. 12. Q. May not this Communion be made without the use of the Sacraments A. Yes for Jesus Christ had not yet instituted the Lords Supper when he saith John 6. he that eats my flesh and drinks my blood dwelleth in me and I in him Q Of what use then is the Lords Supper to
confession thereof as I will now do before thee saying with thy Church I Believe in God the Father Almighty maker of heaven and earth and Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord who was conceived by the holy Ghost born of the Virgin Mary suffered under Pontius Pilate was crucified dead and buried he descended into Hell the third day he rose again from the dead he ascended into Heaven and sitteth on the Right hand of God the Father Almighty from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead I believe in the holy Ghost the holy Catholick Church the Communion of Saints the forâ—â—veness of Sins the Resurrection of the body and the life everlasting Amen Lord who didst write thy Law on tables of Stone be pleased to engrave it in my heart with the finger of thy Spirit and give me grace to conform the course of my life thereunto The ten Commandmets of Gods Law Preface I am the Lord thy God who brought thee out of the Land of Egypt out of the house of bondage The first Table I. THou shalt have none other God but me II. Thou shalt not make to thy self any graven Image nor the likeness of any thing that is heaven above or in the earth beneath or in the water under the earth thou shalt not bow down to them nor worship them for I the Lord thy God am a Jealous God and visit the sins of the Father upon the Children â—â—to the third and fourth generation of them that hate me and shew mercy unto thousands in them that love me and keep my Commandments III. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain IV. Remember that thou keep holy the Sabbath day Six days shalt thou labour and do all that thou hast to do but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God in it thou shalt do no manner of work thou and thy Son and thy Daughter thy Man Servant and thy Maid Servant thy Cattle and the Stranger that is within thy Gates for in six days the Lord made Heaven and Earth the Sea and all that in them is and rested the seventh day wherefore the Lord blessed the Seventh day and hallowed it V. Honour thy Father and thy Mother that thy days may be long in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee VI. Thou shalt do no Murther VII Thou shalt not commit Adultery VIII Thou shalt not Steal IX Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy Neighbour X. Thou shalt not covet thy Neighbours House thou shalt not covet thy Neighbours Wife nor his Servant nor his Maid nor his Ox nor his Ass nor any thing that is his The Summary of all the Law Matt. 22. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy Soul and with all thy Mind This is the first and great Commandment and the second is like unto it thou shalt love thy Neighbour as thy self on these two Commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets Psalm 143. V. 8. Lord cause me to hear thy loving kindness in the morning for in thee do I trust cause me to know the way wherein I should walk for I lift up my Soul unto thee 9. Deliver me O Lord from my Enemies I fly unto thee to hide me 10. Teach me to do thy will for thou art my God let thy good Spirit lead me into the land of uprightness 1 John 5.21 Little Children keep your selves from Idols Amen Epitome of the Catechism for the Little Children First Section First Question Q. WHY do you name your self a Christian A. Because through the grace of God I believe in Jesus Christ and I profess his truth Q. 2. Who is Jesus Christ A. He is the only Son of God Q. 3. Is he God or Man A. He is true God aâ—d true Man Q. 4. Why was it needful that he should be God and Man A. It was needful for him to be Man to die and God to overcome death Q. 5. How many Gods are there A. There is but one and it is he who made Heaven and Earth Q. 6. How many persons are there in that only Essence A. Three the Father the Son and the holy Ghost and these three are one Q. 7. How is it that this great God makes himself known A. By his works his word and his spirit Section 2. Q 1. WHat must one know in the Christian Religion A. Three things principally what we are of our nature what God makes us to be by his grace and what we ought to render him for all his benefits Q. 2. What were you of your nature A. I was a poor sinful Creature and Child of wrath as others Q. 3. And what did you deserve 〈◊〉 Eternal death and condemnation 〈◊〉 4. What hath God done for you A. He redeemed me from my Sins and adopted me for his Child Q 5. How did he redeem you A. Through the death and passion of his own Son our Lord Jesus Christ Q. 6. And by what means did he adopt you A. By his spirit who with assurance makes me cry Abba Father Q. 7. What is the mark of that adoption A. Regeneration and holiness of Life Section 3. Q. 1. WHat could oblige God to deliver you out of your misery and to give you the freedom of his Children A. Nothing but his great Mercy and his incomparable Charity Q. 2. What is it he promises you for his Sons sake and in the communion of his spirit A. He promises me his grace and protection here on Earth and the glory of his Paradice and his eternal felicity in Heaven Q. 3. And what do you owe to God for so many benefits as he bestowed on you and for so much glory that he prepares for you A. I owe my self to him with all the power of my body and soul Q. 4. But what doth he principally desire of you A. Love and Obedience Q. 5. How ought you to love God A. Above all things Q. 6. And how must you love your Neighâ—our A. As my self Q. 7. What Obedience doth God demand of you A. A filial Obedience Section 4. Q. 1. WHat is it principally that God will have us exercise our selves in during the the course of this life A. In good Works Q. 2. Which are the good Works A. Those that God commands Q. 3. And which are the evil ones A. Those that God forbids Q. 4. Is it necessary to do good Works A. Yes for God commands it and it is the way to Heaven Q. 5. Are the good Works that we do during this life so perfect that there is no fault in them A. No for if we say that there is no sin in us we lye wherefore we pray to God every day that he will forgive us our sins Q. 6. From whence comes all the good there is in our Works A. From the grace of God Q.
and so merciful a Saviour and that your greatest Felicity and greatest Glory is to serve him and obey him abhor all sorts of Vices and especially that of lying which is a vice servile and proper to the Children of the Devil who is a Lyar and a Murtherer from the beginning Be not quarelsome be not moved for slight matters be more sensible for every thing that concerns the glory of God than for your particular Interests Despise Injuries appease wrath by the sweetness of your words do not ill offices to any overcome evil with good take pleasure to serve every one and do not be slow to employ your selves for others be affable and meek be modest and adorn your selves with humility for God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble Frequent those whom you would resemble and avoid the company of Debaucht persons for evil Communication corrupts good Manners bear with one another and lend one another a helping hand love one another cordially and be you all sensible of every evil and every good that befals you as if you were all animated by one and the self same Spirit for it is a good thing and a pleasing thing not only to good people but to God himself to see Brothers united and tyed together by the bonds of a holy Love and of a perfect Charity by Peace and Concord the smallest things encrease but by discord and quarrels the greatest and most flourishing are reduced to nothing Observe your life runs insensibly as a flower which passes away as soon as it is blown and as a Flambeux which burns as soon as it begins to give light Think early on Immortality and ground your hopes in Heaven where God reserves for you an Inheritance incorruptible The years fly away the World passes away and the lust thereof all that is under the Sun is nothing but vanity and vexation of Spirit The whole Duty of Man is to fear God and keep his Commandments Let nothing be able to withdraw you from the service of God nor from the open profession of his Truth let not the threatnings of the World fright you nor its promises allure you and follow not its evil example None can threaten you with any punishment which is comparable to the Torments of Hell and to the Eternal flames wherein God shall precipitate the fearful and none can promise you any thing that ought to be preferred to the delights of Paradice for him who fears God there is nothing to fear and for him who possesses him there remains nothing to wish for for God is the spring and the height of true felicity If God takes me to himself before you are come to an age perfect do not lose courage you have a Father in Heaven who is Immortal and who loves you with an Eternal Love he will take you in the Arms of his Providence and will carry you upon his Wings he will keep you as the Apple of his Eye and will bless you with all his most precious blessings we can do nothing without him but he can do every thing without us I bless you in words but he will bless you in deeds and wish you a happy life filled with blessings but every excellent grace and every perfect gift is from above and comes from the Father of Light I don't beg of him to send you earthly Riches nor worldly Honors but that he will move you with the spirit of his fear that he will embrace you with his Love that he may engrave in your Hearts the Image of his Holiness and that he give you grace to persevere constantly in his Covenant and edifie his Church by your Piety and your holy Conversation to the end that I may say to him Behold I Lord and the Children thou hast given me for a sign and a wonder in Israel That having seen you here below filled with his graces and covered with his protection I may see you above in Heaven cloathed with his Glory and Crowned with his Immortality These are the most ardent Vows and Wishes of your Father who loves you because you are his Children but who loves â—ou the more because you are the Children of God Done at Paris in the beginning of the Year One Thousand Six Hundred Forty Two Drelincourt CATECHISM OR Familiar Instruction On the Principal Points of CHRISTIAN RELIGION Question WHY did God create you Answer To serve and glorifie him Q. How can you glorifie God you who are a poor sinful Creature A. In putting my Trust in his Mercy in obeying his Commandments in calling upon him in all my Wants and in giving him the Praise and Glory for all the good I receive in my Body and my Soul as well for this Life as for that which is to come Q. Into how many parts then is the Service of God divided A. Into four principal which are Faith Obedience Prayer and Acknowledgment Of FAITH PART I. Of Faith Question WHat is Faith Answ It is an assurance certain that God loves us in his Son Jesus Christ and in contemplation of what he suffer'd for us Q. Which are the things that we ought to believe A. All those which God hath revealed in his VVords and especially the Mysteries of our Salvation whereof we have the summary in the Symbol or Creed of the Apostles Q. What signifies the word Symbol A. It signifies the Reckoning or the share that every one pay of a common Meal It signifies also the Scarf and the Livery whereby one knows the Soldiers of an Army or of a Company Q. Why do you call it the Symbol of the Apostles A. It is not that the Apostles the one after the others have inserted in it any particular clause but because it is an Epitome of their Doctrine it is also the Scarf and the Livery of Christianity Q. Into how many parts do you divide this Confession of Faith A. It is divided into four The first is of God the Father and of the VVorks of the Creation The second is of Jesus Christ and of our Redemption And the third is of the Holy Ghost The fourth is the Church of the Graces that God bestows on her on Earth and of the Glory which he prepares her in Heaven Of the Creed of the Apostles Of the First Part. Quest WHY do you say in singular I believe and not We believe A. Because the Just Man lives by his Faith and that he cannot answer for the Faith of another Furthermore this Confession was made in the beginning in favour of persons who could witness of their Faith wherefore before to administer Baptism to any they were ask'd Did st thou believe And they did answer Yes I believe in God the Father c. Q. How many sorts of Faith are there A There are four which are the Historical Faith the Faith of Miracles the Temporal Faith and the Justifying Faith Q. What is the Historical Faith A. It is a single belief that the Gospel is â—rue of
sacrifice is of an eternal efficacy and that his intercession for us is for evermore and therefore the Apostle says that he may save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him seeing he ever lives to make intercession for them Heb. 7. Q. In what consists his being a Prophet A. In that as during the course of his Ministry he revealed to us the Mysteries of his Kingdom and hath brought to light life and immortality by the Gospel and that it is he who teaches us within our selves by his Spirit and perswades us of his truth Q. In what nature was Jesus Christ anointed A. If by unction 't is understood the vocation to his Office he was anointed in his Divine Nature as well as in his Humane Nature for it is not only as Man but also as God-Man that he is the King the Priest and the Prophet of the Church But if by unction is meant the gift of Graces he was anointed only in his Humane Nature For as to the Divine Nature it confers but receives not the Graces for nothing can be added to what 's infinite Q. What difference is there betwixt the unction of the Ancient Kings Priests and Prophets and that of our Lord Jesus Christ A. First That was material and visible this is spiritual and invisible that was the shadow and figure and this is the body and truth Secondly God did give unto the ancient Kings Priests and Prophets but some measure of his Graces but to our Lord Jesus Christ God gives not the Spirit by measure And of his fulness have we all received Grace for Grace in St. John cap 3. and cap. 1. Of the Eternal Generation of Jesus Christ and of his Dominions over the Church Q. WHy is it that Jesus Christ is called the only Son of God A. Because him alone God begot in himself of his proper substance therefore he is called the Image of the Invisible God the brightness of the Glory of the Father and the express Imagâ— of his person Coll. 1. and Heb. 1. Q. When was the Son begotten of the Father A. He was begotten from all Eternity as he says himself Proverbs 8. The Lord possessed me iâ— the beginning of his way before his works of old and Micah 5. His going forth have been from oâ— old from everlasting Q. Why is he called our Lord since he is the Lorâ— of all the universe A. Because we belong to him in a particulaâ— manner not only because he created us buâ— also because he redeemed us by his Blood anâ— because he leads and governs us by the Sceptâ—â— of his word and by the efficacy and vertuâ— of his Spirit Of the Corporal Conception and Birth oâ— Jesus Christ Q. HOw do you understand that Jesus Christ wâ— Conceived by the Holy Ghost A. I mean that the Holy Ghost as efficienâ— cause interven'd in this Conception and by hâ— Divine Vertue formed the precious body of our Lord and inspired a perfect Soul therein Q. Why was it necessary that the Holy Ghost should intervene in his Conception A. That our Lord might have no original sin and might be in no sort defiled For all that is born of the flesh is flesh John 3. Q. How do you understand that he was born of the Virgin Mary A. I mean that he was formed of her proper substance that he might be of the Seed of David according to the Flesh and the Prophecy of Isaiah cap. 7. might be fulfilled Behold a Virgin shall conceive and bear a Son and shall call his name Immanuel that is to say God with us Q. Since the Blessed Virgin is truly and properly the Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ ought we to worship her and put our Trust in her A. By no means for in all the word of God there is not one Commandment or Example of it contrarily God declares to us that he gives not his Glory to another and he curses all those who put their trust in man Isaiah 48. Jerem 17. But we ought to honor her Memory to imitate her Vertues and publish her Happiness according to what she saâ—s her self in her Divine Song Behold from henceforth all Generations shall call me blessed Luke 1. Of Jesus Christ's Passion under Pontius Pilate Q. WHo was Pontius Pilate of whom it is spoken in the Creed of the Apostles A. He was a Roman Judge who was under the Government of Syria s dependency Q. Why is mention made of him in the Creed of the Apostles A. To teach us the certainty of the History of the accomplishment of Jacobs Prophecy Gen. 49. The Scepter shall not depart from Judah nor a Law-giver from between his Feet until Shilo come that is to say the Messiah and unto him shall the gathering of the people be Q. Why did Jesus Christ appear before the Tribunal of an earthly Judge A. Because he ought not to be put to death in a tumult but by the sentence of one of those whom God hath established to be his Lieutenant on Earth to the end that in this Condemnation might appear that which we had deserved from the Soveraign Judge and so that Jesus Christ having undergone the same with us we might with assurance approach the Heavenly Throne It is also to teach us to submit to the orders of justice and to acknowledge the Magistrates whom God established to govern humane kind Q. But why is it that Pontius Pilate pronounces him innocent and afterwards condemns him A. It is to teach us that he suffered not for his sins but for our own he was condemned to absolve us and as St. Peter speaks of it he suffered for sins the just for the unjust that he might bring us to God 1 Peter 3. Of the cross of Jesus Christ Q. WHy was Jesus Christ crucified A To teach us that he is the Ensign of the people foretold by the Prophet Isaiah cap. 11. and that it is he who abolished our curse Q. How A The Apostle teaches it us Gal. 3 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the Law in being made a curse for us for it is written cursed is every one that hangeth on a Tree Q. Is there any Figure of that in the old Testament A. There are several and especially that of the Brazen Serpent as our Lord teaches it St. John 3. As Moses lifted up the Serpent in the Wilderness even so must the Son of man be lifted up that whosoever believes on him should not perish but have everlasting life Q. But is it not to dishonour Jesus Christ to say that he has been subject to such a curse A. By no means First it was not for his sins he is holy and innocent separated from sinners but it is our sins which he bore in his own body on the Tree 1 Peter 2. Secondly he hath changed the Curse into a Blessing and in his Cross he spoiled principalities and powers and triumphed over them Coll. 2. Q. Did Jesus Christ suffer only
the Devotions they profess for the Sheep of our Lord Jesus Christ hear his Voice and follow him but they hear not the Voice of Strangers contrarily they fly from him John 10. and those honour God in vain who teach for Doctrine the Commandment of Man Matthew 15. Q. Do you believe that the Church wherein you have been educated and bred up to be a true and pure Church A. Yes by the grace of God for the word of God is preached therein in all purity the Sacraments are administered in it according to the Institutions of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Divine Service established therein in the same simplicity as it was in the Apostles time Q. Why is the Church called â—oly A. Because God hath separated it from the rest of the World and hath consecrated it to his Service and because Jesus Christ gave himself for us that he might Sanctifie and present it to himself a glorious Church not having Spot or Wrinkle or any such thing Ephes 5. Q. What is the sanctity of the Church A. The Sanctity of the Triumphant Church is perfect and accomplished but that of the Militant Church hath many Faults and Imperfections wherefore she is taught to say every day to God forgive us our Trespasses Q. How is it then that she is called Holy A. Because it gives and applies it self to sanctity that hath the beginning of it that it arrives to perfection and that one day it shall obtain it in the Kingdom of Heaven Of the Conmunion of Saints Quest IS it lawful to Trust in the Merit and in the satisfaction of Saints A. By no means for every one shall bear his own burthen Gal. 6. It belongs to Jesus Christ alone to bear our Iniquities and satisfie for us to the Justice of God 1 Pet. 2. There is no other name under Heaven given amongst men whereby we must be saved Acts 4. Q. Of what Saints do you believe the Communion A. Of the Saints Triumphant in Heaven of the Faithful fighting on Earth and of the one with the other Q. In what consists the Communion of the Faithful on earth A. In that they have all the same God for Father the same Jesus Christ for a Saviour and the same Spirit for Comforter they obey the same Gospel and participate of the same Sacraments they have the same Faith and the same Hope they long for the same Inheritance and do communicate to one another the goods which God imparted them they feel the afflictions of one another and work together for their mutual Salvation Q In what consists the Communion of the glorified Saints A. In that they enjoy the same glory and felicity that they contemplate the fear of the same God and agree together to celebrate his praises Q. In what consists the Communion of the Militant Church with the Triumphant A. In that we have all the same God and the same Saviour that we are all moved by the same Spirit and inflamed with the same Charity and that we have the same desire to see Jesus Christ upon his Throne and the whole Church carried up in Body and Soul in the fulness of Glory which is prepared her from the foundation of the World Of the Remission of Sins Quest WHat signifies the article of Remission of sins A. We believe that God of his free Will for Jesus Christs sake forgave all poor repenting sinners their offences Q. Is there none but God that forgives sins A. There is none but God alone that forgives them with Authority and with absolute power Matt. 2. Q. And how is it that Pastors forgive sins A. As Ministers and Ambassadors of Jesus Christ Of the Resurrection of the Body Quest WHat do you mean by the Resurrection of the Body A. That in the last day God will command the Earth the Sea and the Sepulchre to deliver up the dead and then the just and the unjust shall rise again from the dead the one in Resurrection of Life and the other in Resurrection of Condemnation Rev. 20. Dan. 12. and John 5. Q. Do you believe that this same flesh which shall have been eaten up by the worms and reduced into dust may and shall rise again A. Yes for nothing is impossible to God and he is true in his promises wherefore we may say with Job I know that my Redeemer liveth and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the Earth and though after my skin worms devour this Body yet in my flesh shall I see God and my Eye shall behold him Job 19. Q. How shall our Bodies rise again A. They shall invest in corruption immortality light and glory 1 Cor. 15. And shall be rendred conform unto the glorious body of our Saviour according to the Apostles saying Phil. 3. we look for the Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ from Heaven who shall change our vile body that it may be fashioned like unto his glorio us body Q. What shall become of those who at the Resurrection day shall be living on earth A. They shall be changed in a moment in the twinkling of an eye at the last Trump and we shall be caught up together in the Clouds to meet the Lord in the Air and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 1 Cor. 15. 1 Thess 4. Of Life Everlasting Quest WHAT is the life everlasting that you believe A It is the spiritual and heavenly life which we shall for ever live in Paradice with Jesus Christ and his Triumphing Angels Q. How many different degrees hath that Life A. Three one in this life what it pleases God to give us the first fruit of his Spirit and the foretaste of the delight of Paradice The â—econd when our Soul leaves this Corporal Taâ—ernacle to put on the eternal dwelling which is â—n Heaven and the third after the Resurrection when in bodâ— and in soul we shall enjoy the good things which the eye did not see that ear did not hear and that entred not into the heart of Man Q What are the principal benefits we shall enjoy â—n that glorious life A. To know God perfectly and to contemâ—late him face to face to love him intirely â—nd to love nothing but in him and for the â—ove of him to have an accomplished sanctity â—ee from all defects to enjoy permanent joy â—hich may be felt through all the faculties of â—or souls and bodies and lastly to be rendred â—ike unto God himself for when we shall see â—im as he is we shall be like him 1 John 3. The End of the First Part. Of good WORKS PART II Quest BY what means do we hope to be saved A. Through the death and passioâ— of our Lord Jesus Christ Q. Since Jesus Christ redeemed us by his deaâ— and passion is it necessary to do good Works A. Yes for that he hath redeemed us from the hands of our Enemies it is to the end that we may serve him without fear in holineâ— and righteousness all the
days of our life anâ— that we may be to him a peculiar people zeaâ—lous of good Works Luke 1. Titus 2. Q. Of what use are good works A. To glorifie God and edifie our neighbouâ— let your lights so shine before men that theâ— may see your good works and glorifie your Father which is in Heaven Matth. 5. Q. Are they of no other use A. They are also the marks and livery of God Children and the seal of our Adoption and 〈◊〉 our union with Jesus Christ wherefore thâ— Apostle St Peter exhorteth us to make our caâ—ling and election sure by good works 2 Pet. Q. Can man do good works in the state of 〈◊〉 corrupted nature A. No for all the imagination of the thoughâ— of Man's heart are nothing but evil continually and of our selves we are not able to think a gooâ— thought Gen. 6.8 1 Cor 3. Q. By what means then do we good works A. By the efficacy of the grace of God anâ— by the virtue of his spirit of adoption For as the Apostle saith in the second to the Phillip It is God which worketh in you to will and to do of his good pleasure Q. After God hath made us partake of his grace and of his spirit of Regeneration and our good Works is there nothing more wanting is my Sanctification wholly perfect A. Who is he who can say I have made my heart clean I am pure from sins Prov. 20. If we say we have no sin we deceive our selves and the truth is not in us 1 Epistle of St John c. 1. Therefore the most forward in sanctification beg of God every day that he will forgive them their sins Q. But is it not to speak evil of the holy spirit to say the works that we do by his grace are full of defect and imperfection A. By no means for we give him all the praise and all the glory of what 's good in our works and we acknowledge these defects and imperfections came from the residue of our Corruption the flesh lusteth against the spirit and the spirit against the flesh and these are contrary one to the other so that we cannot do the things that we wou'd Gal. 5. Q. But if God wou'd cou'd he not sanctifie us perfectly in this life A. There is no doubt that he might make us as holy and as perfect as we shall be in Heaven but he will make us know more and more the greatness of our natural Corruption he will put some difference between the place of Combats and Victories and the place of Triumphs he will that we may work incessantly to put off the body of sin and that we may sigh after the glorious estate wherein we shall be undefiled and without spot saying with the Apostle Iâ— have not yet obtained and I am not yet perfect but this one thing I do forgetting thâ—se things which are behind and reaching forth unto those things which are before I press forward the mark for the price of Heaven calling of God in Christ Jesus Phil. 3. Q. Since our best works bear always the mark of our infirmities are they agreeable to God A. Very agreeable because he holds them in his great mercy and that as a good Father he bears with their defects and our Lord Jesus Christ covers them with his infinite merit wherefore St Peter says that we offer up in spiritual Sacrifice acceptable to God by Jesus Christ iâ— his first Epistle Chap. 2. Q. Since our good works are agreeable to God can it be said that they are meritorious of everlasting life A. By no means for when we shall have done all that is commanded us we are unprofitable servants we have done that which was our duty to do Luke 17. and the wages of sin is Death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord Rom. 6. we are saved bâ— grace through Faith and that nor oâ— our selves it is the gift of God not through works that none may glory in himself Eph. 1. Q. Whence comes then that it is often spoken of reward and that the Apostle says That Piety hath the promises of this life and of that which is to come 1 Tim. 4. A. Because in effect God rewards our good works both in this and in the eternal life but â—t is not with a deserved reward nor with the â—allary of a Servant but a reward from his free will and of such a sallary as a good Father gives â—is Children to encourage them to do well wherefore God speaks of shewing mercy even â—o those who obey his Commandments â—â—x 20. Q. May we not then trust upon our good works â—nd pray to God that in vertue of those works he â—ill receive us into his glory A. Contrarily we ought to say with the Proâ—het David Enter not into judgment with thy â—ervant for in thy sight shall no man living be â—ustified if thou Lord shouldst mark our iniâ—uities O Lord who shall stand but there is â—orgiveness with thee that thou mayest be â—eared Ps 143 and 130. Q. How do we dare then to approach the Throne â—f God and to appear before his face A. We approach with assurance thereunto â—ecause it is a Throne of grace and mercy and â—at the face of God is pacified towards us â—rough our Lord Jesus Christ who of God is â—ade unto us Wisdom and Righteousness and â—nctification and Redemption Heb. 4. and Cor. 1. Q. Which are the good works A. It is not those that men invent of themâ—lves what good intention soever they may â—ve in it but only those which God comâ—ands and which one conforms to his holy â—ord wherefore our Lord Jesus Christ saith â—hat in vain they worship God who teacheth â—r Doctrines the Commandments of men â—at 15. Q. And which are the bad Works A. All those that are not conformable to his Divine Commandments therefore the Prophet sends us to the Law and the Testimony Isaiah 8. Of the Law of God Quest BY what rule then must we examine our good and our bad Works A. By the Law of God Q. How many sorts of Laws are there A. There are three the political or judiciary Law the ceremonial Law and the moral Law Q. What is Political Law A. It is that which contains all the Ordinances that God had made for the civil Government of the people of Israel Q. What is the ceremonial Law A. It is that which God hath given to rule the external works of his Worship Q. What is the Moral Law A. It is that which directs our Manners and which ought to be the pattern of our life Q. Ought we to keep the Political Law A. No not as to the particular Ordinances and several Circumstances that were concerning the state of the Commonwealth of Israel but as to the bottom and essence it teaches alâ— Lawgivers of the World wherein consists the true justice and true equity Q. Ought we to observe the ceremonial Law A. By