Q. Do not Catholics pray to images and relics?

A. No; by no means: we pray before them indeed (to keep us from distractions, and help our memories to think on heavenly things) but not to thein; for we know well they can neither see, nor hear, nor, help us.

Q. What other proof have you for the lawful use of images?

A. First, out of St John iii. 14. Where Christ approves the making and exalting the brazen serpent, by which the Israelites were healed in the desert, and owns it to be an image or figure of himself, exalted on the cross.

Add to this, that the second Nicene council, Act 7, anathematizes image-breakers; that is, such as shall break them in contempt or scorn, and all such as allege the places in scripture, which are against idols, to be against the sacred images; and also those who say that Catholics honour images as God, with sovereign honour.

Q. How could you further satisfy a Protestant, that should charge you with idolatry, in giving sovereign honour to pictures and images?

A. I would for satisfaction herein break a crucifix, or tear a picture of Jesus Christ in pieces, and throw the pieces into the fire; and would show him the Council of Trent, Sess. 25, which teaches thus, Images are not to be venerated for any virtue of divinity that is believed to be in them, or for any trust or confidence that is to be put in them, as the Gentiles did of old, who reposed their hope and trust in their idols; but because the honour that is exhibited to them is referred to the prototypes represented by them, &c.

Q. What benefits do we receive by images?

A. Very great; because they movingly represent to us the mysteries of our Saviour's passion, as also the martyrdoms and examples of his saints.

Q. Is there not some danger of idolatry by the frequent use of images?

A. Truly none at all; for it is not well possible that any rational man, who is but meanly instructed in Christianity, should conceive or think a piece of painted wood or marble, is that God and man, Christ Jesus, who was born of the Virgin Mary, died on the cross, arose from the dead, ascended into Heaven, and sits now on the right hand of God.

Q. But how if such inconveniences happen, at least by accident?

A. Let the abuse be mended, and not the good institution

taken away, or blamed; for man's nature is subject to hurt itself, even in the best things, which must not therefore be given over.

Q. How do you prove it lawful to paint God the Father like an old man, seeing he is a pure spirit, and hath no body? A. Because he appeared to the prophet Daniel in the shape of an old man. Dan. vii. But this is to be understood, that the pictures we make are not the proper images of God the Father, but that shape wherein he appeared to Daniel. And the like is to be understood of the pictures of angels, to wit, that they are not proper images of them, according to their spiritual substance, but of the shape they appear in to men.

Q. What utility doth accrue to us by our honouring saints? A. Very great, seeing it, much conduceth to the imita tion of their virtues and the love of God, making us know that it is possible even for us ourselves to come to the like reward.

Q. How declare you that?

A. Because the higher esteem we have of the saints, and the excellency of their state, the more ardent must needs be our desire, and the stronger our courage, to do and undertake what they did and practised.

Q. Is it lawful to honour the angels and saints?

A. It is with Dulia, an inferior honour, proportioned to their excellency, which they have from God; it is God we honour in them,

Q. How prove you that?

A. First, out of Joshue, v. 14, 15, where Joshua did it. I am prince of the host of the Lord, said the angel to Joshue, and Joshue fell flat on the ground, and adoring, said, What saith my Lord to his servant?

Secondly, Apoc. xxii. 8, where St. John did it (though the angel had once before willed him not to do it in regard of his apostolical dignity,) chap. xix. 10. Aud I fell down, saith he, to adore before the feet of the angel, who showed me these things.

Q. Is it lawful to honour the relics of saints?

A. With a relative honour it is, referring it to God's ho

nour.

Q. How prove you that?

A. First, because a dead man was raised from death to life, by touching the bones of Eliscus the prophet, 4 Kings xiii. 21.

Secondly, out of St. Matt. ix. 20, 21, where we read the

woman that was healed of her bloody flux, but by touching the hem of our Saviour's garment.

Thirdly, out of Acts xix. 12. The handkerchiefs and aprons which had but touched the body of St. Paul, cast out devils, and cured all diseases.

Q. How prove you that dead and inanimate things [for exaniple, medals, crosses, churches, bread, water, and the like,] are capable of sanctity and honour?

A. First, out of Joshua iv. 16, and Exod. iii. 5, where the angel saith to Moses and Joshua, Loose the shoes from thy feet, for the ground whereon thou standest is holy ground.

Secondly, out of St. Matt, xxiii. 17, 18, where we read, that the temple sanctifieth the gold, and the altar the gift; Ye fools and blind, (saith our Lord,) whether is the greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold? the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift?

Thirdly, out of Tim. iv. 4, 5. Every creature of God is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. And out of 2 St. Peter i. 18. where he calls the mountain Tabor a holy hill, because Christ was transfigured upon it.

Q. How prove you that pilgrimages to holy places, as to mount Calvary, mount Tabor, and the sepulchre of Christ, are laudable and pious practices?

A. First, out of Deut. xvi. 16, where God himself commanded, that thrice a year all the people should come up into Hierusalem, to adore and make their offerings to him.

Secondly, the example of Christ himself, our blessed Lady, and St. Joseph, who went up to Hierusalem, the solemn day of the Pasch, St. Luke ii. 41, 42.

Thirdly, out of Acts viii. 38, where the Ethiopian eunuch, going on a pilgrimage to Hierusalem, was in his return converted and baptised by St. Philip, so pleasing was his pilgrimage to God.

Finally, because it was foretold by the prophets, that those places which Christ sanctified by his passion should be of great pilgrimage and adoration. We will adore (saith David) in the place where his feet stood. Psalm 131, 7. And in Isa xi. 10, we read, "Him the Gentiles shall beseech, and his sepulchre shall be glorious."

Q. How do you prove it lawful to go on pilgrimages to the shrines of saints?

A. Because, as you have read already, their relics are holy and venerable things, and God is pleased to work great cures and miracles by them for such as are devout honourers of

them; but such pilgrimages being now liable to abuse are no to be encouraged.

Q. Is there any power now in the church to do miracles? A. There is, according to that unlimited promise of Christ, "Them that believe (in me) these signs follow. In my name they shall cast out devils, they shall speak with new tongues, they shall lay hands upon the sick, and they shall be whole." St. Mark xvi. 17.

Q. Have these things been done in latter ages?

A. They have, and are, as you may see in the unquestioned histories and records of all catholic countries; where many great miracles wrought by the servants of God, are registered under the depositions of eye-witnesses, men above all exceptions, which cannot be denied unless we deny all history.

Q. Why do the pretended reformers say miracles are ceased?

A. Because they have never been able to do any in confirmation of their errors.

Q. Why are so few done here in our days?

A. By reason of the incredulity of many bad christians. St. Matt. xiii. 58.

Q. What necessity is there of the belief of miracles?

A. Doubtless very great; because the belief of miracles, well grounded, make men extremely apprehensive of the presence of God, and his immediate government of human affairs; so that he who absolutely denies miracles. is to be suspected of not believing in a particular providence, which is the main spring on which all christianity depends.

The Second Commandment Erpounded.

Q. WHAT is the second Commandment?

A. Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vain, for the Lord shall not hold him guiltless that shall take the name of the Lord in vain.

Q. What is forbidden by this precept?

A. All false, rash, and unnecessary oaths.

Q. What kind of sins are false and rash oaths?

A. Mortal sins if they be voluntary and deliberate; because by such oaths, we call God to witness a lie; or at least to witness that which is uncertain.

Q. What are the necessary conditions of a lawful oath ?

A. Truth, that we hurt not God's honour; justice, that we

wrong not our neighbour; and judgment, that we swear not vainly, or without necessity.

Q. What is the just cause of an oath?

A. God's honour, our own, or our neighbour's good and defence.

Q. If a man swears to do that which is evil, is he bound to keep his oath?

A. No, he is bound not to keep it; for an oath is no bond of iniquity, yet he sinned by taking it.

Q. How prove you a vain or jesting oath to be a sin?

A. Out of St. Matt. v. 33. It was said of old (saith our Lord,) Thou shalt not commit perjury; but I say unto you, not to swear at all, that is, without just cause.

Q. What other proof have you?

A. Out of St. Jumes v. 12. But above all things swear you not; neither by Heaven nor Earth, nor any other oath. But let your talk be, yea, yea; no, no; that ye fall not under judgment.

Q. What else is prohibited by this precept?

A. All cursing and blaspheming.

Q. How else do men sin against this precept?

A. By breaking lawful vows, and by making or keeping unlawful ones.

Q. What is a lawful vow?

A. It is a deliberate and voluntary promise made to God of some better good.

Q. How do you prove it lawful to make vows?

A. Out of Isai. xix. 21. They shall make vows unto the Lord, and shall perform them.

Q. What is commanded by this precept?

A. To speak always with reverence of God, and his saints.

The Third Commandment Expounded.

Q. WHAT is the third Commandment?

A. "Remember that thou keepest holy the sabbath day," that is, the day of rest.

Q. When began the sabbath to be kept?

A. From the very creation of the world: for then God blessed it, and rested on it, from all his works. Gen. ii. 2. Q. When was this commandment renewed?

A. In the old law; when God gave the commandments to Moses, on mount Sinai, written with his own finger in two tables of stone. Exod. xx. 1. &c. xxxi. 18.