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 so the ministration of gods word (which our Lord Jesus Christ himself did first institute) was derived from the Apostles unto other after them, by imposition of hands, and giving the holy ghost, from the Apostles time to our days. And this was the consecration, orders & unction of the Apostles, whereby they, at the beginning, made Bishops and priests, and this ⟨image 252⟩shall continue in the church, even to the worlds end. And what soever rite or ceremony, hath ben added more than this cometh of mans ordinance and policy, and is not commanded by God's word.

And so the ministratiō of gods worde (which our Lorde Iesus Christ hymselfe dyd first institute) was deryued from the Apostles vnto other after theim, by imposition of hādes, and gyuynge the holy ghost, from the Apostles tyme to our dayes. And this was the consecration, ordres & vnction of the Apostles, wherby they, at the begynnynge, made Byshopes and pryestes, and this ⟨image 252⟩shall continewe in ye churche, euen to the worldes ende. And what soeuer rite or ceremonye, hath ben added more than this commeth of mannes ordinaunce and policye, and is not commaūded by goddes worde.

Wherefore good children, you shall give due reverence & honour to the ministers of the church, and shall not meanly or lightly esteem them in the execution of their office, but you shall take them for gods ministers, and the messengers of our Lord Jesus Christ. For Christ himself sayeth in the gospel. He that heareth you, heareth me. And he that despiseth you, despiseth me.¹ wherefore good children, you shall steadfastly believe all those things, which such ministers shall speak unto you, from the mouth, and by the commandment of our ⟨p. ccxxxi⟩Lord Jesus Christ. And what soever they do to you, as when they baptise you, when they give you absolution, and distribute to you the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, these you shall so esteem, as if Christ himself in his own person, did speak, and minister unto you. For Christ hath commanded his ministers to do this unto you, and he himself, (although you see him not with your bodily eyes) is present with his ministers, and worketh by the holy ghost in the administration of his sacraments. And on the other side, you shall take good heed, & beware of false and privy preachers, which privily crepe into cities, and preach in corners, having none authority, nor being called to this office. For Christ is not present with such preachers