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…

For this opinion is not true, nor agreeable to holy scripture. And they that say so, deceive both them selves and other. For infants are baptised for this purpose, that they by the same may enjoy remission of their since. And in case they ⟨p. xciii⟩needed not forgiveness of their offences, then they had no need to be Christened. But there be few that understandeth this doctrine. For mans reason can not attain to it, neither can it comprehend, how infants should be sinners by the reason of lusts & desires, called concupiscence in the which they be conceived and borne, but they that lean to their natural wit judgeth young babes to be innocent and void of sin, because they commit no outward offence or actual sin. But we in this case must not judge after our reason, but according to the word of God, which evidently declareth unto us, that concupiscence is sin. For if we were in deed clean, faultless and innocent, then our nature would not so vehemently seek for those things which are ⟨image 117⟩pleasant to our appetites, but would be content with that which God should send unto us, and whatsoever thing did please God, that also should please us. Moreover we should not so much desire to avoid such things as be displeasant to the flesh, as we should desire to avoid those things that be forbid by gods law. Also we should be more willing to suffer all kind of afflictions, pains and miseries (if it were gods will that we should so do) then contrary to his will, to hawk and hunt for pleasures, to seek to live idly, to hoard up riches, purchase lands or other commodities. But now we feel in our selves, that even from our tender age and in our cradles also, we be clean contrary minded. For we begin to covet and lust for pleasant things, ⟨p. xcvi⟩long before we know whether God will give them unto us, or no. Also we abhor and be weary of displeasant things, long before we know whether it be gods will that we should be relived of the same or no. Yea although we know gods will never so well, yet we long and lust for the contrary. And this is surely a great offence. For gods will ought to be fulfilled and not ours, as we desire in the Lords prayer.

For this opinion is not true, nor agreable to holye scripture. And they that say so, deceaue both thē selues and other. For infantes are baptised for this purpose, yt they by the same maye enioy remission of their synnes. And in case they