A Christian instruction, containing the law and the Gospel Also a summary of the…A Christian instruction, conteyning the law and the Gospell Also a summarie of the…

Of the understanding of the matters contained in these Summaries, and how necessary it is. Chap. 3.

Of the vnderstanding of the matters conteyned in these Summaries, and howe necessarie it is. Chap. 3.

Now forasmuch as it is a hard matter to be brief and plain both at once, it is certain that the matters contained in these Summaries, are so briefly comprehended in them, that every man can not easily understand and comprehend what they do import, saving only such as are well exercised in the holy Scriptures: And beside that, that there are few among the common people that know the said Symbols, unless it be this, which is the shortest of the three, which the Christian Church doth hold. There is yet this evil, that many have not learned it, but in an unknown tongue: wherefore it profiteth them even as much as if they had not learned it at all, seeing they do no more understand it, than if they had never heard speaking of it. And as touching these that have ⟨p. 5⟩learned it in their vulgar tongue, there are also many of them, that have only learned to pronounce it by mouth, without any understanding of it, as do little children, or birds that are taught to speak: not understanding what they say. Therefore it is more than necessary, that that which the principal points contained in the same do import in substance, be expounded somewhat more familiarly and plainly, to the end that men may the better know, how every one doth understand them, and whether the faith of the heart do agree with the confession of the mouth. For many which make that confession by mouth, do oftentimes follow doctrines and religions clean contrary to that which they confess. Wherein they do belie themselves, denying by their works, that which they confess by word.

NOwe forsomuche as it is a hard matter to be briefe and playne bothe at once, it is certain that the matters conteined in these Summaries, are so briefly comprehended in them, that euery man can not easily vnderstand and comprehēd what they doo import, sauing only such as are wel exercised in the holy Scriptures: And beside that, that ther are few among the common people that knowe the sayde Symboles, vnlesse it be this, which is the shortest of the thrée, whiche the Christian Church doth hold. There is yet this euil, that many haue not learned it, but in an vnknowne toung: wherefore it profiteth them euen as much as if they had not lerned it at al, séeing they do no more vnderstand it, than if they had neuer heard speking of it. And as touching these that haue