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…

I believe the holy catholic church, that is to say, all godly and Christen men must believe, that the gospel or doctrine of God's grace through the merits of our saviour Jesus Christ, is never in vain published in the world, or sowed abroad without fruit, but ever there is found some company of men, or some congregation of good people which believe the gospel and be saved. And this company of men which believeth the gospel, although here upon earth ⟨image 162⟩they be severed in sundry places, yet are they called one holy catholic or universal church of Christ, that is to say, a multitude congregation or company of Christen people. For this word, church, doth not here betoken a temple or church builded of timber and stone, but it signifieth a company of men lightened with the spirit of Christ, which do receive the gospel, and come together to hear gods word, and to pray. And this Christen church is a communion of saints, that is to say, all that be of this communion or company, be holy, & be one holy body under Christ their heed, they be one holy congregation or assemble. And this congregation receiveth of their head and Lord Jesus Christ, all spiritual riches and gifts that pertaineth to the sanctification ⟨p. cxl⟩and making holy of the same body. And these ghostly treasures, be common to the hole body, and to every member of the same. For he that is unfeignedly a faithful and Godly man, is made partaker of these benefits. And these are the said gifts, which be common to the hole church of Christ and to every member of the same.

I beleue the holy catholycke churche, that is to saye, all godly and Christē men must beleue, that the gospel or doctryne of goddes grace thorowe the merites of oure sauiour Iesus Christ, is neuer in vayne published in the worlde, or sowed abrode without fruit, but euer there is founde some companye of men, or some congregacion of good people whiche beleue the gospel and be saued. And this cō panie of men whiche beleueth the gospell, although here vpō earth ⟨image 162⟩thei be seuered in sōdry places, yet are they called one holy catholike or vniuersal churche of Christe, that is to saie, a multitude cōgregation or companye of Christen people. For this worde, churche, doth not here betoken a temple or churche buylded of tymber and stone, but it signifieth a companye of men lyghtened with the spirite of Christe, whiche do receaue the gospel, and come together to heare gods wourde, and to praye. And this Christē churche is a cōmunyon of sainctes, that is to saye, all that be of this cōmunion or cōpany, be holy, & be one holy body vnder Christe their heed, they be one holy congregation or assemble. And this congregation receaueth of their hedde and Lorde Iesus Christe, all spirituall riches and gyftes that perteyneth to the sanctification