A shorte catechisme of Cardall Bellarmine illustrated with the images.

A BRIEFE CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE TO BELEARNED BY HEART . Of the end of a Christian , and of the signe of the Crosse . Maister .

ARE yow a Christian ?

Scholar .

I am by the grace of God .

What meane yow by a Christian ?

Him that maketh profession of the Faith and Lawe of Christ .

In what doth the Faith of Christ chieflie consist ?

In two principall mysteries , which are included in the signe of the holy † Crosse , that is in the Vnitie & Trinitie of God : & in the Incarnation & death of our Sauiour .

What meaneth Vnitie & Trinitie of God ?

It menaeth that in God there is one only Diuinitie , or , as we saie , Essence and diuine nature , which neuertheles is in three diuine persons , that are called Father , Sonne and holy Ghost .

Wherfore are there three diuine persons ?

Because the Father hath no benning , not proceedeth from another person . The Sonne proceedeth from the Father , and the holy Ghost from the Father and the Sonne .

Wherfore are these three persons one onlie God ?

Because they haue one-self essence , one-self power , one self wisdome and one-self goodnes .

Wath meaneth incarnation and death of our Sauiour ?

It meaneth that de Sonne of God , that is the second person of the most blessed Trinitie became man , and died vppon the Crosse to saue vs .

How are these two mysteries included in the signe of the holy Crosse ?

Because we make the signe of the holy

Crosse putting our right hand first to the head saying . In the name of the Father , then vnder the breast saying , And of the Sonne ; finallie to the lefth , & right shoulder saying , And of the holy Ghost . Amen .

How then is heere shewed the first mystery of the most B. Trinitie ?

Because this woord , In the name , signifies the Vnitie ; the other words signifie the Trinitie ?

Shew new the second ?

The figure of the Crosse doth represent the death of our Sauiour , who after he was made man , and had taught the way of saluation with doctrine , with example , and with miracles , died vppon the holy woode of the Crosse .

A declaration of the Creede . M.

WHich is the Rule of beleef ?

It is the Symbole of the Apostles , which commonlie we call the Creede .

Say the Creede .

I. S.

I beleeue in God the Father almightie , Creator of heauen and earth .

II.

And in IESVS Christ his onlie Sonne out Lord .

III.

Whoe was conceiued by the holy Ghost , borne of the Virgin Marie .

IV.

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

Descended into hel ; the third day he rose againe from death .

VI.

Ascended into heauen , sitteth at the rig hand of God the Father almightie .

VII .

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

VIII .

I beleeue in the holy Ghost .

IX .

The holy Catolique Church , the Communion of Saincts .

Remission of sinnes .

XI .

Resurrection of the flesh .

XII .

Life euerlasting . Amen .

Whoe made the Creede ?

THe twelue Apostles , & therfore there be twelue articles .

What doe theese articles containe in summe ?

All that , which principallie & expressie we must beleeue of God , and of the Church his spouse ; because the eight first articles pertaine to God , the foure last to the Church .

Declare the first article .

I firmlie beleeue in one onlie God , whoe is the natural father of his onlie begotten sonne , and is also father by grace of all good Christians , whoe are therfore called the adoptiue sonnes of God . finally he is father by creation of all other thinges . And this God is Omnipotent , because he can doe all that he will , and hath created of nothing Heauen and Earth , with wathsoeuer is in them , that is the whole vniuersal woorld .

Declare the second article .

I beleeue also in IESVS Christ , who is the onlie begotten Sonne of God the Father , because he was begotten of the same father eternallie , and is God eternall , infinite , omnipotent , Creator , and Lord of vs , and of all things , as is the father .

Declare the third .

I beleeue that IESVS Christ is not onlie true God bud also true man , because he hath taken mans flesh of the im̄aculate Virgin Marie by vertue of the holy Ghost , & so was borne in earth of mother without father , as in heauen he was borne of father without mother .

Declare the fourth .

I beleeue that IESVS Christ , to redeeme the world with his pretious blood , suffered vnder Pontius Pilate Gouernour of Iurie , being scourged , crowned with thornes , and put vppon the Crosse , on the wich he died , and taken downe from the same was buried in a new Sepulchre .

Declare the fifth .

I beleeue that IESVS Christ , as soone as he was dead , went with his sowle to the Limbo or place of holie Fathers , & the third daie , which was the Sundaie , he rose glorious & triumphant .

Declare the sixth .

I beleeue that IESVS Christ , after he had fortie daies remayned with the holie Apostles , to proue with manie apparitions his true Resurrection , mounted vp to the highest heauen , & there sitteth aboue all the quires of Angels , at the right hand of the father , that is , in glorie equall to the father , as Lord and Gouernour of all creatures .

Declare the seuenth .

I beleeue that the same out Lord , in the end of the woorld , shall come from heauen with most great power and glorie , and shall iudgeall men , giuing to euerie one the reward or punishment that he hath deserued .

Declare the eight .

I beleeue in the holy Ghost , who is the third person of the most blessed Trinitie , and proceedeth from the Father and the Sonne , and is in all and euerie thing equall to the Father , and to the Sonne ; that is , he is God , Eternall , Infinite , Omnipotent , Creator , and Lord of all things , as the Father and the Sonne .

Declare the ninth .

I beleeue also that there is a Church , which is the Congregation of all faithfull Christians that are baptized , doe beleeue and confesse the faith of Christ ourd Lord , and acknowledge the high Bishop of Rome for Vicar of the same Christ in earth .

This Church why is it called Holy , and Catholike ?

Holy because it hath the head , wich is Christ , holy ; and for that it hath manie holy members , and the Faith , and Law , and Sacraments holy ; and it is called Catholike , that is Vniuersall .

What signifieth the Communion of Saincts ?

It signifieth the participation of praiers and good woorks , that are done in that Church ; euen as in a mans body all the members be partakers of the good of one member .

Declare the tenth .

I beleeue that in the holy Cuurch there is the true remission of sinnes , by meanes of the holy Sacraments , and that in the same , men , of children of the diuel , and condemned to death , become the children of God , and heyres of Paradise .

Declare the eleuenth .

I beleeue that in the end of the woorld all men shall rise , taking againe the same bodies , wich before they had , and this by the power of God , to whom nothing is impossible .

Declare the last .

I beleeue that for good Christians there is life euerlasting full of all felicitie , and free from all sort of euill ; as contrarie wise for infidels , and for euill Christians , there is eternall death , replenished with all miserie , and void of all good .

What meane you by Amen .

I meane . So is it in truth .

A DECLARATION OF THE Pater Noster , and of the Aue Maria. M.

HAuing spoken now of that which we must beleeue , let vs see yf yow know that which we must hope for , and of whome we must haue hope . Know you the Pater noster ?

I know it right wel , for this is the first thing that I learned , and I say it euerie morning and euening , together with the Aue Maria and with the Creede .

Say then the Pater noster .

I. S.

OVr Father which art in heauen . Halowed be thy name .

II.

Thy kingdome come .

III.

Thy will be donne in earth as it is in heauen .

IIII.

Giue vs this daie our dailie bread .

And forgiue vs our debts , as we also forgiue our debters .

VI.

And leade vs not into tentation .

VII .

But deliuer vs from euil , Amen .

Whoe made this praier ?

CHrist our Sauiour made it , and therfore it is the most excellent of all others .

What is brieflie conteined in this praier ?

All that we can demaund , and hope for of God . For there be seuen petitions . In the first foure we demaund that he giue vs all good : in the three folowing that he deliuer vs from all euill . And concerning that which is good , we first demaund the glorie of God . Secondlie our greatest good . Thirdlie grace to obtaine it . Fourthlie the meanes to get and keepe the said grace . Touching that which is euill , we demaund that he deliuer vs first from euil past ; secondlie from euil to come ; thirdlie from euil present , and so from all euil .

Declare those woords that goe before the first petition , that is , Our father which art in heauen .

This is a little preface , in which is yealded the reason , wherfore we haue couradge to speake vnto so great a Lord , and hope he will graunt our request . We say then that God is our Father by Creation , and Adoption , and therfore as children we haue recourse to him ; and we add that he is in heauen as Lord of the vniuersall world . And for this we know that he can graunt our petition , if it so please him , as we doe hope he will , seing that he is our father .

Declare the first petition .

In the first petition , we demaund that God be knowen of all the world , and that so his holy name be honoured , & glorified of all , at is becometh .

Declare the second .

We demaund in the second that the kingdome , which he hath promised vs , come speedilie , which is to say , that the battailes ended , which we haue with the diuel , with the world , and with the flesh , we may arriue to euerlasting felicitie , where we shall raigne with God without anny impediment .

Declare the third .

We demaund in the third the grace of God , with which we may perfectlie obey his holy commaundements , as the Angels doe alwaies obey him in heauen . Because the ladder , to mount vp to heauen , is the Obedience of his commaundements .

Declare the fourth .

We demaund in the fourth our dailie bread as wel spirituall , that is the woord of God and the Sacraments ; as corporall , that is sustinance and apparel . For the woord of God preached vnto vs by preachers , and read by vs in spirituall bookes , & the holy Sacraments , chieflie of Confession and Communion , at most efficatious meanes of their part ( that is , yf we our selues be not in fault ) to obtaine and conserue the grace of God , of which we haue spoken in the former petition . Sustinance & apparel is necessarie for vs , to maintaine this life in the seruice of God .

Declare the fifth .

We demaund in the fifth that God deliuer vs from euils past , that is from sinnes alreadie committed , remitting vs the debt of the fault , and of the paine , which for them we haue incurred . And we add , As we forgiue our debters their debts , that is , as we pardon the offenses of our enemies : for that it is not a reasonable thing , that God forgiue vs our sinnes , which ar most great offenses , yf we wil not pardon the injuries donne vnto vs , which ar offenses of small importance .

Declare the sixth .

We demaund in the sixth , that God deliuer vs from tentations which ar euils to come , or not permitting vs to be tented , or giuing vs grace that we be not ouercome .

Declare the seuenth .

We demaund in the seuenth that God deliuer vs from euil present , that is from al affliction and miserie and also from all vail ne prosperitie and temporall aduancement , yf he see that it be hurtfull to our sowles saluation .

Say now the Aue Maria.

Haile MARIE full of grace ; Our Lord is with thee ; blessed art thou amongst women , And blessed is the fruite of thy wombe IESVS .

Holy MARIE mother of God pray for vs

sinners , now , and in the hower of our death . Amen .

Of whome be theese woords ?

They be partlie of the Archangel Gabriel partlie of S. Elizabeth , and partlie of th Church .

Tho what effect doe yow say the Aue Marie , afther the Pater noster .

Tho the end that by the intercession of the most blessed Virgin , I may more easilie obtaine that which I demaund of God , beacuse shee is the Aduocatrice of sinners , full of mercie , and withall is in heauen aboue all the quires of Angels , and most acceptable to God .

Haue not yow recourse for help also to other Saincts ?

I haue recourse to all the Saincts , and in particular to the Sainct of my name , and to my Angel guardian .

OF THE COMMAVNDEments of God . M.

LEt vs come now to that , which we must doe to loue God and our neighbour , and say yow the ten Commaundements .

I am the Lord thy God .

Thou shalt not haue any other God before me .

II.

Thou shalt not take the name of God in vaine .

III.

Remember that thou sanctifie the festes .

IIII.

Honour thy father and mother .

Thou shalt not murder .

VI.

Thou shalt not committ adulterie .

VII .

Thou shalt not steale .

VIII .

Thou shalt not beare false witnesse .

IX .

Thou shalt not desire thy neigbours wife .

Thou shalt not couet thy neighbours goods .

Whoe hath giuen theese commaundements ?

GOd him-self in the old lawe , and afterwards Christ our Lord hath confirmed them in the new lawe .

What doe theese commaundements conteine in breefe ?

All that which we must doe to loue God & our neighbour . Because the first three commaundements teache vs how we ought to behaue our selues towards God , with hart , with mouth , & with woorcks . The other seuen doe learne vs to doe good to our neighbour , and not to hurt him in his person , in his honour , in his goods , neither in deedes , nor in woords , nor in thought . And so the end of all the commaundements , is the commaundement of Charitie , which doth commaund vs loue God aboue all things , and our neighbour as our selues .

Declare the first commandement .

In the beginning God doth admonish vs , that he is our true and supreame Lord , and therfore we are obliged to obey him with all diligence . Next he commaundeth vs , that we must not acknowlegde any other for God ; wherin the Infidels doe sinne , who woorship the creatures in steede of the creator ; and also witches and Inchanters , who take the diuel for their God .

Declare the second commaundement .

The second commaundement forbiddeth blasphemies , which are most grieuous sinnes ; false , or not necessarie oathes ; breaking of vowes ; and all other dishonour that is donne to God with woords .

Declare the third .

The third doth commaund the keeping of feastes , which doth consist in abstaining from seruile woorcks , so to haue time to occupie our selues in considering the benefits of God , visiting the Churchs , praying , reading spirituall bookes , hearing diuine seruice & sermons , & dooing such other like spirituall and holy woorcks .

Declare the fourth .

The fourth ordaineth , that we honour our father & mother , not onlie with reuerence of woords , of vncouering our head to them ; but also with helping and fauouring them in their necessities . And that which we say of father and mother , we ought also to obserue towards other our neighbours , although there be not so great obligation as to father and mother , who haue giuen vs our being , and haue brought vs vp with their great paine .

Declare the fifth .

In the fifth it is commaunded , that we kill no boddie vniustlie , nor doe them other harme in their person : & I say vniustlie , because Iudges who condemne malefactours to death , and the ministres of Iustice , who put them to death , as also souldiars in iust warre , doe not sinne whilest they wound and kill .

Declare the sixth .

The sixth commaundeth that we commit not adulterie , that is sinne with the wife of other men : and it is also vnderstoode that we commit not fornication , nor anie other carnall sinne .

Declare the seuenth .

The seuenth commaundeth , that no man take away the goods of others secreatlie , which is called Theft ; nor manifestlie , which is called Robberie ; not commit annie deceite in selling , bying , and like contracts ; and finallie doe no harme to his neighbour in his goods .

Declare the eigth .

In the eigth is forbidden false witnesse , murmuring , detracting , flattering , lying , and all other hurt which is donne to our neighbour with the tongue .

Declare the two last .

God commaundeth in the thwo last precepts , that none desire the wife , nor goods of others ; because he that seeeth our hearts , will haue vs holy & cleane , not onlie outwardlie , but also inwardlie , that so we may be entierlie and trulie iust .

Of the Commaundements of the Church , and of Counsels . M.

ADd to the Commaundements of God , those fewe which the Church hath added

The Commaundments of the holy Church are six ,

Tho heare masse vppon all the Sundaies , & Holie daies of commaundement .

To fast Lent , Vigills commaunded , & Ember-daies , & not to eat flesh on fridaies & Satturdaies .

3. & 4.

To confesse , at the lest , once a yeare .

To receaue , at the lest , at Easter .

To paye tithes .

Not to celebrate marriage in time forbidden that is from the first Sundaie of Aduent vntill Twelfday , & from the first day of Lent to Low-sundaie inclusiue .

Besides the Commaundments , which we all are bound to keepe , be there annie Counsels of Perfection ?

There be three Counsels , by our Sauiour Christ giuen to thoase that desire to attaine to perfection .

Which be theese Counsels ?

I. S.

Voluntarie Pouertie .

II.

Perpetuall Chastitie .

III.

Obedience in euerie thing that is not sinne .

OF THE SACRAments . M.

We haue alreddie treated of all that which we must beleeue , hope for , & dooe ; it remaineth that we speake of the holie Sacraments , by whose meanes we obtaine the grace of God . Say therfore , how manie be the Sacraments ?

They be seuen .

Baptisme .

II.

Confirmation .

III.

Eucharist .

IIII.

Penance .

Extreme Vnction .

VI.

Ordre .

VII .

Matrimonie .

Whoe ordained them ?

Christ IESVS our Lord .

What effect doth Baptisme worck ?

It maketh a man become the child of God and heire of Paradise : it blotteth out all sinnes , and filleth the soule with grace and spirituall gifts .

What effect doth Confirmation or Chrisme woorck ?

It fortifieth a man that he be not afraid to confesse the faith of Christ our Lord , and so it maketh vs become the true souldiars of our Sauiour .

What effect woorcketh the Eucharist ?

It nourrisheth Charitie , which is the life of the sowle , & doth dailie increase it more . And therfore it is giuen vnder the forme of bread ; though trulie it be not bread , but the true bodie of our Lord : as likewise that which is in the chalice , is not wine , albeit it seeme wine , but it is the true bloud of the same Christ our Lord vnder the forme of wine .

What effect worcketh Penance ?

It forgiueth sinnes committed after Baptisme , & bringeth againe to the frendship of God him , who thorough sinne was become his enemie .

What must we doe to receaue this Sacrament ?

We must first haue sorowe for owne sinnes , with purpose neuer more to commit them . Then we must confesse them all to a Priest approued by Superiors ; and finallie we must doe the penance that is inioyned vs by the Priest .

What effect doth Extreme Vnction woorck ?

It blotteth out the reliques of sinnes ; giueth ioye and strength to the sowle , to fight against the diuell in the last hower ; and also helpeth to recouer bodilie health , if it be so expedient for the saluation of the sowle .

What effect woorcketh the Sacrament of Order ?

It giueth vertue and grace to Priests and other ministers of the Church , to be able to doe well their duties .

What effect worcketh the Sacrament of Matrimonie ?

It giueth vertue and grace to those that be lawfullie ioined together , to liue in matrimonie with peace and charitie , and to begett , and bring vp their children in the holy feare of God , to the end they may haue ioy in this life and in the other .

Of Theologicall and Cardinall vertues . M.

WE haue now ended the foure principall parts of the Christian Doctrine which be the Creede , the Pater noster , the Commaundements , and the Sacraments . I will now that we talk of Vertues and Vices , of some other things which doe help vs much to liue conformablie to the will of God . Tell me therfore , How manie be the principall Vertues ?

They be seuen ; Three Theologicall , and foure Cardinall .

Which be the Theologicall ?

Faith , Hope , and Charitie .

Werfore be they called Theologicall ?

Because this woord Theologicall signifieth a thing , that regardeth or appertaineth to God .

How doth faith then appertaine to God ?

Because it maketh vs beleeue all that , which God hath reueiled to the holy Church .

Wherfore doth Hope pertaine to God ?

Because it maketh vs put our trust in God , and hope eternall life of him , by meanes of our merites , which yet doe proceede from his grace .

Why doth Charitie pertaine to God ?

Because it maketh vs loue God aboue all-things things , and our neighbour as our selues , for the loue of God .

Which be the Cardinall vertues ?

Prudence , Iustice , Fortitude and Temperance .

Why be they called Cardinall ?

Because they be principall , and as it were the fountaines of Good woorcks .

Declare vnto me the office of theese vertues ?

Prudence maketh vs considerate & warie in euerie thing , to the end we our selues be not deceiued , nor deceiue others . Iustice maketh vs render vnto others , that which is theires . Temperance maketh vs bridle our disordinate desires . Fortitude maketh that we feare not annie daunger , no nor death it selfe for Gods seruice .

Of the gifts of holy Ghost . M.

HOw manie be the gifts of the holy Ghost ?

They be seuen . 1. Wisdome . 2. Vnderstanding . 3. Counsaile . 4. Fortitude . 5. Knowlegde . 6. Pietie . 7. Feare of God .

Whereto doe theese gifts serue .

They serue for the help of vertues , & to make vs perfect in the way of God , because through feare we absteine from sinnes : through Pietie we are devoure & obedient to God ; through Knowledge we are taught to vnderstand the will of God ; through Fortitude we are holpen to put the same in execution ; through Counsaile we are admonished of the deceits of the diuell ; through vnderstanding we are eleuated to penetrate the mysteries of faith ; through Wisdome we become perfect ordaining all our life , & all our woorks to the glorie of God , because the wiseman doth know the last end , & thereunto doth direct euerie thing .

Of the woorks of mercie . M.

HOw many be the woorks of mercy of which we shal be demaunded account in particular at the day of iudgment ?

They be seuen .

To giue to eate to the hungrie .

II.

To giue to trincke to the Thirstie .

III.

To cloth the naked .

IIII.

To harbour pilgrimes .

To visit the sicke .

VI.

To visit the imprisoned .

VII .

To burie the dead .

Theese be corporall woorks of mercie : be there anie others spirituall ?

There be other seuen that is . I.

1. To giue counsaile to the dout full .

To instruct the ignorant .

To admonish sinners .

To comfort the afflicted .

To pardon offences .

To patientlie support those that be troublesome .

To pray God for the quicke and dead .

Of Sinnes . M.

TO come now to Sinnes , how manie sorts be there of them ?

Two , Original and Actual , which is afterwards diuided into Mortal and Venial .

What is Originall sinne ?

It is that with which we at all borne , and we haue it as it were by heritage from our first Father Adam .

How is this sinne blotted out ?

With holie Baptisme . And therfore he that dieth without Baptisme goeth to Limbus , and is depriued for euer from the glorie of Heauen .

What is Mortall sinne ?

It is that Which we commit against the charitie of God , or of our neighbour . And it is called mortall , because it depriueth the sowle of her spirituall life , which is the grace of God .

How is this sinne forgiuen vs ?

With holie Baptisme , when a man is baptized in age to haue committed sinne actuallie ; or with the Sacramento of Penance as hath ben said before . And who dieth in mortall sinne , goeth to the euerlasting paines of hell .

Which is Veniall sinne ?

It is that which is not against Charitie , and depriueth not the sowle of grace , nor sendeth it to the paines of hell : but neuertheles it displeaseth God , because it is not con̄formable to his will , and it diminisheth the feruour of charitie , And therfore it is needfull to purge it in this woorld , or in purgatorie , which is in the other life .

How many be the Capitall sinnes & as it were fountaines of all sinnes ?

They be seuen , and to euerie one is opposite a contrarie vertue .

Pride , to which is contrarie Humilitie .

II.

Couetousnes , to which is contrarie Liberalitie .

III.

Lecherie , to which is opposite Chastitie .

IIII.

Angre , to which it opposite Patience .

Gloutonie , to which is opposite Abstinence .

VI.

Enuie , to which is opposite brotherlie loue .

VII .

Slouth , to which is opposite Diligence .

How manie be the sinnes against the holie Ghost ?

They be six .

Despaire of Saluation .

Presumption to be saued without merites .

To impugne the knowen truth .

Enuie at an other mans grace .

Obstination in sinne .

Finall impenitence .

How manie be the sinnes that crie vengeance in the sight of God ?

They be foure .

Willfull murder .

II.

Carnall sinne against nature .

III.

Oppression of the poore .

IIII.

To defraude woorkmen of their wages .

Of the foure last things , and of the Rosarie . M

HOw mannie be the last things of man which the Scripture calleth last , which being well considered doe make vt abstaine from sinne ?

Foure .

Death .

II.

Iudgment .

III.

Hell .

IV.

Heauen .

What exercise haue you to maintaine deuotion ?

I saie the Rosarie of our Ladie , and doe meditate the fifteene mysteries of the same , in which is contained the life of our Lord Iesus Christ .

Which be the fifteene Mysteries of the Rosarie ?

There be fiue loifull . 1. The Annuntiation of the Angel . 2. The Visitation of S. Elizabeth . 3. The Natiuitie of our Lord . 4. The Presentation in the Temple . 5. The disputing of the child IESVS with the Doctors .

Other fiue be sorowfull

1. The praier in the garden . 2. The whipping at the pillar . 3. The crowning with thornes 4. The carying of the Crosse . 5. The crucifying and death of our Sauiour .

The last fiue be glorious .

1. The Resurrection of our Lord . 2. His Ascension . 3. The comming of the holy Ghost . 4. The Assumption of our Ladie . 5. The coronation and exaltation of her aboue all the quites of Angels .

FINIS .