A19564:59
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.
We have also the holy scriptures which declare unto us the wonderful works of God, by which things we may be led to the knowledge of God without painted or carved images. Now peradventure some will say that Christ hath a body, and likewise have ⟨image 33⟩saints, & therefore of them we may have images although of God there can be made no image. And further they will say, that the cause why images were forbid, was peril of idolatry, and worshipping of them. So that where there is no such peril, we may have images.
We haue also ye holy scriptures whiche declare vnto vs the wonderful workes of God, by which thynges wee maye be ledde to the knowledge of God without painted or carued ymages. Now paraduēture some wil say that Christ hathe a bodye, and lykewyse haue ⟨image 33⟩saintes, & therfore of them we may haue ymages althoughe of God there can be made no ymage. And further they wil say, that the cause why ymages wer forbid, was perryl of ydolatry, and worshipping of theym. So that where there is no suche peril, we may haue ymages.
Yet as I will not utterly deny but they may be had, so I think it more convenient for christen religion that they should be taken out of Christen mens churches, then that they should be placed in the temple of God. And of this my opinion I will show you certain good grounds, to the intent that when you be demanded, why we English men have no images in our churches, you may be able to make thereunto a reasonable answer, and that also in time to come ⟨image 34⟩you may declare to your children what abuses have crept into the church by the occasion of images. That if any man shall hereafter god about craftily to bring in images again for his own lucre sake, they may the sooner perceive his Juggling, and so the better avoid the peril and danger. First it is certain, that we neither have commandment, counsel nor example of the scripture, nor of the primitive church in the apostles time, nor many years after to set up images in our churches. As it may appear by the holy man Epiphanius Bishop of Cyprus, a man of great estimation an .xi. hundred years passed, for his great learning and virtue, and by whom not only in his life time, but also after his death, god wrought many miracles. He in an