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…

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 ⟨p. clxxiiii⟩the wicked world may be done. For when we hear the gospel preached unto us, and give credit to it, and frame our lives and conversation after the same, then Satan rageth and is sore grieved and vexed, than he calleth all his wits unto him, & setteth all his study & crafty, to stir up false and brainsick doctors, to sow the cockle of heresy and erroneous opinions, where the good seed of gods word was first sown. Then he is busy to raise up persecutions, seditions, insurrections, commotions, war and blasphemies, whereby ye may let the word of God to have his course, and trouble the kingdom of Christ. And Satan is not alone, when he fighteth against Christ and his kingdom, but he hath on his side this false and deceivable world, and ⟨image 197⟩also our own flesh, which do not cease to entice and move us against gods most holy will.

For oftentymes we obey Gods wyll nothyng at all, but gyue our selues wholly to the lustes of our fleshe, oftentimes we do that God requirethe of vs grudgynglye, coldly & as it were halfe agaynste our willes. This is a great feblenes, or rather an horrible sykenes, lepry, corruption and pestylente contagion of originall synne, by meanes wherof they that be most holy here in earthe, be not perfecttely