An abridgment of the Christian doctrine; with proofs of scripture on points controverted.

Front matter

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ABRIDGMENT v OF THE

CHAP. II. Faith Explained

QQ. Waar is faith? ; .

A. It is a gift of God, or @ supernatural quality, ina ; ti.

: he 7 Faith denltlged: rv a . 7 fused by God into the soul, by which we firmly believe all those things which he hath any way revealed to us,

Q. Is faith necessary to salvation?

A. Itis; St. Paul assuring that without faith it is impossible to please God. Heb. xi. 6. and St. Mark, xvi. 16, saying, He that believeth not shall be condemned.

Q. Why must we firmly believe matters of faith?

A. Because God hath revealed them, who can neither deceive, nor be deceived.

A second reason is, because not only all points of faith, but also the rule, or necessary and infallible means whereby to know them, to wit, the church’s oral and universal tradition, are absolutely certain, and cannot lead us into error in faith; else we can never, sufliciently be assured what is faith, or what is not.

Q. Ifaman should deny, or obstinately doubt of some one point of faith, would he thereby lose his whole faith?

A. Yes, he would; because true faith must always be entire, and he that fails in one, is made guilty of all, by discrediting the authority of God revealing it.

Q. Is it not enough to believe all that is written in the Bible?

A. No, it is not: For we must also believe all apostolical tradition.

Q. How prove you that?

A. Out of 2 Thess. ii. 15. Therefore brethren (saith St. Paul) stand and hold ye the traditions which ye have learned, whether by word, or by our Epistle.

Q. What other proof have you?

A. The apostle’s Creed, which all aro bound to believe, although it be not in Scripture. '

Q. Is faith only, as excluding good works, sufficient. to salvation?

_A. No: itis not: St. James, ii. 24, saying, Do you see how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only? And St. Paul, saying, 1 Cor. xiii. 2. If I should have all faith, so that could remove mountains, and not have charity, I am nothing. And if I should distribute all my goods to feed the poor, and if I should. deliver my body to be burned, and have not char HY, it profiteth me nothing. by

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8 _ The Creed Expounded.

Q. What faith will suffice to justify?

A. Faith working by charity in Jesus Christ.

Q. What vice is opposite to faith? A. Heresy.

Q. What is Heresy?

A. It is an obstinate error in things that are of faith.

Q. Is it a grievous sin?

A. A very grievous one, because it wholly divides .a man from God, and leads to atheism, Christ saying, If he will not hear the church let him be to thee as an heathen and a publican,. Matt. xviii. 17.