The christian doctrine in manner of a dialogue betweene the master and the disciple Made by the Reuer. Fa. Iames Ledesma of the Society of Iesus. Now lately translated into English, for the vse of children, and other vnlearned Catholickes

IESVS MARIA .

OF the name and signe of a Christian . Chap. 1. M.

Are you a Christian ?

Yea , by the grace of our Lorde Iesus Christ .

What is a Christian ?

The Disciple of Christ : that is he which hauing bene baptized beleeueth and maketh open profession of his law .

What do you vnderstand Christ to be ?

He is trew God and trew man .

Which is the signe of a Christian ?

The signe of the holy Crosse , which is made by putting the hand vnto the head , & vnder the breast , and then at the lefte shoulder , and the right , saying . In the name of the Father and of the Sonne & of the holy Ghost . Amen .

Why is it made in this manner ?

To signifie vnto vs two great misteries . the one of the most holy Trinity : the other of the Incarnation of our Lord Iesus Christ who died for vs vpon the Crosse .

Of the end of man and necessary things for a Christian . Chap. 2. M.

For what end was man created ?

For to loue and serue God in this life : and afterward , for to see him and enioy him in the other life .

How many thinges are necessary for a Christian that he may attaine his end , and be saued ?

Fower . Faith , Hope , Charity , & good workes .

What do you beleeue by Faith ?

All that which the holy Catholick Roman Church beleeueth & holdeth : and principally , that which is contained in the Creed .

Say the Creed .

1 Credo in Deum Patrem omnipotentem , creatorem coeli & terrae .

2 Et in Iesum Christum , filium eius vnicum , Dominum nostrum .

3 Qui conceptus est de spiritu sancto natus ex Maria Virgine .

4 Passus sub Pontio Pilato , crucifixus , mortuus & sepultus .

5 Descendit ad inferos , tertia die resurrexit a mortuis .

6 Ascendit ad coelos , sedet ad dexteram Dei patris omnipotentis .

7 Inde venturus est iudicare viuos & mortuos .

8 Gredo in Spiritum sanctum .

9 Sanctam Ecclesiam Catholicam , Sanctorum communionem .

10 Remissionem peccatorum .

11 Carnis resurrectionem .

12 Vitam aeternam . Amen .

1 I Beleeue in God the Father Almighty , maker of heauen & earth .

2 And in Iesus Christ , his onely Sonne our Lord .

3 Which was conceiued by the holy Ghost , borne of the Virgine Mary .

4 Suffered vnder Pontius Pilate , was crucified , dead and buried .

5 He descended into Hel , the third day he rose againe from the dead .

6 He ascended into Heauen , and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty .

7 From thence he shall come to iudge the quicke and the dead .

8 I beleeue in the holy Ghost .

9 The holy Catholicke Church : the communion of Saintes .

10 The forgiuenesse of Sinnes .

11 The resurrection of the flesh .

12 And the life euerlasting . Amen .

OF the Creed Chap. 3. M.

What haue we saied ?

The Creed .

Who made it ?

The twelue Apostles , whan they were to go for to preach the gospell through all the world .

Wherfore did they make it ?

For to instruct vs in Faith .

What is conteined in the Creed ?

Twelue articles : that is , twelue principall partes of our faith .

An exposition of some principall articles of the Creede . Chap. 4. M.

In whome do you beleeue ?

I beleeue in God .

What is God ?

He is the Creatour and gouernour of heauen and earth , and Lord of all thinges .

Why is God said to be almighty ?

Because with his very will onely and infinite power he can make and destroy euery thing .

What do you beleeue that the most holy Trinity is ?

It is that very same God , the Father , the Sonne , & the holy ghost three persons , & one onely God .

Is the Father God ?

Yea forsooth .

Is the Sonne God ?

Yea forsooth .

Is the holy ghost God ?

Yea forsooth .

Be there three Gods ?

No forsooth . For although there be three persons , yet is there but one onely God .

What similitude can you geue me of the most holy Trinity ?

Euen as we that are made according to his image and likenesse , haue one onely soule , and three powers therof : memory , vnderstanding , and will .

Do you beleeue in Iesus Christ ?

Yea forsooth .

What do you thinke Iesus Christ to be ?

He is the Sonne of God the Father : altogither as mighty , as wise as good as the Father , which Sonne of God became man for vs in the wombe of the gloriouse Virgine Mary , by the worke of the holy Ghost .

What other thinge hath Christ done for vs ?

He was borne of the same Virgin Mary , she remaining a Virgin before her childbirth , in her child-birth , and after her childbirth .

And what more ?

He was crucified dead and buried descended into hell , the third day he rose againe from the dead . He ascended into heauen and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father almighty , as his sonne : and from thence he shall come to iudge the quicke and the dead , for to render to euery one according to his workes .

Do you beleue in the holy ghost ?

Yea forsooth , for he is trew God , and the third person of the most holy Trinitye : whoe geueth his grace and his giftes to the holy Catholicke Church .

What is the holye Catholicke Church ?

It is the wholle congregation of the faithfull Christians , who haue and confesse the faith of Iesus Christ : the head of which Church is Christ him selfe , and the Pope his Vicar on earth .

What good haue we in the Church ?

This : that we are partakers of all the sacrifices , Sacramentes , and good workes which are donne therin : And we haue the remission of sinnes , with many other graces and giftes of God .

What is the resurrection of the fleshe , and the life euerlasting ?

It is , that at the day of iudgement euery one shall rise againe with the very same body & soule : and the good shall go into euerlasting life , for to see & enioy God : and the euell vnto Hell , with the Deuells .

Who goeth to the paines of Purgatory ?

The soules of those which dye in the grace of God , and haue not fully satisfied for their sinnes : and after that they haue suffered the dew punishments they shall go to heauen .

OF the second thing necessary for a Christian that is , of Hope . Chap. 5. M.

What do you looke to haue by Hope in God ?

The life euerlasting : which principally is obteined by the grace of God , and besides , by the merittes which through the same grace proceed from vs .

For to obteine that which wee hope for , what is required ?

Amongst other thinges , Prayer .

What prayers doth the Chruch teach vs ?

The Pater noster , the Aue Mary , and the Salue Regina , and others .

Say the Pater noster .

1 Pater noster qui es in coelis : sancti ficetur nomen tuum .

2 Adueniat regnum tuum .

3 Fiat voluntas tua , sicut in coelo , et in terra .

4 Panem nostrum quotidianum da nobis hodie .

5 Et dimitte nobis debita nostra , sicut et nos dimittimus debitoribus nostris .

6 Et ne nos inducas in tentationem .

7 Sed libera nos a malo . Amen .

Our Father which art in Heauen

1 Hallowed be thy name .

2 Thy kingdome come .

3 Thy will be done in earth , as it is in heauen .

4 Giue vs this day our daily bread .

5 And forgiue vs our trespasses , as we forgiue them that trespasse against vs .

6 And lead vs not into temptation .

7 But deliuer vs from euell . Amen .

OF the Pater noster . Chap. 6 M.

What haue we saied ?

The Pater noster .

Who made it ?

Our Lord Iesus Christ : & he spoke it with his most holy mouth and gaue it to his Disciples and therfore it is the most excellent of all praiers .

What do we aske in this praier ?

First we aske the glory of God , and than our owne good for our soule , and body , and that he will deliuer vs from all euell .

With whome do we speake therin ?

With our Lord God .

Where is God ?

He is in euery place : but he is said principally to be in heauen : where he doth manifest him selfe vnto the Blessed .

OF the Aue Mary . Chap. 7

Aue Maria gratia plena , Dominus tecum . Benedicta tu in mulieribus : et benedictus fructus ventris tui , Iesus . Sancta Maria , mater Dei , ora pro nobis peccatoribus nunc et in hora mortis nostrae . Amen .

Haile Mary , full of grace , our Lord is with thee , blessed arte thou among women , and blessed is the fruite of thy wombe , Iesus . Holy Mary , mother of God , pray for vs sinners , now , and in the houre of our death . Amen .

What haue we saied ?

The Aue Mary .

Who made it ?

The Angell Gabriel , when he came to salute our Lady : wherunto are adioined some wordes of S. Elizabeth and of the Church .

With whome do we speake in the Aue Mary ?

With our Lady .

What do you beleeue our Lady to be ?

She is mother of God , a Virgin , full of grace , and of all vertew : Queene of heauen , and of earth , and our aduocate .

Where is our Lady ?

She is in heauen .

What say you of her which is in the Church ?

That is the Image of her which is in heauen , for to put vs in mind of her : and because it is her image , we do reuerence vnto it , in honour of her selfe .

As there are many Images of our Lady , be there also many Ladies ?

No forsooth : but one only which is in heauen : whome those Images doe represent which are on earth .

Why than is shee called , our Lady of Pity , of Remedy , of Consolation and in other like sorte ?

For the many and diuerse benefittes which she doth vs .

What do we say to her in the Aue Mary ?

We salute her and praise her recommending our selues vnto her .

OF the Salue Regina . Chap. 8. SAlue Regina , mater misericordiae , vita , dulcedo , et spes nostra , salue : Ad te clamamus , exules , filij Euae : Ad te suspiramus , gementes , et flentes , in hac lachrimarum valle . Eia ergo aduocata nostra , illos tuos misericordes oculos ad nos conuerte . Et Iesum benedictum fructum ventris tui nobis post hoc exilium ostende . O clemens : Opia : O dulcis Virgo Maria. Ora pro nobis sancta Dei genetrix : vt digni efficiamur promissionibus Christi . M.

What haue we saied ?

The Salue Regina .

Who taught it vs ?

Our holy mother the Church .

To whome do we speake ?

With the same Virgin Mary .

What do we say vnto her in it ?

Other praises of the same Virgin , demaunding with all her holy fauour and helpe .

OF other praiers and inuocation of Saintes . Chap. 9. M.

After the Virgin Mary haue you deuotion to other Saintes ?

Yea forsooth , vnto all , as vnto the frendes of God , and our intercessours in heauen : but especially vnto my Agnell keeper , and vnto the Saint of my name .

And vnto the Relickes of Saints ?

I honour them also , because they haue bene the temple of the holy Ghost , and are to be reunited to their gloriouse soules .

What Prayer do you make vnto them ?

Those which the Church doth teach vs , & also for their honour , and that they may pray for me , I say the Pater noster and Aue Mary .

What doe you whan you go to bedd ?

Two thinges . First , hauing made the signe of the Crosse , I examine my conscience . Secondlye I say the generall Confession , the Pater noster , and the Aue Mary , and other my deuotions .

How do you examine your conscience ?

OF the examining of our Conscience . D.

First I thanke God for the benefitts receiued , especially that day .

What more ?

Than I thinke of my sinnes , especially of that day , being sory for them , with purpose of amending and of confessing them .

What than ?

Finally , I aske God pardon , and make a firme purpose of sinning no more .

And what do you the mornings ?

Three things . First , I thanke God that he hath kept me that night , and for his other benefitts .

What is the second thing you do ?

I offer him my body and soule .

What is the third ?

I beseech him that whatsoeuer I shall do may be for his holy seruice : and also I say other my deuotions mentall and vocall : that is , with the minde , and with the voice .

OF the third thing necessary for a Christian which is Charity . Chap. 10. M.

Which is the third thing necessary for a Christian ?

Charity .

Whome ought we to loue with charity ?

God aboue all thinges , and our neighbour as our selues , for the loue of God .

How shall we loue our neighbour as our selues ?

Desiring for him , and doing vnto him , that which we would for our selues , according vnto reason , and the law of God .

OF the fourth thing necessary for a Christian that is of good workes . Chap. 11. M.

Which is the fourth thing necessary for a Christian ?

Good workes . for after that one is come to the yeares of discretion , faith is not sufficient without good workes .

What good workes are these ?

Those which are ordained in the tenne commaundements of God , and in the other of the Church , with the workes of mercy , and of other vertewes .

Say the tenne Commandements .

1 I am thy Lord God . Thou shalt haue no other Gods but me .

2 Thou shalt not take the name of God in vaine .

3 Remember to sanctifie the holy daies .

4 Honour thy Father and mother .

5 Thou shalt not kill .

6 Thou shalt not committ aduoutry .

7 Thou shalt not steale .

8 Thou shalt not beare false witnesse .

9 Thou shalt not desire thy neighbours wife .

10 Thou shalt not desire thy neighbours goods .

AN exposition of the ten Commaundements . Chap. 12. M.

Where did God geue these tenne Commaundements ?

First in the ould lawe . and afterwards Christ our Lord confirmed them in the new .

What is conteined in them ?

The three first , of worshiping one God , of not taking his name in vaine , and of sanctifying the holy daies : do apperteine to the honor of God . because he is to be honoured , first , with the hart , than with the tongue , and with deeds .

And the other seuen ?

They apperteine to the profitt of our neighbour .

These tenne commaundements in how many are they comprehended ?

In the two precepts of Charity : that is , to loue God aboue all thinges , and our neighbour as our selues .

So that the wholle law of God is comprehended in this sweet precepte of loue , which our Lorde graunt vs for his infinite goodnes . Amen .

OF the Commaundements of the Church . Chap. 13. M.

Say the Commaundements of the Church .

1 To heare Masse on the holy daies commaunded ,

2 To fast the Lent and other daies commaunded , and to abstaine from flesh on the accustomed daies .

3 To go to Confession ▪ at the least , once a yeare .

4 To Receaue at the least at Easter .

5 To pay tithes .

OF the seuen Capitall sinnes , which are called mortall . Chap. 14. M.

We haue spoken of the good workes which are to be donne . Say now the euell which must be shunned : and first of the seuen sinnes , which are called mortall .

1 Pride 2 Couetousnes 3 Lechery 4 Anger 5 Gluttony 6 Enuy 7 Slouth .

These are cause and heades of all other , and therfore are called Capitall : although sometimes they may be veniall .

What is Sinne ?

It is that which is thought , spoken , or donne contrary to the law and will of God .

What harme doth mortall sinne to the sinner ?

It maketh him loose God and his grace , and the glory which was promised him : & maketh him dettour of the euerlasting paine of Hell .

Why is it called mortall ?

Because it killeth the soule , making it to loose the life of grace .

What doth veniall sinne ?

It causeth not the losse of Gods grace , neither deserueth hell : but it maketh a man to waxe colde in the loue and seruice of God , and meriteth temporall punishment , and disposeth also vnto mortall sinne .

OF the seuen Sacraments of our holy mother the Church . Chap. 15. M.

What other thing is necessary for vs ?

It is necessary that we know the holy Sacraments , and that we receiue them in dew time whan our holy mother the Church so commaundeth and declareth vnto vs .

For what end ?

For the blotting out of our sinnes and the obteining Gods grace , and helpe for the doing of good workes .

Say the Sacraments of our holy mother the Church . 1 Baptisme 2 Confirmation 3 Eucharist 4 Penance 5 Extreme vnction 6 Holy orders 7 Matrimony .

AN exposition of some Sacraments . Chap. 16. M.

Who hath ordained these Sacraments ?

Our Lord Iesus Christ .

Wherfore ?

For to geue vs pardon of our sinns and to communicate vnto vs his grace , and the meritts of his passion . and in euery one there is geuen grace for some particuler thing , but it is required that we receiue them worthely .

What effect hath the Sacrament of Baptisme ?

It maketh vs Christians , and the children of God .

How is this brought to passe ?

Because we are all borne in original sinne : which togither with all other sinnes committed before Baptisme , is taken away by the same : and there is geuen vs Gods grace and other his giftes : And so we are made children of God , and heires of euerlasting life .

For what effect serueth the Sacrament of Confession or Penance ?

That God our Lord may pardon our sinnes which we haue donne after Baptisme .

How must he prepare him selfe , that will be confessed ?

He must do three thinges . First , he must procure with diligence to to call to mind his sinnes committed .

Secondly , to haue sorow and repentance with purpose of sinning no more .

Thirdly , he must make a full confession of them all , and fulfill his penance geuen him by his Confessour .

For what effect serueth the sacrament of the Aultar ?

First , that our soule may be nourished and fedd with the grace of God and vnited vnto him .

Secondly , that we fall not easely into sinne .

Thirdly , for to obteine all perfection .

Who is in the Blessed Sacrament ?

Iesus Christ our Lorde : in body , soule , and Godhead , euen as he is in heauen : as well in the hoste , as in the chalice : after the consecration of the Priest , which is made in the Masse .

What is the Masse ?

It is a memory and trew representation of the life , passion , & death of our Lord Iesus Christ . and it is with all a Sacrifice where Christ him selfe is offered for the quicke and the dead . And therfore we must be present therat , with great deuotion and attention .

How must one prepare him selfe to receaue worthely the Blessed Sacrament ?

By going with deuotion without conscience of mortall sinne , and being first confessed .

For what effectes do the other sacraments serue ?

For to receiue diuerse graces of God , for that end , for the which they were ordained .

OF the other things which appertaine to the Christian doctrine , or vnto good workes . Chap. 17. M.

Say the other thinges which belong to good workes , or to the Christian doctrine , and first the three theologicall vertewes .

Faith , Hope , and Charity .

Say the fower Cardinall vertewes

1 Prudence . 2 Fortitude . 3 Iustice . 4 Temperance .

Say the seuen giftes of the holy Ghost .

1 The gifte of wisdome . 2 of vnderstanding . 3 of Counsell . 4 of Fortitude . 5 of Knowledge . 6 of Piety . 7 And the gifte of the feare of God .

Say the eight Beatitudes .

1 Blessed are the poore of spirite , for theirs is the kingdome of heauen .

2 Blessed are the meeke : for they shall possesse the earth .

3 Blessed are they that mourne : for they shall be comfourted .

4 Blessed are they that hunger & thirst after Iustice , for they shall haue their fill .

5 Blessed are the mercifull : for they shall obtaine mercy .

6 Blessed are the cleane of hart , for they shall see God .

7 Blessed are the peace-makers , for they shall be called the children of God .

8 Blessed are they that suffer persecution for Iustice , for theirs is the Kingdome of heauen .

Say the twelue fruites of the holy Ghost .

1 Charity . 2 Ioy . 3 Peace . 4 Patience . 5 Longanimity . 6 Goodnes . 7 Benignity . 8 Meeknes . 9 Faith . 10 Modesty . 11 Continency . 12 Chastity .

Say the seuen workes of mercy corporall .

1 To feed the hungry . 2 To geue drinke to the thirsty . 3 To cloth the naked . 4 To harbour Pilgrimes . 5 To visitt the sicke . 6 To visitt Prisoners . 7 To bury the Dead .

Say the seuen workes of mercy spirituall .

1 To geue good Counsell to other . 2 To instruct the ignorant . 3 To admonish those which sinne . 4 To confort the afflicted & troubled 5 To pardon offences & iniuries receiued . 6 To beare patiently the troublesomnes of others . 7 To pray for the quicke and dead .

Say the fifteene misteries of the life of our Lord Iesus Christ , for to meditate and say the Rosary of our Lady .

And first the fiue ioyfull .

1 The Annunciation of our Lady whan the Sonne of God was conceiued . 2 The visitation of Saint Elizabeth . 3 The natiuity of our Lorde Iesus Christ . 4 The Presentation of our Lord in the Temple . 5 Whan our Lord was found againe in the Temple amongst the Doctours .

Say now the fiue sorowfull .

1 The Prayer of our Lorde in the garden . 2 The whipping at the pillar . 3 The Crowning with a crowne of thornes . 4 The carying of the Crosse vnto Mount Caluary . 5 The crucifying and Death of the Crosse .

Say the fiue gloriouse .

1 The Resurrection of our Lorde . 2 His ascension vnto heauen . 3 The comming of the holy Ghost . 4 The Assumption of our Lady . 5 Her Coronation aboue all Angells and Saintes .

Whan it ringeth to the Aue Mary , we may obtaine Indulgence by saying :

At the first toll . Angelus Domini runciauit Mariae et concepit de spiritu sancto .

Aue Maria. &c.

At the second toll . Ecce Ancilla Domini , fiat mihi secundum verbum tuum .

Aue Maria. &c.

At the third toll . Et verbum caro factum est , et habitauit in nobis .

Aue Maria. &c.

Oremus .

GRatiam tuam quasumus Domine mentibus nostris infunde , vt qui Angelo nunciante Christi filij tui incarnationem cognouimus : per Passionem eius et crucem ad Resurrectionis gloriam perducamur : Per eundem Christum Dominum nostrum . Amen .

A Praier before study .

CLementissime Pater , infunde nobis per meritum Iesu Christi filij tui Spiritus sancti gratiam , qua intellectus noster liberalibus disciplinis plenius illustre tur , quas in diuinum tuum honorem aliquando , et nostram spiritualem vtilitatem conuertere possimus . Per Christum Dominum nostrum . Amen .