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 the well and head, out of the which all these evil do spring is original sin, in the which we were conceived and borne in our mothers wombs, whereby mans reason is so blinded, that of himself he can not know God, nor his word. And mans will also by this sin is so poisoned, that he doth not obey the will of God, nor keep his commandments. Now because mans reason is blinded, it is easy for the devil, to led man to all errors, as Idolatry, heresies, witchcrafts, enchantments, and to all kind of superstitious and false doctrine. And these often ces God doth punish with diverse ⟨p. ccvii⟩and grievous plagues, as with pride, envy, contention, detraction, slandering, lying, railing, trouble and unquietness of conscience, fear and pensiveness of the mind & such like, which vices, so torment & gnaw our hearts, that they daily wast & consume us. And hereof ensue diverse diseases sicknesses and infirmities, and at length death it self. Also when mans will is not ruled by gods law, but followeth his own affections & lusts, then he runneth headlong into all kind of gross and horrible sin, as to treason, sedition, adulteries, theft, extortion, bribery, beguiling and deceiving his neighbour, to pride, envy, anger, gluttony, brawling, fighting and manslaughter. And because God of his justice, can not suffer such heinous since unpunished, therefore ⟨image 230⟩he suffereth the devil, some time to infect the air, some time to stir up great and dangerous tempests and storms, some time he permitteth him to destroy our houses, cattle, and riches, with fire or water. Again, God suffereth him some time to have such power over us, for our sins that some he maketh to run mad, some he causeth to drown themselves, some to burn themselves, some to cut their own throats, some hang themselves. For this is Satan's chief study, to drive men to such fear, trouble & anguish of mind, that through pensiveness & heaviness of heart, he may bring them to desperation. And this is his only intent and study, to bring as many as he can, to everlasting damnation. Now you have heard (good children) into how great and horrible ⟨p. ccviii⟩evils, we be brought unto by original sin, so that every moment we be in danger to be drowned with the ragyous floods thereof.

And the wel and heade, out of the which al these euyll do sprynge is original synne, in the whiche we were conceiued and borne in oure mothers wombes, whereby mans reason is so blynded, that of hymselfe he can not knowe God, nor his worde. And mans will also by this synne is so poysened, that he doth not obey the wyl of God, nor keape his commaūdements. Now because mans reason is blynded, it is easy for the deuel, to led mā to all errores, as Idolatry, heresies, wytchecraftes, inchauntementes, and to all kynde of superstitious and false doctrine. And these offē ces God doth punish with diuerse