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…

But now because you say, you see, your sin abideth still, that is to say, it is not forgiven. Thirdly, our Saviour Christ after his resurrection, gave the keys to his apostles (as before he had promised) breathing upon them, and saying. Receive the holy ghost, whose since ye shall forgive, they are for ⟨image 257⟩given. Now forasmuch as our saviour Christ, in giving the keys, did promise us so great con forte, did so diligently teach the use of them, and did so faithfully, and lovingly ordain and commend them and put them (as it were) into the hands of his apostles & their successors, we ought in no wise to despise this great authority, which God hath given unto men, but thankfully to use it. For know this for a surety good children, that it is a very great offence against God, little to care for his great gifts and benefits. Therefore when we fall again to great since, after that we are ones baptised, we ought not to walk in a certain recklessness, thinking that our since be forgiven us only because God is merciful (For this opinion or wavering ⟨p. ccxxvi⟩imagination, is more weak and feeble, than that in the fear and battle of the conscience, it is able to stand against the violent force and crafty assaults of the devil) But in this fight between our con science & the devil, our great trust and comfort is the sure word and work of God, which may ascertain us that our since are forgiven, that is to say, when we obtain forgiveness of our since and absolution, of the ministers of the church, to whom Christ hath delivered the keys, and hath promised saying. Whose since ye shall forgive in earth, their since be forgiven in heaven also.

But nowe bycause you saye, you see, your synne abydeth styll, that is to saye, it is not forgyuen. Thyrdlye, oure Sauioure Christe after his resurrectiō, gaue the kaies to his apostles (as before he had promysed) breathynge vpon theim, and saying. Receaue the holy gost, whose synnes ye shall forgyue, they are for ⟨image 257⟩gyuen. Now forasmuche as oure sauioure Christe, in gyuynge the keyes, did promise vs so great cō forte, dyd so dylygentlye teache the vse of them, and dyd so faythfully, and louyngly ordeyne and commende them and put theim (as it wer) into the handes of his apostles & their successors, we ought in no wyse to dyspyse this greate authoritie, whiche God hath gyuen vnto men, but thankefully to vse it. For knowe this for a suertye good children, that it is a very great offence against God, lytle to care for hys great gyftes and benefites. Therefore when we fal agayne to great synnes, after that we are ones baptysed, we oughte not to walke in a certē rechelesnes, thynkyng that our synnes be forgyuen vs onely because God is merciful (For this opinion or wauering