A19564:208
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.
Thus you have heard good children, the true and plain meaning of this part of the Creed. Now it is your part deeply to print the same in your hearts, that you may put your hole trust and confidence in the true and living God our heavenly father.
Thus you haue heard good children, the true and playne meanynge of this parte of the Crede. Now it is youre parte deapely to prynte the same in youre heartes, that you maye put your hole trust and confidence in the true and lyuynge God oure heauenly father.
And forasmuch as faith is the work of god, and the light of our hearts, which God putteth in us by his word and holy spirit, (so that we can not attain faith and the knowledge of Christ without God's word and true preachers) therefore accustom your selves even from your tender age to hear the word of God, that he by his holy spirit may move and stir up your hearts to true faith & knowledge of him. And beside that you shall desire God with most hearty prayers, that as he hath given you the gift of faith, so he will continue and increase the same in you, that as you grow in age, so also you may grow in the knowledge of Christ. For he that believeth in Christ, is made thereby the son of god, & heir of life everlasting. And then he giveth us his holy ⟨image 143⟩spirit to kindle charity in our hearts, whereby we love God and keep all his commandments. All these benefits we receive by faith in the which who so ever continueth unto the end of his life, shall be saved, the which God grant to us all. Amen.
And forasmuche as fayth is the worke of god, and the light of our hartes, whiche God putteth in vs by hys worde and holy spirite, (so that we can not atteyne fayth and the knowledge of Christ withoute goddes word and true preachers) therfore accustome your selfes euē from youre tendre age to hear the worde of God, that he by his holy spirite maye moue and sturre vp your hertes to true fayth & knowledge of him. And beside that you shall desier God with moste harty praiers, that as he hath giuen you the gifte of fayth, so he wyll contynew and increase the same in you, that as you growe in age, so also you may growe in the knowledge of Christ. For he that beleueth in Christ, is made thereby the sonne of god, & heyre of lyfe euerlasting. And then he gyueth vs his holye ⟨image 143⟩spirite to kyndle charitie in oure hartes, wherby we loue God and kepe all hys commaundementes. All these benefytes we receyue by faythe in the whiche who so euer contynueth vnto the ende of his lyfe, shalbe saued, the whiche God graunte to vs all. Amen.
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I Declared unto you heretofore good children, that the Creed entreateth chiefly of three things, that is to say, of God the father that made the world, of God the son that redeemed the world, and of God the holy ghost that sanctifieth the world. And in the former sermon I taught you the high & heavenly philosophy, of the creation. ⟨image 144⟩Wherefore now I will utter unto you the great mystery of our redemption, which is contained in these words of the Creed. I believe in Jesus Christ his only begotten son / our Lord / which was conceived by the holy ghost / borne of the virgin Mary / suffered under Ponce Pilate / was crucified / dead and buried. He descended into hell. The third day he rose from death. He ascended to heaven. He sitteth on the right hand of God the father almighty. From thence he shall come to ⟨p. cxxii⟩judge the quick and the dead. In this second part of the Creed we may learn to know the second person in trinity, the son of god, Jesus christ our lord. And as in the first article ye have learned what benefits we receive of God the father to the sustentation & maintenance of this temporal & transitory life, so in this second part we shall learn to know, how great treasures and rich gifts we have received by the son of God Jesus Christ, to the attaining of the perfect & everlasting life. And here you may consider good children how great was the misery, & how horrible was the indignation of God which we were brought unto by Adam. So great it was, that neither gold nor silver nor any other thing was able to bye us ⟨image 145⟩out of the same, but only Jesus Christ the son of God & that by his death & effusion of his most precious blood. And of this great misery and indignation of God toward us this was the cause. At what time God had made Adam and Eve, and set them in paradise, he entreated them like a most loving and gentle father. For he made them lords over all lively creatures, both beasts fish and fowl, and did give unto them all trees that bare fruit, that they might feed thereon. Only he forbade them that they should not eat of the tree of knowledge of good & ill. And yet he gave them warning of the great loss & damage that they should suffer if they eat of that tree saying. When soever you shall taste of the fruit of that tree, you shall be made mortal and ⟨p. cxxiii⟩
Their duty had been unto so gentle a God and so merciful a father, in their hearts to have believed him, trusted him, & loved him, to have obeyed him, and to keep all his commandments gladly. But our most crafty enemy Satan, envying mans felicity, spake to Eve by the serpent and said. No, you shall not dye, but you shall be like Gods, knowing both good & evil. And with these most poisoned words persuaded Eve, to eat of the fruit which was forbid. And Eve gave of the same to Adam, who also did eat thereof and so did break gods commandment. Now I pray you mark good children, what they lost by this their disobedience. First when Adam and Eve were thus deceived by the serpent, and persuaded that God ⟨image 146⟩did not favour them but had envy at them, that they should have knowledge of good and ill, (and that for envy he forbade them to eat of that fruit, that should give to them so great knowledge) they did no more trust God, but began to trust themselves, and did study to care & provide for them selves. Secondarily when they no more trusted God they could no more find in their hearts to love him, but began to dote upon them selves, & to think that they had no better friend neither in heaven nor earth than their own selves. And after that they had thus put their trust and confidence in themselves, and dotingly loved all that was their own, by & by followed fear and concupiscence. For by an by they began to hate and eschew all things, that were painful or unpleasant ⟨p. cxxiiii⟩to the flesh and dotingly to lust & long for such things as were delectable and pleasant to the flesh. Hereby you perceive good children, how our first parents Adam and Eve, poisoned with the venom of the serpent, were cast into .iiii. horrible vices or diseases. The first is, that they did not trust in God. The second, that they did not love God. The third that they did not fear him, but as a cruel tyrant. The fourth, that they were replenished with concupiscence and evil desires lusts and appetites. And these be the roots of original sin, out of the which all other since do spring and grow.
Their dutie had bene vnto so gentle a God and so mercifull a father, in their hartes to haue beleued him, trusted him, & loued him, to haue obeyed hym, and to kepe all his commaundemētes gladly. But our most craftye enemy Satan, enuying mans felicitie, spake to Eue by the serpent and sayde. No, you shall not dye, but you shall be lyke Gods, knowyng both good & euell. And with these most poysened wordes perswaded Eue, to eate of the fruyt whiche was forbydde. And Eue gaue of the same to Adam, who also did eat therof and so did breake gods commaundemente. Nowe I praye you marke good childrē, what thei lost by this their disobedience. First when Adam and Eue wer thus deceyued by ye serpent, and perswaded that God
So Adam and Eve had a very great fall, that fell from gods benediction favour & love, in to gods curse anger & displeasure, that fell from original justice ⟨image 147⟩into original sin, by the which fall all the strength and powers both of their bodies and souls were sore decayed & corrupted. And as our first parents Adam & Eve were infected and corrupted even so be we that be their children. For as we see by daily experience, that commonly gouty parents begetteth gouty children. And if the father and the mother be infected with the leprosy, we see commonly that the children borne between them have the same disease: So likewise as our first parents Adam and Eve, did not put their trust in God, no more do they that be carnally borne of them. And as they loved not God, so their children love him not. And as they followed their own concupiscence lusts and appetites and not the will of God, even so do all their issue. So that all ⟨p. cxxv⟩their posterity upon earth be sinners even in their mothers wombs. For they have not their trust in God, they love not God, they have not a fatherly fear unto him, they be full of ill lusts appetites & desires as you have heard good children in the .ix. and tenth commandments. And for this cause the scripture doth say,1 that all we are conceived and borne in sin. And saint Paul sayeth, that by nature we be the children of Gods wrath.2 So that we all should everlastingly be damned, if Christ by his death had not redeemed us.
So Adam and Eue had a very great fal, that fel from gods benediction fauoure & loue, in to gods curse angre & dyspleasure, that fel from original iustyce ⟨image 147⟩into original syn, by the which fal al the strēgth and powers both of their bodyes and soules were sore decaied & corrupted. And as oure firste parentes Adam & Eue were infected and corrupted euen so be we that be their children. For as we see by dayly experience, yt commenly gowtie parentes begetteth gowtie children. And yf the father and the mother be infected with the leprie, we se commenly that the childrē borne betwene them haue the same dysease: So lykewyse as our first parētes Adam and Eue, dyd not put their trust in God, no more do they yt be carnally borne of theim. And as they loued not God, so their childrē loue him not. And as they folowed their owne concupiscence lustes and appetytes and not the wil of God, euen so do all their yssue. So that all
Wherefore good children mark well this part of your Creed, that teacheth you both to know Christ, and by what means he did redeem you. For first in the Creed he is called, the only son, ⟨image 148⟩or only begotten son of God. Whereof it must needs follow, that he is very God by nature, borne of God the father, before the foundation of the world was laid. He is the everlasting wisdom, and word of God, by the which God the father made all things. That he is also very man, it is evidently expressed in these words. I believe in Jesus Christ, which was conceived by the holy ghost, borne of the virgin Mary, suffered under Ponce Pilate, was crucified dead and buried. And these .ii. foresaid things I can not comprehend more shortly nor aptly, than by these words. Christ our Lord is very God and very man. Secondly learn this also, by what means Christ did redeem us. For what soever God hath commanded ⟨p. cxxvi⟩in the ten commandments which we have not fulfilled because we be all sinners, that Christ himself hath fulfilled for us. And what soever punishment we have deserved to suffer of God for our since and offences, that Christ hath taken upon himself & suffered for us. By this you may perceive how requisite it was, that Christ God and man, should be conceived by the holy ghost, and borne of a pure virgin. For if Christ should redeem us, and satisfy for our since, than must he needs be holy & without sin. For if he had been guilty and a sinner, then could not he have holpen his own self, but he must needs have had an other Saviour and Redeemer for him, aswell as we have for us. For what soever he had done or suffered, should have ⟨image 149⟩been worthily for his own offences, & yet could he not have satisfied for him self, much less then he could have satisfied for other. Wherefore it was necessary (if he should satisfy for us) that he should be conceived of the holy ghost, and borne of a virgin, that his nativity might be pure without sin and not corrupt, as ours is. That our corrupt and damnable nativity, might be purified and made holy by the holy and pure nativity of Christ. Therefore we say in the Creed. He was conceived of the holy ghost, borne of the virgin Mary, that Christ being pure and clean from all sin, might redeem sinners and satisfy for them.
Wherfore good children marke well this parte of youre Crede, that teacheth you bothe to knowe Christe, and by what meanes he dyd redeme you. For firste in the Crede he is called, the only sonne,
Now forasmuch as the justice of God did require that Christ should suffer and make satisfaction ⟨p. cxxvii⟩for us, and do all things that we were bound to do, it was necessary that he should be made man. For if he had not been a very natural man, he could not have done for us, all those things, which we were bound to do.
Now for asmuch as the iustice of God dydde require that Christe should suffer and make satisfaction ⟨p. cxxvii⟩for vs, and do all thynges that we were bound to do, it was necessarie that he should be made man. For if he had not bene a veray naturall man, he coulde not haue done for vs, all those thynges, which we were bound to do.
And again, if he had not been very God, he could not have been pure and clean from all sin, and so have made a true and perfect satisfaction for our since. For no man can perfectly fulfil the will of God, but God himself alone. Wherefore in that he suffered for our since, thereby he declared, that he was a very pure and natural man. Again he gave most certain and evident tokens of his Godhead, in that he overcome and vanquished the devil sin and death. For if he had not been very ⟨image 150⟩God, he could not have loosed the bands of death, nether have raised himself from death to life. So you hear good children, that our lord Jesus Christ was very God and very man, not conceived in sin (as we be) but conceived by the holy ghost, and borne of the most pure virgin Mary. And as man he suffered death for us, and descended into hell. But as naturally God he loosed the bands and pains of hell, he destroyed the kingdom of death, he rose from death to life, and so payed the ransom for our since, and toke away all the guiltiness of the same. Therefore when we believe in Christ and steadfastly cleaving to the word of God, surely persuade our selves in our hearts, that we be thus redeemed by Christ, then God is no more angry or displeased with ⟨p. cxxviii⟩us for our since, but freely and mercifully he forgiveth us all our offences, for the death and passion of his son Jesus Christ, and he giveth us also the holy ghost, by whose help we may withstand sin, and be delivered from the same. The which matters saint Paul doth knit up in one brief sentence, not so short as notable and weighty, saying. Christ was delivered to death for our since, and did rise again for our justification. In the which sentence saint Paul doeth not only declare what Christ did, but also for what end, and for whom he suffered death, and rose again. For seeing that Christ was that most innocent lamb, that never was blotted with any spot of sin, and yet he suffered for us as a ⟨image 151⟩sinner, it is evident hereby, that he dyed not for himself, but toke upon him our since, and bore for us the burden which we should have borne.
And agayne, yf he had not bene veraye God, he coulde not haue bene pure and cleane from al syn, and so haue made a true and perfect satisfaction for oure synnes. For no man can perfectly fulfyll the wyl of God, but God himself alone. Wherfore in that he suffered for our synnes, therby he declared, that he was a verye pure and natural manne. Agayne he gaue moost certayne and euydente tokens of hys Godhed, in that he ouercomed and vanquyshed the deuell synne and deathe. For yf he hadde not bene veraye
Moreover seeing that Christ was not overcome by death but by his mighty power he did vanquish death, and rose from death to life, and sitteth at the right hand of the father, hereby we may evidently perceive, that the great wrath and indignation of God to us, hath an end, and that by our lively faith in him our since be forgiven us, and that we be reconciled into the favour of God, made holy and righteous. For than God doth no more impute unto us our former since, but he doth impute and give unto us the justice and righteousness of his son Jesus Christ which suffered for us. These are ⟨p. cxxix⟩but few words, but surely they be of great importance. For in this sentence saint Paul includeth the sum and effect of the holy gospel, when he sayeth. Christ was delivered to death for our since, and rose again for our righteousness. For likewise as when an other man doeth pay my ransom and satisfy or suffer for me, I my self am judged to pay the same, and no man after can accuse me thereof. And when an other is bound for me, if he be by any lawful means discharged, I my self am counted to be discharged also, even so forasmuch as Christ himself, toke upon him the band of death for us, and to satisfy for us, & so did in deed by his death, we our selves for whom he was thus bound justly be delivered and discharged ⟨image 152⟩from death and damnation. And so we be counted righteous forasmuch as no man dare accuse us for that sin, for the which satisfaction is made by our Saviour Christ. And when our saviour Jesus Christ had thus satisfied for our sin, and so overcame death and hell, than like a most valiant conqueror he ascended into heaven, where God his father received him with a most glorious triumph, and placed, him on his right hand, and made him Lord over all creatures, and therefore he is called in the creed also our Lord. For if he had not ransomed and redeemed us, we had been cast down to hell for ever. But seeing that he redeemed and bought us, therefore be we his & he is our Lord and master, & him we must love, obey and serve.
Moreouer seing that Christ was not ouercome by deth but by his myghty power he dyd vanquyshe death, and rose frome deathe to lyfe, and sytteth at the ryght hande of the father, hereby we maye euidently perceyue, that the great wrath and indignation of God to vs, hathe an ende, and that by our liuely faith in hī our synnes be forgyuen vs, and that we be reconsiled into the fauoure of God, made holy and ryghtuous. For than God doth no more impute vnto vs our former synnes, but he doth impute and giue vnto vs the iustice and ryghtuousnes of his sonne Iesus Christ whiche suffered for vs. These are
And this is our most high and everlasting comfort, that Jesus Christ is our Lord and we his servants. For because he is our Lord, therefore he will defend us, and deliver us from all dangers. And although we be sinners, yet he will forgive us our since, because he hath payed the ransom and debt due for the same. And although we dye, yet he will raise us up again, because he hath overcome and conquered death. And although we be never so much afraid of the sorrows and pains of hell, yet they shall not be able to hold us, because that to them that be his servants, he hath broken hell, and set open the gates thereof. Wherefore seeing that we have so mighty a Lord and master we be out of all peril and danger.
And this is oure moste hye and euerlastynge comforte, that Iesus Christ is our Lorde and we his seruauntes. For because he is oure Lorde, therefore he wyll defende vs, and delyuer vs from all daungers. And althoughe we be synners, yet he wil forgiue vs our synnes, because he hathe payed ye raūsome and det due for thesame. And althoughe we dye, yet he wil rayse vs vp agayne, because he hathe ouercome and conquered death. And althoughe we be neuer so muche afrayed of the sorowes and paynes of hell, yet they shall not be able to holde vs, bycause that to theym that be hys seruauntes, he hathe broken hell, and set open the gates thereof. Wherfore seynge that we haue so myghtye a Lorde and maister we be out of all peryll and daunger.
But we again above all things, we must study to obey our lord & master, and do those things which he commandeth. For he hath redeemed and bought us for this entente and purpose, that we should be just and holy, as he himself is holy. And he that is not obedient unto Christs commandments shall be sore punished, for our Lord Jesus Christ shall come again to judge both the quick and the dead.
But we agayne aboue all thynges, we muste studye to obey oure lord & mayster, and do those thinges whiche he commaundeth. For he hath redemed and bought vs for thys entente and purpose, that we shoulde be iust and holy, as he hymselfe is holy. And he that is not obediēt vnto Christes commaundementes shall be sore punyshed, for oure Lorde Iesus Christ shal come agayne to iudge both the quicke and the dead.
Wherefore good children, labour with all diligence and study, that when Christ shall come again to judge the world, he may find you holy and obedient. For then he will reward you with everlasting life. After this manner Christ redeemed us from sin, and from the horrible offence of Adam, by whom we were all condemned. ⟨p. cxxxi⟩For by Christs passion & death, & by his gospel we have obtained thus much, that we may believe and trust in god. And trusting in God, we have his holy spirit, whereby we may also love God. And this holy ghost reneweth us and cleanseth us from all evil lusts and desires, that we being thus made holy and righteous, may keep God's commandments, and serve our Lord Jesus Christ.
Wherefore good children, laboure wyth all diligence and studye, that when Christe shall come againe to iudge the world, he may finde you holy and obedient. For then he wyll rewarde you wyth euerlastyng lyfe. After thys maner Christ redemed vs frō synne, and from the horryble offence of Adam, by whome we were al condemned. ⟨p. cxxxi⟩For by Christes passyon & death, & by hys ghospell we haue obteined thus much, that we may beleue and trust in god. And trustyng in God, we haue his holy spirite, whereby we maye also loue God. And thys holy gooste renueth vs and clemeth vs from all euell lustes and desires, that we beynge thus made holye and rightuouse, maye kepe Goddes commaundemētes, and serue our Lord Iesus Christ.
I Declared vnto you heretofore good childrē, that the Crede entreateth chiefly of thre thynges, that is to saye, of God the father that made the world, of God the sonne that redemed the worlde, and of God the holy goost that sanctifieth the worlde. And in the former sermon I taught you the hygh & heauenly philosophie, of the creation. ⟨image 144⟩Wherfore now I will vttre vnto you the great mistery of our redempcion, whiche is conteyned in these wordes of the Crede. I beleue in Iesus Christ his only begotten sonne / our Lorde / whiche was conceyued by the holye goost / borne of the virgin Marie / suffered vnder Ponce Pilate / was crucified / dead and buried. He descended into hell. The thirde daye he rose from death. He ascēded to heauen. He sytteth on the ryghte hande of God the father almyghtie. From thense he shall come to ⟨p. cxxii⟩iudge the quicke and the dead. In this seconde part of the Crede we may learne to know the secōde person in trinitie, the sōne of god, Iesus christ our lord. And as in ye first article ye haue learned what benefytes we receyue of God the father to the sustentation & maintenaūce of this temporal & transitorie lyfe, so in this seconde parte we shall lerne to know, how great treasures and ryche gyftes we haue receyued by ye sonne of God Iesus Christ, to the atteinyng of ye perfect & euerlastīg lyfe. And here you may cōsider good childrē how great was the miserie, & how horrible was the indignation of God whiche we were brought vnto by Adam. So great it was, that neyther golde nor syluer nor anye other thynge was able to bye vs ⟨image 145⟩out of the same, but onely Iesus Christ ye sonne of God & yt by hys death & effusion of hys moost precious blod. And of this great misery and indignation of God towarde vs this was the cause. At what tyme God had made Adam and Eue, and set thē in paradyse, he intreated them lyke a most louyng and gentle father. For he made theym lordes ouer al liuely creatures, both beastes fyshe and fowle, and did giue vnto them al trees yt bare fruit, that thei might feade thereon. Onely he forbad theym that they shoulde not eate of the tree of knowlege of good & ylle. And yet he gaue theym warnynge of ye great losse & damage that they should suffer if they eat of that tree saying. When soeuer you shall tast of the fruyt of that tree, you shalbe made mortal and ⟨p. cxxiii⟩shall dye.
