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…

And they that resist, do purchase to them selves damnation. For the rulers are not fearful to them that do good, but to them that do evil. ⟨p. clxx⟩wilt thou be without fear of the powers? do well then, and so shalt thou be praised of the same. For he is the minister of God for thy wealth. But if thou do evil, then fear, for he beareth not the sword in vain. For he is the minister of God, to punish him that doeth evil. Wherefore you must needs obey, not only for fear of punishment, but also for very conscience. By these words you may well perceive good children, that it is Gods will and pleasure, that we should lead here in this world an honest and quiet life, and that they which be seditious and full of trouble and unquietness in the common wealth, should be punished. And upon these considerations he hath given us these commandments. Honour thy father and mother. Thou ⟨image 193⟩shalt not kill. Thou shalt not commit adultery. Thou shalt not steal. Thou shalt bear no false witness against thy neighbour. Thou shalt not desire any thing that is thy neighbours. And God hath commanded the governors of common wealths, to punish such as do not obey these commandments, and he himself will punish them also, wherefore let such as be disobedient, look for punishment, not only of the governors here in the sight of the world, but also of God himself. And the governors, which according to gods commandment, do correct and punish offenders, they do worship God highly, and do to him a pleasant and acceptable sacrifice. And God hath ordained the higher powers, and quietness to be ⟨p. clxxi⟩in common wealths, that thereby we might hear and learn the gospel more easily and quietly. For where as war and sedition is, there is not the place to preach the word of god with fruit & profit. For the which cause saint Paul, writing to Timothy, sayeth on this wise: I charge you, that prayers and supplications be made for all men, for kings, and for all that are in authority, that we may live a quiet and a peaceable life, with all godliness and honesty. For this is good and accepted in the sight of God our saviour, which willeth all men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

And they that resist, do purchase to thē selues damnation. For the rulers are not fearefull to theym that do good, but to theym that do euell.