HOw many and what are the Commandments of the Church A. There be six principal ones 1. To hear Mass upon all Sundays and Holy-days if we have opportunity 2. To fast Lent Vigils commanded Ember-days and Fridays also by the custom of England with abstinence from flesh on Saturdays 3. To confess our sins at least once a year 4. To receive the blessed Sacraments at least once a year and that at Easter or thereabouts namely betwixt Palm-Sunday and Low-Sunday 5. To pay Tythes to our Pastors 6. Not to solemnize Marriage at forbidden times that is from the first Sunday in Advent till Twelfth-day be past not from Ashwednesday until Low-Sunday be past Q. Are we bound under sin to keep these Commandments of the Church A. We are He that will not hear the Church let him be unto thee as a Heathen or a Publican S. Mat. 18. v. 18. CHAP. X. The Councils of the Church expounded Q HOw many and what are the Councils of the Church A. There be 3. principal ones 1. Voluntary poverty If thou wilt be perfect go and sell all thou hast and give to the poor and thou shalt have treasure in Heaven S. Mat. 3. v. 21. 2. Perpetual Chastity which is a voluntary abstaining from all carnal pleasures He that gives his Virgin in Marriage does well but he that gives it not does better 1 Cor. 7. v. 40. 3. Obedience which is voluntary subjection to anothers will in all that is not sin Obey your Prelates and be subject to them for they watch as being to render an account for your souls Heb. 13. v. 17. CHAP. XI Of the Sacraments in general Q. HOw many Sacraments be there A. Seven Baptism Confirmation Eucharist Penance extream Vnction Holy Order and Matrimony Q. What is a Sacrament in general A. It is a visible sign of invisible grace instituted by Christ our Lord for our sanctification Q. From whence have the Sacraments their force and efficacy A. From the Blood Passion of Christs merits which they apply to our souls Q. What things are essential to a Sacrament A. Matter and Form Q. Do all the Sacraments cause Grace A. Instrumentally they do Q. How many of them give a character A. Three Baptism Confirmation and holy Order and therefore these can be given but once Q. Who is the ordinary Minister of them A. A Priest excepting holy Order and Confirmation which are reserved to Bishops only Baptism Expounded Q. WHat is Baptism A. It is a Sacrament by which we are born a new to God and consisteth in an outward washing of the body under a set form of words Q. What is the necessary matter of it A. Natural water only for artificial water will not serve Q. What is the form of it A. I Baptize thee N. in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost Q. What if the word I Baptize or any one of the three Persons be left out A. Then the Baptism is not valid Q. Can a man be saved without Baptism A. He cannot unless he have it either actually or in desire with contrition or be Baptized in his own blood by Martyrdome Q. Can no man but a Priest Baptize A. Yes in case of necessity when a Priest cannot be had any Lay-man or Woman may do it Q. What intention is necessary in him that giveth Baptism A. To what the Church does and Christ ordained Q What are the effects of Baptism A. It makes us the Children of God by remitting Original sin and infusing justifying grace into the soul with habits of Faith Hope and Charity Q Why have we one God-father and one God mother in Baptism A. That if our Parents neglect it or it be prevented by death they may instruct us in the Faith of Christ Q. How can Infants be Christned who have no actual faith A. In the Faith of the Church and their Godfathers and Godmothers unless any one be born again of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God S. John 3. v. 5. Q. Why are so many Ceremonies used in Baptism A. To stir up reverence to the Sacrament and signifie the inward effects thereof Confirmation expounded Q. WHat is Confirmation A. It is a Sacrament which makes us strong and perfect Christians able to profess our faith before tyrants and persecutors Q. What is the matter of it A. Oyl mingled with balm blessed by the Bishop Q What is the form of it A. I sign thee with the sign of the Cross I confirm thee with the Chrisome of salvation in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost Q. What Scripture have you for this A. The second to the Corinthians c. 1. v. 24. And he that confirmeth us with you in Christ and hath annoyled us God who also hath sealed us and given the pledge of the spirit in our hearts Q. Who is the Minister of this Sacrament A. Bishop only Q. What sin is it not to receive this Sacrament when we may have it A. A mortal sin if it be done out of contempt or any gross neglect especially in a persecuting Country as ours is The blessed Eucharist expounded 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 likeness and outward shape of bread Q. In what manner is Christ A. By the true and real presence of his divine and humane nature and not figuratively only as Hereticks would have it Q. How prove you that A. Because when Christ ordained it at his last supper He took bread blessed brake and gave it to his Disciples saying 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 for the remission of sins St. Mat. 26. v. 26. Q. By what means is that which was before Bread turned into the Body of Christ and that which was Wine made the Blood of Christ A. By the most holy and powerful words of Consecration ordained by Christ and spoken by the Priest Q. Is the body of Christ hurt or broken when we divide and break the Sacrament A. No it is not for Christ is now immortal and impassible he cannot dye nor suffer any more Rom. 6. v. 9. Q. How can the same thing be in many places at once A. By the omnipotency of God by which he himself is in all and every of his Creatures at one and the same time Q. What is the matter of this Sacrament A. Wheaten Bread and Wine of the Grape Q. What is the form of it A. This is my body this is my blood Q. What disposition is required in him that receives the B. Eucharist A. That he have first confessed his sins and be in state of grace For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily eateth and drinketh damnation to himself 1 Cor. 11. v. 29. Q. What are the effects of this Sacrament A. It
In what consisteth everlasting life A. In the clear sight and possession of God in whom we shall enjoy and see the natures and perfections of all his creatures with an infinity of all good things Q. What will follow out of this clear sight and possession of God A. Divine love and unspeakable joy and out of that will flow Praise Jubilation and Thanksgiving for ever Q. What means the word Amen A. It means that the whole Creed is to be believed with divine Faith and therefore we must heartily assent to it CHAP. IV. Hope Expounded Q. WHat is Hope A. It is the gift of God infused into our souls by which we have a confident expectation of bliss and glory to be obtained by the merits and grace of Christ and our good works proceeding from his grace Q. On what is this confidence grounded A. On the merits and promises of Christ who hath promised Heaven to such as hope in him doing good works as also grace whereby to do them Q. What is the chief effect of Hope A. Prayer which is a lifting up of our minds to God whereby we beg for good things and to be freed from evil Q. What other effects hath it A. It causeth obedience to the Law of God a willingness to suffer for his sake and final perseverance Q. What Vice is opposite to Hope A. Despair and Presumption Q. What is Despair A. Diffidence in the Power of God and merits of Christ Q. What is Presumption A. A foolish confidence of salvation without endeavouring to keep the Commandments CHAP. V. Our Lords Prayer expounded Q. WHo made this most holy Prayer A. Christ himself St. Mat. 6. v. 9. Q. Why did he make it A. To teach us a set form of Prayer and how we ought to pray Q. Why did he make it so short and easie A. That all men might be capable of it Q. What beg we by it A. All those chief things which we can ask or hope for of God Q. What mean those words Our Father which art in Heaven A. They mean that God is our Father by Creation Adoption also if we be in state of grace and therefore we may boldly come to beg all blessings of him Q. Why Our Father and not my Father A. Because God is the common Father of all and all good Christiaâ—s must pray for one another Q. What understand you by which art in Heaven A. That God is there manifesting his glory to the blessed therefore when we pray we must lift up our hearts to him in Heaven Q. Say the first Petition A. Hallowed be thy Name Q. What do we beg by this A. That God may be known worthily praised served and honoured by all his creatures Q. Say the second Petition A. Thy Kingdom come Q. What beg we by this A. That our miseries and afflictions of this life may be ended and that we may partake the joys of his Kingdom Q. What else A. That Christ may reign in us in this life by grace and in the next by glory presenting us a Kingdom to his Father Q. Say the third petition A. Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven Q. What beg we by this A. That God would enable us by his grace to do his will in all things Q. What meaneth In Earth as it is in Heaven A. We beg by this that we may be as ready and chearful to obey the will of God on Earth as the Saints and Angels are in Heaven Q. Say the forth petition A. Give us this day our daily bread Q. What beg we by this A. All food and sustenance for our souls and bodies Q. What is the food of the soul A. The Word of God the holy Sacraments especially the blessed Eucharist and Divine grace Q. Why is the blessed Eucharist called our daily Bread A. Because it is daily offered on the Altar for our sins and we ought daily to receive it in spirit or desire Q. Say the fifth Article A. And forgive us our debts as wâ— forgive our debtors Q. What beg you by this A. That God would forgive us the sins of our life past and all the punishments due to them Q. Why is added as we forgive our Debtors A. To signifie that God will not forgive us unless we forgive our Enemies Q. Say the Sixth Petition A. And lead us not into Temptation Q. What beg we by this A. That God would not permit us to be tempted above our strength Q. Doth God tempt us to sin A. No he doth not God is not the tempter of evils he tempteth no man St. James 5. v. 13. Q By whom are we tempted A. By the Devil the World and our own Concupiscense Q. Is it any sin to be tempted A. Not without some consent or delight on our part Q. Say the seventh petition A. But deliver us from evil Q. What beg we by this A. That God would free us from all evil both spiritual and temporal Q. Who is the Author of all evil of sin A. The Devil for sin in God there is none 1 St. John chap. 3. v. 5. CHAP VI. The Hail Mary or Angelical Salutation Expounded Q. WHat is the Hail Mary A. It is most honourable Salutation and holy prayer to the blessed Virgin Mary Q. How many parts hath it A. Three Q. Say the first part A. Hail Mary full of grace our Lord is with thee Q. Who made this part of it A. The Holy Ghost although it were delivered by the Angel Gabriel Q. Say the second part A. Blessed art thou amongst Women and blessed is the fruit of thy Womb Jesus Q. Who spake this A. S. Elizabeth inspired by the Holy Ghost Q. Say the third and last part of it A. Holy Mary Mother of God pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death Q. Who made this part A. The Catholick-Church in the Counsel of Ephesus against Nestor the Heretick who denyed our blessed Lady to be the Mother of God CHAP. VII Charity Expounded Q. WHat is Charity A. It is the gift of God infus'd into the souls by which we love God above all things and our Neighbours as our selves Q. Who are our Neighbours A. All Man-kind especially Catholicks Q. Why all Man-kind A. Because they are the Images of God and redeemed with the blood of Christ Q. Why especially Catholicks A. Because they are Members of the mystical body of Christ the Church Q. What is it to love God above all things A. To be willing to lose all things rather than the love and grace of God by any immortal sin Q. What is it to love our Neighbour as our selves A. To wish him as much good as our selves and do him no wrong Q. What is the highest act of Charity A. To give our life for God's honour or our Neighbours salvation Q. What are the effects of Charity A. It remitteth sin and giveth spiritual life to the soul He that loveth not remaineth in
increaseth grace and nourisheth our souls in spiritual life He that eateth of this bread shall live for ever S. John 6. Q. What is the Mass A. It is the unbloody sacrifice of the body and blood of Christ which he himself ordained at his last supper Q. For what is the Sacrifice available A. For the remission of sins and the obtaining of all gifts and graces Penance Expounded Q. WHen did Christ ordain this Sacrament A. After his rising from the dead when he breathed on his Disciples saying Receive ye the Holy Ghost whose sins ye shall forgive they are forgiven and whose sins ye shall retain they are retained St. Joh. 20. v. 23. Q. What is the matter of this Sacrament A. The sins and confession of the Penitent Q. What is the form of it A. I absolve thee from thy sins In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost Q. What are the effects of it A. It reconcileth us to God and either restoreth or increaseth grace Q. How many parts hath it A. Three Contrition Confession and Satisfaction Q. What is required to a good Confession A. That we seriously examine our Consciences 2. To be heartily sorry for our sins 3. To confess them faithfully to the Priest with a firm purpose to amend Q. What if a man knowingly leave out any one mortal sin A. He commits a great sacriledge by lying to the Holy Ghost and makes his whole Confession nothing worth Q. What is Indulgence A. Not leave to commit sin or a pardon for sins as Protestants slander but only a releasing of temporal punishments due to such sins as are already forgiven us by Contrition and Confession Extream Vnction expounded Q. WHat warrant have you for this Sacrament A. In the 5th of S. James v. 13. we read Is any man sick amongst you let him bring in the Priests of the Church and let them pray over him annointing him with Oyle in the Name of our Lord and the prayer of Faith shall save the sick man and our Lord will lift him up and if he be in sins his sins shall be forgiven him Q. Who is capable of this Sacrament A. Every Christian that is in mortal danger of death by sickness except infants fools and such as art alwayes mad Q. What is the Matter of this Sacrament A. Oyle blessed by the Bishop Q. What is the form of it A. By that annoyling and hâ—â— own most pious mercy let our Lord pardon thee whatsoever thou hast sinned by thy seeing c. and so of all the other senses Q. What are the effects of thiâ— Sacrament A. It comforts the soul in her last agony against dispair it remits venial sin and the reliques of sin and restoreth health if it be expedient Holy Order Expounded Q. WHen did Christ Ordain this Sacrament A. At his last Supper where he made his Apostles Priests saying Do ye this in remembrance of me St. Luke 22. v. 19. Q. What did he then give them power to do A. To consecrate and offer the unbloody Sacrifice of his own body and blood which he had there ordained and offered under the outward likeness of Bread and Wine Q. Why did he say for a commemoration of me A. Because the unbloody Sacrifice of the Mass is a commemoration of the bloody Sacrifice made on the Cross Q. What are the effects of holy Order A. It gives men power to consecrate the body and blood of Christ to administer the Sacraments and to preach Q. What sin is it therefore to oppose the Government of Bishops A. A sin of Rebellion against the peace and safety of Gods Church for Christ hath appointed Bishops to be Guards and Teachers of his Law Matrimony expounded Q. VVHere did Christ ordain this Sacrament A. Either at the wedding of Cana in Galilee S. John ch 2. or when he said Now therefore are not two but one flesh That which God hath joyned together let no man seperate S. Mat. 9. v. 6. Q. How prove you Marriage to be a Sacrament A. Out of St. Paul This is a great Sacrament but I say in Christ and in the Church Ep. 5. v. 32. Q. What is the matter of this Sacrament A. The mutual consent of the parties and delivery of their bodies Q. What is the form of it A. The words or signs which signifie the said present consents Q. What are the effects of Matrimony A. It gives special grace to the material couple to love be faithful and bear with one another as also to bring up their Children in the fear of God Q. How great is the bond of Marriage A. So great that it can never be broken but by death CHAP. XII The Cardinal Virtues Q. HOw many Cardinal Vertues be there A. 1. Prudence 2. Justice 3. Fortitude 4. Temperance and they are called Cardinal-Vertues because they are the fountains and as it were the hinges of all moral good works The gifts of the Holy Ghost Q. WHat how many are thâ— Gifts of the Holy Ghost A. Seven 1. Wisdom 2. Vnderstanding 3. Counsel 4. Fortitude 5. Knowledge 6. Piety 7. The fear of our Lord. The Fruits of the Holy Ghost Q. HOw many are the Fruits of the Holy Ghost A. They are in number twelve 1. Charity 2. Joy 3. Peace 4. Patience 5. Longanimity 6. Goodness 7. Benignity 8. Mildness 9. Fidelity 10. Modesty 11. Continency 12. Charity Gal 5. CHAP. XIII The works of Mercy Corporal and Sâ—iritual Q. HOw many are the works of mercy corporal A. Seven 1. To feed the Hungry 2. To give drink to the Thirsty 3. To cloath the Nakâ—â— â— To harbour the Harbourless 5. To visit the Sick 6. To visit the Imprisoned 7. To bury the dead Q. How prove you these works to be meritorious of a reward A. Because he that giveth a cup of cold water only to a Disciple in the name of a Disciple he shall in no wise lose his reward Mat. 10. And Christ hath promised Heaven as a reward to such as do these things S. Mat. c. 25. v. 35. Q. How many are the works of Mercy spiritual A. Seven also 1. To give counsel to the Doubtful 2. To instruct the Ignorant 3. To admonish Sinners 4. To comfort the Afflicted 5. To forgive offences 6. To bear patiently the troublesome 7. To pray for the quick and the dead Q. Is it lawful to pray for the dead A. Yes It is a wholesome and a holy cogitation to pray for the dead that they may be loosed from their sins Machab. 12. Q. Is there also a reward give to these works A. Yes For they who instruct others unto Justice shall shine likâ— stars for all Eternity Dan. 12. ver 2. The eight Beatitudes Q. WHat are the eight Beatitudes A. 〈◊〉 â—overâ—â— of spirit 2. Meekness 〈◊〉 Mâ—â—â—ning 4. To Hungeâ— and Thirst af … â—usticâ— 5. Mercifulness 6. Cleanness of heart 7. T 〈…〉 Peace-makers 8. To suffeâ— Persecution for justice-sake CHAP. XIV Q. HOw