of Col. ch 3. v. 22. Servants saith S. Paul obey in all things your Masters according to the flesh not serving the eye as pleasing men but in simplicity of heart as pleasing God Q. How doe Servants sin against their Masters A. By neglecting their commands stealing or spoiling their goods c. The fifth Commandement Expounded Q. WHat is the fifth Commandement A. Thou shalt not kill Q. What is prohibited by this Precept A. All murther unjust shedding of bloud fighting and quarrelling Q. Is it lawfull to kill in no case A. Yes in a just Warre or when publike Justice requireth it for the Magistrate beareth not the Sword without cause Rom. ch 13. v. 4. As also in the blamelesse defence of our owne or our innocent neighbours life against an unjust Invader Q. Is it lawfull to fight Duells appointing a set time and place for private Interest or Puntilio's of honour A. No by no meanes for the Church hath forbidden it under Excommunication to be incurred Ipso facto and such as die in Duells can neither have Christian buriall nor be prayed for by the Church Q. How prove you all fighting and quarrelling to be unlawfull A. Out of S. Mat. ch 5. v. 39. You have heard saith Christ that it was said of old an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth but I say unto you not to resist evill but if any one strike thee on the right cheeke turn to him also the other Q. What else is forbidden by this Precept A. To seeke wish or desire our owne or any other mans death out of impatience or passion or to cause women with child to miscarry The sixth Commandement Expounded Q. WHat is the sixth Commandement A. Thou shalt not commit Adultery Q. What is prohibited by this Precept A. All carnall sinne with another mans wife or another womans husband and chiefly Adultery as also Fornication and Pollution Q. How prove you Fornication and Pollution to be mortalls sins A. Out of Col. ch 3. v. 5. Mortifie therefore saith S. Paul your members upon earth fornication uncleannesse and Avarice which are the service of Idolls for which the wrath of God cometh upon the Children of Infidelity Q. In what case is it lawfull for a man to dismisse his wife A. In case of evident Adultery or Fornication Q. Can he that hath so dismissed his wife marry another during her life A. He cannot for he that dismisseth his wife and marrieth another he committeth Adultery S. Mar. ch 10. v. 11. and in S. Luk. ch 16. v. 18. we read be that marrieth her that is so dismissed committeth Adultery Q. Why is Adultery a farre greater sin then Fornication A. Because it is a great injury to our innocent neighbour as also to to the Sacrament of Matrimony Q. How prove you that a Wife so dismissed from her husband cannot marrie againe during her husbands life A. Out of 1 Cor. ch 7. v. 10 11. To those that are married saith he not I give commandement but the Lord that the wife depart not from her husband and if she depart to remaine unmarried And v. 39. A woman saith he is bound to the Law so long time as her husband liveth but if her husband sleepe that is be dead she is at liberty let her marrie to whom she will Q. What else is forbidden by this Precept A. Whoredome Incest Sacriledge and sin against Nature Q. Why is lust hatefull in the sight of God A. Because it defileth in us the Image of God the Member of Christ and the Temple of the Holy Ghost Q. What more is here prohibited A. Unchast touching of our selves or others with all delight in lustfull thoughts and kisses Q. What is the hire of unlawfull lust A. Death and damnation For Neither fornicators nor adulterers nor the effeminate that is such as defile themselves with voluntary pollution shall possesse the kingdome of God 1. Cor. ch 6. v. 10. The seventh Commandement expounded Q. WHat is the seventh Commandement A. Thou shalt not steale Q. What is forbidden by this Precept A. All unjust taking away or detaining of that which is another mans Q. How many kinds of theft be there A. Three kinds simple Theft which is a secret taking away of that which is another mans Rapine which is a violent open taking away or keeping of that which is another mans and Sacriledge which is a stealing of sacred things or out of sacred places Q. When is Theft a mortall sin A. When the thing stollen is of a considerable value or causeth any notable hurt unto our neighbour Q. How prove you that A. Out of 1 Cor. ch 6. v. 10. where we read that neither Theeves nor covetous men nor Extortioners shall possesse the Kingdome of God Q. What doth a sin of Theft oblige us to A. To make restitution of the thing stollen to the right owner if we be able otherwise the sin will not be forgiven us Q. What else is here prohibited A. All Vsury Bribery Cozenage in gaming and unjust gaine by buying or selling Q. What is Vsury A. It is a studious will to receive something by a legall contract above the principall immediately out of the consideration of loan Q. How prove you Vsury and Bribery to be great sins A. Out of the 14. Psal where we read O Lord who shall dwell in thy Tabernacle or who shall rest in thy holy Mountaine he that hath not given his money to use nor taken Bribes upon the innocent man Q. How are rich men soonest brought to beggery A. By mingling other mens goods amongst their owne Q. How do men generally sinne against this Precept A. Princes by imposing unjust Taxes on their Subjects Subjects by not paying their due Taxes to their Princes Buyers and Sellers by deceitfull weights and measures or by exceeding the just price Masters by defrauding Servants of their wages and Servants by imbezelling their Masters goods The eighth Commandement Expounded Q. WHat is the eighth Commandement A. Thou shalt not beare false witnesse against thy neighbour Q. What is prohibited by this Precept A. All false testimonies rash judgements and lies Q. Why is false witnesse so great a sinne A. Because it is against the justice of God and our neighbour Q. How prove you that corrupt judgement is a great sin A. Out of Isa ch 5. where we read Woe be to you that call evill good that justifie the impious man for bribes and rob the just man of his justice for as fire devoureth the stubble so shall the root of these men be ashes Q. Why is rash judgement a great sinne A. Because it robbeth God of his Judgement and our Neighbour of his good Name Doe not ye judge saith S. Paul and ye shall not be judged of our Lord 1 Cor. ch 11. v. 31. Q. Why is it a sin to lie A. Because the Devill is a liar and the Father of lies S. Joh. ch 8. v. 44. Q. What else is prohibited by this
reward of our good workes A. It is according to Rom. ch 7. v. 6. 7. where we read that God will render to every one according to his works to them truly that according to patience in good works seek glory and honor and incorruption life everlasting c. Q. Were all men created for everlasting life A. They were for God would have all men to be saved 1 Tim. ch 2. v. 4. he willeth not the death of any sinner but rather that he be converted live Q. Why then are many damned A. By reason of their own wilfull transgression of Gods Law and finall impenitence Q. How prove you that man is the free cause of his owne sin and damnation A. Out of Ioh. ch the 24. v. 23. God saith he hath given him place for Penance but he abuseth it unto pride Q. What other proof have you A. Out of Hos ch 13. v. 9. Thy perdition is from thy selfe O Israel in me onely is thy aid Q. What other yet A. Out of Rom. ch 2. v. 4. The benignity of God calleth thee to repentance but thou heapest to thy self wrath and indignation according to thy own impenitent heart Q. In what consisteth everlasting life A. In the cleare vision and fruition of God according to that of our Saviour in S. Joh. ch 17 v. 3. this is life everlasting that they know thee the onely true God and whom thou hast sent Jesus Christ Q. Shall we see nothing else in Heaven but God A. Yes all the Attributes and Processions of God and in him also as in a mirrour or looking-glasse the natures and perfections of all Creatures for he containeth all things in himselfe in a most eminent manner Q. How prove you that A. Out of the Apostle saying from whom all things by whom all things in whom all things Q. What effect will follow out of the cleare vision and fruition of God A. Divine love stedfast possession and ineffable joy and out of that praise jubilation and thanksgiving for ever Q. What meaneth the word Amen A. It meaneth that the whole Creed is divine truth and therefore we must heartily assent unto it CHAP. IIII. Hope and Prayer Explicated Q. WHat is Hope A. It is a Vertue infused by God into the soule by which we have a confident expectation of Blisse and Glory to be obtained by the grace and merits of Christ and our owne merits proceeding from his Grace Q. On what is that confidence chiefly grounded A. On the merits and promises of Christ who hath promised glory to such as hope in him and do good workes as also grace whereby to do them Q. Are our good workes then meritorious of a reward of glory A. As proceeding from the grace of Christ and built upon his promises they are Q. How prove you that A. Out of S. Mark ch 9. v. 41. where we read for whosoever shall give you to drinke a cup of water in my Name because you are Christs Amen I say to you he shall not lose his reward Q. What other proof have you A. Out of 1 Cor. ch 3. v. 9. where wee read and every one shall receive his own reward according to his owne labour for we are Gods coadjutors Q. What other yet A. Out of S. Mat. ch 5. v. 12. Blessed are ye saith our Lord when they shall revite and persecute you for very great is your reward in heaven Q. Is it lawfull for us to do good workes in hope of a reward A. Not onely lawfull but laudable according to that I have inclined my heart to doe thy justications for ever for a reward Psa 118. v. 112. Q. What other proof have you A. Out of 1 S. Joh. ch 3. v. 22. Whatsoever saith he we shall aske of God we shall receive of him because we keep his Commandements and do those things that are pleasing before him Q. How declare you the necessity of Hope A. Because it produces in us obedience to the Law of God as also a willingnesse to suffer for his sake and finall perseverance Q. How prove you that A. Out of Iob ch 13. v. 15. Although he kill me saith Job yet will I hope in him and Psal 55. v. 5. In God have I hoped I will not fear what flesh can doe unto me Q. Is Hope availeable to the remission of sinnes A. It is according to that of the Psalmist for him that hopeth in our Lord mercy shall incompasse And againe Our Lord is well pleased in them that hope and trust in his mercy Psa 146. v. 11. Q. What is the principall Act of Hope Devout and humble prayer Q. What is Prayer A. It is a lifting up of the mind to God by which we beg for good things and to be freed from evills or by which we blesse and praise God Q. What are the conditions of good Prayer A. That it be made with reverence attention humility and perseverance Q. What vices are opposite Hope A. Despaire and Presumption Q. What is Despaire A. It is a diffidence in the power of God and merits of Christ as if they were not of force enough to save us Q. What is Presumption A. It is a foolish and desperate confidence of salvation without endeavouring to live well or keep the Commandements Q. How is Despaire the cause of sinne A. Because despairing men are wont to say if I shall be damned I shall be damned and so use no endeavour to doe good or avoid evill Q. How is Presumption the cause of sin A. Because presumptuous men are wont to say God is mercifull and will forgive our sins how great soever and at what time soever we doe penance and out of this take liberty to sin Q. How must our hope be ballanced betwixt these two extremes A. By filiall feare and an humble distrust of our owne workes as they are ours Q. Is Prayer good against both these A. It is according to that of S. Luke Pray ye that so ye may not fall into temptation ch 22. v. 40. Q. For what else availeth Prayer A. For the avoiding of all evills and the obtaining of all benefits Q. How prove you that A. Out of S. Joh. ch 16. v. 23. Whatsoever saith our Saviour ye shall aske my Father in my Name he will give it you and in Luk. ch 11. Ask and it shall be given to you c. Q. Is it lawfull to pray in an unknowne Tongue A. It is for he that speaketh in a Tongue to wit unknowne speaketh not to men but to God 1 Cor. ch 14. v. 2. and a Petition hath the same force if it be understood by him that is petitioned whether the Petitioner understand it or not Q. What other proofe have you A. Out of the same Ch. v. 16 17. where S. Paul saith but if thou blesse in Spirit that is in a Tongue unknowne he that supplyeth the place of the vulgar how shall he say Amen c. thou indeed givest thanks well but the
it numbered in the Deealouge which are the Commandements of God and of the Law of Nature A. Because the substance or chief part of it namely That a day be set apart for the service of God is of divine Right and of the Law of Nature though the determinating of this particular Day Sunday rather then Saturday be a Church Ordinance and Precept Q. Did not Christ when he confirmed the rest confirme also this Commandement A. Inasmuch as it belonged to the Law of Nature he did but not as it belonged to the Ceremoniall Law of the Iewes and was affixed to Saturday therefore now we are not bound to keep the Saturday Q. Why so I pray you A. Because that particular Day was a Command of the Ceremoniall Law of the Jewes which was abrogated and ceased to oblige after the death of Christ. Q. To what are we obliged by this Precept A. To spend the Sunday in Prayer and Divine Service Q. What is the best meanes to sanctifie the Sunday A. By hearing of Masse confessing our sinnes communicating hearing Sermons and reading good Books Q. What is forbidden by this Precept A. All prophane imployments and servile labours excepting such as are of necessity as dressing meat serving cattell c. or such as appertaine to Piety and the Works of Mercy Q. Who are they that break this Commandement A. Such as without necessity spend any considerable part of the Sunday in servile labours Q. How els is the Sunday prophaned A. By spending all the morning in lazy lying in bed or vaine attiring our selves by missing Divine Service when we may heare it or spending the greatest part of the day in drinking gaming dancing or the like Q. Is there any thing now in this first Table of the Law impossible to be observed A. No certainly for nothing can be more easie and delightfull to the true lover of God then to doe all things that are here commanded The second Table of the Law The fourth Commandement Expounded Q. WHat is the fourth Commandement A. Honour thy Father and thy Mother Q. What are we commanded by this Precept A. To love reverence obey and relieve our Parents in their wants Q. Why to love them A. Because under God they are the chiefe causes of our very Life and being and doe not only bring us forth with much griefe and paine but also bring us up with much love labour and solicitude Q. How are we bound to reverence them A. Not only inwardly in our hearts but also outwardly in our carriage and comportment Q. Why to obey them A. Because they are Gods Vicegerents and have received power from him from whom is all Paternity in Heaven and Earth both to direct us instruct us and correct us Q. In what things are we bound to obey our Parents A. In all that is not sinne according to that Children obey your Parents in all things for that is well pleasing unto God Col. c. 3. v. 21. Q. What is prohibited by this Precept A. All sowernesse stubbornnesse and disobedience to Parents Q. What is the reward of dutifull children A. A long and happy life good children if they marry and a good death Q. What is the reward of undutifull ones A. A short and sinfull life accompanied with an untimely death witnesse the example of Absolon 2 King ch 18. v. 14. Q. What other proofe have you A. That of the Proverbs The eye which lowres on parents shall be pluckt out with Crowes and Eagles Q. What signifies the word Father A. It signifies not onely our corporall Parents but also our Ghostly Fathers and all lawfull Superiours Q. What do we owe to Ghostly Fathers A. Love reverence obedience and sustenance Q. Why love A. Because they are the Fathers and Feeders of our soules and under God and his Saints the instrumentall causes of all our spirituall goods According to the flesh saith S. Paul you have many fathers but in the Gospell I have begotten you Q. Why reverence A. Because they are Gods Anointed and represent the person of Christ Q. Why obedience A. Because God hath appointed them to be our spirituall Pastors Guides and Governours Q. In what are we bound to obey them A. In all things belonging to Faith and Doctrine and the government of our soules Q. Is any great honour due to Priests and Ghostly Fathers A. There is according to that of S. Paul The Priests that rule well let them be deemed worthy of double honour especially they that labour in the Word and Doctrine 1 Tim. ch 5. v. 17. Q. How may wee sin against Priests and Ghostly Fathers A. By disobeying or detracting them or believing slanderous reports against them upon meer hear-say or the testimony of insufficient witnesses or without witnesse Q. What testimony is sufficient against a Priest A. I will tell you out of S. Pauls mouth Against a Priest saith he to Timothy the Bishop of Ephesus receive not an accusation under two or three witnesses 1 Tim. ch 5. v. 19. And v. the 21. I testifie before God and Iesus Christ that thou keepe these things without prejudice and do nothing by declining to the one part Q. Is it convenient to ask a Blessing of Priests A. It is because they give it in the name and Person of Christ Q. What warrant have you for it A. Out of S. Mark ch 10. v. 17. where Christ laying his hands upon the Children blessed them Q. What other proof have you A. The example of Melchizedek blessing Abraham upon which S. Paul saith For without all contradiction that which is lesse is blessed of the better Heb. ch 7. v. 6. Q. What Scripture have you for obedience to Priests A. Heb. the last ch v. 17. where we read Obey the Prelates and be subject to them for they watch as being to render an account for the soules And in the old Law disobedience to the Priest was punished with death Deut. ch 17. v. 12. Q. In what are we bound under sin to obey Princes and temporall Magistrates A. In all things which are not sin belonging to the good and peace of the Kingdom or Common-wealth Q. How prove you that A. Out of Rom. ch 13. v. 12. where we read Let every soule be subject to the higher Powers for there is no Power but of God he therefore that resisteth Power resisteth the Ordinance of God Q. What other proof have you A. Out of 1 S. Pet. ch 2. v. 14 15. Be ye subject saith he to every creature for God whether to the King as excelling or to Magistrates as sent by him to the revenge of Malefactors Q. What if Kings or Magistrates command us to do sin or things against our consciences A. Then we must answer them with the Apostles we must obey God rather then men Act. ch 5. v. 25. Q. In what are Servants bound to obey their Masters A. In all things that are not sin belonging to their charge Q. How prove you that A. Out
translated from death to life because we love the Brethren Ep. 1. ch 3. v. 14. CHAP. VIII Concerning the Commandements in generall Q. WHat is the principall aime or end of the Commandements A. To teach us the will and pleasure of the eternall God or the love of God and of our neighbour he that hath loved hath fulfilled the Law Rom. ch 3. v. 9. Q. Why are the Commandements excepting the determination of the Sabbath day called the Commandements of the Law of nature A. Because God wrote them in the heart of man at his creation being the very Dictates of naturall reason Q. When did he renew them in the written Law A. When he gave them to Moses on Mount Sina in Thunder and Lightning written in two Tables of stone Exod. ch 20. Q. Why in Thunder and Lightning A. To move us to a carefull observance of them Q. Are all men bound to know the Commandements A. For the substance of them they are because they are the rule of our whole life and actions Q. How doe you prove them to be but only ten A. Out of Deut. ch 3. v. 13. where we read And he shewed you his Covenant which he commanded you to do and the ten words which he wrote in the two Tables of stone Q. By what kind of sins are the Commandements broken A. By Mortall sins onely for Veniall sins are not contrary to the end of the Commandements which is Charity and therefore not against properly speaking but beside the Commandements Q. How declare you that A. Because a Veniall sin for example an idle word an officious or jesting lie which hurteth no body and the theft of a pin or an apple is not of weight enough to break Charity betwixt man and man much lesse betwixt God and man Q. Is it possible for us to keep all the Commandements A. Not onely possible but necessary and easie by the assistance of Gods grace Q. How declare you that A. Because God is no Tyrant to command impossibilities under pain of eternall damnation as he doth the keeping of his Commandements Q. How prove you that A. Out of Exod. ch 20. 34. and out of Deut. c. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. where he often commandeth them to be kept threatning grievous punishments to such as break them Q. What other proof have you A. Out of S. Matth. ch 5. v. 20. where we read He therefore that shall breake one of these least Commandements and teach men so to doe he shall be called least in the Kingdome of heaven but he that shall doe and teach them he shall be called great in the Kingdome of heaven Q. What other yet A. Out of S. Matth. ch 11. v. 30. Take up my yoke upon you saith our Lord for my yoke is sweet and my burthen light Q. Hath God ever promised to inable men to keep them A. He hath and also actually to make them keep and do them Q. How prove you that A. Out of Ezek. ch 36. v. 27. where we read I will put my Spirit in the middle of you saith our Lord and I will make that ye walke in my Precepts and keep my judgements and doe them Q. What other place have you A. Out of Ezek. ch 37. v. 24. They shall be my people saith the Lord and I will be their God there shall be one Pastor of them all they shall walke in my Iudgements and keep my Commandements and do them Q. How doe you prove that any have ever kept them A. Out of S. Luke ch 1. v. 6. where we read That Zachary and Elizabeth were both just before God walking in all the Commandements and Iustifications of our Lord without reproofe Q. How prove you the keeping of them to be necessary to salvation A. Out of S. Mat. ch 19. v. 17. If thou wilt enter into life saith our Lord keep the Commandements Q. What other proofe have you A. Out of S. Luke ch 10. v. 25. 28. where when the Lawyer had asked what he should doe to possesse everlasting life and had repeated the sum of the Commandements Christ answered him saying Doe this and thou shalt live Q. What other yet A. Out of Rom. ch 2. v. 13. where we read not hearers of the Law but doers of the Law shall be justified Of the Commandements in particular The first Commandement Expounded Q. WHat is the first Commandement A. I am thy Lord thy God thou shalt not have any strange Gods before me thou shalt not make to thy selfe any graven thing to adore it Q. What are we commanded by this Precept A. To serve love adore and worship but one only true living and Eternall God and no more Q. What are we forbidden by this Precept A. To worship any Creature for a God or give it the Honour which is due to God Q. What is the Honour due to God A. Supreme and Soveraigne Honor that which is called by Divines LATRIA We must honour him as the great master of Life and Death as our Creator Redeemer Conserver and Last End Q. How doe men sin against this Commandement A. By worshipping Idolls and false gods By erring or doubting in Faith By Superstitions and Witchcraft Q. How else A. By going to Church with Infidels or Heretikes by beleeving Dreames c. Q. How doe you prove it a great sin to goe to Church with Heretikes A. Because by so doing we outwardly deny our Faith and professe their false Faith at least in our Country where going to Church is by the Lawes of the Land made a distinctive signe betwixt Catholikes and Novellists Q. What Scripture have you against it A. Out of S. Luke c. 17. v. 22. where Christ forbiddeth it saying And they will say to you Loe here Christ Loe there Christ goe yee not neither doe yee follow them Q. What other proof have you A. Out of Titus c. 3. v. 10. 11. A man that is an Heretike saith hee avoyd knowing that hee that is such an one is subverted and sinneth Q. How doe you prove it unlawfull to go to Witches and Fortune-tellers A. Out of Deut. ch 10. v. 10 11. where we read Let there not be found in thee any that demandeth of Southsayers and observeth dreames neither let there be a Witch or Enchanter or that consulteth with the Devill for all these things our Lord abhorreth Q. What understand you by those words Thou shalt not make to thy self any graven thing to adore it A. I understand that we must not make Idolls nor Images nor any graven thing whatsoever to adore it as a God or with Gods honour Q. Why are not these words expressed in many of our short Catechismes A. Because they are sufficiently included in the precedent words Thou shalt not have any strange or other Gods before me Q. How declare you that A. Because if we must have no other but one onely true living and uncreated God who created heaven and earth then it is cleare to the reason
42. Q. What other yet A. Out of Acts ch 8. v. 29 38. where the Ethiopian Eunuch going on Pilgrimage to Hierusalem was in his return converted and baptized on the way by S. Philip so pleasing was his Pilgrimage to God Finally because it was foretold by the Prophets that those places which Christ sanctified by his Passion should be places of great Pilgrimage and adoration We will adore saith David in the place where his feet have stood Psal 131. And in Isa ch 11. v. 10. we read To him shall the Gentiles pray and his sepulcher shall be glorious Q. How do you prove it lawfull to goe on Pilgrimage to the Shrines of Saints A. Because as you have heard already their Reliques are holy and venerable things and God is pleased to work great Cures and Miracles by them for such as are devout honourers of them Q. Is there any power now in the Church to do Miracles A. There is according to that unlimited promise of Christ Them that believe in me these signes shall follow in my name they shall cast out Devills they shall speake with new tongues they shall lay hands upon the sicke and they shall be whole S. Mat. ch 19. v. 17 18. Q. Have these things beene done in latter Ages A. They have and are as you may see in the unquestionable Histories and Records of all Catholique Countries where many great Miracles wrought by the Servants of God and especially at the Pilgrimages and Shrines of Saints are yearly registred under the Depositions of eye-witnesses men above all exceptions which cannot be denied unlesse we may deny all Historie Q. Why then do the pretended Reformers say that Miracles are ceased A. Because they and their Sect-Masters have never yet beene able to do any in confirmation of their Errours Q. Why are so few done here in England A. By reason of the incredulity of Sectaries Q. What necessity is there of the Beliefe of Miracles A. Doubtlesse very great because the Beliefe of Miracles well grounded makes men extremely apprehensive of the presence of God and his immediate Government of humane affaires so that he who absolutely denieth miracles is to be suspected of not believing particular Providence which is the maine string on which all Christianity dependeth The second Commandement Expounded Q. WHat is the second Commandement A. Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vaine Q. What is forbidden by this Precept A. All false rash and unnecessary Oaths Q. What kind of sinnes are false and rash Oaths A. Mortall sinnes if they be voluntary and deliberate because by such Oaths we call God to witnesse to a lie or at least to that which is uncertaine Q. What are the necessary conditions of a lawfull Oath A. Truth that we hurt not Gods Honour justice that we wrong not our neighbour and judgement that we sweare not vainly Q. What is a just cause of an Oath A. Gods Honour our owne or our neighbours lawfull good and defence Q. If a man Sweare to do that which is evill is he bound to keepe his Oath A. No He is bound not to keepe it for an Oath is no bond of iniquity Q. How prove you a vaine or jesting Oath to be a sinne A. Out of S. Matth. ch 5. v. 34. It was said of old saith our Lord Thou shalt not commit perjury But I say unto you not to sweare at all that is without just cause Q. What other proofe have you A. Out of S. Iames. ch 5. v. 12. But above all things saith he sweare ye not neither by Heaven nor earth nor any other Creature But let your talke be yea yea no no that yee fall not under judgement Q. What else is prohibited by this Precept A. All cursing and blaspheming Q. What is commanded by it A. To speake alwayes with reverence of God and of his Saints Q. How else doe men sinne against this Precept A. By breaking lawfull Vowes and by making or keeping unlawfull ones Q. What is a Vow A. It is a diliberate and voluntary promise made to God of some better good Q. How do you prove it lawfull to make Vowes A. Out of Esa ch 19. v. 21. They shall make Vowes unto our Lord saith he and shall pay them The third Commandement Expounded Q. WHat is the third Commandement A. Remember thou keepe holy the Sabbath day Q. When began the Sabbath to be kept A. From the very Creation of the world For then God blessed it and rested on it from all his works Gen. 2. 2. Q. When was this Commandement renewed A. In the old Law when God gave the Commandements to Moses on Mount Sinai written with his owne finger in two Tables of stone Exod. ch 20. Q. Why was the Iewish Sabbath changed into the Sunday A. Because Christ was borne upon a Sunday rose from the dead upon a Sunday and sent downe the Holy Ghost upon a Sunday workes not inferiour to the Creation of the world Q. By whom was it changed A. By the Church by the Apostles who also kept it for S. Iohn was in Spirit on a Sunday Apoc. ch 1. v. 10. Q. How prove you that the Church hath power to command Feasts and Holy Daies A. By this very act of changing the Sabbath into the Sunday which Protestants allow of and therefore fondly contradict themselves by keeping Sunday so strictly and breaking most other Feasts commanded by the same Church Q. How declare you that A. Because by keeping Sunday they acknowledge the Churches power to ordaine Feasts and to command them under sin and by not keeping the rest by her commanded they again deny in fact the same power Q. What other proof have you A. Out of S. Iohn ch 10. ver 22. where we read That Christ himselfe was present and kept the Dedication of the Temple in Hierusalem a Feast ordained by Iudas Machabaeus 1 Machab ch 4. Q. What other yet A. Out of Acts ch 2. v. 1. where the Apostles keeping the Feast of Pentecost were all filled with the Holy Ghost Neither do Protestants as yet dissent from this though some have lately prohibited and prophaned both it and the most holy Feast of the Resurrection Q. What command have you from God for obedience to the Church in things of this nature A. Out of Acts ch 15. v. 4. where we read that S. Paul went about confirming the Churches and commanding them to keep the precept of the Apostles and the Ancients And out of S. Luke c. 10. v. 16. He that heareth you beareth me and he that despiseth you the Church despiseth me Q. May Temporall Princes and the Laity make a Holy Day A. With consent and approbation of the Church they may otherwise not because that is an act of spirituall Jurisdiction Q. For what end doth the Church ordaine Holy Dayes A. For the increase of piety and in memory of speciall benefits received from God Q. If keeping the Sunday be a Church-precept why is
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.
There be in number twelve as you may see in Gal. ch 5. Q. What is the first A. Charity whose nature and effects you know already Q. What is the second A. Ioy by which we are enabled to serve God with cheerfull hearts Q. What is the third A. Peace which keepeth us unmoved in our minds amidst the stormes and tempests of this world Q. What is the fourth A. Patience which enableth us to suffer all adversities for the love of God Q. What is the fifth A. Long animity which is an untired confidence of mind in expecting the good things of the life to come Q. What is the sixth A. Goodnesse which maketh us hurt no man and doe good unto all Q. What is the seventh A. Benignity which causeth an affable sweetnesse in our manners and conversation Q. What is the Eighth A. Mildnesse which allayeth in us all the motions of passion and anger Q. What is the ninth A. Fidelity which maketh us punctuall observers of our Covenants and Promises Q. What is the tenth A. Modesty which suppresseth in us all pride and haughtinesse Q. What is the eleventh A. Continency which maketh us not only abstemious in meat and drinke but in all other sensible delights Q. What is the twelfth A. Chastity which keepeth a pure soule in a pure body Q. VVho are they that have these fruits A. The Children of God onely for whosoever are led by the Spirit of God they are the sonnes of God Rom. ch 8. v. 14. CHAP. XV. The Works of Merey Expounded Q. HOw many are the Workes of Mercy Corporall A. Seven 1. To feed the hungry 2. To give drinke to the thirsty 3. To cloath the naked 4. To harbour the harbourlesse 5. To visit the sicke 6. To visite the imprisoned And 7. To bury the dead Q. How prove you that these workes are meritorious of a reward A. Because Christ hath promised the Kingdome of heaven as the reward of them Come O ye blessed of my Father saith he and possesse ye the Kingdome c. for I was hungry and ye gave me to eat c. S. Mat. ch 25. v. 35 36. Q. When are we said to feed and cloath Christ A. As often as we feed and cloath the poore in his Name what ye have done saith he to one of my little ones that ye have done unto me the same ch v. 40. Q. Is the reward of these works a reward of Justice A. It is according to 2 Tim. ch 4. v. 8. I have fought a good fight saith S. Paul there is a crowne of Justice laid up for me which our Lord will render to mee at that day a just Iudge Q. VVhat other proofe have you A. Out of Heb. ch 6. v. 10. For God is not unjust that he should forget the worke and love which you have shewed in his Name who have ministred unto the Saints and do minister Q. How many be the Workes of Mercy Spirituall A. Seven also 1. To give counsell to the doubtfull 2. To instruct the ignorant 3. To admonish sinners 4. To comfort the afflicted 5. To for give offences 6. To beare patiently the troublesome 7. To pray for the quicke and the dead Q. How prove you prayer for the dead A. First out of of the places above-cited for Purgatory Secondly out of 1 S. John ch 5. v. 16. He that knoweth his brother to sinne a sinne not unto death let him aske and life shall be given him not sinning to death i. by finall impenitence therefore it is lawfull to pray for all such as die penitent and confessing their sinnes And in 2 Mach. ch 12. we read It is therefore a wholesome and holy cogitation to pray for the dead that they may be loosed from their sinnes Q. How shew you these workes to be meritorious A. Out of Dan. ch 12. v. 2. They which instruct others unto Justice shall shine as starres for all eternity CHAP. XVI The eight Beatitudes Q. WHat are the eight Beatitudes A. The summe of them is 1. Poverty of spirit 2. Meeknesse 3. Mourning 4. To hunger and thirst after Justice 5. Mercifulnesse 6. Cleannesse of heart 7. To be Peace-makers 8. To suffer persecution for Justice sake See S. Mat. ch 5. Q. VVhence ariseth the necessity of suffering Persecution A. Because all that will live piously in Iesus Christ shall suffer Persecution CHAP. XVII The kinds of sinne explicated Q. WHy is it necessary for a Christian to know the natures and the kinds of sin A. That so he may detest them and avoid them Q. How many kinds of sinne be there A. Two kinds namely Originall and Actuall sin Q. What is Originall sin A. It is a privation of Originall Iustice which we inherit from our first Parent Adam and are all born in that privation or Originall sin Q. How prove you that A. Out of Rom. ch 5. v. 12. Therefore as by one man sin entred into the world and by sin death and so unto all men death did passe in whom all have sinned Q. What are the effects of Originall sinne A. Concupisence ignorance evill inclinations pronenesse to sin sicknesse and death Q. How is Originall sinne taken away A. By holy Baeptisme Q. Whither goe Infants which die without Baptisme A. To the upper part of hell where they indure the pain of losse though not of sense and shall never see the face of God Q. How prove you that A. Out of S. Iohn ch 3. v. 5. Vnlesse any one be borne againe of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the Kingdome of God Q. What is Actuall sinne A. It is a thought word or deed contrarie to the Law of God Q. What is a sin of Omission A. To omit any thing willingly which is commanded by God or by his Church Q. Why is Actuall sin so called A. Because the materiall part of it is commonly some voluntary act of ours Q. Is all sinne voluntary and deliberate A. It is speaking of Actuall sinne for no man sinneth in doing that which is not in his power to avoid Q. VVhat other proofe have you A. Because the whole Gospell of Christ is nothing else but an Exhortation to doe good and avoid evill then which nothing were more vaine if it be not in the free election and power of man as assisted by Gods grace to do or not to do such things Q. What Scripture have you for that A. Out of Gen. ch 4. v. 7. If thou doe well shalt not thou receive again But if thou dost ill shall not thy sinne be forthwith present at the doore but the desire thereof of sin shall be under thee and thou shalt have dominion over it Q. What besides A. Out of Deut. ch 30. v. 19. 20. I call to witnesse this day heaven and earth saith our Lord that I have proposed to thee life and death blessing and cursing choose therefore life that thou maist live Q. What other yet A. Out of 1 Cor. ch 7. v. 37.
He that hath determined in his heart being setled not having necessity but having power of his owne will and hath judged in his heart to keep his Virgin doth well you see man hath power of his own will and in Phil. ch 4. I can do all things saith S. Paul in him that strengthneth me Q. Doth not the efficacy of Gods grace hinder and hurt the freedome of our will A. No it perfecteth it according to 1 Cor. ch 15. v. 10 11. I have laboured more abundantly saith S. Paul then all they yet not I but the grace of God with me you heare the grace of God did not hinder but perfect his working Q. How is Actuall Sinne divided A. Into mortall and veniall Q. What is mortall sinne A. Any great offence against the charity of God or our neighbour and it is so called because it killeth the soule and robbeth it of the spirituall life of grace Q. What is veniall sinne A. A small and very pardonable offence against God or our neighbour Q. How prove you that some sinnes are mortall A. Out of Rom. ch 6. v. 23. For the stipend of sin is death And v. 21. What fruit therefore had you then in those things for which now your are ashamed For the end of them is death Q. What other proofe have you A. Out of Wisdome ch 16. v. 14. For a man by malice killeth his owne soule And out of Ezek. ch 18. v. 4. The soule which sinneth she shall die Q. How prove you that some sinnes are onely veniall A. Out of 1 S. John ch 1. v. 8. where speaking of such as walk in the light and are cleansed from all mortall sin by the blood of Christ he addeth If we shall say we have no sin we seduce our selves and the truth is not in us Q. What other proofe have you A. In many things we all offend S. Iames ch 3. v. 2. and in Prov. 24. v. 16. The just man falleth seven times not mortally for then he were no longer just therefore venially Q. What other yet A. Out of S. Mat. ch 12. v. 37. But I say unto you every idle word which men shall speake they shall render an account for at the day of Judgement now God forbid that every idle word should be a mortall Sin Q. What are the effects of veniall Sinne A. It doth not rob the soule of life as Mortall doth but only weakneth the fervour of Charity and by degrees disposeth unto Mortall Q. Why are we bound to shun not onely mortall but also veniall Sinnes A. Because he that despiseth small things shall by little and little fall away Eccles ch 19. v. 3. Q. What other proofe have you A. Because no polluted thing shall enter into the heavenly Hierusalem Apoc. ch 21. v. 27. be it with mortall or veniall sin Q. How shall wee be able to know when any sin is mortall and when but veniall A. By this Because to any mortall sinne it is required both that it be deliberate and perfectly voluntary and also that it be in a matter of weight against the Law of God one or both of which conditions is alwayes wanting in a veniall sin Q. How is Mortall Sinne remitted A. By heartie penance and contrition Q. How is Veniall Sinne remitted A. By all the Sacraments by holy Water devout Prayer and the like Q. Whether goe such as die in Mortall Sin A. To hell for all eternity as you have heard in the Creed Q. Whether goe such as die in Veniall Sin or not having fully satisfied for the temporall punishments due to their mortall sinnes which are forgiven them A. To Purgatory till they have made full satisfaction for them and then to heaven Q. How prove you that there is Purgatory or a penall place where soules are purged after death A. Out of 1 S. Pet. ch 3. v. 18. 19. 20. where we read That Christ being dead for our sins came in spirit and preached to them also that were in prison which had been incredulous in the daies of Noah when the Arke was a building Q. What other proofe have you A. Out of 1 Cor. ch 3. v. 13 14 15. The worke of every man shall be manifest for the day of our Lord will declare it because it shall be revealed in fire and the worke of every one of what kind it is the fire shall try if any mans worke abide as theirs doth who have deserved no Purgatory he shall receive a reward if any mans worke burne as theirs doth who goe to Purgatory he shall suffer detriment but himselfe shall be saved yet so as by fire Q. What besides A. Out of S. Matth. ch 4. v. 27. Be thou at agreement with thy adversary betimes whilest thou art in the way with him that is in this life least perhaps the Adversary deliver thee to the Judge and the Iudge deliver thee to the Officer and thou be cast into prison Purgatory Amen I say unto thee thou shalt not go out from thence till thou repay the last farthing Q. What other yet A. Out of S. Mat. ch 12. v. 32. where we read That some Sins shalâ— neither be forgiven in this world nor in the world to come therefore there is a place of purging and pardoning sins after this life Q. How is a man made guilty or said to co-operate to the sinnes of other men A. As often as he is an effectuall cause of sin in others by any of these nine meanes following 1. By counsell 2. By command 3. By consent 4. By provocation 5. By praise or flattery 6. By silence 7. By connivence 8. By participation or 9. By defence of the ill done CHAP. XVIII The seven deadly Sinnes Expounded Q. HOw call you the seven deadly Sinnes A. Pride Covetousnesse Lechery Anger Gluttony Envy and Sloth Q. What is Pride A. It is an inordinate desire of our owne excellency or esteeme Q. Why is Pride called a Capitall sinne A. Because it is the head or fountaine of many other sinnes Q. What for example A. Vaine-Glory Boasting Hypocrisy Ambition Arrogancy Presumption and contempt of others Q. What is Vaine-Glory A. An inordinate desire of humane praise Q. What is Boasting A. A foolish cracking of our selves Q. What is Hypoerisie A. A counterfeiting of more piety and vertue then we have Q. What is Ambition A. An inordinate desire of honour Q. What is Arrogancy A. A high contempt of others joyned with insolency and rashnesse Q. What is Presumption A. An attempting of things above our strength Q. What is contempt of others A. A disdainfull preferring of our selves before others Q. What other daughters hath Pride A. Pertinacy discord disobedience and in gratitude Q. What is pertinacy A. A wilfull sticking to our owne opinions contrary to the judgement of our betters Q. What is discord A. A wrangling in words with such as we ought to assent and yeeld unto Q. What is disobedience A. A refractorinesse to Parents and Superiours Q.