By Henry Tuberville, D.D.
AN ABRIDGMENT OF THE CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE: WITH PROOFS OF SCRIPTURE ON POINTS
CONTROVERTED BY WAY OF QUESTION AND ANSWER. COMPOSED IN 1649, BY REV. HENRY
TUBERVILLE, D.D., OF THE ENGLISH COLLEGE OF DOUAY:
NOW APPROVED AND RECOMMENDED FOR HIS DIOCESE, BY THE RIGHT REV. BENEDICT
BISHOP OF BOSTON.
"This is the way, walk ye in it." - Isaiah xxx. 21
NEW YORK: P. J. KENEDY, EXCELSIOR CATHOLIC PUBLISHING HOUSE,5 BARCLAY STREET
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THE AUTHOR TO THE READER
THE principle part of the Catechism is an Abridgment of the Christian
Doctrine; defended and cleared by proofs of scripture, in points
controverted between Catholics and Sectaries; and explained by the familiar
way of question and answer.
To this, in the former impressions, was only adjoined a necessary
exposition of the Mass, our Lady's Office, and the festival days of the
year, but to this last edition is added, an Explanation of certain
ceremonies of the Church, which now renders it more complete for instructing
the ignorant, in the whole doctrine and discipline of the Catholic Church.
Besides I have corrected some false citations, and other errata, which by
the printer's negligence, occurred in the former impressions.
Peruse it, good reader, with such charity as I have penned it, and if by
it perusal thou shalt become more knowing in the law of Christ, and in
practice more dutiful to God, and thy neighbour, it will abundantly
recompense the labour of Thy well-wishing friend and servant in CHRIST.
- H T
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APPROBATION
CUM Liber inscriptus, An Abridgment of the Christian Doctrine, &c. authore
viro docto H. T. mihi probe note, intertia Editione, quam non indiligenter
perlegi, nihil contineat contra sanam Doctrinam vel bonos Mores; multa vero
partim scitu necessaria, partim valde utilia, dilucide & succincte, in Fide
Catholica instituen dis proponat, dignum censeo qui ob publicam utilitatem
Typis evulgetur.
Datum Duaci, Martii 11, 1649.
Gulielmus Hydeus, S. T. D., ac professor,
Colligii Anglorum Duacensis Pręses
& Librorum Censor.
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APPROBATION.
WE feel pleasure in recommending to the faithful of our Diocese this edition
of "An Abridgment of the Christian Doctrine, with proofs of Scripture on
points controverted," as we have found it essentially conformable to the
Dublin edition of 1820, of the correctness of which we entertain no doubt.
+ BENEDICT, Bp Bn.
Boston, April 24th, 1833
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CONTENTS
1. What a Christian is: and of the blessed Trinity
2. Faith explained
3. The Creed expounded in twelve Articles
4. Hope and Prayer explained
5. The Pater Noster, or our Lord's Prayer expounded
6. The Hail Mary, or Angelical Salutation expounded
7. Charity expounded
8. Of the Commandments in general,
The first Commandment expounded,
The second Commandment expounded,
The third Commandment expounded,
The fourth Commandment expounded,
The fifth Commandment expounded,
The sixth Commandment expounded,
The seventh Commandment expounded,
The eighth Commandment expounded,
The ninth and tenth Commandments expounded,
9. The Precepts of the Church expounded,
10. The Counsels of Christ and his Church expounded,
11. Of the Sacraments in general,
Baptism expounded,
Confirmation expounded,
The Eucharist expounded,
Penance expounded,
Extreme Unction expounded,
Holy Order expounded,
Matrimony expounded,
12. The Cardinal virtues expounded,
13. The Gifts of the Holy Ghost expounded,
14. The twelve fruits of the Holy Ghost expounded,
15. The Works of Mercy, (Corporal and Spiritual) expounded,
16. The eight Beatitudes,
17. The Kinds of Sin expounded,
18. The seven Deadly Sins expounded,
19. The Sins against the Holy Ghost expounded,
20. The Sins that cry to Heaven for Vengeance expounded,
21. The four last things expounded,
22. The substance of Essence, and Ceremonies of the Mass expounded,
23. The Primer, or Office of our blessed Lady expounded,
24. The Solemnities of Christ our Lord, and the Sundays of the Year
expounded,
25. Some Ceremonies of the Church expounded
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CHAPTER 1.
What a Christian is: And of the Blessed Trinity.
Question: CHILD, what religion are you of?
Answer: Sir, by the benefit and grace of God, I am Christian.
Q. Whom understand you by a Christian?
A. Him that inwardly believes and outwardly professes the law of Christ.
Q. When are we obliged to make an external profession of it?
A. As often as God's honour, our own, or neighbour's good requires it.
Q. How prove you that we are bound outwardly to profess our faith?
A. Out of St. Matt. x. 32, where Christ saith, Every one, therefore,
that shall confess me before men, I will confess him before my Father who is
in heaven. But he that shall deny me before men, I also will deny him before
my Father who is in heaven.
Q. Are we bound also to venture the ruin of our estates, the loss of our
friends, and to lay down our very lives for the profession and defence of
our faith?
A. Doubtless we are: seeing the reward we expect in heaven, infinitely
exceeds all the pleasures and punishments of this life. And because Christ
the Son of the living God, has suffered far greater things for us, even to a
disgraceful death on the cross? and therefore, it were base ingratitude in
us, not to be ready to give our lives for him as often as his honour shall
require it. Luke, xiv. 26, 33.
Q. In what doth the faith and law of Christ chiefly consist?
A. In two principle mysteries, namely, the unity and trinity of God, and
the incarnation and death of our Saviour.
Q. What means the unity and trinity of God?
A. It means, that in God there is but one only divine nature or essence,
and that in the same one and divine nature there are three persons, the
Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost.
Q. How show you that?
A. Out of John, v. 7. There are three that give testimony in heaven, the
Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost, and these three are one.
Q. Why are there but three Persons only?
A. Because the Father had no beginning, nor proceeds from any other
person; the Son proceeds from the Father, and Holy Ghost proceeds from the
Father and the Son.
Q. What means the incarnation and death of our Saviour?
A. It means that the second person of the blessed Trinity was made man,
and died on the cross to save us.
Q. In what are these two mysteries signified?
A. In the sign of the cross, as it is made by Catholics, for when we put
our right hand to our head, saying, In the name we signify Unity; and when
we make the sign of the cross saying, Of the Father, and of the Son, and of
the Holy Ghost, we signify Trinity.
Q. How doth the sign of the cross represent the incarnation and death of
our Saviour?
A. By putting us in mind that he was made man and died upon the cross
for us.
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CHAPTER II.
Faith Explained
Q. WHAT is faith?
A. It is a gift of God or a supernatural quality, infused by God into
the soul, by which we firmly believe all those things which he hath any way
revealed to us.
Q. Is faith necessary to salvation?
A. It is; St. Paul assuring that without faith it is impossible to
please God. Heb. xi. 6. and St. Mark, xvi. 16, saying, He that believeth not
shall be condemned.
Q. Why must we firmly believe matters of faith?
A. Because God hath revealed them, who can neither deceive, nor be
deceived.
A second reason is, because not only all points of faith, but also the
rule, or necessary and infallible means whereby to know them, to wit, the
church's oral and universal tradition, are absolutely certain, and cannot
lead us into error in faith; else we can never sufficiently be assured what
is faith, or what is not.
Q. If a man should deny, or obstinately doubt of some one point of
faith, would he be thereby lose his whole faith?
A. Yes, he would; because true faith must always be entire, and he that
fails in one, is made guilty of all, by discrediting the authority of God
revealing it.
Q. Is it not enough to believe all that is written in the Bible?
A. No, it is not: For we must also believe all apostolic tradition.
Q. How prove you that?
A. Out of 2 Thess. ii. 15. Therefore brethren (saith St. Paul) stand and
hold ye the traditions which ye have learned, whether by word, or by our
Epistle.
Q. What other proof have you?
A. The apostle's Creed, which all are bound to believe, although it be
not in Scripture.
Q. Is faith only, as excluding good works, sufficient to salvation?
A. No: it is not: St. James, ii. 24, saying, Do you see how that by
works a man is justified, and not by faith only? And St. Paul, saying, 1
Cor. xiii. 2. If I should have all faith, so that I could remove mountains,
and not have charity, I am nothing. And if I should distribute all my goods
to feed the poor, and if I should deliver by body to be burned, and have not
charity, it profiteth me nothing.
Q. What faith will suffice to justify?
A. Faith working by charity in Jesus Christ.
Q. What vice is opposite to faith?
A. Heresy.
Q. What is Heresy?
A. Is it an obstinate error in things that are of faith.
Q. Is it a grievous sin?
A. A very grievous one, because it wholly divides a man from God, and
leads to atheism, Christ saying, if he will not hear the church let him be
to thee as an heathen and a publican, Matt. xviii. 17.
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CHAPTER III.
The Creed Expounded
Q. WHAT is the creed?
A. It is the sum of belief.
Q. Who made it?
A. The twelve apostles.
Q. At what time did they make it?
A. Before they divided themselves into the several countries of the
world to preach the gospel.
Q. For what end did they make it?
A. That so they might be able to teach one and the same doctrine in all
places.
Q. What doth the creed contain?
A. All those chief things which we are bound to believe, concerning God
and his church.
Q. What is the first article of the creed?
A. I believe in God the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.
Q. What signifies I believe?
A. It signifies as much as I most firmly and undoubtedly hold.
Q. What means, I believe in God?
A. It means that not only that I firmly believe there is a God, but also
that I am piously affected to him, as to say chiefest good and last end,
with confidence in him, or otherwise that I move unto him by faith, hope,
and charity.
Q. What signifies the word Father?
A. It signifies the first person of the most blessed Trinity, who by
nature is the Father of his own only begotten Son, the second Person of the
blessed Trinity; by adoption is the Father of all good Christians; and by
creations is the Father of all creatures.
Q. What means the word Almighty?
A. It means that God is able to do all things as he pleaseth; that he
sees all things, knows all things, and governs all things.
Q. Why is he called Almighty in this place?
A. That we might doubt of nothing which follows.
Q. What signify the words, Creator of heaven and earth?
A. They signify that God made heaven and earth, and all creatures in
them, of nothing, by his sole word, Gen. i.
Q. What moved God to make them?
A. His own mere goodness, that so he might communicate himself to
angels, and to men, for whom he made all other creatures.
Q. When did God create the angels?
A. On the first day when he created heaven and earth, Gen. i. where
Moses implies the creation of angels in the word heaven, and makes no other
mention of it. The Nicene creed, interpreting the Apostles' Creed, says,
that the words Creator of heaven and earth, mean all things visible and
invisible.
Q. For what end did God create them?
A. To be partakers of his glory, and our guardians.
Q. How prove you by Scripture, that they be our guardians?
A. Out of St. Matt. xviii. 10, where Christ saith 'See that you despise
not one of these little ones: For I day unto you, their angels in heaven
always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.'
Q. Do the angels know our necessities, and hear our prayers?
A. Doubtless they do, since God has deputed them to be our guardians;
which is also proved out of Zach. i 12. where an angel prays for two whole
cities; the words are 'Then the angel of the Lord answered and said, O Lord
of hosts, how long wilt thou not have mercy on the cities of Juda and
Jerusalem, against which thou hast been angry these seventy years?'
Q. What Scripture have you for praying to angels?
A. Gen. xlviii. 16, where Jacob on his death bed prayed to an angel for
Ephraim and Manasses, saying, 'The angel of the Lord that delivered me from
all evils, bless these children.'
This place is cited for prayer to the angels in the notes of the Rhemish
Testament upon it, and is confirmed to signify a created angel by St. Basil,
lib. 3. cont. Dunon. sub initio: And St. Chrysosthom. 7. in laudem Sancti
Pauli.
Q. How did Lucifer and his fellow angels fall from their dignity in
heaven?
A. By a rebellious sin of pride.
Q. With what shall their ruins be repaired?
A. Will holy men.
Q. When and to what likeness did God create man?
A. On the sixth day, and to his own likeness: Gen. i. 27.
Q. In what doth the similitude consist?
A. In this, that man is in his soul an incorporeal, intellectual and
immortal spirit, as God is. And in this, that as in God there is but one
most divine nature or essence, and yet three distinct Persons; so in man
there is but one indivisible soul, and yet in that soul three distinct
powers, will, memory, and understanding.
Q. How do you prove the soul to be immortal?
A. Out of Matt. x. 28, where Christ saith, 'Fear not them that kill the
body, and cannot kill the soul.'
Q. What other proof have you?
A. Out of Eccles. xii. 7. At our death the dust returns to the earth
from whence it was, and the spirit to God that gave it.
Q. In what state did God create man?
A. In the state of original justice, and perfection of all natural
gifts.
Q. Do we owe much to God for our creation?
A. Very much, seeing he made us in such perfect state, creating us for
himself, and all things else for us.
Q. How did we lose original justice?
A. By Adam's disobedience to God, in eating the forbidden fruit.
Q. In what state are we now born?
A. In the state of original sin, and prone to actual sin, subject to
death.
Q. How prove you that?
A. Out of Rom. v. 12. 'By one man sin entered into the world, and by sin
death; and so unto all men death did pass, in whom all have sinned.'
Q. Had man ever died, if he had never sinned?
A. No, he had not, but had been converted by the tree of life, and been
translated alive into the fellowship of the angels.
The Second Article
Q. SAY the second article.
A. And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord.
Q. Of what treats this article?
A. Of the second person of the blessed Trinity, in whom we also believe
and put our trust.
Q. What is the second Person?
A. He is true God, and true Man, in one Person.
Q. How prove you that?
A. Out of St. John's Gospel, chap. i. 1. 'In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God, and the Word was God, &c. And the Word was made
flesh, and dwelt among us.'
Q. What other proof have you?
A. Out of Phil. ii. 6, 7, where St. Paul saith, 'That Christ when he was
in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God, but he hath
lessened himself, taking the form of a servant, made unto the likeness of
men; and found in habit as a man.
Q. Why should God be man man?
A. To redeem and save lost man.
Q. Was his incarnation necessary for that end?
A. In the manner it was; because our offences against God were in some
sort infinite; as being against his infinite goodness; and therefore
required an infinite satisfaction; which no one could make but God and
therefore he was made man.
Q. What other proof have you for the necessity of the Incarnation?
A. Because God is in himself so spiritual, sublime, and abstract a
thing, that if he had not in his mercy adapted his own inscrutable greatness
to the littleness of our sensible capacity, by being made man, scarce on of
a thousand would ever have been able to know anything to the purpose of him;
or consequently to love and serve him as they ought, (which is the necessary
means of our salvation) since nothing is efficaciously willed which is not
first well understood.
Q. What benefit have we by the knowledge of God made man?
A. It much inflames us with the love of God, who could not more have
dignified men's nature, or shown more love to the world, then to send down
his only Son to redeem it in our flesh.
Q. What signifies the name of Jesus?
A. It signifies a Saviour, St. Matt. i. 21.
Q. Is any special honour due to that name?
A. There is, because it is the highest title of God made man.
Q. How prove you that?
A. Out of Phil. ii. 8, 9, 10, where we read, 'God hath given unto Christ
because he hath humbled himself unto the death of the cross, a name which is
above all names, the name of Jesus.'
Q. What other proof have you?
A. Because there is no other name under heaven given to man, in which we
must be saved. Acts iv. 12.
Q. How prove you that we must bow at this name?
A. Out of Phil. ii. 10. That in the name of Jesus every knee should bow
of those that are in heaven, on earth and in hell.
Q. What signifies the name Christ?
A. It signifies anointed.
Q. Why was he called anointed?
A. Because he was a priest, a prophet, and a king to all which unction
pertains.
Q. With what was Christ anointed?
A. With all the plenitude of divine grace.
Q. What mean the words, his only Son our Lord?
A. They mean that Jesus Christ is the only Son of God the Father,
begotten, as he is God, and of the same Father from all eternity, without a
mother; and therefore is coequal and consubstantial to his Father; and
consequently infinite, omnipotent Creator, and so Lord of us and all things,
as the Father is.
The Third Article
Q. WHAT is the third article?
A. Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary.
Q. What means, who was conceived by the Holy Ghost?
A. It means that the second Person of the blessed Trinity took flesh of
the Virgin Mary, not by a human generation, but by the work of the Holy
Ghost.
Q. How prove you that?
A. Out of St. Luke i. 31, 35. Behold (saith the angel) thou shalt
conceive and bear a Son, &c. the Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the
virtue of the Highest shall overshadow thee.
Q. What understand you by the words, born of the Virgin Mary?
A. I understand that Christ was born of her at midnight, in a poor
stable at Bethlehem, between an ox and an ass.
Q. Why at midnight?
A. To signify that he came to take away the darkness of our sins.
Q. Why in Bethlehem?
A. Because it was the head city of David's family, and Christ was of
David's race.
Q. Why in a poor stable?
A. To teach us to love poverty and contempt of this world.
Q. Why between an ox and an ass?
A. To fulfil that of the prophet, Thou shalt be known, O Lord, between
two beasts, Habacuc xii. juxta Sept.
Q. What doth the birth of Christ avail us?
A. It perfecteth in us faith, hope, and charity.
Q. What signifies, "born of the Virgin Mary?"
A. It signifies that Our Lady was a virgin not only before, but also in,
and after childbirth.
The Fourth Article.
Q. WHAT is the fourth article?
A. Suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified dead and buried.
Q. What understand you by suffering under Pontius Pilate?
A. I understand that Christ, after a painful life of thirty-three years,
suffered most bitter torments under the wicked president Pontius Pilate.
Q. Where did he begin those sufferings?
A. In the garden of Gethsemani; that as sin began in the garden by the
first Adam, so might grace also, by the second.
Q. What are those torments?
A. His bloody sweat, his whipping at the pillar, his purple garment, his
crown of thorns, his Sceptre of a reed, his carrying the cross, and many
others.
Q. What understand you by the words, was crucified?
A. I understand, he was nailed to a disgraceful cross between two
thieves, for our offences, and to save us.
Q. Is is lawful to honour the cross?
A. Yes, with a relative honour it is, because it is a special memorial
of our Saviour's passion, and is called the sign of the Son of man, St.
Matt. xxiv. 30.
Q. What other reason have you?
A. Because the cross was the sacred altar, on which Christ offered his
bloody sacrifice.
Q. What scripture have you for it?
A. Gal. vi. 14. 'God forbid, (saith St. Paul,) that I should glory, but
in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.'
Q. What other proof have you?
A. Out of Phil. iii. 18. Many walk (saith St. Paul) of whom I have often
told you, and now again weeping, I tell you that they are enemies to the
cross of Christ, &c. whose end is perdition. And out of Ezek. ix. 4, where
we read, That such as were signed with the sign Tau, (which was a picture
and figure of the cross,) were saved from the exterminating angel, and only
such.
Q. What signifies the word dead?
A. It signifies that Christ suffered a true and real death.
Q. Why was it requisite he should die?
A. To free us from the death of sin.
Q. Why died he, crying with a loud voice?
A. To show he had power of his own life; and he freely gave it up for
us, being strong and vigorous.
Q. Why died he bowing down his head?
A. To signify his obedience to his Father, in the acceptance of his
disgraceful death.
Q. What means buried?
A. It means, that his body was laid in a new sepulchre, and buried with
honour, as the prophet had foretold, Isa. xi. 10.
The Fifth Article
Q. WHAT is the fifth article?
A. He descended into hell, the third day he arose again from the dead.
Q. What means, he descended into Hell?
A. It means, that as soon as Christ was dead, he descended into Limbo,
to free the holy fathers who were there.
Q. How prove you that?
A. Out of Acts ii. 24, 27. 'Christ being slain, God raised him up
loosing the sorrows of hell, as it was foretold by the prophet,' Psalm xv.
10. 'Thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, nor wilt thou give thy Holy One to
see corruption.'
Q. What other proof have you?
A. Ephes. iv. 8, 9. 'He ascending on high, hath led captivity captive;
he gave gifts to men; and that he ascended,' what is it but because he
descended into the lower parts of the earth?
Q. Did he not descend to purgatory to free such as were there?
A. It is most probable he did according to 1 Pet. iii. 19, 20. 'Christ
being dead, came in spirit; and preached to them also that were in prison,
who had been incredulous in the days of Noah, when the ark was building.'
Q. What understand you by, on the third day he rose again from the dead?
A. I understand, when Christ had been dead part of three days, on the
third day, which was Sunday, he raised up his blessed body from the dead.
Q. Why did he not raise it again sooner?
A. To testify that he was truly dead, and to fulfil the prophecies.
Q. Did he reassume all the parts of his body?
A. He did, even to the last drop of his vital blood, and the very
scattered hairs of his head.
Q. Why did he retain the stigmas and marks of the sacred wounds?
A. To confound the incredulity of men, and to present them often to his
Father, as a propitiation of our sins.
Q. What benefit have we by the resurrection?
A. It confirms our faith and hope, that we shall rise again from death:
'For he who raised up Jesus will raise us also with Jesus.' 2 Cor. iv. 14.
The Sixth Article
Q. WHAT is the sixth article?
A. He ascended into heaven, sits on the right hand of God the Father
Almighty.
Q. What means, He ascended into heaven?
A. It means that when Christ had conversed forty days on earth with his
disciples, after his resurrection, teaching them heavenly things, then he
ascended triumphant into heaven, by his own power.
Q. From what place did he ascend?
A. From the top of the Mount of Olivet, where the print of his blessed
feet are seen to this day.
Q. Why from thence?
A. That were he began to be humbled by his passion, there he might also
begin to be exalted.
Q. Before whom did he ascend?
A. Before his mother, apostles and disciples, Acts 1. 9, &c.
Q. In what manner did he ascend?
A. Lifting up his hands, and blessing them.
Q. Why is it added, Into Heaven?
A. To draw our hearts to heaven after Him; 'If ye have risen with
Christ, seek ye the things which are above.' Col. iii. 1.
Q. What understand you by, Sits at the right hand of God?
A. I do not understand, that God the Father hath any hands, for he is
incorporated, and a spirit: but that Christ is equal to his Father in power
and majesty, as he is God; and that as man he is the highest created glory.
The Seventh Article
Q. WHAT is the seventh article?
A. From thence he will come to judge the living and the dead.
Q. What understand you by this article?
A. I understand Christ will come at the last day from heaven, to judge
all men according to their work.
Q. Does every man receive a particular judgment at his death?
A. He doth, but in the general judgment we shall be judged not only in
our souls, as at our death, but also in our bodies.
Q. Why is that necessary?
A. That as Christ was openly rejected, so he may there be openly
acknowledged to the great joy and glory of his friends, as also to the
confusion of his enemies.
Q. How prove you that in the judgment all men shall receive according to
their works?
A. Out of 2 Cor. v. 10. 'We must all be manifested (saith St. Paul)
before the judgment seat of Christ, that every one may receive the proper
things of the body according as he hath done, whether good or evil.' And out
of St. Matt. xvi. 27. 'The Son of man (saith out Lord) shall come in the
glory of his Father, with his angels, and then he will render to every one
according to his works.'
Q. Is there any merit in our good works?
A. There is, according to Apoc. xxii. 12. Behold I come quickly (saith
the Lord) and my reward is with me; to render to every man according to his
works.'
Q. In what place shall this judgment be made?
A. In the Valley of Jehosaphat, as many suppose between Jerusalem and
Mount of Olivet.
Q. How prove you this?
A. By its conformity to that of the prophet. I will gather together all
nations, I will send them into the Valley of Jehosaphat, and there will I
plead with them upon my people, and my inheritance Israel,' Joel iii.
Q. What signs shall go before it?
A. The sun and moon shall lose their lights, there shall be wars,
plagues, famines, and earthquakes, in many places.
Q. In what manner will Christ come unto it?
A. In great power and majesty, attended with legions of angels.
Q. Who are they that shall be judged?
A. The whole race and progeny of man.
Q. What are the things that shall be judged?
A. Our thoughts, words, and works, even to the secrets of our souls.
Q. Who will accuse us?
A. The Devils, and our own guilty consciences: in which all our
thoughts, words and deeds shall presently appear, and be laid open to the
whole world.
Q. How shall the just and reprobate be placed?
A. The just shall be on the right; the reprobate on the left hand of the
Judge.
Q. What shall be the sentence of the just?
A. 'Come, O ye blessed of my Father, and receive ye the kingdom which is
prepared for you, for I was hungry and ye gave me to eat, I was thirsty, and
ye gave me to drink,' &c St. Matt. xxv. 35, 36.
Q. What shall be the sentence of the reprobate?
A. 'Go ye cursed into eternal fire, which hath been prepared for the
devil and his angels; for I was hungry, and ye gave me not to eat,' &c. the
same chap. v. 41, 42. You see of what weight good works will be at that day.
Q. Why is it added, the living and the dead?
A. To signify that Christ shall judge, not only such as are living at
the time of his coming, but likewise all such as have been dead, from the
creation of the world; as also by the living, are understood angels and
saints, by the dead, devils and damned souls.
The Eighth Article
Q. WHAT is the eight article?
A. I believe in the Holy Ghost.
Q. Of what treats this article?
A. Of the third Person of the blessed Trinity, in whom we also believe
and put our trust, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, and is the
self-same God with them, distinct in nothing but in person.
Q. How prove you that?
A. Out of 1 John v. 7. 'There are three that give testimony in heaven,
the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost, and these three are one.'
Q. Why is the name of the Holy Ghost appropriated to the third Person,
since angels are all spirits and holy?
A. Because he is such by excellency and essence, they only by
participation.
Q. At least why should it not be common to the other two persons?
A. Because they are known by the proper names of Father and Son, but we
have not any proper name for the Holy Ghost.
Q. In what forms has the Holy Ghost appeared unto man?
A. In the form of a dove, to signify the purity and innocence which he
caused in our souls; and in the form of a bright cloud, and fiery tongue, to
signify the fire of charity, which he produced in our hearts, as also the
gift of tongues; and hence it is, he is painted in these forms.
The Ninth Article
Q. WHAT is the ninth article?
A. I believe in the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints.
Q. What understand you by this?
A. I understand that Christ hath a church upon earth which he
established in his own blood, and that he hath commanded us to believe that
church, in all things appertaining to faith, and morals, Matt. xviii. 17.
Q. What kind of faith must we believe her with?
A. With the same faith that we believe her Spouse the Son of God, that
is, with divine faith, but with this difference among other, that we believe
in God; but though we believe the church, yet we do not properly believe in
the church.
Q. What is the church?
A. It is the congregation of all the faithful under Jesus Christ, their
invisible head, and his vicar upon earth, the Pope.
Q. What are the essential parts of the church?
A. A Pope o