A09418:39
The Foundation of Christian Religion
The foundation of Christian religion gathered into six principles. And it is to be learned of ignorant people, that they may be fit to hear sermons with profit, and to receive the Lords Supper with comfort.The foundation of Christian religion gathered into sixe principles. And it is to bee learned of ignorant people, that they may be fit to hear sermons with profit, and to receiue the Lords Supper with comfort.
printed by Thomas Orwin for John Porter, 1591printed by Thomas Orwin for Iohn Porter, 1591
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Ye will reply unto me thus, that ye are not so bad as I would make you: if need be you can say the Creed, the Lords prayer, & the 10. commandments: and therefore ye will be of Gods belief say all men what they will, and you defy the devil from your hearts.
Ye will reply vnto me thus, that yee are not so bad as I would make you: if need be you can say the Creede, the Lords prayer, & the 10. cō mandements: and therefore ye will be of Gods beleefe say all men what they will, and you defie the deuill from your hearts.
I answer again, that it is not sufficient to say all these without book, unless ye can understand the meaning of the words, and be able to make a right use of the Commandments, of the Creed, of the Lords prayer, by applying them inwardly to your hearts and consciences, and outwardly to your lives & conversations. This is the very point in which ye fail.
I answere againe, that it is not sufficient to say all these without booke, vnlesse ye can vnderstand the meaning of the words, and bee able to make a right vse of the Cōmandements, of the Creede, of the Lords prayer, by applying them inwardly to your hearts and consciences, and outwardly to your liues & conuersations. This is the very point in which ye faile.
And for an help in this your ignorance, to bring you to true knowledge, unfeigned faith, and sound repentance: here I have set down the principal points of Christian Religion in six plain & easy rules, even such as the simplest may easily learn: and hereunto is adjoined an exposition of them word by word. If ye do want other good directions, then use this my labour for your instruction: 1In reading of it first learn the six principles, & when ye have them without book, & the meaning of them withal, then learn the exposition also: which being well conceived, & in some measure felt in the heart, ye shall be able to profit by Sermons, whereas now ye cannot: and the ordinary parts of the Catechism, namely, the ten Commandments, the Creed, the Lords prayer, and the institution of the two Sacraments, shall more easily be understood.