in the Temple and though we cannot see our Saviour with our bodily Eyes as he did yet he 's by the Writings of the Apostles daily presented to the Eyes of our Faith and if we were as much concern'd for Heaven and as loose from the Love of the World as old Simeon was and as we ought to be we might upon the View of Christ in his holy Word by Faith be daily ready to sing this Hymn Of the LXVII Psalm THIS Psalm is parallel to the former Evangelical Hymn David prayed for that saving Health which old Simeon rejoiced to see and both of them praised God upon the Foresight they had that it would be made known to us as it is this day by the Voices of the Apostles Of the Apostles Creed Quest WHY is it called the Apostles Creed A. It is called a Creed from the Latin word Credo to believe because it contains such Points of Christian Doctrine as are most necessary to be believed 2. It 's called the Apostles Creed partly because of the Apostolical Doctrine contained in it but rather because it was composed by the Apostles or at least in or near the Apostolical Times and it consists also of Twelve Articles according to the number of the Twelve Apostles Q. Why did the ancient Councils make new ones A. They declare they did not make new ones only largely expound such Articles as Hereticks disputed against Q. If this be a genuine and true Composure then is it not of equal Authority with the holy Scriptures A. 'T is the same thing in a Compendium or short Way and differs only in Form not in Sense Q. Why is the Creed placed after the Lessons and before the Prayers A. We confess that Faith which the Lessons teach 2. It 's the Foundation of all our Petitions for we cannot call on him on whom we have not believed Q. Why is the Creed often repeated A. Because we had need look well to our Faith and be careful to keep that intire by often rehearsing we guard our Souls with it 2. It 's a plighting our Faith and Fidelity to God and Confession is as necessary to Salvation as believing Q. Why must we repeat it with an audible Voice A. Because by so doing every one gives his positive and particular Assent and by it evidenceth to the Church his sound Belief Q. Why is it repeated standing A. By this Gesture we signifie our readiness to profess and our resolution to adhere and stand to this Faith and earnestly contend for it And in our daily use of this Sacred Form let us devoutly apply every Article to be both a ground for our Prayer and a guide to our Lives Q. Why do we Bow at the Name of Jesus A. The mentioning of the Name of Jesus puts us in Mind of him we owe all manner of Reverence to which we express by Bowing Bishop Stillingfleet Q. Why do we say Amen after the rehearsing of it A. To testify our stedfast belief of it and our desire to live as those that heartily believe it Q. What is meant by the word I Believe A. As with a certain and full perswasion I assent so with a fix'd and undaunted resolution I profess and with this Faith in my Heart and Confession in my Mouth in respect of the whole Body of the Creed and every Article I sincerely readily and resolvedly say I Believe Q. How may we know when we rightly believe in God the Father A. When we love him fear him and serve him as our great Creator and merciful Preserver Q. How may we know when we rightly believe in God the Son A. When we submit to him trust in him and obey him as our only Lord and Saviour Q. How may we know when we rightly believe in God the Holy Ghost A. When we follow his Directions and make use of his Assistance as our Guide Sanctifier and Comforter Q. Why is God the Son said in the Catechism to redeem me and all Mankind when the greatest part perish without the benefit of his Redemption A. The price of his Blood which he paid was sufficient for the Ransom of the whole World and is available to as many as God in his abundant Goodness and Mercy shall judge worthy to be Partakers of the Inheritance with the Saints in Life but to none of those that do profess to be the Disciples of the Holy Jesus but such as observe the Conditions viz. Faith and Repentance required in his Blessed Gospel Q. How is the Holy Ghost said to Sanctify all the Elect People of God A. By calling them out and separating them from the rest of the World which is properly to Sanctify as well as by putting good Motions and Affections in them and inspiring them with Holiness by which they become God's choice and peculiar People Q. What may we mean when we say Christ descended into Hell A. The word Hell is a Saxon word which is as much as covered or hidden and in the Original Propriety both of the Greek and English it signifies no more than the place which is unseen or removed from Men's sight so that the meaning may be When all the Sufferings of Christ were finish'd upon the Cross and his Soul separated from his Body altho' his Body was dead his Soul dy'd not but underwent the condition of the Souls of such as die being he dy'd in the Similitude of a Sinner his Soul went to the place where the Souls of Men are kept who die for their Sins and so did wholly undergo the Law of Death contenting himself during his three days of Humiliation with the imperfect Happiness which the Souls of Holy Men are under till the general Resurrection from the Dead Bishop Pearson Q. Why is the Church call'd Holy and Catholick A. It is call'd Holy because it is joined to God in Covenant and the true Members of it are sanctified by the Spirit of Holiness 2. And it is call'd Catholick or Universal because it is spread over all the World and not confined as it was among the Jews to one particular place Q. What may we understand by the Communion of Saints A. That such Persons as are truly sanctified in the Church of Christ have fellowship with God the Father God the Son and God the Holy Ghost as dwelling with them and taking up their Habitations in them that they partake of the Care and Kindness of the blessed Angels that beside the external fellowship which they have in the Word and Sacraments with all the Members of the Church they have an intimate Union and Conjunction with all the Saints on Earth as living Members of Christ and have fellowship likewise with all the Saints departed in the true Faith and Fear of God Bishop Pearson 2. If this Answer be too mystical and obscure embrace this pithy and plain one The Christian Church or Society of Believers as one Body is United by a participation of all Spiritual things as Word Sacraments
Offices A. Since St. Luke leaves it out it is omitted some time when the Office is not matter of Praise If you desire a further Explanation it is already excellently performed in this Method by several Learned and Reverend Persons to which I referr you viz. The Oxford Explanation of the Church Catechism Dr. William's Exposition of the same And once for all so is the Creed and the Ten Commandments and the whole Church Catechism And if you have Skill and Leisure you will do well in reading the Reverend and Learned Dr. Hammond's Practical Catechism a Tract never to be highly enough valued and the Right Reverend Bishop Pearson on the Creed and the Reverend Dr. Comber with many other Worthies Of the Responses Quest WHY are they so called Answ Because the People answer the Priest Q. What Reason for this Custom A. In conformity to the Primitive Practice 2. Hereby the Consent of the Congregation is declared to what we pray for and it is the Unity of Mind and Voice and this Agreement in Prayer which hath the Promise of prevailing 3. This grateful Variety and different manner of Address serves to quicken the People's Devotion 4. It engageth their Attention and since they have their share of Duty they must expect till their Turn come and give heed to do it right and prepare for their next Response Whereas when the Minister doth all the People naturally grow sleepy and heedless as if wholly unconcern'd let us therefore gratefully embrace this Privilege and make our Responses gravely and with an audible Voice which we shall find to be a great Help to our Devotion Q. What do these Responses consist of A. The two first of Prayers taken out of David's Psalms the great Storehouse of Primitive Devotion Q. Why are they placed here A. The First O Lord open thou our c. is fitly placed here with respect to those Sins we lately confessed and if we be fully sensible of our guilt as we ought to be it will be needful for us to beg such Evidences of our Pardon as may free us from the Terrors which seal up our Lips and then we shall be fit to praise God heartily in the Psalms which follow The Second O God make speed c. is the Paraphrase of that remarkable Supplication viz. Hosannah which signifies Save now Lord we beseech thee When we look back to those innumerable Evils that have taken hold on us we cry to God to save us speedily from them by his Mercy and when we look forward to the Duties we are about to do we pray that he will make hast to help us by his Grace without which we cannot do any acceptable Service Q What do the other two Responses consist of A. Of Praises First Glory be to the Father c. Q. Why do we rise up at Glory be to the Father c. A. Upon Supposition that our Pardon is granted we rise up with joy to sing Glory be to the c. which is a Paraphrase upon the Song of the Seraphims Holy Holy Holy and gives equal Glory to every Person of the Trinity because each Person is Very God 2. We rise up to shew how resolved we are to stand fast in the Faith of the Holy Trinity Q. Why is it added As it was in the Beginning A. To shew that this was the Primitive Faith against the Arrians who had introduced a new Form of Doxology so that now it serves for two Uses First as a shorter Creed and Secondly for a Hymn of Praise And to quicken us herein we declare it was so in the Beginning For the Angels sung the Praises of the Trinity in the Morning of the Creation Job 38. 7. Q. What doth the Word Doxology signifie A. A Song of Praise Q. Which is the second Response of Praise A. Praise the Lord Which is no other than the English of Hallelujah Q. Why is this short Hymn placed here A. As a return to Glory be to the Father c. For as in that we worshipped the Trinity so in this we do the Unity 2. As a triumphant Hymn upon the joyful News of our Absolution and the overthrow of our spiritual Enemies for which saith the Priest Praise the Lord And the People readily obey him replying The Lord's name be praised 3. It is a proper Preface to the Psalms called in the Hebrew the Book of Praises Of the XCV Psalm Quest WHY do we begin with this Psalm A. It is a very proper Preparatory to the following Duties and is called the Invitatory Psalm and contains a threefold Exhortation 1. First To praise God shewing the Manner how externally and internally v. 1 2. And the Reason why v. 3 4 5. 2. The Second Exhortation is to pray to this mighty God for the Manner humbly giving the Reason v. 6 7. 3. The third Exhortation is to hear his Word directing us to the Manner speedily willingly v. 8. and warning us by the Example of the Jews and their Punishment that we may not destroy our Souls by despising and distrusting God's Word as they did Q. Why are the Psalms ordered to be read monthly A. In conformity to the ancient Practice 2. That they may be made the more familiar to the People being of all Scripture the fullest of Devotion so that without difficulty every Man may apply them to his own Case either directly or by way of Accommodation Q. Why are the Psalms read standing A. By the Erection of our Bodies we express the Elevation or lifting up our Souls to God and Standing is one of the Postures of Supplicants and the Psalms do chiefly consist of Prayer and Praise Q. That we may be devout in this holy Exercise pray inform us how we may sort every Psalm A. Some are of Instruction explaining the Creation Ps 8. 104 c. or the Providence Ps 37. 139 147. c. or the Passion Ps 22. 69. or the Resurrection and Ascension of Christ as Ps 2. 16. 90. c. or his last coming to judgment Ps 50. 97. 2. Some Psalms are of Exhortation stirring us up to some Acts of moral Vertues as Ps 15. 101. or Positive Religion viz. to study God's Law or call on his name Ps 1. 34. 119. c. or warning us against Sin Ps 7. 11. 58. 64. c. especially by Punishments inflicted on his own People Ps 78. 105. 106 c. 3. Others are Psalms of Supplication for Pardon Ps 25. 51. 143. c. for Peace Ps 4. 42. 63. for Patience Ps 10. 23. 39. c. and for Deliverance Ps 55. 59. 71. for others Ps 21. 72. c. for the King for the Church Ps 68. 79. 80. c. 4. Others are Psalms of Praise and Thanksgiving for God's Mercies Ps 103. 136. 145. for Health as Ps 116. 130. for Plenty and Wealth Ps 65. 144. Victory over our Enemies Ps 18. 149. for mercy to our Souls Ps 66. 111. 118. Q. Which are those Psalms that are call'd The Seven
c. and Communication of all Temporal things and a fellow-feeling of one anothers condition by all the Members of the Body Of St. Athanasius 's Creed commonly so called IT 's an Explanation of the great Mysteries of the Trinity and of Christ's Incarnation against the Arrians and other Hereticks and hath been received with great Veneration by the Greek and Latin Churches and many of the Reformed as well as the Romanist do hold that Athanasius Bishop of Alexandria was the Author and all agree that nothing in this or the Nicene Creed materially different from that which the Apostles Creed had contained nor nothing really superadded to it but were designed by the Compilers to fence the Catholick Orthodox Faith against the Corruptions and Depravations or else from the Doubtings and Contradictions of Hereticks and is the Quintessence of ancient Orthodox Divinity Q. Why are those Censures affix'd in the beginning middle and end of the Athanasian Creed A. They must be interpreted by their Opposition to those Heresies that had invaded the Church which were Acts of Carnality in them that broached and maintained them against the Apostolick Doctrine and contradictory to that Foundation which had been resolved on and were therefore to be anathematized after this manner and with Detestation banished out of the Church 2. If any scruple at the positive denying Salvation to such as do not believe these Articles let them remember such as hold any fundamental Heresies are condemned in Scripture and the Doctrines are called Damnable Heresies Let us therefore firmly believe and devoutly use this Form blessing God for these clear Explications of the sublime Mysteries of the Trinity and Christ's Incarnation in which we must strive to understand as much as we can and supply the Rest with Silence Submission and Adoration Of the Versicles and Responsals or short Verses and Answers Quest WHY after we have repeated the Creed do we begin with the Form of Salutation viz. The Lord be with you Answ Such mutual Salutations are excellent Expressions of the Communion of Saints and Incentives and Provocations to Charity and Love one of another since we cannot pray without God's Help therefore the Minister prays That the Lord may be with them to assist them and since the Minister prays for all the People they desire he may heartily and devoutly offer up these Prayers in their Behalf saying The Lord be with thy Spirit Q. Why are those Words Let us pray often repeated A. It is a kind of Watch-Word or Signal of Battel to summon us all with united Forces to besiege Heaven it self with our Holy Importunities And 2. It 's a Warning to every one to lay aside all vain Thoughts and only to mind this great Work we have in Hand Q. Why are those Versicles Lord have Mercy upon us Three times repeated A. Because it is a most Pathetick Petition of Mercy to the Blessed Trinity called by the Ancients a Short Litany and is a Preparation to the Lord's Prayer Q. Why is the Lord's Prayer again repeated A. Because it consecrates all the rest of our Prayers and makes way for them and if we did not put up any Petition with Fervency enough before we may now make amends for it by asking that with a double Earnestness Q. Why are those short Versicles and Responsals used A. It was the Primitive Way of Praying and they contain the Sum of all the following Collects 1. The First O Lord shew thy Mercy c. being a Petition for Mercy and Salvation answers to the Sunday Collect. 2. The Second O Lord save the King answers to the Collects for the King and his Family 3. The Third Endue thy Ministers c. and the Fourth O Lord save thy People c. answer the Collect for the Clergy and People 5. The Fifth Give Peace in our Time c. answers the Morning and Evening Collects for Peace and Safety 6. The Sixth O God make clean c. answers the Morning and Evening Collects for Grace And thus by this Alternate Way of Responses or answering and speaking by turns one after another first the Minister then the People we fit our selves the better for the following Collects Q. Are there any other Reasons for the Vse of these Versicles and Responsals A. They refresh the Peoples Attention and teach them their Part at Publick Prayers and unite the Affection of them all together and help to keep them in a League of perpetual Amity Q. Why doth the Priest sometimes kneel and sometimes stand A. The Minister as a Sinner kneels with the People in all Confessions and Penitential Prayers but stands in other Offices to signifie his Office and Authority Q. Why do we turn to the East in our Prayers and Creed A. Because it 's accounted the most worthy Part of the World by being first visited by the rising Sun which may mind us of the great Honour and Majesty of the Person we speak to 2. Because the Altar or Holy Table is placed there where God affords his most Gracious and Mysterious presence and the Priest or Minister used to officiate there and it was look'd upon as unseemly to turn their Backs upon one or the other in their Prayers or Postures 3. From Adam to Abraham's Time the whole World worshipped toward the East and the Christians from the beginning built their Churches and worshipped themselves toward the East not only in opposition to the Jews who worshipped towards the West but because they expected our Saviour who is call'd Oriens ex alto or the day-spring from on high to come from thence according to his promise Matth. 24. 27. Of Collects Quest WHY are these short Forms of Prayer used Answ Because our Saviour himself taught and commended the frequent use of brief Forms of Prayer and the Primitive Christians were wont to pray in that manner from whom the Collects were derived Q. Why are they called Collects A. Because they are Collected generally out of the Epistles and Gospels and are a brief Collection of all things necessary for Soul and Body 2. Or because they are repeated in Publick when the People are collected and gathered together Q. How long have they been used in the Church A. Most of them are above a Thousand Years old having been used in the Western Church from the Time of St. Gregory the Great and are Forms for any Blessing or any Grace that we would ask for our selves or others Q. Pray direct us where we may find among them Prayers on every Occasion A. If we would pray for things spiritual for our own Souls viz. for the Gifts of the Spirit See the Prayer for St. Barnabas 's Day 2. If we would pray for Pardon See the 12 the 21 24. Sunday after Trinity 3. If for the Benefit of Christ's Death and Acceptance through him See Annunciation and Purification and 2. Sunday after Epiphany 4. If for the Comfort Direction and Illumination of the Spirit See 1. after Ascension Whitsunday
and 19. after Trinity 5. If for the Success of our Hearing Reading and Fasting See St. Barth St. Luke 2. Ad. 1. Lent If for Success of our Prayers 10. and 23. after Trinity 6. If for Grace in general to convert us from Sins See 1. Adv. 1. after Easter St. Andrew James Matthew If to deliver us from Temptation 4. Adv. 4. after Easter 18. Trinity If to enable us to do good 5. after Easter 1 9 11 13 17 25. after Trinity If to bring us finally to eternal Glory Epiph. 6. after Epiph. 7. If for the particular Graces of Regeneration See Christmas-Day If for Charity See Quinquages Sunday If for Mortification See Circumcision East Even For Contrition See Ash-Wednesday For the Love of God See 3. and 4. after Easter For Heavenly Desires See Ascension-Day For a Right and Firm Faith Trinity-Sunday 7. after Trinity and St. Thomas St. Mark For Grace to imitate Christ 6. Lent 2. after East For Grace to imitate his Saints See St. Stephen St. Paul St. Philip and Jacob St. John Baptist All Saints and Innocents If we would pray for Temporal Blessings 1. For God's Providence See 2 3 4 20. after Trinity and St. Michael 2. For Deliverance from Enemies and Judgments See the 3. of Lent Sexag Septuages 3. For Support under Afflictions 4. of Lent 4. For Defence 3 4. after Epiphany For Supply of all good things 6. 15. after Trin. If we would pray for Body and Soul both 2 5. of Lent For those without the Church See Good-Friday For those within that the People may have Truth Unity and Peace 5. after Epiph. Good-Friday St. John Simon Jude and the 5 16 22. after Trinity That the Ministers may be fit diligent and successful See St. Matthias St. Peter 3. of Advent Q. Why in the Collect for Peace do we pray That God would defend us in and not from the Assaults of our Enemies A. Because the latter is more than ever he promised or we can expect but in the former we pray tho they attack us they may not be able to hurt us Q. What Difference do you observe betwixt the Collect for Peace in the Morning and that in the Evening A. We beg outward Peace in the Morning to secure us against the Troubles of the World in which the Business of the Day engageth us and in the Evening we beg inward Peace to comfort and quiet our Minds when we are to take our Rest Q. What pray we for in these Words Lighten our Darkness A. That our Understandings may be enlightned with the Knowledge of God's Providence and our Hearts cheared with the Assurance of his Protection 2. If that answer be too Allegorical thus That God by the Light of his Countenance and Favour would protect us in this disconsolate time of Darkness and chear us with the assurance of his Protection Q. By whom was the Prayer for the King made and what doth that Expression mean The only Ruler of Princes A. The First Reformers of the Church of England made the Prayer and by that Expression we declare that Kings are only accountable to God therefore we have the more need to pray for them that he would direct them to do well and guide them who are to rule us that this their mighty Power may be our Safety and our Peace for if it should be otherwise we neither will nor can oppose them having no other Arms against our Prince but Prayers and Tears Q. Why is that Expression in the Prayer for the Clergy used viz. who alone worketh great Marvels A. Because to make a Church and to bestow miraculous Gifts on it to gather it out of Infidels and to protect it from its Enemies is an Act of as great Power and a greater Miracle of Love than to create the World therefore the Preface is very suitable Q. Who are meant by Curates in the Prayer for the Clergy A. Priests and Deacons to whom the Bishop commits the Care of Souls Q. What is meant by that word Expedient in the Prayer of St. Chrysostom A. Lest we have ignorantly asked any thing unfit we put in this caution That God will fulfil our Petitions so as may be most expedient for us that is How When and Which of them he pleaseth and sees will be for our good Q. Why is the Blessing pronounced by the Bishop if present A. For the Honour of his Authority Heb. 7. 7. Q. What doth the Blessing contain and in what Posture ought we to receive it A. It contains the whole Order of our Salvation the First for our Justification the Second for our Consolation and the Third for Sanctification which ought to be received by us on our Knees for it's God that blesseth us by the Mouth of his Minister Of the Litany Quest WHAT doth the Name signifie Answ An humble and earnest Supplication made to God in Adversity Q. When were these Forms first brought into the Church A. About Four Hundred Years after Christ in Times of great Calamity for the appeasing of God's Wrath. 2. Others think the Practice is derived from the Apostles and the Custom of their Times Q. By what Motives are your Addresses urged A. By Two Because we are miserable and because we are Sinners Q. Why do the People answer to every Petition A. By these Suffrages their Devotion is excited quickned and exercised and every Word is significant for there 1. We declare we ask every thing with Humility and Earnestness by the word We Beseech 2. With Faith by calling him we pray unto Good Lord. 3. We declare we seek not to Saints or Angels to hear us but to our God alone We beseech Thee c. All which shews the stupidity and baseness of those who are Mute at this part of this excellent Litany whose Bodies are present but their Souls it is to be feared are absent from this Service for whosoever would perform it with a present Mind cannot be better helped by any Means than by carefully attending When and How he ought to say this Devout Answer We Beseech c. Q. Why is the Litany broke into so many short Ejaculations and not one continued Prayer A. That the Intention and Devotion which is most necessary in Prayer may not be dulled and vanish as in a long Prayer it 's apt to do but be quickned and the nearer to the End the shorter and livelier are the Expressions strengthning our Devotion by raising in us an Apprehension of our Misery and Distress and therefore crying out O Lamb of God c. Q Why is the Litany ordered to be read on Sunday Wednesday and Friday A. Upon Sunday in Honour to that Day it being the Chief Service and on Wednesdays and Fridays because they are Days of publick Assemblies and Fastings and commanded more particularly to be said by the Minister those Days weekly tho' they be not Holy-days Canon the 15 th Q. Why do we repeat the First Four Verses intirely after the Minister
A. Because it is as well a Confession of Faith as an Epitome or Sum of the whole Litany Q. Why do we pray to every Person in the Holy Trinity apart A. Because as we acknowledge every Person by himself to be God and Lord so we worship each Person apart Q. What is meant by a Person in the Holy Trinity A. Person is a distinct Subsistence of the whole Godhead There are Three Divine Persons which are not Three several Substances but Three distinct Subsistences or Three divers Manner of Being of one and the same Substance and Divine Essence which Divine Essence is neither divided nor distinguish'd But the Three Persons in the Divine Essence are distinguish'd among themselves by their Names by their Order and by their Actions or Properties Q. Why is the Divine Essence sometimes call'd Unity and sometimes Trinity A. Because the Divine Essence common to all the Three Persons is but One we call the same Vnity But because there be Three distinct Persons in this one indivisible Essence we call the same Trinity Q. Why is the Third Person named the Holy Ghost A. Because He is Spiritual without a Body 2. Because He is Spired and as it were breathed from both the Father and the Son that is Proceeding from them both And He is call'd Holy both because He is Holy in his own Nature and also the immediate Sanctifier of all true Believers Q. Why is the Second Person called God the Son and not the Son of God A. In Opposition to the Arrian Heresie who denied the Divinity of the Son therefore we own him to be God equal with the Father and give him the same Worship Q. Sith no Church in the World hath so compleat a Form pray instruct us in that curious and comprehensive Method A. It 's introduced with an Invocation of the Blessed Trinity severally and conjunctly in the Four first Verses 2. It contains Deprecations for Forbearance v. 5. For Deliverance from Spiritual Temporal and Eternal Evils v 6 7 8 9 10. Noting also the Means by which v. 11 12. and the special Time when we should be delivered v. 13. 3. It contains Intercessions for the whole Church v. 14. For this Church and in it for the King and His Royal Family v. 15 16 17 18. And for the Clergy v. 19. For the Nobility and Magistrates v. 20 21. and the People v. 22. For all Estates of Men we beg Peace v. 23. and Grace v. 24 25 26 27. For the Comfort of the Afflicted v. 28 29 30 31. and for Forgiveness of our Enemies v. 32 and we pray for our selves that we may have Plenty v. 33. and Grace v. 34. 4. It contains Supplications 1. To press the former Petitions in Addresses to the Son of God and the whole Trinity and to prevent or remove evil in the Lord's Prayer in the Prayer against Persecution and the Alternate Requests and to sanctifie evil not removed in the last Collect. Q. Why do we begin to ask with these Deprecations A. Because Deliverance from Evil is the First Step to Felicity and the proper Business of Litany Q. Why in the Petition for Forbearance do we pray That God would not remember the Sins of our Fathers A. When God punisheth Sin he 's said to remember them and we know there is a vast Heap of our own and our Fathers Sins unrevenged and God may justly punish us for them when we make them ours by Imitation Q. What is the Sum of all these Deprecations A. Deliverance from the Evils of Sin and Punishment comprehended in those two general Words Evil and Mischief which signifie Wickedness and Misery Q. Why in the First Place do we pray to be delivered from the Evil of Sin A. Because it is the First greatest and only real Evil and the sole Cause of all the Mischiefs that do befall us and by it the Church teacheth us that they begin at the wrong End that pray against Affliction rather than Sin Q. What is the occasion of drawing us into this evil A. The Grafts and Assaults of the Devil Q. What are those Sins mentioned which concern our selves A. Blindness of Heart Pride Vain-Glory and Hypocrisie Q. What are those Sins against our Neighbours A. Envy Hatred Malice Vncharitableness Q. What mean we by Fornication and all other deadly Sins A. Fornication is not to be restrained to the defiling of single Persons but comprehends all Acts of Uncleanness Q. Is any Sin Venial or Pardonable in its own Nature A. No But yet with St. John we affirm as to the Event there is a Sin unto Death and there is a Sin not unto Death and it 's from those open and grievous Sins of Presumption which keep Men from Repentance and usually end in Damnation which we pray to be delivered from under the Name of Deadly Sins of which we have a Catalogue 1 Cor. 6. 9 10. Q. What do the Deceits of the World Flesh and Devil comprehend A. All other Kinds of Sin and because all Sin is managed by those Three Enemies therefore they are mentioned Q. What do we pray against in that Petition from Lightning and Tempest c A. For the Removal of the Effects viz. Judgments Q. What mean we by Sudden Death A. Either an untimely Death before the Term which Nature allots or a violent Death by stabbing burning drowning o. or else it signifies the dying in a Moment of Time Q. Why are all these kind of Deaths to be prayed against A. Because they leave our Relations without Comfort 2. They leave our worldly Concerns unsettled 3. They deprive us of the necessary preparative Ordinances for Death 4. They give us no Time to fit our Souls for our great Account The Frequency and fearfulness of Earthquakes gave the First occasion to this Prayer against Sudden Death as Dr. Hakewell tells us but tho' this sort of Calamity be more rare in this than in some other Countries and less dreadful now than in former Ages so that this Petition at least as to us may seem less needful upon that account yet how many are the Casualties and Dangers we are continually exposed to that may put a sudden Period to our Lives which to beg the Divine Protection to be preserv'd and delivered from a Judicious Author looks upon as the most proper and direct sense of this Petition and let that Man alone saith he who judgeth this unsit condemn and reject this Petition against Sudden Death Q. What 's comprehended in that Petition from Sedition c A. We pray against the Causes of those sad Effects which such Evils may bring upon the Kingdom and Church Q. Why was Rebellion and Schism added since King Charles II's Happy Restauration A. Because Rebellion and Schism did murder one of the best of Kings and Thousands of his loyal Subjects and also pull'd the Church to pieces Q. What are the means we pray to be delivered by A. His Holy Incarnation c. Q. Why are
is forbidden and so on the other side where a Sin is forbidden there the contrary Duty is commanded Q. Why doth the Minister rehearse the Commandments Standing A. To shew his Authority here is God speaking by the Priest Q. Why do the People kncel all the time and beg mercy A. Because they have offended against all the Commandments therefore they kneel down as Criminals ought to do and earnestly beseech Pardon and that we may never commit the like again we pray that the Lord would incline our hearts to keep these Laws and so the Law may be a means of our Repentance and Reformation Q. Why do we pray for the King immediately after the Commandments A. Because he is Custos utriusque Tabulae the Defender of both Tables Q. Why is the Prayer for the King just before the daily Collect A. Because that when we have prayed for outward Prosperity to the Church the consequent of the King's Welfare we may in the Collect pray for inward Grace to make it compleatly happy Q. How long have the Collects been fixed to those very Sundays on which we now use them A. Above Twelve Hundred Years Q. Why is the Epistle read first A. As being the Word of the Servant appointed to personate the Law preceding the Gospel Q. Why doth the Gospel follow A. As being the Word of our great Master therefore when the Minister is about to read all the People stand up to express a more than ordinary reverence to it and to give Glory to God before it 's read and Thanks to God after Q. Why is that Creed which is rehearsed after the Gospel called the Nicene Creed A. Because it was for the most part framed at the great Council of Nice the same in substance with the Apostles Creed but doth more largely condemn all Heresies therefore is fitly enjoin'd to be recited before the Sacrament Q. Why are those Sentences used at the beginning of the Communion A. To stir us up more effectually to give bountifully Q. How is our Charity to be express'd A. Three Ways viz. by Giving Praying and Forgiving Q. Where have we Directions for each of these A. For Giving in the Sentences For Prayer in the Prayer for the Church Militant For Forgiving in the general Warning Q. How often ought we to receive A. It seems very probable from the Institution of this Sacrament that our Saviour design'd it should be part of God's Service in all the solemn Assemblies of Christians And we shew our Love by coming freely and frequently as often as we have an Opportunity for Publick Worship is very lame and imperfect without it Q. What is the Design of the Exhortations and of the Invitation before the Sacrament A. The former is to increase the Number and the latter to rectifie the Dispositions of the Communicants In the Invitation the Guests being prepared the Priest invites them to come near with Fear and Faith and that God may accept them he repeats those Graces with which they must be adorned viz. Repentance Charity and Holy Purposes shewing them what is the first Duty to be done viz. making an humble Confession upon their Knees Q. Why is this Confession here used A. Since Christ's Sufferings are here remembred we must own our Sins which were the Cause of them And since we hope for Pardon we ought with Shame and Sorrow first to own our Transgressions Q. Why is this Form of Absolution here used A. Lest our Guilt should terrifie us from coming to this Holy Table the Priest pronounceth Absolution in Christ's Name in the Form of a Prayer or Benediction which ought to be received with Faith and Gratitude Q. Why are those Sentences of Scripture used A. The Church hath chosen these Sentences to confirm the Faith and revive the Hope of poor Penitents and they are those very Promises on which the foregoing Absolution is grounded so that unless they doubt the Truth of God's Word they must believe these Promises of Mercy Q. Why are the Responses Prefaces and Trisagium here appointed to be used A. This Sacrament is a Feast of Joy and Thanksgiving and the Nature of the Eucharist requires some Acts of Praise and Gratitude 1. Here the Priest admonisheth us to Praise God in the Responses 2. And gives the Reason of it in the Prefaces 3. And joins with us in doing of it in the Trisagium which because the Word Holy is Thrice repeated was by the Greeks so called Q. Why are the Angels mentioned in this Hymn A. Because the Christian Church believed the Angels were present in Christian Assemblies therefore thought it sit that Men should join with them in this Heavenly Song over the Memorial of our Redemption Q. Why doth the Priest on great Festivals add other Prefaces A. They contain proper Reasons for our Thanksgiving on those special Occasions and the Decay of Devotion letting fall the Primitive and Apostolical Life of Weekly Communions and the People receiving but at the great Festivals the Church therefore added to the General Prefaces some special ones relating to the peculiar Mercy of that Feast on which they did communicate â— What Reason for the Vse of the Address or the Collect which â—â—ns thus We do not presume to come to this thy Table c A. The nearer we come to God the more Holy we ought to be and when we are just going to make so immediate Approaches our very Joy must be tempered with Humility and we must excuse our own Unworthiness Q. Why is the Prayer of Consecration used A. In Imitation of our Lord and Saviour and his Apostles all the Churches in the World have used such a Form We do not eat our common Food without first praying for a Blessing on it which Pious Custom is so universal that it is certainly a piece of natural Religion much more then are we obliged before we eat and drink this Bread and Wine which Christ designed to set forth the Mystery of his Death to consecrate and set it apart by a solemn Prayer Q. What Words are they which properly make the Consecration A. The Words of our Saviour's Institution pronounced by a lawful Priest Q. Why do the People join with the Priest in saying Amen A. In Testimony of their Faith that the Elements are become what Christ made and intended them to be that they have the Merits of his Sacrifice annexed to them by his own Institution Q. Why do the Communicants receive the Holy Symbols kneeling A. To express their Humility and the Sense they have of their own Unworthiness and that they may be in a posture of Prayer Q. Of how many Particulars do the Words consist which the Priest useth when he delivereth the Bread and Wine A. Three 1. Instruction declaring what it is viz. The Body of our Lord c. The Blood c. 2. Prayer desiring this Communication of them to us may preserve our Bodies and Souls unto everlasting Life 3. Direction what we are to do