A19564:421
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.
¶A sermon of the Communion or the Lords supper.¶A sermon of the Communiō or the Lordes supper.
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.
As often therefore good children, as you shall come to the Lords table (which ye shall use to do, when ye shall come to further years of discretion) you shall seek the comfort of your consciences, and do as saint Paul sayeth in these words. Let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he that eateth or drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh his own damnation, because he maketh no difference of the Lords body. And when ye shall have examined your selves, ye shall find that ye are sinners, and that ye ⟨p. ccxxxix⟩have need, that Christ should give his body for you, and shed his blood for you. And this to do, is truly to examine and try your selves. For saint Paul sayeth. If we would judge our selves, we should not be judged of the Lord. But when we are judged of the Lord, we are chastised, that we should not be damned, with the world. For him that doth not acknowledge his fault, God doeth judge and chastise with diverse afflictions, that at the length he may cause him thereby to confess his faults, and repent him, that his since may be forgiven him. Ye shall also examine yourselves, whether ye be able to do, that Christ commandeth, and to believe, that Christ saith. Furthermore ye shall make an inquiry in your consciences, whether you be glad in ⟨image 272⟩your heart, to forgive your neighbour his offences against you and to love him heartily and unfeignedly for Christs sake. For when ye do thus, then ye worthily receive the body and blood of Christ. And he that so receiveth it, receiveth everlasting life. For he doth not only, with his bodily mouth receive the body and blood of Christ, but he doth also believe the words of Christ, whereby he is assured, that Christs body was given to death for us, & that his blood was shed for us. And he that this believeth, eateth and drinketh the body and blood of Christ spiritually. Of this Christ speaketh, when he sayeth. He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood,1 abideth in me and I in him. And when we be planted in Christ, then we may come to this ⟨p. ccxl⟩holy supper as often as we will, that by this ghostly food, we may daily more and more wax stronger in our faith, that Christ was given to be the ransom for our since, and that he dwelleth in us, and we in him.