A19564:232
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.
Now I desire you to mark diligently, by what means & fashion the holy ghost doth work this sanctification or hallowing in us. After that our Lord Jesus Christ by his death passion and resurrection had redeemed us, and obtained for us, that our since should ⟨p. cxxxv⟩be forgiven, and we be made the children of God, shortly after in the feest of Pentecost, he sent down up on his Apostles the holy ghost in the likeness of fiery tongues. The which holy ghost gave them wisdom conning audacity and constancy, to teach boldly this holy gospel of Christ, that is to say, this christen faith whereof we do speak. And where they could not be present themself, or long abide & continue in their own persons, thither they sent their disciples & other godly & learned men, & to them they gave the holy ghost, by laying their hands upon their heads. And this rite or ceremony, to ordain preachers & ministers of gods word, hath continued in the church even from the Apostles time unto this day, and shall endure unto the worlds end. For saint Paul ⟨image 158⟩sayeth. How shall men believe without a preacher? And how shall men preach, except they be sent? And here you may learn, that this holy gospel which we preach, and the doctrine of the grace of Christ, taught in the hole church, cometh not of the will of man, but by the commandment of God, & by the motion of the holy ghost which doth stir up mens minds, to publish gods most holy word, and doth work by his secret inspiration in the preachers and ministers of the same. For they were not able so much as to open their mouths, to teach so high mysteries and heavenly wisdom, if the holy ghost did not move them thereto, and work in them. Neither would the hearers so greatly esteem the preachers word, and give so good ear unto it, except the holy ghost did persuade ⟨p. cxxxvi⟩them, that the doctrine of the gospel, were of God and cam from heaven. Now the holy ghost worketh by this word on this fashion. First he that believeth the gospel, and receiveth the doctrine of Christ, is made the son of God, as saint John witnesseth in his gospel,1 saying. As many as receive him, he hath given them power to be made the children of God. For when we believe in Christ, and are baptised, then we be borne again, and are made the children of God.