this solemn Act and that others may be put in mind of their Vow and because thus they are admitted Members of our Religious Assemblies in the proper place VVhat is the meaning of the word Baptize A. It comes from a Greek word which signifies to Wash and is apply'd to this Sacrament of Baptism because that is an outward Washing Q. Why must Parents and Friends be so careful to get their Children baptized A. Because by this Ordinance their Original Sin is wash'd away and they grafted into the Body of Christ so that if they die before they have committed actual Sin they are undoubtedly saved Q. VVhat if it be neglected by the Fault of the Parents A. They must answer for putting their Childrens Salvation on so great a Hazard but it is the contempt and not bare want of the Sacrament which makes it damnable and so cannot be imputable or prejudicial to the Child Q. VVho must answer for them of riper years A. They themselves must make the Covenant with their own Mouths and the Godfathers c. are only Witnesses to the Fact and must be Monitors to them to live according to their Vow Q. VVhy doth the Priest ask if the Child have been already baptized A. Because St. Paul saith there is but one Baptism and as we are born but once so we are born again but once Q. Is not that Baptism commanded in the Holy Gospel to be understood only of the Inward and Spiritual Baptism not with Water but the Holy Ghost A. No by no means because Acts of inward Faith are and ought to be often repeated therefore Baptism which cannot be repeated cannot be the inward but the outward Baptism To Baptize with the Holy Ghost is peculiar to Christ alone for none can Baptize with the Holy Ghost but he who can send and bestow the Holy Ghost which is Blasphemy to ascribe to any Creature Q. VVhy are Godfathers or Sureties injoined A. This Custom gives security to the Church that the Child shall not be an Apostate and provides a Monitor both for the Child and its Parents to mind them of this Vow Q. VVhy do the Godfathers c. promise in behalf of the Child A. In Baptism we are making a Covenant God hath given the Promises which are his Word and therefore good Reason we should give our Word for the performance of the Conditions on our part And since that Infants cannot make a Covenant themselves the Church lends them the Feet of others to bring them and the Tongues of others to promise for them Q. Doth the Godfather's Promise oblige the Child A. Yes For by the wisest Law in the World Guardians may contract for Minors or Pupils who are bound to perform what their Guardians have undertaken Q. What Reason may be given why Christ appointed this Form A. Since the Belief of the Trinity is the peculiar and distinguishing Article of the Christian Religion therefore Christ appoints they shall be made Christians by being thus baptized in the name of the three Persons of the Trinity A. 2. This solemn naming of three Persons is a kind of calling them to witness from Heaven that we may as it were profess before these three Witnesses our unfeigned Faith and so we have the same for Witnesses of our Faith who make us the Promises of Salvation and sure we shall never dare fall off who have seal'd our Profession in the presence of the Father Son and Holy Ghost Q. What is meant by being Baptized in the Name of the three Persons in the Trinity A. That the Minister doth this in God's Name and by his Power and Commission and that the Baptized Person is dedicated to and engaged to Worship and Serve the Holy Trinity Q. Why doth the Priest Sprinkle and not Dip A. The Efficacy of the Sacrament depends not on the Quantity of Water but on the Grace of God 2. The Coldness of our Climate hath made this Custom almost necessary Q. Why is the Child sign'd with the Sign of the Cross on the Forehead A. For the clearer Manifestation that this Child now belongs to Christ the Church sets his Sign and peculiar Mark upon it a Custom by which the Primitive Christians declared their Religion 2. And it 's signed in the Forehead because that this is the feat of Blushing and Shame that we may not be ashamed Q. Ought not the Priest and all the People heartily to say Amen when the Mystery is ended A. Yes to shew they believe the Child to be rightly Baptiz'd and to desire God may ratify that in Heaven which is done upon Earth Q. What is the Effect of Baptism A. Salvation Of Confirmation Quest WHY is Confirmation appointed Answ To confirm and ratifie with our own Mouths the Promise made by our Godfathers and to receive new Strength by the Blessings and Prayers of the Bishop Q. Is Confirmation a Sacrament and appointed by Christ A. No But a Holy Rite which the Church observes in Imitation of the Apostles Practice Q. Why had not this Rite a Positive Institution by our Lord Jesus A. Because the Holy Ghost which is herein to be communicated was not given till after Christ's Ascension John 7. 39. yet in his promising the Holy Spirit to his Disciples and to Remain with his Church for ever Joh. 14. 16. he seem'd to suppose that there should be some Rite instituted by them for the perpetual Collation or bestowing of the Spirit Q. When did this Office of Confirmation begin A. The first Converts whom the Apostles Baptized were confirm'd by the immediate Hand of God and He by his Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Ghost sealed their Baptism and attested the Religion into which they had entred But it was not long before the Apostles were appointed to minister in giving the Holy Spirit to the newly Baptized and then they instituted the Rite of laying on of Hands and God was pleased so far to approve their Institution that he did actually give wonderful Measures of the Spirit to those on whom they laid their Hands thereby honouring the Governours of his Church and engaging all the Members thereof to be Subject to them and to be at Peace one with another Q. How prove you this out of the Holy Scripture A. From that famous instance Acts 8. 14 15 16. When the Samaritans had been converted and baptized by Philip the Deacon they did not receive the Holy Ghost until St. Peter and St. John had confirm'd them from whence the Fathers generally deduce this Practice St. Paul did in like manner lay his Hands upon some baptiz'd Persons at Ephesus Acts 19. 6. of which he minds them Eph. 1. 13. And when the Fundamentals of Religion are reckon'd up Heb. 6. 1 2. among them is plac'd the laying on of Hands which in regard it follows Baptism and is a Doctrine to be taught young Beginners it is most likely to be meant of Confirmation and is so interpreted by the Fathers Q. Was not this
c. and Communication of all Temporal things and a fellow-feeling of one anothers condition by all the Members of the Body Of St. Athanasius 's Creed commonly so called IT 's an Explanation of the great Mysteries of the Trinity and of Christ's Incarnation against the Arrians and other Hereticks and hath been received with great Veneration by the Greek and Latin Churches and many of the Reformed as well as the Romanist do hold that Athanasius Bishop of Alexandria was the Author and all agree that nothing in this or the Nicene Creed materially different from that which the Apostles Creed had contained nor nothing really superadded to it but were designed by the Compilers to fence the Catholick Orthodox Faith against the Corruptions and Depravations or else from the Doubtings and Contradictions of Hereticks and is the Quintessence of ancient Orthodox Divinity Q. Why are those Censures affix'd in the beginning middle and end of the Athanasian Creed A. They must be interpreted by their Opposition to those Heresies that had invaded the Church which were Acts of Carnality in them that broached and maintained them against the Apostolick Doctrine and contradictory to that Foundation which had been resolved on and were therefore to be anathematized after this manner and with Detestation banished out of the Church 2. If any scruple at the positive denying Salvation to such as do not believe these Articles let them remember such as hold any fundamental Heresies are condemned in Scripture and the Doctrines are called Damnable Heresies Let us therefore firmly believe and devoutly use this Form blessing God for these clear Explications of the sublime Mysteries of the Trinity and Christ's Incarnation in which we must strive to understand as much as we can and supply the Rest with Silence Submission and Adoration Of the Versicles and Responsals or short Verses and Answers Quest WHY after we have repeated the Creed do we begin with the Form of Salutation viz. The Lord be with you Answ Such mutual Salutations are excellent Expressions of the Communion of Saints and Incentives and Provocations to Charity and Love one of another since we cannot pray without God's Help therefore the Minister prays That the Lord may be with them to assist them and since the Minister prays for all the People they desire he may heartily and devoutly offer up these Prayers in their Behalf saying The Lord be with thy Spirit Q. Why are those Words Let us pray often repeated A. It is a kind of Watch-Word or Signal of Battel to summon us all with united Forces to besiege Heaven it self with our Holy Importunities And 2. It 's a Warning to every one to lay aside all vain Thoughts and only to mind this great Work we have in Hand Q. Why are those Versicles Lord have Mercy upon us Three times repeated A. Because it is a most Pathetick Petition of Mercy to the Blessed Trinity called by the Ancients a Short Litany and is a Preparation to the Lord's Prayer Q. Why is the Lord's Prayer again repeated A. Because it consecrates all the rest of our Prayers and makes way for them and if we did not put up any Petition with Fervency enough before we may now make amends for it by asking that with a double Earnestness Q. Why are those short Versicles and Responsals used A. It was the Primitive Way of Praying and they contain the Sum of all the following Collects 1. The First O Lord shew thy Mercy c. being a Petition for Mercy and Salvation answers to the Sunday Collect. 2. The Second O Lord save the King answers to the Collects for the King and his Family 3. The Third Endue thy Ministers c. and the Fourth O Lord save thy People c. answer the Collect for the Clergy and People 5. The Fifth Give Peace in our Time c. answers the Morning and Evening Collects for Peace and Safety 6. The Sixth O God make clean c. answers the Morning and Evening Collects for Grace And thus by this Alternate Way of Responses or answering and speaking by turns one after another first the Minister then the People we fit our selves the better for the following Collects Q. Are there any other Reasons for the Vse of these Versicles and Responsals A. They refresh the Peoples Attention and teach them their Part at Publick Prayers and unite the Affection of them all together and help to keep them in a League of perpetual Amity Q. Why doth the Priest sometimes kneel and sometimes stand A. The Minister as a Sinner kneels with the People in all Confessions and Penitential Prayers but stands in other Offices to signifie his Office and Authority Q. Why do we turn to the East in our Prayers and Creed A. Because it 's accounted the most worthy Part of the World by being first visited by the rising Sun which may mind us of the great Honour and Majesty of the Person we speak to 2. Because the Altar or Holy Table is placed there where God affords his most Gracious and Mysterious presence and the Priest or Minister used to officiate there and it was look'd upon as unseemly to turn their Backs upon one or the other in their Prayers or Postures 3. From Adam to Abraham's Time the whole World worshipped toward the East and the Christians from the beginning built their Churches and worshipped themselves toward the East not only in opposition to the Jews who worshipped towards the West but because they expected our Saviour who is call'd Oriens ex alto or the day-spring from on high to come from thence according to his promise Matth. 24. 27. Of Collects Quest WHY are these short Forms of Prayer used Answ Because our Saviour himself taught and commended the frequent use of brief Forms of Prayer and the Primitive Christians were wont to pray in that manner from whom the Collects were derived Q. Why are they called Collects A. Because they are Collected generally out of the Epistles and Gospels and are a brief Collection of all things necessary for Soul and Body 2. Or because they are repeated in Publick when the People are collected and gathered together Q. How long have they been used in the Church A. Most of them are above a Thousand Years old having been used in the Western Church from the Time of St. Gregory the Great and are Forms for any Blessing or any Grace that we would ask for our selves or others Q. Pray direct us where we may find among them Prayers on every Occasion A. If we would pray for things spiritual for our own Souls viz. for the Gifts of the Spirit See the Prayer for St. Barnabas 's Day 2. If we would pray for Pardon See the 12 the 21 24. Sunday after Trinity 3. If for the Benefit of Christ's Death and Acceptance through him See Annunciation and Purification and 2. Sunday after Epiphany 4. If for the Comfort Direction and Illumination of the Spirit See 1. after Ascension Whitsunday
and 19. after Trinity 5. If for the Success of our Hearing Reading and Fasting See St. Barth St. Luke 2. Ad. 1. Lent If for Success of our Prayers 10. and 23. after Trinity 6. If for Grace in general to convert us from Sins See 1. Adv. 1. after Easter St. Andrew James Matthew If to deliver us from Temptation 4. Adv. 4. after Easter 18. Trinity If to enable us to do good 5. after Easter 1 9 11 13 17 25. after Trinity If to bring us finally to eternal Glory Epiph. 6. after Epiph. 7. If for the particular Graces of Regeneration See Christmas-Day If for Charity See Quinquages Sunday If for Mortification See Circumcision East Even For Contrition See Ash-Wednesday For the Love of God See 3. and 4. after Easter For Heavenly Desires See Ascension-Day For a Right and Firm Faith Trinity-Sunday 7. after Trinity and St. Thomas St. Mark For Grace to imitate Christ 6. Lent 2. after East For Grace to imitate his Saints See St. Stephen St. Paul St. Philip and Jacob St. John Baptist All Saints and Innocents If we would pray for Temporal Blessings 1. For God's Providence See 2 3 4 20. after Trinity and St. Michael 2. For Deliverance from Enemies and Judgments See the 3. of Lent Sexag Septuages 3. For Support under Afflictions 4. of Lent 4. For Defence 3 4. after Epiphany For Supply of all good things 6. 15. after Trin. If we would pray for Body and Soul both 2 5. of Lent For those without the Church See Good-Friday For those within that the People may have Truth Unity and Peace 5. after Epiph. Good-Friday St. John Simon Jude and the 5 16 22. after Trinity That the Ministers may be fit diligent and successful See St. Matthias St. Peter 3. of Advent Q. Why in the Collect for Peace do we pray That God would defend us in and not from the Assaults of our Enemies A. Because the latter is more than ever he promised or we can expect but in the former we pray tho they attack us they may not be able to hurt us Q. What Difference do you observe betwixt the Collect for Peace in the Morning and that in the Evening A. We beg outward Peace in the Morning to secure us against the Troubles of the World in which the Business of the Day engageth us and in the Evening we beg inward Peace to comfort and quiet our Minds when we are to take our Rest Q. What pray we for in these Words Lighten our Darkness A. That our Understandings may be enlightned with the Knowledge of God's Providence and our Hearts cheared with the Assurance of his Protection 2. If that answer be too Allegorical thus That God by the Light of his Countenance and Favour would protect us in this disconsolate time of Darkness and chear us with the assurance of his Protection Q. By whom was the Prayer for the King made and what doth that Expression mean The only Ruler of Princes A. The First Reformers of the Church of England made the Prayer and by that Expression we declare that Kings are only accountable to God therefore we have the more need to pray for them that he would direct them to do well and guide them who are to rule us that this their mighty Power may be our Safety and our Peace for if it should be otherwise we neither will nor can oppose them having no other Arms against our Prince but Prayers and Tears Q. Why is that Expression in the Prayer for the Clergy used viz. who alone worketh great Marvels A. Because to make a Church and to bestow miraculous Gifts on it to gather it out of Infidels and to protect it from its Enemies is an Act of as great Power and a greater Miracle of Love than to create the World therefore the Preface is very suitable Q. Who are meant by Curates in the Prayer for the Clergy A. Priests and Deacons to whom the Bishop commits the Care of Souls Q. What is meant by that word Expedient in the Prayer of St. Chrysostom A. Lest we have ignorantly asked any thing unfit we put in this caution That God will fulfil our Petitions so as may be most expedient for us that is How When and Which of them he pleaseth and sees will be for our good Q. Why is the Blessing pronounced by the Bishop if present A. For the Honour of his Authority Heb. 7. 7. Q. What doth the Blessing contain and in what Posture ought we to receive it A. It contains the whole Order of our Salvation the First for our Justification the Second for our Consolation and the Third for Sanctification which ought to be received by us on our Knees for it's God that blesseth us by the Mouth of his Minister Of the Litany Quest WHAT doth the Name signifie Answ An humble and earnest Supplication made to God in Adversity Q. When were these Forms first brought into the Church A. About Four Hundred Years after Christ in Times of great Calamity for the appeasing of God's Wrath. 2. Others think the Practice is derived from the Apostles and the Custom of their Times Q. By what Motives are your Addresses urged A. By Two Because we are miserable and because we are Sinners Q. Why do the People answer to every Petition A. By these Suffrages their Devotion is excited quickned and exercised and every Word is significant for there 1. We declare we ask every thing with Humility and Earnestness by the word We Beseech 2. With Faith by calling him we pray unto Good Lord. 3. We declare we seek not to Saints or Angels to hear us but to our God alone We beseech Thee c. All which shews the stupidity and baseness of those who are Mute at this part of this excellent Litany whose Bodies are present but their Souls it is to be feared are absent from this Service for whosoever would perform it with a present Mind cannot be better helped by any Means than by carefully attending When and How he ought to say this Devout Answer We Beseech c. Q. Why is the Litany broke into so many short Ejaculations and not one continued Prayer A. That the Intention and Devotion which is most necessary in Prayer may not be dulled and vanish as in a long Prayer it 's apt to do but be quickned and the nearer to the End the shorter and livelier are the Expressions strengthning our Devotion by raising in us an Apprehension of our Misery and Distress and therefore crying out O Lamb of God c. Q Why is the Litany ordered to be read on Sunday Wednesday and Friday A. Upon Sunday in Honour to that Day it being the Chief Service and on Wednesdays and Fridays because they are Days of publick Assemblies and Fastings and commanded more particularly to be said by the Minister those Days weekly tho' they be not Holy-days Canon the 15 th Q. Why do we repeat the First Four Verses intirely after the Minister