A BRIEF CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE.
To be learned by heart.
Of the end of a Christian, and of the signe of the Holy Cross.
A Are you a Christian?
I am by the grace of God,
What mean you by a Christian?
Him that maketh Profession of the Faith, and Law of Christ,
In what doth the Faith of Christ chiefly consist?
In two principal mysteries, which are included in the sign of the Holy Cross, that is, in the Ʋnity and Trinity of God: and in the Incarnation and Death of our Saviour.
What meaneth Unity, and Trinity of God?
It meaneth, that in God there is one only Divinity, or, as we say, Essence, and Divine Nature, which nevertheless is in three Divine Persons, that are called Father, Sun, and Holy-Ghost.
Wherefore, are these Divine Persons?
Because the Father hath no beginning, nor proceeds from another Person. The Son proceeds from the Father. And the Holy-Ghost from the Father and the Son.
Wherefore are these three Persons only one God?
Because they have one self Essence [Page 3]one self Power, one self wisdom, and one sef-Goodness.
What meaneth Incarnation, and Death of our Saviour?
It meaneth, that the Son of God, who is the second Person of the blessed Trinity, became Man, & dyed upon the Cross to save us, M. How are these two Mysteries included in the sign of the Cross?
Because we make the sign of the Cross by putting our righthand, first to the head, saying, In the name of the Father; then under the breasts, saying, & of the Son; finally to the left & right sholders saying & of the Holy-Ghost Amen.
How then is there shewed the first Mystery of the most Blessed Trinity?
Because this word, In the name, signifieth the Ʋnity, the other words signify the Trinity.
Shew now the second.
The figure of the Cross doth represent the death of our Saviour, who after he was made man, and had taught the way of Salvation, with Doctrine, with Example, and with miracles, dyed upon the Holy Wood of the Cross.
A Declaration of the Creed.
WHich is the Rule of our Belief?
It is the Symbole of the Apostles, which we commonly call the Creed,
Say the Creed
1. I believe in God, the Father-Almighty, Creator of Heaven and Earth.
2. And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord.
3. Who was conceived by the Holy-Ghost: [Page 5]born of the Virgin Mary.
4. Suffered under Pontius Pilate was crucified, dead & buried.
5. Descended into Hell, the third day he rose again from the dead,
6. Ascended into Heaven, sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.
7. from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
8. I believe in the Holy-Ghost.
9. The holy Catholick Church, the Communion of Saints.
10. Remission of sins.
11. Resurrection of the flesh.
12. Life everlasting. Amen.
Who made the Creed?
The twelve Apostles, & therefore there be twelve Articles.
What do these Articles contain in sum?
All that which principally & expresly we must believe of God [Page 6]and of the Church his Spouse; because the eight first Articles pertain to God, the four last to the Church
Declare the first Article.
I firmly believe in one only God, who is the natural Father of his only begotten Son: and is also Father by the grace of all good Christians, who are therefore called the Adopted Sons of God: finally, he is Father by Creation, of all other things. And this God is Omnipotent because He can do all that he will, and hath created of nothing Heaven and Earth, with whatsoever is in them, that is, the whole universal world.
Declare the second Article.
I believe also in JESUS CHRIST: who is the only begotten Son of God the Father because he was begotten of the same Father Eternal, and is God Eternal, [Page 7]Infinite, Omnipotent Creator and Lord of us and of all things, as he is the Father.
Declare the Third.
I believe that Jesus Christ is not only true God, but also true Man; because he hath taken man's flesh of the immaculate Virgin Mary, by virtue of the Holy-Ghost & so was born on earth of Mother without Father, as in Heaven he was born of Father without Mother.
Declare the Forth.
I believe, that Jesus Christ to redeem the world with his precious blood, suffered under Pontius Pilate Governour of Jury, being scourged, crowned with Thorns & put upon the Cross, on which he dyed; & being taken down from the same was buryed in a new Sepulcher.
Declare the Fifth.
I believe, that Jesus Christ as soon as he was dead, went with his soul to Limbus, or the place of holy Fathers, and the third day which was the Sunday, he rose glorious, and triumphant.
Declare the sixth.
I believe that Jesus Christ after he had forty dayes remained with the holy Apostles, to prove with many apparitions his true Resurrection, mounted up to the highest Heaven, and there sitteth above all the Quires of Angels, at the right hand of the Father, that is, in glory equal to the Father, as Lord & Governour of all Creatures.
Declare the seventh.
I believe that the same our Lord, in the end of the world shall come from Heaven with most great power & glory, and shall judge all men, giving to every man the reward, [Page 9]or punishment he hath deserved.
Declare the eighth.
I believe in the Holy Ghost, who is the third Person of the most blessed Trinity, and proceedeth from the Father and the Son, and is in all and every thing equal to the Father, and to the Son; that is, he is God, Eternal, Infinite, Omnipotent, Creator, and Lord of all things, as the Father and the Son.
Declare the ninth.
I believe also that there is a Church, which is the Congregation of all the faithfull Christians that are Baptized, and I do believe & confess the Faith of Christ our Lord, and acknowledge the high Bishop of Rome for Vicar of the same Church on Earth.
Why is this Church called Holy and Catholick?
Holy, Because it hath the Head, which is Christ, Holy and for that it hath many holy members, the Faith & Law, and Sacraments holy; and it is called Catholick, that is, Univesal.
What signifieth the Communion of Saints?
It signifyeth the Participation of Prayers & good works that are done in that Church; even as in a mans body, all the members are partakers of the good of one member.
Declare the Tenth.
I believe, that in the holy Church there is true remission of sins, by means of the holy Sacraments, Whereby men, of children of the Devill, and condemned to death, become the Children of God, and Heirs of Paradise.
Declare the Eleventh,
I believe that in the end of the world all men shal rise, taking again [Page]the same bodies which before they had, and this by the power of God, to whom nothing is impossible.
Declare the last.
I believe, that for good Christians there is life everlasting, full of all felicity, & free from all kind of evil; as contrariwise for Infidels and for evil Christians, there is eternal death, replenished with all misery, and void of all good.
What mean you by Amen?
I mean, so it is, or, So be it, in truth and verity.
A Declaration of the Pater Noster, and the Ave-Mary.
HAving spoken now of that which we must believe, let us see if you know that, which we must hope for, and of whom we must have hope. Know ye the Pater-Noster
I know it right well, for it was the first thing I learned, and I say it every morning and evening, together with the Ave Mary, and with the Creed.
Say then the Pater Noster.
Our Father which art in Heaven.
1. Hollowed be thy Name.
2. Thy Kingdom come.
3. Thy will be done in Earth, as it is in Heaven.
4. Give us this day our daily bread.
5. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
6. And lead us not into Temptation.
7. But deliver us from evil Amen.
Who made this Prayer?
Christ our Saviour made it, and therefore it is the most excellent of all others.
What is briefly contained in this Prayer?
All that we can demand, and hope for of God; for there be seven Petitions. In the first four we demand that he give us all good: in the three following, that he deliver us from all evil. And concerning that which is good, we first demand the glory of God. Secondly, our Greatest Good. Thirdly, Grace to obtaine it. Fourthly the means to get, and keep the said grace Touching that which is evil, we demand that he deliver us from evil past.
Secondly from evils to come.
Thirdly, from evils present, and so from all evils.
Declare these words that go before the first Petition, that is, Our Father which art in Heaven.
This is a little Preface, in which is given the reason, why we should have courage to speak unto so [Page 14]our request. We say then, that God is our Father by Creation & Adoption, & therefore as Children we have recoutse to Him and we add, that he is in Heaven as Lord of the Univetsal world. And for this we know, that he can grant our petitions, if it so please him, as we do hope he will, seeing he is our Father
Declare the First Petition.
In the First Petition, we demand that God be known by all the world, and his holy name be honoured, and glorifyed by all, as is fitting.
Declare the second.
we demand in the second, that the Kingdom which he hath promised us, come speedily, that is to say, that, the battles which we have with the Devil, the World, & the Flesh being ended, we may arrive to everlasting felicity, where we [Page 15]shall reign with God, without any impediment.
Delare the third,
We demand in the third, the grace of God, with which we may perfectly obey his holy Commandments, as the Angels always obey him in heaven. Because the ladder to mount us up into Heaven, is obedience to his Commandments.
Declare the Fourth,
We demand in the fourth our daily bread, as well spiritual, that is the word of God, & the Sacraments; as corporall, that is, Sustenance & Apparel: for the word of God delivered to us by Preachers, and read by us in spiritual Books, & the holy Sacraments) chiefly of confession & Communion) are most efficatious means on their part (that is, if we our selves be not in fault) to obtain & conserve the grace of God, [Page 16]of which we have spoken in the former Petition. Sustenance & Apparel is necessary for us to maintain this life in the service of God.
Declare the fifth.
We demand in the fifth, that God deliver us from evils past, that is, from sins already committed, & of the pains which for them we have incurred. And we add, As we forgive our debtors their debts, that is, as we pardon the offences of our enemies: for that it is not a reasonable thing, that God forgive us our sins, which are most great offences, if we will not pardon injuries done unto us, which are offences of small importance.
Declare the sixth.
We demand in the sixth, that God will deliver us from temptations, which are evils to come, by not permitting us to be tempted, [Page 17]and giving us grace that we be not overcome.
Declare the seventh.
We demand in the seventh, that God will deliver us from evils present, that is from all affliction and misery, and from all vain prosperity, and temporal advancement if he see that it be hurtfull to our salvation.
Say now the Ave Mary.
Hail Mary full of grace, our Lord is with thee, blessed art thou amongst Women; & blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus, Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and in the hour of our death, Amen.
By whom were these words spoken?
Partly by the Archangel Gabriel, partly by S. Elizabeth, and partly by the holy Church,
To what end doe you say [Page 18]the Ave-Mary, after the Pater-Noster.
To the end, that by the intercession of the most B. Virgin, I may more easily obtain that which I beg of God, because she is the Advocate of sinners, full of mercy, and is seated in Heaven above all the Quires of Angels, and most acceptable to God.
Have you no recourse also to other Saints?
Yea, to all the Saints, and in particular to the Saint of my name, and my Angel-Guardian.
Of the Commandments of God.
LEt us come now to that, which we must do, To love God and our Neighbour. Say you then the ten Commandments.
I am thy Lord thy God,
- 1 Thou shalt have none other Gods before me
- [Page]2. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.
- 3. Remember that thou keep holy the Saboath day.
- 4. Honour thy Father and Mother.
- 5. Thou shalt not Murther.
- 6. Thou shalt not commit adultery.
- 7. Thou shalt not steal.
- 8. Thou shalt not bear false witness,
- 9. Thou shalt not desire thy Neighbour's Wife.
- 10. Thon shalt not covet thy Neighbours Goods?
Who hath given these Commandments,
God himself in the old Law, and afterwards Christ our Lord hath confirmed them in the New.
What do these Commandments coutain, in brief?
All that which we must do, oo love God and our Neighbour. Because the first three Commandments [Page]teach us how we ought to behave our selves towards God with heart, with mouth, and with works. The other seaven do learn us to do good to our neighbour, & not hurt him in person, in his honour, in his goods, neither in deeds nor in words, nor in thought. And so the end of all the Commandments is the Commandment of Charity, which doth command us to love God above all things, and our Neighbours as our selves.
Declare the first Commandment.
In the beginning, God doth admonish us that he is our true & supream Lord, & therefore we are obliged to obey him with all diligence. Next, he commands us, that we must not acknowledge any other for God: wherein the Infidels do sin, who do worship Creatures [Page]instead of the Creator: also Witches and Inchanters, who worship the Devil for their God.
Declare the second Commandment,
The second Commandment forbiddeth Blasphemies, which are most grievous sins: false, or unnecessary Oaths: breaking vows: and all other dishonour that is done to God with words.
Declare the third.
The third commands the keeping of Sunday, and other Feasts holy which consists in abstaining from servile works, in considering the benefits of God, visiting the Churches, praying, reading spiritual Books, hearing Divine Service, and Sermons, and doing such other spiritual and holy works.
Declare the fourth.
The fourth ordaineth, that we [Page 22]honour our Father & Mother, not only with reverence of words, or uncovering our head to them; But also with helping, and succouring them in their necessities. And that which we say of Father or Mother, we ought also to observe towards other our neighbours, although there be not so great obligation as to Father and Mother, who have given us our Being and brought us up with great pains.
Declare the fifth.
In the Fifth is commanded, that we kill no body unjustly, nor do them harme in their Persons; I say unjustly, because Judges who condemn malefactors to death, and Ministers of Justice, who put them to death, as also Solders in a just War, do not sin whilst they wound and kill.
Declare the sixth.
The sixth, commands that we commit not Adultery, that is, sin with the wife of another man: and it is also understood, that we commit not Fornication, nor any other carnall sin.
Declare the seventh.
The seventh commandeth, that no man take away the goods of others secretly; which is called Robbery, nor commit any deceit in selling, buying, and like contracts; and finally, do no harm to his neighbour in his Goods.
Declare the eighth.
In the eighth is forbidden false witness, murmuring, detracting, flattering, lying, and all other hurt, which is done to our Neighbour with the Tongue.
Declare the two last.
God commanded in the two last Precepts, that none desire the [Page 24]wife or goods of others, because he that seeth our hearts, will have us holy and clean, not only outwardly but also inwardly, so that we may be intirely and truly just.
Of the Commandments of the Church, and of Councils.
ADd to the Commandments. Of God, those few which the Church hath added.
The Commandments of the holy Church are six.
1. To hear Mass upon the Sundays, and Holy-days of commandment.
2. To Fast Lent, Vigils commanded, & Ember-days, and not to eat Flesh on Fridays or Saturdays.
3. To confess our sins at the least once a year.
4. To receive the B. Sacrament at the least at Easter.
[Page 25][...], To pay Tithes.
6, Not to celebrate Marriage in time forbidden, that is, from the first Sunday of Advent, until Twelf-day, and from the first day of Lent till Low-Sunday inclusive.
Besides the Commandments, which we are all bound to keep, be there any Councels of perfection?
There be three Counsels by our Saviour Christ, given to those that desire to attain to perfection.
Which be these Counsels?
Voluntary Poverty perpetual Chastity, and obedience in every thing that is not sin.
Of the Sacraments.
WE have already treated of that which we must believe, hope for, and do; it remaineth that we speak of the Holy Sacraments, by means whereof we obtain the grace of God.
Say therefore, how many Sacraments be there?
There be seven, [viz.] 1. Baptism, 2. Confirmation, 3 Eucharist, 4. Penance, 5. Extream Unction, 6. Order, 7. Matrimony
Who ordained them?
Christ Jesus our Lord.
What effect doth Baptism work?
It maketh a man become the Child of God, and Heir of Paradise: it blotteth out all Sins, and filleth the Soul with Grace, and spiritual gifts.
What effect doth Confirmation work?
It fortifyeth a man that he be not afraid to confess the Faith of Christ our Lord; and so it ma leth us become the Soldiers of our Saviour.
What effect maketh the Eucharist?
It nourisheth Charity, which is the life of the Soul, & doth daily increase it more. And therefore it is given under the form of Bread though truly it be not Bread, but the true body of our Lord: as likewise that which is in the Chalice, is not Wine, albeit it seem Wine; but is the true blood of the same Christ our Lord, under the form of Wine.
What effect worketh Penance?
It forgiveth sins committed after Baptism, and bringeth again to the frienship of God, him who through sin was become his enemy
What must we do to receive this Sacrament?
We must first have sorrow for our own sins, with purpose never more to commit them, Then we must confess them all to a Priest, approved by Superiors: and finally we must do the penance that is enjoyned by the Priest.
What effect doth Extreame Unction work?
It blotteth out the relicks of sin; giveth joy and strength to the soul, to fight against the Devil in the last hour; and also helpeth to recover bodily health, if it be so expedient for the salvation of the soul.
What effect worketh the Sacrament of Order?
It giveth Virtue and Grace to Priests, and other Ministers of the Church to be able to do well their Duties.
What effect hath the Sacrament of Matrimony?
It giveth Vertue & Grace to those that be lawfully joyned together, to live in Matrimony with peace & charity, & to beget & bring up their Children in the holy fear of God, to the end they may have joy in this life, and glory in the other.
Of the Theological and Cardinal Virtues.
WE have now ended the four Principal parts of the Christian Doctrine, which be the Creed, the Pater Noster, the Commandments, and the Sacraments. I will now, that we talk of Virtues and Vices, and of some other things which do help us much to live conformably to the will of God, Tell me therefore, How many Principal Virtues be there?
There be seven: three Theological, and four Cardinal;
Which be the Theological?
Faith, Hope, and Charity,
Wherefore be they called Theological?
Because this word Theological signifyeth a thing that regardeth, or appertaineth to God,
How doth Faith then appertain to God
Because it makes us believe all that which God hath revealed to his Holy Church.
How doth hope pertain to God?
Because it makes us put our trust in God, and hope for eternal life of him, by means of our merits which yet do proceed from his grace.
Why doth Charity pertain to God?
Because it makes us love God above all things, & our Neighbour as our selves for the love of God.
Why are they called Cardinal?
Because they are Principal, and as it were the Fountains of all good works.
Which be the Cardinal Virtues?
Prudence, Justice, Fortitude, and Temperance.
Declare unto me the office of these Virtues.
Prudence makes us considerat and wary in every thing, to the end we our selves be not deceived, nor deceive others Justice makes us render to others, that which is theirs. Temperance makes us bridle our inordinare desires. Fortitude causeth that we fear not any danger, nor even death it self for Gods service.
Of the Gifts of the Holy Ghost.
HOw many are the Gifts of the Holy-Ghost?
They be seven, 1. Wisdom. 2. Understanding. 3. Counsel, 4. Fortitude. 5. Knowledge. 6. Piety. 7 Fear of God.
Whereto do these gifts serve?
They serve for the help of virtue, and to make us perfect in the way of God, because through Fear, we abstain from Sin: through Piety we are devout & obedient to God: [Page 32]through Knowledg we are taught to understand the will of God: by Fortitude, we are holpen to put the same in execution: through Councils we are admonished of the deceits of the devill: through Ʋnderstanding, we are elevated to penetrate the misteries of Faith: through wisdom we become perfect, ordering all our life, & all our works to the glory of God; because the wise man doth know the last end, and direct every thing there unto.
Of the works of Mercy.
HOw many be the Works of Mercy, of which we shall be demanded account in particular, at the day of Judgment?
They be seven,
- 1, To give Food to the Hungry,
- 2, To give Drink to the Thirsty,
- 3, To cloath the naked,
- 4, To harbour the Pilgrims,
- 5, To visit the Sick,
- [Page]6, To visit the Imprisoned,
- 7, To bury the dead,
These be corporal works of Mercy: Be there any spiritual?
8, There be other seven; To wit,
- 1, To give counsel to the doubtful,
- 2, To instruct the ignorant,
- 3, To admonish sinners,
- 4, To comfort the afflicted,
- 5, To pardon offences,
- 6, To endure patiently those that be troublesome,
- 7. To pray to God for the living, and the dead,
Of Sins,
TO come now to sins, How many sorts be there of sins
Two, Original and Actual, which are afterwards divided into Mortal and Venial,
What is Original Sin?
It is that in which we are all born, and we have it as it were by [Page 34]Inheritance from our first Father Adam.
How is this sin blotted out?
With holy Baptism: and therefore he that dyeth without Baptism goeth to Limbus, and is deprived for ever of the glory of Heaven.
What is Mortal sin?
It is that which we commit against the Charity of God, or of our neighbour; and it is called mortal, because it depriveth the Soul of her spiritual life, which is the grace of God.
How is this sin forgiven?
By holy Baptism when a man is Baptized in age, and hath committed sin actually before: or by the Sacrament of Penance, as hath been said before. And who dyeth in mortall sin, goeth to the everlasting pains of Hell.
What is venial sin?
It is that which is not against Charity, and deprives not the Soul of Grace, nor sends it to the Pains of Hell: yet nevertheless it displeaseth God, because it is not conformable to his will: and it diminished the fervour of Charity, and therefore it is needful it be purged in this World, or in purgatory, which is in the other life.
How many are the Capital Sins and as it were the Fountains of all others?
They be Seven: and to every one is opposite a contrary Virtue.
- Pride
- Covetousness
- Luxury
- Anger
- Gluttony
- Envy
- Sloth
- Humility
- Liberality
- Chastity
- Patience
- Abstinence
- Brotherly love
- Diligence.
How many are the Sins against the Holy Ghost?
They be Six.
- 1. Despair of salvation.
- 2. Presumption of God's Mercy.
- 3. To impugn the known Truth.
- 4. Envy at another mans Good.
- 5. Obstinacy in sin.
- 6. Final Impenitence.
How many are the sins that cry to Heaven for vengeance?
They are four.
- 1. Wilful Murther.
- 2. Carnal sin against Nature.
- 3. Oppression of the Poor.
- 4. To defraud Workmen of their Wages.
Of the four last things: and of the ROSARY.
HOw many are the last things of man, which the scripture so calls, and which being well considered, make us abstain from sins?
Four. 1. Death. 2. Judgment. 3. Hell. 4. Heaven.
What exercise have you to maintain your Devotion?
I say the Rosary of our Lady; and do meditate the 15 Misteries of the same, wherein is contained the Life of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Which are the Fifteen Mysteries of the Rosary?
There are five joyful.
- 1. The Annuntiation of the Angel.
- 2. The Visitation of S. Elizabeth.
- 3. The Nativity of our Lord.
- 4. The Presentation in the Temple.
- 5. The disputing of the Child Jesus with the Doctors.
Other five are sorrowful.
- 1. The Prayer in the Garden.
- 2. The whipping at the Pillar.
- 3. The crowning with Thorns.
- 4. The carrying of the Cross.
- 5. The Crucifying and Death of our Saviour.
The five last are Glorious.
1. The Resurrection of our Lord.
2. His Ascension.
3. The coming of the Holy-Ghost.
4. The Assumption of our B. Lady.
5. Her Coronation and Exaltation above all the Quires of Angels.
Live, Jesus, live, and let it be My life to dye for love of thee.