A19564:36
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.
The first is, when a man feareth any creature, and thinketh thus with himself, if such a thing be taken away from me, if such a great man be angry with me, if I escape not such a danger: then I am utterly undone, then I know not whether to run for aid and succour, whether then shall I goo? who shall save or help me? if thou have any such ⟨image 18⟩thought of any creature, truly in thine heart thou makest it a God, although with thy mouth thou doest not call it God. And this affection lieth lurking so deeply hid within many mens hearts, that they themselves scarcely feel or perceive it. But this fear ought to be removed far from us. For we must cleave steadfastly by faith to the true and living God, and in all kind of adversity reason on this fashion. Although men of great power be mine enemies, although this or that peril doeth press me very sore, although I see nothing before mine eyes but present death or danger, yet will I not despair, yet will I not mistrust God, yet will I not hurt my soul with sin. For I am sure that this creature which so sore persecuteth, vexeth ⟨p. xii⟩or troubleth me, is no God, but is under the hand & power of the true living God: I know that one here of my head can not be taken away from me, without the will of him, that is only and alone the true living god. He is my maker my lord & my god, him will I fear more then the mighty power of any man, more then the crafty imaginations of mine enemies; yea more then any creature in heaven or in earth. If I be wrongfully entreated, and do suffer iniustli, he can easily deliver me▪ and so preserve me, that no peril shall touch me.
The fyrst is, when a man feareth anye creature, and thynketh thus with himself, yf such a thing be taken away from me, yf such a greate man be angrye wyth me, yf I escape not suche a daungier: then I am vtterly vndone, then I knowe not whether to runne for ayde and succoure, whether then shall I goo? who shall saue or helpe me? yf thou haue anye suche ⟨image 18⟩thought of any creature, trewly in thine harte thou makest it a God, althoughe with thy mouthe thou doest not call it God. And this affeccion lieth lurckynge so deaply hydde within manye mens hartes, that they theimselfes scaselye feale or perceaue it. But this feare oughte to be remoued farre from vs. For we must cleaue stedfastly by faithe to the trew and lyuynge God, and in all kynde of aduersitie reason on this faschion. Althoughe men of greate power be myne enemyes, althoughe this or that perrell doeth presse me verye sore, although I see nothinge before myne eyes but present deathe or daūger, yet wyl I not despaire, yet will I not mystrust God, yet wyl I not hurt my soule wt sinne. For I am sure that this creature whiche so sore persecuteth, vexeth