A19564:344
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.
And now good children, that you may the better withstand such temptations, you shall here learn, that there be three kinds of temptations. The first is the temptation of the flesh, as when we are tempted to do any thing, which is pleasant to the flesh, and yet it is sinful. As when the flesh doth provoke us to lechery, adultery, drunkenness and such like. Or when we be tempted to leave any thing undone, which is painful & grievous to the flesh, and yet of it self it is holy and righteous, as when we suffer afflictions against our will, when we do not gladly fast, when we do not gladly give alms, fearing lest we shall lack our own ⟨image 220⟩selves, and not have enough to maintain our pride and pleasures. The second temptation is of the world, as when through evil company, we be corrupted in our own living, and provoked to follow naughty examples. Also when we swerve from that which is right & honest, for fear of persecution, displeasure, indignation or threatening of men. Or when men through their falsehood, malice or craft do move us to anger, envy or hatred. The third temptation is of the devil, as when we feel in our hearts, sudden and vehement motions to do evil, & yet neither the flesh nor the world doth provoke us to the same. But evil thoughts do so suddenly come into our minds, that we our selves do not well know from whence they came. Such evil thoughts, ⟨p. cxcviii⟩no doubt of it, come from the devil, For the devil is a spirit, whom we can neither feel nor see, Wherefore he can set our hearts afire so suddenly, that we shall not know from whence such sudden fire and sparks do come. Also when the flesh and the world do tempt us, then Satan also taketh occasion thereby to enter in at the gate, which they have set open for him, and maketh their temptation so strong, that it is hard for us to withstand and overcome the same. And all these temptations good children be against gods commandments. Wherefore hereby you shall learn to know what is temptation. For when any thing cometh in to your mind, by the which you are provoked to do against gods commandment, it is temptation. Wherefore beware you do ⟨image 221⟩not the same, but desire of God help and assistance against temptation.
And now good children, yt you maye the better withstande suche temptations, you shal here learne, that there be thre kyndes of temptaciōs. The first is the temptation of ye fleshe, as whē we are tempted to do any thing, whiche is pleaāt to the fleshe, and yet it is synfull. As when the fleshe dothe prouoke vs to lecherye, adulterye, dronkenes and suche like. Or when we be tempted to leaue any thinge vndone, which is painful & greuous to the fleshe, and yet of it selfe it is holy and rightuous, as when we suffer afflictions against our wyl, when we do not gladly fast, when we do not gladly gyue almes, fraryng lest we shall lacke our awne