A19564:174
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.
The ninth and tenth commandments good children, be as it were brief commentaries and expositions of the other commandments, that were spoken of before. For they declare unto us, that it is not enough to keep the former commandments in outward works, and not to hurt our neighbour neither in his body, ⟨image 115⟩wife, goods, fame, name or estimation, but they declare also that we ought not to covet or desire any thing that is our neighbours. And they teach us also ye evil lusts & carnal desires (which lurk in the secret corners of our hearts) are sins, for the which we should be for ever damned, if God should render unto us after justice, and not after his mercy. Wherefore good children, you shall here learn that evil lusts and appetites, which come unto us even from our first father Adam be since, and that no man or woman, no not infants in their mothers womb, do live without such lusts and appetites. For the which cause all men are sinners, and there is not one man innocent before God, according to the saying of S. Paul. ⟨p. xciiii⟩All men have sinned, & have need of the glory of god.1 To the which agreeth the Prophet David, saying. Al men and women have erred out of the right way,2 there is none that doth good no not one. For this we feel in our selves and prove by experience, that naturally we be full of ill desires and lusts. For we delight in things that be pleasant to the flesh, and abhor all things that be displeasant to the same. And these appetites & desires we may perceive to be even in infants which lye in their cradle. For when such young babes do not lye softly or be grieved with thirst, hunger or cold, they cry unpatientlye. Likewise when we show them any pleasant thing to their eyes, and suddenly again take it from them we see them weep. And these be ⟨image 116⟩plain and evident tokens, that infants newly borne, be given to their own wills and appetites, and are sinners, forasmuch as they transgress this commandment. Thou shalt not desire. And it is much necessary for you good children, to mark diligently and to bear away this lesson, to the intent you may thereby acknowledge your own sin. And let not the sayings of certain unlearned persons move you, which affirm that infants and such as be under the years of discretion, are pure, innocent and clean without sin.