A19564:40
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.
Hitherto you have heard how by these three ways, by fearing, by trusting, and by loving, we may easily make a God of a creature, which in deed is no God but rather ⟨p. xiiii⟩an idol, set up by our own fantasy. But this is an horrible sin against the first commandment of God, and so much the more perilous, because it lurketh in the corners of mans hart most secretly. The world is full of this sin, and specially they that have hypocrite hearts, for all their painted holiness, are infected with the rustiness of these vices. And to the intent that you may the better know these heinous offences against the first commandment and the sooner eschew them, I will declare them unto you, by a few and short examples. Some there be that do so greatly fear the conjunctions and influences of the heavenly planets and bodies above, that when they judge by their learning in Astronomy, or hear say of other men, that the signs in heaven ⟨image 22⟩do threaten common plagues or calamities, by and by they tremble for fear, and not casting their hope and trust in God, they be so amazed that they can not tell whether to run to avoid the danger. Other there be that think, that when the Sun, Moon, or any other planets is in this or that sign, it is an unlucky thing to enterprise this or that, and upon such dismal days (as they call them) they will begin no new enterprise, because they think that it should not have good success or prosperous end. And many like kinds of idolatry is used even among christen people. But the prophet Jeremiah doth expressly forbid this in the .x. chapter, saying. Fear not the signs of the sky, as the heathen do. Furthermore many there be that stand in such awe to tyrants ⟨p. xv⟩that for fear of them they deny the true word of God. These men take tyrants, and rulers of this world for gods. For they imagine, that if such men favour them, then they shall be safe for ever. But the prophet David in the .cxlvi. psalm doth give contrary counsel saying thus. Put not your confidence in princes, in the sons of men, in the which is no salvation.
Hytherto you haue herde how by these thre waies, by fearing, by trustyng, and by louyng, we maie easely make a God of a creature, whiche in dede is no God but rather ⟨p. xiiii⟩