The Twelfth Article.
Q. WHAT is the twelfth article?
A. And life everlasting.
A. And life everlasting.
Q. Why is this the last article?
A. Because everlasting life is the last end of man, and the last reward we expect by faith.
A. Because everlasting life is the last end of man, and the last reward we expect by faith.
Q. What understand you by this article?
A. I understand that such as keep the commandments, and die in the state of grace, shall live with God in bliss forever.
A. I understand that such as keep the commandments, and die in the state of grace, shall live with God in bliss forever.
Q. How prove you that keeping the commandments is of necessity for obtaining it?
A. Out of Matt. xix. 17, where Christ said to the young man, asking what he should do to obtain it, "If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments."
A. Out of Matt. xix. 17, where Christ said to the young man, asking what he should do to obtain it, "If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments."
Q. Is everlasting life given as a reward of our good works?
A. It is, according to Rom. ii. 6, 7. "God will render to every one according to his works, to them truly, that according to patience in good works, seek glory and honour, and incorruption life everlasting" &c.
A. It is, according to Rom. ii. 6, 7. "God will render to every one according to his works, to them truly, that according to patience in good works, seek glory and honour, and incorruption life everlasting" &c.
Q. Were all men created for everlasting life?
A. They were, for God "would have all men to be saved," 1 Tim. ii. 4. "He willeth not the death of any sinner, but rather that he be converted and live." Ezek. xxxiii. 11.
A. They were, for God "would have all men to be saved," 1 Tim. ii. 4. "He willeth not the death of any sinner, but rather that he be converted and live." Ezek. xxxiii. 11.
Q. Why then are many damned?
A. By reason of their own wilful transgression of God's law, and final impenitence.
A. By reason of their own wilful transgression of God's law, and final impenitence.
Q. How prove you that man is the free cause of his own sin and damnation?
A. First out of Job xi. 23. "God (saith he) hath given him place for penance, but he abuseth it unto pride."
Secondly, out of Hos. xiii. 9. "The perdition is from thyself, O Israel; in me only is thy aid."
Thirdly, out of Rom. ii. 4. "The benignity of God calls thee to repentance, but thou heapest to thyself wrath and indignation, according to thy own impenitent heart."
A. First out of Job xi. 23. "God (saith he) hath given him place for penance, but he abuseth it unto pride."
Secondly, out of Hos. xiii. 9. "The perdition is from thyself, O Israel; in me only is thy aid."
Thirdly, out of Rom. ii. 4. "The benignity of God calls thee to repentance, but thou heapest to thyself wrath and indignation, according to thy own impenitent heart."
Q. In what consists everlasting life?
A. In the clear vision and fruition of God, according to that of our Saviour, in John xvii. 3. "This is the life everlasting, that they know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent."
A. In the clear vision and fruition of God, according to that of our Saviour, in John xvii. 3. "This is the life everlasting, that they know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent."
Q. Shall we see nothing in Heaven but God?
A. Yes, all the attributes and perfections of God, and in him also, as in a mirror or looking glass, the nature and perfections of all creatures; for he contains all things in himself in the most eminent manner.
A. Yes, all the attributes and perfections of God, and in him also, as in a mirror or looking glass, the nature and perfections of all creatures; for he contains all things in himself in the most eminent manner.
Q. How prove you that?
A. Out of the apostle, saying, "from whom all things by whom all things, and in whom all things." Rom xi. 36.
A. Out of the apostle, saying, "from whom all things by whom all things, and in whom all things." Rom xi. 36.
Q. What effect will follow out the clear vision and fruition of God?
A. A divine love, steadfast possession and ineffable joy; and out of that praise, jubilation, and thanksgiving for ever.
A. A divine love, steadfast possession and ineffable joy; and out of that praise, jubilation, and thanksgiving for ever.
Q. What means the word Amen?
A. It means that the whole creed is divine truth, and therefore we most heartily assent to it.
A. It means that the whole creed is divine truth, and therefore we most heartily assent to it.
Next - The Douai Catechism, 1649 - CHAPTER IV. - Hope and Prayer Explained.
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