A19564:374
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.
By these words our Lord ⟨p. ccxiii⟩Jesus Christ did institute baptism, whereby we be borne again to the kingdom of God. And you good children shall give diligence not only to rehearse these words, but also to understand, what christ meant by the same. That when you be demanded any question herein, you may both make a direct answer, and also in time to come be able to teach your children, as you your selves are now instructed. For what greater shame can there be, then a man to profess him self to be a Christen man, because he is baptised, and yet he knoweth not what baptism is, nor what strength the same hath, nor what the dipping in the water doth betoken? where as all our life time we ought to keep those promises, which there we solemnly made before God and man, and all our ⟨image 236⟩profession and life ought to agree to our baptism. Wherefore good children, to the intent you may the better know the strength & power of baptism, you shall first understand, that our lord Jesus Christ hath instituted and annexed to the gospel, three sacraments or holy seals, of his covenant and lege made with us. And by these three, gods ministers do work with us in the name and place of God (yea God him self worketh with us) to confirm us in our faith, & to ascertain us, that we are the lively members of Gods true church, and the chosen people of God, to whom the gospel is sent, and that all those things belong to us, whereof the promises of the gospel make mention. The first of these sacraments is baptism, by the which we be borne again to a new and heavenly ⟨p. ccxiiii⟩life, and be received into gods church and congregation, which is the foundation and pillar of the trueth. The second is absolution or the authority of the keys, whereby we be absolved from such since, as we be fallen into after our baptism. The third sacrament is the communion or the Lords supper, by the which we be fed and nourished, and fortified in the faith of the gospel and knowledge of Christ, that by this food we may grow more and more in newness of life, so that we may be no longer children, but may wax perfect men, and full grown in Christ. For I would you should well know this good children, that a Christen mans knowledge and life, is a more excellent thing, than unlearned people can judge.