these words Those that have been baptized must after Baptisme receive the most holy Chrisome and be made partakers of the heavenly Kingdome Q. What other proofe have you A. The Authority of S. Thomas who in the Sacrament of Confirmation affirmeth that it is a dangerous thing to die without it Adde unto this That without Confirmation according to all the Fathers we are not perfect Christians Q. What thinke you then of those who for particular and private ends sleight this Sacrament and reach the Laity not to receive it when they may have it A. Truly I think they sleight the mission of the Holy Ghost for this Sacrament is a continuance of that mission unto us and are great enemies of Christianity Q. What sin is it not to receive it when we may have it A. Mortall sinne if it be done out of contempt or any grosse neglect especially in a place of persecution as England is Q. How prove you that A. Because by so doing we expose our selves to great danger of denying our Faith against which danger it was peculiarly ordained by Christ our Lord. Q. At what age is Confirmation now commonly received A. At seven years old Q. Why no sooner A. That so we may be able to prepare our selves for it and remember that we have received it for it cannot be twice given Q. Why is a little blow given on the cheek to him that is confirmed A. To signifie that he is there made the Souldier of Christ and must be ready to suffer stripes and buflets for his sake Q. Must we have any Godfather in Confirmation A. One Godfather or one Godmother at the most Q. Must it be received fasting A. That is expedient for so the Apostles received it but not necessary The Eucharist Expounded Q. WHat is the third Sacrament A. The blessed Eucharist or the Sacrament of the Body and Bloud of Christ Q. By what was this Sacrament prefigured in the old Law A. By the Tree of Life the Burning Bush Melchisedeks Bread and Wine the Paschall Lamb the Heavenly Manna and the Arke of the League Q. How prove you that A. Because all things happened unto them in a Figure according to S. Paul Q. Doth the Blessed Eucharist excell all these in dignity A. It doth as farre as a substantiall body excells a shadow Q. What signifies the name Eucharist A. It signifieth good Grace or Thanksgiving because it containeth the Author and Fountaine of all Grace and the greatest Gift of God to man Q. When did Christ ordaine the Blessed Eucharist A. At his last Supper Q. Why so A. To leave it to his Church as the last and greatest pledge of his love Q. What is the Blessed Eucharist A. It is the body and blood of Jesus Christ true God and true Man whole Christ under the outward formes of Bread and Wine Q. In what manner is Christ present under those Forms A. By the true and reall presence of his divine and humane nature not figuratively only as some would have it Q. How prove you that A. Out of S. Matth. ch 26. v. 26 27 28. where we read that Christ at his last Supper tooke bread blessed it brake it and gave it to his Disciples saying Take ye and eat this is my Body and he also blessed the cup saying This is my blood of the New Testament which shall be shed for many to the remission of sins Q. What other proof have you A. Out of S. Mark ch 14 v. 22 23 24. were we read the selfe-san words Q. VVhat besides A. Out of S. Luke ch 22. v. 19. 20. where we read This is my body which is given for you this is the Chalice the New Testament in my blood which shall be shed for you Q. VVhat other A. S. Joh. c. 6. v. 52 53 55. The bread which I will give is my flesh for the life of the world my flesh is meat indeed and my blood is drinke indeed unlesse ye eat the flesh of the Son of man and drinke his bloud you shall have no life in you Q. VVhat other yet A. Out of 1 Cor. ch 11. v. 23. where S. Paul tells us that he received from our Lord viz. by speciall revelation that at his last Supper he blessed bread saying Take ye and eat this is my body which shall be delivered for you this Chalice is the New â—estament in my bloud Q. By what meanes is the whole substance of the Bread and Wine transubstantiated or changed into the whole substance of the body and blood of Christ A. By the most holy and powerfull words of Consecration instituted by Christ and spoken by the Priest Q. VVhat is the White which we see remaining after Consecration A. The outward species or accidents of Bread under which the body and bloud of Christ is Q. VVhat meane you by those species or accidents A. The colour savour and quantity of bread Q. Is the Body of Christ hurt or broken when we divide or break the Sacrament A. It is not for he is now immortall and impassible he cannot die nor suffer any more Rom. ch 6. v. 9. Q. What other reason have you A. Because Christ is whole in the whole Hoast and whole in every particle thereof if you divide or break it seeing that wheresoever there would have been bread before consecration there must needs be the whole Body and Blood of Christ after consecration Q. What example have you for that A. The soule of a man which is whole in the whole body and whole in every part of the body as learned Protestants do not nor cannot deny Q. How can the same thing be in many severall places at once A. By the omnipotent power of God by which he himselfe is in all and every one of his creatures at one and the same instant Q. What example have you for that A. A word which being one yet is in many hundred of eares at once Q. What other proofe have you A. Out of Acts ch 9. v. 4. and 5. Where we read that Christ who is alwaies sitting at the right hand of his Father in heaven as we willingly admit with Protestants appeared notwithstanding and discoursed with S. Paul on earth saying Saul Saul Why doest thou persecute me and when S. Paul replied who art thou Lord he answered I am Jesus whomthou doest persecute Therefore he was then in two places at once Q. What is the necessary matter of the Eucharist A. Wheaten and unleavened Bread and Wine of the Grape Q. What is the essentiall forme of it A. This is my Body this is my Blood Q. Why is a little water mingled with the Wine in the Chalice A. To signifie the blood and water flowing from the side of Christ as also the union of the faithfull with Christ by vertue of this Sacrament Q. What disposition is required in him that will receive the Blessed Eucharist A. That he hath first confessed his sinnes and be in state of
DOMINUS VOBISCUM A. It signifies Our Lord be with you and is used to excite the people to joyne with the Priest in what he then doth Q. Why is it answered by the Clarke ET CUM SPIRITU TUO And with thy Spirit A. To signifie that the people do all concurre with the Priest and beg divine assistance for him Q. Why are all the Prayers ended with PER DOMINUM NOSTRUM JESUM CHRISTUM c. Through our Lord Jesus Christ A. To signifie that whatsoever we beg of God the Father we must beg it in the Name of Jesus Christ by whom he hath given us all things Q. What meaneth the Epistle A. It signifies the Old Law and is read before the Gospell to intimate that the Old Law being able to bring nothing to perfection it was necessary that the New should follow it Q. What meanes the Graduall A. It signifies the Penance preached by S. John Baptist and that we cannot partake or come unto the Salvation of Christ but by the holy degrees of Penance Q. What meanes the ALLELUIA A. It is the voice of men rejoycing and aspiring to the joyes of heaven Q. Why is ALLELUIA repeated so often at the Feast of Easter B. Because that is the joyfull solemnity of our Saviours Resurrection Q. Why betwixt Septuagesima and Easter is the Tract read in place of the Graduall A. Because that is a time of penance and mourning and therefore the Tract is read with a sad and a slow voice to signifie the miseries and banishment of this life Q. Why doe we rise up at the reading of the Gospell A. To signifie that we are ready to go and do whither and whatsoeever it commandeth us Q. What is the Gospell A. The happy Embassie or Message of Christ unto the world Q. Why is the Gospell read at the North end of the Altar A. To signifie that by the preaching of the Gospell of Christ the Kingdome of the Devill was overthrowne Q. How declare you that A. Because the Devill hath chosen the North for the seat of his malice and all evill saith the Prophet shall be opened from the North. Q. Why doth the Priest before he begin the Gospell salute the people with DOMINUS VOBISCUM Our Lord be with you A. To prepare them for a devout hearing of it and beg of our Lord to make them worthy hearers of his Word which can save their soules Q. Why then doth he say SEQUENTIA SANCTI EVANGELII c. The Sequele of the Holy Gospell c. A. To move attention and signifie what part of the Gospell he then readeth Q. Why doth the Clark answer GLORIATIBI DOMINE Glory be to thee O Lord A. To give the glory of the Gospell to God who hath of his meere mercy made us partakers of it Q. Why then doth the Priest signe the book with the sign of the Crosse A. To signifie that the Doctrine there delivered appertaineth to the Crosse and Passion of Christ Q. Why after this doe both the Priest and people signe themselves with the Crosse in three places A. They sign themselves on their fore-heads to signifie that they are not ashamed to professe Christ crucified on their mouthes to signifie that they will be readie with their mouthes to confesse unto salvation and on their breasts to signifie that with their hearts they doe believe unto Justice Q. Why at the end of the Gospell doe they signe their breasts againe with the Crosse A. That the Devill coming may not steale the seed of Gods Word out of their hearts Q. What meaneth the Creed A. It is a publike profession of our Faith and the wholesome fruit of the preaching of the Gospell Q. What meaneth the first Offertory where we offer Bread and Wine mingled with Water A. It signifies the freedome wherewith Christ offered himselfe unto his Passion and the desire he had to suffer for our sinnes Q. What signifies the mingling of water with the wine A. It signifies the blood and water flowing from the side of Christ as also the union of the faithfull with Christ. Q. VVhy doth the Priest wash the ends of his fingers A. To admonish both himselfe the people to wash away the unclean thoughts of their hearts that so they may partake of that holy Sacrifice as also to signifie that the Priest is or ought to be cleane from all mortall sinne Q. Why then after some silence doth he begin the Preface with a loud voice saying PEROMNIA SECULA SECULORUM A. To signifie the triumphant entry of Christ into Hierusalem after he had laien hid a little space and therefore it is ended with OSANNA BENEDICTUS QUIVENIT c. which was the Hebrew Childrens Song Q. Why at those words doth the Priest signe himselfe with the signe of the Crosse A. To signifie that the entry of Christ into Hierusalem was not to a Kingdome of this world but to a death upon the Crosse Q. Why is the Canon read with a low voice A. To signifie the sadnesse of our Saviours Passion Q. Why doth the Priest begin the Canon bowing his head A. To signifie the obedience of Christ unto his Father in making himselfe a sacrifice for sinne Q. VVhy then doth he kisse the Altar in the middle A. To signifie that kisse of peace which Christ gave us by reconciling us to God in his owne blood Q. VVhy here doth he signe the Host and Chalice thrice with the signe of the Crosse A. To signifie that our Redemption made upon the Crosse was done by the consent of the whole Trinity Q. Why then doth he signe them againe five times A. To signifie the mysterie of those five daies which were betwixt our Saviours entring into Hierusalem and his Passion Q. VVhy after he hath spoken the words of Consecration doth the Priest elevate or lift up the Host and Chalice A. That all the people may adore the bodie and blood of Christ as also to signifie that for our sins his body was lifted up on the Crosse and his blood shed Q. Why then after some prayers doth he againe signe the offerings five times with the Crosse A. To signifie the five wounds of Christ which he there tacitely representeth to his Father Q. Why after this some prayers interposed doth he signe them againe three other times with the sign of the Crosse A. To signifie that this Sacrifice is availeable for three sorts of men for those in heaven to an increase of glory for those in Purgatory to free them from their paines and for those on Earth to an encrease of grace and the remission of sinnes Q. Why after the MEMENTO or Commemoration for the dead doth the Priest elevate his voice saying and to us sinners also NOBIS QUOQUE PECCATORIBUS A. In memory of the supplication of the good Thiefe made to Christ upon his Crosse that so with him by vertue of this sacrifice we may partake his heavenly Kingdome Q. Why after this againe doth he signe the
grace Q. How prove you that A. Out of 1 Cor. ch 11 v. 28. Let a man prove himselfe and so let him eat of this bread and drink of this cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily eateth and drinketh damnation to himselfe not discerning the body of our Lord. Q. What are the effects of the Eucharist A. It replenisheth the soule with grace and nourisheth in spirituall life He that eateth of this Bread shall live for ever S. Ioh. 6. Q. What other benefit have we by it A. It is a most moving and effectuall commemoration of the Incarnation Nativity Passion Resurrection and Ascension of Christ. Q. How do you prove it lawfull for the Laity to communicate under one kind onely A. Because there is no command in Scripture for the Laity to doe it under both although there be for Priests in those words Drinke ye all of this S. Math. ch 26. v. 27. which was spoken to the Apostles onely and by them fulfilled for it followeth in S. Mark ch 14. v. 24. And they all drank Q. What other proofe have you A. Out of S. Iohn ch 6. v. 58. He that eateth of this bread shall live for ever therefore one kind sufficeth Q. VVhat other yet A. Out of Acts ch 20. v. 7. where we read That the faithfull were assembled on the first of the Sabboth to break bread without any mention of the cup And the two Disciples in Emmaus knew Christ in the breaking of bread where the cup is not mentioned and S. Paul 1 Cor. ch 11. v. 27. saith Therefore whosoever shall eat this Bread or drink the Chalice of our Lord unworthily you see by the word or it might be received either in one or both kinds he shall be guilty of the Body and Blood of our Lord. Q. What is the Masse A. It is the unbloody Sacrifice of the Body and Blood of Iesus Christ which himselfe instituted at his last Supper Q. For what is this Sacrifice availeable A. It is propitiatory for the Remission of our sinnes impetratory for the obtaining of all benefits a peaceable offering of Thanksgiving to our God and a sweet Holocaust of divine love Q. Why are Priests obliged to receive under both kinds A. Because they offer Sacrifice and represent the bloody Sacrifice made upon the Crosse where the Blood was actually divided from the Body Q. Is it divided so also in the Masse A. In the manner of doing or signifying it is but not by any reall separation or division of the one from the other Q. How explaine you that A. Because the species of Bread as also the words by which it is consecrated signifie and represent as if the Body of Christ only were contained under it whereas there is indeed whole Christ and the species of Wine as likewise the words by which it is consecrated signifie and represent as if there only were the Blood of Christ although there be both Body and Blood whole Christ Q. Did the Laity ever communicate under both kindes A. They did sometimes in the Primitive Church and may again if Holy Church shall so appoint it but it is now prohibited by the Church to prevent the great danger of shedding the Cup neither are the Laity in this defrauded of any thing For they receive whole Christ under one kind which is incomparably morethen the pretended Reformers have under both who receive onely a bit of Bakers bread with a poor sup of common Vintners Wine Penance Expounded Q. VVHat is the fourth Sacrament A. Penance Q. What warrant have you for doing acts of Penance A. Out of Apoc. ch 2. v. 4. Thou hast left thy first Charity therefore be mindfull from whence thou hast fallen and do Penance Q. What other proofe have you A. Out of S. Matth. ch 5. v. 13. And Iesus began to preach and say do yee penance For the Kingdome of God is at hand Q. When did Christ ordaine this Sacrament A. When hee breathed on his Disciples saying Receive yee the Holy Ghost whose sinnes ye shall forgive they are forgiven and whose sinnes ye shall retain they are retained S. Ioh. c. 20. v. 23. Q. What is the matter of this Sacrament A. The sinnes and confession of the penitent Q. What is the forme of it A. I absolve thee from thy sinnes in the Name of the Father and of the Sonne and of the Holy Ghost Q. What are the effects of it A. It reconcileth us to God and either restoreth or encreaseth grace Q. How prove you that A. Out of S. Iohn ch 20. v. 23. above cited And out of 1. S. Iohn ch 1. v. 9. If we confesse our sins he is faithfull and just to forgive us our sinnes and cleanse us from all iniquity Q. How many parts hath the Sacrament of Penance A. It hath three parts namely contrition confession and satisfaction Q. What is contrition A. It is a hearty sorrow for our sinnes proceeding immediately from the Love of God and joyned with a firme purpose of amendment Q. What is attrition A. It is a true sorrow for our sinnes proceeding immediately from the feare of Hell and punishment from God Q. Will that suffice to the remission of finnes A. With Sacramentall Confession and Absolution it will otherwise not Q. What if a dying man be in mortall sinne and cannot have a Priest A. Then nothing but contrition will suffice Q. What is a firme purpose of amendment A. It is a resolution not only to shun sinne but also the occasion of sinne Q. How long hath confession been in use and practice A. Ever since the very Apostles time according to S. Iames ch 5. v. 16. Confesse therefore your sinnes to one another and pray for one another that you may be saved Q. What other proofe have you A. Out of Acts ch 19. v. 18. And many of them that believed came confessing and declaring their deeds Q. What is Confession A. It is a Sacramentall opening of our sins unto a Priest to obtaine absolution Q. Wherein consisteth the necessity of Confession A. Because as to a mind laden with secret griefs the best of comforts is to disclose her case unto some faithfull friend so to a soule laden with secret sinnes the best of remedies possible is to have chosen and selected Persons ordained for that end by Christ himselfe men of singular piety and learning and not questionable by any Law of what they are to heare in Confession to whom she may confesse her sinnes with an assurance both of comfort correction and direction for the amendment of her faults Q. What are the necessary conditions of a good Confession A. That it be short diligent humble confounding sincere and entire Q. How short A. By avoiding superfluous words and circumstances Q. How diligent A. By using a competent time and care in the examen of our conscience Q. How humble A. By making our Confession with humble hearts Q. How confounding A. By stirring up confusion for our sins Q.
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