A19564:330
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.
To the intent good children that you may the better understand this petition, you shall call to your remembrance that lesson, which you learned a little before, that is to say, that Christ hath promised, that he will give us all things, ⟨image 210⟩which we ask in faith and true belief. Now true faith is grounded upon the promise of god, and it is not builded, but upon the foundation of his word. Wherefore if we will ask any thing in true belief, we must ask as the word of God teacheth us, and we must take sure hold of Gods promise, declared in the scripture. For it is not faith, to believe our own phantasies or dreams, of the which God hath nothing spoken or taught. As if a man would believe that by God's help he should not be drowned, although he leapt into the sea, this were no faith, but a temptation of god, a very heinous sin, coming doubtless of the devil, who on this wise tempted our master Christ, when he set him upon the pinnacle of the temple in the holy city,1 and said unto ⟨p. clxxxviii⟩him. If thou be the son of God, cast thy self down. But Christ refused so to do, & answered thus. It is written.2 Thou shalt not tempt thy Lord God. Now there is not in the whole scripture any one promise, that God will help me, if I do any such act, but if we do such things as God hath commanded us, he hath made us many promises, that he will aid and succour us, in all our necessities and troubles. By the which promises, he hath declared his fatherly love towards us, intending thereby to stir and provoke us, to run unto him in all our cares and needs. Wherefore it is our bounden duty, to call upon his name in all our necessities, to trust upon his promises, to put him as it were in remembrance of them, and earnestly ⟨image 211⟩to desire him to perform the same. But among all other promises, this promise is specially to be remembered where Christ promiseth thus. If ye will forgive men their trespasses, my heavenly father also will forgive you, your trespasses. But if you will not forgive men their trespasses, then will not my heavenly father forgive you. In the which promise, Christ doth not only offer unto us remission of our since, and such things as appertain to everlasting life, but also he promiseth us hereby peace and quietness in this transitory life, with concord and a loving heart toward our neighbour.