THE CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE in manner of Dialogue between the Master and the Disciple Made by the Rever. Fa. james Ledesma of the Society of jesus. Now lately translated into English, for the use of children, and other unlearned Catholics. 1597. ✚ a. b. c. d. e. f. g. h. i. k. l. m. n. o. p. q. r. s. s. t. v. u. w. x. y. z. &. A. B. C. D. E. F. G. H. I. K. L. M N. O. P. Q. R. S. T. V W. X. Y. Z a. b. c. d. e. f. g. h. i. k. l. m. n. o. p. q. r. s. s. t. v. uw. x. y. z. & A. B. C. D. E. F. G. H. I. K. L. M N. O. P. Q. R. S. T. V W. X. Y. Z ab. ebb. ib. ob. ub. ac. ec. ic. oc. uc. ad. ed. id. odd. ud. ba. be. by. bo. but da. de. di. do. du fa. fe. fi. fo. fu. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9 10. 11. 12. I. II. III. FOUR V VI VII. VII. IX. X. XI. XII. JESUS MARIA. OF the name and sign of a Christian. Chap. 1. M. Are you a Christian? D. Yea, by the grace of our Lord jesus Christ. M. What is a Christian? D. The Disciple of Christ: that is he which having been baptised believeth and maketh open profession of his law. M. What do you understand Christ to be? D. He is true God and true man. M. Which is the sign of a Christian? D. The sign of the holy Cross, which is made by putting the hand unto the head, & under the breast, and then at the left shoulder, and the right, saying. In the name of the Father and of the Son & of the holy Ghost. Amen. M. Why is it made in this manner? D. To signify unto us two great mysteries. the one of the most holy Trinity: the other of the Incarnation of our Lord jesus Christ who died for us upon the Cross. Of the end of man and necessary things for a Christian. Chap. 2. M. For what end was man created? D. For to love and serve God in this life: and afterward, for to see him and enjoy him in the other life. M. How many things are necessary for a Christian that he may attain his end, and be saved? D. Four. Faith, Hope, Charity, & good works. M. What do you believe by Faith? D. All that which the holy Catholic Roman Church believeth & holdeth: and principally, that which is contained in the Creed. M. Say the Creed. D. 1 Credo in Deum Patrem omnipotentem, creatorem coeli & terrae. 2 Et in jesum Christum, filium eius unicum, Dominum nostrum. 3 Qui conceptus est de spiritu sancto natus ex Maria Virgin. 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 Ind venturus est judicare vivos & mortuos. 8 Gredo in Spiritum sanctum. 9 Sanctam Ecclesiam Catholicam, Sanctorum communionem. 10 Remissionem peccatorum. 11 Carnis resurrectionem. 12 Vitam aeternam. Amen. 1 I Believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven & earth. 2 And in jesus Christ, his only Son our Lord. 3 Which was conceived by the holy Ghost, borne of the Virgin Mary. 4 Suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried. 5 He descended into Hell, the third day he rose again from the dead. 6 He ascended into Heaven, and 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 Catholic Church: the communion of saints. 10 The forgiveness of Sins. 11 The resurrection of the flesh. 12 And the life everlasting. Amen. OF the Creed Chap. 3. M. What have we said? D. The Creed. M. Who made it? D. The twelve Apostles, when they were to go for to preach the gospel through all the world. M. Wherefore did they make it? D. For to instruct us in Faith. M. What is contained in the Creed? D. Twelve articles: that is, twelve principal parts of our faith. An exposition of some principal articles of the Creed. Chap. 4. M. In whom do you believe? D. I believe in God. M. What is God? D. He is the Creator and governor of heaven and earth, and Lord of all things. M. Why is God said to be almighty? D. Because with his very will only and infinite power he can make and destroy every thing. M. What do you believe that the most holy Trinity is? D. It is that very same God, the Father, the Son, & the holy ghost three persons, & one only God. M. Is the Father God? D. Yea forsooth. M. Is the Son God? D. Yea forsooth. M. Is the holy ghost God? D. Yea forsooth. M. Be there three Gods? D. No forsooth. For although there be three persons, yet is there but one only God. M. What similitude can you give me of the most holy Trinity? D. Even as we that are made according to his image and likeness, have one only soul, and three powers thereof: memory, understanding, and will. M. Do you believe in jesus Christ? D. Yea forsooth. M. What do you think jesus Christ to be? D. He is the Son of God the Father: altogether as mighty, as wise as good as the Father, which Son of God became man for us in the womb of the glorious Virgin Mary, by the work of the holy Ghost. M. What other thing hath Christ done for us? D. He was borne of the same Virgin Mary, she remaining a Virgin before her childbirth, in her childbirth, and after her childbirth. M. And what more? D. He was crucified dead and buried descended into hell, the third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father almighty, as his son: and from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead, for to render to every one according to his works. M. Do you believe in the holy ghost? D. Yea forsooth, for he is true God, and the third person of the most holy trinity: who giveth his grace and his gifts to the holy Catholic Church. M. What is the holy Catholic Church? D. It is the whole congregation of the faithful Christians, who have and confess the faith of jesus Christ: the head of which Church is Christ himself, and the Pope his Vicar on earth. M. What good have we in the Church? D. This: that we are partakers of all the sacrifices, Sacraments, and good works which are done therein: And we have the remission of sins, with many other graces and gifts of God. M. What is the resurrection of the flesh, and the life everlasting? D. It is, that at the day of judgement every one shall rise again with the very same body & soul: and the good shall go into everlasting life, for to see & enjoy God: and the evil unto Hell, with the devils. M. Who goeth to the pains of Purgatory? D. The souls of those which die in the grace of God, and have not fully satisfied for their sins: and after that they have suffered the due punishments they shall go to heaven. OF the second thing necessary for a Christian that is, of Hope. Chap. 5. M. What do you look to have by Hope in God? D. The life everlasting: which principally is obtained by the grace of God, and beside, by the merits which through the same grace proceed from us. M. For to obtain that which we hope for, what is required? D. Amongst other things, Prayer. M. What prayers doth the Church teach us? D. The Pater noster, the ave Mary, and the Salue Regina, and others. M. Say the Pater noster. D. 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 hody. 5 Et dimit 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 Heaven 1 Hallowed 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 trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. 6 And lead us not into temptation. 7 But deliver us from evil. Amen. OF the Pater noster. Chap. 6 M. What have we said? D. The Pater noster. M. Who made it? D. Our Lord jesus Christ: & he spoke it with his most holy mouth and gave it to his Disciples and therefore it is the most excellent of all prayers. M. What do we ask in this prayer? D. First we ask the glory of God, and than our own good for our soul, and body, and that he will deliver us from all evil. M. With whom do we speak therein? D. With our Lord God. M. Where is God? D. He is in every place: but he is said principally to be in heaven: where he doth manifest himself unto the Blessed. OF the ave Mary. Chap. 7 ave Maria gratia plena, Dominus tecum. Benedicta tu in mulieribus: et benedictus fructus ventris tui, jesus. Sancta Maria, matter Dei, ora pro nobis peccatoribus nunc et in hora mortis nostrae. Amen. Hail Mary, full of grace, our Lord is with thee, blessed art thou among women, and 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. M. What have we said? D. The ave Mary. M. Who made it? D. The Angel Gabriel, when he came to salute our Lady: whereunto are adjoined some words of S. Elizabeth and of the Church. M. With whom do we speak in the ave Mary? D. With our Lady. M. What do you believe our Lady to be? D. She is mother of God, a Virgin, full of grace, and of all virtue: Queen of heaven, and of earth, and our advocate. M. Where is our Lady? D. She is in heaven. M. What say you of her which is in the Church? D. That is the Image of her which is in heaven, for to put us in mind of her: and because it is her image, we do reverence unto it, in honour of herself. M. As there are many Images of our Lady, be there also many Ladies? D. No forsooth: but one only which is in heaven: whom those Images do represent which are on earth. M. Why than is she called, our Lady of Pity, of Remedy, of Consolation and in other like sort? D. For the many and diverse benefits which she doth us. M. What do we say to her in the ave Mary? D. We salute her and praise her recommending ourselves unto her. OF the Salue Regina. Chap. 8. SAlue Regina, matter misericordiae, vita, dulcedo, et spes nostra, salve: Ad te clamamus, exules, filii Euae: Ad te suspiramus, gementes, et flentes, in hac lachrimarun valle. Eia ergo advocata nostra, illos tuos misericordes oculos ad nos convert. Et jesum benedictum fructum ventris tui nobis post hoc exilium ostend. O clemens: Opia: O dulcis Virgo Maria. Ora pro nobis sancta Dei genetrix: ut digni efficiamur promissionibus Christi. M. What have we said? D. The Salue Regina. M. Who taught it us? D. Our holy mother the Church. M. To whom do we speak? D. With the same Virgin Mary. M. What do we say unto her in it? D. Other praises of the same Virgin, demanding with all her holy favour and help. OF other prayers and invocation of saints. Chap. 9 M. After the Virgin Mary have you devotion to other Saints? D. Yea forsooth, unto all, as unto the friends of God, and our intercessors in heaven: but especially unto my Agnell keeper, and unto the Saint of my name. M. And unto the Relics of Saints? D. I honour them also, because they have been the temple of the holy Ghost, and are to be reunited to their glorious souls. M. What Prayer do you make unto them? D. Those which the Church doth teach us, & also for their honour, and that they may pray for me, I say the Pater noster and ave Mary. M. What do you when you go to bed? D. Two things. First, having made the sign of the Cross, I examine my conscience. secondly I say the general Confession, the Pater noster, and the ave Mary, and other my devotions. M. How do you examine your conscience? OF the examining of our Conscience. D. First I thank God for the benefits received, especially that day. M. What more? D. Than I think of my sins, especially of that day, being sorry for them, with purpose of amending and of confessing them. M. What than? D. Finally, I ask God pardon, and make a firm purpose of sinning no more. M. And what do you the mornings? D. Three things. First, I thank God that he hath kept me that night, and for his other benefits. M. What is the second thing you do? D. I offer him my body and soul. M. What is the third? D. I beseech him that whatsoever I shall do may be for his holy service: and also I say other my devotions mental and vocal: that is, with the mind, 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? D. Charity. M. Whom ought we to love with charity? D. God above all things, and our neighbour as ourselves, for the love of God. M. How shall we love our neighbour as ourselves? D. Desiring for him, and doing unto him, that which we would for our selves, according unto reason, and the law of God. OF the fourth thing necessary for a Christian that is of good works. Chap. 11. M. Which is the fourth thing necessary for a Christian? D. Good works. for after that one is come to the years of discretion, faith is not sufficient without good works. M. What good works are these? D. Those which are ordained in the ten commandments of God, and in the other of the Church, with the works of mercy, and of other virtues. M. Say the ten Commandments. 1 I am thy Lord God. Thou shalt have no other Gods but me. 2 Thou shalt not take the name of God in vain. 3 Remember to sanctify the holy days. 4 Honour thy Father and mother. 5 Thou shalt not kill. 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 Thou shalt not desire thy neighbour's goods. AN exposition of the ten Commandments. Chap. 12. M. Where did God give these ten Commandments? D. First in the old law. and afterwards Christ our Lord confirmed them in the new. M. What is contained in them? D. The three first, of worshipping one God, of not taking his name in vain, and of sanctifying the holy days: do appertain to the honour of God. because he is to be honoured, first, with the heart, than with the tongue, and with deeds. M. And the other seven? D. They appertain to the profit of our neighbour. M. These ten commandments in how many are they comprehended? D. In the two precepts of Charity: that is, to love God above all things, and our neighbour as ourselves. M. So that the whole law of God is comprehended in this sweet precept of love, which our Lord grant us for his infinite goodness. Amen. OF the Commandments of the Church. Chap. 13. M. Say the Commandments of the Church. D. 1 To hear Mass on the holy days commanded, 2 To fast the Lent and other days commanded, and to abstain from flesh on the accustomed days. 3 To go to Confession▪ at the least, once a year. 4 To Receive at the least at Easter. 5 To pay tithes. OF the seven Capital sins, which are called mortal. Chap. 14. M. We have spoken of the good works which are to be done. Say now the evil which must be shunned: and first of the seven sins, which are called mortal. D. 1 Pride 2 Covetousness 3 Lechery 4 Anger 5 Gluttony 6 Envy 7 Sloth. These are cause and heads of all other, and therefore are called Capital: although sometimes they may be venial. M. What is Sin? D. It is that which is thought, spoken, or done contrary to the law and will of God. M. What harm doth mortal sin to the sinner? D. It maketh him lose God and his grace, and the glory which was promised him: & maketh him debtor of the everlasting pain of Hell. M. Why is it called mortal? D. Because it killeth the soul, making it to lose the life of grace. M. What doth venial sin? D. It causeth not the loss of God's grace, neither deserveth hell: but it maketh a man to wax cold in the love and service of God, and meriteth temporal punishment, and disposeth also unto mortal sin. OF the seven Sacraments of our holy mother the Church. Chap. 15. M. What other thing is necessary for us? D. It is necessary that we know the holy Sacraments, and that we receive them in due time when our holy mother the Church so commandeth and declareth unto us. M. For what end? D. For the blotting out of our sins and the obtaining God's grace, and help for the doing of good works. M. Say the Sacraments of our holy mother the Church. 1 Baptism 2 Confirmation 3 Eucharist 4 Penance 5 Extreme unction 6 Holy orders 7 Matrimony. AN exposition of some Sacraments. Chap. 16. M. Who hath ordained these Sacraments? D. Our Lord jesus Christ. M. Wherefore? D. For to give us pardon of our sins and to communicate unto us his grace, and the merits of his passion. and in every one there is given grace for some particular thing, but it is required that we receive them worthily. M. What effect hath the Sacrament of Baptism? D. It maketh us christian's, and the children of God. M. How is this brought to pass? D. Because we are all borne in original sin: which together with all other sins committed before Baptism, is taken away by the same: and there is given us God's grace and other his gifts: And so we are made children of God, and heirs of everlasting life. M. For what effect serveth the Sacrament of Confession or Penance? D. That God our Lord may pardon our sins which we have done after Baptism. M. How must he prepare himself, that will be confessed? D. He must do three things. First, he must procure with diligence to to call to mind his sins committed. Secondly, to have sorrow and repentance with purpose of sinning no more. Thirdly, he must make a full confession of them all, and fulfil his penance given him by his Confessor. M. For what effect serveth the sacrament of the Altar? D. First, that our soul may be nourished and fed with the grace of God and united unto him. Secondly, that we fall not easily into sin. Thirdly, for to obtain all perfection. M. Who is in the Blessed Sacrament? D. jesus Christ our Lord: in body, soul, and Godhead, even as he is in heaven: as well in the host, as in the chalice: after the consecration of the Priest, which is made in the Mass. M. What is the Mass? D. It is a memory and true representation of the life, passion, & death of our Lord jesus Christ. and it is with all a Sacrifice where Christ himself is offered for the quick and the dead. And therefore we must be present thereat, with great devotion and attention. M. How must one prepare himself to receive worthily the Blessed Sacrament? D. By going with devotion without conscience of mortal sin, and being first confessed. M. For what effects do the other sacraments serve? D. For to receive diverse graces of God, for that end, for the which they were ordained. OF the other things which appertain to the Christian doctrine, or unto good works. Chap. 17. M. Say the other things which belong to good works, or to the Christian doctrine, and first the three theological virtues. D. Faith, Hope, and Charity. M. Say the four Cardinal virtues D. 1 Prudence. 2 Fortitude. 3 justice. 4 Temperance. M. Say the seven gifts of the holy Ghost. D. 1 The gift of wisdom. 2 of understanding. 3 of Counsel. 4 of Fortitude. 5 of Knowledge. 6 of Piety. 7 And the gift of the fear of God. M. Say the eight Beatitudes. D. 1 Blessed are the poor of spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 2 Blessed are the meek: for they shall possess the earth. 3 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comfourted. 4 Blessed are they that hunger & thirst after justice, for they shall have their fill. 5 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. 6 Blessed are the clean of heart, for they shall see God. 7 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God. 8 Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. M. Say the twelve fruits of the holy Ghost. D. 1 Charity. 2 joy.. 3 Peace. 4 Patience. 5 Longanimity. 6 Goodness. 7 Benignity. 8 Meekness. 9 Faith. 10 Modesty. 11 Continency. 12 Chastity. M. Say the seven works of mercy corporal. D. 1 To feed the hungry. 2 To give drink to the thirsty. 3 To clothe the naked. 4 To harbour Pilgrims. 5 To visit the sick. 6 To visit Prisoners. 7 To bury the Dead. M. Say the seven works of mercy spiritual. D. 1 To give good Counsel to other. 2 To instruct the ignorant. 3 To admonish those which sin. 4 To comfort the afflicted & troubled 5 To pardon offences & injuries received. 6 To bear patiently the troublesomeness of others. 7 To pray for the quick and dead. M. Say the fifteen mysteries of the life of our Lord jesus Christ, for to meditate and say the Rosary of our Lady. And first the five joyful. D. 1 The Annunciation of our Lady when the Son of God was conceived. 2 The visitation of Saint Elizabeth. 3 The nativity of our Lord jesus Christ. 4 The Presentation of our Lord in the Temple. 5 When our Lord was found again in the Temple amongst the Doctors. M. Say now the five sorrowful. D. 1 The Prayer of our Lord in the garden. 2 The whipping at the pillar. 3 The Crowning with a crown of thorns. 4 The carrying of the Cross unto Mount Calvary. 5 The crucifying and Death of the Cross. M. Say the five glorious. D. 1 The Resurrection of our Lord. 2 His ascension unto heaven. 3 The coming of the holy Ghost. 4 The Assumption of our Lady. 5 Her Coronation above all Angels and Saints. When it ringeth to the ave Mary, we may obtain Indulgence by saying: At the first toll. Angelus Domini runciavit Mariae et concepit de spiritu sancto. ave Maria. etc. At the second toll. Ecce Ancilla Domini, fiat mihi secundum verbum tuum. ave Maria. etc. At the third toll. Et verbum caro factum est, et habitavit in nobis. ave Maria. etc. Oremus. GRatiam tuam quasumus Domine mentibus nostris infunde, ut qui Angelo nunciante Christi filii tui incarnationem cognovimus: per Passionem eius et crucem ad Resurrectionis gloriam perducamur: Per eundem Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen. A Prayer before study. CLementissime Pater, infunde nobis per meritum jesu Christi filii tui Spiritus sancti gratiam, qua intellectus noster liberalibus disciplinis plenius illustre tur, quas in divinum tuum honorem aliquando, et nostram spiritualem utilitatem convertere possimus. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.