vve be in any necessity especially vvhen vve rise or goe to bedde or goe forth of doores at the eÌ„traÌ„ce in to the church and vvhen vve eate or drinke c. M. And vvhy doe you make this signe so often and to vvhat effecte D. Because it is the signe liuery recognoisaunce vvherby vve are distinguished as the true servantes and souldiers of Christ from all the enemies of holy churhe as Gentiles Ievves Turkes and He retikes Secondly because by this signe vve invocate the helpe of God in all our vvorkes And of ten times vvee are delivered by the vertue therof from many perills as vvel temporal as spiritual the Devil fearinge this signe and flyenge from it no other vv se then malefactors doe from the Kinges officers and iustice especially vvhen it is made vvith fayth and confidence in Gods mercie and the merits of Christ our lorde M. The name of Iesus And vvhy doe you put of your cappe and make curtesy vvhen you name Iesus D. Because the Apostle teacheth vs that there is no other name vvherin vve caÌ„ be saved that in this name al knees shal bovve as vvell of heavenly and earthly creatures as of al thinges vnder the earth ⧠Of the obligations and ⧠dueties of a true Christian. CHAP. II. M. FOR vvhat ende vvas Man created Christian dueties D. To love and serve God in this life and aftervvarde to see and enioye him in the next vvher in doth consiste our everlasting felicity M. You have ansvvered vvell but tell me vvhat is a ChristiaÌ„ bound to knovve for the attaining of the said ende after he commeth to the vse of reason D. Three things M. VVhich are they D. First to Knovve vvhat to beleeue Secondly to Knovve vvhat to pray or aske Thirdly to Knovve vvhat to vvorke or doe M. And hovv Shall vve Knovve vvhat to aske D. In Knovving vvell the Pater noster c. M. And hovv shall vve Knovve vvhat to beleeue D. By Knovving the creede or the articles of our faith M. Hovv shall vve Knovve vvhat to vvorke D. If vve Knovve vvell the comaundements of the lavv of God and those of our holy mother the Church and discerne vvhat are mortall sinnes to the end vve may flye them M. You say vvell but tell me haue vve not neede of some supernaturall helpe for the discharge of these obligations D. Yes sir for vve haue neede of three supernaturall vertues vvhich most be planted by God in our soules M. VVhich are they D. Faith to be able to beleeue vvell Theological vertues Hope to be able to aske or praye vvell and Charity to be able to vvorke vvell ⧠Of the Creede ⧠CHAP. III. M. GOE to then The Creede lette vs beginne vvith faith and tell me vvhat vvee must beleeue D. I haue already tould you that the principall is the Creed M VVhy then recite the same D I beleeue in God the father almighty c. M. Tell me vvhat is the Creede D. It is a confession of the principall artâ—cles of our faith M. VVho made it D. The Apostles M. To vvhat ende D. To informe vs in our faith M. Faith Ephe. 2. Heb. 11. Basil ser de fid confes Aug. co Epist funda c. 5. Ber. Ep. 190. Chryso 1. Cor. Hom 4. Greg. Homil. 26. in Evang. The Church VVhat is Faith D. Faith is a gifte of god in our soules vvith the vvhich vve do firmly catholikely beleeve all that god hath revealed vnto vs accordinge as vve are taught by our holy mother the churche M. Ys The Church then vvitnes sufficient for to knovve and distinguish all that God hath revealed D. No doubt sir for as much as she is illuminated and assisted allvvayes vvith the holy ghost and therfore cannot erre M. VVhat is the holy Catholique Church D. Gen. 6 cant 4 et 6. Esa 5. â—t 20. mr 12. In. 5. mat 5 13. 1 Petr. 3. Apoc. 22. Yt is the visible congregation of all true Christians and Catholiques vvhich are scattered ouer the vvhole vvorlde vvhose head next vnder God is the Pope M. VVho is the Pope D. The Pope is the holy father Bisshop of Rome The Pope Vide Iren. l. 3. c. 40. Teâ—t de praescrip Clem AlexaÌ„ l. 7. Stro. Ci. prl 1. Ep. 6. l. 4. Ep. 2. Origen l. 1. periar Arnob. P. 130. Aug. in Ep. 265. c. successor of saint Peter and vicar of Christ vpon earth to vvhome all prelates and Christians vvhatsoever are bouÌ„d to obey as to Christ his true and lavvful lievetenant M. Hovv knovve you that the Pope is saint Peters successor D. By the infallible authority of the scripture the vniuersal tradition of Goddes churche the certaine succession of all Romaine Bishops ever since saint Peter vnto this day and last of all the testimony of all learned doctors fathers and Catholique vvriters since Christ came into this vvorlde M. And vvhat call you TraditioÌ„ vvher of you meÌ„tioned even novv Tradition D. Tradition of the Churhe and suche as is of autoritie to proue or disproue in matters of faithe vvee call all that doctrine vvhich vvithoute vvritinge hath bene by vvorde of mouthe lefte vnto vs either by Christe or his Apostles or they re lavvful successoures and therefore to be honoured and beleeued Vide 1. ad Thessalo 2. Chrysos Theo philact OE cumenium ibid eosdem super 1. ad Cor. 12. Basil de Spiritu SaÌ„cto cap. 29. Vincent LirineÌ„s Tertul. de praescript M. And hovv proue you that saint Peter vvas made Pope presideÌ„t of Goddes church by our sauiour D. By those vvordes vvherin he bad him feed his flocke three times togeather and especially vvhen he gaue him the keyes of the KiÌ„gdome of heauen and authority that vvhatsoeuer he should loose vpon earth it should be loosed in heauen and vvhat soever he should binde vpoÌ„ earth it should be bounde in heauen vvhich vvas the greatest povver Ioan. 20. 21. Mat. 16. that could be geuen to any mortall creature M. And cannot the Pope erre in matters of faith and Religion as vvell as other teÌ„porall Princes D. No for our Sauiour saith to saint Peter that he had prayed for him that his faith should not faile Mat. 16. versic 18. and therfore he calleth saint Peter the rocke saienge vpon this rocke I vvil builde my Church against vvhich the gates of hell shall not preuaile all vvhich vvould be other vvise if the Pope could erre vvho is the fouÌ„dacioÌ„ of this vvhole buildinge as for teÌ„porall PriÌ„ces they haue no povvre in matters of faith and Religion seinge our Sauiour coÌ„mandeth to giue to Caesar that vvhich beloÌ„geth to Caesar to God that vvich belongeth to God much lesse haue vvoomen to doe in this vvho as saint Paule saith ought not to opeÌ„ their mouthes nor speake in the coÌ„gregatioÌ„ M. So that you make the Pope and saint Peter all one in this cause D. Doubtles even as the
imitation of Saints Austen vvho made his Enchiridion vvith the like intention and allbeit I haue framed the style thereof to the vnderstandinge and reach of the most yeat I hope the learned vvill finde satisfaction the more curious vvittes vvherein to discourse and entertayne them selues And that no man may complayne of the breuitie vvhich I haue affected coÌ„prifinge so many importance quaestions in so little a volume for such as desire to see the same matters eyther more copiously haÌ„dled or more authentically prooued besides the most learned of our age vvhose vvritinges I haue perused and especially those of Cardinall Bellarmine vvhome I principallie follovve in this instruction because his Doctrine is particularlye recommended by the See Apostolique I haue quoted in the margent the grauest auÌ„cient vvriters of all other tymes Motu Prop. PP Clem. 8. vvho beinge lightes of the vvorlde and miracles of nature for they re talentes and judgement haue allvvayes follovved this infallible guydestarre of the Catholike truthe to vvhose bookes faythfullie cited I remitte thee gentle reader desitinge onlye that thou vvilt voutchsafe to accepte heerein my good vvill vvhiche is all the revvard I expecte of this laboure at thy handes the prayse if any good shall euer grovve of it beinge due to God alone the author fountayne of all goodnes vvho euer keepe thee directe thee in the vvay of truthe and eternall saluation Thy seruante in our Lord IESVS George Doulye ⧠A BREEFE ⧠INSTRVCTION BY VVAY OF DIALOGVE concerning the principal poynts of Christian Religion gathered out of the holy Scriptures Fathers and Councels Maister ART THOVV a Christian Disciple Yea sir by the grace of God M. VVhy doest thou say by the grace of god D. Because I am not a Christian by my ovvne merites nor of my father nor mother nor any other pure creature but by the goodnes and mercie of God and the merites of Christ Iesus M. And vvhat is a Christian A Christian D. He that beinge baptised beleeueth and professeth the lavv of Christ Vide 1. Pet. 4. Act. 11. Tert. de prae crip Cyprian l. 4. Ep. 2. Atha Ora. 2. contra Ar. August tract 113 in Io Enchâ— c. 5. M. And vvhat is the lavv of Christ D. That vvhich our Saviour delivered to his Apostles and their successors and is truly and onely taught in the catholike church of Rome novv and ever since our Saviour M. VVhat benefite or dignitie receaveth a man vvhen he is made a Christian D. He is made the childe of benedictioÌ„ the adoptive sonne of God and inheritour of heaven if him selfe doe not put impediment to the same M. Are ther any that deny this lavv D. Yeas truly M. VVho are they D. All infidels as paynimes Ievves and haeretiques M. VVhat is an heretique D. An heretique He vvhich beinge baptised doth vvilfully deny any article of the catholique Romain faith or beleeveth any thinge that is contrary to the same M. So that it is not sufficient to be a Catholique for a maÌ„ to be christened except he also beleeve and professe the sayd Romain Churche after he commeth to yeares of discretion D. So it is and vvhen it shal be necessary also he is bounde to dye for the confession of the same ⧠Of the signe of the Crosse ⧠CHAPTER I. M. VVHAT is theÌ„ the signe of a true ChristiaÌ„ or Catholike The Figure of the holy Crosse D. The signe of the holy Crosse M. VVhy â—oe D. Because in it our Sauiour Iesus Christ Redeemed vs this signe hath alvvayes been vsed in gods churche not only in the Sacraments but also in all actions of this life as vvell humane as devine M. Vide Basil l. de Sp. S c. 27 Naz. orat 1. in Iulia. Hieron ad Eust d. custod virg Et ad Fabio de vestib sac c. 9. Ezech â—ffrem ser de S. cruce Tert. l. de cor militis Orig. homil 8 in Evang Augu. tract 118. in Io. Atha in vit Anton. Euseb l. 1. 2. de vâ—â—a CoÌ„staÌ„ Tripar l. 6 hist c. 1 Ruffin l 2 hist c. 29. Cyril Hieroâ— Cath. 4 13. From vvhat or vvhom did he redeeme vs D. From sinne and the Devil vvhose prisoners vve vveare before M. Hovv must the signe of the crosse be made D. The ordinary manner is vvith the vvhole hande or three principall fingers of the same to touch first the foreheade then vnder the brest and then from the left to the right shoulder saienge in the name of the father and of the sonne and of the holy ghoaste Amen or in latin in nomine Patris Filii Spiritus Sancti Amen M. Is ther any other manner of blessinge your selfe D. Yea sir as the priest doth vvhen he saith the gospel making vvith the thumbe a crosse vpon the foreheade against euill thoughts an other vpoÌ„ the mouth against euill vvordes and the thyrd vpon the brest against euill vvorkes vvhich proceede froÌ„ the hart saienge by the signe ✚ of the holy crosse ✚ from al our enemies ✚ deliuer vs good lorde to vvhich is also ioyned the former blessingeâ— In the name of the father and of the sonne and of the holy ghost Amen M. Is there any mystery signified be sides in this blessinge D. Yea sir First the mystery of the blessed Trinity and then that of the holy incarnacâ—on vvhen our Sauiour came dovvne from heauen into the Virgens vvon be M. Hovv are these mysteries represented in this signe D. In that he saith in the name and not in the names is giueÌ„ to understand the vnitie of God and by the name is vnderstoode his deuine povvre and auctoritie the vvhich is only one in all three persons Those vvordes of the Father of the sonne of the holy ghoast do declare vnto vs the Trinitye of the persons vvhich notvvithstandinge haue one and the selfe same divinitie and essence povvre vvisdome bouÌ„tie c. M. And hovv is the incarnation represented by this signe D. Because it representeth the passion of our Sauiour and consequently the incarnation of the sonne of God vvho for our redeÌ„ptioÌ„ vvas made MaÌ„ crucified M. VVhy do you dravve your hand froÌ„ the head to the midle then froÌ„ the left shoulder to the right and not froÌ„ the right to the left D. The first to signifie the proceedinge of the sonne from the fâ—ther vvho is the fountaine and beginninge of the other tvvo persons the secoÌ„d by touching both shoulders signifieth the procedinge of the holy ghoast froÌ„ the father the sonne vvhich is done froÌ„ the left side to the right to signifie that by the passion of our Sauiour vve are traÌ„sferred froÌ„ things transitory to eternall from sinne to grace from death to lyfe vvherby it appeareth that this holy and holesome signe is as it vveare a breefe summe of our vvhole faith and Religion M. VVheÌ„ must vve vse this holy signe D. As often as vve beginne any vvorke or that
reason that in the primitiue Church for euery mortall sinne men vvere vvonte to doe penance many yeares and that novv deuotion and charity is vvaxen so cold that one man vvill sometimes coÌ„mitt tvveÌ„ty or forty mortall sinnes in one yeare and by that accompte de serue aÌ„ 100. sometimes a 1000. yeares of penaunce excepte penances vveare shortened and pardons enlarged in this fraylty of man it vvould be harde to giue God and the Church satisfaction M. Truly so it is and more is the pitty but hereby vve see hovv iustly vvee call the Church our mother and the Pope our father seeinge they deale so gently vvith vs. But lett vs goe forvvard vvith the Creede and tell me the meaninge of the sixt Article D. The sixt article is He ascended in to heauen and sitteth on the right hand of God the father almightie VVhich ascensioÌ„ beinge full fortie dayes after his Resurrection doth so assure vs of the verity of all the mysteryes of his lyfe and passion as there can be no further doubt of them and this as the conclusion of the reste doth manifestly assure vs of the greate glorie and majestie vvhich novv he retaineth in heauen M. And vvhat meaneth it to say that Christ after his ascension sitteth on the right hand of God the father hath God the father any right hand D. No sir for he is a spirite and hath no bodie but vvhen vve say he sitteth on the right hand the meaninge is that Christ in that be is God hath the same glorie honor povver vvith his father not inferior nor superior but equall and in that he is man God the father hath giuen him more glorie honor and povver then to all the Angels and saintes in heauen M. Let vs come to the seauenth article vvhich is From thence he shall come to iudge the quicke the dead Doe you Knovve hovv this iudgment shal be D. Yea Sir for it shal be as saint Paule sayeth in greate terrour and majestye in the Voice and trumpet of an Angell at vvhat tyme the vvhole vvorld shal be destroyed vvhith fire as it vvas vvith vvater in the deluge vvhich day no man shall Knovv hovv neare or farre it is of the dead shall rise and those that are then liuinge shall presently die and sodainly rise againe to the ende they may haue their due to death At vvhich tyme shal cease dayes and nightes mariadge and merchandise and all these other things vvhich vve novv see vsed in this vvorlde M. To vvhat purpose then shall those be iudged vvhich haue alreadie in the hovvre of their death receiued their final sentence and verdicte D. For diuers causes and first because the bodie vvith the soule shall haue his iudgment of paine and glorie euerlastinge vvhich before it had not Secondly for the glorie of Christes saintes vvhich as they vveare in this vvorld persecuted and euell intreated so there they shal be in the sight of the vvhole vvorld by God glorified Thirdly for the glorie of Christe because hauing been vnjustly coÌ„demned of many neither Knovvne not honoured as vvas conuenient so is it good reason that there should come a day vvherin the vvhole vvorld eyther by loue or force should both Knovve him and honour him as their Kinge lord and soueraigne Fourthelie for the confusion of the proude enemies of God Lastly for the glorie of God him selfe against all Atheistes and incredulous persons vvho measuringe Gods prouideÌ„ce by their ovvne carnall desires because they see often tymes the just to be afflicted and the vvicked to lyue in prosperitie thinke that God doth not vvell gouerne this vvorld But then they shall see that all this hath been by Gods highe vvisedome and goodnesse vvherby he shall there as justly condemne the vvicked for their sinnes as he doth here in this lyfe revvarde their slender good vvorkes vvith temporall coÌ„modities As contraryvvise his servantes in this lyfe be punished for small offences to enriche them in the nexte for their good vvorkes vvhith an infinite treasure of glorie M. VVhat is comprised in the eyght article I beleeue in the holy ghoaste D. That the holy ghoast the thirde person of the holie Trinitye is the same God of aequall povver vvhith the father and the sonne the other tvvo persons of the blessed Trinitye And he is called the holy ghoast or spirite because all other spirites vvhether of men or Angels though neuer so holy haue of him receaued all their sanctification to vvhose goodnes are also attributed all other giftes and graces of God vvhich are reparted in the vvhole Catholique Churche M. VVhat meaneth it that the holy ghoast is painted in the forme of a doue and some times in the forme of fier and clouen tongues D. Not because the holy ghoast hath any corporall forme or shape of him selfe but to represente vnto vs in the doue the holy simplicitie puritie and zeale of those soules vvhich he replenisheth And in the fiery tongues is signified the comminge dovvne of the holy ghoast ten dayes after Christes Ascension vpon his Apostles and disciples vvhome he then filled vvhith all Kinde of Knovvledge vvhich is signified by the light of that fier vvith charitie vvhich is signified by the burninge flames of the same and thirdly vvith eloquence vvhich is signified by the fierie tongues all vvhich vvere necessarie for the publishing and propagation of his gospell M. Novv then declare vnto me the ninth article I beleeue the holy Catholique Church the communion of saintes Hovv doe you beleeue the holy Catholique Church and hovv shall vve be able to distinguishe it froÌ„ all other synagogues and heretical congregations D. I beleeue the Catholique Church as our deare louinge mother vvhich therfore vvill neuer deceive vs and credite her as Christes true spouse vvhich therfore can not erre for the vvhich also saint Paule calleth her the piller and firmament or foundatioÌ„ of truth and to vvhome our Sauiour ascendinge in to heauen promised the holy ghoast to remaine vvith her and to instruct and teache her all truth M. And vvhat signes can you giue me vvhearby I may Knovve vvhich is the Catholique Church D. Those vvhich this holy Creede and the Creede of the counsell of Nice doth put vvhich are infallible and sufficient M. VVhich are those D. These foure Vnam Sanctam The signes of the â—â—â—e Church Catholicam Apostolicom That is to say in English One Holy Catholique and Apostolick To the vvhich vve may adde the fifte Romanam That is the Romaine M. VVhy may not the hereticKes say the same of theyr Church also D. No for they first are not one The first signe One See Vinc. â—yrinens Tertull. Epiphan Philastr Augus Cypr. contra haereses Ephe. 4. versi 5. because they are deuided into many sects and some are Lutherans some Caluinists some Puritans some Protestantes others of the familie of loue and so forth and as Bozius de sig Eccl. recordeth in these fevve yeares since Martin Luther fled
of sinne vvhich might hinder or diminishe the same I say sinne not only Actuall vvhether Mortall or Veniall but not so much as Originall sinne it selfe And vvithall she vvas so plentifully endovved vvith all kinde of vertues and giftes of the holy ghoast in the hyghest degree and had vvroughte so manie and so meritorious vvorkes in Gods sight that she vvas made vvorthie to mounte aboue all the quiers of the Angels both in bodie and soule M. This seemeth much For vvhy then doe you not attribute the same to sainte Steuen and other saintes vvhich are allso sayde to bee full of grace D. The quantitie and aboundance of grace is to be measured by the greatnes of the office and dignitie vvhich God hath called euerie one vnto Novv because the greatest office that euer vvas giuen vnto any pure creature vvas to bee the mother of God therfore our Blessed Ladie vvas made capable and filled vvith greater grace then any other pure creature And so both Saint Steuen and other saintes thoughe neuer so full beinge so farre inferiour in office and dignitie muste needes giue place in comparison of the graces of our blessed Ladie for this is not vnlike to manie vessells vvho allthough they be all full of balme or other like pretious licoure yeat one doth often hould more then an other M. Tell me novv vvhich are the other prayses vvhich you say are comprised in this prayer D. The seconde is in those vvordes Our lord is vvith thee VVhere by vve knovv that God in singular vvise did allvvayes assiste the blessed VirgeÌ„ euen from the first instante of her conception gouerninge keepinge and defendinge her as a moste rich treasure so as she neuer offended in thought vvorde nor deede The thirde is coÌ„teyned in those vvordes Blessed art thou amongeste vve men Because she only amongest all vvomen had that priuiledge to bee both a maide and a mother A mother I say of such a childe vvhich is more vvorthe then a hundred thousand children of other vvomen Albeit she may be sayde allso to be the mother of greate multitudes of children for as much as all good Christians are brothers of Christ and consequently are children of our blessed Ladie thoughe not by generation yeat by tender loue and motherly affection vvhich she beareth tovvardes all The fourth is in those vvordes Blessed is the fruyte of thy vvombe IESVS For as the prayse of the fruyte doth redounde to the tree so the glorie of the childe must much more redouÌ„de to the honoure of the mother And euen as euerie true liuinge tree thoughe it haue once borne fruyte remaineth vvith sufficient vigoure and vertue to beare euerie yeare the like againe so our blessed Ladie as the true tree of lyfe hauinge once borne God as the peculiar fruyte of her vvombe remained still not only vvith sufficient but vvith more aboundaÌ„te grace merite and vertue theÌ„ before to become his mother againe once euerie yeare if so it seemed ether coÌ„uenient to Gods highe vvisedome prouidence or needfull for mans RedeÌ„ption vvhereby it appeareth hovv fitt this similitude is and no vvounder seinge it is no mans but the holy ghoastes invention As contrarievvise those coÌ„parisons are of the deuill vvhich are by her enemies inuented to diminishe her praise and dignitye M. I like this vvell but if our Ladie as before you sayde be in heaueÌ„ both in bodie and soule vvhat Ladie is that vvhich staÌ„des vppoÌ„ the altare in other places of the Church D. It is not our Ladie but her image only by vvhich vve remeÌ„ber her vvhich is in heauen and in that respecte vve doe it honoure and reuerence M. But as there be many images are there allso many Ladies D. No forsooth but one only vvhich is alvvais in heauen M. Hovv then doe Catholique people vse to call vpon our Ladie of Loreto and others our Ladie of Guadalupe or Monserratto or our Ladie of Rhemes or of vvalsingham vvhich are all in diuers countries D. Sir vvee call her so vvith diuers names by reason of the manyfould benifites she doth obtaine for vs by her prayers in those places M. VVhat doe you aske of our blessed Ladie do you peradventure aske forgiuenes of your sinnes or the grace of God or lyfe euerlastinge of her D. No sir For vve aske those thinges of God both her our creatour M. VVhat then do you aske of her vvhen you pray vnto her D. That she vvillbe our aduocate and mediatresse before her blessed childe to obtaine all this for vs. Inuocation of Saintes M. And doe you pray to the saintes in like manner D. Altogeather remembringe allvvayes notvvithstandinge that there is no sainte aequal vnto goddes mother and therfore none that deserueth like honoure and reuerence of all true Christians M. But may a man say the Paâ—â—r Noster or Aue Marie to the honoure or inuocation of any other sainte or Angell D. Yeas doubtles hauinge this intention eyther to pray vnto God that for his saintes or Angels intercessioÌ„ vvho as Christ saith in the gospell doe allvvayes see his fathers face he vvoulde haue mercy on my soule or to craue of the saintes them selues that they vvill offer that prayer I make to God for me M. VVhy vvill God refuse our prayers excepte the saintes doe offer them for vs D. No but he doth the more vvillingey heare them vvhen they are offered vnto him by his frendes vvhich vve because of our sinnes for the most parte are not M. You say vvell for our Sauiour calleth his Apostles frendes euen vvhen they vvere in this vvorlde vvith him but tell me vvhen ought vve principally to recommend our selues vnto them D. Truly at all tymes but especially in our distresse and vpon theyr festiuall dayes M. Holie dayes Reliques of Saintes Vidâ— Basil ho. 26. in MamaÌ„ teÌ„ martyr Euseb libr. 13. de Athan. Ambro in 22. Lucae serm 9 in sancto GeruasiuÌ„ Protasium Chrysost ho. 66. ad populuÌ„ Antio chenum Hieron Ep. 27. ad EustocbiuÌ„ Ep. 53. lib. coÌ„tra VigilaÌ„t Damas. lib. 4. de fide cap. 16 Aug. in ps 88 l. 22. de ciuit c. 8. in ps 110 7. synod act 3 Chrysos de Babyla mart Victor African de persecut Vandalica And vvhat cause may there be vvhy the Church doth keepe theire dayes holy and reuerence theire reliques D. There are many but especially fiue M VVhich are they D. The first is to glorifie God in his saintes seeinge the vvonderfull vvorkes he hath alvvais vvrought by them The seconde because by the honoure vvhich is done them in earthe vve may the better vnderstande the glorie they enioy in heauen The thirde that thereby knovvinge they re liues and vertue vve may be exhorted to imitate and follovve they re exaÌ„ple fith they vvere mortall men as vve are The fourth to encrease our deuotion tovvardes God by bearinge affectioÌ„ and loue vnto such vvorthy intercessors The fift because our mother the holy Church vvill
so that vvhichsoeuer of these three fayle the mariage or matrimonye vvere not validous or effectuall M. 1. Corinth 7. And vvhich is better to marye or to be a Virgen D. Sainte Paule hath allreadye resolued this quaestion sayenge that he vvhich ioyneth him selfe in mariage doth vvell but he vvhich doth not vvith intente to keepe his virginitie doth better and the reason is because allthoughe matrimonie be a Sacramente and represente the inseparable vnion of CHRISTE and his Churche vvhich is the cause that there is no povvre vppon earthe to dispense or gyue leaue for those that are once lavvfullye vnited to chaunge for an other be it man Math. 13. Ambros libr. 1. de virg be it vvoman yeat in effecte matrimonye is but a humayne thinge but virginitye is a thinge Angelicall Matrimonie is accordinge to nature but virginitye is aboue nature and not only virginitye but vvidovvhoad it selfe is better then matrimonye as diuers of the holye fathers affirme expoundinge that parable of oure Sauiour of the good seed Cypr. de babitu virg Hieron lib. 1. coÌ„t IouiniaÌ„ Augu de seruaÌ„d virg c. 44. vvhich fructified some thirtie vvhich they applye to mariage some threescore vvhich they referre to vvidovves and some a hundreth vvhich they accommodate to virginitie M. And vvhich of these Sacramentes is the principall D. The Reall presence Vide Ignat. ad Smyrnens Theodor. Dialogo 3. Areopag lib. de Eccles Hierarch c. de Euch. Iustin Apolog. 2. Irenae lib 4 c. 32. Origen hom 9. in Leuit Athan. â—rat de fide ex Theodor. Dia logo 2. Euseb Emyss hom de corpore D. Basil in regulis breu 171. Epiph in Anchorat Theophil Alex. l. 2. de pasch Ambr. l. 4. de sacram c. 5. Hieron q. 2. ad HedibiaÌ„ Aug. in ps 33 98. Bern. serm de Caenae D. Chrysost ho. 83. in Mat. Hilari l. 8. de Trini Tertul. l. 4. coÌ„tr Marcion Damas l. 4. de fide Orthodoxa c. 14 Conc. Nicen. EphesinuÌ„ Trident cit Goinge to Haereticall Churches Sir the blessed Sacrament of Euchariste or Communion because in it vve do not onely receaue the grace of God as in other Sacramentes but allso the true body of Christe him selfe beinge really present true God and maÌ„ vnder the visible forme of bread transubstantiated into his body vvho is the fountayne of all grace and goodnes M. VVhat ought a Catholique man to doe to be deuoute vnto this blessed Sacrament D. Three thinges first to visite the same euery day once in the morninge and once at night before he goe to bed secondly to receaue it often vvith reuerence beinge first confessed and coÌ„minge fastinge vnto it Thirdly to accompanye it allvvayes vvhen it goeth abroad M. VVhat difference is there betvvene our communion and that of the heretikes D. Very great as can be for ours beinge a Sacramente theyres is none at all nor gyueth any grace nor hath any goodnes in in it beinge a naked elemente of this vvorld and nothinge but bread and vvine onely and vvhosoeuer honoureth the same coÌ„mitteth ydolatry and sinneth deadly to receaue it M. God forbid then that any Catholique should communicate vvith them in any such a false and fayned Sacramente and do you thinke it is lavvfull to goe to theire Churches vvith them D. In no case for Sainte Paule teacheth vs that there is no communication of light and darknes of the table of God and the table of the diuell nor of Christ and Belial For vvhat els are they re Sacramentes but the calues of Samaria and they re Churches but the altares of diuision and they re ministers but the priestes of Hieroboam meere lay and saeculare persons and by saeculare povvre erected againste the vnion trueth and honoure of true Solomons temple CHRISTES Catholique Churche and doctrine and I pray you vvhat proportion or comparison is theire betvvixte the dignitie of the honourable order and vnction of Melchisedech and the letters patentes of Queen Elzabeth to make a Bishoppe M. VVhy Haeretiques Christes enemies doe you make them to deny Christ allso D. In vvordes they confesse him but in effect they vtterly deny him and his kingdome M. Hovv so D. Because his kingdome is the Churche partly in heauen triumphante partly in earth militante partly vnder the earth patience from vvhence they take avvay Limbus Patrum Limbus Puerorum and Purgatory and so leaue him nothinge but hell vppon earth they corrupte and dismember his holy Scripture they pull dovvne his Ymages Altares and Churches they abhorre and abolish the signe of the Crosse like as diuells doe they deny his spouse the Church and mother of truth they take avvay her Sacramentes they hate Goddes chiefe Vicare and lieutenaunt generall vppon earth and call him Antichrist they despise all her Doctoures and auncient fathers they bannish all good vvorkes of penaunce and perfection all orders of Religion and Christes holy bodie and bloode in the holy sacrifice of the Masse they blaspheme and throvv out of they re Churches In heauen they blaspheme his saintes and refuse to praye vnto them or to his blessed mother they rejecte the helpe of his Aungels and as much as in them lyeth they take avvay all reliques and venerable memories of his honourable seruantes I pray you vvhat haue they lefte him or vvhat remaynes next but to deny him or his father as many of them doe daylye more and more degeneratinge into atheisme the more is the pitie M. Truly so it is and you haue reason therfore to auoyde all communication vvith them in thinges belonginge to Gods seruice euen as for bodylie health you vvoulde fly the plague for there is the chayre of spirituall pestilence But tell me vvhat els remayneth to be fayde of the Christian doctrine D. There remayne to rehearse the vvorkes of mercy corporall VVorkes of Mercy and spirituall M. VVhich be they D. The vvorkes of mercy corporall are seuen First Mat. 25. Tob 12. to feed the hungry 2. To gyue drinke to the thirsty 3. To cloath the naked 4. To visite the sicke and imprisoned 5. To lodge pilgrimes 6. To redeeme captiues 7. To burie the dead M. And vvhat are the spirituall D. First To geue good counsell in doubtfull cases 2. To teach the ignorant 3. To comfort the sorovvfull 4. To correct or directe those that erre 5. To pardon injuries 6. To haue patience vvith our neyghbours fraylty or imperfections 7. To pray for the liuinge and dead M. Haue you learned any cause vvhich may excuse a man from obligation of these vvorckes of mercye D. Three causes I haue hearde doe excuse the first for vvante of abilitie as he vvhich lacketh knovvledge can not gyue counsell and Lazarus coulde not gyue almes but take them onely God so disposinge that the riche procure to saue they re soules by the vvay of mercye and the poore by the vvay of patience the second is vvhen there is no importante or notable necessitye for vvee
folovveth that vve desire to fulfill his holy vvill and pleasure the thirde is knovvledge because he vvhich is desirous to doe Gods vvill craueth at Gods handes the knovvledge of his commaundementes God by diuers meanes as good bookes and preachers and holy inspirations doth teache him vvhat is necessarie The fourth is fortitude because he that desireth and knovveth hovv to doe Gods vvill and serue him findeth allso manye difficulties and tentations of the fleshe the vvorlde and the diuell and so by this gifte is strenghthened againste them and ouercometh The fifte is Counsell vvherevvith the enemies crafte is encountred and vanquished becausâ— he vseth vviles vvhen forces fayle him The sixth is Vnderstandinge because a man beinge vvell practized in action God dravveth him forvvarde to contemplation and teacheth him to vnderstande and penetrate the diuine Mysteries The seuenth is Sapience or vvisedome vvhich is the toppe of perfection because he is truelye vvise vvhich after he coÌ„meth by contemplatioÌ„ to knovve the prime cause of all thinges vvhich is God addeth therevnto charitie vvherevvith he ordaineth all his actions and directeth them vnto God as the finall ende and â—omplement of all thinges M. VVhat and hovv manye are the beatitudes or blessinges vvhich CHRISTE hath taughte vs D. Beatitudes The beatitudes are eyght 1. Blessed are the poore in spirite for theirs is the kingdome of heauen 2. Blessed are the meeke for they shall possesse the earthe 3. Blessed are they vvhich mourne for they shall be comforted 4. Blessed are they vvhich hunger and thirst after justice foâ— they shall be satisfied 5. Blessed are the mercyfull for they shall finde mercye 6. Blessed are the cleane of harte for they shall see God 7. Blessed are the peaceable foâ— they shall be called the childreâ— of God 8. Blessed are they vvhich suffer persecution for justice sake for theyres is the kingdome of heauen M. This seemeth such an other ladder of lyfe as vvas that of the gyftes of the holy ghoaste can you tell me the manner of it allso D. Yea sir for in the firste three steppes or degrees our Sauioure teacheth vs to take avvay the impedimentes of perfection vvhich leadeth vs to true beatitude and these impedimentes vvhich are ordinarie and generall in this life are firste the desires of riches againste vvhich is the voluntarie contempte of them signified in the firsth beatitude the seconde of honoure againste vvhich is meekenes the seconde beatitude vvhich teacheth vs to yealde to all men and flye emulation the thirde is of pleasure againste vvhich is penaunce and sorovv of our sinnes vvith contempte of this vvorlde insinuated in the thirde beatitude In the other tvvo next folovvinge is putte dovvne the perfection of actiue lyfe vvhich consisteth in justice and mercie aâ— it is playne in the fourth and fifth beatitude In the tvvo lastâ— folovveth the perfection of lyfe contemplatiue vvhich is taught in the sixth beatitude to consiste in cleanes of harte and in the peace of our soules vvhich is prescribed in the seuenth because then is the kingedomâ— of our soules at reste and trulye pacificall vvhen to contemplation is ioyned perfecte charitie vvhich maketh vs true children of God and like vntâ— him The eyghth as Sainte Austeâ— saith is indeed no nevv degrâ—â— of perfection but it declareth vnto vs a manifeste signe to knovve that partie vvhich is arriued to perfection that is to say to suffer vvillingelie persecution and affliction for as the goulde is tryed in the fornace so is the juste man prooued in tribulation by vvhich he is aftervvardes exalted in lyfe euerlastinge accordinge to the measure and quantitie of that vvhich he hath suffered vvhich is one of the principall causes vvhy God hath permitted so many persecut ons in his Churche giuinge to his dearest frendes most occasions to imitate him in this as to vvhom he hath allotted greater participation of his glorie and majestie in heauen and all these comfortable beatitudes so recoÌ„mended vnto vs by oure Sauioure vvere neuer vnderstood eyther of the vayne philosophers of oulde tyme or the licentious heretiques in all ages vvho putte they re felicitie in farre differente matters M. And vvhich are the foure laste thinges D. The nouissima The foure laste thinges are these death judgement or doomes day hell and heauen M. Haue you any good pointes coÌ„cerninge these thinges in store to helpe youre deuotion accordinge to that of the vvise man Remember thy laste thinges Eccl. c. 7. ver 40. and thou shalt neuer sinne D. I haue Sir of death these three pointes of consideration The firste that it is moste certayne and no man can escape it Thâ— seconde that the hovvre theroâ— is most vncertayne and manye dye vvhen they leastâ— thinke of it Thirdlye that iâ— death all designementes expâ—â—â— and euerie man repentes him oâ— all thinges amisse committed or om tted Of judgemente other three first that it is of the moste importante thinge of all other that is lyfe oâ— death aeternall 2. The judge shall be such a one vvhich knovveth all things and no man can auoyde his sentence or resiste his povvre and execution 3. It shall be in the sight of the vvhole vvorlde so as no man can hyde him selfe Of hell that it is so large as it comprehendeth all kinde of tormentes that can be ymagined so longe thrt it shall neuer haue ende so deepe that there shall be no kinde of comforte to mitigate the bitternes of those paynes Of heauen 3. other directelie coÌ„trarie to those of hell to be in ioy pleasure vnspeakable aeternall moste comfortable vvithout mixture of any griefe or sorovv to vvhich vve may adde that the ioyes of this presents lyfe are alvvayes litle shorte and fevv yeat mingled vvith manye miseries as on the other side the vvoes of this vvorlde are allso fevv shorte and litle and mixte vvith some kinde of consolation so as vve may vvell conclude that they are cleane out of they re vvittes vvhich for loue of the commodities of this lyfe or feare of presente tribulation leese the title they haue to future comforte or fall into aeternall damnation from vvhich God deliuer vs. Amen M. VVhich are the fifteen Mysteries of the Rosarie The. 15. Mysteries of the Rosarie ⧠D. There are fiue vvhich ⧠are called ioyfull vvhich are these 1. The AnnuntiatioÌ„ of the AuÌ„gell 2. The Visitation of Sainte Elizabeth 3. The Natiuitie of our Lorde 4. His Presentation in the TeÌ„ple 5. His Disputinge beinge a childe vvith the Doctors ⧠Other fiue are called ⧠sorovvfull 1. The firste is Christes prayer in the garden 2. His VVhippinge at the Piller 3. His Crovvninge vvith thornes 4. His Caryenge of the Crosse 5. His Crucifienge and death ⧠Other fiue are called ⧠Glorious 1. The Resurrection of oure Lorde 2. His Ascension 3. The Cominge of the holye ghoaste 4. The Assumption of our B. Ladye 5. Her Crovvninge aboue all AuÌ„gells M. And vvhat is the Rosarie or beades can you