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 mark well these words I pray you (good children) that we do not only pray God, that his will may be done, but also we desire, that it may be fulfilled here of men in earth, even as it is of the angels in heaven. Now the angels in heaven fulfil Gods will most perfectly, both with most ⟨p. clxxiii⟩fervent love and most perfect obedience. And there is not in any of the heavenly spirits any evil desire, to do any thing contrary to gods will, but they be wholly inflamed with most perfect love toward God. Even so ought we also to be that dwell here in earth. But the weakness and evilness of mans hart is so great that we be not able to perform the same.

And marke well these wordes I praye you (good children) that we do not onely praye God, that hys wyll maye be donne, but also we desyer, yt it maye be fulfylled here of men in erth, euen as it is of the angels in heauen. Nowe the angels in heauen fulfyll Gods wyll most perfectlye, bothe with moost ⟨p. clxxiii⟩feruent loue and moste perfyte obedience. And there is not in anye of the heauenly spirites any euell desier, to do any thynge contrarye to gods wyll, but they be whollye inflamed with moste perfecte loue towarde God. Euen so oughte we also to be that dwell here in earth. But the wekenes and euylnes of mans hart is so greate that we be not able to perfourme the same.

For oftentimes we obey Gods will nothing at all, but give our selves wholly to the lusts of our flesh, oftentimes we do that God requireth of us grudgingly, coldly & as it were half against our wills. This is a great feebleness, or rather an horrible sickness, leprosy, corruption and pestilent contagion of original sin, by means whereof they that be most holy here in earth, be not perfectly ⟨image 196⟩just and righteous, but ever they want many things, that belong to their perfection. We must therefore continually pray God, to give us his grace & help, that we may fulfil his holy will, and be made as just and obedient, as the angels which be in heaven. Furthermore (good children) you shall note that when we say, thy will be done, we do not only pray for our selves, but for other also, that both we & they may do the holy will of God. And when any man goeth about to do any ungodly thing, which is against gods will, then we pray in this petition that God will let his naughty purpose, that gods will only may be done. This prayer also is against the devil and this most corrupt world, that neither the devils will, neither the will of