Q. Why is that necessary A. That as Christ was openly rejected so he may there be openly acknowledged to the great joy and glory of his friends as also to the confusion of his enemies Q. How prove you that in this Judgment all men shall receive according to their works A. Out of 2 Cor. ch 5. v. 10. We must all be manifested saith S. Paul before the judgment-seat of Christ that every one may receive the proper things of the body according as he hath done whether good or evill Q. What other proof have you A. Out of S. Matth. ch 16. v. 27. The Sonne of Man saith our Lord shall come in the Glory of his Father with his Angells and then he will render to every one according to his works Q. Is there any merit in our good works A. There is according to Apoc. ch 22. v. 12. Behold I come quickly saith our Lord and my reward is with me to render to every man according to his works Q. In what place shall this Judgment be made A. In the valley of Iehosaphat betwixt Hierusalem and Mount Olivet Q. What signe shall go before it A. The Sun and Moone shall lose their light there shall be Warres Plagues Famines and Earthquakes in many places Q. In what manner shall Christ come unto it A. In great power and Majesty begirt with Legions of Angels Q. Who are they that shall be judged A. The whole Race and Progenie of man Q. What are the things that shall be judged A. Our thoughts words and works even to the secrets of our soules Q. Who will accuse us A. The Devills our own guilty consciences and above all the Books of life and death in which all our actions are recorded and shall be then laid open to the whole world Q. How shall the just and reprobate be placed A. The just shall be on the right the reprobate on the left hand of the Judge Q. What shall be the sentence of the just A. Come ô ye blessed of my Father and receive ye the Kingdome which is prepared for you for I was hungry and ye gave me to eat I was thirsty and ye gave me to drink c. S. Matth. ch 25. v. 35 36. Q. What shall be the sentence of the reprobate A. Goe ye accursed into eternall fire which hath been prepared for the Devill and his Angells for I was hungry and ye gave me not to eat I was thirsty and ye gave me not to drink c. the same chap. v. 41 42 43. You see of what weight good works will be at that day Q. Why is it added The quick and the dead A. To signifie that Christ shall judge not onely such as are living at the time of his coming but likewise all such as have been dead from the Creation of the World as also by the quick are understood Angells and Saints by the dead the Devills and the damned soules The eighth Article Q. What is the eighth Article A. I believe in the Holy Ghost Q. Of what treateth this Article A. Of the third Person of the B. Trinity in whom we also believe and put our trust who proceedeth from the Father and the Sonne and is the self-same God with them distinct in nothing but in person Q. How prove you that A. Out of 1 S. John ch 5. v. 7. There be three saith he which give testimony in Heaven the Father the Word and the Holy Ghost and these three be one Q. Why is the Name of Holy Ghost appropriated to the third Person since Angells are also Spirits and holy A. Because he is such by excellency and by essence they onely by participation Q. At least why should it not be common to the other two Persons A. Because they are knowne by the proper Names of Father and Sonne but we have not any proper Name for the Holy Ghost Q. In what formes hath the Holy Ghost appeared unto men A. In the forme of a Dove to signifie the purity and innocence which hee causeth in our soules in a bright Cloud and fiery Tongues to signifie the fire of Charity which he produceth in our hearts as also the gift of Tongues and hence it is he is painted in these formes The ninth Article Q. WHat is the ninth Article A. I believe in the holy Catholike Church the Communion of Saints Q. What understand you by this Article A. I understand that Christ hath a Church upon earth which he established in his own Blood and that he hath commanded us to believe that Church in all things appertaining unto Faith Q. What kind of Faith must we believe her with A. With the same Faith that we believe her Spouse the Sonne of God that is with divine Faith but with this difference that wee believe in God though we onely believe the Church but not in her Q. What is the Church A. It is the Congregation of all the faithfull under Christ Iesus their invisible head and his Vicar upon earth the Pope Q. What are the essentiall parts of the Church A. A Pope or Supreme head Bishops Pastors and the Laity Q. How prove you that Bishops are of divine Institution A. Out of Act. ch 20. v. 28. where we read take heed unto your selves and to the flock wherein the Holy Ghost hath placed you Bishops to rule the Church of God which he hath purchased with his owne blood Q. How prove you S. Peter and the Pope his Successor to be the visible Head of the Church A. Out of S. John ch 21. v. 16 17 18. where Christ for a reward of his speciall faith and love gave S. Peter absolute power to feed and governe his whole flock saying feed my Lambs feed Lambs feed my Sheep therefore the rest of the Apostles were his sheep and he their Head or Pastor Q. What other proof have you A. Out of S. Mat. ch 16. v. 18. where Christ saith thou art Peter and upon this Rocke will I build my Church Therefore the rest of the Apostles were built on him and hence also it is that as often as they are named in Scripture S. Peter is still named first Q. What are the markes of the true Church A. Unity Visibility Sanctity Universality and Infallibility Q. How declare you its Unity A. Because all the members of it make but one mysticall body and are governed by one Supreme Head Q. How prove you that A. Out of 1 Cor. ch 10. v. 18. being many saith S. Paul we are one bread one body all that participate of one bread Q. What other proofe have you A Because all the members of it live under one Law obey the same Magistrates professe the same faith even to the least Article and use the same Sacraments and Sacrifice Q. Why may not a well meaning man be saved in any Religion A. Because there is but one God one Faith one Baptisme Eph. ch 4. v. 5. And without that one Faith it is impossible to please God
Because that was the head City of Davids family and Christ was born of the Race of David Q. Why in a poore Stable A. To teach us the love of poverty and a contempt of this world Q. Why betwixt an Oxe and Asse A. To fulfill that of the Prophet Thou shalt be known O Lord betwixt two beasts Q. What doth the birth of Christ availe us A. It perfecteth in us Faith Hope and Charity Q. What meaneth borne of the Virgin Mary A. It meaneth that our Lady was a Virgin not onely before but also in and after Childbirth The fourth Article Q. WHat is the fourth Article A. Suffered under Pontius Pilate was crucified dead and buried Q. What understand you by Suffered under Pontius Pilate A. I understand that Christ after a painfull life of 33. yeares suffered most bitter torments under that wicked President Pontius Pilate Q. Where did he begin those sufferings A. In the garden of Gethsemane that as sin began in a garden by the first Adam so might grace also by the Second Q. What were those torments A. His bloudy Sweat his whipping at the Pillar his Purple Garment his Crowne of Thornes his Scepter of a Reed his carrying of the Crosse and many others Q. What understand you by the word was crucified A. I understand that he was nailed to a disgracefull Crosse betwixt two Thieves for our offences and to save us Q. Is it lawfull to honour the Crosse A. Yes with a relative honour it is because it is a speciall memoriall of our Saviours Passion and is called the signe of the Son of Man S. Mat. ch 24. v. 30. Q. What other reason have you A. Because a Crosse was the sacred Altar on which Christ offered his bloudy Sacrifice Q. What Scripture have you for it A. The Gal. ch 6. v. 13. God forbid saith S. Paul that I should glory but in the Crosse of our Lord Jesus Christ Q. What other proof have you A. Out of Philip. ch 4. v. 18. many walke saith S. Paul whom I have often told you of and now again weeping I tell you of them enemies to the Crosse of Christ whose end is perdition Q. What other yet A. Out of Ezek. ch 9. v. 4. where we read that such as were signed with the signe Tau which was a picture and figure of the Crosse were saved from the exterminating Angel and only such Q. What meaneth the word dead A. It meaneth that Christ suffered a true and reall death Q. Why was it requisite that he should die A. To free us from the death of sinne Q. Why died he crying out with a loud voice A. To shew that he had power of his owne life and that he freely gave it up for us being strong and vigorous Q. Why died he bowing downe his head A. To signifie his obedience to his Father in the acceptance of his disgracefull death Q. What meaneth was buried A. It meaneth that his body was laid in a new Sepulchre and buried with honour as the Prophet had foretold Esa ch 11. v. 10. The fifth Article Q. WHat is the fifth Article A. He descended into Hell the third day he rose againe from the dead Q. What meaneth he descended into Hell A. It meaneth that as soon as Christ was dead his blessed soule descended into Limbo to free the holy Fathers which were there Q. How prove you that A. Out of the Acts ch 2. v. 24 25 26 27. where we read that Christ being slain God raised him up loosing the sorrowes of hell as it was foretold by the Prophet Psa 15. thou wilt not leave my soule in hell nor wilt thou give thy holy one to see corruption Q. What other proof have you A. Eph. ch 4. v. 8. where we read he ascending on high hath led captivity captive he gave gifts unto men and v. the 9. that he ascended what is it but that he first descended into the lower parts of the earth Q. Did not he also descend to Purgatorie to free such as were there A. He did according to the 1. of S. Pet. ch 3. v. 18 19 20. where wee read that Christ being dead came in Spirit and preached to them also which were in prison who had been incredulous in the daies of Noah when the Arke was building Q. What understand you by on the third daey he rose againe from the dead A. I understand that when Christ had been dead part of three daies on the third day which was a Sunday he raised up his blessed body from the dead Q. Why did he rise againe no sooner A. To testifie that he was truly dead and to fulfill the figures of him Q. Did he reassume all the parts of his body A. He did even to the least drop of his vitall blood and the very scattered haires of his head Q. Why did he retaine the Stigma's and markes of his sacred wounds A. To confound the incredulity of men and to present them often to his Father as a propitiation for our sins Q. What benefit have we by the Resisrrection A. It doth confirm our Faith and Hope that we shall also rise againe from death for he which raised up Jesus will raise us also up with Jesus 2 Cor. ch 4. v. 14. The sixth Article Q. What is the sixth Article A. Hee ascended into heaven sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty Q. What meaneth he ascended into heaven A. It meaneth that when Christ had conversed forty daies on earth with his Disciples after his Resurrection teaching them heavenly things then he ascended triumphant into heaven by his own power Q. From what place did hee ascend A. From the top of Mount Olivet where the print of his blessed feet are seen to this day Q. Why from thence A. That where he began to bee humbled by his Passion there hee might also begin to be exalted Q. Before whom did he ascend A. Before his good Apostles and Disciples Act. ch 1. Q. In what manner did hee ascend A. Lifting up his hands and blessing them Q. Why is it added into heaven A. To draw our hearts to heaven after him If ye have risen with Christ seeke ye the things which are above Col. ch 3. Q. What understand you by sitteth at the right hand of God A. I doe not understand that God the Father hath any hands for he is incorporeall and a Spirit but that Christ is equall to his Father in Power and Majesty The seventh Article Q. What is the seventh Article A. From thence he shall come to judge the Quick and the Dead Q. What understand you by this Article Q. I understand that Christ shall come at the last day from the right hand of his Father to judge all men according to their works Q. Doth not every man receive a particular judgement at his death A. He doth but in the generall Judgment we shall be judged not onely in our soules as at our death but also in our bodies
of every child that we must not have many Gods or any graven Images for Gods Q. Why doe Novellists instead of graven thing translate it graven Image A. Because they have a will to corrupt the Text in hope by so doing to scandalize the ignorant people with our honouring of Images Q. How do you prove that they corrupt the Text A. Because the Hebrew word is PESEL which signifies a graven thing the Greek word is IDOLON an Idoll and the Latin is SCULPTILE a graven thing therefore the word Image is a meer corruption Q. Is it lawfull then to give any honour to the Images of Christ and his Saints A. Yes an inferiour or relative honour in as much as they represent unto us heavenly things but not Gods honour nor yet the honour due to Saints Q. How prove you that A. Out of Exod. ch 25. v. 18 19. 22. where God himselfe commanded 12. Cherubins to be made of beaten gold and to be set on both sides of the Arke before which the people were to pray and promised that he would speak unto them from the middle of the Cherubins therefore it is lawfull to make Images and pray before them Q. Do not Catholikes pray to Images and Relikes A. No by no meanes we pray before them indeed to keep us from distractions and help our memories in the expression and apprehension of celestiall things but not to them for we know well that they can neither see nor heare nor help us Q. What other proofe have you for the lawfull use of Images A. Out of S. Iohn ch 3. v. 14. where Christ approveth the making and exalting of the Brasen Serpent by which the Israelites were healed in the Desart and owneth it to be an Image or Figure of himselfe exalted on the Crosse Q. What other yet A. Because we read in Baronius that famous Church-Historian in the yeare of Christ 31. That Christ himselfe sent his owne Image to King Abdagar and made it also by miracle on the handkerchief of S. Veronica and on his owne shrowd Adde unto this because the second Nicene Councell in the 7. of the Acts doth Anathematize Image-breakers and all such as alledge the places of Scripture which are against Idolls against the sacred Images and also those who say that Catholikes do honour Images as Gods with Soveraigne honour Q. What benefit doe we receive by Images A. Very great because they movingly represent unto us the mysteries of our Saviours Passion as also the martyrdomes and examples of his Saints Q. Is there not some danger of Idolatry in the so frequent use of Images A. Truly none at all for it is not well possible that any rationall Man who is but meanly instructed in Christianity should conceive or think that a peece of painted Wood or Marble is that God and Man Christ Iesus who was borne of the Virgin Mary died upon the Crosse arose from the dead ascended into Heaven and sitteth now at the right Hand of God Q. But how if such inconveniences do happen at least by accident A. Let the abuse be mended and not the good institution be taken away or blamed For mans nature is subject to do it selfe hurt even in the best things which must not therefore be given over Q. How doe you prove it lawfull to paint God the Father like an old Man seeing he is a pure Spirit and hath no Body A. Because he appeared to the Prophet Daniel in the shape of an old Man Dan. ch 7. Q. Is it lawfull also to honour Angels and Saints A. It is with DULIA or inferiour honour proportioned to their Excellency but not as God nor with Gods Honour Q. What utility doth acerue to us by our honouring and canonizing of Saints A. Very great seeing it much conduceth to the breeding of virtue and the love of God making us know that it is possible even for us our selves to come unto the like rewards Q. How declare you that A. Because the higher esteeme we have of the Saints and of the excellency of their state the more ardent must needs be our desire and the stronger our courage to do and undertake what they did and practised Q. How prove you that A. Out of Ioshua ch v. 14. 15. where Ioshua did it I am the Prince of the Host of our Lord said the Angell to Ioshua and Ioshua fell flat on the ground and adoring said what speaketh my Lord unto his servant Q. What other proof have you A. Apoc. ch 22. v. 9. where S. Iohn did it though the Angell had once before willed him not to do it in regard of his Apostollicall dignity ch 19. v. 10. And I fell downe saith he to adore before the Feet of the Angell who shewed me these things Q. Is it lawfull to honour the Reliques of Saints A. With a relative Honour it is but not with Gods Honour Q. How prove you that A. Because a dead man was raised from death to life by touching the bones of Elisaeus the Prophet 4 Kings ch 13. v. 21. Q. What other proofe have you A. Out of S. Matth. c. 9. v. 20 21. where we read That the woman was healed of her Bloudy Flux by but touching the hemme of our Saviours Garment and believing that it would heale her Q. What other yet A. Out of Acts c. 19. v. 12. where we read That the Handkerchiefs and Aprons which had but touched the Body of S. Paul cast out Devills and cured all diseases Q. How prove you that dead and inanimate things for example Medalls Crosses Churches Bread Water and the like are capable of sanctity and honour A. Out of Iosh ch 5. v. 15. and out of Numb ch 22. v. 21. where the Angel saith to Moses Ioshua Loose the shoes from thy feet for the ground whereon thou standest is holy ground Q. What other proof have you A. Out of S. Matth. ch 23. v. 17 18. where we read that the Temple sanctifieth the gold and the Altar the Gift Ye fooles and blind saith our Lord Whether is the greater the Gold or the Temple that sanctifieth the Gold The Gift or the Altar that sanctifieth the Gift Q. What other yet Out of 1 Tim. ch 4. v. 4 5. where we read That every creature of God is sanctified by the Word of God and Prayer And out of 2 S. Pet. ch 1. v. 18. where he calleth the mountain Tabor a holy hill because Christ was transfigured upon it Q. How prove you that Pilgrimages to holy places as to Mount Calvary Mount Tabor and the Sepulcher of Christ be laudable and pious practices A. Out of Deut. ch 16. v. 16. where God himselfe commanded That thrice a yeare all the people should come up unto Hierusalem to adore and make their Offerings to him Q. What other proof have you A. The example of Christ himselfe our blessed Lady and S. Ioseph who went up unto Hierusalem at the solemne day of the Pasche S. Luke ch 2. v. 41
There be in number twelve as you may see in Gal. ch 5. Q. What is the first A. Charity whose nature and effects you know already Q. What is the second A. Ioy by which we are enabled to serve God with cheerfull hearts Q. What is the third A. Peace which keepeth us unmoved in our minds amidst the stormes and tempests of this world Q. What is the fourth A. Patience which enableth us to suffer all adversities for the love of God Q. What is the fifth A. Long animity which is an untired confidence of mind in expecting the good things of the life to come Q. What is the sixth A. Goodnesse which maketh us hurt no man and doe good unto all Q. What is the seventh A. Benignity which causeth an affable sweetnesse in our manners and conversation Q. What is the Eighth A. Mildnesse which allayeth in us all the motions of passion and anger Q. What is the ninth A. Fidelity which maketh us punctuall observers of our Covenants and Promises Q. What is the tenth A. Modesty which suppresseth in us all pride and haughtinesse Q. What is the eleventh A. Continency which maketh us not only abstemious in meat and drinke but in all other sensible delights Q. What is the twelfth A. Chastity which keepeth a pure soule in a pure body Q. VVho are they that have these fruits A. The Children of God onely for whosoever are led by the Spirit of God they are the sonnes of God Rom. ch 8. v. 14. CHAP. XV. The Works of Merey Expounded Q. HOw many are the Workes of Mercy Corporall A. Seven 1. To feed the hungry 2. To give drinke to the thirsty 3. To cloath the naked 4. To harbour the harbourlesse 5. To visit the sicke 6. To visite the imprisoned And 7. To bury the dead Q. How prove you that these workes are meritorious of a reward A. Because Christ hath promised the Kingdome of heaven as the reward of them Come O ye blessed of my Father saith he and possesse ye the Kingdome c. for I was hungry and ye gave me to eat c. S. Mat. ch 25. v. 35 36. Q. When are we said to feed and cloath Christ A. As often as we feed and cloath the poore in his Name what ye have done saith he to one of my little ones that ye have done unto me the same ch v. 40. Q. Is the reward of these works a reward of Justice A. It is according to 2 Tim. ch 4. v. 8. I have fought a good fight saith S. Paul there is a crowne of Justice laid up for me which our Lord will render to mee at that day a just Iudge Q. VVhat other proofe have you A. Out of Heb. ch 6. v. 10. For God is not unjust that he should forget the worke and love which you have shewed in his Name who have ministred unto the Saints and do minister Q. How many be the Workes of Mercy Spirituall A. Seven also 1. To give counsell to the doubtfull 2. To instruct the ignorant 3. To admonish sinners 4. To comfort the afflicted 5. To for give offences 6. To beare patiently the troublesome 7. To pray for the quicke and the dead Q. How prove you prayer for the dead A. First out of of the places above-cited for Purgatory Secondly out of 1 S. John ch 5. v. 16. He that knoweth his brother to sinne a sinne not unto death let him aske and life shall be given him not sinning to death i. by finall impenitence therefore it is lawfull to pray for all such as die penitent and confessing their sinnes And in 2 Mach. ch 12. we read It is therefore a wholesome and holy cogitation to pray for the dead that they may be loosed from their sinnes Q. How shew you these workes to be meritorious A. Out of Dan. ch 12. v. 2. They which instruct others unto Justice shall shine as starres for all eternity CHAP. XVI The eight Beatitudes Q. WHat are the eight Beatitudes A. The summe of them is 1. Poverty of spirit 2. Meeknesse 3. Mourning 4. To hunger and thirst after Justice 5. Mercifulnesse 6. Cleannesse of heart 7. To be Peace-makers 8. To suffer persecution for Justice sake See S. Mat. ch 5. Q. VVhence ariseth the necessity of suffering Persecution A. Because all that will live piously in Iesus Christ shall suffer Persecution CHAP. XVII The kinds of sinne explicated Q. WHy is it necessary for a Christian to know the natures and the kinds of sin A. That so he may detest them and avoid them Q. How many kinds of sinne be there A. Two kinds namely Originall and Actuall sin Q. What is Originall sin A. It is a privation of Originall Iustice which we inherit from our first Parent Adam and are all born in that privation or Originall sin Q. How prove you that A. Out of Rom. ch 5. v. 12. Therefore as by one man sin entred into the world and by sin death and so unto all men death did passe in whom all have sinned Q. What are the effects of Originall sinne A. Concupisence ignorance evill inclinations pronenesse to sin sicknesse and death Q. How is Originall sinne taken away A. By holy Baeptisme Q. Whither goe Infants which die without Baptisme A. To the upper part of hell where they indure the pain of losse though not of sense and shall never see the face of God Q. How prove you that A. Out of S. Iohn ch 3. v. 5. Vnlesse any one be borne againe of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the Kingdome of God Q. What is Actuall sinne A. It is a thought word or deed contrarie to the Law of God Q. What is a sin of Omission A. To omit any thing willingly which is commanded by God or by his Church Q. Why is Actuall sin so called A. Because the materiall part of it is commonly some voluntary act of ours Q. Is all sinne voluntary and deliberate A. It is speaking of Actuall sinne for no man sinneth in doing that which is not in his power to avoid Q. VVhat other proofe have you A. Because the whole Gospell of Christ is nothing else but an Exhortation to doe good and avoid evill then which nothing were more vaine if it be not in the free election and power of man as assisted by Gods grace to do or not to do such things Q. What Scripture have you for that A. Out of Gen. ch 4. v. 7. If thou doe well shalt not thou receive again But if thou dost ill shall not thy sinne be forthwith present at the doore but the desire thereof of sin shall be under thee and thou shalt have dominion over it Q. What besides A. Out of Deut. ch 30. v. 19. 20. I call to witnesse this day heaven and earth saith our Lord that I have proposed to thee life and death blessing and cursing choose therefore life that thou maist live Q. What other yet A. Out of 1 Cor. ch 7. v. 37.
Offerings thrice with the signe of the Crosse A. To signifie the three houres which Christ hung living on the Crosse and all the griefes susteined in them Q. Why then opening the Chalice doth he crosse it five times with the Hoast A. His uncovering the Chalice is to signifie that at the death of Christ the veile of the Temple was rent asunder the three Crosses made over the Chalice signifie the three hours which Christ hung dead upon the Crosse The two Crosses made at the lip of the Chalice signifie the Blood and Water flowing from his side Q. Why is the PATER NOSTER said with a loud voice A. To signifie the mystical words which Christ spake upon the Crosse with a loud voice Q. What meaneth the Priest laying downe of the Hoast upon the Corporall and covering the Chalice againe A. It signifies the taking our Saviour downe from the Crosse and his Buriall Q. Why then is the Priest silent for a time A. To signifie our Saviours rest in the Sepulchre on the Sabboth Q. VVhy after that doth he raise his voice againe saying PAX DOMINI SIT SEMPER VOBISCUM The peace of our Lord be alwaies with you A. To signifie the joy of the resurrection and that frequent voice of Christ to his Disciples PAX VOBIS peace be unto you Q. Why is the Hoast divided into three parts A. To signifie the division of our Saviours soule and body made on the Crosse and that his Body was broken or divided in three principall parts namely his hands his side and feet Q. Why after this doth he yet make the signe of the Crosse saying PAXDOMINI c. The peace of our Lord be alwaies with you A. To signifie that triple peace which he hath purchased for us by his Crosse namely Externall Internall and Eternall peace Q. Why then is a particle of the Hoast put into the Chalice A. signifie the reuniting of our Saviours Body Blood and Soule made at his Resurrection as also to signifie that we cannot partake of the blood and merits of Christ unlesse we also partake of his cup of sufferings Q. VVhy is the AGNUS DEI or Lamb of God which takest away the sinnes of the world said with a loud voice A. To commemorate the glory of our Saviours Ascention and signifie that he was slaine like an innocent Lamb to take away our sinnes and give us peace Q. Why is the PAX or kisse of peace given before Communion A. To signifie that peace and charity which ought to be amongst the Faithfull who do all eat of one bread of the Eucharist and are all members of one mysticall body Q. VVhat meanes the DOMINE NON SUM DIGNUS c. A. It signifies O Lord I am not worthy that thou shouldst enter under my roofe c. and is the poore Publicans prayer by which he descended justified into his house and we are taught not to approach unto this Sacrifice but with an humble and a contrite heart Q. VVhat meane the praiers after the Communion A. They are a thanksgiving to God for having made us worthy to partake of this unbloody sacrifice of the Altar and by it also of the bloody sacrifice of the Crosse Q. VVhat meane the words ITE MISSA EST A. They signifie that the Hoast or Offering is now sent to heaven for us and represent the voice of the Angell dismissing the Apostles and Disciples when they stood looking up after Christ ascended into heaven with O yee men of Galite what stand you here looking up into heaven Q. What meaneth the Priests lifting up his hands and blessing the people A. It signifies the blessing which Christ gave to his Apostles and Disciples at his Ascention with his hands lifted up Q. What signifies the Gospell of S. Iohn A. It signifies the preaching of the Gospell to all Nations made by the Apostles CHAP. XXIII The Office of our blessed Lady expounded Q. WHo composed the Office A. The Church directed by the Holy Ghost Q. Why is the Primer so called A. From the Latin word PRIMO which signifieth first of all so to teach us that Prayer should be the first work of the day according to that seeke yee first the Kingdome of God and all these things shall be given to you Q. Why is the Office divided into Hymnes Psalmes Canticles Antiphones Versicles Responsories and Prayers A. For order beauty and variety sake Q. VVhat warrant have you for that A. Out of Col. ch 3. Sing yee in your hearts unto our Lord in spirituall Psalmes Hymnes and Canticles Q. Why should the Laity pray out of the Psalmes which they little understand A. 1. Because by so doing they pray out of the mouth of the Holy Ghost 2. Because if they doe it with devout and humble hearts it is as meritorious in them as in the greatest Clarkes For a Petition hath the same force whether it be delivered by a learned or an unlearned man so hath also Prayer 3. Because a Psalme is of the same value in the sight of God from the mouth of a child or a woman as from the mouth of the most learned Doctor Q. Why is the Office divided into seven severall houres A. That so it might be a daily memoriall of the seven principall parts and also of the seven houres of our Saviours Passion Q. What ground have you for that A. Out of Zach. ch 12. At that day I will powre out upon the house of David and the Inhabitants of Hierusalem the spirit of grace and prayer and they shall looke up at him whom they have pierced Q. What meaneth at that day A. The Law of grace the New Law Q. What meaneth hee by the House of David and the Inhabitants of Hierusalem A. The Church of Christ Q. What meaneth he by the spirit of grace and prayer A. The Holy Ghost which dictated the Office and powreth forth the grace of God into our soules by vertue of it Q. What meane those words And they shall looke up at him whom they have pierced A. They signifie that the whole order scope and object of the Office should be Christ crucified Q. How shew you that the seven houres are a memoriall of the Passion of Christ A. Because seven houres were consumed in his Passion for three houres he hung living on the Crosse other three houres he hung dead upon the Crosse the seventh houre was spent in nailing him to and taking him from the Crosse Q. VVhat do we commemorate by the Mattins and Lauds A. His bloody sweat and binding in the Garden as also his dragging from thence unto Hierusalem Q. VVhat by the Prime or first houre A. The scoffes and indignities which he sustained whilst they led him through the streets early in the morning unto the Princes of the Jewes as also the false accusations which were then brought against him Q. What by the third houre A. His whipping at the Pillar his crowning with Thornes his cloathing with a purple