The Scriptural Catechism, by Bishop Milner

1. What is the Catholic Rule of Faith?

The Revealed Word of God.

2. Of what does the Revealed Word of God consist!

It consists of two parts: the Written Word, called the Holy Scripture, and the Unwritten Word, called Divine Tradition.

3. Are these two parts of equal authority?

Yes; because they have been equally revealed by God.

4. Which of these parts was before the other?

The Unwritten Word was before the Written Word, with respect both to the Old Testament and the New Testament?

5. What divine traditions existed before Moses wrote the first Books of the Old Testament?

The duty of sanctifying the Sabbath, [Gen. ii. 3;) the prohibition of eating the blood of animals, (Gen. ix. 4;) the rite of Circumcision, (Gen. xvi. 10;) and generally, the whole history of Religion before the time of Moses, during 2500 years.

6. What traditions of the Christian Religion existed before the several Books of the New Testament were promulgated or written?

The substitution of the Sunday, as a Holy Day, for the Sabbath, or Saturday; the abrogation of the necessity of circumscision, and, generally, the whole system of the Christian Religion.

7. Did Jesus Christ write the New Scripture?

No, he did not write any part of it.

8. Did he at any time before his Ascension, command his Apostles to write it?

No: though some of them were inspired, on subsequent occasions, to write the Books of it, which beat their names.

9. In what manner then did Christ commission them to publish his doctrine and precepts?

By preaching: his last words to them, according to St. Matthew, being these: Going, therefore, teach ye all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and oj the Holy GJwst; teaching them

to observe all things, whatsoever I have commanded you . and, behold, I am with you all days, even to the cansummotion of the world. Matt, xxviii. 19, 20.

10. Did the Apostles observe this precept in converting nations to the Faith?

Yes, they did: for St. Mark testifies of them, that after Christ had commanded them to Preach the Gospel to every creature:— they, going forth, preached every where; the Lord working withal, and confirming the icord by signs that followed. Mark, xvi. 20.

11. Did the Apostles instruct their disciples to follow the same method?

Yes; for St. Paul writes to Timothy: The things which thou hast heard of me by many witnesses, the same commend to faithful men, who sliall be fit to teach others also. 2 Tim. ii. 2.

12. Mas no Christian Nation or Province, since the time of the Apostles, been converted by reading the Holy Scriptures?

No: they have all been converted by Preachers, succeeding, by due authority, to the above-mentioned commission, given to the Apostles.

13. Did not Christ tell the Jews to Search the Scriptures? (John, v. 39,) and did not St. Paul commend the Bereans for Searching the Scriptures whether these things were so? Acts, xvii. 11.

The texts in both these instances referred to the Prophecies in the Old Testament concerning the Messiah, which were evidently fulfilled in the Person and actions of our Saviour; not to the doctrines of Christianity, nor to the New Testament, which was not then written. — The same is to be said of St. Paul's commendation of Timothy, for having Known the Holy Sciptures from his infancy. (2 Tim. iii. 15.) Reading the Old Testament with suitable disposition, no doubt was profitable to this Disciple for instruction; but die Apostle plainly signifies that Timothy had learnt his faith in Jesus Christ froil

Aim, JSt. Paul, (v. 14, 15;) namely, when he preached al Lystra. Acts, xiv. 14.

14. Are the Scriptures, of themselves, easy to be understood?

No: they contain Things hard to be understood, which the unlearned and unstable wrest to their own destruction. (2 Pet. iii. 16.) The same is evident from the great variety of Sects, who profess to build their Faith on the Scriptures alone, and yet differ from each other on the fundamental articles of Christianity.

15. Has Christ furnished us with any means by which we may learn with certainty, the sense of the Holy Scripture in all necessary points?

Yes; he has established a never failing tribunal, both to preserve and to interpret his divine Word in both its branches, namely, his Holy Church.

16. How do you prove this?

In every State and Society of Mankind, there are and must be Judges and Magistrates, to maintain the Laws, and to decide upon their meaning. Accordingly Christ, in founding his Church, against which the gates of Hell shall not prevail, (Matt. xvi. 18,) commands us all to hear it, under pain of being considered as heathens and publicans. (Matt, xviii. 17.) In like manner, having sent his Apostles to teach all Nations, he promised to remain with them for ever, and to send them the Spirit of Truth which shall teach them all truth. John, xvi. 13%

17. How does the Church deliver to us the Sense of Scripture and Tradition?

By the decisions of her Bishops, and especially of her Chief Bishop in the Chair of St. Peter; by the Sermons and Instructions of her other Pastors, and by the approved good books, especially the Catechisms, which she puts into our hands.

18. Is it not morally possible that the doctrines of the Seven Sacraments, the Real Presence, Tran substantiation, Invoking the Saints, Praying for the Dead, &c,

which Catholics term Divine Traditions, and tne True Sense of Scripture, may have sprung from the fraud of the Clergy, and the credulity of the People, at soma former period?

A. No; this is morally impossible: since these doctrines have always been held, both by the Clergy and People of the whole Catholic Church, spread, as it is, and always has been, throughout the whole world. Besides this, these doctrines are, and always have been, held by the ancient heretics, who were separated from the Catholic Church in the fifth and the following centuries.

19. In what does the wrord of God, contained in the Holy Scriptures, properly consist?

Not in the mere words of the Sacred Text: but it the meaning of it, as the Holy Fathers teach!*

20. What follows from this?

That many persons who are the most assiduous in reading the Bible, yet do not attain to the truths of Religion, taught by Jesus Christ, and are really ignorant of the Word of God.

21. What else?

That others who have learned the essential truths of Revelation, as to what they have to believe, and what they have to practise, from their Pastor's instructions and their Catechisms, have really attained to the knowledge of God's Word, even though they should never have read any portion of the Bible.

22. Is there any obligation of reading the Scriptures!

The Catholic Clergy are required to read and to pray out of it every day. A more strict obligation of studying both the Written and the Unwritten Word of God, lies on the Pastors, whose duty it is to inculcate it to the faithful. But there is no such general obligation incumbent on the Laity: it being sufficient that they listen to it from their Pastors.

23. Is it lawful for the Laity to read the Holy Scriptures?

They may read them in the .anguage in which they were written, as likewise in the ancient Vulgate Translation, which the Church vouches to be authentic. They may also read them in approved modern versions; but with due submission to the interpretation and authority of the Church.

24. Have any great evils ensued from an unrestricted reading of the Bible, in vulgar languages, by the unlearned and unstable?

Yes; numberless heresies and impieties; as also many rebellions and civil wars.

(From Dr. Challoner's Catholic Christian Instructed.)

OP EXORCISMS, AND BENEDICTIONS, OR BLESSINGS Of

CREATURES IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH, AND OF

THE USE OF HOLY WATER.

25. What do you mean by Exorcism?

The rites and prayers instituted by the Church for the casting out devils, or restraining them from hurting persons, disquieting places, or abusing any of God's creatures to our harm.

26. Has Christ given his Church any such power over the devils?

Yes, he has: see St. Matt. x. 1.; St. Mark, iii. 15.; St. Luke, ix. 1.; where this power was given to the Apostles; and to the sevenfy-two disciples, St. Luke, x. 19.; and to other believers, St. Mark, xvi. 17, 18. And that this power was not to die with the Apostles, nor to cease after the Apostolic age, we learn from the perpetual practice of the Church and the experienced of all ages.

27. What is the meaning of blessing so many things in the Catholic Church?

We bless Churches, and other places set aside for divine service; altars, chalices, vestments, &c, by way of devoting them to holy uses. We bless our meats and

other inanimate things which God has given us for our use, that we may use them in moderation, in a manner agreeable to God's institution; that they may be serviceable to us, and that the devil may have no power to abuse them to our prejudice. We bless candles, salt, water, &c., by way of begging of God that such as religiously use them may obtain his blessing, &c.

28. But does it not savour of superstition to attribute any virtue to such inanimate things as blessed candles, holy water, Agnus Dei's, &c.?

It is no superstition to look for a good effect from the prayers of the Church of God; and it is in virtue of these prayers that we hope for benefit from these things when used with faith, and daily experience shows that our hopes are not vain.

29. What do you mean by Agnus Dei'e?

Wax stamped with the image of the Lamb of God, blessed by the Pope with solemn prayers, and anointed with the holy chrism.

30. What warrant have you in scripture for blessing inanimate things?

1 Tim. iv. 4, 5, Every creature of God is good, and nothing to be rejected that is received with thanksgiving: for it is sanctified by the word of God, and prayer.

31. Why does the Church make use of the sign of the cross in all her blessings and consecrations?

To signify that all our good must come through Chrict crucified.

32. What do you mean by Holy Water?

Water sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

33. What is the use of Holy Water?

It is blessed by the Church in solemn prayers, to beg God's protection and blessing upon those that use it, and in particular that they may be defended from all the powers of darkness.

34. Is the use of Holy Water very ancient in the Church of God?

It is very ancient, since it is mentioned in tha Apostolic Constitutions, 1. 8, c. 29. And as for the English nation in particular, it is visible from the epistles of St. Gregory the Great, 1. 9, epist. 71, 'that we received it together with our Christianity.'

35. Have the holy fathers and ancient Church Writers left upon record any miracles done by Holy Water?

Yes; they have; more particularly upon those occasions when it has been used against magical enchantments and the power of the devil. See instances in St. Epiphanius, Hser. 30; in St. Hierome, in the life of St. Hilarion; in Theodoret, 1. 5, Histor. Eccl. c. 21; in Palladius Histor. Laus. c. 6, &c.

OF CHRISTIAN VIRTUES AND GOOD WORKS.

Q.^Say the three Theological Virtues.

A. Faith, hope, and charity.

36. What is charity?

It is a divine virtue, whereby we love God for himself, and our neighbour for God.

37. Say the four Cardinal Virtues.

Prudence, justice, temperance, and fortitude.

38. How many sorts of alms or works of mercy?

Two: corporal and spiritual.

39. How many corporal works of mercy?

Seven — 1. To feed the hungry. 2. To give drink to the thirsty. 3. To cloth the naked. 4. To harbour pilgrims or travellers. 5. To ransom prisoners. G. To visit the sick. 7. To bury the dead.

40. How many spiritual works of mercy?

Seven — 1. To give good counsel. 2. To instruct the ignorant. 3. To admonish sinners. 4. To comfort the afflicted. 5. To pardon injuries. 6. To bear wrongs patiently. 7. To pray for the living and the dead.

THE EIGHT BEATITUDES.

I. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

II. Blessed are the meek, for they shall possess the earth.

III. Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted.

IV. Blessed are they that hunger and thrist after justice, for they shall be filled.

V. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. VI. Blessed are the clean of heart, for they shall see G od.

VII. Blessed are the peace makers, for they shall becalled the children of God.

VIII. Blessed are they that suffer persecution for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

OP THE SINS AGAINST THE HOLY GHOST; THOSE THAT CRY FOR VENGEANCE J AND THE FOUR LAST THINGS.

41. Which are the signs against the Holy Ghost?

These six: 1. Despair of salvation. 2. Presumption of God's mercy, without amending one's life. 3. To impugn the known truth, in matters of faith and religion. 4. Envy at another's spiritual good. 5. Obstinacy in sin; and, 6. Final impenitence.

42. Why are these called sins against the Holy Ghost?

Because they directly oppose and affront the infinite goodness of God.

43. Why does our Saviour say, that sins against the Holy Ghost " shall not be forgiven, neither in this world, nor in the world to come.79 Matt. xii. 22.

Because those, who are guilty of the five first of those sins, seldom or ever do repent of such sins, and are with great difficulty brought to be sorry for them; and those that are guilty of the last, or final impenitence, never can repent; but dying in mortal guilt, and enemie to God, are incapable of forgiveness.*

44. What are the sins that cry to heaven for vengeance \

These four: — 1. Wilful murder. 2. The sins of Sodom. 3. Oppression of the poor, and, 4. Defrauding labourers of their wages.

45. What are Jthe four last things to be remembered!

A 1. Death. 2. Judgment 3. Heaven. 4. HelL Q. Is the frequent remembrance of these things useful to the soul?

A. It is a most powerful preservative against sin; for the scripture says, " In all thy works remember thy last end; and thou shalt never sin." Eccles. vii. 40.

THE FIFTEEN MYSTERIES OF THE ROSARY

Say the Jive Joyful Mysteries.

I. The Annunciation of our Lady when the Son of GOD was conceived. 2. The Visitation of St. Elizabeth. 3. The Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ. 4. The Presentation of our Lord in the Temple. 5. The finding of our Lord in the Temple among ihe Doctors.

Say ihe Jive Sorrowful Mysteries.

I. The prayer of our Lord in the garden. 2. The whipping him at the pillar. 3. The crowning him with a Crown of Thorns. 4. His carrv ing of the cross to Mount Calvary. 5. His crucifixion and death on the Cross.

Say the five Glorious Mysteries.

I. The resurrection of our Lord. 2. His ascension into heaven. 3. The coming of the Holy Ghost. 4. The Assumption of our Lady into Heaven. 5. Her Coronation above all angels and sainta