The Catechism in Meter, for the eafier learning, and better remembering of those principles of our Faith, which we ought most familiarly to be acquainted withal.  
For the proof of those things, which I have not quoted, I refer you to the usual Catechism. Only in the margin I have quoted those things which I have added for plainness.  
The verse will agree with most of the tunes of the Psalms of David, and it is divided into parts, that each part may be song by itself.  
¶ Imprinted at London by Robart Walley. 1583.   

To the Christian reader, mercy and peace in Christ.  
HE, that considereth the dull untowardness of our nature in learning of heavenly things, the tediousness that easily creepeth upon us, the scorn that many have to teach, and others to be taught by their Pastors and Masters, the difficulty and infinite travail in teaching, and the small increase of continual labour with them, besides the diligence of the adversaries, in blasting abroad their poison, and how necessarily therefore the people of God are to be foreseasoned and confirmed with the conterpoison of truth against them, shall easily perceive this to be no idle or vain Poetry, but a needful and Christian policy. This is more then enough to the godly wise: He that giveth increase to the Planter and Waterer, give a blessing here unto, that it may spread itself to his glory, and the increase of his kingdom. This New Year's day. 1583.  
Thine in Christ. T.R.   

G.S. To the Author.  
Amongst a number of catechisms, which fly abroad, I have not read any, either for shortness more compendious, or in matter more substantial, or in manner of style more easy, or for the capacity of the simple more facile, than this metrical Cathechisine of yours, which lately came to my hands: which though it were sent by you to your familiar friends, as a testimony to them of your good will, (being at the first far from any purpose to have it come to light, or to be published to others) yet presuming upon your friendly acceptation of my good meaning, I have adventured to put in print, that a work so needful for all, should not be made private to some few, but communicated to many. And I doubt not but that the good accepting of these firstlings of your labours, and the great profit which this small book shall bring to the Church of GOD, will embolden and animate you to proceed to the publishing of greater matters. For howsoever in humility you seek to shroud yourself intra domesticos parietes, carefully and painfully keeping yourself within the compass of your own charge, yet you cannot so hide your rare and excellent gifts (I writ without flattery) but that profitably they break for the to the advancement of God's kingdom, and great benefit of his children. And I would wish (such is my desire to have others profited, as I myself have been comforted and confirmed by you) that as you have been by preaching the word, a fruitful labourer in God's vinyeard, so you would vouchsafe also by writing at your convenient opportunity, to do good to many, who though they have not seen you, yet desire to be partakers of the fruits of your labours. You are better known than you surmise, and more is expected at your hands, than you imagine. Employ your talents every way to the uttermost and apply yourself to benefit not a private Congregation only, but the whole body of the Church also, so far forth as it shall seem good to your godly wifedome. I take not upon me to direct you, but I tell you what I wish, that the same benefit which I myself and other yoùr hearers, have received by your preaching, might also by other your travails, redound to the comfort of them, who never heard you.  
Your loving friend. G.S.   


The first part.  
WE live this life, to learn to live,  
that is to know the way:  
To be discharged before the lord,  
for sin at judgement day.  
Again we live to honour God,  
by care to do his will:  
And not in reckless brutish life,  
our fancies to fulfil.  
The way to learn our true discharge,  
is first our charge to know,  
That is th'indictment of our sin,  
and our deserved woe:  
The meaning of God's holy law,  
indites me for my sin: 
The ten Commandments.   
And doth pronounce the fearful curse,  
that I deserve therein.  
God did enjoin me by his law,  
to have no Gods but one:  
That is to love, to fear, to pray,  
and trust to God alone:  
Next that I do devise no 
(a) levit. 26.1. Exod. 32.4.8. We may not make any signs as remembrance of God's person, for the sign can not agree with the thing signfied Abac. 2●8. but of his love, 〈◊〉 mercy, justice, 〈◊〉 deliverance, & ● we may have signs and remembrances, as Gene. 28.18.  sign,  
or image of the Lord:  
Or any thing to worship it,  
but serve him by his word:  
The third that both I think and speak,  
of him with reverent fear:  
In trifles not to make him 
(b) God is made age either by oath Heb. 6.16. or by lots, as in Cards and Dice, or in any other casual trial of controversies. Prou. 16.33.  judge,  
by creatures not to swear.  
The fourth to rest one day in seven,  

(a) Deut. 5.14.15  God's works to muse upon:  
And every day to rest from sin,  

(b) Heb. 49.10.  which is our work alone.  
Next to ●●aye my parieses 
(c) For besides our natural ●aren●es, Magistrates are so called. judg. 5. ●. pastors. 1. Tim. 1.2. Master 1.2. King. 25.12. Old men. 1. Tim. 5.1.  all,  
which rule me in God's steed:  
And I as Parent rule and 
(d) Heb. 13.17. Gene. 18.19.  teach,  
my charge with careful heed.  
The sixth forbids my heart my hand,  
or tongue to wreak my spite:  
And bids me save by all these means,  
the life of every wight.  
The seventh condemns both thought and deed  
and cause of wanton lust:  
Commanding to suppress it still,  
or live in wedlock just.  
The eighth to shun the stealth of heart,  
of craft or wrongful deed:  
To labour with contented mind,  
and help my brother's need.  
The ninth all falsehood doth forbid,  
in witness, talk, or thought:  
To speak it, or believe it, till  
redress and truth be sought.  
The tenth condemns both stain of birth  
and 
* Rom. 7.23.  first devise of sin:  
Though neither action nor consent,  
nor 
(f) The first thoughts of sin are often, times odions to the godly so soon as they arise, and yet they be sinful, because they are the wisdom of the flesh, that is to say, enmity against god. Rom. 6.7.  pleasure pass therein.   

The second part.  
BY 
(g) she Law bewrayeth our imperfections.  this I see there can no flesh,  
this perfect law fulfil:  
And that in thought, in word, in deed,  
I still offend Gods will.  
And to my least ungodly thought,  
God's curse is due by right:  
Which brings hell fire and woeful worm  
that gnaws both day and night.  
From these so everlasting pains,  
no goods can ransom me:  
Nor worldly woe nor works of mine,  
from hell can set me free.  
And though our God be merciful,  
yet is he just and true:  
And must of justice punish sin,  
with plagues by justice due:  
Which none is able to endure,  
and save himself at length,  
If he be but a 
* jude. 6.  creature,  
and have no greater strength.  
Wherefore our Christ becoming man, 
Christ hath done that for us which we could not do for ourselves.   
his Godhead joined thereto:  
That he might compass that for us,  
which we could never do.  
As man to take man's cause in hand,  
and subject be to woe:  
As God to vanquish Death and Hell  
and Satan overthrow.  
And yet by this none saved are,  
but that with faith unfainde  
Are sure Gods promise in his Christ,  
shall firmly be maintained.  
This faith is full belief of heart, 
Faith.   
upon Gods promise stayed:  
And by the holy spirit of God,  
into my soul conveyed.  
Whereby I know that all that Christ,  
hath done pertains to me:  
And is mine own, as if myself,  
thereof could worker be.  
By this my faith I see my sins,  
forgiven, and plagued also:  
For I am quit, yet Christ for me,  
this plague did undergo.  
Thus God to me is merciful,  
and just in Christ his son:  
And counts me also clean and pure,  
by that which Christ hath done:  
And this belief of God's free grace,  
doth frame my thankful mind,  
To serve my God with cheerfulness,  
that was to me so kind.  
This faith the Creed contains in somnie  
which doth us all direct: 
The Creed.   
What to believe of God, and of  
God's Church his dear elect.   

The third part.  
TH'eternal God the father of Christ  
doth all Christ's members take  
To be his children with their head  
for Christ their saviours sake. 
I believe in God the father,   
Again, this God Almighty is, 
Almighty, make● o●. etc. Heb. 1●. 3.   
‛ creating all of none:  
And he in heaven in yearth and hell,  
doth govern all alone.  
Of Christ the son of God, and God, 
And in jesus Christ, etc.   
I steadfastly do hold:  
That he by holy Ghost conceived  
did take our fleshly mould, 
Conceiu●d,   
Of Virgin pure, 
Borne,  to be our pledge,  
and so was free from sin:  
And 
* Rom. 8.3.  all his life performed God's Law,  
for us that failed therein.  
At length he was condemned, 
Suffered,  and cursed by hanging on the Tree,  
From Gods most fearful judgement bar,  
and curse to set me free.  
On cross he suffered 
* (c) 1. Pet. 2.24. Math. 27.46. Crucified, Dead, Buried, Descended,  hell, and death,  
God's wrath to pacify:  
And that as he was dead for sin,  
so I to sin mate die.  
From grave the third day he arose, 
Rose again,   
as conquering Death and Hell:  
That I may rise to virtue first,  
and last in heaven to dwell.  
He did ascend, 
Ascended,  that so may I,  
and intercession still  
He makes for me, 
* Heb. 10.14.  alonely by,  
his blood which he did spill.  
His father hath endued him, 
Sitteth on the right hand.   
both God and man with might,  
To rule his Church by his decrees,  
and all the world with right.  
And therefore I believe at length, 
Shall come to judge,   
that Christ as judge shall come:  
To quit his chosen Sheep, and damn,  
the rest by righteous doom.  
God holy Ghost I do believe, 
I believe in the holy Ghost.   
doth seal into my breast,  
That Christ is mine, and killing sin,  
to virtue makes me priest.  
The Father Son and holy Ghost,  
I call them God all three:  
And yet one God because his word,  
hath so set down to me.  
God's Church or flock to person, place, 
Holy Catho.   
or time particularly  
Not tied is, God knows them all,  
and loves them tenderly.  
The same from Christ their head all gifts, 
Communion of Saints.   
of soul and body draw  
In 
* Rom. 12.3.  measure, for to help the rest,  
by Christian mercies law.  
To these forgiveness of their sins, 
Forgiveness,   
in Christ his blood is given:  
The raising of their flesh from dust, 
Resurrection, Life everlasting   
and life with Christ in heaven.   

The fourth part.  
OF this my faith by preaching bred  
by preaching still I have  
Increase, 
Sacraments.  and by the Sacraments,  
which Christ as earnest gave  
Unto his Church, whereby he binds  
himself to ransom me:  
And I by taking bind myself,  
his servant for to be.  
These are but two: in Baptism first  
the water is our sign: 
2. Sacraments, Baptism and the lords Supper.   
And in the Supper of the Lord,  
we have the bread and wine:  
The water serves to teach that as, 
Baptism.   
it washeth clean our skin:  
So Christ his death doth cleanse my soul,  
from guilt, and plague of sin.  
So I and all are Baptized, which  
with Christ to sin are dead:  
And raise d with him in righteousness,  
a better life to lead.  
The bread and wine do teach, 
The Lord's Supper.  that as  
without the natural food  
Our thirst and hunger none can suage:  
so 
* Math 11.28.  nought but Christ his blood,  
And suffryngs can refre she the settle,  
with sin oppressed and pined:  
Which still doth run into despair,  
till Christ do come to mind.  
But when with lively steadfast faith, 
joh. 6.40.   
my Christ on cross I see:  
And all his hellish woeful pains,  
that he endured for me:  
Then is his flesh my meat in deed, 
joh. 6.47.54.   
his blood then do I drink:  
If that my soul refreshed be,  
when on his death I think.  
What thing can then this food of soul,  
more lively represent,  
Then food of body bread and wine:  
and so a Sacrament  
It is in deed, in nature not  
transformed, but use alone:  
Not flesh of Christ, but signifying,  
that flesh we feed upon:  
For if the bread be turned to Christ,  
in Godhead, flesh, and bone,  
By force of consecrating words,  
than Christ, which is but 
* 1. Cor. 8.6.  one.  
Shallbe so many Christ's, 
(c) The last counsel of Trens affirmeth, that in every piece of the consecrated host, is whole Christ God and man, and curseth all that deny it. Cano. 3 de. Sacamento Euch.  as crumbs  
were ever consecrated:  
And of the substance of the bread,  
Christ's Godhead is created.  
His manhood subject to no 
* Luc. 24.39.40.  sense,  
no flesh, or bone shallbe:  
So both his natures overthrown,  
by this we plainly see.  
To eat this food I must prepare,  
my soul by grief for sum:  
And true desire in holiness,  
a new life to be gin.  
Next, faith must teach me that my sins,  
in Christ have full release:  
And I with all men, even my foes,  
in heart must be at peace.   

The fift part.  
THis care is chiefly then required,  
when I do take this food:  
But yet I must frequent the works,  
that holy be and good  
Continually, for though in Christ,  
my full redemption lie:  
I work not for myself in deed,  
yet God to glorify,  
And for to she we my thankful heart,  
to make my cassing sure:  
To 
* Isa. 38. ●.  help the helpless, and to Christ,  
some others to allure.  
And these good works by God's precept,  
must still be warrantable:  
And flow from faith, or else to God  
they be abominable.  
Amongst these works our prayer is not  
the least, which doth avail  
To strength my faith exceedingly:  
for God, 
* Tit. 1.2.  who can not fail,  
In pledge of love, doth 
* joh. 16.24.  bid me ask  
of him, in Christ, with faith,  
And earnest importunity,  
what he by promise saith  
That he will give, and I shall have,  
for me what may be best:  
And to that end hath left to his,  
this form of true request.   

Out father which art in the heavens, 
The lords prayer.   
all praise to thee be given:  
Thy Church increase, thy will be done  
of us as 'tis in heaven.  
Give us this day that may suffice,  
our sins to thee release:  
As we in heart forgive our foes,  
and mean to live in peace.  
Lord yield us not to suares of sin,  
from Satan set us free.  
For kingdom, power, and glorte is thine,  
O Lord so let it be.   

¶ The some of all.  
THe Law bewrays my deadly wound  
by sum, whereof the cure  
The Creed doth teach by jesus Christ,  
the Sacraments make sure,  
That by that means I cured shallbe,  
the prayer of the Lord;  
Confirms Gods love, because he bids,  
me ask, and doth accord  
To grant me aught that may be good,  
for me in any wise:  
Like as a father to his child,  
no needful thing denies.   

¶ Or else thus.  
The sixth part.  
THe state of all mankind to God,  
mate be resembled well  
In some respects, unto a Prince,  
and subjects that rebel.  
The Law on treason death decrees,  
and they in ward are cast:  
Till time of execution come;  
but yet the Prince at last  
Of his free mercy doth devise,  
those traitors to preserve,  
And eke as tustice doth him bind,  
not from the Law to serve.  
The Death that Law on treason sets,  
his only Son shall die:  
And he by this will rescue all,  
that will be saved thereby.  
This pardon sealed he proclaims,  
and bids them ask beside,  
What thing soever he may give,  
it shall not be denied.  
Of this free mercy some take heide,  
which know the Prince's troth  
And faithfulness, some others are,  
to leave their dungeon loath,  
And rather choose of traitorous heart,  
to die then for to take:  
The grace so freely proffered them:  
some others lewdly make  
This promise plain of none effect,  
as though it could not be,  
That he should mean good sooth with them,  
that dealt so traitorously:  
Or that his son would die for them,  
or if he did, it might:  
Suffice the sentence of the Law,  
from death to set them quite.  
The rest do hope by other means,  
though this be clean neglected,  
By pity or their own deserts,  
that they shallbe accepted.  
Of which at length none saved are,  
but they that fly unto  
The Prince's pardon: all the rest,  
their sentence undergo.  
Even so all we by sin have been,  
rank rebels to our God:  
The Law pronounceth hell thereon,  
and we have here abode  
Upon this yearth as 'ttwere in ward,  
till execution day:  
But yet our God of his free grace,  
hath found a wondrous way  
To save us and perform his Law,  
by yielding up to die  
His only Son to be our pledge,  
and able surety,  
To pay the debts of all the world:  
here of the patent letter  
He hath by Scriptures given to us:  
and to confirm us better  
He sets his Sacraments thereto,  
this pardon so to seal  
And farther bids us boldly ask,  
and he will not repeal  
Our lawful suits: upon his word,  
and promise some do stay,  
And claim his pardon, knowing sure,  
that he will not unsate  
His promise made: some others like  
this earthly dungeon well:  
And for to die, they spare not still,  
most lewdly to rebel.  
Some others think it but a tale,  
that God such grace should show  
To them that had deserved so ill;  
and these do make a mow  
Of Christ his death: the rest do hope  
God will not be so rough,  
Or by their good evil works, and toys  
to please him well enough.  
But these shallbe defeated all,  
except those first alone  
That do take hold of grace in Christ,  
and only stay thereon.  
And as those faithful subjects saved  
by trusting to that grace  
Which Princes pardon offereth them.  
cannot in any case  
But show their thankful heart to Prince  
that dealt so graciousite,  
And wholly for to please their king,  
hereafter do apply  
Themselves: even so the Christian saved  
by faith in Christ his death,  
Doth consecrate himself to God  
as long as life and breath  
Doth last, to serve him faithfully,  
that hath him so deserved,  
And by so dear a ransom hath  
from death and hell preserved.   

When you have done singing so much as you will, it were good to add that prayed for the Church of God, in the 28. Psalm 9 verse.  
Thy people and thine heritage,  
Lord bless, guide, and preserve:  
Increase them lord & rule their hearts  
that they may never serve.