A19564:134
Catechismus, that is to say, a short instruction into Christian religion for the singular…Catechismus, that is to say, a shorte instruction into Christian religion for the synguler…
Catechismus, that is to say, a short instruction into Christian religion for the singular commodity and profit of children[n] and young people. Set forth by the most reverend father in God Thomas Archbishop of Canterbury, primate of all England and MetropolitanCatechismus, that is to say, a shorte instruction into Christian religion for the synguler commoditie and profyte of childre[n] and yong people. Set forth by the mooste reuerende father in God Thomas Archbyshop of Canterbury, primate of all England and Metropolitane
printed for Gwalter Lynne, 1548
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
IN the last sermon ye were taught, how we should behave ourselves toward our neighbour that we kill him not, neither in will, word nor deed, neither hurt him in his goods or body. Now a man (if he be a man in deed and no monster) next after his own body doeth most dearly love his wife, wherefore next followeth the sixth commandment. ⟨image 87⟩Thou shalt not commit adultery, the which teacheth us, how we should order our selves towards our wives, that we should love them, not forsake them or break the promise of wedlock with them, but lovingly keep them company. Also that we should not lust after an other mans wife, neither with fair words or gifts entice her away from her husband, but labour with all diligence that women both married and unmarried may keep their chastity undefiled. For God himself did institute and ordain marriage, & did hallow it with his own blessing. Wherefore we may be sure, that this state of life pleaseth god, and that it is his will, to have it kept with out pollution or dishonesty. For god after that he had made Adam, ⟨p. lxiiii⟩he said thus. It is not good, that Adam should be alone, let us make for him an help. And when Adam was a sleep, the lord toke one of his ribs, and made a woman of the Rib, which he had taken from Adam. And he brought her to Adam, and Adam said. This is now bone of my bones & flesh of my flesh. For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother & shall be joined with his wife, & they shall be twain in one flesh. And the Lord God blessed them saying. Grow and increase, and replenish the earth, & till it. By this you may learn good children, that God himself did institute marriage with his own word. Wherefore there is no doubt, but that this kind of life is holy, and doeth highly please God. As the apostle Paul ⟨image 88⟩writeth to the Hebrews. Wedlock is honourable & the bed therein is unspotted, but adulterers, and fornicators god doth condemn. Furthermore god saith. Grow & increase. Here he declareth, that the fruit of wedlock, that is to say, children, are the gift of God. For if he had not commanded this thing by his word, then married folks could have had no children Wherefore ye shall by these words chiefly learn, that there is a great difference between wedlock and the unlawful company betwixt man and woman.