A short catechisme, or playne instruction, conteynynge the su[m]me of Christian learninge sett fourth by the kings maiesties authoritie, for all scholemaisters to teache. To thys catechisme are adioyned the Articles agreed vpon by the bishoppes [and] other learned and godly men, in the last conuocatio[n] at London, in the yeare of our Lorde, M.D.LII. for to roote out the discord of of [sic] opinions, and stablish the agreme[n]t of trew religion: Likewyse published by the Kinges maiesties authoritie. 1553. — Catechismus brevis Christianae disciplinae summam continens, omnibus ludimagistris authoritate Regia commendatus. English.

A short catechisme, or playne instruction, conteynynge the su[m]me of Christian learninge sett fourth by the kings maiesties authoritie, for all scholemaisters to teache. To thys catechisme are adioyned the Articles agreed vpon by the bishoppes [and] other learned and godly men, in the last conuocatio[n] at London, in the yeare of our Lorde, M.D.LII. for to roote out the discord of of [sic] opinions, and stablish the agreme[n]t of trew religion: Likewyse published by the Kinges maiesties authoritie. 1553. — Catechismus brevis Christianae disciplinae summam continens, omnibus ludimagistris authoritate Regia commendatus. English.

A short catechisme, or playne instruction, conteynynge the su[m]me of Christian learninge sett fourth by the kings maiesties authoritie, for all scholemaisters to teache. To thys catechisme are adioyned the Articles agreed vpon by the bishoppes [and] other learned and godly men, in the last conuocatio[n] at London, in the yeare of our Lorde, M.D.LII. for to roote out the discord of of [sic] opinions, and stablish the agreme[n]t of trew religion: Likewyse published by the Kinges maiesties authoritie. 1553. — Catechismus brevis Christianae disciplinae summam continens, omnibus ludimagistris authoritate Regia commendatus. English.

Table of contents

Title page

¶ An Iniunction geuen by the kyng our soueraigne Lord his most excellent maiesty to all scholemasters and teachers of youthe, within all his Graces realme and dominions, for auctorising and establyshyng the vse of thys Cathechisme.

¶ The Copie of the Kynges Maiesties letters Patentes for the Printynge of this and the lytle Cathechisme.

The Table.

THE CATHECHISME.

¶ Articles agreed vpō in the Conuocacion, and published by the Kinges Maiestie.

¶ Of faith in the holy Trinitie.

¶ That the worde, or Sōne of God, was made very mā.

¶ Of the goinge downe of Christ into Hell.

¶ The Resurrection of Christ.

¶ The doctrine of holy scrip ture is sufficient to Saluaciō.

¶ The old Testament is not to be refused.

¶ The three Credes.

Of original, or birthe sinne.

¶Of Free wyll.

▪Of Grace.

¶Of the Iustification of manne.

¶Workes before Iustification.

¶Woorkes of Supererogation.

¶No mā is without sinne, but Christe alone.

¶ Of sinne against the holy Ghoste.

¶ Blasphemy againste the holye Ghoste.

¶ Of predestination, and Election.

¶ We must trust to obteine eternall Saluation, onely by the name of Christ.

¶ All menne are bounde to kepe the Morall cōmaundemētes of the Law.

¶ Of the Churche.

¶ Of the aucthoritie of the Churche.

¶ Of the authority of generall Counsailes.

¶ Of Purgatorye.

¶ No manne may minister in the Congregation, except he be called.

¶ Men muste speake in the Congregation in such toung, as the people vnderstandeth.

¶ Of the Sacramentes.

The wickednes of the Ministers doeth not take awaye the effectuall operation of gods ordynaunces.

Of Baptisme.

Of the Lordes Supper.

¶ Of the perfecte oblation of Christ made vpon the crosse.

¶ The state of syngle lyfe is cōmaūded to no man by the worde of God.

¶ Excommunicate persons are to be auoided.

Traditions of the churche.

¶ Homelies.

Of the boke of Praiers, and Ceremonies of the Churche of Englande.

¶ Of ciuile Magistrates.

Christian mennes gooddes are not commune.

¶ Christian menne maye take an Othe.

The resurrectiō of the dead is not yet broughte to passe.

The soules of them that depart this life doe neither die wyth 〈◊〉 the bodies, nor sleape idly.

Heritikes called Millenarii.

¶ Al men shall not be saued at the length.

¶ A generall Confession to be sayd in the Morning.

A prayer to be sayd in the Mornynge.

¶ A Praiet to be saied of Children before they studie their lesson at schole.

¶ A Prayer for the Kinges Maiestye.

¶ A Prayer to be sayde at nyghte going to bed.

§

§

§

§

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¶. A SHORT Catechisme, or playne instruction, conteynynge the sūme of Christian learninge, sett fourth by the Kings maiesties authoritie, for all Scholemaisters to teache.

¶ To thys Catechisme are adioyned the Articles agreed vpon by the Bishoppes & other learned and godly men, [...] the last conuocatiō at London, in the yeare of our Lorde, [...]. D. L I I. for to roote out the discord of [...] opinions, and stablish the [...] mēt of trew religion: Likewyse published by the Kinges maiesties authoritie. 1553.

[...] Imprinted at Londō by Ih [...] Day with the kinges most gracious licēce [...] priuiledge: Forbidding all other to print the same Catechisme.

¶ An Iniunction geuen by the kyng our soueraigne Lord his most excellent maiesty to all scholemasters and teachers of youthe, within all his Graces realme and dominions, for auctorising and establyshyng the vse of thys Cathechisme.

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EDwarde the Sixte, by the grace of God king of England, Fraūce and Irelād: defēdoure of the faith: and of the church of Englande and also of Ireland in earthe the Supreme head: to all Scholemasters and teachers of youthe.

¶ When there was presented vnto vs, to be perused, a short and playne order of Catechisme written by a certayne godlye and learned [Page] man: we committed the debatinge, and diligente examination therof, to certain Byshoppes, and other learned men, whose iudgement we haue in greate estimation. And because it semed agreeable with the scriptures, and the ordynaunces of oure Realme, we thought it good, not onely, for that agreement to put it forthe abrode to Print: but also, for the plainesse and shortnes, to appoint it out for al Scholemasters to teach. That the yet vnskilfull and yong age, hauynge the foundations layed, both of religion and good letters, mai learn godlines together with wysdome: and haue a rule for the rest of theyr lyfe, what iudgement they ought to haue of god: to whō all oure lyfe is applyed: and howe they maye please God, wherin we oughte, wyth all the doynges and [Page] dutyes of oure lyfe, to trauayle.

¶ We wyll therfore and cōmaūd, both all and eche of you, as ye tender oure fauoure, and as ye mind to auoyde the iust punishmente of transgressing our aucthoriti, that ye truely and diligently teach this Catechisme in your schooles, immediatly after the other brief Catechisme whych we haue alreadye setforth: that yonge age, yet tender and wauerynge, beyng by authority of good lessōs and instructions of true religion stablyshed, maye haue a greate furtherance to the ryght worshipping of God: & good helpes to lyue in alpointes accordinge to duety. Wherewyth beinge furnyshed, by better vsing dewe godlynes towarde God the author of all thynges: obedyence towarde their Kynge, the sheepeherde of the people: Louynge affection [Page] to the common weale, the generall mother of all: they maye seeme not borne for theym selues: but bee profytable and dewtyfull, toward God, theyr Kynge, and theyr coūtrey.

¶ Geuen at Grenewyche the. xx. of May the. vii. yere of oure Reigne.

¶ The Copie of the Kynges Maiesties letters Patentes for the Printynge of this and the lytle Cathechisme.

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EDWARDE the [...]irte by the grace of God King of England. Fraunce and Irelād, Defendour of the fayth, and of the church of England and also o [...] Ire land in earth the supreme hedde.

TO all maner of Printers, Bokesellers; and other our Officers, Ministers and Subiectes gretyng.

We do you to vnderstand, that of our grace especial, we haue graunted and geuen Priuiledge and lycence, and by these presentes doe grau [...]t, and geue priuiledge and licence to our welbeloued subiect Iohn Daye, of our Citie of London Printer, vnto his factours & assignes, to Print, or cause to be printed, as wel this Cathechisme i Englishe, whiche we haue caused to be setfourth for the better instruction of [...]outh, to be taughte in Englyshe Schooles, as also an A. B. C. with the B [...]ife Cathechisme, alredy printed, Any other priuiledge to the contrary in any wyse not withstandynge.

AND furthermore oure plesure is that the [Page] same Iohn Day, hys factonres & assygnes, shall and may haue the onelye pryntynge from time to tyme of the same Cathechismes in recompence of his industry paynes and charges to be sustayned in that behalfe. ¶ Streightly forbidding by these presents al and singulec, our subiects, aswel priuters as bokesellers, as al other parsos within our Realmes and dominions whatsoeuer they be, to prynt, or cause to be printed▪ within any our fair [...] dominions, these Cathechismes aforesa [...]d or anye of them, but only the said Iohn Day▪ and his assignes, neither to bie any other sortes of impressions then such as shal be printed by the said Iohn Day and his assignes, vpō paine of our high displesure, and that euery offēder therin shall forteit to our vse▪ xls▪ for euery such cathechisme, so prin ted, or bought, cōtrari to the true meaning of this our present licence and priueledge, ouer & besides al such cathechismes to be forfaited to whom soeuer shal sustein the charges and sue the said forfai ture in our behalfe.

¶ Willing therfore and cōmāding al our officers & ministers as they tender our fauour and wil auoid our dysplesure and indignaciō for the cōtrary, that thei and euery of thē (if nede shal require) do aide and assist the foresayd Iohn Day, his factours and assignes, in due exercising & execuciō of this our present licence & priueledge with the ffect accordynge to the true meanynge of the same. I [...] witnes wherof we caused these oure letters to be made patents. Witnes oureselfe at Westemynstre the, xxv, day of March the, vi [...], yeare of oure [...]aygue,

The Table.

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A

Absent.

Chris [...]e gouerueth hys churche absent. fol. 24. b.

Howe Christe is absent, and presente in the world. fol. 25. a▪

Adam.

The names of Adam & [...]ue. fol. 16, a.

Aduoutrie.

Aduoutrie. fol. 7. a.

Ascension.

Christes ascension. fol. 20. b, fol. 26. a.

Out profit by Christes ascension. fol. 30. a.

Causes of Christes ascens [...]on. fol. 30. b.

B

Baptisme.

The ministratiō of bap tisme. 48. b.

The meanyng of baptisme. fol, 50. a.

Breade.

The bread. fol. 50. a. Our day [...]y bread. fo. 59. a.

Wvhat br [...]ad meaneth. fol. 19. a.

Dayly bread or supernaturall. 60. a.

Wvh [...] we aske our bread to be dayly. fol 60. a.

Brother.

The name of brethren. fol. 66. a.

C

Ceremonies of the law.

Ceremonies.

fol. 12, a.

Charitie.

Charitie. fol. 66, [...]

Degrees of Charitie, fol. 67. b.

Children.

Chyldren to be taught [...] trew religion. fol. 2. a,

Chirche.

The church. fol, 41. b.

Christe gouerneth hys Church absent, fol, 24. b.

The holye Churche, fol. 37. a,

Wvho bee of Christes churche. fol, 38, a,

Markes of the Churche. fol. 42. b.

Wvhy the Churche is called vniuersal. fo. 45. a.

Christ.

Christes doynges for our behofe. fol. 32. b.

Christe an example of lyfe vnto vs. 33. b.

Honour of Christ. 34. b

Christes benefites to vs. fol. 66. a.

Communion.

Communion of Saintes. fol. 45. a. b.

Contention.

The harmes of contention. fol. 62.

Couenant.

Gods couenants, fo, 19, b

Our couenāt wyth god: as we forgiue. &c. fo. 61. [...]

[Page]Couetise.

Couetise of an others. [...]ol. [...]. b.

Crede.

The Creede. fol. 4. a. [...]ol. 13. b.

Wvhy the Crede is called a symbole. fol. 4. b.

D

Death.

Christes death. f [...]. 20. b

Dome.

The day of dome. 36. b.

Epiousion.

Epiousion. fol. 60. a.

E

Eue.

The names of Adam and Eue. fol. 16. a.

Example.

Christ an exāple of life [...]nto vs. fol. 33. b.

F

Faith.

Iustificaciō bi faith. 40, [...]

Trem faith and works vnseparat [...]. fol. 41. a.

Faythe the mouthe of the soule. fo. 5 [...]. b.

Faith in praier. fo. 64. b.

Father.

Wvhy we call God father. fol. 15. a.

Wvhat we gather of (oure father.) fol, 54. b

Feede.

[...]ow we fede vpō Christes body & blud. fol. 51. a.

Forgiuenesse.

Forgiuenesse of trespasses. passes. fol. 60. b.

Charitable forgiueness [...] one to an other ceasseth brawles. fol. 61. b.

G

God.

Wvhat God is. fol. 3. b.

One God. fol. 5. a.

Cakynge the name of God. fol. 5. a.

God is ech wher. fo. 56. a

God alwaye present to helpe vs. fol. 56. [...].

Knowledge, desyre, fear and loue of God. fo. 65. b

Gadlessnesse.

Gadlessnesse. fol. 66. a.

Godly.

The blisse of the G [...] ly. fol. 68. b.

Good.

Good not euell to be r [...] dred for euell. fol. 62. [...].

Gospell.

The lawe and the Gospel. fol. 4. [...].

H

Hallowe.

[...]ow Gods name is to be hallowed. fol. 57. [...].

Heauen.

Wvhat is ment by (which [...]t in heauen) fol. 55. a.

Holly Ghost.

The holy Ghost. 4 [...]. [...].

[Page]Why the holy Ghost is called holy. fol. 4. b.

[...] resteth the holy Ghostes sanctificaciō. fol. 44. a▪

Honoure.

Honour of Christ. 34. b

Hipocrisy.

Superstition and hipocrisie. fol. [...]6, a,

I

Ignorance.

Ignorance broughte in by corruption of nature. fol. 10. a,

Image.

Images. fol. 5. a.

The image that mā was made after, fol, 16, a,

Gods image def [...]ed in man. fol, 10, b,

Iu [...]ificationr

Causes of our iustification, 39. a,

I [...]stification by fayth, fol. [...]0, a,

K

Keye.

Keyes to by [...]de & loose. fol. 43. a.

Kyngdome▪

Christes kyngdome not yet perfect. fol, [...]7, b,

Christes kingdō. fo, 58, a

Why this is added: fo thine is the kingdō, f, 63, b

L

Lawe.

The Law and the Gospell, fol, 4, a,

Lawes of the fyrst table, fol, 4, b,

Lawes of the seconde table, fol. 5, b,

The summe of the lawe by Christ. fol▪ 9, b,

Why the law was writen in tables. fol, 10, b,

None [...]ade ryghteous by the lawe, fol, 11▪ b,

Why the law was geuen to one people▪ fo. 12, b

The morall lawe commune to all, fol, 1 [...], b,

[...] ▪

Honest frame of lyfe fol. 65, a,

M

Man.

The making of mā, f, 15. [...]

The image that mā w [...]s made after, fol, 16, a,

Mans fall, fol, 17. a,

Measure.

Measure an other by thy selfe, fol, 67, a,

Mouthe▪

Fayth the mouth of the soule, fol. 1, b,

Murther▪

Murther. fol, 6, b,

N

Nature

The lawe of nature▪ fol, 10, a, 67, a,

O

Originall syn.

[Page]Originall syn, fol, 18, b

P

Parentes.

Honour of parēts, fo, 6, b

Passyon.

Christes passio [...], fo, 20, b

Prayer.

Prayer, fol, 52, b,

The Lords praier. f, 53, a

[...] [...]herher we may vse anye other prayer but the pate [...] noste [...], 53, b,

Nothyng in the Lordes prayer ha [...]d to vnderstād, fol, 54, b,

Faith in praier, fol, 64, b

What to be asked in praer, fol, 64, b,

Preacher

Office of Preachers, fol, 52, a,

Presence▪

Christes bodylye presence, fol, 27, b,

Present▪

How Christe is absent and present in the world. fol, 25 a,

God alwaye present to help vs, fol, 56, b,

Professyon.

All Christian▪ shoulde knowe theyr profession. fol, 1, a,

Q

Question▪

Teaching by questions fol. 1, a.

R

Redemp [...]ion,

The meanes of redēption, fol. 9, a,

Religion▪

Children to be taughte trew religion, fol, 2, a.

Christian religion, fo, 2, [...]

Partes of Christian religion. fo, 3 a,

Resurrectyo [...] ▪

Christes resurrectiō, 20, [...]

The resurrectiō of Christ necessarye, fol▪ 22, b,

The resurrection, fo, 36, [...]

Rewarde

The reward of the godly and vngodly, fol, 9, a,

Righteous

None made ryghteous by the law, fol, 11, b,

S

Sabbat.

The sabbat. fol. 5. a. 46. [...] ▪

Sacrament▪

[...]vhat Sacramētes are. fol. 48. a.

Sanctificatyon

[...]vherin re [...]eth the holly Ghostes sanctificacion. fol. 44. a.

Scripture

The scriptures preserued from the begynnyng. fol. 4. a.

Sede

The sede of the [...] [Page] fol. [...]0. a.

Serpente

The Serpentes heade▪ fol, 19, b,

Seruice

Partes of Gods t [...]ewe inward seruice, fol. 46, a,

Outward seruice of god, fol, 47. b,

Sin [...]e

Sins forgiuen by Christes death onlye, fol, 12, a,

Sonne

Christe compared to the sonne, fol, 28, a,

Spirite,

The spirit sent downe, fol, 22, a,

Superstition

Superstition and hipocrisye, fol, 66, a.

S [...]pper,

The vse of the Lordes Supper, fol, 49, b,

The meanynge of the Lordes Supper, fo, 50,

Symbole▪

[...]hy the Crede is cal [...]ed a Symbole, fol, 4, b,

T

Table

Lawes of the fyrste ta [...]le, fol. 4, b,

Lawes of the second [...] [...]able, fol, v, b,

[...]vhy the law was writen in tables, fol, 10, b,

T [...]utation

[...]entation, fol, [...]2, b,

Theft.

Theft, fol, 7, b,

V

Vice,

Vices to be rooted dut [...] that vertues may be planted in theyr place, fo, 69, [...]

Vniuersall

Why the chirch is called vniuersall. fol, 45. a.

W

Weakenesse.

Our weaknesse, fol, 62, [...]

Wyll.

Gods wyll to be done, fol, 58, b.

Wyne,

The wyne, fol, 51, a,

Wytnesse

False witnesse, fol, 8, [...]

Worke▪

Trew faith and worke [...] v [...]separate, 41, a,

Worlde▪

The makyng and preseruation of the worlde, fol, 14, b,

The ende of the world, fol, 35,

¶ The ende of the Table.

THE CATHECHISME.

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IT is the deutieAl Christians shulde know their profession▪ of them al, whō Christe hath redeemed by hys death, that they not onelye be seruauntes to obey, but also Children to in herite: so to know, which is the true trade of lyfe, & that God lyketh, that thei maye be able to aunswere to euery demaunde of Religion, and to rendre accompte of theyr fayth and profession.

And this is the playnestTeachyng by questyons▪ waye of teachinge: whyche not onelye in Philosophye Socrates, but also in oure Religiō Apolina [...]ius, hath [Page] vsed: that bothe by certaine questyons, as it were by poynctinge, the ignoraunte might be instructed: and the skilful put iu remembraūce, that thei forgette not what thei haue learned. Wether fore hauinge regarde to the profyte, which we ought to seke in teaching of youth: & also to shortnes, that in our [...] hole Scholyng, ther should be nothyng, either ouer flowyng or wantyng: haue cō ueied the whole sōme into a dialogue, that the matter it selfe, might be the plainer to perceiue, & we the lesse stra [...] in other matters besyde the [Page] [...] ▪ Thus thē beginneth y• Master to appose his scoler.

Master.

Sith I know (dearChyl [...]rē to be taughte trew relygion. [...].) that it is a great part of my deutie, not onely to se that thou bee instructed in [...]d letters: but also earne [...]y and diligētly to examin what sort of Religion, thou [...], in this thy tender [...]: I thought it b [...]st to [...] thee by certaine questi [...], to the intent I may perfectly knowe, whether thou hast wel or il trauailed therin. Now therfore te [...] me (my sonne) what Religion that is which thou professest.

Scholer.

That, good Master [Page] I professe, which is the [...] ligion of the Lorde [...]:Christiā re ligion. which in the. xi. of the Actes is called the christiā [...].

Master.

Do [...]st tho [...] then [...] fesse thy self to be a [...] of Christian godlinesse▪ [...] religion, and a [...] our Lorde Christ▪

Scholer.

That forsothe [...] I coufesse, and play [...] [...] boldly pro [...] yea, [...] accom [...]t [...]the who [...] [...] al my [...], as in the th [...] whiche is bothe of [...] [...] uour, then that the [...] nesse of my wytte maye [...] tayne [...] it▪ and also more approching to God des maiestie, [Page] than that I, by anye [...] of v [...]eraunce, may easely expresse it.

Master▪

Tell me then (deere s [...]n) as exactly as thou cāst, in what poyntes thou thinkest that the sīnne of Christian Religion standeth.

Scholer.

In two poin [...]tes,Partes of Christiā re ligion. that is to say: trew fayth in God, and assured persuasiō mncè [...]ed of all those thynges, which are conteined in the holy Scriptures: and in charitie, whiche belongeth both to God & to our neigh boure.

Master.

That fayth which is [...] bi hearing and [Page] readyng of the worde, [...] dooeth it teache the concernyng God?

Scholer.

This doeth it principallyWhat god is. teache: that there is one certayne nature, one substāce, one ghost and heauēly mynde, or rather an euerlastyng spirit, without beginnyng or endyng, whiche we call God: whom al the peoples of the worlde ought to worshyp, with souerayn honour, and the hyest kynde of reuerence. Moreouer oute of the holy wordes of GOD, which bi the prophetes and the beloued of almyghtye God, are in the holye [...]okes [Page] published, to the eternal gloryThe [...] and the gos pell. of his name. I learne the lawe and the thretnynges therof: then the promyses & the gospel of god These thinThe scriptures preserued frō the begynnyng. ges fyrst wrytten by Moses and other men of God, haue bene preserued hole & vncorrupted, euen to our age: and sythens that, the cheife articles of our fayth, haue bene gathered into a short abrydgement, whych is comonly called the Creede, or SymboleThe cre [...]e of the Apostles.

Maister.

Why is this abridgmente of the faythe termed with y• name of a symbole▪ Scho. A symbole is as much [Page] to say, as a sygnt, mark, pr [...] uyecalled a [...]mbole. token, or watch worde, whereby the souldioures of one campe are known from their enemies. For this reason the abridgement of the fayth, whereby the Christians are knowne from them that be no Christians, is rightly named a Symbole.

Maister.

Fyrst tell me sōwhat what thou thynkest of the lawe: and then afterward of the Crede or Symbole.

Scholer.

I shall doe (good Maister) with a good wyll as you commaund me. The [...]awes of the first table. Lorde God hathe charged vs by Moses, that we haue [Page] none other God at all, but hym: that is to say, that we take him alone, for oure one only God, oure maker, andOne God sauiour. That we reuerence not, nor worshippe any portraiture or ani image whatImages, soeuer whether it be painted, carued, grauen, or by anye meane fashyoned howe soeuer it be. That wee takeTakyug the name of God. not the name of oure Lorde God in vaine: that is either in a matter of no wayght or of no truthe▪ Last of al thys ought we to hold stedfastlyThe Sabbat. and wyth deuout conscyēce: that we kepe holyly and religiously the Sabbat day: [Page] which was appointed [...] from the other, for rest, and seruice of God.

Master.

Uerye well. Nowe haste thou rehearsed vnto me the lawes of the fyrst table: wherein is, in a summe, conteyned the knowledge, & true seruyee of God. Go forward and tell me, which be the dutyes of charitye, and oure loue towarde men.

Scholer.

Dooe you aske me (maister) what I thinke o [...] the other parte of the lawe, whiche is commonly called [...]awes of the seconde table. the second table?

Master.

Thou sayest new, my sonne, that is it in deede [Page] that I wold faine hear of.

Scholer.

I wyll in few w [...] des dispatche it, as my simple wit wyll serue me. Moses hathe knitte it vppe in a sh [...]rte summe: that is, that with al louing affection, we honoure and reuerence oure father & mother. That we [...] k [...]ll no man. That we commit no aduoutrie. That we steale nothynge. That we [...]are false wytnes agaynst [...]. Last of all that we co [...] nothynge, that is oure [...]yghboures.

Master.

Howe is that commaundemente, of the honoringe father and mother, [...] [Page] be vnderstanded?

Scholer.

Honoure of fatherHonour of Parentes. and mother cōteineth loue, feare, and reuerence: yea [...] it further standeth in obeyinge, succouring, defe [...]ding, and nourishing thē, if neede require. It byndeth vs also moste h [...]ly, and with [...] natural affection, to [...] the magistrate: to reuerence the Mi [...]ysters of the churche, oure [...]cholemasters, with al oure elders, and betters.

Master.

What is [...] Murther. in that commaundement [...] doe not kyll.

Scho.

That we hate, [...], [...] reuile no man. [...] [Page] i [...] [...] vs, that we [...] t [...]en our f [...]es: do good to them that hate vs: and [...] we praye for al prospe [...] and good happe to our verye mortal ennemies.

Master.

The [...] not commiting aduoutry, what thinkest tho [...] [...]

[...].

Forsothe this com [...] [...]duoutry. conteyneth manye thinges For it forbid [...] not only to talke [...] mans wy [...]e, or any other womā vnthastly: bu [...] also to touche her, yea, or to cast an eye at her wāton [...]e: o [...] wyth lustfull looke to beholde [Page] her: or by anye [...] ▪ nest meane to w [...]oe her▪ [...] ther our selues, or any other in our behalfe: finally hear in is debarred al kind of [...] thy, & strayeng lust▪

Mast.

What thynkest thou of the commaūdement▪ not to steale?

Scholer.

I shal shew [...] [...]heft. breifly as I haue done the rest▪ yf it please you to [...] me▪ It commaūdeth [...] beguyle no [...] ▪ to [...] no vnlawfull wares: [...] [...]e no mā hys wealth: & to thynke nothing profytable, that either is not iust▪ or [...] [...]reth from ryghte and honesty: [Page] Breifely, rather wyllynglye leese that is thyne owne, than thou wrongfullye take that is anothers, and turne it to thyne owne commoditie.

Master.

Howe maye that commaundement be kepte,False wyt nesse. of bearynge no false wytnesse?

Scholer.

Yf we neyther oure selues speake anye false or vayne lye: nor alowe it in other, eyther by speeche or silence, or by our present companye. But wee oughte, alwayes to maintayne truth, as place and tyme serueth.

Master.

Now remaineth the [Page] last cōmaundement, of [...] coueting any thyng that is our neighbours: what meaneth that?

Scholer.

Thys lawe dotheCouetise of anothers. generally forbyd al sortes [...] euell lustes: and commaundeth vs to bridle & restraine al greedye vnsatiable desire of our wyl, whyche holdeth not it selfe wythin the bondes of right and reason: and it wylleth that eche man be cōtent wyth his estate. But who so euer coueteth more then ryght▪ with the losse [...] hys neighbour, and wrong to an other: he breaketh & vtterly looseth the bonde of [Page] charitie, and felowshippe amonge men, Yea and vponThe rewarde of y• godly aud vngodly. hym (vnles he amende) the Lorde God, the most sterne reuenger of the breakynge hys law, shall execute moste greuous punyshmente. On the other side, he that liueth accordynge to the rule of these lawes, shal fynde both prayse and blysse: and God also hys mercyful and boū tyfull good Lord.

Master.

Thou haste shortlye sette out the. x. commaundementes: Now then tell me, how all these thinges, that thou haste particularlye declared, Christe hath in fewe [Page] wordes conteyned, settyng [...] forth vnto vs in a sūme, the whole pyth of the law.

Scholer.

Wil you that I knit vp in a briefe abrydgement, all that belongeth bothe to God & to men?

Master.

[...]ea.

Scho.

Christ sayeth thus:The sūme of the lawe by Christe. Thou shalt loue the Lord, thy God, wyth al thy hart: wyth all thy soule: wyth all thy mynde: and with al thy strength. Thys is the greatest commaundement in the lawe. The other is lyke vn▪ to this: Thou shal [...] loue thy neyghbour as thy selfe. Up▪ on these two commaundemētes hang the whole law▪ [Page] and the Prophetes.

Master.

I wyll nowe that thou tell me further, what lawe is that whyche thou speakest of: that whych we call the lawe of nature? orThe lawe of nature. some other besydes?

Scholer.

I remēber maister that I learned that of you longe ago: that it was ingraffed by God in the nature of man, whyle nature was yet sounde and vncorrupted. But after the ētrā [...] Ignorance brought i [...] by corrup [...]ion of nature. of synne, although the wyse were somewhat after a sort [...]ot vtterly ignorant of that [...]yght of nature: yet was it [...]y that tyme so hydde from [Page] the greatest part of mē, that they scāt perceyued any shadow thereof.

Master.

What is the cause, that god willed it to be written out in tables: and that i [...] should be priuatli appointed to one people alone?

Scholer.

I wyll shewe you▪ Why the lawe was wrytten in tables. By oryginal synn [...] and euel custome, the image of God in mā, was so, at the begynning darkened: & the iudgemēt of nature, so corrupted: that man him selfe doth no [...] snfficiently vnderstād, wha [...] difference is betwene ho [...] stye and dyshonestye, rygh [...] and wrong. The bountyfull [Page] God thearefore myndynge to renewe that image in vs: fyrst wrought this by y• law wrytten in tables, that wee myght knowe our selues, & therin, as it were in a glasse, behold the fylthe and spots of oure soule, and stubborne hardnes of a corrupted hert: that by thys meane yet, acknowledgynge our synne: & perceiuing the weakenes of our fleshe: and the wrathe of God fear [...]ely bent agaynste vs for synne: we myghte the [...]ore feruently long for oure [...]ior Christ Iesus: which [...]y hys deathe and precious [...]prynklynge of hys bloude, [Page] hath clensed and washed away our sinnes: pacified the wrath of the almyghtye father: by the holye breathe of hys Spirite createth newe hartes in vs: and reneweth our mindes after the image and lykenesse of theyr Creator, in true ryghteousnes, & holynes. Whych thyng neither the iustyce of the lawe, nor any sacrifices of Moses were able to performe. AndNone made righteous by y• [...]awe. that no man is made ryghteous bi the law, it is euidēt: not onelye thereby, that the ryghteous lyueth by fayth: but also hereby that no mortal man is able to fulfyll all [Page] that the law of both the tables commaundeth. For we haue hindraūces that striue agaynste the lawe: as the weakenes of the fleshe: frowarde appetite, and lust naturallyCeremonies of the law. engēdred. As for sacrifice, cleansynges, washinges, and other ceremonies of the lawe: they were but shadoes, lykenesses, images and figures of the trew and euerlastyng sacrifice of Iesus Christ, done vppon the crosse. By the benefit wherof alone all the synnes of all beleuers, euen from the begynnyngeSinnes for giuen by Christes death only of the worlde▪ ar [...]ardoned, by the onlye mercye [Page] of God, and by no desert of ours,

Master.

I heare not yet, why almyghty Gods wyll was to declare hys secrete pleasure to one people alone, whi che was the Israelites.

Scholer.

Forsooth that hadWhy the lawe was gyuen to one people I almost forgotten, I suppose it was not don for this entent, as thoughe the lawe of the. x. commauudements dyd not belong generally to ail men: for asmuche as the Lord our God is not onelyeThe moral lawe commune to al the God of the Iewes, but also of the Gentiles: but rather this was ment thearby that the true Messias, whiche [Page] is our Christ, myght be knowen at hys commynge into the worlde: who muste nedes haue beene borne of that natiō, and none other, for true perfourmannce of the promise. For the whych cause, Gods pleasure was to appoynt out for hymselfe one certaine people, holy, sō dred from the rest, and as it were peculiarly hys owne. That, bi this meane his diuine worde might be continually kept holy, pure, and vncorrupted.

Master.

Hitherto thou hast wel satisfied me, deare sōne. Now lette vs come to the [Page] Christian confession, whych I wyll that thou playnlye reherse vnto me.

Scholer.

It shall be done. IThe crede. beleue in God, the father al myghty: maker of heauen and earthe. And in Iesu Christ, hys only sonne, our Lorde: whych was conceiued by the holy Gost: borne of the virgin Mary: Suffered vnder Pōce Pilate: was crucified: dead: and buryed. He went downe to hell: the thyrde daye he rose agayne from the deade. He went vp to heauen: sytteth on the ryght hande of God the father almighty: from thence [Page] shall he come, to iudge the quycke and the dead. I beleue in y• holy gost. I beleue the holy vniuersall church: the communion of sayntes: the forgeuenes of synnes: the rysynge agayne of the flesh: & the lyfe euerlastynge.

Master.

All these (my sōne) thou hast rehersed generallye and shortelye. Therefore thou shalt do wel, to set out largelye, all that thou hast spokē particularlye: that I may playnly perceiue what thy belefe is concerning ech of them. And fyrst I wolde heare of the knowledge of god, afterward of the right [Page] seruing of hym.

Scholer.

I wil wyth a goodThe ma [...]uge and preseruation of the world. wyl obey your plesure (dear Maister) as far as my simple wytte wyll suffer me. Aboue all thynges we muste stedfastly beleue and holde: that God almyghtye, the father, in the begynnyng, & of nothyng, made & fashyoned this whole frame of the world, and al things what soeuer are conteined therin: and that they all are made by the power of hys worde, that is of Iesu Christe the sonne of God. Which thing is sufficientlye approued by witnes of scriptures. Moreouer [Page] that, whē he had thus shapen all creatures, he ruled, gouerned & saued them by hys bountie and liberall hand: hath ministred, & yet also ministreth most largelye all that is needefull, for mayntenaunce and preseruynge of oure lyfe: that we should so vse them, as behoueth myndeful and godlye chyldren.

Master.

Why dost thou call God father:

Scholer.

For two causes, theWhy wee cal God fa ther. one, for that he made vs all at the beginning, and gaue life vnto vs all: the other is more weyghtye, for that by [Page] hys holy spirit and by faith he hath begottē vs agayne: makynge vs hys chyldren: gyuing vs hys kyngdome and the enheritaunce of lyf [...] euerlastynge, wyth Iesu Christ hys owne, trew, and naturall sonne.

Master.

Seynge then God hath created all other thinges to serue man: and made man to obey, honour, & gloryfye him: What canst thou say more of the begynning and makyng of man?

Scholer.

Euen that whyche Moses wrote: that God shapedThe making of mā the fyrste man of claye: and put into hym soule and [Page] life: thē, that he cast Adam in a deade sleepe, & brought foorth a woman, whome he drewe oute of hys syde, to make her a companiō with hym of al his life & wealth. And therfore was man called Adam, because he tookeThe names of Adam & [...] hys beginning of the earth: and the womā called Eue. because she was appoynted to be the mother of al liuīg.

Mast.

What image is that, after the lykenesse whereof, thou sayest that man was made?

Scholer.

That is most absoluteThe image that man was made after. righteousnesse and perfect holynes: whyche moste [Page] nearely belongeth to the [...] ry nature of God: and mos [...] clearely appeared in Christ our new Adā. Of the whyche in vs, thear scante are to be seen any sparcles.

Master.

What▪ are ther sc [...] to be seen?

Scholer.

It is true forsooth:Gods ymage defa ced in mā. for they do not now so shi [...], as they dyd in the begynning, before mans fall: for as much as man by the darknesse of synnes, and myst of errours, hath corrupted the bryghtnesse of thys image. In suche sorte hath God i [...] hys wrathe wreaked hym vpon the synful man.

[Page]Maister.

But I pray the tell me, wherefore came it thus to passe▪

Scholer.

I wyll shewe you. When the Lorde God had made the frame of thys world, he hym selfe planted a garden, full of delyte and pleasure, in a certaine place, Eastward, and called it Eden. Wherein besyde other passynge fayre trees, not far frō the myddes of the garden was thear one specially called, the tree of lyfe, and another called y• tre of knowledge of good & euell. Herein the Lord of his singuler loue placed man: and committed [Page] vnto hym the garden to dresse, and looke vnto: geuynge hym libertie to eate of the fruites of all the trees of paradyse, except the fruite of the tree of knowledge of good & euell. The fruite of thys tree if euer he tasted, he shoulde wythout fayle die for it. But Eue, deceyued by the deuell counterfetynge the shape of a serpent, gathered of the forbidden fruite: whych was for the fayrenes to the eye to be desyred: for the sweetenesse in tast to be reached at: and pleasaūt for the knowledge of good & euell▪ and she eate [Page] thearof, and gaue vnto her housba [...] to eate of the same. For which doing, they both immediatly dyed, that is to say: were not, only subiect to the death of the bodye, but also lost the life of the soule, whyche is ryghteousnesse. And foorthwith the image of God was defaced in thē: and the most beautiful proportion of ryghteousnesse, holynesse▪ truth and knowledge of God, was confoū ded and in a maner vtterly blotted out. Thear remayned the earthly image, ioyned with vnrighteousnesse, guyle, fleshly mynde, & depe [Page] ignoraūce of godli and heauenly thinges. Hereof grew the weakenes of our flesh [...] ▪ hereof came thys corruptiō, and disorder of lustes & affectiōs: hereof came that pestilence: hereof came that seede and nurishmēt of sins wherwyth mankynd is infected, and it is called synneOrigynall synne. originall. Moreouer therby nature was so corrupted, & ouerthrowen, that vnlesse the goodnes, and mercye of almyghty God had holpē vs bi the medicine of grace, euē as in bodi we are thrust down into al wretchedness [...] of death: so muste it needes [Page] haue bene, that al mē of all sortes should be throwen into euerlasting punyshment, and fyre vnquencheable.

Master.

Oh the vnthankefulnesse of men! But what hope had our first parents, and from thence fourth the rest; whearby they wear releue [...] ▪

Scholer.

When the LordeThe meanes of [...] tion. God had both wyth words and dedes chastised Adam and Eue (for he thrust them both out of the gardē wyth a most greeuous reproche) he then cursed the serpent, threatnynge hym, that the tyme should one day come, [Page] when the seede of the [...]omā should breake hys head. After ward the Lord God stablyshed that same gloryous and most bountiful promise: fyrst with a couenant madeGods [...]. betwene hym and Abrahā, by circumcision, and in Isaac hys sonne: then agayne by Moses: last of all by the oracles of ye noble prophets.

Master.

What meaneth the serpentes head: & that seede that God speaketh of▪

Scholer.

In the serpēts headThe Serpents head lieth all his venim [...], [...]d the whole pyth of hys lyfe and force. Thearfore do I take the serpents head to betok [...] [Page] the whole power, and king dome, or more truli the tirā nie of the old serpe [...]t the deuel. The sede (as saint▪ PaulThe seede of the woman▪ doth plainly teache) is▪ Iesus Christ the sonne of God, very God and veri man: cō ceaned of the holy Gost: engendred of the wombe and substaū [...]e of Marie, the blessed pure & vndefiled maide: and was so borne & [...]ostred by her as other babes de, sauinge that he was most far from all infection of synne.

Master.

All these founda [...]ions that thou hast layed ar most [...]rew. Nowe thearfore let vs: go forwarde to those [Page] hys doinges, whearin lie [...] our salua [...]ion and conquest agaynst that old serpent.

Scholer.

It shalbe done, good Maister. After that Christe Iesus hadde delyuered incharge to his Apostles that most ioyfull, and in al pointes heauenlye doctryne, the gospell, whych in greeke is called Euangelion, in Englysh good tidinges: and had as by sealyng stablished the same wyth tokens, and miraclesChristes [...], deathe▪ refurreccion and ascension. innumerable, whe [...] of all hys lyfe was full: at lēgth was he sore s [...]urged: mocked wyth pottyng, sco [...] nyng, and spyttynge in hys [Page] face: laste of all hys handes and [...]ete bored thorow with nayles: and he fastened to a crosse. Then he trulye dyed: and was truly buryed: that by hys moste sweete sacrifice, he myghte pacifye his fathers wrath against mā kynde: and subdue hym by his death, who had ye authoritie of deathe, which was the deuel: ‘forasmuch not onlye the lyuinge, but also the deade, wear they in hell, or elsse whear, they all felt the power & force of this death: to whom lieng in prison (as Peter sayeth) Christe preached, though dead in body, [Page] yet relyued in Spirite.’ The third daye after, he vprose a gayne, a lyue in bodye also: and wyth manye notable profes, the space of .xl. daies, he abode among hys disciples, eatyng and drynkyng with thē. In whose syghte he was conueyed away in a cloud, vp into heauen, or rather aboue al heauēs: wher he now sitteth at the ryght hand of God the father: being made Lorde of all thinges, be they in heauen, or in earth: kynge of all kynges: our euerlasting & onlye hee Bisshoppe: our only attournye: only mediatour, onely [...] [Page] peace maker betwene GodThe spirite sēt downe. and men. Now sithēs that, he is entred into his glorious maiestie: by sendynge downe his holy spirit vnto vs (as he promised) he lighteneth our dark blyndnesse: moueth, ruleth, teacheth, cleanseth, cōforteth, and reioyseth our myndes: and so will he styll continually do, tyll the end of the worlde.

Master.

Well, I se thou hast touched the chiefe Articles of our religion, and hast set out, as in a shorte abrydgement, the Creede, that thou diddest rehearse. Now therfore I wyll demaunde the [Page] questiōs of certain pointes.

Scholer.

Do as shall please you Maister: for ye maye more perfectlye instruct me, in those thinges that I do not throughly vnderstand: and put me in remembrāce of that I haue forgottē: and printe in my mynde deeper, suche thynges, as haue not taken stedfast hold thearin.

Master.

Tell me th [...]. [...]f by his death we get pardon of oure sinnes: was not that enough, but that he must also rise againe frō the deade▪

Scho.

It was not inough,The resurrection of Christe necessarie. yf ye haue a respect, eyther to hym, or to vs. For vnlesse [Page] he hadde rysen agayne, he shoulde not be taken, for the sonne of God. For whyche cause also, whyle he hong vpō the crosse, thei that saw hym vpbrayded hym and sayde: he hath saued other, but can not saue hym selfe. Let hym now come downe from the crosse, and we will beleue hym. But now vprisyng from the dead to euerlasting continuaunce of life, he hathe shewed a mutche greater power of hys godheade, then if by commyng downe frō the crosse he had fled from the terrible paines of death. For to dye is comō [Page] to all men: but to louse the bondes of death, and by his owne power to rise againe, that properlye belongeth to Iesus Christe the onlye begotten sonne of God, the only author of lyfe. Moreouer it was necessarye, that he should ryse again with glorie, that the sayengs of Dauid and other prophetes of God myghte be fulfylled, whych told before: that neither hys body should se corruption: nor hys soule be left in hel. As for vs, we neither had bene iustified, nor had had anye hope left to ryse agayne, had not he rysen, agayne, [Page] as Paule doth in diuerse places playnly shewe. For if he had remayned in the prisō of death, in graue: and bene holden in corruption, as al men besyde: how could we haue hoped for saf ty by hym whych saued not himself? It was mete therfore, & needefull, for the part that he had in hād: and for the chiefe staye of our sauegarde: that Christe shoulde fyrst delyuer hymselfe from deathe, and afterwarde assure vs of safetye by his vprisyng agayne.

Master.

Thou hast touched (my sonne) the chiefe cause [Page] of Christes risinge agay [...] ▪ Now would I faine heart thy mynde of his going vp into heauen. What answere thinkest thou is to be made to them, that say: it had be [...] better for hym, to tarie hear with vs, presentlye to rule & gouerne vs? For, besyde other diuerse causes, it is [...] lye, that the loue of the people toward theyr prince, specially beyng good and gracious, should grow the grea ter by his present company.

Scholer.

All theese thyngesChrist gouernith his Church ab [...]ent. whych he should do present, that is to saye, if he were in company amōg vs, he doth [Page] thē absent, He ruleth, maintayneth, strengthneth, defē deth, rebuketh, punysheth, correcteth: and performeth all suche thynges as do become such a prince, or rather God himself. Al those thinges (I saye) performeth he, which belong eyther to our neede or profit: honour or cō moditie. Beside this, ChristGod Christe is absent and presente in the worrd▪ is not so all together absent from the world, as mani do suppose. For albeit the substaunce of his body be takē vp from vs: yet is his Godheade perpetuallye presente wyth vs: although not subiect to the sight of our eyes. [Page] For thynges that be not b [...] dylye, can not be perceiued by any bodyly meane. Who euer sawe hys owne soul [...] No man. Yet what is thea [...] more present? or what to [...] man nearer, than hys owne soule. Spiritual thinges [...] not to be seen, but wyth the eye of the spirite. The arfe [...] he that in earth wyll see the Godhead of Christ: let hym open the eyes, not of his bodye, but of hys mynde, but of his faith: and he shall set him presēt, whom eye hath not seen: he shall see him present, and in the myddes of them, whearsoeuer be two [Page] or three gathered together in his name: he shal see him present wyth vs, euen vnto the ende of the▪ world, What sayde▪ I [...] shall he see Christe present▪ Yea, he shall both se & feele him dwellyng within himselfe: in sutch sorte as he dothe hys owne proper soule. For he dwelleth and [...]ydeth in the mynde and harte of hym whyche fasteneth all hys trust in hym.

Master.

Uery well, but oureChristes [...] cension. confession is that he is ascē ded by into heauen. Tell me thearfore how that is to be vnderstanded.

Scholer.

So vse we commō lye [Page] to say of him, that hath attayned to any hye degree or dignitie: that he is ascended vp, or aduaunced in to some hye roume: some hye place or state: because he [...] hath chaunged hys forme [...] case, and is become of more honor, thā the rest. In sut [...] case is Christ gon vp, as h [...] before came down. He came downe from hiest honour to deepest dishonoure, euen the dishonour and vyle state of a seruant, and of the crosse▪ And lykewyse afterwards he went vp, from the depest dyshonoure, to the hyest honoure, euen that same honour, [Page] whych he had before, hys goyng vp into heauen, yea, aboue all heauens, to the very roial throne of god, muste needes be euident by moste iust reason, that hys glory and maiestye myghte in comparison agreably answer to the proportiō of hys basenesse and reprochefull estate. This doth Paul teach vs, in hys wrytynge to the Philippians: he became obedient euē vnto death: yea, the very death of the crosse. Whearfore God bath both aduaunced hym to the hyest state of honour: and also geuen hym a name aboue [Page] al names: that at y• name of Iesus eueri kne shold bow, of al things in heauē, earth & hell. But although he be alredy gone vp into heauē: neuertheles bi his nature of godhead, & by his spirit, he shal alwaies be presēt in his church: euē to the end of the world. Yet thys proueth not that he is presēt amōg vs in his body. For his Godhead hath one propertye: his mā head another. Hys māheadChristes bo dily presēce was create: his godhed vncreate. His māhead is in sō [...] one place of heauē: his godhed is in such sort ech wher, that it filleth both heauen ▪ [Page] earthe. But to make thys poīt plainer, by a similitude or comparing of like to like. Ther is nothyng that dothChriste cō pared to y• sonne. trulier, like a shadow, expres Christ, thē the sōne: for it is a fit image of the light and brightnes of Christ. The sō doth alway kepe the heauē: yet do we sai that it is presēe also in y• ▪ world: for without lyght thear is nothyng present, that is to say, nothyng to be seen of any man: for the sonne wyth hys lyghte fulfilleth al things. So Christ is lyfted vp aboue all heauens, that he maye be presēt wyth all, and fully furnyshe [Page] all things as S. Paul doth saye. But as touchynge the bodylye presente of Christe heare in earthe (if it be lawfull to place in comparison, great thinges wyth small) Christes bodye is present to our faith: as the sonne, wh [...] it is seen, is presēt to the ey [...] ▪ the bodie wherof, although it do not bodylye touche the eye, nor be presently wyth [...] together hear in earthe, yet is it present to the sight, notwithstanding, so large a distaunce of space betwen. So Christes body which at his glorious going vp was cō ueyed from vs: which hath [Page] left the worlde, and is gone vnto hys father: is a greate way absent frō our mouth, euen then when we receyue wyth our mouth, the holye sacrament of his body and bloude. Yet is oure fayth in heauen: and beholdeth that sonne of righteousnesse: and is presently together wyth him in heauen, in sutch sort as the syghte is in heauen with the body of the sonne: or in earthe the sonne wyth the syght. And as the sonne is present to all thinges by hys light: so is Christe also in hys godhead. Yet neither can from the body the light [Page] of the sonne be sondred: nor from hys immortall bodye the godhead of Christe. We muste thearfore so say, that Christes bodye is in some one place of heauē, and hys godhead euerywhear: that we neyther of hys godhead make a body: nor of hys bodye a God.

Master.

I see (my son) th [...]n art not ignorant, after what sorte Christ is rightly sayd, to be from vs in bodye, and with vs in spirit. But thy [...] one thyng would I knowe of thee: why Christ our lord is thus conueied awaye frō the syghte of oure eyes: and [Page] what profit we take by his goyng vp to heauen.

Scholer.

The chefe cause the [...] Our profit by Christes ascenci [...]. of was, to plucke out of vs that false opinion, whyche sometyme deceaued the Apostles theymselues: that Christ should in earth visibly reigne, as other kinges, and rufflyng princes of the world. This errour he minded, to haue vtterly suppressed in vs: and that we shuld thyncke hys kyngdome to consyst in hyer thynges. Which thinge he thearfore thoughte fytter, because it was more for our comoditie and profitte: that some such [Page] kyngdome should be set v [...],Causes of Christes as c [...]tion. as the foundacions thearof should rest vpon our fayth. Whearfore it was necessary that he shoulde be conueyed away from vs, past perceyuing of all bodily sense: that by thys meane oure faythe might be styrred vp and exercised to consyder hys gouernement and prouidence, whom no syght of bodylye eyes can behold. And forasmutch as he is not kyng of some one country alone: but of heauē and earth: of quick and dead: it was moste conuenient that hys kingdome should be otherwyse gouerned [Page] then our senses may a [...] teine vnto. For ells he shold haue bene constrained, some tyme to be caried vp to heauen: sometyme to be dryuen downe to the earthe: to remoue sometyme in to one countrey, sometyme into another: and lyke an earthly prynce to be caryed hether & thether, by dyuerse chaūge of chaunsable affayres. For he could not be presētli with all at once, vnlesse hys body weare so turned in to Godheade, that he myght be in all or in many places together: as Eutyches, and certeyne lyke heretykes helde [Page] opinion. Yf it so wear that he myghte be eche whear present with al, at one verye instaunt time: then wear he not man, but a ghoste▪ neyther shoulde he haue▪ had a trewe bodye, but a fantasticall: whearof shoulde haue spronge foorth with a thowsād errors: all whych he hath dispatched by carienge hys bodie vp whole to heauen. In the meane season he▪ remaynynge inuisible, gouerneth his kingdōe and commen weale, that is his church▪ with soueraign wysdome and power. It is for men to rule theyr commune [Page] weales, by a certayne ciuile policie of men: but for Christ and God, by a heauē lye godlyke▪ order. But all that I haue hetherto sayde conteyneth but a small parcell of the profytte, that we take by the caryenge vp of Christes body into heauen. For ther ar many mo thinges, that heare might be rehearsed, whearof large store of fruite is to be gathered. But specially this may not be left vnspoken: that the be nefits are sutch, & so greate▪ which come vnto vs by the deathe, risynge agayne, and goinge vp of Christ: as no [Page] tonge eyther of men or angeles is able to expres. And that you maye knowe my mynde hearein: I wyll rehearse certayne of the chefe: whearunto as it wear two principall poyntes, the rest may be applyed. I say therfore: that both by these and other doings of Christ, two cōmodities do growe vnto vs: the one, that al the thinges that euer he hath don▪ for our profyt and behofe heChrist do ing [...]s for [...] behofe hath done thē: so that they be as well oure owne, yf we will cleaue thearunto wyth stedfast and lyuely faith, as if we had done them oure [Page] selues. He was nailed to the crosse: we wear also nayled with him: and in him oure synnes punished▪ He dyed: & was buryed: we lykewyse with our sinnes are dead, & buried: & that in sutche sorte that all remēbraunce of our synnes is vtterly taken out of mynde. He is risen again: and we are also risen again wyth hym: that is, are so made partakers of hys rysyng againe and lyfe, that from hensforth death hath no more rule ouer vs. For y• same spirit is in vs that raised vp Iesus frō the deade. Finallye, as he is gone vp [Page] into heauenly glorye: so are we lifted vp with hym. Albeit that these thynges do not nowe appeare: yet then shall they all be broughte to light, whē Christ the light [...] of the world, shal shew him self in his glorye, in whome all oure blisse is layde vp in store, Moreouer by hys goyng vp are graūted vs the giftes of the holy ghost: as Paule doth sufficiently witnesse. Ephe. iiii. The otherChristiā ex ample of lyfe vnto vs. commoditie, which we take by the doinges of Christ, is: that Christe is set for an example vnto vs, to frame our lyues thereaster. Yf Christe [Page] hath bene deade: if he hath bene buryed for sin? he was so but ones. If he be risen agayne: if he be gone vppe to heauen: he is but ones risen: but ones gone vp. Frō hensforth he dieth no more, but lf neth with God: & reygneth in euerlastyng continuaūce of glory. So if we be deade: if we be buried to sin: Howe shall we heare after lyue in the same? If we be rysen again with Christ: if by sted fast hope we lyue nowe in heauen with him: heauenlye and godlye thinges, not earthly and frail, we ought to set oure care vpon. And euen [Page] as hearetofore, we haue borne the image of y• earthli man: so from henseforward lette vs beare the image of the heauenly. As the Lord Christ neuer ceased to do vs good, by bestowing vpō vs his holye spirite: by garnyshinge his churche wyth so many notable giftes: and by perpetual praying to his father for vs: Lyke reason oughte to moue vs to ayd [...] oure neyghboure wyth all our endeuoure: to maintain as much as in vs lyeth, the bond of charity. And to honoure Christ our Lord andDonor of Christ. sauioure: not wyth wythed [Page] tradicions and cold deuises of men, but wyth heauenly honour & spiritual in dede, most fyt for vs that giue it, & hym that shall receyue it, euen as he hathe honoured & doth honour hys father. For he that honoureth him honoreth also the father, of whiche he him self is a substantiall witnesse.

Maist.

The end of the world ho [...] scripture calleth the ful fyllynge & parformaunce of the kyngdome and mistery of Christ, and the renewing of all thynges: For (saythe [...]he Apostle Peter in his se [...]ōd Epistle the third chapter.) [Page] We loke for a new heauen: and a new earth, according to the promise of God: whearin dwelleth ryghteousnesse. And it semeth reason that corruption, vnstedfaste chaunge, and synne, wherunto the whole world is subiect, shoulde at length haue an end. Now bi what way, and what fasshiō circumstaunces these thinges shal come to passe▪ I would fayne heare the tell.

Scholer.

I will tell you asThe end of [...] world well as I can, accordyng to the wytnesse of the same, Apostle. The heauens shall passe awaye like a storme▪ [...] [Page] elementes shal melt awaye: the earthe, & all the workes therein▪ shall bee consumed wyth fyre: as thoughe he shuld say: as gould is wont to be fined: so shal the whole world be purified with fire, and be broughte to hys full perfection. The lesser world, whiche is man, folowynge the same, shall lykewyse bee delyuered from corruption and chaunge. And so for mā this greater worlde (which for hys sake was first created) shall at lēgth be renewed: & be clad wyth another hew, much more pleasaunt and beutifull.

[Page]Master.

What then remayneth?

Scholer.

The laste and generallThe [...]ay of dome. dome. For Christe shall come: at whoes voice al the deade shall ryse againe▪ perfecte and sound both in bodi and soule. The whole world shall beholde hym, sittynge in the Royall throne of hys Maiestie: and after the examination of euerye mannesThe resur rection. conscience, the laste sentence shalbe pronoūced. Then the chyldren of God shall bee in perfecte possessyon of that kingdome of fredome from death and of euerlastig life: whyche was prepared for [Page] theim, before the foundacyons of the world were layd. And they shal reygne wyth Christe for euer. But the vngodlye that beleued not, shall be throwen frō thense into euerlastynge fyre, appoynted for the deuyll and hys angelles.

Master.

Thou haste saide ynougheThe holly Church. of the agayn rising of the deade. Nowe remayneth, that thou speke of the holye churche: whearof I would very fayne hear thy opinion.

Scholer.

I wil rehearse that in fewe words shortly: whiche the holye scryptures set [Page] out at large and plentifulli▪ Afroe that the Lorde God had made the heauen and erth: he determined to haue for himself a most beautiful kyngdome and holy comō wealth. The Apostles and the auncient fathers that wrote in Greeke, called it Ecclesia, in englyshe, a congregation or assemble: into the whych he hath admytted an infinite nōber of mē: that should all be subiect to one king as their souereign and only one head: hym we call Christe, whythe is as mutch to say as anoynted▪ For the hye byshoppes, and [Page] kinges among the Iewes, (who in fygure betokened Christ, whom the Lord annoynted with his holy spirite,) wear wont by Gods appointment at theyr consecration, to haue materyall oile poured on them. To theWho be of Christs churthe. furnishyng of this common weale belonge all they, as many as do truly feare, honour & cal vpon God, whol ly applyeng theyr mynde to holy and godly lyuing: and all those that puttynge all theyr hope & trust in hym, do assuredlye looke for the blisse of euerlastig lyfe. But as many as ar in this faith [Page] stedfast▪ weare forechosen, predestinate, & apoynted out to euerlastig lyfe, before the world was made. Wytnesse hereof they haue wythin in theyr hartes the spirite of Christ, the author, earnest & vnfailable pledge of theyr fayth. Whych faith only is able to perceyue the misteries of God: only bryngeth peace vnto the hart: onli taketh hold on the righteousnes, that is in Christ Iesus

Master.

Doth then the spirite alone, and fayth (sleepe we neuer so soundlye, or stād we neuer so recklesse & slothfull) so woorke all thynges [Page] for vs, as without any help of our owne to carye vs idle vp to heauen?

Scholer.

I vse (maister) as you haue taughte mee, to make a dyfference betwene the cause and the effectes▪ Causes of our iustification. The first, principall & moste perfect cause of oure iustifyenge and saluation, is the goodnesse and loue of God: wherby he chose vs for his, before he made the worlde. After that, god graūteth vs to be called by the preachīg of ye Gospel of Iesus Christ, when the spirit of the Lord is poured in to vs: by whose guyding and gouernaunce [Page] we be led to settle our truste in God: and hope forthe per formaunce of all hys promises. With thys choyse is ioyned, as companion, th [...] mortifyeng of the old man, that is of our affectiō & lust. Frō the same spirit also tometh our sanctification: the loue of God, & of our neighbour: iustice: and vpryghtnesse of life: finally, to say all in summe, whatsoeuer is in vs▪ or maye be done of vs, pure, honest, true and good, that altogether spryngeth out of thys most pleasaunt [...] roote, from this most plentyfull fountayne, the goodnesse, [Page] loue, [...]hoyse and vnchaūgeable purpose of god. He is the cause, the rest are the fr [...]tes and effectes. [...]et ar also the goodnesse, choise & spirit of God, and Christe himselfe, causes conioyned and coupled ethe wyth other: which mai be reckened amonge the principall causes of our saluation. As ofteIustification by fayth. thearfore as we vse to saye, that wee are made ryghteous and saued bi only faith: it is meante theareby: that fayth, or rather truste alone, doth lay hand vpon, vnderstād and perceyue, our righteousmakyng to be geuē [...] [Page] of God freely: that is to say▪ by no desertes of oure own▪ but by the free gra [...]e of the almighti father▪ Moreouer sayth doth engender in vs the loue of our neyghbour▪ and sutch workes as god is pleased wyth all. For if it [...] a liuely & true faith, quik [...] ned by the holy ghost, she is the mother of all good sayinge and doynge. By thy [...] short tale is it euidēt, whēce, and by what meanes we attayne to be made righteous For not by the worthynesse of our deseruinges, were we eyther heartofore chosen, or long ago saued: but by the [Page] only mercy of god, and pure grace of Christ oure Lorde: whearby we weare in hym made to those good workes, that God hath apointed for vs to walke in. And althougheIrewe faithe and works vnseparate▪ good woorkes can not deserue to make vs righ teous before god: yet do thei so cleaue vnto faythe: that neither can fayth be founde without thē, nor good workes be any whear wythout faythe.

Master.

I lyke verye well thys shorte declaration of fayth and workes: for Paul playnly teacheth the same. But canst thou yet further [Page] depaint me out that cōgregacion, whych thou callest a kingdome or comō weale of Christianes: and so set it out before mine eyes, that it may seuerally and playnly be knowen asonder frō eche other fellowshyppe of men?

Scholer.

I will proue howe well I can do it, your pleasure is (maister) as I take it, that I point ye out some certaine congregation, that may be seene.

Master.

That it is in dede: & so it shal be good for y• to do.

Scholer.

That congregationThe churche. is nothing elsse but a certayne multytude of menne: [Page] which, wher soeuer they be, professe the pure & vprighte learning of Christ, and that in such sort, as it is faithfully set fourth in the holye testamēt, by the Euangelists and Apostles: whiche in al points, are gouerned and ru led by the lawes & statutes of theyr kinge and hye Byshoppe Christe, in the bonde of charity: which vse his ho lye misteryes, that are commonlie called sacramentes, with such purenesse & simplicity (as touchinge theire nature and substaunce) as the Apostles of Christ vsed and left behinde in writing. [Page] The marckes therefore ofMarks of the church this churche are: firste, pure preachyng of the gospel: thē brotherly loue, out of which as members of al one body, springeth good wyl of eche to other: thirdlye vprighte and vncorrupted vse of the Lordes sacraments, accordynge to the ordynaunce of the Gospell: laste of all brotherlye correction, and excō munication, or banishynge those out of the church, that wyll not amend their liues. This marcke the holye fathers tearmed discipline. This is that same churche, that is grounded vpon the [Page] assured rocke Iesus Christ and vpō trust in hym. This is that same church, which Paul calleth the piller, and vpholding stay of truth. ToKeies to bynde and loose. this church belōg the keies, whearwyth heauen is locked and vnlocked: for that is done by the ministration of the worde: wherunto properly appertayneth the power to bynde and louse: to holde for gylty, and forgiue synnes. So that whosoeuer beleueth the Gospell preached in thys church, he shal be saued: but whoso beleueth not, he shal be dāpned.

Master.

Now wold I fain [Page] heare thy beliefe of the holy ghost.

Scholer.

I confesse, him to beThe holly Ghost. the thyrd person of the holy trinitie: Andsith be is equal with the father & the sonne, & of the verye same nature, that he ought egally to bee worshipped with thē bothe.

Mast.

Whi is he called holy?

Scholer

Not onelye for hysWhy the holy goste is called holy. owne holynesse: but for that by hym are made holye the chosen of God, and members of Christe. And thearfore haue the scriptures termed him the spirit of sanctification or makyng holy.

Master.

Wherin consysteth [Page] thys sanctification?

Scholer.

Fyrste, we be neweWhearin resteth the holy gost [...] sanctifica tion. gotten by his inward motion. And therfor, said Christ: we muste be newe borne of water, and of the spirit. Thē by his inspiration are we adopted, & as it wer bi choise made the chyldren of God. For whych cause he is not causelesse called the spirit of adoption. By his lyght are we lightened, to vnderstand Gods misteryes. By hys iudgemēt are sinnes pardoned and reteined. By his power is the fleshe wyth her lustes kept downe & tamed. Bi his pleasure, ar the manifold [Page] gyftes dealt amonge the holye. Finallye by hys meanes shal our mortal bodies be relyued. Therfore in the author of so great gifts, we do not wythout a cause beleue: honor, & cal vpō him▪

Master.

Wel, thou hast now said sufficiently of the holly ghost. But thys woulde I heare of thee: why it immediatelye foloweth, that we beleue the holye vniuersall churche and the communiō of Sayntes.

Scholer.

These two thinges I haue alwai thoght to be most fitly coupled togither, Because the felowshyppes [Page] and incorporacions of otherCommunion of Sainctes. men, procede and be gouerned by other meanes & policies: but the church whyche is an assemble of men called to euerlastinge saluacion, is bothe gathered together, & gouerned by the holy ghost of whom we euē now made mention. Which thyng, sith it can not be perceiued bi bodily sense or light of nature, is by right and for good rea son, heare reckened amonge thynges that are knowē byWhy the churche is called vniuersall. beleife. And thearfore thys calling togither of the faith full is called vniuersall, because it is bonde to no one [Page] speciall place. For God thorowout al costes of y• world, hath them that worshyppe hym. Whych thoughe theyCōmuniō of saints. be far scattered a sonder, by diuerse distāce of countries, and dominions: yet ar they members most nearlye ioyned of that same bodi, wherof Christe is the heade: and haue one spirit, fayth, sacramētes, prayers, forgiuenesse of sinnes, and heauēly blisse, common among them all: and be so knyt with the bōd of loue, that they e [...]deuour thēselues in nothyng more, than eche to help other, and to build together in Christ.

[Page]Master.

Seynge thou haste already spokē of the knowledge of god, and his members: I woulde also heare▪ what is the true seruyce of God,

Scholer.

Fyrst we must consider,Pa [...]tes of godstrew inward ser uice. that the right & trewe knowledge of God, is the principal and onli fundatiō of Gods seruyce. The same knowledge, fear doth foster and mayntayne, whyche in scriptures is called the begynnyng of wisedōe. Faith and hope are the proppes and staies, whearupō leane all the rest that I haue rehearsed. Furthermore, charitie [Page] whych we call loue, is lyke an euerlastyng bonde, by the strayght knot wherof al other vertues be boūd in one together, and theyr force encreased. These be the inward partes of Gods seruice, that is to say, whyche consyst in the mynde.

Master.

What hast thou to say of the Sabbat, or the ho ly dai: which euē now thou madest mention of, amonge the lawes of the firste table?

Scholer.

Sabbat is as muchThe Sabbat. to sai, as rest, It was apoin ted for onlye honoure and seruice of God: and it is a figure of that reast and quiet [Page] nes, whiche they haue that beleue in Christe. For oure trust in Christ doth set our myndes at liberty, from all slauishe feare of the law, sin, deathe and hel: assuring vs in the meane season, that by him we please God, & that he hath made vs hys chyldren and heiers of his kingdome: wherby thear groweth in our hartes peace and true quietnes of mind: whiche is a certayn foretaste of y• moste blessed quiet, whiche we shall haue in hys kyngdome. As for those thynges that are vsed to bee done on the sabbothe daye, as Ceremonies, [Page] and exercises in the seruyce of God, they are tokens and wytnesses of thys assured truste. And mete it is, that faithfull Christiās, on such daies as are apointed oute for holye thynges, shold lay asyde vnholy your kes: and gyue them selues earnestly to religion and ser uynge of God.

Master.

What be the parts of that outwarde seruynge God? whyche thou saydest euen now, dyd stand in certain bodily exercises: which are also tokēs of the inward seruinge hym.

Scholer.

Fyrst, to teache, andOutward seruice of God. [Page] heare the learnynge of the gospel: thē the pure and naturall vse of the ceremonies and sacramentes: last of all prayer made vnto God by Christe, and in the name of Christ, which without faile obteineth the holly ghoste, the moste assured author of all trew seruynge God, and vpryght religion.

Master.

Tell me what thou callest sacramentes?

Scholer.

They are certayneWhat sacraments are. customeable reuerēt doings and Ceremonyes ordeyned by Christe: that by them he might put vs in remēbrāce of his benefits: & we myght [Page] declare oure profession, that we be of the nomber of thē, which are partakers of the same benefites, and whyche fasten all theyr affiaunce in hym: that we are not ashamed of the name of Christ, or to bee termed Christes Scholers.

Master.

Tell me (my sonne) how these two sacramentes be ministred: baptisme: and that whyche Paule calleth the supper of the Lord.

Scholer.

Hym that beleuethThe ministracion of baptysme. in Christ: professeth the Articles of the Christian religion: & myndeth to be baptised (I speake nowe of thē [Page] that be growē to ripe yeres of discretion: sith for the yōg babes, theyr parentes or the churches professiō sufficeth) the minister dyppeth in, or washeth with pure & cleane water onlye, in the name of the father, and of the sonne, and of the holy ghost: & thē commendeth him by praier to God, in to whose churche he is now openly as it wear enrowled, that it mai please God to graunte hym hys grace, whearhy▪ he may answer in belefe and life agreablye to his profession.

Master.

What is the vse of the Lordes supper?

[Page]Scholer.

Euē the very same,The vse of the Lords supper. that was ordayned by the Lord himself Iesus Christ▪ Which (as S. Paul sayeth) y• same nyghte, that he was betrayed, tooke breade: and when he had geuen thankes, brake it: & sayde, Thys is my body, which is brokē for you: Do thys in the remembraūnce of me. In like maner, whē supper was ended, he gaue thē the cuppe, sayenge: Thys cuppe is the newe testamēt in my bloud▪ Do thys, as ofte as ye shall drinck thearof, in the remē braunce of me. Thys was the maner and order of the [Page] Lordes supper: whyche we ought to holde & kepe: that the remēbraunce of so great a benefite, the passyon and deathe of Christ, be alwaye kepte in mynde: that, after that the worlde is ended, he may come, and make vs to fit wyth hym at hys owne borde.

Master.

What doth baptisme represēt & set befor oureyes?

Scholer.

That we are by theThe meaninge of baptisme. spirite of Christ new borne, and cleansed from syn: that we be members and partes of his churche, receiued into the communion of sainctes. For water signifieth the spi [Page] rite. Baptisiue is also a fygure of our burial in Christ and that we shall be raysed vp agayne wyth hym, in a newe lyfe, as I haue before declared in Christes resurrection.

Master.

What declareth & betokeneth the supper vnto vs: whych we solemnly vse in the remembraunce of the Lorde▪ The meaninge of y• Lords sup per.

Scho.

The Supper (as I haue shewed a lytle before) is a certayne thankfull remembraunce, of the deathe of Christe: for asmuch as the bread representeth his bodi,The bread betrayed to be crucifyed for [Page] vs: The wyne standeth inThe wyne steade & place of his bloude, plentuouslye shed for vs. And euen as by breade and wyne, oure natural bodies, are susteined and nourished: so by the body, that is y• flesh & bloude of Christ, the soule is fedde through fayth, and quickened to the heauenlye and godly lyfe.

Master.

Howe come these thynges to passe?

Scholer.

Theese thyngesHowe we feede vpō Christes bodye and bloud. come to passe by a certayne secreate meane, and liuelye working of the spirit: when we beleue that Christ hath, ones for all, gyuen vppe his [Page] bodye aud bloude for vs, to make a sacrifice, and moost pleasaūt offring to his heauenly father: and also when we cōfesse and acknowledge him oure onlye sauyour, hie Bishoppe, mediatoure, and redemer: to whome is dewe all honour and glory.

Master.

All this thou doestFayth the mouthe of the soule. well vnderstande. For me thinketh thy meanynge is: that faith is the mouthe of the soule: whearby we receiue thys verye heauenlye meate, full both of saluatiō and immortalitye, dealt among vs, by the meanes of the holy ghost. Now, sythe [Page] we haue entreated of the sacramentes, passe forward to the other partes of Gods seruyce.

Scholer.

I will do your cō maūdemēt. Thear remaine two thinges, belongyng to the perfection of Gods seruice. First our Lord Iesus Christes wil was, that therOffyce of Preachers shoulde be teachers and Euangelistes, that is to saye preachers of the gospell: to this entent, that hys voyce myght continually be hard soūd in his church. He that coueteth (as all oughte to couet) to beare the name of a Christiane, maye haue no [Page] doubte, that he ought wyth moste earnest affection, and feruēt desyre, endeuour himselfe, to heare and soke into his mynde, the worde of the Lord: not lyke the words of anye man, but lyke (as it is in dede) the word of almigh tie god. Secōdarily, bicause all that is good, and that ought of a Christian to be desyred, cometh vnto vs frō God, and is by him graunted:Prayer. thearefore of hym, we ought to require al things: and by thankesgeuinge acknowledge them all receyued of him. Which thing he so well liketh, that he estemeth [Page] it in stede of a passing pleasauut sacrifice: as it is most euidēt by the witnesse of the prophets & Apostles.

Master.

Hast thou any certayne and appoynted maner of prayeng?

Scho.

Yea forsoth: euen theThe lords prayer. very same, that oure Lorde taught his disciples, and in them all other Christians. Who, beynge on a tyme required to teache them some sort of praier, taughte them this. Whē ye pray, quod he, say: Our father whych art in heauen, hallowed be thy name. Thi kingdom come. Thy will be done in earthe [Page] as it is in heauen. Gyue vs thys day our dayly breade, and forgyue vs our trespasses as we forgyue thē that trespasse agaynste vs. And lead vs not into temptaciō: But delyuer vs from euell. For thyne is the kyngdom power & glory for euer. Amē

Maist.

How thinkest thou [...] is it lawfull for vs, to vse any other wordes of prayer?Whether we maye vse anye other praier but the pa ter noster.

Scho.

Althoughe in thys short abridgement are suffiently conteyned all thinges that euery Christian ought to praye for: yet hathe not Christe in thys prayer tyed vs vp so shorte, as that it [Page] we are not lawfull for vs to vse other woordes and maner of prayer. But he hathe set out in this prayer certain principall poyntes, whearvnto all our prayers should he referred. But let eche mā aske of God as hys present nede requireth. Whatsoeuer ye aske the Father in my name (saith Christ) he shall gyue it you.

Master.

For as much as there is in all this praier nothing doubtfull or beside the purpose: I woulde heare thy mynde of it.

Scholer.

I do well perceyue what y• wordes do signifie.

[Page]Master.

Thinkest thou then that there is in it nothynge [...]arcke, nothynge hidde, nothyng hard to vnderstād?

Scholer.

Nothing at al. ForNothyng in y• lardes prayer hard to vn derstande. neither was it Christes plesure, that there shuld be any thynge in it dareke or farre from our capacity, specyally sithe it belongeth egally to all, and is as necessarye for the lewd as the learned.

Mast.

Therefore declare vn to me, in fewe woordes, eche parte by it selfe.

Scholer.

When I say oureWhat we gather of our father father which art in heauē: thys do I thincke with my selfe: that it canne not be but [Page] that he must heare me, and be pleased wyth my praiers For I am hys Sonne (although vnprofitable & disobedient) and he on the other side is my moste bountyfull father, moste readye to take pity and pardon me.

Maist.

Why doste thousaye,What is meant by, whych are in heauen. he is in heauen? is he in sō [...] o [...]e certayne and lymited place in heauen▪ what me [...] ▪ neth that which he sayth of hym selfe: I fyll bothe heauen and earthe: agayn, the heauen is my seate and the earthe my footestoole.

Scholer.

Hereof haue I spoken, some what before: wher [Page] vnto I wyl ioyne this that foloweth. Fyrst of all, as oft as we do say (which arte in heauen) it is as much to sai, as heauēly and diuine. For we ought to thyncke much hier of our heauenly father thā of our earthly. He is also sayde to be in heauen for this cause: that in that hye and heauēly place the n [...] ble and wonderful workes of God, do the more clearly and gloriously shewe them selues: and he is now declared to be in euerlasting and full felicity: whereas we abide, yet banyshed in earthe full wretchedlye. Moreouer [Page] as the heauen by vnmeasurable widnesse of compasse, conteyneth all places, the earthe, and the sea: and no place is thear, that maye be hidde from the large reatch of heauen, sith it is at euery instāt of time, to euery thing present: So hearby may we vnderstād, that god is likewyse present to eche thyngeGod is ech wheat in eche place. He seeth, heareth and gouerneth al thinges: he beyng hym self a spirite, and moste farre from al earthlye and mortall state. Wytnesse whereof Hieremy the Prophete. Am not I (saythe the Lorde) a God [Page] neare vnto you? and am not I a God farre of? shall anye man be able to shroude hym selfe in suche a corner, that I can not espye hym? This is a pithye sentence, to driue feare into vs, that we offend not that Lorde of so large a dominion: wherby also weGod alwaye present to helpe vs. are perswaded assuredly to beleue, that God wyll heare whensoeuer we shall stande in nede. For he is at al times and in all places presente, This foundacion then laid: and so sweete and plesaunte entraunce prepared: ther foloweth the fyrst parte of the Lordes prayer: wherein we [Page] requyre, that not onlye wee, but also all other who soeuer, maye in holynes, honor, reuerence, and worshyp hys name.

Master.

Howe is that to bee done?

Scholer.

I shall shewe you,How goddes name is to be hal lowed. then we do that, when leauing all those that haue the name of gods, be thei in hea uen or in earthe, or worshipped in temples, in dyuerse shapes and images, wee acknowledge him alone oure father: Prai to the true god, and Iesus Christ hys onlye sonne, whome he hath sent: and by pure vnfained praier [Page] call vpon him alone, wyth vprightnes of life and innocencye.

Master.

Thou hast sayd berye well proceede.

Scholer.

In the second parteChristes kingdome not yet per fect. we require that hys kyngedome come. For we see not yet all thynges in subiection to Christe: we see not the stone he wed offrō the moū tayne wythoute woorke of mā, which all to brosed and brought to nought y• image whiche Daniell, desc [...]iueth, that the onlye rocke Christe may obtayn and possesse the dominiō of the hole world, graūted him of his father. [Page] Antichrist is not yet slayne. For thys cause do we longe for, and praye that it may at length come to passe and be fulfylled, that Christe may reign with his sainctes, accordinge to Gods promises: that hee maye lyue and bee Lorde in the worlde, accordyngeChristes kingdom. to the decrees of the holye Gospell: not after the traditions and lawes of mē nor pleasure of worldlye tyrauntes.

Master.

God graunte hys kyngdome may come: and that spedilye.

Scholer.

Moreouer sithe it is the chyldrens duty to frame [Page] theyr lyfe too theyr fathers wyll: and not the fathers, to bowe to the childrens pleasure:Gods will to be done forasmuch as our wyl is [...]ommonly by tickling of affeccions, and stirringe of lustes, drawen to dooe those thynges, that God is displesed with: it is reasō, that we hange whollye vppon the b [...]k of our heauēly father, & wholy submit oure selues to his heauenli gouermnēt. Wherefore, for thys cause, we mortall mē do pray, that we maye in like case be obedient to his commaūdemēt, as are the sonne and Mone and other sterres in heauen [Page] whiche bothe by ordinarye courses, and by lightninge the earthe with vncessaun [...]e beames, execute the Lordes wyll continuallye: Or that we, as the āgels and other spirites▪ diuine, in al pointes obey him: which bestowe al theyr trauayle diligently, to accomplish hys godly commaundementes. Next after that he teacheth vs, to aske of our heauenly father, our breade: wherby he meanethOur dayly bread. not meate onlye, but also all thynges elles needefull for maynetenaunce, and preseruinge of life: that we mayeWhat bread mea neth. learn, that God alone is authoure [Page] of al thynges: which maketh the fruytes of the earthe bothe to growe and encrease to plentye. Wherefore it is meete that we c [...]ll vpon hym alone in prayer: which (as Dauid sayth) [...] loue feedeth a [...]d maynteyneth all thinges.

Master.

Some suppose this place to meane, that bread, that Christe maketh men [...] on of, in the .vi. of Ihon. That is, of the true knoweledge and taste of Christe, that was borne and dyed for vs: wherwyth the faithfull soule is fedde. The reasō wherupon they gather this [Page] is the greke woorde epiousion Epiousiō. whereby they vnderstande supernaturall, ghostly, heauenlyDaylye breade or supernaturall. and diuine. This mea nynge I refuse not: for both these expositions may fitlye agree with this place: but whi calleth he it daily bred, whiche is also signified by thys worde epiousion.

Scholer.

We aske daily bread,Why wee aske oure bread to be daylye. that myghte be alwayes presente and accompanye vs contynuallye: to slake and satisfye oure thyrstye desyre, and vnsaciat stomacke: least otherwise, we shuld be, as Christ sayeth, carefull for to morowe: because the morowe [Page] shall care for it selfe.

For it shall come not wythout his own discōmoditie & care, Wherfore it is not reason, that one day shoulde encrease the euell of another.

It shall be sufficient for vs, dayly to aske, that our most bountifull father is readye dayly to gyue. Now foloweth the fifthe requeste: wherein we beseeche the father to forgeue vs oure trespasses and de [...]auts, that we haue committed. This request,Forgyuenes of trespasses. doutles is veri necessarye: sithe there is no man liuinge, free from sinne. Here therfore must we cast away [Page] all trust of our selues. Heare must we plucke downe our courage. Here must we prai oure moste mercifull father, for the loue of Iesu Christe hys moste deare and obedyent sonne, to pardō, forgeue and vtterly blot oute of hys boke, our innumerable offē ces. Heare oughte we in theOur couenant with god, as we forgiue. &c meane seasō, to be myndfull of the couenauute we make wyth God: That it maye please God so to forgeue vs our trespaces, as we our selues forgiue theim that trespasse agaynste vs. Therfore it is necessarye, that we forgyue and pardone all men, [Page] all theyr offenses, of what sort or condition so euer thei be. If we forgiue men there faultes, our heauenly father shall forgiue vs oures.

Master.

Were these thingsCharitable forgiuenesse one to and ther ceaseth bram les. (my sonne) thus vsed: thear shuld not, at this daye, thus violentlye reigne, so manye brawles, so many contentions, so many & so haynous disagremēts, eninities and hatreds of one man to another. But nowe wheras ech man, so stādeth in hys owne conceite, that he wy [...] not les [...] an ynche of hys ryght, neyther in honoure or wealthe, it chaunceth ofte that they [Page] lease bothe theyr wealthe,The harmes of cō tencion. theyr honour; and their life it selfe wythal. Yea they put from them selues, and turne awaye the fauoure of God, and euerlasting glory. But thou (my sonne) must not be ignorante of Christes commaūdemēt: nor of that whiche Paul techeth, that thouGood not euell to be rēdred for euell. suffer not thy self to be ouercome of euell, that is suffer not thy selfe fo to be seduced by any other mans offence, as to repay euel for euel, but rather ouercome euell with good. I meane by doing hi good, yt hath done the euell: by vsing hun frēdly, y• hath [Page] shewed him self thi most cru [...]ll foe. Now go forward to the sixthe request.

Scholer.

I wyl, with a goodOur weak nesse. will, as you cōmaunde me. Forasmuchas we be feble, weake, subiect to a thousād periles, a M. tēptatiōs, easy to be ouercome, redy to yeld to euerye lyght occasyon, either to men fraughte wyth malice, or to our owne [...]ste and appetit, or finally [...] crafti malicious serpent [...] deuel: Therefore we beseche oure father, that hee bringeTemptation. vs into no such hard [...] and peril: nor leaue vs in the verye plunge of daunger, [Page] but if it come to that poynt, that hee rather take vs awaye from the present myschief, and engynes of the deuell, the authoure and principall cause of all euell, then suffer vs to runne headlong into destruction. Now haue you good Mayster, in fewe woordes, all that you haue taught me, vnlesse paraduē ture, somewhat be ouerslipped in the rehearsall.

Master.

Because thyne is the kyngdome power and glorye for euer. Amen. Why was it Christes pleasure to knytte vp our prayer, with this clause in the ende,

[Page]Scholer.

Partly that we shuldWhi this is added: for thyne is y• kingdome. &c. declare our assured trust, to obtayne al things, that we before haue required. For there is nothynge whyche, if it be asked with faithe, he is not able or not willing to geue, who ruleth & gouerneth all thynges, who is able to doo all thynges, who is garnyshed wyth endlesse glorye.

These thynges when we rehearse, of God oure father, there remaineth no cause to dout, or suspect, that we shal receaue, denyall. Partlye by so saying, we teache our selues, [Page] how mete it is, to make our sute to God, sithe besyde hym, none glistreth with so shining glory, none hath dominion so large, or force so great, to be able to stay him from geuing that he hathe appoynted according to his pleasure, or to take awaye that he hath already geuen vs. And there is no euell of oures so great that may not be put awaye by his exceadynge greate power, glorye and wysdome.

Master.

I like wel (my son) thys thy shorte declaration: and I see nothing left out, [Page] that oughte to haue beene spoken.

Scholer.

But yet thys one thynge wyll I adde thertoFayth in prayer. The chiefe and Princypall thynge, required in prayer, is that without al douting we stedfastli beliue, that god oure father wyll graunte what we do aske: so y• it bee neyther vnprofytable for vs to receiue, nor vnfyt for him to giue. For hee that is not, assured but doutful, let himWhat to be asked in prayer. not thincke (as Iames. saieth) to gette anye thynge at the handes of God.

Master.

I se now (my deare sonne) howe diligently and [Page] hedefullye thou hast applyed thy mynde, to those thinges that I haue taughte y• howe godlye and vpryghte a iudgemente thou haste of gods true seruice: and of the duites of neighbours one to another. Thys remayneth [...]onest frame of lyfe. that from hensforth thou so frame thy life, that this hea uenly and godli knowledge decai not in the, nor lie soulelesse and dead, as it were in a tombe of the flesh. But rather see that thou whollye gyue thy self continually & earnestly to these godlie studies. So shalt thou liue, not onlye in this present life, but [Page] also in the life to come▪ whiche is much better and blesseder, than thys life present. For Godlines (as Paul saieth) hathe a promise, not in thys lyfe onlye, but in the other. It is conuenient therfore, that we earnestlye follow godlines, which plainly openeth the way to heauen,Knoledge desier fear & loue of God. if we wyll seke to attain therunto. And the principal poīt of godlines is (as thou hast declared euen now veri well) to know God only: to couet him only as the chefe felicity: to feare him as oure Lord: to loue and reuerence him as our father: with his [Page] sonne oure sauyoure Iesus Christe. Thys is he y• hath be gotten and regenerat vs.Christe [...] benefites to vs. This is he which at the beginninge, gaue vs life and soule: whiche mainteineth: which blesseth vs with life of euerlasting cōtinuāce. ToGodlessnesse. thys godlynesse is directlye cōtrary godlessnesse. As for supersticion and hipocrisyeSuperstition & hip [...] crisie. they counterfet in dede, and resemble it, wher as neuerthelesse they are most farre different from all true godlinesse: & therfore we ought to auoide theym, as a pestylence, as the venime, & most contagious enemyes of our [Page] soul and saluaciō. The next poynt of godlines, is to loueCharitie. eche man, as oure brother, For if God did at the beginning create vs al: if he doth fede and gouerne vs: finally if he be the cause and author of our dwelling in this wide frame of the world: theThe name of brethrē. name of brother must nedes most fitly agree with vs: & with so muche streyghter bonde, shall we be bound together, as we approche nearer to Christ, which is oure brother, y• fyrst begottē & eldest: whō he y• knoweth not, he y• hath no hold of, is vnrightous in dede, & hath no [Page] place amonge the people of God. For Christ is the roote and foundation of al ryght and iustice: & he hathe poured into our hartes certaine naturall lessōs, as: Do that (sayeth he) to another, thatThe law of nature. thou woldest haue done vn to thi self. Beware therfore, thou do nothing, to ani mā, that thou thy self wouldest not willinglye suffer. Measure all wayes another by thine own minde, & as thou select in thy selfe. If it greueMeasure another [...] thy selfe. the to suffer iniurye: if thou thincke it wronge that another man doth to the: iudge likewise the same in the per [Page] son of thy neyghboure that thou fealest in thy selfe: and thou shalte perceiue, that y• dost no lesse wrongfullye in hurtyng another, thā other do in hurtīg the. Heare if we would stedfastlye fasten our fote: heareunto if we would earnestlye trauaill: we shuld attaine to y• very hiest top of innocencye. For the firste degre therof is to offēd [...]omā: The next to helpe as muchDegrees of chariti. as in vs lieth, al mē: at least to wil & wish wel to al. The third (which is acoūted the cheif and perfectest) is to do good euen to our enemies y• wrong vs. Let vs therefore [Page] know our selues: plucke out the faultes that are in vs, & Uices to be rooted out y• vertues maye be planted in theyr place. in their place plāt vertues: like vnto the husbandemen that fyrst vse to shrubbe and roote out y• thornes, brābles and wedes, oute of their ley land and vnloked to: & then eche wher therin scatter and throw in to the wō [...]e of the earth good & frutfull sedes, to bryng forth good fruite in their dew season. Likewyse let vs do. For first let vs laboure to rote out froward & corrupt lustes: & afterward plant holy and fit condiciōs for Christian harts. Which, if they be watered, and fatted [Page] with the dew of goddes worde, and nourished wyth warmth of the holye ghost, they shall brynge forth dout lesse the most plentifull fruit of immortalitye and blessedThe blysse of the god lye. lyfe: whych God hathe by Christ prepared▪ for his chosen, before the foundacyons of the world were layde. To whome▪ bee all honoure and glorye. Amē.

¶ The ende of the Catechisme.

¶ Articles agreed vpō in the Conuocacion, and published by the Kinges Maiestie.

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¶ Of faith in the holy Trinitie.

THeare is but one lyuing, and true God: and he is euerlasting: with out bodie, partes, or passions: of infinite power, wisdome, and goodnesse: the maker, and preseruer of all thinges, both visible, & inuisible. And in vnitie of thys Godheade ther be thre persones, of one substaunce, power, and eternitie: the father, the sōne, & the holy Ghost.

¶ That the worde, or Sōne of God, was made very mā.

THe Sōne, which is the word of the father, tooke mans nature [Page] in the wombe of the blessed virgine Mary: of her Substāce: so that two hole, and perfecte natures, that is to say, the godhode, and manhoode were ioygned together into one persone, neuer to be diuided: wherof is one Christe very God, & very man: who truly suffred, was crucified, dead, and buried, to reconcile hys father to vs, and to be a Sacrifice for all sinne of man, both originall, and actuall.

¶ Of the goinge downe of Christ into Hell.

AS Christ died, and was buried for vs: so also it is to be beleued, that he went downe into Hell. For the bodie laie in the Sepulchre, vntill the resurruction: but his Ghost departing from him, was with the Ghostes that were in prison, or in Hell: and dyd [Page] preache to the same: as the place of S. Peter doth testifie.

¶ The Resurrection of Christ.

CHrist dyd truelie ryse agayne from death: and tooke again his bodie: with [...]teshe, bones, and all thynges apperteyning to the perfection of m [...]ns nature: where with he ascended into heauen, and there sitteth, vntil he retourn to iudge mē at the last day.

¶ The doctrine of holy scrip ture is sufficient to Saluaciō.

HOlie Scripture conteineth all thinges necessarye to saluatiō: So that what soeuer is neither read therein, nor maye be proued thereby, although it be sometyme receyued of the faithfull, as Godlie, and profitable for [Page] an ordre, and comelinesse: Yet no manne ought to be const [...]eigned to beleue it as an artycle of faith, or repute it requisite to the necessitie of Saluacion.

¶ The old Testament is not to be refused.

THe olde Testament is not to be put away, as though it we [...] contrarye to the newe: but to be kept still. For both in the old, & newe Testamentes, euerlasting lyfe is offered to mankynde by Christ: who is the onelie mediatour betwene God, and man, beyng both God, & manne. Wherefore they are not to be heard, whiche feigne, that the olde fathers did looke onlye for [...] promises.

¶ The three Credes.

[Page]THe thre Credes, Nicene crede Anathasius Crede, and that which is commonly called the Apostles Crede, ought throughly to be receiued: for they mai be proued by most certaine warrauntes of holy Scripture.

Of original, or birthe sinne.

ORiginall sinne standeth not in the folowing of Adam, as the Pelagianes doe vainely talke, which also the Anabaptists do now a daies renue: but it is the fault, and corrupciō of the nature of euerye man, that naturallye is engendred of the of springe of Adam: whereby manne is very far gone from his former righteousnesse, whiche he had at hys creation: and is of his own nature geuen to euyll: so that the f [...]eshe desyreth alwaies contrary to the sp [...] [Page] rit: and therfore in euery person, born into this world, it deserueth Goddes wrathe and damnacion: And this infection of nature doeth remayne, yea in them that are baptyzed: whereby the luste of the flesh called in greke [...] (which some do expoune, the wisdome, some sensualitie, some the affection, some the desire of the flesh) is not subiect to the lawe of God. And although there is no cō demnation for theim that beleue, and are baptised: yet the Apostle doeth confesse, that concupiscēce, and lust hath of it self the nature of sinne.

¶Of Free wyll.

VUe haue no power to doo good works, pleasāt, and acceptable to God, without the Grace of God by Christ, preuenting [Page] vs, that we may haue a good wil: and working in vs when we haue that wille.

▪Of Grace.

THe Grace of Christ, or the holie Ghost by him geuen dothe take awaie the stonie harte, & geueth an harte of fleshe. And although, those that haue no wil to good thinges, he maketh them to wil: and those that woulde euyll thinges, hee maketh them not to wille the same: Yet neuertheles he ēforceth not the wil. And therfore no man when he sinneth, can excuse himself, as not worthye to be blamed or condemned, by alleging that he sinned vnwillingly, or by compulsion.

¶Of the Iustification of manne.

[Page]IUstification by onelye faythe in Iesus Christe, in that sense, as it is declared in the homelye of Iustification, is a moste certeine, and holesome doctrine for Christian menne.

¶Workes before Iustification.

VUorks done before the grace of Christ, and the inspiration of his spirite, are not plesaūt to God: forasmuch as they spring not of Faithe in Iesu Christ: neither do they make menne mete to receiue Grace, or (as the Scholeaucthours saie) deserue Grace of congruitie: but because they are not done as God hath willed and commaūded them to be done, we doubte not, but they haue the nature of sinne.

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¶Woorkes of Supererogation.

VOluntary woorkes besides, ouer, and aboue Gods commaundements: whych they call workes of Supererogation: cānot be taught wtout arrogancy, and iniquity. For by them men dooe declare, that they dooe not onelye rendre to God, asmuch as they are bounde to dooe: but that they do more for his sake, then of boūden duetie is required: wheras Christe saieth plainelie: when you haue done all that are commaunded, you saye: we be vnprofitable seruauntes.

¶No mā is without sinne, but Christe alone.

CHrist, in the trueth of our nature, was made like vnto vs [Page] in all thinges, sinne onely except, from which he was clearely void bothe in his fleshe, and in his spirit. He came to be the lambe with oute spotte: who by Sacrifice of himself, made once for euer, shold take away the sinnes of y• world: and sinne (as Sainte Ihon sayeth) was not in him. But the rest, yea, although we be baptised, and borne agayne in Christe: yet wee offende in manye thynges: and if we saye, we haue no synne, we deceiue our selues, and the truthe is not in vs.

¶ Of sinne against the holy Ghoste.

EUerye deadly sinne, willingly committed after Baptisme, is not Sinne against the holye ghost, and vnpardonable. Wherefore the place for penitents, is not [Page] to bee denied, to suche as fall into sinne, after Baptysme. After wee haue receiued the holy ghoste, we may depart from grace geuē, and fall into synne: and by the grace of God we may rise agayne, and amende oure lyues. And therfore they are to be condemned, whych say: they can nomore Synne, as longe as they lyue heare: or denie the place for penitents, to such as truelye repente, and amend their liues.

¶ Blasphemy againste the holye Ghoste.

BLasphemye against the holye Ghost is, when a man of malyce & stubbournes of minde▪ doeth rayle vppon the trueth of Goddes word, manifestly perceiued: and being enemye therunto persecuteth y• same. And because [Page] suche be guiltye of goddes cursse, they entangle thē selues wyth a most greuous, & hainous crime: wherupon this kinde of sin is called and affirmed of the Lord, vnpardonable.

¶ Of predestination, and Election.

PRedestination to lyfe, is the euerlastynge purpose of God, wherby (before the foundations of the worlde were layed) he hathe constantlye decreed, by hys owne iudgemente, secreate to vs, to delyuer frome cursse and damnation, those whom he hath chosen oute of mankinde: and to bryng them to euerlasting saluation by Christ, as vessels made to honoure. Whereupon, suche as haue so excellēt a benefit of God geuen vnto them, be called, according [Page] to goddes purpose, by his spi rite workyng in due season: they throughe grace obey the calling: thei be iustified freli: thei be made sonnes by adoption: thei be made like the image of Gods onlye begotten sonne, Iesu Christe: they walke religiously in good works: and at length, by Goddes mercy, they attain to euerlasting felicity.

As the Godlye consideratyon of Predestination, and our election in Christ, is full of swete, pleasaunt, and vnspeakeable confort, to godly parsons, and such as fele in them selues the woorkynge of the spirite of Christe, mortifying the workes of the flesh, and theyr earthlye members, and drawyng vp theyr mynde to high, and heauenlye thinges: aswel because it doeth greatly establyshe and confyrme theyr faythe of eternall saluation, [Page] to bee enioyed throughe Christ: as because it doth feruētly kindle their loue towards god: So for curyous, and carnall persones, lacking the spirit of Christ to haue continuallye before theyr eyes the sentence of Goddes predestination, is a most daūgerous downe fall: whereby the Deuyll may thrust them either into despe racion, or into a rechlesnesse of most vncleane liuing, no lesse perilous then desperacyon.

Furthermore, although the decrees of predestynation are vnknowen vnto vs: yet we must receyue Goddes promyses, in suche wyse as they be generallye settefourthe to vs in holye scrypture: and in our doynges, that wyll of God is to be folowed, whiche we haue expressely declared vnto vs, in the worde of God.

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¶ We must trust to obteine eternall Saluation, onely by the name of Christ.

THey also are to be had accur sed, and abhorred, that presume to say, that euery man shalbe saued by the Lawe, or sect whiche he professeth, so that he be diligēt to frame hislife according to that lawe, and the lighte of nature. For holye Scripture dothe set out vnto vs, only the name of Iesu Christe, wherby men muste be saued.

¶ All menne are bounde to kepe the Morall cōmaundemētes of the Law.

THe law, which was geuē of god by Moses, althoughe it binde not christian men, as concerning the ceremonies, and [Page] Rites of the same: Neyther is it required, that the ciuile Precepts and ordres of it, shoulde of necessity be receiued in anye common we ale: yet no manne (be he neuer so perfecte a christian) is exempte and loose from the Obedience of those commaundementes, which are called Moral. Wherfore they are not to be harke ned vnto, who affirm that holy Scripture is geuen onlye to the weake: and doo [...] boaste them selfes continually of the spirit, of whom (they say) they haue learned such thyngs as they teache, although the same be most euidentlye repugnante to the holye Scripture.

¶ Of the Churche.

THe visible Church of Christe, is a congregatyon of faythefull menne: in the whych the [Page] Pure word of god is preached: and the sacramentes be duelye minystred, accordinge to Christes ordynaunce, in all those thynges that of necessitye are requisite to the same.

As the church of Ierusalem, of Alexandria, and of Antioch hathe erred: So also the Churche of rome hath erred, not only in their liuing, but also in maters of their faythe.

¶ Of the aucthoritie of the Churche.

IT is not lawful for the church, to ordeine anye thynge, that is contrarie to Goddes word writtē. Neither may it so expoune one place of scripture, that it be repugnante to an other. Wherefore although the churche be a wytnesse [Page] and a keper of holy wrytte: yet as it ought not to decree any thinge againste the same: so besides the same, ought it not to enforce any thinge to be beleued, for necessity of Saluation.

¶ Of the authority of generall Counsailes.

GEnerall counsailes maye not bee gathered together, withoute the commaundemente, and wyll of Prynces: and whan they be gathered (for as muche as they bee an assemblie of menne, whereof all be not gouerned with the spirite▪ and word of God) they may erre▪ and sometyme haue erred: not only in worldly matters▪ but also in thynges pertaynynge vnto God. Wherefore thyngs ordeyned by them, as necessarye to Saluation, haue neither strēgth, [Page] nor auctoritye, onlesse it maye be declared, that they be taken oute of holye scrypture.

¶ Of Purgatorye.

THe Doctryne of Schole aucthoures concerning purgatorye, Pardones, Worshipping and adorocion aswel of Images as of reliques, and also inuocation of Sainctes, is a fond thyng, vainly feigned, and grounded vpon no warraunte of scripture, but rather repugnante to the woorde of God.

¶ No manne may minister in the Congregation, except he be called.

IT is not lawfull for anye man, to take vppon him the offyce of Publique preachinge, or mynystringe [Page] the Sacramentes▪ in the congregation, before he be lawefullye called, and sente to execute the same. And those we oughte to iudge lawfully called, and sente, whiche be chosen, & called to thys worcke by menne, who haue publique auctoritie geuen vnto them in the congregation, to call, and sende ministers into the Lordes vineyarde.

¶ Men muste speake in the Congregation in such toung, as the people vnderstandeth.

IT is moste semely, and most agreable to the woorde of God, that in the congregatyon nothynge be openlye readde, or spoken in a tounge vnknowen to y• people. The whiche thynge saynt Paule did forbid, except sōe were present that shuld declare y• same

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¶ Of the Sacramentes.

OUr Lord Iesus Christ hathe knytte together a companye of newe people, with Sacramentes moste fewe in nombre, moste easye to be kepte, moste excellent in signification: as is baptisme, and the Lords Supper.

THe Sacramentes were not ordeyned of Christe, to be gased vpō, or to be caried about: but that we shuld rightly vse thē. And in suche onlye, as worthelye receyue y• same, they haue a wholsome effecte, and operacion: and yet not that of the work wrought, as some me speake. Which word, as it is straunge, and vnknowen to holye Scripture: so it engendreth no Godly, but a very supersticious sense. But they that receyue the Sacramentes vnworthelye, [Page] purchace to theym selues Damnacion, as Sayncte Paule sayeth.

SAcramentes ordeyned by the Worde of God, be not onelye [...]. Badges, and tokens of christian mennes profession: but rather they be certaine sure witnesses, and effectuall signes of grace, & Goddes good wyll toward vs: by the whiche he dothe worke inuisibly in vs: and doth not only quycken, but also strengthen, and confirme our faith in him.

The wickednes of the Ministers doeth not take awaye the effectuall operation of gods ordynaunces.

ALthough in y• visible church the euell be euer mingled wt the good, and sometyme the [Page] euill haue chiefe aucthority in the ministration of the word and sacraments: Yet forasmuch as the [...] dooe not the same in their owne name, but doe Minister by Christes commission, and aucthoritie: we may vse their ministery bothe in hearing the worde of God, and in the receiuing the sacraments, Nether is the effect of goddes ordiuaunces taken awaye, by theyr wickednes: nor the grace of gods giftes diminished from suche, as by faithe, and rightlye receiue the Sacramentes mynystred vnto them: which be effectuall, because of Christes institution & promise, althoughe they be ministred by euell men. Neuerthelesse it appertayneth to the Disciplyne of the Church, that enqui [...]ie be made of suche: and that they be accused by those yt haue knowledge of theyr [Page] offences: and fynallye beynge founde guilty by iust iudgmente, be deposed.

Of Baptisme.

BAptisme is not onlye a sygne of profession, & marke of difference, [...]. wherby Christian men are discerned from other y• be not chri [...]aned: but it is also a sygne and seale of our new byrth: wherby, as by an instrument, they that receyue Baptisme ryghtlye, are grafted into the church: y• promyses of forgeuenesse of sinne, and our Adopcyon to be the sonnes of God, are visibly signed and sealed: faith is confyrmed: and grace increasced, by vertue of praier vn to god. The custom of the church to Christen yong childrē, is to be commended, and in anye wyse to be reteyned in the Church.

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Of the Lordes Supper.

THe Supper of y• Lord is not onely a signe of the loue that Christians oughte to haue amonge them selues, one to an other: but rather it is a sacrament of oure redempcion, by Christes deathe. Insomuche that, to suche as rightlye, worthelye, and wyth faythe receiue the same, the bread whiche we breake, is a communyon of the bodi of Christ. Like wise the Cuppe of blessinge, is a Communion of the bloude of Christe.

TRansubstantiatyon, or the chaunge of the substaunce of bread▪ and wine, into the substance of Christes bodye, & bloud, can not be proued by holy wrytte: but is repugnaunte to the plaine wordes of scrypture, & hath geuen occasion to many superstycions.

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FOr asmuche as the trueth [...] mānes nature requireth, that the bodye of one, and the selfe same manne, canne not be at one tyme in diuerse places, but muste nedes be in sōe one certein place: therfore the body of Christ cā not be present at one▪ time in manye, and dyuerse places. And because (as holye Scripture doeth teach) Christe was taken vp into heauē and there shall continue vnto the ende of the worlde: a faythfull man oughte not, eyther to bele [...]e, or open [...]ye to confesse the reall & bodylye presence (as they terme it) of Christes f [...]esh, and blo [...]d▪ in the Sacramente of the Lordes Supper.

THe Sacrament of the Lords Supper was not commaunded, by Christes ordynaunce, [Page] [...]o be kepte, caryed aboute, lyfted vp, nor worshipped.

¶ Of the perfecte oblation of Christ made vpon the crosse.

THe offringe of Christe, made once for euer, is the perfect redemption, the pacif [...]ynge of goddes displeasure and satisfaction for al the sinnes of the whole worlde, bothe origynall and actuall: and there is none other satisfaction for synne, but that alone. Wherefore the sacrifices of masses, in the which, it was commonlye sayde, that the Pr [...]est did offre Christ for the quick▪ and the dead, to haue remission of payne or syn, were forged fables, and daungerouse deceiptes.

¶ The state of syngle lyfe is cōmaūded to no man by the worde of God.

[Page]BIshoppes, priestes, and Deacons are not commaunded to vowe the state of syngle lyfe without mariage: nether by gods law are they compelled to ab [...]ein from matrimonye.

¶ Excommunicate persons are to be auoided.

THat personne, whiche by open denunciacion of the church, is rightly cut of from the v [...]ti of the Churche, and excōmunicat [...], oughte to bee taken of the whole multitude of the faythfull, as an Heathen, and publicane: vntill he be openly reconciled bipenance & receiued into y• church by a iudge that hathe authorytye thereto.

Traditions of the churche.

IT is not necessarye that traditions and ceremonyes be in all [Page] places one, or vtterly lyke. For at all tymes they haue bene dyuers: and may be chaunged, accordyng to the diuersitie of countries, and mēnes maners: so that nothinge be ordeyned agaynste gods word.

WHosoeuer through his [...] uate iudgment wyllingly and purposedly▪ doth opē ly breake the tradicions and ceremonies of the churche, whiche be not repugnāt to the word of god, and be ordayned, and approued [...]y common a [...]cthority: oughte to [...]e rebuked openlye (that other may fere to do the lyke) as one that offendeth against the cōmon ordre of the church, and hurteth tha [...]ctority of the Magistrate, & woundeth the consciences of the we [...] brethren.

¶ Homelies.

[Page]THe Home lies of late geuen, & set out by the Kinges aucthority, be godly and holsome: cō teining doctrine to be receyued of al men: and therfore are to be red to the people diligently, distinctly▪ and playnlye▪

Of the boke of Praiers, and Ceremonies of the Churche of Englande.

THe boke, whiche of verye late time was geuen to the church of England by the kinges authority, and the Parliament, conteining the manner and fourme of praying, and ministring the sacramēts in the church of Englād, likewise also the boke of ordringe Ministers of the church, setforth by y• foresaid authority: are godly, and in no point repugnant to the holsome doctrine of the Gospell, [Page] but agreable there unto, furthering and beutyfieng y• same not a litle: and therefore of all faythful membres of the churche of England, and chiefly of the ministers of the word, they ought to be recei ued, and allowed with all readynes of minde, and thākes geuing and to be commended to the people of God.

¶ Of ciuile Magistrates.

THe king of Englande is Supreame head in earth, next vn der Christe, of the churche of England, and Ireland.

THe Byshoppe of Rome hathe no iurisdiction, in th [...]s realin of Englande.

THe ciuile magistrate is ordeined, and alowed of god: wher fore we must obey him, not on [Page] ly for feare of punishment, but also for conscience sake.

THe ciuile lawes may punyshe christen men, with deathe, for hainous, & greuous offences.

IT is lawfull for Christians, at the commaundement of the ma gistrate, to were weapons, and to serue in lawfull warres.

Christian mennes gooddes are not commune.

THe riches & gooddes of Christians are not commune, as touchinge the righte title, and possession of the same (as certayn Anabapti [...]es do fasly boast) not withstanding euery man oughte of such thinges, as he possesseth, li berally to geue almes to the pore, according to his hability.

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¶ Christian menne maye take an Othe.

AS we confesse that vayne, & rashe swearing is forbidden Christian men, by our Lorde Iesu Christ, & his apostle Iames: so we iudge that Christian religion doeth not prohibite, but that [...] man may sweare, when the Magistrate requireth, in a cause of faythe, and charitye: so it be done (according to the Prophetes teachynge) in iustyce, iudgemente and truthe.

The resurrectiō of the dead is not yet broughte to passe.

THe resurrecciō of the dead is not as yet brought to passe: as though it only belonged to the soule, which by the grace of Christ is raised from the death of synne: but it is to be loked for at the laste [Page] day. For then (as Scripture [...] most manifestly testifie) to all that be dead theyr owne bodies ste she, and bone shalbe restored: that the whole mā may (accordinge to hys workes) haue other reward, orpu nishment, as he hath liued vertuoufly or wickedly.

The soules of them that depart this life doe neither die wyth [...] the bodies, nor sleape idly.

THey which say, that the soules of suche as depart hence, dooe sleepe, beyng wythout al sence feling, or perceiuing, vntyl the day of iudgmente▪ or affirme that the soules dye with the bodies, and at the last day shalbe raised vp wyth the same: do vtterly dissente from the righte belefe, declared to vs in holye Scripture.

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Heritikes called Millenarii.

THey that go aboute to renewe the fable of heretickes called Millenarii, be repugnaunt to holy scripture, and cast thē selues headlong into a Iewishe dotage.

¶ Al men shall not be saued at the length.

THey also are worthy of condē nation, who endeuout at thys tyme to restore the daūgerous opinion, that al men, be theineues so vngodly, shal at length be saued, whē they haue suffered paynes for theyr synnes, a certayne tyme appoynted b [...] Gods iustice.

The ende of the Articles.

¶ A generall Confession to be sayd in the Morning.

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AL mighty and most merciful father, we haue erred and strayed from thy wayes, like lost shepe. We haue followed to mutche the deuises, and desires, of our owne hartes. We haue offended, agaynst thy holye la [...]es. Wee haue lefte vndone those thynges whyche we ought to haue done: [...] we haue done those things whiche we ought not to haue done: and ther is no health in vs: but thou, O Lord, haue mercye vpon vs, miserable offendours. Spare thou them, O God, whych confesse theyr faultes. Restore thou them that be [...] tent, accordyng to thy prompses, declared vnto mankynde, in Christ Ieso our Lord. And graunt, O most mercifull father, for his sake, that we may here [...] li [...]e a godly, righteous, and sober lyfe, to the glorye of thy holy name.

Amen.

A prayer to be sayd in the Mornynge.

OMercifull Lord God, he [...]uenlye father, I rēder most high laudes, praise and thanks vnto the, that thou hast preserued me both thys nyght, and all the tyme and dayes of my lyfe hitherto, vnder thy protection: and hast suffered [...] to liue vntill this present houre. And I beseeche [Page] the hartely, that thou wilt vouchesafe to receiue me this day, and the residue of my whole lyfe from hence forth, into thy tu [...]ion▪ rulyng and gouernyng [...] with thy holy spirite: that all maner of darkenesse of misbeliefe, infidelitie, and of carnal lu [...] and affections, may be vtterly chased and driuen oute of my hearte: and that I may be iustified and saued both bodye and soule thorow [...] ryght and a perfect fayth: and so walke in the light of thy most godlye truth, to thy glorye and prayse, and to the profyt and furtheraunce of my neighbour, thorow Iesus Christ our Lorde and Sauiour.

Amen.

¶ A Praiet to be saied of Children before they studie their lesson at schole.

OBlessed Lorde, whiche arte the welspring of al wisdom and knowledge, sithēs it hath pleased the of thy mercy to prouyde for me such meanes to be instructed in my tēder age, as wherby I may haue knowledge to vse my selfe honestlye, and to behaue my selfe godlye, to leade the whole course of my life in thy holy seruice: let it be thy pleasure also to illumynate my darke wyt and blynde vnderstandinge, so that it may be able to receyue accordyngly, the learning that shall be vttered: refreshe thou my memorye, yea imprinte thou it in my remembraūce, that I may kepe it assuredlye: [Page] dispose thou my hearte also ( [...]) and frame my wyll, that [...]mape apply my minde to recei [...]e it, with such affec [...]ion and feruente desire, as it beho [...]eth: to to this end, that the most happye occasyon which thou offerest vnto me, do not pea [...]ish through my vnth [...]kfulnes: and that these thinges may come to passe, let it stād with thy gracoius pleasure to powre out thy holy spirit into my heart, thy spirit I saye of vnderstanding; of truth, iudgment, wisdō [...] knowledge: whe [...]eby I may become apt to learne, and my scholemaster not lese his payne in teachyug me: and what study soeuer I apply my mynd vnto, I may reduce [...] bryng it to the right end (that is) to glorif [...] the in our sauiou [...] Christ, to who [...]e wyth the and the holye ghost be all honoure and glorye for euer and euer.

Amen.

¶ A Prayer for the Kinges Maiestye.

ALmightye God, whose kingdome is euerlastyng, and power infinit: haue mercye vpon the whole congrega [...]yon, and so rule the heart of thy chose [...] seruaunt Edward the sixth, ou [...] king and gouernoure, that he (knowyng whose myny [...]er he is) may aboue al thynges seeke thy honour and glory: and y• we his subiectes (duly cōsidering whose authority he hath) maye faythfullye, serue, honour, and humbly obey him, in the, and for the, according [Page] [...] thy blessed woorde and [...]: Thorow Iesus Christ our Lord, wh [...] [...] the, and the holy ghost liueth and [...] euer one God, worlde wythout [...].

Amen

¶ A Prayer to be sayde at nyghte going to bed.

OMercifull Lorde God heauenly [...] ther, whether we sleepe or wake, liue ordye, we are alwayes thyne. Whe [...] fore I beseche the hartelye, that thou wy [...] [...]ouchsafe to take care and charge of me, & not to suffer me to pe [...]ysh in the worc [...]es of darckenes, but to kindle the lyghte of thy [...]ountenaunce in my hearte, that the godly knowledge maye daylye increase in me, thorowe a ryghte and pure fayth, and that I maye alwayes be [...]ounde to walcke and lyue a [...]ter thy wyll and pleasure, thorowe [...] sus Christe ou [...]e Lord and Sanio [...]re.

Amen.

Lorde into thy handes I commend my spryte, thou haste Redemed me Lord God of truth.

§

§

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¶ IMPRYNted at [...] [...]y [...] Day dwelling ouer Alber [...] gate beneth Say [...]ct Marty [...]s.

☞ These Cathechismes are to bee [...]olde at h [...] [...] ▪ b [...] [...] Coun [...]uit in Che [...]syde at the sygne of the [...]. ☞ (?) ☞ ☜

[figure]

§

§

Cum p [...]iuilegio adimpri m [...]ndum solu [...].

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Information about this book

Title statement

A short catechisme, or playne instruction, conteynynge the su[m]me of Christian learninge sett fourth by the kings maiesties authoritie, for all scholemaisters to teache. To thys catechisme are adioyned the Articles agreed vpon by the bishoppes [and] other learned and godly men, in the last conuocatio[n] at London, in the yeare of our Lorde, M.D.LII. for to roote out the discord of of [sic] opinions, and stablish the agreme[n]t of trew religion: Likewyse published by the Kinges maiesties authoritie. 1553.Catechismus brevis Christianae disciplinae summam continens, omnibus ludimagistris authoritate Regia commendatus. English.

Edition statement

1553

Publication

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Text Creation Partnership,

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Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) :

Date

2004-03 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1).

ID [DLPS]

A18174

ID [STC]

STC 4812

ID [STC]

ESTC S119226

ID [EEBO-CITATION]

99854433

ID [PROQUEST]

99854433

ID [VID]

19854

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Early English books online.

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(EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A18174)

Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 19854)

Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1475-1640 ; 952:07)

Source

— A short catechisme, or playne instruction, conteynynge the su[m]me of Christian learninge sett fourth by the kings maiesties authoritie, for all scholemaisters to teache. To thys catechisme are adioyned the Articles agreed vpon by the bishoppes [and] other learned and godly men, in the last conuocatio[n] at London, in the yeare of our Lorde, M.D.LII. for to roote out the discord of of [sic] opinions, and stablish the agreme[n]t of trew religion: Likewyse published by the Kinges maiesties authoritie. 1553., Catechismus brevis Christianae disciplinae summam continens, omnibus ludimagistris authoritate Regia commendatus. English., Ponet, John, 1516?-1556, attributed name. aut.

Extent

[7], lxxxviii leaves

By Iho[n] Day with the kinges most gracious lice[n]ce and priuiledge: forbidding all other to print the same catechisme,. Imprinted at Londo[n] :: [1553]. (A translation of: "Catechismus brevis Christianae disciplinae summam continens, omnibus ludimagistris authoritate Regia commendatus", which has been attributed to John Ponet. Includes the 42 Articles from STC 10034.) (Reproduction of the original in the British Library.)

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